Tobyboo

Mary, Fraser and Boo

2012-01-25T20:05:00.001Z

It's still only January and I feel like a years gone by already with how much has been happening. I've met some very lovely buyers and shall update with stockists soon and got through as a finalist to the Mary Portas/House of Fraser Homeware Designer competition. If any of you follow me on Twitter you might have seen me write "MELLORWARE!" "EMMA COWLAM" that was the moment I got the list and saw who else was in the final... there was a huge part of me that thought - is it really worth the trek to Brum?

I've always loved Lianne Mellors tea sets

it's me - wallpaper sample just in shot to

Gorgeous skeleton lamps by Donna Walker

Emma Cowlams stunning hand embroidered art work

this recycled furniture was just gorgeous (and typically I didn't note who's it is sorry)

Just to scare us

I submitted some samples (the Oranges & Lemons cushion, tea towels etc) and they got taken to be at Interiors 2012 at the NEC to join the other finalists work until we would meet again at the (insert dramatic music) pitch. In Dragon's Den (but much nicer and not a pile of cash in sight) style we each had a 10 minutes to give it our all in front of head buyers at House of Fraser and Yellow Door's Peter Cross. I also look along my, now travelling, freak show and I felt it only appropriate to have Mary's presence there so yes I made a Mary Portas doll.

Hands shaking, worried about mumbling, trying not to look at everyone else's amazing work around I managed to speak - and somehow it came out as sense as, well, they liked... some pieces got squeals - in fact they really liked. Obviously I shall update as the Mary, Mungo and Midge tale goes on but for now I can still say I am in shock.....

Freak C'est Chic

2012-01-21T08:40:00.000Z

My latest project has been a slight indulgence. I've always wanted to make freak show dolls but I could never justify, other things came up and I'd be making them for me blah blah blah ...

Luckily for me The School for Creative Start Ups (ya know the thing I'm on) was planning an showcase event and the theme was Vaudeville (yes I know freak shows are pre Vaudeville but lets not nitpick). To get to the point the Vaudeville Hootenanny opened with a bang last night and is on this weekend at the Zabludowicz Collection.

So let me introduce you.....

Phil & Grant the amazing Siamese Twins

The tremendously tiny Tom Thumb

The wondrous Lupe the Wolf Boy

cast your eyes on Harriet The Bearded Lady

and have you met Lydia the Tattooed Lady?

All of these amazing wonders are at the Zabludowicz Collection 176 Prince of Wales Road London - nearest station Chalk Farm or Kentish Town on the overground. I'll post about all the other fab Start Ups showcasing later but seeing as I need to get there soon, I'm off......

Trading Places

2012-01-16T09:40:00.000Z

Yesterday I visited HOME/Top Drawer London, the main reason being to scare the living daylights out of me as I'll be in the same venue showing at Pulse 2012 in June.

See, that's me in the corner.....

I got to have a snoop and jabbered with some lovelies - Zeenas stand looked gorgeous as did she. Her work has just gone crazy with new stockists etc. Zeena showed at Pulse last year for the first time and if I get a bean of what she's had I'd be over the moon... well done lovely!

Next door to smiley girl was one of my favourites, Lush Designs - Maria was so busy talking to the trade that I didn't want to even stop her to say hello. When I had a chat with her before she was a huge encouragement and help - such an inspiration!

Next door to Lush was Clare Nicolson who I'd never met before only loved her work. Clare was as lovely as her cushions! She's exhibited at lots of trade shows and so was tip top to hear from her.

I spent more time at HOME just because it was easier to go around, I kept getting lost in Top Drawer! I did spot work by Jay Jay Burridge (who I worked with moons ago on SMart), love the meat cuts of dinosaur place mats and tea towels. He does love his dinosaurs....

All in all, exciting and scary - I think I'm looking forward to June now... heaps to do and think about before then. January so far has been a manic month and it's only the 16th! Could 2012 be the year of the Boo?

Maybe it's because I'm a ...

2012-01-12T09:30:00.000Z

Poor Toby gets dragged round museums, mainly theres "the one with the trains" - Science Museum, "the one with the monkeys" - Natural History and "oh no, not the boring one" - The V&A.

Just after Christmas we went for the first time since it's makeover to the Museum of London. I remember going as a child and pretty much not remembering it but because it was, to be honest - dull. The millions put into it over the recent years have made it, to be honest - fantastic! As an adult who loves London I found it fascinating and can't wait to go again and for Toby it had just enough 'pick ups' to keep him really interested. Oddly, he says he liked the flint in the pre-historic section the most... fair enough. But it's huge and makes you want to walk the streets of London and really, really look.

I went from London Bridge and on the way it's a tourists dream of sights - for me it was just lovely to go past some of the churches that I've embroidered since the work has been done. I find it just amazing to think that there are people in London that don't make use of these incredible resources that are *FREE* When you go on holiday you pack as many museums and galleries in as you can and you have to pay most of the time but to have such fantastic places within reach and not go and see them - mad!

If you haven't been - go, if you haven't done the usual South Kensington museums - why not?! and not forgetting the Horiman - all free but sadly taken for granted by some. I can't see these places staying free forever and as much as I would pay to get in I love that I can just pop in and do a bit and come back a few days later and see other bits or revisit parts. I need to go back to the Museum of London to see a mummified cat I missed - how on earth do you miss that?

The Museum of London - London Wall. (St Pauls tube nearest)

Lydia oh Lydia

2012-01-03T20:11:00.000Z

Lydia the tattooed lady.... first in a series of 5 dolls, (unlike the blankets that proved physically a nightmare to do and never became a series)

They are for an extravaganza of a shindig that showcases the School for Creative Start Ups - more details shall indeed follow but am too eager to get back to her....

A Rather Toby Christmas

2012-01-02T00:44:00.000Z

So, another January is here and we say bye bye to the tree and all its wonders! Father Christmas did visit and shockingly like the boy in the John Lewis ad Toby woke and wanted to give me my present first.

We spent the day just the three of us, marvellous - Toby in his pyjamas and no turkey in sight.

I just don't get the whole alternating parent thingy when you have a child of your own... go to his and it's his family Christmas and go to mine and it's my family's bizarre malarky - so when does it get to be 'your' family Christmas, a mix of the pair of you? There's the rest of the period for reverting back to being a 12 year old when your with your siblings but for that one day why does it seem to be such a huge deal with couples and the 'his side - her side' shinnanagans?

Toby shall remember his childhood Christmas as getting a glow in the dark baby Jesus from the priest after mass (oh yes), over doing the whole Father Christmas deal to the point where you get sucked in yourself, crackers to pull whenever he likes, opening presents as soon as he gets downstairs, getting up during the meal to play with nonsense, television - yes, television you family game type people!, Christmas music constantly and pyjamas!

The top of my parents tree

Toby was over the moon with his presents from Father Christmas - exactly what he asked for - a light up globe and Downfall.

Yes Toby it's a mess.

Might have been some clip thingy on BBC2 that said the difference between common people and posh people is that posh people open their presents at 2 o'clock in the afternoon and common people first thing in the morning - well shove that common people sticker on me! My husband on the other hand can have a rosette.

Toby couldn't understand why there was Christmas without snow so he drew some.

Just after Christmas was my parents 50th wedding anniversary. The boy did his best artwork so far for their card "pop has a boy bit sticking out and nana has a hole to wee out of" If that doesn't say 50 years I don't know what does.

Congratulations to mum and dad who never ever read this.

And what of 2012 and Tobyboo? Well I have big scary trade shows ahead, stupid amounts of hospital appointments and my 40th coming up.... hmmmmm.... I sort of want to hide and wake up in 2013 when it's all over.

Merry Christmas ... Everyone

2011-12-23T15:58:00.000Z

St Martin in the Fields Christmas Appeal

2011-12-19T15:27:00.001Z

Now in its 85th year, the BBC Radio 4 St Martin-in-the-Fields Christmas Appeal is raising money for people in need across the United Kingdom.

The money raised is divided equally between The Connection at St Martin’s, which provides vital services to thousands of homeless people every year, and the Vicar’s Relief Fund which makes thousands of crisis grants to people in need across the UK.

It shouldn't take the cold weather to make us think about the homeless but it nearly always does. We go out wrapped up in warm coats and hats and, for once, actually take notice of those people that have been around us with no roof over their head all year.

£1 from the sale of all Tobyboo Oranges & Lemons tea towels that feature St Martin in the Fields will go to the appeal which helps not only the homeless but those that might become. They are £12 each from Tobyboo

Cabbages For Christmas

2011-12-14T23:41:00.000Z

Yes, it's an obsession I can't help it. I love Cabbages and Roses. I could spend a week in one of the London stores and be a happy girl.

