Cabin calendar

Last weekend we hit the perfect blackberry picking day. It had been sunny and dry all week, a bit of rain the day before but then a perfect late summer day. Not too hot, not too cold, not too windy - you know, just perfect.

We roamed the fields at the farm picking, chatting, getting the inevitable scratches but it was really relaxing - and I am not very good at relaxing.

Simple dinner. I did the toast on the fire as it was quicker than the camping stove.

Spotting, looking, just being ourselves.

We picked over 3lb in the end so we put in some elderberries found along the way to make a gallon of wine when we got home.

The children drew pictures, didn't argue and ate fruit we found on the trees in the hedge.

I also squeezed in two more squares of my cabin-only blanket. I only make squares for it when I am there. I normally make one but sometimes two. 

The perfect end to a really perfect day. 

What are you trying to do before the seasons change?

Jo xxxx

It's more than an apron

Today, a tale of two aprons. 

I made this apron from the Great British Sewing Bee Series one book. It is in preparation for my next run of sewing classes. The fabric is from a generous stash of happy post donated to me by Christina from A Colourful Life. 

I can afford a moment of larking about in the garden with the pegs this morning as it is my first Monday at home without the children or work since the beginning of the long holidays. My to-do list is bulging and my apron is ready for some action.

My first job has been to clean out the greenhouse which has sort of turned into a see-through shed of dumped rubbish covered in spiders webs which were all in my hair.

Then I am sashaying to the kitchen to make carrot soup and carrot cake because I accidentally clicked twice online for the one bag of carrots I wanted! ho hum...

Then I am going to do a bit of sewing with the added bonus of no interruptions. There are washing loads to put on too but I can sew in between.

My final apron story is a little sad. In July 2104 I made this apron for my friend. She is a home help carer and asked me to make an apron for one of her clients as she couldn't find a waist tie apron in the shops. I did so and blogged about it way back then. Sadly the wearer passed away last week but my friend told me that she had been buried in it as she loved the apron so much. Isn't that an incredible thing? I don't know the lady but I feel happy that something that seemed insignificant to me has given someone else so much joy.

Keep making stuff everyone because it is really important you know.

Jo xxxxxx

Listing on a new level

I love lists! I know lots of you do. I decided I wanted to make a list that would help me decide what to do next rather than an endless wish list of things I want to make. So I made this:

A sewing list that helps you move around your priorities. It has four pockets for prompt cards - now, next, soon and maybe. It was a bit tricky to photograph so here are some close ups.

I am going to get my mum to measure me properly and note down my sizes. I agree with the phrase too. Size doesn't matter - but I will add 'fit does'.

I gathered together a desk of sewing ephemera and bits of tat from my scrapbooking stash then found an unopened accordion book from way back because it made a good base. The top hangs by a measuring tape loop.

Next I made pockets from a sheet of  vintage sewing scrapbook paper. I had been doing that stupid thing where I was saving it because I didn't want to cut it.

I also found a ribbon rose and some ceramic flowers to decorate it. In the end I enjoyed cutting up the paper and mounting the vintage dress images. Finally, I cut up some note cards from bits lying around by the computer, then I had a jolly good think about what needed doing first. Like right now.

Here it is in it's final resting place right above my machine. Will it help me finish those WIP's and stop me from starting any new projects? - we'll see! I know a few blog friends who would love one of these. A yarn themed one would be nice too decorated with crochet flowers.

Thanks for looking I hope you are having a good week.

Ps: thanks for your kind words for Little M, it made her smile.

 Jo xx

Exquisite collar

I made a blouse, a proper one with a collar and buttons and everything. I even restrained myself and made it in a solid colour so that I could get some wear out of it. A lesson learnt during Me Made May 2015.

I haven't made many things with a collar so I was pleased with the little curl this one had on each side. It sits very neatly and looks so smart.

The back has a tie that I had to move up slightly but it makes it sit well round my waist.

I used Newlook 6598 View C but now I have got the hang of the collar I would love a gingham one with short sleeves. The fabric was sponsored by myfabrics.co.uk and is from their new tula cotton range. It is a medium weight cotton and holds a shape well without feeling stiff. It comes in a huge range of colours at £6.50m. It has a sort of linen weave look to it - really nice.

