WoollyLakes

Focus...

2012-02-08T05:09:00.000-08:00

It's been a long while since I last wrote my blog, there's been a lot going on here, hubby has been ill with an unknown illness which is now hopefully going to be sorted, I guess this and the uncertainty of money and timescales have made me have a rethink about life in general and my business as well. I've been floundering around for a while, doing a bit of this and a bit of that with no real idea of what was coming next, so decisions needed to be made! So... as my business name is WoollyLakes, that is what I will be focusing on in the near future...not the Lakes bit although this may come into it at some stage (!?) just the Woolly bit!! Also I really wanted to go down the 'recycled' route, using recycled, upcycled and re-useable materials as much as possible. The main focus of the business will be items made from recycled woollen fabric (jumpers, sweater, scarves etc) and hand hooked pictures / items made from recycled wool and hessian. Most of the items will be made solely from recycled materials but where that isn't possible I will try to use upcycled fabric from clothing etc.

PHEW!!! So on that note here is some work in progress....the first project will be the 'Love Britain' range of hand hooked hearts, cushions and wall hangings.....

Made from Hessian feed sacks and wool offcuts from a carpet manufacturer.

Here again!!

2011-11-06T12:25:00.000-08:00

I know it's been ages since I wrote a post and the last one was when I was a tad annoyed with Folksy and their new rules......well actually they still annoy me and lots of people I've known on Folksy over the last year have now left. However after a break from all the bickering and having a long hard think about what to do, I've decided that for now I will stick with it, at least until after Christmas!

On a brighter note, I have been making!! I've got a couple of craft fayres lined up and have been trying to make things that will hopefully go down well at these.....some Christmas bits, some lovely cuddly diary covers and some beach huts (just to remind you all of Summer!)

The Folksy Fairytale -(based on a few true stories!!)

2011-09-13T02:50:00.000-07:00

(Please note this story is based on facts from other people, not written as my story!!)

Once upon a time there was a little crafter who made beautiful gifts for her family and friends, many of whom said that if they loved her work, there would be others out there who would also. Our little crafter set off with her wares to search for just the right place to share them with the world and came across the lovely, small, local little country of Folksy. As she was a bit shy and lacking in confidence she asked the leaders of this country if her wares were acceptable and was welcomed in with open arms, and her confidence was boosted when lots of people bought her wares and commented on how lovely they all were. All was good.

The little crafter went on to spend much of her time and money working hard to make her little shop work, telling others enthusiastically about this new wonderful world she had discovered and making friends along the way. Of course there were the usual antagonists and busy bodies in the country but she learnt quickly who to trust and take advice from and who to ignore.

Unknown to our naive little crafter, there were rumblings and whispers from some quarters, and as the country of Folksy grew bigger, got richer and became more powerful these rumblings grew louder. Until one day the leaders of Folksy said ENOUGH!! WE ARE THE LEADERS,WE HAVE RULES AND REGULATIONS WHICH MUST BE OBEYED..........Our little crafter carried on as usual, thinking all is well, my items were welcomed, they assured me everything was fine, they have taken my hard earned cash and I have been faithful to them....this doesn't affect me...........

Sadly, she was wrong....

Sadly, her items were no longer acceptable...
Sadly, her items which she lovingly worked on were not considered 'Handmade' enough....
Sadly, all the time and money spent telling others about the wonderful country of Folksy had been thrown back in her face.....
Sadly, she could see others with wares just like hers being patted on the back and congratulated....
......and what is perhaps saddest of all, it felt like some of those people she had got to know and trust along the way had turned against her and others like her.

Well, I hear you say, she could pick herself up, make things that are acceptable and carry on, couldn't she?!........

Except for the simple fact that the country she knew as Folksy has changed, any enthusiasm and loyalty she felt towards them has been dashed and the trust she had put in them and some of her fellow countrymen is now gone. She feels upset, angry, and completely let down.

But our little crafter is resilient, she packs up her wares, closes the doors of her shop and walks away, head held high and back straight to join with the multitiude of others heading the same way. She will just find another country, somewhere where she feels accepted again and somewhere she will learn to trust and join in with their community and she will survive.

Meanwhile the country of Folksy will no doubt carry on and probably thrive in their own way. Soon there will be new people looking for somewhere to share their treasures and no doubt will be welcomed with open arms. Maybe soon, this new country will get bigger, earn lots more money and become even more powerful, then who knows what will happen. Maybe they will decide there are far too many bags, bunting and buttons for their liking and then the rules and regulations will be dusted off again and shouted from the highest pile of wool they can find.

Beware reader...next time it could be you..........

Camera Confession!

2011-07-12T14:38:00.000-07:00

I'm sure some of you may remember me ranting and raving about my lovely SLR camera finally giving up and the fact that similar replacement cameras cost way more than I can afford right now. In fact I had turned into a right camera snob...no other kind of camera was going to do, I had to have an expensive SLR or I was going to sulk for the rest of my life!!

Well...I have a small confession to make.....I started to use a little Kodak Easyshare, cheap as chips camera which is actually meant to be a present for the MIL, just as a stand in until we visited her. Yes, it is tiny, it doesn't have all the fancy buttons (half of which I never learnt to use on my other camera!) and it really bugs me that it doesn't have a viewfinder just a screen .......but....it takes lovely pictures!! I've had to have a bit of a rethink about my lifetime sulk.....maybe a little cheap camera would do just as good a job as my hugely expensive, much-loved SLR......maybe........

Country Cottage Anyone?...

2011-07-11T14:06:00.000-07:00

I've had this idea rolling around my head for weeks now and finally got it done. I always find it hard to start something as I'm a bit nervous of getting it wrong or it being awful when it's finished..but I love my little country cottage, it's very sweet. Hopefully someone else will like it too!!

It's made from a heavyweight calico with lots of fabric flowers, sequins, butterflies and ric-rac...it was great fun playing with it all. I especially love the little roof made from felt. In case you are wondering what it is actually meant to be (other than a cute cottage!) it could be a doorstop or bookend or even just a decoration for a girlies room! It's in my Folksy shop now http://www.folksy.com/items/2008285-Rose-Cottage-?shop=yes !!

Zipped bottom so you can either add a bag of rice or some toy stuffing

Roses around the front door..

..butterflies fluttering on the side

Cute roof eh?!

What a Hooker!!

2011-07-05T13:10:00.000-07:00

I know I've been very quiet recently...we've had lots of things going on and tiredness has taken over...still I haven't been sitting on my lazy bum all the time!!

A little teapot...

Cupcake....

and a cup of tea......

What more do you need?....

Maybe a litle love......

A whole selection of lovely little wall hangings, (two of each) all hand hooked with recycled wool from a carpet manufacturer and hessian from feed sacks! I love making new things from old.... These each have a little hanging hook or could even be used as an emergency coaster!!

Finally....

2011-07-03T13:02:00.000-07:00

They've been a long time coming but here is a quick look at the two pillowcase dresses made for the Dress a Girl around the world charity.....I think I started them back in May but they are now complete!! Ready to be posted off to Sew Scrumptious to send out to wherever......

One with purple straps...

...and one with red!

Mabel.....

2011-06-25T12:43:00.000-07:00

I work in a little sewing shop on Friday's which I love, great boss, lots of lovely things and I get a discount too!! Mabel lives in the shop full time, poor girl has to stand about all day long and then gets to stay all night as well...every night. Not much of a life but at least she gets to dress up every so often....this week she is a Woodland Fairy!!

Dress A Girl Around The World....

2011-05-09T11:29:00.000-07:00

I've just started making some lovely little pillowcase dresses for ' Dress A Girl Around The World' charity. Their aim is to make and send dresses to less privileged countries so that every girl has at least one pretty dress to wear. I heard about this from a lovely lady on Folksy Sew Scrumptious who has fantastically taken the organising and sending of dresses from this country to the charities base in America.

Although these are called pillowcase dresses they don't have to be made form these, I've opted for some lovely (if a little loud!) patchwork pattern material.....all cut out ready to be sewn up into a cute (if a little loud!) dress!!

If you fancy having a go at this very simple pattern (on Little Big Girls Blog) and send them through to Sew Scrumptious please get in contact with her. It would be great to be part of sending over loads of these dresses and show our support.

Could you get hooked??...

2011-05-05T13:58:00.000-07:00

After a week of wondering what to do next I seem to have come back to one of my favourite pastimes....hooking!! No, not fish or even crochet but this kind of thing.....

These are all ones either already sold or for sale in my Folksy shop.!!

After searching on the internet I am quite surprised by how few people out there actually make hooked rugs / wall hangings etc.....there doesn't seem to be very many at all!! After selling a few and having so many positive comments about others, it's obviously not because people don't like this sort of thing so I have to wonder why!!?? Maybe the time taken to make these just makes them not worth it (they do take a while!!) or something else.....who knows?

But as I enjoy doing these and want to focus on something a little bit different for a while I'm going to launch head first into some different themes and ideas in the hand hooked genre.....watch this space!!

Trunk Murder!!!

2011-04-26T13:25:00.000-07:00

It's a little disconcerting having this stood in our garden at the moment!!!

On the crafty front, I've been trying to get ready for the first craft fayre of the year which was (much to my childrens disgust) on Easter Sunday!! The easter egg hunt had to be postponed until the Monday but they've made up for the lack of chocolate since!! I was up to midnight the night before getting these lovely shimmery glasses cases ready....made from curtain samples. It's been really hard to photograph them as the material is a kind of shiny, shot silk like material with textured velvetty pattern. My poor camera just doesn't seem to cope with it anymore!! .

Up, up and away........maybe!!

2011-03-27T11:40:00.000-07:00

From our garden.......

Mum, there's a hot air balloon in the field...... Is it landing?

It's landing, it's landing, it's going to hit the trees......shall we call the emergency services yet!!??

Don't panic, it's going up, it might land in the farm's field.....

No, it's OK it's still going up...

....and down again...it's a kangaroo air balloon...

Still not sure where it was meant to be going but it disappeared from view!!

On the crafty front, I've been making a batch of Tote Bags from some curtain samples.

My weekly friday market stall has now come to an end because next week I start working at the local sewing shop one day a week instead.....exciting but a bit scary! I've not worked in a shop since I was about sixteen but I get a steady wage, great discounts and five whole days paid holiday a year!!

