New Year's Eve and I'm starting to think already....

Well hello all, I have just waved my youngest daughter, Charlotte off. If you read my blog you will know that she lives in Falmouth studying Graphic Design at Falmouth and Exeter university. However, she is firstly staying at her boyfriend, Joe's house in Cheltenham.

So now that my nest is once again empty, my thoughts are pointing to next year's projects for sale. I feel I let people down this year as I ran out of time so was unable to give out the craft baskets to my friends, who then take them to work and sell my wares.

I am also going to start my remembrance poppies earlier too, for the same reason. I was going to show you some of my Christmas makes but they are on my i phone but not on my i mac grrrrr. So I thought I'd put a couple of gorgeous pics from the paper this week.

Happy New Year everyone. Luv Jane xx

Ps here are some of my creations ...didn't have my wi-fi on oops

Please Santa help me to take better photos ...... Please?

art as life: warm and cozy

Morning everyone and a merry Christmas to you and yours.  I hope that you are all enjoying this wonderful day.  It really is peaceful here at the moment.  My eldest daughter Sofi is busy preparing our Christmas dinner at her lovely little house in Chester.  My youngest daughter Charlotte is home from uni in Falmouth so as she's a student she's allowed to be asleep and my hub is asleep as he has a horrible virus.  I haven't asked Santa for anything other than to please let me take pictures as beautifully as the lady in this link does.  Don't get me wrong I have plenty of advice on hand. Sofi is a Graphic Designer, Charlotte will be a Graphic Designer by June and my husband is well he's just a master at everything.  I am not very technical so I am lucky to have an i phone and an i pad so I can take pics with either and then just link them to my blog, but I'm sure that when people read my blog they take a quick look at the pics and think "must try harder".  So my New Year ressy is to learn to take better pics.

Have a wonderful day whatever your plans love Jane

Gorgeous slippers for a cute little dude!

Morning all
If you read my blog you will know that I love my knit club at my friend's wonderful vintage knit shop 'knit' in Shotton.

We meet every Friday morning at 10.30 and although it's supposed to finish at 12 noon, I'm always still there with most of the ladies until gone 2pm.  Must mention that thanks to 'THE best boss in the world' Dan I no longer work Fridays.

However I digress, one of the ladies, Rachael, who is mum to four has knitted the cutest slippers ever for one of her little boys.  I know you will love them as much as I do.

I am working on some new projects at the moment and will post pics when they are done.  In the meantime enjoy your Sunday whatever you are doing.

Love Jane xx

Poppies, poppies, poppies update!

Hi all, just a quick update, thanks to the kindness of all my work colleagues and their friends, my daughters and their friends, we have raised £69.00 for the Poppy Appeal and I understand there is another £10 on its way so thank you to everyone.

Have a fab weekend everybody, love Jane xxx

Poppies Poppies Poppies!

Oh my goodness.... I decided to make some poppies for Remembrance Sunday and grandly produced sixteen, which disappeared all in one day. Since then I've made at least twenty more, which have all been snapped up too! I'm going to be making them in my sleep the way it's going. Every time my hub walks in I'm furiously crocheting. As soon as this is over I'll be straight onto my Christmas projects. I've already had orders for flower brooches as presents so I'll still be crocheting in my sleep. But I love it really, can't even think about just sitting without a project. I love nothing better than getting home from work, feeding my dog and three cats and then snuggling in with my project.

My dad played a vital part in WW2 and although he has passed away I am eternely grateful to him and all the brave men and women who fought so hard for our freedom. God bless them.

Hope everyone is happy. Not long until Christmas, where did this year go?

Love to all Jane xxx

A bit more about me.......

I thought I should say a bit more about me.  I have MS, which has sadly been a huge part of my life for almost 24 years.  I first became ill when I gave birth to my first daughter, Sofi.  I suffered with most terrible post natal depression, which almost cost me my marriage.  I leave no blame at my husband's feet as we were both young and totally unprepared to deal with this all-encompassing illness.  At the time my PND went undiagnosed and I was told that I had caught a virus from Sofi's German measles.  At that time, even though it was only a relatively short while ago, it was still something that was pushed behind closed doors, and I continued to battle on alone.  My hormones were crying out for another baby, and I do feel that we should listen to our bodies more, as on the birth of my second daughter approximately two years later, my PND left me as soon as I gave birth.  Sadly this was just the start of my MS, which has continued to be my life-changing elephant in the room.  I have decided to share my story as I feel that this year has been my worst and maybe by sharing my experience with others can offer comfort whilst being therapeutic for me.

