TALE OF A FLIGHTY BIRD.......

Now before any of you get excited about me spilling the beans re some new love interest, I have to state now that there is only one of those in my life ( in fact for the last 48 years really) and despite the odd wrinkle (wonder if I dare introduce him to moisturiser!) and the sprinkle of grey hair, he can still set my heart aflutter. So sorry to disappoint on that score!...No my flightiness is all to do with my sewing and craft projects...

Having bent your ears about our next makeover and all the things I intend to do, I seem to have got a bit waylaid.......

It is at this point I would suggest getting in your rations....glass of something, snacks etc...It's going to be a long haul........

It all started about 2 weeks ago whilst out shopping with my DD for her glam dress for the Wedding Ideas magazine awards in London......At which I am proud to announce she and her partner won the 'Best Special Touches' category ....for the second year running.....very proud mum here....so I don't apologise for the blatant plug.

Anyway whilst on our shopping trip I spied a mannequin in John Lewis dressed in  a navy and white striped top (which I have), a navy parka lined with navy and white striped lining (I have similar with a plain lining) teamed with green straight jeans (a lovely grass green not the emerald which they tell us will be the colour for spring!) which I certainly do not have. I loved these jeans, unfortunately they did not love me. Why Oh why do most manufacturers think that all English women need jodhpurs to squeeze our obviously ample hips into.
I am straight at the hips, as are many of my female acquaintances, regardless of their size, and I am not prepared to buy jeans costing £65 that I then have to alter to fit! In truth I would not pay £65 anyway. So the point of this is that as soon as I got home my thoughts were far away from new cushions and bed throws and totally on finding these elusive jeans at a price and fit I liked.
To no avail, and then my friend asked quite simply, why don't make some and I thought why don't I? So then my quest became the perfect pattern and the fabric. I found the pattern at Burda .com, a print it yourself pattern for only $4....wow!  Never done this before so I wasn't totally convinced I had done the right thing,

but having battled a little with accurate cutting and sticking together, I did get a pattern I could use and have made up a test pair out of some stretch canvass I had in my stash.

 Although I now know that I needed to make them at least one size if not two less than the instructions advised for my measurements, I am pretty pleased with the outcome and am now awaiting samples of the lovely coloured denim I found on line. .......Yeah they arrived!!

 The only drawback here is that although it is listed as a UK website the samples actually came from Germany! The fabric is a fine but firm denim with about a 5% stretch, and lovely quality and at £9.50 a metre not a bad price either.. It would make lovely skirts too. However if any of you savvy shoppers/dressmakers know where I can purchase similar at a similar price in the UK I would love to hear.

So did this little detour away from my intended projects satisfy? Not a bit of it! Some time ago like many of you I suspect I signed up to pinterest...don't ask me why I did, since I never really sit at the computer for browsing sake and quite honestly have not really got into it. But having done so I now get emails about the few people I followed and what they're loving. Needless to say one of them is my DD and she has done some lovely mood boards among which are a couple dedicated to her sons' bedroom makeovers. For her youngest she has chosen a woodland theme, and there among her favourite bits and bobs was a link to a pattern for some cute felt woodland creatures from little dear.

 You know exactly whats coming next....purchase pattern, purchase felt and start making said animals.......but that was not the end Oh no!....What drops through my letterbox but the latest copy of Molly Makes and you guessed it, on the front are pictures of the cutest fox and raccoon with patterns for making them included.........

I am a Libran and always being told I am indecisive..........Oh I can decide all right ...decide to do anything other than the  pile of things already planned.....When did I say this bedroom would be done....I didn't...Oh good, that's a relief, 'cos goodness knows what urgent new project I might next fall upon.........

That is of course once I finish the magicians cape and top hat for grandson number 1's Magic themed birthday party, and 30+ of these candy white bunnies to pop in their goody bags....... complete of course with candies in their see through tummies

So for now this flighty bird is off to ummmmm...... get a glass of wine.....and then I might just.........

TTFN

Jenny xx

ONWARDS & UPWARDS...my 2013 challenges

And so here we go again and more makeovers for 2013.....our first the master bedroom....

