Preparations for the Giveaway

Hello Everyone, I cannot believe that it is Friday again already - where has the week gone?  I had every intention to speaking with you all during this week but the best laid plans..........I am sure that you are all equally as busy too.  It is hard to fit in my blog (much as I love it) when I am not getting home until late most nights. I am usually in work by the latest 7.30 am each morning so not much time left over for my blog unfortunately.  I do hope you are all well and happy.  It is quite warm here at the moment which is a little unsettling as we usually expect the coolness of the autumn to be creeping in each morning.  Well enough about me, how are you doing, would love to hear all your news.  I'll just pop the kettle on and bring out the cake tin - let's see what's in here. 

 

I walk to work and back each day which takes around 30 minutes each way.  I particularly love the morning walk when it is quiet and there are not many people around.  It is my thinking and planning time when I am putting the world to rights and thinking about my plans.  This week I have been pondering over Christmas gifts for my friends - I think I told you that I usually knit gifts each year or when I can but I know that this time it is going to be difficult to do because of the added responsibilities I now have at work. I had to come to a decision about this and decided to try and spread the projects over the three main areas I am interested in - crochet, knitting and sewing.  I have also been thinking a lot about my forthcoming giveaway which I intend publish the names of the winners on the 1st November - this is almost 6 months since I started my blog so quite an achievement for me.

 

Right, firstly projects Folks.  What are you all up to making this Christmas?  I think the fabrics out at the moment really lend themselves to some fabulous festive projects and I would love to hear what you are all doing. I had recently bought an applique kit from Ebay and decided to use this on some bags for the sewing part of the Christmas challenge.

 

 

 

 

 

I have got loads of small pieces of fabric so will enjoy myself fiddling about with them, adding the beads and so on.  For me that is part of the fun.  I know that it will also make me practise my zips, something I do dread and shy away from but..............I must face them head on and with all of your help and support I will.

 

 

 

 

I made this one out of some scraps I had in sewing class and the lovely Rachel helped me with the zip - I know I have done one before but I am such a slow learner sometimes that I need showing over and over again.  I think it came out ok and I want to finish this one by the weekend and start cutting out the applique for the next one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you think of it so far?  I am sorry about the quality of the photographs, I know I keep saying this but I usually take most of mine at night and they don't have the same crispness and clarity I see in all of yours - any tips would be very gratefully received.  I am hoping for a new camera for Christmas but who knows?

 

For the crochet I am going to firstly complete a  bag for myself and see how it turns out. If it is ok then I will make one for my friend who I knows love crochet of any sort but particularly bags and as we all know girls can never have too many bags can they!  I am using Nicky Trench's new book which I love, mind you I do enjoy all her books, just wish I lived near enough to go to one of her classes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More about this when I get the yarn to start my bag - I do have loads of wool but can't find any I really want to work with at the moment.  One thing lovely Folks I am trying hard to use up all the stuff I already have instead of rushing out to buy things - I am learning from my sewing class that you can make lots of lovely little things out of scraps of fabric and yarn so I am taking this message to heart.  I read all your wonderful blogs and always admire the fabulous things you make out of nothing sometimes.  No wonder I love all my dear friends in Blogland.

 

In the knitting area I am going to start some handkerchief bags - I have used the pattern by Debbie Bliss before and just love it.  I have given these as gifts to a few people but there are some I know  haven't had one.

 

 

I love knitting with beads so am going to get cracking on the first one this weekend - in between housework, shopping and marking that is!

 

 

As you can see I have chosen a lovely soft green for the first one, not sure if I will use pink, white or silver beads - I have loads of these beads so don't want to be sending off for any more just yet.

 

 

I will line the bags and then put a little hanky and lavender bag in each with maybe a tiny box of chocolates.  I will keep you posted as I progress with these.

 

Now to get down to the Giveaway!  My wonderful beloved as you probably have guessed is not in the best of health and we have our ups and downs and worries as everyone does.  It is a hard road for both of us but we try to keep going even though it can be so difficult at times.  He has been wonderful to me and been trying to get on with painting and restoring my lovely old cabinet but progress is so painfully slow but he is doing his best.  He has also been painting my Sophie Tilley spools for me and here is a photograph of the four beauties.

 

 

There will be two prizes - each prize will consist of one of these lovely ladies plus some ribbon plus..................I am getting a few things together at the moment so won't say any more.  The lovely Sophie Tilley has said that she will pull the names out of a hat for me (maybe over the email if we have to) but she will do it for me.  Sophie is the lovely lady with the brown top and red scarf.  She is delightful and so much fun.

 

All I would like to say is why you would like a Sophie Tilley dolly and what name you would give her.  I shall put all the names in a big hat and then Sophie can do the rest.  I shall do this on 1st November to give everyone a chance.  I know the two lovely Sophie spools will go to very good homes.

 

Now what about the other two I can hear you say - well one is already spoken for - it is going to a very special friend of mine who I love dearly.  We don't see each other much but I| think the world of her and she is one of the most talented people I have ever met.  What about the other one?  Well she is for me!  I have to own one don't I - she will be a little friend for my Sophie doll which I showed you a few weeks ago.

 

 

I meant to say that they are all not finished yet as they have some little touches to go on, plus their hats and of course, lots of lovely ribbon around them. 

 

I do hope you will all take part and wish everyone good luck.  Well lovely Friends I must love you and leave for a while as I have to go and cook tea.  I do hope you have a wonderful evening/day depending on where you are in our glorious world.  Do keep in touch and let's know how you are getting on, it makes my day to hear from you.  Lots of love and big hugs to you, Dorothy :-)xxxxxxxxxxxx