New doll....eventually!

At last! This is the little lady who will be going with me to Kent this weekend. What do you think? We have had funny light these past few days so it has been really hard to get good images, I hope these are o.k. They are the best of many. Can you see the flower garland in her hair? She is much prettier ''in the flesh'' so to speak, trust me.

I have started another doll and here she is, all damp stretched and ready to go. My plan is to finish her tommorrow but I'm not sure. I have so many things to do still. Lots of labelling, lots of packaging, lots of pricing and finishing off. I will try my best though, three dolls will look better than two! My house is still a mess, in fact it's worse, more stuff laid all over, boxes everywhere, total chaos. Hey ho, no pain no gain! and I am so excited now that I don't care, the house can fall down so long as my work remains unscathed!

When I come back I will have lots of pictures of the ''do'', all the stalls and all the gorgeous stuff to show you. There won't be any of me though, I HATE having my picture taken, so all you ''do'ers'' reading this...be careful where you point your camera! I could have a breakdown!! Next week I have only three days to work and then I am off for seven weeks, can you believe that???? Seven weeks, oh my goodness I need a lie down. I intend to spend my hols making up for being a terrible blog friend and I shall be stalking you all, you will be taking out restraining orders! If you haven't heard from me in a while please be patient, pretty please. It really is hectic here and I promise to make it up to you.

Now I am off to package some more stuff for saturday...wish me luck! x

Thursday p.m. I don't really have time for this but I couldn't keep her to myself! I finished my other doll and she makes me so happy, have a look here.

Sorry...again! I've let you down.

I don't like making promises I then go on to break. Sleepless nights, guilty conscience, you name it, I get it. Anyway the reason I have broken my promise, chaos has descended. I had an idea yesterday, quite a dangerous thing to have sometimes! ''I know I thought, get my stuff out for next week to check it's all mounted etc etc etc.'' Fatal, I realised I had loads of stuff to package, nothing was priced and on and on and on......so this is how my dining table looks and probably will for the foreseeable future. Have pity on my family, they cannot move for fear of ''touching something white''.

and that is how I have let you down, the doll isn't finished. In actual fact that probably has more to do with the edge of her dress, you know me, if there is a complicated way to do it I will find it! This edge is taking forever so I only have a little peek of it here. Worth it though I think, I like the way it's looking. She will definitely be finished for her holiday to Kent and there is another one in progress.

This week is so exciting! I am off work after wednesday, having my trip to the makey do, then on saturday after the do I am going to stay with my daughter in London so that on the sunday I can go to New Designers. When I found out the date of the makey do I was really bothered about missing New Designers, this way I get to do both. It will mean a very late arrival home on sunday night then up for work on monday but...........last week before seven weeks off. Yay!!

I will definitely be back before I go off on my trip with one definite doll to show you but hopefully two!

Sorry!!

I am so sorry it's been so long since my last post. All I can say is my relaxed frame of mind didn't last long! Remember I said my computer was sick......well it died and has gone to pc heaven or the tip to be more precise. Distraught is not the word, six years worth of images, thousands of words of research completed for my degree course to all intents and purposes lost forever. To the rescue however, my amazing son. He managed to get it going long enough to transfer over all my important stuff. So we have one eternally grateful mother and a hugely relieved one too. I had to buy a new one though, an expense I could have done without but because of that I don't have many images today. I am still feeling my way around this new machine (techno phobe that I am)
Anyway, my latest doll. Her dress is embroidered and damp stretched and hey voila! Another downside to all this computer mayhem though, there hasn't been any embroidery here for two days!!! You wouldn't think I had a fair to go to next week, panic has well and truly set in now.

Now I want your advice, opinion, whatever. I have a lot of offcuts from making my wrapping cloths, some of which you can see below. I wondered if it would be a good idea to maybe cut these up and sell them in little bags as patchwork/applique scraps. What do you think?