Inspired by this fabulous book 'Home Sewn' by Kaari Meng of 'French General' and my love of all things truly shabby chic, the colour scheme is all naturals with a touch of deep browny red.

If you like the French vibe this book really does have some lovely and practical projects and includes full size pattern sheets. These range from lavender filled heart pillows to pinafores and scalloped table cloths. It is one of my favourites and the photography by Jon Zabala is beautiful and really evocative.

Way back in 2012 I found this piece of unused French linen purchased from EBay.

Having nearly ruined it by not reading the brilliant instructions provided by the seller on how to deal with this old fabric (soaking first to remove the size) I now have a beautiful length of linen to create my bed throw.

I want to create a wide border with one of the natural and red patterned fabrics I have collected,

 to tie in with this cushion already made.

 I may then add some embroidered script, but am not certain about this yet.
We already have the new light fittings installed and the room will be stripped out and repainted in the next few weeks.
My beautiful half tester bed is to be painted cream and distressed, and hung with new cream drapes to keep the look light as it is an old house and can be quite dark.

We last decorated it in a rather rustic style with denim and red gingham and it is ready for its makeover!. The strange wall behind the bed is a false one as we have a large walk in wardrobe hidden in there, with a door each side of the bed. The room is still huge though and saved us having to buy separate wardrobes,(and the painting of them....phew!!).

An added element will also be a crocheted throw......That is of course if I manage to finish it. I got a copy of this book ....

written by Tif Fussell ( dottie angel)and Rachel Blondel (ted & agnes). It is full of quirky bits and pieces and is as much about the styling and the fabulous photographs as the actual projects included, though there are a few I would like to have a go at. It is definitely kitsch and possibly not everyone's cup of tea but I love it!
And among all the projects were the instructions for a textured crochet throw. The stitches are simple but the look is pure designer granny chic. However as it has taken me a whole evening to complete just 3 rows, I can see this being a year long project and my aim is to finish it come what may.....wish me luck.....

Oh no, a PS is needed here. Was just checking out my links to ted and agnes when I came across this post http://talesoftedandagnes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/granny-chic-tale-of-2-comas.html It would appear that there is a small but significant error in the crochet instructions for both the tea cosy and the Granny puff blanket.
I will have to unravel my evenings work!!!! It is a plot to stop me achieving my goal....but I will not give in, I will complete my throw...you have heard it here!

What plans do you have.....or even any tips or projects you have found that would fit in with my scheme? I am always excited to hear others input......
Off now to do some more hooking........I will be back.......

TTFN

Jenny xx

...A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL...

Well hello again...its been a while, but I guess you might have an inkling why....some sort of holiday going on,  too much to do and too little time.......but was it all worth it for you?

For me it has to be a resounding   'YES'.

Lots of precious time with those we love......

 Enjoying morning cuddles with little visitors who came to stay during school holidays.....

Finally finishing home made decorations and loving them so much they are staying in place after the celebrations.......only the garland I hasten to add I think the letters and baubles had better go away....!

Receiving the most beautiful and most useful presents....the grey bag held my new shopping trolley....beware all those who have run over my feet in the past... woman on a mission coming through.....at least I'll be able to fetch the wine now....

  And the fabulous clock now gracing my mantelpiece..it was intended for the bedroom but is too nice to hide away so we are swapping things round....

watching the grand children's faces as they opened their presents, a privilege and a joy....

 We have been royally wined and dined by our great kids and have had a wonderful party here at home with them all and my brother and brother in law. It has been what Christmas really is about, family , fun, sharing and caring and all the rest has been an added bonus. It was of course tinged with a little sadness that my beautiful Sylvia wasn't there to share it with us but we loved having our BIL and though we were perhaps a bit noisy for him I think he held up well and enjoyed sharing it with us.

And finally among all the wonderful books and gifts that we have received DH and I were presented with tickets for TWINWOOD 2013 by our darling girl and her family. I am still in shock, and am already researching 1940s costumes and finding patterns for hats etc. My SIL is as excited as us as she and her hubby will be going with us. We're stopping 2 nights and have tickets for the Sunday so will be able to attend late into the night.

