FIZZZ...BANG.....Its all go!

I trust you all had a fantastic Firework night!

Sparklers are so much fun!

And so is getting ready for an Open House.



Last weekend was the start of Christmas in this household. I spent a good couple of weeks chained to the sewing machine creating gifts for the brave people who managed to survive the wild storms.

New to my ever increasing collection are these little Needle cases.

We all seem to love the Union Jack, very popular at the mo and as I felt like I was sewing for England it seemed to sneak in some how!

These will be available in my shop soon, various colours in production so if you fancy sewing for the Queen and Country, let me know!

Anyway, back too it, last weekend to go and then its full steam ahead to Christmas Fairs. If your in the area, pop by and join me for a glass of mulled wine, a snoop around a gorgeous house, not mine ;-( and possible purchase some fantastic Christmas pressies!

You are going to be jealous!

Can you guess where we went this half term! We booked it on New Years day and have waited patiently, excitedly and longingly till the day came. I will leave the pictures to tell the story, but as you can see, we had so much fun!

Breakfast!

Letting your little ones go off!

Walnuts!

Nature at its best.

Hello ladies! (He was not a fan of the gentlemen!)

Just popping in!

Relax

Toasty!

Walking.

The fungi was amazing!

Cosy!

Mucking out!

Lots of berries.

Banannas and chocolate cooked in their skins mmmm!

Hearty soup.

Pepper and Georgia

Spot of sock knitting.

Scary spooky nights!

Last night, bangers!

New life, Sloe picking, October, what more could you want!

Firstly may I introduce you to my new nephew! Simply gorgeous!

October IS the best time of year for colour.......

Blue skies........

....... picking Sloes for Sloe Gin, whilst chatting and giggling with a good friend.....

...STICKY TOFFEE steam puddings and custard........

Lazy sleepy fox in neighbours garden...........

......A glut of garden tomatoes.......

....... flowers clinging on to the last of the warm sun....

Now, in my last post I set you a giveaway/challenge to celebrate my 100th post! As I had lost my sewing mojo you have all suggested some fantastic ideas that have given that sparkle back again.

So who was the winner...... Sew Scrumptious! I think she has a huge task ahead of her and also my mother celebrates her 70th in a couple of weeks, so how could I refuse her challenge!

Well, look what my mojo has been cooking up!

I had a visit from the Elf.......

In the making.......ickle baby slippers!

VOTE for me please! 100th post giveaway too!

Good grief where has the time gone! Too much fun has been had in the household!
Anyway, just a quick post to say please please vote for my ickle blog at the dorset cereals blog awards!


Anyone can enter! Go take a look!

Also TA DA! ........ its my 100th post! So what better way to celebrate than to have a fantastic giveaway!

Now should I set a challenge?.......
Oh yes, but not as we know it dear readers. I have been a we bit glum these last few days, boys back at school and the dreaded flu. I have lost all my crafting spark.. me sewing mojo has scarpered, so to get me back into the swing of it, dear lovely readers I am asking YOU to set me a sewing challenge and the winner will receive the outcome of your fantastic idea. There, I do like a challenge... oh my, what have I done!

A year of bliss!

A year ago was a day to cherish, a day to enjoy and a day to remember. Perfect bliss!

Production line in the factory.

Do you ever get that feeling that you work in a factory producing the same thing over and over and over....over....again?

I love my work and can actually say NO! I do not feel like that! I look at my work space and see that all around me is my life. I don't have a studio I have a dinning room table.

My fabrics are kept in these plastic drawers and see that cupboard door.....DONT OPEN IT! As you will be under an avalanche of yet more fabric! I keep all my ribbons in the hamper basket and buttons, beads and all those other essential bits and bobs in another cupboard...oh yes this one!

The other reason that I don't feel like my work is like a production line is because of the material I use. I maybe making the same things but as I use a lot of recycled fabrics, the colour combinations change and that's what keeps it exciting. Sad I know but I actually get rather excited about whether this button goes with that fabric or will floral go with stripes! Makes it all more unique.

I am not sure the boys thought the same as I was making 35 Japanese brooches!

Upstairs a whole new world was being created.....

When I went to investigate it turned out to be a Factory!

Here's the security guard at the entrance.....

The boss and his daughter watching over at great height! Notice the other security guard rather tipsy on the job! (he claims it was juice in the bottle!)

