Jojo Designs

So Far, So Good

2012-01-29T08:59:00.000-08:00

Well I've managed to stick to my budget for the last 3 weeks, Ive only spent £111 on housekeeping! I can't believe I've done it and we seemed to have eaten a whole load more healthier than normal. I have also had many days when I haven't spent so much as a penny. It's all been a matter of planning my meals in advance and only buying the items I need. Why didn't I do this before?

My most expensive week was when it was my mums birthday, we went out for a meal on the evening and then again the next day when Soph popped back from uni (that's the two of them above). We tried Dunsley Hall Hotel in Kinver for lunch, it was great and well worth the money. Have a look and let me know what you think.

We have been really busy with DIY at home. Whilst Jacks away travelling we are re plastering his room, Sophs room and also making alterations up the loft. Oh my God the loft, I have never seen so much junk in a place in my life. Think we will need 2 large skips to get rid of it. Why did I keep it in the first place only to throe it away now.

This is only half of what we have thrown away so far and there is still half the loft to sort through yet! Some stuff is still wrapped up from when we moved to this house in 1994!

Here's next weeks menu, I spent £42 at Aldi today which is the most amount of money I have spent on housekeeping so far this year. I am aiming for £200 spend every 4 weeks, this includes cleaning items, deodorants etc. I have also been making my own brad every day.

Week beg. 27th Jan
Friday Spaghetti bolagnase
Saturday Chilli
Sunday Roast Chicken dinner
Monday Chicken pie
Tuesday Pasticchio
Wednesday Potato wedge tortilla
Thursday Kedgeree

Let me know how you are doing saving your pennies in 2012.
Oh one more thing, the gas bill came yesterday and we managed to cut it by £200! We have started leaving the heating on more of the time so the house is always at a constant temperature. Mind you we have not had such a cold winter as last year but I have checked on our bill from Jan 2010 and we have still saved £155 on that.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-14T06:51:00.000-08:00

I Know its a bit late but Happy New Year! Time seems to pass so quickly nowadays, do you feel the same?
The photo above was from the 3rd Jan when we had no electricity from 11.30 in the morning until 8 on the evening. It was really spooky outside in the street, the cars were driving along with their main beams on. We got invited to my brothers for casserole so perhaps we should have a power cut once a week and then we could get invited out more often.

Jacks still away, he's in Australia now, I wish I was there. I could do with a holiday, we never managed to get away last year, hubby had too much work on and you don't like to refuse it when it's there. He's gone quiet now because we haven't had that cold a winter as yet (he's an industrial heating engineer).

It's just me and hubby at home at the moment as Soph is back at uni. I'm trying to be very frugal with what I spend since Christmas. I'm hoping to feed the two of us for £50 a week. I managed last week, only spent £31 and so far this week I've spent £4.96 . I'm being very good planning our meals and making sure I use up all the perishable foods first, I'm sick of throwing away out of date items. I've made some blueberry muffins this morning to use them up.

Yesterday I made leek and potato soup with left over leeks from Christmas! We have got a mountain of leftover chocolate from Christmas, god help us if the two of us at all that, we'll be the size of a house! Think I will box it up and send it off to uni with Soph, there are seven girls in her house so it shouldn't take them long to demolish it.

Here's my meal plan for this week, I'll let you know if we kept to it and how much I spent next Saturday

Friday 13 Jan Beef & carrot pie
Sat Beef & carrot pie left overs
Sun Boiled bacon and parsley sauce
Mon Sausage paprika
Tue Lasagna
Wed Pork Chops
Thur Fish pie

I love reading the blogs when people are trying to save their pennies, one of my favourites is Frugal Queen have a look and see what you think.

Christmas is a Coming!

2011-12-01T12:12:00.000-08:00

Well it was a very quiet in our house today, there's only me and hubby until the weekend when Soph will come back from Uni to stay. I kept myself busy though, making my Christmas cake and finding out the Advent candle I bought a few weeks ago. Once this was out it made me realise how close Christmas is and how much I have to do. We began decorating our bedroom in September and I still have to make the curtains! Well I'm sure everything will get done in time but what the heck if it doesn't.

Once it was dark we lit the candle and also the fire, its so cold tonight, looks like Jack Frost is going to pay a visit.

The Journey Begins...

2011-11-30T10:13:00.000-08:00

Little sis, Dad, and Jacko

After twelve months of planning it was the day I had been looking forward to but also dreading at the same time when Jacko went off on his travels, 7 months of sightseeing! Thailand, Australia, New Zeland, Hawaii, California and New York. He's going with Rachel his girlfriend and meeting up with other friends on the way. What a chance of a lifetime, when I left school it was straight to work!

The Travellers

And so the journey begins

Christmas Comes Early!

2011-11-14T02:37:00.000-08:00

We had an early Christmas Dinner yesterday at my Moms as my eldest Jack is going travelling for 7 month on 1st December with his girlfriend Rachel. My brother, Sister-in-law, and their 3 girls came too so it was just like Christmas Day. We all gave them there Christmas and Birthday Pressies to open and they were both surprised by how much their travel fund has grown!

Jacks favourite chocolate cake

I will miss him loads but I know that now is the right time for them to do this. I wish I could pack up and go off for 7 months. He's just graduated from Uni and has a job to come back too so then he can start on the 9 to 5 grind everyday until your 65!

The Grandkids

Hopefully more blogging will resume here now so as to keep Jack up to date on whats been going on in Sunny Gornal whilst he's away.

The Travellers

Can I Tempt You

2011-05-31T13:16:00.000-07:00

Bought this book a while ago but never used it so since we are having a clear out I have listed it along with a few other items on Ebay. If your interested take a look here.

Bank Holiday Makes

2011-05-30T11:34:00.000-07:00

In between sorting out my cupboards I have managed to make a few items, the covered hanger is from last weekend, I can't believe how quick these weeks fly by! I ordered a couple of cushion inners a while ago and so I decided to have a go at another union jack cushion. I like two much better than the one I made a couple of weeks ago.

I think the Scotty Dog ribbon goes well with the colours of this one.

I made one of these hangers for MIL birthday so I thought I would have a go at another one. I may end up doing quite a few, they look so much better in your wardrobe than boring wooden hangers.

Tomorrow is my Nephew's daughters first birthday so I made this bunting, mini hanger and card for her. Sorry about the colours of the photograph but it was took Thursday evening indoors and i had to use the flash.

Edit - Ok decided that I'll try my luck selling the cushions in my Folksy shop. Pop over and have a look if your interested.

Memories

2011-05-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

We are going to have a bit of a DIY session through the house soon so I thought I would start by clearing out some of my cupboards to make moving them around to paint easier. I began sorting through loads of the kids old school work, well I just couldn't throw any away could I! Thought I'd share this piece written by Sophie who last week was 20 ( I have no teenagers anymore) with you.

She dosen't want to be a Post Office lady anymore (thank God!) she's at Uni studying Environmental Managment. I have sold my Post Office and we no longer have any bouncy castles!

Flower Festival

2011-05-16T09:12:00.000-07:00

Our local church held its first flower festival this weekend. I popped across on Saturday with my SIL to take a look. There were some beautiful arrangements and guess what, my battery decided to run out on my camera so I only have a few pics for you to look at. I managed to take a few with my mobile but don't know how to get them onto my blog form it. I have put a few off it on flickr but the others will have to wait until Jack gets back from uni to show me what to do. What will we do when he goes off travelling for seven months? Me nor hubby aren't very technically minded and Jack has got us set up with all this techy stuff, it takes me 10 mins to think about how to change the tv channel.

Sunday I managed to spend a few hours in the garden and then I did a few hours sewing, it is MILs birthday next weekend and so I made her a covered coat hanger to go with one of the covered notebooks from last week. I also made the card but forgot to take a picture of that before I wrote it.

Hoping to do more sewing this week as I have a first birthday to cater for and thought I would make bunting with their name on. I haven't done much applique so will be a bit trial and error. Watch this space.

First Interview

2011-05-11T00:43:00.000-07:00

My little lad is off for his first Job interview today. He's pictured here with his Dad when we went to visit him at Uni a couple of weeks ago. Hope he does well and the nerves don't kick in! Makes me feel very old this morning!

Sewing or House Work?

2011-05-08T06:37:00.000-07:00

It was one of those weekends when I woke up and felt the need to do some sewing but I also need to get rid of a layer of dust that was looking at me too. After a few moments I thought sod the house work I'm going to do something I want to do for a change. Here's what I ended up with .

This is my favourite of the notebooks I covered. I have had these cut out for at least 6 months and never got round to sewing them up.

I bought this cushion inner form Ikea a while ago but it was too large. Today I decided to have a go at a cover for it but unfortunately I am not liking my choice of fabric, as hubby said it's a bit Granny looking.

Royal Wedding Party

2011-05-01T01:26:00.000-07:00

We had a party to celebrate the Royal Wedding on our driveway. It was a great end to a great day. I thought the bride looked absolutley stunning and so did the bridesmaid! We asked all the guest to bring along some food and booze so as I didn't miss any of the wedding on the morning. We started at 3 and finshed at 11.30.

Pass the parcel!

So Cute..

