naughty little epoch

2012-01-15T08:25:00.000-08:00

I love the Eduardo Paolozzi tiles in Leicester Square tube. It's so nice to see them again since it reopened. They inspire me to make things of my own (just things).

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! Here are the cards I made.

creatures

2011-12-09T05:50:00.001-08:00

I'm captivated by the symbol of strength in the lion, what a creature. This applique panel forms part of a larger wall hanging I'm working on. I've been inspired by Inuit textiles to use different embroidery stitches to give texture to the piece.

This book is called 'Northern Lights: Inuit Textile Art from the Canadian Arctic', by Katharine W. Fernstrom and Anita E. Jones. Its a lovely, inspiring book that looks at the Inuit textile tradition, profiles several of the artists and also provides diagrams of many of the embroidery stitches used. I love the use of applique and embroidery together.

I also recently learned how to needle felt as an embellishment, so really look forward to incorporating that into something.

Here are a couple of prints I made on my print course. Now that I look at the picture above and the print below I see a parallel there too! Which is funny because the print is adapted from a drawing I did before I saw this book.

This was intended to be this years Christmas card, but I've made a different one in colour that's better I think. I'll show you next week, they're in the drying rack at the print studio!

Printing

2011-11-18T13:48:00.001-08:00

First evening at East London Printmakers. I'm doing the Experimental Linocuts with Japanese Vinyl course with Wuon Gean Ho. It's so great to learn a new kind of creative expression. The vinyl is softer than lino so is easier to carve. Wuon Gean told us that in Japan it is sold everywhere and many people make their new year cards this way. What a lovely thing to do.

Am still sewing!

2011-11-13T03:57:00.001-08:00

House coat for winter.

the scattered thoughts of the Wild Man

2011-07-31T11:24:00.000-07:00

and...

I made this for Nadia's Birthday.

out put

2011-07-17T02:39:00.000-07:00

Very different random creations...

WI at the Feastival

2011-07-10T12:53:00.000-07:00

I made this V&A WI banner to represent our group. I think I missed the design brief though!

craft crush 2

2011-07-10T11:53:00.000-07:00

new craft crush

2011-04-27T03:30:00.000-07:00

I got back to my desk from lunch a few months back, and there was a little package waiting for me. It was a tatting shuttle, bobbins and yarn, left for me by my colleague Juanita! Another colleague, Tina, gave me a lunch time lesson, and before you know it I've got a whole new addiction!

Thank you so much Juanita and Tina!

taking part

2011-04-04T14:26:00.000-07:00

Just took part in Craftaganza. It was so much fun. Massive congratulations to Zoe, Steph and Lisa, it was such a success. Check out Zoe's post, she takes seriously good photos and knows how to blog gad dang it!

dragonfly

2011-01-28T12:02:00.000-08:00

Beaded for a lover of insects.

cards

2011-01-23T10:56:00.000-08:00

Related links anticlockwise from top: Wolfram Lohr, Maxine Sutton,

Emily Maude, u old bag, Betony May

I love collecting cards and postcards from artists and crafts people, as well as other ephemera like greetings cards, tickets and programs. I'm all for collecting for collecting's sake, but there are lots fun things to be made out of the interesting card and paper we keep whether out of nostalgia or because we like pretty things. How about making a tiny building or a beautiful crocheted gift card box?

These are from the 'fortune telling machines' at the penny arcade at Carters Steam Fair which is an amazingly restored vintage fairground. Actually, I think the middle ones were from the 'x-ray' machine!

Vintage playing cards, Rider Waite Tarot cards, Mexican Lotería cards.

I can see why playing cards are such a collectible item. I've been reading a lot about tarot lately, what an intriguing world of symbolism! To see some really amazing playing cards check out this link to the playing cards in the V&A's collections.

fish stock

2011-01-17T13:36:00.000-08:00

(brooches)

and cactus juice...

(detail on bag)

away day

2011-01-03T16:11:00.000-08:00

It was lovely to be with Zoe and Harriet. I hope there will be more good times together to come.

Also check out this amazing blog 'Robyne Melia is Bobby La', inspiring stitching!

winter scene

2010-12-26T07:15:00.000-08:00

December...before

...and after!

