A Big Welcome To Our Newest Family Member

Please meet Abbey Pelton the newest member of our family. She has joined us all the way from Long Island, NY!!!


She has come to us courtesy of the Temporal Millionaire or better still The Travel Kitty Project. Hop over to her Etsy shop to see some more Travel Kitties or go and have a look at her Travel Kitty Blog where she plots on a map all her kitties exploits around the world. Lots of adoptive families have posted in photos of their kitties in interesting places and on their holidays.

I bought Quincy Klugman back in November for my sister as a birthday present and loved the idea and the kitties so much I had to go back (regularly) to see what other kitties she had, and then Abbey came up and I just fell in love with her blueness and had to have her join my family.

This is Quincy Klugman

Rag Cat

Today 2 of my friends asked if my children would like to go and play with their children, which was lovely for them and meant that I had an afternoon to myself. So, instead of doing housework I chose to have a go at making a doll. I have never done this before and am not very good at sewing.....this is a new skill I am trying to master. So without much ado, please meet my new creation, I haven't named him yet.

You'll have to excuse my really skinny legs!!

And how on earth do you sewing around a bend or a circle? I need to practice alot!

My Newish Project

This is not the most flattering photo in the world but I thought I would give you all a sneak peak at my newish project.


I am 25 weeks!!! How large am I? I still have 15 weeks of growing. I wonder if it's all the chocolate and very naughty coca cola I have been consuming. Must control urges.

It being half term I have to amuse the other 2 children in my life and today in our local town there is an "Art Buffet" mmmmm food I initially thought, how wrong I could be. The art buffet is some huge tables stuffed full of paper, card, paints, glue, glitter, crayons, pastels, fabric, everything and anything and the kids get to create whatever the wonderful imaginations can come up with. And best of all....it's free!! So if ever you are around Sherborne, Dorset during the school holidays look out for it, they love it.

Featured Seller - Aleximo Croissant

My first featured artist, I hope I do them justice.

I met Alex over on the Folksy Forums when I posted a thread asking for people to be featured on my blog. The response was overwhelming so I am going to make this a weekly thing....time permitting and as long as those pesky kids stay in school!!

I love Aleximo Croissant's shop, it's so fun, funky and vibrant. I sent her some questions which she has answered beautifully even though some of them are a tad on the stupid side.

1. Where do you get your inspiration?

A very wide variety of places, as with a lot of designers most of my ideas happen at night, so I find it imperative to keep a sketchbook by my bed at all times. I love walking around the grounds of Lyme Park, and the gardens at Tatton Park, I often go sketching there. Japanese culture has also inspired a lot of my work, I love anything to do with Studio Ghiblli and gashapon toys. All my pieces start off as sketchbook work, but it may take years before the initial sketch becomes a product or design.

2. Describe your work space?

I currently work in my bedroom, and in the garden when it’s not raining! I have a big desk in front of a south facing window over my garden. It’s a wonderful view with very good light, and I can see all the wildlife and trees, which helps to inspire my work too.

3. When and Why did you start your crafting business?

I’ve always made things, I don’t think I’ve ever bought a birthday card as prefer to make a personalised card for the recipient. I decided to start an online shop whilst I was still at uni to sell all the things I made but didn’t have room for. Sometimes whilst doing my degree I got an idea block, so I always had a side project to be working on. I also pushed myself to learn new skills at uni, and taught myself how to knit for a toy creation brief we did. Often the things I made were given away as gifts, and the positive feedback I received encouraged me to start my business.

4. What is your most favourite item that you sell?

I’m quite partial to my cupcake badges and candy knitted rabbit, I’m hoping to create a cupcake themed blank greetings card soon!

5. Where else do you sell?

I also sell on Etsy as well as Folksy, here; http://aleximo.etsy.com But I’m considering Misi and Coriandr too.

6. Do you do craft fairs and do you think they are a good place to sell?

I’ve only done one craft fair so far that a friend organised, it was a good day, but a bit hit-and-miss overall. I would love to do one of the Handm@de craft fairs, if I could get down to Cambridge. But I have two more coming up for July and November.

7. Describes your style in 3 words.

Eclectic, Random, Anglomania

8. What is the weirdest thing about you?

Even though I’m an avid reader and massive bibliophile, most of my books look like they’ve never been read. I can’t bear to break the spines, and so have perfected a style of reading that keeps the spine and cover intact!

9. What 1 item would you like to buy from another Folksy seller?

I’ve liked this Sakura Knot Pendant from Mettle Design Studio for a while: http://www.folksy.com/items/33741-Sakura-Knot-Pendant?shop=yes

10. Where is your most favourite place?

Windy Top at Lyme Park and DisneyWorld in Florida, I turn into a four year old whenever I go, it’s like you’re living in a bubble. Which can be very welcome sometimes!

11. What is your favourite book?

‘The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters’ by G.W.Dahlquist, this book blew my mind when I first read it, and still does. It has a feel of Conan-Doyle about it, and kept me thoroughly engaged right up to the end, which is impressive for a book 2 inches thick!

12. What is your favourite film?

That’s a toughie, it’s a toss up between ‘My Neighbour Totoro’, ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ and ‘Labyrinth’.

13. What is your favourite song?

‘The Spark that Starts the Storm‘ by David Bentley, this song is by one of my flat mates from uni, it reminds me of my first year at uni and bbq’s at Storthes. You can listen to David’s music here: http://www.myspace.com/thisisdavidbentley

14. If you were an alien what would your name be?

Xlek Kavlar

15. If you could do anything for the day what would you do?

Work at Pixar, though I’d rather it be much more than a day!

16. You are a Superhero, what is power?

To Fly, but I’d have to have wings.

