Monday, 31 December 2012

Last showoffs for 2012!!

2012 - 10 hours to go and it will be 2013.      Let's hope I keep up with the blog.  I have made a note for myself - "BLOG MORE"!!     I have also decided (again) to finish one thing before I start another - wonder how long that will last!    
As promised yesterday here are some pics of Milla's birthday skating party.  Unfortunately they are not too good cos I used my IPod and it was getting darker so they used ultra violet lighting!    She went on to Pizza Express but Grandad and I weren't allowed to go to that.   Even her mum and dad had to sit at a different table!!!!
Milla is the young lady in the photo on her own.

We can't believe she is 12 now (going on 22)!!   




Here are the pictures of the journal that Sam sent me for Christmas.   I love it.   I think the front cover is done with tissue and some glue.    I love all the different papers used for the pages.     As you can see I have already started scribbling in it!   The little verses are what I write at the beginning of all the books in which I verbally chit chat to myself.


As a last pic for 2012 I thought you might like to see the little egg cosies I made for DS2 and his partner.   Aren't they just the cutist.     I may even make some more as there is a pattern for an aran jumper.....  He took the egg cup too.   We bought it in Devon at a Haven Holiday Camp.   We had to have his name especially piro thingied onto it because it's spelt KRISTOFER.......   I found it in a cupboard the other day and he laughed when I gave it to him.     He wouldn't let me show his name when I took the pictures.  don't know why but hey that's Kris.
Right I'm off now to sort out the folders on the lappy in readiness for 2013, so it just leaves me to say I hope all my bloggy friends in blogland have a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.    I say this because I wouldn't wish anything on my friends that I wouldn't wish on myself !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR FOLKS.
Love Burnice xx

Sunday, 30 December 2012

Well that's that for another year!!!!

It took months to prepare for and one day to unwrap, eat and drink!!!!!    I have had a great time, Ron and I on Christmas day (and we didn't argue!), Peter and Milla on Boxing day (don't think we argued that day either!) and Kris came down on Thursday, stayed overnight and back to London on Friday. He jetted off to Japan yesterday to go snowboarding - how the other half lives!   
I had some lovely pressies from my crafting (and non crafting) buddies.    Milla gave me this fabulous kilner jar with a Cranberry & Raisin Flapjack Mix inside it.   It's all packaged up by a company called Mummy's Yummies.     They do a fabulous range of jars and boxes. Don't know what shop she got it from tho'.
I also did some Christmas baking myself!  I made a Yule Log which consisted of a chocolate sponge log bit, filled with Nutella (what else?).  The topping was made from white chocolate, icing sugar and double cream.   It was bloomin' scrummy.   Then I looked at the calorie count bit on the recipe and apparently it's 500 odd calories per slice.  I cut in half and took one half to work and gave the other half to my hairdresser who has worked wonders with my locks this past year!   God it did taste fab I must say!
I also had a lovely hand made book from Sam but haven't photographed it yet.  I'll blog that tomorrow.  Pip the Elf found his way to Sam's as a little gift from moi along with a couple of green crocheted skulls!
Right off up to the cabin now to make a birthday card for Milla (she's 12 today - urggg!) and we are off to the skating rink thingy down at the Royal Pavilion where she is skating with some friends and then they are off to Pizza Express!  I have been allowed to go to the skating but NOT to Pizza Express!!!  Bless!
Sees yer tomorrow guys.
Burnice x

Friday, 14 December 2012

Little bag for Sophia....

Sophia is the granddaughter of my pal up the road!    You may remember the quilt I made for her and the little pink dress and coat!  This time, Sue, her nanny, gave me a little jute bag (which started out life in the garden centre with bulbs in) and asked if I could do something with it.     I had originally decided to make a Sun Bonnet Sue to go on the front, but I complicated it far too much (which is a thing I tend to do) and because I had done that I kept putting it off!    Then that little light went off in me 'ed.   After seeing the wreath that Linda had made for me, I thought "flowers".  Crochet some flowers you numpty.  Keep it simple you numpty.    So I did.   I found some really bright wool, which was free with a magazine, and crocheted to me 'art's content.     Then I sewed them on the the bag, added her name and voila.....   A before and after shot!   Simple things.....
I had originally backstitched "Sophia" in green, but it didn't show up too well.   
I have just taken it up to Sue and she was very pleased with it.   I can't wait to see a pic of her carrying it.  
Well I think that's it for today, Burnice is feeling a tad under the weather.   I have acquired a stinking cold and my head feels like it is going to burst.
So I will love you and leave you for today.
Burnice xx

Wednesday, 12 December 2012

Pip the Elf...

