Weekly Challenge Thread (New one, can't find old one ????)

[Tillyboo]

I don't know what's going on but this is the third post I've tried. If this fails I'm going to give up.

Anyway, I can't seem to find the old thread for some reason, my laptop is doing funny things so maybe it's at my end?

Anyway, I cannot see what you all have achieved so far this week but here is my blog with what I have done or you can have a peep in my profile but the pictures are quite diddy

Meridian, I've left a message on your blog. I think they are lovely.

I've been a bit ellusive on MN lately as I've been sooo busy with orders. Musn't grumble it's been fabulous.... and dh came home from work last night and told me that he has an order for 2 horses.

I promise to be more involved (slap wrists).

Jeangeanie - have you finished your softie yet ? Post some piccies.

Anyway, I've just finished 4 girly bunnies if anyone wants a peep.

just waiting for some good light to photo it - hopefully will go up on blog tomorrow as I should be at home during day tomorrow - have just posted a filler post for now as I was missing my posting fix!
decided against making it a wheatbag as it would be too hard to do insert for, but have plans to make some of those
it took a LOT of stuffing, and is still a bit lumpy

JG, have you tried stuffing with a chopstick or a wooden spoon handle? Gets into all those nooks and crannies.

I am supposed to be very busy with sewing, but I'm skiving. Someone kick me please.

GingerMonkey Rowan's dino arrived yesterday & he's fab - thank you so much! He arrived just before we left to visit my parents & dd3 & ds were both rumbling around so I couldn't open it for a nose until we got home last night. The anticipation was just about killing me

p.s. Mhara's going to love the stickers - she's sticker-daft right now

I'm off again to do some more crocheting (just for a change )

I've done
4 lavender pillows
2 hairbands (altho' they still have to have the ends woven in)
5 flowers for barrettes (not on my list but quick to do & I had the barrettes sitting there)
A poinsettia but no idea if I'm gonna use it as a corsage or a tree dec

A quick question for you all

I've done some lip gloss holders on keyrings & I have a box of lip crayons that are just the right size - should I stick a crayon in each & sell for a quid more or just sell them empty?

excellent! I'm so pleased! I was particularly fond of him, I liked the green a lot.
Now, I'd say pop a lip crayon in. But that's because it would save me the job of having to put one in myself! (oh so lazy)

Woooo.....you have all been very busy MNers!!
I am trying to play catch up...as usual!

With less than 4 weeks left 'til Xmas, how are you all doing. I am still not prepared in ther slightest!!

I am busy making up a few small batches of cards today for the order I did to help the school's fundraising.

Can someone point me in the direction of a knitted lip gloss holder please...if not I will pop down the chemist, buy a few lip salves and make one up...thought they would be little novelty tree gifts for some of my family. I could quickly knit a few in between teddies!! I have some keyrings here left over from my phone/bag charms.

I use the end of a paintbrush (artists brushes) as I can choose the thickness of it then for whatever bit needs stuffing (Ooh er!)

I also use a blunt pair of tweezers for turning the fiddly bits inside out, saves stretching the fabric and potentially splitting your seam.

What other tips ? Um .... have a packet of choccy biscuits to hand. They don't help with the stuffing but are a welcome relief when that annoying bit that won't turn inside out is becoming a tad too frustrating

Dingle - I've been crocheting lip balm & lip gloss holder keyrings for the fair I'm doing on Saturday. I'd be happy to knock up a few for you if you like. I'm gonna get DH to take pics tonight & will put them straight on my blog.

can i have a collective a&c forum woo hoo please?

i am knackered, and my back has gone BUT it is all because i have had to take a few days out and write instructions etc for the softies that are going to be made into kits, all now done and will be off in the post tomorrow, phew! thank goodness ds had a mammoth nap today, nearly 3 hours , i just wanted to move on from this project, they were designed in july and my work has so moved on since then

so glad to get that finished, can get back to my to do list now, which hasn't been touched this week, although i did manage to blog some lovely fabric that arrived!

GingerMonkey I've put pics of all my new stuff on my blog - including the cupcake bag (which is a clutch at the mo as I'm still trying to decide between a white ribbon handle or a crocheted one using the same chenille yarn I did the icing with).

