A rainy weekend

Hello Everyone do come in out of the rain - it has been pouring here most of the day and quite chilly.  I hope that you are enjoying a little better weather than we are here.  Have had a busy couple of days but managed to find a bit of time to have a day off yesterday.  Hope you have enjoyed a good weekend so far.  Do let me put the kettle on for a cup of tea and some cake maybe?  Please make yourself at home, it is so nice to see you again.

Yesterday I decided to go for a trip home to Liverpool where I was born.  I always drive to the other side of the River Mersey and catch the ferry across the river.  I love the feeling of being on the ferry as my lovely Dad worked on these for many years painting and restoring them each year so that they were always ready for their duties.

The ferries were involved in both world wars and came under enemy fire and were granted the Royal charter after their feats in the second world war.  They were then rebuilt back to their former glory and have continued ever since.  I love going on them as I feel close to my lovely Dad who is no longer with me.  It always brings tears to my eyes when I am on one of them and heading towards my home city. 

Of course I had to visit a lovely shop for a latte and my wasn't it all set up for Christmas!

Made me feel very Christmassy.

 

 

Had to buy a few things for the tree - I know, I know it is too early but I couldn't resist!

 

 

 

 

I just had to put this little birdie and his house on my tree at home (not a Christmas tree I must add!). I couldn't resist this little fellow with the red breast - again he is in my little cage at home - the door is always open so he can fly out at any time.

 

 

There seems to be a few little feathered friends in there now.  I also had to have this little sparkle sign, I am just drawn to my sparkly things - maybe it is my age and I will grow out of it.

 

 

I also spotted this lovely cushion - do you like it?  Foxes are all in this year.

 

 

They were rather pricey though.  More about this later.........

 

 

I popped into the haberdashery department and bought this book.  I have been looking at it on Amazon for ages and have been going back and to about buying it.  It was there and I had a good look at it and treated myself. 

 

 

There are a few nice little projects which I could use with all the hexagons I have found recently in my loft.

 

 

This is another nice little project.

 

 

 

Finally, before heading home I stepped into Cath Kidston and found these lovely tea towels which I couldn't resist.  They would be so nice as place mats or bags - what do you think lovely Folks, you know how much I love my tea towels so are probably not surprised I bought them.

 

 

Now to update you on what I have been doing craftwise.  On Friday evening I stitched some beads on to my bag for the lovely ladies in our café at work.  I am keen to get this one finished as this means that 3 gifts will have been completed and I can make a start on the rest.  The only problem is that I keep adding people to my list - I either have to give up work to have enough time to finish them all by Christmas or cut down the list or make smaller gifts - any advice?????

 

 

 

I have also made a start on a project I have had since last summer - this lovely loop scarf which I want to make for my eldest granddaughter who is in her final year of university and needs something warm when she is out and about on the campus. 

 

 

 

 

It is so easy to knit and I made a start on this last night after I had finished my sewing - it was so nice to sit back and relax with it.

 

 

Now finally to the cushion.  When I went to my sewing class last week the lovely Rachel always has bits and pieces of fabric in her box to sell.  I couldn't believe when I spotted these - only £6 for the large piece and £1 for the two smaller pieces.

 

 

What a bargain, what a find!

 

 

I know that my lovely daughter-in-law would love these.  I messaged her from Liverpool asking her if she liked the cushions and she said - yes please!  So last night I set about working on the fabric I had from Rachel - I think I will get 3 large cushions out of the piece and smaller ones from the rest of it - might even try and make a couple of little fabric boxes with the front of the fox on one and the back on the other.........Who knows

 

I used my wonderful Lilly Blossom pattern once again, I would be lost without this - it is so wonderfully easy to use.  It really didn't take long and I was so excited at the result.  The whole fox uses a bed pillow and is so comfy.  My daughter-in-law's reaction - It looks so professional.  Folks this is such a compliment to me as I know that I have a lot to learn but hopefully I am making progress.
Here it is - she would like three of them so two more to go.....................

 

 

Lovely Friends I want to say a huge thank you to all of you as you have helped me along my journey since starting my blog.  Without your support and comments I would have given up so a big hug to you one and all.  I am busy preparing my Sophie Tilley bobbins ready for the giveaway in a few weeks.  I hope you all have a fabulous week and enjoy yourselves.  Lots and lots of love to you all.  Dorothy :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A new chill in the air

Hello Everyone how are you all doing.  Do come in out of the cold - take your coat off and have a drink.  It is so lovely to see  you all this chilly dark night.  I hope you have all had a pretty great week and found some time for yourself.  I have had a particularly busy week so far at work and was hoping to get a post to you on Tuesday but was home quite late so didn't manage it.  I cannot believe how the weather has changed from being balmy to this chilly wind but then it is October.  Hope you are all having a better time of it.

I picked up one of my favourite magazines at the start of the week and had a quick read in bed.  I love this book as there is always loads of information about the vintage fairs and new trends in homewares which are always interesting to read about.  I love the big roaring fire on the front, wish I was sitting in front of one now with all of you lovely Folks with me, enjoying tea and cake.