Apparently it was a magnet making factory, this is where the pictures get stamped and set on the magnets.

I think this guy had the important job of turning the machine on and off!

So maybe through their little eyes I am on that belt of production!

I need pattern in my life.

Sorry for the sideways pic, I should reload it but I will never get this post done! Anyway, it is a picture of some recent books that I have been purchasing.

The Russian Textile book is probably my favourite EVER! The patterns are divine and so colourful.

I am sure I have some kind of past with Russia as I naturally feel at home looking a them. I strongly recommend that you purchase this book if you like floral patterns, simply a feast!

The other book which is a must is Art Deco Textiles. I am very much into this era at the moment, I love reading novels from this time, painters and of course the textiles.

Again, I apologise for the sideways look. The picture above is of a landscape in textiles form. In the book they show you how a lot of this kind of fabric was used in dresses. Stunning!

For a more contempory modern pattern book, Cutting-Edge Pattern & Textures is a great book to see whats out there now. I love the wee birdies in this one......

....and the dancing Foxes in this.

I have realised that in my home I have a great LACK of patterns!

So I decided to go around and snap any I see.

A small painting my father did when I was about 5........

A tile around the fireplace.......

Of course a bit of CK in the dinning room......

A painting by this clever lady, given as a wedding gift.......

The fireplace........

Some very old printing blocks I have had for years.......

Another one......

The base of a lamp that we inherited. I would love to know more about it......

And some gorgeous ragged balls from the talented Ragged Roses.

It was a struggle to find even these, so I think I need more Pattern in my life!

Anyway, I have recieved some awards recently and I will post them next time, promise!

But what I will say is that Kim and I have chosen our lucky winners of the Elderflower giveaway.

We read and drooled over all your yummy suggestions and the lucky winner from my blog is Mollimoo for her idea to add with honey, mustard and garlic as a glaze on roast lamb! mmmmmm Cant wait to try it! Some goodies will be in the post in a few days!

Well just a quick shop update, I have added some summery goodies in the way of Bunting!

I have enjoyed making these, CAKE, HOME & EAT! Both are in my Folksy and Etsy shops now.

Along with these little Mini Bunting Kits, perfect to keep thos little monkeys fingers busy this summer holiday.

I can't wait for my monkeys to break up from school and spend some time at Home!

Enjoy!

And EAT plenty of cake!

A new camera, a new look at life.

Our little digital camera has finally seen its last days, after 5 years of being a loyal servant. A huge amount of research was done,(and you bloggers were a great help) we decided to purchase this fantastic camera!

I am now seeing the word in a completely different way. I have loved the macro facility on our old camera but OH MY GOODNESS! it is so much better with the new one.

Landscapes, textures, colours and creatures are in a world of their own.

My photos actually look quite professional! (I particularly like the one above!)

So what better way than to test it out on a family walk............................

Pond dipping.......................................................

Nature watching................................... (this is stunning if you click on it and zoom in)

I am seeing patterns for future projects...............................

And of course it all seemed to float away with the breeze...........

P.S. Kim and I have not forgotten the competition on previous post, we will announce the winners at the end of the week!

A sticky end to a sweet time!

After a lovely jaunt with the ever so sweet Ragged Roses a few weeks ago, a plan was hatched to go hunting and a making of the popular Elderflower Cordial!
Buckets and secateurs in hand we escaped to our favourite hunting ground. May I point out that wearing short cropped trousers was NOT a sensible idea, elderflowers like to grow in the centre of stinging nettle circles! Really! A stick and a pair of ladders would have been a good idea too, but where there's a will there's a way! ouch......


With blossom in our buckets and on our noses we settled down to the familiar Bakery treat and a taste of what we anticipated to be the nectar of our rewards!

Do you know, people like to take strolls around our land! Tut tut, really we shouldn't allow it! If only this glorious place was ours, we have already moved into the grand house at the bottom of the hill and planted our lavender farm. With a striding struggle back up the hill, past the orchids and peacocks! (sorry Kim!) saving the national park mending gates, we headed back to base.

With all the nattering, picking and giggling we realised we had to make this heavenly drink! Thank goodness we had the help of this recipe. With doubling quantities here and replacing ingredients there we did get a little confused.

