Although we're not excessive TV watchers, I'm pleased to note that there are some great shows on TV at the moment, so we are enjoying a bit of TV watching renaissance. Here are some of the programmes we're really enjoying at the moment:
Mammon, More 4, Fridays 9pm - We are really savouring this great Norwegian thriller about a journalist, whose brother kills himself after being exposed in a financial scandal. It has become regular Saturday night viewing via Catch up on the iPlayer.
The Big Allotment Challenge, BBC2, Tuesdays 8pm - Although I was sad that this year's GB Sewing Bee came to a close, I found myself relishing (please excuse the pun) this new series that has replaced it in this viewing slot on a Tuesday evening.
Monty Don's Real Crafts, More 4, Mondays 9pm - I watched this programme for the first time this week and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was great to see the beautiful creations of the individuals involved in the challenges. I will definitely be watching this series from now on.
Rule Britannia - Music, Morals and Mayhem in the 18th Century, BBC4 Mondays, 9pm and At Home with the Georgians, BBC4 Tuesdays, 8pm - Totally loving these programmes about the Georgian era. Fascinating stuff. I'm a bit of a sucker for anything about the Georgian period and believe there are a few programmes coming up this season on BBC 4.
Shetland, BBC1 Tuesdays, 9pm - Enjoying this crime series set in the Shetland Isles starring Douglas Henshall.
Tuesday, 15 April 2014
Monday, 14 April 2014
Monday Minus the Usual Madness
Monday this week was a treat compared to my normal Mondays during term-time. It started off in the same fashion, with me taking the dog for a walk before heading out to the gym to do a couple of classes. I'm fortunate in that OH works from home, so Little Bird can stay home with him whilst I continue with my normal gym routine during school holidays and I'm very thankful for that.
That was where the similarity with my normal day ended, as I would usually do my weekly shop straight from the gym, but this week I didn't need to as we did it yesterday on account of there being no food in the fridge. Lidl is just down from the gym, so after I'd done my usual Sunday morning class and OH had been to check out the London Marathon which passes just down from Lidl, we popped in and whizzed around. I say that, but it was incredibly busy, especially now it has an in-store bakery. OH didn't mind so much though, as he'd wanted to see Mo Farrah running past which he had, so he was happy.
Back to Monday and without the shopping to do I was able to go straight home from the gym. I made lunch for myself and Little Bird and then caught up on blog reading and a bit of work. I was going to do some ironing, but somehow managed to short the electrics whilst using the iron, so was spared the task until OH returned from walking the dog and could get the electricity back on again.
Little Bird was out at the park all afternoon to celebrate a friend's birthday, so I had the afternoon free and decided to do a spot of hand and later (once the electricity was back on) machine sewing. I completed a make for April, which I'll be blogging about very soon and then I decided to attempt a coaster from the Zakka Gifts book I bought last week. I used the instructions for the pot holder, but made it smaller and tried their quilt-as-you-go approach, where you sew the backing fabric, wadding and top fabric pieces together all at once as you go along. It makes it a very quick process. Hand stitching the binding on was the most time consuming part and I haven't quite finished it yet (hence the pins), but you get the gist.
I made this coaster for Little Bird's bedside table, to hold her glass of water. It was done as an experiment really, just to try out the method and I probably should have used a thinner wadding, but I just grabbed the first off cut I could find. I will probably use this method again for other small patchwork piece projects.
Usually on a Monday, I would be heading back to the gym at 4.30 pm to take Little Bird to her trampolining class. I used to do a class myself at the same time too, but as her lesson has now been brought forward an hour, I don't do the later class anymore and do an extra one in the morning instead. Today, though, there was no trampolining lesson. I toyed with the idea of going to my old class, but I decided to give it a miss and enjoy not rushing around for a change. Instead, I cooked us all up a lovely Shepherd's pie and enjoyed staying at home on a Monday night for once. It made a pleasant change and a lovely treat.
Tonight, I'm going to put my feet up and watch a programme I recorded with Richard E Grant about people who visit the brocantes and flea markets of France in search of French antiques and vintage wares. Something I've always wanted to do, but never really have (probably a good thing as I'd have more stuff in the house!). Following that, I'm hoping to watch Monty Don's new series about Real Crafts on More 4.
How was your Monday?
That was where the similarity with my normal day ended, as I would usually do my weekly shop straight from the gym, but this week I didn't need to as we did it yesterday on account of there being no food in the fridge. Lidl is just down from the gym, so after I'd done my usual Sunday morning class and OH had been to check out the London Marathon which passes just down from Lidl, we popped in and whizzed around. I say that, but it was incredibly busy, especially now it has an in-store bakery. OH didn't mind so much though, as he'd wanted to see Mo Farrah running past which he had, so he was happy.
Back to Monday and without the shopping to do I was able to go straight home from the gym. I made lunch for myself and Little Bird and then caught up on blog reading and a bit of work. I was going to do some ironing, but somehow managed to short the electrics whilst using the iron, so was spared the task until OH returned from walking the dog and could get the electricity back on again.
Little Bird was out at the park all afternoon to celebrate a friend's birthday, so I had the afternoon free and decided to do a spot of hand and later (once the electricity was back on) machine sewing. I completed a make for April, which I'll be blogging about very soon and then I decided to attempt a coaster from the Zakka Gifts book I bought last week. I used the instructions for the pot holder, but made it smaller and tried their quilt-as-you-go approach, where you sew the backing fabric, wadding and top fabric pieces together all at once as you go along. It makes it a very quick process. Hand stitching the binding on was the most time consuming part and I haven't quite finished it yet (hence the pins), but you get the gist.
I made this coaster for Little Bird's bedside table, to hold her glass of water. It was done as an experiment really, just to try out the method and I probably should have used a thinner wadding, but I just grabbed the first off cut I could find. I will probably use this method again for other small patchwork piece projects.
Usually on a Monday, I would be heading back to the gym at 4.30 pm to take Little Bird to her trampolining class. I used to do a class myself at the same time too, but as her lesson has now been brought forward an hour, I don't do the later class anymore and do an extra one in the morning instead. Today, though, there was no trampolining lesson. I toyed with the idea of going to my old class, but I decided to give it a miss and enjoy not rushing around for a change. Instead, I cooked us all up a lovely Shepherd's pie and enjoyed staying at home on a Monday night for once. It made a pleasant change and a lovely treat.
Tonight, I'm going to put my feet up and watch a programme I recorded with Richard E Grant about people who visit the brocantes and flea markets of France in search of French antiques and vintage wares. Something I've always wanted to do, but never really have (probably a good thing as I'd have more stuff in the house!). Following that, I'm hoping to watch Monty Don's new series about Real Crafts on More 4.
How was your Monday?
Sunday, 13 April 2014
Project 52 - Week 15 - Making (Over) a Shopping Holdall
The other week OH was in receipt of some carpet tile samples for a project he's been working on and they were delivered in this bag.
It's a huge canvas bag, measuring approximately 20" square and is made of a strong canvas, so will safely hold quite a lot of weight. As he didn't have a use for it, I claimed it, thinking how it would make a great shopping bag.
On my original list for Project 52 was a project to make a couple of new shopping holdalls and I did start to make one, but decided I didn't like the fabric I was using, so I swiftly despatched it to the charity shop. Since then, I haven't felt particularly enthused by this project, so when I acquired this bag, I thought that perhaps a makeover of it could take the place of the original project for the purposes of this challenge.
As you can see from the photograph, the bag had the company's logo printed across it on both sides and I didn't really fancy being a walking advertisement, so I decided to cover the logo with a strip of fabric.
This was applied on both sides of the bag using Bondaweb and I then stitched it in place using embroidery thread and a running stitch to secure it and add a bit of extra embellishment, although it's not easy to see.
It gives it a slightly more individual look and I don't mind using it now. In addition, this turned out to be another zero waste project. My favourite kind.
Joining in with Dreamer at Living a Slow and Simple Life in trying to complete an outstanding task each week for a year.
It's a huge canvas bag, measuring approximately 20" square and is made of a strong canvas, so will safely hold quite a lot of weight. As he didn't have a use for it, I claimed it, thinking how it would make a great shopping bag.
On my original list for Project 52 was a project to make a couple of new shopping holdalls and I did start to make one, but decided I didn't like the fabric I was using, so I swiftly despatched it to the charity shop. Since then, I haven't felt particularly enthused by this project, so when I acquired this bag, I thought that perhaps a makeover of it could take the place of the original project for the purposes of this challenge.
As you can see from the photograph, the bag had the company's logo printed across it on both sides and I didn't really fancy being a walking advertisement, so I decided to cover the logo with a strip of fabric.
This was applied on both sides of the bag using Bondaweb and I then stitched it in place using embroidery thread and a running stitch to secure it and add a bit of extra embellishment, although it's not easy to see.
