Toilet Roll Project (TRP) :: Ta-dah!

 

Hello! As you can see, we are Ta-dah-ing today and I am so so so happy to be here!

I love writing my Ta-dah posts. Like really, really L♥O♥V♥E it. I guess I must've written quite a few of them in the two and a half years since I began this blogging lark, and I always get such a thrill out of sharing with you all. I mean, it's fun sharing the ideas and the inspiration and the on going creative process, but revealing the Finished Object is the most fun of all. Nothing like a pretty successful Finished Object to make one feel accomplished and really rather good and heart-skippy all the way down to ones toes.

What often surprises me about my ta-da-hing is that I tend to feel the same huge surge of excitement no matter what the size of the project. In other words, it could be a big crochet blanket that's taken more than half a year to complete, or a batty little craft project which comes together in a matter of days :: the excitement factor is generally as huge for both.

So yes :: toilet roll tubes then, here we go....

This quirky little project began back here if you remember. Nothing major, just a spot of spontaneous late summer crafting with the Little People. A fairly pointless project really if the truth be told, but oh my, how it captivated me! How I LOVED making it happen! This little project (the TRP) really got me excited to the point where I seriously began to feel extremely un-normal. I mean, I was stopping my neighbours in the street and talking nineteen to the dozen about toilet roll tubes, and that's not normal behaviour is it, to get so excited about bits of cardboard?

But excited I was, and then some. I think it was a whole combination of things really that made this little project so top notch for me. It was the fact that I was doing it with the Little Peeps, and it felt like a long while since we'd been creative together. It was the fact that I could get out all my lovely crafty bits of fabric and trims and buttons and beads which had not seen the light of day for a fair old while. And it was the fact that we were making and representing Our Family, which happens to be something I am passionate about. And to somehow see us all set out, all Five of us really made me think about my children and the fact that there are now three of them. Cos in many ways I am still somewhat getting used to the fact that Little B is here and that we are indeed a family of five. Not four. Five. Yikes! Those innocent toilet rolls proved to be quite a reality check!

Lovely isn't it when you go skipping through blogland and you discover a new voice, a new creative spirit? Sadly I don't have time to pootle through Blogland like I used to, but I do still love seeing what other folks are getting up to creatively. I like to feel inspired as much as the next person. So I was delighted to discover Jane over at Teawagon Tales and to feel inspired by what she was doing. And in fact, it was she who suggested I needed to make my own Toilet Roll Self something crochety to wear. Oh the joy! Hooking those little mini granny squares was the best fun ever. My cup did runneth over!

I am really excited to be showing you the TRP.

Like ants-in-my-pants-yippety-yeeehaw excited.

Can you tell?

Nearly time.

I didn't take many photos of the work in progress cos truthfully I was way too engrossed in it to pause and go get the camera.

The Little People really did me proud you know. They somehow sensed that this project was important to me and they put a lot of effort into making it work. They really thought hard about how they wanted their clothes to look, and they got sheets of paper and practiced drawing all kinds of different faces for themselves until they were happy with what they came up with. I assisted them with the hair, but mostly the rest was down to them.

So.

You wanna see?

OK, a little peek..............

.....ahhhhhhhhhh there we are look, the Attic24 T-roll family, looking all cutey on the mantel.

They look right at home don't they?

Sorry?

You can't see them very well?

You need me to go closer?

Zoom in you say?

Show you some detail?

OK, of course....

....just for you....

Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you think we did good, the Little Peeps and Me??

Love love love love love love LOVE my Cardboard Family!

Let us introduce ourselves...........

This is Me, modelling my very own dinky little crochet cardie, isn't it just a teeny bit super? I made little one-round granny squares using embroidery thread worked on a 2.5mm hook, joined on-the-go. A button to finish. Oddments of fabric and ribbon for my outfit, felty brown hair in a very Fetching Style. And to finish off, a little pretty hair clip cos that's what I wear most days.

Little Lady and I look remarkably similar in real life so I'm told, only her hair is much darker and her eyes are blue (mine are green). She chose the fabrics for her outfit and even drew a picture of exactly how she wanted herself to look. We worked on our faces together on paper first, drawing out lots of different variations until we were both happy. It wasn't spontaneous. It was very well thought out. And a little nerve wracking actually doing it for real, with Non Adjustable felt tip pens. Oh the strain! I held my breath the whole way through when Little Lady did hers, I honestly did, but she did great. She got herself in a little bit of a tizzy when her rosy cheeks didn't line up, but oh I was so proud of her.

Ahhh Little Man...my Big Boy. It took a bit of gentle persuading to get him in on the TRP, but when he finally did join in the fun he really enjoyed it I think. I allowed him to chop up some of Little B's grown-out-of dungarees so that he could have some denim, and he designed his top based on one that he actually owns. The 8 is cos he has just turned eight. But what really got me was the way he drew his face....awww, so cute, with tongue out and freckles and everything, this is so very him I tell you, he really did great.

And this is of course our Little Baby B. I made him first before I made myself and honestly, I was squeeeeealing with delight just making his little outfit (the sleeve from an old vest of his). Then once I got to drawing on his little cheeky baby face, well that nearly sent me over the edge. I've no idea why I was soooooooo excited, but I honestly was beside myself with happiness when TR-Little-B was born.

