So the Crafter’s round up has come and gone and it was a ton of fun.  Quite a few critters found fabulous new homes in Chicago,  I was very sad to see Connor go but thrilled to think that he had found such a lovely new mummy…..

So cute!!!

The weather was fabulous on Saturday we even saw disgraced ex governor Rod Blagojevich Jogging in the neighborhood  (the hair truly is a sight to behold)………but Sunday was a whole other story……..(gotta love the Midwest in Summer) after toughing out 3 hours of rain,  the winds came and the fear of losing my precious new E-Z up to the great blue yonder was just to great,  so sorry if you headed out to Chase Park to see us as we were already Rockford bound.

Many thanks to the rather fabulous Pam who thought of me when she saw some rather fabulous cloches at a friend’s yard sale………they are truly awesome and I can’t wait to capture some critters under them.

So this Sunday we have the Summer Craftacular in Madison Wi

Just keep your finger’s crossed Sunday’s weather is blue skies and beautiful………

Wow………when did that happen?  I’m shocked,  time it really does fly by…….

I can’t believe tomorrow the Crafter’s Round up is finally here,  I’ve been stabbying like crazy for weeks in preparation for it and now I’m finally starting to feel like I might not have a half empty table after all……….phew,  that’s a relief (although I’m not sure at this point what I would do  if I wasn’t feeling ok )

So remember if you are in the Chicago area to come on by to Chase Park and say hi to the critters this weekend.

I remembered that I never ever did show you guys some of my birthday goodies even though I said I would,  aren’t I awful?   Anyway to rectify this blatant blog neglect I thought I’d show you what my friend Matt sent me…..

Norman the big snow rabbit made by Etsy sellers monsters etc……..and I just absolutely love him!!!  you should check out their store for other cuties too!!  many  thanks Matt.

Mark bought me quite a few goodies,   my favourites being this cute fishy made by Michele Smith of Mud Spun Studio that I fell in love with at the art fair on the square,  he’s supposed to be a ceiling fan pull but I have him hanging up on my bathroom cabinet….

He also got me a pizza slice

A Heidi Kenney pizza slice for Kidrobot silly…………not a real pizza slice,  although that would have been greatly appreciated too……….mmmmmmmmm pizza.   I recently bought this little guy for myself on Etsy too with the pretense that it was part of my birthday……

I just loved it at first sight……it’s a vintage find from Etsy seller Bethtastic who is based in Chicago and has a lot of very cute jewelry in her shop,  and it’s perfect for me as I am born in the year of the rabbit in the Chinese zodiac…….gosh I really will find any excuse to validate my needless spending sprees won’t I?  Shameless!!

I’m off to pack up the critters for their trip to Chicago,  hope to see you this weekend.

The circus is starting to arrive in  Critterville…….first up Nellyphants

They are kinda tricksy to take piccies of as they are so well trained they go into incredible stacks of amazing wonder as soon as you point a camera at them………but I’m glad they are here and that the circus is coming together……they will be appearing in the shop asap too.

Yesterday we went to Chicago to see She and Him in Millenium Park,  it was crazy busy in the way a free concert in Chicago can only be.  But they were really, really great……not as great as how cool the Geary stage is surrounded by the big buildings though

The park really is a lovely venue for a show,  and it was a brilliant way to spend a sunny Monday night.

It must be as the temps are finally hitting the 90′s here……..I love the sticky hot of summer,  nothing better than sitting outside and getting some rays enjoying an ice coffee or 4, which I guess means you now know how I spent the last week.

Although Connor bounded into our lives in the meantime

He’s a sweet if rather timid lil’ fella and he will be heading to the shop soon.

Meanwhile my head is buzzing with sewing projects……always slightly dodgy for me,  as I always think big when it comes to sewing projects but my skill set is always a damper to my plans.  Regardless I shall be heading of to the fabric store a little later today to purchase the required fabric…..let’s just say lots of red and white pinstripe,  and that’s the only clue you’re getting.  I’m so excited to start but scared of the possible outcome if I can’t follow through on my grandiose plans.

Can’t wait to show you what I’m up to but I’d better get back to it………….

Bob Omb has finally arrived to add to my stabby homage to Mario……

He’s a fun guy to make, and one of my favourite characters to play……..remember in Mario cart when you lost,  you could control Bob to bomb your opponents?  aaaaaaaaah good times.

