Saturday 28 June 2014

Is it: a bin, a bag, a bucket? The answer revealed and loquaciousness



 If you said 'bin' or 'bucket'  walk 'The Walk of Shame' and go to the back of the class (which incidentally was the instruction given to all students who dared to be late for my lessons : one day I was late (bike puncture) and had to walk my very own 'Walk of Shame' : Mrs Doasyouwouldbedoneby was my muse....) !



I used all 'pin stock' making this!

I woke up one morning and had it in my head that I had to make this BAG.  It took much longer than I anticipated but I wanted to 'create' (fancy) a bag reminiscent of the 1940s with a 'handmade/homemade' look.  

I think that this looks home made 

Arthur: 'Is she for real?' 

Martha: 'OF COURSE IT LOOKS HOMEMADE LOVE'

Arthur: 'It's life Jim but not as we know it......'

Me: 'Charming!'

Mr Vuitton: 'I may rest easy'

This shows the work in progress and during the 'bucket/bin' stage.  It took me ages to make a pattern : you wouldn't know it looking at this photograph as it all looks so simple (in truth this was partly because I couldn't find the grease proof paper and then decided to tidy up some drawers in order to avoid future grease proof paper showdowns).  The whole thing was a bit of a fiddle faddle to be honest and this is a shame as I really thought that I had 'discovered' a new 'Bag Opportunity' (aka B O).


The night before I could not sleep as I kept runnng through the stages of the bag making in my head

 In my mind I knew that piping was essential............I can offer no explanation for this.

I was pleased with the pipe work especially as I do not possess a special piping footer thingy ('She who does not pay for the piping foot calls the bag a ruddy pain...'.).



I am very annoyed that I had not noticed that stray thread in the middle of the photograph - apologies all round for that.


I strengthened this bag with interfacing, soft interlining and lining though this also meant that at times I was trying to sew through many, many layers of fabric.  My sewing machine is RUBBISH (and I don't have an overlocker/underlocker/footlocker or indeed hurtlocker...) so at times there may have been a little bit of  **^!**  huffing.....  However all of that, and the little stitches around the base, meant the bag could stand up independently.  Why I wanted a bag that could stand independently I cannot fathom but there it is.





Here is the finished bucket  bag not standing independently (after all that fuss!).



As usual I took a fair while finding the right button but decided upon this one as it seemed 1940'ish to me



The motivation for all this bag making was D Day :  I planned to wear it as I  cycled along the seafront to watch the service and thank the servicemen and servicewomen.  Again for reasons I cannot fathom I thought that it would be appropriate to don my best embroidered apron.  

You don't have a best embroidered apron?  

Gosh!  

That is a bit of a rum do if I may say so.




I have photographed this before on Flickr but as that was a few years ago I hope that it is acceptable to show it again.  

I thought that the blue birds were apt and of course it also meant that as I cycled I could channel Vera Lynn and 'sing as I go' (a bit of Gracie Fields thrown in for good measure there).  

As I tra la la'd along  everyone would clearly understand the connection between my singing, the apron, the home made bag and the day itself.  



This embroidery is quite staggering in its neatness and overall effect - goodness knows how many stitches went into this



In order to demonstrate the stitch density here is the reverse.  If need be I will do a post on embroidered aprons (as opposed to the fabric type representing each decade..... OH COME ON -  YOU'RE THE SAME!).


  In order to stoke my journey along the sea front I ate a few Tunnock's tea cakes prior to departure.  I also had a quick flick through my favourite copy of Woman's Own for some inspired reading....



Did you see what I did there?  Blue birds again.  I was going to dig out all my old Blue Bird tins but NO.  It is good to know when to stop.



Oh I did however lighten upon my old paper doiley collection (OH COME ON!).  Of course I have some 'penny plain' pretty paper doilies but the 'tuppence coloured' add a bit of 'je ne sais quoi' to one's day don't you think.



Paused to read Mrs Fussepottle's latest post whilst working my way through the odd Tunnock or two.  I found this article to be very interesting though I was perplexed by the absence of full stops throughout.


The advert reminded of another Vera Lynn song.  Can you guess which one?



Oh...... I may have made a purse too.



All set and off we go



Tra la la

Every 6th of June I visit the D Day museum so this year would be no different : I parked my bike outside and trotted in.  About half way round I was reading about Southwick House - I was bent right over the information board (I did go to Spec Savers but glasses are rubbish)  and someone said excuse me.  I turned round and blow me down it was Winston Churchill's granddaughter.  Now I should point out here that I am not usually familiar with the offspring of world leaders - for example in a line up I would not be able to identify the children of: Stalin, Lloyd George, Metternich or Hannibal.  I had however been watching 'The Great British Menu' and seen said granddaughter on the telly only a few nights previous.  I was going to mutter something about liking Aktar's rice pudding ( I LOVE rice pudding) ice cream but just said: ' Thanks  for all your granddad did' and tra la la'd off.  I reckon that she was too taken aback by the bag/apron combo to say anything.

I watched The Red Arrows  fly over The Solent  -  hope that it is ok to show these photographs as   I don't usually show new things!





When  I took these I was just pointing the camera randomly in the sky so I was quite pleased to find that I had managed to capture anything.

 

 These don't look real!








On my return to Custard Towers I ate an ice cream which I kept  cool in a home made (see what I did there) mini ice bucket (made the night before using the bottom of a plastic bottle and a few flowers thrown in).  This is  the type of nonsense which adds a bit of pleasantness to the day I think and costs nothing but time.

 Some people write whole books telling you how to make such things!


A full frontal bag shot.  

I might make some more of these bags as I have one or two (AHEM) embroideries that would work well with this pattern. Now I have revealed this bag  I expect all the top shops will be making them...... It would have to be a revised pattern though as this took me ages. I understand why homemade things cost so much




PS: Very, very interested in how this blog 'reads' so I am  keen to respond to enquiry regarding loquaciousness. Thank you to Susan C  and  thewoollydog for further probing regarding this matter.  Loquacious is a most marvellous word I think - see I have mentioned it twice already and we're not bored...... Along with quark 'L'  has a wonderful ring to it.  Anyway I spent a while considering whether or not I might be in the 'L' category and also if I would wish to be in that cohort. I think the answer  depends upon the circumstances.  I hope that my endless chat is/can be tempered with sensitivity if the situation demands and in my nursing life I  spent a great deal of time with others in complete silence (sister in neuro intensive care and also caring for the suddenly bereaved).  In other situations I am quite a garrulous fellow and love to use hundred words rather than a handful (though I do hope that I am not one of those 'centre of attention, listen to me' types!).  I revel in the English language : its nuances, twists, turns, mixed meanings and the humour within it.  I grew up listening to the Radio 4 and one of my favourite programmes was 'My Word' with Frank Muir - that clever use of words stuck with me.  Someone that I  used to work with once asked why I 'had to use those long words' all the time...I remember being a little hurt....then I asked her why she just used those same old short ones day in day out !

I thought that I would try to illustrate my loquaciousness with some words from ex-students of mine -





A bit   VERY conceited and of course I haven't selected any rubbish comments (cheeky!) - but just to show that chat can be good in the right places.  Singing a song in order to remember equations has its place in the world!

My talkativity gets me into a pickle sometimes and here is a typical hapless situation.  Recently I drove Bronte and her friend to the shops : chatting and singing all the way.  Upon reaching the car park I parked too close to a pillar (rubbish at parking) but, as I was still talking and keen to finish the story off, I thought that I would simply clamber out the passenger's side rather than move the car.  Still talking (loudly as both passengers were now outside of the car...looking a little bemused) I did not think it through and proceeded to extricate myself from the passenger side horizontally and  HEAD FIRST.  As my head peeped out of the open door I started to laugh at myself and then could not maneouver my hulking body across the 'gear stick/hand brake'configuration in order to complete the extraction.  I was determined to finish my story (goodness knows what it was about) whilst Bronte stood there shaking her head, saying: 'Why oh why...'.   Later on I had to reverse the procedure in order to get back in....this time I was by myself so didn't feel the need to maintain any decorum (!) ..... as I clambered in I noticed a man a short distance away, talking into a mobile telephonic device,  looking slightly alarmed!


