A New Book Arrives Today

Hello Everyone, how are you all?  Well it has been a long, long week but I have made it to Friday.  So glad to see you, hope you will stay for a coffee and a chat?  It does seem a lifetime away from last Friday when I had such sad news.  I have been thinking of my lovely friend all week and she will be forever in my thoughts.

 

Life is a funny old thing.  Although the sadness does not leave you, the ordinary humdrum beat of life carries on regardless and I guess this is what keeps us all going.  I have really struggled to sew, knit or crochet this week although I have tons to do but have felt very flat and tired. I think you have to go with what your body is telling you sometimes and have some time to yourself.  Have you had this feeling yourself.  I would really love to hear from you Readers.

 

There was a bright light during the week however as I got a brand new sewing book.  This is an event which I always love, pulling off the cardboard in excitement and trying to sneak a brief preview as I made my way up to the classroom.

 

You might remember a few posts ago when I had a really busy day making up a couple of gorgeous bags using the kits I had bought from Hamble and Jemima called Abbygale Sews.  This is such a super book which is written for newcomers like me and experienced sewers as I know many of you are out there lovely Readers.

 

 

Emma Curtis and Elizabeth Parnell are two friends from Devon who, whilst they were pregnant, decided to try and make all their Christmas presents themselves.  They made jams, chutneys, biscuits and sock monsters.  They also started making lovely bags which were particularly popular so they started a market stall to continue with their venture.  However, finding it difficult to meet the demands of the growing popularity they hit on the idea of making up kits so that everyone could have a go at making the bags themselves.  They both have a passion for making handcrafted items and wanted to make sure that anyone could have a go at making something beautiful.  This is where I came in.  I loved making up the two kits I had bought from them and was also able to make another bag from my own fabric. 

 

 

 

 

There were lots of things in this lovely book which I liked.  There were plenty of the usual makes such as shoppers, aprons, a girl's dress, bunting and table runners.  There were also other, more unusual things such as a fantastic huggy doll which can be personalised.  I love this and really want to have a go at it, would make a wonderful birthday gift for someone.  Added to all of these were a doorstop, beanbag and sewing machine cover plus others. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second reason I particularly like this little book is that the patterns at the back are all full size, so no faffing around with the photocopier or trying to measure patterns up and down.  I will be able to trace the patterns onto cardboard and use them again and again.  At this stage of my sewing journey I am just keen to get started on the sewing rather than the technical side of pattern cutting.  I hope that as I progress I will be able to be more creative with my own patterns but until then...........good, old-fashioned diagrams just suit me fine!

 

 

 

 

 

Well Everyone just a short post tonight as I wanted to share my new book with you all, can't wait to get started.  I am working on my other things which I can't show you yet as they are gifts and I don't want to spoil the surprises for the lovely people I am making them for.  I love this book and really feel that there are lots of possible Christmas gifts in here which are quite within my capability.  Have a look on Amazon for yourself and see what  you think.  It would be lovely to hear from you. 

 

Tomorrow I am off to a pork pie making day (don't laugh) at Acton Scott Victorian Farm in Shropshire.  I am going with my eldest Son and although I have been a vegetarian for over 40 years I have always cooked meat for the family.  I will let you know how I get on and am really looking forward to a day doing something completely new with my gorgeous Son.

 

I am so glad that you dropped by and I hope you are able to leave a comment if you wish, love to hear what you think.  Hopefully I shall see you all tomorrow or Sunday, depending on how tired I am when I get home.  Nigh night for now.  Lots of love, Dorothy :-)xxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying on......

Hello Lovely Readers, do come in and have a coffee.  I hope you are all well and happy, I am so glad to see you again.  Friday was an awful day and it is surprising how sad news always makes everything around me seem so much more alive and colourful.  Little things that I take for granted become much more important and I pay attention to things which I might normally pass by.  I am sure that everyone feels that same when faced with sad news about someone they really care about.  When I arrived home on Friday I made my lovely husband a little tea, a ceremony which he really loves and I don't make the effort enough to please him.  I am not a baker although I would love to be the next Mary Berry (if only!) but I did buy him some delicious cake which he really enjoys.  My new resolution is to stop worrying about the silly things which go around my head and really concentrate on what is important in life - people I love and care about.

