Martin LaFelt and Rosy .... in the case of the Missing Monkee

Last week I was lucky enough to win Lesley's 100th post giveaway ......







When we heard about this happy news, and 007 realised that yet another monkey was coming to join the fold, he rushed off and started rummaging through the cutlery drawer ......










..... doh - I'm just playing with you! That was simply the knife I used to open the package. Besides, 007 was nowhere around when I came to open it ......












Martin LaFelt was first out ......









Then he helped deliver Rosy ......











..... it was quite a struggle, but Martin persevered ......










..... until eventually Rosy - and a whole heap of other marvellous goodies were revealed ......




(Thank you so much, Lesley ..... Gina wasn't kidding when she said you put together a good giveaway!)





While they lived at Lesley's house, Rosy and Martin had heard all about 007 from Ruby (formerly known as HP5), and Martin in particular was very keen to meet him, so they spent a few minutes coming up with a plan of action (and eating chocolate) ......

Then they started on their search for that legend amongst monkees ......

Soon, they spotted him heading through a doorway ......

..... so they set off in hot pursuit (please excuse Martin LaFelt's stance ..... it was a long trip in a jiffy bag ..... he just needs a bit of time to straighten out)

But when they got there, they only found Hercule Primot, that famous Belgian monkey detective (..... yes, this is my pathetic take on Hercule Poirot ..... if anyone can think of anything better, I'd love to hear about it ....)

(Look ..... if it worked for Clark Kent with those glasses, it can work for my monkee - ok? Roll with it .....)

..... who was investigating an allegation of an underground knitted skittles outfit, where a poor defenceless monkey was being used as a ball .....

..... the ball was helping Hercule with his inquiries ......

..... and he was recording the details with his standard issue primate pen and pad .....

Martin and Rosy tentatively approached ......

..... and asked if anyone knew where 007 was ......

Hercule thought for a moment, then pointed them in the direction of the kitchen ......

..... but when I mentioned the ..... ahem ..... state of the kitchen ..... he quickly amended that to "outside".....

...... then, just as they turned to leave, something terrible happened ......

007's disguise slipped quite inappropriately! But phew! It wasn't spotted by Rosy or Martin as they had already continued in their quest to find that elusive monkee made of knit.

After a bit of searching, they eventually came upon the front door, and when I opened it (well, they couldn't reach the handle, could they?), we saw this ......

It was our friendly local delivery monkey, delivering our fruit and veg ......

"How strange" I said ...... "I'm sure I ordered more banana's than that" ......

But the delivery monkey just shrugged his shoulders, smiled and gave me a wolfish grin ......

..... and then he was off, as fast as his little knitted legs would carry him ..... which wasn't very .....

So Rosy and Martin spent some more time around the house, hunting 007 down, until eventually they caught up with him in the lounge, where he was relaxing with a cuppa and a crossword .....

When Rosy pointed out that they'd heard so much about him, and that Martin just wanted to be his new side-kick, 007 decided to hear them out ......

I just want to be your new side-kick ...... said Martin

Suddenly, they heard heard frantic scrabbling behind the sofa and HP27 appeared out of nowhere .....

He pointed out that he was 007's right-hand monkee, and that there wasn't an opening for another one ......

A skuffle ensued ......

Rosy wondered if 007 should do something ......

But there was no need. Martin LaFelt had it tied up ......

He may be small, but he obviously packs a powerful punch ......

So be warned, 007. Don't fall for that innocent face. And don't mess with Martin LaFelt ..... or you could become his sidekick .....

Mwah ha ha ha ha ......

Well, I hope you enjoyed the story of the day that Rosy and Martin came to live with us. I'd like to thank Lesley, for picking me as the winner and for all the gorgeous goodies, but huge thanks too, to Gigibird, without whose fantastic props this story would not have been possible ......

Great props ..... Thank you, Lynn

and finally, a note to Rosie ..... please don't think that I've forgotten about your brilliant prop - I haven't - but that's earmarked for another story another day .....

Random Monkey Shot # 20

In a change from the post I was planning, I give you a picture of some monkeys that I didn't knit. I saw this photo of Japanese Macaques in a hot spring at the Joshinetsu Kogen national park, in the Times last week and I liked it. I liked it a lot.

Do those monkeys know how to live or what?

My monkees are very jealous, obviously, as they too would love to lounge around in a hot spring (who wouldn't?). But you know what happens to knit when it gets wet. And it's not pleasant.

I have to leave the house early this morning to go on a training course, so tune in next time to find out what happened when Rosy and Martin Lafelt came to live amongst the inmates primates here at Monkee Towers. (Make sure you bring refreshments ..... it's quite a saga ....)

Anyone for skittles?

Do you remember these boys?

Monkey skittles ..... aka The New Monkey Army

Well, now I have them in knit form .....

(I know, it's taking me ages to finish these troops ..... I keep getting distracted)

Anyone fancy a game? I even found the perfect soft ball .....








Oops ..... my mistake ......

(Sorry, Sue*)

* No super-soft furry monkey warmer was harmed in the making of this post. Just squished up a bit. And then taped up. Oh and dropped. (but only once twice)

My latest obsession

Bags and purses used to be my thing. If I didn't come back from a shopping trip without a new bag then there was something amiss.



But for the last couple of months I've been lugging round a monkee tote (advertising) and I like my tatty flowery faux leather purse so much that I don't want to give it up. So I've developed a new obsession.



For corsages. Brooches. Pins. Badges. Call them what you will, I'm hooked.



I think it started with this cute kitty from Fluffy Flowers ......







..... and continued with this lovely flower from Gigibird and Stella ......







..... closely followed by Lesley's gorgeous material and crochet masterpiece .....







..... then there was this beauty, from Raspberry ......







..... which came in an equally lovely mini tote ..... (ok, so I am still buying the odd bag or two ....)

..... and who could resist this beautiful heart from Nia Jane .....

(I know I couldn't)

..... or this pretty pink flower, also from Nia (the colours in this photo don't do it justice I'm afraid) ....

...... then at Christmas, this cute guy came along, kindly made by the vicious chicken ......

..... and continuing with the monkey theme - how fabulous is this one from Pink Sparrow .....

..... so fabulous that I bought two so that I could give one away. If I'm planning on giving it to you - don't look ..... oops, too late.

So there you have it. My new, completely harmless obsession. The only problem is now that I don't have enough jackets to display them all. But as I loathe and detest clothes shopping, I'll just have to rotate them.

Just before I go I'd like to thank my unwilling victim willing model in today's photo-shoot .....

007. Thanks 007 - you wore them well.

And 007's favourite? It's obvious really ......

..... the pink monkey. The pin wasn't as pointy. Apparently.