PPS: June whizzed by didn't it....... I have been very busy with work...ploughing on but looking forward to a summer break of sorts.  We have also had the builders in knocking down a wall and doing bits of construction work...oh the dust.  You may recall that I have been saving my pennies for some time in order to 'revamp' the kitchen: Dom decided that we did not need a new kitchen (he is right - we don't 'need' a new kitchen.....so-called 'First World' non-existent problems' I know).  However a year or so ago I resolved to save all most of the money for it myself and that is exactly what I have done.  I am currently contemplating Phase Three which is new kitchen floor (as it will take a week this will need extra loin girding and extra funds). 'The Gas Men' was Phase One,  with the  knocking down of a kitchen wall and putting in folding doors being Phase Two : both now completed.  Next month I will be paid for an extra contract which I took on in order to fund a cupboard building venture (Phase Four)!  I endeavour to have it finished by Christmas ......................................  possibly..............given that over ten years ago Dom put in a 'temporary' kitchen I can wait a while.  Phase Five will be product placement, sponsorship and photographs!

Here are some preliminary images:



And 'my' builders who have been coming here for years - this may have something to do with the homemade rice puddings and steamed treacle sponge.  I love my builders and I know a great deal about their lives (just like the Gas Men), trips to New York to listen to Woody Allen, accidentally chopping down Albert Finney's rose.... a long story which I asked to be repeated the other day as it makes me laugh so much.  People have very interesting lives.


CSI !


Letting the light come in



PPPS: In between we have been on our annual camp where 45-50 families go camping in The New Forest.  This year the theme was 'Heroes' and it was clear that  lateral thinking had gone into some of the outfits. Our friend Claudia is always able to produce the most splendid original outfit (her mum once supply original costumes to the BBC for one of their drama productions): this year she chose to be  a Suffragette, though the beautiful  Edwardian jacket was too small even for her.


AS I HAVE PRESSED PUBLISH AGAIN I WILL ADD IN THE EXTRA BITS LATER - WE ARE OFF TO LONDON NOW FOR THE REST OF THE WEEKEND AND THEN I AM WORKING IN MILTON KEYNES.  THRILLING STUFF

Turned out that there were five Suffragettes in total.




 Some we were not too sure who they were but when Father Christmas loomed on to the horizon on the hottest, longest day of the year everything clicked into place! Mad dogs and Englishmen.....



PPPPPS: It is my intent to have a 'giveaway' soon : is there any appetite for this sort of thing nowadays?  If so I will strive to create one or two  'somethings' within the next few weeks.  Given my low batting average of one or two posts per month it may be a little while...sorry!  I promise that there will be no 'guess the colour' this time round or 'my first is in custard but not in milk' type of question....it will be simplified....sort of.


Finally PS: Welcome to new followers - if you can make any sense of all of this I will be amazed!



It's only words......and words are all I have............

89 comments:

  1. I love your fly-past photos. I was present at the Red Bull Air Show in Budapest in 2005 - but with my new camera I only managed to take lots of pictures of clear blue sky just vacated by the planes!
    The bag is too delicious for words. The skill in creating an ellipsoidal base, plus piping the edges leaves me ...what is the opposite of 'loquacious'? [dumbstruck?]
    Re Mrs Fusspottle - were we thinking 'Up the Wooden Hill to Bedfordshire'? - anothe rof Nana's pet expressions.
    I was fascinated as a child by the huge bottle of Milk of Magnesia in Nana's bathroom - the blue glass was so exciting [in our teetotal family, coloured glass was a rarity - not even brown beer bottles or green wine bottles]
    My Dearly Beloved has started to worry lately that I have concealed my true age from him, and that actually I was alive and kicking during WW2, because I seem so au fait with this period in our history. Hoping all your kitchen work proceeds with less stress than Jennifer Aldridge is experiencing in Ambridge.
    summer blessings xx

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    1. Dear Angela
      I trust that you have had a lovely time away (Austria was it?). Thank you kindly for your kind words and I can identify with living in the 1940s - perhaps it was because of my parents nostalgia (that war time camaraderie perhaps)
      Have a lovely summer
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  2. Well I persevered and got to the end LOL! Wonderful bucket (I mean bag) - did anyone ever comment while you were out and about? Santa in June hmmmm I'm not ready yet. Lovely remarks on your greatness from your students....Anyway, as usual I will go back and read a second time and do your story telling justice. Cheers, Jewels and Mr. Darcy....(p.s. your builders look quite "slurpie" to me i.e. you make the "slurp" noise when you see a nice lookin fella) :)

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    1. A medal for getting to the end of that post my dear! I hope that all is well your side of the ocean and that you are having a lovely summer
      Best wishes to you and Mr Darcy
      Jenny

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  3. Oh wow I absolutely love that bag,
    Julie xxxxxxx

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  4. Your BAG is breathtakingly beautiful. After catching my breath, I wept a bit for added emphasis. Forget the shops. It belongs in the V&A.

