Craft Schmaft » Sock Softies

Baby Zilla

Claire — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:36:03 +0000

I’ve been playing with the Baby Zilla over the past week. This little guy has been driving me crazy – the shape just wasn’t working for me and while he got very kooky. One complete redesign later and I’m pretty happy with his chubby little body and cuddly factor, bit more work to do on the face.

Anyone into instagram? I’m loving it for documenting crafting, snapping and posting as I go (find me @craftschmaft or the feed through facebook). Dangerous because, let me tell you, my crafting ain’t always pretty but I love looking back at the iterations of a creature. Here’s some snaps of the Zilla I took in progress…

A little owl rattle

Claire — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 11:04:05 +0000

I got busy crafting a baby owl rattle for my tiny new niece, Olive. A couple of bells in a kinder surprise container created the rattling effect and then the baby owl went right on top of a “sock donut”. I used a colour variation embroidery thread for the eyes which was gorgeous – although the instagram photos don’t quite do it justice.

Meet Radcliffe

Claire — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 23:35:19 +0000

I hinted back in January that I was making a toy for Christmas in July. Ta-dah! Here he is, Radcliffe the Reindeer. He’s a pull-along sock reindeer to be exact and a full tutorial on how to make him is in this month’s Homespun magazine.

My word, doesn’t January seem like a long time ago? We’re in the midst of cold rainy days and huddling under blankets on the couch now. We’ve almost unpacked the last box from the big house move and I’m looking forward to more crafting time soon. Looking back at this lovey Mr Reindeer makes me want to get stitching all over again.

Halloween love

Claire — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 08:34:59 +0000

Halloween is brewing and the crafty xmas season is almost upon us. To celebrate all things sock-like the first 10 people to comment here get a free Little Sock Monster Pattern PDF. That is all.

Look Mum… it’s me!

Claire — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:04:28 +0000

This morning I dashed out (well, as fast as a pregnant woman can dash… perhaps more of a waddle at speed?) to buy the Sydney Morning Herald. There’s an interview in the (Sydney) Magazine with me talking about my softies, crafting and babies. I was really quite nervous about it and, in hindsight, probably should have bribed the photographer more to get stuck in with the airbrushing but there I am. With all my beloved softies. In real print. A whole double page spread. Wow!

The gorgeous Kristen Doran and Alison Brookbanks are also in there. Go crafters!

Update: Here’s a PDF of the whole article with myself, Kristen and Alison.

Free Frankie Pattern in Homespun Mag

Claire — Mon, 17 May 2010 02:19:25 +0000

Homespun magazine approached me last year to create a softie for their “Go Green” issue. Whenever anybody says the word green I’m taken back to Kermit the Frog singing “It’s not easy being green” so I just had to make a frog. He’s made out of (you guessed it) a pair of socks and full instructions on how to create your own are in Homespun. The socks are from an online e-tailer called “Happy Socks” who have some seriously cool colour combinations.

I have that selvedge bag by the clever Jodie set in my projects to do sights as well!

Sausage Roller Pattern now available

Claire — Fri, 14 May 2010 05:41:59 +0000

I have to confess that this softie is one of my favourites. I shouldn’t play favourites, I know, but I’m just so excited that the Sausage Roller design works – you really can pull him along. I did completely embarrass myself at stitches and craft by taking the dog for a walk in the afternoons but aside from that the pattern was a big hit at the show.

So now it’s up online available for purchase as a PDF pattern. The instructions cover how to make the pup, assemble the wheels and put the whole thing together. Just in case wheels aren’t your thing I’ve included instructions for sewing sock legs on as an alternative. Kits to go in the store over the weekend too. Phew!

Sausage Roller

Claire — Sun, 02 May 2010 21:33:01 +0000

Sausage Roller was the name decided on for the Sausage dog pattern – thanks so much for all your tweets and comment, loved all of the suggestions. I’m having 4 Sausage Dog kits at the Stitches and Craft show – the green stripe and blue stripe you’ve already seen, a charcoal plaid and pink stripe you can see here. It took me a long time to find the right fabric to go under her ears. I didn’t want anything too floral, tried to keep it on the cute but funky side of things. What do you think? She looks very bald without her ears doesn’t she.

I finished off her ears by hand at Craft Room last Wednesday (photo taken by Belinda). It was so great catching up with all the girls, I haven’t made it all year! If you’re interested in joining our group on the Northern Beaches, Inner West or Hills district check out the new, very snazzy looking blog here…

So today I’m off to buy a last minute stash of collars and leads for my puppies and to pack everything in the biggest suitcase I can find for Melbourne.

Ridiculously good looking monster…

Claire — Sun, 02 May 2010 05:17:43 +0000

…well he thinks so. It’s a big photoshoot afternoon here at Chez Craft Schmaft and while taking this little guy’s picture he dived into this pose. It’s either very blue steel or a sign that I need a beks and good lie down.

Preparations for S&C are almost there, just the usual frantic last minute panic. More photos tomorrow.

Owlery

Claire — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 03:07:40 +0000

Baby owl classes at Stitches and Craft are filling up fast but still a few spots left. Email me to book if you’d like to come along Friday 10.30am, and Sunday 10.30am. claire{!at}craftschmaft.com

This is the final baby owl for Stitches and Craft Melbourne. I wanted something cute but very neutral and fell in love with this Japanese print from Retro Mummy. It’s called “little red riding hood” and has so many different elements to the pattern that you can choose what to have on the owl’s little wings. Yum.