Baby Quilts x 2

I can now show you all the two baby quilts I've been busy with lately! They're almost identical with the exception of the top panel, which have different animals. The 'elephant' one is for my nephew Jonathan and his wife Hafsa, who made me a Great Aunt on 2nd December with the birth of their gorgeous little boy, Mika (pronounced Mee-ka).

Isn't he just beautiful?

The 'bunnies' one is now in Perth, Australia, which I made for Ross & Amy - Ross is my nephew's cousin and he also grew up calling me Auntie. He married an Australian girl a couple of years ago and is now settled over there. Their baby is actually due tomorrow and we don't know what they're having yet (and neither do they!)

I designed the quilts myself and then managed to source a gorgeous selection of fabrics - they're mostly vintage/retro child/nursery themed designs. It's not a true rainbow of colours, but I chose 3 different fabrics in each of 7 colours. I knew exactly how I wanted the quilts to look and I have been chuffed to bits to be honest with how they've turned out. I didn't have a clue what size to make them though and 'Googling' didn't really help, as I ended up with a variety of sizes!! In the end, I opted for 'on the larger size' because they will actually be big enough for a child's first bed. 

They're both labelled on the back in the hope they might be kept and treasured and become family heirlooms - that's if they survive the baby treatment!! LOL

I hope you like them!

Pressies!!

You just sometimes know when a package is going to fill you with joy – and this one certainly did! It was waiting for me when I got home this morning. Lovely Wendy has sent me a ‘cheer-you-upness’ Autumn themed package following my knee replacement surgery 5½ weeks ago. I clearly laid on the ’sympathy vote’ thing well didn’t I? It has been painful though ….. see, there I go again! Wendy is a very talented crafter and her prim, rusticy kind of style is very ‘me’. So, here we go with the reveal!! First I opened the box to see it filled to the brim!

Then, one by one, I eagerly opened each package and I was not disappointed.

My eyes immediately fell on the Maltester Truffles – Maltesers are my favourite chocolates by the way, so they will not last beyond today!! And so on to this gorgeous velvet pumpkin pincushion with three of those lovely decorated pins. Isn't it fabulous?!

Next this really lovely cross-stitch sampler cushion – Wendy is a very prolific cross-stitch expert – check out her blog for proof and see the exceptional work she produces. Also, the sweetest little felt blackbird sitting on a wooden bobbin – just so lovely!

And lastly, this ‘Salted Caramel Pumpkin’ candle in a jar – what can I say except Mmmmmmm, yummy – can you smell it? It’s so scrummy I can’t tell you!!

So that just leaves me to say a massive BIG thank you to my lovely, kind and very talented bloggy friend, Wendy – I absolutely love it all! You’re such a very kind friend xxx

Going round in circles!!

I knew it would be bad news for my bank balance being at home for an extended period!! Yes, there have been one or two (or three) random fabric purchases, but on Monday when all I went out for was paracetamol for my poorly leg, I came back with this absolutely gorgeous (well, I think it is anyway!) decorative spiral staircase .......... as you do!! It's in that lovely country, rustic, faux rusty style that is so me. I didn't have any plan for it; and probably wouldn't have bought it (it was £140!!!!!) if my dear sister-in-law, Ruth hadn't encouraged me. Usually Ruth encourages me not to buy things unless it's something I really need.

Anyway, as you see below, I have found a good use for it ............ it makes a great bear stand. And I do honestly think that once I've retired from work and hopefully have the time to do craft fairs etc. it will make a great display feature - have I convinced you??

In case you're interested, its approximately 4½ feet high, so not a little table top thing:0) 

‘Jolly Happy Soul’ - finished!

So, here’s my ‘Frosty’ (real name, ‘Jolly Happy Soul’) cross-stitch all complete and made up into a little decorative cushion – it’s a Brenda Gervais design. The original was designed as a pincushion I think, but as mine is bigger, I’ll just call it a small cushion. And that’s because I’ve used 28-count linen, instead of the 40-count called for by the pattern ……….. eyes and all that!! Now I hope none of you are cruel enough to attempt a close-up of those cardinal birds, because I can tell you, some of that was guesswork, owing to the one strand of floss over one thread. Even in lovely bright daylight yesterday afternoon, I was struggling with seeing where the needle needed to go – so be kind to me and look through squinted eyes LOL

I just love the way the holly leaves look ……. they have a very vintage look!

To finish it off, I used a dull red colour seambinding ribbon that I was lucky to have plenty of – I didn’t have any white/ivory, but I think I like the red anyway. And on the back, I’ve used a piece of hand-dyed cotton velvet (hand dyed by me several years ago), which also matched in quite well. Depending on your screen, it may look rather bright, but that’s probably the afternoon light I’ve just taken the photos in, so it’s not as bright as it looks.