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    1. Oh my! I trust that you have fully recovered my dear!
      Many thanks for your kind words - V&A negotiations now commenced......
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  5. You are one of the most delightful, bonkers women in Blogland! I think you're fab, and I love, love, love your stand alone bag, your delightful apron and I'd have love to see you on your journey to pay homage to the service men (bless them). Brilliant post my dear.....and oooh your kitchen, can't wait to see more! :) x

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    1. Shall we be bonkers together my dear? Bless you for your kind words Ada Bea - I hope that all is well with you and yours and that are having a delicious summer
      Take good care
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  6. It's a beautiful Saturday morning in New York City. I have a weekend home delivery subscription to The New York Times, and was really looking forward to reading some of today's paper before I had to head downtown to work. Yes, I am working this beautiful weekend.

    The paper was not delivered in time for my ham and eggs and juice and coffee breakfast. The paper still has not been delivered as a recorded telephone message promised a couple of hours ago.

    Irritation was clouding my no longer early morning.

    And then...I switched on the laptop and found this glorious post from you. Wow! Your embroidered bag is such a treasure. Every single bit of the design and execution fit together perfectly. Yes, it could easily become part of the V&A collection.

    I have so enjoyed reading every single word of this post, and found the mix of the photographs quite complementary to your prose.

    My earlier irritation has flown away somewhere, replaced by images of what imagination, talent and daring can accomplish.

    Many thanks. xo

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    1. Hello Frances
      How lovely that you painted a picture of your morning in New York and thank you so much for your kind words about my bag. Your are very generous
      Have a lovely day and I hope that you are having a lovely summer
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  7. Darling Jenny,

    Now we know why we love you and why, we suspect, you had so many devoted students. You are a 'one off', uniquely you, definitely different, a woman out of her own mind, an independent thinker, baker and bag maker, a lover of life, a thrifty, nifty needle woman and all round good egg. Indeed, how many ways are there to extol your virtues? We shall try to find them!

    This post is a triumph, fully worthy of a D Day celebration in itself. The bag is truly wonderful. We want it and we want it now. As you are fully aware, we live for the most part in the 1940s, that is when we are not living in the 1890s and so the bag is essential to our daily lives. Of course, we should not sully it with shopping. It would be purely decorative, carrying only a crimson Chanel lipstick, a point and shoot camera (what self respecting blogger can go anywhere without his/her camera?) and a silk handkerchief monogrammed H (share and share alike). The embroidery work is so intricately beautiful and the choice of fabrics charming. With this bag we could go places.....and go we would!

    As you also know we are never to be found in a kitchen but, darling Jenny, your builder men look divine. Now, that would be worth venturing near the cooker. We need a little DIY carrying out here in Budapest, do they travel?

    Happy, happy weekend!

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    1. My dear Hattatts
      I am awash with your kind words and lifted with your comments. My virtues are fully extolled!!
      Thank you for providing me with a more rounded image of your good selves : replete with your crimson Chanel and suitably monogrammed hanky. I will have to consider a Budapestian fabric to make something....mmmmm......this may take me some time....
      Thank you for calling and I hope that you are enjoying a lovely summer
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  8. Me oh my, I've been reading for a long while, follower for a shorter while, and now I'm finally commenting...the bag has boosted my fingers to the keypad to type - it is stupendous! Marvellous! Gorgeous! The piping is sublime and adds that little extra something...'oomph'...I love love love it! You must have looked rather incredible with your apron and bag, I'm sure granddaughter Churchill was as much in awe as you! Chrissie x

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    1. Hello Chrissie
      Lovely to see you here and thank you for your kind words. I feel that there might be more piping in the pipe line now!
      Keep in touch
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  9. Dear Jenny, how much I love your posts!
    I don't mind how often you post but please keep them coming!!

