Zeens and Roger

Things I Made in December

January 4, 2016February 28, 2026amigurumi, crochet, sewing32 Comments

Better late than never, here are some of the Christmas gifts I made. Not all of them, I didn’t take pictures of everything. These are the handmade things I thought I should record as they’re all firsts.

Amigurumi Zebra

This stripey zebra was finished on Christmas Eve. I spent a long time on him, mostly in little bursts because, like an old lady, I couldn’t work with the black yarn in the dark. And it was always dark in December.

Many hours later…. I think I did an acceptable job.

Little toddler fingers had smudged the camera lense and I didn’t notice until much later.

I followed Elisabeth Doherty’s pattern from her Amigurumi book. The pattern is for a fawn which is surrounded by other ami patterns (although I don’t fancy making a crochet burger really). However, I know that the fawn pattern can be bought on its own on Etsy and maybe Ravelry as a pdf. I’m sure it was the last time I looked.

The back legs twisted too much so that the knees are wrongly placed. I didn’t say anything, and I don’t think the recipient will notice. She’s only two.

Little Crochet Cardigan

I made a little crochet cardi. Super speedy it was. The pattern is from Simply Crochet Magazine, issue 32. I was very good and bought the recommended wool, Drops Nepal. I chose slightly different colours, but mostly I stuck to the recipe.

I had pink yarn leftover, so instead of a ribbon tie, I made a crochet one. It might be a bit bulky, which is probably the reason why the pattern goes for actual ribbon.

It’s worked from the top down with granny clusters, and it’s for my niece.

I’m not sure what to do with the leftovers; only a small amount of the yoke colours are needed. Ohh, pompoms?!

Crochet Doily For Nanna

Nanna and Grandad got a doily for Christmas. I used DMC Natura Just Cotton in Dk. The pattern is from Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts: Lacy Crochet. I didn’t do a particularly neat job of blocking it as I ran out of ironing board. My Nanna was pleased as she said it can replace the doily her mother had made her (it is falling apart). I don’t know how old that one is, but she told me that her mother died in 1976.

Handmade Coraline

And here is Coraline. She’s quite a big doll. Whilst not perfect, I am proud of her as I made her up totally from my head. All of it. Including the pattern for the coat, which only bloody well fit the first time! Dead pleased. But not completely over the moon. I want to make her again to sort out all the tweaks that are required.

Her head and neck shape is wrong, which in turn has messed up her face. And I was afraid to press her clothes in case the felt fabric melted. Neatness has been sacrificed.

She also needed an emergency operation on her ears because they were dreadful. I so know what I’d do to make them better, but I ran out of fabric and time.

They are supposed to poke through her hair, and that, they do

It is a huge relief to have ticked these handmade Christmas gifts off my list. I have a perkier list for January, which pretty much includes making stuff solely for me!

Rushiest Blog Post Ever.

December 23, 2015February 28, 2026crochet9 Comments

Tomorrow, I estimate that I have about four hours to finish two incomplete craft projects and begin two new ones. I am not sure that I can do it. Sadly, this probably means my Walking Dead crochet blanket won’t get a look in. We only have three episodes of season 4 left to go, and I could so finish it, but alas, I must prioritise.

Doily for Nanna, unfinished. I’m on the last round and it needs blocking.

Very special dolly. Mostly done. Just need to sort out her hair.

The “I hate you zebra”. I managed to put off making this for approximately three years. Its time is now. Fiddly, piddly, and it just takes too blinkin long.

And there are two other things I haven’t even started!Swear words ensue.

Nevertheless, I am mega excited that Christmas is here and I am looking forward to all of it. Happy Christmas. x

Ho Ho Ho! It’s Nearly Christmas…

December 16, 2015February 28, 2026crochet11 Comments

Handmade Christmas

Unfortunately, there are some things I can’t show as they will be Christmas gifts, and then there is also the loss of any crafty oomph. I just can’t be bothered. Meh. However, I have decked the halls in greenery, which is something. It feels lovely and festive.

