Posy

Tea towels to cushion (again!)

Yesterday I managed to do some sewing and used the tea towel I had bought the other week to make a cushion.

Excuse the dark photo.  The frill is made again from Laura Ashley and the back is made from 2 very old linen tea towels that I had picked up in my thrifting for 10 pence.

The ties are made from the few inches I had spare from the front piece so I have used the entire thing without any waste. Gosh, I feel good when I can recycle and make something new/beautiful/useful from things that had been discarded! I don't know about you but my family are particularly 'rough' with cushions...I'm forever repairing, washing and nagging at them to treat them carefully and not to sit on them but against them!  I have ordered the 2 Green Gate cushions that were on my list but there is a wait because they have sold out, so meantime this one will suffice! Though I don't give it long until I have to do a repair - and no it isn't the children who are the worst culprits...yeah you've guessed it it's my very own husband!

Lace making

In 1982 I discovered lace making.  I had recently finished college (I was 18 years old) and hadn't shown any interest in crafting as such, though I had a friend who was particularly talented with her sewing and I was inspired to create bags and cushions etc like she did but I did not have a machine so sewed slowly by hand!  During that time I saw a night class for Honiton Lace Making and I went along and it soon awakened the need to create and make (sewing, knitting, patchwork, crochet,embroidery,cross-stitch) - something that I have to do on a daily basis.

I started with Honiton lace.  This lace is made on a roundish pillow.  The husband of the lady who taught us made the most beautiful bobbins.

He hand painted each bobbin with your name and the date.  I can't remember how much they cost (it can't have been much as I was a poor ex-student!) and now I am kicking myself for not buying more as they were exquisite as you can see.  The size of the bobbin is about 6cm - so small for such detail. I made a small leaf and a flower (of course!) which I subsequently gave to my mother.

I moved to London and joined another class.  This time I learnt Torchon lace. I much prefer this type of lace making because the bobbins that one uses for this type are, in my opinion, much more interesting.  They have beads, called spangles, attached by wire to the end of the bobbin to give it a bit of weight to keep the threads taunt.  I discovered that you could buy/find old bobbins made of bone that had names, proverbs and messages of love engraved upon them.  So there started my first collection!

I enjoyed making this type of lace as it was less fine and grew a bit quicker!

Soon after I started Torchon lace I was desperate to start Bucks point lace but I had met my darling Anth by then, had gotten married and was living in New Zealand, along way from English lace.

Whilst living there I joined the NZ Lacemakers Guild (I think that is what it was called) and met with fellow lacemakers and continued to make lace, though this wasn't a class as such, it was lovely to sit and chat and look at each others work.

When we came back to Britain I had already discovered knitting and patchwork and could only find a class that did Honiton lace (it was the Devon link!) so unfortunately my lace has been put to one side for many years.

I brought it down from the attic to show the children the other day and thought I would take some pictures to share with you.

I think the reason that I have not picked it up again is that I can't think of what to do with the lace when I finish it.  It is so fine and there are only so many lace edged hankies a girl can have!

I still look out for bobbins. I just adore the look of them and the history behind each one.  Take a look at this...aren't they lovely?

Here are my lace pillows - one has an unfinished bookmark on it. The other is a hankerchief edging. I might one day finish them - who knows!

Vintage goodness

These are a few of my recent treasures found around and about..

I love the Christmas card box.

But most of all I love this scripture card.  I have 2 large pictures like this with different bible verses on it and am always on the look out for more but they are hard to find down in sleepy old Devon.

So not much in quantity but just right in quality don't you think?

Happy Mothering Sunday

Today is Mothering Sunday - always the 4th Sunday in Lent, which I know for most of the world is not on the same day as the UK, but I would just like to send my love to my lovely Mum.

This is my favourite photo of her taken in June 1988 when Anth and I had just returned from New Zealand.  It's quite a typical picture of her - always quick to laugh.  She has had the most terrible health problems over the last 5 years, but she always remains upbeat whilst having to deal with the practicalities of her illness on a daily basis.

