It's Showtime (almost)!

(Jess - if you don't want to see my costumes before the show stop reading now!!)

I'd like to introduce you to Zipped Purse number 4.  I don't have much fabric suitable for children.  I'm hoping the purses will be suitable but will give my friend the chance to reject any she thinks aren't.  The little dogs were on a small scrap of fabric and are surrounded by a border that matches the checked fabric so I cut them out and appliqued them on.  And I used a red similar to the dogs' background for lining and to end the zip.

I'm trying to add a different embellishment to each purse.  I found a tiny button that sort of echoes the ladybirds in this fabric and attached a ribbon bow with it.  Number 6 is cut out so I won't be too much longer on these.

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 Rehearsals are stepping up a notch for 'Me and My Girl'.  Last night we held our first rehearsal in the actual venue.  Seeing the stage and all the seating brought home to me what I'm actually doing!!!!

I roped OH in to take photos of me in the garden in my costumes on the weekend.

 Above left is my costume for the opening scene.  All these items I've borrowed from what was available from the items lent to our society.  I added a piece of elastic to the inside of the skirt waistband just to add a little extra security!  The skirt did stay up but was a bit loose and I didn't have complete confidence in it's ability to stay where it should.  I think a hat would complete this outfit but it will have to do.

On the right is my servants outfit for my next 2 scenes including The Lambeth Walk.  The blouse is from the same place as the other outfit, as is the head-piece, which is actually half of a choirboy's neck ruffle (I'm sure it must have a proper name)!  The skirt is my mother's and the apron came from my great-aunt's so is probably a genuine item from the actual era of the show!

 Here, on the left, is my outfit for The Sun Has Got His Hat On.  I don't think it looks very 1930's so I'm hoping someone can help me out when I take it in tonight.  The skirt was borrowed from the same stash as above and the top is one that I machine-knitted for my mother many years ago.

 Last is the outfit for The Hunt Ball and Finale.  The dress is my own, the gloves and the headpiece (a band with black and red feathers) are more borrowed items.  The little top I got from a charity shop the other week.  It's a lovely red cashmere cropped cardigan.  The shame is, I have to cut the arms short to accommodate the gloves.  I tried pulling them up but it's too bulky. 

So there you have it.  I haven't seen any of the other costumes so have no idea how they compare.  I suspect we'll look a right mish-mash between us!   One thing I must remember during the show is to SMILE when appropriate.  It'll have to be a really conscious effort though, because I thought I WAS smiling in these photos and they're dreadful!  Why do you think I kept them small?  I even had to resort to cutting my head off in one case!!

Progress since last time:

2 more of 7 zipped purses finished - 2 to go.
Knitted cowl - on the home stretch.

Since we've got rehearsals tonight and Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, then start performing on Wednesday until Saturday, I don't expect to get much done during the next week.  I wonder how much time I'll have between scenes, maybe I could take some knitting (so long as I don't miss my cue).

Bye for now
Teresa x

Three Peaks and a Dog!

Last Thursday was my birthday (half-century minus one, if you're interested).  At work, my boss gathered everyone together to say Happy Birthday (no singing - they were mostly men standing around awkwardly like spare parts, a couple of whom I'd never met before and were just visiting), give me a round of applause? and present me with a card and cake.  It was a lovely chocolate cake which I had to distribute (as per the office custom) to the waiting gannets colleagues.

When I returned home the family were all waiting for me with flowers and cards and 2 more cakes?  And I was happy when they agreed to join OH and me for a meal at an Italian restaurant. 

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As I was driving home from a 'Me and My Girl' rehearsal in the dark last week I noticed that the horizon looked different and seemed to be glowing.  I realised when I got nearer home that what I could see was the mountain on fire!! 

Photo taken Oct last year

The fire was on the ridge of the mountain (The Blorenge) in the far left of the above picture and was spread quite a way across. There've been lots of fires in the area over the last few weeks as a result of all the dry, warm weather we've had.  There's no hint of warm weather today - I've just been out for lunch and it's about 2 degrees and blowing an arctic gale!!!  March was more like June and April has started off like November - What's going on?!!!

The picture above was taken near the top of The Skirrid Mountain on Sunday (when it was still warm and sunny).  The Skirrid is the one on the far right of the October picture. In the distance on the right above is The Blorenge that was on fire.

