The Winner Is...

Hello Everyone!

My goodness - Before I announce the winner of my Gorgeous Christmassy Giveaway, I just want to say how wonderful all of your responses were - I was blown away by how many of you shared your Christmas moments here, and I enjoyed reading each and every one of them.

I noticed that the majority of us love lots of similar things about this time of year ~ twinkling tree lights, gathering with family and friends, remembering those no longer with us, carols and church services, and one that touched me especially was the comment from Nicole who had premature twins that were not expected to survive...they will be having their very first Christmas this year!  Stories like that bring home what it's all about, so thank you to each and every one of you for making this giveaway so very special.

Anyway...without any further rambling ~ I've just had a little visit to the Random Number Generator and typed in 106 - yes, 106 of you dropped in to take part - pressed the button...and the number that popped out was...

Number 4

Rachael, from Made With Love, you are my winner (big happy smiles!)

Will you drop me a line to tell me which print you would like ~ remember, you can choose from any of the ones on my Fine Art Prints page up to the value of £14.00.  I do hope you see something that you like!

For the rest of you who entered, thank you so much!

This week has seen the arrival of heaps of snow, the heaviest of which fell last night.  I reckon we have about 30cm or so, not to mention the knee high drifts!!  Needless to say, the Small One hasn't been to her school up the village - two reasons:  we couldn't make it, and she has a nasty chest infection complete with barking cough.  To keep her busy, we got to work doing Important Letter Writing...

We're working on the Good Girl part, as apparently nasty coughs create a new level of crabbiness not encountered before!!  

For some reason (it's probably to do with the snow and all your seasonal comments), Christmas spirit is creeping in quicker than usual.  At the weekend, we drove out to Castleton to show the Little One the Christmas trees.  It was bitterly cold, but you couldn't help be inspired by the beauty of Mam Tor covered with a gauze of fine snow, and the bright cheery lights of the trees.  We have visited this village since we were children, and it's a lovely thing to be able to share it with my own wee one...

...just starting to turn on the lights...

...the Three Roofs cafe, and Peveril Castle up on the hill...I love the silhouettes of those skeletal trees against the white sky, and the welcome twinkle of the warm white lights.

Just before I go, I want to tell you about a little offer I have especially for my Facebook Likers and my Blog Followers/Subscribers...you can choose a personalised, hand stamped message for free, when you purchase one of my A5 individual, signed Christmas cards.  Up to 30 letters, any wording you like!!  The stamp is a vintage typewriter style which I think looks lovely - I hope you agree!

You can click here to find out more.

I'm currently busy putting packs of cards together to mail out, so not much time to paint right now. However, I'm delighted at the responses I've had to them - these will continue to be available to order until the 15th December (for UK customers) and for overseas, today is the last date for orders (so I can meet my international post date of the 6th which should get them to you in plenty of time).

Well - if you're still reading, thank you!  Thank you also for stopping by, your visit here is very much appreciated.  I do hope you will drop by and say 'Hello' again soon, it's always a pleasure to see you here!

Sending huge scoops of love your way,

Keep warm

Julia x x x

Head in the Clouds

Yuck. I have been struck down with a head cold. I am languishing in a fuzzy cloud at present and I therefore apologise for any untoward ramblings that might unfold as this post progresses, but I wanted to chat to you, and say hello, and show you another blatantly Christmassy picture of what Ive been up to this week...all of those who are offended by little bearded chaps in red suits, do look away NOW :)

So as the fair draws ever nearer, I am now working like a desperado through the fug of a cold printing up my Christmas cards. I am putting together some boxes of A6 size cards, 10 to be precise which are all individually hand titled and signed. I feel at this point that I have to say to you that whilst the cost of them might well be a tad dearer than what you might pick up in WHSmiths, I am donating 30% to the Down's Syndrome Charity. And they are splendidly handmade.

And there are only a certain amount of them...which makes them a bit extra specially special don't you think?

