Felted Necklace

I thought that I should get round to putting on a picture of the felted necklace that my daughter and I made since whenever I wear it I always get loads of positive comments and end up describing how to make one. I'm not going to do a set of instructions since it's not my idea, but one I got from Kleas blog which takes you beautifully through the whole process. She really enjoyed making it and threaded it all up herself which accounts for the wobbly angles of the beads and which I think is all the better for. We'll definitely be developing this idea over the summer holidays.

Not bad for a first felting project

Fused Plastic Bag Vase

I've been playing with fusing plastic bags (instead of getting the ironing done!). I'd been wondering if I could fuse the bags into something, with no sewn seams. I had an idea for a flower vase that could then squash down and be easily stored when not in use. So, here's what I came up with and how I did it:

First I had fun with creating a fused sheet big enough, mine was the size on one side of an average plastic bag. I fused 4 layers of bags then added layers of colourful cut up bag embellishments. Red stripes, pink circles and thin wriggly silver strips. (see here for the basic technique)

Before and

after fusing (including glitter fused as the final layer)

By this time the 'fabric' was quite firm and stiff. Then  I cut the edges that I was going to join so that the top was wider than the bottom. I put a thick, rolled up piece of cloth inside wrapped in a piece of baking parchment so that two edges of the fused plastic overlapped on the top side by about 3-4 cm. carefully I ironed the join/ overlap to create the vase shape.

I then folded over the top towards the inside to make a neat upper lip and cut the bottom level so that it would stand up. Next I found three strong freezer bags and put one inside the other for strength.

These are going to hold the water, so they need to be strong. The vase was then stood up with the top unfolded and the bags inside and pushed down where they'd sit when filled with water and the excess poking out of the top was trimmed.

I used some small bits of tape to hold them against the top edges while I folded the top back in on itself trapping the bag tops inside.

With care, and sandwiched between two pieces of baking parchment I ironed the very top of the folded down edge to bond the seam without making a whole in the loose inner bags.

Then it was outside to fill with water and check for leaks. The water gave it the weight to keep it stable and after 24 hours outside it was fine.

So it came inside with some flowers!

And a non arty shot (without the new Lensbaby!)

Those of a nervous disposition or when using very woody/ thorny cut flowers could always put a jam jar or glass inside to ensure there were no leaks. When it's finished with it can be squashed to store.

Plastic Bag Fusing Fun (instructions)

I found a group on Ravelry the other day where they've set a monthly challenge to make something out of plastic carrier bags. I managed to abandon the ironing mountain and started experimenting with fusing bags and other things together, windows open just in case, but I can't say that I noticed any dodgy smells. Here's how it went.

So, first I gathered together the few plastic bags I have, plus iron, scissors and two big pieces of baking parchment. Then I cut up the bags and layered them sandwiched between the paper to avoid melting them onto the iron. I set it to medium-high and the ironed away.

I carried on cutting pieces and layering them like this:

I also grabbed some net and sandwiched it between layers of plastic at which stage the sample ended up looking like this and was fairly firm:

I got carried away at this point and threw some chopped up large scale lace crochet, cotton threads and tiny beads into the mix.

Which finally looked like this

At which point I did some cutting out and put it in the window to be a sun catcher:

Jackson Pollock Iced Biscuits

My daughter (7) and I have been making biscuits today. We tend to use a messy icing method we have nick-named Jackson Pollock.

The trick is to mix up a few shades of runny icing and then go mad flinging it about with the spoon and usually fingers too.

Of course, lashings of sprinkles are optional.

We've also had lots of Jackson Pollock fun here on the Internet.