Plates for inspiration

Some from the cupboard, the others from the second hand store and a gift from a lovely friend thrown in.  I've been wanting a cake stand for ages but I have always found them a little pricey and, of course, there's always one in there that you would want to change.

I put my little collection together with some strong glue and voilà...

now all I need are cupcakes and other such delights.

The inspiration came from a beautiful book entitled Homemade Gifts Vintage Style by Sarah Moore.  An absolute gem of a book.

I hope you will be inspired too.

Liz xx

I started this blanket quite a while ago at the request of my Princess.  She chose the pattern and the colours and I must say I do like it very much.  Progress is slow, a little every day and sometimes every other day.  I can't wait to finish it, it's my biggest piece of crochet since I started down that happy road.

Six colours only, to keep it simple.  The pattern comes from here.  I love the little holes that appear at the top.

In between, a little embroidery, just for the fun of it.

Stitching houses, and of course they need flowers.

Nowhere near finished but I'm not in a hurry.  It's a welcome diversion from rows of crochet.

Sometimes plain and simple is all I need.

Liz xx

Sometimes...

...it all comes together and you know in your heart that you've got it right.  It's a hard to find "aha" moment for me, when that profoundly exciting feeling of "I've got it" flows through those creative veins and I think "that's it". I rush, I rummage, I have to churn out something so that the flow stays with me and doesn't escape into thin air.  Sometimes I search hard to find it and still it eludes me, but I know it will turn up eventually and when I happen upon it, it has to be captured, it is so special, as are all matters of the heart.

Covered notebooks

Covered matchboxes - whimsy everywhere.

My favourite dishcloths of all time.

A little cup of tea...

...to go with a little cake.

I wonder if all creative souls ever feel that way, or is it just me!? (Yikes!)

Liz xx

A trio of baskets

Such useful little baskets and a joy to make.

Dreamy cotton colours to work with. 

You can find the pattern here.

Liz

xxx

A grand little book...

and I am talking about Tif Fussell aka dottie angel.  Since discovering her blog more than a year ago I have become an avid follower and her book is fabulous.  I recommend it highly.

bright and cheery

refreshing and colourful

creative and engaging

inspiring and funny

one of the best books I have bought in many moons.  Love the granny chic movement.

Time to get crafty.

xxxxx

A lot from a little

I loved making these paper and fabric lanterns although I did end up with sore fingers sewing through card.  I am not a thimble user, I find them exceedingly uncomfortable.

I spotted the lanterns chez Lola Nova, thought they were magical and had to have a go.  They are quick and easy and so much fun.

I have so many scraps of lace and fabric it was a great way to put them to good use.

I also made this crochet dishcloth in my favourite colour (actually one of my favourites).

The pattern comes from here.

Oh, and I thought I might show you this flower I made up from the paper my market flowers were wrapped in.  It was too nice to go in the bin.

I kind of made it up as I went along.  Not bad, I think.

Have a happy week.

Liz