Toastie Studio Sewing Blog

Fruity Plushies!!!

2012-05-27T17:32:00.000+02:00

As promised on Thursday with my feeling fruity etsy treasury today's special news is of a release of my next sewing pattern... for fruity plushies!!

I have one more plushie to finish photographing tonight to make the set complete and will release the pattern tomorrow in my Etsy shop.

And also on Wednesday I will be announcing a special giveaway to celebrate the fact my blog reached 200 followers!! Yay!!! So be sure to check back then.

Made Monday #21 Picks

2012-05-26T16:22:00.000+02:00

Well this week I have been working on a new sewing pattern, I hope I have it ready to share tomorrow but we will see :P
Here are my 3 favourite projects from you for this week.

This knitted bunny from handmade by Vanessa is lovely! My great grandmother use to knit me soft toys all the time and they are some of my most cherished ones :)

Easy pizza breads from Dixie and Dottie. I love making these, they are so cheap, taste great and you can control how much fat and salt go into them by making your own sauce.

Oh... yummmy!!! This strawberry cobbler from Accidentally Wonderful just looks delicious!! And it is sooo easy!! You only need 3 ingredients!!

If you got featured this week don't forget to grab the special button for your blog!

Thinking Thursday {Feeling Fruity}

2012-05-24T08:00:00.000+02:00

With the warm summer sun and yummy Dutch strawberries that I have for lunch today I picked fruit as this weeks theme (plus I have a fruity surprise on Sunday for you).
Oh and all these items are from EtsyKids Team members!!

Strawberry Fields Appli... ChewChewsClo... $25.00	Kitchen art poster, Chi... loopzart $15.00	Natural Wood Toy MAT ... applenamos $18.00	Watermelon - Bloomer- ... RaeGun $13.50
LiliBug Watermelon Slic... LiliBugBoutiqu... $10.00	Needle Felted Sweet P... ThingsByV $18.00	STRAWBERRY JAM Min... HappyBabeeandB... $7.00	Apple Cozy Teacher Gift... TizzyDee $20.00
Fruit Salad Apple Pear ... SlugBugNoHitBa... $18.00	Rainbow of Fruit - Felt... northwoodstoys $30.00	Memory Game- "Farm... MamieCo $20.00	Red Watermelon Booti,... curiousworkman... $15.00
Felt Food Canned Pine... TheFeltedPear $17.00	Quiet Fabric Book for B... WoodPondDesi... $40.00	Orange Slice Hair Clip MyLittlePixies $3.75	Lunch Pail in Fruit Sta... BeepsPeeps $19.00

I'm melting!!!

2012-05-23T19:19:00.001+02:00

Elgh!! This week the weather took a turn and has become soooooooo hot!!
But with the nice weather, I finally planted my tomatoes outside.

(like my red plastic kiddy spade? I really should get a proper one....)

Don't they look lovely :) and my carrots are growing well too, Tulip will be one spoiled bunny this summer!

I planted the two smaller red boxes much earlier than the big red one.

Made Monday #21

2012-05-21T07:00:00.000+02:00

This week looks like it will be amazing! Lovely weather, all caught up with my Dutch homework, and finishing off a couple of great website projects! Maybe I can fit in some sewing too!!

Lets see what you have been up to!!

Made Monday #20 Picks

2012-05-20T16:21:00.000+02:00

What a lovely weekend we are having!! Enjoying the sunshine and my rabbits company on my balcony as I check out off al this weeks link ups :)
Here are my fav 3

My Nephews would love these Angry Bird Pom Poms from Moments with the Montanos!! What an awesome idea and so easy to make for parties etc!

I never knew how easy it could be to make your own lip balm! Thank you Hopeful One for sharing your tutorial :)

Tulip my rabbit picked this one out. A fabric patchwork ball from Queen B. I think I am going to make a small version for her to play with this summer.

If you got featured this week don't forget to grab the special button for your blog!

Thinking Thursday {British Pride}

2012-05-17T16:23:00.000+02:00

Although I now live in the Netherlands we still get BBC1. And all this week (and over the last month) there have been so many fun stories and news report about the Queens Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and Olympics. I wish so much I was visiting home this summer, but for now I will enjoy some of these great British themed celebration items from etsy sellers.

