Clang Clang

Too cool for school

2008-01-21T11:30:00.000-08:00

Guess where I am. "Why at your kitchen table as usual," I hear you cry, "trying to protect your creations from the ever approaching flood of fishfingersketchupweetabix". No! I am ensconced in my lovely new 'workspace' as I like to call it (desk in the corner of the bedroom some might say). Here it is...

Not really! Where would you put your fabric?! My camera is batteryless, and it is way too rainy and grizzly to venture out. I will post pics tomorrow, and you will see it is almost as lovely if a little more bijou. Whilst I was finding material for that hysterical joke, I came across this. Could it be the coolest bookshop in the world ever?

I wanna go, I wanna I wanna. Sadly it is, of course, in Japan. Those pics were from the cool hunter - Blimey! There's no shabby chic on there I can tell you.

I am making the funniest thing. It is valentinesque, and will be in the etsy store in a couple of days, and I lovelovelove it. But it is a secret (by name and by nature) so you'll have to wait and see.

My toe is better. Thank you for all being so lovely. A sharp contrast with my treatment here. huh.

Bored of January boredboredbored of being cold and skint. Roll on February. No, sod it, roll on SUMMER, and SUNSHINE, and FLIP FLOPS.

Byeeee x

A blow to the toe.

2008-01-17T12:17:00.000-08:00

So my day yesterday was dominated by legs, in a bittersweet kind of way. Sweet, in that I went superhero crazy and made lots and lots of their spindly limbs. Check 'em out...

They are, by now somewhat more leggy and attached to bodies and such like. They'll be making an appearance in my etsy store over the weekend. BUT, now to the bitter (and far more dramatic) part of the tale. There I was, feelin' smug because I'd been little miss efficiency, and deserving of a sit down and a cup of tea after school pick up. Whistle went the kettle, into the kitchen I began to skip when ow ow ow. I gave my little toe a stub. No big deal methinks, until I whip off my sock to reveal my poor pinkie sticking out at an unnatural right angle. Aaargh.

Cue many comic scenes as I try to deal with two small children while waiting for J to get home and take me to A&E. Highlights included...1)F's immediate reaction on realising I was stuck on the sofa - run for the bourbons and sit on the other side of the room ploughing through the packet with a huge crumby grin, 2) My pitiful attempts to try to change into jeans to go to hospital, getting my pjs off and fearing I would have to end up going in my pants as I couldn't get them back up over my foot, 3) My yet more pitiful attempts to entertain baby O and keep her from crawling off into danger zones, cue much 'pop goes the weasel' through a mask of pain. Eventually my lovely friend came to rescue me and off I trotted to hospital blah blah blah.

Luckily, in perfect timing to cheer me up, Mr Postman delivered this lovely Owl badge, which had winged (wung?!) its way across the hills from Katy.

And then this morning I managed to hobble my way through the pain to Laura Ashley. I had received word from my friend Lisa, AKA the bunting queen, that Crocheted bunting was on show, and no dislocated toe could keep me away. It was very beautiful, but sadly the curse of the crafter struck, with me thinking
"Oooh, I could make that - and I wouldn't choose those colours", so watch my crafting 365 photos for crochet bunting creation in the weeks to come. Unable to leave empty-handed, I got these pretty crochet coasters and placemats in the sale. Hoorah.

So I'm off to rest my aching foot. Please can my blogging friends afford me more sympathy than has been coming my way from home. My toe has been sat on, and no - I don't think that I am talking about it far too much. Honestly.

Good god - the knitwear!

2008-01-16T03:30:00.000-08:00

I know, I'm like a bus, no posts for ages then loads come at once. Completely forgot yesterday to mention my giddy excitement on going to see The Golden Compass over Christmas. No, it was not just the thrill of Daniel Craig, or the pitter patter of my heart during the bear fight. It was all in the hats. I am going to have a crack at this red one. Hmmm, could I get away with making one for myself or will it have to be for the baby?

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

2008-01-15T01:32:00.000-08:00

You know what, if all those pesky customers hadn't made all those troublesome orders for Christmas, I would have had much more time for the old blogging. Ho ho ho, was very excited to be practically an elf this year, and sewing my little fingers to the bone for the big guy (Mr Claus).

I am getting very grumpy with this grey and grizzly weather. Where is the snow? Where where where (stamps foot)? Those mean old weather people have been taunting me with their sparkling eyes and false promises. "Wintry showers in the North West" they predict - lying through their teeth I tell you. I need some woollen white days, with hot choc in flasks and little cold noses.

