Holocaust Memorial Day

Don't forget to light a candle to remember.

What I made in 2014

WARNING: Photo overload!!

At the end of each year I always think I haven't made enough. I took a year off selling in 2014, only doing 1 fair in November. I kept my Etsy & Folksy shops going but didn't really push them.

As I look back over the photo's I'm amazed how much I made!

In no particular order....

My own knitted poppy for Remembrance day 

3 service men from an original 1940's pattern

My first cardigan for myself in over 20 years!

A pair of swing trousers

Miss Marple scarf 

Fox stole 

Matthews fair isle tank top for 1940's events 

Finished my granny square blanket

Knit for Victory beret 

Making poppies to sell for The British Legion 

A selection of hats & scarves for sale at Crikey

Flower brooches 

Animals for the RSPCA week window

Knitted turban from original 1940's pattern

Fair Isle wrist warmers for me

My finished cardigan, it did get some wear in the summer

My Christmas jumper!!!

 I'm cheating now because although I started my Christmas jumper in August I had to put it on the back burner to make orders etc leading up to Christmas. However I did finish it in early January.

I love the detail on the back.

I'm glad I took the time to look back over my makes..... it's good to know I've achieved something!

December Book Review

Only 1 book in December.

I went for something different this time, still WW2 but not a romance.

Sage Singer has a past that makes her want to hide from the world. Sleeping by day and working in a bakery by night, she kneads her emotion into the beautiful bread she bakes.

But when she strikes up an unlikely friendship with Josef Weber, a quiet man old enough to be her grandfather, and respected pillar of the community, she feels that finally, she may have found someone she can open up to.

Until Josef tells her the evil secret he's kept for sixty years.

Caught between Josef's search for redemption and her shattered illusions, Sage turns to her family history and her own life for answers. As she uncovers the truth from the darkest horrors of war, she must follow a twisting trail between betrayal and forgiveness, love and revenge. And ask herself the most difficult question she has ever faced - can murder ever be justice? Or mercy?

I've read lots of books about the holocaust & I had heard this was pretty bad but I still wanted to give it a go. At times I found it hard to continue but I wanted to know what happened at the end. 

I really enjoyed it, if you can say that about such a book!

10/10

I only managed 20 books in 2014 my target was 40..... pretty rubbish I'd say!

I have 2 boxes of books to read at work which at this rate will last me 2 years!!

I need to pull my finger out this year.

That Was 2014

Another year has passed us by.....

January

Starting the year feeling poorly, spending time with my girls, finishing my crochet blanket after 5 years, joining in with Knit For Victory by making my hat.

February

 Trying to finish my hexagon blanket, spring flowers, more knitting & some reading 

March

Busy month for crafting, finished Matthews 1940's tank top, made a bow scarf for me (I live in it!), adjusted my charity shop bargain skirt (haven't worn it yet!), made a fox scarf (haven't worn it yet!), making flower brooches. First Crikey it's Vintage, I was selling for the shop. 

April

Trying to lose a few pounds by walking to work. Joining in with Sew For Victory but making my first ever item of clothing...... a pair of swing pants (I haven't worn them yet!) Making more brooches, spending time with my family & celebrating Easter.

May

Doing a VE day window display, meeting my nephew dog for the first time, trip to the theatre to see Birdsong, being mindful with some me time, finally making my airman & enjoying bank holiday weekends.

June

Remembering D-Day & Zoe, making cats for our window display, a day out at a 1940's event, another Crikey for the shop & enjoying the sunshine.

July

Remembering the Somme & Teddy. A day out at Dig For Victory 1940's event, a visit to the Bridport vintage fair, starting my cardigan & finishing all 2 more service men.

August

My birthday!! A day out with my parents, treating myself to yet another cardigan, starting my Christmas jumper, making poppies for the British Legion & remembering the 100th anniversary of WW1.

September

Remembering Charlie, celebrating 6 years in blog land, having my name in print on TMTCH album. finding bargains in my shop, Lupton 1940's event & more knitting.

October

Nights out with friends, days out with family, raising lots of money through my poppies & my first puzzle.

November

Remembrance day, seeing Amsterdam, travelling on buses, celebrating Claire's 40th, another Crikey this time for me & decorating the Little Valley Christmas tree.

December

Bertie Bear came to live with us! Counting down to Christmas, making decorations, finishing orders, Christmas meal with the family & resting!!!

Phew that was a busy year..... I can't believe how much I made!

My plans for 2014 included…

• Book in for 3 big craft fairs at Christmas & don't waste time throughout the year - NOPE - I only did one fair & it was successful but as always I wasted time throughout the year
• Plan ahead & make stock that will sell - be organised! - Of course not!
• Complete my things to do list - NOPE.... yet another year when it carries over
• Make something for me! YES!!!!  Hat, turban, trousers, red cardigan, gloves, 3 service men, poppy brooch, Christmas jumper, scarf, 
• Think of different ways to continue Make, Do and Mend on a small scale - No, maybe this year
• Continue reading - I've lost my mojo again 
• Spend more time with my family (my mum has been poorly) - I think so
• Spend less time on my laptop & more time crafting - Nope..... must try harder!
• Stay happy! Great start to the year but went pear shape when Paul moved out in August & the house started falling apart.

So 2015….. what will you bring?

• Be amazing in my new job! (More on that later in January)
• Sort out my crafting area 
• Decorate my living room & bathroom 
• Read more books

• Plan ahead & make stock that will sell - be organised!
• Complete my things to do list
• Make things for me
• Try to continue Make, Do and Mend on a small scale
• Spend time with my family
• Spend less time on my laptop & more time crafting 
• Stay happy!

I must stay focused this year!

What plans do you have?