Happy Birthday Jane!

A surprise birthday party and some crocheted jam jar tea light holders as a little pressie. A happy afternoon sitting in the garden chatting and eating some delicious food and quaffing wine.  The tea light holders look a treat all lit up at night. The tall ones needed a long match to light them but they do look lovely. Beauty before practicality every time!

Wendy Wensleydale wins gold at Bakewell Show!

I entered the 'Show us yer sheep' competition at Bakewell Show. Bakewell is a lovely market town in the Peak District in Derbyshire and the show is a typical countryside agricultural affair with animals, local food and crafts. The competition was run by Peak FM radio and was for a home made sheep. It was originally a competition for local schools but so many adults wanted to make a sheep that the competition was opened to everyone.

Having recently been on holiday to Wensleydale in Yorkshire, I had an idea for making sheep shaped cushion that would make me smile, which is always a good reason for doing something. The cushion cover was made from an old cardigan which was cut up and stitched with an overlocker (serger). I made some buttonholes on the sewing machine and then added some nice big wooden buttons which you can't actually see unless you dig into the sheepy hair - I know that they are there and that's good enough for me.  I then pinched some co-ordinating wool from another project and worked out how to make ringlets (or dreadlocks) that are typical of the coat of a wensleydale sheep. Mine of course are in a funky pink and purple combination not quite so typical of a real sheep. I made the head and legs from the cardigan and some more ringlets for a fringe. I spent far too long making eyes and ears and legs, but hey, I was having fun playing in my little sewing room. Anyway, one sheep later and I can boast that I entered a sheep in the show and won!

Since making Wendy, a friend was so taken with it that she wanted to make her own. In fact she is making a whole flock. She is a crochet beginner so we had a few weekly crochet and overlocking sessions (with the help of some chilled white wine and lots of nattering) and the result is wonderful Webecca Wensleydale (so far).