Union Jack JUBILEE C... MorrisCushions £29.00	Shabby Chic Jubilee Sh... NGOOGLE £31.19	The Queen's Diamond... rachelkdesign £9.95	Jubilee British Stamp Q... handmadeatno9 £6.99
5 Queen's Diamond J... TaylorsType £4.55	British Jubilee Fabric ... KaelaMills £3.25	Jubilee Bunting 2012 Li... robinredcrafts £20.00	Jubilee Dress, British ... OshunCreations £72.99
Handmade Luvly Jubly ... RoseyDreams £12.50	Queen's Diamond Jub... stephaniecoleD... £10.00	Tea Cozy/Cosy London ... FrangipanCraft... £15.99	Little Dumplings 'D... LittleDumpling... £35.00
Union Jack - Diamond J... rubyandlen £4.00	Royal Jubilee Comme... MeMyselfandTe £4.00	Red White & Blue Jubil... FunkyPinks £5.00	Diamond Jubilee Union... ridgewaycottag... £10.00

Made Monday #20

2012-05-14T07:00:00.000+02:00

Another great week and the weather is finally getting a bit more summery!! I have been up to lots, what about you?

Made Monday #19 Picks

2012-05-13T16:20:00.000+02:00

I had a lovely Mothers Day Weekend. It was so nice to have my mum come to visit me, we went into town, drank coffee had lunch and walked around the rose garden in Groningen (although no roses were blooming yet). I hope you all had a lovely Mothers Day :)

Well here are this weeks picks

When I saw these painted plates on Shabby Gals I was in love. They just look amazing!!

These pretty masion jars fron The Winthrop Chronicles are really pretty too! I don't have much space in my student room and these are a great way to add a bit of beauty and then put the jars for recycling later on.

Cheesecake Burritos from Dishing With Leslie... don't they look scrummy? I really thought about making some for while my mum was visiting but she was only here two nights and I forgot to go buy the ingredients :(

If you got featured this week don't forget to grab the special button for your blog!

Thinking Thursday {Mother's Day}

2012-05-10T16:22:00.000+02:00

Well I am busy cleaning today for my Mum visiting this weekend!
I thought it was only fitting to make this weeks "Thinking Thursday" themed on some lovely gift ideas for Mother's Day.

Mothers Day Party Print... Lovepartyprint... $20.00	Pink Flower Earrings, R... GlassRiverJewe... $46.00	Mother's Day Soap -... AubreyEApothec... $7.25	Mother's Day Bird v... redhotpottery $44.00
Beach Cottage Seashel... beautifuldetai... $58.00	Mother's Day ... lo... SkyeArt $32.00	Rope Basket - Hand Co... SallyManke $38.00	THREE Hearts Initial N... untie $33.00
Mother's Day Flower... FlowerThyme $34.00	Spring, Mother's Da... SimplyMcGhie $4.00	Mothers Day gift: Fill ... BriggleSticks $12.50	Mother's Necklace- ... Metamorphosis0... $55.00
Mother's Day Card -... cardtorial $10.00	Mother's Day Jewelr... paperfacestudi... $26.00	Mothers Day Vintage Fa... PeachesandPeb... £16.00	Mothers Day Mason Jar ... PoppyandPearlC... $13.00

Felt Heart Keychain or brooch {Tutorial}

2012-05-08T10:23:00.000+02:00

It was Mother's Day back in March for the UK, and it was very sad that I could not visit my mum, but I got to skype with her. But by a happy chance she has a work trip to Germany this week, and so is coming to visit me in the Netherlands over the weekend, and it just so happens to be Mother's Day for the Netherlands and much of the world!! So I have some lovely plans to take my Mum out, I just hope the weather picks up a little : )

So I thought it would be lovely to share a tutorial to make a small last minute gift for your special Mum.

Materials
Small scrap of fabric (works best if it has a small print on it)
2 different colours of felt that match with your fabric
2 x 5cm/2" piece of thin ribbon (about 6mm wide)
Small button
Seed beads
Keyring or brooch back
Pattern

Step 1
Print off the pattern and cut it out.
Cut out one heart1 from your fabric, one heart2 from felt, and two heart3 from matching felt colour.

