MIAM

MIAM

Sunday 21 September 2014

Denbies, dahlias...oh and a card too

I'd almost forgotten that my space in the blogosphere started life as a craft blog, it's been so long since I posted anything crafty.  But with xmas rapidly approaching I've been making a few simple cards now and again so with this in mind here's my entry for the following challenges.  



Less Is More - Let's Face the Music and Dance
Sweet Stamping - Ribbons and Bows   

Items used
Penny Black music stamp circa 2000
Stampin Up sentiment (not keen on this but the size was right)
Xcut heart die
Antique Linen DI, Satin Red and Vintage Sepia Versafine
Red marker pen
Bakers twine
Hougie board for scoring frame

Another thing I knocked up this week was my Poundland tea towel cushion cover....ta dah!



The tea towel isn't really big enough and I should have backed it with a different fabric but I'm too impatient for that and pushed on with a where there's a will there's a way attitude.  OK, it's not brilliant but it sort of works, it'll be covered in cat hair in a week anyway.

On Friday I took Dad to Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking for a tour of the vineyard. It was a belated birthday present and I have to say it was a bloody good one. The tour around the vineyard was accompanied by an extremely interesting commentary about the vines, the permaculture and climate. Also, info from our guide about the surrounding area.... Box Hill, of which, on a clear day there would have been outstanding views, but sod's law it was very misty when we visited. Apparently John Logie Baird lived high up on the hill and used to send test signals to his mate in the town below. The ticket price included a snifter too, a glass of their very acceptable sparkling wine.




 


Another fabulous place I visited this weekend is Withypitts Dahlias which I read about in Sussex Life.  As it's only down the road from me in Turners Hill I popped down there with my camera, unfortunately it was overcast.



If you're in the area it's well worth a visit, the blooms are stunning, the proprietor told me that they supply Covent Garden market with a choice selection twice a week.

I've just read that red is back in fashion this winter...oh the relief!

xx

20 comments:

  1. Hola Fiona, i'm glad to see you!
    gorgeous card, i like the contrast white and red, beautiful musical heart.
    Fabulous weekend in Sussex!, my favourite Withypitts Dahlias WONDERFUL PLACE!!!.
    Very versatile your tea towel;D, great idea!
    A warm hug from Palma

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  2. Just been reading the whole of your post, it was a trip down memory lane. I have just been writing a post that was v relevant. You'll have to pop back to mine later. Hope your Dad enjoyed the vineyard. I have that KC album somewhere, I borrowed it from a friend's ex before he was an ex! Great card and I love the cushion!
    I feel a bit of a cheat re the clouds as that's how they come out of the die! I used MB Calm Countryside and Country Landscape.:)

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  3. Good to see you getting creative again, Fiona - the card and the cushion cover are fantastic!
    Love the photos of the vineyard, but I am particularly taken with Withypitts Dahlias - the fab name, and the beautiful flowers! Gorgeous photos, and such great colours.
    Red's back in fashion? I never knew it went out! xxxx

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  4. Great card Fiona, I wonder how many of us are starting to stress about the amount of Christmas cards we have to make.
    Love those dahlia pics. I like the pom pom ones but not the earwigs that live in them.
    Lynne xxx

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  5. I love this card Fiona, it's great to see you again.
    Your visits sounded wonderful too and your pics are terrific!
    Thanks so much
    Chrissie
    Less is More

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  6. I like your card, nice and understated. Love the cushion too, great way to use the teatowel and have a new cushion too! xx

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  7. So much crafty goodness on your lovely blog Fiona! Your card is so beautifully CAS and I love the musical heart. Those cushion covers are amazing and I can imagine those flying off the shelves should you decide to go into business! I always love your photos too and would love to visit the dahlias place. Don't the flowers look amazing en masse?! Vicky x

    PS Thank goodness my face will be in fashion after zumba on Tuesday!

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  8. I used to make Xmas cards years ago, but it used to take weeks! I admire your dedication. Love the poundland cushion. It definitely works. Wow, you've had a couple of great trips out. Isn't it amazing that we can make wine in this country now? Look at those dahlias! I'm definitely growing the pompoms next year! Xxx

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  9. The tea towel cushion is a beauty! Love it.
    I've never visited a vineyard, that one looks beautiful as does Withypitts. How lucky to have it on your doorstep.
    Gorgeous card, but they always are! xxxx

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  10. Wow Fiona, those Dahlias are simply gorgeous!! So many beautiful colours, heaven!! What a clever idea for a tea towel, you may well have inspired some sewing in my house.

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  11. Loving your tea towel cover! Such a great idea, may have to borrow that one, fed up making toys now. The wine tour sounds like a winner, and those dahlias are beautiful; they'd brighten up your day, whatever the weather. So many gorgeous varieties too - annoyingly I've never had much luck growing them, not sure why! xx

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  12. Hiya Fi
    Delightful card and perfect for our challenge this week at Sweet Stampin', thank you for calling in. Debbiex

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  13. Fiona what an elegant CAS creation and super photos too, the dahlias are a lovely sight
    Thank you so much for joining us this week at Less is More
    Anne
    LIM Designer

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  14. What a gorgeous card and that cushion is just lovely. I know what you mean about the cat hair though!
    The flower field is so beautiful. I've got a rose field accross the road from my house but it's hidden by a high hedge. Perhaps I should set fire to it accidentally? xx

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  15. love the pictures of the flowers! so colourful :)x

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  16. Wow you've got some fabulous photographs on here Fiona I almost forgot to look at the card.
    It is fabulous too - so crisp and CAS and a beautiful heart stamped image.
    Thanks so much for sharing and taking part.
    Sarah xx
    Less is More

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  17. The card is gorgeous and I adore the cushion cover ... adore it!!! Keep creating :0)
    xx

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  18. Loving the flowers, didn't they fly from Box Hill as well when they first invented airplanes?

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  19. Really lovely CAS card. Thank you for sharing it with us and joining in with the fun at Sweet Stampin’ this week and good luck. Hugs Janine xx

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