It's an absolutely gorgeous morning this morning. Sunny but there is a wonderful cool breeze that is is keeping things nice and comfortable.
Andy is outside sloshing preservative on the garden fence and Smudge is snoring very loudly in the living room.
I have just washed and cut up all the fruit I bought yesterday into boxes so that it is all ready to eat and I am just about to put some baking potatoes into the oven to make some filled jackets. They will be filled with tuna, sauteed green peppers and red onions and sweetcorn and will be served with a lime and ginger dressed baby leaf and cucumber salad....just for a change from our normal salad.
Once they are in I am off to the sewing machine for a few hours.
Hope you are all enjoying a bright and breezy day.
Sheila-x-
Tuesday, 31 July 2018
Monday, 30 July 2018
Shopping!!!
There was a desperate need to refill the fridge so I have been out this morning stocking up on fruit and veg and meats.
The veg shop had some good prices on fruit....grapes, cherries and plums for £1 a large punnet, blueberries 2 punnets for £1 and peaches 3 for £1. I'll chop a load up into a box and we'll have it with some low fat greek yoghurt. Andy has been told by the doc to stop eating ice cream so he can have that instead.
Plenty of veg and salad stuff to keep us going for more than a week and meat to make tasty things to go with it.
Anyone who likes Yorkshire Tea....get yourselves down to B&M Bargains if you have one. They have massive bags of nearly 500 teabags for £9.99.
I couldn't carry one today but Andy is going to nip and fetch me one tomorrow.
Yesterday it rained all day so I had a very productive day in the sewing room and got three dresses cut out. One for Ruby with some fabric I already had in and two for Marlowe with the new fabric bought on Saturday. I don't know if I'll get time to sew today as I have the workers at home but at least I won't have to cook as there is gammon left from yesterday which we are all happy to have again today with yet more salad.
Hope you all had a good weekend.
Sheila-x-
The veg shop had some good prices on fruit....grapes, cherries and plums for £1 a large punnet, blueberries 2 punnets for £1 and peaches 3 for £1. I'll chop a load up into a box and we'll have it with some low fat greek yoghurt. Andy has been told by the doc to stop eating ice cream so he can have that instead.
Plenty of veg and salad stuff to keep us going for more than a week and meat to make tasty things to go with it.
Anyone who likes Yorkshire Tea....get yourselves down to B&M Bargains if you have one. They have massive bags of nearly 500 teabags for £9.99.
I couldn't carry one today but Andy is going to nip and fetch me one tomorrow.
Yesterday it rained all day so I had a very productive day in the sewing room and got three dresses cut out. One for Ruby with some fabric I already had in and two for Marlowe with the new fabric bought on Saturday. I don't know if I'll get time to sew today as I have the workers at home but at least I won't have to cook as there is gammon left from yesterday which we are all happy to have again today with yet more salad.
Hope you all had a good weekend.
Sheila-x-
Sunday, 29 July 2018
He Came, He Saw, He Serviced!!!
Finally.....the boiler is serviced.
The man who came to do it was really lovely so worth waiting for I think and he will be coming every year now to do it so that we don't have the same drama we have had this year.
My threads arrived and we have got rain at last so this weekend is turning out quite well.
Our trip to Derby yesterday was lovely.
We decided to have a walk over to the old market hall and it was a right old trip down memory lane.....a cold drink sitting outside the pub where Andy and I got engaged, past the old fish and chip shop which was frequently visited when I was a child....now sadly closed and abandoned......and joy of joys....the discovery that the Hook & Eye sewing shop was still open opposite the market hall.
The market hall itself looks like it is undergoing some refurbishment but is still open and we were able to have a look round so I was happy about that.
Back into the Eagle Centre Market where I found two gorgeous fabrics for dresses for Marlowe and then home for a nice cuppa.
As I said earlier....we have rain. No drama of thunder, lightning or hail stones just a good steady downpour to soak the gardens and cool the air. We are supposed to be back to high temperatures tomorrow but the rest from the heat has been amazing and notched up my energy levels a bit.
Still no roast dinner today though as I cooked a small gammon joint yesterday and we are having that with some salad and new potatoes.
I hope you are all having a lovely weekend.
Sheila-x-
The man who came to do it was really lovely so worth waiting for I think and he will be coming every year now to do it so that we don't have the same drama we have had this year.
My threads arrived and we have got rain at last so this weekend is turning out quite well.
Our trip to Derby yesterday was lovely.
We decided to have a walk over to the old market hall and it was a right old trip down memory lane.....a cold drink sitting outside the pub where Andy and I got engaged, past the old fish and chip shop which was frequently visited when I was a child....now sadly closed and abandoned......and joy of joys....the discovery that the Hook & Eye sewing shop was still open opposite the market hall.
The market hall itself looks like it is undergoing some refurbishment but is still open and we were able to have a look round so I was happy about that.
Back into the Eagle Centre Market where I found two gorgeous fabrics for dresses for Marlowe and then home for a nice cuppa.
