On Instagram in November

Wow, so here we are in December! I can't quite believe it, this year has flown by! Today I'm looking back at my birthday month of November through my Instagram photos. If you would like to, you can follow me on Instagram here

It was a super busy month preparing for The Renegade Craft Fair in London, so I was very busy knitting, stitching and planning. I've been a little quiet on the blog front in November while getting ready for the fair, but I'll be back in full swing from now on!

I like to watch iplayer or listen to music when I'm working. The First Aid kit album is my favourite at the moment, love their folky sound!

The Renegade Craft Fair was such a great weekend! Such a lovely atmosphere. Hi if I met you there! I chatted to lots of lovely people

I discovered the lovely Pompom magazine at the fair. I spent a few evenings relaxing after the fair weekend, so magazines, knitting and tea it was!

I live close to the water in Essex and I love getting out for walks by the river. It's pretty even when it's grey and chilly

Thank you to Mr Writer, as part of my birthday present he bought me this fab tea Advent Calendar from Nothing But Tea! Such a lovely idea, 24 different teas and a chocolate for Christmas day! My favourite so far has been a Black Tea and Roobios blended with pear and marzipan- it tasted like cake! Do love a good cup of tea

Lovely Nelson cat. Sadly his sister Daisy passed away earlier in November, so it has been very sad, but Nelson is enjoying lots of cuddles (even at 5.30am when I took this pic!) 

I hope you have had a lovely November. I'd love to see what you've been up to!

I feel re-energised now after a very hectic month and I'm ready to get festive! I'll be back later in the week with some Christmas gift ideas.

Thank you Renegade London!

Over the weekend I had a stand at The Renegade Craft Fair at The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane London and had such a lovely time! Thank you to everyone who took the time to visit my stand, what a lovely bunch of people I chatted to! Over 12,000 people visited the fair over the weekend- I'm so happy so many people appreciate the handmade.

Thank you also to Mr Writer who came to help, dressed for the part in his Harris Tweed jacket!

It's the second year that I have taken part in The Renegade Fair and I enjoy it so much because there is such a friendly and appreciative atmosphere among vendors and visitors alike. Thanks to the Renegade Team for a great fair!

The Renegade Craft Fair London 2014

There are less than two weeks to go now until The Renegade Craft Fair in London! It's a great place to shop for unique handmade Christmas gifts and chat to the makers.

I had a lovely time there last year and I will have a stall here on 22nd and 23rd November, showcasing my new Fair Isle Jewellery collection alongside my Harris Tweed and Knitted Button collections. Located in The Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, it's a few minutes walk from Liverpool Street Station/Spitalfields Market. 

If you're planning to visit, come and say hi!

On Instagram in October

Here's a look behind the scenes at what I got up to in October, as told through my Instagram photos... 

I made a giant felt dice for Mr Writer for his Dungeons and Dragons games!

Friends of ours had a baby and I finished this Attic24 Neat Ripple Pattern crochet blanket for him. Read more about the pattern here

Walking around the Marks Hall estate in Coggeshall, Essex and enjoying the Autumn colours. I shared more photos of the estate here

I broke out the winter coat and walking boots but for one blustery day  only! It's been unseasonably warm for the time of year, so for the time being, even as we head into November, my winter coat stays in the wardrobe!

October 2014 marked six years since graduating from my Fashion and Textiles degree. Here we are, the class of '08! 

This is how lunch times at the day job look for me! I like to make the most of any time I have to craft, so after a bite to eat I get crafting! I work in a creative place so everyone crafts around the kitchen table at lunch times. My boss describes the work kitchen as "A hive of industry!"

I've started making some Christmas cards!

We visited Saffron Walden, a really pretty little town

For Mr Writer's birthday we made carrot cake to take to his work. Nom nom nom...

Nelson chilling out, enjoying a cosy Sunday evening. The nights started drawing in!

I finalised the Fair Isle jewellery collection I've been working on and had a great photo shoot!

Busy working on new pieces for The Renegade Craft Fair in London at the end of November!

Rounding off October with a mini Halloween party for my niece! (Pumpkin carving by my sister!)

Here's to a great November!

What have been your October highlights? 

My Favourite Blogs- Claireabellemakes, Jessica Joy, A Alicia

 I read a lot of Blogs everyday- I love to sit down for breakfast and take the time to read posts about other  people's ideas, inspirations and achievements. It's like immersing yourself in the creative world, learning and fueling yourself with inspiration for the day. I find Bloglovin' is great for discovering interesting new blogs to read. I'd like to share with you three of my favourite creative blogs- read on and be inspired!

Claireabellemakes
Claireabellemakes.com

I first met Claire from Claireabellemakes at The Renegade Craft Fair in London last year. Claire's craft and handmade lifestyle blog centres around handmade DIY tutorials, recipes, beautiful photos taken on her bike rides in her home city of Cambridge and the quirky bicycle, floral and scrabble accessories she makes for her Etsy shop. Claire's friendly personality shines through in her blog posts and the variety of crafty subjects she features keep me looking forward to a post from her appearing in my daily Bloglovin feed. Do check it out for lots of crafty inspiration and beautiful photos- it will make you want to move to Cambridge!

Claire and some examples of her handmade accessories

A Alicia
aaliciablog.blogspot.co.uk

I first started reading Anna from Aalicia's blog when I discovered her collection of lovely knitted jewellery, made with organic cotton wools. I admire and aspire to Anna's philosophy, as she strives to create work with a reduced environmental impact, using eco and ethically produced and vintage and re purposed materials as much as possible. I like how Anna builds collections around a certain theme, still maintaining the philosophies of her work yet producing new and original collections. Her latest pieces are a collection of beautifully elegant handmade ceramic jewellery. Anna has also recently released a book, "Make it your Own," featuring projects to make for your home. Through her blog, Anna documents the process of her work, the workshops she runs and her inspirations. Her photos are always lovely too- Anna's blog has a beautiful visual style.

Some pieces from Anna's new ceramic jewellery collection

Jessica Joy

http://www.jessicabiscoe.co.uk/blog

Jessica Joy is the blogging home to knitwear and jewellery designer Jessica Biscoe. Through her blog Jess shares her inspirations, knitting tutorials, patterns and recipes. Jess makes very cute knitted jewellery, as well as producing self-designed knitting patterns- a very talented lady! The knitted designs that Jess shares through her blog are so accomplished, it really inspires me to keep knitting and learning. I especially love Jess's knitting tutorial videos which are great for learning new techniques! I'd recommend checking them out. Jess has recently released her first book, "Knitting Smitten," which features beautiful hand knit designs for accessories and homewares. 

Jess's book and examples of her quirky knitted jewellery

I'd love to know your favourite blogs-share them in the comments below!

New necklaces in progress!

I'm up early sewing necklaces for The Renegade Craft Fair using the pieces I machine knitted last night in lots of new colours! Once the bases are finished the next job is choosing the up-cycled fabrics to embellish them with. Looking forward to showing you the finished pieces!

On my needles...

I'm currently knitting (with help from a lovely friend) letters in beautiful Rowan Felted Tweed to make "Louise Dawson Design" bunting! I'm going to hang this on my table at Craft Fairs and events, with it's first outing being The Renegade Craft Fair in November, so I'm busily knitting away!

I've used felt letter bunting in the past, but when I saw the Sirdar pattern for knitted Alphabet Bunting I knew I had to make it, it's very me!

Hair Slide making!

I've had a productive week in the studio Hair Slide making! I'm making these using up-cycled fabrics, vintage buttons and even a little bit of crochet! These will be available to buy on my stand at The Renegade Craft Fair at The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London on the 9th and 10th November. I'm working hard to make lots of lovely new things for the fair, hope to see you there and share them with you!

Notice the ever present cup of tea!

A few ready to go!