We had sooooo much snow last weekend it was what the people in the know call a noreaster  (which Markie thought was a made up word….dummy)  so of course we lost power for a few days again…..brrrrrrrr it was chilly,  thank god for pussycat blankets.

We went to the last outdoor Sowa Market on Sunday (losing power is a great reason to go out and about on a chilly day) . It was so much fun as it was the Market of the living dead and vendors and shoppers were decked out in the best Halloween costumes.  I wish I’d remembered to bring my Harry Potter sorting hat…….there really aren’t that many excuses to go out and about in it and I clearly messed up by missing my one great opportunity….boooooo

Maureen arrived to stay with us this week

And I got to tell you I absolutely love her!!!  She took even longer than past critters as I gave her individual “spikeys” all over her and I totally adore how tactile and sweet she is.

She’s looking forward to this weekend as it is the official start of the holiday shows……..wooooohoooo.  So if you are in the area please come by and wish the critters a Happy Holiday

Saturday  the 5th of Nov 9 am to 3 pm at the Dr John C Page School in West Newbury

And then on Sunday the 6th of Nov

So we are very excited to start the holiday shows,   ooooh I love the holiday show countdown,   it’s like a timer to the countdown to how long it is till I can  stuff my face with mince pies and sweeties in the name of the holidays………mmmmmmmm mince pies.

I hope to see you at the shows this weekend.

I am just loving my new apartment,  we have a balcony which is brilliant for sitting out and enjoying the weather but doubley brilliant for enjoying the chirpers

We have a lot of other birdies that come and enjoy our feeder but I managed to have my camera near me when the grosbeak, cardinals and jay stopped by (which is really rare for me as normally I’m not at all prepared).

It certainly has been very exciting for one new critter………Spencer

Spencer is the neighbor’s cat,  but he just loves hanging out with us……….especially at lunch time and dinner time or if a new fire is lit in the grate………….unless of course the neighbors are home.  I’ll add Spencer to the shop  which I’m excited about doing as he will be the first new critter that I’ve added for ages.

Poor ole’  Walter,  all his buddies are leaving for their winter vacations and checking themselves into the fanciest river retreats and Walter will not be joining them……..you see Walter is scared of heights.  It’s pretty tragic,  even standing on the jetty brings Walter out in hives……ever seen a duck belly flop in a panic?  most likely it was Walter.  So Walter is looking for a nice warm home to avoid the winter…..do you know of anything?

Walter will be in the shop soon.

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………….

Ok so everyone loves the weekend…….that’s kinda  a no brainer right?  But this weekend I especially love as I’m going to see the rather brilliantly funny Joel Mchale at the Chicago theatre.  I Love Joel Mchale his comedic timing on the soup always has me in stitches, no one can say chicken tatrazini and make me need to weeeeee quite like Joel (in a good way).  And for the longest time I’ve always wanted to see something at the Chicago theatre so this really is a win win weekend……..plus we are staying at the Palmer hilton hotel for the night so we don’t have to endure the late night drive back to Rockford yaaaaaaaaaaaay life is good.

I have a new critter I’d like you to meet too

THis is Smithy,  and he’s a bit of a scally wag…….he is looking for a forever home though so I will add him to the shop asap.

Have a great weekend.

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.

It’s toad

Making Bub and Bob got me thinking about all my other favourite cute computer game characters which of course inevitably meant I absolutely had to make toad from Mario fame.

Wahooooo is his catchphrase,  it’s also mine as I am full of nervous energy or maybe it’s anticipation for the craft fair tommorrow in Chicago.  I’m pretty much organised as in everything is packed up and ready to go but I keep feeling the need to recheck the boxes…….eeeeek do I have everything?  oh shoot did I remember to put the (insert essential of your choice) in?    I am so freaking out which definately means I need to get much more craft show experience……..oh well at least I am working on remedying the situation right?

So if you are in the Chicago area please stop on by and say hi

Fall Handcrafted Market!!

Saturday, October 4^th 10-4p.m.

The New Friendly Towers

920 West Wilson Ave., Chicago

eeeek I am so excited…….

I mean I already told you I’m a geek right?  Lets face it I’ve  made Mario’s, Yoshi’s, Star wars characters and battlestar Gallactica dogs/cylons and I loved every minute of making ’em.   But these guys I had to make just for me……

So if you don’t know who these 2 bubble blowing dragons are then you just failed the geek test.  It’s Bub and Bob of course……..my favourite computer game and computer game characters EVER!!!  They are just so cute and here is the pic I used to create ’em

awwwww aren’t they cute I’ll list them in the shop soon.

So remember this Saturday I’ll be with the critters in Chicago for the Indie in the windy city craft fair and next week we are doing the Handmade Market at the empty bottle in Chicago eeeeeek how exciting 2 shows in a row……..hope to see you there!!!

has it really been so long since I added a critter to the menagerie?  I guess so,  thank god I finally got to it and made this little guy

Meet Vince,  he’s a vampire bat although he will try and persuade you he’s a fruit bat.  Don’t let him fool you though!!!  the only fruit I’ve seen him show any remote interest in is blood oranges and I’ve never seen such a look of disappointment on any face when given one.   He loves to go for strolls in the moonlight,  midnight movies and all night pharmacies.  As cute as he is he always seems to be alone,   care to go for a stroll?

Of course he will be added to the shop just in time for Halloween.