Friday 25 October 2013

Friday at last!

Hello Everyone do come in - I hope you are not getting the rain which is beating down here - it has been torrential this afternoon and thank goodness it went off slightly so I could manage to get out of the car and into the house without being completely soaked to the skin!  Do make yourselves at home and have a cuppa.  Like some cake?
 
Well it has been a week and a half and I am exhausted I must admit. All week I have been popping into the wonderful blogs I follow and trying to keep up with everyone but I have not had any time to write any posts myself so many apologies to you all.  However I have tried to do something throughout the week so I have not completely ignored my craft work.
 
I found a lovely colourful magazine today which just caught my eye.  As you know I am trying hard not to buy so many magazines as they are expensive and I do find that sometimes they contain patterns from the books I already have so a bit of a waste. I was rather tired on the way home so treated myself to the magazine and it is rather lovely.  The projects remind me of the work of the lovely Helen Philipps who I am a big fan of.  It is called Pretty Patches and this is the second edition I think, there is another one due out in early December so do keep a look out for it.
 

 
I loved this little bag - so cute!  Do you like it?
 
 
My lovely daughter-in-law is a real fan of Downton Abbey - I must confess I have never watched it myself as I don't bother that much about the television as I would rather be doing something practical.  For ages I thought the series was called Downtown Abbey and didn't really think it was about the gentry, although I didn't think too hard about it.  When I went to one of my classes at Liberty Bell all the ladies and Sue were talking about the latest developments in the series and it was only then that I began to understand it a little more.  Last time I was in Liberty Bell the lovely Sue said that she was expecting some of the Downton Abbey fabrics in late October and I was thinking about trying to do something special for my daughter-in-law.  They are now featured in the magazine but the only problem is I have no idea which character my daughter-in-law likes so will have to ask some creative questions when I see her this weekend!  Do you like the fabrics?  I know that the series is very popular across the pond with our lovely cousins in the US but I am not sure about any other countries.  Perhaps you can let me know?  It would be lovely to find out.
 
 
Last Sunday I set myself the task of finishing the cushions for my daughter-in-law who is visiting with my gorgeous little peeps this coming week.  I knew that it was going to be a very hard week workwise so didn't want to leave myself too much to do on these.  I got up early and set to work, it was really nice to do them altogether.  I hope she likes them - do you like them?
 
 
 
 
 
Now this week I decided that I would try to do one small project if I could and I managed three so am pleased.  I thought about making carrier bags to put gifts in this year and using brown paper plus some red twine or ribbon to dress them, possibly do some handmade tags if I have time.  If you remember when I went to Liverpool a little while ago I bought some Cath Kidston Christmas tea towels and some very cheap Primark tea towels, so I set to work.  I love this little red one, so cheerful and the Primark tea towel sits well inside it.
 
 
A London Christmas, quite a lovely one this - I know my little granddaughter loves going to London, especially Buckingham Palace so she might like this one for her Christmas shopping in Harrods!
 
 
This blue one is rather nice too - not sure which one I like the best, although I am drawn to the red one as usual.  Which one would you prefer and do you think people would like their gifts in these?
 
 
Meanwhile I have also being trying to do a few rows of knitting per night, not got much done but have started the next cowl for my eldest granddaughter.  My friend at work also loves them so am going to do one for her too.  I have loads of this Rowan Big Wool from years ago and it is knitting up like a dream.
 
 
 
I think this is a lovely shade of grey and black.
 
 
Finally lovely Folks a little update on my cupboard.  It has been really slow work as my dear beloved has not been able to work at it that much but it is nearly finished.  Apologies for the poor photograph quality as it is laying down on the floor but I just wanted to show you how far we have got with it.  I am getting excited now and thinking about what I will fill it with!
 
 
 
Well my lovely Friends I must leave you now as I have tons of jobs to do before our little lovelies arrive on Sunday.  I am planning lots of crafts with the girls and then a party on Tuesday night - vampires, witches and ghouls - lots of fun!  I will be sad to see them go on Tuesday night but plan to have a few days crafting before going back to work - I have to get my giveaways ready for you all, my how time has flown!  I hope you have a wonderful weekend and will be speaking to you all very soon.  Thank you for being there and being such a wonderful support to me.  Love you all, Dorothy:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

9 comments:

  1. The bags made with the combo of Cath Kidson and Primark T-towels are so fab, would love to see how they are constructed.
    Your colours on the cupboard are wonderful. so "of the moment" and sort of Vintage at the same time.
    I love the Pretty Patches Magazine. I also have the first issue, that came with a cover freebie Christmas Decoration.
    Enjoy next week with the little ones
    Big hugs x

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  2. I also love your bags Dorothy and think they're a great idea for Christmas gifts; I also agree with the thought of brown paper wrapping with bright strings etc. and much easier to handle than some of the 'gaudy' wraps available these days!! Your daughter-in-law is sure to love those delightful cushions - you've done a super job with them. Re Downton Abbey - I have watched and enjoyed it in the past but do tend to get a bit fed-up with soapie type programmes and often give up on them half-way through. Too many names and faces to keep track of for me, I think!
    Have a wonderful weekend! Warm hugs, Joy xoxo

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  3. I love those bags you are making, they are all so lovely I wouldn't want to give them away! The UK has the best craft magazines, we don't get anything nearly as nice over here. I do like to buy the UK ones when they have them here, but they are very expensive. I hope you have a lovely weekend and the rain clears up. We've had flurries of snow here, but nothing serious.
    Take care!

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  4. Us h a lovely post filled with so many wonderful things Dorothy!! Firstly that magaine looks wonderful and I would love to know where you can buy downton fabric as I LOVE the series. Your cushions turned out beautiful and I am sure your DIL will love it so will she anything downton. In so impressed with those pretty bags you've made from the teatowels and the London one is fab. I would love to know how many teatowels it takes to make one?? Did you use a tutorial?? Please let me know as I have a few teatowels I could use for this sweet project. Do enjoy your time with your peeps it sure sounds like it is going to be heaps of fun. Hope the storm is not to bad for you there. Oh yes that cabinet is looking lovely, I love the colour!! Xoxo

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  5. I like the bags, too. I'm confused, did you make them?
    Blessings,
    Laura

    P.S. I've got my quilt sandwiched together and ready to start hand quilting it. I bought needles and thread at the shops this week.
    Blessings,
    Laura
    Harvest Lane Cottage

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    Replies
    1. Hi Laura yes I did make them from two tea towels, one of which was a Cath Kidston hence the label on the front. Well done on getting the quilt done, can't wait to see it finished. Big hugs
      Dorothyxxxx

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  6. My my, you have been busy! I LOVE your bags, such a clever lady you are! I'd love to see how you made them...the yarn project looks toasty warm and perfect for this time of year...the cushions are soooo cute...gosh, I love it all! :-) Chrissie x

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  7. Hi Dorothy, those tea towel bags are amazing, I really love them! I would love to see how you made them, they really are great. The magazine looks lovely too and those fox cushions...just gorgeous. You have been a very busy lady! Wishing you a lovely week.
    Marianne x

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