The New Year has begun. Welcome 2011
I have wanted to post a blog for a week now, but I had to wait until I had delivered my last homemade Christmas present.
Christmas for me began at the end of Friday 17th Dec. The day I finished work for the Holidays.
The last day at work was a fun one. ( which after a very stressful term was lovely) A silk screen workshop for some of my work colleagues. We hope now to have a regular print club evening.
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| screen printing | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
That night the snow came down. My garden was deep in sparkling snow when I woke up the next day.
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| where has my garden gone ? |
Over the next few days the temperature dropped to -10. It really was a magical start to Christmas.
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| Churchtown |
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| St Peter's Churchtown where my Rimmer ancestors are buried |
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| Botanic gardens lodge house |
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| not real |
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| real |
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| The birds took at lot of feeding in the bad weather |
The good thing about the snow is that it slowed me down and enticed me, with stay at home days.There was nothing to do but light a cosy fire, hang up the stockings Knit, sew and bake things.
Stockings were made last Christmas from some lovely heavy wool fabric, the little deers came from Paperchase.
Having made this 1930's tea cosy for my mum, Alison who was in China saw my Facebook post and liked it, so as she was comming home for Christmas I made her a smaller version .
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| mug cosy |
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| the back of the stitches |
The next make was another mug cosy for her brother Callum. Knitted in Fisherman's rib.
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| complete with pom poms |
This is a really interesting stitch, much thicker on the back than the front, Used to keep out the cold at sea, perfect to also keep you tea warm !
They both had bags of homemade Spekulatius too.
A Cafetiere cosy was part of a present for their mum and dad. I made 3 of these .
Made from some lovely vintage linen, embroidered with lazy daisies.
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| lined with cheery roses |
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| Jane's homemade Christmas |
Their homemade present was completed with Summer fruit and Rose petal Jam and Chocolate Biscotti and a large tub of very un- homemade Italian coffee.
The Cafetiere cosy I made for myself was a little different, I used a felted cardigan that had seen better days.
Felting you old woolly jumpers is easy. Just throw them in a hot wash and they felt beautifully. You then can use the fabric to make lovely things from.
Betz White has written a number of really good books full of projects using old felted woollies.
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| lazy daisy embroidery |
I lined mine with fabric that I have had for ages, but suited this project so well. The embroidery completed the project using colours from the lining, and blanket stitches in brown wool. It now sits happily in my kitchen.
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| lazy dasies and blanket stitch |
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| reverse side fabric |
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| Ironing board cover with appliqued hearts |
My next project were two things for my daughter Claire. I started with this ironing board cover followed with a matching peg bag.I also made my Mum one of these peg bags and one for me too!
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| A good excuse to use my horded ribbon and braid collection |
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| matching peg bag |
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| cute kittens |
This idea for my daughter Laura who has just started sewing herself. Taken from this brilliant book:
I wanted to fill it with goodies to make it special. I have a huge collection of old sewing ephemera, from thread to thimbles. The fabric is from Fancy moon, a reproduction of a 1950's fabric and lined with Merino wool felt in a pretty purple colour.
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| vintage buttons,pins and stitch unpicker |
Full of things I have collected over the years . I hope that when she uses her present it makes her smile.
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| pocket for a vintage tape measure and threads |
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| finished with a vintage velvet button |
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| The last gift was not given until a few days ago |
It was a present for a good friend, I hoped that she would love it .........She did!
So another year begins, who knows what will be?
My resolutions ? wait and see....................
