Website & the mysteries of the domain

I have become a tech genius over the past few days....(hysterical laughter).

In all seriousness I have been busy very slowly building my website, this is as much of a surprise to me as it is to you believe me.

 Apparently my website should be live in the next week, now what this means for this blog is a bit of a mystery for me as my domain www.thecatintheshoe.com will apply to my website, So what happens to this blog? where does it go? How does anyone find it? How do I find it?

For everyone that follows my blog please visit www.thecatintheshoe.com in the next week or so and you should find yourself on a shiny new Website where you can sign up to my mailing list, read recent blogs about what I have been up to and news on where I am going to be selling and exhibiting next, oh and a huge gallery of images of past and present pieces and links to shops and tweets and pins and what I ate for lunch (not that one).

But its pretty exciting stuff.

Re-purposed leather and the singing flowers

My latest commission, Alice in wonderland inspired.

 Hand cut and stitched layers of re-claimed and re-purposed leather

For commission requests please contact Lucy Brasher (the cat in the shoe) directly at thecatintheshoe@mail.com

Repurposed leather and the swan

At the moment I am obsessed with layers, feathers, birds and leather, beautiful beautiful leather. Scraps of leather, off cuts of leather, leather jackets, bags, you name it, if its not in use then I'm gonna use it.
The swan is an idea I have been playing with for some time. By cutting shapes from repurposed leather and working into these with scissors I am able to create a feather. I then began layering these feathers, a long slow blister inducing process, to make my swans head. I am now fully obsessed with working in this way. I wanted the swan to stand up right and incorporate the human form so I have stitched a canvas body complete with vintage tapestry dungarees, she is mounted on a beautiful solid wood stand. Currently a one off piece, but slowly but surely more leather birds will be created.

Happy 2016

So its January 2016, the 20th to be precise, I'm not sure where Christmas went, but it is indeed over and it is time to get back at it!

As I nod goodbye to the festive season I will share a piece with you that I made for my mum and dad. A rather large pigeon got stuck in their chimney mid way through last year and left it's sooty trail across the ceiling during its escape. Anyway to celebrate this highly amusing event (to me anyway) I made a memento to commemorate the event. And here he is in all his glory... they did see the funny side in the end...

My order books are now open for 2016 and filling up nicely but you still have a little time before I close them again. If you would like a Cat in the shoe original piece please do contact me via email....thecatintheshoe@mail.com

January has brought with it a bought of larangitus for the OH, a stinking cold and worryingly sore throat for me and a very very snotty nose for the 5 year old. It also attempted to kill off 'The Beast' my ancient industrial Singer, so it has been a trying year so far.

'The Beast' has survived despite Januarys efforts and after a few repairs and a large bill it is back in the studio.

Plans for shows and events this year are still in the pipeline so in the mean time I thought I would share with you my first commission of the year which is off to the States to welcome a new life into the world....

Do not let January get you down, there is always Wine.

Dorset Team Etsy made local Christmas fair !!!!

Its the most wonderful time of the year............. And my most favourite!!

And what better way to kick start the festive season than a little Christmas shopping? Hand made locally produced shopping to be precise.
Well fear not my craft loving friends as do I have the best event for you, over 70 stalls of unique hand created pieces all under one roof in the beautiful town of Wimborne here in lovely Dorset, and its sponsored by Etsy so you know it is the best of the best on offer and I am lucky enough to be involved in this amazing event.

When is it I hear you cry, well its only this blooming Saturday the 5th December!!! In the Allendale Centre in Wimborne Hanham Rd, Wimborne Minster, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 1AS.

you can see everything about this event on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/events/866031100155674/

And what will I be bringing?????

well heres a tiny peek to wet your whistle...

whats so great about today???

Oh hello again, twice in one week hey? I know I spoil you.
So today Saturday 7th November is the launch of the 'Inspire' Exhibition at the prestigious Walford Mill http://www.walfordmillcrafts.co.uk and I am lucky enough to be in it, well not me personally I mean my work otherwise that would be weird.

            

look see thats my deer in the window.

Also tonight at 7.30pm you could get your mitts on some handmade goodness from me in my Etsy store www.etsy.com/uk/shop/thecatintheshoe.

And that is why today is so blooming great!!

Did someone say Christmas???????

No? really no one said.....CHRISTMAS?! Why ever not, well I have, look see I said it, in-fact I have been saying it for a while now and I will continue to do so until? January maybe?


So as the big day is approaching super fast I have been sewing up a Christmas frenzy in preparation, and because I have been in the Christmas mood since about September  I am having a Christmas extravaganza this Saturday the 7th November at 7.30pm ( UK)in my Etsy store www.etsy.com/uk/shop/thecatintheshoe 

And here my lovely lot is a taster of what will be on offer......(plus many more I haven't quite finished yet)

got you in the festive mood yet???