Elvis the Rag Doll

I bought a magazine recently purely because of the free pattern that came with it, but don't you agree these dolls are pretty cool?
















Little one hadn't been too well so I decided to cheer him up by making one of these.
 
The actual doll sews up really quickly but the clothes are a little more fiddly and time consuming.  

But the great thing is I can make more clothes so that he can have fun changing him too.

 I posted him on my Facebook page a week or so ago and someone thought he looked like Elvis so the name has stuck.  

Certainly, before he had clothes there might have been a resemblance but I'm not so sure now.
Anyway, I'm pleased and think he looks pretty cool!

Fresh New Peg Bag for Summer

A fresh new peg bag for summer!

Fresh and New!

I don't actually mind hanging out washing as it means it must be a good dry day with the possibility of some sun too...the best kind of days for me.




My other peg bag has been left out all winter.  
In fact it might actually be two or three winters now so it's a bit faded and tired looking, so here's a fresh, new and clean updated version using one of my favourite Cath Kidston fabrics with a lovely blue spotty lining, some ric-rac and pom pom trim for fun.


Let's hope for a fabulous summer!

Old grotty and faded....

.....but it was once lovely and new too!

Construction Site Small World

Today we were inspired when reading our Hide and Seek book to make our own construction site.  The construction page is Monty's favourite in the book and the one he always goes straight to.

 
So we gathered up some building blocks, pebbles construction vehicles and a big piece of yellow fabric to represent the sand.  We could easily put all this stuff in the sand pit too which would be loads of fun but as we were playing inside today, this was far less messy.



We also found some tools and signs to add to make it all even more realistic.
When he is a bit bigger we can make our own signs and traffic cones too.


This was great fun and very quick to set up and you'll notice that he was keen to add his own touch - did you spot the large car transporter in the middle?!

Flower Chalkboard

I sort of pinched this idea from our nursery class at school.

I was visiting one day and noticed they had a chalkboard for each group where they recorded the children's plans and ideas for learning.  Then staff could just take a photo of the ideas on the chalkboard to keep as evidence before wiping clean to start anew - yes us teachers seem to have to provide soooooo much evidence!!

When I looked for the chalkboards online, they proved to be a bit pricey - outwith the reach of our current funds in school.  And after mentioning it to one of the staff at school, she offered her husband's jig-saw cutting skills and here we are....

A flower shaped chalkboard!

He cut the flower shape from MDF - and I simply painted it with a couple of tester pots and some chalkboard paint.  The actual size of the flower is approx 80x80cm and the stem is a further 70cm so it's quite large.

I think I will have to ask someone - maybe our caretaker - to put a hole in the top so I can hang it up as it might be a bit wobbly just standing on the floor.

Super pleased with it and just what I was looking for!

Easy Make Matching Game

We are just back from a lovely family holiday and I made this little matching game before we went so that we could take it with us.

It's small and easy to pack so perfect for travelling and it won't break or tear.

My little one is almost two and became really quite good at turning the cards over and matching them up.

If you want to have a go at making your own, it's really simple....

Firstly decide how big you want the cards to be and cut squares for the front and back.  My cards are approx 8cmx8cm  - this is the finished size, so don't forget to add a seam allowance before you cut them out.


I used gingham as the backing fabric as I thought if it was white like the front the colour panel would show through - making the game too easy!

Then you'll need to cut whatever you want to match up - it might be colours, shapes or patterns.  
Make sure you cut a two of each.

Applique/stitch the colour/shape fabric onto the white piece.

Join the front and back with right sides together (white to gingham), leaving a little gap to turn it all through. 

Trim the seams, turn through and hand stitch the opening closed.


Give the cards a little press and you're ready to play!

If you don't fancy sewing or don't have time, you could also use coloured card or paper or even felt and glue the colour or shape panel on.  To make the game easier, make less cards or harder, make more cards.

Easter Discovery Fun

Here are some ideas to keep you busy over Easter....

Firstly here's a little tub of mess that's a whole lot of fun!

I had a look around the house to see what I could find - Easter decorations, eggs, chicks, feathers and tipped it into the tub.  

The great thing about the plastic eggs (that are meant for egg hunts) is that you can hide things inside them which makes them great fun for cracking open.  I added lentils to cover the base of the tray so when you add some lentils into the eggs, they become great little shakers!

There are lots of textures in this tub so it kept little one amused for quite a while and it's something he's gone back to quite a few times now.




We've also been doing some printing in spring colours - super simple circles!  I used a little tub for him to print with as it was easy for him to hold but you could also use one half of the plastic Easter egg.









And finally we've been talking about yellow and collecting yellow things in our basket.  
Easy!!

Happy Easter everyone!

Little Bag for Colouring Pencils

My little one is getting to the age where he's beginning to show more of an interest in mark making so when we were given these lovely chunky pencils, perfect for little hands, I thought it would be nice to make a little bag to keep them in so they're handy for when we're out and about.

We're off on holiday soon too - on a plane for the first time for him - so they will be great for keeping him occupied on the flight.

I made the bag just a bit longer than the pencils and appliqued pencils on the front just to make the contents easier to identify.  

Perfect for holding them (and a little sharpener) all together safely.

Now to get some lovely colourful drawings from him!

We'll also be taking his reversible fold up play mat which you can find here.