Woolly Eggs...

2011-03-13T14:43:00.000-07:00

The birds have flown and left behind a whole lovely woolly nest with some colourful woolly eggs!!....

Being listed in Folksy over the next couple of days....

Seaside and Daisies....

2011-03-02T15:03:00.000-08:00

Just a quick catch up...here's what has been made in the last couple of weeks..

A few more seasidey bookmarks....

and some lovely daisy flower purses....

Pink, Turquiose AND Orange??!!

2011-02-12T07:56:00.000-08:00

Yes, I wouldn't have put them together either but that's what she (being a friend of mine) wanted!! Not the normal , run-of-the-mill purse but it came out quite well.....I think!! I've been told off for moaning about making this on Facebook so I won't here BUT it took me AGES! Not that it was difficult but just trying to get everything in that she wanted without it looking tacky. You can't see very clearly but there are little triangle patterns on the turquoise bits and the pom-poms look fun but I hope I never have to make another one that small!! ......oops ...that was just a little moan!!

Anyway, she seemed to love it so alls well that ends well!!

Recurring Themes!!

2011-02-11T12:52:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but I always seem to come back (eventually) to similar themes for items which are my very favourites. Although I now live in a beautiful area with mountains, lush green fields, rivers, and lakes I was actually born and lived near the sea until I was about ten. Long summer days spent on the beach have obviously left their mark as I LOVE anything seasidey......beaches, boats, shells, seaglass, beach huts and especially lighthouses. I find myself, (yet again) back on this theme with some fabric bookmarks this time. Here are the few attempts, lighthouses and kites etc to come later.....

On a personal front, we had a fantastic day on Thursday with our local Home Ed groups, playing and picnicing in some beautiful woods in one of the most gorgeous parts of the Lake District......

If only I could have the sea and all this rolled into one!!!

Rags to Riches....Folksy Friday

2011-02-03T14:43:00.000-08:00

As someone who loves making hooked pictures and rag rugs (although I don't get much chance to at the moment!) I always find it amazing that more people don't do it! What could be more satisfying than taking a pile of rags and making something beautiful? I think I may be in the minority here but hey.....have a look at these and see what you think!

Rag Rug Bags - Rags, Bags and Baubles

Spotty Proddy Cushion - stripedpebble

Rustic Fabric Valentine Heart Wreath - Rickety Rose

Handmade Raggy Cushion - AlexisBarnCreates...

Pink Rag Bracelet - Boxoftrix

and of course I had to sneak in a couple of mine!!

Ragged Heart Lavender Pillow

Blue Flower Wall Art

The Sun had his hat on!!

2011-02-01T11:45:00.000-08:00

At long last, I've been able to get outside and get some photos done of my latest bits and pieces. It was a gorgeous clear, sunny day today (and above freezing!!) , perfect weather for photos. Here's a quick catch-up....

These will all be listed in my Folksy shop AND my Zibbet shop (yes, I am finally getting around to using it!!)

Save Our Forests!!!

2011-01-30T10:39:00.000-08:00

Today we went off to our local Forest in Grizedale for a protest against the government selling of these publicly owned forests to private buyers. Grizedale is a fantastic forest, run by the Forestry Commission with walking routes, bike routes and bridle paths as well as an education centre, visitors centre and great adventure playground and this is just one of many forests being earmarked for sale.......

Some private owners, of course, would be great and leave them just as they are but there will always be some, for whatever reason, may close footpaths, fence of 'their land' and refuse access to walkers, bikers and riders. We have so few forests left we really can't let this happen.

Our kids could easily spend all day playing and exploring in the woods (and often do!!) and it would be a real shame if future children don't have that chance.

We unfortunately got there a little late (what's new!!??) but were pleasantly surprised how many people had turned out to support the cause, (we British can be a bit reserved you know!!). Most of the local MP's were there (except the Tories...shame on you!!) and all of these have pledged their support which is great.

So if you want to show your support, not just for the forest in Cumbria but around the rest of the UK too please come and sign the petition here....
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/save-our-forests#petition

Thanks x

Decisions, decisions....

2011-01-21T13:46:00.000-08:00

Well, today was...interesting! Today was the first day back at the market since before Christmas, I knew it was going to be quiet but it was REALLY quiet! We woke up this morning to a hard frost which always puts people of coming into town. Although it was extremely pretty to look at, and I could have quite happily spent all day walking and taking pictures, it made the paths really slippy and it was very cold.

So... nobody was selling much, my day was only saved by one lady buying the lighthouse wall hanging which has been in my Folksy shop for ages! I was beginning to wonder if it was worth carrying on until maybe Easter when people have recovered from Christmas and are starting to spend again!! I was just sitting there looking across at the little sewing shop opposite my table, thinking ..'it would be quite nice to work in there'.....when over comes one of the girls from the shop and tells me she is buying the shop from the present owners and is looking for staff to help her, would I be interested? Weird or what!!? Anyway the upshot is.....do I or don't I??

I know I will probably be earning more, on average, in the shop, also knowing that it will be a regular amount rather than somewhat irregular amounts! The people in the shop are lovely and it's a great little shop anyway and still in the indoor market so still part of the community there, which is great. The hours are less than I spend on my market stall now. I will still be doing what I do online and at Craft Fayres anyway, this would just take over my market day. There is also possibilities of selling some of my smaller items there as well .....can I really say no??

The only downside is that I will be working for someone else....something I've not done in quite a while now.

Mmmm maybe I've just made the decision!!!

Humph, Grump and Hearts!!

2011-01-18T15:22:00.000-08:00

I've been busy for the last week getting stuff ready to sell on the market. Trying to think of reasonably priced small items has been interesting (!?) and they always seem to take so much longer to make than I think they will! It's been incredibly frustrating to have all these great ideas and then not having the chance to do them until the kids are in bed. Then of course it's the usual tiresome duty of getting everything out on the kitchen table to then have to clear it all away before breakfast in the morning!! I REALLY want somewhere to work where I'm free to leave things half done and come back to them whenever I get the chance ....one day.......

Anyway enough moaning.....I have managed to get some bits made.....

Also had a big delivery of some lovely Dried French Lavender which is already aailable in my Folksy supplies shop (Gnomeads - crafting supplies) .

Unfortunately nothing else has been listed yet, my laptop has died, our computer has gone on strike and my hubbies laptop is extremely slow and we are all fighting over it at the moment!! I will be listing very soon I hope........

Family wise, we've been out and about as usual enjoying the usual Lake District weather!

A New Year

2011-01-04T12:21:00.000-08:00

I can't believe my last post was way back on the 10th December!! I've had a busy run up to Christmas with my weekly Market stall, a couple of small commisions to do as well as trying to keep Folksy going. I have to admit that my Folksy shop is looking sadly depleted and dejected but I will get on and sort it out soon. For now my time and energy is going to have to be spent sorting out accounts and making lots more items to sell. After spending New Year with Mr WoollyLakes family it will be all systems go as of tomorrow!!

I guess everyone does a little bit of reminiscing at this time of year, looking back over how the year has gone, where we are now and what we want to achieve next year so here's mine....

2010 Highlights.
- Started my Folksy shop seriously (had only messed about before!)
- Had a table at a local Pirate Day - an experience being placed next to a tombola table full of lovely cheap plastic toys!!
- Did six months at Prom Art, a monthly art and craft fayre along the Prom at Grange-Over Sands, a really lovely atmosphere and a great experience to see what people actually like!
- Got out of my comfort zone and started having a table in our local indoor market, still going well.
- Had a brilliant day at my local church Christmas Craft Fayre

Now to 2011....

- Market starts again on 14th (maybe 21st depending on how much more stock I have made!) These will be quiet months so we'll see how it goes and if it's worth doing it for the next little while.
- Focussing first on making smaller items, I've found these sell better on the stall than the more expensive items. Also going to concentrate on the sewing side rather than knitting and hooking...these will still be going on in the background though! Making batches of the same items rather than having bits and pieces all over the place!
- Will be doing Prom Art again this year, hopefully the weather will hold again.
- My Folksy shop will be re-stocked and left to tick along as it did last year. I will try to get onto the forums a bit more and be sociable!!
- I have had a Zibbet shop not really doing very much so this year I must get this sorted and list items regularly. This also goes for my website, I've decided to concentrate on these and see if I can make some sales rather than trying to get onto Etsy.
- MUST write my blog more frequently!!
- One thing I would like to do this year is try and find some more local craft fayres to get into, I know there are a few around here, being a big tourist area but it's just finding out about them before they are actually on!! We have also unbelievably just been given a caravan so maybe this would be an oppurtunity to travel a bit farther afield...who knows!!?

Well.....that's a start at least.....boring reading I'm sure but it's helped me at least!!

Snow and Stockings!

2010-12-10T10:25:00.000-08:00

As with most of the rest of the country, we've had lovely snow all week, today the big thaw has started and the lovely perfect winter wonderland scenes are gradually turning into a mushy mess .....boo!! Still more to come next week apparantly...could be a white Christmas this year!

I've been busy getting bits and pieces ready for my Friday market stall (as wll as Folksy) so there have been some more Snow Folk....

and some Stockings .... red ones are still to be photographed....

Snow Peeps!!

2010-12-02T09:55:00.000-08:00

While I was away in Somerset my lovely Mum had dug through her cupboards and come up with some white material (previously some type of bedding!) and as soon as I saw it I thought...aha!! Snowmen!! Well these are the result, three finished and more to come ready for my market stall tomorrow....and then they'll be listed on Folksy. Each has their own style and with a nicely weighted base they can stand under your christmas tree or on the mantelpiece ...or even be used as a doorstop!!

Back from Somerset....

2010-11-25T07:35:00.000-08:00

The kids and I have just got back from a trip to Somerset to see some of my lovely family. We thought it was cold down there........brrrr it's really freezing back up here in the North West!! Here's some of what we got up to....

More than your usual buttons!! - Folksy Friday

2010-11-11T14:27:00.000-08:00

Apparantly there is a 'Button Day' on the 16th of next week!! Not quite sure where or why but I though it would be a great idea to try and find some of the more unusual things done with buttons on Folksy. Buttons come in all lovely shapes, colours and sizes but have a look at these.......(those with a button fetish, look away now!!)