2011-03-31T23:51:00.000-07:00

Spent yesterday browsing the shops at Merry Hill. Homesense has to be my favourite at the moment and I couldn't leave these two little cuties on the shelf. Luckily Jack is home form Uni so as son as I got home he knocked a few nails in and put them up for me. I also got a bird table and an arc to put over the step down to the lawn which he put together too. He's so different to his Dad, they would still be in the boxes waiting to be put up!

Souper Day

2011-03-30T11:56:00.000-07:00

Well it's not been the best of weeks so far. Monday not only started off damp and foggy but I got a phone call just after I had taken that photograph to say my Aunt had passed away. We knew it was going to happen, she had lung cancer, but never expected it to be quite so soon. At least she went peacefully and didn't have to suffer too much.

Yesterday and today I have been using up all the veg that is lying in my basket. We have a shelf full of soups in the freezer now. Above are the ingredients for parsnip and app,e soup and below curried sweet potato soup. This is one of my favourites, lovely and sweet and spicy.

I also took charge of my first delivery from Approved Foods. Some of the items are really cheap so hopefully we'll be able to save a few pennies. If you want inspiration for saving pennies have a read of this blog.http://ournewlifeinthecountry.blogspot.com/ I love to see what they are up to next.

I'm hoping that I can feed the four of us when the kids come home from uni for under £100 a week. Think we will be eating less meat and more veg. I'll keep you informed how we are getting on. Think the key to it is being organised and having a meal plan and sticking to it. You never know I may even loose that extra stone of weight that has crept on over the winter.

More Makes....Things are looking Up!

2011-03-27T11:24:00.000-07:00

Well what a week it's been in our household. It all started so well, we all decided that we were going to get ourselves fit and trim in time for the summer. Hubby and I had been walking each night after our tea had gone down but this week we only managed Monday and Tuesday has after that we have both been under the weather will a cold. I thought we had finished with colds for now but obviously not. I never went out the door until Friday. Hopefully next week we can get back in our routine cause I sure could do with loosing a stone in weight before I have to bare all in the summer!

Today I have been home alone as hubby and son have been karting. I decided to have a day sewing and how I enjoyed it. Made these travel wallets out of Sew Hip mag. Could of done with doing these yesterday as daughter flew to Malta early this morning for a field trip from Uni.

Made another large cosmetic bag but with interfacing this time instead of wadding. Think I prefer the wadding.

Also made two Aprons, sorry about the photos but no one was here to take them for me.

Look at the concentration on my face. Lol

Managed to make a curry for tea too. Can't believe how much I got done today, beats doing the housework but I suppose that's waiting for tomorrow!

Enjoying my sewing again at last

2011-03-21T00:27:00.000-07:00

It's seemed like months since I have had the urge to sew anything, but now I'm back on form and really enjoying it.

I've made lots of bunting, large and small, to hang in the garden during the summer and also I may put some in my blog shop for sale. Trouble is I like them all and don't want to part with them.

It's my friend Jaynes' birthday this week so I made her this toilet bag. I showed it to my daughter and now I have to make her one too!

We had to go to a Christening yesterday so not much crafting took place but hopefully I will be able to make up for it today, after doing the washing, ironing, cleaning and spot of tidying the garden!

Sunny Weekend at Last!

2011-03-14T15:34:00.000-07:00

I really enjoyed this weekend. We managed to get out and about and also do a spot of gardening too.

Hubby and I went for a walk to Himley Hall. It had been a while since we had been, we always used to take the kids when they were young.

Some one was getting married there.

This was once the home of the Earl of Dudley.

Sunday we spent tidying the garden. Sunday evening was spent snoozing on the sofa!

Where did that weekend go?

2011-02-28T01:01:00.000-08:00

Well I can't believe it's Monday morning already! This was the first weekend for a while that Jacko hasn't come home form Uni. He went to visit his girlfriend at Leeds Uni instead. It was nice for change even though I missed him to be able to do just what we wanted. Here are a few pictures of what I got up to.

Saturday saw me doing a spot of cooking. I have been baking my own bread for a while now and I must say it's getting better. I find it cooks better in the Rayburn if I don't put it in a loaf tin.

I needed to use up a lemon so made coconut and lemon cake.

Sunday I was a Karting widow (lovely). had the day to myself so I got out the sewing machine and a way I went. It was great to be sewing again and I have lots of projects in mind, it's just the time I need to do them. This is a magazine bag made with the left over fabric from Sophie curtains. Think it need something other than the bow on the front.

Sorry about the quality of the photos but I was so excited about making something again and wanted to share it with you. I have lots of bunting cut out ready to sew so perhaps that will get finished this week sometime. Got to run, having my eyebrows waxed today, ouch! I always look like I've been n a fight when Mande's finished doing them. Do you wax or do you pluck?

What a Beautiful Day!

2011-02-24T12:48:00.000-08:00

I know it's been a while but I just had to share these pictures with you. Spent the day out in the garden trying to make it look a bit respectable. It seems like months since we were able to potter about outside without being froze to death. Looks like I wasn't the only one making the most of the warmer weather!

I love white crocus, looks like he does too.

Will be back soon, feel like my mojo for sewing is coming back at last!

At Last...

2010-08-03T09:14:00.000-07:00

I've made something!

It seems so long since I had the desire to create anything but this week it seems to have come back.

I made these two yesterday and managed to finish off this pillow today.

And I made this trifle last night for after tea. Chocolate swiss roll, and red cherry pie filling topped with lots of cream.

Just off to finish off the left overs!

Busy Weekend!

2010-08-02T11:24:00.000-07:00

We have been quite busy in the garden now for a while, our old wooden gates gave up on us after 9 years so we decided to have some metal ones made. This lead to a new brick wall being built, new side gate and railings! Having the new front wall built has led to us having a space to create a bin and garden tool store area, at last the rubbish will be out of sight, well once the plants have grown up in front of it! Sunday saw me and hubby working all day in the garden, I unload a tonne of soil from the back of his van and my arms and shoulders are aching today!

Front Garden

We've grown our own strawberries this year

We've been given some chilli plants and a Brussels sprout to have a go at growing too. They seem ok so far but I'll have to find a spot for the sprouts in the garden. Think that'll be my job for tomorrow.

Daisy's are my fave flower. Just had to take a photo of this yesterday.

It's Been A While..

2010-07-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

But hopefully my making mojo has come back. The last few months I haven't really felt like sewing at all. I made a few items to wear on holiday but that is it. Today I was home alone for a while so I decided to make a present for my aunties birthday, I hope she likes it.

Well I've got lots of catching up to do, you bloggers never give up, and I must say most of the blogs look full of lovely new makes. Will be back layer in the week (hopefully), Jo xx

Colour Swap

2010-04-05T14:23:00.000-07:00

I received a few weeks ago my swap form my swap partner Linda, she was on the ball and I got my goodies a couple of weeks before the date they were due I'm afraid I was on the last lap as ususal.

I love the cushion cover she sent and also the bunny heart.

Here's what I sent to Linda, here favourite colour is purple.

Union Jack Cushion

Tote Bag

Chicken

Make up bag

I managed to make a few chickens to give out to family members for Easter. Hope you all enjoyed your Easter break.

Check out Flossie and Don

2010-02-16T04:15:00.000-08:00

Finally took the plunge today and opened my blog shop Flossie and Don.
Named it after my Nan and Grandad as it was my Nan who taught me to sew.
Pop over and have a look. Hopefully more items will appear during the week.

Lazy Saturday

2010-02-13T09:00:00.000-08:00

Well I have to admit we haven't done a great deal so far today. I managed to finish off my cardigan, it took me quite a while to stitch around the edges by hand. This is the second cardigan I have made from this pattern but this time I made the shorter version and think I will wear it more.

Seeing as I 'd got someone else to take my photo thought I'd show you the apron I made just after Christmas. This is a lovely bright pink flower, unlike in the picture and as it's reversible, I made the other side out of fushia pink and white polka dot.

This 20 minutes a day crafting is certainly making me get stuck in. Now what shall I make tomorrow? Got some green wool material left so think I make have a go at a jumper. Will let you know how I get on.

Oh forgot to say I have done the ironing and put it away!

Doesn't Time Fly When Your Having Fun!

2010-02-12T00:08:00.000-08:00

I had a lovely day yesterday doing things I wanted to do and not things that had to be done. I had an appointment to have my eyebrows waxed and new that the girl who does them should be moving into her own place soon so I managed to make her a cushion and a card before I went. I surprised myself how quickly it all went together as I had to be out of the house by 10.30.

The shop where I go for my eyebrows is right next door to a charity shop so I can't help but have a browse inside. It was my lucky day today, I got this lovely cream vase, this little dish which matches the china dinner service I started to collect before we got married and now we only use for Christmas lunch! And my favourite item was this double sheet and two pillow cases for £1.50. I love the pattern, how many bags can I make with this?

After this shopping trip I made a quick Visit to the Merry Hill Centre to take back a necklace to M&S that managed to break the first I wore it. Instead of having just one necklace in place of it I went to Primark where I had quite a few things for the same price. I also got some lovely pink flowery tissue paper and some cup cake wrapping paper. It's so cheap, only £1 a go.

This has to be my favourite!

These were reduced to £2!

Looks like I'm sorted now for shoes and jewellery for Spring just got to make the clothes to go with them.

