Christmas Milly

 I had to post these pictures of Milly before the whole Christmas season is over. I apologise for the quality of the photos, they were taken using my iphone on the spur of the moment, as those of you who have cats can understand!

She took a great liking to our Christmas tree, it was her new favourite hang out and as our tree had several bell ornaments on it you could always hear when she had climbed in it again. I had to reattach branches numerous times and rearrange the tinsel as well as constantly tell her to stop chewing the branches; and light bulbs :S on occassion.

Sadly her new toy was taken down yesterday due to my not being able to moan at her about chewing it anymore and she fought the decision all the way!

She climbed into it and attacked us while we removed ornaments, helped remove some of the branches for us (haha!) and stayed in it as it slowly became more and more bare of baubles and branches.

We had a wonderfully quiet Christmas just the three of us, lots of tasty food and relaxing with some good telly too! I'll miss our pretty and very colourful tree until next year and I know Milly will too!

Snow Snow Snow!

 Firstly, I apologise for the light quality of these photos, it was very cloudy on Sunday so they aren't as great as they could be, but I wanted to share a little of our lovely Sunday with you.

Firstly is a picture of Milly's first venture into the snow! She didn't really go outside during our first two weeks of heavy snow, she didn't seem to keen. But on Sunday Chris and I decided to go out and build a snowman, or, as you can see a Snotoro! (for those who haven't seen My Neighbour Totoro by Studio Ghibli, he is a large cat/bear tree spirit)

Milly was bouncing round the garden, pouncing on the snow and running through our glass cold frame that is missing two panels. Unfortunately she misjudged her route once and ran into the side, luckily she was okay so we didn't feel bad for laughing at her. Poor little fluff!

Later on we went out to our local pub The Brewery Tap and sat by the fire with good friends, eating cake, playing Scrabble and toasting marshmallows. It was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday evening.

Folksy Friday: Clocks

This week's very cold and snowy Folksy Friday is about Clocks. I can't explain why, it just came to me this morning and as i'm such a fan of jewellery and accessories I pictured in my mind pocket watch necklaces. So here is my collection of Folksy products on the theme of clocks....

Cuckoo Clock brooch by Flonightingale

Vintage Clock Ring by Ruby Spirit Designs

"She Waiting for You in the Garden of Love" Limited Edition New and Vintage Charm Necklace by Emily Loves Vintage

Owl clock by Longarms

Pocket Watch Felt Brooch by Kaela Mills

Knitted Watch by Little Peche

The Saints Festive Street Fair: The Photos!

What an absolutely fantastic day it was!

Apologies for taking a week to post photos, we were absolutely wrecked by the time we got home at 5:30 (we'd been on site since 7:20) and then going straight to work on Monday after such a manic weekend really left me tired all week. So thank you for your patience.

Here are some photos of the fantastic stalls and sellers who joined us last Sunday for a slightly chilly but otherwise fine day! What a fine event it was. We were blessed with good weather, no rain, hardly any wind and not too cold either. It couldn't have been better. Thank god we didn't do it this weekend!

As usual my eyes glazed over with excitement at the sight of all the wonderful handmade and vintage goodies and my wallet took a bashing, but let me tell you it was definitely worth it.

Everyone seemed to have a fantastic time, we were busy selling right from the off with a steady stream of customers all day made all the more festive by the Hot Chestnut stall and Ipswich Hospital Band playing Christmas Carols. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves and will join us again next time as we value our stallholders very much. They are all super talented people who make or find gorgeous items.

Next market will be an indoor event in March and we may have another different project in the pipeline so keep checking the website for news on that. Also the website is in the process of being remade to include interviews, reviews, news and a calendar of events so keep a look out at

www.imakefunstuff.co.uk

Happy Birthday To Me!

The day before the Saints Festive Street Fair was my birthday. That sounds like pretty bad organising but my birthday isn't usually much of a big deal, sadly, the weather is always rubbish so we can't really go anywhere so it's usually a rather small affair. What's worse is I had a bad cold and felt rubbish all day along with doing last minute jobs ready for the market.

The best part of my day was 7:00am when I woke up, got lots of loving rubs from Milly and cuddles from Chris and a fantastic array of presents!

Above is some pictures of a few of my goodies. The pea pod necklace (by Eclectic Eccentricity) was from Chris' brother and sister in law, the lion and raindrop badges (by Debbie Greenaway) were from Chris and the Vixen necklace (by Joanna Rutter) was from my Mum and Dad.

I was also lucky enough to get a huge stack of books, always a very gratefully received present! I got the V&A Fifties pattern book, Handmade Graphics, V&A Horrockses Fashions exhibition catalogue, The Ultimate Guide to Running Your Own Freelance Business, How to Sell Your Crafts, Locally, Globally and Online and the Illustration Contemporary Sourcebook. I've been so busy i've only managed to look at one properly but I will be making stacks of time this week as there is no more market organising to do!

