A few hours out

Hello Everyone do come in and make yourself at home. It is so wonderful to see you again, I'll just stick the kettle on and we can have a natter.  How are things with you?  I do hope life is treating you well and that you are feeling happy and contented.

Not sure if you remember but a few months ago I became the very proud owner of a gorgeous 1940s larder cupboard which has stood in our porch patiently waiting to be restored.

 

 

 

Time has come and gone so quickly and I was starting to get worried that it might end up staying there, loved but untouched..........However, after a bit of pushing and encouraging shall we say, my lovely husband and I (although I am just the gash hand!) have made a start on it during the warm evenings we have had.  It is coming along slowly but nicely Folks and the paint has now arrived - I finally decided on cream and blue - went from pink, turquoise, light green.....all the shades of the rainbow but we both decided that blue and cream would be perfect.  I have quite a few comments about the colour and most of you were also suggesting the blues/creams.  We have started sanding it down, it is too fragile to be dipped so it all has to be done by hand.  I am so glad that we have made a start on it, can't wait to fill it.  My husband says that if you give me a cupboard or a bag I shall fill it in two minutes and still be looking for more space.  Anyone out there like me on this?????  Here it is so far Everyone.

 

 This little steel compartment has it's own little bread board so I am wondering if they kept the butter in here to try and keep it from melting.  Remember this was the 1940s and during the war so not many refrigerators about then.  There are also three little vents which I want to keep in but my husband wants to take it as he thinks they are unhygienic but I am only putting fabric and yarn in here so nothing will be spoiling.  I want to keep as much of the original stuff as I can lovely readers to maintain the dignity of the piece.  What you all think Folks?

 

This is obviously a little holder for small plates maybe and there were some hooks for cups as well - really brings it home to you when you think of the big fitted kitchens a lot of us having nowadays.

 

 

This last photograph of the unit shows the whole lot - it is lying down in the garden as the moment but we bring it in during the evening in case it starts to rain.  I really can't wait to show you the finished produced Folks and will keep you in the loop with this one. 

 

 



 

 Last time I spoke with you all I showed you some fabulous seaside fabric which I had bought from Lauren's shop when I did the workshop last week.  I wasn't sure what to make with it and some of my lovely readers did give me some ideas including making a skirt - not sure if I am up to this yet but agree it would make a fabulous 1950s style skirt (although I think I may be a little too old for this style now lovely Readers!).  In my mind I am still 19 years of age but sadly my body doesn't agree with me.......

However, back to the main story.  My friend had contacted me to ask if I could do her a favour - she needed a little bag to take away on holiday and wanted something similar to the one I had made in Liberty Bell - the one with the beach huts on.  However, it needed to be done really quickly and I didn't have the time or the fabric to do a similar one. 

I had found a pattern in a magazine called Bags from the lovely Helen Newton who has a fabulous website called Lillyblossom.  Do have a look at what she has Folks as she is an amazing designer and has a wonderful Etsy shop.  I found her years ago and she started me off making bags from tea towels and for a couple of years everyone had bags made from Cath Kidston tea towels!

 

My family and friends must have groaned when they saw me walking in with these.  I just loved making them as they were so easy and Helen's patterns were just fab so it was a pleasure to make them.  Every time CK had a sale I would be there looking for the tea towels.  Below is the magazine where I found Helen's fabulous pattern.

 

 

 

 

I only had an evening to do the bag for my friend so had to work quickly.  I had some fabric left over from the pinny with Vicky Walker at Lauren's shop and thought that this went well and looked 'seasidy' enough.  I didn't want to chance putting zips or anything too challenging as time was so short.

 

I managed it quite well - a few blips but then I think I can live with them and my friend is over the moon.  Would welcome your thoughts on this - must, must try to calm down with the bags for a while although I have a crochet one on the go and one to make from Helen Philipps book from a jelly roll.   More of those in another post Folks.



 

Yesterday I managed to have a few hours away and try out a new workshop.  It is in a place near to where I used to live many years ago, just outside Frodsham in Cheshire.  It is not far from the beautiful Delamere Forest - I didn't have time to stop yesterday to take any photographs for you, so sorry but I promise next time I visit I will. 

 

The place I visited is called Lady Heyes Craft Centre and it is a number of little outlets outside the town.  The one which had caught my eye was called Sew Simple and the owner, Ella Vaughan, offers 3 hour classes three times per week.  Ella is a fantastic tutor, she has such an eye for detail and precision.  She teaches mainly patchwork and applique.  I am a little afraid of patchwork because of the precision cutting which I have talked about before so I was a little hesitant.  I am more interested in applique after working on the VW bag so hoped that I might do some of that.

