FASHION OR FOLLY....!

A few days ago the new Boden catalogue dropped through my letterbox and as you do I settled down a bit later with a coffee (honest it was just coffee!) to have a browse through. I mentally ticked one or two things, particularly dresses, which caught my fancy, but when I totted up what they would cost me I nearly fell off my chair!!

I do love their style and especially the prints they often use, but can I really justify paying out between £69 and £89 for a simple jersey wrap or cotton dress....

Well as you've probably guessed the answer is a resounding no!...so what does a girl do but raid her fabric stash and set to........

The fabric I selected was I think very bodenesque (sorry about that) and the pattern one of my all time favourites which I have made a few times......

the one at the back, although I have also made the front one.....

This one was in a grey devore fabric and I think I wore it till it almost fell apart it was so comfortable.  The only thing I found was I didn't like the bodice unlined and so now I line it with the main fabric which helps to keep the neck shape as well.

 ....and the finished article made the same day at a cost of about £7....no competition really and I am only an average dressmaker, so think what we all could save with a little time and patience....!

Of course having bit the bullet I was on a roll so next a variation for my 5 month pregnamt DD. This is to be a top not a dress and is awaiting fitting.....

 

 

The fabric is a very fine jersey with almost a devore look and has the finest gold thread through it which doesn't really show in the picture...


Before I continue though, take a look at the lovely little pin cushion I am using.  If there is one thing which makes my sewing really great it's having lovely notions and accessories.
I bought this....

and this little phone cover..............

From a very talented young lady at.....

www.dinkydaisy.co.uk

Go take a look, her things are so pretty and so well made...

and so........having well and truly got the dressmaking bug I am now making a slight variation of the dress in this....

so I think that may be my spring wardrobe sorted and my wallet saved..........

..........and to celebrate even the sky decided to give a wonderful display just to round off the day.....

Hope you are all finding your creative side now that 2011 has truly started...

TTFN

Jenny xx

ANOTHER YEAR OVER......and what have we done!.....

Well, quite a bit really and so in the time honoured fashion of the best review shows, here is my 2010 in brief........

There was lots of crafting.......

Lots of exploring.....

Bonding with nature........

and enjoying our picture postcard winter...(of course we didn't get stranded, cut off or starved, so our view of it was through rose tinted, if frozen specs!)

 and finally we finished it off with a traditional, cosy family Christmas for which I am very grateful as well as very fortunate to have had.....

and so to 2011....

I have loads of projects planned...decorating and renovating parts of this tumbledown pile....making new curtains and cushions....making new stock for my folksy shop, including a new range of satin slippers for tiny bridesmaids and christenings (photos to follow soon)....

and all this on top of a birth..... (our second grandchild due at the end of May), a family wedding, two trips already booked, one to a log cabin in Northumberland and one to France, so as you can guess my year will certainly not be boring, in fact I may need next year off to recover!!  

Seriously for a minute though, I know how lucky I am, my life, my wonderful family and all my friends and I do say thank you every day that I am so blessed.

I hope you too will all be blessed in 2011 and that your hearts and lives will be filled with love and happiness.

TTFN

Jenny xx