In print again - Lets Get Crafting Crochet

Wow - I'm in print again, this time I'm featured in Lets Get Crafting Crochet - on the front cover too, how exciting!! Some time ago LGC editor asked me to design four cupcakes from the free yarn and hook that comes with this publication. These are the results. Hope you like them. I will be selling the pattern soon, once I have taken photos of the different stages and finished cakes.

CakesKnitsandCosies in Elle Magazine (Italy)

What an honour to have one of my crocheted cupcakes (on the cake stand) and two knitted love hearts (above the coat hanger) featured on two pages of their pretty, five page Elle Lifestyle editorial.

Meer-ry Christmas

Well Christmas is here and I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a very happy and successful 2010. Let's hope those creative juices keep flowing for us all......

I love these meerkats - by Niftyknits on Folksy. Nifty knits sell all sorts of meerkatty creations. They're amazing, fun and adorable. You'll find superman and batman, star trek and wonderwoman, not to mention the christmas nativity meetkats shown in my blog picture.

If I'd been able to keep up with my handmade christmas advent calender, these would have been Day 25. Unfortuately, life (well christmas!!) got in the way of blogging and I only reached Day 13 before shopping, nativities, dance shows, cleaning and christmas took over. Betterluck next time eh!

Hope everyone is enjoying their christmas festivities - better get on with tidying up as we have visitors this afternoon and I have food to make and a scarf to finish, eek!!!

Will blog soon xx

And the Winner is..........

Autonomous Artisans, with her comment left on Day 8 of my Handmade Christmas Advent Calender. I have notified her, and will sent the goodies out as soon as I receive address details. Thanks for all your comments, I enjoyed reading them.

What's happened to days 14 onwards you ask? Well, Like most of you, I've been taken over by work, school plays, dance shows, housework and let's not forget Christmas......

Once I've knitted up a couple of items that I promised I would make for people for Christmas gifts, I'll continue with the Handmade Advent.

A merry christmas to you all, hope things aren't too frantic!!

Day 13 Handmade Christmas Advent

Christmas tree bears by little cotton rabbits. I had to include something from Julie at Little Cotton Rabbits. I love her blog and admire both Julie and her work. Her little cotton rabbits are completely amazing, perhaps one day I'll get to her etsy shop here in time to buy one. Have a read of Julie's blog here. It's really inspiring and one of the best blogs I've read. Thanks Julie for sharing your patterns. I've made some people very happy with these itsy bitsy bunnies.

Don't forget to leave a comment between Day 1 and Day 13 for the chance of winning a little bag of goodies made by my own fair hand (I've extended the giveaway until Sunday) .

Pop by tomorrow to see who's featured in Day 14 of my handmade Advent Calender - it may be you!!

Day 12 Handmade Christmas Advent

Christmas Bunting by Nickynackynoo on Folksy

Brighten up your house with this lovely happy christmassy bunting from Nickynackynoo. This bunting features three of each of these Christmas images handmade in felt: Christmas puddings, holly and mistletoe. The puddings and holly leaves have red holly-berry buttons, and the mistletoe garlands are enlivened with translucent sparkly sequins. Fab!!

You can buy this pretty christmassy bunting from Nickynackynoos shop on Folksy here.

Don't forget to leave a comment between Day 1 and Day 13 for the chance of winning a little bag of goodies made by my own fair hand (I've extended the giveaway until Sunday) .

Pop by tomorrow to see who's featured in Day 13 of my handmade Advent Calender - it may be you!!

Day 11 Handmade Christmas Advent

Teal and Purple hair clip by Bethany Allen on Folksy


Going to a wedding? Perhaps the races? Don't like fancy fascinators? Then why not go for something like this? Using biot feathers in purple and teal, Bethany has created this small fascinator and finished it with twisted purple wire and beads. Gorgeous.........

See more of Bethany Allen in her Folksy shop here and read her fab blog here.

Don't forget to leave a comment between Day 1 and Day 13 for the chance of winning a little bag of goodies made by my own fair hand (I've extended the giveaway until Sunday) .

Pop by tomorrow to see who's featured in Day 12 of my handmade Advent Calender - it may be you!!