When I arrived Ella was so welcoming and promised that by the end of the session I would feel more comfortable using the rotary cutter and would go home with a completed block - oh Folks she did have a lot of faith in me - I quickly felt under pressure. 

There were only two of us in the shop which was lovely.  Ella works on the premise that she wants to give her learners her full attention so limits the class sizes to three at the most.  This is just wonderful as you are getting practically one-to-one tuition from a really experienced and talented lady.  Another lovely lady, Olive was on hand to keep the shop customers happy and she also was obviously a talented sewer.  My class mate was a really nice lady from Runcorn who was also setting out on her patchwork journey but was a little more advanced than I was so didn't need the baby talk...........

Ella showed me the pattern I was going to be following and then asked me to choose three pieces of fabric that I just couldn't live without.

I was immediately drawn to the reds and pinks - she shop is like an Aladdin's Cave Folks so anyone who is near that part of the world do call in and see her.  I could have spent hours looking but knew I had to make a decision quite quickly.  Olive was really kind and helped me to find what I was looking for - hope you like them.

The third colour is a pale green which hasn't come out that well in the photograph.

Ella started by showing me the correct way to hold the rotary cutter, how to iron properly and also the impressed on the me importance of always going back to check that the fabric is still straight.  She also urged me to get a quarter inch foot for my machine as straight stitching is another key factor of patchwork - my heart sank here as straight stitching is not another of my star qualities in life!  I had a little chat with my fellow student and confessed that I can be a little slap dash at times and she confessed that she was too but that Ella had really helped her to overcome this tendency. 

The time just whizzed past and I didn't stop to take any photographs, I am sure you all know what I am like now when it comes to classes - terrified of being left behind.

Ella was just wonderful in that she was always to hand but didn't take over.  If something wasn't right she would explain it to me over again and then I would take it out and redo it.  I must admit that I was pleased with the finished piece.

Ella suggested a small cushion but I am going to try and make a doll's cover for the little bed we have here for the grandchildren.  I bought all the materials needed to finish it and that I could try my hand at stitching in the ditch which Ella explained to me.  I must confess that I am not sure that I have the patience for patchwork but it is so pretty that I want to continue with it for as long as I can, only to help me perfect the rotary cutter.  I adore the work of Helen Philipps (link above) and if you have a look at her wonderful blog you will see the fabulous things she makes, so dainty and pretty, they just melt my heart.

Finally lovely Readers one little treasure to show you.  If you remember on the last post I did mention that I am not a monarchist in any way (not that I would wish the Queen any ill feelings of course - wouldn't like to spend this summer imprisoned in the Tower of London!)   However I do love collecting anything from the Coronation period.  It is not particularly the event but the fact that it marked a set year in history so I have some brooches and mugs on my shelf at home. 

This one is of Edward VIII who never was - his Coronation was set for May 12th 1937 - unfortunately before that he abdicated with an American lady called Mrs Simpson whom he later married.  It would appear that the Royal Family never really forgave him - in some ways he was a favourite of mine as he seemed to kick against the family traditions. 

The current Queen's father was then crowned on the same day in May 1937.  Our current Queen was only a wee girl then.

 When her father died, her mother coined the term Queen Mother and remained so until she died. 

After the death of her father, our current Queen was crowned on June 2nd 1953 and we have obviously been celebrating her long reign this year - 60 years on.

I particularly love this little plate made by Clarice Clift - I adore her pottery and found this one on eBay for a small sum - probably the only piece I could ever afford.  It is only tiny but I just love looking at it.

Last week whilst looking on eBay I noticed a sewing basket for sale.  It was from the 1950s - I do have a number of baskets and my favourite is the one in the main picture of my blog which I bought from Henhouse.  She had refurbished it and I use it every day. 

However the one on eBay was a little different and I managed to secure it.  It arrived today and I am really pleased with it.  Not sure if someone has glued in two handkerchiefs on the top and bottom or if it was originally sold like this.

You will notice that it says souvenir on each of them.  It doesn't matter how the hankies got there  because I just love it.  Would be interested to hear your views on these finds lovely Folks. 

