twiglet

WOYWW - sneaky peek

2012-02-01T07:00:00.000Z

A frosty good morning all!
It's been a very busy crafty week.

Above is a sneaky peek of the latest collage that I have been working on.
I don't want to expose the whole thing - I want it to be a surprise for the recipient - but I thought you might like a quick look at a tiny bit of it. It is made with collaged fabrics embellished with free machining.

Below are the last few dressing up outfits I have made for my friend's grandson.

Blue knight

Red knight

Clown's jacket and baggy trousers

Fairy skirt and princess skirt

And lastly a set of five little frocks for the "Dress a girl around the world scheme".
I think I have another 35 finished to send to Louise of Sew Scrumptious. She has managed to arrange contacts in Malawi and India who are happy to receive the dresses and hand them out.
These frocks were made from a uninteresting duvet but I think they look quite pretty don't you?

Short and sweet today - I need to get back to that sewing machine. I have lots of ideas for the leather scraps, so thanks to all who kindly left such helpful suggestions and brilliant links. I managed to cut leather flowers using my Cuttlebug and I think brooches and bag embellishments are first on my list.

I will try to get round a few more of your blogs this week - I found lots of really interesting desks last week!!
To join in our WOYWW blog hop just follow the link to Julia's Stamping Ground.

x Jo

WOYWW - fancy dress anyone?

2012-01-25T07:00:00.000Z

Good morning and a happy Wednesday everybody!
My pretty Dendrobium orchid has over a dozen blooms on it this week so I thought I would share it with you.
(It is much nicer to look at than the contents of my sewing room which looks like a whirlwind has blown through it.)
I have been very busy making little dressing up outfits for a friend's 4 year old grandson.
What fun I have had too and all for free.
I have lots of fabric so I just raided my stash and this is what I have made so far......

A tiny army dress uniform

A Magician's outfit

And a little pirate's suit.

Then I raided Annie's stash and have fabric to make a clown costume and some knight's capes to go with the tabards I am in the process of finishing.

Hopefully I can make a couple of princess and fairy outfits to complete the dressing up box.

So - that's how to keep a sewing lady happy for a few days.

I hope your week has been as busy and so much fun.

Now....

just to pick your brains.....

can anyone think of a crafty activity using leather scraps?

I think I could manage to stitch them on my sewing machine and may even be able to cut them with my Cuttlebug. I just need a few ideas of things to make. Each piece is about 8" square.

I might even have a little gift for the ideas I manage to make! So - if you would like to leave a suggestion (now, now!!) I would love to hear it.

To join in our WOYWW blog hop just follow the link to Julia's Stamping Ground.

Have fun!
x Jo

WOYWW

2012-01-18T07:00:00.000Z

Good morning all!!
My table looks a bit too tidy for me - Max's little grey chenille/button heart cushion, my rainbow stickers and my "Montgomery in stitches" postcards.
I have been looking through my books for a bit of inspiration
Such cold frosty weather over the last few days - I have enjoyed being cosily tucked into my sewing room making little frocks. You will see from Annie's blog competition/give-away that we managed to cut out 88 frocks just over a week ago.
Here are the 25 frocks that I have made since then. My time was a bit limited as I had to spend 3 days waiting in at daughter M's for her plumber/Waterboard to sort out her low pressure on her system. Anyway - all done now so I can fit in a bit more dress making.

I think the check frocks would make a good school uniform - do you recognise the pockets from last week?

I posted a parcel yesterday, to Louise of Sew Scrumptious containing the 40 dresses I made before Christmas. I think I have lost count how many I have made altogether now but I guess it's over 200.
I hope Louise has plenty of storage space! She is doing really well in finding folks who are happy to take them out to Africa so I am sure that soon, lots of little girls will enjoy wearing these pretty little frocks.

Thanks to all for popping over here and commenting so kindly.
OK - follow me to Julia's Stamping Ground and see what all the other WOYWWers have beeen up to this week.
x Jo

WOYWW - pretty pockets

2012-01-11T07:00:00.000Z

Today I will be mostly working on my ironing board!
I am making little collages, on pockets, for our little frocks for the "Dress a girl around the world scheme."
Here are a few that I made yesterday.

I always work on my ironing board when I am using Bondaweb ironed onto the back of the fabric that I cut up for collages. I have a nice new ironing board cover on it - I am such a messy worker - the iron and cover get coated in melted adhesive.

Once I had finished my "Give-away" collage for Jo of Jozart, I cleaned up my iron and put my new cover on.

Just in case you haven't seen Jo's collage on her blog, here it is.

She loved it and even hubby D was fascinated by it so I take that as a compliment. (The men in my life don't usually take a huge amount of interest in my crafty activities!)

If anyone thinks they might like a little collage then email me ( twiglet517@hotmail.co.uk ) for details. I really enjoy making them and its great to see a photo transformed into fabric and brought to life with embroidery.

I think this week will be spent making a few more little frocks. Annie and I cut out loads on Saturday when the men were at footie - in fact she has made a competition out of it for her Wipso blog celebration "Give-away".

Pop over and join in!!

Ok folks let's head over to Julia's Stamping Ground and see what she is up to. Then we can join in the blog hop that is........ Whats On Your Workdesk Wednesday!!

Have a great day.

x Jo

January bargains and Tilly Tea dance too!

2012-01-08T13:02:00.000Z

The little sock dolls have been getting very excited!
Wipso & Twiglet have decided to have a January sale in the Sisters Crafty Creations blog shop.
All the little sock dolls are hoping to find a new home and Twiglet has been ironing their little carry bags ready for when they go on their travels.

Lots of handmade items are reduced so check out the Special Offer shelf and see if you can pick up a bargain.

It's a damp gloomy day today, although we did have a quick walk before the low cloud descended.

So, I think an afternoon of crafting and loading up M's Etsy shop would be a good idea.
She has some gorgeous grey cushions with button hearts and a pair of fab pink sequin cushions which are all for sale now. Pop over to Tilly tea dance at Etsy for a sneaky peek.
Here are are the tiny hearts she made recently.

Have a happy Sunday.
x Jo

UK Handmade Valentine Showcase

2012-01-06T14:44:00.000Z

http://www.ukcraftblog.com/2012/01/i-love-you-uk-handmade-showcase.html#disqus_thread

I just noticed this on the UK craft blog - an invite to get the opportunity to showcase handmade items for UK Handmade Valentine's Showcase. Too good a chance to miss - so I have left a link to my pretty heart brooch.

We are about to launch our January sale in the blog shop so pop over to Sisters Crafty Creations if you are looking for hand crafted gifts! I have made a start, but keep popping back as there will be more to add to the Special Offer shelf over the next few days.

Happy browsing - Jo

WOYWW for 2012

2012-01-04T09:40:00.000Z

Good morning all and a very Happy New Year to you!

So that was Christmas then - didn't it just fly by.

We had a quiet time - unlike Wipso, who didn't know where she would be from one day to the next - bless her. Of course Santa came and left me lots of lovely parcels. He seems to know me well and always leaves really useful crafty items!

On my desk are the fab boxes he left - just perfect to fill with beads and buttons, so I have done just that.

He also left a beautiful crafty book with some great ideas for things to make.

Thanks to all who organised Santa so brilliantly - you know who you are!!!

The bright pink knitting will be a little hoodie for twinnie L - its so warm and cosy - I think she will love it.

Here's hoping you all have a wonderful, crafty and creative 2012 - looking forward to seeing what you all get up to.

Now over to Julia's Stamping Ground to join in the blog hop.

Thanks for calling. x Jo

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T10:24:00.000Z

Happy New Year to all my blogging friends and followers!

Let's hope 2012 brings good health and happiness to you all.

We are braving the elements on this damp dreary day - it's so mild we decided a short walk would blow the cobwebs away.

Thanks to all for your lovely comments and friendship over the last year.

Maybe this year we can meet up with one or two of you.

Have a great day.

x Jo

WOYWW - just a bit late!

2011-12-28T11:25:00.000Z

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

2011-12-21T07:00:00.000Z

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!

2011-12-14T07:00:00.000Z

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!

2011-12-07T07:00:00.000Z

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!

2011-11-30T07:00:00.000Z

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!

2011-11-23T07:00:00.000Z

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!

2011-11-16T09:06:00.001Z

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!

2011-11-12T10:39:00.001Z

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!

2011-11-09T09:38:00.000Z

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!

2011-11-08T10:43:00.000Z

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!

2011-11-06T16:25:00.001Z

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!

2011-11-02T07:00:00.001Z

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.

2011-11-01T12:51:00.001Z

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

2011-10-26T10:11:00.001+01:00

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!!

2011-10-23T14:34:00.000+01:00

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

2011-10-19T07:00:00.000+01:00

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

2011-10-14T20:01:00.000+01:00

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

WOYWW

2011-10-12T10:39:00.000+01:00

Happy Wednesday everyone.

Thanks lots to all who left lovely birthday messages last week.

I had a great day and fab evening with friends and family too.

I thought you would like to enjoy some of my birthday flowers.

Life is a bit quieter this week - if only because I pulled something in my back on Monday and have needed to take the last couple of days at a slower speed than I am used too. Its much better today, so I am just treating it with care!! (No weight lifting or marathon running for me this week then - lol)

My table has a few brooches left over from our craft fair (see post below) plus 2 gorgeous jars of buttons that I bought on Saturday.

My favourite magazines are alongside some knitted cords which I am using to make little bracelets with.

Thanks Suz for the link to the "you tube" video showing me an easy way to make them.

(I had struggled for hours with fancy wools and a "knitting Nancy doll" and failed.)

And below are my latest knits for P and L. A pretty bright pink hoodie each and one of their favourite little shrugs for them both.

And my latest little dress for the "Dress a girl around the world scheme"

We sent a parcel of 64 to Louise - she put them on her blog Sew Scrumptious if you want a good look.

Well thats it for today - thanks for calling - I must link up with you all over at Julia's Stamping Ground now - I am a bit late today!!

Update - click here for news of the new addition to Wipso's family - he is gorgeous!!!!!

Two brilliant chill-out Saturdays

2011-10-09T12:51:00.002+01:00

Last Saturday I went to a really enjoyable furniture painting class at Edie's in Shrewsbury.
I took daughter M and friend T with me and we had a great time beside the River Severn learning how to create hand painted items of recycled furniture.
It was a beautiful sunny day, lovely venue with really helpful tuition from Mel and spent with excellent company.
T painted a child's chair with a little flower fairy picture for her grand daughter, M painted a lovely little mirror with a sea-side design for her spare room and I re-vamped my CD shelf.

It was a relaxing, very satisfying day and I can recommend it to anyone who fancies upcycling an item or two.

Yesterday was another brilliant day spent in the company of M. We have such a lot in common and had a good giggle as we set up our stall at the Montgomery Craft fair.

