Wow I can’t believe it’s already been and gone,  The Craftacular that is……..and much fun was had by all.

Obligatory booth shot to follow

Because of my love of schmoozing I even got a mention on a blog check it out,  although I think the author is the only person I’ve ever encountered that thinks my prices are too inexpensive…….I generally use the rule of thumb of “what would I pay for it if I saw it at a craft fair”  and usually that seems to work out pretty well,  but what do you guys think?  time to increase my prices?  ahhhhh it’s a tough one,  but  I think I love the fact that kids are so into the critter boxes and generally spend their own pocket money on them too much to incorporate a huge price hike.

This week was also the annual visit to the vet

The boys are just so pathetic  as soon as they go through the door,  that it takes all my strength not to point and laugh at them although I had to snap a picture to share………they had absolutely no intention of coming out of their cases either…..poor babies

So now it’s a count down for Strangefolk……….eeeeeeeek

And then I can officially say my first year participating in Summer shows is done………..woohoo

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………

Yes I am officially a terrible blogger………but I really was referring to the fact that as of today Summer is here,  yaaaaaaaaaaaaay finally.   Now if only someone could pass the information to the gods of thunder and lightning that seem to have taken up residence in the Rockford area I can get to work on my tan,  and finally wear my new Liberty sundresses  from target without looking like an over eager idiot.

So glad summer is here as I finally bought an ez up canopy for outdoor summer craft shows,  eeeeek!!!! and it’s kinda bizarre just how excited I am to own one……..is that weird?

I got this one from northlineexpress on a pretty great deal and  I just love it and can’t wait to use it…..which is good as it’s first outing is soon (gaaah) July 3rd in fact for the Bizarre bazaar Summer Show in Cleveland and then August 15th it will be in Madison for the Summer Craftacular.  Hopefully it will get more summer outings so keep your fingers crossed for me.

A new critter showed up this week too….

It’s Frances,  he’s looking forward to the outdoor shows too.  He’s heard so many good things about being outside for big events but he’s stocking up on the sunscreen….. he really doesn’t want to roast  and is definitely not keen on frying to a crisp in the sun.  Still a lot of people are very excited to have him attend the shows,  Frances just can’t work out why his sunscreen keeps getting replaced for barbecue sauce………

I Love, love, love creating completely new and weird little critters and thinking of where they have been or are going to,  or how they like to spend their day but with these guys I just can’t even begin to imagine

They are currently hanging out at my house as part of a space mobile I made for the rather fabulous Katie ( who has some of the best stabby requests ever) who just found out that she is expecting a lil’ one and is going with a space theme for the nursery………..How brilliant is that?  certainly very unique and original.  I just hope she likes it

They sure are cute,  like everything I make for Katie I’ll be sad to see them go…………

Last weekends Craftacular was brilliantly fun thanks to everyone who stopped by the booth to say hi,  Madison sure is a supportive community.

Sorry for the fuzzy pic,  the iphone doesn’t like taking pics in darker environments and I of course forgot my camera……..ah well.

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.

That’s the sound of the Christmas countdown……Every day the ticking gets a little louder,  and makes me just a little more manic.   Last week I did (finally) manage to get some goodies to Anthology,  The cat and crow and Unique Yarns so a little pressure is of me. But the Craftacular and the Bucktown Bazaar is next week so I need to be VERY productive this week as it’s the 2 shows on the same  weekend……………waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa what was I thinking?

I did make something else new for the shows although I will also list them in the shop………

What do you think?  little snowman hair clips……….I’m going to make a few more as I really like how they turned out…

One of my favourite thing about doing the shows is meeting so many wonderful people and getting the critters a wonderful new home where they will be loved everyday……Last show was Mr Orange’s turn,  Rachel saw him and they fell in love and now he is causing mayhem at her house…

Makes me feel so happy to see him ready to fight for his patch of the tower,  thanks for taking him in Rachel.