I will finish now as I still have work for my day job, plus two bedrooms still to tidy up.......I have a day off tomorrow so am  going to see Sue from Creative Stitchers.  She helped me make my red dress and have a sewing class so I am having some time off in Cheshire once again.  Do have a look at Sue's blog, talk about talent everyone, this lady has it dripping from every finger.  Have a look at the wonderful things she has been making for her friend's wedding.  I was lucky enough to have a wee look at the wedding dress and it was out of this world - all done by Sue - a fabulous lady who has a great personality.

 

Well Folks that is it for now.  I will see you all very soon, thanks so much for dropping by, I do love it when you call in, wouldn't be the same without you all.

Lots of love, Dorothy, :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  

 

 

Finished bag - what next?

Hello everyone I do hope you all have a really wonderful weekend. It is a little cooler here today which brings a welcome relief to the oppressive heat which has been around since last week - sorry to all you sun worshippers.......It is so lovely to see you all, do come in and have a cuppa and some cake

 

 

 

We managed to have a couple of hours away on Saturday in our usual spot - Llanfairfechan as well as stopping in Llanwrst for something to eat.  I managed to pick up some little goodies in the charity shop there and was pleased with what I had found.  As you have probably guessed, I love tea towels and am always on the look out for unusual ones, especially those with calendars on them or from different places.  This one is brand new and comes from a place dear to my heart - Cornwall. 

 

 

 

 

As a child we holidayed there each year, always staying at the same farm in Wadebridge.  We always camped next to the Boy Scouts and had a whale of a time - the farm bred turkeys but was an arable farm mainly.  My Mum always said that I was a complete misery coming home.  When my own children were small we returned to the farm for camping hols so have very happy memories of our time down there. 

When I was little we always went to Rock every day and Dad would buy fresh fish from the fisherman and cook it over the camp stove, the little bakery sold fresh bread each morning so we had some good meals.  Rock is now a very posh and glamorous place and I often daydream about it wishing we had bought a house there - it would be worth a million or more now.   

Mum would cook a full meal each night including potatoes and vegetables, not much salad in those days in the early 1950s!  It didn't seem to matter that we didn't have all the home comforts that are available now and my lovely brother and I would spend hours on our own playing (and sometimes arguing!).  Happy days, I am sure all my lovely readers have similar memories from all over the world.  Would love to hear from you all. 

 

I also picked up this sweet little scarf in the charity shop with views on it - am going to use this as part of a cushion or bag - although the amount of bags I am making is getting absurd so I need to start thinking of something else.  I would love to make a small quilt but don't feel that my sewing skills are up to this as I am a little slap dash and finding the rotary cutting unbelievably stressful for some reason.  Would love to know if any of you suffer from the same condition as me - maybe we could start a support group.......

 



 

I just noticed this little crochet bag tucked behind the counter in the shop and thought it had been sold, but luckily for me it was still waiting for a new owner.  I need to wash it carefully just to freshen it up but it is so sweet and all hand sewn, what do you think Folks?

 



 



 

 

 

Finally, as I was making my way out of the shop I spied this tray cloth - it is obviously hand sewn and the embroidery is not expert in any way but I just loved it - not sure of the inscription, maybe you have seen it before.  Have you seen this poem before?

 



 

 

On Sunday (yesterday) I really had to set to on the house - I always underestimate the time it takes me to do housework - not helped by my decision to move some of the furniture around.  My lovely husband is very traditional and likes everything to remain the same - I am the opposite and love to change things around.  In order to please him I don't tend to move furniture as much as I would like but yesterday I did make a few changes.  I wouldn't say that he was happy but I think he can live with it for a while! 

I started early and didn't finish everything - also had a go at tidying the small patio area we have.  I have always a picture in my mind of what this place should look like but sadly have never been able to recreate it fully for some reason.  I was so fed up with it yesterday I went out and tried to tidy it up.

Now the one thing I can make is bunting and I have made quite a bit of it over the years for my gorgeous grandchildren who have it in their rooms.  I thought that this might look rather nice outside and hunted to see if I had any made up - I hadn't but didn't want to stop the housework yesterday and start fiddling around with bunting.  I found these flags from last year which are plastic but will do  fine until I make some really pretty ones.  Just hearing the news this morning that the royal baby is on the way people might think I am being very patriotic - not being a monarchist at all, the flags are not symbolic in any way Folks!  Apologies to the Royalists out there.

