Help to knit the World's Longest Scarf!

I was recently told my a friend of mine that she had started knitting a scarf. nothing unusual there, except this friend really isn't the knitting type. When I asked why she was knitting it, she told me about Jenny Chant, and as soon as she told me, I knew I had to do all I could to help, too.

Jenny Chant has gone through more than I could even imagine - having survived cancer three times, she has now set up the Jenny Chant Appeal to help with education and support for sufferers and their families.

And now - to where you can help! In order to raise money, she has decided to knit the world's longest scarf. However, this would take her 259 years if she attempted this on her own! Therefore, she is looking for people to knit and donate pink scarves for her to add to this record attempt.

There are more details on her website - www.jennychant.co.uk - please do visit to see how you can help. There are two difficulties of pattern, and even if you can't knit there are other ways in which you can help. At the very least, please spread the word about this appeal to anyone know know who you think may be able to help.

Thank you! I'm off to find some pink wool now!

Home again, home again!

After a fabulous time in Los Angeles, and settling into my new job, I have finally found a few minutes to sit down and try and catch up! Due to downsizing, I am having to sort through all my craft room, and organise what I can, and cut down on the amount I have - unfortunately, due to moving house soon, I will no longer be able to have a room dedicated to my crafts. I am already mourning this loss, and we haven't found a house yet!

However, this is good news for you! Due to this, I shall be giving away some of my craft items, so keep an eye on this blog for my next giveaway!

I am missing being crafty and need to get my fix another way, so I'm relying on you - what crafty projects have you been up to lately? I'd love to hear about them!

My Absence

I just wanted to make a quick post to apologise for my absence here over the last month - my time has been taken up for two reasons:

1. I have been made redundant from my job so am in the process of job hunting which takes a lot of time and effort.. (If only I could just fall into my dream job, but unfortunately it doesn't seem to happen that way!)

2. In 3 weeks time I will be going to Los Angeles for 2 weeks, so have been getting excited and distracted thinking about that! So excited!

Rest assured I am keeping up to date with all orders, and that I am working on new items for the store when I get some spare time. So look out for an update soon!

Typewriter jewellery!

Whilst reading Suburose blog, I noticed her most recent giveaway, and I fell in love instantly! It is a bracelet made from the number keys from an old typewriter - I absolutely adore it!



This bracelet is made by Keysandmemories at Etsy, and there are many other wonderful bracelets - I would highly recommend checking her out!

Bloomin' marvellous!

Whilst browsing Etsy, I found a this wonderful shop, porridgepapers, who make handmade paper. I was especially enamoured by their pinwheel girl card above, which, along with some of their other cards, is plantable and has seeds in the paper, so once the card is finished with you can plant it and grow some pretty plants with it too!

If I ever received one, I'm not sure whether I would want to plant it as it is so pretty, but what a wonderful idea!

Flickr Game!

I saw this game on another blog, suburose.com and I loved the idea so I just had to have a go myself!

Firstly, here is my mosaic!

1. Emily, 2. Pasta e necesserie para a minha amiga secreta!, 3. Gatherer of sea~crets, 4. Purple Lips, 5. David Tennant and Billie Piper, 6. Pchan's Birthday (October 2005) - 26, 7. Los Angeles::Downtown Los Angeles and vicinity, 8. apple crumble, 9. In the eyes of a programmer..., 10. My friends........ROCK, 11. Unpredictable, 12. Jumpers

The concept:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

The Questions:

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Your flickr name

Have a go, and don't forget to link back to yours in the comments - I'd love to see how yours turned out! :)

I've been featured!

Check out Going Handmade - it is a website which regularly features interviews with different crafters - a great way to find new inspiration and also wonderful items to buy!

Featuring: Feltlikestitchin!

I am taking this opportunity to introduce you all to someone who makes and sells the most adorable hand stitched felt DiDi Dolls. Claire sells monsters, animals, Mr Potato Head, celebrity dolls and much more! She also also make badges, keyrings, Christmas ornaments, applique patches - all sorts of felt novelties. Here is what she had to say in my mini interview!

"I live in Yorkshire, England. My day job involves looking after all the pensioners who live on my street, which is a really fun challenging job. I spend all the rest of my time stitching and running my Etsy store."

"I've always been a stitcher - I can't remember the first time I used a needle and thread, it just seems to have always been there! I sew everything by hand. If I try I can sew most things but I don't enjoy making clothes and cushions and such like - I only want to stitch fun stuff. I adore all embroidery and decorative stitching. I've done tons of cross stitch over the years and I've even won prizes for my cross stitch designs in two UK magazines. These days most of my time is spent creating my felt dolls."

"I think my favourite item at the moment is the one which took the most work. This set of Matryoshka Dolls (right) took a lot of hours to make but I'm proud of how they turned out. "

I also asked Claire to recommend another site to us, to which she replied,

"I'd love to recommend this beautiful Etsy store. http://feltingarts.etsy.com/ This German artist has the most amazing needlefelt creations - I'm in love with the Strawberry Baby. "

Claire's DiDi Dolls are available at:

http://feltlikestitchin.etsy.com/

http://feltlikestitchin.co.uk/

My Relaxing Afternoon

There is something about being outside when the sky is so clear and blue, and the sun is shining. It just feels as though nothing could go wrong, nothing could be more perfect than you just being in the fresh air, taking it all in. Everything just looks so much better, even the trees look greener and more vibrant and full of life.

People in general always seem so much happier and friendly in the sun. Maybe it is because I am feeling happier that I notice it more. Maybe it is because people don't feel the need to rush so much in the sun. Maybe it is because they have all been sitting in beer gardens drinking! Either way, I love walking out when the sun in shining, and smiling and saying hello to so many people.

I spent an afternoon sat outside in my back garden in the sun, relaxing and making jewellery. I made a few new items for the store, and I also made some beautiful (if I may say so myself!) charm-style bracelets, which I am very proud of. I think they look really pretty and stylish, and they make a great sound when you wear them!

That afternoon was so much more relaxing and contented than any other afternoon I have spent crafting. Maybe it was the pear cider. Or maybe, the sun does bring out the best in people.

Fearful Penguin!

"Fearful Penguin had stood on his head, hopped on one leg, turned somersaults and waggled his flippers....

...But it wasn't until he'd torn off a loud squeaky fart that he managed to get a laugh out of Emily."

I got this as a birthday card from my parents and I loved it so much I framed it to put on the wall, and I couldn't resist sharing with you all!

I am currently working on some new jewellery for the store, so keep checking back!

Have a great day!

Yummy Banana Muffins!

I made some of these muffins a few weeks ago, and everyone loved them (as you can tell, I was so proud that I didn't even want to wait to take them out of the tray and arrange them before taking pics - I just wanted to eat them!!). I then lost the recipe and was gutted! I have since found the recipe again, and so I am going to share it with you, both so you can make lovely muffins too, and so that I always know where it is!

You will need:

2 eggs
240ml milk (I used semi-skimmed)
120ml vegetable oil
100g granulated sugar (I used the low-cal stuff to make these slightly better for you!)
100g soft brown sugar
375g plain flour
4 teaspoons baking power
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional!)
2 small bananas, roughly chopped

To make:

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees/gas mark 6.
   
2. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl, ensuring they are thoroughly mixed.
3. In another large bowl, add the eggs, milk, oil and sugar, and beat together.
4. Add the flour mix to the liquid mixture and roughly mix. Do not worry about getting a smooth mixture!
5. Stir in the bananas and the cinnamon.
6. Spoon the mixture evenly into 12 muffin cases, and bake for 25 minutes.

Yum! Ensure that when you take them out, if you put a knife into them it comes out clean - if not, cook for a further 5 minutes. Allow to cool, and then eat! :)

You can try this recipe with other fruit - I intend to try it with apples and slightly more cinnamon next time - tasty goodness!

Tea Bag Folding - Tutorial

Since it has been a while since my last blog, I thought I would treat you to my first tutorial! One craft I loved when I was paper crafting a lot was origami, and tea bag folding follows similar techniques to create pretty rosettes!

Tea bag folding got its name as it was originally done with the little "envelopes" that tea bags came in, as these were usually decorated papers which looked lovely as rosettes. Nowadays, these envelopes are more rare, but this technique can be done with any paper. Only one side of the paper will show, so do not worry if the paper you have is only decorated on one side.

You Will Need:

* 8 squares of paper (all the same size)

* Glue

1. Take one of the squares, and fold it in half horizontally, decorated side inwards. Unfold.

2. Now fold diagonally, decorated side outwards, and unfold. Repeat on the other diagonal.

3. Your square should now have folds as below. Push inwards at the points indicated, the folds you have made should mean the paper folds easily into a triangle, as shown.

4. Take the bottom right corner of the top layer, and fold it up in between the layers to the top point, as shown in the picture.

5. Do the same with the bottom left corner. Your piece should now look like this.

6. Repeat the above steps with the other 7 squares.

7. Now we can create the rosette! Take one of the pieces, and hold it with the right angle pointing downwards.
Lift the right hand side of the top square layer, and dot some glue on the triangle layer (although I would suggest ensuring you know how the pieces will sit together before gluing!), under where the square was. Don't put the top layer down yet!
Take a second piece and, with the right angle pointing towards the centre of the rosette, slide the triangle layer of the first piece in between the top and bottom layers of the second piece. Press down. This should look like the picture below.


