Fabric stash and Countess HarJill.

Hello everyone. This time I thought I would show you my fabric that I bought when I was down in my favourite place. Perth, Scotland. There is a large antique/collectable shop that sells all sorts and here is some of my haul.

A babies dress that is made from cotton and lace. I don't know how old it is but so sweet. Such fine sewing and delicate lace. I have hung it up in my bedroom for now so I can admire it.
A small French basket and the red gingham and huge piece of linen are also from France. The big bundle of lace I was lucky enough to win on Ebay......and here is what I have used some of them for.....

introducing The Countess de HarJill. With her lacey top and linen skirt.

She is proper posh and look at her bouffant hair do, if it wasn't so windy up here I think I would like a hair style like that!
I have made up a recital called 'Now I am old' a take on the poem 'When I am old'.  Part of it says ' now I am old, I shall dye my grey hair red and pile it high to the sky'

Oh I do wish I was so bold, maybe I could try it on special occasions!!

And here is the side of her fancy home. She has a little banner made from linen and with two butterlies balanced on the ends. With her handbag matching her shoes and a couple of hearts she feels very much at home. The box measures 11" x 6" and Countess is approx 9" tall from the top of her beautiful hair to her dainty shoes.

                                                       She has some very fancy lacy panties.

                                                No jeans for this young lady!

She is sold and on her way to her new home. Where, no doubt she will keep everyone in order with her best Downton Abbey voice!! These are made to order, so if you would like your own 'Countess' please email on the address at the right side bar.

Nikki has been thinking about the coming chilly days and has raided the wardrobe to see if the hats and scarfs are upto scratch....hmmm....maybe that one is a tad too big tho.

Whilst Archie has more important things on his mind and that is, checking out Nikki's bed to see just how comfy it is, measuring it up to see if he and his toys will fit,, and whether she should be sharing it with him!

Fit is nice, will have to move all my toys in and make it more homely. (Archie is such a fidgety bottom that it's hard to get a photo of him when he's not moving!)

This weeks linky parties;
 Sunday
handmadeharbour.blogspot
the-chicken-chick.
Monday
thededicatedhouse.blogspot
Tuesday
thewellcraftedhome.
thediydreamer
Wednesday
ivyandelephants.blogspot.
lavendergardencottage.blogspot.
finecraftguild.com/
Thursday
lambertslately.com
Friday
dianarambles.com
myfashionforwardblog.

Have Bike will travel!

Mavis has her bike at long last so she can now cycle to the shops with Nikki who is rather precariously balanced on the back!

He is still waiting for a basket to sit in for the front of the bicycle.

Whhheeeee...mind out the way, no brakes haha.

Here are the three Mavis's together. One watercolour (which is a bit faint due to the lighting) One redwork embroidery and one 3-d dolly. I had a lot of fun putting them all together. I have to admit I didn't make the bike, it was purchased in Wilkinsons (my new favourite shop which unfortunately we don't have up here in our corner of Scotland so I only get to visit when I'm away from home).

Closer view of the redwork......

and the painting....

Here is a sneek peek at something different I'm working on.....

More will be revealed at a later date if all goes well.

Here is Wee Archie (name change from Teddy) inspecting the grass that Nikki recommended

He can't believe how soft it is and how you can dig holes in it/eat it/roll on it/jump and run on it and thinks that it should be in the house instead of a carpet!

Nikki wholeheartedly agrees as she keeps stepping in little puddles and unmentionables and knows she didn't do that when she was a pup as she always did it on the big grass thing outside.  She is a big girl now and here she is proudly posing with her certificates and rosettes when she was younger.

This weeks linky parties are;
Sunday;
the-chicken-chick.
handmadeharbour.blogspot
Monday;
thededicatedhouse.blogspot.
Tuesday;
thewellcraftedhome.blogspot
Wednesday;
lavendergardencottage.blogspot
thediydreamer.
Thursday;
lambertslately.com
ivyandelephants.blogspot
Friday;
dianarambles.com
faithgracecrafts.blogspot.

Scrappy heart cushion and a new addition to the family.