One piece caught my eye about a man who had visited the lovely Isle of Harris and noticed that their famous tweed was usually only used for clothes and not other things.  He is now having beautiful cushions and throws made which is great news for the island.  I visited here a few years ago and stayed in a cottage for a week.  It was a wonderful experience and I went around some of the places where the tweed is made - often the crofters made the tweed themselves in the crofts and I met quite a few really interesting people - they are such lovely folks (just like you!).  After reading this clip I had a search around the cupboards and guess what I found??????

It was tucked at the back of the cupboard which patiently waiting for me to rediscover it again after all this time.  I can remember buying this piece from a lovely lady whose croft overlooked a tiny little loch.  Her small workshop was magical with tweed everywhere, I just had to buy a piece although I wasn't so much into sewing as I am now, more of a knitter then.  She had an old fashioned loom in the shed which she used to produce the cloth - it was a magical time and I hope one day to return.  If you ever get chance to go please do, you won't regret it. 

 

Now I will have to make something wonderful with this tweed now.......watch this space.  I loved the idea below of using an old frame and putting all the little bits and pieces into it.  I was thinking of doing this with all my brooches so am on the lookout for something fabulous to display them in.



Well how am I getting on with my Christmas gift fest!  I have completed the second bag which is going to one of the lovely ladies in our coffee shop who all look after me every day.  I am using the teapot design as I think it will hopefully tickle their sense of humour.  Last night at sewing class Rachel showed me how to make some simple diary covers so I am going to hopefully use the fabric over to cover a diary for each of them to go into the bag.  I just love putting them together - what do you think of this one?

This is the back of it.

This is the front - went a bit overboard with the beading but I just love doing this part.

The zip was a little better but not perfect by any means - however it is passable.  On to number three now.  I love the fabric below, it is another piece that I bought from Rachel for £1 - such a bargain.

This is the back of the third one.  The flower was just a dream to put on with the butterflies, I can't wait to get going on the beading for this one.  I can't decide which lady to give each one to so I am going to ask them to choose or should I do a lucky dip - what do you think Folks?

This is going to be the front.  This one is quite a sophisticated design, which one do you like? 

Well lovely Folks I must love you and leave you all for now.  Good new on the Sophie Tilley bobbins as they are all completed so I am going to start getting the giveaway ready this coming weekend - watch this space.  One little bobbin is leaving as she is winging her way to a lovely dear friend of mine for her birthday gift.  I will be posting again in the next day or two.  Do have a wonderful Friday and keep warm if you are somewhere chilly.  I really love being with you all - you make a real difference to my life.  Speak soon, lots of love to you all, Dorothy:-)xxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

Sunny Sunday

Hi Everyone do come in and have a cuppa, how are you?  I just thought I would do a quick post to have a chat with you all.  It is a lovely sunny October day here and I should be out doing some exercise but then I thought I would rather stay and talk to you. 

I realised from the lovely comments I had received from all of you that I had misled you on the last post and hadn't made myself clear - something I do all the time - it is clear in my head but I am that excited about something the explanation comes out all wrong!  I am using a pattern from Ebay for a cushion but decided to make some makeup/pen bags for my friends for Christmas - I am making them a big bigger than a make up bag so they can use them for all bits and pieces.  I don't know about you but I try to keep a fabric bag in my main handbag because if I don't I can't find anything!  Anyway that was my thinking - at the moment I have 9 people on my list, now whether I will meet the target who knows!  But on the way I will be able to practise the dreaded zips............

One bag is now finished - I struggled with the zip at the end and nearly threw the whole lot in the bin!  But I fiddled around and then put the magic iron on it and it seemed to be ok.

Had a chat to Rachel in my sewing class about finishing and she was saying that although we know where our mistakes are, other people don't notice them and just see the finished thing.

I struggle with this idea as you have probably guessed but I know she is right and have to try and live with it as I don't want it to spoil what I am doing now as I am enjoying it so much. 

Here is the front of the finished bag - it is for one of my lovely friends in our Lifestyle Bar at work who makes the most wonderful lattes for me every day - they are a fabulous team of three gorgeous ladies who brighten my days at work.  I thought that the teapot and cakes would be appropriate for them - what do you think Folks?

This is the back of the bag.

I was on a roll now so quickly started the second one - I cut out the shapes and ironed them on the front and back.  Found this fabric in Rachel's box and she kind sold it to me for a few pence so am delighted with it.  Browns and yellows have never been my colours but I do love these.  I must say that I am warming to these shades after reading all your wonderful blogs.  This is going to be the back of the second bag.

This is the front of it.  Has to be embellished with all my beads yet so I did a bit of work on it last night using an embroidery hoop which made it so much easier.  Will give you an update when it is nearly there.  Only one more to go then and the Lifestyle Ladies will be sorted for Christmas.  I thought I would put some chocs inside for them. 

Well lovely Folks I must leave you for a bit now and do hope you have the most fantastic day or evening depending on where you all are in the world.  Thank you for your wonderful comments which I really appreciate and take on board.  You are a gorgeous group of people and I am so happy to be here with you all in Blogland - I think we should take over the world!  Take care of yourselves and speak soon.  By the way the dolly giveaways are coming along nicely and I am just making some little scarves for their pretty heads.  Will keep you all updated on these and thanks for the names - they are all fab.  See you all soon, lots of love as always, Dorothy:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

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