I Love Denim

Fox Cub Alert!

2012-02-01T18:57:00.000Z

The lovely Jackie sent me this charming photo of Freddie Falcon - I hope he's still keeping those other naughty foxes out of your house!

If you have any photos of my fabric creations in their new 'surroundings' it would be great to see them, I'd love to have an album so I can see where they've ended up!

Pardon My Appearance!

2012-01-22T21:56:00.000Z

It's been all change at the studio, Clare has moved out and I have taken on her space - all very scary for me! My DIY skills have been challenged and stretched to breaking point (I put up the dexion shelving in the centre of the photo all by myself, not bad for someone who once hammered in a screw because it wouldn't budge!), but I'm slowly getting there and hope to have everything sorted and arranged by the end of the month.

Hood - y - you do!

2012-01-12T15:29:00.001Z

I'm quite happy with this all in one 'bearinahoodie' pattern now, I'll put the old knitting machine back in its box for a while, making bear wear is less problematic worked in fabric!

You Light Up My Life!

2012-01-10T07:54:00.002Z

I don't think I told you this, it's that I love glitter, it makes me smile and I love using it on our Christmas cards. Here's another great video from Etsy all about gorgeous glitter!

Reely!

2012-01-08T20:08:00.000Z

We went out for a walk around Knightsbridge today and came across this nifty thread holder in a drycleaners.

Alan Measles

2012-01-07T18:41:00.002Z

During the Christmas holiday I managed to get some more work done on my little tapestry. I've still a little more to do, which is just as well because I'm not sure whether to make a mini cushion with it or stretch it over a frame.......

Merry Craftmas!

2012-01-01T16:37:00.001Z

Here are some of the lovely gifts I received this Christmas. All the heavy hinting worked this year resulting in some new sights and sounds to enjoy over the coming months! Maria made this cute teddy and tree decorations ahhh! The camera kit looks like it's going to be fun to make and I know I'm going to have a fine time sorting those buttons out! And hey, look at this special fold away bag complete with its own purse. Last but not least is this sweet knitting dolly to add to my little collection. Thank you!!!!! x x x

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-27T14:07:00.000Z

Sayonara

2011-12-14T08:28:00.001Z

We said goodbye to the lovely Kei last week, she's now back in Japan with her family after a long stay in the UK. I knew that she didn't have a lot of packing space so I gave her one of my miniature bears to tuck into a tiny space.

How Many More Days?

2011-12-09T12:58:00.001Z

My Latest Offerings

2011-12-06T11:58:00.001Z

I've now finished the button embellished denim snowflake baubles I started last week, together with some santa baby bears including my poor one legged sample bear ( I was a bit rough when turning her the right side out though....shame! They'll be for sale on Saturday at the Mangle Christmas Sale together with some of my other creations including bears, draught excluder sausage dogs and foxes.

Am I Too Early?

2011-12-01T15:51:00.001Z

It's the 1st of December, not long now before we put our Christmas stockings out for Santa!

Snow Way!

2011-11-30T13:38:00.001Z

I've started working on the above denim snowflakes using buttons that I've been holding onto for years.........I'm beginning to feel a little Christmasy now!

Christmas is a coming!

2011-11-19T23:09:00.001Z

Hello Hoodsie

2011-11-12T13:43:00.001Z

Here's one of my hooded bears, looking a tiny bit shy though!

Latest Project/4 - Finished

2011-11-08T21:02:00.001Z

Finished!!!! Yes I worked my socks off these past few weeks. I thought I'd give the other half this quilt as an anniversary present, we've been together all in all for 31 years and he is a bugger to buy presents for, so I thought I'd pull out all the stops and finish it in time. Here it is in its final stages (ha ha like a birth!)

Latest Project/3

2011-10-27T10:25:00.002+01:00

Winter is approaching so I'm stepping up my patchwork production because we need an extra layer on our bed as the cold nights draw in.., so far 44 blocks made, tons more to do!

What's A Girl To Do?

2011-10-20T17:07:00.002+01:00

Sometimes I really, really, really want to get a dachshund. When I get that feeling I go to my studio and create one and in this case two to keep each other company!