Well I'm off to do my exercise now on the Wii. Hoping for a weight loss next week.

Not Much Making, Just Mending

2010-02-09T12:08:00.000-08:00

Well it seems like ages since I made something from scratch so I have managed to put together this hot water bottle cover from an old jumper I had stashed away up the loft from a few years ago ( don't think I could wear stripes now!). It only took about 20 minutes so that took care of my 20 minutes crafting for today. All I seem to have been doing for the last week is altering things for friends and family. I didn't mind altering hubby's jeans from boot cuts to straight legs but the skirt I had to cut off and turn up for a friend was a nightmare! It was a Per Una skirt that was cut on the bias and was made from different pieces of fabric sewn together. To get this hem level had me nearly in tears, after unpicking it for the second time (the bottom seemed as wide as the M1) I managed to get it hanging level.

The next item I had to do was my Nan's nightie. It needed to be open all down the front as she can't lift her arms above her head now to put it on. My machine took a total dislike to the jersey material it was made of even though I used a ball point needle. I was going to put button holes down the front but eneded up sewing pieces of velcro on instead.

I have managed to cut myself out a cardigan out of the wool fabric I used to make my jumpers for Christmas. I'm hopefully going to sew this together on my over locker so it should be quicker than my machine. Will let you know how I get on.

Still doing my exercises with the Wii but no weight loss last week, 1.5lb on! Too much picking in between meals I think. Will have to try and be good this week.

More Birthday Presents

2010-01-29T05:55:00.000-08:00

Well it's been a while since my last post but I have managed to finish a few items. January is a busy month for Birthdays for me, a couple of friends (made aprons for these but forgot to photograph them before I wrapped them) Mom, and Niece.

Here's what I made Grace.

I had to pick her up from school a couple of days after her Birthday and out she came running with her new bag in tow. At least I knew she liked it!

Since my last post I have managed to read all the Twilight books! This is unbelievable for me as I don't usually read only on holiday! Once I started I just couldn't put them down. Now I know what my daughter meant when she was reading them.

We have had an offer on our Villa in Spain so it looks like we will be holidaying elsewhere this summer. This thought made me realise that I need to do something about my weight, usually it's me and hubby in the pool, now it'll be a few others too and I have a few rolls to hide! For the last two weeks I have been exercising each morning on the Wii and I have lost 1/2 a stone!! I haven't even been dieting properly, still had a few chocolates every day and a glass of wine.

Well I'm off to do my 20 minutes crafting, Moms friend is going on holiday in a weeks time and needs a skirt shortening, not my favourite job but I'll have a go.

Oh I forgot I managed to make this owl out of an old pair of jeans and a scrap of material I had left over from my bunting.

New Year Sewing

2010-01-18T11:59:00.000-08:00

Well this is the first of my New Year makes, my Mom's Birthday present. I got this Moda fabric some time last year and it's been sat in the cupboard with loads of other fabric waiting for the right project to come a long for it. Due to our lovely gloomy weather the colours don't look as good as in real life! This was the first time I used this pattern out of Bend the Rules Sewing but it wont be the last. I loved the finished look and wanted to keep it for myself.

I made a matching make up bag and wallet to pop inside.

And a matching card too!

I have always applied heavy weight iron on interfacing to the back of my fabric to make my bags sturdier but this pattern used flannel, I had no flannel so used an old flannelette sheet instead. It worked a treat! Perhaps not as rigid a finish a I am used too but the style of the bag was much more suited to this. I've now found a great way to use up old sheets, before we just used them as dust sheets when decorating.

I've decided to join the 20 minute crafting a day challenge (have a look in my side bar for details) to see if this can spur me on to use up some of the fabric I have accumulated over the years. My 20 mins today has been spent cutting out so hopefully tomorrow I can sew it together. I'll let you have a peek once it's finished. I spent the weekend making a present for my Niece's Birthday, more about that at a later date.

Today saw the first day of my keep fit challenge! I spent 40 minutes on Wii fit, I can already feel my arms and shoulders aching! I need to loose a few pounds and tone up before the summer comes otherwise it's not going to be a pretty site lying on that sun lounger! I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing.

Oh No More Snow

2010-01-13T12:26:00.000-08:00

I couldn't believe it when I looked out of the window this morning...snow again! We got up early as hubby had to go to a job in Warwickshire but one look out of the window and we knew he wouldn't make it. He managed to do a few local jobs after a late start.

It's my Mom's birthday at the weekend so I spent the day making a couple of presents for her. I'll show you the pictures once she's opened her presents.

I've been tagged by Tracey to list 10 thing I like that are free so here goes.

1 Walking. Hopefully this is going to help me loose a few pounds before the summer arrives!

2 A day out at RAF Cosford Museum. This will keep the whole family entertained.

3 Spending time with my hubby and the kids.

4 Sewing. Making things, not mending I hate this!

5 I love to be the first one to get up and have the house to myself for a while.

6 Looking at old photographs.

7 Blogging

8 Gardening on a warm sunny day.

9 Snuggling up with hubby on the sofa infront of the fire watching Larkrise to Candleford.

10 Getting up fit and healthy everyday!

Have left these reindeer in the garden since Christmas. They look at home in the snow!

He's Not a Teenager Anymore!

2010-01-08T11:47:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Jack turned 20. Where did those 20 years go! I got married when I was 20, how times have changed, it seems to be nearer 30 now before they get married.

I baked his cake and Soph decorated it.

I had a session making Birhtday cards with my embroidery machine on Wednesday. This year I'm hoping to be more organised, not making the cards and presents on the morning of the persons Birthday! I'm also trying to use up a lot of my fabric stash, I'm only going to buy the bits and bobs I need to finish amy items off like zips, buttons etc.

Edward Cullen

2010-01-02T02:47:00.000-08:00

Couldn't post about this before Christmas as Sophie reads my blog sometimes but this is the cushion I made for her. I used the pattern from Sew Sunny Homestyle by Tone Finnanger and was quite pleased with the outcome.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T08:42:00.000-08:00

Soph on guitar!

Can't believe how quick this week has gone by! Hope you all enjoyed your Christmas and New Year celebrations. We let the New Year in at my Moms. We all had a great night, plenty of singing and dancing. In between getting the food ready yesterday I managed, at about half past five to cut myself out a top and get it sewn up in an hour ready for the party!

Not too bad for an hours work!

This is my Mom & Dad in the front of the picture.

Jacko was in charge of the music.

Merry Christmas!!

2009-12-24T05:56:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to you all!

Snowy Weekend

2009-12-20T12:02:00.000-08:00

We had our first snow of the winter yesterday evening, not too much but just enough to make everywhere look very festive. Seemed to be rushing around all weekend trying to get ready for the big day, only got fruit to get now and thats it! Drove to local farm shop today, about 10 minutes away and there was no snow, we had got stuck getting off our drive!

Soph's spent the weekend decorating gingerbread biscuits and swiss rolls. The ginger bread has all gone and so have the mini logs, think we'll keep the large one for Christmas Day.

My Birthday Treat

2009-12-18T13:47:00.000-08:00

Well today I'm another year older and to celebrate my Sister-in-law bought john and myself tickets to the Black Country Museums Christmas evening. So on the coldest day of the winter yet we wrapped up snug and warm and made our way to Dudley. It was a lovely evening, we watched the Black Country Pantomime, looked inside numerous cottages, all with lovely coal fires blazing and people in Victorian costumes. The snow unfortunately had to be man made! We have only had a few flakes here the last couple of days! Lots of carol singers and plenty to eat and drink and plenty of visitors, you should have seen the ques for fish and chips!

There's going to be a lot of singing in the Robinson household over Christmas, the kids and hubby bought me Singstar Take That and Abba for the PS3! None of us are very good singers so this should be fun! I had lots of other goodies but haven't managed to take any photos yet.

Went to do the Christmas food shop today and couldn't believe it when I got to the checkout, £190 and no meat or fruit and veg,I'm going to get this Monday (it's so cold in our workshop nothing will go off in there!).

Oh Christmas Tree!

2009-12-14T02:27:00.000-08:00

Well we managed to finally get the tree up this afternoon. Even Jack managed to help as he came home from Uni a day earlier than he said (what a nice surprise that was!). John wasn't at home to help us, he went Karting to Rednall and came back with a bottle of Champagne, he finished 2nd overall and not one of us was there to cheer him along :(

Still got more decorations to put out and the lights outside (hopefully we can get this done before the snow comes which they have forcast for round here tomorrow!) then it's just the food to concentrate on and I haven't got a clue what to buy for Jacko yet!

Christmas is Coming!

2009-12-13T03:27:00.000-08:00

Still haven't managed to get the tree down from the loft yet but hopefully that should be remedied later today. I have however managed to pop a few Christmasy items about so it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Still got a few items to sew together, mainly clothes for me and then my machine can be tucked away for a while. Made my wreath to go on the front door yesterday afternoon, I gave up buying a bought one quite a few years ago, seemed stupid when we had a garden full of greenery. Be back later in the week with pictures of our tree.

I have received this award from the lovely Amy. I have to list 5 things I like doing and pass it on to five friends so that the circle grows! Well here we go

Sewing!
Spending time with the family.
Going for a walk on a cold frosty morning.
Baking. I love homemade cakes!
Shopping, girls love to shop!

