You know you're in The Zone (for better or for worse!) when you're even dreaming about work... In the last post, I was having trouble manouevring the oversized bubble crown onto its tipped brim, and was planning a trip to see Rose to Sort It Out.

And then, and I kid you not, I dreamt how to fix it...and it WORKED! Not a stitch in sight!

The dressing / decoration / icing on the cake is often the bit I enjoy the most, but the construction of this hat has been fulfilling in itself too! I've just got to add the petersham edging to cover the wried brim, and then I'm thinking a great big pompom resting in the dip in the brim over the eye - potentially leather but maybe feather...or maybe I'll dream up something else entirely! ;)

I've also been block making this week, I'd forgotten how much fun / messy it is! This forties style pillbox is a really versatile block, but I originally started it for this trailing ivy design. I made the leaves a few months ago, originally with a silk hat in mind, but with the crisp edge to the morning sunshine last week, I'm feeling the Need For Tweed, and actually I think the contrast between the textures will be more interesting when it's done!

It was a lot more fun sharing a table with Sue too than being on my own, so we're doing the impressive Nailcote Hall next on 13th October too :)

I also decided to leave the pink simamay percher as it was, partly as a stylistic choice but mainly for time purposes, and let's face it - less is (nearly always) more dahlinks! ;)

It's currently living it up in Sue's shop as I type, let's hope someone falls for it like my mum did! ;)

I also ordered some more business cards this week from the lovely people at Moo.com and they've kindly given me this discount code to share with other creative types! I get credits in my account; you get 10% off your first order - what's not not like?! :D

So, that's in for another fortnight! I'm linking up with Handmade Monday as always so pop over and indulge your curiousity (slash nosiness) about what they've all been up to, and I'll see you in a couple of weeks!

As you'll no doubt have seen from my Twitter feed, the run up to the Perfect Brides Weding Fayre at St Johns Hotel was a tad hectic!! I finished this elegant peony in the nick of time on Friday night to join the bridal collection. It's already up there with my favourites, but as it's bridal I think I definitely can't lay claim to this for myself! ;)

The fayre itself wasn't a huge success, but neither was it a disaser: I handed out a few cards and there was some general interest and encouraging feedback (as well as some comedy moments when I think people forget that you can still hear everything they're saying, despite standing behind a table...! Bride: Mum! Look at that butterfly hat!" MOTB: "Erm, no." Bride: "Oh. What about that lovely daisy..?" MOTB: "No! I don't like that one either.") Still, it was definitely a good starter for ten experience-wise, and I'm pleased with the look of the stand. I made some great contacts too (including a wedding planner - I should really have thought about this avenue before ha!) and I'm feeling fairly pragmatic about it. Sue Graley was on hand with advice and a comedy turn in the sample photo booth! I'm sharing a stand with her at the Chesford Grange Wedding Fayre this weekend, and I've kept everything packed up from the last one so it should be a smoother ride on the way too!

Cupid has been in Sue's window for the past fortnight or so, complementing a gorgeous 50s style lace wedding dress (they must be soulmates!) so now it's time for a change - she's requested a 'big one' next... I was going to finish off the Monster Brim for her but I think I need Rose's guidance to wrestle the beast into submission, so I had a play with some dusky pink sinamay yesterday and suddenly...

This hat really designed itself! I love the abstract curves, and I think it feels very couture (dare I mention Stephen Jones!?) I'm toying with the idea of adding some deep pink and tan burnt pheasant coils, but I can't decide if less is more - watch out for the options on Twitter and Facebook later this week and help me decide please!

Rest assured I haven't forgotten about my winter collection... it's just taken a slight back seat in the run up to the fayre, but I'll be back on the case tomorrow night! The green felt tipped brim is coming along nicely, although I'm having a slight logistical nightmare with the oversized bubble crown vs the 22&1/2 inch head fitting... it's off to Rose I go I think! ;) (Honestly, any excuse!)

And with that, I'm off to fix a lining of sticky tape to the inside of my thimble to stop it falling off my freezing cold fingers every two minutes! If you need a winter warming pick-me-up, head over to Handmade Harbour and I'll see you in a fortnight!

As always after a break in between assignments, I'd forgotten just how hectic hatting can be when you're nine-to-fiving as well! As a result, there are only two new hats to show you this week, so I've gone off piste to show you another project I made since the last post too.

Whilst I would always prefer to be making hats, I can't deny that I'm loving my latest temp position. I've been working with the fabulous team at The Air Ambulance Service, writing the copy for their new charity craft book. The Air Ambulance's work is absolutely awe inspiring, so it's a pleasure and privilege to support this project - and the fact that it's been a lot of fun to boot is a massive bonus! The book's a beauty, and is out in October - it's based on breathing new life into pre-loved items you can pick up from their charity shops and is well worth a read, even if I do say so myself!! The only problem is that I've got so into the crafty prose vibe, that I'm always accidentally alliterating...

Landmark alert! This week saw my first order from a total stranger!! A red felt version of Rose Between Two Thorns has proudly adorned the window of the ever chic Coco Rose for the past couple of weeks, and on Friday I got a call requesting a blood red silk version...with a three day turnaround! Luckily I was London-bound for weekend bridesmaid duties (of which more below) so I popped into Broadwick Silks to get some glowing dupion - I even managed to limit myself to buying a single metre of the red and nothing more, it's a new record!

I'm taking the plunge and exhibiting at a wedding fair...on Sunday! The Perfect Brides Wedding Fair is at the St Johns Hotel in Solihull and is (I'm promised!) hugely popular (double cripes!) - AND it's free entry, so please point all the brides-to-be you know in my general direction! Much obliged! ;)

I'll let you know how I get on at the fair next time, keep an eye on Twitter and Facebook for interim updates...!

Luckily the folks over at Handmade Monday have been as industrious as ever, so if this short and sweet post has left you wanting, pop over and check out what they've been up to. I'm back off up to the studio - I'm more manic hatter than mad hatter these days! - see you back here in two weeks for a thorough debrief!