Have managed to make 3 aprons and 3 bags from the red and cream striped material. I think they look quite good. All the bags I have made are lined. Not sure what my next project will be. Some more fox coloured felt arrived today but I don't know how I'm going to sew it as my old machine has given up the ghost, I think the motor has gone, and the Singer won't sew it. Don't really want to have to sew it by hand as it's time consuming.
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It was lovely to see Richard, Debbie, Brendyn and Olivia on Saturday morning. I was able to give Bendyn his cards and presents ready for his birthday on the 7th August. Made a second fox which has turned out much better than the first. I made the ears and the waistcoat smaller and changed the way the arms are attached. They slope down instead of sticking out and are attached with buttons. I also managed to machine it by using the old Frister Rossman sewing machine that I have had since the 70s. I have also been using up some of my stash of curtain material to make bags. 7 made so far. 4 brown patterned, 2 floral and 1 leaves.
Have just spent the last 7 days in the caravans with Mark, Michelle, Anais and Roman. Very relaxing. Took the rhubarb steamed puddings with me and I can confirm they were delicious with custard. Will make them again and put extra rhubarb and some ginger in the sponge. Completed the fox that I had cut out but not entirely happy with it. The sewing machine would not cope with sewing the felt and I broke 3 needles before giving up and hand stitching it. The pattern also had some faults, particularly the ears and the arms, and the waistcoat was too big. I will endeavour to rectify these in the future. Tuesday was Michelle's birthday and we had a lovely day sitting outside in the sunshine with our crochet. Her mom and dad popped round to visit and Anais and Roman made a delicious chocolate cake. Also had fun playing with a new Google feature. Check out my new friend!  Took car for service and MOT on Tuesday. Passed ok but they said front tyres were low and I had had them lose grip when pulling away a few times so got them changed. The new ones look really chunky. Finished the face cloths I have been crocheting and tied them up with some pretty ribbon and a bar of soap. The craft room smells really nice! I put them in a basket but needed to line the basket first so that it did not snag the crochet. Went to the resource shop in Worcester this afternoon to try to get some orange felt to make a fox. They have been advertising felt for a while. When I looked at it however is was not proper felt but woven woollen cloth so I was a bit disappointed. I bought some anyway and will see how it goes. I picked up a few bits and pieces of fringing, tape, some pretty bows, small boxes, red shredded paper (for Christmas packaging) and some gift bags. I pulled some rhubarb the other day so tonight I made two rhubarb and ginger, steamed puddings with golden syrup. They look delicious though I haven't tried one yet.  Another lovely long weekend in the caravans to celebrate Anais' 18th birthday on Sunday. Weather was very good and we were able to sit outside in the sunshine. Mark and Roman made another video on Saturday for Anais' birthday and Michelle's mom and dad, Anais' three cousins and Mark's friends Matt and Kay all dropped by to say hello on Sunday and to wish Anais a happy birthday. In the evening we played Balderdash and I won! I think I'm getting the hang of it now.
My Boston fern has arrived and I am very pleased with it. I think it looks nice in the corner of the dining room and quite realistic. Have made 24 tissue cases for Secret World. I think the material with the foxes, hedgehogs and owls on is particularly appropriate. I just need to get another pack of 8 Kleenex tissues to complete them. I was supposed to be getting a smart meter today but when the guy looked at the gas meter he said it was old lead piping and would all have to come out, including in the laundry room. It would be a big job and everything would have to be moved so I said forget it. I was not that bothered about having a smart meter anyway, I don't need a gadget to tell me how much electricity I'm using and I try to use things that take a lot like the washing machine and tumble dryer in the daytime when the solar panels are generating. It just means I will have to send in regular meter readings. I made a nice batch of fruit scones this evening for the weekend. They look a bit anaemic but I think that's because I used soya milk instead of cows milk. I'm sure they will still taste yummy with some homemade jam!  Today I was very brave or very foolish (ask me in 5 days time) and ventured to the shops. I needed to go to Wilkinson's for some lawn feed and a few other things and had an order to collect from Superdrug Merry Hill. When I got to Merry Hill my usual entrance was closed for some building work so I had to use the entrance by Next. As I was there I thought I would have a quick look round and was pleased to find a lovely silk Coleus plant reduced from £20 to £8. I like to have plants around the house but I am not very good with them so I am trying silk plants at the moment. (I have a silk Boston fern on order). I also took the opportunity to pop into Halfords and get a new wiper blade for the back window as the car is due for MOT next week. Lovely long weekend in the caravan, Friday to Monday. Mark, Michelle, Anais and Roman joined me and we had a lovely relaxing time. After setting up the van on Friday it unfortunately rained but Saturday was better, cloudy and breezy but we were able to sit outside. Mark and Roman were making a video (see Michelle's blog www.romanais.co.uk), Michelle was crocheting a scarf and I was catching up on my Water Garden Crochet Along which I started about a year ago. After tea we played Balderdash. Sunday was warmer and sunnier so we went for a walk into Studley and then sat outside again. Mark and Michelle went home in the afternoon but I stayed until Monday. Happy birthday Jackie! I have another new acquisition today. Again something I have been looking for for a while and it just popped up on Facebook. I saw one in a vintage shop in Leominster last year for £12 and decided to think about it while I walked round the town. When I got back to the shop to buy it the shop was closed. Anyway this one is in perfect condition and was only £5 (plus a journey to Castle Vale). I have had the toast rack for a long time and you see a lot of those for sale but the butter dishes are rarer.
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AuthorI am Jenny (when I was little my dad always called me Jenny Wren) and I enjoy making hand crafted things. Watch this space to see what I am working on. Archives
December 2021
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