Button Lampshade - buttonbead

Button Mosaic Coffee Table - Jo Thorpe Mosaic

Vintage Purple Button Bouquet - Debbie Carlisle

Button Heart Canvas - 100percentdelicate

Tutti Frutti Button Bouquet - Blue Button Bride

Button Bird Wall Plaque - Leanne Woods Design

November Sunshine....

2010-11-07T08:39:00.000-08:00

We have had a gorgeous day today, blue skies, sunshine and puffy white clouds! Considering the amount of rain we had here a few days ago it was lovely to get out into the fresh air and enjoy it for a change. We went along the road and up to and old church tower looking out over the fields and mountains...

The 'new' church down the hill..

Lovely Oak tree in autumn colours..

The last week I have been busy making some bright and colourful flower brooches. These look great on a jacket or bag, and will really brighten up the colder winter days coming up..Made in any colour you like!!

Down to the Greenwood.....

2010-11-01T06:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went along to the Greenwood Fair held at Leighton Hall, nr Carnforth. What a fantastic afternoon we had, the weather held off for most of it and the kids spent a few happy hours making mallets, pizza's, dragonflies and masks!! I think this is quite a new fair (doesn't seem to have been widely advertised anyway!) where among the local envornmental groups and the big names like the RSPB etc there were lots of local green wood workers, stalls with wild food, chainsaw sculpture demonstrations and birds of prey amongst other things. And there was a brilliant lack of health and safety issues so the kids could actually have a go with saws and saw-horses, they did draw the line at the very sharp axe and chainsaws though!! Just our cup of tea!!! ...

Making dragonflies from pegs!

Leighton Hall in the background

Strange people in costumes!!?

Sculptures from natural bits and pieces..

Chainsaw demonstrations - we managed to come home with a lovely little stool!

For the boys....a woodchipper - this was amazing to watch, just seemed to chew up the logs in seconds!!

Getting tired - making mallets

Little Miss making her mallet

Market Mania.....

2010-10-09T13:08:00.000-07:00

Well....Ok...maybe not mania but I am now a proud Market Trader!! I have taken the plunge and have a table booked at our local Indoor Market every Friday for the foreseeable future.....scary.......

After seeing a little notice up in the market a few weeks ago advertising the price of a table, I thought 'what have I got to lose?? Only £5.90 per day and my time, plus the bonus is I get a day out of the house and Mr. WoollyLakes gets a whole day with the kids on his own which is great!! I know there's some craft (dare I say it...) Snobs out there who wouldn't dream of selling things on a market but why not?? If it works don't knock it!!

The Indoor Market is only small with little shops down each side and a row of two tables in the middle so it's not one of these huge places which sell everything and the people I met on the other tables were all really friendly and interested in what I was selling. I had some absolutely lovely conversations with people passing by, quite a few commented on how nice it was to see someone there with craft items. I sat drinking coffee, people watching and knitting all day ....even managing to get another scarf done! I had gone with very small expectations, really just wanting to see if I could sell anything there and came away a very happy bunny, not only covering the cost of my table but nearly £50 better off! Added to that ...quite a few people took cards to have a look on the website!!

So the moral of the story is.......don't be a craft snob!!

Catch up.....short and sweet!!

2010-10-02T07:37:00.000-07:00

Here's just a catch up of what has been going on in WoollyLakes Land this last coupleof weeks.....

Upcycling??? Is that a word?? - Folksy Friday..

2010-09-30T14:57:00.000-07:00

......'Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.Upcycling is the opposite of downcycling, which is the other half of the recycling process. Downcycling involves converting materials and products into new materials of lesser quality. Most recycling involves converting or extracting useful materials from a product and creating a different product or material.' Wikipedia

A lot of my bits and pieces in my shop are 'recycled'and 'upcycled' but never really knew the difference before, so now we all know!! Here are some of the more unusual and amazing upcycled things I found on Folksy.....

Circus Thrills Chair - Kelly Swallow

RUFUS trusty rusty robot dog - Wonkyworks

Chunky Vintage Knitting Needle Bangle - Cissyface Vintage

Plane Old Clock - Reclaimed Time

Re-cycled Planters - Lucky Bird

Caravan of Love!! - Folksy Friday

2010-09-24T01:35:00.000-07:00

We've just got back from a lovely few days away near York (again!) Being slightly less hardened campers these days we managed to borrow a little caravan of a friend to keep us lovely and snug. I have to admit to having an abject fear of pulling caravans along busy roads, not helped by starting our adventure in very wet and windy conditions, nearly losing it after a huge gust hit it side on just down the road from home!! Still, after the 'white knuckle gripping the door handles' for half an hour afterwards I managed to relax and we had a nice calm, drive over (only with a slight queue of trafic behind us!!) The caravan did come into it's own once on the campsite, we were nice and snug whilst our friend in a tent wasn't!! So here is a Folksy Friday all about caravans, campervans and anything else like that which caught my eye.......

Ceramic Caravan - Bread and Butter

VW Camper Milk Jug - Julia Davey Ceramics

Le Camping Caravan Cushion - Edamay

Campervan Handbag! - Innovation Queen

Handcrafted Greetings Card - Cards and Candles for All Occasions

Camper Van Textile Picture - Baggy T's

Woodlands are beautiful!! ....Folksy Friday

2010-09-10T01:41:00.000-07:00

After enjoying the Woodland Festival at our county show yesterday I decided to dedicate my Folksy Friday to everything woodlandy. They are magical places which we as a family love to explore and play in, we have a small piece of woodland near us which we swear has fallen out of the sky from Narnia!! The kids have renamed 'Narnibithia' ...for those of you that read or watch films that's a cross between Narnia and Terebithia!!

The Woodland Fairy - The Twisted Fairies

Woodland Friends Buttons - Buttons and Birdhouses

Butterfly Fawn - Teasemade

Had to get this one in...my nickname is Gnome and my hubby is David!!

A Gnome Called David - Girl of the 80's

Forest Goddess Canvas - Zuzu's Petals

We love the woods!!

It all happens here!!

2010-09-09T12:54:00.000-07:00

For a little town in South Lakes there's a lot going on here!! It's a really happening place....Ok... not quite up there with the big city but this is the country version of happening!! Today was the huge Westmorland County Show , not just cows and sheep but loads of things going on. We got there early (ish) and stayed all day, and still didn't get around all of it...here are just a few of the things the kids got up to.

Hugged a Ferret....

Saw some very cute goats....

Squished a very, very large Guinea Pig.....

Had a go at some Stone Masonry....

and....had a fantastic time making Journey Sticks in the Wood and Forestry Festival area. We could easily have spent all day here! They had willow weavers, green wood workers, charcoal burning, making clay Green Men and wood spirits...it was brilliant, something I really want to take further.....

The Bizarre, Weird and Wonderful......

2010-09-05T12:22:00.000-07:00

Today we spent most of the day down at MintFest enjoying all the amazing street entertainers who were doing their stuff all around the centre of Kendal.

Here are just a few of the shows we enjoyed...(or just watched becuase they were completely bonkers!!....)

Kuljit Bhamra's CHUTNEY - had to get a picture of this fantastic little vehicle!!

Frenetic Engineering - Calamity Jane Show

La Cabane De Pepe - a walking theatre which the kids loved.

Some very random show - still not sure what that was all about!!

Dr Butlers Hatstand Medicine Band - the guy on the trumpet was amazing!

And this was our favourite...an absolutely incredible show, the pictures really don't do it justice but it was brilliant and this girl must have muscles like iron!! 'The comical and surprising tale of a window-dresser and a special mannequin that has rather more life than one might think' She kept her body completely still and straight while being flung all over the place.......incredible!! Yes...... she is a real human being!! Oddlings - Mannekino

Fireworks and Cars - Folksy Friday

2010-09-03T03:50:00.000-07:00

Last night was the start of Mintfest-Kendal's International Festival of Street Arts and we headed of to see 'Bombs Per Minute' by Les Commandos Percu - an amazing long show using fireworks effects with some fantastic rhythmic drumming by a group called Les Commandos Percu. Prior to this there had been a short show by Adrift which was brilliant as well. If you are in to quirky, sometimes bizarre street arts this is the festival for you!! There is a whole weekend of things running in Kendal so can't wait to see what else there is coming!!

Anyway.....getting back to the point......on the way home, very late with two very tired children in the car (one feeling ill!), we managed to hit a HUGE rock which was on the side of the road and about a minute later the car was feeling very sorry for itself. It had punctured the front tyre completely and not sure what it's done to the back one or the tracking!! So there we were at 10.30pm, pitch black, sitting in the middle of a tiny country lane having to change a tyre. Needless to say tempers were a little frayed at this point!! Ho hum........it could be worse...

So in sympathy for our poor car here is a Folksy Friday all about just that......cars!!

Silver Micro Machine Cufflinks - O'blue

Large Colourful Car Canvas - Hand Made Heart

T-Bird T-Shirt - Retro Without A Cause

Traffic Jam Bunting - nickynackynoo

Sunday Drive - Emma In Wonderland Photography

and one chosen by my little lad just because he likes it!!

Bookmark Truck and Car - Made 4 Your Books

Thought for the day...

2010-09-01T13:20:00.000-07:00

It's been a lovely sunny day again here in the North West.....something we've had a bit of a lack of just recently! Sometimes when the weather is rubbish, life's busy, busy, busy and stress levels are flying high it's so easy to forget how fortunate we really are.....

I have two gorgeous, healthy children, one lovely hubby who does things just to make me happy, and the amazing countryside and mountains that I can see from my window. Ok it's not always smelling of roses but sometimes it's good to take a step back and really look!!

Yesterday we watched the farmer collecting his hay bales in the back field, (excuse the picture of the horrible fence!)! We are so blessed to live near enough to a town but still be out in the middle of nowhere and able to watch the farming seasons pass. This field sometimes has sheep in, sometimes cows, and sometimes hay bales!!

And today we went for one of our favourite walks in a quiet, un-touristy part of the Lake District where the only noises you hear are the cows, sheep, running water, birds and sometimes tractors....

Yes..............I must remember just how fortunate we are!!

