WOYWW - just a bit late!

Happy Wednesday everyone.

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas.

Ours weekend was spent with daughter M and was really great.

Thanks to all of you who sent beautiful Christmas cards - you are such a clever bunch!!

Not much going on in my craft room this week. I seemed to have been so busy up to Christmas that I am finding it quite a treat doing other things for a change.

The picture above shows all the gorgeous lace, braid and fabric sent to us by Rebecca for our "Dress a girl around the world" frocks. A huge parcel came along with Christmas stuff. I unpacked it and showed it to Annie and packed it away ready for the New Year when we will start again with our little frocks. So a big "Thank you" to Rebecca - it will all be put to good use.

Below are a few "dumfed" cards that I made as gifts for my Yorkshire friends. When I lived up there, they all loved to dip into our card box for special occasion cards so, I like to make sure they still have a few now and again.

I think I like this set best. I used an idea in my latest Stitch magazine and made them in a range of colours.

Well folks - short and sweet today - and late!
So a quick dash to Julia's Stamping Ground to link up with you all and I will be round to see what everyone else has been up to.

Enjoy your New Year celebrations.
Best wishes
Jo

WOYWW - Merry Christmas makes

Good morning all.

This was the view from my window looking out towards the snow covered hills on Sunday.

Very pretty but cold and icy too for a couple of days.

Just the sort of weather for a boiler breakdown and power cuts - that was us - AND a plumbing leak that soaked a kitchen ceiling - that was daughter M.  Nothing a few pounds can't put right but we had a few cold days and an evening of knitting by candlelight!

Here are my makes for this week.....

A little knitted monster for a little boy who I am hoping to meet soon.

AND.....

Three pretty, pale pink pinafore dresses made with the gorgeous fabric that Keryn sent us.

They really do look lovely and Annie will be passing them on to the girls this week.

Lastly, I will leave you with my Christmas card and wish you all a Happy and Peaceful Christmas - have a great time. x Jo


Join in with our Wednesday blog hop - follow the link to Julia's Stamping Ground and enjoy all the crafty festivity around the globe.

WOYWW - dumfing fun!

A different view across my table today.
Notice a lovely little pin cushion attached to my sewing machine - thanks Jo - just what I needed. I love my pin cushions and have several which are great when I am hand sewing. BUT when I am machining they seem to bounce off my table - yes I work that fast and my table vibrates! SO  the little dragon fly covered one is perfect and means the pins will always be handy just where I need them.
I made a little Christmas mouse to post to my little Aunty in a residential home. She used to love all my crafty bits and bobs and I still feel the need to send her something even though she really doesn't take much notice these days, bless her.
Scattered round are a few of my latest dumflings. It's not a good photo - so dark and gloomy here today.

Now below you can see the stalls I loved best at the German Market in Birmingham on Sunday.
Lots of fab felted items - bags, toys, puppets, shoes etc. The colours were so bright and cheery. We had a great time - even though it poured down most of the day. We made up for it with cups of hot chocolate - and Gluehwein - and hot potatoes and mushrooms - and hot cheese sticks. YUM!
I didn't buy much but enjoyed seeing all the traditional German wares.

OK folks - only one more WOYWW before Christmas so let's see what you are all up to this week.

Join in the blog hop by following me over to Julia's Stamping Ground -  have fun!

x Jo

WOYWW - vintage lovelies!

Good morning all!
My table today is full of vintage loveliness.
I found these tray cloths and crochet mats at the local car boot. They are so fresh and pretty.
I was going to chop them up for my crafty activities but I might keep one or two as they are in excellent condition.

This week I made some tiny silver/white hearts for daughter M. She wants to decorate her hallway with them.








My other bit of craftiness produced this cute little hoodie for baby S.
They will be well dressed babes won't they?!

Short and sweet this week.

If you are looking for little Christmas gifts you might like to check out our blog shop...

Sisters Crafty Creations - we have lots of pretty stocking fillers and special gifts which are waiting to be posted out at short notice!

Have a great day everyone and if you want to join in our mad WOYWW bloghop, then follow me to Julia's Stamping Ground and see what all the other crafty folk have been up to.

Have a great week.

x Jo

WOYWW - all neat and tidy!

Good morning all.
Its been a wet and windy few days but quite mild for November.
We have lots of oak trees around here so the colours have been gorgeous but now the leaves have been blown down and keep filling my flowerbeds. That's Autumn for you!

Today my table looks neat and tidy because I had a mammoth clear up.
I have printed off a few more dumfed robins and doves for some more Christmas cards.
The hankies were a car boot bargain - Bruges lace.

I decided I wouldn't make any more little frocks for the "Dress a girl around the world" scheme until after Christmas. So I have put away the 34 finished ones ready to post to Louise at Sew Scrumptious (She has had over 500 little frocks sent to her so far!!!)
Here are my latest creations.......