Latest Project/2

2011-10-16T17:37:00.001+01:00

When I get the chance I make a square or two for our log cabin quilt (possibly quilts) I've made about 25 squares so far, here are a few of the latest..

Into The Hoods

2011-10-13T22:25:00.001+01:00

I only had one day in the studio this week, I had a go at making a snorkel style hoodie as you can see from these samples. I also popped into one of our local haberdashers called Beyond Fabrics, it wasn't until I got back to the studio that I noticed how my threads had been cleverly packaged using a carefully folded page of a magazine, top marks to Beyond Fabrics, check them out here.

It's Catching!

2011-10-08T14:27:00.001+01:00

I thought I wouldn't be attempting another tapestry this decade until I saw this great kit at the British Museum. It's perfect - lots of delicious colours, a great design and what sold it for me - is it is only 7 inches by 7 inches - whoopeee - I'll be able to do it on the way to work on the tube! What's more is it's by Grayson Perry depicting his 'childhood teddy bear and god of his imaginary world' named Alan Measles after the boy next door and the bout of measles he had in his childhood - marvellous!
The photograph does not do the kit justice, the colours are much more intense.

Shut That Door!

2011-10-07T21:33:00.003+01:00

Went to a great exhibition that has just opened at the British Museum with the other half. I have a weird block with this artist's name where I get him mixed up with two other great artists with similar sounding names. So whose work did we see ?.....errrrrrr........Larry Grayson - no! Perry Mason - no! I mean GRAYSON PERRY, yes third time lucky, Grayson Perry. I love them all so I hope I will be forgiven!'

It is an inspirational exhibition that celebrates craftsmen past and present and their well honed skills. GP spent two years trawling through the British Museum's archives to choose work to go along side his latest work. Check out what the exhibition is about here, I highly recommend it if you're in town.

Here you can see GP's teddy (not his actual special ted) sitting on his throne, on a bike that GP rode on during a tour around Germany. His bear called Alan Measles features greatly throughout this exhibition.

Hoodwinked

2011-09-30T11:28:00.000+01:00

As promised, here are the hoodie-bear samples that I have been working on......

Fitting in Florals

2011-09-27T21:40:00.001+01:00

After my 'knitting Disaster Week', this week is turning out much better. Instead of knitting bear outfits I am making them out of fabric - needlecord in the above instance. They are not removable but are part of the bear design and are so much quicker to make than knitting! I'll show you the hoodie design that I have been working on when I get the chance.

Jeanius

2011-09-21T21:40:00.002+01:00

On the way home from work the other night, I caught a glimpse of that familiar blue out of the corner of my eye. I dragged the other half to get a closer look and discovered this installation ....

From a distance it looks like someone's put their washing out on a load of toothpicks, but on closer inspection the display has been carefully arranged to show this every day item at its best, these jeans look as if they are setting off on a campaign to take over the world, well Chelsea School of Art at least!
Here's a link to what it's all about http://www.catalytic-clothing.org/

Maz Baz Badge Collection

2011-09-17T12:04:00.000+01:00

I forgot to show you Maria's denim pocket holdall. I made it years ago when she was a girl, it has since become the repository for her badge collection. She is now on holdall numero 2, watch this space for her next collection.. . . . . . . . .

Voodoo Bear

2011-09-16T17:11:00.000+01:00

No, I haven't gone mad - although once or twice this week I've gone a bit loopy trying to work out how to knit a hoodie on my knitting machine! In this photo you can see where I've pinned a piece to a bear to check the fit. This if the fourth attempt at getting the pattern right, I might have to go back to my old method of making hoodies because this version takes sooooooooo long, although the back piece is quicker to knit, the front takes about 2 hours - a bit too long eh? Back to the drawing board!

Finished!

2011-09-12T21:10:00.000+01:00

One year and four months later I finally fiinshed the cushions for the birthday present tapestries that Maria and I worked on. Here they are in her new home in Nottingham sitting comfortably with Barbara's 'Ten Pence' cushion and Maria's orange patchwork.

Bear Faced Cheek!

