Last bits of October news even if it is November!

Hello again :)

 I know 3 posts in 3 days, scary! Rest assured I can't keep this momentum up - just sometimes there are so many things I want to share with you.

Lets just get October finished with, firstly a mosaic for October;

The first toadstools, boot wearing time, dragonflies & spiderwebs, fairy houses, Halloween, crisp skies & fiery leaves, an icy storm and comfort food - I think that sums up October rather well doesn't it.

Last nights S&B session included Happy Birthday to a friend who claims to be 50 but actually looks a good 10 years younger. As a group we made her a wall hanging - all producing a square - here's mine;

And then individual pressies too;

A snugly infinity scarf in the perfect green for her.

I practised this at the weekend with one for me;

Very warm and snugly and unlike normal scarves they don't unwrap themselves or have ends that dangle annoyingly.

I think these three makes shall be my monthly makes for October - whilst I've been hooking away on two blankets as well I've yet to finish them - hoping at least one will be finished during November.

BTW - Little Son had a fab time yesterday - pumpkin carving, baking Halloween cakes and then an evening of trick or treating. He came home with a huge bag of sweets - should last him for weeks!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Shades of red and other colours

Good evening

What a difference a few hours made - the rain Monday afternoon gave way to a beautiful sunset here in Suffolk - luckily I was in the right place at the right time and snapped a picture on my phone;

We were lucky here - yes it rained but there was no flooding and destruction like in other parts of the country - quite shocking to see the news pictures.

Tuesday I went to visit my Grandma - as ever I had a plastic tub with me so I could collect the blackberries that grow along the driveway. I also raided her orchard as I knew there were pears that were ready to pick - some for her and some for me. I also collected some of the windfalls for jam making.

 After lots of peeling & poaching of the pears - it was time to add them to the blackberries I've been collecting - the perfect amount - 1kg of fruit for 1kg of jam sugar. After bubbling away nicely it was time to jar it up - 6 jars in total - 5 for us and 1 for my Grandma :)

I've also been making pressies this week - this time for a stitch and bitch group friend - a simple string of rainbow felt hearts finished off with a jingly bell. Each heart being edged with blanket stitch in a contrasting colour;

Today there was a very rare sight. Me wearing trainers! and also gym gear. Yep I've rejoined the gym - I used to go regularly a few years ago and enjoyed it but the job I had at the time increased its hours and sadly I stopped going. Well after thinking about it since I stopped physio I finally made the call the other week and today was my first session with an instructor. Off tomorrow for a proper work out - I wonder how much my body will ache on Saturday? Probably quite a lot but am sure it will be worth it long term!

 As its the end of the month almost it time for 2 mosaic pictures. Firstly 9 pictures that sum up September in the VV household;

 Spiders, berries, butterflies, back to school, The Tour of Britain, autumn fruits, leaves changing colour, the steam fair at Henham and lastly chutney making time.

There have even been a few makes this month - mostly for the fair in 2 weeks time - more have been made since these pictures were taken. I need to spend a day with my sewing machine this weekend as there are strings of bunting to be made too.

Right that's more than enough for tonight - my eyes are feeling very tired. As soon as Little Son gets home from brass practise I'm off to bed!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx
 

Monthly Mosaic & Monthly 'Makes' - August

Good evening

The end of another month is upon us - Autumn starts tomorrow! Not surprisingly the weather forecasters tell us that this summer has been the wettest for 100 years - I think we've all sported the drowned rat look at some point since 'summer'  began in June!

Here's this months mosaic picture - as you can see there were plenty of lovely days;

Ice-creams in Southwold, Campsite donkeys, trips in Bertie, Stunning sunsets in Yorkshire, August blooms, Steam train rides, Exam celebrations, Festival time and the hint of Autumnal colour change on the cherry tree leaves - that's my August - how was yours?

