Easy trousers

Inspired by http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-knee-pad-pants.html this example I whipped up a pair of easy trousers this morning. Well... easy but not faultless!

Cute they surely are, but a little wide and short in the leg and a little short in the crotch. I really should have taken the time to print off the pattern! Oh well. I will adapt a bit for the second pair I have cut out ready to go. Love the oval knee patches, though.

The debris surrounding the trousers is the result of me bribing/ twisting arms/ moaning to get the boys to complete an art project - that is , splash a bit of paint onto some clay bits they made. Phew - you WILL have fun, boys.

paper baskets

I have just got around to emailing a (very) quick craft to our local NCT magazine - Small Talk - for the Harpenden and District Branch. It is embarrassingly simple... that is if I have explained myself correctly!

This craft would be fine to do with children from around 2 years old... and would make great party bags or Easter baskets.

Here are a few paper baskets lined up... looking slightly wonky...the bunting is just triangles of wrapping paper threaded onto string (use tape to secure on the back).

Step 1:

Wrap a rectangle of paper around an upside down plastic cup. Leave a bit of excess at the top. Secure it with tape. (Notice the decorative zigzag trim... I should really get some paper pinking shears. As it is, I can't bear to use my fabric scissors).

Step 2:
Wrap/ fold over the top to make the basket base. Secure with tape.

Step 3:

Add a paper handle before decorating with felt tip pens, stickers, paper flowers... there are endless possibilities. You can always decorate the paper before making the basket.

If you change the size of the paper and cup you have endless possibilities. And try different papers : newspaper or wrapping paper looks nice. I have an old road atlas I want to use, too. Now where is it??