Welcome to my little corner of the blogosphere to share the ups and downs of starting a craft business, with plenty of tips, mishaps and the odd glass of wine!

Sunday, 20 January 2013

Craft fail!


But it's sort of come good - thank gawd!

Well, what with all the lovely snow we've had this weekend in the Forest of Dean (Gloucestershire)

The view out of my dining room window

My daughter Seren (aged 4) announced on Friday morning, over breakfast and talking about snowman building, that her gloves didn't fit and could I please make her some more to go out in, TODAY! Talk about pressure!

So I drew round her hand, enlarged the template a bit and off I went. Here's the first attempt:

Possibly the right side for a doll!

That'll teach me not to make the first attempt out of the final material you want to use!!

So take 2:

Fine finger size, but the wrist opening would barely fit a newborn!
By this time, I was sweating, cursing, running out of thread and material.... the kids were champing at the bit to get out into the snow and my husband was getting bored with trying to keep them entertained inside, so I decided that mittens were the way forward. That's when I realised I didn't have enough of the original, more interesting material :-(

So out we went with Seren sporting these, tucked into her coat sleeves as I'd not had time to russle up any elastic!


The kids' first snowman
Not very happy with them though, I spent most of Friday night embellishing them, so they now look like this (still missing the elastic though!)


I'm quite happy now with them (though it would have been a lot quicker to sew the patterned bit on first!) and thankfully Seren loves them... but of course now Patrick wants some (in pink to match his sister's, of course!)

This week is the 100th Handmade Monday so keep your eyes peeled on Wendy's lovely blog for some wonderful surprises :-)
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29 comments:

  1. Wendy20 January 2013 at 19:45

    Oh, I love that - making gloves RIGHT NOW! It reminds me of those times as teens they announce at 8am on a Monday that they suddenly NEED ingredients for food technology and can you run them to Sainsbury's before school please (sweet smile) and no, not the local one as it's too small and won't have some weird spice that's really important...

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    1. Unknown20 January 2013 at 20:43

      That's it - exactly! Bless 'em - no sense of urgency :-)

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  2. Sarah - The Lilac Dragonfly20 January 2013 at 19:51

    Great way of not wasting your first attempt!! I love the fact that you just 'knocked them up' on request!! Have a good week and thanks for visiting my blog xx

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    1. Unknown20 January 2013 at 20:44

      Thanks Sarah - it was a little bit of a shock... I suggested a bit more warning next time, but I'm not sure she got it :-)

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  3. Anonymous20 January 2013 at 20:00

    I really like the long wrist bits as I find that children's gloves are usually way to short here and so constantly fall off. At least your children were able to get out and play in the snow. (BTW my boys have all been through a 'pink' phase and we have no girls anywhere!)

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    1. Unknown20 January 2013 at 20:48

      I think that was her main complaint with the last pair, that they weren't long enough to keep her wrists warm - had I realised that to start with, a pair of wrist warmers (a la 1980!) would have been easier to make! Glad to hear the pink thing is likely to be a passing phase ;-)

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  4. Christmas Pie Crafts20 January 2013 at 20:13

    Brilliant! They look so snazzy - well done. Hope you have a good week.

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  5. Creating Trouble20 January 2013 at 20:13

    Those are fabulous - I really like how you used the first attempt as embellishments on the mittens. I'm inspired to be more creative this week!

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    1. Unknown20 January 2013 at 20:49

      Ahhh thanks Alex - I was pleased to be able to do *something* with the bodged attempts!! Look forward to seeing your makes next week :-) Simmi x

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  6. Myth Illogical20 January 2013 at 20:16

    Brilliant! Love how you've used the first attempt as an embellishment! Such a fun design now!

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    1. Unknown20 January 2013 at 20:50

      Thanks Jenny - was really pleased that I didn't have to do a whole post about a total fail! Simmi x

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  7. Ginx Craft20 January 2013 at 21:42

    The final version are really good. Top marks for perseverance.

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    1. Unknown20 January 2013 at 22:36

      Thank you :-) too stubborn by half, that's me! Simmi x

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  8. Free Spirit Designs20 January 2013 at 22:33

    Mums have to work miracles sometimes don't they!! Your little mittens turned out beautifully in the end, such a cute design! x

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    1. Unknown20 January 2013 at 22:37

      Thanks Natalie :-) Failure was NOT an option given the cute & oh-so-expectant face gazing up at me! Simmi x

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  9. Chrysalis20 January 2013 at 23:03

    Glad they turned out fine in the end, and that the kids loved them. Have a good week and take care x

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  10. Jan20 January 2013 at 23:53

    Great post, it made me laugh. I love the way kiddies think of mums as Supermums :)
    A great triumph, well done :)
    I used to send mine out to play in the snow wearing socks on their hands when all the gloves had been used and were still wet.

    Jan x

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    1. Unknown21 January 2013 at 18:18

      Thanks Jan :-) If I'd had all my wits about me, I would have sent her out in socks - much blinkin easier!! Simmi x

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  11. CatkinJane21 January 2013 at 18:11

    They really look great, I too remember the expectation that everything can be done now, this instant, and it will be just perfect!

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    1. Unknown21 January 2013 at 18:19

      I do hope I don't get too many requests for REALLY complicated items at the last minute! Simmi x

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  12. lovenatalie21 January 2013 at 18:34

    These are amazing and I am so impressed that you were able to knock them up so quickly - well done you!

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  13. Ali21 January 2013 at 18:34

    I think the mittens look great. What an inspiration to put the gloves on the mittens. You made me laugh. My son's 17 and still asks for things at the last minute. Have a lovely week.
    Ali x

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    1. Unknown21 January 2013 at 22:52

      Hehe - I'd been planning to make her something with the stripey material as it was one of her old toddler jumpers and I love them having things made from their own clothes, so I was determined not to throw away that last bit of usable material!! Simmi x

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  14. Handbags by Helen22 January 2013 at 20:17

    Well done on rising to the challenge. The end product looks fab"

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  15. Unknown22 January 2013 at 20:40

    Thanks Helen :-) Simmi x

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  16. MadBirdDesignsUK23 January 2013 at 13:38

    Hi Simmi Thanks for stopping by my blog! More freebie images on Friday. Love the mittens. x Joan

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I really appreciate all comments made on the blog (it reminds me that I'm not talking to myself!) so just wanted to say thanks for adding your thoughts. Simmi x

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