Pressies

I had a present waiting for me when I got home from work yesterday (Wednesday) – from Deb all the way from the other side of the world in New Zealand. I love, love, love the colours of the fabric and shall be using this on my worktable, perhaps as a mat for my sewing machine – that way I’ll get a lot of use out of it.


Thanks Deb – I really love it.

Deb also sent me some lovely smellies – Citrus and Lavender Body Scrub and Lavender bath soap – they smell reallllllllllllly nice!!

..... does ‘Body Scrub’ scrub away calories I wonder – get rid of the chocolate I ate today perhaps??!!!!! I shall have a soak in the bath tomorrow night I think and scrub away the stress of the working week – I’ve had 3 very late nights at work this week, so am shattered.

Roll on the weekend!!!!!!

Expecting ........

No, not me - that would be a miracle!!!! But I do know several expectant mums at the moment, so couldn’t resist making this lovely cushion for the nursery! It has a double-sided pattern. One side to slumber to with Mr Moon:



And the other side to wake up to with Mr Sunshine:



It comes from this lovely new book called ‘Quilt a Gift’ by Barri Sue Gaudet, which I bought recently when I went to buy fabric .... NOT another book – resistance was futile though, so I didn’t bother trying!!! The cushion went together quite easily using scraps of fabric from my stash and felt for the appliqué.



I’m not saying which expectant mum the cushion is for though yet just in case she happens to be sneaking a peek!!!

Apple Charlotte!

My latest ‘Annie’ is named after the traditional old English pudding; ‘Apple Charlotte’. The initial inspiration though came after I purchased the lovely rosy pink fabric of her apron (a Nancy Halvorsen fabric called Cider Mill Road), which has apples on it. My Nana’s name was Charlotte, so, add the two together – and you get ‘Apple Charlotte’!! And the apple fabric goes really well with the green check fabric – something I’ve had for a while and knew I would find a use for eventually! The red hair, admittedly, it a little brighter than I would have liked, but it’s sometimes difficult finding wool in the right shade.



Her very own apple is made from some raw silk that I’ve had for ages and just happens to match the apron fabric perfectly and has a beautiful shine to it. The leaves are made from wool felt and it’s finished with a piece of cinnamon stick. And, oh yes, I added some cinnamon oil to the stuffing inside the apple, so it smells just like apple pie –yum!!


Apple Charlotte measures approximately 20 inches from top to toe!

Quite cute I think!!

What I love about special BIG birthdays ......

........ is that they last for weeks – not just one day!!

It’s nearly 3 weeks since I attained the grand old age of 50 and yet this week I’ve received 4 birthday cards and today my third present – what fun!! This is the package of pressies I received today from my lovely friend Wendy:



A very pretty bag in reds and greens (Wendy’s first bag by all accounts, but I don’t know whether I believe her – LOL). It has a lovely bobble fringe around it .... and I love the way the handle comes together – tied together at the top! Next, is a lovely pin cushion – I love the fabric! A selection of co-ordinating fabrics, some Perle cottons and a sweet wooden sign – I think Wendy is saying that I’m simple or something like that, which isn’t far from the truth!! Thank you Wendy very much for your generosity - I love them all!!

Late Spring!!

I forgot to show these last week!!

Although I don't appear to have been doing much sewing lately, I had made a couple of things for Wendy, for her birthday, but couldn't show them as I only sent them last week!! It was Wendy's birthday way back on 29th February, so it was WELL late - but not my fault entirely, as I had been waiting for some decorated pins that I had ordered from America to add to the pin cushion, but after 7 weeks of waiting, I cancelled them and instead had a go at making them myself. And they turned out not too bad, although perhaps a bit bigger than the real thing. So, although slightly out of season by now, this is what I sent to Wendy. The pincushion (with deorated pins) and the chocolate bunnies were made by 'moi' and the rest were bought!!

I’ve just realised how long it’s been since I posted about anything I’ve made, so it’s good to be doing so now! Not that I haven’t been stitching! I have made a couple of things for my friend Wendy (finished them ages ago actually), but I’ve been waiting for a tiny little decoration that I had ordered from America ......... I have been waiting, and waiting, and waiting – but no joy yet, so I’ve now asked the shop to cancel the order and I shall be posting Wendy’s (very belated) birthday present off this week. After that, I will be able to show those too!!

