More evidence of my madness!

Poor Sasha, was complaining this afternoon that she really didn't have enough summer clothes to take on holiday with her. So out came the planning notebook and material to see what we could muster up with her.

The first request was a sleeveless reversible top.

Followed by a pair of flowery trousers.

Oh and another A line dress and blouse.

So fabric chosen, patterns cut out how did we do?

She seems quite happy with the fit.

Not sure the hat really works Sasha, we will have to see if we can find another...oh and you really should have waited for the top to be ironed before trying it on!

Purple flowery blouse.

Another pretty dress.

So Sasha seems ready for her holiday, how is my packing going?

February Photographic Scavenger Hunt

Tomorrow I will be up, up and away, flying high in the sky, around the world to New Zealand. I'm all packed and all my 'chores' have been completed.

I have almost completed February's Photographic Scavenger Hunt...I am one photo short, that is of 'A big lorry/truck'. If I can't find one by tomorrow, I will add it to the March list.

A big round clock face...okay, so this isn't round, but it is inside the frame! ;-)

A bridge

A musical instrument

A newspaper headline (not the latest!)

A park bench

A postbox

Eyes - a spotty teenager ;-)

Something heart shaped

Something red

Something with stripes

My shoes.

To look at more great photographs, visit Kathy here

The link probably won't be available until the end of February...I am a few days early.

I wish everyone all the best and look forward to catching up when I get back.

Ta daa! A lorry, thanks to my lovely friend Anne who 'loaned' me this picture so my scavenger hunt is complete! ;-)

Sewing Saturday

Our Saturday Quilting Group met today. I thought I'd be late as I had to wait in for a parcel, but fortunately it arrived nice and early. So I threw together some bits and pieces to give me plenty of 'little projects' to do while there.

I started with this:

I should have ironed it before taking the photo, but never mind. Now do I make it into a cushion or a bag?

I've been slowly getting things ready to take away with me, although am still waiting on the suitcase to be brought down from the loft. Last week at the antique fair I bought my Dad this book.

Like me he is a lover of birds and old books.

I'm hoping he will enjoy this, it has lots of exquisite pencil illustrations.

Jumping back to my day today, after I finished the friendship braid, I made some more clothes...

A little orange shirt...

A flowery A line dress. Lovely bright summery colours!

Well better get on with making the lasagne now for dinner, especially as I've been out all day ;-)

Teddy Bear Thursday

It's come around again, time for the Teddy Bears Picnic and a chance to show off another bear, thanks to Melody and her 'Teddy Bears Picnic'.

A cold, damp and grey day today, so no chance of a picnic outside so I thought I would show you this dear teddy.

Many years ago in another time and place a very special friend made this little bear for me. How she managed it I have no idea...she did give me the pattern, but I couldn't manage to make something so fiddly in my twenties, so I bet I wouldn't be able to now. It is a little brooch and always makes me smile when I wear it.

If you get a chance do visit Melody at The House on the side of the hill. You will then be able to visit others who have joined in on the fun.

Beautiful nature and a spot of designing.

The sun has been doing its best to shine today.

Flowers are blooming...

How wonderful the colour combinations of purple and green.

The daffodils are on their way.

I wonder whether they will bloom before next Tuesday, when I am up, up and away?

A package came for me today,

Beautifully wrapped...

A gorgeous scarf of butterflies, just look at the lovely colours.

A special treat I bought myself, from the wonderful Ted & Bunny. This lovely scarf was in their ebay shop and I was lucky enough to be the highest bidder.

While waiting in for a parcel today, which didn't get delivered, I sat and knitted in the warmth of the sun.

I made the skirt last night, it has a little pleat/split up the back. Of course a top is needed to match the skirt so...out came the needles, pencil and paper...

A short sleeve top was made. Poor dear, could really do with a pair of shoes!

Oh, it looks like Peter has made friends already.

I could do a tutorial for the top if anyone is interested? Fortunately I wrote out the pattern as I made the top and I think it even makes sense! Very easy to knit, all one piece.