Shaking the blossom in the garden desired a bit more brain cells, was that 20 flower heads...21.... no 30? Oh lets say 50!

Kim did a fantastic job of stirring the HUGE amount of sugar and water in the preserving pan that my mother so kindly has given me! (I can see a lot of Jam and Chutney making on the horizon).

Lemons zested and chopped! Oh what a lovely scent. Had we picked the right blossom or were we going to get Cat pee?

Wafts here and there were chased around the kitchen, ''yes I can smell elderflower..... just here.....no, no, er, over here!?''

The magic ingredient 'CITRIC ACID' oh my, talk about gold dust, was added! That Kim is a canny lady, if you want your citric acid, she's ya lady, nudge nudge, say no more!



Any way, I night was spent fingers crossed waiting for the filtering and bottling! Did we have Elderflower cordial?..........................................

OH YES WE DO!

With added sparkling water and a few ice cubes we giggled and giggled drunk on the spirit of a summer to come!


As we have made vast amounts, Kim and I would love to hear your uses for Elderflower cordial that we could try and in return a lucky person will receive some summery goodies to help us celebrate!

Chin chin me dears......

just need to go and clean all the sticky sweet residue that 2 bloggers ave left in my kitchen!

Fun in May!

May is such a busy month for me that it goes with in a blink of an eye. Exhibiting in the Brighton Open House zaps all my energy and at the end of May I question whether I had seen any of it. Well this year I made an effort.

I decided to take a couple of afternoons off from being at the Open House and actually get out of Brighton and visit a few of the out of town ones.

These pics are from a fantastic venue, The Handmade House in Ditchling. Every item in the house is a piece of artwork ready to be purchased, gazed at and drooled over. There is a little trail in the garden (more like vast acres!, jealous...oh yes!) with strange , weird and wonderful sculptures.

Of course you have to stop for tea and CAKE! MMmmmmmm my fav, cooked cheesecake!

After refreshments were had, we ventured fourth to the John Skelton studios in Streat. What a wonderful place. Jo Sweeting who was one of Johns apprentice has her work here and also teaches classes. I bought Mr Sew Recycled a course in stone carving for his birthday this month and he is loving every minute of it, he comes home cuddling his stone!

These sculptures are in the garden, some were carved in situ as we found out from one of his old apprentice. She said that she remembered when John was alive that in the winter they would put Vaseline on their hands, load up the wheelbarrow with a flask and tools and head off to the garden to work on a piece.... mad and amazing!

My father many years ago used to do a lot of carpentry work on the house and studio, he fondly talks of his little jobs there and its great to see evidence of my fathers craft in such a beautiful place.

Where did this little gate lead to, Mr McGregors garden?

If only this was smell -a-blog! I love old roses, the scent was beautiful.

Well you know Kim and I went to see Anish Kapoors C Curve the other day, I took the boys and Mr SewRecycled to see it the other evening.

Such a contrast to the daytime pics.....

The atmosphere was very lovely too, we took a blanket and a flask of hot chocolate, many people were there with bottles of wine and simply taking the whole experience in.....

We stayed and watched the sun go down.........

As we walked back down the hill the sculpture took on a whole new identity....... the boys were convinced aliens had landed!

Now all you keen gardeners have been showing off their gorgeous poppies, well take a look at these!

They are huge, bigger than my two hands cupped together,

The centers are really amazing as well........

Imagine being a busy little bee in this huge pollen world.............................


Today we heard on the grapevine that there was an Open House opening for an extra week, so with maps and crayons (in a fine crayon wrap if I might say so!) and tummy's ready for cakes we st of to The Old Forge in South Heighton.

If you love views, great art, sculptures and gardens go go go and see this place

The lounge has this massive window which just makes your jaw drop at the view, the picture below does not do it justice!

Amongst the various little garden hideaways were sculptures and perfect little places to have tea and cake......

In one section even the chickens have a beautiful place to call home, look at the roof!
Christian Funnell is so talented, each roof tile is a unique metal scallop shell, I wouldn't mind having a little roost in there!

Oh look, another place to sit and munch on a homemade scone WITH clotted cream! (A very happy Mr Sew Recycled!)

An image straight out of Country Living!

So, hope you have enjoyed my May, I have certainly! Bring on June!

Mapp and Lucia went up the hill............