I will continue my story, but for now I will put my MS in the locked cupboard it belongs in.

Hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday love Jane xx

I had forgotten how lovely .......

Hi everyone, What a mish mash of weather today. My husband had to go to an appointment in Chester this morning. I dropped him off and decided to have a little trip down to the river. I went walking first, it was very, very windy. I watched the rowing teams battling against the wind, then turning round to make use of the gusts to help them back to the little rickety sheds at the sides of the river, where the boats are stored.

The ducks were lined up either sleeping or bobbing on the water, their little comical quacks, so endearing. I decided to stop off at one of the cafes on the front and had a lovely, frothy latte. I felt like Shirley Valentine sitting at the table on my own. OK OK I know it wasn't a gorgeous Greek island, but you get my drift. At a table close to me a group of young guys were enjoying a pint of Guinness at 10.30 am .......yes am. Oh well each to their own. Whilst sitting there I was astounded at the amount of tourists, who were pouring off the open top buses, which travel through the old walled city, prevailing the sites of Chester. It made me realise how very much we take our everyday surroundings for granted. I can't recall the last time we did that. It felt very civilised.

Hub came back and we had another coffee and then tucked into a yummy bacon, egg and sausage bap. Yum! we promised ourselves that we would come back very soon, well best not hold my breath.

I am busy crocheting a flower cushion, the pattern I found on the very talented Lucy's blog Attic 24. I will post pics when it is done. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Love Jane xxx

Crochet, crochet, crochet

Oh my gosh, I recently learned to crochet by having lessons from the wonderful Helen at Knit in Shotton. I then bought the book Cute and Easy crochet by Nicki Trench, which I blogged about early this year. My good friend Dan over at frogs,dogs and ferns put me onto this book. I have made my daughter, Charlotte a beautiful soft cotton scarf in my favourite blue colour and I'm going to crochet some tiny flowers on it to finish off. I have now started the gorgeous filigree wrap from Nicki's book. I'm making it from some lovely pale pink variegated wool, which has a lovely twinkle to it. What bliss on these horrible rainy nights, to settle down with my crochet.

I have also been making some pretty cushions for my 99 percent completed kichen diner. They are of course inspired by the wonderful Cath Kidston. I treated myself to a meter of one of her new fabrics and I also bought some fab Amy Butler fabric, which was half price in Hobbycraft. Hope you like them with one being appliqued with my favourite Stanley dog.

Have you ever been to Gawsworth Hall in Cheshire?

Well I hope that everyone is enjoying this extra long break, oh my gosh it's been just wonderful. As it was promising to be a rather lovely day, my hub volunteered to take me to the craft and food fair at the magnificent Gawsworth Hall in Macclesfield. On the way we saw the sign to Alderley Edge, I wanted to see how the other half (mainly footballers) lived. Hub blazaily informed me that he had been there on business many times, been there got the t shirt so to speak and my (very large) hint fell on stony ground. Ah well much better pickings at the promised food and craft fair.

Well the food fair lived up to its name by offering wonderful home made cakes, which two of, I puchased. I would have shown you picks of them, but unfortunately they are no more having been eaten by me.....yum!

But I have to ask how can crystals and some smokey amber coloured rocks, which boldly advised that they were from some far off country, be craft? Likewise silver jewellery, the likes of which I have bought from various different garden centres whilst on my travels.

There were some genuine and beautiful hand mind items, however the majority of which, were very expensive. It was the ladies who had crafted their own items, which had been very sensibly priced, who did the best. One offs, lovingly made.

Well moan, or my point of view, whichever you see it as is over.

I purchased a book from Amazon on Saturday called, How to Knit 20 Bears. It is a great little book, and I made the bikini bear and added my own touch. I hope you like her, my husband said she looked like a bloke in drag, but once I gave her pink painted toe nails, a jewelled belly bar and hairband, she definately came into her own.

I have decided to make some new cushion covers today for my lovely new kitchen diner, pictures of which, I will post as soon as. I don't have any updates on the baby swans at the moment. Last I heard was that mum and dad were safely bobbing around on the canal with their beautiful babies snuggled in together on mum's back....how lovely.

