WOYWW 177

IT'S THE LIFESTYLE THAT I LIKE,
I'LL GIVE YOU YOURS, YOU'LL GIVE ME MINE,
BUT DON'T FORGET TO WRAP THEM UP
IN PRETTY, PRETTY RIBBONS.

(Heavens to Betsy, a lyric from that eccentric chanteuse, Lady Gaga. Ooh, get me, featuring a song of the Modern Day Era!!)

A short(ish) blog today - just cos of life, shtuff...you know...!

Julia answered my clarion call the other day - I needed some odds and ends of ribbon for a sewing project and asked if I could have a furtle through her infamous Ribbon Jar - the star of many a desk photo :)
Kind friend that she is, she promptly responded and brought it over to my house (with a seat belt on in her car!!) in return for a smoking hot mug of Java. And the best way to pick over what choice there is?

TIP IT ALL OUT!!! (OCD sufferers, look away now......)
I rather like that sexy, spotty bias binding but that was too nice to take so it lives to see another day in the RJ! As you can imagine, we had a grand old hour chatting, slurping and sorting out. I think Julia rediscovered some little beauties that she'd forgotten about :)  And I was rewarded with a few lovely little snippets - thank you, Julia, that was much appreciated!

So, that was my downstairs desk, now to return to the upstairs workroom - perhaps I'll call it my Atelier - oooh, get her, gone all posh *grin*

3 aprons, cut out, waiting for stitching - I seemed to have a run on aprons recently and needed to make some more. I just picked random fabrics but the colours go together quite well, don't they? I'll have to remember that combo  for the future.

 The makings of a beading mat, as requested by Kate at the crop - fabric, quilting batting and a suede-ish fabric, perfect for stopping the little beady b*****s from rolling off. Can you tell that's happened to me a few times?? Grrr....
 And what's that in the carrier bag in the background? 

What I Did At The Boring Craft Fair by Lunch Lady Jan, aged 6 (in hexadecimal)
The punters weren't flocking on Sunday, not to any of the crafters - ah well, you can't win them all.... So I made the best of the day and cut out all the bunting pennants I need to make the decorations for my mate Sue's wedding in a couple of weeks (she of awesome Crop cupcake fame!) Black, white and pink are the theme colours, so I raided my stash and bought some half metres from Fabricland. It'll look fab (I hope!) strung around the village hall!!

Rightio, that's it for now, am off to have a stroll around your desks. Can you get the kettle on, pretty please??  :D

57 comments:

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

Good morning, LLJ, someone else up and around far too late at night. You have been busy with all those makes, but I love that stash of ribbons to pick over. Have a great week. xx Maggie (no idea of number yet)

Inkypinkycraft said...

Now that is a PILE of ribbons! Have fun playing and creating! Trace x 46

Hettie said...

Kettle is on but it will be tea....too early for a coffee yet.
Fabulous ribbon jar, can I have a play next time I am down? I will bring my ribbon tin and we can do a swapsie session. I am sure Julia would not mind!
That bunting is going to look great!
Ordered a beading mat on Monday after The Crop but it has yet to arrive! Grr. I have lost the piece of velvet I normally use! Doh! No doubt I will find that just after my beading mat eventually arrives!
Hugs
Hettie #72

My name is Cindy said...

Always such a gorgeous selection of fabrics on your desk, makes me want to drool! You are right, those firt three fabrics do go surprisingly well together though one probably wouldn't choose them straight away as they are all quite busy. Thanks for popping by Jan, kettle's on anytime!! Cindy x #17

Julia Dunnit said...

Hexadecimal!! I nearly spat out my coffee! The ribbon hour was fun, and if that's the hardest thing you ask of me, I can always do that!! The bunting will just be fab. And if I'm going into leather, it will BE leather, not Pleather, ugh..sweat!!

Helen said...

Don't Julia's ribbons go a long way all tipped out... would love a furtle too!! The bunting is great but I thought it was a great pile of knickers on first glance as I scrolled the page down... will be better as bunting, much better. Have a great week. Helen, 19 (Kettle always on here).

