50 Followers Giveaway

This is a bit overdue, but better late than never! I'd planned to have a giveaway to celebrate 50 followers, but now we're celebrating 55! I've been struggling to think of something to giveaway, but then Wendy suggested giving away one of my felt creations... perfect!

The prize is: A Sausage Dog Brooch

I made a dog just for you last night, and he's very excited to meet his new owner!

If you would like a chance to win him, all you have to do is: Become a follower of my blog (if you're not already), and leave me a comment.

Entries must be made by midnight on the 31st January 2011

A winner will be chosen by George (if he's feeling up to it) on the 1st February 2011

Good Luck

Jenny & George xx

Not A Stitch To Wear

I've been going through my usual Spring routine this past week. Early, I know, but the sun has been out (although it is bloomin freezing!) and this causes me to search through my Summer wardrobe and complain that I "don't have a stitch to wear"! This has come at the perfect time, as it's still only January, I can do something to change my wardrobe dilemma before we have a real heatwave...

In a bid to try and mix it up a little and avoid my usual habits of wearing 1930's styles in the Spring, 1950's in the Summer and 1940's in Autumn/Winter, I have tried my very best to put together a good selection of patterns which will compliment the garments already in my wardrobe. Here are the first few items on my "To Do" list:

Yes, it's a 1950's dress, but it's a wrap dress, I already have the fabric and it'll be ideal for those lazy days in the shade, sheltering from the heatwave... I can't keep a straight face saying that either!
This dress will be in pink with a red trim, just like the picture!

This pattern is from 1939, but isn't very dated, is it? So it will be worn from Spring through Summer. I have actually already started this one (last year!), but the pattern is wrong and needs some rewriting... argh!
This is in white, again, like the picture!

Just a simple slip, but why can I not find any? I'm sure I had some packed away. So I'm going to make many in the hope of always being able to find one!
Probably in whites, pinks, blossom prints etc - I'll see what I can find

Oh, how I do love this 1940's jumper! I don't think this really needs explaining.
Red and white, blue and white... I don't know where to start, it's all so exciting!

And finally, something I've already made:

Does he look like a sausage dog to you? I can't make up my mind, but I made him a few days ago with sausages and dogs in mind. He already has a new home, boo. Made in felt, hand sewn.
As long as I keep up with my hand sewing (brooches), I can justify being sat in front of the sewing machine or with knitting needles in hand.

Oh, before I forget, I'm going to have a quick complain about the VAT rise (up to 20%!!!). Here goes: booooooooo, no fair!

There, it's out of my system now, but unfortunately, my brooches are up in price by 50p! The felt has gone up, the thread will no doubt go up in price, as will pins, kapok and postage.

I'm also thinking that now is the time I finally get a little online shop set up for the brooches, which will hopefully have a wholesale section to make it easier that emailing me with orders. Just need a name...

It's all coming back to me, I want to ask, what you you like as a giveaway prize? There are now 54 followers, you all get a say, because if I give away something rubbish, you're sure to complain :)

I also have some exciting developments in the cycling front, I haven't bought the plane tickets, but get training!

See you in a few days when I've calmed down a bit!

Toodles

Jenny (& George, resting by the fire) xx

Ding Ding!

What's your dream for this year? Not marrying Brad Pitt or winning the lottery, but a real achievable dream.
One of my big dreams for this year can be summed up with the following words:

Bicycle

Los Angeles

New York

Whoo Hoo

I'm a big dreamer, I love maps, I love planning and packing and journeys - I love journeys! My favourite thing to do is to get out the maps, guide books and a basic kit list and make a huge plan in a note pad, then spend days refining it. Some trips haven't come off, but it doesn't matter, the fun was in the planning.

I know I certainly wouldn't be the first, or last, but this is a really big thing for me - personally. I was told I wouldn't make anything of my life, and I fell into the trap of believing this, so I didn't put much effort in. But I realised that when I read about people who untake these trips, I have a warm fuzzy feeling - So why don't I do something and permanently have a warm fuzzy feeling?

We should do something, I say we... I'm dragging you all into this! I'm quite good and dragging unsuspecting people into these things, like a female Derren Brown - You want to come on this trip, don't you?
Imagine the scene: a group of vintage-y people, all on vintage-y bikes, screaming with delight at being on Route 66 - Like a hardcore Tweed Run, but maybe without the tweed? Plus, I hear there are some fabulous vintage shops in the States...

Route 66 is awfully quiet!

I'm sure you're doing one of two things right now: Squeeling with delight at the thought of doing this, or shaking your head thinking it's too crazy to comtemplate. But just remember, it has been done, it is possible, so why not?

Although, I've just done a search - 2462 miles? Seriously?

I may have already put too much into this, I've already got a bike sorted, I just have to raise and extra £30 and it's mine... Please come with me, my Mami won't let me go alone!

See you at the airport!

Jenny xx

Knit One, Throw One

I've spent two weeks trying to come up with a suitable name for this post, with consideration that I plan on making this a weekly feature: Crafting
If you have an idea for a name, send your answers on a postcard to... (maybe just leave a comment?)

Anyways, not much crafting has been achieved this year as I made an order for supplies which I'm running out of, and they sent me the wrong size items, so I emailed them, and I'm still waiting...
So I'll show you that last two items made in 2010.



1940's Bonnet

 The bonnet was a much needed item, and thankfully, knitted up in record quick time. It's knitted in a mustard colour, which compliments my green coat. It's also knitted double, so is very toasty indeed. It must be warm, as I wore it on the farm on Sunday and didn't once complain that my ears were cold, but did have to loosen it a bit!

