Rustic Rag Ball

I'm not sure if this rustic rag ball will make it to the craft fair with me or not.  It's a little too shabby for my taste but it was fun to make!

There isn't much other news at the moment as I am wholly absorbed into making thing to sell at the upcoming event.  I really want to have time to experiment and take on some leisurely projects but for now I need to keep on planning and making.

If I decide to participate in an art and craft fair again next year, I will be sure to start making things earlier in the year rather than have a last minute frenzy of creating!

I hope your mid week is going well.  I have another 'Cake  Bake' recipe coming up this Friday to share with you all.

Joy in June - Three Blind Mice

OK, there are not three blind mice as in the rhyme but are in fact five! This mouse making is quite addictive and difficult to stop once started.  I have made them with tea stained calico, given them felt ears and stuffed them with a fibrefil and Valerian herb.  They make the most wonderful cat toys.

I had bought the Valerian to go into the sleep pillows I was making but discovered that the herb has quite a pungent smell that can only be described as stinky!  I am so glad that I didn't put it in the pillows!!!  Anyway, cats find the herb as addictive as cat mint and it acts as a stimulant for sluggish cats.

I tested one of the mice on Gizmo.  Thanks goodness they don't have eyes.

Felt Cat Bookmark

Since I took the word craft away from my blog strap line I have been a lot more crafty!  I have had itchy fingers recently and feel a need to keep creating.  I made this bookmark yesterday.  It is nice and sturdy with fusible interfacing sandwiched between the two layers of fabric.  I made 2 prototypes before settling on the finished item above. I think it would be a good fund raiser although some people seem reluctant to pay much for handcrafted items.  If enough people want to make it, I will add my written instructions at the end of this post.  Happy Monday!

Indulgence

I treated the dining room windows to some fabric that I hope to turn into curtains.  Only having made curtains once before and failing to match up the repeat pattern I am cautious to cut into this fabric.

I am feeling indulgent because this fabric is not thrifted or from a bargain bucket or vintage supplies.  It is brand new!!!  I know there is a big 'make do and mend' campaign on at the moment but to be honest I love things that are new and not re-purposed or pre-loved, although I do admire the ingenuity of people that can turn a sows ear into a silk purse!  Saying that, I am aware there isn't always the funds to buy brand new but doesn't it feel good to indulge once in a while?

Well November is nearly over.  My husband is on the mend and returned to work.  I managed to learn 10 Latin words, phrases and sayings every day for 30 days.  I doubt that I will remember much of it but it was a useful distraction away from some truly horrible days.  I have not yet decided on my 30 day challenge for December.  Best get to it!

Fabric Flower Power

Since my last blog post I have continued to make fabric flower brooches.  I really feel like I have my crafting mojo back after it got lost for a while.  I have really enjoyed selecting the fabrics for the brooches and the 'right' button and ribbon trim.  I even enjoy ironing and folding the fabric before it is sewn together!!!

Tomorrow on November 1st,  I start my 30 day project of learning 10 Latin words, phrases or sayings, each day for 30 days.  I won't blog about it each day but will keep you posted on how well I am doing from time to time. 

A freshly made pumpkin pie awaits me.  I cheated and used Libby's tinned pumpkin and followed the recipe on the side of the tin.  Generally I find fresh pumpkin a bit too fibrous and stringy and prefer to use that for soups.

Have a lovely day/evening wherever you are in the World.  My thoughts go out to everyone affected by the extraordinary weather conditions we are being accustomed to. x

Feeling Fab

I spent a happy couple of hours at a fabric flower workshop this weekend.  Only a ten minute walk away from home and with fabulous coffee and homemade cake included in the workshop price.

Sharing a table with three other like-minded women, we were in our element choosing the fabrics we wanted to use, rummaging through a big box of trims and hand sorting piles of buttons.  The enthusiasm was infectious and I came away from the session buzzing with ideas and a renewed vigour for the things I love to do.

I will definitely attend another workshop at the same place, which in addition to tutorials is a cafe and gift shop that sell the most delightful goods handmade by local people. 

The fabric brooch pictured above was my first attempt using the technique that we were shown and I have made a few more since returning home.  I feel a new addiction coming on!