A spot of pure loving warmth on a cold, grey day earlier this week. Mmmmm! One of those gorgeously indulgent special coffees made in Jim's machine and presented to me in one of my favourite mugs, with a colourful ceramic spoon to scoop up the froth!
I spent much of the day in the sewing room, stitching away with wool, and felt, and lovely threads. Over two days I completed these four bangles. I bought some wool felt at Harrogate last month. It's gorgeous. I bought it with bangles and pin-cushions and angels in mind. I wonder how many of you can identify with my feelings of reluctance to cut them up and start using them? I used to feel like this about special fabrics I had bought - perhaps I'll save them for making something REALLY special... only sometimes that REALLY special project didn't present itself. Hence despite all the quilts I have made over the years, I still have a considerable fabric stash of 'specials', despite not having bought any for some time. So now I find myself having to say aloud "Just use it up, Lynne. You can always buy more should you need it."
Stitch and Bitch yesterday. Cards and presents exchanged, mince-pies consumed, much laughter and some stitching. Yvonne bought me her bangles to photograph, and Victoria was wearing hers. Warmth abounded.
And this commissioned angel was handed over to her new owner, along with three more pincushions. Feeling very warm indeed! I hope there has been some Winter Warmth in your life this week.
Just love your felt bangles and things. They have inspired my latest make. Pop over and see. Eleanor x
ReplyDeleteHello Eleanor, lovely to 'see' you - I do enjoy reading your family escapades in the sun, and will pop across directly! Lx
DeleteThe angel is darling. The best things of this season are the decorations and music. And they don't add a single pound. I'm finishing a star - shaped table topper made with batiks which my daughter has already claimed. Cheers! Andrea in Minnesota
ReplyDeleteHi Andrea, thanks for commenting. And you are quite right - guilt free indulgences! I'd love to see your table topper - batiks are some of my favourite fabrics I have a few ......!
DeleteLynne, I can not even put into words how amazing you are to me. I would trade talents with you any day of the week. Everything you touch turns to pure gold. I love the things you make with felt, your needle works is brilliant, and your Farmhouse Quilt it is wonderful. I can almost feel the softness of the flannel and I can only imagine how amazing it will be when you are finished.
ReplyDeleteI feel honored to be able to visit and enjoy your joyful and creative life.
Your blogging sister, Connie :)
Connie I say this every time - I should employ you as a permanent confidence booster and publicity agent! You say such lovely things, though I would take issue about everything turning to gold - you should see some of the dross I manage to produce with very little effort! And talents - your way with a paintbrush alone -whatever size brush - is amazing! Lxx
DeleteThat Angel is amazing....you are so talented, yes use that special stash! :) xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks Ada, yes, I am managing to cut up that lovely wool felt - but it is hard! Lx
Deleteoh i can identify with that feeling of not wanting to use something really special - the conservatory (my craft room) is full of such things - mad isn't it? hope you are all right - i love reading your blog and seeing what you are up to - as usual your sewing is sublime - keep up the good work and have a merry christmas - ours starts this weekend at a family wedding which i'm really looking forward to. take good care of yourself and your a lovely husband xx
ReplyDeleteHi Lynne, we used to say, years go, 'the one with the biggest stash left, wins' - referring to how much stuff remained when we popped our clogs! However, as the years have rolled by and some of us are getting a wee bit closer to that event, we are beginning to think we should really be using it up or giving it away, well I have given a massive amount away (I'd love to be able to sell it!) and `i am making a determined effort to use the BEST stuff when starting something new. We will have a big Christmas Day which will be lovely but otherwise our Christmas preps, now the gifts have been bought and the cards written and sent, are very restrained and quiet. I wish you and yours a very happy time, and will pass your comments on to jIm who will be flattered but much surprised!! Lxx
DeleteOh, I do have serious textile envy, I never seem to be able to get started. I think it is because I don't have a sewing room so by the time I lug the sewing machine out, I can't be bothered. Perhaps it is because I am enjoying knitting at the moment, have a rag rug to finish in the New Year. The odd thing I find about being 'retired' is that some days simply whiz by.
ReplyDeleteNow Dc I am going to have to speak severely to you! Find a little low table - I know you can do this because you are always doing bits of furniture up! Keep it in the corner of the room unobtrusively of course, and keep your sewing on it so you don't have to keep putting it away. Of course, I am doing hand sewing at the moment, so can do it anywhere, anytime; my machine sits on my work table and stays there. Your rag rug stuff can sit under your new little table-in-the-corner! But yes, I fully concur, retirement is not for wimps, we have never been busier and time is going by like a flash. Lx
DeleteI just love those bangles Lynne, I know I've seen them before but not sure if I've told you how much I like them!
ReplyDeleteHi Jay, thanks, I do enjoy making them. Some ideas for variations on my mind...to be explored later! Lx
DeleteLoving the bangles Lynne, and the Angel well she's gorgeous. DC is right about days whizzing by in retirement. I just wonder how I had time to go to work! I also agree that sometimes it's easier not to get the sewing machine or whatever else needs moving out and therefore nothing gets done. A little corner somewhere is ideal. I know if I put my coffee machine or food processor away in a cupboard then they rarely get used. If they're out then they do. Sorry I've rambled on a bit. Lovely post.
ReplyDeletePatricia x
Ramble away, Patricia, lovely to hear from you! And yes - same with me in the kitchen. I hate having 'macines' out on the worktop but otherwise they would seldom get used. Lx
DeleteLOVE the angel Lynne ... all these folk telling you how talented you are, I hope you're listening! I really appreciate your colour combos ... they are uniquely you :)
ReplyDeleteAh Annie you say the sweetest things!!!! Nah, I know I'm pretty good with colour, I just get frustrated at times translating it into what I see in my head. But this wool/felt thing I am on a trip with currently is very satisfying and seems to strike a chord with other people too. Glad you like it!Lxx
DeleteCheers m'dear! I am a teeny bit addicted to the woolly felt I must say. I sat up until nearly 2am this morning finishing off a bangle which should have gone on its way to a friend much earlier.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynne
ReplyDeleteI love how you've put together your colour samples, they work really well. The angel is especially lovely. Thanks for your kind words, yes it is exhausting with all the worry. Now I just want to enjoy the season, be carefree and laugh.
Wishing you a fabulous Christmas.
Lisa x
Hi Lisa, thanks for popping by and leaving a lovely comment. Yes, time to hunker down, chill out and cheer up! Have a lovely peaceful-but-fun-loving Christmas! Lx
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