Staffordshire and Toile

I have always love French toile and in our previous house we had glorious pale blue toile curtains in our bedroom which I really miss. I love these cushion covers Sar sent me so much, they add some softness to the dark browm leather. One cushion insert is too big and the other too small but I kind of like them like this.

Another of my all time loves is Staffordshire china so I adore Julie Whitemore's pottery to bits, from California to Flinders Island! 

Scarf, pincushion and puss with catnip

Olive is enraptured with the catnip I planted. How does anyone who has cats ever get it to survive? Both our cats have been scratching at it and rolling on it since I planted it.

Here is my second pincushion, top and bottom sides. A great use for old quilt scraps.

I have also started on a scarf for Pierre in the softest wool and cashmere, photographed on divine Cabbages and Roses toile cushion, from darling Sarah for my birthday.

Flower scarf

I have been making this crocheted flower scarf for the last week or so. I am a self taught crocheter and I had a problem with my granny squares etc coming undone. I have discovered instructions on youtube and have solved the problem, slip knots being the answer. I am making it out of Debbie Bliss Andes yarn, mulberry silk and baby alpaca, so exquisitely soft and jewel like colours. I made this pincushion too. 

Ready to fly away!

I found I had missed the bit in the pattern about how to do the hip joints, now she can sit properly! I have made her a shoulder bag and a beret which is a bit small so is more of a beanie.

Dolly dressed!

Here is dolly dressed! I just have to finish knitting her shoulder bag for her impending trip to Sweden. I might also try and knit her a beret. I thought I couldn't part with her when I first made her but now I just want to make another couple........

Dressing dolls

A few weeks ago I did some doll dressing. I made all the clothes for my paper mache, glass eyed shoulder head above. I knitted her striped stockings from DMC cotton perle thread. I made the shoes for her and for my doll in the apricot dress from an old handbag of mine. I soaked the apricot dress in bleach and was very pleased it did not dissolve as it is very old and very delicate fabric. It is still very tatty but that's how I like it! I also made the doll in blue and white some drawers and drawers for the others too, now all my dolls have underwear at last.

Tah dah!!!

We have feet!

Olive

I am having terrible trouble with blogger..... I am just testing, I also have an awful cold and the wind has been gusting to 60 knots over here!!

My Waldorf Dolly

I have wanted to make one of these for a very long time. I have found it very time consuming and difficult but am thrilled that she has kind of worked out. I have made her for my daughter's partner's three year old. Tomorrow..... clothes......

Goodbye Nelly

Our dear old Nelly died last month. She was sixteen years old. Nelly was a fantastic sheepdog who loved to work, Pete buried her overlooking the sheep yards.

Testing testing testing

Our morning walk

This is a walk Coco and I take about once a week, from our house down to the sea and back.

Chloe, who is fairly blind, won't come any more. She will only come on beach walks under sufference. Not until she is actually on the beach will she walk, and even then, ONLY if it is  a nice day, otherwise she refuses to walk.........