I'm back!

I've been away too long..... is it me or are the weeks flying by?

So what have I been up to

Spending time with my girls 

Playing with my brothers new puppy...... I'm not jealous!

Making a cardigan for myself!

Trying to take 10 mins a day to slow down

Trying to eat less!

I've lost 9 pounds in 5 weeks........ it's slow progress! 

Life is good at the moment. I'm so pleased I decided to take this year off from selling, I'm really enjoying making things for me. Also I don't have the stress of Make, Do and Mend & work is great.

Funny how things change in a year :) 

Family Road Trip

2 weeks ago I headed off with my brother & his family for a surprise day out

A 2 1/2 hour drive with a 5 year old was hard for me but I had my crochet to keep me going!

My parents had gone to Cheltenham for a long weekend & as it was pops birthday we drove up to celebrate with them

The weather was terrible so we decided to have lunch in the caravan while waiting for the rain to stop.

This wasn't easy with 5 adults, 1 child, 2 dogs & 2 cats!!

Yes my crazy mum really did take the cats on holiday with her! 

They settled under the bed with no problems & came back when she called them..... this is something I would never do myself in case they ran off but thankfully it was ok.

Once the rain stopped we all piled in the car & went to Bourton-On-The-Water.

My parents go here a lot & tell me how much I would love it & they weren't wrong!

Despite the terrible weather I couldn't help falling for it's charm.

This house was right on the waters edge, I was tempted to ask if they wanted to do a house swap!

A beautiful van outside a wonderful hardware shop.

It was then back to the caravan for tea & birthday cake.

It was a lovely day out but boy did I pay for it the following week, I was worn out!!

I'm getting old :(

April Book Review

Only 2 books read it April...... I need to try harder!

In 1939, a strangely assorted group of young women - barmaids mixing with secretaries and debutantes - bump along the road to RAF Colston in the back of a three-ton lorry. This story tells how, as the war progressed, these first WAAFs supported their pilots with courage, loyalty, and often love.

 I heard about this book years ago & it's been on my Amazon wish list. It's a hard book to get hold of as it keeps going out of stock & it's not cheap, so imagine my delight when one came into the shop! 

I must say I wasn't disappointed. It took forever to read as the writing is really small & it's over 700 pages but I finally finished it.

It tells the story of the beginning of the WAAF, the characters are lovely so you warm to them & can't wait to find out what happens next. It's sad in parts but a great read.

If you're a fan of WW2 romantic novels this is the book for you.

9/10

When her home is destroyed in a bombing raid over London, Miranda Beddoes is forced to take refuge with her grandparents down on the Dorset coast. With both her parents doing their duty for king and country, Miranda longs to do the same. She joins the WAAF and is soon working hard to help win the war.

Despite her determination to dedicate herself to her work, Miranda falls for charismatic fighter pilot Gil Maddern - a man known for his recklessness and passion for flying. As the battle rages in the skies above them and she learns that Gil's plane has been hit, it is only the friendship of her fellow girls in blue that keeps Miranda going as she waits for news.

Another WW2 romance I hear you say!

And yes it's another WWAF book. I really like Lily Baxter books & this one is no exception. It's a light read so prefect for holidays or travelling. Lily's characters are realistic & warm so it's easy to get drawn into the book. And you can't beat a book with a lovely happy ending.

8/10

Victory In Europe

Today I'll be remembering the 69th anniversary of VE day.

Giving thanks to those people who gave their lives for us.

I've even done a window display!

Sew for Victory

I've finally got around to sharing my Sew for Victory project!

Way back in March I decided to join in Rochelle challenge. Crazy I know as I'm not the best sewer in the world & can't remember the last time I made an item of clothing from a pattern..... when I was in my teens I think!

So the pattern was brought

I love the style of the trousers & have purchased 2 pairs online in the past few years only to find they fit in some places & far to tight in others. I thought this would be a chance to get the perfect fit as this pattern goes up to a 28.

The sizes are listed on the back so armed with this information I headed to the fabric shop to buy the cheapest fabric I could find. It didn't go to plan & I ended up spending £20.... much cheaper then the online ones but a lot of money to waste if they didn't work out.

Ever since I mentioned I was making trousers a few people had told me how hard they were & I would be better starting with a dress or skirt. It was too late now I had to make them work!

I chose a black twill fabric & had excellent service from the little fabric shop called Percy's in Exeter.

The man made sure I had everything I needed to get going.

On Good Friday I headed to mum's...... she worked in Gossards in the 1950's making bras so I knew she would be a good teacher. I wanted her to be there just in case things went wrong...... me & Bob bobbin don't get on & I always fiddle with the tension which results in the cotton snapping & me getting very angry!

So we started cutting out when disaster struck...... the pattern only went up to a size 18!!!

I was planning on making the 22 so I could have ample space for my huge hips.

I was gutted & as we had started I couldn't return the pattern so had to go for it.

I was very pleased with my first darts

I even had a little helper with the trying on stage

Unfortunately we had to remove my lovely darts as I needed every bit of fabric :(

We also had to do a visible zip to save fabric!

But at the end of the day I had a completed pair of trousers!!!

Yippee..... I can't tell how thrilled I was. 

They do look long in the picture but I measured & they're the same length as my current work trousers. The waist band has a gap at the back so more work needs to be done on that & I need to sort out a button hole as the popper I used keeps popping open which will drive me crazy.

After investigating the pattern on Amazon I see you have to order size bb for the larger size but it didn't make it clear on the page & they've now added the larger size. After several emails complaining they gave me a complete refund so I'm now planning on ordering the larger pattern so I can make another pair.

I want a light weight denim fabric for the summer.

I'm also planning on making these culottes for summer. 

The pattern was very easy to follow so top marks for Simplicity.

Thank you so much Rochelle for giving me the kick up the bum I needed to make an item of clothing.

April 2014

4 months have already marched past!

April was a good month with lots of making including my first ever sewing project..... check back for my Sew for Victory post over the weekend. I spent time with my girls (as always!), had a day out with the family, started to count calories (not so good) & started walking to work again after a 5 year break!

It was a year ago on Monday when I walked out of Laura Ashley for the last time, I can't believe I was that person who was so unhappy & being ill everyday because I didn't want to go to work. I hated the bosses & was treated like a child with no thanks for the hard work I put in. I don't get much thanks now but at least at the end of a hard day I know I've helped the animals which is a great feeling!

It also helps that I don't have to work Sundays & had 4 days off for Easter..... a first since 1997 for me! We've changed our opening hours this week so I actually get to leave at 5pm.... I got home at 5.20 today........ fantastic!!! In my previous jobs I would be looking at 6.45.

All in all this makes Joe a very happy girly :)