Wednesday 14 August 2013

Summer crafting and a winner!


cross stitch rose...lavender scented heart...crochet...
afternoon tea...mary jane's...banana loaf...fabric covered hoop
~ ❀ ~
I made the little cross stitch rose which hangs on my cupboard
this week from the current issue of 
which luckily arrived through our door on a very warm and sultry morning when
playing with yarn didn't seem to be the best choice for the day....(unusually for me!)
Luck would have it that I already had a 4" embroidery hoop, some pretty left over fabric pieces
to decorate it and double sided tape....everything else comes free with the issue (30)
...so a lovely afternoon was had sitting in the garden under the shade of an umbrella
with my little hoop and threads....
I'll definitely be decorating more of my hoops this way in the future 
I think they look really pretty and it's also a great way to use up all
those fabric scraps that are just too lovely to throw away
~ ❀ ~
I've also started a new crochet project which you can see a peek of here
and I'll be showing you more of this in my next post....it may even be finished!
It's from this Japanese Crochet book which I purchased on ETSY.
I love these books and now have several of them but should just mention that
the text is in Japanese and I only work from the symbol charts (which I prefer to do anyway)
 I've made 38 hexagons now in lots of different colours but I'm planning to do a total of 65
Surprisingly and in such a short time, crochet has become a part of every day for me...
I just love everything about it
....and who doesn't love a little pair of red Mary Jane's?
These little red shoes are my take on the traditional vintage style ....
the way I remember them from childhood story books...
a wide rounded toe...rimmed sole....a simple strap with a pretty button fastening
(a free knitting pattern which will fit all 15" TEAROOM Rabbits and Bears and 
available when I return from the summer break) I've also made up a pair of each leg design
with the shoes in different colours and yarns to give some extra ideas for the original patterns too.
Yes, I still....love...love...love....my knitting....
~ ❀ ~
We've been enjoying lots of afternoon teas on warm summer days...
including Ashley's homemade scones (with jam and clotted cream) and cakes of many kinds
(the banana loaf in the first pic is from a recipe by the wonderful and ever reliable Mary Berry
 Truly delicious....we're all fans of Mary's recipes here
~ ❀ ~
Okay, enough of crafty endeavours....who won the Giveaway?
Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who entered
which I must say was quite overwhelming and made me feel more than a little humble!

All the numbers have been entered into the 
Random Number Generator
and our winner is...
Linda (T)
Congratulations to you Linda!
If you could contact me and your parcel will be in the post

Thank you so much everyone for taking part...
I so enjoyed reading all the kind comments and 
it reminds me once again how many friends I've made through 
the online crafty world...it's brilliant!  x
~ ❀ ~
Next Giveaway will be in  the Autumn and I hope you will join us again
~ ❀ ❀ ❀ ~
Time to go...
cheerio until next time
Love always

41 comments:

  1. Well done Linda, can't wait to see the whole thing Susan xx love to all

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  2. Well done Linda, can't wait to see the whole thing Susan xx love to all

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  3. teehee....I am having fun seeing all these bear boots and MARY JANE'S! Oh Susan, how lovely to see a post from you, and to see a lucky winner! Your world is bright and happy and is making me smile right now.

    Hoping you've had a brilliant summer, and wishing you a cozy and creative fall! Anita

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  4. congratulations Linda...lucky lucky you!!!


    Amanda :-)

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  5. Congratulations to the winner. I love the little red shoes. Who is standing in the little red shoes?
    Julie xxxxxx

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  6. Your cross stitch rose looks lovely...so pretty the fabric you've chosen for the hoop....I'm making mine at the moment....and I think there's enough threads for a second one.

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  7. Congratulations to Linda ~ lucky lady! :)
    Oh Susan those Mary Jane's are sooooo cute!!!
    I'm looking forward to seeng this new crochet project of yours, it does look lovely! I knew you would enjoy crocheting!
    I'm a big fan of Mary Berry too, when it comes to cakes, she's the best!
    Enjoy your summer break,
    V xxx

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  8. Well done to Linda! Your fabric covering of the embroidery hoop is so neat and pretty Susan, I'm sure you had great fun sewing in the sunshine. I used to have new Mary Jane shoes to go back to school with in the autumn term... We weren't allowed red but I did buy my daughter a red pair when she was about 2! Fond memories. Enjoy the rest of the summer x

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  9. A giveaway you say? Oh rats!

    Your MM cross stitched hoop looks so very pretty - I haven't quite gotten around to making mine up yet.

    Those Japanese crochet books are so inspiring aren't they? I have a couple and could gaze at the pictures for hours.

    Hope you're having a super duper Summer.

    Heather x

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  10. How very creative are YOU! We do get Mollie makes here but usually the issues are behind a few months...so I will have to wait for this one. You are having a very happy Summer by the looks of it! xoxo sending you oodles of hugs.