Mapp and Lucia went up the hill to see an Anish Kapoor........

Mapp fell down to take a photo.........

And Lucia tumbled with fits of laughter!

Mapp and Lucia lay giggling some more..........

And what do you think Mapp thought she saw?

An upside down world, a deer in the woods, a cup of good tea and a jammie doughnut for pud!

Life today was bliss in a good way, Mapp and Lucia drove home all cheerful and gay!

Sshhh! Can you hear the bunnies busy in the kitchen?

Lets hope they don't make too much mess like last year!

Enjoy the celebrations and company with family and friends, oh and don't eat too much choc!

I HEART THIS!

Quite a few weeks ago I signed up to do the heart swap on Mollycupcakes blog.

And I was the lucky one to be paired up with Sarah from Bluberrypatch.

Just look at all these goodies I received from her! I cant say which is my favourite as they are ALL so yummy.

One thing I did neglect, was to tell my husband. He was somewhat worried when he started seeing hearts popping up all over the house...... WHO WAS SENDING ME LOVE HEARTS?!

Lets say he was a happy hubby when told the truth......

And I was one 'Very Happy Heart Swapper!'



Last week my youngest son had informed me that he had invited 2 of his lady friends to pop round for tea, with strict instructions that it was to be a fairy tea party with cake......

Strawberry sandwiches.......magic wand breadsticks......flowery crisps and of course potions! (fruit cocktail drink!)

I think I can say it was perfect magical time for all!

P.S. I have had some awards recently and will post about them next time.

Too sweet?

I have been toying with the idea of making dolls for a while, but when it has come to designing the face I have really struggled.

After sewing for sometime I have realised that I have really neglected my drawing skills. The body of the doll seems simple and exciting to me, but the face...?

I have always struggled with faces even when I used to do life drawing. I am so envious of people (husband!) who can do the most beautiful and life like portraits.

So for the dolls face I had the dilemma of sewing or printing?

After realising that sewing a face would be just as bad as my drawing skills I decided to set myself a challenge.

BROWN EYES

I decided to think back to my university days, how did we go through the idea process.....


BLUE EYES

Each step has been enjoyable and I am quite happy with the result.

I will print them on fabric and then sew them on to the doll. With a bit of tweaking and embellishing hopefully they will be ok.

It is supposed to happen in 3's.

They say things happen in 3's, well take a look at our list on the board! Me thinks the grumpy people need the KitKat with the tea!
I can say now that we have heating (just) and we can all safely go top the loo without water pouring through the floorboards! As for everything else.......... lets take a break!

Remember I said I was making something for mothers day gifts, well here are the little sweeties.

I did my first fayre of the year at the weekend and thought something new would be fun. I have a few books on crewel work and thought it was about time that I used their tutorials.

It seems a bit mean to stick pins in them, but so cute with this little play mobile elf!

I decided to make some new notebook covers as I was out of stock from Christmas.

They went down well, little girls adored them.

And as usual I made quite a few of these corsages. I never tire of making them, so many colour options, its endless!

With all this lovely sunny weather , it certainly inspires the imagination.

Enjoy the spring sunshine and have a bunch of daffs from me! x




*Edit

If you want to have a go at making similar toadstools I made mine with a combination of this tutorial and a lot of help from this book!

Have fun.

Bargains galore and its a wrap!

I am trying to get myself ready for the May Festival Open House as I usually leave it to the last minute and get stressed!

So above are some crayon wraps that I seem to be making all year round. I love choosing colours for these, once I start I can't seem to stop.

Anyway, BARGAINS!

We all love bargains and I must say I have done quite well this week. We have been after a cabinet to put our TV in for quite a while. Every time I enter our loung my stomach churns when I see wires, screens and dvds. Well walking past our local YMCA charity shop I came across this and a steal at £20!

I am afraid that someone else had spied it just half an hour before and did not snap it up in time! SORRY Kim, when you see a bargain you have to grab it, tee heee! Just needs a paint job and I will be smiling away!

I am afraid my next 2 bargains might not be so good as they were purchased from Primark. What with all the credit crunch and stuff sometimes you have to forget a few incy wincy morals. I love love this cardi, very much like a CK one, the colour is so much nicer than in the pic.

And these little pumps, a beautiful dove grey colour and a BARGAIN at £4.00.