As I said earlier....we have rain. No drama of thunder, lightning or hail stones just a good steady downpour to soak the gardens and cool the air. We are supposed to be back to high temperatures tomorrow but the rest from the heat has been amazing and notched up my energy levels a bit.
Still no roast dinner today though as I cooked a small gammon joint yesterday and we are having that with some salad and new potatoes.
I hope you are all having a lovely weekend.
Sheila-x-
Friday, 27 July 2018
Waiting..........!!!
......for the boiler man to arrive.
If he doesn't come I think I am going to sit and cry.
Not much planned for this weekend.....just a quick trip into Derby Market and a visit to Hobbycraft on the way back for some machine needles.
Andy may want to call at the pub on Sunday for a drink but we won't be having lunch there as DD will be at work and it doesn't really feel right going without her.
I'll probably clear the sewing table today and start on some cutting out for sewing over the weekend.....if I can concentrate with this flippin' headache. It's really muggy here this morning.
Have you got nice plans for the weekend?
Whatever you do have a great one.
Sheila-x-
If he doesn't come I think I am going to sit and cry.
Not much planned for this weekend.....just a quick trip into Derby Market and a visit to Hobbycraft on the way back for some machine needles.
Andy may want to call at the pub on Sunday for a drink but we won't be having lunch there as DD will be at work and it doesn't really feel right going without her.
I'll probably clear the sewing table today and start on some cutting out for sewing over the weekend.....if I can concentrate with this flippin' headache. It's really muggy here this morning.
Have you got nice plans for the weekend?
Whatever you do have a great one.
Sheila-x-
Thursday, 26 July 2018
Very Trying!!!
I don't know what is wrong but this morning I am having a lot of trouble leaving comments on other people's blogs and even replying to comments here on my own.
I am just getting a grey box with a sad face in it and the comment just disappears. Others seem to be fine and I have managed one or two.
Now I have given up as a couple of the comments were quite lengthy and I just can't be bothered to try again in case the same happens.
Well it's a very grey day here today.....no cooler though unfortunately.
They say tomorrow will be thunder storms, hail storms and rain with flash flooding and then back to the sun and heat for the weekend.
This morning I have altered a favourite skirt that was just about falling over my hips when I put it on. It took me about two hours to unpick the rather over zealous sewing done at the factory before I could even take out the elastic to replace it.
All done now and it fits a lot better with new wider elastic.
Still awaiting the arrival of my threads which I thought would have been here yesterday. I want them for the overlocking on the next two dresses for Marlowe so I can't really start them until they arrive.
Andy will be on annual leave from Friday evening so next week we are going out to look at wallpaper and paint for the living room. The decorating won't get done until DD is on her annual leave the fortnight after Andy as I would like the paint to go on the walls and not on the dog where it usually ends up when His Nibs has control (or not) of a paintbrush....lol.
It's not a job I am looking forward to if this heat carries on but it needs doing.
As I can't sew today I think I will go upstairs and hunt down coat hangers as I seem to be a bit short of them.
Hope you're having a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
Wednesday, 25 July 2018
Murderous Thoughts!!!
There wasn't a lot to say yesterday.
I was hot and cranky and Andy decided he wanted a cooked lunch of a pie with veg and gravy which didn't help. Not a lot of love went into that meal I can tell you.....just lots of wondering how I could murder him and get away with it....lol!!!
I didn't get much done in the way of housework. The kitchen was tidied and the hoover was thrown round and then I spent the rest of the day finishing this..........
....a proper little dress for Marlowe.
I'm going to see how it fits her and then I may make a couple more in some different fabrics.
When I took it down the garden to take the picture I noticed that our Agatha(panthus) is looking like she is loving this weather..........
.......so many more flowers than she had last year.
I think this border will have to be thinned out soon as it's getting pretty crowded now. The sedum is massive and taking over so that can be split and some replanted in the front garden.
Eagerly awaiting the postman this morning who should be bringing me a parcel of two boxes of threads. He usually arrives just before lunch so until then I had best go and get some cleaning done upstairs and then sort out something to do with Miss Ruby who is coming early today for her Wednesday visit now that she is on holiday from school.
Hope you all have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
I was hot and cranky and Andy decided he wanted a cooked lunch of a pie with veg and gravy which didn't help. Not a lot of love went into that meal I can tell you.....just lots of wondering how I could murder him and get away with it....lol!!!
I didn't get much done in the way of housework. The kitchen was tidied and the hoover was thrown round and then I spent the rest of the day finishing this..........
....a proper little dress for Marlowe.
I'm going to see how it fits her and then I may make a couple more in some different fabrics.
When I took it down the garden to take the picture I noticed that our Agatha(panthus) is looking like she is loving this weather..........
.......so many more flowers than she had last year.
I think this border will have to be thinned out soon as it's getting pretty crowded now. The sedum is massive and taking over so that can be split and some replanted in the front garden.
Eagerly awaiting the postman this morning who should be bringing me a parcel of two boxes of threads. He usually arrives just before lunch so until then I had best go and get some cleaning done upstairs and then sort out something to do with Miss Ruby who is coming early today for her Wednesday visit now that she is on holiday from school.