She takes great pleasure in her 4 children (one daughter and 3 sons) and now is enjoying 6 grandchildren - 3 from me and 3 from William my brother. She likes to be called Granny as she says "If it is good enough for the Queen then it is good enough for me!"  She makes us all laugh by how easily shocked she gets and for asking for things in shops, for her grandchildren, slightly mispronounced so whoever is with her will cringe quietly.  She then realises her mistake and starts to giggle and the whole story is re-lived at home with even more laughter and it is added to the ever growing list!  One favourite memory of my children is the time she took them to McDonald's and saw a member of staff lying on the floor with what she thought was blood running down his arms and shouted to the whole restaurant, "Somebody help!"  It transpired he was changing the ketchup dispenser and it had leaked! She then giggled uncontrollably when she realised that she had over reacted. (if she's scared or nervous she giggles!)

Actually overreacting seems to be a trait that I have inherited and Lucy thinks she might have too! I am very jumpy and am prone to shrieking in fright!  Next weekend is Alice's 11th birthday and Mum and Robin are coming to stay..we are going ten-pin bowling something I have yet to see her do - no doubt I will have something funny to tell so watch this space..

Anyway, Mum if you are reading this thanks for being so special and bringing so much to all our lives. Enjoy your day! xx

I almost forgot to share my own special day!  I was woken by Alice with a cup of tea and a gift bag which contained 2 wonderful brooches, a fridge magnet and a lovely poem (slightly quoting Coldplay though I pretended not to notice!). Lucy gave me a lovely card with vintage enamel jugs (so me) and my favourite Lindt chocolates. Tom gave me a lovely card that had lovely words that he had written (a big deal for a 15 year old boy!) and a Hydrangea plant which I love.

Am I not a blessed Mummy!

I've got mail

This morning I was still in my pyjamas when the postman knocked - I hesitated and wondered if I should open the door as I am not a pretty sight first thing (well if truth be known first, second & third thing too!) but my curiosity got the better of me (I show an alarming lack of vanity!) because getting mail is something I really love.

Anyway the postman promised to shield his eyes and handed me 2 packets and a handful of letters.  One packet stood out from the rest..

 

I had ordered a bag and wasn't expecting it so soon.

This bag is made with fabric called Posy - Cath K had discontinued it a few years ago and I'm so glad she has brought it back.

I then opened my other package - it was from lovely Yvonne of  Yvestown so beautifully wrapped

and full of Cath Kidston fabric pieces - just look at what a lovely picture they make!

Thank you Yvonne, you shouldn't have ...but I'm so happy you did!

Saturday cont..

On the drive to Ashburton the road follows the River Dart and in the summer months a steam train does regular trips alongside the river which, if you time it right, can be the most wonderful photograph.

Today, though, was another story as it was a very cold and bleak River Dart - much too cold to walk along it's banks.

But out of the corner of my eye I spied a flash of yellow..

..all alone with not another flower in sight - how strange!

Talking of flowers whilst we were in Ashburton we came across this wonderful florist.

Sara's Lavender Box.  Simply lovely..

The flowers she sells are just right - country and pretty.  She also sells vintage plates, jugs and other bits. Just look at these colours - what a contrast to the river's bleakness! What a lovely thing it must be to own a small florist and to sell treasures that you have found and even made. I noticed that she sold bulbs and primroses in small vintage terracotta flowerpots tied with rafia. Yum! It is a shame that Ashburton is such a small town.

On our way back to the car I fell in love with this old door!

It was barely 5 feet high!

Anth took a picture of the church with a view to sketching it.

We made our way home-  and then back to reality I had to go food shopping  - all good things come to an end...

Saturday's trip

Last Saturday, Anth, me, Alice, Lucy and her friend went to Totnes which happens to be my favourite place to shop, especially at the markets on Friday and Saturday which sell antiques/organic food/clothes/etc..

  It is a very 'alternate' town and I have found many treasures there.  Although this Saturday  I didn't  discover anything in the market I did notice that the shop that sells some Cath Kidston had changed their window display so for all of you who enjoyed my photo of the window here it is again with new stock!

I bought a few little things for Alice as her birthday is coming up but the highlight of the day for her was a real strawberry smoothie with a chocolate flake!

Then it was in the car and on to Ashburton where there is a shop that has a small range of Greengate - I was so hoping they might have my cushions - but unfortunately they hadn't received their new stock BUT I did find another..

TEA TOWEL! This time with a white background so I feel another cushion or pillowcase coming on...yipee!

