Sunday 16 March 2014

Vintage rambling........


Goodness I have been bowled over by your kind comments on my last post and pleased to have made even more people cry!  I will be replying to each and every one : each  and every one made me also a little teary.

Thank you very kindly for all of your kind words.

This week we have no sobbing women.......

I thought that I would avoid  ubiquitous flower shots for Spring and share this instead.


This is just  the first run where I am testing the transfer ability of my new embroidery transfer pencil (which might in fact be a pencil ordinaire thinly disguised).  Yes - a new 'gadget' (though I don't think that it counts as high tech....)


Once I had finished the embroidery I realised that in enlarging the image I had managed to distort it - so my two happy ramblers look a little older than the original I think.


 I forgot that you were supposed to transfer the image on to greaseproof paper and then managed to burn the papier ordinaire which I had used.

I managed to track down nearly the right colours just by going through all those odd tiny bits of Sylko thread which I keep wrapped around bit of old birthday cards.  You do that too? Glad that I am not alone.


Initially thought that I could get away with just a simple back stitch for the outline - but the instructions were right -  it needed to be a whipped back stitch.  Can you see where my hand clearly wobbled when I was using my embroidery transfer pencil........



For reasons I cannot fathom I rather liked how the young boy's shorts turned out!


 All done in haste (as usual) but I will use this embroidery as a  pocket on my new 'Bag for Rambling along the Highways and Byways Bag'.  What do you mean you don't have a 'Bag for Rambling along the Highways and Byways Bag'?  Crikey!

 I will be sewing all the other motifs for a range of bags in the new 'Bags for all sorts of unexpected occasions bags'.  What do you mean you don't have any  'Bags for all sorts of unexpected occasions bags'? Crikey!

I will also be making a 'large purse come small clutch type thing' with the figure reading a book motif.  What do you mean you don't have a 'large purse come small clutch type thing'? Crikey!



 As well as these pretty designs this magazine also  has a range of home makes that would make even the contestants on 'The Great British Sewing Bee' quake I think!


I always like to think that I am up-to-date, current, on-trend so I am only 80 years late here........



How I would love to see the competition winners in the flesh as 'twere.


It was clearly a 'dog eat dog' world of needlework : Well done to Miss Climpson though sorry to hear that some 'excellent pieces of work had to be disqualified because the design had been traced out of the straight or the foundation material allowed to become puckered'.  Crikey!


Despair too for Miss Tradewell for 'an interesting picture of an enchanted forest which was spoilt by too much detail'.  Crikey again!

A similar fate befell Mrs Stillingfleet's cathedral whose 'lines of architecture were crooked'.

A harsh world indeed.


 Still the holidays are nearly here!


EVEN I DO NOT HAVE A "CUSHION FOR THE RIVER".........but wish that I did....

A change of topic.....


The other day I made a 'series' of lavender bags : this one is from  soon to be launched 'Old Rose' series.


I do not have a tin with lavender on it which I consider to be a weakness in my tin collection.....


Beats the smell of moth balls I reckon.






A change of topic


I have made some of the bunting from this fabric each year for many years now - the  fabric dates from 1960s



This year I have also made a matching purse (not yet photographed) .....no hope is there......


A change of topic


Predictable and sheep-like am I.....

Of course I have taken photographs of Spring flowers!



Spring flowers are just spiffingly wonderful




Yet more of the cheapo bulbs planted last November now coming good.  All sorts of tubs and tins have been pressed into action of course.  This one with the crocus only has one handle so I didn't feel bad about putting holes in the bottom.


Drink in that sun - how I have missed it






Found a nice knife in one of the pots..this is used for slicing and dicing plants.


Hellebores - simply splendid


The End

I love to go a rambling....
Along the seaside track
And as I go
I love to sing
My newly embroidered knapsack on my back

Valderi
Valdera
Valdera-ha-ha-ha-ha
Valderi
Valdera
My newly embroidered knapsack on my back.............



Not quite the end.....


PS: I decided to do this little embroidery too.



I added sparkle to my needle






Then we decanted to the beach



 I got some funny looks whilst taking these and I also had to battle with the wind blowing the embroidery over.


This will be emblazoned on the front of a tough canvas duffle bag I think: not quite decided but I am in dire need of something to put the sandwiches and flask in when the 'full picnic set' is not quite called for.
You have those sorts of days too?
So glad that I am not alone with these sorts of issues


A tough canvas duffle bag with a little embroidery on the front might fit the bill.


Any thoughts?

DON'T WORRY THAT REALLY IS THE LAST BIT!

63 comments:

  1. You're really quite mad, Jenny, but in the nicest possible way!

    Love your embroidery, and what a great idea to use it on bags ... The Happy Wanderer song made me snigger ...

