Thursday 28 February 2013

Tutorial Thursdays - St. Patricks' Day

As you may have noticed I am on a bit of a Needle-Felting mission :)
So today, I want to show you how to create this sweet little Paddy's Day Bag full of Gold.


For this Craft you will need:


Some Material for the bag (roughly 34 x 25cm), a strip for the tie as well as a small piece for the Needle-felting (I have used Velvet for mine)
Some roving for the clover
Clover cookie-cutter (or shape that you have cut out yourself)
Felting Needles
Felting sponge
Sewing machine

Place the piece of velvet that is to be used for the motif on the felting sponge, and using bits of roving needle-felt the pattern onto the material.



I then added some darker green for "Veins"


When done, pin the piece of velvet on to the piece that you have kept for the bag. (Remember you will be folding the bag piece in half and sewing together so place it on one half of the bag piece).


Sew onto the bag and decorate with a fancy stitch or embroidery if you would like.


Fold the bag piece, right sides together and sew, the side and bottom seam.


Hem the top of the bag.
Fill with goodies - Gold Chocolates fill mine :)



And there you have a sweet St. Paddy's day Gift bag.

Here is a video I created to show you how to needle-felt, enjoy.


I would love to see some of your St. Patrick day crafts. Do share them below.

Thank you to all of you who linked up last week, I so appreciate being able to visit such creative folk :).
The most visited link from last week was:


These super cute crochet Key-Ring ideas from E Strea Chikitu

My choices for the week:

This adorable Cherry Blossom Branch DIY by Nici @ Posed Perfection

King and Queens - Peg dolls by Karen @ Bridgit's Bell
These dolls are sooooo adorable, love them!

Thank you all for your amazing crafts.

Your links have been pinned on the board :)


Don't forget to grab your button if you haven't done so already :)


”Marigolds
Please feel free to link up your crafts below.

They do not have to be tutorials, I would love to see any crafts.

I understand that the point of linking at a party is to gain exposure and share your goodies, but please stay a while and visit some of the other links available. 

I love hosting the Linky Party, but it would be so much more fun for everyone, if all of you, would take a couple of minutes to visit at least 2 other links below. 
We all appreciate visitors and comments, so please be so kind and do so.

Rules for the Linky Party:
  • Be a Follower of Marigolds' Loft, this is not a MUST, but I would appreciate it :)
  • Grab my button below and showcase it somewhere on your blog OR create a visible link.
  • Do not Link if you are selling something. 
  • Be sure to only link the relevant Blogpost and not your whole blog.
  • Please be so kind and visit at least 2 other posts linked below, it is always nice to receive visitors, this is a linky party after all! :)
  • In linking below you are giving me the permission to use of your image if it is being featured the following week. If I am unable to use your image I can unfortunately not feature you.
  • Please note: I will remove content that does not abide by the rules mentioned above. 
Marigolds' Loft

Wednesday 27 February 2013

Stash-Busting Update :)


Wow, a month gone already?
Well let me tell you how my stash-busting is going.
In February I have managed to complete these two Stash-Busting Projects:


Kays' Scarf - 86g

And that by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin: I finished this 20 minutes before she awoke, the closest Birthday Gift Shave I have ever had LOL!!



In the picture they look so pink, they actually are fire-engine red :)


Makes my new Destash Total : 925g - Woohoo!!!

So what is up as the next Stash-Buster?

I am making the same pair of socks that I just finished for Jas- using the little square of blue that you see in my stash drawer above.

A closer view:


5 balls of squishy Drops Alaska :)

So a recap:

1. Jassy' Jumper - Completed
2. Birthday Gift for my Sister-In-Law - Completed
3. Birthday Scarf for Kayla - Completed
4. Socks for me - Completed

5. Socks for Jas
6. Socks for Kay
7. Pullover for Hubby
8. Cleo for me
9. Scarf for me
10. Fingerless Gloves for hubby
11. Perfectly Pink Sweater

And now for some AWESOME News:



I have been dying to share this with you for quite a while now so here it is:
Do you see this amazing set of KnitPros above?

Well, guess what? From Monday you will have 10 days to enter into a great, Sponsored, Give-Away to win them for yourself!!!

