I picked up the fabric for virtually nothing at our local Scrapstore. For those not in UK, scrapstores are a great resource open to all sorts of educators including home educators, here in England. It is like a warehouse to which local businesses have donated clean reusable scrap materials from their business ventures for the community to reuse. We visit on a regular basis and always find all sorts of interesting resources to use - rolls of paper, card, fabric, carpeting, really all manner of scrap! We go around the warehouse with a shopping trolley and a full to the brim trolley costs around £9. We've never paid that much - around £4 we've paid for old files, rolls of paper, large sheets of card, tea bag paper, paint, fabric, corks and other oddments the boys have come across they feel they could make a craft out of.
Anyway I spotted this fabric which I thought would make nice thick curtains to keep warmth in over winter. And my sewing machine has been playing up so I sewed all four curtains by hand. I used the thin, cream curtains we already had hanging in those windows to line these.
So they are nothing exciting, but I am pleased as the curtains have probably cost me around £1.
Also, I finally finished the platypus I started around October for Sol. Sometimes, I am very good at starting a project and then leaving off before finishing..So, he had to prompt me to finish it. I sat up really late one night and got on with it. And then stuck it under his arm while he slept. When he woke up in the morning and discovered his finished platypus next to him he was so, so, so pleased. He carries platty about all around the house. I love it when a handmade treasure truly does become a treasure. Some things I knit up are not played with, but Sol's parrot and platypus are treasures to him. For both he has chosen the yarn and colours and I have knitted up according to his instructions.
That's it from me. Now, I must get on with digging out and finishing off all my other unfinished projects!
I love the story of how you gave Sol his platypus. Four curtains by hand is very impressive!
ReplyDeletewow, wow, wow I never knew about scrap stores...have already looked up my closest one, yay!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Starr xx
I love, love love the platypus! Was he difficult to make? Mia and Tarka would love one I'm sure. I knitted a winter gnome for them yesterday which they liked but it was nowhere near as impressive as a platypus/ lol.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of scrap stores either, what a great resource.
And I am so impressed by you sewing those lovely curtains by hand, it must be so satisfying to see them finished and hung up keeping you all warm in this chilly weather :)
Blessings
Gina xx
Cute Platty!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from the Australian outback :)
I adore that dear little platypus! And so sweet...lucky, lucky Sol!
ReplyDeleteYou sewed the curtains by hand!!! I am so impressed!
ReplyDeletePlatty is gorgeous.
I too love it when the children bond with the toys I make. While I am making it I can't help myself picture them playing with it, so yes lol, it can be a disappointment when they are not bothered.
He's darling!!!
ReplyDeleteI just love that platypus.
And - yeah, I'm with Tara - four by hand is quite determined!!
Oh, the platypus and the story of you giving it to Sol are both darling. ♥
ReplyDeleteAnd I've never heard about scrap stores...what treasures they must hold!
I love that you positioned the platypus while your son slept. What a lovely way to find his new toy.
ReplyDeleteWhen we first moved into our home, it was cold and damp. I spent many an evening hand sewing heavy curtains, with them draped over my legs. It kept me warm. I can completely appreciate the work it took you to make the curtains.
What an adorable platypus! Your curtains look really nice, too.
ReplyDeleteGreat curtains, and a good bargain, cheers Marie
ReplyDeletegood luck to you, love:)
ReplyDeleteHello dear Kelly, what a bargain you got for that material you are very talented sewing those up by hand, they turned out lovely. I finally get to see that little platypus you were telling me about how sweet, little Sol much be happy with just a cute little creature.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been on the blog for a while, needed a small break so missed few of your posts. The rainbow so beautiful,, the cows... the quicksand how scary. We've rescued two cows from thick mud on our farm, we even had to rescue the person that helped to rescue the cow, of course he lost his boots. Usually it takes about 10 guys to get them out. I shall send you some photos.
You are looking well Kelly, I can see you are settling into life and the new baby days are over.
Love xxx