Christmas Tree Decorations

For the first time in twelve years, we have a real Christmas tree!! We were sick to death of the stupid plastic one. Didn’t like it to begin with. The smell of this year’s choice is totally awesome. We went to Cotley Farm in Whimple and within minutes, had picked out this one. We got it home and found that it was too tall, so off with its head. We didn’t mean to get such a big tree, but it obviously wanted to get in our car and come back home with us.

I bought some teeny painted toadstools. They are my delightful decorations for this year. I like to get something new every year, but we are becoming overloaded with Christmas decorations and are having to be more selective about what goes on the branches. Not such a bad thing. And it didn’t stop me from buying some cute little robins on sale yesterday.

We finished Eldest boy’s felt gingerbread man, too. He got bored after a few minutes, so I helped. He tried very hard.

His effort last year is what inspired my felt elf boot decorations this year. He randomly cut a boot shape, and we stitched it together. The other boy is being naughty, riding his bike indoors. With wellies on!

More Christmas Crafts

I still need to write out my Christmas cards. Not sure if I’ve made enough. I might have to print some more. Stamping with gold paint was satisfying yet messy. I got a lino cutting kit last Christmas and am putting it to use this Christmas.

Sewing A Coraline Doll

A glimpse of one of the bigger crafting projects of the week. I’ve been doing little bits of many projects rather than sticking to one and completing it. Therefore, this lady has no face and has only just gained blue hair and a yellow coat. I am a big procrastinator. I know what I should be doing, but I’d rather read my book. Or fart about online.

So, the general mood of the week is, pffft. I’ll stick my face in the Christmas tree in a minute, to give myself a boost. I might be around next week, I’m not sure. I guess it depends on whether I get my craft on good and proper.

The Rush of December

December 9, 2015February 28, 2026blanket, crochet, sewing12 Comments

Crocheting & Crafting For Christmas

It’s properly December now, and the time I thought I had is pretty much gone. I had lots of ideas for Christmas makes, but I have gradually knocked certain things off the list as time disappears. I’ve narrowed it down, and there are three main things still left to finish. Anything else I make after that is a bonus. The first is the crochet above. I started yesterday, and it was fun to get cracking.

I love the colours of the yarn. It is Drops Nepal, an alpaca mix aran. I will be sure to take some more pictures of this little crochet cardigan when it’s finished. I think I will finish it quite quickly. It’s enjoyable to crochet.

This is the crafty stuff that I made, thinking I would try and sell it at the craft fair last month. I also knew that if I didn’t sell it then I would be giving some of it away as Christmas presents. Is that wrong? Feel marginally guilty but can’t put my finger on why.

This is my first Corner 2 Corner crochet and my first Walking Dead blanket. It’s called the Walking Dead blanket because I needed somewhere to look when the zombies/walkers/biters are on screen. When frightened, take solace in crochet!

It’s only a small blanket and made from scrappy yarn leftovers, hence the odd colour choices. They are not my fave colours, but I think they have some appeal. Autumnal.

Another C2C Blanket

This is the second Walking Dead C2C blanket, started when we began watching season three. It’s still not finished, but we have three episodes left, so the two should be finished together. The yarn is made from bamboo fibres. I bought it for £1.39 a ball, reduced from £4. Unfortunately, it smells rank. I’m not sure if it’s the yarn or the cardboard inner wotsit. It has a very specific wet chopping board smell. Hopefully, a good wash will sort it out. It’s very silky feeling even if it is stinky. And it is not the bogey green depicted either, but a beautiful emerald green. The camera does not do green.

Sewing a Coraline Doll

I’m also about to embark on the final version of a doll I’ve been working on. This is a special request from my niece. I worked up a prototype yesterday. After making some tweaks, it is probably what I should finish off first. I don’t take the easy road; I have drafted the pattern myself, which is something I have no real experience in. I make stuff up as I go along. We shall see.

I have another crochet project that I’m putting off, as I know it’ll be tricky. It’s an amigurumi job, and it’ll be in black and white. But that is the third and final thing.

This crookedly cut gingerbread man is what Eldest and I are working on after school. He traced around one of my gingerbread man templates and cut it out. He chose the buttons and stitched on the nose and rosey cheeks himself. I expect him to stitch the two parts together, too. I’m looking forward to seeing it on the tree.

Sooo, that is where I am, and I am getting further behind by tippytappying here. I’m off to see what I can do in the next 45 minutes before I have to wake up Toddler and rush off to the school Nativity!

Homemade Advent Calendars

December 2, 2015February 28, 2026crochet4 Comments

Making My Own Advent Calendars

Dweeb that I am, I have, on three occasions over the years, taken the time to make my own advent calendars. It can take a while to make one, as I have to use scary things like “maths” to work out how to align images and where to cut the little Advent doors. Not to mention coming up with 24 weeny, and different Christmassy pictures.

I don’t remember when I made my first Advent calendar, but it was definitely pre-babies. There is a way I can date them all; each one has a “family” picture inside that represents where I was at that time. (Above is last year’s Christmas scene calendar)

First advent calendar. Have improved since.

My First Handmade Advent Calendar

This wintery design makes me laugh, it’s so bad. I’m still fond of that cute ice skater, and at least I can see I’ve improved.

Embarrassingly, inside has bad pictures, too. But you gotta start somewhere. See, pre-babies, it was just Husband and me. I don’t even know if we were married when I made this. Maybe it’s around 2006/2007?

The Second Handmade Advent Calendar

I made the second Advent calendar to represent the fact that we now had a baby. So it’s 2009. And I’ve tried harder with the drawing of the festive scene, too. I was very proud at the time. I’m not the best at drawing, but I have my own silly illustrative style. I went for a fairy tale inspired scene this time.

Insides from the second advent calendar.

We’re looking a bit tired in this picture. I like my attempt at Mary on a donkey ha!

The Third Advent Calendar!

And then, because I had shown the addition to our family, I had to make a third Advent Calendar to show that Baby now had a brother. I quite like it in the above pic, before I finished it. Right at the end, I added the dark blue for sky, and I stopped liking it as much. I think I ran out of steam.

The Christmassy illustrations have definitely improved over time, but I am not often satisfied, so maybe next year I’ll make another one and include the cat.

One good thing about these Advent Calendars is that I can reuse them if I want to. The doors have been closed again, and after a year has passed, I’ve forgotten what’s behind the doors!

My Eldest had a go at his own festive picture too, but I didn’t want to slice into it, it’s too lovely as it is.

And, just before I go. This is a picture of my stall on Saturday! It was lovely to have a go. The PTA made lots of money for the school. The felt Christmas decorations I made were my most popular items. I sold all of them apart from four lonesome doves. I guess they just weren’t festive enough. I have lots of things leftover, but that isn’t a problem. I have plans for them…

HO HO HO.

Playing With Felt For Christmas.

November 25, 2015February 28, 2026crochet22 Comments

Making Felt Christmas Decorations

For the last two weeks, I have been crazy busy cutting and stitching felt to make Christmas decorations. I’ve been pretty much knee deep in the stuff. Amazingly, I’ve really enjoyed it; I’ve not once become fed up with the cutting or the stitching.

Most of the time, when it comes to handmade crafting, I make something once and then get immensely bored if I have to do it again. Something must be wrong with me because I had this little production line going and got addicted to seeing how many felt decorations I could churn out. I’ve had fun!

I made brooches that are not really my cup of tea, but I think others might like them.

I made Christmas trees.

Boots for elves.

Peaceful little doves.

I came up with a new robin design.

And I improved upon a prancing reindeer pattern that I originally made two years ago (can’t photograph the old one as that fella is in the loft with all the other Christmas stuff).

These cute reindeer decorations might be my favourites. They’re so fancy!

And more felt gingerbread men!