We were well supported by our friends, some of whom had travelled from Shrewsbury to enjoy the delights of shopping and lunch in the pretty little town. Thanks to them for making the effort and supporting us and thanks to Tina for popping over from her shop Indigo Moon and purchasing items from M.
It was rather quiet after lunch and all the stall holders packed up and went home early, which was a shame.
Nevertheless, we sold quite a lot, so Sisters Crafty Creations and Tilly Tea Dance now need to re-stock the shelves!!
Here are a few of the items that M still has on sale......

If anything catches your eye and you think you might like to get a few early Christmas presents sorted, then just email me - twiglet517@hotmail.co.uk and I will send details/prices etc..
Or check out Sisters Crafty Creations and Tilly Tea Dance

So two super Saturdays. The only thing that could have made them better would have been Wipso's company. She has been a bit pre-occupied - as you all know, but things are looking up, so hopefully she will be free to join in with our next chill out Saturday!!

WOYWW

2011-10-05T07:00:00.000+01:00

Good morning all!

Firstly, an apology for not visiting anyone last week.

I think Annie and I both felt a bit shell shocked after the events of the last few weeks and neither of us felt like blogging very much.

However, this week, things are looking better and we have a few things to celebrate.

Thankfully, M & co are home and settling to family life and so we are all breathing a huge and very grateful sigh of relief.

Annie has had other worries too and even these seem to be sorting themselves out slowly.

AND today is a special birthday.......

so help yourselves to a large glass of bubbly before you go!!

I won't be publishing a birthday portrait so you will just have to imagine what this old dear looks like - but I will say, I have coloured my hair specially and don't feel anywhere near as old as I am!!

My room is loaded with boxes of our crafty items, all ready for the Montgomery craft fair on Saturday.

I can hardly move in there but need to make a bit of space, so that I can make some pretty bunting to decorate our stall with.

My daughter M is coming with me and she has great plans for setting our stall out. We have lots of pretty things to sell so, I hope we get a good turn out. Last year it was at the end of November, on a bitterly cold snowy day - it can't be that bad this year can it?

And here are my latest little knitties for little L who is now well over 4 lbs.

Over to the Stamping Ground then - let blog hopping commence!

Have a great day - x Jo

WOYWW

2011-09-28T08:45:00.000+01:00

Good morning all.
Just a quick post before I go down to help Wipso clear her sewing mountain - sounds like we might have a busy day.
My table is a bit messy but unexciting I am afraid. Think I have been a bit busy with other things this week!

I did manage to make a couple of dresses and I think the one in the middle was the 100th that I have made so far.

I received a pretty duvet from SueH which we will get going on next week, but we are just to shattered to even think about it this week. Thanks Sue!

And lastly a few of the items my daughter M made when she was here last week.

We are going to have a stall at the Montgomery Craft Fair on Saturday 8th October so if anyone fancies a trip out then do come over and see us. Montgomery is a quaint little town.

( more of M's crafts are in her Etsy shop - Tilly Tea Dance )

OK - I will pop over to Julia's blog and link up to WOYWW.

Just before I go ....
Many many thanks to all our blog friends who kept our spirits up this week and sent such lovely thoughts, prayers and wishes winging our way over the internet and by text and by phone. You have no idea just how much it cheered us up and kept us positive through one of the worst weeks of our lives.
x Jo

Good news Monday!!

2011-09-26T19:29:00.000+01:00

Hello blog buddies!!!
Another busy day here for Twiglet in her role as sister/aunt/great aunt!

I started the day by driving to hospital to meet Annie in maternity and bring her home for the day.
She had the twins all cosily tucked up together in their cot and awaiting their other nanny to baby sit for the morning.
Lexi was just rousing for her 10.15 feed when the nurse came to weigh her - she is almost back up to her birth weight so that's brilliant isn't it. A credit to all the loving care she has been receiving from nannies/ daddy B and maternity staff. Sam was still sound asleep (he has his feed after Lexi has been fed, changed and settled).

Once nanny arrived, Annie and I popped over to ITU to visit M.
She looked a great deal better than when I saw her last Thursday - thank goodness.

Her consultant and the neurologist checked her over and said the results of this morning's MRI scan were normal. She was chatting and even had a giggle with us over the handsome young consultant dealing with her today - so we know she is much better now that her wicked little sparkle has returned.
Her medication has been reduced and all tubes are now out. They will keep a close check on her for the rest of the day.

Annie and I went home to make 24 "Thank you" cards with a little photo of the twins so that M can give them to all the wonderful staff who have helped her and B over the last week.

I have just heard that M has now been returned to maternity so that she can begin caring for those gorgeous little twins alongside B - who is now a very competent new Dad!

We just hope and pray that, from now on, everything will be normal and that within a day or two she will be well enough to take her babies home.
Thank you all for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. It has meant so much to us.
Annie is just too zapped to contemplate blogging but, once she gets a good night's sleep, I know she will want to post some photos and update you. She is visiting tonight, I think.

Love to all
Jo

Sunday Update

2011-09-25T13:28:00.000+01:00

Annie just rang me from home.
B and twins' other nanny are in charge today so that Annie can have a break and do all the things she needs to do - like sleep I hope! She said she had managed to sleep between feeds last night and sounded perky. She left B getting ready to bath his twins for the first time with help from maternity staff.

She called to see M before she left and found her bright and more like herself. She may stay where she is for at least another day but that sounds good doesn't it. Still lots of issues to sort out and keep an eye on, so we are keeping our fingers crossed that all goes smoothly.

Thanks again for all your good wishes and a big cyber hug to you all from Annie!
x Jo

Saturday Update

2011-09-24T21:42:00.000+01:00

Thankfully everything seems to be settling down nicely.
Annie is coping well with the babies who are being very well behaved. Feeding and sleeping well and are just gorgeous.
Daddy B took them over to see their mummy this afternoon. A few tears I guess, but that's normal and to be expected isn't it. M will have loved to see them and have an hour or two of cuddles with them both.
M is likely to be in ITU for a while longer so she is having to be very patient and get plenty of rest.

I feel pretty helpless. I can't even cook a meal for Annie's hubby as he is coming and going to and from hospital. Luckily there is a good chippy nearby and he is very handy in the kitchen anyway.

I have been knitting away - just to keep me from chewing my finger nails!!!!
Baby L is so tiny I thought she might need another cute little cardi.
Baby S will fit most of the lovely things Annie knitted for him so no probs there.

Annie hasn't seen all your lovely comments as she has no access to the computer and hasn't had much time for blogging!!! I have told her how much care and support you have all shown and she really appreciates it. Thanks so much.

I think we still have along way to go but each day M seems a little better.
Here's hoping for a speedy recovery for M so that they can all get home and enjoy being a little family at last.

x Jo

Latest news

2011-09-23T22:16:00.000+01:00

Just had chat on phone to Annie.
She is in a family room at the hospital and caring for the twins.
It took a very irate nannie Annie to get things sorted but now she is getting the treatment she deserves!
They took the twins over to intensive care so M could see them this afternoon.
M is slowly improving and they are gradually reducing medication.

So - apart from a sleepless night for Annie - things are looking up.

She is convinced that all the prayers, thoughts and good wishes have made a difference - we both believe in the power of positive thinking. So thank you everyone for being such a wonderful bunch. We can't thank you enough.

x Jo

More news & Up Date!!

2011-09-23T11:31:00.002+01:00

Hi folks

Just to say - things looking OK.
M's medication seems to be working and Dr's slowly weaning her off it.
Still another day or two of intensive care needed.

Looks like Annie is going to have to move in to look after twins.
Up to now they have been cared for by maternity staff but seems that is not an option now!
Watch this space.

Update

Yes - Annie has been allowed to move in and look after twins. That way they will still be where M can get to them, when she is well enough to move from intensive care. Other options were that they sent them home to dad B - who would have to cope with them and a poorly M in hosp. OR foster care!!! Ha! As if Annie would let that happen. She is determined they will stay in hospital so they are there for M. when she is well enough. She must be desperate to see them by now!!!

Keep sending those vibes -it certainly gives Annie a boost to know you are thinking of them all.
Thanks lots
Jo

Friday morning update

2011-09-23T09:30:00.003+01:00

Just a quick update for all you lovely friends who are being such a great support.
Annie managed to sleep last night and is with M this morning.

M. had a better night and is sleeping now.

I guess the docs will do their rounds soon and Annie may know more then.

Twins OK. Annie gave them their bedtime feed last night and tucked them up before coming home.
They are absolutely gorgeous and all checks by doc yesterday were fine.
Let's hope M is well enough to see them today.

Lastly, a big, big thank you to you all your love, concern and prayers.
You have helped us all so much in keeping our spirits up.

Will update if I find out more. x Jo

So far , so good

2011-09-22T16:41:00.001+01:00

Just to add my thanks to Annie's for all your prayers and good wishes.
What should have been a most joyful time has turned into a nightmare for all the family.

Luckily M was in the right place for the care she needed and the hospital staff have been very supportive. Hopefully she is on the mend but needing lots of close monitoring and care just yet.

On the positive side - the little twins are just fine and so well behaved - feeding and sleeping and getting lots of love and hugs from the super staff and nannies and great aunties.

Let's hope the news tomorrow is even better.
Sleep and peace and quiet will work wonders I am sure so maybe by then things will look a lot brighter.

I am just so glad that I am here to support my little sis and I have to say your lovely messages will have boosted her and cheered her no end so thanks again.
x Jo

Update from Annie

2011-09-22T06:58:00.000+01:00

Annie has asked me to update you - just so you know.
She spent yesterday with M and the twins - originally to help with feeding/changing etc.

Luckily (and, as often happens to Annie) she was in the right place at the right time.
M has had more problems and thankfully Annie was there to spot the signs and get help.
So, you can imagine the day they all had yesterday.
She will be back there with M & B this morning and I know, she will appreciate the thought, that all her lovely blogging friends are sending M positive vibes for a speedy recovery.

I will update with any news later today.
Thanks lots - you are a brilliant bunch. x x Jo

WOYWW - more photos!!!

2011-09-21T11:41:00.000+01:00

Good morning to all our lovely blogging friends!
Aunty Jo is not at her desk today - she has been too busy keeping an eye on us and our mummy and helping nanny Annie.
She did make a quick card for us yesterday when she knew we had arrived safely.

Then she brought nannie Annie into the hospital for a cuddle and a hug or two.
She says she hates photos of herself but Aunty Jo thinks this one is too lovely to be hidden from view.
So here is proud nanny Annie giving us our first cuddle - don't we all look just lovely!!

Things will be back to normal by next Wednesday - or will they?!!!!!

Oh and if you want to see some nice crafty items go and see what auntie M has been making over here.......Tilly Tea Dance

Twins safe arrival!!

2011-09-20T12:15:00.001+01:00

http://wipso-astitchintime.blogspot.com/

No photos yet but just to say - huge congrats to M & B on the safe arrival of their little twins - can't wait to see them.
Follow the link for details. Rushing now cos spent half the morning making a card!

Baking, bag making and bonny frocks!

