So I’ve read on numerous sites from EKRA to Softies central that the whole forest friends, owls and gnomes etc. is out. Yup over (personally I was never in with them in the first place) While I find this hard to believe it really is so,  I decided to think of what could possibly take their place in crafty folks hearts and decided to put forth the Koala bear.

This is Madison.  Named because I bought the wool roving from the Madison farmers market from a quirky woman who I forgot to ask what kind of wool it was…………dammit.   While I personally would love to see Kangaroo, Koalas and wallabees being the next big thing I doubt it will happen.

In other news I got tagged……..I’ve never been tagged before but Connie of clothmatters got me (I really should run faster next time ; )   So I have to come up with a word that reflects me from the letters of my name……..Hmmmmm I’m really not good at this sort of thing but here goes.

L     –  Lazy  (oh I’m so lazy I will put stuff of forever in order to sit around on my arse all day)

I      –  incoherent  (I’m Scottish I think very few people ever really understand a word I am saying)

S     –  silly   (speaks for itself really)

A    –  apathetic  ( about most things)

There so now you know a little bit more about me……..but maybe not my best qaulities,  maybe I will share those some other time.  Thanks Connie for tagging me.

There has been so much rain here in the good ole midwest,  it’s starting to get deppressing.  I think there has been a thunderstorm every night, and seeing as how it’s not that much longer till the nights start getting darker earlier, I demand that the rain stops immediatly. Oooh I hope that works,  if not for me then for my big,  stupid,  old pussycat……….thunder terrifies him,   but when it’s everynight he’s scurrying off to hide it’s starts to get a little sad.

Anyway what have I been up to besides bitching about the weather? Well I made this little guy….

He’s still not finished yet…I want to go and get a stick for a fishing rod for him to have behind his back……maybe even give him a little fish on the end of it, we will see,  and I still haven’t though of his name either.  He is completely different to any of my other critters,  and to be honest I am not a huge fan of gnomes……but I think making the toadstool pins had the idea of him niggling away at me, so who am I to disagree.

and I am a knitters little helper addict. Has any one else ever used this stuff? I admit I bought it because I was suckered in by the cute little tin….

But the wool roving does really dry out my hands, and this stuff does not affect the wool at all……how great is that? and it smells fantastic too. I have been rubbing it on every 10 mins or so…….it’s fantastic.

Saturday in Chicago was fantastic, the Renegade Handmade store was absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful inside and out, their displays were fantastic and they had tons of my paper crane…….it was very hard to resist buying everything, although my hubby makes this easier by saying you should make it yourself everytime I ooooed and aaahhhhed at something……….I am sure this makes us popular in most stores.

I am still in the process of making critters for the art – o – mat. 15 done 35 + to go. I’ll share them as soon as I am done I promise.  I’m loving the lions maybe I’ll make a larger one when I am done…….

Another new creation……..meet Tippy the hedgehog.  I love her spikes.  I will put her in my etsy sore as soon as I can take a decent piccie of her.   She looks cool in person but  I’m a dork with the camera…….patoooey!!!

I’m so excited as Carol at the art-o-mat let me know the last of my stabby critters were sent to the Whitney museum of art in NYC……waaaaaah that’s thrilling,  I’m in the Whitney!!!! ok,ok…….not “in” the Whitney but  in the art-o-mat machine that is inside the Whitney……..that still counts to me.  Actually the fact that they are in New York is just as exciting to me…..I am starting my new art-o-mat project asap……….I’ve already done a few  a monkey and a snake and a lion is in the works…..

I’ll share them with you soon.

I made these cute little pins for my etsy store

I am really happy with how they turned out very cute particularly the cherries

It’s nice to have little things in the shop, and I’m thinking these little pins are going to be appearing on everything I own……

Going to Chicago on Saturday to check out this place Renegade Handmade.  I never knew this place existed and can’t wait to skeck it out……probably won’t be as cool as The Glitter Workshop  in Madison though but as you know I am all about the artsy fartsy craft stores so will have to go.

Yeah, yeah I know……I have been very lazy on the stabby front. But I was contacted by BossaNovaBaby through Etsy last week to make a Yoda for her son’s birthday. I just thought I’d share with you guys first…..

He was really fun to make…..probably because I love Star wars, but I really love how he turned out (even if I do say so myself….ahem)

Anyway today I’m going to go into a needle frenzy…..I’ve got tons of ideas for critters and I really want to see if I can make them.

Largely because of Harry Potter……..I’ve never read a book in less than 24hrs before, ok, ok it’s a kid’s book and the words are small but still it’s a book none the less. I was so determined to read the book as quick as possible because I was sure someone would tell me how it ends for Harry. Even checking my email on yahoo had me sweating in fear of yahoo news. I really had no need to fear though, as if I hadn’t read it I still wouldn’t know the outcome…..typical.

Anyway check this out……..I know you will be jealous

How cool is that? It’s called a fambee and I had it made for me by Fambee. She has made a ton of cool Harry Potter fambee’s but I just had to have Harry. I can’t wait to get it, I am going to use it for my cell phone……I can never find that damn thing in my pit of a bag……..until now!!!! yaaaaaay Harry saves the day, again.

Anywho what else have I been up to? Oh yes I’ve finally completed my mobile Art-o-Mat project…….of course I hand drew all the boxes again (I am crazy I tell ya) so they are stacked up and ready to go on their merry way.

I hope people like them, I’m surprised they only took me just over a week especially seeing as how I had Lewis the new kitten “helping” me the whole time…….honestly mini mobiles and kittens are a tricky business I can tell you. Anyway I want to get started on the next project for them soon……….I’m still thinking stabby jungle, but we will see.

Oh and I just have to share this with you……….it’s hilarious

poorkitty

My boys better behave else humility will follow ; )

Maybe it’s because it’s summer and I’m feeling giddy and childish but I love these softy pillow plushies by Jodie Caulfield.

I had to splurge on them as soon as I saw them. I got the seagull and the donkey and I can’t wait to get them. Her work really reflects childhood memories for me, especially the donkey…….aaaah donkey  rides on Blackpool beach, oh how it takes me back……now if only she would make a giant candy floss on a stick and I would be blissed out.

Check out her etsy store for more lovely goodies.

I also indulged in some supplies today little brass daisy petals from artful market . I figured the critters needed better hangtags and I love the idea of the daisy petal being brass instead of felt as I was doing……so stay tuned I’ll let you see what I come up with as soon as I get them and figure it out.

I haven’t been very creative myself this week at all. I’ve been enjoying the weather too much and the company of my nip frenzied cats to get down to the business of stabby stabby. But I promise next week I shall crack the whip and get on with more creative critters.

It seemed like I hadn’t needle felted for ages, and to be honest I think because I had made so many critters for the lovli craft fair in such a short time I was a bit hesitant to make another one for a while.

But I couldn’t keep away from the roving for long. Meet Barnaby T. Bunny……..What do you think? I am really pleased with how he turned out, I think he’s my most cartoony critter to date. I love his dopey goofy expression to bits.

He’s a big boy as well, bigger than all my other critters. I think my time off needle felting made me crazy with my wool supply.

well if they like it that is……..

I’m loving making the mobiles…….so I thought why not try and do one for the artomat. What do you think? Oh I hope they like it.

The box and the little ad for the outside of the machine

The goodies inside

All the goodies laid out. And when you put them together you get…..

taaaadaaah. Your own little tabletop mobile.

So I hope it goes over well with the Art o mat peeps. I love being an art o mat artist and there is nothing like the feeling of being unappreciated in your own time……I feel so worthy…… : )