A Turning Point

Summer of Contentment

Well its been a little while since my last post. I have been working hard on custom items and samples for possibly wholesale orders. The end of the summer does bring with it both a return to the day job (I really haven't minded this time) and the start of my favourite season, autumn! Its lovely and warm still and I am still hopeful that my lovely green tomatoes will turn red and yellow after all.  There has been long walks, garden pottering, blackberry picking, jam and jelly and cake production and little time for blogging. So there's my excuse folks and I am sticking with it.

I am also at a bit of a crossroads with my critters. I am taking a break from making them for the time being and potentially there will not be any more. Many of the ones in my shop are dramatically reduced as I could do with the space and a clean sheet with whatever direction I decide to take. Will keep you posted on that.  One thing is for certain. I shall  not be disappearing, just altering course potentially.

So, I find it damn near impossible to sit of an evening (or a Sunday afternoon for that matter) and just look at that box in the corner. I do have to do something. So as I was catching up on my favourite blogs on Tuesday, I found this delectable post. Well, eureka moment for me!  I love this blanket and knew right away I had to make one. I only learned to crochet last year but I absolutely love it!  I have been through the 'stash' and have the intention to try and use up all the acrylic I have accrued over the bunny knitting years. There is probably enough for at least three!  As it is autumn, I have picked out some lovely rusts, yellows, greys and browns.

So, this was my first Tuesday Tallie when I went to bed at smidgeon into Wednesday, but that's allowed isn't it? I have done more since but will pop that on next Tuesdays tally. I do hope my enthusiasm doesn't wane like autumn inevitably will as I have some lovely brights I want to do next. Not to mention the nautical cotton which I anticipate being nicer to crochet than it was to knit.  Hurt my hands as it didn't give a piggin inch!

First Kitty Cat Critter

I know, I know, you may think `but, Joy, haven't you said that before?` and the answer would be yes. However, Tabitha is still my first feline Cutey Critter. She had different clothes before (see last picture), but a very nice customer asked if she could buy them as an alternative wardrobe for a bunny she was purchasing. You know me, always eager to please, so Tabitha has been nakey for a month or so.  Here she is sporting new clothes and ready for adoption in the shop.  She is modelled, if a bit loosely, on our own sweet kitty Mango

Latest Cutey Critters

These 2 lovelies are called Reneé and Rupert.  They are a custom request for a very special customer and are making their journey as we speak. I hope they are giving each other a nice cuddle to keep each other warm and happy.

Don`t forget, Cutey Critters are not restricted to those made and ready to go. In actual fact, many don't last very long in the shop these days. Happy for me but I have to knit fast to keep t stocked up. I have this little guy ready to travel, feeling a bit sad and needing to find a new family as he has been left behind. Click on the picture to take you to his listing. Also, there are custom listings in my etsy shop so you can select just the right one for you.

               

Teddy Bear Tuesday

Couldn't decide who to feature this week, so have done a treasury over on etsy of some I really like.  Please visit the treasury here to visit the individual items. Hope you enjoy my little selection.
This is my ted. The screenshot changes everytime I add something to my favourites and I can't find a way to capture the treasury on here, so please click link above for the actual treasury. Yell if you know how

New Bunny

Just wanted to let you know that I have just listed a new bunny in my shop. The sharper eyed ones among you may notice she was there before. I had a lovely cusomer ask for extra clothes for her bunny before Christmas and not wanting to dissapoint, I literally sold her the clothes from Briannas back, along with Tabithas too. The poor loves have been shivering all over the last few weeks and I feel a little guilty for not finding them a wee blanket to cover them up.  Well Brianna has new clothes if Tabitha does not.  She will, dont worry. I have a couple of custom orders to sort and then she too can have new clothes.  Click on the picture to take you to her.

Find me here

Inspired by this ladys idea, I have also added to the shop a custom listing for extra outfits as it is not the first time I have been asked.

Click here to buy your bunny new clothes





This gives you 1 top and 1 bottom plus matching shoes, or 1 dress and matching shoes. it is for boys or girls and will fit not just bunnies, but any of my larger sized elephants, foxes, pandas and a knitted bear.

Teddy Bear Tuesday

I have to say, this is not an original idea, more one borrowed. It seems only fitting that the first teddy feature should be from whence it came. The Patchwork Ark. I have never been very fond of Tuesdays, so I am hoping that doing a little ted feature every week will help lift the Tuesdayness of it all.

Look at just some of my picks from her store

Mr. Buttons

Jing Mei

Emily

I also wanted to tell you about a giveaway at Bearbits. A gorgeous little fellow called Bouton. Click on the store name to take you to the giveaway on her loveley blog. I just love the banner picture. Wish I had thought of that.

Handmade Christmas Gifts

Firstly I would like to wish all my readers a Happy Christmas and New Year. Lets hope its a good one as they say in the song.
Like lots of us, I made a few gifts for presents and have had to save them up for now, so as not give the game away. I didnt make lots this year it has to be said, but here is a round up.

For my sister in law, who loves elephants, I got a cute miniature kit from The Old Pincushion . This made up and popped in a lovely teacup.  My brother cant moan about more elephants taking up too much room with this one can he?

For Mum, I purchased some lovely theraputic gels from Simply Beautiful Cosmetics. Whilst not handmade, these are fabulous and definitely to be recommended. They are not in the prettiest of packaging and I wanted to perk up the presentation a bit.  The cup above came as part of a pair so I tried my hand at candle making and made Mum a pretty teacup candle and packaged it all up to look pretty. it is a shame I didnt photograph  it pre- pink cellophane as you cant see it really, but you get the idea.

I made a cosmetics bag for Mum in law but forgot to take a picture, doh!

Whilst in the wax vibe, I made this one for a friends gift too.

For my other siter in law I opted to buy handmade from a lovely fellow etsy seller.  I have admired her work for some time and was lucky enought to win these gorgeous hand tatted snowflakes for my tree in her giveaway.

No, dont worry, I am not a cheapskate, I didnt give these as my gift to her. I ordered her this gorgeous pendant from Heathers range. Do check out her shop at Tatiana Rosa. You will not be dissapointed.

That rounds up the handmade gifts for this year, except to show you this cute pair of foxes I finished for a loveley customer in Canada. They are travelling as we speak. I love foxes, I think they are my absolute favourite to knit.

Just a quick reminder that I have 25% off lots of items in my shop until 7pm Friday so its a fabulous time to snap up the things you may have had your eye on. So do have a peek whilst you are on the computer.
Bargains here

   xxxxxxxxxxx   See you in 2012 xxxxxxxxxxxx

Foxes!

I am currently working on a pair of cute foxes for a custom order.  I have to say, they are my absolute favourites to knit.  In the real world of course, they are a bit of a pest.  They remain very popular with children and you have to admit a real life fox is a beautiful sight. I know, i know, if you have hens they strike the fear of god and rightly so.
I have 2 very well behaved little foxes in the shop now and rearing to go off to some new homes. Maybe you would like a pair. Shame to separate them really.  I think in the new year I shall make some more of the large ones. If like my lovely customer, you would like a bespoke one, do get in touch. Its unlikely I can get a large one done for Xmas now as I am booked up, but I could possibly squeeze in another small one for UK delivery. The little ones below are dressed and ready to go right now.

Click here to buy Felipe




 

Click here to buy Fliss

These 2 are past work and give you an idea of what can be made.

This is a small one at 9 inches. This size is perfect for little hands with no small bits or too many moving parts.




This is a larger one at 12inches tall



More Cuties in the Shop

With the last payday before Christmas coming up for lots of us, I expect many of you, like myself, will be thinking about the present shopping.  I have just listed these 3 little cuties in my etsy shop in time for the busy shopping season.  I dont know about you, I do not relish a trip to the shops at all.  These are my smaller ones with no joints, pom poms or small pieces, so are really nice for smaller children. I would probably say not under 3`s but it is your call.  At only £15 each, they are very affordable and if you buy more than one the subsequent ones ship free.  In addition to these bunnies, there are 2 little foxes in the shop, and if you have witch friendly kiddies, there are couple of witch bunnies in the same small style.

Dont forget, there are some lovely stockings and cute mittens for your tree in the etsy shop, with a selection of some of my bears and bunnies.



Terry

Ria

Raymond

Dont forget about the artist bears for those bear collectors on your list.

Rufus

Now, I think I may go pour myself a nice coffee and indulge in a mince pie.

More New items to show off

I have been busy making stock for the shop. I have just put these 2 in the etsy shop for now. I have opened a shop on folksy to cater for the UK market a bit more and am gradually adding things to that. Pretty much everything is one of one, so, if you see it in one and then in the other, there is still only one. I dont envisage it being a problem at this stage, but there are one or two things which you will only find in the one place.



Tabitha is my first cat design. More to follow



Rufus is a gorgeous raspberry red. He has a sister on the way shhhhh dont tell him yet he will get too excited!

New Bunny and Cute Chrimbo Decorations.

This is one of those purely promotional posts I am afraid.  I did not manage to finish 3 critters last week but did finish a couple of blankets which I am going to list over the next few days.
This weeks offerings are 



 Beautiful Brianna.

Brianna Bunny

Then I came up with these cute little felt and flannel mittens for your Christmas tree. I am really chuffed with these. You can pop choccies or tiny gifts in them and hang on your tree.  They look like i have raided the Cutey Critters wardrobe I think.  I have listed them as singles for £1.75 or a set of five for £7.50 saving you 25p on each one. You wont find these in DIY sheds or garden centres, they are quite unique.





Cute little mittens



Choose from these colours

New Bears in time for Christmas

The giveway is now closed folks. I shall be collating the entries and making the draw later on today.
I have completed 2 new gorgeous bears for the shop. Click on the pictures to take you to the listings. Dont forget, I can set up interest free layaway listings for you if it makes it easier. Just ask, even  a 3 way split will be done by Christmas and as long as we time it right, with you for Christmas too.

Kiki, a ginger and white Panda

Victoria is a 18 inch beauty

I finished The Crochet.....and started another...oops!

Well, as I mentioned in my last post, I finally after umpteen years have mastered crochet! I used a tutorial on you-tube and stayed up far too late, and it all suddenly made sense. I think this may be a bad thing in some ways as I am, if you will pardon the pun, totally hooked. It grows so fast. My hubby thinks its hilarious an just another addition to what he sees as my quirky pastimes. I don't think he would have me normal, so neither of us are really complaining. Little Mango loves it. She is so interested in it all its quite amusing. Here is a pictorial story of its evolution.

This was the 'Eureka' moment and the first of many



My little pile grows  larger (can you spot my reading material?)




Mango helps while I decide on lines or randomness



She cant quite wait for me to finish sewing all the squares together and commandeered some of the squares.

The 'Ta-dar' moment!

There has to be lots of shots as its going in the etsy shop.  I have started another now and I really cant keep everything I make.

So, its been a wonderful journey and I am so proud to have finally gotten to grips with something that has confounded me for so long. Though a little ashamed now I now how easy it is.  Its half term now and I intend (remind if I don't manage it) to have at least 2 new critters finished by this time next week.  Christmas is coming you know.

If you were looking for the giveaway, you need to be quick as it ends Monday 24th October at around 3 pm.  Its the next post down or just hit the highlighted word.