recycled dolly

This doll is made from recycling Betty's outgrown baby clothes. She's a birthday present for her little friend Freya.

I wonder what else could be done with all the old vests and all-in-ones? Maybe a rag rug?

origami flower ball

We've all been laid low with colds this week. To make the most of being trapped indoors during this frosty spell, I got stuck into a bit of origami.

This is an origami flower ball and the instructions are from here. I've made it as a Christmas/first Wedding Anniversary present for two dear friends. They we're married last Christmas in Vegas and honeymooned on the Californian coast. I've used a map of California I had from an amazing trip there five years ago. I've been getting distracted from all the cutting and folding by pouring over it and remembering our adventures on the lovely Big Sur coastline.

There's a lot of work involved in making this. Each flower is made from five folded petals, and twelve flowers make the ball.

windy winterland evening

I spent a really enjoyable evening at Windy Corner Stores on Friday for their Christmas market.

Here we are setting up our wares.

Lots of lovely things on display... This is work from the Print Block artists...

... and this is Karen Boatwright's wonderful display. She has a great etsy shop...

... and these are Hiroko's beautifully embroidered necklaces...

... and this is what I came away with... a lavender bag kitten, (which I suspect is vintage Tammis Keefe fabric) and a crow painting, all from Karen Boatwright.

windy winterland

I'm going to be taking part in Windy Winterland this coming Friday at Windy Corner Stores in Whitstable. Windy Corner is a very special and slightly eccentric cafe/general stores with a wonderfully random menu, the best brownies I've ever tasted, artisan bread baked on the premises and a mystery sweet drawer. The tables and chairs will be pushed aside and the shelves cleared to make room for the work. It'll be all Christmassy with mince pies and mulled wine. Really looking forward to it.