Ummmm.....that gives us about 7 months to learn the jitterbug....but then perhaps not....I think we will be happy enough to watch all the experts and just revel in the atmosphere...I cant wait.......anyone know of a forties hairstyle for very short silver hair.....help!!

So thank you to everyone for making our Christmas a true time of joy and happiness and for those of you who have not been so fortunate I hope that 2013  holds better things for you and new beginnings.......

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wherever you are

TTFN

Jenny xx

AND THE WINNER IS.......

Well I was a little disappointed at the response to my giveaway, only 7 entries, but as I didn't specify the prize perhaps it didn't appeal.

However of those who entered, the winner as drawn from my paper hat by my DH is.......

MARIGOLD JAM

Congratulations a pre Christmas parcel will be winging its way to you sometime this week. Please let me have your full name and address details (to the email on my profile) and I will rush it off to you.

As for the most interesting idea, I think it has to go to.....

 HAPPY HOMEMAKER UK

A paper rose on paper shoes, well in view of my business, I think this has to win the runner up prize...congratulations a little token of my appreciation at your taking part will also be in the post as soon as I receive your details.

To everyone else thanks for making me feel that at least someone is listening out there, It always amazes me that out of  over 100 views in a day only one or two actually say hello! I don't bite and  a ' I just popped by to say hello' will do.

Finally the answer was a wreath...OK so not so extraordinary but I am so happy with it and the tutorial I followed here.

Mine is on a 12 inch willow wreath painted white and took 390 roses!!

I have since created a bell decoration for Christmas

so my book cannibalism is set to continue.....

Paper garlands next I 'm thinking...and perhaps handmade crackers with gifts relating to book heroes and heroines....my mind is racing now and the ideas are flooding in .....am I becoming obsessed....look out for further exciting chapters soon.......

But now for the epilogue...

TTFN

Jenny xx

Off to bed with a good book...the ones I saved because they are worth reading....!

Bye Bye Autumn.......and a little giveaway!!

Well that's it Autumn has definitely left the building here...

With the delivery of some fabulous mercury glass ornaments and then this........

 ( surely I could enter a competition for the messiest cook....and win!!...)

and a quick look at my poor cookery book will only confirm this..........

but when you see the year I received it and I have made the same cake every year since, perhaps I have a little excuse.....

but no doubt there will be cookery book guardians out there who will still not forgive my wanton destruction. My only defence is that it is still a well loved and definitely used book, and the results do speak for themselves.....

 The cakes will now be subjected to forced alcoholism until about a week before the big day when they will be dressed in there finery.

I have also been working on a little project that  I have just realised only confirms my book cannibalism Ooops!!! Involving (honest) a very worn 600 page novel that I didn't enjoy (and therefore did not pass on to others as usual) and rather a lot of hot glue, it has taken several hours so far but if it turns out half as beautiful as the one in the original tutorial I will be thrilled....can you guess what it might be?........

 There will be a little parcel in the post for the first correct answer pulled out of my paper hat on Friday 30th November.... and one for the most creative or bazaar idea (for those of you who quite frankly haven't a clue what I am up to!!) so come on have a go and let Christmas come early to the lucky winners......

I will then reveal the answer with the link to that tutorial, (Just in time to make one yourselves) so good luck......

TTFN

Jenny xx

BLOWING AWAY THE COBWEBS...

As we get well and truly into the shorter days and as anyone looking after pre-school children will know, get out and about a little less (especially in those sudden downpours) it is always great if you can abandon everything for a couple of hours to 'blow away the cobwebs'

Well this is exactly what we did last weekend. Our original plan was to walk from Foxton Locks to Market Harborough and back, but when we realised that it would take us about 3 hours one way, involved walking across fields and there was no way we could fit it all in in daylight we had to slightly amend our plans.

The lovely sculpture as you approach the top lock

So we just drove to Foxton and followed the canal path for about an hour and a half before we retraced our steps. Mind you we nearly didn't get there at all as there was a diversion on the Northampton road due to flooding, but the alternate route we took was actually more under water than the main road! So you can see that it was just as well we abandoned the original plan as the fields were and probably still are absolutely waterlogged.

