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

Pressies :)

Hello again

Day 2 of a post a day! So far so good ;)

Right - back to my birthday - I've promised friends I'd blog about my pressies - so here it is.

I was very lucky, I have a large family, some lovely S&B crafty friends and another bunch of lovely friends who live in my computer - between them they spoilt me rotten;

 From one of my sisters - a fellow blogger - she couldn't resist it ;) Big son came with me on Thursday night to my birthday evening with my Mum & sisters - he was totally bemused by this 7" vinyl single - he'd never seen one - boy did that make me feel old!!

 Lots of veryVicki pressies - russian dolls, chickens, camping, ladybird books and patchwork - just some of the themes.

Lots to read - the Homespun Style book is gorgeous - full of drool worthy photos (yes Dawn, I'll bring it to group on Wednesday ;) ).

Lovely jewellery - the spotty necklace and the one with the face were both made by one of my clever sisters. The spotty/swirly beads are handmade using polymer clay.

Last but not least - new converse pumps - oh what a choice of colours, I settled for purple;

There were other things too but some pressies have actually been used and therefore missed their chance to be photographed!!

Right - see you tomorrow - this time its the turn of the Monthly Makes post - I just need to decide which of the wonderful things the clever ladies have made this month to show you.

xxx Vicki xxx

Cake & thrifting

Good afternoon

Brrrrr - after almost springlike weather for a few days its started to turn chilly here in Suffolk. I cycled into town this morning and rather wished I'd worn my hat - apart from a cold head, my sightly damp hair got blown about and I came home looking rather too yeti like! I'm also sporting a rather eclectic selection of clothes - skirt, tights, 2 t-shirts, woolly waistcoat and I've just added a cardi too - back to warm & woolly again.However I am so loving being able to get out and about its going to have to get pretty cold before I stop my now daily cycles. So far my ankle is holding up well - in fact it seems more mobile and less swollen :)

The birthday cake I was baking in the last post turned out rather well;

The topping is a chocolate ganache made with 2 bars of MrVV's favourite Dairy Milk chocolate. As its rather rich it should last quite a few days - probably till its time for another cake next Tuesday when Little Son turns 14 - he's not so little now - he's as tall as me and those bones are still rumbling so am sure it won't be long till our different in height is very noticeable.

I also mentioned in my last post a lovely CS find - here it is - a 50's frosted hyacinth bulb vase;

Its cleaned up rather well and I'm in two minds whether to keep it or too sell it on.

One of my plans for 2012 is to be more thrifty and I've been spring cleaning cupboards to make sure that things in there are either being used or if they aren't then they need to sold on. I found at the back of one cupboard the base and coffee grinder from a long departed blender. I nearly put them in the car boot box when I had a brainwave. I like to keep a stock of breadcrumbs in the freezer and normally have to grate the crusts which is fiddly - I wondered if the grinder might work and be able to produce crumbs? Hurrah it did so its now allowed to stay and it means that all crusts can be crumbed much quicker;

Last night was finally our S&B group Secret Santa swap - its been hard getting the group together as real life often gets in the way. Well finally last night all those that wanted to take part were there. Parcels were secretly put into a bag and then when they were all in - the pile of pressies was put out into the middle of the table. Everyone took turns to choose a parcel - I wish I'd taken photos there were some wonderful makes.

Here's the contents of the parcel I received;

This embroidered heart hanging (I've shown you both sides) was made by one of the ladies who runs the group - I'd only been admiring earlier in the evening something similar she was making so I was thrilled with this. The fabric are all iridescent and I think this needs to hang somewhere where it can catch the light and the breeze - I have a place in mind - just need a hook putting in place.

Lastly the postie has just been - thank you Annie - The Felt Fairy. I won some bag handles in a recent giveaway - its part of the encouragement for the Monthly Makers. Am also loving the Boy George postcard that was in there - I so loved him when I was younger. I've got some fabric that will make the perfect bag - just need to find a template for what I have in mind.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx 

Are you sitting comfortably????

Then I'll begin - warning this is a long post - so much to tell you, so much to share.

Firstly, the Nursery Rhyme book from the Scavenger Hunt post was this one;

 A present from my parents for my first Christmas in 1970. There are so many rhymes in here that I've never heard of anywhere else. When I was small I knew most of them off by heart - I read this loads to the boys when they were small and it was lovely to be told when they were in pre-school that they both had a good repertoire outside the normal Humpty Dumpty, Baa-Baa Black Sheep range.

