Mohair Mittens

I have been working on some Christmas cards today. I bought some vintage Scottish mohair scarves from various charity shops, in lovely green shades, perfect for Christmas. These are usually quite easy to find in charity shops- mohair looks lovely and cosy, but it is very itchy to wear!

I cut out two simple mitten shapes from the knitted mohair. Machine stitched around the edges, leaving the top open. Antique lace was then hand stitched around the cuff, with a ribbon hanging loop and button. Tape the loop inside the front of the card, so that it isn't seen. They can then be removed from the card to hang on the Christmas tree, maybe filling first with chocolate or coins. (or chocolate coins!)

Autumn?

I thought I would share with you the view that we have from our back door. As I gaze across, it still doesn't look as if Autumn has begun. The field opposite was ploughed yesterday, ready for it's winter crop, but that is the only sign. The trees are still lush and green and the air is still.

The ordinary pink Hydrangea that I have has turned though, to a beautiful rich red. It is the perfect time to pick them now to dry in a vase- they keep their colour beautifully. I also included some red Sedum flowers that will dry well too.

On my hanging rack I have some roses that I bought at the supermarket for 30pence, because they were passed their best- I hope they will preserve to use in our Christmas wreath...

Lovely Ladies!

I know many of you are chicken lovers! - so here are my 6 hens....

Left: Budgie- the boss, who likes a cuddle!
Right: Chicken Nugget- Shy but noisy.


Left: Socky- nosey, she likes to follow to see what's going on.
Right: Miss Milly- The lap chicken- always ready to sit on your lap and go to sleep!

Left: Tinkerbell- not very bright! Is always amazed when she's laid an egg!!
Right: Pete (Don't ask!)- the loner- always by herself exploring.

Until I owned chickens, I didn't know that they had personalities, but despite their brains being the size of a pea, they do seem to!

Surprise Gift!

A totally unexpected gift arrived for me this morning- such a lovely surprise- I was completely overwhelmed! My friend Clare from 'Vintage Home' (see my links) had sent it to me. I have only known Clare a few months through the Shepton Mallet Antiques Fairs, but we have very similar taste and so know where each other is coming from! She sent me these lovely things....

A pair of shoe stretchers printed with colourful Anemones and a useful piece of 50's Floral Barkcloth that I hope to recycle into something pretty....
Thank you Clare, this was so very kind of you, it is very much appreciated!
Clare has an amazing Unit in the Brackley Antiques Centre. I hope she will publish some photographs of it on Blogger, as it is incredibly colourful and cheerful- you can't help but want to visit!

This is the blog that I have been trying to publish since Saturday! (Think it was my computer trouble - not Blogger- sorry blogger!!)

Dolly Update.

I have been working on the old doll that I bought the other day at a local junk shop. I didn't want to discard the tatty muslin dress that she was wearing, as I think this is original to her. So I decided to work with it and add some antique lace that I had been hoarding.

I also stitched some vintage forget-me-not flowers and some velvet ribbons onto the dress. She has a cream silk petticoat underneath, too!

I hope she approves- she still has the cheeky look on her face!

Honiton textile Fair

Yesterday I was selling at the Honiton Textile Fair, which was a great success. The added bonus was meeting the lovely Donna from 'Crafty Old Thing' ( see my links)- It was really good to meet you Donna - I'm sure we will bump into each other again- hope you had fun sorting through all of your purchases when you got home.

I also met a very talented young woman called Hesta Singlewood (right in the photo.) She is VERY artistic and makes the most amazing things. I bought several items from her, including a doll fashioned from wire, vintage fabrics and trims. Also in the photo is my friend Liz van Hasselt. She is a dealer in vintage treasure and always has an amazing collection of goodies for sale.

This is part of her stand. Liz has recently had several of her vintage pieces featured in 'Cosmo Bride' magazine.

My purchases! For anyone searching for vintage items for themselves or their homes, these small fairs are the perfect place to find one-off pieces. There are always interesting stands with unique ideas at reasonable cost.

Isn't Nature Wonderful!!

I have always enjoyed my garden, but it seems to have become increasingly difficult to find the time to spend in it. The other day I ventured out there, to see if it had turned into a complete wilderness!!....but I think mother nature has done a pretty good job without my interference!!

(Sorry about the chickens, they can't resist posing for the camera!

Left: OK, things have got a bit wild here, but I still like the look of the untamed shrubs and plants!

One slight problem...there is a chair somewhere under that Passion Flower vine!! Think I may have to MAKE some time to go out there and tame things a little!....

This is the Passion Flower- it has climbed meters to completely cover our raised deck!! Maybe all the chicken manure has something to do with it!!!