 What an amazing feat of engineering, such a simple system but what hard work it must have been!!

The locks are a staircase system of ten locks in two runs of five. This means that each lock opens directly into the next one. This was one way of allowing boats to navigate steep terrain.
Another way was by a lift system consisting of two water filled tanks which literally hoisted the boats on a cantilever system up and down hills and you can still see the site of the Foxton incline plane. This was built in 1900 to try to replace the ageing locks and speed the flow of water traffic. However a combination of extended hours where the locks were opened to allow night travel and the railways meant that the lifts were never used to their full capacity and in 1910 were closed after only 10 years of use. A shame when you think that the descent in the locks took 45 minutes where the lift took only 12! There is still talk of the waterways authority and the volunteers trying to get the lift restored, but whether this will happen who knows.
The site is well worth a visit though, especially in better weather, with a museum, cafes canal side pubs and lovely walks.

We continued our walk just along the tow path and even though it was raining for most of the time  the autumn colours still glowed and the whole area had a kind of magic.

And on the return journey what a welcome site as it must have been to weary boatman in the past....

This was certainly one of the prettiest walks we have had for a while and we will be back in the spring or summer, though I expect it will be a bit more crowded then....

Hope you all have a good week

TTFN

Jenny xx

Use Your Loaf....

Well do you...and no I'm not being rude or casting aspersions on your intelligence, I mean it quite literally!

We don't eat a lot of sliced bread, but I do like to keep a bit in mainly for making toast....hot, buttered, covered in home made jam.....yummmmm.
But sometimes a full loaf is a bit too much. OK so I can freeze half of it but to be honest I'm not keen on thawed sliced bread. Rolls never seem so bad, but thawed sliced bread can be a bit soggy I find.

Anyway the point of this post is really a make do and mend one as at this time of year I can think of nothing better than a good old Bread and Butter pudding! So I thought I would share my busy mums (or Nanny's) version with you.

First you need to gather your ingredients...

 About 8 -10 slices of bread

Soft brown sugar

Sultanas

2 eggs

3/4 pint of milk

I like to use a large ceramic souffle dish for mine but any deep sided dish will do. However this is to be cooked in the microwave, so although you may get away with a square dish, I would avoid an oval or oblong as they need to fit on your turntable.

Cut all the crusts from the bread (but don't throw away) and then butter each slice generously making sure you cover right to the edges. Next cut the slices in half across the diagonal.

Arrange 2 slices (4 halves) in the bottom of the dish, one slice laid one way and the other in the opposite direction...

Sprinkle about a dessertspoon of soft brown sugar over the bread and then a generous spoon of sultanas. The amounts are pretty open to interpretation here, depending on how sweet or fruity you like your puddings...

Continue in this fashion, 2 slices at a time until the last 2 are added and cover these again with a little more sugar and plenty of fruit. Don't worry if the stack is now above the dish as this will shrink down when the liquid is added and again when it is cooked.

Next you need to whisk the 2 eggs with a spoon of brown sugar. Heat the milk in a pan to blood heat (just hot enough to still be able to put your (clean) finger in) and when ready carefully whisk the milk into the eggs. Don't ever try to pour the eggs into the milk as you are likely to end up with scrambled egg instead of custard.
Carefully strain the custard mixture over the bread trying to make sure that all of the top slices are soaked.

Leave to stand for at least 10 minutes and if possible up to half an hour to allow the custard to be soaked up by all the bread.
Finally pop into the microwave and cook on full power for 4 minutes and then turn down to the defrost setting and cook for a further 20 minutes.

The pudding will shrink slightly from the sides of the dish as the custard cooks.

And voila one absolutely delicious, definitely not calorie conscious pud.....

This shot makes it look as though it wouldn't go far but there is more than enough for four people.....

.....and of course not forgetting those crusts which we are certainly not going to waste....pop them on a grill pan and carefully toast them turning them so they brown well all over. Then blitz them in a processor and store in an air tight jar to cover your homemade chicken kievs or scotch eggs...but thats for another time....

Enjoy

TTFN

Jenny xx