I'd like to pass the award on to

Funkymonkey
Swirlythoughts
DollyDollop
Country Cottage Chic
Mary Poppins

Don't worry ladies if you haven't time before Christmas I'm sure we can wait until the New Year to find out more about you!

Christmas Stocking Swap

2009-12-05T03:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I received my parcel from Silkie Sue. It was full of wonderful Christmas goodies. I saw some of her felt decorations on her blog and thought how good they were and she had sent me quite a few. Stanley has to be my favourite, he's sooo cute! I got lots of chocolate, some apple tree decorations, a tin of sweeties and a wonderful toilet bag made out of CK cowboy fabric. It is so wonderfully made and will hold all my make up in one place now, (i have two small bags sat on my dressing table). I must say a big thank you to Sam as the gifts I received were wonderful.

Here's a few photos of what I sent to Sam. I do hope she likes them.

If you pop over to my flickr (link at the side you can have a look at a few more photos).

A Big thank you to Bekimarie for organising the swap. Looking forward to the next one!

New Curtains At Last

2009-12-02T10:36:00.000-08:00

It seems to have taken forever for me to get Soph's curtains finished but here they are at last. I didn't know how the beads would work on the pelmet but now they are on there I quite like them. I hope Soph will when she comes back.

Our First Christmas Card

2009-12-01T11:25:00.000-08:00

Our first Christmas card was delivered by the Postman today. How are some people so organised? Mine are either still waiting to be made or I have bought a few and they are still in the box waiting to be written.

Whilst I was shopping the weekend I treated myself to this Yankee candle, Golden Spiced Pear, it smells wonderful, and the two tealight holders too. I also got some pot purri and filled these wellington boots which also stand on the window sill in my kitchen. At least the kitchen looks a bit Christmasy!

I've just managed to list a few items for sale on Ebay, some shoes and boots Soph has hardly ever worn. You can take a look here if you want.

Thrifty Christmas

2009-11-30T00:29:00.001-08:00

I need something to finish off my Mother & Father in Laws Christmas present, I always make them a Christmas cake, (I make 8 cakes altogether to give as presents) but I like to give something else with it. They have had a new bathroom fitted recently so I decided to embroider a new towel and face cloth I found in my bag of bits with a holly motif. I put this on a set of plain white towels for myself last year and popped them in the bathroom on Christmas Eve and made it look quite festive.

Embroidery machine in action

The finished items

I always buy the kids a jar of sweets to pop in there stockings, they may be 18 & 19 but they still have a stocking left in their bedroom by Santa, instead of buying this year I decided to use some of the jars I save for my jam making and fill them with a mixture of there favourite sweets. I t worked out much cheaper and I had enough to do jars for my Nieces too. I was quite pleased with how they turned out and think I may use this idea for Birthday gifts next year. We have an old fashioned sweet shop in the village who sells lots of lovely sweets and chocolates, your always spoilt for choice when you go in so I can fill the jars with every ones favorites from there.

Sew

2009-11-27T00:14:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was another day spent sewing. I have managed to finish off a few presents and try a few items from CK Sew. I made the bag a couple of weeks ago. Now I have made it I think there are a few things I would change, I do think that if you are a first time sewer the instructions aren't that clear. I don't like hand sewing so decided to quilt the hot water bottle cover by machine, bad move, the machine didn't like doing it nor did I! I have ended up and a mixture of different sized stitches and then found it quite hard to sew the whole thing together. Think this will have to be a present for Mom, as everything is beautiful to them! Next time I think I will make the hot water bottle cover out of an old woolly jumper and see how that goes. I haven't put the loop fastener on as by this time I had lost all patience with it.

Doggy Treats

2009-11-25T09:35:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning when I looked like I'd been dragged through a hedge backwards and the house was like a tip cause I decided to make my Christmas cakes first before I got showered my friend popped round for a coffee. No one ever seems to call in when everything is spick and span only when it looks like a tip. She bought some of my bunting and one of the Christmas aprons I had made she also asked me if I could make one of these

I hadn't got a clue what it was until she said it was a dogs bandanna! I would love to hear what my Grandad would have to say about how they dress dogs up nowadays. So last night I sat down and had a go at one myself. She wanted it in Christmas fabric with her name embroidered on. It was a bit fiddly to do the name as the piece of fabric she chose was quite small and only just fitted in my embroidery hoop, but I was quite pleased with the finished item. The green one was my trial run but it looks ok so I will let my brother have it for their dog.

Busy Busy Busy

2009-11-24T00:52:00.000-08:00

What a busy weekend we have had. On Friday evening we went to pick up Sophie from Uni to come home for the weekend. Has we were over in Birmingham and the weather wasn't raining for a change we decided to have a look at the German Market. It was so busy but we still managed to have a good look around. There were some lovely stalls selling crafty items. I bought myself a crocheted brooch and of course we had to try some of the wonderful food on offer. I wasn't so keen on the Frankfurter hot dog but I did like the fried pork in breadcrumbs that we tried.

Saturday afternoon Sophie and I went to the local Churches Christmas Fair. This was also very busy, we got there a little late so most of the good stuff had already gone. We both bought items off the jewellery stall, some were second hand some new. I had these gorgeous ear rings and brooch for £1!!

Saturday evening we went to the Cinema to see New Moon. Sophie had seen it On Thursday night at 12 O' clock but couldn't wait to go and see it again. I really enjoyed Twilight and was hoping this was going to be as good and yes it was. I won't say anything about the film as it will spoil it for those of you who haven't been yet. I need to read the books as Soph says they are better than the films.

Sunday we went Christmas Shopping to Merry Hill Centre, even Hubby came along and I can't believe that he never moaned once, this is a first for him as he hates going shopping any time of the year and always leaves it up to me. Perhaps he his mellowing with age!! We didn't get many Christmas presents but we did manage to get a light fitting for Soph's bedroom and some lovely twig lights with pink butterflies on from BHS. Hopefully by this weekend the room will be complete and I will show you a few photos.

Well a busy day ahead for me, got to try and finish off my Christmas Stocking swap, I seem to have forgot the important thing, the Christmas stocking, so off to find a pattern and have a go at one.

Oh by the way, how do you all move you photographs around once you have uploaded them to blogger. I used to drag mine around but can't seem to do that now.

Daffodils for Christmas

2009-11-18T11:13:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that the daffodils in the pot in our front garden are so tall and are in bud. Looks like we could have daffodils in flower for Christmas if this mild weather keeps up.

Managed to get a few more things finished off today. A couple of embroidered tea towels which a friend ordered a while ago but I've only just managed to get round to completing and an embroidered Birthday card ordered by the wife of a Wolves supporter.

I hope the recipients all like their gifts.

I have even managed to cut out Soph's curtains so hopefully either later tonight or sometime tomorrow I may have them finished (at last!).

Getting Christmasy At Last

2009-11-17T02:10:00.001-08:00

Make up brush roll for Niece

Well it's took me a while but I have finally started to make some of my Christmas presents. I seem to spend more time reading books and magazines for ideas than I do making the things. I have joined in a Christmas swap so I think that has made me get a move on as the dead line is fast approaching. Once I got the sewing machine going I couldn't stop and have made quite a few items (can't show photos of everything as the recipients may be reading!). I've also nearly finished the decorating in Sophie's room, only the curtains to make now and decided how to fit all the junk back in in a neat and orderly way! She has so many clothes still left here she'll never wear them. Looks like a few journeys to the charity shop. Oh that reminds me I had some lovely embroidered items from there last week that I will have to photograph and show you at a later date.

Christmas Doggy Bunting

Pencil Roll for my Niece

Guess which book I was taken from?

Have listed the bunting in my Folksy shop pop over and have a look if your interested.

Bits ans Bobs

2009-10-27T02:48:00.000-07:00

Well it seems ages since I managed to post. I have been busy organising things to decorate Sophie's room whilst she is away. They only do 10 week terms and before I know it she'll be back and the room wont be finished.

I have got my partner for the Christmas Stocking Swap, it's the very talented Sam from here. What wonderful drawings she does, mine would have to be of stick men! I now need to knuckle down and think what I am going to make for her.

I need to start to use up some of my stash, it just seems to get bigger and bigger, I have all these ideas but not enough time to sew them. Last night I managed to finish off a few padded hearts that have been hanging around for months and I made Jack a wheat bag out of my stash too. I think his uni digs are going to be quite cold this winter, it's a 9 bedroom Georgina house in Lemington Spa and the only form of heating are electric radiators (oh my god! the bill!).

Off to visit Soph tomorrow at uni so I'm off now to make her a chili and an apple and Cinnamon cake to take with me. Soph isn't the worlds best cook yet, we know when she is having her dinner as our phone keeps ringing and this little voice says, How do you cook this Mom? I'm sure she'll get there eventually, I think I was like that when I first left home.

See you soon XXX

Flower Power

2009-10-13T23:35:00.000-07:00

Managed to do a spot of sewing over the last few days. My Nan wanted a bag like the one I made for my Aunt Pats Birthday so I decided that theis lovely Pansy fabric I had in my stash would be just right for her. It's her Birhtday in a couple of weeks time (83) so for the first time in a while I have a present made in advance. I always seem to leave things until the last minute and end up running round like a headless chicken. Now there are only the two of us at home I'm sure I could be a bit more organised!

