Stolen Time

All the school's around us, including Little Bun's school were closed today. Miss Rosey's was open, but there was no way I was driving there after the hideous journey home yesterday. Ironically all the buses in Norwich were cancelled, apart from our wee village bus which only runs twice a day, so Mr Bun hopped onto that in a manly fashion. I took the brave option of staying home with the girlies. 

After making sure all the furries were alive (it was -8 last night so I was a bit worried about a stiff rabbit or hens) I lit an early morning fire and snuggled for a while with my crochet. I can't believe that with no heating we're still managing ok with two heaters and two fires, but we are.

I have big expectations of finishing this project before all this coldness has gone so I get the benefit. I got the pattern for this cowl scarf from a new to me crochet magazine. I had gone to look for Simply Crochet, but I wasn't too interested in it to be honest. The patterns and colours they used were for the kind of crochet I don't like. I'll keep an open mind as I might like future copies, but for £4.99 it needs to be worth it. Inside Crochet had lots of articles that interested me alongside tons of patterns that I know I will be having a go at so that's money well spent as far as I'm concerned.  

The yarn I'm using is Sirdar Big Softie which I got for half price. The place I went to buy it from was sadly closing down so I was pleased with my saving, but felt sad at seeing yet another shop close down. 

I really like how they've styled the photos in this magazine too. I've never been too keen on the thought of a crocheted jumper and as for a skirt, well I don't think that'll be happening any time ever, but this jumper has a cute 50's style to it that I really like.

Then there are these super-soft slippers which I know the Bun's would love and a bag made from that new spaghetti yarn (wrong spelling I know) which I'd love to try out.

How can I ever really keep my head down to just one make at a time when there are so many fabulous things out there that keep tempting me with their delights?

As time ticked on I found we had no bread and hardly any milk so a snowy walk down to the village shop was called for. Just a few paces down from our cottage is this idyllic field. In the spring we see ducks waddling along or a bunny stopping to watch the world go by. This morning all was still and quiet.

Then the peace was shattered by a snowball flying through the air and Miss Rosey shrieking as she was hit.

Once we'd filled our bags with goodies from the village emporium we headed home to knock up a couple of snowmen. We have Wee Percy and Big Momma to keep him company.

The ladies watched our shenanigins, but stayed put waiting for Maggie to finish in the henhouse.

Finally I was allowed back in. Before you could blink, the kettle was on and a moment later there was a mocha coffee for me and two creamy hot chocs with crumpets for the Bun's.

After lunch I faniced a spot of fabric chopping. I've started hand-sewing the flag quilt which I'll show you another day, but I've had in my mind a while now a spring flower quilt made of simple squares with the stitching running from corner to corner.

I got out my cutting mat and the rotary blade to cut my squares properly only to find the blade was blunt. Just when I fancied jumping into something new. Back to the scissors for now then. I managed a fair few squares before we had to get on with nasty maths homework and then on to cook the next blinking meal. I find when the Bun's are off the whole day seems taken up with sorting out meals. Musn't grumble though because this stolen day has been lovely.

Nasty Stuff

The awful white stuff turned up on Monday evening as promised. Through the window it all looked fairly pleasant. The Bun's wished and wished their schools would be closed the next day. They had plans for a big snowball fight, but the next day it was business as usual. Snow is only fun at the weekend.

By midday it snowed so heavily that I sent my students home and grabbed Mr Bun from his classroom so we could get home before it got any worse. I stupidly thought we'd be at Miss Rosey's school in 30 mins and then on our way to get Little Bun before the cosiness of home. What a dim dim I was, everyone else had the same plan. In the end I had to phone someone else to collect Little Bun. She had a marvellous afternoon with friends throwing snowballs and making snow angels and Mr Bun and I had a lovely afternoon chatting uninterrupted in the car. Over four hours later, after pushing cars up hills, milkfloats across the road and generally watching how great some people are and how incredibly selfish and stupid others are, we rolled into our driveway.

This is why I hate weekday snow, it's scary to be out in; makes it impossible to plan much; you have to go out in it rather than snuggle at home and ignore it and the kids don't get a whole day off sledging.