Sud off - Folksy Friday

2010-08-26T15:25:00.000-07:00

Last week I joined in with the Christmas Swapping going on over at Folksy. I've already completed one great swap with CreatedbyCarole and are just sorting one out with someone else. But in the process of looking through all the great shops involved it's become glaringly obvious that there is a severe lack of presents for the boys!! So if any of you have some great guy things please join up!!

Now my hubby is a big fan of Patchouli scented handmade soaps (good old hippy!!) and I just happened to have a trawl through the soaps on Folksy just to see what there was.....Wow! The humble soap has really come up in the world and I know it probably doesn't get as much atttention as other items so here is a small selection of gorgeous soapiness. ........just think...great stocking fillers......... !!

Black Raspberry and Vanilla Soap - Saffronbarr

Ice Cream Soap - Just Bev Angelic Soaps

Biscuit Soap Set - Bits N Bobs

Felted Soaps - Over The Rainbow

Ylang Ylang Soap - Oracle Lake

and of course you need something to put them in....

Ceramic Driftwood Boat Dish - Charlotte Hupfield Ceramics

Ocean Floor - Glassprimitif

Wheels, Wellies and Webs......

2010-08-26T12:55:00.000-07:00

My blog is still feeling a bit neglected. I have been a bit tied up in other things just recently but I WILL get back on track.......(I think!)

Since the last post, my daughter has learnt to ride (at last!!) so we have finally managed to go on a family bike ride.....hooray! My bike has been going rusty in our garden for about four years and I was desperate to get on it again. Pre children, and pre living 'oop north' I cycled to work most days, my route taking me past Windsor castle (in the distance!), through Eton and along the Thames...fantastic ride....

So we packed up the bikes and spent a lovely day cycling along the side of Lake Windermere to Wray Castle, stopped for lunch at 'Swallows and Amazons Cove' (named by the kids) and then cycled back again.....so good!! Cycling always gives me the feeling of complete freedom, wind in your hair, beautiful scenery...what more could you want?? Maybe not the sore backside the day after!!

On Wednesday while my hubbie took my daughter for a surprise horse ride with a friends horse (part of the birthday treat too!) me and little laddy went and rescued some veg from our overgrown, wild garden!! Couldn't believe it.....we had a whole heap of lovely yummy stuff growing out there. Made the most delicious broth tonight with some of the goodies....so proud of ourselves!!

AND last but not least.....

MY WEBSITE IS UP AND RUNNING..........YAY!! I'm sooo happy, I did most of it myself so it's not completely professional but it's MINE!!!

Go and have a look and let me know what you think (honestly please!!) WoollyLakes Website

Trump, trump,. trump!! - Folksy Friday

2010-08-12T13:33:00.000-07:00

As I have been busy making little elephants ready for selling I decided to see what other ones there were on Folksy....here are some of my finds..lovely I think you'll agree!!

Lambswool Black Elephant Cushion - Sally Nencini

Dotty Green Elephant Coin Purse - The White Elephant

Elephant Sun Dress - Woolly Soup

Esme Elephant - April Marie Textiles

Sterling Silver Elephant Brooch - Deborah Jones Jewellery

Of course I can't let you go without showing some of mine too......

Mickey Elephant

Flo Elephant

Catch up......come on....

2010-08-08T14:16:00.000-07:00

I know, I know my blog posts have been few and far between recently. I seem to spend all my spare time on the computer and never get any blogging done......so time for catch up....again!!

We're now on day 8 of August A-Teamers on Folksy and YES! I have managed to list one thing every day so far...woohoo! Here are the last few days worth...

Marshmallow Pink Long Scarf

Stone Skinny Rib Scarf

Seaside Coasters / Mini Hangings

Lighthouse Wall Hanging

Autumnal Shawl

There have been loads of fantastic things listed by other Folksy people, please do go and have a look in the Folksy Forums. There are just too many to list here!!

Day 3 - A- Teamers

2010-08-03T10:55:00.000-07:00

Here's my offering for Day 3 of the Folksy A-Teamers...

Hazy Days Felted Purse

There is so many lovely things being listed and really hard to choose my favourites from everyone else but here are just a couple from today...

Glitter Sparkle Necklace - Jings Things

Don't you just love those sparkly colours!!?

Sweet Little Teddy Bear Gift Bag - Aiden Crafts

I'm always a sucker for a teddy and this bag is just so cute!

August A-Teamers....Am I Mad!!??

2010-08-02T14:32:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have joined the exclusive club of the August A-Teamers...For those of you not on Folksy this is something that has been running for a few months where the challenge is to list one new item per day in your Folksy shop........AAARGH why do I do these things?

Well..... it's certainly going to be a challenge but I'm going to give it a good go. this is Day 2 and I have so far listed the following:

Day 1 - Tinkerbell Heart Brooch

Day 2 - Lilypond Felted Purse

There are some fantastic things being listed every day, I will try and do a round up every so often of my favourites!

Family xx

2010-07-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

After not actually seeing my big brother and his family for about three years we suddenly got a phone call saying they were coming this weekend...so excited!! My little nephew is now five and I can't wait to see them all. I remember times screaming at each other over stupid things and other times, when I lived with him after moving out of home, where he looked after me when I needed it. There's nothing quite like family is there!?

So my Folksy Friday today is all about that weird and wondeful institution..Families xx

Mole Family - Quernus Crafts

Dysfunctional Comic Strip Handbag - Uniquely Different

Waldorg Pig Family - Wooden Wool

Twins / brother / sister/ keepsake - Your Model, Your Way

Fambly of Wols - Sew Not Evil

It's Back!!

2010-07-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

Hooray, my lovely background is back.....all sorted...phew!

Look no Background!!

2010-07-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

Well as you can see my blog has no background! The story so far.....The cutest Blog on the Block are having to move all their backgrounds onto a new hosting site and everyone with these backgrounds will have to update their background with new codes or (choose a new one).

As I am one of those people who go steaming ahead without reading all the details I merrily went onto their site and put in the new code but when I went back to my blog it still came up with their little message at the top saying it wasn't going to be there after 23rd. Sooo I think.....aaargh it hasn't worked, go onto another site, choose a completely different background, decide I don't like it and wipe everything off.........then read the bit on their blog which says it will come up with this message, even if you have replaced the code, until Friday when your background will be back to normal!!! Oops!! Now I can't get onto their site because the whole universe seems to be changing their background and no other background will do....ho hum!! So there you are...a bare background, feeling a little chilly here right now brrr!!

We're Back!.....

2010-07-16T11:05:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely time in the City of York (and other places) The weather was great most of the week and we visited lots of lovely places. No Folksy Friday today (again!) as I'm busy, busy, busy catching up with everything....

Here's just a snapshot of what we got up to......

and there is still so much left to see for our next visit!!

Where is the sun?

2010-07-04T11:48:00.000-07:00

Just as we are off camping for a week the sun has put in a disappearing act...typical!! I'm hoping it comes out again tomorrow ready to put up our tent, there's not much worse than trying to put up a rather large tent in the pouring rain and wind!! Yes, tomorrow we are off to York for a whole week on our own, no friends, no Home Ed group, no no-one...just us...can't remember the last time we went away 'properly'!! We are away quite a lot in the summer, camping here and there but it's either visiting family and friends or with our group so this feels quite unusual. Quite looking forward to it....

We are planning lots of picnics and days out and as it's our little mans birthday while we are away we have a day trip to the National Railway Museum planned. He has always been slightly obsessed with trains so should be a good day. Will try to take lots of pictures and share some when we get back.

Have a good week everyone x

Strawberries anyone?

2010-07-01T15:37:00.000-07:00

The signs have now gone up...the pick-your-own strawberries are here!! I'm not a great lover of strawberries as they are but I do love a good dollop of strawberry jam on a fresh scone topped with clotted cream......mmmm. Now your mouths are watering here are some strawberry-tastic items from Folksy......

Strawberry Hat - Curly Top

Strawberry Locket - MishaMakes

Strawberry and Cream Cupcake - Woolly Duck

Strawberry Tea Cosy - KnitAndNyatter

Strawberry Fields Soap - Oracle Lake

Strawberries and Cream - Curly Top

You can always do with a new purse!!

2010-06-27T11:47:00.000-07:00

Yes...my 'in' thing at the moment is little felted purses. Made by knitting with beautiful pure wools, then felting and adding some decorations, linings and zips! I'm really enjoying doing these and they are lovely (even if I do say so myself!)

The top three are made from Twilleys 100% merino wool, this is lovely to work with and felts so easily and the last two are a local, organically reared Hebridean wool which is the most delicious looking dark chocolate colour and contrasts so well with the pink. These five are in my Folksy shop and there are a few more coming soon in different colour combinations.

Beautiful Things in Unexpected Places!!

2010-06-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy day today, up this morning to get along to Woolfest . It's a bit of a drive over but goes through some of the Lake Districts most beautiful countryside. Although I really enjoyed it, looking at all the gorgeous woolliness , It was a bit different to what I expected. I guess I thought there would be more little crafty type stalls but most of it seemed to be supplies, loads of fleeces, felt and skeins of wool. I'm sure if I had gone with a pocket full of money and a big shopping list then I would have felt a bit happier but in the end I came out with a few balls of plain 100% wool and a lovely skein of handpainted wool and that was it!!! The experience probably wasn't helped by having two very tired and hot children with us!

And no pictures either....after getting an extremely snooty, stroppy attitude of one of the stall holders after I had taken a picture I suddenly realised that the majority of them had polite notices up asking for no photos to be taken...oops!

Still...we then went of to the seaside for some munchies and a paddle before heading home through some more beautiful countryside.

That was until the brakes failed coming down a particularily windy, steep hill...aargh. Hubbie did a sterling job of getting down safely and fortunately our breakdown cover is up to date! On the plus side we couldn't have broken down in a more picturesque area!!

While waiting to be rescued I took the kids down to have a look at a little chapel down the road...WOW!

It's just a little church but beuatifully looked after, with the most amazing prayer kneelers you could imagine. Each one was hand stitched (cross stitch - I think!) and each one had a little note sewn to the back saying who had made it, who it was made for, and a dedication...a real labour of love! It's amazing what you find in the most unexpected places. Here are just a few of our favourite ones........gorgeous!

