it's fixed

HTML. Done.
I feel all smug, like Gordon Ramsey :o)

my blog header is finally here

After some help from Mr Monda (who is a designer) my blog header is finally here, and I really love it! It's taken a while but I really think it was worth the wait (I am biased of course). I need to sort out the HTML around the border at the top but that may take me a bit of time because I'm still a virgin as far as HTML goes. Maybe a job for tomorrow.
I'd be happy to receive comments about my header though so please post away until your hearts are content, and if anyone can tell me a quick fix to remove the border from the header without removing it from the rest of the blog that would be much appreciated too.

***NEWSFLASH HTML now Fixed!***

so now maybe a bit more time for making

I've been pretty busy this last 5-6 weekends, and knew I didn't really have any time for crafting and the like. I've been helping my sister out as her house is in a state of disrepair due to renovations, and also she was about to pop out her second baby.Thankfully yesterday Rory popped out!
I've had loads of ideas floating around in my head but no time and no energy to do anything about them so have decided to dedicate tomorrow to just crafting, drawing and making, and hopefully make a start with all the fabric and findings that have been arriving in the post over the last few weeks.

Whilst trampling through the blogosphere, I did find this interesting blog though - good thing if you like Japanese food and culture - and handmade cuteness of course

some nice things from the postman

I mostly always get things I order (or win) sent to my work address as I tend to go into work before the postman reaches my house. The only problem with this is, you get lots of nice things that you cannot do anything with until you get home. Some of my recent eBay purchases included reels of cotton and buttons - all things that make me want to create. Ive taken a pic of my freebies from paper-and-string, nice freebies and lovely packaging.

my blockheads are now for sale on eBay!

As I suspected not much time for blogging, or making or anything really. I've made a couple more blockheads and the crew are on sale on eBay now.They are a combination of hand sewn and machine sewn, but mainly hand sewn.

the list

I did manage to get quite a bit on the list done, and a few things that weren't on the list too. I've still not had the time to put together my banner for my blog, but have done some sketches and made some flowers and birds and a mini blockhead which may form part of it.


I'm not seeing an awful lot of time on the horizon for crafting in the coming weeks - weekends and week nights after work are already looking choc-a-block, although I have stolen myself a little time by taking an afternoon off work next week.

I thought I might also mention the textile network in this post. I studied at Cumbria Institute of Arts (formally Cumbria College of Art and Design, and soon to be University of Cumbria). The textile network is work from past students and tutors at the college.

making a list

I'm borrowing some inspiration from paper and string, and making a plan of action, a list if you like, of things to do this weekend.
They include:
*cleaning the house - boring but necessary
*planting my plants - finally a nice day to do it
*watching Dr Who
*tidying my workspace and readying myself for a day of crafting tomorrow
*making a list of things to do, which already includes making a banner for my blog, and a stack of new cards to sell at work
*learning a bit more about illustrator and indesign (with the help of Mr Monda)

Maybe if I make a list I will actually get some of this stuff done. I tend to make lists at work all the time, but never really think to do it at home - I find myself drawing on scraps of paper and then feeling inspired to make something. Lastly because it's nice to look at a blog with a picture or two, here are some of my random drawings

still on that monster vibe

I've made a few more over the last week - experimenting with the sewing machine and still doing a bit by hand. When I have built up a big enough collection I'll put them on sale.
Also I have bought some fab fabric (can you say fab fabric?) over the last weeks which has slowly been arriving by post - I'm a big fan of ebay and buy quite a lot on there. Here is a pic of some of my latest purchases.Additionally this months purchases have included 2 pairs of crocs. Where have these shoes been all my life? I never thought I would like any shoe as much as a flip flop, but these little beauties are a real treat for the feet - especially if you wore heels to work today like it did - bad move. You can get them online with free postage from this cool website called 'look at my crazy shoes'

monda's monsters

On a rainy, windy, bank holiday weekend where I should have been in the garden planting some of the plants and flowers I bought a couple of weeks ago, I have in fact been testing out my new sewing machine, making giant snacks, visiting family, climbing around a children's indoor play centre, and going monster mad! Here are a few more blockheads that have been made this weekend. The blue one with the spots was half sewn by hand and half by machine. He looks pretty cool, but I really do need to brush up on my machine skills. I love my new (old) bernina, although it does smell like a cross between an old ladies handbag and a dusty old box you've found in the loft (that has been there for the best part of 30 years). That said it seems to be sewing well so I'm pleased. There's still a few hours left in the day for me to crack on with the sewing machine, so that's where I'm off to now.
Another job of the day was to change the bedding. I rolled up the duvet at the end of the bed whilst the bedding was in the washer, and our little baby cat snuck in, and snuggled down.

more in the making

This is a couple I'm working on at the moment - hence the very unfinished look.
I finally have my long awaited bernina, but not much time to get going with it at the moment. Am busy making a 2 foot jammie wagon wheel for a charity auction in association with pimp that snack. Hopefully will get a bit more than just snack pimping done during the rainy bank holiday weekend.

Ohara and Clem

2 new family members today called Ohara and Clem, and also the gang hanging out together.

My sewing machine has still not arrived, hopefully I will get it tomorrow. This brings my sewing machine count to 4 now, but I think the Bernina may just be the King, and I might sell the others when it eventually arrives.

I've been a busy bee

another member of the family - these things breed like mogwai. This one is for Finlay who has just moved into his new bedroom. Finlay called him 'MONSTER' - original I suppose, but then you probably can't ask any more from a 21 month old child can you : -)

another addition to the family

Mieke is the lastest edition to the family. He's been hanging out with bimble

Blockheads

The 'things' from my last post have been affectionately named as 'blockheads' by Mr Monda. The original blockhead was getting lonely, so today as I am not at work, I have made a friend for him. He has legs unlike his predecessor and he does look a bit monstrous (but friendly) so he's called bimble.It's only right that I name the original blockhead too, so he's called Dury (after Ian of course).
Here is Bimble and Dury hanging out in a lovely patterned padded cell.In other news, my sewing machine has still not arrived, mainly due to the incompetence of the courier service, so I am still without my Bernina. Hopefully it will arrive on Monday - after that, there will be no end to my creativity, and hopefully I will start getting a bit more done. Hand sewing, as individual as it is (and you can do it whilst watching TV!) is just not as immediate as machine sewing, and although I am quite a patient person generally, it's very satisfying to be able to create things so quickly. Rock on Monday.

Some 'things'

The 'thing' on the card came first, then I decided to make a 3d version. This card was for someone at work who was leaving, hence the sad face.


The 3d version has a happy side too. He's sitting on the top of the computer for now, and I can change him depending on my mood!