Everything Else! | Sewchet

November 27, 2014
by sewchet 26 Comments

2nd Prize In Crochet Competition!

Remember this mystery WIP from last week that I entered into a competition?

Well I won second prize!

For those of you who were intrigued as to what it might be (Caren), I can now reveal that is is a….

…..CLOCK!

Based on a design by Matt, I made it much simpler as my clock hands were too large to include many flowers which would obstruct the movement.

I crocheted the butterfly instead of using a wooden one and used a wire tie to create the antennae. I also glued on felt numerals instead of wooden ones.

Various sizes of brightly coloured flowers adorn the perimeter.

The centre of each flower features a different button from my stash.

Eight little ladybird buttons mark the hour.

Some of the ladybirds are peeking out from amongst the flowers!

The best part for me is the rainbow – I just love all those bright colours!

The plywood we had lying about was too thick for the clock movement so I used some mounting card which was substantial enough for the job.

And here’s my prize….

…..vouchers for Ottery Garden Centre which I have already spent part of on……………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………you guessed it, another Santa!

Have you won any crafting competitions?

November 23, 2014
by sewchet 17 Comments

Sunday Sevens #11

I’ve had a busy week of making and haven’t had time to do much else really, so this week’s Sunday Sevens is a bit different. Instead of showing you things that I have made or done, I thought I’d showcase seven things I bought at a craft fair this week by other talented craftspeople. Hop over to Natalie at Threads and Bobbins to see what this link up is all about.

1. A beautiful felt poppy hairband which I am going convert to a brooch by removing the elastic and adding a pin. The beads in the centre really sparkle in the light and I love the inventive use of an old map as a means of presentation.

2. Simple wire hearts with a colourful bead by Helen Bagwell at Longfield Designs – these will look pretty on my Christmas tree.

3. Two painted, handcrafted wooden door wedges – so simple, but I love them.

4. A cute pair of wristwarmers in wonderfully soft yarn.

5. A brilliant reinvention of used carrier bags – knitted eco bags! These were being made and sold for charity so I just had to buy one.

6. Admittedly I had intended to make something similar for No.3 son, but it’s such a fabulous set and entirely handmade for just £6.00 that I saved myself a task!

7. Anyone who has ever “owned” a cat will understand.

I’m chuffed with my purchases and pleased to support local crafters in a small way, although everything was totally underpriced for the hours that had gone into creating such unique items. I paid the grand sum of £23.50 for everything!

Have you bought anything from other crafters recently?

November 21, 2014
by sewchet 10 Comments

Father Christmas Has Arrived…..

…..he has settled down right next to the fireplace with a sackful of presents and I couldn’t be more pleased.

I had every intention of hiding him in the loft for a few weeks amongst the tidal wave of Christmas decorations that increases year on year (and which are threatening to grow into a tsunami), but I just couldn’t do it.

So here he stays.

Isn’t he fabulous?

There was a huge sign screaming “2ft Santa – Half Price!” at me. I tried to ignore the voices in my head whispering “Buy me, buy me,” but resistance was futile and he insisted on coming home with me.

What a handsome chap he is though, just look at his charming little face;

I love the pine cone detail on his woolen boots which are tied up with string;

He carries a little hessian sack over one shoulder filled with miniature goodies….

….and clasps a teddy bear in a mittened hand on the other side.

He even carries a tiny lantern!

Yes, it’s fair to say that I am pleased with my purchase – in fact they had several different styles and I’m tempted to go back and emancipate another…..

Talking of emancipation – I re-homed some unloved charity shop items as well today.

These cute paper punches were a pound each, but the Christmas ones are in danger of going blunt with the amount of use I anticipate them getting.

This B-E-A-Utiful scarf was being virtually given away at £2.75; it’s a huge 2 1/2 yards long! I’m considering cutting it up to make a shorter scarf AND a pair of fingerless gloves.

The label has been removed, but it looks like something Laura Ashley or Monsoon would sell; each end is bound with a strip of lilac velvet and it’s very good quality.

I treated myself to some pretty socks from a shop just over the border in Dorset. I love the cotton lace top to them and couldn’t decide which colour I liked best so I bought one of each. Well, why not?

I haven’t got the hang of the circular needles yet, so am still yet to master the art of sock making. When I do finally conquer it, guess what everyone will be getting for that Christmas?!

November 17, 2014
by sewchet 10 Comments

Tower of London Poppies

I am struggling to fight back the tears even as I start to write this post. Just recalling the emotions as we were standing there brings a lump to my throat, so humbling was the experience.

Entranced by the sea of poppies filling the entire moat around the Tower of London were thousands of visitors from all around the world, all of us hit hard by the vision of red and what it represents. 888,246 ceramic poppies – one for each British and Commonwealth military life lost in The First World War 100 years ago.

The artist Paul Cummins and stage designer Tom Piper, are to be presented with an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s honour’s list in recognition of their achievement – and rightly so.

Paul said his inspiration came from a line in the will written in the field by an unknown soldier who died at Flanders. Everyone around him was dead and he was surrounded by a sea of blood as he wrote “The Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, where Angels fear to tread”.

21,688 volunteers worked around the clock ‘planting’ the ceramic poppies from August 5th until Armistice Day on 11th November when the last poppy was installed.

‘Blood’ appears to pour out of the castle walls on each of its four facades.

All 888,246 poppies have been sold, a percentage of the proceeds being donated to six armed forces affiliated charities.

We were lucky enough to buy ours before they sold out in October.

The Boys have been learning about the First and Second World Wars and were so excited to visit the Poppies and the Tower of London.

They even met a serving Beefeater!

We saw the war exhibitions inside the Tower and the boys got involved in a recruitment re-enactment.

Crown jewels were top of my list – and they didn’t disappoint. No photos allowed obviously:)

At sunset, the Last Post sounded along with a Roll of Honour for some of those who lost their lives.

Such a fantastic day – emotional, exhausting too, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!

November 17, 2014
by sewchet 10 Comments

Sunday Sevens #10

Oh dear, my #sundaysevens post is a day late yet again (but at least I’ve managed it this week – sorry Natalie!). What can I say – my weekends are so busy!

1. Day trip to London to see the poppy installation marking the 100th anniversary of The Great War.

2. Tower Bridge by night

3. Advent calendar under construction

4. Embroidering a monogrammed Christmas present

5. Mini granny squares for another Christmas present

6. Corfe Castle – we joined the parade on Remembrance Sunday

7. Christmas craft fayre in our village hall organized by me!

October 26, 2014
by sewchet 4 Comments

Sunday Sevens #7

This week’s Sunday Sevens is on time! Only because the clocks went back and we were up earlier than usual; the boys were playing pool so I grabbed a few minutes in the office to do a quick post.

Pop over to Natalie at Threads and Bobbins to see what it’s all about.

1. Bought the 541,765th poppy from the Tower of London Installation a few weeks ago and found out that all 888,256 have sold out this week!! Sooo pleased we were able to secure one – well, two actually, as we bought another for my mother for Christmas only to find out that they won’t be despatched until January…

2. Collecting the eggs before school.

3. Hung the new curtains at last! Read about the charity shop designer fabric bargain in this post.

4. Painted the kitchen; which was long overdue – we realized it hadn’t been painted since we first moved in after renovations seven years ago! “Lime White” by Farrow and Ball replaced the “Cooking Apple Green” which was gorgeous, but made the room feel dark and I fancied something lighter for a change.

5. Still warm enough for naked football in the field….!

6. A visit to Auntie’s farm. Such a unique farmhouse – 450+ years old, utterly original and unspoilt complete with cheese room next to the main bedroom! I just love going back – it rekindles fond memories of staying as a child.

7. Sunday morning pool with waistcoat and bow tie! That’s what the boys are up to whilst I’m writing this.

Now, where’s my coffee….?

October 20, 2014
by sewchet 11 Comments

Sunday Sevens #6

This week’s Sunday Sevens is a day late again but better late than never eh?