 I tried to choose a favourite page - very difficult as there are so many. I've picked this one as a certain MrVV is trying to compete with the bearded man at the moment. Seems he's given up shaving for the winter!

Secondly, with all this time on hands, I've been playing with MosaicMaker again, I've taken a leaf out of  Sue @ The Quince Tree's book and decided to try to produce a monthly mosaic of some of my photos. I often take pics which I use for blogging but never do anything else with - at least this way some will get saved each month and possibly even turned into a calendar for the VV house for 2013!

 

My creative mojo has returned this week - rather handy as I've finally had to admit just how close Christmas is - really must get cracking with some makes for that. There's also birthdays in the offing and here's what I've been doing;

 A block towards a quilt for a very special S&B friends big birthday later this month. A clever lady who is also a fellow blogger - Lottie has the task of turning all our work into something lovely. 

 Playing with super chunky yarn and a fat 10mm hook - this stuff works up really fast - just 3 rounds and its bigger than my normal blanket squares.

A felt & fabric Russian Doll decoration for another S&B birthday tonight.

The postman has visited again - I do like him when he brings parcels for me - this one is a little giveaway win from Jackie @ Sew Special Bears

 You'll notice the ribbon has already been recycled on the russian doll!

Inside - some light reading - can't wait to start this one.

Finally, I've been trying to do something with my Folksy shop - I've not really done much to promote that. I've added more pictures to the tap at the top of the page and this morning, I've been taking photos for 3 new raggies which should get added later today or tomorrow. On the page there's also a link to my VintageVickiMakes facebook page - please come over and visit.

 Right I think that's enough for today. The sun is shining and I feel the urge to try a little walk outside to take some photos. I did get out at the weekend for my first solo walk - just 1/3 of a mile around the town from my friends habbie shop then off to meet my family for coffee again - I did it but was totally shattered for the rest of the day! Slowly but surely, hey ;)

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

What a beautiful day :)

Good evening

Wow I think that's 4 sunny & warm days in a row. Isn't it great to feel the sun on your skin and not to have to wear socks :) Even the most mundane of tasks seems nicer when the sun is shining. I mean I even managed to give my collection of russian dolls a thorough clean the other day - I went to take a photo of them for something and realised they were wearing little grey fur coats!! They got cleaned and then the rest of the sitting room got a good dust too. That reminds me - I never did take that photo!!

However I have managed to take some photos of the wonderful pressies and cards I received as part of the Birthday Swap. So many lovely things;

This dragonfly is gorgeous - he is now happily living on my kitchen window.

 Cards - lot of all very pretty :)

You'd be amazed to know that the chocolate you can see hasn't been eaten yet - I've been trying to be good over Lent!! However a couple of smaller items might have been pinched and eaten by the boys!!

A bit of Cath, crafting & sewing supplies, hearts, magnets, a gorgeous chicken (the only sort I'm likely to get for a while) and seeds which promise summer colour :)

Thank you ladies all very much - I am slowly starting to send thank you emails/comments - bear with me please.

If that lot wasn't enough, then last night we had a party at S&B - there were 3 birthdays to celebrate Mine, Dawn's and another girls. The table near us was covered in parcels - all wrapped in pretty colours and accompanied by some fab cards too (which I've forgotten to photograph).



Patchwork bunting, a yoyo brooch, crocheted hairband and bag, a pretty heart, mini russian doll bunting and can you see the yellow/green crochet in the middle? Well that is a pretty jar cover and it was protecting a jar of jelly beans :) I saw was as the teenagers are yet to be defeated in their search for food and the jar is now 3/4 full!

Of course I took pressies too;

A felt needle case for one friend and some blue rose earrings & ring for Dawn. The hairclips are for another friend who's birthday is in a couple of weeks.

I feel guilty referring to the group as S&B - we don't bitch and tbh some nights the stitching is pretty slow to - I think perhaps it ought to be Natter, drink tea, eat cakes and knit 2 rows!!

I feel thoroughly spoilt this week and feel the need to give something back to everyone. So I've started to collect some things together for a giveaway. Hopefully by next week I'll have a suitable pile of pressies and can then make a button and invite you all to take part.

Right I'd best go and wrap a swap parcel - I promised EmmabearForever that I'd get hers off to her this week and there's only tomorrow left!!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Arrrrrrgggghhhhhhhhhhh - nothings ever simple!

