Pudding Cup Art Market

Gosh, what a busy day I have had today.  I spent a couple of hours this morning at the allotment.  It was the most glorious sunny day here in Berkshire, not a cloud in the sky.  Then home to cook Sunday Lunch, Roast chicken with all the trimmings... and then after lunch I went to our local monthly craft fair.  Pudding Cup Art Market.

By this afternoon sadly the sun was disappearing and the temperature had dropped considerably, so sensibly everyone at the market had their stalls inside in the warm.  I love perusing craft fairs and especially love to stop and chat to the crafters about their wares.  I am always fascinated to hear about how things are made.  Especially crafts that I know nothing about...

This stall caught my eye as I walked in.  They were displaying the most beautiful glass jewellery.

Another table had some really cute ornaments made from Fimo clay.

More hanging decorations...

These super cute doggy face cloths.  What an ingenious idea.

Beautiful hand painted Christmas cottages, jewellery boxes and bird houses.

More tree ornaments.  These ones made from felt are just adorable.

Pretty tea cup candles.

Home made fudge!  Oh my goodness I just had to buy some of this...

and finally my most favourite stall 

The Mint Makeover, decoupaged furniture, lanterns, candles and gifts.

These stunning items are made by Sarah Jennings and would you believe it she makes them all from paper napkins.  I chatted to Sarah when I visited the market last month and she was happy to share with me exactly how she makes these beautiful pieces.  

This snowman ornament is one of my favourites, he is just so perfectly jolly.  Exactly how a snowman should be...

I chatted to Sarah again today and she was kind enough to give me lots of tips and advice about running your own craft stall.  Which leads me to my very exciting news.

Next month I will be having my very own table at the market.  I am so excited!  I have never had a stall before.  Over the next few weeks I shall be like one of Santa's little helpers busy making things to sell.

The next market will be The Christmas Extravaganza on the 11th of December at the Clewer Youth and Community Centre on Parsonage Lane, Windsor.  Starts at 12 midday  going on until 4 pm.  They will be having a bouncy castle, raffles, name the teddy bear, the teddy bear raffle and of course all the lovely artisan stalls.  All proceeds go to Whizz Kids, a charity that works to support and transform the lives of disabled children in the UK.

So if you are local be sure to pop on by...

I made it home just in time before the rain started and treated myself to a nice cup of tea and some Salted Caramel Fudge.

Delicious!

Have a fantastic week

Catherine

x

Pudding Cup Art Market

Gosh, what a busy day I have had today.  I spent a couple of hours this morning at the allotment.  It was the most glorious sunny day here in Berkshire, not a cloud in the sky.  Then home to cook Sunday Lunch, Roast chicken with all the trimmings... and then after lunch I went to our local monthly craft fair.  Pudding Cup Art Market.

By this afternoon sadly the sun was disappearing and the temperature had dropped considerably, so sensibly everyone at the market had their stalls inside in the warm.  I love perusing craft fairs and especially love to stop and chat to the crafters about their wares.  I am always fascinated to hear about how things are made.  Especially crafts that I know nothing about...

This stall caught my eye as I walked in.  They were displaying the most beautiful glass jewellery.

Another table had some really cute ornaments made from Fimo clay.

More hanging decorations...

These super cute doggy face cloths.  What an ingenious idea.

Beautiful hand painted Christmas cottages, jewellery boxes and bird houses.

More tree ornaments.  These ones made from felt are just adorable.

Pretty tea cup candles.

Home made fudge!  Oh my goodness I just had to buy some of this...

and finally my most favourite stall 

The Mint Makeover, decoupaged furniture, lanterns, candles and gifts.

These stunning items are made by Sarah Jennings and would you believe it she makes them all from paper napkins.  I chatted to Sarah when I visited the market last month and she was happy to share with me exactly how she makes these beautiful pieces.  

This snowman ornament is one of my favourites, he is just so perfectly jolly.  Exactly how a snowman should be...

I chatted to Sarah again today and she was kind enough to give me lots of tips and advice about running your own craft stall.  Which leads me to my very exciting news.

Next month I will be having my very own table at the market.  I am so excited!  I have never had a stall before.  Over the next few weeks I shall be like one of Santa's little helpers busy making things to sell.

The next market will be The Christmas Extravaganza on the 11th of December at the Clewer Youth and Community Centre on Parsonage Lane, Windsor.  Starts at 12 midday  going on until 4 pm.  They will be having a bouncy castle, raffles, name the teddy bear, the teddy bear raffle and of course all the lovely artisan stalls.  All proceeds go to Whizz Kids, a charity that works to support and transform the lives of disabled children in the UK.

So if you are local be sure to pop on by...

I made it home just in time before the rain started and treated myself to a nice cup of tea and some Salted Caramel Fudge.

Delicious!

Have a fantastic week

Catherine

x

The Gilmore Girls Blanket

Over the summer holidays, The Gilmore Girls came out on Netflix and I spent many an afternoon hanging out with Lorelai and Rory.  It's nice easy viewing, perfect to watch while indulging in some afternoon hooky.  

Having very eclectic tastes myself I love the style of Lorelai's house.  I particularly love the crochet blanket you can see in some of the episodes, draped across her sofa.  It's a beautiful pale duck egg colour (this just happens to be my most favourite colour).