Enjoy the rest of your Jubilee weekend, which I don't know about you, has made me proud to be British!

Welcome to the world darling baby swans

My eldest daughter lives in the beautiful walled city of Chester and her house is very close to the canal, where the little colourful barges rest from their daily travels.

To our delight a pair of elegant swans built their nest very close to the tow path. We have watched, with baited breath, for the hatching process to begin. We waited and waited and in a moment of despair even worried if maybe, dare I say, there were no eggs at all.

But finally yesterday I received an ongoing report from Sofi that she had hatched a perfect little grey ball of fluff. The next was starting to hatch yesterday and baby number one was snuggled so cosily under mummy's wing.

From my pictures you can see the baby's first swim, his first walk with proud, protective daddy and the look of such love and pride from mum.

They have attracted so much attention and everyone watched eagerly as the story unfolded.

This little tale has certainly warmed my heart and I hope it has given you a cosy feeling too.

Bailey Evans THE most handsome ferret

I thought I would just show you some gorgeous pictures of my daughter Charlotte's ferret Bailey.

He is half polecat hence his little spectacles and has the most lovely nature. We got him from a rescue centre not far from home. However it was stipulated that he doesn't have any companions to share his des res as he is a bit of a loner.

They used to take him into the local schools to show them how to take care of animals. He was so gentle with the children.

Charlotte is away at uni in Falmouth so we are taking care of our ferret grandson in her absence and he's just a delight.

Back to work tomorrow it's been lovely.

Love Jane xx

Do you feel inspired?

Before I built up my huge stash of fabrics, buttons, card, yarns I used to think that I would like to buy just smaller, matching amounts of said stash bits. And that's why I decided to make up some lovely little inspiration packs. The colours all compliment each other and there is everything in there for cross stitching a little picture, a card and envelope, vintage buttons, pieces of fabric, a few crochet flowers so you can make a brooch or charm. Along with silks, lace and other little extras to start off your crafting stash. I am going to sell them for £7.00 each or two for £12.00. I am going to be putting them on my Etsy shop soon, but I've since discovered that Etsy does'nt have an app for my lovely little i-pad so will have to crank up my retired lap top to upload the pics. I have been to a great little vintage barn today in Ruthin called Homeward Bound and bought some lovely Cath Kidston goodies. They are opening a tea shop soon so that should be good.

My diner/kitchen is still coming on beautifully and I found two beautiful little vintage cushion covers yesterday, which go rather well with my crochet throw I recently completed.

Hope everyone has a good Bank Holiday, so far I think the weather's been pretty good. Love Jane

A great little crochet book for beginners like me

I've always said that I could sew, cross stitch, embroider, knit, but there was one thing I just couldn't do and that was crochet. So when "Knit" in Shotton opened I called in. After almost fainting with excitement at how wonderful the shop is, I noted that Helen (my godess of the crafting world) gave crochet lessons. I immediately booked myself for a one hour lesson, and now I'm hooked. Pun intended!

My fellow crocheter, Dan at Frogs, Dogs and Ferns brought in a great book Cute and Easy Crochet by Nicki Trench, I just had to have it. A quick visit to the Amazon website and I had the book in my hot little hand. I've finished the circular cushion, which I will show when it's put together and now I am going to have a flick through for my next project.

I also treated myself to two meters of Cath Kidston's new fabric. It's just for me so I need to think about what I am going to make.

Hope you are all having a good week so far, even if it is only Monday.

Love Jane xx

My new vintage finds and a few unwanted gifts

Hi everyone

How bizarre is this weather? One minute it's pouring down, next, as is now, beautiful sun. Oh well good old UK.

As previously mentioned I went to a car boot sale on Sunday. I spent the grand total of £12 and bought some gorgeous things. I love them all and spend ages grouping them together to then change them all round.

Now getting to my unwanted gifts. Please don't think me rude or ungrateful but we were woken twice on Friday night by tiny squeaks. On looking,Gracie our black cat had brought in a big daddy mouse, which my hub rescued. We were then woken an hour later with the tiniest little mouse ever. Again this was rescued and put into our "small animal rescue box"' which we purchased many years ago. Many a little life has been saved, from birds, frogs, mice, newts.... The list goes on.