So he will of course be added to the shop later today.

Tonight we are heading back into Chicago to see The xx at Lincoln Hall,  which should be great as the venue is brilliant…..although I have a feeling we may be the oldest people in the room……..(not difficult when you consider the fact that the 4 members of the band are only 19).

So back to stabby frenzy for the upcoming Craftacular………Gaaaaaaaaah only a little over 2 weeks to go before the show………busy, busy,busy!!!!

This Saturday (April 3rd) the amazingly talented  plushie maker Heidi Kenney (I’ve gushed about her here before) is coming to Chicago to exhibit her work at Renegade Handmade.  I am so excited about this I decided to make her a present

I just though of the things I think of when I think of Heidi,  donuts and mushrooms were definitely at the top of the list,  so I hope she likes them.

And a new critter showed up this week……

He’s a bit of a boffin is Boris,  in fact he’s been called a knockout by the boys in the lab.  Although Boris doesn’t let it go to his head…..probably because his head is too full of mazes and equations.  It’s lovely having him around though as he’s so smart,  I may set him the challenge of figuring out my taxes.

Oh and in other news the Glitterworkshop is having another Craftacular (yippppeeeeeee) and I just found out I’m in!!!  It’s going to be at the High Noon Saloon on Saturday April 24th which isn’t long away…………….waaaaaaaaaaah I’m going to have to be very busy for the next couple of weeks.

I’ve been a very bad blogger………In my defense I’d have to say it’s because I’ve been very busy…………but the reality is I’ve just been enjoying the warmer spring-ey weather that is currently coming through the Midwest.

I did finish Travis though

And I am currently fighting the urge to go to Target everyday to buy up all the Liberty of London line they have.   You see I shopped on the first day it came out as I am a huge Liberty fan (even my wedding album came from Liberty) and I bought A LOT of it,  no seriously when I say A LOT  I mean I am pretty sure I heard my credit card give out a little gasp and sob a little………and yet here I sit still pondering over whether or not I really, really want the watering can and gardening gloves that I had already deemed a little silly and was sure I’d never use….. (how mental is that?)  I clearly need help.

So I’m going to get on with a new big critter today,  I love making the big guys so I’m sure that will keep my mind of useless consumerism……..for now.  Oh and today is my mum’s birthday……..

so Happy Birthday mum!!

Wow it’s already going fast isn’t it?  I mean I can’t believe it’s already the 5th!!!!  OK sure I have been very lazy this holiday season,  but still.

I didn’t make resolutions this year as I tend to make the same ones every year…  and then break them all within the first 20 mins , so I’m just going to stick with making more critters and being a better blogger……..let’s see how I do.

So how was your holiday?  get everything you wanted?  a few of my highlights

Awesome new ornaments from beastlies and girl on the rocks that I just couldn’t resist and bought for myself for my Christmas tree this year.

It turned into a very beastlie Christmas as my friend Matt sent these 2 little guys along for the party …….thanks Matt,  I adore them!!!

prawn cocktail an essential part of our Christmas dinner………yummmmmmmmm  and chocolate milk

an essential part of pussy cat Christmas………….Sandy Paws was very good to the boys this year.

So a few highlights of Christmas,   and now I’m waiting for the 10th as we are California bound again……..yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

Staying again at the Hotel Del……….otherwise known as my happy place,  sigh I can’t wait as it’s also our 11 year wedding anniversary on the 14th and there is no more perfect a place to be to celebrate it.

Yup we are off this afternoon,  heading for the Bazaar Bizarre in Cleveland,  Ohio.  According to google maps it’s a little over 7 hours away…………woooohoooo can you say road trip!!!

Can’t wait to see you all for my final show of the year,  the critters are most excited

As am I how fantastic is that poster?

I’ll see you when I get back as today is a busy day of organizing and packing…………yuck

Can you hear that?  It’s the sound of the critters blowing their trumpets in glee at the awesomely exciting news that critters will now be found at a new home………  at the Contemporary Craft Art Museum in Pittsburgh

Ooooooh lah  dee dah………..Needless to say they are very excited and quite frankly feeling a little pretentious about being in a real art gallery,  I keep reminding them it’s in the store but I think they have stopped talking to me…..apparently I’m far to menial to reach their heady heights of fame…………..sigh………poor me.