I have been working hard on something secret (which I will tell you about later) and also, a little later than I had hoped due to various circumstances, I finally got my parcels in the post and on the way to their destinations. I really enjoyed putting together the creative packs and making the hearts
This is the one I made for Ger/Gerdiary. Ger likes grey, silver and natural colours so I used various silver and grey metallic fabrics, distressed plastic, found shells, beads, distressed fabrics and used fine silver thread to add some tiny little stitches
I was inspired by St. Ives, shells and grey and black rocks
As I was stitching the hearts they reminded me of rock pools. Full of layers, textures, colours, found treasures, bits and pieces, little crevices that need further exploration to reveal hidden secrets. My hearts are a bit like that. I have put little stitches and beads in unexpected places, not just on the surface but in the layers and folds to be discovered. The more you look, the more you see
So I call them "rock pool hearts" and I want to make many more, all different colours, all with different fabrics, threads and found objects - shells, sea glass, pottery, natural objects with stitches, beads, charms, text etc
I've got six more hearts to show you some time
For just a few minutes I watched a seal playing in the sea, he didn't seem to mind the cold water and the very grey day
The rain held off so I had a look at some of the shop windows starting to display their Christmas goodies. I like the idea of photographing window displays but then they always turn out a bit "busy". Never mind!
A busy display but very interesting
Click on the picture to see it larger
The window display at The Glass Tree is so beautiful. In the window Sherry has trees sprinkled with snow and decorated with sparkly leaves, birds and bird houses
Inside, the shop is a perfect winter wonderland with more snow covered trees and country dressers full of Christmas goodies
Santa's fairy helpers were very busy hanging Christmas ornaments
The Glass Tree is one of prettiest places to see Santa and his fairy helpers. I do know that the fairy helpers are busy sewing their new outfits ... fairies always need extra sequins and shiny things on their dresses at Christmas! Last year Santa brought snow!
I worked hard this week so I had a little treat
Christmas issue of Country Living
Italian soft Nougat with red berries - just a small slice!
The colours and patterns in this nougat are so inspiring I could do a whole textile project on it! It was delicious too! It lasted only long enough to be photographed and then it was savoured! What am I like? I got it from The Cornish Candy Shoppe in Fore Street, a very pretty, traditional fudge and sweet shop
Magpie's Mumblings asked me what damson fudge was. Here in Cornwall, particularly in the seaside towns, we are spoilt for gorgeous sweet shops that sell fudge in just about every flavour imaginable. In my Halloween post I said I tried damson fudge. It's fudge flavoured with damsons with tiny pieces of dried plums (and absolutely delicious)
Julie, I bet you are drooling!
The window display of The Cornish Candy Shoppe already looks festive but the lady tells me she is decorating the window for Christmas this weekend! I think I will be popping back again ...
Across from The Glass Tree is the Cath Kidston shop. The twinkle lights looked very pretty ...
... and it looked so cosy and inviting ...
This brings me to show you a lovely treat I had from my very good friend Karen Missy K
Sew pretty
Karen had a grand day out with her friend to Selbourne and they popped in a lovely little shop after their lunch. I am really touched that Karen thought to treat me while she was out having fun with her friend. My goodies (which came wrapped in this lovely Cath Kidston tissue) are beautiful and I shall treasure them forever. Thank you sweet one ♥
More contemporary Christmas goodies
Click to view large
This week I got my "Winter Sparkle Stuffie" back from Cloth Paper Scissors along with a copy of the magazine in which it appears. I didn't know that they would be sending me a copy of the magazine
I've just renewed my subscription to Cloth Paper Scissors but it starts with the next issue (Jan/Feb 2010) so I thought I would end up not having a copy of the magazine with my Stuffie in it. Sharne very kindly came to the rescue! She offered to get me a copy from Craft Arena and it arrived yesterday along with a beautiful little packet of treasures she sent me because I have been poorly this week. I'm on the mend now, but in many ways it was just as well that I was busy and had to work through the pain!
This is the lovely packet Sharne sent me:
Lots of red and black goodies - ribbons, buttons, a gold heart and some paper flowers which I will use on my distressed tags. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness Sharne ♥
I've updated Stitched Stuffies with lots of photos and information for anyone who is interested
Detail from my Winter Sparkle Stuffie
I've also blogged here: Mixed Media Textile Art
Well that's me up to date for this week!
I will be round to visit all my favourite blogs, flickr and emails during the week when I will have a little more time to enjoy each one. I hope you have a great weekend!
Carolyn ♥