TOYS Archives - Nannycraft4u

Make Book Ends

November 2, 2015 by Nanny 2 Comments

As it is now November (eek), I thought I would share some ideas for Christmas gift giving. Today I am going to share with you how to make Book Ends. These make a great gift and are a quick, easy project!

Recently I came across some mdf book ends on sale so I grabbed them. (You can easily cut some squares to suit and make your own)

This is how I finished them!

I had Poppy paint them white for me – I had a butterfly, a heart and a bird.

I then selected some paper combinations:

For the heart:

and for the bird (I’m still waiting on a bedroom redo to finish the butterfly)

I traced the shapes onto the paper and cut them out.

Nanny tip: when you trace something and then cut it out, remember to cut to the inside of the tracing line to ensure it fits!

I then glued them in place

and found some ribbons to trim. I love the contrast between the spots and stripes on the hearts!

Little green pompoms and some little eyes finished the birds – aren’t they cute!!

I was so happy with the results I wanted to share them with you – a quick, easy project that is sure to bring joy!

Until next time

Nanny xx

Make Angel Wings

September 11, 2015 by Nanny 5 Comments

Just recently, while ‘minding’ my grandchildren, the dreaded ‘Book Week’ parade came up and one of the girls wanted to be ‘Lily – The Littlest Angel’ (Elizabeth Pulford) so I had to make some Angel Wings. I posted about it on instagram and I had a few requests for a tutorial, so here we go! Let’s make Angel Wings!

I thought I would use some paper plates and some feathers …

BUT …….

have you ever tried feathers? They quickly spread small particles into the air and this Nanny said “NO WAY!”

So now we were left with just paper plates! (and yes, it was the night before!!!)

So I cut one in half to make the top of the wings

and used a single plate to be the foundation

I then cut some plates like this

and arranged them on each side

When I was happy with the look, I stapled each to the foundation plate (note how I had the plates facing right side out) I stapled from the under side so that the smooth part of the staple would be on her back.

I used packaging tape to secure a length of elastic across the foundation plate at about the level of the 3rd plate down and pushed the ends through a slit made with a sharp knife on the foundation plate. (I apologise that I dont have a photo of this step)

I then glued a full plate over the top so no sharp staple ends were visible or able to cause damage to small fingers and no elastic was visible.

I then tied the elastic ends together and my little angel slipped each arm through the elastic so that the elastic went across her back and around each shoulder .

I then simply threaded her belt through both ‘armholes’ of elastic and tied it at the front of her costume. This meant the wings could be easily removed at school if necessary for toileting or play.

A simple halo of gold tinsel and we were done!

Perfect!!!

Book Week costumes? Not a problem – Just ask Nanny!!

Did you get caught up making costumes too? How did you go?

Until next time

Nanny xx

‘Lily’ and ‘William’

June 9, 2013 by Nanny 4 Comments

Earlier this year, I designed my ‘Lily Doll’ in support of The Sewing Library Dolly Drive for 2013.
I am so excited that ‘Lily’ has been featured on Threading My Way this week. Threading My Way is a very popular Australian blog, hosted by Pam, that has an amazing collection of crafting ideas and projects so, if you haven’t checked it out, make a cuppa and head on over!
As a result of being featured on Threading My Way, I was contacted by Kristy from Hopeful Threads
Kristy hosted a very special project earlier this year called ‘Fluff For Foster Care’ and has decided to make this an ongoing commitment through The Fluff Project. Kristy thought that ‘Lily’ would be a lovely addition to the patterns that are offered and I am thrilled to make the pattern available.

I was concerned, however, about sending ‘Lily’ off across the world on her own, so today I would like to introduce ‘William’ – a little playmate for ‘Lily’!

‘William’ is made following the same instructions as for making ‘Lily’ with the following changes:

Pattern – you can get here

Fabric – cut two pieces 6.5″ x 4.5″ for the shirt

cut two pieces 6.25″ x 4.5″ for the pants

I hope that you enjoy making ‘Lily’ and ‘William’ and in so doing, bring joy and comfort to little children all over the world. Just that thought makes my heart sing!!

