Wreaths

Slowly but surely our little cottage is being transformed into a Christmas haven.  I have been adding little bits and pieces each day and moving things around for the perfect look.  There is still a major gap in the decor the TREE.  Unforunately we had a very unwelcome visitor to the attic earlier in the year, a tiny mouse.  Tiny in stature maybe but it did cause a lot of damage to our beloved Christmas tree.  Everything was checked and sorted at the time but as there was no damage to the box we didn't check the tree.  The damage was discovered when we opened the box, it had eaten its way through all of the berries and cones.  I am sure you can imagine the mess.  Consequently we have no tree as yet...

I love a wreath at ay time of the year in all its guises, let me take you on a little tour.

This is the one that greets you if you enter the cottge through the front porch.  Made from an old curtain to match the pelmet made for the window.

Whilst this will welcome you into the kitchen if you enter the cottage via the side porch.  Made from the excess trim from the process of making Harris Tweed.

In the bedroom I have one hanging from a cupboard made from scraps of Harriws Tweed.  The second one is a momento from our daughters wedding, crocheted with love.

I enjoy the process of making them and using different materials to experiement with texture and style.  Here are the three hanging in the main room of the cottage.

Each one a fun make and adding to the ambience of our home.  The final wreath today is one that was made for the table an Advent wreath.

Each Sunday, we celebrate Advent by enjoying afternoon tea together and focus on the lighting of the candles.  This week I made some very tasty cupcakes using a tradional sponge mix and then adding mincemeat.  The topping is a cinnammon icing with a pecan, the other one a grated peel and the juice of a clemantine.  The taste of Christas in a mouthful.

Bark was made using plain, milk and white chocolate topped with dried fruit and nuts with some broken candy canes.  Very tasty and a great addition to the orange and cranberry trifle.  It is a tradition that has been passed on to our daughters who now in turn enjoy the process with their own children.  I love that family traditions are passed down through the generations.  Have you any traditions that have been passed on?

Christmas is fast approaching and I am enjoying each and every moment.

Take care and stay safe.

See you soon. 

Latest Makes

Quite a windy day again today not conducive for a long walk but I am going to have a stroll up to the Charity shop.  A short walk and a little time out of the cottage.  I have finally finished clearing out my wardrobe and have some very nice things to donate.  I also have a small pile of bits that I am keeping to make a rag rug.

Thursday I registered to join a slimming group that is organised by NHS Western Isles, the weight has crept on throughout the Winter as we have not been as active.  Lesson learnt and facing the consequences too of over eating whilst away at Christmas/New Year.  I need to keep a diary of what I eat/drink, hopefully this will help.

The crochet wreath is finished and already to be packed up for a gift.  I enjoyed the process, it was a delight to sort through my large collection of buttons.  Even the wool used was a reminder of previous projects so really enjoyable.

The mixture of lace and wool flowers, with the addition of a bird added to the interest and texture.

It was fun laying it out and changing it around using florist pins.

I used a couple of designs to make the flowers and of course different sizes so there were no gaps.

A wired ribbon added to the top to finish it all off.

I have also covered a plain notebooks with fabric to make a new journal.  Also a tweed covered notebook for recording my food diary,

First of all I made a flower out of the lace and ribbon to make a button for the elastic.

The fabric was glued to the front of the notebook and wooden tiles added.

The smaller notebook was made using tweed and then a wooden cut out glued on.  A small wooden button sewn onto the elastic for ease.

A quick and easy make but one that I really enjoyed.

Thank you for all your comments, they are greatly appreciated.  The dies are in fact for cutting paper for use with making cards, scrapbooks and my journal.  I will show you later in the week how it is done. 

The airport shop was in fact The Gordon Castle Shop selling Gin in engraved bottles, herb garden toiletries and all things Scottish it was indeed a feast for the eyes on so many levels.  Whilst I didn't buy anything it as a great shop for a gift.

As always I do thank you for your visit.

See you soon.

Glorious Red Skies

This morning we have awoke to another dreich day, damp and misty not tempting me to go out at all.  So I think it will be a craft day today, working on some of the things that I have started.  Although we do have plans for a film and curry evening tonight. 

I have been working on a lacy Spring cowl for a gift using alpaca yarn left over from another project.  It just needs to be stitched/crocheted into the round.

I will show you it when it is finished.  I love how delicate the pattern is and will due to its neutral colour go with any outfit.

I am also working on a crochet wreath, a start has been made on covering the wreath.  I am using wool from local sheep and spun on the Island.  It has numerous colours through it and reminds me of the ever changing colours of the moorland.

I have already made some flowers using vintage lace and buttons from my massive collection.

It is now my intention to crochet some flowers.

I have just finished another flower brooch, this time with the addition of a ladybird button.  I like to have a small gift ready now and again for a little friend and neighbour who I craft with on occasion.

There has been some progress made on Honey's blanket, albeit slowly.

I am also plodding along with my Christmas scrapbook and have been enjoying the process.  Making some cards for the next few months is on the list to do.  So plenty to be getting on with and keep me busy.

Yesterday we awoke to beautiful red skies and sat for sometime looking out of the window nursing a cup of tea.  It was spectacular and in truth the photos do not do it justice.

A beautiful awakening.

As always I thank you for your visit and hope you find something of interest, I also thank you for your uplifting comments.  A warm welcome to new followers I do hope you enjoy my little adventures through life.

See you soon.

Craft Update

We had a wonderful time at the soup and pudding event, there were so many different desserts it was difficult to decide which one to have.  So many friendly people made it so easy to chat, making the event even better than we could ever have imagined.  Gerard enjoys football so went along to the local match last night and again was made to feel very welcome.


I have been trying to catch up with some of the craft projects that needed finishing.  I started a wreath sometime ago but couldn't finish it because some of the things that I needed were packed up ready for our move.  I have since unpacked and was able to finish it off.

The bulk of the work had already been done, just needing buttons and all attaching to the ring.  I love the end result.

Although I loved it, the colour combination was perfect for the lounge I did feel it was a little small and didn't have the impact that I wanted.  So, I set to work with a wire frame and some fabric left over from the curtains and lounge furnishings and made a rag wreath.  I think it is quite striking and fits in with the character of the cottage.

I may add a large burlap bow, if only I could remember where I put it when  unpacking.  My small crafting space is taking a little getting used to.  The smaller wreath will be a wonderful addition to the bedroom.

I have trimmed a top sheet with some vintage lace, again adding a little character and age to the room.

I have finally finished the furniture in the bedroom using a roll of wallpaper found at the car boot sale for £1 when doing the tour of the family. 

I have also added a couple of hangers made using a stag stamp and adding a bow using some ribbon from my stash.

Hope everyone had a lovely bank holiday or weekend, apart from a little rain yesterday evening the weather was good to us here.  As always I thank you for your comments and e-mails I will get back to you all as soon as I can.  Take care.

See you soon.