Well, time has marched on and I will post the rest tomorrow.  Before I go though, I would like to thank you all for all your comments, I really appreciate everyone of them. x

A wish list

There are so many lovely things around at the moment that I seem to find myself wanting!  Yep, not a day goes by without me discovering something that I really like...and in the off chance that my wonderful husband might read this and be inspired!

So here goes in no particular order -

A wonderful Green Gate cushion..(I really want this and might try to order it!)

A new camera ( yeah right - dream on!)

A Christmas book,

and this Evoke pure 3 digital radio that records and rewinds!

some more Green Gate goodness,

infact lets do more GreenGate..

and more..

and more (can you pick out the theme?!)

and this..

and some more books..

and

a bit of Cath thrown in for good measure!

..the crochet blankets are just fantastic..!

Well there we go- I don't think this list will go down very quickly but it is fun to dream isn't it?

In the making

I thought I would show you my current project.  I started this sampler about 4 years ago - actually, I don't even know if that is correct - well lets just say a long time ago!  I have put it aside many times

to start something else, but after finishing my other one a few weeks ago, decided that I must finish this.  I always feel guilty when I start a project and then never finish it - this cross-stitch in particular cost alot of money as I had to buy over 30 embroidery silks (in the UK the DMC threads are about 60p a skein - let me know, out of interest, how much you pay in your country!) so I feel obliged to finish. Gosh, obliged that in itself sounds awful doesn't it!

This is how far I have gotten.  I plan to put it in the girls' bedroom, whenever that gets done, aah..don't get me going on that!

This is the book the chart is in.

So - that's the latest thing  I am doing though I do have that urge to knit! Talking of unfinished projects I have a very wonderful cardigan that I started for Alice...but that's another story!

Best day of the month!

At around this time of the month I am especially eager to hear the letterbox rattle.  It can only mean one thing,  and I am hopeful I will hear a dull thud as my much wanted package hits the floor.  If it is someone else who has rushed to the door before me, they will have to answer my question, "Is it my Country Living?"

Yes, I subscribe to this wonderful magazine and am privileged to receive it a few days before it goes on public sale. Yesterday my April edition arrived - just feast your eyes on it's beauty..

..and there I was a few days before loving my pale yellow primroses and now I can lose myself in the wonderful, wonderful photographs.

I think I am going to buy the green striped ticking in the top right hand corner. I don't usually buy expensive fabric (this is £24 per metre) but I have never seen green ticking before and I could find many uses for it..and I am such a green girl! I have now discovered a shop that sells the American editions too.

So, if it arrives on a school day, expect to find me at lunchtime in the staffroom oohing and sighing over the pictures and if it's a 'Mummy' day at home (best day!) I am probably sitting with a cup of tea on the sofa, magazine in hand being inspired...

...the best spent £3.40 of the month!

I spy with my little eye...

...something beginning with...

..C.K!

Yum!

Fabric flower

I am such a fan of Mollychicken. Her blog was the very first blog that I came across before I knew anything about the blogging scene. Her work astounds me, and what's more she is very generous in sharing tutorials so anyone can have a go at making what she has so expertly done!

This is my Fabric Flower made following her excellent instructions. You need to scroll down nearly to the bottom (I bet you can't resist to stop and look at the other lovely things before you get to the flower!). Mine certainly could be improved upon but I think make a lovely little present. I have pinned mine onto my bag.

Happy crafting...

Primroses in the supermarket?

Yesterday as I walked into our local supermarket I came across a vision of loveliness...pots of primroses-- not the usual Primulas in their bright colours -- but real, pale yellow Primroses!

The fresh, crisp, green of the leaves made Spring seem a reality in the midst of this cold, damp, spell of weather that Devon is currently having.

At only 99 pence each I bought 2 pots but can't bear to put them outside..so into my old pudding basin (much nicer than the usual pot) and onto my mantlepiece to cheer the whole family!

The sweet smell of home

What on earth is that I hear you cry?  Well, this is one of my light bulb rings.  The metal ring sits on top of the bulb and you fill it with a few drops of aromatherapy oils or in my case above, The Body Shop's Room Fragrance Oils and the bulb heats the oil and a wonderful scent is released throughout the room/house. I have found that the metal rings last longer and give off a stronger fragrance than the pottery ones though I haven't found any more metal ones in years.

