Monday 3 February 2014

Crafty chat, and stuff

It's been a busyish sort of day. When I wake up in the morning, usually about 7am, I prop myself up to a sitting position in bed, and contemplate the day ahead. This is the time when my brain is refreshed from the nights sleep. I close my eyes and let my mind wander, and think about what I am going to do to fill the day. I sometimes doze off again and take an extra ten minutes of shuteye. Then when my plan is formulated I am keen to get up and get started. 
This afternoon I made three more bags. 
Claire mentioned Morsbags, yes I have heard about those, in fact I found one once, stuck in the hedge while out walking. Someone must have dropped it. It was made of cotton, and a bit flimsy like you could stuff it in your pocket. I suppose all kinds of fabric is used, mine are very strong as I use thicker fabric. 
Crafty chat this morning, we were up to full strength, twelve members at present. We are thinking of having an exhibition of our work at some point, then people can come along and see if they would like to join. Once again people brought stuff to show. This is a smallish quilt, possibly for a cot, or a throw over your legs while sitting on the sofa. I love the contrasting colours.
It's got a very interesting backing on it. The stitching is perfectly neat.

This might be something to try for the future. Layers of torn tissue paper are fused together with pva glue, then hand stitching is added, and it is folded to make a writing case.
 It looks very effective, like parchment paper.

The inside is covered by stickyback clear plastic, the sort you buy on a roll. It's got pockets for the paper and envelopes. You could put some hand made cards inside. A nice gift idea. 
A piece of ribbon attached with a button and tied around it to keep it closed. Might try this myself. Spose you could use any paper really, but the tissue paper is good because it goes crinkly with the glue.

I took the rag rug to work on. It's getting there, I'm working my way round the outer edges now. 
Last night I watched An Island Parish, while on the cross trainer. A delightful documentary programe about the Island of Sark, on BBC 1, on a Friday night. It lasted 28 minutes but I did the extra two minutes to make it 30. Boy was I sweating when I got off. I must say it did make the training a lot more interesting. Someone asked if my constant bobbing up and down while watching a fixed screen would give me a headache. The answer is no. It isn't like reading a book where you can't take your eyes off it or you will lose your place. You can glance around the room if you like and still keep up with the story through the headphones. Also there is a lot you can do to minimise the bobbing. Because you are using your whole body you can almost keep your head still and take the ups and downs with your knees and hips. A bit like skiing or ice skating. If you went down a ski slope as stiff as a board you would get a headache, so you use your legs like springs to cushion the bumps. Anyway, this is going to make exercising a lot more pleasurable.
And lastly, here is Heidi, practicing for her audition at Britains Got Talent. Don't you think she is a clever girly. I'm trying to teach her to stand on her back legs, and juggle three balls with her front paws, while singing 'What's New Pussycat'. 
Today I paid £1.50 for my crafty club, and I am pleased to say I have had six no spend days. Not spent a bean since last Monday. I will have to go to Tesco sometime this week, my fridge is bare. I am running short on a lot of things, so might go to town as well. No fresh veg left :o(( Tomorrow will be scrambled eggs and something out of the freezer or cupboard. Just remembered, I've got some stewed apples that I cooked tonight. Free food from my neighbour across the road. A spoonful of yogurt on that will be nice, and some for breakfast on my porridge. Anyway, must go, training time, got to find a programe on the iplayer.
Toodle pip.

21 comments:

  1. I enjoy An Island Parish, too. It's such a gentle, feel-good programme. Have you seen previous series set on other islands? I love your bags, Ilona, and bags are one of my favourite things to make. I have so much fabric I'm going to follow your example and make a few to use some of it up.

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    1. Hello Helen. Yes, I watched the programes about Barra, and the Scilly Isles.

      It inspired me to go and visit the Scilly Isles, I went as part of my South West Holiday. Loved it. If you put Scilly Isles in the search on the sidebar you will find the posts and photographs. I quite fancy going to Sark now.

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  2. HaHa Heidi should be a great hit o talent night!