2011-09-16T14:40:00.000+01:00

Just in case you have a few blackberries to spare - here is my suggestion for a weekend treat!

Blackberry & Coconut Squares

The recipe is from the book I showed you last week.

Good Food 101.........Cupcakes and small bakes

I collected a few more blackberries this week and made a few more jars of jam the last lot went down well with friends and family!!)

The last few blackberries were used to make this scrummy tray bake.

Ingredients

250g SR Flour

25g oats

280g brown soft sugar

200g cold butter, cut into pieces

75g desiccated coconut

2 medium eggs, beaten

350g blackberries

Oven 180/160 fan oven.
Tip flour, sugar, oats into large bowl and rub butter into mixture until only pea-sized pieces remain.
Stir in coconut and then reserve a cupful of this dry mix.
Stir eggs into mixture in bowl and spread over lined 31cm x 17cm cake tin
Smooth surface with spoon and then scatter over blackberries
Scatter reserved cupful of dry mix over top of cake and bake in oven for 1hr until golden and cooked through.
Leave to cool and then cut into squares.

Delicious! Makes a nice dessert with cream/ice cream or custard - especially if you have a few extra blackberries microwaved with a bit of sugar for a minute and then poured over the top!!!!!

Just for fun I made our little Dutch friend's toddler daughter a little bag to go with her new pinafore dress that I finished yesterday. Her mum gave us a fab felted wool cardy so I am chopping it up and making bags/ brooches and anything else I can think of.

And these are my latest little frocks......... all that and a visit to the theatre - never a dull moment here!
Have a fab weekend.
Thanks for popping by. x Jo

WOYWW -too untidy to reveal!!

2011-09-14T07:00:00.000+01:00

Good morning all!
My room is a scruffy mess with scraps of fabric, threads and bags all over the place.
The outcome of all the crafty action ...........

Two sets made with some of the lovely stuff sent to us by P & G of Woodside fabrics.

Below are some made from stripey fabric that I dyed in a Tulip red dye along with some sheeting to match. The fabric was navy and white originally but Annie and I found it gave us migraine and nausea to look at it - weird!

That's why I dyed it and I think the result looks pretty good.

There is still lots left so I shall think up a few more combinations.

The last set are made with fabric that one of Annie's customers brought for us today.
I love the sweet pea design don't you?

If you are wondering why I have been making these little frocks then check out the link here to find out about the "Dress a girl around the world" scheme.

No desk to snoop today - I will tidy up ready for next week, honest.
Right over to Julia's desk to see how tidy she is this week and then to see what you have all been up to.
Have a happy Wednesday!

More little dresses

2011-09-11T12:28:00.001+01:00

Just a few of the dresses made from the lovely fabric parcel that came from Woodside Fabrics.
They would make lovely little school dresses don't you think?

I still have lots more fabric to make up, so have plenty to keep me busy for a while.
It's amazing to see how different each batch look - even though they are all made with roughly the same pattern.

If you would like to see the latest batch of dresses that we sent to Sew Scrumptious ready to be taken to Africa then pop over to see what Louise has on show here.

Little knitties!

2011-09-09T11:09:00.001+01:00

Just before I send these little knitties off to the expectant mums, I thought I would post a picture.

(It helps me remember what I have made - size/colours etc.)

Don't they look lovely all together. I can't wait to see the little babes wearing them. Fingers crossed, it won't be long now. Just a few more weeks and Wipso will have 3 more gorgeous little grand children. The tiny cardies for the twins looks so small don't they. I love the little shrugs and so do the girls.

This week I have been knitting for Annie's 2 oldest grand children P & L -

I have just had to make 2 bright red shrugs for them to wear to a wedding.

And now I am making their fab bright pink hoodies which I will blog when they are finished.

Right - that's it for now - I am off to bake my bread buns - nearly a disaster there as I used plain flour instead of strong white flour. Luckily they were only half white and half brown flour so, with a little bit of tweaking, I think they will be fine.

Have a great weekend all!!

Tilly's new blog and my baking suggestion

2011-09-08T07:00:00.000+01:00

Busy, busy day yesterday.
Cleaning, tidying, baking and even a bit of dress making.
Now before I forget...
Just in case you want to link up with another mad member of the family - my daughter M has set up her own blog. (Not to be confused with Annie's daughter M who is expecting twins any day now.)
My M's blog is http://tillyteadance.blogspot.com/. I don't know how much time she will have for blogging as she is trying really hard to create some more lovely items for her Etsy shop -http://www.etsy.com/shop/tillyteadance?ref=pr_shop
Anyway - she has created a lovely page - I didn't realise she had such IT talent - so pop over and say hi - she will be thrilled to meet you.

Just a few things to share with you...
Di asked for the recipe for my Moccachino slices.
I found them in this little recipe book that Annie bought me for Christmas. It has lots of fab buns and tray bakes.

100g butter
225g dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
3tbsp boiling water with 1 tbsp instant coffee
2tsp baking powder
125g plain flour

Topping
284ml pot soured cream
300g white chocolate broken into chunks
4 tsp caster sugar
cocoa powder to dust
(I halved the topping ingredients and there was still enough to coat the cake)

Takes 45 mins Makes 12 large or lots of small ones.

1. Oven 180/160 fan oven. Greased and lined baking tin 30 x 23 cm
2. Melt butter in large pan and stir in brown sugar. Mix well
3. Take off heat and stir in beaten eggs and coffee/water.
4. Add baking powder and flour and mix really well.
5. Pour into baking sheet and bake for 20 mins until set.
6. Allow to cool and turn out onto board.
7. Meanwhile, melt choc, caster sugar and sour cream in a small bowl over pan of simmering water.
8. Stir well and leave for 15 mins.
9. Spread all over top of cake and then dust with cocoa.
10. Leave to set then cut into squares.

Its yummy but quite calorific - so make tiny squares and savour them - no don't eat two!!!!!!

The latest frocks hot from the sewing machine...

Thanks to Suz for all the lovely pillow cases. The little flowery sheet came from one of Annie's customers.
And lastly - just in case we needed a little more to keep us going. One of my friends who has a brill fabric warehouse Woodside Fabrics kindly sent us this huge parcel of poly cottons....

A big thank you to P & G - I am sure there will be lots of happy little girls once we get cracking on that lot!!!

OK - I am off to Wipso's to see if that nifty little skirt, that I made on Tuesday, fits the lovely
little Dutch girl.
Have a thrilling Thursday all!!

WOYWW

2011-09-07T07:00:00.000+01:00

Happy Wednesday everyone!
So - it looks like Autumn is here then. We had a wild windy day yesterday with lots of showers.
The leaves are turning and the blackberries are ready to pick.
I love this time of year but it seems to come round too quickly!

My table has lots of goodies to share with you today.
A fab tablecloth and 2 lovely crochet mats from the car boot. The embroidery is lovely. I am sure M will come up with something clever to make with them.
My latest extravagant spends on magazines. I will share them with M, Wipso and friend T so lots of us will enjoy them but I think nearly £10 is a lot to have to pay for 2 craft mags!
Mollie Makes is full of little crafty sewing projects and ideas and seems quite useful.
The Stitch magazine is a favourite of mine and has a couple of ideas I will be tackling when I have time.
In the bottom corner is a gorgeous crochet book which I think I will put on ebay.
Here are a few of the patterns/instructions within...

On the left of my table is a little wool skirt that I am making for our little Dutch friend. It's looking good so far. I just hope it fits and then I am going to do some fancy top-stitching to add an original touch.!
Lastly here is a snap I took in the sunshine on Sunday.

OK - I am off to see what Mrs Dunnit has been up to this week.
Have fun and see you all later.
PS check out my earlier posts for a catch up on Tilly Tea Dance's latest pics and all my little frocks!

2011-09-04T23:30:00.000+01:00

This is M's latest little pic which she has finished and framed, ready for her Etsy shop.

She used some vintage linen as a background and collaged little snippets of fabric,

free machined in place, to embellish these little Baboushkas.

I think the pale ash coloured frame sets it of nicely and wouldn't it look good on a nursery wall??

The frame is 340 x 190 cms.

My latest creations were made using the duvet, bought for 50p at the car boot sale.

I rarely make 2 the same but today I just had enough of the right bits to do so.

I also made one for an older girl as I am sure there is a need for all sizes.

I love the cheery look to the fabric and it is lovely and soft to work on - yet strong and hopefully hard wearing.

The next 3 little frocks were made using pillowcases donated by our lovely blog friends.

And lastly the middle one with little collage of a house on the pocket was made with a pillow case M had rejected. I really like this little frock.

The other 2 were made with the duvet fabric that I had dyed flamingo pink. I have used lots of this fabric to trim other dresses.

Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch?

2011-09-03T12:23:00.000+01:00

Just two pics to share....

Firstly, proof that I really did make Apple and Blackberry jam - well jelly really because I strained it so it doesn't have seeds in it.
(Although the recipe said I must NOT squeeze the bag - and I did because I was impatient and wanted to get it finished and in jars! Consequently it's cloudy and not clear, like a real jelly but what the heck - I am not entering it in a WI competition - it won't last long enough.)

I love the tiny jars and I know two little girls who will love to have their own little jar of jam to put on their morning toast.
I also know two big girls who have requested a jar, so I think I need to head off up the blackberry hill again.

And below......

One of M's mounted and framed lighthouse collages.

It's a sweet little picture worked on a piece of vintage cloth using tiny snippets of fabric and lace all free machined in place to add detail.

It is mounted on blue linen and then set in an ivory mount within a satin silver-look 8" frame.

If you click on the pics you can see the detail.

I think she would be happy to sell it if anyone is interested.

M. has lots of little pics for sale in her Etsy shop - Tilly Tea Dance so if you want to browse - click on the link and pop over.

A little bit of kindness goes a long way...

2011-09-02T12:01:00.001+01:00

I know if you follow Wipso's blog you will already have seen this pic.
We had 49 dresses ready to go to Louise of Sew Scrumptious who is collecting them for the "Dress a girl around the world" scheme.
We spread them round Annie's workroom for one last look before we parcelled them up.

I have to say we are always a bit overwhelmed when we do this. Not just because of the effort it has taken to make them, but really because of the generosity of the lovely folk who have sent us fabric and made it all possible.

To me it seems a bit like the story of the 5 loaves and 2 fishes (sermon on the mount).
From just a tiny bit of kindness ie the odd pillowcase or small piece of fabric given to us, has come such a wonderful array of little dresses which will be going to girls in Africa who have virtually nothing.

It has cost us nothing except the use of our God given skills and yet when you look at 50 little dresses all together it seems such a lot.

Well enough of my deep thoughts for a Friday morning!!
Here are my latest offerings.

I am quickly losing track of who sent all the fabric but I know Di sent that lovely pink flowery stuff and the pink on the right was sent by Elizabeth over at The Silver Scrapper's Craft Space. The gorgeous, flowery, burgundy fabric came from Tammy over at Turquoise Ocean blog.

