It doesn't feel like 2 minutes since I was extolling the virtues of the early Spring weather. But, as is its wont, this week we find ourseves beseiged with icy temperatures and battering winds. On the Fylde coast gale force winds are no stranger to us, but they don't half make for unproductiveness!
That doesn't really make any sense, right? I mean, it's cold and unpleasant outside, so we ought to be bolting the doors shut, sticking a film on and getting down to some serious stitching. But unfortunately the penetrating wind just won't give me a moment to concentrate! Rattling the windows so that I have to turn the volume up astronomically high really isn't much help. Added to that the sudden drop in temperature which means my hands are starting to freeze and numb up, making needlework virtually impossible! Alas! So instead I thought I'd come downstairs to the warmth of the kitchen and pen this little note on how little I've done!
Yesterday was a slightly more creative day than today, but that's largely because I spent it under the covers (my immune system has also been besieged by a cold...) and the wind didn't get up until last night. So I managed to finish making a 'welcome' sign which I started on Saturday evening, designed for a door or hall entrance way. I love working with gingerbread men, as you might have guessed, because they make homes so much more inviting (usually its that promise of sweet treats...). You will see I've opted for a slightly subdued design: the gingie's don't have faces, instead I've let the simpleness of the floral vintage materials come through, and be enhanced with the buttons and bows. Hand stitching the letters with gold metallic thread also gives the chain a homewarming feel, and shows that time and effort has been put in. Most people don't like hand-stitching, they prefer to do these things on a sewing machine. But in that sense I guess I'm a bit of a luddite. Sewing machines have always scared me a little, I prefer the peacefulness of a single needle and thread which you can take anywhere. For instance, the lettering I did on Saturday night while watching Blackpool thrash Southampton 3-0 in the football! All in the comfort of my kitchen... What I like best about the chain, however, is the colour scheme. I find rustic, natural colours very waming, especially for a home decoration. Maroon and Ivory echo peacefulness and refined tastes and goes well with the simple brown floral print of the gingerbread men. To finish I strung the lot on a length of sturdy cream ribbon which I had lying around from a variety pack of materials. Now as soon as the wind dies down I'll nip outside to take a good photo of it, hanging on my door...
...On second thoughts, don't bother waiting for the wind to die down in Blackpool!
Well, I don't know how I haven't gotten round to updating this blog in a while, but anyway, here we go..
However, you may remember a few weeks ago now I told you all I'd been experimenting with vintage fabrics and gingerbread men? Well, I've finally created a whole batch ind elightful shades and patterns! There are two kinds, gingerbread men and gingerbread women! There's ten in total and are now featuring on my 'Bewitching Trinkets' page, where you will also find another approrpriate link to the very Folksy page where you can indeed purchase this item! One thing I also like, which I can't take the credit for as my boyfriend suggested it, is that you can buy one of each (or two of each, or maybe three.....depending on your preference..) and match them up to make 'couples'! Included are some images, but like I say you can also find them on 'Bewitching Trinkets'...enjoy! 