I couldn't remember if I'd ever climbed The Skirrid before, until I got to this point.  Then I remembered sheltering from howling wind and rain behind these rocks to eat a picnic years ago. I think I must have been in my early teens because I remember certain friends of my mother being with us with their dog.

Talking of dogs - this little cutie is how we came to be here that day.  Friends are looking after her for the week and we went with them to take her for a walk.  I tried to get a cute picture like DD does, with the dog looking up at the camera, but she wouldn't keep still for a second!  She's only still here because she's watching the next group of people approaching.

OH put her on the summit marker for a photo shoot. There was no way she could avoid the photo on there. Under her body the summit of The Sugar Loaf is visible which is the middle mountain in the October photo. 

So, by now you should have quite a clear picture of the whole of this area :-)

It was good to get out in the fresh air and get some exercise.  I'm afraid getting any kind of exercise has completely gone by the wayside in the last few weeks, but a walk in the countryside is much better than any gym session as far as I'm concerned!

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DD was laughing at me the other day when I asked her if she'd seen my latest blog post.  She said this blog was supposed to be about sewing but there was never any on here.  She didn't mind because she likes reading the other stuff and finds the sewing posts boring!  Despite that, she's right!  Hopefully, the balance will shift one day and the crafting posts will out-number the rest.  I don't know what keeps the rest of you reading but I hope I don't lose any followers if/when that day comes.  You're all very good to keep popping in to read my random ramblings.

Crafting progress since last time (which is quite a long time but it doesn't show!)

• Knitted cowl - a few more rows knitted
• 7 Zipped Purses - 2 more cut out 
• Quilt-as-you-go-quilt - 1 more block quilted (4 left to do out of 25ish)
• Bag for work friend - looked through my books but couldn't find one to make that I liked.  Also, the friend has left work unexpectedly and lives about 2 hours drive away!  Will still make the bag but will post it or visit and take it.

The "To Do" list is pretty much the same as last time, which is to finish the above, but with the Easter Bank Holidays coming up I should be able to make a little progress. 

The week after that I will officially call "Mad Rehearsal and Performance Week" in honour of "Me and My Girl".  Oh! My! Goodness! We open 2 weeks today!!!! Costumes - check. Words - check. Moves - check-ish!   Confidence...........?

Bye for now

Teresa x

I'm a Lucky Mummy!

Last Sunday was Mothering Sunday here in the UK. 

My son gave me this very apt card (seeing as he's a chef).

He also gave me this lovely book which I've had a flick through but have yet to look at properly (I want to save it for when I have a decent chunk of time).  I have a feeling his girlfriend had a hand in choosing it, but I'm not complaining : -)

My daughter came to spend the day and had dinner with us, bringing this gorgeous bunch of flowers and a card.  I trimmed the stems to fit my vase but was unable to trim the butterfly.  I think it looks good hovering over the blooms.  I might stick it in the garden when the flowers have gone.

It was lovely spending the day relaxing with DD while DS spent the day cooking lunch for lots of other people's mothers, as usual.  DD made me laugh when she tried to explain where a certain farm, that she'd visited as part of her pet business, was located.  She said it wasn't the old-fashioned, muddy farm but the modern one on the other side of the road where the cows milk themselves!!!  Apparently she'd gone there when in college to see their fancy state-of-the-art milking system where the cows just walk in and everything else is automated.

 Later in the day I ignored the housework (as a treat to myself for Mothering Sunday) and got on with some sewing. 

Zipped purses Numbers 2 & 3 were finished. With number 2 having a cockerel on the front and a pig on the back (or vice versa depending on how you look at it!!)

I hope you all had a wonderful day on Sunday whether it was Mothering Sunday where you are or not.

Progress since last time:

Knitted cowl - a few more rows completed after finding my cable needle.
7 Zipped Purses - 2 more finished (4 to go)

Planning to:

Finish cowl
Quilt another block from my Quilt-as-you-go-quilt (remember that?)
Finish the rest of the purses
Make a bag for lady in work who gave me losts of material.

Bye for now
Teresa x

What I Did on My Skiing Holiday!

