Everythings Coming Up Roses

Not just roses, everything else is coming into flower too. I love this time of year with the expectation of warmer days and longer evenings. Yesterday was so hot, we came back from shopping via the beach and there were lots of people laying on the sands and the ice cream van was doing a brisk trade. I don't know if it will last, you have to make the most of it when you can here and whisk those shorts and sandals out while the goings good, LOL.I've never considered myself a flowery person but I seem to have completed quite a lot of floral projects. The knitted roses were made with a vintage pattern from my collection and the daffodils below are my one and only attempt at glass painting. I have all the equipment but cannot seem to find the time to do more. It's simply a case of too many crafts, not enough time.

I have planted three types of tomatoes from seed this year and they are already shooting up. I just hope they grow as big as this crochet tomato pincushion I made with a pattern from Annies Attic.

I am not much of a gardener and don't have much success with flowers so I tend to stick to the papercrafting variety below. The last two cards were made with papers from Anna Griffin, one of my favourite designers. Enjoy the sunshine all.

Work in Progress and Vintage Knits

My sunflower design has ground to a halt as I have run out of thread. It is my own fault because I changed the stitch to one that I thought covered the canvas better. It is the first time I have used stranded cotton on canvas and worked with 6 strands, each skein does not go far. I won't be able to get to the shop until Friday so in the meantime I am working some small kits in my stash.

This Snatch the Dog design came with an issue of Cross Stitcher ages ago and I have made it up into a card.

I got an email advertising this knitting book, Vintage Modern Knits the other day and remembered that I had knitted a similar sweater to the cover design a while back. After rummaging around on top of the wardrobes last night I found it, tried it on and it fits and looks o.k. I cannot remember if I have ever worn it and if so, only once or twice, so I may start to wear it now while the weather is still chilly.

Before you think I knitted that lovely fair isle yoke, I have to fess up - it came from a vintage knitting "instant fair isle" kit. I think it is from the 50's or 60's and still in it's original packaging when I bought it for 3.00 GB pounds at a car boot sale. It just goes to show, if you keep things long enough they will come back in style, LOL.

I don't make many cards these days unless they are stitched ones but made an effort for my other half today. The image was a free download from the Create: website and I found an appropriate verse online too:

Roses are red, violets are blue

I made this card just for you

It's not the neatest, it wouldn't pass a test

But it's made with love - that makes it best.

Happy Valentines Day all,

Shirley

Kokeshi Doll & Vintage Find

I have just finished the Kokeshi Doll kit that came with the current issue of Cross Stitcher Magazine. It was very quick and easy to work and I thought I might use it for a birthday card or possibly made up into a gift, I haven't decided yet. I recently found this copy of Needlewoman and Needlecraft magazine from 1959 in a thrift shop for just 50p. It is in good condition and still has the original embroidery transfer inside. Some of the projects would still look good today such as the bird in a cage peg bag below.