The fabrics, the cut, the pockets.... oh the pockets! So my early Christmas present this year is THE best jumper in the world, not only is it the snugglyest thing in the world and I want to sleep in it, has the cutest button detail but it has pockets, not just any pockets - VELVET LINED POCKETS! I've worn it 4 days now and each day I've had at least 3 people say something lovely about it.

I want to live in a Cabbages world, can I go on holiday there? Just look....

It's just sooooooo purdeee! Christina "Cabbages" Strutt - I salute you! (I don't my hand is in my pocket and it's not coming out)

About a Boy

2011-11-30T21:44:00.000Z

This is just how excited the DesignerMakers handmade Christmas shop made Toby today, the trip was only bettered by a visit to what he called "the best Cafe Nero ever" and he should know because he's been to all of them.

I thought that the giant tree made of Lego, yes Lego, would make the boy go 'wow wee' but all it made him say was "where does the train go from?" hey ho - still Cafe Nero, a winner!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

2011-11-29T14:21:00.000Z

Designer Makers Handmade Christmas - 18 Exmouth Market London - open till 10th December, GO!

Dulwich Deck The Halls - 27th November taken by the oh so talented Laura from Bumble and Earwig who I was lucky enough to share the day with

Christmas Pop

2011-11-20T23:59:00.000Z

Hoorah for Christmas! Lights, trees, Father Christmas grottos in the lingerie department (only in Croydon) and darn fine handmade Christmas events!

Today I dropped off some pieces (including cushions; above) to Exmouth Market for the Designer Makers handmade Christmas pop up shop at number 18 - Sophie & Sarah have done a tip top job, it looks like its going to be amazing. It opens tomorrow - 21st November until 10th December (alterations to the dates given previously)

On December 4th sees Croydon's very own Christmas Concrete Market at the Green Dragon Pub on the high street, with live jazz that coincidentally is upstairs it shall be a festive treat. And finally, on December 10th it's the rather marvellous Mary and Co from We Make London for their offering at Battersea Arts Centre - give handmade not a gift receipt!

This Is A Lovely Site....

2011-11-16T10:22:00.001Z

So my adventures on the School For Creative Start ups carries on and have met some inspiring people. One creative that no one has a bad word about is Hannah who's site is This Is Your Kingdom. TiYk is beautiful to look at as well as finding little gems around the country.

Hoorah and well done Hannah and Co!

Ace of Cakes

2011-11-15T00:13:00.000Z

GUP A might have been last months cake conquest but this month it was my pleasure to make Bruno (the Godfather of our child) 40th edible creation. I just do as I'm told and this is what I was told...

and here be the icing on the cake...

no idea why birthday boy looks so scary, thats age for you I guess...

Happy 40th Mr Bruno!

2011-11-10T21:50:00.000Z

I am hugely proud to have some pieces selected for this years Christmas extravaganza of a pop up shop run by the rather fabulous DESIGNER/MAKERS. Yes, you could do your Christmas shopping at Argos but who will thank you for it......

25th November - 23rd December 2011

18 Exmouth Market, London, EC1R 4QE

Opening Times:
Monday – Friday, 11- 7pm
Saturday, 12 - 5pm
Thursday – Until 9pm for late night shoppers!

Designers / Makers present over 700 products by 75 UK based Design and Craft practitioners in our first Christmas Shop!

A collective of UK Designers and Craft practitioners brought together for a short time only in an exciting and atmospheric boutique amidst the restaurants, cafes, street food stalls and shops along the bustling Exmouth Market.

Designers / Makers supports buying handmade and is giving you the opportunity to find those unique and delightful Christmas presents, and/or that little something special for yourself!

Covering all disciplines; fashion, ceramics, heritage crafts, jewellery, contemporary home-wares, and lighting there will be something to suit all tastes and budgets.

This winter wonderland will hint on alpine chic with its timber display units by East London Furniture - demonstrating stunning carpentry using up cycled palettes. And it’s beautiful Blooming benches positioned outside on fine days for pre or post shopping with your hot coffee or delicious lunch from one of the nearby eateries. As well as this there will be a Christmas Tree Sledge adorning the interior (crafted from last year’s trees!), both by designer Tom Hatfield. The interior’s monotone colour palette will allow the products on sale to come alive, their bright and exciting colours, shapes, pattern and form will give a magic to the space.

As the dark night’s set in the shop will glow, enticing and inviting you in. The weekly Thursday late night opening - until 9pm (other days until 7pm) will offer festive home-baked edibles and warming drinks to tempt and seduce you to shop further! Under one roof, discover the plethora of makers working across Britain, making wonderful hand crafted pieces all involving expert practice and skill.

Go and visit, be inspired, and enjoy stress-free shopping!

Stocked up for Christmas

2011-10-28T00:03:00.000+01:00

Prima Christmas Makes magazine
Styling by Selina Lake

Lush Designs: TOBYBOO

2011-10-26T21:50:00.000+01:00

Lush Designs: TOBYBOO: I was visited in the shop today by an interesting designer-maker called Tina Crawford. Under the name TOBYBOO she produces embroidered dra...

"Oranges & Lemons" say Tobyboo

2011-10-22T10:26:00.000+01:00

For a few months now I've been working on my Oranges & Lemons collection - the limited range of 6 cushions has been going down marvellously shown below - photographed by the very talented Kellie Spicknell. Each cushion feature one of the churches in the song but I wanted to have an design that used all 6 images for print....

The result of my efforts came in the post yesterday - my sample cushion cover! am very excited about the product and even more over the moon about the new product range that will be evolving from it. It is the first time that I've put in for copyright which made it all seem very ooooohhh for want of a better word.

The new cushions will be ready soon and new products in the new year.

Octotastic!

2011-10-21T12:59:00.000+01:00

And now he is 4, Toby that is. Mission: to make a GUP A cake. Obviously half of you are wondering what GUP A is - well the boy is Octonauts mad and, as he would say, GUP A is a super sub - the star of the Octonauts fleet.

In Blue Peter style... here's one I made earlier...

Things that make you go.... ooh, I want that....

2011-09-30T20:08:00.000+01:00

Mr Marlow the Circus Dog by Forgotten Stitches

Mr Raccoon by Jimbob Art

Pillow by Vintage Jane

Sir Lawton by Terehurst

Wolf jacket by Little Goodall

Back to School

2011-09-21T20:21:00.000+01:00

Among the fireworks and rain at last weeks Thames Festival came am amazing opportunity to have a 15 minute session with Doug 'Dragon' Richard. To be truly honest I didn't think much could be told in such a short time certainly of any help - luckily for me I was wrong. Between Doug and Medeia (the course director) they showed me where I was going wrong, sometimes by pointing out the obvious but I was left feeling pretty 'refreshed' I also left with an application form to fill in.

As you can guess by now I was one of the hopefuls that was offered a place on Doug Richard's School for Start Ups and yes, of course I grabbed it with both hands.

This is day 3 of a very intense bootcamp - based in Westminster the course has introduced us to great guest speakers teaching us from web design to the neuroscience of creativity, all hugely inspiring. There would have been some photos at this point but honestly, between concentrating and well more concentrating I've just not even thought about taking any but if I did you'd see the backs of some creatives heads right now.

I've got heaps to apply now to Tobyboo, tomorrow is day 4 and the last of bootcamp then it's time for us to really do some work - the course is a year long one so it's not like I'm off the hook and I don't want to be. With mentoring and workshops ahead I'm sure they'll be some big changes in Camp Boo.....

Crawford and Cairns

2011-09-12T10:47:00.002+01:00

Yesterday if you took at stroll near the River Thames you might have seen a new comedy double act that just so happened to be selling bleedin' marvellous stuff! Jenny Cairns and myself had such a fab time thanks to The Crafty Fox Market at the Thames Festival.

Jenny is stupidly tall and I stupidly short we spent the majority of the time laughing, Jenny gave anyone that spoke to her the ins and outs of letterpress - her passion and enthusiasm charmed everyone - and she put up with me - the girl deserves a medal!

Peek a Boo cards were on sale - 1960's nudey girlie cards that with the help of a clear layer overlay and a dress they were made decent but flip it up and *ahem* there was no avoiding breastage and bits! A big thank you to Mrs Cairns who did a sterling job and making sure everyone did get a peek!

Oranges & Lemons tea towel framed in an IKEA frame - bargain art!

Jennys badges and prints

Jennys t shirts that I read a bit wrong....

the soldiers were back

more badges - I got carried away with my maker

A Festival for the Rest of us....

