Haworth & The Brontes'

Well, I’ve had a very agreeable few days away with my lovely cousin, Pauline. We went to Haworth in Yorkshire – home of the Brontë sisters. I’ve been before, but Pauline hadn’t. However, it never fails to amaze me just how quaint and charming the village of Haworth is with its old, cobbled (and very steep!) main street, and many of the original buildings – wouldn’t like to walk down the road in the winter when it’s icy though!! It’s mainly there for the tourists these days and the buildings are, therefore, very in keeping with the Brontë period. My favourite shop is the Apothecary, which is where Branwell Brontë (Charlotte’s brother) bought his Opium! Now it sells all sorts of gorgeous bath goodies and old vintage style nik naks – really lovely! This is it here:-



And this is the very steep main street (one from near the top and one from the bottom):-




We visited the Brontë Parsonage Museum, which was home to the Brontë family from 1820 to 1861. And just down the lane is the church which the Brontë sisters’ father (Patrick Brontë) presided over.




My cousin thoroughly enjoyed her visit to Haworth ....... and here is a photograph of Pauline looking very interested in ........ umm, I can’t remember what now!!! I don’t think she'll mind her photograph being on my blog – she said she wouldn’t mind so long as she didn’t look daft in the picture - and she couldn't possibly look daft as she's so lovely - that enough creeping darling Pauline??!!!




This is a cobbled passage near the church taking you down to the main street (so full of old-world charm)



And this is the view from our hotel, which had spectacular views like this all the way around:-



I told myself that I wasn’t going to post a picture of me, but, what the heck – here I am – notice I’ve cut the hips and thighs off – I’m not so stupid you know!!!!



I managed to stick to my diet for the first few days away, but slipped towards the end of my stay and unfortunately, that’s rolled into today as well – I just couldn’t resist a cream cake whilst I was out and about – naughty, but nice!!!

I need to get back to my stitching me thinks ...... take my mind off food!!!

More Cross-stitch!

............ a pincushion this time. Nice and easy to do too – it didn’t take long to complete. The pattern came to me courtesy of Pat – thank you Pat. I have deviated slightly from the pattern, as the pattern title is called ‘My Pins’ and the original has the word ‘My’ at the top whereas I’ve simply repeated the word ‘Pins’ instead. I’ve also used what floss and linen I had to hand ...... trying to use some of my stash you see – aren’t I good??!!! I was quite impressed with myself actually, as the only linen I had was an antique white, which is lovely, but not what this pattern called for, so I tea-dyed it – first time I’ve done it – and it worked. Why do I sound so amazed with myself I ask!! So, I’m really hooked on cross-stitch again now, although I have just started on a small patchwork project – well, truth to tell, I’m re-working an earlier patchwork project that I didn’t feel worked out very well ...... may be able to show you that next time!

But right now (well, in about half an hour) I'm going away for few days! I’m off to see my lovely cousin Pauline in Macclesfield and her equally lovely other-half, Jonathan. Then Pauline and I are off to Haworth (Bronte country) in Yorkshire for a couple of days – can’t wait! I’ve been before, but Pauline hasn’t.

See ya later!

Blackbird Design Finish!

..... and two whole weeks off work – boy am I happy today!
Well now, I’ve finished my Blackbird Designs ‘Buttons & Pins’ cross-stitch and then I ummm’d & ahhh’d – "shall I make it up into a pincushion as in the pattern picture (see last post) or frame it. As you can see, I decided on the frame. The frame (a 50p bargain from a recent car boot sale!!) is exactly the right size and I think the black compliments the colours of the design ......... anyone disagree strongly? I could still make it up into a pincushion, but my next little project is going to be a pincushion, which is what swayed me with the frame.

Any comments gratefully received!

Blackbird Designs Cross-Stitch

I’ve changed direction for a while! Although I had told myself that I probably wouldn’t tackle cross-stitch again because it’s so challenging to the old eyesight these days, I wasn’t prepared for just how much I would be attracted to Blackbird Designs – equally their collection of fabric (particularly the ‘Harvest Home’ range!) as well as their cross-stitch creations. So, I’ve backtracked and bought a pattern for just a small piece and here’s how I’m getting on so far. This one is called ‘Buttons & Pins’.



