Holidays

No knitting or sewing on this post - I've just had the most splendid holiday. It was relaxed, quiet, beautiful, serene oh and there was plenty of wine and good bread.

I'm very proud of my little car Totorro making it all the way to France and back without a mishap. Here is Totorro proudly sitting in a French town square, with Ben proudly showing off the redcurrant sparkling wine that is made in the region.

The beaches were beautiful - we kept up with our training and ran 16 miles along the coast (yes, on sand - ow my thighs). And we saw two seals that came onto the beach to cheer us along.

And my little holiday present - was a little cat milk jug - perfect for our new tradition of Sunday morning breakfasts at the table.
I even asked for it in French and had a little conversation with the shop owner (how proud).

Wardrobe spring clean

I was a woman on a mission. I  managed to go through my entire wardrobe, colour code it, filter out the work from the play clothes, note those items that needed adjustment and I tried to be really strict with removing those items that either just didn't fit me; were no longer in keeping with my style (I know..what style..no sniggering please), or i just didn't wear.
Some have been sold on e-bay, some are destined to be used in my quilt, and some may have potential re-fashion potential.
I rediscovered this dress that i made a couple of years ago....the fabric is really soft, it's really simple, falls to ankle length and i really like it (I know i have to tidy up the top a little now that my sewing skills have improved a little).

Oh and here is a pic of the nightie i made (please note, i had only just got out of bed when this pic was taken - but i had a good nights sleep so it does the job); i also made a dressing gown - albeit from a men's pattern in blue and white striped material - it's very 80's, lots of material and Ben said it looked like a stock brokers jacket....it is not staying.

As part of the wardrobe clear out, i worked out what i needed, namely two more work tops as the first requirement. So i went to Masons in Abingdon, delved around and found the material for my first top. I also went to the V and A quilting exhibition and found these lovely buttons in the shop...perfect.

I'm also taking part in the  japanese pattern sew along being run by Cecili - I've taken a gamble and ordered material on-line....it should arrive any day now. Pattern drafting later on today...it may take me a while

Mad hatter

So finally, here is the hat I made...i'm wearing it on our anniversary weekend away in London. Ben even took me on the carousel.  Seems strange to think it was quite a cold weekend when now we are bathed in glorious sunshine.
The hat was made from the same pattern pack as my cape (still yet to blog a picture of that). I pinned a flower brooch onto to the hat which i got from the Uniform Project. I'm pretty chuffed with it. It's even got a marimekko print lining.

I also made myself a little nightie - Also with marimekko print - i really love it and it almost seems too lovely to keep inside the house! Next plan is a lightweight dressing gown. I found some great stripey material at a local shop which will be perfect. I also found some floral curtain material which looks good. Do you ever feel weird about dismantling someone elses work - i felt a little bad about unstitching the curtains and lining - it was all handstitched so neatly.
We've got a holiday in France coming up and i wanted to make something for that....i'm not sure what yet. My friend suggested a little jumpsuit/playsuit thing but I'm not so sure.....suggestions welcome

Purple bamboo

Here;s the purple bamboo vest I've been working on - i really like the feel of it. I worry that the weight of the bamboo will stretch the straps and it will become indecent, but i guess i can always unstitch, shorten the straps and sew back up. I've not blocked it yet so don't know if that makes a difference with bamboo?

On other knitting.. Ben's jumper is complete, but huge, and looks a bit too home knit - I'm afraid it's a frogging job and i'm on the look out for something else to make with the wool.

We had a really rainy weekend which meant that we only lasted for one race at brands hatch for the motor racing (shame, shame). And we didn't even run...which makes me feel a bit rubbish, so it's a fresh start tomorrow when hopefully the sun will come out.....