Crafty Goodness and Some Sweet Loveliness

Before I begin with all the loveliness can I show you my cottage pie? It was just such a perfect looking pie we didn't want to eat it! But I quickly came back to reality when DN3 said "you're taking a picture of that?"

I know, moving right along...

Craftiness. Not a word used around here lately, but I did manage two of these little cuties. One for me and one for Mother. It is a crocheted granny square done in pure, lovely wool. Then I felted it! My hot pots are very comfy now.

Then I lined the back of it with this lurvely fabric. If you plan on making one please email me and I will give you a few hints.

This charming bit of goodness I ordered for myself. Love it except for the fact I cannot get the melted candle out.

Gorgeous rose scented candle and holder from Ikea. I received two of these for Christmas from DN1's BF and adore them. Simple beauty. Did you see the pretty books? From DN1. My sweet daughter believes that mother should get everything she writes on her list. And I did!

Where did I get this darling little gem? Well my best friend, Clara, felt I needed more cornishware. And voila.

See how it fits in ever so cosy like? Too much happiness over here!

Isn't it just so easy to love Cornishware?

Clara also treated me to this delightful Limoges plate.

My heart is warm.

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The painting has begun. Sort of. The pre-painting chores. But this weekend? It's all about the paint.

Thanks for dropping by

xoxo

So Much Prettiness

I would truly like to say I have been a busy bee. That has not been the case. I mean I have been busy doing the usual, but nothing crafty or really fun. I have such a chaotic schedule over the next little while I just feel a bit overwhelmed. But nice things are happening as well. For example, do you remember this charming fabric I found last fall and have been meaning to make into curtains for the kitchen? (We will not discuss exactly how long it has taken me to actually take the fabric to my lovely seamstress that does extraordinary things with the wee bits of fabric I give her). Well as I was perusing Nostalgia at the Stonehouse, don't I come across just the most gorgeous fabric on this little chair she re-covered?

I thought "What beautiful fabric!". Then thought, my gosh, is that the same fabric that I have? Niki seems to be pretty sure it is. And if a professional like Niki thinks it is well than so do I.

Well, what do you think? I am sure you have all visited her before but if you haven't why don't you drop by? She has lots of handmade goodies as well.

And another little surprise that warmed my heart. Jane (sadly blogless) emailed me to tell me she has been using my hexagon knitting pattern to make this stunning blanket for her son that is going away to University. She got the idea from this magazine page and had googled "knitted hexagon pattern" and found mine. It is so terribly nice to hear from people that have used the pattern. Brilliant job, Jane!

I am working on one or two things as well but the camera is missing (again) and I will not torture you all with the other sad excuse of a camera that is our backup.

Stay tuned, I will have pictures eventually.

Lisa

Sew Amy Butler

Do you like it? I did tell you there was a surprise in the works. I made the Amy Butler gum drop pillow before I left to go to the country. I am very pleased with the result. By the way, there is no way this is a pillow. It is an ottoman or pouffe. It is huge. Massive. A definite footstool.

But oh so cute! It took me about four hours to complete. The more advanced sewers would be about two hours I would think. And loads of stuffing. Loads. The object here is to get as much in as possible to enhance that "overstuffed" look.

Well, are you going to try it? If I can do it you certainly can!

I will update you on our holidays soon.

Glad to be back with you!

Fabric and Roses

On Sunday my girlfriend and I went to a large antique market and all I came home with was a Laura Ashley cosmetic bag and what else? Fabric. It is truly beautiful and when the camera is repaired I will show it to you.

This brings me to the question of what the heck am I going to do with all this fabric? I have quite a bit for someone that is a novice sewer. The problem is I cannot resist gorgeous floral fabric. Period.

I absolutely revel in it. It gives me such a wonderful feeling it is almost indescribable. I am sure those that have this addiction know exactly what I am saying. But I only have the need for so many cushions. And blankets. And sheets. And pillowslips.
What is it about these fabrics that evoke such euphoria in me?

That being said, I had some lovely sheer fabric in a cotton print that I just used for curtains on the back door. DN1 was kind enough to point out last night that they have a floral print in them. Gee mum, more florals? I cannot emphasize enough the sarcasm that was in her voice.

Do you love fabric as much as this? Are you addicted? What do you do with all your fabric? And does hubby ever comment on the growing pile or the florification of your home?

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I will update you with photos as soon as there is a working camera available;)

I am here...

But I have been sooo busy. Crafty and busy. We have had rain here almost everyday for 2 weeks now so I thought I would give you a shot of the only plant that looks good. I tried my hands at some Cath Kidston clothes pegs. What do you think?

I think they're sweet. And they will make hanging the washing out so much more enjoyable. If we ever get to hang it out again with all the rains we've had.

I finally lined the picnic basket. It had to be done all by hand. I now know I am terrible at gathering. If you see any tutorials on these let me know. Please, please do not look too closely at the sewing.

We are leaving to get away for a few days and I want to take this with us so we can use it for picnics and at the water. We will be coming home for a few days and then returning. I will leave it with my mum and dad that go off on drives, not knowing where they are going or how long they will be but they always take a packed lunch so it is theirs for the rest of the week.