Update: The Give-Away is up and running - Grab your chance to win this awesome set now!
Click HERE


This awesome set includes 8 pairs of Birchwood tips,
4 Cables
8 End caps
A nifty bag to store the needles and a handy bag for your cables.

Are you excited?

I am, I can't wait to give them away!!

Be sure to come back on Monday to take part! 
(This Give-Away will be open World-Wide)

I will be sharing this over at Tamis, Ginny, Andrea, Linda, Paula and Linda :)



Tuesday 26 February 2013

Guest Post - Creating a Dinosaur themed party

Today I am thrilled to have Gemma over for a guest post.
Thank you so much for contributing :)

If you would like to be a guest blogger on Marigolds' Loft go HERE for more info.

-X-

Boys love dinosaurs so here are a few tips for your next dinosaur themed party. Dinosaurs related to characters can include sonic the hedgehog as he is like a miniature dinosaur. So once you have purchased your themed party decorations and table ware the next thing you need to do is look for a venue. A venue can be your home if you have enough space or a community hall or local play centre.



Here are some tips for activities and entertainment:
  • Once the kids enter the door they need to take off their shoes, then you will have laid out some green, blue, purple and orange paints and some tissue boxes (the long rectangle ones) so the kids can paint and decorate the boxes to look like dinosaur feet.
    Pre-cut some body shapes, dinosaur tails, long necks for the dinosaur and small triangles for the back humps and either using glue or split pins depending on the age of the kids get each child to create a dinosaur. Have a pre-made one so the kids can see what to do and then finish off with colouring and crayons.
  • Dinosaur cookies – Each child gets some cookie batter, rolling pin and dinosaur shape cutters and they each make a couple of dinosaur cookies and decorate with icing and other cake decorations.
  • Bone Hunt – Pretty much like a treasure hunt where the kids collect bones by following clues. You can make it more special by giving the kids binoculars and spy glasses. Or you could have a bone hunt in a sandpit where kids have to dig for the bones pretty much like a treasure chest!
For the party food, the theme for decorations should be pre-historical all greens, blues and dark brown colours. Great food for this party should be finger foods, cheesy balls for crisps as these are like rocks or golden nuggets. Party favours should include a dinosaur, maybe a toy dinosaur or pre-historic themed stickers and pencils. They can also take home their dinosaur feet and dinosaur creations.

Article written by Gemma Dawson, mum of 3 who runs a company selling charlie and lola party supplies and loves giving party inspiration.
Images from Creative Commons

Monday 25 February 2013

I have been nominated :)


I am so thrilled :) Thank you so much to Julie from I Create Purty Thangs for this awesome nomination!

Here are the updated ground rules for receiving this award:

1. Thank the blogger who presented the award and link back to their blog:

2. Answer eleven questions posted by the presenter, ask your nominees eleven questions, and list eleven random facts about yourself.

3. Nominate eleven bloggers who you feel deserve this award and who have less than 200 followers.
4. Post the award on your blog.

Here are Julies' 11 Questions for me to answer:

  • If a national disaster happened and you were housebound with no electricity and no running water, how long would you last with the supplies you have on hand?

We have quite a bit of emergency storage and I think we would be good for a couple of months, but not nearly as long as I would like just yet.

  • What genre of movies do you favor?
I prefer Documentaries to movies, but I would have to go with Fantasy - Lord of the Rings style :)
  • While waiting in line, are you the one who talks to everyone, or are you the one who everyone seems to want to talk to?
I think it goes both ways with me.
  • Do you prefer ocean or mountains?
I live in the beautiful swiss alps so I have them around me, but I do miss the South African Coasts :)
  • If you had to be one, which would you choose: vampire, werewolf, or zombie?
Werewolf
  • What percent of the time does it seem like that the gas pump tells you to come inside for your receipt?
Never had this experience :)
  • What types of blog do you follow?
I love to follow blogs that hold my interest, and the ones that I enjoy going back to all the time. Craft blogs and updated blogs are my favourites.
  • Do you believe that there is a conspiracy right now to take down the United States?
Not sure
  • If you could be (or return to) a certain age forever, what would it be?
38
  • Why did you choose that age?
I finally felt like I knew what I wanted to do with my life.

