Hotties, Hearts & Wine . . .

Hello there to you all, lovely friends & readers,

When the dear elderly man rang to book his Vintage Car Club in for this Sunday, his enquiry went like this ...

"Oh I do hope you have some hotwater bottle covers in stock as my dear wife would like to buy one??"

"Ummm .... yes I think there's a small selection" I ~~lied~~ replied

(meaning there are precisely ... none !!!)

Thankfully, it only took a rainy afternoons sewing & I managed to complete 4 new ones for the Cottage

I find the pastel blankets are always popular with everyone . . .

. . . and I loved this warm, cosy, red checked blanket in muted tones,
as well as a bright cheery Golly one that could be suitable for either boys or girls.

... hearts ...

After the New Year came & went, I began the massive task of sorting through my "mountain" of craft magazines!

I am sure many of you crafty readers can relate to this statement?

I came across an old Country Threads edition (Vol 6 No 7) in which I had long ago earmarked the "heart bowl fillers" pattern by Michelle Bentley.

I decided to make some for my prim pottery bowl ... unfortunately the magazine no longer had its pattern sheet so I just had to invent a primitive heart shape

These received a very rough coat of paint & left to dry on the deck table in the warm autumn sun

I followed Michelles instructions & ironed baking paper onto some calico & then typed out the words I wanted

(her pattern had used "Hope" & "Memories" but you could use any words you wanted)
The calico then gets fed through your printer ...

Realising - after printing it out - I had forgotten to tea dye my calico first, I simply dampened the fabric & tossed some coffee granules onto the damp area

When all my pieces were dry I cut out my words & then primitively whip-stitched them onto the hearts

It smells heavenly

I love the finished product ... my pottery bowl is filled with last years dried rose hips, some cinammon sticks, & scented with cinammon & clove oils

... & Wine ...

Our grapevines have been prolific this year ... last year we had good crops but they tasted tart ... this year they are lovely & sweet

The Mr announced he was going to make wine this year !!!!

Our grapevines stretch over half the length of our property

This is rather unusual for 2 main reasons . . .

- firstly : we have lived here now for 17 years & every single year when the grapes are ready he announces he is going to make wine . . . but has never actually done this !!!!

- secondly : The Mr doesn't actually drink alcohol of any kind !!!!

The vines are laden & heavy with fruit

We are now into week 3 of his "little project" ... this is currently what I have bubbling & plopping away in my sleepout

Although he assures me he knows what he is doing ..... I seriously have my doubts !!!!!
I shall keep you posted on this venture dear readers.

I asked my friend Jan if she ever came across any small size Agee Jars in her Op Shop travels to please let me know ... Jan very kindly offered me 6 jars she had sitting at home.

I was able to make some more string jars as had sold some of the ones I did last year for the Cottage.
I also made Jan a string jar as a "thank you" ... I was so grateful as these Agee Jars are becoming quite sought after now that bottling & preserving seems to be making a come back

I really enjoy making these - often they make a pleasant change from sewing

Well dear friends - thank you all again for your welcome visits
I wish for you, a week filled with wonderful things
(well actually Julie, the week is almost over - haven't you realised this yet !!!???)
I shall leave you with this little collage of Blackie who, as you can see, continues to lead a rather stressfull existence here at my Threadbear life . . .