Seeped in history...

Hello lovelies...

Thank you for all your lovely comments following my last post.

It is so joyous for me to share my passion for my beautiful 

Fens with you all.

I know everyone favours the area they know best.... 

the area you were born into or the area you grew up in.

For me the ancient landscape known as The Cambs Fens

is deeply rooted within my bones.

My family history reaches back to a time when Fenmen waded 

through the boggy marshes on stilts; before there were dry fields and profitable farms.

Over time, man has forcibly sculptured every square patch of the land

for his own advantage despite Mother Nature putting up a big fight, resulting

in the flat land now famously known for the best arable land in the UK.

On a holiday in Cornwall a few years ago, a shopkeeper asked me if I had travelled far

on my hols...

When I replied I lived in Cambridgeshire,

 she quickly returned with "Oh....you live in the damp patch then..."

The damp patch?

Can't say I've ever been described as a damp patcher before!

A stubborn 'ol Fen bird yes.

A Fen tiger yes.

One of them odd fen folk yes.

But...never a damp patcher...no.

My Fens offer skylines that equal a winning National Lottery ticket.

Her sunsets are masterpieces fit for the Tate Gallery.

As a child I would sit for hours watching clouds, create characters

and building my own stories...

I loved writing stories and poems.

I take SO many photos of the Fens and her landscape you would think at my age I would be bored of doing so by now but no.

I especially love trees.

Fen trees have a special corner in my heart.

Any shape, any size...any age.

They are always full of silent energy that bring a smile or two

whenever I see them.

Prince Charles was famously ridiculed for talking to the plants and trees but

I have to say I'm with him on that one....

I'm a firm believer in trusting trees with their wisdom.

They know a thing or two about survival of the fittest.

The tough 'ol Fen winds whip up a Fen blow around 

their ankles that often cause distress to so many....

and yet they plod on like tired old soldiers to get to the winning post.

They hold their own.

They are like little treasure boxes holding secrets to our past.

If only they could talk back....

Off to grab a cuppa and do some slow stitching so

until our next chat folks...

Toodle- ooh for now!

Festive Cheer - Tilly Rose Style.....

Hello my lovelies...

How are you all?

The dull grey days of the changing seasons are already beginning to 

make a difference to our days...

The British weather has such a powerful hold on our well being don't you think?

It has been raining solidly here for over a week or so now and the ground is so

squelchy and muddy and on top of that there seems to be so much wet washing hanging around

with coats and umbrellas never seeming to dry... 

(I'm not a fan on gloominess...can you tell???)

As much as I love my snuggly warm sweaters, fleecy slippers and cables scarves, Winter and I are not exactly the best of friends.

Every year we do try our very best to get on as friends should do but by the end of each February, we have to call a truce to start a fresh for the next year having grumbled and argued with each other for months!

To brighten these dull days ahead my thoughts have turned most definitely to 

bright cheerier hues of red and green for that special time of year that will be upon us before we know it.

Not sure if it's the Fen bird in me but at this time of year I love nothing more than getting all my winter recipe books out for seasonal treats and all the old favourites...

Have you made your Christmas pud yet? 

or cake?

I know many of you are also thinking of making all your Christmas gifts as well.

Or maybe you are thinking about filling those craft fair tables with gorgeous goodies to sell?

I just love handmadeness (if there is such a word)

It captures loads of love, loads of happiness and more importantly loads of well being for everyone....

One, for those who receive such gorgeousness and two, for those who add a little piece of themselves into every project they make.

I thought you may like some ideas to help use up those fabric & paper scraps that we all have hiding away in the drawers and boxes hidden under the chaos of crafty bliss...

So, over the next few weeks I will be posting  inspirational pics of things I've either made in the past or lovely goodies I've found online to give you all a few ideas for when you may need that

little extra pressie at short notice when Auntie Mabel pops round unexpectedly, or you might need a few extras to add to your craft table at your local school fete?

Here's my first offerings to break you into Christmas in a gentle way...

Want a simple festive project to share with children?

The following projects were all ideas that I have presented in workshops or when I visited schools

and wanted something that all abilities were able to join in with.

They whip up really quickly and add a little handmade magic to your stash of 

handmade loveliness to either sell or give away as pressies.

Cut out small festive shapes from felt such as stockings or trees.

They are perfect for younger crafters to embellish using all those lovely

things you have hiding in your craft stash...

If they don't want to sew you can use glue or double sided tape to secure.

You could always decoupage with fabric or lace doilies?

Again something so simple that all the family can have fun creating to hang as decorations around the home.

Often these little projects are the perfect solution for keeping things simple... especially if you are a beginner or want to craft with younger peeps.

I love visiting a craft fair or school Christmas Fete and always try to buy special designs like these as I think they make Christmas extra special.

They may be a little quirky or perhaps a little wonky in design but for me they shout creativity.

I'm really not fussed if a button is slightly off centre or a heart is maybe a touch too crookedy.

They certainly wouldn't match the standard of Harrods or Selfridges maybe but I have the satisfaction that no-one else in the whole wide world will have one just like me hanging on their tree and for me that is worth it's weight in gold.

I shall bring some more ideas again soon but in the meantime...

have fun stitching and being creative :)

Toode-ooh for now my lovelies!

Tilly

x x x