Still here....

I'm still here - are you still there?! This blogging business is getting so sporadic. I just don't seem to be able to find the time to actually sit and blog, I guess that's the problem with using instagram so much, it's so much more well instant.

Anyways, what has everyone been up to?  I've been back up to Hope & Elvis for a mixed-media workshop with Mrs Bertimus, but I think that deserves a blog post all of it's own which I will try and do soon, promise.  I've also been spending some pennies.

New books:

New oracle cards by Lucy Cavendish and @lisamcloughlinart

Handmade treasures

This is Telling the Bees handmade by the fabulous Hettie Brown

and not doing very much crafting at all! Why does work get in the way so much?! Speaking of which, I've got some planning to be getting on with so better dash and do....

G x

Miss Marlo Dress

Well I was going to make the Weekend Dress from this months Mollie Makes magazine but then I cut out the pattern and got in a pickle with it so decided to abandon that idea pretty promptly. 

I've not sewed anything for so long I think I had convinced myself that I had forgotten what to do, so I reverted to a tried and tested method instead - the Miss Marlo dress from Pip Lincolne's Sew La Tea Do book.

I've made this dress twice before and actually, with no buttonholes or zips, it's fairly straight forward to make. 

Version One

Version Two

I found some fabric I had bought from Abakhan and set to work.  I'll admit, I'm the worlds slowest sewer and I really took my time making this today.  I used my overlocker too for the seams and made sure everything matched up just right.  I even sewed the name of the fabric into the dress too as it's called Down to Earth and I thought that was nice!

Now the weather just needs to warm up so I can wear it, or rather them!


G x

Beauty Blogging

It's a little beauty post here on the old blog today - not something I usually do but here we go regardless.  I've been using the bestselling Cleanse and Polish from Liz Earle for a very long time, and when I recently ran out, I decided to look around and see what other products were available that were similar in nature but maybe not so in price.  I scoured the internet and came across the Pure range from M&S.  At twice the size, and half the price of the beselling brand, I figured I'd give their hot cloth cleanser a go. 

It comes in two varieties, the original, and rose, so I ordered both.  I've only used the original one so far but I have to say, I think it's as good as what I was using before.

I also managed to get my hands on one of the most talked about moisturisers around, thanks to India Knight and her review of it in The Sunday Times Style section a few weeks ago.  It's by Bliss who are a spa company and it's called Drench 'n' Quench.  It's billed as being a 'transformative cream to water moisturiser' and I have to say, I'm hooked on it already.

It looks like a turquoise gel and you apply and rub in for 30 seconds and then it transforms and feels more like a powder.  It doesn't contain an SPF or anti-ageing products but it plumps and fills your face with much needed hydration.  If you can get your hands on it, then at £29.50 for 50ml I'd say you have nothing to loose but it took me a lot of web-searching before I found this now sold-out product.

G x

February

And yet another month passes by in a flash.  Time certainly seems to be flying by.

I've still not really attempted any sewing at all.  I don't know if this is because Agatha Van is no longer my sewing haven, and it is now the fourth bedroom in my new house, appropriately named #notagathavan or what.  I've got so many projects I would like to be sewing, and the fabric to do it, and yet....something is stopping me.  I desperately want to begin my Merchant & Mills linen skirt.  It's been cut out ready to go for a good six months, if not more, and yet there it still sits, unstitched and destined to never be finished.  I did buy some gorgeous fabric the other week though - but what to turn it into?!

In other news, I made a mini crochet shawl the other week.  I'm not entirely convinced it's big enough but some very talented crocheters over on IG liked my picture which was incredibly flattering!

I've also restarted my hexipuffs from the Beekeeper's Quilt by tiny owl knits.  Since beginning this project, Stephanie has got married and had a baby and I've still only made a handful of these beauties.  I am improving though and can rustle one up in about 30 minutes, which when I started out on the double-pin journey I feared I'd never be able to make one, let alone 12!

I was heavily tempted to pop on over to Abakhan today for a fabric/yarn fix and then I got my sensible head on which told me to actually use some of the stash I've got here rather than buying more to sit unused in a cupboard.  I've started this project this afternoon and have already used almost one ball.  It's a quick easy knit, and the wool is really nice to use too.  It's nice to have something I don't really need to concentrate on, unlike those hexis!

