Come and play

I love making toys. It doesn't matter which craft i use, making toys is a lot of fun because you can really let you imagination loose.Okay, i admit it can get fiddly and slightly confusing when you are surrounded by bear limbs or knee deep in polyester stuffing but nothing quite matches the satisfaction i feel when I see my kids playing with my homemade toys. I also favour more unusual projects such as a knitted rubber chicken or a socktopus (which is a knitted octopus with socks on its tentacles) and find it quite easy to adapt already existing patterns to my sometimes rather eccentric style. And here are my favourite free toy patterns out there. 





1. Teddy Bear
You want to make toys? You gotta make a teddy bear. Can't get past the classic although blimey, there are a lot of dodgy looking teddy bears out there.... I wanted a vintage style, knitted ted you can cuddle and squeeze til the cows come home. And here it is (Tiara optional). You have to register with Craftsy to get this pattern which is very easy to do and you won't get lots of junk mail either. 


http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/knitting/Toy/FREE-DIAMOND-JUBILEE-BEAR/17335












2. Sock monkey
Another classic. This is a very good pattern with lots and lots of pics and detailed instructions. Have a banana! 


http://www.craftpassion.com/2012/04/how-to-sew-sock-monkey.html/2










3. Soft blocks
Perfect for your precious little one. They could eat it, throw it, stack it, sit on it, hit you on the head with it, the possibilities are endless. 
And why stick to numbers? what about shapes, animals, or simply different colour sides? 


http://www.sewing.org/files/project/123-softblocks-Cranston.pdf






4. Flying Pig
A pig with wings? Yes, please! I am gonna have to try this one myself... 


http://www.allcrafts.net/fjs.htm?url=www.spudandchloe.com/blog/2011/04/oink-free-pattern/












5. Splat chicken
Is it a ball or is it a chicken? I really don't know! Straight forward sewing pattern for a very daft looking chicken. Tip: you can make it look even more confused by sewing the eyes closer together. 


http://www.craftbits.com/project/plushie-splat-chicken

6. Wooden stacking blocks
Okay, I am a complete novice when it comes to woodwork but I reckon I could do this with a jig saw, sanding paper, a drill, some paint and a great deal of patience (not to forget my first aid kit). Very good website with other project ideas too, not just toys. 



http://www.craftsmanspace.com/free-projects/shape-sorter-toy-plan.html












7. Cloth Doll
I am not really one for dolls. When I was little i got given a number of dolls and over time pulled their limbs out, painted their faces and cut their hair. The only doll i really took care of was one I made myself (I started to sew at the tender age of 9). So, here is a pattern for a cloth doll. Great project to do with kids. Tip: Attention to detail is everything when making a doll. 


http://oneredrobin.com/2007/03/28/how-to-make-a-simple-versatile-soft-doll/

8. Gold Fish
2 Gold fish in a tank, one says "How do you drive this thing?" (joke is courtesy of my 6 year old step son). Isn't it cute? Come fishy, fishy... blub blub blub... 


http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/Toy/Goldfish/10005










9. Knitted biscuits and cakes
Of course! Makes a nice change from plastic play food. From the queen of knitted toys, Jean Greenhowe, comes this free (yay) pattern for knitted cakes. I have purchased quite a few Greenhowe books in my lifetime because her patterns are very easy to follow.Trademark: Everything is knitted, even the plate. 


http://www.jeangreenhowe.com/Images/Tea_Party_Treats2.pdf






and last but certainly not least...

10.  Crochet ball
A vintage pattern for a crocheted ball. A classic which every child will thank you for. 


http://vintagetoychest.blogspot.co.uk/p/crochet-toy-patterns.html

New Arrivals

With the arrival of a number of babies in my circle of friends imminent I turn my attention to baby crafts... I did find an enormous number of free projects and patterns out there so I decided to split it in stages, beginning with birth and newborn. 

In my search for patterns I concentrated on practicality and style more than cuteness. I remembered what items were essential to me when I had a newborn at home and tried to find the best patterns for all the everyday things you need. Enjoy!






