Christmas Shopping

Can you believe it is less than a month to Christmas? I can't, so I am trying to get a bit more organised and actually go shopping for some presents (well, on the internet - why would I want to leave the house?!) So I hot footed it over to Molly Cupcakes for these beautiful kiddy baking sets. Whilst I was there I decided my presents would look far nicer with little red hearts attached to them so I got a couple of sets of those and when my parcel arrived, Catherine had sent me a GORGEOUS pink wooden spoon, which is far too nice to use - so I will treasure it instead (and use it for stuffing toys). Thank you Catherine, you're fab!!!


A couple of weeks ago I bought some bits from Charlie Motel and have been meaning to blog them for ages. My photos are rubbish, which has been the problem but I can't keep them to myself any longer!!! The framed picture is actually a card, but I thought it was too nice to send, so I've framed it instead. I have a habit of putting the kettle on in a crisis, so tea really does make everything better for me!!!! I bought some badges too and also some christmas cards, but you can't see those - Grace has already written them!!!! Megan at Charlie Motel is so talented - and apparently only 22!!!! Wow, just a baby ;)








I keep missing out on knitted Monkeys, so to scratch my itch, so to speak, I have succumbed to some christmas cards instead. That is until I concoct a devious plan and manage to lure 007 away from that whip yielding witch he lives with.........


(and you can't look at any more of the cards - I can't find my scissors to snip the ribbon. Oh dear. Warren's back from New York tomorrow, the house will get back to some kind of order then!!!)

Normal crafting will resume next week - when I am not as tired. I don't like this getting up at the crack of dawn and going on the school run lark. And I will admit to going in my pyjamas on tuesday.

I think I'll put the kettle on, I know exactly what will make it all better :)

I got tagged...

...last week by Driftwood and was told to name 8 random facts about me. Blimey, I'm not sure anyone really wants to know (coz I'm not very exciting!) but here goes.....

1:: I am incredibly shy, and have proper big panics whenever I have to meet someone new or go somewhere new

2:: Warren (that's my husband!) and I got married (in Las Vegas) 4 months after our first meeting, and I was pregnant with Grace 2 months after that. I'm a quick worker, I knew he was the one, so why wait around?! We've now been married for 9 years, and time has pretty much flown by.

3:: My mum tells me I didn't wear clothes until I was about 7...apart from in public (I can remember turning up to Infant School without socks and my mum being told off once). Any excuse to strip off and I was there. (I am a little better now...honest)

4:: I'm not a very reliable tooth fairy. I always thought I'd be fabulous, and make special little pouches for the coins......in reality I forget every single time Grace's tooth falls out...and blame the weather, or how busy she was, or that she had a party to go to, and couldn't get all her work done in time. I end up having to give double money for the disappointment (which makes it all better)

5:: I have a completely irrational dislike/fear of swimming pool water, and the areas around the pools that are wet. It all stems from when I had really badly infected eczema on my hands and feet, and the dermatologist told me if I was to take Leo to his weekly water babies session I was likely to end up in hospital on a drip (see 6) as the bugs that live in swimming pools are evil and will kill you. She was a bit of a scare mongerer I see now in hindsight, but it has given me the willies ever since!!!

6:: I have an even bigger irrational fear of needles.
When I was pregnant with Leo I had obstetric cholestasis (SP?) and had to have regular blood tests to check my liver count. When I was pregnant with Grace I was aneamic, and had to have regular blood tests to check my haemoglobin. I wimper when I have any kind of injection, like a pathetic little puppy. And every single time the nurse says the same thing 'if you hate needles so much why do you have such a...'

7:: ....large tattoo?' Because I have a big (well, I say it's medium size, but people without tattoos tend to think it's pretty huge) tattoo on my upper arm. And then another one on my belly, and a little tiny one on my wrist. And I don't think I've stopped yet.

8:: in my head I can sing like Mariah Carey and dance like Michael Jackson. Well, probably a bit better than both of them actually.

So those are the 8 random facts about me. Any one else fancy sharing some random facts? Go on.....you know you want to!!!

Wet Weekends = Busy Monkey

Is it just wet and windy Yorkshire, or has the weather been miserable everywhere else this weekend? I was soooo thankful I wasn't stuck outside in the cold at the craft market like last weekend. I actually think I'd have cried a little bit if I had been!