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    1. Dawwww - thank you dear Gill very kind of you to say so
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  10. Gorgeous bag, such a great shape. Well worth all the huffing and puffing involved in making it I think.

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    1. Hello Kate-Em - on reflection is was worth the huff and puff and now that I have done it once it should (in theory)) be easier next time....
      Best wishes
      Jenn

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  11. Oh Jenny, thank heavens for your blog posts - they brighten up my day! Bag is divine darling - you are clever, and hobnobbing with the famous too! Giveaways still a - okay with me (I might be the only entrant) - wouldn't that be great?! Thanks for stopping by my blog too, lovely to see you there. Must away, I talk as much as you....! X

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  12. Oh fiddle faddle, ive just typed the longest comment ever and its not sent!!! Will condense this one: bag gorgeous darling, giveaway a big yay, thanks for dropping by my blog - lovely to see you. Better dash & see if this one sends. Wish me luck!!! X

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    1. Dear Ginny T
      Thank you for double comments! I will fashion a giveaway for post-summer and pre-winter!.
      I hope that you are having a lovely summer
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  13. Oh dash it all - now it's sent it twice!!!!!! X

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  14. I love the bucket bag! such a good use of beautiful embroidery. It really is unique, I can imagine bunches of flowers being carried it, like a flower seller! nice to see the red arrows too. What I want to know is did you climb back in the car headfirst?! X

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    1. Dear Heather - I like that idea of a flower bag (in all senses). I climbed in the car sideways (in truth this was in part because I was just recovering from a displaced disc so I was trying to avoid certain positions!

      thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  15. Oh I just love love your bucket bag!! It's so pretty and the attention to detail is just lovely!! :) Your ice cream in your pretty mini bucket looks yummy and refreshing!! Happy weekend to you!! :) xo Holly

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    1. Thank you so much Holly - sorry for the delay in replying and I hope that the summer is going well for you and yours
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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    2. Hello dear Holly
      Thank you for your kind words. I hope that you are having a lovely summer
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  16. Your little purse is beautiful! I think you should be selling those. I love reading your posts. You are such a good story teller and I always enjoy visiting you.

    xo Danielle

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    1. Awwww - thank you so much Danielle
      I hope that all is well on your side of the ocean
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  17. Jenny your bucket bag is fab - your stash must be huge! Love the pinny, all that neat embroidery, it beggars belief...still, they didn't have telly in 'them days'. The red arrows pictures are amazing. :) x

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    1. Hello again Barbara
      Sorry for the delay in replying to your kind words. I have a bit too much fabric perhaps.....
      Hope that you are having a lovely summer
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  18. I love everything you make but that bag is something special. Your posts always bring a smile to my face.
    Jacqui xx

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    1. Thank you so much Jacqui
      I hope that you are having a lovely summer
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  19. Absolutely beautiful. You've made me itch to stitch!!!!!

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  20. As always delighted and amused by your posts x

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    1. Hello Jille and thank you for your kind words
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  21. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  22. i misread the theme of your camping trip as "herpes" and while it seemed a little weird, perfectly in keeping somehow and not that odd ....... i must wear my glasses more

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  23. Replies
    1. Blushing accordingly for a whole range of reasons..................

      Many thanks Elaine
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  24. i cannot believe that you still do not have an overlocker - after all your subtle hints!!!! i love everything but particularly the bag!! you have brightened my day thank you x

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    1. You would think wouldn't you. I am hoping that some Overlocker Magnate is reading this!
      Thank you so much for calling in Lynne and sorry for the delay in replying
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  25. A very fine bag, I love the colours and patterns you have used. I'm all for loquaciousness, keep doing what you do. Fiona x

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    1. Hello Fiona
      Thank you so much for your kind words and for calling in
      I hope that you are having an especially summery summer
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  26. Loquacious. Couldn't even spell it :)

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  27. Oh God Jenny I LOVE you to pieces!
    I'm adopting you into my family...sorry bout that, no official duties are required and no legalities will be filed but you are from no onwards a part of my quite bonkers family.
    I cried at your story of parking as I have spent many a time squeezing my ample parts from various vehicles whilst still rambling a long forgotten (and in my case rarely interesting) story.
    Nicky
    x

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    1. Dear Nicky - your comment made me chuckle. I hope that by now you have picked up my adoption papers. NO FINANCIAL GAIN TO BE HAD - I have got my solicitor to double check the small print..................

