Mr. Whiskers.....

Hello there thanks for popping over for a visit.....and thankyou for all your lovely comments on last weeks Creative Space post.

For quite a while now I've been wanting to make a fox softie.

Lots of ideas have been swirling around in my head, so I finally turned one of those ideas into...

'Mr. Whiskers'

The back/rear view can be just as interesting as the front.

Lots of thread make him look like a very whiskery fellow..

Those green eyes seem to watch me from every angle.....

I had to give him 'eyebrows' as he looked like he'd had too much Botox and couldn't frown....

On the back I embroidered verse one of an old folk song.

I remember hearing this sung by Burl Ives when I was

 veeeeery young....

'The fox went out on a chilly night

He prayed for the moon to give him light

For he had many a mile to go that night before he reached

the towno towno towno'...... and so on

Now we all know Mr. Fox has some very unsavoury ways and unsociable habits (to put it politely) but he has such a cute face and looks like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth........

'Chickens..what Chickens?

I didn't see any Chickens....

Prove it...'

Tig's keeping his distance ....

Not too sure about Mr. Whiskers!!

I'm quite happy with how my fox turned out. 

But not sure about his 'socks'.

 He's got them pulled up nice and high over his knees.

 I think it may have been better if they were more 'ankle socks'.

What do you think?

I guess that's what a prototype is all about.....

 Recently I  took part in the Handmade Heart swap organised over at Mary Poppins Blog.

My swap partner was Fay who lives in New Zealand she blogs over at Monkey Makes Three

Her parcel arrived in my letter box this week.....

Don't you love finding packages in the post?......

She made me a fab embroidery hoop pic,

A lovely zip pouch with heart pull,

A beautiful Lavender heart which smells divine.

A crocheted coaster with felt heart 

(Fay has only been crocheting for a couple of weeks now. This gals's a fast learner.)

There was a lovely book mark with hearts some great fabric and a bag of the yummiest strawberry/choc hearts.

 I love it all, thanks Fay it's been fun.

If you would like to see what I sent her just pop over to her blog and say 'hi'.....

Well that's it from my creative space for now.
Linking up with other clever girls over here......

Take care,

Claire

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A Gold Sticky Star Award ✭✭✭

Brrr....welcome to July.....

It's cold, grey and gloomy here this morning.

 The sun is hiding it doesn't want to show it's face.

We were in Melbourne for the weekend and it was 5 deg. at midday yesterday.

 Haven't had a Winters' day that cold for some time.

 As we watched the temperature drop on the gauge in the car, I was hoping that the light drizzle would turn into beautiful snow flakes....❆ ❆ ❆ 

It wasn't to be.....oh well. 

There's still more cold weather to come!!

With 4 hours plus of travelling(in the daylight) I needed a little project to keep my fingers busy and warm.....

I packed a bag of wool, nice bright colours, leftover yarn from other projects. I wanted to whip up some small granny squares in random colours......

Quick, easy no tricky patterns or counting needed.

 I could've whipped up a lot more but was quite happy with my little haul.

I came to the conclusion that I don't do random very well.......

There needs to be some sort of continuity.

 I don't like certain colour combinations dominating, so a little planning was needed.

Saturday afternoon I visited Wool Baa yarn shop at 124 Bridport Street, Albert Park. I drooled over (not on, hehe) their gorgeous yarns. I imagined whipping up gorgeous scarves and beanies in some stunning colours and then I lashed out and spent $1.95 on a couple of wool needles so I could darn in the ends of my granny squares!!

There are UFO's to be finished girls.

 It's all about discipline and self control which I have very little of at the best of times!! 

Back home I dragged out my unfinished blanket last night,draped it over my knees as I watched Downton Abbey and darned in 51 ends and there's still more to do.

I have tried crocheting them in as I work, but have found they can wiggle their way loose, grrr!

Thanks to that wonderful needle, this tedious but necessary job was made alot easier.

 I have awarded myself 

 ✭✭ 

2 gold, sticky stars....

If you have finished a task that you have been putting off please feel free to award yourself one of these ✭✭✭

------00000------

Recently I was lucky enough to win Alison's giveaway over at

Tweed Thoughts.

The prize was  a choice of one of her lovely tweed garlands.

Well, a wonderful parcel arrived in my letter box last week....

I chose a heart garland.....

I love the fabrics and the colours.

 It is now hanging on a little cabinet and makes me smile

every time I look at it.

  

Alison also enclosed some sweet fabrics,

 buttons and one of her beaut tweed brooches and a card.

 A copy of her local newspaper the Stornoway Gazette was also in the parcel and I was thrilled to receive it. 

A little insight  into life in her neck of the woods.

I love it all and that brooch is such a gorgeous green....

Thanks so much Alison you have spoilt me..

If you haven't discovered Alison's blog yet, head on over and check out her lovely tweedy makes.....

Now for......

