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Home » BLOG

Let’s Go!

May 26, 2012 by Nanny 3 Comments

I thought it was time that I shared with you my ‘other’ love – Motorhoming!

Let me introduce our ‘home away from home’ – our A’van Ovation or as the grandchildren say, Poppy’s truck!

The sign says it all ‘Proudly Australian’.

Let me take you inside:
This is taken from the front – you can see the bed on the right and the bathroom on the left.  You can see right into the shower which is separated from the rest of the bathroom by a retractable screen door. You can also see the aircon and the main hatch over the kitchen area.  At the foot of the bed is our  fridge/freezer and above that is the microwave and sound system. On the left you can see the top of the oven and above it the sink. In front of the kitchen area is the double seat which also have seat belts. The grey on the bottom right is the entry.

This one is taken from the back towards the front.  The blinds are around the windscreen and the seats are rotated to face the table. At the top you will see the skylight windows – the blinds are drawn here as well, but this is one of my favourite features especially on a star filled night!
On the other side of the entry is another double seat, facing the table and both of these seats and the table convert to another double bed. The grandchildren haven’t worked this out yet!

We both love our home on wheels – it’s like having a cubbyhouse!
We have had a history of camping – first the tent, then the unfold camper trailer, then the pop-top caravan which we had to sell because I couldn’t travel.

Some people think that if you have a motorhome it’s because you are ‘up yourself’ or that you have a lot of money.  Neither description could be further from the truth for us.   Circumstances have brought us to this point – we took a huge risk –  and we are grateful and give thanks for our good fortune.

Every time we set off, we can’t keep the smiles from spreading all over our faces – like two big kids who have been let loose in the cookie jar!!

I hope you will allow me to share some of the cookies with you!  Where would you like to go?

Until next time
Nanny xx


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Filed Under: NANNY and POPPY PROJECTS, NANNY CHAT, TRAVEL

Butterfly Art Folder

May 22, 2012 by Nanny 5 Comments


I have made my 2 year old grandson a  ‘Thomas’ playmat/bag and I intended making his twin sister a tea party playmat/bag but I have not been able to buy a suitable teaset.  So back to the drawing board for Nanny!!

I decided on a pretty butterfly bag that opens to reveal crayons and notepad and I know she will  just love it – I hope you do too!!

What you need:
fabric for outer and lining  (multi-print and butterflies)
fabric for pockets (stripe)
bias binding  (I used red and white)
stiffening – (I used shapewell)
plastic (I used plastic bags that my Mum’s curtains came in)
buttons – 4
rick rack – large (about 1.5cms )
snaps (or velcro)
6 crayons
A5 drawing pad  – 21cm x 15cm

I drew a butterfly shape that incorporates an A5 size rectangle (21cm x 15 cm) You can get a copy here

Let’s make it!

I decided to use plastic to cover the fabric for the crayons – I didn’t fancy having my hard work immediately marked by crayons!!  If you choose to omit the plastic you can skip that section.

Preparation:

From the Main fabric, cut:

2 butterfly shapes with 1/4″ seam allowance added

From the Lining Fabric, cut:

2 butterfly shapes with 1/4″ seam allowance added

From the stripe, cut:

a rectangle 17cm x 21cm     (for the crayon pocket)
2 x rectangles 21cm x 15cm  plus seam allowance
2 x rectangles7cm x 25cm (for the handles)

From the plastic, cut:

a rectangle 17cm x 21cm
a rectangle  15cm x 21cm


Construction

1.  Using a dry iron (no steam) iron the stiffening to the wrong side of each of the 4 butterfly shapes.


 2.  From the striped pieces, take the large rectangle and the handles and fold right sides together long ways and stitch around, leaving an opening for turning.  Clip corners and turn to the right side. Roll between fingers and thumb and press.

(If you are not using the plastic, you will do this with the other rectangle as well)


3.  Take one of the butterfly lining shapes and align your large rectangle. (I used a quilting rule to do this). Starting at the top, sew along the long side, across the short end and then up the other side. Don’t forget to use a reverse overstitch to start and finish.

4.  Take the smaller rectangle and fold in half lengthways – press.



   Place it onto the plastic the same size and fold the plastic over so all ends are together along the long side.  Pin .


5.  You will now have to sew the lines to divide the crayons – about 3.5 – 4cm apart.
( I chose to put strips of tape where I wanted to sew – it just peels away when you are done.)  

