KNIT AND NATTER - A VICAR AND TEA COSIES

Do you ever watch Gogglebox? I confess it is one of my favourite programmes because like Kate Bottley, the vicar who appears regularly, I enjoy relaxing in front of the tv. Apparently she also enjoys a cup of tea while she watches and she never appears in the programme without her teapot on the coffee table.

A sudden thought. Why is it called a coffee table?  We British are known for our tea aren't we?!

Anyway, I digress!  The reason the teapot catches attention is that it always wears a tea cosie. There are ones shaped like elephants, pineapples and a rabbit. Even one that looks like Kate herself! So now, as well as enjoying the programme, I enjoy looking out for the latest tea cosie because they make me smile.
And because I wondered about the story behind these tea cosies I did a Google search. It seems others who watch this programme also noticed Kate's teapot and they started to knit and send in tea cosies.  Here's a link that will tell you a bit more if you are interested. 

Kate and her husband also have a greyhound dog called Buster. If you watch the programme you will know he spend a lot of his time laying on his back in an uncompromising position!  There will be more about dogs in my next Knit and Natter.  Yes, the vintage patterns that I was given have sparked so many memories and thoughts!  

Comments left on previous posts made me smile. It seems I'm not the only one to have family stories about knitted swimwear!  Thank you for sharing and if you have any about vicars or tea cosies I'd love to hear those too!  

And suddenly another memory is triggered! I have my own story about a vicar and swimwear! So before I go I'll quickly tell you about the time a friend went into the sea.  She'd gone with her church on a day trip and there was some refined elderly ladies among the group and the vicar, of course. When she finished her swim she started to walk towards the beach. The vicar and others were gathered on the waters edge when suddenly D realised that one of her boobs was missing! What can a girl do but laugh! D has a wicked sense of humour and so she laughed hysterically, because she makes no qualms about being a breast cancer survivor and wearing a false boob. Inplants were't the thing, back then, and this didn't phase D. Infact I think she delights in having stories like this to tell! 

KNIT AND NATTER - VINTAGE PATTERNS AND FASHION TRENDS

Last week I was given a pile of vintage knitting patterns and I wrote about how they triggered memories. 

And they also triggered questions like:

Did women really have such naturally small waists or did they wear girdles to create this hour-glass look?

And how would people react if a child went out today wearing this outfit?

Because remember the red and white outfit Prince George wore to his sisters christening earlier this year?  The one that was a near-copy to one his father once wore? Well, my daughter tells me that other mothers like to dress their children in retro clothes too. 

As a baby, Jools Oliver, wife of celebrity chef Jamie, had a hand-me-down embroidered nightie. Later, her own children wore this too and she was so inspired by the design and nostalgia that she designed her own range of retro children's clothes. 

But some mothers, I discovered, do not want copies made from modern fabrics. No. They seek original vintage and retro clothes and when I saw photos I instantly recognised some of the clothes that my own children wore. In fact I still have one or two in my wardrobe. You know, those ones that hold special memories?  They are carefully folded with the shawl that my nan knitted, the same nan who knitted those swimming trunks and bikini. 

I wish the dress that my nan crocheted was there too. It was peach colour, sleeveless and scoop necked. Under the bust line it was a shell pattern, with a  self colour lining.  There was just one problem. When I first wore the dress the weight of the yarn and the lacy design caused the skirt to drop. I seem to remember my nan undoing several rows of shells so that it hang level again with the lining. Sadly, I don't have a photo of this dress but it is funny how some clothes stay in your memory.   

In todays massed produced, throw away society, I wonder if the next generation will be able to say the same?

I wonder whether they will get excited by vintage patterns, as I do? 

But I am not alone in this. In fact there is a revival. And I'll be back soon to tell you how I know. 

If you missed my previous post about vintage knitting patterns you can find it here.  Have a good Sunday, what ever you are doing. I'll be back tomorrow with another post for my 30 Day Blogging Challenge.

KNIT AND NATTER - AND STRETCHING SWIMMING TRUNKS

This week I was given some vintage knitting patterns. 

Just imagine my joy!!

And it got even bigger as I looked through the pile.

Because they triggered memories. 

