Craft of a different kind?

Sorry, no pictures again, in the state the house is in I don't even know where the camera is and I really don't think pictures of jars of chutney are very inspiring, yes a craft of a different kind - chutney making - we have so many plums and pears and i hate to waste anything, I never get on to well freezing them so it's preserves time and the house smells of ginger and vinegar at the moment with an Apple, Plum and Ginger chutney bubbling away.I have also curried and frozen some runner beans since we got back home, well why not, we do live in the 'curry capital, of England.Tomorrow is Carpet day then hopefully we can gradually get straight again and my craft room will be accessible.

A sad homecoming.

I was very sad today when we left my late Aunts home and the place I was born in yorkshire , yes we plan to go back but I shed a few tears on the way out of the village. We are both really tired after clearing the bungalow, that was a harrowing experience as was finding her precious things and old family photo's etc. It would have been good to arrive home to a nicely ordered house but not to be as we are in the middle of decorating and re carpeting, definitely have the urge to run away to sea!!! I took lots of crafty things with me but by the time we got to sit down at night I couldn't keep my eyes open so nothing was done and may not be done for a little while yet. Some of the things I brought back with me such as lace mats, old linen buttons and bits of unusual fabric etc will be used in my fabric work and keep my Aunts memory alive, not that we would ever forget her!!

First pages.

My get up and go has sort of got up and went since we lost my Aunt, we have to go north at the weekend for the funeral and to start clearing her home, not a pleasant job at all and I just can't seem to sort myself out at the moment, my cousin has just called and she is just leaving to start her journey from Canada and will get into Manchester on Saturday. Last weekend I started a fabric ' Cowgirl' book when we were having a few days caravanning with Jan and today I've put the first page together, I've tried to make it shabby with no pretty lace in sight and I think it's worked so far. I've always been a fan of the American west and love the work of KC Willis, recently in my latest Sew Somerset magazine another admirer of KC's style had her work on show in the form of a beautiful 'cowgirl' book and quilties so this really sparked my imagination (and yes I still have a page to finish in my vintage ladies book and do the cover). And finally a pic of my OH with a few of his freshly picked runner beans - doesn't he look pleased with himself!!!(or does he?)

Shocked and Sad

We have just arrived home from a couple of days spent in Yorkshire , my Aunt passed away suddenly and totally unexpectedly over the weekend, altho' she had her 91st birthday in June I think because of how she looked and behaved ( certainly not as a 90+ year old) we were guilty of thinking she'd go on forever. All my life I have been so close to her and of course she was the last link to my mother, we will really miss her but have lots of happy memories, my cousin Sandi is coming over from Canada for the funeral and i think between us we will shed a few tears.

A couple of things.

I made one more bookmark then just had to have a go at a 'shabby flower' , really pleased with the result and it uses up those scraps of lace and fabric that would normally be thrown out,it's made of layers of calico,printed fabric and lace with scraps of lace and ribbon, I twisted fabric into a rose in the centre and added a vintage glass button to finish off

Dyeing for Coffee

Thought I'd show you my washing line as it looks right know - full of coffee dyed calico,canvas and lace etc, the sun shone so I started dyeing, hung it out and the black clouds came, I just hope the rain holds off or I may end up with striped or even a white wash!! The fabrics do look light in the photo but they are quite nicely stained in reality. This is the first stage in a new fabric book - I know,but I have nearly finished my fabric book in progress - really!

Bookmark

A lady and lace bookmark with a mini crochet flower, I suddenly realised I could perhaps crochet my own flowers to match fabric etc, a change from spraying with glimmer mist and inks.When I grow up I may use real dyes!!