Day 10 Handmade Christmas Advent

Arm Warmers - purple and pink by Pirate Pixie Crew on Coriandr

These pretty little knitted arm warmers have a crochet frilly cuff one end and a short ribbed cuff the other in shades of purple and pink. Gorgeous!!. They can be worn either way around and look equally fabulous both ways.

Pirate Pixie Crew has load of gorgeous knitted stuff in her Coriandr shop - take a look here.

Don't forget to leave a comment between Day 1 and Day 13 for the chance of winning a little bag of goodies made by my own fair hand (I've extended the giveaway until Sunday) .

Pop by tomorrow to see who's featured in Day 11 of my handmade Advent Calender - it may be you!!

Day 9 Handmade Christmas Advent

Bob and Daisy The Sheep - Amigurumi Pattern by Reeneegurumi on Folksy.

Meet Bob and Daisy, the Happy Sheep! They do everything together from morning to night. Bob loves to rest his head on Daisy's cozy fleece and doze off in the afternoon...

I love Reeneegurumi, her designs are amazing and inspiring. Call by her Folksy shop here to see more of her wonderful creations.

Don't forget to leave a comment between Day 1 and Day 10 for the chance of winning a little bag of goodies made by my own fair hand.

Pop by tomorrow to see who's featured in Day 10 of my handmade Advent Calender - it may be you!!

Day 8 Handmade Christmas Advent

Hand Knit Chunky Green Neckwarmer by Tomato Tea on Coriandr

This super chunky and soft neck warmer was hand knitted with a 100% acrylic yarn in a beautiful and unusual stitch to give it an interesting texture. My favourite colour too!!

The nature of the stitch makes the yarn extra thick, so it will keep its wearer toasty warm and because it is acrylic and not wool it is super soft and not itchy. The neck warmer is embellished with two wooden buttons which slip in between the stitches so the wearer can button the neck warmer up as they like. See Tomato Tea's Coriandr shop here and read her fab blog here.

Don't forget to leave a comment between Day 1 and Day 10 for the chance of winning a little bag of goodies made by my own fair hand.

Pop by tomorrow to see who's featured in Day 9 of my handmade Advent Calender - it may be you!!

Day 7 Handmade Christmas Advent

Christmas tree pillow boxes - set of four by Gooseberrymoon on Folksy



A set of four gorgeous handmade pillow boxes featuring Christmas trees design on both sides. Printed in an olive, plum and teal colour scheme on 100% recycled manilla card. I have ordered a set of these and can't wait for them to arrive so that I can pop a little gift or money in them. Click here to see more of Gooseberrymoon's delightful designs.

Don't forget to leave a comment between Day 1 and Day 10 for the chance of winning a little bag of goodies made by my own fair hand.

Pop by tomorrow to see who's featured in Day 8 of my handmade Advent Calender - it may be you!!

Day 6 - Deerheart by Catface & Pancakes on Folksy

I had to include something from Catface & Pancakes - her cute and quirky plushies are just great for stocking fillers. And, she's having a 'buy one get one half price' sale in her Folky shop. With prices starting a just £4 they're a bargain.

These Deerhearts have arrived just in time for Christmas! They delight in being hung from a festive tree and glittering in the soft fairylights. Deerhearts are made from beautiful soft brown wool, creamy felt, chocolate brown embroidery silk and a sparkly thread to create the glimmering red nose. They are finished off with a seasonal red collar with a jingley bell to summon the arrival of Christmas!

Don't forget to leave a comment between Day 1 and Day 10 for the chance of winning a little bag of goodies made by my own fair hand.

Pop by tomorrow to see who's featured in Day 7 of my handmade Advent Calender - it may be you!!

Day 5 - Upcycled Foxy Twins by 'The Linen Cat'
This cute pair are in the Folksy Upcycle Christmas Competition which is raising money for the Sue Ryder Care Charity. Florian and Florence started life as a polyester fleece shirt, a floral cotton lawn shirt and a blue cord skirt along with some stuffing from an old cushion and some re-used ribbon. Bidding for this cute pair and all the other entries starts on the 7th. December and runs until the 13th. December.

