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

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

Come to the Fair

Time flies when we are enjoying ourselves and this coming Saturday 25 August, as well as hailing the August Bank Holiday weekend, is my next Hand-Crafted Home Fair at Stanwick Lakes, off the A45 near Wellingborough.

I can't believe it was during May that I held my first Fair and now we are in late Summer and I am turning my thoughts to making products for Autumn and Christmas to be for sale from September onwards.

This month's Fair, however, will be Summer's last hurrah, and we have some super producers attending with their original hand-made wares.

Do come along and have a look if you are in the area and SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PRODUCERS.

Thank you.

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.

Stanwick Lakes Fair

I am enjoying making more of these little coasters ready for my next fair at Stanwick Lakes on 28th July.

Again the yarn used is 100% cotton just knitted sideways, and the really pretty blue floral fabric was found at a Garage Sale - as it is a duvet, I have loads of it, and also looking through my fabric stash, I have found it in a brown and cream colour way - which I had in my bedroom during the 1970's - coasters using that and more of this same yarn in turquoise and beige colour way are in progress!

Here they are prettily tied and ready for sale - they will be £6 for 6!  Nice and simple.

Neatly stacked!

and with my little Pink and Blue Jug found on my last visit to Oxfam!

This Saturday's Fair

My second Fair is now nearly here and consequently, the 'To Do' list is very high at the moment.

Above is one of my Hand Knit blankets - would be super for a little boy's room, and also the checked cushion which was made from vintage seersucker napkins.  The lined basket has found a home in my bathroom!

Brownies are in the oven at the moment - and smelling really good - and when   they are cooked and I have done my computer bits for the day, I am off to do a leaflet drop in Great Addington to remind everyone about the Fair.

This afternoon, I have some more coasters to finish and hope to do that while having a quick look at Ascot - I do love both the fashions and the horses!  I also have a bit more bunting to run up, and I would like to do some covered notebooks - a little pic of one on my earlier blog.

Tomorrow will be more baking and keeping in touch with my stall holders and Friday, a bit more baking, thinking what to take for my stall and packing and so, I'll be back afterwards!

P.S.  The cake below, Raspberry and Walnut Loaf courtesy of a Bonne Marie recipe card, will also be appearing in the form of a little refreshment to be served by husband Bill and update - the Brownies are out of the oven now - hard to resist, but I must!

Lots of lovely ladies selling their goodies at the Fair and so do pop along if you have a moment - I'm sure you will find something you can't resist.

So - The Hand-Crafted Home Fair - Great Addington Village Hall - Saturday 23 June from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Don't be square   etc. etc.  - Oh so corny  !!

Small, Beautiful, Practical

With my next sale approaching, I decided I wanted some small items for my stall and so have come up with these coasters which are hand knitted in Summery, random, cotton yarn and are backed with this really pretty cotton floral - courtesy of a dress bought at a car boot sale for £1 - and there is still plenty more to use!

They look so bright and cheerful and are really practical as the knitting gives them the padding they need and they can be used either side up. 

I couldn't resist photographing them with my retro tumblers - 6 bought at another car boot sale for £1.50 and I use them every day!  No dishwashing mind!!

More coasters are on the way, plus I think I am getting the traditional patch working bug back, and have decided to make lots of hexagonal and square patches and just see where I go from there.

My aunt taught me when I was in my teens, and I taught her daughter later on.  I have really gone off the boil since, but seeing so much super patchwork on all these great blogs has really got me thinking again - and although it is much slower than using a machine - I really do prefer sitting and hand sewing - it just goes hand in hand with knitting.

Have a good weekend.

The Hand-Crafted Home Fair (2)

Just a quick note to say that it is one month today to my Hand-Crafted Home Fair to be held at Aldwincle on 26 May 2012.

The response from stallholders has been fantastic and I now have only one stall left and so all we will need is a good crowd of customers and maybe some sunshine  ??!!

Hope to see you there.

Bye for now

Ruth

Down with Plastic Carrier Bags

Following my slight digression in yesterday's post about my great dislike of plastic carrier bags, I thought I would just take the opportunity to show some of my alternative bags which will be available at the craft fair on Sunday at Stanwick, and some of which can be found on http://www.folksy.com/ at my Liz Lancaster shop.

The fabric ones are all made from recycled and vintage fabrics and these three are unlined as I wanted them to be fine and light weight enough to be rolled up and carried in a handbag for those odd spur of the moment bits of shopping when you would normally be offered - Oh no - a plastic carrier bag !!

The fourth one is hand knitted in a yarn comprised of 80% cotton and 20% polyester which gives it some stretch and it is constructed in a loose drop stitch which means it will expand as items are put into it.

Aren't they so much prettier and more practical than those HORRIBLE PLASTIC CARRIERS? 

Join me on my mission to oust them from circulation.