Crafty Helen @ Home

Handmade Living Magazine - Where Are You?

2012-06-01T06:03:00.000-07:00

Have any of you lovely ladies subscribed to

'Handmade Living' magazine?

Husband ~~uncharacteristically~~ thoughtfully

took out a subscription as a birthday

gift from my little people,

back in early March and I

still haven't received a single issue!

I was just wondering if anyone else

has experienced similar problems or

have I just been unlucky?

Thanks for any advice

XXX

Jubilee Fever

2012-05-22T03:54:00.001-07:00

I am not a raging Royalist

but feel that The Royal Family is, in principal

a good thing for this country

I was not swept up with excitement prior to

Kate & Will's wedding last year

but on the day I was filled with pride

and was actually shocked by how I felt

We were invited to street party and had

a super day

I wondered if this year I would tire of all

the Jubilee/Union Flag paraphernalia

which quite honestly, there is simply

no getting away from at the moment

BUT

Yesterday morning when I arrived at school

with my 3 little darlings

we found the whole playground adorned

Red white & blue bunting was hung from

the buildings, the trees,

the playground is amazing

The children & I were thrilled

and having seen their reactions I have

been busy this morning

When they come home this afternoon

they have flags to wave

and both inside

and outside have been decorated

Last night an invitation dropped through

the door for another street party

I have been gripped by Jubilee Fever

XXX

I Should Be Ashamed Of Myself!

2012-05-21T05:46:00.000-07:00

Oh my word

I really am hanging my head in shame

and may well have to re-name my blog

"Not So Crafty Helen"

We had builders here immediately after Christmas

and these things always seem to drag on for an age

in spite of their assurances that

"it will only take a couple of weeks"

Then just as they finished Husband had an

operation, and has been at home for the

past six weeks

So, this morning was my first 'me only day'

for quite some time

I truly did have good intentions

and unpacked my sewing 'to-dos'

On Saturday Daughter performed at a local

theatre, and having arrived in good time

it was only right that I popped into the

fabric shop close by

These fabrics came home with me

to make up another pattern purchased from

Sew Serendipity

Now, this reminded me that the last pattern

and fabrics remain uncut

Ooops, and then there is the dress that I

cut out last year

(I was ill, so that's my excuse for this one)

And then there is the Laura Ashley fabric for a

a new Roman blind for the almost finished

re-decorated cloakroom

Oh, and Ted

(belonged to Husband but now cared for by

Youngest Son)

He is in desperate of surgery

So, the kitchen table was covered in sewing possibilities

and what did I do?

Cleaned the laundry room

blitzed the bathrooms, then sat down with

one of these

And the reason I am so totally embarassed?

I bought this last week in an attempt to re-fuel

my craftiness

It hasn't worked

XXX

From my kitchen windows

2012-05-15T04:17:00.002-07:00

Thanks so much for all of the advice

given in response to my last post

"gently does it"

seems to be the way to go

I will be sure to let you know if any progress

is made on the decor front

Now then,

the skirt pattern has still not seen the light of day

Seems the only sewing going on here has

been name labels in the gazillion costumes

that Daughter will be wearing in her

dance show this weekend

So today, for your delectation, are the views

from my kitchen

This is the view whilst washing up

(which I seem to do too much of given that

the dishwasher goes on at least once a day)

believe it or not, there is a large wooden playhouse

underneath that mound of clematis montana

(maybe my plan to disguise it went a

little too far)?

This is looking across from the sink

where my 3 little darlings can usually be found

and this is 'my spot'

this little corner is a sheltered suntrap

just outside the kitchen French doors

where I may be found

cup of tea in hand

(prior to school pick-up)

........

or glass of wine in hand

(once they are all in bed)

and lastly, this is BBQ corner

(at least that's what I think I remember it being)

the bunting is up

the pergola is covered in fairy lights,

we just need some warm weather!

As you can see from my photos, the forecast

of sunshine and showers was, for once,

incredibly accurate!

XXX

It's Arrived.....And A Personal Question

2012-05-09T11:30:00.000-07:00

So, the pattern arrived

I was terribly excited, ordered lots of pretty fabric

and then I looked for my crafty side.....

would you credit it -
it's bloomin' well gone and done a runner!

So, should you happen to find it whilst out on your
travels please let me know

all information will be gratefully received

So, as I have no crafty offerings for you,

do you mind if I ask you something personal?

No? Thanks, well, I've been scouring Blogland

and I realise that envy is an incredibly ugly trait,

but I'm as green as Kermit

I as yet have failed to get Husband to realise that
perhaps the house could be 'prettied' a little,

(before I moved in with him we were out shopping,
I saw a pink duvet cover I liked
and he said if I moved in with I could
have whatever I wanted, decor wise)

To cut a long story short...I was conned
(and never did get the pink duvet cover)

So, I would love to know how those of you with

pretty, flowery, feminine homes convince

the men in your lives that a pretty home is the way to go?

I am trying to 'soften the edges' without him noticing

a bit of bling

my favourite flowers - he can't complain about

them now, can he?

Laura Ashley wallpaper

(acceptable because it is predominately charcoal)

and a few of these hanging off the sideboard

So, I'm getting there, but I'm still a long long way

from the uber-pretty homes that so many of you

lovely ladies have

All hints and tips will be most gratefully received

lastly, if you're still with me,

some flowers from my garden, to say "thank you"

I was blown away by your incredibly kind welcome back

Your words meant more to me than you can imagine

XXX

I think I may have found it!

2012-04-27T00:57:00.000-07:00

My crafty side that is.

It has been missing since late 2010, when I discovered that I was suffering from glandular fever.

Lots of miserable things have happened since, and consequently I have probably changed a little in the process.

But enough of me feeling sorry for myself.....I think that the crafty side of me may be re-surfacing. I have stumbled across a fantastic blog, featuring oh so pretty girly clothes....Sew Serendipity

I feel the need to find my fabrics (think they are buried somewhere in the garage), dust off the machine and sew.

Now, for all you clever crafty ladies in blogland I appreciate that this is a daily or weekly process, but for me, well, I have a little flutter of excitement just thinking about it!

I have ordered this pattern

and so desperately hope that my urge to sew does not disappear

before it wings it's way across the pond to me

I wonder how many variations I can make without the husband & children

saying 'oh no, not THAT SKIRT again'?

wish me luck, please

this is next on the wish list of things to make

XXX