A Visit to the 'Handmade Fair' at Hampton Court.....

16th September 2016

My week has FLOWN!!

Lots of time spent with my two gorgeous girls....

....I LOVE being a grandma, just wish I lived nearer!

>>>>>>>>>>

I had a surprise birthday present from my niece.....

.....beautifully wrapped in marbled paper which I will keep...

......I have been wanting this book for a long time so I was thrilled and will be experimenting when I get home, watch this space!

>>>>>>>>

Today, after a night of thunderstorms and early morning torrential rain, we went to Hampton Court for the Handmade Fair......

....photos aren't brilliant but will give you an idea of the variety of goods available.....

.....I took this as we left, there were queues to enter this morning, thankfully the rain had eased....

....vintage patterns and fabrics...

.....some lovely stamps...

.....handmade mobiles.....

....Kantha hand stitched throws and wraps, so beautiful....

....baby/toddler swings...

....beautiful embroidery kits from Rowandean..

......pure wool cushions....

.....everything vintage, brought back a few memories...

....beautiful cushions/lamp shades...

....ribbons....

.....natural soaps...

......beautiful ceramics....

......hand dyed silk...

.....had a great time tasting in the food tent...

.....repurposed old linens....

.....think this was my favourite, hand made bears/rabbits/dogs needle felted and stitched...

.....loved the rag doll in the 'Princess and the Pea' bed....

.....Luna Lapin and friends...

...pom poms...

......my purchases....

....lovely book with a rag doll pattern and a wardrobe full of clothes....

......yarn for socks and a blanket....

....Velcro tape for the plants instead of wire....

....tasted a sample and had to buy...

....fruit flavoured vinegar, great in casseroles...

.....I have had such a lovely day and think I may go to this event next year!

Weekly Catch-up....

10th September 2016

I am in London visiting my family and enjoying lots of cuddles with Alba...

....she is an absolute delight!

>>>>>

On the train journey I was reading a book I had ordered from COOLCRAFTING....

...there a many patterns in the book, including Luna Lapin, lots of clothes for her and even an arm chair, I am so looking forward to making a whole wardrobe of clothes for when Alba is older...

....I bought the original kit at the Harrogate Show which contained a lovely wool felt used  for the body but as this couldn't be washed I decided to use some of my old linens to make another....

.....fabric from my stash to make a dress...

.... a coat made in DK yarn using a doll's pattern. 

The book is beautifully presented with easy to follow patterns and enchanting stories about Luna.

http://www.coolcrafting.co.uk

>>>>>>>

Today I booked tickets for my sister and I to go to the Handmade Fair at Hampton Court this Friday so am really looking forward to being 'inspired'!

>>>>>>>>

I used this sample for a card, rather like it!

Free Machining on my Embellished Samples....

4th September 2016

Had a lovely beach walk with Jack this morning, even had a paddle, a great way to start the day!

This afternoon I enjoyed some free machining on my samples from last week.....

....this fabric was some of my hand dyed muslin stitched onto a heat shrink fabric which gives a lovely texture, love seed heads and am pleased with the result....

....rusted fabric strips embellished onto cotton wadding gives a pleasing background....

.....embellished wool and silk with stitch detail....

...I like the frayed edges on this piece, might mount onto a card!

A Great Saturday!

3rd September 2016

Such a busy day...

....collected my sewing machine but the guy said he never wants to see it again as it was a 'nightmare' to fix!!! So disappointed with this machine, only 3 years old and needed 3 repairs, I had my last machine for over 30 years with only a couple of services needed!

>>>>>>>

Next went to the local home for the blind at the invitation of Alan Hulme, Organic Gardener, who helped us with the willow dome project in the park...

....Alan started a project in the grounds of the home to involve residents and daily visitors in  gardening.....

.....with the help of volunteers he built raised beds and erected a poly tunnel....

......2 helpers preparing windfall apples for juicing....

....we had the most amazing chocolate cake cooked by Alan, I have asked him for the recipe!

Alan placing the bag in the juicer...

....apples poured into the top and the handle turned...

...Gary, the chairman of our park friends group turning the handle....

....pressing begins

....the juice was DELICIOUS!!!

A film was being made to show Alan's work in the community and I was in it pretending to buy a jar of honey, such fun!!

>>>>>>>>

This afternoon we had the first meeting for our yarnbombing in the park 2017.....

....we had a very productive meeting in a local coffee shop, coffee, cake atmosphere was brilliant.....

.....finally finished my vase cover by free machining leaves and hand stitching  using hand dyed curly yarn...

....I don't often say this but I am quite pleased with my vase cover creation!!!