Sunday Kitty Frenzy

Sorry for the gap between posts, I did make some new things last week but I couldn't post about them cos they are presents and I will ruin the surprise - maybe next week.

Things have picked a bit this week after an extremely quiet market last Saturday where for the first time I did not sell anything at all.

I have been succumbing to the whole perler thing and made a Dragon Quest IV monster sprite.

It has occurred to me that these being made of plastic will make really cool decorations for the bathroom where we have lots of blank wall.

I also received my owl from the swap part of the Great Owl Crochet along, plus an adorable frog from Karla of Itsy Bitsy Spider who organised the whole thing. I had sent her an owl for herself as a thank you for all the amazing hard work she has put into this project and she very sweetly sent me a froggy of my own.

The crochet along was a great experience and I will participate again if I can.

Also my Cthulhu amigurumi was featured on Itsy Bitsy Spider's Feature Friday (as you can tell by the badge over on the side). I don't think I have ever posted about it here because I designed it before I started this blog.

I think will try and post some more about the design process later this week, as it is not constructed in the usual amigurumi way.

The latest addition to my market stall is the sleepy sock kitty.

People often ask for things that are suitable for babies (i.e. no button eyes), but I have not been willing to compromise the monster designs - I make them as soft sculptures not toys anyway. Those who know me well (especially Scott who has to put up with it the most) will tell you how contrary I can be, especially when people want me to make things. I kept the notion of a button free creature in the back of my mind figuring that a suitable idea would come to me one day.

These were inspired by a picture I saw in "Stray Sock Sewing Too" by Daniel, his construction methods seem quite different to mine so I kind of took the basic idea but made them to my own technique.

Sunday Cheesecake Frenzy

I have not made a whole lot of stuff over the last two weeks, I have been reading on the train. The Kindle is brilliant (thanks Scott) way easier than carrying big heavy books.

I just finished Perdido Street Station by China Mieville which was bloody fantastic, I think he might be my new favourite author.

We have been totally busy this weekend having cleaned out and rearranged the kitchen cupboards - so much scrubbing. In between I made my first batch of seville marmalade for the year plus what has turned out to be my best cheesecake yet.

My first experiment with leaf gelatine - way better than the powdered stuff and a much nicer texture. Plus I found some cold setting jelly at the supermarket which I used for the top, never seen it before but it's just perfect cos you don't have to wait forever for it to cool.

I got an excellent present last week, the ever so clever and creative Karan with whom I share my market stall gave me one of her tattered hats, a really cool voodoo one. I did up some business cards and tags for her in Photoshop and she very kindly and unexpectedly gave me a hat.

It even suits me, which is unusual as I don't usually do well in hats.

I have discovered Perler beads which are just brilliant for doing 8 bit computer game characters. I made some coaster sets for the market and I also have plans to make some big Dragon Quest monsters to decorate round the house.

My photos are a bit crappy today it has been cold and raining and hailing and I had to do them with the flash inside. On the plus side after all the cooking and cleaning I get to snuggle up on the couch with the boys and a doona and feel all snugly and warm.