The very pregnant M gave us lots of pillow cases and I trimmed this one with some really pretty fabric - just one of the many bits and bobs sent to us.
So a big thank you for your donations - I think we have made over 130 now!!!

Just to say - I do spend my time doing other things!!!
I picked blackberries this week and made 5 jars of apple and blackberry jam - and it tastes yummy - I had it on toast for breakfast.
Of course, I also nipped down to cut curtains with Wipso - I might be giving her a helping hand with her twin grandchildren when they arrive - can you tell we are all excited at the thought! Best of luck to M - lets hope it all goes like clockwork and we soon have our new babes safe and sound.
(See Wipso's blog for updates.)

WOYWW

2011-08-31T06:49:00.002+01:00

Good morning Wednesday Workdesk Watchers!!

Now, do I show you the before or after.?
My sewing room is a tip.
I have been busy making little dresses and crafting with M.
The result is one very untidy workspace.
Oh go on then here it is .......

Now- I will tackle the boxes and bags that are lying around the place and have it all ship-shape by lunchtime.
And the outcome of all the mess?...

Lots of little frocks ready to post to Louise soon.

I hope the "Dress a girl around the world" scheme still has room for a few more as I have a feeling I will be receiving a rather large parcel of fabric soon!

M. made lots of little dumflings to put on the front of her little wedding cards and finished off some fab bunting and her Baboushka picture. They will go in her Etsy shop later this week.

And the view from my window as the sun went down on Sunday evening.....

OK - just a quick post this morning - Wipso called and curtains need cutting!!

So, I will be down on my hands and knees at her feet this morning - she is called Wipso for a good reason.

I just have time to add my name to Mr Linky and leave a message for our great blog organiser Julia - I hope she is technically well set up this week!

Thanks to all who visited here and left lovely comments last week - see you later. x Jo

Latest range!

2011-08-29T15:03:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post to add the latest frocks to our range!!

The two little pink dresses and the lilac one in the middle on the picture below were made using some of the lovely pieces Sue from ScoopyStuff blog. sent us.

The dark floral ones are made from material that a customer of Wipso's brought for us.

The lilac dresses on the left and right are made with fabric sent by that the lady who follows Wipso's blog but as yet doesn't have her own blog. Thanks CM...it's made a really pretty dress.

Thanks to everyone for their kind donations. We will keep sewing - I think we have made over 120 dresses now!!

Anything will do!!!!!

2011-08-25T19:54:00.000+01:00

I received a lovely little parcel today from one of my best Yorkshire buddies!
She sent me a holiday pareo ( fabric length you wrap round your bikini as a cover up).
It was beautifully soft fabric in hot vibrant colours - just perfect for a couple of little frocks.
She also sent some light curtain fabric- in muted blues/beige/pinks.

I just had to get going straight away.
I added some of the duvet fabric that I had dyed flamingo pink - for pockets and bias binding. It is perfect for those jobs as it is nice and soft. It just takes a while to cut yards of 2" bias strips - but what else would I do on a showery afternoon!!!

So here you are J. Many thanks for your parcel. I am sure you will have made 5 little girls very happy, somewhere in the world.

So - as my title says.... anything will do.
To date we have recycled...

pillow cases
curtains
skirts
laundry bags
shirts
sheets
duvets
fabric oddments

What else can you challenge us with?
We are happy to transform anything suitable into a little frock for the "Dress a girl around the world" scheme.
(Check out Louise's blog - Sew Scrumptious - if you want to know more)

Awards Day!!!

2011-08-25T11:55:00.000+01:00

Firstly, I think Wipso and I will be awarding the "Sisters' Crafty Creations" award to Adrian of Cari Crafts who has kindly donated all sorts of lovely bits and bobs for us to trim up our little dresses for the "Dress a girl around the world" scheme.
So a big thank you to him for the donated ribbons, trims, elastic and lots more. We will make good use of them.
Annie and I both use Cari Crafts for our haberdashery items and always receive an excellent, often next day, service. So, folks if you need any crafty bits and bobs then check out Cari Crafts online service.

Now I have to say thanks to my little sister Wipso for this award.

Of course I am a regular appreciated follower! I follow her all over the place!

Now I have to pass this on to 3 of my followers. Very tricky as there are so many folk out there who regularly pop into my blog.
Well, if I have to choose, I will choose these 3 lovely bloggers.......

Suz - she always leaves such cheery comments and is an amazing crafty blogger with lots of fab crochet designs and ideas as well as brilliant suggestions for home decor transformations.
Sue H - another very positive lady who takes a real interest in all of our crafty activities and is one of those really clever card makers!!

and last but not least I will pass the award back to my most faithful blog buddy - Wipso as she is nearly always the first one to comment - its that psychic ability of hers to know when I have blogged!

WOYWW

2011-08-24T08:30:00.002+01:00

Good morning all - a table full of pretties to look at today!!

A dainty vintage table cloth and 4 pretty table napkins - my latest car boot bargains!

A handmade brooch and buttons - gifts from our friend T - back from her hols.

A pot of Anne Sloan plum coloured chalk paint - not sure what I am doing with it but fancied trying it.

AND my latest 2 little frocks.

Below are the rest that I have made since last week....

If you would like to see the 50 little dresses we posted to Louise last week then follow the link to her blog and catch up on all the "Dress a girl around the world" news. She is now an international co-ordinator and has collected over 270 dresses so far!!

http://sewscrumptious.blogspot.com/

A big big BIG thank you to all those kind bloggers who have been sending fabric parcels to Wipso - you will recognise lots of the beautiful material in the little frocks we make over the next few weeks. THANK YOU!

And lastly .....

My daughter M has opened her Etsy shop!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/tillyteadance?ref=pr_shop

She has lots more lovely hand crafted items to add to her shelves, but it takes a while, so keep a look out over the next few weeks!!

Have a great day everyone - I will pop over to Julia's Stamping Ground and see if Wipso has got to Mr Linky first this week.

See you later.

WOYWW

2011-08-17T07:04:00.000+01:00

Happy Wednesday everyone!
The weeks whizz round too quickly don't they.

As you will see from Wipso's blog we have both been busy dressmaking. It certainly keeps us out of mischief - as if!!!!!
So the machines have been busy this week and are still out on my table.

However, I have also had time to spend with M. crafting. She made the little beach hut collage in the middle of the table. Next Saturday we are hoping to get her Etsy shop up and running so you will be able to check out her other crafty makes then.
I spent a day making a collage for a friend. We made roman blinds for her daughter's stairway and there was a scrap of fabric left over so I created a canvas picture to hang between the 2 blinds. I hope she likes it.

In the bottom left of my photo you can see a tiny sweet tin that came from Ebay full of little mother of pearl buttons. Pretty isn't it. Also the little wooden cotton reels were my latest car boot purchase -
I couldn't resist them. How often do you see wooden bobbins these days?

And lastly... these are two of my latest little frocks made from fabric sent to Wipso by our kind blogging friends.

This pretty 70s style pink floral one was made using a sheet sent to us by Di.
It really is lovely soft fabric and looks so pretty. There is lots more fabric so Wipso and I will be busy creating different designs and sizes in this gorgeous stuff. Thanks lots Di.

This fabric started off white but I thought it was a bit impractical so I dyed it a dainty shade of turquoise. It is cool cotton "broiderie anglais" that came in a parcel from http://theworldoftwiggypeasticks.blogspot.com/.

Thanks again.

Now for the wonderful Wipso magic moment of the week!!!

We often have a telepathic moment - she will ring me or I will text her with exactly what each of us has been thinking, but this one is a step too far!!

I was sewing and quickly set my machine for a pattern to trim the top of a pocket. (a matter of pressing buttons for menus and settings) I did so, and set off sewing, only to find, instead of a little flower pattern, which I had set - the machine sewed this..... note - a little row of A for Annie.

It couldn't possibly happen by accident - so I want to know how Annie is managing to use her remote control 12 miles up the road on my sewing machine!!

See you on the WOYWW blog hop. Have a good week and thanks for popping by.

More pretty little frocks

2011-08-12T10:01:00.001+01:00

Just to show you my latest 5.
(I can't keep up with Wipso - she must be making them in her sleep!!)

The two pink ones are made from a duvet. I had a fab flamingo pink dye which I have used on a couple of duvets to brighten them up. So for these two I combined a bit of dyed fabric with some of the original duvet. I think it works. I am having fun designing these simple little frocks with the fabric available to us!

The pretty floral one in the centre is made using more of the lovely fabric Karen sent us.
The dark blue stripe was a pillow case Wanda sent us all the way from USA.
The tiny navy frock was made with fabric Anne sent us.
Thanks to all those lovely folk for helping the cause and for allowing me to have lots of fun designing and making.
If anyone else feels the urge to tidy their airing cupboard/linen store and find some useful fabric for us, we will be happy to keep sewing. ( email me for details)

Today M is coming to craft, so, yet another lovely day!!

Have a good one everybody!

WOYWW

2011-08-10T07:44:00.000+01:00

Good morning all - bright but cloudy up here today!

I am late getting my post organised today, so I am here at the computer in my dressing gown with a coffee (very unusual for me as I am always up, showered and dressed before I do anything each day).

So just a quick post with a couple of pictures of my table yesterday.

M came over for a chill out crafting day.

She has two little projects on the go - gorgeous bunting made with cream fabric trimmed with vintage crochet bits and bobs.............

and here she is with hundreds of fab buttons decorating little, pale grey, chenille cushions with a heartful!

We had a fab day of crafting and laughter. She is a joy to be with and we make yet another great team.

Crafters of the world unite!
I am sure it would be a nicer place if everyone crafted together now and then!

Funday Monday was fun with Wipso too. We bagged lots more dresses from the gorgeous fabric Twiggy and Karen sent us this week. We then set to and made 5 dresses between us during the afternoon.
I made two little dresses from Karen's fabric ......

A pretty little Laura Ashley print with a tiny pocket and a big flower!

Another tiny print, trimmed with red.

Both dresses look so sweet. Thanks Karen for the fabric.
I brought a few more home which I will be sewing later this week.

Right - now I need to post this and link to the lovely Julia's Stamping Ground. Julia and our WOYWW blog friends said such nice things about me and Wispo this week, I shall enjoy whizzing round a few desks to thank them for their kindness. See you soon!! x Jo

Shropshire hills

2011-08-07T20:18:00.000+01:00

Just a few photos to share with you.
We went over to the Stiperstones for a walk and to pick Whinberries (billberries).
It was a lovely afternoon but the fast moving grey clouds threatened rain,
We were lucky. We climbed to the top of Black Radleigh and enjoyed a panoramic view.
I made a little video but the wind sounds like I am munching my way through a massive bag of crisps - I wasn't - honest!!

( I tried to upload but Blogger was playing up! )

I don't think I will win any Oscars!!

We picked quite a few whinberries and will be sharing them with Wipso and friends.

Then we headed over to "The Bog Centre" for a coffee.

Here are just a few more pics from a splendid afternoon.