 



 

 

I didn't manage to finish all the chores yesterday so have more tidying to do today - mainly my sewing and knitting things.  However last night I was determined to finish the bag I had started last week at the lovely Lauren's shop with Vicki.  It was a bit fiddly trying to get the piping even and I didn't manage a perfect job but I was getting tired by this time and the bag is not a gift - only to myself - so I think it is passable.  The zip has come out well but I am sure that I couldn't do this again without help so will need to practise and practise until I get it right.

 

 



 



 

I forgot to show you the fabric I bought when I was in Lauren's shop - it is a beautiful seaside theme which I adore but I am toying with ideas of what to make - not another bag I hear you all cry.  Yes that had crossed my mind as I do love the fabric so much but what about some cushions????  I would love to hear your ideas Folks, as you have guessed I do get stuck on a theme and try to stay with what I am comfortable with.  I know that I have to get out of my comfort zone and try something else.  I also thought of a little lap quilt but am afraid of making a mess of the fabric and wasting money.  I am open to offers lovely Readers (within my capabilities remember!)

 



 

 

 The other thing I had a go at lovely Readers was making a necklace out of the Liberty prints I have.  Rachel from my sewing class was wearing a lovely blue one last week and she showed me how to make it using old beads.  I am pleased with the result and want to make some more, think they would make rather nice little Christmas gifts.  What do you think?

 





 

On Saturday I also treated myself to the copy of Nicki Trench/Debbie Bliss Crochet Living book which has lots of really delicious patterns in it.  I love Nicki's work and always try to follow her.  She is such a down to earth and highly talented lady who I very much admire.  

 



 

 

Isn't this garland so cute - I could just see it on our mantle piece here.

 



 

 

I just love the colours in this throw - would suit summer or winter. 

Before I finish today lovely Readers I wanted to ask your advice.  I follow a great blog called knitnrun4sanity and have now added it to my favourite lists.  Today's post talks about the problems of being possibly too diverse and I have been wrestling with this myself over the weeks.  I am so passionate about wanting to learn  new skills and techniques that I too feel that you must think this blog is just a mixed assortment of all things - although lately it has been just sewing.  I know that this is something I need to pay attention to.  The last thing I want is to lose anyone if they just get bored with the same old things.  I love diversity and new things but I am conscious that a lot of readers might want a main focus on a particular area.

As I am new to all of this I would welcome your thoughts and comments - blogging is a wonderful thing and I adore doing it.  But, I am conscious that sometimes I just don't have enough hours in the day to give it the attention it deserves.  Please leave some comments Folks as I really do love to hear from you all.

Have a most wonderfully happy day and I hope something special happens to each and every one of you out there.  See you very soon, lots of love, Dorothy :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 



It just gets hotter!

Hello Everyone I do hope you are all ok and those lovely readers in Britain, I hope you are managing to keep cool.  I am not a hot weather person myself but know that many people do love the heat and being out in the sunshine.  I do hope my wonderful readers from outside the UK are all doing well and you are happy.  It is lovely to see you all again, I was intending to write more posts this week but, as always, work took over once again, I am sure a lot of you are in the same boat as I am.

 

However lovely Readers I haven't been idle during the week and have tried to keep working on my projects.  I really must finish the knitting projects soon as I am ashamed to think that they have taken this long.

 

Very recently I managed a day with the lovely Lauren from Guthrie and Ghani on a bag workshop.  I am sure you must be thinking, for goodness sake not another bag!  However there was a reason for me going on this one as I wanted to learn how to use an invisible zip and how to manage piping which I love - it seems to really set off a piece of sewing.

 

The workshop was run by Vicky Walker from Rowan who also did the pinny workshop a while ago which was one of my earlier posts when I met Lauren from the Sewing Bee.  Vicky is such a lovely tutor and talented, always so patient.  There weren't many of us there on the day so we had her full attention.  This was good as we had a lot to do.

 



I am not going to show you the bag yet as it is not finished lovely readers.  It was quite complicated and was an extremely hot day so was tiring. 

 

We had to choose two fabrics, one for the outer and one for the lining.  Surprise surprise mine was red, although I didn't intend it to be so but I did love the pattern.

 



 

 

Vicky did tell us to be careful when choosing patterns as we had to be careful to match the fabric up when placing the invisible zip in.  This took a bit of time as everyone was afraid of making a mistake in the cutting - I managed it ok but did cut the bottom of my bag in half by mistake!  I was worried that I wouldn't have enough fabric left but just about made it. 

