Finally Finished Flopsy!

Well I've had a fabulous day today.  7 adults and 7 kids running round in the Worcestershire countryside, then eating cake and drinking hot chocolate.  If you are in the area then I would really recommend the Worcester Woods Country Park, brilliant play area, activities and fabulous cafe.

It was pretty exhausting though so this is going to be a fairly short post just to say that I finally finished Flopsy yesterday!! (about time I hear you say)  So here she is:

And here is the pattern for Flopsy should you fancy having a go yourself.  It turned out the bit I was putting off was the tricky part, making the body and attaching all the different parts and the head, but hopefully I have explained how I worked round it.  I had to modify the original mouse pattern from Esprit Cabana quite extensively.  I think the only part that is exactly the same is the front body but I'd still like to thank them for the inspiration.  Looking forward to seeing her in situ when the nursery is decorated.

Where has February gone?

Its just flown by and I don't really know where it's gone!!  This is just a quick update as I haven't got any photos to post at the moment.

Wonderful Husband has given the nursery a lick of paint so it is all lovely and fresh.  All of the old furniture has been removed and one piece of new furniture is in there already!  So now all I need to do it order the wall stickers, paint the woodwork and clean the carpet and it will be like a lovely blank canvas ready to be filled.

I am also going to have to pull my finger out and finish Flopsy.  I think I have been putting her off because it's the tricky bit to do next, assembling all the components (remember I am not a finisher?)  Hopefully I will get her finished and posted in the next few days so watch this space.

Progress

Work on the Nursery has been going quite well, the room still isn't completely cleared but we are definitely getting there. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel, be it rather dim and still some distance away.  The changing table has been delivered but needs assembly so I will have to wait for that joy!  And as I mentioned I now have a very neat home office in the dining room.  I am particularly pleased with how well it packs away into the corner of the room when not in use. It can't take up more than 3 square foot!

My new 'office' compact and bijoux

So much more tidy but it still needs to go!

Still a few bits to shift.

Hmm still some work to do here

Ok I agree to the untrained eye it still looks a mess but if you compare it to the first pictures you've got to admit there has been progress.  Just waiting to got some more bits up in the roof, on freecycle and ebay and it should be clear.

Help you I will, hmm?

This little fella has been keeping me from Flopsy for a few days. I think he turned out pretty well although some Starwars purists might quibble over the difference between a robe and a cape. I have written up the pattern for anyone who would like to attempt him too. Yoda

Amigurami Yoda

He has also given me an idea for a Leia pattern so watch this space.

Elusive Flopsy - Stage 1

Flopsy is taking a little longer than I expected,mainly because I am trying a few things out for the first time. I am basing her on a pattern from Esprit Cabane called Fabric Remnant Mouse but have modified the pattern quite a bit. Particularly pleased with how the head turned out as I wanted fatter cheeks and a wider nose and bunny ears not mouse ones obviously!

I am also modifying the body and legs quite a bit so its going to take longer than I had thought but at least will produce an almost original pattern that I am happy with. Having a redo on the legs as I'm not happy with the ones I made last night.

As for the nursery, I am typing this from my new 'office' set up downstairs so we are getting there! Getting rid of the desk will be a milestone and I also have loads of packing and sorting to do still which I am setting myself up to do tomorrow.  Now it's there in black and white I have to do it although I am so tempted just to work on Flopsy instead.

Chime Owl Pattern

Here is a little soft toy I made out of some left over fabric from making the mobile. I wanted to make him a bit interactive so I added some texture into his wings by inserting foil in one side and cellophane (from the package the bells came in) on the other and some chime bells into his body.   The cellophane definitely works the best as its more crackly.  He will be tied to the side of the cot (when we eventually get one!)

Chime Owl

He was quite easy to make and as I had already made the pattern in Illustrator I thought I'd create a instruction pattern to follow in case anyone else wanted to make him.   It is down loadable from here: Chime Owl Pattern  I am thinking of making a mini version to go on the pram so will post that pattern too.

I'd really appreciate any feed back on how clear this pattern is to follow and any mistakes or improvement you think I could make.

Slight change of plan (sure to be the first of many!)

There I was trying to be practical and reuse the things we have by keeping the (currently over loaded) wooden shelving unit in the corner.  Then The Other Half sent me a link to this bookcase in the Mark and Spencers Sale with 60% off and the temptation was just too much.

House bookcase

So what if I am going to have about a quarter of the storage space I would have had?  This is going to be much more beautiful and take up far less of the space which is at a premium in this room (see there where some practical considerations!)  The old shelf will go in the roof so we can get that organised and I am going to have to rethink where I keep some of my craft things.

Also as it is being delivered the 2nd week of February it gives me a junk clearing dead line to work towards.