Afternoon :)

I'd great plans for today - MrVV is out driving a lorry so I could happily spend my time doing exactly what I want without him tutting and generally getting under my feet.  I'd planned to make my apron for the Apron Swap - it started so well - pattern made, fabrics cut, pinned & hems ironed. Off upstairs to sew - again - going great guns, neck strap, waist ties & pocket hemmed and then *thud* - I ran out of thread! Now I've a rainbow of colours but the one colour I needed I was completely out of :(  Normally it would just be a case of heading into town to the haberdashery shop but today is Wednesday & here in deepest darkest Suffolk some shops still close & this shop in one of them :(

Instead I wisely used the time to wrap up 2 parcels for 2 other swaps I'm doing (one for Mel that's 'Good Enough to Eat' & another for Karen that's a 'fabric swap). Now obviously I can't show you want I'm sending them but I can tease them with a pile of wrapped goodies;

Once that was done (girls they'll be in the post tomorrow), I headed into town. I'd seen a mention on a couple of blogs about this months Easy Living Magazine & its wonderful free gift. The first shop I tried hadn't any but the 2nd one came up trumps - I was even able to choose which design I wanted;

Oh yes a free Cath Kidston bag - big enough for days on the beach, Stitch & Bitch or just some light shopping ;) Plus there's a voucher for 15% off - I am tempted by a few things so I might even treat myself to something small ;)

Now best I go and do something domestic before the boys get home from school.

Hurrah its Wednesday - Stitch & Bitch tonight :)

xxxx Vicki xxxx

Midweek round-up

Good morning from Sunny Suffolk - another day of blue skies & warm sunshine :)

This is how I'd like to spend at least a small part of today;

Finishing this - a knitted bag;

I might have to spend sometime in the kitchen later - need to do some more baking so those boys have something for the lunchboxes tomorrow. They got excited last night when the saw this cake in the kitchen - had to tell them it wasn't for them! Its for Stitch & Bitch tonight - a late treat for my sister who had a birthday at the weekend;

I shall be wearing my new ring which came this morning - oh yes time to scare the posties again!!

The weather for the rest of the week is set to be unsettled so I shall be spending more time indoors - probably in my sewing space - lots of WIP for the craft fair next month.  The room is getting a more lived-in look and I've added lots of lovely things I've received from other blogs - both gifts and cards;

Right I'd better go and get started on my tasks for today. BTW whats happened to blogger? I don't like this new way of uploading photos - very slow & cumbersome :(

xxxx Vicki xxxx

Another day - another parcel!

This time it wasn't a birthday pressie but a one-2-one swap with Floss, all the way from France.

The poor postie was greeted by the sight of a mad-haired, dressing gown clad 40 year old clutching her bucket of coffee - just hoping I wasn't the worst sight that greeted him that day!!

Anyhow - back to the parcel & the reason it is here with me in England.  When I first started blogging I soon found Floss & her blog and we started commenting on each others blogs & discovered that we've quite alot in common - the biggest being that we've both got 2 boys & the said boys are all of a similar age.  In one of my comments I mentioned chocolate and an offer was made to send some over to France.  Well the offer was remembered and last week we parcelled up our respective gifts & they were sent.  I'll let Floss show you what ex-pats miss most about british easter chocolate and I'll show you my parcel & its contents;

The card told me that in France chickens, bells & fish play as an important role in French Easter tradtions as bunnies & chicks do in ours.  I had to google this and am proud to say I learnt something new.  I explained this all to the boys who are now also aware of another countries tradtions.

The chicken in the middle of gorgeous and it will be hard eventually to break that up to eat it.  It reminded me so much of the 80's TV series Bread & I found myself singing the theme tune alot yesterday at random times!!

Also in the parcel were a selection of pretty french haberdashery items ;

All gorgeous & all for me :)

Thankyou Floss very much from me & the boys xxxxx

Yesterday afternoon I was entrusted with the job of collecting one of my nieces from school as her Mum was working an extra day & needed a hand with some childcare.  Its such a long while since I've collected a child from the primary school and I was quite looking forward to it.

'A' came skipping out of school and surprisingly for her had remembered all her stuff and there was no sending her back to collect forgotten items.  I even managed to collect the details for a playdate for her at the weekend - just call me SuperAuntie!!

