Gardening and crafting . . . . . . . .

Thought I would tell you a bit about my garden, I will keep it short with a few photos to hopefully keep the interest! Gardening is one of my many vices,  it's hardwork but the end result is worth it. When you can sit in your garden surrounded by wildlife and lovely blooms, it is worth the work that you put in. Of course it is like anything the more work you put in, the more reward hopefully there is at the end of it. My garden is an 'L' shape and is divided into two parts; one for flowers and a small veg plot at the bottom.  I love all plants but some of my favourites are; Acer's, Lavender, Daisy's, Roses, Ferns, Clematis, Wisteria and herbs to name a few.

I am not an expert at gardening, my husband knows his stuff when it comes to veg, but I am lucky, and do have an on tap 'book of gardening knowledge' i.e. my dad!  He knows everything, which position a plant should be in, what the plant is called, what soil it likes and conditions the plant enjoys, all off the top of his head!  Everything in his garden grows and is stunning.  It's like having Monty  Don whenever I need him!!

Sweet scented rose.

                                         

                                          

  

   

                                 

We also grow veg and some fruits. It is really rewarding when you start to pick your produce.  At the moment we have beans, peas, courgettes, sweetcorn, carrots, blueberries, strawberries and black currants. Oh and a fig tree, think that is a fruit?

                                     

                               

I would recommend growing your own vegetables to anybody, it is lovely sowing them, nurturing them and then reaping what you sow, they taste delicious! 

             

      

            

           

           

             

I have in my garden a  few well established plants some of which were already planted and some are cuttings from my grandads garden!  I have a smoking tree, which is really unusual the colour is a beautiful rich purple, the flowers look like clouds of smoke, hence the name!!! 

                               

                                 

                                 

                                     

           

           

I love to see the wildlife in my garden especially birds, butterfly's and bees, this year it has been really good for bees and butterfly's I have had quite a few!! I do get quite excited about butterfly's they are soooo beautiful! 

Lovely!!

With the lovely weather that we have been having of late, this is when 'the rewards come to fruit' as they say, and you can sit and relax in lovely surrounding feeling good that you have helped create it! There is nothing finer on a nice summers evening to sit and enjoy the wonderful aromas and do something you like, like craft!!!! I can sit in the garden until quite late and crochet, it is lovely 'crochet by candlelight'. You should try it, its fun!!

Mixing a little business with pleasure ....

Rest assured that whilst I have been away, I have been beavering away making, also general busyness with my little boutique!  I like the word boutique makes my little shop sound twee and quirky!   Many of my customers ask me about my home.  I am quite a shy and private person, but thought it may be a good idea to now and then share not only my makes, but also the things that I purchase from myself (when I say this I do really purchase them from myself).  To show them in my home or shop, together with a few of my favourite things too.

Here we go for the personal bit .......... this is a minature tea set from my nan, it is a 'Crown Ducal Gainsborough' set.  I remember it sat on her dresser when I was little, I used to think I could play with it as it was the same size as my tea set.   I think one day she did allow me to, my nan was nice like that, as long as we  were happy she was too.  Even if it was playing with precious china! I think it is a really pretty little thing just love it, the style and colours are so lovely, however, I do not use it  it is too nice and too precious to use.   I would be sooo upset if it was damaged.   The little deer is called Doris the Deer.  It was a gift from my husband, she is quite old.

Tea sets

At the moment, I am busy making for my new window display which has a summertime theme.  I have also been teaching myself quite a few things; lampshade covering and machine embroidery! Its important to learn new things it keeps the mind active and occupied.   Good for the soul too.  

My lampshade covering was quite a task, it took me a fair while to do this such that the stitches were neat, also the fabric taught, this was a multi-task in itself.   I had in my stash some vintage (rather large print) material, which I think is perfect for this little fluted shade.   Then the added touch of bobble trim to give it a vintage but modern twist.   I like vintage with a little modern twist makes for a good combination.

Hope that you like?

Floral fluted lampshade

Then my machine embroidery, for quite a few years I have looked into this; read numerous books and then plucked up the courage to actually do this.   I have done lots of dress making and curtain making in my time.   So I think that if you want to have a go at this you need to be a little proficient at using your machine.   When you let the feed dog down, you are in control and so things are a little bit looser, and you machine seems to have a mind of its own.   I was feeling summery at the time and so these little beach huts seemed the perfect make.

I'm a little beach hut!

   See you soon xx

As promised my missed makes xx

As I promised during my previous post, here are the makes that you have missed during my absence from my blog.   I have been busy doing lots of granny squares!   Oooh I love a granny square, your mind can wander upon other makes or just generally drift away with the fairys, mine generally does this alot!!