2011-09-08T21:21:00.000+01:00

Hoopla! This Sunday I'll be part of the Craft Trail at the Thames Festival. Cabbages and Kings,Sannapanda & Friends, Crafty Fox, we make london and Craft Guerrilla are all sewn together in this one and I'm a thread in The Crafty Fox's bushy tail!

Am hugely excited and have lots of new work that I've made especially for the shenagans - the soldiers have made a comeback, lovely new tea towels, cushions and sets of cards alongside badges and greeting cards. Please come and see us - I'll be there on Sunday from 12pm, near Tate Modern and The Founders Arms - no excuses!

Concrete Market

2011-09-04T22:33:00.000+01:00

Almost there.....

2011-08-26T23:36:00.000+01:00

Not long now till the first Concrete Market - more flyers being cut and delivered, banner is up and head is hugely stressed!

Thank you to Bansi from Dear Sweet Agatha who's been keeping me sane, Jo from Charming Grace and her network of Croydonites along side Di from Di Does Vintage - so encouraging.

I hope you all can come and see us and support us.

Sunday 4th September
The Oval Tavern
Oval Road
CR0 6BR

Liberty X-Factor

2011-08-20T23:45:00.001+01:00

And so 6 months of work suddenly came to ahead today when Liberty opened her doors to anyone who wanted a piece of her!

I forgot to take any photos (apart from the one above) because my legs were shaking and I felt weaker than usual - so much so that my friend Viv (who incidentally did have her jewellery stocked by Liberty a while back) was going to do the pitch for me. It might have been better if she had. And what did I say...

me) I thought I didn't say much.

Viv) Tina - come up for some air.

The buyers were great, with the minutes ticking they said a few things that needed adjusting - some I had thought of and dismissed so kicked myself. I came away not really having a clue - Viv who had been at my side during it had her arms opened wide and shouted 'congratulations!' - was she at the same pitch as me?

The trouble is I didn't look at the positive things said - I thought it would be simple, not in a yes/no way but in a way that didn't leave me confused.

So, more working and more photos to send - which isn't much for someone who had a dream of being in Liberty's British Craft room at 14 which was 15 years ago - a few more months won't hurt.

And what did I sing? sorry show....

One thing that was commented on was the photos in my portfolio - "lovely photos" I said that I'd got a photographer "really, really worth it" was the reply. It really did give it the 'wow' factor.
Kellie Spicknell photography, click!

Surprisingly to me they really liked the cards and the tea towel that I almost didn't pack. I just need to find some more pennies to work on all the bits I need to work on....

Despite the tears half of relief at the end there's not a part of me that regrets it - it's another teeny stitch of the Tobyboo tapestry and it was only for a second I thought that I needed to unpick it.

Not So Concrete

2011-08-06T20:04:00.003+01:00

For anyone that I haven't bored already - Concrete Market is starting on 4th September. It's a teeny start to making my home town, Croydon, get a better reputation than it has.

#1 The market might be called concrete but Croydon is, in fact one of the London Boroughs with the biggest green spaces (it could actually be THE borough with the most green!)

#2 Croydon seems to be good enough for all those that come and study here.... from Noel Fielding to the late Amy Winehouse. Tracey Emin was born here, as was Sam Taylor - Wood and Bridgett Riley - Croydon's just a greenhouse of creatives! and let's not forget Another Level's Dane Bowers..... (or can we)

#3 The odd amount of films that get shot in Croydon centre include most recently, Batman, The Dark Knight Rises

See, it's honestly all good - and green, lots of pretty green places right in the heart of it! So, make the effort to come on the 4th, The Oval Tavern (one of the filming locations for Peep Show) Oval Road, CR0 6BR and stay for the food, the craft, the art, the vintage, the makes, the mini vintage make overs, the drink - and if you have time go off and visit really lovely bits of Croydon you never knew existed like Coombe Woods and Heathfield (photo above) on the tram.

CONCRETE MARKET
THE OVAL
(see a post on Croydon and not one mention of Kate Moss)

A Very Fine Vintage

2011-08-04T06:06:00.000+01:00

Last Friday I was a lucky bunny and won VIP tickets to Vintage at the Southbank - as desperate as I was to go I had no chance of paying for a ticket so I can't tell you how much it felt like Christmas to a 4 year old.

Didn't have my camera but luckily my plus one, Sunita lives in 2011 and has an iphone so these are her beautiful photos.

First things first, after a Champagne reception with an introduction from Wayne Hemmingway - a makeover by Jess - who's just fantastic and can be found at Powder Puffs and Pin Curls

ta-da!

Sunita who is gorgeous and didn't need a makeover

oooh look at the view!

I don't know how these two didn't drop - they danced the entire time we were there

Sunita gets excited by non prescription glasses

The ever beautiful Felicity from Now Voyager - have been waiting to get my straw hat - tis gorgeous!

Theres the hat - that's not Sunitas dress, she wore it for a photo shoot and I can't take any of it seriously. My dress had a total of 21 compliments, we started counting.

It was a really, really fantastic day - I've not had so much fun in ages with Musical Bingo - I'm pretty sure we didn't even cover all the clubs at night because there was just so much to do. Well done to The Seaside Sisters who never fail to keep punters finger happy with their craft sessions.

All in all one hell of a day - the market part was free so if they do manage to do it again next year - GO!

Serendipitydoodah

2011-07-11T08:20:00.001+01:00

Yesterday I had a table at OVO - the Camberwell Illustration degree show, slightly bizarre as the tables were in the show itself. We had a bit (long) wait before we could get in and set up and that's when I met the very talented Jennifer Cairns. Jenny has just finished Graphic Design at Camberwell and was selling her rather beautiful letterpress prints - sayings that she's over heard all over the shop. Each print had where and who said it - making it a complete story..... be careful what you say that's what I think!

Jenny and I will be collaborating on some projects that we are both hugely excited about! Go click on her work - she is a clever bunny. If we hadn't have been left on the doorstep like a pair of latchkey kids we never would have got jabbering - serendipitydoodah!

Jennifer Carins

Jennifer Cairns

(s)Wonderful....(s)marvellous...

2011-06-26T15:21:00.002+01:00

Hoorah! this weekend I did yet another really lovely fair with gorgeous people! I got the chance to do more 'me' work which was fun. Look photos 'n' all!

I can't tell you why a cat head looked good on a vintage photo of my mum it just did.

Mini pocket robots

lovely cards

Enough on me - 'ere be the round up.....

My 'local' jewellery neighbours for the day (top) Muna and (above) Di Does Vintage

Beautiful pieces and jewellery from Moosetache Lovely

I want ALL of this! fantastic creations by laura Kate

All in all a fantastic way to spend a Saturday afternoon; the Wonder Hill Market every month at The Miller pub, Snowsfield Road (London Bridge) really worth popping in - tip top food, live music and wonderful creations - what more do you want people!!?

Village People

2011-06-19T11:25:00.000+01:00

Yesterday (18th June) was Vintage Pixies Vintage and Handmade Gift Fair at Shalford Village Hall near Guildford, Surrey. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect - the heaven's were starting to open and that's the moment you realise you are stuck for the afternoon in this place with these people....... I have never sold at a fair like it! Everyone that came was so lovely and chatty and really appreciated the time and skill in handmade and all credit to Emily (who organised) said well done to who ever put it together!

The other stall holders were (as the sign said) 'fabulous' and it felt like a long lost reunion when finally after months and months of tweeting What Katie Did Next and I finally met!

Fathers Day cards from moi

Framed work (including a dinky size family tree) and little bits

cake decorating by Toby

Jumbly Crumbly

What Katie Did Next.... well she hugged me

Fab plantable bunting from The Green Gables

Gorgeous hair clips from Pipnstuff

Bobbins and Balms

The vintage stands were a treasure trove of spendage - and really tough to control - I bought a beautiful beaded peter pan collar and a pack of vintage cards. Typically, can't remember whats from where so the tip top stands included handmade and vintage Rural Vintage and Knickerbocker Glory.

A big wave to my neighbour Emily - I didn't manage to get photos from your side but go click on her site! Handmade By Emily

All in all a lovely village hall kinda day! and keep your eyes open for Vintage Pixies other events - I think they are worth the journey.

......in your neighbourhood, in your neighbour-hood

2011-06-04T18:12:00.001+01:00

This week was a bit of a one for local goodness. On Wednesday, the long awaited haven for parents and children was opened in Croydon - Beanies. Born from Beanos, the former 'largest record shop in Europe' it still retains some vinyl magic on the inside.

I so wasn't disappointed after all the hype and excitement, waitress service for coffees, fab shoplets, tip top play bits - 3 floors of fabulous stuff all on my doorstep! Happy girl!.