Because of all the c..p that's been going on here I have also not been able to visit any of you for ages, or reply to comments. I am really sorry and will definitely be popping round over the next day or so. First things first though, I MUST CLEAN MY HOUSE!!! If all goes to plan, with fingers, toes and everything else crossed this little lady should be finished by the time the weekend is over and you will be the first to meet her. See you soon x

So relaxed

It's amazing how much more relaxed I feel now the ''secret'' project is out of the way. I know I felt under pressure at the time but it's only now that it's finished that I realise how stressed I was. I also think I am much more productive when I am relaxed. This weekend has been fantastic. Two posts! friday and today and also these brooches made for the ''do''. On top of this I have been working on my doll. She is really coming on and I hope to have the first part damp stretched before midweek so I can show you. There has also been a lot of Glastonbury watching going on here too. Not a lot of dancing round the living room but a little bum wiggling at times!
Anyway, I digress, here they are, another four brooches. I suppose I should really consider getting them all in their little bags soon, maybe a few a day then I won't have a mountain to do all at once. As the ''makey do'' is getting nearer I am getting more excited. It's quite a long way from here, about a 4 hour drive so we are going down the day before and have booked to stay in Canterbury. I have never been there before so even if I don't sell anything I will have had a little break so it's all good! Right, I am off to attend to my doll and maybe wiggle a little to Bruce Springsteen!

Gotcha!

No need to rush off and check your calendar, it really is friday. All the blood must have rushed to my head I know. Well it's a funny end to a funny day. I wasn't at work today, officially not at work, not skiving or anything so I had huge plans, ha! Rule number one, don't make big plans, not a chance of it happening. I have hardly done anything creative. It's this weather, you are going to learn something about me now, I cannot abide it. It leaves me feeling like a limp lettuce. Hence the reason I love Sweden, in the winter. I get really annoyed when the weather men on t.v are all smiley and happy saying ''it's great weather, fantastic forecast'' IN WHOSE OPINION. So now you know, I am the original summer disliker, roll on december!
I did manage to muster enough enthusiasm to finish these. Boy were these a challenge. They are silk beads, heavily embellished with french knots and silver purl added. Only problem, I had a great idea, make them tiny, precious. The plan was to make 20 to fill one of my jars only I wouldn't live long enough.....I would need nearer 200 and they took sooooooooo long to make. I do like them but it's fair to say they are the first and last, only a hermit could live on the wage they would bring. So feast your eyes for the one and only time you will see them!

and here they are all packaged up ready for the makey do. As always happens in the summer I have now got a surge of energy, evening you see, not as warm. So a doll is taking shape in my lounge who will be exceptionally pretty and going on her holidays to Kent in July, now that excites me!

Old reliable!

Yes it's wednesday and here I am again. It nearly never happened though, I nearly left it until tomorrow because I have really struggled to get going today. I am showing you more secret stuff here, (ha! putting it out there for zillions of people to look at and trying to keep it a secret) No choice though. I have nothing else to show you. In a way it's quite liberating being able to put this up as it is finished, for now. I have met my part of the bargain so far and am now playing a waiting game. I have been so stressed I don't really care anymore about the outcome, well for today anyway. I feel liberated because now I can forget about this for a while and concentrate on making for the fair. I desperately want a doll, some more buttons, some? some? some? I don't know just some more of everything! I want pretty things to decorate my table. I want lovely labels for my prices. I want to be extra, extra organised. (that will be the day!!) I have ribbon to tie my packages, a piece of forward thinking that makes me proud. Now I need paper. The bags are here, I have more boxes to fill. I bought some pretty jars in John Lewis that I want to fill with pretty things.
I think I need to write a list!

Predictable?