 

The Viking Hotel, Morzine, The Alps, France.

 1. Stayed at this hotel.



Long shot of the hotel - it's the dark blob on the left at the top of the ski lift.

2. Had 2 nose bleeds!  (A combination of a slight cold and the altitude methinks)


The day it snowed.

3. Got stuck in a cable car with a couple of dozen other people (like sardines - unable to move to even scratch our noses), at night, a couple of hundred feet up a mountain for 15 loooong minutes!



View from our balcony.

4.  Walked quite a bit. On snow and road.  Spent a couple of hours, one day, unsuccessfully searching for a frozen lake.  I followed the signs to Le Lac but once I reached a sign indicating 'danger of falling rocks for next 10km' decided to turn back.

5. Managed to get a bit of knitting done.  Forgot my cable needle (improvised with an opened-up paperclip) and should have taken more yarn.

6. Read 2 books and drank a little Vin Chaud.

7. Enjoyed the views and the sunny days.

The one thing I did NOT do was SKI!  Tried it once - didn't like it!!!

Progress since last time:


Started another knitted cowl while away.  Can't find my cable needle at home now either so may have to get another before any progress can be made.

Bye for now
Teresa x

Edit: The Title that I Forgot!

 I attempted to follow the suggestion of some of my commenters regarding the "Boring Beige" and decided to try it on with some accessories to brighten it up a bit. 

All I could find to try with it was this scarf!  If temperatures in future winters continue to go into minus double figures, as in the last 2 years, I can see me making a lot of use of BB.  Despite all its boring beige-ness - it is very warm and cosy! 

It's only a couple of weeks since we had the severe minus temperatures but you would never have thought it last weekend.  On Saturday afternoon we attended a 50th birthday party at the local hotel where we sat outside in the sun (some in T-shirts!!) then enjoyed a hot buffet and watched Wales play beat England in the Six Nations rugby on a big screen.  I took advantage of the lovely sunshine  later to get OH to take a pic of the "Grey Cowl" (with me in it).  It's a difficult colour to photograph but this is just about right with the little flecks of orange showing. This has been added to my intend-to-sell drawer - along with some cedarwood mothballs to prevent the little blighters chewing at the black thread that runs through it.

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I have pairs of ankle and knee-length boots in both black and brown.  When I bought the knee-length black ones a few months ago I paid for good quality ones and vowed to make a concerted effort to keep them (and the rest of my shoes/clothes) well-maintained in order to get value, and produce less waste. I wear boots to work most of the time in the winter and with it being a construction site they can get quite muddy.  True to my vow, I dug out the polish and cleaned them up the other day, only for the bottom of the heel to fall off one of the ankle boots at a works Safety Stand Down Day on Monday!!!  I didn't notice until it was almost time to leave so there's a lonely black heel lying around somewhere at Cheltenham Racecourse.  The boots were nowhere near in need of reheeling but both will have to be done so they match!!

When I was at school I, and many school mates, would clean our shoes religiously every day after school ready to be smart again the following day.  These days it's not only school children that don't clean their shoes.  It doesn't seem to be frowned upon these days if shoes are dirty and scuffed.  I sometimes see women in high heels with the ends worn right down so the coloured covering splays out like a frill and the toes turn up.  As with clothes these days, footwear is often worn to death and replaced rather than looked after.

The last 2 photos show both sides of the first of 7 purses I've been asked to make.  Two more are under way but I don't expect to get the rest finished until I get back from next week's holiday. A group of 8 of us is off to the Alps in France. 

Progress since last time:

One commission purse finished and two more started. 

Bye for now

Teresa x

Giving Without Expectation!

When I gave the little key-purse to my work-friend for her birthday I had no ulterior motive or expectation of any kind.  It was simply a gift and I was grateful to pick up the clues from her to be able to give something that was genuinely useful.

About a week later, I received an email from her.  She'd had the idea to give a similar little purse to each of her grandchildren and asked if I would be kind enough to make them. And how many grandchildren do you think she has? Seven!!!

I am so excited - it's my first commission since my brief daliance with machine knitting many, many years ago (I've been searching for my creative niche for a long time)!!  

