Sorry to brag but...

You know I hate to brag but, LOOK WHAT I WON:

How beautiful is she, wonderfully hand crafted by Jackie of Sew Special Bears, she is one of only 10 created especially for Breast Cancer Awareness, Jackie also donated £15 to the charity, and I have myself donated directly too.

In addtion to this wonderful bear were some other gifts, a 2011 diary (I adore a new diary) and a Christmas notebook, where I shall make all my lists.
I collected the parcel from the post office this morning and opened it at work at my desk, before I knew what I was doing I had already started munching through the chocolate Jackie sent, I quickly stopped and took a photo before it disappeared (as any good blogger would).


Oh wow, I am in love...just look at that little face

Thanks so much Jackie I will treasure her always!

p.s. Thanks for all your comments on my last post, I did look at each and every company you recommended and in the end I went with BOMB. I had coconut and raspberry in mind for two of the soaps I was looking for (the coconut is for me; well I deserve it... honest) and the price of the soaps at BOMB were very reasonable which was a factor to consider as I had lots to buy. The also did free postage when you spend over £25 so that was a bonus. Thanks for the recommendation ladies I knew you would come up trunps for me xx

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I need your help please...

I have been trying to stick to my handmade pledge and have been making bits and bobs to give as Christmas Presents, one thing I have made are these cotton facecloths:

I followed the pattern that Bethany blogged about, it is for a dishcloth, but with the added crochet flower I think it will pass for a nice facecloth.

Now, I have made a few of these and I want to give them with a nice bar of handmade soap all tied up with a ribbon. This is where you come in, can you recommend any independant handmade soap makers in the UK that I can buy some wonderful soap from. I love the Lush soaps but would prefer a smaller independant supplier, any recommendations?

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Meet Harvey

I bought a bundle of patterns in the Simplicity Sale a few weeks ago and together with some ditsy blue flower fabric I found at a local market I tried my hand at making a teddy bear.

Well, I was confused with the pattern and convinced I had cut it out incorrectly until it all came together somehow and turned into a teddybear.

He is far from perfect and I learned a few lessons along the way but this was a bit of a challenge for me and I enjoyed how he transformed into a bear.

Here you can see the fabric a little better, he is quite sombre but squishy and sweet to hold. The kids think he's scary as he reminds them of the scary bear in the fridge in the Fish advert on TV at the moment!?!

I think I will call him Harvey.

p.s. Just wanted to add that work is a bit of a nightmare at the minute, I am working very long hours and struggling to keep up with everyone's blogs, I read as many as I can but don't always comment and I apologise, I will try to be a better blogger as soon as work calms down a bit ~ I need my life back!

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Scavenger Hunt

The glorious Alex tagged me with this and I thought it would make for an interesting challenge, so I have to track down the following things:

Favourite You Tube vid:

Cute as butter.

Post a picture of something geeky:
http://picsicio.us/image/a790acb1/

I have a thing for the romance of the railways and I love the old railway posters with a passion, they are dotted all about my house. Many of them have an Art Deco feel to them which is another love of mine.

Find a picture of something that makes you go awwwwwwwwwwww:

http://walking.visitscotland.com/?view=Send&image=224792
The beautiful Kilchurn Castle on Lochawe, Scotland - I spent my honeymoon in Lochawe and it has an effect on me, I have a strong pull to this place it's magical to me ~ so stay away it's mine! No honestly visit there someday and stroll around St Conan's Kirk ~ incredible.

Find a funny T-shirt:

http://www.retrobay.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=1603

That tickles me, my husband and kids are computer heads, total IT geeks and it has rubbed off a bit.

Post a still from my favourite film:

Cecil Kellaway & James Stewart in Harvey
Photo from http://www.meredy.com/vinbw/stills-h.html

My favourite line from this film chokes me every time, it is very humbling:

Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this world, Elwood, you must be," — she always called me Elwood — "In this world, you must be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.

