Teal and Gray

Teal and Steel Gray...
A great combo...
I have made this cushion up
a bit differently as you can see by the buttons...
After making the first one up I realized it might be
handy to actually take the cover off...lol...
so a bit of adjustment
and ha presto! buttons and button holes...

And after a much needed visit to the hairdresser I can now
take pics of the top of my head with confidence...
Try explaining that to the hairdresser...and see her reaction...

I think I only every seem to get my hair
done once a year and it is always right before my birthday...
Which is always a risk if it don't look good...
But this time I'm really happy with the result...
Now I really wish it would stay this perfect for another week...
But we all know the minute you wash it you can never
seem to get the same perfectly blow dried look...

Still working on the bikini bottoms...and finding it harder
than I would like...
(well hard for my attention span)...

hoping you all have a great craft week...

winter and summer

Sitting in front of the fire in the bar...
I do get quite a bit of crocheting done...
well only when there are no customers...
like yesterday after lunch...
the wind was freezing and everyone was at home
in front of their fires I suspect...
In the middle of winter I have started
working on these very cute summer bikini's
for 'little miss" and my niece's...
my grandma made a set of these for
my sister and me
when we were about 7 and 8...
mum still had the pattern...amazing...
my grandma must have changed the pattern
as most of it I have had to change too...
the straps in ours were only lengths of chain and in the pattern
they are twice as wide as what I have ended up doing on these...
and the "cup size" in the book would have fitted me...
so more adjusting...
the bottoms are still in the progressing stage...(more adjusting)
so hopefully a pic by the end of the week...
now I just have to remember how I have changed the pattern
so I can make two more sets...
I really need to write these things down!!!
After finishing these I tried them on "little miss"
she told me how "beautiful" they were and how much she "loved them"
Half an hour went by, she came and cuddled up next to me
and said in her sweetest voice
that even thou they were "pretty"and looked just"right"
she would much prefer "pink"...lol...

Petal Love

After running 2 rows short on wool to finish my
second cushion...
I made a few of these up...
and I know two lucky girls that will be getting
these in the mail real soon...
not that the colour is a give away...And if I can't finish my cushion soon
you will be able to buy some Petal Love brooches
in my etsy shop by the end of the week...

And the winners are

You didn't think I would tell you right away....
no... I need to thrill you dear friends
with what I have been making this week...

and for me this is big...
while most will say...but it's only a cushion...
well a nice one at that...
this dear readers is much more to me...
this cushion represents
a family tradition...
you see my grandmother
made many,many rugs with this same pattern...
and my mother still
makes many,many rugs with the same pattern...
and while I have always adored them
I have had no patience to do a project
that would possibly take me all winter...
that was until I found I could turn it into a cushion and it
would take me no time at all...
well a week but that's not bad...
so this one is my first of hopefully
as few more,
of what my family have always called a
"Van Dyke" pattern...
The family tradition will live on...


Now for the lucky winners...


Nikki and Linda
CONGRATULATIONS
I hope your prizes keep you warm and cozy
this winter...

And a huge THANK YOU
for all the lovely comments
they do mean so much to me...
And here's to another 200 posts
of chatting and blogging...

So cold I have decided to just keep adding the layers
I had a great time op shopping
on Thursday and this lovely blanket was the most
amazing score
only $5
and it is so warm and so cozy...
I love it!!!

I managed to find the most wonderful pile of my fave
vintage plates and cups and saucers...
yes I was in true op shop heaven...

but back to reality...
i have to go to work and i would much really
chill on the verandah ...

or sit in front of the fire and munch on the batch of rock cakes
i made earlier...

this very old and crumbling cook book
is my great grandfathers...
and still has great recipes...
don't you just love recipe books that still use ingredients like
"lard"...

200 Really

How Amazing!!!
still really don't know how I have managed to
get this far....

Only that without all of the wonderful
comments and e-mails
I think I would have
just been here typing to myself...lol
That's a scary thought!!!

