Saturday 26 September 2015

SECRETS, CROCHET, FINISHES and THIMBLES


I have been doing some spring cleaning today and have finally sat down to visit blog land. I saw Sue's blog today and was surprised to see that she is heading to Cornwall at the moment. It only seems like yesterday that I was there but I have been back home for almost 3 months now and still haven't shown any photos. Not having an iPhone to take pics and post on the internet slowed me down. I do it the old fashioned way, just taking photos on an actual camera , loading them onto the computer and attaching them from there. However, all my overseas photos were taken on a new camera with a new computer program that is different to the camera I use for my blog. So, all I can show you at the moment is more of my thimble collection. Here are the ones from London.


From L to R... King Henry V111, The Tudor Rose, Queen Victoria and Henry V111's crown.





                         The Crown Jewels ( made in England! Not China.), Tower of London, and Hampton Court Palace.

                      


 
 
 
Westminster Abbey and Kensington Palace.
 
 
 
 
We found Kensington Palace accidently while taking a casual stroll in Hyde Park.  We had no idea it was situated right there! So, having a London Pass, we got in free and enjoyed it thoroughly.
 
Now, back to craft.
 
I am delighted to say that I have succeeded in crocheting the little baby blanket and have done the first border. Fingers crossed that I shall complete the other borders without much confusion or stress. 


                                          
 
 
Some secret sewing is coming along nicely.


 
 
 
The final stitchery of Jenny's BOM is completed and I have sewn on the sashings.
 
 
 
 
 
 
I am trying to use fabrics from my stash to finish this . I am contemplating using this fabric for the wider border I am planning to put around it but I am not 100% sure yet. What do you think? It actually has some colours in it that the stitcheries have.
 
 
 
 
 
I scored these 6 lovely Civil War repro fat 1/4s for $6.00 at a patchwork meeting. WOOHOOO!
 
 
 
 
 Oh dear! I have so many things on this post. I hope I haven't bored you to tears. I get so excited when I am on a roll. Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by.
Angel Blessings.
 
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Wednesday 16 September 2015

ENTHUSIASM


Having succeeded crocheting that ripple baby blanket after losing the original pattern, I decided to revisit an earlier crochet project that had gone a bit awry. After much frustration I had put it away in the "too hard basket" but I am pleased to say that I have happily been crocheting it again the past couple of days. So far so good. I am crossing my fingers, toes and anything else that is deemed crossable.






Those 2 little birdie Christmas decos I showed you in the previous post have been completed. I added some snow and the black border like the Christmas candle mat rather than following the instructions .


 
 
 
Now I am about to embark on the FHFS project which is due in October.
 
 
 
 
 
Angel Blessings.
 
 
 

Saturday 12 September 2015

SO MANY LOVELY THINGS TO DO



Do you ever get all enthusiastic about a new craft but wonder if you should try it because you already have enough things to do? Over the years I have knitted, crocheted, done counted crosstitch, tapestry, scrapbooking, cardmaking, patchwork and quilting and stitcheries. I also did a pastel drawing life class for a while. As a child I loved Derwent pencils but could only buy them individually from the local Milkbar as a set of Derwents was out of the question. My favourite colour was Emerald green and I went through a few of those. I longed for a full set of Derwents and finally my wish came true on my 50th birthday. My darling hubby bought me the entire set in a beautiful wooden box. That was many many years ago now and I have hardly used them. BUT the day has arrived because I have joined the current fad of colouring in. My excuse is that I can trace some of the designs and stitch them! Good idea? Yes?



 
 
 
Before I start colouring I need to finish a couple of things. The last block from Jenny's BOM is now complete. I just need to audition some fabrics to start piecing the blocks together.
 
 
 
 
 
I have found some time to read . I am usually an avid reader but had lost my interest for some strange reason. My reading mojo is now back.
 
 
 
 
 
I couldn't resist purchasing some more 1800s repro fabrics to add to my stash. I need a 4th drawer now.
 
 
 
 
Righto! I am off to wash those fabrics, audition some fabric for that BOM and casually walk past that colouring book trying not to pick it up.
 
Angel Blessings.
 
 

Wednesday 9 September 2015

SPRING HAS SPRUNG



Yep, Spring has sprung and the first day was absolutely wonderful. Since then, however, it seems mother nature has decided to give us a further dose of winter. Never mind, all the better for stitching and keeping snug. I was getting quite frustrated having lost a pattern for making a crocheted ripple blanket and I think I aired my displeasure on a previous post.  Well, true to form, a couple of my lovely bloggy friends came to the rescue and I decided to follow a step by step visual lesson from  Attic 24. Wooohooo! I have nearly completed this baby blanket for a girl who is having a summer baby. I have made it a bit larger than usual so it will be useful in the cooler months. Just a couple more rows to finish and VOILA!



 
 
 
Despite spending most of my craft time crocheting I have managed to catch up with Val's BOM and I am now eagerly awaiting the next block due this month. I am not very happy with my stitching on this one but it is only for me so I shall not get too stressed about it. I think my eyes are failing me a bit due to lack of sleep.
 
 
 
 
 
Having played with a bit of felt I am now loving it and I am making a couple of Christmas decos. I  thank  Shez and Peg for getting me out of my comfort zone with the FHFS.
 
 
 
 
So, that's my show and tell for now. I am off to finish that blanket and tidy my sewing room.
 
Angel Blessings.