Hope you all had a stupendous Christmas! xx

vintage fabric

2010-11-07T09:56:00.000-08:00

Looking for vintage fabric? Try 'It's Divine, Mr Pearce', he has some lovely vintage finds, some large enough for garments and some good value smaller pieces that are begging to be put in a patchwork!

One thing I've found out though, is that blogging and patchwork don't go well together; you can sew for weeks and it still doesn't look much different to the last picture you took! Maybe Amy will post a picture of the beautiful quilt shes making? I hope so, it's amazing!

it's that time of year again

2010-10-03T04:16:00.000-07:00

Holiday snaps!

I find holidays a great time of renewal for the creative process. It is good to enforce a break in doing and making, and fill up on inspiration. New landscapes and cityscapes, museums and markets, are a feast for the imagination. I found myself sketching all sorts of new ideas. It is funny though how these look when you get home. Some of them still interest you while others seem impossible to achieve.

The other great part of a holiday is when you return and feel a renewed appreciation for home. How nice it is to sit at the sewing machine again. (I have discovered what my leg pain is! I didn't get it on holiday but as soon as my right foot hit the sewing machine 'pedal' there it was! Sewers RSI!! The left foot is now learning to sew.)

supper for two in another dimension

2010-09-05T06:58:00.000-07:00

make my patchwork perfect

2010-09-05T06:56:00.000-07:00

I got this in a charity shop for £1.49. How did they decide on that price and who new it would be such a good read? It was written in the early seventies when, in America, there was a resurgence in the popularity of quilt making. The author talks about America's modern reality at the time (consumerism, Vietnam), and how quilting represented a reconnection with something 'still admirable and untarnished in American history'. But best of all I like the way Gutcheon describes the early settlers' bringing pattern and form into quilting that was born out of necessity, because supplies of everything were scarce. Women made something beautiful 'so their souls would have something to live on'.

feathers and scales

2010-08-08T10:11:00.000-07:00

New brooches; see them in my etsy shop soon! Hope you've had a wonderful weekend.

molas

2010-07-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

I was at work the other day thinking about how many more conference proceedings I had to catalogue, when my colleague Merryl came to my desk with a her beautiful collection of Molas.

These textile panels are made by the Kuna, an indigenous people of Panama and Colombia. They are made using appliqué and reverse appliqué (reverse appliqué! I have only just entertained the idea in my own sewing up to now).

Now as I look closely at these pieces I notice two things, firstly they are sewn by hand, and secondly both the appliqué and reverse appliqué are hemmed (tiny hems on all the tiny details!). For so long I have wondered, am I crazy trying to hem all my applique? Am I trying to do impossibly small hems or will I improve with practice? Well it seems that it can be done, and with such precision. I will persevere!

Also, I found out from the wiki that mola means "clothing" in the Kuna language. These beautiful works of art are for wearing!

Thanks so much for showing me these Merryl!

weather's too good for blogging

2010-07-10T09:10:00.000-07:00

...and too good for sewing (well almost). So I don't have much to show you. Mostly I've been lounging around in the garden and on Hamstead Heath.

Hope you are having wonderful summer fun!

weekends

2010-06-07T14:40:00.000-07:00

As I was walking to Hampstead Heath on Saturday I found Kristin Baybars. I don't know what to tell you except you have to go there, it is a magical, miniature, place of wonder. I didn't have my camera but others have taken photos, like parimauk. Sometimes you just don't know what you're gonna find, or how it is gonna inspire you. 7 Mansfield Road, London NW3 2JD.

And if you fancy a swim, Amy you are right, the lady's pond is as happy a place as you'll find in London!

worn

2010-05-31T04:22:00.000-07:00

It took me a while to make this, I am slow, but it is nice to make something I can wear. And it actually has been worn. The very next day after finishing it (yesterday) I wore it for a cake date with my friend Julie. Success!

Lately, I am particularly drawn to garments that have some kind of gathering detail, especially to the neck. I'm not sure why; it isn't always the most flattering. The fabric here is some kind of synthetic crepe I guess. I'm not certain because I bought it in a second hand / vintage store ages ago. I liked the fabric so much that it took me a long time to use it, which seems silly but I'm sure you understand.