A girl can never do without her pumps!

Must get back to my new little project ready for mothers day.......I will post pics if they work.

A hoot to the end of half term!

As most of us are aware its been half term and what a hoot of a time we have had!
It has been a really enjoyable one this time, seeing old friends, quality time with loved ones and time with just me and the boys.




As Friday was the official last day of half term (we don't count weekends) I decided to take the boys to the Bluebell Railway AND it was only a £1 per child!

I think the boys and I all had something to make us go ... ah.... wow....ooooo!

I loved all these posters and tin plates dotted around on trains and platforms....

I told the boys about a poor chap stuck in this case!!!!! Tee hee, wicked mummy!

The boys have been befor but little P was probably only 8months old when we last went. We had given our father a birthday pressie of a chance to spend a day driving the trains.

The boys were amazed to see the actual train that their grandfather had driven, up close too in the shed. Good god they are big!

I thought you girls might like this poster.... oh if it was like that now, a weekend in gay Paris!

Even the heating system in the carriage is beautiful!

The golden age of steam.....................

TOOT TOOT! Have a great weekend!

Snow glorious snow!

SNOW! What snow!!
What a fantastic way to wake up, just look.......... bliss. NO CARS making horrible noises..........


All the roads here were really really thick, the peace was music to our ears...........

All you could hear were the shrieks of laughter and joy...........

I want more!

Why people have to moan and grumble, yes we can't cope with it because we all have it SO EASY! Wake up and smell the flowers, look at your children and see simple happiness!

If we had snow all winter (like the olden days) like our friends in other countries we would just get on and cope. SO STOP MOANING and enjoy........

Sorry, I just feel that this country does not really appreciate what we have and have forgotten the simple pleasures in life. We had no milkman yesterday due to the weather, but I knew this was coming and bought extra the day before. Apparently our local supermaket was out of milk, bread and cheese and people were panicking as if this was the end of the world!

Make your bread!

We coped, we had homemade soup from a humble leek and potatoe and as we had no bread I made cheese scones!

Sorry, moan moan moan, I am moaning like a true Brit! Tee Heee!

Anyway, can you see what I have started to make above....... Thanks to Lucy at Attic24!

Well, listen to your heart, stay in keep warm and enjoy your childrens hapiness as they play in the snow.

Be a devil and join in...go on....... x

You have got to just push yourself.

GREEN TREE GALLERY


That's what I keep telling myself, if you don't try you will never know where it will lead.


The Green Tree Gallery in Borde Hill Gardens is a lovely place. They approached me at the Open House Festival in May and have been selling my Corsages, Crayon wraps and Bunnies. Well just before Christmas they asked all the artists if they would like to take part in the Affordable Art Sale this Feb.. I thought about it and what with being stuck to a sewing machine for most of December, I promptly forgot about it!




'Florence'



What with the credit crunch and making the decision that this is the year to promote my work, the light bulb above my head went PING!


'Papillon'

So, out of the cupboard came the Textile pictures which did not sell in May and I have entered them to be sold at the Affordable Art Sale.

I was going to keep them for the next Open House, to fall back on just in case the creative juices don't flow, but I have wanted to do some new work for a while, this could be the incentive.





'Flora'

Like most artists/creative people, I find that I create better work under a little stress!


Mmmm...... I will be regretting those words come the end of April!


Its good though... really....... lets see......

Love is in the air.........

I love shadows, they sometimes set little scenes........

I couldn't help but do my own version of the old shadow portraits they used to do of loved ones...

This looks like it should be a little village with its church. In fact, my little boy had been playing with his playmobile indian tent and left it on the dinning room table. Then sun was streaming through casting the most amazing shadows. Snowflake decorations on the window, a glitter ball hanging and then toys, fruitbowl on the table. Simple with no tweeking!

Anyway LOVE.............

What will you be sending the love of your life?

I thought I had better get my act together, I made some heart brooches ages ago and they sold quite well.

So with the old brain ticking and the nimble fingers twitching I have come up with some new cute designs.

I really enjoyed making this one, you can't quite see the detail on the side but it reminds me of the victorian era.

Anyway, they are now available and more on my Etsy and Folksy shops.

Hope the rain is not gettng you all down, just spoken to my sis in Aus, it was cold there apparently...20oc!