But anyway, very belatedly, Happy New Year!!! This is going to be our very own year of enterprise and our all encompassing resolution is that my lovely fella will have escaped the grasps of employment by the end of the year, and we will be working for ourselves full time. He runs militaryboy and I've been doing my bit for the cause by beginning to whip up these funny little guys for him...

I don't want to neglect my little ladies though. I don't feel like nearly enough of them are finding their way onto etsy at the moment, they keep getting snapped up through word of mouth. That feels a bit too good to be true though. Look at these ladies - I love em' when they are like this, all bald and vunerable like...

Last year, I made a few dolls as bridesmaid presents. I made them with the fabric that their dresses were being made with, and embroidered them and the like. Oooh they were ever so nice but, of course, I forgot to take photos. I thought I might find a local wedding show this Spring, and see if there is any interest. I'm not too good at shows though. My mouth becomes fixed in a manic grin and I avoid the gaze of all potential customers in fear that they will feel under pressure. A tactic I regret somewhat as they wander off in puzzlement. I will gird my loins though and give it a bash.

Well, those dolls aren't going to grow any hair themselves (blimey, that would give a girl a fright). Lovely to be back in the world of blog, might just have a quick shufty at what everyone else has been up to before I go... Byeeee x

PS - guess what I got for Christmas - a bigger teapot, hoorah!

What Katy did...

2007-11-19T11:40:00.000-08:00

Grrr. My digital camera has been contrary this week, and I couldn't bring myself to blog without all the lovely pictures to come. I have also been feeling a little bit grotty and sorry for myself, so have comforted myself by curling up with a bit of comfort reading (with pictures!)...

Nothing like a bit of sentimental morality and childhood paralysis to cheer a girl up. I had quite a spring in my step afterwards I can tell you.

I was probably subliminally drawn to it by a visit from our very own Katy from imagingermonkey who trip trapped over the hills last week to visit my lovely Fent Shop, where she whirled around exuding general fabness and quite charming the fent shop folk. You can see all the fabric that she bought on her blog, and I have just spotted that pesky Liberty babycord has already found its way onto a really quite lovely bunny. You know how when someone lives in a foreign land and only speaks the language they begin to dream in it - sometimes I think I dream in Libertyprint.

The postman has been my best chum this week. First, this lovely lady swam into view from Tantehilde...

And a brown paper package tied up with string is, as we speak, wending it's way to her in return. I love this swapping lark. Then, after winning my first ever prize in anything ever, look what came from Sarah (Pink Petal Designs) who ran a little competition in celebration of her hundredth post. Hmmm. Eight down, only 92 to go.

I think I need a bigger teapot (and that ain't something you hear every day).

Bye folks x

Is it a bird...is it a plane...?

2007-11-05T08:17:00.001-08:00

Apparently, there are only so many rag dolls a chap can play with, so after much four year old pestering I reluctantly stepped down the superhero road, with surprisingly satisfying results. Look at this fella! Lucky old Fin woke up this morning with him on his pillow - leading to much giddiness and superhero jumping all round...

So the question is... should i let him stay as a brief moment of glory or should clang clang superheroes go on sale. I'm going to go and figure out how to do a poll thingy so you guys can help me decide.

We've been having lots of bonfire fun this week. Last night we went to a fab one at some friends' massive allotment (field). Lots of fun sparklers, toffee apples and the like, right up til the sun went down and children started falling into potholes. So that's the end of the autumn celebrations then. what's next. hmmm. can't bring myself to mention the 'c' word quite yet....

Squeak...

2007-10-30T00:50:00.001-07:00

Sweet eh?

Funny bones

2007-10-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

I am just about halloween'd out, and it isn't for another two days! I have had a small vampire/four armed monster careering about the house for days, and we've just been to Hebden Bridge for a halloween weekend with seventeen kids (lots of fun but blimey!). Check out these for some gruesome fodder...

I was cheered right up when I get home to find this cheeky little one waiting for me...

She reckoned she'd been lost on the way from I'm a ginger monkey but I think she's been having some adventures that she is keeping to herself. She is luckily, as you can see, quite lovely, so gets away with all sorts of nonsense. I have been being sensible (urgh) though, and am keeping her squirrelled away for the baby bean's Christmas present. Hmmm, I wonder if she will go on some more secret adventures when I'm not looking.... watch this space.

