Winnie the Pooh fabric find

I was looking through my fabric stash to find something to make a knitting bag with.  Then I came across this fabric which I had totally forgotten about!

It had originally been curtains, but I used some to make book bags way back in 2011!!!!!!!

It was a brilliant charity shop find.  Don't think I'll use it to make a knitting bag, but I'll use it for something.  I had forgotten just how cute this fabric is.  It has two main scenes with Owl watching on.

You can read about some great Winnie the Pooh Little Golden Books I found - again, another brilliant charity shop purchase.

Love, Liz

My first sampler

After all these years of cross stitching (I won't say how many!), I am finally stitching a proper reproduction sampler!

It is Jane Marshall 1857 by Hands Across the Sea Samplers and is being sold as a fundraiser for two fire brigades of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service in Australia.  I'm sure we've all see the dreadful pictures of the devastation caused by the bushfires in Australia at the moment and it is a very good cause.  So far Hands Across the Sea Samplers have raised over 35,000 Australian dollars by donating money from the sale of this sampler - isn't that amazing!

I started it on Monday using thread that I already had and am really enjoying it.  Think I might be purchasing another sampler when this is finished.  Hands Across the Sea have an amazing selection of samplers which you can see here.  There's a gorgeous sampler called The Old Scot which sounds about right for me!!!!!!

Have a wee look at their site - you might even find a sampler with your name on it (of course you could always put your own name on it anyway).  So, back to my stitching.  I'll keep you updated as to my progress.

Love, Liz

Starts and finishes

I just loved stitching this little Lizzie Kate Spring Small - Bloom.  Started and finished on Sunday when I had a day in the house because the weather was so awful!  Enjoyed stitching while watching an old episode of Morse on tv.

Got some lovely little bulbs which were in a tub and transplanted them into vintage teacups to make them look even prettier once they flower.

Finshed Spring from the same Lizzie Kate pattern.  That's two finishes already in 2020 - although they really are small!

It was nice to see some sunshine here in Greenock today after all the heavy rain and high winds we've been having recently.  Good to get out and walk, then when I get home I don't feel so guilty about spending time stitching!

Love, Liz

Crochet Baby Blanket

I've finished the little crochet project which I started just before Christmas.

It is a granny square crochet blanket - just the right size for the pram, buggy or car seat.

Only used five colours - pink, blue, yellow, purple and grey.  It was a great way to use up some of my yarn.

I love doing the crochet, but always put off sewing up!  Decided to sew this one up as I went along - that made it a little less of a trial!

Love, Liz

Do you remember Aqua Manda bubble bath?

Aqua Manda - not not the latest mermaid cartoon, but a fragrance by Goya popular in the 70s.  I certainly remember the packaging - it was so trendy ... at the time.

What about Maxi perfume from Max Factor - very popular  back in the day!

I found these adverts in a retro Company magazine from October1979 - the very first issue!  I had kept it all this time.

Fashions were amazing - I really liked these almost tomboyish styles although I drew the line at braces!  Cords and checked blouses - loved them!

Beautiful photograph of Jenny Agutter.

The one thing that struck me about this magazine was the number of advertisements for cigarettes and alcohol.  So many!  Not to mention home catalogues - remember them.  Just about everyone's Aunty had one - I got a lot of clothes from catalogues when I was a teenager because you could pay them up weekly.  Outdoor Girl mascara - a classic!

This magazine certainly brought back a few memories.  Hope these photos have for you too.

Love, Liz

Exciting starts

I know, getting excited about cross stitch - really????  I can't help it!

New Year - new starts.  I had ordered some cross stitch patterns from 123 Stitch in America which arrived on Christmas Eve.  I kept them till after my visitors had left before I opened them (deferred gratification)! Wow it was worth it!

I got a couple of Christmas small project to complete before next Christmas ... (yes, well we'll see about that)!  Love the Lizzie Kate "Tiny Tidings" aren't they sweet?

Then I ordered some fabric - 16 count opal aida to stitch these pretty little houses on.  "Christmas House Trio" by Waxing Moon Designs - look at the cute wee Santa above the house!  Can't wait to stitch these - love stitching houses.

I also got another Lizzie Kate pattern "Spring Smalls" - guess what - literally couldn't wait to start these so I went ahead and I've almost finished this pretty Spring stitch.  Look at the cute little charm and buttons that go with these - gorgeous!

Got a lap stand (from Amazon) from Hubby for Christmas, should help with larger projects.  Hubby also must have been listening, because he got me a gift certificate from 123 Stitch.  Looking forward to ordering a few more new patterns and fabric.  Lucky me!

So, how am I spending the first morning of the New Year - well I'm cleaning out my oven after its takeover by a giant turkey at Christmas.  Been putting it off!  But can't start the year with the thought of cleaning it looming over me!  Went to bed early last night and didn't wait up for "The Bells" as we call the start of New Year here in Scotland.  However, I'm excited for my new starts, both in stitching and for the year.

Hope you all have a wonderful 2020!

Love, Liz