  • What famous person would you like to be stranded on an island with?
Deepak Chopra :)

XXX

My 11 questions for my Nominees:
  1. What is your ultimate goal for 2013?
  2. What book would you recommend that everyone read at least once?
  3. How would your dream holiday look?
  4. What craft would you like to attempt?
  5. What is your hobby right now?
  6. Who is your favourite Author?
  7. What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten?
  8. What is the best movie you have watched in the last year?
  9. How many animals do you have?
  10. What is the colour that attracts you the most right now?
  11. If you had an day to yourself, how would you spend it?
My 11 Nominees:
I love each of your blogs and for this reason you are my chosen ones :)

Mary @ Life on 19th
Melissa @ The Real McCoys
Tracy @ Crochet Happy


And my 11 Random Facts.....

  1. I think in German, even though I am english
  2. I am always burning the candle at both ends
  3. My dream is to be completely self-sufficient and to live on an island somewhere - but with good internet reception ;)
  4. I can't put shoes back into a box without a struggle
  5. My soul number is 22
  6. My favourite chocolate is mint
  7. I love my Filofax :)
  8. I am 39 years old
  9. I have shared my life with 14 cats at all different times.
  10. I have moved 14 times in my life
  11. I sleep like a mummy LOL!!

Thanks again Julie for this wonderful opportunity, I can't wait to see the answers I get either:)



Book Review - The Tree Of Life

Free Delivery on all Books at the Book Depository

ISBN: 9780743492256

This is 6th book I have read of Christian Jacq.

 After thoroughly enjoying his Ramses series, I had high expectations for the "Mysteries of Osiris" series.

Whilst the story line is good, I found it lacked the previous fervor that I become accustomed to from Mr. Jacq.
 The story line is good, but unfortunately didn't have me running to order book 2.

I award this book:

4 Owls
(You can find my Book Scale in the sidebar)


Sunday 24 February 2013

Filofaxiness - Pocket Cuban



I have to admit, this is my Favourite Pocket Filofax at the moment.
I was quite taken with the Adelphi Pocket, but that didn't seem to work as well as I had hoped it would.

The Cuban on the other hand fulfills all my needs in a Pocket Filofax:

It has ample space for my cards with an extra, larger pocket behind to store my sticky notes and important documents that need to go with me everywhere.



I have added my Calendar of the Soul into this one as well as the Diary inserts that came with my Petal Pocket.


The back has a nifty little zip pocket and pen loop - I will be using the pocket as a coin pocket.


And my favourite bit of this Filofax is its' back pocket that goes the whole length of the agenda - perfect for paper money, making it an ideal Filofax for my bag :)


I will be putting together some review videos of these Filofaxes in the next while, so do come back for more, or follow this blog for the updates to be conveniently delivered to you :)

Have a super weekend, and a great week ahead of you.
Until next Sunday.
x

Calendar of The Soul - Week 47


23 February - 1 March

Emerging from its covering by the world
zest-of-becoming means to have its way,
to liven up the beauty born of sense;
now let it find my thinking clad in mail,
corroborate by forces from the gods
themselves alive, no weaklings, here within.

-Rudolf Steiner

Saturday 23 February 2013

#marigoldsloftpotd - Crafts


Come on in and join the fun!

Every Saturday I would love to invite you to whip out you i-gadget (Whichever you prefer ;) and get clicking. 

Share your Photo OThe Day with me and others who have joined in the fun.

To join in, when adding your picture on Instagram
add #marigoldsloftpotd to the description of your photo.

I can't wait to see your images.

Todays' POTD has a Theme:

Topic is "Crafts"

Anything that you think relates :)

My Photo of the Day:


In the Nick of Time - Finished 1/2 hour before I needed to give it away as a gift, but finished is finished right?!!
My Instagram name is marigoldsloft if you are interested, would love to have you join me :)

Feel free to add your photos to a post and link up below.