She is such a sweet little girl - and was quite happy to amuse herself with my collection of vintage ladybird books - her she is snuggled up with little son whilst she reads him Snow White;

Middle of the week already - must sort my basket out for S&B tonight - no Country Girl as she is tied up with school plays at work :(  Nevermind we're planning a catch up on Friday.

I also need to get sorted for a very special houseguest who is arriving this week ;) - I've been promised that he is housetrained and easy to look after. I've roped in little son to help me. Who is it? I'll tell you soon ;)

xxxx Vicki xxxx

An odd week

Has been a very strange week - started with such high hopes & plans but just seemed my get up and go, got up and went.  The weather hasn't helped - been cold & grey for most of the week with the odd glimmer of something  sunnier but often only for a few fleeting moments :(

Apparently its all down to my age - big birthday soon.  Caught part of Grumpy Old Women on Monday night and the signs of ageing include - talking about the weather (tick), knitting (tick) and wearing glasses (tick).

Hoping this weekend things pick up and my GUAG returns.

In one brief spurt of crafting, I made a card for my Mum for Sunday (Mothering Sunday here in the UK);

Have also made her a brooch;

and if they survive there's also a box of her favourite chocolates. 

Even the charity shops this week haven't turned up much excited - infact my only purchase this week was this pretty little posy - I've seen these so often on other blogs. This one was hidden away in a dusty corner and was only 50p;

Lastly on Wednesday I headed as normal to S&B group.  As a break from knitting I've been having a few lessons in dressmaking.  Last week we made patterns for a skirt - mine needed a lot of altering - not sure how my measuring partner came up with those numbers - they were a long way out and I could have fitted a friend in there! Anyhow this week we made the necessary adjustments and once it was sewn together my calico mockup fitted perfectly. Just need to fine some summery skirt fabric soon and remember how to put zips in.

A couple of my sisters come to the group - one of them brought me a bag of goodies. A gorgeous woollen dress (a CS bargain complete with tags) which replaces one I've worn to death and a selection of Ladybird books;

Off to the hairdressers today - need a full de-yetifying and also my grey highlights need covering up.

Here's hoping the weekend brings better things - menfolk have promised to cook on Sunday and also to build my dolls house so I can get on with the serious business of decorating it.  Hopefully whilst thats all happening I can find my mojo, get my colour-swap parcel finished and start something I want to make for a giveaway thats being planned ;)

Until next time

xxxx Vicki xxxx

More spring colour :)

Am trying hard to convince myself that spring is really close - the weather even hinted at it yesterday & today when it didn't rain all day!!  There are bulbs in the garden bravely forcing their way through the soil and I look forward to them bursting into colour when the sunnier days arrive.

In a bid to brighten things up I've treated myself to some new fabric FQ's & ribbon - for making eggs & a raggy doll for myself;

I quickly made a small egg this afternoon using the green & yellow fabric - quite pleased with it, definately a better size.  It & the book are coming with me to S&B tonight as I know a few others want to trace patterns out of there.

I've mentioned that I've been plodding on with my knitting - now have 25 squares finished and sewn together - am definately improving - no more dropped stitches or ones added in ;) Its not perfect by any means but not bad for a complete beginner.

Have now started on the  24 squares that will make up the next border - am loving these colours together;

Right off to pack my stuff for tonight - I wonder how much knitting will be achieved this week?

xxxx Vicki xxxx

Just Thursday

Will this winter ever end?  I can't remember one like it - seems we've had snow/frost almost every day since the middle of December.  I have a real longing now for wearing sandals and a lot less layers.

Despite the best efforts of the weather to scupper S&B group last night - it went ahead.  We're now a group of over 20 regulars - with about 15 of those there last night.  Have to blame the icy roads for putting those living out of the town in more rural areas off.

A real mixture of skills and abilities. One lady who came last night is a brilliant knitter but wanted help learning to use a sewing machine.

I'll have to be honest - lots of nattering does go on but even with that I was able to finish another square for my blanket.

One of the things we all do is bring craft books to share and inspire. I was lent this book by a sister (an amazing knitter);

Haven't actually uttered those words yet - but the phrase 'Wait till I've finished my row' is becoming increasingly used in this house!!

Lots of stuff in there and loads of pictures - my favourite is this one - perhaps its a Peruvian S&B group?;

Right the half term holidays start in about 1/2 an hour when the boys come in. Lots planned including big son going on a scout camp for the weekend - rather him than me.

BTW - thanks for all the birthday wishes & comments yesterday - he had a great day.

Tiil next time

xxxx Vicki xxxx