TopCat's Corner

3 years old!

2011-11-17T13:07:00.005Z

What a busy busy four weeks we've had here! Robyn turned 3 this week, can you believe it!?! The pictures of her parties (she had 3!) are all on OH's phone and he's currently in Singapore so I'll have to share them later. The above pic was taken a couple of weeks ago when she actually asked me to take one of her (a real rarity!!)

I do have a rather cute picture to share with you that was taken the day after Robyn's Birthday and I think it's probably her favourite "present" - a picture of her little sister!

We had our 20 week scan and all is well, it's hard to believe we're already half-way through! At least I now know that I can start making some girlie themed blankets etc but they will have to wait until after Christmas as I have 2 blankets to make for Robyn and a fair few other things to sew and crochet in the next 5 weeks or so!

It's about to chuck it down with rain here so we're snuggling down with the Wishing Chair DVD and I'm going to get on with blanket stitching some applique for Robyn's Christmas quilt, I'll share some pics soon!

2 months!

2011-10-15T17:00:00.005Z

Really, it's been 2 months since I posted?! Wow....

Well I guess I do really have an excuse, I've been really busy and worn out making this little bean:

We're all very excited, none more so than Robyn who wants her baby brother or sister to come out *soon*!!! So the fatigue has really hit my creativity, although now I'm 15 weeks along the tiredness seems to be fading and I have finally finished my crochet along shawl:

I really enjoyed making this, especially as it's the most complex pattern I've tried and I did it by following the chart rather than the written pattern! It's called the Elise Shawl and you can find it on Ravelry

I have a few festive makes to turn my attention to now, then once Christmas has been I'll be making baby things! We have our second scan in about a month and we hope to be able to find out baby's gender, so I should be able to colour co-ordinate my new makes! I'll have until Easter as my due date is Saturday 7th, which is Easter Weekend.... and no we won't be calling baby "Jesus"!

I hope to be in a much more creative mood now and get back into visiting my bloggy friends, I've missed you all but have been too pooped to pop by!

Crochet catch up

2011-08-14T16:42:00.007Z

Wow, 4 weeks and no blogging feels like longer to be honest!

It's the summer holidays here which doesn't effect us too much to be honest, the local sure start centre runs a summer programme for toddlers so we have things to keep us busy. Some sessions are better than others... Robyn particularly loves the crafty fun ones, the messier the better!

I've been crocheting up a storm, 2 friends have had babies so I've made 2 ripple blankets:

I'm also very nearly finished a wrap in soft grey for me to wear at a wedding we're going to next month. This is an early WIP picture, it's much, much bigger now!!

My other crochet project is an Elise Shawl which I'm doing as part of a CAL (crochet along) on Ravelry. For the first time *ever* I'm following a crochet chart and for this particular pattern it's much easier for me to follow than the text pattern! As above this has grown significantly since I took this picture (you'll have to excuse the shoddy quality of this shot it was taken on my phone!)

OH and I are off to the Olympic Park in Stratford this week for the test Basketball games! Will be great to see the Park up close rather than in passing on the train, can't wait! Other than that not much planned here other than keeping Robyn occupied which is easier said than done let me tell you.. in September she will be starting playschool twice a week and I really think she's ready for it now!!

Crochet creations

2011-07-11T12:46:00.004Z

I've taken this rare opportunity afforded to me by Robyn having a nap (not something she's done regularly since November 2010) to create a photo mosaic of my crochet creations. I just wanted to be able to see them altogether in a Pinterest* stylee to see if I had a specific style or colour fondness. I'm not sure that I do! As with most of my life I seem to be rather eclectic in my tastes! For example a playlist I created on my ipod recently feature David Bowie, Queen, Jimi Hendrix, Thin Lizzy, Take That, Robbie Williams (well th

at had to happen seeing as I was lucky enough to get a ticket for their recent Wembley gig!), the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, songs from the Glee soundtracks, Michael Jackson, Guns n Roses... etc etc etc!!

I should be trying to finish this crochet ripple blanket, as I started it last week for a friend who was rather heavily pregnant, now she's a Mummy to a little baby girl so I'd like to get it finished asap. I'm still a little worried that it seems a bit "boy-ish" in colour, despite the lovely peeps on Ravelry saying otherwise. I'm thinking that a yellow shell border or a crocheted daisy may girly-fy it a bit!!! But first I think I need to wake Sleeping Beauty so we can have some lunch, it's almost 2pm!!

*Pinterest - a great web/mobile app to create virtual pinboa

rds of all the great inspiration you find around the net. I've already made a couple of foodie items found there and employed a couple of household tips too. It's fab!!

Fellow yarn lovers can find me on Ravlery under the user name traceychorley, I look forward to seeing you there!

Poncho reveal!

2011-06-30T19:00:00.003Z

So last night I finished off Robyn's poncho and I couldn't be more chuffed with it! She was a bit stand-offish about this morning but did give in an model it a bit earlier for me. I'll have to get better pictures of that tomorrow as a) she was shattered after 2 hours in the park and looked like she'd been dragged through a hedge backwards, and b) the picture is on my ipod and I can't figure out how to add it here!!

Anyway all I can say is that this pattern was a doddle to follow, the first time I've used just a chart and I think I may well make some more as gifts. I added a cord on my mum's advice as the head opening was a little big (I made it that way as I knew Robyn wouldn't wear it if it were too tight and also want the poncho to last!!!) and I think I'll crochet up a couple of flowers to add to the end of the cord, once that's done I'll post a few pics of Robyn wearing it!
Unfortunately I now have to spend this evening ironing as I've done nothing all week as I've been hooking up a storm! Oh well, no rest for the wicked!

Thanks again to Le Monde de Sucrette for the pattern.

Poncho love

2011-06-27T20:26:00.005Z

I know it may seem crazy, it's the hottest day of the year by a long long way yet I've been crocheting a poncho for Robyn! Oh well, it will probably be freezing cold again next week!

I think we only need 3 or 4 more rounds and a shell border before it's done. I've loved it from the first round and thankfully so has Robyn. The neck is a little wide than it probably normal but I know Robyn will hate it if it's too tight, also we should get more wear out of it this way.

I found the pattern on ravelry, it's from Le Monde de Sucrette

Granny lap blanket

2011-05-29T11:53:00.005Z

Just before I settle down to watch the Monaco Grand Prix and carry on hooking up a sun hat for Robyn I thought I'd share this blanket that I finished earlier this week as a present for a friend's birthday:I made it using yarn I had in my stash, 16 5-round granny squares and 4 larger squares called Willow which I got from 200 Crochet Blocks. It's a truly fabulous book and I urge anyone who loves crocheting blocks to look into it, I borrowed it from my sister when I started crocheting earlier this year and when she asked for it back I really missed it!

Friday Thrift

2011-05-20T14:15:00.010Z

It's not often that I go for a mooch around the charity shops in Rayleigh, but today I just fancied it. So Robyn and I hopped on the bus and that's where our luck started. I only had a £10 note and as the bus driver couldn't change it he let us on the bus for free!! As we got off in town I asked if he could change it and he said not to worry! How nice was that?!
We went into 5 different charity shops and I bought something in each one, that never happens!
Robyn did pretty well, one kid's craft book for a £1A couple of Disney books, for 50p each and a magnet animal book (the magnets are now stuck on my lounge radiator) that doesn't look like it's ever been used for £1I got these crochet patterns for 10p each and a teeny tiny 1.5mm crochet hook for 10p too!
I also got this lovely Readers Digest sewing book for £2
and this embroidery pattern booklet for 70p which I'm giving to my Mum!
Finally I bought 2 vases which match my kitchen/dining room really well!
This little one is just the same colour as the dark teal tiles we have on the kitchen wall, bought for £2
and this is my piece de resistance, it matches almost exactly the paint we have bought to paint the kitchen and dining room walls. Isn't it a beauty! It was the most expensive item I bought today at £8.50 but I couldn't leave without it! I doubt I'll get so lucky next time I go rummaging, fingers crossed though!

Creative Space

2011-05-11T15:45:00.000Z

Another Thursday and another Creative Space. This week I'm working on making these granny squares into lap blanket using up some left over cream and pink yarn that I found in my wool bag as a gift for a friend (I'm pretty certain she doesn't read this so it's ok to share this pic!). It can only be a lap blanket as I don't have much of the cream yarn and I have no idea what it is as it had no band on it. It's DK weight and really smooth, I'm sure I only bought it to practise crocheting when I first tried to learn and I'm really sure that it was bought because it was the cheapest one in HobbyCraft!! If anyone has any suggestions as to what it may be I'd be grateful!! I suspect it's a synthetic cotton effect yarn as it's made of about 6 strands... but I could well be wrong!

I'm also very pleased to be able to share with you my finished summery mesh shawl/scarf. It was adapted from a pattern in Cute & Easy Crochet by Nicki Trench. I used a heavier weight yarn so it didn't go quite as far and it is more of a scarf than a shawl, but I am happy as larry with the finished item!

Creative Space Thursday

2011-05-11T15:44:00.005Z

I'm working on this granny square lap blanket using up some left over cream and pink yarn that I found in my wool bag as a gift for a friend (I'm pretty certain she doesn't read this so it's ok to share this pic!). It can only be a lap blanket as I don't have much of the cream yarn and I have no idea what it is as it had no band on it. It's DK weight and really smooth, I'm sure I only bought it to practise crocheting when I first tried to learn and I'm really sure that it was bought because it was the cheapest one in HobbyCraft!!

I'm very pleased to be able to share with you a picture of my finished summery mesh shawl/scarf. It was adapted from a pattern in Cute & Easy Crochet by Nicki Trench. I used a heavier weight yarn so it didn't go quite as far, but I am happy as larry with the finished item!

That's all for this week - let's hope blogger isn't broken any more and this post finally gets posted and stays up, fingers crossed!!

catch up!

2011-04-30T10:35:00.005Z

Well, it's been a couple of weeks and for that I apologise, I do, however, have a reason/excuse. This Wednesday Robyn came down with the dreaded Chicken Pox which would explain her general grouchiness and clinginess of the past fortnight.