KatzElbows said...

How fab to get your hands on the famous ribbon jar and rummage like a mad woman. I imagine cackling and stroking! Possibly even a "my precious" moment or two!

Now, I've put the kettle on, but as I don't drink tea or coffee you might be better off making your own.

Happy WOYWW.
cheers, rachel #67

Carmen said...

I sorted out my fabric/ribbon box the other day. Looked pretty much like that (the girls had been pawing through it all summer) Craig came in, took one look at the table, shuddered and walked straight back out again :D

All sorted now though and I also now know what I've got, fabric offcut and ribbon/lace wise for whenever I finally get round to making my fabric journal!

That bunting is going to look amazing! Have a great week :)

Annie said...

The kettle is on ready and you're very welcome to come for a rummage through my ribbon jars...yes I now have 6!!! Hope to see you soon :-)
Hugs,
A x #68

Angie said...

I think it is more fun rifling through a ribbon jar thats not yours. Great projects on the go and I am sorry your fair was slow but then you used your time ...those bunting materials are such fun ...she will love them I am sure.Last time I opened my ribbon box I shuddered and closed it quickly. lol #79 xx

scrappymo! said...

teehee My flower rubbermaids look just the same when i am searching for something. Everything is crushed in so tight you can't fir a feather...so dump it out and have a good search is the best way here too!!!!!

Helen said...

Everytime I see your desk it makes me want to have a go at sewing something :)

Hugs Helen #87 xxx

BJ said...

Despite OCD the ribbons look brill and the fabrics and the wedding banners too. I still have my union flag banner up! I guess it will stay put until I get the Christmas decs out! BJ #8

JoZart Designs said...

Methinks you have been copying my desk as it looks like home and as I'm on the South coast I'm missing it. Shame the craft fair punters weren't buying after all your efforts. Love the wedding bunting. I wish I had known you didn't have crochet hooks as I have so many so I could have given you some. Charity shop are a good source instead of buying new.

JoZart Designs said...

Signing off ... Poted previous par accident!
Love Jo xxx

Unknown said...

Hi Jan more lovely bunting in the making - I know from personal experience that the bunting is going to look fabulous. One lucky friend I say. It is amazing what we find when we search through our stuff - I too admired the red spot ribbon! Happy WOYWW to you from Helen 16

Cardarian said...

Looks like you did get your hands on the famous jar - didn't you talk about it at the crop??? Love the color combination on your workdesk but also the prepared fabric for the bunting - if I would ever get married I would want that same bunting too! :-)
Lots of hugs,
Cardarian

Anonymous said...

Lovely looking ribbon stash Jan, it's going to take some sorting!

Shame about the punters not purchasing on Sunday as your things are so gorgeous but least you got to cut out all of that pretty bunting. Can't wait to see it finished :)

Happy WOYWW. Kettle's on, think you're going to be all tea'd out with all of these offers of a cuppa lol

Andrea said...

you've had had a great time..I'm so envious of the chance to rummage especially through someone else's treasures..bonus... I love ribbon!!!.. the aprons look fab love the fabrics ...oh I wish I could sew ,love the bunting too until next week have a good one x #99

Kate said...

I'm all excited now, it's got the little doggies on and everything. Thanks LLJan xx

** Kate **

Ann B said...

You always have a massive array of beautiful fabrics but the bunting is the best I think - so pretty - will look fab at the wedding.

Just back from walking the dog and catching up on a few desks.
Ann B #70

Chloe grice said...

Terrific bunting!! And though I've never been an apron wearer, I reckon those fabrics look great together and would persuade even me to wear one rather than my usual be-splattered clothes... Chloe 85 x

famfa said...

Gorgeous looking bunting. Aprons look good too. Ribbon finding looked a good job
FAMFA 29

donnalouiserodgers said...

ooh up market post, must get the thesaurus.... Atelier is bang on and a better word than studio/workshop, Morti and i were discussing the word art of Franglais when I stayed over, and she had me in tears when she recounted her story of 'l'automobile accident' ( see totally English but said in a french accent it is sooo easy)saying to her insurer that ' J'ai un rendez-vous avec l'arbre' Did you notice I have mastered the french shrug?

