Author: Crystal MoonCat

There are many tutorials on the net for making your own pattern weights. This one is one of my favourites. I was tempted to make my own but instead I’ve been using these.

I pick them up in charity shops for between 50p and £1.50 and I’m sure I could get them even cheaper at jumble and car boot sales (note to self – add to my wish list for when car boot sales start up again in the Spring). The round ones all have a green felt backing so there are no rough edges to tear the pattern tissue.
Actually I could see myself becoming a bit of a collector of these things. I had a bit of a trawl around Google and I would definitely like to get my paws on these two!


They are really pretty.
I was going to post a video of my embroidery machine Helena (my machines have names – my vintage Singer is called Persephone) working her way around my latest creation for Valentine’s day, but by the time I remembered she had finished. Never mind. I will video the Celtic design I’ll be sewing tomorrow.
Sláinte,
Linda xx

We’ve arrived in 2013, it’s stopped raining and the sun’s come out and there are blue skies! I can see loads of happy dog walkers on the Downs. I’m taking that as a good omen for the year ahead.
It’s amazing that even in the deepest, darkest depths of winter you can go out and still find colour in gardens and hedgerows. I found this lonely pink rose bravely blooming it’s little heart out this morning. I wanted to photograph it so it’s efforts would be rewarded by being on the ‘net for all the world to see!

Even more colour around……

Purple Hebe flower.

Red berries for the birds
And waiting in the wings for their turn to bloom


Even the trees are still colourful and interesting


And finally my favourite winter flower the Hellebore……

Indoors I’m working on a lovely black glitter scarf for myself, the pattern was generously provided by this lady

And Dalek bibs and knitted tea cosies seem to be very popular in my Etsy shop right now. My embroidery machine is whirring away and my knitting needles are clacking!!
Until tomorrow,  Linda xx

I never make resolutions, I make restitutions! I reckon that resolutions are really made to fix up what’s not gone right in the previous year. So what are my Restitutions for 2013. Well here they are and as they say on Strictly they are  in no particular order………….

Take the guitar down from the wall and get strumming. I’ll never be the next Clapton but I would like to learn a tune or two to delight and amaze at parties.

Finish off all my UFOs (unfinished objects) that are currently languishing in drawers, backs of cupboards and tops of wardrobes. I could restock Hobbycraft single handed!

Get to know my beautiful embroidery machine inside out and be able to rethread my overlocker/serger blindfolded and with one arm tied behind my back. It took me a whole evening to work out how to thread it when I first got it. I’d like to improve on that.

And skills, need to practice my crochet, sewing and writing skills. They say it takes an amount 10,000 hours to achieve Master status at something.

So in 2013 if I never slept or ate I would be able to get 8,760 hours under my belt. So I could almost reach Master level, I would be knackered but what the hell. Must put a few large jars of strong coffee on my shopping list for next time.

My winter sale has started in my shop!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CrystalMoonCat

Thought I’d unchain myself from the craft room and get a bit of fresh air. I love going round the local RSPB reserve, a lovely walk and they do a cracking cuppa in their cafe.
A really misty murky day but loads of birds to be seen. Caught a glimpse of a Jay and a Green Woodpecker. It was just a glimpse as they are fast little bu**ers. Mind you I did get a few shots around the reserve

There weren’t that many other walkers around, probably about half a dozen. However I did have some company for part of my walk in the form of a herd of deer. I swear they were following me, but trying to look inconspicuous at the same time. I was taking a picture of some red leaves, finished and looked back along the path to see a queue of deer waiting to jump a fence into the next field. I have never seen deer jumping fences, fantastic to watch. As I only had my 50mm lens with me It would have been a bit optimistic to think I could get a decent pic of them. But sometimes you just have to press the button anyway!

Betcha when I go back with a long lens they’ll be nowhere to be found!!!

Apologies for long absence.  I’ve been busy creating lovely new bags and purses for the shop . I’ve invested in a new embroidery sewing machine and I’m having fun experimenting with many new designs.

Also I’ve finally found Doctor Who’s T.A.R.D.I.S. It’s quite coincidental or maybe not that the new series of Doctor Who will air on Saturday 1st September with Asylum Of The Daleks
I’m off now to have a look inside and I may be some time or I might be back yesterday!

Some of my favourite pink flower photos I’ve taken over the years.    Enjoy!
                   

Pale Pink Rose  

Pink Cosmos  

Nerine

Peony

Gerbera

Rosebud

Linda xx

This is Eric the Squirrel who joins me every day for a cup of tea. Well I have the tea, Eric pilfers the wild bird seed in my home made bird feeder. I bought a big cup and saucer from a charity shop and drilled a hole through them and screwed them securely to the top of the fence post.

As you can see Eric’s got a great sense of balance. He’ll sit there quite happily for ages munching on seed and peanuts.
This is Eric looking around hidden peanuts amongst the seed.

It’s so entertaining watching him scamper along the fence to get to the tea table. I have a little chair outside just a few feet away from the fence and on sunny days we sit out there together, Eric munching and me writing or crafting. Companionable silence ensues.
You might wonder why he’s named Eric. I originally named him after an boss I had years ago (all take and no give) but as Eric has given me so much entertainment, he’s now just Eric in his own right!

Love from me ….and Eric xxxx

I love alpine plants, to me they’re small but perfectly formed! I bought some from the local garden centre at the weekend. They had a few flowers on then, but now they’ve really taken off and are blooming their little socks off!

Saxifraga Touran Neon Rose

Aubrieta Deep Purple

Houstonia Millards Variety

I bought this little Primrose because some of colours on the blooms looked like faded denim.

Primrose Zebra Blue F1

It’s so easy to get seduced into buying loads of plants this time of year. I think for me it’s because my eyes have been starved of fresh bright colours over the winter and then suddenly there’s this whole spectrum of colour in front of me tempting me to buy. The gardening equivalent of a kid in a sweetshop!

Linda xx

Thought I would go wildflower hunting at the RSPB this morning as the weather was glorious – lovely light, low Spring sun, just gorgeous. Got to the other side of the Downs and I couldn’t see 20 feet in front of me! Thick pea souper of a fog, real Jack the Ripper stuff. Forged ahead anyway as I had promised myself a pot of tea in the cafe as a treat.

Lovely trees appear really creepy in fog

AS did this quaint village church. I’ve photographed this church before with blue skies and bright flowers. What a difference the mist makes

These branches look like they are coming to get you, they wouldn’t look out of place in a Harry Potter film!

The remnants of last Autumn

This is going to be a highly desirable residence once the birds start nest building

and this is going to be a popular place to have a sit down once the warmer weather comes along. I might actually record this scene through all the seasons over the next year

And just to brighten this post here is a clutch bag that I’ve just finished making!

Linda xx