Such as my dad telling me about the time his Mum (my Nan) knitted him some swimming trunks. The weight of the water made them stretch so he had to be careful to hold them up when he got out of the sea.

And the funny thing is, I wrote this post yesterday. Before taking my mum to see my aunt..... 

and they started to reminisce, as they often do, and to talk about things that they used to enjoy. Like knitting, before onset of failing eyesight and painful joints. Which bought them round to my nan... and the infamous swimming trunks. And they seemed surprised when I started to laugh and tell them about my vintage patterns and how these had triggered my own memories about the swimming trunks. And a blog post, written just hours before. 

'Spooky' my aunt called it. Me? I like to think it was time for this story to be told, and when the time is right everything connects and falls into place. Call it synchronicity, if you like.

My aunt reminded me there was a photo of my dad wearing these trunks, so when I got home I looked it out. I'd never noticed before that my dad had got over the problem by wearing a belt. 
And apparently the trunks were maroon!

I had a similar problem when  my nan knitted my first bikini. Maybe it was crocheted, either way, my lack of boobs meant that I had nothing to hold it up.  And I remember standing up in the sea and the sudden realisation that my top part was not where it was meant to be!  Seeing my nan in the photo above makes me think that she is still laughing at these happy memories and mishaps too. 

There will be more to share about these vintage knitting patterns so I'll be back soon with more.  

Meantime, thank you to everyone who is cheering me on in this 30 Day Blogging Challenge, reading my posts, and leaving such heart warming and positive comments. I truly appreciate this. 

A FOCUS ON FABRIC....

There seems to be a focus on fabric for me, right now.

My daughter doesn't understand my obsession with paper craft, though she appreciates what I make.   However, I do understand her obsession with fabrics, and with upcycling, because I share that.

And imagine my joy when I saw a photo of my smallest granddaughter on Facebook wearing a dress that Emma had just made. 

For the fabric Emma used one of her tops that she no long wears and she made up her own pattern.  Wren looks the perfect model and seems happy to wear her new dress!

Then I found a wonderful website for vintage style fabrics: www.fancymoonfabric.co.uk.   I just had to look them up and oohed and aghed for a bit.   I see see an order following. 

And to complete the hat trick Alissa posted about a new magazine called Mollie Makes. I just had to look out for it today and joy of joys I found a copy in Asda.   I intend to curl up with with a nice cup of tea and linger over each scrumptious page just as soon as I finish this. And to wet your appetite here is the video that Alissa posted. I just had to share and while the kettle boils I shall watch it again... it is just so cute!

By the way!   I'd love your feedback on my new blog header and layout.  It was time for a change and it's still evolving and work in progress, but I'm still undecided about having a sidebar.   Do you think my profile should be at the top so that visitors can find it easily?   What is the first thing you look for when visiting a new blog?

Have a good day and don't forget June 20th is my blog-birthday-hop!
Lots of amazing people are taking part so hop along with us and have some fun. 

Hope to see you soon, I'm off to boil the kettle! 

VINTAGE and a GIVE AWAY!!

 While I was in Whitstable recently I came across a Vintage 
 Sale.  I love vintage so you can imagine my excitement!  There
 was bundles of lace, buttons galore, fabrics, and some beautiful
 handmade bags in vintage style.  And what made the visit even
 more special was that my husband came across something
 very exciting, and realised that I would love it.



                       Can you guess what it is??

The woman suggested it could be used as a door stop, book end, or ornament.



She obviously didn't know that I would want the machine for what it was actually designed for...

which is this:

My husband doesn't really understand my passion for all things creative - but perhaps I got that wrong!  At least in this instance he got it completely right and the machine even came with the original label attached.

I have a box of materials already to make haberdashery cards and mini albums so this embossed stamp will be just perfect.

Then I got to thinking.........      
I wonder if others would like to share my lucky find? 
If I made some tags or labels, is this the sort of thing crafters might like to use in their designs? 

So... can I be cheeky and ask you to complete this short poll for me please!?  It will only take a few seconds.  And as a thank you I'd like to offer 2 sets of these tags, and I'll also throw in a something extra as a surprise.