On a plus side, the wet meant I could do some sewing without feeling like I should be outside kicking leaves and stuff. (Or sweeping them up in the garden)

So I managed to get 2 dinosaurs done, both of them are swaps with other bloggers. The lilac one is a swap with Whizzz who has made me a lovely necklace for my mum for christmas. And the green one is for Shirley who has made me some fab crocheted headbands for Grace and her friend for christmas (can't put pics because sneaky G likes to look at the blog - but I know she can't be bothered to read it! Go to Shirley's blog and have a look, they are lovely)






And then I made a cat from black needlecord and oilily needlecord (so I could practise on my sewing machine).....


...and a pink tweed bunny with very floppy ears (you can't see it, but the other side of the ears is that brown paisley needlecord I got last week)....


....and a plum velvet and liberty needlecord bunny too.


and then I was chatting to Meridian Ariel who got a free bag with Marie Claire this month and decided to fancy it up a bit with a drawing of a willow tree. A few of us have decided to have a go, and this is my offering....




So, haven't I been a busy bee? :D

An Alladin's Cave of Fabric.....And a PIF

Yesterday I went to visit Rowan from Clang-Clang for tea, cake and fabric shopping. After a nightmare drive (the car took me around the houses and I nearly ran into the odd stray sheep crossing the road up near Saddleworth Moor), I eventually got there and was taken to the Fent shop....which has got to be the most amazing place ever! There were fabrics and trims and bits and bobs galore, I was a little overwhelmed by it all, but soon got down to business!

I needed some thick cord and some plum or aubergine velvet - tick those off the list. Really I should have stopped there, but they had Liberty print tana lawns for pennies (Ok, not quite pennies, but about 3 quid a metre), so I got a couple of those, and found some beautiful liberty needlecord for about the same (so I bought up the rest they had - only a couple of metres, but I couldn't resist!). The doll Rowan had made made me (Pol) has a dress in the same cord, and it is quite possibly my fave fabric ever (this week).

We had some lunch at Rowan's and some cake and tea, and then it was time for me to get off again :(

So, thank you Rowan, I had a lovely day, it was really nice to meet you and I shall be back over soon (if that's ok with you!)










When I got home, I had another parcel waiting for me - some mini boden needlecord I'd got from Ebay, and the lovely lady had sent me some scraps of mini boden spotty cord too, so another bonus! I had such a lovely day I've decided to have a PIF (because everyone is having them at the minute) and share my happiness around! So, the first 3 people that leave a comment will get sent something handmade by me through the post within the next 365 days (I think it'll be much sooner though!). All I ask is you pass the love on, and do something nice to someone in return.

Icicles On My Nose

....and frostbite on my bum, that was me after standing in the freezing cold all day on Sunday, and it wasn't a particularly good day either. I covered the cost of my stall, and I made a bit of money, but I didn't do nearly as well as I had hoped, or expected. I really thought people would be out Christmas shopping, but in actual fact most people were browsing and asking whether the stall holders would be at the next market. Fingers crossed we all do better then, because no one took much money (and a lot of people took nothing at all). It was so bad the organisers let us pack up half an hour early. Still, I enjoyed myself, and the woman on the stall next to me was really funny, so we had a good laugh.

This time I had remembered to bring my camera........but forgot to put the new batteries in, so I still haven't got a picture of my stall. Useless, totally useless!!! Next time, I promise I will take pics, I will, I will, I will!!!!


So, as a break from making more stock for the next fair (because I don't have to - I have plenty!) I tried making a couple of different things. A fellow blogger, LucyKate from LucyKateCrafts told me about a tutorial for an owl garland she had found on moonstitches' blog.


Obviously because of my sewing machine fear (although that is getting better!) I hand stitched it, and it isn't quite finished because I still have to sew on the name 'Oscar' after I have stamped it onto cotton, but I was pleased with it, and it was really easy. Another friend from the same site as I chat to LucyKate has made 3 whilst watching Heartbeat, so it proves they are super fast when you use the machine (I will next time, watch this space!!!). So pop along and have a look at Laurie's owls too.





The same Oscar (who is my best friend's little baby) is also getting a matching cushion for Christmas. It has bunting made from the same fabrics as the owls across the top, and will eventually have his name stamped on there too. Leo is rather taken with Oscar's cushion, which is just as well, seeings as he's getting one for Christmas with matching owl garland. It apparently has a 'Whoo Whoo' on it, says Leo. Which is clearly 'Owl' in 2 year old speak!




