Toy making

 This is a 1970s book I found recently and its contents show how to make toys from different types of materials, such as wood, paper and cloth.

Someone had spilled a cup of tea over the edge of the book so the pages were stuck together, but once I prised them apart, it was still readable and just a little unsavoury in appearance.

The instructions for hinged paper or cardboard figures are just the thing to make for next Christmas, as tree decorations perhaps, so off I go again with my forward planning.

 Strange how in the 1970s there is a suggestion for making a spaceman (spaceperson), but that is how we thought about life in those days; our view on technology.

What would be influencing our designs now?   A celebrity, owl or cupcake (not a figure but you could still do a hinged decoration)......

Fabric finds

Last week I found these pieces of fabric and at such a good price that I thought there must be some mistake.  The black and white country scene is a French linen fabric; I know this for sure as the printing on the side border said it was so.  There were 4 metres of yellow flowered  Laura Ashley cotton fabric and this is currently for sale in the vintage shop. 

 The linen country fabric is going to be made in to a tablecloth, for use on the dining table.

Snow arrives!

It is November and we have seen our first snow!  This is unusual and unwelcome as it is so disruptive.  The main roads are usually gritted and cleared but our side roads are not and it is most difficult getting out of our country lanes.

Last night I went out with the shop girls for tea at a local pub and we came out to hailstone storm as we left tthe pub to go home.

Will be spending today looking at the snow from the warmth of the conservatory and doing some knitting, drinking hot chocolate and eating ginger cake.

This weather might be with us for the next 10 days.  Oh dear.

Birthday week



 Some of the birthday cake we had this week.

 This week there was a birthday to celebrate so we had cake and wine, as you do.  Some of you might not have the wine, just tea or coffee, of course. 

The cake was plain, with pink icing and 100s and 1000s sprinkled on top.

We also went to Cardiff for the day to do some Christmas shopping, but I prefer independent shops these days, rather than large corporate organisations.  I am not that keen on buying items mass produced in China either, so purchasing becomes limited. 

Our lovely meat man delivered organic lamb this week, so we have a freezer full of lamb to enjoy.  Yum Yum.

The vintage shop had a charity day in support of Children in Need and was selling scrumptious cupcakes.  The shop was very busy, which was pleasing, and I bought a  soft blue velvet jacket, just a little small for me but I don't mind looking a little squashed!

Making Christmas decorations

This ribbon is going to be used on Christmas decorations I am planning to make this week-end.  In my fabric box I have lots of sparkly bits and pieces to make into hearts, birds and round shapes, which will then be used to dangle from lengths of driftwood, with the decorations finally ending up in some of the windows of the house.  It would be nice if I could purchase all my Christmas presents from independent shops, such as Folksy and Etsy, but I have also decided to venture to Cardiff this week for a look at the retail stores there.  It is always such an effort to leave Pembrokeshire as everywhere else is so far away, but there we are.

Vintage haberdashery

These are a couple of examples of the types of haberdashery I have in my rented space in the Vintage Clothes store.  The ric rac is so lovely I didn't want to sell it but then most people who create and sell goods probably feel the same way.  The mending yarn is really good for sewing and knitting with and I have a selection of colours for sale.

Yesterday I found lots of fabric and will be posting photos of my treasures later next week.  It is amazing what people reject from their homes and give to the charity stores.  Lucky for those of us who can upcycle.

Needle felting

During the summer I dyed quite a few pieces of fleece and they have been sitting in a heap in the sewing room, gathering dust.  A few weeks ago I saw someone wearing a long necklace laced with buttons and the idea came to me to attempt to make a fleecy button necklace.  This fleece has been died with woad and some with indigo to give these blue shades.  It is very light in weight and I have other coloured pieces of fleece which will eventually be made into necklaces.

 Woad plantImage via Wikipedia

Sock time

Image via Wikipedia

Now is the time for making socks.  These old patterns include knitting on 2 needles but I quite fancy the ankle socks, knitted on 4 pins.  Once you cast on the socks are quite easy to knit up.  Last week I  ordered yarn from Blackers in Cornwall.  They had an article in November's Country Living magazine and have some lovely wools for sale.  Some of the wool is over dyed with some nice colours but I prefer the yarn natural.  The sock yarn is 4 ply but does not contain any nylon, so any socks made are not going to be hard wearing.  Keep them for indoors only.

Beanie

This is a beanie I knitted for sale in the shop.  It is made out of a mix of Angora and Goathland yarn and is very soft, making it a nice experience on the head.  A lot of customers come into the shop and once they spot all the wool products, complain that "they can't wear wool".  Good luck with the synthetic life then.

Black mountain sheep

This yarn is from Black Mountain sheep and a lovely dark shade of chocolate brown.  I am using them to make a large cowl/snood for myself.  The yarn from mountain sheep is going to be coarse but from the feel of the garment it is not going to be too itchy and scratchy.  Perhaps my skin is just not as sensitive as I thought it might be.