Working on linen makes it a tougher project, but having used linen in the past, I’m afraid I can’t go back to Aida – it simply doesn’t look the same. And it’s not too bad if I can work on it in the daylight – but under electric light in the evenings is more challenging! It’s been a Bank Holiday here today, so I’ve been able to get a few hours in on it – things always take longer than you think though don't they – if I repeat that to myself often enough, I might just get it into my head ....... this morning I said to myself “oh I’ll probably have this finished by this evening. Dream on Julia!!!!

It's finished!

.................... my Heart & Home Quilt top that is!


I still have to buy the wadding and the backing fabric and of course quilt it (the really hard part!), but as all of that will take a while yet, I thought I would show it to you at this stage. I realised when I looked at the dimensions in the book that it's not actually as big as I assumed it was, so I've added an extra border in the red fabric ........ it's still not as big as I would have liked, but I didn't want to keep adding bigger and bigger borders and end up diminishing the middle (and main) section.

I discovered a shop recently who provide a basting service - something I hadn't come across before, so when I can afford it (as well as the wadding and backing fabric), I shall have them do to that part for me. That will ensure a nice neat basting without any folds on the back!! And then I will quilt it myself - not sure yet though whether that will be by hand or machine.

I have to say, I am very pleased with the results - what do you think?

Last block & Car booty!!

I’ve finished the last block of my ‘Heart & Home’ quilt – only the borders to do now!!

I haven’t had much sewing time this weekend as I’ve had a friend to stay, so I’ve been cooking, entertaining etc. instead and this morning, we went to a car boot sale – I haven’t been to one for ages and as the weather was perky, we thought we’d venture outdoors instead of staying in.



This is my car boot ‘booty’, below. A mini wicker hamper basket, which I thought I could line and use for threads or something like that. Then the black frame, which will do for a little cross-stitch embroidery; and finally two lovely little coffee cups; something I’ve been after for a while, but didn’t want to pay much for - I got the two of them for £2.00, so not bad!


................ anyway, back to work tomorrow!!!

Heart & Home Quilt

Well, despite having a shorter weekend (having worked overtime on Saturday) I managed to complete 5 more blocks on my ‘Heart & Home’ quilt over the weekend , which leaves just the one block to do (I’ve left my favourite one until last!!) – the appliquéd flower block! And then borders etc. etc .......... I shall have a little bit of filling in to do too with the neutrals, as no matter how hard I try (and I am using my ¼ inch foot), the blocks still don’t match up exactly and, I’m afraid I made a bit of a hash of the tree block, which means it’s ended up a smaller than it’s meant to be ...... but, hey, if you don’t tell, I won’t!!!!!

Sorry about the top photograph - it was taken at night!!

Giveaway!

Brenda over at Pumpkin Patch Primitives is hosting a 'Giveaway' to win a kit to make this gorgeous little 'Woolley' quilt - isn't he cute?!! Brenda will be choosing a name on 7th August, so hurry over to her blog and leave a comment ....... and let her know that I sent you too, 'cause that way, I get an extra entry!! Good luck everyone ..... including me!! LOL

Strawberry Bear!

When I was in one of my favourite fabric shops recently (one of a growing number!!), I noticed a really cute little teddy bear which had been made out of a small gingham check fabric - quite simple, but effective. So, duly inspired, I've been sourcing a pattern for a teddy and eventually found one in one of my books.

I've changed him a little bit by slightly exaggerating the size of the arms and legs................. and why the strawberry? Why not, I don't know, but it does look nice, and I always like my rag dolls to have something to hold ..... adds a little more interest! And if you had smellyvision, you would be able to catch the gorgeous whiff of cinnamon ... I've dabbed a few spots of cinnamon oil here and there on the fabric ...... mmmmmmmm, a lovely hint of country!! And the strawberries look good enough to eat too - the fabric ones as well as the real ones!

catch ya later!

Heart and Home Quilt

Well, I've finally managed to make a start on my third quilt - I've been raring to get going on it for weeks now! The pattern (below) is called 'Heart & Home' – fell in love with it as soon as I saw it last year!!


............ it will test not only my patchwork and quilting skills, but also my ability to do appliqué! I've done the iron-on type before, but with this, I want to do the proper needle-turn appliqué ....... iron-on is fine for a wall-hanging, but as this is a quilt and will be washed (occasionally!), I think it needs to be sewn on. The pattern version has been made with a range of fabric called 'Madeira', but the shop had sold out of that when I bought the pattern, so I bought 'Wildflower Serenade' instead, which is fairly close to the Madeira range in its colours.
........... and here are the first three blocks completed



....... looking good so far!

