JANUARY 2014

So here we are on the 6th January 2014 - and a very Happy New Year to everyone, and thank you for visiting.

THE VILLAGE

I always feel that today is really the beginning of the New Year - the beginning of the first week when we actually know what day it is, the Christmas Decorations are packed away for another year, the village green is quite dark again without the fairy lights on most of the houses, and the Christmas Tree there has stopped twinkling.

The house feels clearer and slightly more spacious, and the sitting room is definitely a little lighter now the Tree is no longer in front of the window overlooking the garden.

I noticed yesterday too, that at 4 p.m. it wasn't quite dark - a real bonus!

We are very lucky here as our village sits at the top of a hill - you have to climb to get to it from whichever direction you arrive, but in the valley the river has burst it's banks and many fields are flooded.  At this moment, the sun is shining, but it is also raining and the sky outside my window as I type looks a very threatening grey.

THE KNITTING ON MY NEEDLES

My project at the moment is a quickie - I made my husband a super scarlet cabled cowl/snood towards the end of last year to wear when he is playing golf, but just before Christmas he left it on a radiator at the Club to dry off and when he went to collect it - gone!  So another is now half done in a ridge pattern in bright scarlet and orange.

JUMPING LAMB

Work on my website to gain the most interest goes on, and after some good sales of beanie hats, cowls and wrist-warmers, I now need to think about Spring inspired items for your delectation - do have a look and see what you think!  Just click on JUMPING LAMB above.

Thank you for visiting, see you again very soon,

Ruth

THE HAND-CRAFTED HOME IN OCTOBER

What a super day we had yesterday at my Hand-Crafted Home Fair at Stanwick Lakes.

I have to say the prospect didn't look good - high winds and torrential rain all night, and still raining when I set out first thing, but as we were setting up the day began to brighten - the sun shone a bit and the rain stopped only to begin again as I was driving home - perfect!

We had really super visitors who were genuinely interested in what we do - they spent time chatting and asking about our work and most importantly - buying some of our work.

My stall holders too, as usual were amazing - truly beautiful stalls - and I never cease to be amazed at the diversity of ideas these fantastic artisans come up with.

Thank you too to Stanwick Lakes - especially Liz with all her help rescuing tables and chairs from the cupboard without causing a landslide, and for organising the free tea and coffee for the stallholders - and thanks to the lads in the kitchen for providing it!

SO A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO ALL CONCERNED and HERE ARE THE PICS!!

Belinda

Carolyn

Caroline and Michelle

Caroline

Lesley

Daisy and Pauline

Sandie

Shelley

Sue

Me

The next Fair will be at Stanwick Lakes on Saturday 9th November from 10.30 to 4.30.

Will you join us to find some really beautiful and unusual hand-made gifts for your friends and family this Christmastime ???

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PRODUCERS

COME TO THE FAIR !!

Hi Everyone,

I can't believe that the next Hand-Crafted Home Fair at Stanwick Lakes is this Saturday - 12th October open from 10.30 to 4.30.

Well, I do know, but it does seem to have crept up on me this time!

We will have a full compliment of fantastic stalls, so do come along - it really is time to think about a bit of Christmas Shopping now - and what could be better than superb quality, original hand-made pieces locally produced - and made with love and care instead of being thrown together in some far off, dismal factory!!



This month you will find:

Semi-precious gemstones, pearls, crystal, glass and shell jewellery,

Really super greetings cards - so much better quality and cheaper than those in the shops!

Fleece Blankets
Hair Accessories
All sorts of knitting

Felt flowers
Candles

Soaps and lip balm etc
Home fragrances
Bag and wine glass charms
Children's clothes

Decoupage bracelets and picture frames
Button art
Small items of restored furniture and other wooden pieces.

Why not take a walk, call into the Visitor Centre for a cup of tea and a bun, and visit my lovely stallholders and me  - we will be waiting for you !!!

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PRODUCERS

SUMMER ROLLING ON

Last week a few days in Suffolk with the family camping and caravanning, and a super time had by all.

Great dips in the sea and much digging on the beach at Walberswick followed by an excellent lunch at The Bell Inn, which has to be one of the most characterful pubs I have been in - and there have been a few! - and it's apparently very haunted too, and then crabbing and we caught 21 - I think the best thing was letting them go again - they are so comical running sideways down the ramp back into the water.

The next day, some rain in the morning, but then a hearty lunch at the campsite followed by a visit to Southwold where the children with Mum and Dad climbed the Lighthouse, a walk along the Pier, a browse in the shops and tea and cake at the Adnams Brewery - and a bit of shopping in there too!

The roads were really busy with tractors and corn carts and the combines were busy in the fields throwing up great amounts of dust as they race to get the harvest in which is looking good after a slow start.

Home again now, and seeing the Harvest coming in always makes be begin to think about Autumn - especially with my knitting projects as knitting, not being an instant thing, you really have to think ahead and so on the go at the moment are my Autumn Leaves Throw and Mug Hugs - textured, basketweave ones on display at  http://www.jumpinglamb.co.uk/#!refreshing/c18t8, but two colour Brick Design ones in the making too.

You can see the Throw work in progress at http://www.jumpinglamb.co.uk/#!inspiration/c24vq  

Keep an eye open for the finished article.

See you soon.

YESTERDAY'S FAIR

Once again a most grateful THANK YOU to all my stallholders who made such a super Hand-Crafted Home Fair yesterday at Stanwick Lakes, with their beautiful products displayed in such attractive and professional ways.

There seemed to be a good atmosphere, Stanwick Lakes was quite busy, and hopefully, we all had a good day.

Here are the pics - if you would like to see any more of my stallholders' work, do contact me and I will put you in touch.

Alex' Scrummy Cakes - 

I had the most fantastic Coffee and Walnut Muffin with my coffee - 

I feel so sorry for those who missed out  !!!

Emma -

her beautiful and unusual felted and beaded artwork are as vibrant as she is

Jumping Lamb - 

A new look for me following the going live this week of my website

www.jumpinglamb.co.uk

See lots more there

Lydia - 

Her bright and fun beaded jewellery would enhance any outfit

Maggie - 

Her delicate and intricate beadwork was simply a joy

Pauline -

Fantastic button art - and Pauline runs workshops too

if you would like to have a go

And with Pauline, her friend -

with some unusual and quirky hand-knits and crochet

Paula - 

Incredible sterling silver jewellery hand made, of course

and showing here my favourite of her pieces - an Amethyst pendant,

and super hand made cards from her Mum, Marsha too!

Pauline -

One of my regular ladies with her so cute children's clothes -

One little girl's gran bought a dress for her and she just wore it for the rest of the day!

Steph -

A stall just packed with the most beautiful cushions, bunting and more

in colours all little girls dream of.

Victoria - 

An array of spectacular oil paintings -

wouldn't you like to own an Art Original?

Zoe - 

Sumptious, glinting beaded jewellery and gorgeous hand knit bags too

Thank you so much for reading and don't forget -

THE HAND-CRAFTED HOME FAIR 

will be at

Stanwick Lakes

on

SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

with more fantastic hand-made products

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PRODUCERS

JUMPING LAMB AND HAND-CRAFTED HOME FAIR

Shortly my new website www.jumpinglamb.co.uk will go live, where you will be able to see and buy my hand-knitted items.

Within my Jumping Lamb website you will find an Inspiration tab where you will be able to see my designs come to life, find where my Inspiration comes from, and a little about me.

So do come across and have a look and find Individual and Unusual Hand-Knitted pieces to enhance your home, whether you are DREAMING, GATHERING, REFRESHING or RELAXING

I MUST OF COURSE ALSO SAY:

The next

Hand-Crafted Home Fair at 

Stanwick Lakes is on 

Saturday 10 August from 10.30 to 4.30 

where you will find 

Hand Made Jewellery,

Hand Knitted and Crocheted Bags,

Home Made Cup Cakes, Scones and Baked Goodies,

Cushions, 

Vintage Floral Items, 

Aprons, 

Peg Bags, 

Heart Door Decorations,

Hand Made Children's Clothes, 

Oil Paintings, 

Button Art, 

Cross-stitch,

Hand Embroidery made into Pictures, Key Rings and Embellished Items, 

Felt Brooches, 

Canvas and Beadwork Art, 

Hand Knitted Bunting 

and much more.

Where else could you find all these wonderful goodies under one roof - and so come to Stanwick Lakes, take a walk, let the children play in the nature based playground, have a coffee or a tea - but mostly 

VISIT 

THE HAND-CRAFTED HOME FAIR.

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PRODUCERS

The Hand-Crafted Home in Action

We spent a super weekend with the family, and I just had to show these pics of Eva (almost 3).

Her super baby cord scarlet dress covered in tiny balloons was made by Pauline Marney who had a stall with me at my Fair at Great Addington, the white and rosebud cat was made by Sylvia who is a regular stallholder, and the hand-knit clip bow in her hair was courtesy of me.

Unfortunately, I have come down with a dreadful head cold, and am now dosing myself up as we plan to visit Sheringham - that beautiful little town on the east coast tomorrow.

We usually holidayed there when I was little, I am really looking forward to our day trip as it is several years since we have been - and the weather is set to be just wonderful  !!

Have a good day and I hope the sun is shining with you.

Babysitting

We have been away for a couple of days looking after our 3 grandchildren while Mum and Dad went to see the Hockney Exhibition at the Royal Academy.

Super time, they were all so well behaved, the weather was brilliant and now I am shattered and will probably need to sleep for a week!

This is Eva - isn't she just great?? !