Happy Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Friday, 21 December 2012
Tuesday, 18 December 2012
Come for a cuppa….
It is in times of sadness that when hearts are broken and no
words can express any sympathy, that there is nothing better than to share a
tear or two over a nice cup of tea.
Especially with women I find this most therapeutically. Just
the sound of the boiling of the kettle, the water pouring…the aroma.. The
silence and the pour out of the heart to one another. These things bring us so much closer and it is if the tea can
heal and wash away our sorrows.
When I first heard about the shooting deaths in America last week in Newtown (and for that same
reason any deaths on the news) I silently slip into the kitchen and make a brew
whilst shedding a tear or two. It is if the tea brings calmness and comfort.
I think back to the morning my mum passed away. In
1999. My one sister and I were sitting
with her when she went…a kind nurse brought us each a steaming cup of sweet tea
and no words were spoken, but the act of kindness and the comfort it brought at
that moment will stay with me forever.
I love having tea in Turkey. No words are exchanged during a tea session (language
barrier) but eyes and hands speak more than words can ever express and some of
the most enjoyable tea sessions I have had was there.
My sisters Clarissa Rudd and Priscilla Kelly take their tea
drinking to new levels by offering tea in the most beautiful mugs and cups and
it just is a pleasure to sit and chat
and admire all the lovely colours and ambiance when having a cuppa with them.
Each cup tells its own story. All sorts of tea are on offer
there…Rooibos, Earl Grey, Mint and many more – each one a ‘Queen’ of teas.
Here are but a few of their everyday use tea cup collection.
The ‘Tea cupboard’ was restored by them and all the wall hangings made and
décor done by them. each tell a story. Enjoy!
 |
| A friendly Tea corner - ready for a cuppa? |
Cat Skills –Behind every gifted woman there is often a rather talented cat’…..and it looks like this talented cat is sitting right there on a wall plate next to the cups!
Cat Skills –
Behind every gifted woman there is often a rather talented cat’
 |
| Colourful Happy Display in use everyday |
 |
| Cupboards restored by them |
Happy Crafting
and do stop and share
a cuppa along the way!
Luvvies
Thursday, 13 December 2012
Recycle…
As the 2012 is walking towards a
new year for most of us, it is time to sit back and take stock of how much did
we waste this last year, Time, food, material, money, words…anything really. As
we are only given one life on this earth we should grab life by both hands and
arms and embrace and enjoy it to the fullest,
but at the same time use this phrase : ‘’Waste no want not’’.
In the new Year ahead I will
personally try and strife to recycle recycle
recycle. I will walk a new road – a road where nothing is wasted and
everything is used until it is no more/ most of our society has gone haywire
with the need for speed and if something does not work/suit our needs most of
us just ‘chuck’ it and go out and get new…I trust my new year will have a choice
of roads full of love for recycling - a road of clothes to be revamped – a road
of unwanted furniture to be given a new lease on life and other roads…all to be
revamped.
I have now started at my own
front door. I cleared the loft and most
of the unwanted goods did not go to landfill, but found new homes on our local
Free cycle. Ones clutter is another’s treasure. Some unloved cushion covers looked dreary and sad and I started
revamping them…give them a new lease on life and also using odd pieces of fabric
in doing so… hope and trust I will keep up with this revamping….
 |
| Odd pieces of material became a center piece♥ |
 |
| A bit of handwork involved...♥ |
 |
| Scrap pieces of material+old cushion cover = Finished ♥ |
 |
| Vibrant colours to give new lease of life ♥ |
 |
| Ready to give new life...♥ |
 |
| All ready and new for another few years♥ |
STOP – THINK – RECYCLE –
Happy Crafting!
Luvvies
Sunday, 9 December 2012
On this day….
Many many moons ago I first made
contact with the outside world in the form of a very small screaming little
human being….Yes, it is my birthday today and I do not feel any older or wiser. Alas, I have no parents left to see where I am in life, so my husband and I are now the parent generation for the ones behind me. Soon we will fade away as well to make way for a new leader of the family unit...and life will carry on...
Much water has since passed under the bridge since the day I was born and here I am
now. Sitting in a comfortable chair of life, thanks to those around me and
close to me.