I must insist she does an illustration and a subtitle when we purchase our french ruin avec dependants....and bring it over for me...we have lined up some for viewing next month - including a shed!!!!!!

Kate said...

There was me excited about seeing it in the picture and as if by magic it arrived. The little doggies are just perfect, thank you, thank you, thank you.

** Kate **

Morti said...

Kettle's on, hun - where are you? LOL...

Actually, as I type this, I'm not there either, so perhaps best you don't just show up, though Lil Miss B would be more than happy to oblige I'm sure!

Love the pink & black bunting. I guess I'd better think about something purple and black and gothic for the wedding next year...

Thanks for stopping by!

betsy (pharmgirl) said...

oh boy - i would love to rummage through that ribbon jar! love your bunting!

i'm @ 123 !

Elizabeth said...

Hi Jan, sad person that I am, my fingers are itching to sort out all that lovely ribbon that you've been furtling (brilliant word - as is atelier) through. Love the bunting, polka dots and gingham put a smile on my face any time - they are going to look just fabulous. Oh, and how I wish I had a Fabricland in which to buy half metres from ... there's a dearth of fabric shops in this here part of the woods. Happy WOYWW, what's left of it, and have a great week. Elizabeth x #114

Unknown said...

Well your crop has inspired me to try and gather some of my pals for a crafty lunch one Saturday--any tips on putting this together? Oh, I LOVE making aprons Jan--I make too many...maybe they need to go into an Etsy shop! I love that mess of ribbons and things laying there...my fingers are itching to go through it! I guess it is funny that three of my favorite shows are Call the Midwife, Downton Abbey, and Upstairs Downstairs--thank goodness we have PBS Masterpiece Classics to bring us these shows! (however, it could all be gone if Romney's elected!) My other favorite show is Once Upon a Time--you would love it! Hugs soul sister! Happy WOYWW! Sandy Leigh #13

Sarn said...

Hi LLJ . . . happy WOYWW to you.

Pwetty wibbons your fwend shared with you there.

Well done on making the best use of what was probably a disappointing craft fayre.

Hugs
Sarn xxx

CraftygasheadZo said...

Hee hee loving your word choices! Wow that Julia does have some yummy ribbon, my eyes were drawn to the blue of course. Your fabric is just gorgeous and that bunting is just lush. My kettle is also ready to be on, though you'll have to bring the cakes because well, it would end up on the floor if I tried to bake any! Take care lovely, Zo xx 71

Erika said...

Oh Jan you always have such lovely stash.....oh to play with it!!
Have a fun Wednesday.
Hugs Erika. Room 101!

Mary Ann Tate said...

That bunting will look fabulous:)

shazsilverwolf said...

Great post- loved the warning to OCD-ers, lol. made myself a beading mat once,by gluing a piece of velvet to some thickish card- got the idea from the mats on the jewellery counter at the Argos I used to work at, lol.Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz #107

Anonymous said...

Ooh, can we go furtling together Jan???!! I love ribbons too! And good coffee, they call me the coffee snob at work! Great colour choices for the aprons, I wouldn't want to wear one of yours for fear of muckying it up!! And Lady Gaga and posh really don't go together young lady! Shame there were no bites at the craft fair, but at least you made use of the time.

Hugs
Brenda 3

belldoubleyou said...

Computer science pedantry: You know 6 in hexadecimal is still just 6, right?

Sorry about that. It looks like you had a lot of fun rummaging through the ribbons -- did they perhaps get a chance to go in slightly more neat than they came out. I'll pretend they did, howsabout that, then my OCD will feel better!

Karen said...

Looks like an OCD'ers nightmare!!! I have a very vocal kitty at my feet waiting for tea, so will have to go. Take care, Karen T 140 x

Twiglet said...

Oh Jan - I love visiting your desk - so full of fabric craftiness. You always have such lovely bits n bobs to snoop - gorgeous choice of fabric. x Jo #79

Belinda Basson said...