This project does make me see why so many people say you should stick to natural fibers, but I do like to buy second hand so can't always be that choosy. Anyhow I love the soft grey and the burgundy leaves.

craft demos

2010-05-26T12:36:00.000-07:00

Here's me doing a craft demo for the V&A's 'Members Week'. I met all sorts of wonderful people that were so encouraging and inspiring. In case you took my card: it was lovely to meet you!

new family member

2010-05-09T14:07:00.000-07:00

She needs a bit of work. I've managed to reattach the zig zag control to the automatic assembly but there is something else not quite right. Luckily help is at hand at the necchi sewing machine club (I'm not kidding), who new the Necchi is loved by so many!

I hope they can be friends!

If you're a sewing machine geek too, you gotta visit the needlebar, zigzaggers and vintage sewing machines. enjoy!

fox among the cherry blossoms

2010-05-01T07:25:00.000-07:00

bathing beauties

2010-04-29T13:52:00.000-07:00

Southend Central Museum is putting on an exhibition of bathing suits, this summer, covering 150 years of beach wear; Life’s A Beach – An exhibition of beachwear from the collections 7 August – 2 October 2010. These fabulous photos are of Mrs. Plume, the donor of the collection, wearing some of her bathing costumes.

Aren't they beautiful? It just makes me so excited about the summer, I love the beach, and this just made me think of a wonderful sunny day last year, spent in Leigh-on-Sea, in the best company possible. Southend Central Museum, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6, www.southendmuseums.co.uk tel. 01702 347418.

I heard about this via the Dress and Textile Specialist Newsletter, because we get it at work, and it dawned on me that there are many lovers of vintage fashion out their who may not know of it, so I hope you enjoy it.

bit busy

2010-04-11T11:55:00.000-07:00

It was about time I made something to wear, so this is what I did all Sunday.

blue giant

2010-04-06T13:16:00.000-07:00

tree stump pillow

2010-04-03T02:57:00.000-07:00

As the moustache and beard necklace how-to was such a success (everyone in London seams to be wearing one!), I thought, surely everyone will want a tree stump pillow in there home. So here's how:

Draw your tree stump on some tissue paper in the size you would like your pillow, cut it out and then cut out the semi circular pieces for the top and branch top.

Pin the paper pieces to the desired fabric and draw around the edge with tailors chalk or pen, cut the fabric double over if you want both sides the same. Leave about a 1.5 cm seam allowance. You can now begin to machine embroider your tree rings using a very close, narrow zig zag stitch. I kept the last ring at the same spot in relation to my sewing machine foot in order to keep the rings evenly spaced

Next draw on your bark design using chalk (my pen ran out), and machine embroider using a close zig zag or a fancy stitch if you've got them. Fold the seam allowance over at the top of the main stump and tack in place, you will need to snip into the curve a bit so it lets you curve the fold. Attach the main part to the top with a tacking stitch.

Do the same with the small branch top. Over stitch these edges using the close zig zag stitch. Repeat everything so far if you want the other side to look the same, or if like me you've lost interest a bit, pin your tree stump onto a different fabric (this is good for 'stash busters') right sides together, and cut around the edge.

Sew the two together, leaving a gap at the top for stuffing. Snip the corners and notch the curves. Turn right side out and begin to marvel at just how realistic it really is! Stuff with kapok, or as I have, open up an old pillow and re-use the stuffing.

Sew up the gap with a small over stitch and bob's your uncle! Hours of woodland pleasure.

P.S. I hope I don't have to use the word 'stump' in another blog post for a long long time.

moving

2010-03-28T09:15:00.001-07:00

We just moved house. It's nothing like this darling one, this was made by elukka, but it is nearly as cute.

The best bit about unpacking is arranging your sewing things ....

Then you can make something nice for your new place. Especially if the couch is less than impressive!

Then you can put your feet up, have a cup of tea and look at your sewing machine from a completely new perspective.

in print

2010-03-06T09:53:00.000-08:00

Work recently asked me to sew a small quilt for a Times article, 'Make your own Emin cat quilt', to promote the upcoming V&A exhibition, Quilts 1700 - 2010. I was asked to use squares of V&A Fabrics mixed with plain colours of my own and Tracy Emin's cat motif appliqué to illustrate the instructions provided.

