BEAUTIFUL WALES......part one

When I was a teenager my only experience of Wales was the Snowdonia National Park and in particular the area around Bettws y Coed. As one of 6 siblings with only mum to keep us, holidays were not on the agenda but due to the generosity of the parents of my best friend (and who still is my oldest friend) I got to visit this stunning part of the British Isles and it will always hold a special place in my memory. So my BIL was a little reticent at suggesting Wales for our annual holiday together.
He needn't have worried as I would gladly return, but as it happened he found a converted barn in Mid Wales which looked just our kind of thing and so I got to visit another part of this beautiful country.
This however is where I have to confess my slight surprise as he had told us it was 'not far from the Snowdonia National Park' so when we arrived at Gilfach Barn literally a stones throw from Hereford and only just up and over Offas Dyke we concluded that geography was not his strong point. That aside the boy did well. Great base, plenty of opportunity to walk and near to loads of other delights.

But I rush on 'cos as you can see the above picture is definitely not Wales.
 I had never been to Iron Bridge, and since we couldn't get into our accommodation until 3pm we did a slight detour on our way. What a delightful little town ( is it a town?). The river looked stunning in the sunshine,

between the sudden sharp showers of rain! And to add to our delight the main street has several quaint shops and we also found a small antique emporium which produced my first purchases of the holiday.
I'll have to do a separate post on these or we'll be here all week!
We finally arrived having travelled down a long farm drive to the barn situated right in the actual farm yard. Our closest neighbours being the sheep with their newborn lambs!
The barn itself was lovely. Large dining kitchen and one double en suite bedroom on the ground floor with the sitting room, 2 further bedrooms, one en suite and another bathroom on the first floor. The views from the floor to ceiling windows in the sitting room were stunning,

We were greeted by the key holders and their daughter and had a very useful and charming conversation about the area the local walks and local amenities (ie supermarket for when the wine ran out) and were offered their personal books on these walks, including one taking you across Offas Dyke.

The History Bit....King Offa of Mercia reigned from about 758AD to his death in 796. He was often in conflict with the Welsh and the majority of  Offas Dyke, a large earth mound which stretches for about 176 miles, was probably built under his instruction. It stretches north to south from the Severn Estuary at Sedbury near Chepstow to Prestatyn on the north coast. It is now one of the most popular National Trails and on average it takes a walker 12 days to do the whole thing.(Thank goodness we only had a weeks holiday booked!)

After settling in with a good homemade meal (and a glass or two of wine) we started to plan our weeks itinerary
On the Sunday we did a recci of the area, coming by chance across a couple of car boots. The smallest produced some goodies whilst the very much larger of the two was sadly disappointing. But at least we were able to see a bit of the area, and we decided that we would do our first walk on the Monday and make this the Offas Dyke walk starting from the lane behind our barn to the town of Knighton, 51/2 miles away which is roughly the half way point of the Dyke and the location of the visitor centre.

I thoroughly enjoyed this, it was cold windy and at times hard going but it remained dry and the views were amazing. The final part of the walk into Knighton was along side a wood and descended so steeply you had to walk crab like for parts of it. But none of this mattered as we were far too interested in watching the tree creepers, woodpeckers and nuthatch, a first for me! We also think we saw a redstart.

A well deserved stop in a local cafe and a healthy snack

and we were soon discussing our return. I am ashamed to say there were treacherous murmurings of taxis! but finally we just sort of started walking back, and so after 11 miles we stumbled back down our track to a welcome sit down and a cuppa. Apart from burning feet (someone didn't put on their walking socks!) and it wasn't me!! we were all fairly unscathed, despite the fact that I decided to kiss the ground about 500 yards from home. Thank goodness the past months of rain had dried up. My companions smiles would no doubt have been much broader if I had been covered in mud!
The following day we became simple tourists to give our ageing bodies time to recover before we donned those walking boots again...but more of that next time......

If you have managed to keep up, well done, this has been a bit epic. I will leave you now to go to your beds as must I......

TTFN

Jenny xx

CAPSULE WARDROBE 2....The Great British Holiday...

OK so this is only for a one week holiday, so it may look like a lot more clothes than my first collection. However it would I am sure stretch to two weeks because of all the combinations you could make. I wasn't constrained either by having to carry my luggage from train to train as before. A car with a top box means I can be a little more generous, but the principle is the same. A limited colour pallet means less accessories but lots more 'outfits'.

My colour choice navy and grey as my neutrals with lime/chartreuse and yellow as accents. Although I haven't included any in this collection I would also put teal with it. You will see just a hint of that colour in one of my necklaces and it really lifts the outfit.