A blog I have recently discovered:

Marmalade Rose - Fi, a very talented lady from the Yorkshire Dales - have a look over there and see some of her beautiful makes.

Something from my wish list:

Image from google images

The Complete Far Side cartoons by Gary Larson, he is a very funny, clever and talented observer of people. I hope Santa is reading this :)

Usual rules apply, I won't tag anyone but pick it up and go with it if you fancy it, go on let us have a little nosey into your life :)

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Christmas is Coming...

It's getting near to that time of year again, I love Autumn and look forward to Halloween as it means Christmas is next! I have been getting into it a little earlier than is sane and have cracked these beauties out...

Apple and Cinnamon Candles:

And these give me the background smell of christmas for a little inspiration for some christmas makes:
A little felt beaded Christmas Tree:

Some wire beaded snowflakes in Christmas colours, I think I will hang these on fine ribbons and hang about the house, I have a few more to make:

Since attending the Craft Fair I have been 'into' my beads again and have made some big blingy rings from some chinese doughnut crystals, I love these beads:

I had left over beads and made some earrings to match.I quite like the look of the red velvet and opal stones and they also remind me of Christmas, I think I might keep these for myself and I have just started a matching bracelet in the same colours.

Have you got the Christmas bug yet or is it far too early, and am I insane?

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Finishing Old Makes

This last week after bragging that my heavy intake of Echinacea tea is the reason why I have not had cold this year, fortune bit me on the bum and gave me this awful cold that is doing the rounds. I feel like crap and my lungs are burning from coughing. To keep me occupied I have been busy sewing, isn't sewing or any crafting great for keeping the mind busy and the problems at bay at least for a while?

Back in September I was looking for some crafty stuff that I could take on holiday without needing my sewing machine. I settled for learning to crochet and a tin of little hexies. I sat and connected them all together with tiny little stitches until my fingers actually bled. I can't work with a thimble at all and have since been advised by Jane that masking tape works a treat, and it does! So fast forward a good 6 weeks and I have actually taken the front panel and turned it into a cushion.

I attached some little hexies to the back of the cusion and made some piping for the edges, with a row of hexies, they look like pixie bunting all folded up:

Here it is a little wonky but I love it:

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Making Gifts for Christmas

As we are coming up to Christmas I really must get my list organised for what to make for whom and get cracking. I am quite protective of my little blog and not many people in the real world know about it, only my hubbie, boys and best friend. This has the added bonus of me being able to show the things I am making for people for christmas as it won't spoil any suprises.

First up is a pink and brown bracelet I made with matching earrings, which I managed to drop and smash on the hearth as I was taking their photo, I will fix them though.

Not sure who this will be for but I will add it to the box of pressies.
Whilst I had the beads out I made myself this, it's a bit Cath Kidston esque I have had the charms for ages and was looking for a reason to use them:

It is hard making for my family and my hubbies family as apart from our Mothers and my best friend most of our family do not really appreciate hand made items and would prefer a faceless, thoughtless gift set from the supermarket, well tough, I am sticking by my handmade pledge and if I have to add some bought items to it I will but I hope to give everyone at least one handmade item, whether I make it myself or buy it handmade by someone else.

What are you making for Christmas?

Oooohh on another note, what a week, I have had two blog wins, I can hardly believe it. I won this from the beautiful Daisychain - look what arrived:

Amazing Barry M Crackle Glaze:

Beautiful handmade earrings - I love these lots.

My nails before the crackle glaze - In Barry M Pink, this was Thursday night - I had painted these last Sunday I ♥ Barry M. (Please ignore the cuticles and dry skin I have been decorating).

And this is after - it is amazing, I love it.

Thanks lovely lady xx

One other thing, I should wait until I recieve it but I have won Jackie's giveaway at Sew Special Bears the beautiful Cherish!

I am so pleased I can't tell you - have a look at her amazing creations she is a very talented & generous lady! I will post pics when she arrives. Thanks again honey xx

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