I decided that I wanted to try and create something similar.  First I needed some yarn.  I discovered that Woolcraft New Fashion DK had added some new colours to their range and one of them just happened to be Duck Egg.  So I ordered some right away.  I use Woolcraft yarn a lot and particularly like it for blankets.  It's a bit thicker than some DK yarns and has a really soft almost fluffy texture.  It makes lovely squishy blankets and has a good choice of colours.  

I searched the internet for the right pattern but didn't find anything I really liked.  So I had a look in my trusty 200 Crochet Blocks for Blankets, Throws and Afghans: Crochet Squares to Mix-and-Match book by Jan Eaton.  

There was one square that was almost identical.  The Circle in a Square block.  I made up a tester square and although it looked nice I wasn't amazingly thrilled with it.  I tried another test square this time in the Willow pattern (this is probably my favourite pattern from the book...).  I was much happier with how this one looked and even though the blanket will not be exactly the same as  Lorelai's, I am hoping it will have the same overall feel to it.

I added a couple of extra rounds to the block to make the finished blanket a bit more open and lacy.

This is the first time I am making a blanket in just one colour.  I was worried I might get bored making the same square over and over, but the Willow pattern is so pretty I enjoyed making each and every one.  Many squares were made over the holidays, then School started again and it got pushed to the side.

Now that the weather is getting a bit on the chilli side I am newly inspired to finish it.  I only need a few more squares and then I can start joining.  I will probably agonise for hours over which joining method to choose and then even longer deciding on a border.

To be continued...

Have a wonderful week

Catherine

x

For daily posts please follow me over on my Facebook page.

   

The Gilmore Girls Blanket

Over the summer holidays, The Gilmore Girls came out on Netflix and I spent many an afternoon hanging out with Lorelai and Rory.  It's nice easy viewing, perfect to watch while indulging in some afternoon hooky.  

Having very eclectic tastes myself I love the style of Lorelai's house.  I particularly love the crochet blanket you can see in some of the episodes, draped across her sofa.  It's a beautiful pale duck egg colour (this just happens to be my most favourite colour).

I decided that I wanted to try and create something similar.  First I needed some yarn.  I discovered that Woolcraft New Fashion DK had added some new colours to their range and one of them just happened to be Duck Egg.  So I ordered some right away.  I use Woolcraft yarn a lot and particularly like it for blankets.  It's a bit thicker than some DK yarns and has a really soft almost fluffy texture.  It makes lovely squishy blankets and has a good choice of colours.  

I searched the internet for the right pattern but didn't find anything I really liked.  So I had a look in my trusty 200 Crochet Blocks for Blankets, Throws and Afghans: Crochet Squares to Mix-and-Match book by Jan Eaton.  

There was one square that was almost identical.  The Circle in a Square block.  I made up a tester square and although it looked nice I wasn't amazingly thrilled with it.  I tried another test square this time in the Willow pattern (this is probably my favourite pattern from the book...).  I was much happier with how this one looked and even though the blanket will not be exactly the same as  Lorelai's, I am hoping it will have the same overall feel to it.

I added a couple of extra rounds to the block to make the finished blanket a bit more open and lacy.

This is the first time I am making a blanket in just one colour.  I was worried I might get bored making the same square over and over, but the Willow pattern is so pretty I enjoyed making each and every one.  Many squares were made over the holidays, then School started again and it got pushed to the side.

Now that the weather is getting a bit on the chilli side I am newly inspired to finish it.  I only need a few more squares and then I can start joining.  I will probably agonise for hours over which joining method to choose and then even longer deciding on a border.

To be continued...

Have a wonderful week

Catherine

x

For daily posts please follow me over on my Facebook page.

   

Glorious Sunshine and Sandy Beaches

I can't get over the weather we have been having lately and it's almost November.  We are spending a well earned weekend away by the seaside...

Just look at those skies!  The beach here at Camber is one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen.  It stretches for miles.  The sea a distant patch of blue on the horizon while the tide is out.

Meandering streams and pools remind you just how far it's travelled and the glorious sun glistens and sparkles on the water.

Little T is in his element.  Splashing in the water, sailing his Frisbee along the fast current of the streams, chasing after it laughing and giggling.

There was of course digging and castle building...

and collecting pebbles for mummy.

We treated ourselves to a Full English at a beach cafe with steaming mugs of tea.  Then back to our chalet...

for some pebbly hooky!

Bye for now...

Catherine

x

Glorious Sunshine and Sandy Beaches

I can't get over the weather we have been having lately and it's almost November.  We are spending a well earned weekend away by the seaside...

Just look at those skies!  The beach here at Camber is one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen.  It stretches for miles.  The sea a distant patch of blue on the horizon while the tide is out.

Meandering streams and pools remind you just how far it's travelled and the glorious sun glistens and sparkles on the water.

Little T is in his element.  Splashing in the water, sailing his Frisbee along the fast current of the streams, chasing after it laughing and giggling.

There was of course digging and castle building...

and collecting pebbles for mummy.

We treated ourselves to a Full English at a beach cafe with steaming mugs of tea.  Then back to our chalet...

for some pebbly hooky!

Bye for now...

Catherine

x