Cornered!

Take a look at my old Craft Corner where I could hardly get moving. I stopped using the sewing machine in the end because I had so much stuff piled up in front of it.

Something had to be done about it!

Well now I've moved into another corner, with a better view looking out to the garden.

The downside of this room is that it faces north so it's always in the shade.

That was fine when it was used by my son as a bedroom - but I would like just a little bit of sunshine...

Oh well, a girl can't have it all. Look at this - I've got a cupboard and I've got storage boxes.

I've also been given a bookcase for all my magazines and craft books.

Look inside at all the drawers and baskets where all my craft things are stored.

And on this side are the fabrics, stored in plastic boxes and on shelves.

There's quite a collection of books there too.

Nice patterned rug to go under my feet.

And this is the sewing box I inherited from my Aunty Dorothy. It was her 21st birthday present from my Grandma and Grandad, I think that would have been in the 1930's. My husband treated it for woodworm and re-furbished it for me.

Take a look inside. It came complete with some Sylko cottons on wooden reels.

I like old stuff.

And I inherited my pin cushion too, it belonged to my Mother- in - Law.

So now it's lovely to have a new corner to sew in and a bit more space and storage.

Think I'll hang on to that bed though, just in case.

Friends School Lisburn goes viral.

My ears pricked up when I saw Friends School featured on our local news a few days ago because I just happen to be a past pupil, and a pretty bad one at that!

Well it looks like things might have changed a bit since the '60's and early '70's when I was a pupil there. I moved to N. Ireland from England at the age of 13 and I was unhappy leaving my school and all of my friends.

I was placed at 'Friends' towards the end of 3rd form and put into the bottom class to see how I would progress. Ha! It went from bad to worse.

Moving up into 4th form, it was GCSE's then, and the groups of subjects I had to study were not really of my choosing. I wanted to do Domestic Science and Art and along with that came History (boring), Music (couldn't read a note), Geography (o.k.), English Lit. (Shakespeare- no thanks!). Then the usual core subjects, English, French and Maths (to this day I can't do the most basic maths).

Thank you to the maths teacher who stood and flipped his ruler through my hair when I couldn't do the sums. I remember you.

And in those days you had to kneel on the floor and a measurement was taken from floor to hem to ensure your gym slip was the required length. Too short and you were in trouble.

I spent a lot of time getting into trouble.

Aren't they lucky, those pupils of today?

Just take a look at this........

Harmony Hill Craft Group Christmas lunch and competition 2011.

A belated post because we got a new computer just before Christmas and I'm only just getting around to working out how to get my photos up on the blog and they, and my mind, are a bit muddled.

This was my competition entry for a 'Stampie'. Cut out from lace and painted.




I was hoping we would have a higher entry for this competition as they are going to be displayed at our annual exhibition. Well, I know Christmas is a busy time, but this was only stamp size, and out of 30 members we fell short on effort.




Enjoying the food and chat.



Sharon made this Christmas tree from milk bottle tops!



This years competition was a 'Stampie.' I loved this felted robin.



Judy was the winner with her machine embroidered trees.



I like this blurry shot of her receiving the cup.



We started off with mulled wine and after that I forgot to take a photo of the lovely food everyone had contributed.




Anna entertained us with her expert flower arranging, I liked the spheres made from leaves wrapped around an oasis ball.



We had a great lunch. Lovely entertainment from Anna, Vivienne and Dorothy - and I'm still

trying to win that cup!

Recycled Paper Christmas Tree.

Take a look at this link. I'm fascinated by these AMAZING paper sculpturesappearing around the city of Edinburgh.

Well, not on quite the same scale of brilliance but fun nevertheless, one of our Harmony Hill ladies did an impromptu demo of paper sculpting at our Christmas lunch. Vivienne made a Christmas tree using a Sainsburys mini magazine - the sort you get at their front door - that's full of recipes and great ideas on how to decorate your house if you could be bothered. It was highly entertaining!

What do you think? I just had to come home and make one!

NIEG Exhibition.

'Sew Beautiful - Size does not matter.'

I went and had a look at this exhibition at Cregagh library yesterday.
It was in a bright and airy room and all the canvases were nicely hung on ribbons. I was impressed with that.
Here, I am studying the work of Yvonne Williams - and on the left of Yvonne's are three pieces from Carolyn MacDougall.
Ha! My two arch-enemies from college days when we were all doing C&G together.
Also, in that grouping, there is an exhibit from Linda Charlton who taught me patchwork and inspired me to take up the C&G courses in the first place. At the time there were no courses running for Patchwork so I took the Creative Embroidery as a second choice. I'm glad I did.
Why have I not joined this Guild? I haven't figured that one out yet.

Pixie Hat.

I was admiring my friend's hat. Then out came the pattern from her bag. "Why don't you have a go?", she said. So I bought some Chunky wool on the way home and got knitting.




I'm a bit of a knit- wit when it comes to knitting.
Dropped stitches that I don't know how to pick up.
Patterns that are double dutch to me.
But the pixie hat pattern given to me by my mate Sharon said, 'Great for beginners'.
Well, I'm not exactly a beginner, remember this bear?
So I got on o.k. with this hat and I'm feeling quite pleased with myself!
Someone else is having a go at knitting over at Dear Friend.

Halloween Pumpkins.

This is the Evil Pumpkin that my son carved. It went mouldy overnight and suppurated all over the hearth.


These are the nice pumpkins I saw in St George's Market.


These are strange pumpkins and gourds I saw in Canada.






Happy Halloween!

Makin' Whoopee (Pies).

Not exactly the 'Great British Bake Off.'
Halloween cakes for the weekend - wonder what Mary Berry would say?!
Oh, Yuk!

Spooky Characters.

I made these with my little grand-daughter at the weekend and we left them to dry.
Today she went home happy with her spooky characters.

Neil Diamond Crunchy Granola Suite Glastonbury 08

Crunchy Granola's neat.