Making Personalised PE bags

(from September 2014)

So for some silly reason I didn't take any photos during the making of these so I may do that in the future as a kind or tutorial thing if anyone is interested in doing their own but for now here's a run down.

I started with a rectangle of fabric which was a little taller than I wanted the bags to be and a little over double the width, placed pattern side down.

I then turned the top over a couple of inches and sewed along to create a channel at the top of the bag.

Next, I folded the rectangle in half so the two short sides were together (pattern on the inside) and sewed along the side and bottom. I had to make sure when sewing down the side that I started  below the channel I created before so that the ends of the channel didn't get sewn up.

Finally I turned the bag the right way out and threaded two lengths of ribbon through the channel at the top.

For the Applique names I used sheets of felt to cut out the letters using templates I had made from cereal boxes! I ironed on some webbing to the backs of the letters, then ironed them onto the bags. Then I used a blanket stitch in a contrasting colour around the letters to give them a lovely finish.

I have to say, I'm pretty pleased with the results!

Hope you like them too!:)

Crochet Pen Pot Cosies

(from March 14)

So I'm really getting into my crocheting at the moment and I had this idea to decorate some empty diet shake tins that I had set aside to use to keep all our pens, pencils etc in. I started by making a chain as long as needed to fit around the tin (plus 2 for turning). I then just worked dcs (UK terms or sc for US readers!) all the way along, changing colours at row ends until I had the right length to fit the pot. at the end I just sewed up the seam and slipped it over my tin.

Et voila!

Later I tried a wavy one using the technique for the ripple blanket from Lucy over at Attic 24. 

Here's your link: Ripple pattern

Ripply Deliciousness!!!

Valentines day 2014

We've had a busy day doing valentine's arts and crafts today!

I think I may have just made my best playdough ever! It's hot pink with red and silver glitter and it smells of...STRAWBERRIES!!!! Perfect for Valentines day!

Chinese New Year

(Originally posted Feb 14)

We have been celebrating Chinese New Year! We made lanterns, Chinese drums and decorated our names in Chinese.
The children loved doing a Chinese food tasting too!

Making Stained 'Glass' windows with the littlies

 MAKING STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

(originally from Tuesday 14th May 2013)

I was recently given some rolls of old overhead projector acetate and they have been sitting in the shed for a while as I wasn't too sure what to do with them. Then I realised that they would be great against the windows as they let the light through so I decided to get the kids to make their own stained glass windows. This is how we did it.

First I cut the acetate into rectangles. I then taped it to the table so it wouldn't curl up or slide around as the children were painting. I used masking tape for this to help the children to see where the edges of the plastic were as it is tricky to see.

Then I gave the children a variety of colours to paint their own designs. It is a good idea to add a bit of PVA glue to the paint as otherwise the paint flakes off the plastic.

I found it easiest to just lift the picture with the masking tape still attached and stick it straight to the window initially so it could dry, although if yours are very  thickly painted you may want to dry them flat so they don't run.

Once they were dry I swapped the masking tape for clear sticky tape and hey presto! The children love looking at them and they look lovely when the sun shines through them.

Welcome to the House of Sparkle blogspot!

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my new blog! I used to have a blog under a different name which was the business name I used for childminding but since I am no longer a childminder and I also want to use this to blog about other things such as my arts and crafts projects, up-cycling projects, clothes, beauty and so on as well as the little things I get up to with the children, I thought it was time for a re-vamp!

I will start by uploading some old blogs and bits from my old blogspot and my facebook page so that everything is in one place! Then I will add new bits as and when I find time! 

I really hope that you enjoy this blog. It's meant to be a happy sparkly place for pretty and fun things to make and do! 

Lots of love

Elizabeth