Cardboard tube Leprechauns

Go Green this Saint Patrick's day with recycled cardboard leprechauns for decorations. I thought it would be fun to make some tube people like I made when I was a child for decorating. No toilet paper tube, wrapping paper tube, or egg carton was safe from my crafting when I was a young. I used this same method to make castle people, pirates, angels, family portraits... You name it! So grab your lads and lassies and sit yourself down for a wee bit o' Saint Patrick's day fun.


You can use any type of tube. Toilet paper tubes are usually handy. You will also need an adhesive (I used double sided scrap booking tape). To dress your leprechaun you can use anything you want; construction paper, scrap cloth, glitter, paint, buttons, and felt are good ideas...
To make the feet use the tube as a template to draw a circle on construction paper. Next draw a heart around it (or just two bumps for feet). Cut the bumps out and cut through the center of the circle.



Cut notches out of the half circle part and fold them down. Use adhesive to attach them to the inside of the card board tube.






Cut strips of colored paper for the "pants" "shirt" and "Face". Wrap them around the tube and attach them in the back. I used a marker to draw a line on the pants to make it look like legs.








Now we will make the hat. I want my leprechaun to have a green hat so I used green paper. Trace around the tube to make a circle. Then draw a bigger circle around that one. Cut notches inside of the smaller circle. This is going to be the brim of the hat.




Fold the notches up and slip it over the top of the tube. If it doesn't fit just cut the notches slightly bigger. Make sure that the notches are facing up, then attach them with an adhesive.









Make a strip of paper that matches the color of the brim and wrap it around the notches on the brim. Secure it with adhesive in back and along where it is covering the notches or it will just slip off.










If you want to cover the hole in the top of the tube make another circle with the tube and draw a slightly bigger circle around that (like how you made the brim). Cut notches on the outside circle going in and fold them up. It should look kind of like a bottle cap.



Tuck the notches inside the top of the tube and glue or tape them as you go. It's helpful to have an extra set of hands for this part.










Use markers or paint to make a jolly face and to decorate the clothing. The little leprechaun in this picture was made with a painted face and felt for clothing. Don't forget to wear green. Happy Saint Patrick's day, Erin Go Bragh, and Have Fun!






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Bird Treats

It's getting to be that time of year when birds start to slowly migrate back up north. Food is scarce at this time so I try to make sure my bird feeders are full and leave out a few extra treats. I made these when I was a little girl and while they are messy to make, they are a lot of fun.







You will need, pine cones, stale bread or bagels, brightly colored yarn or twine, seeds, peanut butter, and scissors.







Tie the brightly colored string around the pine cones and through a hole in the bread. I used red string so that come spring I can easily spot it to remove it from the tree. String that is left around the tree can eventual start to bite into the tree as it grows around it.





Next smear peanut butter around the pine-cone. You don't have to worry about getting it in deeply, the next step will take care of that.





Put the peanut butter covered pine cone into a bowl of birdseed and start to press the seeds in firmly. A pine cone will hold a lot of seeds.






For the bread treats cover them in peanut butter like the pine cones.







Then drop them into the seeds.









They are done. Hang them outside and watch your feathered friends feast from a distance. No sooner had we walked away from hanging them up then a chickadee came and started to sample one of the bagel treats. Have Fun!

Tea Cozy Revisited

I had so much fun making Mum a tea cozy that I had to make one for myself. I like this pattern better because it leaves the handle and spout free so it can be left on the pot while you pour your tea.






I used Red Heart Collage yarn "Rust" and a 6.5mm K crochet hook. The larger hook makes the cozy slightly more form fitting. The yarn is Variegated, soft and machine washable. I plan on making a hat with a matching scarf out of this yarn next since it warmed my lap so well while I was working on it.




First I made two circles. They are large enough to cover the body of the teapot half way around the sides. I put a loop on one and a wooden button on the other to help hold the cozy in place when it is done.






Next I sew the two rounds together in the places I indicated in the picture. The button hooks under the handle and keeps the cozy in place. There you have it; a simple and fun tea cozy. Have fun!

Tea Cozy

For my Mum's birthday I made her a Tea cozy inspired by Acornpies. I began by crocheting a large round circle. I checked its size by folding it in half and holding it up to my tea pot. Next time I will leave the spout and handle sticking out of the cozy.




