All the best for 2012



I hope you all have a Happy New Year and best wishes for peace and prosperity in 2012.

I have made a new year's resolution to finish off things I start....ahmm I hope to be able to stick to it and to show I mean it I am going to spend the day on a cushion cover and another ufo which have been hanging around for a while now......

Table manners

My Christmas table

I made my DD a tablecloth as one of her Christmas presents and was so loath to send it to her, ha ha  because I liked it so much that I had to make another for myself. Hers should now be gracing a table in California if not it will be used for her marmalade furry to sit on (She has a huge ginger tom.)

Mine is not so subtle as I did not have a Moda charm pack called 'Portugal' for my selection of fabrics. No mine were what I had in the cupboard at the time which was bright and anti gravy proof.  Yes the whole idea was to plan for stains and make sure the fabric would hide any...... Both cloths are lined, infact mine has some pretty pink Walmart fabric I bought in Palm Springs in March on the back. So mine can be flipped if I need to change to subdued tones.  I made them simply with 5" squares and ten squares across and down. DH likes it so much he said I should make some more.

Desert colours?

Advent day 24 phew.....The Moot Hall

Christmas card showing The Moot Hall, Keswick

Well its Christmas Eve and now well into the evening with torrential rain pouring down, but I still have one last job to do.  I always decorate my mantlepiece above my wood burner with some greenery and lights so that's the last job.  All being well we will venture into the abysmal weather and go for a drink in an old coaching inn with friends.  At least that is the plan at the moment.

I hope you all have a peaceful and prosperous Christmas with loved ones around you wherever you are in the world.

If ever you fancy seeing the above building it lies in the middle of our dear little town's Market Square and was built by German miners in the reign of Queen Elizabeth the first.

Christmas wreath idea



I used a plastic ring and oasis well wired on and then filled it with greenery

I just love making one of these each year and have a particular tree which I raid. I only take a little because I don't like to spoil the tree. Its the pretty greyish fir which is always good for filling in the background.  Then I added Pieris and a few sprigs of Rosemary and finally the red berries on what I think is Cotoneaster? Not sure about that last one but it grows in abundance down towards the lake.  I should know it because I used to do a lot more flower arranging, but sadly don't have the time now.  Anyway, I saw a clip from a programme BBC Victorian Christmas which showed them making a wreath and they used raffia to wrap around the twigs so I thought why not make a bow from it this year.  So this is my effort and I hope you approve, its not showy at all but quite pretty I think.

Shopping bag finished

Shirley shopper with removable decoration

I was having lunch with a good friend some time ago and she admired my new shopper so I said I would make her one too.  Well that was earlier this year so I just had to make her one soon ....  Anyway, this is the shopper which has expanding sides and a removable Christmas medallion just for fun on black and silver glittery ribbon.  I will give it to her on Saturday a bit late for Christmas shopping but it might come in handy for the sales...............

Its a bit more sophisticated than the photo looks because it does up with a clasp at the top for security and also inside are one very deep pocket and another for a mobile or glasses, so it took me quite a while to make.  The handles are extra thick and soft so they won't cut into hands when the bag is loaded and they are long enough to go on the shoulder. The centre panel is pink not rosy red like the photo and its made with and lined with furnishing fabric so its good and strong, with a plastic insert along the bottom for extra strength. Well that's it for today, I still have some sewing left to do so if it doesn't get done tonight there is always tomorrow.

Shortest day

Some haberdashery for my project

Yep, I am still making last minute Christmas presents, so no time to blog much. I ran out of the ribbon so had to dash into town to buy more. I hope to be able to show you what I am making tomorrow, but meanwhile, sorry this is short but I really have to crack on.

Which to choose?

Two superb fabrics

I need to make my mind up which of these to use for a project I might have time to do.  Both are chocolate brown with silver but the one infront has definately much more bling.......

We went out for tapas last night with some colleagues from Keswick Rambles and I can recommend the Lakes Bar and Bistro tapas it was very good and so was the pudding after, Crème Brûlée, mmm.

A night in tonight as I have things to do but tomorrow we are hoping to go and see the new Sherlock Holmes movie, has anyone seen it yet?  Is it good?  I usually like Guy Ritchie films so I have a high expectancy of this one as I enjoyed the other very much.

On Guard

Bella looking for trouble

She really does think that an odd putty tat is going to stroll into the garden and steal her presents from under the tree.

I have made sure that the door will be closed when we are out tonight and Bella will not be in the room ahm.

