Simple Strawberry Notebook Cover Tutorial

Are you ready for my first ever tutorial?....don't get too excited, it's not a difficult one, and it might be fun for the kiddywinks to try, as there's not a lot of effort involved.

Here goes.....

You will need;
a notebook
a piece of felt larger than the notebook (when the notebook is open)
small pieces of red, green and another contrasting colour felt
some embroidery floss in white or black, some in green and some in a colour to contrast your big piece of felt too

scissors/cutting mat/rotary cutter/ruler/needles...the usual suspects

I'll apologise in advance for any mistakes and things I miss out/my total lack of clear instructions blah blah blah. This is the first gingermonkey tute - go easy on me, I'm a virgin ;)


Right...let's begin....

Lay your notebook out on your big piece of felt, open and flat and cut around it a half inch across the top and bottom and 3 inches longer each end.



fold the longer ends in and pin into place like so (removing the notebook carefully after you pin)...



Using your smaller pieces of felt cut out a strawberry shape, and a leafy bit...



lay the strawberry with leafy bit in place on top of the constrasting piece, pin to keep in place...



and cut around...



using embroidery floss sew some little seed dots on the strawberry and some long stitches on the leafy bit (this will keep the whole thing together and looks pretty)



using more floss (a very long piece) sew a running stitch nice and neatly across the top and bottom of the main piece of felt where you pinned before...



decide where you want your strawberry applique to go on the front of the notebook cover, pin and stitch round using a running stitch again...



gently ease your notebook back into the cover...



et voila!!!




There you go, my first tutorial. Have a go, it's ever so easy, it might keep the kids quiet for a bit, and let me know if you do try it, I'd love to see what you come up with!

Sole Monday will be taking a break for a week, I am off on my holidays to italy. Ciaou ciaou!
oh, and if you are the burglar thinking of robbing me whilst I am away - think again, I have very nice (she hopes) house sitters in watching the precious kitty cats. Ha!

Sole Monday (bit late in the day)

I'm sorry - I forgot (it's the sunshine, it does things to my brain). So, thank you, Beth for the reminder!

In honour of the fact that the Great British Summer has arrived (and will surely be over by tomorrow), heels are not necessary. Does anyone wear heels in this heat? Flip flops are the footwear choice for the masses.....


....except I don't really like flip flops, they feel funny and annoy me.

I wear these instead.




And, here, as a special treat for you all, is the scary white albino squirrel card. I think you'll agree, it's pretty blooming terrifying. Imagine that thing creeping up your fence with it's eyes all aglow. It reminds me of Amityville (red pig eyes in the window, I didn't sleep for weeks after I saw that)



That's it. Sorry, it's a bit of a quick one today. I am trying to make dinner, cut out two more dolls and think about picking my baby girl up from the airport tomorrow - she's been in Spain for the past 12 days with her best mate (and best mate's mum - I am not so liberal that I would allow a 9 yr old on holiday by herself, not just yet anyway). Can't wait. Monkey Towers has been deathly quiet without her.

Swap Goodness...oh me, oh my!!!

I got mail!!! And not just any old mail (bills, random catalogues from dodgy furniture shops and the like) it's russian doll swap mail!!! From Melinda.

looky looky.....



2 russian doll squishy friends (I named them that, it's not a very good name, I know) and a cushion (that Melinda says she wasn't sure about and I could give to the dog...well, NO, tis mine, all mine!)




plus some paper dolls (too fabulous to cut out? It's OK, she sent me another set so I can frame them - HOORAH!!!)

And she sent me a postcard with a really quite scary white squirrel on it (shudder - albino squirrels) and a lucky stone with a hole in it - which I am expecting to get me big lottery winnings some time soon (or I shall be demanding an explanation for the lack of luck) and some badges and a folded paper thingy that you put your fingers in and pick a corner, wiggle your fingers round, and it tells your fortune (I don't know what they are called - you'll know what I mean, we used to make them in our yoof - square of paper, fold in the corners, fold in again, write silly messages in like 'you smell of fish', and colour on the outside. Geddit?) Miss G is going to LOVE it, she has an obsession with those.