On Saturday I was booked in for a introductory sewing weekend in the lovely little Cheshire village of Plumley.  It is not far from Knutsford and is such a pretty little backwater tucked away in the rolling countryside.  The course is run by the lovely Sue who, with her friend Tracy, offer a whole range of fabulous classes from the village hall.  They are called the creative-stitchers and although I was excited about going I must admit that on Saturday morning I didn't feel much like taking part. 

However, I did think that moping around the house wouldn't be of any use to anyone so off I set on what was going to be a very warm weekend!  I had packed my fabric which I had purchased from Guthrie and Ghani when I had been on the pinny workshop.  The lovely Lauren from the Sewing Bee had helped me choose it on the understanding that I send some photos of the finished dress.  A dress, yes everyone, I was hoping to start a complete dress.

I must admit that when I arrived at Sue's I was very apprehensive about it all, there was no way that I could make a dress in a month, never mind a weekend.  I found the pattern on Tilly's website and it is one of the early dresses she made for herself.  The pattern is called New Look 6000 and I ordered it on Amazon.  Now Tilly is a lot younger, much prettier and slimmer than I am but I fell in love with the style and the elegance of it.  Have a look at her website under 'things I have made myself' and see what you think.  Tilly made her dress in a rather sweet navy polka dot which is really fabulous and would suit either summer or winter.  There is a great link on her blog to Scruffy Badger's Blog.  Have a look at the button on the right hand side of the blog and click on the post New Look 6000 Frock Fest which shows some fantastic photographs of the same dress made by a wide range of very talented ladies.  One of them is very 'Mad Men' style!  I chose style E which is at the top left of the five pictures.

Sue went through some important details about dressmaking and choosing fabrics and quantities needed.  Then, horror of horrors, I had to be measured.  Now the one thing I have learned is that the dress size I buy is no reflection on the actual size that I am!  I was very uncomfortable realising that I needed to lose weight here, there........everywhere!  Sue was absolutely delightful and really encouraged me every step of the way without allowing me to miss out any steps.  I had thought that  I wouldn't line the dress but Sue insisted that it would hang much better if I did line it.  Now this dress is quite famous on some of the blogs I have read, although they are a few years old now, but then, what the heck, at my age I don't fuss about things like this now. 

Sue told me that the perceived size of women's clothes has now changed drastically.  The sizes we are now girls would not be the size our Mums or Grandmas would be in. The lovely Jo on her blog has tried this out for herself.  Have a look at her post on the 8th June 2013 when she made a dress from a vintage pattern of 1967.  She made it in the size she is now but it is very tight fitting.  As Sue said, the manufacturers wants us all to believe that we are actually a lot thinner than we are. Obviously, this helps them sell more garments.  When I go to vintage shows I am always drawn to the vintage patterns as they are so kitch and nice to look at.  What is always surprising to me is how fresh and new some of the patterns look so if you keep something long enough in fashion then it will return at a later date.  I wish I had kept some of the mini dresses I had (not that I would wear them now) but it would be so nice just to try them on again.........that is if I could get into them!

Sue and I went through the pattern together working out the size and what needed to be cut out.  She taught me how to do tailor's tacks on the front and backs before sewing them up.  As you have probably guessed, I am not that confident on the machine and tend to do a lot of hand sewing but, lovely Readers, Sue wasn't letting me off on that one.  So away I went on my machine, at a snail's pace, getting there slowly and surely.

Now the one thing which I was dreading was inserting the zip so Sue made up a sample for me and demonstrated the technique and set me off on the task.  I was terrified at wrecking this gorgeous fabric so tried to be as accurate as I could.  Sue gave me 9 of out 10, although I am not sure that I could do that trick again without her help. 

By this time I had come to the end of the day and boy was I exhausted.  I very very rarely fall asleep on the settee in the evening but I must admit I did on Saturday night.  I also dreamt about the dress as well so it must have been playing on my mind.  When I set off on Sunday morning I was thinking about how much more I had to do and realised that I probably wouldn't finish it that day. I didn't want it to be an unfinished project so set myself the task of doing as much as I could before the end of the day.

