Wednesday, 25 January 2012

WOYWW - fancy dress anyone?

Good morning and a happy Wednesday everybody!
My pretty Dendrobium orchid has over a dozen blooms on it this week so I thought I would share it with you.
(It is much nicer to look at than the contents of my sewing room which looks like a whirlwind has blown through it.)
I have been very busy making little dressing up outfits for a friend's 4 year old grandson.
What fun I have had too and all for free.
I have lots of fabric so I just raided my stash and this is what I have made so far......

A tiny army dress uniform

 A Magician's outfit

And a little pirate's suit.

Then I raided Annie's stash and have fabric to make a clown costume and some knight's capes to go with the tabards I am in the process of finishing.
Hopefully I can make a couple of princess and fairy outfits to complete the dressing up box.

So - that's how to keep a sewing lady happy for a few days.
I hope your week has been as busy and so much fun.
Now....

just to pick your brains.....

can anyone think of a crafty activity using leather scraps?

I think I could manage to stitch them on my sewing machine and may even be able to cut them with my Cuttlebug. I just need a few ideas of things to make. Each piece is about 8" square.
I might even have a little gift for the ideas I manage to make! So - if you would like to leave a suggestion (now, now!!) I would love to hear it.

To join in our WOYWW blog hop just follow the link to Julia's Stamping Ground.

Have fun!
x Jo
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51 comments:

  1. Annie25 January 2012 at 07:41

    Love the fancy dress outfits Jo and I'm certain little B will too.
    Ideas with leather?....thongs? whips?.....oops sorry I'm letting my imagine run away with me :-)
    I do hope someone will suggest something fab to do with that leather cos you have it in such lovely colours.
    Hugs,
    A x

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  2. CRAFTY WOMBLE25 January 2012 at 07:45

    Hello :) I like your dolls outfits so beautifully made, lucky kids! When I saw your leather ask it did spring to mind this post I read earlier http://erinerickson.com/2011/11/circle-zip-earbud-pouch-tutorial/ you could also adapt it to make a coin purse - 2 bloke ideas in one! either that or does one of the dollies need a catsuit outfit ;) Have a lovely week x

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  3. okienurse25 January 2012 at 09:42

    WOW I wish my Mom had a friend like you when I was little...actually I was spoiled cause I was the only girl for a long while and got all sorts of fun things made or given to me! You know the leather could be stitched together for a bag, how about coin purse, tissue pack covers, key fobs etc. Hope that helped! Have a great week and thanks for sharing! Vickie #27

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  4. Jacqueline25 January 2012 at 10:15

    Loving those miniature outfits! How cute!

    As for the leather 'scraps'! How about coin purses, mobile phone covers key fobs or even 'chunky' pendants or wrist cuffs...? the last two would work great with cuttlebugged shapes?!

    Thanks for sharing

    Happy WOYWW

    Jackie x

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  5. mckinkle25 January 2012 at 10:59

    Hello Jo,

    What a fabulous array of super dressing up costumes, what a very lucky little one whoever receives this!

    Keryn x

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  6. jude25 January 2012 at 11:49

    Loving the outfits gosh wish i could make them my girls when younger loved dressing up!Had huge box full of dresses ,shoes tiaras you name it oh im sure your friend would be delighted.
    What about for the leather coin purses ,passport holders,driving license cover.How about aleather eye patch for the pirates outfit!
    Theres some to think about for you.Litlle girlie purses for change and maybe decorate the out side only need to be small to hold change.Thats me or id be here all moring my back not good today .
    Have fab wednesday and creative week
    hugs judex17

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  7. Anonymous25 January 2012 at 12:10

    What a great desk today, I love the costumes you made, you are such a talented sewer. As for the leather I can see you have lots of ideas, I have made broaches out of the leather by cutting the leather into flower shapes and popping some netting at the back and topping with a button then attaching to a broach pin, you can also sew them onto plain hand bags. Have a great Wednesday, Laura

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  8. Inkypinkycraft25 January 2012 at 13:07

    Great outfits , how about stitching some squares to make a quilt effect for a small bag?!happy woyww hugs tracex no16

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  9. Hettie25 January 2012 at 13:10

    Now I know where to come for some costumes when I am going to the next fancy dress party, whenever that is.
    As for your leather pieces, I am sure a certain shop with initials AS could give you a few leads! Or maybe crazy patchwork - leather and lace - maybe?