Anyway, this is what I’ve just finished – a little ted. He’s based on my Strawberry Bear pattern, only with BIG feet, which I love and a big cute nose too. I haven’t given him a name yet – anyone got any ideas? He’s about 5 inches sitting and about 9 inches at full stretch.





See you next time!

A lovely day!

Well, I had a lovely, lovely day yesterday celebrating my birthday ........ OK, my 50th birthday!!! As I told you in yesterday’s post, I went off to my favourite fabric shop and had probably only been in the shop about 5 minutes before I had been conned, sorry, persuaded into buying a jelly roll; to which I added a few fat quarters. I didn’t stay too long though, in case I lost all control. It wasn’t random buying though (well OK, two of the fat quarters were!!). I was after fabric that would match a quilt top that I’m half way through. Rather dimly, when I bought the quilt pattern and fabric, I didn’t check the finished size – I assumed it would be full double-bed size, whereas it is really only a bed-topper size, so I’m going to extend it with extra borders and applique (eventually!) ........ so that is my one and only excuse for buying fabric – do I need one though!!?? Not when it’s your 50th birthday you don’t!!!

Yesterday evening I spent with my family and one of my friends at my brother’s house, where we had a lovely big Chinese takeaway – yum! Followed by the piece de resistance (have I spelt that right!!) ............. a drum roll please for my beautiful birthday cake made by my wonderfully talented and very kind auntie – take a look at this ..............



... and this is a only a small sample of my aunt’s talent. Sugar craft has been her hobby for a long time and she has made many, many wedding and birthday cakes over the years, and each one is to an extremely high standard – a missed business opportunity I think.

Now this is very brave of me I think, because the next one is of ME with the cake, plus my talented aunt, my brother and my friend.



.... now I know they say that photographs add about 10 lb to your weight, but what the heck accounts for the other 40 lb of mine – perhaps it’s to do with my age eh?? Not convinced – no, me neither. Just way too much cake and chocolate .... but you have to agree that it would be churlish of me not to eat my birthday cake – I will share a bit of it though, don’t worry.

I received mostly money and garden vouchers for presents. My big present I’ve already had in April of course – that was my trip to Ireland with my brother and sister-in-law. I also had some lovely willow vegetable planters as I’m attempting to grow a few vegetables this year and I think these wicker planters look so much nicer than plastic tubs, and I can use them again next year, so ‘Green’ too.



And I took this one just before I went to bed last night of some of my birthday cards.



Back to normal now I suppose – excitement over. I’d go and switch the TV on, but there’s nothing but the news about our ‘hung parliament' – when will that ever get sorted!!!!

Till next time!

My second 25th!!!!

................... birthday that is. Well, 50 is such a high number when we’re talking birthdays, which we are, so I prefer to call it my second 25th!! Anyway, one of my birthday cards confirmed that 50 IS the new 40 – and I believe them!!! And as with any 50-year old (or should that read 5-year old) I woke up several times in the night eager to open the cards I had already received. But then again it could just be my 50-year old bladder getting me up several times a night!!! LOL

Well, it’s been a good day so far. NOT going to work was a great start, followed by a lovely mug of coffee in bed whilst I opened my cards, and then the next good bit was browsing through the current issue of ‘Inspirations’ magazine, which came out just in time for my birthday – Thank you!!




I discovered ‘Inspirations’ magazine (by accident) about a year ago or so and each issue really does ‘Inspire’. It only comes out four times a year, but each issue is packed with beautiful projects – mostly long-term projects that will turn into real heirlooms.

Katarina sent me these lovely pressies from Sweden:



A lovely bookmark, a little needlecase, a gorgeous delicate necklace (sorry the photo doesn't show the lovely purple colour) and a really pretty, very soft knitted/crotchet brooch .... and a lovely card – all made (I believe) by Katarina, a very multi-talented YOUNG lady! Thanks again Katarina, I really appreciate them.

