Creative mess?

A few days ago I spent several hours sorting out my desk. Starting from the window sill I cleared everything off so I was able to polish away the layer (or maybe it was layers) of dust. I went through the stack of books, magazines and paper that had accumulated on the end and was becoming so high it had started to block out the light. I found a box for all 8 of the snowmen in PJ's as they where hanging from my shelves. I even went through the box I have on my desk that stores various envelopes card and other bits and bobs. So what do you do when you have a nice and very clean work top? Your absolutely right make a creative mess. I decided to have a break from sewing and make some new ATC's. I've recently been inspired by using magazine images as collage and I really enjoyed it.  I thought I would share my creative mess with you and the four completed ATC's I made. I also added various bits and bobs to my little art journal which I have not worked in for a long time now and my altered book with the zentagled birds in but I will save sharing them for another post. Well I guess I better roll up my sleeves and clear away my creative mess as my niece is coming tomorrow to Cat sit Poppy for a couple of days whilst Colin and I swan off to beautiful Wales.

Fab finds.

Yesterday I was digging deep in my fabric stash trying to have a bit of a clear out and I came across these two UFOs. The top one, my friend Kath may recognise as I sent her a fabric postcard with a very scaled down version of this image. It's taken from a book "Art Deco" and I decided I was going to make a quilt using several of the images and the quilt as you go method however, I never got beyond this block. When I discovered it yesterday I new it would make a great cushion. 

The second piece I found was the stitched panel. This is my own design which I did around the same time as "the Balloon" quilt.  As you can see Rabbit has two new friends his Teddy and Hedgehog. Once I stitched it I had no idea what to do with it so like all the other UFOs, it got put away. Seeing as I was in cushion mode yesterday, this also seemed to lend itself to a pillow style cushion.  I have a nice little stock pile now for the stall on Saturday 5th September 10am till 4pm at Holy Trinity Church, Rosemary Lane, Formby L37 3HA. Please feel free to drop by and say hello. X:)

Ppppppick up a penguin....

 at Formby Village Market, Holy Trinity Church, Rosemary Lane, Formby L37 3HA on 5th September.  X:)

A trip to Chester...

Two new snowmen today.

Lovely fabric I purchased today.

I just couldn't resist this one, hmm I wonder why!!

Today the sun was shinning, I decided to make the most of it and go out for the day. I jumped the train to Chester to visit one of my favourite shops, Liberty Bell. It truly is a beautiful shop and as ever it did not disappoint, I was spoilt for choice. In the end I purchased two fat quarters and two half metres of fabric. How cute is the snowman fabric and how very apt! I then nipped round to Abakahan as Liberty Bell had no blue striped ticking but I also spotted this lovely subtle blue spot so that went in the basket to. Walking back to the station I spotted this delightful little book in the window of a charity shop. I read a few little snippets on the train home its quite quirky but it was the beautiful illustrations that really caught my eye.  Of course I had to make another snowman in his PJ's with the snowman fabric. I love them all but I think he is my favourite so far. Some of you may recognise the blue check PJ's as Colin's shirt, which I used to make my little boy rabbits dungarees a little while ago.

Snowmen in PJ's.

My Snowmen in PJ's.

Snowmen in PJ's in Tone Finnegan's Christmas craft book.

Life is still busy what with one thing or another but I managed to get in my sewing room last night and today and these two guys are the result, with a third snowman ready to stuff.  These are the latest addition to my craft fair stock, which seems to have come to a bit of a stand still as I have been spending time with my amazing family. However, I am hoping to have quite a few additions to the stock this week as I purchased some lovely look a likey linnen from Abakahan on Sunday, which is perfect not only for the "Snowmen in Pyjamas" but the Christmas Angels in the book to.  

Whats the time Mr Wolf?

Did any of you play the game "whats the time Mr Wolf" well I feel like that's what my life has been like since returning home. I have been so busy that the days have raced by me and before I knew it the week had gone and I was back to the start of a new week.  There are a few reasons keeping me extremely busy but the main one is getting things together for the vintage fair in September.  I have been creating my own cushion designs, writing up patterns, as well as seeing family and friends, then volunteering at the Atkinson Gallery as part of Uni work experience. It really is all go but in a really positive way. Today I thought I share my latest cushion designs.

After making the beach huts using pastel fabrics, I made a bright one. This cushion went to a lovely home which I am so happy about. A trip to Liverpool for more cushion pads and a quick detour and I popped into the Walker Art Gallery to see the John Bates At Jean Varon exhibition. Which is fab!

Then I walked back to the station through St Johns Gardens where I couldn't resist a few snaps for my uni summer project.

The back of the monument in the middle of the garden, next time I go I will take a pic to the front, I was just trying to get the angel.

Whilst walking through the gardens I noticed this chap and he kindly allowed me to take a couple of photos.  I know they get a bad press but I think they are rather magnificent creatures.Well I better crack on with this new week bye for nowX:)