Wednesday 31 October 2012

Trick or Treat?


Treat, I'd say. This GENIUS treat-within-a-treat cookie idea is from Megan, who runs Not Martha, a site I've heard of but not visited before today, incredibly. I hope there'll be a Christmassy version nearer the time, or maybe I could do something similar myself on a Crimbo theme.....hmmmm.

Read all about how to make these amazing cookies here. Happy Hallloooooweeeennnnn!

Tuesday 30 October 2012

Stamp Lovelies

The 2012 Christmas stamps came out yesterday. Now, I have a big, old stash of blog standard 2nd class stamps that I was planning on using for my Crimbo cards (which are now at the printers, huzzah), but I think, after seeing these Axel Scheffler-illustrated beauties, I'm going to have to reconsider:

Image from the Royal Mail website, link below

I do like a Christmas stamp. Actually, any kind of unusual stamp. I have a box where I keep a both a 1st and a 2nd class stamp from each Crimbo, which I tear off from cards I receive. Sad but true!

This year's stamps are out from next Tuesday, 6th November. Check out the full set of lovelies here.

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Learning to Machine Knit is Harder Than it Looks...

OK, I think I'm getting the hang of this 'ere machine knitting. My casting on is still terrible, tho. I need @stitch_a_licious!!!

...although I don't think this is too bad for only my second go! Tres Gryffindor.

Thursday 18 October 2012

Finally!

Well, after rather optimistically starting this Halloween-themed cross stitch this time last year and running out of time/energy/enthusiasm to finish it in time for October 31st, I actually got around to finishing it off sometime in the early summer. Of course, it then sat there in my floss tin unloved, unironed and unframed until this Tuesday - even though I bought the frame for it last October, too. Gah.

Excuse the rather grainy and faded-looking photos; the autumnal light is a right bugger for taking photos in at my place. The last is probably the closest to true-colour:

halloween ABC1

halloween ABC2

halloween ABC3

Halloween AND alphabets. What's not to like, right?! The kit is by Lizzie * Kate, which I bought through Sew and So, along with the "vintage" effect Aida.

So, what was missing and keeping my frame and my stitching apart was two final components: foam board and stainless steel pins. I thought the whole framing thang would be really difficult to pull off neatly, but after watching this lovely video from Sublime Stitching, it was a literal doddle:



Easy peasy lemon squeezy, right?

I've already got hold of a few mini-pumpkins of various colours that I'm going to put along the mantelpiece interspersed with the odd candle to add to my spooky decor. Bring on Hallooooooooowwweeeeennnn!!!

Tuesday 16 October 2012

Cornwall

butter


bronte house


30


23 and 23a


peephole


gold1


anemones2


moomaid


lizard2


st marys 2


mm sunset4


roskillys


MM3


Mainly ice cream and sight seeing, then? Deffo.

Monday 1 October 2012

Happy Birthday Hubz

jimbob

A very happy 40th birthday to my still gawjus Hubbo. I hope you have a lovely day xxx