Putting my Talents to Good Use

I feel so very blessed to have been made creative, that is to say that I have been given some small measure of creativity.  More and more as I get older and as time moves swiftly on I'm looking for ways in which I can use these skills and talents to do for others.  I guess what I'm trying to say (rather poorly) is that I've had so much pleasure from crafting over the years and teaching allowed me to share it.  Since I don't teach anymore (and I'm pretty okay with that) I'd still like to give back, to share.

I do that by making up bunches of things and sending them to our friends in Leeeds to sell at the charity they both work for - Caring For LIfe.  So whilst we were house sitting for them I took down several projects to get finished cos I just couldn't seem to find time over the summer to do that whilst I worked.  It was just too darn hot and sticky and i was way too tired after a long day at the office I guess.

 

I took my sewing machine along and used it most evenings.  It's my way of relaxing and I could do this we had a few rooms downstairs to choose from.  I made up a whole bunch more of those super quick and easy pocket tissue holders in some of my much loved CK fabric.  Because it takes minimal fabric I don't mind using it because I have bags left over.

 

 

And because our hosts had a myriad of hearts all over the house I picked up several little hearts to attach to the various bits and pieces I left for them.  I had great fun choosing these hearts everywhere we went and now when I look at hearts (which are EVERYWHERE in stores right now) I can't help but think of them.

 

Blessings

 

Suezie

A Little Bit of Crochet

Whilst hubby and I traveled around during our break we took time out to really relax.  We listened to CDs in the car and as he drove I crocheted.  Here's my efforts.

 

I've only ever made a couple of these granny square cushions before (last Christmas) and after a day at Leeds market I found the perfect wool which as it happens was also on sale so I got me a bargain to boot.

 

As always with a flash on your camera the colours seem to come out way brighter than they are in reality.  You will just have to trust me when I say they are way more subtle than they look in these shots as I matched the colours pretty perfectly to the colours in the chair behind.  And as if I needed an example to prove it this chair below which looks bright red is in fact pink!

 

Once I complete my square - and I can do one of these in a day making them a great project for a long journey or several hours in the garden in summer - I simply stitch it to my fabric, usually just inside the edge and a second row of stitching closer to the middle to keep it in place.  Then when I add the additional cushion fabric so it becomes a removable cover rather than a fixed cushion I use the first stitch line as a guide and stitch just outside of it so that when I turn it right side out the seams match up perfectly along the edge of my crochet panel.

 

By making it a removable cover it can then be washed.  I can't abide a cushion that can't be washed!

 

 



And before I go I'll leave you with a few more shots of Leeds, this time of the indoor market where I picked up the wool.

 

 

Dave and I were just facinated with all the detailing in this building - it was pretty amazing!

 

 

And yes it was covered with more of that Tour de France T-shirt bunting that seemed to greet us everywhere we went.

 

 

Oh and I found another shot of a store window that had been painted up especially for the occasion.  It's kinda weird how you can see the reflection of the real little town in the window too.

 

Enjoy

 

Suezie

Tour de France!

I am only too aware it's been quite a while since I posted anything here on the ol' blog but summer is always a busy time of year - for everyone - not just me.

We have just returned home a couple of days ago now from Yorkshire where we house sat for Christian friends for about 10 days and it was lovely.  When we weren't out and about I kept myself busy making all kinds of things so I have a ton of stuff to post.  It may take me a few days to get it all on here.  I even crafted as we traveled around (crochet) so I have some of that to post too.

For now I will just leave you with several pictures of the evidence left behind from the recent Tour de France that took place in and around Yorkshire.  Sadly we were a week or two late for the race but it was still lovely to see evidenc of it everywhere we went.  The yellow and green colours were still so vibrant!

 

I just loved the knitted T-shirt bunting!

 

Several of the shops had taken the time to have windows painted up with cycling scenes.

 

 

Bikes, bunting and flowers were crammed into every nook & cranny.

 

 

 

 

This tower of flowers was taller than me. I'm 5' 2" and was bursting with colour.

 

I snapped this one chained to a tree just across the way from York Minster when we visited the town of York.

 

Certainly makes ya think of summer with the bright yellow huh?

Enjoy!