A Monthly Make: Cath Kidston Purse

I am taking part in The Felt Fairy's Monthly Make and this purse from Cath Kidston is my January make. The kit is from CK's book 'Stitch' which I got for Christmas. I have her other two Books, 'Make' and 'Sew' and it took me 18 and 6 months respectively to make those projects so joining has given me the incentive to get on with this one.

I have made a start on the bargain needlepoint kit that I found in a charity/thrift shop for just 2.69 GB pounds. I am working on it on week night evenings whilst watching t.v. I watch two episodes of the US programme 'Unsolved Mysteries' followed by an Australian show called 'Crimescene Forensics'. Nothing like curling up with a good crime show and some stitching on a cold winter evening, LOL.

Had a nice surprise in the post this morning when all these stitching goodies turned up. There was a note saying they were a competition prize but I don't remember the competition or even entering but as most stitchers would agree, you can never had enough stash.

Last week I made this White Chocolate and Cranberry fudge. I am not much of a cook but this was so quick and easy that even I couldn't mess it up. Anyone with a Tesco Clubcard would have seen the recipe with their last statement but I have included it below. Everyone agreed that it was delicious.

There is still time to enter my giveaways which closes midnight on Monday, 31st January. Just add your name to the post below.

Happy crafting

Shirley

1st Blogiversary Giveaway

I can't believe I have been blogging for 1 year. Where has that time gone? I have had great fun and met lots of lovely people from all over the world so I've decided I would have two giveaways to commemorate my blogiversary.

The first giveaway is for stitchers and comprises:

2 pieces x 32 count linen, 15" X 18" each in oyster and twilight blue

Needlecraft back issue with mini cottage kit

Cross Stitch Magic

Pot Pourri Sachet Kit

Christmas One Nighters chart book

Mothers day card cross stitch kit

Clotted cream fudge

The second giveaway is for dogs comprising:

Dog's Christmas Stocking

Dog treats

Rope toy

'Woof" collar (medium/large size)

and Clotted cream fudge

*

The giveaways are open to anyone who wants to enter. All you have to do is become a follower (or if you are one already) and leave a comment after this post stating if you would like to enter the stitching, dog or both giveaways.

It will close on Monday, 31st January and I am happy to post to anywhere in the world.

Good luck,

Shirley

The Lavender House

Rather than start any new projects, I am trying to finish off some of those I started last year. One of those is The Lavender House, finished at last and filled with dried lavender harvested from the plants I introduced to my garden last spring.

I cut a few bunches of lavender (leaving some for the bees) tied them up with twine and left them to dry hanging upside down in our boiler room, which is very warm. You can see the jar below filled with the dried lavender and also the book the pattern was taken from - 3D Cross Stitch. I used 22 count hardanger and it was very fiddley to put together so I would not make another one in a hurry!

Cross Stitcher magazine published my Jan Constantine Britannia cushion project in the current issue and sent me these lovely silk threads and a plane friendly thread cutter pendant and needle threader.

I enroled on a crochet course at the end of last year which is keeping me very busy but I am still keeping up with all my other crafts in between. Here is a teddy bear I crocheted a while ago using a pattern from Annies Attic. I am hoping to improve my skills and work some more advanced designs with the help of the course.

Better Late than Never

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas holiday, I did and even managed to finish off these two heart decorations over the break and hang them on my tree. At least I will have more decorations for next year and as I said in the title, better late than never!

"The boys" all enjoyed their Christmas and had so many presents in their stockings we had to ration them to one or two a day. The pics below show Higgins playing with a squeaky cracker, opening some of his presents, Archie with a rawhide candy cane and Wilberforce doing what he enjoys most - nothing!

Happy new year to all and I hope you have a peaceful, prosperous and healthy 2011.