Apart from those, I have made the other little hoodie (same as last week) and I am now knitting another in blue and white random wool.

I have made a little check pinafore for baby L and now have similar to make for P & L. as well as another set in pale pink babycord.
My daughter M also sent me home with some fabric to make a tunic/dress for her too.
Never a dull moment in this house!

OK folks let's nip over to the lovely Julia's Stamping Ground and see what all of you have been up to this week.
Thanks for calling here and leaving such lovely comments. I will try to see a few more of your desks this week - I don't know where last week went!!
x Jo

WOYWW - a busy week's worth!

Good morning happy crafters and WOYWW followers.
Lots of pics for you to enjoy today!!

My table is overflowing with exciting items!

• My latest little peace dove Christmas card - I might make a few more of these as I quite like the lace/embroidered flowers etc and the print from a little "dumfed" dove that I made last year some time.
• The calendar is one that I made through Vistaprint - a free offer (well apart from postage)          I just uploaded 12 of my "free-machine collages" to their website and they printed it and sent it to me within a fortnight. I love it.
• At the top of my table you can see my little "Katie Morag" style doll. I had rather a special request for this one and was thrilled to be able to oblige.
• I also have the lovely pale pink babycord fabric that was sent to Annie to make little pinafore dresses for her little grand daughters. She has a lot of work on at the mo so I am going to make  small, medium and large for L, L &P. What fun.
• The check fabric is also for them and today I made a tiny little frock for the tiniest little L.
• On my window sill is gorgeous pin cushion sent as a lovely surprise gift all the way across the Atlantic - from Sylvia. What better gift for a sewing gal like me! Thanks so much Sylvia - it will be put to good use here and it is really beautifully made with a pretty little tag too.

Here it is in close up..

My little knitted item of the week is this little hoody for the latest little boy added to Annie's family.
It's knitted in Sirdar Baby Crofter is is so soft and cosy. I have done my usual trick and have nearly a ball left over so I will buy another couple of balls and make one for little twin S. They are all growing so quickly I am sure he will fit this one soon.

AND just a few more frocks...
I think Louise of Sew Scrumptious says she has a total of 475 frocks collected for the " Dress a girl around the world scheme" now.

Quite a busy week then!

Must go - looking forward to a trip round your desks after my dental appointment!
x Jo

WOYWW - Christmas cards!

Just a quick post today.

I have had a busy day or two making a few Christmas cards.
Now, as you know, I am not really a card maker.  I love textiles and find it really difficult to work with paper and card.
So.....
All my cards are designed with mostly fabric, lace, ribbons and  stitching.

The old Cuttlebug came in handy for cutting fabric flowers (Thanks to Crafty Dawn). Annie and I both used it on funday Monday. I just hope she has time to make a few cards with the lovely flowers she cut out. (Life is very busy for her at the mo).

The other other idea I had was to create a Victorian robin
design using a transfer print on linen
of one of my little dumfed robin pics.
 I was quite pleased with the result.

UPDATE -
Neet asked me to show my robin card in close up.....
If you want to see more dumfing - follow this link to a few of April 2010 posts.
http://twiglet5.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html




My table looks quite pretty doesn't it!

Just don't look at the window sill, shelves and under the table! I am such a messy worker. At one stage I had every unit in the kitchen covered too! There is so much stuff needed - guillotine, Cuttlebug, iron, sewing machines, card, glue, lace, buttons........... Now I know why I don't make too many cards!

Have a great day everyone and if you want to join in our mad WOYWW bloghop, then follow me to Julia's Stamping Ground and see what all the other crafty folk have been up to.

x Jo

Tiny frocks and more frocks!

Version 1
A tiny frock in cosy Vyella type fabric for baby L.
She thought it was lovely but just a tad too big across her chest so....
Here is
Version 2

Just a tiny bit smaller and with deep pink floral buttons and tiny free machined flowers.
I am sure baby L will quickly grow into Version 1 so nothing is wasted.
I have loads of fabric left and will probably make similar for  Annie's older grandees P & L.

Here are a few more frocks for the "Dress a girl around the world" scheme.
I think I have made 142 now.

They just need a few trimmings so I am taking them down to Annie's.

Adrian from Cari crafts has sent us another fab bag of tiny bits of ribbon/lace and trims so I shall choose a few bits and stitch them on later.
I know a few of you have been using Cari crafts since we blogged about them. If you need crafty bits and bobs then follow the link on my side bar. They have a good range and offer a very fast efficient service.

Right, must get back to my Christmas card making.
(Might blog them next week)
Have a great weekend.
x Jo

WOYWW - My 300th post give away!

Good morning all!!
Rain, low cloud and gloomy here but that can't dampen my spirits!
Wipso and I were taken out to the theatre and had a great time last night - what a giggle - I expect she will blog it later!
Here is my table today - a bit of a mess.

