Christmas Wishes To You

Hello,

It's a been a  busy time this week with, with nativity plays, work, and  Christmas shopping part two, which involved present shopping, Christmas lights, meal out, and the odd pub or two!

our tree to light up the evenings

a thrift shop find

A beautiful card with woodland theme

birds of peace

I've made a couple of fabric purses, and a book bag, with roses for the bedroom, inside of which I've tucked Sue Townsends'  latest book,  The Woman Who Stayed In Bed For A Year... which is funny and sad, and has me laughing out loud!

shabby chic book bag

inside of book bag

a handmade card to treasure..

A big thank you to all my visitors, and followers, I really do appreciate you taking time out to  read  my posts and of course your comments.

So I will end this with all best wishes for Christmas and the holiday season, and a very Happy Creative  New  Year
Love Wendy x x x 

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 

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. 

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!   

retro rose quilt

Here are some photos of my finished retro roses quilt.

Patchwork roses

Showing border  and quilting details

Here is the rose sprig backing fabric

Front and reverse of the quilt

I am pleased with the way this quilt has come together. During September I will be selling this quilt on its' own, or in combination with the other roses quilt at a reduced price.

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Today I went to a vintage and craft fair  in Preston as part of the Guild celebrations ,  and  came across a  gorgeous yellow  tea set

Tea for two ?

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A splitie selling divine cakes

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cakes and camper vans


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And knitted pieces in unexpected places !

Plus I just could not resist the call of fabric bits and pieces saying "take me home, you know you want to !" So I did, but that's for another day .... and another quilt....
It's handmade Monday, an opportunity to look at other lovely blogs and this is my first contribution!

  

Welcome to Alice And Florence - A place for handmade quilts-blankets-crafty things-inspiration- and travels

Hello and welcome to Alice And Florence !

All of my life I have loved to make things by hand, including sewing, needlecrafts, painting and drawing. I have been interested and passionate about quilts, and patchwork since I joined a quilting group in California where I lived for several years.

I love going to quilt and textile exhibitions in particular, and find it hard to walk past a fabric shop, or charity shop, (great places to find possible works in progress or an excuse to begin one).  If  I do walk past I usually retrace my steps !  The same applies to bookshops, especially the craft section are hard to ignore,  as are vintage and craft fairs. I recently went to one and came away with a large quilt that had sadly been cut in half, but amin the process of  making a crib quilt from one piece, and hope to use fabric from the other bits to put towards a recycled quilt.

I live in the Northwest of England,  in Lancashire and welcome information on exhibitions, craft fairs etc.

• I have recently opened a shop on Etsy-http://www.AliceAndFlorence.etsy.com/

• I have recently opened a shop om Folksy-http://www.AliceAndFlorence.folksy.com/

These are places that value and promote  hand made crafts. This is a quilt based on a beach theme that I recently completed.  Please take a look and let me know what you think.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wendy