It gives it a slightly more individual look and I don't mind using it now. In addition, this turned out to be another zero waste project. My favourite kind.
Joining in with Dreamer at Living a Slow and Simple Life in trying to complete an outstanding task each week for a year.
Saturday, 12 April 2014
Crafting Heaven
For Little Bird and I, no school holiday is complete without a visit to our local Hobbycraft store. As we're both crafty types, we enjoy a good mooch around to see if we can pick up any bargains or some inspiration.
Our nearest Hobbycraft is quite near to our local IKEA store too, so we just had to pop in there for a lovely, but very inexpensive lunch out. As I am now finally a Family member after three attempts at getting a membership card, I made the most of it and got my free beverages whilst there. I had a wonderful Chickpea Biryani for lunch at only £2.25 for a large bowl full and it was gorgeous. I would definitely have it again if I saw it on the menu. I've noticed on recent visits that they have become a little more adventurous with regard to the dishes they have on the menu and so far so good.
Whilst there I had to take an obligatory look in the fabric department and on the way I noticed a really interesting but inexpensive storage solution I'd not seen before, but unfortunately they didn't have it in a colour that suited the purpose I had in mind, so I will be keeping a close eye out to see if it appears in white at some point in the future and will blog about it if it does. I managed to successfully get around the store without spending any money and then we popped over to Hobbycraft. I'm afraid it wasn't quite the same story there, as I got tempted by a few items and bought myself a treat or two. I bought a few clear craft stamps in some lovely designs, which were pretty inexpensive at 50p or £1 each.
I also bought this book by Cecilia Hanselmann called Zakka-Style gifts.
It is full of inspirational and practical items to make for the home or as gifts, using the smallest scraps of fabric in many cases. This is really my sort of book. I have so many sewing books and now rarely find one that to me is worth buying, but this one definitely was. It cost £7.99 and I probably could have got it cheaper elsewhere, but I didn't care for once.
Little Bird's favourite project was this cute pencil case. I may try to make her one in time for her starting Secondary school in September.
Whilst I liked virtually every project in this book, a couple of my personal favourites were these very simple fabric book marks
and these bright and colourful pot holders.
This will happily get added to my craft library in the sewing room and will hopefully provide inspiration for a long time to come.
Our nearest Hobbycraft is quite near to our local IKEA store too, so we just had to pop in there for a lovely, but very inexpensive lunch out. As I am now finally a Family member after three attempts at getting a membership card, I made the most of it and got my free beverages whilst there. I had a wonderful Chickpea Biryani for lunch at only £2.25 for a large bowl full and it was gorgeous. I would definitely have it again if I saw it on the menu. I've noticed on recent visits that they have become a little more adventurous with regard to the dishes they have on the menu and so far so good.
Whilst there I had to take an obligatory look in the fabric department and on the way I noticed a really interesting but inexpensive storage solution I'd not seen before, but unfortunately they didn't have it in a colour that suited the purpose I had in mind, so I will be keeping a close eye out to see if it appears in white at some point in the future and will blog about it if it does. I managed to successfully get around the store without spending any money and then we popped over to Hobbycraft. I'm afraid it wasn't quite the same story there, as I got tempted by a few items and bought myself a treat or two. I bought a few clear craft stamps in some lovely designs, which were pretty inexpensive at 50p or £1 each.
I also bought this book by Cecilia Hanselmann called Zakka-Style gifts.
It is full of inspirational and practical items to make for the home or as gifts, using the smallest scraps of fabric in many cases. This is really my sort of book. I have so many sewing books and now rarely find one that to me is worth buying, but this one definitely was. It cost £7.99 and I probably could have got it cheaper elsewhere, but I didn't care for once.
Little Bird's favourite project was this cute pencil case. I may try to make her one in time for her starting Secondary school in September.
Whilst I liked virtually every project in this book, a couple of my personal favourites were these very simple fabric book marks
and these bright and colourful pot holders.
This will happily get added to my craft library in the sewing room and will hopefully provide inspiration for a long time to come.
Friday, 11 April 2014
Alphabet Blogging - P is for Pom Pom Bunting
Following my visit to the Knitting and Stitching show in March, and my purchase of some new fangled pom pom makers which I'd seen Kirstie Allsop use on one of her crafting programmes on the TV, I was itching to use them for a project. Here's a picture of them in case anyone hasn't seen them before.