Problem is there doesn't seem to be an awful lot there - it all fits into one carrier bag

Well done lucykate - I bet that's a load off your mind

well done LK and well done GW!!!! I'm going to bed, I'm far too tired and staying up this late isn't good for me (and I've just missed the end of Kitchen Nightmares, which is why I was up anyway - FOR THE SECOND NIGHT RUNNING!!!)

well done everyone. GW will be off to check out your blog in a mo, dying to see what you've been up to

thanks for all the stuffing tips, they were really helpful

I've taken some photos now, I'm not happy with them (rotten winter light - I'd have waited til this afternoon but we have playdate mayhem on then) and put them on the blog let me know what you think of my first attempt at ever sewing anything to a pattern...

LK - A big Woo Hoo ! Did you hear it ? Well done on getting it all done.

Woo hooooooooooo!! Well done lucykate!!

Some great work going on so in fact a huge well done to everyone!!

I am feeling quite pleased as I have just completed the school's 18 card order with a day to spare. Now I can spend tonight working on DD's advent calendar with her- it needs to go into school with her tomorrow and is still in bits and pieces! such a baaad mummy! ...now if only I could find my sticky back velcro!

GW thank you for the offer but if I can, I would like to try to make something myself. I have got the ideas, got most of the materials but just need a few more hours in my days!

My progress can be seen here

I had an appointment with a local (very nice) shop today for an order in the spring. I have to go back in January with swatches and go through exactly what they want. It's mainly lavender bags (so a bit on the yawny side!) but bunting and bits too, so I am quite excited. (actually I am very very excited, but trying to act all cool!) They are also interested in the toys....but now I am stuck. I think LucyKate will be able to help....CE testing. I have said to them that as long as there is a label stating this item is for decorative purposes, or not suitable for children under 14 (yeah, like a 15 yr old wants a toy horse!!!) then there is no need for CE testing and then you're covered against choking and la de da de da. Am I right? Would getting things CE tested just be a HUGE expense and a bit daft? HELP!!!!

gm - even a multi national company like coats steered clear of product testing of any kind, to my knowledge, none of the kits, even ones actually aimed at children/beginners, were tested. but i guess that was because it's a kit and not an actual finished product. have just looked in the catalogue at the doll & toy kits and the most recent wording says 'this is not a toy, must not be given to children under the age of 3 due to small parts, use under adult supervision'

bit daft considering they are marketed as a 'toy' kit , but i think that blanket statement basically lets you off the hook! have you got a copy of that craft inc book?, does it say anything in there about it, and if you've got it, is it any good?, worth buying?

gm - even a multi national company like coats steered clear of product testing of any kind, to my knowledge, none of the kits, even ones actually aimed at children/beginners, were tested. but i guess that was because it's a kit and not an actual finished product. have just looked in the catalogue at the doll & toy kits and the most recent wording says 'this is not a toy, must not be given to children under the age of 3 due to small parts, use under adult supervision'

bit daft considering they are marketed as a 'toy' kit , but i think that blanket statement basically lets you off the hook! have you got a copy of that craft inc book?, does it say anything in there about it, and if you've got it, is it any good?, worth buying?

oh poo , too much port!

actually i'm not convinced that a kite mark means much, my neighbour picked up a soft toy in a shop (made by a large well known company which shall remain nameless) and something prodded her in the hand, it was a large nail from inside the toy . the shop owner contacted the supplier and in the end she did get sent a huge box of goodies by way of an apology

!!! How awful!!! Thanks LK, I knew you'd be the wise old owl! Am scanning craft inc right now (it is a good book, and well worth the money, although I have it on loan from Sarah (paper and string) so it was no pennies at all.

On a completely different and unrelated note. I got a kids baking set today from mollycupcakes, and I think everyone should buy one - it is sooooooooooooooooo cute!!! go and buy one now!!!

another woo-hoo, the book i have a rag doll project in has arrived today!!! i will blog it when i get chance to photograph the pages.

also, if anyone is at a loose end tonight, see here

OOOOOH, how exciting!!! Thank you for the stanley pattern. I did have that with the catalogue...but lost it (meaning DH chucked it in the bin), I was hoping to do one before the closing date, but I'll just make one for the fun of it anyway. It is such a cute little dog!

jeangenie sorry only just noticed your request. I'd say to get her a ready made kit

maybe something like this? or this
or boxes of stuff like here
It maybe easier than being everything separately. YOu could aways suplement the kits with some loose beads - I hate saying Hobbycraft, but it is good so you can see what you are buying - they have kits too I think.
does that help any ?