I've finished a project!

So pleased that I've actually finished a project! A while back I started a  crochet cushion, but I lost interest when it was time to sew the ends in.Then I came across this chair with potential at the charity shop for a fiver and I couldn't resist it. It's perfect for my summerhouse in the garden, or my craft room, when I say perfect, I mean it would be with a lick of paint

I'd already bought the paint for another project, but it still took me two weeks to get started!
The paint colour is called Water from B&Q, it's an emulsion but I turned it into a chalk paint so that it would stick to the wood.

Ta- Dah

I'm really pleased with the colour and I think it co-ordinates well with the cushion, which I finally finished yesterday!

Now I must crack on with the project that I originally bought the paint for!
Have a great week!
Rachel x

Its been so long....

I think I may have forgotten how to do it, so I'll start with a short post I think.
Lets start with  Happy Easter to all of you!!

It will be a very relaxing affair here, Hubby is working away, just me and my boy, at 19, he's too old for an Easter egg hunt, but he is busy chuffin chocolate down instead of breakfast!!

I have been busy with my crochet. I really enjoyed making my granny blanket,

especially the bobble edging, I think it was my favourite bit!
I also made myself a cosy cowl, I'm wearing it today, so chilly this weekend! I'm

still having difficulty following some patterns, especially the diagrams, but I shall just have to keep practising!
I have been stocking my Etsy shop with vintage and handmade goodies too.

  Had a fab visit to Brum, fabric shopping ( I do miss the markets) and visiting the family!

 

I found lots  of gorgeous ditsy prints, I shall have to go back for more very soon! So many gorgeous fabrics to choose from.
Hope you have a lovely day! You will find me snuggling on the sofa with Netflix, Wilson, and my crochet!

Rachel x 

 

A Little Makeover

Bought this little pine shelf unit at the local car boot for just £3, but it's a bit too orangey for me! I painted it with Autentico paint which is lovely to use!

 Persuaded Hubby to fix it to the wall in the living room last night. I bribed him with a Jack Daniels and coke!

I prefer it now I've painted it.....and added little treasures!
Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine!
Rachel x

Sorting and tidying....

Sorting and tidying...., a photo by RubyRed06 on Flickr.

...on a Saturday .I have a new shelf in my tiny utility space The rosebud tins are filled with nightlights from IKEA!Please say I'm not the only one who overbuys nightlights? I forgot I already had some in the garage! Ahh well, I won't need to buy any for another year.....or two!
Also trying to get to grips with Instagram....it may take me some time!
Hope you're having a lovely weekend
Rachel x

Fabrics, Ribbon and Faffing

We had a lovely time at the weekend staying with my folks in Birmingham!
We managed to fit in a bit of fabric and ribbon shopping at the Rag Market too and then bought quite a lot of fruit from the outdoor market.

It always warms my heart when I go back to Birmingham as the market traders are so friendly and helpful! In a short space of time, I had been called darling, Bab( a popular Brummie expression)  and Princess as I paid for my goodies! It did make me smile.
The fabrics are so pretty and so reasonable at £2.50 per metre! I shall be using them to make heart garlands for my little shop.

I also couldn't resist this pretty ribbon, not sure what I'm going to do with it yet though!

 I've also been faffing with a corner of the lounge today, having a bit of a change around with the furniture. There used to be a pine chest of drawers in this corner, next to the sofa. Unfortunately The Hubster knocked over a  scented reed diffuser and didn't notice. Overnight the oil soaked through a box of tissues and the print leaked into the pine top.
Not to worry though as now I'm going to paint this pine piece and have it upstairs in the bedroom.
I have moved the tea trolley from the dining room into it's place.We've had this trolley for 27 years and it used to be dark brown wood, I painted it white a few years ago. I bought the pretty storage boxes from TK Maxx a few weeks ago!

 

 

 Perfect for storing a bit of my yarn stash in! This is the spot where I sit and crochet and watch TV at the same time.

I bought the little rose bush from Lidl just before Easter, it was only £3 and I'm planning to pop it outdoors when I can be sure the frosts have finally gone!
The sun is out this afternoon which is lovely!
Hope it's shining on you wherever you are!
Have a great week
Rachel x

Crochet Doily Garlands

 

 

As the weather is still so cold and I haven't ventured into the garden except to mow the lawn and have a bit of a clear up, I have been indulging myself in crochet, doily garlands
I got the doily pattern from here, I know lots of you have already made gorgeous coasters from this pattern.Then I added a crochet chain to hang as a garland.
This is the first one I made, I added little crochet flowers to the centre.

Now I've made some in lilac, I've had this little idea in my head for a while, to applique hearts in the centre,

 I backed them with felt for firmness as I thought they might wrinkle up if I just backed them with Bondaweb Just tested them hanging above our bed. I still haven't finished the floral wall, it's an  ongoing project, like so many progects I start! Nearly there though!

I do love finding vintage prints for the wall, the inspiration came from this fabulous book  by the talented Selina Lake. A lovely book that I dip in and out of all the time!
I've also made a few brooches






 and some yo-yo embellishments
As I have been writing this post the Sun has popped it's head out for a while, best make the most of it then!
Have a lovely day
Rachel x

Such Kindness

There are some people in the world who are very kind, well ......just because they are, I am lucky to know such a person.,.. she may live across the pond and we have never met, but she is the sweetest kindest soul.She is of course the lovely Paula at http://sugarsweetandpink.blogspot.co.uk/
Her kindness doesn't just extend to me, but lots of others in Blogland too!

Anyway a few weeks ago a pretty parcel arrived in the post, I was peeling spuds at the time( such a glam life I lead) I heard the letterbox clunk and just thought it would be more bills or junk mail but no, it was  beautifully wrapped parcels for me!