• A little dress cut out ready to sew for baby Lexi.
• A pretty tin to fill with vintage buttons.
• A blue make up bag, ideal for all sorts of crafty bits and bobs - new bargain from our local car boot sale.
• My pile of magazines - I need to put them away really but I just love stopping for the odd minute or two and browsing through for ideas and tips.
• Loads of elastic and bits for making my little frocks.

NOW - As this is my 300th post and I have well over 100 followers I am happy to announce that the winner of my celebration give away is.........

                                                              JOZART
 It couldn't go to a nicer lady!

So, Jo - I will email you with a few suggestions for one of my free machine collages and let you decide what you would like me to do for you! Congratulations!


I would like to add that I have made so many lovely friends through blogging but especially through our WOYWW fun.
Kindness and friendship is in abundance out there and I love the thought that, even though we haven't met, we still feel we can help each other and share our good and not so good times.

Just a little example of kindness......

I asked Di where she bought her cello bags from and the next day she sent me these through the post - what a little gem. Thanks lots Di - (another lovely lady)  and your card is so pretty too.

Also, through blogging, I can keep in touch with all my Yorkshire friends. Most are not bloggers but I know they read my blog and love to know what Wipso and I have been up to. So a special hello to them.

So there we are. Thanks everyone for popping in and for all your lovely comments over the last 300 posts. Now to join in the blog hop over with the WOYWW bunch at Julia's Stamping Ground...

Post 299!

We had a happy fun day Monday yesterday with lots of craftiness and laughter.
T mentioned that she needed a Diamond Wedding card so we raided Annie's stash and created this little card. It was a bit of a rush but the finished card looked OK.
I was inspired by the gorgeous work of Jackie at dogdaisychains blog.
Jackie's work is really beautiful and she creates lovely brooches using velvet and machine embroidery.
Pop over and have a look at her blog and her Etsy shop.

Well folks this is my 299th post.
When I write my 300th post I will be adding the winner of my give away. So, if you would like me to make you a little fabric collage of your house then, as a follower, you just need to leave a comment telling me you want to join in!. (See this post for more details)

See you tomorrow for my 300th post!
x Jo

Rainbow days!

I just had to share this rainbow picture from last week.
Sometimes the beauty of these natural marvels takes my breath away.
This one was stunning and, at one stage, was a double rainbow spanning "my hills".

The left hand side of the rainbow ended over Annie's house so I will be popping down for funday Monday expecting to find her holding the pot of gold!!

And as if you haven't seen enough.....

The latest five of my little "Dress a girl around the world"  frocks.
Sue H sent us the fab daisy fabric and its amazing how those little flowers perk up a plain frock.
I think Tricia from triciasconfetti blog sent us the bright coloured pillow cases and duvets so thanks lots both. I hope you think we have done them justice.

Well folks this is my 298th post.
When I write my 300th post I will be adding the winner of my give away. So, if you would like me to make you a little fabric collage of your house then, as a follower, you just need to leave a comment telling me you want to join in!. ( See this post for more details)

Have a great week.
x Jo

WOYWW - there is nothing like a dame!

Good morning all!

I hope you are all well and enjoying these nice bright mornings and dark early evenings - it takes me a week or so to get used to the clocks going back.

It worked out well for me this weekend as my fab daughter M whisked me off to Manchester for the weekend and we got an extra hour in our hotel room after putting the clocks back - he he the way to get value for money ha!

It was all part of my birthday treat as she had bought tickets for us to go to see South Pacific and have a bit of retail therapy too. We had a really great time and I loved every minute. So a big thanks to M for that and a big thanks to hubby G for treating us to a night in the Manchester Hilton.

South Pacific was one of the first films I ever saw on the big screen in technicolour as a 9 year old and I remember how exciting, romantic and beautiful it all seemed to be. It has remained a favourite and I love all the songs - Some enchanted evening, Happy Talk and There is nothing like a dame..etc

So, the musical stage version was a perfect treat for me and it didn't disappoint. The cast did a great job and Samantha Womack was a fab Nelly Forbush.

Other bits and bobs round my table....

• My latest Molly Makes mag - I won't be buying any more - not enough content and far too many wasted pages.
• The little cardi I finished for one of our girls.
• The box of fabric all cut up for our little frocks for our "Dress a girl around the world" scheme..

I think I have made 10 since last week.

Now lots of folk have said "What about the boys?".

So I have used a few T shirts and made some little boys' shorts.
Follow this link if you want to try one.
http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/boysinbritchespattern.htm

What do you think? They cost nothing, so well worth a go. (Just hope hubby doesn't miss his T shirts - lol)

And my latest little frocks.......

OK folks - I am off to find out what Julia has been up to and then take a sneaky peek at a your WOYWW desks. Have a great day.

x Jo

PS. Don't forget - if you are a follower and want to join in my give away - check out my last WOYWW post and leave me a message to say so. Thanks.