So our plans for this long weekend have been completely scuppered as we're stuck at home until her gazillions of red spots clear up. I thought I'd write a wee blog post.

I realised I'd not shared this photo of a cute crochet pin cushion I'd made for my mum as a Mothers' Day gift:

So, crochet is still my number one hobby obsession at the moment, although my creative mind is turning to thoughts of a hexagon patchwork quilt... oh and gardening, well we've been spending a lot of time in the garden and for the first time in the 6 years that we've lived here I'm really happy with our outside space. It's been resplendent with tulips and I now have just a dozen or so waiting to open up and they look like they'll be corkers!

Pink fluffy tulips:

Crochet hexxy throw, it's getting bigger!:

Crochet mesh summery shawl/scarf, using Sublime Cashmere, Merino, Silk blend.. it's so soft and crocheting up really fast! I'm following a pattern from my newest crochet book, Cute & Easy Crochet by Nicki Trench. A fabulous book!

I'm now under orders from a spotty Robyn to help her draw picture of Peppa Pig and Tinker Bell in her "Scientific Fairy Journal" (a quote from her current favourite Tinker Bell film, the Great Fairy Rescue). Hopefully she'll get over the Chicken Pox soon! She watched the Royal Wedding dressed as a bridesmaid yesterday... I'll get the pictures from Colin and share soon!

Creative Space Thursday

2011-03-31T07:20:00.005Z

My creative space is still about the hooked hexagons and I still love them. It's a great process, enough of a pattern to be interesting, but not too complex that I can't watch tv too!

Yesterday Robyn and I had a Creative Space Wednesday, we papier mached 4 balloons to make garden decorations with and then we baked up a batch of good old Fairy Cakes. Robyn decided that licking the icing off the nearest cake to her as fast as I was putting it on was almost as much fun as making icing sugar clouds!!

We're now just waiting for the papier maché to dry so that we can get the paint out!

For more Creative Spaces stop by Kirsty's blog!

Spring has sprung

2011-03-29T11:01:00.003Z

It's amazing what a bit of Spring weather can do isn't it? Spring and Autumn are my favourite seasons, I think for the real change they bring about. My garden has now had a spring clean and shaken off it's winter weariness - it looks a whole lot better for it too! It's far from "perfect" but it's getting there. I could do with a few plants here and there to fill in some gaps and to replace plants lost to the bitingly cold winter we had, but I'm happier with it now than I have ever been in the 6 years we've lived here.

I'm really looking forward to sowing the summer flower seeds Robyn and I picked out at the weekend: giant sunflowers, sweet peas, cosmos, love in the mist, blue cornflowers and bright mixed cornflowers. We also picked out runner beans, sugar snap peas, mixed salad leaves, chard and cress - we've already planted up two egg shells and two yoghurt pots! I just need to replace my wilted rosemary and buy a couple of rhubarb plants and some osteospernum and I think I'll be happy.

I'm also planning to paint the shed and bench - I can't decide between cream or blue.. oh maybe cream AND blue stripes?! I've also got plans to get some heavy weight twill cotton to make some fun bunting. Robyn has insisted we need more rainbow windmills too! Tomorrow is forecast as wet and horrible here so I've foraged in the recycling bins for newspapers and I'm going to introduce Robyn to the wonders of papier mache! I thought I'd try and make some mini hot air balloons and lady birds to hang in the trees. Plenty of coats of varnish should make them hardwaring enough I reckon?

Anyhoo, someone is demanding her lunch so I'd best get out in the kitchen!

Crochet hexagon throw

2011-03-19T11:27:00.002Z

It's a work in progress, 13 hexxies down, quite a few more to go!

So far, so good... although Robyn now wants a Daddy lion and a Robyn (baby) lion, and I think a penguin too!! Oh yes and a big squishy Lucy owl.. I think I'm going to be busy...

Bernard the Owl

2011-03-18T18:07:00.003Z

And so he is done, and I think Robyn loves him!

As with all her toys she has named him Bernard (pronounced with the emphasis on the "nard" after the head-elf in the Santa Clause film). All her toys are named either Lucy (another character in this film!) or Bernard, it's March but we've watched it twice this week! I think I could quote the entire script for this film now!!

Back to the hexxy blanket this weekend, must take some pictures of that, hopefully we'll have some sunshine tomorrow.

Creative Space Thursday

2011-03-17T07:42:00.004Z

Today it's all about owls. I bought this cute little specimen in the charity shop yesterday for the princely sum of £1.50! I've been working on a hexagon throw this past week and everyday Robyn has said the hexxies look like owls eyes and asked me to make her an owl. So, we have put the hexagon throw to one side for a couple of days whilst I try and make an owl - without a pattern. I guess you could say I'm "winging" it!!

Don't forget to stop by Kirsty's place to see more creative spaces.

Apologies for the picture today - it's so grey and dull here (again!) that I just can't seem to do any better!

Creative Space Thursday

2011-03-03T07:53:00.003Z

My creative space this week has been all about finishing the rainbow Granny Square:

Robyn loves it - her first words upon seeing it were "Wow, I love it!"

I'm now starting on a list of smaller crochet projects, a few gifts to be made before embarking on something different, and for once, for me!

I bought this lovely soft DK Smoothie yarn at the weekend and intend to make either a granny square blanket/afghan (I'm not entirely sure what the difference between afghan and blanket is?) or a throw made from crocheted hexagons or african flowers. I need to get the small gifts made and spend some time persuing ravelry and flickr for inspiration!

I won't have much time for crocheting this weekend as Colin and I are off to see the NBA Basketball at the O2 on Friday night, we also are planning a once in a blue moon shopping trip for Saturday (we all 3 of us need new clothes) and we have the in-laws for Sunday lunch before they babysit for us that evening whilst we're out at a comedy gig. As much as this is all fun stuff (shopping on a Satuday is not so much fun but needs doing) I'm kind of looking forward to a quiet week next week! That is until Friday when I'm off to a quilt show with my mum and sister.... crazy times!

Don't forget to stop by Kirsty's place to see more creative spaces, always inspiring!

Snoop my stuff

2011-03-02T08:35:00.004Z

Kirsty over at Kootoyoo has declared she is a snoop - well guess what, so am I! I love to have a nosey through other people's stuff, especially shelves as that collection of bits and bobs can really give you an insight into them.

Here's the main shelf in my lounge, it looks pretty tidy as it's only been up about a month!

That's only about a 1/4 of my book collection, I love books what can I say! The little blue figurine was given to me by Nan, I love how cute it is. There's a cheesey New York souvenir of a snow globe from Macey's which I bought on our honeymoon. You can also spy my mini collection of wood turned mushrooms, I love them and can never resist them when I spy them at a craft fair!
After breakfast I'm off to Kirsty's blog to check out all the other links!

Creative Space Thursday

2011-02-24T08:32:00.006Z

I'm pleased to report that at last it feels like Spring here today, not least because the sun is shining and the chilly air has gone but also due to the bright rainbow granny square that I'm currently crocheting!

I'm also pleased to report that the bag in my last post is finished and I've also made 2 hats this past week: 1 as a gift for a friend's new baby and the other for Robyn (she declared she *had* to have one after she saw the one for baby May!).

Don't forget to pop by Kirsty's place for more Creative Spaces!

Creative Space Thursday

2011-02-10T08:08:00.004Z

Some very relaxing in-the-round treble stitch crochet for me this week. This is going to be either a bag or a basket, I've not quite decided how I'm going to finish this... handles or a turn-over top. Either way it's very cathartic and I'm enjoying this... by the way the colours match the new tiles in my kitchen!

Last week's Creative Space squares have now been turned into this little bag for Robyn, who has declared it as "beautiful".

Pop on over to Kirsty's space to mooch through more Creative Spaces this Thursday.

Granny Square Bag

2011-02-06T22:28:00.004Z

The little stack of squares that featured in Thursday's Creative Space post have now been blocked and stitched together to make a bag! I'm really pleased with how this has come together and how quickly it has too... now what to make next?

I have some teal, slate and cream chunky wool but I'm not sure what to turn that into.. am thinking some kind of storage basket to use for work in progress. Watch this space!

Notes:
This bag was Totally inspired by Lily/Sugar’n’cream. I used a different granny square design (Tricolour Square, design 35 from 200 Crochet Blocks book by Jan Eaton) and after blocking the squares I simply joined them with a row of double crochet (UK stitch). Handles are 2 lenghts of granny stripe.

Creative Space Thursday

2011-02-03T08:03:00.003Z

A very portable creative space for me at the moment.. I've been crocheting on the sofa, at the kitchen table, even in bed. I couldn't be happier!

I've finally figured out how to read granny square patterns, these squares have 6 double treble clusters in them.. get me! I never thought I'd know what that meant, let alone be able to do it! (I am easily pleased)

Pop over to Kirsty's space to see lots more links to more creative spaces!

Crochet crazy

2011-01-23T09:46:00.006Z

As you may have gathered from my last couple of posts lately it's all about crochet here!

I've wanted to learn for years, since my sister Kate started making amazing stuff around the time her son arrived on the scene. Well, until I stopped working in London and became a full-time mum I guess I didn't really have the time and/or focus to do it. Now things are different and I can triple treble stitch a yo-yo flower almost (almost!) without thinking about it!

Thanks to inspiration and encouragement from my crochet Twitter friends I've also managed to finally work out how to read patterns and have produced 3 different granny squares woo-hoo!

I've made a fair few beanie hats and ruffle scarves and have just this weekend finished my first proper "grown-up" project: a ripple blanket for Robyn. She already has a gorgeous one that Kate made for her when she was born, and I had envied the ripply-ness of it since that day. I can't believe I've been able to make one!! AND Robyn seems to like it!

I have to say a huge Thank You to Lucy at Attic24 for the clearest ever Neat Ripple Pattern and the bucket-load of inspiration to be found on her blog - go visit it now!

I'm now making a bag (another of Lucy's patterns!), although now I'm 14 rounds into it I'm not all that sure about the colours so it may end up becoming Robyns!

Folksy Friday - crochet patterns

2011-01-20T18:59:00.003Z

Following on from last weeks crochet materials inspired Folksy Friday this week I've found 6 fabulous patterns available to buy or download on Folksy, I think I'll be pootling over there to purchase some of these!
Click on the link and you'll be taken directly to the stores, enjoy!

Folksy Friday - Crochet-tastic!

2011-01-07T08:25:00.002Z

Well apparently this weekend is known as the flattest of the year, so how about cheering yourself up with a peruse on Folksy? I'm all about crocheting at the moment so I thought I'd show some of the lovely woollen suppliers and creative crochet makes on Folksy
If you click on the picture it will take you to that item in Folksy - happy perusing!

2010 Review

2011-01-02T23:18:00.005Z

What a year 2010 was, flew by in a flash of Robyn giggles and learning to quilt & crochet!

I don't tend to make resolutions as I don't see the point of waiting to promise yourself to do something! But.... my one aim for 2011 is fairly trivial, I really hate leaving half-finished projects laying around. I am aiming to complete one project fully before starting another, it really is my worst habit. The Ellie quilt I made for Robyn took far too long, I got scared of certain stages and put it off, silly really! I get such a sense of achievement when I finally finish something (whether that be sewing, crochet, decluttering, gardening) and I hate hate hate having half-finished works in progress laying around.... so if you see me talking about a new make here please nudge me to make sure I've finished the last one!!

I also want to make more of an effort to apply myself to things and not give up when I can't get something right on the first try. For example if it hadn't been for Colin telling me to not give up with the crochet when I had a hissy fit as I couldn't get it right I would never have finally learnt how to do it! I want to do this for me and so that I can be a better example to Robyn!

Speaking of the Robster, this year will see Robyn starting playgroup in September, how did that happen?! She is such a fun little character and has a great sense of comic timing, she never ceases to amaze me with her ability to soak up words and use them. She's only just 2 but communicates better than some 4 year olds I know! I'm looking forward to seeing how she develops this year, and let's hope her hair grows some more, lots of curls round the back but still pretty scant on the top!!

Here's to a great 2011!

Autumn Leaf Swap

2010-12-13T17:57:00.003Z

A couple of months back I joined in with an Autumn Leaf swap organised by Victoria (aka Giddy Stuff).

This is the glorious package of autumnal themed goodies that I received from Victoria:

A very cute hand-knitted mug-warmer, a memory wire autumnal bead bracelet (which Robyn declared was "very beautiful"!), some chocolate (already consumed!), sherbet pips and some leafy fabric, so amazing!! Much better than receiving bills and junk mail from the postman!

And this is the package I sent to her:

Victoria and I had been chatting on twitter about my new found love of crochet and it started her off with it again, so I thought a crochet hook roll would be a nice gift. Made with orange felt inside and green and orange fabric on the outside - I think it was well received! I also included some reeses cupcakes, marshmallows and hot chocolate as well as some fabric and ribbon from stash. It felt lovely to make a gift for someone and I really enjoyed putting this parcel together!

Baby it's cold outside!

2010-11-27T08:28:00.004Z

Cold is an understatement - it's bloomin freezing!!
Robyn refuses to wear gloves or mittens and so ends up with little red raw blocks of ice for hands when we go out in the pushchair. So after my mum suggested making a hand-warmer/muff I thought I'd give it a go. Here's what I came up with, I made it free-style, no pattern and I do think there's a couple of different approaches I'd take if/when I make some more.

It's made with some Moda Clementine fabric and some super-soft minky lilac fleece - so far it's a hit!!

Festive Finds from Folksy!

2010-11-09T17:54:00.005Z

Well after a false start with the November listing club last week, I'm back on track!

Here's my listings for yesterday and today:

A cute elf hat and a felt gingerbread man:

Here are some more fun festive finds from my fellow November Sparks:

As ever if you click on the picture it will take you through to the Folksy store, go on you know you want to!

More from the Sparks!

2010-11-04T19:14:00.005Z

So being away from home and my camera means no creative space blog for me this week, so I thought I'd share some of the lovely creations available on Folksy from my fellow November Sparks.

I've only managed to list 2 items this month (so 2 behind, whoops!), the second is this (if I may say so myself) very cute robin tree decoration!

And here are some more items of gorgeousness from my fellow November Sparks:

If you click on the pic it will take you through to the relevant store on folksy. Support UK crafters this Christmas, I know I will be!!

Folksy - November Sparks

2010-11-03T12:30:00.003Z

Well, another month and another listing club has begun on Folksy, the November Sparks!
It's day 3 and so far I'm behind already, but in my defence I'm not at home this week as I'm staying with my folks in Suffolk. I've listed 1 item and once Robyn is awake so I can get the camera lead out I'll be listing another with number 3 to appear later this evening (that's the plan!)

This is my first item, a Christmas Pudding tree decoration:

And here are some of my favourites from fellow Sparks:

If you click on the pic it will take you through to the relevant store on folksy. Support UK crafters this Christmas, I know I will be!!

Creative Space Thursday

2010-10-27T21:38:00.002Z

My Creative Space this week has a two-fold theme:

Almost finished appliquéd t-shirts for Robyn. They just need a little hand-embroidery to finish them off. I think my favourite is the owl!

Part 2 is all thanks to Kirsty and her hyperbolic crochet that she shared last week. I was so intrigued by this and was surprised to find that my newly acquired (and therefore beginner-ish) crochet skills could actually cope!! I'm thinking of making smaller ones, because in the early stages mine looked very flower-like, watch this space!!

Hop on over to Kirsty's place to see more creative spaces!

Creative Space Thursday

2010-10-21T05:46:00.004Z

Long time no blog, whoops! Well we were on holiday for 2 weeks, so may I be excused please?!
My creative space looks like this, this week: A stack of felt Christmas decs ready to be blanket-stitched and stuffed.

In other creative news, I've finished Robyn's Ellie quilt:

and I have taken steps to overcome my fear of all things woollen and have learnt to crochet! 2 scarves and one (less than perfect!) hat with more ideas on the horizon!!

Don't forget to stop by Kirsty's place for more creative spaces!

National Cupake Week

2010-09-18T11:22:00.003Z

Wow, what a week for me to have a birthday in, National Cupcake Week!! Perfect or what? I've spent a lovely chilled out week (even though Robyn's a little grouchy as she's cutting her last big teeth - ouch!) baking cakes and sewing a sweet cupcake placemat too!

September Stars on Folksy

2010-09-12T19:49:00.004Z

Wow, it's been a while since I blogged, sorry about that, not sure where the time's gone! I've been sewing and creating a lot and listening to a lot of BBC7 this past couple of weeks, throw in a trip to Wembley to see Muse yesterday and I can kind of understand where the time went!

I've been trying to keep up with the listing club on Folksy - this month we're known as the September Stars. I'm doing OK, only missed a couple of days, (OK 4, but ssshh!!), am yet to make a sale but I'm not worried, I never really set out on this Folksy adventure with the intention of making my millions. Don't get me wrong I'd love it if it really took off, but I just enjoy creating and making stuff and there's only so much I can keep or gift!

So I've decided to do a wee bit of a catch up and show some of my makes for this month and also some of my fave items from fellow stars, enjoy!

Firstly, 3 of my festive makes: Baubles, stockings and a felt tree:

If you like what you see above, just click on the pic and you'll be taken to the seller's store on Folksy!

Creative Space Thursday

2010-08-25T20:51:00.005Z

A finished quilt top!

Now, I will apologise in advance for the rubbish picture, it was dark as night and pouring down when I took this!
I've finally finished the quilt top for Robyn's Ellie-fun quilt! Huzzah!! Just need to buy some wadding and get quilting. I have 3 months before her Birthday, so better get on with it I guess!

Pop on over to Kirsty's gaff for more creative spaces!

Festival of Quilts

2010-08-23T18:15:00.004Z

Wow, I think I've finally recovered from my day out in Birmingham at the NEC for the Festival of Quilts on Saturday. It was AMAZING.
I was completely blown away by the variety and standard of quilts on show and had much fun spending a few pennies at some of the hundreds of shops.
I wish I had bought my camera to capture some of the exhibited quilts, but there were some (rather small!) signs asking you not to take pictures, oh well! I guess my one and only gripe was that the £6 programme was a bit of a swizz in my opinion. It just gave you a very small amount of detail on each of the exhibited quilts and told you the stand numbers for the shops. I would have glady paid a little more if it had included pictures of the show quilts - then the ones that didn't want pictures taken could have opted out! Oh well, I've not let that spoil my day!

I am really pleased to have been able to see so many finished quilts in the flesh as it were. It's made realise that there are so many different techniques and approaches to take. It's also made me realise that I need not worry about small imperfections, as many of the quilts I saw had a few, BUT the overall effect of the quilt was in no way effected.

I am now brimming with inspiration and have a skecthcbook loaded with plans, and a shopping bag overflowing with new fabric. Below are some pics of my stash.

Fabulous bargains were to be had from a Japanese Fabric stall:

Some gorgeous retro fabrics from the Eternal Maker and a very handy mini iron from the Stitch Witch.

And a final 2 pictures of all the Christmas themed fabrics I snapped up!

I now just need to decide what project to start with first!!!

Fabulous Fabric Folksy Friday!

2010-08-19T18:59:00.004Z

OK - so I know technically there's still a couple of hours to go until it's Friday but I thought I'd get in now as I won't have much free time tomorrow!

This week's Folksy Friday is a fabric themed spectacular as I'm so excited about going to the Festival of Quilts at the NEC on Saturday!

Below are fabrics for sale on Folksy that really caught my eye, if you click the picture it will take you directly to the store!

I hope to report back on Sunday about all the great inspirations (and purchases) from Saturdays trip up the M1!

August A-Team on Folksy!

2010-08-03T17:48:00.004Z

So, another month another listing club! I'm going to try and keep up with the August A-Team over on Folksy, although I'm not so confident that I'll maintain it this month as I don't have much stock made ready.

My first 3 listings for August are below, a couple of cards and a Christmas (yes I said Christmas!) decoration:

And now for a few picks from fellow A-Teamers!

As always if you click on the pic you'll be taken to the folksy listing for that item.

Folksy Friday!

2010-07-30T12:02:00.003Z

Wow, where has the last week and a half gone? I can't believe it's Friday again and I've not blogged since last Tuesday!

Well, better late than never here's my Folksy Friday post today, featuring some lovely items from fellow July Jesters. We've had a cracking month and between us are fast approaching 1,000 sales!

So, as always no real theme for me here, I've just picked 6 items from fellow Jesters that have jumped out at me today!

As always if you click on the pic you'll be taken to the folksy listing for that item.

Folksy - July Jesters day 20

2010-07-20T21:05:00.003Z

Folksy July Jesters Day 20.

Blimey, day 20 and I've managed to keep up! It's silly but as Folksy had some techy issues today the view counter had to be turned off - I hadn't realised how much I checked that!!

So, today I listed another Christmas item - a felt tree decoration:

Here are some of my faves from my fellow Jesters - kind of hard to pick just 6!

As always if you click on the pic you'll be taken to the folksy listing for that item.

The day a Supahero came to stay!

2010-07-17T20:55:00.006Z

Well, who would have thought that a trans-Atlantic trip from Canada would take about 7 weeks?! Well, it did, but finally he arrived, my Hero!

I soon put him to work in the garden,

he helped me harvest some strawberries:

and then we checked the broadbeans for greenfly:

Then, well, he kind of got distracted by a ladybird:

Then another distraction came along....

She eventually gave in...

And they wandered off into the sunset together!!

This Supahero is now back home with it's creator Gina Rahman!

Folksy Friday!

2010-07-16T19:38:00.003Z

Folksy Friday

Better late than never I present you my Folksy Friday for today, July 16th.
Now I know it's only July, the kids haven't even broken up for school etc etc etc... but my offering today is a Christmas Robin decoration!

The following are lovely items listed by fellow July Jesters today, no theme, just things that jumped out at me!!

As always if you click on the pic you'll be taken to the folksy listing for that item.

Folksy, July Jesters catch up!

2010-07-14T19:27:00.003Z

July Jesters - day 14

First off, apologies for not posting this week, Robyn's not been too well the past couple of days so I've had other priorities! Thankfully she's back to her cheeky happy self!

So, below are my last few listings on Folksy, followed by a treasury of my faves listed by fellow July Jesters today:

As always if you click on the pic you'll be taken to the folksy listing for that item.

Folksy Friday!

2010-07-09T20:02:00.003Z

And so to Friday! Wow the weeks are spinning by fast at the moment!
Here's my listing for today, another flower card

Here are my pics from today's listings, no real theme just items that caught my eye!

As always if you click on the pic you'll be taken to the folksy listing for that item.

Folksy July Jesters - Day 8

2010-07-08T20:13:00.004Z

Another day, another July Jesters blog post!
This is my listing for today, a purple spotty pencil roll, seems to be really popular, lots of views and few "faves" too!

The following are items listed today that I really like the look of!

As always if you click on the pic you'll be taken to the folksy listing for that item.

July Jesters - day 7

2010-07-07T20:18:00.002Z

Day 7 of July Jesters and still going strong!
My item today is a ladybird card, it would go nicely with yesterday's item, the ladybird canvas:

Below are another 6 of my faves from other July jesters listed today, it's honestly so hard to pick just 6!

As always if you click on the pic you'll be taken to the folksy listing for that item.
Enjoy!
Trace x

July Jesters - day 6

2010-07-06T19:00:00.004Z

And so to day 6 of the July Jesters Folksy listing challenge!

My item today is another canvas, this one with a ladybird motif:

Below are 6 of my faves from other July jesters listed today, it's really hard to pick just 6!

As always if you click on the pic you'll be taken to the folksy listing for that item.
Enjoy!
Trace x

July Jesters - day 5

2010-07-05T15:14:00.003Z

Folksy Friday

It seems that the July Jesters on Folksy are having a storming start to the month, lots and lots of sales, hurrah!

Here's my listing for today,5th July. A nice bright red and blue birthday card:

And here are some of the lovely items listed by my fellow July Jesters:

As always if you click on the pic you'll be taken to the folksy listing for that item.

Folksy Friday

2010-07-02T13:37:00.003Z

Folksy Friday

So, will be keeping this short and sweet seeing as I only blogged last night! Thought I'd do a Folksy Friday of more lovely offerings from the July Jesters

First off, some shameless self promotion! Here's my listing for today, 2nd July. An ice cream themed birthday card:

As always if you click on the pic you'll be taken to the folksy listing for that item.

July Jesters on Folksy - day 1!

2010-07-01T18:40:00.004Z

So, it's the 1st July and for some insane reason I've decided to join in with the July Jesters on Folksy in a barmy plan to list an item every day (yes, I did say *every* day) throughout July!

I've got a fair amount of new stock to list - mainly cards as I'm really enjoying designing and making those at the moment.
Today, however, I listed a toadstool canvas. I'm very fond of it and will be buying more canvases soon to make one for Robyn's room!

I won't promise to blog every day, because, as Mary Poppins says "that's a pie-crust promise, easily made and easily broken." I will however be tweeting and facebooking daily (did I just make up a verb?!) and endeavouring to blog several times a week, I want to be able to share some of the great makes my fellow July Jesters are listing.

So, without further ado (that and my pizza is nearly ready!), here is my first Folksy July Jesters treasury:

Click on any of the pictures to be taken to their folksy listing page.

Right - I've had a lovely time finding items for this treasury, sitting in the garden with a cold ginger beer (of the alocoholic variety!). But now my dinner's ready, so till next time!

Tracey x

Altered Book Swap

2010-06-22T20:40:00.004Z

Part 2 of the UK Handmade altered book swap and this time I remembered to save the pictures onto my laptop before deleting from the camera! Here's what I did in Victoria's beautiful bird book:

Foxglove Folksy Friday

2010-06-11T05:51:00.004Z

Ok, so I bet you'd all forgotten that I did a Folksy Friday post a *few* weeks back.. well just in case you had I thought I'd do another, this time the theme is inspired by the glorious foxgloves in my garden, so without further ado I give you my Pink and Green themed Folksy Friday!

1. Green and pink gingham doggy by Gemma Lou illustration

2. Pink and mint green necklace by Jewellery by ME

3. Pink and Green memory bracelet by Cloudberry Pie

4. pink and green bunting by Michelle Samuels Design

5. Pink, green and yellow button headband by pinl tree studios

6. Flamingo canvass by mememoo

Again a big THANK YOU to Haptree on CraftBlog UK for the fabulous instructions and template that I've used for this blog.

Happy Friday everyone!

Edited to add Dizzy Izzy's blog-hop:

T x

Creative Space Thursday

2010-06-10T08:02:00.002Z

My creative space has been put on the back burner for the last week or so. Lots of family time and then a large dose of Operation declutter, throw in a dash of "Must plant veggie seeds before the end of the summer" panic and I kind of didn't get to do too much. However, a lovely 3 hour nap from Robyn yesterday coupled with 2 episodes of the Moonstone on BBC7 meant I could crack out the sewing machine and get busy making. I have a school fete coming up later this month so have been adding to my stock with pencil rolls.

I have plans for more fun felt cards, sock toys and bean bags. Hopefully I'll have lots to share next week!

Check out Kirsty's gaff for more creative spaces

A patchwork present

2010-05-24T19:13:00.003Z

I just thought I'd share the mini quilted patchwork blankie I made last week. Some good friends of ours had a baby a couple of weeks ago and finally picked a name last week so I was able to personalise this. It came together really quickly thanks to the Moda Flirtations charm pack I had in my stash. I used a fleecey sheet that I'd bought for Robyn's moses basket (but never used) as the back. I decided not to layer any batting or wadding inside as the baby will get most use from this in the next few months when hopefully we'll be enjoying lovely warm summery weather! I really hope our friends and their baby like it, they should be receiving it any day now, fingers crossed!!

Creative Space Thursday

2010-05-20T06:03:00.004Z

My Ellie quilt top is coming together! I plan to try and get the rows stitched together today so that I can see if I need to make any adjustments to the centre panel (kind of wishing I hadn't already fixed the applique layers down on that, ho hum, lesson learnt!) After that I'll be able to get the border cut and pieced (a fairly simple task as it's going to be 4 white rectangles to edge this colourful masterpiece!) and then I'll have to man-up and face facts - I'll have to layer up and get quilting!! Kind of scary and kind of exciting all at the same time!! (Just don't mention the dreaded double B of bias-binding, *shudder* - how scary?)
Wish me luck peeps - oh and as ever pop on over to Kirsty's to check out more creative spaces, have fun!

Ooh this is my 250th post, wow doesn't feel like much for 5 years of blogging!

Felt cards - reveal (finally!!)

2010-05-18T06:39:00.008Z

Well, I can only say I had a slight blonde moment a couple of weeks back. I posted some sneak peaks of my new felt cards, then posted them in my folksy store without revealing them here! Doh.
So, better late than never right?

Lion card - with a padded mane Apple cards - Granny Smith or Pink Lady?

Cloud - with silver lining.
Lady Bird card Owl card
If you'd like to buy one of these then please do stop by my folksy store!
Happy Tuesday guys - I'm off to finish off a baby quilt for a friends new little baby girl, back with pics later in the week!

Stash shopping

2010-05-15T07:35:00.011Z

Wow another week has flown by with no time for crafting at all :o(

I spent the week at my parents in Suffolk so that we could have a new kitchen fitted - hurrah!! There was no way I could stay home with Robyn whilst it was done so a little Lowestoft holiday was in order. We had a great time and did manage to visit 2 great fabric shops and do a *little* shopping!!

This pile of loveliness came from Tyler's Patch in Barleylands which we visited before we left for Lowestoft:

I plan on making a quilted wall hanging for my bedroom as we don't have a headboard we need a little something on the wall to pretty it up a bit.

