"Brown paper packages, tied up with string..."

Well, my first few items from the Craft Swap have arrived... so exciting getting home to little parcels with no idea who they're from or whats inside, its like Christmas has come early! 

First I recieved this gorgeous knitted cupcake from CupcakeJoJo, the box was wrapped in brown paper, tied with twine and inside the little cupcake was wrapped in pink tissue and ribbon... so sweet and now he takes pride of place on my desk :)  thank you Jo x

Jo's Folksy shop - http://www.folksy.com/shops/cupcakejojo

My second item was from Katie Holland, she made a beautiful passport cover for me in Amy Butler fabric, awww its lovely, really, I couldn't be happier!!  Again this was beautifully packaged with tissue and ribbon and a little card.  Im so glad I took part in this swap, its great to see other peoples crafts and their attention to detail has blown me away, right down to the personal touches and packaging.... its like belonging to one big happy crafting family :)

thank you everyone!!

Katies blog - www.kateepie-stitchintime.blogspot.com

the third little package I recieved today was from the wonderfully talented Elli Moody!

Her illustrations are just gorgeous, I got 3 of her chickens, they are such quirky little guys and I cant wait to get them framed....I know just the spot!!

Elli Moody - http://www.folksy.com/shops/Elli

so what me mammy said is true....good things do come in small packages, and in three's :)

Sunday Surgery

What a cracker weekend, the sun was out in full effect here in Norn Iron!!  The only downside being that the Open Surf Championships held in Portrush, had to be postponed as there was NO SURF!! :(   ....click the pink link for rescheduled details.

So I took myself off to these 2 events on Sunday afternoon...

FATC Vintage Sundays

@ The Empire      

 &      

The Fashion Souk

        @ The Ulster Hall         

Bought a few wee bits and bobs, mostly ribbons & buttons, had to restrain myself at FATC as there was so much gorgeous Vintage Jewellery on sale, and I fell a little in love with an Art Deco pillbox.

Would also like to thank LYNWOOD for featuring my sewing accessories set in her blog this week :

Also need to mention BLONDE DESIGN as I won a gorgeous tissue case cover in her Facebook Giveaway!  exciting, never won a giveaway before :)  I shall, of course, post the pictures when I recieve it.

Last... but in no means least....VALENTINO ROSSI aka 'THE DOCTOR', little gem, he won the first race of the 2010 MotoGP at Qatar last night, this was indeed what the doctor ordered to finish off my Sunday night on a high :)

Folksy Friday #2

Magic Mushroom Soup!


Personally, I switch from loving Heston to loathing him, he can get a tad annoying for my liking, but the latest 'Chocolate Factory' inspired feast was a winner... this is what I love about him, the tiny details that look like works of art.

A few years ago I watched his Perfect Christmas Dinner (because Richard E. Grant was on it and I have a weird thing about him...but we'll say no more about that) I was blown away and jealous of the diners, its looked like they'd just stepped into Narnia!

So, the new series started with a 60's theme, with Mr Blumenthal living out his Willy Wonka fantasy, for me the best bit was the mushroom soup, he created a bowl of floating toadstools, complete with woodland aroma, dry ice and voice altering inhalers (i NEED that gas!!)

and this leads me to this weeks FOLKSY FRIDAY theme.... Toadstools :)

again I hope you like my personal choices and do let me know which is your favourite, thanks

(the pink text links back to the Folksy shop named)

Hand Painted ToadStool Necklace by Paisley Chainsaw

Toadstool Fairy Door by Salt of the Earth

Spotty Toadstool - Hand carved rubber stamp by skullandcrossbuns

Fantastic Fantasy Necklace and Earring Set by The Crafty Frog

Mushroom Bobbles ~ Hairclips by Gingy Snapz Felt Creations

Dolly Mini Tote Bag by Whizzy Woo

Hair today, gone tomorrow!

Hmmm, heading to get my hair cut tomorrow, I hate the hairdressers, I hate having to look in that big mirror for an hour... one of my sisters is my hairdresser, she shouts at me for fidgetting and i get the odd whack round the lug hole with the scissors to tell me to straighten my head... apparently Im worse than a child :/  can't decide whether to have my fringe cut back in or not, always the same dilemma, get it cut, spend months growing it out and think I want it back, then grow it out again... fringes are hard to manage, they need almost daily washing (especially if you footer with your hair as much as me) I'll prob make the decision whilst it's being washed...another thing i hate but wont dwell on!

