Last Chance!

Today is your last chance to enter the January giveaway. All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is to comment on this or any post from January. The prize is a lovely plush owl.



I have also decided that since many of the people entering are shop holders and crafters, I will also include a blog feature on the winner as a part of the prize.
So, comment away and tonight all the names will go into a big hat (handmade of course) and the winner will be revealed!

Good Luck!

Giveaway ends soon!

Only three more days to comment on any January posts in order to get in on winning a plush owl. The last day to enter is the 31st, that's this Saturday.
I have decided that I will also do a feature of whoever the winner is. So that's a plush owl plus a blog feature up for grabs.

You know what they say, you can't win it unless you're in it!

Good luck all!

But, but, they're...

Yes, yes they are. They ARE naked!

I'm really not a Valentines kinda person as it all seems a bit forced but I do loves me some kitsch. So, instead of sewing an army of Valentines themed animals and dolls or even a single Valentines animal or doll if we are being honest here, I have whipped up a batch of gingerbread people.
I know, gingerbread people are more commonly found around that time of year when people cover trees with shiny baubles and hang socks on their fireplaces and the like. But, we won't speak of those days as they are in the not too distant past and we are still recovering.
These are most definitely NOT for Christmas for one it's far too cold for them at that time of year.



So in the name of kitsch and all things fun, here's my nakkie gingerbread people. By the way, these little guys are available in other combinations as well. It's not all boy girl out there you know! You could even get a whole gang of them, hey who am I to judge what people get up to?

Now, which bits do we eat first??

Hey Cupcake...

I am spending a lot of time today thinking about, talking about and even actually making cupcakes.
It's cupcakes on my mind today.

Now cupcakes are huge in the US, I don't necessarily mean huge in the gigantic portion size kinda way though I suppose those exist too. I mean in the trend sorta way. They are everywhere and there are even dedicated cupcake bakeries. Here in the UK the trend hasn't had quite as much momentum but it's definitely here. When I first started doing cupcakes a few years ago, there really wasn't anyone else who made them. These days it's rare to pass a deli or a cafe without seeing some version of a cupcake on offer.

So, what is it that is so appealing about a cupcake? I know I love them and even just looking at them brings a smile to most faces. I'd say that 99% of people who come across a batch of cupcakes displayed will smile or make a comment. I am convinced that the remaining 1% are not responding solely because they have in fact just finished eating a cupcake!



I think there are two sides to the cupcake. The first is the fact that they evoked some sort of childhood birthday party, sticky indulgent feeling in people. The idea of being allowed a WHOLE cake covered in whippy sweet frosting all to ourselves is pretty appealing even as an adult. Then of course there is the fact that cupcakes are often adorned with crunchy colourful sprinkles, big gaudy flowers and anything else one conjure up. There is nothing graceful about a cupcake. It is pure, messy, untamed fun.

At the same time there is something grown up about a cupcake and especially sharing it with someone you love. Cupcake eating can be a sensual experience. First there is peeling back that wrapper, the little paper cup that it comes in, to reveal the gorgeous tender sweetness that lies within. Then there's deciding where to start. It's a little too big to take a bite delicately so dive right in! Do you go for the frosting and lick a little of that of first or tilt your head angled just so for a bite with both cake and frosting mingling for that perfect balance?



Whatever you do, lick your fingers when you are done and smile. If you don't want to share, there's always enough cupcakes to go around, enjoy!

Don't forget to post a comment to get in on the owl giveaway. It's running until the end of this month. You can comment on any post from January to be included in the drawing.

OK, I admit it...

It's been ages since I blogged. Ugh, I have been busy but not THAT busy! There's no excuse really but let's make a deal that from now on, I'll be here for you. For better or for worse, I'll stand by you blog.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, down to business!
Well, I have been busy in fact. There was the holidays and all of that kinda commotion, school holidays were three week long for god's sake. I took a wee break from crafting after shows, lots of baking and lots of time spent promoting on etsy. But, I was soon back at it and have some great new stuff to show for it too.

I have a new line of cloth dolls that I am in LOVE with. I think they are fun, simple and frankly really cool. Great thing is that they are also made with recycled materials as well as new. This is Charlie, she's my favorite.



The big news now though is that I am on folksy . I am really liking it as a venue for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that it is UK based. It's really just at it's beginning stages but I think great things are going to happen for it. The community if really vibrant and supportive of one another. I suspect it's probably a bit like what etsy was like when they first started. I am really a teeny teeny fish in the giant etsy pond and swimming so hard is starting to wear me out.
I am focusing my online efforts on Folksy and so far I am feeling really positive about it.

So, for my first post back and to say "HOORAY For Folksy" I'm going to hold a giveaway! Yes that's right folks, a giveaway!
I have picked the item in my shop that is most favorited, the Plush Owls.



All you have to do to get in on this giveaway is comment on this post between now and January 31st. That means that there is plenty of time for it to arrive as a valentines gift. Now that doesn't mean you need to give it to someone else you know! You can love yourself too. Now get commenting and get winning!
I'll pick at names out of a hat on the 1st of February.