Beach hut shops selling beautiful gifts hand made and otherwise - again most sourced locally.

Beanies is in Central Croydon - Middle Street and worth a train ride or car journey.

Local Hero number 2 was my neighbour up until Friday, Claire from simply gorgeous shop Calladoodles! If the name doesn't make you want to visit then maybe this will.

Very lucky me gets to have my work in such a beautiful place. Claire has come up an eclectic mix of hand made and great bought in pieces

Calladoodles is shop that I was told about the moment it opened - who knew the owner ended up in living over the road from me! Calladoodles is 18 High Street Carshalton and I would be hugely surprised if you came out empty handed. Other crafter delights include gorgeousness from What Katie Did Next.

So, today - a hop skip and a jump was Reigate and the Reigate Craft & Gift fair that's on the 1st Saturday of every month - Slipshoe Street.

Well done to Kirstin from Rocket and Fairydust not only does she organise the fairs but is opening a shop this month - she be livin' the dream in my eyes! Well done and good luck Kirstin! x

Father's day malarky starts here - Daddies Sauce based daddy keyrings.

I don't think I've been creatively excited about living here for a long time (well since I did my foundation course at Croydon College!) just so much going on that makes me proud to live round these parts!

Oh those trees....

2011-05-23T23:15:00.000+01:00

This week has been a odd one for my family trees - I had a commission for a teeny size one and a huge, huge one (35 x 35 inches) so here be the Tobyboo tree garden....

Beanies tree for Beanies Cafe - soon to be opening - all very exciting!

The tree uses the owners of Beanies and I thought a sweetie tree made the most sense to carry out the theme - it did make me very hungry though.

Teeny family tree

Gorgeous 50th wedding anniversary family tree

how it all began......

Oh I do like to be beside the sea side...

2011-05-21T21:41:00.000+01:00

....well, sort of but was lovely to come home today! Tobyboo has been to Cornwall, staying in Hayle (*tumbleweed*) but visiting the much heard and gone on about St Ives and fantastic St Michaels Mount. The trouble with gorgeous coastline is a) in bad weather its not much fun and b) you don't appreciate it after a while because you see so much of it - then you come home and look at the photos and go oooohhhhh look at that!

I stumbled across (and so happy to have) Poppy Treffry's shop! Yay! a hope for textile artists everywhere that would like to be doing it for something more than the love of. Just incredible to see "the brand" well done Poppy and team, I salute you!

And next to Poppy's shop was Birds of a Feather boutique owned by the very lovely Juliette - a fab eclectic mix of gorgeousness including Heart Zeenas birds (that Clive gets everywhere!) and Lisa Stickley to name my faves. Both shops are in The Old Drill Hall in St Ives and so worth getting off the beach for!

St Michaels Mount was a National Trust property I'd not heard of and was just amazing. It's got a magic road! Yes, yes you could say it's the tide and all that but as far as I'm concerned castle on a hill, get there by boat - go home by walking along the magic road..... magic! Where's your sense of adventure!?

oooohhh look water......

magic road!

Something for the Weekend

2011-05-15T21:37:00.000+01:00

So, Tobyboo took to Chiswick this weekend for the Chiswick Bazaar - I had a lovely time thanks to marvellous neighbours (Lockes Loves and Co and Lucent Jewels) and found many marvellous gems....

The amazing multiplying vintage plate cake stands from Lockes Loves

and neighbour on the other side - Lucent Jewels

both from Flea Market Floozy

Gorgeous vintage fabric cushions and lampshades... desperately trying to find the card for details but will add as soon as...

very excited to fondle natthakur leathers in the flesh

oh yes, Toby had his face painted for the very first time - yes he chose Father Christmas.

and hoopla! look what my prize at the end of the day was!!! I treated myself to a gorgeously clever natthakur purse! yay!

All round an adventure of a tiring weekend - thank you Chiswick!

Bizarre!

2011-05-13T20:55:00.001+01:00

This weekend - 14th/15th May I'm very excited to be part of the Chiswick Bazaar at the Chiswick Town Hall - look at the company I'll be keeping! Hoorah......

I've jabbered on about the leather delights of accessories designer Nat Thakhur before so can't wait to see the pieces in the flesh.

Have a feeling that Acorn and Will will be getting some pennies from me - love their hair accessories for one thing!

Can't wait to have a rummage through Flea Market Floozy - I would be over the pastry moon to find a Fred baking set like the one I used to have.

Please come and say hello!

Gawd Bless 'em!

2011-04-28T22:54:00.000+01:00

Ah, bunting at the ready a years supply of red, white & blue tea towels and as many Union Jacks as your car can take. All eyes are on London......

CORONATION CUSHION BY HUNTER & STUFFED

WATERCOLOUR BY ANDRE VOYY

I HEART LONDON PURSE

CROWN BROOCH BY LOVE FROM HETTY AND DAVE

CAKE STAND BY ESTHER COOMBES

Urban Picnic part 1 - Hyde Park

2011-04-22T18:17:00.001+01:00

Picnic blanket 150cm x 120cm
Recycled wool base, linen cotton mix fabric with freehand machine embroidery
waterproof backed

I didn't realise just how hard freehand embroidery on something this big was going to be and now am slightly regretting that I've set myself the task of this being one of 4 blankets based on London parks; St James', Richmond, Regent's Park to follow.

If you're quick this could be with you just in time to have a picnic and watch the Royal Wedding - and if not - well you could just have a picnic with some bunting out and relive the day!

Flags & Spaces

2011-04-14T19:09:00.000+01:00

Long overdue my work room is in the process of a sort, tidy and shuffle. Am over the moon with my colour coded drawers - pink scraps in the pink drawer, blue in the blue blah blah blah and generally surprises in the plain ones! The room is now looking almost workable and I can even find scraps of fabric I never knew I had - if that isn't livin' I don't know what is......

We've just come home from Oxted, Toby and his friend Dara had a bunting making day at The Old Dairy Studios. I did wonder how on earth 3 year olds were going to make bunting but it was fab - they each got their triangles and got to decorate them and at the end each child's got sewn and they have really beautiful, original bunting for their room - such a lovely idea!

Toby deep in thought where to put the next foam flower.....

still deciding......

Ta-da! tis finished but Toby now has gone off with better things to do!
Thank you Jo, who runs The Old Dairy Studios - twas lovely!

Matchmaker Matchmaker...

2011-04-11T17:00:00.001+01:00

I might not be in the Pink Ladies but lucky me I'm part of Designer/Makers a fab showcase of talent in the UK that also has a market every Saturday in East London. The site also has an online shop and I think its a concept that we've all been waiting for a truly valuable resource.

Really hard to choose a couple to show as it's such a good collection but here goes - go click on the site and see!

as someone with a snowdome collection obviously I was going to like this but have admired Rosie Wonders work for a long while.

Christa Davies childrens collection is beautiful

James Browns illustrations are just stunning - and oooh that's handy he's done the poster for the market so the details be there!

Croydon Facelift

2011-03-27T20:55:00.002+01:00

So, today was the day of my venture into the hideous world of fair organising! Only a teeny one but the first of (hopefully) many Concrete Creative craft fairs went surprisingly well!

An hour before we were due to start I was tweeting like mad and got a response from Vicky at Stars & Scars jewellery - oddly she lives so close and rather than saying come along I said come and pitch up! So glad she did.

Tobyboo ready for Easter and mamas day, and next to me is none other than Katia Muscara who I only mentioned the other day!

Stars & Scars

Little Miss Melissa

Faraway Frills

Sock Monkey Magic

Trudy Grant - I ended up in spending straight away getting on of her fab vintage fabric cushions

The venture is now the start of what hopefully will give Croydon the bit of sparkle it needs! Anyone that's in and around Croydon that would like to get involved in future events please get in touch and join our Flickr and Facebook groups.

Having your cake and ...

2011-03-26T15:19:00.003Z

I can't tell you how amazed I was at seeing these beautiful photos by Katia Muscara and then even more stunned at the cakes by PMT (Positively Marvellous Temptations)! Just incredible and truly gorgeous and (lucky me) last week I actually got to try one of Amanda (PMT) delights and they are (pause) fab-u-lous! and I have tried some damn fine cakes.

photography: KATIA MUSCARA
inches on hip by: PMT cupcakes (Positively Marvellous Temptations)

What more can I tell you about these two ladies? ah yes they are from Croydon - so, number 1 in my series of talent south of the river.....