Sue was all ready for me and set me off sewing up the shoulders and side seams - wow!  I had the makings of a dress, couldn't quite believe it.  I must apologise to you all as I had intended to take a multitude of photographs but just didn't dare stop as I wanted to get as much done as possible.  I had a fitting then lovely readers but it was a little tight around the tum (note: lose some weight!) so Sue showed me how to adapt the dress to my size and frame so that it fitted more perfectly.  Those little adjustments made all the difference and I really began to realise how much fun you could have making your own clothes.

I then had to set about doing the lining which was exactly the same process as the dress and then it was on to the sleeves.  Now these were really tricky to me lovely readers and I must admit that I had so much help from Sue here.  But, I was starting to get tired.  I hadn't stopped for any lunch, quite a quick cup of tea as I was so keen to keep going - I was on a mission.

Sue was so kind and helped me put the sleeves in as she did say that it was a fair tricky thing to do for a new sewer but advised me to practise, practise, practise all the time until it got easier.

She put the second sleeve in for me and I was nearly there.............I put the cuffs on (they are so gorgeous) and Sue showed me how to hand finish the dress by sewing in the rest of the lining and turning the hems up. 

It was now 4.14pm and I had been at it from 9.45 without a break - my goodness I was so tired but so excited.  Like a young schoolgirl, I wanted to wear my new frock the next day!  Sue gently suggested that I was quite tired and to leave it for a day or so before finishing otherwise I could end up making mistakes.  I drove home on a cloud, I had made a dress........in a weekend with lots and lots of help from a fabulous talented designer and sewer. 

Sue and I did talk about the Sewing Bee and I was trying to encourage her to apply as she is eligible, she is thinking about it as all of her friends and pupils in the sewing groups want her to have a go.  I do hope she does as she is so so talented.

Well lovely readers, I haven't quite finished it just yet, but, would you like to see it????  Here is it....

Well folks what do you think?  I am so chuffed with it and can't wait to step out in style once it is finished.  I will post a photograph of me wearing in due in time.  Would love to have some feedback from you all - am now thinking of trying another one and rather like the navy, thinking about the autumn already!

I have really loved being with you all today and hope that the sun is shining and everything is well in your world.  Thank you for stopping by, it has been so nice to spend time with you once again.  Do leave a comment if you have time and I shall see you very soon.  I have signed up for a sewing group for six weeks after work so tonight is the first one.  I have a few projects collected over the years so want to make sure that I really take full advantage of the class each week.  Will keep you all posted, bye for now.  Lots of love Dorothy :-)xxxxxxxxxxx

A Sad Day

 

Hello Everyone I do hope you are well and having some sun.  Well today started very nicely as I walked into work enjoying the morning sunlight.  I had many plans whizzing around my head and in particular the weekend sewing course I am going on tomorrow in Cheshire.  I was planning the housework which needed doing before I went off in the morning and the meals to be prepared beforehand.  However, none of us thankfully know what is ahead of us.  Around 9am I heard that a dear, dear friend and colleague had passed away today very unexpectedly.  She had been battling the horrid C for a couple of years now and we thought she had won the war but sadly she hadn't.  She was an artist in her own right as she could take ingredients and come up with the most wonderful cakes you could imagine.  She has been our family's cake maker for years and our children know her as Dr Sue because she is so expert in creating something wonderful from a little idea that our children would come up with.  I have just been searching through my photographs and there are so many images of the wonderful creations she crafted, all gorgeous to look at and wonderful to eat.  No birthday will ever be the same again for me.  Sue I will miss you dreadfully and will never forget you.  God Bless

 

This was just one of her many wonderful creations.

 



A Busy Week

Well hello Everyone, how are you?  So nice of you to call in, you are always so welcome.  How has your week been so far?  Well, here in the UK we seem to be enjoying a little summer for a change, I do hope you are having a happy time.

This week has been extremely busy at work and I have been getting home a little later than usual.  I am very much an early bird and like to be on my way to work very early, there is something about the stillness of the early morning which I just love.  However, that doesn't last very long before everyone starts arriving and the work for the day gets underway.  My blog has been very much on my mind all week as I really don't want to have long gaps before I talk to you all.

