Monday 30 November 2015

A Different Kind of Workshop

As things are starting (far too early if you ask me!) to get festive, but I do like to have a day making a Wreath to hang on the front door.

Anyway, a group of us met up and Glenys (bless her patience!) showed us step by step to make a "proper" Christmas Wreath.
Starting with a wire ring
wrapping with moss
now a nice sturdy ring ready for greenery to be added
all the green had to be wired
Yew from the churchyard

 I usually use a lot more Holly, but I whimped out this year - it seemed extra prickly!

The green was almost done but an essential stop for lunch before adding the last of the covering.
layering all around
 And then to add some "Tra La's". I decided to add a little ceramic Robin that was made by a friend

 Tried a few more pretties, but decided to leave it simple and just add a bow to Glitz it up and then a ribbon to hang it by

 I can now see that the hanging ribbon needs a bit of adjustment.

Its now on the door yet. It sits out in the back garden waiting until we get  into December.  This will hang on the door till 12th Night and then I hang it in the back garden and will probably last well into March, though the birds will make short change of the berries, but that's fine by me.

 A quick pic of all the other wreaths made on a very enjoyable day.
 It was lovely to spend the day with such good company and Darling Daughter came along too.
sometimes, less is more!

Tomorrow brings the big Reveal of our November Mini Mania Challenge and the instructions for our December one. This time we will combine December and January so no reveal at the end of December, but I have heard that it may be a bit more of a Challenge  ......we shall see!

Sunday 22 November 2015

My Wanderlust Has Gone!

 Not my desire to travel. My Around the World Craft Swap/Wanderlust Crafters swap item has at last found a home!
My first swap partner dropped out the week we were supposed to ship, so I was asked to hold onto my piece to then send on to her partner, who had gone very quite on the Instagram front. The second partner had said that she was going to be late, but had promised to ship by 7th November. (this was a month late)  &th November came and went and after a further 10 days the Swap Momma said enough was enough!  So I was given a third partner, who had sent her package weeks ago!

The gift is now en-route, and should be there by the middle of the week. I do hope she is not disappointed after all this time!

 This was my first Swap and have to say, the experience was not what it could have been, though I did get that fabulous crochet bag

from Elaine in Liverpool and I am using it every day. It stores the wool and the blanket in progress perfectly!


Apparently the experience has not put me off completely, cos I've done it again!!   Another Swap for the New Year!


 I had also started knitting a scarf/shawl in this lovely lace weight yarn, it is so soft and fine it is lovely to work with. But I had done about 6 inches of the knitting and  ---  reality check ---- I will NEVER finish this! So I pulled it all down again and have started another Road Trip Shawl, which works up so quickly and are really useful items. 
its very fine!
 Mr T is a very happy chappie - his new golf clubs (made to measure) have arrived and cost much less than I had anticipated (don't tell him) and apparently - they work!!   He has set himself a challenge to reduce his handicap by 4 points by next summer.

 It looks like I may be seeing less of him from now on....... (more sewing time- Yay!)

We still have to decorate a bedroom after the plaster had to be removed from one complete wall - long story -  but then that is all the major jobs in the house caught up to date. Thank Goodness!
Love a newly plastered wall!
 Yesterday my daughter and SIL came down ( halfway house for a visit south today) and we attended the switching on of the Town Christmas Lights - Known locally as The Christmas Sparkle

 It is a town that we live in, but locals call it "the village" as it is a small town, but has so much history.

There was a French Market in the High Street, and Funfair and Ice Rink on the Market Square, Santa's Grotto in The Chichele College   (this building dates back to the early 1400's)
 And the place was HEAVING!!!!!
 As darkness fell Fireworks were set off and the pretty town lights were lit.
 I think it was a very successful event. I will walk up and get a photo of the Market Square when all the extras have been removed.

Today Mr T will be playing with his new toys, and hopefully doing a bit of painting and I have three Christmas stockings to make for a friend.
Appliqué prepped so sewing will commence.
 Must be finished by Thursday as I have a schedule of finishes to get back too!



Tuesday 17 November 2015

Time is Flying By

 But I still feel in a bit of control!

We spent a reflective morning at our local War Memorial . I live in a small town, more a large village really,  but the turnout for Remembrance Sunday was wonderful


I always make a point to remember a friend of my father - Colin Duffy - who was shot down over Holland and has a grave at a cemetery near Eindhoven. Colin had no family so after my father died, who would be there to remember.