This is something I do at least once a day and get great enjoyment in choosing what oil I feel like on that particular day! I always say that it is my favourite part of the day - that and lighting the fire - can't you see I was made to live in cold climate with snow and in a sweet little cottage with tiny windows!? Well I'm still waiting for both!

Anth bought me this special box about 14 years ago to keep them all in (my - where does the time go?) but I am having to use a tin as well as I have too many! I particularly look forward to the Christmas oils and my favourite last year was Vanilla Spice and Cranberry..at the moment it is Green Tea!

People always comment on the fragrance as soon as they step through the door.

So if you are fortunate to find a metal ring - buy it and your favourite oil - and it could be the start of something sweet!

Cushion - part 2

Here it is all finished and ready to use! I have this funny feeling that perhaps I have built this whole episode up abit too much and you all were expecting something abit more... well... special! My main point was that doing something as ordinary as this still took ages to complete!

Worse thing is it looks a bit out of focus - and it is a sunny day so I don't know what happened there! This side is intended to be the front - the fabric is an discontinued Laura Ashley called 'Ditsy' and I am making a few cushions to go on our bed so that is why I am sort of following a theme with the colours.

This is the other side. More Laura Ashley!

This was intended to be the back but I think it might be nicer than the front - still that's the beauty of it, I can mix and match! Funny how things don't always turn out how you thought they would..

Now I am basking in that wonderful feeling I get when I have made something and it is finished and it's finally in it's place, all ready to use.  I look at it with pleasure and somehow the troubles of making it and the cat's muddy paw prints are so easily forgotten...

New book time

I thought I would show you my new book before I show you tomorrow the cushion I made.

ISBN 1-84172-475-0 

I will put it in my books sidebar. I've had a sewing day today but realised why, when I do sew, it takes me so long to finish things - meaning a simple job can take all day and before I know it the children are back from school and the table is taken up with their homework.  I have always wanted my own sewing room but today realised that if my fabric was (neatly!) folded and in one place along with my trimmings/threads/scissors/pins etc and my machine was permanently assembled and not hidden in a cupboard - I would be much quicker with my creations!  The reality is that I have fabric stashed in every room, hidden under beds and when I want to make something I have to pull it all out from everywhere, then I spend ages matching colours and patterns, then ages working out how to do it, have another cup of tea, start to sew leaving the house in a terrible mess - then the children are home and I have to pack up and Alice will ask why there is such a mess because the place looks as if we have had burglars!

Today I started my cushion at about 10.30am..the fabric was already chosen and cut out so that meant only one small pile of material on the sitting room floor!  I then had to take the car to get a tyre fixed. Back home I laid it all out on the floor - Posy who was sitting outside (all for 4 mins!) wanted to come in...I opened the door and in she ran with muddy paws all over the white fabric...washed the footprints off....etc!

It was finished at 6.50pm! It's quite simple but what a marathon!  I am so amazed at the creativity of ladies whose blogs I read, their work is outstanding and what they achieve daily (and with younger children) is incredible.

Actually - thinking about it , my lack of space cannot be used as an excuse, it's probably more like my lack of organisation! Still, I can dream about my own sewing room and in the meantime enjoy what I do create even if it takes me all day!

Words to aspire to...

 

This, I found in the lovely book by Rachel Ashwell, The Shabby Chic Home.  I think they are very wise words and something to which I try to recreate everyday in my life, but so often fail.  I keep a copy in my purse too.  Peace of mind is such a big challenge to me as I could worry for England - there is always something I'm worrying about and I really don't like that part of myself.  I actually thought as I got older I would get better but no I'm a 42 year old worrier now and later this year I'll be a 43 year old worrier! Still, I do always try to be positive to my friends and people that I meet. And you never know those words might one day stick into my heart!                           

Find the tin!

This tin is one of my favourite possessions and one of the reasons that it is so precious to me is I went on a tin hunt to get it and if I'm honest, never thought I would!.  I have always been a collector of old (mainly floral) tins so they have always caught my eye when I see them in books and magazines - and this is where the story begins...!