I’m very pleased with it – I hope you like it too!

Jolly Happy Soul - progress so far!

So here I am lying in my sickbed after my knee op …….. Well okay, I’m not in a sickbed! I am, in fact, becoming quite the master of these here crutches – getting around (so far) pretty well on them.

And while I’m fairly well being waited on hand, foot and finger by my lovely sister-in-law, Ruth, I’ve been keeping myself entertained with my Frosty cross-stitch – actually the pattern is called ‘Jolly Happy Soul’ and it’s by Brenda Gervais. Seeing that I have little else to do (apart that is from all the exercises I MUST do each day) I’ve gotten on quite well.

I’m leaving the trickier parts until last – that being those tiny little cardinal birds, which are stitched with one strand of floss over one thread – can you just about see them on the pattern? Don’t know how I shall mange those. I have considered popping them in the post to the lovely Wendy, who is so clever, she works on 40-count linen (mine is 28-count), but she must have 20/20 vision I’ve decided. Wendy would sort those cardinals in no time! Don’t worry Wendy, I wouldn’t do that really, because then it wouldn’t be ‘all my own work’ ……….. such pride LOL    I shall have to make sure I do them in nice bright daylight and then I might stand a chance. I won’t worry about them though for a couple of days!

I do love the holly leaves; and when the red berries are added, it'll really 'pop'! Maybe I’ll have it done by the weekend!

Get the violins out please!!

So, in chronological order, the following photos show what I’ve been up to since the beginning of last weekend.

First, I finished off a set of underwear for my little Waldorf doll (now named Annie – thank you Vivi). This is part of the Facebook MAL I’m following with Astrid. And as it’s getting a bit chilly, I thought I’d better knit her a little bonnet too :0)

Then on Thursday, I went into hospital for my knee replacement surgery – see before and after photos. All sympathy very welcome as it’s still quite painful ……. Ouch! I was so brave ….. NOT!

(I've edited the last one a bit by the way, because I didn't think you'd want to see the bit of blood oozing through the plaster!)

As soon as I could show the Physiotherapists at the hospital that I could climb the stairs, I was discharged yesterday afternoon ….. they don’t waste any time I can tell you – plenty of other patients lined up for my bed.

The next image shows just some of the exercises I must endure at least a few times a day for the next 6 weeks or so – and I’d be a fool not to follow them. But I do HATE exercise!!

And so to reward myself for all that hard work, I have started my ‘Mr Frosty’ cross-stitch by Brenda Gervais. There’s not much to show I grant you. It didn’t help that I started with the Eggshell colour in a very dull electric light, but I’ve started it and will soon get on with it.

So, that's been my very exciting week!!

A little red car :0)

I get up to no good when I have a day off work:0)

Now don't ask me why, but I have a thing for rustic style metal cars (and other things); and I have long since wanted a red one ........... I'd actually like a red truck, but a car will do for now. I'm rubbish with cars, but think this is a Volkswagon??????? So, having been to the dentist first (ouch - had to have a filling re-filled and I'm such a baby!) I thought I deserved to treat myself. I called into a favourite garden centre and sadly ended up in their Christmas section - I don't 'do' Christmas early, honest! Thankfully, the Christmas tree can be removed, which I have, but maybe it'll come in when the season arrives.

So, there it is, my lovely red car!!

Ye Old Crow Sampler

I saw this cross-stitch made up on somebody's blog, or Instagram feed or Facebook ...... I really can't remember now, but I liked it a lot and decided it shouldn't be too taxing, as it's small and only one colour thread, so no chopping & changing threads constantly! Actually, I thought I'd seen it on Wendy's blog recently, but I can't see it there, so it must have been somebody else's idea I'm nicking!

Cheap too! The pattern comes together with the three small buttons needed and i only had to buy two skeins of Weeks Dye Works thread. Of course, it won't be ready for this Halloween, but hopefully next year. I'm doing what Wendy said I should do and prepping plenty of craft things ready for my recuperation period after my knee replacement operation .......... next Thursday - it's getting close now!!!

.... and with a beanie hat!

I decided to knit my nameless Waldorf doll a beanie hat to match her hooded coat - I rather like it.

Any ideas anyone of a name? I was thinking of starting to name through the alphabet (for no particular reason), so maybe something with 'A'. All suggestions gratefully received :0)

EDIT: Well that didn't take long! Thanks to my lovely and talented friend Vivi (a brilliant card maker), my doll is now called Annie - and doesn't it suit her very well? Thank you Vivi :0) xx

Easter Parade all made up:0)

Just a short post to show my lovely 'Easter Parade' cross-stitch made up into a small cushion. It is bigger than it's meant to be, but that's down to having done it on the 28-count linen instead of the 40-count. Fortunately, I had some of the same kind of olive green ribbon needed for the edging. I know I didn't have to do it exactly the same, but I like it.