A view from the top of Radleigh to the rocky outcrops on the crest of the Stiperstones.

A carving by the Shropshire carvers of famous sites within the boundaries of Shropshire.

Our farmers rear a wonderful range of livestock - alpacas at "The Bog".

We made it home in time to see this fantastic rainbow.

Wipso texted to tell me to check out Sew Scrumptious' blog. Louise has really done us proud and has blogged all 30 of the little dressses we made for the "Dress a girl around the world scheme".
We have had a fantastic response from some very kind blog friends, who have sent Wipso parcels of beautiful fabric to make more little frocks. So funday Monday will be spent cutting out and bagging up more little dresses for us to sew next week. We are blessed at having such a useful talent and it is lovely to be able to help others and have such a lot of fun at the same time!!

A trip to an art exhibition

2011-08-05T17:25:00.001+01:00

Daughter M and I dashed off to Welshpool today to look for bits and bobs for our latest crafting venture. We found lots of useful stuff in one of the local charity shops, so everyone benefits from our little shopping spree!!

On our way home we stopped off in Montgomery to visit Tina of Indigo Moon. She is having her first art exhibition in the local Old Bell Museum gallery.
We were amazed at how many wonderful assemblage pieces and multi media pictures Tina has created. We knew she had been busy working away in her art room for months but we had no idea how many little works of art she had created!

I often check out the art exhibitions in the gallery but have never seen one with so many lovely pictures - large and small, along with pretty little brooches and tiny moleskine journals. Tina's artwork even extends to individually handmade business cards.

If you can manage a trip to Montgomery, it is well worth a visit.

Today the sun was shining on this pretty little town and it looked as if it had stepped off the front of a chocolate box. Flower tubs and hanging baskets are everywhere, making the town look cheerful and welcoming. Normally we would have stopped at one of the charming town cafes for a coffee but we were in a rush today.

M has been busy making items for her Etsy shop. She is determined to develop her artistic and crafting skills and hopes to sell some of her lovely ideas.
She was also very impressed with my washing line of little dresses. Wipso and I thought we might manage a total of 50 but I have a feeling we will be nearer 100 when we finish, judging by the amount of fabric we have to work on. A big, big thank you to all those who have taken the time to post little fabric parcels to us. We promise we will use it wisely and creatively to make as many little frocks as we can for the little African girls.

WOYWW - dumflings!

2011-08-03T07:17:00.000+01:00

Happy Wednesday everyone!

I hope you are all well and enjoying the summer weather.

It has been very pleasant here on the Welsh border over the last few days.

I have been busy beading up some of daughter M's little needle felted dumflings.

She made some tiny seascapes with yarn, wool and machine stitching. I have added a few beads etc to give a bit of detail to the foreground. I think they will be mounted on cards ready for when she opens her Etsy store!

I use the little "Hang about" as a bin for bits and pieces while I am working - very handy!

Checkout our Sisters Crafty Creations blog shop if you want one!

Any other spare time has been taken up with dresses for the "Dress a girl around the world" scheme.

Here are my latest creations.

We have had some lovely donations of fabric and Wipso and I spent Monday cutting it up and putting it in bags ready to sew. That's what the heap of bags/fabric is at the top of my pic.

So, we will be busy for a few more weeks yet, I think.

If you want to donate any clean pillow cases or pretty fabrics suitable for little dresses please email me and I will send details.

OK - that's enough from me - enjoy your weekly blog hop and if you want to join in then nip over to Julia's Stamping Ground and follow Mr Linky.
Hope you enjoy your visit here - I will be over to see as many as possible later today!!

SOS - Sort Out Saturday

2011-07-30T11:41:00.000+01:00

This is what happens when you spend the week crafting and sewing without having a good tidy up as you go along!!!
M came over and we had a good time ~~playing~~ crafting and creating.
She made these gorgeous dumfed cards - seascapes, tiny moorland scenes and fab mini dumfs in silk/lace and yarns - beaded and buttoned. They are all mounted up on card and looking good.

I came back from Wipso's last night with my gorgeous velvet bag filled with scraps of tiny flower print fabric to use on my Montgomery collages. I must get down to making the last 4 in my 12 picture series.
My bag was in our blog shop Sisters Crafty Creations but I decided it was just what I needed for my little crafting or shopping trips.

We had a brilliant evening crafting while the men were at footie.
Best of all - we parcelled up 30 -yes I did say 30 little dresses to send to Sew Scrumptious for her "Dress a girl around the world scheme" that she is supporting.
We were like 2 school girls ooh-ing and ahh-ing over all the pretty little frocks.
Wipso made 21 - where does she find the time in her busy daily schedule???
So - they will be winging their way to Louise today, ready to go out to Kenya next month, I think.
Here are the last 3 of my dresses.

WOYWW - Twiglet is good at sharing....

2011-07-27T07:15:00.000+01:00

Hi folks - just a quick post today.
I have daughter M here for a few days and we are having a crafty/chill out session or two.
So we are sharing my work table.
M was busy yesterday making little dumflings with my embellishing machine.

Today she is making another doorway collage - this time its based on a door at Ludlow Castle and will be a wedding present for friends who get married there soon.
I will blog it later if it is finished in time.

I printed off her medieval door way on canvas. They look quite good and will be fine mounted on card I think.

So we are sharing all our crafty bits and bobs - fabric/threads/beads etc.
It's great to have her company and we have a good chat and a giggle over all sorts of things.
It will do her good to absorb herself in craft work and I know she will go home refreshed.

When we were looking through photos for the collage we came across this one....

Now, I repeat........I am good at sharing .............but not that good!!!!!!!

Have a great day.
If you want to join in our blog hop then head on over to Julia's Stamping Ground where you will find lots more busy crafters willing to share there desks with you.

A pretty pair!

2011-07-24T19:59:00.000+01:00

I knew I had two little lemon pillowcases somewhere!

These two will now join the other pillowcase dresses which Wipso and I have been busy with over the last two weeks.

This is the Dress a girl around the world scheme

(click link to find out more)

I think I shall be helping Wipso cut out some more tomorrow

and we will probably be posting at least 20 to Sew Scrumptious fairly soon.

Click the link to see Sew Scrumptious' washing line full of little dresses!!

Take 2 laundry bags!

2011-07-21T16:00:00.001+01:00

Update from yesterday's post.......

You remember - Kate gave me a pretty laundry bag to upcycle to make a little dress, as part of the Dressing a girl around the world scheme, that Wipso and I have decided to support.

Well Kate - what do you think? Will it do?

I un-picked the bag and re-cut the fabric, adding a little bit of pretty floral print at the hem and for the binding and straps. Then I cut out the little horse from the rest of the bag and appliqued it to the front of the dress - cute isn't it?!

Of course, then I got to thinking that, somewhere in the depths of M's wardrobe, there was one of her laundry bags - she obviously doesn't need it (lol - why is it in her wardrobe here and not her wardrobe in her own home, I ask myself.)

So after rummaging round I found it, washed it, un-picked it and, as before added a few bits and bobs and here it is as good as new.

Now I need to add it to Wipso's TEN that she has been busy with this week and T's beautiful little first attempt that she made with us on Monday. All together we should have at least 15 to post to Sew Scrumptious who has been collecting these dresses for girls in Africa.

Of course if anyone else has a laundry bag that looks as if it is good enough to make one of these pretty little frocks do let me know!!!

WOYWW

2011-07-20T06:52:00.000+01:00

Good morning all!!
A tidy work table for you to check out today.

At the top is my latest little pillow case dress (See last week's blog for details). It will be joining several others once Wipso has found the time in her busy schedule to make the TEN that she has cut out ready to sew.
In the front of my photo you can see a pretty laundry bag sent to me by Kate of Noseycritters blogspot. She hoped I might be able to use it for another little dress. I will do my best, so look out for an update later in the week. I love the little tag she sent with it - I shall be saving that one - thanks Kate!
On the left is a remnant of the fabric I used to help a friend make Roman blinds last week. There was only a small piece left so I suggested I use it for a collage to go on the wall between the two blinds. Now I will have to get thinking and come up with a design for it. Will blog it when its finished.

Short and sweet this week. Have a great week all of you. Thanks lots for all your comments. I will be round to visit your desks later. OK - lets see what Julia's Stamping Ground looks like today....

Fun day Monday.

2011-07-18T19:55:00.001+01:00

What a fab fun day Monday!!
Wipso and I cut curtains this morning ready for her to sew tomorrow.
Then we had delicious, home baked bread buns for lunch before T arrived for our crafting afternoon.
We made more pillow case dresses.
(See blog below)
Above is my latest.
Wipso - not satisfied with one pillowcase, came armed with 2 duvets, which she had purchased at a charity shop. She then proceeded to make 3 out of the 10 we had cut out!!!
T and I plodded on with our little efforts.
As T is a relative newcomer to sewing, I helped her with each process - what a lot of skills she picked up too....

attaching bias bindings
making bias tie straps
making a pocket
putting in elastic
using the overlocker

I think we should be running workshops Wipso!!!! We could even throw in a course on making Roman blinds too! lol

Thanks for a fab day.
Will you have room to blog all your ten little frocks???

WOYWW - crafting overdrive!

2011-07-13T07:00:00.000+01:00

Good morning all!

Nice tidy desk today - just three of my latest pieces of work.

Two more of my Montgomery series of pics and a special Golden Wedding picture for two special friends.

The lovely Tina from Indigo Moon came over for coffee this morning, so I cleared my work table and put all the things that I had made over the last month on my dining table. They filled the table and it was great to share my work with a "real artist". So - thanks for your kind comments Tina! It's what keeps us moving onward and upward isn't it.

The other "make" of the week is this little dress. Sew Scrumptious has been collecting dresses made from a pillow case for girls in Africa - its the Dressing a girl around the world scheme.

So I decided it was about time I joined in. This is my effort. I used one pale blue pillow case and then trimmed it with the contrasting fabric from my remnant box. I think Sew Scrumptious has collected well over 100 of these little dresses and has already posted 50 out to Malawi.

OK folks - time to nip over to Julia's Stamping Ground and join the rest of the blog hoppers.

Have a great week!

WOYWW - Twiglet exposed!

2011-07-06T07:09:00.003+01:00

Happy Wednesday all!!
This week we have had fun day Monday - thanks to Wipso and friend T - we had lots of giggles, chocolate and crafting.
Haircut Tuesday - might bare all and show you what it looks like.
WOYWWednesday sees me crafting lovely gifts for friends' birthdays and a special wedding anniversary.
Not sure what the rest of the week will hold but I won't be bored, that's for sure!

My table is loaded with bits and bobs that I will need for one project or another.......

a couple of pieces of fabric from the carboot sale
two little picture frames for me to re-fill with some of my collages
a half-made collage
the latest Quilting Arts mag

There is always something to keep me busy and, just to have time to craft for the sheer pleasure of it, is my idea of heaven.
This is one of my little projects from last week.
It's a named card (name deleted) for a friend to give as a Christening gift.