Now I've failed yet again to produce anything crafted for the Monthly Makes group - I promise to try harder in September! However there a few things to show - things that I've grown! Now I'm not the most green-fingered person so I was thrilled when my first lot of chillies not only grew but are producing loads of fruits which should see us through the winter months;

I've also had some tomato success too - no greenhouse growing and carefully fussing here. Just planted out, watered, side-shooted and fed and left to get on with it! Here are the first ripe ones (they tasted wonderful);

More have since followed and any that haven't ripened in a few weeks will be picked and turned into Green Tomato Chutney.

Have a good weekend all - here's hoping September starts with some sunshine. Its been a rough few days here for me - I've been rather unwell with the most awful migraine / dizzy spells and have spent today at the hospital being prodded and poked and generally checked over. Seems I might have a problem with my inner-ears and need to go back for more poking on Tuesday! The good news - the CT scan showed I have a brain! Nothing untoward has been found but the ENT people should be able to help me more next week. 

Hoping the weather is kind enough and I feel well enough to watch my menfolk play a brass concert on Sunday afternoon - its in a lovely location.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Weekend views & Monthly Makes (May)

Good evening

Phew what a scorcher ;) Another lovely hot & sunny day here in Suffolk.

The weekend was gorgeous - this was my view for lots of it;

Blue skies through the leaves & bunting

I found a string of bunting in with our camping stuff - it has been used many times to identify my tent at festivals - it was just long enough to tie between a tree & the swing.

My corner - pink deckchair, table, drink, lunch and a magazine - happy days

We did get out and about - as well as a car boot sale (dire - lots of overpriced clothes and tat :( ), MrVV & I headed to Aldeburgh for a walk - we parked at the top of the town and here's the view over the houses to the beach;

What you can't see are the 100's of day trippers - we opted for a quieter walk along the seawall between the sea & the river.

Right - its that time again - Monthly Makes photos - it was just going to be this;

A crochet T for our WI banner, a flowery frock (front & back) and my finished granny square blanket.

However on Saturday I came over all patriotic and decided I needed a new dress for the Jubilee weekend! I popped into my friends shop and left with some fabric in the most gorgeous 50's style print. I added in a strip of polka dot fabric I had already - and here it is - red,white,blue with a hint of 50's too;

Oh and on the back I added a couple of buttons I'd bought months ago;

I might as well add my Monthly Mosaic picture to this post too;

Now this is post 399 - I've taken some pictures this afternoon for something special to celebrate post 400 - and also to celebrate reaching 400 followers too :) I missed my 2 year blogversary in September, I was too plastered to celebrate!! So watch out later this week - Vintage Vicki's 400 posts/followers giveaway will be happening :)

See you soon - here's hoping there's another sunny day tomorrow, I getting rather used to them.

xxx Vicki xxx

Monthly Mosiac and Monthly Makes - April 2012

Hello again

Blimey the end of the month has rather snuck up on me. I've still got 2 photos to find for the Scavenger Hunt - I had plans for these 2 but the weather has rather spoilt those so PlanB will be implemented later - hoping for slightly better light!

My body clock won this morning - it was hoping for a miracle and it to be dry and not windy so we could head to the car boot sale - its completely the opposite and to be honest I'm not even sure the boot sale will happen today - the site is easily waterlogged after a small shower - let alone what we've had this month!

Anyhow - photos - seemed easier to combine the Monthly Makes and the Monthly Mosaic this time - here goes;

 From top left -Beginning of the month and blossom buds waiting to open, Easter Cake, Easter Tree, Mini Eggs, more Mini Eggs, Hot Cross Buns, a puddle (well there's been loads of those recently), my nieces birthday cake and finally blossom buds burst open - so pretty.

I opted for the cheerful pics - I've left out the giant puddles, piles of wet washing, flattened spring flowers and the grey skies which seem an almost permanent feature at the moment ;)

Monthly Makes for April - The Little Blue House picture for a sister, a tissue case and felted purse - final birthday pressies for S&B group friends, and 3 frocks - 2 for me and 1 for a sister :)

Right that's all for today folks - see you tomorrow with (hopefully) my Scavenger Hunt photos.

