Gone dotty

 My phone seems to be working only sporadically at the moment, so posts may become sporadic again.

I've been struck down with a vile cough this week, so I have been doing what any sane person would do: painting and decorating. 

The back room, which is kind of my studio/craft room/general room of requirement hasn't seen any attention since we moved here nearly a year ago. It was pretty far down the list of priories as it wasn't too bad, and is the least used room. It's been really getting me down lately though, as I think because it is scruffy it seems to also attract mess and just be a general dumping ground. 

The wallpaper in there already wasn't perfect, but was just about okay so I painted straight onto it using leftover paint from the girls room, and then dobbed on spots with some gold metal paint I already had. I love it in there now, the paint is super shiny and feels very luxurious. Decorating also gave me a kick to get the room really tidy and comfortable finally. Not quite there yet, but nearly. 

Well, I enjoyed dobbing so much apparently that I couldn't be stopped. The laundry room needed finishing painting anyway, I did the first coat last year but then totally lost interest. It didn't take much to smarten it up in there, and I even have the tumble a bit of attention. All paint that we already had. 

And finally, the fire is in, hurrah! We need to do something about tidying up the plasterwork around it, but we're not sure what yet. The lounge is still waiting to be decorated anyway, as it is full of awful wallpaper, but I have just painted it for now to tidy it up, so perhaps this summer it'll all get sorted. I painted an arch around the fire alcove as a temporary fix, as where the fire surround was removed it left an un-painted patch of paper, and I didn't have any more of the colour in the lounge to touch it up. I like it actually, and will probably paint it back in again after I have decorated.

I have been working on a jumper for each of the girls this week, but as I am doing them at the same time they won't both be finished until the end of the week. I am following the cosy on down Sweater pattern, but sized down with dk and a size 4 hook. 

Quick cardi

 I have a cold, so managed a couple of hours on the sofa to finish my short sleeved cardi.

I couldn't get too excited about it as I wasn't that mad about the colours, but I've finished it with some big silly buttons and am quite pleased in the event.

Here I am looking as cheerful as usual.

Men came yesterday to put a fire in the lounge for us, but so far have just made a hole, then left. To be continued...

It's not easy having a good time

.. Even smiling makes my face ache

Its been a busy ish couple of weeks. Last Friday Will and I went to the the rocky horror show at Swansea grand. I've only been once, about 15 years ago, and will has never been, so we were super excited, so my sewing makes that week were our (fantastic) costumes. In the event Will changed his mind and decided that maybe fishnets weren't for him - though once we were there he soon changed his tune! - so after all of that, they have just been packed away for next time instead. We still left the house without the girls, and that is a huge event in itself. 

Wednesday was the day our boat finally went on the water. I wasn't there, but according to will it all went as smoothly as possible. We haven't quite sorted out everything else that comes with it (think groans like insurance), but we are getting there. 

I finished a short sleeved summer Cardigan for each of the girls. I have been working on these for a good week or two and for some reason couldn't get any kind of momentum. Got the in the end. 

These are based on the same pattern as the others I have been making, just sized down with dk and a small hook. I am currently making an aran version for myself. Not in my favourite colours, but I didn't want to buy any more wool. What I would really like is a bright eggy yellow one. 

At the weekend the tide was perfect for us to get on the boat for the first time. On Saturday we just got there in the dinghy but stayed on the mooring, made sausage sandwiches in the cabin, and got used to the boat and being on the water. The girls really took to it, and the weather was perfect. 

Sunday we went out into the bay. We motored off of the mooring and got the sails out once we were well clear. There was only a light wind but enough to take us into the bay. Ivy had a go at tacking and steering and we all had a lovely time. We turned around after about half an hour, and the wind died down completely so we drifted and waited a while. After Will got bored and went into the cabin I took the tiller and held onto the jib sheet and caught a little breeze, and we crawled our way straight back onto the mooring. A fantastic first trip! 

It's become clear that over the past couple of years I have been having something of a breakdown. I think with my mum becoming ill I have had a bit of a jolt and been forced to realise what a pickle I've been in, and that if I want to get on and have a nice time a lot has to change. I have become so fearful and shy in the last few years. Knock after knock has left me a shell of the boisterous, playful person I used to be. I am working very hard now in swiping away fear and worry when it pops onto my head, which is constantly. We are all here to have a good time, that's the point in it all. 

Golfing weather

 Last night I made myself my first ever pair of trousers. I rarely (never) wear trousers but made them with the idea that they would be good for wearing under dresses when it's in between tights and bare legs weather. It's not the fabric I would have chosen necessarily, I used fabric from a charity shop duvet cover, but I wanted a practice run before spending money on some plain fabrics. I'm pleased though and will probably still wear them from time to time when I can pair them with something plain like this linen dress. 

I adapted the patten from one for wide leg trousers, and added a gathered cuff at the bottoms. It has an elasticated waist and holes for cording which I don't have any of at the moment, and will need or I'll spend my whole time hitching them up. 

All in all, not a bad first effort. I'm looking forward to making some for the girls. 

This week's makes

 There's not a lot to talk about this week. We had wills sister and partner visiting this weekend, and the weather was so warm we managed a beach day and sea swim which was fantastic. I am so looking forward to swimming in the sea daily again.

We have also had a few amazing walks in singleton Park which is bursting with rhododendrons at the moment and is more beautiful than I've ever seen it, and I've been feeling so lucky to live here, despite the difficult journey it has been, and the distance from family.

I sewed the girls another summer dress each for mucking about in- these ones are reversable, with pockets on both sides of course. I made them from a duvet cover I picked up from a charity shop. 

I also crocheted this little backpack, using a mariners pattern I picked up from shaws. I added shell edging to the flap and lined every piece as I didn't think it would be practical or strong enough just being crochet, but apart from that followed the pattern. It was very dull to make, and the straps could be about 10cm longer, but are fine. I'm fairly pleased and will probably make another one down the line but probably with fairisle to make it more interesting, and maybe make it a little bigger, but it's sweet, and something I needed. 

That's all I've done this week. I am planning to get to work on a short sleeved Cardigan each for the girls now, so that should be more enjoyable. Crafts at the moment are being a bit of a Godsend, and are keeping my hands and mind busy, especially as, outside of will and the girls, my life is quite lonely these days. I wish housework had the same effect. 

Sew it goes

 Just a quick drop in to celebrate my first me-made outfit, minus the fluffy slippers. 

I followed a pattern I had already for my dress and used some bed linen from a charity shop. The dress is okay. The pattern for the bodice stumped me a bit, as at one point I seemed to have sewn it shut, inside out. Either the patten had a mistake or my interpretation was miles off, but in any case I had to freestyle bits of it. If anything I'm likely to use again the proportions for the flouncy skirt, which I like. 

I also made dresses for the girls with the same fabric which I think are lovely, and I can see many variations of these simple sundresses this summer.