I just thought I would share these lovely flowers with you.
I arranged them yesterday ready to take to an aunty, who is in a residential home, today.
Today arrives and I think I have a bug so won't be going.
Enjoy!!
Friday, 16 January 2009
Every cloud.......
I just thought I would share these lovely flowers with you.
I arranged them yesterday ready to take to an aunty, who is in a residential home, today.
Today arrives and I think I have a bug so won't be going.
Enjoy!!
Friday, 9 January 2009
I made a "toile"!
What is a "toile"?
Even my sewing sister wasn't sure on this one.
Its what tailors and dressmakers do when making a special garment.
"They may create a mock-up garment (a toile) using calico if using expensive fabrics, inviting the client to a first fitting. This provides the opportunity to make design alterations before the tailor/dressmaker cuts, pins and sews the chosen fabric"
We bought a beautiful length of woollen fabric to make a cosy, short jacket.
The paper pattern was duly cut out and paper pieces pinned together and tried on. Alterations to the pattern were made so that the jacket would fit perfectly, but being ever cautious, (grandma always said "measure twice - cut once") I wanted to be sure before cutting into the gorgeous coat fabric.
Hence - I made a "toile"!
I cut the pattern out in some drab, pale green sheeting and quickly stitched the main pattern pieces together.
Of course my sister moaned about the colour as she hates green but the little toile did the trick. It fitted perfectly and gave me the confidence to cut out the jacket.
Two sewing days later and "voila" a beautiful, little, grey jacket that fitted perfectly and really suits the other half of the "scissor sisters"!
I would post a photo if she would stay still long enough for me to snap one!
Even my sewing sister wasn't sure on this one.
Its what tailors and dressmakers do when making a special garment.
"They may create a mock-up garment (a toile) using calico if using expensive fabrics, inviting the client to a first fitting. This provides the opportunity to make design alterations before the tailor/dressmaker cuts, pins and sews the chosen fabric"
We bought a beautiful length of woollen fabric to make a cosy, short jacket.
The paper pattern was duly cut out and paper pieces pinned together and tried on. Alterations to the pattern were made so that the jacket would fit perfectly, but being ever cautious, (grandma always said "measure twice - cut once") I wanted to be sure before cutting into the gorgeous coat fabric.
Hence - I made a "toile"!
I cut the pattern out in some drab, pale green sheeting and quickly stitched the main pattern pieces together.
Of course my sister moaned about the colour as she hates green but the little toile did the trick. It fitted perfectly and gave me the confidence to cut out the jacket.
Two sewing days later and "voila" a beautiful, little, grey jacket that fitted perfectly and really suits the other half of the "scissor sisters"!
I would post a photo if she would stay still long enough for me to snap one!
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
Feeding frenzy
Like many folk these days, I like to keep my bird feeders full during the freezing weather.
All regulars have called and at times there has been quite a tussle for food. We have a few unusual birds including the nuthatch and others listed on earlier postings. Last year we had redpoll and siskin but they have not visited this year.
My sister has a beautiful, if possessive, pair of mistle thrushes. They guard her bird table and cotoneaster berries, often attacking any other bird hoping to dash in for a quick snack.
They are however, quite shy with humans and it has been tricky getting a photo -but always ready to rise to a challenge - my sister sent the above to me today!