What Katie Did

Busy Weekend

Sometimes you just have to say what you think.

Even if you have to go all the way to Glasgow to do it.  Because when you get there, you discover that you are not alone.

And all the way there and all the way back there is a chance to KNIT, so six hours of knitting later I have one and a half funky evening gloves.

So that was Saturday.

Today, I have had a shed clear out. Carolyn at Laughing Duck has been berating me about the term 'shed'. But if you look at the next few bizarre photographs you will see that it is very aptly named, for that is what it is - a shed.

I wanted to move all the old books out so that I have more room for fabric. The quickest route is as shown - up the ladder and in through window. This saves a long and cumbersome trudge through the house. But this method involved co-operation from the men of the house. Owen was one end of the human chain, I was the other and Geoff was in the middle. Poppy jumped out of the window to see what all the fuss was about.

Here you can clearly see that the place where I make Things is most definitely a shed. Sorry Carolyn, I could never call this a 'studio'. It is now a very tidy shed though. All these books have been stored somewhere else. I can't  tell you where in case Martha is reading this.

Poppy gets into everything doesn't she!

Another pink bag

I have this Bag Making Bug. It woke me up at 3 am the other day and I went to the shed with the World Service and a pot of tea to finish it.

bag # 2. 'What do you think of it so far?' (all Morecambe and Wise fans are welcome to shout 'Rubbish' now if they want to)
Sometimes I think maybe there is too much going on with this bag? bobbles, three kinds of patches, eye watering pink, a strap and a drawstring?

Then I wonder if I could get anything more into the next one? I am a woman obsessed. With pink, trimmings, bag making, Anna Williams style (more pictures here) and frustrated by having too little time!
Last night I had a late finish at work and went to get the Metro to my car (long story) at the same time as thousands of Newcastle United supporters.  Fortunately they were good natured as they had won, but the journey home was so slow and late.
Today is all mine. Sunny, not too cold, walk in the woods to come, Oxfam later and a long sit in the shed with bag # 3. Bring on the pink.

the person who deserves the credit for the paper bags is.....

Cindy! Go and see how she made them and got me inspired! There really is nothing new in the world, just lovely people who share their ideas. Thank you Cindy.

The anatomy of a bag

My head is full of seams and patterns and bags. I have been enjoying this bag very much and this one and have been experimenting with my own.

the pink fabric is a duvet cover from the bargain corner in IKEA (not the IAEA Islay)
on the inside there is a phone pocket and a hook for my keys, the two things I always lose in the bottom of my bag.

I've been reading about Anna Williams' quilts and I'm really taken with her simple style. That's what the little top piece on this bag is inspired by, and I think I'll be making a lot more of this sort of thing. My jaw dropped further and further the more I read. I won't complain about my small shed so much after seeing where she creates her quilts! She hasn't even got a big enough space to spread them out to have a look at them! Humbled.
Anyone who reads here often will know that I am obsessed with colour. At the weekend, Geoff and I went to join in the celebrations for the New Year of the Pig at the Buddhist centre in Dumfries, Samye Ling. There are photos over on Flickr, but just look at this detail.

This is the base of this Buddha

(I think that facial hair looks a bit like a kid drew it on when no-one was looking.... sorry!)

How to make the paper packets

People have asked me how I made the little paper packets - so here goes
First, find an old book with nice stiffish pages.

This is an old children's illustrated dictionary. Select a nice page

obviously the size will determine the finished thingy.

then stick the edge together to make a tube with pritt stick - bit fiddly

now run some glue round one edge and press it flat. Look at your paper to make sure you have a nice image on the flat surface, it doesn't matter where the seam is, but avoid either edge.

the next bit requires a bit of kit you may not have. Don't worry, I have an alternative way for you to make these, but the crimper isn't very expensive if you want to treat yourself, I got mine from Amazon.

crimp the end with the glue. This is the part I really like - it gives the package a really nice look

stuff the packet, but not too full, here I have some shredded tissue (that I took to work and put through the shredder!) my little hearts from my shopping trip the other day, a little quote about L-O-V-E and a pinch of heart shaped glitter (these were for Valentine's day, but its nice to be lovely any day)

stick the other end and repeat the crimping and this time, turn it the other way to create the triangle shape. And there you are!

if you haven't got a crimper, you could try sewing them?

nice and easy!
Let me know what you put in them.

Happy Valentine's Day

Hanna asked if I collect comic papers. Well, I sort of do, in the way that I collect things i can't bear to throw away. So after an afternoon at the Oxfam shop, I usually come home with a few more tatty old books that I plan to turn into 'something'. So if you were reading this in my house rather than yours, you could help yourself to one of these today, made from an old illustrated children's dictionary.

When Martha was little she would say 'What d'you might be inside?'

so now you can see why I needed all those 'bags of love' from M&S the other day. I saw the idea for these bags on a blog a while ago, I am so sorry i can't remember where. If you recognise yourself, please tell me so I can acknowledge you. It's a great little idea.  It was Cindy! go and see!
Happy Valentines Day to you all - help yourself....

and another 'Thankyou' to Martha!

Because I love the sea...

It's no secret that I love the sea

but I live so far away from it. I was born on the west coast. That sounds so romantic - but it was the west coast of Lancashire, Southport to be precise, where there is more sand than sea, but my first breath was full of ozone so its in my blood (?)
Now, thanks to Annie's lovely generous gift, left on my doorstep yesterday, I may not be able to smell it every day, but I can hear it!

thank you Annie!

a bit more birthday

Martha knows what I like. Here is a little bundle of goodness

a page from a Micky Mouse comic in some strange language
an origami bird - she will sit in the window of my shed
a printing block
and a book to write my musings and thoughts - whatever sort of thoughts they might be
but what's this?

a bag of noodles?
look closer.........

Thanks Martha!

Mooooooo

I have been seeing Moo Cards everywhere and so it was a bit inevitable that I should jump on that particular band wagon. I have been enjoying Flickr very much and add photos to it all the time.
These little cards have the details of my email, blog and phone so I can give them away, but i don't want to part with any of them!

So if you ever end up in possession of one, consider yourself Very Special Indeed.

Check out what other people are doing with them here.

Now you can buy it in Marks and Spencer