Homemade or handmade?

What is the difference between homemade and hand made? Is it that homemade has connotations of being somewhat amateurish, and perhaps a bit scruffy, whereas handmade has more of an artisitic slant?

I don't know.

But I do know that I like things that have been homemade/handmade.

These are necklaces made by Jo, out of antique / vintage / old - whatever you like to call them - beads and buttons. She makes them to sell, and then donates the proceeds to charity. These two were made for me, but when she handed them over, to my embarrassment, I hadn't got enough cash to pay for them.

But as we were in the LQS at the time, she was more than happy to take fabric instead (and who wouldn't?), so that I could pay by card, and with the new fabric she's going to make some Project Linus quilts.

And this was my favourite Christmas present:


made by my mother. It's not perfect - but what I like is that she took the time to make something personal (although it could of course be a reminder to get out in that garden and get planting...)

Finally - Mr Z&Z and I have been going to cookery classes for the last 5 weeks or so. It's all lottery funded, with the idea being that we learn a new technique, and then go home and share it with friends. We haven't got that far yet - but look:


my first ever quiche!!!

We now have a delivery date for our new kitchen - only ten weeks until I can cook in my own house again.

Friday mublings

A couple of days ago I was looking at Susan's blog, and saw that she had arranged a date for Friday night, run by Heidi. I've also signed up - and committed myself to an evening of sewing!

I shall let you know how I got on.

I also picked up a copy of this magazine:

tempted by the cover photo.

Some very interesting articles inside,

All photos by Rachel Whiting for Homes and Antiques

as well as the instructions, by Kaffe Fassett on how to make a quilt.

As I love Kaffe Fassset fabrics, and like making geometric designs, I thought I'd have a go....

But 2 hours later, I still hadn't tracked down a third of the fabrics on the requirements list. I tried Doughty's (always good for a bargain), Cotton Patch, and even Glorious Color, which states boldly that it stocks every line of Kaffe Fassett fabric currently available!!

So Kaffe - you've either used something obsolate from your stash (understandable and commendable),or it's a new line,not yet available - but either which way, I can't reproduce your lovely quilt! What's more, it's from your new book - not yet available - so I hope that you've got everything else you need....

Of course, I could always substitute, and if I go ahead with this project, I will pretty much have to - but I DO feel a little aggrieved....

(Luckily I have more than enough WIPS to keep me fully occupied for the next six months or so....)

Sleigh bells ring, but I'm not listening (yet...)

Yesterday the Christmas decorations went up at work.

So now, if I want to use the photocopier, or get a cup of tea, or get my post, I have to walk into a room with three Christmas trees, enough tinsel to reach to Lapland and back, and a small and bedraggled crib scene.

There are more than 6 weeks to go.

I find it all quite depressing.

The whole sense of occasion and build-up has vanished - I keep thinking 'oh gosh - is that late in year already?', before reminding myself that it isn't, actually.

Don't get me wrong - I LOVE Christmas / decorating / baking / wrapping things up / Midnight Communion / the whole shebang - but December is time enough to get started.....