Sewing table in progress

its fair to say my house is the size of a postage stamp. Trying to sew and hoard my equipment etc is a challenge in itself. I have sewn in nearly every corner of my home. And the conclusion is the dining/kitchen table works best.
I've had numerous tables of all  shapes and sizes. Basically I needed a narrow table for the galley kitchen  for easy access, not too large with the ability to cut  out fabric, and accommodate family gatherings when needed.
My new neighbour was clearing out an outhouse. An old table had been left.  "That can go I dont like that" she said.
"If your throwing it out may I have it".  So now I think in have my perfect table (apart from the hideous legs).
Yesterday we started renovating it, sanding the top down its a nice oak finish. I think  we will paint the legs.  Today the rain is here so I will not be able to continue sanding.

 Fully extended perfect for cutting out and quilting.

Even with one leaf extended it fits snugly in the recess, making a reasonable sewing space. A great triumph here at no. 23. I'm well chuffed,
How do you all sew if you have no sewing room?

Yummy Buns

The other day something short of a little miracle happened.  I baked a perfect bun.  Now I can make fat-less sponge cakes, muffins  but not a Victoria Sponge mixture they always come out flat or peaky.  So much so I have given up trying. But the other day I tried once more using a recipe my friends mother uses, her cakes are wonderful so it was worth the try. Recipe -  Weigh the eggs, whatever they weigh use the same of margarine, flour and sugar (I put in a little less sugar.)  So I tried it and it worked. Boy am I proud. Soft fluffy cakes, Yummy 



Sadly my sewing mojo has disappeared just like the buns, and the needles are clicking away as I sit by the fire keeping warm. Our house is over 150 years old its cold and drafty.  No doubt after Christmas with thoughts of Spring I will return to the sewing table, hopefully sooner.

So I have finished one bed sock for dd, hopefully a Christmas present. The sock had a pattern but it wasnt visible due to the fuzziness of the wool, so I knitted in stocking stitch instead.  I am struggling with the second piece.  This always occurs  once I have completed one, which is why I love knitting 2 at once but I chose to knit these on sets of fours for a change.  Tomorrow I  have a follow up hospital appointment to find out why I was admitted to hospital in the Summer (hopefully they will have answers)  Its a long journey, probably long waits so I will take the knitting and hope I can make an impression on the sock.  I seem to be spending  too much time browsing ravelry for patterns and looking at my over flowing stash of wool, Im  so longing to start something new and exciting.    




Lastly, a fresh tablecloth and some dried flowers are making me smile at the moment. Given to me by one of our Mustard Seed customers.  I only know this as Honesty.  These paper thin white leaves catch the light from the french doors giving them a  lovely silver glow. Very pretty.

Stash busting part 1

We have been enjoying lovely weather here, and I have been motivated, planning and rearranging things.  I have finally moved the sewing machine back upstairs and this is where it will now stay.  I dont dislike sewing upstairs (apart from the lack of view).  So I thought I would show you where I sew and what I have been planning.  Not alot of space so it wont take long.

Its an old utility oak study desk (circa 1950) with 3 drawers, a handy pull-out shelf, and a lift up extension, that sits in  my bedroom

Up above I keep my sewing notions and overlocker

 and all my fabric ....

 fits into this silver suitcase that lives under my bed.

Ive been rummaging for inspiration

A tailors dummy would be wonderful, but I havent the space.  I do however have Gloria  (a charity shop find)  who  is very slim and flat chested, no use to me.  She lives on  top of my chest of drawers and wears  some of my jewellery.

*****

Over at  Carolyn's  blog she has been doing a paper doll project, it is here were I first came across  Fashionary  (its on my Christmas list).  If you go to their website you can download the templates.  I have found this such fun and very useful for organising, and planning  my stash.  It helps me visualise how the fabric and pattern will work together.  When I trace around the dotted template I try and make the shape more fuller like my own body shape.  As you can see I am imagining my floral jersey dress shortened, worn with a pair or jeans (on the right).

So whats on my to do list, Good question?

 I was all prepared to start cutting out sewing up using my stash of fabrics and  try and make a few outfits for the coming seasons,when I got side tracked and found out there is a mini wardrobe competition over at pattern review.  Basically  4 items in 1 month (September) making at least 4 outfits. Sounds fun. Next week sees the end of the holidays, with new term starting so the timing is right. I do not want to buy any more patterns and fabrics.  I see this competition  as a stash busting exercise.  So we shall see if it is possible to find 4 fabrics that will combine with each other and with the small amount of patterns I own.  Set myself a real challenge there.    To be continued ......

Refreshed

Yes I know that we are into the second week of 2013, but I find it fascinating what effect that the difference a day makes, but on the the whole a new year.