2011-09-10T00:48:00.001+01:00

Went out to dinner tonight at Maggie & Richards place. Richard spotted this shy koala bear hiding in their dining table!

International Stock?

2011-09-08T23:07:00.001+01:00

Visited the folks and also popped into the local high street to look at the charity shops and such like. I also went to International Stock which is always amusing - check out the bizarre polar bear display. International Stock sells a wide range of fire & flood damaged/ end of line/bankrupt stock. I've visited it for years, when the girls were little i would stock up on stationery that must have been printed up in the 1960's, fuelling hours of imaginative play with old forms/stickers and chits from another era. Today I looked around and on offer was: about 100 child car seats, music sheets, instrument cases and violins, horse saddles, fishing tackle, doors, christmas decorations, tropical fish tanks and stuff that I couldn't recognise! Bliss!

Studio Study

2011-08-31T17:02:00.002+01:00

My studio is way up on the top floor of this block, my window is under the O and D of PLYWOOD. On my floor works Kim (see her work here) and Clare a talented costumier. On the other floors we have an interesting mix of artists, film makers, a carpenter and a seamstress. I feel really lucky to have such a great place to work - it makes me happy!

In Stitches

2011-08-24T13:33:00.003+01:00

I've been making small bears again, these have been cut out of jean pockets as you can see from the different designs of topstitching.

Knitting Knick - Knacks

2011-08-16T17:23:00.004+01:00

Pottering around Rye's charity shops I found this fabulously thick woolly blanket. I also picked up some more knitting accoutrements - there is always room for one more row counter!

Stone The Crows!

2011-08-14T14:03:00.003+01:00

I was a little bit concerned when I saw this saluting mouse on the way to Winchelsea Summer Fair, for a second I thought it was a nazi salute, but on reading a nearby notice discovered that there were other 'scarecrows' dotted around the village to look out for - must be a tradition around these parts!

I Missed You Sew Much!

2011-08-13T18:34:00.003+01:00

Yesterday we went to Bexhill, we've been going there for over twenty years now. There are quite a few charity shops around the town - I think we visited them all! There's a brilliant sewing shop there too that boasts two windows full of sewing machines old and new, made me feel a bit nostalgic for taking up sewing again. Above is a knitting needle gauge, I haven't seen a bell shaped one before -I'll add it to my collection.

Wool Whaddaya Know!

2011-08-11T16:21:00.002+01:00

I picked up these lovely old balls of wool today, to be added to the collection!

Denim Daughter

2011-07-30T17:32:00.004+01:00

Our daughter Barbara printed this fabulous denim fabric with Jaqui. its going to be transformed into bean bag covers for the her first show Girls + Zines at Tatty Devine on 236 Brick Lane, from 3rd August til 3rd September 2011. Barbara has been creating her own zines for a few years now, but this show is a showcase of girls zines from bedrooms around the UK and the world. It's been quite interesting seeing numerous handmade and decorated envelopes that have been coming through our letter box over the past few weeks, I think we will be in for an interesting show!

Prick Your Finger

2011-07-29T12:50:00.003+01:00

Today I popped into 'Prick Your Finger', even though it's just up the road from my studio I don't visit often enough. Rachael and Louise whose venture it is are two very inspirational ladies, they are usually up to their eyeballs in projects and schemes, and their shop is filled with delights for knitters - I love them! Check out PYF's blog here, it's my favourite.

What The Heck! It's My Neck!

2011-07-04T21:28:00.005+01:00

I've been having a break from sewing for the past week or so, imposed by my physiotherapist. Apparently I've been giving my neck a bit of a rough ride and I also have a frozen shoulder (ouch!), so for the time being my sewing projects are on hold until my neck calms down....oh noooooo

NEW BLOG NEWS!!!!

I've started up a new blog, I hope you like it, it's just a little bit of fun, might be a disaster - but no harm in trying!

here goes......

CLICK HERE TO ENTER STAIR WORLD

Fox U Like

2011-06-24T19:50:00.004+01:00

....and sometimes the big things in life make me happy too! Check out this giant urban fox on the South Bank, foxy is around until September....