This stash pile came from the magnificent Sew and Sos in Bungay, Suffolk. If ever you're in the area and love fabric shopping it's a must-see. Stacked to the rafters with gorgeous bolts of fabric and a huge chest of drawers with bags and bags of offcuts.

I plan on using the brown with the turquoise from the other picture to make the wall hanging. The circles and fish are going to be some fun things for TopCat's Corner on folksy as well as a picnic blanket. The lilac floral pile is going to be turned into a quilted buggy liner for Robyn, just need to get some terry towling to back it.

Finally we went to Taverham garden and craft centre and stopped in at Sew Simple where I got some lovely white fabric for the ellie quilt I'm making for Robyn and some other bits and bobs, including a great issue of Homespun magazine, with a fab pattern for a Don't Look Now designed quilt. I hope one day to be able to attempt it!

I also managed to get enough plants to fill up the new flower-bed-that-used-to-be-a-pond, just need a little more topsoil in the bed before I can put these in:
Please ignore the weeds in the background!!

Happy Days!! Now before I can play with fabric and flowers I'd better get the kitchen stuff all put away and clean this dusty house!

Folksy Friday - Creature Feature!

2010-05-06T18:31:00.009Z

Oooh check me out - my first Folksy Friday post! I decided to go for a Creature Feature theme as I noticed that alot of items I've "favourited" (is that even a verb?) on Folksy are creature types. Enjoy!!

1. Tell Tails by Stuffed Nonsense

2. Frog Mask by Lupin Handmade

3. Norris the Sock Critter by We Come in Peace

4. Sock Creature Chloe and Pinky by KittyPinkStars

5. Twit Twoo Owl Cushion by Kirsty Elson Designs (Kirsty has a great giveaway going on at the moment, be sure to check it out!!)

6. Keith the plush secret keeper by Belle Britannia

Also I must say THANK YOU to Haptree on CraftBlog UK for the fabulous instructions and template that I've used for this blog. A dream to use and really easy to follow directions.

Edited to include Dizzy Izzy's blog hop:

TTFN, and Happy Friday, Trace xx

Creative Space Thursday

2010-05-05T21:02:00.004Z

A stack of finished felt cards, hurrah! So nice to have some finished pieces rather than a pile of Works In Progress. Not sure that I'll get much done next week as my Creative Space will be a building site - we're finally getting a new kitchen! The Robster and I are going on a little sojourn to my mum and dad's in Suffolk, I can't wait. A break from Essex and I get to come home to a new kitchen.

I hope to get some of these cards listed on my folksy store today or tomorrow. I have my fingers' crossed that next week's Creative Space post will be sharing a complete quilt top, that's the plan anyhow!

TTFN folks, don't forget to pop by Kirsty's gaff for a nosey at other creative spaces.

Creative Space Thursday

2010-04-29T07:40:00.004Z

My creative space today is calling me, no offence to Robyn I love her dearly, but I can't wait for her to take her nap today so I can get cracking! I've got a couple of felt cards ready to sew and oodles more designs scribbled in my note pad that I want to scale up and get templates made for. Let's hope that Tumbletots does it's usual trick and wears her out for a nice long snooze!

Happy Thursday all, pop over to Kirsty's place for a nose at more creative spaces.

TopCat's Corner

2010-04-24T11:01:00.005Z

Finally, may I have a drum roll please? I've opened a store on Folksy, yay me!!

It's taken a little longer than I anticipated, but I've got there in the end. I'll be selling sock toys (of course!) and lots of other crafty yumminess for kids. I'll be sure to keep you posted here with new stocks and possible giveaways too!

Here's a few examples of my store items:

Stop by and have a browse!

You can now follow me on Twitter: {Tracey Chorley on Twitter}
I have also created a fan page on Facebook which you are welcome to "like!" and share with your friends!: {TopCat's Corner}

Right, well I'm off to enjoy the sunny weather and tackle the stinging nettles in the garden. I also have an OCD urge to sort out my fabric stash! I wonder which will I'll end up doing?!

Creative Space Thursday

2010-04-22T07:15:00.003Z

I've had a couple of these fat quarters for a few months now and didn't really know what to do with them. After a successful browse in the local (ish! *) fabric shop in Leigh in Sea I was able to significantly improve my stash of sea blue fabrics. Don't you think they look like sticks of rock all lined up like that? ** Now, what to do with them all?!

Pop on over to {Kirsty's} place for more Creative Spaces!

* It takes a 20min walk to the station, followed by a 30 min bus ride and then a 10min walk to get to my local fabric store!! But it is as local as I have!

** For international readers, a stick of rock is a large candy stick you buy at the seaside, it generally has the name of the location written through it. It's very reminiscent of my childhood!! I'm not sure if it's a special UK thing?

A non crafty post for a change!

2010-04-18T20:51:00.005Z

Not too much crafty time this weekend for me. We had errands to run yesterday, that, as always, took longer than imagined. (Shoe shopping for the sprog, wine shopping for us,a Saturday Supermarket Deathwish and a mercy mission to drop off some dresses to my sister). Today Colin spent a good few hours emptying the pond of water and manky old liner... it's now filled with rubble from around the garden (I'm amazed at how many mini boulders and bits of concrete we had!), the plan is to fill it with soil next weekend then get it planted up. I cannot wait. Robyn loves to spend lots of time outdoors and the pond was such a hazard, but now it is gone.

I thought I'd share a few snaps of the spring flowers we're enjoying in our garden:

This is the view from my kitchen window.

On another non-crafty note, I finished reading the {Book Thief} this weekend. Seriously, amazing. I actually shed a few tears at the end. Anyone interested in WWII or just fancying a great read should definitely give it a try. I know it's a book I'll read again one day. For now though I'm going a bit less grown up.... I'm reading {George's Marvellous Medicine}. Look, just because I'm 33 years old does not mean I shouldn't read children's stories, especially when they're written by the Grand Master - {Roald Dahl}! There's also the added bonus of the {Quinten Blake} illustrations to boot. Oh, that reminds me, I must get a copy of Mr Magnolia has only 1 boot.....

Happy Sunday folks... stay tuned for news of my folksy store launch, coming soon!

Creative Space Thursday

2010-04-14T21:16:00.004Z

I'm working on finishing off lots of "almost there" items. And I'm pleased to report that I am almost there....!! Hope you like the sneak peeks above, they're an integral part of my folksy grand opening... watch this space!!!

Don't forget to check out {Kirsty's place} for more creative spaces!

Double dud!

2010-04-07T08:16:00.004Z

Wow, where's the last week gone? Flown by in a blur I think! Easter was pretty mental here, lots of "popping out" to "just do this" and friends for lunch, then it was gone. We are finally finally getting a new kitchen, hurrah! Colin's parents were very kind and have helped us out, our kitchen was the original one put in the house when it was built, in 1992. It is falling apart, oh and it's white and grey, bleugh.

So, that was our Easter... I'm currently working on a new venture/adventure, a TopCat folksy store, YAY!! So watch this space. I'm working on lots of fun things for kiddies bedrooms (however, if you wish to buy them for yourself, I won't tell, promise!). There will be some sock toys of course, but also quilted yumminess, framed prettiness, funky fleece... oh I could go on and tell you all, but then I'd have to kill you!!! (Said in my best mock-James-Bond-villain voice!)

Seeing as I just can't post without a picture, I thought I'd share Robyn showing her latest party trick - the double dud! (She calls her dummy a dud, I don't know how/why but she does and who am I to argue?!)

Happy Wednesday folks, I know it's a bit grey out there but I've been assured that from tomorrow we should have lots of sunny weather, hurrah!!

Creative Space Thursday

2010-04-01T11:07:00.004Z

lots to do today, so here's a short and sweet post!

It's all about turquoise squares here in TopCat's Corner, I hope to be able to show some finished article pics over the long weekend.

Happy Easter all! Don't forget to mosie on over to {Kirsty's gaff} for more creative spaces.

Travelling StampBOX

2010-03-29T11:30:00.004Z

Wow, it's been 16 months since I made anything with paper.... 16 months!! I was making cards right up to the day before Robyn was born and up until yesterday I didn't so much as pick up a roll of double sided tape!!

picture from mystampbox.com

Then a couple of weeks back Kimmy sent me a tin containing some acrylic clear stamps, it was the Creative Sisterhood of the Travelling StampBOX. I instantly loved the idea of a travelling stampbox and also instantly knew what I was going to make with them, the circles yelled "eyes!" and the heart shaped yelled "wings!". So yesterday afternoon I set about making an owl card:

The tin will be winging (ha ha!) it's way to Claire on Sunday, I can't wait to see what she comes up with!

I now think that I'll be back paper-crafting with a vengeance, especially as my supplies are now out of boxes and sorted into a cupboard where I can get to them, hurrah!!! I will also be trying to figure out a way to get more hours in theday.... watch this space!

Creative Space Thursday

2010-03-25T13:03:00.006Z

Elephant in the room:

Not too much creative time this week, but now the spring cleaning has been tackled I'm back on track. Picture above is my rather small scale drawing of the centre piece for my first ever quilt. I had to employ the help of my rather technically minded hubby last night to scale it up to full 14 inch size. I'm now just waiting on the fabrics I ordered yesterday to arrive so I can start making this elephant, I'm really excited!!

Don't forget to pop over to {Kirsty's} for more creative spaces!

Creative break for spring cleaning!

2010-03-23T13:01:00.007Z

Spring has most definitely sprung and not soon enough for me!
Much to Robyn's delight we have an abundance of birds in our garden, including pairs of nesting doves, robins and blackbirds! Here's a few shots of spring-ness from my back garden today:
Soon-to-bud pink and green tulips:

- I love that the leaves are pink and green as well as the blooms!

Dilly-dally Daffodils:

- finally, it seems like I've been waiting forever for these daffs to bloom!

Slimy frog spawn: - it doesn't usually last as up until last autumn we had a 20 or so fish in the pond that have since been re-homed, however now the pond is fish free I could soon be swamped with tadpoles! In fact, I can't wait to empty and fill in this pond so that the Robster can run about in the garden without me fretting all the time!

I've had a few days away from crafting to catch up on some much needed spring cleaning and kitchen planning (oh how I hope we can afford to get our kitchen redone!!) and am now itching to get stuck into something crafty! I still have a few more chores on my list though, so I'm trying very hard to clear it today so that tonight I can craft with abandon!

A certain someone doesn't make spring cleaning any easier - imagine the state of my (thankfully wooden) dining room floor after this coco-pop incident at breakfast yesterday!!!
Happy Tuesday folks, I hope to be back on Creative Space Thursday with some fun things to show you!!

Button watch!

2010-03-17T11:17:00.004Z

photo property of Claire at Black Cats Whiskers

It's another gloriously sunny spring like day here in Essex, thank goodness for that! We finally have some (ok, 2!) daffodils open!

I had a lovely Mother's Day here on Sunday - Robyn's a very clever 16 month old, she ordered me a beautiful bunch of flowers!! Colin mentioned that he had wanted to get me something else, a button watch I'd been oogling on Folksy, but the seller was away so the shop was closed. So I emailed the seller, the lovely Claire, and she opened the shop so that I could purchase the watch, yay!! I paid for it Sunday and it arrived yesterday (Tuesday) and I couldn't be happier with it. It's rare for me to find something that I really want to have, often when I'm asked what I'd like for a Birthday or Christmas present I end up requesting a dvd or book as I don't often want jewellery etc. So, thank you to Claire of Black Cats Whiskers for making my day!!

I'm cracking on well with Robyn's patchwork quilt, I need to think about the centre panel now, a trip to Barley Lands on Friday might help with that. So I'm going to try my hand at making some ruffle strips and fabric flowers, wish me luck!!

Creative swap?

2010-03-15T16:10:00.003Z

My new crafty friend Claire at Beautiful Things is hosting a crafty swap - why not stop by and join in? A really simple swap as a way of meeting new crafty minded peeps, and yes I know it may well increase your blog reading list (mentioning no names, but some people called Kimmy like to moan at me about this ;0p ) but really where's the harm in that?!

Just look at this lovely bag that Claire made for her Mum as a mothers day gift:

Happy Monday peeps!

Creative Space...

2010-03-12T10:18:00.005Z

....Thursday on a Friday! After a mad 3 weeks making sock toys in time for last weekend's market I'm on a different creative bent this week - I'm back to cutting squares of Ellie Fun by Karen Neuberger for Robyn's quilt. Now as this is my first ever quilt attempt, I'm taking my time and have set my deadline as Robyn's 2nd birthday in November! I have already taken an executive decision to cut the squares down as when I started I didn't have a ruler longer than 12 inches so some of the first squares I cut are less than square! Also, my pattern involves corners made up of triangular squares and I didn't factor in the loss of fabric in the seams of those so, ho hum, lessons learnt! I know (from what my mum has told me) that the more precise I am in my cutting stage the more enjoyable the sewing stage will be, so I'm taking my time and trimming all the squares down to size and am considering adding a border to my pattern too. I enjoyed planning out my pattern and colouring in 50-odd squares with coloured pencils, it felt like being back at school!

Have a fab weekend folks and to all the UK mummies reading this, Happy Mother's (Mothers' ?) Day!! Don't forget to mosey on down to Kirsty's for a nose at other creative places.

I hope that I don't get greeted with this mess on Mother's Day that's for sure!

Some much needed Sunshine!

2010-03-06T14:23:00.008Z

How lovely! 2 wonderful bloggers have awarded me a Sunshine Award! Thanks to MonkeyLouLou and Pukka Pinnies for sharing with me!!!!

I read a lot (and I mean A LOT!) of blogs but I will just share the love of this award with 12 rather than 24 as there just aren't enough hours in the day... that and Robyn is thinking it rather funny to stash her dummy behind the radiators for me to get out!!

The sunshine award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspires others in the blogging world. The rules for accepting the award are as follows:

Place the logo within your blog or post.

Pass the award onto 12 bloggers.

Link the nominees within the post.

Let the nominees 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.

I'd like to award this to:

Cute Designs UK - the cutest amigurumi critters!
Ric Rac - fab crafting blog, awesome soft toys!
Crafty Fish - plenty of vintage and crafting eye candy!
The Beauty is in the Detail - great crafty bits and bobs, and sometimes cakes too! (Always a bonus in my book!)

Craft Schmaft - awesome aussie sock toys, seriously AWE-some!
June at Noon - lots of sewing and stitching loveliness!
Lova Revolutionary - loads of crafty inspiration, it will make you drool!
M* - another sewing blog, loaded with fun inspiration!
Monster Munch - an eclectic mix of creative musings and findings, love it!
Creating my life in technicolour - Kimmy is a scrapping friend of mine, she writes a funny and creative blog!

I dream of tweed - a new blog added to my list, very inspiring, some great makes!

Art Food and Motherhood - the title says it all, a fab read!

So, enjoy the sunshine my lovely bloggy peeps!

Creative Space Thursday

2010-03-04T15:11:00.005Z

Is it really already Thursday again? I think the blue skies and sunshine have thrown me a bit this week!! That and I've been creating like there's no tomorrow to get ready for Sunday's market in Brentwood. I'm nervous and excited to see what kind of reception we get!

My creative space (the dining room table) has been taken over by Colin this week, but it's in a good cause (namely ME!!) so I don't mind! He's emptying his beer glass collection from one of his display cupboards from what was his study so that I can share (take over) the study with my crafting stuff, rather than have stash packed in boxes all over the place, hurrah!!!

So, my creative space has relocated to a spot on the kitchen side, which for once is bathed in sunshine! The sock creature is an almost finished dog, if I can clear this fuzzy headache I'll get him done in a jiffy.

Happy Thursday guys and wish me luck for Sunday won't you?! If you won't I'll make Robyn stick her tongue out at you!!!
Don't forget to pop on over to Kirsty's gaff for me creative spaces!

What a difference...

2010-03-01T21:53:00.004Z

....a bit of sunshine and blue skies can make! Last Monday was cold, grey and damp, today, on the other hand, was a perfect laundry day. Crisp fresh air, vibrant blue skies and wall to wall sunshine all day long! We've not had a day like that round these parts for months - Spring is definitely in the air.

The Robster, as always, has been full of beans (happy beans I should add!). She spent a few happy hours yesterday trashing the lounge playing with balls and a tunnel:

It was wonderful to be able to photograph some finished sock toys today in natural light! I seem to be really enjoying the process of making these toys at the moment, rather than getting half way through and just wanting to finish already so that I can start the next one that I'm already planning!!! I acquired some new additions to sock mountain at the weekend, which unfortunately entailed a trip to Lakeside shopping centre, on a Saturday - yikes it was scary Mary! I am loving the ska checks and have some awesome hexagon patterned socks on order from Next that I cannot wait to get my hands on.... I never would have guessed that socks would inspire me so much! I wonder is there anything slightly oddball that gets your creative juices flowing? If I get enough answers I might just pick the weirdest to receive a wee little sock creation!

Creative Space Thursday

2010-02-25T08:08:00.002Z

Apparently having made an orange sock pig makes me "leftfield" so says one of my bessy mates. It's actually a compliment from Juliet, we have always revelled in not following the same path as everyone else, through clothes and music choices as students mainly! Anyhoo, this orange pig has been one of 6 (yes *6*) toys that I've completed since Monday! Admitedly they were all in different stages, but none close to finishing. I think the realisation that my first market of the year is fast approaching (Ingrave Community Market on March 7) I put a bit of a rocket up my bum 3 weeks ago and have now added the grand sum of 22 toys to my stock! My aim at the beginning of the year was to make on average 3 a week, so that's pretty good going, even if I do say so myself!

Here's the inventory:
10 chicks
3 cats
1 owl
1 monkey
1 pig
1 mouse
3 bunnies
2 frogs (I keep forgetting the frogs when I do this tally!)

If you'd like to see more pictures, please check out my flickr album here
Phew - now I just have 3 days to make a sock penguin for my nephew who is a bit Spheniscidae-mad at the moment. (No, I'm not David Attenborough, I just like to google stuff, a lot!).

Given that fact and that it's almost time to leave for Tumble Tots, I'd better sign out. Happy Creative Space Thursday all, don't forget to check out Kirsty's place and go on a blog-hop!

Monday, Monday....

2010-02-22T22:13:00.004Z

Another grey, damp and dreary Monday has been and almost gone. Apart from the Glee soundtrack and Robyn laughing at her own bottom burps, today would have been rather grey indoors too! So I'm about to call it a day and hit the sack with a {Chocolate Ovaltine Light} and the {Book Thief} (I know how to live the high life don't I?!). I have to say it's been a long time since I've looked forward to reading a book of an evening, I hope that the Book Thief delivers on it's early promise.

I've got lots more sock toys to share but seriously it's been so gloomy here there's been no way I could have taken pictures without way too much flash, which I hate!

I've made a sock sheep and almost completed a pig today, which considering that I share my days with a very active 15 month old little girl and my obsessive compulsive need to clean stuff, is kind of impressive wouldn't you think?

So, seeing as I hate to publish a post "sans image" here's one of my cheeky monkey until I can take some of the sock menagerie that's fast taking over my dining table!

PS - I've just made up a packet of strawberry jelly ready for Robyn and me tomorrow - how organised am I??!?!

Creative Space Thursday

2010-02-19T12:48:00.006Z

ssshh don't tell anyone I didn't post this till Friday, OK?!
Well my check list of half-finished sock toys to complete is fast being ticked off, yay!
So far this week I've finished a sock owl door stop for my mother-in-law, a sock owl, 5 chicks, 1 monkey and 2 frogs... here's photographic evidence:

Well that's all for now folks - Robyn is yelling "hold hold cheese!!" at me, which means I have to read her the fish book AGAIN and make her some lunch (cheese = food in this house!)
Happy Friday and don't forget to pop over to {Kirsty's place} to nose at more creative spaces.