Sunday 18th day

Father Christmas night light

Somehow without a candle inside this looks daft, but pop a lighted candle inside and it glows.  I always bring it out and light a candle when I decorate the tree, its an old custom of mine.  So yes, the tree is done and that's why I'm so late with the blog.  This year I went for a colour scheme of white, cream, silver and gold.

Meanwhile, this morning I found a video on yahoo which shows how to wrap properly.  Wish I had seen this years ago.  My DH is brilliant at wrapping stuff but then he has run a mail order business for 30 years, so has plenty of experience. I can't even get the brown tape to go on without creases but he does and the corners of his parcels are perfection. They even admire his handiwork down at the local post office.....So this year I am going to improve my wrapping.  Click on the link below if you want to look at the webpage with the video too.

http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/how-to-perfectly-wrap-your-christmas-presents-.html

Its gone colder!

A sort of teletubby gingerbread man?

This was just a photo through a shop window, but the effect is weird with the reflection above the smile.  I don't suppose I could have designed this shot if I had been trying.  I love gingerbread and its great with a cup of tea so with the weather getting colder I think of goodies to eat by the fireside.

I have started to feel a bit more like I want the festive season to happen now.  I must admit it takes me until the last week before to really start to get in the mood. Tomorrow I am going hunting in the countryside for greenery to put up in the house; a ritual I do every year.  I take a rucksack and some sharp scissors and off I go with Bella to see what looks like it would make a good decoration. I usually target holly, ivy and fir trees.  Sometimes there are berries on the holly but this year I think the birds have eaten them all.  I hope to put up the tree tomorrow too but I'm not sure if I will have time to decorate it as well, we'll see.

Winter wonderland of snow

View from the studio

That's his room by the way, I call mine my study but he calls his 'The Studio' all rather grand sounding don't you think. Funny how men make things sound different to women, and both our rooms are the same size but his sounds so much better and bigger!

Anyway, this fresh snow was there when we opened the curtains this morning and it was enchanting.  I just love it when the tree branches glisten with a fresh dusting and have you noticed everywhere goes very quiet when its been snowing. The world seems to hold its breath.

We trudged into town and saw off my brother's parcels for another year, phew that's another job on the tick off list done, but I have more. As it's Friday I do need to work on some urgent business jobs so until tomorrow then.

Disney cake anyone?

Brysons's bakery window in Keswick

Well you might think that living in a small town like this (5000 inhabitants) would produce dull shop windows but not at this time of year. Bryson's always put on a superb show.  This year they feature this wonderful shimmering ice cake.  But they also have other tempting goodies in the window which I might show you later in this advent challenge.  I am quite pleased with myself because so far I have managed a blog posting every day and its the 15th so more than half way there, phew!

I have nearly finished designing the Christmas cards today, so I had better crack on.

Cumbria Patchworkers Christmas do

My buffet sausage rolls

I made these last night and we had a couple of them warm and they were really good, I can't say that they ever taste as good once they are cold.  My fault, I should have asked our hostess to warm them up again and then they would have been at their best. I can post the recipe if you want it, just let me know.

Table decorations thanks to Gloria, wonderful

This was our magnificent spread for our lunch to be shared between 13 of us, but I am pleased to report that the plates were emptied.  Some of the cakes are off camera to the right. Just realised that quite a lot more plates of food were added after I took the photo, the table was packed.

A forest of trees

We sat and made these little trees from circles of fabric which diminished in size and were skewered on a bamboo stick which was stuck into an old cotton reel. The angels on the top came all the way from a little shop in Poland and were especially sought out by Marion, so thank you for going to the trouble and especially as you had a bad backache that day! We made more trees than this but they sneaked off somewhere.

We exchanged mug rugs

Lastly, our gift this year was a mug rug for our frequent sewing breaks.  To be honest they looked too good to put a mug down on leaving a nasty brown ring, so most of them had been given very colourful backs to take the stains....very thoughtful. They were supposed to be 6" x 9" but as you can see a certain amount of licence abounded amongst the creators.

We had a great day despite the appalling weather (sleet and snow) and thanks very much for all who attended and sorry that quite a few of you had to miss it.  I will be emailing out the photos but as I don't have an email for Liz our secretary I wonder if anyone can let me have it.  If I don't hear from you I shall send them onto Pat whose email I do have.

Keswick shop window

Union Jack Crinoline

This is a fabulous dress!  Every time I passed Textures I meant to photograph it but only today did I remember to pack the camera.  Keswick does have some lovely window displays at this time of year as it is a major holiday destination so they really try hard to put on an impressive delight for all the tourists.

Its really a shop selling curtain fabric not dress making stuff so I am not sure what they have made the dress in.  I need to go in there next week for some supplies so with any luck I will ask if I can have a closer view. If a pattern was used I will try and find out which one it was.

Tonight I am baking something for our Quilters get together tomorrow and if all goes well I will give you the recipe tomorrow but you will have to wait and see as this is entirely dependent on a good result........

New ornaments for the tree

My trusty Bernina 1260

Yes it is a trusty machine, and I could never part with it. A little cleaning and oiling each time I use it is going to be my New Year's resolution as I think it needs tlc now its older. Not that there is anything wrong with it, I just want to have the best out of it. And this is one of my new decorations for the tree, homemade silk tussah pinwheels with homemade felt bobble centres covered in gold mesh and beading on the corners. They were a bit fiddly to make but they are done now.

The good news this week is that the Lesser Redpolls are back in my garden.  The Nyger seed feeder had 3 females and one male on it this morning along with a couple of Goldfinches and a couple of Siskins.  So I am pleased as they are such cute birds and they stayed all winter last year with 14 coming to the feast one day! I will see if I can photograph them but they are not easy to pose.....
I do have last years photos on this blog so if you are new to it you can use the search to see what they got up to last December. Well that's all for today, I have so much to do.

Homemade cards

Card design Sally Evans

I do love to receive home made presents and cards and I also enjoy making them myself.  This card for instance is charming and so easy to make although you do need to buy the commercial backing card.  The tree is very simple but effective and the stuck on sequins bring it to life, although I would have added a star at the top, I might do that actually!  And what about a couple of presents at the bottom?

I have still to decide on our home made card for this year but it will have to be soon as today is the 11th I see which means only two weeks to go.  But one can achieve a lot in two weeks.  Meanwhile, I am still making silk paper ornaments for the tree which is sitting comfortably in its bucket of water outside under the covered way, so its fine and I keep topping up its water so it gets a good drink and retains those needles.

Double the glow

Whenever I light candles I try to place them infront of a mirror that way I double the amount of light and the flickering effect. Sometimes I place them in unusual containers too like this rose bowl of potpourri but I never leave a lighted candle unattended.

I have some candles which I use only at Christmas and this is one of them as it is such a lovely deep red colour but when lit becomes rosy. Where do you like to place your candles? I always make a fresh floral arrangement for the table at Christmas and I usually add a candle or two and light it whilst we have our dinner.

Anyway, I have to decide yet which lights I will put on the tree, I need to go and find them and see what choice I have.  I seem to remember using blue ones for the last 3 to 4 years so maybe its time for a change and I have never tried white.

Put a cuppa on - Christmas past food

I have been so busy sewing of late that thoughts of Christmas food and baking have been kept on the back boiler so to speak.  So in an attempt to show you something new and of interest at this time of year I thought you might like to meet a food historian, but not an ordinary one. I first met Ivan Day at least 35 years ago at the house of a friend and he struck me as an individual character with a great interest in art but I did not realise he also loved good food and historic good food too. We kept bumping into each other over the years and then the last time must have been about three years ago when we were in Carlisle for the day. Ivan was in a hurry but did manage to say he was making a programme for the television on historic food and gave me his website address.  I had a good look and thought it all very interesting but when I looked recently he had also started a blog, now that's more like it I thought, so for your delectation I offer you his two url's, I hope you enjoy, but I warn you the food looks magnificent and you might need to make a cuppa and put your feet up whilst you browse for quite some time.

Ivan's blog http://foodhistorjottings.blogspot.com/

Ivan's website http://www.historicfood.com/about%20us.htm

Embroiderers' Christmas Lunch

A pretty Santa in the bar window seat

It was our annual lunch today and we went to Threlkeld nestling under majestic Blencathra to sample the delights of the menu, and we were not disappointed!  We had a good choice on the Festive Menu which included roast turkey, pan seared venison scallops, salmon on a bed of tagliatelle and smoked haddock with poached egg etc.

So if you want to have a really good lunch and you are visiting Cumbria you cannot do better if you like a good traditional English pub than to try the Horse and Farrier at Threlkeld.

Before I go I just want to say hello to Marilyn who has been recovering from a broken wrist and Sally who also was missing today because she is suffering from ill health too. I do hope you are both better soon and have a good Christmas.

I have received the parcel I waited all day yesterday for today.... so now I can finally finish wrapping all those presents and send them on there way to Palm Springs; phew that will be a relief...  So I have to crack on, until tomorrow then.

