Handmade VW Beetle 'Bug' tea cosy

Well at last, I have finished this little treasure - it has tried my patience to say the least! That said, I am very pleased with the results.

The cosy is machine quilted and then corded to define the key areas such as the bonnet and wheel arches. The front and rear windscreens are made from white felt and then have PVC sewn on top. They are then edged in black cord.
The number plate (made from felt) can be personalised for the person receiving the gift. Available in my Etsy shop now!

Handmade tea bag tea cosy

Well, my sewing machine is still out - and the reason I haven't posted anything lately. I've been fiddling with some new designs and I have been getting a little frustrated to say the least. The designs aren't complicated, it just takes me a while to work out the best way to sew things up in order to get the best result. Anyway, here is the first! A tea cosy in the shape of a tea bag. Slightly unusual but remains within the 'tea' theme. The outer is made from plain voile and the tea leaves from brown felt. The tea cosy is insulated with thick 200g wadding and lined with white polycotton. I quilted the folded panels to make folding easier. I then added a swing tag - this can be personalised to suit you. Hopefully this evening I will get another new tea cosy finished and will post the results tomorrow! The tea bag tea cosy is available in my Etsy shop now!

Handmade pincushions - ideal stocking fillers

With Christmas well and truly on my mind, I have set to making a range of stocking fillers that are priced around £5 ($8). All are crocheted using new yarn and are firmly stuffed with polyester filling. My first pincushion was a tomato - my 3 year old daughter asked if it was going to be a pumpkin... so naturally I had to make a pumpkin! Then, following my sweet tooth, I made a doughnut, cupcake and bakewell tart.

Hope you like them - all are available in my Etsy shop now!

Handmade Christmas Pudding tea cosy

It's never too early to think about Christmas! This tea cosy is made to resemble a Christmas Pudding - complete with cream (or brandy sauce / custard) dripping down the side. I crocheted the 'pudding' using two strands of DK yarn - one in mid brown and one in dark brown to creature some texture to the pudding. The cream topping is crocheted seperately and then hand sewn in place. I then finished off the tea cosy by adding 3 knitted holly leaves and 3 knitted red berries.
Crochet tea cosies are brilliant as you make them 'in the round' - this minimises the time needed to sew them up... And as you know, this is not a favourite job of mine!
The Christmas Pudding tea cosy is available in my Etsy shop now..

Handmade candy stripe pastel tea cosy

Well, it had to happen one day! A tea cosy with a pom pom - but as I'm sure you'll agree it isn't 'naff' at all! (or am I wrong - let me know). Trying to add some new 'designs' of tea cosy to my shop, I plugged for a simple striped tea cosy.
Hand knitted using 2 strands of yarn in 3 colours - cream, turquoise and mauve (smoky amethyst according to the ball band!); I am pleased with the results. I worked the stripes in a combination of 1 row and 3 row stripes to add a bit more interest. There are openings at each side for the handle and spout.
Available in my Etsy shop now!

Handmade hedgehog tea cosy

I've finally dug out my sewing machine - almost 6 months after we moved in (better late that never I suppose!) and have just completed my latest tea cosy - in the shape of a hedgehog.

I bought the material a while ago, with a view to making a hedgehog - but as with everything at the moment, I don't know where the time has gone! The material is lovely and soft as it covered in brown 'fringes' that create the effect of the hedgehog spines. The tea cosy is insulated with 200g polyester wadding and lined with a matching brown cotton. It was a bit of a fiddle to get right - and to ensure there were no raw edges showing, but perseverance has paid off and I am really pleased with the result.

For the facial features, I used felt. This is mainly because it doesn't fray and I could simply sew it on top of the brown fringed fabric without having to worry about raw edges etc. I then added a felt nose and felt eyes, all made from black felt. 

Available now in my Etsy shop! 

Handmade blue mix tea cosy with black cats

Time for a simpler tea cosy I thought... So here is a basic tea cosy adorned with 2 black cats on each side. The tea cosy is made using 2 strands of dk yarn (a mid blue and pale blue to create a textured effect) and knitted in panels - stocking stitch and moss stitch.
I knitted the black cats afterwards using a single strand of dk yarn in garter stitch. It was a bit of a fiddle to get the features right, but I think you'll agree they've turned out pretty well. I also added a pink 'ribbon' - a single strand of yarn which I made into a bow and then sewed securely. Had I used ribbon, I was unsure as to how well it would wash.... Tea cosies need to be washable!
The tea cosy is available in my Etsy shop now!