I decided that a string of pom pom bunting for Little Bird's room might be nice to begin with, so I had a good look through my wool stash and found a few wools in different purple tones, to match her room's décor. I couldn't believe how easy these pom pom makers were to use. They really made light work of making the pom poms. When I'd got a few made I strung them together using some of the wool and made sure I stitched back and forward through each pom pom to keep it in place and stop it slipping up and down the wool. I was pretty pleased with the outcome.
Little Bird wasn't too fussed when I told her I was making it. When she saw it up on the wall she liked it a lot more though. The dog liked the pom poms too, the ones she managed to demolish i.e. rip apart that is.
I think it could have been improved by having yet more variation in the size of the pom poms used, but I'll have to wait until the next K&S show so I can treat myself to another pair of these great little gadgets in different sizes. That's my excuse anyway.
Subsequently, I've been scouring Pinterest for some more pom pom inspiration and I think my next project is either going to be a pom pom rug, possibly for Little Bird's room again as I still have lots of purple wool left, which sounds very luxurious under foot or maybe a pom pom cushion or wreath. I want to try to use up as much of the wool I have as possible, and this seems as good a way as any.
Joining in with Mum at Mum's Simply Living blog in posting using the alphabet backwards.
I decided that a string of pom pom bunting for Little Bird's room might be nice to begin with, so I had a good look through my wool stash and found a few wools in different purple tones, to match her room's décor. I couldn't believe how easy these pom pom makers were to use. They really made light work of making the pom poms. When I'd got a few made I strung them together using some of the wool and made sure I stitched back and forward through each pom pom to keep it in place and stop it slipping up and down the wool. I was pretty pleased with the outcome.
I hung it up using some washi tape so I'm not sure how long it will stay up. I need to use the washi tape mountain for something!
Little Bird wasn't too fussed when I told her I was making it. When she saw it up on the wall she liked it a lot more though. The dog liked the pom poms too, the ones she managed to demolish i.e. rip apart that is.
I think it could have been improved by having yet more variation in the size of the pom poms used, but I'll have to wait until the next K&S show so I can treat myself to another pair of these great little gadgets in different sizes. That's my excuse anyway.
Subsequently, I've been scouring Pinterest for some more pom pom inspiration and I think my next project is either going to be a pom pom rug, possibly for Little Bird's room again as I still have lots of purple wool left, which sounds very luxurious under foot or maybe a pom pom cushion or wreath. I want to try to use up as much of the wool I have as possible, and this seems as good a way as any.
Joining in with Mum at Mum's Simply Living blog in posting using the alphabet backwards.
Thursday, 10 April 2014
Getting Back Into My Dressmaking Groove
At long last I finally seem to be getting back to doing some dressmaking and it is about time too. I made a couple of skirts last spring/summer and then apart from a few snoods, I stopped making anything. I'm hoping that the same behaviour pattern does not recur this year.
At the very end of last month I made a pencil skirt and then after watching the GB Sewing Bee semi- final last week, I popped up to the sewing room to get started on my next dressmaking project. This one was another skirt, but an A-line one this time, using a striking print in waxed cotton.
I loved the luxurious colours in the fabric, which I picked up at a charity shop for a couple of pounds. I think it is an African waxed cotton, which you see quite a lot of in East London, as many colourful traditional outfits are made with it and worn by African women when they attend church on a Sunday. I have long admired some of the designs I have seen in some of the fabric shops.
There was just enough of this fabric to make this skirt, which I have made before in several different fabrics. It's an old and trusted favourite. As I wanted the print running in a certain direction, I didn't lay the pattern out along the grain line, so I'm not sure what the consequences of this might be once it has been washed. Matching the print was a bit tricky. I was able to match it at the back reasonably well, by cutting the back pieces separately, and the front was one full piece, but at the sides it was harder as I didn't have enough extra fabric to play around with when laying out the pattern. Regardless of this, I was quite happy with the outcome. I am wearing it today for the first time, with some matching purple pumps I bought from Primark for walking the dog. Here's a picture of the finished result.
For my next project I think I need to step out of my comfort zone a little and make something I've never attempted before. Not sure quite what yet. I'll keep you posted.
At the very end of last month I made a pencil skirt and then after watching the GB Sewing Bee semi- final last week, I popped up to the sewing room to get started on my next dressmaking project. This one was another skirt, but an A-line one this time, using a striking print in waxed cotton.
I loved the luxurious colours in the fabric, which I picked up at a charity shop for a couple of pounds. I think it is an African waxed cotton, which you see quite a lot of in East London, as many colourful traditional outfits are made with it and worn by African women when they attend church on a Sunday. I have long admired some of the designs I have seen in some of the fabric shops.