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  10. Tina Gilmore25 January 2012 at 13:12

    Hmmm...leather, what to do with it....now that's asking for trouble! love the dressing up outfits. try these:

    http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/12/painted-leather-bracelet-diy.html

    http://pm-betweenthelines.blogspot.com/2011/06/flower-power-tutorial.html

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  11. Angie25 January 2012 at 13:20

    Those fancy dress outfits are amazing ...what lucky grand kids you have.
    Now for the leather scraps ...hard to guage how thick they are ..idea if thick ...use as a note book cover ..if thin use as a background to free sewing picture or cut into strips and plait or weave into bracelets etc. xx

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  12. Di25 January 2012 at 13:30

    Wow, brilliant costumes Jo! Stumped though about things to make with leather - will think about it and pop back if I come up with anything that others haven't already thought of. Happy WOYWW! Di xx

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  13. May25 January 2012 at 13:49

    Fantastic costumes, your Grandkids will love them, Have a great week, Hugs May x x x x

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  14. Deb25 January 2012 at 14:00

    Thanks for sharing the orchid, just what we need in the middle of winter!

    those outfits are so cute, what a very lucky little boy and what a fabulous dressing up box it will be!


    Happy WOYWW! Debxx #108

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  15. Lou25 January 2012 at 15:16

    Brilliant fancy dress costumes what a lucky little lad he will adore them. What about cutting the leather scraps into strips and weaving together to make those leather bracletts/wristbands all the teenagers have, they have various types of coloured stitches along them making a pattern some use a little popper type thing to hold them together and some tie up - my daughter has a load of them she wears every day, a friend once made her a lovely one that she had stamped on (she has outgrown it now) but it looked fab and as i say she now wears loads all the time, just a thought! Hope you have a really good week, Lou #84

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  16. SueH25 January 2012 at 15:21

    What fab little outfits Jo, your friends grandson is going to have so much fun dressing up in them.

    Not sure what to suggest about the leather offcuts. The only thing that comes to mind is making them into square door stops by making patchwork squares. Not very original…..sorry.

    Happy Crafting!
    Sue
    x

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  17. Sue25 January 2012 at 15:43

    Great fancy dress outfits,spare leather offcuts, what about die cutting intials for keyrings?
    Happy Crafting, Sue xx

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  18. Pam25 January 2012 at 15:45

    Cute costumes. Hugs Pam x

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  19. Fiona@Staring at the Sea25 January 2012 at 15:48

    Wow! Those dressing up outfits are just fantastic. What a lucky child to have those in his dressing up box :o)
    The only thing I've ever made with leather is a pouch. Cut a circle as large as the leather will allow, punch holes around the edge and thread a leather thong or cotton cord through. Pull up and knot the ends together. I like the idea of a wrist cuff that somebody else suggested.
    Fiona xx #95

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  20. Ann B25 January 2012 at 15:50

    Beautiful orchid, mine are just coming into flower after their resting period.
    Ideas for the leather - can't claim credit for this one but a friend of mine made a gorgeous flower broach for me using scraps of leather. Die-cut two different size flowers, glued together, added a cluster of beads for the centre and put on a pin back. The leather is a pale tan so she stamped over it with a text stamp and inked the edges. I can send you a photo if you are interested.
    Ann B
    #46

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  21. Harborough Dad25 January 2012 at 15:59

    Love the picture of the orchid and the dressing up costumes are fab - thanks for sharing.

    Jumbleberries xx

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  22. Elizabeth25 January 2012 at 16:17

    Hi Jo, love those lovely dressing up outfits - the little boy is going to have a great time with them. Could you make notebook covers with the leather, or perhaps leather flowers made from many sized circles - oh, you could combine both and make really posh covers. I did have a leather patchwork bag once that I loved to bits - quite literally worn to bits. Look forward to seeing just what you make with your scraps. Have a good week. Elizabeth x #47

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  23. Julia Dunnit25 January 2012 at 16:28

    Oh that orchid..they look like ballet dancers don't they, such lovely flowers. Ha, how fun are those costumes, love that you're letting yor imagination loose to create a wonderful dressing up box for a child, how typically generous of you. the leather...ok, facetious remarks aside..phone cases spring to mind..and after that...nothing sensible! Ooo err missus!!

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  24. Elizabeth25 January 2012 at 16:50

    Hi Jo, after receiving your comment I remembered that Sarah of La De Dah, WOYWWer #36 this week, has made a lovely flowered cuff ... there's a photo of it on her sidebar. Elizabeth x

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  25. Princess Judy Palmer25 January 2012 at 16:55

    What fun costumes for the little ones to play with! You are quite crafty and creative indeed. I've got nothing for the leather bits unless you want to make a motorcycle man outfit for the kids.

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  26. Karen25 January 2012 at 17:46

    Love the fancy dress outfits Jo, they look really good and your Orchid is just so pretty :) How about something like Kindle covers to make with the leather??

    Have a great WOYWW, Luv Karen #80

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  27. Helen25 January 2012 at 17:53

    Your orchid is stunning!! I am not normally very fond of orchids but that is a beauty. So too are the costumes. Hope you find something to do with the leather - you've had a few good ideas.

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  28. Di25 January 2012 at 18:01

    Di again Jo - ROFLMOA at the Chinese Burn crack :)) Di xx

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  29. ScrappnBee25 January 2012 at 18:05

    Ooh! Love all the costumes! He is such a lucky boy! With my cub scouts, we have made "Indian purses" with leather scraps that could be worn around the neck. they can be fun and fringy and they can be beaded or stitched on! Good luck! Happy WOYWW- Amanda 36

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  30. JoZart Designs25 January 2012 at 18:29

    Great little costumes will make for lots of fun.
    Trust you to notice your collage in DDs flag tag book. I was going to tell you but you beat me to it! I included pics of home and all the immediate family.
    Will put my thinking cap on over the leather.
    Lots of love JoZarty x

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  31. Beckyt25 January 2012 at 19:29

    Wow what great outfits so creative thanks for sharing. :)

    Becky 56:)

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  32. Lunch Lady Jan25 January 2012 at 20:29

    I love all those little outfits - the recipient is going to be soooooo happy!! I would be :D That orchid is amazing, beautiful flowers - I've never seen anything like that before...
    Hugs, LLJ #45 xx

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  33. Anne25 January 2012 at 21:02

    Great costumes I know a little boy who would love them :-) Anne x

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  34. Morti25 January 2012 at 22:23

    Great fancy dress outfits - I'm sure the little lad will love them!

    There's all sorts you can make with the leather, but do you think I can think of any at the mo? Not a chance!

    If I do, I'll come back to you....


    Thanks for stopping by!

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  35. Stephanie25 January 2012 at 22:44

    Those are adorable--Im sure the recipient is going to have a blast!!

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  36. Sew Scrumptious25 January 2012 at 23:28

    Love the dressing up outfits. You are so clever! Will have a think re leather. Not feeling very inspired today!!. x

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  37. Mary Ann Tate26 January 2012 at 01:11

    Those costumes you have made are wonderful...some lucky littles will have fun with them:)

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  38. sandra de26 January 2012 at 01:47

    Those fancy dress outfits are wonderful. What about a little eye patch for the pirate suit, or small coin purses or makeup purse.

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  39. Neet26 January 2012 at 03:16

    What about juggling balls for the leather?
    Great outfits and lovely plant. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Neet #6

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  40. 505whimsygirl26 January 2012 at 04:05

    Your orchid is beautiful.

    I'm sure your grandkids will love those outfits. You are one sweet grandmother!!

