Stripes

Inspired by Mrs Thomasina Tittlemouse and her stripy mug cosies, I have been looking for things to cover in crocheted stripes. First up was the jar that holds all my hooks...

I already have a stripy case for my iPad (husband also has a Celtic inspired green and white case for his iPhone, which strangely he seems to have lost!) and I am now looking for anything else that doesn't move that can be given the crocheted treatment!

Little wren

I've just delivered this painting of a little wren to its new owner.

I should be taking Mabel out for a walk now but it's pouring with rain and she's looking very coiffured after a visit to the groomers yesterday, so we'll wait for the rain to stop so she can keep her 'salon' look for one more day!

Christmas craft fair

I took some photos of the craft fair all set up. Please excuse the poor quality pictures - my iPad didn't like the low lighting! It all looks very festive, and the beautiful handmade soaps means it smells lovely too! It's open tonight, all day Saturday and Sunday morning at 92 Nunney Road in the lovely town of Frome!

Map bird paintings

These are three new paintings called rather imaginatively Map Bird 1, Map Bird 2, and Map Bird 3!  I've used some old ordinance survey maps as background and was aiming for a weathered look, rather like my garden bench!

They're painted on chunky wooden panels and include many layers of ink, acrylics and varnish, with each layer sanded back before being worked over. I think they're finished, but will have to decide soon as they're off to the Christmas fair tomorrow!

For anyone in the Frome area, the Christmas craft fair is this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 92 Nunney Road. I'll take some photos when I set up tomorrow to show the range of goodies on offer.

Felting...

A couple of weeks ago I bought some felting wool to experiment with. Working with a size 5 hook suddenly felt very clumsy after working with a size 3 hook all of last week. I wasn't sure how much shrinkage was going to take place so I started with a very large, floppy flower. I wasn't terribly hopeful that this would turn into anything usable.

I stuck it in the washing machine with a load of old towels and then forgot all about it. When emptying the machine I suddenly noticed a small curled up, shrivelled thing that bore no resemblance  to the flower above! After a bit of stretching and teasing into shape I ended up with this...

I think with some beads sewn in the middle I can turn this into a corsage. I've now made another flower and some roses to see what happens to them..

I think the small ones might disappear altogether! For once, I'm looking forward to doing the washing!

Piles!

This half term has been all about making piles of colourful motifs ready to be crocheted up into bunting.

                                  

                                 

The Christmas craft fair is less than two weeks away so all housework has been suspended and sparks are flying as I hook up cottons as fast as I can!

A new delivery of Planet Penny cotton means a basket full of loveliness and lots more ideas to be worked on.

I have plans for corsages and hair pins, not forgetting paintings and Christmas cards (next week's focus).