Oh my....this blog is becoming so predictable. I noticed today that I seem to always post on a wednesday and a sunday, wednesday, sunday and on and on and on...... Infact the fact that I only realised today says a lot don't you think? Therapist anyone? Then I realised that the same appears to be happening to my work. These little brooches are for the ''makey do'' and look, I have used some of the silver purl that I am using in my secretive project. A sign of a distinct lack of imagination or a sign of learning from a process, taking it further? My money is on the lack of imagination, panic at not having made anything for the fair for so long, panic at the time I am devoting to the other thing, the thing that's taking over my life. Anyway Jenny, look, I am trying to make, honest! Two little brooches,
and the embroidery I showed you a while back turned into another three pincushions. The minimalist stall has hope of becoming a ''middle ist'' stall.

Back to the secret thingy, thanks so much for all you comments here and on flickr. It truly is taking over my life but should be finished with, for now, within a week. I am beginning to wish I hadn't shown any of it here, or said anything because I am conscious of you all waiting to hear and I am not entirely sure when I can spill the beans yet. Thing is though, if I hadn't shown it here, or mentioned it there wouldn't have been any posts, nothing to post about. So I'm sorry, you will have to hang in there a bit longer and possibly have to look at more of it in the week because it's all I've got.

I do have a link for you though. Camilla of Made by Milla has done a great article for the Storque on etsy. When I started blogging Camilla was one of the first people to comment here and has been incredibly supportive so check out her piece here.

See you all in the week.....hopefully not wednesday!

Goldwork? Yes, but in silver.

Well, what do you think? I know it's not gold but I can assure you that it qualifies as goldwork. Same techniques, same kid leather, same purl, only silver. I'm not really a gold person and I think the silver looks much better with these colours. I am getting so much pleasure from this, and excitement. It really is a massive challenge for me. This work involves starting from scratch with a proper brief, research and colour etc totally out of my hands and I had forgotten how much fun it could be, if a little stressful. I have a tight deadline to get this done but I hope to make it with maybe a day to spare.Unfortunately I can't say much else at the moment, infact if I told you any more I would have to kill you so I'd best leave it there. Sorry to keep you hanging but you will be the first to know as soon as I am able.

There have been a couple of other tiny things made for the makey do this week that I will share at the weekend. I had to take a break from the goldwork to give my brain a rest but it's back on that tommorrow with plans to start another doll tonight. Busy is the prevailing word around here at the moment but I hope you have all tidied up because now I'm coming to visit!

I Love London.....

Hi, I'm back. Been back about an hour and I had a wonderful time. London draws me, it probably would draw me even if my daughter didn't live there it's such a fantastic place. The best haberdashery, (Liberty! Be still my beating heart!) the best galleries, the best mix of humanity. We had a great day yesterday on the hop on hop off Thames Clipper. Travelled up the river to Greenwich and stopped off at Tower Bridge on the way back where I sat for an age, transfixed by the Tower of London wondering behind which window Mary Queen of Scots had been incarcerated. It definitely made up for the horrendous FIVE hour drive we had getting down there, traffic was a nightmare! Now I am back in making mode as opposed to tourist mode. More buttons for the Makey do...... I have been a terrible blog visitor lately and I truly am sorry. It will be put right this week, promise!
I have something totally different for you next time, can't say much but all will become clear. Makey do is on hold for a few days. I have urgent, pressing business! Goldwork anyone?

Return to pale

Well I promised you subtle and muted and here it is. Another two cushions for the ''makey do'' finished, packaged and packed away in a box with the other three. That makes a total of five so far. I want a minimum of ten. Ten cushions, five dolls, millions of puffs, tons of buttons, fifteen pincushions...what else? Any ideas? I don't know whether to take any wrapping cloths, it's a dilemma. They probably wouldn't sell but would look pretty on display. Then would they get filthy? White silk can't handle a lot of touching, decisions, decisions. I think I will just keep making until my husband starts the car engine, probably the best plan. I am amazed though at how organised I feel otherwise. Did you notice that I said the cushions were packed away in a box? Yes, I have things in boxes!!! including a box full of puffs and pincushions. I have also ordered lots of bags, paper bags, paper carrier bags, boy am I excelling myself. Never mind that the house would be condemned by environmental health and no one has been fed for days, I have ordered bags, what more do I need! Anyway, I digress, back to the cushions. Not many photo's, sorry. I haven't had good light for days and these were the best I could get, hope you don't mind.
Then there are these, buttons, the first for the ''makey do''. Minimalist buttons but quite effective don't you think? Buttons are a theme at the moment, there are more ''on the go'' so to speak, you will be sick of them soon, promise!

I received an award this week from Janice at Postcards from Wildwood, thanks so much Janice. I will pass it on next time, I'm on it! Meanwhile pop over there and take a look, a lovely blog. On friday evening I am off to London for a couple of days to visit my little girl......I miss her! London, I love it, can't wait. Daughters and cakes and brews and shops and trips on the Thames and markets, ideal! I hope you all have as good a time as I will whatever you're doing. x

I told you there was more...

Welcome to the production line! Funky puffs anyone?? I think I will be making these in my sleep soon. It's so hard to know how much is enough? how much is too much? There are so many things I want to make for July I am considering child labour! It was my intention to show you something different today, something subtle, muted. I am aware that you are going to get very bored with looking at these soon. What can I do, I hadn't realised how intense and repetitive it could get making for something like this, a totally new venture for me. None of this relaxed, liesurely, no pressure production. Don't get me wrong I am loving the adventure, just apoplectic with fear that my stand will be more of a minimalist wasteland! Anyway, back to the subtle and muted. It is finished, unfortunately it wasn't finished befor the rain and cloud came so I don't have any images yet. Hopefully the promise of pale and calm will entice you back later in the week. More of the same here, more pincushions on the go. It's funny how colour is playing a huge part in my work now. Not that long ago I wouldn't have dared, some said I was scared of colour. I actually think that was true, not any more though.

Posting this I am wondering if Jackie still thinks my blog is cool and calm? Well maybe the blog is.....I'm not! Thanks to everyone who said they can't wait to see the crazy patchwork doll. I have bad news....I haven't even started her yet! In an ideal world I would like six dolls for the fair, in reality, well, I'm terrified, will it be a doll less stand? I really hope not, how many hours are left? Someone work it out please.

p.s. thanks for all the comments on my last post, it's good to know you are still out there!

Beads, puffs, things to come....and where is everyone!!??

Proof that production for the Makey Do continues! It seems like ages since I posted, this week so far has been way too hectic and monday and tuesday I was wiped out after the intense heat. I don't want to put a dampner on anyones summer but that was just way too hot when you are stuck in a classroom! Thankfully we are cooler now, still sunny but cooler. I have been making loads of these, I really haven't got a clue how much stuff will be too much or not enough so I figure, just keep making and see what happens.
So we have ten of these,

ten of these,

and twenty of these, with around another fifty varied ones almost finished. As I sell these in packets of ten it doesn't amount to a lot of display items, I think there is still a long way to go to get a decently stocked stall!!

I also found a piece of crazy patchwork hiding behind some stuff I have hanging up, result! It isn't finished, backed or edged but will make some glorious cushions with half the work done already and then it inspired me to want to make a crazy patchwork doll, so it's all systems go, a little panic going on too about still maybe not having enough stuff......... One can but try.
I noticed this week that my stats have dropped drastically...help!!! Have I upset everyone? Is everyone on holiday? Is everyone out sunbathing? What's going on? I'm worried! Right, I'm off, with my fingers crossed that someone is actually going to read this!

