Everything Alice, everything Oz, a pennant and a magic circle...

Hi there guys and gals!

Life has been pretty busy since the last time I posted. I had a lovely week holiday in Lanzarote with the OH and then returned to the stress of having to speak at some seminars for work...needless to say, public speaking is not a passion of mine and, quite frankly, I would rather have been trapped in a lift for 24 hours (strange analogy I know but you get the picture). Then lots of lovely and exciting crafts took over again and balance was swiftly restored! Phew.

After making Mr Monkey (see my last post), I decided to have a go at bunting, thanks to my good friend Steph (aka @thecraftylawyer on Twitter). It is very much a work in progress, but here is a picture of my first pennant (a word I recently was taught by Steph after which I felt very enlightened).


We also did some crochet as we had both attended one of Jo Johnston's workshops (aka @frenchknots) to learn crochet from scratch. I hope to make a blanket but have realised how long it takes to make sufficient squares for a full blanket. At the moment I have one circle which (further to the picture below) has rather dodgy square edging....hmmm might be a while eh?! I don't think crochet it my forte shall we say....give me a sewing machine any day!





In other news, a few weeks ago my good friend Sarah told me about a new BBC TWO programme which is in the pipeline- The Great British Sewing Bee...think Great British Bake Off but with thread. I have now submitted my application and am waiting to hear back with baited breath....even if I am not successful in being chosen as a contestant- I cannot wait for the programme itself to reach our screens and I feel proud that sewing and craft is so popular. Whoop whoop!

Lastly- a bit of a book review.

I think I came across the books, Everything Oz and Everything Alice (authors Hannah Read-Baldrey and Christine Leech) on a blog somewhere. I ordered them both as I have always been a fan of both classic books/films. They are absolutely beautiful craft books and the illustrations and photography is brilliant.

 The Everything Alice book includes projects like Wonderland Aprons, Red Velvet Cupcakes and Mad Hatter Hats....and many of the projects would be perfect for an Alice themed birthday party. I think my favourite project is the Alice themed teacup candles which I will definitely be trying very soon.

When thumbing through the Oz book, you will come across everything from Emerald City jelly (luminous green!) to tin can lanterns.

To anyone who loves looking at inspiring pictures and likes making crafts which are quirky- these are the books for you!

I will be writing again very soon with some more adventures!

Emma x

Sock monkey has facelift

I decided a few days ago that Mr Sock Monkey needed a friend...the bunnies seem to have taken over of late so after a request from a friend for a monkey for her baby daughter- I decided to create a new and improved version. I honestly never get tired of making these lovely characters! In fact I do so much making sometimes I don't seem to find the time to blog about it. Such is life.

I am looking forward to finding another north west craft fair to take part in. I did my first one a month or so ago. Unfortunately the bad weather kept a few people away but it was still a great experience, one which I am keen to repeat and improve on. If anyone knows of any good fairs to take part in give me a whistle and I will be there with bells on. I am amassing quite a collection of new ideas and it would be great to get them out there!

Just a short post tonight to celebrate recent monkey business...over and out. X