Friday 26 July 2013

Stuff and Nonsense

What with the nights drawing in and Winter approaching one can't help but think of warm snuggly clothing and, in particular, hand knitted scarves. That's why I'm so glad that I have finished my lacy zig zag scarf in time for the onset of any sudden blizzards
 I'm quite pleased with how the stitch has worked out as I'm pretty new to lace knitting.
Along with Winter come thoughts of Christmas so I snatched up these metallic threads for the bargain price of £1 each
And admired how the cherry tree has prepared itself with festive red fruits

 Okay Jane, enough of the nonsense, you've stretched that metaphor as far as it will go so what else have you got to show us?

Well I picked up these rather nice etched glasses for 50p each
And a collection of postcards featuring birds with comical names
(although their finery is not really replicated by my resident sparrow)
I've finally finished the skirt for Little Sis that I began at Easter
using this pattern
(the rolled hem was a chore but she loves it)

And I treated myself to some new material from the Rag Market at Birmingham for - £2.50 per metre!
I think this one will be another skirt for Little Sis
And maybe a dress pour moi?
I've been continuing with my crochet project (can you guess what it is yet?)
And staring at my new little note pad (it's magnetic - I don't really understand why but it was half price!)

In other stuff we've been gradually adjusting to the slower pace of the Summer holidays, talking about doing all sorts of improvements to the house (we are very good at talking about them) and enjoying gorgeous evening walks. 

Sending summery wishes (remember the nights are drawing in!)

Jane
x


30 comments :

  1. Wow you have been busy ... gorgeous fabric they never seem to have anything that nice when I pop into the rag market, I'm obviously not looking at in the right places ... have a fab weekend ~ Sarah x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The sad thing was I saw some gorgeous cottons but felt that they would be too extravagant as they were £4 per metre - next time I'll prepare myself better!

      Delete
  2. You have been very busy indeed. I love the skirt you made and the scarf, wow, it's really beautiful.
    M x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ha ha you are very funny NOT!
    metalic thread, berries, AND scarves....So you will be finished with all your xmas shopping by the end of August then?.....!

    I rather like that fabric at the end....and I'm guessing your crochet project is a tea-cosy that went wrong so you turned it into a shopping bag!!!

    Actually I made one of those and it turned out HUGE...one of my mistakes that did not get to go shopping with me....

    D x

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your scarf is lovely and that skirt is a stunner. Aren't you clever! Pretty fabrics, I can't believe they were £2.50 a metre! Bargain! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know - the challenge is to actually make something with them now!

      Delete
  5. I'm working on my first lace scarf too. It's an abject lesson in patience and skill, I'll tell you that! What pattern did you use for yours?
    Love all that fabric - lucky duck getting it cheap as chips! Enjoy the rest of the hols.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This pattern was quite straightforward and even better it was free! If you have a ravelry account you can find it here
      http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lacy-zigzag-scarf
      - and if you haven't - get one! It's fab!

      Delete
  6. As I began reading your post I was thinking had I lost a couple of months! But, you are right, the nights are drawing in...9pm last night and my lights began switching on. Don't joke about Christmas though as it will be here before we know and the panic will be filling blog land! My mum is always finished buying Christmas presents, writing cards etc by the end of August and laughs at us all as the stress levels begin to rise! Have a great weekend with your scarf and I love the fabric you have bought. Take care. Chel x

    ReplyDelete
  7. Glad you are prepared for winter...in Scotland it can arrive any time from late August! Lovely lace scarf by the way and gorgeous fabrics...Julia x

    ReplyDelete
  8. The skirt is adorable and I love all of your new fabrics. You've been busy! I do feel like the days are beginning to shorten just a bit. One thing I've noticed is that I no longer wake to a laser-beam of sunlight across my eyes every morning; the light is changing rather quickly around here already.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Winter approaching? Winter approaching???? It's July, please don't rush it, or maybe you can since you have that beautiful scarf and need Winter to wear it...but then you have those beautiful fabrics (love the one with the daisies?)that just scream Summer, hmm, then there's the hat...oh forget it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. My husband told me the other day that it was maybe time I started thinking about Christmas. I know he meant as regards my tartan bee shop but he didn't actually specify that so I'm going to start writing my list for Santa! :oD

