Thursday 26 September 2013

Don't Stop Me Now

Do you sometimes feel like sleeping is a bit of an inconvenience? If I have to give my days up for work and all that grindstone stuff, then surely I should have my nights?! But by the time the dinner is cooked, the lunches are made, the animals are fed, Wendy Washer is loaded, and unloaded, and loaded....well there's not much TIME is there. My rats go up the wooden hill later and later as they get older and older, and of course, despite my denial, I'm getting older and older and more and more tired. I sometimes feel a little bit resentful, because I love the night.....I love the quiet and the dark and the bewitching of the twilight hour. Can't it be for me?


Just one more row of crochet? 


I'll suffer the consequences tomorrow.....

A week ago, my Spanish glass gifting friend, gave me a lesson on the sewing machine that's been taunting me for a long time. She threaded it up, and set me off on straight line practise on a hankerchief. 


My sweet friend was a seamstress for The Royal Shakespeare Society some moons ago, and buys patterns and whips up a new dress! Just like that! A whole dress, in the very fabric she desired, to the very shape that she is. She's skilled in teaching, and very patient, and would put me in my place if I had a tantrum. As well as being a truly treasured friend, of which are very very few and far between, she is an incredibly talented lady. I love her. I've never told her that I love her.....we've only been forging our friendship for a year and a half. I should tell her. She needs to know.


I garbled frantically to her about the ideas I had rattling around my head at too many miles an hour, and she told me that I needed to pick ONE thing. And try it. I've picked my thing. I'd like to make a lining for my revamped newspaper holder.


When I came across this seen better days lovely thing, I knew it needed to come home with me. I didn't exactly know why it had to, I'd yet to have the lightbulb moment, and so I put it in the eaves of the attic, and left it there. I found that it was good for holding my paint samples, because the under sink cupboard was a disaster, the shed was unenterable, the under stairs cupboard full of neglected ironing and spanners and boy stuff..... 

But inspiration came from a culmination of Granny Chic, and Hettie Brown. I started cutting strips of old clothes, which had also been stuffed in the eaves, waiting.





A table cloth got chopped


A garage sale remnant got chopped


I began to weave.....
 



It took much longer than I thought it would, but I was quite pleased once I'd finished. 

But now I'm wondering if I should have left it as a put on the wall rack, with its lid still openable! What do you think? Attached to the wall in its original vertical position, it would be fabulous storage wouldn't it? So do I make a lining, or do I deweave and reweave?? Advise please girls.

During my weaving, the postman knocked, twice. He delivered some Sew In September seeds from Higgledy Garden. I read about these on Ted & Agnes....and for once I had perfect timing, as it is September. So I sent my £12 off for 12 seeds, with assurances from a few that they were a wonderful investment, and would bring flowers in May.



The Higgledy Garden gentleman, Benjamin, included a lovely hand written note, and an extra packet of seeds! A fantabulous touch that I really appreciated. I guess I should get a Higgledy wriggle on, October will be knocking at the door very very soon.....










11 comments:

  1. I would call that a useful crafty basket as it is. Have you tried wrapping fabric around each separate bit of wire, it takes forever but looks amazing. xx

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    1. Morning Ethel! No I haven't, but I bought some lampshades to do just that to. It looks fabulous doesn't it. I guess time consuming though like you said. Have you done it?

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  2. it looks lovely to me as it is - but then i don't think i would have the patience to start again when it is perfectly functional as it is - well done for recognising it's potential!! i used to be a bit of a night owl ...... i'm a bit of a loner and like to end the day having a bit of me time BUT sleep is important especially when you are working xx

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    1. That's exactly how I feel....lack of patience will keep it as it is! I'm starting to appreciate a really early morning rather than a really late night now....I'm more productive first thing...but I'm always reluctant to give the night up to go to bed x

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  3. I've got loads of flower seeds that I've collected if you want more... 8 colours of hollyhocks, various poppies and calendula, echinacea etc.
    My body struggles to get to sleep most of the time which is very dull! Loving the table cloth fabric and the fact you have a lovely talented friend to help you to learn to sew... Cx

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    1. That can't be good. I must say, once I'm tucked up, I'm out for the count. Insomnia isn't funny x
      Now, as a novice gardener, are these seeds able to get chucked in the ground? I have no green house or space to nurture anything any other way. It's really kind if you to offer! Hollyhocks are one of my favourites! Xxx

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    2. You could just scatter them and rake it but I put a few seeds in a pot of earth and then wait until they are a few inches high and then plant them out. I don't have a green house either, just an old drawer with a window frame or a piece of plastic on top all found at the dump. I could try to send you some baby hollyhocks plant too then they will flower next year for you. Pop over to my blog, upcyclingvintageandotherlife.blogspot.co.uk and send me your address and what you fancy... Nature is so generous that it is nice to be able to spread the beauty.. Cx

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  4. I love it just as it is ... I love the colours you have used & the combinations of the fabrics. I dont think it needs a lid ... I can see it with magazines or suchlike sitting in it. You are right about truly treasured friends - they Are few & far between. Your friend sounds lovely & kind & generous with her time & her skills. Happy weekend to you x0x Keep up the crafting too !!!!

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  5. Hey Julie..... I'm pleased you like it! I'm happy with it to. I don't have a stash of gorgeous fabrics, but I do keep old clothes if I like the print. Glad I did! Yes, friends, real ones, are rare. They need taking good care of x hope you're weekend is going well.....I'm on a double shift today, so no crafting on this side of town, but the overtime will help fund other days! Xx

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  6. The basket looks great ... there can be beauty in everything!! I have a sewing machine and lots of fabric but I'm rubbish at sewing ... I need a friend like yours! And, what a lovely little 'seed' parcel - I shall check him out. M x

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