WOYWW 435

YOU GOTTA HAVE FRIENDS....

After months of planning, the Crop shot by in a whirlwind! No sooner were we driving up than we were heading back home again. Margaret played an absolute blinder in organising everything and worked so hard on the day - Thank You just isn't enough.

I have posted an extensive photo report of the day here if you're interested!

On the way up, Julia, Gordon and I stopped in the small market town of Machynlleth to stretch our legs and grab a bite to eat. There was a small community gallery there - click here for details: Julia and I homed in on these beautiful little felt, embroidery and beaded duckponds, set in vintage china teacups...

They were sooooo pretty - we thought one would be perfect as a thank you for Margaret. They were all gorgeous but one stood out in particular, it's the one at the back with the red flowers. The lady behind the till was the artist (Mo Couper) who'd created it and she was really pleased that it was a gift for a crafter!  Luckily Margaret loved it too :-D

The Crop was full of giveaways and ATCs - as you know, my papercrafting skills are non-existent so, remember my painted stones from a couple of weeks ago? They became these:

Fun, huh?!  I really enjoyed making them and they seemed to be acceptable in place of an ATC, so that was good!

Back home, I was contacted by a crafting friend who told me that the things I'd made for the MacMillan coffee morning had flown off the table and had contributed to a total profit of £1000! She asked if I could make some more things for the charity stall at the local hospital so that's what's on my desk today.

I'm really making headway using up my Christmas fabrics, it's really pleasing. I'm doing some Festive doggy bandannas....

That's the last of all those fabrics shown - yee haw :-D

But nature abhors a vacuum and when the stash boxes are approaching emptiness, well, there's only one thing a gal can do.....go shopping!!

These are from an amazing fabric and yarn shop in Machynlleth, just around the corner from the gallery. I could have spent a lot more but just got these. Love the colours, I think I was inspired by the autumnal hues driving up through glorious Wales :-)

It was so lovely to meet a few online friends in reality - I was especially looking forward to meeting Neet, Fab gal, she's a real babe with her funky punky hair and clothes. The overwhelming feeling was of love, support and friendship...I'm so happy to be a part of it.

Roll on the next one!
xxxxxx

25 comments:

Helen said...

Your stones look fantastic!! a very acceptable atc substitute I say! Neet is a real love, isn't she? Your gift for Margaret is also fabulous. Helen #?

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

More fun photos...cutest little duck ponds. AND I love your rocks. Have fun making your items for the charity, pretty fabric. So glad you all have some special time together. Life is meant to be enjoyed. Have a fun week.

glitterandglue said...

Morning Jan - well, what to say that hasn't been said by everyone??! It was a great day with loads of fun, loads of noisy conversation, loads of cake (and the church would like us to come back again so they can eat more leftovers!), loads of creativity. Thank you all so much for my amazing gifts - it was just so very kind of you. I loved doing it - and would do it again. I wasn't exhausted at the end, although all we did that evening was blob in front of a couple of Midsomer murder episodes! The funeral was amazing, as was the time afterwards. Folk from all over Britain! We have no idea, do we, of the impact we make on people?
Take care girlie. I'm going to come down and invade your end of the homeland one of these days - be afraid!! God bless.
Margaret #3

Annie said...

Your post was just what I needed today my friend. I’ve been filled with post crop blues but now feel the need to get cracking with my doggy order for the shop in Doncaster. I have a feeling I will just have to fill a little tea cup creatively too at some point.
Love you lots my friend and can’t wait for our next catch up.
Hugs,
Annie x #11

Julia Dunnit said...

Absolutely roll on the next one! Still like the fabric choices, and congrats to the huge amount raised for Macmillan, what a great result you were a part of, blimey. Things are very autumnal here since I left and came back, I wonder if the same happened down south whilst wee were merry making up north?!

Christine said...

Love the stones, still say 'what a brilliant idea'. Have you thought of selling any .... just a thought.
Love the new material, and your post brought back many happy memories of Machynlleth.... back in the day we had a glorious time there.
Thank you so much
Christine #15

Sue said...

Hi Jan, Those teacups are beautiful and a lovely gift for Margaret. The stones are fab.

Loving all your fabrics.

Happy WOYWW
Sue #16

Twiglet said...