Handmade Frog tea cosy

I've been meaning to make a tea cosy like a Frog for quite some time - and here it is! The frog tea cosy is a basic crochet tea cosy with the frog's head made seperately. Once I'd sewn up the tea cosy, I added the frog's head - which I stuffed with polyester stuffing and embroidered a black mouth using a chain stitch. The eyes were also sewn on seperately together with the 'arms' and 'legs'.
As always I used two strands of dk yarn (you could always use chunky as this gives the same thickness), which means the tea is lovely and hot.
Available in my Etsy shop now!

Handmade cup cake tea cosy

Well, here's my latest creation - the cup cake tea cosy.
As I said in previous posts, being at home with the children has inspired me to make some cake themed tea cosies. Cup cakes are very popular at the moment and this design is very cute. I used a combination of yarns to create different effects. The 'case' of the cup cake is knitted in 2x2 rib using a smooth white dk yarn (used double of course!). The icing is knitted in a contrasting pink bubbly yarn to resemble the icing. A simple red cherry sits on top.
I am very pleased with the way this tea cosy has turned out, and will definitely be making it again soon. I would like to experiment with different colour ways and yarns. The tea cosy is available in my Etsy shop now!

Handmade owl tea cosy

Owls are always very popular and here's my latest owl tea cosy.
It's crocheted using a chunky wool/mohair/acrylic yarn so is lovely and warm. The bobble stitch used makes the tea cosy quite thick.
I've made several owl tea cosies and it's amazing how different they look depending on the yarn I use. Usually I use 2 strands of double knitting yarn - one plain and one fluffy. This mohair/wool yarn gives a less fluffy finish but is still soft and feather-like. Available in my Etsy shop now!

Handmade Cornishware style blue and cream striped tea cosy

Prior to our recent move, we lived in Church Gresley for several years and often visited the TG Green factory. Until a few years ago, this was the home of Cornishware. Needless to say I have plenty of the gorgeous blue and cream crockery. I recently stumbled across some lovely cornflower blue yarn which matches my Cornishware perfectly... So here it is, my tribute to Cornishware in a handknitted tea cosy.
The tea cosy is fairly simple in design and knitted using 2 strands of double knitting yarn in a 4 row stripe pattern. I have left gaps in the side for the spout and handle so it will fit almost any tea cosy. Available now in my Etsy shop!
I love the simplicity of the design - I think I'll be making it again but in different colourways!

Handmade battenburg tea cosy

As I said previously, I've been busy working on some new designs over the last few months. It's always easy to stick to what you know but I just had to try something new! Having entertained the children with lots of baking over the summer holidays, I was inspired to make 'cake' themed tea cosies. Here's the first - a tea cosy shaped like a battenburg cake! Handknitted using double thickness yarn it's sure to keep your tea nice and hot. Available in my Etsy shop now!

Handmade sheep tea cosy

Well, where did August go? I can't believe it's September already! After a mighty busy July, my Etsy shop has been a little bereft of tea cosies. Over the passed few weeks I've been busy making more to put in my shop. Some are new versions of one's I have previously sold together with a couple of new ideas. As with a lot of my 'projects' I love to knit/crochet/sew the main article but the sewing up always puts me off!
Anyway, here is my new handmade sheep tea cosy - available in my Etsy shop now!

Handmade fluffy rainbow tea cosy

The knitting needles have been on fire!(well almost). I found the most gorgeous yarn in my local shop and just had to make something immediately... a tea cosy of course!
The yarn is multi coloured - turquoise, cerise and purple. It is a mix of wool, mohair and acrylic so is sure to keep your tea lovely and hot!
As the yarn itself is patterned, I chose a simple design for the tea cosy and opted for a plain butterfly stitch. This adds texture to the cosy without detracting from the yarn.
Available now in my Etsy Shop!

Handmade Mary Mouse tea cosy

After a wave of (very welcome!) custom orders, I was able to decide what to make next. Recently I have been making Hello Kitty dolls and other cute amigurimi toys so I decided to return to tea cosies.... and here she is!
My Grandma always used say 'Mary Mouse' - so I thought this was a rather apt name for her! Mary is hand knit in a fawn / light brown yarn and wears a lacy pink dress. Her dress is finished with a pink bow.
Mary Mouse tea cosy is available in my Etsy shop now!

Handmade Hello Kitty Heaven

After being contacted via Etsy, I have now made 2 new Hello Kitty dolls and a Hello Kitty key ring. All are crocheted using Patons Smoothie yarn.