Melinda, you sent too much stuff, but you can't have any of it back, I love it all too much. Thank you thank you thank you. Gosh, I love swaps!!!!

How are you all doing on getting your Russian Dolls out? Any problems? I am here for ear bending should you need it - just email me. I want happy swappers, so if you're not happy then just holler and we can try and make you happy. (we being me)

My giveaway prizes are mailed - so look out for them, winner types. ;)


Plus, in crafty news, I made a cushion for my friend Lou (from home) to give to her friend Suzanne who is getting married in a few weeks. The Swan on it is because Suzanne and her other half (don't know his name - sorry!) are getting wed at a place called The Swan, in a village in Suffolk. Ah, Suffolk. Best county in England, you know.
So, Lou, if you're watching - what do you think? Is it ok?... I drew that swan (I am quite proud of it) all by myself, and she was always the arty one at school, I was the crafty one. We made a good team. Still do, I like to think.

3 Dolls Down...5 More To Go

Meet Allie, NatureGirl and Alice. All off to new homes later this week.

His Gingerness decided to get in on the photo shoot action. He won't be going to a new home, I think I'll keep him... (looking good there Ginge, in your nappy!!!)



I am really busy with dolls at the minute, I feel (almost) as busy as Queen Locket. But not quite. If I am feeling a bit stressed with it all I go see what she's up to and feel much better.
Before I go on holiday at the beginning of August I have 5 dolls to do. That's less than 2 weeks away. I am flapping. Someone, calm me down, please!!!!

Sole Monday (and happy mail)

It's Monday, so time for some more unashamed showing off of shoes. This weeks are rather similar to last weeks, but red and with 3 straps instead of a t-bar. And, just like their cousins from last week, they are by Vivienne Westwood and they have that rather nifty shaped toe shape thingy going on that makes them really quite comfy - no toe pinching here! (I didn't notice the book until just now - that is W's precious reference book for his obsession with getting himself tattooed. I have drawn the line at a full body suit Japanese style...we are currently in discussion as to what he can actually have...)


Imagine my surprise on Saturday when Ginger's friend, Mr Postman, came knocking with a little gift from my marvelous friend Annie. Actually it wasn't a complete surprise, she had emailed me to tell me she had posted the package, and I did know she was knitting a tea cosy, (as a thank you for sending her some clothes that Miss G had grown out of for Miss Reva) but I didn't know it'd be this beautiful......




It has BOBBLES!!! If I could fit it on my head, I would wear it. But I can't, so the teapot is pleased with her new jacket. Annie also sent me a mini quilty teapot stand thingy. I am very happy, a picture made of fabric of a teapot? It's all too much to take really. It's not going to have a drippy teapot sat on it, it's going on the wall. (This photo shows a stunt teapot to avoid risk of tea staining injury - there's no tea in that there pot). Please note - the tea cosy is Ms Milkwood's own design, she can knit them to any size, she can sell them and can be found here should you want one for yourself.

Annie - mwah, you are brilliant and fab xxx I LOVE it, I LOVE the teapot quilty, you really didn't need to send me anything, but I shan't send it back!!!

Where I Spend My Days....

I wish I had my very own room where I could have amazing cupboards full of fabric and beautiful things, but as it is I have the corner of the kitchen, and I even have to share that with the computer. Still, it's getting there. I just need to get some storage for under the desk (I tried Ikea and found nothing suitable, but I think I'll try again - if I can't get a little shelfy unit thing from Ikea, where can I go?)
The string with pegs is where I hang things I am in the middle of doing for the mini quilt swap on flickr (so if you're paired with me - look away!)

I am hanging pictures and mini quilts and stuff above my blackboard, a couple of them (the one I got from Gina in Lucy's swap and the one I got from Annie) are in Ginger's room.

My desk is a bit messy though, I need to have a bit of a tidy up, but until I get the aforementioned under desk storage thingy (or clear out the cupboard next to my desk that is full with fabric and rubbish and is too horrific to show you) it stays on the desk, getting W all grumpy and falls off or gets knocked about when I am sewing. Still, this little area is a step up from where I was previously - the dining room table.

Now I've shown you mine, show me yours. Where do you spend your days?


And to prove this isn't one of those cop out posts because I haven't been doing any sewing - I am halfway through 3 dolls. So there! :)

Drum Roll Please...

