Mongering and Mischief...

We enjoyed a bumper day of unpredictable sales last Saturday.

I've been a mischievous monthly market monger for just over 3 years now

and I still can't figure out it's fickle nature.

I was sure that the new plastic bag charge

 would bring a rush to my bag department at last ...

sadly not...

even the professionals failed to sell!

My soft toy makes were just fillers to show off the rich and famous...

so I was surprised that most of them found new homes

 but not Miffy...she was a bit miffed to be left behind.

level shelves, wonky floor!

I wonder is there any rhyme or reason to this merchandising mystery?

I must curate my stock before we burst....

but where to start when

I can't even sell a witch for Halloween!

Any suggestions would be warmly...

Crafty ways cause puzzling days.

(Puzzles were a best seller!)

EE xx

Toy Boy?

I used to be a scarf,

So very long and thin.

I warmed a chilly neck

And sometimes a chin.

One day she made me shrink,

Then said 'I'll make you cute'.

Now I'm just a toy boy,

In a fair isle suit!

To chop or not?

Would you swap a woolly scarf for a toy boy?...

or five toy boys?... and a few rabbit brooches?

Crafty ways make woolly dilemmas.

EE xx

Too soon?

I'm sorry ... I know it's too soon

but with 5 markets booked and a spinning head

I've had to make a start.

I hope you will forgive me.

Look away now if you're festive-phobic.

First up, some early applicants for the soft toy department.

Malcolm Mouse is from Christmas Crafting in No Time (Clare Youngs)

and Monkey just  happened.

I have high hopes for this friendship.

The cot makeover came next

then the Rudolf impersonators turned up.

I was pleased that their Santa suits still fitted.

Just the fairies to sort out...they're waiting in the wings (!)

and I'm on track for our next show.

The 'to do' list just keeps on growing,

but I love it.

If your local please pop in and say hello.

(Vintage and Very Nice Market, Assembly Rooms, Chichester, Saturday 4th Oct)

So... I've started ... have you?

Crafty ways make merry days.

EE xx

Season Seeking

I'm sorry I've been absent,

I should have left a note.

I've been to look for autumn

On a Wightlink boat.

I checked around the edges,

I searched across the sky.

I felt the seasons shifting

and then I saw time fly!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/battle-of-britain/11865562/Watch-live-Battle-of-Britain-flypast-as-Prince-Harry-joins-veterans-in-Spitfire.html

Crafty ways make holidays.

EE xx

I'm a Happy Bunny!

I was delighted to receive some fab post this morning...

I won a prize!

What a treat...sending a special thank you to 

feeling stitchy 

for the giveaway and

Jessie Chorley

for her generosity and inspiration. 

The Story of a Maker...

a charming book full of treasure, creativity and bows

(I love bows)...

and hearts...

and posh sticky tape!

When I'm happy I like to rhyme (sorry!)

so here's a poem inspired by Jessie's book...

It's called

Mending

When you feel a bit low

Or your mo-jo's gone slow

Try a needle and thread

To pick up your head.

Tiny stitches will grow

 From the rhythm and flow,

A mending creation

Of self-preservation.

Crafty ways make lucky days

EE xx

I've been in stitches...

I seem to have caught the embroidery bug...

I think I picked it up from this unfinished project I found at a boot fair.

   

All the silks are numbered but there's no plan

 so I shall be brave and improvise.

I'm hoping it will make a lovely cushion or bag

(I like making cushions and bags).

I have been practicing with little woolly badges.

How hard can it be?

It just takes time, love...

and restless fingers, of which I have eight.

I also bought some sunshine fabric at this boot fair

  (where I was supposed to be selling my clutter)

and I solved the bag/cushion dilemma.

My de-cluttering mission is going well...

I found a use for all those receptacles

that didn't pass the pin cushion audition.

The hairless troll was saved from land fill...

and I have a back up plan...

I find it so hard to throw stuff out...

do you?

Crafty ways make hoarding days.

EE xx

Lazing on a sunny afternoon...

I had to get a wiggle on for yesterday's monthly market

so I made some teeny tiny badges from vintage linen

and some 'extra strong' blooming brooches.

Not my stitches... just propagated from cuttings,
 (you can just see them, top left).

Rubbish photos, poor lighting and a stressed photographer...

yesterday at the Vintage and Very Nice market in Chichester.

but this lady knows how to ...

 http://www.theowlandtheaccordion.com/2015/07/vintage-chichester.html

Thank you for the thumbs up Vicky.

Crafty ways make happy customers.

EE xx