Ttravelling,........... comfort and layers were my main priorities here. Our weather is so changeable at the moment, and cars can get very warm with just a hint of sunshine!

 A navy spot fleece with a short navy striped tee underneath. blue straight jeans, green shoes and green spot scarf with a lime handbag...

For sightseeing (and perhaps a wee bit of shopping!) ....

Navy and grey this time teamed with the yellow, a combination of all shades of grey and then the greens and yellow together.
Of course the combinations are endless. The grey trousers with the grey striped top would look just as good with the yellow jacket and scarf, grey shoes and lime handbag. Or again Green cotton trousers with the navy striped top, navy parka, green scarf and shoes. I actually left out of the photographs a green cross body bag which is the same colour as the shoes in the last picture which I will also take. ( I was using it at the time!)

We hope to do a fair bit of walking so of course we bring our waterproof jackets and walking boots (not shown in the following picture)...

Cotton trousers (no jeans for walking) lightweight cotton tees, walking boots or well supporting trainers depending on the terrain and the distance we decide to walk.....

And finally something for those casual meals in the local pub...comfort but with style...

 A couple of jersey dresses, a smarter coat and a grey cardigan which would again team with any of the other options. I'm also throwing in thick grey tights, 1. Because it still gets bloomin' cold in the evenings and 2. because unlike you brave or perhaps mad young things my old legs don't look good with goose pimples (even though they are nicely bronzed with Doves best body glow lotion).

Altogether 20 items which with a few accessories will take me from day to night, walking to sightseeing and the odd meal out......and I can get up each morning and not have to spend precious leisure time trying to decide what to wear...

So do you plan your wardrobe or are you a 'throw anything that fits you in the case' kinda girl....

Off to sort out DHs capsule now ( like not!) His is definitely the 'Oh that'll do' kind of packing though I do try to get him to be a bit coordinated!

Have a good rest of the week and weekend..

TTFN

Jenny xx

A PROPER CAR BOOT....

Ooh it seems to be ages since I went a-rooting through a proper car boot, so when DH suggested that we head off to Hemswell I was not going to complain.
The sun shone, though the wind did make an appearance, bringing with it a dust storm which will no doubt take all week to wash out of my hair, but it was lovely to be outside again. Hemswell Cliff to give it its proper name, is on the way to Gainsborough. The site of an old airbase, several of the buildings are now Antique and Collectors centres with a really good mix of furniture, jewellery, pottery and vintage ephemera.
Every Sunday they also hold a Sunday market and car boot sale. There are masses of stalls and I think probably something to suit all tastes.

Today I managed to pick up a few pieces so I returned home a very happy bunny...

 Forgive the photos, I am afraid I left it a little late to take them and the light was failing fast......

 First I found this sweet plate from the Masons seaside days range. I love these vintage images anyway but since it was a Masons, which I collect, though mainly the pink vista, and it featured a Morris Minor, our favourite vintage car I just had to have it. DH collects Morris Minor models, so once he gets his own 'den' set up I think it will be disappearing to hang on his wall......

I then picked up the 3 final books in the Beatrix Potter series to complete my set....and all for just £2.....They look lovely on the display shelf that I found some time ago......

Finally the two items I am most pleased with....

Vintage green melamine...a butter dish and a lemon juicer, my collection is growing....

my unfitted kitchen is going to need some more shelves before long.....

Well I think that sums up my haul this time, oh except for a rather nice vintage necklace..

It is actually grey but has a slight gold tinge to it. I was wearing a khaki jacket today and it looked great against that so I can see it being very useful.

Well I hope you all had a good weekend and that the sun shone for you as it has for us. We actually got to sit out in it on Saturday, in fact it was so nice I had to deny myself the pleasure of cleaning!!.Mind it hasn't gone away so no doubt the pleasure will be all mine again this week.

About time I turned in now, but I will be popping by soon to check on what you are all up to....

TTFN

Jenny xx 

VOGUE PATTERN 2659 and other stuff.......

There are times when I hate being a Libran (zodiac sign) not some strange cult! Not the creative aspects, for that read passion for messing about with fabric and scissors, but the imbalance, the indecisiveness that is apparently one of our traits.
Having spent the last two weeks with family and particularly the lovely grandsons and little time to spend in my sewing room, I suddenly find myself with actual time on my hands.  So ignoring the towering Pisa of ironing (there are only two of us living here now, I'm sure someones sneaking theirs in) I shut myself away to enjoy a few hours of sewing.......
So what do I do; sit there for more than half an hour not knowing what to start with first or in fact what I really felt like doing at all.
Do I finish taking in those trousers for my holiday, hem DH's new jeans, do a bit of the patchwork quilt or try to finish any of the WIPs in my basket.
Well you can guess what I ended up doing, coming on here to show you what I completed before my sewers block...