I've seen a gorgeous project over on Instagram for this gorgeous cowl made by Chelsea Berkompas called Rooted.  I adore the colours she has chosen for this.  Maybe when I've finished the above project?!

Right, I had better away, I've at least 5 book reviews to be getting on with.  Don't forget, if you love to read, please pop on over to my book blog and say hello!  And while I remember, the winner of my Tiny Toys to Knit book was Henrietta Bird - so well done to you.  I'll be in touch shortly for your address!

G x

January and a giveaway!

I can't believe the first month of the year has gone already and that we are now halfway through month two.  Time really does seem to be flying by.  I've also had the keys for my new house two months and that's a frightening thought.

In terms of crafting, I'm still carrying on with those projects started last year, ie that sleeve that still isn't finished but I came to a point where I needed to see some completion so I've been working on some smaller and quicker projects just so I could see some end results.

I haven't really done any sewing as such, but I did rustle up these bears for my girlies from an early edition of Love Sewing magazine that I've used before.  Thankfully there were both happy with them.

Last year I brought some Drops craft cotton yarn to make dishcloths with and it's been sitting around waiting ever since.  It's great to work with, comes in some fab colours and is less than £1.00 a ball (I got mine from Wool Warehouse which I love to use).  I made the first one (the raspberry shade) from a pattern in 30 Minute Knits and the mustard one I made up using my book 250 Knitting Stitches.  I have to say, having never used the cotton to make a dishcloth before that I wondered how it would last but I've used them constantly, they haven't lost their colour or shape and they still look as good as they did when they came off of the needles.  I've got another two balls left to use so I'll be whipping up some more when I get the chance.

Speaking of my 30 minute knits book that I borrowed from the library - it's not 30 minutes, no siree bob it's not, in fact I'd love to rename this book because I've used it before and it didn't take me 30 minutes then to make either the wristwarmers or the bobble hat and I'm not a particularly slow knitter either!  Anyway, the 7year old liked the look of the little bear in the book so I said I would make him for her.  He took hours and then she wanted a scarf for him too!  He's cute though.

If, like me, you are feeling the need to make something small, the fabulous people over at Search Press have given me a copy of Tiny Toys to Knit by Sachiyo Ishii to giveaway.  All you have to do is leave a comment right here telling me which design you would make first, or over on my Instagram page (@thecraftyreader) to be in with a chance of winning.  If you enter here and on my IG page, that's two entries.  I'll close the competition at 6pm UK time on Sunday 21st February so good luck and off you go.

G x

Baking books

Just how many cookery/recipe books do you own?  For the purposes of this blog post, I've just been to check, and I seem to have somewhere in the region of 35 in all.

Now for my second question: how many of these do you actually use?  Is this number dramatically less?

I use only a handful of my books if I'm totally honest.  I use my Primrose Bakery book for making my lemon drizzle and my banana and chocolate loaf cakes.  I use my Marian Keyes book for delicious rock cakes, and How to be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson produces fool-proof brownies.  The others I use rarely, if at all.

The one book I turn to again and again though is a little-known one.  I picked it up years ago in The Works for a smidgen of it's rrp and I use it constantly.  It never lets me down. 

Gill Holcombe's book entitled How to feed your family... is brilliant.  It contains recipes and whole meal suggestions for everything, and none of them require fancy ingredients or tons of sugar.  As I type I currently have the dough for some chocolate chip cookies resting in the fridge that the girlies helped me whip up this afternoon.

What's your fool-safe go-to baking/cookery book?  I wonder if it's on my shelf!

G x

New beginnings

It's the start of another year, and I have to say, I'm quite glad to see the back of 2015 as I don't think I ever anticipated the events and twists and turns that the year would eventually take.

As it is, I am now fully installed in my girlie house of three.  All the boxes are unpacked and put away, and I'm attempting to sort the box room to make it into a sewing room due to lack of Agatha space.

Does anyone still read blogs anymore?  That is a question that I've read on a few blogs recently and I have to say, I echo those sentiments.  I know of some who used to follow me and no longer do, and I'm trying not to take it personally.  I'll keep going for now in the hope that someone somewhere out there is also reading this.

hair chopped and most of the colour with it - am embracing my silver highlights

The weekend is nearly here, and with it, planning for the new school term to complete and girlies to get ready for their new term ahead too. 

