Cushions by Tanya Williamson

Bassett dog cushion and fish cushion by Tanya Williamson. Knitted bunny by Sue Inglis.

Golden retriever cushion by Tanya Williamson with teapot by Justine Jenner

 Handmade Happiness has lots more cushions after a visit from Tanya Williamson. These clever applique cushions are always popular and make a great present.

I am thinking wedding thoughts again. My youngest has just announced her engagement. Congratulations to Sophie and Owain! Her taste is different to her sister's so decorations will be different. 

I'd also like to shed a few pounds before those wedding photos! A daily walk round the lake is helping as is an awareness of what I'm eating. A friend pointed out a very good article about weight loss saying basically we all know the theory. You just have to decide to lose a pound a week and when that doesn't happen try much harder the next week until you reach your goal. No fads, no do's and don'ts just do it! Easy eh?! 

First doll for baby

Doll made by Jenny Stacy for her grandaughter

I gave Juno this doll yesterday and she promptly threw it over her shoulder. Throwing is the new game. She hasn't time for her doll right now. But I like to think she'll enjoy discovering it later.

 Her mother liked smoothing a piece of satin so this doll has a satin ribbon loop. There are pompoms to twiddle and velvet armbands to feel. The doll has a hand-knitted top with suffolk puff sewn on for more texture and her skirt is made of soft brushed cotton. I enjoyed making her and I might make a few more 'comfort dolls' for the shop.

It's my birthday....!

Aren't I lucky to have been born in April? The sun is shining, the blossom is on the trees and the cygnets on the lake are losing their grey plumage and becoming beautiful swans.
I took these pictures when out on a walk on Monday.

I have been looking at old diaries and thinking about how I nearly moved to Horsham or Emsworth. I put offers on houses in both those places but fate eventually brought me here to Petersfield. And I love this place. 

I am also very lucky to have found my shop when I did. It became available just when I was told that the shop I worked for, Tricot Too in Dragon Street was closing.

My daughters and baby grandaughter are visiting the shop today. I am in the middle of making a big rag doll for baby Juno. It won't be finished today but when it is I'll make sure I show you pictures of it on this blog. 

Justine Jenner, ceramics

Love the marks of the potter's hands on these jugs and mugs by Justine Jenner

Justine Jenner's jugs and mugs on display with paintings by Christine Burgess and engraved cutlery by Kirstie Turner

Local potter, Justine Jenner makes teapots, cups and saucers, mugs, jugs and plates all in shades of white and grey. The glazes are subtly speckled. The design is strong, simple, good taste.

I try not to buy from Handmade Happiness, wanting the maximum range to be seen by the customer, but I have bought two of Justine's mugs (£15 each) and (for Christmas presents) two of Christine Burgess' paintings. I can imagine being unable to resist one of these jugs (£18) for long.

Yesterday a customer 'fell in love with' two of Christine Burgess' paintings and unable to decide between them she bought both.  That was in the morning before the film crew for 'The Best British Potter' arrived.

This new programme, scheduled to go out in the autumn, is being made by the team responsible for The Great British Bake Off and The Great British Sewing Bee.

One of the contestants, who lives in London, is an interior designer. Her hobby is making pots for friends and family. She was filmed in Tara's shop next door talking fabrics. I can't wait to see the programme. 

As the crew were packing up I approached them with a Handmade Happiness business card. If the programme has a second series I think they may well be interested in some of the potters whose work can be seen in Handmade Happiness!

Back to my roots

When you're creative you make rather than buy. A friend is re-upholstering her settee and I know the result will look professional. My daughter has just made cushions to sit in some old dining chairs. Another friend who visits the shop regularly often says,'When I see something I really like, I tell myself, if I really want it I'll make it.' Know the feeling?

I've just finished reading Patrick Gale's new book,'A Place called Winter'.  It's about some of those hardy souls that left Britain to break new ground (literally) in Canada. All their powers of ingenuity and creativity were put to the test as they built their own homes, grew crops and faced the challenge of cooking something edible with very few ingredients. You traded with your neighbours. People helped one another. You were a long way from a shop and when you did make the journey to the nearest town you bought the very basics needed for survival. You toiled all day in the field and collapsed exhausted into bed at night.