 I stopped making new years resolutions years ago, after falling at the first hurdle, but new years day is like shedding an old coat off my back. Starting afresh, I wish I could feel like  this all through the year.  They should bottle this.  Even though we are supposed to be on the longest depressing month of the year,  I am  invigorated. How about you readers, what effect does the new year have on you?

I have started  spring cleaning and  de-cluttered the downstairs of the cottage, this started when I took the tree down, and moved the furniture around.  Gained loads of space in the process, even Hubbie commented on this!!  I now need to address my sewing corner, I desperately need to compress my sewing boxes.  This is a toughie even for me, but this can be done. Living in a small cottage that is cluttered quite honestly drains me. Blitzing is liberating.

Don't be silly Im not going that mad! this is after all,  precious sewing stash we are talking about.

Louise x

Making a Mess

Ive been busy just lately and thought I would tackle the kitchen decoration and previously mentioned.  Hopefully if hubby pulls his finger out and does those little jobs that need doing we could get the ground floor done before Christmas, which would be great.  OK you dont know hubby, its easier to push treacle up a hill than get him to do DIY. Ive always said if my house looked like a car it would be finished by now. So on Thursday afternoon I started clearing things out and started painting.

What do you think of the colour, moolight white should I go for white?

                                                                                                         On Friday, I got my sons partner roped in to help. It turned out to be great fun.  We chose a good day for it. It was Children in Need day and they were playing nominations on Radio 2. Some really good varied music was on air.  Of course we were singing away, we especially enjoyed " Dont stop me now" by Queen, whoever nominated that one, thankyou.  We cracked on and got it 1 coat on and the ceiling done, even Milly helped!

Typical dog, getting her nose into everything



Its a tiny kitchen with lots of shelves and clutter it took quite a while to clear the walls.  

  I really dont mind decorating, but in a house as small as mine where do you put it all

We found this little ladybird hibernating ( I really must dust more often)

Dont worry! Hes in a better spot now.

Well must get sorted and get into town for more paint, maybe buy something new teatowels, and a few new cups. I also need to make some bunting, and a new peg bag. BUSY, BUSY, BUSY.
Bye

When Thrifting Isnt Fun

Times are tough here at no.23.   With only Hubbie working, and at present on reduced hours.  Sadly, thrifting has now become a necessity instead of being a fun challenge. 

So with time on my hands and continuing with my ground floor makeover.  Ive varnished the kitchen cupboards, and painted the table legs, the walls are now ready for painting white.

When I lived in Bristol my elderly neighbour used to have Summer and Winter curtains. I think this is a great idea. Lots of light fresh colours. I love ticking, checks and linens with light summer flowers, and in the winter there is nothing more welcoming , than snuggly cushions and throws with lovely soft rich textures, does anyone out there already do this.
So out came my £4.00 curtains,and lots of other fabrics from under the bed.  They are a heavy screen printed linen. I am in the process of unpicking and remaking them for the front room. (I dont know why I say front room as its our only room)   Im not too sure if they are a bit grannyish. 

I intend to make some cushions with the checked material. Its coming together nicely, dont you think?

Ive also been crocheting a round cushion.  There is an obvious mistake on my first attempt at round crocheting, the expert crocheter will spot it immediately, but Im not telling

The flip side same colours but looking completely different

I think it fits in very well

When I was in town the other day I came across a free  magazine, and something caught my eye. 

Was it Daniel Craig with his lovely steely blue eyes?
NO
Was it the 43 hot fashion and beauty tips, and boy I could use them?
NO
It was an article on Super Chic Caravans. 
Just look at these.

Fancy waking up here?

and cooking breakfast in the open air
These teardrops are  an ingenious design . You can also hire them too.

or the ultimate, an American Airstream.  Very sleek, Very retro.

See you soon Louise x

Home Ideas

Yesterday my Homes and Antiques Magazine dropped through the letter box, I have to say Im loving this months issue.  It had some fab articles just up my street

+ Free Prints



Vintage Bicycles. Great

Hen of Henhouse her lovely home is featured. Blog here http://henhousehomemade.blogspot.com/ for more scrummy photos.

Im so loving the 50s



Id love an Ercol daybed,  and the patchwork quilt  is so striking, sorry rubbish photo



An interesting article on vamping up a magazine rack. My daughter did something very similar but on a way larger scale .....

......on her bedroom wall

Of course, all these lovely photos is making me want to reach for the paint brush, and I have made a big decision. I would like to paint my rooms white, starting with the kitchen. Ive always shied away from white for obvious reasons, its not practical and everyone keeps saying it wont last five minutes. But Im always drawn to it in magazines. I hope Im making the right decision.

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE 

This beautiful Poppy in the garden, I noticed the other evening that when it closes up it looks like it is putting its hands together and saying a prayer.  Dont you think (or have I completely lost the plot)