Thread Marks

2011-06-24T07:42:00.004+01:00

Sometimes its the little things in life that make me happy. Take this sewing thread for example, on first inspection it looks like plain blue thread, but wait, look again - it's denim colour - yippeeeee!

One Happy Owner

2011-06-20T20:32:00.004+01:00

Here's Clare, one of my studio mates together with her new doggy draught excluder. Clare's also sporting a snazzy pair of jeans- check out those studs baby!

Herringbone Twins

2011-06-15T16:30:00.001+01:00

I tried out my fox design using this herringbone fabric, kind of makes your eyes go a bit blurry eh?

Fox Club

2011-06-11T11:38:00.004+01:00

Latest Project...

2011-06-05T19:43:00.002+01:00

I've started on another mammoth task, this time I'm working on a couple of 'log cabin' patchwork quilts, I'm sewing pairs of blocks, so that I won't end up with two similar strips of colour next to each other when I stitch all the blocks together. I haven't decided how I'll mix them up and stitch them together yet, maybe in diagonal stripes or in a checker board style...mmmmm

Oh Elle!

2011-06-03T18:43:00.004+01:00

I met my other half, Rob, over thirty years ago now. Somehow he has managed to hold on to the above photo from the last century! He created this piece for Elle magazine (July issue) they wanted something on 'Love & Fashion', I just want to say - thank you my darling! X

Denim Body

2011-06-01T19:35:00.005+01:00

I might not have mentioned it, but me and Rob are members of the National Trust. We pootle around the country visiting well loved homes and places of historical interest. Like two old biddies we pack our sarnies and squash into our picnic bag, looking forward to lunch in the gardens (or our car if it's too cold!)of the chosen destination. This time we visited 'The Vyne' - packed full of goodies from many eras, surrounded by beautiful grounds....but spookily the Vyne was dotted all over with macabre looking footless and handless bodies. On closer inspection we discovered that a local school had produced them as part of a project (phew!)This one of course caught my eye because of his jeans....

Finished!!!!!!

2011-05-26T09:48:00.005+01:00

Happy Birthday Maria! Yes its a year since we started working on our lovely Emily Peacock tapestries. We had a competition to see who would finish first, Maria (HUG)finished way before me a few months back, and I(KISS)trailed in second completing weeks later. I must say it was quite a challenge! There were days when I thought - I never want to see a tapestry again! But mainly I enjoyed the theraputic quality of drawing thread through the canvas, the colours and warm touch of the tapestry wool, all of which soothed me after many trying commutes from work.

Lucky Stripe

2011-05-22T16:51:00.004+01:00

I've been getting to grips with my knitting machine again. Not sure if the bears like the jumpers though, they're looking very alarmed!

Off to Elphick's!

2011-05-22T16:38:00.004+01:00

Find these fellows at Elphick's on Columbia Road.....

Jupiter Artland

2011-05-16T22:47:00.005+01:00

Sorry for the lack of posts, the main reason for this is sorting out how to use my new camera... anyways this little fella and some other Barbarabearo dogs and bears have travelled all the way to bonny Edinburgh! So if you happen to be in Scotland do pop in to this new sculpture garden/ hip-hop happening place called Jupiter Artland

(great name!)and report back to me. because i haven't been there yet and would love to hear about it.

Hats Off To Denim!

2011-04-29T17:36:00.004+01:00

Check out this great denim helmet, spotted in a great retro/vintage shop in Rye....

Tweedy Pie

2011-03-23T15:02:00.000Z

Double Trouble!

2011-03-20T14:40:00.004Z

I enjoyed making the patchwork foxes, but boy - were they tricky to make and took soooo long! To compensate, I designed a smaller, less complicated fox/cub, they look a bit cheeky though!

Patchwork Fox

2011-03-16T12:11:00.008Z

I've been working on a group of foxes, seven in all, cut out from seven different fabrics. I think this fox style works better with a mix of fabrics because the pattern shapes are easier to see, with the last set I made you can't really see how the shapes fit together so they look like mysterious blobby creatures with protruding noses and tails! Anyway here's one from the set, I'll show you the others another time....

Spring Is In The Air!