Step 2
Pin the small fabric heart1 onto the felt heart2. Sew the two hearts together.

Step 3
Take one piece of 5cm / 2inch ribbon and fold it into a tiny loop. Sew the ribbon onto the heart and then add the tiny button on top.

Step 4
Place the heart on top of a felt heart3 and pin in place. Using a running stitch, sew the hearts together. Every up stitch add a seed beed as you sew around the heart.

Step 5
If you want to make a brooch rather than a keychain, sew a brooch bar onto the back of your second felt heart3.

Step 6
Take your second felt heart 3 and pin it to the back of the heart. If you are making a keychain add the second ribbon loop and keyring at the top. Blanket stitch around the edge of the heart with a contrasting thread colour.

Your keychain or brooch is finished : )
Wrap it up to give to your Mum, Grandma, and other loved ones.

Linking up here:

Made Monday #19

2012-05-07T07:00:00.000+02:00

Well this Sunday is Mother's Day, so I hope to see some fun projects that you have all made for your special Mum, Grandma or loved one.

Made Monday #18 Picks

2012-05-06T14:55:00.000+02:00

This week was school holidays here so I didn't have any Dutch classes, and extra plus was my boyfriend was off from his studies too!! I got lots done, and so did some of you!
Here are my picks from this weeks link party.

This Batman dress up set from Sew Can Do is awesome!! I know my nephews would love this!!

Last Monday was Queens day in the Netherlands, and one big long street in Groningen turned into a giant car boot with lots of people selling things, and then yesterday was liberation day with another car boot on the green near where I live! This grocery bag from Neverland Nook would have come in handy with all the things I bought!!

Little cutie owls from Het Groene Kamertje are lovely! I adore the colour of the felt!

If you got featured this week don't forget to grab the special button for your blog!

Thinking Thursday {Adult Sewing Patterns}

2012-05-03T15:21:00.000+02:00

Well after my flop with my peasant blouse yesterday I thought perhaps I should consider a pattern for my next try. And well I love supporting other etsy sellers so did some looking for patterns and found some really pretty ideas

Easy Peasant Dress Se... scientificseam... $9.95	Easy Sewing Pattern for... LenasShoePatte... $6.50	Shopgirl Apron PDF Se... Fabritopia $8.00	Newsboy Hat Sewing P... ButterflyTree $5.95
The Hooded Scarf sewi... prettyditty $10.50	Genevieve Pocket Skirt ... scbyastrid $7.00	Everyday Skirts sewing ... SweetPeaFabric... $12.98	Summer Sandals Croc ... smeckybits $4.99
Pammy Sandals with Fl... Mamachee $5.50	Blue Lacy Tie Shrug wit... dianelangan $5.00	Paper Bag Pants from ... lilyrosequilts $9.00	Mommy and Me Poncho... SandysCapeCodO... $3.95
DIY KIT - Women - Pillo... BoutiqueMiaAnd... $26.00	Ladies Sized Pillowcas... SewIntoYou $12.00	Adult Mary Jane Skimm... sylver $5.95	PDF Sewing Pattern: Th... FishsticksDesi... $9.75

Sewing Flop - First adult top

2012-05-02T16:12:00.000+02:00

After making a couple of peasant dresses for little babies, I went searching for a tutorial or pattern to try make one for myself.
I found this excellent tutorial from Things of Cloth

Tess did an amazing job in explaining how to take your measurements and work out the sizes to draw up your own pattern.

So I bought some cheap fabric, just €1 a meter so it didn't matter how bad it turned out, unfortunately the fabric was chunky horizontal stripes and omg I looked terrible in it!! Especially since I made the stripes line up across the bodice and sleeves.

I would show you but I already started to take the shirt apart (plus I am terribly embraced of my first adult clothing flop). I think I will wait a while before I try something again because it was difficult cutting out the fabric and sewing on my tiny coffee table.
But I look forward to my next project. : D

Made Monday #18

2012-04-30T15:00:00.000+02:00

Nearly May already... where does time fly to?? So much to do and so little time. Have you made time for a special project this week? I would love to read about it.

