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!

Button Bag

This baby is PINK & PROUD OF IT!

vintage buttons & cuuuute apple fabric lining and strap

button bunny tail :)

A custom order, this bag took me ages (two months) to knit! I started to sort of hate it I have to admit, but all was forgiven when I got to sew the buttons on! I can NOT get enough of vintage buttons! I was delighted with the apple fabric too! It's a nice heavy cotton canvas.
I said I'd never make this bag again, but now looking back at the photos I might just give it another go. I do like it, especially the moss stitches on the bottom :)
Maybe I'll just do a tiny one for a little purse. That won't take nearly as long right?! But I must finish Baby George's blanket first!
I'm just about to get showered, put on twin peaks and get knitting! *Knit 3, Purl 3*....

Off I go!

My First Non-Scarf Knitting Project! Help!

I have been knitting scarves for....6 years? Since my gorgeous & patient friend Kirsten taught me to cast on & cast off and knit & purl. Then I moved to Scotland....and I never progressed from there! I've just never attempted anything else! Lately I have been attempting moss stitch and single rib...but it's all gone wrong. But don't worry! I haven't given up yet! How can I when I could be making this kind of wonderfulness?!

 I've attempted crotchet. That's all I have to say about that. I want to be great and whip up beautiful creations in no time, but it doesn't exactly come naturally and I'm not an enthusiastic practice-makes-perfect-er. But I won't give up on that yet either. I PROMISE! I have too many fantasies of creating gorgeous things from vintage patterns....sigh.

Well. I'm breaking out of my scarf rut. I've been inspired by one of Mrs Cooke's blankets that Jayne rescued on our dumpster dive....I've decided to make a patch work blanket. I'm knitting 5 x 5in squares to make up the blanket. It's getting really old fast as I only know 2 stitches! So far I have 4 patches done! It is a labor of love! 

{not my blanket, but this is the idea}

This is you come in!

I NEED YOUR HELP TO FINISH THIS BLANKET! I would L-O-V-E to have patches from all over the world made by creative hands all over the world to make up my first blanket! Wanna join in?!!!!!!!
HERE ARE SOME DETAILS!
Basically the patches need to be 5x5. The type of yarn doesn't matter, something from your scraps bag would be great! So far I'm using earthy tones. I love earthy/natural and jewel colors! I'm imagining chocolate brown, wheat, natural white, plum, all naturally shades of green, spicy yellow, burnt pumpkin...you get the idea. Any knit or crotchet stitch is welcome, patchwork and embroidery are also welcome! I would love it if you could put your name or something on the patch somewhere so that I will can remember each person who helped create my blanket.
I would love your help! I'd be honored if you'd take part. If you'd like to, please leave a comment and I'll get back to you with you address and any answers I can give.
Speak soon! x