just married

Merry Ostara

)O(

Blessed Be

Happy Imbolc

)o(

Blessed Be

A very delayed Weekend Post

I've been meaning to share a few pictures from our snowy weekend, but I've been quite busy these past few days, hence the delay.

It started snowing heavily on Friday when I came in from work, so it was really cosy staying in and finally finishing that clothkits "Big Birdie" skirt I started ages ago. I was almost done with only the hem left to do, so I'm still not quite sure why I stopped at that stage, but hey, it's done now and I'm really happy how it turned out.

 

Although you can't tell on this picture this skirt is actually way to big for me. It was a perfect fit when I first pinned it together at the start of the project, but I've lost some weight since then and now it's actually that big that it slides over my hips and almost falls off, which could be embarrassing and constantly having to pull it up is quite annoying. I guess I should have tried it on before top-stitching the waistband, but I didn't expect that much of a difference, so I'm going to have to alter it some time soon as I really like the skirt itself. Unfortunately that means that I will also have to alter the skirt I made on my course in December, because that is now too big too.

On Saturday Jamie and I went for a very long walk in the snow, which was fun.

To end this lovely winter day I warmed my frozen paws by an open fire.

Believe it or not, by Sunday all the snow had gone and I do mean all of it, allowing me to discover these little beauties.

After this first sign of spring I longed for some more fresh green colour, so I whizzed up some fresh pesto with a kick using basil and chillies from my window sill - hmmm yummy.

Room with a View

Look at the pretty view I woke up to this morning when opening my bedroom curtains.

Been shopping

Jamie and I hit the January sales, not something I was looking forward to, but look at the treasures I found:

3 awesome books and 2 clothkits; one for a pretty dress with an allover print of carousel horses and one for a skirt with a big birdie on it, so you can probably guess what I'll be doing these next few evenings.

Happy 2013

Happy Yule

Blessed be.

)O(

A Skirt that fits like a Glove

I spent Monday & Tuesday this week making a Birthday present for myself: a fitted skirt.

I took a 2-day one-to-one dressmaking course with a lovely lady called Jane from Unique Couture to learn the basics of dressmaking resulting in a fitted skirt made to my very own measurements. I learnt so much more than just the basics, from pattern cutting to a professional finish in what can only be described as the most pleasant and welcoming company in Jane's home. I brought along my own machine and Jane showed me how to use it and get the most out of it.

Here's me cutting fabric from a pattern adjusted to fit my measurements ...

... and here's me in action sewing ...

... and my machine getting put to its proper use for the first time ever ...

... et voilà the finished object: the skirt, that fits like a glove ...

... including almost invisible darts, ...

... a hidden zip, ...

... and a proper waistband.

And here it is the finished object, ...

all tucked in to show you the full fitted glory of it, ...

and how I probably will be wearing it in the future.

Sorry about all the posing, but I'm just so proud of my achievement.

I finished the skirt on Tuesday and although I didn't exactly wrap it, I added it to my pile of Birthday presents on Wednesday.

I still can't believe I managed to make something so wearable in such a short space of time. I think all that's left for me to do now, is to keep practicing  I've already bought some bright red heavy cotton material, so I can try to make another version of this skirt all by myself while everything is still fresh in memory, so watch this space for some more awesomeness.

Last, but not least for anyone based in the UK, I cannot recommend Jane and her expert advice enough if you want to learn how to make your own clothes.

More Halloween Pics

As you may have guessed from my last post I had a lot of fun on Halloween.

This year we actually celebrated at work.

I won 1st prize for my costume.

A teeny weeny crochet witch hat ...

... and a quick 1-hour skirt from black & silver Halloween fabric.

I also won 3rd prize in the pumpkin carving competition for my prison themed pumpkin, which was quite apt seeing that I occasionally work in a prison.

Here are all the entries lined up.

We also had a fun speed-mummification competition.

And last, but not least to end a fun day and night I had this little collection of spooky beers and ales.

Needless to say I only had one. It was a "school night" after all.