Five on Friday - Plans and Preparations

It is Friday again so time for Five on Friday with Amy at Love Made my Home. I have a lot of different projects on the go at the moment, some are plans for the future and others have a deadline and need to be completed. It would be more sensible to complete the deadline projects before thinking about new projects but temptation beckons.

The deadline projects are for a craft and tea event for our local hospice.

Earlier this year a good friend was cared for in Willen Hospice in the final few weeks of her life. D was a very talented lady and together with other friends we used to meet every month for a morning of craft, stitch and cake. We had lots of fun experimenting with new techniques and learning new skills, taking it in turn to host the group. It was D who encouraged me to think about selling some of the items I created and we did several craft fairs together. We called ourselves "In Stitches" not just because most of our items were stitched but mainly because we were generally "in stitches" laughing.

Examples of D's beautiful work.

Our craft group miss D terribly and we had talked about using our craft skills to raise money for Willen Hospice in her memory. It is something we know she would have done herself. D's daughter found a number of D's creations whilst sorting out her craft shed and so a plan was hatched.  Willen Hospice hold regular fund raising events throughout the year in order to support all it's amazing work. They need to raise around £3.6 million every year from the local community. It is Tea Party week during the first week of October so we are holding a Time for Tea Crafty Event. 

1. Lino cut panels

The craft group met last Friday and we went through a box of D's crafty odds and ends. In it we found a bag of her lino cut panels which we are going to use to print some cards.
A project for next week.

2. Brooches

There were  two brooches in a design D regularly made, one complete, the other half made. I stitched the unfinished brooch together yesterday. It felt a little odd working on something she had started, but strangely comforting at the same time.

3. Hair Clips

Also in the box was a pack of colourful hair clips which we divided between us.

A member of our group has made pretty felt flowers to attach to her clips. I am  crocheting flowers to decorate mine.

4. More Shirley's

The first flock of Shirley's were sold in aid of MacMillan Nurses and can be found here. They proved to be popular with several further requests from friends and family so a second flock are in development. 

They are having fun in the garden here and competing as to who has the best hat.
(Pattern from Lucy at Attic 24)

All these projects need to be finished before I can start this one:

5. Napkins

I made some new place mats earlier in the year from fabric left over from another project. They have not been used yet although I am not sure why as they are not being saved for "best" as my Grandma used to say. While out shopping for bedlinen earlier in the week I found this pack of 4 cotton napkins for £4, which seemed to be a bargain. They are completely plain so perfect for embellishment. I am planning to embroider a simple pear motif  onto them to match the place mats.

But not just yet. There are other more pressing projects to be completed first!