Ladies and gentlemen……..drumroll please………

On Saturday November 28th,  Lulu of Lulu’s Stabby Critters will be attempting the impossible.    That’s right she will be doing the impossible feat of being two places at the same time!!!!   Gasp, what? who? where? It’s not possible, it can’t be done……I hear from the crowd.   Well yes it can (thanks to the brilliance of her hubby)  On Saturday November 28th Lulu’s Stabby Critters can be found not only at the Craftacular in Madison, Wi but also at the Bucktown Bazzar in Chicago, Il.

I’m not sure why I agreed to do 2 shows at the same time………it seemed like a good idea at the time.  I mean logistically it seems possible.  Mark can go to Chicago and take care of the critters there while I drive of to Madison….. easy.   But what i forgot about was the fact that dividing and conquering also means dividing up the critter stock……….waaaaaaaaaaah.   So needless to say I’m going to be VERY busy in the next couple of weeks……..yowzers I’m a mad woman,  or at least I will be by November 28th.

The St Cornelius Fall Fest was brilliant fun……it was my first experience of an outdoor street fair and the organizers were totally on it….

I really loved having my own little tent,   and it meant I could finally display mobiles………yaaaaaaaay,  I’m still working on how to do that for indoor booths,  but hopefully I’ll work it out this year.  Alright back to work .. ……which will be tough as I’ve just discovered the brilliantly hilarious regretsy.com now I really am addicted to looking at crap.

Little turkeys are here,  I had the idea of them being place card table settings for thanksgiving……Do people still do that? If you are wondering why my piccies are a bit crappy it’s because I had to use my i phone camera as Mark has taken the good camera away with him.  He’s taking part in the Single Speed World Championship in Durango and is staying in Santa Fe,  gotta admit I’m a little jealous……….good god,  not about the cyle race!!! but Santa Fe looks like a beautiful place I wouldn’t mind checking out sometime,  although not when there’s a thousand smelly, lycra wearin’ cyclists in town.

So why the gulp?  well I have 2 new shows to add to my list of upcoming winter shows,  I just found out I got accepted into Bazaar Bizarre in Cleveland a 2 day show in Ohio and I am really excited about it!!!  I don’t know why but I applied and then instantly convinced myself I wouldn’t get in……….talk about a doom and gloom merchant huh?  I guess I should really knock that off.  I also heard from the Craftacular in Madison and I will be vending there this year too …..yaaaaaaaaay I always have a good time at that show……….So my list of shows so far are

The St. Cornelius Fall Fest on Saturday, October 3rd in Chicago

The Red Sled Holiday Bazaar on Saturday November 7th in La Grange, Illinois

Craftacular in Madison Wisconsin on the 28th of November

Bazaar Bizarre on Saturday the 12th of December and Sunday the 13th in Cleveland Ohio

So not bad 4 shows (so far) I think I’m going to have to get very busy soon………….waaaaaa

So this time every year my hubby’s work has a bit of a Christmas party involving schtuffing yer face with food and swapping white elephant gifts (who exactly came up with the term of white elephant for a gag gift?  I mean it’s kinda odd right? It could just as easily be say a chunky chicken gag gift?  or am I overthinking this?)

Anyway back to the story,  last year I made him a little scientist for the exchange (and the fact it kinda resembled his boss was merely a coincidence  I assure you………..ahem)  and this year I took a little break from my crazy show crafting schedule and made him a little Marie……..

Above is the lovely Marie and below is my homage to her in wool……

I hope she isn’t to offended.

So I’m back to stabbying frenzy for Saturday’s show.  It’s the Craftacular in  Madison Masonic Center at 301 Wisconsin Avenue and will be on from 10 a.m to 6 p.m.  I can’t wait for this one as I adore the regular vendors and the organizer of this show so much,  it’s always a good time and really has quickly become a holiday tradition for me.  I hope if you are in the are you will stop on by and wish the Critters Happy Holidays………