It often makes me think…what is life all about? Sometimes I just
wonder and ‘close my eyes’ and just hear the world goes by around me. I hear
about some good / some bad /some uglies going on in the world and the question
always come back to me – what is life all about? This question often surfaces
when I sit and knit / crotchet or do some handwork and my thoughts start
drifting off when the silence- apart from the music and the talking on the
radio – the question takes hold of my tic toc brain.
I do not know if I will ever get
the answer anywhere- no book or word has yet been able to supply me with
acceptable answers, so I will just carry on as is and enjoy the moment and keep
crafts alive which feeds the inner soul satisfaction of creating and be busy
like a bee. No time for idle hands in our family circle!
Here is a beanie I specially
knitted for my grand daughter – snow white and snugly.
 |
| Snow white snuggly cuddly beanie |
 |
| Another peach coloured one |
 |
| Little coloured ruffles and cables for decoration... |
 |
| Another blue and ruffled one - all made from bits and bobs of left-over wool |
With all this knitting at least
my hands stay occupied and my tic toc brain busy with colours and patterns to
bright up the grey skies outside.
My mind wonder to the lovely
little saying nr 957 by Marion Kaplinsky:
‘’People would enjoy life more
if, once they got what they wanted, they could remember how much they wanted
it.’’
Happy Crafting
take time to sit
back now the craft markets are slowing down
and it is time to craft for
oneself.
Luvvies
Saturday, 1 December 2012
Cold….a New month
Today is the beginning of a new
month, but also the end of the year month. I was woken up with a chill round
the chin this morning , as our heating is turned down a tat lower than usual
(to save…) . I was on my phone and first thing after having a coffee to wake
me, I checked the weather….Hmmm not very nice picture regarding me turning the
heating down – We are ‘expected’ to have light snow showers…
I went to have my own shower to
get ready for another day having a little market stall with my goodies I make.
On a positive note, even if I do not sell anything today, I am sure I will meet
some lovely people out there who braved the cold to come out. At least the sun
is shining!
How many times do we not wake up
with a cold feeling and it has nothing to do with the weather – you just know
that things are not what they should be and a cold shiver runs through your
soul and mind down your spine. It is times like these that we need support from
one another – it may just be a reassuring smile/ a kind word spoken or a hug
over a cuppa.
Do not be afraid what the ‘world’
think about your life and your business. If it is in the open it is so much
easier to deal with . My hubbie does a lot of family research(genealogy) and
sometimes he hits a brick wall – all because nobody wants to talk about a
relative long gone, as they are too ashamed of what the individual did (messy
divorce or even murder) but we must never forget the unconditional love:
Love is patient
Love is kind
Love does not envy
Love does not boast
Love is not rude
Love is not proud
Love always protect
Love always trusts
Love always hope
And this is this HOPE that removes the cold from soul
and mind.
 |
| HeartCrafts Market Stall 28.11.12 - All Saints Primary School |
Here are some things to warm to old heart and head…all made
with love!
 |
| HeartCrafts Market stall 01.12.12 - Kingsthorpe Grove Primary School |
 |
| Sister CLARISSA RUDD from Jeffreysbay made me a little birthday book many moons ago and these words she wrote are so true-keep them in your heart♥ |
Happy Crafting
and remember to
brave the cold with kind
words and thoughts!
Luvvies.
P.S. It did not snow after all...butnow at 20H40 it is already -1. Brrrrrrr
Sunday, 25 November 2012
Unconditional Love.
Unconditional Love - from the Heart
I was travelling this week and heard this mother screaming and shouting at her child – and that in
front of other people. My heart cringed for this child…He was a child no
more-- in his teens. No matter could have been so terrible and
evil that the child had to endure this humiliation and belittling in front of
others…….and she just carried on an on….bringing up matters totally unrelated
to the matter on hand…she was revenging all her cropped anger at this poor
human being-and the child had nowhere to run. I could only sit and watch…it
made me so sad and my tic tok brain wandered to the lyrics of Sugarman ….Won’t ya hurry coz I’m tired
of these scenes…an urgency to escape the pains and conflict….
