Getting crafty...

One of my dollies was donated to iwalkforwater.ca to be auctioned off at a fundraising function to raise money. He was shipped today and nearly went without business cards!

I am currently changing my artwork and my business cards hadn't arrived yet so I got crafty last night and made some!

My parents and my sister arrive on Friday which means things may slow down but I am working on so many projects at the moment that I may not have time for my family... Oh dear, maybe I should give them the kids full time?

Euro Week - March 21-27

Good morning!
As some of you may know, starting tomorrow, March 21 (first day of Spring in Italy!) until March 27 is EURO WEEK.

To celebrate Euro Week a lot of european etsians are having sales in their stores. I have decided to offer free standard shipping worldwide!

Should you want one of my monster plush, now is the tme to buy....coupon code is ETSYEURO when you get to checkout.

HAPPY SPRING EVERYBODY!!!!!

Loving all the Etsy treasuries...

'little animals' by shibuimosaic

UPCYCOOLS - Handmad... LaKrimeCreatio... $24.00	Robin Brooch-purple... Minibonbons $13.00	Pouch, Pencil case ... Tokyoinspired $17.50	Hand crocheted with... GufoLab $12.00
hug me/ original no... luciasalemi $30.00	Marysol Paciock $10.00	One-Of-A-Kind Rib-T... lorinichols $54.00	SALE Large real bu... sweetbestiary $12.00
SET OF 8 fish-butto... maryblu77 $4.00	Mostrillo with blue... Giorgiatzeni $25.00	Crocheted Baby Ratt... HelloKia $38.00	PopMat Paper Placem... PubliqueShop $25.00
SKIPPER - The Robot... reclaim2fame $229.00	fresh fish pillow d... mck254 $75.00	Hand Screen Printed... robinandmould $31.00	Sigmund Sea fruu $32.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

silly sick season...

yep, it's that time of the year. Leo and I are both sick with sore throats and on ice cream only diets whilst in bed together with our respective notebooks, he's playing racing games (most annoying niose) and I am searching ebay for vintage slips to transform into pretty summer dresses.

I started my monster plush on Friday and still have to finish them....let's hope I feel better tomorrow!!

I'm back!!

What a year! So many wonderful visitors including family, friends and new acquaintances.

I have now started sewing again and not only......I have some new projects on board which have taken me forever to organise so hopefully I can keep myself focused before the Australians get here at the end of March....oh lordy, lordy....I still haven't manged to get off the extra kilos from their last visit!!

Stay tuned...I WILL be back!

Saffron

Here she is....finally found her amongst things I had to finish!

And just when we thought it was over....

...the Chicken Pox has reared it's ugly head a third and fourth time!!

What a lovely wake up call, within 5 minutes of discovering that my son has contracted Chicken Pox, I receive a phone call from my Mum to confirm that my father has it also!!
Well that's the whole family well and truly done now. My mum and nephew leave on Sunday then my sister on Tuesday and then I'm free to sew whatever I want!!

(image- www.cinema.com)

Watch this space....

oh dear...

I had initially promised myself that I would sew at least 2 or 3 things a day but instead, since my family have arrived, I have cooked 2 or 3 times a day....I-CAN'T-EAT-ANY-MORE!!!

I may have to swap sewing for a walk tomorrow morning...if I get any bigger, I'll need to sell 132 dollies to buy an annual gym membership!!!

Raphael

the calm before the storm...

I love Spring and the contrast between what it looks like and what it feels like....

so so beautiful yet so......bloody cold!

Time for Spring dresses...!

These are two of the dresses I have made for my nearly 4 year old daughter....the white one was inspired by a pretty white ruffle shirt I bought last Summer while out with my girlfriends (because I had spilled a glass of red wine on the one I was wearing!). My daughter Stella must have made me wear that shirt at least twice a week...well, now she has her own white ruffle dress!

The other one is made in an old vintage fabric which came from my friend Josiane's garage in form of a curtain. I just LOVE this fabric!!

I am now finishing off another 2....a girl can't have too many dresses!!

Once I get through my "ruffle" phase I will get working  on a new range of dollies, which by the way, one went to France this week and one to Switzerland last week....we may just take over Europe!

un bacio

xxx

MIA...