Now that I have had a little break from normal work, it's back to whip cracking. I have 4 dinos to make this week, and I also need to start a Llama at some point to get to the US in time for Christmas.

But that will have to wait, because tomorrow I am going to visit this place with Rowan, from clangclang. I am very excited, and although Warren thinks I'm a bit mental getting so giddy about going fabric shopping (I need some cord, I need it - the big fat old man trousers type of cord), he has kindly lent me his car (which has sat nav, so I shouldn't get lost. But I probably will!)

Back soon....with my purchases!

Frostbite Awaits

Tomorrow is my next craft fair, and if any of you lot are local/ lurking about/ at a loose end/ happen to be in Leeds, it's the Mosaic Arts Market at Chancellor's Court (that's near the Corn Exchange)

I checked the weather, it's going to be bloody freezing so I am wrapping up warm and hoping for the best. The only downside is that I have to go by myself, and if I need A: Tea or B: Wee I have to get someone to mind the stall (just like on Albert Square!)

So again....if any of you are close by and fancy seeing what a ginger monkey looks like in real life, and maybe relieving me so I don't wet myself....drop in and say hello!!!!!

I forgot to tell you all.......

......thanks to all of you voting like maniacs, Cat Dressed As A Girl Carrying A Pumpkin won the etsy plush team's halloween contest, in the costume category (blimey, that was a mouthful!!!!)

So thank you very much for voting for us! Cat Girl is feeling very pleased with herself, and I am very smugly proud!!!!

Busy Week!

Christmas Decorations - gingerbread men....and....

...birdies
lavender mice in little bags
a selection of bibs and vests
2 new pink horses and a dino WIP (with new fabrics, for a change)












I am in a weekly challenge group with a group of other crafty folk on a forum site. It gives me the incentive to get working, and makes sure I don't get all slack and lazy and drink tea all day (speaking of tea, I fancy a cup right now!!!)
My list for this week was to complete some vests, which I have done, and a pic is up there of a few (not a good one, the white doesn't show up on the white - oops!). They sold really well at the last craft fair and are so easy to make - just applique a little animal shape onto a pre bought vest, or bib (bibs cost more - why is that????), sew on a button eye and there you go! They only take a few minutes to make, and I sold out last time, so I have quite a few for the fair at the weekend, just in case I get a rush on (watch this space - none will sell and I'll be stuck with them!!!)
As christmas is coming I have been making christmas decorations, and here are my faves - the birds and the gingerbread men. I'm actually hoping these don't sell, then I can put them on my tree (because I never seem to make anything for myself!!!)

Also at the last fair I had made a load of mice filled with lavender and not a single one sold - but the normal heart shapes did, do people just not like mice? I love them (maybe I'm just weird - no, don't answer that one!) So I have made little bags for them and will pack them up in groups of 3, and see how they go. I've got 4 more fairs (I think!) so I am sure they'll go eventually!!! I also think I will make a load up but without lavender for Grace's friends at school, they usually give out little presents, and they all take toys to school that are small enough to pop into their pockets.

And finally, some new merrylegs. I had to make some more pink horses, as I don't have any left and here they are. One is made from tweed with a mini boden needlecord nose and legs, and the other is cream cord with mini boden needlecord nose and legs. The dino is a WIP for a friend, she has asked for 2, and I am slowly getting there! He is made from green bobbly fleece instead of felf, which is lovely and soft but a bit of a pain to work with because it is kind of ruched up (SP?) and tends to go in a different direction to the one I want it to go in when I am sewing it. Hopefully when he is finished he'll look gorgeous...I'll keep you posted!

Happy Belated Halloween (and Happy Bonfire Night too!!!)

I now it's a bit late, but I finally got round to taking the pics of the camera!! Scarey eh?

I spent this weekend down at my parents' in Suffolk, and took them their kitten. My mum nearly cried, it was great!!! She is so happy. She only works part time, but is alone every evening because my dad works until 10 pm. I have never thought it's right for her to sit by herself all night thinking about how my Nan is, or just being lonely. Now she has her new baby to talk to (and he seemed over the moon to be there). On a not so positive note, my older cat (NooNoo) has taken to attacking BooBoo the kitten. I suppose I need to just let them sort themselves out, but NooNoo has always been such a happy and calm cat.

So today it's Guy Fawkes night!!!! (in the UK anyway) What are you going to do? I'm going to my in law's for some fireworks this evening, although Leo is scared stiff of them and won't go outside (silly boy!)

Have a great night whatever you are doing.