Hope you all have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
Monday, 23 July 2018
Another Weekend Gone!!!
Saturday I should have been babysitting two girls but Ruby went to the cinema with Aunty DD and Miss Moo had got up way too early and was very tired so she ended up going for a three hour nap.
I babysat myself for the morning.....lol.
Sunday was a lovely cool morning so we all went outside and played football and pretend picnics.
By the time we came home the heat was back and I had to put the oven on which was very uncomfortable indeed.
We had the lasagne with some steamed veg and it was a lovely change from salad.
Today I am annoyed beyond belief and I bet you can't guess why.........the bloody boiler service saga....yet again.
An engineer should have arrived this morning....no show....so I phoned the company and was told they had no record of an appointment for us today but they had us down for the 9th August. Somebody made a cock up then because I was told 23rd July.
Anyway they have managed to find us an appointment for Friday and if nobody turns up this time there will be a phone call which may well melt the phone lines.
It is going to have to be salad for tea today because the temperature in the sewing room right next to the kitchen is currently 28C with curtains closed and windows open and that is going to rise when the sun moves round to the big window later on.
Not wanting to frighten the engineer...if he came this morning....I wore a light pair of trousers and a t shirt for decency's sake when I got up. They are going to have to come off and the shorts and vest are going back on.
Hope you've all had a good weekend.
I shall no doubt read what you have been up to when I catch up with blogs later on when all my jobs are finished.
Sheila-x-
Thursday, 19 July 2018
Getting Ready For Another Busy Weekend!!!
Today I will be starting my weekend clean up a day early as I will be spending time looking after the girls on Saturday and Sunday while DDIL is working from home again. It has come round a bit quicker this time as she has taken a colleagues turn so that they can enjoy their full seven day break.
So I doubt I'll get any sewing done today.....maybe some cutting out but that will be all.
These were passed on to Miss Marlowe yesterday.........
These are the last I will make for her in this style as they are the largest size we can go on the pattern.
The next step is proper frocks with gathering, puffed sleeves and all sorts of stuff to get myself in trouble with.....lol.
Ruby's dress was tried on and fit her like it was made for her....ha, ha, ha and she loved it.
My fabric stash is taking a right old battering so I need to save up for a trip to either Derby or Birmingham to put things right and also to stock up on threads.
Thanks to everyone for the nice comments about my needle changing tool. Such a simple thing but I do find it very useful.
Oh well....time to don the Marigolds and get scrubbing.....after a coffee of course 😁
Have a wonderful day.
Sheila-x-
So I doubt I'll get any sewing done today.....maybe some cutting out but that will be all.
These were passed on to Miss Marlowe yesterday.........
These are the last I will make for her in this style as they are the largest size we can go on the pattern.
The next step is proper frocks with gathering, puffed sleeves and all sorts of stuff to get myself in trouble with.....lol.
Ruby's dress was tried on and fit her like it was made for her....ha, ha, ha and she loved it.
My fabric stash is taking a right old battering so I need to save up for a trip to either Derby or Birmingham to put things right and also to stock up on threads.
Thanks to everyone for the nice comments about my needle changing tool. Such a simple thing but I do find it very useful.
Oh well....time to don the Marigolds and get scrubbing.....after a coffee of course 😁
Have a wonderful day.
Sheila-x-
Wednesday, 18 July 2018
For Catriona!!!
Hi Catriona.....
As promised here are a couple of pics of the little needle changing tool I made for myself..........
Take a childs glue spreader and trim off a little of the flexible blade.
Pierce a hole just big enough for the lower part of your needle to slip through. I used a tiny Fiskars plier punch but if you don't have have one you could hammer a tiny tack through it to make the hole or maybe heat an old machine needle and push it through.
And here it is in action.
Use it to remove and insert your needles and you should never have a problem again with them dropping into your feed dogs.
I hope you find this useful.
Sheila-x-
As promised here are a couple of pics of the little needle changing tool I made for myself..........
Take a childs glue spreader and trim off a little of the flexible blade.
Pierce a hole just big enough for the lower part of your needle to slip through. I used a tiny Fiskars plier punch but if you don't have have one you could hammer a tiny tack through it to make the hole or maybe heat an old machine needle and push it through.
And here it is in action.
Use it to remove and insert your needles and you should never have a problem again with them dropping into your feed dogs.
I hope you find this useful.
Sheila-x-
Tuesday, 17 July 2018
A Dress!!!
Another dress finished for Ruby................
Fabric in a sale from Derby Market. Pattern-New Look 6466.
Once I had sorted out the slightly confusing (to me) pattern it was pretty easy to make and was done in a day.
All I need is for Ruby to try it on so that I can try the shoulder straps for placement and sew them down.
Today I am finishing off Marlowe's tops and then I shall have a rifle through my patterns for something else to make.
We had rain last night....about enough to soak the top quarter inch of the garden if it made it past all the foliage....lol.
I went and stood out in it and could almost hear my skin sizzling as the drops hit it. Oh it was lovely.
Dull and grey with lots of dark clouds today but we are not predicted to have any more rain until next Monday here.