2011-03-12T16:25:00.004Z

Last weekend we visited Great Dixter Gardens in East Sussex, we caught the end of the lovely snowdrops display and walked around the fabulous topiary - check out those peacocks!

I've started planting seeds as you can see above, thought I'd try them in toilet rolls (I knew they'd come in handy for something useful!). Hopefully they'll grow into nasturtiums, my other half's favourite flower - I will keep you posted!

Family of Foxes

2011-03-02T11:27:00.005Z

Here's my latest offering, a tweedy family of foxes. I'm not sure which name to use for a group of foxes there are quite a few - skulk, cloud, troup, company, leash and earth.........

Finished!!!!!!!

2011-02-26T17:24:00.004Z

It has taken me sooooooo long, but at last I've finished the above scarf, our youngest - Barbara, is modelling it for me (ta Babs!). It's going to be a present for a friends birthday. I hope she likes it!!!!!

The Stuff Of Life

2011-02-20T19:23:00.002Z

I ordered some stuffing last week, it arrived compressed into this bundle, it weighs a ton (25kgs). I dont know how, but I managed to drag it up the stairs. It is so tightly packed that I daren't cut the string incase my whole studio becomes filled with polyester fluffiness! For now I'm pulling handfuls out from between the gaps.

Haiti Anniversary Fundraiser

2011-02-18T20:30:00.002Z

My other half's latest screenprint has been produced to raise much needed cash for a very worthy cause.....

'As you all know, just over a year ago on 12th January 2010 Haiti was hit by a catastrophic earthquake and 13 months later, the country is still in need of so much help. To try and do my bit to raise some money, I’ve designed and printed a brand new limited edition screenprint which will be sold on Etsy and in my shop, Ryantown on Columbia Road. The price will be £200 and with Paypal and Etsy fees from the online sales subtracted, this leaves at least £186 going straight to the Haiti causeper print sold. If we can sell the whole edition of 200 of these, we could raise over £37,000.'

The print reads: ‘We are all part of each other and this is my promise, I won’t pass you by and I won’t ignore you and look the other way but I’ll help you build your nest again. This is my promise’

Prints will be available to buy from Etsy on Friday and Ryantown on Saturday.

Ear! Ear!

2011-02-16T17:18:00.005Z

Hello, I'm back in the studio after what feels like yonks! I have been busy posting out zillions of packages for my other half's Etsy shop, a lot of you out there are sooo romantic or maybe you have been dropping heavy hints your partner's way! Anyway my work was temporarily put on hold, but now I'm back in studioville and plan to be making things on a regular basis.

Mabel

2011-02-04T23:20:00.006Z

Etsy is a great site that promotes and supports makers across the world. I am a big fan of their blog and I particularly draw inspiration from their videos. Here is one of my favourites......she's 91!

Cable Able

2011-01-20T21:01:00.007Z

Hello, I was in my studio today. I really wanted to make a bear, so I made this little sitting bear but he looked a bit naked and it was a bit chilly so I thought I'd knit him this little jumper. My next job is, (now I have worked through my knitting urge)is to work on all the foxes I have cut out......

Boom Boom!

2011-01-19T07:21:00.005Z

Went to lovely Rye last weekend and picked up the Uhura book and storage bags, I didn't buy the Basil Brushes - I just took a sneaky photo of those cheeky fellas. All of which remind me of growing up in Birmingham in the 60's and 70's. For a young girl growing up in inner city Birmingham it was very inspiring to see an intelligent, sophisticated and seriously glamorous black woman on 'Star Trek'- great TV. Basil Brush was a nutty TV hand puppet character who was very naughty and made me and my brothers laugh.....

Stomp!

2010-12-27T15:36:00.002Z

This is what holidays are for - washing quilts barefoot with your daughter in a bathtub!!!!

Kiss Me, Not So Quick!

2010-11-27T13:01:00.002Z

I'm still plugging away at the old kiss tapestry......I wonder how Maria's getting on?

Here's Looking at You Doll!

2010-11-25T16:33:00.003Z

Went to a great place called Compton Verney today it has an amazing art collection including a fantastic folk art section where I found this little doll.