When it was big enough to cover the spout and handle I placed strips of tape parallel across the middle leaving about a 1 inch gap. I ran a tight zigzag stitch with my sewing machine along the inside edges of the strips of tape.





Next I cut through the middle. The zigzag stitch keeps the yarn from unraveling.







To give the cut edges a finished look I folded a ribbon over the edges and sew them into place.







I used a blanket stitch to attach the two halves together.












I found an adorable bead that looks like a teapot for the handle of the cozy.







At last it was done and just in time for her birthday. I can't wait to make one for myself. Hope this helps to inspire; and have fun!

Tea Party

I have been busy planning a tea party for my Mum. She has always wanted to have a garden tea with her friends. So for her birthday I got to planning. For decorations I hauled out the lights and garlands that were used to decorate the reception hall at my wedding and decorated the walkway up to the front door. The wreath on the door was made of grapevines from my parent's yard and the flowers came from a thrift shop. I stripped them from a cheep plastic ring and then hot glued them into place. The table was set with a lovely table cloth that was made to look a little more fancy by placing a hand embroidered table runner down the middle. Under every Teapot and plate was a matching yellow doily. Doilies were placed on every side table to give a slightly more elegant air to the room. Several of the doilies belonged to my grandmother and my great grandmother, but a few of them Mum and I picked up from the bargain bins of an antique shop earlier in the week. I picked up several small boxes at a craft store to use as favors; believe it or not they only cost a dollar. They are made of wood and have a small silk flower under glass for the cover. I put a bag of my Mum's favorite tea inside with two chocolate hearts. The ladies loved them. Everything was lovely, simple, and elegant. This was a wonderful way to have a special tea with friends on a budget. I hope this helps to inspire. Have fun!

Nonna Gaia

Here she is! I've wanted to attempt a polymer clay character doll for a few years. I'm so excited with how Nonna Gaia turned out. Her features and skin were purposely made so that she can be from any nationality. Her head, hands and feet are made of polymer clay. They have been painted with several different layers of stain and sprayed with a final clear coat of acrylic finish. Her hair is made of wool roving; there is a braid over the top of her head and a bun in the back. Her body is an armature made from wire, tinfoil, cotton, and clay. The dress is made from quilters cotton. I put a tea cup next to her for size comparison. Hopefully later this week I will get better pictures of the detail. Many many hours of work went into making her and hopefully she will be in the State Fair this year. That's all for now. Introducing Nonna Gaia! Have fun!!!

Slipper Boots

At long last the Directions are posted!!! I wanted to applique some apples on the sides of these slippers but have yet to do so which is why it's taken me so long to post. I have been wearing them for the past few weeks and they are so soft and comfortable. More will definitely be made. They took about an hour to make from start to finish and are made from polar fleece pulled from a scrap bin and denim left over from making cut off jeans.To start, trace the sole of your favorite shoe onto a paper bag. This is going to be your template for the sole of your slipper and also what you will use to make the rest of the pattern. Fold a piece of paper in half. Place the heel of the template against the fold, then trace around the sole. This is going to become the pattern for the sides of the slipper. Place the two heels together of the one you just traced and the first sole that you cut out. Place one pattern horizontal and one vertical. Draw a line along the instep of the slipper from the heel to the toe to show how wide and tall the sipper will be. Unfold the patterns you have just made. This is what it should look like.

Cut the patterns out. I folded the polar fleece in half to make sure that the two sides were uniform. Then I traced the sole of the slipper onto denim. I used denim to make the sole of the slipper more durable; and I just always happen to have denim on hand. Make sure to trace the sole in polar fleece (or whatever you are using for the main rest of the slipper) for warmth and thickness. Pin the patterns together inside out and then put them on your feet. Make sure to use both your feet or you will end up with two left foot slippers. Now fit them to your feet by moving the pins closer to your foot till the slipper is snug and comfortable. Don't try to pull the fabric tight or your slipper will be tight; only pull in enough material to make it snug. Sew the pieces together and sew a hem along the top opening to make it a little more durable. Finally turn it inside right and try them on. I hope you like your snuggly warm slipper boots as much as I like mine. Have fun!