No it's not some sort of adult Christmas game - although it does sound like one!!!! 
Fellow bloggers, meet Pip.    
I had great fun knitting him.   He is from a book called "Twas the Knits before Christmas" by Fiona Goble. It's a fab book.  Pip (my friend gave him that name) has a wife and two childrena -  daughter and a baby.   It also has a St Nicholas, all the Reindeer, moon, toys and gifts and a wreath.   
I shall be making the rest during the year so he won't be feeling lonely.   
I have knitted some of the flowers to go on the wreath but, of course, I will need to be knitting tons more, cos that's me - maximum overload!!!!

Bit of a short post today, I have some crochet flowers to sew onto a jute bag.   All will be revealed tomorrow if I could just get off this bloomin' lappy toppy!!!!

Thanks for stopping by.
Burnice xx

Thursday, 6 December 2012

A few more pressies.....

On the first Monday of every month my two crafty buddies come over to play in the cabin.   As this was the last one of the year  we handed out some pressies.      I gave Linda and Tasha a purple glass cake stand and a Quilter's Diary each.   Also a great bunch of coloured sleigh bells.   I had completely forgotten we were exchanging pressies so I hadn't wrapped them.  Linda got hers in an Argos bag and Tasha got hers in a Marks & Spencer bag.   No expense spared you know!   You can see those items on Linda's blog.   We usually have a dinner in the cabin but this year it's a bit tight time wise so we are having one for my birthday in January.  No doubt I will find some more pressies for my pals.
Linda gave me this fabulous crocheted wreath and a kilner jar full of ribbons, button, hand sewing needles and sewing machine needles, a reel of cotton and some tape with "I love handmade" on it.   The top of the jar had some fabric and wadding made into a pin cushion.    Such a fab idea.


Tasha's bundle of goodness included this terrific book of knitted baubles.    I am soooo going to put these on my tree next year.   I think I may even start knitting them at the beginning of next year so I don't have a meltdown at the end of November (again!).   Also these fingerless gloves.  Aren't they just so glamorous?   She also gave us a packet of chrismassy serviettes and a wire heart infilled with teeny teeny sleigh bells.

Right best go and finish some of me knitting.
Thanks for popping by.
Sees yer tomorrow.
Burnice x

Wednesday, 5 December 2012

Look at this wonderful journal.......

I received this wonderful gift from the equally wonderful (and brilliant) Sue Roddis.    It is a thank you for crocheting the skull.   I think I got the better deal, don't you?
Sue is the master (or mrs!) of altered items.   Have I told you it's wonderful.  I will be using it as a journal - starting New Years Day - journaling all the random things I see, hear and think!     The owl is made from wood and the eyes are washers......
Burnice is a lucky lady - have I told you the book is  wonderful.
I have had a few pressies this week but I will share them with you tomorrow.   I thought this wonderful journal needed a post of it's own. 
Did I mentioned it's wonderful...........

Thanks for peeking.

Burnice xx


Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Birds and Bees!

As I said I have been knitting - actually been knitting for England (or so it seems)!    I have been knitting little bears.   They are just soooooo cute.    The patterns come from a little booklet called "Knitted Bears" from the Twenty to Make series.   I do have quite a collection of these little booklets and I just adore them.  

I knitted this little ladybird for my bessie mate, Lesley, who also happens to be my Thursday lunch mate.   You may remember I made her the blue chevron quilt (which made her cry!) for Christmas last year.    I also told her that the quilt was for the next five years birthday and chrissy pressies!   Could go through with it so I made her this little bear (and bought a mug with "ladies wot lunch" on it.  I do spoil her so......

This little bumble bee was knitted (well the first one was) for my head of department for his birthday back in July - he keeps bees.   I also made him the crochet beehive which I think I posted way back.   Course in true Burn hasty style I forgot to take a photo of it.    Then as luck would have it the chap in the paper shop saw said bumble bee in my bag  and went bananas for it.    So I said I would make him one (you know the sort of thing - open mouth and then put brain in gear).    So I did - and four months later he gets it.  This time I did photo it and here he is.......
Aren't they just adorable?
Thanks very much for popping.
Sees yer later........
Burnice x


   

Quilt for Lyra...

