Today is my birthday and I love how this plant, called ‘Many Happy Returns’ always flowers at the end of June. Isn’t it pretty?
I just wanted to share with you some lovely, crafty things I’ve had for my birthday. Even at my age (I’m not telling what that is) I’m spoiled rotten with thoughtful gifts. Continue Reading »
“Two over three, two over one and four over three, two over three….” After last Wednesday night I was sure I’d be repeating this mantra forever. Now I’m just using a slight more confident “la le la, la le la, la le la…” which translates perfectly, obviously.
Why on earth have I been reciting these seemingly random numbers? Well, Sue, one of our lovely Stitched Up ladies, has been teaching a few of us bobbin lace making. I’ve learned whole stitch, twisted whole stitch and half-stitch, which you can see (in that order) in my very first go above. Continue Reading »
Yesterday was the kick-off for Sherwood Art Week (13th - 20th June) here in Nottingham, starting with an outdoor craft fair in the lovely setting of the Robin Hood Pub’s beer garden.
Businesses and organisations throughout the Sherwood area have got stuck in to support local artists and art for everyone. All week there are exhibitions, workshops and classes with the grand finale, Sherwood Festival at Woodthorpe Park on Saturday 20th June. Continue Reading »
I have books full of patterns for bags and clothes, magazines with jewellery ideas and a million plans for furniture that needs to be restored… So what craft project do turn my hand to this weekend? A rabbit bed.
Don’t ask why. I had planned to alter some clothes after the great wardrobe cull last weekend but all I wanted to do was make a bed for Murphy, our house rabbit. Continue Reading »
Have you ever been so consumed by a craft project that you just cannot turn your attention, or your hand, to anything else? Since I learned how to make granny squares this has precisely been my problem.
It started quite innocently. My thinking was that since I enjoy crochet as much as I do I should master the staple skill of the granny square. It was quite easy to pick up (from my trusty Happy Hooker book) and once I got it, one square became two, became ten, became twelve… Continue Reading »
Guest editor Caley Walsh has written a really interesting article about eco yarns on my other blog Green Girls Global.
She describes the different types of yarns and gives links on where to buy. Most of the links are to US based shops but for those of us outside the US the info is still very useful and we should be able to find alternatives closer to home.
Check out the article ‘Eco-Friendly Yarns by Caley Walsh‘.
“Our true intent is for all your delight”
This intriguing statement hangs on the tea room wall of the beautiful La Rosa Hotel in Whitby. Continue Reading »
A short but sweet one today because I just wanted to show my old / new cardi.
I bought this cardigan in a local charity shop and the picture here is much more flattering than it looked first hand. I liked the shape more than anything else. It was a pale blue but very tired looking, from lots of washing I guess, and beginning to become more grey-blue.
After wearing it a few times I realised that the colour did nothing for me at all, plus I have far too many pale blue things in my wardrobe. Continue Reading »
Playing with the Bottle Chopper wasn’t the only crafting I did this weekend, although I’ve been concentrating on things for our home rather than clothes or accessories.
The downstairs hallway has been one of the last places to be decorated in our house. I guess it’s because you don’t really spend any time in there like you do the other rooms. Continue Reading »
Every time I look at this booklet my heart leaps. This is so unashamedly 70s it makes me smile imagining how people (perhaps even the author Yvonne Dockree) may have made a glass peanut bowl from an old wine bottle to serve at parties alongside prawn cocktails and black forest gateau. Brilliant!
My mother-in-law gave me this Bottle Chopper last year when she cleared out lots of craft stuff to move house. I fell in love with the idea of it instantly but didn’t get around to having a go with it until yesterday. Continue Reading »