Aren't they just something really special and only 'discovered' because our car broke down!! We got home safely in the end but I will definately be going back to that little church when we pass next!

Midsummer Fairies.....

2010-06-24T14:10:00.000-07:00

Hurray! Finally got myself in gear with a Folksy Friday....
We've been off on a Midsummer Camp this week with a group of other Home Edders and have had a fantastic time. Midsummer Eve was spent with the kids dressing up as fairies and wizards (amongst other things!) and eating LOTS of marshmallows around a fire....sugar overload!! So here is my Folksy Friday for this week, all about lovely fairies and things!!.....

Felted Fairy Cupcak House - Maisie Moon Designs

Fairy Faery Painting - Goldvines

Scottish Fairy Door - Salt Of The Earth

Friendship Fairies - Carolines Cottage

Autumn Fairy Bracelet - Glitterbugwishes

Summer Madness....

2010-06-18T15:00:00.000-07:00

I feel like I've done loads and got nothing done for the last few weeks!! This blog, my Folksy shop, twitter and everything else has been seriously neglected!! It's just been a bit mad, so here is a quick catch up.....

1. I've now finished my charity exhibition piece, then completely forgot to get pictures of it before handing it in...dur!

2. Worked with hubby on a couple of jobs which ended up being very long days painting and decorating.

3. Visited the Mother-In-Law and did some more painting (of fences and gates this time!) I decided this may be the way to go if all else fails, it's really quite pleasant sitting in the sunshine, on my own, having people chat to you as they wander past with their dogs! This could be a new business venture!!!

4. Helped out in the craft tent at Party In The Park, which is a fantastic family fun day run by our local church.

5. Been busy making things for the monthly craft fayre at the end of the month, some lovely little felted purses.....soon to be seen here and on Folksy!!
..... and all the usual family things that go on.....

And..... tomorrow we are off for another three night camp with our Home Ed group, I'm busy getting some bits ready so I can sit and sew linings and zips in purses and maybe even knit a few more. We'll see how many actually get done!!

I will be back for a while after that, so I must get a stack of bits listed on Folksy and Zibbett and get a move on with the craft fayre bits.....it's never ending!!!

Going Kind Of Potty - Folksy Friday

2010-06-03T12:51:00.000-07:00

Folksy Friday is early again as tomorrow we are off to a Crafty Monkeys Ceramic and Pottery Studio near Penrith for the day. Sunshine, picnic, treasure hunt, two happy kids painting ceramics, one happy hubbie playing on the potters wheel and one contented mum drinking coffee and chatting!! Great!! So to get us in the mood this Folksy Friday is all about Ceramics / Pottery which are a little bit different from the norm....hope you enjoy them!

Ceramic Butterfly Fridge Magnets - Mimsical Ceramics

Ceramic Night Lite / Candel Holder - Lauren Ceramics

A nice cup of ooh - Ceramic Teacup Necklace - Dottery Pottery

Sunshine n Showers Rainbow Bowl - MarmaladeNinas Ceramics

Waterlily Dish with Recycled Glass - Prince Design UK

.........and one from the Crafty Monkeys themselves.......they've only just got started on Folksy so go and show them some luuuurve!!!!

I Love The Lakes Milk Jug - Crafty Monkeys Pottery

Camping, country and craft!!

2010-05-30T14:55:00.000-07:00

More pictures than words as I'm really tired.....

First our great three night camping trip to Eskdale...

A beautiful campsite in a beautiful area...

Right next to the fantastic La'al Ratty (otherwise known as the Ravenglass and Eskdale Steam railway)

Then it was back home..... to then go to 'Country Fest' at a very wet, and cold showground!! Still we managed to have lots of free food tasters from local producers, stroke some animals and see Peter Gott make sausages!! (those of you who follow Jamie Oliver may know who he is!!)

and we met this gorgeous Shetland pony called Georgie-girl....

THEN.....today was off to the monthly Prom Art at Grange-Over-Sands to sell some crafy stuff!! We had lovely sunshine and I was sharting the table with some great friends so it was a lovely day. After a slow start, lots of browsers and very few buyers, it all ended on a high note when I suddenly made quite a few sales right at the end!! Hooray!

Tomorrow is another busy day and then I think I will collapse in a heap and sleep!!

Normal Service.....

2010-05-29T23:56:00.000-07:00

will resume shortly!!!

Been a mad week, spent three nights camping in the lovely Eskdale valley, came back to then go to 'Country Fest' yesterday and now just off to the monthly Arts and Craft Fayre on the prom.......phew!! Really need a rest, just not a mad rushy kind of person!! Will be back with lots of photos and chat later (or maybe tomorrow!)

Stained Glass Seaside!! - Folksy Friday

2010-05-20T14:55:00.000-07:00

This weeks Folksy Friday is a kind of combined one, all stained glass AND all about the sun and seaside! Some of my favourite things! At the top of my stairs I have one of my efforts at stained glass which is a lovely lighthouse (well, I think it's lovely! ) and just recently I've come across some amazing stained glass artists on Folksy and thought.....why not?! let's blow their trumpets a bit, they deserve it!!

Stand Alone Stained Glass Suncatcher 'Sailboat' - Cherished Stained Glass

Sea to Sun Stained Glass Panel - Diomo Glass

Star Point Light House - AmyOrangeJuice

Sail Boat Stained Glass Suncatcher - Joys of Glass

Sea Horses (set of three) - Gorgeous Glass

Funky Fish - Glassprimitif
(ok not strictly stained glass ...but they are glass and gorgeous!!)

Hard life!!

2010-05-19T13:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was gorgeous sunshine here in the Lake District...so after spending all day working and then digging the garden we decided to get out and enjoy the day ...at least for a little while...so off we went to Lake Windermere for tea! Sausages sizzling in the pan and flies trying to eat all the salad but it was blissfully lovely!! We lay around and enjoyed the sunshine .......

while the kids played......

Discovered a little mermaid sitting on her rock!...

and a handsome, long haired prince.....

Aaaaah it's a hard life!!

Gnomeads Crafting Extras is here!!

2010-05-18T14:02:00.000-07:00

My new shop is now officially open on Folksy!! Just listed some destash items and more will be added all the time. Go and have a look at my great, fun banner....I love it!!

Gnomeads Crafting Extras Shop

New Shop!!

2010-05-16T14:20:00.000-07:00

Yes I have finally decided that I really need to open a new shop! WoollyLakes, will of course, still carry on, the new one is for materials, stock and destash items only. Just ordered a lovely new banner and avator from the fantastic Bonnita of Bonnita Graphics and Momoaby so it's getting there. The reason for this is the simple fact that I have a lot of items lying around which I don't really use and someone else may be able to and that I have managed to get hold of a few different materials recently which I will never get through on my own!! I'm not giving any more secrets away until the shop opens properly!!

Pirate Day ......

2010-05-15T13:01:00.000-07:00

Today was 'Dress Like A Pirate Day' run by a local pub in aid of Alzheimers charity. I had booked a 'craft' table and duly turned up at 10 am to set up. I had been informed earlier in the week that I would be in a marquee ....great! warm and I didn't have to worry about the weather!! Well....true but realised as soon as we went in that I wasn't so much a 'craft' tent as a plastic fantastic tent!! Situated right in one corner with a double table full of cheap and nasty plastic pirate stuff and two lucky dip boxes full of sawdust.....hurrah!? Ok.... I'm not ungrateful, it was a free event, just a donation given at the end and it was their first year of running it and it was a family fun day not a craft fayre as such.

However, being between the plastic fantastic table and a lovely table with some very delicious local Damson Gin (with free tasters!) I knew it wasn't going to be great sales wise. So this is how it went....the kids dragged their parents in to buy plastic guns, swords and to have a go at the lucky dip, the poor tired parents caved in and while the kids were choosing their latest toy which would last them five minutes, the parents were gazing longingly at the Damson Gin table. As soon as the money had been handed over and the kids appeased, the parents were already slurping at the free tasters.....bypassing my table completely! HARRUMPH!!

There were actually only two other 'craft' stalls there so I hope next year, more will decide to come along!! I did have some lovely chats with people and was even given a bag full of gorgeous Alpaca wool (just little bits) by one of the other 'craft' stalls who had some equally gorgeous Alpacas there!! Quite a few people took cards and a few people bought something.... so all was not lost.

Meanwhile my little man (6 years old) and Mr WoollyLakes went off on a Bike Treasure Hunt which ended up being about three miles long along roads and bridleways. For a little man who only started riding his bike a few weeks ago he did brilliantly and got a lovely medal at the end which he is very proud of and we were very proud parents too!!What a star!!

Sewing Machine Appreciation Club!! - Folksy Friday

2010-05-13T14:32:00.000-07:00

Those of you who read my Facebook page will know that this week my sewing machine and I have had a falling out (again!) We have a love / hate relationship which tends to end up with my sewing machine sulking and throwing wobblies just when I need it to do whatever I tell it to!! After a couple of days of not speaking to each other I'm beginning to feel a bit guilty and feel the need to honour my 'lovely' sewing machine with this Folksy Friday (said through gritted teeth with a forced smile!) .....so here we are.....to my poor unloved sewing machine who has been on the naughty step for two whole days.....

I Love My Sewing Machine - Heroine Industries

Grey Sewing Machine Felt Brooch - Fox Bunting

Vintage Fridge Magnets - Craftypagan Designs

I Love To Sew Coin Purse - DinkyDaisy

The Sewing Machine (Ink Drawing) Print - Ink and Stylus

Loot Bags....

2010-05-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

Where do you put all that treasure you find?.....in one of these!!

Or maybe a different version?

2010-05-06T11:05:00.000-07:00

My hubbie is off to Scotland this weekend on a canoeing trip...a bit of male bonding (he's going with a group of fifteen blokes!) and some wild camping....should be fun!!!? So my Folksy Friday this week is all about Things that remind me of Scotland....Och aye!!

Wee Highland Cow - Quernus Crafts

Murray of Atholl Tartan Bear - Slack Stitches

Eat Haggis and Ceilidh On - hole in my pocket

Lochside - Damian J Kelly

Tunnocks Pin Badges - Nikkimade

Wee Jock The Scottie Dog - Cherry Blossom Candles

Pirate Party Anyone?