2011-03-25T07:56:00.001Z

Desperately trying to inject a bit of art to the concrete jungle that is Croydon I decided to see who else was out there thinking the same..... Concrete Creative was sort of born - but no one really liked the concrete part so the C word* crept in..... (*meaning Croydon)

As uninspiring as Croydon sounds it does has a really good art college (yes, yes I did my foundation there so I would say that) that the likes of Ray Davies (really?), Malcolm McLaren (are you sure?) John Rocha and Noel Fielding (ok those we knew) went to.

Up until this month we had an arts centre with an exhibition space, small but nice bar and lovely independent cinema, the David Lean - that's all gone due to cuts. If ever a place needed some creative sparkle its Croydon.

So, on Sunday 27th March I'm doing a (very) teeny craft fair with some friends - 'tis a start if nothing else!

Never work with children and Blankets part 2

2011-03-11T14:04:00.000Z

So, I posted some of my grabs from a few weeks ago, here's a taster of some of the shots captured by Kerry McMair on a miserable day with just a house to shoot in .....

Kerry McNair Photography

and all I got was this t shirt.....

2011-03-08T18:59:00.003Z

After making tops for Toby and ignoring requests from others for the last couple of years I have decided to do 2 designs of personalised tops (hoorah!)

They are £25 each and can be ordered direct through me so you can choose the top (and really soft lovely cotton they are too), long or short sleeve and colour and if there are details that you'd like added.

Birdie Dance

2011-03-04T18:42:00.000Z

I am a huge moaner about jewellery, partly because after making it for 3 years at college it does nothing for me. My work at Central St Martins which was moons ago wasn't exactly shiny and pretty and a ring with a birdcage and glass eye dangling in (oh yes, birdcage jewellery was around in 1992!) would never get a glove over it - and that was the definition of a ring in some of our tutors eyes..... so when I first saw work by The Aviary I was in love.

The Aviary create gorgeous fine art jewellery that makes you feel like you have a piece of art to treasure. Using vintage images, tin, wood this is also upcycled work that is packaged so beautifully that you would want to frame it as is.

The duo behind the pretties are so lovely, when I first saw their work I really thought that I'd come across some scary woman who wouldn't say a word but after meeting them you can't help but fall in love with their world.

.... and to anyone that knows me they will know what a HUGE deal it is putting this image up - a butterfly and moth phobic that's only been able to say B and M word for the last couple of years I can even look at this and see the beauty (but I think that's in the work not in the flyee things themselves)

So, if I had a big shiny medal - this week I would award it to you lovely people - take a bow!
The Aviary

Commissions, Commissions, Commissions

2011-03-01T14:59:00.000Z

I've had a run of really varied and lovely commissions the last few weeks - out of these has come my favourite piece so far.

Wedding gift commission - there is a Disney reason for the idea!

Not a commission but a gift to the lovely Claire Gordon who has been mine and Toby's bone cracker (chiropractor) since he was born - she's moved up to Bristol to start her own practice.... shall miss her heaps.

This is my favourite - so a customer had seen the family trees that I do and had the wonderful idea of using it for a cushion. This is for a 50th wedding anniversary, hence the gold and is a huge 50cm x 50cm and a lovely squiggy duck feather filled pad has been used so it's a perfect weight and feel.

The Family Tree cushion is now part of the Tobyboo bespoke range so please get in contact for prices etc.

The love commissions lead me to create this snuggle blanket that's similar to the baby blankets with a minkee backing but big enough for two to get cosy on the sofa with. That's just been listed on my glossy shop on www.tobyoo.co.uk how exciting!

Never Work With Children and Blankets

2011-02-27T18:54:00.001Z

Easter bunnies

"Sew Happy" snuggle blanket

I've just finished some new sparkly (well ok, not sparkly) Tobyboo creations - personalised tops being the main show off. What better way to go 'ta-da' then having a rather lovely photo session in Tunbridge Wells by the even lovelier Kerry McNair.

Kerry who I met a few weeks ago, did her very best to control a slightly jumpy Toby on a rather grey day - she had a fantastic way with her two models, Toby and Holly that managed to get the best out of them.

I'm very excited about seeing her efforts - it's the first time that my work has been really taken with 'real' little people (or big) so nice to see things played with and hidden under. Any brides to be out there, we never had any wedding photos taken because both of us hate having a camera in front of us but hand on heart if we came across the likes of Ms McNair we would book her in a shot! Even Mr Tobyboo said what a calm, lovely manner she had - (fact)

As for the new tops etc - well you'll have to wait for the real photos and Kerry can be contacted through Kerry McNair photography

An Apple a Day......

2011-02-24T00:15:00.001Z

Ok so it's not quite picnic weather but just imagine this covering the daisies! A recycled wool blanket with applique bunnies and apple tree - the banner across says 'Don't sit under the apple tree with anyone else but me'.

Huge thank you Viv* who pointed out that it really needed something to balance the composition ..... not easy to tell when it's so big you don't get to spread it out while your working. So Mr Birdie was added.

Very nearly finished, just has a lovely waterproof backing to put on just in case the daisies are still slightly damp!

measures 150cm x 120cm
£120

*Viv's shop is on Etsy and her work is truly beautiful - we bought one of her collages last year and I see something new in it every time I look.
Viv Richards collage artist.

A Heavenly Place for Saints and Kings.....

2011-02-19T17:48:00.001Z

.... and the rest of us.

So, today I took a drizzly train and tube ride up to Kings Cross St Pancras - as exciting as the station is it was nothing in comparison to what was around the corner. Drink, Shop & Do is the sort of place that you'd only see in a film and think 'if only that place was real' well it is. Owners Kristie and Coralie have honestly made my dream come true.

Drink, Shop & Do looks like a gorgeous but teeny shop from the outside - it has a gem of handmade goodies and vintage china - oh and sweets! I was like a kid in a candy shop but not from the sweets but the all round thought for everything - from cakes to my hot chocolate with flumps (not Perkin and Pootle, marshmallow ones) floating in - the food counter just looked beautiful. The walls were covered in gorgeous handmade blankets and tea towels - the back room..... I could go on but to be honest just go - I had a hot chocolate and sat in the corner just gazing at all of it.

Well done Kristie and Coralie - you have created an absolute gem!

A Lovely a-Fair

2011-02-12T20:35:00.002Z

Yesterdays Craft Guerrilla extravaganza at the William Morris Gallery was such an overall lovely event - the very glamourous Shellac Sisters who's DJing really did add a magic sparkle, met some incredible sellers in the flesh rather than tweet tweeting - The Aviary were sellers that I couldn't wait to see and weren't disappointed - I wanted everything on their table but especially that bambi necklace that was in the vintage frame - I felt like I was looking in on Bagpuss' shop (sorry Emily's)

Always marvellous seeing the 'could she be any sweeter' Zeena from Heart Zeena and met the brains and hands behind Alice Potter.... er Alice Potter.

And who was I lucky enough to be neighbours with? Rosie Lovecock & Zosienka - beautifully illustrated goods.

Huge pats on the back to all that organised that one - I spent most of my time being a nosey shopper than attentive seller!

Tobyboo

Rosie & Zosienka

The Aviary

Lollipop girl - Heart Zeena

Love Love Love

2011-01-30T20:27:00.001Z

This is going to be fabulous - anyone that can come COME! and please say hello. Other lovely designers include Heart Zeena and The Avairy.....

If he only had a heart.....

2011-01-28T22:08:00.002Z

a brain, some courage - well Valentine's day is approaching and it's one way of telling him I suppose....

Wizard Of Oz collectors trio £110

My Funny Valentine

2011-01-18T15:39:00.001Z

Hugely excited as I found out the other day that I'll be one of the sellers at the Craft Guerilla Love Easy Valentine fair! Hoopla! It's on Friday 11th February at The William Morris gallery in Walthamsow 6-9pm.

Really looking forward to it and it's given me the opportunity to do some new 'love'ly work.......

Singin' In The Rain Cushion

When I'm 64 cushion

Cheesy 'I can't smile without you' cards

Love me, Love me say that you love me.....

2011-01-11T22:30:00.000Z

It's almost that time again when Charlie Brown dreams of a card from the red haired girl....

Go on - send someone a letter, S.W.A.L.K of course x

'dem bones.....

2011-01-07T23:33:00.000Z

A couple of years ago Dave bought me a fantastic resin coated panel with Hello Kitty and her skeleton sketched next to her - it's beautiful, and the hugely clever artist is Michael Paulus. When it was Daves birthday I had to get him the same style panel but with Charile brown. Obviously, we now need one for Toby!

I love Michaels work - to be honest he had me at skeleton sketch but the characters he chooses are incredible to dream up their workings. Moomintroll is one of my favourites as is Woodstock - both are here at his Etsy shop

What a difference a year makes....