I know that I have talked about being addicted to magazines but there are two favourites which I really look forward to getting each month and they both arrived today.  Country Living is my 'escape' magazine and when I read it I have so many dreams of living a different life.  Something which usually involves either living in depths of the country or very near the sea.  It also usually has the essential ingredient of my being a sort of 'Mother Earth', not tied down to any job but making my living being creative.  Ideas such as baking bread and selling it out of a lovely little vintage van, selling beautiful flowers from a pink French van or having a little workshop where people come in to look and buy.  What dreams folks - do you have similiar escapes to me or am I alone here?  I always have to come back to reality as I get up each morning to prepare for my work.  Please don't get me wrong, I love my work and am lucky to be in a place where I am really happy, but those escape dreams never go away!  My other magazine is Mollie Makes and I am just loving the little dolls on the front cover.........

Although I have been very busy I have not neglected my creative 'jobs' and  have been a little busy bee. I have started to think of gifts for Christmas and am determined not to leave it to the last minute as I usually do.  At work I have a few really close friends who I try to make a gift for each year.  As you know I have been having a big sort out with the intention of using the yarn and fabric I already have instead of rushing out for things.  I have a couple of projects ongoing which are special gifts for friends which I don't want to show you yet as they both read my blog and I want to surprise them.  I know you will understand. Are you planning your festive gifts yet?

A while ago I had bought some yarn and a pattern from the lovely Suzy John for a cute pair of gloves.  I have nearly finished the now.  The green yarn was chosen specially for a certain person who has a real passion for the colour so I am hoping she will like them.  What do you think?  I would welcome your comments and suggestions.

I also managed to finish off this gorgeous bunny which was siting in my sewing room and just needed her jacket finishing off. She looks happier now.  I have yet to name her and badly need your help, lovely readers.......any ideas?

At the Woolfest last year I met two lovely designers from the West Country called Ruth and Belinda.  I bought some absolutely gorgeous yarn with the idea of making up some gifts but, guess what folks, as usual I got waylaid into other things and didn't get around to doing anything.  However, writing this blog has really made me sit up and try and stick to my promises so the yarn is back out and ready to be knitted up.There are two really elegant patterns for fingerless gloves and a beautiful scarf.  I love them both and may keep them for myself!  Who knows..........do you like them lovely readers?  Suitable gifts for Christmas?

Finally, I managed to buy a couple of really sweet vintage finds at a local thrift shop at the weekend.  I think they are both great finds, see what you think.

I adore vintage table and tea cloths and this was one was a real find as, apart from a gentle wash it is perfect and I can't wait to serve tea on it.  The bobbin holder is handmade with a little pin cushion on the top which I am going to change.  I was thinking of trying to varnish it up or was tinkering with the idea of spraying it in a lovely vintage shade of cream or blue.  What do you think lovely Readers?  Any ideas or feedback warmly welcomed.  I also found this lovely little handkerchief with some really cute embroidery. I love saving these things from being either thrown away or left hidden away.  I wonder who this one was made for?  It has found a good home now.

Well Folks that is it for now as I have to return back to my work and will be burning the midnight oil tonight to get everything done in preparation for tomorrow.  It is a small price to pay as I just love to write to all of you and hope you have enjoyed my short post tonight.  Do leave some comments if you wish as I do love to hear from you and welcome all of your views and comments.  I will be back very soon but meanwhile have a happy few days with lots of fun and laughter.  Lots of love, Dorothy :-)xxxxxxx

Welcome Summer

Hello Everyone, it is so lovely to see you all again.  Do come in and make yourself at home.  Well, the last couple of days have been rather nice, not hot mind you but not raining or cold thank goodness.  I even started to sort out some summer clothes in the vague hope that I might get to wear them over the next month or so.

Yesterday was a full day as I had to return to Liverpool, my home town to sort out some business.  I had arrived really early as I do love the feeling of being in a busy city when it is quiet and just starting to wake up.  People were slowly coming into the city ready for work and the shops were not yet open. 

It was fine, I walked down to the Pier Head to see my wonderful Liver Birds who stand on the top of the Liver Building - most of you will know the story behind these birds.  There are two of them and they have never produced any offspring - well not to our knowledge anyway!  The fable goes that if they ever fly away then the city of Liverpool will be no more.  It was opened in 1911 and survived two world wars.   Although Liverpool suffered dreadful bomb damage, along with many other places, during the World War II the Liver Building remained intact as it was used as a landmark for the incoming raiders so those two birds have seen so much since it opened its doors all those years ago.  When I got home I realised that the photograph I had taken was not that clear so when I am in Liverpool again I will take a better one of the building.   Apologies for the history lesson but I just love those birds!

