Allow me to introduce...

For some time now I've had an idea buzzing through my head, and despite last Saturday feeling like I didn't want to see my sewing machine for a long time, by yesterday I was itching to make something!

And that something is a pincushion (my idea is for a range of pincushion people!).

This is my first attempt at a prototype

it does have a certain charm about it but the head is too small I think. The face and hair is drawn on this one but will  be embroidered.

So, I made another template, this time with the same size body but a larger head.

As you can see I didn't even finish this one as I just wanted to see if the proportions were right.

A bit rough around the edges, but this is the design I'm going with...

PENELOPE

definitely need to work on that face (same size eyes would be a good start!).

The idea is to have different faces, hair colour, clothing etc and they will all have a name, possibly embroidered on them somewhere.

What do you think to sticking pins in 'people'?

I have more trouble sticking them in 'animals' myself - wonder what that says about me?!!

Have you had a crafty weekend?

Thanks for visiting

xXx

This picture sums up how I felt at 2.30pm on Saturday....

"it's over and it was a success"

Thank you for all your comments.

I am so looking forward to having a month or so off from craft fair organising (next one 19th July).

Watch out for my return to blogland!

xXx

Nearly There...

The Spring fair I am organising is tomorrow and I've had to accept that some things won't be making their way to the fair - kitchen candles (again - and I SO want to do these), lavender pooches and owls, embroidery art etc etc.!

This is a small selection of what I will be taking

This is the first fair I've organised alone (although I have had a lot of support and help from friends and family) and it's rather taken over my life, especially as I'm trying to embrace Facebook - a challenge that seems to be working though!

Wish me luck!

I'm looking forward to re joining you and your blogs after the fair.

xXx

A Warren of Bunnies

I've finally got my making mojo back (I was getting a bit worried as the next fair is the 5th April).

These are my latest makes - lavender bunnies, and one lavender kitty (prototype - hopefully more will be made soon). I'm rather loving them, hopefully others will too.

Organising the fair is taking up a lot of my time at the moment (the person I was organising the fairs with is unable to do it anymore) and seems to have dominated the year so far, I still have lots bunting and a fabric banner to make as well as all the paperwork, and things to make for my stall.

A lot of work, but enjoyable, creative work! 

Do you plan to sell at fairs this year?

What do you plan to make?

Thanks for visiting

xXx

She's Been A Wandering Again.... (or Unfinished)

Can it really be over a month since I last blogged? And I've had so much to blog about too - so many lovely vintage finds and gifts, breakfasts at Bill's, days out, catch ups with friends (and even a night away with Mr B) and new friends of the four legged variety to fall in love with. So many photographs taken with the intention of sharing!

What I haven't done a lot of is making things. Oh, I've started OK but finishing is another matter! 

Bags

(in an attempt to use some of my huge amount of fabric)

I've enjoyed making the bags bit but I'm putting off making the handles - a bit of a boring job for me.

Cards

Started well but just lost enthusiasm

Sewing project bag

Used my favourite fabric (the cross stitch one), enjoyed choosing the fabrics but again, fell at the last hurdle (handles).

Quilt as you go cushion

Will probably never finish this, love the fabric but it doesn't go with anything in my house plus, it's a bit puffy for my liking!

Bunting

This is to decorate the craft fair venue not to sell. I actually have a good reason this isn't finished - I need to measure the space.

There's probably even more that I've forgotten about and will stumble upon one day....

How is your making going at the moment?

Thanks for visiting

xXx

Sweet

Today we are having double glazing fitted here at the Bramble house. We've had draughty single glazed aluminium windows since we moved in more than 20 years ago. We had hoped to afford replacement wooden sashes at some point. That's never going to happen (currently over £20,000 for a terraced house!) we now realise, so have opted for UPVC in green on the outside to give the illusion of painted frames as a compromise.

It's cold here so I decided to do some baking to warm myself up and keep myself busy.