Wow - Jan - I love your painted pebbles - takes me back to when I was first teaching and I painted 32 as a little gift for each child in my class - ladybirds, fish etc. Yes we like Machynlleth- nice stop off for a wander and coffee.Clever tea cup idea isn't it. I bet Margaret loved her little work of art.Glad the crop was such a success - things just got in my way this time. Maybe we can do something here in the Spring.x Jo

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

Those felt duckponds look amazing! What a lovely present for Margaret! And your stones! I thought they were also available in the shop to buy! I love them - they're so creative! Sounds like you had a great time with the ladies! I might pluck up the courage, time and funds to make it to the next one! Have a lovely week, Jan! zsuzsa #17

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Lovely little stones Jan and the felting, just love it. It's so clever putting them in those cups, what a great present. So wish I could have been there too. Thanks for the visit to mine and happy woyww, Angela x11x

Diana Taylor said...

I've just scrolled down and seen your post about the crop - it looks like you had a fab day and I've really enjoyed seeing all those happy faces and putting names to them! I'm sure I've been to Machynlleth years and years ago - we visited a place called the Centre for Alternative Technology that had recently opened up there - it's a lovely little town if I remember rightly, and I think the Centre is still there.
Your butterfly stones are just gorgeous and well done you clever lady for helping to raise all that money - what a wonderful thing to be part of.
Thank you so much for your comments, I'm really glad to be back and getting into the swing of things again,
Hugs, Diana xx

Sarah Brennan said...

Hi Jan, it was great to finally meet you on Saturday. Your stone is sitting where I can see it when I look up from my work station in the shed. You did drop lucky with that amazing community gallery and fabric store; those tea cups are indeed special! Happy WOYWW Sarah #20

Plush Possum Studio said...

So much fun!
Happy WOYWW
Rose #28

Lindart said...

I love your painted rocks - perfect!! Glad you had a great time at the crop, and that your craft sales have been so wonderful! Thanks for sharing, have a great day! Lindart #32

misteejay said...

Congrats on your Macmillan success. I'm not at all surprised they flew off the table as your makes are wonderful.
Love your stones - so sweet.
Sounds like you enjoyed not just a fabulous crop but also some wonderful retail therapy too.
Toni xx

Unknown said...

a pal and ex work colleague has a holiday place in Machynlleth, beautiful place, love that the crop went so well ( I am already panicking about next Sept - a year goes by so quickly) Huge congrats on your McMillan fund raising - hard cash makes a big difference to enable LIVING in end of life times...dxxx#33

Tracey said...

Fab photos & all those lovely fabrics :o)
Hugs
Tracey
xx

Andrea said...

WOW Jan what wonderful news about the the money your wares raised at he mcmillan offee morning you shold be very proud of yourself and your amazing skills and kindness . The stones are very beautiful ..I love blue and I love butterflies ..two of my favourite things,so you cant go wrong I'm sure they will be treasurdd by everyone who received them. It looks like you all had an amazing time. I saw the teacup on margarets post they are so pretty t what a great find and lovely gift to give. Happy sewing and maybe some shopping :-) have a great week andrea x #6

StampinCarol said...

Thanks for the visit. I had to go look at your photos of the crop. So fun putting faces to names! And how wonderful your projects raised so much money for a good cause!! Hope you have a great week!
Carol N #23

Neet said...

Just call me "biker gran" in my leather jacket and skinny jeans.
It was wonderful meeting you after so long and when I get back from my holidays I will get that fabric off to you for the "bag" - at last. (Gosh hope I remember this time).
The little stone with the butterfly has pride of place in my craft room now, so pretty and thank you so much. Will always think of you and your beautiful smile whenever I see it.
Yes, it was great on Saturday, such extra friendships made, and tips shared too, as well as know how's for making things. Maybe next time I will bring a small bag and actually DO something. Never asked - what was it you were crocheting?
Good of them to ring you and let you know how much they had made at the sale - so many would not bother - you have certainly become part of the community (but no surprise there with your warmth).
Must go, so pleased to have physically met.
Hugs, Neet 9 xx

Kelly said...

Hi Jan. I'll be back to read/ comment later but wanted to answer your question about puff paint. http://tinyurl.com/PuffPaint I use it like an applique stitch - to seal the edges of fabric images I've fused to a fabric base. I'll be posting pictures soon. Hugs! Kel

April said...

It sounds like everyone had such a wonderful day. Those tea cup ponds are adorable.
April #18

HeARTworks said...

I love those little teacups! I may make one myself ha ha !

Dorlene Durham said...

I loved your post! Full of good news all around. So fun to get together with crafty friends and have a good time and your rocks turned out amazing! Have a great week! Dorlene #30

Cara said...

Wow, what wonderful news. Love those teacups x

WOYWW 769

 WE'LL MEET AGAIN.... I'm going to take a break from blogging for a while - please don't worry, all is ok! - think I just need a...