Someone's Proud....

I know a little girl who's rather pleased with herself...and look! It is rather cute, isn't it? Looking over my shoulder at some fabulous photos on flickr, we admired the work of Dot (createarian), and her gorgeous little dotee and Amelia dolls.
Hmmn, thought eldest. I'd like to make one of those...and so she did! She's rather chuffed with the result, and I can see why! It's going to be a gift for her friend (whose birthday we missed last Friday) - this one's not coming my way then. Shame.

Pure Excitement and Satisfied Lust...!

Oh, my.
Take one look at this picture, above, and I swear you will melt in a puddle of desire...am I right, or am I right?!!
This morning I woke up to a brown parcel in the post. I was so excited, I could hardly contain myself! I first saw this Hebridean Jewels Cuff over on flickr, then for sale in Jackie's folksy Dog Daisy shop, and after two seconds of deliberation, decided that I had to have it. The woodcutter always struggles for ideas for Christmas gifts that his wonderful wife (!!!) will be thrilled with - so this year I've spared him that trauma. Will you just look at it? Isn't it fabulous?!
Yes - I think you can tell that I'm rather pleased! It's exquisitely made, the velvet jewels are divine and it's an original...handmade with love. Jackie, thank you so much...and for the amazing and unexpected extra!

These cuffs, made from genuine Harris tweed, are also available in glorious amethyst and a wonderful Aegean blue, here - and look at the brooch and sweet gift tags whilst you're there! Why not visit her etsy shop, here, too? Christmas is only just around the corner....!

*my moo cards arrived, too!

Popping in for Shopping List Saturday

1)Patchwork textile ring no.293 kjoo 2)Buddha In The Garden Bohemianwhimsey 3)blue birdhouse gypsyandtwink 4)Sea Treasure Collection-Beach Findings Necklace II staroftheeast 5)Whimsical Shabby French Garden Bunny Chandelier thewhimsicalworld 6)dancing faerie princess-petite vintage cocktail ring jennifermorrisbeads 7)Ruffle..Upcycle..Fused Plastic and stone beads... jewelera 8)Scotland Map Paper Bird cottonbirddesigns 9)Embroidered Postcard Pin Cushion Robin sings, listing #14116171 hensteeth

Phew! A week away from blogging, and it's Saturday already! Five more days, and I'll be back again for daily postings. I have to admit that I've missed this daily routine, but it has been great to spend the time with the children. I don't enjoy packing them off to school every day - I'd much rather they were with me, despite all the arguments - but I know I could never, ever homeschool them (no patience!)....and they absolutely love going! Couldn't ask for more, really.

Anyway, down to business. Today, my Shopping List Saturday is one of pure self indulgence! With the clock ticking very loudly towards my birthday...next week...the woodcutter issued instructions to search for something I'd like as a gift. What, anything? Within reason, he said. Right, I thought...anything it is, then! Slightly strange to seek out your own gift, maybe, but he's busy creating the biggest log-drying kiln on earth, and early next week he has one of his wrists operated on (carpel tunnel), hence the carte blanche invitation...So, these are my choices! Those of you who stop by regularly will recognise some of these items I'm sure. I have let my heart rule my selections, so you're getting a little piece of 'me' here!

I cannot get enough of kjoo's crocheted jewellery, either on etsy or her flickr photostream. Fabulous! I want to eat it, I love it so much (that's meant to be flattering!). The same goes for the decadent jewellery by Bohemianwhimsey...the rich embellishing is to die for.
Gypsyandtwink's wooden sculptures are divine - beautiful colours, patterns and simple shapes. I love that you can remove bits, change its contours and alter the feel by arranging the sections differently.
You may recognise staroftheeast's jewellery from my previous Lists. There is such a huge range to choose from - I love the inclusion of driftwoods and sea urchins in many of the pieces - and hopelessly, I cannot decide which is my favourite...maybe by Christmastime!
I've had my eye on that glorious chandelier. Thewhimsicalworld is full of beauties like this, and I wish I could have one in every room! It would be like living in a fairytale, I think.
One of my earliest discoveries on flickr was the marvellously intricate work of jennifermorrisbeads (one of my first blogposts featured her jewellery). How does she do it? How?! The details of every piece are incredible, and her photographs of them are romantic and colourful.
The work of jewelera is new to me - I stumbled upon it in the 'Gifts for Her' category in etsy. The photograph caught my eye - the subtle colouring, and the frondlike plume made me take a second look. The ruffle is created using plastic bags..recycling!..many, many, many of them. I just want to reach out and touch it!
I have a phobia of birds, but oddly I am always drawn to sculptures of them. Strange, but true. I think cottonbirddesigns' birds are amazing. They're delicate, they have real presence, and they seem to possess their own personalities! I can imagine a little collection of these throughout the house... Finally, this (yes, birds again!) delightful pincushion from hensteeth. Viv's work is to be admired - she seeks out items with a history, or a story to tell and in turn, enhances those histories by adding a story of her own. Using collage and embroidery she creates delicious needlecases and pincushions (amongst other things), and you must check out her store so that you can 'aahh' to yourself about them...you won't be disappointed!!

There we are, then...I hope he's taken notice! Take some time out today to wander through some etsy stores - they're packed full of gorgeous, handmade treasures. Please click on the link list (Shopping List Saturday: Check Out Their Lists!) in the sidebar for more inspiring lists from other etsy sellers.
Have a good weekend, and see you in a few days!

Wildlife-o-rama

No, this isn't going into one of my shops...I just wanted to share with you the lovely little surprise eldest made for me at the weekend. A wonderfully unusual ring, made of cotton and felt scraps, and sweet little butterfly beads - and the most important feature, the letter 'C'...just for me, as it stands for 'Charlotte'...me! How lucky am I?!
I wonder if there's a market for them?!

Now, then...there was a lot of excitement in our garden today...thanks to a neighbours' cat! Yes, it obviously loves us, because it presented us with a, how can I say, 'lovely' (?) gift!! Take a look at the photos, below - I think you get the picture!

After much squealing, and lots of pleading with us to keep it as a pet (I think not), my two girls paid this dear grass snake a lot of attention. It was very stunned when it was dropped at our feet (I think I would be, too, if I'd been marauded by a feline with sharp teeth), and spent a good ten minutes hardly moving. This gave us ample opportunity to look it up in the 'Wildlife Field Guide', to assure ourselves that yes, it is a grass snake, and not some deadly python or other, let loose here in the forest...one does like to be sure!! The children listened intently to various details gleaned from the information in the book, so I'm left feeling mildly smug that they've learned a few things this holiday..and it's only the first day!

Look What I've Got!

Well, what more could a Mummy ask for on a drab Sunday morning?

My very own, very special, handmade cushion, of course! Isn't it fabulous? Eldest was quietly beavering away whilst I was occupied at the other end of the table... I don't mind at all how many times I had to re-thread your needle - it was worth it!
What a delight - thank you xxxxxxxx


Must tell you about someone I discovered on flickr yesterday. Take a look - unbelievably fiddly work - just divine. Now I know what to ask for should anyone ask at Christmas time!


Whilst I'm on the subject, I was amazed at these creations, too, by Helle at gooseflesh. I've heard about knitting with recycled carrier bags before, but these are art forms! Wonderful. Enjoy!