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Jane , love the skirt you made....I've been sewing a skirt too this week but I ended up using some fabric I found ages ago in a charity shop as even the market stall fabric seemed soooo expensive.
    I love the fabrics you picked up for a bargain price :0)
    Jacquie x

    ReplyDelete
  12. Funny lady! I was just laughing today as I was perusing Pinterest and there are a ton of people already pinning Christmas ideas. Can you believe it? I will admit though , that I bough yarn today to make myself and my daughter cozy cowls for the "upcoming" winter. I needed a small project to take on our camping trip this week!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Surely you neen more of a summer before you start thinking about winter again, but I really like your scarf.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I picked up a Christmas gift last week - but it was a total one off at an antiques fair so I had to get it! It does feel like summer has only just arrived though and I'm already thinking I should make some winter things! I love the scarf, beautiful :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh wow, your scarf is so beautiful, I wish I could knit! One day...and the skirt is so sweet! I love those fabrics and I'd make skirts out of all of them, you included, and twirl around in the garden...great shopping! I love those birdie cards, fantastic! Cx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Beautiful scarf and well done with the skirt. I remember my mum used to buy bits of fabric at our market to make skirts for me and my sister, usually matching ones :(

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nights drawing in what's that all about, and winter?! :-). I'm enjoying the sun and thinking of nothing else, not yet anyway!! Love your scarf, wish I could knit, one day. I love the pattern on it and in sure it will be super cozy when the winter arrives. The fabric was a complete steal, wow!! Love your skirt and if it makes you feel better there are quite a few projects on the to here some since long before Easter! Loving those bird postcards they are fab. Off to treacle tomoz so will be thinking of you xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh no, don't make me think about winter already. I love your scarf but think that pattern is beyond me, I'm just a beginner and still haven't finished the baby jumper I started in March. Your glasses are so pretty and remind me of ones that my nan had, we used to drink Corona from them. (a great treat as we never had fizzy drinks at home) How fab, a Janet and John notebook. Jump Spot, Jump. You never forget great literature!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you for leaving such a lovely comment when you popped by.
    Your new scarf is fab but I hope it's a long while until it gets some use!
    Pretty new fabric buys and bargains too at that price.
    Lisa x

    ReplyDelete
  20. You talented knitter you!

    Ahhhhhh...the talked about house projects. I know them all too well!

    Yes, the book notepad is magnetic.

    A market bag???

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your posts always make me laugh (Hoopoe - love it). The scarf is really gorgeous and far beyond anything I could attempt so I am slightly in awe. That fabric is very nice indeed, I'm sure you'll make something fabulous from it. :-) x

    ReplyDelete
  22. Initially popped round to thank you for your comment on my blog that made me laugh until my belly wobbled (once it starts it takes a while to stop unfortunately) - however I am side tracked by the cock of the rock. Also thank you for the timely reminder regarding winter and the nights are indeed drawing in - I gather firewood at every opportunity and planning Christmas alright already! Mind you how lovely to be a knitter - envious of knitting and wish that my mum was still here to teach me - I just was irritated by all the clickty clacking that went on every single night. Also my sisters frequent the Birmingham Rag Market and ALWAYS buy stacks of fabric and then not quite sure what to do with it! It is probably a very good job that I have not been there in the last twenty years. Best get on as it will soon be dark....
    Best wishes
    La Cootard!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love the fabric underneath the reels of thread! Is that a tablecloth? It's gorgeous! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh well spotted! It's actually an old 'St. Michael' silk scarf - I love the vibrant colours!

      Delete
  24. Love that fabric. I always wonder whether to make a trip to Birmingham to stock up. Loved all of your post especially the 'Jupe' So cute. Thanks for dropping by my blog I am gonna hunker down and get that sleeve done! Jo x

    http://joeveryday19.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete

I love to read your comments - they are appreciated sooooo much. Thanks for making my day xxx