Here is a quilt I made for DS1's godchild, Lyra Bond - isn't that just the best name ever - you can almost see it in lights!
The quilt is the same design as Fionn's - told you I liked it.     The fabric is: Sunkissed by Sweetwater for Moda.   The backing isn't from this range - I bought it from The Patchwork Dog & Basket.  I had originally bought the yellow check for the backing but DS1 said it looked insipid.   What does he know! Not sure it worked but hey all the colours were in the top except the blue.   
I am in the process of knitting a little cardigan for Lyra.   No seriously, I am in the process, done the back anyway!
I think tomorrow will be show off knitting day!
Thanks for looking
Burnice 

Monday, 26 November 2012

Dia de los Muertos!

Just had to quickly show you guys this.   My craft buddy Sue just happened to mention on Facebook that she wanted "one of these".    So Burn goes into action - clicked on the link, bought the pattern, went home and crocheted "it" for her.    Sue has this fascination with skulls - well ..... drum roll ..... here "it" is:
The pattern is on the Ravalry site.   It was such great fun to do and I actually couldn't stop smiling and giggling whilst I was doing it.   It should have been done in a cotton yarn but I didn't have any so I did it in DK - it's a bit floppy but never mind.
I think I may have to do a couple more in a cotton yarn for DS2 and his girlfriend - they seem to have a fascination for skulls too.

I also took this photo for her of a cake in the window of Choccy woccy doodah in Brighton.   You should see the one that's in the window at the moment - it's superb.  
Need to go and have a rest now.   No posts for months and then two in one day!!!

Thanks for popping by

Burnice x

Quilt for Fionn

Now don't faint - I've been busy - busy going away for weekends, busy quilting, busy knitting, busy crocheting - just busy really! 
Loads to show you - note to self: really must blog as I go along!!!!!

This is a quilt I made for DS2's godchild.   The baby's name is Fionn Slabber (touch of Irish there me thinks!)
The fabric is a Moda Charm Pack - SUMMERSVILLE by Lucie Summers.   It's adorable.   I was tempted to colour in some of the images on the back!!!

The quilt design is an old favourite which I think shows up the charm squares really well.  The pattern is from Sleeping Bears.  I have used it quite a lot.

I am in the process of knitting a little sweater for Fionn.  Well, when I say in the process, what I really mean is that it's about fifth in the queue!!!

Right what's next!!!   Off to do some more "collaging"...

Thanks for stopping by.

Burnice x



Monday, 16 July 2012

Cardi for Isabella

Burnice has been knitting again.   This is a little cardi that I made for baby Isabella, grand daughter of my friend, Lesley.   It's a Sirdar Snuggly 4ply pattern and I used shade 0405 (Bubble) for the actual cardi and shade 0195 (Light Grey) for the bow. It's sooooo cute. Isabella still has to receive it but hopefully she (via mummy and grandma) will love it!    I really love knitting with this Snuggly wool.  It's very soft.
I actually can't stop knitting these lovely baby things.    Have three more things to do but have given myself a challenge - FINISH ONE THING BEFORE STARTING ANOTHER!  So far it's working!!!!!   Mind you if this weather keeps up I'll have all of it done before August is out!
Until the next time.   Happy blogging folks
Thanks for stopping by.
Burnice