Anyhow, yes, Ive decided (after trawling Folksy and Etsy and other artist's and illustrator's websites to get a feel for what these things might sell for and being cross with some for not charging enough for what is lovely work that has obviously taken time and effort to produce, to being downright shocked at 8 cards for £16.00 which made me gasp out loud) - to charge £10.00 per box, and you can buy them here.

Look - all hand titled and signed!!! You don't get that in M&S! ;)

So, before the fog of the head cold descended, sometime over the last couple of days I found time to make some stitchy Christmassy decorations, and here is one for you to see:

He is made to a very simple pattern (which I made myself which means it has to be simple!) from lovely Tilda fabric and felt and beads. You will find him at the Candy Cane Christmas Fair, along with various festive relatives who will hopefully be emerging over the next couple of weeks!

Last night, I took out my Big Blanket. The one that I began several months ago after being inspired by Lucy at Attic24 (naughty woman, she's responsible for a total wool addiction and a birthing of crocheted cushions and the like sprouting up all over our house! Bless her, don't know what I would have done without her to tell you the truth!). Anyway, there I go again - I told you it would be like this today, absent minded wanderings!

Well anyhow, out it came - there were 15 blocks in all sewn together in 3 columns with one block over and I sat and looked at it and suddenley I didn't want to be making just more blocks anymore.

No.

Total change of plan.

After an hour of un-knotting and frogging (I think thats the correct terminology for unravelling reams of sewn together crochet isn't it? Please correct me if Im wrong!) I decided to re-stitch in a big square of 4x4. Here's a bit of it to show you what it looks like:

Instead of making a Big Blanket of blocks with an edge all around, Im going to edge my 16 blocks with a few colours and then go around with lots of individual summer granny squares and then edge those. And I think Im going to join as I go, which I have found to be much simpler and faster than the tedious and often mind numbing job of slipstitch sewing along the backs.

It makes the whole Blankety thing feel exciting again. I must admit to having felt a little tired of it, and for a few weeks now, despite having topped up some depleted wool stocks and being mildly excited by the prospect of getting into it again, it remained shoved in a bag under a chair.

I will keep you posted with photographs when it gets to the interesting bits!

So, thats about it for now. Im off to get a drink and take a couple of paracetamols...there is a Craft Candy meeting tonight in town that I am meant to be attending - I desperately want to go, to see everyone and hear all the news before the fair etc, but I feel a nap coming on and its already almost quart' to four!

Onwards and upwards....

By the way, did you know that there is an idea that the common cold is the cure for overdoing it? Its the only way to make our little bodies stop, sit down, sleep or rest isnt it, so that diagnosis makes perfect sense to me, but at the same time it is highly annoying when you have so much to do...but then again, I suppose thats the whole point...

I know by now some of you will be thinking Ive totally lost the plot, got a terrible fever or worse so Im going to cut my ramblings short and go for a cuppa! Thanks for stopping by, see you again soon!

With love

Julia x x x

And the Winner is....

First of all, a big thank you to everyone who left me some great comments on the last post, and for entering my first little giveaway!

With much excitement, the names were popped into a hat and one was drawn out at random by an independent adjudicator (my daughter :) Im delighted to announce that the winner is Felicity from Joshy & Belle. I wish everyone could win something, but Ive had so much fun with this Ive decided to do another one in the not to distant future!

The rest of the week has passed in the usual flurry of chores, playgroups, dental appointments etc but on Sunday we drove over to Salts Mill. My folks came with us and we had a fabulous time wandering around the old mill building, looking at all the Hockney art pieces and soaking up the history of the place. On the top floor was an exhibition of opera sets, and unfortunately the Small One in our party wanted a closer look, stepped over the White Line and promptly set the alarms off! Im afraid the chap who was sitting in the darkened space keeping an eye on things wasnt very amused by this, but come on, she's only 2, shes curious and obviously excited by what she saw and I didn't think the way he scolded us was that necessary. Anyway, we put the unfortunate incident behind us and went for a rather nice coffee and a browse in the Home Shop.