Frog - revisted

2010-02-15T08:42:00.001Z

So I uhmed and aahed all weekend and decided to do different eyes for the frog. I was just not happy with how they turned out. As much as I try to avoid buttons as some people really don't like them on toys (which I totally understand, but I'm sure that not all my sock toys are destined for the under 3s!) I just wouldn't have been happy setting Mr Frog out on the stall as he was - he looked like he'd fallen foul/fowl (??) to a practical joke comprising boot polish and binoculars!!!

So here he is, revamped with white button eyes - I'm so much happier with him now!!

I've also made 2 more floppy fabric eared bunnies, I'm really pleased with these ladies, just got 3 cats, 2 owls and another frog to finish before I should think of starting any more new ones!!! I'm terrible like that, I'll start something off with complete gusto and prep 2 or 3, then burn out and have another idea and feel like I have to go with that instead. I think I also have a couple of sock elephants and maybe even a couple of sheep languishing about in different stages of incompleteness - oops! I think I may declare the next couple of days a "no new stuff zone" and work at getting these half-finished creatures: done (said in my best Gordon Ramsey voice!).

I shall report back here hopefully with some photographic evidence - wish me luck!

Sock frog

2010-02-13T17:40:00.004Z

I've finally finished a sock toy! I've got several on the go and finished this frog last night whilst watching The Fifth Element, such a great film! I'm not sure that I'm convinced with how I've done the eyes on this frog, I've got another one to finish so I may try something else with that one and see which I prefer! As the socks are just plain green I added a little fabric heart to jazz it up a bit, I rarely use plain socks and it looked like it was missing something!

I now have suitable buttons for the owl eyes so am going to finish those next too. I've had enough of half finished toys laying about the place!

I actually finished 2 toys yesterday. Robyn has remembered how to nap during the day and had a monster 2 and 1/2 hour sleep yesterday, it was such a treat! I started and finished this floppy eared bunny and definitely plan to make more like her. Now that I have a decent sewing machine I'm enjoying mixing fabric with my socks and giving my toys a little something extra, it's great fun!

My creative space....

2010-02-11T09:04:00.003Z

.... is much sunnier today. It might be *really* cold here today but the sun is shining and the sky is blue so I'm happy!
My creative space (the dining room table!) has an almost finished sock owl door stop. The only reason it's not yet finished is I'm having a button issue. I've got the perfect (and I mean PERFECT) button for the eyes, however I only have ONE!!! I have an awful lot of buttons and in my mind now this one, singular button is the only one that will do for the owl's eyes.... hhhpmf, oh well I guess I'll have to go button shopping to either find a second one, or a new pair!
There's also an almost finished sock frog and a few other piles of stuff!

As I share my space with Robyn I thought I'd share another pic of her from this past week - enjoying a chocolate petit filous! She was rather poorly last week, the MMR vaccination seemed to be upsetting her a lot - she had an awful cold, conjunctivitus and looking at this pic her glands seemed a little swollen to me. Poor thing, thankfully now she's much much better. Back to sleeping all night without needing a cuddle 20 mins after I've fallen asleep and being contented enough to play by herself for short periods during the day. I actually managed to make 2 quilted owl wings yesterday whilst she played with her 'orse and ted-dies!!!

Right, time for Tumble Tots, Happy Thursday folks! Don't forget to pop over to {Kirsty's} to be a nosey-parker at others' spaces!

My creative space...

2010-02-04T17:01:00.004Z

a couple of sock cats and an owl stuffed and ready for finishing...
remnants of lunch - scrambled eggs on toast with tommy k...
my new oilcloth table cloth - a little short for the table but I can live with that, and
something I'm never too far from this week, tissues. Both the Robster and I have colds that seem to produce copious amounts of the green stuff, yay for us!!

(I can only apologise for the drabness of this pic, it's been pretty grey and drab here all day, boo hiss)

Bonus picture!!
This is how my space has also been looking this week, I've been sharing it with my bookworm daughter, it's lovely!!! (Oh and check out her curls!! I'm sure there's a nursery rhyme about a little girl with curls but I can't remember...?)

TTFN folks - don't forget to stop by {Kirsty's place} for more creative spaces!

My creative space....

2010-01-28T08:37:00.005Z

has a lot going on at the moment!

Finally finished a couple of new sock toys, I am aiming for 3 a week to have a bit of stock pile for March, so far in January, I've made 2. Not 2 a week, just 2!! Whoops, note to self, must try harder!! I've also just noticed, looking at this picture, that my space is rather dominated by red and pink, and for the record it's a monkey, not a cow!

Also on the pile is a lot of Ellie Fun fabric that I'm in the process of cutting out for my first quilt, so excited about how I want this to turn out!!

In my mental creative space is a pair of Olympic Mice............ that's all I'm saying for now!!

Pop on over to {kootoyou} for more creative spaces!

List month

2010-01-24T21:39:00.001Z

I always thought that September was my "reinvention" or "new start" month, you know that whole back to school newness thing. But the last couple of years and most certainly this year it seems to be January. I want to spring clean, organise, de-clutter in a complete Monica-from-friends manicness. On top of that my creative plans are going into over-drive. I am mid-way through a quilt for Robyn, have at least 10 new sock toy ideas floating around my head and am making new plans for my garden now that the pond has gone. January is most certainly list month in Chorley-Towers!

Spag bol and spring socks

2010-01-19T21:23:00.003Z

Come on, any of you who have children must have taken several pictures of them with a faceful of food, so here's the Robster enjoying a rather large bowl of pasta bolognese at the weekend!! It is a milestone as it's the first time she's eaten meat!! She normally refuses it, so I was so surprised when she not only seemed to like it, she got through an almost adult sized portion!!!

Now - with Spring comes Easter and I need to get cracking (ha ha no eggy pun intended, honest!) on some seasonal sock toys... so far my list consists of chicks and bunnies and maybe some sheep/lamb... Now do any of you have any other suggestions for spring-y sock toys?????

Sock toys and Yoda!

2010-01-16T09:18:00.008Z

I'm back to feeling the love for crafting, I took a break over Christmas and New Year, mainly due to burning out making so much for all the events we attended, but also due to a week suffering with noro virus, yuk!

Anyhoo - this is my first sock toy of 2010, thanks to my new machine it was a breeze to make compared to previous elephants, I even managed to easily quilt the ears!!!!

If you are friends with me on facebook you'll have already seen these pics of the Robster dressing up in my cardigan the other day. I thought I'd share them here too in case I happen to have any readers who aren't on FB, I'm always curious to know who reads this blog? I have a tracker that tells me a few people do drop by without commenting, I wonder who you are? Here by accident? Probably!!!!! Anyways, enjoy these pics!

Robyn: "Mum-mum, I think your cardigan looks better on me you know, look!"

Robyn: "Yoda I am, yessss!"

Me: "I don't think my cardigan makes you a Jedi Knight you know Miss!!"

Robyn-Yoda: "Where's my light saber?"

Me: "I think at 14 months you're a little young for weapons, sweetie!"

Robyn: "Oh well, I'll stun you all with my uber-cuteness then!"

A proactive procrastinator?

2010-01-12T21:20:00.003Z

oooh, check me out, I only bloody did it!!!:

I
CUT
FABRIC!!!
wooo hoooo!!!!

Serial Procrastinator

2010-01-11T16:10:00.003Z

Procrastination. That seems to be something I've become rather good at and I hate it! I have great plans and they never seem to come about. I don't really know where the days go sometimes. I manage to keep ontop of housework but I guess that has a lot to do with the fact that I'm a bit of a Monica and can't relax in mess. I. Just. Can't. I've also become better (in the last 7 days at least) at getting some daily exercise which has much to do with the Wii fit we got for Christmas. However, when it comes to creative-ness I am a serial procrastinator. For example, for the last week or so I have planned to dig out the fabric for my first quilt and get cutting but something else always gets in the way... like housework, cooking, playing with Robyn, exercise etc etc etc... I wonder if it's because I'm too scared to cut the fabric or if it's because crafting is at the bottom of my "must get done" daily list? I think it's probably a little of both.
What is the opposite of procrastinate? Proactive? Perhaps that should be my catch word for 2010 - be more proactive when it comes to my craft time. I have lots of plans and if I am to achieve them then being more creatively proactive is definitely called for.

Perhaps I should set myself some goals - I am going to aim to start cutting that fabric tonight - watch this space for an update!!

Friday I'm in Love - with my new sewing machine!

2010-01-08T15:48:00.004Z

Seriously - I cannot believe I got through a whole year of making sock toys with my old machine. I was very grateful for that machine, it was a hand-me-down from my mum, via my sister but it just did not sew well when it came to socks. There were times when it nearly went out the window!!!

But I digress, my new machine is sublime. It sews so well through socks, it's effortless and so quiet too. I'm so (sew!!) excited to get back into creating again, I'm even planning to make a patchwork quilt for Robyn with this fabric:

So thank you my dear Janome 5018 Decor - I think I *love* you!!!

First Post of 2010

2010-01-06T12:33:00.002Z

Well here we are in 2010 already, the Christmas decs are packed away and we have our lounge back! Christmas passed by in a blur here, a good one, but a blur none the less. No real pictures of the day as we lost our small camera (found it again on the 28th down the side of the armchair!!) and I didn't have an auto focus lens on my DSLR so the pictures are pants!! Oh well, we had fun though, honest!
The week between Christmas and New Year, however, was not fun in Chorley Towers... we all got a sickness flu type bug and were pretty much ropey for the whole week, great!

Thankfully that's all over now. We just need to find some space in the garage to store Robyn's toys and clothes that she's outgrown so that she has some space in her bedroom for all the lovely presents she received.
Colin and I got a Wii with Wii fit, which is so much fun, I love it! When we first used it the other day it was very difficult trying to slalolm ski when Colin had set it up with the board the wrong way around, so left was right and right was left!!!!! No wonder I was skiing like Eddie the Eagle!

