Stitches and Craft show

I went to this show yesterday with Prue and her twin Yvette - she talks about it here. We had a wonderful time without our kids and we all spent more money than intended.

I bought some hand printed red birch fabric from Ink and Spindle. I've taken a photo of it and will put it up soon. I'm thinking of making something Christmassy - perhaps as a motif fabric on stockings?

I also bought something from Prints Charming - it is hush hush though because I am making a gift. Last year I made their Christmas decorations - a lovely scando Noel. As per usual, I didn't put a photo up on my blog - so Prue has made me promise to do so soon.

I bought a couple other gifts from various other places, and envied Prue the wonderful fabric she bought from Ink and Spindle and from Cloth. I'm sure she will share it on her blog! Edit: she has

the lazy crafter strikes again

I hardly ever get around to doing craft and even less often do I get around to showing it to you. I would call myself the armchair crafter except that indeed thats where you usually do do craft. Maybe I'm an internet crafter!

Anyway for those of you who do actually do it rather than sigh over how lovely other people's craft is, I just discovered another fabric deisgner I love (see previous post on amy butler).

Anna Maria Horner. She has 6 kids too. And is about my age I think. Wow.

owls

Here they are! The mostly green one is Owl's, the mostly blue one is Sparky's. Posed on our dining chair, you can see Owl's arm near floor. I have put them slightly side on so you can see the different colour backs. Made using felt and fabric - the fabric is by designer Amy Butler, who does gorgeous stuff. You can find the original mini mockup by the very clever Prue here - mine is larger of course, I have used fabric patches, and I have omitted the legs - while very cute, I was making these for hugging in bed, so thought the legs may be a bit scratchy for that purpose. I attached the wings correctly on Sparky's, but abandoned beauty on Owl's for just making them very securely attached on his, as he is still at the chewy stage. Oh, and worth noting I used synthetic felt, but as Sparky's is already pilling (he cuddles his in bed) next time will shell out for wool felt.

possum witchery and owl stitchery

Yes, Possum magic is a lovely book. No, we won't be reading it again anytime soon. Why? We have had a resident possum since Sunday morning. He makes a lot of noise in the evening (of course it could be a she, but its toilet habits suggest a boy to me ;) - see below), which is difficult enough with 2 small kids in the house, but what is starting to make me regret the possum's protected status is that it has discovered a vent we have in the kitchen ceiling is perfect for weeing through. Fortunately this does not target anything major (like the stove...) but unfortunately it is starting to leave a stain on our wood floor - I need to move a bucket under there - I had just had newspaper, but this possum seems to have a large bladder. Plus when the possum awoke early last night, while I was cooking dinner, I kept freaking out that it would wee on me as I moved about. We have booked in the possum removalist (expensive!!) but they can't come until next week....

But in happier animal news, I have started making the owl softie for Owl. Prue made me a gorgeous pattern, and it is starting to look good. Of course, Sparky wants me to make him one too. See here for the mini mock up Prue did, though mine is different colours and larger - you will have to wait and see.

handcrafted unique pieces

want an ebay alternative? all handcrafted beautiful or fun, for kids for you. go see etsy.com
as an example - from a seller called boutique mia: