Patchwork and new plants

Dave and I bought two new plants at the florist today.
We needed something that would stand the heat of the midday sun to place either side of the front door.
We decided on plants that are nick named 'Spanish flag plants'.
They will eventually grow into a bush which flowers for most of the summer.

'Spanish flag' plant 

They look lovely and colourful beside the front door

 I have also been sewing some patchwork by machine using some of my scraps.
I have no idea what to make with it....but it does need ironing.

Some 1" patchwork squares I am working on ...

Mobile phone covers/ spectacle cases and pepper and goats cheese supper

Yesterday we had a lovely supper of roasted green pepper filled with goats cheese, drizzled with olive oil...
very simple and soo... tasty. We served it with fresh baguette mmm...

I have also been making some mobile phone covers and spectacle cases to sell at the market on Saturday (I hope)

This shows the mobile phone cover closed

and this shows it open with the strap and velcro fastening

these are the spectacle cases made with  patchwork  covers

Mini Holiday

A very busy week ...
Our lovely daughter who came over to visit was given a gorgeous engagement ring by her fiance (she had already proposed to him on February 29th) Congratulations to you both :D
The hubby and I took the opportunity whilst the feria was on here in Competa to take a mini break in the nearby seaside resort of Torre del Mar, which we both thoroughly enjoyed, and left the youngsters to party into the early hours/next morning...
We returned yesterday afternoon, and after a couple of hours in the house, I went to the knitting/crochet club where we ladies spent a lovely couple of hours. I have volunteered to try and translate a crochet pattern into Spanish or make a chart that is easily followed in any language...I will definately need the dictionary, but will learn some new words too!!
Today, I have been knitting, but this will be a present so I don't want to spoil it. and also re-vamping some ornamental pots I bought

The one on the left is the original joined with some nylon cord and the right  hand one shows the beginning of the macrame and wooden bead connection

This shows the top half of the finished revamp

and this is the rest... It looks lovely and has made a n addition to the decor  in the dining room

Crochet and esparto basket making

This is the front view of the top I have been making for myself with crochet motifs

And this is the back
I have not yet decided if I need to add more or just wear it as is but I will ask  my friends from the knitting /crochet club on Monday ( and also my daughter who is coming over to visit too) 

Here is a cute basket I made today with esparto grass. The handle is designed so it can hang on the wall as a decorative feature. I decided to wrap some wooden beads around it to go with the colour scheme in my room

I think it has turned out nice, as it is my first solo attempt

as the Esparto grass weaving class is now on holiday.I may also fill it with flowers (artificial) or maybe make some fabric ones..

First Anniversary

Hi,
Just realised that I have celebrated the first anniversary of my blog, which began in July last year.
I would just like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for having a look.
I had absolutely no idea how many people would be interested in all of the bits and bobs that I like to do.
THANK YOU ALL :D

Dress re-vamp

I have been unpicking the straps of a sun dress today, which did not fit very well, and was annoying me as the straps kept falling down.
It has a low circular neckline and I am going to look on line to see if there is an easy way to re do the straps or make a new top part of the dress completely

the top of the armhole where the straps were attached

the top of the dress showing the circular shaped neckline

Finding a home for the broom and beading

Today, I found a place where my broom making skills could be displayed..
on the stairs which lead up to the bedrooms, this also serves a dual purpose of filling a bit of an awkward corner too..

So I am pleased with the effect.
I also made a necklace and earring set for myself, using the new Swarovski crystal pearls in fluorescent pink.
I decided to bead these into a star shape and the earring dangles will hang nicely onto some silver long kidney wire earrings I have already.
I like these as I can change the dangles whenever I want to mix and match.

Esparto grass and making brooms

Yesterday, my friend called to collect me to go to esparto grass class.
We went along and made brushes from palm leaves and used canes for the broom shank

the brush bit..

sorting palm leaves to make the bristles

tying the leaves onto the shank

threading leaves together

concentration..

beginning to cut a hole through the shank

We all managed to make a broom each, which we took home. Everyone I met has said how these were all there were to use years ago. People made them to sell too .
I thoroughly enjoyed making my brush, and I just need to hang it up in the house now.
Got up today at 7.30am... and painted the small roof terrace in the cool morning air, It now looks whiter than white  :D