A bit of cross stitch

I'm further on with my large cross stitch than I thought I would be, mainly due to using a blue washable pen to mark out the lines in blocks so mistakes are easily picked up. Having finished more or less 3 pages out of 9 so am pleased with that. Although it is still going to be one of those projects that you amble along on so not an overnight whiz!

 At the moment it doesn't look much but I hope it turns out as nice as the other one that I did in the same series.

Mojo returning.....hopefully!

I hope the loss of the crafting mojo was just a blip! I fancied making something a bit more subdued and feminine than I have been doing of late, and fortunately had the material in my stash.

 Making some sort of pattern and cutting it out. As you might be able to tell the buff coloured fabric is linen, and doesn't it crease but so lovely to sew.

 Finished product, which I'm fairly pleased with as all the patches actually meet in the middle! Yep, there is a little house....well had to put one in didn't I. (It was either that or a monkey haha) This time for the applique house I turned the edges in and slipped stitched all the house.

                                                              Close Ups

                                                       

                                          For the edge binding I put the linen with the pattern and
                                          pattern with the linen which looks really nice in real life.

                                           The back is a simple slip on with no buttons (which
                                           means no button holes!!)

For the front I gently eased some wadding in half so that the patchwork and quilting has a slightly padded effect. With the cushion inserted the linen looks so much better.

Even daughter was impressed and she doesn't do pink! I have an urge to do some more cushions, I've got some ideas for some different mottos to embroider on.....watch this space!

A boquet of button flowers!

There seems to be a lot of button boquets about on peoples blogs so I thought that as I have a box full of buttons and the other equipment to hand....give it a go. Great to find inspiration on others blogs.

This minature vase of flowers was made from shirt buttons, pearls and paper, then twisted with florist wire. The mini vase was the one shown a few posts back that Head Honcho had dug up from the garden. It's so tiny, what could it have been used for?

The pound coin shows how small it is. The buttons must have been in my button box for the last 40 years!

The label is just a stick on one, with coffee painted on around the edges to make it look older, and with it saying Petite Flowers finished off with a bit of ribbon string.

In situ. Most suprised that HH even thought it looked cute! Now the other bottles are bigger and one of them says poisonous on the side (they are those pale green ones) so will need to think about what to do with them, bigger boquet maybe?

A bit of activity in the kitchen

I thought I would try out a way of preserving the carrots and beans that were grown in the garden as the freezer was rather full. Having heard about salting beans and that sounded pretty easy, but, why not carrots as well. So mixed plenty of salt with water (no weighing involved!) and sterilized the jars. These two have been in a dark cupboard for nearly two months. I'm going to keep them for a few more months and then have a taste (after much rinsing!) If it works it would be a good way to store food and leave more freezer space for other things.

p.s. They were put in the jars uncooked. Will let you know the outcome.

Mojo lost

Have had a bit of a lull in the crafting side of things :0(
Have tried 2 different things (not saying what!) and neither have so far turned out right and I don't have the oomph to correct them as yet.

On a better note I have knitted a few more squares for the blanket so now upto 26 blocks, still a loonng way to go tho.
So no pictures to put up.....maybe it's the overcast weather making it hard to get going! Do others have the same problem?

Cute things for the house

When we went for our rellie visiting trip I mentioned that we went to the shops (and more shops!) and my favourite shop now for bits and bobs is Wilkinsons. This little bird  was £2 and the 3 drawer cupboard  £3. It's a handy size for storing those small bits that you don't know where to put! Also got this matching home sign for £2. The colours are a light sagey green and the birdie is a lime green. Bargains!!
They are housed on the mantlepiece now. I still havn't seen a Wilkes in Scotland, although I know they are on-line but there is nothing like seeing items in real life!

Chalk Pictures

A whiley ago my daughter was into 'painting' with pastels. So she encouraged me to have a go. I think the photo is a lot better than the actual picture! I have to say tho it's quick, but pastel dust everywhere! I did it on a left over peice of black thick paper. I sprayed some  hairspray to try and set it without it making any difference.

Was a lovely sunny day today, in fact probably better than some summer days we had. lol. So did a much needed clear up of some of the garden. Got a load of bulbs to put in as well, so hopefully it will be sunshine tomorrow as well.

knitted blanket

Whilst I was away the other week, this is another crafty thing that I started. I had bought the book
'200 knitted Blocks' by Jan Eaton. Inspired by these squares I made about 20 inbetween visiting/shops & etc. There are easy blocks and some for the more advanced knitter. I did make some of my own patterns up as well so it's is a right mixed bunch of patterns. The wool is just cheapo acrylic from QD I think. But I love the colours which are apple green and raspberry red.

I have a long way to go as I should imagine that at least 100 + are needed to make a good size blanket to snuggle into when it's really cold. Can you line it with a cotton backing tho to make it neat at the back? Well I will cross that line when I get to it, plenty of knitting to do yet!

Although the books title says 200 blocks there isn't 200 different patterns but different colourways are included. (I did know this as the reviews were very helpful) but nevertheless I thought it is a nice little book.








200 knitted blocks

Felt mat

You may remember this

Putting a toe into felt making, then came to a standstill and it was put to oneside for a year.
But it has come out of the dark drawer and I had a play around and did some freehand embroidery on my Tesco sewing machine. It has been hammered that machine and can't believe it's still going strong. (I have blown a few up in the past including a Bernina!)

 First of all I went around all the hearts in matching thread. Then freehand with blue thread on the green and green thread on the blue. Afterwards with a darker blue thread went around and around the hearts to make them stand out. The actual felt is quite thick, I think I didn't roll it enough to get a thinner fabric. Somebody did suggest making it into a notebook cover but it would have been to thick and is not pliable. (thanks for that I did take it on board)
My camera will not pick up the red's properly as it's not as pink as shown but more red.

                       Close up                             

Finished mat. The binding and back is a very zingy lime green and looks fab with the other colours. (Showing more of an apple green here).
There is now a vase a flowers on top of it on the windowsill. Shall I do some more felt making? Well ya never know as I still have some bits left over...so watch this space!
p.s. You can see the colour difference in  the various photos, that's my camera for you, sometimes OK and other times grrrr. The nearest colours to the real thing is the second photo down.

Monkey Cards

I think I mentioned before that I very rarely do cards. (I am in awe of all those card makers out there, they come up with such brilliant designs) Anyway being as I'm a monkey fan, (as you might have gathered!) couldn't resist these little critters. Now what to do with them? On my blog hops I stumbled on 'It's all fiddle fart' and her amazing cards. And so took inspiration from there and come up with these. Really pleased with how they come out and they can be used for all sorts of occasions. The poorly one says inside 'hang in there'. Out of the package I got 8 cards in total so was extremely pleased.

 I had some googly eyes in my stash so copied Fiddle Farts idea on adding them to give a more 3D look.

 I added the branches for them to swing on and the sentiments and I think they look pretty OK!

The insides have I left blank so that whatever the occasion I have a card for it!!

Found lead & here is Trevor

I honestly did search the suitcase three times and the lead wasn't in it. But before putting it up in the loft (until our next adventure)  Head Honcho found it in one of the little zippy compartments. Can't understand that, must be loosing my marbles a bit quicker than I thought!

So here is one thing I created whilst whiling the time away in Travel Lodge inbetween travels. He is called Trevor the Travel bug. (was going to call him Trevor the Travel Lodge Bug but thought might get into trouble with them...,insinuating their rooms aren't upto scratch :0D )

Now this is was inspired by the MSE knitting thread and the very clever Orkneystar showed a little kiwi bird she had knitted from a pattern (oops sorry I cant remember off hand who originally created it, if I do will insert so can give credit) Now Orkney can knit on 4 needles but I have never done that but thought good opportunity to have a go in hotel. Packed the required 4 needles then couldn't understand why I couldn't get past the first casting on row of 4 stitches! So gave up on that and did with 2 needles and winged it so needless to say it took a life on of it's own and because the head was mishapen somewhat and as he was a tad chilly, I kindly knitted him a hat and scarf.


Then of course he looked a bit funny without any arms (the pattern didnt have any but that's when it's done properly and looks great) so he got some flippers, couldn't do the feet properly so he got some flipper feet as well!! Yes, he has got one eye bit bigger than the other! The beak has been chopped of instead of the long elegant one he should have had. When he was finished I realised what I had done wrong in the first place.....I didn't use double ended needles, how daft am I.  (you needn't answer that)

Anyway he makes me smile and is looking down at me from the mantelpiece reminding me of Travel Lodge and the deep south....(and lots of shops!)

Here he is tucked up in the caravan that we later transferred to. So really he is a very, very, very distant cousin of the original! And he does look like a bug which you would see under a microscope rather than a kiwi bird :0D

Edit to add here is the REAL thing;   http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kiwi-3

Back home

Hello fellow bloggers, back again from deep down south!
Once more my camera lead has gone missing so cant post any photos (don't worry they arn't loads of my holiday ones!!)
So will get upto date when I find said lead.

Felting

I had a brain storm last year and had a go at felt making. This is my first and only project. The hearts are  more reddy pink than pink pink if you see what I mean! It's a bit thick so maybe it wasn't rolled enough in hot water. Havn't the foggiest idea what to do with it at the moment. Will have a go doing some free hand embroidery on the top and see what that turns out like.

 This will be a last post for a little while as going awol and not attached to a computer.....sigh. Never mind am taking plenty of crafty projects and you never know might have something to show when I get re-attached!

New TV cabinet

The large argos TV cabinet which has the TV and pre-view thingy on it has been annoying me for some time (in fact I don't know what came over us to get it really!) it's too large for the corner and has a jutty out piece that is a waste of space. So in my many forrages into charity shops I picked up this cabinet for £2.00

 It has a in and out shelf probably for the old top loading videos so you could slide the video out. Didn't need that so after a bit of unscrewing of awkward bit out it came. I have to say it is very well made and on casters, always a bonus. After liquid sandpaper, 1 primer, 3 undercoats and 2 top coats it eventually covered all the 'wood'.

