is a peculiar process sometimes, don't you find?
For a long time now, I have wanted to make something that had a personality.
A little life of its own.
Something I could grow a little bit fond of.
Something I could maybe make lots of and they would look cute together.
I tried dolls at first. And fairies.
But there was something wrong with the scale. And the fact that there are lots of doll creatures out there.
Then I thought about teddies,
but there are even more teds than dolls I think. Then rabbits, mice, monkeys, even snakes.
Nothing felt quite right.
Then the other day, whilst messing about with a sock, and squeezing it and filling it with just the right amount of filling, I almost accidentally made a creature.
This creature looked up at me with soulful eyes, willing me to make some friends for it, and stared even more soulfully at the lovely new wool I had put to one side for the day I finally learn to crochet. The very expensive wool than was meant to be a beautiful crocheted blanket. Or something.
But the little creature was cold. It really needed a scarf. Out of the lovely new wool. And so I gave in.
Then Flossie came in. She exclaimed and LOVED the creature so much that I gave it to her. So then I had to make some more.
What were the creatures called? she asked. I'm not sure, I replied. They're a bit like people, but not.
They're Pipples then, she said, matter-of-factly, like the wise child that she is.
And so the Pipples arrived.
Every day a few more arrive.
They are very friendly creatures and don't take up much room.
Today a Flug came too. He was supposed to be a Pipple but half way through the making, he informed me that he was NOT a Pipple but was in fact a Flug.
Sometimes I do wonder who is in charge here........
the happiness that comes from being with people that you love, the confidence to be truly yourself, some space of your own to be creative, even if you don't get it right first time. 
on the hills, on the hen-house...... it was lovely.....
there was even enough to build with.....and this year of course, they had to make......
a Snow Pipple!!
The Snow Pipple liked watching the hens, who weren't the least bit fazed by the snow and took it all in their stride....
First of all, there's Santa, waiting patiently for the real one by the wood burner.
Then there's the Christmas bunting I made last year, hanging above the beautiful mermaid print by my lovely friend Lisa.
And a sign for Santa, to make absolutely sure he stops here (plus a very polite letter for him from Floss).
Then there's the 'rainbow' Christmas tree. Every year, I have a theme, usually 2 colours, very calm, very 'designed' - sometimes pink and silver, often white and silver. But this year, in honour of all the rainbow crafting that has been going on this year, I chose pink, yellow, blue, green, red and purple. A decision that was met with whole-hearted child approval!! 
Congratulations Beck!
Congratulations Anne Marie - you need to choose 20 colours from here!
Feeling a bit like Alice's White Rabbit - 'I'm late...I'm late!' all day today. So much to do so little time....and yet strangely not achieving much!!! See you tomorrow for a calm Friday post with the giveaway winners names which will be drawn in about 3 hours time. 