Rockin Robins

2010-11-19T22:22:00.004Z

Saw loads of lovely tapestry kneelers at Blanchland Abbey including this Christmas 1986 special.

Operation Christmas Child

2010-11-13T12:54:00.006Z

My daughter Maria asked if I'd like to contribute to her works shoebox collection for 'Operation Christmas Child'. Each box is filled with items such as sweets, crayons, a small toy, and a toothbrush for a boy or a girl. I knitted these hats. Maria and her sister used to enjoy choosing things to fill a shoebox when they were at primary school, it's good to know that the scheme is still going strong.

Let's Get To The Bottom Of It!

2010-11-11T20:12:00.003Z

I saw this great bit of DIY saddle protecting on the way to Sloane Square tube this morning.

Hello and Sorry!

2010-11-07T11:18:00.005Z

It's been pretty poor on the blogging front, due to various reasons including: the Other Half's two shows, working on secret projects that I can't show you just yet, work, life..... I did make this little pouch though one morning for my specs when I got fed up with picking up and putting down my glasses every five mins (maybe it's time for bi-focals!)

The Long Goodbye!

2010-10-15T16:29:00.002+01:00

What a handsome couple!

Spot On!

2010-10-13T08:42:00.005+01:00

We have a new charity shop on Bethnal Green Road, the Spitalfields Crypt Trust. On my last visit I picked up the above items - a knitting dolly to add to my tiny collection, some sticky stickers and a lovely ladies cotton print top.

Knitting Knews

2010-10-08T22:09:00.005+01:00

Here's another one of my machines, this one is a Brother manual knitting machine. It's a little bit younger than me, but still keeps on going with words of encouragement and drops of lubrication every now and then - a bit like me !!! I'm working on a project that I will tell you about another time.....

Another Bear In A Bag

2010-10-08T22:05:00.002+01:00

I said goodbye to a miniature bear today, I made a little bag for him out of a pair of pockets - take care little one!

Finished Foxes

2010-09-27T18:25:00.003+01:00

I've finally managed to make a few sleeping foxes and one of them has already made a friend!

I've put a couple on etsy and will add others later.

Hooray For Henley!

2010-09-26T16:29:00.003+01:00

We visited Henley this weekend on the way to sunny Swindon. I bought this new addition for my sewing and craft book collection from a great second hand book shop. The other half bought me the gorgeous little plate that is next to the book.

Gotta Hand It To her!

2010-09-25T09:09:00.005+01:00

Barbara bought me this fantastic sewing book. We were a bit horrified though when we had a closer look at the model's hand and noticed her scissors finger - ahhhhhgg!!! No wonder she looks surprised!

Follow that Fox!

2010-09-19T15:55:00.006+01:00

I have been working on another fox design. This time I wanted to make a sleepy fox that could tuck his tired head under its tail when necessary. It has taken a few attempts as usual ( check out the comical duck blob on the left!). I'm nearly there, the top photo is getting near to how I'd like it to look. Big thanks to Sarah for finding and washing the lovely jumbo corduroy that I'm using to create sleeping fox.

What a waist!

2010-09-16T20:59:00.002+01:00

I quite like this display of jeans that we found in a second hand shop in Notts.

Hot hot hot stuff

2010-09-16T20:38:00.006+01:00

Looks like hot pants are still in fashion up in ye olde Nottingham. Found these great labelled up shorts in a great place called Vintage Warehouse. I didn't buy them but got some other great bits and pieces for re - making.

August Bank Holiday Finds Part 2

2010-09-15T06:57:00.004+01:00

Here's the trimming I promised to show you.....

August Bank Holiday Finds

2010-09-08T20:56:00.006+01:00

No new work to show as yet, have been busy at Ryantown HQ. We had a day trip down to the coast a while back on the way there we popped in to a car boot sale, I found this great jigsaw puzzle that me and the other half are working on at the minute, this little plate and a roll of Norwegian trimming (will add trimming picture later). We had the girls and their boyfriends in tow - check out Maria and Gus's pebble collection gathered from the beach at Bexhill.

Don't Label Me!

2010-08-26T14:22:00.007+01:00

I came across these old embroidered pieces that I did years ago whilst sorting out my studio today. I went to loads of jumble sales collecting fabrics for patchwork projects and always held onto the labels.......