 

 

 



 

The invisible zip is quite tricky but then I haven't ever done one before - in fact I have not really ever noticed a difference in zips at all.  I had to redo mine over as I hadn't stitched near enough to the zip teeth so it was showing too much white when the zip was open.  However I did manage in the end with a lot of help from Vicky. 
 



 

 



Have you had an experience with invisible zips?  I would welcome any advice and any useful tips.  You lovely readers are such a mine of information and experience and I do love hearing from you all.

 



 

We then cut the handles.

 



 

The picture below shows my lining fabric and I wanted the handles to be red on one side with the lining on the other.  Vicky chose this fabric to pick out the red detail which I thought looked gorgeous.  

I am fibbing now lovely Readers because after cutting the bottom in half in error I didn't have enough fabric to make the other side of the handles, hence the lining fabric  -  good thinking Vicky, thank you.

 



The other part that I was dreading a little was making the pieces to cover the piping.  Vicky mentioned that these were cut on the diagonal and as you are all aware, cutting straight is not my greatest strength in the world.  She did reassure me that the strips didn't have to be too precise - just as well - but if I was going on to make bias binding then I would need to be quite precise. Lovely readers it looks as if it will be shop bought binding for me then............

I didn't take any photographs I am sorry to say as time was moving on and I was getting stressed that I would have too much to do at home by myself with Vicky's guidance and help.  I did find the piping quite difficult to do but I was getting tired as it was near the end of the day and we were all so hot.  I knew that I was starting to rush everything as the end of the workshop was nearly upon us all.  One lady finished her bag and it was delightful and I am so sorry now that I didn't ask her if I could take a photograph of it to show you all.

 

I had a little chat with Vicky about it and she agreed that it would be best to finish it at home rather than rush the home thing and make a mess of it.  Unfortunately, since the workshop, my day job has been rather full on so I am intending to finish my bag this coming weekend and will hopefully have some nice pictures to show you all.

 

Yesterday I had a bit of a shock at work.  One of my lovely bosses is retiring and I had thought that her finish date was in August.  I had intended to knit her a little beaded bag to keep handkerchiefs in - I am still old fashioned lovely readers and adore hankies, especially vintage ones (as long as they are clean!).  When I spoke to C yesterday she explained that she had decided to leave today as she had holidays to come.  I was very taken aback and really had to think about what I was going to do.  I had already bought her a couple of gifts in readiness but have always tried to make something cute for gifts for her as she is so appreciative.

 

When I had been at the lovely Lauren's shop I had bought a gorgeous Russian doll fabric intending to make something for my granddaughters.  However, I thought about making a small bag to put the gifts in.  It was a bit of a rush I have to say as I wanted to personalise it a little so sewed in some beads around the heads of the dolls.

 



I also crocheted a small flower and had made a red brooch ages ago so thought this might look cute attached to it.

 

  

 

The button with the little girl on is from a local market for 50p - really cute.



I have been toying with the idea of trying to transfer photos onto buttons but not got round to it yet.  I am not really sure how to do it but have a glimmering of a idea.  Any thoughts and ideas would be so helpful Folks, would look rather nice on Christmas gifts I think. I worked all last evening on it and managed to finish it around 1pm this morning - doesn't look much work I know but I do tend to be a bit on the slow side with sewing unfortunately.  I didn't stop to take any photographs as I was worried about not having the time to sew it all up properly. 

I got to work early this morning and was going to take a lot of photographs whilst no one was around.  It is so lovely to walk into work really early when it is so much cooler and have time to myself before everyone arrives.  However, C was also in early and I saw her coming in so had to quickly take the photographs before she arrived - panic!



She did seem to love the bag, although I know that she wouldn't say anything unkind about it - she seemed to be genuinely touched that I had worked on it last night.  I was pleased with it myself but sad that she was leaving.  Good bosses are sometimes hard to come by and she has supported me so many times during the past 17 years and I shall miss her badly.  I feel very sad tonight as it is the end of an era - new changes coming in - sometimes for the best I know but I am always down when lovely people leave.  Hopefully we will keep in touch and maintain our friendship. 

 

Anyway enough of me lovely Readers.  How are you all doing?  I thank my lucky stars that I found blog land, have discovered so many talented and really wonderful people out there.  You have restored my faith in mankind as there is so much sadness going on in the world today.  I will be speaking to you all very soon as I desperately need to finish my bag and my knitting...........I hope you all look after yourselves and have a wonderful evening.  Be happy, lovely to see you all again.  Lots of love, Dorothy :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxx