Friday 24 January 2014

Grow Your Blog

Hello and welcome to my blog post for the Grow Your Blog party hosted by Vicki at 2 Bags Full
I'd like to tell you a little bit about myself in case you are new here, and if you stick with this post to the bitter end you'll find details of a small giveaway. A little Thank you for visiting. I hope you enjoy looking around and that you'll come and visit again.
So, my name is Christine and I live here.

Well, not exactly here, that would be a bit damp. About a mile inland and 800 feet up from here, in a village in North Cornwall, though originally I'm from the North East of England. I'm married to David, and we have two daughters aged 17 and 19. The elder one (Eloise) is away at University studying Maths, and the younger one (Naomi) is doing A levels at a local college. That's local by Cornish standards, so a 90 mile round trip every day.
What will you find on this blog? A bit about family, a bit about Cornwall, and a lot about crafty things. If it uses needles or fabric I'm all over it. I also love upcycling and repurposing stuff so you'll find a lot of that too. It is slightly possible that you might also find just the tiniest hint of geeky stuff. Well OK, so you'll find a lot of geeky stuff. (Although we run a photography business these days, David and I both trained as chemists and used to work in research.)
Anyway here are some examples of the sorts of crafty things I do.
Every month on the  Needlcraft Haven online forum, we have a challenge where we make up a free cross stitch design from the internet. This year they are all going to be Christmas themed designs and this is my version of the first one for the year.
Design From The Little Stitcher here

I saw this wonderful printed panel from Cat and Vee on Etsy and knew it had to come to our house and become a cushion.
Why the pompom trim? Because pompoms, that's why.

And finally, after I showed my upcycled denim baskets on the last post Kate commented that her boys only wore skinny jeans, and we joked about tall thin baskets. That got me thinking, what would you use a tall thin basket for, then it came to me. Wine! (I'll be honest here, it's not the first time the idea of wine has come to me) So here is a bottle bag made from the leg of a pair of discarded skinny jeans and a lovely wine themed print cotton.

And finally finally (admit it, you thought I'd forgotten) the giveaway. I made a second bottle bag - well a pair of jeans has two legs right? If you'd like a chance to win it just comment on this post.  I'll draw the winner on February 15th. I'll send it anywhere in the world, so anyone can enter. And just in case you were getting your hopes up I should point out it won't have the wine in it any more by then. It may not have the wine in it any more by bedtime actually...

47 comments:

Unknown said...

A novel way of recycling old jeans. Have a fabulous crafty 2014.

stitchersanon said...

I use shirt sleeves and the cuff looks like a collar, add a tie and you have a formal bottle of wine. Love the jeans version too...very crafty. A great post xxx I dont know how i missed the grow your blog thing but never mind: I shall have a great time reading everyone's posts!

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Hello Christine, nice to meet you! You sound like a perfectly normal family to me LOL.

Love those skinny jeans wine bottle covers. It's making me think I should make something appropriate out of hubby's old black combats. Or worn out tshirts of which we have a large collection. I'm actually saving those for his wake where all the mourners will be given one to wear and keep. Morbid? Me?

Anna van Schurman said...

Have we had this conversation before? The dude (my spouse) is from the North East of England (I love how people from the North East of England say they are from the North East of England. I am from the northeast of the US and I never say that.) So where are you from? He grew up in Durham, the cathedral city specifically rather than the county generally. You're so clever with the skinny jeans, and you aren't convincing me you aren't an overachiever. ;)

Mouse said...

hahahahha .... re the wine ...and I love the place you live near .... hope you get lots of new stalkers :) love mouse xxxx

Miss Lilly said...

Yes to pompoms!
Nice post :)

Gillie said...

Well that's okay because the one thing, among many that the WT is very good at, is buying wine, I think he thinks Obama is going to ration it one of these days.......!

Where in the northeast!? The Wyoming Cowboy was born in Darlington, we spent four years there.

Would love to be in the drawing but probably shouldn't as I am not a new stalker.......

Kerryp77 said...

Hi Christine, the NH piece looks lovely. I think we need that cushion too!

Kate said...

Lovely post Christine. Ooh a sneaky peek at your challenge piece - gorgeous. Loving the re-use of the skinny jeans, just my type of recycling!

Barb said...

Hi Christine ,I must have missed the grow your blog thingy,oh well perhaps someone will remind me next year,meanwhile I shall just be sneaky and read the ones I see. Lol at the wine and love the skinny jeans holder. I am not a wine drinker so not much use to me so I shall pass on this one. Oh like your challenge piece ,sneaky preview there.

Shane Pollard said...

That's such a lovely post Christine - I love having a little chuckle as I fly around blogland!
Cornwall has special meaning for us, as my husband's family originally came from there before migrating to New Zealand.
We are told that the old Cornish families are known by the Pol, the Pen and the Tre - our name is Pollard!

I love to stitch too and have several projects lined up for this year too.

That's a great idea for recycling all those old jeans - clever you.
Shane x

Vicki Boster said...

You are in the party list -- section number 20 --
vicki

Sparklyjools said...

Hi Christine,
Well, your 'Supernatural' Charm Bracelets sold it to me - this is a blog I need to see more of!Really enjoyed looking at your posts and I will be back!

Shirley said...

Hi Christine, Welcome to Grow Your Blog party. I am volunteering to help Vicki this morning because of so many joining the party. Blog Land is my way of traveling and I have enjoyed reading your blog this morning and became one of your new followers. I am enjoying learning about your part of the world. I love your crafts. Have fun. Shirley@shirleystitches

Julie said...

Your challenge looks great Christine, i'm looking forward to seeing lots this time, its been really popular this month.

Hope you gets lofs of new vistors who want to enter your giveaway, good luck to them all.

Unknown said...

Hello! What a terrific blog post, so glad I popped by! Love the cushion...and your needlework is gorgeous! Methinks a skinny jean wine bag would make my life just about complete - such a clever make! Chrissie x chrissiecrafts.blogspot.co.uk

Yarni Gras! said...

Jeans, wine and sewing! Whats not to love!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i love wine & a nice comfortable pair of jeans ... nice!! those ones that are super cozy. hi there. i'm Beth from E. Lizard Breath Speaks - so nice to meet you through the Grow Your Blog get together/party. ( :

Ariadne said...

What a great idea to make bottle bags from a pair of jeans!Please count me in in the giveaway!
ariadnesky(at)hotmail(dot)com
AriadnefromGreece!

Angi M said...

Great idea with the jeans Christine. I must use my old ones for something useful!

Averyclaire said...

Hi Christine..nice to meet you. TY for commenting on my blog. Love your work and especially liked your venture into woodburning...nice projects! have fun blog hopping!

Fat Dormouse said...

What an interesting, eclectic blog! Your daughters are both very beautiful (I'm sure they take after their mum!) and I love the things that you made them for Christmas! How talented you are! I am rushing to "follow" your blog!


fatdormouse.blogspot.com
dormouse.wibsite.com

gracie said...

So nice to meet you ...This blog party sure has been fun.

Cath said...

Great post. I love your humour shining through and hope you often post about the area where you live. Cornwall is one place I have yet to visit even though I have always wanted to.
Cath @ Bits 'n Bobs

Mary Ann Tate said...

What a fabulous idea...I have two sons that wear skinny jeans...hee hee:)

SoCal Debbie said...

Oh Christine, you are so clever! I haven't been visiting Needlecraft Haven lately so I should come back and check out the monthly designs. I'd love to be entered in your giveaway!

A Polymer Penchant said...

What fun! I'm short and I have a whole lot of hemming that needs doing, this could be good incentive. Although that would be more like capri length. What a stunning view you have

DebraKay Neiman said...

New Follower. I am having fun finding new bloggers to follow...love sewing and quilting. Greetings from Oklahoma, USA. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

The Attic said...

Nice to meet you. Thanks for visiting my blog.

Judy in Colorado
judy@atticraggedys.com

Shirlee Fassell said...

Christine....I am a late arrived from the GYBParty. Had a great time seeing all the blogs. you're blog is great love visiting the UK .

BluMoon said...

Thanks for visiting me Christine, I really enjoyed your post, this is a first someone who actually lives within shouting distance of me, well almost..!!!
Jackie

Dani - tkdchick said...

Your challenge piece looks great

Carol said...

I always enjoy coming here to see what you repurpose, Christine!! You have the best ideas!

CatieAn said...

Hi Christine! I am visiting via the GYB party and so happy I found you.
I love all of your creativity. Your repurposed projects are great. One year I had my kidlets in my weekly art class cut out the back part of a pair of jeans...just below the pockets. We used plush soft fabric for the back side. The girls decorated the pockets with old jewelry and buttons. The pockets held a Tv remote and a pkg of kleenex. It doubled as a lap blanket.
AM a happy follower.

SheilasEmbroidery said...

Ah Christine I just wanted the wine.!Only kidding as I don't drink wine any more. You always do such interesting things. I love upcycling as well and over the last few years have used more and more in my work.

Unknown said...

Hey Christine, I am totally on board with pompoms just because well, they are pompoms :) That is a lovely pillow. You take lovely photos. Love your upcycling. It has been lovely getting to know you.

Hugs
Caroline

vicky myers said...

Morning, Love your jeans denim sack pockets (I created similar but didn't have any kids little pockets, or such beautiful sacking!) lovely to meet a fellow upcycler through GYB,
Vicky

Judy Cooper Textile Artist said...

Greetings from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. I like your sense of humour. Thanks for the giveaway.

overboardcreations said...

Hello , my name is Dawn your my one stop on the blog party, Hope that I soon will be friends with all of you cyber neighbors. I just say that 600 plus bloggers that sign up to the Party and I am only up to 233 whew a lot of good read and great giveaways. Thanks for this opportunity to join friends with you and be apart of your giveaway. Can't wait to see more of your great projects in the making. My site overboardcreations.blogspot.com and contact info is ovr_brd@yahoo.com

Astrids dragon said...

Love your bottle bag! I really need to pull out my sewing machine and try to make some miracles happen - but I don't like to sew!

Dasha said...

Love your ideas for using up denim. The cats are super cute, and the wine bottle carrier is good fun too. It would certainly make a great gift for someone.

CATHY said...

what a great idea (bottle bags from jeans) they are so fun. visiting from the party. stop by my blog - I have a contest too!

Mary Ann said...

Excited to find your blog. I love upcycling too. My daughter just peeked over my shoulder and now she wants a little kitty like the ones on your more recent post!
~Mary Ann
http://littlehouseonthedairy.wordpress.com/

Wendy said...

hello and nice to meet you! I love the things you make so I'll go and have a look round. I thought my commute was bad, a 32 mile round trip, I don't envy the school run you do!

macmillanmarie said...

Thanks for a great time - I loved my visit to your blog. Thanks for sharing.

Patty Antle said...

Love your projects. Thanks for the chuckle about the wine. So nice to meet you!

nicolesender said...

Love projects that focus on upcycling! Your ideas are great!