This makes me think, how many
times do we lash out in anger at small insignificant things because we have
built up anger inside our souls and mind. Sometimes it is useful to STOP THINK
and COUNT TO TEN and then talk in a kind matter – a different approach to the
matter will bring so much more calmness and maybe a lesson to the child – I am
worth something, if I err, I will be kindly showed the way and go and err no
more….maybe I am not what you expect me to be, but I can try...I am human-I have feelings and a soul and I am on a journey to manhood, but still a child.
It is love that we need in
situations like this – unconditional love and plenty of it. Here is a physical
example of love – in the shape of little love wire hangings made by my grand
daughter. Each one made with lots of love and attention and maybe they will
someday find their way into a house where lots of love is needed along with
kind words spoken and may they will radiate love and understanding.
 |
| Unconditional Love .... |
 |
| Love is kind and forgiving...does not act in anger |
 |
| Love asks nothing in return... |
May you all have a fantastic week of Love -
Unconditional Love and Happy Crafting!
Luvvies
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Humble…
Humble…
Tonight I feel so very humble but at the same time happy.
As any normal human being, we all need reassurance that we belong
somewhere. For me this was a
very big adjustment when we moved country and continent ….Everything was new
and on top of that I moved to be with my husband who was working in Northern
Ireland at that stage….I can speak English, but never understood when someone addressed me in the little
village where we stayed….they were all so friendly and welcoming, but alas the
language barrier was a problem for me.
Moving again (my husband does
contract work) made me realise how many ‘English languages’ there are in
England, not to mention the warm people in the Shetland Islands. I always felt
‘left out’ as sometimes the dialect went over my head.
Here is a beanie I made from some lovely coloured wool.
.
 |
| BUT .... I JUST CARRIED ON KNITTING AND CRAFTING.... |
Then……I discovered the written
word and that made me happy. I can now communicate by word on paper and not
word to ear. I started to write my blog – and then my Facebook page to try and
express who I really am…and when I looked tonight….there were 93 LIKES on my
Facebook page and over 1596 hits on my blog......
Me, a simple person who does not
excel in anything special, could make people happy by just reading and looking
at the crafts I make. It makes me feel special – I do not want to compete with
anyone, I just want to share the beauty in life – and when my tears fall whilst
listening to the war torn world and children and mothers being killed all over
the world… I am happy that somewhere out there I can bring a little bit of
happiness. I have quite a few women from the war torn countries who like to
look and share my simple patterns. I do make a difference even if it is only to
a few.
My sisters, who are also very
keep crafters do not have the facilities and equipment to share their crafts
with the world – that is why I do it for them – let someone be enriched out
there, just looking and enjoying it! We
all craft for the love of it and that is a lovely way to live our lives!
At last I belong – to a group of
people who can share the love of crafting!
Here is a lovely piece of work
from sister Priscilla Kelly– from Jeffreysbay - all made from recycled bits and bobs.
 |
| A shoe fit for Cinderella |
 |
| An old picture frame done up with leaded glass |
Happy crafting and make a
difference/reach /inspire
just ONE person today!
Luvvies
Sunday, 18 November 2012
Music…Craft
Music…Craft
The world famous, our
beloved British Shakespeare once said : ‘’ if music be the food of love;
play on. Music touches our souls in strange ways…’
That is how I personally feel when I start making
something, therefore I will say:
If crafting be the food of the hands; craft on. Crafting
touches our souls in strange ways…’’
 |
| Crafting touches our souls in strange ways… |
How lovely it is to sit in quiet or noise / order or chaos –
and make something new out of something different. This weekend I was blessed
to have chaos here in our little housie.
Two teenage grand children with a friend. How more chaotic
can you get, especially if we are all thrown together in a confined space due
to weather.
I fell asleep for an hour on Saturday afternoon with the
noise of Xbox in my ears and talking of teens all talking at the same time…when
I realised I was awake again, I stumbled downstairs for a cuppa and was greeted
with my granddaughter ‘making’ music on the computer. If ever you thought the crazy Frog was annoying….think again…..
Feeling so much stronger (and awake) I ventured upstairs
again to finish off the little heart I was busy with as well as the two little
birdies.
 |
| Vibrant and red.. |
 |
| Alive and Chirpy... |
 |
| MADE WITH LOVE |
That heart and birds touched my soul in many ways – for years to come I will remember sewing them in amongst this chaos of noise /chatter/ laughter. I will remember how my soul was touched with the brilliant colours of the materials – it will make me think back on the youths around me – vibrant/brave/and alive – just like the colour of the material I was working with – it touched my soul.