Now I think I will start with something that I whipped up
at the start off the week...
Oh yes I would love to be sharing
a pic of a crocheted caravan but several attempts
and several colourful words much later
I have put it off for now...

So I give you two fabric versions that
I am really happy with...
The larger my favorite but they are both kind of cute...
and of course how could I not love the colour...

Now for my give-away...

I thought two very special sets would be
just perfect
to mark the occasion...

The first set is in my fav burgundy
with black little flowers...

Burgundy Wrist warmers with Black flowers...

Black choker with burgundy flower...
Burgundy Headband...
and Burgundy Choker with Black flower...
Yes! if you are drawn out first you get all of the above...

And second will be this lovely set in Pink and Brown...

Pink Wrist warmers with Brown Trim...
and Pink Choker with Brown flower...
All you need to do is leave a comment on this post...
Too easy...
Really, I would not kid...
Cross fingers...

This will be drawn in about a week
Let say............28th June...

so for now, have a great week of crafting, op shopping
and making unreal stuff...

Update

The shop is updated and over flowing
with goodies...
At really great prices...
Just follow the link in my side bar
and you will be there in
"two shakes of a lambs tail"

I must say I did tend to freeze my butt off
today trying to take the pics of the headbands...
I think I took more shots of my feet then of my head...lol...
why is it so hard to take a picture of a simple headband...
Who would have thought...

My next post could take a little while to get out
as it is a big one...
Post 200 !!!
and of course a give away will be high on the list...

have wool will crochet

Have wool will Crochet...
Now I have truly gone into the realm
of obsessed nanna mode...
I have let myself go...
and now I feel I have truly gone mad...
As you may well notice in the set above
I have gone as far as adding
TEASPOONS...
I can only imagine
what will be next
sugar bowls, milk jugs...
A cozy for the pot...
I need to regroup...
Rethink what direction I am going in...
Or am I just trying to not think about the now 2
caravans I just missed out on
by days...
yes
days...
how is this possible
one caravan had been sitting in this yard for years...
And the minute I find it
casually stroll up to the owners...
Put my prettiest smile on...
Only to be told that 3 days ago some bloke
just came in and asked them,
and they sold it and it will be picked up on the weekend...
How rude!!!
I can't even tell the story of the other one...
Way too upsetting...
So here I sit in
front of the fire
madly crocheting...

maybe it just wasn't meant to be...

maybe I just need to crochet a caravan...

Tea Pot

This is still a work in progress...
But I think it is coming together...
I love the shape of the pot itself,
the handle and spout have been worked on quite a few times
and still will be worked on...
yes there will be surely a mark 2...
but that's ok cause
they are so cute to make...

Hope your long weekend
was wonderful
and full of crafty love...

Ready for sale

Here are some new and
improved pics...
these little cups and saucers are
already in the little shop in town
and hopefully being poured over as we speak...lol...

It is so cold here at the moment
they say we will have snow by Tuesday...
I really like to see snow as it doesn't happen very often
but in the little cottage it feels like 1 degrees already...
so glad I have my wrist warmers on
I think I will have to start making leg warmers soon!!!

Crocheted tea set mark1

This was the first of many trials
I do really like it
but I have improved it
a lot and made the pattern a bit easier...
If you want to see the final (lol)
one take a look at it
over at
LOVING THE VINTAGE...
I really was planning to rest the weary hand
for a while but as usual
I just couldn't help myself
maybe I will try my hand at a tea pot...

All warmed up

I thought I should make myself some wrist warmers...
I basically winged it...
and after unravelling about 3 times i came up
with a easy way of doing them...
I just worked in rounds and after joining my 3rd round
I added 12 chain and slip stitched back into the same spot
then kept going around and decreasing at the thumb
till i had the same amount of stitches as before...

Well they are such a hit I am onto my 3rd set...

I have been very busy crocheting ,sewing and stitching
and have just finished everything up
for the markets on the weekend...
and a big THANKYOU to BETTY JO
for sending me some brooch backs
(they arrived safe and sound)
and they are all attached and packed...