After the half term hecticness (is that even a word?), I am very excited to be getting out some lovely new brown corduroy I bought last week and am planning a small mouse or two. I'll have a go tonight and post some pics tomorrow to see what you think.

squeak x

Brown paper packages, tied up with string.

2007-10-22T08:20:00.000-07:00

Bye bye pretty lady, off to your new home with I'm a ginger monkey. Can't wait for our pretty pink merrylegs to come and take your place. Let us know when you get there safe and sound...

The house of icicles

2007-10-19T13:26:00.000-07:00

Mine, that is. I am like a small ice sculpture fantasising about some kind of fantasy efficient central heating system, with settings between 'living in a snow globe' and 'gasping for water'. Have spent the past twenty minutes debating whether fetching my slippers is worth the baby-waking risk of venturing into my bedroom. Hmmm.

While I'm on the topic a hot water tank that heats up more than a thimbleful of water at a time might be nice. I know I'm into vintage and all that but reenacting wartime water rations is a step too far.

Clang clang fans might be happy to see the renaissance of the rag rabbit. Yes, the very same one who caused grown men come to blows at the nursery Easter fair last year. Don't ask, it was ugly. But hey, with those eyes, who can blame them....

So it's half term next week, and Halloween - hooray. Is it natural for a grown woman to be about ten times as excited at her four-year-old about dressing up scary-like? Luckily, I have the excuse of next weekend's Halloween weekend bash in Hebden Bridge. I am thinking scary voodoo lady, along the lines of that one from Pirates of the Caribbean. Am planning to fashion a dress from an old layered muslin skirt that I have knocking around, but it may well look a lot better in my head than in real life - isn't it always the way. I'll post some photos when I have it done , so you can ooh and ahh and think 'won't she be a bit nippy in Yorkshire in October in a few scraps of muslin'. My boy is planning to be much more sensible and wear all his dressing up garb, so will be some kind of spider/spiderman/knight/vampire medley but will, at least, be warm.

But before that, ooh ooh, am more excited about the fact that I am going out (gasp) tomorrow night with my husband (swoon) without any children (faint). Being skintest of skint, we are going to have tea at home and then go to the pub. For those of you with children, this is a building otherwise known as a public house, when people go to drink alcohol of an evening. Your memories of visiting one may have been obscured by the mists of time. We'll go to the Porters in Macclesfield. I tell you this only as an excuse to link to this frankly hilarious game where the landlady of our very own pub fends off the evil council men by bashing them on the head with a big stick. Strange but true.

I am giving up on sewing for tonight. I have a lovely little batch of dolls and rabbits which are nearly there, but I just reached that 'bit tired' stage where the thread does nothing but catch, the tension is never right, and the bobbin runs out right in the middle of a complicated manoeuvre. Have called it a day.

Goodnight folks, hope you all have a fab weekend x

It's oh so quiet...

2007-10-17T12:34:00.000-07:00

Something strange has occured, and my house is all quiet, at half past eight. Baby, boy and fella are all fast asleep, which is really quite nice. I have been having a lovely time making some doll dresses from one of my all time favorite fabrics, this beautiful liberty print babycord...

It came from a lovely treasure trove of a fabric shop, the fent shop, which lives just down the hill from me and which I just can't stay away from. I'm just getting to the end of my stock of this fabric, and they haven't any left either boo hoo.

Had a bit of a thrill today meeting the domestic goddess herself, and getting my well thumbed copy of Feast signed. I became pitifully starstruck and as you can see here, a bit pink and giddy...

While I was there I spotted a few books that I crave. I know they say don't judge a book by it's cover, but I just can't help it, you know what I mean:

So pretty!

So tomorrow I am on a mission to find the perfect pumpkin, and are venturing to the potting shed. Looking at their website, I think we might be on to a winner! I'll keep you posted x

Hey Hey Hey

2007-10-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

Oh my this is so exciting, my very first blog! I'm a recent convert to the wonderful world of etsy and I'm totally hooked. The only problem is that I keep wandering off track and lusting after things like these little madam dolls from Belle and Boo, and this yummy bag from knitwits. Oh well, what better way to spend a grim gray day? I've been geting in the autumn vibe with my pippi doll...

and have been busy doing some knitting for my babes. Check this out, how cute, but how much will she hate these photos when she is a teen!

Toodle Pip