I am really enjoying dolly dressmaking again after a break of rather a few years. It is fun to experiment and find out what turns out and what doesn't. Yes I do have a 'reject cardigan' that looks hideous! A prototype gone wrong!

Knitting and stitch group are meeting tonight so I will be taking along my hexie tin, and some wool and knitting needles.

Blue on a Tuesday

I have been a good girl today...I've been a washing and an ironing and vacuuming! The banking has been done and I've also been to the post office.

A nice little surprise arrived in the post for me this morning all the way from USA. My February hexie flower from Carolyn.

Just perfect thank you!

It is wet and cold out today, such a shame after a lovely Monday.

I have some more blue to share today...

A lovely blue jug with a cottage and flowers.

A cup and saucer!

I'll leave you with a little RECIPE...

Take a plot of peaceful woodland,

place beneath a gentle sky,

scatter with a dash of raindrops,

leave in sunshine until it's dry.

Take a billion bulbs of bluebells,

bury them in softest loam

Leave to rise till shining colour

floods the wood like drifting foam.

When their perfume sends you dizzy,

garnish with a blackbird's song,

serve upon a perfect morning,

savour all the Springtime long.

by Margaret Ingall from The Fireside Book - Poetry and Paintings 2010.

Winter Warmth

A bit of winter warmth. Lovely wool to knit with...I would tell you what it is but I seem to have mislaid the label and only had one ball! Still plenty of wool left to make a hat and perhaps a scarf, or another jumper. I was making a jumper following a pattern from my Dolls dressmaking book...but it didn't make any sense at all, I think it must be misprinted, so this jumper I made up myself adapting a couple of different patterns. I am really pleased with how it turned out. The beauty of knitting for dolls, is that the clothes knit up very quickly!

Now I wonder if my Mum & Dad will think I have finally flipped if I take a couple of dolls with me to NZ along with my knitting needles? After all I will need the models to try on their clothing! Or indeed will Jus and Sarah think I've flipped?

Oh and just a little red for Valentines Day!

Threads & Patches

Yesterday I spent a lovely day here:

The morning was spent attending various workshops, from card making, knitting, quilting, embroidery and so on. It was all very interesting and inspiring. There was a lovely cup of tea and cake included and just after 1pm we broke up for a delicious lunch. We all spent a couple of hours browsing round the shop before the coach arrived to take us home. Of course I didn't come home empty handed and bought a few 'tools' for my craft work.

This building was an old pub which was converted about two years ago to its present use...and very well suited to it as well. Upstairs there is tea making facilities, a workshop room, knitting shop and card supplies shop. Downstairs is another workshop room and the main shop - which is huge! So many lovely fabrics and things to choose from. I did see a kit I would have liked to buy but unfortunately it wasn't available.

Anyway I will leave you to look at some of the photos...

Where is this delightful shop? It is found here 15 Watling Street, Fenny Stratford, Milton Keynes. They have a website as well for you to find out more here : Threads and Patches

Dressmaking for Dolls - Musical Moments

Not convinced the pain medication is helping much, had another bad night, woke with a stonking headache and then slept again until gone lunchtime. Never mind a little sewing was achieved in the afternoon.

A little dressmaking for Sasha today. A blouse/shirt - with musical notes.

A brown cord pinafore to match.

I'm going on a coach trip tomorrow to a quilting demonstration day. I WILL remember to go this time... Yes I WILL.

Too Wet for Teddy Bear Thursday!

Far too wet for a Teddy Bear's picnic today.

(Although I'm sure on other sides of the world the weather has been better so don't forget to visit Melody and others.)

Needless to say the bears weren't happy.

Neither were the kids for that matter.

Trying to explain to littlest Ted that it is pouring with rain outside so the picnic will have to be postponed until a fine day.

Simon is proudly wearing his newly made dungarees as well!

Modelling them.

The plan. They worked out quite well, although I think I should have made the straps a bit longer and the waist measurement a bit wider...still there is always next time.

These teddies found in a box at a charity shop in Ware yesterday were also looking forward to the picnic, although one looks a little grumpy.