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  3. The writing case is very beautiful - as are your handmade bags.

    AussieCheryl : )

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    1. Thank you Cheryl, it's nice of you to say so. I'm chuffed.

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  4. Your paragraph about Heidi made me laugh- it's about time cats were represented on Britains Got talent - show those dogs they can't hog all the limelight!

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  5. I'll vote for Heidi especially if she can do Tom Jones' voice!
    Jane x

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  6. I agree re cats on Britain's Got Talent. Only problem is they are so independent, you can't rely on them as they only please themselves!! (that's why I love them)
    Gill

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  7. Wow you have been busy with those lovely bags :)

    I am afraid I gave away the bag you gifted me to a lady with a toddler, who had her paper bag break with a load of shopping cascading everywhere - it was in my handbag so I let her use it - I did say a place she could leave it for me to pick up but so far, no show - I hope she appreciates it as much as I did !

    I hope you do not mind Ilona

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    1. As if I would. My bags are there to be used, shared, borrowed, lent out, and given away. Don't worry if the lady doesn't give it back, she obviously needed it. You were kind to help her.

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    2. I was just glad I could help :) Thank you, I shall makeanother to replace it and think of you :)

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  8. love that cat! she is sooooooo cute.

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  9. Your bags are lovely, such nice fabrics. The quilt is very bright and looks warm too. I love the tissue paper wallet I can see a project for L with that one as I have a lot of tissue paper bit, Thanks for that idea. How did Heidi get up there without falling off?
    Carolx

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    1. Hi. I didn't see her get up, but she climbs everything. Often to be seen on the top of the fridge freezer.

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  10. I love the 'parchment' writing case. It was only when I zoomed in on the shots I realised there is decorative stitching as well as edge stitching. Lovely idea!! blessings x

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  11. Hi Ilona, Super bags! Have you thought of doing some with long handles? I have something similar and can sling it on my shoulder when it starts to get heavy.
    Love Pat

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  12. I love the fused tissue, must look up how to do that.
    Briony
    x

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  13. Hi, I am a bit of a bag lady and have been using cloth bags for shopping for well over twenty years long before it was trendy. In the past I only used 'country road' bags that I bought second hand either a garage sales, markets or op/charity shops but I lost most of them in a house fire and have had trouble replacing them. I liked them because strong, easy to wash and nice long handles to swing over my shoulder and wondered if you considered making the handles longer and the bags a bit deeper. Sorry I have just read 'Patricia 32' reply and she has said the same thing. I also have a 'sling bag' (all one piece and goes over your shoulder and I use mine as a hand bag and can put a few shopping items in it as well. I am a collector of aluminium cans on my walks and have one made of denim and can carry probably a hundred crushed cans in it.
    Regards
    Melinda

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  14. Hi Ilona, I have been a reader of your blog for a long while now and always enjoyed your sharing so much of your life with us. In any case, recently I recall your hiking boots gave up the ghost? I can't seem to find the blog post, but I was wondering what size boot you wear? I have a spare pair of barely used waterproof hiking boots in a 5.5 or 6 and I would be happy to post them to you if you think you could put them to use.

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  15. Hello Gam Kau. You are right, my old hiking boots started leaking and had to be replaced. I still have the old ones because I can wear them on dry days for dog walking in the woods. I bought a new pair. Buying boots is not straight forward for me. I have misshapen feet with big bunions, so I need to go to a shop and try on lots of pairs until I find a pair I am comfortable in.

    It is very kind of you to offer me your boots. I have eight pairs in total for all kinds of walking. Please don't be offended if I say I have enough boots at the moment. Probably enough for the next five or ten years. I am sure you could find someone to give them to who is closer to home, saving you the postage costs. I remember finding a pair of boots by the side of the road once, in perfect order. I gave them to a workman who was very pleased. Thank you for your kind offer.

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    1. Thanks for the reply Ilona - glad you are sorted out with plenty of hiking boots. Would hate to think of you giving up your many long walks. I find your walking journeys so inspirational! :)

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