Seeing this in the paper reminds me of when I was about 10, I was at my friends house and her mum was looking at the local paper. She said 'oh look there is a girl on a pony!' I looked at the picture and it was me! (I had won a Rosette in a fancy dress gymkhana). As 10 year olds we found this hilariously funny. How I wish I had kept that clipping too.

landscape with mandrake

2010-02-14T12:41:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, I like to 'read my fortune' in my coffee grounds. This works best with the thick Turkish coffee, but if you let the silt in your mug settle and pour the liquid carefully away, little pictures appear. It often looks like a landscape to me, but a few weeks back I drew a sketch of what I saw.

Rick said 'it's a mandrake!', I had to look this up. It turns out to be quite a curious thing. So for the last few weeks I have been turning this little vision into something I can hang on the wall...

time off work is good for you

2010-02-07T09:17:00.000-08:00

After Christmas I had an extra week off. So this is what I can get done when I don't have to report for duty at the museum!

2010-01-30T11:55:00.000-08:00

Zoe at So, Zo has given me the kreativ Blogger award y'all! Thanks Zo!

S0, as is the rules.. here are 7 things you may not know about me:

1. I love MMA (mixed martial arts) and snooker (watching), and dancing (doing and watching). I have been going to dance classes at Pineapple for about a year. It is SO much fun.

2. I've been married 9 years! which maybe makes me sound a bit old but I was only 25 when I married this smokin' hot sweet heart:

3. I lived in New Zealand for 5 years. I miss the wilderness, but living there I learnt to appreciate what is good about home.

4. I work at the V&A Museum. Nothing glamorous, just administration, but I love working there. I get so much inspiration and my office gals are da bomb.

5. My family call me Mimi!

6. As a kid I used to ride show ponies. I got to compete all over the country so did a lot of travelling and basically lived for riding.

7. I have a degree in Anthropology.

Here are 7 blogs that I think deserve the award:

1. cargo cult craft

2. christine's sketchbook

3. Fables and Foxes

4. Lucy Cheung

5. mairuru

6. ullabenulla

7. zigzaggers

I'm glad you're all blogging, you make me happy.

for Christmas

2010-01-10T04:49:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of the presents I made:

kabuki?

2009-12-02T13:57:00.000-08:00

Noh!

shooting stars

2009-12-02T13:53:00.000-08:00

Christmas decorations to send instead of cards.

something finished

2009-10-25T09:05:00.000-07:00

Still life with lemon?

2nd hand round-up - fabric and things

2009-09-20T03:36:00.000-07:00

I especially Like the 'flapper girl' fabric, any suggestions as to what the hell to make with it though? Wood grain effect wallpaper on the other hand has a million applications.

burda

2009-09-18T12:30:00.000-07:00

Fame! That lady's got my blouse on hahahaha. And here is more from naughtylittlepony on burda!

owl man

2009-09-12T05:23:00.000-07:00

Latest member of the troupe.

holiday snaps

2009-09-12T04:59:00.000-07:00

Just got back from Cornwall. I want to move to St Ives now! (Last year I wanted to move to Paris)

made in colour

2009-08-16T14:12:00.000-07:00

All of these are made by me except for the stripy bangles which are recycled plastic. You can buy them here.

she ran away

2009-08-10T12:23:00.000-07:00

...to join the circus.

collections

2009-08-08T09:46:00.001-07:00

New blogs to watch: LUCY CHEUNG and A Chymical Wedding. Also, hours of burning my eyes out staring at etsy has made me want this and this.

it's a mountain

2009-07-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

..yeah, I can see that!

it's a brooch.

oh.

incognito

2009-07-26T02:59:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning wanting to make jewellery that could really enhance / change my persona. Such a success was the result, that I thought; who could not want to make a beard and mustache necklace? So here's how!

Choose your style! Sketch it out life size, and fold down the middle, that way when you cut out one side, the other will match. Don't forget to include a 1cm seam allowance. Pin two layers of fabric and a sheet of wadding together, and use your template to mark the out line with chalk.

