April Showers...

and then some.


Cor, blimey at the rate this rain keeps happening, we are all going to turn into water people, gills and everything. Mind I could do with some flippers might be a quicker way of getting to work. 


Anyway, my lovely readers, I've been sorting out the listings for the clocks, just waiting on a detail or two from my lovely partner in crime and then on May 1st, they will be going on sale. To say I am excited is an understatement. 


Though it has left a wee hole in my life, until the next round of collaboration with Heidi. Mind one thing I am not lacking lately is ideas, just lacking a bit of the time. So evening stitching will be returning again, and doodling on the train on my way into work. 


I've done no stitching, as of yet, this weekend but hope to post writing this post start diving in my thread boxes and sorting out something to do. 


My pocket mirrors will hopefully arrive next week and so I had really better get cracking with stitching the pouches they go in. I hope to all things fuzzy that they come out really well, the mirrors that is, always the worrying bit having things printed as its a little out of your control but fingers crossed they will be smashing. 


That's it for now, I hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday, and haven't gotten to wet today (if your in the UK)!

Want it Wednesday - Biccie Time

I am trying to be very, very good at the moment, limiting the amount of sugary goods I consume, but byjove its a bugger when all you crave is sugar. So I am going to deflect my sugar urges on to you good people by showing some biscuit goodness...go on I dare you to resist. 

Pink Iced Ring Screen Printed Cushion - whatnikkimade

British biscuits illustration - emilymackenzie

Tea Cup Biscuit Dunk Art Screen Limited Edition Print - sianuska

Biscuits Mug - BeckaGriffin

Citrus Fruit Slices 24 Biscuits - Coopscakes

Rainbow Cookies - wollyduck

Waving the Flag and Phew I am done

So some what of a busy couple of hours, just finished off making up the four clocks (see above) and even photographed them, several times over. Damn this ever changing light, one minute sunshine the next overcast and raining. Anyway, battle done and a well deserved cup of tea is in order. 

Only thing left now is for me to purchase a few more bits of packaging, clock hands. Miss Burton all the way over in Cambridge is just working on the copy and labels, as I type this blog post. It's all coming together nicely. And then in May they will be available to purchase along with the other collaboration piece.

I really do think a cuppa is in order. 

Before I toddle off to make one, I have to show you what I purchased this weekend, I couldn't resist the Jubilee edition of Marmite (Sainsburys) and this little patriotic tin (from Marks & Spencers - chocolate wasn't to bad either). This is really making me want toast and put up bunting!

Want it Wednesday - Stitching Goodness

Since I dipped my toe into the world of embroidery patterns, makes it sound very grand but what I've done is produced free little embroidery designs for people to stitch (personal use only...of course). I can't help but admire those who have been doing it for some time. So here are a selection of lovely patterns that people can purchase and a few links to other lovely blogs where you can download some patterns. 

This little lot are just bloody adorable...

Welcome Flower Spirals Spring Design - sewjenaissance

Laundry Day - alittlesweetness

Scandistitches - SeptemberHouse

Sweet Otter - wildolive

Not a pattern but a rather lovely kit by a very uber talented lady friend of mine,:

Basic Goldwork Purple Flower - Jen Goodwin Embroidery

Links:

Feeling Stitchy

&Stitches

1, 2, 3, 4...I am seeing double, double.

Just finished about 10 minutes or so ago part 4 of 4 of what I have been calling 'Cloud Boy' but its my working title, Heidi is currently working on the story to go with it, so the name will no doubt will change.

I am thrilled that the fourth is done, perhaps a little that it is the fourth one I have done anyone that knows me well knows that I don't do more than one thing I get bored easily. But it was a challenge and I was up for it, and hell the design is that cute I couldn't help but do four. In a day or so time they will be made up into clocks like the one at the bottom, and then ladies and gentlemen who have been following the collaboration will be on say from the beginning of May. I am excited.

And I think a cup of tea and a TED talk will be a perfect celebration. 

Little Home Planet - First Free Embroidery Design

This is the first, in what will become a series of free embroidery designs for anyone to use (personal only - no commercial use!). I will be releasing one design each month. You can stitch it in anyway you design, and for those who are a dab hand with a pair of scissors could also do a very mini appliqué. The designs are small so they will fit nicely in a 3" hoop.

Little Home Planet

Fancy having ago yourself? Then why not download the pattern.

Backstitch features heavily in this wee design, I've used it for stitching the ground, and details on the house, with freestyle stitching for the grass. A bright yellow chain stitch path leads up to a padded satin door, with a French knot handle. The roof is also padded satin with backstitch detailing, the eves a form of lazy daisy stitch. The world is your oyster, when it comes to stitches that could be used! 

I would love to see your versions, so why not join my Flickr group and show them off. Join the group by clicking here.

Please play fairly and remember to credit me and link back to my blog or website if you feature this design on your own site or blog. Otherwise I may be forced to release the hamsters on you.

Want it Wednesday - Hand Dyed Threads

This week, as I have been stitching in between being a little bit poorly is the lovely world of hand dyed threads, having just sorted out my own stash its probably time I got my hands on some of these lovely beauties. 

Embroidery floss hand dyed cotton "Leafy" - yarnplayer

Mystery Bag - 10 assorted mini-skeins of hand dyed cotton embroidery thread - therainbowgirl

Silk Embroidery and ribbon thread brown and beige Variegated Hand dyed threads with coordinated beads and sequins - NellsEmbroidery

hand dyed tatting thread / crochet cotton, size 30 - BathtubStudios

This weekend you will be able to download a free embroidery design!

Chocolate and more Snot

Your probably starting to get a little grossed out with my on going mention of snot, but I assure you it could be worse. Magic.FM seem to have this advert about the dangers of dogs eating slugs, they can get lung worm which is lethal, I am all for public warning messages but not when I am eating dinner. I say that and here I am talking about snot again.


I've got a stinking cold, and why the hell does that always happen when its the weekend, your on holiday over a bank holiday? Do you think it just lays dormant and then the moment it knows you have some time off it goes, 'RIGHT HO LADS, FORWARD SNEEZE' so yeah, feeling rather annoyed and sorry for myself. I am trying to ignore it though, doing a spot of crafting has helped me to just push on through it like the brave little solider that I am *cue sympathy music*. 


This has meant I have completed 3 out of the 4 'Cloud Boy' clocks, which means we are getting close to those going on sale. Can't wait for those to go to a new home, already have one person interested in one of them. Exciting.


And in between me working on the last one, I've knocked up these as mentioned in the last post:

A party for your nose

Arghhh Choo

Does exactly what it says on the tin....

And now it's time I curl up in a ball with tea, and yet more chocolate (I did say chocolate in the title) and possibly a hot cross bun, sounds like really bad innuendo. If you wish to purchase a tissue holder then nip over to Etsy, I will hopefully be making some more of these over the coming weeks. 

See you for my weekly Wednesday posting.

Snot and TED Talks

Surrounded by a sea of fabric and things...

I love Bank Holidays (who doesn't?), not because it's a chance to have more time in bed, eat lots and generally be lazy, although I plan on trying to do at least one or more of those things. But because its an opportunity for me to do what I want to do. And all I ever want to do is make things. My hands cannot be idle. Which probably explains why I do online roleplaying...typing into the night.

Today is no exception to this, I have a lot to do from my collaboration with Heidi, which is going great guns, to working on the new product line (really need to place that order next week) to revisiting an old favourite. I am back making tissue holders. I am generally reminded to make these when the hayfever season kicks in, its like my annual nasal reminder. Tissues and hankies are an old school way of dealing with that rather irritating of bodily fluids (sorry are you eating?) and yet I am often reminded on a train that so many of us forget to have them on us. No more I say, I simply cannot stand the sniffing, have one of these bad boys in your bag or pocket and never forget to fill it. Sniffing is in my top three list of reasons why I could one day be forced to use my scarf as a weapon. The other two you might ask are chewing gum with your mouth open and listening to music at a level that I can hear it but can't quite make out what it is. Never travel with me on public transport, its not pretty.

So this is what I am up to, from stitching skull and crossbones, to stitching snot. Stitching the word, and not with it...now that would be messy. Whilst I stitch like there is no tomorrow I am listening/watching out of the corner of my eye to TED talks. If you have ever wanted something to inspire you with a subject you least expect then listen to a TED talk.

What are you up to?

Bunting, pirates and snot...sounds like a recipe for a great party.

Want it Wednesday - Easter Tidings

I maybe at a point where I should have perhaps shunned Easter eggs but dammit every time I wanderer into a supermarket I end up making a beeline to the egg displays. Why is the chocolate better than any other time of the year? It think its the fact its thin, in some instances, and cracks up in a satisfying manner.


And there I go off onto a tangent, so whilst I think about biting the head off a Lindt Bunny I will live you some delightful Easter inspired gifts, which in a way almost suitable for the rest of the year.

250g Spring Easter Egg Buttons KittiesCloset

Felt food - 2 Hot Cross Buns - Piniopolis

Bunny Art Print Caramel Cuddles - Eastwitching

Adorable Easter Rabbit Greeting Card - RlynnPhotography

Fluffy Easter Chick dollhouse miniature - HummingbirdMiniature

Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter, and don't overdo the chocolate....

Missed Sunday, how about Monday?

Why hello there, I sort of managed to miss my usual weekend blogging, can't think why? But anyway, I've not really been up to a great deal post birthday celebrations last week, but I have been beavering away with the stitching. Above is the completed version of what I've been calling 'cloud boy' number 2, only another 2 to go and that mini series will be complete. I hoped, however, to get really cracking with number 3 but the stitching yesterday wasn't all that great, and some days you do have to put it down and walk away and that's pretty much what I did. Thank Merlin's fuzzy beard for tea.

I will aim to get the third complete this week. This is the plan. Thankfully have the whole of the Easter Weekend to make a dent in it as well as a couple of other new bits and pieces (fingers crossed).

On a side note I've still not heard from my winner of the competition, is there a problem posting on here? I know in other blogs people have been having issues with this, can someone post a test comment or something for me? Report back to me on my Facebook page if there is a problem. The winner was OLIVIA280177 and they posted a comment here on my blog originally. Please do step forward because if I've not heard from you by the 10th then I will draw again, and that would be a shame.

And that my friends is about it, don't forget I will have another  'Want it Wednesday' post this week and I am feeling all warm and fuzzy about Easter.