Hallowe'en Blog Hop

Hi there, and welcome if you have found this blog through Jo's Hallowe'en Blog Hop.

The letter you are looking for is 

W

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Happy Hopping!

All he wants is a nice saucer of milk (and your brains)

As soon as Jo from Serendipitous Stitching showed me her stitched Zombie Kitty I knew I had to stitch one too.
Here he is. Pattern from Carolyn here
Isn't he just the sweetest little thing that ever tore you limb from limb? He is stitched using DMC Light Effects threads and is my first, (and probably last as I'm not too impressed with the effect) finish using a pre-made tuck pillow.
I told Jo I'd probably stitch an army of them, but I stopped at one because my army comment sent me thinking at a bit of a tangent. I'll be able to show the stitched results of that tangent in a few days. I wonder if any of you can guess before then...

A spot of upcycling and a ghoulish little make

Our downstairs loo has been without a curtain since we moved in here eleven years ago. This state of affairs has officially gone on long enough. Don't get the wrong idea, it is obscured glass, there was no danger of frightening the neighbours but I was tired of it looking bare.
Behold! My lovely new window dressing, made from a vintage pillowcase (purchased from the excellent Rag Rescue) and a length of curtain wire. Honestly, it took me about 20 minutes, I don't know why I waited so long.

So, anyway, I was trawling around on Pinterest, (I know, I really, really shouldn't, but at least I was looking on the crafty boards not the geeky ones for a change), and I found something  certain young ladies would adore. Here is my version as modelled by Naomi.
A blood drip necklace.
Yes, you too can look as if you have had your throat cut, or had a little alone time with your vampire of choice.

Here are a few candidates. Mr Ian Somerhalder, Mr Alexander Skarsgaard and Mr Aiden Turner.
You're welcome.

Fascinating bats and pretty things

So, I saw this tutorial from Beverley at Flamingo Toes for a bat headband, and I thought to myself, what Eloise really really needs for all the Hallowe'en parties she'll be going to is a Bat Fascinator, so I made this, which is basically the same as Beverley's original design, but lop-sided so it sits to one side of the head. It doesn't show in the photo but the bats are made from glitter felt and are a bit sparkly. Unlike vampires, bats ARE allowed to sparkle!
Incidentally I had to buy a whole yard of the stuff so expect more glittery black projects in the future.
Making me happy this week is a vintage china heart mosaic I bought at a craft fair (seen here below another from the same artist that I got last year)

Also making me irrationally happy is my new kettle. My old kettle had sprung an annoying leak and basically weed all over my feet every time I picked it up. It has now been replaced ~ let that be a warning, any other household appliances who are getting funny ideas. 


Who knew kettles could be this much fun! It reminds me of a fat happy cockerel and makes me smile every time I use it. (If anyone else fancies one I got it from Next)

An autumn wreath (with tutorial) and a lovely gift

I decided the front door needed a little autumning up, so I made it a wreath. (Yes, I know, the front door still needs painting)
Now I know the post title said tutorial, but since I didn't bother to take pictures as I went it is more like written instructions.
You will need:
A twig wreath base
Felt in autumn colours
A bunch of wired artificial acorns (I got mine from EvilBay)
Assorted beads in berry colours
Organza ribbon
Wire
Glue

Start by making two felt chrysanthemums, one large and one small (for instructions on how I make these see this post).
Cut a paper template in the shape of an oak leaf and used it to make a pile of felt leaves in various colours - I used 8.
Wire up your beads into six short lengths. I cheated here. My wired bead stems were salvaged from last year's Christmas crackers!
Divide your acorns (or you can get apples and toadstools too, which would also work well) into four little bunches ~ two slightly larger and two smaller ~ and wire them to the wreath base, a larger one and a smaller one on each side (I find it works best if there an odd number in each bunch) with a gap in between them. Glue a felt chrysanthemum into each gap, and glue the leaves in place by the stalk ends in between. Finally wire the bead stems into place around the flowers and add an organza bow to the bigger cluster. (Yep, cheated here too, mine came off a box of chocolates)
Hang and admire. Linking up to Think Pink Sunday at Flamingo Toes.

A few weeks ago I bought this book by Lola Nova a couple of weeks back. There are some great projects in it. Anyway on her blog, Lola offered a giveaway of the book and a surprise gift. I didn't bother entering the book giveaway because, like I said, I'd already bought it, but I did put my name in the hat for the surprise gift and I won! And do you know what the surprise was? Only the fantastic cushion cover shown on the book cover.

It came yesterday, and it is just gorgeous. You wouldn't believe how well it fits in on my sofa. Just look at this. Could it be more perfect?
Kittens are totally banned from sitting on it. Husbands are pretty much discouraged too...

An exchange, a challenge, a hat and a cat

First things first.
A message for you if you are one of the two people who arrived here last week by using the google search term "17 year old big girls".

This is not the blog you are looking for. Go about your business.

OK, now that that is dealt with, yesterday was opening day for the Needlecraft Haven Autumn Exchange and also reveal day for the September Challenge.
Here is the stunning Autumn Harvest pillow I received from Ursh. Thank you Ursh, I love it.
By chance I also happened to send to Ursh, but stupidly forgot to take a picture before I sent it off.

The September Challenge was this lovely mermaid design from The Little Stitcher.
I used a beautifully coloured but extremely badly behaved silk thread I bought from Evilbay for their tails, and embellished it with a little anchor charm and some blue ric rac. The rest of the finishes this month can be seen in the album here.

I've been knitting as well. This is NOT, as my DH suggested, a tea cosy. It is a beret I made for Eloise to keep her little ears cosy on the grounds that it is chilly Up North. I've started another one in a different colour for Naomi, though she has specifically requested that hers doesn't have "the little taily bit" in the middle.

And finally, just because it is so sweet, here is a picture of Loki in a basket. I never seem to manage to get a picture of Jinx but Loki is just a big diva and loves having his picture taken.
PS Do yourself a favour and pop over to The Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe for a fabulous giveaway