Once upon a time (!)in  2002 I received Cath Kidston's annual catalogue - which in itself is a BIG event in my life! Settling down to read devour the beautiful pictures and products my eyes happened upon this page...

(join in the picture - sorry)

Feasting on the sheer beauty and trying not to hyperventilate, I noticed the blue, floral biscuit tin and where I would have, afew years ago thought it old-fashioned and horrible; understood exactly what Cath was doing with it in her room sets.  It is a genuine article of the 50s/60's - though I don't know exactly which era it is from and that isn't really important - it fitted perfectly into the 'look' that she is trying to create.

I turn the pages..there it is again..

..umm I thought..I must have a look out for one....

Some months later, no tin had I found,  but it was nearly Christmas and in the Sunday paper supplements I came across an article on Cath's Christmas...I eagerly studied the pages,

There it was, not so easy to spot and this time housing the Christmas cake!

I so wanted it and felt sad that I didn't live near London or within easy reach of good places in which to find such treasure!

Well, everytime that I went into a charity shop/junk shop/flea market I would search for it.  I looked everywhere, particularly on the Internet as I didn't even know what brand of biscuits it once held. I thought about writing to Cath to ask where she had got it but chickened out!

Then about 18 months later I found it!  I couldn't believe it when I laid my eyes on it.  It was for sale on e-bay...one of my regular searches was for 'biscuit tins' and there it was!  The wait was agony because I was terrified that I would not win it...but I did - and for only £7!

It now sits in my kitchen and is used many times a day and every time that it is used I am so grateful, that even with something so trivial as an old, flowery, tin - I believe that someone up above brought it about, and that makes me feel loved..

Such kindness!

You may have noticed that I have a lovely new banner image.  This was not made by me, but by a special blog friend!

Her blog is very original and so beautifully visual that she was the first person I asked for a few pointers to get me started.  She then produced the banner for me - how kind is that? I have spent hours marvelling at the pictures she has created and didn't know that you could do such amazing things with photographs! Some of the blogs around give me so much inspiration - just wish I had more time to play, but with 5 in the family there is always someone waiting for the computer... and now I wish I had a better camera too...there is always something!

On Sunday afternoon

I was wandering through the house today and noticed certain things that are usually there, and yes you say, so? Well perhaps it was the light - the sun was shining! But I saw things in a different way...Anth had done some ironing and put some tea towels on the stool in our bedroom, and then someone had placed my new rabbit casually on top, probably Alice, and it struck me how the rabbit's red dress matched the rose on the tea towel - so I just had to take a photo of it! Silly, I know..pointless even...but somethings please me and this was one of them!

I then decide to pick up the camera and go for a further investigation into what I could find that might make an interesting photograph..

My Cath Kidston glass.

My very dusty mirror!

One drawback of the sun shining is that my house looks absolutely filthy..I can't believe one house can produce so much dust!  I can always find better things to do than dust (particularly my printer's trays with all those tiny compartments) but have to admit that I love a clean and tidy home so always seem to be having to do it.  It probably doesn't help that there are 5 of us in a small 3 bedroom house - the place is always untidy (I knew I have alot of 'clutter' - vintage treasures I prefer to call it) but isn't it funny that I read somewhere that whenever a women opens the door of her home  to a visitor, she will very often apologize for the mess/state of the house etc.. and it never occurs to a man to do the same!?

What do you think?

Funny old week

I've had a funny old week - full of such contrasts that my head is still spinning.  Firstly life has been good over the last month.  I am a bad (and I mean BAD) migraine sufferer and although I have had lots of headaches I have not had a full blown attack for about 3 weeks.  I am enjoying my new class at school too.  Three friends have cherished, and helped me in ways they probably wouldn't understand, and totally independently!  My mother had no complications (1st time) during her operation and has now gone home to Salisbury, and the time that she and my step-father stayed with us was such a special time. Alice has got into the secondary school of our first choice and one of my dearest friends has reached the 19th week of pregnancy after 7 years of heartache!

BUT

2 of my work colleagues are leaving and that has surprised me.  Worse, I found out that 2 friends are going through a really difficult time and that with one of them it came quite out of the blue. Anth's job he applied for has been pulled. Tom was being bullied and my new mobile phone has caused me to be on all day to those horendous help-line call centres, which cut you off after 23 minutes regardless of whether you have sorted out your problem..my whole day off wasted!  Life is so full of contrasts - most weeks nothing happens and I tend to get into a rut thinking life will always be like it is, but this week's events have really rocked me.  The weather has mirrored this by snowing for 2 minutes, sun coming out, cloudy, then snow again! And you wouldn't believe my laundry pile...

