Ireland

It's my last day house (and cat) sitting for my uncle Will and his partner Mary in their fabulous home in Southern Ireland. Whilst here I've had Ireland's usually heavy handed share of rain and wind but in the sunshine that did manage to break through there have been many opportunities to get the camera out.

Old family photos of uncles and my dear Mama, a Taverner's tin (my maternal Grandmother was a Taverner before she married. The family owned a sweet company, perhaps that's where my sweet-tooth comes from!), the lake and the old cat Tinto.

And then this morning, aiming to catch a good window in the weather I got up early and headed to the beach. The plan worked perfectly...

Sunshine, a near deserted beach, rock pools galore and time to make some stone sculptures. The perfect beginning of the end to a week away.
Happy summer time all. S x

Summer

Summer holidays are here for us teachers (and the little ones of course!)

My first spot of crafting with a small lead to another bunny - this time designed, and partly made by Lexi, my lovely niece. A little wary of using the sewing machine she stuck to cutting, stuffing and choosing fabrics and buttons. (My sister Emily can never resist a good button sort either!)

And while the sun shines a few free days out to the Labyrinth at the Beacon and to one of our old haunts, the National Trust's Calke Abbey Park. I couldn't resist putting these two photos next to each other - almost the same shot, four years apart.

Happy summer time all.
S. x

All change...

...and much to catch up on! It has been far too long since my last post so here are a few photos of bits and bobs (not all crafty but so lovely all the same)

The start of a proper quilt (only two squares done so far, oops), something beautifully new and shiny and more wood for school.

As for the main point of this post? There is nothing quite like moving furniture around to give everything a fresh new look and feel and having a sudden flash of inspiration half way through the day yesterday I move the bedroom to the studio and the studio to the bedroom. I love it, just hope Sam thinks the same!

My new favourite room in the house! A multipurpose space to work, sew, read and most probably play a musical instrument or two.
Happy weekending all!
S. x

The beginning of something...

Finally. Time to blog and time to start a very exciting new project - more on that another time though. For this post it's time to play catch-up and report on mine and Jo's joint project.

We are in the process of making our own version of a 'Quiet Book'. Lots of little bits to be made and various logistical issues to be worked through - just the sort of thing for a team crafting session!

The shoe part of the lace-up activity...

...stars to button on...

...and lots of beads threaded on strings for a center page spread.

As the BBQ was lit and well tended by Sam, Jo and I headed up the hill towards The Labyrinth - a wonderful creation in the woods at Beacon Hill.

Then home for some very tasty food!





All in all a weekend well spent.
I will keep you posted with updates for the Quiet Book, I'm sure it will take a few more team efforts before it's complete but what a great excuse to craft together.
Happy weekending all.
S. x

Three Weekends

Three weekends have passed since my last post, all of them crafty in one way or another. Two solo efforts and one very busy and beautiful two days with my good friend Jo.

The first was spent doing small things like this pyrographed heart for Donna at work.

The quote is just right for her - always positive and upbeat.

The middle weekend will get a full post of its own soon but I will point out a few bits and bobs here. It was my Ma's birthday this week so her gifts were finished off and a card created and rushed to the post office only just in time. Here is Jo modelling the yoga bag I made for her...

...it is reversible to allow for a change of scene if desired and is an adaptation of the Mayamade burlap bucket which I love and am so glad I bought the pattern. And here I am modelling the cowl I crocheted - though a little late for this year I'm sure it may still come in handy on those windy Northumberland beaches.

The card was almost dreamed up as I woke up on the Saturday morning knowing exactly how I wanted it to look. I think I will be making more of these.

And this weekend? Along with a new felt mouse for the cat - this time with cat nip which she can't decide what to do with, eat it or purr at it - I did a little crafting for the garden.

I bought Sam the chisels from a car boot as part of his Christmas present. Despite their age - WWI army issued, or so the man said - they are still sharp and worked beautifully on the green ash I used to make labels for our potatoes. We're not big gardeners, though I must admit I think we'd both like to be, but we can manage a few potatoes and maybe some lettuce for now.

Happy weekending to all.
S. x

Spring?

This is the sort of sight that greeted many of us throughout most of March. Spring indeed. And although April did banish the snow, from here at least (though I love that there are still drifts of hard, untouched, crunchy stuff along most of the hedgerows and dry stone walls around here) it was still unseasonably chilly.

Today though, I left the house without hat, coat or gloves and felt comfortable for the first time this year. Perhaps spring is here at last.

While I finish off a few projects in progress I will share with you a little crafting with friends (well, a friend) session that occupied the Easter weekend. My dear friend Carrie, whom I know from my time at university took me to the most amazing fabric and crafting shop in Stoke (they also deal online but I doubt you'll be able to get the amazingly cheap 60p bundles of fabric - needless to say, we bought lots!) And what better way to use the fabrics we bought than by turning them into something beautiful.

Carrie wanted bright and bold to jazz up a cushion or two so embarked on her first ever foray into patchwork - I LOVE the blue flowery print and the edging especially.

 And I followed suit, finally making use of the rest of my pre-cut squares - this is now a pocket on a bag for my niece, just because.

As for my purchases from my shopping spree - I have big plans and hope to finally make a proper quilt. Watch this space.

Happy Spring everyone.
S. x