 'TIGGERS TIPS ON SURVIVING WINTER'

Tip No. 1.... Find somewhere warm and comfortable to curl up.

       Empty cartons are perfect for this......

His little gnome friend is courtesy of the very clever

Karen over at Mimilove.

 Pop over there and be inspired by her stitchy and painterly ways....

Oh, No. 1 has just let the chooks out. 

They're enjoying the worms that have wriggled up onto the pavers......an easy snack for them.

After 2 months of no eggs at all they have decided to start laying again, yippeee.

 Bought eggs just don't compare to fresh eggs from your own chooks.

Righto girls it's time to go and earn myself another gold, sticky star.......

There's sewing to be done along with some housework.

I hope you all have a great week and thanks so much for the lovely and encouraging comments on my last post.

Take care,

Claire

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Brooch Reproach.........

I should've been cooking dinner, but I had this idea and you know it wanted to be made there and then. 

Snip some repurposed woollen blanket and stitch a craggy, old tree.

It's probably been struck by lightning and seen better days...

Haven't we all, hehe..

Stuff with poly fill and stitch up the opening tomorrow when you really do have time!!

Take a selection of birdy brooches.....

Find them a perch in the tree and now you are sure to find them when you are in a hurry.

 No more untangling a jumble of jewellery.....

Remove brooch from jacket/jumper/bag and stick straight into the cushion.


Easy peasy lemon squeezy....

Now I just have to make another cushion for the rest of my collection!!

Are you a broochy kinda gal too?


Linking in with other creative gals over here...

Claire 

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P.S. Dinner was on time and delish...

Soup the Loop Anyone?....

Hello there, how's your weekend going so far?

When you look out the window do you see any of these?

☁☀ ☁ ☂☃❀

Here's the view from my kitchen window today.....

Cloud, cloud and more cloud.

Earlier this morning there was fog followed by a snippet of blue sky, a smidge of sunshine and then it all went grey and gloomy.......

 And when the gauge doesn't get over 10 deg.....

I know it's time to.....crank up the 'beast'

Bang about with pots and pans and get some soup happening.

Pea and ham soup and Grandma's creamy, cheesy soup which is absolutely, lip smackingly delish........ 

Enough for dinner tonight and several containers in the freezer for the coming week......

When everything is bubbling away and doing what it has to. It's time for this.....

A good coffee, the May edition of English Country Living and

a comfy spot by the heater.

Oooh, wouldn't I love to claim this pic as my garden.....

sadly it's not the case but a photo from my magazine.

One can dream though...

Somebody else who likes to do a bit of dreaming...

when I'm not sticking a camera in his face, hehe....

It's been a mixed week here.

I headed into the great outdoors on Monday and armed with various gardening implements, 

I dug, weeded, raked, hoed, pruned and planted......

There was a lovely feeling of satisfaction at the end of the day.

I could see a distinct improvement in the garden, but there is still more work to be done.

I planted Hollyhock, Pansy, Poppy and Foxglove seedlings.

I hope this will add a bit more variety and colour to the garden come the warmer weather......

What about you?.......

Does cold or warm weather send you into the kitchen?

What have you been doing today? 

I hope your weekend is going well, thanks for popping by girls.....

It's always lovely hearing from you.

Take Care,

Claire ❀❀❀




Recipe for Grandma's Cheesy Creamy soup


Soften in butter, one grated carrot, one finely diced onion and a stick or two of celery.
Remove from saucepan and make a white sauce you know the sort with a butter and flour roux.....
2tbsp butter and 3 tbsp plain flour etc.

Add enough milk to make a thick sauce.
 Grate in 4oz/250gm of cheese.
We use the Kraft cheese (blue box variety) that is found in the supermarket shelves, not one from the chilled dairy cabinet.
But obviously, you can use any sort of cheese.
Allow cheese to melt, add softened veg and add one cup of chicken stock or as much stock to get it to a consistency you like.


Season to taste.....


It doesn't make alot of soup and as this is sooooo yummy it will disappear quickly so if you want to, just make a larger quantity of white sauce to start with.


♥♥Enjoy♥♥

Sewjo Mojo.......

Helloooooo, hope you've all had a great weekend.

It's been very chilly here, downright cold I might venture to say.

I had my market stall in Bright on Saturday....it was cold, I rugged up. 

There were coats, scarves, gloves and lots of hot coffee involved.....

The sun put in appearance for all of 10 seconds and then it was gone....

BUT

I had a ball,

 I always do.......

It's about sharing my creative makes with people.

 Connecting with complete strangers.

 Making new friends. 

It's about the lovely market goer who gave some doilies that belonged to her mum and thought I could use them. 

 Being surrounded by other creative, inspirational people.

 About the wonderful live music I can groove to whilst trying to keep warm.....

A cosy, corner of my stall, it  made me feel warm just looking at the crocheted rug....

A basket of Bunnies waiting patiently.....

