Sorry I've been away.

I'm sorry for not keeping up with my blog recently. I have been making some lovely things and spent Saturday with Julie Arkell on a workshop and I have loads of photos to publish. But on Sunday I had a devastating blow which has rocked me to my core and it make take me a while to recover. I hope you understand and I will be right back as soon as I am able. I am hoping tonights full moon changes things around for me. Dont forget to check it out weather permitting!

Beauty all around.

After driving my husband to Newark train station a brown paper parcel was waiting on the door step when I returned.

The Secret Garden ordered from Milly and Dotties Emporium.

It came beautifully wrapped in green tissue paper and tied with string.

And is full of gorgeous illustrations.

I have to confess that I took rather a long coffee break looking through it.

But then back to the real world. I changed the bed and put on my favourite Shabby Chic bedding. The cotton is fabulous and is still feels like new two years after I bought it.

Then to the ironing mountain from last week although I have to say I think my p.j's looked scrummy all folded and ready to wear.

Then finally another wonderful sunset. What a sky. If only I could paint!

Enjoy your evening.

Wish I still had these.

I have been looking through some old photos and found this one of me about aged 3ish sitting on these gorgeous floral deck chairs. Oh how I wished my parents had saved them although I do remember that if you sat too near the top or bottom they tipped up and folded completely over your head!!!

More creatures to share

As promised here are some more creatures inspired by Julie Arkell.

This is 'Lost shoe'.

I just love embroidering words onto things!

Her ears are made of a gorgeous scrap of fabric that came from the States.

The jumper was part of a worn out sock from GAP which I just couldn't throw away.

As you may be aware I work one day a week in a fantastic shop called Heaths Country Store. (I will post some photos soon) My boss, after I showed him 'One shoe' , walked up to me with a pair of mittens on the top of his head and said "Anyone can be a Julie Arkell". The next creature was inspired from that conversation although it looks nothing like Heath!!

She is wearing a beautiful vintage dolly coat with a tiny little doll in her pocket which was knitted by my very talented Mum.

Here they sit, best of friends together.

Instead of the ironing.

Today I set off with all good intentions to try and clear my ironing mountain but then found myself distracted by a piece of tea dyed muslin in my stash.

After drawing out the pattern in pencil I machined over the line on the body...

and around the arms and legs.

She was then stuffed with rags and bits of leftover calico. This gives a heavy and bumpy feel to the doll.

Next comes the face carefully stitched and blusher added for some rosy cheeks.

Her 'hat /ears' are an inpiration from my love of Julie Arkell creatures.

Add a button to hide a small mark on the vintage dolly tights.

I have never been able to resist vintage dolly dresses on my travels and have thought for a while how great it would be to make some dolls to fit them. Now complete with her socks she is finished but my ironing sadly is not!