movember

You might have seen a lot of moustaches appearing all over the place. Some looking not quite right. Well if they disappear next week, it's because it's Movember. It's a fun way for men to raise money for men's health charities (and easier than training for a 10k run!) My husband's giving it his best shot, find him here.

If you can't grow one, you can always buy this moustache eraser from the Tate Gallery shop for £2.50

Or get this cut out and keep moustache from freemoustache.com! There's a couple of designs to choose from.

Happy growing!

falling light

The clocks have gone back and in the 20 minutes since I turned the PC on it's now dark. I caught the last of the day's light to take the photos below. With the cold winter weather coming my mind has turned to warm and snug things to wear. When I came across this book, Northern Lights by Lucinda Guy. I had to buy it as I had fallen in love with the Hulda Pullover and the Twined Socks.

The book takes inspiration from northern European countries Scandinavia, Iceland and the Shetland Isles.

The Hulda Pullover is in the Icelandic section of the book, so I found this shop, and bought my yarn from it.

My yarn came in a dizzying selection of colours, but I followed the exact shades from the book, as that is what makes it, I think.

The reds that go just around the base of the jumper, which lift it.

I love these oh so subtle changes from off white up to black in the yarn selection. This is what makes the stripes so lovely in this jumper with the gradual gradation of colour.

Now have I actually got any time to make it? Not really!

getting organised

My handbag has become a bit of a mess, with my essentials fighting to be found with everything else. I have been very generous, and purchased a few new items to sort my life out. First up is a new purse, as my old one (5 years hard service) is falling apart. I spent more than I normally would, but decided it's used daily and is something that I want to look nice. It's a Radley trifold purse, with plenty of room for everything.

The next item I bought was a card holder for all those reward cards that I have ruining my current purse. Nothing more frustrating when I don't have my reward card on me.

Next up were some zip bags from zpm to keep hold of my pens, hair brush and nail file and other female items that I don't want the world to know about!

I feel all smug now with my new found order!

on the sewing table

It's been a long time since I've done any sewing, not because I don't want to, but time pressures have placed restrictions on me.

I've bought a few patterns lately, which I need to buy fabric for. And one by one, I hope to make them over the coming months.

Firstly from the wonderfully written and designed Colette Patterns the cinnamon nightdress. I had hoped to make a summer sundress in a light cotton fabric, but now summer has gone maybe it'll be a heavier weight slinky satin/silk?

And hot off the presses the new Jasmine top. This is probably what I will make first. I just need to decide on some suitable fabric. I love the two tone one she has on her website. But it also looks great in one fabric too.

I haven't really made my children any clothing (apart from a shirt from Heather Ross's Weekend Sewing). But Oliver & S get great reviews, so I have purchased the Sandbox Pants to make for my younger son. If I can, I'll adjust them to make some for my eldest, who is a very tall 8.5 year old.

Finally, I was inspired by watching Gertie's Sew Retro class to make this dress. It's a Laura Ashley dress for McCalls M6350. You cannot buy this pattern in the UK (outrage!) so I had to buy it on-line from an eBay seller.

As you can see, lots of variety. I think the boy's trousers and the blouse have the biggest chance of being made any time soon! We shall see.

What have you got on your sewing table?

Happy Halloween

Hoping that everyone enjoyed Halloween (if they were embracing it) and escaped from it (if they weren't!).

These were our efforts in Pumpkin carving. Designed from l-r 7yr old niece, me, husband, 8yr old son, neighbour!

We saw plenty of amazing designs on our travels last night as well. Inspiration for next year.