A link up organized by Natalie at Threads & Bobbins to show you snippets of our lives that may be too insubstantial to form a blog post in their own right, but form a bigger picture when all showcased in one post.

MONDAY – I have no idea what these pretty little flowers are, but there’s a cluster of them in front of the village stocks and the gardeners very sweetly mow around them.

TUESDAY – Snapped up these vintage plates in the charity shop for three pounds!

WEDNESDAY – The Girls sheltered from a shower underneath the garden furniture and promptly went to sleep!

THURSDAY – There are dry stone walls around many a property here, lots of which have collapsed under the weight of sodden soil backed up behind them. The craftsmen who rebuild them (reusing the fallen stones) are truly astonishing – just look at this newly finished section. Can you see how well it blends into the original wall on the right? They are sensibly including more drainage channels to allow the water to escape more freely in the future.

FRIDAY – Walking the dogs…..

SATURDAY – Ignore the silly face and concentrate on the birthday present wish-list. No.2 Son is obsessed with both the First and Second World Wars. We’re taking him to see the poppy installation at the Tower of London for his birthday.

SUNDAY – Breakfast in bed:)

October 14, 2014
by sewchet 12 Comments

Liebster Award!

Thank you to Beth at After Dark Sewing for nominating me for The Liebster Award which I proudly accept!

Beth is a young mum who fits in her love of crafting around her small daughters and consequently finds herself sewing after dark. Check out her blog for some inspirational posts:)

(To find out more about The Liebster Award, follow the link and use Google Translate)

These are the questions Beth asked me: –

1. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Time Travel. The ability to travel back in time (not forward – too scary) and witness history in the making – how cool would that be?

2. Which movie would you watch over and over?

The Blues Brothers. I have no idea how many times I’ve watched it, suffice to say that my children quote from it so they must have seen it a few times too.

“It’s 106 miles to Chicago. We’ve got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark, and we’re wearing sunglasses.”

Brilliant.

3. If you could be granted three wishes, what would you wish for?

Health, Wealth and Happiness for those in my life. Predictable, but true.

4. Coffee or tea?

Both actually – but only if they’re good. Could never drink instant coffee – we buy our own beans and grind from scratch. I currently have seven, no, eight, different types of tea staring at me from the shelf, our “everyday” choice being Earl Grey.

5. What are your pet hates?

Incorrect and lazy use of the English language! “Could of” instead of “Could have” etc. etc. Bad grammar and punctuation drive me insane! Bad table manners; Knorking (using the fork as both a knife and fork), ‘phones at the table etc. Cheap loo roll (nuff said!).

6. If you were a crayon, what colour would you be?

Red. Read what you will into that!!!

7. What’s the story behind your blog name?

It’s an amalgamation of my two favourite hobbies, Sewing and Crochet – Sewchet. Simple!

8. Do you have any pets?

Yes; two dogs, six hens, a cockerel and a tank full of fish. Growing up as one of four, my mother said she had enough to do looking after us without having pets to worry about, so we never had pets as children. As soon as I bought my first house at nineteen I overdosed on the pet front with rats, cats and dogs and have never looked back! Ideally, we’d buy the field behind our house and have a smallholding……

9. Are you a lark or an night owl?

I am utterly rubbish in the mornings as my husband will testify. I would much rather have an extra ten minutes in bed in the morning than get up in time to run a brush through my hair before the school run!

10. What was your favourite television programme as a child?

We didn’t have a television when I was a child!!! Although I used to absolutely love Mary, Mungo and Midge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f0oHGkVoPA) which I watched at my Grandma’s house when I could. We inherited our first (black and white!) television in 1980 when I was twelve and we moved into the cottage where my father was born and raised.

Now it’s my turn to pass on the blogging baton – if you wish to accept the award there are a few simple rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for the award and follow that blog.
2. Display the (pink) Liebster Award on your blog.
3. Answer ten questions about yourself.
4. Nominate ten more bloggers (with less than 200 followers). Inform them by commenting on their blog. You must also follow them to help spread the word!

Don’t forget to check out the other great blogs in the list!

Here are my questions for you: –

1. What is your favourite film quote?

2. What was the first thing you made?

3. Which three words best describe you?

4. Which is your favourite blog and why?

5. Do you have a favourite post from your archives? Why not share the link again.

6. What are the top three things on your bucket list?

7. How did you meet your partner?

8. Describe your house.

9. Sewing or Crochet?

10. Which celebrity would be top of your guest list for a dinner party?

And the nominations are….

The Velvet Cow

Colour Me Happy

The Small Sewing Room

Some Assembly Required

Fibre and Fabrics

Here’s hoping you all get lots of new interested followers to your blogs – and maybe even find some great new ones to follow yourselves!

October 13, 2014
by sewchet 7 Comments

Sunday Sevens #5

A day late again, sorry, but Sundays are family time, not computer time:)

Thanks again to Natalie at Threads & Bobbins for her Sunday Sevens link up.

Here’s a fleeting glimpse of my week: –

SUNDAY – Harvest Lunch in the village hall

MONDAY – Bean Bag repair needed!

TUESDAY – Isn’t it a bit cold for butterflies now??

WEDNESDAY – New yarn delivery – yummy!

THURSDAY – New project started with luscious Debbie Bliss Merino/Alpaca

FRIDAY – Preview evening for Art Exhibition in the village hall

SATURDAY – Rubbish phone camera photo of a wedding we went to three hours away in Essex

October 7, 2014
by sewchet 14 Comments

A “Fruitful” Walk and How To Make Sloe Gin

It was such a perfect Autumn morning that I decided to take the dogs on The Road Walk instead of The Field Walk, with the added benefit that the road acts as a nail file thereby negating the need to get the dreaded nail clippers out (for the dogs, not me).

I use the word ‘road’ very loosely because, although they have been acquainted with tarmac at some point, the lanes between my village and the neighbouring ones rarely see a car. The total combined population of all three villages adds up to less than 400! In fact this morning we met neither vehicle nor human on a two and a half hour walk. Just the way I like it:)

I took a few snaps on my iPhone just to give you an idea.

After about a mile we took a footpath to Blackford (population 70). Look at that blue sky!

Back onto the lane and a pretty little corner in Maperton (population 100) caught my eye. I usually walk straight past but I thought I’d photograph it today to show you; the shady end of the cottage has been planted with vibrant orange flowers which smell heavenly as you drift by.

View from the top of the lane;

Back into my village, North Cheriton (population 208) and the way back takes us through a wooded lane….

…and past Wisteria cottage…..

…to a Blackthorn Tree! Look at those lovely sloes;

Folklore tells us not to pick the sloes until after the first frost and, as we had the first frost at the weekend, those spare dog poo bags that I always carry came in handy:)

This is my recipe for sloe gin;

Put 1lb sloes, pricked several times with a pin, into a clean jar.

Add 4oz sugar and a bottle of gin;

Shake well and put in a cool, dark place for at least two months. We store ours in the understairs cupboard.

It’s that simple.

Important things to note are: –

1. You need to shake the mixture every morning for about a week until the sugar has dissolved

2. To keep the colour a deep, dark maroon, cover with a tea-towel to stop any light getting in, otherwise it will fade to an insipid pink

My daughter gave me this lovely book of Cath Kidston stickers for Christmas one year so I used some to label the jars with a date.

Our first fire of the season was lit much to the dogs’ delight;

I pulled up an armchair and they curled up on the floor beside me whilst I did a spot of crocheting;

This one is for me….a chunky poncho in ‘berry red’;

I plan on putting a row of blue near the bottom for a bit of interest and I’m writing it up as I go so the poncho pattern will be on the blog when I’ve finished:)

Sewchet

Sewing, crochet, crafts, accessories, baking, tutorials,

Category Archives: Everything Else!

2nd Prize In Crochet Competition!

Sunday Sevens #11

Father Christmas Has Arrived…..

Tower of London Poppies

Sunday Sevens #10

Sunday Sevens #7

Sunday Sevens #6

Liebster Award!

Sunday Sevens #5

A “Fruitful” Walk and How To Make Sloe Gin

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: