I'm on an Owl kick.

I can NOT get enough of cute owls lately! I've really liked them for years and years, but has there been a cute owl explosion recently? Is it just me or have they totally surpassed cupcakes as the uber cute trend leader?
Who can blame me though? RIGHT?! Aren't they make you wanna "squeeeeeeeeeee"!

Tangerine Owlet Necklace

Cute brooch

Ceramic Owls

Yes. This is real. 

Beautiful. 

Like I said, I just can't get enough. I love the look of owls with their big round eyes. I also treasure wisdom, which they represent.

A Ponder & Stitch Giveaway!

Amy the author of Ponder & Stitch makes the most adorable wrist cuffs from vintage material and vintage buttons! She has loads of giveaways at her blog but this time she's giving away one of her own creations! You have 3 to choose from!

You can click on Ponder & Stitch above or find the link on the right side of my blog! Get on over there and leave a comment!

The Frosted Petticoat and My Button Bouquet

The Frosted Petticoat  has created a Carnival theme wedding ceremony.  My sweet little button bouquet which now belongs to and was photographed by Clair Penn  was chosen to be part of the fun & inspiration! 
I feel so honoured and tickled pink!

Minies.

I am running a bath so I have to be quick! I just wanted to show you a few of the wooden disc badges I've been painting today. I've also been making wonderful little tea cup & pot rings!

thrifty.

Hello my lovely friend! I have seriously got to show you this teapot I found in a charity shop & the pincushion I made because it's thrifty & fun :)

I saw this beautiful teapot in a charity shop for £5. I thought...that's a bit steep for me in a charity shop....but I couldn't take my eyes off of it! I stood in line for ages waiting my turn to check out and I just stared at the tea pot the whole time. So I thought. "Just get it you fool!" I usually leave it and then regret it and wish I'd not been so cheap.
WELL! As you can see I indulged! I like to know everything I can find out about the old stuff I buy. I reckoned this might have been from the 1930s-50s. It had no real hallmark but had an impressed maker's mark instead. I don't know how to read those at all. It took me a good hour to find a website that could help me interpret the marks. Are you ready for this? Because it blew me away.
This beautiful & vibrant teapot was cast on 22 August 1883. YEAH! I KNOW! 1883!!!! The mark even told me that it was from the first batch! It's amazing what a little diamond with some numbers and letters in can tell you!
I've also got a little craft to show you...

I came across this sweet tutorial for a tuna can pincushion at the Wee Folk Art blog! She's given really, really good instructions.
I loved the idea of recycling properly as well! Someone wants to buy this one so I will have to make another because it's such a good size. You've gotta try it if you like felt and pincushions. The original has a lot more embroidery but mine was pretty rubbish so I put some vintage buttons on instead :D
Pretty cute huh? All done while I watched Midsomer Murders!

This Spring has been so wonderful! More wonder to come I believe!

Have You Heard of Julie Arkell?

In my latest issue of Making Magazine a wonderful folk artist called Julie Arkell. Her work is wonderfully whimsical! I am feeling very inspired!

Julie Arkell is one of England's best recognized contemporary folk artists working in papier-mâché and mixed media. It has been said that Julie, "...cannot resist the rejected debris of everyday life.  She especially favors discarded toys for inspiration and printed textiles”.
Her work is fresh and fun. It employs domestic craft techniques, but in Julie's own distinctly personal and sophisticated way. Julie does everything by hand in her London studio using no machines! She manipulates and paints her paper-Mache figures, stuffing bodies and embroidering "clothes". She trims her creations in knitted adornments (made with the help of her Mum), curious accessories, ribbons and found objects. The result are her magically appealing "people" -- which are doll-like in their proportions -- her animals, bunnies, and objects.

I was left craving more of Julie's work after finishing reading the article in Making.

A Disturbed Lullaby.

Green Drawer. 

Wee Bunny Creature.

a warmly stitched house.

Isn't her work simply wonderful?
Julie has a book, but it appears to be out of print...I must find it!

I am now hunting for that tub of pva glue and busting out dolly pegs and fabric scraps!