Bunny Building for the Future.

 I'm not one for New Years resolutions as such, after all no one ever keeps them do they? But I started the year with the desire to make a change. 

No more PROCRASTINATION!

How much time have I wasted in the past putting things off that really when it came down to it weren't all that difficult to do. How many times have I not known what to make, so I've made nothing! Sound familiar? Well I will do my best to change that this year. 

So far I have done a really big thing. Something that I usually put off and put off and put off, sometimes for months!

I made an appointment for a check up at the dentist!

Don't laugh! It's not THAT funny.

No, on a more serious note, I've already applied for...well I won't say how many...but more than a couple of craft/art fairs. I don't mean a little table in the local school hall kind of craft fair. I mean Yarndale-size 3-day event craft fairs! 

Well it seemed like a good idea at the time... my little fingers quite willingly tippety tapped on my keyboard filling in the application forms. I'm not quite sure how I'm going to pay for them yet though as they all want paying up front in the next few weeks even though the events may not be until the end of the year.

And of course there is the big question of what shall I make for them?

Actually you could maybe help me with that. What do you like to see at craft fairs? What draws you over to a stand for a closer look? 

Anyhow, with my new anti-procrastination rule and the need to earn some money to pay for the craft fairs I've knuckled down to bunny making! Ok they're not new but I thought it best to just get on and make SOMETHING rather than do the P word. So until inspiration strikes I'll be bunnying!

Creativity creates creativity...

hopefully!

I'll keep you posted ;)

love Fi x

PS.  Zelna Olivier - I tried to contact you but you didn't leave me your email. The lining goes in the crochet hexy bag last!

Wedding Garter

Did you guess what I was making?

It's been a long time since I made my first. I had to have a bit of practice with my bullion roses.

Now for the difficult bit...

 Embroidering bullions through gathered and elasticated silk...

 A little on the tricksy side...

 But I think it worked out....

 Beautifully!

 Let's hope the bride thinks so!
Fingers crossed!

Till next time
love Fi x

Toasty Toes!

Well they've started!...

2014's 'makes' Hoorah!

Yes the creativity is slowly starting to flow. I know its actually mid January and by now I should be zooming along but I was quite poorly over the new year so it's only now I feel I'm starting to rev up.

My first make of the year is this pair of thick slipper socks for me! Yes dear reader I am of the age now where I feel the cold, especially around the ankles! Why just the ankles I have no idea, it seems very strange to me but there you have it. I knitted these from the pattern Nola's Knitted Slippers which you can find on Ravelry. The pattern is on the Seamen's Church Institute site along with other patterns suitable for seamen, hats, scarves, socks etc. I have changed the pattern as I found that even though the socks are meant for a man they were too small for me even though I'm only a size 6! I must have been doing something wrong but I don't know what. I also changed the top of the sock from garter stitch to stocking stitch as I thought it looked neater.

  My first commission of the year and a very gentle one to start with. A pair of tiny booties.

 They really are teeny-tiny.

 I couldn't resist making a little gift box for them.

 All tied up with ribbon. Aaaaaah it makes your heart feel good.

 Next I ventured up into my attic workroom. This room also doubles up as a guest room and my son's room when he's home from university. I've not been in here since before Christmas! Oh how I miss my quiet little workroom when it's full of a big lolloping uni student, wired up to computers and consoles! lol. But it's all quiet and peaceful now. It's all MINE again.

Oh I've missed my fabric stash. I love opening the doors of this wardrobe and scanning up and down the fabrics. Today I'm looking for a quantity of silk dupion!

 My choice of threads and ribbons to go with the silk, all ready for my next commission. 

What is going to be?

Well you'll have to wait until next time dear reader.

love Fi x

2013 Round Up

 Hello my friends. Happy New Year! 

I hope it's a good one for all of you.

I thought I'd start 2014 with little round up of last years creativity. A little bit of closure as they say! So without further-a-do and in no particular order lets enjoy a little visual reminder.

