Pattern Challenge at Handmade Cooperative

Over the last month I have become addicted to making felt animal masks for the kids!

As part of the Handmade Cooperative pattern challenge for 2016, I chose to take on the animal mask patterns designed by Donna over at Ebony Shae Designs. The patterns up for trial were the elephant and the koala.

I made the elephant first and loved the way that all of the pleats were incorporated to make a very life-like mask. Miss 5 even wore the mask to the Melbourne Zoo!

Next, I tackled the koala mask. This is so cute and is very simple to sew to, a perfect mask for beginners to tackle.

These were the two patterns that were part of the challenge, but I loved sewing them so much that I wanted to make more. So I made the snowy owl. This was by far my most favourite pattern to sew, and I loved the way that it had lots of felt layers to make the mask more shaped and robust.

Finally, I decided to challenge myself and sew the dragonfly. This one was quite tricky, getting the gauzy ribbon sandwiched between the layers of felt, but it turned out to be very, very pretty (and glittery).

Search the hashtag #hcpatternchallenge on Facebook and Instagram to see what other projects the other Handmade Cooperative members took on!

Handmade Cooperative - Christmas Gift Guide 2015

Operation Christmas Child

It's that time of the year again when Christmas starts sneaking into the supermarkets. And so it's time to start thinking about giving gifts to people who aren't as likely to be getting anything in December.

This is my fourth year taking part in Operation Christmas Child, the world's largest Christmas project of it's size, giving shoeboxes filled with presents to children in need. Run by Samaritan's Purse, since 1993 this project has delivered more than 124 million gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 150 countries and territories.

It's super easy to join in. Grab a shoebox, decide whether you are doing a gift for a boy or a girl, and what age, then fill the box with presents. The guidelines are to include six gifts:

• Something to love
• Something for school
• Something to wear
• Something to play with
• Something for personal hygiene
• Something special

Borrowed from Operation Christmas Child.

This year Miss 4 and her friend Miss E packed the boxes and also wrote letters to the children who are going to receive the gifts on the colouring sheets supplied by Operation Christmas Child. And then we all bundled off to the drop-off centre to send the gifts off.

Make sure that you get your children involved in packing and dropping off the boxes; it’s great for them to experience giving and understand that not everyone is as lucky as they are. October is national collection month in Australia. Start packing now. Have fun packing and bringing a smile to a child's face.

Madeit Blog Editor

This week I am a Blog Editor at Madeit.

The Madeit Blog features a collection of eight items curated by a Madeit Seller. Since it's spring, my brain is all full of the garden. What better than 'Plant It' finds?

Hanging pod by The Coloured Knot

Planter set by Urban Decor

Moss ball by Nuno and Green

Air plant vase by Fleurieu Gifts

Planter trio by RAW Design Co

Plant cosy by Dot & Dash

Terrarium brooch by Apooki

Planter by Just Add Salt

Check out the full selection.

Living Room Finished

Kicking goals as the weather warms up and we can finish the painting of the living room.

Before:

And after:

Keep up with our house renovations.

Handmade Cooperative

My alter ego is as the editor and manager of an exclusive collection of handmade businesses who make kids clothes and gifts. My role in this group, Handmade Cooperative, is to coordinate the release and promotion of our regular blog posts, as well as to lead our community of independent businesses. I offer these business owners the chance to participate in digital and print marketing opportunities, professional photo shoots, creative challenges, business advice and more.

Today is the last day of our annual membership drive, the only time of the year where we accept new members. If you are a small business owner who wants to join a supportive community of like-minded people and really build your handmade store, please do come on over and join me - it's loads of fun!

Pattern Challenge at Handmade Cooperative

The great part of being part of Handmade Cooperative is the opportunity to take part in activities that I wouldn't usually do. Over August, we each chose a pattern to sew as part of the Coop pattern challenge. I was trying out the Old Mac Donald Finger Puppet Set by my friend Donna of Ebony Shae Designs.

Now, my inability to follow recipes extends to following patterns, so you will be unsurprised to learn that I took some creative license. The set is meant to look like this:

I used different colours to those specified and added in a pig from one of Donna's other patterns for good measure. I also didn't add the detail on the farmer with textas, but instead added the features with felt and embroidery.

I really love these finger puppets, particularly the pig. You need to be an experienced sewer for these, as Donna is TOTALLY not afraid of using tiny pieces, which I love and makes for the cutest little designs. Miss 4 has been putting on puppet shows with her other finger puppets (as you can see), although she would also like a horse, and Master 1 has been sneaking around with a sheep on his hand saying "Baaaaaah!".

Search the hashtag #hcpatternchallenge on Facebook and Instagram to see the other projects.
Grab your own Old Mac Donald Finger Puppet Set patterns right here.