Category Archives: Craft

Chilling out on Planet Penny

Brrrr, it’s sooo cold! I’m ensconced in my little Planet Penny office wearing my Boneyard scarf…

wrapped several times round my neck, the pink version of the wrist warmers and with a cup of hot lemon and ginger tea to hand. Apart from the miserable weather a lot of it is to do with sitting still too much, needlefelting, crocheting and winding wool, or tapping on a keyboard does not generate enough heat! Tim’s on dog walking duty while I finalise the craft fair bits and pieces, so at least he and Higgins are getting proper exercise.

The needlefelting? Well it’s robins as usual! I think I’ve got enough now to be going on with. My latest version, and I think my favourite, is attached to a wool covered crocodile clip which means it can be clipped on the branches of a Christmas tree, or a pot plant…

…he’s got a little button heart in his beak…

The crocheting, well I’ve made some tiny bunting, it’s great for using up left over Planet Penny cotton and would look lovely strung on shelves or a dresser. For the moment I’ve just added it to my bunting and garland collection in the studio add a little colourfulness against the gloom…

The winding has been for more rainbow mouse kits (this can be done in front of the fire watching Strictly Come Dancing so I did manage to thaw out a bit!)

And the tapping away on the computer was for my first proper book review which, if you missed it, is here. It’s worth a look, it’s a fabulous book.

Finally, with Halloween around the corner, Higgins had a go at pumpkin carving yesterday. When I came in with one to turn into pumpkin soup, Higgins when wild with excitement, convinced it was a football, just for him.

When I put down for him to check it out he made a huge effort to get his teeth in it…

But the disaster came when he finally managed to get it to roll. It rumbled across the floor, hit a small table on which Tim had just placed a fresh cup of tea and knocked it flying, soaking poor Henry who was just passing. What a good thing Henry has thick fur, just his dignity was hurt!

He managed to make quite an impression on the pumpkin before being bribed away with a doggy treat so I could hide it in the pantry! (I now have a lot of soup, a lot of frozen pumpkin, and I still have half left. I wonder if I can chop it up with dog food? And this was a small one!)

So for now I’ll leave you with the usual link to Handmade Monday and get back to work. If you’re in Norfolk on Wednesday it would be lovely to see you at How Hill for the Craft Fair but if not, I’ll be back soon…x

Material World – Book Review

A material world is a pretty good description of the planet I inhabit right here! But it’s also the title of a new book I have been sent to review described as ‘The Modern Craft Bible’,which is due to be published on 1st November.

I try not to do ‘gloom’ on the blog, but to be honest after the past few days of foul weather coupled with a work overload, I’ve been creating quite few dark clouds of my own. The antidote seemed to be a sit down by the fire with a cuppa and to award myself some time off with Perri Lewis‘s ‘Material World’.

The first thing which stands out is the clean, crisp design and layout, which immediately lifts the book into a different genre to the plethora of fluffy, folksy craft books which are about at the moment. If you are a fashionista you probably won’t want a hand knitted tea cosy, but you may very well need these shoes…

(I’d love them!) and there are clear instructions which will have you digging around in the back of the wardrobe on in your local charity shop to find a pair of shoes to upcycle.

Perri talks to the big names in the craft world, exciting and interesting people such as Amy Butler, Tatty Devine, Grayson Perry who pass on their wisdom and advice. She talks to Philip Treacy on how to make a hat, Topshop on customising your clothes, and Lara Bohinc on how to make statement jewellery.

Projects in the book include…

In all there are 15 different techniques from stitching to screen printing, jewellery making to leather work, which enable you to create your own projects rather than having to follow a set pattern. While it will inspire beginners and give them the tricks of the trade, seasoned crafters will find new ways of applying old techniques.

And finally, there are some really inspiring interviews and articles from people who have ‘been there’ and ‘done that’. Find out who first coined the phrase ‘Craftivism’, who inspires Kaffe Fassett, (its’s Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell) So then who inspires Amy Butler… Kaffe Fassett! There are also tips on how to start a craft group, building your own business and where to find inspiration when your brains switches into hibernation mode.

At £18.99 it’s expensive compared with many other craft books available, but the content is invaluable. If I’d had a copy of Material World 10 years ago I wouldn’t have needed to buy a whole shelf full of other books! It’s published on 1st November, you can find it here.

And now as it’s raining, hailing, blowing, everything outside, I heading back to the fireside to read some more…

See you soon…x

Scandinavian Hearts

Can I call them Scandinavian Hearts if they are made in Norfolk? Well, it’s a style I suppose, and I’m not the only one doing it! I’ve just spent the best part off the day finishing off a collection of them for the craft stall, which is why we decided that despite the grey clouds and drizzle we were going off to the coast to blow a few cobwebs away, (in my case it was Merino fleece!)

I love the beach at this time of the year. It’s deserted and wild and when we came up over the top and out of the shelter of the dune the salt air hit us full in the face.

Very bracing, although actually not too cold. Higgins was in his element, it’s his favourite place for a run, and this time there was the added bonus of the sea whipping up into foam which flipped up into excited blobs which raced up the sand with Higgins in hot pursuit.

He also had a happy, and very brief moment with an orange balloon, (from Kent surprisingly, I said the wind was strong!) which Tim found in the rocks. It danced tantalizingly along in front of Higgins, but by the time I had switched the camera to movie mode the inevitable had happened and the balloon was no more.