Look at the pretty yo yo tag and gingham ribbon, gorgeous!

When I opened it it bought a tear to my eye it was the cutest EVER handmade doll! I mean utterly ADORABLE!!

 Dressed in my favourite colour too! Look at the teeny tiny collar

 And look at the adorable shoes, lets have a closer look, too cute!!She has such cute heart shaped lips, in fact her whole face is beautifully embroidered!


But that wasn't the only parcel Paula sent , look at these too, gorgeous trims she sent and heart shaped buttons and such a pretty card which I've pinned up in my tiny craft room, will show you that another time!

So thank you again my lovely friend Paula, you are the best!!

The sunshine is here today, I did a spot of garden clearing today much more to be done though.
I've also been enjoying lots of crochet, will show soon!
Have a lovely day!
Rachel x

Christmas Snippets

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas!
Ours was lovely, but it seemed very short, as the Hubster and son only had 2 days off from work.
Our daughter came home for a few days and we also visited our family in Birmingham the weekend before Christmas.
It was wonderful  and chaotic at the same time.

Old and new favourite ornaments on the tree

 

 

I was a very lucky gal and received some lovely gifts, here are a few of them.

 

And look what I found at Oxford market, a very lucky find indeed!!A Magpie and The Wardrobe Doll!

 

Hope you all Have a Happy New year!Whether it be a quiet one, or party time!

We are having a gathering with friends.I'm down to make pavlovas and brownies

While the house is quiet I shall have a bit of hooky time and trawl Ravelry with a cuppa!

Rachel x

F..f..f... freezing!!

Oh my word, sooo cold and frosty today! I should be having a stall in Oxford but it is just TOO cold to stand outdoors all day!
I have been keeping warm and cosy indoors and making these. I have nearly finished my handmade presents now, I've really enjoyed it! 

Must start on my Christmas baking soon, haven't made any mince pies yet, but that doesn't mean I haven't eaten any!Tee Hee!
My dad has already asked if I'm making Nigella Christmas Rocky Road this year!

I've been using up some of my vintage sheet stash to make tea towels, don't know why I haven't done this sooner as they're quite quick to make!

We haven't put our tree up yet but the spiders have  done a lovely job of decorating the garden

They've been very busy!!

 

 

We'll probably do the tree tomorrow, helped by a few cheeky Baileys
Keep cosy and warm wherever you are!
Happy weekend to you!(I know it's only Thurs, but it feels like it to me!)
Rachel x

Still at it!

Oh yes, I've still been making handmade Christmas presents. Usually every year I attempt handmade gifts, but I never do as many as I'd like , but this year I'm really trying hard and I'm enjoying it too!

Usually I buy 1 new decoration per year , but this year I've made my own Snowmen, from one of the brilliant Tilda books.Made them from a cotton sheet and my sisters old curtains!

I've also started on my handmade Christmas cards too, so chuffed that I managed to learn to crochet simple snowflakes, still can't work out how to do a star though!
I've started a granny blanket too...dont know whether I'll get that finished in time...we'll see.

Also been making more brooches for my nieces and my little Etsy shop
I love to see everyones Christmas makes, trees and festivities on their blogs at this time of year
Anyway I must pop to the post office, better pick up stamps for my cards, that'll be a small fortune then!
Have a wonderful weekend
I'm off to London tomorrow to have a girly day with my daughter, shopping (Caravan)and Columbia Rd and exhibitions, can't wait!
Rachel x

Friday Crafting

Hello lovely gals,
Today has been a good day, I've been trying to get ahead of myself with handmade gifts for Christmas.

I have good intentions every year, but this time I REALLY am determined to have a handmade Christmas.These are little teddy brooches for my little nieces.Really enjoyed making them with their little winter scarves.

Need to make something for my 5 yr old nephew, don't think he'd be impressed with one of these....any ideas?

I've been finishing making goodies for my little shop and stall too....too many unfinished projects around the place!That said, I'm attempting Amigurumi today, mind you , I can hardly spell it never mind do it!

Have a lovely weekend
Rachel x

Crochet Peter Pan Collar

Crochet Peter Pan Collar, a photo by RubyRed06 on Flickr.

Loved making this in beautifully soft merino yarn, trying to get ahead with my Christmas gifts this year!

Rachel x

Vintage sheets and lots of crafting

Can't believe I've been away so long again! ! Hey ho,life has its ups and downs and we had a fair few family difficulties over the summer including, not so good A level results and having a massive shock that a close member of our extended family had cancer, which was awful, but  luckily after surgery and radiotherapy, that beloved family member is still with us and hopefully fully recovered.

 I totally lost my blogging mojo.But for the past month I keep meaning to write a blog post and share what I've been up to!

I have been collecting vintage sheets for a few years but they are becoming harder to find but last week I was so lucky to find 4 at once with gorgeous and vibrant prints for their age!I nearly skipped out of the charity shop! So I have been busy making Reto Kittens..

I have lots of little nieces, so I thought they'd make cute  stocking fillers,( the kittens not the nieces, although they are lovely)This blue floral is my favourite at the mo!

 

 

There's my new Greengate teatowel (bought it at Girls Own in Bridport, our summer holiday) as a backdrop

I've been busy with my crochet too,making granny bunting and Peter Pan collars.

http://www.lululoves.co.uk/item/crochet-collar-pattern.html
from this fabulous free pattern.It's a gorgeous blog too if you'd like to take a peek!
lululoves

Will post pictures of the collars soon, just got to pop the buttons on.
Hey the Sun has just come out! Have a lovely day, I'll hopefully be catching up with you all soon!
Rachel xxx