Now to cross fingers and hope that they have a lovely day at the
markets...

lilac love

Still crafting thanks to
no lurgy germs...
Well for me anyway...
thanks to you all for the sweet get well wishes
for the kids...
one is on the mend and one is still down...
but doing ok...

This one above
is a mod doll i finished last night
and the weather held out
for a quick photo shoot...
lots of lilac and accessories...
yes I really can't help myself when it comes to accessories...
so I might as well go with the flow...

mod collage

I adore the collage maker
over at Picnik
so much fun...
and a great way of showing a few shots of
my latest mod series doll...

I'm trying to get a few things made but...
the little ones are sick with
a lurgy cold and there
is not much time for sewing...

crossing fingers it doesn't spread
or there will be no sewing...

Hope you are all well with no lurgy germs
and plenty of sewing,crafting and creating!!!

saddle up

When we came across this lamp
we knew it was
just right for a wedding present
for our friends...

She loves kitschy cowboy quirky things...
and He likes natural textures like leather and linen...

This lamp is made by a man in Tamworth
and he has three colour choices...
It is so detailed and
totally amazing amount of workmanship...
the underside is fully lined with the proper padding...
basically a real saddle just tiny...
I could quite easily ramble on and on about
how nice it is...but
I'm sure you can all see by the pictures...

I'm sure this isn't quite the right
wedding gift for a lot of people...but
our friends are very special and truly unique...
now I'm just crossing fingers that they where
as amazed as us when they unwrapped it...

Well in a good way...........

its all about

Oh it's all about
accessories...
I am trying to cut down on the amount of detail
in the mod series as they are priced quite cheap...
and are selling really well at the local shop in town...
which means I really have to make some more...
as there are none in the shop at the moment...
but how can you not put some cute little accessory on them...

Still really busy with the brooches
and should have a big supply for the Maitland markets...

I will not be able to get there
but my sister will be having a stall...
So any locals just look for the yummy cakes and brownie's
and you will find her...
Probably snowed under with the amount of people
booking in tastings for wedding cakes thou...
She has some very new and gorgeous cakes on her web site...
my favorite is a red and white wedding cake with gorgeous flowers...


SUGAR RUSH

Yoga Voodoo

This is a custom order
for a friend who is a yoga instructor...
she wanted a doll to give her "good vibes"
so I have added a four leaf clover as a necklace...
This is her very own "voodoo" doll...
It's a personal sort of joke...
love to fill you in on it...but alas I can't...

So just to assure everyone I'm still making
my dolls and not neglecting my lovely little blog...
yes the vintage is calling...
but the dolls will always be a favorite
and I am sure that all of them will be
vintage in time...
ohhhhhh a collectors item!!!! why am I selling them...
you silly thing...
Now where are the boxes I really need to pack up
the rest of them and stash them...
For the sake of
Loving The Vintage!!!

sneak peek

Yes a very tiny sneak peek...
will be posting the real thing very soon on
Loving The Vintage...

Loving The Vintage

Hopefully the start of something beautiful...

Loving The Vintage...

take a peek...

Colour

This is a tree out the front of
the cottage...
I see it everyday...
in summer it looks like any old tree...nothing special...
but this time of year it is amazing...

I finished a bag today
to add to the mother's day stash for mum...
luckily she bought the fabric...
so I know she will like it...
It is very hard to tell in this photo
but i added a yo-yo that i crocheted around...
I really like it and might just turn some into brooches...
does anyone know a place to buy the brooch clips online?
There doesn't seem to be any shops around here that sell them...

A Keeper

Sometimes a make a doll
which I just can't part with...
This is one of those times...

This is a combination of a lot of things I love...
The fine crocheting...the colours...
and the look...

Also if you want to do some
net surfing...
Checkout DOTTIEANGELS post and follow her
link to see pictures of her amazing house
and the added bonus of a great interview...
well worth a look...

Here In The Country

We have a annual event in town

called
"The King Of The Ranges"
We have lots of volunteers and lots of great events
and people come from miles...
We are running the bar at this event
which means I haven't had much time free...
But it's all for lots of great charities...
Here are some pictures
of a very busy and exciting weekend...This picture above is of the 10 finalist
Go Cowboys!!!
The draft horses are my favorites...


And lots of amazing trick riding...

Toppers

Some more wedding toppers
ready for the expo my sister has
at the vineyards this weekend...
I have made these very plain
as a bit of a standard set
and then they can
jazz them up like this set below...

thanks for all the sweet comments
about my art work...
I will try to be a bit more adventurous,
and if I make a mistake...that's life...
I will just start over again...

eska

some of you may have seen this pic before
but for those of you who haven't...
I did this last year
and would love to try my hand at more
but still feel uncertain if it's "working"
you know...self doubt and all...
the first one i "changed" in a word document of all things
and the second is a photo of the original...
love some feed back...
I called her Eska as it was based on the original
Alaskan sister i did last year...

I still really need some spare time for art classes
but there is no more hours or babysitters in the day
if you know what i mean...
I think the whole light and shade needs work...
or is that so important anymore???
maybe some collage work with paint and fabric...
sorry rambling now!!!
have a great weekend whatever you are up to...

Vintage plates

Here are some of my favorite vintage plates...
I have just bought a new J & G Meakin bowl
that matches the square plate i already have...
I found it on e-bay and was so excited as it seems to
be a really hard pattern to find..
I'm trying to get a mix and match of Meakin and Johnson
plain plates for everyday use and
it is really great when i find some...

My husband said in our next house (i so dream)
he will make me 3 kitchens...

A vintage one with plate rack and
curved timber shelves,white and pretty etc
just for all my "vintage" finds...

A seventies retro laminate one for all the quirky finds
maybe with that lovely shade of orange or green
they always seem to be in...

And a new one fully commercial with stainless steel
and plenty of bench space and cupboards...

It is a running joke in our family that I have never had a house
with a new kitchen...only old....and I'm talking primitive!!!

before we bought the pub we
fixed up the kitchen before we sold it...
so technically I had a new kitchen
for 3 whole months and then we moved out...
so I really can't be too upset...

And the fact that my husband
thinks up these things just to make be smile
is sweet...

Loving the vintage

The Frock

So ok here is the frock on...

Still really unsure about the look...
I feel a tad DORIS DAY in it
and unsure if my small town
is quite ready to see me in it...
But
it's kind of cute to do the house work in...
I still will probably do a crocheted edge on the bottom
when I get some cotton to match...
and a matching headband...
so that could tie the new vintage look together...
anyway It has inspired me to track
down a few more frocks and see what i can come up with...
Loving the Vintage

Vintage Theme

Following on with more vintage goodness...

I have made a very yummy burgundy collar
that I know will look great around one
of my very plain black dresses...
And here are some market and op shop finds...

Some fabulous ribbon that I really want to put into
a dolly skirt when I get around to making it...

Lovely crocheted Dollie that is handmade
and I picked up from the CWA stall....

And vintage blue dress with tie
that I'm hoping to make look kind of quirky cute...
I 'll let you know how that goes...

And some fabulous Marks and Spencer shoes
that will be perfect for a wedding I'm going to soon...
And yes I don't think I will wear "the wicked witch of the west" socks...
Love to but I wont...

Vintage Era

Begin ANZAC Day
I thought I would make something
a bit more delicate
of a vintage era...
something that really is a timepiece...
I love making things pretty like this
that you can keep forever
and is just so intricate and dainty...
I hope your ANZAC Day is full of memories
of people you love and remember...

Scarf

Now what was I crocheting

in front of the fire???
This of course...
Now back to some more wedding toppers and dolls soon...
well maybe after a bit more
Crocheting...

toasty

Don't you just love the
first fire of winter...
Feet up...Crocheting in lap...


Too good!!!

And yes the christmas decorations are still up
cause they look too nice to take down...