1. Crocheted Hot air balloons

When you lie on your back all day then you need some entertainment when you look up. And these hot air balloons just give you what you are looking for - gentle movement and lots of colour. If I have another baby, I will make some of these. 


http://aboutgoodness.com/crochet-2/hot-air-balloons-crochet-amigurumi-toys-diy-free-pattern/








2. Baby quilt "Eat, play, sleep, repeat"
This is a gorgeous blanket for your little bundle of joy. The pattern is quite comprehensive although I have  one thing to add to it. Where is the wadding? surely you want a soft blanket (you could also insert fleece)


http://www.modabakeshop.com/2010/02/baby-life-quilt.html








3. Vinyl Changing mat
I love this changing mat! Simplified and stylish it does everything you need it to do. Its waterproof, you can use it for storage and roll it up in a neat little bundle. Genius! (i just wish they wouldn't call it diaper changer - crinch)


http://www.allcrafts.net/fjs.htm?url=www.lilblueboo.com/2011/07/vinyl-tablecloth-roll-up-diaper-changer-a-tutorial-and-download.html




4. Hooded Bath towel with matching wash mit
A simple pattern which delivers what you want it to - a hooded bath towel and a wash mitten. I like the fabric mixed with velour. 




http://sewtospeak.blogspot.com.es/2010/05/hooded-baby-towel-and-wash-mitt.html











5. Make a Nursing shirt out of a T-Shirt
This will save lots of money on nursing tops from shops. The Nurisng version of recycling your clothes. Brilliant! Easy pattern with good pics to follow. 


http://www.homesweethomebodies.net/2010/07/shirt-to-nursing-shirt-refashion.html#axzz1ykuIjv8R












6. Hip Changing bag
Well, i can't really do a baby selection without a changing bag, can I? I like this bag as its practical and still makes you look fashionable carrying vast amounts of baby stuff around. Lots of pockets! 


http://amingledyarn.wordpress.com/gallery/tutorial-hip-mama-diaper-bag/






7. Pom Pom booties
When you are heavily pregnant and you can't move around without feeling like a whale, what better to do than to sit back and knit a little for that little bundle of joy of yours. And aren't this booties adorable with those pom poms? 


http://www.bernat.com/pattern.php?PID=5196&cps=21191










8. Knitted baby blanket
Now, in my opinion the wool you use is much more important than the pattern you use because its all about the tactile quality of supersoft yarn that makes a baby blanket so lovely. You don't want anything rough on a newborns skin, do you. It was really hard to choose a pattern for a blanket sipmly because there are gazillions of them! I chose a simple pattern which looks a lot more difficult and quite contemporary. 


http://www.abc-knitting-patterns.com/1114.html














9. Baby sleep sack

I couldn't resist! Gorgeous! Nothing more to say..


http://comfortwool.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/owlie-sleep-sack.html












And here we go - my selection of free craft patterns for Newborns. Enjoy! 

How to sex up your garden

After blissfully spending the jubilee weekend not crafting, I am now concentrating on summer. Having actually managed to sex up my garden with bluebell blue fence panels (get me) and some colourful accessories and after informing my nearest and dearest that my birthday wish this year is a garden bench, I am now hunting for ideas to make my own stuff for outside. So, here are the highlights from my hunt for summer...





1. Candles in Seashells
Now theres a way to make use of the gazillions of seashells your children will bring you this summer - make a candle out of them. Don't they look fabulous?

http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/easy-summer-crafts-0609#slide-20






2. Flower Pot Wind Chimes
okay, there are a lot of craft ideas out there with flower pots. Some are cute, most look slightly dodgy but this one actually looks quite stylish. The only thing I would change in the instructions is using glass stain paint to paint the dangly plastic things. Glass stain paints are rather expensive, I would probably use acrylic paint (which as also waterproof).

http://www.allcrafts.net/fjs.htm?url=www.ilovetocraft.com/claypot/wind-chimes.shtml

3. A rocky village
Do you remember painting stones in school? This ups the anti a bit and inspires to create a rocky village in your garden. I will have to make some of these and add maybe some painted stone ladybugs, bumblebees, mushrooms and snails...


