Moving into the shed

This week I have made some more bunting (crochet)  using wool kindly donated, I made lots of little flowers, and this garland is now hanging in the shed.

a garland for the shed


I treated myself to a new table which meant
I was able to use my sewing machine, heater, and light, using a special trip plug which will suffice until the shed is insulated and regular sockets installed.
I love this table top, and can use the trestle legs as shelves. Over the coming weeks I will be adding other bits and pieces, but today I have been sewing, and crocheting to my hearts content!

sewing table tucked into corner

moving in!

trying out the new location


I made some little fabric hearts, then went on to sew a book bag, three actually, but  I like this one  the best.

book bag


I also received details for making two scrappy blocks that will become part of a quilt, (one of many) in an ongoing project   set up by Michelle over at  the Quilting Gallery to help people affected by hurricaine Sandy. (See link on side bar).

I am going over to Handmade Harbour to see what everyone involved with Handmade Monday has been creating this week.  Hello to new followers, and thanks for reading my blog. Hope you manage to avoid the Winter coughs and colds that seem to be doing the rounds.

 Hearty homemade soups like this one should help keep the bugs away!

Italian pasta soup 

Handmade bunting

I've not had much chance to spend any time in the shed yet. But I have managed to make some bunting using fabric scraps, and a length of  pink and red bias binding. Red on one side and pink on the other. I thought I would use the red side for the Autumn and Winter. So far I have hung one strip along the back, and will try and make some more next week to hang along the front.

reversible bunting

strip of bunting

I  have also made something for my swap partner (see previous blog post),  but can't show the photo  yet as I want it to be a surprise!

I have been looking at ideas for a desk, including  charity shops, and the Ikea catalogue.  I moved a small round table and chairs inside,  the table and chairs were a bargain found on a camper van trip to Angelsey. The table top is a bit marked, so sometimes I use tablecloths on it.  I couldn't resist  making one in a soft pink cotton material, where I added a red and white spotted trim.  I cannot find the image, so I will have to add the photo to next weeks' Handmade  Monday if that's ok.

I have also seen  crochet and knitted bunting, I find it quite appealing to be sat in front of the fire with a basket of wool, making flowers and triangles. A great way to use up the tiny balls of wool  leftover from other  pieces of creativity.
I am now going over to take a peek at other projects over at Handmade Monday. I've not had much time to leave many comments lately  so hope to catch up.
Wendy x 

The Sewing Shed

Great excitement this week as my sewing shed finally arrived. I bought it at half price on the condition I waited till the Summer season was over and then it would be delivered at the beginning of November.
A base had to be prepared first.

wooden frame ready for cement base

hearts were added by OH at each corner!

Then early one morning it arrived at 7.30am just as I was leaving for work.  I could hardly wait to get back home to see it.

early morning arrival

The pieces were taken through to the back garden, and carefully put together.

one corner three more to go

almost there...

finishing off...

I think they did a great job!

side view on the day I bought it in the Summer

frosty roses

I love the details on these leaves

The cold weather is here for sure.  I can only stay in the shed for a few minutes,   but slowly over the Winter it will get light and warmth, and I will post more photos as things are added to the inside. I feel very lucky to have this sewing shed. So thankyou  Dad, for enabling me to treat myself to the shed. I know you'll be watching down on me from somewhere as I sit sewing in what will become a cosy place, to sew, make things and just be.

Couldn't resist hanging this up!


It's been quite hectic here lately, so I will slow down,  and  browse through the  makes on show at Handmade Monday. There are always great displays from lots of creative people!

Oh yes, I almost forgot! I have a swap partner over at Make And Craft. The very creative Alison at Fiddley Fingers, who also takes part on Handmade Monday.  So  must  get working on that too....

More vintage fat quarters for an Autumn/Winter patchwork quilt

We headed out to The Ribble Valley, along the A59, towards Skipton. After an hours drive amongst beautiful Autumn scenery, we stopped off at the little hamlet of East Marton, by the canal where we had a delicious cooked breakfast at the Abbot's harbour restaurant and cafe.

Abbot's Harbour

The building is over 850 years old, and believed to have been a monks byre. This breakfast sets us up for the day. We went for a walk along the nearby canal, which is a popular mooring spot for the canal barges.
    

view from the canal bridge

view from the other side of the bridge

We headed into Skipton, an old market town,  where I bought these beautiful pieces of fabric from The Fent Shop. The place is brimming with materials and haberdashery! I finally chose these vintage style fabrics. I can't wait to start making some patchwork with them!

I just love theses pieces!

I made up another bag from a thrifty find, it was a skirt, but  now has a new life as an Autumn  tote bag complete with  a  seasonal lining.

