Dexter has been feeling cold at night. All of the old bed jackets I made for him have met with mysterious (or not mysterious) ends, and now the nights have turned cold and he’s an old boy. So yesterday I ventured forth to Edithvale where I had been told there is an oppy that opens on Sundays (!) in search of a blanket for making a new jacket.

No blankets. Can you believe it? I guess I wasn’t the only one who noticed the cold.

Not to be daunted, I bought a kids’ zip fronted windcheater and put my imagination, cataclysmic sewing unskills and solitary pin to good use. It looks great! From a distance.

But before I left the oppy I did a quick trawl of the book shelves.

How could I resist this?

If I was in any doubt, Emily (whoever she was she had good taste I’m sure) told me in blue texta on the half title page that this book is:

Within were many hairy beasties – foxes, wolves and trolls along with the human variety.

I don’t like your chances Gingerbread Boy.

Nor yours, Henny Penny. Make like a chicken, girl!

This beast is a relative of one of John Burningham’s I think. His paws show the family likeness.

No self respecting billy goat is daunted by one such as this.

Heavens! Look out Granny! This looks most uncomfortable.

Meanwhile my own little beasty Dexter, is enjoying an afternoon by the heater because it’s cold and raining outside. So far the ‘new’ jacket hasn’t fallen apart so he’ll be warm again tonight. (Note to self: I really must buy some more pins. And replace the broken sewing machine needles ;-)