How To Be A Maths Wizard

Our Reception class needed a wizard to preside over their maths challenge area, so the search was on for a suitable candidate. Not just any bear can be a wizard, although, in this case, the main criteria was the ability to sit without falling over. This lucky bear had a chunky set of legs and a firm bottom - perfect sitting traits. He was plucked from the nursery collection of soft toys and given a much-needed whizz through the washing machine, passing the second selection test by hanging on to most of his stuffing.

The path to becoming a wizard is not without its trials.

Our bear's large backside provided some tailoring challenges, so a loose fitting robe was designed, and held in place with firm stitching - being repeatedly undressed is an occupational hazard for soft toys in Reception classes. His hat is made from fleece and decorated with sequin stars and looks very dignified, although his large ears mean that it is more balanced than fitted. 

And here he is, at home in his new classroom, looking very serious and, possibly, a little worried!

Awaiting September and the onslaught of sticky fingers.

The Dragon

The Dragon is an experiment in applique and needlework.  My first step was to work it in collage which was useful to decide the placing of the layers and gives a good impression of the image I want to create.

The collage version

 I then traced the design onto tracing paper, punched holes along the outline and transferred it onto the background fabric using a silver gel pen. I started by adding the flames under his jaw, these were first stuck to interfacing so the background colour didn't show through. Then I used fabric glue to attach the pieces to the background fabric.  The fun part is adding the embroidery flames, in stem stitch, to give a more dynamic impression.  I stitched the bottom part of his tongue, again in stem stitch, but left the top half until after the dragon's face fabric is attached.  The next stage was attaching the flames at the back of his head and on top of that his white horns. 

The project so far, the background is a darker blue than on the photo.

The next step will be more stem stitch flames and an outline around the horns.

New House New Quilt

The purple quilt is finished and packed off to Jo as she moves into her new house. Purple fabric proved difficult to come by, so I've added blues and greens, one of my favourite colour combinations. The little purple and yellow squares were machine appliqued on, and I've been very restrained in the quilting, to give it a soft, puffy feel. There is a herd of tiny elephants in this quilt, in the centre of each purple nine-patch.