They've now gone to bed believing tommorow is definately a stay at home day. I hope so too as I can't face another long icy drive like that. I also need to do some hen and rabbit fussing. The hens like their warm porridge on a wintery morning and usually need carrying across the snow to the patio. Then there's sitting by the fire catching up on all those yarny projects once I've done the obligatory outside snow stuff with the Bun's (can you guess I prefer the indoor stuff?). I'm going to cross my fingers too I think.

Baby it's Cold Outside

While we're waiting for England to turn white under a snowy blanket, I've been immersing myself in as much colour as I can. I've so many ideas bubbling around in my head of things I want to make. First I needed a good old fashioned sort out. That way I do a look over all the bits and bobs I have and gather some more ideas as I go along. 

At the weekend I wound my remaining threads onto wooden pegs. I'd seen this here and there and thought they look so pretty as well as being useful. I needed the threads to finish off a quick project I'd started the weekend before.

Before I got on with that I decided the yarn situation needed taking in hand. Baskets with unfinished things in them are breeding at an alarming rate and I needed to get a bit firmer with myself. I have to admit there are other bags of yarn and more still in our large school-room cupboard. By the end of my sort out I'd filled two bags with mixed yarn that I think Little Bun's school will make more use of than me. I feel a bit more on top of things now (although I have to admit I started a crochet cowl from a new magazine and a knitted beret not long after this). It's so addictive watching the new shapes, colours and textures take shape. I've just got to learn to be a better finisher up of things.

Late last night I did manage tofinish up my quick project. I loved the jolly colours and embroidery of these wee knitted coasters from 30 minute Knits when I saw the picture of them. Now they're done it's the blue with rosebuds that I like the best.

Around my sorting there was a lot of swimming this weekend. A swim party was on the cards and neither of our girls are confident swimmers even though they're really good. Mr ended up taking them a couple of times, while my part was to sit for a couple of hours on Saturday night by a pool. Better warm and dry say I. By Sunday Little Bun and Miss Rosey just wanted to snuggle up. Alfie climbed on board as snuggling is his most favourite thing in the world. I joined them for a snuggle once Blandings was on. I'm so glad they loved it too as I can't think of anything better for a Sunday evening than being cosy and enjoying English eccentricity at it's best.

Meanly around this there was far too much homework to be done and an 11+ exam to prepare for. Next Saturday Little Bun sits the entrance exam for Miss Rosey's high school.  I'll be so glad for her when it's over and done with and we know what will be. 

All too suddenly the weekend was over. It was dark, far too early and Miss Rosey was yelling at me to get up. When I arrived home after chauffeur duty I found a parcel from Pomme de Jour that I'd been eagerly waiting for. In her etsy shop are far too many delights and temptations.

I settled on three very different vibrant fabrics that I wanted very badly. I probably have far more plans in my head for the green anenome fabric than there is yardage. That's part of the excitement of buying old I think. The amount of something can also determine what you actually make with it so a piece of fabric that was once a bedspread has now been cut to become bags and cushions say. Whatever it becomes I'm just enjoying looking at them all for now.

A Tale of Three Things

Towards the end of the summer I found a sheet and a couple of pairs of curtains at a lovely vintage fair in a magical garden. All three things have now been used and made into new and useful things.

The worn and gently faded red rose curtains solved the problem I'd been having of finding the right fabric for Miss Rosey's wardrobe doors.

The pink floral sheet became a new bedskirt to replace the old and torn one. I threw it under the mattress so it would hang down either side of her metal bedstead. I saw this somewhere (can't remember where now? and thought that looks perfect, no measuring, cutting or stitching required just throwing it over).

Around the same time I cut out the pieces for a new dress from the remaining Liberty curtains. A dress that I thought might see me through the whole winter.

It hasn't worked out that way though as I wasn't concentrating properly. I ended up cutting out two skirt panels, four sleeves and two interfacings all the same shape, facing the same way. Once I realised what a numpty I was and that I didn't have enough material left to sort my stupidly stupid mistake out I put the pieces on the fed up with you now pile.

Then just after Christmas I had a sort out of my makings things. I found the zips I'd been looking for and so a cowboy pouch got made. Then I spied the cast aside dress pieces and I felt the urge to try and sort the problem out. With a bit of careful patching on a front panel and slightly altering the cuts of the pieces I'd screwed up it started to look like a wearable dress might be made after all.

On Monday morning I got up early (for me) and stitched and stitched away until I'd got enough of a dress made to try it on at last.

I've still not fitted the zip or hemmed the bottom, but I can see the cut isn't too bad after al. To be honest I'm really pleased and can't wait to get finished and then wearing it.

It's exactly the same pattern I used for the cotton dress I made in the summer. I might not stop at making just these two as it's a pattern that's perfect for my shape and style. I've always loved 1950's style dresses loaded with colourful petticoats underneath. As I've a long neck, v-necks look hideous on me, boat necks the best. I'm busty, but narrow and this dress just fits in all the right places because it's easy to play about with the sizings.

I'm so glad I got my interest back in making this dress. Hopefully I'll get a chance to finish it on Friday either side of my crown fitting and then I'll be dressing up in it next week. The crown is for my teeth sadly and not about me being a princess for the day. 

Now about the Four Happy Things Swap, I'm really glad so many of you want to join in. Looks like a lot of happiness will get spread about. There's been a couple of interesting twists on this as we now have a couple of youngsters joining in (which is really exciting for us the mum's and them) also my best matey who now lives in the land of Oz has signed up too. She's very creative and finds great stuff on her travels. Turns out in a funny roundabout way that when she stayed in Sydney this christmas and met up with her aunt, her aunt reads my blog, but didn't know we knew each other. The world gets smaller and smaller if you're in blogland doesn't it.

 See you again at the weekend I guess.

Bobbity Bobbity Bob, Here Comes the galloping Major

All change again tommorow. The real world beckons once more and so at an hour we'd all rather be snoozing through, we'll be up and about off to school and work. I've been going to bed later and later this holiday, I just don't feel tired at 1am, I rarely have. Miss Rosey had me in training this morning and dragged me from bed at 7am. I was up to wave my man onto the oddball express that stops outside our cottage. Being fascinated by people he certainly has a whole lot of strange folk to enjoy listening to and watching every day. He tells a good tale and has us in stitches when he gets home. 

Anyway's back to 7am. I found out it's quite a good time to be up when there's no need to leave the house. I nearly finished the dress I've been making here and there and so I'll show you that at the end of the week.

This past weekend has been mainly about tidying and yarny things. Last night I dressed the hyancinth bulbs in their jacket (pattern from here). Mr B, who is most supportive and encouraging of just about everything I make and do, made a sarky remark on the way past the fridge about yarnbombing and wondered if I might be doing the taps next.

I always feel the need for early spring bulbs once the Christmas things are packed away.

As much as I adore Christmas and sprinkling extra stuff about, I'm always glad to be clearing it all away on 12th night. There was a heck of a lot of dust to get shot of which had been stockpiling under the cards and decorations.

In the middle of cleaning up I got distracted by having a fiddle with the settings on my camera. It took a while to undo whatever I'd done to get effects like this.

Then back on to cleaning and clearing. For once I've decided to have only a few things on here. This is my minimalist look.

Now that's the excitement of the cleaning up done, which to be honest I did enjoy doing. I like switching off and whizzing about. Around all of this I came by some new books on Saturday. I spent vouchers and used up some of my shop profits on three books that I felt I just couldn't put back on the shelf.

The first one is already a favourite of mine. It's called 30 minute knits which really depends on your speed (I'm a slow knitter, but a quick hooker, I'd only say that out loud here). The 30 minutes is neither here nor there anyway as the main joy of this book is it has tons of absolutely gorgeous tiny projects and I want to make nearly all of them. Most books only have a few things that ring my bell.

Late on Saturday night I gave into the charms of this wee teddy and whipped up one for our home. Bobby Bear was born on the cusp of Sunday morning. Laziness stopped me looking for finer yarn hence his booby eyes. Little Bun got very upset on Bobby's behalf when I said I was going to cut them off and start again. I was told to apologise to him for being rude about his eyes.

I'm now fiddling about with another project from the book which will hopefully be finished by the end of the week (everytime I have a spare 30 minutes I guess).

The rest of my book choice will get good use over time. The Vintage Pattern Selector really impressed me too. I love making clothes now I've found the bug again, but I've always hated searching through pattern books. I know what style I'm after and rarely find what I want. I've always preferred to dress in a mix of handmade and clothes from the past. Now I have girlies who are after this look aswell and as Miss Rosey and I are too tall for most clothes, making your own is really the way to go. This book has everything in it from tops to jackets, dresses and skirts all inspired from the 20's onwards. As I've been asked to come up with a circle skirt and a full net petticoat this book might help me on my way to making this happen.