VOGUE PATTERN 2659....remember this

Well having made the dress I showed you the fabric I had in mind for the skirt, but hadn't found anything for the top. A quick root through my stash though revealed some more jersey , again in brown but this time with a self coloured embroidered design . And this is how they turned out.....

You'll note that I altered the neckline on the top, because I was using the same colour as the dress I made, I wanted the top to look a little different. I found instructions on tinternet to alter any neckline to a cowl so had a go. In all honesty it didn't work quite as well with this fabric which is a little firm, but I think with a softer jersey it would work very well.
The skirt is shorter than I would normally wear but I thought more of wearing it with tights and boots so I think I can get away with it.
I am still toying with the idea of the jacket, but have a few things I must definitely finish first!

Following this I was on a roll so I revisited a very old pattern NEW LOOK 6040......

certainly looking a bit dog eared now, well used.....
I bought some lovely rose patterned jersey, quite fine, from either the Harrogate knitting and stitching show, or the one at the NEC and needless to say it had just been waiting for me to decide what to do with it. Well once  I came across this pattern again my mind was made up. ( I do occasionally make a quick decision!)
And this is the result.......

 A better length for me I think. The 'underskirt' is a completely separate dress from the same pattern which works perfectly as a lining and at my age a 'modesty panel'!!. I did french seams on the dress as it is quite sheer and I don't possess a serger.

And finally after procrastinating....there I've been eating dictionaries as well!......I decided to play around with an idea for a few additions to my folksy and etsy shops to go with the needle cases I make.....Alice inspired pin cushions......

Love the design but feel the shape is a bit bulky looking. I have one I made as a wrist pin cushion, shaped more like a small pillow which I think I prefer....I have also created some numbers and letters which look like old typewriter keys which I might attach as the numbers for a clock face and make the cushions round instead.......but that's another decision I have to battle with ....wish me luck..

Hope your day is as sunny and cheerful, though very windy, as ours is...Have a great week....

TTFN

Jenny xx

CAPSULE WARDROBE

Love the idea?......or hate it?
I've always quite liked it. Not sure if I could ever empty my wardrobe enough to do the 24 pieces only with just seasonal additions as I think I would get bored wearing the same colours. Though truth to tell like many of you I suspect, I do tend to pick the same old favourites time after time. Especially if I am feeling in a not very confident or 'ugly/old' frame of mind that day.
However I do think this works brilliantly for long weekends away and holidays.
The idea of having less to pack and only needing 2 bags and 2/3 pairs of shoes (depending on the style of break) is one I love.
  I found this very true on my recent trip to Scotland. What I needed was warm comfortable clothes with a few smart casual additions for family meals out.
I decided on an orange/ brown/teal theme based around this pretty scarf.......

one of my TK Maxx bargains and this is what I came up with.......

Travelling by train.....

Orange 3/4 coat a CC bargain about 2 years ago, rust knitted tunic top, Peacocks best but oh so comfortable, straight cut jeans, brown boots, teal  tote bag and 'the scarf'.

Shopping, short walks, relaxing and having a good natter......

 Teal sweater, teal jeans, orange vintage necklace,  then orange sweater, light tan chinos, teal necklace with boots and bag and scarf as before plus teal/tan Mary Jane's

Couple of meals out.....

 Yellow/teal tan tweed jacket, brown dress (recent make) natural/orange small shoulder bag, boots and necklace as before....

Teal dress (M & S outlet bargain £9.99) Teal tights, bag, shoes and necklace as before....

So 2 tops/ sweaters, 3 pairs trousers/jeans, 1coat, 1 cropped jacket, 2 dresses,1 pair boots, 1 pair shoes and 1 large and 1 small handbag. Not forgetting the scarf and a few pieces of jewellery. All of which packed into a medium size holdall together with toilet and makeup bag, underwear and hot brush......

And although I sort of knew what I wanted to wear with what, I had several options for every day with just these few clothes..... Some further ideas......

And I know this may seem a bit crazy to some, but I even make a note of the different combinations I can make, so that if I am suddenly invited out I can decide at a moments notice what looks good with what. (Of course I always try on the pieces together first just to check they actually work). A top that may look stunning with one skirt may look awful with another in a different style!

