Cake And Jelly

I do hope you're all having a wonderful cake and diddy sandwiches weekend!

I'd had so many plans, but due to rain and a bit of laziness, not much happened. Though please do keep your fingers crossed for some fine weather tomorrow, it doesn't have to be hot, just rain-free!

So, as it was a special weekend... Though I didn't see much evidence of that, the one weekend I really wanted the telly back! Where was I? Yes, food;

Did you happen to see the Chivers Jelly Crown here? I wanted to make one, but I didn't have enough jelly to make a proper big 'un, so it looks pretty.... child-like. No, that's insulting, a 4  year-old could've done much better! So among my excuses - Not enough jelly, over-whipped cream, the piping bag was leaking, the royal icing didn't set...

It's funnier every time I see it! But I've learnt my lesson, look at the picture and ignore the instructions!

I ought to point out that me and dairy don't mix, so I'm just going straight in for the jelly, cherries and jelly sweets!
My more sucessful delight was this Victoria Sandwich, which I have been told is "better than Sainsbury's".... There you have it!
I used a 1951 recipe, hence the sucess :)

We don't really have much cake, so this is a treat. Remember what I said about dairy and me? I feel awful after only one slice! I'm not ill, but I am trying to decide of that one slice is worth a headache?

Yes, yes it was!

Ma had seen some biscuits in Marks & Spencers, they call them "Jazzie Biscuits" and slap a nice price tag on them - So Ma made some "Jazzie Biscuits:

And finally, after moving around the furniture and trying to make the old dining room worth of a photo...

Please excuse the "home improvements", it was left in more of a state than this - We've actually tidied it up! But enough of that talk, home made bunting, Coronation mugs and one from the Golden Jubilee (10 years ago!)

I have to go now, but I just wanted to wish you all well on this long weekend. Hopefully I'll be back in a few days after having a lovely day out tomorrow... If the weather holds!

Happy Jubilee Weekend

Jennie xx

Canteen Girl

'Ello Ducklettes,

When do you decide a collection is already too big and doesn't need adding to?

That's my question for the day. This comes after planning to use my Woods Ware this weekend - The weather's not looking good, so the picnic is not going to happen and that day out on Monday is looking doubtful (it's an outdoor event with fields and walking involved), so I thought it'd be nice to bake a cake and use my favourite crockery...

But it was packed away, so Ma being the intrepid explorer went under the stairs into the cupboard to go and find the two boxes of Woods Ware - Two boxes later and some was missing, so back into the cupboard she disappeared, and found another three boxes! Five boxes jam packed with plates, bowls, tureens, cups...

Even with 21 dinner plates, 18 cups and 5 tureens (and the rest!) I still don't have a full collection :(

It doesn't look like much when it's neatly stacked, but I'm dreading the thought of re-packing and re-housing it all.

The one thing I'm really missing (apart from coffee pots, toast racks, egg cups...) is the guide/brochure to identify the various pieces. I saw one for free online, but didn't save the picture and can't find it again (!), so some of the pieces are, as Toyah Willcox sang, a mystery!

I'm trying to decide whether or not to open a canteen... Any vintage factories need a canteen, plus girlie to run it? Have Woods Ware, will travel!

Anyway, I thought you might like to see it all it it's glory before it goes away until Christmas! I'll show you the cake when I've baked it, plus the other treat I have in store.

Have a lovely evening,

Jennie xx

I'm Back, I'm Thankful And I Have Boot Sale Booty!

Hello Ducks,

Did you miss me? Don't answer that :)

Four weeks since he been gone, and more importantly, since I been gone from the blog! But fret no more, I am back, I am once again smiling like a cat with a hanger in his mouth and I have loads upon loads to write about!

First up however, I wish to say a heartfelt thank you for all your kind words and wishes, we have both taken a lot of comfort from them and will probably never be able to converse the appropriate words in which to thank you. Thank you x

Now, not much has "gone down" since we last spoke, the main news being: We no longer have a telly! It gets a bit complicated with the names on the licence etc, so Ma told them we no longer watch a live stream of telly (BBC are just repeating repeats anyway!) and unplugged the aerial so we no longer have a signal.
With that £145 a year saving (!!!), we can have a few extra DVDs every now and then the first of which being Open All Hours, a boxset for just £11.99 on Amazon! That's over 12 hours viewing for under £12.
We have seen a few things on the iPlayer (Not Going Out) and 4OD (Homeland, 2 Broke Girls, The Big Bang Theory), but not live... No need to dip into the pocket!