We couldn't face the spag bol last night and had ham and salad instead. The sauce has been frozen to use in a lasagne for Sunday lunch instead.
Nothing much to do housewise today so until I have to prep the salad and cook some fish for tea I can spend the day sewing.
There is a lovely breeze blowing through the back door so it will be rather pleasant to have it blowing on my back and shoulders while I sew.
Hope you all have a lovely day today.
Sheila-x-
Fabric in a sale from Derby Market. Pattern-New Look 6466.
Once I had sorted out the slightly confusing (to me) pattern it was pretty easy to make and was done in a day.
All I need is for Ruby to try it on so that I can try the shoulder straps for placement and sew them down.
Today I am finishing off Marlowe's tops and then I shall have a rifle through my patterns for something else to make.
We had rain last night....about enough to soak the top quarter inch of the garden if it made it past all the foliage....lol.
I went and stood out in it and could almost hear my skin sizzling as the drops hit it. Oh it was lovely.
Dull and grey with lots of dark clouds today but we are not predicted to have any more rain until next Monday here.
We couldn't face the spag bol last night and had ham and salad instead. The sauce has been frozen to use in a lasagne for Sunday lunch instead.
Nothing much to do housewise today so until I have to prep the salad and cook some fish for tea I can spend the day sewing.
There is a lovely breeze blowing through the back door so it will be rather pleasant to have it blowing on my back and shoulders while I sew.
Hope you all have a lovely day today.
Sheila-x-
Monday, 16 July 2018
Good Afternoon!!!
I hope you have all had a good weekend.
Mine has been both frustrating and productive.
Frustrating that in the whole of a three floor, three bedroom house the dog doesn't want to be anywhere but in the middle of the floor in my sewing room making it very difficult for me to move around.
Productive in that I made a whole dress yesterday...zip, lined bodice and everything and it looks really good. I am amazed.
It is on the washing line at the moment but when it has been ironed I will take a photo.
Today I will start on two little tops for Marlowe. They won't take long at all as they are very simple.
A question for anyone who has an overlocker........
Where do you buy your large cones of thread at a reasonable price?
I am currently using Lidl thread. I don't like it and the colour range is very limited so I would love to find an alternative.
Having a break from salad today and making a spag bol for our evening meal as I have beef mince that could do with using up.
The freezers are starting to look a bit empty so I'll use up what we have and the plan a freezer shop sometime in the next week or two.
It has just started spitting with rain but it doesn't look like it will be much today.....in fact it has stopped already after lasting less than two minutes so that's not going to do the lawn much good.
Anyhoo....I am off to crank up the sewing machine and get these two tops done for me gorgeous girl.
Have a wonderful day.
Sheila-x-
Mine has been both frustrating and productive.
Frustrating that in the whole of a three floor, three bedroom house the dog doesn't want to be anywhere but in the middle of the floor in my sewing room making it very difficult for me to move around.
Productive in that I made a whole dress yesterday...zip, lined bodice and everything and it looks really good. I am amazed.
It is on the washing line at the moment but when it has been ironed I will take a photo.
Today I will start on two little tops for Marlowe. They won't take long at all as they are very simple.
A question for anyone who has an overlocker........
Where do you buy your large cones of thread at a reasonable price?
I am currently using Lidl thread. I don't like it and the colour range is very limited so I would love to find an alternative.
Having a break from salad today and making a spag bol for our evening meal as I have beef mince that could do with using up.
The freezers are starting to look a bit empty so I'll use up what we have and the plan a freezer shop sometime in the next week or two.
It has just started spitting with rain but it doesn't look like it will be much today.....in fact it has stopped already after lasting less than two minutes so that's not going to do the lawn much good.
Anyhoo....I am off to crank up the sewing machine and get these two tops done for me gorgeous girl.
Have a wonderful day.
Sheila-x-
Saturday, 14 July 2018
Arrrrrgh!!!
I am having such a frustrating day today.
It's hot again which makes me cranky anyway but Smudge is driving me even more bonkers by lying on the floor in the sewing room right where I am wanting to be standing while I cut out some fabric. If I've tripped over him once I've done it a dozen times.
My language is rather unladylike I'm afraid.
DD has been out and done some shopping for me this morning as I just couldn't bear the thought of going into town in the heat and tomorrow is going to be even hotter so I certainly won't be wanting to go out then either.
We could do with another shower or two like we had last night
Oh thank goodness for that....Smudge has departed for the living room so I'll go and finish my cutting out before he decides to come back.
Hope you are having a good weekend and doing lots of fun things.
Sheila-x-
It's hot again which makes me cranky anyway but Smudge is driving me even more bonkers by lying on the floor in the sewing room right where I am wanting to be standing while I cut out some fabric. If I've tripped over him once I've done it a dozen times.
My language is rather unladylike I'm afraid.
DD has been out and done some shopping for me this morning as I just couldn't bear the thought of going into town in the heat and tomorrow is going to be even hotter so I certainly won't be wanting to go out then either.
We could do with another shower or two like we had last night
Oh thank goodness for that....Smudge has departed for the living room so I'll go and finish my cutting out before he decides to come back.