Side view which I have done in a folksy style and is brighter than the photo makes out. The top coats is Laura Ashley and the same paint that I used for my large bookcase (still got half a can left as well)

I have painted the drawer,side and top with this fake bamboo style. The top has just this on as the tv will be perched on it.

With the drawer.

Tis a shame that my camera doesn't seem able to pick up the brightness of the colours. In fact in real life I don't know whether to 'knock' the colour back a bit with an 'antique' wash. Will see if I can live with it or not! It's funny how, when painting, I always clench my teeth with concentration which I don't realise till I've finished! Doesn't seem to happen with other projects. I wonder if it's because with paint you can't undo it but have to re-paint the whole lot if a booboo is made.
It does need a coat of varnish on next but will leave the paint to set properly before that's done.

Lovely fabric

Look what dropped through my letterbox this morning. Fabric to linger over! They are so lovely and bright in real life and not what I normally go for, but, there must be a break from red at some point! I will be making a quilt probably in the winter months so need to decide what pattern to go for and what colour to do the sashes, maybe a very pale green or cream as I think white might be too stark. Anyway it's not going to be cut out any time soon so plenty of time to decide.

I purchased all this lovely loot at www.jackiesfabrics.co.uk/store and cant recommend it enough. There was a sale on and so I took advantage of that and got some other material as well, which will go towards future projects.

I

Here is some of it laid out. I don't know which one I like the best!

Yummy

I had two crusts that were languishing in my bread bin, so not liking waste, and the birds still have plenty of insects (and loads of food from neighbour) I crumbled it up and added an egg and milk/water mix and 4 small

windfall apples.

Next is a handful of rasins, nuts and a few shakes of mixed spice

 Give it a good ole mix up and Bob's your uncle a very nice bread pudding.

Cut into wedges it gives head honcho something to take for lunch that will stick to his ribs!
The only thing that I would have done differently was to put in more mixed spice. All the ingredients were store cupboard items. Total cost.....hmmm about 2p a wedge. (the oven was on anyway so that was a by product)

Rita the Rock Chic

Here is Brenda the Biker's cousin, Rita the Rock Chic! She shares the same sense of fun with jewellery and has a 'tattoo' on her leg of flowered jewellery. She has a 'leather' waistcoat with painted fire, lots of earrings necklace, girlie red bling bracelet and a beanie hat.

Side view. Trying to show the 'tattoo' on her leg.

And the back view of her Rock Chic jacket

Like her cousin Brenda she is a softy really and likes nothing better than cuddling up with popcorn and a good film!

Little Len Sock Monkey has been made up from a pair of 'leopard' type spotty socks. He looks nice and cosy with his winter wear on!

Quirky Village....down your way

I have been busy the last couple of weeks working on this commission for a nice lady over on the shabby chic forum. I was sent a series of photos which were important landmarks to the recipient. The school, where she got married and the family shop and house, and also a little blue van were a must. So I let rip with my imagination and this is the result. Whilst it is in transit I always get nervous in case it doesn't match upto what the person thought, fortunately she loved it!

Some close ups


                                                          Family home/church where married

                                                                  The school and butchers shop

                                                          Family shop and van

                                                More houses and park


So that is the Quirky Village....... 'down her way' It took over a week to make but was a joy to do and I managed to fit all the important subjects in. This picture is 16"x12".
One of these days I will make a picture of my village and cottage for myself!

Sockies and onions!

Introducing Cheeky Charlie who is very friendly and would like to say hi to everyone.

He's already for the coming winter with his hat and scarf and has a little bag ready for sandwiches and cake!
(he is for sale at the moment email me if interested)

On a completely different note, let's talk onions......

Never having grown them before I was delighted that they actually grew! They are quite big (but I don't know what is normal for homegrown) One of them weighs 395g (14oz) so a meal in it's self.....onion soup anyone haha.
They are now in the shed drying out (hopefully I  have done it right and they wont go mouldy). The carrots that were in the same patch are also huge. The lady who used to live here had animals so it must be some manure still in the ground that's helping them along. Not had much success with cabbages/caulis tho. Apart from the caterpillars lunching on them they never did grow very much, although there are a few hanging on so maybe they will overwinter.....or be wild rabbit fodder!

a p.s. to add that when Head Honcho came home he told me I shouldn't have cut the long leafy bits off but to leave them on for them to dry and then plait to hang up. When I was cutting them off I was thinking should I do this but I only had meself to ask at the time, so, I gave them the chop! Oh well, next year I will know better. I have put them in one of those 3 tier wire planters which does the job perfectly, as none of them touch each other.

Li'l Miss Rose

Not been blogging for a while as there hasn't been anything to report!
 But that's not to say I've not been busy tho. I've been making another sock monkey...can see the
bottom of the sock bag now!

Also been making a commissioned 'Quirky Village' which is nearly finished so maybe a reveal will happen in the near future.