I don't know what this year will bring, but I hope to carry on with this regardless.

Happy new year all

G x

creature making with Julie Arkell

Last Sunday (gosh, was it only one week ago?!) I was at the wonderful Loop in London taking part in a creature making day with the fabulous Julie Arkell.  Things have been a little difficult of late, so I decided that this was a massive treat to myself as I know I'll never be able to actually afford to buy one of Julie's creatures for myself, so this was the next best thing.

I arrived in London bright and early for our 11am start and we (there were 7 of us altogether) met our naked creatures.  I chose mine as she was lying face down in the basket, and not standing up like all of the others, that was a sign I thought, that we were meant to be together.

Julie passed around a whole cacophony of patterns to use to make our creatures, there were hats galore to chose from, plus wings, trousers and knickers to create and clothe our creatures in.  I went for the fabric ear hat which involved knitting a strip of wool then crocheting two ends and finally choosing some fabric to be added to make the ears. 

The ear fabric chose me as I had rummaged around inside Julie's box of fabrics, and this checked piece had adhered itself to one of the other pieces so I decided it had chosen itself to be used.  There was lots of quiet in the room as we all concentrated on our knitting patterns.

I then added some grey knitted knickers in a very soft wool as no one wants to be wearing itchy pants, do they?  Then I used some more of Julie's fabric to create a mustard and white spotty frock for my creature, who named herself Audrey. 

our collection of creatures

A quick sew around of the edge later and I had one fully dressed creature.  I think I may add a knitted apron with a name tag on it at a later date, but for now Audrey is complete.

She's been a firm hit here, in fact my mother tried to steal her away from me but I'm no fool and Audrey is currently in my lounge resting on some crafty books.

Fairly soon she will be residing on the mantelpiece in my new lounge as I hope to be moving Christmas week into my new girlie pad for three.  2015 has been a challenging year in many ways but I am looking forward to 2016 as being my year of 'new beginnings'.

G x

Paper Lampshade

Just a quick post to tell of my fabulous day at Unit 12 with Jennifer Collier yesterday.  Despite the wind and the rain, Lottie and I arrived at Jennifer's workshop for a day of paper lampshade crafting along with other like-minded souls.

 

 

Jennifer's explanations were clear and easy to follow.  We started with our templates, then made a toile and then it was time to choose our papers to make the real thing, stopping inbetween to grab some lunch.

My shade

Template

Toile

If I had had time, I would have brought my own papers with me, but there was enough choice there for me to be happy with my lampshade.  It has verses on it from Twinkle, twinkle, little star and parts of Alice in Wonderland and Winnie the Pooh on the panels, as well as some maps and some images of Jennifer's own work too.  I also typed the date onto one of the panels so I will always be reminded of my birthday workshop. 

If you are within the Staffordshire area, do take a look at the many other workshops that are run there.  I think I'm going to be going back!

G x

Two new reads

I treated myself to two new books this week, well I say treated, but actually I had a voucher from my birthday last November that I hadn't yet spent, so I used that to buy two fabulous new books.

The first is the newest title from bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert (of Eat, Pray, Love fame) called Big Magic.  The synopsis is thus:

Readers of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration from Elizabeth Gilbert's books for years. Now, this beloved author shares her wisdom and unique understanding of creativity, shattering the perceptions of mystery and suffering that surround the process - and showing us all just how easy it can be.

By sharing stories from her own life, as well as those from her friends and the people that have inspired her, Elizabeth Gilbert challenges us to embrace our curiosity, tackle what we most love and face down what we most fear.

Whether you long to write a book, create art, cope with challenges at work, embark on a long-held dream, or simply to make your everyday life more vivid and rewarding, Big Magic will take you on a journey of exploration filled with wonder and unexpected joys.

I downloaded the sample onto my kindle and flew through it without pause so I ordered it instantly.  I'm looking forward to taking some time out to sit and read this.