Sold!

2010-08-20T18:52:00.003+01:00

I am so excited! I went past my local sewing machine shop and saw this lovely industrial Bernina sewing machine - just what I've been after for yonks! I've put a deposit down and the guys in the shop said they'd deliver it to my studio next week (even after I warned them that my studio was up on the third floor with no lift!)- coolio!

Cyprus Holiday Snaps

2010-08-19T21:26:00.006+01:00

Foxy Friends

2010-07-26T17:54:00.003+01:00

Get Stuffed!

2010-07-20T22:46:00.002+01:00

I've done a little bit more on the old fox samples, these ones haven't been filled yet - watch out for my stuffing stick guys!

On the way to the studio

2010-07-14T19:00:00.003+01:00

On my way to the studio this morning I saw my favourite rose bush in bloom, the colours are gorgeous and not portrayed here at their best. If I had a garden this would be one of the first plants I would seek out. Until then I am more than happy to take a peek at them whenever I pass by.

Fox Pix

2010-07-08T19:53:00.004+01:00

Those ears, those ears, I think they need to go north a bit more...

Motley Crew

2010-07-06T18:26:00.002+01:00

I'm not quite there yet, but still trying!!!!!

My Weekend

2010-06-21T21:47:00.007+01:00

I had a very busy weekend which included doing some tapestry and visiting Birmingham & Stafford with the other half. I found this hand knitted cover in a charity shop that will be gracing my studio hot water bottle in preparation for winter (today is the summer solstice, so the winter evenings will gradually be drawing in from now on!).

Out Foxed!

2010-06-18T18:58:00.003+01:00

Well, here are my latest offerings, you're probably thinking - an elephant and a penguin???. Alas, I wasn't aiming for either of those wonderful creatures, no infact I've begun the slow (but rewarding) process of creating a pattern for a fox hopefully. There's probably a better way of doing this than my trial and error method, but I haven't come across it yet!I quite like urban foxes, I know they get bad press, but so do wild bears and mad dogs (and a few bothersome people for that matter!) - It hasn't stopped me from liking some of them! So this is my current project, to create a pattern I'm happy with because I've got some gorgeous fabric waiting to be used.....

It's a stick up!

2010-06-14T21:07:00.002+01:00

48 Bus Watch

2010-06-02T23:08:00.008+01:00

Check out these strides, spotted on the No 48 bus today. I can't even begin to imagine how you'd create those tiny denim heart scrolls - Go Lady Denim go!

Let The Stitch Off Commence!

2010-05-30T08:15:00.006+01:00

Wool, wool, I love looking at and touching glorious wool! So you can imagine how excited I was to receive this fabulous tapestry kit from Emily Peacock. I bought the partner to the above kit for my daughter's 21st, she has a big 'Hug' to embroider and I have the big 'Kiss'. It is sooooo big that I'm working on it at home as I don't think it would be practical on the tube unless I had half a carriage to myself! We're having a friendly contest to see who will finish first. Mmmmm, I wonder how competitive that daughter of mine is! I'll keep you posted.......

Hello Sweetie!

2010-05-30T08:02:00.003+01:00

I made this little bag for Noortje, a lovely lady from the Netherlands who has been working with us at Ryantown for the past 3 months - safe Journey home!

Another Baby Blast From The Past!

2010-05-25T22:46:00.010+01:00

Here she is, I can't believe that she's 21 today!

It looks like she's on the beach, but it was actually taken in St James's Park when they used to have a huge sand pit with absolutely no shade anywhere near it, hence the squinting child!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIA! From mumsie x

Applause to Applique!

2010-05-24T18:28:00.001+01:00

I couldn't resist taking a photo of Amaia's fabulous skirt.

Inside Job

2010-05-20T21:59:00.004+01:00

I made these bags yesterday, they weren't lined with calico like my first bag but with gingham and I managed to find magnetic fastners on a great handbag site called U-handbag, it's the first time I've ever used them hence the wonkiness! I thought it would be handy to have inner pockets too for small things - just happened to have some spare knocking around!