http://www.allcrafts.net/fjs.htm?url=www.craftygardener.ca/garden22.html


4. Garden Stone Mosaic
Now there is something I haven't tried yet. Mosaics give that classy, ancient luxury note and these balls would look really good just in that corner behind the apple tree. The instructions look easy enough. I think as long as you remember to draw your desired pattern onto the entired ball before you start, you will be alright. And use lots of sealant if you plan on keeping these babies outside.

http://www.favecrafts.com/Decorating-Ideas/Garden-Stone-Mosaic/ct/1


5. Tealight Lantern
Great way to re- and upcycle your jam jars. Lovely idea and the instructions show good technique on how to wrap the wire round the jar but they don't mention that you also need to get a candle in the jar. Also, they don't give ideas on how to decorate your jars. So, get your creative hats on and make it your personalised lantern...


 http://www.favecrafts.com/Garden-and-Outdoor/Tea-Light-Lantern/ct/1




6. Seat cushions
Well, you can't do a pattern selection for your garden without a pattern for seat cushions, right? Especially in the UK where so called summer still features chilly nights. You need something to keep your backside warm... there are thousands of patterns for seat cushions. I liked this one because they look contemporary and using different fabric for each chair gives it that bohemian feel.

https://sew4home.com/projects/pillows-cushions/patio-party-sitting-pretty-chair-cushions


7. Picnic blanket with carrying case
Amy Butler design, comprehensive pattern with the carrying case included. Oh yeah!

http://www.examiner.com/article/free-sewing-pattern-picnic-blanket-by-amy-butler








8. Anarchists Night Light
It has lights.
Bright lights.
Brighter that bright.
In the night.
The lights.
Are bright.

And dangerous.
Because this might be a fire hazard.
We don’t know.

Another idea from my favourite craft site of all times - The Anticraft. The place where you can get knitting patterns for Condoms and tumors.

http://theanticraft.com/archive/lugh07/litebrite.htm

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Marshas crafty to do list - An introduction

I am always on the hunt for new things to make, new techniques to try out and oddities to create. Finding free patterns is always very satisfying. Here are my favourites from this week to go on the "To do list".

This is the first instalment of a regular feature on my revamped blog. Enjoy!




1. Gloria, the Gymnast
I suspect this is a creation from the same people who came up with Knitted Icons, a fantastic Pattern book I am lucky enough to own. (Ever thought about knitting the Beatles, Andy Warhol or Che Guevara? You'll find the pattern there). Gloria is an excerpt from "Olympknits", 10 knitting patterns to make your own athletes. And the best thing is, Glorias pattern is FREE! Check it out on http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/craft_project/






2. Wedding favour Seed packets
Aren't they romantic? And they definitely beat the sugared almonds... Secretely planning a possibly/maybe future wedding I thought of making my own jam and giving it as favours with the label "Spread the love" but these adorable babies are a very strong competition...

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2012/03/project_wedding_favor_seed_pac.html#more



3. Make a pendant out of coins, stones and other roundish shapes
I love working with wire, its so versatile and can look very delicate on your finished project. I make a lot of jewellery, experiment a lot myself and on my educational journey through wire weaving land I have come across this website which explains chainmaille, an ancient technique which I will definitely have to learn. To begin with this tutorial shows you how to make a pendant out of a stone which hasn't got a hole. I think it looks fabulous!

http://www.mailleartisans.org/articles/articledisplay.cgi?key=21008



4. Sex up your tee shirts
I don't know about you but in my opinion the price of clothes has gone up and the quality has gone down. As a result I find it very hard to find nice clothes. I am learning to make my own cloths but think this is an option as well. You get a cheap plain top, add some sparklers and voila! look a million dollars on a penny budget.

http://www.simplicity.com/t-how-to-embellish-tee.aspx

5. A-Line skirt with no zip or buttons
Back to that Making your own clothes thing this looks very pretty and I really like the sash. The tutorial looks a tad complicated but once you've read through it, it all becomes rather straight forward.
Quite fancy for a free pattern!

http://www.themotherhuddle.com/tutorial-simple-a-line-skirt-no-zippers-no-buttons/




And last but not least my alternative choice

6. The Crafters end of Days kit
Featured on one of my absolute favourite crafters Websites, The Anticraft, this kit will help you to get through any alien or zombie attack. This kit includes essential items such as a torch, plasters, a camera, wool and thread snippers. Good Luck!

http://theanticraft.com/archive/lugh07/endofdays.htm

Revived and revamped I am returning to the world of blog. What started out as an outlet for my uneducated opinions will from now on be my little contribution to the world of part time crafters. I will share my latest findings, creations and the occassional free pattern with you, my interested readers.

