Making - An Update

I have been making, and no, I haven't been blogging, not here anyway! I've had many distractions this last few months, one major one being the business my husband and I are setting up called Cocooned.

After caring for our daughter in hospital, having had two open heart surgeries and numerous other surgeries, it became apparent that dressing your child under these circumstances is extremely difficult, and so, we designed clothing that will help families in this situation.

We're still working on the design and should be moving into manufacture soon (fingers crossed).

So as well as making things, designing clothing and doing 'business stuff' I've also been over at the Cocooned blog, blogging about support for families who are caring for their child in hospital.


Boy have I been making though! What have I been making? Well, I have recently knit my first pair of socks!! Oh my gosh, that was terribly exciting, so exciting I've since made a second pair and am chomping at the bit to make a third!

My First Ever Pair of Socks! - Three Colour Socks

2nd Pair of Socks! - Purl Soho Pom Pom Socklets 
(sans pom poms!)
Yarn from We Love Knitting

I've made a stack of little cup cosies to support Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) research,  You may remember my post on Mel's Hats for Aleshia campaign. Well now Mel has a new campaign called Cup of Hope. Make sure you are following her on Instagram so you can get your hands on one of hers (or my) cup cosies. 

A fantastic stocking stuffer and a great cause to support. I've made my own pattern in 8ply (DK) yarn and when I get the opportunity, I will pop it up on the blog.

Stack of Cosies

Sweet!

Other makes... Baby blanket for an adorable new little man, an octopus, mittens for Lion and the Snail, a tea cosy, as well as a little (mini) faux taxidermy triceratops and a giant doughnut (really should have photographed them side by side)!

Baby Blanket - My own Pattern

Octopus - Pattern from Purl Soho
My design is a smaller version. 8ply on smaller needles.

My own baby mitten designs!
You can find them at Lion and the Snail

Skipping Girl Tea Cosy
This was my own design from an existing pattern

Mini mini Faux taxidermy Triceratops!
Pattern by Sincerely Louise. 
Made with 10 ply (Aran) on 4mm needles

Pattern from Donna Wilson's Book;
 35 knitted animals and other creatures
(or doughnuts I guess!)

Yipes, it's all very knitty, isn't it?! I do have some sewing projects I really want to get to, Mum and I did make some sewn fish together (to become Christmas decorations) that was fun.

Catch of the day!! Pattern from the book Tilda's Toy Box

I also managed a Hammered Leatherworks Whisk Luggage Tag. Which I haven't whisked away for any major holidaying as yet...

I did made a monkey 4th birthday cake too.

Monkey Cake!

Plus, thanks to the CWA, I got myself a new crafty skill. Japanese braiding or Kumihimo. 

So easy and so addictive! My 5 year old loved it too

So as far as my 2016 'challenge', make 12 items in 12 months, by my count, I've already done it! Not much of a challenge though is it?! I think I need to up my game for 2017...

Seriously, a big handmade challenge for 2017, any ideas?

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2016 Handmade Challenge?

I know I know, I barely scraped through by the skin of my teeth last year, however this year, I'm changing the rules. Make 12 things, don't bother making a list at the beginning, just get making.

By the end of the year, have made 12 things that you want to make. I'm pretty sure I can accomplish that. I'm pretty sure I made about 30 things all up last year when you count all those that were not part of the Handmade Challenge.

I've even started already. My husband has some pretty ratty scarves lying around (not handmade), and since I didn't get to make him one last year, that's the first project I've leapt into this year. I have a list of things to make as long as my arm already and I'm excited. Ah the new year and the new possibilities.

I have some patterns and kits I bought last year that I never got to and I have a Craftsy crochet course waiting for me too. I'm looking forward to that and giving you all a review.

Don't worry, if it looks like it's getting too easy, I'll throw in another challenge to spice things up and get the creative juices flowing.

What are you looking forward to making this year?

Getting a little ahead of myself - Handmade Challenge 2016?!!

It is the first week of March, and no I am not crossing another item off my Handmade Challenge List, I am starting a whole new list for 2016?! 

I should really prove to myself that I can get the original 12 made first, but I just can't help myself. So what's on my list so far? 

Tree Change Dollls by Sonia Singh

You may have heard of Tasmanian Mum and artist Sonia Singh who has started something amazing called; Tree change dolls. Sonia has been 'rescuing' dolls from op shops and giving them a 'make-under', making them look like actual normal people and dressing them in the most adorable outfits that her mum makes! She's encouraging others to give it a go too. I cannot paint, I did terribly in art at high school, however I'm not going to let that stop me from trying. I've been keeping an eye out at my local op shop, but haven't come across a doll that needs rescuing yet.

Resin Bracelets from Pip and the Sea

Another item I'd like to have a go at making is Resin Jewellery. Nicola from Pip and the Sea makes lovely eco-resin pieces, and while there is no way I could make anything as adorable as she does, I have discovered that there are classes where you can learn to make your own, so why not give it a shot, and when someone says to me, 'my that's an... interesting ring you are wearing' I can say 'I made it myself!'


I do have to complete 2 more items on my list very very soon for Sophie's party. The kids have actually helped to make the base for item number 2, the Heart Shaped Pinata. It's the decorating that's not quite going according to plan.

Pinata in Progress; many hands make messy work!

You may have noticed that so far, I have totally avoided any items on my list that require sewing. I am so scared of the sewing, and there are 4 items that need sewing. Oh me oh my... It's only March, but we've arrived here very quickly. How are you going with your list?

Don't forget to share your handmade creations. If you're having trouble sharing via the blog, email me so that I can share for you, or if you're on Facebook, you can share there.

I have to get back to knitting, a baby arrived today and I haven't finished her present yet (not on the list). The baby beat me!