Something to brighten a drab February day.

We decided a little outing would be a good idea. The weather forecast said sunshine and showers, so we wrapped up warmly and set off on our 30 minute car journey to Church Stretton.

We were last there in the summer, when we took friends over Cardingmill valley and enjoyed a good walk over the Long Mynd, on a scorching hot day.

Today was different. It was gloomy and a bitter wind was blowing sleet showers across the valley. Nevertheless, we braved the elements and took a brisk walk around the little town.

I imagine, in its heyday, Church Stretton was quite a thriving, busy place. Even now it probably benefits from its position, nestling amongst some of the most dramatic Shropshire Hills. There is excellent walking country around the town and lots of places of local interest, particularly attractive in warmer weather!

However, today, we wanted to have a look around the shops and a snack lunch before returning home.

The visit to the camera shop proved unsuccessful, although the proprietor was most helpful and very knowledgeable.

The next port of call was the Antiques market. Not that we wanted antiques, just a browse around the bric-a-brac. The local directory describes it as an Alladin's cave and I have to agree. It is a hotchpotch of cabinets, shelves, cupboards and table tops crammed with a vast array of goods. I felt as if I was picking my way through a jumble of the left overs from hundreds of house clearances. Items that were once well-loved, now lay forlornly, gathering dust in every corner.

I was beginning to feel the urge to get my feather duster out and spritz the place up. Why was it all cluttered and muddled together? Wouldn't it have been more appealing if everything was sorted and tidy? I think the answer is that more than one firm have stock in the building, so I suspect that each "bay" belongs to a different person - hence the hotchpotch.

Just as I was thinking it was time to get out into the fresh air, I spotted this little gem.

Now I know some will think its only an old table cloth, but others ( I'm thinking MarmaladeRose here) will be delighted with my purchase.

Its fresh and in perfect condition so it might still be used as a cloth. Or..........

I might "upcycle" it and use all those gorgeous, little embroidered motifs for something completely different. Any suggestions?

To complete our trip we took the winding road up to the Long Mynd Hotel for a bar snack and enjoyed the wonderful view up the valley. It has an imposing position on the side of the hill and looks as if it was once the jewel in the crown of the town, probably in the 1930's, as it has an Art Deco facade. ( That's just a guess - maybe I should look it up on Google and see if that's correct - or maybe not!)

Well what do you think? ( Think this photo was taken in a hot, dry summer!)

About to tidy up WOYWW!

I was busy all day yesterday - until about 8 pm really - and was just too tired (or lazy) to clear up the mess I had made. So here it is - machines, books, bags of fabric scraps, wool, yarn etc etc.


I made two little photo frames with the embellisher and machine embroidery. I thought they might make Mothers' Day pressies so they will end up in the blog shop eventually.

Of course Wipso will have to give her seal of approval. She usually does - well except for yesterday. I made some "Sisters Crafty Creation" tags - just a bit of experimenting really. Showed them to the boss and - well, lets say we will not be adding them to our parcels!!!!!

I know she is right and I have to let her think she is in charge, so I will be hanging the labels off the jars of beetroot chutney that I made yesterday!!!!!
If anyone wants the recipe.....
I usually add a chopped, peeled courgette as well.

If she is nice to me I might give her a jar - beetroots are extremely good for you I believe.

These are the two frames you can maybe spot in that untidy mess......

The pink one has little dumflings of silk, broidery anglais and yarn, with machine embroidery.













The Monet inspired water lilies picture has silk flowers and wool/yarn leaves and water.






So I think I should clear off all that clutter and get ready for a new day - but first I shall have a look at everyone else's desks!

Shop Gift Draw anouncement.....

Taa ta ta ta ta ta taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! [Fanfare]
Today is THE DAY. We have just carefully folded up all the draw tickets, put them in a box, shook them up well and Twiglet has just pulled out a ticket. It is ticket number 41 as you can see in the photo.
We have then checked, checked and double checked to see who's name is against ticket number 41 and ..............

The lucky winner is............

Wait for it............

Gez from http://gezzybscraftybits.blogspot.com/

I have emailed her to let her know she is the lucky winner and as soon as I receive her address, her parcel of goodies will be winging it's way to her. Congratulations Gez.

Latest model and last day for gift draw.

I just thought you might like to see the latest design for my phone / ipod / camera cosy.


I have recycled a lambswool/angorra/nylon jumper and so far have made these two cosies.


One has a velcro fastening flap and carrying strap. The other has a flip over cuff to enclose the camera. Both are wadded and lined in a floral, toning fabric to protect the phone/camera.

I shall pop them in the gift area of the blog shop later.

Tomorrow we shall be finalising our blog shop giveaway. There are a few extra goodies in the draw now, so we will have a super parcel to send to the lucky winner.


Follow the link below if you want to enter but remember....

ITS THE LAST DAY IN THE GIFT DRAW OVER IN THE SHOP

Following the trend...

Lots of folk are free machining these days!

I saw the idea for this in a crafting mag and thought I would give it a go. Lots of people are doing clever stuff with free machine embroidery at the moment. Marmaladerose has blogged a great tutorial if you fancy having a go.

I copied the idea from the magazine using scraps of fabric and worked the free machine stitching in dark grey thread. I think the idea was meant for a Mothers' Day card.

Then I thought I should do my own thing.

Still room for improvement but I had fun trying. I think it has sort of childlike look to it - well either that or childish look!!

I need to practise a bit more. I have done lots of free machining over the years but you soon get out of practice.

I made this picture of a teazle a year or so ago after a kindly elderly neighbour gave me a guided tour of her garden. She was pleased to give me some of her teazles and I brought them home to photograph and use for my picture.

I printed the photo on silk and then free machined the detail.

I also found some little pendants on Hens Teeth blog. So clever to be able to make such tiny little pictures with the machine.

So- that's what I have been up to.

Now to the award Wipso kindly gave me yesterday.

To accept it you need to take part in a little information sharing
Instructions:

1. Give a top 10 list of the things that makes you happy.

2. Give a top 5 list of trivia about yourself.

3. Share the award with only 5 persons and ask them to do the same thing. :)

4. Link the blogs you choose and link the blog of the person who awarded you.

Well I think I told you my top ten things that make me happy in an earlier award ceremony!

Not wishing to bore you I will move on to 5 trivia items!
1. I used to live next door to a Scunthorpe United footballer.
2. My favourite soft centre is Turkish Delight.
3. I have moles in my garden - yes even in the Winter they tunnel beneath my flower beds!!
4. I have spoken at a London Conference.

5. I make superb brownies.

Now I know I should pass this award on, but we seem to be "award happy" at the mo, so I will save it for a while and spring it on a few kind souls, whose blog looks on the bright side, over the next few weeks.