But back to Scandinavian Hearts. This seems like a good moment to show you a magazine that arrived during the week with a Planet Penny mention, because it also features ‘Scandi’Style .

The mention is a link to the Planet Penny Crochet Bunting, in a Christmas bunting feature which has some other lovely ideas…

and the Scandinavian Hearts are made from red and white tea towels and are very pretty (and very similar to some I made a Christmas or two ago for my own tree)

But my hearts are needlefelted, and embellished with hand dyed yarn. I really like them just as they are here…

but I know people often prefer to know exactly what to do with them so they are finished off with a hanger and a ribbon bow to hang on a tree.

You will find details of the Craft Fair here, if you are in Norfolk over Half Term it would be lovely to see you. In the meantime do call over to Handmade Harbour for Handmade Monday.

I’ll be back soon…x

Autumn Walks and Weather

It’s the start of a new week, and a review of the past few day here in blog land. We’ve been very lucky weather-wise in Norfolk so far this Autumn. I’ve watched the forecasts and seen just how much wet, windy and stormy weather has been hurtling around the UK, and we’ve got off very lightly. There are positives to being on a bump sticking out into the North Sea, our own micro-climate! It’s a bit nippy though, the fire’s been lit the past few evenings, and I’ve been glad of my wristwarmers whilst sitting at the computer in my new little office! Despite the fact it’s warmer in the house, my faithful companions have chosen to be out in the studio with me, just keeping an eye…

…you just never know when I might suddenly decide to open a packet of pet treats and eat them all myself!

Last week’s needlefelt Robins have come home to roost on wreaths and hearts…

I haven’t put them on Etsy though as I’m having a slightly panicky moment about filling a craft stall at the end of the month. It’s a real juggling act knowing where to place things when the things you sell are all individually made. Can you see my lovely second hand find in the photo, by the way? A metal and wicker corner shelf unit, perfect for displaying little lovelies at craft fairs and in photos. Since my visit to the DIY Oxfam shop in Camden last month, and meeting the Buttonbag ladies I’ve revived my love of poking about in Charity shops. I’ve tried to limit my visits to just donating, and not accumulating more ‘stuff’ , but old habits are hard to break! (There’s a blog post in the offing about my other purchases, so watch this space!)

Higgins and I have been making the most of the dry weather while it lasts with some doggy walks. I really ought to be spending some of that time gardening, but Higgins can only think of one reason why I should be in the garden, and that involves a ball, not a trowel! Still, it gives me a chance to appreciate the Autumn colours and spectacular Norfolk skies…

and there are rose hips galore…

…and this weeks mystery object growing on the wild roses! I can’t for the life of me remember what this is…can you?

…and a bit of fun with a feather!

Well, ironically, since I started writing this post the heavens have opened! The rain is hammering on the skylight, I can’t hear Gardener’s Question Time, or myself think, so I’m going to call a halt and go inside to the fire and my crochet patchwork. I’ll leave you with a link to Handmade Monday over on Handmade Harbour and I’ll be back soon…x

Planet Penny Cotton Inspirations:Week 2

Hello… I’m back again, hoping to be inspiring! If you spotted last week’s mid-week post you will know I have been keeping my eye out for pretty little things which can be made using the gorgeous Planet Penny Cotton rainbow and trying out the patterns so I can recommend them to you.

This week’s beautiful pattern come courtesy of Craft Passion, the African Flower…

…and you can find the pattern here…

I have made a start on a patchwork style cushion using the Planet Penny Cotton…

Obviously very much a WIP at the moment, but I’m enjoying making it, and planning the colour combinations. It requires a bit more concentration than the basic Granny Square but it uses basic single and double crochet stitches (and trebles too for UK readers). It all fell apart slightly last night at our Knit and Stitch Group, (chatting with a glass of wine at one’s elbow does not aid concentration!) It’s written using US terms so bear that in mind if you are used to UK patterns.

There is also a pattern for a beautiful bag if you are feeling really ambitious…

I’ve added this to my ‘Wish List’ , I really do need that extra pair of hands!

With that in mind, I’d better get back to work. I hope this has given you some ideas, I’ll be back soon….x

Seagulls…Robins…and a Small Sea Dog

Hello! It’s that time of the week again….doesn’t it come round quickly? If you spotted my mid week post about the Planet Penny Cotton crochet inspirations, you’ll know this post represents a very quick gear change to get back to needlefelting again to build up my flock of Robins.

I think I’m going to have set days for each to keep on top of things, oh to be disciplined and organised. I’ve a feeling I may left it a little late in the day to change, but I do try!

And I have been sloping off when the sun shines to keep a small dog happy. We went to our favourite Norfolk beach during the week…

So peaceful, and completely deserted, Just me, Higgins and the seagulls. Not even a seal this time.

Higgins had a great time…

love the little pink tongue!

Did I mention he’s on a healthy eating and fitness regime? The last weigh in at the vet’s pronounced him at the top end of his ideal weight window, so charging madly around the beach is just what the ‘doctor’ ordered. (It’s not doing me any harm either!)

And later, back in the studio, the flock of Robins keeps growing…

Robins great and small…

I have a lovely selection of rings, wreaths and hearts for my robins to sit on so that’s tomorrows job!

I’m battling with the internet at the moment, it’s running like very cold treacle, so I shall quit while I’m ahead and leave you with a link to this week’s Handmade Monday over at Handmade Harbour. Have a lovely week, I will be back soon….x