Will they find their new home today or not?

They look a little  worried don't they?

Maybe they're feeling the cold too......

Plus there were more Hedgie brooches...

Talking about other creative, inspirational people.

Let me introduce you to the work of my super talented friend Lauren.....

I've had the pleasure of seeing her work evolve and 

I'm constantly inspired by her new makes.

How gorgeous are these little zip purses?

repurposed fabric,

quality wool felt,

 and the design is hand stitched with such neat, teeny tiny stitches.......

Cute as softies.....I love them all, particularly

 that gorgeous little owl there on the right and there's another  hiding at the back.

I moved the tags so you could see these cuties, hence the string around them....sorry...styling isn't my strong point!!

Check out the super, neat blanket stitching...

A few of Lauren's brooches,

 delicate stitching and crochet edging...

A basket full

of sweetly stitched

bunnies....

These cuties make my bunnies

 look like monsters hehe...

Lauren's etsy shop, Indigo Ink Spot is full of her wonderful work including hand made books with screen printed covers that she makes along with her husband Chris.

Click on the link and check it out......

A rather stylish market goer 

but I think he's got his eye on my bunnies!!.....

A new to me stall holder was Renee who had whipped up a pile of soft, snugly and brightly coloured beanies with her hooky stick.....

She also had some wonderful jewellery which incorporated felt balls, feathers and some quirky Lego pieces....

sorry no pics though...

How about a great crocheted, twine  holdall for your

crafty space. 

Keep all those bit and pieces together in the one spot...

Great idea Renee...

I loved this hanging fruit or vegie holder.

Could be used for all sorts of things.

In between chit chat, laughter and talking to customers Renee managed to whip up another 3......

she doesn't use patterns either, she free forms and it works so well...

Renee's website is Made by Dane, pop over for a visit and see what she's been up to.

Time flies when you're having fun and all too soon it was time to pack up......I really didn't want to.

My one criticism of the market is that it doesn't go for long enough...9am - 1pm....

I just don't want to go home....

It had been a fun morning and of course I had to check out the op shops once I had packed up.

No treasures to be found this month......

Lauren was already there and had nabbed a few for herself, hehe.... 

A snap along the road on the way home.....

Cold, grey clouds keeping the temperature down.

 I knew what I was going to do when I got home.....

Find a comfy spot in front of the heater and stay warm.....hmm, think someone's beaten me to it!!

Thankyou for all the lovely comments on my last post regarding my makes and the market.

It turned out to be a good day for me, despite the cold weather which can mean fewer customers.....

I came home with less stock and my pocket jingling with a few more coins, although I did manage to spend a few of them at the market!!

Tomorrow is going to be a gardening day, lots of pruning, weeding and planting to do. I'm going to spend time outdoors in the fresh air getting dirty, bringing back some order to my garden.

There'll be coffee too as no doubt it will be cold.

So tell me, what did you get up to on the weekend?

What has your week got in store for you?

Whatever it is, enjoy it, have fun and don't be a stranger...

Thanks for visiting,

Claire

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Brrrrrr.......It's Cold.......

It's chilly here, so I've dragged my sewing machine back to the dining room table, where it's nice and warm.

My creative space is looking rather chaotic this week.

 I have a market on this Saturday and need to get my crafting mojo into top gear, to make a few extras.........

There are camper van hottie covers rolling off the production line.

These little babies will keep you nice and warm on Wintry nights.

Waiting in line to be stitched up are rockets blasting of into outer space and beautiful polka dot flowers making me dream of warm, Summery days.......

Another Bluebell cover ........
 the first one I made I claimed for my own....

A little lesson learnt the hard way......

When you are 'writing' with your machine, concentrate, very, very hard. Don't have one ear listening to the radio because.......

THAT'S WHEN YOU ARE BOUND TO MAKE A MISTAKE!!!

..and it's just too hard to unpick those teeny, tiny stitches.I did the same thing another time, but the typo was on a tea cosy. A lady at my stall picked it up and was looking very closely at it. For some reason I felt I had to point the typo out and explain. She laughed and said she had noticed and thought it very funny. She was an English teacher and she loved that I had 'fixed' it in a similar manner to the one below......

More Bunnies in Brown, close relative to the Bunnies in Blue......

Yes, they just keep multiplying these bunnies!!

There are also fingerless gloves waiting patiently to be stitched and more Hedgie brooches. 
Can't get enough of those wee beasties yet....plus lots more..

So, if you happen to be in Bright, North East Vic. or thinking of going away for the weekend. There is a fab little market on in Howitt Park down by the Ovens river. There will be crafty stalls, foodie stalls, live music, egg and bacon burgers..yum, coffee...definitely and me!!

Need I say more? oh yeah, it's from 9am - 1pm

Love to meet you there......

For more crafty folk click here

Thanks for all the lovely, encouraging comments you leave each week. It's great hearing from you all..

Take Care,

Claire 

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