Cupcakes for Clara

Hmmm...

I'm not doing too well at this blog updating business this year. Everything just gets so busy at the moment that the days become weeks and before you know it all I can manage is my day job making puppets. We're working on a big film and it's taking up a lot of my creative energy. Some days I'm completely asleep before 9pm.

Please accept my apologies for those who are missing their daily dose of Clara and Macy. Believe me, Clara is NOT happy about it! So not happy in fact that she forced me to sit down and pay her some attention. And so she began to spin...

It's just sketching at the moment, but words will intertwine with the picture soon. And maybe a starting point for a new series of cards?

And just so we don't leave Macy out, here she is dressed up as the most Easterly point in Australia.

I made her for Tom for Christmas. The most Easterly point is where we got engaged, and it is a very special place in our hearts.

And look at this cute fabric...

If I can ever get the cogs of my brain to start working (maybe they need a little grease?), I'll be incorporating these lovely materials in some new products. I think Clara may bagsie the 'Sugar Attracts Ants' for her bedroom curtains or maybe a duvet cover.

Got there in the end

Well now... Happy New Year!

Sorry it's been so long since we last spoke. If I may suggest, cast your minds back to this post in which I was hoping for the 30 hour day to have been developed by 2008. Not so. It didn't happen. Nothing. Not even one measly extra hour. And so I'm as busy as ever and behind in almost everything! (huge apologies to e-mailers who have yet to receive a reply from me - sorry!)

However, I did have the most wonderful Christmas and New Year celebrations - very family orientated with lots of silly game playing, film watching and yummy food eating. Oh yes, it really was much fun.

But, how are you all? I had visions of people wondering what might have happened to me, wondering whether to send a 'When Harry Met Sally' style e-mail...

Please let us know if you are okay, are you -
A) Fed up of your blog and feeling very sorry for yourself?
B) Actually desperate to make contact but cannot turn your computer on because you have both of your arms
in plaster?
C) Fed up of your blog but in desperate need of assistance because you're trapped under something heavy?
D) Trapped under something heavy, still loving your blog, but dressed up as a pig and so wish to avoid the embarrassment of someone coming to rescue you?

... but it's okay. Actually it's E) my camera has broken, and I feel my blog will be dull with no pictures to add, I've been working non-stop since the start of the year at my 'day job', and I've had flu - but not whilst trapped under something heavy.

And I forgot to tell you... I'm published! In an actual book, available to purchase in actual book stores. It's very exciting! I was asked way back last summer to contribute to a lovely book called Making Stuff for Kids by Victoria Woodcock, and of course I obliged. And so if you choose to purchase this fine book, you can learn how to make not one but three Cupcakes for Clara goodies. Cute little gift tags, an apron, and a little fattie soft bear.

You can make this little guy!

So hurry out and buy your copy!

Well, I'm off to look for a new digital camera - I'd quite like a sony, my old one lasted five years - does anyone have any suggestions? (And then I can show you more pictures from the book.)

Happy January, hope all the rain isn't making you too sad. If it is - curl up and read a book, watch a Fred and Ginger movie, have a hot cocoa, and stitch your own little fattie bear!

Oh yes, Oh yes!

Christmas is here...

In only three more sleeps! That's how things work in my family - in sleeps not days, it's far more exciting.

So, we've trimmed the tree, baked cupcakes, wrapped gifts, been to a wonderful Christmas concert, made eggnog, decorated our entire house, listened to almost all of our 30 or so Christmas CDs, watched a lot of holiday films, borrowed my little brother and sisters for an evening of fun, braved the huge business of the supermarket on the final weekend before the big day, and become so unbelievably giddy you really wouldn't think that we were grown-ups.

We love Christmas!

A bundle of photographs...

... A bundle of joy.

for tomorrow...

my dear Tom... Happy Birthday!

I love you my sweet boy x

no longer a miss...

Well everything fell into place. And it was marvellous. Wonderful. Beautiful. Amazing. Absolutely perfect.

Don't you think?

Moosey thought so!

Proper photos are on their way I promise! Everything was so wonderful, I'm not sure how to describe it without waffling on for fifty pages. A lot went wrong, but even more went right. And the wrongs didn't matter because everything else was so wonderful. I am now a Mrs.

More info on its way... as soon as my little brain has processed it all.

P.S. Look at what I've been making in my non-wedding time...

Look who we found...

... hiding under Clara'a arm -

MOOSEY!

We're not sure where she came from, but we're guessing that Clara made her. Although Clara insists that Moosey is not a bit like her twin sister Macy, it could be argued that she is...

Moosey has even had her clothes patched up with the same fabric as Clara's own clothes, and now Clara doesn't seem to be without her - although not in front of Macy. Oh no, that would never do!

So it seems that maybe Clara does love Macy after all - she just doesn't want Macy to know that! And maybe she even loves me, because Clara has very kindly given Moosey to me to borrow for the weekend as a bit of good luck. This weekend I'm getting married! Oh my goodness, I am so giddy it is untrue. I have literally been jumping around the house for the past few days with excitement, and also (slightly shamefully) getting upset over cakes, and make up. It's amazing what emotions a wedding can bring out in a person.

And here's a little concern... on tuesday I went to buy a lipstick. I don't normally wear lipstick but thought I should get something to wear for the wedding. And so there I was very quietly and calmly browsing through the unknown territory of lipstick, doing fairly well until...

... a make up counter assistant came over and offered her advice. Well, to cut the story short, two days later I still have a hideous dark pink streak on my hand where she tested the 'perfect' lipstick. Oh it's brilliant, she said - will stay on for 12 hours. Just right for a wedding. Hmmph. I don't think so... it won't come off! I've tried everything! Ah well, at least she didn't test it on my lips!

So, I'm off... to get married here. And I'll be back in a week or so, no longer Miss Fairbrother but Mrs Clempson. Wish me luck! And have a little giggle at this by Molly Chicken.

Au revoir mes amis x x

Just a little reminder...

that if you would like anything from this wonderfully sweet establishment to arrive in time for christmas, please may you order by the end of tomorrow. Things may be a teensy bit delayed because I'm getting married in one week, and then I'll be away for a week. But I'll keep in touch and get as much sent outover the next few days as possible.

And as Clara reminded me, 'Weddings are far more important than christmas puddings, unless the pudding is actually for Clara, and then it is far more important than anything!'

Thank you so much x

And the winner is... (part two)

The illusive C... no name just C!

Well C, you have won yourself a lovely fattie christmas pudding. I used a random number generator so no fixing could be done.

Thank you so much to everyone who entered, and I'm sorry that I can't give each and every one of you your own pudding. But you can purchase one from this lovely establishment!