Frog Blog

I am trying to make a paper frog today, as you do..!
I took the “hare” (made over as a bunny) to another event recently.

One little boy didn’t want a bunny but asked for a frog instead; so I made a quick adaptation, gave him some “pond” stuff to sit it on… and ( this is one of the creative joys when working with children ) off he went and carried out his idea, to make something fabulous like this…

I really liked the frog idea; so I kept my rough negative off-cut that I chopped out quickly for him,

and this morning decided to have a go at making a frog template.

It is strange, but the more I attempt to frogify the cut, the less it looks like the ‘really quite frog like’ initial one.

Ribbit, ribbit is turning into rip it, rip it around here.

Plus the casual bottom fold (that makes him sit but without tipping) is actually quite crucial- I was just lucky with it first time.

As there are only 2 folds they have to be right- but mega easy for children to get right too.

Start again?

It is hard to put the genie back in the bottle and be spontaneous again once you have already made a series of steps trying to work something out. I always work better with just the scissors rather than drawing and then cutting out.

So here I am starting again, step by step, cut by cut.

This survivor is putting a brave smile on it.

However you can just see that bin-full of frog bits!

By the way – the bright oilcloth is also a survivor – of the eighties; not my current taste – but blooming good at protecting the good oak table under it!
That is as far as this day went – life happened!
So here is the next go at it; in much brighter weather; with some rather more literary frogs. I still can’t bring myself to make prototypes in “the good stuff”- hence the rather endearingly appropriate word “small” in his tummy!

I thought I’d upload these photos as they do look such cheerful chaps. Even unfinished and wonky.

Well that is my motto: Wonky is a good thing!

Basking in the sunshine. ( Not sure if frogs do that actually – but this one does.)

Next stop ‘publisher’ for the “how to” and he can go into the “Frogs and Ponds” art activity PDF set.

Hey this one looks quite like a monkey now he is photographed!
hmm..
Oh no!
I started it again! Now I have to try out a monkey.
Later.

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Some Crochet

I was given some soft grey yarn recently, really a bit too much to use for toys. It is ages since I made myself anything, so I thought I’d use it for a scarf and beret.
(Because of course I don’t have enough of either. Not!)

I just wanted to make something easy and portable. A pick up and put down project I can take out with me, or do in front of the TV – or, here’s a thought, in the outside air now the weather has finally become rather nice!

I found a pattern on Ravelry in chart form – first time I have used one for something other than an amigurumi toy. So far so good; it is only 2 rows and yet has an effective lace look. I should have just made something up but I’m a bit low on energy and time right now. Browsing Ravelry seemed so much easier (and is always fun), then working out one of my own “on the hook”, which I normally would like to do.

Of course I seem to be putting it down rather more often than picking it up, or at least putting it down after a few stitches, let alone rows! World’s slowest “quick project”, and now the weather is warm so I don’t need it anyway, LOL.
Plus of course I have decided a plain beret is a bit boring and I am wondering if I can put a lacy band in to match the scarf, sort of like this :-

Or maybe just make the beret lacy…
But then I have to finish it first, in case I run out of wool, because the scarf can be any length, well this is where I am at right now..

Onward and upwards….

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Last Minute Creations

Hijacked into making a ”1970’s” dress with a only a few days notice.

Luckily I remembered this pattern from my vintage stash…

…so sometimes the inability to throw away “useful stuff” is…well, useful!
Lovely Mum helped with the shopping, choosing and sewing up; I had (scary) cutting & fitting.

I had to use another pattern for the sleeves, which seemed to fit OK, but (according to exasperated, sewing, Mum) did not fit when seamed! She worked some magic and they looked great to me. They were in, and there was a seam – albeit a tiny one. She shoots, she (lucky rebound) scores!

Cross country delivery to me for hemming and headband making etc. Yes it did look like a bit like a blouse after this, but that was the specified length!

Followed by a cross country dash for the “Cinderella shall go to the disco party” bit.

And she looked F.A.B ..

And will possibly (if she notices) kill me for blogging this!
Not really.
The texted “thank-you” as we arrived home was an aawww moment.
Quite fun really… maybe I should start making clothes again?

Oh and also a bit of last minute fun, a “card box” for birthday Alice. Starting from my “Alice in Wonderland” story box, but using some blooming lucky, spot on, photos from facebook – I could not have staged a much better fit.

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