Happy Crafting and
''If crafting be the food of the hands; craft on.''
Luvvies x
Tuesday, 13 November 2012
Long long time ago…
Long long time ago…
How lovely is it not to sit back,
close the old eyes and let the tic tok brain drift to years gone by…and this is just what I did today.
My mother use to do a lot of sewing for us children, the
neighbours and the church ladies. She was a master with a needle and thread.
Her old Singer was huge and had a treadle at the bottom which use to go
backwards and forwards and then in the early 60’s my dad bought her an electric
Singer, which became part of our household.
Being a sickly child (had
rheumatic fever) I used to sit for hours and hours watching her whilst the
other siblings were at school – I remember the two younger sisters were always
playing on the floor amongst the pieces of materials and me, watching from the
bed.
On the back veranda was a ‘magic’
box. It was an old tea chest and inside it was filled with 100’s pieces of
material from dresses/bed spreads etc
she used to make. Many a time a ‘patchwork’ cushion/bedspread saw the light to
our delight.
 |
| inside it was filled with 100’s pieces of material ... a chest from a faraway country....a treasure for us! |
Why am I talking about this
today? Why is my mind drifting to those ‘carefree sewing days? My daughter who
has a finger in the Vintage industry gave me some lovely 100% cotton pieces of
material today to do ‘something’ with. There are a few dresses from many moons
ago and make me think about that tea
chest – I closed my eyes and that is what I can remember…the 50 & 60’s
patterns….
On a remembering note, how nice
is it to remember those day and have a look what sisters Priscilla and Clarissa
did with some pre-loved doors. They changed them into a pin board and more memories
are pinned on these doors for generations to come.
 |
| ...changed them into a pin board and more memories are pinned on these doors for generations to come.... |
Today my grand daughter is into
my ‘materials’ – alas, there is no tea chest, but a very tough plastic
container. No story to tell from where it came from- just clinical and
practical. How my mum used to tell us stories from the countries far away from
where the tea chests came from….but that was long ago…….
Happy crafting and enjoy today to become a good memory for
tomorrow!
Luvvies.
Thursday, 8 November 2012
My autumn years are approaching…
My autumn years are approaching…
What makes us do what we do?
I was raking leaves in the
garden. A task I really enjoy as it takes me out of the warm cosy house with a
purpose; also to get some fresh air and to admire the fantastic colours of the
leaves that are slowly falling from the trees. This is a task I perform every
morning.
As I mentioned before, I love all colours, but today these
browns/maroon/yellow patterns were again just so amazing…reminded me that I am
entering my personal autumn years.
By being devoted
raking these leaves each morning, no matter what the weather, I feel liberated
and feel some self-respect for myself for being so devoted.
1. The
decking stays clean
2. The grass gets the full sun it needs
3. I get some exercise and fresh air
4. It
keeps the yard ‘tidy’– see there, 4 birds with one stone.
It may sound a bit egotistic
feeling good about one self every now and then. More than often we have a low
opinion and even lower expectation of ourselves, because we know ourselves so
well and just a few words from someone can break us down-make us feel like we
are worth nothing. Sometimes theses words, deeds, that were spoken/done against
us, still sit in the back of our minds and make us feel useless and unloved.
Today with the raking of the
leaves and breathing in the lovely cold crisp
air, I made up my mind- my little tic toc brain – I am strong I will
survive – like the old saying goes :- sticks and stones can break my bones, but
words will never ever hurt me again! So on that note I will soldier on with
those who love/accept me unconditionally and wave good-bye to those who do not.
A new era in my autumn years has arrived!
Attached are some love hearts and
sewing books I made yesterday. All inspired by the new me and the browns of the
leaves.
 |
| Busy making 'Love Hearts' with love |
 |
| African Print love hearts all ready to be loved by someone special |
 |
| Little sewing books being 'filled' with needles and thread |
 |
| Four little sewing books all ready and done! |
With that liberated attitude -
Happy Crafting whatever you make
and may it be a success you can be proud of!
Luvvies
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
I take my hat off…
I take my hat off…
After having our little cherub here from early afternoon and
sleeping over here last night (he is 21 months) I just flopped into bed last
night without even brushing my teeth!