I tried a bit of hand dyeing last year, not my most favourite of pastimes but needs must and all that. There was also some bunny making, some felted Dales scenes and a bit of make do and mend!

I embroidered little felt gardens onto greetings cards, created my first kits, made my Mum a needle case and I experimented with 3D felting.

I taught a couple of felting workshops, stitched fabric flower brooches and felted a field mouse! And I could never forget making nearly 100 felt flower brooches!

As usual plenty of handbags were created, some commissions, some not but all unique and often a little quirky.

I sold lots of printed greeting cards. More bags and a memory journal commission for a lovely young ladies 21st birthday.

A short foray into ribbon embroidered felt brooches, more bags and a felted Mr Fox. Don't forget one very cute Jack Russell felt.

More brooches, a hand knitted lacy shawl (which I am wearing at this very moment) a patchwork quilt commission and my first set of prints from my felt paintings. (must update my Etsy shop!)

Another little home made gift for Mum, a scissor keep. My crochet Christmas tree, one feltd wall hanging and an experience I could never forget...My stand at Yarndale 2013!

Well, I enjoyed that but I'm glad it's over and now we can get on with 2014.

Onward and upward I say.

I hope you'll all join me now and again so see what the new year brings. After all... it wouldn't be the same without you ;) 

love Fi x

A Crafters Christmas Tree, teehee!

 It's been a bit rushed...if you don't count the four years it's been a project in waiting! lol. But 2013 has finally been it's year. 

What is it? 

Well it's woolly, and it's round. It's tall and it's green. And it won't be to everyone's taste but it suites me down to the ground.

It has sparkly bits,

and big woolly pompoms.

It's my crafters Christmas Tree.

The family have been surprisingly complimentary about it, but then I suppose even a crochet Christmas tree is better than no tree at all. It still needs a few more pompoms but it'll be a lot easier to pack away than the usual type.

I cannibalised a small lampshade for the top so that I could pop it over our standard lamp base as I didn't want to hang it from the ceiling. When I take it off after Christmas it should collapse down nice a flat. Bish-bosh done!

Merry Christmas

love Fi x

Edited to add: I can't take any credit for the idea, it came from a picture I saw on the Internet. You can see the original picture of a much more magnificent crochet tree on my Pinterest board - Yarny Goodness.

Foxy Fowler II

Hello or maybe it's time I said Merry Christmas! 

 Tis mighty dark and stormy here in the hills tonight. The tops of the fells have a dusting of snow...brrr.

Sneaky dog is curled up on the sofa next to me and I'm trying to resist my 3rd mincepie of the day.

 So... Let me introduce you to Foxy Fowler made with love and fluff.

 He's been designed for the lovely Rowena, to remind her of her Nan and a childhood memory of 'Foxy Fowler' a moth eaten fur stole! I'm sure you'd love the story but it's not my tale to tell unfortunately.

 He's not only a felted wool 'painting', I snipped and sewed him into a unique shoulder bag too. Lovely long handles as requested.

 And Autumnal shapes and colours.

Hmm I think he's spotted something interesting...

Maybe it's my Christmas cake, unwrapped for it's final 'feed' before the festivities!

Merry Christmas 

and

I look forward to seeing you all for a look back at 2013.

love Fi x

Violets and Pansies

 Hello my lovelies, I'm playing catch up with my posts again. I'm having trouble keeping up with life at the moment. It's travelling way too fast for me!

 This piece of felt (shown here at the start of the felting process) was a commission for the lovely Alison. She requested a small bag with a flap and a long strap to go across the body. And the theme was violets, pansies and anemones.

 So that's what I made her! 

 I have to admit I was stumped for a long time. 

Inspiration eventually came while out in the car one weekend. We passed a couple hill walking (not unusual here in the hills) and the lady was wearing a purple fleece and the gent was wearing bright blue trousers and there swinging back and forth between the two of them was a bright green plastic carrier bag (probably had their butties in it.) Any way that was all I needed, PING! 

Thank you Alison for being so patient with me and giving me room to wait for the creativity to flow.

 I think it was worth it.

Till next time

love Fi x