I've just realised how awfully boring I am! Apologies

Something more up our street? I've attended only 2 boot sales in 4 weeks - Shock-o-rama! Oh and a charity shop or two, Ma nabbed this rather nifty table for only... £8! The only reason she got it was because she's quicker at drawing her purse than me, thanks to her jumble sale practise!

I'm so embarrassed about that floor!

At the first boot sale, I found these buttons:

There was a whole big basket full of little bags, each filled with a few buttons. The prices were rather steep, so I allowed myself one bag only... I picked the best ones!

At the second, I actually turned some things down to try and avoid clutter... Too late really, but I am in the middle of the Mother of all clear outs, the C.A.T. charity shop will be doing really well out of me!
Anyway, the first bargain of the morn was this Silver Jubilee tin from 1935...

The condition leaves a lot to be desired, but none the less, I couldn't leave them there... Them?

I said to myself, I refuse to pay more than £2 for this tin, which was buried with the broken stuff on a bit of a junk stall... £1 lighter and I have my tin - My Gran thinks I overpaid!

Then the next item(s), I looked, then walked away thinking they were too expensive, but had a good ole think and returned, haggled and was victorious! They are mine...

A Coty compact alone would make my heart flutter! I think it's circa 1935 because of the stamp-y thingy on the back... Please words, return to me! However, it will not open! The lid moves, but the button press won't push in... Grandad suggested using a lump hammer, just to see the "noooooooo" look on my face! We'll get it open one day, maybe a crisp £20 is wedging it shut?

So, that was a rather long post! I honestly didn't expect it to be so easy to write today, maybe my Grandparent's visit today helped more than I realised.
I must get back to eBaying now, I have a huge pile of clothes to go on, and as soon as they're sold, I can buy some more!

Thank you once again

Jennie, Ma and Charlie xxx

Creme de la Creme Egg

Oooh, if only you knew the effort that went into this title of today's post! I had to eat many eggs for research purposes, it was hell! Thankfully, when the title was decided upon, I could rest. The remaining eggs are now on display as a reminder of the things we do for our blogs!

I trust you're all well?

Things have moved on a bit here since we last spoke; My dearest Bess (number 1 bicycle) has been fixed, I'd done the bearings (my poor poor nails were ever so black!), then my tyres wouldn't stay up... Long story short, it's all fixed (thank you Daddy!).
Another bike has been sent my way, it's on a time share between me and Ma as she doesn't have a rideable bike. This one is electric, or would be if the battery pack worked!
I've added yet more to the stash/collection/pile of tat - A handful of magazines, the picture of King George V... Gawd bless 'im!. Sunglasses and some Double Knit wool in a fancy shade called Claret (oooh, get me!) which is for a 1935 Coatee which will be knitted closer to Autumn (so, now?).

I've not much planned for the weekend; Tonight is a lovely night in with home-made pizza and the 100th episode of The Big Bang Theory. Then the rest of the weekend will consist of a chocolate egg, hair cut, some films and maybe a bootsale if the snow stays away - More warm weather please!

Speaking of films - Listening to the wireless the other day, an advert came on for Blockbuster, they suggested renting Happy Feet - I mentioned to Ma that I thought Kung Fu Panda was on the box. She turned to me and said that she had not desire to watch the panda as it wasn't believable... Dancing penguins however.... I think you're crazy Ma, but I love you x

Anyway, I think I've come to the end of this post, I didn't really have anything to say, but do want to wish you all a lovely weekend.

I shall be back next week without fail, I will (I swear) have finished something, either a 1933 Coatee with a nautical theme, or a 1939 Jumper with yachts on (no, it's still not finished!), or a 1940s Middy Jacket... Something will be finished!

So I wish you well

Jennie & family xx

The Bag Lady of West Wales

Hello All, I trust you are all in good health?

I haven't been so good during the past month, my last two posts were scrambled together somewhat, but now I'm getting myself back on track. I keep telling myself that there are worse things in life than a broken heart. But there you have it, we are no longer "we" and I think I've even bored myself with moping around!