This may be the key to the start of selling my homecrafted items and it's come about by accident.  Rather than making random things to sell, I should concentrate on making gifts for others and things to use/wear myself.  This would be a way of testing the market and finding out what people like.  It could lead to orders and would make people aware of what I do in order to open doors in the future.  I wouldn't want to launch myself into things too suddenly so this would be perfect. There's a strong possibility that my job will finish around September this year so I need to have a plan :-)

I promised a handmade bag to another friend at work after she gave me lots of materials during a clear-out, so I'd better get on with that soon.  And this time I will have (not so much an ulterior motive as) a plan!!

While DD and her boyfriend were away in Florida we shared the care of their 2 doggies with his parents.  They looked after them in the week and we brought them to our house for the 2 weekends.  Here they are  in the back garden after we had a little snow. 

This was their home for 3 days each week. It's an enclosed area at the back of our house but has no heating. Due to OH having developed a mild allergy to furry animals (since being stung by a hornet and various wasps over the years in his work as a forester) we had to keep the dogs out of the house. Unfortunately, it was the coldest period of the winter so far and they are not used to being kept outside, but they had plenty of warm bedding and we set up a heat lamp.  They seemed happy enough and are now back home with DD. 

I used to think it would be nice to have a dog around the place - maybe when I retire and can be at home more - but this experience has made me think again.  The dogs were on my mind most of the weekend and I felt guilty when leaving them outside to amuse themselves.  It was like having small children again and I felt like I should be entertaining them constantly.

I'm still on a roll with the stitching!!  Using fabric from my store I've run up this lined shopper and matching purse for my sister's birthday in March.  All the materials are off-cuts or recycled.  I ran out of the red buttons when I got to the purse but noticed I'd used one on my needle case so cut it off and will now have to find one to replace it. 

Cowl knitting is also progressing well.  For this I used a ball and a half of yarn left over from knitting OH a jumper about 20 years ago.  The yarn has a small percentage of wool in it and judging by the missing bits of the black thread that runs through it, my guess would be that THAT is the wool part (pesky moths!)

very useful needlework book I've had since 1983

I didn't use a pattern as such; just cast on as many stitches as I thought necessary (in multiples of 10) to suit the stitch I wanted to use from this book (the cream stitch design with diagonal holes in the book above) and knitted until the yarn was all used.  Will sew in ends and join into a ring soon to finish. 

Usually, when I've had a good run with stitching something else has gone by the wayside, such as baking or cleaning.   But look!!  Over the last couple of weeks I've even managed a bit of this too.  Above is one of 2 Walnut and Banana Loaves from Jamie's Great Britain (my son's book)........

..........and this is Gingerbread made in my breakmaker. I've also managed a small batch of scones which are all gone. The fact that my house is filthy is neither here nor there (only joking!!).  All of this is due, in no small part, to the fact that it's a quiet time of year for social, church and family events.  The trick is to keep this up when the whirwind begins.

While making the bag for my sister, I experimented with a different style of bottom corner with a little scrap of the fabric. It was sitting on the table for a few days, as I continued sewing, looking as though it was waiting to be finished off. So I tidied up the edges, made a little lining and topstitched the edge.  I don't know what to do with it now!!  It's really quite sweet and needs to be put to good use.  I want to find a really ingenious use for it so that I have an excuse to make lots more in different fabrics!

Stitching progress since last time:

Shopping tote for sister with matching purse - finished

Grey lacey cowl - just needs finishing off

The 7 Zipped Purses - fabrics gathered

Mini fabric pot - waiting to have a use

Bye for now

Teresa x

Before and After!

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I've joined a musical theatre group so I thought you might be interested in a little update. Despite a few doubts, I've continued to go to rehearsals for Me and My Girl.  I'm not quite sure who I'm supposed to be in it (I don't have a speaking part) but think I'm probably a servant.  Not having seen the show, and rehearsing songs without knowing the story or how the songs fit into it makes things a bit confusing.  I'm sure things will become clearer as we progress.  I've made a few friends now, which was difficult at first when all we did was sit and sing then go home.  We were informed at the last rehearsal on Wednesday that it is 10 weeks until the first performance!! Gulp!!  I'm not sure how many times we're doing it or exactly where, but I will keep going and put my confidence in the experience and knowledge of the longer term members to pull it all together. 

