Take some pretty material & some baby socks...

It's always nice to get back home but how I hate the pile of washing and ironing that you end up with.  Being the world biggest procrastinator it didn't take much persuading to get me to meet up with a friend in Stamford, Lincolnshire. http://www.stamford.co.uk/tourism/attractions.shtml  The number of times we have driven past it without stopping to look around.  If you like that quintessentially English town that seems to have been locked in the past then go and have a look around.  We went in all the best dress shops, it costs nothing to look, and breezed in and out of numerous charity shops looking for that individual piece or little treasure to add to various collections.

Best of all was the discovery of a fantastic fabric shop Callyco, in Stamford Walk. (Callyco.com) It was like being in a sweet shop.  What to choose?  Ribbons, buttons, patterns, fabric?   I always head straight for the remnants bin and digging deep found the perfect furnishing fabric to match the French Pastoral Scenes on the wallpaper in my studio.  Big tick there. Now I can make the cushion for the wicker chair and turn my black office chair into an item of beauty.  Having a passion for anything green, I immediately grabbed a green piece which I can hopefully turn into a summer top and then this lovely, summery fabric.  Pretty small designs flowers in yellows, purple, white.  Because the design is small it is going to be brilliant for the Kanzashi hair accessories and I am going to work on a childs smocked sundress.

Good enough to eat

Peppermint green/Candyfloss pink

Strawberries & Cream

I seem to have baby things on my mind at the moment and feeling creative and having done a little research came up with baby sock cakes.  Mr Kipling eat your heart out.  Here is my version of the delicious 'french fancies'. Each 'cake' consists two baby socks (Age 0-6 months) which have been created to form swirls before being placed into a cake case to add the extra yummy feel to them.  I'm going to put them on Folksy.com tomorrow £3.50 for 2 'cakes' (2 pairs of socks) + p & p. If you can wait until then contact me on Lavinia@Blossombutton.com

Okay, enough for this week.  On with the show.  Chickens to catch and lock up for the night.  Look forward to your comments and have a lovely week.

Narrowboats or Barges?

And yet another Monday.  Valentines Day and I love you all.  I don't get the ubiquitous cards, roses, champagne and chocolate as, and I quote, "Every day is Valentines Day".  

No photos this week to illuminate the blog as we are in the middle of nowhere on our narrowboat.  62ft of comfort and warmth.  It's a bit like being a snail carrying your home with you wherever you go.  The great thing is that we meet such interesting people with fantastic stories to tell.  But thats for another day.  It does mean that we literally get away from it all.  If you can get a mobile signal you are very lucky.  So luck must be on my side whilst I write this blog.

On this weeks to do list is finishing reading 'The Savage Garden' by Mark Mills.  This was my book of choice for the book group that I set up at the beginning of February.    I'll do a review once completed.  So far  an intriguing read.

The second item on the list is to complete the four components of a special jumper I am knitting.  There I was happily knitting 20" of a mix of moss stitch and stocking stitch.  The end was in sight, eyelet holes were in place 3 row left to do.  A cry of despair went up.   NOOOOOOOO!  I had miscounted one stitch for the last 10" (25cm).  Oh easy, unpick down the one stitch and repair back to the top.  It didn't work.  So only option was to unravel down to the error and knit up again.  Philosophically, wouldn't life be great if you could just unravel things. An inappropriate comment, a glare, a unkind thought or action.  Best option is to keep on eye on things, take care, pay attention and always give of your best.

Final thought.  Have you been able to answer the question in the header.  A barge carries cargo and a narrowboat is a home/leisure craft.  Simple.  Have a good week folk.  Look forward to your comments and pass the word around about my blog.

Spring is in the air

Anyone noticed the days are beginning to open out again.  Hurray, no more dark mornings making it impossible to get out of a warm, cosy bed.  I can even let the chickens out to play when I'm digging out the weeds.  

The reason for me talking about the spring is that we went out to Kelmarsh Hall to the snowdrop weekend.  Kelmarsh Hall is situated in the little Northampton shire village of Kelmarsh.  They hold various events throughout the year and I even had to check to ask about craft fairs in anticipation of being able to get a stall. 

The snowdrops are beautiful.  The only problem is that they hang their heads down so you can't see the pretty centres.   The other thing I noticed were the beautiful colours and texture be it of trees, flowers or the litchen on the trees.  If only I could produce creative embroidery the effects would be brilliant. 

  

We've had a birthday in the family this last week.  Now being a crafter I'm not that like to buy something mass produced.  So off to the material cupboard. Using pink polka dot material and Laura Ashley roses I produced this lovely notebook cover.  Had to say I was quite pleased and complimented with an appropriate pen made a lovely gift.  Now to produce some for Folksy.com/blossombutton.  Will let you know when they are available.  Would make a great gift for Easter, Mothers Day or birthday. 

 

Okay, better check the chickens to see if I have any eggs.  Happy crafting folks.