Made Monday #17 Picks

2012-04-29T14:54:00.000+02:00

Oh what a busy week!! Well at least I have the coming week off from school, although I still have to work. I might finally get a chance to try making a top for myself!

I really enjoyed seeing all the new projects, it really helps motivate me to get things finished!!

I love this double sided table cloth from Artzy Creations. I don't have a dining table at the moment, but soon as I get my own flat I will be making one like this!!!

I wish I had read the post by Sew Incredibly Crazy for making a diaper pouch and changing mat. That would have been lovely to send to my friend who just have her baby girl.

And lastly (continuing a red theme?) this spray painted lion statue from Vixen Made. I think it just looks amazing, and such a great idea to make him match your house decor!!

If you got featured this week don't forget to grab the special button for your blog!

Thinking Thursday {Mario}

2012-04-26T15:21:00.000+02:00

This weeks theme is Mario!! And all his friends. Following on from yesterdays Luma plushie I thought it was a nice theme : )
I found some really nice items on etsy.

Bolsa plana Mario Bros ... Cosmocow $420.00	Luma - Star From Mari ... PennyPistachio $25.00	Princess Peach Mario ... WTFcharms $10.00	Mario Paint 3-Poster Se... TheDailyRobot $20.00
Super Mario DIY Printab... partyinvites $6.00	SUPER MARIO Ready t... GeekyGamerShop $8.00	Mario Hat Keepsake Bir... NostalgicParty $15.50	NES-Style Mario Questi... KnittableKnerd... $35.95
Boo Ghost Crochet Plu... DunnWithLove $15.00	1 Pair Of Cute Unique M... DIYwares $26.99	Super Mario Yoshi Cost... SewCoolCreatio... $70.00	Giant 8 Bit Super Mario... harmonden $45.00
Custom Hand-Painted ... magicbeanbuyer $115.00	SALE baby super mario... SugarBabyLove $15.00	Cup cake Topper Super... KawaiiInventio... $3.00	Super Mario Brothers ... NothinbutVinyl $9.99

twinkle twinkle little star

2012-04-25T10:34:00.000+02:00

Last weekend I played Mario Party 9 with my boyfriend. We are not a huge fan of the new game play, but my boyfriend is a huge mario fan. He always plays yoshi and has a few favourite characters.

Back in 2010 I made him a chain chomp plushie. And this week I made him a luna plushie.

I made it from yellow fleece and it has a little bell inside so she even twinkles : )

I always love making plushies or cushions from books, games etc. It is so amazing seeing something from paper take a 3D form and be all cuddly.

Here is Chain Chomp:

Pretty Dress

2012-04-24T12:48:00.001+02:00

A friend of mine in the UK had a baby girl a few weeks ago : ) So I jumped on the chance to make another pretty peasant dress!!
I bought some really lovely purple flower fabric and made this sweet little dress for her.

I enjoy making these so much that I am making another one in blue patchwork fabric. I don't have anyone intended to receive it yet so might add it to my etsy shop. But we will see.

Made Monday #17

2012-04-23T10:00:00.000+02:00

I had a great birthday weekend!! What were you up to?

Made Monday #16 Picks

2012-04-21T14:54:00.000+02:00

Another week flown by! I wish I had more hours in the day, with part time job and language courses my crafty time has halved!
Well least some of you had time to get creative this last week!! Here are my top 3 picks

The second I saw this hedgehog tag blanket from While Wearing Heels I was in love. It is just adorable, and how nice of her to share it as a tutorial!!

Just look at that! Mouth watering, chicken is one of my favourite dishes so I am going to have to try this recipe from Grateful Belly.

And as this weekend is my birthday, I had to pick a awesome birthday cake to feature and love the pirate themed one from Cupcake Love Affair.

If you got featured this week don't forget to grab the special button for your blog!

Chocolate Brownie Cake {Recipe}

2012-04-20T09:18:00.000+02:00

Well my birthday is Monday, but my boyfriend has to go away Monday afternoon for the week. So I decided to make my birthday cake today so we had time to eat and enjoy it over the weekend!

