Still Crafting ............................................. (trying to !!)

Greetings dear friends & readers

I started January full of enthusiasm & hoping to blog weekly.

I rather rapidly ran out of steam when I had to drop everything & take yet another trip to my Mum's due to some 

health issues she was having.

Mum is doing okay now & I have returned home again - trying to pick up where I left off  😯

These beautiful lilly's above are growing right outside my dining room window - the  picture on the left is taken through the window glass

Their scent is heavenly & wafts in on the breeze - although I know alot of folk are not fond of lilly's, I just adore their fragrance 💗

While I was at Mum's the veggie garden went crazy - I have been madly picking every single day since my return.

I did not intend buying yellow courgette plants as I prefer the green ones - this is what happens when you visit the Garden Centre & forget to take your glasses !!! 😐

At present I am picking a colander full of tomatoes each day - & my sweet peas are still producing flowers this far into January!

One of my plans/hopes/dreams for this year is to become a better knitter & learn to knit more than just dishcloths 😉

I thought I would like to make myself a project bag to hold my knitting.

My dear friend Shirley had gifted me a lovely project bag pattern early last year.

The pattern is for the Finch Bucket Bag by Stitch Mischief

I decided to use up some of my Tilda fabrics as I seemed to have acquired quite a stash

I chose to make the larger size patchwork version which turned out quite a bit bigger than I thought but I am thrilled with it.

It is a lovely generous size & would hold several projects at once.

I used some cotton/linen blend & some red spotty fabrics (already in my stash), to line the bag & make the pockets. 

I didn't have any cording on hand so I used the polka dot fabric & sewed the drawstrings instead.

As the bag is also lined with wadding it has a nice padded effect & doesn't sag.

Early last December our craft group got together & had a small Christmas break up luncheon.

One of our ladies Maureen, had asked her husband to cut out 6 wooden doll/wing/star shapes & we were each presented with a set at the luncheon

Our challenge was "to create something with them"

Mine got put aside over the busy Christmas period & just pulled out again last week.

I painted them with some leftover chalk paint then decided to do some embellishing with the rice paper I purchased from Paint me Vintage  way back * Here * last May

I just applied my rice paper cut outs using Mod Podge.

Then I glued my angels wings & star on, & gave her a face & some hair.

I LoVe her so much 💕

As I have hung her on my dressing table mirror I even painted the back of her, as I couldn't stand seeing the 

raw wood in the mirror - yes I am pathetic fussy like that 😉   

I did not get a chance to catch up with any friends or other family while down at Mum's, but I very quickly ran into 

my friend Claire's house at dinner time one night, (while Mum sat waiting in my car) to drop an Order off.

"I have something for you - here" said Claire ......  & quick-as-a-flash she shoved this doll in my hands!

 This beautiful Tilda Christmas Angel, handcrafted by Claire herself ! Gosh how lucky I am !

I have her home now & she is not going away with the rest of the Christmas decor - she sits here in my lounge watching over me 💖

I have named her Angel Claire.

Have a wonderful weekend dear friends - it's hard to believe we say farewell to January tonight.

 Thanks so much for your visits here today,

With much love & friendship to you all,

Julie & the furry ones x0x0x