All ready. Just fill with wine and food.

I have been tagged by Julia. I am to post 5 interesting things about myself that you probably didn't know. My question is do you really want to know? I will think about this while I am away. I do have so much more to tell you but I haven't the time right now as I must pack. My DN3 is finally feeling better. A sore throat for almost 2 weeks. A virus the doctor said. My goodness.

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Oh, and I went away last weekend to Buffalo shopping. You are allowed $400.00 worth of stuff for 48 hours to cross back over without penalty. Who thinks I was a good girl and stuck to my limit? Did I mention there is a Macy's and Lord + Taylor there?

My Potting Bench, Possible Sewing Project and a Jaunt Through the Garden

I had to show you a picture of "The Fairy" rose. One of the hardest working roses. It will bloom here until November.

My little potting bench. It is a vintage enamel topped table with a little drawer. I got it at a garage sale for $10.00 and it was worth every penny.

I moved the plant in the middle so you can see the rock.

It is a very famous rock. My mother took a wee piece of this with her last time she was in England. Shhhh! You do remember me telling you it was for sale?

Oh, Elderberry, how you have grown! And your neighbour, John Cabot, so happy together.

A mix of white and blue lobelia in an old baby blue tub.

A few pots with lisianthus, geraniums, lavender...

And my sewing project. My mum and dad used to deal in wicker years ago and gave me this ugly picnic basket that I detested. Brown and beige sort of stripes through it. Horrid. Then, late one night, while trying to sleep, it occurred to me. Paint the thing. So I did. Now it has to be lined.

I'm thinking that's the hard part.

Sewing and Pug Pics

As you can see, I actually accomplished something I said I would accomplish. The two cushions from the vintage tablecloth. Done. I really hated to cut up that lovely tablecloth but it had a few tiny holes and I bought it, for two dollars I might add, specifically for this purpose. Another item checked off the list.
And I thought I would show you the cute watering can I picked up. Who can resist pink flowers on a watering can?

And the gratuitous dog pictures. Did I mention there is now well over 100 pictures of this dog stored on my computer? As you can see he is having a difficult time adjusting to the Knitty, Vintage and Rosy household, cough, cough.


I debated whether to show you these photos as some are well, kind of graphic. His bits and pieces are still, ah, intact. If I knew how to photo shop them out I would have.

And for those that are curious the rippling is going so wonderfully. I am awaiting a delivery from Webs for some new yarn for it. My goodness they have great prices. The yarn I am using was half the price than what I paid for at my yarn store. The colours are a bit different than the last one but very similar and quite a bit bigger. This one should cover my king size bed. Vee said I should still take a picture and show it to you all, so I may take the camera to my mum's for a picture. Still ticks me off a bit when I look at it, but as mother says, you can't unring the bell.

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Have a great weekend and thanks for dropping by.

PS Why won't blogger space?

Me and Martha

Martha and I have been at it again. Thanks to Vee for the link. What a wonderful way to utilize your vintage linens. I am always so happy to find different and innovative ways to showcase my quickly expanding collection. I love the way it came out and it only took me about 2 hours which isn't bad for a novice I guess. It will be a wonderful bag for books or produce I would think. And, well, this picture is kind of self explanatory. We now have a pug. He's not brand new. He's used and well worn. We actually babysat him several months back for a girl my daughter works with. She had just had a new baby (do you have "old" babies?) and did not feel she could dedicate the time to him so we looked after him for about 2 months. Of course we fell in love but we had to give him back. However, last week she called my daughter and told her he was just too much with a teething baby, no sleep, etc. (I soooo remember those days!) How lucky are we? He's back and very well loved. Everybody can't get enough of him. He is a delight.


Did I mention the hair? Everywhere.


But he's worth it.

Pasta, Pictures, Purchasing and Pillows

I am trying to concentrate my effort on achieving some kind of order in the house today. It is undetermined yet as to whether this will actually happen. I do know that we are having Pasta al Forno for dinner tonight, so I figure I am at least one step ahead. Right?
I have also been fiddling with my new camera, trying to not always use "manual" and to figure out some of the features I am obviously not using to my full advantage.

I have a lovely pink geranium that has doubled in size since bringing it inside in the fall. It has decided to bloom.
The beautiful mauve/green hydrangea I picked up for the holidays.
I have thrown this picture in to give you a little hint on my latest project.

Don't you just love spotty fabric?

Oh, did I mention I am suppose to be ironing RIGHT NOW?

My ebay delivery finally came. It was sheets I had ordered in a quaint little gingham pattern, however, gingham does not like to appear live. But it is there and it is adorable.

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Oh, and Colin and Justin are designers that have had many shows here and in the UK. They are hilarious with, I think and very skewed idea of what is desirable but I do love to watch their shows. They now reside, at least part time, in Toronto. I am very sorry to those that had no clue as to who they were. I tend to live in a tiny bubble here. But if you do get a chance to see them, let me know what you think.