Cut out the pieces.Sew 1cm from the edge with the wadding on top.Your sewing machine might try to eat the wadding if you have it underneath, mine would.

Clip corners and cut notches in curves. Turn outside in...

...using a pin to pull the corners out fully. Sew up the gap.

If you have fancy stitches on your sewing machine, chose one to quilt the pieces, giving them added texture. Once they are sewn together, attach ribbon to the ends of the mustache.

Ta da! It's a necklace... ...and a cunning disguise.

hello goofy

2009-07-11T07:12:00.001-07:00

Some photos just come out funny; why do I look like such a mutant? This fabric was bought from the same lady as the blouse a couple of posts down. Thank you lady. The pattern is from the May edition of Burda magazine.

Today I have been working on my patchwork:

I'm finding it a bit 70's.

ginger

2009-07-04T09:15:00.000-07:00

This is Ginger. He is old. He is the same age as me, but that is really old in bear years. When he was young he had a proper sticking out snout. As you can see his muzzle is very worn exposing the stuffing. When I was little my mum would sew on new felt, on his muzzle and paws. Now I am grown (promise) and call my self a sewer, so why can't I bring myself to do it?

tiny

2009-07-02T15:16:00.000-07:00

everyone loves a new born.

computer 1, sewing 0

2009-06-29T11:31:00.000-07:00

The thing about the computer is; all that inspiration, and new sewing skills.
I just want to make cute little sarubobo all summer long, thank you mairuru for sharing your amazing sarubobo tutorial, I can't wait to make some.

The thing is... since I got my laptop, I have done exactly no sewing. Not a stitch. I hope it wears off, but if it doesn't, luckily I got a lot done having not been distracted these last few months.

Here is something I knocked up earlier. Much earlier...I got this fabric for 50p! at a car boot sale. I wish I could live at the car boot. Kind of like joining the circus. Which might also be good.

2009-06-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

My last post was in Febuary, which tells me that it has been about four months now that Rick (husband) has been addicted to Darkorbit. So here is my new laptop...
and to celebrate, look how tidy my fabric is! Which makes perfect sense. Glad to be back online.

doin's and fidlin's

2009-02-08T05:25:00.000-08:00

Well as usual I'm trying to do too much all at once, and my sewing machine is being rather moody so I thought I would spend some time in cyber space. Actually the computer was free, I pounced. Here are some recent doin's and fidlin's.

First of all I finished my trousers. They are really warm, just what is needed in these arctic conditions.

Second, I finished a fox necklace which was requested after the first one sold at the xmas fair.

and because it will probably never be finished, I though I would show the work in progress of my cross-stitch odyssey:

Lastly, I nearly went to the Hayward to see this exhibition yesterday:

Good job I didn't, it doesn't open till March. So that is my pick for March!

hanky

2009-01-17T11:33:00.000-08:00

It's one of those times when I'm sewing so many things at once that I've got nothing finished to show. Except for this little hanky made especially for HS!

something for someone

2008-12-21T10:13:00.000-08:00

I'm going hell for leather trying to finish my Christmas presents and then I spend the whole day making the most time consuming thing I could think of, for someone I've only met once!

Wow, it looks huge! but it is only as big as your thumb and is a brooch.

And in case you fancy seeing, here are some picks from the yard sale. That was a blast and quite interesting to see what people like (they all wanted the same two things!).

Lastly, to all the lovely people who visit with me here and inspire me with their lovely blogging: have a happy and peaceful holiday and new year!

Roksanda Ilincic

2008-12-03T11:38:00.001-08:00

Being one Rather Lucky Lady, I got to see my first real live fashion show, and it really was inspiring.

© Victoria and Albert Museum, London

© Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Fashion in Motion is the V&A's endeavour to 'bring catwalk couture to a wider audience'. Such a great idea.

mobile

2008-12-03T10:55:00.000-08:00

I made this mobile for Eddie; my friend's baby. The sewing was just fun but when it came to assembling it I was at a bit of loss. It is tricky to get the weight right, and get it all to balance. But once you get it right and the little birds all start bobbing on their axis it is the most satisfying thing!

The whole experience has made me want to check out the Calder mobiles that are on show at the Royal Academy of Art at the moment.