Granny square, granny square ohhh granny square ......

I have been busy making items for sale in the shop, designing my own crochet patterns which is not a quick task!!  I have also made items for my shop window as you have seen in my previous post, the sexy sun was machine embroidered which I do love doing, its a break from my usual crafts of crocheting and sewing.  

Sexy sun has got her lipstick on!

I have also been totally addicted to making Tilda dolls, in total in the past four months I have made approximately six.  As I have stated before, they are just delightful to make and the fabrics and trimmings are a joy to work with.  I had a break during Christmas from making Tilda dolls, as I was busy with my new window display.  However, I have had withdrawals and am now working on my seventh doll, which is the Kitchengarden Angel.  She is wearing dungarees,a headscarf and pink flip flops.   I then have two left to make which I will of course show you.  

Sewingbird Tilda doll

Tilda Angel xx

I have also found Gingermelon, which is sooooo cute, her little characters are made from felt and are simply adorable.  I have made Rapunzel, thereafter become addicted and now have quite a few patterns.   I am sure you will agree how lovely they are?  If you do like these little characters then head over to Etsy.  Shelly who sells the patterns is lovely too.

Gingermelon Rapunzel

Well there we are, my makes so far.   I will of course keep you update as the makes progress. Have a lovely Sunday evening and a good week ahead.  

Hello have you missed me?

Hello!!! So sorry I have been away for some time, I am hanging my head with shame, that I have not been keeping my blog up to date.  There are a few reasons why I have been away;  I have been sooooo busy with the shop.  I have also been getting to grips with Facebook, having never used it before, I now have a business page.   Also, I have had problems uploading images to my blog.   However, I have found out that I am not the only one, others have had problems too.   Anyway, less of my excuses, I hear you say.    I will up date you as to my makes and achievements!!

I have been busy, busy making things for Miss Millicent, to include my new shop window to start the year as I mean to go on, I decorated the window on New Years Day.  Hope that you like?

Lovely Juggly with blooms of blooms!!

Busy bees busy and buzzing . . . . . . . . .

Tea for two anyone?

Twit twoos xxx

A pretty sun shines at Miss Millicent

Taa daaa xx

As you can see I have made the majority of my window display from the sexy sun, the jammie dodgers, love birds, Tilda bird cage, crochet cakes, felt cakes, all the flowers in my lovely huge green jug, which is a very old vintage jug courtesy of my favourite Auntie Dol xx  Hope that you like?   I have had lots of lovely comments from my customers who have said that it is both striking and pretty.   I just want to create something different in Stafford, containing all the things that could not find as a crafter and gift ware lover.   Hope that you agree that I am achieving this?

I have been re-arranging the inside of my shop and over the past few months have been adding to my stock.   I have a new wool supplier, I have decided to stock Katia wool as this is very up to date and  their wool is just amazingly different.  My Knit and Natter has commenced!! Woo hoo, I must say there is more nattering than knitting, but the ladies are lovely and I enjoy every class as there are funny stories, discussions said by all.   I worry sometimes that my neighbouring shops may complain about the laughter going on.   

I have also been busy making for Valentines, which is all things red and lovely and all will be revealed soon.   I will post tomorrow with my makes that you have missed whilst I have been away.  Such that I may return to your good books.   See you tomorrow and have a good night  xxx

At last Christmas window display finished!!

At last the very first window display at Miss Millicent is complete!! It has taken me a while as I just wanted everything right, and I have made a lot myself such as; the flying angels, embroidered "Happy Christmas" heart, all the Tilda dolls, "Be Merry & Make" Bunting, decoupage  mini sewing boxes for the angels, mini knitting needles and knitting, mini balls of wool and the angel door is courtesy of my husband!! A christmassy scene with busy angels knitting, sewing and generally looking very pretty.     Hope that you like?

So this Christmas all you crafty people make sure that you be merry and make lots of crafty things :) xx

Who's that angel??

I have had busy fingers today sewing away in the back of Miss Millicent, making Tilda Angels.   My idea of a perfect day :)  They are so lovely to make and I must admit that they are quite addictive.   I  admire how the patterns are put together and the accessories that are included, they are beautiful.   I am sure that you will agree they are perfect angels!!

Fruitgarden Angel

Flowergarden Angel

A busy day but lovely day at Miss Millicent

I have had rather a busy day today a morning of nattering and knitting ooops sorry knitting and nattering!!  I love my knit and natter groups, everyone talking and doing what they love to do knitting and crocheting, what a lovely way to spend the morning. This afternoon I received my Christmas stock which I shall enjoy arranging  and displaying in the next couple of weeks.   I have decided that I will put my Christmas stock out next week.   Really looking forward to that!!  What a perfect day!! Do you agree?