The second book is one that I think I am going to treasure forever.  In fact, browsing through it with my seven year old yesterday, even she declared it's pages as magical.  The book is called The Magpie and the Wardrobe and is the creation of Sam McKechnie and Alexandrine Portelli.  I don't think I can even begin to describe it accurately though so here's the low-down:

Enter the spellbinding world of The Magpie & the Wardrobe. This truly unique book is a treasury of marvels and oddities, a lovingly curated compendium of time-honoured traditions and peculiar customs that have bewitched us for generations.
Discover simple magic, heirloom recipes and forgotten fairytales in this eclectic treasury. The twelve chapters, representative of the seasons, present the celebrations, superstitions and folklore that shape our year. From cherished traditions like Valentine's Day to the lost excitement of May Day Eve, The Magpie & the Wardrobe reveals a calendar bursting with history, imagination and curious facts. Take a closer look at your favourite homespun rituals and the magic we conjure every day; make a candle wish, mix a moon oil elixir, and hang your romantic hopes on the predictions of an apple peel. Illustrated by a unique collection of ephemera and embellished with trinkets and charms, this sumptuous volume will appeal to the creative and curious.

The books travels through the seasons from January to December and is full of rituals and traditions that filter through the months.  Each page is beautiful in both its colour and content, the photographs are delightful, and it's the sort of book that you will discover new things upon each reading.  It truly is a wonderful book (I'm running out of superlatives to describe it quite frankly)!

Hopefully these pictures give you some idea as to how the book is set out throughout but it is gorgeous, trust me, and I know a few people over on Instagram who have requested this for Christmas already!

G x

Slow Stitch

Slow Stitch by Claire Wellesley-Smith

Published by Batsford

3rd September 2015

Hardback Edition

 

 

 

This lovely book by the talented Claire Wellesley-Smith caught my eye a few weeks ago, and I was lucky enough to be sent a copy by the publishers at Pavillion to read.  The first thing to note is that the cover itself is made of a velvety material which makes it very tactile indeed.  I know it won't be to everyone's taste but I really loved the feel of it.

 

The idea behind the book is thus:

The pleasures to be had from slowing down can be many, with connections to sustainability, simplicity, reflection, and tuning into traditional and other multicultural textile traditions. Slow Stitch is a much-needed guide to adopting a less-is-more approach, valuing quality over quantity, and bringing a meaningful and thoughtful approach to textile practice. Claire Wellesley-Smith introduces a range of ways in which you can slow your textile work down, including: * Using simple techniques inspired by traditional practice (including hand-stitch rhythms) * Reusing and re-inventing materials (reuse even old textile projects) * Limiting your equipment * Mending revisited (practical and decorative techniques) * Project ideas and resources that help towards making a more sustainable textile practice Richly illustrated throughout, and showcasing work from the best textile artists who work in this way, this is a truly inspirational book for those looking to reconnect with their craft and to find a new way of working.

 

Taking heed from the Slow Movement, Slow Stitch encourages you to take more time over the work that you produce.  That a row of hand stitched work is equally as worthwhile as row after row of machine made stitching.  It practically begs you to grab some old remnants of fabric and to begin piecing them together to create beautiful, unique things that you can stop and start at leisure.

 

 

 

Claire showcases the talents of a number of textile artists whose slow stitch projects all vary from each other, and encourages the reader in how they too can participate and produce their own similar work from that shown.  My hand stitching isn't very creative but I have to say that this book has certainly made me want to look further into the meditativeness of slow stitching, and I think a stitch journal might be right up my street.

 

G x

my happy place

Is anyone still out there?!  Apologies, it's been a while again since I've blogged anything but I'm here now!  This summer, Agatha van finally got electricity which means that she can now be used as my crafting caravan and not just a storage area for my bits and bobs.  By the way, if you follow me over on Instagram (@thecraftyreader) then close this page down now as you'll have seen all these photos before!!!!

My first task was to bring everything down to start storing it properly within her many cupboards.  It took a while, but I'm happy with where everything is now located.

Cause right now I need a happy place to be

Then I had to start adding a bit of 'me' decoration to her.  Some fabric and wool bunting across the window, and photos of my family and blogging buddies makes me happy.  Can you spot Lazy Daisy Jones and Mrs Bertmius here?!

The next job is to get round to furnish her properly.  She's just had a new carpet and I've changed the curtains. 

before and after

It's the seats to do next but that's going to take a bit of time to get perfect and I'm not going to rush it.  I also need to check I've brought enough fabric to do it all!

I also made a few cushion covers, none of them match, but I used fabrics that make me smile, as well as a few purchased ones, including my dottie angel cushion cover.

 

 

This is my happy place.

G x