Friday 22 February 2013

FO Fridays - Easy Crochet Cowl Pattern

Yay, today I have something to show you once again.
This is the cowl that I crocheted this week.
It turned out well, Kay likes it, so that is always a bonus :)




If you would like to try it for yourself:

The pattern - Easy Peasy:

Yarn: Bulky, approx 100g (I used Drops Big Delight combined with Nepal)
Hook: Size 10

Crochet 17 ch on hook 10.
Round 1: 1 dc into 3rd ch from hook, and then dc in each ch (15 dc) 
Turn
Round 2: 3 ch and then 1 dc in each dc (15 dc)
Continue with round 2 until desired length is required.
Sew together, or crochet together.

I would love it if you took part in the Photo of the Day tomorrow with Marigolds' Loft - Instagrammers Unite!


I will be sharing this with Tami, Linda and Andrea, so head on over there to see what amazing projects have been finished this week.


Thursday 21 February 2013

Tutorial Thursdays - Decoupage your way to an Antique Tray

  Welcome back to Tutorial Thursdays - today I want to show you how to make something old out of something new. I will be creating this Tray:


To create this tray you will need:

A Tray that you would like to fashion up
A Serviette wih a Motif that you would like to use
*Antique Paste (a lack that will allow the top coat to crack)
*BasisDecor (I use this white paste to cover the Antique lack)
*Gonidecor (A universal paint to use as a base coat, and to tint the BasisDecor)
Paintbrushes
*Finisher (Top Coat, water resistant)


Let's begin:
First start by painting the base of the tray in the base colour.



Once the base colour is dry, cover the tray in a layer of the Antique Paste.


When the Antique Lack is dry, cover with the Top Coat of your choice (BasisDecor)


Apply the top coat of paint in the opposite direction than the direction you applied the Antique Lack. I would also recommend using a broad brush and to work swiftly and in one direction (the cracks should start to appear almost immediately). Do not apply more than one coat of your Top Coat of paint.
Allow to dry.


Cut your Serviette Motif to the size you need it, and remove the bottom two layers.
If the layers do not come off very easily, slightly wet your finger and press against the back layers. They should then come away quite easily.


Place the Motif where you want to have it...


Now cover the whole tray in your top coat to seal it off and to adhere the image to the tray. It is always advisable to move from the centre of the image to the edges to avoid tearing. Use as little pressure as possible.


Once again allow to dry.


There you have it, a simple way to create something old out of something new.

For more information please contact me or visit my Blog.
*I use Gonis Products as I am a distributor of these amazing crafty helpers. If you cannot find these products in your area, you will have to substitute them. Hence the descriptions in brackets. For more information on these products, please feel free to contact me.


Now it is your turn-----
Are you ready to get your craft on?

I hope so, I would love to be able to visit your Blogs and be in awe of your amazing handiwork.

Thank you to all of you who linked up last week, I so appreciate being able to visit such creative folk :).

Unfortunately, as none of the links were actually visited, I don't have any most visited to share :(
Maybe next week....

I do however have a favourite that I would like to share.....
Recycled Pepsi Key Chain by Katie @ The Crafty Blog Stalker

I LOVE this idea, I am a sucker for any kind of recycled crafts as it is, so thanks for that.

Your link has been pinned on the board :)


Don't forget to grab your button if you haven't done so already :)


”Marigolds
Please feel free to link up your crafts below.

They do not have to be tutorials, I would love to see any crafts.

I understand that the point of linking at a party is to gain exposure and share your goodies, but please stay a while and visit some of the other links available. 

I love hosting the Linky Party, but it would be so much more fun for everyone, if all of you, would take a couple of minutes to visit at least 2 other links below. 
We all appreciate visitors and comments, so please be so kind and do so.

Rules for the Linky Party:
  • Be a Follower of Marigolds' Loft, this is not a MUST, but I would appreciate it :)
  • Grab my button below and showcase it somewhere on your blog OR create a visible link.
  • Do not Link if you are selling something. 
  • Be sure to only link the relevant Blogpost and not your whole blog.
  • Please be so kind and visit at least 2 other posts linked below, it is always nice to receive visitors, this is a linky party after all! :)
  • In linking below you are giving me the permission to use of your image if it is being featured the following week. If I am unable to use your image I can unfortunately not feature you.
  • Please note: I will remove content that does not abide by the rules mentioned above. 
Marigolds' Loft

I selected this post to be featured on my blog’s page at Craft Blogs.

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