I used embroidery canvas as a base and then added lace, fabric, buttons etc to make the little picture.

Hope you have a great day.
Thanks to all who visited and left lovely comments last week. I had a busy week so only managed to visit about 30 desks - not many when you think there are about 150 of us blog hopping each week!
Must try to do better.
So, over to the lovely Julia's to see if she is bothering to blog for us today or if she has handed it over to another very capable friend like last week!!!

Oh and here goes - I will bare all.......
My hairdo - thanks to Val for another great job!

WOYWW - more owls

2011-06-29T07:17:00.002+01:00

Good morning all - I hope it is as sunny where you are as it was with us over the last few days.

Of course with all the sunshine around I have been out and about rather than crafting.

My table is loaded with things to do and sort out ...... and tidy up!

So... check out my little knitted items for the expected twins (not mine - Wipso's grandtwins in waiting) the fabrics to be made into a christening card, the gorgeous cotton perle I found at the car boot and my box of owly cards.

Also you can see the order of service for the 50th anniversary of Shropshire Community Council which I attended, with daughter M, on Sunday. We were in the splendid, red sandstone, Shrewsbury Abbey

I was a very proud mum. I snapped the display because M had created the display boards and they were sitting on the table cloths that I had made for them - what a team!!

Not much crafting then.
I did manage to stitch a few words on my little owl pictures after I had stitched them onto canvas.
They look a motley crew don't they.

OK folks - over to Julia's for the weekly blog hop - see you all later.

Latest collage

2011-06-25T16:31:00.002+01:00

This is my latest in the series of little fabric collages of buildings in Montgomery.

It is "The Old Bell Museum" where Tina of Indigo Moon is having her art exhibition from 5th - 11th August. It's a lovely 16th century building, which was once an inn, and is now the town's museum.

Montgomery has lots of quaint old buildings many of which have "blue plaques" which add to the interest for tourists in the town.

Look left, look right.....

2011-06-24T11:31:00.000+01:00

I think this sparrow hawk was getting ready to cross my garden.......

All clear - Go!!

Playing with the new toy!

2011-06-23T12:07:00.000+01:00

A few weeks ago Wipso and I were lucky enough to win the Cuttlebug in Crafty Dawn's give-away.

As we are not paper crafters we didn't already have dies or embossing folders to play with - until yesterday that is.

I have treated us to the Tim Holtz tattered flowers die and have spent time playing with it so that I can share my ideas and experiments with Wipso on funday Monday.

So - here we are folks....

Now, I know there are lots of very talented card makers out there, so ignore the simplicity of the design.

I just wanted to see how the die performed on fabric and decided these little cards would be useful.

Of course we crafters always have a few embellishments in a drawer somewhere so I managed to find a few brads etc to trim them up with.

Then.....

I had to have a go at heat distressing some of the chiffon and voile flowers that I produced.

I used my little tool that looks like a little hairdrier - it worked a treat.

Once I had tweaked them up with a few beads and brooch backs, I decided they were pretty enough to sell.

They will go into the blog shop along with some lovely brooches Wipso made last week.

Now I am looking for new ideas to use my fabric flowers.

What do you think?

WOYWW - PiFs and stuff.

2011-06-22T06:48:00.004+01:00

Good morning all!
So nice of you to drop in to take a look at all the bits and bobs on and around my desk today!

Lots of interesting items for you to snoop - I like that on a WOYWW desk don't you? Or is it just nosey old me that likes to see what everyone is busy making and using.

On the window sill is M's latest little lighthouse pic all framed up. We are looking for a source for square mounts if anyone knows a good one. A few of her "new home" doors are mounted on card ready to sell too.

Scattered across the table are some of my little owls that I have machine embroidered and then tweaked with water colour pencils. I think I will make them into little cards (more owls on posts below).
There are a few little crochet and beaded motifs that I sorted out when M came acrafting on Sunday. Not sure what to make with them but they are so pretty. We found some lovely bits at the car boot sale.
(Check out the post below if you like bold retro poppy fabric!)

Last but certainly NOT least.......PiF time!!!!!

This is the beautifully handmade brooch that arrived yesterday all the way from Patsy in the Phillipines.
It is lovely Patsy - thanks so much. I love the little fabric roses - must have a go at making those.
Can you spot the WOYWW motif hiding on it?

And -
In case you haven't seen it on Kirsty's blog - here is the PiF I made for her.....

It's a WOYWW shop of course - complete with tiny dumfed "Wipso" style pictures in the window.
I really enjoy making these little collages and have already made five using the shops in Montgomery as my inspiration.
I think I might take commissions, so if you want something similar all I would need is a good photo of the house/shed/VW camper/ shop/ garden etc and I will do my best to create a collage for you. Costs would depend on size and detail required. Leave me a message if you are interested.

Now lets get over to Julia's Stamping Ground and join in all the fun of the blog hop!!
Happy Wednesday everyone.

Gorgeous retro fabric.

2011-06-19T17:32:00.000+01:00

This is the fab, 60's vintage poppy fabric we bought from the car boot today. There is enough to make several cushions and even a Roman blind.

M thinks we should make it up and put it on Etsy.

What do you think?

The colours are really on trend at the mo so we are looking for inspiration to put it to good use.

Owl update...

These are my latest little Wols to join the gang.

Not sure what I am making with them yet - they are about 2 or 3 " tall.

Cute!

Owls for all occasions.

2011-06-18T18:26:00.000+01:00

My latest little project.

Owl bookmarks and owl collage cards.

I thought they would make great cards for special teachers or graduations- wise old owls!!

WOYWW - June 15th

2011-06-15T07:06:00.009+01:00

Happy Wednesday everyone!

What a busy week including lots of crafting, shopping and even an Elton John concert!

So - my desk needs a good tidy up - I have left out my new picture frames - half price from Dunelm- and the little owl pinny sent to me by a friend that knows me well!

Also, you can see my lovely box of water colour pencils that Wispo gave me - I use them for adding detail to some of my pics. On top of the box, there are two little canvas prints of my latest collage waiting to be posted. (See post below)

Of course, I had to show you my flamingo - daughter M suggested it last week and I had to rise to the challenge. There are lots of them around too - even on the backdrop of the Elton John stage!!

We had a great night - even though it was chilly and a bit damp.

Thanks Elton.

Just a few close ups of some of the other bits and bobs.

M has been busy with little lighthouse pics. I love them. We are going to mount and frame them. She is hoping to open an Etsy shop but if anyone wants one - just email me. (twiglet517@hotmail.co.uk)

The little medieval door below has already been sold - as well as a few of her little doorways - they make lovely "new home" gifts.

Last but not least - the litttle owls on the front of my pinny.
I love owls so I will be having a go at making a few. This one was designed in UK but made in China. - (Ulster Weavers)

Oh - nearly forgot...
If you want to see what I have been really busy with then just check the post below - thanks for all your great comments - we really appreciate your thoughts and interest.

Have a great week everyone - enjoy your blog hopping trip round the WOYWWers by linking with Julia's Stamping Ground - its a fun trip and you never know what or who you might bump into!

Latest collages and a creature from the deep!!

2011-06-13T20:03:00.001+01:00

Just so that you know I haven't been sitting with my feet up all weekend!!

On Friday I spent the day making a free-machine embroidered picture for my friend Suz. Her hubby has a neat little VW camper van and she asked if I could make a picture for him.
"Of course I can" said I ....... and after about 5 hours work, this was the end result.

She loves it - I just hope P. does too! (Click on pic to enlarge)

Sunday, that horrible, cold, wet day arrived and daughter M came to craft with me.
She was busy with amazing little Baboushka doll pics.
(I will devote a post to her later in the week.)

I decided to make a collage from a photo of the "Postcard from Wales" - a garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. My friend Roz sent me the photo of it and it was just the most perfect litttle garden, crying out for it to be converted into a little collage.....

(Click on pic to enlarge)
Not sure what to do with this picture but I think I might produce some copies as they would make lovely greetings cards. I will probably put it in our blog shop "SistersCrafty Creations" so keep a look out if you are interested.

So my next project may be a collage of this little creature.....found beneath my veg rack.

Don't panic - it won't bite!

It'sjust a shrivelled carrot but it gave me quite fright!

And below is the best scarecrow we can find.

We have been woken every morning for over a week by marauding crows attacking our windows.

So, we fixed my little garden owl model to the fence.

We haven't been woken for the last two mornings - RESULT!!

It's a blue day.

2011-06-11T10:30:00.001+01:00

Just a few pics - all purply blue
I thought you would like them
So I'll share them with you!

(Poetry never was my strong point!)

Just a few flowers from my garden.........

And last but not least a few little snippets of a fab collage sent to me by Donna.

Thanks Donna - the post man had a laugh at the way you addressed me as super sleuth or was it super snooper!!

There was such a lot of detail in each part of the collage, I thought I would show it in close up!

WOYWW - June 8th

2011-06-08T07:15:00.002+01:00

My room is a mess - the floor is covered with threads and fabric scraps - my table has been cleared but only because I have piled it high on a shelf out of sight!!

Happy WOYWW everyone!!!

So - on my lovely tidy table, you can see the cards I planned with daughter M.
She thought they were fab and then floored me by suggesting I do some with flamingoes on!!
(I will give it a go as I don't like to be beaten!)
I have to credit Fi (Marmaladerose) for, yet again, inspiring me with her gorgeous cards that she made for Milkchurn Cottage.

I am loving my free machine work and today I made another "shop" picture. If you know Montgomery then you will know this shop!!

Below are just a few of the colours in my garden at present. Mostly blues and purply pinks.

It was great to visit as many folk as I did last week. I don't think I made it to everyone but I had a really good try!! Thanks for all your lovely comments too. I am looking forward to seeing all those PiFs on display.

Mine has a long way to come but I don't mind waiting!!

Have a fab week. Join in this mad blog hop by following me over to Julia's Stamping Ground and checking out the blogs on Mr Linky.

Katie Morag sock doll

2011-06-03T10:30:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post to share my latest little sock doll with you.

My niece is a teacher (the one expecting twins!) and she wanted a little doll to use with the Katie Morag stories for next half term. I told her I would help reduce her work load where I can!

So, here she is..... Little Katie Morag complete with her own leather post bag. I made her a little cotton bag with her picture on the front and popped her in to take to Annie's. M was there marking test papers and she was thrilled with her new doll!! (We are easily pleased!)
I made her skirt fabric on my embellishing machine. I didn't have any green/yellow tartan fabric so I just created some with felt and yarn!. I even stitched a silver kilt pin on!!

Ok - now I must get down to work. I have a little pink Christening heart to make.
Have a great day everyone.
The sun is shining - its a perfect day here!

Celebrating WOYWW 104!!!!!!

2011-06-01T07:00:00.004+01:00

Good morning to all the WOYWWers who are joining in to celebrate the second anniversary of this mad blog hop around the crafting desks of the world!!
Firstly, a huge thank you to Julia for thinking of the idea and then managing it so brilliantly.
(BTW - the card is not my PiF - I just wanted to post something on my little WOYWW easel beside my !st anniversary pin cushion and the Champers!)