Hope you are having a good weekend and doing lots of fun things.
Sheila-x-
Friday, 13 July 2018
Mrs Tea Towel Makes..........!!!
.........Tea towels
During my tidying yesterday these pieces of fabric were removed from a box to make room to squish some other fabric in.
One pound remnants from Derby Market. I have had them for a good while.
Not sure how long they will last but I shall enjoy seeing them every day.
Cold again this morning and the weather forecast says we are getting rain which I will believe when we see it.
Today is a Doodle Day.
Ruby couldn't come for tea on Wednesday so she will be visiting today. Aunty DD has invited us out for tea so we are going to Ruby's favourite place.....the Chinese buffet. She doesn't know yet so that will be a nice surprise for her.
As I don't have to cook today I will spend some time tidying up ready for the weekend. We have no plans for Saturday or Sunday but there are some things that I want to get done and if the cool weather continues I will cook a Sunday lunch.
Ooooh....Andy has made coffee so I'll get off and drink it while it's hot.
Have a happy day.
Sheila-x-
Thursday, 12 July 2018
Oh How Lovely!!!
This morning it is cold....not cool....actually cold and it is absolutely lovely to have a break from feeling like a limp rag first thing of a morning.
Well the dream is over and the world cup will not be coming home with our lads this time. I found the match incredibly boring and kept getting up to do little jobs while it was on.
Smudge must have found it exciting though as he decided to pee all over the living room rug so one of my jobs was to clean all that up 😞
Once Andy has gone to work today I have the day to myself until he comes home again as DD will be coming in, getting changed and going out again with friends for a meal.
I don't know what I shall have for my tea but a good root around in the fridge should find me something.
I plan a day of cutting out and maybe some sewing but I need to tidy the table off first.
.....and before I do anything else I need to feed the worker so I'll go and do that.
Have a fabulous day.
Sheila-x-
Well the dream is over and the world cup will not be coming home with our lads this time. I found the match incredibly boring and kept getting up to do little jobs while it was on.
Smudge must have found it exciting though as he decided to pee all over the living room rug so one of my jobs was to clean all that up 😞
Once Andy has gone to work today I have the day to myself until he comes home again as DD will be coming in, getting changed and going out again with friends for a meal.
I don't know what I shall have for my tea but a good root around in the fridge should find me something.
I plan a day of cutting out and maybe some sewing but I need to tidy the table off first.
.....and before I do anything else I need to feed the worker so I'll go and do that.
Have a fabulous day.
Sheila-x-
Wednesday, 11 July 2018
Plans Gone Wonky!!!
I had tonight all planned out.
Tea....chicken wraps with tortilla chips and dips...ready for just before 7pm so that we could eat it while we watched the football.
Andy should have been finishing at 9pm but his employers are allowing them to finish at 6pm.
He doesn't like football or wraps or chips or dips so I have to cook him a separate meal for when he gets in........but the football...........he is just going to have to suck it up I'm afraid.
Under normal circumstances I don't like it either and I don't pretend to understand it but our lads deserve our support.
No sewing done yesterday as I got sidetracked making paper patterns for other doll clothes....honestly I am obsessed but I will move on to Marlowe's clothes sometime this week.
Fairly cool this morning so I have a bit more energy for tackling some jobs so hoovering, a bit of dusting and kitchen floor mopping will get done.
Hope you have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
Tea....chicken wraps with tortilla chips and dips...ready for just before 7pm so that we could eat it while we watched the football.
Andy should have been finishing at 9pm but his employers are allowing them to finish at 6pm.
He doesn't like football or wraps or chips or dips so I have to cook him a separate meal for when he gets in........but the football...........he is just going to have to suck it up I'm afraid.
Under normal circumstances I don't like it either and I don't pretend to understand it but our lads deserve our support.
No sewing done yesterday as I got sidetracked making paper patterns for other doll clothes....honestly I am obsessed but I will move on to Marlowe's clothes sometime this week.
Fairly cool this morning so I have a bit more energy for tackling some jobs so hoovering, a bit of dusting and kitchen floor mopping will get done.
Hope you have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
Tuesday, 10 July 2018
Posh Frocks!!!
The dolls now seem to have quite a bit of casual clothing so I decided they needed some posh frocks............
The black one uses up the last of the fabric I made Ruby's dress from and I am so glad to see the back of that.
The cream lacy dress is almost identical to a dress Ruby has and is made from a top I got from the charity shop so has cost me less than 10p to make that and the little raw edge crop top on the end.
The little skater dress was made from a remnant I found in my stash.
The bodice is a shortened version of my t shirt pattern and the skirt is just a circle skirt sewn onto the bottom.
Very chuffed with how they turned out.
I have one more dress cut out which I will make today and then I think I will be moving on to some sewing for Marlowe for a while. There is lots of fabric to choose from for her and any leftovers can be used for more doll clothes later.
The curtains in the sewing room are staying closed as the heat is back today and it does make it more comfortable in there.
We are taking a small break from salad today as I have found that my eggs need using up. Omelette it is then with a few baked beans.....I don't like hot omelette with salad.