See more of 'The Linen Cat' on her blog at http://thelinencat.wordpress.com/. I hope you are enjoying my handmade christmas advent calender. Don't forget to leave a comment between Day 1 and Day 10 for the chance of winning a little bag of goodies made by my own fair hand. Then I will put all the comments into a hat and let my son/daughter pick out the winning comment, so the more comments you leave the greater the chance of winning.

Pop by tomorrow to see whose featured in Day 6 of my handmade Advent Calender - it may be you!!

Handmade Advent Calender and Giveaway

Day 4 - Flower Patch Felted Dome Organic Tote Bag by FeltloveCymru

Be noticed and help the environment with this quirky shopping tote bag. The bag shell is sourced from India and is unbleached certified Fairtrade Organic Cotton. The flowers are hand cut from felt made from 'ecospun' recycled post consumer plastic bottles and the multi-coloured dome embellishments are handmade using felted 100% pure wool. Gorgeous and beautifully made. You can purchase this fab from FeltloveCymru's etsy shop.

I hope you are enjoying my handmade christmas advent calender. Don't forget to leave a comment between Day 1 and Day 10 for the chance of winning a little bag of goodies made by my own fair hand. Then I will put all the comments into a hat and let my son/daughter pick out the winning comment, so the more comments you leave the greater the chance of winning.

Pop by tomorrow to see whose featured in Day 5 of my handmade Advent Calender - it may be you!!

Handmade Advent Calender and Giveaway - Day 3

For Advent I am putting together a 'Handmade Advent Calender'. Each day of December up to the 24th. I will feature a handmade crafter or supplier. The theme is handmade and also upcycled, local (UK based) or charity fund raising items.

I am also running a giveaway. Just leave a comment on any day between Day 1 and Day 10. Then I will put all the comments into a hat and let my son/daughter pick out the winning comment, so the more comments you leave the greater the chance of winning. The giveaway will be a little surprise package of goodies made by my own fair hand.

Day 3 - Vintage Button Ring by Ruby Spirit Designs


This handmade ring was created using recycled vintage buttons. The ring base is of copper wire, which has been permanently coated to the colour of vintage brass. The wire is 100% lead and nickel free. I think it's a striking piece and a fabulous bargain at just £5. You can buy it in Ruby Spirit's Coriandr shop here.

Pop by tomorrow to see whose featured in Day 4 of my handmade Advent Calender - it may be you!!

Handmade Advent Calender and Giveaway - Day 2

Fabric Buttons 'Let it Snow' by Mollimoo



Mollimoo sells the cutest buttons in her folksy and etsy shops. Day 2 showcases this cute set of 4 fabric buttons, featuring Father Christmas, a snowman, a reindeer and a Christmas tree. All set on a green background. Gorgeous! Add that finishing yuletide touch to your knitted projects or handmade designs. Each button measures 22mm

Follow Mollimoo's blog at http://mollimoo.blogspot.com/

Pop by tomorrow to see whose featured in Day 3 of my handmade Advent Calender - it may be you!!

Handmade Advent Calender and Giveaway - Day 1

For Advent I will be putting together a 'Handmade Advent Calender'. Each day of December up to the 24th. I will feature a handmade crafter or supplier. The theme is handmade and also upcycled, local (UK based) or charity fund raising items.

Many of these will be my favourite sellers on Etsy, MISI, Folksy or Coriandr. They may also be blog posts, free patterns or followers of my blog.

I am also running a giveaway. Just leave a comment on any day between Day 1 and Day 10. Then I will put all the comments into a hat and let my son/daughter pick out the winning comment, so the more comments you leave the greater the chance of winning. The giveaway will be a little surprise package of goodies made by my own fair hand.

DAY 1 - 'Envy' Pocket Mirror by Hidenseek.

I love this etsy seller and have featured her in a few of my etsy treasuries. She creates the most adorable artwork.

This pocket mirror is really cute - a great stocking filler gift for $5.99 plus $3.00 postage (approx £5.60).

You can also read her great blog at http://hiddeneloise.com/

Pop by tomorrow to see whose featured in Day 2 of my handmade Advent Calender - it may be you!!

I hope you enjoy my Advent Calender and don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a little selection of handmade goodies.