I subscribe to these chocolates (yes, you can subscribe to chocolate!!!) and get twelve 35g bags a month.

I have a bit of a backlog so wanted to bake something where I could use them up.

And this is the recipe I chose - I must be the last person on the planet to try it and I can see why people rave about it.
It took thirteen packets of the chocolate to make the cookies and they are very rich, and massive too!
I was looking forward to eating one with a cup of tea, but as I've been nibbling the broken bits and now feel in need of a lie down from an overload of sugar, I shall save that treat for later!
Have you tried this recipe?
What do you think of it?
As the double glazing is going to take five days to fit I'll have to think of other bakes to keep warm - maybe a slightly healthier one next time (or maybe not, I am going to be the teenagers favourite person this week if I carry on like this!!)
Thanks for visiting.
xXx

Reasons to be Cheerful

I have started this post so many times, in my head, on paper, the computer...

Like many people I struggle in the winter months with 'low mood' (and to be honest, at other times too).  This is why I blog less during the winter even though I plan to blog more in the run up to Christmas!

I don't think I'm a full blown pessimist but nor am I a raging optimist either - I'd like to change that so after reading this article

(don't forget you can click on the pic to enlarge)

I have been listing three things everyday that have made me happy.
Some days I have struggled to find three things, and that's not because good things haven't happened...

Here are some examples of good things that have happened recently:



  Breakfast in bed courtesy of Mr B
All of us eating dinner together
Two new magazines delivered
Sunny weather
A friend called in to see me at work
Got lots done at work
YB made dinner
Enjoyed Meet and Make
Saw a squirrel in the library garden
New follower on blog

Today's will be:



Received a new magazine
Listening to music (The Beautiful South) on my Christmas present radio and Ipod dock.

 Whether or not I'm listening to music is a good indication of how I'm feeling. I love a good sing along but don't play music if I'm really down but I'm going to change that because how could I fail to be cheered by a sing-song?
I'm hoping number three will be that Mr B didn't work late!


How do you cheer yourself up?

This isn't meant to be a glum post but a post about appreciating the little things in life and doing so more. I am lucky to have a lovely family, great friends, a nice job, somewhere safe to live and so much more. I just need to remember it more!

This postcard (bought because I love typography) has been in my kitchen for a year or more, it's about time I took more notice of it!!

Thanks for visiting.

xXx

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you all!

xXx

Beautiful...

I just had to share this beautiful image of a snowflake with you

click here to read the fascinating article and see more stunning images of snowflakes.

Have a cool (sorry!) day

Thanks for visiting

xXx



I'm in the mood...

..for Christmas!!

For the first time in weeks I actually feel well and have some energy. It's taken me until now to get into the festive spirit and today, for the first time this year, I feel jolly and Christmassy.

I've spent the day so far tidying and cleaning, and have even enjoyed it (maybe I'm not better after all!). Enjoying the housework has come as a massive shock to me for sure!!

I have just received the last of the five deliveries I had arranged for today as I knew I'd be waiting in for an engineer so I'm also feeling organised and, OK, maybe just a tiny bit smug!

I'd like to share with you the gorgeous decoration I received from the swap organised by the lovely Ladybird Diaries.

Joy, who has a fabulous blog and is a talented crafts person made me this crocheted hanging decoration. As some of you know I love crochet but can't crochet myself so this is perfect for me.

Apparently, Joy made her own sparkly yarn by mixing in shiny thread which I am very impressed by, and couldn't imagine how she'd done it until I saw the picture on her blog, and also how she managed to get a perfect round shape.

Joy also generously sent me a box of chocolates that didn't last long enough to be photographed!

This is what I sent to Joy

I'm off now to catch up with your news and then wrap some presents whilst the casserole for dinner cooks in the oven.

So, this is what it feels like to be organised - amazing!!

How are you doing with your preparations for Christmas?

Thanks for visiting

xXx