Sunday, 1 July 2012

Volkswagon Camper Van Cushion

My Labour of Love.   It has taken me forever to find the right "bits".   My brother asked me to make it for a friend of his.   
Materials:  
The green is from a huge curtain fabric sample thingy that I picked up from a shop that was closing down.
The brown is a piece of linen.  
The windows - boy did I have trouble with them.   These are my fourth set.   First set I tried to use ribbon - didn't work.  Then I bought a piece of remnant satin which worked but then I ironed and they melted!  Start again!    Then I didn't like the beige fabric so I ditched that and then had to do the windows again!     The lights are buttons (really pleased with these), the indicators - well did little red buttons first (as shown on the template) then DH said indicators are orange (I knew that!).   Put orange buttons on - showed my brother and he said the indicators were oblong - pooh!    Searched everywhere for orange oblong buttons, beads anything.   DH and I scoured the house - I decided to embroider them on - went up into the cabin and would you believe it, on the worktop was this orange ribbon.   This is the reverse, there are white spots on the other side of it  Do I care - nooooooo I don't!   
The VW sign is a brad, painted with a really smelly (the kind that gets you high and has a ball bearing in it) silver pen and used a sharpie to draw the VW sign.    
Then came the wing mirrors - soooooo tiny.   I tried silver fabric, ribbon and loads of other things.   I couldn't find any oblong glass beads or mirror that tiny.    So out came the nice smelly silver pen (as if I needed another excuse to use it!) and I drew them on.   I then embroidered round them and the arms.   
Bumper is silver ribbon and the number plate is a piece of black fabric with the numbers written with another silver (not a smelly one this time) pen.    
I just happened to have a cushion pad (you know the sort of thing - you buy them with the  intention of making something for yourself with them - so I made the cover to fit it.
All in all I think it's not bad.     
I am a little embarrassed as to how long it took and then DH said "at least you will know what to do next time".     He said his arm was still hurting a little bit this morning - he's such a wuss - didn't hit him that hard!!
Well I think I have bored you to tears enough now - really should blog more and then maybe when I do I won't have a touch of the verbals!
Thanks very much for stopping by.
Burnice x

Saturday, 30 June 2012

ATC Swap - On the beach/At the seaside

Hello folks - it's me again.    I will break you in gently with all me makes!!   First of all (just to appease Sam I am showing my ATCs.   A little controversial but hey that's me......

I first made these "ice lollies" as invitations to a birthday BBQ we were having for DH's birthday.  I did them in yellow and orange.

Sam questioned whether I would blog tonight so this is to prove her wrong!!!!

It's only a short post but I am going to blog again tomorrow - a cushion!!

Hope my recipients like their ATCs!

'til tomorrow

Burnice xxx   




Sunday, 22 April 2012

Scavenger Hunt Sunday 2

My offerings this week:
YELLOW
  
I struggled somewhat here as there are sooooo many yellow things out there at the moment.  (and I did a yellow lemon last week!).  
What is this I hear you cry!   Well - we decided to spruce up the kitchen.   "you can have any colour you like DH said".     I chose a pale terracotta.   This is DH's version of "pale terracotta".  He didn't like pale terracotta so he picked sunshine yellow instead.  Mmmmmmm!      As you can see I did get my terracotta in the end - the blinds and the stools!!!! 

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU/MADE YOU SMILE
This "young lady" sits in my hall way covering my hoover.   As I open my front door after a days work she is always there with her "feather duster" and the same smile to greet me.   The scarf round her neck was made for me by my friend Tasha and my granddaughter thought "Hilda" should have it as it can be cold in the hall way in winter!!!

ANCIENT/ANTIQUE
I nearly put a pic of DH here but thought better not!!!!  I wanted to go a photograph the 11th Century Church which is just down the road but decided it wasn't "ancient" enough - it's more "old"!!!  I found this in my archives.
It's the "Forum" in Rome - or what's left of it.    I was going to write something about the Forum but Wikipedia does a much better job than me, not that I am suggesting for one minute you didn't know what it was.     Rome is a beautiful city.   
SPLASH
I picked these tulips for "yellow" but some of them had these beautiful "splashes" of red in them so changed my mind.    They were picked from my garden about 5 minutes before the picture was taken and you can still see the raindrops on them.   I am actually quite liking this one!!!

IN THE SUN
Now this photo I found on my iPod when I was downloading some other pics.    I must have somehow hit two buttons - one turning the camera app thingy round and the other "click".    It took me a while to realise what had happened.    It is the the sun shining through the window and reflecting on the ceiling of my cabin.   Hope that qualifies.      Pretty cool tho isn't it (says she blowing her own trumpet - ooh I hate it when I do that!).

EVERYTHING COVERED IN ONE SHOT
Couldn't resist showing this off!
I crocheted this for a chap at work who keeps bees.   He challenged me to crochet a beehive!  So I did.........       I nearly just put this pic in as it covers yellow, smile (it does me anyway), in the sun, splash (of genius on the part of Maggie Weldon whose pattern it is!), antique (my mum's crochet hook!)
Well that's it for this week - I hope you like my offerings.
Burnice 
P.S.  My thoughts are with Ashley at this sad time..........

