gadgets

Whilst looking for novelty stocking fillers for my three grown ups "children" I came across CSI cookie cutters  "gingerdead men" and a CSI towel......for daughter who is an avid fan of the series. Gingerbread men that have been partially nibbled, skeleton and zombie ones.....Gingernija men....cookie cutter nail polish shapes, hairdryer...lipstick...as well as kiddies TV and film favourites....transport, fish, tools....even cookie cutters for moustaches which seem to be the "in" thing. Flexible moulds for fondant, chocolate and ice.....robots, hotlips, sewing notions, pirate coins, scottiedogs .angels.....alsorts.....even....bullets and guns ! Surprisingly I think CSI deadmen cartoon-like shapes are OK but guns and bullets...no.
But, I got completely sidetracked by pizza cutters.......in all shapes and sizes......chainsaw....circular saw....trick cyclist monkey.....an acrobat....vespa style scooter and an Italian syle moped.....Marg and Bart slicer and grater....even a starship Enterprise ! and many more...... a plastic tenon saw cake slice, a Karate hand chopper for lettace......An alarm clock that you strap on your wrist and it vibrates you awake !! A lot were amusing to see but I wouldn't buy......
I did buy some alphabet cookie cutters that are double sided....one side cuts shape and the other impresses the letter.  .....I may not actually use them for culinary purposes..........I AM thinking of buying the Moustache cutters and impressers......again not for culinary purposes........can anyone guess what I might use them for I wonder.....Lyn already knows, I've told her....she said I don't need them.. !
Wishing you all peace and contentment for the New Year

books books books

These are ebay finds......as I have never heard of the titles or authors I never know what I am getting.......until they arrive...... I only think I know what I am getting....... All these are 15yrs old or more.
the crochet book has a really interesting cover....all freeform-y....the blurb listed all different types of crochet.....sounded quite exciting....an early freeform book ? yummy ! oops no ! it is very clear instruction book on how to do different types of crochet.....after initial disappointment....pleased with it.
Applique book....well it was the mother of pearl buttons on the front that seduced me ! Contents again not quite what I thought I might find.....but very interesting, origins, makers profiles, things to make.... so yet again very pleased with my cheap purchase. (with apologies to seller)
The Pat Olson books....well never heard of her either......but wanted something with painting techniques in like the American primitive style ornaments........step by step how to paint each one....... wish you could have seen my face when I opened these........my jaw dropped.......I couldn't believe it...........
..I......HAD.......BOUGHT......GLORIFIED........COLOURING BOOKS..............! Line drawings to colour in....like a child's colouring book, not a cheapo one, true....but not what I was expecting at all.......then the penny dropped.....like it said on the front of the book....they were PATTERN BOOKS...not what I expected....but in a way.....better than I expected....dozens and dozens of patterns to copy and use, some in several sizes.....really pleased with these.....even though the book is not what I thought it would be!!! As I looked through the drawings I was inspired, I had colours in my head, 3D shapes, wall hangings, applique style etc.....etc.
The moral of this story ? don't buy on ebay without actually having some idea of what you are buying, READ what it says on the book and especially.......don't buy on ebay with a glass of VINO in your hand......because next time....I may not be so lucky !lol

This one was published in 1977....its chock full of ideas. Yes some are dated.....but you just revamp them. It smells a little fusty so its being left open and pages turned occasionally in another room.

two ruffle trees and  a coat hanger tree, a maypole tree.

bottom right trees are made from egg cartons !
At the moment wool embroidered felt ornaments are "in" .......in 1977 they were "in" too! The shapely christmas stockings were in vogue then too.
When I get rid of some of the fusty smell I shall be going through the book seeking inspiration, sketching out my ideas for next years craft fairs.....lol

owls in the bargain book

I bought this old book for £1 from a charity shop...... it fell open at .....the wonderful owls..... so I had to have it. Typically of the 1970s early 1980s it dosn't have the detailed instructions we have got used to today.   ...a pattern to graph up...a small amount of text and the picture of three embroidered owls to be inspired by and copy in your own way. Wonder.....is that why I rarely follow a pattern ? Some really dated things in the book but plenty to revamp. Great find....