Hope he did not notice. I read up for more activities to do with him and one suggested...shaving cream! He did have a lot of fun!
I take my hat off for mothers who try and work (especially
at home) that has to entertain a little one. After crawling round on my knees
(full of arthritis) and chasing him around the house like a dinosaur this morning, then it was the potty session,
the crayon drawing, the play dough, the outside walk….I am exhausted! And may I
add this was only for, oh well, 24 hours now.
I did try to knit a bit while he was engrossed with Bob the
Builder, but that only lasted about 10 minutes. I must say, I do love Bob’s
little patchwork blanket at the end. Wonder who made it? Any ideas?
My tic toc brain is now consumed with ‘’Can he do it – YES
HE CAN!’’ How positive is that. This is how I feel now with renewed energy
after a strong cuppa of good old English tea. My sewing and knitting is my next
challenge after my 24-hour ‘play’ with little cherub.
For all those crafting busy mums, here is a special welcome
for you and enjoy the little bundle of
Joys in your lives! Happy crafting!
This cross stitch sampler was made by sister
CLARISSA RUDD
from Jeffreys bay.
 |
| For all those crafting busy mums out there, here is a special welcome bunch of flowers for you : enjoy the little bundle of Joy in your lives! |
Luvvies
xx
Monday, 5 November 2012
A Smile…
A Smile…
 |
| SMILE... |
I was asked by some lovely lady. (Bless her soul) Why do you write a
blog ? Who do you write a blog for?
I could not give a specific
answer, but that is just that I used to keep a diary for years and years and
sometimes your thoughts that are not shared get lost and they stay isolated and
lonely inside a book – all locked away.
With the blog I can write what I
feel and because I am alone for days on end some times, it is better to write
and talk to the blog than to the wall (like Shirley Valentine) one of my
favourite movies of all times as I can relate to her (talking to the wall)
 |
| My blog is written with love in my heart - each one of us deserves a place in the sun |
At least here on the blog, the
blog sometimes talks back to me via email and I feel there is life out there!!
(Hello ET) These bouncing backs make me smile…which brings me to another
subject.
I read a very sad beginning of a
story I started reading:
’’ Before I used to climb into
bed with a smile. One day, when I woke, my smile was missing. I searched and
searched, but my smile was no more…and with that my heart became sore’’
I hope to be able to read the
rest without tears in my heart.
 |
| Little bits of scraps become something unique... |
 |
| All shapes and sizes become one unit... Quilting is a work of LOVE... |
If we share empathy and love with
others who has physical and heart aching situations – sometimes just plain
common human needs – and we stretch a
helping hand it brings a smile to your inner soul and those around you.
We need to smile to bring comfort and pleasure to those
around us. Smiles are contagious they can make your outlook change. This is the complete picture of the x-stitch - done my my arty sister CLARISSA RUDD from Jeffreys bay.
 |
| I LOVE QUILTS - THIS SAYS IT ALL! |
Givers and takers...
"I believe the world is divided in three groups: givers, takers and the few that can balance both impulses. Giving and loving is a beautiful thing. It is the currency of compassion and kindness, it is what separates good people from the rest. And without it, the world would be a bleak place. If you are a giver, it is wise to define your boundaries because takers will take what you allow them to; all givers must learn to protect that about themselves or eventually, there is nothing left to give."
- Tiffany Madison –
"I believe the world is divided in three groups: givers, takers and the few that can balance both impulses. Giving and loving is a beautiful thing. It is the currency of compassion and kindness, it is what separates good people from the rest. And without it, the world would be a bleak place. If you are a giver, it is wise to define your boundaries because takers will take what you allow them to; all givers must learn to protect that about themselves or eventually, there is nothing left to give."
- Tiffany Madison –
Thanks to lovely Reinet Hill who shared these words with me, so now I can share it with you too!
Luvvies.
xxxxxx
Sunday, 4 November 2012
Cards cards…
Cards cards…
I am bombarded with cards! Cards in all shapes and sizes. A
little bit off the track for crafts,
but then the words -card and crafts
sound good together and today this is on my tic toc brain – I am busy clearing clutter in handbags and drawers - do I really need /
want all these cards?
Have you looked in your handbag lately how many cards you
have, which is necessary in today’s life?
