Sunday 30 December 2012

Dear 2013......

 

 
Dear 2013,
 
I'm ready for the year ahead. I embrace you and all the things you have in store for me. I'm in the queue ready for the ride!
 
All I ask, Dear 2013, is that it's a gentler ride than the ones I've been on recently. It's just that well, they've been sooooo wild, so fast and at times so scary. There's been so many twists and turns my head has been left spinning, and my hands aching from my grip on the handrail!
 
I've been so frightened at times that I would fall off, I've wanted to scream and yell but thought if I started, I wouldn't stop. It's been a whirlwind, with ultra fast changes of direction, I really haven't known if I was coming or going!
 
So please 2013, please could it be a gentler ride this year? Could I not have to hold so tight to the handrail,? That way I could use my hands to craft and create. Could my head only spin with ideas......please?
 
I know then, that I will really enjoy the ride, being able to concentrate on the here and now, not thinking too much about what's twists and turns are up ahead.
 
Thank you,
Ada Bea :) x
 
 
 
Thank you all, for your love, encouragement and support since I started this little blog of mine. Your comments and words have meant so much, you perhaps don't know how much.
When I ventured into Blog Land I had no idea how much it would all mean to me, and so quickly! Although it can't replace the love and support I have from my family and friends, it certainly holds a special place in my heart. Thank you!
 
 
I don't make Grand Plans anymore, I used to make lots of Grand Plans, in fact, I used to live in the future with those Grand Plans! Now, I try to live day to day.
 
 
So in 2013, I shall enjoy those little moments. I hope to be creative every day, and support this creative community I find myself amongst. I shall get excited and inspired by the things I see, the colours and patterns!
 
 
I shall take pleasure in the opportunities given to me in 2013. I hope for a gentler ride, but if needed, I will face the challenges head on! Put down my crafting, just for a little while, and hold on tight again to the handrail!
 
 
I shall enjoy those Vintage Sheets! I will relish being Ada Bea!
 
Wishing each and every one of you, all good things for 2013!
 
See you in the New Year!
 
Love Ada :) x x x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(Almost) A Cushion!

 
Well I have my (almost) first crochet Ta Da! I know, I know, compared with most of the crochet loveliness in Blog Land this is (almost) cringe worthy, but I'm proud, so proud I know its not finished yet, but I just HAD to share!

Now....is it a cushion (NOT another cushion I hear my family cry!) or shall I carry on and create......a BLANKET!!!



I know I have such a long way to go, so many improvements to make....but I've started and it's not 2013 yet! I'm ahead of myself!

 
 
If I make a cushion, what's the best way of sewing this to the cushion? And what do I do with all those ends!!
 
When the children are back at school and I have some Me Time, I'm going to have a Bunny Mummy Day! I'm sure all of you know her blog very well, have you seen her latest post....crochet heaven! I will read all the way through her blog, and love every minute!

THANK YOU all so much for your kind birthday wishes, you are just The Best! I was hoping to reply to all.....but got a little distracted!

 
I have (almost a cushion....Yippee!)
 
I'm guest blogging over at Modflowers over the next week or so! Sharon as posted today as well, but please pop over, I could do with the support! It was a bit traumatic, I published my first post, sent it off, but it didn't show on her blog....it's floating around Cyber Space somewhere, I imagine some Aliens coming across it, thinking, who the heck is Ada Bea......little do they know! Anyway, I managed to work out what to do!
 
I'm extending the Crafty Currency Swap until the new year, pop over and have a look if you have a chance, there are some lovely swaps on offer! (sorry I seem to be making a lot of pop over demands!)
 
 
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement, you really help!
 
Ada :) x
 
p.s. I ironed, photographed, and decided which sheets I will pop in my Etsy shop yesterday, some pillowcases too....I had a lovely time!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday 27 December 2012

Celebratory Pause......

 
Well, Hello! I've missed you all! Hope you all had a great Christmas! Ours has been very chilled, relaxed, lovely food and a little too much wine (nice though, it's not often I have too much wine!).
 
Lots of the same family traditions, some new ones too! The usual mince pies and milk, put out for Santa on Christmas eve (he might need a glass of wine next year!). Watching Santa's progress on the NORAD tracking website, this one was a new one for us, very exciting! Sad thing was, I kept checking in when the girls had gone to bed, and I got very excited when he landed on UK soil! Ridiculous or what!



Stockings opened on our bed, not too early this year, Christmas morning! Then race downstairs to see what else had been left under the tree. This year, the girls pressies were placed in pillowcases. When I was a little girl, we would always wake up to a pillowcase filled with goodies, I wanted to recreate this tradition! At first the girls thought I was a bit bonkers, but humoured me, chose their own vintage pillowcase from my collection (has to have a vintage twist don't you think!), but then loved diving in to get their presents out the next morning!

This year Christmas has shrunk in the Bea household, presents have got smaller (ironically more expensive though!). The large toys, full of endless plastic tags, which take an age to get out of the packaging, have been replaced with smaller electronic ones!

 
The usual, beautifully cooked Christmas dinner, but with one less person around the table this year. Sadly Mum isn't mobile anymore, so our new tradition, for as long as she is with us, will be to visit her on Christmas morning, share out a big tin of chocolates, then help everyone pull their crackers and pop on their hats!

 
And today is my birthday! Celebrations have been put 'on hold' as there are 'bugs a lurking'! So this post is a day early, I have some unexpected time on my hands! This is my new bag brought from Little Teawagon! Beautifully crafted by Jane!
 
Having a birthday so close to Christmas is a mixed blessing, the good thing is that the celebrations are stretched out an extra day (unless bugs are lurking of course!) but your birthday can also be swallowed up by Christmas too!
When I was little I celebrated my birthday in April with Posh Sister, then when I was about 6, asked if I could have my own birthday back! I think I understand what my parents were trying to do, but I wanted my own day.....it's my own fault of course, I should have been born in March, just couldn't wait to join in the fun!

Let me show you what else I've had......

 
Love these colours.....new addiction on the horizon!!!
 

 
Lovely barkcloth from Folly and Glee and a little porcelain brooch and tin from a good friend, who knows me so well!
 
 
 
And a beautiful blue scarf, hand made for me by Jackie, just one of the lovely swap pressies!
 
 
It's been very peaceful, life changes, and we have to change too!
 
I'm glad to be back in Blog Land, I will pop over to catch up with everyone!
 
Ada :) x
 
p.s my friend has just phoned.....she's popping over to see me, so some celebrations then.......x x x
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday 20 December 2012

Merry Christmas Everyone!

 

 
I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
 
I hope you all have a wonderful time! I'm going to take a little Bloggy break until later on next week, when I'll be guest blogging for Sharon at Modflowers!
 
Have a peaceful, joyful time with your family and friends!
 
Thank you all sooooo much for your fantastic support since I started this blog, you have all be AMAZING!
 
Christmas Wishes,
 
Ada :) x x x
 
 
Sorry for reusing the photo, but I soooo love my little Christmas Tree!!!
 

 
 

Wednesday 19 December 2012

Crafty Currency Swap!

 

 
It's a bit grey and yucky here today and I am sooooo looking forward to the Christmas holidays, spending time together, and no alarm clock...bliss!
 
I thought this would be a good day to launch (that sounds a bit up market doesn't it!) the Crafty Currency Swap!
 
 

I've not hosted a swap before, so apologise beforehand for any mistakes I may (will) make!!

If you want to join in, here's how it will work:

Leave me a comment on what you would like to offer and what you would like to receive in return.

Although this is not about gaining financially, please be mindful about the value of what you are offering, and that it is balanced by what you would like to receive!

It could be something you've made or fabric/yarn or a craft book that you have, but no longer need.

Everything must be in good condition, even vintage items!

I cannot promise to match everyone up, but I will try!

State if you are only able to post in the UK or if you are willing to post Worldwide!

I will close entry to the swap on the 31st December 8.00pm GMT. I will then match up as many as I can, (may have to put appeals out if I can't match everyone!) I will then link up the partners.

It is then UP TO THE SWAP PARTNERS to communicate, discuss ideas, values etc and arrange postage etc.

I will try and match up partners by the 2nd week in January, with the view for the swap to take place mid February.

Please make sure I am able to email you, otherwise I won't be able to include you in the swap!

 
 
So here goes! I would like to offer:
 
OFFER: A patchwork cushion cover like the ones in the top photo, in a mix of vintage sheets. I would love to receive a little crochet garland with colourful flowers/hearts, perhaps a metre long. Post worldwide.
 
OFFER: A pack of vintage wallpaper, 10 sheets (approx. 21cms x 26cms), in a variety of patterns and colours. I would love to receive 2/3 balls of yarn, cotton mix, nice and colourful! (I'm new to this yarny stuff so don't know costs, but will adjust offer accordingly!). UK postage only.
 
OFFER: 2 FQ's of vintage sheet material, you can choose from Etsy shop (I will be listing fabric in the new year). I would love some bark cloth, feed sack or liberty material. UK postage only.
 

 
 
 
So what do you think folks? Anyone up for the Crafty Currency Swap? Something to look forward to after the festivities!
 
 
Welcome to all those who are now following Vintage Sheet Addict! I've been trying to reply by email to all your comments, but I'm behind already! I love reading your comments and really appreciate them, especially as I know how busy everyone is at the moment!
 
Thanks for your all the techno support you gave me after my last post, it's obviously just a change made for those of us that use iPads, heaven knows why, it was fine before!
 
 
 
Bye for now.....your homes are all looking LOVELY and festive! I'm loving a good old nosey around your Christmas displays!
 
Ada :) x
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Monday 17 December 2012

What's Happened To Blogger?

 
Hello Everyone, sorry I've not been around much, will try and visit you all tomorrow!
 
Does anyone know what's happened to our Blogs?
I can only view everyone's post titles, then need to click to view the whole blog!
I don't like it! :( I can't see all those lovely pictures straight away!
Can anyone enlighten me?
 
 
I will close my Etsy shop on Friday, if I can work out how to do it! Those with etsy shops, do you deactivate each listing?
Sorry I sound a bit 'needy'! I really don't get all this techno stuff!
 
Good news though on the crochet front! I'm starting to see the links! And I'm starting to see when I go wrong, which happens...a lot!
 
 
Ada :) x
 
 
 
Mystery solved! Hen has informed me that the 'changes' to how the blogs look seems to only be occurring on iPads, which is what I use! This has made me feel a whole lot better! Still not sure why the changes have occurred though! Thanks Hen!
 

 

 

 

Saturday 15 December 2012

I've Started.......So I'll Finish!

 

 
I think the owl mittens Kelly sent me must have contained a little sprinkle of Yarn Magic! I've been determined to get my head around crochet, I've been bitten by the bug!
 
The picture above is some little flowers I've had a go at. There's a tutorial over on Eleanor's blog. Some, sorry, lots of improvement needed, but I've started.......so I'll finish!
 
In the summer I brought this little suitcase packed full of this goodness.....
 
 
 
All for £3.50.....bargain, and perfect for practising my new....addiction?!
 
Some things i have tried this week went very wrong!
 
 
Oh dear! That went very wrong! I WILL make one of Jane's lovely Christmas garlands.....but it might have to be next year now!
 
You see, I can't actually 'see' the stitches at the moment, I'm not really sure where the hook should go, so when the instructions say, 'third chain along' I can't really see where the third chain is.....I'm 'ad libbing' crochet, not the best way, but my way, at the moment anyway!
 
 
I thought I was doing very well here, until I realised I hadn't counted the right number of stitches!
 
I'm finding it very difficult to remember how many stitches I've done! My family are getting really irritated with me counting out loud to myself, so I'm going to have to find a way of counting the stitches.
I was going to write them down, but how do I do this? I'm sat there, hook and yarn (I love that word, have I told you?) in hand, iPad (for You Tube support) and book balanced on knee, I'm not sure how I would manage pencil and notebook too!
I'm also very anti-social at the moment, refusing to talk to anyone in case I lose count......please tell me this will pass, I don't want to be anti-social!
 
 
 
And as for the tension, there's lots of that, but not in how I'm holding the yarn!
 
This is my latest try, I'm happy with this, for now anyway!
 
 
I've followed a tutorial on Lucy's blog, which has been really useful!
 
So there you have it, the beginnings of a new addiction for me, any tips would be gratefully received! Oh, and when does your hand stop cramping up?!
 
It been really frosty here this week, those mittens from Kelly are coming in very useful!
 
 
 
I woke up this morning to very sad news. Those poor, poor children and families caught up in the awful carnage in Newton Connecticut. My heart goes out to that Community, words cannot express the devastation. They are in my heart and thoughts.
 
 
Ada :) x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday 12 December 2012

Crochet Plans.....

 

 
Have I told you that I really want to learn to crochet? I'm sure I've mentioned it, in passing! Well I thought, before I start, I might just need to get a few things ready, a couple of hooks....and of course some yarn!

I love the word yarn, wool really, but I shall use the word yarn! Can you just imagine my delight at the sight of all that lovely yarn, oh dear, I might just develop a new addiction!

 
Anyway, I digress! Of course if I'm going to buy yarn (love that word!), I need somewhere to put it!
 
 
So this is where my little stool comes in handy! I can just see me, sat in chair, hook in hand, lovely yarn with my feet popped up on this little beauty! I hear you all laughing, not at my positive thinking (I will learn to crochet, I will learn to crochet, I will....) but that I will fit all the lovely yarn into such I small space! You know me so well, but I promise not to go mad, I'll only get just a few balls!
 
 
The interior isn't looking too good at the moment, I'm thinking of lining her with wallpaper or perhaps some of these pages, there's also purple and green, just the right shades, but I'm not sure about cutting it up! also I'm not sure wether to paint the legs or not, what do you think?
 
 
The lovely Kelly has sent me these wonderful owl mittens this week as well as some other little goodies. Thank you so much Kelly, they really brightened up my day, I'm wearing the gloves now, it's freezing here! I'm wearing the little brooch too, and the little heart has gone on the tree I made!
 
 
 
I've also had a little parcel from Sharon of Modflowers, she's in Australia visiting her family and has asked me to do some Guest Blogs for her! Thank you Sharon! The little spotty tin, silver tree and cross stitch are just some of the lovely gifts from Jackie, as part of my Advent Swap, thank you Jackie!
 
 
Well I've been busy stitching and making but can't show you anything because they are all pressies and have been sent to the North Pole!
 
Thanks for all your support on my last post, it is really appreciated! Welcome to those who have just found me, I will try very hard to visit your blogs soon!
Have a lovely rest of the week Everyone, I'm really loving reading all about your Christmas preparations!
 
 
 
Ada :) x