While I was in Liverpool I had time to pop into the new Museum which is right on the waterfront and took this photograph of the Liver Building from inside.  Everyone was drawn to the huge picture window upstairs in the Museum. 

I found the cutest little idea in the Museum.  I apologise for the quality of the photographs but there were so many children around playing so I wasn't able to really focus properly.  At first I just thought it was a painted door until some children opened it up and I realised that it was in fact a cupboard.

Not sure if you can see it properly but the children playing with it were getting a little fed up with me trying to muscle in with my camera.  I just thought it was a super idea for a cupboard at home as you can see they have put little spaces under the house for all the equipment and the children were having a great time moving things around and playing house.  I have seen some similar ideas in the various magazines I am addicted to when sets of shelves have been modelled to look like the inside of a doll's house using vintage wallpapers and vintage doll's furniture.  I had mentioned this to my long suffering husband last year and I swear he thought I was regressing back to childhood!  I would love to hear if any of my lovely readers have seen similar models in the magazines.  

While I was in Liverpool I did also visit one of my favourite vintage shops called Purlesque.  I have been visiting Jane for a few years now and have always found really interesting things to buy.  She is so talented and uses vintage fabrics to upcycle them into the most amazing things.  Look at these gorgeous collars made out of vintage embroidery, don't they look so cute. 

   Jane also sells masses of great vintage clothes and household goods.  It is always such a good place to visit and browse.

However, Jane had some sad news as the lease on the shop is not being renewed so she is now going to concentrate on an online shop and vintage fairs.  If you are around Liverpool this month do pop in as she is having a big sale and you might pick up a bargain or two - go onto her website for more details.  I am hoping to be able to get to see her again before she leaves but hopefully will keep in touch through the website.  It is a sad reflection of life when really talented people have to struggle but I am starting to realise just how supportive and strong the creative community really is.

This brings me on nicely to my fantastic day out today in Llanwrst.  You may remember that I mentioned in an earlier post that I had been invited to a crochet day.  I set off this morning very early in glorious sunshine.  Louise, whose house we were using for the course, was just so welcoming and kind.  Lovely readers, I have to say that crafting and cakes seem to go hand in hand.  A lot of the gorgeous ladies on the course had baked some scrumptious treats including three different soups, crusty bread, lemon drizzle cake, cheese scones, flapjacks, butterfly cakes, muffins and rock cakes - and we hadn't even started the course yet!  Wonderful!  There was a constant supply of tea and coffee as well as the company of a fabulous group of ladies of all ages.  Tracy had kindly travelled all the way from Lytham-St-Anns to teach us all how master the art of crochet.  Tracy was so supportive and had a quiet aura which enabled us all to progress at a rate of knots.

As you know I am a relative newcomer to serious crochet and have tried to crochet a bag but found that the sides of my work either start to move inwards and end up looking like a triangle or outwards, getting wider and wider........not a good look for a bag.  The lady I was sitting next to was a really experienced crafter and was on hand to help us all out at the other end of the table.

I admit that I had a mental block when it comes to reading crochet patterns so this was something I wanted to have a go at today.  We practised the casting on and then just doing rows of crochet trying out different stitches including double crochet, half treble and treble.  I coped with these well but did find that I was not finishing off the rows that well so mine were not straight.  Lydia, the lovely helper next to me was there to guide me and show me the error of my ways...............after a few tries I could see clearly where I have been going wrong all these years.  At last I managed to produce something which resembled a acceptable piece of crochet.  You can see some of the errors I was making at the start of the crochet square - by the way the cute little pink flower is not my handiwork unfortunately but the lovely Lydias.

Lovely people there is something wonderful about sitting and spending time with others, learning from one another and creating something at your own level and pace.  Life is usually such a rush so to have a day when you can relax and not feel pressurised to produce a 'set amount of work' is such a gift.  You can see why sewing circles, knitting and craft groups are so popular as we all have so little time to spend on experiences such as this. 