G's Happy Birthday bunting is finished! It's blooming long, so after trying to find somewhere I could hang it up I realised I couldn't get it all in the photo. So I laid it on the floor instead...



Ok, you still can't see it very well, but you get the general idea, don't you? G is happy, so is E (her best friend). I think we'll be making a string for Ginge when his birthday comes up.



Well, we got the magic pyrex bowl out, cut out numbers (80 comments! - I am touched, and shocked, to discover there are that many of you who even bother reading/lurking/commenting on my little blog).

The small monkeys gave the bowl a good stir and delved in...



And here we go...



The birdy frame goes to comment number 78 (that's you Louise)

The framed girl pic goes to comment number 11 (come on down, Lindsey)

And last (but not least) the 'I haven't decided what yet' parcel goes to number 20. Yep, she can - it's Trash

I'll contact you all to get your addys, and pop the parcels in the post later this week (after I've decided what on Earth to send Trash).

Congratulations? (or commiserations, I don't know...) to the winners. Commiserations (or possibly congratulations) to the losers (that's a horrible word, isn't it? You LOSER).

Don't forget - Sole Monday is still there, one post previous. I've done 2 in a day. That's me done for the week....or is it....???

(and it rained, so the shoes didn't get to go to the park, but I do intend to take them on a trip out later on this week, if the sun would just stay out for half the day)

Sole Monday (and the winners are....coming later)

Tis Monday...so here's my offering to the Shoe Gods for the week. Some silver t-bar shoes from Vivienne Westwood. Pretty, aren't they? And much more acceptable in heel height than the previous pairs. I think even the most heel phobic amongst you could wear these (you can't though, they're mine, get your own). I love these shoes. They are easy to wear, brighten up the dullest of days (clearly - they're silver, silver makes the greyest of days bright and sunny). And should I need to check out my reflection I just need to cock my leg up and can reapply lippy without any problems. Simply marvellous - multi functional shoes! These are a few years old now, and don't get worn much (like most of my real lady shoes). Maybe I'll wear them today, to the park. Then again....


Miss G will soon be 9. Blimey, where'd the years go? In honour of her birthday we have made some birthday bunting, pinching the idea from Gina (thanks Gina for being so clever). I need to iron on some interfacing first though, before I sew it all together. I have an idea it might be too flappy and wavy about without stiffening up a touch (it's to hang outside). Husband has been sent out this morning to buy some, and that's my job for the day. The kids (G, and 2 of her friends) used normal crayola crayons, not special fabric ones, to draw onto fabric. Once you iron it (using paper towels - naturally), it sets in the same way as fabric ones, and saves disorganised Mummies (such as moi) from having to venture to hobbycraft on a Saturday (Hell on Earth). Genius (she says, trying to make up for the fact that she forgot to get the fabric crayons in the first place). More pics to follow (when I get it finished).



G's friend has been staying with us for a couple of days as her mum is working at a trade fair, and today we are going out for some lunch, maybe a trip to the park (weather permitting) and returning later for the giveaway...so don't fret, winners shall be announced this evening upon our return. I suppose I should think up a third prize, shouldn't I? It seems a bit unfair to have G and Ginge pick out a winner each and leave E with nowt to do. Maybe a trip to the local ribbon porn shop is in order....

sewing for birthdays and boredom (plus a very quiet, maybe you won't notice, brag)

It's my friend, Beth's little girl's birthday at the end of the month, so I've been busy sewing her a present....



and I was a bit bored...so I made some pin cushions (giveaway winners to be take note - you'll be getting one each, whether you like it or not)


The rain is doing my head in, I think I'll go stir crazy if it doesn't hold up soon. Has someone got the sun hostage? If so, can I have him back? Tomorrow we are off to a play centre. I was going to try and venture to the farm (again) but that aint gonna happen. I need to do something to keep Miss G entertained (she is now one week into the school holidays...we've done bugger all so far, thanks to the crappy weather). Did I mention she got 5 A grades in her school report (including 1 in science and 1 in design and technology - those were her most proudest and favouritist), and 2 B grades? I'm not one for paying much attention to grades, I don't know if I agree with them for junior school children, but still, it makes you go all glowy and dead proud when your baby (who has never ever ever got an A before) gets 5 in one go. That's it - boast over.

