New Blog, New Shop

To my small but ever so select group of bloggers - BIG NEWS - after a lot of huffing and puffing I and my good better half will be opening a small shop within a big shop in the lovely coastal town of Leigh-on-Sea on the 1st September.  To coincide with this we have a new name, a new blog and will also have a new etsy shop.  I realise that I am not the best at blogging - mostly irregular, often sporadic and a little bit random - but if you would like to join me in my new home I would be oh so grateful.  If not then fairwell, goodbye and thank you for putting up with me.  Here is my new blog http://millicentjames.blogspot.com/

Gatherings Magazine

and yet another sweet magazine as recommended by the lovely Emma Lamb who I am absolutely delighted to mention is the proud owner of my gorgeous red marimekko chairs which I sold on etsy :)

The magazine is titled Gatherings Magazine by Heather Spriggs and you can find her blog here and the magazine here - that should fill in some me time on a lazy sunday afternoon.

The Craft Tonic free-zine

For all the Mollie Makes fans who are lost for something to read after devouring there monthly in one gluttonous reading session I have come across a free on-line magazine which may help to fill the gap between issues.  Called The Craft Tonic which you can find here and the blog here .  I did find the blog a bit confusing as the links to the magazine did not seem to work for me and also you need to register first at the site to be able to see the magazines - but in the end it was worth the effort :)

Three issues so far - so should fill a small gap in the must have something to read needs:)

Chocolate Heaven at Vanilla Sticks

I have been so, so busy crocheting up a storm, travelling and with Birthday's.  But just to whet your appetite or for something special I just had to take a little time out to give a mention to the gorgeous Vanilla Sticks . These gorgeously crafted goodies add a smile to my face and have certainly gone into my Etsy favourites.  I just need someone special to order them for - that'll be my lovely daughter then :)

New Crafting Magazine

As recommended by the delightful Miss Tiff of the fabulous blog Dottie Angel I have placed my pre-order for issue number 1 - a shiny new crafting magazine due out on the 12th May.

You to can get a sneak peak of the magazine here .  I so love ordering something new and feeling the anticipation of the eventual clunk of post through the letter-box, knowing that a fabulous treat lies waiting for that extra special me-time at the end of the working day.

Fessing Up on Being 50 !

Today is my 50th birthday - and what an interesting 50 years they have been.  I come from parents that have been married and divorced quite a few times - and have therefore lived in many places. I have two sisters, 1 half-sister, 2 half-brothers, and 2 step-brothers.  The one half-sister has the same name as myself because she was adopted before I was born and renamed Susan by her adoptive parents.

I have been a shop checkout girl, a sausage wrapper, a cleaner, a receptionist, a soldier, a carer and a caretaker.  I have been and am still married to my better half for 28 years so far and still counting.....

given away by my handsome and lovely dad and handed over to the care of my lovely and handsome husband

I am a proud mother to a most beautiful and intelligent daughter who is now married herself to a kind and loving chap from Kuwait - both currently studying for their Masters Degrees in Nottingham University.

I have travelled, done a parachute jump, learned many crafts, dealt in vintage postcards and read a libarary full of books.

I have been flash with the cash, and bankrupt, loved a lot, cried, giggled and laughed outrageously!

I have enjoyed living and hope that the years to come will mostly be happy, with an occasional suprise thrown in and as few tears as possible.

Proud to be English Day

St. George is the patron saint of England. His emblem, a red cross on a white background, is the flag of England, and part of the British flag. St George's emblem was adopted by Richard The Lion Heart and brought to England in the 12th century. The king's soldiers wore it on their tunics to avoid confusion in battle.

St George was a brave Roman soldier who protested against the Romans' torture of Christians and died for his beliefs. The popularity of St George in England stems from the time of the early Crusades when it is said that the Normans saw him in a vision and were victorious.

Despite the fact that St. George has been the patron saint of England since the 14th century, only one in five people know that St. George’s Day falls on 23 April.
More than a quarter of people living in England do not even know who their patron saint is!
Shakespeare was born on 23 April 1564 and he died on the same day in 1616.

William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) was born at Stratford-upon-Avon in a house in Henley Street. This is preserved intact. His mother, Mary Arden, was one of the daughters of Robert Arden, a yeoman farmer of Wilmcote: his father, John Shakespeare, was a glover and wool dealer of good standing who held the office of Bailiff of the Borough in 1568. From the age of seven to about 14, he attended Stratford Grammar School receiving an excellent well rounded education. At the age of 18 he married Anne Hathaway, who was seven years his senior and three months pregnant. She was of 'yeoman' stock - her family owned a farm one mile west of Stratford in Shottery. He endured her until he could stand it no longer and fled to London to become an actor. He then became actor-manager and part-owner in the Blackfriars and afterwards the Globe Theatres. He was a first-rate actor, but it is as a writer of plays that he has achieved lasting world-wide fame. His plays are thought to be the finest ever written in any language.

 

His 37 plays vary in type; historical romances, light, fantastic comedies, some are tragedies, all including the comical and the farcical. He was a shrewd business man, amassing quite a fortune in his time. He returned to Stratford for his latter years where he died at the age of 52 and now lies at rest in his special grave at Holy Trinity Church. 