My other book is Quilting Step by Step. This is by far the bestest ever quilting book I've seen to actually help me understand how I can make quilts out of complicated shapes. Most books that explain stuff really clearly do it in a really boring way and I give up. This one is straightforward without too much guff. I've never got over scan reading from my days of marking 500 A'level scripts just before christmas so I like to cut to the chase. There's also tons of really useful illustrations that show you how to cut the shapes out. I feel ready to get braver with quilting.

However, and that should be a big HOWEVER, I've a ton of started last year, started before that year and started just at the beginning of this year things to finish before I let my imagination run away with me. I'm determined to finish the Bubblegum blanket and then get back to the Dots & Spots blanket I started an age ago. I'm now on row 5 of the Bubblegum which makes it 50 squares made, 70 more to go. 

Now at nearly midnight the real world is tap tap tapping on my shoulder. So I'd best be off to iron the uniforms and get my work bag ready. See you later in the week.

Contentment

Where to I start when I've so many different things to say? At the beginning would probably be the best place wouldn't it and then have the odd diversion here and there every now and then.

Well I'm thrilled that so many of you have shown an interest in the Four Happy Things Swap. There's still oodles of time to pop your name down if you fancy joining in, the more the merrier I say. It's been a wonderful chance for me to hear from some of you who visit who I didn't already know.  I'll say a hello here to those of you who don't have a link to follow and I'll definately be popping over to say hello to everyone else. Hello also to new followers. 

Now on to what's been happening around here. I did a quick stitch job the other evening and made a belated christmas present for Mr B. As I only had a really small amount of this elderly cowboy fabric patching with it seemed the best way to get the most out of it.

Cowboys doing cowboy things on the front. Inside I patched a wee mule (or donkey) as Mr adores these and has a grand desire for one one day alongside making cheese and daydreaming the days away in his own shepherd's hut.

For now the world of work beckons so a handy Boys Bits & Bobs Pouch for glasses, pennies and keys will have to do. I asked him if he showed anyone his cowboy pouch today. He said funnily enough in all the meetings he was at today it just would have sounded plain wrong. Ho Ho Ho.

Now before this work stuff came back for Mr B we made sure we had a grand end of the christmas hols for us all being together. On Wednesday we headed off to the coast rain or no (and boy did it rain). First stop to sit the rain out was the harbour pub on the estuary for fish and chips and a veggie version (halloumi in chilli and coriander batter - delicious).

Then we walked into the town for I had a mission to search for an antiques place I'd spied in the summer.

In an old shed tucked behind a wall was a pretty unexciting collection of stuff which was a disappointment to be sure. The setting promised so much.

However, I did find a lovely bit of fabric with 25% off and Little Bun found a ring with a small leather moustache on. Both of us were happy indeed.

Still refusing to let the rain call off play, we headed towards the pier for our last stop of new year hot choc and games. On the walk back to the car I was so cold it felt like knives were being thrown at my skin. Bliss then to come in and light the woodburner and the coal fire in our other sitting about room.

Today has been a day of Build-a-Bear Factory, uniform shopping and visiting friends. I also managed to squeeze in a C.Shop visit which added to my new years reading pile. A very mixed bag from intense and intelligent reads to informative and then just ploppy and fun depending on my mood.

At the bottom of the pile you can spy a crafty book. Even though I can knit it's full of some really helpful tips to improve my knitting more. The main reason I bought it is it's full of some great accessory patterns which in the main use only 50g of yarn. Ideal for an impatient knitter like me who prefers quick projects.

I love the diamond pattern on this scarf as much as it makes me feel like wearing red lipstick again.

The Bun's adore wearing fabric bows in their hair so I think a knitted hairband would go down a treat.

Then there's these very simple ribbed wristwarmer's for which I ended up picking up a ball of never before used yarn. I hear again and again how wonderful artesano yarn is so I thought that justified me getting some to try out on a small project.

I still have a glove waiting for a partner so I really should be getting on with making it's mate before I succumb to the temptations of this new yarn.

