Crafty makes for Christmas

Good morning everyone - a wet, dull day but whatever - the holidays have started - yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Two whole weeks off, I can hardly believe that its finally here.  Im so tired from work, I have been just crawling along to make it to the end of term - but, finally -

(and you dont have to worry about marking or planning for next week!!!!)

So whilst in this deliriously happy mood, I thought I would share a few of the things I have been making as gifts for Christmas (none of these are destined for any bloggers so they are not getting sneakly previews!)

I made quite a few, they are stuffed with soothing lavender

I used running stitch instead of blanket stitch this time, and cut out the felt with pinking shears

I rather like the effect, what do you think?

Then I got my knitting needles out

and made a frilly scarf for my cousin -

The colours are much richer than they look in the photo, Im just hoping she likes it!  They are lovely and warm, I have made a couple for myself as well - they are really lightweight but snuggly at the same time.  Perhaps the lacey nature of the yarn traps in the heat?

Well, Im off out in a bit with DH to do a bit of shopping - nothing too stressful today.  Might make my own mincemeat this evening - there is a nice recipe on the BBC food website - I replace the alcohol with orange juice and the suet for the veggie version.  It is absolutely delicious and takes no time to make if you have a food processor.  My daughter is making the mince pies tomorrow, whilst son makes the veggie sausage rolls.  I meantime am going to be tackling a new treat, but I cant say too much at this point as if it works out well a reader of this blog might just be receiving some of them (nod nod, wink wink, say no more.........)

Have a wonderful Saturday, Helenxx

Off to the fair!!

Morning - a very early start here at Moonstruck Towers (for a Saturday that is).

Thanks so much everyone for your kind wishes - just sorting out my last minute bits and bobs and then Im off to the fair!!

Will take my camera so hopefully will have a blog post about it all next week!!  Not sure if I will sell anything but if I dont try I wont know will I?!

Have a great weekend, Helenxx

Crochet and sewing in midnight blue!

Morning all!

Thought I would show you a couple of things I have made recently that have a midnight blue theme!  Love this colour, and although I love bright and pastel shades (more of which in a future post) I have always gone for darker colours. 

Here is a crochet corsage in a blue so dark it is almost black:

I popped a few shiny beads in the centre just to give the colour a little lift.

And, going back to my heart theme I also made this:

I embroidered the heart in a silver thread.  The fabric was purchased when on a Grand Day Out with my dear friend Sue.  These particular  makes went out as part of the Midsummer Nights Dream Swap to my super swap partner Rae but Im planning to make a series of hearts in similar style to show the different phases of the moon.  Here are the rest of the things I popped into her parcel:

I really loved sewing with the silver thread but it tended to strand quite a bit - any tips re. how to stop it doing that? 

Hope you have a lovely day!

Helenxx

Heart and chick, spring style

Good morning - well, after a glorious spring week (which I spent at work) guess what - grey and misty this morning!  But to keep in the spring mood I thought that I would post some photos of the things I made for Sue for the Spring Makes Me Sing Swap - we have already swapped our items so its safe to reveal all!!

Two hand sewn items, heart and chick:

I loved the spring themed ribbon I bought recently in Bradford:

And the chiffon flower decal I bought in Derby:

And then I made this cheeky little spring chick:

And of course there had to be a little bit of crochet thrown in:

The pattern for this super easy to do scarf can be found here at the lovely fruitful fusion blog.

Then I thought I would jazz up a gift bag to put the whole lot in:

I had the best time making all of these things and feel happy that they have gone to a good home!

Whatever you are doing or making this weekend, have a good one!

Helenxx