Ever wondered what to do with all those small bits of left over fabric? So did I, until I hit on the idea of making these.....

 Lots of little bits of leftovers from other projects, not big enough to do a scrappy quilt (or rather too much like hard work!)  but big enough for this project.  Carefully cut and then pieced together and placed  on iron-on vilene to hold them together, before they were sew onto the backing fabric making some hearts, which then turned into this....

yep, another cushion cover! I initially was going to hand embroider around the hearts, but, why have an embroidery machine if you don't use it, and, which will get the job done in a fraction of the time!

Yet another one to add my growing collection! The background fabric is calico squares that were also odds and ends of left overs.

Now for something completely different.....a little addition to our family.....Teddy.

He is a little Yorkshire Terrier, so friendly and cuddly. Nikki is getting used to not being the only child!
Not to be outdone here she is in her go-bag (we don't really carry her about, it just has all the doggie paraphernalia for when we are out and about)

Nikki's thoughts;
anything you can sit in, I can sit in better......hang on this is a blue bag, I'm a girl, I want a pink (or red) one. Hmmm... if I get that little squirt to dirty it up a bit maybe muv will make me a bag more in keeping with my status......or.... I could look in the doggie catalogue for a super duper, shiny one.
And while I'm thinking, what about the cheek of him chewing my toys (disgusting) and my sticks there wont be any left at this rate, still if there is a wet puddle on the floor he will get the blame (now there's a plan, although I am rather a lady now, and, why do it inside when there is a great big piece of green stuff outside) Muv reckons she has lost a couple of 1b's chasing around after him, she should be pleased as she's always moaning she needs to lose a bit around the tummy!
I guess he is kinda cute so he will probably be a keeper.....and it is more fun with two of you chasing a ball. Hey, I can hear the chink of my dinner bowl (which IS pink) best get there before squirt does.......laters....

This weeks Linky Parties:
Sunday;
thededicatedhouse.blogspot.
submarine-sunday-48.html
handmadeharbour.blogspot.
Tuesday;
thewellcraftedhome.blogspot
thediydreamer.
Wednesday;
ivyandelephants.blogspot.
lavendergardencottage.blogspot.
www.finecraftguild.
Thursday;
lambertslately.com
sparklesandastove.
Friday;
craftsalamode.what-to-do-weekends-37.
make it blue friday

Mavis and Nikki

Let me introduce you to Mavis and Nikki this time in doll form, rather than as an embroidery or painting. She is sporting red, stripey stockings and on her feet a pair of fairisle boots and a matching hat . With her faithful doggie Nikki by her side she is all ready for a walk in the park.

Do you like her wild, auburn hair?

                                                             Woof woof!

Here they are together. I used bits and pieces to make them. Nikki/boots/hat are made out of an old jumper, the coat is felt and her hair is some cushion tassels with her body being made from a piece of sheeting! Who said crafting has to cost £££'s!

Back view....hmmm....I wouldn't mind a jacket like that and I will keep an eye out for some stripey tights!

                                                            Little buttons keep his legs on!

This is the real Nikki enjoying herself with her new woodland friends. Those teddies are super big, just the right size to sit on a cosy lap.

 I'm sorry to all those on Google+ that have left me a comment, that I've been unable to reply due to not belonging to that particular site.

This week linky parties are;
Sunday;
usscrafty.blogspot.co.uk
handmadeharbour.blogspot.
Monday;
thededicatedhouse.blogspot.
Wednesday;
thewellcraftedhome.blogspot
thediydreamer
lavendergardencottage
ivyandelephants.blogspot.
Thursday;
myfashionforwardblog
craftsalamode.com
dianarambles.

You say Tomato and I say Tomartoe!

We have tomatoes growing out of our ears. It's funny, but I can't eat them unless cooked, and hidden in a meal, which is a shame, cos they look so delicious.

 A brief summary is that the Latah seed purchased from The Real Seed Company are the best, although the wonkiest shapes. Second in came a Tumbling Tom which was purchased for 99p from a local garden centre. Thirdly was the Lidles seeds.

