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

[Jen]

LUCY--I NEED YOUR HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE DONE A BABY BLANKET FOR A FRIEND USING YOUR ZIGZAG PATTERN (I HOPE YOU DON'T MIND BEING THE INSPIRATION FOR MY PROJECTS) BUT SINCE I'VE ONLY BEEN HOOKING FOR A MONTH NOW, I HAVE NO--I MEAN NONONONONO IDEA HOW TO DO THE LITTLE HALF SQUARES!!! COULD YOU POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?? helphelphelphelphelphelphelphelphelp...

[Amy]

Absolutely adorable!!!

[Gabriella]

Your TRP are adorable, sounds like a lot of fun! I really like your new heading, and your very colorful crocheting!

[Kay Guest]

Oh, I LOVE your family represented on toilet rolls! My son made singing carolers out of toilet rolls when he was very young, and I have always put them out every Christmas. (He will be 21 in November.) Just this past year, I realized how much I loved them, so I made some myself and HAD SO MUCH FUN MAKING THEM! Here's the thing though, the ones he made in 1st grade are better than the ones I made. HA! You have now inspired me to make my family! THANK YOU!!

[Claudia]

Your Ta-dah posts are great, Lucy!! I love them and I love your TRP family! I feel I know you better now... rsrsrsr
Me and my boy have also done our TRP family and it was a great fun!! :)

[Jackie]

Oh Lucy ~ I LOVE your little TRP family ~ only you could make cardboard tubes look so fantastic! I'm sure that if I tried it myself it would be a complete disaster! Loving the Julia Crossland print ~ have got the very same one myself. Hope you all have a lovely weekend ~ Jackie :O) xx

[Myriam]

They look SUPER! Very lovely. You did a great job.
-xxx- Myriam

[tamar]

Hi Lucy,
What a fab project - I mentioned it on my blog, in actual fact I mention you often as I love reading about your adventures and looking at your colourful pictures/projects!
I was looking through your monthly mosaics and wonder if you can tell me what photoshop template you use to come up with them? I would like to make mosaics of my own but not sure where to start!
I wouldn't be surprised if a book deal comes your way sometime soon!
lovely! xx

[Alison]

They are so cute, what a great project. Adore the button jug as well.

[Patti J]

What a GREAT JOB you all did!!!! Love them! Way too cute!!!!!
I think my daughter would love this project....thanks for the idea!

[Heather]

Your TRP are so sweet! They've turned out perfectly.
Little Lady does look very much like you, yes indeed.
I LOVE your new blog as well, about time you got your stitchy banner up there! It's so pretty.
Oh and btw - we're definitely not completing tomorrow :-( stupid lazy bank!
xxxxx

[Jen]

I adore this! I've been reading your blog for awhile now. All the bright crochet first caught my attention & your writing has hooked me. I am always cheered after seeing your photographs & reading your posts. It's really made me appreciate my every day simple pleasures so much more. You are so good at that.

You & your kids did such an amazing job turning a simple fun thing into a precious work of art to treasure - especially the memories. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Jen in the midwest US :)

[Astrid]

WOW, they are lovely little peeps!

[Ali at Very Berry]

I love that little cardboard family. Definitely a ta-dah moment. Your blog never fails to cheer me up a bit.

[Claudia]

fantastic work. Never thought TPRs could be so adorable. :)Love to read your post and to see your lovely TRP family

greetz
Claudia

[Angelika]

This family is so cute!!!
I am living in germany and I cannot understand all in the posts but I like your blog so much, visiting every week if I have time...

Kind Regards

[Catherine]

I absolutely adore browsing through your blog! It brightens by day.

[ailsa]

They are just beautiful, such a good idea and do you mind if I pinch the idea to do with my Beavers Scouts as they would love to make little people?

[Clare Hill]

OMG I am in absolute delights of happiness reading this post and seeing your TRP family! You all did such a fantastic job!! They look soooo gooood! I am so envious of your TRP skills, in fact all your skills! Can I use any more exclaimation marks?!!!! *clapping*

[Christina]

Simply FABULOUS!

[susan@tickledpaisley]

Seriously Lucy - how in the world can you possible make a toilet paper roll look so darn cute?!!?
You are one amazingly creative lady!

[Margaret]

This is such a fun post and I enjoyed it so much. Thanks for the smiles :)

Margaret

[country mouse]

What a lovely wee family you have. No wonder you are so proud of them all. I am in the process of copying your beautiful bright granny stripe blanket but I think I might be taking the copycatting a bit far if I was also to immortalise my family by means of cardboard loo roll tubes!

[Emma Angel]

Awwwwww, so sweet.
x

[Ren]

Simply gorgeous!!!!