The Great Bitish Sewing Bee; Semi-final next week. Eeek!

I have just been catching up with last night's programme of The Great British Sewing Bee. 

 

I was Googling about the patterns they use then ended up asking Tilly and the Buttons if she knew which ones they use. (You may remember Tilly was a contestant on the very first series of The Bee.) Whilst doing this I decided to link her blog to mine as she has written a fab post about the up-coming book linked to The Bee. 

Here is the link to Tilly's blog about the new book which helps you to sew Fashion With Fabric.

Just a quick post for today but hope you enjoy and find it useful.x

Febraury is almost over but here I am!

Well, it has taken me a while to get back here but never mind.Hope you are happy to be reading a little about what I've been up to recently?

I purchased some pom pom makers and have begun a project to make a rug for the house we finally move to! I am not counting how many I have made so far, but the boys like emptying the bag to see where I'm up to -  I have some way to go yet as you can see.
 

I have also begun sewing a pair of jimmers for myself. Inspired again by The Great British Sewing Bee of course. The fabric is yellow gingham winceyette kind of and cost me £1.50 from a charity shop - it's actually a cot blanket. I'm doing my best to take the pattern off a pair I already have so wish me luck as I have it cut out and hope to get them sewn some time this week. Photo of the finished item to follow later.

On Monday as part of my home organisation I decided to plan the boys' breakfasts as well as already planning their tea meals. Therefore yesterday morning I got up, had a bath in our bedroom bath which I really should do more often, then came down and made the batter for American style pancakes. I cannot do the crepe type so these work really well for us at breakfast or any time, soooo easy! Today was easy too, porridge and yoghurt tube for Alfie and peanut butter on Tiger bread for Harry also with a yoghurt tube. 

I love baking, as you know, and I absolutely love having fresh things baked for breakfast so I am just about to make Lemon muffins to go with fruit salad for tomorrow morning. I've decided to just make half recipes of biscuits, cakes and bakes then I can regularly indulge my passion, things don't go to waste and the boys, and hubs, get a selection of yummy eats and treats!
  
We recently went to the dentist during half term and Alfie unfortunately has a tiny hole in one of his teeth. I was mortified but then pleased in a wierd way that it is caused by him eating so much fruit. The idea of planning the breakfasts along with other meals is so I can keep a handle on the amount he eats instead of him just diving into the fruit bowl at any time of the day, which seems to be the problem. Here are the job charts for the boys and my expanded meal planning sheet.

The boys went back to school on Monday and so I am getting back into my usual routine, just about. They have been asking for pocket money recently so we now have job charts on the fridge for tasks such as feeding Jake, helping with taking out the recycling, plus the usual like keeping rooms tidy. They are keen to earn some spending money now and for when we go away in the Summer holidays.

Corned beef hash for the boys'  tea tonight; quick meal as we are going climbing I think. However last night we went to the first of two Judo sessions this week for extra practise in readiness for their next level belt grading  on Sunday so they may pull a sickie and I can't say I would mind!

That's all for now so catch ya later!xxx

Fabric Follower and Student Seamstress!

In case you hadn't noticed, the second series of The Great British Sewing Bee is now underway at 8pm on BBC2 each Tuesday evening. Therefore this Wednesday found me  watching the previous night's programme, which I had recorded, whilst having my lunch. I remember watching it last year and being very inspired so I did manage to complete a small number of projects. 

I've started a little fabric stash - I think I have said before that if I call it material I don't feel a proper novice of the needle! I like looking at and touching it just about as much as I liked stroking paper when I used to do more paper crafting!

I love collecting the required tools, equipment and yummy parafinalia when you start a new project or hobby. I have these two fabulous pairs of fabric shears which my husband came across in our shed; the larger ones I think could possibly dispatch a small animal, hence I am keeping them away from my children. Ha ha!

  
I found this fabulous sewing box in one of my favourite charity shops for about £3 and enjoy using it instead of the small, ugly Tupperware-type box I have used for too long!
 

 











I didn't sew as a youngster, even though my mum made everything from my oldest sister's wedding dress to a faux fur coat for me as a teenager - I do wish I had paid more attention. I do, however, remember trying out the different embroidery stitches on a bag for the scrabble tiles when she took delivery of a new sewing machine.

I suspect lots of people have to sew when it comes to school name tapes. That was a both a baptism of fire and a catalyst so my skill level has certainly improved as I went from polo shirts to trousers via gyms kits.

I really would like to make more useful items. I don't have a huge interest in making elaborate clothes but rather prefer to make tote bags, sewn decorations for the house etc. As I type this post my machine sits next to me all threaded up for a project I recently started which I hope to share with you next month, once I have presented it to the recipient. That is the other thing, I like the idea of making something for a friend or family member as there is an immense sense of achievement with creating a gift for a special person.

I would love to hear from anybody who, like me, is just getting started when it comes to sewing to share ideas and experiences.

Thanks for stopping by and catch ya later! xx