BTW if you get a chance - tune into Countryfile tonight - its coming from Suffolk and I know some was filmed in Southwold :)

xxx Vicki xxx

Monthly Makes 2012 - March

Hello - me again ;)

Monthly Makes for March - mine first!

A patchwork square for leaving quilt pressie for a S&B friend / The Easter Bunny for a swap / Another square for a quilt for a S&B friend who is unwell at the moment / a felted purse for Dawn's birthday / a crochet jar cover (jar filled with seeds - another S&B birthday pressie) / another felted purse for another S&B friend - what a month as a group we've had so many birthdays - need to start on pressies for April now!!

There is a Flickr group where many more makes have been posted - so many lovely ones to choose from - the link is - Flickr Monthly Makes March Group

I had wanted to be able to show the pictures on here but I can't find a way of lifting them and reposting them.

Here are direct links to some of my favourite items - mostly spring/easter related;

The Easter Bunny

More bunnies

Felted spring flowers

An easter basket

Go over and have a look - I am sure more makes will be added in the next few days.

Well done to all the Monthly Makers and thanks to Annie for organising us all.

xxx Vicki xxx 

Monthly Makes 2012 - February

Morning

I've 5 minutes to kill whilst I wait for a delivery to turn up - can't get to far from the front door as those pesky delivery drivers tend to knock so quietly and drive off again! I need to catch this one - he has essential items which the menfolk need this weekend! (nothing exciting - computer cabling!!).

Right - I think I've made all I'm going to this month - there is one thing I'd like to show you but that needs to wait until next month so I don't spoil any surprises ;)

Makes for February;

Top left > bottom right - hexy crochet bunting for a S&B birthday, crochet flower brooch, crochet flowers & hearts, 3 cushions for Greenpeace Fair stock, one upcycled dress for me, 3 mini-raggies towards the fair and my first finished crochet blanket :)

One final mention - if you are in Suffolk on Saturday and want to spend time listening to fab music and mooching a good range of craft/vintage stalls then head to St Edmunds Hall (next to the Primary School) in Southwold - the Waveney Greenpeace Winter Fair is there all day - starts 11am and the stalls finish at 5.30. There is also evening entertainment - music and wild dancing (I won't be doing that!!). Come and say Hi :)

BTW - several have asked - my ankle is doing well - we're now 6 months since it happened. My walking is improving and I can now walk up and downstairs 'properly'. I still limp and expect that to be the case for a long while. Physio is down to once a month with me doing the exercises at home.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Monthly Makes 2012 - January

Good morning

Thanks for all the comments on the CK review - I'm just sorry that so many people have had problems with stuff and have been left feeling disappointed. I do think that if we have a problem with things we should email these companies and let them know - I did - just waiting to hear back.

Anyhow, I thought I high time to show you my makes for January - I know its not over for another 9 days but next week is looking hectic so I don't think I'll get much more done.

I've started well - lots of smallish makes - some for pressies and others are destined for the craft fair pile. There's even a few of things in there for me!

From top left - a purse for a friend, infinity scarf for craft fair, owls - a mix of pressies and fair stock, 2 teacup candles - one for me and one for a pressie, THAT CK cushion, my first attempt a crocheted jar cover, bunting for the fair, my upcycled Debbie Bliss Eco cotton infinity scarf and more bunting.

I think that's not a bad load for a month - looking at my to-make list theres loads more still to make towards the fair - I need a raggie making week I think. Plus I've still loads of family birthdays coming up and several for my S&B group friends too.

I'll leave you with a self taken pic of my new scarf - its so soft and snuggly - I think more of this yarn needs to find its way into my stash;

Right - I can finally hear noises from upstairs - guess it means MrVV & the teenagers are starting to wake up. Time for more coffee and then lets see what Sunday has to throw at me - nothing to taxing I hope - I'd rather be crocheting!!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx