A few weeks ago my computer died, this meant that I was unable to spend time online. Crafting with my computer was also not an option. All was not lost though, there were part finished projects to complete, a knitting frame for making socks to learn how to use, and some cards to be made.
A card for a diamond wedding anniversary.
Looking through my stash I found these beautiful foiled roses. I had a lot of fun making this card, putting mini diamonds on each of the dragonflies inside the card.
I knitted this little cover gift from a magazine. I changed the pattern slightly and put some loops of wool across the sheep's head.
I finished two more bags for my Etsy shop
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/dreamtimemakes
I helped with a rather urgent fish tank change over. Very time consuming but satisfying. Several dramas involved (teaser alert).
I have some time learning to use a knitting loom for making socks. Think I have the hang of it now and understand the instructions for turning the heel.
So a week has gone by and my dinning table is almost clear. This means I can finally shorten the net curtains for my mother. Plus things have been sorted and put away instead of stacked in corners.
Another bonus is that I have found quite a few misplaced items so time well spent.
I have been continuing with the half finished cardigan - the sleeves are nearly finished. This may seem as though I have taken a long time to get this far but I am not the fastest knitter in the world. The end is in sight and I am beginning to look forward to wearing it.
It has been so nice crafting for myself. It feels like a very long time since I have done this. I have been so busy making things to sell - in future I must remember to do things for myself as well.
I have been spending time over the last week sorting and clearing. I only have a limited amount of space and a tendency to let things that I am working on (or have been working on) pile up around me. This is a habit I am trying to break myself of because my work space sometimes gets so small that making anything at all is impossible.
While I was attempting make room for all my treasures I found a cardigan that I had started while my friend was expecting her son - six years ago! I knew the cardigan around but I couldn't remember how I had left it and was worried that I would not be able to work out where I was in the pattern.
I was very very happy today when I discovered that not only had I left knitting the cardigan in a sensible place but as the back and both the front pieces were completed I only have the sleeves and collar to knit.
So now to get my cardigan finished
This is in praise of my Mother - one of my best friends.
She taught me to sew and cook, And tried to teach me to knit and crochet.
http://www.zoopla.co.uk/property-history/swiss-cottage/prices-avenue/ramsgate/ct11-0an/2914265
The first crafting I can remember was on holidays to Ramsgate. As soon as we had got to our cottage We went to a wonderful toy shop in George Street to buy some cheap plastic dolls then next door to the Fabric shop for a couple of bags of scraps. Then I could glue (with copydex) various outfits to my dolls. Hours of fun.
Just before my younger sister was born I started (with Mother's help) to knit a pair of pale green booties for her. This was not a success. Although I am not sure why I did not finish them, I think they only needed sewing up. But when I was 18 I saw a pattern for a willow pattern jumper. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Sirdar-Ladies-Chinese-Willow-Pattern-Sweater-DK-Knitting-Pattern-6225-/350575076050?pt=UK_Crafts_Knitting_Crochet_EH&hash=item519fe722d2
I had to have this jumper, more than anything. So the only thing to do was learn to knit. The first thing I knitted was a Jean Greenhowe footballer, followed by a grey V necked jumper for myself and then I made my Willow Pattern jumper. All through this while others were saying I should be starting with smaller projects my Mother was encouraging.
Crafts at school were not a success I do not remember ever finishing anything - kettle holder in the first year, PE bag in the second year, bias edged apron in the third year to the GONK in the forth year. Since then I have sewn toys, clothes - including coats, cushions, in fact anything that took my fancy. Always knowing that I had my Mother in the background to give advice and sort things out if I had a problem.
This meant that once I had taken the dressmaking plunge I could be as unique as I wanted. She thought nothing of taking bits from this pattern or that pattern and showing me how to piece them together to achieve the effect I was after.
Her talents do not just cover basic sewing. There was the camp blanket she made my Father with badges sewn on it. I have the delicate embroidery of the Heraldry Society Arms that she made. Most importantly she helped my sister and I with the cutting and sewing of my sisters wedding dress and three bridesmaid dresses.
The other gift she has given me is a love of cooking and baking. When we were children she made bread. The most wonderful Delicious bread ever (I wish I could make it as well). She used to try to bake enough to freeze but had to fight for every roll that made it to the freezer. She baked her sisters wedding cake and had a range of roughly 60 varieties of small cakes to choose from for the other cakes at the wedding. I also did the catering for my sisters wedding - I am hoping I had my mothers talent while doing it. I can remember a cake she made for friends who wanted Micky and Minnie mouse coming out of a castle in the clouds - she baked meringues clouds and made hundreds of small flowers for the meadow.
From quite an early age she was letting me try my hand at cooking dinner (she wasn't as happy with the amount of washing up I left her, I was never as keen about that bit). Far enough away so it was all my own work - close enough to help if I got stuck. In fact she taught all of her children to cook - some of my brothers went through a multi- coloured phase - something we are all grateful for.
So this is my thank you to you Mum. Without your help, guidence and support I would not be able to cook, sew or quite frankly just be ME.