This week, creatively speaking, Ive been bubbling up some grand new creations which Im going to share with you here.

Im talking crochet.

Im talking Hyperbolic crochet, and despite the vaguely unattractive name, this type of crochet has got me well and truly hooked (pardon the pun).

I stumbled upon this method of creating a 3-Dimensional piece of work by chance. Browsing some blogs at the weekend, one led to another (as they often do) and I found Hook & Scumble! So very inspiring, if you have a yen to crochet I suggest you take a peek at what this lady does, its rather amazing. The origins of this Hyperbolic Crochet lark are rather mathematical, and Im sure if you're inclined you will be able to find the method involved and create your own patterns - I also discovered that there is a Reef Project that is based in Sydney which features crochet work from people all over the globe in the form of corals etc - you can find out more about it here.

Before I waffle on any further you might be wondering what this stuff actually looks like. I have devised a pattern of my own (based on the absolute basics of the original mathematical formula) and Im going to share it with you here today! It works for me, I love the effect, and Im now in the process of making some fabulously 3-Dimensional corsages - and I might call them Sea Blooms as they do remind me of corals.

(Sea Foam - Hyperbolic Crochet Corsage)

What do you think? Isn't it lovely how it sort of froths over itself in folds and waves? For those of you who are interested in having a go at making your own, here is the pattern. You can use as many colours as you like.

Sea Bloom Crochet Corsage Pattern

You will need wool that holds its shape quite well, I used Rowan Cotton Handknit DK here, edged with a Sirdar Calico. Use a hook size relevant to your choice of wool. The stitches are in US crochet.

Chain 4 and join with a Slip Stitch (SS).

Chain 1 and then Single Crochet (SC) into the ring 8 times, join together with a SS in first SC.

Chain 1 and SC twice into each stitch in the ring, fasten with a SS.

Chain 3 and Double Crochet (DC) twice into the first stitch and then 3 times into every other stitch. You will see the crochet piece begins to fold and swirl now. Finish the round with a SS.

Chain 1 and SC twice into each stitch. Finish the round with a SS.

Chain 1 and SC twice into each stitch, finish the round with a SS.

At the end of any round, you can fasten off and tie in another colour if you wish.

If any of you have a go at this, please share your pictures as Id love to see what you come up with! I think you could take this in all different directions, they would make lovely decorative features for curtain tiebacks wouldn't they, or maybe a mobile!!

Well tomorrow is an art day! I also need to get myself in gear and start planning my stall at the summer craft fair, Ive worked out Ive got about 4 weeks to get everything made and ready...oops! Best get cracking!!

Sending summer sunshine, cold lemonade and happy moments to each of you!

Julia xxx

Delicious Giveaway Time!

I seem to have taken a little break from Blogland, but I have a good reason, Ive been away on a little trip, and Ive also been very busy.

Some time ago, I wrote here about some new card sets that Id been working on, I am now very excited to be able to offer one of these lovely little boxes as my very first giveaway! Yes, thats right, I thought it was about time I showed my appreciation to all you lovely people who stop by and take the time to read my ramblings, so if you would like to be in with a chance to win this set, which comprises 5 art print cards of the designs shown above, just leave me a comment on this post and I will pull the winning name next week! Hurrah!! Simple!!

Anyway, onto other things - a few months ago I was very lucky to find some smashing polka dot fabric in the sale at Laura Ashley. I promptly purchased a couple of metres with the idea to make a blind for our recently decorated kitchen....well, you know me, always something more interesting to be doing!! Ha!! That pretty material has been languishing in a bag in a cupboard for too long but luckily while I was away, I bought a very nice magazine that had a very nice and very useful thrifty home project booklet with it and my attention was caught on the page that showed me how easy it was to make a blind, with just material and ribbon. I came home and got stuck in, pinning and measuring in between watching another classic Auf Weidersehen Pet and the following day while little one napped, I sewed.

And then I put it up.

Its my first 'big' thing that Ive made on my sewing machine, and I have to say in a rather bashful way, Im mighty proud of it, I think it finishes the kitchen off just grand!