I wore it to our local Autumn show at the weekend.

Little M was delighted with her first prize in the children's sewing, winning one pound and coming first made her forget all about the day she was sewing it, lost her temper and shut her own thumb in the door. I am not sure having a day in A&E, a general anesthetic  for surgery and losing a thumb nail was quite worth a one pound prize for a tapestry teddy bear but she seemed to forget all that in the excitement of triumph.

We won lots of other prizes too so now I can wear my cardigan, Little M can cuddle her crochet giraffe and Big Sis can wear her cardigan from her nanny;all entered into classes.

We love show time. Do you have anything like this by you?

Jo xxx

Crochet Evening Bag

I am building up to showing you a show stopping dressmaking project but first you are getting sneak previews of the accessories I have made to go with it. The shrug was the first item and now I have a matching handbag in the same yarn.

I made up the pattern as I went along. I did write it down but that is a job for another day. The chain comes from a company called bag clasps who I have used before. They have all sorts of bag and purse accessories. Excuse the nail polish, we were belly dancing at a folk festival last the weekend.

It is an evening bag, big enough for my purse, phone and a lipstick!

The inside is lined with navy crepe - the leftovers from my outfit. I'm teasing you now....

Thanks for looking. Jo xxx

My man sew

Today I am linking up with Lazy Daisy Jones for a man sew.

My vintage jacket make from last month which I posted last week turned up some left over lining and I did so love that jacquard lining from Minerva. I decided to put it to good use to make my first man sew of this year. 

The lining is so thick that I was able to use it as the outside fabric and lining. I made my bloke a cumberband and bow tie for a black tie event we are attending in September. By the skin of my teeth, I also managed to get it done the day before his birthday so his present was made with love, as well as a bit of haste it has to be said!

Have you ever made one? I had forgotten how painful marking all those pleats with tailors tacks was.

I dug out this old pattern from the 1990's, but will it ever go out of fashion? I doubt it; fabric choices and hairstyles maybe!

Daisy sets the bar pretty high for her man sew posts so I just had to get my bloke to model it. I can't be outdone by her modelling man now can I!

  It's OK to cut my own head off in the name of vanity but it seems rude to chop off somebody else's.

There. It was really just a secret way to get him to try on his trousers and shirt before the day to check if it needed dry cleaning, but it worked and it still fits him. Phew!

Jo xxx

Squeezing it in

I often get comments about the amount of 'stuff' I churn out of my very own hands and where I find the time. Here are a few little insights into how I(try to)do it:

1. I don't watch TV very much and our children go to bed at 7pm (ish)That helps.

2. I craft with my girls so valuable time parenting and chatting with the children doubles up as making fun. I craft on the go in small snippets of time with them too. Waiting at ballet, trips to the park etc.

3. I craft with my friends. I go to knit and natter every other Wednesday and my crochet classes are full of great friends and fun company.

4. At the moment, my family are fit and healthy so I am very lucky.

5. I am a pretty effective domestic drone. Start at the top, get to the bottom of this nine room house as fast as I can while listening to fast music and exercising then I can get on with making something.

6. I hate washing so I do it all on one day (Mundane Monday) load after load, then I drop it into the driers at the launderette on the way to getting the children from school, pick it up 20 mins later and scrupulously fold it when I get in. I put it straight in the drawers and only the most crumpled items make it to the ironing pile!

7. I iron for one hour, when that hour is up, tough. It has to wait until next Monday.

8. Bloke shares lots of our jobs. The male sort mainly but he joins in with most things. Bins, lawn cutting, dishwasher, putting girls to bed, sometimes he does the launderette run on a Monday if I don't get chance. etc. He is quite simply ace.

9. I make lists so that lots of jobs can be done on one trip. Posting, recycling, shopping, picking up children, lunch time jobs, birthday presents etc.

10. I simply love making things and it is only me who can make sure that I have the time to fill my heart with what I like to do, so I make it happen for myself.

So there you have it. Pretty brutal but it works for me!
Jo xxx