WOYWW 372

IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND, I'M THE FIRST IN LINE....

Hello lovely deskers one and all! Don't forget that the WOYWW link-up is back at Julia and Stamping Ground today - yahoo!!

Now don't faint - I've actually done some sewing this week! It didn't turn out quite like I planned though - and that's not the first time I've ever said that, lol :-)
I was intending to FINALLY make the tote bag but d'ya know when you get that feeling that stops you from doing something, that 'I don't know why I don't want to make this' that keeps popping into your head. No? That'll just be me then! Anyway, the something that was stopping me from sewing the tote suddenly made me realise that what I REALLY needed to make was a new knitting needle case :-D

So, one long white zip and some spotty lining later...here is the desk!

Top stitching the zip....

And here it is, complete with needles poking out for 'artistic effect'. I put side pockets inside to hold my cable needles, stitch holder and Clover pom pom makers. A useful bag, bit like myself!

Last week, Mr LLJ, Son No 2 and myself popped up to Cirencester ( a small Cotswolds market town for the non-UK readers) and went to the Corinium Roman Museum. At one point, Cirencester (or Corinium) was the second largest Roman town in the UK, after Londinium. Consequently there were a lot of rich folk there and they had the goods to prove it!
The most exquisite hare mosaic - well, I had to show you this, you know I'm mad about them!

But this really stole my heart:
A little owl brooch, nigh on 2,000 years old - it could have been made yesterday, don't you think? And that's not a reflection, it is symmetrical. I could wear that very happily!

Off to meet Darnell today - I'm really looking forward to seeing her. No doubt there will be photos to show next time. Ooh, and Julia may have some exciting news for us too :-D

41 comments:

Helen said...

Hope you all have a wonderful time with Darnell, sorry I can't be there.. the mosaic and the brooch are beautiful, and in fantastic condition. Love your knitting needle case too, gorgeous fabrics. Helen #?

BJ said...

Know what you mean about the making of stuff and changing your mind, super needle case, love the colour combo. Amazing Hare Mosaic too. BJ#?

Neet said...

So agree with you about the brooch it is utterly charming. As is your knitting needle bag. Clever you, I wish I could sew like you do - want to see my brush holder? Nah, don't think you do, you would curl at the toes to see my stitching.
Have a lovely week,
Loadsa Hugs, Neet xx

Sue said...

Hi Jan, Thank you for standing in for Julia. You did a fab job looking after us deskers.

Loving the needle holder. Really like the mix of fabric.

I love hares also. I particularly like them staring up at the moon. The mozaic is stunning, especially when you consider how old it is. The little owl broach is also beautiful.

Have fun meeting up with Darnell today.

Happy WOYWW
Sue #6

Annie said...

Thanks for all your hard work over the last few weeks and for being such a support to one of our fav blogging friends. It looks like we are both working on patchwork this week....love your bag, very useful indeed. Have a great time today...hugs all round.
Annie x #12

misteejay said...

What a super knitting needle case.
The owl photo is fabulous - what an amazing item.
Hope you have a wonderful time.
Toni xx

glitterandglue said...

Morning Jan. Firstly - many thanks for the hard work you put in to keep this all going while Julia was "indisposed"> It sounds like she is doing well - hope she doesn't overdo things. BUT - she has a fantastic friend in yourself - someone there for her right through the painful times as well as the fun times. You are a star!! (NOT a "useful bag!)
Fantastic knitting needle bag - far posher than the one I made years ago. What a fun day at Cirencester - lovely artefacts.
Have a great day with Julia and Darnell - enjoy meeting up with her.
Take care dear girl. God bless.
Margaret #5

Inside the artists shed said...

You've done a great job keeping the Linky going for the last few weeks - thanks Jan. Now I love that little owl - I have been doing owls for the last few days and this little man may get used somewhere. Have a good week x Jackie 18

Twiglet said...

Thanks for keeping Mr Linky in order for the last few weeks - you are a gem. Now that little knitty needle bag is the perfect thing - I love it. As for the owly pendant well - you and me both - string it on a fine leather thong and we'd look fine and dandy ( er I mean the necklacey sort of thong of course!!) I too have a thing about Roman mosaics - we have seen lots over the years. The little hare is so lovely. x Jo

HeARTworks said...

Love the matching cloth for your purses! The mosaic is awesome, and I agree with you about the brooch. Happy WOYWW! patsy

Lisca said...

You can relax now Jan, Julia has taken over again. Thank you so much for taking care of the link and keeping us all together. (think loud applause).
Your needle bag is fab! Clever you!
What a beautiful mosaic! I have been to Cirencester when my friend lived there, but didn't go to the museum. (we went visiting antique shops). The brooch is beautiful too. As you say, it is something very wearable, and quite modern.
Have a great week,
Lisca

Chidkid said...

Thanks for your hard work looking after us all while Julia recovered. Pleased to see you've been busy. Elaine no. 15

sandra de said...

Love the bag, mosaic and owl ring. have a fab time with Darnell. Lucky girls. You did a great job holding the fort for Julia.
sandra de @32

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

Love the idea of a bag to hold your knitting needles - it must be bigger than it looks! I really need to get some zips and try something like this - it can't be too complicated! I've been to Cirencester a few times i I may have even visited that museum. Loving the owl brooch - I didn't realize it was an owl until you said so! Thanks for looking after us for a few weeks - now everything is back to normal :) zsuzsa #28

Christine said...

Enjoy the day! Hope to catch Darnell later.
Have a good week
Christine
aka Bishopsmate #24 ish

shazsilverwolf said...

