Patchwork Phone Sleeves

Just uploaded these into my shop.

Orchids

I love orchids I had my first one bought for me about 6 years ago and it is still going strong and has been joined by others. I have a windowsill that they love to live on. This morning I have given them some water and moved them into their winter position on the table in the sitting room. Three quarters of them are in bud or flowering at the moment.

You can't please everyone!

I must confess I am not a football fan - today I was reminded how ignorant some people can be. As I have said I was commissioned by someone to make a Christmas present, having some material left over I decided to make a few more to put in my Folksy Shop. I put a picture on my 'Katrina Krafts' facebook page and was left a pathetic and abusive comment (needless to say they have been blocked). Was it really necessary? 

I was commissioned at my last Christmas Fair to make one of my tablet pods in Manchester Utd colours for her son.

So here you are.

Ready to go into my shop.

Be Prepared

Anyone who does crafting knows that space is a premium and I am no different. Yesterday I was sorting through some drawers and found a small box on opening it a huge blast from the past hit me.

All my Brownie and Guide badges culminating in my Queens Guide badge.
I even got the chance to see Olave, Lady Baden-Powell at a Jamboree at the Guide Camp 'Blackland Farm' in Sussex in the late 1960's. Already she was a lady in her late 70's but full of energy and singing along with us with gusto. I have a photograph tucked away somewhere I will have to find it.

 They used to be sewn onto a cushion but someone has suggested I display them in a boxed picture frame.

A job for a long winters evening so watch this space!

Stickney Christmas Fair.

Today was the Christmas Craft Fair at Stickney. It was the first time I had been there and it is a fair sized hall  and it was packed with stalls with a big array of handmade crafts.

We did fairly well and hiking polls and walking sticks flew off the stall. The down side was that the heating had decided to pack up today of all days. It was chilly but thankfully the thermals were being aired. I had a request for for some of my things in Manchester United colours. Commission taken, it has got me thinking - perhaps a few football colours!

Bags of Fun

I love making bags with a bit of class and this one is no exception.

Made from 100% grey wool with a beautiful grey/green diamond cotton lining, grey shoulder strap and embellished with these beautiful grey chevron buttons.

Caravan

In the land of the pyramids walk the 'Ship of the Desert' - the graceful camel'.

They have inspired me to make these  camel pincushions.

I

Slow Internet

Living in rural Lincolnshire is wonderful. Wide open skies, bird song, fields and trees but it does have it's draw backs. For a long time broadband has been slow or near non existent is areas. Super broadband is being rolled and life has been miserable for me during the earlier part of this year with intermittent and slow broadband.

chin 'super speed broadband is coming' we are told and when D-day arrives we are told by one of the top telephone companies - you are not wanted as a customer because you have copper cable. Shunned after many years as a customer. So we move over to a smaller company and they couldn't have been more helpful. So far my internet is good not 'super' but good. I visited Grimsby today they were busy preparing  for Christmas, putting up the Christmas tree and lights ready for the big switch on. I was amazed how quick it was to upload - only seconds and they even had a self service parcel machine in the Post Office!!

However, I prefer the countryside and less traffic so I think I shall be happier queuing in my local Post Office and waiting for things to upload. 
Mind you I could always wait til I visit family in Grimsby again.

You Little Charmer

 

I have been busy making bag charms in a variety of colours. 

An ideal gift for the lady in your life.

An ideal stocking filler.

They add an additional elegance to any bag.

Find more in my Folksy Shop

Sewing Corner

 Some lovely ideas for the one that sews.

Pincushions and sewing kits in a neat little purse.

Each purse contains a pair of 

red sewing snips, a tape measure, a needle threader and an assortment of needles.

The proof is in the Pudding....!

 The old adage 

'The proof is in the Pudding....!'

is here for all to see.

I have shown you my iPad Pods and here it is in use. Very handy for around the house and also suitable to hand wash.

If you want something for on the go how about a patchwork tablet sleeve.

Something New

I've been toying with making some sewing kits and decided to make some lined purses to fit them in. I found some beautiful red brocade and I am looking forward to putting the finished article into my Folksy shop. 

Patchwork Make UP Bags

These are new to my Patchwork Range.

Cotton draw string make up bags everyone is unique.

Owls

Frogs

Strawberries

A Big Wave

A big Monday Morning wave to you all - have a good day.

Butterflies

I love butterflies and my garden is planted accordingly with flowers that attract the bees and butterflies.

This afternoon I have been sorting through some of my photos and thought I'd share some of them with you.

We Will Remember Them

Today I visited a WWI exhibition in a village near to us. It was put on by the local history group and set out to tell the story of all the young men that happily joined up to fight for their King and Country. Many of them were part of the 'Grimsby Chums'. They were send out to France and half of them died out there, the other either came home and died of injuries or for the lucky few went on to live into old age. There was a brilliant display of the early WWI tanks that were built here in Lincolnshire by William Foster of Lincoln. I was a hell on tracks - hot, noisy and poor vision but they looked very fearsome and must have frightened the young German Army seeing them for the first time. 

These amazing uniforms are rare WWI tank regiment uniforms.

Notice the left one has a leather helmet and the right one has a 'scatter mask to help protect 

the eyes.

My Grandfather used to talk of these tanks when he was out in France and laughed how they had bicycle bells to let people know they were coming. I believe the sheer size and noise was enough.

One of the village men went out to Belgium as a Medical Orderly and was awarded a medal from the King of Belgium for his  bravery and hard work in the effort to help and preserve life. It must have been a horrible place to be with so many wounded.

They were the lucky ones who if died has an honourable burial but

for many they are just remembered by there families and their names engraved are marked on the major war monument at Thiepval (in the depatment of Picardie) for the men who died at the Somme and have no known grave.

Box of Delights

Another delightful box from the 'Wood Shed' this time filled with toys, jewellery and and a rather fun camel pincushion.

Treasure Chest

My other half has been busy in the wood shed and come up with some lovely little  boxes and what better thing to do with them other than to fill them with jewellery.

iPad pods

 To sit side by side I now have iPad Pods as well as iPad Covers

in my Folksy shop. Ideal for a Christmas stocking filler.

Don't get the Hump.....

Don't get the hump while sewing. Let  this quirky little camel lend you a hand to keep all your needle and pins together.