So, last weekend we escaped to sunny Wales to visit family, we stayed in Cardiff but spent most of our time at the beach, the weather was glorious, it was just sandpies, paddling in the sea, peeping into rockpools, pub meals and cold pear cider...and a big comfy hotel bed with a big lovely hotel breakfast the following morning...ahhh, refreshing - to a point. We had a very excited little girl in the room with us dont forget, and she didn't go to sleep til 10:30pm despite our best efforts to introduce a bit of quiet time and story telling. No, it was far more exciting bouncing on the big bed and looking out the window over the lake at the heron eating a fish on the bank side. Happy days though!! :)

This is the view over Rest Bay, Porthcawl - we were waiting for the tide to go out, but the surfers seemed to be enjoying the swell!

Today I started a new painting, needless to say it was inspired by my time at the beach and my other favourite subject - food!! I will post pics as it progresses.
Anyway, don't forget my little giveaway - these cards are really nicely made (if I do say so myself!) and packaged in a pretty little box, all the designs are printed onto good quality archival matte paper and I think would suit most occasions! Good luck to all of you!!

(Go on, you know you want them ;)

See you all soon, have a happy weekend, hope you don't get too wet - Ive heard the forcast is a little damp in most parts, sounds like a good time to plan a little reading, crochet and napping....

Love Julia xxx

After the rain

A stunning blue parrot tulip just in bloom...see the irridescent ring of blue deep inside the flower?

This is for each of you...

THANK YOU to all of you for your lovely comments on my blog of late - and to apologise if I haven't yet had the chance to call in on you, I do so enjoy reading your delicious blogs and often spend far too much time than I ought to devouring favourites and finding new ones. Please know that I treasure every little thought you take the time to write, and that you stop by and read what Im writing...well, I can't express how nice that feels :)

Ive been a little bit busy these last few days, on Sunday though, we had a little ride out into Derbyshire and discovered a little car boot sale at Bamford, before driving on to Castleton (so pretty) and having a rather spontaneous lunch in a nice old pub. It started raining heavily as we were finishing our meal, but on leaving the pub it had eased off somewhat and the sun was smiling weakly through turbulent white clouds above the Winnats Pass. It was one of those lovely moments where you dont mind getting wet - big, fat ploopy blobs of rain splattered on our heads and into the little stream and the air was warm and still. I splashed in puddles (water in the crocs and soaked rainbow socks but caring not a jot -the little one shreiked with delight and held her palms up to catch the drops.

On our return home, I couldn't help but take a picture of this:

Isn't that just beautiful??

And down the garden, spring is bursting out all over the place, thanks to the daily downpours and odd storms we keep getting.

This week finds me making up lots of cards for the cafe, and also (hurrah!) my table at the Candyfloss Summer Fair! Yes, I received the email Id been waiting for to tell me I could indeed take part so now I begin creating like a demon for that - its not til the 18th July so quite a bit of time to get prepared and for any of you who can make it down, its going to be in the Long Gallery at the Millenium Galleries in Sheffield. For more info, you can click on the Craft Candy link there in the side bar and find out all about it.

Talking of cards....

I have just set up a special offer on my art print cards, where you can buy a selection pack of 5 cards (135 x 135mm size) for the lovely price of just £8.00 (individual cards this size are usually £1.95) There is also free P&P with this offer. I print all my images onto archival matte paper, (which is then mounted onto a high quality white card)with archival inks so you might even put them in a little frame, thats if you dont send them to all your friends! :) The other thing about these cards that Id like to mention, is that 50p from the sale of Each One goes to the Down's Syndrome Association. My little nephew Oliver was born with Down's Syndrome and it makes me very happy that I can help to support them after all the help and support they have given to my sister and her family.

If you click on Little Red, the link will take you to the page.

The website had had a little overhaul of late, and Im hoping if you visit, you will find it easier to navigate.

Last but not least....

