mr. monkeysuit

a blanket, a book and a beagle

I have been working on this blanket for so long now...months and months and now it is finally finished. It is for Cissy (Frances' nickname which has been viewed with great skepticism from friends, but I love it in an old fashioned 1940's kind of way and not least because it reminds me of my good friend's grandmother who had the loveliest disposition...so it stays I'm afraid.)

Anyway enough ranting, back to the blanket, I used Rowan 4 ply from here, which knits up so softly and is a joy to work with. I love the colourways of this yarn, something I think Rowan does really well.

   
I painstakingly backed it by hand with some lovely Liberty jersey which I bought a long time ago. I love their fabrics so much. They are just the best. This shop on ebay has a good supply of them at a reasonable price.

I embroidered it with ideas from this book. ISBN4 529 04110 7
   

It's a very cute book.

In other news (i.e. shopping) I bought three of these adorable little gnomes from Aimee Ray's etsy  shop. (You can also check out her amazing embroideries at Mahar Dry Goods ). I think the noms might need a home now though. I have been a bit gnome-y since Andy got me these for our wedding anniversary. Does this man know how to treat a woman or what ?

one lump or two ?

Just trying to sneak this little treat in while the babes are napping. A
while a go I decided to overhaul Floyd's kitchen area and it has taken me
until now to complete it. But here we have Floyd's Cafe.

I made the table cloth and place mats with fabric from kitty craft and the
pot holder with some vintage fabric I found online.



I bought the sugar cubes, tea bags and milk from here. I am hoping
he won't notice the disproportionate size of tea bags to tea cups.

I fell in love with this little tea set from A Toy Garden.

They have so much cute stuff including this great bag which my friend,
Jesica bought and which I have been coveting ever since.

I have been attempting some felt food recently.

I also came across this person in Japan who makes these  and these and sooo much more. Pretty incredible and way way beyond my capabilities.... as nicely illustrated by the somewhat wonky cupcakes.

I am currently working on some bacon and eggs to go with the very lopsided
toast I made. I will let you know how it works out.

little wooden boys

I have been working on these for a while now. I got inspired by Amy of Angry Chicken when she made these ones. I finally finished them and I just love them. They are a Christmas present for Floyd although I think he will be less interested in them than I have been.

I really wanted to do them as little boys because most commercial ones are quite girly.

   

I realise how imperfect they are but just loved the way they turned out. I hope he likes them too.

I bought the blank nesting dolls from here and am totally excited about doing another set for Frances.

Speaking of which I bought this for Frances from eBay. I thought it would be so cute in her room. There is definitely a bird theme evolving around here these days.

   

In preparation for Christmas I have been working on these...

... when finished they will be our new advent calendar. Each one filled with a delicious little something for that day...not that Andy and I will be partake we are on the most miserable diet. Five winters here have taken there toll and there have been far too many gummy worms knocking around this place in recent months. Here is something else we won't enjoy because of the diet....

...I made these placemats and napkins for Thanksgiving (I totally love the stripe fabric for some unknown reason, usually not quite my cup of tea but it seems kind of folky and I like that) but now alas we are canceling all festivities (and yummy food including gummy worms) so we can really go to town at Christmas and just

.

Happy November.

once again

I admit it, I am terrible at blogging regularly. It's not that I don't want to blog, it is just that it seems so impossible to find the spare time to do it. The other reason is my inability to get my act together and just buy a decent digital camera. There are so many things I want to post about that need pictures and the old camera just ain't cuttin' it anymore. I am working on that though.

So here's what's on offer instead,

This  is what I am reading now.

This is what we are listening to.

I like these places for vintage fabric and more here

 

Here  for children's books, I like the look of this place for toys especially the real tool box for Floyd, could be a disaster but he'd love it.

This as well for Mr. Monkeysuit.

And these clothes for Frances, especially this dress , though I will clearly have to wait a while before she would even fit into it.
 

and my love for this does not abate.

that should cover it for now.