 I don't know if I pruned the Lidles back to far, but there were only a few toms on them, so probably the lack of fruit was made by me as they were very lush and bushy when they were growing. The good thing is that they arn't ripe yet so the glut is a bit smaller than if they had ripened same time as the others.

Here is a very small sample and  you can see the funny shapes of the Latah variety. Friends that I gave some to commented how flavoursome they were. (A bonus is that as they are not a hybrid, the seeds can be saved and you get the same tomatoes next year, so theoretically you never need to buy tomato seeds again) The other two contestants were perfectly formed, round shaped, so beloved of supermarkets! With the leftovers of which there are many and still cropping, I made a sort of tomato and chilli relish/dip, just throwing in stuff and reducing it right down till all the juice had gone. I was told it taste good. (I dont like relish so couldn't taste as I was going along to see if it was OK!)

And here is a cross stitch of tomatoes that I stitched a while ago just to keep in with the theme!

                                 
                                                    Close ups

This hangs on the kitchen wall in all it's tomatoiness haha. I have been crafting other stuff but it's not ready to show and tell yet. At the moment she is looking alright and she will be ready for her modelling career next time I post.

Here is pin up Nikki on her favourite walk in the forest. You do have to be careful who you come across, the fairy tale was true, bears do live in the wood, but they had already eaten the porridge!!

This weeks linky parties are:
Sunday;
handmadeharbour.blogspot.
/www.usscrafty.blogspot.
Monday;
the-chicken-chick.com/
Tuesday;
thediydreamer.
thededicatedhouse.blogspot.
Wednesday;
lavendergardencottage.blogspot.
ivyandelephants.blogspot.
Thursday;
myfashionforwardblog
Friday;
craftsalamode what-to-do-weekends-33.
dianarambles.

Redwork embroidery and a lovely parcel of goodies.

There still hasn't been much movement on the crafting front, although I did manage to finish these 3 redwork embroideries, a series of Mrs. Harris & Nikki.

                                            Here is Mrs. Harris and Nikki feeding the hens.

                                         Wheeeee, free wheeling down the hill!

                                        Fresh apples for an apple pie.

I am intending to turn these into pdf files as mentioned earlier, but time has once again run away and it's not been done. Lots of rough sketches for more Mrs. Harris & Nikki. These were worked in running stitch and a little chain and satin stitch, she stands approx 8" tall from her wellies to her hat and is worked on a buff coloured polycotton fabric.

 I am considering selling these three embroideries if you are interested, my email is in the sidebar.
 (I also am working on an applique with her hanging out a patch work quilt and am getting out my paints to do a painting of them, so watch this space!)

This week I am a winner...yay! Paper and String were having a giveaway and here is the package I received. Exciting eh.

and this is what I chose....4 bundles of felt and a large packet of fancy buttons.

Lush or what. I was allowed to choose £10 of goodies from her shop and what a shop!

Here is the link http://paper-and-string.blogspot.co.uk/ go and have a looksie, lots of lovely, yumminess lurking in there.

To end this post here is a photo of Nikki doing what she does best, posing!

Sheep are not for chasing, but for sitting on. haha. See you in a fortnight, take care.

This weeks linky parties are;
Sunday;
handmadeharbour.blogspot.
submarine-sunday-42.
dianarambles.com/
the-chicken-chick.com/
Monday;
thededicatedhouse.blogspot.
Tuesday;
thewellcraftedhome.blogspot.
thediydreamer.
Wednesday;
lavendergardencottage.blogspot.
Thursday;
myfashionforwardblog
Friday;
craftsalamode.com
dianarambles.com/

Gardens, plants and Nikki

This week is all about the garden, I have sunburn to prove we have had sun. Not as much as England but enough to be able to sit out and have an ice lolly and read a book. Lovely.

The polytunnel was a sauna, everytime I went in my glasses steamed up. haha.

 The red blob on the left hand side is the only ripe tomato so far, lots of green ones tho.
The corn is an experiment to see if they produce corn. There are some tassels showing, think I will have to google to see what to do! The seat at the end is where I have a cuppa and give Nikki a brush. My grape vine has got 3 bundles of grapes, how big they will get we'll have to wait and see. Probably not enough to make a bottle of wine!

Huge amount of gooseberries. Quite small but they are ripe, never had so many on 2 small bushes, already made a cake with a few. Gives the cake a slightly tart flavour. DH doen't like goosegogs, so I don't tell him what's lurking in my cakes!

Here is Nikki showing of 2 of the rather large caulis that were in the polytunnel, we also picked some large heads of broccoli, yummy. The sun was so bright that Nikki had to borrow a pair of sunglasses...haha.

Here she is pretending to be a hen and hoping I wouldn't notice! Why she likes the hens oats I don't know, but she doesn't lay any eggs!!

Front garden, the bamboo sticks are for the runner beans as there was nowhere else to put them, but they look pretty with the red flowers climbing up.

another view.

Around the back again and next to the poly tunnel, to what is a field, but slowly turning a part of it into some semblance of a garden (hopefully anyway) The grass on this part has layers and layers of stones underneath so it makes it very difficult to dig. We wondered if it was a courtyard in the old days.  This summer house has only been a year in the making and still hasn't got all the glass in, one day we might even be able to sit there!

Well, that's your lot for this week. I have been doing a bit of crafting but some of it turned out wrong. But this is something I am pleased with and here is a peek....guess what Mrs.Harris (she's had a name change!) and Nikki are doing? Part of the set of what I hope will be a redwork embroidery pdf.

This weeks linky parties are;
Sunday;
handmadeharbour.blogspot.
usscrafty.blogspot.submarine-sunday
Monday,
the-chicken-chick.com/
Tuesday;
thededicatedhouse.
thediydreamer.
Wednesday
ivyandelephants.blogspot.
finecraftguild.
thewellcraftedhome.blogspot.
avendergardencottage.blogspot.
Thursday;
craftsalamode.

framed Sunshine Sampler

Just quickly popping in to show you the quirky houses Sunshine Sampler all framed up. The frame does need a bit of touching up but hey the battered look fits right in here!

.....and for those that wanted to know which cottage is mine. It's the white one with the 2 red doors
Party link;
finecraftguild.
thededicatedhouse.blogspot.
lavendergardencottage.blogspot.
dianarambles.com

Re-cycling books. Mavis and Nikki go for a walk.Nikki's towels

This crafty make is a present from my daughter. We have a Zutter punch (which I can't figure out how to work it properly and all the holes go in the wrong places) so dd has taken it over.

These books have been laying around for ages, they are the sort, that, once read, they are then confined to deepest darkest cupboard which is a shame. So, to give them a new lease of life she made me these, after carefully cutting the boards and removing the insides she went to work pimping them up!

Now, I am getting old, and a lot of the quotes in the little blue book could quite well refer to me! haha  'Hazards of a handyman' we can relate to as we have had a few mishaps while hammering or sawing over the years!!

Inside, the top one has plain paper in it so I can make sketches and notes and the little one has lined paper for joting down shopping lists or bits and pieces. I think they are great fun and are going to come in very handy. She is going to be making some more out of old annuals. (not valuable ones I hasten to say!)

As for me I have made a little embroidery for a cushion. Mavis and Nikki going for a walk. It is running stitch in red thread.

I call this a self portrait haha. If you look closely you can see some quirky houses on the handbag. Must find me some stripey stockings!

Here it is turned into a cushion. I have to say it's one of my favourites.

 I have in mind to do a series of line drawings of Mavis and Nikki in various poses which I think would make a nice transfer set to use as cushions/pictures/embroidery or included in a quilt. Do you think people would be interested in buying them as PDF files, either singly or as a set? I would love to hear your opinions.

And just for Nikki, as she has been mostly good this week, some jazzed up towels.

Carefully folded so that you can't see the ingrained dirt from past exploits. (No, she doesn't appreciate her personalised towels!)

This weeks linky parties are:-
Sunday.
handmadeharbour.
craftsalamode.
dianarambles.com
Monday;
the-chicken-chick.com
Tuesday;
thediydreamer.
Wednesday;
lavendergardencottage.blogspot.
ivyandelephants.blogspot.
Thursday;
myfashionforwardblog.
Friday;
craftsalamode.