I have cracked on with this months Mini Mania Challenge

This months is a nine block Churn Dash. I had a few ideas, and I may have made more than one piece this month......
It is QUITE small...
Spent a bit of time sewing in the ends of some more green crochet blocks that I delivered to the  Craft Club ready for the 10ft Christmas Tree construction, AND watched the penultimate episode of Unforgotten on TV

Great show - I think I know who might have done it!



Had a lovely walk with Sister2 around Sywell Country Park.
spied a field full of Canada Geese grazing but couldn't get a better shot!
The weather was glorious.

We then headed off for an overnight stay with our lovely daughter to help celebrate her birthday (she was born on a Friday 13th - so that blows the bad luck out as far as we are concerned )  Made her favourite cake from the Roald Dahl Revolting recipes book. Yummy !!

Mr T was being measured up for a new set of golf clubs (as you do) so a visit to Gainsborough  where this pic of the Old Hall was taken though we were not able to visit this time 

And then there was ....


Thursday 5 November 2015

A Day in York!

 Jumped on a train on Tuesday and headed up to York for a bit of retail therapy with DD and her MIL

It was a bit of a gloomy day, but the city was just as lovely.

 And we spent time just wandering round the shops, having lunch and generally meandering the streets, which was a bit of a luxury as York - lovely as it is - is ALWAYS so busy!

But not this week. I have never seen the streets so quiet.

Birthday presents were purchased (lucky daughter)

Chocolate was drunk

Tea was purchased


deserted!


Before we wandered back to the station to make our way home

I do love York as a city, and even the station is magnificent




The only down side to the day was a hefty £13 parking fee at Peterborough station!!  £13 !!! they're having a laugh!!


Since I got back I have been knee deep in Admin - but it is done now, so I am going to re-introduce myself to my lovely sewing machine.


Just a quick parade of the October Mini Mania Challenge Pieces.


Octobers Challenge was Appliqué and a touch of Orange (the orange was NOT popular!)  
Dee's Blogged Here

Laney's
Sew Gentles Pumpkin Patch

Carol's blogged here

Jo's blogged here

Angie's - to celebrate 50 years of bliss

mine
Novembers Challenge is a 9 block Churn Dash Mini.

You will not believe the problems that have cropped up with this simple block - and it's only the 5th of the month!!!

Monday 2 November 2015

It's Over!!

October that is . Not had a month like it in .... ages!  Something on every day!! I just can't keep up anymore.

But Novembers calender looks much more like normal with a few things booked in and hopefully some spare time to re-introduce myself to my lovely sewing machine.

Last Sunday, the GROUP that I belong to had a trip to the Quilt Show at Malvern.  Not too early a start due to the clocks going back, which was nice.

The Autumn show at Malvern is no where near as big as the Spring show, which I do like attending. But we laughed all day, did a bit of shopping and a bit of viewing so a good trip all in all.
There was a selection of Mini Whole-cloth quilts which were very impressive

And a nice group of Mini quilts that have given me a few ideas for our
Mini Mania Challenge
 And some of the other quilts were quite stunning
simple but so effective

 I love the soft colours in this one

This month is is my pudding making marathon.  It took me three days to get them all steamed, but now they are wrapped and ready to distribute. Phew!
 A couple of weeks ago I read about the CraftClub's latest Yarn Bomb, so on Thursday, off we went to visit

Little Miss thinks they are such fun. Topping old fashioned Pillar Boxes and then auctioned off for charity. 


They are planning to make a 10ft Christmas tree for their next one and have asked if anyone could help by sending a knitted or crocheted  5" - 7" square.
  Needless to say the crochet group ladies jumped in and we delivered 40.
 The end of the month sees the latest reveal in our Mini Mania Challenge.
This month was to be Appliqué, remind us of October and must include Orange (the latter was not popular!)  
10" x 14"
And ready in time for the spooky season!
Saturday brought some soft autumn sunshine and we made a visit to West Lodge Rural Centre. Lots of animals to pet and they had Pumpkin Carving and other crafts to try.

The big girls had a go at making some transport for the evening  magic wands.....

Off to York for the day tomorrow. Might get a head start on the Christmas Shopping!!