Yes...I have disappeared,....no I haven't!! Having family around seems to consume my time (and my energy). The only things I have made this week are 3 little Summer dresses for my daughter and a handbag for my friend Josy's birthday.
I can't take pics because my FIL borrowed my camera to go to some airplane show in Padova!

(photo my son took the other day from car...that's the little town we live in on the right, please excuse dirty window!!)

Get this! My son (the 7yr old) gets a call from his little friend this afternoon inviting him to go out with his family to a German restaurant!! He just got home (10.30pm!!) I tell you what...."I" would have liked to eat in a German restaurant...am slowly getting rather sick of Italian. It's going to be a lot of fun trying to wake him up at 7 to go to school tomorrow morning.....thank heavens hubby has that job!

Off to bed to finish my book....I have 2 obsessions, reading and sewing, pity I can't do both at the same time!

Buonanotte xxx

¡sƃuıɥʇ ɹǝɥʇo ʇsƃuoɯɐ uʍop ǝpısdn ǝʇıɹʍ uɐɔ I

Finally! I made it out to Casentino to the junk yard this morning with two close girlfriends and because we got there as soon as it opened we had free range of the whole place....Antonella found a whole encyclopedia of "Lavori femminili" (womens work) which included 6 huge books from 1973. There was everything in it from how to crochet, to how to mend socks, how to fix a gas leak and how to take out stains from linen.

I found these vintage curtains and dress pattern...

I found these knick knacks and books...

and this gorgeous old heater!

fun...

I was out in town today with Mum after 3 weeks with kiddos and had a chance to do a spot of shopping.

I found these really cool textile pens....had no idea they existed!!

Stella wanted to use them as soon as she came home from preschool to make a "dolly" and this is what we did together...

The old man is snoring.....

Can't go to Casentino today because it is pouring down...it even snowed on the mountain in front of us yesterday..what is going on around here...??????

Anywhoo..will be going on Saturday morning weather permitting.

I now have an excuse to do more sewing as my little one has recovered from the Pox and shall be at pre-school tomorrow...check back later...I may be able to sneak something in while she naps! ;-)

...........so, I managed to do a pair of shoes which were ordered over Easter. I love doing itty bitty shoes but funnily enough have never made a pair for my daughter...hmmmmm, strange!

Chicken legs? Nope......Chickenpox!!!!

I spoke too soon...Damn it! I thought I had everything planned for my 7 yr old these next few days but whilst we were munching on those lovely pastries this morning, I noticed a spot on my beautiful daughter's face, then down her neck and all over her torso....HELP!!! We went straight to the chemist and got the aclivor anti virus but I think it may be too late...Stella has the chickenpox and Leo will probably get it within the next 3 weeks....still going to Casentino on Tuesday though!  ;-)

Countdown...

4 days until school starts....and counting the minutes.

These holidays are dragging their little butts so I have arranged a playdate here today, 2 here tomorrow, we have a  birthday on Saturday and another playdate at someone elses place on Sunday....in bed early and off to school on Monday...BLISSSSSS....can't wait!!!

I will have to iron a shitload on Monday (excuse the mild swearing but keeping it all inside these past years it tends to come out in my writing...) and on Tuesday am going to Casentino where they have this HUGE warehouse full to the brim of vintage fabrics, clothing, accessories, books, toys...you name it...they got it!

I also have to finish 3 monster plush, a handbag and shoes I was commissioned to do over easter, so let's hope the kids and the weather cooperate in the next couple of days.

We are now off to have breakfast in town.....cappucinos and crunchy cream filled pastries...YUM! Just what I needed after a week of chocolate! Ya gotta do what ya gotta do!!

Lazy days in the sun...

FINALLY! The sun is out, hiphip hooray. After a very wet Easter, too much food and wine (not to mention...chocolate), the kids and I decided to go out and buy some flowers to plant around the house. However, we came home with a new pair of shoes for Leo, a pink butterfly net for Stella and some Sage, thyme and lavender for me. Stella has crashed, Leo is out catching bugs and I am here on the lounge with the sun streaming through the windows whilst crunching on a bowl of spicy ricy things.

I am sooo lazy at this moment of time that I couldn't even be bothered to put the kettle on....

....actually, I need a cuppa now that I have said that!

Good Friday...

so far, so good!!

It's been over a week that I haven't posted????