We are only about 4 weeks away from our next break and I have already been toying with my outfits for that. A combination of sightseeing, walking and eating out. I think I will go for navy, grey and chartreuse/lime this time as I have a pretty good selection of clothes in those colours. If this is something that people like to see I may do a post on that too!

Hope you are all enjoying your Easter break, however you celebrate. We have been doing our favourite thing....enjoying an afternoon and tea with our family....

Speak Soon

TTFN

Jenny xx

PULLING THE WHITE RABBIT OUT OF THE HAT........

Literally..................

Just before I went on my Scotland trip, it was my grandsons birthday and when his mum Mrs Kipperchops said he was going to have a magic party I didn't realise at first that she was being serious. However apparently Master Kipperchops is quite into magic and luckily they had found the perfect entertainer to do the job....meet

BURGER BILL.....the most amazing entertainer and controller of hoards of children I have ever met!

 He really entertained the children for about 2 hours; an hours magic show was followed by their tea, which he even helped serve, and then continued with party games for another half hour or so. No falling out no injured children and not a grizzle among them

Mum is a bit of a whizz when it comes to theming things and when she does something she goes the whole hog. I'm not talking wasting money, which as a young mum of two, running her own business is not an option, I'm talking organising a brilliant do with little cash, loads of ideas and lots of hard work ( and of course roping in willing relatives and grannies who will do anything to help).

So from a little magic bean a huge beanstalk grew.........

Entertainer ....tick (the only extravagance and worth his weight in gold, though for what you get it was not so extravagant)

Food....bought when things were on offer or made by mum, Aunt and granny........

Decorations...sourced as cheap as chips on the Internet or made.....

Party bags....black and white paper bags filled with bargain magic tricks and homemade treats

 Cake...homemade by mum...... and they (mum and dad) even made and painted the giant wand!.....

 And finally a young magicians apprentice couldn't perform his role properly without the right attire...well could he?.....

The cape was made out of red and black sheeting and the 'cards' are embroidered badges which were attached by hand so that they could be removed for the cape to be used for Halloween or as a witches cape at a later date! That was great fun to do!

 And so what was the birthday boys reaction..........

MAGIC !!!

TTFN

                                                                            Jenny xx

A LITTLE BIT OF SPRING SUNSHINE......Please!

I've just returned from a little trip to bonny Scotland to visit my middle sister. It was quite an important visit for me as it was the first time that I had seen her since she had finally been diagnosed as having a severe back problem. In short her discs are collapsing! And I am sure you can understand that having complained of  awful back pain for over 40 years and being rather too often dismissed as 'putting it on' she is a bit peeved ( I'm trying not to swear here so replace peeved with the strongest word you would use) at being told it is now too bad to operate and being offered every mechanical assistance that's going. Shut, Gate, Horse, Bolted springs to mind. But all that said I have to raise my hat to her. No she hasn't suddenly stopped living her life, has not stopped doing as much as she is physically able without assistance, has not confined herself to barracks and is trying to carry on as she has had to for those past 40 years. So my visit was lovely. I was a little reassured by her independence, yes she has given up her car, but is putting her bus pass to good use. We had some lovely walks, a little slower this time but still we walked and enjoyed some good old natters and lots of tea ( and whisky...well it would be rude not to in Scotland...right!) So I am afraid unlike my other travels I have not returned with zillions of beautiful photographs as you couldn't see much in this....

 and the only bright shot I got was from the train on the way home.....

 but even that was surprising as my view went from this....

to this...

..... in the space of a few miles.....what is happening to our weather....

And since I have been home it has been much of the same...rain, then fog then snow and hail and back to rain again....Oh how I long for those first warm spring days, winter seems to have lasted for ever......

But tucked up in my snug sewing room I have been dreaming of lovely sunny days .....if only in my choice of projects. As you will know if you have been here before I love to make little girls party and wedding shoes and so from time to time I search the web to try to find the kind of dresses I see my little shoes paired with.  And that's the problem....I cant!
So what do you do but design and make your own....!......and so here are the first peeks at what I soon hope to offer in my shops........do let me know what you think...I value your opinions.....

The dresses have a full circle skirt and are fully lined. The underskirt has two layers of scalloped organza attached. The hand made organza flowers are attached to the satin sash but could be mounted on brooch fastenings so that can be removed and used separately. So far I have completed this green sample and have a brown spot and red spot version cut out. I intend to make matching shoes and am toying with making dresses to match these.......

I am thinking of offering the new dresses from  12 months to 4 years, but this is all just an idea at the moment.......and my little bit of spring sunshine......

Hope it finds you all soon though I am not holding my breath....

TTFN

Jenny xx