1934 Chevron Jumper

Well doubters, here she is - My chevron jumper knitted from a 1934 pattern, and you thought it would never happen!

It has to be said that knitting a jumper goes a lot quicker if you don't mess up the pattern on the shoulders - I completely missed the chevrons on the front shoulders, so I stayed up half the night to amend this.

In the original picture, the tie is in a bow, but I really like ties to be tied like ties, so mine is tied like a tie.

After all this work to finish a Summer jumper, it's still raining and I'm even planning my Autumn/Winter wardrobe... Please bring me a proper Summer!

In other news, today would've been George's Birthday, I just wished the sun could've shined for him today, he was a sun worshipper.

Anyway, I'm exhausted after all that knitting, I have another jumper which needs the pattern working out (how did so many patterns get printed without being checked first?!). So I'll wish you a pleasant Summer Solstice and we'll chat soon

Jennie and Charlie xx

1930's Photographs

Hello me dearies, long time, no writey!
I really want to thank each and every one of you who took the time to leave a message regarding the passing of George. I've read the messages out to my family and we are all grateful for your knid words. I would also like to take a moment to send my condolences to those of you who have also lost a loved one.

Considering how quiet the house is now, I should be able to get a lot done, but instead, I find I'm distracted by the silence and the empty chair. I'm comforted a little by the fact that from the office, I can look out on George's grave, which has now be edged with stone and planted with his favourites; Snowdrop, Daffodil, Iris and Lily of the Valley.

So to try and ease back into some "normality", I thought it was about time I did something I promised to do last year!
I found a small album and bag of photos in an antiques shop, and I've finally taken some photos. I would have scanned these in, but the scanner will not talk to the computer, although the computer will talk to the printer/scanner/copier to print... Everyone has a hissy fit at some point, it's the scanner's turn!

So, without further a do...

Just last week I bought myself a sewing patern for a skirt like this, although I would also like the house and dog!

The jumper on the left reminds me a little of this one. The girl on the left is Denise and the girl on the right is either Audrey or Joyce (names obtained from different photos)

Denise again. How lovely is that collar?

How sweet is this one? Check out those shoes!

Tres bon souvenir - Jaqueline

Most of the photos are from one family in the West Midlands, but a few are French, the one above is.

I have a load more, but I'm going to space them out over the next few weeks.

Hope you're all well

Jenny xx

George

Our dearest George passed away yesterday morning.

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

Catch Up

Urgh, did I feel ill? Yes, but I'm on the mend. Although I've been away from blogging, I have been trying to keep up with other blogs. So news, I have plenty...

I've been sewing like there's no tomorrow. I now also have a new stockist for my brooches.

I started knitting a Norwegian scarf, but then had to go back to the sewing, but I'm hoping to finish the scarf before Christmas...hmmm

I've made a huge decision about my future - I'm finally setting up the business I've dreamed about/planned/researched for the past 5 years. It's been in the making for long enough, so now I'm setting up as a Birthday present to myself (I really do deserve it after 5 years!). I can't give anything away yet, but you will be the first to know about it!

I have 29 followers - I love each and every one of you

The living room is finally being painted - The photo before is just showing the sample patch, but the colour is more of a sage-y green, and shows the new (to me) chair, bought from the antiques centre:



George doing what cats do best

I made mincemeat, it's all bottled up and awaiting pastry! I can promise you, this is the best mincemeat I've ever made, and it contains almost half a bottle of brandy... Can you get drunk on a mince-pie? I'll do the research, so you don't have to!

I went to see my new dentist - Two problems, I'm nervous of dentists and terrified of needles. I already knew I needed three fillings (my very first ones!), but tried to explain my predicament, so now I'm being referred to the hospital to be completely knocked out. Urgh, I feel horrible just thinking about it.

I'm behind with my Christmas shopping - I'm not half as organised as I said I'd be, the dentist really bought me down, and dare I say it, I'm not enjoying the shopping anymore!

I won a "One Lovely Blog" award from Wendy at The Butterfly Balcony - Thank you Wendy. I'm still considering who to pass it on to, so I'll get back to you with a dedicated post on that.

On the 13th, I went to see Austin Vince give a talk down at Garlands in Haverfordwest. I wasn't feeling 100%, and I certainly felt awful the next day, but it was truly fantastic. I don't remember a point where we weren't laughing. Some photos were taken, with the chance they might end up in a magazine, though the name of that magazine escapes me right now. If the photos are printed, I will post them here! There are, however, a few photos here - You can only see the back of my head (my best side!), I'm in the second row wearing a lime coloured jacket

I think that's all, but I will be back with the award post, and some Christmas shopping ideas

Until then, ta-ra

Jenny xx