We all got that stomach virus (horrible and icky) and still recovering. I have just enough time to organise Sunday's Anglo Easter Lunch but apparently it's going to rain....I guess it's inside for everyone....not much fun with 13 kids and 18 adults!!!

Am currently working on some mini voodoos...lotsa fun!

Stay tuned....

I caught a bug.....bugger!!!

I was just looking for some colourful art for my kitchen walls and found these....gorgeous mixed media collages OF kitchens!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/stephanielevy

You may think I've been out absorbing the sunlight on my terrace but since my family arrived from Australia, I caught their jetlag (seriously!!) and some other virus thingy with sore throat, my daughter got a terrible stomach flu (won't go into detail), my husband has had stuff to do with his Archery club and I've been cooking non-stop and going to bed at 9pm! I'm so happy daylight saving arrived last night, now the days seem longer.

Had the usual Sunday 4 course lunch at MIL's then the usual children's birthday party until 7pm. I would love to do absolutely nothing but stay at home by myself on a Sunday and it's too late to start anything now at 11pm but I can't wait to start doing "stuff" tomorrow.......

Hang on!!! School is closed until 12th April! Bugger!!!

Off to eat some chocolate :P

Bunnies in progress....

Tracy...am making your "nice" bunnies for your English holiday right now! ;-)

What am I getting myself into...??

So! The holidays start tomorrow and I'll have the kids 24/7 until 12th April...that's fine and I can deal with that as they ARE my kids...BUT, tomorrow I have Mum, Dad and tweenager nephew arriving into Rome and I just couldn't be bothered to clean up my studio AGAIN! We are also having a humungous Easter Party here next week with over 25 ex pats PLUS Italians and it would normally seem daunting but this year it is going to be really special....

Thinking of giving all the kiddies a Beaster Bunny each, we'll see if I find the time to make 15 but with all the kids and family here it may not pan out that way!!

Yesterday I made this lyrical singer, can you get past the initial reaction of it looking closely like a "blow-up doll" or come to think of it...Betty Boop on acid??....still have to come up with a name for it..any suggestions????

so pheasants do crow....

...and they've been crowing all day!!

I had BIG plans today but when I went to pick up my son from school he asked me if he could bring a friend home..."sure" I said and went on to explain to his mother that I would bring him home later as I had to pop out and do some shopping, the teacher butted in and remimded me that I had a meeting in 10 minutes at the school for a project we are working on....#@*!!! had to apologise to a mother, 2 boys and a teacher (because I was going to be late) and raced over to MIL's hoping she was home....she was thank goodness!! I then spent 2 hours listening to the Mayor promise a hole lot of bullshit, raced over to do some shopping, get the kids and make dinner..hubby is now arguing with the beings to brush their teeth and I still have to put the shopping away......UUFFFFAAAA!!!

But I did have time to finish Pablo this morning ;-)

Dudley the Pirate Dude!

This is Dudley. He's a Dandy pirate and his nickname is Dude.

Today I surprisingly heard the pheasants crowing (??? must google that), which is a definate indication that Spring is near...YES! I'm obsessed with Spring, I can't wait to get outside and do some gardening and painting. I also love searching the forest behind our house for sapplings to plant around the house and the kids really dig "naming that bug"!

I'll have 3 kids next week as my nephew arrives on Friday with my parents...oh gawd!

Off to work, will post more later if I'm not in a comatosed state....

Spring sprang....then ran

Well....all looked rosy this last week with the warmer air, blossoming cherry trees and the sun shining into the house after a few days of scary snowstorms, but now we are back to rain and wind.

Today is officially the first day of Spring here in the Tuscan hills but you wouldn't have known stepping outside this morning! We can still see remnants of snow on top of the hills in front of us and I have even put the fire back on!!

We are going to a children's soccer game in a few hours but I am dreading the thought already....I just wanna stay home and sew. Maybe I could get hubby to take the kids.......although that wouldn't be very social of me would it?

PS. and Mum, if you are reading this...yes, we are wearing our skivvies!!

Giveaway...

I'm having a giveaway! All you have to do is click on my Facebook Fan Page and become a fan and Cordelia could be yours.

On 1st April I will randomly pick someone worldwide.

Good Luck!

little bags for little girls...

I made some of these a while ago and didn't get much reaction from my daughter until.......I put some little matrioska faces on them. Now she LOVES them. I gifted 2 of them 2 weeks ago to two six year olds and got an amazing reaction!!

So I made some more....

life just gets in the way sometimes!

I've been cooped up all day...something about dreary days does this to me.

We had PWK over for dinner tonight and they just left...which also interrupted a possibly productive day...I spent all afternoon helping with homework then with the kids napping, me cleaning then cooking a 3 course meal which I started at 6pm.....all turned out well!

...and I've come up with some new stuff, just have to add finishing touches and will post pics...although I have another birthday party tomorrow, and a dinner at my English friend Tracy's PLUS I ended up going to bed after 1.30am last night, I don't know how long my poor body can cope. But I have been extremely busy and am very satisfied.

......so keep an eye out for the Dandy Dolls...they will be here soon.....well as soon as I get enough sleep that my hands don't tremor and I don't see double any more.... ;-)

Ahhhh, might just go to bed now (I spy my husband asleep on the couch already).....we'll see!

sogni d'oro....

Percy, Delilah & Jasper

These are the 3 I have been working on today. Now listed on Etsy.

Am trying different techniques on hair for next lot but for now I must get into bed. I have been doing 1-2am stints these last 4 or 5 nights and waking up late. Yesterday my mother in law came to take my daughter to preschool at 8.30am and we were both still in bed...together!!!

It is now 10.43pm...let's see exatly when I do get into bed.

Buonanotte!

Sassy Sopranos and Ballerina Boys!

I have no idea why I decided to call them these as I do not have much interest in lyrical music or classical Ballet, but when these little creatures were being made they started to look that way. Singers and Dancers....go figure!

Now that my body is in the same position for hours at a time and the aches and pains are surfacing, I'm starting to think it a calling in disguise....I need to start dancing to get myself moving and singing at the top of my voice before I lose it (my voice...I haven't talked all day!).

It is now 12 hours that I have been online uploading photos onto Etsy...and I'm only up to 8 listings! The telephone men should be here in the next few months to attach my satelite ADSL but I'm not holding my breath as that is what they said in June 2009!

Must make some more dainty dollies now so I'm off, I'm off, it's off to work I go......

PS. thank goodness for husbands who feed their kiddies!!

Fabric overload!

I have just realised how lucky I am...as a crafter I mean. I have sooooo many fabrics it's not funny. I have been literally collecting them for 20 years and constantly check ebay for something I just MUST have!

My girlfriend Josi , who has just moved back here to Tuscany after going home to Australia for 9 years, went through her garage and found me a HUGE amount of beautiful fabrics....some even vintage which I am currently using for my lovely ballerina boys and used for the beastie bunnies.

I am now listing my first ballerina boy on etsy....Ruben, from photo below....

Birthdays just get in the way.....

I posted a huge blog yesterday and lost my connection....blah! still have to figure out how everything works.....and hoping to have broadband within the next 40 years!!!!

T'was my sons birthday party last night, it took me almost 3 days to tidy my fabrics and sewing stuff and now I don't dare mess it all up again....only problem is, I haven't made anything since last thursday, and to top it all off I "gave away" 3 of my dollies last night after I had a few Martini bianco's too many.......I'm sure there is a lesson there to be learnt!

Here are my ballerina boys...

I am button Crazy....!

Haven't done any sewing since thursday, have been banned as my son is having his 7th birthday party tomorrow downstairs in the playroom (aka...my sewing room), so I spent all day yesterday putting my fabrics away...yes. it took that long. I can't throw ANYTHING away.

I.AM.A.HORDER!!!!!

I also realised that I am button crazy...I just LOVE LOVE LOVE buttons, especially vintage ones. I went to my MIL's 2 weeks ago and raided her attic. I pulled ALL the buttons off ALL the jackets and even convinced her to throw some stuff away, so she was happy that I helped her clear the stuff out...and I was happy that I went home with a bag full of buttons and fabric scraps!!!

After tomorrows crazy kid day, oh and Monday's dentist appointment, I am finally going to put up some of my dollies on Etsy..... .......so until then, addios!

Busy...busy....busy!

Well....I disappeared for a while but only because I'm working hard at my goal of setting up an Etsy store. I now have 20 dolls, 8 bunnies, a couple of handbags and 4 pair of shoes...now I just have to list them with descriptions and all with dial up!!!

Here's a pic of my Beaster Bunnies...or Beastie Bunnies....not sure yet.