Folksy Friday: Saints Festive Street Fair

This week it's an extra special Folksy Friday because each of the makers who's work I have featured have a stall at the Saints Festive Street Fair on St Peter's Street in Ipswich on Sunday. I am so very excited because I get to choose all the stalls and so I want to buy things from ALL of them!! My bank balance won't take it and neither will Chris' patience. It is going to be super special, just please don't rain!






























Tape Measure Brooch by Canny Belle
Crown Badge by Kluck
Echino Small Lampshade by Sacha and Elisabeth
Ceramic Panda Brooch by Hoot
Cream Teas Tote by Cuppa Tea And Cake

Saints Festive Street Fair

It's here! It's here! It has finally come around and we are gearing up for a fantastic day on Sunday!

We have a fantastic range of stalls offering vintage and handmade products so if you love old stuff or you love handmade, unique new stuff come and see us, i'm sure it's going to be a fantastic day.

Keep your fingers crossed for no rain for us! I'll post loads of pictures after the event.

Folksy Friday: Hellos

I love Handmade Hellos. By that I mean handmade postcards and cards, but in this case I mean hellos that have been handmade! Look at these, what a great way to say hello and make new friends!

Chit Chat Earrings by Canny Belle

You're My Favourite Hello Necklace by Joanna Rutter

Hello Bag by Lucy Player

‘Hello' Greetings Cards pack x 3 by P.Noo Industries

Talking Ring by Joelleabelle

Hand-stamped Notebook - Bread Slice by Asking For Trouble

The Great Lost Kettle Hunt!

I had an interesting email yesterday from Russell Hobbs. Okay not the REAL Russell Hobbs but from the

company asking me if I can help them find a long lost kettle. A bit odd you might th

ink and I must say I was surprised when I saw the title but they need help solving a little problem!

The Russell Hobbs K1 kettle was the first to turn itself off when it boiled. Unfortunately the company no longer has a working model and so they are looking for people who have one to post images of their K1 on the flickr group or tweet at Russell Hobbs with a picture of it. Every single picture will recieve 10% discount off a Russell Hobbs purchase and they promise that one lucky owner will win the full Russell Hobbs

Heritage Collection

Here is a picture of the K1 so you best go root through your attic, those boxes you never unpacked when you moved, your mum's attic, or your grannys or Nana's or Auntie's! You could be in for a surprise and some free kitcheny goodies!

Folksy Friday: A nice warm cup of....

So this week I have decided to do my Folksy Friday about hot drinks, I know there are a lot on this theme, but I have been asked to help Russell Hobbs find a 1955 K1 kettle as they no longer have one in working order (see next post) And so I shall run with a theme and here comes this week's 6 items about tea, coffee, hot chocolate, herbal tea, hot ribena, honey and lemon..... hot drinks! Lovely!

I Love Tea Mug by Quite Contrary Crafts

Coffee Set Print by Tea and Ceremony

Mocha 'Coffee Beans' Cosy by Charlotte Macey Textiles

Cheeky Emoticon Coffee Cup Cosy by Mouthy Mitts

Bone China "A Cup of Tea Solves Everything" Mug by Nikki Handmade

Little Teacup Pin, pink by Lupin Handmade

Folksy Friday: Winter warmers

This week my Folksy Friday is about being warm. I've been at home all week as it's half term so i've been catching up on my making and spreadsheets and documents and i've gotta say it's been pretty chilly. Now I don't mind that, I love wrapping up in warm clothes and turning the heating on, i especially love buying new knitwear, hats, scarves, gloves, wooly headbands all get thumbs up in my book.

So here is this week's 6 winter warmers...

Big Softie - Chunky Barley Corn Wool Scarf by Miss Frekkles

Lingonberry Mittens by Hattie's Heritage Handknits

Issy Bobble Band in Navy and Cream and The Slipped Pom Pom Hat in Cream by Dolly Knits

Super Chunky Knit Bobble Cowl. By Oh Knit!

Lime Green Cabled Gloves by Moocow

Beautiful Laser Cutting.....

I had to order some more wooden wool badges after sending lots off to stockists and selling a few too. Lucky me! I also needed some for the upcoming I Make Fun Stuff "Saints Festive Street Fair"

I love how they arrive, smelling of burnt wood and all still sitting in the original piece of beech ply. Just like a jigsaw puzzle, i'm loath to pop them out really. So I took lots of photographs instead.

There is only one of these badges left in the shops at the moment so I will relist them soon as that one is sold.

Oh Comely Magazine

Well lookie here! There is my large polka dot bunting in this month's issue of Oh Comely Magazine.

What's that you say? You haven't heard of it? Well you should go find it! It's a magazine that when you read it, is like having a chat with your friends about all the things you love, music, art, literature and lovely handmade things. Which is why i'm lucky enough to have my bunting featured in the "pretty lovely" section.

You can buy it in WHSmith and several independent shops too such as LoveOne in Ipswich and Cherry Cherry in Norwich.