My name up in lights!

OK, not quite, but admit it, you read the title and thought 'And not before time', didn't you? ;-)



I've been nominated for a 'Lovely Blog Award' by the fragrant and fabulous (I've met her in real life, so I *know* this) Ali from Moon Garden.

Of course, this is all so unexpected, so I don't have a speech planned *frantic shuffling of index cards*. I will simply say thank you, and make a few nominations of my own for the award.


1. Deri's. As you probably know, I make the occasional felt character. However, my creations pale into insignificance next to Deri's work. I love, love, LOVE what she does - the detail is amazing and her stitching is fiercely neat (so jellus). She even made felt bondage peeps (yes, really). My favourite has to be her Freddie Mercury doll though - legen(wait for it......)dary.

2. WooWork.com. Not sure that Howie wants to be referred to as 'lovely', but I reckon he's man enough to cope with the attention. I don't remember how I found his blog, but I do remember squealing with delight when I watched the video of him launching a crocheted UFO (with glow in the dark yarn details - yes, really). His crocheted pieces are a-maz-ing, and he has a great sense of humour and fun (v. important, acksholoi).

3. Kats, PI. The lovely Kats is multi-talented, but as she's currently rejigging her crafty blog, I will bestow a nomination on her marvellous Kats PI blog, which chronicles the adventures of a glamorous yet modest detective type. As the tagline says: "Just like Magnum, but with better dress sense. And less facial hair."

4. Molly's Art Blog. Mollinda may be a bit.....well, let's be nice and say 'eccentric' ;-), but I love her art. So much talent in one so young. *grinds teeth*

5. Hollingdale Designs Gill is one of my crafty girl crushes, because she makes the most beeyoootiful polymer clay buttons, which are used in all kinds of creative ways, including as toppers for rather funky (surely there's a better word for 'funky' than 'funky'? It sounds so naff!) knitting needles, as made by the equally talented Pennydog. Gill also makes amazing lampwork glass items, a real feast for the eyes.

6. Futuregirl craft blog. There are so many great tutorials on this blog, it's a good and interesting resource. Check out the felt mushroom tutorial, and accompanying photo shoot (see, some people's partners don't think that making inanimate objects from felt is weird! *glares at Mr B*). I would like an update on the (real) baby cacti though.

7. The Hidden Seed. I love reading this blog, although I get pangs of jealousy over Elsita's clothes, her house, her hair. *green with envy* And don't even start me on how talented she is. I love the style of her blog, and the stories she tells. Definitely 'One Lovely Blog'.


Nominees: your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to graciously and stylishly accept this award by copying and posting the award pic to your blog. Then please spread the love by nominating seven other blogs, and informing the lucky nominees of their award.

Oooh, doesn't it all give you a warm glow? Nice. *nods happily*

Mmmmm...doughnuts

I spent yesterday making a felt doughnut and a small felt aubergine. Well, I can't make any beaded stuff until I get more supplies (headpins and eyepins, in case you're wondering), and I remembered about woollywotnot's doughnut challenge.
So, I got out my sewing machine (eep!) and made a felt doughnut. I usually handsew my felt stuff, so I was a bit uneasy about using the sewing machine at first. It worked out OK, although it seemed to take forever to make:


The icing is fabric paint, which takes hours to dry. So while that was drying, I made another felt aubergine:


She's Christine, Marlon's younger sister (that's Marlon, star of my blog banner). She's quite a bit smaller than Marlon, but she's got the family resemblance - note the staring eyes. I'll be listing her later on, along with the above doughnut, and another one whose icing is still drying.

Leafy Friday

You know, I used to have several blogs for different subjects - gardening, crafts, personal stuff. Of course, eventually, I forgot to update them all, and seeing as I am just about managing to keep this one current, I may as well put my gardening stuff in here. Well, it is something I've created. Kinda. Look, stop complaining, do you want to see the nice plants or not? Well, alright then. :-D

My tiny greenhouse (that would make a great sitcom, wouldn't it? No? Fine, suit yourselves) is still going strong, although I still need another 'shelf solution', as it's standing room only. Mind you, some of the inhabitants will be booted out shortly. For example, the mixed salad leaves which are begging to be eaten this weekend:

Nom. Also looking quite tasty are the black basil seedlings (which really need to be thinned out and repotted this weekend):

Every time I see this plant, I get the tune 'Black Betty' in my head - that can't be good, can it? Moving swiftly on...the Courgette That Took Over The World:


So big it doesn't even fit in the frame - run, save yourselves! Seriously, these plants grow like mad - you can see changes to them from one day to the next. Shame the climbing courgette seeds I ordered didn't arrive yet. *sulks*

My sweetpeas are doing well too - they're in front of the greenhouse for now, but will end up on the patio next to the table so that I can smell their scent while I'm sitting reading - bliss!




And finally, meet Mr Blackbird, who insists on flapping about, trying to get at the fat block in the feeder, instead of sitting on top of it and pecking downwards - doh! Apologies for the poor pic, I didn't have a longer lens with me, and I couldn't get much closer.



Seriously dude, work smarter, not harder. You don't see Mrs Blackbird doing that, do you? No, that's right, she's too busy pulling up the moss from my lawn and then leaving it lying there because it's not quite the right shade of green for the nest. Tchuh. Oh, I've just realised, you can see the "Medbed" (yes, we gave it a nickname - we are *that* sad) to the left of the picture - olive tree, thyme, sage and rosemary, all waiting to soak up some sun. I hope they're patient plants.