Yesterday I went shopping at Leamington Spa with my friend Siobhan. When we dropped Jack off there a few weeks ago we had a quick look at the shops but I wanted to go back when I had more time to have a browse. There are some lovely shops (sorry but I was having such a good day I forgot to take any photos!) I could have spent a fortune. I only bought a few things but got lots of ideas for Christmas presents and things that I could make myself.

Yesterday was a good day I also made a sale in my Folksy shop, the first for a while. There's not much in there at all now so think the sewing machine will have to come out today!

I have joined in this Christmas swap have a look and see if you want to give it a go.

Another Day Of Packing!!

2009-09-25T03:44:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the day I think I have been dreading, we take Jack to drop him off to Uni and then there will be only John and myself at home. How do you cook for just two? What do you talk about when the kids have gone? I'm sure we'll both get used to it but it will take a while.

Last night I went through my stash and found some brown and cream suede material, Jack's bed linen is brown and cream and I wanted to have a few cushion to match, (I looked in town but they were too girly). I decided to try a Union Jack design like I did for Soph. I was quite pleased with the result, think Jack liked it too but lads never say much when you ask them do they!

Well off to pack his food up now, can't have him going hungry can we!

They've all flown the nest now!

2009-09-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

Sophie's new room

Yesterday we had to drop off Sophie at Birmingham Uni. She was sooo excited about her new adventure (just like when we used to go on holiday when they were little she had been counting down how many sleeps left before she went!).

When we walked into her room I thought oh my God how are we going to fit all this in such a small space (she took enough clothes to dress an army), but eventually we did and it looked lovely.

I'm going to miss her, she's been at home now since May. Today the house seemed so quiet, and this weekend Jack's going back to uni too!

Pink & Green

2009-08-26T03:55:00.000-07:00

I have spent the last few days shopping with Sophie to get all she needs for her room at Uni. Her colour scheme is pink, all shades of it, with a hint of lime green thrown in. We managed to get all she wanted, but I must say I don't think I want to go shopping for the next few weeks.

I had started making a Union Jack cushion after seeing them in the shops to put in my Folksy shop but as soon as Soph saw it she claimed it for her room, it was pink and green. Looks like I'll have to have a go at another one now.

Well Done Soph!!!

2009-08-20T02:14:00.000-07:00

Just got to blog about this, I've been sat waiting for the phone to ring since 9 o'clock when my little girl went out to collect her A level results. Well she's just called to say she's past, ABC were her grades, so now she's off to Birmingham University to study Environmental Management. All her hard work has paid off. Now her Dad and me need to do some hard work to pay for it!

A Little Bit of Sunshine

2009-08-10T12:14:00.000-07:00

Wasn't it a gorgeous weekend. We managed to get a few jobs done in the garden and then on Sunday had a trip out to Bewdley. It seems like the first time the sun has shined since we came back from holiday. There were lots of people out and about in Bewdley, most of the cafes, pubs and shops were very busy. We qued for 15 minutes for fish and chips, no trip to Bewdley's complete without fish and chips eaten out of the paper sitting at the side of the river. Manged to take a few photos for you to have a look at. We even managed to see one of the trains on the Severn Valley Railway which runs along the side of the river.

A Spot Of Ebaying

2009-08-03T13:27:00.000-07:00

Had a sort through a few kitchen cupboards today and decided to get rid of a few things. Back in the 80's when I got married it was very trendy to have a red kitchen (it may be trendy today if red's your colour), but these red items don't match my kitchen any more and have sat in the back of the cupboards for years (to be honest I don't think I have ever used them) so it's time for them to find a new home. You can check out my eBay here.

Yipee!!!

2009-08-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

I couldn't believe my eyes yesterday when I logged into my Folksy shop, I had 5 sales, Yipeeee!!! I had been contacted early in the week by a lady who was starting a party plan business selling handmade items to see if I would be interested in her selling some of my wares. I said yes and thought that would probably be the last I heard of it as I have had enquires before but they have never led to anything. I was so pleased yesterday when she emailed to say she had bought the items out of my shop. Her first party is in September so watch this space for an update.

Today I have sold two embroidered towels on Folksy and I have been featured on Friends of Folksy blog, what a week this has been.

Seeing as it rained again today I managed to get a bit more sewing done. I used a pair of hubby's old jeans for this project, thought I'd have a go at recycling. I embroidered a mini (we're big on minis in this house) onto a piece of denim then made a patchwork cushion using denim and a piece of spotty fabric I had in my stash. I was really pleased how it turned out. What do you think?

Tickled Pink

2009-07-30T04:36:00.000-07:00

What a day it was yesterday, rain non stop, and ideal day for a spot of sewing. I have kept seeing all the lovely bunting fellow bloggers keep making and so I thought I would have ago myself. I used a globeltex fabric and a fuchsia pink and white spot. The cherries on the stripey fabric look good enough to eat! I have to say I was quite pleased with the out come and hopefully will be making some more.

After tea, and it still hadn't stopped raining, I decided to make a cushion cover to match the bunting. I'd purchased the pom pom trim a week or so ago from here and was dying to use it. I got the green one too so that'll be on the next cushion. Think it worked out well. I had to put a button on the back as I didn't cut the pieces wide enough and they kept gaping but I think it looks ok, kind of matches the white pom poms.

I'm going to list them in my Folksy shop later today and see how they go. Been a bit quiet over there of late.

This morning I have been recycling some of Hubby's old jeans, I'll let you see once it's all finished.

Retail Therapy

2009-07-27T12:18:00.000-07:00

There was too much sport on tv on Saturday that hubby wanted to watch, Tour de France, Moto GP and F1 so I got in the car and had myself a ride to Garden Village at Shipley. I hadn't been here for quite some time, when the kids were Little we seemed to go quite often to look at the animals they had for sale in Dolittles. I even gave in once and came back with a rabbit and hutch!

There are quite a few wooden cabins selling vintage items, sweets, handbags soaps and candles but my favourite shop was House of Iishkar, it was full of fabrics, button, cottons, you name it, they'd got it. I couldn't resist a few pieces of fabric to add to my stash (may even be back soon for more!!) They offer sewing classes and also classes for under 16's to learn to use a sewing machine! Think this may be a Birthday present for my Niece.

Sunday was spent Karting with hubby and son and today it looks like hubby is coming down with a cold, I do hope it doesn't turn into swine flu as quite a few people we know have got it.

Seaside Swap

2009-07-22T00:26:00.000-07:00

Got an email off Claire to say my swap parcel has arrived so now I'll let you all have a look at what I sent. I had great fun choosing the seaside fabric off ebay, (just love buying any sort of fabric!). Hope you like them.

Beach Bag

Make up bag, glass case, and I tried the no cash wallet pattern.

Embroidered tea towel

Embroidered cards

My favourite, the Teddy Bear. I read Claire's blog and she said she liked the CK one's in one of her posts. I wonder what she's named him?

Seaside Swap

2009-07-20T13:27:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago I was the recipient of this wonderful box of goodies. They were sent to me by my swap partner Dolly Dollop. I don't know how she manages to find time to make such wonderful items and look after 4 kids.

This gorgeous boat is now hanging from the handle of my airing cupboard in the bathroom.

I love the spotty material Claire has used for this cushion. It now sits beautifully on my bed.

Don't think I'll be going to the beach to make sandcastles again this year so these may have to decorate some of the pots in my back garden.

This was wonderfully made and in my favourite colour, green, a knife and fork roll and 4 lovely napkins. I'll use these when I go karting with my hubby.

This tin is now holding my bobbins. I love these old fashioned deck chairs but always seem to struggle when putting one up!!

This little wooden boat now sits on top of the chest of draws in my bathroom.

This has to be one of my favourite items, it's so cute. I've hung it on my back door so I can look at it everyday.

I also got a copy of Coast magazine and a postcard with a row of deckchairs on. This is the first swap I have taken part in and I think the items I have received from Claire are great. She has taken so much time and effort to find just the right items. I think I am so lucky and can't thank her enough.

Nearly There

2009-07-14T00:40:00.000-07:00

I got an email a few days ago from Claire, my Seaside Swap partner, asking for my address as she had her swap goodies ready to post, I was only half ready with mine so this weekend I managed to have a big push and get most of it finished. Just one more item to go. Here's a peek at one of the items nearly finished but you'll have to wait for the finished item until Claire has had a look.

I have a busy week this week, Mom and Dad have gone away and left me to look after their garden, hanging baskets and beans to water. If this rain keeps on I wont have much to do!! It's doing our beans good, I have a few on and lots more flowers. I am waiting in this morning for a delivery for Mr Jojo so thought I would crack on with some housework, can't seem to get into housework mode since my holiday so you can write your name in the dust!

Back To It

2009-07-03T01:09:00.000-07:00

Got back Wednesday afternoon from a week in Spain, this time we managed to relax a while as we did most of the jobs on the Villa the last time we were there. It was a good job as it was so hot, and is only going to get warmer over there, I don't know how they motivate themselves to go to work, all I wanted to do was sit (well maybe lie down) in the shade. When I was younger I could sit and sun bathe all day but now I get too hot and bothered.

I couldn't believe how much the garden had grown when we got back, beans in flower, bunches of grapes, sweet peas, and the grass was nearly 6 inches tall. It must have been all the rain you had.