Easter Parade

This post really is especially for Wendy – and I hope she doesn’t faint with shock!! :0)

Approximately four years ago, lovely Wendy sent me many wonderful gifts (see 18th May 2014 post here) including not only a complete cross-stitch kit (pattern, linen and the threads), but it came in an exquisite piece of Wendy’s own work; a cross-stitch pocket. Anyway, after about a year, I put needle to linen and managed probably about 50 stitches …… fully intending to continue with it at the time; however, you know how these things go. Who does not have many WIPs? I always say you’re not a true crafter if you don’t have a least six different projects on the go LOL

So life (and other crafting) got in the way until a few weeks ago when I had the chance of a few days away down in Devon; and I wanted something small to take with me. I thought of taking my new overlocker, but realised that was going a bit far – still haven’t tried it out yet! So my cross-stitch came to mind. And because it was a nice quiet relaxing few days in Devon, I got on quite well with it. And now, after a few more sessions of working on it, late yesterday afternoon (hence the bad light of the photos), I finally finished it. Tada!! So there you are Wendy – I bet you thought it was never to be seen again? The pattern (picture below) is called Easter Parade by Brenda Gervais and I loved it as soon as I saw it – my kind of thing you know :0)

All I have to do now is to make it up into a little cushion, so there will be further pictures – hopefully later in the week. I have some backing fabric and some of that lovely frilly ribbon all ready to go. The only difference from the original is that I did it on 28-count linen. The pattern requirements are to use 40-count – well you have to be joking LOL – I can just about manage 28-count, which Wendy was aware of, so she sent me the 28-count. It was white when it arrived, but I did a bit of coffee staining to make it a similar colour to that in the pattern.

So, after four long years, I say again a big ‘Thank You’ to my very kind and generous friend ……. and I’m sorry it took me so long. Wendy’s actually been badgering me recently about whether I’d yet started on the ‘Mr Frosty cross-stitch kit I bought myself recently (see earlier post), which I’ve bought to keep me entertained after my knee replacement operation on 25^th October, but I didn’t want to tell Wendy what I was really working on :0)

First ever Waldorf Doll :0)

Well, I finally made my very first ever Waldorf Doll :0)

I shall still be making bears; however increasingly, I can see the dolls pulling me in a different direction much of the time. Mind you, that will depend on whether I can get the hang of it and improve a lot.

This little girl isn’t too bad for a first attempt, but I see lots to improve on. The eyes could be a bit bigger; and the hair!! Well, what about that hair ………. it’s a big ball of frizz! It’s a crocheted wig cap using a brushable mohair wool and designed for this purpose. And to be fair to myself, others who make this type of wig for their dolls do end up with a bit of frizz, but mine seems so much worse somehow – as I say, much to learn yet. These dolls are very time intensive (more so than the bears) and there is a very particular method to constructing the face, so you have to take your time.

My inspiration are ladies such as Jenny at Little Jenny Wren Dolls, Astrid at LittleDoll House, Fabio at Fig and Me and Anouk at Mon Pilou – check out their totally gorgeous dolls!!

I made my doll as part of a Facebook MAL (make along!) run by Astrid (above), who runs occasional ‘makes’ based on her two 13-inch and 18-inch Waldorf style dolls, including clothes for them. A very talented lady! My little girl is dressed in Halloween theme clothing seeing as that’s the next season to celebrate. The hooded coat is also one of Astrid’s.

Here are a few more photos; and I hope I won’t offend anyone with a bit of nakedness, but I want to show you her cute little belly button and bum as well :0)

I’m not expecting any great compliments, because as I said earlier, she’s not in any way perfect (compared to ladies mentioned above anyway), but as a first attempt, I think she’s turned out not too bad. I just wanted to showcase her for the record.

For anyone not familiar with Waldorf Dolls, they originate from a principal of education called Steiner – developed by Rudolf Steiner around 1919. Its approach endeavours to develop pupils' intellectual, artistic, and practical skills in a holistic way; promoting their imagination through creative play. A traditional Waldorf doll is made of natural materials, generally filled with pure wool stuffing and the hair and clothing materials are also made from natural fibres. The dolls face is intentionally simple in order to allow the child to use its imagination. By giving the doll a face with little or no particular expression, the child will give the doll a personality through imaginative play. These days however, the original doll has been developed by very talented people into a craft and create beautiful dolls with beautiful faces (which is what I want to do!).

There are Steiner schools all over the globe.