2010-05-05T13:35:00.000-07:00

Well, I got some of the pirate bits finished, although these were made for my stall at the Pirate Charity Day I decided to put them up in Folksy as well (I can always make some more!!)

Now onto some Pirate loot bags!

Ponies, Picnics and Puppets!

2010-05-04T12:58:00.000-07:00

Meet Bob and Charlie!!

Today we have had a lovely day with some of our Home Ed group, at a barn on a hill with beautiful sunshine!! We met up in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere (although actually quite near to Penrith!!) and joined Barney who lives in a lovely barn with no electricity and an outdoor compost loo. We were welcomed by a lovely warm bonfire and a hot kettle..always a good start and the day went on from there.

First his Mum led us all in a fantastic Shaddow puppet workshop in the dark barn, complete with sofas and soft cushions, and then the kids made some of their own puppets to make into little shows of their own. Mixed into this we also had some fantastic music from Barneys girlfriend who has the most amazing voice! Not the most brilliant picture but it gives you the idea!!

Then a picnic lunch in the warm sun with the bonfire blazing, and on to pony trailer rides with two beautiful cart horses who patiently went around a field lots of times with noisy children (and adults!) on the back.

The barn had lovely woods and fields around so the kids were free to run and play for hours and it has been a fantastic, relaxing day (even with the outdoor compost loo!)

On the craft front.......I've had two sales this week...Hurray and managed to get four sets of Pirate Bunting finished last night. I'll try to get photos tomorrow!

Ooohh Arrrrrgh Me Hearties!! - This be Folksy Friday!!

2010-04-30T01:05:00.000-07:00

I'm hopefully going to have a stall at a Charity Pirate Day soon (just waiting for confirmation!) so I thought I would delve into the world of Folksy Pirates and see what there was. I've got to get my skates on and make some pirate themed bits and pieces so need some inspiration!! Shiver me timbers!!

Pirate Pixie Hoodie - RaggTagg

The Jolly Rodger Pirate Necklace - Inspired: Scilly

Skull 'N' Crossbones Cushion - Baby Blonde Design

Pirate Card - Original Art by Claire

Pirate Pencil Roll - Edemay

Personalised Pirate Bunting - Made With Love X

Craft (Un)fair!!

2010-04-26T15:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the first date in the 'Grange Prom Art' season. This is a monthly art and craft fair which runs from April through to September (6 in all). As a young friend of ours had booked a table for the whole lot, and then realised she wouldn't have enough jewellery to really cover the area, she asked if I wanted to join her and share...great!! I've never done a 'big' craft fair before so was a little bit nervous and spent last week frantically making lots of littler bits which may have tempted people to buy.

After having a beautiful, sunny week we woke up to pouring rain on the day AAARGH! Did I forget to mention this is an outdoor event, along a breezy prom looking across at Morecambe Bay?? The website advised it was definately going ahead so we packed up early and drove over. Fortunately the rain had stopped by the time we got there but it was COLD!!

Well.....we spent all day sitting in the cold breeze and I made the grand total of £9.00 ...woohoo!! Yes, I know..useless! Still, I did learn a few things......

Firstly, that next time we will take another table (we were squashed onto one) as the area they give each 'stall' is really quite huge! Big enough to easily fit in two pasting tables which is great.

Secondly, we will take a windbreak to fix onto the railings behind us!

Thirdly, take more coffee!!

It was interesting to see what people looked at on my stall and funnily enough it was the bigger, more expensive items (hooked wall hangings) that got the most genuine interest!! Funnily enough this is the area I would like to develop more but always thought that people didn't go for that kind of thing!

So although it was a bit disappointing it's sort of made me more focused for the next projects. I really enjoy rag rugging and making hand hooked items so this is where I'm heading next...with a more contemporary twist maybe?

Mice, mice are very nice!! - Folksy Friday

2010-04-22T14:45:00.000-07:00

Well they are when they're not real!!
This Friday we are having a cheese making day with the kids at our local Home Ed group so I decided to let the mice out to play....... and got in early this week to make up for the lack of Folksy Friday last week!!

Teacup featuring Mice Illustration - Home Wares by Lianne Mellor

Cat & Mouse Necklace and Bracelet Set - Lillyangel

Little Mouse Button Badge - PixieDoodle

Primitive Shabby Chic Rosebud the Mouse - Sparrow Primitives

Little Grey Sewing Mouse - The Hunny Bunny Company

Little Crochet Mouse - Blue Fish Handmade

Retro Mouse Paper Weight - Millicent

Sore Fingers but a Warm Heart!!

2010-04-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

Nearly finished!! Couldn't fit them all on the log as there were 34 altogether. My poor fingers need to recover now!!

Hearts, hearts, hearts.....

2010-04-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't written much over the last few days and even missed the Folksy Friday!! (Tut, tut!!) It's been a weird kind of week, the weather has been gorgeous so we've been out and about at every opportunity enjoying it while it lasts!

BUT, I have been working as well...... even taking it with me at times....

and the evenings have been spent frantically making lots of heart brooches for a craft fair this weekend. Handhooked onto Hessian and half finished with beads or buttons, still to be backed then cut out and the brooch pins sewn on....never ending!!

I've done some weird and wacky ones this time as well so we'll see if they sell. I'm off to Grange Prom Art on Sunday to share a craft table with a friends daughter who makes jewellery. Hopefully the weather will be good as we are outside and feeling a little bit nervous as I've never done a 'proper' fair (only a church fair!) before and this one does get quite busy!! Should be fun though.

I've also been getting on with some bags which have just been listed on Folksy, part of my Summer bag range.

PHEW !!!!!

and now relax......... well not yet but here's a few photos to help out, taken this week, in the beautiful sunshine.....

URGENT....

2010-04-16T15:16:00.000-07:00

I know this is not a normal blog post but it is one that I feel needs putting out there.

We have a lovely young friend, Alice who is 14 years old, she also has Hodgkins Lymphona and has spent a long time going through radiotherapy, chemotherapy and being very sick. She desperatly needs a Bone Marrow Donor as there is no-one on the registers at the moment who matches hers. Her appeal has now 'gone public' as time is running out, she really, really needs to find a donor and quickly. If you are not registered already, please, please have a look at this website: http://www.anthonynolan.org.uk and decide if this is something you would like to have available if someone you love needed it!!

I know there are other charities for overseas so just find the one nearest you. The more people who register, the more chance Alice and hundreds of other people have.

Please, just consider it and share this as much as possible to make more people aware.

Come Walk With Us....

2010-04-12T13:46:00.000-07:00

Today was such a beautiful day it seemed a shame to sit indoors so we packed some lunch, dragged the kids away from the computer and off we went.
We love geocaching, which for those of you who don't know is an International game of finding little boxes of treasure, which are hidden all over the world, with a GPS. (www.geocaching.com) As we are fortunate enough to live in an amazingly beautiful part of the UK we seem to have an abundance of these hidden away right on our doorstep....great! We were just checking on some Geocaches which we had put out a little while ago and this takes us on a round walk, in a relatively undiscovered part of the Lake District, so I thought you may like to come along and enjoy the scenery too!

You can't go anywhere in the Lake District without seeing sheep!! This being the famous, local Herdwick variety!

Just checking one of the Geocaches (hidden in the tree...shhh don't tell anyone!)

Across the little wooden bridge.....

Past some big lumps of rock (and a quick Geology lesson by Mr. WoollyLakes!)

Enjoy the view whilst eating lunch .......

Over a little stream, trickling through the countryside......

Time for another drink (courtesy of Mr. WoollyLakes new Swiss Volcano Stove.....he just had to try it out!!) and for Little Boy Blue to try out his photography skills.

Then onwards past some lovely bright yellow gorse.......

Time to dip our toes in the nice cool stream........Mum...it's freezing!!!

A great end to a lovely afternoon...ice-cream down by Lake Windermere in gorgeous sunshine......Life is good xx

Back to the Seventies?!

2010-04-11T13:45:00.000-07:00

I said I had some lovely Retro fabric which I was making a bag from ....well...here it is!!

I have to admit it was one of those fabrics I first looked at and thought.....EUUGH!! It seemed to be VERY orange and VERY seventies and I wasn't at all sure I could make it into anything! Then every time I went to rifle though my fabric for inspiration there it was, just lurking in the pile waiting for the right moment! It grows on you, kind of weird but I love this bag now.....it still reminds me of some curtains we had when I was a child but it's kind of retro funky and will make someone a lovely, unique summer handbag.

Zibbet and MacMillan...

2010-04-09T13:20:00.000-07:00

I don't know if anyone has noticed but I have a nice new badge on my blog for Zibbet. This is a for my new shop on this lovely new site. As I've always been a little bit scared of venturing into Etsy as it's soooo big, this seemed like a smart move. Although Zibbet was started in Australia it is all in USD and a lot of Etsians are moving over or trying it out so it is growing FAST! So now I have my Folksy shop (mainly for the UK) and my Zibbet shop (mainly for everywhere else!!) If you click on my lovely new badge, it will take you striaght through and you can come and join me.....go on, it's free! It's down under my Folksy one!

AND two of my hand-hooked hearts I listed yesterday are now sold.....hurrah! There's still two left and remember....ALL the proceeds will be going to ButeArtism' s MacMillan fundraising.

Bloomin' Blossom - Folksy Friday

2010-04-09T06:11:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite sights of the year is spying the first Cherry Tree blossom. It always seems that one day there is nothing and then the next there is a whole load of pink lovliness! We just drove up from our local town and there it was, a whole row of Cherry trees proudly displaying their new pink blossoms.......makes me smile every time! So on that note, my Folksy Friday today is all about blossom......enjoy xx

Eco Almond Blossom Brooch - Gaia Noir

Apple Blossom Lampwork Bead - Dragon Glass

Mary Jane Across Body Bag - Les Sacs Magique

Cherry Blossom Brass Branch Bracelet - Jinja Jewellery

Pink On Blue - Through The Viewfinder Print - Eyeshoot Photography

Blackberry & Apple Blossom Fairie Pendant - Rainbows and Fairies

Have a Heart.....