I had a lovely day off work on Monday!  I booked it off recently after remembering that I had a day left to take before 1st February.  The plan was to sew all day, seeing as it was a day I wouldn't normally have been at home.  

before

Unfortunately, there was a large pile of ironing calling me from the basket in the bathroom.  My sister, (who normally does my ironing these days) had just gone on holiday for 2 weeks so it was not a good idea to ignore the pile and keep adding to it for the next fortnight!  And besides, I know me, and I wouldn't have been able to settle down to sewing knowing that it was there lurking and taunting me. 

after

So - it took me all morning (it doesn't look that much does it?) but it was done.  I felt a great sense of satisfaction when it was finished, particularly as it was the first time the ironing basket had been completely empty for quite a few years (yes that's right - years)!!  Then, it was onto the fun stuff!!

before

I'd been over to my shed in the garden on the weekend and, with a few projects in mind, pulled out some supplies. Some of it is pictured above.  I wanted to make a couple more zipped pouches trying a different method for putting in the zips.  This time I covered the end of the zips before making up the pouches.  The result was neat-ish but still a bit bulky.  For good measure, I also ran up a mini pin-cushion with the same fabrics.

after

Last but not least was this little pouch with an appliqued key.  This one I made for a friend in work who was celebrating her birthday.  She'd mentioned a few weeks ago how she always had to go hunting in the bottom of her bag for various keys and that she should get a purse to put them all in, so when I heard that it was her birthday, I had no trouble coming up with something to give her.  She was delighted with it and filled it up with her keys straight away. 

Later on my friend asked me if I'd sewn the key on, thinking it was a bought pouch.  When I told her I'd made the whole thing she was very impressed and said I should make and sell more things like this.  Another friend, who was present, said to me knowingly "See!!" because that was something she has said to be many times before.  If I'm lacking in anything to motivate me to sell what I make, it's certainly not friendly praise and encouragement.

Now, with the danger of repeating myself like I did last week, here's my progress:

Zipped pouches - 2 complete
Pin cushion - 1 complete.

Knitted cowl - roughly 20 rows completed (not convinced the stitch pattern is working yet)

I also have some fabric standing by to make a couple of tote bags so let's wait and see what comes of that!!

Bye for now
Teresa x

Boring Beige!

 

My mother gave me these buttons to try on my knitted cardigan.  There are 5 different designs here but I like the idea of the buttons not all being the same and it seems to be a bit of trend these days, whether the difference is in the design or the colour.

 

There is only one of this design with a sailing ship design that looks like a coin and it's my favourite of the lot.  Prepare yourself now for the sight of the finished cardigan.  I told you I didn't much like it but I'm willing to reveal all if you're prepared to make allowances for my really bad photography skills.

It's not just the lighting that's poor (although it is quite close to the actual colour) but looking at this pic now I've realised that the cardigan would have looked a lot better if I hadn't put it against a colour that was exactly the same as itself!!  Duh! Maybe if  I'd worn it with something bright it would have been an improvement but, as it's a little on the large side for me, I don't think I'd have been doing myself any favours.  I can't see myself wearing it anytime soon so, as far as I can see, my only options are to ask my mother if she'd like it or to put it away until I'm about 80 years old (when it may suit me and may even fit me!!).

What's this - my newly finished scarf trying it's best to brighten up the cardy?  What a struggle though; it's rather having the opposite effect and making the scarf look more muted than it really is.  Lesson learned!  Put more time and thought into my photographs!

This zipped pouch is actually quite nice in reality but the dullness seems to have spread here too.  Who's idea was it to photograph a yellow pouch against a yellow wall with bananas in the background, for goodness sake?!!  I'm sheepishly raising my index finger in the air in answer.  Actually, it wasn't a conscious decision, which is wherein the problem lies.

Look inside!  There's a surprise stripy lining.  I'm pleased with the way this turned out.  I decided to cover the ends of the zip before making up the pouch and it went together quite well.  I'll try a few more like this to ensure it wasn't a fluke!