 

Elk Scarf

Oh, my beloved Elk scarf! Those people and elk were fun to knit, but as soon as I started on the plain white stretch, I got bored - That's when I put it down and made the bonnet!
The tassles were attched whilst watching Hound of The Baskervilles, and yes, I did jump and throw the scarf at the TV to try and scare the dog... I'm clearly more of a cat person!


Elk Scarf Detail

I took the scarf, bonnet and ski pullover over to my Grandparents for our second Christmas, as my Gran is a knitter with more knowledge than I could ever wish for, so I know whether or not I've "done good".
First, she inspected the ski pullover: "Very Good", she said.
Then the bonnet: "That'll keep the cold away".
And then, the scarf, which I'm very proud of: "Well, I know you didn't knit that!"
I had witnesses to say I'd knitted that, and she was shocked. I presume it's because I don't get to see her often, so she doesn't know what I've been knitting and what my skill level is. Though to be fair, I still say I'm a beginner.

I would like to say one more thing concerning my knitting; I have never gone down that route of starting with a scarf or blanket squares, I started with baby bootees, then went on to jumpers, so this scarf was the first one I've ever made, and possibly the last, they're so boring!

I noticed last night that I have 45 followers, but when we get to 50, I'm having a giveaway - I don't know what the prize will be, but I think it might be hand knitted!

I'm off for some more tea, and some sewing, then Dharma & Greg

Jenny & George xx

Three Items

Wednesday? I'm aware I often make reference to the day of the week with disbelief, time seems to slip away from me. What happened to those days which would last a week, and filled with sunshine and long country walks? Am I old before my time?

Well, this got me thinking, I'd planned some blogs for this year and things took a turn in the wrong direction (see last post). So I'm hoping to pick up now, and try and get things back on track, and today is a good day as we're on the eve of a New Year (in the Julian calender!), the Old New Year is on the 13th - So to be fair, I haven't broken any resolutions yet!

Oh, just to get this in now, thank you for your kind comments regarding George's ill health. I realised I didn't make something clear in the post when I mentioned not wanting to call the vet... He is not going to suffer just because we don't want to call the vet, if he gets that ill, the vet will be called - Allowing him to suffer would be much worse than calling the vet. I hope that's cleared up, I think I may have sounded a bit selfish in the post, but George is Number 1 in this house and his wellbeing will be put first.

Also, the vet didn't give a time frame concerning his future, but said to bring him in "sooner rather than later", which as far as I'm concerned is as good as shrugging and saying "meh". We don't know how far advanced his kidney failure is as he wouldn't allow the vet to take blood, but that's because the vet is a man, and he'll only be treated by a lady, George is the Leslie Phillips of the feline world! Ding Dong

George has been much better these last few days, and I'm sure it's as a result of all these hugs (real and virtual) - Thank you

Right, as George is sleeping by the fire, I'll get my New Years post finished...

I'm determined to make the most of 2011, no more lazing around and dreaming - It's fine to plan, as long as you actually do something about it!
So here are 3 essential items you will need in 2011 to make the most of it:




Canon Powershot SD1300IS - Amazon



A camera: This is similar to the camera I received for Christmas, oh yes, did I tell you? The camera is essential for taking those all important pictures to help remember 2011 for years to come, and also to prove to the world you "went there and did that"



Bakelite style clock - Notorious Kitsch - £10

A clock: So you can wake early and make the most of each and every day. Enough said.




Mock Iguana Diary - W. H. Smith



A Diary: To plan your year and make notes of what you've been doing. Then in years to come, you'll look through it and be reminded of what a great year this was!

So there you have it, three items which will guide you through the year with more ease than a duck on butter

Friday's blog is already planned, so stay tuned and see you then

Jenny & George xx

Black Cloud

Oh my, is it really the 10th of January? I have some rather awful news, so I'll cover that, then mention some of the lighter, happier things to try and have an even post...

After all the fuss about the snow, it cleared just enough for my Brother to make his way over on Christmas morning, so there was a bit of a last minute panic, but it was a rather nice Christmas. Then on Boxing Day, our beloved cat, George, spent the afternoon being sick - It was horrific for us, so I can't imagine how he felt. A few days later and he just didn't seem right, so a trip to the vets later and we're all in tears - His kidneys are failing and he doesn't have long left with us. As he isn't in too much pain and still has a purr, it was decided to bring him home and try our best to make him comfortable.
As awful as this might sound, we've all had a painful wish for him to be taken in his sleep. No one wants to make the decision to call the vet, maybe this is us wanting to opt out of our responsibility of a pet owner, but how do you know when he's done fighting?
He's the longest surviving cat we've ever had, most of our previous cats have passed before they're 6, George is about 19 years old, and he's been with us since he was about 1 - But he's not just a cat to us, he's a Brother to me and a furry child to my parents. I'm sure you're suggesting we're a mad cat-loving family, and you'd be right.



George (2009)

 I don't feel much like chatting now I've written that, but I quickly mention: I had some lovely presents for Christmas. Then I had a lovely second Christmas on the 2nd January at my Grans and Grandad's, which was also my Birthday. My Gran made an apple crumble, which was sublime.

I'd planned to start my new blogging regime on the 3rd, but I'm afraid I just haven't had resolve to do this. My plan for this year was 3 posts a week; Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I will have outfit posts once a week, along with crafty goodness and something else, which I haven't thought up yet. Obviously, if something happens in the meantime, I might need a little more time away from the internet.

Oh, and before I forget, thank you for following me. Everyone who's remained, even when there's silence from me, and my new followers who have joined over the past few festive weeks. It's means a great deal to me, and before I get all soppy, I'll go - I still haven't taken down my pink Christmas tree...

Take Care

Jenny xx