insomnia

as faithless once said 'I can't get no sleep' (are you singing that now too?)
I've had quite a few nights of late where I have been unable to sleep until around 3am despite desperately wanting to sleep. I'm definitely an 8 hours a night girl and I really can't seem to do this right now. I've tried listening to music, reading, listening to the dulcet tones of Paul Mckenna, sleeping in the spare room, sleeping on the sofa, rubbing badger sleep balm onto all available pulse points and countless other known remedies. Tonight I'm going to try hot chocolate and herbal remedy sleeping tablets (and a read thrown in for good measure).

I've decided not to do any sewing tonight as it seems to stimulate my brain and I go to bed with a head bursting full of ideas.
I made a start on this yesterday. I find it really hard to photograph red without it looking totally shocking so apologies for the pic. This WIP is my next mini picture:

feeling brighter

my cold seems to be abating at last and generally I feel a bit brighter. Thanks for all the lovely comments from everyone - I can't reply to comments from everyone directly (I think we are too security conscious and have a 'no reply' setting to our blogs comments - I know I do, and I don't know how to remove it).

Firstly I want to say 'hello' to Julia who has found my blog - you know who you are Ju and I'm saying no more about it.

So, lots of good things to report today:
my limby monsters have finally made their way into my esty shop:
my fabric stash has arrived - its all linen in varying weights, colours and sizes:
and I've already used some of the green linen for my tree in this:I think I might frame this one and keep it, but there will be more in varying designs on the way for my shop.

my new print from TskTsk arrived too:
and the other thing I was going to show you were these really lovely pouches:I bought one for my mobile phone and one for my i-pod. You can of course find these on etsy here

If you're up for a valentines themed swap then get yourself over to Lucy Locket before 8pm tomorrow evening and join in I'm off to get my hands on my new fabric...

what cures a serious dose of the January blues?

This is a real question, and one I wish I knew the answer to because quite frankly I'm fed up of feeling like I do right now.
I have been feeling 'under the weather' (a big fat cloud) for a few weeks and I'm also run down because I haven't been able to shake of my cold and mouth ulcers either.
I was not at work last week and really did nothing but sleep late and veg out - which I think was fine but it didn't make me feel any better - proof that rest and relaxation is a myth.
I know I'll snap out of this soon enough, and I do try to stay upbeat and positive but even making the effort to do this is hard right now, so today I have given up and I am having a moan. phew.

Now onto better things. A few of my latest crafty thoughts and ideas:
I am going to do an embroidery course at the local college. It won't start until October sadly, and I'm not doing it for the qualification - but more so I can hone my existing skills, learn new techniques/skills, and focus myself to achieve something very tangible.

I've decided that I just don't have enough time for making due to the day job. I've got a few days holiday stored up, so starting next week for a month, I'm going to try to take one day a week off work to dedicate to me, doing things I want to do and making things I want to make (like new cushions for my sofa).

I've been doing a bit of drawing and whilst I love my monsters, there is more to Monda than monsters. This is a WIP and something that needs more time and love before it is finished:
In my attempt at curing my blues, I have also ordered myself a stash of fabric, a TskTsk print, and something else which I'll show as soon as it arrives. Shopping therapy indeed.

I also found this pic on the camera which Mr Monda must have taken whilst I was at work today. How can you not smile at this? Stevie in the sink:

tiny terrier

last night I made a really small dog from my 'cute book' which I got for christmas. I'm pleased because it does resemble the picture in the book but this was one fiddly little project and the legs were quite hard to stuff too - the pencil is just to give you an idea of size. I've no idea what to do with it but it was a fun little distraction for a hour or so
All traces of Christmas were removed from the house today, back in the loft for another year, and also my festive blog banner has gone too.

festive version:
non festive version:

I'm off to make the evening meal now - we're still using up all the things that were slung in the freezer over christmas - so we have some pigs in blankets tonight!

not quite perfection

having not quite perfected this long armed, long legged monster design, I decided to make another one, this time with jersey cotton fabrics for the arms and legs I like this better than mark 1, and the arms are a bit lower down and I think it looks a bit better for it - it more resembles the original sketch where the arms should be longer than the legs I like long arms and I think I'm going to add some hands to the next one I make.

The Christmas tree and decs will come down tomorrow, so I wanted to take some pics before I did this. This is just me messing around with no flash whilst moving the camera. I took loads of these shots but this is one of my faves - I like the shapes the lights make and also that you can see a slightly ghostly christmas tree decoration blending into the background too

new year is weird

I actually don't like this bit of limbo we're in right now. There's all the build up and hype before Christmas, then the big day, then it's downhill with a big bump and no one is sure if it's still christmas time but everyone still has decorations up and shops still play christmas songs. It feels weird.

