Gardening Sunday

Thought it was about high time I got cracking with sowing some seeds, and as its a beautiful day I couldnt think of any reason why I shouldnt bite the bullet. The first 30 mins was spend making pots out of newsaper with my 'paper potter' which was a present from a Sister in law for my birthday last Novermber. This was only the second time I have used it and I highly recommend them.

   The idea is you make sow your seeds in them and plant the whole thing out, the paper rots disintergrate and these is no root disturbance to the seeding. I think its fab.I hope the seedinglings enjoy the sports pages! That done, I got everything else gathered together and was ready to get going.

I planted some peas straight into conatiners as I love the tips of the plants in my salads, and in the paper pots went radishes, 2 types of lettuce, sunflowers, calendula and marigolds. They are now sitting quite happily in the cold frame.
A quick weed round both front and back gardens, then it was time for a well earned coffee and  to take a couple of pics to show how things are progressing.

The sweetpeas I planted out last weekend are looking good (tho the wigwam has seen better days).

Loving the way the sunshines through this beautiful red tulip. The hyacinths have been out for a couple of weeks, the still look good and smell wonderful.
Its time like this I wish I had lots more room so I could get some serious veg growing done.
One day Id like to dig up the lawn and terrace it, but weve got lotsto do on the house first. Still, I might not have much space, but I manage to pack quite a bit in.
:o)
Jo

The Owl Project

In January I found a Craft Swap run by Popular Craft Magazine.  The idea is that you send your details to Popular Crafts and they pair you with someone similar. You craft something for your swap partner and they craft something for you. The Theme for the month was 'Owls'.I found a fab pattern on the internet and my owl turned out like this.......

I took 'her' to work before sending her off  (as I wanted to see if 'she' was good enough) and 6 ladies decided they wanted one, before I knew it I had sold 12 of them (with another two on order), so Ive been busy getting a production line running!. Here are the last batch.......

My Brother-in-Law runs a Family Music Festival in the Summer and has several people with stalls selling a variety of bits and peices and thinks they would sell well. So I may have to give it some serious thought. Its a real nice feeling having people wanting to buy something Ive made. :O)

Bargin Sunday

The day started well  (the sun was out and thats always a bonus).
Most of the daffodils in my front garden are in bloom and looking lovely......

The first thing on my 'to do' list was a trip to Hobbycraft. I had a good look round (I needed more thead for my latest x-stitch project), they had an offer on felt pieces in some nice colours so came home with some 'treasure'.......

Then on my way home I spotted something I have always wanted and knew I could never afford in a neighbours driveway where he was having a yard sale! This is my new Welsh Dresser which we purchased for the sum of £30..........

Its solid pine and the cabinet makers stamp states it was made 20 yrs ago. There are some scuffs on it, but its in really good condition, the glass is nicely bevelled and the display lights work. Im a very happy bunny - we just need to rearrange the house now to fit it in.
So, I only got one thing done on my 'to do' list, but the rest can wait, the diversion was well worth it.
:O)
Jo

A few projects from 2011.

 I made lots of things last year, but only took photos of a few. I was without a sewing machine for a few months, but managed to get hold of an old one for £10. This, combined with Kirstie Allsopp's ongoing TV craft series gave me the motivation to get cracking.
 The biggest project was to make all the Xmas pressies for my Sisters in Law (there are 6 of them).I had the time and the fabrics and as were are on an economy drive, it made sense. They got, patchwork-shoppers, pincushions, fabric mice, lavender bags,rasbperry vodka liquer and marshmallow fudge, all wrapped in hessian gift bags, tied with Xmas ribbon and homemade gift tags.
 As I was so busy trying to get these done, the only pics I took were of the doorstops. These were adapted from a pattern I found online, made with fabric scraps (which I got on ebay) and filled with beans. 

I also made some cross stitch cushions adapted from a pattern in a Celtic Needlecraft book which I have had for years. These go nicely on our green sofa, they are quite small (about 8" square) but I think they have turned out really well.

 Ive started a black, white and grey Celtic pattern cushion for a Sister in Laws birthday pressie and about halfway through ( hopefully will post a pic when its finished).
I also did a wee bit of knitting for charity, I read an article in a magazine about a lady who started knitting small teddybears and giving them to poor or homeless children who dont have any toys. I felt so moved by the article I thought I had to get involved. Her website - www.angelbear.org.uk is well worth a quick look.
I made lots of cards as well, but no pics.
 

Ive decided one thing I really must get to grips with in 2012 is to take more photos of the projects I complete. Watch this space..............
Jo xx 

OK. So its pouring down with rain (so getting any gardening done is out), my current fave TV programme still isnt up on repeat viewing yet, and it seems the only way I could enter a craft giveaway on a blog was to create one of my own - so here goes.
Really not sure how this is going to pan out, but have bitten the bullet anyway. Might just end up being an online diary - not sure yet..........