The Duchess and white mousie

I'm thinking it's getting a bit cooler and I wonder if we are going to be in line for the snow that is forecast. As we live at the top of Scotland people often think we get lots of snow but we don't, that is reserved for lower down! 2010 was pretty bad, but also hit the whole country as well. So lets hunker down and get on with some crafting....that's my idea anyway!

Here is a little white mousie that I made and she is joining the Chitter Chatter Crafty Club and will join in the knitting frenzy that is going on there.

                                                         Isn't she a little sweetie?

Back view. Sitting comfortably on her reel of cotton. Her little heart declares 'knit'! She will be popped into my Etsy shop soon.

This is something I can show you now that the recipient has received her. The 'Duchess'

Her hair puts mine to shame...really must get it sorted! Love her dress, don't save dresses for best wear them now, best might never come!!

There is a little scroll there wrapped in some raffia which is the title 'deeds' to the Duchess chateau. She certainly has some fancy lace on her dress.

The 'poem' on the back is the same as the Countess one. 'Now I am old', a take on the poem 'When I am old' She has settled into her new home and is partaking of tea and scones as I type.

My daughter did these two pastel drawings of our little dogs, Nikki (top) and Archie. They look quite the thing hanging on the wall.

Here is scruff posing with his portrait before he proceedes to chew it!



This weeks linky parties are;
Sunday;
handmadeharbour.blogspot.
the-chicken-chick
Monday;
thededicatedhouse.blogspot.
Tuesday;
thediydreamer.
Wednesday;
lavendergardencottage
Thursday;
lambertslately.
ivyandelephants.blogspot.
myfashionforwardblog.

Etsy shop now open!

I have re-opened my Etsy shop at long last and a few things listed in there.

Including these lovie dovie birdies with a beakful of love hearts.

and two little mice reading the cheese recipe book to decide what to cook for dinner. All nice and cosy on a wintery day. . I wonder how long that bowl of cheese nibbles will last!
Need to take a better photo tho.

This weeks linky parties:
Sunday;
handmadeharbour.blogspot.co.uk/
Monday;
thededicatedhouse.blogspot.
Tuesday;
thediydreamer
Wednesday;
lavendergardencottage.
ivyandelephants.blogspot
Thursday;
myfashionforwardblog.
lambertslately.com
Friday;
.dianarambles.

Chitter, Chatter Craft Club.

This week I have been upto my knees in meeces...knitting and sewing ones that is!

she was a bit lonely so she decided to call her friend who likes sewing and embroidery...

..

and they both decided it was a good idea to set up a crafting club...so they invited their friends....

and the Chitter, Chatter Craft Club was formed. Only for mice I'm afraid, but you could become an honary member by purchasing one!!

Well, shall we tiptoe away and let them carry on knitting their winter jumpers and embroidering tablecloths.

It's nice to cuddle up to someone on a cold wintery evening.....

Better still to use them as a comfy pillow, so soft and warm!

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

triplets or twins!

This week we have had some little visitors in the shape of twins and triplets. They are so good and didn't make a sound!

Here is the nursery aka my kitchen table! The prams are in various stages of completion.

Here are the triplets keeping as still as they can for their photo. All cosy in their winter hats and lacey blanket. With their plumped up pillows they are so comfy, and ready for a ride in their pram.

 Here is Robert waiting patiently for Rosamund to join him, although he's not lonely as the triplets have been keeping him company.

And here she is, although a bit more tweaking might be in order before she goes off to her new home.
 Head Honcho made the wheels for me and the pram is inspired by the big one my babies used to have....a long time ago now. Used to be able to get 3 children in plus the shopping!

And so to bed. The little 'un said...roll over, roll over haha.

The twins wanted to try out the new bed to see how comfy it is....they fell asleep! This is the smallest quilt I've ever made, just fits into the sardine can.

These three musketeers would have a lot of fun if I still had a pram I bet, there would be bits of food, chewed up toys and all sorts of garden vegatation in the bottom. Maybe I should sit in one and they can pull me along! (Jazz the spaniel is my dd's doggie, all good mates together....most of the time)

This weeks linky parties are;
Sunday
handmadeharbour.blogspot.
the-chicken-chick.
Monday;
thededicatedhouse.blogspot.
Tuesday;
thediydreamer.
Wednesday;
lavendergardencottage.blogspot.
thewellcraftedhome.
ivyandelephants.blogspot
Thursday;
www.lambertslately.com
myfashionforwardblog.com
Friday;
dianarambles.com
thededicatedhouse.blogspot
anything-blue-friday-week-32.

                                       

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.