Until next time!

Nanny xx

Let’s Sew 21 – ‘LILY’ Dolly

January 24, 2013 by Nanny 8 Comments

Today we are going to make a dolly to support the TSL DollyDrive for 2013.

I have designed a simple doll that beginners will be able to complete. I have called her Lily!

What you will need:

Pattern – you can download the Let’s Sew Dolly pattern here.

Felt for the hair – colour of choice (you can get 2 dolls from a sheet of felt)

Fabric for the body. This could be a calico or a quilters cotton. ( you will get 1 and 1/2 dolls from 1 FQ)

Embroidery threads – black, eye colour, lip colour OR

Fabric pens
Erasable Pen for marking face details (I used a PILOT Frixon Ball – available at supermarkets in Australia)

Fabric for dress – 5 and 1/2″ square

Lace trim – this is necessary to add length to the dress to make it ‘modest’ – you can just make a ruffle if you prefer
Stuffing

Let’s Sew!

1. Take pattern and trace it off including the dots for the centre and the lines for the dress.

2. Take the pattern and trace it and the markings onto the back of the fabric (I used a pencil). Add 1/4″ for seams and cut out the doll shapes, back and front.

Nanny Tip: An easy way to transfer the dots from the wrong side to the right side is to put a pin through the dot. Turn the fabric over and mark where the pin comes through.

3. Using an erasable pen, trace the face details onto the front of the doll matching your centre points.

4. You can complete the face details by embroidering with 2 strands of embroidery floss or by using fabric pens. Details for embroidery stitches here and here.

To start the embroidery, take 2 strands, tie a knot and start with your knot at least 4″ away from the start (a waste knot – thanks Jenny).

eye outline – backstitch
eyelashes – single stitch
eye – blanketstitch
nose – backstitch
mouth – backstitch

5. Take the hair pattern and cut a front and a back from the felt adding a ¼” seam allowance to the outside of the head.

6. Put hair piece onto doll head and, using the same colour thread, stitch in place around the face, close to the edge. On the back, stitch along the neck line close to the edge.

Don’t forget the part line on the back like I’ve done!

7. Take the lace and stitch it along the hemline marked on the body.

8. Take the dress fabric square and turn the top and the bottom under about 1/8″ to fit from the neck line on the pattern to the hem line. Stitch it to the doll, front and back, close to the edge along both the neck and the hemline.

9. Fold under 1/8″ down the sides and stitch close to the edge across the arms

10. Now turn it over and trim back to the doll shape.

11. Take the plait pieces and stitch two together down both sides. Then stitch 3 rows , evenly spaced (about 1/4″).

12. Repeat for the other two pieces.

13. Trim the side stitching off and then snip up in the middle of the rows, stopping about an inch from the end.

14. You can now plait the hair and stitch across the end to secure (about an inch from the bottom)

15. Pin the plaits on each side of the head, with the plait across the face to match the edges. Stitch the plait to the doll.

16. Stitch on the line, around the top of the head for about 3″ on both the front and back ( this is where the opening will be so it will help to have the felt and fabric stitched together)

17. With right sides facing, make sure the plaits are tucked in across the face and match up the dress neckline and hemline. Stitch around the edge of the doll ¼” from the edge. Don’t forget to leave a 3” space for turning at the top of the head. Repeat with a second row.

18. Clip curves (I used pinking shears) and turn doll to right side.

19. Roll seams between your thumbs and fingers.

20. Press

21. Take the stuffing and stuff the legs tightly. Work your way up the doll, stuffing firmly as you go.

22. Close the opening with ladder stitch by hand.

Well done! That wasn’t so bad was it – maybe now you can go ahead and make some more! It is for a great cause so Let’s See how many Let’s Sew can make for the Dolly Drive !!

Until next time

Nanny xx

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