Two more little frocks.

Just a quick pic of 2 of my latest little frocks for the "Dress a girl around the world" scheme.

More tomorrow and news of something for the boys!!

WOYWW

Good morning everyone.
A gloomy grey day here but then it is nearly the end of October - where has this year gone?

Firstly, apologies for not visiting many of you kind folk last week.
I had a very busy crafting week with two little projects that I made for Annie's birthday.
I will add a picture of one of them to the bottom of this post.

My table holds a few other bits and bobs that I have been busy with this week.

We had a dumfing day on fun day Monday.
Follow the link if you want to know more about our "dumfing" activities!
I decided to use up some of my gorgeous re-cycled woollies. So, I cut up some interesting shapes and then embellished them with my "dumfing" machine and then added beads and some machine and hand stitching.
I think they will go in our blog shop but if you are interested in any of them just email me.

In the top right you can see a little wedding card that I have been busy with. The wedding colours are old gold and black so I made a lace trimmed wedding cake with little dumfed flowers. It has the names and date at the bottom.
And lastly in the bottom corner you can see a little cardi that I made using up some of my Crofter wool. Well, that was the idea, BUT then I ran out of wool and ended up buying more so that I could finish it and I now have enough left to knit half of another one!! lol!!


Here is the little picture I made for Annie. It is a collage of her house .
I have made quite a few of these little pictures over the years and really enjoy doing them.
They take ages to prepare and stitch but the effort that went into this one was well worth it for my little sis.

I am nearly up to 100 followers and will soon be doing my 300th post so I am thinking of having a "Give Away" for my lovely followers. Lots of you pop in here and leave such cheery, friendly comments that I thought maybe you would like to join in and try and win one of my collages. What do you think?

If you want to join in the "Give Away" then as long as you are a follower just leave a comment to say that you would like to win a little picture and I will include your name in the draw.

Have a great day all.
Now to join the blog hop  - to Julia's Stamping Ground I go...

Happy Birthday Annie!!

My little sister is celebrating her ** birthday today!!
So I just thought I should offer everyone a celebration cupcake.

I popped down to see her and take her card and pressies.
She loved them and will probably post them on her blog when she has a spare moment.

This afternoon she will be surrounded by family - I do  hope someone takes a birthday pic of her and her 5 grand children!!

Happy Birthday Annie - have a fab day! x Jo

WOYWW

Good morning all - thanks for dropping in to see what I have been up to this week.

More little frocks on display and more to come, I think!

Thanks lots to Sue H who has kindly donated another duvet for us to transform into pretty little frocks for the "Dress a girl around the world scheme." I love the little tag she sent with it - you are all such clever card makers.

These three dresses were made with the last duvet Sue sent us. I have loads more fabric left to use to trim up a few plain ones too.

These 2 were made with the last bits of bright pink dyed duvet. It never ceases to amaze me just how many dresses we can make from the bits and bobs we have in our fabric stash. I am sure it multiplies when we aren't looking!!

This afternoon I popped over to see Tina at Indigo Moon in Montgomery. She has lots of new stock in the shop so it is well worth a visit. I just had to treat myself to a few bits and bobs but I will show you those next week.

Now I have to get going on a few crafting jobs - I don't know where the time goes.

Luckily my back is better this week so I am back up to speed again!

If you want to see how I spent my day yesterday, then check out Annie's blog - I can hear you all going Ahhh! already.

Have a great Wednesday all. Enjoy your blog hop - now over to Julia's Stamping Ground and see what she has been throwing on the floor today!!

Cards and frocks

Just a quick update on my crafty activities.
Firstly, my latest additions to the frocks we are making for the "Dress a girl around the world" scheme.
Louise has posted a picture of some of our dresses all ready to go on their journey to Africa.
Click here to see what is happening to them.
It sounds like a great idea to include one in each of the backpacks going out to Malawi.

I thought I was up to my 107th dress but Annie showed me that I couldn't add up and actually I have now made 117!!  It doesn't really matter - I will keep going until I have used up all the fabric that kind bloggers have sent us. (AND the lovely Sue H informs me that she has found another pretty duvet which will be heading our way soon! - Thanks lots Sue.)

This afternoon I made little "Thank you" cards. I know they are not up the standard of you wonderful REAL card makers out there but I enjoyed playing with pretty fabric and our Cuttlebug machine with the Tim Holtz flower die. Simple but effective, I think.

Well that's it folks.

I am all set to go and watch the new series of "Have I got news for you" - always a good giggle on a Friday night and a good follow up to last night's "Mock the week" which was very funny too.

Tomorrow I hope to see Annie's new grand children - she will have her own little creche on the go and be in her element!!

Thanks for popping in here to see what I have been up to - never a dull moment here! - x Jo