Adipose Cushion

What do you make for a Doctor Who fan for their Birthday? When it was my nephews birthday recently I thought I'd have a go at making him a Doctor Who themed cushion.

In case you are not a fan these are Adipose, little alien babies made of fat (yeh, I know...) from a very funny episode back in 2008.

This is my contribution to the

as I had seen and pinned these little toy Adipose from tuts+ . I just scaled the idea up a bit to make a cushion.

To make one you need:
White fleece fabric 
2 black buttons
A scrap of black felt
Stuffing - I used the inside of an old pillow but you could use proper wadding or toy stuffing
A fabric marker pen (mine is one of those that disappears after a bit)
Tape measure, scissors, thread

I found this fleece throw at The Range for £3.99, I often find fabric is cheaper if you buy something like a throw or bedding - why is that?

First mark out the shapes needed using the erasing fabric marker pen. Double up the fabric so you are cutting the back and front of each piece at the same time.
body - cut 2 (front and back)
arms - cut 4 (2 x front and 2 x back)
legs - cut 4 (2 x front and 2 x back)

The body

The arms

The legs

This is not properly to scale, when I made this I made the legs too long and ended up cutting them down a bit. So the photos show the "too long" version, but the method is the same.

Pin then stitch round the arms and legs leaving the ends open.

Then turn them right side out.

Stitch three 1" lines on each hand and foot to make fingers and toes.

Stuff the arms and legs, I used all the little off cuts of the fleece fabric.

You could add the face at this point - I didn't as I wanted to make sure the placement was right but it was a bit of a fiddle and would probably be easier to do it at this stage.

Lay the back body flat on the table and position the arms and legs facing inwards. I put one arm angled up and one down so it looks like he is waving (the Adipose waved in the episode) No photo of this so I've drawn a little picture.

Place the body front on top and pin all round marking a gap at the top of the head for turning.

Stitch round and turn out.

Stuff through the hole in the top till it has a nice shape, then pin the gap and stitch as neatly as possible.

I added the buttons for eyes at this point and a little felt mouth, which I just sewed on with a few stitches and black thread.

He came out pretty cute!

I'm guessing that maybe you have to be a fan of the show to understand this one, but trust me, if you know a Whovian they will probably want one of these. 

"Adipose..and the fat just walks away!"

This is my contribution to the Pinterest Challenge 2015 for February, where a group of bloggers are sharing each month things they have made inspired by some thing they saw on pinterest, check out what the others have been up to by following the links below. 

DIY Hair Scrunchie || Lily Allsorts
Mommy and Me Infinity Scarf || Burlap and Babies

Adipose Cushion || Sum Of Their Stories

Spring Mason Jars Vases || Dwelling In Happiness

Dollar Store Fridge Upgrade || For My Love Of
Framed Chalkboard for the Kitchen || Joy In Our Home

Embroidery Hoop Thread Organzier || Sisters, What!
Industrial Farmhouse Lamp || Bless'er House

All the top quality photos in this post were taken by our daughter, you can find her website here
You might also be interested in:

Harry Potter Scarf Pattern

Making Toys from Kids Drawings

Doctor Who Scarf Bracelets

Doctor Who Knitted Scarf Tie

I'll be linking up at these great link parties

My Favourite Finds February

I often find I fall over some beautiful ideas of things to make, mostly on the internet but sometimes in real life, books, magazines too.

I pin them mostly, but stumble, g+, tweet and generally try to share them as much as possible but now I'm thinking maybe I'll be a bit more organised, collect them up and share them once a month for you here.
It's not all brand new stuff, just things I've come across over this month, liked and think you might like too.

Aren't these paper lanterns gorgeous? Just a little different from the regular ones we used to make as kids.

They are from Melissa Esplin, who makes all sorts of pretty things and does the most beautiful caligraphy.

I love this Babouska Rose Crochet Blanket. No idea when I will get time to try it but it's going on my to do list. Maybe I could make a smaller project, a cushion cover or bag.

It's from Sewing Daisies and the pattern is a chart rather than words - just to warn you!

I know Valentines day has been and gone but these matching gifts are just too cute not to share. They would be lovely for an anniversary engagement or some other romantic event that I can't think of right now.

They are made from Sculpey oven baked clay by One Artsy Mama

And if it's too late for valentines day, why not too early for Easter! I love this cute little bunny printable.

It's free and there is a pink chevron option too. You can find them at the fabulous Paper Charm Designs. I definitely have plans for this printable this Easter, you'll be seeing it again!

Finally isn't this painted chest of drawers just beautiful?

It was just plain wood until Denise from Spittin Toad got her hands on it, that bicycle was painted freehand. It's just so pretty!

So there you have it, a little collection of some of the goodies I've come across this month. If you want to pin any of them please click through to the original sites and pin from there, that just good pinning etiquette isn't it? There are loads more lovely ideas on my pinterest boards if you want to check them out.

Jeans and Lace Bracelet

You can find me over at The Pinning Mama sharing a full tutorial of how to make this pretty bracelet from an old pair of jeans and a little lace and ribbon.
It's really easy and perfect for all this beautiful spring weather we are going to be getting soon! 
You could easily adapt the basic idea too and make a completely unique bracelet depending on what trims you use. I'm definitely making another as soon as another pair of jeans rips where it shouldn't!

A little tribute to Jenny Part 2

Continuing my Sum of their Stories tributes, February 7th was my Mum's birthday. Last year I shared some thing she had knitted for our son. This year you are in for a treat as I'm sharing a fabulous picture of myself wearing a dress she made for me.

If you can drag your eyes from the belly, the glasses, the slippers and the socks you will see it is a beautifully made dress. Just look at those lovely puffy sleeves and see how nicely the collar sits. Mum didn't make masses of clothes but when she did her attention to detail was amazing. Everything was finished beautifully.

Also take a moment to admire my gorgeous 10th birthday cake, also made by my Mum. The photo is taken out in the garden as we didn't have a flash on the camera - simpler times eh!

So today I'm remembered my Mum, how much she taught me and how supportive she was of all my creative endeavours x

You can see the other tributes I've shared here.

You might also be interested in:

A little tribute to Jenny

A little tribute to Ellen

A little tribute to Pearl 2

A little tribute to Pearl

I'll be linking up at these great link parties.