Yard sale

2008-11-29T05:03:00.000-08:00

This coming Friday I'm gonna be selling a few sewn things that have piled up around he place, some bags, some necklaces and a few hangings, at the Open Studios at Pullens Yards. My brother in (not)law, has a studio at the Iliffe Yard - Structure workshop. He is a structural engineer. But Friday night he is clearing out and me and my hubby are moving in (for one evening). Rick is gonna have some of his photos up. The address is Iliffe St and Crampton St SE17 3LH Elephant and Castle tube). There will be all kinds of artists and crafts people opening their studios, can't wait to take a peek.

www.pullensyards.co.uk

www.iliffeyard.org.uk

fancy stitch

2008-11-06T12:13:00.000-08:00

These are the presents I made for my ladies in Barcelona. It was so much fun going there to deliver them. They come under the heading of "things made using the fancy stiches" on my husqvarna.

There she is.

Thank you Zoe, for taking the fantastic photos of these necklaces, you're the best. And so are you Harriet, too.

works in progress

2008-10-25T11:22:00.000-07:00

The cloud and lightening are going to be a brooch, the bird will form part of a mobile, but it is funny how you put something down to pop to the loo, and you come back and they have made their own mind up, and have made themselves a picture.

Here is another one. Made by me.

stag land

2008-09-10T04:27:00.000-07:00

I started this post intending to talk about stag imagery in art; how you see this symbolism everywhere lately, and animal symbolism generally. I was going to say something about fleetness and strength, and I had a bunch of nice images to use to show what I mean. But actually, considering I didn't even remember to look at the name of this sculpture, I'm just gonna say, I love this thing! I walk past it everyday and I enjoy the hell out of it. Look at this guy, he's so jaunty and proud.

I haven't done a lot of posting lately and I'm not gonna apologise because it is no great loss in the scheme of things. But I will say that I've got stuff coming...it's not that exciting, but it's coming.

In the meantime, here's this:

by me.

Wanted

2008-09-08T13:12:00.000-07:00

Come to me little campers. Don't you love them. If I can't find better in Spain (good shoes can be found there) these beauties are mine.

blue bird

2008-09-04T11:27:00.000-07:00

by teaandcake.

lady love

2008-08-12T15:36:00.000-07:00

Hanne Hukkelberg, Regina Spektor, Leslie Feist.

gift gathering

2008-08-12T12:47:00.000-07:00

A little danish dish. And some decals designed by Camilla Engman and bought from third drawer down. I just love those decals, it will be hard to gift them.

2nd hand round-up

2008-08-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

This is a mix of op-shop and car boot shopping. The first two African prints were spotted by my dad, well done dad, car boot pro! The other fabric is black and green graphic ikea print, some rupert the bear curtains, and some other blousey kind of fabric. Lastly, more table wear as if it's needed. See, this is what happens when I've got time on my hands.

sewn lately

2008-07-21T04:59:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of things that I've sewn lately:

And here is something that has inspired me lately:

Painting by artist Matthew Palladin via Meighan O'toole's blog - my love for you is a stampede of horses.

at the V&A.

singer

2008-06-10T12:53:00.001-07:00

No more hand sewing button holes. No more straight stitch only. Thanks for the good advice EmilyKate

draw life

2008-06-10T12:35:00.000-07:00

The Candid Arts Trust has a drop-in life drawing class every Monday and Tuesday, and a very nice cafe too. Who wants to draw on an empty stomach anyway. I really recommend this class though, nice roomy space.

atoms

2008-06-07T00:23:00.000-07:00

The other day I went to an exhibition called 'From atoms to patterns', at the Wellcome Collection. In 1951 a group of x-ray crystallographers and designers collaborated for the Festival of Britain and produced an amazing range of designs, mostly in textiles, based on complex atomic structures. It is well worth a visit to see these creations that have been in the vaults of the V&A for over 50years!