Autumn tote bag

seasonal lining

Autumn flowers

What have you been making for Autumn/Fall and Winter.  I am now going to read  the posts for Handmade Monday to find out what everyone else has been up to. Please join in. 

Handmade, aprons, cardigans,and hexagons

Well I was too late to post on Handmade Monday, although I did manage to take a peek at all the handmade gorgeous makes from some very talented people. Please take a look, you'll be glad you did!


I put the stripey fabric I bought at the vintage fair to good use as two large pockets on  a child's apron.

child's apron

The apron is reversible, with the flower pattern  repeated all over on the other side.

reverse side of apron

I really enjoyed making this and have already got a request for an apron with rainbows and cars on!  So I am now on another fabric hunt.

Since I included photos of seasonal apples last week, here is a  recipe for "apple crisp" a long time favourite from an old La Leche league cookbook titled "Whole foods for the Whole Family"

6 to 8 apples sliced
1/2 cup of raisins (optional)
1/3 cup of water
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup butter or oil
1/2 cup brown sugar or honey
2 tablespoons of cinnamon

Put sliced apples in buttered 9 x 13 " baking pan, or oven proof dish. Sprinkle with raisins and water Combine the rest of the ingredients. Sprinkle evenly over the apples. Bake at 350 degrees electric, or 180 gas oven, for 30 to 40 minutes, until apples are soft,  and topping is golden brown. Sere hot or cold. Delicious with ice-cream, cream, yogurt, or custard or on its own. Keeps for a couple of days in the fridge.


I finished the bright pink cardie,
and was quite pleased with the result. I added a fabric rectangle on the inside back, including a handmade with love label from Mollie Makes, then machine stitched the name. I always seem to do more knitting in the Winter.
I feel another cardie coming on, or at least a pair of fingerless mittens!

Finished cardie


I visited another exhibition at the Harris Museum and Art gallery in town, where a textile display consisting of hexagons was pieced together using fabric of importance to the maker. This was done to join in celebrations for The Preston Guild, held once every 20 years.

Pieced Hexagons

Celebrating Preston Guild

I took  the above two photos in a slightly  darkened room, on my mobile,  where  the piece was behind glass,  hence the slightly yellow appearence.

I am thinking of making a hexi cushion for the shed.
It will be delivered during the first week of November, and I am so looking forward to "doing it up". I shall be sat inside it on the first night with an oil lamp, deckchair and glass of bubbly to celebrate.. or cup of coffee and cake depending on the weather!  But that's for another post.

Thank you for reading this, I appreciate your comments, and hello to fellow followers!

Vintage fairs and apple pie

Who knows where the time goes....(the title of one of my favourite Sandy Denny songs...Fairport Convention). The signs of  Autumn are all around us,

Apple crumble

I see an apple pie..

Postcard of vintage fair

I went to a local vintage fair, and found some pretty pieces of material

Another  quilt

I like these abstract leaves

An apron I think

We had a delicious lunch at the pub where the fair took place, I had a potato, fennel, and blue cheese bake, with parsnip curls, and a drizzle of  a herb tomato  sauce. It looked beautiful on the plate, but unfortunately I was half way through my meal when I thought about taking a photo!
Instead I took  photos of a textile work displayed on the wall.  

Isn't this amazing stitching

life like birds head

Lace hung from the birds' beaks, and the lace was interwoven with  words.
This was made by Morwenna Cats.

My head is spinning with  possible ideas using my latest finds.
Hope you all have a very creative week!
I am going to take a look at what else has been happening over at Handmade Monday.

Recycled charity shop finds

It's been quite a busy week, however I managed to get several more rows of hand quilting done,

pinks and greens

Found a vintage Rowan knitting book, 

first charity shop bargain



This is the cardigan I am knitting, in a rather bright pink, requested by the little girl who will be wearing it!

The cardigan I am knitting





My eyes lit up at the possibilities of a gorgeous piece of fabric,   with rows of tea cup style roses  on a black background. Sent to the charity shop and  hung up in the children's skirt rack,

as a child's skirt



I got my scissors and pins out, and an hour later the skirt became a lovely retro style tote bag.

retro style tote bag



I love it when something I'd pictured in my head  turns out  just the way I imagined it. I had seen the skirt a couple of times in the shop, and decided I could do something with it.

This week has also included my birthday, so the tote bag will go just fine with a pretty tea style dress from Fat Face, along with a rather fine pair of brown boots, The whole outfit will look ok I think with a brilliant charity shop  find of an above the knee coat in a pale mink brown colour.
I am now going to add this blog to Handmade Monday, where you will find lots of wonderful makes from some very busy people!