2011-01-02T20:15:00.000Z

Happy New Year y'all! Ah, another year which means me getting all 'ooh hasn't he changed' when I look back over Toby - the 3rd year.
So here be my little calendar boy...

Not quite a Cracker....

2010-12-25T20:18:00.000Z

Well, today being Christmas day n' all I was hoping to bore you with lots of happy elf photos and present pics but Boo has been a poorly bear and this is what Christmas day looked like for us....

So I shall share with you - my present! LOOK! it's a 1930's sewing kit type thingy... the thimble comes off to reveal the cottons inside (and I presume that needles should be in the middle spoke) how fab is that?!

As photos of the Lost DVD box set aren't quite as intesting I shall now bore you with the first of many years of Toby's homemade decorations...

Googley eyes!

More googley eyes!

2010-12-24T16:39:00.000Z

2010-12-20T09:20:00.000Z

The Manchester Tobyboo gallery (otherwise known as my best customers) ordered a bespoke Christmas angel - In return I got this gorgeous drawing from the incredibly lovely Daisy - I love it! Thank you so much!

wishing the House of Hutch a very happy Christmas a huge thanks for everything xxxx

Santas little helper

2010-12-16T22:59:00.000Z

So - I have given in to the shop loads of festive kids costumes! Here is the boy sporting an M&S elf one that I really couldn't say no too. Does he want to wear it everywhere - of course he does! I shall of course learn to send him out with a bucket next time to collect the pennies we could be earning!

eye - eye

2010-12-12T23:46:00.002Z

Lulamay eye mask by Jane Colquhoun £20

'ere be some fab eye masks from textile artist Jane Colquhoun on etsy

2010-12-11T21:10:00.000Z

Hugely happy girl this week - number one was the very lovely Rachel Goodchild had spotted that my stocking is in the January issue of Homes & Antiques magazine with this stunning photo by Carolyn Barber and styling by Keira Buckley-Jones - it's just beautiful! This has spoilt me now as it's the second year of being in a seasonal Homes & Antiques magazine!

..... and happy girl reason number 2 was being in Bambino Goodies top 10 stocking list! I love the site so for me it's been one hoopla of a week! The stocking featured is a personalised one created especially for VUP Baby - and you've got till the 15th of December to order.

Blankets & Angels

2010-12-10T19:17:00.001Z

I thought I'd share some of my commissions that I've just sent on to new homes. I've had some lovely stockings to do but this one for a baby girls' 1st Christmas is my favourite - I love that they didn't want baby pink and frills!

I had a birthday bespoke blanket to do - and its one duvet of a blanket that I could have happily kept in this weather!

And I've just put this one in the post - a bespoke angel, a Daisy angel to be precise. I have some genuinely lovely customers that just keep coming back and for them when they ordered my angel sculpture I had to do something a bit special so this little lady is based on their little angel!

A huge thank you to my customers but a bigger one to those that order bespoke and give me a teeny challenge!

Basil Exposition

2010-12-09T21:52:00.001Z

P1010644
Originally uploaded by Louche123

lovely feature on We Make Christmas - http://basilexposition.wordpress.com/2010/12/09/we-make-london-christmas-fair-2010/

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas....

2010-12-05T09:23:00.002Z

We had a lovely but exhausting day on Saturday at We Make Christmas at the Chelsea Town Hall - a huge thank you to those that said hello and spent their hard earned pennies! I had to say goodbye to one of my favourite things - my fireman doll - I hope he's happy in his new home!

One of my neighbours was West Country Vintage how gorgeous is this to have next to you - so many things that I loved; Deco nursery clocks along with all the furniture .... love-er-lee!

As ever fab - I heart Heart Zeena. Am waiting for my roll of tape (that you can see on the left) we did a Swap Shop and hugely flattered that Zeena wanted my Teeny Friends tape.

The leathertastic Love From Hetty & Dave who bought one of my new hanging soldier dolls.

Hope & Eden stand was full of things I wanted too - loved the retro style plates especially.

....and here's my offering - my Wizard of Oz trio got a lot of attention so over the moon that they went down well. Mary - you and your team did a fantastic job, it's a such a fab fair and cannot wait till the next one!

We Make London: Christmas Gift Guide:

2010-12-03T23:08:00.000Z

We Make London: Christmas Gift Guide:

Jingle Bells - new work!

2010-12-02T13:27:00.000Z

Countdown

2010-11-25T18:55:00.000Z

Ah - the 25th of November, the day that everyone does the 'oohhh only a month to go' type thing. Well, I am a huge Christmas lover but have never had an Advent calendar so decided that Toby (the boy) should. First stop - T K Maxx (of course) saw some great wooden drawer ones for under £20 and then thought that I really should make one..... hmmmmmm I of course regretted this decision.

For those of you that make Advent calendars and sell them - I salute you - they are a pain to do and so much hard work for the pennies. So let the countdown begin and if you're looking for a sparkly way to start the festive malarky then look no further than We Make Christmas at Chelsea Town Hall on 4th December from the sounds of it I don't think you'll find a more tinsel-town of a fair; 88 tip top designer/artists, craft tables for the teenies, Christmas choir and pantodramarma thoughout - and if you can come (and I don't see why not) then please come and say hello to me I'm right near the mince pies and eggnog!

the only problem is.... we have no where to put it!

They're grrrrrrreat!

2010-11-20T19:51:00.000Z

So, you may remember the bear baby mat that I made a few months ago - well I wittered on about Great Bear Nature Tours then - well I'm sort of about to again. The fab Tom & Marg who run the lodge came over to England this week for some promotional work and Toby and I got to lunch with them (that's another hideous story involving huge fish bones in the kids meal at Porter's in Covent Garden) as a gift I made them the piece of bear art (above). Luckily they love it.
Anyone wanting to see pandas (come on who doesn't?!) the bearific couple will be running a tour in China seeing the cuddly two tones next year - hugely jealous of those that do.

Nobody puts (VUP) baby in the corner....

2010-11-13T11:17:00.000Z

I've recently been working on some exclusive products for the very lovely VUP (very useful products if you were about to ask) baby.

First on the conveyor belt is a gorgeous red and green personalised stocking (ooh) next up is 'a cuddly toy'!

well - it's a personalised sleepy boo gift bag that has a gorgeous sleepy bunny toy, boo boo comforter, muslin with applique initial all bundled in a very useful cotton drawstring bag with the babys initial on - oooohhhhh.
Finally, we have my favourites - a Hey Diddle Diddle blanket and cushion

Put 'em up, put 'em up....

2010-11-08T09:24:00.000Z

The very lovely Dee, who is now my Twitter craft personal trainer, has been encouraging me to make more dolls - I wouldn't dare disobey so I've been working on these 3 fella for a while. Follow that yellow brick road and soon these shall be listed in my shop.

Dizzy Little Kingdom is Dee's sewtastic site.

2010-11-04T22:58:00.000Z

Tobyboo is coming to town....... the tip top, cream of the crop, best of the rest (you get the idea) craft fairs - from We Make is back again for Christmas. Come and sparkle in its winterwonderlandness at Chelsea Town Hall (ooh fancy) on Saturday 4th December. I can't stress just how good We Make London make these shin-digs and am hugely proud to be a part of it.

Expect fun for everyone and heaps to spend your hard earned pennies on. Gifts, decorations, cards and treats - I'd leave your Christmas shopping till then quite frankly. Hands up who's coming?

Say it with roses

2010-11-02T17:17:00.000Z

as for my lovely skirt - Mr Roses the gardener was sent to pass on my huge thanks

Cabbage Patch Kid

2010-10-27T19:17:00.000+01:00

Just over seven years ago I was on the hunt for a Peter Pan collar top - the obsession was huge - I saw Anya in Buffy wear one and I wanted the same top - that's when I first discovered Cabbages and Roses in Wandsworth and my heart skipped. So, just so many things that were in my teeny brain - in the fabric - yes, really there. The home wear is beautiful but the clothes (for me) are to die for - the cuts are amazing and never something that could be repeated on the high street (or in my sewing room) and the fabrics - just stunning.

Today I came home to a lovely, lovely parcel..... a couple of posts ago I rambled about "the skirt" and shock number one was anyone reading it and shock number two was the very gorgeous Cabbages and Roses being early Santa to me and ..... well look!!

I have no idea to thank all the elves at C&R - I want to wear it all day it makes me feel so girlie! Thank you - just thank you xxx

"What are the chances ......"

2010-10-24T22:30:00.000+01:00

The latest Boo blankets in my Etsy shop include this Owl & Pussycat one - it was only when I had taken the photos that I realised who the cat reminded me of............ Mr Harry - there's a Stoofur in that boat!

