Make it Monday: Crochet Unicorn

 This sweet little guy was the result of my first ever pattern swap with another mum from Kindergarten. I am proud of a few facts here - this was not a beginners pattern. It took time and I used proper safety toy eyes for the first time.

I also used up yarn from my stash so it didn't cost me anything. I love the colours in the mane and tail too.

It's going away for Isabella for Christmas and I'm taking a crochet break until the new year.

Make it Monday - Crocheted Patchwork Blanket

 After two years of weekly crochet, I finally finished this lovely blanket this week. It feels like such an achievement. When I began, I couldn't do a basic stitch. Now I've completed so many different skills and can read crochet in German and English. This magazine subscription is a fantastic way to learn.

Isabella has asked me so often who this is for. As there is so much pink in it, I'm going to give it to her as long as she gives Joshua the knitted one I finished last year. I love that she likes what I make and that she is interested in crafts too. 

Make it Monday - Inspirational Sign

This weekend I finished my second quote sign using Gonis products and I love this one as much as the first.

I made the board itself using spatulas (like large lollypop sticks). They are attached with some more spatulas in the other direction along the back.

The blue is actually ink for stamping. It doesn't cover as much as the acrylic paint but I actually like the effect of the wood showing through.

The quotation is relief paste on a flex template. Very easy and one of my go to techniques.

After a couple of presentations in November I'll find a home for this on the landing.

Make it Monday - Fimo Experiments

 Last week I found the inspiration through my Gonis colleagues and Pinterest to crack out the Fimo that Nico bought me for my birthday, and have a little play.

The mushrooms were my first make. They're a good luck charm here in Germany and I'm not sure what to do with them yet but I will find something.

The heart is for a necklace for Isabella, using my Gonis stamp.

The octopus is my favourite and I need to find somewhere for it. I'd like to do more of these.

The bee was just something to try but I need to work on colour combinations. This one is going to the kids as a pencil topper.

Hoping to try more modeling for Christmas.

September Goals

Here's what I hope to achieve this month:

• Plant some vegetables in the garden
• Keep up the videos
• Start my new job!
• Lose weight
• Family day trip
• Learn to play backgammon

Home Grown Grapes

 Last year, Nico planted a lot of vine around the garden. They have been growing like crazy and last week, we enjoyed the first harvest. They taste so different to the supermarket variety and all of us enjoy them.

Looking forward to an increasing harvest over the next years.

Make it Monday - Sofa Cover

For a while now, I've wanted to cover the sofa in Joshua's room. It was originally half of an Ikea corner sofa I bought for my old flat. We wanted more space in the living room and since Isabella has a double bed, we thought Joshua might appreciate it.

Having been torn apart from the other part of the old, black sofa, it didn't look great and needed brightening up but I had no idea where to start.

In the end I ordered three meters of a nice green material with white dots and got cracking with the staple gun. The sofa is an odd shape and I'm no upholsterer but I just went for it and improvised on the fiddly bits.

I'm really happy with the result. The room looks brighter and more inviting and should the material wear out, I can always re-do it. Joshua seemed to like it too.

Raised Vegetable Bed

On Tuesday, the last day of our long weekend, we finally got around to building this raised flower bed in the middle of our veg patch.  I saw some on one of the gardening projects we watched and loved the idea.

We used loose bricks that we don't want for our herbs anymore since the ants got in.  Then Nico built a wooden frame to give it a bit more strength.  At the moment it is half full with the old rhodedendrons that Nico cut down and we're going to cover it with compost and soil at the weekend so we can get planting!

Hopefully it will inspire me to get in the garden more, and I think it will.  Last year we didn't really do much veg - it was hard with a little baby in the house but with Joshua ever more active and loving the garden, we should be able to give the garden, veggies and cooking a good kick start again!

Make it Monday: Crochet Mandala

Yesterday I completed this cute little crochet project from Mollie Makes in about an hour. I love the colours and it was the perfect little stress reliever for German Mother's Day. Isabella has already laid claim to it. As ever, I loved trying something just a little bit different.

Make it Monday - Kid's Height Chart

For a while, I've been looking for a height chart for Joshua. Isabella has one with stickers but I haven't been able to find anything similar.