8. Now add the third piece in the same way, working clockwise.


9. Continue adding the pieces in the same way until you get to the last piece.

10. This one is slightly more tricky! Add the final piece as you have been doing before, keeping it on top of the first piece. To finish off, you now need to lift the right hand side of the top square layer, and dot some glue on the triangle layer as before. Now carefully lift the square layer from the first piece, and slot the triangle layer of the final piece underneath it. Press down first the square from the first piece, then the square from the final piece.

Voila! A finished rosette!

You can experiment with different papers and colours to create a variety of effects. Have a go!


There are many different types of folds for tea bag folding, if you have enjoyed this one and wish to learn more, let me know! I will happily make further tutorials for different folds if there is demand for it!

Triple Embossing

This weekend I visited the Tulip Toppers shop in Shipley market for a tutorial on triple embossing from Meryle Holland. Triple embossing is something I have attempted in the past, when I was working a lot on paper crafts, but I never quite got the hang of it.

Well, the tutorial was great! Turns out my main problems were that I was using the wrong type of embossing powder (I didn't even know there were different thicknesses of it until this tutorial!) and that my heat gun makes things more difficult, as it is quite hot and powerful. After being shown the technique by Meryle, she let me have a go whilst she was there, both with her heat gun, and mine, so I could see the difference.

As soon as I left, I came pretty much straight home to try the technique out! In the picture above, the japanese ladies are tiles which I made whilst at the tutorial - on these, the triple embossing makes a glass-like effect on top of the pictures. The others are items I made at home whilst practising the technique - the star one was stamped and coloured, then embossed on top like the tiles, whereas the hearts were triple embossed, and then stamped into the embossing. I then used rub'n'buff over the top to make the text stand out a little more.

I do love learning new things!

My Craft Space

This is where I spend many hours – my craft space!

I am lucky to have a room pretty much dedicated to all my craft stuff, with my corner which has my computer, sewing machine, books, and many other bits and bobs! It is rarely tidy, as I am often working on a number of projects at one time (I take after my dad in this respect!). I have added the bookshelves only recently, and I love having them there, it is so useful! On the “washing lines” on the wall I have art that I have received in swaps on various mail-art sites.

I’m not looking forward to when I have to move out of this house into a smaller one, I love having my own craft room!

Where do you craft? What is your craft space like? I’d love to see where you craft! If you can, e-mail me a picture and short description, and I will add them to a gallery shortly.

Teddies For Tragedies

Do you knit or crochet , and want to put your skills to use, helping bring smiles to children all over the world? Teddies For Tragedies is a site which aims to bring together crafters who would like to make and donate teddies and charities who will accept and deliver these teddies where they are needed. The patterns for the teddies are on the website, along with the appropriate safety standards (make sure you sollow these!) and information about how to get in contact with the charities who deliver the teddies.

If you want to help with this scheme, please spread the word by posting about the site on your blog or website, or by making some teddies and sending them out into the world!

(Thanks to Four Good Corners for letting me know about this scheme!)

And The Winner Is...

The moment I know you've all been waiting for... time to announce the winner of the giveaway! The winning name was drawn out of a hat by my very helpful boyfriend, and the winner is... Kate! Congratulations!

The runner up, winning 25% off their next order with fearfulpenguin.com is Meghen!

Thank you to everyone who entered, and well done to the winners!

Feltpods!

If I ever manage to get myself an Ipod (yes, I am one of the few who are still pod-less!) one of this first things I would do is buy myself a feltpod from Strawberrykitten at Etsy. I love her feltpods so much, they are so fun and different! However, rather than me talk for pages about how cute the felt pods are (so adorable!), I thought I would let Sian who runs Strawberrykitten do the talking!

Tell me a bit about yourself!
I’m from sunny Doncaster, South Yorkshire. I currently work full time in a large bookshop (naming no names ;)) only creating work in my spare time, I do this in my large attic room which is usually a tip! I studied fine art at Sheffield University, only to realise 3 months in I didn’t want to be an artist I preferred craft. I’ve been making things ever since. I dabble in so many crafts, photography, card making, plush, quilting, weaving, felting etc etc but at the moment I’m concentrating on teaching myself jewellery making and my felt work, I’m also dipping back into photography again.

I love your unique IPod covers, what first gave you the idea to start making these?
I guess this particular range stemmed from me wanting a cool case for my IPod touch, I’ve always liked robots and I had a load of felt. So I gave it a go, the first attempt looked real bad compared to the final range, all big and floppy looking! From there I just thought about what animal or object sounded good with pod in its name, Podzilla, Ladypod etc. I really love my Feltpods!

What inspires you?
It sounds cliché but I really do get inspired by most things. I think I go through phases with my inspirations as I do with my day to day styles. At the moment I love really colourful work and find a lot of inspiration for this in modern interior design magazines and high street shops like the US urban outfitters. My taste really does vary though as I love really traditional art and design as well as quiet graphic work. I think because I dabble in so many crafts I can be inspired by so many things.

Do you think being in the UK has had any effect (positive or negative) on the experience of starting out as an indie seller, compared to, say, the US?
I’m not sure as I’m just starting out really, I guess the internet is where it’s at in this kind of business nowadays and Etsy although an amazing community, being based in the US I sometimes feel we don’t benefit from the face to face communities that Etsy clearly has. I would love it if we in the UK had an Etsy equivalent; I think it would open up opportunities to UK crafters.

What other website would you recommend?
I read so many blogs on a daily basis, one that I really love is www.mypapercrane.com I love her work and love reading about her life, I’m ever so jealous of her!

There are lots of different styles of felt pods in her Etsy shop, including robots and podzillas, but my absolute favourite has to be the Ladypod (shown, right) which I absolutely adore! I nearly want to buy an IPod just so I can buy this cover. Strawberrykitten also sells beautiful handmade silver rings, and will make custom feltpods on request.

It's Beautiful... and It's Free!

(to one lucky reader...)

I'm feeling quite generous this week, and you, dear readers, are the ones lucky enough to benefit from this! Yes, one happy reader will win this gorgeous matching necklace and bracelet set, made with aqua and black/white crackle glass beads.

Not only that, but one lucky runner up will win 25% off their next order with fearfulpenguin.com!

Want to know how you can win? Just click on the link below, and fill in the short entry form, and you will be entered into the draw. I will email the lucky winner for their address. Entries accepted until midnight GMT Wednesday 9th April. Good luck!

*** Giveaway now closed - thank you for looking! ***

Paint It Yourself!

I am experimenting with acrylic paints, and am pleased to show off my most recent finished painting, which is the one on the right above! Both paintings above have been done using a set where the picture is pre-printed onto the canvas, ready for you to paint the colour on with the acrylics - kind of like a grown up paint-by-numbers, without the numbers. I have found this a great way to get used to the paints, before experimenting with your own design. These were both fun to do, though I have to admit, the one on the left is still my favourite - the cakes look good enough to eat! It is also a good conversation starter, I have had many groups of people sat discussing which of the cakes they think looks best!

I like the look of this Cubist Pink canvas - I think my next project may be to try designing my own canvas, using this one as inspiration! I shall keep you posted.

Plastic Ain't My Bag!

Since the budget was announced, I have heard a few people complaining about the suggestion of charging for plastic carrier bags. I however, think this is a good idea - plastic carrier bags are such a waste, and the majority of the time, so unneccesary. People do not tend to reuse them, and those which do get reused break pretty easily as they are not designed to last long. So here are some longer lasting, more eco-friendly suggestions, based on bags I have bought and love!

The Co-op sell Fairtrade cotton bags - these are fairly big and really useful, and can be folded pretty small when not in use, so are handy to carry round.

Another handy bag is the Onya bag - these bags are made from the same material parachutes are made from and so are very strong, and they fold up into a small bag which can be attached to your keys or handbag, ensuring you can always have this bag with you for when you need it! I find this bag very useful, as I was never very good at remembering to take bags with me when going shopping - now I always have one!

Magic Number Three cafe in Saltaire sell these lovely bags which are huge, with straps long enough to carry over your shoulder. These bags are great for when you are doing a big shop, but do not fold down so are best for when you are planning to shop! (If anyone if interested in one of these bags and can't get to Saltaire, email me and I will arrange to buy and post one to you - the bags cost £3.50 (plus P&P if buying from me)).

Finally, the most recent bag I bought is the "Plastic Ain't My Bag" bag from We Are What We Do. This website is designed to inspire people to change the world using small actions, and I am loving exploring it so far!I would highly recommend everyone to check out the site, and to register and track your actions! If you do, please add me as a friend using the email address fearful_penguin@hotmail.com - it would be great to see how you are all getting on!

I hope this has inspired you to stop using plastic bags - in fact, I DARE you to!

It's The Music (They're Dancing To)

Music Was The Theme by LaertesCTB ~ Sonata Music by jrossol
The Edge of the Music by Violator3 ~ Stylus BW by plasticrevolver
Title of post from song by Burningpilot

I love music - I find the music I listen to can often enhance my mood, and I listen to a wide variety of music depending on my mood and what I am doing at the time. This morning, I found myself wondering, what makes a good song? What's the difference between a good song and an amazing song? Is it the lyrics? The melody? The bassline? Clearly, it is a mixture of all these things, and is different for everyone. Personally, I find lyrics are very important for me - I rarely like songs which just repeat one or two lines. My favourite songs at any moment tend to be ones in which I can relate to the lyrics.

When crafting, I like to have music playing in the background, to help inspire and motivate me. I have found the best music for this is catchy, happy, poppy music! Music which is easy to listen to, and which I can sing along to. Recently whilst crafting, I have been listening to a mix cd which I received from a friend full of summery songs, The Long Blondes, and Lucky Soul. Also featuring have been The Hoosiers, The Wombats and Kate Nash.

What music do you listen to when crafting?

(Apologies for the lack of posting recently, I was ill with flu, normal service shall resume shortly!)

Baby Love

For my job, my position came available due to two girls in the office becoming pregnant around the same time, and so they needed someone to cover their maternity leave. As I was already broody before starting work there, this hasn't really helped me quieten the biological clock ticking! However, it does mean that I have an excuse to make baby related things to give to them as presents! I have many things planned, but the first project I have finished is these adorable little baby booties! They were surprisingly simple to crochet, and were made in the round so no stitching required! I am really proud of them. I even managed to avoid "second sock syndrome" and finish the second bootie the day after completing the first, which is a great achievement for me!

I found the pattern for these here.

February Ten

Photo by Sue Jan

With Spring teasing me but not yet completely “sprung”, I know exactly what Soule Mama means by the February funk. So, inspired by both Soule Mama and Four Good Corner’s February tens, here is my own crafty February ten – a list of ten happy things to help keep you smiling through February! After you have read mine, why not post your own, either in the comments here, or in your own blog (but be sure to post a link here to the post!)

1) Finding some beautiful new beads to make new jewellery with! (as per previous post)

2) Finding patterns on sale in Boyes for £2.95 – bargain! I have bought a pattern for 5 different beautiful dresses, and am really excited about trying one out!

3) Nearly finishing my pointy kitty (again inspired by Four Good Corners!)

4) My button jar. I love the look of them, all different colours and shapes, and looking at it always makes me smile!

5) Finding some gorgeous material with tiny strawberries on it – and on sale too!

6) My new necklace, bought from Bradford Bead Shop – so beautiful!!
7) The anticipation of the multicoloured crochet blanket I plan to make. I do love blankets.

8) The sun shining through the window as I craft in a warm room (while there is ice outside!)

9) A new lovely box decorated with a celtic knot for storing crafty items, my Valentine present! I love celtic knots, they are beautiful and really intrigue me.

10) My art hanging lines above my computer, full of art mailed to me from all over the world!

Like A Kid In A Sweet Shop

Whilst wandering around Bradford market the other day, I noticed a shop I hadn't seen before. As I entered the shop, I got more and more excited. You see, this was a new bead shop! Not only that, but the more I looked, the more wonderful beads I found - beads I just had to have! I was on my lunch break, so begrudgingly I paid for the few beads I had already picked up and left.

I went back for a proper look on Saturday. This time I had plenty of time to look through the beads, and I spent about an hour there! The stall is full of such unusual and beautiful beads. I got chatting to the girl who runs it, who told me that she buys the bead whilst travelling round Europe, and knows where most if not all the beads came from. I love the idea of this - that instead of just buying wholesale, she picks them out especially - no wonder there are so many wonderful beads!

The beads are all sensibly priced, and as well as beads and findings, there is plenty of gorgeous handmade jewellery on display. I spotted a necklace I loved but it wasn't in the colour I would like - I mentioned this to the owner, who promptly made me a necklace exactly as I wanted it! You wouldn't get this kind of customer service in bigger shops.

I spent lots of time and money in this shop, and I know I'll be back! You can check out her website, or if you are in Bradford, go have a look for yourself! She is based in Kirkgate market (I have to wander about until I find it, I always get lost in there!!)

Look out for my new jewellery in the store based on beads from this stall - I couldn't wait to get started making them!

Be The First To Know!

Photo by Kah Zanon

Want to be the first to know when something new is posted on this site? Now you can! I have set up a mailing list - sign up here and I will email you every time something new is posted on here, whether it is on the blog, or in the shop, or on any part of the website! Plus, from time to time, members of the mailing list will get special "members-only" offers in the store!