On Saturday, I’m taking all of my new handmade felt Christmas decorations to the school Christmas Fayre. I hope people like them. I do! I am very glad I’ve finished them, really, because little, near-invisible stuffing fibres kept trying to live in my eyes.

Sewing and crochet this week. Hopefully, I will feel like getting the sewing machine out once the kids have gone to bed, but I’m well behind on Dr Who episodes and everyone is talking about Clara!

The Petal Patch Harmony Blanket

November 11, 2015February 28, 2026blanket, crochet17 Comments

My New Crochet Blanket

If I decide to get out a woolly blanket, the cat will appear from nowhere. Guaranteed! Trying to take pictures of a crochet blanket is even worse. 70% of the pictures I took of this blanket had a cat in them. I eventually gave up.

I’ve put it somewhere safe in case she tries it on again. She has claimed too many of my blankets.

Anyway, I’m pleased to say that I’ve finished the petal patch blanket and it looks lovely. I’m quite tempted to keep it as another blanket for the living room, but it isn’t really big enough. I stopped making squares for it when I realised it wouldn’t go with the rest of the room. It turns out that, actually, it probably would look quite nice. I’m taking it to a Christmas/craft fayre at the end of the month to see if someone buys it…

I really enjoyed making the granny squares. They are the Petal Patch Motif by Betsy Makes and the colour scheme is basically nicked from Attic 24’s Harmony blanket plus a few balls of Parchment and a smattering of the shade, Grape (it’s all Stylecraft Special DK). To give a nod to both of these pilferings, I am calling the blanket Petal Patch Harmony. Blankets have names these days.

It’s now a slightly squashed blanket where the cat sat on it. I should probably wash it before trying to put it up for sale.

Many of these pictures are very samey but it takes too much time, dithering about which ones to use. May as well use them all.

Once again, I used the Continuous Join As You Go. Next time, I’ll move on to a new technique. Not because I don’t like this one (I actually really like it), but because I want to learn some new crochet techniques. I’ve seen a few different ones about that I want to try. Just need to decide which to do first.

It’s a good size for the sofa or maybe a toddler bed. It also works well draped, with nonchalance, over a chair. Perhaps I should aim for one blanket per item of furniture; I can casually arrange crochet blankets everywhere. You’ll never find the cat again.

The border is from Edie Eckman’s Around the Corner, Crochet Borders. Number 27. I cheated and skipped every two stitches, not every other. I did it that way so I wouldn’t have to make as many stitches. I can see that it is ever so slightly stretched, but that’s the punishment I get for being cheaty. I did the same thing on the Fireplace blanket and got away with it more because I tinkered with the pattern. I get told off a lot for not following the recipe.

This granny square blanket measures 95x125cm and it has 63 petal patch squares.

The main colour is Parchment, and I can’t remember if I used three or four balls. The rest of the colours are most definitely less than a ball each. I used: clematis, lavender, lime, meadow, plum, sage, storm, pale rose, turquoise, violet, cloud, petrol, grape, raspberry, parma and aster. Hope I haven’t missed any out… Right, onto the next project!

Autumn Shenanigans in a Devon town.

November 9, 2015February 28, 2026crochet12 Comments

Ottery St Mary’s Tar Barrels

There’s a little bit of pagan in the air, and I love it. I was especially looking forward to last Thursday for a good old pagan fix. In the morning, I popped into town to take photographs of all the signs that were being put up for shenanigans happening later in the day.

However, before the day could really begin, a poorly toddler threw up in my lap, and I knew that the evening, for our family, had been written off. For everyone else, the roads close and at four o’clock, Ottery St Mary becomes a land of awesomeness.

The first time I went to the Tar Barrels was in the year 2000. I was coaxed onto a coach from Exeter without knowing what I was heading toward. I had the best and scariest night ever. Thousands of people arrive every November 5th to stand too close to burning barrels of hot, flaming tar. How great is that?

All the shops are boarded up to keep them safe from the hordes of visitors. There’s a risk of the glass smashing due to the massive volume of people potentially being squashed against the buildings. Such fun!