So that I can identify you just leave a comment after you have completed the poll and I will pick 2 names from random on 20th May.  This is my first give-away so I am quite excited.  My first poll too, so make this extra excited! 

I do hope you will take part as I'd love to hear your thoughts, whether you sew, scrapbook, journal, or create in other ways . And perhaps you have other ideas how these stamps can be used... please share !!




I have included this post in What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday. If you want to find out what other people are creating visit Julie's site here.  It's great to see other people's work space and mess organisation, it makes me feel so normal!

Surprise and surprise again !!

If you read my last post you may recall that I had an unexpected surprise.

I was in Devon for my birthday this year so I knew family celebrations would be to follow. Imagine my excitement and joy when the door bell rang and this is what I saw:

 
And I LOVED the handmade card my daughter gave me.  She had knitted this beautiful bluebell and I confess it bought a tear to my eye! 
 

After opening my present (a much wanted hedgehog house) we set off in two cars. I knew I was going away as I'd been asked to arrange time off work, but I did not know my whole family were coming too!  Yay!!

On the way we stopped at a service station.  What great timing.... and totally unplanned.   We were just in time to see Kate Middleton drive to Westminster Abbey and the start of the Royal Wedding.  There was a wonderful apmosphere with a crowd round the TV, and my grand daughters were dressed for the occasion in red, white and blue.

We lingered for a while, then on again until we finally reached 'Hideaway' a holiday home where we would spend the next three days.  The location and house was perfect!  There was a sea view, and a pub across the road where we had a wonderful meal.  The sun shone, and over the next couple of days we relaxed, walked along the beach and explored Whitstable.

          Summer liked the looked of my strawberry in champage so I made her a non-alcoholic version.

I had set up my recorder at home as I did not want to miss the Royal Wedding.  If I had been home I would have done something special to mark the occasion.  But as it was we saw people celebrating on the beach, in their gardens, and at a street party.  And we had our own special celebration with birthday cake, candles, sunshine, and champagne.

And did I have a good time?  You bet I did!!

I learned that my son had booked 'Hideaway' after hours and hours of trawling the internet and much nail biting. It seemed all suitable holiday lets were booked but he found a real gem!  And my weekend was extra special having my family all there.

One last thing, I found a wonderful craft shop where I bought lots of new stamps and.... came across a Vintage Sale.  That's two last things actually, but double the excitement especially as the sale had some wonderful stalls and photo opportunities!  And what's more, my lovely husband found something very special for me which I could not resist.  But you'll have to wait until next time to find out what it is!

I have been blog visiting and seen some other lovely Royal Wedding celebrations.  I hope you are continuing to enjoy this wonderful weather, I hear it is here to last for a bit longer, so yippee and yippee again I say!!

Counting my blessings

Recently I took part in my first blog hop and I had beginners luck!  Above is the wonderful gift I received this week from Shelly.  I don't know what to expect as Shelly had not given details on her blog, but I must say I was amazed when I unwrapped the jiffy bag.  What generosity!  I have met such wonderful people through blogging and feel so lucky to have received this gift.  I can't wait to start using the stamps and inks!  I know I have already said it Shelly, but a huge huge thank you.

Right now things are very difficult at my place of work.  NHS cutbacks are hitting where it really hurts and lots of people are badly affected.  The next couple of months will be very unsettled and I don't know where this will lead other than the service will be closed on 31 March.  My team will be split and redeployed and I am trying to keep positive and hope that something good will come out of all this. 

This evening we had a chinese takeaway and I had to smile when I opened my fortune cookie.  Let's hope this is a good omen for me and others affected.

Because my work situation has taken up much time and energy I have not had much opportunity to do much creating.  However, I came across this tutorial and really enjoyed making these fabric flowers.  I love vintage and making my own embellishments.  The buttons came from a charity shop so I thought them perfect for these flowers.  They are made out of cotton sheeting, torn into strips and wound round.  I plan to experiment and make more adding fine net as I wind.  The ribbon was made by simply fraying one of the cotton strips and printing along its length.  I love this Vintage stamp and it was perfect for this. 

My son is staying with us this weekend so I am enjoying his company and tomorrow will be another day of catching up with my family and relaxing before another week begins.