Isn't it absolutely wonderful news that the young boys in the cave in Thailand are being rescued? I have been so scared for them and I really hope they can get the last boys and their coach out.
Well that's about it for today. Andy has just been fed and he will be off to work in an hour. I just have to wash up, fold the towels that have been laundered and put them away and then the afternoon is mine until DD gets home.
I hope you have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
The black one uses up the last of the fabric I made Ruby's dress from and I am so glad to see the back of that.
The cream lacy dress is almost identical to a dress Ruby has and is made from a top I got from the charity shop so has cost me less than 10p to make that and the little raw edge crop top on the end.
The little skater dress was made from a remnant I found in my stash.
The bodice is a shortened version of my t shirt pattern and the skirt is just a circle skirt sewn onto the bottom.
Very chuffed with how they turned out.
I have one more dress cut out which I will make today and then I think I will be moving on to some sewing for Marlowe for a while. There is lots of fabric to choose from for her and any leftovers can be used for more doll clothes later.
The curtains in the sewing room are staying closed as the heat is back today and it does make it more comfortable in there.
We are taking a small break from salad today as I have found that my eggs need using up. Omelette it is then with a few baked beans.....I don't like hot omelette with salad.
Isn't it absolutely wonderful news that the young boys in the cave in Thailand are being rescued? I have been so scared for them and I really hope they can get the last boys and their coach out.
Well that's about it for today. Andy has just been fed and he will be off to work in an hour. I just have to wash up, fold the towels that have been laundered and put them away and then the afternoon is mine until DD gets home.
I hope you have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
Monday, 9 July 2018
Cloud Cover!!!
Today we have thick cloud cover holding in the heat and not promising any rain. I feel drained.
Still the jobs need to get done. Thankfully the laundry basket isn't too full this week. Most of it is DD's work t shirts as she is changing them every day.
She is enjoying a break from being outside as she worked yesterday and is home today.
No sewing for me this afternoon as she has me booked for an afternoon of watching something....I don't know what....I would rather be sewing but then spending some quality time with my girl is more important.
Did you all manage to keep cool over the weekend?
We were going to go up to Carsington but then I decided I couldn't cope with a ride in a hot car so we stayed home and melted here instead and got through quite a few ice lollies.
Sheila-x-
Still the jobs need to get done. Thankfully the laundry basket isn't too full this week. Most of it is DD's work t shirts as she is changing them every day.
She is enjoying a break from being outside as she worked yesterday and is home today.
No sewing for me this afternoon as she has me booked for an afternoon of watching something....I don't know what....I would rather be sewing but then spending some quality time with my girl is more important.
Did you all manage to keep cool over the weekend?
We were going to go up to Carsington but then I decided I couldn't cope with a ride in a hot car so we stayed home and melted here instead and got through quite a few ice lollies.
Sheila-x-
Saturday, 7 July 2018
A Bit Off It!!!
I've done quite well coping with the heat so far....until yesterday when my eyes went all wobbly and the headache from hell started and that was me down and out for a couple of hours or so until the painkillers kicked in.
It still hasn't totally gone but I don't feel as bad as I did yesterday.
Quite chuffed with meself today. Andy wanted something padded to put on the arms of his chair as he finds the bare wood uncomfortable. I set to and made some wrap around covers for him that can be taken off and washed.
So that's a cushion for his head and covers for the arms I've made....I don't know why he didn't just buy a comfortable chair in the first place. Ruddy men!!!
Since I finished those I can't say I have really done much. It's just too hot to be bothered with anything. I don't fancy watching tv tonight so I might just fetch my book down and sit by the fan for a while.
Are you doing anything nice this weekend?
Sheila-x-
It still hasn't totally gone but I don't feel as bad as I did yesterday.
Quite chuffed with meself today. Andy wanted something padded to put on the arms of his chair as he finds the bare wood uncomfortable. I set to and made some wrap around covers for him that can be taken off and washed.
So that's a cushion for his head and covers for the arms I've made....I don't know why he didn't just buy a comfortable chair in the first place. Ruddy men!!!
Since I finished those I can't say I have really done much. It's just too hot to be bothered with anything. I don't fancy watching tv tonight so I might just fetch my book down and sit by the fan for a while.
Are you doing anything nice this weekend?
Sheila-x-
Thursday, 5 July 2018
Thursday Wafflings!!!
Another blistering hot day....as I'm sure you are all aware.....and guess who has promised Andy a cooked dinner tonight. I must be stark, staring mad but he has been very good about the endless weeks of salad...bless him.
Since we finished watching our Vikings box set DD and I have not really felt like starting anything else so we have been watching the odd cookery programme or the crime channel but now we have discovered the Home channel on Freeview and we are loving it. Re-runs of Escape To The Country and a show I have never seen before called Fantasy Homes Down Under...fantastic. I guess that will be our viewing mode for the summer then.
We are also both avidly reading books by a new to us author called Angela Marsons. Oh my word she is good. Crime novels set in the Black Country which are un-put-downable and I was thrilled to see mention of our little market town and a nearby village in the last one I read and mention of our big town in the one I am reading now.