2010-04-08T14:01:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally got these four Heart brooches finished!! These are all hand-hooked with some lovely 'Ice' wool onto a hessian backing and each one has been decorated with little flower buttons. These would be great as brooches but would also look good put onto bags etc. AND all the money made from these is going to the MacMillan Fundraising which ButeArtism has been organising. These nurses do a fantastic job for cancer sufferers so it's a very worthwhile cause.

Pots and Castles....

2010-04-06T15:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was hubby's birthday and as he has been dying to have a go at some pottery we headed of to a little place up at Brougham Hall near Penrith called Crafty Monkeys (http://craftymonkeyswebsite.co.uk/) This is a little pot/figure painting workshop but they also have potters wheels where they show you how to throw a pot and then you go back to paint it later on. The kids settled down with some figures to paint while hubby got to play with the clay! His first attempt was great and happened really quickly, a lovely little cup. He then decided to make a small bowl which was a bit more tricky!! After about his fourth attempt he was happy with the result.

Ok, the title about a castle isn't strictly true but it is in the ruins of an old hall which is slowly being renovated privately. The guy lets out some of the refurbished units to crafts and small businesses and there is a nice little cafe there too. Well worth a visit!

Loads of Stuff!!

2010-04-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we decided to head south to Lancaster where there is a HUGE antiques warehouse. There are lots of different stalls which are rented out and people can just display their wares and leave them to pretty much sell themselves! It's a real Aladdin's cave but along with some lovely antiquey bits there is a lot of junk. We haven't been here for a few years and I swear there were some items I remember from last time!! But it's a lovely place just to wander and gasp at some bits and laugh at others!!

From all the lovely bits and pieces, we managed to come out with nothing but a 50p toy car!!

We're going Retro! - Folksy Friday

2010-04-02T02:24:00.000-07:00

At the moment I am in the process of making bags from some lovely upholstery fabric I've been given, some of which is some wacky Retro Seventies material......so my Folksy Friday is all about this.....some of you may remember these styles from the first time around (he, he!)

Ollie the Owl Retro Tea Cosy - Blonde Design

Cherry Dress - Rose and Anchor

Retro Print Coin Purse with yo-yo - Bookity

Cateroillar & Toadstools Fun Pin Brooch - FluffsStuffs

Vintage Fabric Cushion - Eclectic Chair

Spotty!

2010-04-01T12:36:00.000-07:00

I am in bag mode at the moment, using some of my lovely upholstery fabric offcuts I was given by a local upholsterers. I finished bag two last night and am now onto number three. I love the fabric on this one, it's so lush!! The sun was shining this morning so I managed to get some pictures for you.....

Calm...

2010-03-31T14:47:00.000-07:00

After all the drama at the weekend the doctors have told us that Hubby's heart is fine, just 'one of those things' , an irregular heartbeat which can happen occasionally. He's been taking it easy and hopefully be all back to normal soon. Meanwhile I've been trying to get things made and feel like I'm getting nowhere fast! I have some projects on the go but can't get any of them finished until payday, when I can get the bits I need! I did however manage to finish another little bag tonight, lovely spotty handbag.....pictures tomorrow if it's sunny!

As we woke up to snowy mountain tops again this morning I thought I would share these pictures with you all, taken a couple of weeks ago, just up on the Fell behind our house. We are so fortunate to live in a beautiful area of the UK and sometimes it takes a breathtaking view to remind us just how fortunate!!

Looking down over our nearest town, yes,those mountains are real....don't they look just like a backdrop in a film!!?

Dumpty dump de diddy de dump.....

2010-03-28T14:21:00.000-07:00

That was the sound my poor hubbys heart was making this afternoon! Not quite the usual steady thumping sound so after persuading him that he really couldn't go and help out at our local church tonight as planned we packed the kids in the car and headed for the local hospital! Fortunately there was only one other person in the A & E dept so he got seen straight way and put through a barrage of tests before being transferred to the larger hospital in Lancaster (about 20 miles from us). They are keeping him in for 'observation' tonight and we will wait and see what happens tomorrow.

Just had a call from him and he's feeling a bit better but has to have the nurses take him to the loo....poor soul!!

Day after My Birthday Day!

2010-03-27T14:47:00.000-07:00

As we were busy yesterday, today was my 'Birthday Day' instead. After being ousted out of my bed far too early and told to get ready we were off. I had no idea where we were heading! So I thought I would share today with you all.....

First stop was Farfield Mill over at Sedbergh, I've mentioned it before on the blog so sorry if it's a bit of a repeat. This is an old woollen mill which has been converted into exhibition and studio space for local artists and craftspeople, with quite a few different businesses in there, from Green woodworking to weaving to rag rugging to jewellery.....so many pretty things to look at!! We chatted for a little while with one of the artists, a lady called Mary Taylor who does Embroidered Textiles and Jewellery (see her work here). She was lovely and showed us how she builds up her embroidery pictures...wow I never realised it took so much work! Amazing!

After having a refreshing coffee and cake we then headed out to The WoolClip, a shop for all things woollen which is a co-operative of 15 members who show and sell their work here. More pretty things to look at!! Hubby succeeded in chatting up the ladies in the shop to get some information about weaving which he is hoping to take up... can't leave him alone for a second!! Soup and coffee next then off for a drive to the coast
for driftwood searching!

Did lots of driving across the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria, listening to Narnia as we went (mainly to keep the kids happy!) and have had a lovely day seeing loads of inspiring and gorgeous work and scenery!! A great 'day after Birthday day'!!

AND.....just to make it even better I got a very Pretty Lavender Keyring in the post this morning from Debs at DinkyDaisy after winning her Blog Giveaway. I chose the Cupcake one hiding at the back and it's gorgeous!! Thanks Debsxx

Chocolate Cake Heaven.......Folksy Friday

2010-03-26T10:13:00.000-07:00

Today is my birthday and in celebration of my favourite cake ,which is of course....chocolate with buttercream icing, here is my Folksy Friday all about it!!

Chocolate Cake Coin Purse - DinkyDaisy

Slice of Chocolate Cake - Woolly Wotnots

Chocolate Orange Cake Neckace - LightBlue Square Design

Black Chcolate Voodoo Cake Dubble Bubble Bar - Posh Brats Bath & Body Boutique

Rocky Road Cupcake Candle - Purple Sparkle Crafts

Super-Duper Cupcake - Treaclezoo

I can hear that chocolate cake calling....................

Sewing Dunce!!

2010-03-24T14:29:00.000-07:00

You know when you have an idea running around your head, you can see it in your minds eye but just can't figure out how to do it??

I do occasionally venture into the world of sewing but haven't done any for a little while so when my big idea of making some Mini Tote Bags from my stash of upholstery material came down to action my brain went into overload!! Ok... I know all you sewing bods out there are probably saying ....'Tote Bags...Easy!!' ...well I'm a bit rusty to say the least. I spent forever trying to figure out how to attach the lining to the main part and have the handles in the right place when I pulled it all through. My brain ached!! How could something so simple be so baffling?! The sad thing is I've made these before a few times so I really should know by now....DOH!

I finally figured it out after and managed to complete the bag but will I remember it for next time?.......probably not!! I think the only thing I can do is keep making them for now and eventually it will go in!! The bag turned out lovely, (well I think so) and hopefully the sun will shine tomorrow so I can get some pictures done.

There's still time.....

2010-03-23T14:25:00.000-07:00

......to get your Easter presents!!

That was a huge hint that I have some lovely Easter goodies in my Folksy shop....
http://www.folksy.com/shops/gnomead!!

Subtle aren't I!!

Two days ago I had to sort out my 'craft cupboard' as I neede to squeeze even more stuff into it. I managed to sort through all my bits of fabric and fit in the new load I've just been given by a local upholsterer. All their lovely, lovely offcuts of upholstery fabrics which were destined for the bin...fantastic! With that and my two boxes of felted wool offcuts, which I was given by a Scottish mill we sometimes do piece work for, I have stacks of material to use.! My brain was busy whirring away while sorting and I've now started to wade my way through it all to make good use of all these beautiful materials. Now, I'm not the greatest sewer (don't tell anyone!) but after a disastrous first attempt I came up with these little 'nests' or bowls....

The insides are lined with repurposed wool from the mill so make a great little tray for precious jewellery...but for now they are 'nests' for some felted Easter Eggs...

The next lot will soon to be made into a little bag as the material was just crying out to be used!!

Stumpy's Friends

2010-03-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

Last week seems to have been a bit manic, I haven't really had much time or energy to make anything but did manage to get some fun Sheepy magnets done! In honour of my funny little avator sheep 'Stumpy'.

On Saturday we had another Felting workshop at our local church. Although not many people turned up we had loads of space and time to get on with some projects which would never have got finished at home. Hubby and friend were busy making a felt wall hanging for the church to hang up at Easter, they had already completed one and were just working on the second. This is the work in progress.....

.
I will try to get some photos once they are up, they look great at the moment, we have one hung in our living room while waiting for Easter!!

Computer Friday....

2010-03-19T03:04:00.000-07:00

Well, today is Folksy Friday again and while trying to think of a theme, I was reminded of a conversation I'd had with someone earlier in the week. Their daughter is busy doing a Silversmithing course at University and makes some beautiful jewellery and as part of her studies she was writing an essay on recycling materials. Her dad works with computers so she is trying to combine the two...computers and jewellery!! All those boxes of spare parts he has sitting at home could be put to very good use!! (just gone to look and found her on here, so she's first on my list!!)

Sooooo I had a quick mooch around Folksy and I've come up with some similar ideas and some a bit more obscure!! Not being a great computer geek myself I didn't think this would be particularily interesting but I think you'll agree it's quite intriguing to see what can be done. For all you computer nerds....enjoy!!

Computer Pod Necklace - ERA Timeless Jewellery

Computer Key Ring in Black - Ladygeek...

21st Century Fossil - computer mouse - KB Sculptures

A striking wooden memory stick 2GB - Tree Gems

3.5" Floppy Disk Notepad - ReturnVoid Geekware

Circuit Board Twist Pen - Sovereign Pens UK

Woolly Finds...

2010-03-17T15:25:00.000-07:00

I haven't been up to much the last couple of days, been busy and really, really tired.