That first time I went to the Tar Barrels, I was petrified and spent most of the evening running for my life. Well, not really, but that’s how it felt. In subsequent years, I’ve found myself running towards the flames, trying to get as close as possible. I flippin love it! I’m not sure you’re supposed to do that. The key is to be respectful and responsible.

Sadly, this year, because of a pukey boy, I was disappointed. I could hear all the cheers and shouts from home. The smell of bonfire wafted all over town, and it felt ridiculously magical. I took the eldest boy out for an hour, so I could say we’d given our support.

These were the only pictures I could get. I had a six year old balanced on my hip, and I forgot to turn on my flash. I didn’t want to get too close because the boy gets scared. It’s funny because next year it’ll be his classmates taking part. Kids from Ottery families start “rolling” barrels from the age of seven. There are kids’, women’s and men’s barrels and they take place all over town. The barrels start small and get bigger throughout the night, culminating with the enormous Midnight barrel. I like the picture on the bottom right. It’s part of our walk home, but the trees form a circle, and the lights reflecting on the road surface look like flames. It’s an upside down barrel! Sort of.

I took this picture in 2011. I can’t be sure, but I reckon this is one of the kids’ barrels. It isn’t big enough to belong to one of the men. A lit barrel is lifted onto the shoulders, and the carrier runs up and down the street, giving a little spin to keep the flames going. Hessian mitts are worn to keep hands from getting crispy, and then many layers of what are usually rugby shirts are worn to protect the body. Awesome!

Bonfire Night

There is also a huge bonfire, which gets built during preceeding weeks. I love the ritualistic lighting of the fire; it’s amazing to watch. It is seriously the biggest bonfire I have ever seen, and the heat that emanates from it is super intense. I always expect it to still be going the next day; however, it has always burned to the ground.

I seem to have written an awful lot for someone who spent less than an hour there this year.

Anyway, 2016 is going to be an amazing year. It’ll be on a Saturday, so the crowds will be huge. This adds to the atmosphere and noise. Great stuff.

Surprisingly Easy Sewing Project

October 30, 2015February 28, 2026sewing11 Comments

I’ve been meaning to make this little patchwork baskety thing for ages, and I’m glad I sorted myself out and did it. I thought it was going to involve complicated sewing, but actually, it was mega easy! Pink Penguin is where you need to go. The sewing tutorial is for a small patchwork basket; I made the larger version.

I really like the interior fabric. I only bought a quantity of 40 cm, which was just enough. It was a bit silly, really, but when I bought it, I hadn’t measured anything, so I had to guess. I want to make one for me; this was for my sister.

I also made her this handmade tote bag. Everyone needs a bag now, don’t they?! I made up the basic pattern having seen similar elsewhere.

This pleated purse was the other thing I made in my sewing flurry. I’m running out of people to make this for now. I have done quite a few in different fabrics. The pleated purse tutorial is this one here.

Easy DIY Halloween Tiara

October 28, 2015February 28, 2026crochet2 Comments

I’m still not 100% certain of what my Halloween costume will be on Saturday, but I know it will involve this spooky tiara doodah I made today. It’s still wet, which is why this isn’t going to be a fancy tutorial. And I’ve rushed the pictures because I’m running out of Halloweeny time.

Things You Need to Make an Easy DIY Halloween Tiara

Garden wire or similar.
Masking tape.
Cheap headband.
PVA glue.
Black tissue paper.
Glitter glue.

Get your headband and the wire.

Do some twiddling of the wire around the headband.

I think it helps to do a couple of feet of wire at a time to avoid tangles. Bend the wire into crooked shapes.

Get busy with some masking tape. This creates a better shape without overdoing the paper mache stage.

Mix PVA glue with some water, and glue torn up bits of black tissue paper to the tiara. This might not strictly be paper mache, but it’s what I call it.

I blasted mine with a hair dryer to dry it more quickly. I’m not sure if this is a good idea, but I did it anyway. Splodge on some glitter glue and leave to dry. Job done.

Happy Halloween!!