Warkton Craft Market & My Monthly makes 2011

After all the snow, and icy weather, it was great to get out on a walk, and not have to tread carefully over ice, or trudge through snow. I'd like to show you around the small village we visited, and have something else to tell you about it!

Yes it's the village of Warkton, about 3 miles from Kettering, in Northamptonshire. It is a lovely little village, surrounded by farmland, with St. Edmund's Church in the centre of the village -

Quite a grand church for a small village, but the village was part of land that belonged to the Duke of Buccleuch.

The village is quite unspoilt with cottages a plenty! Love the clay roof tiles on this one, and that lovely porch.

Love this little thatched cottage, but wish I'd held the camera at the right angle!!!

Some cottages down by the farm with beautiful bargeboards on the end wall, and above the windows. I love the way that all of them are different, so beautiful & full of character!

I'd love to live in this one, stone & thatch, & plenty of room for flowers, vegetables & maybe chickens. Looks as though they didn't go short of brussels this year!!  

This little village even has it's own village hall, and it's this place I'd like to tell you about!
Last November, I went to a local Christmas & Craft Fair, and on walking around I met a fellow crafter, Michelle of 'Button it'. www.buttonit.co.uk
Michelle makes lots of lovely button jewellery, such as earrings, bracelets , and necklaces, also gorgeous crocheted hats, scarves, and brooches too. 
She told me that a few months before, that she, and her friend Deanne, had decided there was a shortage of craft related venues in the area, and they wanted to do something about it. On looking for a location, they came across the village of Warkton, and found this lovely hall, and so Warkton Craft Market was born!  Here are their blog details - warktonvillagecraftmarket.blogspot.com
It is usually held on the 3rd Saturday of the month, there are about 8-10 crafters there, plus refreshments. Michelle, and Deanne have a different group of local crafters each month, so there is always something new. There are toys, jams and chutneys, soaps,and other toiletries, woodturned items, cards,cold porcelain, jewellery & gorgeous home baked cakes to name but a few. They are always looking for new crafters, and I couldn't resist!! I will be there on Saturday 12th February!! ( A week early due to Valentine's Day.)
I look forward to it, they are a friendly bunch of people, and if you're in the area, would love to see you : )

A few weeks ago, I joined in on Annie - The Felt Fairy's - A Monthly Make 2011. (See my side bar) We are a group of people who pledge to make something lovely each month. The first items I want to show, are the cute heart pics above. All are hand appliqued in really pretty cotton fabrics, with a choice of texts, such as the  'Always kiss me goodnight x', and 'Live  Laugh  Love'. Great for Valentine's Day, but of course can be enjoyed all year round. They will be in my blogshop -Shabby Polka dots tomorrow.

Also I have enjoyed making these cushions from this really pretty cotton fabric covered in gorgeous rosebuds.These three are destined for Bridge Street Stores.

Excuse the crafty untidiness!! This is my new sewing machine!!!! I love it, and it does all manner of embroidery, and lettering. I have perfected my buttonholes now!
Do you like the beautiful fabric? It is a discontinued Cath Kidston print called ' 'Lupin'. This will be a cushion for me, hopefully when I get time to make myself something : )