6.  Place the crayon holder onto the other sheet of plastic, with all edges meeting along the bottom.
(This is the time to check that it fits in the prescribed place on the butterfly – trim if needed )

Take the bias binding and press it in half and then pin it down the sides.   Stitch and trim.
Do the same along the top and bottom folding the ends in to finish.  Stitch and trim. Don’t worry if this doesn’t look perfect – that’s what the buttons are for!!









(This photo shows how the finished pocket fits into the butterfly with allowance all round  – this is only for demonstration!)



7.  Take your rule and align the pocket onto the right side of the butterfly fabric






8.  Starting at the top, sew down a short side, along the bottom and up the other side – starting and finishing with reverse overstitching.  This forms a pocket behind the crayons.




9.  Using a strong thread (I used embroidery thread) sew the buttons over the corners.


That’s all the pieces made so let’s put them together!


10.  Take one of the handles and one of the outside butterfly shapes.  Measuring from the centre top of your butterfly shape, pin the handle so its outer edge is 3.5″ from the centre – pin and do the same on the other side taking care not to twist your handle. (Sorry for the change in tape – 9cm)



11.  Put the outer and inner shape right sides together and pin. Repeat for the other outer, inner and handle.




12.  Sew and trim around the outside of the shape, leaving all of the bottom of the butterfly open,  Trim and clip the curves. (if you need a reminder you can see how to clip the curves here)





Turn to the right side





13.  Take bias binding, fold in half and press, then pin and sew around the central curve at the bottom of the butterfly.  Do this on both sides.





14.  Take bias strip and pin the edges of the shapes, butted together.  Fold the bias over to cover the inside as well, fold to finish ends.  Stitch.  Repeat on the other wing.



 Once again, I am not too concerned with the finish as it will be covered by the rick rack.

15. This is a little fiddly but worth the effort!  Take the rick rack and tack to hold on both sides and then stitch.  By tacking, you will ensure that it is attached on both the outside and inside with the one row of stitching.



16.  Open the bag out and pin the rick rack all round the outside taking care to fold the ends to finish off.   Stitch.  

(I stitched on the inside of the bag, with just the peaks of the rick rack showing.  This enabled me to overstitch the inside of the bag while attaching the rick rack to the outside.  )


17.  Attach snaps  (or velcro)  to the top of the wings.









Time to add the crayons and pad!!  My pad is not quite A5 size but it was all Poppy could find when he went shopping….. 

 I hope you enjoy this as much as I have – I love the way it turned out!!  Could I just ask that if you make one, that you post a photo for us to see?  (There is now a button up on the right Care2Share – if you click on that it will take you to Flickr where you will be able to upload your photo – thanks heaps)


Until next time
Nanny xx

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Filed Under: BAGS,POUCHES,ROLLS,WALLETS, SEWING/QUILTING, SIMPLE PROJECTS, TUTORIALS

Nanny gets pinned!

May 15, 2012 by Nanny 6 Comments

I made a circus themed quilt for a showcase earlier this year and decided that I would take some photos so I could show you how I pin my quilts!!!

What do I mean “pin my quilts”?
When making a quilt I need to sandwich together the completed quilt top, the wadding of choice and the quilt backing.  I use pins to hold these layers steady as I quilt (sew) them together.

What I need:

1.  Poppy!  My wonderful husband fetches my fold up tables (these are stored behind the storage shelves in my craft room) and then lifts them onto very tasteful paint tins!  If you ‘know’ me you know that I have chronic back pain, and without Poppy doing this for me, I would not be able to do my pinning!  Poppy now knows how to pin as well!

2.  Tape – this is packaging tape but have used masking tape as well.

3. Pins – not straight pins but quilting pins(like a safety pin) – you can purchase at any craft store

You will notice that I store them open – they are ready to insert in the quilt and when I remove them, I leave them open,ready for the next quilt – saves time and fingers!
4  Pin closer – this is a purpose built tool – mine is actually made from Australian Red Cedar (gift made by a friend from some of my dad’s stash). You can buy these as well but before I had this I used a spoon!
5.  The quilt top, the wadding and the backing fabric.
——————————————————————————————————-
Let’s start Pinning!
1. Spread your backing fabric, right side down onto your table (or floor) and using the tape, tape it down.    Take care to spread the fabric well, leaving no puckers – taut but not stretched.
.

2. Spread the wadding over the backing fabric.

3. Add the quilt top – right side up!

4.  Starting at the centre, smoothing quilt top as you go, pin to the edge down and across.  Then I usually work one corner at a time , smoothing, pinning  about  15cms apart and leaving the pins open….

5. When the whole quilt has been pinned, it is time to close the pins.  Using the tool or the spoon, close the pins.

 It is then time to remove the tape – your quilt is pinned and ready to take to the machine!!

