Time

It has rained almost steadily for 4 days out of 5 now, not that I am complaining you understand. I love the rain. I love the sound of it, I love the smell of the earth when it is wet, I love the way it cleans away the summer dust and freshens the tired foliage in the garden. It all looks lush again doesn't it?

However, slowly but surely it's time for the autumn foliage to take over from the summer flowers and shrubs. Everything is jewel coloured here at the Fairyglade, Amber, ruby, emerald, citrine ...

It’s the time of year to check on the wood supplies, is there enough to get us through the coming cold months? I think this little lot might last us a while!

It’s time to go through the wardrobe, pull out jumpers and cardigans, find hot water bottles at the back of the kitchen cupboards. Pull out an extra blanket from the airing cupboard, (how I wish I had an airing cupboard).

It’s time for dressing gowns and slippers.

So cute and sold in aid of breast cancer

It’s time to get on with Christmas crafts and make lists. Who had what last year, who will get what this year?

It’s time to use words like snuggle, cosy, crunchy, crisp in our blogs.

It’s time to get on with winter crafting, knitting and crochet with soft wool which is too warm to handle in the heat of summer.

It’s time to eat stews and casseroles again, with winter vegetables from the garden, leeks, parsnips, late potatoes, carrots. Sticky toffee pudding and custard. Porridge for breakfast.

It’s time to close the curtains at tea time, light the lamps and candles, put a log or two on the fire.

Time for reading by the fireside with mugs of hot tea from a teapot with it's own blanket...

from this......................

To this.....though it still needs a bit of work and different flowers I think.

Essentially, it is time to slow down, take stock, prepare, anticipate and appreciate all that is beautiful and comforting at this time of year.

Dev x

Writers Block

I am struggling to find anything interesting to say at the moment, I suppose it is my turn for writer's block! It has been a rather mundane sort of week, you know the sort I mean, where you just drift along living your life with nothing in particular happening. Perhaps that's not such a bad thing, just plodding along, minding your own business and getting on with things without worrying or having to think too hard about things.

I have been crafting a bit here and there and have been asked to sell some of my things at another coffee morning at the beginning of November. Not really sure what to do, the last one knocked my confidence a bit. I have that age old problem of setting prices that reflect the work that I have put into something against what people are prepared to pay for it. The two never seem achievable to me. I am usually out of pocket or I take it all home with me! Decisions, decisions!

So what have I been up to I hear you ask? Well I bought this pretty panel last year but unfortunately didn't have time to do anything with it. I draped it over the sofa anyway.

This year I decided to dig it out and, get stuck in, and hopefully get it done for this Christmas instead.

I love it, and the snowmen are just so cute! I am using a variety of coloured threads for the outlining and then sequins, buttons and beads for embellishing certain elements like their hats, scarves, shoes etc. A really "jolly" project.

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without angels and so I have begun making my pretties out of old linens and lace. I have made so many of these as presents over the years, all hand sewn too, no machines here. Each one is totally unique.

And finally, I couldn't possibly leave this post without a picture of gorgeous, rippley, woolly goodness.............my mystery project, which I am guessing, that you are guessing, what it is going to be when it is finished.

There are no words to describe how much I am loving this piece, the look, the feel, the warmth. I just can't stop looking at it. The design is just so addictive and lends itself so well to whatever colour scheme you choose.

On that note, I will away and maybe do a couple of rows before bedtime. Hope this post hasn't bored you all to sleep!

Dev x

Real World

Well, the last few days of the summer holidays are drawing to a close. Sadly, Monday will see us all back in the real world again. This last week has been such a good one. The littlest fairy and I have done much crafting, shopping and visiting Nanny to be pampered for a few days in readiness for the new school year.

So, do you want to see how I have been filling my days this week? Well, lots of handsewing...which if I am honest is my absolute favourite.

Pretty little birds made from scraps of fabric left over from patchwork projects.

I will be listing these in my shop tomorrow hopefully, so stop by and have a browse.

My new range of scissor charms that can double up as mini pin cushions.

I will be listing these in my shop tomorrow hopefully, so please stop by if you have a few moments.

These pretties are already in my shop if you fancy a bit of early christmas shopping!

I also made a needlecase which is something that I have needed for ages.

There has also been a fair amount of shopping this week and I am so pleased with my purchases.

What about this fab messenger bag from the Merchant Chandler made from heavy duty, recycled paper..only £3.99. It makes a great craft bag!

Then I found this gem in New Look and thought how very CK it is..what do you think? A bargain at £6 I thought.

Then there was this little beauty for only 50p. The work that has gone into this is amazing. I wish that I was that clever, or indeed, that I had the patience to make something so delicate.

And my absolute bargain favourite...from TK Maxx.....The Gentle Art of Domesticity by Jane Brocket reduced to £7. I nearly fainted when I saw it on the shelf. I have coveted this book for ages now. I grabbed it quick as there was another lady loitering nearby. I practically skipped to the tills!

I am seriously in need of a tea cosy like this. I have an idea of my own floating around in amongst the grey matter, just need to translate it to paper and crochet hook.

So, all in all, we have had a lovely week.

Bye for now Dev x