 I have spent the past year working my little cotton socks off researching, learning and crafting for my one woman business "Pear Tree Cottage". Its all Marias fault. My sister in law encouraged me to sell my creations (which until then were exclusively for friends and family in gift form) and when I sold my first pair of earrings, it was a done deal. The satisfaction of a stranger willing to pay for your creation (without feeling obliged to do so) is second to none.

I also want to hear from other crafters who are trying to make it in the harsh world of business, hear about your experiences and maybe share some business tips?

And, this time next year, we will be millionaires!

(In the meantime, check out www.folksy.com/shops/peartreecottage)

Meine 10 Lieblingsschnulzen - Achtung! Schmalzgefahr!

Die bevorstehende Hochzeit meiner Schwester hat mich inspiriert ein bisschen in meiner CD kollektion zu stöbern um ein paar Schnulzen fur den Abend der Hochzeit zu finden. Und weil ich ein grosszügiger Mensch bin, teile ich meine Funde gerne... Und leider Gottes muss ich zugeben dass ich fast alle Lieder in dieser “Cheesefest” Hitparade  auf Datenträger besitze. Schäm Dich, Marisa!

10. Can’t take my eyes off you – Franky Valli
Ein Klassiker auf englischen Hochzeiten bei dem sogar die Oma mittanzt..

9. Cherie – Udo Juergens
Dank meiner Mama fest in meine Kindheitserinnerungen geprägt. Danke, Herr Bockelmann.

8. Gel, du magst mi – Ludwig Hirsch
Wenn man mit viel Radiohören in den 80ern aufwaechst, dann kann man diese Schnulze nicht anhören ohne etwas sentimental zu werden. Bin noch immer ein grosser Ludwig Hirsch Fan!

7. Jenseits von Eden – Nino de Angelo
Es war entweder dieses Lied oder Matthias Reim.. oder Peter Maffay... oder Carl Peyer... oder Hansi Hinterseer...

6. Ein bisschen Frieden – Nicole
Zeigt wieder mal was für ein Schwachsinn aus Eurovision herauskommt....

Ein bisschen Frieden, ein bisschen Sonne

Für diese Erde, auf der wir wohnen

Ein bisschen Frieden, ein bisschen Freude
Ein bisschen Wärme, das wünsch ich mir

5. Tornero – I Santo California
Nur nach mindestens zwei Flaschen Chianti und mit Vorsicht zu geniessen.. Zur Einstimmung auch eventuell etwas Eros Ramazotti hoeren...

4. Mandy – Barry Manilow
Es war eine schwere Entscheidung zwischen “Copacabana” (Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl...) und Mandy. Der Schnulzenfaktor ist mit diesem Song doch grösser.

3. Ein Schiff wird kommen – Lale Andersen
Ein Klassiker, von dem es so viele Versionen gibt wie ich nur Schlagerfuzzis nennen kann.  Ich kann mich noch daran erinnern, als Nana Mouskouri dieses Lied im ORF gesungen hat....Und könnt Ihr Euch noch an “La Paloma” und “Die Gitarre und das Meer” erinnern?

 

2. Nights in White Satin – the moody blues
Englisch und so kitschig wie sie nur kommen.... LOL!

1. Ganz in Weiss – Roy Black
Der unumstrittene Kaiser aller Schnulzen. Bitte alle verbeugen und Respekt bezeugen!!!

I would be such a cool Rockstar!

Here's a little bit of fun that got passed along to me, and it right up my creative little street.

Create Your Own Album:

1) Go on Wikipedia and select 'Random Article'. The first one you get is the name of your band.

2) Go to Quotationspage.com and select a random quote. The last few words will act as your album title.