Hiya Jan, have a lovely time with Darnell & Julia, won't you. Of course you will. I'm seeing Darnell on Sunday in Birmingham. Love the needle bag, and how straight is your stitching? You really would not want to see mine!
Awesome news about the crop, we are in, absolutely. That mosaic is gorgeous, not just the hare, but all the celtic style pattern entwining it is gorgeous. Love the brooch too, it does indeed look like the kind of hand made piece you could buy today. Fab. Love and hugs to you all, see you soon,xxxxx

Unknown said...

I love your zipper bag, I would use that to tote my craft goodies! I can see why you're mad about that mosaic and the owl--I had to keep staring at them. Just to think how old they are! Well I hope you have a fun, relaxing time together today. As always, wish I was there! I am cooking again tonight for the cast and crew...it's the last week of shooting. Hugs! Sandy Leigh #36

Sharon said...

I'm so jealous of your visit! What a wonderful place to go. Your sewing looks wonderful. The bag is just gorgeous. I'm glad you were able to get back to the sewing.

Have a great week
Sharon K #37

Lynne Mizera said...

So Excited for you AND so envious of being able to hug Darnell! I love her tooooo!! What a great post you gave us this week... I am loving your sewing and reading about your visit to Old Corinium... One day I too will be able to touch some of these places I have only read about... By the way - I agree, that brooch is AMAZING! Happy WOYWW #39

LisaDV said...

I totally get that feeling that keeps you from doing things (usually with housework, lol) but love your knitting needle bag. Those art pieces are fabulous too. Happy Wednesday, LisaDV #33.

Unknown said...

I want to thank for for stepping in for Julia! You did a bang-up job! Great needle bag and I love the artistic effect. That hare mosaic is amazing! The detail, wow! And the brooch, wow! Hope you have a fabulous rest of the week!
Carol N #35

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Jan, how does it feel to be free again Lol! That is a gorgeous Mosaic, love it. I understand the feeling when you know there is something you need or want to make but for some reason your brain is telling you no. The heat here hasn't helped to be honest. Have a great woyww, Angela x 19

Diana Taylor said...

Ooh Jan, what a stunning mosaic, and I have to agree about the little brooch - I'd wear it! I love Cirencester but haven't visited that museum before - will have to look into that. Love the knitting bag too, you clever gal, I've just bought one from Etsy as I wouldn't know where to start adding both a zip and lining too!
Hope you've had a fantastic day in Salisbury with Julia and Darnell - have a lovely week,
Hugs, Diana xx

Kim said...

Yes, your needle case needed to get made. Good for you for listening! Love the brooch and mosaic...that would be a great exhibit to tour. Have a great visit and week.
-K #42

Suzanne Alexis said...

I get that feeling sometimes, but never thought of it as a sign that I need to accomplish something else first. I'll have to pay attention next time! Love your needle case, and the mosaic. The design around the circle looks Celtic to me.

Suzanne #41

Suzanne Alexis said...

I get that feeling sometimes, but never thought of it as a sign that I need to accomplish something else first. I'll have to pay attention next time! Love your needle case, and the mosaic. The design around the circle looks Celtic to me.

Suzanne #41

Suzanne Alexis said...

Oops, turns out I'm #45!

Mariane said...

I am in awe, Jan - First of all I want to thank you for hosting Julias weekly challenge while she was away. Second I am completely in awe of what you are doing with a sewing machine. I still looking at mine hehe. I am also crazy about the old old mosaics and antics - So thank you for showing them
Kind regards
Mariane #41

Lea.H said...

beautiful fabrics and a beautiful bag! Lea #50

dmgarafalo said...

love your bag & mosaic as well. Thank you for sharing. have a blessed day, donna #41

Dorlene Durham said...

Cute bag! Dorlene #43

Nikki said...

So much to see love that 2000 year old brooch what an amazing find that you could wear today thanks for hosting hugs Nikki 1

Stacy Sheldon said...

I totally love both the trip shots Jan, Thanks for sharing them and for being the soft spot for all of us to land while Julia was recovering. I think the needles bag is brilliant :) ~Stacy #44

Kim Collister Studio said...

LOVE the mosaic and owl brooch and your bag is fantastic! Needles bag is a great idea!!
Happy Creating!!
Kim #54

Cara said...

Fab make and love the mosaic and brooch too. Cara x

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated WOYWW. Amazing sewing (I really need to make something actual useful). I grew up in Chipping Norton and we regularly visited Cirencester with school trips. Lovely place - and I am a big fan of the Romans. That owl brooch is gorgeous. Could you get a copy in the gift shop?! Ali x #30

buterfliecrafter said...

just follow where the artistic flows may bring you, the tote will be made in it's good time. Happy WOYWW Vicky #34

Julia Dunnit said...

I totally get that feeling, perhaps it's the one thing that we really have in common?!!
As I'm late, I can say didn't we have a nice time with Darnell and thank you.

JoZart Designs said...

Thanks so much for your anniversary message. It was a great day, and just as we wanted.
Loved reading about your little trip and that owl brooch would make a fabulous rubber art stamp.
Great needle holder/bag!
Jo x

Mrs.D said...

Well I'm really late responding, but I had to wait until we are in a good internet area.
That knitting needle bag is very pretty and clearly already in good use. I love the mosaic from Cirencester and the owl brooch, he is beautiful, I'm sure Mr LLJ would buy you one for your birthday.
Thanks for you nice comments on the wedding card, and Yes we had a fabulous day going to Welshpool for the wedding, really lovely wedding and the couple were clearly so in love.
Chris #27

Lynn Holland said...

You are clever and I've been using those colours myself this week, though in a very different way. Thank you for looking after us all while Julia came back xx
Lynn xx 55

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