There was just enough of this fabric to make this skirt, which I have made before in several different fabrics. It's an old and trusted favourite. As I wanted the print running in a certain direction, I didn't lay the pattern out along the grain line, so I'm not sure what the consequences of this might be once it has been washed. Matching the print was a bit tricky. I was able to match it at the back reasonably well, by cutting the back pieces separately, and the front was one full piece, but at the sides it was harder as I didn't have enough extra fabric to play around with when laying out the pattern. Regardless of this, I was quite happy with the outcome. I am wearing it today for the first time, with some matching purple pumps I bought from Primark for walking the dog. Here's a picture of the finished result.
For my next project I think I need to step out of my comfort zone a little and make something I've never attempted before. Not sure quite what yet. I'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, 9 April 2014
Easter Holiday Happenings
I'm really enjoying having Little Bird at home for the Easter Holidays. Days have taken on a relaxed feel. I'm managing to have a few lie ins with my current book 'One Hundred Secret Senses' by Amy Tan. I am so enjoying this book and find the insights it gives you into another culture and it's belief systems completely fascinating. I may even manage to finish it by the end of this week.
Anyway, I digress. As I mentioned, I'm really enjoying being at home with Little Bird, pottering, catching up with jobs, just being with no set routine, other than the morning dog walk.
Yesterday, we ventured out to our local mall, ostensibly to get Little Bird's hair trimmed. When we got there our first stop was Waitrose - not a place where I shop very often, but as I just needed a couple of items for our supper that evening, I popped in to see if I could get them. Whilst in there I decided to do the majority of our Easter Egg shopping to save my making a trip to another supermarket to do it at a later date. The prices seemed comparable with other supermarkets and I needed to send some off to Australia for my sister and her family, so wanted to finish buying them as soon as possible.
When I got to the till I was asked if I wanted to join the Waitrose Loyalty Scheme. I'd read good things about it, but had never bothered before, but when the lady on the till explained that I could get £3 off my Easter eggs, a free cup of tea to take to the hairdressers and drink while we waited, the Waitrose Food magazine and the day's Daily Telegraph (all free), I thought why not? Let's face it I have all the other loyalty cards, what's one more? One that gives me free refreshments to boot. To be honest, they won't get much information on me except how rarely I visit. I was, however, very impressed by the excellent service I received, so who knows I might start to visit a little more in future.
Aside from the essential groceries, the Easter eggs, the haircut, some bias binding for me for a project and a birthday present for a friend of Little Bird's, we didn't spend any money. I was quite surprised at our restraint, especially Little Bird's, who had been given some money by her Auntie when she visited the other week, which she was determined to so save up rather than spend. I was very impressed by this new resolve.
I'm not sure what the rest of the week will hold for us, but I am enjoying having no plans and just doing as we please.
Anyway, I digress. As I mentioned, I'm really enjoying being at home with Little Bird, pottering, catching up with jobs, just being with no set routine, other than the morning dog walk.
Yesterday, we ventured out to our local mall, ostensibly to get Little Bird's hair trimmed. When we got there our first stop was Waitrose - not a place where I shop very often, but as I just needed a couple of items for our supper that evening, I popped in to see if I could get them. Whilst in there I decided to do the majority of our Easter Egg shopping to save my making a trip to another supermarket to do it at a later date. The prices seemed comparable with other supermarkets and I needed to send some off to Australia for my sister and her family, so wanted to finish buying them as soon as possible.
When I got to the till I was asked if I wanted to join the Waitrose Loyalty Scheme. I'd read good things about it, but had never bothered before, but when the lady on the till explained that I could get £3 off my Easter eggs, a free cup of tea to take to the hairdressers and drink while we waited, the Waitrose Food magazine and the day's Daily Telegraph (all free), I thought why not? Let's face it I have all the other loyalty cards, what's one more? One that gives me free refreshments to boot. To be honest, they won't get much information on me except how rarely I visit. I was, however, very impressed by the excellent service I received, so who knows I might start to visit a little more in future.
Aside from the essential groceries, the Easter eggs, the haircut, some bias binding for me for a project and a birthday present for a friend of Little Bird's, we didn't spend any money. I was quite surprised at our restraint, especially Little Bird's, who had been given some money by her Auntie when she visited the other week, which she was determined to so save up rather than spend. I was very impressed by this new resolve.
I'm not sure what the rest of the week will hold for us, but I am enjoying having no plans and just doing as we please.
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