It's fair to say that I haven't had that much Christmas spirit this time and this makes me feel a bit sad because I love christmas time. Perhaps it would help if it snowed. We were supposed to have some snow here today which I was really excited about - I'm a snow kind of person - I'd rather go to Iceland than to Hawaii on holiday, but alas no snow arrived.

Today I made this little guy - here he is posing by the sewing machine that was instrumental in his creation
He didn't quite turn out as I had planned but he has some nice elements and has given me a few ideas for some more things to try. He'll probably make it over to my etsy shop in a day or two.

I'm off into London tomorrow to spend some money! I was given quite a few vouchers and some money for Christmas. I have no idea what I'm going to buy but I'm sure I'll find something to take my fancy - as often turns out when you're not looking to buy anything special.

the last one of the year

Musings:
It's the last day of 2007. I find it quite I scary thing that the year has passed so quickly, and if I stop to think about what I have achieved it seems like I have just wasted a year (of course this is probably not true, but what I mean is that I don't know how many landmark things happened in 2007 for me personally).
Some years, lots of things can happen, and I think 2008 might be one of those year for me. I know I will move house (need something bigger) and I might get married (might) and I might have a baby (might) and I might give up my day job and be a full time designer (might) but as none of these things happened in 2007 perhaps I'm just going to cram it all into 2008.

It would be good to revisit this page on the last day of 2008 to see if any of those things actually did happen.

No resolutions here:
because I really think you can resolve to do something at anytime of the year (why wait until the beginning of a year to decide to do something?). The things I mentioned above, well they are my dreams for the future and I guess they'll happen when they happen be it this year or in a few years time.

Anyway, back to the here and now, and I thought I'd share one of my christmas pressies - 'the cute book' was on my pressie list. I really love this and will be making some of the cute things in it soonI went to my sisters on Christmas day and took a pic of her fireplace with the nice garland I mentioned a few posts ago - as I said, the original pic didn't do it justice - perhaps you just need a nice fireplace for it to look good (!?)Both me and Mr Monda have spent the last few days full of a cold. Sneezing, coughing, blowing noses and worst of all, not being able to taste anything! I hope I'm feeling much better tomorrow because I'm making a new years day lunch for my Sister and the gang - my first chance to use my extending dining table!
We're not going out tonight - first time in many many years, but we really just wanted to stay in this year - we have the Simpsons movie on DVD and an evening meal of Ham, Bubble & Squeak and Pickles. Will probably be the best new year we've ever had!

Happy Happy Christmas

Just popping by quickly to say Happy Christmas to everyone out there who reads my little blog.

and before the madness of Christmas day happens, this is the view into Mr Monda's christmas stocking. Some of you might spot something rather familiar in there...
and some proof that cats also like christmas:

I'm back at work for a couple of days on the 27th and 28th December but I have a whole week off after that and I'll be getting straight back into the blog and making some new softies (already have a few ideas up my sleeve!)

Have a great Christmas time.

Monda
x

Where have I been?

I haven't dropped off the face of the earth, but have been rushing around like a mad thing trying to get stuff done. I haven't even had chance to catch up with any blog reading let along blog posting and the only semi creative thing I have done in the last week is table decorations for the Christmas ball and taking up a pair of jeans.

The Christmas ball was fab - I don't really drink an awful lot, but on this occasion as it had been a long time in the planning and by way of a celebration of my efforts I had a drink (well quite a few). Needless to say I had a great time. The following day we were trying to do some food shopping but due to the after effects of the night before I wasn't managing very well - all I can say is it's a good job that out local sainsburys supermarket has a starbucks in it - I had to go there for a much needed drink and chocolate cornflake square in order to perk me up a bit.

After the inlaws had left on sunday we packed our bags for a spa break getaway for Mr Monda's birthday. The spa (which I have been to a few times in the past) is great and we had a nice relaxing time. In this pic, you can see the dessert that Mr Monda had after his evening meal. 4 desserts on one plate - this is what dreams are made of! I stopped in to see my sister on the way back from the spa today and she had some really nice christmas decorations - she bought them online here
I have to say the pics really don't do them justice, she has this simple yet effective felt garland hanging on her fireplace and it looks great
I finally got my car back today - all fixed and looking lovely - they cleaned it inside and out too. Such a relief and so much nicer than the courtesy car I was given. This makes me very happy indeed.

This week is already zooming by at great speed. I have some christmas pressies still in the making so I must crack on with those now.

Christmas card freebie winner

in a very non technical, cut up a post it note draw, the winner is monkee maker! MM - the cards will be in the post for you tomorrow.

Christmas seems to be taking up way too much time effort and energy this year. I love christmas time but I feel a bit bah-humbug at the minute - probably because I still feel a bit poorly - I dragged myself into work for the last 2 days, but today I admitted defeat and stayed at home. I have the Christmas ball on Friday so I need to feel better for then.

