six and a half stitches

THEY CALL HER -

Oh I had so much fun reading your names for this little (mega??) one. So much fun, in fact, that it seemed cruel to only give out one 'prize'. So, because you all played so well, and gave me some laughs, I have a winner, and 2 runner ups.

The winner will take home Lollipop Lu. As soon as Kerstin posted the name it stuck for me, and going back over the names, it just fit right for her. Thankyou Kerstin!! I've emailed you, and will organise shipment from there.

The runners up: Seeing as I only just decided on this, I have nothing to offer immediately to tantalise you, but would like make the runners up something fab and send it on as well. Bertha with Shimagara Okashi (damn, the japanese names just did it for me completely!), and Amelia with Mineko. The fact one of my cats is called Neko had nothing to do with it. It's so nice to know she goes out into the world with many names now...

SCRAPS

Mecozy started a fabric swap for scraps of fabric you have lying around. Now while I have a lot of fabric, I don't have huge amounts, and I don't tend to keep scraps except if it's expensive or difficult fabric to get hold of or I love it. But I do have a load of fabric pieces I'm not using, and I needed to clear some room in the boxes, so I've been cutting up squares to send out. All 12 packages went out today - the post office loved me. I went for quality and useable sized pieces rather than loads and loads of scraps. And I've been getting packages in as well, which I will credit in a seperate post when my eyes aren't so tired and the screen isn't going blurry (what is it with blurry images this week with me??) because there's some great fabrics in there, and such a variety.

I did want to say a huge thankyou to Kath who added a little Kroo doll into her package for me Max. It was unexpected, and given Max was home sick with a cold when he got it, very well timed.

EVERYTHING'S A LITTLE BIT BLURRY RIGHT NOW

sheesh. I took 29 photos - bang, bang, bang - and only one was in focus (and believe me it's not this one), and I've run out of time to redo them. So, pretend you're looking through soft focus lens. Or something. For I present to you: Mega Kitty's.

These are like the little Kitty's, only they took steroids, and are now mega sized. They stand about 20cm high. The one on the right is for Nic, and the one on the left is up for grabs. They are the reverse of each other - Nic's has a grey felt body with stripey arms and legs, and the other one has stripey body and grey wool felt arms and legs and dress. Only Nic's dress is lined, but the grey dress does have a pocket. For sweets. Now - I mentioned a little competition. So the Kitty on the left can be yours if you come up with a name for it - I want creative, unusual, thought provoking names. If you tell me Sarah, Jane or Edith I will probably scream. The most apt, and creative name gets it. I'll decide this Friday at noon, so get thinking, get creative and leave me a comment. And I'll take better photos between now and then and post them over at Flickr.

Thankyou to everyone who bought a little Kitty - they have all been sold now, and I am so pleased they are all going to such adorable homes! I'll let you know when there are more available, and stay tuned for Mega Kitty's for sale as well.

AND THEN SHE WENT A LITTLE CRAZY

As if redecorating and making stuff and working a job and being a mother wasn't enough, I went and did a benchtop of these as well - little gocco'd label tags for my knitted and sewn items for when the woven tags are too big or not appropriate.

A, B, C, D, E, F....

Let's start with the Kitty's -

The new batch of Kitty's are ready for new homes. Each one is handmade, and most of each Kitty is hand sewn. There are two types, a grey wool Kitty which is beautifully soft, and a beige wool blanket Kitty. Each dress is unique and I don't repeat a pattern combination. I use fabrics which are from my own collection, and some of them are quite expensive. In these Kitty's, there is Liberty Print, retro prints, and some of my treasured Florence Broadhurst fabric. The dresses are finished off with matching ribbons and feature buttons, and a knitted accessory (not shown) - let's just say that Kitty B likes Koigu. Each kitty has contrast ears, button ears and noses, and joints, and one has a secret red tattoo. There are more detailed photos over at my flickr gallery. They are for sale at $50 (Aus) plus $8.50 (Aus) postage and packaging. (That equates to roughly $37US and $5US respectively). If you're interested in any of them, please email me. [Note: Kitty's A and D have now sold]

In amongst some feverish redecoration of the study this week, I've also been working quietly away at my softie for Nicole. If you haven't caught on, we're making each other a softie for our respective blog birthdays which happen this month. The deal was also that we would make 2 softies - and give one away as a competition. I have become quite enamoured with my little creations here, so much so that a) I have a new colour combination love, and b) I am envisaging more being made for sale.

Do you like what you've been seeing here and at Craftapalooza? If you do, and you think you might want to get your little mits on one of these softies, then tune in on Wednesday at 12 noon my time for my big unveil, where I'll be showing Nic's softie, and the softie to give away. I'll be running a competition, which will run from then till Friday 12 noon when I'll decide the winner.

The study is now painted, and was looking so damn sweet without anything in it....there's a corner which will remain pure, and the idea will always stay no matter how 'creative' the room gets.

It's pure, and white, with light grey tones, and dark timber. And the shelves show off part of my ceramic collection nicely. I think it's been a busy week.

Wawa'd

A little while ago I came across Ping's wonderful and beautiful little creatures. And that was it. I was in love - with ALL of them. I feel very lucky, and very honored, that she agreed to swap one of my Kitty's for WAWA9.

Her creatures are delightful, incredibly well made, and just have so much life and personality to them. I haven't stopped holding this since I got it, and I keep grinning (and looking at the amazing rice cakes she sent with it, which are beautiful just in themselves) :) Thankyou so much Ping!! And what's even better is that Ping is about to open an online store soon, and when I have her details, I will definately post them here.

THE BIRD HAS LANDED

No. 10 now lives at No. 129.

Sneak-a-peek

FINALLY! A eureka moment. I'd been having performance anxiety, but think I've worked out what I'll make Al. Wanna know! Ha, didn't think I'd make it that easy did you? To help, well not really, here's a sneaky peek at the fabric's I've chosen. I'd be surprised if you could figure it out.

BACK IN 5 MINUTES

Gone decorating.

Be back soon.

With more Kitty's.

And a clean white study.

And a sore back.

And paint in my hair.

FIRECRACKERS

I've been hankering for one of Peng-Peng's sock monkeys for such a long time, that it gives me great pleasure to have Old Firecracker Marylou now sit above me while I work. She has pride of place next to the Prada boxes, and next to the Aalto vases. This is one of the most beautifully crafted pieces, and I love it.