Brooch Lovers ...

It seems that hand crafted brooches are huge right now and much more in style that chunky necklaces . 

I, myself am a huge fan & own some beauties made by very talented British crafts women.

I adore these retro/modern bold corsages by seventyseventyone  

Also on my top 3 list are these yummy freestyle machine pieces  from the lovely ditsybird  . Each one is unique. I am lucky enough to have a pink cornet !!

On my most wanted list will be a bird loving brooch from the bird hopping mad teasemade but to give you an idea of here pretty creations take a look at this ...

Lastly, a look at my own brooches, my latest embroidered works.

All designed by me & worked in free style embroidery with beading.

My brooches are available here Little Feathers .

Such a touching award !!

"The Kreativ Blogger award simply encourages bloggers and showcases others".

My dear friend Sarah ditsybirddesigns tweeted me to say she had given me an award!! I was really happy.

I never feel things I do are much good so this was really something to make my day have a big cherry on top !!

I have had a huge on line personality change in the last year and via Twitter I have met some really lovely crafty/stitchy/arty ladies who all inspire me so much.

I find it really is a very supporting network of people. 

Anyway, rolling forward , the plan behind the award is ;

I tell you 10 facts that you probably don't know about me and then pay it forward to ten other bloggers. fab!

Here are my chosen bloggers ;

http://tinyhaus.blogspot.com/ 

http://craftingwithlovegermany.blogspot.com/ 

http://meridianariel.blogspot.com/

http://queenieshell.blogspot.com/

http://giddystuff.blogspot.com/

http://teasemade.blogspot.com/

http://friendlyplasticwithmoltendesigns.blogspot.com/

http://thelightboat.blogspot.com/

http://hellomoshi.blogspot.com/

http://www.laboutiquedelupi.com/blog/

....and here are my 10 chosen facts; .

1) My first collection was carrier bags when I was about 8 years old. I still have them !!

Thankfully it was not boxes as my "special" childhood (3) friend was a cardboard flattened box called Macky Acky! Sadly he died one rainy day.

2)I have a hole in my jaw big enough to put your finger in. 

3)I don't like typical Hollywood movies. Dirty Dancing, Pretty Woman, Ghost,Notting Hill etc etc , I have no interest in any of them. 

4) I'm not a twin.

5) I won't eat mushrooms. People seem to think that every vegetarian loves them. I think they are like slugs.

6) My favourite film is Gregory's Girl.

7) I love getting up early. to hear the birds sing and face a new day is quite magical.

8) I don't like being hot or sun bathing.

9) My mum still makes me proud each day. She worked for Oxfam for around 20 years.

10) Even sadder than my mum losing her life is the fact my sister was pregnant with her first child when it happened.

Thanks for reading my list.

New stitches....

I have been busy stitching again. My new obsession is MR FOX embroidered brooch made from foxy fabric. 

It is a time consuming piece but I am very pleased with the results as I love big brooches.

I will be selling them in my etsy shop and hope to bring a few more hand stitched pieces soon.

Also I have another PAY IT FORWARD -Craft 5 piece ready. A little deer which is off to Hen. 

We are adopting a greyhound !!!

Yes it's true, we finally made a plan of when and where after some months of research.

As most of you know I am a big softy for dogs and feel strongly about animal welfare . For that reason it would only ever be a rescue dog of some type. 

Greys just stole my heart years ago and after reading up on the breed we knew that was the hound for us.

Many people think they could not have a grey because of the size & that they will need loads of runs. 

Of course they are quite tall dogs but they don't take up much room as they are so slender. 

They don't need much exercise really, a couple of walks a day for about 20 mins much like any other dog.

All they really want is some comfort and love, somewhere safe to spend the rest of their lives. 

There are just over 70 Retired Greyhound Trust adoption centres in the UK and always 100s of greys looking for homes.

If you are thinking of giving a home to a hound , please think of a greyhound.

Here is our boy Fagin . 

A few places I have found for lovely greyhound goodies;

http://www.silverpeacock.co.uk/index.htm for lovely collars etc.

http://greytsweaters.co.uk/  fabulous sweater coats.

http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/kumfipet/?_trksid=p4340.l2559  the best beds around.

http://www.thewoofgang.com/greyhounds.htm beautiful photo cards. 

Then a few sites you may like to look at ;

http://www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk/ 

http://kennels.co.uk/News/Galgos.htm 

http://greyhoundhomer.proboards.com/ 

Lastly a couple great greyhound blogs;

http://shadesofgreyhounds.blogspot.com/ 

http://networkedblogs.com/fyxDi 
http://davidsbestmate.blogspot.com/ 

Easier Postage System ...

Sending your parcels can be easier than going to the Post Office .

It suddenly dawned on me that this is probably a bit of a secret kept from the general public! 

At my work place we sell on eBay , Amazon & our own site. It took a few months of daily trips to the post office laden with packages  , before we found out about "interparcel".

I even use it from home now as there is no minimum collection.

http://www.interparcel.com/   is such an easy service to use. 

You need to weigh and measure your package, input the details & then you get a choice of couriers and costs.

Once your choice is made and paid for the package is collected from you !!

Generally cheaper than Special Delivery and they even offer a same day service.

So much easier, and 9 times out of 10 cheaper.

In roughly 6 months of using this service we have only had one delay. 

I hope this will help you sellers out there. 

Little Bits of Lovely ....

Little areas of my home make me really happy.

I love groups of things.

I hope you will enjoy seeing some of my stitching in my bedroom. 

Little dog by Evon Lim http://www.flickr.com/photos/vonvonz/ a very talented lady.

"There There My Dear" Deer by me. Taken from the song by Dexys Midnight Runners. Freehand embroidery .

.

All stitching by  me. Framed prints by http://www.flickr.com/photos/sallyboyle/  & http://belleandboo.blogspot.com/  .

A few more bits of vintage ....

I do love to collect a bit of "TAT".

Not everyone's cup  of tea I know but collecting and finding these odd charming items keeps me amused.

So why "A SMALL WORLD GIRL " ?? This is why....

Vintage Avon Small World Girls. 

I only have 4 but there are 8 in the collection. Each girl is a different nationality and contains either shampoo, bubble bath, talc, perfume etc.

I will get the others soon. 

In the collection also are lip balms and  solid perfumes. 

Vintage Avon is just a source  of great design. 

Another great piece is my owl pomage. Never used . I have not seen another.

"Wise Eyes "

Another vintage love is Sylvac.
I am not so keen on the typical  bunny, ( there are  many fakes) but I love many of the animals and the pots.
Here are my Hilda Ogden ducks.