Lovely Stuff From Lovely Bloggers

The great thing about being a crafty person interested in crafty blogs, is that you get to be inspired. You see *stuff* going on that ignites a little flame of enthusiasm, and if you're lucky, that flame sits patiently on the back burner until you're ready to tackle whatever ignited it in the first place. Of course crafty bloggers make crafty stuff, and via giveaways it is possible to acquire said crafty stuff. Even if there isn't a giveaway going down, it is often possible to acquire lovely stuff via exchange of pounds and pence: blogs can be wonderful windows, against which the likes of me press my nose to get a better view of the desirables within.

Recently(ish) (actually some of this stuff isn't recent at all - I am soooooo behind with my thank yous) I have taken delivery of some lovely stuff, like this bag I won from Kim at Brigantia Designs. She makes bags like I wish I could make bags - such lovely fabrics, shapes and designs. Anyway ... a parcel arrived recently, and look what was inside:

Isn't it fab? I have examined it very closely and confirm it is beautifully made. I have admired Kim's bags for a good while, so to win one was brilliant. I must confess I didn't actually realise I was entering any sort of competition. Kim merely asked for funny jokes which would make her kids laugh, and we have lots of funnies here. I chose to share with her the favourite of the moment:

Knock Knock

Who's There?

Dunnup

.... And so on in traditional knock-knock manner (it helps if you say it out loud)

It turned out her kids liked my kids' joke, and because of that, I won that bag. I reckon I got the best end of that deal, by a mile. Kim now gets her kids embarrassing her by telling that joke in public (in loud voices) and I get a bag. It's not rocket science, is it? Thanks Kim - x - I love the bag, and I'm really pleased your kids loved the joke. I am using this bag at the moment, and can't tell you the number of people who have commented on it.

More bloggy-peeps gorgeousness has landed here in the shape of this set of bracelet and earrings by Helen - The Beading Lady:

Sometimes beads which are white can look somehow cheap and plastic, but I love the way these white beads are marbled with grey. They look really pretty. Thank you Helen - x - they're great, and I'm sure they're going to get a lot of wear this summer (always assuming we have weather warm enough to warrant wearing white!) although having said that, I've already worn them during the sunny end of April we had.

Many of you will know Miss Jodie. She lives life on the (selv)edge, and is not merely a crafter but an artist. An artist, I tell you! Anyone who can make that dress, and that chair cover, along with all the other brilliant things she makes, is more than a humble crafter. I recently bought from her these patterns:

And fully intend to make at least one of each, and very probably many more. I have in my mind's eye some quite 'grown up' versions of these Kinder Kids as I think they could appeal to the more mature children amongst us. Thank you Jodie - x - and for tucking a pack of your wonderful cards in with the parcel.

Another pair of crafty things I bought were these handmade earrings:

(They proved quite difficult to photograph). I already had that bracelet on the left of the picture, so when I saw Tracy of Pink Purl had these earrings listed in her Etsy shop, I was over the moon. Were they made to complement that bracelet, or what?! Thank you Tracy - x - they are so pretty.

And finally - for now, I bought one of Kellie's wonderful patterns:

(Picture stolen from Kellie's blog)

This is for 4 pillows/cushions, but I'm not sure I'll actually use the patterns for cushions. I want to make an appliqué picture for No.1's bedroom, and she particularly likes Kellie's stuff, so think I'll use one of these patterns as my inspiration. For those of you who don't know Kellie's blog - she is an amazingly talented quilter; her raw edge appliqué quilts are highly original, colourful and frankly stunning. Oh, and she makes sock monkeys too!

A big thank you to each and every one of the above crafty ladies, and to all the other crafty bloggers I read. You inspire me, you amaze me and I enjoy enormously viewing the many and varied projects on which you work. xx

© Author