Commission

I finished my commissioned piece late last night and I am delighted to report that the customer loves it! I know that if someone approaches you with a specific request to make something for them from scratch it is probably safe to assume that they like your work, well even so, it doesn't necessarily stop the ''oh my goodness, will they like this, is this bit o.k.'' kind of angst. Happily though they appear more than delighted...phew, and thanks Virginia, it's been a pleasure. (mostly anyway, if you discount the sleepless nights!) I have photographed it from every possible angle to try and get a true reflection of the piece, even the obligatory folded images have been used. Somehow the flat, full image way below here doesn't do it justice, I hope these images give you more of an idea, a feel for the piece.

In the intervening minutes, whilst things have been damp stretching etc I have also made some of these. Guess what they will be? I am sure you will get it straight away I am so predictable!! So, as you can see I am still in ''Makey Do'' mode, producing for the fair. I have so many things I want to make, more dolls, more cushions, lots of buttons but it's back to work on monday, production will slow, it's inevitable. Hey ho. that's life. If I didn't work I don't suppose I could afford to go on a self indulgent jolly to the other end of the country to maybe sell zilch, zero, nothing, so there are advantages to the daily grind.

Enjoy what's left of the weekend, I am off to make dolls, buttons, puffs and pillows!!

Look Jenny, I'm making!

I promised you finished products and here we have finished products! My first batch of exclusively ''makey do'' products. (see Jenny, I told you I would get on with it!) These six pincushions won't be going in the shop, tempted as I am.I am also making amazing progress with my comissioned piece and I really hope to have this finished by the weekend. I made my paper lace

and here it is added to the now joined hexagons. Told you I had plans, I have been sending regular image updates to the person who asked me to make this, terrified I wouldn't come up to scratch, she seems really happy with how it's coming though....PHEW!!!

I have more plans, for the edge, and the whole thing should come together really well when everything is joined, backed and edged.


I had so many responses to my little paranoid outburst on monday, thanks everyone. It seems it is more than likely a computer glitch or someone leaving the computer to go on holiday or similar!! Funnily enough Jackie e-mailed me to say her stat counter had logged me as being on her blog for 23 hours!! So that's why I never get enough work done! I wish. So it seems I have nothing to fear...........fingers crossed! I've also recently had a lot of comments from people with ''no reply'' available, so I will reply here.....thanks so much for visiting....please enable a reply facility, please, pretty please, and to Claire (Australia) for some reason I couldn't access your comment facility, I just wanted to say what an amazingly beautiful little man you have there, congratulations.
Well that's the oscar speech finished, no tears either!

can't keep away!

Well I couldn't even last a week without posting, how sad is that? Thanks so much for all the birthday wishes, I had a brilliant day, lots of amazing presents, good food, good company, it was perfect apart from the fact that it went too fast! I got lots and lots of vouchers and have already used some of them to get myself some luxurious bubbles for the bath which I intend to use later tonight, that should keep the birthday feeling going a bit longer. I have been working too, it hasn't all been laziness and getting spoilt. We have a bit of image overload going on here but I really couldn't decide which one's to leave out, (thankfully, and I am saying this with everything crossed, my image editing programme seems to have got a new lease of life, must have been the threats of violence!!) So here is progress to date on makey do stuff. (if you want to be bored senseless there are more on flickr where you can comment on each picture individually)When I see you again these will be finished products so hang in there!
Now I have a bit of a searching question for my fellow bloggers and someone who's name I don't know. I noticed yesterday from my stat counter that one visitor, United Kingdom, no further information on location, had spent 217 minutes on my blog. The loudest voice in my head is saying they were just looking at all my archives because they enjoyed reading this blog. However, and call me paranoid, part of me (a small part) wonders if there were ulterior motives. I am not even sure I am getting this across properly but do you have those doubts with extra long visits??? and also, please, please, please, if you like it here so much I am really happy, truly I am but a little pleading....could you just leave me a little comment. I would like to get to know you, know what you think about my ramblings etc. I hope that hasn't offended anyone, yikes, I hope I haven't put my foot in it in big way, but I am so intrigued!!!
Tomorrow the birthday continues, I am going ''up north'' to visit family and get more presents, yes more presents!