Thursday Thrills

Those of you who have gotten to know me over the past year will know about my Thursdays. You will know that Thursday mornings are cafe mornings. I can always be found there on Thursday mornings except in extreme circumstances  ie funerals, school holidays and severe weather conditions. Yes, Thursday morning is a Knit, Stitch and Natter morning.
In fact, it's come to be such a permanent, blissful fixture of my week that friends know they can reliably stroll in to the cafe on a Thursday morning and find me right there. And they often do. Sometimes they come unannounced, just stroll in knowing full well I'll be sat there coffee in one hand, hook in the other. And sometimes I'm forewarned and a little rendezvous will be arranged. A few months ago, it was the gorgeous Bertie who popped in to join in the hooky nattery fun. And today I had the pleasure of Fiona's chatty, bubbly company...oh such fun! You can just see Fiona's hands there in the above picture look, busy crocheting some sweet little fairy light covers.

I had my camera with me this morning to take a few pictures as Lovely C has asked me to design a new poster to advertise the KS&N mornings. I really LOVE these stripy mugs, aren't they gorgeous? They are usually used at the cafe for hot chocolate as inside the mug (underneath the froth) the word "chocolat" is written. But today I asked nicely if I could have my usual latte put into one of these mugs as I knew it would look lovely in the photos.
Incidentally, the mugs come from the delicious Jules China shop in Hebden Bridge, you can find them on their website if you fancy buying yourself one. Or maybe several. And aren't the heart shaped oven dishes gorgeous too?

There's something so lovely about meeting fellow bloggers, because it's as if you've already met many many times before and are simply picking up where you left off. Conversation flows at full pelt, so much in common, so much to talk about, but also so much you already know and don't need to ask. Fiona, if you are reading this, it was an absolute pleasure to meet you, please come again, any Thursday that tickles your fancy. You'll know exactly where to find me.

Now then, I wish to share a little something with you, if that's ok? See that delicious stripy paper bag there sat on my chair, isn't it the most fabulous paper bag you ever ever laid eyes on? This was presented to me this morning, just a little something from Fi-to-me. To be truthful, I would've been overjoyed just to receive the bag itself, that would have made my day.

But inside the bag were some beautifully wrapped gifts :: a pretty box for me and two tissue paper ones for the Little People (still waiting for fingers to arrive and rip them to shreds). Want to have a look inside the box?

Go on then....have a peek....

,,,,sky blue tissue paper, and what's that nestling inside????

A little woolly something, what can it be?

Oh look!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh oh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The most gorgeous little house :: crocheted and then felted, with such intricate embroidered details look....

and look at the back too....a washing line!!! Isn't it just beautiful?

I love love love it. Very very much.

I can see a little collection beginning to grow here, a little handmade housey-housey village.

Which reminds me I've been meaning to show you a couple of housey pictures of mine which sit on my bookshelves downstairs....

This first one is by textile artist Janet Browne, who hand dyes her own fabrics, then pieces and stitches them into these very unique pictures...more of her work can be seen here.

 

And this picture I've had for years, it's by embroidery artist Rachel Setford who I used to bump into a lot when I was also making and selling my textile work :: we exhibited at many of the same fairs and shows (oh that seems like a life time ago!) and I loved her work very much. I remember I had a particularly successful show one Christmas time, resulting in the unexpectedly delicious feeling of having rather more money in my pocket than I was used to. So on a whim I extravagantly commissioned this piece from Rachel and she made it especially for me, all hand stitched, such teeny tiny stitches...ahhh I do so love hand made things. Such love and skill and care in every stitch. 

And speaking of stitches and love and skill....maybe very soon I might be able to find a little time to do more of this myself....and maybe then this will soon be open for business.......

xxxxxx

Comments

[Ana Maria]

Lucy, Congratulations on your blog is fantastic, it is difficult to see as many photos as beautiful and wonderful colors together, and found it here ... I love it! (Translated by Google)

[lucy]

Have noticed you haven't posted since Thurs so hope you are all right. Sending get well wishes just in case.

[lucy]

The best bit about this morning was the fact that I haven't been near a computer for days and had 2 posts to read on your blog and such long posts!!I wish I could come to coffee and join your crochet group but I fear Oxford is just a little too far. Love the house - such clever people out there. Lx

[Mandy]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/3040444269_5c2ebeb64a.jpg?v=1227021254
How about this gorgeous handmade house. Of course, it's highly likely that you already know of this group. But if not, enjoy.

[bethel of bethania]

G'day Lucy
Ohh how I would love to join your for your Thursday Coffee Stitch & Natter - would be so much fun ... must say I love the last paragraph - as me Dad would say 'Warms to cockles of me'art'... I say Go Girl Go ... OOroo ... Bethel of Bethania

[marsha]

I am so in love with your stuff, you have so much talent thank you so much for sharing.....

[Rhondi]

Hi Lucy
How fun for you to have your Thursday cafe mornings. I am a quilter so if I tried to bring a long my work I would have to take up three tables! I just love coming to visit because of all the wonderful color! I did a grany square afghan back in the 70s and didn;t like crochet but looking at all the wonderful things you make is whetting my appetite to maybe try it again!
hugs, Rhondi

[Emma]

That little house is exquisite! Your Thursday cafe stitchy sessions sound, well, just heaven.

Hmm, I do love to feast my eyes on that crochet bag of yours. I'm hoping that a certain shop, when it opens, might, ahem, stock such things. Here's dreaming...

[roz]

I LOVE the colors you work with. Do you order online? I would love to start a blanket in such vibrant colors but live out in the middle of no where. Just generic craft shops with not much of a selection. Can you suggest somewhere online that I could shop?
Many thanks for your help!

[Aunt Spicy]

What a lovely blog...followed the link from Nest and am so glad! Love all the colors and combinations of patters, you have a great eye for pulling things together!

[Marie]

Loved the link to the pottery shop, loved the little houses, loved being able to step away from my frenetic week and vicariously enjoy your knit, stitch and natter.... thanks for another lovely post.

[Lace hearts]

what a lovely post, Lucy. that house is incredible, I keep having to go back and look at it.
If you have time, could you give me some advice about how you found your crochet group. I can't find any local crocheters, and I'd love to have a group like yours... did you set it up? was it easy to get it going, and where/how did peeps hear about it? any advice would be appreciated. xxx

[mandy]

I so love your blog I stare at it in wonder as you are so so clever.
Please stop by my blog and collect your award.
Mandyxxx

[marmaladerose]

Hello Lucy,

Fiona here, just wanted to ask if you could put a little thankyou from me at the bottom of your next post. I'd like to say thank you very much for all of the lovely compliments your readers left about the little crochet house I made you. I'm quite overwhelmed!

Thank you again for a cheery, friendly, chatty, hooky morning yesterday. Wouldn't it be lovely if everyone who reads our blogs could all meet up for one huge knit and knatter coffee morning, each making one little gift and then exchange them around!

Love Fi x

[Liz Lee]

What a gorgeous little house and what a lovely friend. I wish we had a little cafe like that. Mind you work would get in the way. Roll on the day I can be a SAHM :)

[Ros]

I love your colored stripes!! they do really makeyou happy :)
That house is really really beautoful!! so rich of details!

[Shannon]

What a happy habit! I love to visit your blog. Your photography is beautiful, and all of the bright colors are very uplifting. Thanks, too, for being generous with the links! Oh - and the house is precious - what a sweet surprise.

[DianeM]

Oooo, that little house from Fiona is just so enchanting! Enjoy your weekend :)
Smiles, DianeM

[Heidi]

wow, that felted house is tremendously adorable and inspiring! and the details of the clothesline! wow!

[MJ]

Hi Lucy,
Thanks for sharing your "Thursday Thrills."
I must say I felt as though I was opening your gift with you.
Right down to a little gasp when it came out of the box!
What a sweet crocheted Attic24.
So looking forward to Attic24's debut on Etsy!
All the best!
MJ

[frances]

The sunlight on that cafe table is matched by the lovely friendship of those sitting round it. No wonder you love these Thursdays!

The stripy cups are wonderful. The newest addition to your village is so clever ... just enough abstraction and just enough detail.

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

[kristina]

Oh how I wish we had a cafe and group like this near us. And very much looking forward to the grand opening of the shop! K x

[Gillian]

Really enjoyed this blogpost - that felted house is gorgeous. I've been dropping by your blog and delighted to hear you are opening up an Etsy shop - best of luck!

[Cara @ Turvys]

Love the photographs today, both of the textile pieces and also your KS & N, very envious of the latter indeed. Which reminds me I really ought to see if I can find a similar thing near me.

[Trish]

the little crchet cottage is so pretty :) I love the textile pictures too, gorgeous xxx