Sunday Rain Frenzy

Not a very successful market this weekend with gale force winds and driving rain. We set up and it just got windier and wetter, things were getting blown off the table, and the marquee started to lift off so we packed up and went home again - a fair bit wetter and muddier than we left.

It was supposed to be the debut of the sleepy kitties but I guess they will have to wait till next month. The grey one from my last post has already made its way to the US, the lovely Karla at Isty Bitsy Spider has given her a home.

The succulent that Greg gave us as a housewarming present has gone crazy this winter even though it barely grew at all for the first year.

It looks about ready to flower.

Mr Peeps came back today asking for afternoon tea, he and his lady friend have not been to visit for ages. I think there must be plenty of food around in winter so they don't show up looking for munchies very often.

They are so bright and pretty, we watch them from the lounge widow. Mr Peeps (so called because he sits on the veranda rail and chirps till we bring food) always comes down first and checks that everything is safe before his partner joins him.

The craftiness has slowed down a bit lately, the stall is fully stocked and I have been tired. I am halfway through a big perler monster (just need to order more dark green).

I am thinking of using him as a table top, we have a set of nesting coffee tables from Ikea and they have become very chipped and the paint is bubbling. I had originally thought of re-doing the table tops with mosaic but a chance remark by Scott when we were wandering round the hardware store today got me going. What if we put the perler monsters on the tables, add some edge beading and then set them in resin? Still needs some thought and maybe experimentation but I'm thinking it might work. Stay tuned for updates.

I have been either reading or sleeping on the train lately which is where I usually tend to get a lot of my making done. I need to find a good portable project and get organised.

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.

Sunday Sunshine Frenzy

First week back a work after four weeks off and I am a bit worn out. As a consolation I have had an absolutely beautiful Sunday.

Snuggled in bed with the boy, then trundled up to the Yerring Station Market to buy yummy goodies. There were ominous clouds all around but we were followed everywhere by glorious sunshine until we got home. Then we finished playing Gears of War II on split screen co-op, and had vinefruit loaf with terrine, olives and the most divine goats cheese for afternoon tea. Now we are snuggled on the couch with the dogs watching Warehouse 13. Sundays don't get much nicer than that.

I have good news for those of you in the know - Seville Oranges are back in season and we went and got five and a half kilos today. Marvel at their orangy goodness and imagine the scrummy marmalade that I will be making soon.

I have made a medium sized Nannageddon purse, not sure how big the large one will be but I'll get around to it at some point.

I have also almost finished a BLT purse to go with with the TLC purse, just one slice of bread to go. I have tried for plumper more stuffed bread this time to try and stop it curling up at the edges.

Thursday TLC Frenzy

The day has not started off well, the repair man has been and our washing machine is kaput. Now we have to figure out how to afford a new one. Our budget is a bit stuffed at present due to vet bills for poor GIR's tooth which he had to have out after he split it laterally on a bone.

Got halfway through my couch day yesterday before I got the urge again and created the TLC Purse.

TLC of course standing for tomato, lettuce and cheese.

The cheese forms the main purse and is knitted, the other bits are crocheted.

Wednesday Misty Frenzy

Today is a couch day, the world outside has disappeared into cloud and the dogs and I are all alone in the mist. We are snuggled up on the couch watching Eureka with lots of cushions and a doona looking out into a white world.

There are neighbours and a mountain out there somewhere, in fact since I took that photo it has closed in even more. Everything is dripping and there are shining beads of water decorating all the bare branches.

Was quite productive yesterday and made a much more successful granny square purse.

Smaller but much more manageable to make than the last one, I think this might be a winner for the market.

Also experimented with another new design - the egg on toast purse.

The toast is still a bit wonky but I think I might be onto something here.

Tuesday Nanna Frenzy

Last week of my holidays this week and Scott is in New Zealand until Thursday. I had made up my mind to be super productive and get heaps of things done but still find myself mostly pottering around.

I have just finished a prototype of a new creation - the Nannageddon purse. I am quite pleased with the idea but it took way too long to make, plus I'm not quite happy with the top where the crochet meets the purse clasp. I will have to find a better method if I am going to make more for the market.