I’m really fed up with paper tissues

so I went shopping for cloth ones but didn’t like the price of them.

Also, isn’t white the very worst colour a hankie could be?

So, I’ve started making some (we’ll be needing a lot- these are for me)

just cut a square of pretty fabric, roll the edges (I rolled the wrong side of the fabric to the right side)

and slip stitch in place.

Simple.

And all made whilst watching Birdsong (brilliant BBC drama on the iplayer now if you’re overseas, part 2 next Sunday night)

in front of the fire. So, I had a lovely evening with my fabric hankies.

And you’ll never say that about a paper tissue.

On Saturday evening I felt like doing some dressmaking.

All the shops were shut

so I had to make whatever I could with whatever I had.

Which turned out to be a dressing gown made from an old wool blanket.

I found a vintage pattern

and decided to leave out the lace collar and four of the buttons

to make a simple empire line dressing gown.

I only just had enough fabric which helps to explain the un-even stripes.

The glass of red wine probably explains the rest…

But, it’s very warm and fits beautifully so, all things considered I’m rather pleased with it.

This is the knitting project that taught me the importance of checking you have bought yarn with the same dye lot.

Because I grabbed 10 balls for a great price in a yarn sale (last year) without thinking and now I have a three toned cardigan!

Still, it fits well and was a pleasure to knit. It’s ‘Blaze’ by Rowan.

The outfit I’m wearing was inspired by this image

on my Pinterest board.

The skirt is from a charity shop and was originally bought for the fabric but when I realised it fitted like a glove I put it in my wardrobe where it has been languishing ever since.

I’m still not sure about the dark tights with the pale shoes look.

But it did make me look less frumpy librarian.

Which is essential when you’re over 40.

:: My Betty is never far away.

I have this really old wool cardigan

it’s shrunk

and has seen a moth or two

but it goes with everything (at least I like to think it does)

and I can’t find one to replace it

and I haven’t got round to knitting a replacement either

and I can’t bear to part with it

so for now

I’ve given it fancy elbows.

Happy New Year!

I like to start every year with a tidy up and have just found this in Henry’s room and thought you’d like it too. I shall be keeping it.

It’s a list for tomorrow and was written before Christmas…

tomorrow

walk with Leila and tidy my bedroom

of course tidying my room is boring and I know that because I’ve done it lots of times

after when I’ve tidied my room I will put up my Christmas lights up in my room.

Putting Christmas lights up is hard but fun.

I like putting Christmas lights up because I like the glow of them.

It’s really nice.

And I mean it.

I wish you and yours

a very Merry Christmas

and look forward to seeing you all again

in the bright, shiny and happy New Year!

:: Betty is quite clearly saying to Tony (standing next to me with dog treats)

‘Why is she doing this to me?’

The other day

(quite probably Thanksgiving)

I decided that you, my lovely kind reader

deserved a little present from me

So I made you a free pattern

for a Mummy polar bear and her babies (coys to be precise).

I really hope you like them!

And thank you.

We had lunch with Gary Barlow yesterday.

Gary Barlow our god daughter’s budgie that is…

Yesterday, I painted an apple.

Today I answered emails

went to the bank

forgot to take the library books back

and did two loads of laundry.

I preferred yesterday to be frank.

I put all our old bananas (and just why do we always have old bananas in the house?) just as they are in the freezer.

When I opened the freezer yesterday a frozen banana fell on my foot.

I took the hint and made this:

and here’s the recipe (from my family favourites cook book) should you want it: