Okay...go on call me a slacker...

I Dare ya!

No no wait, I double Dare ya!

After a much needed 3 week family holiday
we decided to have the whole famn damily
back to ours in Mallorca.

That's Mum, Dad, Sister from Canada,
Fhubbies Sister and Brother in Law from Australia,
2 close friends from Vancouver
and another friend of my fathers from Canada.

Let's just say from August to October
we should have just put in a revolving door,
along with the tent in the side yard.
Can't complain though, Happy Days.

And now of course it's getting into the holiday swing of things,
Lot's new in the shop for your gift giving needs.

But enough about the kids for the moment...
I've just opened a new Shop on Etsy
just for the grown ups amongst us.

Check us out and don't be shy...
Tell your friends!

Woodchuck Wednesday - Armada pequeño

New from the Choochmagooz Woodshed
Sailing to the Shop Soon!

Mi Pequeña Barco

Monday Mood - Seeking Calm

And She's Back....

Lately I have been feeling rather like Alice
Although I'm still waiting
to hit the bottom of the Rabbit Hole!

Just a bit of Curious Chaos.
I'm trying to find my quiet place...

1: Down The Rabbit Hole Choker - KarolinFelix
2: Crystal Goede Slice, seed bead Necklace - Balanced
3: Old Garden Chair - Magalerie
4: Journey Print - LouisestArt

For more Monday Moods
Visit Star of The East

Thank you Thursday

Thank you Thank you Thank you
To all of my wonderful followers and New visitors from the
Sew Mama Sew Giveaway day!

What a great response!
And I learned a few new tricks!
Hope you did too.

I'll be compiling all of your wonderful tips into a master list
and posting them on the Blog for easy reference for all.

And now the winner...
Mr. Random says #126

Congratulations Aelysium
for both your impending arrival..
and your win!
I hope you share your projects with us!

Didn't win... : (

Return on Saturday for your chance to win
a fabulous prize donated by
one of my lovely followers!

We like happy Faces all around here people!

Welcome to the Studio

Welcome Luckster Seekers...
Find my Sew Mama Sew giveaway Here

I was just featured on the Handmade Europe Blog's
Open studios feature...

Here's a recap
_________________________________

In the Wonderful Words of Lewis Carroll...
"But I don't want to go amongst Mad people..."
"Oh you can't help that dear..We're all Mad here"

Today I invite you in for a cup of tea
and a tour through my Madness...

I grew up in my mothers craft room so it was inevitable that I would create my own wherever I could. I'm afraid Guests must make due with an air mattress in the living room as I've convinced the Fhubby (Future Hubby) to create my own wonderland out of our 3rd small bedroom.

This wonderful very large white unit was already in place from our landlord, a few tweaks here and there and it is the perfect place to store all of my many treasures.

Fabrics, buttons, and vintage Oh My!

There is always something on hand to discover, inspire and create
Don't you just Love Beach treasures?!
As we live just 1 block from the beach
I am fortunate to find many useful crafting goodies.

Working hard finishing some custom orders.

A few Lovelies awaiting a new home.

But wait...That's not all
Please take a walk along the beach with me
and through the labyrinth streets of Old Palma

Here you will sometimes find me in
my new Studio Space

A place to get messy
covered in plaster, clay and paint
a place to dream
and
Collaborate

My wonderful Art Teacher and Etsy Seller
Laurie Ann Pearsall
is graciously sharing her amazing space.
I'm slowly moving in...

The light is perfectly romantic
and I found this amazing storage shelf at the local thrift.

Just a few of my favorite things
Rusty bits and old books , a new project on the go
and my most precious thrift Find.
Fhubby is currently getting me a new strap
so she'll be ready to roll any day now!

Thank you for joining me in my mad little world,
Isn't it fun to be a bit crazy

Crazy for Handmade that is!

Monday Mood - Give it away now...

Comments now closed... Thank you for playing!
Stay tuned for another wonderful giveaway this weekend!
I'll announce a winner shortly

Give it away...
Give it away...
Give it away now...

Here's a quick sneak peak at my mood today

Not your traditional moodboard as it's all about me!
But Hey ho...
I've just cleaned up the studio in time
for a feature on the Handmade Europe Blog
which will be coming soon...

But that means I had a chance to
declutter and Destash...

So today for The Sew Mama Sew May Giveaway
I've put together a fun stash for any crafty soul.

Please note these pieces are irregular cuts
They are REALLY BIG Scraps
some just smaller than a 1/2 yard.

To enter just leave me a comment
with your best crafty tip!

Want a bonus entry?
Head over to my Shop
and let me know your favorite item.

(and as a super bonus...Take advantage of 10% off
on any item in the shop until the 25th...use coupon code GIVETEN)

Hope you enjoy
I'll keep the giveaway open until the 25th.
Good luck!

And for more Luck..
Grab a tea and plate of cookies
Head on over to Sew Mama Sew
and enter enter enter..
The List of participants is staggering!

Happy Monday!

Monday Moodboard - Shhhhhh...

I've got Spring in my Step
And a secret well kept...

Vintage Sundress from bOmode
Vintage Plumbers Case from Lapomme
French Padlock from Sissidavril
Antique Skeleton Key From Arctida Supplies

For more Monday Moods
Check out
Star of The East's Blog

Woodchuck Wednesday - Mi Pequeño Pueblo

Finally Finished
Finally Listed
And yours for the taking!

First item out of the New Woodshop!





I'm Finally A Woodchuck Too!

Buy yours today
Here

Tutorial Tuesday - Back to School

Picture from Portabellopixie

Well it's Day 2 of The Elsie Marley KCWC 2011

I'm struggling with a few Basics...
Really!
My Shirring finess from last year seems to have deserted me!

So back to basics I go with a little help from
My favorite Fabric Designer
Sandi Henderson!

Sandi has a fantastic free Shirring Tutorial
as well as others,
and great free projects to sew.

Head over to Portabellopixie
for your sewing Tutorials Today!

Monday Moodboard - the Zen of Sewing

Time to take my time....

French tarts Scalloped Lace: from Bluepearls
1930's Singer Hemstitcher: from CarmenandGinger
Childs Sewing machine: from CoolVintage
Antique Victorian Lace: from Perfectmomentpillows

With the Markets and Fairs behind me
It's time to take ME time.

Of course that doesn't mean stopping,
It just means taking my time as I'd like,
Creating heirloom pieces...

And participating in the Elsie Marley
Kids Clothes Week Challenge

Here's a bit of what we did in the last challenge
KCWC 2010

This year...I'm going slowly
And today's start was all about the notions!
Finding beautiful vintage pieces to embellish and play with.

Happy Monday

Sneak Peek

Sneaky Peeky.....

Coming to a fair near you!

The Bellver International College
Spring Fair that is...

Sat May 7th
11am - 4pm

Hope we see you there!

For all you non local lovelies...
Hope you have a fantastic Saturday too,
New items will be in the Shop on Monday!

Woodchuck Wednesday - Eating My Dust!

Hello Lovelies...
Have you missed me??
No...don't answer that..

I'm sorry to have left you there
but I've been playing!

Finally have the workshop ready for action
And action it is seeing!

Mi Pueblo by Choochmagooz
Available soon!

I'm preparing for a Spring Market this weekend
So please forgive me for neglecting my posts.

Food Fight Friday, Tutorial Tuesday and regular programming
will resume next week.

As soon as I can brush the sawdust out of my teeth!

Thank-You Thursday

Oh so many things to be Thankful for...

First Thank you and Hugs for two darling models Luca & Rio,
and Yolanda Talevera Photography
Here's a sneak Peek at some of the Gorgeous Photo's
from our Choochmagooz Photoshoot!

Thank you for making my clothes look so good!

Another Thank you goes out to my TaTa Sister Susie!
Susie was a huge support to me before, during and after
my Cancer treatments. She always had a laugh to share.
Susie is participating in the London Moonwalk for Breast Cancer!
Go Sista Go...Rock that Choochmagooz Bra!
Drop in and show your support!

A Huge Thank you also goes out to...
Jonna from Jonna48
Who sent me this gorgeous handmade Table runner/ scarf
and 3 lovely felted Easter eggs, for the EST Spring Swap.
All bundled together in a golden bag with a lovely letter.

Thank You Jonna...I LOVE it all
I told you there are some Talented Europeans out here!

And Finally...but not least,
Non è Vera Bijoux featured us in this beautiful Treasury..
Which Made it to the FP of Etsy!

An Honour indeed!

Thank You Thank You and Thank You again!

Woodchuck Wednesday - Got Wood?!

I am reminded of a humorous Incident
which took place years ago on one of the first yachts I worked on.
We had a Ukrainian deckhand who spoke very little English.
One day, said deckhand walked into the galley and asked..
"Got wood?"
Excuse me?
"Got wood?...wood!"
HUH?
points to teeth..."Wood!"
Ah....a Toothpick...Ya we got Wood!

Today's woodchuck
Has A lot of WOOD!

Scott Weaver's Rolling through the Bay from Learning Studio on Vimeo.

Seriously...
Outrageous!

Monday Moodboard - Stormy

I'm staying in my Pj's!

1: Daughter of Wind Pendant, Helmitarha
2: A storm Brewing, AtelierConti
3: Dark Forest, Matilou
4: Nuno Felted ruffle shawl, JurgitaMi

Wishing you a sunny day!

Food Fight Friday - What...No Dessert!

Today I'm keeping it sweet free...
But still Delish!

Roasted Red Pepper Dip
with Crunchy Tortilla Chips

It also doesn't get easier...

All you need is 1 Jar of ChickPeas
1 Jar of Roasted Red Peppers and Garlic
a splash of olive oil
and a dash of Lemon Juice

Rinse your chickpeas quickly
Add all together in a processor
And blend until smooth.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Done!

Next I cut up some soft taco tortilla's
and deep fried them.
You could crisp them up in the oven
But I was lazy
and figured the chickpeas where healthy enough!
Enjoy

Last weeks Top Slinger Honor goes to:
Tina @ Mom's Crazy Cooking!

Crab and Mac & Cheese
Enough said...
YUMMMMMMMMM!

So what are you Slinging This week?

Grab a button and join the Food Fight!
Come on...you know ya wanna get messy!

<center><a href="http://choochmagooz.blogspot.com/search/label/food%20fight%20friday/"><img border="0" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5263950032_675bc25ce0_m.jpg" /></a></center>

Woodchuck Wednesday - When Art meets Wood!

I would flog myself for calling the following Genius
a woodchuck!
He is a True Master and Artist!

Since setting up my little wood shop I've been thinking, sketching
brainstorming and generally doodling, some ideas to create.
I came across the fascination of Automata quite some time ago,
But only recently began exploring it further.

I've always loved whimsy and theatrics
So to combine it as an art form...makes my heart SING!

So today I introduce you to the amazing Art of

Steve Armstrong

To view more of his works please visit
the Heike Pickett Gallery

and to really see him and his Art in action...
Check out this 3 part series on YouTube!

Compared to Mr. Armstrong
I'm a woodchuck with my tail between my legs!

Tutorial Tuesday - Spring in a Can!

Oh I just love these...
It's the junkyard junky in me...

But Really...
How simple, Fun and Gorgeous are these!

Head on over to
Family Chic
for more fun pics and the tutorial!

I want to line all my window sills!

Saturday Shopping

Today Saturday Shop is a wee different...
In that I haven't got anything new in The Shop

I was heaps busy last week getting ready for a show,
getting a New Studio Space set up,
along with organizing my home one...
And producing items that are more adult oriented.
Whew..it's a bit busy!

So here's a few pics from the Networking Show
and 2 Items that I made for my Spring
European Street Team Swap partner.

LACE Lunch and Networking Show

Two little gifts for a special Crafter.

There are some amazing artists in Europe.
Being part of the Team is such an honor,
I Hope my Partner likes her Goodies?!
(hint hint...They're just a taste
of what's to come in the new 'BIG' Kids collections!)

Happy Saturday...

For more actual shopping
head over to Zsazsazsu's
and AnneMarie's Breiblog

Food Fight Friday - Lemon Lust!

OMG...I'm in LOVE!

We found some good ol' English Lemon curd
in the shops recently.
I used to eat it by the spoonful..
couldn't wait for all that fussing of spreading it on toast!

So with 2 bags of Lemons squeezed and 1 to go...
I couldn't help myself.

I found this fantastic Vid. on YouTube from Joy of Baking!
Talk about Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!

Scones, Tarts, Toast...
Look out!

and for something a little more
Ahem...Healthy!
We're Heading over to Denise at Run DMT
for Chicken and Waffles!
YUMMMMMMMMMM!
Now that's Top Slinger material!
BTW...Denise also hosts a Friday Food Fight...
Sling here...There...and everywhere!

So what are you Slinging This week?

Grab a button and join the Food Fight!
Come on...you know ya wanna get messy!

<center><a href="http://choochmagooz.blogspot.com/search/label/food%20fight%20friday/"><img border="0" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5263950032_675bc25ce0_m.jpg" /></a></center>