Chocolate Brownie Cake!!!

It tasted amazing, sticky chocolatey hmmmmm. I tried to smash up smarties to sprinkle on top but the processor turned them more into dust :(
I will see how long it lasts and may need to make a second cake :P

Here is the recipe I followed, I have no idea where I got it from, it is just noted on a very old and tatty piece of paper with lots of cooking stains on it :P

Ingredients (brownie mix)
- 340g caster sugar
- 170g butter
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 medium eggs
- 60g cocoa powder
- 95g plain flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 180 *C (or 350 *F) and prepare a 9" round tin with baking paper (or use a silicone one).

2. Melt your butter in a large bowl in the microwave, be careful to not burn it.

3. Once it is all melted, add in the caster sugar and vanilla extract and blend together.

4. Then add the eggs (and don't drop 1 one the floor like me) and mix well with a large spoon. I don't like to use a electric mixer as it adds too much air to the mixture.

5. In a separate bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder and salt. Make sure their are no lumps.

6. Slowly add the cocoa mixture to the butter mixture, 1/3 at a time. Again mix it in with a large spoon rather than an electric mixer.

7. Pour the mixture into the round tin and spread out evenly. Place in the oven for about 35minutes. To check the cake is cooked prick the middle with a fork or toothpick, if it comes out clean it is ready!
Let the cake cool in the pan for a couple of hours before adding the frosting.

Ingredients (frosting)
- 20g butter
- 75g caster sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp milk
- 45g broken up chocolate (or chocolate chips)
- sprinkles or chocolate flakes for on top

Directions
1. Once your brownie cake has cooled enough it is time to make the frosting. Don't remove the cake from the tin yet!!

2. Melt 20g of butter in the microwave.

3. Add the sugar and milk and stick it back in the microwave for between 30seconds to 1 minute. You want the mixture to boil and get all foamy and bubbles in the bowl, but to not burn. So it is important to stand and watch it in the microwave.

4. Remove from the microwave and add the broken up chocolate and stir. The chocolate should melt into the mixture completely. If it doesn't add it back to the microwave for 10second bursts till it is all melted.

5. Pour the frosting over the cake, spreading it out to cover the whole top, right up to the edges of the pan. Sprinkle over you sprinkles or chocolate flakes or smarties etc.

6. Let it cool for about an hour, or stick it in the fridge if that is too long to wait!! And Enjoy your brownie cake!!

Thinking Thursday {Party Themes!!}

2012-04-19T15:21:00.000+02:00

Next week is my birthday, and although I am not doing anything special for it, it is nice to think what I could do. I so look forward to planning kids birthdays, making uber cakes and the such :P
Well here is a treasury I made featuring 4 themes, Summer Fun, Pirates, Princesses and Cowboys. What would your party theme be?

Peace Sign & Ice Crea ... PinkPickleStud... $10.00	boutique HAPPY BIRTH... andjane $12.99	Butterfly Birthday invi... MintMonkeyDesi... $12.99	Rainbow Brite Sewn Pe... TheTrendyTotSh... $23.00
Ahoy Matey...Customize... TeaPartyDesign... $10.00	Large PIRATE Treasure... YourlittleCupc... $5.00	Pirate Birthday Invitat... BusyChickadees $9.00	Pirate Boy Costume Ve... RaeGun $39.50
marin scalloped prince... feltedkitten $8.75	Princess birthday invit... SwishDesigns $18.00	Princess Decor Crown ... WallDuds $30.00	Princess Party Favors P... babychickdesig... $79.50
Cowboy Rodeo Party C... smallfrynotabl... $28.00	Baby Cowboy Hat CUS ... TwentySecondSt... $20.00	Pony Vest - Giddy-Up Gi... ChewChewsClo... $25.00	PRINTABLE Cowboy P ... yourblissfulda... $10.00

Pretty in the post

2012-04-18T19:59:00.000+02:00

My order from Sew Sweet arrived this morning and as usual it was a packet packed with prettyness!

I bought sooooo much ribbon :P Lots of plans for that.
And also wanted some of the jubilee/Olympic button pack and topping up on my keyrings.