3) Do a virtual trundle over to Flickr.com. Explore the last 7 days. The third picture is your album cover. (You can only right-click to save the thumbnail image, not the full size one on Flickr).

4) Put them all in a Picture-edit-software-esque magic bag (Photoshop to name but one).

5) Tag those people you think will dig it and want to have a bash themselves

NO CHEATING!!

(I'm not quite tecchie enough to actually know how to tag people, so I'm going to do it via Facebook)

a little gem i heard on radio tonight

SAME THING TWICE

 

Please stop me if I start to get old
If I start to dress according to the weather
Tell me if you find me blindly doing what I’m told
By some patronising middle aged receptionist called Heather

 

And if you find they’ve got to know me in the doctors
Please give me immediate advice
Always tell me if I start to say the same thing twice

 

Let me know the day that I stop talking loud in pubs
Or start to make a loud noise when I’m drinking
Tell me if I’ve started keeping empty margarine tubs
Or start to read the papers to find out what I’m thinking
And if I smell of anything, and by this I mean absolutely
Anything at all that isn’t nice
Always tell me if I start to say the same thing twice

 

But most of all, please take me on one side if I ever
Start saying things that aren’t what they used to be
That the jokes are not as funny now, the kids are not as clever
That once there was a time when you were more in love with me
Help me feel the same but not care if I don’t
Tell me if I say the same thing twice
And also tell me if I start to say the same thing twice

 

Please stop me if I start to get old
If I start to dress according to the weather
Tell me if you find me blindly doing what I’m told
By some patronising middle aged receptionist called Heather
Help me the same but not care if I don’t
Tell me if I say the same thing twice
And also tell me if I start to say the same thing twice

 

Music and Lyrics by TIM FIRTH

Deutsch or English?

Jumping on the bandwagon and inspired by my talented writing better half I hereby give birth to my own blog - ta da! 

There were a number of very difficult, life changing decisions to make in the past 2 minutes... What to call my brain child? Should it be catchy, factual or just eccentric? Should it reflect my adventurous and exciting life in the shropshire plains? And most importantly, what language should it be in? I am torn between enlightening the Austrian half of my aquaintances and the lucky (or not so lucky) British who had the pleasure of meeting me.. I have decided to keep this one open. So, interested reader, I am keeping you in suspense eagerly expecting my exile Austrian, divorcee come happy mum living in the rural jungle of Shropshire views of the world. Keep your dictionaries by your side!

Long way round?

I left Austria 11 years ago. I lived in Helsinki before I ventured to Great Britain. I lived in Oxfordshire, Manchester, Cornwall and Plymouth before settling in the Shropshire plains. So, here I am. In a village even smaller than the one I left....

Back home I bumped into some locals in the pub I hadn’t seen for the best part of 10 years. They were very interested in my life in the UK (being not just an exile villager but also the local landlords daughter and having rather proud parents who keep everybody well informed I do attract a certain amount of attention).  After I explained that I now dwelled in the Shropshire plains in a significantly smaller village they pointed out that I might as well have stayed at home... hmmm... I laughed about it at the time but it did make me think.

At the tender age of 20 I wanted to see the world, experience other cultures, do weird, wonderful and amazing things and be everywhere else but at home. I did nothing by half – visiting a country wasn’t quite enough, I had to live it, breath it, eat and smell it (and drink quite a lot of its alcohol in the progress). Clueless, fearless and curious I floated through my early twenties collecting stories to tell my grandchildren.

And now? The only adventure I embark on is the fight with middle aged mothers over the “reduced” items in the meat isle in Tesco. Recently my sister in law and me spent an entire evening tracking down the name of her daughters’ favourite Bratz doll. The excitement I felt when we finally pressed the “Order” button on Amazon I could only describe as “orgasmic”. My days are filled with dirty nappies, dirty laundry, hoovering and dusting occasionally interrupted by blowing raspberries, drying tears after the 20^th tumble of the day, making bottles and brushing varieties of crumbs off my clothes.

Sounds familiar? Most women my age with young families will nod in agreement. Would my life be the same had I stayed in Austria? Most probably yes.  Would I become the super cool granny I am going to be? Not by a long way! Peace and love man! I’d do it all exactly the same way again....