And last but not least, here is J. He was great fun to make. Easy hair cos he has None. I made his shirt from one of Little B's teeny tiny old baby shirts, and J's amazing face was drawn by Little Man. I asked him to draw his Dad's face on a piece of paper first as I was really curious to see what he would come up with and knew instinctively that it would be miles better than anything I could do. How right I was. It's fabulously accurate, even down to the wonky glasses.  I LOvE it.

Incidentally, I also had Little Man's assistance during the Photo Shoot :: I wanted to do it in similar style to Jane's, with some sort of prop to represent each of us. He chose all the props excepting mine which I was quite adamant about, it had to be fresh flowers from the back yard for me. I was really stumped with what to use for J (couldn't put a computer on the mantel), and it was Little Man who thought of this "Dad's Army" DVD box set which is a current obsession with J right now (yawn, that show drives me demented with boredom, but hey-ho, each to their own and all that). Just so you know.

So :: there we are, the Attic24 Toilet Roll Family. All complete and looking fine and dandy. Oh I have enjoyed writing this post, hope you've enjoyed sharing this daft little bit of Creative Nonsense with me.

Now then, just before I love you and leave you and head for bath and bed, can I quickly show you my picture that's also up above there?

I treated myself to it a month or so ago and it makes me so incredibly happy every time I look at it (which is often). It's a small print taken from an original by the supremely talented and very lovely Julia Crossland. Ahh it just makes my heart sing, it really does. You can find this print along with others in her online shop, do go and take a look. Lovely.

Right-o my Lovelies, I am out of here and off to run me a hot bubble bath, followed by clean pyjamas and a little bit of hooky.

See you all soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Comments

[Sarah west mids uk]

Dear Lucy those models are ace!!! I like J's
specs more wibbly than mine and the skateboarding fan!! I had one of those here a few years back.
I plan to make some of these with the reception class I will be teaching on a Tuesday morning. Will let you know how we get on. It will be a big project I think.
Now for a bit of showing off. I sent the crochet blanket I made to my niece for her baby boy and she sent me an email
with pics attached of him cuddled up in it. So I would like to send you a big hug from me for all your wonderful
tutorials and for inspiring me to have a go!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love Sarah xxxxxx

[Joss]

WOW! What a lovely, lovely project to do together and the end result is fab. You will treasure these forever. Thnk you so much for letting us share in your fun.

[Maria]

LOVE THEM. Marvellous as everything you do.

[marykayknits]

Your TRP people are too cute for words. The hair...and the faces are over the top. Will save the rolls for the grandkids and maybe we'll be brave enough to try it.

[Kate Bruning]

Just wonderful Lucy - I had a smile on my face the whole way through this post. They are just gorgeous and I am blown away by J.'s face. Love the hair too!

[Mary Grace McNamara]

I thoroughly enjoyed that post and reading all about each of you! What darling little toilet roll people you are!

MGM

[Kathleen]

Cute! Cute! Cute! Thanks for a wonderful blog. I very much enjoy reading it.

[Louise]

L O V E ♥ them! They are adorable!!!! Well done you and the Little Peeps. ☺

[Terrie]

Aww they are just sooooo lovely =]

[Christine Warren]

Your TR family is aDorAblE!
Well done! ; )

[Jenny]

OMG so cute!!!! love it!

[Jacquie]

So sweet!!!!!
Love the props chosen by little man too,they really add to the cuteness.
Jacquie x

[Helen Tzabar]

I absolutely love your tr family. You are a very talented bunch! Have you thought of extended family or friends for Christmas?

[Katy]

these are too cute and a brilliant use for the humble loo roll! What a fab family you make :)

[Rosana]

Ooooh, lovely lovely indeed, and such a good cheapest idea too!!!
Your blog makes me happy!!
Kisses from Spain!

[teawagontales]

Oh Lucy how much did I smile when I saw this post, you did the T.R.P proud I love the, attention to detail especially the clothes,you are brilliant! and thankyou for your kind words x x x x x x x x x x x

[Katie]

Oh my oh my oh my!! I cannot BELIEVE how adorable these little guys are! Makes me wish I had little kids to help make awesome little projects.

[Mrs Bun]

What a cute and fabulous family Lucy. We made some of our own after visiting Teawagon, but they turned out a bit too disturbing. Little Bun designed herself around Amy Pond and Mr Bun did a Keith Lemon look. As for Eldest B and me, we were just plain scary.

I wonder what creative thing will grab your fancy next?

X

[Shell]

They are fab :o)

[Sandi Lee]

You are such a natural crafty lady, these are so cute, I love them. Oh I do love your wall and fire place too, it suits your craftiness...does that make sense??
Hugs Sandi xx

[Barbara Moore]

How super wonderful your TRP family is!! You all did great on your self portraits. tee hee Made my heart skippy also. Thank you for sharing your life with us.

Hugs XX
Barbara

[Kris]

Lucy, when my kids were little we saved all of our tp rolls to give to the school for crafting. They did something similar, many years ago...but only with crayons. I adore this idea! I cannot wait to do this with my grandkids. They will love it. I have so many remnants and odds and ends to use. Oh, I can't wait. Think I may have to go potty just to use up some tp!!!
: ) Kris

[Anne@andamento]

Nice to finally see what J looks like.

[April H~Springrose]

At first I thought you were a little off the deep end. But seeing your little family now makes me want one. I think I better run and grab the used up TR so I can start my collection for my family of 7. Now I can't wait to come up with outfits and hair!!!!!

[Mojca]

So pretty. I love your blog!