    Happy WOYWW
    Kay
    #114

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  41. Sylvia/LittleTreasures26 January 2012 at 04:34

    Beautiful flowers!! What a nice friend, you should hire out for Halloween costumes.
    Little leather like pockets to put a cell phone inside your purse? I've seen a few wide style bracelets with a BIG Snap for closure..
    Have fun..enjoy your week.

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  42. Calico Kate26 January 2012 at 10:40

    Well he is a lucky fellow. Having costume makers for parents was a mixed blessing, we had fabulous cossies but never won the comps coz they were deemed too good! Huh!!
    You two sisters never cease to amaze me with your productivity, do you sleep?!!
    CKx

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  43. Lisa-Jane26 January 2012 at 14:31

    I've seen people make leather look stuff in grunge board and it looks fab so real leather would be brilliant. The Tim Holtz dies for hinges in leather to go around books and the same dies in keys and locks would be great. You could sell them as scrapbook and card embellishments. How about leather flowers or dinosaurs for card toppers? LOVE those costumes - wish I was better on my machine.

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  44. Brenda B26 January 2012 at 16:54

    Beautiful little outfits Jo, I'm sure the little lad will love them all. Amazing orchid too, I've struggled tying to get any new growth on my two this year so far. I love the idea of a leather bangle, I've worn one every day for almost 23 years!

    Hugs
    Brenda 99

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  45. peggy aplSEEDS27 January 2012 at 04:38

    beautiful flowers! and what a blessed child to have these play costumes. i loved playing dress up when i was young but we usually just made up our costumes ourselves. here's a project i want to make using the smallest of leather scraps http://artbywendy38.blogspot.com/2011/12/mini-book-necklaces-and-keychains.html


    happy WOYWW, and thanks for sharing!
    hugs,
    peggy aplSEEDS

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  46. Wilf27 January 2012 at 10:11

    I married a lovely woman who loved getting dressed up in fancy dress. She introduced me to it and we enjoyed many a fancy dress party even now in our twilight years.
    keep on going on.

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  47. Joanne27 January 2012 at 15:36

    Such a beautiful orchid. I am down to 2 moth orchids from 10 and they are supposed to be easy to grow!! Such clever stitching going on there too. As for the leather pieces, how about craft bags.
    Hugs Joanne xx

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  48. MaggieC (Silvercrafter)27 January 2012 at 17:35

    I spent three years at college in Yorkshire and used to buy a lot of wool direct from the local mill. They also sold scraps of leather, some of which they had made into small drawstring purses. Those costumes are wonderful, but do you never make just one things at a time. You seem to have a real production line in your house. Well done. xx Maggie #90

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  49. Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards28 January 2012 at 11:24

    Hi there Jo, wow what a great Dendrobium orchid there - they grow outside here - amazingly the grow quite well the weather we are having now is ideal for them. Love the wee dress up garments - re the leather I immediately thought of bean bags surely there is a school locally or such group who would love kids to have bean bags, even some in the play box they can see who well they can throw them in the tin - quite a fun game like quoits but more to their level, as bean bags are easier - we used to ge 5 point for going in ten for hanging on the lip and none for missing! If any green, bean bag frogs are even more fun! thanks so much for popping over, and for sharing. Happy WOYWW! Shaz in Oz. x #26

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  50. Kyla28 January 2012 at 23:15

    great makes, as to leather, I cut out tags from the tim holtz sizzix cuts. I cut out 2, then cut a 3 sided box in the middle of one, place the 2 pieces together and glue just around the edges (leaving the botton end un glued)with glossy accents. When dry you can slip in a piece of card with your name and address on, decorate the tag, add a book ring and hey presto, a luggage tag!

    thanks for visiting my desk also
    kyla #38

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  51. amrootha30 March 2012 at 05:20

    Thank you for the info. It sounds pretty user friendly. I guess I’ll pick one up for fun. thank u



    Leather Note Jotter

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Thanks for all your comments. I really appreciate your thoughts and ideas.