Some Finished Projects

Just to show that we have been a little busy lately.  The bench is by my better-half and hand painted by my good self in a yellow and soft grey.  The cushions and rug have all been made by me and the breakfast tray is a joint venture - my hubby makes the woody things and I get to finish them.

This old wheel-back chair has been painted in a burgundy gloss - and a few more of my finished crochet pieces.  Now I just need to try and improve on the photography - I am sure that digital cameras are more difficult to use than they used to be!

thoughts and musings on life by Milly James

thoughts and musings on life by Milly James

Introducing my very own sweet Milly James with her thoughts and comments on life.  I am not yet sure whether she is a married or a single lady, but I have discovered that she works in the world of design, has a healthier bank account than my own, and most definately had a fine education.  I hope that she will bring a smile and will pop up quite regularly with her thoughts and musings on life.

Japan

So many words have been written about the continuing nightmare in Japan.  The bombardment of news and horrific images leave me feeling sad and knotted up inside, causing me to pause and think.  I hope that the ongoing nightmare will stop very soon and allow the beautifully stoic and determined people of Japan to begin the long process of rebuilding their lives.  No rioting, no looting, just the disciplined queuing and strong ethics which seems to symbolise the proud Japanese people.

Miss Havisham Framed Flowers

Introducing our enchanting framed flowers which I have called Miss Havisham - a Charles Dickens character who lived alone in a dusty old mansion and never recovered from being jilted on her wedding day by the rogue Compeyson, who had swindled her of her riches.

Humiliated and heartbroken, Havisham had all the clocks stopped at the exact point in which she had learned of her betrayal. From that day on, she remained by herself in her decaying mansion.

She never removed her wedding dress (as a result of being in the process of getting dressed when she receives the letter, she only has one shoe on), leaving the wedding cake uneaten on the table and only allowing a few people to see her.

Soon to go on sale in my new etsy shop :)

Pompadour 24

Pompadour 24 is absolutely chock a block full of the most beautiful japanese craft books.  I have already received this one which arrived within 3 days - even quicker than a wool order from the UK

and now I am awaiting the arrival of this one, and if like the last one - knowing that it will pop through the post beautifully packaged and with adorable pictures inside.  Those japanese girls sure know how to crochet, especially if you are aware of the storm in blog land caused by the gorgeous japanese flowers introduced by Lucy at Attic 24 - have noticed how 24 seems to be a good number for finding beautiful things.

obviously when crocheting the items - I cannot read japanese for toffee, but they are filled with excellent diagrams - which until now I could not read either - but am slowly learning from info gathered online.

I do hope that I will soon get some decent sunshine so that I can start taking pictures of some of my work, because I sure have been busy, busy, busy!

Designers Guild New Collection

I am so loving the new collection of fabrics from Designer's Guild - one of my most favourite interior designers.

 

What a Hero!

I am so impressed with this old lady who took on a gang of robbers - I would so prefer to be this lady than the standard group of idiots standing around taking pictures or videoing, but doing nothing.  If people power got more stuck in maybe the world would be a nicer place to live in.

Gone to Earth

Oh my - I can already feel my wallet strain after viewing the gorgeous web-site Gone to Earth which supplies a massive range of fabrics, patterns, buttons, haberdashery and even a gorgeous range of Amy Butler Yarns!!

Now I will need to spend a huge amount of time perusing the site while trying to decide what to make next and sadly what I can afford :(

Yarn Colours

Whilst I madly dive into my re-discovery of crocheting I came across the cheap and cheerful Stylecraft Special Wools - which I love because they must have the biggest choice of colours available in one brand - with a massive range of 48 shades.  Yes I know it is acrylic but for throws, toys and cushions I think it is ideal for lots n lots of granny squares.  Can be purchased at Masons here

Special DK 100gm

Stylecraft is the market leader in big value economy yarns with its Special range. Now with a new improved quality, cleaner look and even softer handle the appeal is extended still further. The Special range includes 4-ply, DK, Aran, Chunky and baby qualities in a fabulous range of colours to meet every knitter’s needs. The ultimate economy best seller.

Code: Composition: Weight/Length: Colours:		904 100% acrylic 1 kilo pack, 100g ball  322yds/295m 50 shades

White 1001	Black 1002	Aster 1003
Dark Brown 1004	Cream 1005	Bottle 1009
Matador 1010	Midnight 1011	Cloud Blue 1019
Lemon 1020	Raspberry 1023	Apricot 1026
Khaki 1027	Copper 1029	Sherbet 1034
Burgundy 1035	Walnut 1054	Plum 1061
Teal 1062	Graphite 1063	Mocha 1064
Pale Rose 1080	Grey 1099	Sunshine 1114
Green 1116	Royal 1117	Claret 1123
Candyfloss 1130	Shrimp 1132	Lavender 1188
Silver 1203	Parchment 1218	Soft Peach 1240
Fondant 1241	Lipstick 1246	Jaffa 1256
Fiesta 1257	Bright Green 1259	Citron 1263
Violet 1277	Denim 1302	Spring Green 1316
Clematis 1390	Camel 1420	Aspen 1422
Emperor 1425	Wisteria 1432	Bright Pink 1435