SHAUN THE SHEEP

SHAUN THE SHEEP - NEW, HAND-KNIT SOFT TOY

This soft toy is from Alan Dart’s pattern PBN E2240. It was fun to knit, but a challenge to sew up!

He's stuffed with Habico non-allergenic, washable, polyester filling, which has BS numbers for fire safety and cleanliness, plus European Standard EN71

It has been knitted in a combination of 100% DK cream wool for the body, and all the black wool, plus the cream sweater, is 100% acrylic wool

He’s about 21cm tall.

I also have the Alan Dart Gromit pattern, so that’s my next project, and then I may try Shaun again in chunky wool, now I’ve mastered the sewing up!

Sunflowers - collage

I was given a gold rimmed frame, and what else could I chose to go in it other than glorious sunflowers!
 

Felted Owl Vase

There was another great felting day last Saturday, and thanks to Jenny's help, I made this OWL VASE. Well, not strictly a vase, as it has no base. We had 2 colours of dry wool, but I'd already needle-felted the owl from scraps of browns at home, onto a pre-felt. I'll try to describe how it was made ...


... I “wet felted” a vase shape, without the top and base, using 2 different shades of orange/brown. Before the final layer of dry wool, I hid the owl under a plastic resist. I also made “branches” – added at the end by needle-felting and a minimum of stitching. I wanted to achieve the effect of the owl sitting in a hole in a tree trunk!

I learnt a lot - and want to make another where I will tweak the method - I'd have a different coloured background behind the owl, and maybe a larger opening to represent the hole he is sitting in. I'd also have 2 layers of dry felt over the owl resist, so I could make more of a feature of the branches.

Whitby Harbour and Filey Seafront - prints

Whilst getting my collage pictures framed, I also got these prints mounted and framed together - and they are heading for the FOR SALE page. I did the originals last year.

The overall frame size is 43cm x 52.5cm, and it's a dark green mount, and light wood frame.

Poppies and Irises - collage

As a change from using oil paint for flower pictures, I've just finished two pictures in collage. I painted the backgrounds with cream acrylic paint, and the rest is created from torn and cut paper, taken  from magazines. They each have a single mount, in matching light wood frames, overall size 38cm x 50.5cm. My third collage picture is almost finished - sunflowers - watch this space.

 It's hard to take photos of the finished pictures as I get reflections in the glass!

Hooded Scarf

I enjoyed knitting this - it’s a fairly straightforward pattern, (Pattern from

Whimsical Little Knits 2 Ysolda Teague) with extra interest from knitting just a long scarf. The wool is a merino blend - 100% pure new wool - and the scarf will be very warm - it fits snugly!

Needle-felt card kit

NEEDLE-FELT KIT FOR GREETINGS CARD – IDEAL GIFT OR TO TRY YOURSELF

Having enjoyed creating cards myself, using needle-felting, I thought if I put together a kit, others could have a go without the initial expense of buying a range of wool and cards. Once you’re hooked, then it’s no problem buying in bulk!

Alternatively, I thought it may make an unusual present for a “crafty” friend.

I’ve done two initial kits – this one presents everything in a hessian bag, and includes a piece of foam; the other listing has more cards and wool, but assumes you can find yourself a piece of foam to “stab” into, and don’t need a fancy bag. I’ve done an instruction sheet too.