A bit of non-stitchy stuff now.  DD is off on holiday to Florida with her boyfriend, and my sister and her family, on Sunday.  As it's her 26th birthday while she's away we're going out for a meal together on Saturday evening.  DS won't be joining us but there's a good reason for this - he'll be cooking the meal as he's covering for the chef's holiday again.  It's become clearer to me since he last stood in there how much trust they are putting in him. The establishment is 2nd in the county for good ratings on Trip Adviser!!

Now for the round up since last time.  I realise I've said it all already but I'll stick to the same format as previous posts as a summary:

Knitted cardigan - buttons added (even though I jumped the gun and said I'd finished it previously)

Knitted purple scarf - finished apart from darning in ends (this was the third incarnation of this scarf)

Yellow zipped pouch - finished, made from recycled materials apart from the checked fabric

Teensy weensy pin-cushion - to be stuffed

In planning stage - 2 more zipped pouches and one tote bag.

Bye for now
Teresa x

Resolved to Sew 2012

I've said before that I don't believe that New Year's Resolutions are a good idea and I stand by that; however, if I did make one it would be to Resolve to Sew in 2012.  I will still strive for it, but not as a measurable goal that could be setting myself up for failure.

Finishing my HST quilt last week has spurred me on.  Recognising that 'procrastination' is my biggest stumbling block could be the key to making more progress this year. 

All this has come to my mind as result of Ali at Very Berry Handmade and her amazing Giveaway launched yesterday, entitled Resolved to Sew 2012.  As a blogger I get an extra entry for writing a post on the subject and with such fabulous prizes on offer (yes there are 11 prizes!) I had to give it a go.  I highly recommend you to pop over and take a look at what's on offer, especially as she will post anywhere.

Although this is a little, extra, mini-in-between-post, just to keep up the momentum, here's my stitching progress since last time:

Knitted ripple scarf - this is no longer a ripple! It was working out  too chunky so it's been unrun (twice) and is now being knitted in a lacy pattern. So, basically, it's at the same stage as last time.

Knitted cardigan - tried out for size some buttons that my mother gave me from her stash but haven't sewn on yet.

Zipped pouches - One almost finished, one hardly started.

Bye for now
Teresa x

Why?

Why did 2011 go so fast?  I've heard it said that the years seem to go faster the older you get, but even children are noticing the years zooming by; yet, when I was a child, I'm sure time went much slower. 

My first finished quilt!!!

I can think of 2 possible reasons for this.  Firstly, more and more of our time is spent in a virtual or technological reality. Our lives are filled with TV, computers, ipods, ipads and mobile phones etc.  'Friendships' are conducted via text or 'twitface'. Time is literally eaten up with these activities and you can easily find that hours have passed that felt like minutes! The wasted time can never be recovered and as a consequence is lost for ever.

The whole quilt.

My second theory may be a bit more difficult to get your head around.  I've mentioned it to a couple of people with varying reactions from 'surprise that they understood what I meant' to 'looks that suggested that I'd lost my marbles'.

My quilt in situ - don't know if it's going to live here

What occured to me was the thought that time may ACTUALLY be slowing down.  I find, when trying to imagine the extent of the Universe, I have to stop after only a few seconds because it totally overwhelmes me, but one thing I do know is that the Universe is still expanding. And therefore I would suggest time is slowing down as a consequence.  The cycles of the solar system and the workings of clocks etc still seem the same but they all move with the Universe. (Are you still here or have you shut down your computer and run screaming from the mad woman yet?) It would explain why each year seems to go faster than the last, why people look younger than their parents at the same age and why life expectancy is always increasing.

Don't worry, I haven't lost my mind.  I don't really believe this;  it's just an example of the way my mind works sometimes when I let it run amok   :-).

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Well enough of that rubbish - The other day I saw that the second issue of Crafteroo online magazine was out so, as I found the first issue such good value and full of inspiring articles, I ordered and downloaded it.  I haven't read it yet but am looking forward to doing so.  Imagine my surprise when I got home to find I'd won one of the prizes offered in the first issue.  Namely the pattern above for pyjama pants and a cosmetic bag offered by Sew Me Happy.  I think this will be great made up from a soft brushed-cotton sheet so I'll look out for one in a charity shop. 

Crafting since last time:

Knitted scarf started - from a scarf my DD didn't want, that I unrun to make into a nicer one.

Zipped pouches - one almost finished, another started.

Bye for now

Teresa x