To Hot to Wear !!!!

First item for the New Year!!
I haven't made a jacket for quite some years and was happy with the outcome of this one, I took special care when doing the top stitching and it does make all the difference.

I was going to make a linen jacket but looking at the cost I thought it best to make one first in a cheaper fabric and if all went well then make one in linen.
Good idea as the sleeves worked out just a little to wide (pattern ok for winter jacket) only problem its been so darn hot I haven't had a chance to wear it yet!! Oh well there's always Autumn........

We had a little scare on New Year's Eve you can read about it here . Its been such a busy start to the year just keeping our garden alive and a neighbour's while she was in Austria and France skiing ! some gals have all the luck.....................

Here's to a productive and creative 2013 !!!!!!!!

JaM........A Touch of Frippery !

JaM...Taking a moment to share what's been happening in your week.............................


Come Boxing day we have our first guests arriving for the summer holidays to stay at our cottages, so the past week has been spent making sure all is perfect inside and out, gardens looking their best and tanks full of water.

Shopping, gift wrapping, xmas drinks with friends and some time set aside for a bit of FRIPPERY

What FUN I've been having making a few small gifts for friends and then I had a light bulb moment !!         

                                                                                

A little bit of frippery adds just the right touch to my daughter's Xmas Pressy !!

I've been hunting out all sorts of left over materials for different effects...............

Felt from last years project (slippers) has made great little pin cushions, this ones for me !!

                                                                              

Spreading a little frippery with JODY and Jam .........


Happy Christmas to All...............XXX

JaM........

JaM...................Taking just a moment to share what's been happening in your week.....

Blogger sent me the message many have received " too many photos" so its taken me a while to work it all out, delete some and now I can post again......

Ok so I've been looking in my cupboards for something bright, funky, comfortable, flattering and I keep finding the same old T'shirts, shirts, 3/4 jeans, capri pants......and other yucky stuff...............

Mmmm don't seem to have any style, I probably never have and to make it worse my hair is driving me crazy...............erk having one of those moments !!!!!!

 While in the Big Smoke recently I picked up this great book ( a few others too) to wrap up for myself to open on Xmas Day.

Well I never got it wrapped and now cleaning out my cupboards in an attempt to create some stylish clothes for myself............ Thanks for the kick up the ......gentle reminder with each great post you do
JODY I really do have to make some time to just get STARTED.

Now this project looks kind of simple, I think I've got some long sleave tops to cut up..........

Mmmm my pile of clothes, at this point I will add that at end of last summer I threw most of them away........................

 Not a whole lot to work with, 3 pairs jeans, 1 black capri pant, 2 linen skirts (from my trip to Italy last year)   4 shirts, 4 white t shirts, 2 black, new orange cardi,  err feeling a little depressed now................well at least I fit into them sort of ok........

Wish me lots of luck or pray for me !!!!

Forget the Xmas shopping....
 Spotlight here I come.................                                                                                 

JaM............Getting Organised !

JaM taking just a moment to share whats been happening in your week.....

Just love having a few days to myself and this week I've headed off to the big smoke (Melbourne) to catch up with my children and friends.

What a lot of organising though before I even walked out the door !!!

Anyway I'm here and been out for a walk this morning, its grey and overcast and who knows what the day will bring.................

                                                 
A little different than walking our dusty country tracks !!! but plenty of coffee!!

Joining in JODY  this week (it's been a while) hope you all have a great week!

Country days.

Starting on the Melbourne cup weekend and until the following weekend our Garden was open to the public as part of the Castlemaine & district Festival of Garden's.

If you had wondered why I had been so quiet on the blogging front..........

I was busy doing a lot of Weeding, Pruning,Composting,Sewing, Jam -making, Biscuit baking,plant labelling, and of course last minute jobs around the place, the odd gate to be hung and works of art made by the very clever other half!

This old cane couch needed a fresh new look so I made cushions out of hessian and found some 'garden theme" material to match it with.
An old table cloth with flowers draped over the back.


It proved to be a popular place for visitors to rest and enjoy the garden and sunshine.

                                                   

Bunches of Bay leaves to take home........................

Remember the bunting I was making from an old tablecloth?

                                                      
I hung it up high into an old peppercorn tree and then draped it down around 
                                             plants for sale.

10 days was probably a little to much but well worth the effort, I met some really lovely people from all over the state and some very close by, neighbours really and invitations to visit other gardens.   

Last two days have been spent recovering (resting my voice, never talked so much!) and planting out the last of my tomato and veggie seedlings and lots of seeds for (I hope) a bumper summer crop.

Planted Red Snake Climbing beans for the first time, has anyone tried those before?

                                                                 

Jam.........Having Fun....

JaM Taking Just a Moment to gather & share the things you have noticed,
consumed, created &/or brought during your week......................

Well I seem to have got my creative Mojo back and i can't seen to stop.......

                                                  
I finally cut up one of my vintage tablecloths (it had a hole) to make some bunting for my upcoming open-garden in November. Don't think hubby was to happy listening to the machine at 3am though........(oh she's at it again).

                                                   

                                                      

                                                     
                            A little bit of detail on the reverse....


A bit like a jigsaw, one in reds and one in greens................then  maybe, blue, yellow, purple.........................

Oh and made heaps of marmalade, lemon and lime, grapefruit and ginger,
three fruits, beetroot relish and this afternoon rhubarb marmalade.

I've found jam making and sewing a good combination as you can go from one to the other, the only thing being no house work gets done and there's no bench space left................oh well the sun's shining and we can always eat outside !!!

Hope your all enjoying the beautiful spring weather.

Cheers X        

JaM.............Enjoying the solitude...........

                               
JaM....Taking a moment to share ....,....
 noticing, consuming, creating or what's been brought...............


Time over the weekend to smell the roses daphne and enjoy some time to myself ...........................

I don't know how you feel but I love (need) quiet time every now and then, no TV, no going out, simple meals,  long soak in the bath, a good book,
an afternoon walk................

                                                                         

Wall flowers always put a smile on my face, oh and some sunshine..............

After about 2 days of my own company I'm feeling refreshed, relaxed and ready to................ go out for coffee, shop and visit girlfriends.........

A quick sneak look in a Op shop which is always closed but just happened to be opened.............. What a find ........

                                                     

               Guess what I'm going to be doing over the next week?

                                                     

    Creating lots of different marmalade .................

    a gift from friends , Oranges, Grapefruit,Lemons, Limes and Oranges...

    I'm thinking Grapefruit and Ginger to start with !!!

    Do you have a favorite marmalade?

    
    Share a moment with Jody.........