Saturday, 21 April 2012

Prezzies for Sam....

 This is a PaperPlay puzzle piece swap I did for Sam.  The theme is Vintage.   I will try and remember what I did!!!  I covered the piece with some paper (Crate Paper if I remember rightly) then painted it with Ranger Crackle Paint in Pine Needles and Old Paper.   The strip down the left hand side is a Tim Holtz stamp (tickets) and squizzled with stickles.  I think I squizzled stickles on the crackle paint too.    The dotty stamp is a Tanda Stamp.   At the top is a mini word "Sam" cut from the same paper I covered the puzzle with.  There are some little flat back pearls to emphasize "Sam".    There are two charms hanging from a chain of a swallow and a key.   Some lace  wrapped around it.    The panel at the bottom is a stamp I bought in Edinburgh - I think the quote is a bit appropriate!!   There is a "cameo" on the quote which I bought (with the charms) from the Big Bead Boutique.   The flower is from some vintage lace and a little charm saying "made with love".   The buttons are from my stash.   I think that's it!
This is a  bracelet I made for Sam - can you tell she likes green!   The beads are glass and are from my favourite bead shop.    There is a little dragon fly charm at the clasp.     I do hope it fitted her.  I think I was a little pleased with this one myself.
I have made some other bits of jewellery but will post them later.
Tomorrow is Scavenger Hunt Sunday so I will be getting the pics ready to post tomorrow.
Thanks for stopping by.
Burnice x

Monday, 16 April 2012

Tags and ATC's

Over on the PaperPlay forum I have joined an ATC swap and Tag swap.   Here are my efforts:
 These are my ATCs.  As you can see the theme was "numbers".    For the first one I just ran the ATC through a cuttlebug numbers folder, coloured it with distress inks and dry brushed Inka Gold over it.   The flower in the corner are three from my stash.   
The middle one is foil wrapped around the ATC and run through the big shot with a Tim Bingo folder.   I tore off the "free" bit and coloured it with Stazon Inks (a technique taught by the wonder Sue Roddis).   The hearts were punched from metal and coloured with Stazon - another Sue jobby!   The third one is a PaperArtsy stamp stamped with Stazon onto metal, embossed from the back side and the numbers edged with a metal thingy tool.  The ATC itself was stamped with the same stamp with distress inks.
The TAGS are covered with paper from a pad free with a mag last month.  The "flower" on the first one is cut from a piece of vintagy lace with a flat back pearl in the middle.   The charms are from The Big Bead Boutique which is full of vintage charm!  The right hand one is using the same paper and again flowers cut from vintagy lace.   The flower is also from that place with loads of vintagy charm!
I am afraid my mojo slightly left me whilst doing these but I think I may have got away with it!
Thanks for stopping by peeps and I really do hope my fellow swapees like their swaps.
Burnice x




Sunday, 15 April 2012

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

This is my very first time!   It is quite nerve racking I must say.     I struggled in that I took a few pics and then can't decide which ones to upload!!!!  Still here we go - not sure if they are in the right order but hey:
 
BUBBLES.  It was taken this morning after DH had washed up, hence the dirty water.   I was going to start again and make sure the water was clean but I thought nah! go for the natural look!

GRAIN - now I did take two photos for grain but decided on this one.   This is a pestle and mortar which I bought for DS1 about 5 (or more) years ago.   I have it now cos he has moved back home to save money for a deposit on a house.   I just love it cos it looks really old.
SIMPLE - I decided on this (eventually) not because it's a simple lemon but because it's a simple photo.    Not a lover of lemons unless they are in Elderflower cordial or lemon drizzle cake!!   
STITCH - as you can see from my blog I am a prolific stitcher - be it crochet, quilting, knitting or whatever I can do with a needle!!!     I made this picture a good few years ago for my mum for Mother's day.  Mother's day was in the March and I think she eventually got it in the May!!!!   Better late than never! When she died my dad gave it back to me so it is now in my lounge and I think this might be the first time it's been photographed!   
TRANSPORTATION - this is a pic from my archive.   DH and I went to Nethy Bridge (Inverness) to visit my brother and when we were out one day we spot this 1200cc BMW K1.   Believe it or not it is an old 'J' reg which means it's over 25 years old.   The chap who owned it obviously loves it because it looked like it had just come off the showroom forecourt.   It had only 26,000 odd miles on the clock.   
Sorry about the rambling and I hope I have got the idea of the "scavenger hunt".   I now have to find out how to get them to the host!   TAAAASSSSHHHHH are you there.  I think I need HEEEELLLLLP!!!!!

