Seven-Stitches

Christmas Hama Beads

Little snowflakes are finding their way into our house. The pretty little snowflake decorations turned out to be just the thing to entertain a seven year old when confined to the house. They are made with Hama beads (similar to Perler), laid out on a grid and then gently ironed.

Together, we searched for patterns and began to sort out our bucket of beads.

Slowly we worked out how to make the decorations a little more robust. Spindly, thin details don't hold up very well so look for snowflakes with wider points, or fill in the background with another colour, like the red one above.

You can find links to other Hama bead decorations below:

Bead Merrily - lots of diagrams for snowflakes

Coffee and Vanilla - Gorgeous flakes in vibrant colours

Tutsplus - Stunning black and white snowflakes

Monday, November 17, 2014
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To the Lighthouse - Palliser Style

Adventures

3 Little girls, one light house, 258 steps and the adventure begins.

The Cape Palliser Lighthouse is a place that has always been special to me. It is at the cusp of oceans and situated so far south that you don't realise that you have slowly turned around to find yourself facing north again.

Between this grand dame, and the beloved book "The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch" I was convinced all light houses were red and white stripey just like my one.

As a child we would visit the lighthouse keepers, Norm and June. I recall small biscuits and afternoon tea at the end of the road. There is even a half memory of being allowed inside, the spiraling stairs and tiny windows. It seams so magical, I sometimes wonder if it ever happened.

As I grew older, it became automated and the lighthouse keepers left. My brother even lived in the tiny little lighthouse keepers house for one very cold winter.

While the door to the light house is now firmly closed, the steps are there for all to climb.

Thursday, November 13, 2014
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Foxy Softie and Her Foxy Companion

Craft

This little pair of foxes was group effort. Mother stitching the big fox and daughter stitching the little one.

It was the kind of project that had me pulling fabrics, aching over choices and generally remembering why making softies can be simultaneously a frustration and pleasure.

In one of those moments of frustration, I suggested that E make the presents for her friend. She took up the challenge. I have to admit I was impressed. So was her friend.