I saw a little snowdrop a blooming in the snow
I want to share a secret the little flower told
Though winter is still here, he hasn't long to stay
I came across to tell you that spring is on his way

Love in Winter Wonderland

Look what I found out in the snow... I Have been stitching these hearts for Valentines day:

 It snowed a lot last night and it is a Winter Wonderland outside today. On our walk with our newly acquired sledge I saw this bunting, doesn't it look beautiful in the snow? Bunting is fab anywhere, any season I think!

The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. 
You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?
J. B. Priestley 

Cold Frost and a dusting of Snow!

Well real winter has hit the UK, FINALLY! I have been dreaming of playing in the snow and then coming in to thaw out and drink warm tea in my thick woollen socks and sheepskin slippers!

We made this Snow Lady today, with four arms, naturally. 

...And in the spirit of onesheepishgirl.blogspot.co.uk who takes the most amazing photo stills of her work, plans and dreams, here some pics of my winter essentials for snow rambles:   

                   
                           My big well loved bag for all mine and my little boy's clobber!

My mum's home knitted mittens, an old blanket I felted by mistake and use as a massive shawl, and a wool beret to pull over my ears...Ahh, the simple things...

Out this morning watching the ducks skating on the ice. I don't think poor British Ducks knew what had hit them. They were probably wishing they had migrated south after all instead of waiting for their daily dose of tummy-swelling Kingsmill/Hovis sliced white bread!

On the crafting front, a little winter climbing gnome I made. His name is Sir Stilton Mildew...

...Otherwise I am getting into the Valentine spirit making Heart and love themed things for my Etsy Shop yojocreations.etsy.com 

                               "Heart to Heart though miles apart,
                                 my love to you shall never depart."...[anon]

stitching for orders...

Hello!
I have been busy stitching to complete an order for a bird mobil for a baby boy which is now ready for posting to the USA! Here are some snaps of it: 

Normally I only make Bird Mobiles, but I have been experimenting with some funky felt fish suspended on a string with sparkly glass beads to represent bubbles, for lovers of sea creatures! Take a look:

Other than that, we have finally had sunshine so my little boy and I have been out rambling through the parks of Sheffield as much as possible and hoping for some SNOW!!!!
O, and random quote for the day, to celebrate my fishy creation:
A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle. 
Gloria Steinem 

                      Happy New Year. 

May 2013 bring you inspiration, creative energy and passion for all that you do! 

A Visual intro to my craft work

So, as an intro to me and my work, here are some things I've made:

These are little 10 inch wood wire dolls house dolls which children love to play with. I bought the bases from myriadonline.co.uk and then crocheted their clothes out of 100% wool yarn and made them little mohair wigs and painted their little faces.

 Some more dolls...

Felt mobiles hand stitched out of 100% wool felt stuffed with 100% wool fleece, suspended from a string with some felt balls, then attached to a wooden hoop. Popular for hanging over a baby's cot or suspended from the ceiling to catch the little ones eyes with it's bright colours.

More mobiles...

                                            My little dolls in their wooden display shelf!

Another doll, this one a 15 cm one, next to a felt ball I the size of a tennis ball I made,  which babies love to play with as they are soft to the touch... 

 

A flying art doll inspired by aerial circus performers. She is approx 15 cm and has a wooden heart hanging from her neck.

And finally, the little cardigan I crocheted for my friend's baby. 
So, there you are, a little visual introduction to my craft work! Enjoy.

Thought for today: 

Do not think of your faults, still less of other's faults; look for what is good and strong, and try to imitate it. Your faults will drop off, like dead leaves, when their time comes. 
John Ruskin 

Ready, Steady, Go!

Ready, Steady, Go!

Hello,and welcome to my brand new blog!

And what better time than to start a new blog than just a few days before the start of 2013: We're still here, the world hasn't ended so there is still time to make stuff!

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It is one of those quintessentially English December days: cold, wet, grey and nostalgic. Although it is already noon,  the light still seems dim, as if the sun hasn't managed to drag itself up. My Son is tucked up and sleeping in his bed for his midday nap. 

I have been meaning to start blogging for a few months. Now that Winter is well and truly here and the nights are long it is the perfect time to spend cosy afternoons making, mending, playing with colourful things to fend off the winter blues...and to start a blog. About what??? About life...and...crafting amongst other things. Since having my baby boy in August 2010 I have been experimenting and scheming and dabbling in various different crafts. At the moment I especially love making hanging mobiles for babies, and crocheting clothes for little dolls house dolls.

My new years resolution is to make more things to sell as I have been encouraged by some pre-Christmas sales on Etsy (Visit my shop yojocreations on etsy.com). But my resolution is also to stay inspired by all the colour that life around has to offer.

As I was talking about winter gloom, to cheer up, a quote from John Ruskin: 

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather. 
John Ruskin