We've come a long way since then. And so much is done for us by other people.But I think many of us feel a pull to be more self-reliant. To grow food, to make things instead of buy them. To try to make our lives more simple and satisfying.

Politicians don't seem to understand that. To win my vote they would have to operate the KISS principal - Keep It Simple Stupid !! Your past achievements don't impress me and your fancy words don't either. Just lay out an achievable plan - not too idealistic - that we can all understand and believe is possible. And don't forget your pioneer roots.

Happy Easter!

Handmade Happiness - part of the Easter window

The knitting is growing...

 Happy Easter holidays! The leaves on the twisted hazel in the window are unfurling and the daffodil buds are opening. Sue Inglis, who makes the knitted decorations seen above has made some Easter gift wrap. Also pictured are one of Kate Hackett's colourful plates, a duck cushion by Tanya Williamson and Christine Burgess' atmospheric painting.

When in London I did actually buy some Rowan's denim yarn I spoke about earlier. The yarn is designed to fade, like denim, when washed. The two knitted sections on the left are knitted with this yarn. Maybe the navy is too much of a contrast. But once this thin bit of knitting becomes a throw(!) and the navy pieces are dotted around I think it will look ok.

I intended to take pictures when in London but stupidly left my camera battery charging at home. Then worried all day that the house might catch fire. Such is my vague grasp of the risks of modern technology. 

Handmade Happiness was very busy yesterday and I expect it will be today. Younger daughter is staying tonight so I must go and make up a bed for her before going to the shop. 

Knitting blues

Playing with stitches, knitting and crochet but always blue

Thinking about denim and all the shades of navy through to palest blue gives a discipline to this wild type of knitting. It's never boring because you can experiment with new stitches or different textures. It will hopefully still look ok because it's all blue. As usual my photograph is lighter than the actual knitting.

I collect yarn usually of the 'odd ball' type in wire bins in shops which are half price. I've got a tremendous variety. Ideally I'd buy that denim yarn from Rowan that is designed to fade when washed but I'm not sure they manufacture it any more. Today I'm meeting my daughter and grandaughter in London for a wander round the shops and I hope to pick up some more yarn from John Lewis. And I'll also take some pictures for this blog.

When I look at this picture the dropped stitch glares out as if it had flashing lights around it. I'll stitch it in later so hopefully it won't show!

In the boxes this week...

In the Easter window this week. See below for details

 From the top, left to right: Origami star card by Sue Inglis 1.95; ceramic heart by Kate Hackett 3.00; textile bracelet by Jenny Stacy 15.00;

Porcelain blue decorated bowl with spoon by Ali Cooper 24.00; daffodil jug £18 and two mugs below 16.00 all by Kate Hackett; moonstone silver ring 58.00 by Kirstie Turner; silver locket on chain 50.00 by Emily Watson;

 Fox coaster by Jacqui Watkins 4.00; crochet bluetit 29.00 by Michelle Green; hand knitted socks 25.00 by Carol Keats and mini wheelscope kaleidoscope 88.00 by Frank Higgins.

London Sunday

Chocolate strawberries in Selfridges. £10 a cone.

At the Country Living show. The woman is giving a talk on keeping chickens.

The Heals stand - starting a trend for bright cushions?

Beautiful fabric through the window at Annie's costume company.

In Loop. I love these little knitted guys. Think Laura Long designed them.

Inside Loop

Julie Arkell's quirky doll. I bought one of her books at Loop.

Glad I visited the Country Living show yesterday. A proper day out.

So refreshing to tramp the streets of London again and get ideas and see fresh sights and talk to interesting strangers! 

Gertie Strahl makes delicate patchwork, crochet and embroidered pieces using ancient fine fabrics. www.treutmade.com  Her stand at Country Living stood out for me. She'd made everything herself. I can imagine her work in Libertys.

I was also smitten with the feminine greetings cards by www.somethingforthegirls.com  My daughter has given me these cards - delicate kitten heeled shoes embellished with dots of glitter or ballet shoes and tutus lightly glittered. So pretty.

I spoke with two companies whose work I'd like to stock in Handmade Happiness. More of these later!

In Camden Passage lives Loop, the brilliant knitting shop owned by book author Susan Cropper.  Julie Arkell gives workshops at Loop. I've long wanted to have a go at papier mache, with jewellery in mind. Yesterday I couldn't resist buying one of Julie's books picturing lots of her quirky animal figures.

Thought for the day: Using really fine yarn to knit or crochet with makes items look more appealing, more clever and more expensive!!

Seascapes and lino cuts by Christine Burgess

'Breeze' by Christine Burgess. Love this painting.

'Dunes' by Christine Burgess

'Wild Woods II' by Christine Burgess

Lino cut card by Christine Burgess

'Dandelion' lino cut card by Christine Burgess

When I started Handmade Happiness I already had a nucleus of makers, old friends, whose work I wanted to sell. One of these is Christine Burgess. I have known her for many years and Christine constantly impresses me. Everything she does turns out well.

She ran a successful childrens' craft shop called Crocodile Crafts in Chichester. She turned her attention to wood turning and produced the most beautiful bread boards and wood serving boards. Her lino cuts are sophisticated and popular and now, her amazing acrylic paintings usually featuring the sea and cloudy skies just blow me away.

These three paintings pictured above are her latest work, delivered to Handmade Happiness this week. Now is the time to invest in Christine Burgess. I have a strong feeling her work will be very collectable in the near future. 

New ceramics at Handmade Happiness

Bowl and teapot by Justine Jenner

Coffee cup and saucer, two dessert cups on tray and mug by Justine Jenner with cushions by Kate Box

This week Justine Jenner brought in her ceramics. I love these grey, contemporary pieces. Just simple, good design and beautifully handmade. Justine's work is totally different from any other ceramics stocked by Handmade Happiness. They are a welcome addition.

New paintings by Christine Burgess

Three seascapes by Christine Burgess. New ceramics below by Kate Hackett.

Lemonade by Christine Burgess

A beautiful painting by Christine Burgess.

I had two 'Wow' moments this week. The first when Pam Dew bought in her stunning new quilt (see post below) and the second when Christine Burgess bought in her new paintings on Friday. 
I am immensely proud to display these two peoples' work on the walls of Handmade Happiness. I think you will agree that their work is first class. Displaying these pieces in Handmade Happiness creates a special atmosphere and makes the shop even more of a pleasure to visit. 

Pam Dew's stunning new Quilt

It's immensely colourful and really big. I love it. Quilt by Pam Dew.

Pam Dew's new quilt is a magnificent piece of art. It would say welcome in a big office foyer. It would cover a whole wall in a cosy cottage. I just can't imagine it across a bed. Far too special for that!

Celebrating Spring at Handmade Happiness

Kate Hackett's spring flower decorated ceramics. Mugs £16; jugs and plates £18.

Easter tree by Sue Inglis. Chicks, bunnies and sheep £5.95 each. Pom-poms 50p 

Today Christine Burgess is delivering her latest paintings. I can't wait to see what they are like! 
Today also marks the start of the Contemporary Textiles show at Landmark Arts in Teddington. The preview is tonight. I hope to get there on Sunday. Younger daughter is staying tonight which will be lovely.

Keep the creative flame burning

Some of Alison Crosthwaite's gloriously dyed velvet

When was the last time you were truly creative? When you drew/designed a new making project that was unlike anything anyone had done before? Some people are naturally creative and have ideas flashing into their brains night and day. Others have to work harder at it. But I believe all of us are born creative if we only allow ourselves to be so.

Last September was when I was last truly creative. I made lots of medal brooches each entirely individual and I was pleased to come up with something that looked so different.

Today I was looking at one of my 'design notebooks' and I was amazed at how every day it seemed I jotted down new things to make. Most of them never got made. But my notebooks remain a rich source of inspiration.

Right now I want to make some original necklaces. I've made lots of jewellery in the past:  conventional jewellery, painted bead and modelled bead jewellery and textile jewellery. It's time I focussed on it again. 

Few things in life are more exciting than the thrill of making something you've thought through for yourself. Techniques can be learnt from library books or the internet.  Ideas and the special way you use them pop into your head and will help you produce something different that is uniquely 'you'.

Stars and daffodils

Origami star garlands made by Sue Inglis. £7.99 each.

Spring daffodils in the window in front of Tanya Williamson's popular cushions. £48 each.

I've just managed to burn an egg. One day I caused an egg to explode and litter the kitchen with tiny bits of egg shell.  I set an egg on to boil and then forget it. I get distracted by a phone call or immersed in a bit of research on the computer. And egg explodes!

That is what has happened with my blog this month. I have been distracted by other things and the blog has suffered.  My poor mum, who some of you will know, suffers from dementia, has had a tough month. After lots of discussion we are moving her to another care home where I am hoping, she will be a lot happier and soon I will be able to focus on other things, like this blog!

Unravel at Farnham - impressions

Great display for small needlefelted creatures by Jenny Barnett

Hooked items in kit form.www.hookedbydesign.co.uk

I still love Fairisle knitting.

Yarns dyed with natural dyes have this soft, pretty look.

Yesterday my friend Chrissy looked after Handmade Happiness so I could go to Unravel at Farnham Maltings. It's also on today and tomorrow if you live nearby.

You have to love yarn to enjoy this show. Nearly every stall has banked skeins of yarn in billions of tempting colours. 

I've tried stocking skeins of yarn. They look great. The problem is a) the customer has to wind it into a ball herself and b) many skeins are not standard 50gm or 100 gm weight like ordinary balls of yarn which makes it difficult to work out what a skein will make or how to use skeins in a conventional knitting pattern. They are extremely decorative though.

 What stood out for me was the unusual hooked pieces shown above. Like rag rugging in miniature. It looked a fun thing to try. The made up pieces are examples of what the kits look like. I asked about selling the samples in my shop but understandably, this is not an option. 
I found angora yarn on another stall, unbelievably soft and look forward to knitting with some of this.  www.bigwigsangora.co.uk 

Jenny Barnett's imaginative stall showing her needlefelted animals was interesting. Jenny holds needlefelting classes.  www.jennybarnett.co.uk

The natural dyed yarn shown above translates into the most gorgeously coloured crochet throws, just visible on the left of the picture. Again I asked if HH could sell those but again they are really just samples of what the yarn can do. Patterns for the throws are available.
www.thenaturaldyestudio.com

Teddies, bare brooches and knitting

New handmade teddy by Lindsey Agostinelli with fish cushion by Tanya Williamson

Another teddy by Lindsey Agostinelli

Grey baby top with cashmere £29

Carol Smith's amazing stitched people brooches £19.50 each.

Love this new card knitted  by Sue Inglis.£4

Yesterday I cut out dozens of felt Easter bunnies for an instead-of-chocolate little Easter present. It feels good to sit at my worktable and make stuff instead of getting the counter cluttered with bits of materials, threads and torn paper.

I must have one of the nicest jobs in the world and I do feel lucky.

New scarves and how to make pom poms

Soft and warm silk mohair scarves knitted by Gill Martin £24

Deep pink mohair silk scarf knitted by Gill Martin £24

Knitted bunting by Sue Inglis £20. See instructions to make pom pom flowers below.

These pom pom flowers are quick and easy to make.

 First get a pack of tissue - this is from Rowswell's for 70p. Tesco stock similar. Open out the tissue and cut it in half across. You'll have two multi-layered rectangles. 

Take one stack and starting at a short end fold it in by about 3 cms/ just over an inch. Turn over and fold again on top of the previous fold, concertina style. Turn over, fold and carry on until you've used up all the tissue and have a ruler shaped pile of pleats.

 Fold this in half, lengthwise, open out again and tie a piece of strong thread round the middle crease leaving two long tails of thread and knotting it several times tightly.

Now cut each end into a point with scissors.

Carefully pull one layer of tissue out without tearing it, pull another layer out and carry on until you have made a ball, and there are no more layers left to separate.   

Using your thread ends tie somewhere high as Carnival style decorations. I used gold tissue at Christmas and pastels would be pretty for a spring wedding tied together in big bunches.