Before we knew it lunchtime had arrived and Louise had thoughtfully set out chairs and tables in the garden so we could relax in the sunshine and enjoy the wonderful food which had been prepared.  It was so nice to sit and get to know everyone and swop stories about our lives.  People are so interesting and we don't always listen to the stories of others because we are slaves to the clock.  The lovely Lydia is French and was telling me how she came to settle in this little village in Wales.  A really talented lady who had come across to Britain to learn the language and had stayed.  She enjoys so many crafts including knitting, patchwork and crochet and is at present making a wonderful crochet blanket for each of her two girls.  They have been involved in the whole process including the colours of the squares, the buttons, embroidery and little adornments which will make such special heirlooms for them both.  Lydia was saying how things had been passed on to her and how she treasured them so much.  She has promised to send me some photographs when they are finished and I will post them for you all to see.  Already I have ideas of what I could do for my grandchildren...............the list of 'to dos' gets bigger everything folks.



What I loved about the blanket was that it was unique and colourful.  I thought the edging of the little pink flowers really finished it off.  Lydia was saying that when her girls get married she may well make them a big blanket for their home - wonderful!

After lunch we all went back inside, full to the brim with gorgeous cakes.  We set about making a flower brooch, something I had really been looking forward to.  Tracy had made one up for us to see and had bought some vintage buttons and brooch backs so that we could complete our projects to take home.  I forced myself to try and follow the Rowan pattern as Tracy went through it step by step, demonstrating each step carefully for us to copy.  Mine came along well and I was pleased with the first part - remember that I had been following Mom of 5 Daughters fabulous blog to crochet a flower so had a good idea of how to do it but really wanted to be able to follow a pattern competently.

The second and third petals are quite tricky to do and I must admit that I am so glad that I had followed the practical demonstrations before as I don't think I could have mastered it using the pattern only.  Tracy was on hand to show me exactly how to do it correctly and on I went.  I finished it and was so pleased with the result and only have to sew on on the back and buttons now - maybe even put some of my beads on lovely readers!

I had a little time left before the course finished and Lydia kindly offered to show me how to crochet other small flowers which would make really cute little trimmings.  You can see some of Lydia's handiwork here and in the second picture, my baby steps.

Well all good things have to come to an end and it was time to head off home.  I had a most wonderful day and am hoping that another course will come again soon.  A huge thank you to everyone I met today, it was such a pleasure to spend time with you all and I leaned such a lot.

Well folks, I hope you have had a good few days and life is being very good to you all.  It has been such a pleasure to see you all again and I hope you will call back very soon.  Please leave a comment if you can, I do love to hear from all of you.  Hope to speak to you all very soon.  Lots of love, Dorothy :-) xxxx



Rainy Days

Hello Lovely Readers, welcome back again, please do come in, it is so nice to see you all.  Well today has been such a rainy day I have been thinking about whether or not we shall ever have a summer here.  It was raining when I went to work early this morning and raining when I came home - how dispiriting!  I sincerely hope you are all enjoying much better weather than I am here.

In order to cheer myself up I stopped off on the way home and bought some lovely stocks and freesias.  I got some beautiful lilac and white stocks and yellow freesias and it struck me how wonderful nature is when choosing colour combinations, we can learn so much from Mother Earth.  The smell is divine.  I find some of the flowers in the shops nowadays lack perfume of any sort - they are lacking a soul.  Well this is all very poetic isn't it, must be the weather!

I do wish you could smell them everyone as they are gorgeous.  My little 'vase' is part of the cottage ware range which I have had now for about 40 years would you believe!  This is actually a biscuit barrel and the lid is the roof but as biscuits don't last very long in our home I thought this might be a good way to display it.  These pieces were very fashionable many years ago and I had to save hard for them.  I have a teapot, sugar bowl, milk jug plus another biscuit jar in the shape of a gorgeous old cottage. I see a lot around now especially on Ebay so maybe they have come back into vogue. Possibly your grandparents have some in their homes. 

On my way home I also spotted one of my favourite magazines, Simply Crochet which came out today.  I have enjoyed this magazine since it was first published and have been hooked (like it?) on crochet.  I have to say that for many years when I was an avid knitter and would get quite cross if crochet patterns were included in my magazines as I felt that crochet certainly didn't fit in with knitting - to me knitting was a far more sophisticated craft!  Sorry to all the crochet addicts out there.  However since I have started to really understand crochet, all thanks to my lovely friend over at Mom of 5 Daughters and her super duper tutorials, I have become a passionate convert.  If you haven't had chance to have a look at her blog please pop over and see her, she is so talented and shares so much of her work with everyone.