Right,  finished my craft swap item yesterday and also made a few new gift tags...

First, the Item for the swap

and my latest little trio of gift tags now available in my Folksy shop... I have a few more little pieces on the go, but they will have to be finished on Saturday when I return, should hopefully get them listed on Sunday!

"Drip drip drop ...."

....RainRainRainRainRainRainRainRainRainRainRainRainRain....

I started several little appliques a few weeks ago and was reminded about this wee fella when I looked out the windy this morning, let's just say  'April showers'  is an understatement!!  There's a small lake forming in our front garden and a river on the road outside, I feel like going fishing :) ...might catch a drowned bumblebee.

Update on the Craft Swap - I have now found my 6 participants and would like to say thank-you!! 

I've decided not to send one of my ready made items but to make a new one for my recipient... inspired by Ballypatrick Forest.  It's a place that's very dear to me as many a Sunday in my childhood was spent there, especially at Easter.  On our birthdays we always got to choose where we wanted to spend the day, my sister's birthday is mid April so she would always pick Ballypatrick for a picnic...  marzipan bunnies on a cake, praying our car would make it through the fjord, taking our shoes off for a paddle, and sitting on Daddy's knee steering as we went on the lovely drive through the forest... the sun always seemed to shine when we were wee :) 

So, hopefully I'll get my item finished today or early tomorrow, ready to be passed on...I am excited!

Another idea I've had came from an overnight visit to my sister, watching my niece drawing in the morning, I asked her to do a few for me in my journal... I have since scanned them in and hope to make them into appliqued drawings in the not so distant future
.....they're cute heh??

Art / Craft Swap!

I am currently taking part in an international arts/craft swap and I need 6 people to come and join me.  All you have to do is make one lovely hand made piece (an ATC,  photography, paper crafts, jewellery, illustration, upcycled, knitting, sewing, felting, woodwork, print making....anything goes really!!) and in return you get 36 pieces sent to you from all over the world... this is my first swap and Im so excited about it, I plan to make my item over the next few days, ill post a picture before I send it on it's merry way!
If you are interested in taking part, then please leave a comment with your email address or a link to your folksy shop... or even email me kellie@itsthe-littlethings.co.uk
Im gonna include the first 6 people to contact me...and then Ill forward all the important info on to you, so come on, give it a go, it's a great way to link with other crafters  :)

Folksy Friday

"....Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas any more "

As my partners work colleague, Philippa, made it through to the final 20 Dorothy's in Andrew Lloyd Webbers 'Over the Rainbow' show, I thought this would make an appropriate theme for my first Folksy Friday... hope you like my personal choices, let me know which is your favourite, thanks
(the pink text links back to the Folksy shop named)

Lions and Tiger and Bears - Original Framed Artwork on vintage

book page from Wall Envy Art

The wizard of oz kawaii ruby slippers chunky charm bracelet

from Fluffs Stuffs

Dorothy Apron from Purlesque Craft Boutique

Blue Mini Scarecrow Wall Hanging from My Calico Heart

Emerald City Green Button Bracelet from Mrs Gibson's Atelier

(yellow brick???) Lego Cube Ring from Kitschen Sink

French Landscape with Poppies - 5x5 inch Fine Art Photograph

from Tim Irving

(Ruby slippers??) Baby Booties from BettyP

Sew Me, Roary Lion from Rosie Savidge

Spring cleaning

It's the 1st of April and I feel a fool, Im waiting on Mr.Ikea and his idea of "Thursday am" is a little different to mine!  I bought some shelving units as Im off for Mid-term and thought now would be a good time to spring clean and sort out my spralling craft stash.  We've had a few freak storms this week and a little snow, not very spring like at all, but the sun is trying his best to win the battle and has made the odd appearance today... so as I've been stuck in the house all morning, I decided to create a spring mood board to try and inspire me to get into the 'spring' of things.