Autumn wreath

I can't believe how quickly the days are flying past. We've only just had Halloween & Bonfire night and all too soon it will be Christmas. But before I get ready to welcome in the festive season with a Christmas wreath, I decided I'd like to make an Autumn one. 

So here it is, ta dah!!...

I'm really pleased with it, and I think it is my favourite wreath I've made so far. The only thing I would change is the bow. I did a floristry course with my sister many years back, and we learnt how to make 'proper' bows but I've forgotten so I just winged this one and it looks a bit sad and floppy. 

I started off with a ring pre-wrapped in hessian. I could have done it myself, but I shop at our lovely local florists' wholesalers, so it was cheap enough to save myself a job and have it ready to dress. 

I already had some leaves and berries from when I made a xmas decoration many years ago to go down the stairs. I bought a few more suitably autumnal decorations from the wholesalers (apples, berries, Autumn colour leaves and two gorgeous little mushrooms)

Little Boy has succumbed to the plethora of germs swirling around at nursery, and has spent the whole weekend flat out on the sofa with a hacking cough and temperature, poor soul. Then as if a switch had been flicked, he sat up at teatime on Sunday and requested a jam and cheese sandwich. A nice warm bath, some snuggly pyjamas and a dose of Calpol and I think he will be better to go back to nursery next week. Me on the other hand not so, as I have now got a cold too, and seeing as most of the people I work with are elderly I'm not able to work in case I pass it on. So i think it will be time at home, catching up on making xmas presents. I can't show you photos in case some of the recipients read this, all I can tell you is they involve knitting, Egyptian cotton and daisy stitch. I'll show you the end product after xmas!

Talking of xmas, I finally got around to making my mincemeat. It's the recipe I use every year and is very easy, basically involving putting all the ingredients in a tray and gently warming them on the hob. The actual recipe calls for rum, but I always use brandy and there's plenty of it. I worked it out that every jar has at least three teaspoons of brandy in it!

Well that's it for now, I need to get back to xmas present making. Half a one done, at least four more to make 😫

XxXx

Anyone for a Twiddlemuff?

I "I beg your pardon?", I hear you reply. Let me explain...

I love shopping in charity shops, you can grab yourself a bargain and also feel smug that you are giving to a good cause. But I'll be honest, I don't always pay attention to what charity I am supporting. 

I found a few things whilst I was shopping in Tewkesbury a few weeks ago, and whilst I was paying I asked the volunteer about the charity as it was one I had never heard of before. It's called Guideposts, and they help people with life-long conditions, such as Alzheimer's, physical disabilities, chronic pain or sensory impairment, to live a better life. 

They have an Independent Living Centre (ILC) where they help people try out equipment and assistive living technology that could help them with their mobility and domestic routine, enabling them to remain safely independent in their own home. 

One way they raise money is by volunteer knitters making Twiddlemuffs. Basically it is a double thickness woollen hand muff and inside they stitch buttons, bells, or any other bits and bobs you can fiddle with. They provide stimulation for restless hands for people suffering with dementia. 

There were a selection behind the till and I decided to get one for a family member, who suffers from Alzheimer's. There is no set price to buy one, just a sensible donation. 

So it got me thinking, I know some crafty people read my blog, and I wondered whether you would share the details and we could get some more Twiddlemuffs made for this charity? A chance for knitters to keep their hands busy now the nights are drawing in, and to use their imagination - make stripy ones, bobbly ones, ones with animals on. The possibilities are endless!

Here are the details to request a pattern:

Email fundraising@guideposts.org.uk

Call 01993 893565

Let's see if we can get some more Twiddlemuff knitters out there, supporting this charity!

XxXx

P.S I don't get anything out of mentioning this charity, I just like to tell people about good causes. 

Car boot crochet

Big Girl, my sister and I went on our weekly hunt around the local car boot on Saturday. It was really busy this time, and I was quite pleased with my finds. One lady had a whole pile of cross stitch kits spread out on the floor. I so wish there had been more that I liked, as they were a bargain. I got all these for just £6, a great price as the horse one alone had a ticket price of £19.50!

I know, I have too much on my 'to do' list already without these before anyone says anything, but at that price how could I say no? The other thing I considered was what would I do with them all when I'd finished them, but I'm looking at them just as a form of entertainment on a cold winters evening when I want something to do. I may try to incorporate some into a bag or a cushion, it depends how adventurous I'm feeling. Anyone got any ideas what to do with them when they are finished?

I also got this felt kit to make a Christmas stocking. I thought it was a bit too adventurous but Big Girl wanted to make it for herself (obviously minus the name on the top!), so who am I to curb her creative interest? It only cost £2. 

I got one more thing for me which I love. It's a Martin Wiscombe print, and was the bargain price of 50p. I think I will frame it and it will go in my craft room. 

So that's my finds for this week, roll on next weekend! Have a good weekend, whatever you are doing.  The beginning of a looooong summer holiday 😫

Xxxx