Wednesday, 11 April 2012

Milla and Hannah

Milla (my granddaughter) and Hannah (her bestest friend) came for a day of crafting and apparently they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.        They made these "plaques". 
This is Milla's.    
I cut them some mount board 4.5" x 8".   I die cut the bird cage and dress form (Tim Holtz) which my friend Tasha left for me to play with.    The birdcage:   Milla used Victorian Velvet for the background with a hint of black.  The birdcage was done the same as was the bird.    The flourish is one from a set I have had since I don't know when and the words are PaperArtsy stamps.     The dress form:   The background is weathered wood and the dress form is broken china with walnut stain for the "wood" bits with a Butterfly Kisses "Couture" stamp in black.    The cotton reel has some blue ribbon and the button has the same ribbon threaded through it.   The scissors are from a set of Artistic Stamper stamps (I think!).    The black ribbon is organza.  
Hannah's birdcage:   The back ground is wild honey DI with frayed burlap on top.   Aged Mahogany was used for the edges.    The birdcage was also wild honey with a Inka Gold rubbed on top to give it that aged gilt look.   The flourish is from another set which I have had forever stamped in Aged Mahogany as is the quote from "Da Man" Tim.     Her dress form background is Milled Lavender  with Dusty Concorde on the edge.   The  dress form is broken china with walnut stain for the "wood".   The stamping on the actual dress form is "Love" by Crafty Individuals.
As you can see I think they both did an amazing job.  They thoroughly enjoyed themselves and I am still knackered!!!   
Hope I haven't bored you all too much but I am a tad proud of them really.   Bless their little hearts!
Thanks for looking.
Burnice x

Sunday, 8 April 2012

Tea Cosy ...

I have been knitting daft things again.    This time it's a "vintage" tea cosy.   I have used one colour (cos I bought tons of this wool in Aldi's).    I have really enjoyed making this.  I may do another one and perhaps line it with some wadding and fabric.  
I have a book of wacky tea cosies.   Might just have a peek in that and see what I can find!


I have been paper crafting for most of the weekend and catching up with some swaps with PaperPlay.  I have joined a 3x3 ATC swap and a 2x2 tag swap.   Never done a tag swap before so this should be interesting.   I have done the tags (which was vintage) and have the ATC's to do (which is numbers).    Having a day off from the cabin today so I shall be back in there tomorrow.


I need to find out how to do this Scavenger Hunt Sunday thingy that some of my blog land buddies are doing.


Hope you are all having a grand Easter and not chocolating (is that a word?)  too much.   
Thanks for stopping by.
Burnice x

Thursday, 5 April 2012

Kris's birthday

It's number 2 son's birthday today - 32 - blinkin' 'eck, that makes me feel old!!!!    Just thought I would share that with you!
I crocheted these little chicks for my friend Lesley's grandchildren.   They were covering two little cadbury's caramel eggs.  
The lady in the pic (I use the term loosely!) is my bezzie mate Lesley, she wot lunches wiv me on a Fursdee........    That's her before and after the apple pie!   We wanted it warmed up but it came cold so took it back and the chap said "you want it hotter?"  Hot would have been good never mind hotter!!!!  We laughed.............
I have signed up for a few challenges on the PaperPlay Forum - atc and tag swaps.    Haven't done an atc for absolutely ages.    Never done a tag one.    I feel a crafty Easter coming on.    I still have to finish Sam's puzzle piece too.    Busy busy busy!
Off to plan now - actually that's a little fibby - off to watch White Heat!
Thanks for taking a peek at my little chicks.     SORRY LESLEY !!!!!!
Burnice x

Tuesday, 3 April 2012

We've been to Stratford on Avon..

