sketch baby

I like to draw, I forget I like to draw, I forget the sense of satisfaction when you brush away the eraser crumbs and put your pencil or pen down and hold it at arms length and tilt your head, just so.

Sketching is an amazing way to be creative so easily, and can take you so many places. It's also a habit, so to get back into it I present a drawing a day.

The only rule is that you must draw every day. On computer paper, the margin of a book, on the back of a beer coaster, it doesn't matter. Big, small, it matters not. In pen, chalk, paint, ink, pencil, spaghetti sauce, that doesn't matter either. The point is to get back into the habit of jotting and doodling and sketching little things.

If you'd like to do a drawing a day you can put this button on your sidebar if you like, and leave a comment so I can make a list on the sidebar of who's playing along. You don't have to post every drawing you do, just one or two is fine, or you don't have to post any at all. We can visit each others sketches. That would be nice.

picnic in the sun

what to call them?

A moment of panic when I realised that the back of the fabric was just as pretty as the front. Aargh!

I used it anyway and made three little creatures, a bit bit like bears, a bit like grins, but not quite either.

Why does everything I make lately come with a scarf? I don't know, but tiny scarfs sure are cute.

Uh-huh. What would you call them?

(ps. thanks for all your lovely nesting comments, I feel a sense of comradeship that is helping, it really is! I'll be back soon, I think)

have you seen

Meet Me At Mike's new forum?


Oh I'm super excited about it. A place to share ideas and inspirations, talk about crafty things and discuss issues and new perspectives. A place to get advice, find out things, and see what other people think. A place to find out what's new and coming up and what you can get involved in, a place to meet new peeps and make new friends. Yes. I'm excited. If you haven't already, go join now.
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Pip has done it again. I'll see you there! Hurray!

tweet tweet

I've finally done it. I've succumbed to the madness that is twitter. Looking forward to seeing what all the fuss is about, and having another thing to do when I feel like bludging but looking Very Busy And Important.

I like this explanation of Twitter from First Blog on the Moon

I like Twitter because it takes the funnest of inconsequential human interactions and turns them into a web application. It is a zillion overheard conversations at the shop, on the train, in the park. It is a quick chat in the hall at work with someone about something related not to work or related to it. You can dip in and out as you like. It makes eavesdropping a good thing (as if it wasn’t).

Are you on twitter? What's your favourite thing about it? Is there a twitter code of manners I ought to know about?

Oh ps. it would be cool if you followed me, but only if you want to.

I'll be ready

from Home Sweet Home via {whimsicalities}

WE ARE... happy

Loving this collaborative project that brings together etsy artists to illustrate a monthly themed colouring book. It's printed on lovely thick paper and this edition features 14 artists. Also the theme is splendid. (Almost said awesome. Used thesaurus. Excellent.)

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It's the WE ARE... colouring book. Tremendous.

travel size

Do you remember when I went on a monster binge a while back? When I brought out the very first one I made, my lovely sweet awesome housemate Ruth stared, and without a word tucked him under her arm, named him Weeoo, and refused to give him back. Now she is jetting off to Morocco in only 2 sleeps and with very limited packing space cannot take frivolous things, even if they do have three eyes and are very very cute. That made her a bit sad.

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So I made her a travel Weeoo. Pocket sized. With handy keyring attachment.

He's gonna travel the world, keep her safe and after all the fun and amazing journeys and new friends and sites seen and general incredibleness, bring her back home to drink wine, talk about boys and mull over the meaning of life. Oh and eat holoumi. Best.Cheese.Ever.

I'm going to miss you Ruth.

x

spell-it-out

You, yes you, can win one of these lovely scrabble word brooches just by visiting this lovely blog and leaving a comment! Yes, you can!

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You can see more on the Chasing Snails blog. I like the the 'hope' one. And the 'nerd' one too. Yes, I do. If you win, you can pick whichever one you like. Off you go!

little monsters

So I got an email last week from these guys, saying that my work was selling so well, could I send some more please? So I went *gasp* well of course and stitched and stitched and posted off these little guys today.

They're much much smaller than Leon, I used up the leftover fur and felt and had more fun embroidering little tattoos.

I almost kept them...

Greatness

by eddie. damn straight.

Prairie Boots

Comfy and cozy Prairie Boots will get you through the coldest of winters. Turn them down for ankle length or leave them up to keep your shins warm. You don’t need to seam – just add funky buttons and they are ready to wear. Warning: it is so fun to watch them take shape on your needles that you may become addicted. But that’s okay, they make great gifts!

(make a pair for me, m-kay?) pattern at CocoKnits

vintage sewing patterns

Over the past few days I have spent a ridiculous amount on vintage sewing patterns on ebay. I like to consider them an investment, for this shop which is yet to be but feels closer every day. I've been randomly stockpiling crafty stuff and supplier details, and have been writing business and financial plans and such. It may not be just a dream after all, and I'll tell you more about it when I have more to tell, I promise.
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Meanwhile, it's rice and beans for me for a few weeks- but aren't they lovely?
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(while writing this post I've surreptitiously bid on 3 more patterns. A 50's rockabilly dress at only 3 bucks? I need to STEP AWAY FROM EBAY)

all you knit is love

Taken yesterday by my friend Agnes somewhere in Europe, and sent all this way to make me smile.

edit: This is the all you knit is love shop in Barcelona, check out their awesome store manifest:
-Handknit socks keep your feet warmer.
-Shrimp are a finger food.
-Winding a ball of yarn can turn a bad day around.
-Ideas can come from your hands as well as your head.
-An error is just a new technique.
-We learned all the really important stuff in kindergarten.
-Passion is as necessary as eating and sleeping.
-The path is slow.
-Working with yarn is a pleasure, not an obligation.
-Knitting is a highly sensual activity.

visit the website or you can see the store blog here! Thanks Jennifer for letting me know it was your lovely store!

well hello there Sue

I've got myself a new camera *drum roll here*, she is simple, but lovely. She needs a simple and lovely name. Like Sue. So I just wandered around the house taking random photos of knick knacks and cats. As you do.

I haven't read the instruction manual yet, I'm a fan of 'auto' settings, and this one does them well. To get me in the groove I'm going to join up with Jess from A Life So Peachy and do a Photo a Day in August (started by The Byron Life). I'm a little late, but consider this Day 4.

While I was roaming around blogs being inspired, I ran into Amelie and Atticus, so I'm going to join their photo challenge too!

And I'm still finishing off shots for this art project / exhibition co-op thingy (yes, that is the scientific term..)

When will they get around to inventing cameras for eyes? When I was a kid I would imagine that, and whenever I saw something beautiful or interesting I would blink hard and go 'CLICK!'

I've decided to not post a photo every day, but wait until the end of the week and post 'em all at once

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by pleasebestill

aspirational

from BusinessGuysOnBusinessTrips

if it's not ok

by susana