We have made so many friends through our weekly visits to their desks.
There are so many like-minded folk out there that we would never have met otherwise.
I know its hard to visit everyone, but lovely that so many like to call in and leave a comment here.
Thank you to you all - you are such a positive bunch and I know Wipso and I would not be where we are today without all your encouragement!

So - my desk today.......

You can see the two, mounted fabric collages that I finished last week.
They are pics of little shops in Montgomery.
It is such a quaint little town. I decided to capture some of their pretty little buildings in a collage or two.
Below are some of daughter M's little free-machined pics that she made on Saturday.
We had a chill out day here. She made a couple of "new home" cards (see post below).
Then she felt the urge to make a few more, so that I could mount them and maybe sell them for her.
He he - do contact me if you would like one!!
OK - that's enough. I am going to make a real effort to get round EVERYONE this week so look out!!!

Right - off to sign up to Mr Linky with my *Twiglet.
I wonder who my little Pass it Forward will be heading off to by the end of today?????
Have a great WOYWW 104. x Twiglet.

Like mother.......

2011-05-30T11:59:00.000+01:00

Daughter M came over for a crafting day on Saturday.
She wanted to make two "new home" cards for her two friends who were moving house this weekend.
She had seen my free-machined fabric collages that I have been making recently and she fancied having a go herself. We are very alike in some ways!!

So - I set her up with all the fabrics, threads and machine and hovered nearby - in case she needed me!
Ha! - Like a duck to water.
She had her little pics cut out and bondawebbed down in no time.
I don't suppose she has done free machining for a year or so, but I guess its like riding a bike - once you can do it you never forget.
Her finished pics were lovely and, with a little advice on mounting them, she had two lovely cards to take away.

BUT - not satisfied with that, and with the rest of the day to play, she set to and made 5 more little pics which she is hoping to frame and sell.

She remarked how brilliant crafting is as a stress buster and I can only agree. Once you get your head down creating - the stress disappears and you focus on the sheer pleasure of indulging yourself in something you love. I can recommend it. In fact M. and I think we might run courses -

" De-stress not distress!" lol

I guess they will go in the blog shop or maybe to a craft fair in the next few months.

We have such a lot of lovely things to sell at the moment so I think we need to get out and about and show folk what we have got!!

Have a great Bank Holiday Monday - its wet and miserable here so I am having a crafting day.

WOYWW - 103

2011-05-25T07:02:00.001+01:00

Only one week to go until the 2nd anniversary of WOYWW. The two years have flown by since Julia our "Queen of Snoop" had the brilliant idea to link up fellow crafters by suggesting we all blog a photo of our Wednesday work desk. Since then, I am sure you agree, we have all made some fab friends and enjoyed our weekly snoop into other folks' workrooms. So next week we will celebrate by adding a * to our name when we sign onto Mr Linky to show that we are joining in the Pass it Forward. My little parcel is all ready to post!!!

Today I have a desk full of cloths that I am making for daughter M. She wants them for display tables for her Community Council so, I have printed off the logo and now need to stitch them in place on the poly cotton sheeting. A quick job but I have 6 more to do.

My little fabric collage was a pressie for a special friend. A little joke really cos she has re-vamped her shed to make a fab little summer house. I thought she needed a special picture to hang in it.
I was inspired by MarmaladeRose who has made some wonderful shed pictures with fabric collage.
I used to make lots like this many years ago and I have enjoyed re-discovering my skills.

Short and sweet today as I am going out for lunch with old school friends and then on to garden for M.
Have a great day everyone - see you next week for celebrations!!!

WOYWW 102

2011-05-18T08:14:00.000+01:00

Good morning all - Happy WOYW Wednesday!

Just a quick pic n dash.
I am at the dentist this morning.

Lots of lovely crochet flowers on the go for another cot blanket (so many new babies expected - I can't keep up!) Thought I had lost my crochet hooks till I remembered I had put them in the bright check crochet hook roll that I made for the blog shop.
Lovely bits and bobs at the ready for another special collage picture - a gift for a special friend. Will show you more next time - you can just see my sketch peeking out.

That's about it - short and sweet but dentist calls.

Have a great week - oh and here is just one more pic - we had a great time when the men dragged us down to Torquay for Shrewsbury Town to lose again!

This was our view, as we crossed the Dartmouth ferry, on the way home.

Now I MUST pop over and see what Julia has been up to.

Argh! Little seedlings just up and this happens!

2011-05-14T09:27:00.000+01:00

I suppose it's just a typical British summer.
All my little seedlings are just about 2 cms above the ground - fresh, green and tender.
They have sprouted quickly in this warm, wet weather.
And then we had this hailstorm last night.
It rattled on the roof and clattered on the windows - I just had to take a look!
Chilly - very chilly.
However, the thundery sky cleared and I noticed there was still a bit of light around 10 o'clock.
This morning they look fine - I needn't have worried. That's nature for you.

We are hoping for a warm dry weekend and good luck for Shrewsbury Town playing in the playoffs in Torquay!!
Happy weekend everyone - I hope Blogger is behaving itself today.

WOYWW - 101 - looking for inspiration!

2011-05-11T08:24:00.001+01:00

Rain has stopped play with the gardening, so I have been looking for a crafty activity.
I finished my WOYWW Pass it Forward, last week. (See post below for a sneaky peep - just a tiny corner - of course we won't reveal the full Monty until after week 104).

Sometimes my ideas just dry up and I need a boost. Who doesn't?
So my table today is ready for a browsing session later.

A rich source of inspiration are my Stitch and Cloth, Paper, Scissors mags.
Lots of clever folk in here including Tina Gilmore (Indigo Moon), who has an article or two in the issue at the top of my pic. Don't you love the little heart-shaped brooch that she made for me too! Tina sells them in her shop if you are interested.

I love delving into these mags to see what these clever artists are up to.
Mostly I choose to work in fabric but having seen Tina's work I am tempted to have a go at mixed media. Wipso and I are hoping Tina will organise a workshop so that we can see her in action and she can give us a few tips and point us in the right direction.

Lastly - a little pic taken through my kitchen window - hence the fog and raindrops.

Each evening, a pair of robins take it in turn to have their "wash and brush up" in my bird bath.

My favourite little bird!

OK folks - I will be over to check up on you all later. Well I say all - I never get to see more than half of you these days. I love dropping in and seeing what you are up to.
If anyone is reading this and wondering what I am talking about, then do check out Stamping Ground - Julia's blog. She is the kind soul who set WOYWW in motion and now links up over 150 crafty bloggers! Thanks Julia - you are a treasure.

Sneaky peek and a walk in the forest.

2011-05-06T20:18:00.000+01:00

Just a tiny part of my WOYWW 2 year anniversary celebration Pass it Forward item.
I have frosted it up so that you can't really tell what it is - what a tease!!!
I thought I should get going on it as we only have a few weeks to go.

Also I thought I would post a couple of snaps from our forest walk. It was a lovely day and really great to spend time with old friends.

A big pool used for private fishing - strangely, a shoal of large golden carp (goldfish) were swimming near the edge.

Bluebells in a clearing and lots of different sorts of conifer trees in this part of the forest.

And, believe it or not, this is the Poultry House.

It was built in 1861 as a Victorian aviary with nesting boxes and coops for all kinds of fowl including a swimming pool for the ducks and geese.

Collecting fowl was the fashion of the time, favoured by Queen Victoria, and John Naylor gave this Poultry House to his talented fourth daughter Georgina to keep her collection in.

In the 1989 The Landmark Trust purchased the Poultry House and fully restored it, along with the adjoining cottage now used by the Landmark Trust as a holiday let.

Here is one of MY favourite little birds.

A little swallow - she was trying to choose a mate from several of the males trying to attract her attention under the eaves of Coed-y-Dinas garden centre.

WOYWW - week 100

2011-05-04T07:33:00.002+01:00

Good morning and a happy Wednesday!
I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful weather and that you are all well and happy.
I have had a busy few weeks gardening in the sunshine - I have never had such a good tan in April before!!
I helped Wipso & Mr Wipso to plant the veg patch and helped daughter M and my other half, transform her garden into a more manageable plot with seating area, raised veg bed, flower beds and gravelled area. So, apart from a few aches and pains all is well.
I might show you a few photos when things start to grow.

Not much crafting gone on for a few weeks so my desk has been very tidy and very quiet.
Today I went for funday Tuesday at Wipso's.
We had a great day.

She dumfed a fab bluebell picture and I worked on this one with free machine/collage.

It is similar to the one I made for M's birthday card. You can see the remnants mounted in a little card on the right.

Today I worked in purple/yellow but basically the same design.

I have mounted it on matching fabric stretched over a canvas.

The other photo was taken when we went for a walk in our local Redwood forest.

The trees are huge and really beautiful.

This one fascinated me.
It had been planted in 1863 but blew down in 1936, leaving some of the root in tact and still growing.
The branches on the top continued to grow upwards. There seems to be about 5 tall trees growing out of the tree trunk lying on the ground - weird!

Today I will be out and about in the locality as we are going walking and having lunch out - got to make the most of the sunshine.
Have a great day all.
I hope I can get round to visiting a few more desks this week. Thanks to all who popped in here and left lovely comments. You are such a nice bunch!
Join in the WOYWW fun by checking out our friend Julia's desk and following Mr linky!!

WOYWW- Royal wedding week

2011-04-27T09:18:00.001+01:00

"Good morning all you lovely WOYWWers - Scruffy and Cathy here!

Not much happening in Twiglet's work room this week - she has been too busy gardening for M. So Cathy and I have been left to wish you a happy Royal wedding week.

Twiglet has left a very patriotic table with red, white and blue ribbons and stuff.

Note the WOYWW regal pin cushion that Twiglet made for the last WOYWW anniversary.

Also note the beautiful order of service. No, she has not been invited to the Royal wedding!!

This one was all beautifully presented by Tina for her wedding service to Gavin a week ago.

It was wrapped in tissue paper with the little pink felted heart attached ready for us to unwrap before the service began.

The little heart on the front is a photo of one of Tina's own original artworks. Perfect for the happy occasion!

Oh and Twiglet said to show you the picture that you had a sneaky peek of last time. She made it as a wedding present for Tina & Gavin. It is their shop Indigo Moon at Montgomery.

They are about to revamp the shop so that it will be even better than it is at the mo. It is full of gorgeous gifts and vintage pieces so, if you fancy a trip out, pop over to see it.

I think that's all Twiglet wanted me to say - oh - except have a great week and enjoy the Royal wedding day!"

(Right Cathy - show me how to get to Julia's blog and sign up to Mr Linky so that we can go and snoop everyones's desk before Twiglet gets back!!)

WOYWW - April 20th!!