Cold and wet but warm inside

All wrapped up!

Well nearly - I am still waiting for a delivery and then hopefully tomorrow this parcel of goodies will 'cross the pond' and be on its way.  I have to be careful to wrap stuff properly when it gets to this time of year because DD reads my blog  :-)

There is nothing worse than having to sit in and wait for a parcel to arrive is there?  I would love to walk Bella or do something else but no, I am waiting and trying to get on with other jobs but somehow its not my full attention being applied. At least we don't have to cook dinner because we are going out to the tennis club Christmas dinner tonight. Sounds grandeous but it is not, just a few of the regular players who make an effort to get together but would you believe it; they are having a committee meeting first!  What a way to put a damper on an evening. Anyway, at least I am not a member so don't have to attend the boring bit.  So until tomorrow then.

Dreaming of a white Christmas?

Well the snow is already here so it might not be for Christmas, who knows.  Anyway, my DH and a friend + Bella the Border Terrier decided to go play in the snow today.  They attempted to reach the top of Carrock Fell behind Blencathra.  All went well at first and then the snow became deeper and deeper until it was over the top of Bella but when it was over the top of Pete's walking poles and not far from the summit plateau their movements were so laborious that they decided to turn back.

This photo was taken before the conditions became worse and it shows Bella taking it all in her stride.

Hang on while I licks me nose will ya!

Tree topper

What do you put on top of your Christmas tree?  A fairy? or a star maybe? or something else?  Usually I find something amusing so I used to put an owl up there complete with feathers... but for the last few years its been a fairy made with an old toilet roll for the base to slip over the tree top. It was made at one of our Embroiderers' guild workshops and I think it was a Sally idea.  However, this year I am going to use this funky silver stuffed star, just because it looks silly and brings a smile to my face.

When I was a small girl I used to walk home from school along our road and look carefully at each tree lit up in the window and see how many had fairies and I used to judge which one was my favourite, and of course sometimes the curtains were drawn so you could only make out dim shapes of  coloured lights because in those days not many people could afford lined curtains and a good many of them were probably home made; I know ours were.  I also used to count how many Christmas trees I could find on the way home and was always pleased when another one appeared. Its a good game for children, I wonder if they still play it nowadays.

Sitting on a candle on the dresser at the moment.

Christmas cards - day four advent

A cheerful robin on a christmas card

Cards have started arriving at our house but not all of them are real, some are emails. So how do you feel about this?  I know times are hard and many people resent the costs involved in buying the cards and the postage but it is traditional.  I for one like to balance the cost by making my own cards, mainly because I enjoy it and because it has become a tradition in our house. This means the outlay is low but the fun element is great, afterall we don't have a television and have not had one for over 10 years so we like to make our own entertainment.  Anyway, whatever you decide I hope you enjoy the result. We have not designed our cards yet as its usually done nearer the time and sometimes in a huge rush, but done it is.......................

Advent continued

Preparations are under way for Christmas and the tree has been chosen from Whinlatter Forest visitor centre and sits in the covered way in its bucket of water so it gets a long drink.  It will then keep its needles until well after New Year. We tried a different tree last year but I do prefer Norwegian Spruce so we went back to this traditonal tree. I need to go and collect some greenery next to make my door wreath but I will probably wait a week before I do and then I will need to condition it so its good and wet before I put it on the front door.

If you decide you need some help making a Christmas wreath then you could try here for inspiration.

Meanwhile, I decided to make some new decorations for the tree.  I have all the usual baubles and lights but fancied something new, so I hunted around and found I had loads of silk paper I'd made so I experimented with cutting and folding it into rough star shapes and added a few beads.  I have used a handmade felt ball in the centre (left overs from an EG class with Marilyn where we made felt jewellery) and I wrapped it with some gold mesh.  The background is more silk paper I made ready for a silk purse workshop I ran a while ago. Its such a versatile material because it handles like paper but you can stitch on it and manipulate it into all sorts of shapes.

experimenting with silk paper

Advent day two

There are some amazing competitions out there if you look around and this place is running one every day over advent so what are you waiting for;  go enter and win a prize.

http://www.dougalsden.co.uk/blog/category/competitions/
Good Luck!

oops bad start to advent Day one

Nearly missed the first day of advent, just scraping in here.  But I did blunder over the timing of my shopping in Keswick as I found out that this item which was on my Christmas list for Bella had sold out...blast it.

I don't intend getting her a real one......been there and she dug holes in the lawn all around it poor thing, we had to take it up to the farm and rehome it.