What's new pussycat?

I really wanted to play

but I'm told the 'Tri-ang Stores' I have been working on is rather valuable

and deserves better than the plastic 'stock' I'd made.

I didn't want to disappoint my young customers...

so I made a child friendly version.

I have tested it thoroughly...

and it works...

s

but I'm not opening on a Sunday.

My larder is now full of naked tins

so will it be peaches or pilchards for pudding?

As you can see, my new book is keeping me amused...

no, this one...

and giving me food for thought.

My next project?

I wonder, can you guess what I'm going to make with these?

Nearest or most original guess wins a silly prize.

Thanks for reading and bigger thanks for leaving a comment.

Crafty ways make puzzling days.

EE xx

My Guilty Pleasure

I have a guilty pleasure

I feel it's time to share

I love to trawl for treasure

That looks the worse for wear.

I rescue, mend and clean up

With a sense of duty

All dumped and unloved souls

At my local booty.

Don't bother me with riches

I much prefer the tat

I'll save the world from landfill

Without a charge for vat!

I had to say 'good bye' to Sooty and Sweep yesterday...

but they did have a grand day out before they went

and I soon made some new friends this morning.

Who could resist that smile?

It says 'pat pending' on her back so I'm going to call her Pat.

I love you, Pat.

Crafty ways make fun and games.

EE xx

Playing havoc...

It seems that old toys are popular at our vintage markets

but they are also becoming harder to find

so I've been doing a bit of 'restoration'.

It looked like a mini pink boudoir at first

but the sanding revealed...

'Tri-ang Stores'

so it has become a labour of love.

I'm a bit low on stock at the moment...

just herb pots wrapped in can labels so far but I have a mini shopping list.

I was looking for a till or perhaps some scales but

I found some cute pots and pans that I couldn't resist.

A little shelf solved my cooking problem,

with coasters for hot plates, a few knobs, hooks and a clock cut from a book.

I'm cooking on gas!

(electricity, actually)

I have no oven (yet) but with a suitcase full of mini baking gear

it's only a matter of time... 

When did cooking become this much fun?

Fancy a chip?

We are planning to downsize next year...

this could be the answer.

I like my mini world.

Crafty ways makes shopping fun.

EE xx

The clock is ticking...

but... Christmas cards ... already?

I still have tomatoes to ripen...

apples to pick...

courgettes to pollinate...

and I must get to know my onions...

so I'm hanging on to this brilliant summer for a couple more months.

However... I will confess to a little bit of toy gathering

for our autumn markets.

How could I leave that doggy in the window?

The one with the waggily tail.

He followed me home

with Jeremy.

I'm trying not to think too far ahead...

with birthdays that jump to the next decade (yeuk!)

and youngest daughter back to school soon...

but this time she's the 'Teacher'...eeek, how did that happen? 

Tick...tock...

Crafty ways makes time fly.

EE xx

Dear Granny Square...

Dear Granny Square, 

You are the best,

To eat my scraps 

And clear up mess.

I love the way

You always fit,

In chunky wool

Or double knit.

Oh Granny Square

So cute and neat,

You warm my heart 

And both my feet.

In years to come,

I hope you know,

I dreamed you would

Become a throw.

PS: The cushion was once a tank top from French Connection

back in the day when Granny wasn't so square!

Crafty ways make Granny days

EE xx

Lazy Sunday Afternoon...

It was our last summer garden fete in Arundel yesterday

so we were very grateful that Hurricane Bertha waited until we had finished.

I can't believe this all fitted into our car.

I am now enjoying a lazy Sunday afternoon

and making...

and

but none of this.

I might do a bit of this...

and I need to finish this...

but if I crochet round the neck how do I remove the bottle?

(inspired by FOXES LANE)

but  no chance of any of this...

There's no one to hear me, there's nothing to say

And no one can stop me from feeling this way...

Lazy Sunday Afternoon, 

I've got no mind to worry

Close my eyes and drift away.

(I wish I could sing)

Crafty ways make lazy days.

EE xx

Overstretched

We stretched our legs

Down by the sea

Now they won't fit

On the settee.

And so we danced

In summer rain

Now they have shrunk

And fit again.

Crafty ways make daft days.

EE xx