Now, I am not saying that this is the only way, or the correct way to pin a quilt but this is how Nanny does it – works for me …

Until next time
Nanny xxPinning a Quilt

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Filed Under: QUILTING TUTORIALS, SEWING/QUILTING, TIPS/TOOLS, TUTORIALS

Nanny Adventure! Little Girls bag

May 8, 2012 by Nanny 26 Comments

OK Who would like to come along on a Nanny creative tour?
I had to make something for the TSL Birthday Showcase  – if you remember I came up with the idea to make a little girl’s bag using the red ‘party’ fabric for the bag and the zigzag fabric as the handle and top band.

But I didn’t have a pattern!!!!!  

I’ve seen so many new sewers on-line worry about patterns – remember they are just another tool!!

So, I thought I would invite you to come along with me and I will show you how I went about making the bag – without a pattern.

Take a piece of A4 paper (cut out a piece of newspaper or junk mail catalogue if you have to!!)  Fold it in half long ways and then short ways :/

Cut along the long crease and taking one of those pieces ,a breakfast bowl and a pencil, curve the end.  
Fold along the crease and cut both corners and you now have the basic shape of our bag!  
Choose your fabric , press it.

Now is your fabric ‘directional’ – does it have a design that has a right way up?  If so, you need to take care that you have the design the right way up on the bag!!  Mine wasn’t – just a tangle of balloons and streamers.

It was at this stage that I thought “Let’s make it reversible”  so back to the stash and find another piece that will ‘go with’ the handle fabric – I chose the butterflies.  
So now we have to cut 2 of the butterfly fabric.  
Once again take care with the direction – on mine I tried to have as many butterflies flying up as I could – I don’t know why, cause they obviously fly down as well but I like it that way….

Now we are ready to sew!!
Taking the 2 outside fabrics (the streamers) , right side to right side, start at the top and sew down around the curve, along the bottom and up the other side .  
Don’t forget to do a couple of backstitches at the start and finish (use the reverse button)
Now do the same with the inside fabric (butterflies)

Now we need to trim our curves!!  (and no exercise or diet required!!!)

When you sew a curved seam you need to do one of the following to ensure that your seam ‘sits right’.


For an outer curve like we have just done, you need to snip little triangles from the seam allowance .  I have done it on the paper so you can see what I mean. Be careful not to snip through the stitching but don’t worry if you do – just go and sew again in a little more.

If, on the other hand, you sew an inner curve, you snip into the stitching as I have shown on the paper. 

OK lesson over – lets clip our curves!!

Turn the outer bag to the right side and ‘roll’ the seam between your fingers and thumbs to get the nice round shape.

Oh my goodness!!  where is the moisturiser??????  :/

I then pressed the seams ‘open’ (just to make it easier to join)

Then we simply slide the inner bag (wrong side out) into the outer bag (right side out)

Then, taking care to match the side seams, pin the two together

 

Put that aside now while we cut the top border and the handle.

Take the other half of the A4 sheet of paper and fold it in half lengthways so you have a long strip. Cut along the crease.  Take one piece and fold it in half, then in half again, and again.  Open it up and you have 8 segments. Cut it off at 5 – so you have a piece 5 long and one 3 long. Screw the 3 one up and trash it!  Keep the other long piece till later.

With the 5 piece you are going to use it to cut 2 pieces for the band. Fold your fabric so that the short end of the paper is on the fold and cut – do this 2 times.  If you only have a short piece of fabric, of course you can cut 4 pieces – just remember to leave a seam allowance on both ends.  See how understanding and forgiving this sewing stuff is!!!!

Take a strip and, with right sides together, stitch to join so that it now forms a circle.  Now do the same with the other strip.  Press the seams open.

(If you have 4 pieces you are going to join 2, right sides together at both ends!!)

Using the seam as one side seam, press your band to crease the other end. Now put the crease and the seam together and press both ends to crease.  You have now divided it into 4. You can mark the edge of the creases with a pencil or cut a small slit to mark it.

 Do the same with your bag.  

We do this so that when we gather the bag to fit the band, we will have an even spread of gathers!

So let’s keep working…..

Take your bag that you have pinned together and use a gathering stitch (the largest stitch), sew around the bag – be careful of the pins (you can sew right over them if you pin them like I have – just go carefully till you see how it goes) and stop short of where you started – don’t oversew.   Don’t start or end with a double stitch and don’t cut the threads off short.

Now do another row the same about 3mm away from the first (no-one’s watching so you don’t have to measure!!).