At work yesterday, one of the girls had arranged one of these in the office for me:



....... a chocolate fountain with strawberries and marshmallows for dipping – how gorgeous, and a lovely surprise too – I am a chocoholic you know!!! And just to prove it, I also received this ‘Chocoholic’ mug from the same lady



plus flowers, smellies and chocolates from other friends at work. I had money from the whole office to put towards an Ipod – a bit trendy eh for a 50-year old!!

I shall be getting together with my family later tonight for a big Chinese takeaway, followed by birthday cake.

Well ladies, you must excuse me ...... I can resist no longer – I’m off to my favourite fabric shop. Resistance is futile I’m afraid, so why bother trying ....... what else is a GIRL to do on a Special birthday???!!!!

Just remembered – I’d better go and vote too on the way – it’s General Election day here in the UK. Thank you Gordon Brown for holding an Election on my big day – upstaged again!!

Catch you later ...........

My 50th birthday celebrations begin!!

It’s been quite a while again I know!! I’ve been doing as much overtime at work as I can (needs must!!), so by the time I’ve caught up with household chores, shopping etc. I’m often too tired to do much sewing. Having said that, I have done a bit, but I can’t showcase my work yet, as what I have done is a pressie for somebody who may well read this, so that will have to wait!!

My 50th birthday celebrations have begun early with a 4-day trip to the Republic of Ireland (the south-east area around Cork, and Wexford) and have to say that all these stories one hears about lots of rain in Ireland I have decided are a myth, as we have just had 4 glorious days there – lucky or what!! We were also very lucky that we got back on Thursday morning – just before all of the travel problems that have arisen due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland!! I went with my lovely brother and sister-in-law (Colin & Ruth) – it was their present to me for my birthday – how generous was that? And I had a really lovely time. It was very relaxing (my brother did most of the driving – I did none!!) and Ireland, as foretold, is a very beautiful place ..... and the traditional Irish breakfasts, with black pudding and white pudding, were delicious!! The only downside really was the cost of everything! I already knew from others that it is generally considered more expensive than here, but added to that the terrible exchange rate at the moment – Sterling/Euro – and most things seemed almost double the price!

Anyway, if you’re still reading, here are a few photographs of our holiday



Brother and SIL on the coast at Hook Head – just look at the colour of the sea!!

The coast at Tramore

The harbour at Cork (I think!) – I loved the pastel colours of the houses!

The fantastic view from the farmhouse we stayed in at Ballinhassig, County Cork

.......... and a green post box!!

My favourite part was our trip to Cobh (pronounced ‘Cove’) and an exhibition called the Queenstown Story Exhibition, which is housed in an old Victorian railway station. The exhibition told the story of the Irish/American emigration following the potato famine of the mid 19th century. Part of the exhibition was dedicated to the Titanic, as Cobh was the last calling point before it started its fatal journey in 1912!!

I must just add a funny note (sorry big bro!!). On Sunday (the day we set off for Ireland) we arrived at the dock in Fishguard, South Wales in good time. There was only a ‘Stenaline’ ferry in dock – we were travelling with ‘Irish Ferries’, so my brother started to check the travel documents; whereupon he suddenly dropped the papers, threw the car into reverse and steamed off again cursing “Christ, we’re supposed to be at Pembroke, (also in South Wales for those of you outside the UK) not Fishguard – we’re never going to make it!!” All was well though, as Fishguard and Pembroke are only about 25 miles apart and we arrived there still in good time. Needless to say, my sister-in-law, Ruth, and I didn’t let my brother forget his little mistake .... and I’m sure we’ll find plenty of occasions in the future to remind him of it – aren’t we cruel, but he did make us laugh?!!

Anyway peeps, hope to back soon to show you what I’ve been stitching.

Dear Jane

I’m really getting back into cross-stitch lately and enjoying it, although I am missing my quilting at the same time – if ONLY there were more hours in the day!!!!

What could be better though than a combination of the two! I’ve just bought myself this new chart

(saw it on someone else’s blog as usual!) and couldn’t resist (as usual!!). It’s a cross-stitch pattern based on the ‘Dear Jane’ quilt, but a scaled down version of it. I really love it and can’t wait to get started on it ..... along with many other cross-stitch patterns, some quilting – oh, yes, and I’ve also been having a little go at crocheting lately .... just to add to the pile!!! I just can’t help myself!!!

Valentines and friends!!

Now, as a single person (for the 3rd time now!!), I wasn’t expecting to receive anything in the way of a Valentines treat. However, I was wrong, because when you’re lucky enough to have such wonderful friends as Wendy (The Quiet Room), then you’re not forgotten. When I found a card from the Post Office man the other day saying they had a package for me, I tootled off to collect it assuming it was a couple of DVD’s I had ordered from Amazon. What a surprise to find a big fat envelope from Wendy instead. And here are the contents of that lovely big fat envelope:-



Firstly, lots of lovely Valentines delights – a beautifully stitched ‘February’ pillow, heart-shaped bath treats, choccies (yummie), a very cute little teddy, a reel of ‘East of India’ ribbon (I love ‘East of India’ products), a metal heart ..... and did I mention the choccies ......

here is a close-up of the box of chocolates, but I’m not going to compromise myself by showing you a photograph of the inside of the box – after all, the ‘Sell By’ date is September 2010, so I thought “better to be safe than sorry”, and munched my way through them in about (let me think) 30 seconds – naughty, but oh so nice!!!


and as if that wasn’t enough, Wendy also sent me some belated Christmas gifts. A beautifully stitched ‘Silent Night’ pillow and a lovely ‘Jim Shore’ Father Christmas figurine. Wendy, in her naivety (poor girl) thought I might want to keep the Christmas treats wrapped until next Christmas – ha ha ha – AS IF!!!!



So, all in all, even though I don’t have any romance in my life at the moment, I do feel very cherished and lucky to have such a lovely, lovely friend.

Although I have said it privately to Wendy, I’ll say it here again – THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Random Thoughts!

Although it’s been a while since I posted, it doesn’t mean that I haven’t been crafting! I suppose I could have blogged about life generally instead, but I haven’t really felt like it I suppose – I have been ‘lurking’ though and have been keeping up with all of my favourite blogs!

Anyway, just to prove (if I need to!) that I have been busy, here’s what I’m working on the moment.

It’s a cross-stitch called ‘Random Thoughts’ and it’s by ‘The Drawn Thread’ Company. I’d been on the look-out for a sampler for a while, and as soon as I saw this one on Andrea's blog, I knew that it was the one for me. Of course, there’s always a lot more work involved than you originally think isn’t there?!!! I started it just after Christmas and I’m nearly a third of the way through it.

It’s so hard on the old eye sight that I rarely feel like working on it after work under electric light, so it’s sort of become a weekend thing. By the way, had I mentioned that I’ll be 50 this year? Oh heck ..... it comes to us all!! Anyway, don’t worry, I'll remind you all nearer the time!! It would have been harder still had I stitched it on the suggested 32 count linen, rather than the 28 count that I chose instead!! I am enjoying watching it come together though and hope that I manage to finish it ..... let’s say, by the summer – there’s my challenge!!!!!!

Keep me to it!!

Don’t you just love my new scissors too? I bought them from Yuko in Japan. I see lovely antique looking scissors on lots of other blogs, but hadn’t seen anywhere I could buy them from until I came across Yuko’s blog – thanks Yuko!

Later!!

Christmas Belle

I did start ‘Christmas Belle’ rag doll before Christmas, but got a bit delayed in finishing her ..... but here she is finally – better late than never!! I also made her a warm muffler to help keep her hands nice and toastie in all this snow we’re getting here at the moment – anyone want to swap their sunshine for a bit of snow? Well, a lot of snow actually!!!!

Mary Little

......... now has a new home - mine!!!

My ‘Mary Little’ prize arrived today and I am so pleased with it. As I said to Patti in an email to her, she must have the most amazing eyesight to have stitched something so small – it is tiny, which makes it all the more beautiful. I have tried to take a photograph that shows how small it is. But you really need to do a close-up of the photograph to really appreciate how minute the stitches are!!



..... and this is the back

I am so lucky to have won this fantastic prize – thank you Patti – you’re a gem!!!