The colours of handmade

Nothing better than a bit of bargain hunting, especially when you find somthing as lovely as these.  There's such a skill that goes into embroidery, not to mention all that time...it's beautifully sewn.  At first I was a bit confused over the range of flowers, until the penny dropped - I realised that they represent the UK and Eire.

Plus a little crocheted blanket I'll use as a throw on the arm of the sofa.  Again, someone has taken the trouble to make this by hand, probably from bits of left-over wool...what a good use, and so much better than buying mass produced.