Take a thread from each row at the starting point and tie them together – you don’t need to remember your Girl Guide knots – just so they are secured.

From the end of both rows,take a thread  (make sure you get both top threads OR both bobbin threads or they will lock) and pull them while sliding the fabric to form gathers with your other hand – carefully!
(If you don’t know your own strength and happen to break a thread, don’t panic!  Just pull it out – it’s easy with such a big stitch. Then resew and tie off)

Take one of your border pieces and starting with matching the side seams, right side to right side, pin at each side and at the halfway slits/marks.  Now ease the gathers to fit.

Sew around the top – careful with the pins ( but now you know to just sew on over them 😉  Press the border up away from the bag.

Looking good!!!!

Now with your last piece of paper, cut a piece of fabric at about 3 times that length (no-one is watching so it doesn’t matter if its a bit shorter or longer!!)- if you have to join, take care to match the design, especially if you have used stripes!!

Take a piece of string/cord and lay it along the strip on the right side.  Fold the strip in half , and with the cord in the middle, stitch along the short end and then down the long end, making sure that you catch the cord in the short end.

Now pull the string through to turn the strip right side out.  Snip the cord off.  Roll between your fingers and press.

   
Cut a piece of plastic tubing the length of your strip of paper.  Thread it into the tube and gather it on.  Stitch across each end to secure it to the plastic – do this carefully!!!!

 Now pin the handle to each of the side seams and take the other border piece and pin, matching the slits/marks and seams.  Sew carefully over the plastic and right around the bag.

Turn the border to the inside, roll seam between your fingers and press.  Pin the edge and top stitch around.(top stitch is where we stitch fairly close to the edge about 2 or 3 mm)

Turn the bag inside out so we now see the inner fabric (butterflies) and  turn the edge and pin.  You might like to tack (sew big stitch by hand) to hold the border in place.  Then sew right around about the same distance from the edge as the top stitch.

TA DAAA!
You have completed one Nanny adventure  – gorgeous!

I hope you enjoyed making this little bag with me and that it encourages you to ‘have a go’ more with your own sewing.  It is meant to be fun so enjoy!!!

I would love your comments and if you make a bag, please send a photo to share!  You might even like to tell me what you would like to do next………

Until next time
Nanny xx

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Filed Under: BAGS,POUCHES,ROLLS,WALLETS, SEWING/QUILTING, SIMPLE PROJECTS, TUTORIALS

Clean up, Nanny!

May 1, 2012 by Nanny Leave a Comment

Well after my big week-end, today has been a quiet reclaiming of my space – yes there really was a desk under that pile and a floor under the other!!

Is it just me or does everyone get in a mess when ‘creating’?

While cleaning I was well aware of the fact that I need more room!!!!!  ( don’t we all), when I came across a basket with things to do in it – you know the boring stuff  that always gets bypassed….
I thought get in and do these and you’ll have another basket !!  ( not rocket science is it!!!)

So I finished the top for my daughter – the one that had little shoulder pads that she didn’t want and after I cut them out she didnt really like the top anyway -(hence I lost interest) anyway  who knows, it might be just right now but, one thing for sure, it won’t be in my room!! lol

Then I found a brand new pair of  jeans that needed to be cut off to fit husband – so measured, cut, pinned and will zap them up tomorrow after I buy some cotton.  I saw a tutorial recently where the person used the original hem – I don’t like that finish so instead, I will make a new hem, use the same sort of thread, rub it over with sandpaper and no-one will know the difference!!

Next was a top for me – silly thing had short sleeves with elastic in the hem – we all know how that looks on ‘Nanny’ arms  – so ripped the elastic out and turned a little hem.

Then I spotted (how could I miss it) that ottaman that I am covering – stripes, piping etc and now it is all pinned and ready to finish – I read the other day that to do what I am trying was an impossible task  :/  too late……..

I am making my little grandson a ‘Thomas’ playmat so that came out to have the next job done – work out the pockets for Thomas and his friends so they can travel safely….

Then I thought about starting something ‘new’ but that comfy chair called to me and I took my poor aching back over for a visit – needless to say, that was that and any creative juices I thought I had, quickly dried up!

I am hopeful of a sunny morning tomorrow – I need to do some quilting!

Until next time
Nanny xx

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All content and images belong to Nannycraft4u unless otherwise indicated. You are welcome to link back to my blog, but you may not copy whole posts, tutorials or photos without my permission. Please give credit for my work and link back to the original post at Nannycraft4u.com.au If you use one of my ideas, I would love to know about it. Designs and tutorials are for personal use only.

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