......... for the weekend.    Had a fab time. Weather was really hot (except for Saturday which was a tad overcast in the morning!)  Didn't take too many pics.    We went to a place called Charlecote and stayed in the Charlecote Pheasant Hotel.  Opposite the hotel was Charlecote Park which had an amazing house and deer park (they weren't out when I had my camera!)..   Here are some pics:
This is Charlecote House - it's a bit far away but I was going for an arty pic!!   We went round some outbuildings which housed quite a few carriages - didn't think to take pics of them!    The house was owned by the Lucy family.  It is said that Thomas Lucy prosecuted Shakespeare for poaching and one of his plays is about it. Shakespeare is thought to have satarised Lucy with a character in Merry Wives of Windsor.
The thatched Summer House was created by Mary Elizabeth Lucy in the mid 1800's. She had it built for her grandchildren.   It was sooooo cute.    Put mine to shame!!
These pots of flowers were all around the doorway of The Orangery which is now a restaurant.   They were absolutely beautiful.   Just had to snap them - as in photograph them not break them!!
This is Shakespeare's last house.   It's smack bang in the middle of the high street.   There was a another house round the back which was his birthplace.  Only took pics of the back of that so haven't posted them!!!
This is Anne Hathaway's Cottage.   It's fabulous inside.   We did pay to go in there!    Ron is sitting in a "willow hut" thingy.   This is where people would come to sit and think!   The post Ron is hugging had six buttons which, when pressed, had someone reading pieces from Shakespeare's Sonnets.    We had a tour of the house and went upstairs.  It's kinda claustrophobic but really interesting.     The kitchen still has the original stone floor!    
Ron went for a bike ride Sunday morning and I stayed in the hotel and knitted a tea cosy (well half of it anyway!)  We also went to Warwick on Sunday afternoon, but I didn't take any pics.    I really must get back into the habit.    We went to go round Warwick Castle but Burn's feet were killing her!!!!!!
As soon a we got home we booked another weekend away in the Cotswolds - Fairford........
We like going on these weekends.   We went to the Cotswolds last Aug/Sept (can't remember now!) but it was just after I badly twisted my ankle so couldn't really do too much.  That time we went to Berkeley.
Right best go and sort myself out as I am back to work tomorrow for two days and then off!
Thanks for looking - makes a change from quilts.
Burnice x



Thursday, 29 March 2012

Some more baby stuff!!!

This is a little jacket I knitted for my bus buddy's  sister who had a baby boy on Sunday.  His name is Stanley..............   There is a little hat too but forgot to photograph it.
This little jacket and hat I made for my ex-boss's little baby.  His name is Hugo.   I do have a pic of him in it but thought I had better not put that on here!
This is a little quilt I made for Hugo.   It was a panel and I added the squares round the border.   The backing is a yellow brushed cotton.   It was left over from a quilt I made for my sister and I vowed never to use it, but couldn't resist it when it came to Hugo.
I do hope you like my offerings today.   
I am slowly running out of stuff of any significance to show you, but I have made two more quilts which I still have the binding to sew on.   I shall hopefully be doing that over this weekend.   
Thanks again for looking.
Love Burnice x



Tuesday, 27 March 2012

Two little baby quilts going begging!!!

I have made these two little baby quilts just because I loved the fabric.   The little boy one is made from Moda Li'l Rascals.  It's little animals all vintage like.....



The little girl one is another Moda fabric - I have just spent an hour or so surfing the net trying to find out the name of it.   I am getting really really angry with myself for not remembering.   I thought it was called something like "Whimsical" but I can't find it!!!! 
The pattern used is called "Nice and Easy" by Jane Czaja who works at the Patchwork dog and Basket and who has been desperately trying to teach me to crochet!
These quilts are going begging because I just made them and am now looking for little babies to give them to or grandmas to sell them to!!!
Right off to do my nails now cos I have to go to work tomorrow - boo hoo.
Thanks for stopping by.
Burnice x

Monday, 26 March 2012

Quilts for William and Zac

These are quilts that I made for two work colleagues as leaving presents.   
The first one is made with fat quarters from  Patchwork Dog & Basket and  Fabric Land. The backing fabric is a Timeless Treasure range.  Can't remember the name of it tho'.   The pattern is one I have used many times called Yellow Brick Road.   

The fabric used for this one is the blue version of Lily and Will.   I bought the bundle of fat quarters from Patchwork Dog and Basket.   I just love this fabric.   The pattern is the same as I used for my friend Lesley's quilt.  


I really love making baby quilts (or have I said that before).....
I hope I am not boring you folks, but thanks for looking anyway.    I only have a few more to show you!!!!!!
Burnice x