DRESSMAKING sew along

Just about everyone has raved about Colette patterns. I myself am a Colette virgin, so my very first time will be with the Ginger sew along with Sunni from A Fashionable Stitch. I bought my pattern from Ray Stitch so I didn't have to wait for the post from the US. Can not wait until 16th May to start.

And of couse it will also be perfect for a Me Made June outfit too!

http://www.afashionablestitch.com/2011/fun-stuff-for-you/the-sewalong-for-beginners/#respond

VEG PATCH April update

Wow what can I say, April was an amazing month here in the UK. We had unusually good sunny weather which bought all those plants along in the greenhouse. Although sun comes at a price, a lack of rain!
I read a really interesting article about Cuba and how they have to produce all their own food, they are truly inspirational, no space is left. So I have made it my mission to create one new planting space each year.

Such an amazing space that was just free for those weeds to grow, well done Simon for all your hard work, I will make you something lovely when we harvest from our new patch.

Another love of mine is gardeners that manage to mix plant flowers, herbs and veg all bursting out together. For once I have managed a little space for herbs and French beans to grow together.

Finally a few more photos to show everything is starting to really grow, it's just amazing, each year it just takes my breath away, nature is such a wonder!

The only frustrating thing is those birds!! Yes as much as I love them I hate them to, they peck away at everything, a battle has commenced on my veg patch!

THRIFTING in the kitchen.

I am in love! I have confessed all over the place that I am a lover of the 70s, this is true, as I am in love with Hornsea kitchenware straight from the 70s! I started collecting it last year but luckily in my local boot fair I have picked up two boxes full, so my collection is looking rather good and usable everyday for the whole family.

Yes it's brown and flowery, fantastic!

It's a really hard stoneware so should last forever, the most exciting is that I have reclaimed its life for another generation, now to look out for some more cups and saucers and maybe a tea pot.

DRESSMAKING new project

It seems that lots of people have been taking part in the Me Made Months of something, I was really inspired by Mimi of http:// Magpiemimi.blogspot.com .
I to think that Me Made June sounds a great idea so I'm taking the pledge too.

'I, Charlotte of sew far sew good , sign up as a participant of Me-Made-June '11. I endeavour to wear an item of my handmade clothing each day for the duration of June 2011'

COOKING wild food.

I am total fan of food for free, if I can manage a few ingredients from the hedgerow I am delighted. I was also delighted to pick up this book from a charity shop, it has fantastic veggie recipes, but best of all a brilliant section on foraging. It actually starts with explaining the hungry gap, this is a concept that doesn't really effect us any more with our supermarkets that keep us in constant food from all around the world, even with the invention of poly tunnels I have found that I still great variety from our Organic veg box each week. So the hungry gap is when they years supply of food is at its end and the seeds are planted for the next, but not ready to harvest, this is when foraging comes into its own, nettles, sorrel, wild garlic are all available this time of year. This book gives some lovely recipes other than just nettle soup.

I was delighted to find out that in this cookery book it makes reference to Wild Food, one of my all time favourite books. What can I say, it catalogs all food able to forage, give a lovely description, has countless recipes, and the photography is enchanting! This is a foragers bible.

Although I do love Wild Food I think it is also really important to mention Hedgerow, another fine example but with a very good section on conservation and the law, which is really important when considering picking. This book also has a amazing recipe section too.

So finally I would like to share a hungry gap recipe, wild garlic and walnut pesto. it is in both Hedgerow and wild garlic gooseberries and me, by my effort comes from the latter.

100g of wild garlic leaves

50g shelled walnuts

200ml olive oil

40gof Parmesan cheese

salt and pepper

put leaves and nuts into a blender, make a puree, and oil and grated cheese. Put into a jar with a layer of oil as a seal, will last in the fridge for a week.

Give it ago and enjoy.

PS Hedgerow has a amazing looking elderflower (instead of Turkish) delight, this is on my list of things to make this year!

DRESSMAKING Tilly and the Buttons: Sewing Productivity Project: Reporting back

I have been taking part in this :

 Now I have some results of my own :

When I was charting my sewing time it was school holidays but then I realised how no week is the same and my results would always be rather random.

I have really enjoyed this, thank you to Tilly, it has been interesting looking at my own results and everyone else's

Tilly and the Buttons: Sewing Productivity Project: Reporting back

DRESSMAKING sister of the bride project is a disaster !

Some of you maybe aware that I set myself a challenge of making a special dress for myself when attending my youngest sisters wedding. I started with high hopes and dreams that other guests would be commenting "wow, you made that yourself!" It all started well, a seemly easy ish pattern with some beautiful fabric.

So the project began, my husband kindly took our son out so I could have the house to myself, in my excitement I put on some rousing loud music and started cutting the pattern. Mistake no. 1. I I had to tape bits of it back together and turn the music off! From very early on though it was obvious that it was not going well. The little ruffled bit in the middle didn't really ruffle very well.

That band doesn't fit with any other piece, and the skirt just wasn't going to fit properly with that weird looking top half.

Then look at the back, even with a zip in it was never going to join together! And all that extra skirt fabric, what was I going to do with that? So yes a total disaster. Dress is scrapped!

I felt somewhat sad, until I noticed that the fabric is so lovely and I was sure I could do something to make it into a pretty skirt maybe? Being inspired by Meg the Grand and her 80s refashion I am sure I could have a go. Plus what  a great opportunity to use my two new books that I have just purchased.

I still adore the fabric, I am going to put it aside for a little while and make plans for a pretty skirt instead. But what do do for an outfit for the wedding?