    Love your spring pics too ... LOVE it all!

    Love claire xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mad - moi! I have always thought that it was everyone else!
      Thank you for calling round
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  2. I'm torn Jenny, I truly am. For several reasons. First (firstly?), it does not seem fair to me living in a town where I am very unlikely to find anything as lovely as your Needlewoman magazine (though I did manage to score a 1946 McCall Needlework on one of my visits home to Canada - very infrequent kind of luck I must say). Secondly (going both ways I think) it is really harsh to see such an abundance of lovely flowers when we are STILL buried in snow here - the winter of our discontent for sure... By the way I love the lavender and the bunting sigh - so why am I torn - simply because I feel I should not read your posts in order to avoid the green eyed monster (sigh - oh I appear to be doing a lot of sighing)....but then how would I remain inspired :). Fortunately Mr. Darcy is in agreement and enables my web surfing habits by totally ignoring me when I make squeaks of awe and delight reading my favorite (yours included) blogs.....he only seems to react when food or walkies are involved, stinker...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My dear - thank you for you kind comments and sorry to hear of your snow, I hope that it is all cleared now and that you are having some sunshine
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  3. I have some of these magazines..... they provide so much inspiration. Love the embroidery....would look great on the front of a bag.
    Jacqui xx

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    Replies
    1. Dear Jacqui
      I have indeed made a bag the other day with one of the embroideries - I will take a photo I think
      thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  4. Oh I love that embroidery it is so pretty. Perhaps summer is on its way after all!
    Julie xxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you kindly
      Thank you for email too - I will reply!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  5. I tried emailing you but your email doesn't seem to be working.....................
    Julie xxxxxxxx

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  6. Is there no end to your talents Jenny, you have the ability to transform anything and everything into something wonderful. Please show us your lovely bags and purses so we can drool.....pretty please. X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sadly my talents are all spent!!!
      I have a little stash of bags and purses and will photograph some I think
      Thank you for your kind words
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  7. I am deeply concerned. I have been bothered for a while that the auditions for these 'reality shows' [inc GBSB] choose their selection of contestants because they will provide 'good TV viewing' more than because they are the eight BEST candidates who applied. I thought this was a new phenomenon.
    NOW it seems, you have uncovered evidence of shenanigans in the sewing competitions of an earlier generation. Did Mrs Stillingfleet's cathedral picture REALLY have crooked lines [her husband Edward was Bishop of Worcester you know] And Lord Peter Wimsey's Miss Climpson was surely too busy sleuthing to have been entering needlework competitions. I suspect these two entries were sent in under an alias!! -perhaps Miss Tradewell is really JKRowling's grandma?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Angela
      Thank you so much for your carefully studied reply - I HAD to check all those names out for myself, well done indeed
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  8. Fantastic embroideries, they remind me of the Milly Molly Mandy book illustrations. So very skilfully done and photographed by you as always. Love your crocus displays, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All due to your comment I have now embroidered a little Milly Molly Mandy picture all of my own!
      Thank you for the idea my dear
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  9. Jenny, you are totally brilliant. I'm in love with your lavender bags and I feel- "Spring is busting out all over" Hmmm, I can feel a shopping hum coming on...Jane xx ps. glad you gave in to flower shots, I'm just about to!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Spring is really here now isn't it - thank goodness for that!
      thank you for your kind words
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  10. You really should have a cushion for boating. Lovely embriodery. I loved the fashionable ladies too. Jenny, you are uplifting.
    Sheryl

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Boating cushion in progress.............
      Thank you for calling round
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  11. The little embroideries are so very sweet. I adore them. I am now on the hunt for a blue funnel like the one swimming in a sea of lavender in your picture. Gorgeous. I found a roasting pan this week in the same blue with lots of little chips in it Next year it can be filled with bulbs of some kind. So gorgeous, it could make you weep.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When/if I come across another funnel I will let you know and pop it is in the post - I only need one funnel!!!
      Well done with your roasting pan find
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  12. love your embroidery, and beautiful flowers!

    ReplyDelete
  13. You had me at "vintage rambling" haha! Love this post! Such beautiful pictures and such pretty bright flowers to see too!! Love them in the enamel bowl! Your embroidery is so pretty and not to mention that lovely lavender sachet!!! xo Holly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are very kind Holly
      I hope that it is sunny for you today
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  14. Jenny I am always amazed at what you manage to get up to! Your embroidery is lovely, I do envy you your neat stitching. And your vintage lavender sachet -gorgeous. You are a very talented (not to mention entertaining!) lady.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you know Dom is always amazed about what I get up to too!!
      Stitching not so neat close up
      We aim to entertain!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  15. Me again.
    P.S. the flowers are beautiful too.

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  16. Wonderful embroidery Jenny as ever and love the bright and cheery Spring Flowers :) x

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    Replies
    1. They are cheery aren't they!
      Thank you Barbara
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  17. That vintage inspired embroidery is too cute and the flowers are gorgeous. Hope you have many more sunny days coming. :)

    xo Danielle

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    Replies
    1. Yes please to more sunny days!
      Thank you for calling round
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  18. wonderful - as always - brought back memories of ironing on transfers for embroidery - oh dear i'm pretty sure that the bag was chucked out when we cleared mum's things - i was pretty young and innocent in those days and too busy bringing up my boys to realise that i would one day like to embroider again so forgive me!! carry on carrying on i - love to read your thoughts!!!! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah yes - hindsight......we too cleared many, many things when our mum died, there was just too much to sort out. You can trace round any picture and transfer it to embroider though
      thank you for your kind words
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  19. How can you be funny and so clever all at once I wonder? I really wish I could draw. I shall have to stick to the iron-on transfers. Gorgeous spring bulbs make me feel that good days are really just around the corner. :) Philippa xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a gift!!! Ha ha - not really!
      More gardening this weekend I hope!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  20. My bag is multi-purpose but now I'm planning an 'unexpected occasions' bag...lovely stuff. xx

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    Replies
    1. Dear Ethel
      I look forward to seeing your bag greatly
      best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  21. How have I lived so long before discovering your blog? Thank heaven I've now found it. Love those cheap bulbs - and everything else.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a kind thing to say
      Thank you for calling in Arthur!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  22. You have some lovely makes there - the lavender bag is so cute. And your embroidery is beautiful. I love looking at old needlecraft books and patterns.
    Thanks for sharing
    Caz xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Daw - blushing here!
      Thank you for your kind words
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  23. You have some lovely makes there - the lavender bag is so cute. And your embroidery is beautiful. I love looking at old needlecraft books and patterns.
    Thanks for sharing
    Caz xx

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  24. Lovely photos, as ever. The harsh criticisms of the sewing judges reminds me of my friend H. who entered her first WI bake-bread-in-a-flowerpot competition. She won, but with a stinging comment: Perfect bread but the pot is a bit grubby

    Poor H. has never baked bread in a flowerpot again, or indeed in anything. Perhaps I should make her a bag for an unexpected occasion of breadmaking?

    Shelley

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    Replies
    1. My dear Shelley
      Thank you for sharing your friend's humiliation! That sounds just the sort of thing which I would have done. At least she won though!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  25. Your photos are a feast for the eyes and I Love your embroidery, it's so neat and colorful, love the pattern, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it was very simple to do so I have made more since then - oh dear!
      Thank you for your kind words
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  26. I there no end to your talent woman!! and how many minutes sleep do you get,for there cannot be enough hours in the day to do all that you do!! I just love the little girl with her dog,it looked like the wind really was blowing her hair! Your Spring bulbs are so beautiful,isn't Mother Nature a marvel? My grass in a tin is coming along a treat,it's already had one hair cut! I feel very fortunate to be a member of the bonkers club!! Apparently we are for growing grass in a rusty old tin! Wishing you a sunny, happy ,doing week.TTFN Pam

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Pam - talents all ended now!
      So glad to hear of grass tin growth!
      we are all a bit bonkers - thank goodness for that!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  27. Replies
    1. Thank you kindly for your kind words
      Best wishes
      Jenny

      Delete
  28. Bunting and blooms how very delightful and your vintage embroidery is simply the best, along with the super pictures. I have a stash of vintage transfers, I love them but I can't top your Needlewoman 1934! You never cease to amaze me with your creative doings and photography...oh and I forgot to mention that sweet little lavender bag - love it. Never stop doing what you do Jenny, it brings so much cheer, I love reading your blog and seeing your lovely work :) x

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Barbara - my blog doesn't really scratch the surface!! Oh my, oh my!
      Thank you as always
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  29. Love it all as usual ,leaving with a smile,thankyou jenny xxx

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  30. You have made some truly wonderful stuff, I really enjoyed reading your blog x

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    Replies
    1. That is very kind of you jabbott
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  31. Hello Jenny:

    Can we really know someone who does NOT have cushions for the river? Impossible to understand. Next you will tell us that you do not have cushions for the forest, the desert, the beach or the polar regions.

    What, as always, a fun post although, recently returned from our sojourn in Brighton, we are rather late here. Your images of spring flowers are startlingly wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so sorry - I have tried the cushion for the river creation but really not good enough...I hate to disappoint....
      Gosh so many cushions to make......a global feast.....
      I hope that Brighton was Brightony for you
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  32. Brilliant post, as always. And those embroidery designs, wow! They're so of their time they look practically Aryan!

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