I was also lucky enough to have had a sale in my Folksy shop whilst I was away, this is the first one for a while but I hope it's a sign of things to come.

Off to do the ironing now, at least the rain has cooled it down a little.

Holiday Time

2009-06-21T06:21:00.000-07:00

You can buy me here

Just got back from dropping my Daughter off at her boyfriends house. They are going away today for a week to Lanzarote. It is the first time she has gone away on her own, I'm a little worried but at the same time I know she has got to do these things, it's part of growing up. I'm sure they will have a great time, they are staying at the hotel we used to take the kids to when they were little.

Seeing as I'm home alone, hubby and son are off for the day karting, I thought I would list some of the items I have got made on Folksy. I finished this beach bag this morning, I love the beach ball material it's by Kaffe Fasset. The other bag I finished yeaterday is in Soph's suitcase and I forgot to take any photos of it.

It seems much quicker to list items on Folksy now, especially if you more than one of the same item. It's been a while since I have had a sale but I suppose when the weather is good people don't want to sit in browsing the internet.

I received my goodies from Anglesy Allsorts Giveaway on Friday, they are beautiful, I wish you could smell the soap, it's gorgeous!

New Skirt

2009-06-15T13:09:00.000-07:00

I was so glad that the weather was warm this weekend it meant I could wear the new skirt I made a couple of weeks ago. Its one of my favourite patterns to make, from start to finish it only takes about an hour and half. I got this remnant of material off Ebay, its a cotton drill but with elastic in it so it stretches round the places you need it too. I could do with losing a few pounds but I like my food too much.

I've won my first giveaway today over at Anglesey Allsorts, take a look here to see what I have won, aren't I a lucky girl!

Don't Like To Rush Things

2009-06-12T00:51:00.000-07:00

Well it's only taken me about 5 years to get around to making this bag. First I got the remnant of white material from fabric warehouse 5 years ago and then on my first trip to Sewing for Pleasure at the NEC I fell in love with this huge cerise pink button. I cant tell you how many times I looked at that button in my button tin but couldn't bring myself to use it but a couple of nights ago I thought that's it, I can't keep keeping all this lovely stash just to look at, it defeats the object, so out came the scissors and within a couple of hours I had a new beach bag (I did think of selling it on Folksy but just couldn't part with it). We're off to Spain again in a couple of weeks so I will use it then.

Yesterday I popped to one of my favourite fabric shops, House of Sanderson, in Brierley Hill, they sell the most gorgeous curtain fabric, and a small selection of dress fabric at the best prices I have ever seen, remnants are just £1 per metre. Well I couldn't resist, I spent under £10 and look what I got. The green floral is my favourite, (feel another bag coming on!) and the one with the fruit on. I could have brought more but had to resist, the ceiling will fall down with the weight of all the material I've got up there waiting to use.

This Is What I Have Been Up To

2009-06-08T01:43:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd show you a few of the things I have made over the last few weeks but just haven't blogged about. I want to try and use up as much of my stash as possible, It's taking over the house! I have had a few new books and thought I would try out a few items from them. Had a go at the No Cash Wallet from Bend the Rules Sewing and the Artsy Clutch. They were very easy to sew and I loved the finished result. Got a few more projects cut out ready from this book.

The leopard print bag is the same pattern as I used before for the Rosy Bag. The material was left over from another fancy dress project of Sophie's. I made the make up bag and camera case to match.

Camera case and make up bag

I love this make up bag pattern it goes together very quickly, even though there is a zip to put in. The Spanish ladies fabric was a piece I had left over from a beach bag I made for myself a few years ago.

This chicken was made from a really easy pattern in Prima magazine. He looks great sat on the window sill. If I make any more I think I will put some dried lavender in when I stuff it.

No cash wallet

Artsy Clutch

Busy, Busy, Busy!

2009-06-07T09:52:00.000-07:00

Oh my God! Where has the time gone to? Can't believe it's been so long since my last post. Think it may have something to do with the weather being so nice (except this weekend!). Since the last time you heard from me Sophie has turned 18. No more little kiddies in the jojo household! We were so lucky with the weather for her barbecue, last Saturday was gorgeous wasn't it? Her friends came to ours first for a barbie and then they off partying in Birmingham dressed in fancy dress with the theme being Moulin Rouge. We managed to make ours our self as they were quite expensive to buy on ebay. They all looked so lovely, how I wished I was 18 again and had the figures they have got.

Sophie & Laura

Have been busy making a few things for my swop partner Dolly Dollop, it's my first ever swap and I'm a bit nervous, have I got enough, are they ok? Got half the things off my list made so far, just waiting for more fabric to be delivered.

My First Swap

2009-05-08T14:22:00.000-07:00

I read about Rachel's swap she is hosting on Moogsmoms blog and thought I'd give it a go. If you'd like to take part hop over here and have a look. The more the merrier.

Look What You Can Do When the Footy's On!

2009-05-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

Mom in Laws Birthday Present

Two nights of football on tv so Mr Jojo was kept amused, so was I, at the sewing machine. Before we went away I had cut out lots of things I wanted to try so with a couple of hours to spare I decided to tackle them. I was quite pleased with the outcome, hope you like them too.

I wanted to try putting a zip in a bag so thought this make up bag made out of Cath Kidston fabric would be a good one to start with. I was quite surprised how easy it went together, perhaps this was beginners luck!

Next was a fabric rose. I used a scrap of polka dot material and can't believe how much it looks like a rose! Quite good for me.

Cupcake sleeping mask. I can count cakes instead of sheep!

I bought some strawberry essential oil of ebay and decided to make this to use it on. I have had it on table in the kitchen all day today and it smelt gorgeous. Good enough to eat.

I think this bag looks very summery, it's lined with a blue green polka dot. Even Sophie like this!

I feel much better now that all the bits I had cut out are sewn up. Now I need to make a few items for my Folksy shop. Perhaps I'll get round to this when the cup final is on tv!

I'm Still Here!

2009-04-29T12:14:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a while since my last post but I just don't seem to have been in the writing mood. Lots as been going on at home and we have also been over to Spain for a few days. W e thought that was going to be a holiday but we worked harder than if we were at home. We had tiles blew off the roof, gate fallen off, and weeds as tall as me, oh and a palm tree that had gone wild. We also had to do a bit of painting which is not an easy job in the heat! Once all this was complete we decided to put the Villa up for sale, along with the hundreds of other properties! We have had it for 5 years now but seem to use it less and less.

Before we went away I did manage to do quite a bit of sewing, mostly clothes for myself but as usual I have no photos to show you yet. I need to get the machine out again as my Folksy shop is looking a little empty, had a couple of sales whilst we were away.

Jacko had to go to the hospital on Monday evening to have some images taken of the front of his eye to see if he had got Keratoconus, they were able to diagnose it there then. We now have to wait to see if it can be treated by the use of a hard contact lens or a cornea implant. I hope it will be the contact lens.

New Bag, New Award

2009-04-03T00:25:00.000-07:00

Last week I was given this lovely award by Amy. Do have a look at Amy's blog as she writes some very interesting posts, especially about here how she copes with her illness.

Here are the rules:

Link to the giver – link to the ones you give to, and give them to at least seven bloggers. Notify them of the award.I am going to give this award to...

Funkymonkey

Country Cottage Chic

Ramblings of an Every day Mom

KitschenSink

Cakes make the World A Better Place

Sykesssillysite

Indigo Blue

I love reading all the above blogs and having a peep at what they are making.

On the making front I have managed to make myself a bag out of Micheal miller fabric , 'Sundaes', which I love. I thought this bag would go with my jeans and it's handle is just big enough to pop on my shoulder out of the way. I got the pattern for it from here its a great blog full of lovely handmade items.

I have made another two sales in my Folksy shop last week so it is beginning to look a bit empty think it will be a while before I get any more items in there as I want to do some dress making for myself, we go away in a couple of weeks time and even though I have probably got enough clothes to take with me I still like to have a few new items to wear. Think this comes from when we were kids and Mom used to get us new clothes for our holidays and then the next lot of new clothes you got were at Christmas, not like our kids now who have things all the time.

Well I'm off to do some housework, how boring, I'd rather be sewing.

New Arrival

2009-03-23T13:28:00.000-07:00

I've been busy this weekend embroidering cards for my Mom's friends new Grandson. It's their first Grandchild so they're over the moon.

I also made this covered address book for my friends Birthday.

I still have a phone case to make which I will hopefully get started on tomorrow.

Saturday morning Jack and myself went to have our eyes tested, Jack had said that he was struggling to read the board. My eyes hadn't altered but Jack has got to go and see a specialist as the optician thinks he has got Keratoconus, this is when the cornea grows cone shaped. Hopefully they can control it with the wearing of a hard contact lens, if not it may mean a cornea transplant. Hopefully we will know a bit more about it on Wednesday as we have managed to get an appointment with the specialist then (had to pay to get in this quick).

It Can't be Wednesday already!

2009-03-18T13:03:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it's already Wednesday, where has this week gone to! Jack came home from uni for his Easter break on Saturday and along with him came quite a few loads of washing.

Monday was a day of constant washing and filling up washing lines (at least the weather was good enough to dry it outside) then Tuesday I ironed from 10 O'clock until 3, my legs were dropping off!

