quilting...

Fabric bought from a secondhand store for a new quilt I'm planning. Still undecided on the design and want to add a few more fabrics to the scheme.

projects on the go: no 1

Everyone who knows me knows I always have a long list of projects on the go. They sit happily in the basket next to my comfy chair waiting to be picked up and another few rows knitted or crocheted. I probably should just focus on one and get it finished. The problem is i browse Ravelry, Pintrest, even blogs and almost always end up downloading another PDF, disappearing off to the shop and purchasing another few balls of  yarn. Its just too tempting in there!

birdy birds

Birdy birds... thats what my son calls them. I originally planned to make these as single decorations to hang up but the colours went so well together i just had to put them together!

this week...

a few photos from the previous week and a chance to test out my new app!

knitted blanket in aran yarn.

free flowers from the grocers

freshly picked nettles for soup

hazy early morning walk 

good a time as any...

I had been meaning to start a blog for a while (three posts in I'm telling you why!) repeatedly it was put on the back burner as something much more important came along. first it was a commission, then my son starting school, housework... life! Now, with spring in full swing and summer just around the corner I felt it was a perfect time as any to start. 

so, first things first. I'm a mother, a single parent of one son aged 4. hes happy, healthy and certain to make life interesting!  I'm also a photographer and graphic designer. I have been known to illustrate on occasion, watercolour and print. I'm an all round maker. Sewing, knitting, crocheting amongst other random skills I'll certainly to blog about!

You're all probably wondering what this blog is about. Simply put this is a place for me to share the goings on in my neck of the woods. The ponderings, the crafts, the tiny bit of the good life I try to lead. my forays into foraging,  my many attempts at trying to grow enough to eat throughout the year! the battles with slugs, cats, clients, terrible tantrums, projects that are a success and those that fail. My love affair with horror and zombie movies, the music that keeps me going, the inane ramblings and i might even share my current attempt to write a book solo! I'm already working on joint project but that's for another blog post. The rest, I'm sure will come out as i write.

Bunting

Hand sewn bunting made from my old vests (printed stars)  some tie-dyed scrap curtain linings (light green/blue flags)  and some dyed, worn bed sheets (watery blue and solid dark green flags).

100% upcycled fabrics that would have ended up in landfill  and over 10 meters of reusable bunting to boot!

felt and things...

One of my favourite materials to work with is felt. I first learned to use and make this fabulous material in a GCSE art class age 14. I've not had the time to make any in years,  tending to stick to the shop bought squares. Acrylic is by far the cheapest however, for the occasional project i do invest in 100% wool felt  and spend time felting my own designs onto it.

first spring forage

I'm fortunate enough to have a fantastic stretch of woodland right on my doorstep. Just a little further away, across a busy road and down a steep hill there's the entrance to another, a much more hidden away stretch only ever used by dog walkers. This one really comes alive in the autumn with crab apples, sweet chestnuts and a long muddy path overgrown with blackberries. rarely ive stumbled upon much in springtime. perhaps i just need to spend more time there!