The giveaway is still open - just leave a comment on the previous post and you'll get chucked into the magic pyrex dish.

Sole Monday (and a giveaway)

Good morning bloggy chums! Today is my 100th post, which brings with it the obligation of a giveaway (naturally). There will be two (not so) lucky winners, one for each of the baby monkeys to pick out of the magic pyrex bowl.
On to that business shortly. For now, let's go see what Sole Monday is offering up this week........

Ooooh. Look at these little babies. Hugely high heels, but (maybe it's the strange trainer effect sole) surprisingly comfortable. I did not buy these, my mother in law did last week from (as she calls it) 'arrods (most people know it as Harrods). She was shopping for a handbag and shoes (wedding necessities, y'see) and stumbled upon these, phoned me, practically screamed down the phone with excitement, and bought them. Bless her, I've got a good one there.
(is anyone enjoying Sole Monday as much as me?)






So, back to the important (and far more interesting) business of the 100th blog post giveaway bonanza (no, there's no bonanza - but it sounds so exciting)
G's winner will get this embroidered birdy hoop picture thingy...... (plus extras, to be decided)



Ginger's winner will get this framed applique girl picture thingy.... (plus the obligatory mysterious extras)



Comment away... the monkeys will pick the winners a week today.

In other news.....
whilst masquerading as an incredibly efficient and organised person I managed to complete a baby quilt for my friend's as yet unborn baby, for Christmas (oooh, get me!). In theory I intend to get most of my Christmas presents made early on. IN THEORY. It won't work, I'll slack off and have a last minute panic buy at Toys R Us (for everyone)



Well, I had a lovely weekend, the old folks came to stay, I got my Mum mowing the lawn, and my Dad doing odd jobs (it keeps them busy). So my work station area of the kitchen now looks very snazzy, if I was to ever get some decent light I'd take a picture. The baby monkeys were happy, being entertained by Mama and papa all weekend, W got a lie in until 11am on Sunday, so he was a happy man. And now it's the school holidays - G has broken up from school, I have 9 weeks to entertain her. (sigh). I am pinching Gina's fabulous bunting idea and getting the two of them to decorate some fabric flags to hang in their rooms. Hopefully inspiration will strike and I'll come up with some other ideas. Obviously I can't rely on the weather, I was planning on going to the farm today, but it's raining, and the sky looks so dark I can't see it stopping any time soon. Bloomin' English weather!

This Weeks Work...

EDIT - the flickr group for the russian doll swap is just there. I'll do a 'proper' link in a bit.....please go post your pics!




Ok, not really. Ginger's quilt is still ongoing, still growing (slowly) but we are getting there.

The photos are awful, so sorry - it's either too bright or too dark at the minute with the weirdy rainy/thundery/sunny weather we seem to be having this week. I'll try and get a new pic later on.

So, the hex quilt has 3 more rows of flowers to go, and then a patchwork border at the top. I'm not sure how to quilt it, I don't want it over quilted because then it'll go flat, and I quite like 'poofy' quilts (if they are being used on a bed). So suggestions on simple less is more quilting would be greatly appreciated!


My swap partners for the Russian Doll Swap have both got their parcels. Foolishly I appear to have accidently deleted pics of the actual packages. But here are the dolls I sent to each of them. The red one is for Di and the green one is for Melinda



Another awful pic (will try and rectify later - promise) of the type of thing I am working on for my monthly mini quilt swap on flickr. This month's theme is 'triangles', which scare the pants off me. I have tried a few things, this has worked out best (so far), but I do have the whole of July to perfect my skills (by perfect read get a bit better)
The binding is just pinned on the left hand side of the house, so it's all wobbly. Blog finished, as Jodie would say....



Monday is a-coming...and my mother in law went a-shopping down in the big ole smoke known as London....bringing back a very special pair of shoes. Hold tight.... (they are far prettier and far less offensive than this week's electric blue babies, I promise)

And this is blog post number 99...which means Sole Monday brings with it a giveaway (no, you can't have my shoes - get your sticky paws off)