Anyway, that's my poor excuse for bad grammer, lack of posting and a "can't be bothered" attitude!

So anyway, enough of my self pitying drawl, a while back in this post I mentioned finding two bags and hat going cheap and you wanted to see... Well, I got off of my rear end and took some snaps for you:

A new hat for chapel

This bag needs some stitching on the handle as it's come apart, oh and some leather feed... It's on the list!

Maybe a bit of feed, and maybe removed the spiders web from inside?

So those were my finds last month. Today I managed to haul myself out to the market to get plums and had a look round the charities and antiquey shops and found a 1957 booklet of knitting patterns which I forgot to photograph, but I'll be knitting one of the jumpers for the Summer. AND... yes, it did require capitals! I came across a bag which had my heart a-fluttering. At first I was thinking 1920s as it was similar to a bag Ruby wore in Lilies (second series, please?), then I decided it must be modern as the condition is too good. Well, I bought it and decided to ask you me dearies. My brain is too frazled to make the call. But the more I look at the details, the more I think it's pre-war.

The strap is long enough to wear across the body, with the bag sitting snuggly under ones bossom.

There's a scrap of lining left, I think it's grosgain. But round the edge under the frame is a bit of foam. I'm thinking of relining this, just make it tidy like? Tidy!

The gold-y-ness has all but gone... I can't find my words now, but I'm sure you know what I mean, you know, that thing... The thingy majig!

Anyhow, your opinion on the age?

I'd best get off, I can feel a ramble coming on, and I should really go and enjoy that sunshine... Yes, sunshine!

Toodle pip!

Jennie xx

Let's Make A Date In Our Notebook

First thing first - The weight of the 1949 Really Charming jumper is 6 oz, making Brittany's guess of 5.5 oz the closest. I can't believe how much wool it took, I'm feeling a bit cheated by the promise of it only taking 4 oz... never mind

But moving on from that is this cardi. Beautifully named the Date Maker, from 1946. I made this one up in red wool, which cost me just £1... I found a jumper on a £1 rail in a charity shop, the cable work was fantastic, but it was one of the most shapeless jumpers I've ever seen - So I bought it knowing something could be done, in the end, unrunning it was the best option.

I'm afraid I'm only doing "on the hanger" snaps right now, I'm in no mood for posing. It does look better on... I promise!

Any fans of "The Notebook" may recognise this one too, Ally wears a red Date Maker on her first date with Noah...


Awful snap, but just look at her cardi!

The buckle I was going to use was half the size required, but then I found this creamy one along with a black one in a chairty shop for 20p... 20p for two! I'm not sure whether to replace it at some point, we'll see how it goes.

If you too would like to knit a Date Maker, the pattern is available here, for free!

I'd better say my good-bye for now, work to do, tea to drink!

Good-Bye

Jennie xx

Really Charming In 1949

I find myself getting fustrated quite often when it comes to finding my next knitting project - I have a huge shelf (or 5!) filled with patterns, yet I always find myself back online looking for something else. But towards the end of January, I found a booklet lurking underneath everything else - The claim was that the jumpers contained within would only use 4 ounces of wool. Then I found "The Jumper", aptly named "Really Charming". When you name your blog "It's a Charmed Life", you really want a jumper to match, right?

So there you have it, I liked the name of the jumper, and the small amount of wool required, so I knitted it... I daudled quite a bit as I have so many other things on the go, but none the less, it's finished:

Apologies for a less than beautiful snap, it's a bit dull here, and I was so excited just to finally take a photo I didn't bother setting it up, or weighing it!

Place your bets, does the jumper weigh 4 ounces? I will be weighing it and letting you know next time, there will be no prizes but you will be entitled to feel smug if you get it right :)

I'm so taken with this booklet I'm already planning on the next project. Pink, I think.

Oh, and just in case you're interested, the booklet wasn't dated, but I found an advert in there for a Summer school starting in July 1949 - Good enough for me!

That's about all I have to say for myself today, just to let you know I'm alive and have finished something (at last!). I have finished the cardi, but have yet to take snaps. Now I only have six knitting pieces to finish!

So I'll say good-bye now, wishing you all a lovely day

Jennie xx