Tuesday treasures

It is hard to pinpoint a time in my life before I was able to sew, knit and craft; at primary school we had sewing lessons early on and my mother and grandmothers were always making things too. But I am able to pinpoint the time when I became aware of and interested in crafts I had never heard of, and developed an understanding of the rich history of things I had previously considered to be only domestic in nature. This came about when I began collecting the "Golden Hands" magazine series in the early seventies.

I have the entire collection, all six volumes. A wonderful assortment of crafts are represented, with instructions for beginners as well as experienced crafters. All kinds of embroidery, dressmaking, knitting, crochet... it would take a lifetime to have a go at them all. Also included is information about the tools of each one; guides to explain the importance of correct gauge in knitting and the care of different fabrics.

An absolute treasure trove!
Don't forget to pop over to Melody's to see who else is sharing today.

A visitor

I spotted this handsome gentleman creeping along the fence yesterday. Mr Blue Tongue very charmingly waited until I got the camera, posed obligingly in his excellent imitation of a chunk of wood, then bolted the moment my back was turned. Or maybe he saw the cat?
Hmm... the rain has certainly been good for the weeds.

Some plans at last..

I have been thinking for a while that I need a bit of a boost to get me back on the crafting trail, so today I bit the bullet and booked myself in for a weekend retreat. Some friends have been talking about this place for a while, so, in March I will be toddling off to Stacey's at Cunningham's Gap (a bit over half an hour's drive away) for a big dose of crafting.
I have a project in mind. This pattern by Anni Downs has been on my mind ever since I saw it ages ago in Homespun magazine and I even bought fabric for it. Hopefully I can get the top done in the weekend if I can get some of the cutting for applique done beforehand

I also have this quilt, almost complete except for the borders. My daughter and I began it as a joint project and it needs so little done to finish the top.

I am really looking forward to the break.

Tuesday treasures

My treasure today is another item which came from my grandmother's house. It is a knitted cotton bed spread, but I am not quite sure if it was made by my grandmother or one of my aunts. It is sadly in need of some repair and a good soaking.

I have the pattern for it too, taken from a magazine, but there is no identification on the page to tell me which magazine or when it was published. The page was part of a bundle of pattern books and leaflets which belonged to my mother-in-law, but I think some of them came from her mother!

Don't forget to visit Melody to see who else is sharing today.

A trying time

I have noticed a trend among bloggers, even this early in the new year; a desire to make the time spent crafting more worthwhile and to use the materials they have at hand. Most of us have stashes squirrelled away, some dedicated to projects still on the 'wish list', some acquired for their 'must have' qualities.
This time last year when I began my blog, I too had similar ambitions, to use my stash, not to buy new stuff, and to finish off things which had been languishing in the cupboard too long. To begin with, I did manage to stay on track... then I went to France... a serious derailment of my plans as I had trouble coming down to earth for quite some time after. Then, I had some work which kept me very busy for three months, and I have had great difficulty applying myself ever since.
I suppose that, like the Little Engine that Could, all I can do is try again. Keep repeating; I think I can... I think I can... Wish me luck!!!