Always such interesting things on your desk. Lucky you to get to raid that jar!

belldoubleyou said...

I don't cover all my paperbacks in clear contact paper -- I'm lazy, and I have a LOT of books -- but in a perfect world I would. It really is an excellent way of protecting the covers.

The books currently on my table are looking a tad bit beaten up already and I'm going to lend them to a friend, so I thought it would be worth a little bit of preservation effort. (I'm actually more concerned about me stuffing them into my bag to bring to her, I'm pretty sure she's careful with other people's books.)

Neet said...

Wow, how many pennants have you to make for next week?

Neet said...

It wouldn't let me continue. So here I am again.
Love seeing all Julia's ribbons and also all the other makes you have done. What a busy bee you are.
Love
Neet xx 55

fairy thoughts said...

hi LLJ
Oooo I would love to have a rummage through all those ribbons.... just fab!
Love the colours for the aprons too. Enjoy your sewing, I wish I had the time, it is going to take me a while to get used to my new 'baby'
janet #58

Nan G said...

Good thing I enlarged the pic of the buntings.....LOL! I won't "mention" what I thought! LOL pretty ribbons too. Happy WOYWW! Nan 27

SandeeNC said...

ohhhhh, I have learned a new fancy word! Atelier...had to listen to how it was pronounced too...now I have to fit this into a blog post!! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Love the black, white, and pink bunting! What fun wedding colors and like you said, I'm sure it will look fab! I love the results of the ribbon jar being upended. I used to have a ribbon box in that condition but it drove me too nutty. I don't know that it was OCD as much as it was lack of patience to dig through it and unwind the bit I wanted. It is fun to paw through a big pile like that though. Happy creating!

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

I rather like the look of that spotty sexy binding too. Too bad it's too nice to use! Love the bunting colour combo and your funky apron fabrics.
Fiona xx #152

okienurse said...

looks like you have been busy again this week. I love that pile of ribbon and that sexy red and white spot does draw ones eye....hummmmmmm....should have grabbed it Jan but then you know where Julia lives and pop by another day. Hope you have a crafty week! Vickie #91

Spyder said...

Yes! I've tipped all my ribbons out too...sometimes you just have too!! Happy WOYWW
((Lyn)) #25

VonnyK said...

What fun to go rummaging through jars of goodies. Love the fabric for those aprons and the bunting is going to look gorgeous. You sure are busy.
Have a great week.
Von #45

trisha too said...

That bunting is going to be FABULOUS!!! We have a couple weddings coming up here, you are giving me bunting ideas--thank you for the inspiration, Jan!

:)trisha
#137ish this week

Eliza said...

How wonderful that you got to dig into the Queens Jar of ribbons and tip the whole bloody lot out, awesome fun, I am jellous about just popping around the corner to have coffee I would so love to be able to do that.

Eliza 88

Darnell said...

What's that then? Has someone called us "uppity?" Who dat? Who done dat?

You painted a lovely piccie of you and She Who Is HostESS and the infamous ribbon jar. I had to look away of curse, no typo.

I'm sorry you were dissed on Sunday, but look how things worked out with you getting all the happy bunting cut for Sue's bash! There'll be no moss growing under your hands!

Fun aprons, too!

Thanks for coming by to visit me already and have a great week!! Darnell #59

lisa said...

No desk from me this week, I'm playing truant but the kettles on anyway, so I hop you pop in for a cuppa!!
I love the idea of Julia nipping round with her jar wearing it's seatbelt!!! How could resist that spotty dotty piece, it's yummy!!
What a shame that you had no takers at the fayre, don't know what they were missing. Still looks like you made good use of your time.
Hope you are having a good week.
hugs Lisax

pearshapedcrafting said...

Just one word from me - yummy! Chris 150

Anonymous said...

How nice to have a crafty friend who responds to ribbon crises with her own precious jar of goodies. Hope you're having a happy week. ~ Laura #155

Anonymous said...

That fabric is FAB! Love it. And thanks for your comment about my tutorials :) I try to be clear but I just never know....

Happy day-after WOYWW

MA (2)

WOYWW 769

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