At least I can have a little bit of sunshine by enjoying my daffodils on my mantlepiece and who knows what tomorrow will bring as I give thanks for the good in my life and support/help those who have the bad...and there maybe a little time to do some sewing!

What do you think of this?

I saw this last week in one of my favourite shops and just had to take a picture. Isn't it wonderful - though as much as I admired it I decided that it wouldn't really go in my house as my style is more country/vintage/shabby chic (well I try) but I couldn't help appreciating it for a while.  I expect that it has already sold by now.

There really are some lovely things around that please the soul aren't there?

Miss Posy Darling

This is the story about the sweetest cat in whole of Devon, infact I would go as far as saying the sweetest cat in whole of Great Britain - Miss Posy Darling!

Posy had a sister called Mabel who was the lightest peach and white colour and they came to us together. Their parents were actually short haired surprisingly! Mabel was the more adventurous of the 2 and even though she looked cute and fluffy when she opened her mouth to talk the most hideous sound came out - like a growl!  Mabel died when she was 1 so we only now have Posy (whose meow is as it should be!).

When Mabel died Posy seemed to thrive better - she was obviously dominated by Mabel but we have since discovered that Posy has a heart condition too so I think she will not live to a good age.

The reason we called her Miss Posy Darling was because of this story I read to the children.

I hasten to add that dear Po is nothing like a wild tiger - infact completely opposite!  We have never known a cat without any natural instincts.  She doesn't really like going outside - infact comes in to go to the loo!  Doesn't ever meow for food or even appear hungry. She will only eat dried complete food - we have offered her fresh meat and she just sniffs it.  She has never hunted or caught anything (thank goodness!) and most surprisingly has never hissed or scratched..and lets other cats/dogs into the house without protest!

So you see a kinder cat we've yet to meet!  Posy has a big attachment to Alice and her 'blankie'. Every morning she will find the blankie and start to 'tread' it as if she were suckling from her mother! She travels with us to Ludlow and copes well with the change of scene so is quite a well travelled little cat.

She is much loved and quite spoiled - she has...

a real fire to sleep by...

a Cath Kidston bed to use ...

flowery, vintage plates to eat from...

a kitch mouse to play with...but she seems to prefer..

our chair and..

.. our bed where she is not allowed!

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged but I cannot remember who tagged me!  I read it last week after blog-hopping and have been meaning to respond - now I cannot find who it was...Honestly I'm not normally that ditzy - really!

Well here goes:

Four places I have lived

Paris

Wellington, New Zealand

London

Scotland

Four jobs that I have had

Teaching Assistant

Nanny/Nursery nurse

Chambermaid/waitress/receptionist (& Dr's receptionist - no I wasn't a dragon!)

PA in Legal firm (but prefered the Front desk part) 

Four films I could watch over again

A Star is Born (the one with Barbara Streisand)

Any Doris Day

Tommy

Anything but not Sci-fi

Four of my favourite dishes

Chips

Anything pasta

A roast of any kind

Any lemon pudding!

Four favourite albums

Anything Coldplay's 3(of course!) though I flick from week to week as to what is my fav but prefer Parachutes and Rush of blood to the head.

Pre 1980 Genesis

Crosby Stills Nash & Young

My 26 CD's of favourites downloaded from the computer

Four places I would rather be

On my sofa (in my corner) infront of the fire sewing

Treasure hunting

In bed

With my family - which goes for all of these too!

Four places that I have been on holiday

USA

Australia

New Zealand (South Island)

Europe

Four websites I visit daily

Flickr

Ebay (fatal!)

Coldplay

As many of my favourite Blog Friends as I can

Four favourite TV programmes

Waltons

24

Desperate Housewives (Big Brother when it starts - oops I admitted it!)

Any old musical and of course the News

Well there it is...I found this quite hard to do as I have many passions but there are 4 people who are definitely my  4 favourite things that I would have no trouble in choosing...

Am I cheesy or what!!?