And now he is 3....

2010-10-18T22:33:00.002+01:00

So, it's the end of Toby's 3rd birthday, the boy had his first taste of birthday hoopla because let's face it the first two years are about 'us'. We were going to go out but a combination of a new Chuggington set and me not feeling up to much meant 'new toy day' and a whole heap of mess.

The day meant that I got to do the whole reminiscing malarky which for the house of Tobyboo is a mixed one. How Toby is here amazes me - he was a 7 year baby quest and 3rd time lucky of IVF and at the final hurdle we almost lost him so to me he will always have a thin layer of bubble wrap until I can manage to pop those bubbles.

I desperately wanted a skirt the other week - a gorgeous £150 Cabbages and Roses skirt that at the time, I knew would make my life better and me happier..... obviously I couldn't afford it and I watch as other women easily with no question can buy it and those that save like mad to get it - but it won't be mine.

I was lucky with my Toby skirt - we worked as hard as we possibly could to get him from acupuncture and no alcohol (even in cooking) to no nail varnish (if any of you have glanced at previous posts you may see just what a deal that was!) anyway... not sure I have a point just the rambles of a mummy looking back - but just because I wanted that skirt nothing gave me the right to have it and I would be lucky to have it. I have lots of friends in the past and now on the baby quest and when you're in it you don't stop and think about why you have the right to have one you just think that they should come to you. My wardrobe is just fine without the skirt now I look at it properly - I have a lovely skirt and another would make it different but not better.

Happy birthday to my Toby who will always be an amazing piece of haute couture that can't be repeated!

Belle & Boo and a tutu

2010-10-17T21:44:00.000+01:00

Just what can you do with a Belle & Boo craft pack? will this do?

Show me, Show me....

2010-10-16T22:45:00.000+01:00

So today Tobyboo's adventure was the NCT Baby and Toddler Show. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from a local event for local people but it had a lovely turn out and I was next to Looby Lous tempting cakes and opposite the ever tempting treats from Belle & Boo.

I sold some wares and bought some - including Belle & Boo's lovely Boo sticker that is now on the side of Tobys toy cupboard and some coconut ice - who could ask for more.

The show also had an appearance from Cbeebies' presenter, Cerrie - seen here doing a Diddi Dance with the boy.

I made for the ocassion, that was sponsored by B&B, a rather lovely skirt using their fabric packs.
Sorry no photo, but I try to avoid any of myself... but it was very gathered and I wore a 50's petticoat underneath it (you get the picture)

Toby did a top job of modelling the sunny yellow teeny friends t-shirt - at some point I shall list so at least you could buy one if you wanted to. So, I came home - tried to tidy the mess in my work room, watched a bit of Strictly then Merlin then made this....

a Toby cake complete with googley eyes all ready for the boys birthday on Monday... is it time for bed yet?

Teeny Friends

2010-10-10T17:22:00.000+01:00

'ere be the first pics of the Teeny Friends boys long sleeve tops. They have hand embroidered bow ties (as Toby is showing off) or Peter Pan collars. I also have in the back of my white van organic short sleeve t-shirts and teeny t shirts for 12 month olds. Hoopla? I hope so!

It's a time for giving.....

2010-10-04T12:13:00.000+01:00

Personally I like to do as Sir Cliff says... you never know what would happen if you didn't - so buy and give! I've got some new Christmas treats this year; personalised Christmas sacks that are hugely cute and have not only the name of the owner but their address too which means when they're older they have a lovely keepsake of their childhood with their first address on! Available from The Little Present Company

For the tiny ones who are showered with first Christmas gifts I have another one to add to the tree - a 1st Christmas rosette, so at least you know they have a prize for something!

And more Stanley stockings include a very sweet candy stripe pump shoe, Angela Lansbury stocking (if you want to know why it's called that go click on my shop over there >

As ever I take on any bizarre commissions to make your Christmas dreams come true.....

Me and my Shadow

2010-09-26T19:47:00.001+01:00

M.I.C.K.E.Y.M.O.U.S.E..... !
So today was Abigail's 3rd and last birthday over here because she will be off to the other side of the world in a couple of weeks time. She had a lovely Disney costume party and was an incredibly cute Mickey Mouse.
I finished Toby's Peter Pan outfit just as we were about to leave when Toby said 'his hat is wrong, his hat is round' the boy wasn't wrong - I had made the hat too long and far too Robin Hood - imagine - Peter Pan looking like Robin Hood, I know shock! So I managed to save it in the knick of time! (I did want to sew a shadow to his feet but someone thought that was taking it a bit far)

and just see how much it made him jump for joy! A Walt day can only mean a Disney look on Etsy .... 'ere be some treats....

Mad Hatter hair clip from Snowclovers

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious cushion from My Shirt Pillow

Pinocchio bag from Noelle Hamlyn

As for our lovely Langley friends who are leaving us for Ramsey Street we will miss Abi's cheeky monkeiness heaps and the chance to see if baby Jack follows in her footsteps..... boo to friends leaving the country - what's that about?!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year......

2010-09-21T17:50:00.001+01:00

Ah, yes.... it might be September but if you're not thinking of what you want in your stocking then how on earth will Santa know what to get you?

I've just put my one of a kind Christmas stockings in my Not On The Highstreet, Giftwrapped and Gorgeous or a couple of my favourites - the Woodland and Sock Puppet (above) in my very own shop and will do bespoke stockings and sacks on request directly.

Make Friends, Make Friends.....

2010-09-18T19:43:00.000+01:00

On the last ramble I went on about Toby's friend Abi who's leaving for Australia (obviously with family, I don't think they have plans to ship her over in a box on her own) - anyway - I wanted to make a leaving present for her and, well, It Started With a Six.....

They met 2 months before Toby was born at our NCT class. NCT wasn't something I wanted to join - one thing I really didn't want was to be trapped into being friends with other women that the only thing you have in common is reproducing. There were 6 of us in total and all mums to be were surprising likable! I wasn't exactly an NCT type (yes, we all know there is one) and so did feel a little bit like hiding under my wheelchair (which I was then in) but its now 3 years on....

We have met every week pretty much without fail and we're now going to be down 2 little ones as Abi has a little brother Jack. We will miss them more than I think they realise and Toby won't know what's hit him when his kissing partner has disappeared.

The picture that I created with the 6 first friends (as now the group has 10 teeny ones) couldn't help me think of longer lengths of paper dolls and hey presto! Tape, tape!! so, managed to do some clicking jiggery pokery and hoopla here it is - Teeny Friends tape!

Teeny Friends tape is now in shop only a click away from you at £6 for a huge 66 metres of the sticky stuff!

Lost Boy

2010-09-14T18:17:00.000+01:00

The latest Tobyboo creation has been for Toby himself. Toby's lovely friend, Abi, is having her 3rd and last birthday in this country (she's off to Australia, but this has lead to an exciting new Boo item but can't say anything yet because it involves Abi's birthday present!) the theme of the party is - Disney.
I was in the Disney Store today and 2 girls (well, women) kept looking at the toys and one kept saying in amazement - "this is Disney!" and to the next toy "this is Disney!" I think she thought she was in Gap or somewhere that she couldn't get over the whole shop was... altogether please DISNEY!

Anyway - back to Toby... was a choice of Mowgli (obviously) but possibly too cold, Peter Pan or Peter pan with fox ears and tail = Robin Hood. I went for Peter Pan as he watched it and became very interested in Tinkerbell.

I've added Tinkerbell sticking out of his pocket - and you can see he's very happy. It's not all finished yet but shall indeed bore you with photos when it is done.

I Just Wanna Be A Winner.....

2010-09-06T17:47:00.000+01:00

A while back I did a giveaway on Twitter for a Sewn Together frame and the marvelous winning entry was this:

Why I need one......

It's been a little while
since I've seen a Tobyboo creation
and to receive one in the mail would fill me with elation.

Its hard to go cold turkey
on a thing that you can't resist
and Tobyboos embroidered gifts really have been missed.

It's my best friends anniversary in September and I'd like to give her something that she really can remember,
and I can't think of anything that I'd rather give her..

So you see that's why I need
a beautiful, amazing Tobyboo
Sewn Together custom piece!

How on earth could that not win?! Along with the Sewn Together I also got commissioned by Marissa to do a piece for a baby boy - luckily I wasn't the only one over the moon with it!

Log bag, dear log bag.....

2010-08-30T21:38:00.000+01:00

You might be paying attention enough to notice that I've been taking new photos of my work - I got my lovely friend (and Lightbox obsessed) Laura in on it too; and one of the photos she took is this of Toby showing the log bag the affection it deserves...... remind you of anything?

