Dog Stars & Crafty Foxes

Last weekend I went along to the Dogstar, a big old pub in Brixton which had opened it's doors to The Crafty Fox Spring Market. If it rings a bell it might be because I raved about their winter one last year. And, just like the Christmas one, it didn't disappoint.

On the Saturday I had company whilst perusing the varied stalls full of beautiful badges and necklaces, awesome cushions and cards, fun plushies and soft toys, not to mention all the wonderfully crafted coasters, clothing, bags, tea-towels, notebooks, ceramics and prints. I knew my sister would love it and she did! Animals were a big theme throughout the market, Katie was drawn to Stacie Swift's excellent illustrations whereas I particularly loved the cushions at Butterscotch & Beesting however I couldn't afford her circus flag cushions so opted for a little zip-up purse in the same fabric, I love it v.much. Other highlights included: Alice Potter's pretty patterns, handmade books by Maudie Made, the witty illustrations of Jimbobart and the bannoffee cupcakes from The Teas Knees. To finish off the Saturday I also learnt how to knit :D! The lovely people on the top floor of the pub were offering free knitting and crochet workshops. A very patient lady managed to teach three of us first time knitters how to cast on! Knitting is completely addictive and I am huuugely tempted to invest in some knitting needles come payday!

Stacie Swift's illustration

cupcake (with chocolate flake!) from the Tea's Knees and my purchase from Butterscotch & Beesting

Katie (red) knitting in progress

my (yellow) knitting

On Sunday, I returned on my lonesome to the Dogstar with the sole aim to print my own design on a tote bag. Because, yes, that's what the Crafty Fox was offering for a mere £5. Thanks to the cheery Mr Wingate that was the best fiver I've spent in a long time. And don't worry if you missed it - he does screen printing workshops at his studio in east London! Before exiting I couldn't resist this delightful print by Sam Blown or a vanilla cream cupcake from Relay Tea. All in all I had a completely fabulous weekend, and the weather wasn't bad either!

my tote bag screen print

Sam Blown illustration

Olympia calling: Stitch & Craft

Last weekend Kensington Olympia hosted Stitch & Craft, a four day event aimed at knitters, quilters, cross stitchers and paper-craft persons. The main port of call was, of course, the quilting section which if it wasn't for 'A Gift of Quilts' display, was rather small. Thankfully the 400+ quilts for the display did not disappoint. The quilts were made by individuals and quilting groups across the country in aid of the London 2012 Games whereby the quilts are being given as gifts, one for each of the country taking part in the Olympics and Paralympics. Some of my favs below:

Detail from Suzanne Foster's quilt - she's used fabrics from the V&A shop which are absolutely beautiful 

This quilt by Hilary Sherratt really stood out from the others - I love how different it is

A bit more traditional but tres jolie, made by the Baker Street Babes

Very busy but super pretty quilt made with Liberty Print fabrics, submitted by the Ouse Valley Quilters Evening Group.

Detail of the Ouse Valley quilt

Also on show at Stitch & Craft - the knitted village (which was exactly what it sounds like).

Other highlights included: the knitted dogs (and cats) by Best in Show authors Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne, Big Knitting with Ingrid Wagner and Linzi Upton's quilted yurt!

Some things that completely baffled me: catering staff (loudly) bitching about and even berating customers, not enough seating (I guess this is always the way at these events) and lastly, on the bottom floor where the paper craft section was, a woman was giving a demonstration to promote a book on...how to doodle. Seriously. This woman was actually showing people how to draw repetitiously - lines, circles etc - in order to create a pattern stating "no artistic talent is needed for this I promise you". She was basically drawing what you'd doodle in the margins of exercise books or what I draw whilst I'm on the phone. I don't normally rant on here but this was simply ridiculous. To make it worse, there is some woman out there who's making money from selling these books about how to doodle! Doodling is a completely spontaneous action and the thought of buying a book to show you HOW to achieve it is just insane. *rant over* (sorry about that)

Round up:  Stitch & Craft as a show was alright but kinda small, it's no Knitting & Stitching at the Ally Pally. One thing I almost forgot, whilst taking a breather from wondering around and enjoying a cup of tea, a lady approached us from a tv production company, the very same company that brought us The Great British Bake Off. Turns out they're making a sewing themed show too...

a whole year later!

Today is Beard Today Gone Tomorrow's 1 year anniversary! 

It's funny to think that this all started a whole year ago back when I was a data monkey (updating that lovely database) and completely bored out of my mind. However, if it hadn't been for that loathsome database I probably would never started the blog in the first place!

A lot has happened in the last year and for the for most part it's been bloody great. Aside from some v.awesome life changes (the new job & moving to brixton) there's been plenty of other stuff going on...

I catered for my sister's film shoot; watched international roller derby; met a famous film star; discovered the need (& want) to take more photographs; enjoyed a film screening in the open air; attended a beautiful wedding in the woods (and one by the sea); saw and danced to a host of artists and bands in Victoria Park; played and won at musical bingo; got hooked on an awesome comic; had a good wander around east Berlin; learned A LOT about quilting and re-affirmed my love of dinosaurs in costume form!

So here's to another year of Beard Today Gone Tomorrow - with more posts, pics, updates and perhaps a makeover...

the blog that is, not the beard :)

Tuesday's Tees - Ohh Deer

So this week's Tuesday's Tees is all about the awesome website OhhDeer.com. It's home to bunch a creative individuals who've got together to make lovely products featuring fun and excellent illustrations. They're soon to launch a series of notebooks based on the theme of 'stuck on repeat' (as a huge fun of repetition - artistically & musically - I want one muchly) but currently available in their shop are cards, prints, magazines and, you guessed it, TEES!

Although you can buy their t-shirts as stand alone purchases they also offer something a little more long term for all us t-shirt junkies...the t-shirt club.

For £15 a month (including p&p) subscribers receive a new tee every month designed by one of Ohh Deer's contributing artists. Sounds good eh? A tee subscription - it totally blows my mind :)

Making & Baking - mother's day weekend

(finished muffins, patchwork fabric card I made for my mum, baked treats, mum and nana, enjoying my scone with clotted cream and jam)

Mooma, Mutti, Mama - whatever you call your mum, Mother's Day is a good excuse for the family to get together and, invariably, eat nice things including, if you're anything like my family, numerous types of home made baked goods!

This year the gathering took place at my auntie and uncle's place in the New Forest, Hampshire. My auntie made an a-mazing lunch - chicken pie (with v.tasty pastry), butternut squash, mash and green veg. 

For afters we were spoilt for choice: Scones (made by my mum), Coffee Cake (courtesy of my auntie) AND...earl grey mini muffins baked by me!

The recipe for the muffins can be found here.

I think it says to use muffin cases however my local supermarkets didn't have any so I just used cupcake cases which meant I ended up with a batch of 21. I also decorated some with a dash of lemon icing (icing sugar and a few drops of lemon juice) and some with a little bit of lemon drizzle (mixing caster sugar and lemon juice) just to make sure that the muffins weren't too dry. 

They are perfect with a lovely cuppa.