2011-04-20T16:21:00.000+01:00

Late posting today as we have just returned from daughter M's birthday celebrations.
We had a lovely meal out last night and today, ordered lots of timber for a little garden project her Dad is helping her with.

So - better late than never.......

My desk today.
A fab card from Jozart - so clever - you pull the little ribbons and the sides slide out. All brilliantly decorated with little sewing accessories. I love it - thanks Jo.
The pinky bits in front are the remains of some free machine embroidery which I made into a card for M's birthday. She loved it as it matches her lounge colour scheme, so I am now busy mounting it, so that she can hang it on the wall.

The idea came from my Quilting Arts Mag.
There are some great ideas for textile art in the mag, so I may try a few more.

And lastly, just a little flavour of the lovely day we had on Saturday at Tina & Gavin's wedding.
It was a fab day full of sunshine, flowers, family, fab outfits and lots of love.
It really was a special day and we were so happy to be part of it.
We met some lovely friends and family members and hope that we can meet up again before too long.

Scrummy cupcakes beside the official wedding cake-

Beautiful flowers decorating a lovely room-

And a fab pair of shoes!

Ok - Over to Julia's blog to put my name on the Mr Linky list and see what everyone else is up to today on the mad blog hop.

Enjoy this fantastic weather everyone and have a great week!

WOYWW

2011-04-13T07:03:00.002+01:00

Good morning all.
Firstly, apologies to those folk whose desks I didn't manage to visit last week.
I always try to call on those who visit me and then as many as I can manage after that.
Sometimes its lots but last week it didn't seem to be many.
I promise I will try harder this week!

OK so what's on my desk today?
Lots of fabric on top of a little secret gift - you can just have this sneaky peek today. I may let you see the whole thing another time.

The fabric is probably going to be made into crafter's aprons. We have neat little grey cotton ones in the shop - they are just crying out for someone to buy one to add a splash of colour too!! (I thought I might have a go at printing one with fabric paints to jazz it up a bit!)

You can also see my little bag. It was just plain silver satin and I decided to add a little dumfling to match the outfit that I shall be wearing on Saturday.

Here it is in close up.....

I dumfed some marbled silk onto some glitzy black/silver fabric and then added a little brooch and some beads. The brooch was just a little scrap that I picked up from the car boot - I knew it would come in handy one day!! I stitched the whole thing onto the front of my bag and love the look of it.

Well short and sweet today.
We are gardening, weather permitting, for daughter M. and hopefully having tea in Shrewsbury.
(Well it is my 37th wedding anniversary - I think I deserve a medal - not just tea!!)

Have a great Wednesday - now I must nip over to the lovely Julia's desk and see if she needs a little house elf to tidy it for her this week!!

A splash of colour!

2011-04-10T15:48:00.000+01:00

What an amazing weekend of glorious weather!

I just had to share the splash of colour in my garden at the moment.

Above is the Clivia with the view of Roundton behind it.

Next are the anemones - another gorgeous colour that makes the heart sing!

This is what Mum used to call Japonica but really it is Chaenomeles.

And lastly the vivid yellow Mahonia.

I love this time of year - don't you?!!

Oh and by the way - I saw a pair of swallows on a wire as I was ambling around the car boot sale today!

WOYWW - and signs of Spring!

2011-04-06T08:09:00.001+01:00

Well here we are - Wednesday again - it seems to come round even faster these days!!

I hope you are all happy, healthy and busy. Thankfully, I am.

My table has a few things to share with you.

My Hangover and Hangabout are both hanging over my sewing machine and have now been added to our blog shop shelves. Both Wipso and I are busy making a few more of both, so by the time you read this there may be even more in the shop. (Click on the word "Hangover" in the left column in the shop).

So, you can see some lovely tartan and denim that I am going to make a more masculine style Hangover with.

Also, I found a gorgeous, deep pink jumper in a charity shop. It was just calling out to me to hot-wash and felt it. Not sure what I will make with it. Maybe another little outfit for a sock doll and some scented hearts.

The little note book has quotes at the bottom of each page.

I like this one ...

Constant kindness can accomplish much.

As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.

Albert Schweitzer

(I am posting it in memory of another Albert - who died 22 years ago on the 5th April and who was the kindest Dad anyone could wish for.

And finally, just a few signs of Spring - hedgerow flowers, snapped on my walk down to our local car boot sale. No bargains but these lovely little violets, blackthorn blossom and primroses made up for it!

Have a great day everyone and I will pop over to Julia's tidy desk and join in with the WOYWW blog hop later.

Funday Monday!

2011-04-04T20:11:00.000+01:00

As usual, Monday flew by with lots of laughter and crafty fun!
We sorted the concerns of the world and then got down to our planned crafty activities.
Firstly we awarded our final "Jo-annie".
Pop over to Sisters Crafty Creations to find out who won.
Whilst you are over there, check out the new shop contents list, with active links on the left hand side. It should make finding what you want easier.
Let us know what you think.
I have to say, we didn't agree on how to tackle the contents list - shock horror - Twiglet and Wipso near to blows??!!! Of course not - as usual, Wipso knew best and I had to agree that it looked good and will make life easier for all. We make a great team and can always sort things between us. "Give and take" as Grandma would have said.
(AND..... without Wipso's help, I have added my Hangover and Hangabout craft tidys to the blog shop. Sadly little Charity, my latest sock doll, never made the shelf. She was snapped up and is now winging her way north!!)

I had a great Mother's Day with daughter M. We had lunch out and then came back here to spend the afternoon in my craft room "dumfing". It was a lovely, girly time, spent chatting and creating. M. is a frustrated artist. She is just too busy to have much time just to chill out and craft, so it was a luxury for her to dip into our crafty stash and play!
Between us, we created some lovely little dumflings. She might let me show and tell when they are mounted.

Here is my card, that she made earlier.

And here is a little challenge that I was given last week.

I am really pleased with the result and think it looks good mounted up.

Sweet Charity!

2011-04-02T10:10:00.000+01:00

Meet little Charity!
Can you believe she is made from socks and a trimming from a charity shop item?
Well - plus a few hours of work too, of course!
Even her gorgeous, curly hair is made from recycled wool.
And yet, I think you will agree, she will make the perfect bridesmaid or party girl.

And then we have the neat little "Jozart" design for a "Hang-about"

I made this one in jazzy bright pink and black fabric with a black lining.

It has a weighted non- slip pad to balance it over the chair arm.

A great little aid for storing all those bits and bobs whilst you are crafting in front of the TV.

I shall pop them in the shop on funday Monday after we have awarded our final "Joannie" award.
Don't forget you have to be in it to win it!! Only 2 days left now!
The fab prize of mystery parcels worth a total of over £50 will go to one of our followers who has left a comment here.
So, if you want to sign up to the blog draw then pop over, become a follower and leave a comment!!
Good luck

WOYWW - snap!!

2011-03-30T07:17:00.004+01:00

Good morning all!
If you have already visited Wipso, you will now be suffering deja-vu!
How come we both have a Cuttlebug on our desks? - I hear you ask. Of course, you know we are not really card makers!!!

Well, the lovely Crafty Dawn drew my name out and I won it in her blog giveaway.
As you know, Wipso and I share everything (well almost everything). So we are sharing our Cuttlebug. Now, as yet, we don't know what we fabric crafters can do with a Cuttlebug, so it will be a steep learning curve to find out. I am sure it will open up lots of exciting possibilities.
If anyone has any good ideas for using fabric with a Cuttlebug then we would be thrilled to hear from you.

Now - this is what is really on my desk for today.....

On funday Monday we cut out all the bits for one of Jozart's "Hangabouts".
She kindly put a tutorial on her blog, so we have printed it off and hope to produce a few for our blog shop.
On the right, you can see all the bits needed to make one. I will blog a pic once it is finished.

The item on the left is a little armchair pocket/store. The thoughtful Keryn from Poppydog suggested we might like to try making some.
I blogged it below.
I think I will be adapting the pattern a bit but its a really nice idea. What do you think?

Now folks - we are in our final week for our last "Joannie" award - our mystery parcel blog draw. You can win over £50 worth of our pretty handmade goodies!!
So, pop over and join in by leaving a comment in the Sisters Crafty Creations blog shop.

Ok folks.

Have a fab Wednesday. Enjoy your blog hop with the Queen of Snoop - the lovely Julia!
Pop over to her blog and join in.

Keep on crafting!!

2011-03-29T12:00:00.000+01:00

Yes Wipso and I are still crafting!!!
We had a fab funday Monday and came up with a few more new projects.
This is the little handy pocket store that we came up with.
We cut out one each and I made this pink version last night. I think it would be useful, fixed over a chair arm or even a walking frame if needed.
We have a pretty blue one which Wipso will quickly run up when her rail is empty!!!!!
They will go into the blog shop, once Wipso has done her quality control...lol.

Now folks - just a reminder.....

We are now in the last week of the BIG draw. We have 157 followers over in our blog shop, but only a third of them, so far, have left us a comment to be in with a chance of winning the mystery gift.

It is our way of saying thank you to each and every one of you, for all the encouragement and support you have given us - so, please put your name down and spread the word to all your friends. We really don't mind how many become a follower this week ....they will all have their names put in the draw.

There is also the extra gift in the draw, that has been kindly been donated by Tina Gilmore, our buddy from Indigo Moon. This gorgeous little box and those buttons are really special, so thank you, Tina for joining in the fun.

Plus, [yes, it doesn't end there!] of course if any of you make a purchase before next Monday 4th April, then you will also be included in the extra gift we are adding for a buyer, if you are the lucky winner.

So folks, now is the time to pop over to the shop before you forget. You really wouldn't want to miss out on the chance to win this lovely mystery parcel would you?

Wedding outfit?

2011-03-26T16:46:00.000Z

Meet little Dotty.

She has chosen her outfit for the special wedding taking place later this year!

No - not William and Kate!
No - not Tina and Gavin!

Scruffy and Cathy of course!

I think she has chosen well and looks very attractive in her spots with her matching fascinator.

She has her eye on the latest addition to Scruffy's stag party - Smiffy.

He has a cheeky look on his face - I hope he isn't up to mischief!

They have just been sorting out a few pre-wedding plans but I think Scruffy is getting a bit too familiar with Dotty!
It's OK, Cathy looks as if she can keep him under control.

Have a great (if foggy) weekend.

Fun - filled evening!

2011-03-25T09:13:00.000Z

Yes folks - our pleasures are simple!

Last night Wipso and I entertained the lovely Tina - well no, that's not quite right - the lovely Tina entertained us!!

We had a girly evening giving Tina a helping hand with one of her pre-wedding tasks.

I won't say what - but here is a sneaky peek.

My spare bed is now a gorgeous mountain of loveliness.

I am not sure how they will be transferred to the venue but lets just say I think it will require a lot of plastic bags and I am really hoping for a sunny morning!

It was great to be able to lend a hand and to spend a happy evening with two such lovely folk.

Let's make it a regular date girls!
(We can always find an excuse for a coffee and a brownie!)