Thursday 20 October 2011

Patchy

Good evening

Blimey I never meant to leave it almost a week between posts. Life has got in the way this week - a few disasters and a few triumphs too. We'll ignore the disasters and focus on the good stuff. 

In my last post you saw a peak of the new Cath Kidson 'Patch' book. I've had a good read and this is for me the best of the craft books she's brought out. I decided to make up the kit that was included with it. Whilst I've made patchwork quilts before using cut squares, I've never worked with paper templates. The instructions were very easy to understand and it didn't take long till I'd the patchwork pieces tacked together;


The next stage took a while longer as it firstly involved ironing *yuck* and then remembering to take the work upstairs with me to sew it all together. My sewing machine was most surprised to see me and much to my delight despite being ignored for almost 2 months worked beautifully first time.  Once the bag was together I decided to add some vintage buttons from my collection as it was too plain for my liking;

Hanging in the kitchen with just some of my reusable shopping bags!

Close up to show the colours better.

Now hands up - who was cold today? When I got up this morning and peaked out of the bedroom window I was surprised to see frost on the grass and the car windscreen all frozen up! When I got dressed I picked lots of layers but despite that I was still cold. You know it must be cold when despite lots of layers, a scarf, wrist warmers and blanket you are still shivering;

Not good - when MrVV came home at lunchtime - he was despatched upstairs to set the central heating going for a few hours. It was lovely to hear the gurgle of the pipes as they sprang to life and within a little while the house was feeling much warmer. In fact its off now and probably won't need to go on for a few days - just needed something to take the chill out of the air.

Since I've been on crutches I've not been able to wear a watch as it rubs on them. Now I like knowing what the time is and had a 'doh' moment when I remembered something I treated myself too much earlier in the summer - a gorgeous fob watch on a chain. I'd loved the Cath Kidston one but could not justify the expense - this one was a fraction of the price and just as lovely;

 The enamelled case.
and the lovely watch face.

Hurrah half term has started here now - it couldn't come soon enough. Both boys are very tired and a some lie-ins and a break for the school routine are very much needed..I don't think I'll see them very early tomorrow morning. Might mean I get to watch the rugby in peace. Good luck to Wales for tomorrow and to New Zealand for Sunday.

Have a good weekend folks.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx




26 comments:

Lalabibaby @ Dreaming of The Simple Life said...

We gave in too yesterday and put the heating on to take the chill off .... fingerless gloves, scarves and wraps pulled out of summer storage and big winter coat in the dry cleaners in readiness for the big chill. You look so snug with your granny blanket ... hope that leg is healing well. x

Lalabibaby @ Dreaming of The Simple Life said...

We gave in too yesterday and put the heating on to take the chill off .... fingerless gloves, scarves and wraps pulled out of summer storage and big winter coat in the dry cleaners in readiness for the big chill. You look so snug with your granny blanket ... hope that leg is healing well. x

Serenata said...

The bag looks lovely, and I know what you mean about being so cold! We succumbed to putting the heating on yesterday as I just couldn't warm up at all.

Enjoy your snuggly time under your rug crocheting.

Pene said...

Yes I finally relented and switched the heating on for a couple of hours too. I kept telling G that we wouldn't switch it on before November but bugger it was freeeeeeeezing today and even 3 jumpers and wooly tight under my jeans didn't help!! Have found one advantage to loosing so much weight, I can now fit more layers on under my coat when I take Daisy to the beach hehe
Take care
Hugs
Pene x

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

Well done you on the patchwork. It looks really lovely. I've got Patch on my Xmas list. We haven't got the heating on yet. My partner's mantra is "not until November" although he has started to say "do it in December"! I'm ignoring him.... xx

fee @ chipper nelly said...

I have my hands over my ears and eyes and can only hear you saying 'blah blah blah' about that CK book...(i only know becasue I peeped through my fingers)
YES to cold. Bought legwarmers for the workshop today in M+S. For my legs obviously, the workshop would look silly in them.
And sharing the woo hoo to half term. #1 still in tomorrow but all off for a week - LOVE the not having to get out in the mornings!
Nice post
fee x

Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping] said...

I've had the heating on a bit - it's bloody freezing. The laptop is good source of heat on the legs though!

Your bag has turned out really well, I do like patchwork so I might check this one of Cath's out.

Jacquie said...

Lovely makes there Vicki. Your bag turned out so pretty...very tempted. Your crochet blanket is looking super ...so cozy to work on too :0)
We can't wait for half tern here either . One more day to go !!
Jacquie x

Unknown said...

OOh doesn't the patchwork look gorgeous - even the first picture is a really beautiful feast for mty eyes!

I have got my aarons out so can sympathies with the cold!

Annie Cholewa said...

That is one pretty pocket watch :D

Lisa said...

It was super chilly yesterday morning! Our heating went on too.
Love the new bag and your watch is very pretty.
Tired people here looking forward to a lay in next week as well!
Lisa x

Josie-Mary said...

Your bag is great, I haven't made mine yet. Living in the south I'm still enjoying warm weather but it is getting chilly in the mornings :0 x

Anonymous said...

love the bag with the added buttons and the watch ,I went to get my daughter one from CK last xmas and was told they had all been removed from stock as they were faulty so I think your was definitely the best buy and I love the rose on the cover.
hope you are feeling warmer now
xx fee

Nostalgic Vicky said...

My word yes it was chilly! Feels warmer today though. My husband won't let me put the heating on as we have a wood burner in the kitchen and he says thats enough to take the chill off!! Well it is if you just stay in the kitchen and don't need to go to any other part of the house!! Love the bag and the watch. Nostalgic Vicky x

Style Eyes said...

That bag is a great addition to your reusable shopping bags. I haven;t done patchwork for years but perhaps it is just what I need to use up some of the scraps of material i have collected.

bellaboo said...

I LOVE your bag! Glad to hear your cast will be off soon.My SIL will have her's removed in a couple of weeks.No more going down the stairs on her bum!
Have a very happy half term. :0)

Thedarkerside73 said...

I have been sneaking the heating on for an hour or two. We need it in our house although the warmth does stay in some rooms other's like my eldest bedroom gets cold very quickly.

Love the bag you made the flower is very pretty. A lovely way to go shopping.

That fob watch is just gorgeous! A lovely way for knowing the time.

Happy lie ins, I should be so lucky with my two! lol.


MBB x

LaaLaa said...

Lovely post! Your patchwork looks fab. I want to get that done too. Just need a few more hours in the day! x

Deborah said...

Great job on the bag and patchwork , it looks fantastic, also loving your other bags hanging up ;)

Bee happy x
Have a delicious day!

Penny said...

I've had the wood burner going, very popular with both dog and cat, although we've had a touch of 'hearthrug wars' I really love you crochet blanket, gorgeous berry colours!
Penny (Planet Penny)

Unknown said...

loving the bag, and the picture of a very wooly you! blanket, gloves project etc...

Unknown said...

Love the bag Vicki.....can't wait to have a go at mine.

Hope your leg is better soon - you must be getting so frustrated
Viv
xxxx

Victoria said...

Yes - it has been very brrrrrrrrr - but lovely to see blue sky and sun. Love that pretty little fob watch. Keep warm and have a good weekend. x

Claire said...

i got one of those cath k books for xmas a couple of years ago and still havent got around to making anything! Your bag looks great!
I cant remember seeing a pink gazebo! would it be the lady with dark hair and really colourful things that rememnded me of happy loves rosie...her gazebo may have been pink...

esme and the laneway said...

Love the fob watch chain – the enamel case is so pretty!

Crafts @ Home said...

The bag looks wonderful, I love the fob watch as well :)
Sue Xxx