This weekend, Mr Monda's parents are coming to visit, which is fine, they're nice people as in-laws go, but I've still go some last minute christmas gifts to buy and it has to be this weekend as next weekend I'll be seeing my family for the christmas present swap, so I guess I'm going to have to excuse myself and pop off to the shops.
Mr Monda's birthday is on Monday (how inconvenient, just before christmas) so I need to be prepared for this too - and I'm not quite prepared yet, so a shopping trip tomorrow after work is needed.
I haven't made anything for what seems like ages. I'd like to say that I'd made these Christmas decorations: but alas no, I bought them from a lovely local shop that sells all kinds of oldy worldy stuff.

I had a second secret santa last night (another work night out) and got the best presents - a monkey mug, some charlie and lola plasters, a pencil with a Russian doll on the top, and some deco tape. Of course I don't know who bought this for me, but it's someone who knows me pretty well
I love Lauren Child's Charlie and Lola illustrations - she is very clever indeed.

christmas card freebie

Just a quick one from me today - i'm rushing off to do my food shopping in a few minutes
If you'd like to have these monda christmas cards then please just pop a comment on this post.
I'll be back on Wednesday to draw the winner. Good Luck x

oh christmas tree

As I predicted, it has been a really busy weekend. Saturday morning first thing I was at ikea buying a dining table. I have one already but what I really wanted was one that extends, and now I have one - a nice solid birch one. After eating an ikea hotdog (with mustard and ketchup) for breakfast I was home by 12, and next on the agenda was a trip to Windsor to do some christmas shopping, but it really started to rain a lot, and I was also overcome with tiredness so we decided to leave the shopping till Sunday and build the new table - which meant almost dismantling the entire room to have space to build it. Feeling the need to do something semi constructive with the remainder of the day, I decided to wash living room curtains (I'm so rock and roll!)

Sunday - Christmas shopping in Windsor - bought a few bits and a nice skirt for my christmas party on Friday but my heart really wasn't in it so I left at 2.30. On the way home I headed for B&Q (DIY store) to get some brackets for the curtain pole I had bought in ikea, but I couldn't even get near B&Q because the queues of traffic were massive - I guess everyone was buying christmas tree's and decorations, so instead I went to the local garden centre and bought a christmas tree, which is now decorated and sparkling in my living room.

Stevie hasn't seen a Christmas tree before, so immediately investigated by climbing in it:We had to quarantine her into the spare room whilst we decorated it, otherwise we would have had all kinds of carnage on our hands.

Here are some decorations I couldn't resist buying in accessorize today. The knitted christmas puds are lovely This is a selection of my decorations before they are on the tree:and here is my lovely tree:We have put quite a few bells around the bottom so we can hear when stevie in attacking it!
And lastly, this pic is for Sarah - I bought some of her decs and they look great on my tree - The snowman fits in perfectly with the red and white theme - Sarah you are a clever clogs indeed!
I feel like I'm coming down with a head cold - I've been sniffing and sneezing all weekend - so I think an early (ish) night is in order.
Tomorrow I'll be giving away a few of my christmas cards, so pop back if you'd like some freebies.

cards = haircut

I've been really busy this last few nights finishing off christmas cards. Stupidly I didn't take any pics - they just got packed up and taken into work to sell there. I sold £22.50 worth today - not so bad although I have to say they are a steal considering the amount of time I have spent on them - it's just a good job I like doing these things because I really don't make any money on them.

If I have a few left after work tomorrow I might pop a couple into the etsy shop and maybe have a last minute christmas freebie - we'll see how it goes.

£22.50 paid for a haircut today (a work colleague cuts my hair for half the price I'd pay at a salon)
Christmas party season is here. In the next week I have 3 Christmas nights out with work. One is tomorrow - a team thing, one on Tuesday - another team thing, and the one on Friday next week is one that I have been organising - a black and white masquerade ball for the entire company. A sneaky peak at my glitzy mask:And lastly, I've found some great stuff on etsy lately so I thought it rude not to share this lovely litte owl made by thecupcakegirlsNow I'm off to wrap my secret santa gift for tomorrow, which also means I'll get my first christmas pressie tomorrow, woohoo.

RIP

don't panic, nobody died. These are my RIP - Robins in progress! Soon to be sewn and made into christmas cards...

where did the weekend go?

I fear all weekends in the run up to Christmas are going to be like this one has been. The time has flown by. I only had a few hours this afternoon/evening for making christmas cards, in between making soup and cleaning cupboards (an unplanned but necessary job).
Here are a couple of the card designs I've made:
Must go and iron something to wear to work tomorrow and then get myself off to bed!