More inspiration from Erin

Hello!  My name is Erin and I blog over at Missy Mac Creations.

When Lucy and Nat first announced Le Challenge I was crazy excited.  Like crrrrazy excited.  I love the whole premise and look forward to hearing each month's new topic - and then seeing everyone's amazing, and often diverse, interpretations

Therefore it is an absolute honour to be here today sharing some of my inspirations with you.

I have to admit, though, this month's theme - TOFFEE - surprised, shocked and scared me.  Toffee?  Really?  What could I possibly do with that?  Well, other than take some rather artsy selfies on IG of me scoffing box fulls of the stuff, that is.  ;)

I'm sure I wasn't the only one whose first thought upon seeing the word "TOFFEE" was, well, toffee.  Yum.  But instead of sitting back and just drooling (or eating), what about using some images in a palette builder to create the perfect colour scheme for a quilt?  Or a knitted jumper?  Or a cushion cover?

For these I used the absolutely FREE Pictaculous.  It was quick, easy and lots of fun.  Just don't ask me where the light blue came from.  Anyhoo... go have a play!

My second thought was toffee apples.  I know, more food.  Ignore what that may say about me.

So, there's fabric...

 

Candy Apples by Kanvas for Benartex - Pink

Or a handbag...

Toffee Apple handbag pattern by Melly & Me

Or get the kiddies involved and have fun making some bookmarks...

Moving away from food (there is hope for me yet), did you know that there is a Lalaloopsy called Toffee Cocoa Cuddles?

Isn't she super cute!  I think so too so why not let her inspire you?

Make your own Toffee Cocoa Cuddles rag doll...

Loli Dolly Big Sister pattern by Quirky Artist Loft

 Or grab some yarn and crochet a hat...

Lala-Loopy Crochetted Beanie by SewLoca

Or feel free to dye your hair pink and play dress ups.  Just remember that we want to see pics.  ;)

Another cute character is Toffee the My Little Pony.

Howdi pardner!  This simple design could turn into a sweet embroidery or a cross stitch or a softie or even a quilt!

Or... go crazy and make a Toffee inspired hobby horse... out of socks...

Sock Hobby Horse tutorial by Rad Megan

... or fabric!

Hobby Horse tutorial by Abby Glassenberg

Just don't forget her trademark hat or tatt (the theme is "toffee" afterall!).

And if all that isn't enough, you still have time to whip up one of the Toffee the Bear cross stitch designs by Sue Hill for Heritage Crafts.

There are a number of different kits available, with Toffee in all sorts of adorable poses, but I think I heart this one best.  ;)

What do you think?  Are you inspired?  I hope I've given you all some new ideas.  I'd love to see where you take them so be sure to link up your "Toffee" inspired pieces in 2 weeks time.

Thanks again to the lovely Lucy and Nat for allowing me to hijack their page for a wee second.  Truth is, I totally bugged them until they gave me the call up (apologies ladies!) but it has been fun.

See you all at the linky party!

Toffee Clutch

When we were planning our toffee inspiration posts, I told Lucy I would try to go for alternative ideas. That was before I met my latest obsession - the Jimmy Choo toffee leather clutch. Isn't it gorgeous?

I have not looked at the price - but I am thinking leather, Jimmy Choo, clutch, Jimmy Choo - out of my price range. 

Unless I could find a pattern - or a few - to make it myself... starting with this round shape one, and this leather one, and using the basic pattern for this two leather one. 

A great challenge - or a challenge too far (only 15 days left)? 

Toffee inspiration... fabric edition

Plain old TOFFEE...

Michael Miller Toffee Cotton Couture, Aurifil Toffee

The ingredients for toffee are...

sugar:

   

Flower Sugar, Nancy's Holiday Favourites Sugar Cookies, Cream and Sugar, Rock 'n Romance Sugar Playground

and butter:

   

Flats Butterscotch Diamond Rings, Bella Solids Butter, Glamping Honey Bee Picnic Check by Mary Jane Butters (ok that last one might be a little tenuous!)

What about toffee apples? (I can only find apple fabric - you'll have to add some of that toffee thread!!)

Apple Jack

Or a cute apple doll with toffee coloured hair??

Little Apples Doll Pattern

Did you know you can get honeycomb toffee, which is an aerated version with bubbles?

   

Honeycomb, Kona dimensions coral honeycomb, Good Morning honeycomb, Hot Chocolate multi honeycomb

and if all that fabric isn't enough to get you thinking how about some Highland inspiration!?

source

So... any good ideas yet?

and the winner is...

Congratulations Sarah_L_N, the winner of a $25 Fat Quarter Shop gift certificate!

See you all here on July 15th with your TOFFEE makes and stay tuned for inspiration :)

next up...

The theme this time is TOFFEE.

See you on 15th July with your wonderful interpretations of that one!

I'm off to chew it over...

Le Challenge #3 - MARITIME

Doesn't the time fly?! Here we are again for you to link up your monthly makes! This is what we've been up to...

You can read more about this dress at Charm About You

And more about this stripey top at Made in Home

If you are new to Le Challenge please read through this post.

For a chance to win a $25 Fat Quarter Shop gift certificate make sure you link up your finished projects and please remember to include the button or a link to Le Challenge in your blog post or Flickr description. 

So go ahead and link up your projects and visit your fellow challenge crafters...

Styling the theme {Not Just a Pretty Dress}

I asked my friend Caterina of NJAPD to style le Challenge theme this month, and here is how she created her outfit - in her own words... 

Wearing: vintage striped tee, CP shades black silk skirt (similar here), Bensimon black leather skinny belt (similar here), Freed of London black patent leather ballerina flats (similar here), Pierre Hardy black patent leather and canvas bag (similar here via Vestiaire Collective). 

I have always had a huge admiration for people who  are able to sew clothes, make accessories and create things from scratch. Given my passion for costume jewellery, several people asked me why I don't try my hand at some necklaces' DIY, but so far I preferred the easy way, i.e. buying them and wearing them.

When my talented friend Nat from Made in Home told me about Le Challenge - a challenge open to all crafters with a different theme every month - I was very intrigued and I'm delighted to join the current 'Maritime' round. As styling (myself...) is my creative thing I decided to create an outfit post around one of my favourite pieces: the striped top. 

When I think 'maritime', stripes always come to my mind and this tee is very special to me as it is another vintage piece stolen from my dad. I think striped tops are such a classic staple that goes beyond seasons, fashion trends and proximity to the sea! Voilà my contribution and I hope to see some of you among the participants of the next Le Challenge!