Today I have done a spot of baking and then out in the garden, I've cut the grass for the first time this year and put some new plants in the garden that have been waiting around for a few weeks. Oh and in between I did manage to list a few bags on Folksy which I had made a while ago.

I'm sure tomorrow will be just as hectic as I need a trip to Morrisons to fill the cupboards up and then I have a camera case order to make up and decide what to make my friend Jayne for her birthday next week.

Think I'm going to go and watch a bit of tv and put my feet up whilst I can.

I've Done It!! First Folksy Sale.

2009-03-14T04:09:00.000-07:00

Sold

Couldn't believe my eyes this morning when I checked my Folksy shop and I had made a sale. I was over the moon. My first sale was one of my Digital Camera Cases, few more left if you want to take a look. Perhaps this is a sign of things to come!!

Birthday Giveaway Winner

2009-03-13T02:49:00.000-07:00

Thanks for all your Birthday Wishes and now for the important bit, the winner of my giveaway as drawn out of the cup by hubby this morning (he had late start for a change) was Jayne @ Country Cottage Chic. If your reading this could you email me with your address so as I could get the items off in the post to you asap.

Embroidery Machine up and Running

2009-03-11T08:20:00.000-07:00

Decided to do a spot of machine embroidery today, in between my Mom locking herself out and me having to go down and some how try to get her back in. She was cleaning the car outside and don't ask me how it happened but the garage door decided to lock its self and she had left the chain on the front door so couldn't get back in. I managed to find an old hack saw blade that we could just about get through the gap and saw the chain off. I don't think my Dad was too pleased when she phoned and told him, Mom had been digging at the door with a screwdriver and so lets say there's a few bits of wooden door frame missing.

Back to the machine embroidery, hope you like them, thought the tea towel would be good for Mother's Day. I have listed them on Folksy but don't hold your breath cause it seems very slow on there. Needs a lot more PR work to get it up to Esty standards I think.

Giveaway

2009-03-10T13:10:00.001-07:00

Over the weekend I managed to get a little sewing done and so one of the bags that I made will be my Birthday giveaway prize. Hope you like it.

Thought this little make up bag and tissue holder would be very appropriate for so many of my readers so they'll be in the parcel too!

Hey! I was 1 year Old Sunday and I forgot

2009-03-05T05:45:00.001-08:00

Just thinking about when I first started my blog and logged in to check, couldn't believe it was 2nd March, I missed my 1st Birthday. To celebrate I'll do a little giveaway, don't know what it will be yet, but if you leave a comment I'll pop your name into the hat. Leave your comment before next Thursday and hopefully a pressie will be on it's way to you on the Friday.

My Kinda Day

2009-03-04T07:02:00.000-08:00

After working for 2 days down in my office doing Hubby's books I decided that today I was going to spend doing things I like. I love the book covers I've seen on Hen House blog and there is a link to the tutorial so I thought I would give it a go this morning (I love everything on hen house blog, please take a look). This is how my first one turned out, not too bad I don't think. I make the little flowers with the off cuts of felt from making my embroidered cards (I just can't throw anything away, no matter how small it is. You never know when you may need it).

I Can't Believe It's Saturday Already

2009-02-28T08:06:00.000-08:00

Where as this week gone to. I had so many ideas to put into action but have only managed a couple. We're out tonight to a 60th Birthday Party and I was going to make a new dress to go in but haven't even managed to cut the pattern out. Looks like my favourite purple jumper again!

I did mange to cut out and sew up a make up bag and purse out of one of the cupcake fabric I purchased the other week. It was the first time I had used this pattern and I'm quite pleased with the outcome. What do you think? I have enough fabric left to make a glass case to match. (When I don't know).

This is a photo of just a couple of the embroidered cards I have made with my Janome embroidery machine. These two were the first two I made.

An Award From Amy

2009-02-23T05:22:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the lovely Amy who has given me this award. Do pop over to her blog and have a read she writes about some wonderful things.

At Last Spring As Sprung

2009-02-21T08:19:00.000-08:00

Just had to show you a photo of the crocus that are flowering just outside my back door.

Folksy Here I come!

2009-02-20T08:25:00.000-08:00

After much debating I decided to have a go at Folksy today. You can find me here.

It was quite easy to register but I found it quite long winded to list an item. The first item I listed the photographs didn't look too good so took a few more and it came out a bit better. (My photo taking is not the best in the world, I'm hoping it will become better the more I take)

The towels & cards I embroidered yesterday and have put for sale on Folksy.

I have quite a few items tucked away in our loft which I made last year for a craft fair I attended hopefully I will list these and you never know I may sell something.

I need to make a few pennies as whilst hubby was at work today someone tried to break in his van. Luckily he heard the alarm go off and ran outside, they had broken the passenger window but hadn't managed to take anything as he scared them off. I wouldn't mind but the only thing on the passenger seat for them to take was his lunch box with two tuna sandwiches in!!!

Who Lives Here?

2009-02-18T01:01:00.001-08:00

The nice weather we have been having the last few days has made me get outside and do a spot of tidying up in the garden. Whilst out there I noticed this hole had been dug in our lawn (moss & a little grass). Does anyone know who is responsible for it? There was no soil left around the edges so where as it all gone. My husband says it could be rats but you can't see any signs of them in the garden. Kept watch all day yesterday but didn't see anything going in or out.

Yet more stash

2009-02-12T23:24:00.000-08:00

I think this snowy weather has a lot to answer for, I've noticed on a few blogs that I read that most have been busy surfing the net and adding to fabric stashes. At least now the snow as gone and I can get outside I should save a few pennies. Looking on ebay I couldn't resist the following and hopefully will be able to get the machine out this weekend.

Couldn't stop making camera cases now all I've got to do is sell them, Ebay, or shall I take the plunge and try Folksy or if you want one just email me.

Sophie did well on Ebay but I never seem to.

Old Age Must Be Creeping Up On Me

2009-02-10T09:32:00.000-08:00

Hubby had to go to work early this morning but I didn't mind getting up early has I had a dental appointment first thing. Got myself ready, cleaned the snow off the car (it's not moved off the drive for over a week) and headed off for the dentist. Got to the reception and said to the young girl Mrs Robinson, 10.15, she looked at me and said she couldn't see me on the list. I said , my appointment was 10.15 on the 11th, she looked at me and said that's tomorrow, yes I can see you on tomorrow's list.

Think this was my first Alzheimer's moment.

I'e been Tagged

2009-02-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

My Favourite room.

Tracey at Craftyscraps has tagged me. I have to list 20 things about myself so here in particular order they are.

Sewing is my greatest pleasure.

I met my hubby when I was 15 and we got married when I was 20.

I've got 2 wonderful kids Jack 19 and Sophie 17.

I loved going to school and some days I wished I was back there.

My favourite colour is green.

My favourite room in our house is the front room.

I was in the school netball team.

Don't like swimming in the sea - you don't know whats under there.

Don't like sunbathing on the beach - I hate sand stuck to sun cream.

I have 1 brother, Chris.

Got a villa in Spain which I love but husbands not so keen on.

Went to Spanish lessons for 3 years and still can't speak Spanish.

Can't reverse the car using side mirrors.

Would love to open an Esty or Folksy shop.

My fave season is Spring.

I would rather go to bed early and get up early - I'm a morning person.

I'm scared of spiders and mice.

I need to loose about 1 stone in weight.

I was a Sub postmistress for 12 years.

I love chocolate - thats why I need to loose a stone.

I have to pass this on to five others so I will have a think and add them later.

Camera case at last.

2009-02-07T12:33:00.000-08:00

Had a nice walk in the sunshine this morning with hubby. We went down to the village to do a few bits of shopping. I love Saturday morning in the village as you always meet lots of people to have a natter with and a twenty minute trip often turns into a 2 hour one. Today was no different, Auntie Dot, Uncle John, Auntie Gladys, Uncle Jack, Mr Malpass to name a few we bumped into. Sophie works in the Chemist on Saturdays so we called for hot pork sandwiches and walked round to my Moms to eat them whilst she was on her dinner. Once Soph had gone back to work we made our way home.

John has had a go kart so once we got home he went into the garage to work on it so I got the sewing machine out and made myself a camera case out of some Betty Boop material I had left from making a bag last summer. The spotted case I made in the week Sophie wants. The pictures aren't too good but I think you'll get the gist of them. I have cut out another two as my mom and niece both had new cameras for Christmas.

I really enjoyed my few hours sewing, it made a nice change from housework. Looks like the weather is going to be snowy again tomorrow and the headlines on our evening paper say that Dudley council has only enough grit to last the weekend. What will Monday morning on the roads be like!!

Off for a glass of wine or two now.

Not Got Much Done Today!!

2009-02-05T12:22:00.000-08:00

Today has been one of those days when nothing I had planned to do got done. Sophie's college was closed again today due to the heavy snow so she was at home and full of ideas to make some extra money. She wants to go away on holiday in the summer with her boyfriend so needs some extra cash (don't we all!!) She has decided to start selling on Ebay, we had a visit to local charity shops, not much there though, and emptied a few cupboards and now she's waiting for a few bids on ebay. You can check out her items here.