After a cancellation of plans for today we decided to have a drive up to our favourite little charity shop in Shap. This is one of the very few charity shops in our area which hasn't been hit by 'Tourist Fever' (in other words...tourist prices!!) It's run by some little old ladies who sit around, drink tea and catch up on all the village gossip with their mates! It's quite amusing to listen too at times! They are lovely and they charge peanuts (compared to other charity shops) so we always make a special effort to take our bits up there when we need to and of course have a good rummage around too. Then we went on up to Penrith for lunch and charity shop hunting there. Just in the last shop we were just about to walk out of the door when I spotted a basket full of wool. There were loads of really unusual colours and almost whole packs so of course we just had to buy the whole lot!! Not sure what we are going to do with it all but as my hubby always says 'it will come in handy one day'!! So a successful day after all.

I'm trying to get some sheepy things made at the moment but they seem to be taking forever as I just can't get the oomph to do much in the evenings, hopefully my energy will return very soon!!

'By The Seaside' Wall Frieze - now listed!!!

2010-03-14T12:47:00.000-07:00

It's done, it's finished...at last!! Just listed in my Folksy shop......

Three hand hooked pictures made with 100% recycled materials on lovely driftwood hangers. Very Happy!!

Beach Day.

2010-03-13T15:14:00.000-08:00

We had Mothers Day early today as we are all busy, busy, busy tomorrow so we decided on a day at the Seaside. It's a bit of a drive from where we are to the coast but it's through beautiful scenery most of the way so well worth the effort!! So we packed up the buckets, spades, picnic, coats, hats and kids! and headed off to St. Bee's (NW coast).

We stopped on the way over Hardknott Pass, which is a very narrow, very windy, very steep road over the mountains in the Lake District, to have a look at a Roman Fort right at the top. This is a beautiful area but very wild and in the middle of nowhere, I'm sure the Romans stationed there must have done something very wrong to be left there!!

Then onto St. Bee's and a happy hour or so beach-combing and sand-castle building before heading back for a lovely tea out. Aaaah bliss!

Those of you who read my Twitter or Facebook probably know I've been whinging about a sore hand and wrist, so for those of you who don't I'll whinge here too!!! After spending a lot of days working on my next Folksy item, which is a hand hooked Seaside wall frieze, my hands were sore, this seems to have developed into something a bit worse in one of my hands. I have a feeling it's Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and it is VERY painful at times, got to go to the Doctor's this week and see what he thinks but obviously this means I can't do any crafty things at the moment which is extremely frustrating. I spent most of today with my arm in a sling (on orders from Hubby!!) so we'll see if it just magically goes but it doesn't seem to be yet. GRRR!

Friday again......

2010-03-12T10:59:00.000-08:00

Well, it's Friday again and we have spent a fantastic day at our Home Ed group doing Digital Arts. A local Arts charity brought in loads of amazing digital applications, one being a music mixer where you can mix you own music on the computer. Don't know all the technical terms but this could be another way you could spend hours on the computer!! I WANT ONE!!

Anyway...... it's Friday..... so that means it's Folksy Friday and keeping with the theme of seaside and because we spent a lovely day last week on the beach looking for all those treasures you can find, I thought I would look for some Driftwood items. WOW!!! What gorgeous stuff! Here's just a few of my very favourite's, it was really hard to decide and I WANT ALL OF THESE TOO!!!

Driftwood Chair - by Julius Driftwood Furniture

Driftwood Boat - by Driftwood Boat Builders

Story Telling Chair - by Free Range Designs

Slate and Driftwood Shelf - by Driftwood Designs

Driftwood Heart - by Kirsty Elson Designs

Driftwood Clock - by Artiology

Aren't they just beautiful!?

Catching up.....

2010-03-11T14:45:00.000-08:00

Hurrah!!! At last I have a lovely new (to us!) computer and it is sooo fast!! I knew our last one was on a go slow but never realised just how slow until now!! What a difference.....so now I can catch up with all those computer jobs I've been putting off, catching up with the Link Love on Facebook and posting some new photos here.....

At the moment I have very sore fingers and hands from Hand Hooking quite a lot over the last week, one item was for the Folksy Treasure Hunt which I am part off (shhh, don't tell anyone!) and another is a Seaside Wall Frieze which I have just finished tonight, Yay! Really pleased with them both but only got pictures of the first so here you are, you could win this along with loads of other gorgeous goodies if you join in with the Treasure Hunt, get hunting!!

We spent a lovely day last week on the North West Coast collecting driftwood and lots of other lovely treasures. One of my favourite pastimes is beach-combing, I should really be a hermit on a Scottish Island somewhere!!

Anyone up for a Treasure Hunt?

2010-03-07T10:38:00.000-08:00

Come and join in a fantastic Treasure Hunt from the comfort of your computer chair!! You could be the winner of some gorgeous prizes too...

Get ready, it starts tomorrow!!

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside.......

2010-03-05T12:46:00.000-08:00

It's Folksy Friday time again and as I seem to have a little bit of an obsession with anything Seaside'y I thought I would dream of Summer and find lots of gorgeous Seaside things to drool over. I grew up by the sea and spent many happy summer days on the beach and even though I moved away many years ago (not saying how many!) I still miss it and feel so at peace when I go back to a beach with the waves rolling in.

Some of these Folksy people are quite new and haven't had many sales, so please take a look and give them a bit of a boost at the same time!!

'I do like to be beside the Seaside'

Tweedmatters Seaside Collage Card

Mosaic Lighthouse Picture

Stained Glass and Driftwood Boats

Sealife - Silver Starfish Necklace

Wooden Boats

Now back to my own Seaside Hand Hooked pictures, nearly finished now....

Please leave a comment as I'm feeling a little bit dejected and would love to hear what you think!!

Stroll along the prom....

2010-03-04T14:08:00.000-08:00

Today was another beautiful sunny day so we packed the bikes and headed off for Grange-Over-Sands. A lovely Edwardian resort near to us with a nice long and flat Promenade, ideal for learning to ride! We spent the morning hunting down some more Geocaches, (managed to find two) and then onto the bikes. Before today, our two cherubs were unable to stay upright on a bike so this was going to be a challenge, but after getting to the stage where we would really love to go cycling but they are far to big to take on Tag-Alongs we thought we'd better get this cracked!! We could'nt believe it....after spending some time free-wheeling down a long grassy slope they were off, so we decided to try them out on the flat and they never looked back......literally....we had to run to keep up with the littlest hobo at one point!! Alright it wasn't all plain sailing with daughter falling off and then going all wobbly and not wanting to get back on but they DID IT!! So chuffed, we've spent ages putting it off because we thought it would be a nightmare trying to get them to ride and as neither of our backs are particularily good it just never happened, but after a bit more practice we'll be able to go into the forests cycling...can't wait!! Mind you, it's been so long since I rode my bike they may have to teach me!!

Crafty wise I am trying to get a set of three Seaside Hooked Pictures completed, seems to be taking ages and my fingers are sore but I'll get there. Nearly finished the third one and then I'll need to finish them off and find some way of hanging them....

Fears and Frustrations....

2010-03-01T12:12:00.000-08:00

I am not a particularily confident person, some people would say I was quite shy so Folksy has been a great way for me to get 'out there' without having to put myself up in front of anyone. I opened up my shop last year and plonked a few bits on there, mainly because I had made them and thought maybe they would sell?! There was also an ulterior motive in that, as we Home Educate our two children, one of us (hubby or me) needs to be at home. The only real way we could achieve this was to be Self-Employed, so that I wouldn't be hounded to go for job interviews etc...probably not a particularily good motive for starting a craft business but that's how it was!! I drifted through the last year, making bits and bobs and with no real oomph behind me. However, after selling a few items, I thought I really need to take this a bit more seriously and get going.

BUT.....After spending more and more time on Forums, looking at other peoples blogs, finding all these amazing craftspeople and artists who make such amazing things I am having what is commonly known as a confidence crisis!! Is my work really any good, am I making anything anybody wants, maybe I should just go back to pootling along, oblivious to what anyone else is doing!! Those are my FEARS...

Now my FRUSTRATIONS......I have so many ideas buzzing around my head at the moment but there always seems to be something in the way, broken sewing machine, no funds to buy what I need, really painfully slow computer which needs replacing, no room, no time...blah de blah de blah!!!

Now the thing is, do I carry on regardless, making what I can from what I have and give myself a boot up the backside to move things along? Do I head towards the things I really want to do, a direction I really want my shop to take rather than sitting back and carrying on with bits of this and bits of that?...........Obviously the answer to all of those is YES!! I feel I really need to focus on what I want to make and stick to it but to achieve this I need some of my frustrations sorted out!!! AAARGH!!

For the moment, I guess I will just keep going, heading towards where I really want to be in the future. I'm sure many people have been in the same place I have and I'm certainly not looking for any sympathy (!) but needed to get it off my chest....sorry!!

My First Folksy Friday!

2010-02-26T11:46:00.000-08:00

As this is my first Folksy Friday attempt, I decided that I would pay homage to my little sheep, Stumpy, who is proudly displayed on my Folksy Avator and my blog. So here goes.....my favourite Sheepy items from Folksy, just for you Stumpy!!

Baaaath Time Soaps

Spring has Sprung

I Love Ewe!

Over The Brig - textile art

Swaledale Sheep Print

and the awards go to.........

2010-02-26T03:48:00.000-08:00

Right, after spending a long time last night looking through all the wonderful blogs I read and follow I have finally decided (drum roll please........ ) Here are the Sunshine Award Winners given for all the encouragement, inspiration, light hearted blogging and fun there is in all of these blogs:

Amy Orange Juice
Deeply Felt
Arlenes Felt
Slug and Snail
Top Floor Treasures
Fat Bottom Bags
Ellies Treasures
Dinky Daisy
Felters Journey
Created and Felted
The Felted Garden
Sixty One A

Thankyou all for taking the time to share your experiences!! and for everyone else...take a good look through this list there's some fantastic blogs on there!!

Now for the award winners here is what you now need to do...........

Place this award on your blog or in a post
Pass the award on to 12 bloggers
Link the nominiees within the post
Let the nominiees know they have received the award by commenting on their blog
Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award

Enjoy xxx and big thanks again to Fleurs De Perles for sending some Sunshine to me!!