November and December were very successful for Two by Two on the sock toy sale front - so much so that I was able to treat myself to a new sewing machine with the money I made! I only got it yesterday but I'm already smitten with my Janome 5018... it's so much easier to use. It doesn't struggle AT ALL with getting through thick stretchy socks. My old machine, bless it, had to have a special rolling foot on it and even then with really fluffy socks I had to put greaseproof paper over to stop the teeth snagging... and don't get me started on trying to sew through the cuffs, it just couldn't do it.. In the words of Scotty from Star Trek "I just don't have the power Captain!!". Now though we do have power a plenty and I'm very happy. I'm looking forward to getting creative again after a festive break, I want to learn to quilt and I also want to get back into scrapbooking so that I can create some lovely albums of all the gorgeous pics of Robyn that we have (even though there's hardly any from Christmas 09!)

Right, I'll leave you with a few pics of Robyn-Bobbin before she wakes up for "Cheese!" (all food is cheese round these parts!!)

Happy New Year all xxx

Happy Birthday Robyn!

2009-11-14T08:43:00.005Z

HOLY MOLEY! Is it possible? Can it be? Robyn is ONE YEAR OLD!!!! I'm stunned, it's gone by in a flash and blur of nappies, milk, cuddles, laughs, a few tears, a few sleepless nights but mostly fun memories. Seriously. Kids are the best, there are times when Colin and I have wondered why we didn't have children sooner but then we think, well we wouldn't necessarily have got Robyn had we done that and we wouldn't swap her for anything. She makes me laugh a gazillion times a day and I'm constantly proud of her achievements, whether it be another tooth (we now have 8), or taking a few wobbly steps whilst clapping at herself, or dancing in her highchair to Jamiroquai whilst eating a pear. Random things that fill my day with utter utter pleasure. Thank you sweetie and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

The Birthday Girl:

The Birthday Cake:

fish lips and stripey monkeys!

2009-11-08T18:14:00.005Z

A short and sweet post today - I told you November was going to be a crazy month for me and it certainly is panning out that way. I've not helped the situation by locking our only set of car keys in the boot of the car, let me tell you (all is not lost, we'll be getting a new key mid-week hopefully).

Anyhoo, onto more fun things:

Robyn decided that doing fish-lips on the glass would be her activity of choice yesterday:

Secondly, I have finally beaten my sock-monkey fear and found the mojo! The first monkey came out OK but I wouldn't share the pics, he's a bit flakey in places. However, sock monkey mark 2 was much improved, and here he is, happy in his home-made-from-sock-scraps santa hat:

I can't believe that in less than a week we'll be celebrating Robyn's First Birthday, so I have a ton of baking to do this week in preparation for a full-on weekend of sugar filled parties, can't wait!!!

and so the crazy month begins....

2009-11-01T13:23:00.006Z

Well, here it is, November. This month will be one hell of a crazy month in the Chorley household. I have 6 sock toy sales to prepare for, we have LOTS of Chorley birthdays - Robyn's 1st, Colin's brother and dad, and Colin's as well. I'm also going to the O2 London twice!! We're going to see Michael McIntyre on Tuesday and A-ha on Wednesday (I was and still am a huge a-ha fan, so really excited for that!!)

So it's been truly lovely that we've been able to spend this weekend just quietly at home. Although it's been quiet, there has been one major event - Robyn took her first steps yesterday!! I don't who was more excited us or her!! I can't wait for her to wake up from her nap now to see if she can do some more!!! This was Robyn earlier today - she'd decided it would be great fun to empty out as much of her toy box as possible! I'll try to get some pics of her wobbly walking and post here!

I've been very well prepared and have made sure that all my sock toys are labelled up and ready to go. I realised there was one I hadn't photographed and shared - so please meet Mr Robot! I also have some reindeer almost finished off, but until the tinsel is out I shan't be taking a pic, so you'll have to wait for those!!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend folks.

My creative space....

2009-10-29T21:58:00.006Z

I know it's a little late, but better that than never right?

For once my creative space (aka a small desk in the conservatory) is pretty tidy! Trust me, this is an organised placement of things, honest! What you can't see is the pile of bits on the dining room table, the row of now finished snowmen on the back of the sofa and the awful state of my front room rug which is covered in bits of thread debris and sock dandruff!!

Scoot on over to {kootoyoo} for more creative spaces!

What's hot and what's not...

2009-10-28T17:17:00.006Z

I've been reading these posts from other blogs that I follow for a couple of weeks and finally just happen to be at the computer at the right time to join in!

So what's hot and what's not in the Chorley household this week...

Hot:
Robyn gaining much more confidence in standing, I'm sure it won't be much longer before she's toddling around and causing more mayhem (if that's actually possible).

Planning birthday cakes for a one year old - 2 and a bit weeks and Robyn will hit that milestone - I'm planning on super large birthday cake size cupcakes!

Robyn making me guffaw with laughter on a regular basis, yesterday it was copying Goofy trying to moo like a cow, trust me it was funny.

Finally getting a new home for the fish we inherited, we'll be able to now fill in the pond and make the garden so much safer in the spring, can't wait!

Assembly line production of sock snowmen almost complete - I just have 3 more carrot noses to stitch hurrah!

Finally getting Florence and the Machine album downloaded... love love love it!

What's not:

Having to clean the oven, yak. It sets off the fire alarm every time we use it, so I've bitten the bullet and put some oven pride cleaner in, just need to scrape that out now.... in the words of Annie "tomorrow, tomorrow"

Finding a dried up piece of cat poo on the window sill ON THE INSIDE OF THE CONSERVATORY!!! I think it must have been stuck to Jack's bum... so not impressed by that.

The realisation that after 2 years of no-speciness I now have to wear my glasses again... boo hiss. I guess all the sewing of sock toys whilst watching tv of an evening has taken it's toll. Oh well, could be worse I suppose, at least I have the specs already and don't have to shell out for more.

Trying to figure out how to jazz up my blog a bit - I desperately want a new pretty banner, I just need to apply myself and find some quiet time to look into it I guess!

I guess I should be grateful that it took more brain effort to come up with a what's not list than a what's hot list....

Don't forget to stop by {Loobylu's place} for more hot and not lists!
ta ta for now!
T xx

A Robyn post

2009-10-27T18:09:00.006Z

Whilst looking back over my last few blog entries I realised they've been a bit scant on the Robyn front. You know I can't believe she's going to be 1 year old in just over 2 weeks, it's scary! I'm really looking forward to a weekend of celebrating though, lots of cakes to bake which is always a good thing.

Lately she's been loving feeding herself (rather than me spoonfeeding her) - her favourite food is pears and bananas, she can't get enough! She is also a complete whizz with her shopping trolley walker - she races up and down the lounge giggling away. Actually I don't think it will be too long before she's walking on her own, she can already stand by herself so watch this space!

Robyn has also developed her own little vocabulary - CAT (which she has to shout!), dully (dummy), Daddy, Mummmmm, mmmmm (which generally means feed me now) and tickle ickle ickle. She can also yodle like the best lonely goat herder! It's hilarous, I must get it videoed.

Well it's fast approaching Robyn's bed time so better get off the computer and get things sorted around here! I'll leave you with a couple of pics taken whilst she was eating a cheese spread sarnie the other week. It seems the messier the food, the more tasty!

jeez louise!

2009-10-24T07:16:00.003Z

Blimey o'reilly and oh my buddha! In 3 weeks time my little Robyn-Bobbin will be a year old, as in 12 months, as in HER FIRST BIRTHDAY!!! Seriously? I'd better get baking!

She is currently learning that she can stand all by herself and gets so excited that she claps, it's so cute! I'll have to try and get some pictures today, except that it's so grey and dark here I doubt that I'll get any pics worth sharing...

The other thing that's scaring me at the moment is the realisation that in 10 days time crazy season is going to start around here. Now I'm not complaining BUT our sock toy venture has proven so popular that we have 6 bookings in the space of 4 weeks! YIKES, my stock level needs serious replenishing is all I can say. I have lots of new designs to share but not many photos as yet. Keep your eyes peeled here for a sneak peak of my current favourite - a Rudolph sock toy, complete with red nose!! Just to keep you interested, here's a few of my most recent:

How is it mid-October already?!

2009-10-12T09:22:00.004Z

Wow, what a month. It's funny how a week away can actually mean an extra two weeks work... 1 week before the holiday to pack and clean up the house and 1 week after the holiday to do all the laundry, ironing etc etc.... jeez louise.

All I can say is we had a fantastic week in Cornwall, we were exceptionally lucky with the weather considering it was the back end of September. Also we were exceptionally lucky that Little Miss Robyn travels so well and slept through the night 6 times out of 7... how cool is that?

I don't have any pics on the lappy to share, Mr Chorley has already taken them off the camera onto the pc but if you're on FB check out my profile as I've copied them all onto there. My favourite has to be Robyn eyeing up daddy's beer!!!

Anyhoo - now that Colin is back at work it's all back to normal here. Robyn is in the middle of her first nap of the day and I'm catching up a bit with all things housework. Just thought I'd share some pics of my latest sock toys - it's all go here at the mo, my friends and I have 5 (yes 5!!!) craft sales/ events booked up for November - YIKES!!! Better get busy!

These are more of the same on the Cyril front - I guess he's a type of Gremlin that multiplies if you feed them after midnight!! I love making these guys, they're so fun!

A pair of birds - of the puffin/ toucan type I guess... All I know is they're great fun, the pics don't really show off their fancy plummage, I shall take a tail feather shot for another time!

A close-up of Cyril the third!

Well, this last fella doesn't really have a name or species..! He started off life as a monkey and it went a little strange... as he's red I'm thinking of calling him Gooner!!

Right better dash, got some bits to do before heading off to the dentist (boo).....

Gggggrrrrrrrrr!

2009-09-15T20:52:00.002Z

Today I have mostly been finishing off this scary guy, it was so much fun I'm going to make a whole herd of them... is herd the right word for a bunch of monsters????? Of on a another wikipedia-tangent I go!!!