Well, after a few twists and turns, that's me done for today other than I must just mention I've put a 25% discount on all items in my shop until the end of the month. I fancy having a good old clearout and to start afresh for the new year ahead. 

Four Years Old Again

Four years ago, 2nd January 2009 to be precise, I started writing this blog. I hadn't read that many blogs before I jumped in. Posy,  Fabric of My Life, Vintage, Pretty and Shabby and Vintage Heaven were the ones that I read and felt inspired by. For a while they were just an enjoyable read, then I realised that I wanted to join in too. I spoke to Donna on the phone when I cocked up a fabric order and told her about my plans to blog. She looked out for my first post and kindly left my first comment, I was thrilled.

I chose the 2nd of January to jump in as I was feeling incredibly blue that day. Life was tough for so many reasons at that point. I wanted to write and lose myself somewhere that I could edit life as I saw fit. I also wanted to keep a record of all the good in our lives.

Now at the beginning of each new year I have a catalogue of photo's to look back over so I can traipse along memory lane. I've arranged them into seasons of sorts this year as a record of the Bun's, events and makes. My darling man chooses to make no appearance here, so don't think I'm leaving him out. In fact it's not easy as he's in most of the photos we have and is incredibly photogenic whereas I look bloody awful in most.

Winter's End January 2012

Over the years my blog has grown and changed as I've learnt more. I'm really pleased overall with what it's become, but there's still so much more I want to do with it. I want to improve my photographic skills (that means a new camera for me on the wishlist) and I've plans afoot to learn more about design.

Spring 2012

I love how blogging lets me look back over time and see what I've learnt and achieved. I realised as I put these collages together that I've been doing a fair bit of dressmaking this year. I stopped for a while and I'm so glad I'm back doing it again. From making dollies clothes as a child to knocking up outfits for clubbing out of old sheets I've always loved re-working and making an outfit. A favourite of mine was the puffball skirt I made to wear with a sensational black 1950's jacket when I was 18. I had hopes that my girls would enjoy fashion where they played with style rather than wore what everyone else did. Thankfully they do and it seems if I can make it they'll wear it. Now I'm trying to teach them so they'll be able to make their own outfits.

Early to Mid Summer 2012

Something I didn't realise when I started blogging was that I would connect with so many different wonderful people from all over the world. I've been amazed at what a small and supportive community this creative one is. I love how I can chat with people who get many of the things that make me tick because it's what they're about too.  So many of the people who write my favourite blogs are people I'd love to meet one day as I'm sure we'd get on just fine and dandy. I've met lots of lovely people who read my blog when I've been selling my wares which has been great too. 

I set up the Pick 'n' Mix Makers Market four years ago as a result of blogging. It was a dream of mine to create the kind of creative market that I'd actually want to go to. Through blogging I met an amazing amount of talented people who believed in me enough to take part. Blogging meant I could reach a lot of people to let them know about it too. Dad's death this year, just before the Spring Market, meant I had to cancel it. I've not got my vavoom back since for market organising this year. We'll have to wait and see what happens with that one.

Late Summer to Autumn 2012

When I started blogging I joined in with a few swaps which I really enjoyed. I stopped taking part because I was doing too many other things. I've held a few giveaways on here, more recently I started a Craft it Forward to share the making love around, but I've never hosted a swap. This might be a good thing, but I do really fancy hosting a Bobo Bun swap party to celebrate my four years of blogging.

Years End - Winter 2012

So to talk this idea through. I've named it the Four Happy Things Swap which means each swappee will swap four things that make them happy. Ideally one should be handmade, one thing in a favouite colour, one a vintage, retro or kitsch thingamebob and lastly one a thing from childhood (sweeties or small toy an idea). I'll be joining in too by the way if you don't mind.

If you fancy taking part please let me know by the 27th January, ideally on this post. Then I'll partner people up and get back to each of you to let you know your swappee pal (please make sure you leave an email address in case I can't get in touch through your blog). 

It would be great if the swapping could get going by the end of February, but no pressure for that as once you're paired up you can sort out something to suit yourselves. Please also state if you're only able to post in the UK or if you're willing to post Worldwide so I can match the right people up. 

I'll leave the button above on my side bar so if you fancy spreading the word and pasting it onto your blog you can do so. 

Right that's enough chat for now. See you soon. Happy Swapping.