Then I saw this. It's one kit that can be a tree or a flower and I couldn't resist getting one for each of the kids.

At the time I didn't realise that it was a make-it-yourself kit but that's actually been half the fun. I finished this one for Isabella within a few hour and now I just need to fill it in and hang it up.

Just Joshua's to do now - good job it's a long weekend!

Make it Monday - Pompom Birdie

This week I got around to a Mollie Makes project. It involved making a two colour pompomfor the first time and turning it into a little character.

It's not perfect but I love it and so does Isabella. So cute! I'll make more of these, for sure.

Make it Monday - Creative Lettering Quote

Last week I started my new calligraphy course and this was the first exercise. Lettering is quite an individual thing and I usually consider my projects something that looks very childish but I took my time with this and I really like the finished piece.

I'm going to put it up in the hobby room to keep me inspired.

Make it Monday - Knitted Cushion Cover

 This week I finally finished the second and final ongoing project from my knitting course - a cushion cover to match the patchwork blanket. I love it!

I've been knitting a piece each week. They are all different but look fab together.

Once the pieces were sewn together, I crocheted three borders and sewed them together, inserting the cushion before sewing up the final side.

That is my knitting course complete. Now I should have time to go back and try a few of the bigger projects.

Photography Course

This year I've been following this photography course that Nico bought for me. A chapter every two weeks or so.

My knowledge and confidence are growing and I'm really liking some of the photos I get.

Many of the photos are of the kids of course but I thought I would share these images with you from the chapters on colour, black and white, and light.

Next week is the last chapter already and I'll definitely be practising these skills for years to come.

Make it Monday - Hama Beads

I saw this idea in a magazine a few weeks ago and I've always wanted to try something with Hama beads so I made a quick Amazon order and got cracking.

It was actually more fiddly than I thought and though I'd promised Isabella she could help and I did let her try, it's not suitable for a three year old.

I am pleased with the result though. It covers a glass with a hole in the middle for a straw to stop wasps sharing your drink in Summer. I think it works well.

Make it Monday - Barbie Bedding

 Since getting her first Barbie from the Easter Bunny, Isabella has been playing quite sweetly. My Dad brought over some of my old dolls and accessories and she was delighted.

Among the clothes and shoes was a pillow and a nightdress. I offered to make a new pillow and duvet and Isabella jumped at the offer.

I finally got a free evening and knocked this up from some spare material I had. I made it up as I went along for once and really enjoyed the process.

I can imagine a whole range of projects springing from this one!

Make it Monday: Lavender Pouches

Last week I made these lavender pouches as a gift for my aunt's birthday.

I made something similar but heart shaped for Valentine's day a few years ago. This was even simpler.

I cut two rectangles, folded them in half, right sides together and pinned. I sewed around the open edges, leaving a four centimetre gap.

I turned them the right side out and used a rolled piece of card to funnel lavender into the pouch.

Finally I sewed up the gap on the machine. (Don't overfill the pouch or this won't work.)

Make it Monday - Knitted Cushion Update

In between all of my ongoing projects and life in general, I haven't got a complete new project to share this week. Instead, I thought I'd update you on my knitting.

For over two years now, I've been following the Simple Stylish knitting course. In each issue, they provide materials and instructions for an ongoing project.

For two years, this project was a blanket which is now complete. Now, I'm working on a matching cushion. I especially like that the patches are all different shapes and sizes. I love that the colours match, and so far, I'm really enjoying it.

Make it Monday - March birthday cards

My new thing this month was trying to write numbers with stamps (that's a six and a three if you can't tell).

As some friends may be insulted if I put their age on the card, I used an old favourite technique of cut out shapes. 

I'm really pleased with both styles. Now to work on some gifts.

Make it Monday - Baby Top Knot Hat

Yesterday I finally got around to a new sewing project. I bookmarked this tutorial a while ago and had the materials lying around from previous baby projects.

It was easy and fast (under half an hour). My only negative was that the finished project is tiny although the pattern did print as recommended. Joshua is big for his three months but this would not have fit him at birth! I've donated this one to Isabella's large doll collection and I'll be enlarging the pattern for future attempts.