Christmas is coming..........!

Hello everyone.

I can't believe it has been nearly a month since my last blog.
It has been quite a stressful time over the last few weeks one way or another, with a lot of things going on, but suffice to say things are looking better now.

So have I managed to fit in any crafting this last few weeks?

Well, as you saw in my last blog, I made a Christmas tree skirt, so I decided to spend some time cutting out the "Dresden plate" shapes, for when I had a few minutes to spare.
When I had time I assembled them. I did get a bit carried away though!
I also made a small version for my Mums tree. (Forgot to take a picture of it though.)

I have so far finished one more skirt:

This time I used more traditional colours of green & reds.

I have a couple more "work in progress" that need binding, but should be finished by Christmas.

The other sewing I have been doing is an embroidered tablecloth.

A few months ago I went to a car boot & saw some embroidery threads. When I bought them, the seller included a bag full of transferred linen as well.

One was a tablecloth that was obviously "vintage". I didn't really know what to do with it, then inspiration hit me. I would convert it to a Christmas tablecloth!

Searching through my vintage embroidery transfers, I found some holly & mistletoe designs, and ironed them on. I decided to use Christmas colours of red, green & gold to embroider it.
It is still being worked on, as I just pick it up when I have a few minutes.

So here is the progress so far:
                                                               The centre:

(Can't seem to turn it round the right way).

                                                 A view of one of the sides.............

                                                        Work in progress!

 Will it be finished by Christmas though?!

I love Christmas. Even though it is the busiest time of the year, there is something special about the atmosphere. I love homemade articles and it is lovely to get things out you have made in past years.

This year will be especially busy, as my daughters Dance School has got it's first show on December 14th & 15th and I am acting as compere! She started her dance & drama school earlier this year, and it is going from strength to strength, and already gaining a good reputation.
Then we are off on our mini cruise, leaving the menfolk to fend for themselves for a few days, returning on the 21st December.

So, I had better get on with my sewing, if I am to stand a chance of finishing the tablecloth for Christmas lunch!
Thanks for reading, and see you soon!

Vintage, before we knew what it was!

Hello again!

I was tidying out my 'blanket box' the other day, and I discovered some tablecloths I had embroidered many years ago.

I suppose I should really use them as I think they are quite pretty, but of course I put them back in the box again!

I did think to take a few pictures for you to have a look at, so here they are:

This is quite a small cloth, but could be used over a larger one I suppose. Here is a detail of one of the corners:

                                                 Then I discovered this one:

                                           This shows the detail at the corners:

                                                        And in the middle:

                           And then this one! I used a sheet to embroider this onto...................

                                            Goodness! It's a bit 'busy' isn't it!
                                                Some of the detail close up:

I used to do quite a lot of embroidery when the children were small.

I also used to do cross stitch. I don't do as much now, as my eyesight struggles with very fine work. However I have just had some new glasses from the opticians just for craft work, so I might have a go again sometime.

Here are some of the things I have made in cross stitch:

I made the Leicester map while I was recovering from a foot operation some years ago. I couldn't move about much, so spent my time making this.

Then I cross stitched these little pictures from kits I was bought. I like the blue frames, which I got from a craft fair in Norfolk. They compliment the pictures nicely I think

So that's all for now. I had better go and get on with backing a quilt I am making for the village show in August. (Chances are it will sit on the side until a few days before the show as I get side tracked easily)!!!


I saw this lovely quote on Pinterest (can't use it at all but one day will learn):


So very true!