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!

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 :)

March Book Review

This is going to be a very quick post as I only managed 1 book in March!

I finished this one at the beginning of the month but the next one took forever to read (more about that in April's book review)

Three girls all turn up for work, the day war is declared...

Dotty has never known a life outside of the orphanage where she grew up, let alone love. Lucy is the sole carer of her little sister, now that her brother has gone to war. Annabelle has led a life of privilege but everyone has to pinch the pennies at the moment.

Adjusting to life on the shop-floor at Coventry's only department store is hard enough, but then the bombs begin to fall... As the devastating effects of war come to bear on the three women, their bond deepens. One thing's for certain, the girls are going to need each other.

This book has been on my Amazon wish list for a while now but when it arrived in the shop I knew I had to read it right away.

I'm so pleased I did, I really loved it! The characters are lovely, you really warm to them & want good things to happen. Yet again it's another war time romance, ok so it's not going to change the world but if you like this era & want a light read then I would fully recommend this one.

And the best news is it's only 77p for the Kindle on Amazon

9/10

I've got some of my volunteers hooked on these books so this one is doing the rounds!

Back soon to tell you how I get on with my Sew For Victory project.

Great TV!

Okay so hands up who's been watching The Great British Sewing Bee?

Wasn't it great?? 

I'm so pleased to learn they're making a 2nd series. It's really made me want to dust off my sewing machine & finally make the item of clothing that I've been meaning to do for years!

I've enjoyed talking to customer about it too...... it seems everyone is watching!

We've been selling more fabrics of late to young & old, which can only be a good thing.

Anyone brought the book yet? 

What about this?

The Village

I thought the first episode was slow, I did enjoy it but it just gets better & better!!

It's really tugging on my heart string & I find myself fighting back the tears....... I don't normally cry at TV programmes!

Not sure why this is but the acting is fantastic!

I knew it was going to be good when I saw Maxine Peak was in it but John Simms as well???

Little Bert is such a lovely boy, your heart goes out to him.

I haven't watched last night, Joe comes back from the front with shell shock so I best get the hankies out!

What's your thoughts?

Well done to the BBC!

That was 2012!

I'm back!!!

It's been a crazy week, I've had to work everyday since 2nd so time was not on my side but I've got a week off so hopefully I can catch up.

Can you believe we're already 1 week into 2013?

I was hoping this year might go a little slower but I could be wrong!

I love doing a yearly post...... I find them really interesting to look back on but if you've not interested in what I did in 2012 you can look away now!

January

Some great TV!

February 

Yarn bombing, cakes & bangs

March

Crikey & a Singalonga

April

Bargain hunting & day trips

May

VE day, Blitz anniversary, Olympic torch & I made the press!

June

Jubilee, days out & Crikey

July

More Crikey & Teddy leaves me :(

August

Sad month. Mum's 70th birthday & my 41st

September

4th blogging anniversary & even more Crikey!!! oh yeah & 2 teeth out :(

October

Day out, spotting my girls for the 1st time & getting my reading mojo back

November

My girls come to live with me! oh yeah plus 2 more teeth out! And the final Crikey.

December

Our first Christmas without Ted but we had new friends to share it with. Christmas market, crochet & generally busy, busy!

So that was 2012..... it seemed to go in a flash!

I had plans for 2012

•  Update my website for Josie-Mary & Make, Do and Mend - Yep but I need to keep on top of it
•  I'm booked in to 2 vintage fairs this year & need to pull my finger out so I have a decent amount of stock - Nope I was still panicking at the last minute! I ended up doing 5!
• Re design posters & newsletters for Make, Do and Mend - Not really!
• Learn how to use my Mac laptop!! - I'm getting better, this year I need to clean it up

In 2013 I would like to

• Get more cats!
• Sort my job out
• Pull my finger out with Make, Do and Mend or stop doing it
• Be more prepared for Crikey.... don't leave it until the last minute 
• Sort out my crafting area
• Decorate my living room & bathroom
• Slow down & enjoy life more
• Sew an item of clothing 
• Finish my crochet blanket..... think it's about 5 years since I started!
• Read more books - I've signed up for a challenge 
• Be happy!

Think that's all!