Gnarrly finds a loving home...

Last week I received an order from East Sussex for a Gnarrly Bear...

I haven't made any creatures in over two years so I was pretty nervous. I've made them a million and one times but...it had been such a long time that I no longer felt confident but I still made him, packed him up and sent him on his merry way.

Three days later I received an e-mail from the buyer. My heart sank as I thought she was going to tell me she wanted a refund but...on the contrary! She thanked me for Gnarrly and said he was in pride of place, set as a reminder of how life had been difficult and how the finish line was almost visible as she was nearing her final year of uni! She read his story and was moved at how she identified with him so much. Funnily she hadn't read the description before buying so she was surprised to see that she and Gnarrly were pretty much the same: lovely push overs who are happy to help then once they do get taken advantage of, feel used, blow a gasket and then after the steam has gone revert to their lovely helpful selves! That e-mail... made my day and I should be thanking you! (*PS I did thank her by the way ;) )

Au revoir Harrogate...

We (Craft Guerrilla) are just back from the last leg of the Knitting & Stitching shows. As much hard work as it's been it's also been inspiring and an eye opener.
It's been a fantastic experience and we've made many a new friends on the way as well as met some old ones...OK not old as in age but people we've known for a while from the craft circuit.

My personal high light were the two days I spent in Harrogate. It's a beautiful spa town with the most amazing architecture and mood. It was pretty much how I envisaged the North of France to be. Before actually ever going to France I had this "Hollywood" vision but when I finally made it over I found out that France is nothing like what I imagined. But Harrogate has this elegance and charm that I had thought would fit the French landscape though it's truly English. Stone clad buildings, gentleman's apparel boutiques and hand made brogues, iron work canapes over pretty tea shops on neat hilly streets.
I guess I compared it to France but an idyllic one. I'm sure there are many places in France like this but personally I have never seen it. In fact I'm sure it has some sort of French influence or connection as the neighbourhood we were in was called Montepellier.

Harrogate is a great little treasure and somewhere I could see myself living for a while. It's very attractive with it's romantic aspect and history which transpires through every street and monument dotted amongst the gorgeous lanes that form the high street. I shall return but hopefully on a warmer day as climbing a steep road with a heavy wheelie suitcase in the snow is not the best way to see Harrogate!

In the Tate MODERN...

MUNANO is in the TATE MODERN LONDON.
OK in a book, in the TATE MODERN shop but...still in the TATE MODERN!!!

embroidery project for up coming book...

Two years ago when launching Craft Guerrilla getting a book deal was something we had thought would be a million years away. Getting a deal with Black Dog has proven to be the sign I was waiting for. I've pretty much believed all along that what I was doing was right and that the people I am working with are absolutely spot on. It's so important to find the right people...we're all different personality wise but we work together pretty well. After many years of searching for the "right mix" of people this has come as a welcome light in a very long tunnel. So the hard work is about to begin and honestly...I'm excited!!! Looking through my portfolio of craft projects to find suitable proposals has been quite fun and a little bit scary. Having to come up with so many tutorials is daunting but it's also inspired me to create a few new ones and to revisit disciplines I had left or put to one side for a while. This brought me back to embroidery. I remember both grannies and mum being kick ass embroiders so I was a bit nervous about picking up the hoop but...I've grabbed it and I have to say that
I'm pretty much in love with embroidery again! It's like painting with a needle and thread. It's quite a good vehicle for my illustrations and drawings and I'm pleased with my first "Come Back" piece! A nice,cute and slightly dark tea tray cloth would be a great project for the book so "Squirrilla" and "Cup Kate" have jumped on the tray cloth and they're looking pretty good even if I say so myself. It's not perfect but I'm very much of the "Kaffe Fassett" school of embroidery and believe that OK, there are a few ground rules but stitch away and don't stick too much to them! I know the traditionalists will be disgusted but as long as you get the desired effect and you are enjoying it...go for it...I am!

cut click creature edition

I've submitted hunny bunny in one of his escapades...let's see if he makes it onto the pages of the magazine!
NOTE: He'd be intolerable...he can be quite a diva!!!

munano.co.uk is back in business!

that's right,I've decided to keep the web site up and running. besides now that munano is being featured in a book it would be silly not to! we do after all want people to find us...the forest creatures would be very upset otherwise!Keep your peepers pealed as I'll be adding some new bad boys to the forest!

www.munano.co.uk

mori mori

mori mori is a sweet little creature. escaped from the ancient japanese forests this little sapling clings on and lays down roots in every available crack in the urban jungle. he comes bearing a very important message: "be kind to trees".
Try pulling him out of the ground and his little furry leaves will give you a nasty little rash. be nice and he'll be nicer back to you by producing some lovely fresh oxygen for you to breath!