Oh, and here are some purchases from a recent shopping trip, the blue fabric (which is actually purple in real life) has a little of the feel of the atomic patterns, I think.

trousers

2008-06-01T05:57:00.000-07:00

From now on I will not need to search for trousers. I'm gonna make my own. I don't like clothes shopping that much unless it is op-shopping!

creations

2008-05-24T07:50:00.001-07:00

Here are some things I've been making recently. I am working on some pants at the moment. I've been posting these 'creations' on Burdastyle. This site is addictive (I was warned).

op-shop finds

2008-05-24T07:46:00.000-07:00

lunch

2008-05-24T07:37:00.001-07:00

Here is my first "here's what I had for dinner" post, (loathed by some, loved by me). I love it when my favorite bloggers post about food. Anyway this is lunch. Plus homemade limeade with mint.

op-shop buy

2008-05-08T11:06:00.000-07:00

I love yellow! (£3.50)

Leigh-on-sea

2008-05-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

I went to Leigh-on sea, on a beautiful sunny day, to visit Zoe. It was so much fun. Just look at this jacket that she made! It is the best jacket I ever saw.

chicken or egg?

2008-05-04T09:46:00.000-07:00

I thought of the wonderful Zoe when I sew this fabric, being rather partial to the African prints. Something makes me want to cut the chickens out, maybe just a couple.

animals in their natural habitat

2008-05-04T09:38:00.000-07:00

Some applique featured on the bags I've been making. Soon to be available for purchase. Well, perhaps.

op-shop finds

2008-05-04T09:34:00.000-07:00

£7.50 spent.

Mr Bojangles

2008-05-04T09:29:00.000-07:00

I finally finished my knitted panda (we called him Mr Bojangles) just in time for my nephews 2nd birthday. Sorry for this dark little photo, before eyes sewn on, cute one coming with my nephew included.

And here it is.

bunny

2008-04-10T08:17:00.001-07:00

GOT to love it. Wawaya.

beads

2008-04-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

There was a time when I spent hours threading tiny little seed beads; weaving them together. It was ritualistic and obsessional, I loved it.

spring

2008-04-06T11:15:00.000-07:00

Just when you think spring has sprung, this happens...

and then by the evening...

just a little green

2008-04-05T00:29:00.001-07:00

...like the colour when the spring is born.

Easter

2008-03-24T11:21:00.000-07:00

Glorious Sunday lunch, snow, and the constant sound of daleks...."exterminate"; nephews obsession for the day. These are some of the eggs I painted for my sister, and here is the bag I made to put them in. I like the bag more than the present.

mountain scene

2008-03-15T16:10:00.000-07:00

Sketch for applique, possibly. Not sure how that would work. Need a new blue felt tip.

new necklace

2008-03-09T04:38:00.001-07:00

I was thinking of setting up an etsy shop in order to find homes for the things that I make when I didn't already have someone in mind. This necklace is one of those things. Also this is the first photo taken with my new phone. No more borrowing my sister's camera (thank you, my lovely sister).

website

2008-02-27T03:37:00.000-08:00

I created my website with little in the way of know-how, and I am already thinking of giving it a new look.
To look at the different pages you would have to click on the dice...

...or the different origami animals.

What fun it is, this dreamweaver.

cranes

2008-02-21T11:12:00.000-08:00

I will never grow out of felt tip pens and coloured paper.

green tea ice cream

2008-02-21T10:58:00.000-08:00

Does it taste better because of the green kitchen aid?
I could eat this all day everyday.
Fantastic recipe here.

the final at the Welsh Open

2008-02-17T09:48:00.000-08:00

Mark Selby.

Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Dreamy.

op-shop bargins

2008-02-17T09:24:00.000-08:00

Op-shop bargin 1. All from one shop, all for a few pounds.

Op-shop bargin 2. £10 the lot, including the burgundy fabric.

In this country, the term generally used is 'charity shop', but 'opportunity shop' has a much nicer ring to it. It's as though there could be a 'luck store' or a 'delight depot' just around the corner.

the disarray

2008-02-17T09:16:00.000-08:00

portobello road

2008-02-15T15:13:00.000-08:00

Lovely trinkets from the market, all for £2.

Cake from Hummingbird. The real reason for suggesting a day out around here.

Sebastiano. 15 Pembridge Road, 0171 792 3320.

muñeca

2008-02-11T12:20:00.000-08:00

The patron saint of the naughty little epoch. Isn't she lovely?