I would like to say a really big thank you to Alex for being my very first featured seller....and my human guinea pig. I hope you like the feature.

Drum Roll Please.....

My very first competition has ended and it was most enjoyable. The competition was to come up with my 2nd ever competition to run next month. Simples.

And the winner is............Jaime and Pete from Jamball

And this is the winning entry, so look out for next months competition

"Howsabout this..... As the lovely name to your shop is "Here pretty kitty" have everyone make/design or simply draw a cat of their choice BUT the end piece MUST involve buttons in one way or another. Get people to post their results on your site and then get every applicant to vote on another persons piece at the end of the month. That way you get a true representation of what the followers of your Blog like and everyone gets involved. Lot's of different craft styles and media's will make your blog grow really quickly and it'll make it a surprise even for you log on and see something different everyday."

And here's Jamball's prize. I hope you like it.

These will be winging their way to you.

Competition Date

I have decided to end the competition a little early. The new end date is 24th May with the winner being announced on the 25th May.

I should have thought the original date was too far in the future, will make a note for my future competitions of which there will be one next month using the winning idea!!

TrashyPrincess's Surprise Swap

There is this lovely lady called TrashyPrincess over on Folksy who decided it would be a fun thing to do a surprise swap of supplies with some of the other friendly folk on Folksy.

Naturally I joined in as I love a good surprise....I mean who doesn't???

Mine arrived a couple of days ago but due to a rather hectic 5th birthday party I have been unable to blog about it.

I received mine from Jane over at Hooked Yarn and what a lovely surprise it was too. There were fabric samples, a zip, some buttons, a beautiful old postcard, some fabulous crocheted flowers, a funky handmade bag, some lace, a white tea bag and some yummy chocolate which didn't last more than 2 seconds but was very very delicious.

As you can see from the photos it really was a wonderful surprise.

So here is a big thank you to HookedYarn for my wonderful surprise and to TrashyPrincess for organising this. I'll definitely join in again if you do it, it's been an absolute blast.

If you would like to a nice blog then go no further than http://trashyprincess.blogspot.com/

Something About Pigeons and Toes.

Sean told me something last week that has been driving me crazy ever since. It was how to tell the difference between a pigeon call and a dove call. It goes like this. A doves call sounds like someone saying "united" whereas a pigeon call sounds like someone saying "my toe is bleeding" I have a pair wood pigeons in the garden and when they call to each other all I can hear in my head now is "my toe is bleeding, my toe is bleeding"

And here are the hot to trot love birds!!

Party Bags!!

This week is my daughter's 5th Birthday and I have been busy trying to plan an old fashioned style party with a more homemade feel to it. I have been busy sewing 14 party bags and making peg doll kits to go inside...much to my partners horror...he thinks that plastic is all they want and he might be right but I still felt a need to do this. I am giving in and adding a couple of plastic toys but I am going to try to go for ore durable ones, like yoyo's.

My sewing leaves a lot to be desired.

Enjoy the rest of your Monday. x

Competition Competition!!

I have been thinking for a little while about running a competition. So here it is.

My very 1st competition is to come up with an idea that I can use next month for my 2nd ever competition. It has to be fun, slightly wacky but not too complicated as to put people off. The winner will be chosen at midday on 31st May by my mum, my sister and moi.

The winner will receive a gorgeous selection of vintage buttons. I promise I won't skimp!

The winning competition idea will be mine to use on this site the following month.

If you do not have a blogger account or any contact information on your account please go to my profile and email me your contact details. Thanks :-)

Folksy Sunday

So I thought I would start this beautiful sunny Sunday off with a look at some fantastic items from the very cleaver people who sell on Folksy. And seeing as I am all about buttons at the moment I thought I would make it a button theme.So first up is this rather stylish ceramic pot by Lauren Ceramics
http://www.folksy.com/shops/laurenceramics

This bracelet from iMake would look fantastic with a lovely summery outfit.
http://www.folksy.com/shops/iMake
This is just too cute, from the othermousie
http://www.folksy.com/shops/theothermousie

How funky?? From Jellybelly*jellybrain
http://www.folksy.com/shops/jellybellyjellybrainI am so in love with this brooch from milomade
http://www.folksy.com/shops/milomadeThis adorable set of hair clips is from lovely pigeon
http://www.folksy.com/shops/lovelypigeon
And last but by now ways least is this lovely wall hanging from The Blueberry Patch
http://www.folksy.com/shops/TheBlueberryPatch

So that was just a teensy selection of button magic that I love on Folksy, if I haven't shown one of your items please don't be upset, I could only show a few and they are all so lovely it was difficult to choose. These just show you what you can do with a pinch of imagination and dash of fantastic buttons.......especially vintage ;-)

There are so many more talented crafters at Folksy not just in buttons but on the whole site you really should go and have a look. For that present that is a little bit different than what you can buy in the high streets shops what could be better than this site? Go on, you know you want to....

WooHoo I'm Back!!

Well I am back, quite a few months later!!! I got waylaid by Christmas and then as soon as the holiday season was over I found out I was pregnant with my 3rd child. So for quite a while I was too tired or sick to blog and I didn't even list anything in my shops! Well now I must be in the blooming stage as I have my energy back and no longer feel like I have a permanent hangover. Oh yeah, and I have a new obsession as you will see from my shops. It's vintage buttons. They are so yummy so I am sharing them with everyone. I thought I would post some photos so that you can see a before and after shot! There is a lot of work getting these buttons looking this good. Here is a tray full of buttons that I bought at a local car boot sale this weekend.

And now for a few after shots


Aren't they simple delicious? And don't you just love my vintage tray :-)