Well, here goes mine…
Bank cash card
Bank credit card
Library card
Staples rewards card
(stationey) get rewards
Shell Drivers Club
card (fuel) get rewards
Gardening Club
(plants etc) get rewards
Toysrus (toys etc)
get rewards
House of Fraser - get
rewards
House of Frasier Café - get rewards
BonMarche Bonus club
- get rewards
Blockbusters – movies
- get rewards
Matalan – clothes -
get rewards
Gamestation – xbox etc
- get rewards
Priorityclub –
Holiday Inns - get rewards
SubWay – (food) - get
rewards
Zara Beauty Shop -
get rewards
Nando’s – (food) -
get rewards
Pampered soles
(beauty) - get rewards
Holland & Barrett
- get rewards
Café Nero – coffee -
get rewards
Tesco Club - get
rewards
Vodaphone – pay as
you go - get rewards
Boots - get rewards
Co-Op - get rewards
So according to all these cards, I should be a very rich
lady, not paying for many things with all the rewards so graciously bestowed on
me.
The sad part is that I cleaned
/cleared out my filing for the last 6 months and away in the recycling went all
those vouchers and special discounts coupons received which I forgot about /
never used. How many of us do that on a daily basis? We hope for something for
‘free’ but at the end of the day
nothing is for free. Although my heart skips a beat when I get to spend some
point at Boots / Tesco!!!
I have another special file in
which all business cards go. How I like to collect these things!
So let me get on with my filing
and clearing – should be finish by tonight, as well as getting hubbie’s books
‘up to date’.
On that cardie note – My pretty new
business cards have been designed by http://www.yasminenaylor.com/
and should be here on Tuesday. It makes me feel so 'important' to be going to hand out 'business cards'.!
 |
| So be on the look out for this photo which should be appearing on a card in the nearby future. Another one to add to my collection!! Happy Crafting and do check out all your cards!
Luvvies
xx
|
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Rooms – a place to escape to.
Rooms – a place to escape to.
I was busy ‘sorting’ my photos on
my last visit to my sisters and this made me think about rooms. A private place
to escape to – to rest in – to just lie back and think….(or read) and how does hubbie and I enjoy it every time!
What is more enjoyable to bake a
cake with the eggs your hens gave you, milk from your own cows? It tastes
better and is most probably healthier as well as well as the satisfaction of
being part of the baking process instead of being ‘processed’.
The same principle above applies to crafters. What a soul
fulfilment and enjoyment to lie in a bed – all home made, under covers made by
your own hands, pillows crafted with love and attention, decorations on the
walls made to detail and –again with passion. The love of creating. The love of
creating something out of nothing and then to sit back and give praise for
hands that are able to make these things and a mind to be so creative to put
the ideas into practise!
As mentioned in previous blogs, I
come from a family where everything was made from scratch. My dad used to be a
lecturer (he passed away) and a keen woodworker. This love of the wood was
carried over to my brother and my sister – Yes! My sister Priscilla (apart from
being a brilliant needle/knit etc etc) she builds her own furniture to her own taste! Sister Clarissa (she is a
librarian) can put her hand to ANYTHING and it always comes out tops –Brother
Benjamin (although having a MSc) he choose a path with wood and now creates the
most stunning pieces of furniture. Combine all these talents and you get….
 |
| Sister Clarissa did all crotchet/patch/x-stitch work / glass lamp Brother Ben the bed/ Sister Priscilla made the bed side cabinets |
 |
| Brother Ben made the sleigh bed / Sister Priscilla patchwork/shelves/teddies/mirror frame |
 |
| Sister Clarissa made the patchwork / x-stitch / lamp shade etc etc Late dad - the lamp stand Sister Priscilla the bed side cupboards |
 |
| Cinderella Shoe decorated by sister Clarissa All pretty earrings have a place! |
No matter how ‘hopeless’ you
think you are – JUST TRY and try again and the satisfaction of any end product
will spur you to put your hand to more
and more crafts…and soon, very soon, you will be crafting to perfection!
Keep on crafting, no matter how –
remember it is the inner soul satisfaction that makes life worthwhile!
Happy crafting and have a lovely
weekend and KEEP on crafting, no matter at what level!
Luvvies
xx
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