Gracie came into our lives at a very young age, she had been abandoned. Of course the Evans's are never ones to turn away a new little life and so Gracie became one of the family. She is rather aloof and disappears for a couple of days now and then. She will then just turn up with not one hair out of place. My daughter thinks she is a paw model who travels the world by private jet, chased by the paps, a worldwide icon. But I think I know where she goes, it's to check out all the best places for a bit of bird or mouse watching, and of course she never ever returns empty pawed.

Have a good week. Love Jane xx

Vintage sewing box

Hi everyone, I went to a great place in Cheshire called Blakemere craft centre as they have a massive emporium of vintage collectables. My hubby who is just the best at finding great things found this delightful vintage oak sewing box. I have put all my buttons in it. Have polished until it shone and now that my room is finished, it has taken pride of place on my new dresser.

Thanks for dropping by luv Jane xx

Smelly hound, furniture removal, what a weekend

Gosh we've been busy this weekend. I made two bags for orders, which will be delivered on Tuesday. I still have orders on the go. I needed to make two little girls a pretty bag for Easter. So I had a look through some books for inspiration, so I hope you like them. The lady I made them for is so pleased and says she feels like the best auntie ever as they are for her twin nieces.

I digress from my busy weekend. If you have been reading my blog you will know that we have knocked the wall between our dining room and kitchen down. So we had put our new carefully chosen furniture in there. But I knew my hub was not happy. After nearly thirty years of knowing each other, I can just tell. It turned out he didn't like how the furniture looked, so I must say I did agree, so we humped it all out and swapped it all with the lounge stuff. By 8.30 pm we were very hungry and very tired so we ended up with takeaway.

But that is not all. I decided to take Millie my ten year old American Cocker Spaniel for a walk to meet her two dog cousins Lilly and Ruby. Millie was so excited that she decided to roll in smelly disgusting badger poo, just for the occasion. So when I got her home, she knew what was coming....I have to bath her. She looks at me like I'm the owner from hell, so after shaking herself all over me, giving me a serve you right look, she retired to her basket, sulking. Will she ever learn?

I have taken some pics of the new room, hope you like it. Look forward to hearing about your daily tales of life. Love Jane xx

Well I've Reached my Half Century

Hi everyone well as you can see from the title of my post I reached my half century today.

 I have had the most wonderful weekend. Yesterday we went to the Glas Fryn in Mold for lunch with my two gorgeous daughters, my niece Laura and her partner and baby. Laura is my third daughter btw as I love her as much as my own girls. My sister Marg came, who although she is older than me is far more glamorous and prettier than me. My dearest friend in the whole world, Jacqui and her daughters Steph and Liss and finally Laura's partners mum Glo. We had a lovely time. I'm not a drinker so it wasnt raucous in any way, and I ended up with three birthday cakes..... Oops. My hub Dave and I went to Chirk this morning for a good mooch round the car boot sale. I got some lovely little vintage china pieces which I will post very soon. We then went on to Powys Castle, which is wonderful and belongs to the National Trust. We were casually followed round the grounds by a peacock family, who suddenly dumped us as soon as we had eaten our scone and walked off with an aloof expression. I said to Dave with a sigh that their colours would match perfectly with my decor if they would only come and live with us.

And finally home to carefully wash all my lovely new treasures. I've had some wonderful presents, cards, messages and love from all my dear family and friends and feel very loved. I hope you have all had a great weekend too with the lovely sunshine. Lots of love Jane xxx

Ooh ps, almost all my bags have sold again so back to it tomorrow x

A summery little bag for a beautiful sunny day

Hi everyone, hasn't it been the most beautiful day? My kitchen/lounge is almost finished. Yay I am sooo pleased. My hub has worked very hard and I'm very proud of him as it looks amazing. Of course my day isn't complete without some sewing. As I have so many orders I felt a bit guilty, so here is one I made for a lady who wanted something she could put lots of essentials in. So I hope you like it and if you want one just let me know. Keep enjoying the sunshine. Lots of love Jane xxxx

My bags are for sale @ Knit in shotton

My bags are for sale! I am very excited that my bags are for sale at Knit in Shotton, which is an amazing vintage shop. Helen the owner is great and she sells wool and patterns of course, but she also sells beautiful handcrafted items, one off vintage finds and so much more. Its a vintage, crafter, pressie finders dream. So if you are in Shotton, call in to Knit..... You won't be disappointed, and who knows you may buy one of my unique, handmade bags.

Hope you are having a great week and enjoying lots of sewing love Jane xx.