Back to work!!

Back to work today for me :0(


Still; no work, no money for fabric, and we can't have that can we? After a whole week off work, I have very little sewing to show.What with days out with family and friends, catching up with those little jobs I've managed to put off, having family over for dinner ....... and so on, it was Sunday before I sat down at my beloved sewing machine! But, eager to catch up a bit, I produced two things. Firstly, I made this with a charm pack I bought a few weeks ago. Wasn't exactly sure what I was going to do with it at first, but then decided a mat for my sewing machine would be a good idea - save me scraping the machine across my lovely pine table!

The fabric is from Moda, called '9' by Sanae - I really love the muted tones.


Secondly, I made this little brown bag from various scraps I had. I wanted something less cumbersome than the bag I use most days, which is big enough to carry the proverbial kitchen sink and often feels as though I am carrying a kitchen sink in it!! I made it with a very long strap so that it can go across my body and thereby leave my hands free for all that rummaging I need to do when I'm in a fabric shop!! It's just big enough for a mobile, purse, car keys etc. Not bad really!



I can't decide now though what I'm going to do next. Will it be one of the two quilts I have the fabric for, or my next rag doll project, or the BOM that I'm behind with, or, or, or ..... I just don't know. Time will tell!!

Anyway, that's it for now - I'm falling asleep at the computer!!

Bye for now peeps!

A week off work ......

...... and I’m having a lovely time so far, even though it’s rained mostly: it’s simply great to have a break from the daily grind!!

I have finished some sewing, but I’m afraid I’m unable to show it yet as it’s a pressie for ....... oops, nearly let the cat out of the bag then!!! Will show it once it’s in the hands of Madam X.

Today I went to a lavender farm at Snowshill near Broadway in the beautiful Cotswolds. If you shut your eyes, take in the scent of the lavender and ignore the rain, you could almost believe you were in Provence in the South of France – I love to see a mass of lavender together and also love to have it hanging up drying in the house. There’s a nice little gift shop there where you can buy cut lavender (you’re not allowed to cut your own, which is a shame I think) and lots of lavender gifts.

Then we stopped off at the village pub for lunch .... as you do!! It’s not my fault if everything is served with chips is it??!! This is the village:

... it’s a proper ‘chocolate box’ English village, where the houses are all made from Cotswold stone – so attractive, although I don't think my photographs do it proper justice - it's very popular with tourists!

Tomorrow I’m off again for the day with a friend (don't know where yet, but will no doubt include chips somewhere along the way!!), and then I’m determined to get some more sewing in before I’m back at work next week!

Bye for now

Quaint Old Tradition

..... just thought I'd show you a photograph of where I went to last Saturday afternoon with my good friend Sue. The Bournville Maypole Festival has been running for over 100 years and always takes place on the last Saturday in June (never quite understood that when it's called a MAYpole!!). It's held at the recreation ground within the grounds of the Cadbury's factory (only about 4 miles from my house - yum!! Can you wonder why I'm fat!!). It's always such a lovely day, especially if the weather stays nice, which it did most of the time - all the little girls in their pretty white dresses (except for the one little boy!!) dancing around the maypole. My aunt, who is now 75 years old, danced in the maypole when she was just a little tiddler!

There are also side stalls, craft stalls, a bit of a fun fair, exhibitions from youth military bands etc. and then the evening is rounded off with a firework display.

There wasn't any sewing crafts, but I did buy this:

which opens out into this

....... really lovely isn't it?

Apart from the fact that it's really nice, I bought it because I discovered that it was being sold by Trish, who is the sister of an old school friend and us crafters have to support one another don't we. The prices she charges are ridiculously low, but we all know what it's like trying to sell our crafts to anyone who hasn't a clue how long we labour over them - still, I think she made a reasonable amount on the day.

Anyway, I don't like to complain, but we are melting over here at the moment in the UK - we're never happy are we? We moan about all the rain and cold, but can't cope with the heat when we DO eventually get a bit of sunshine ...... or a lot actually - it's hitting 30 degrees in some parts and that's hot for over here - I know, we're just a bunch of wimps!!

Bye for now!