I am sure it was last year at the Woolfest over in Cockermouth when I was  speaking to Niki Trench and saying how little I understood the fascination of crochet.  She told me that she had really got the bug for it and I should give it another try so I did buy her book Cute and Easy Crochet which I loved as it was so pretty.  Niki is mult-talented and I would love to go on some of her courses but unfortunately I live too far away.  Do check out her blog as she is now working on a book on Fairisle knitting and has a new crochet book called Cute and Easy Crochet with Flowers due out in September which I must have. However, I digress, in the new edition of Simply Crochet there is such a gorgeous pattern which I want to have a go at lovely readers.  Take a look for yourself - I was thinking about Christmas gifts, something a little more unusual which could be personalised with the person's name.  What do you think?  It would help me to practise a whole range of skills including sewing, machine work, embriodery and crochet - wow!

I would be interested to know what you all think about it - I think it is really cute.  I am going to take the pattern with me on Saturday when I go to my crochet class and see what everyone thinks, maybe have a go a whipping up a flower or two from the pattern, we shall see.

Talking about embroidery, remember when I told you that I had been tidying up the sewing room and finding lots of things, well I have something wonderful to show you all.  You may have gathered that I am an avid collector of anything old and unwanted, I like to think that I have rescued something which might have been thrown away and given it a nice home to go to.  Consequently my home is filled with all these little oddities which I love but am sure other people wonder why I keep them.  A good few years ago I was trawling through Ebay and found this little box - someone had been sorting out a relative's home and was just getting rid of things.  I love old chocolate boxes and this one contained bits and bobs from her (or his) sewing things.  I wasn't really into embroidery then, even though I have always loved it, but I was more interested in the chocolate box and got it for a small price.  I particularly liked it as it looked very art deco.

Now, much as I love chocolates I must admit I was overwhelmed when I received the box as there was so many little goodies inside.  I did wonder who had owned the box and (presuming it was a lady) what she did and where she came from.  The box was filled with many embroidery patterns some dating from the 1920s and 1930s.

The box is very much a 'working box' with lots of little pattern books, most of them given as free supplements in magazines.

What I found most amusing is the image on several of the booklets of the very glamorous woman on the front - I wonder if that was how embroiderers spent their days in those bygone years?  It would be lovely to hear what you all think lovely readers. 

And here she is again, all for 1d (one old penny might I add!).  Now this must have been a time when wormen really took their leisure seriously unlike the multi-tasking men and women we have today.  The owner of the box had also been doing her/his own sketching

Or maybe these were little gifts from the children?

Recognise this famous lady from the world of embroidery?

What wonderful colours - you could imagine this as a lovely cushion couldn't you?

This is a tiny little pattern for an American style bonnet which only takes a quarter of a yard - you can see that the sewers in those days were expected to use their own imagination for making up garments - no step by step instruction sheets here.  On the other side of this newspaper clip was a short extract about the Battle of Britain raids so obviously it is dated from the early 1940s. 

I just loved looking through this box last night and it is definitely not going back into the big cupboard again.  Since opening my eyes to the delights of crafts other than knitting I couldn't wait to pick out a project to start.  However I do need the expert help of Aneela Hoey so out came her wonderful book and I thought about what project I would try to do.

Out came the embroidery threads......

The one I have decided upon is......

Isn't she just so gorgeous, can't wait to start!  Wish me luck everyone.

One last thing before I leave you tonight lovely people.  At the bottom of the box I found this

A little feather.  Now it could be any number of things.......a feather from a pillow, a feather from a little hen.....John Lennon is reported to have said that if you ever see a little feather then know that it is my spirit come to visit you.  I like to think that this little feather represents the soul of the person who owned the box and I shall never throw it away.  I hope they know, whereever they are, that their collection is loved once again.

Well lovely readers that is all for now.  Hope I haven't rambled on too long, I think I tend to so apologies if I have.  I hope you have a wonderful evening/day where-ever you are in the world.  I hope you experience love, happiness and peace.  I will hopefully speak to you all soon, please leave a comment if you are able to as I do love to hear from you.  Lots of love as always, Dorothy  :-) xxxx