I had some time to add a few new things I have been saving up to the Vintage Shop today. See anything that you like?

In other news, due to unforeseen circumstances, the Sew retreat day has been moved to a new date – Saturday, 11th August. The greatest benefit of moving the date – everything will be the same – only with a new, lower price. I am really looking forward to this day and I will be making lots of sample pom poms in the next two weeks, so that I can share with you what you might expect to learn. If you are interested in coming along, pop over to the Sewn page here.

Nice to be back on the blog!

This is such exciting news and I have been keeping it for too long! Kristen has been planning a lovely crafting retreat that will take place on Saturday, 23rd June, 2012. Sew is the opportunity for Crafters of all levels to spend a fabulous day at the Sebel Harbourside Kiama (a beautiful location) learning one of three new hand-sewing projects with Kristen and making two fabulous custom paper craft projects with Paperklip (me). All craft materials are included in the day, along with a full buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea, goodie bag and prizes. The event is small and cosy- a perfect opportunity to make – and make friends! Places are filling fast, here is the link to SEW if you would like to come and join us.

I think my picture might er on the blurry side. I took it late in the afternoon, with too many shadows coming through the window. Perhaps we can look past that. Here is a small snap shot of what I am doing right now. I bought a copy of Wildwood, a magical woodland adventure aimed at the young (at heart) and created by a very cool husband and wife writer/illustrator team. I saw their story on Etsy a couple of weeks ago (there is a little movie about co-creating the book there) and I was smitten by the care they took to collaborate and create together. And it looks mysterious and a little sinister. I can’t wait to read it, especially as it gets rave reviews from Lemon Snicket, the (pseudo) author of the Series of Unfortunate Events (I own and have read all 13 of these!).

I have finished my first EVER crocheted thing. It is a triangle neck scarf. A big thank you to Kristen for teaching me how to crochet, and then subsequently re-teaching me at every Craft Group since until I finally, sort of got it.

I got some cute tattoos in the post from Tattly. I ordered the Julia Rothman watch ones. I would have put them in the picture except I have miss placed them since this morning. So in its place is a cute freebie that says ‘Love what you do’. I am going to wear it tomorrow.

I also got some very nice postcards in the mail from Etsy seller mrseliotbooks. They are graphic and modern and remind me of the work of Max Bill, who I am learning all about in class. He was a Swiss Modern Graphic Designer, from the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Small girl and I bought some flowers. They are called Blue Buttons, and they are tres sweet. All floaty and not really blue, more magenta. But we are not fussed.

Watching lots of New Girl. Enough said about that. We love Zooey. Almost as much as we love Maggie. I think it pays to have a kooky name in Hollywood.

And I got a 78 on my first assignment. Happy. Busy. Tired.

I like the cooler months.  More time to get back into things and get cozy.  Seems I have picked up the blogging bug again, and I have also picked up the hoop.  Just in time to join this month’s Creative Collective project.  It is all about embroidery and hoops!  My embroidery is a cross stitched Christmas Shepherdess, a stocking for Miss Viking that I have promised to deliver for a little while now.  Master Viking has a stocking, so now it is time to work down the line.  One day I will post about Master Viking’s stocking, it is very lovely, and did you know once you finish your stitching you can send it up to this fabulous shop and a lovely lady will make it up for you!  Grand.

Look at this great place? It was found via a friend of a friend’s Facebook page.  Can anyone help me to find out where this is?  Elevates ‘love of caravans’ to a whole new level doesn’t it?  And the recycling has to be commended. Swoon.

Hello!  It is Royal Wedding Day!  I am a little excited.  See, I am not really a royalist, despite being married to a Dane, whose royal family is one of the longest running monarchies in the world.  Also, despite the fact that I not too long ago realized I had unwittingly given all 3 of my children middle names after English kings and queens (Richard, Elisabeth and Mary).  I am excited for William and Kate.  Because it is their day.  And we get to have a little look in.

I made a banner to go with the party my neighbour and our kids are having tonight.  There will be a little champagne, maybe some cherry bakewells, a few crisps (that is really what they call chips over there!).  There will be lots of fake British accents thrown around (my kids think this is really funny!).  The banner was completely inspired by Tiff from Dotti Angel’s lovely weathered cotton bunting.  You must go and have a look.  I thought it so pretty.

Anyway, Happy Wedding Day to William and Kate, may your day be lovely and special, just as mine and Mr Viking’s twas.

It has been a full mailbox the last two weeks.  Here are some of the goodies that have surprised (and delighted) me.  The top picture is a lovely mixed media work that I found, by Portland artist Cathy McMurray.   It was a present for Mr Viking for our wedding anniversary on Monday.  It is titled ‘Books’.  He really liked it.  We read a lot in bed and it is for above our bed.  I said it was a double present because he gets to put a hole in the wall to put it up, which is one of his favourite things to do! 

The pretty blue card is from Mr Viking to me – it came with some sweet cotton bed socks, as cotton is for your second wedding anniversary.  Yes, we have been together since 1994, though only married two years ago.  It was time!

Inside Out arrived this week.  I have been a subscriber for many years.  I was a little nervous when Karen McCartney left as I really liked her aesthetic (even after 10 years) though I really liked this issue with Richard Waller the editor doing a great feature on collecting Art. 

Can you see the pretty Bespoke zine in there?  I was a lucky winner of this over at the Brown Paper Bunny blog last week.  I have loved reading it, it is jam packed with crafty articles of all sorts.  Jess from Epheriel Designs puts this together.  You won’t be dissapointed.  Jess, from Brown Paper Bunny, makes really fun cards and things here.

The pretty butterfly envelope and notecards came from Etsy seller Sarah Ogren.  Sarah is a mixed media artist with lovely whimsical work.  The japanese tapes are from Uguisu, my favourite place to buy tape supplies – Hiki’s service is outstanding and fast.

Last but not least, Chantal, whom I met at the ABCD meet-up last week, well we did a little swap - some notebooks for one of her gorgeous Willy Wagtail stamps.  Chantal hand carves these stamps, they are so clever, she also makes lovely Easter cards which you can find here.  It is not normally this exciting a week of post, so definately worth sharing.