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  11. What a gorgeous blog you have, I've just found you! Looking forward to seeing more of your beautiful creations. Blessings Niki x

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  12. I like the idea of decorating embroidery hoops....looking forward to seeing how your crochet project progresses

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  13. Beautiful , beautiful little shoes - and they absolutely have to be red. you are so clever, they are perfect !
    Kate x
    justpootling.blogspot.co.uk

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  14. Hello Susan,
    I adore those red mary janes, they are so beautiful and the cross stitch rose is amazing!! I'm also excited about your crochet project, I love the colours!! Hope you have a wonderful summer break.
    hugs xx Vicky xx

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  15. Congratulations to Linda, well done!
    I love your cross stich hoop, it's really beautiful.
    I can't wait to see more of your crochet, I'm sure it will be wonderful! You have such a great eye for colour!
    And the red shoes!!! They are adorable! How could you know, that I have just started one of your bears as a Christmas present for my sister? I'm sure she will love those shoes!
    Enjoy your summer break Susan! xxBarbina

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  16. Congratulations Linda, and Susan, thank you for once again a very inspiring post.
    Hugs
    Erna

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  17. Congratulations Linda enjoy your wonderful gift, a great post Susan, thanks so much
    Lots of love
    Dorothy
    :-)xxxxxxxxx

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  18. Congratulations Linda enjoy your wonderful gift, a great post Susan, thanks so much
    Lots of love
    Dorothy
    :-)xxxxxxxxx

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  19. I love ypur creations, such a beautiful cross-stitch. And Linda, congratulations!

    x Margriet

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  20. Such glorious colours in this post ... I love your pinky reds and sky blues :)

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  21. Oh-so-pretty! I love how you've done the little hoop. The crosstitch rose giveaway with MM is lovely, mine is sitting on the table in my craft room just waiting patiently to be stitched!
    Congrats to Linda too,
    Xx

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  22. Your little hoop is so inspiring.....first time I've seen something like this. I need/want to learn how to cross stitch!

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  23. So much loveliness... those Mary Jane's are adorable ~ Sarah x

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  24. Dear Susan, I have to tell you very nice talent to combine colors. I love your work and hand it reminds me of when Mom made ​​us căiuliţe, pants, vests hand. Now she has a baby and can not because of them :)
    You pup! Have a nice day, Susan! I wish you a nice weekend!

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  25. Is that a Kath Kidston mug? :)
    Your needlework and your crochet is beautiful.
    Tammy x

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    1. Hi Tammy...Yes, it is A CK mug but I purchased it quite a while ago...I'm not sure if it's still available but it is one of my favourites ♥...x

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  26. Oh dear Susan, so lovely decorations you made! I also love...love...love your knitting :)
    Happy day!
    Hugs and love from Portugal,

    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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  27. Oh crikey! I've been so busy, I totally missed your beautiful giveaway, darn it! Very well done to Linda though :)

    I love your cross-stitch rose Susan....I was introduced to cross-stitch from a very young age and it's probably where my love to needlework began. I really like the fabric wrapped around the hoop, what a lovely idea, not seen that before. As you say, what a fab way to use up all your pretty little fabric scraps!

    Mary Berry is a firm favourite in our house, I recently made her millionaire's shortbread and it was a hugh hit!

    Have a smashing weekend,
    Caroline xxx

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  28. You are a busy girl! Congrats to the winner, what a lovely prize to win.
    The Japanese and Russian charts for crochet are so inspiring, they make the most amazing things and I'm happy now to be mastering reading the graphs/charts which were a little scary at first, but you soon get used to them.
    Have a good weekend.
    Suzy x

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  29. Congratulations Linda! I'm delighted for your win :)
    This post is so pretty, but then all of your posts are filled with lovely crafts and charming text.
    Text like : ...so a lovely afternoon was had sitting in the garden under the shade of an umbrella
    with my little hoop and threads....that line just fills my head with wonderful thoughts of relaxing summer days. You are a woman of many talents. Thank you for sharing them with us.
    Enjoy another lovely day in your garden,
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  30. Congratulations to Linda! Your embroidery looks so pretty, Susan and the hoops are a perfect way to display such sweet pieces. Love all your photos today, gorgeous books......and those adorable little knitted Mary Jane shoes! I think I must buy your new pattern for those when it is ready! Have a happy week.
    Helen x

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  31. You always have such delightful project going on! Love!

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  32. Congrats to the winner! I love your color choices in all your projects.. that is what sets you apart is that you have an artist's un-erring eye for colors that will complement each other and fit as a whole in the finished masterpiece. I'm back from camping and put up a big group of lake photos, I hope you have time to pop by. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  33. Precious SUSAN! HELLO!!!!!

    I am always genuinely happy when I see a blog comment from a friend who I admire....when I saw your comment this morning, my heart soared! You had a lovely summer, seeing your daughters, but now, BACK TO SCHOOL! Me too; next week I'm actually excited to get back to all the meetings necessary to plan a new year. I will be returning to a different teaching post. I used to teach at the elementary level in a French immersion school, but now, I will be teaching at the secondary level, JUST FRENCH. I am excited, but it will all be new with new colleagues, expectations, curriculum......so it's time for me to put on my thinking cap!

    Wishing you a marvelous end-of-summer day. Anita

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  34. Oh, Susan! Your pics are always so lovely! I wish I had your gift for curating such pretty things into my world. I think I would take more pictures if I could make such nice arrangements. I hope you are having a lovely August.
    WendyBee

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  35. Your cross stitch needlework is beautiful. The whole post is delightful to look at; the colours are all so fresh and happy.

    -Karen

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  36. Well done Linda, hope you enjoy your gifts, they are so lovely. Susan this was a glorious post as always, your photographs are just so gorgeous and a real treat for the eyes. Thank you so much
    Lots of love as always
    Dorothy
    :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  37. Oh Susan, what cute little shoes. Your photos are so nice and the collage is gorgeous. Thank you for these impressions.Thank you also for the giveway and the chance to win. I congratulate the lucky winner

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