Today, I was delighted to see that Id been given a blog award from the lovely Mel at 'A Country Dream' Thank you so much dear soul, it was very thoughtful of you to send that to me and its very much appreciated! (happy jigs of joy :)

To keep the joy a-flowing, I would like to send this award out to the following 10 (as say the rules):

Cariad in Crete

Cocoa & Blankets

Garden Nymph

Heartshaped

Kaylacoo

Linden Grove

Muddles & Magic

Suzy's Vintage Attic

The Ample Cook

The Vintage Artist

That wasn't easy! I wanted to pick all of you.

I hope the sun is shining on you today, its cracking the pavements here (when they're not flooded). Im looking forward to a spot of crochet this evening to unwind, working on two websites tires me out, and Ive got to conserve all my energy-oh yes, the nephews, sis and her hub arrive at the weekend, it is my little girl's 2nd birthday next tuesday and there is a little party to arrange, cakes to be baked (here we go again :) so I need to grab the little moments of solitude when I can this week.

Sending pockets of tranquility to you, rainbow coloured buttons and iced peach tea.

With love

J xxx

Little bits of this and that

I've been very busy, oh yes - Friday afternoon was a hive of activity, a burst of energy that saw me making piles of art cards for the little gallery that stocks them for me up in Lincolnshire, and some (I hope) for the stall Im hoping to have at the summer Craft Candy fair. All this printing and cutting and putting together whilst the little one napped, but I was on a roll, and when she woke up we embarked on a baking spree...
...Here I am modelling my new apron that I got with some birthday money! Without further delay, we got down to business of weighing and mixing and by teatime the house was full of a deliciously warm aroma of lemon and poppy seed loaf cake. We couldn't wait for it to cool down and tucked in while it was still warm, with a nice mug of tea!

You'd think Id be worn out by the evening wouldn't you, but oh no - I was determined to finish my ripple cushion that I blogged about recently. I was very lucky to find a lilac merino wool jumper to back it with in our local charity shop a few days ago, it was one of those you see delightful grannies wearing, complete with collar and brass effect buttons so I wasn't surprised when the nice lady at the counter eyed me and my purchase with some amusement as I went to pay!

Oh! Almost forgot - I got a lovely package in the post too, with my new wools for my next cushion - aren't they pretty colours? Im calling my next cushion 'Porthmeor' after my favourite English beach and I picked these colours to reflect the shades of the atlantic shallows and the creamy white sand on a typical sunny Cornish day.

I like to give names to some of the things I make, I always have done and I like that it reminds me of a special time or place. This next cushion Im going to make is much smaller than the one Ive just done, almost half a cushion in fact, and Im just trying to decide what stitch to use before I begin! I like that the colours are slightly similar to the one Ive just completed, but more blues this time so I think they will nestle together well on our bed.

Anyway! Without further ado, here is my finished cushion!!

I spent most of last night backing it and completed the crochet button holes this morning whilst the little one amused herself with Boogie Beebies :)

...and this is the back, complete with pretty shell buttons. I can't tell you how proud I am of it, would you believe that this time last year I couldn't crochet a stitch?? Its true! I taught myself last year whilst spending a week with my sister in sun drenched Suffolk. I followed the Happy Hooker book, and luckily my dear friend Niki who lives about half an hour or so away from sis showed me how to do the bits I was stuck on and I haven't looked back since!! Im totally addicted, I melt at the mere sight of a wool store and can spend hours looking at yarn charts and playing with colour combinations. Its the ultimate way to relax and tune out, and there are no expectations wiht it, its just simple, its soothing, its necessary. Its a comfort at the end of a bad day - its pleasure, watching balls of wool turn into pieces of usable stuff like bags, cushions, blankets and toys.

I love it, cant you tell?!

Well, the sun has finally come out! The only reason Im blogging on a saturday is that it got decidedly dark and started to rain, so the gardening plans I had were put on hold - however, looks like some blue sky is heading our way so Im off out to hoe, rake and sow...

See you all soon,

Love J x