In the Garden

Another glorious day today and it would have been peaceful but for the hedge trimmers this morning blasting away over the back and then someone has spent the afternoon cutting down a beautiful old tree with a chainsaw over the back.  The noise has been very annoying but not as sad as another tree going down.  I know they need to be moved in certain areas if they are dangerous or diseased but there seems to be a lot of it at the moment.  A property sold not far from here recently and there has been a lot of work going on, there were various trees and shrubs around the property but not any more.  The entire front and side has been cleared of every bush, tree or anything remotely resembling greenery and it is a big area and now it looks like it will all just be hard landscaping. It is not my business and people can do what they like but I don't get it, it just looks like all the character of the land has gone.   Does anyone remember that song with the lyrics 'they paved paradise and put up a parking lot' well yes they did that!

I am happy to say it is the last day of me made May, I am wearing a very bargain stash skirt that I made with a £1.25 remnant some time ago and it is one that I love.  Self drafted a-line with a side zip and button, t shirt is challis again own pattern, a simple back and front piece ( not to be confused with my green jersey t shirt with the buttons on the front)   I do realise I have made two very similar tops.

This photo is a bit bright and doesn't do the colours of the skirt justice but I have shared it in the past.

After watching spring watch the other evening I went on the website to have a look at the survey they mentioned about pollinators.  There wasn't a lot to it but I did it anyway, I spent ages trying to get some good shots of the bees and wasps but they be still? ;)  When you go on it only lets you add one pollinator at a time so I had to go back to add another and go through the whole form again.  I had more to add but stopped at that point I will probably do some  more on another day.  It would be a nice thing to show  children and get them involved looking, there is a link about the different pollinators so they know what they are looking at.

This hedgerow is behind our fence and the bees love it.

I got a bit carried away taking phots of bees so I will stop there, I am sure when all my plants flower there will be a lot more to see in the garden too.

With a new month ahead I am on the look out for a new challenge I am not sure what it will be but I always feel the start of a new month is a good time to begin new projects.  I had an idea a while ago that I might like to have a go at making videos about sewing, well I have changed my mind on that.  I filmed a very short intro the other day about something I planned to do just to test the sound and I really don't like it.  Writing down random thoughts here is fine but filming no that is not happening, I also felt slightly mad talking to myself too.   

There was a little email stating my Burda magazine is on the way so hopefully I will be able to share plans from that soon, I am looking forward to trying it out and seeing if it lives up to its repuatation.

Well bye for now, I will be returning to a more relaxed blogging routine now that May is over, back soon. 

Me Made May Nearly There

At the start of this month I really had doubts as to whether I could get through the month without resorting to jeans or repeating the same outfit twice, well one day to go and it has nearly finished. The weather has smiled on us all month so that has helped and there are summer outfits getting an airing that haven't seen the light of day for some time.  This has also helped me to realise that there is nothing wrong with wearing the clothes you love around the house, you don't have to be in a bar or at a party you can do it just for you.  This dress I am wearing today didn't cost me a penny just my time, the fabric is black cotton shirting and came in a grab  bag to test for Minerva some time ago with lots of other bits of remnants.  The cherry fabric was leftover from a vintage style dress I made for someone for a wedding and I backed that with white cotton bits that I already had.  I also made an under skirt in black as it is quite thin and that stands out a little with a frill at the bottom, it was maybe only worn once last year for a meal out.

It is a New Look pattern that I have had for many years, the first time I made it I did it in red satin for a Christmas party about thirteen years ago.  I made it long then hated it and made it knee length it was only worn a couple of times mainly I think because of the red satin, it is not exactly a look for everyday despite what I said above, some fabrics really do shout special occasion!

My only issue with this dress style is that I feel a little exposed across the chest, I have only been around the house so that is fine but I prefer to be a bit more covered in that area.  A bare back is another thing, strappy tops out of the house and I worry about burnt skin.

There has been some creativity in the form of a bag this morning but I will share that another day perhaps as it is a gift, there is another cut out and ready to go for tomorrow.

I have been sat in the sun today but I turned the lounger around and put the throw across my shoulders so they wouldn't burn.  I know sun screen, but it only protects so much. I was only out for a little while yesterday and although I had cream on my shoulders were very pink.

We have been watching a drama series called Little Fires Everywhere, it is based on a book and I am enjoying it.  It stars Reese Witherspoon and if you can get past the first few episodes it is an engaging story, I wasn't sure at first so stick with it.

That is all for today, take care.

New Shorts

Well I got my new shorts made this time in a  style that I actually like, I used the fabric from Jo that came in my bundle and it was so nice to work with, a nice bit of stretch to it and sewed up lovely. I sat and got on with them this morning before I even got dressed as I wanted to wear them today.  I knew this pattern well so I didn't anticipate any problems.

They go really well with my fox vest top that I made sometime ago...

They have a side zip and I have added pockets on the  back, after wearing them all day I can say they are very comfy so I am sure they will be a summer favourite.

I am happy with that pocket placement as I rather did just guess at it, they are just big enough to get a few dog bags in.

I opted for a turn up but I have top stitched it into place as I don't like it when they gape open.  So this has been my me made May day 29 outfit and perfect for sitting in the sun and doing the garden.

In my greenhouse everything is coming along nicely and the courgettes are getting very big, I think maybe they may be a bit big for in there but I don't want to move them at this late stage now and upset them.  Here is a little courgette baby...

This evening I have given my son a haircut, so that is the second of the week, this one took a little longer as he lets it grow so much before having it cut and there was such a lot of hair on the floor.  I had to shoo the dogs out of the room as they kept walking through it, I am sure he feels much lighter now.

We are in for some more good weather here in the UK so have fun everyone, and enjoy the weekend wherever you are,  bye for now.