Beetles

Do you know the old game called Beetles? You basically have to roll a dice to win beetle body parts. The first to end up with a whole beetle wins. I bought this game a couple of weeks ago and Little Miss Bossy-Boots really loves it. It’s great as it has made her recognise the numbers on the dice and is lots of fun.

However (and sadly there is a however) the plastic beetle parts are a bit cheap and cheerful. The legs don’t fit properly, the antennae fall off every now and then and the head keeps splitting open. Not a nice sight, I can tell you.

Mummy to the rescue! I’ve started making beetle body parts in my spare time. Yep, no joke. Here we go:

Sorry for the bad pic, the light isn’t very good today.

After making a body, head, two antennae and a few legs from some cheap felt I bought, I’m resolved to make no more. I hate the feel of the felt, it’s too thick for the magnets to bond properly and I hate the feel of the felt. Oh, and I really must mention that I hate the feel of the felt. After putting my thinking cap on I’ve decided to start again with some quilting weight fabric. I believe that if I use some woven interfacing on the back I could make some really fun, pretty and, most importantly, pink beetles which feel nice too.

However, (oh no not another however) before I do that I’m off to play Bridge. See you all tomorrow!

Doll Carrier: Sort of sorted

Last night I couldn’t sleep, mulling over how I could finish the doll carrier so that Little Miss Bossy-Boots could put it on all by herself. Early (and I do mean very early) in the morning I thought of adding an elasticated belt with the straps attached to it. This slightly unconventional solution means that the Little Miss can step into the carrier, hike it up to her waist, add the baby and pull the straps over her shoulders to distribute the weight comfortably.

Well, that was the theory anyway. Once I was awake and thinking more clearly I thought that it was a really rubbish idea and went on to make a belt that is closed with two d-rings. Admittedly, Little Miss Bossy-Boots can’t quite manage to put the carrier on herself but she can pull the belt tight which makes her very happy.

There are a couple of things I want to change so I’m going to sew another one tomorrow while Little Miss Bossy-Boots is in pre-school. This will give me a chance to think about the changes (and sizes!) and take pictures for a tutorial.

A Doll Carrier: Work in Progress

Little Miss Bossy-Boots loves her dolls and often asks if she can bring one to pre-school. This usually involves bringing a pushchair which I end up carrying home again.

Lugging a doll’s pushchair around is not my favourite pastime so a couple of days ago I decided that I would make Little Miss Bossy-Boots a baby carrier (she calls all the dolls her babies).

Searching on the internet I couldn’t really find what I was looking for. Most of the tutorials were for slings or carriers that have to be put on by a helper. However, I want her to be able to put it on all by herself so that she can feel all grown up.

It’s still work in progress as I haven’t sorted out the straps yet. Hopefully I will get there soon and if I do I’ll post a pattern on this blog. Watch this space.

 

PS When I showed Little Miss Bossy-Boots what I was doing she said to me: “I don’t like it. I want a pink one!”