Something simple

Life has been really busy latelyand I have been making up plenty of stock for xmas as I am not sure if I will be able to do much sewing in October and November as we are having work done on the house (fingers crossed). Today I needed something simple and effective to do and so I used some bolder prints to make up some simple cushions and backed them with some bright colours on the back.

I then set up a little photography corner in an effort to improve my photos and I am pretty pleased with the results.

I tried so many colours on the back of this green one but went for the white in the end as its crispness just lets the green sing!

All of the above are listed in my ebay shop which is busy as usual despite the postal strikes.

I have also come by some lovely Orla Kiely cotton which I am going to be using for more cushions tomorrow, however if you would like some I have listed a piece on ebay too.

New ideas

Working on combining my applique with some patchwork today. Some of the free machining is a little too free for my liking but overall I'm liking it and the top stitching really works. I tried hard to keep the applique in the squares, only to find that I actually quite like it when it gets lost in the seams

My mojo ain't workin'

Maybe it's the return to normal routine after the holidays but I am having a real job to get back into it and get my creativity going. Also the fact that the house will be turned into a building site in a few weeks time means I really have to get my act together and fast. I have shops to stock and craft fairs to do!!! move Louise, MOVE!!! So I threaded up the machine and just sewed something, no plan just went with it and did this....it really lacks colour and looking at it now I shall put it back on the machine and work at it some more, but I shall do more of this for my cushions and purses and will keep you updated.
In the meantime just a few thrifty finds to share, see my little owl monebox? I am reliably informed it is from the 60s, I love the colour combination and found a few things to put with it.

A close up shows the leaf pattern on the top edge, now this is inspiring me!

And finally I had to show you this wonderful find which cost all of 99p, this glassware jug has been in use all summer and has a red plastic pop in lid that holds back the ice. I really thought this might not get family approval due to the very grannyish look but everyone loves it!

OK enough stalling I am moving, I am sewing, and this evening I think I need to do some time management planning otherwise nothing will get done.

Skip to week 6!

Oh dear what happened to the last five weeks? No blogging I'm afraid, having recovered from my poorly state (thankyou for all your good wishes, so lovely of you all!) we have been making up for lost time and have so far fitted intwo holidays one to the Hampshire coast and then a week ago to Cornwall, more specifically Marazion. Most of the photos are evening ones as the camera I have at the moment is quite bulky, so there are no photos of St Ives and the Porthmeaor beach cafe or of Mousehole, sorry!

Luckily for us we had fantastic weather and as well as the body boarding and beach fun, managed to visit lots of galleries. The one above is on the Trellowarren estate, my mother being a Vivian this was a place I had longed to visit and it really left me speechless (quite a feat!)

It also has a beautiful little plant nursery run by the loveliest of ladies and a rather large echinacea plant found its way home with us, it's stunning flowerhead swaying in front of me all the way back home!

A shot inside one of the galleries at Trellowarren, it has two!

Set in beautiful gardens the house is very grand, not open to the public as it is a private residence.

Gig rowers out on Mounts Bay in the late evening.

Sarah rediscovered her pocket kite on evening walks across to St Michaels Mount.

We stayed in the most stunning holiday home, a converted coach house. So much space and light, we are stealing some ideas for the new kitchen at home.

Such a shame we only had a week there it was really tough coming home, but we have to be back for Lauras french exam result today (eeek!) and we are off again to morrow for a quick visit back to Hampshire for the bank Holiday weekend.

I will post more photos soon of some great vintage finds, and yes I have been sewing, it's been a struggle to keep the shops stocked though, but I have some new fabrics and will be using and listing those next week hopefully.

Summer Holidays Week 1

The holidays have not had a great start for me as I have not been well, some kind of virus that has put paid to the usual trips out, but I have managed to do a spot of sewing and keep up with orders for cushions and doorstops.

We have been out on shopping trips and are planning a London trip for next week, some fabric shopping for sure!!

Laura is dancing again in this years Pepper Show and luckily this year it has been in the holidays so she gets a good lie in in the mornings. We are going to see it tomorrow, it is a fantastic show lots of dancing in the isles and singing along, we are so lucky to have something like this in our community if you are local you must make a date for next year, you will not be disappointed.

Strawberry conserve

This is a recipe for Strawberry Conserve. It does not set as solid as a jam which I like and the taste is much better and fruitier as there is no added pectin which gives a slightly metallic flavour. Use equal amounts of strawberries and sugar I used 3lb of each and put the strawberries into a bowl, cover with the sugar and leave, covered, for 24 hours, overnight will do.



Transfer to a large pan and heat gently, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Then boil for 5 mins.



Return to the bowl and leave in a cool place (the fridge is fine) for another 24 hours.



Put back in the pan bring to the boil and boil for 10mins.



Leave to stand for 15 mins and then transfer to clean jars and seal with jam jar covers.



This may seem like hard work but it really is a very short amount of time and very little effort for the most amazing results. I love this best on Sunday morning on a freshly baked scone, yes I do get up and make scones on a Sunday morning, just call me Nigella!!

Today has been really lovely, I sat and sewed while the thunder raged outside and a flurry of sales from my shops. Pretty good start to the weekend!

Beans!

I have not been feeling too well this week but have been down to the allotment and picked the rest of the broad beans to freeze.So I took them out to the garden this afternoon and got the first batch podded and bagged while sitting in the sunshine. I always blanch them and slip them out of their skins, a very satisfying job and much tastier too!

I also made strawberry conserve from our strawberries this year as we had so many, I must take a photo before it all goes. It is much tastier than jam made with pectin or that 'sugar jam' which gives a very artificial flavour I think. I shall perhaps take a photo and share the recipe with you, very simple, fruit and sugar.

I have managed to keep up with sewing orders and much excitement is filling the house as plans are afoot to create another bedroom which will free up space for me to have a sewing room, small it will be but it's mine!!