Today I shall be wanting this....

2010-08-20T14:35:00.000+01:00

I've seen a knitted fox scarf, I've seen a fake rabbit scarf but I ain't ever seen a rat scarf! This marvelous rodent creation is from With Love From Hetty and Dave and as soon as I save my pennies me wants one... are you listening Zoe - save one rat for me!!!

Hoopla!

2010-08-13T19:29:00.001+01:00

Little Robots

2010-08-12T09:06:00.000+01:00

I've just finished an order for fabstuff4kids - a new, well fab shop for kids! 10 one off retro robots - they won't be anywhere else so if you'd like to give one of these fellas a home then be quick! Will let you know when the site is lauched.

Smarter than the average

2010-08-01T09:22:00.002+01:00

Last week I had a commission that got me sooooo excited - a textured baby mat and the theme was sort of open. Hoorah! My tiny brain got ticking straight away and before I knew it grizzlies, mountains and eagles popped in; not surprising seeing as the second most amazing experience of mine and he who puts up with me was grizzly watching.

We went just before we were about to embark into IVF in 2006, so we were both stressed and worried and yet if anything helped Toby get here it was sitting in a boat for hours watching Freebie (the first grizzly we spotted) graze. We stayed in a floating lodge in the middle of absolute nowhere with 8 others in the Great Bear Rainforest, BC. To get there was an experience in itself - we were in Vancouver and from there flew to Port Hardy on the tip top of Vancouver Island -then, possibly the most hideous bit, sea plane for about an hour to the lodge. Tom and Marg, whose baby it is, are just the most loveliest hosts ever and made us feel like we never wanted to leave.

Our few days were spent mainly in a boat; just us and one of the guides with our eyes wide open desperate to spot some brown fur. Most of the time we got excited over a log..... when we did spot them it was just incredible and we sat literally for hours watching. Our stay was only 3 nights and there were tears when we left - I hope we get to go again but even if we don't we'll never forget a second of it.

I can't think of anyone who wouldn't find it amazing and if you are thinking of doing a grizzly watch then don't even bother to consider anywhere else but Tom & Marg at Great Bear Nature Tours

Oh yes, I was talking about the baby mat wasn't I? Well it's for a baby boy and has got lots of different textures such as soft furry fabrics, raggy bits, suede and corduroy so should keep him amused for a while. The image is a grizzly and eagle with their eyes on a jumping salmon (so that's your land, sea and air carried out!) Jessica, who commissioned it, came up with the genius idea of making a bag for it so you can take it all over the place and makes it even more of an heirloom piece.

I think it's safe to say that this is my favourite piece that I've made (haven't I said that before?!)

Sign your name across my .........

2010-07-28T14:38:00.000+01:00

Just in case you need some inspiration for personalised art here it is...... I do my best to make even the strangest ideas come to life!

Did you ever see such a thing in your life.....

2010-07-18T07:46:00.001+01:00

So, at We Make at Chelsea I managed to buy more than I should have and was after a headband from Love From Hetty & Dave (yes you can read about my faffing on Zoe's blog) but managed to resist spending more on the day.... however - the day after I came up with what I wanted a 3 blind mice one as she does such marvelous mice. I'm over the moon with the end result and is exactly what my small brain visualised. Hoorah!
This is the start of gory nursery rhyme headbands for me, would like to see her do an old man falling down the stairs.....

Why thank you Zoe, you did a tip top job.....even the boy loves it

Hello log lovers wherever you are......

2010-07-11T08:13:00.001+01:00

for all those log lovers out there here's a little something for you.......

a tree-mendous storage bag (ahem, sorry). It's padded so stands on its own and has creepy crawlies and other cute creatures on it. I really love it but am hoping that some one will give it a new home and fill it with something exciting - logs perhaps?

Log storage bag £55 from - well, me

Open All Hours

2010-07-10T10:11:00.000+01:00

Look, no not this way - that way.... > see there... its a shop! Feel free to look, try on and even buy - yes you can buy my work! go spend!

We Make London: A Big Thank You

2010-07-07T18:14:00.000+01:00

We Make London: A Big Thank You

Summer Lovin'

2010-06-26T20:36:00.003+01:00

Today was We Make at Chelsea Town Hall - I had a fab time (despite the heat), for one thing my lovely assistant Viv was so good at being "me" so I could hide some times and I got to meet some tip top people and spend my money on them! Huge kisses go to Love From Hetty and Dave - I wanted so much from them that I then couldn't decide.... our neighbour Lis from Toft Porcelain and all the girlies down our Ramsay Street of a corridor. I got some gorgeous goodies from Belle and Boo and Now, Voyager and so much more I meant to get and then forgot because there was just too much to see.

Here is how I tempted people to my table..... yummmmmy - made by Sally from Sally's Angels just see how happy they made everyone......

Thank you to everyone that said hello and even spent your hard earned cash with me.... it will be wisely spent! Can't wait for the next one.... if they'll have me....

Chelsea Girl

2010-06-20T23:15:00.001+01:00

If any of you haven't already read about this then where did you put your glasses?! The We Make Summer Spectacular Spectacular (so good I've given it spectacular twice) is this Saturday 26th June at Chelsea Town Hall on the very lovely Kings Road.

I shall have tempting treats and goodies and fair prices (I thought all my prices were fair but you know what I mean) Please come and say howdy if you do come I might save a cupcake for you... it's a bargain £2 entrance and am proud to say that the last We Make was the best fair I'd been to let alone be part of and this looks even more hoopla. Summer fun all round - your reason for not coming is.....?

You Can't Touch This

2010-06-18T09:36:00.003+01:00

So, We Make Summer fair is in a weeks time and you would think that for the last month I would be working like a tailor mouse locked in my room - well I sort of was but my head was more pre-occupied with trying to get hold of a bottle of Nouvelle Vague.

For the last 20 years I've had a sad obsession with Chanel nail varnish..... well in all fairness if something is hard to get then I want it (yes, yes I scream and scream until I'm sick I hear you cry) 1984 - I had to have a Cabbage Patch doll even if it meant my parents would be trampled in the stampede. When Chanel launched the very limited edition Rouge Noir with all the hoopla of Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction, the waiting lists, the queues I still managed to get 2 bottles and heaven help the girl who thought she'd do her nails at our flat and so happened to use 'that' varnish grrrrrrrr!!..... Metallic Vamp - tick, Night Sky - tick all the ones I wanted but this year..... ooh this year..... I was 20 minutes too late for my bottle! (if anyone is still reading and keeping up - well done) Ebay bid after Ebay bid finally paid off and the baby got her bottle.

(sorry about the bad cuticles in the photo but I painted my nails 2 days ago and was too lazy to do them again)

If you read the post about Toby and his trains I'm slightly worried that he's going the same way - every now and again he looks at the leaflet with the Thomas trains on pointing and saying 'got', 'got', 'not got - want'. Yes, my poor husband who not only had to put up with all of it but also is missing a shelf in the fridge because its taken up with my tiny bottles of happy. (yes, it makes them last for years and I swear by keeping varnish in the fridge)

I know I'm not alone in this sad addiction so spare a thought for those woman that gaze longingly at the Chanel sample counter it's no different to boys and girls going slightly nuts over balls being kicked around every 4 years......

Underground, Overground

2010-05-28T10:20:00.000+01:00

THE TUBE HAS COME TO CROYDON! For as long as I can remember there has been whispers of the underground coming to this centre of travel, we have trams, we have so many bus stations and stops I've no idea where to get a bus from and we have the one reason people move to Croydon - one hell of a good link to London. But now, oh yes as folklore told - Croydon is on the tube map!

(anyone about to shhhhhuh me and say its NOT the underground its "London Overground" hold your tongue - if it looks like a tube train and goes to tube stations then that's what it is)

So, our first trip for our train obsessed boy? Shorditch High Street to The Museum of Childhood. I haven't been for years and did go a lot at college seeing as nearly everything I made had to have some toy factor in it (where's the fun in jewellery just being shiny, that's pointless!) The place has changes so much and is fantastic, and the shop - the shop, I must have been back 4 times to buy things.

Toby's favourite thing that he wanted to take home was as you walk in - a fantastic chair rainbow installation. (we didn't take it home just in case you wondered)

Me, on the other hand wanted this......

Where did my Strawberry Shortcake and Huckleberry Pie dolls go? Anyone? What else....Oh and the Weeble family, all the Holly Hobbie stuff, nearly all the period clothes display especially the 1970's Mickey Mouse shirt.... oooh and they had the raccoon puppet that I had.... and - and..... I think he enjoyed it as much as me

The Museum of Childhood and all things Tina wants is in Bethal Green.