DD is on the last one we have and I have two more to read.
She needs to get writing some more....lol.
The house seems to be staying remarkably tidy at the moment and major jobs are being put off in this heat so my days are being filled with sewing, a little tv and some reading.
It's rather nice and relaxing actually so the sun can stay a bit longer for me 😀
Hope you are all getting the chance to put your feet up and enjoy the sun.
Sheila-x-
Since we finished watching our Vikings box set DD and I have not really felt like starting anything else so we have been watching the odd cookery programme or the crime channel but now we have discovered the Home channel on Freeview and we are loving it. Re-runs of Escape To The Country and a show I have never seen before called Fantasy Homes Down Under...fantastic. I guess that will be our viewing mode for the summer then.
We are also both avidly reading books by a new to us author called Angela Marsons. Oh my word she is good. Crime novels set in the Black Country which are un-put-downable and I was thrilled to see mention of our little market town and a nearby village in the last one I read and mention of our big town in the one I am reading now.
DD is on the last one we have and I have two more to read.
She needs to get writing some more....lol.
The house seems to be staying remarkably tidy at the moment and major jobs are being put off in this heat so my days are being filled with sewing, a little tv and some reading.
It's rather nice and relaxing actually so the sun can stay a bit longer for me 😀
Hope you are all getting the chance to put your feet up and enjoy the sun.
Sheila-x-
Wednesday, 4 July 2018
Simmering!!!
The heat in the sewing room is simmering nicely at 22C with the curtains closed so it is quite pleasant this morning and I feel a bit more like doing things.
I had a good night's sleep after a lovely cool bath so all in all I think today is going to be pretty darn good 😁
Plumber number five is booked so we just have to wait now until July 23rd to see if he actually arrives. I am putting it right out of my mind until then.
By doing some very heavy starching I have managed to make a few things with jersey for the dolls.........
I designed the pattern for the green t shirt and was thrilled when it worked out so well.
The skirt is a short circle skirt made from one of my old tops.
The dress is made from a pair of Ruby's pj's that no longer fit her. I used the t shirt pattern and just elongated it.
The white top is my own pattern from the original t shirt pattern. I just made it into an all in one pattern to add seamless sleeves.
Grey t shirt is a McCall's pattern slightly altered for a better fit.
From one fat quarter of stretch denim I made the leggings and the skirt with enough left over for a pair of shorts.
A ballet style tutu skirt made from some angel hair fabric I have had lying about for years. Cut into strips and knotted around a length of ribbon. This will eventually be a fairy outfit with wings and a headdress.
I have also been making underwear as not all of the dolls come with knickers. They have been made from socks believe it or not...new ones I hasten to add. Very little sewing but they look really good.
I seem to have developed a real addiction for making these tiny clothes. Every time I finish something I tell myself to get cracking on something else but still I keep making them.
Ruby is delighted and I love doing it for her.
My little miss will be here for tea today and has requested the same tea as we had last week.....chicken fajita wraps.....from now on known as chicken fidgets....lol. I don't mind as it has become a firm family favourite and I could quite happily eat it every day.
....and on that note I had better go and put the chicken in to marinate for a while.
Have a lovely day..........oh and Happy 4th of July to my USA readers.
Sheila-x-
I had a good night's sleep after a lovely cool bath so all in all I think today is going to be pretty darn good 😁
Plumber number five is booked so we just have to wait now until July 23rd to see if he actually arrives. I am putting it right out of my mind until then.
By doing some very heavy starching I have managed to make a few things with jersey for the dolls.........
I designed the pattern for the green t shirt and was thrilled when it worked out so well.
The skirt is a short circle skirt made from one of my old tops.
The dress is made from a pair of Ruby's pj's that no longer fit her. I used the t shirt pattern and just elongated it.
The white top is my own pattern from the original t shirt pattern. I just made it into an all in one pattern to add seamless sleeves.
Grey t shirt is a McCall's pattern slightly altered for a better fit.
From one fat quarter of stretch denim I made the leggings and the skirt with enough left over for a pair of shorts.
A ballet style tutu skirt made from some angel hair fabric I have had lying about for years. Cut into strips and knotted around a length of ribbon. This will eventually be a fairy outfit with wings and a headdress.
I have also been making underwear as not all of the dolls come with knickers. They have been made from socks believe it or not...new ones I hasten to add. Very little sewing but they look really good.
I seem to have developed a real addiction for making these tiny clothes. Every time I finish something I tell myself to get cracking on something else but still I keep making them.
Ruby is delighted and I love doing it for her.
My little miss will be here for tea today and has requested the same tea as we had last week.....chicken fajita wraps.....from now on known as chicken fidgets....lol. I don't mind as it has become a firm family favourite and I could quite happily eat it every day.
....and on that note I had better go and put the chicken in to marinate for a while.
Have a lovely day..........oh and Happy 4th of July to my USA readers.
Sheila-x-
Tuesday, 3 July 2018
.......And On It Goes!!!
Plumber number four......declined the job as he is too busy. I am now awaiting a call from plumber number five.
Can this get any more ridiculous?
Our T***o is driving me nuts at the minute. They seem to be moving everything round and the store is constantly full of stock trolleys making navigation an absolute pain.
Last night I had to split my shopping list between them and A**a because there were so many things missing from the shelves.
Had a bit of a frustrating day with my sewing yesterday. My Singer Tradition doesn't seem to like jersey fabric at all. I am having to starch it to within an inch of it's life and to top it all my little iron blew a gasket and died on me.
I may go back to shoe making today when my few jobs are done.
More sunshine today although the breeze is much cooler so it's more bearable.
Have a happy day.
Sheila-x-
Can this get any more ridiculous?
Our T***o is driving me nuts at the minute. They seem to be moving everything round and the store is constantly full of stock trolleys making navigation an absolute pain.
Last night I had to split my shopping list between them and A**a because there were so many things missing from the shelves.
Had a bit of a frustrating day with my sewing yesterday. My Singer Tradition doesn't seem to like jersey fabric at all. I am having to starch it to within an inch of it's life and to top it all my little iron blew a gasket and died on me.
I may go back to shoe making today when my few jobs are done.
More sunshine today although the breeze is much cooler so it's more bearable.
Have a happy day.
Sheila-x-
Monday, 2 July 2018
Flagging A Bit!!!
Ooooh this heat is getting to me now and I am ready for a couple of rainy days to cool things down a bit.
There is a breeze today but it's not very cooling at all.
There are some biggish jobs that want doing but they are going to have to wait until I don't feel like I am going to pass out so I am mostly just pottering, keeping everywhere tidy and killing flies. We seem to have so many this year I don't know why.
Apart from having a roast dinner at the pub yesterday we have barely eaten anything but salad for weeks now. I am loving it though. I may have forgotten how to cook by the time we need hot meals again...lol.
The Fajita style chicken I make is appearing rather regularly on the menu as we all love it. It's very quick to make and just so tasty.
Everything is looking dusty and dull out in the garden. We don't have a hosepipe ban here just yet but one is imminent so I am trying to do my bit by using waste water as we only have flowers and no veg to worry about. The lawns are brown and look horrible. I am hoping the back one will die altogether and then Andy will have to do something about it at last.
Most of my pottering is done for today so I am just about to start cutting out a few more dolls clothes to get rid of some fabric scraps and then I'll have a good pile ready to sew tomorrow.....or tonight if DD doesn't want to watch anything on tv. She is just so tired coming in from a day spent out under the blazing sun and I am greeting her at the door most nights with a long cool drink full of ice cubes to cool her down a bit.
Talking of cool drinks I think I need one myself.
Hope you're all enjoying the sun.....if you like it that is.
Sheila-x-
There is a breeze today but it's not very cooling at all.
There are some biggish jobs that want doing but they are going to have to wait until I don't feel like I am going to pass out so I am mostly just pottering, keeping everywhere tidy and killing flies. We seem to have so many this year I don't know why.
Apart from having a roast dinner at the pub yesterday we have barely eaten anything but salad for weeks now. I am loving it though. I may have forgotten how to cook by the time we need hot meals again...lol.
The Fajita style chicken I make is appearing rather regularly on the menu as we all love it. It's very quick to make and just so tasty.
Everything is looking dusty and dull out in the garden. We don't have a hosepipe ban here just yet but one is imminent so I am trying to do my bit by using waste water as we only have flowers and no veg to worry about. The lawns are brown and look horrible. I am hoping the back one will die altogether and then Andy will have to do something about it at last.
Most of my pottering is done for today so I am just about to start cutting out a few more dolls clothes to get rid of some fabric scraps and then I'll have a good pile ready to sew tomorrow.....or tonight if DD doesn't want to watch anything on tv. She is just so tired coming in from a day spent out under the blazing sun and I am greeting her at the door most nights with a long cool drink full of ice cubes to cool her down a bit.
Talking of cool drinks I think I need one myself.
Hope you're all enjoying the sun.....if you like it that is.
Sheila-x-
Sunday, 1 July 2018
Bliss!!!
The time spent with the girls on Friday/Saturday was absolute bliss.
They were both so well behaved and happy and I don't think we stopped laughing for a minute.
Can't wait to do it all again.
Today Andy is treating us to lunch at the pub to save having the oven on for anything and then DD and I are going for a ride to Hobbycraft at Derby as I need to pick up some leather and denim needles. I hope the traffic isn't too bad as I would just like to go and get back as quickly as possible. I don't fancy sitting in a traffic jam today.
First some time in front of the fan with a cold drink and the Sunday papers.
Hope you are having a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
They were both so well behaved and happy and I don't think we stopped laughing for a minute.
Can't wait to do it all again.
Today Andy is treating us to lunch at the pub to save having the oven on for anything and then DD and I are going for a ride to Hobbycraft at Derby as I need to pick up some leather and denim needles. I hope the traffic isn't too bad as I would just like to go and get back as quickly as possible. I don't fancy sitting in a traffic jam today.
First some time in front of the fan with a cold drink and the Sunday papers.
Hope you are having a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
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