The key ring was a real process of trial and error to get her small enough! I'm very happy with the end result as she measure just under 3" tall. Perfect!

Hello Kitty 'Girls day out' is ideal for a girly girl - complete with her handbag, she's ready for anything!

And finally, there's Hello Kitty 'My Melody' - wearing a pink headdres and a pretty flower garland made with 12 pink, lemon and white flowers.

All available in my Etsy shop

A fluffy bird tea cosy

The second of my custom orders.. I was contacted through my Etsy shop to make a tea cosy in the shape of a bird. What had attracted my customer were the colours and yarn I used in make the fish tea cosy. Here's a picture of the finished item.

It took quite some time to work out the dimensions and then stitches and rows required for the wings and tail, but perserverance has paid off I think you'll agree! The tea cosy is hand knitted using a combination of feather and fluffy yarns - it feels lovely! More pictures and details are available in my Etsy shop.

What to make next? Well, I have a couple of unfinished projects (tea cosies) which are 'nearly there' and I've also started crocheting a couple of squares which will form the basis of a baby blanket. Time to get busy!

An abundance of flowers!

I've been busy recently with some custom orders. Here's the first one that I have finished...

It's a basic cream crochet tea cosy to which I have added 21 cerise pink crochet flowers. The leaves on the flowers all link together to give a 'trellis' effect.

I am really pleased with the result. The flowers and leaves are all made 'in the round' and use techniques that I haven't used before. The tea cosy is really thick and warm so is sure to keep the tea hot for longer... A must for me at the moment as I seem to 'forget' I have made the pot of tea!

As this is a custom order, this flower tea cosy is not yet available in my Etsy store. However if you would like a tea cosy like this, just contact me and it can be arranged!

FizzyGinger enters the world!

FizzyGinger is now open!

After 6 months of hardwork, the amazing Anne-Marie has opened her new handmade business - FizzyGinger. Alongside selling toys made my myself, Anne-Marie has a fantastic range of cards, quirky canvasses and home decorations all lovingly handmade by herself. She also welcomes custom orders.

Take a look at http://www.fizzyginger.com/ - I'm sure you'll find something that you'll just have to buy!

A riot of purple fizz!

It's a well known fact that one of my favourite colours is purple, so, in honour of this I've created an all purple chenille tea cosy! Hand knitted in the same loop stitch as the sheep tea cosy, it is made using 2 strands of chenille lilac purple yarn.

At either side there are spaces for the handle and spout - coupled with plenty of stretch, this tea cosy will fit most medium to large tea cosies.

It is finished with a lilac organza bow.

I really enjoyed making this cosy.. and I hope you like it too! Available now in my Etsy store.

Handmade Sheep Tea cosy

After a couple of months break due to house move, I'm now starting to add new items to my Etsy store. Just listed is one of my best sellers - the handknitted sheep tea cosy. I've made several of these over the passed year and they are a big favourite. Hand knitted using a loop stitch (you wrap the yarn around your thumb as you make the stitch) and aran yarn, the tea cosy is lovely, thick and warm. Guaranteed to keep your tea hot!

Latest creation - a chicken tea cosy

Well it's been a while..... There's certainly a lot on at the moment!

I spent many happy hours yesterday at my sewing machine making a chicken tea cosy. Just right for Easter (or any other time, come to that), this chicken tea cosy would make a lovely addition to anyone's home. It was a bit tricky getting the linings inside right, but patience and perseverance paid off and I am really pleased with the result. All raw edges are 'hidden' and the cosy is padded with lovely thick wadding.

Using my sewing machine was a lovely change to the knitting needles... I may well be making some more very soon. If you'd like to buy, the chicken cosy is now available in my Etsy shop.

Simple and classic is best?

As you've probably seen from my blog and Etsy store, I enjoy creating novelty tea cosies - sheep, frogs, owls, cats, pig... the list goes on! For a change, I decided to go for a more traditional design (but still no bobble in sight)... And here it is!
Hand knitted in a classic oatmeal yarn with a brown fleck, it has the traditional aran style cable running all round the tea cosy. In keeping with my other items, it is exceptionally thick and sure to keep your tea hot for longer! The tea cosy is finished with an oatmeal and matching brown tassel. Very classic and stylish me thinks!!
If you love this tea cosy, it is available for sale in my etsy store . I'd love to know what you think!
Also 'on the go' at the minute is an enormously cute 'Hello Kitty' complete with red heart. Just in time for Valentines Day. As soon as she is finished, I'll let you know!