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

Bunnies!

Introducing The Bunny Gang

Having made 3 prototype 'Bunnies' last week with the intention of using them at work I couldn't resist making 3 more this weekend to make them into a real gang.

The original 3, complete with wonky arms and odd expressions...

...and the whole lot. The latest litter have much more symmetrical arms and the faces are getting better too. They certainly have character! I think I'm going to keep the blue felt one and the purple flowery one as they are my favourites but the others are going to go to loving homes - if anyone wants one, let me know!

And it wouldn't be a rainy weekend without at least one card would it.

This one is for Sam's mum Elaine who's birthday is today - Happy Birthday! Her and Gert (Sam's dad) are off to the Himalayas soon so I thought mountains would be appropriate.

Have a good week all.
S. x

Grey day remedy

Yesterday the mist and fog didn't lift all day. In some ways this made me feel rather gloomy but in others it was magical. The 'drip-drip' of water falling from tiny buds beginning to form. The looming of trees from the whiteness all around as I drove home for the long awaited weekend more slowly than usual. The cuddling up on the sofa with a good film, first with my Sam and then with the cat, all warm a cozy as the night drew in.
Today, to remind myself that days like that are rare and therefore to be treasured in some way, I planned to take lots of fog inspired photos only to find it much clearer. So instead, here are a few I took a few weeks ago and haven't yet done anything with.

Flowers - always a nice thing to have around at this time of year when the world seems so grey and brown before the green of spring rushes in. These were 75p from the supermarket and as they'd seen better days I saved the heads in a bowl of water with some glass beads left over from previous craftings. Waste not want not!

And some much needed 'feelly bags' for work - super quick and easy and very useful.

Happy weekending all.
S. x

Gratitude - better late than never

Cards. One of my favourite crafts for various reasons. Quick. Versatile. Personal. Recycled (it's amazing the designs you can invent with a few old calendars).

And of course, as all creative activities are, relaxing. Time for a bit of music (Josh Garrels at the moment), the scent of candles and a slowing down of breath and activity for a few minutes after a busy day at work. It really makes me wonder how people who don't do things like this survive.

With my dear Ma staying over lately we discussed many issues of personality, perhaps even spirituality if you prefer, and one that we talked about rather more than others was gratitude. As children it was never demanded of us to show excessive gratitude. By this I do not mean we had no manners. Manners were required of course but they are more habit than real gratitude. I'm thinking more of writing thank you cards and celebrating things like Mother's day and Father's day. These things were not asked for nor adhered to when we were small and I think without this set way of showing gratitude we learned instead to show genuine thanks for things as and when they occurred. I remember occasions, rare yes but certainly genuine, when as a child or teenager I would feel the need to express my thanks in more than just the word and would create a card or picture or perhaps just return the favour.

What better way to express genuine thanks than to create something personal, to dedicate time specifically to the people who have helped you. So, with much genuine gratitude I say here a bit 'thank you' to all those who have helped me out so far this year.
Thanks and happy crafting
S. x

Birthday gifts and sunshine

Just a quick post to share some gorgeous fabrics (thanks to my brother Bob and his gorgeous girl Jess!), lovely Rowan wool (thanks to Betty for the money to buy this!) and a brand new craft, Marquette, not yet tried but so looked forward to (thanks to my lovely Sam for this one!)

 

A few extra 'thank you's to Tammy for the gorgeous flowers and to Ma and Pa for the money for skiing next week - so much appreciated.

Last of all, a bit of crafting for school - spider webs!
















Happy crafting all.
S x