I have managed to make myself a camera case which I will try and photograph tomorrow. As soon as Soph saw it she wanted one too.

I do like this snowy weather but I am so looking forward to the Spring. Can't wait until the daffs are open in the garden. Until then I'll just have to carry on embroidering them on the Birthday Cards I have been making.

I've Got Another Award

2009-02-01T02:26:00.000-08:00

Thanks Josie, can't believe it, 2 in 2 days!

I've Got an Award

2009-01-31T07:51:00.000-08:00

Got this lovely award from Tracey. Thank you so much. Will see what I have to do with it and get back to you.

Bits and Bobs

2009-01-31T05:11:00.000-08:00

After reading this I thought I would get my overlocker out and have a go with it. I have had it about 15 years but not used it very much, at least not for the last 5 years. It has sat in the cupboard in my sewing room gathering dust!! (There's a lot of dust in our house!!) Last Saturday afternoon I sat at the kitchen table, plugged it in and expected it not to work, but it sprang into life. I couldn't believe it. I did a few test runs on some scrap material and then I was off up the loft to find a piece of fabric to make myself a new top. I had a pattern which I had used at Christmas for a jersey top so decided to use this. I managed to find a piece of brown material and away I went. 1 hour later I had a new top to wear. Why had I not used the overlocker for so long, it made sewing jersey fabric so easy.

The following Sunday I ran myself up a skirt using it. This only cost about £1 because the material was from the local market and was 50p per metre. Will post a photo soon of this. This is the same top in print jersey.

Since last weekend I have managed to do a few bits of sewing. Tried making one of the Russian dolls out of Sew Pretty Christmas book but found it hard to sew around the drawn lines as my fabric marker kept vanishing quicker than I could do it. Does anyone know of a good marker that doesn't vanish within 2 minutes? The doll looks a little drunk as she is a bit lopsided.

Here are a couple of cards that I did on my embroidery machine.

Don't hold much hope of any sewing this weekend, Jacko's back and has you can see he's brought me quite a few weeks of washing and ironing to do. The Rayburns on overtime trying to get it dry.

Excuse the tiles dropping off but I'm assured Hubby will get round to putting them back on one day!!!

He's not so Little Anymore!!

2009-01-07T00:27:00.000-08:00

My little lad is 19 today and I can't believe it. It's also his first Birthday away from home :(

Think I will have to wait a while to call and wish him Happy Birthday as students don't seem to get up until dinner time.

Christmas

2008-12-27T10:42:00.000-08:00

Well we all had a wonderful Christmas and so far we have managed to escape the terrible flu that is going around. We had Christmas dinner at home and invited my Mom & Dad (we usually go to theirs). It was great and everyone ate and drank too much. In the afternoon we popped across the road to my brothers where we had a great time trying out my Niece's Wii Fit.

Boxing Day lunch was at Mom's. We were all there as you can see from the photo. Today we have been Go Karting to Oswestry with our friends. Only the lads had a go, the ladies just watched and got very cold.

Saving the Pennies

2008-12-04T02:42:00.000-08:00

Don't know if that how you spell pennies but it will have to do. A few weeks ago whilst buying presents on Amazon (you must think I'm addicted to this website) I came across this book.

The Thrift Book

Live well and spend less

by India Knight

It is full of great tips to save yourself money. Even my 17 year old Daughter sat and read up on how to save money on clothes and make up and was very impressed in what she had learnt.

There are tips from Holidays to Christmas, weddings and family get togethers I have found it so useful. There is a section on crafts and some of the blogs which I read are listed there.

I had a go at the veg curry recipe and we all enjoyed it and it cost hardly anything to make.

Who's A Lucky Girl Then!!

2008-12-04T02:12:00.000-08:00

Last week I decided to have another go at making my own bread. I'm so sick of paying over £1 for a loaf of bread which is as hard as a rock the next day. I tried in the summer but my loaf was hard as soon as it came out of the oven! This time I decided to use my food processor (this is an ancient model bought when we got married in 1986 but still working ok). My mom was visiting when I got my loaf out of the oven and she said "well it smells like bread" but they all no my disasters when making bread.

John was the first person to cut it and he couldn't believe how light it was for a change. He loved it and so did everyone else. It didn't last long as I could only use 1lb 2oz of flour in my size processor. It was such a success that I made another one on Sunday and after this one worked also I decided to look at the Kitchen Aid Mixers on Amazon to see how much they were. They had one on offer fro £149, I thought I'd give it a go asking hubby for one for Christmas and Birthday pressie (my Birthday is on 18th Dec and he always moans to me that it's too near Christmas) I was sure he would say no, but to my delight he agreed. I pushed the add to basket button so quick just in case he had a change of mind.

Well it's arrived and I'm so chuffed. Thought I'd post a photo of it before I use it. I'll let you know how I get on in my next post.

On the sewing front I am trying to make a blouse for myself for Christmas but I don't know whether it the material my machine doesn't like or my machine that is playing up but I'm sick of the cotton breaking and the bobbin keep knotting up. I had to put it down yesterday and walk away before I flung the blouse in the bin.

Got a photo of the dressing gown I have made my Niece. It is a lovely lime green colour. I hope she like it.

A Busy Time

2008-11-27T13:11:00.000-08:00

I have been so busy the last week or so trying to get thing s made for Christmas and also I have found Facebook. I'm on there everyday and can't believe how many of my old school friends I have made contact with. Some of them it has been 25 years since I last saw them and the strange thing is we don't seem to have changed that much, well the lads have lost their hair and perhaps the girls have put a few pounds on but nothing major. Our kids will never loose touch with their school friends because they are always on Facebook, MSN, or myspace.

Back to the few things I have managed to make. A fleece dressing gown for my niece, an apron for my Sister-in-law out of Simple Sewing by Lotta Jansdotter (this is a good book full of useful patterns). Haven't got photos of these yet, mind you the photos of the other things I have are not very good as I have had to have the lights on in the house most days. I made my brother an apron with Wife's Little Helper embroidered on it for a laugh as he doesn't do much cooking.

I have managed to embroider around 30 Christmas cards on my Janome machine. I had all the card apertures from Craft Creations last year and didn't get round to using them.

I kept all the cards we were sent last year and recycled them into new cards for this year. I think they have turned out quite well, just hope I don't send the same card back to last years sender.

(Got two of this photo as I don't know how to delete it. Perhaps someone else does)

This afternoon I have managed to make Sophie an elasticated waist skit. You use 2 inch wide elastic and sew the material onto this. She hasn't tied it on yet as she is getting ready to go out so I will probably know the verdict in the morning if she likes it or not. Have just cut her out another skirt from a pattern off the Burdastyle website but it is in black so will have to wait until tomorrow to sew it as I struggle sewing black in artificial light.

Hope to be back soon with a few more makes.

Oh, I forgot I also made a wheat bag each for my aunt and uncle.

Little Nan

2008-11-13T04:49:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my Nans 82nd Birthday. For her present I made her a cake, some of my plum jam and a couple of puzzle books to pass away her time. My Grandad died 15 years ago so she has been on her own quite some time. Apart from being a little forgetful she is still capable of looking after herself. It was my Nan who got me interested in sewing. She has an old singer treadle sewing machine and she can make anything with it. For about the last 12 months though she hasn't done any sewing but she always like to have a look at what I've made. We took her out for lunch to Gardenland, we managed to persuade her to go in a wheel chair so as she could have a look around all the Christmas decorations, I got some ideas for my own decorations form here. When we got home, about 3 O'clock she said she had had a lovely day and was ready for bed.

Remembrance Sunday Parade

2008-11-10T01:24:00.000-08:00

Not much happening in our household this weekend, Jack came back from Uni so most of my time was spent doing washing and ironing. I don't mind though, it was just nice to have him home for a while. The Remembrance Sunday parade passes in front of our house each year. Mos t of the neighbours stand outside to watch it go by. Each year you notice the old soldiers getting less, this year there seemed to be a lot of younger people marching and there was one young lad in his Navy uniform who looked very smart. The Brownies, Guides, Cubs and Scout packs out of the Village all march too. I used to have walk with Sophie when she was in Brownies.

Whilst I was standing watching I noticed the Daffodil bulbs coming through in my pot in the front garden. Couldn't believe they were so high already.

I Think I Got a Bargain

2008-11-05T04:49:00.000-08:00

Whilst I was doing my shopping on Saturday I had a look on the local second hand shop and I saw this bird bath. I had wanted one for a while to go in our garden and for £12 I thought this was a bargain. Managed to take a photo but its a bit dark as it's not got light here for the last few days. I think November can be a depressing month, it always seems dark and damp. Hope the birds will like it.

Spent yesterday morning up the loft sorting out my stash. I have things I had forgotten I had bought. I am going to try and make quite a few Christmas presents again this year and hopefully use some of the material which is up there. I have made a start by recycling an old top into a teapot cosy (I'm sure aunt Val will love this).

This is the before.

This is the after.

Have also made a tea cosy for Mom in law too. Not quite so pleased with that one, could have been a bit bigger.

I have finished my coat also, I will try and get someone to take a photo of me wearing it so as I can post it soon. Saw Jack on Sunday, he's lost a bit of weight but says he's ok and enjoying himself. He raced at Grimley and managed to come second. We were all freezing all day long, I was so glad to get home in front of the fire.