Sunday 31 December 2017

December Bujo pages

Here's a glimpse into the December pages of my Bujo, in case you're interested. Each list was encased in a bauble shape with pine tree needles behind.


Going with the traditional red and green theme for the month felt very Christmassy and festive (especially after the black and white of November - I'll show you those soon).


I like to have a page or half a page where I record all the craft things I do or intend to do.

As it was nearly Christmas, I was sewing lots of decorations and presents for people so lots of craft going on this month... either recorded on the tree or on the present boxes below. A couple I didn't get round to but the ideas are still recorded so I might return to them next Christmas.


And picture page to summarise everything that happened in the month. I'm not sure how much sense it will make to you, but you might recognise a few elements from the past few days' blogs (Advent Pirates, leather stocking, Moomins).

I think I only blogged September Bujo so, sometime  the new year, I'll put my October and November ones up.

The trouble is, I keep forgetting to take pictures before I fill them in, then I can't show you without putting too much of my life's minutiae into the world.

I HAVE taken pre-filled January pics already so will start with those on New year's Day!

See you then.



Saturday 30 December 2017

Leather Christmas Stocking

I had someone staying at the house this Christmas so decided to make them a stocking like my grown up son and daughter would be having. He's into Larping so an ordinary felt/fabric one wouldn't do. Time to hunt in the box of collected fabric for something special.


This looked perfect: the sleeve of a leather jacket, chains, buckles, charms etc.

I cut the sleeve to the size and shape and glued the pieces at the edge (like I'd seen in Kirstie Allsopp's Christmas crafty series) before sewing it, punching holes at regular intervals with a Cropodile.


This is the finished stocking...


And here's a close up of the detailing at the top


Merry Stocking!

Friday 29 December 2017

Moomins vs Pirates

Here it comes. The battle we've all been waiting for: Moomins vs Pirates!

But I have to say, its not going the Moomins' way at all...


Look out! They're behind you!

Pirate and ghost pirate (former enemies) have joined forces to get the Moomins and are advancing on them across the beach... RUN!


Sniff is waiting on the far side of the bay and he has all the treasure safely on board. Get to the boat!


And if you're wondering where Snufkin has got to in all this... he'a an impartial observer - as uninterested in the fight as he is in the treasure... our lovely hippie Snufkin, at peace with the world, just lounging on the other side of the island, communing with the wildlife.


And there is everything that came in the Playmobile Pirate Advent Calendar (and the Moomin set from the shop in Covent Garden).

Merry Playsets everybody - no matter your age! (54).


Thursday 28 December 2017

Moomins explore Playmobile Pirate Island

They DID decide to land and this is what they found...


Snufkin gathered wood and made a campfire (of course he did).



Sniff was unusually brave and entered the ghost cave to find treasure


And Moomintroll and the Snork Maiden found a large quantity of treasure just lying there on the beach - watch her Moomintroll, she'll be dolling herself up in it in no time at all and gazing at herself in the hand mirror!

WAIT! NO TIME FOR THAT!


The Pirate has returned for his gold and Moominpapa is holding him off in a sword fight!

What will they do next?

Stay tuned for the final episode!

Tuesday 26 December 2017

Moomins discover Playmobile Pirate Island

Lovely husband (who bought me the Playmobile Advent Calendar) gave me a Moomin boat and characters on Christmas Day so here they are, discovering Playmobile Island for the first time.



It appears deserted and they seem a little unsure whether to drop anchor and go ashore... but they will


and then just you wait and see what happens in the next thrilling instalment of Moomins on Pirate Island!

Playmobile Advent Calendar Complete

Here is the last instalment of the Playmobile Advent Calendar we have been opening this last month...



The Ghost Pirate Captain on his huge rock and look...



The rock lights up and the pirate ghost's see through trousers light up too... like a pirate disco outfit!

Nearly forgot this one...


Rats guarding treasure or a mountain of jewel-encrusted cheese?

Stay tuned for Moomins versus Pirates!

Saturday 23 December 2017

Christmas in a Box - The End.

Here are the last pictures of the remaining boxes in the Christmas box...



And the box in its entirety I think I said at the start that its about 25cms square and its around 3cms deep.


Quite a neat little flavour of Christmas, and here it is with its lid on.


Friday 22 December 2017

Christmas in a Box part 2

Here are the next three boxes in the Christmas box scene...


Snowflakes rescued from an old Christmas card and re-purposed with double sided foam...


A little glass snowman in front of a curved image from another Christmas card...


And ponsettia from a peel off someone gave me when they were clearing out craft stuff.

The rest of the boxes next time.


Thursday 21 December 2017

Christmas in a Box

Have you seen those craft boxes that are full of boxes? I think they first became popular through Tim Holtz doing them but they have spread out to be available in places like the Range (one of my regular craft haunts) at a very cheap price.




Well this is the smallest one (about 25cms square) that I used to fill full of Christmassy things. I am a bit of a hoarder of 'tat which will one day come in handy' and here was the day for it to fulfil its purpose!



Welcome to the first 2 little boxes: presents (tiny card boxes painted and tied up with cord)...



and toys and games using bits from old board games and crackers


more next time.

Wednesday 20 December 2017

Sewing some Deer

There was a pattern on the front of the Mollie Makes magazine a short while ago and it made this...


but with a few alterations to the length of legs and neck and a slimming of the head, I made these...






Very cute.

Tuesday 19 December 2017

Playmobile Weapons Cache, treasures and skull!

Here are some of the weapons that have come out of the Advent calendar over the past few days


There's a snake on my beach.


And treasure to be found, but beware the curse of the skull!


Not long to go now!

Monday 18 December 2017

Playmobile Advent Calendar Update

Many days have passed and I have not shown you what the little doors have sent me...


I didn't know seagulls liked pineapple but, knowing they do a good impression of a greedy gannet, maybe they do.


I suspect it'll be back any moment to nab a beak-ful of the freshly baked fish.

Monday 11 December 2017

Advent Pirates: the new goodies!

Here are the original pirate-y pieces in situ (the Advent calendar came with a fold out background scene) and some of the newer items that have come out of the next few doors



The backgrounds make the whole scene look very 3D whereas in fact its only printed, but in such a way as to give a sense of depth when you place the items and characters.


Pirate now has  a red bag for his loot, several barrels of different sizes and two black things but, as I recycled the cardboard sleeve the Advent calendar came in, I've no idea what they are!


He also has a rather snazzy telescope (and wet boots).




Sunday 10 December 2017

Advent Pirates: the first two doors

Here are the lovely goodies they put behind the first two doors, just to make sure there was enough to play with so they could have a few days of dullness to follow


Pirate with accessories and pirate wearing his accessories (although I'm sure he doesn't call them that!).


And his trusty rowing boat.


More pirate necessities to follow, including the background scene that comes with the advent set., so the following items will be in situ.