      I HATE parking and will drive for miles rather than try and park in a small space

      I hope that you are having a fantastic summer
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  28. Right.....hopefully blogger will play nice and I can actually publish this comment......as I was saying.......I came over all faint like when you mentioned my name in print.....ohhhhh quite had the vapours. I get my use of words from the manic act of reading, and I mean reading anything and everything, if there is no magazine in the loo, hello my friend shampoo bottle! So I looked up the strict definition of that thing I suggested you were and had to laugh because the literary example given here would actually describe me. Just call me Hetty. Talkative or chatty, especially of persons given to excess conversation.
    1841, James Fenimore Cooper, The Deerslayer, ch. 8:
    On the other hand, Hetty was moody and silent. She was never loquacious, or if she occasionally became communicative, it was under the influence of some temporary excitement that served to arouse her unsophisticated mind; but, for hours at a time, in the course of this all-important day, she seemed to have absolutely lost the use of her tongue.

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    1. Dear Hetty
      Glad that I had such an impact !!!!! Now I was going to photograph my wonderful copy of The Deerslayer (which is one of a series I have that can be seen here http://thecustards.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/a-dangerously-anoraky-post-font-focus.html

      I can identify with that temporary excitement!
      Thank you for calling
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  29. Your (bucket) bag is such a fabulous shape - it must have been tortuous to get together me thinks. The Red Arrows shots are cracking - you could well flog those I'm sure - so professional! The suffragette swigging out of a bottle tickled me as did your prose. Such a funny blog!
    www.thequietstitcher.com

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    1. Dear Jacky
      Thank you for calling in and for your kind words - I think that now I have made the pattern the bag making should be easier.....famous last words.....
      I hope that you are having a lovely summer
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  30. I agree those Red Arrow shots are on the money!! Even a star burst! Lovely embroidery, good looking men working, a quick nose in your home and some education to boot! Fab! Cx

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    1. Hello Cass
      Thank you as always for calling in
      I have taken some rose cutting again and so far they seem to be ok!
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  31. Dearest Jenny, You should have your own delightful reality TV show - that's what I felt like reading this post - delightfully transported into a maelstrom of colors and fun and hip-hip-hurrah!! Let loquaciousness reign supreme. Your bag is just the shape of a crinoline lady's flower vase, of course!! What a fabulous piece of work it is. I need to put my sleepless hours to better use ;) Best wishes on the reno!!!!!! Hugs with aloha, Ann

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    1. My dear Ann
      I hadn't thought of that shape of the bag - of course that must have been my inspiration. Thank you for your exceptionally kind words - maybe this is one that could be made from Hawaiian fabric....
      I hope that you are having a lovely summer
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  32. I'm left reeling slightly after reading your post, but in the best possible way. You are so funny! And you love the English language and use it with joy, relish and abandon and that is to be celebrated. I need to say Ruddy Hell a lot more. My parents have some excellent phrases: "Hell's bells" being a favourite of my mum's and "Golly" or sometimes even "Golly Moses" from my Dad. No idea what that means but I think there is room for all of these in my daily chatter.

    Your bag is spectacular, as is the purse and apron. Your coin purse reminded me of the one I won in your giveaway about a year ago, which I adore and use often. And your photos of the Red Arrows were a triumph! x

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    1. Dear Gillian
      Glad that you too indulge in a bit of English! These phrases all help to make us what we are I think
      Thank you for your kind words
      Enjoy your summer with your family
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  33. I too LOVE your blog. Please don't change a thing!

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  34. It is gorgeous. Bag / bucket and blog.

    Nina x

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    1. Thank you kindly Nina
      I hope that you are having a delicious summer
      Thank you for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  35. Oh Jenny, I think you need have no worries about how your blog "reads"... it is a thing of wonder, as is the embroidered bag. I take it the embroidery is a vintage one, rather than one you have done yourself? It is wonderful either way.
    Having become recently self-conscious about overusing the word "lovely" I appear to have swapped it for "wonderful", so I'll just say that I find your posts both wonderful and lovely.
    And I am really glad that your builders are nice as well as good looking, I yearn to find builders that are both competent and polite - good-looking would be the icing on the cake. I had two rather good-looking garden men round the other night to quote for rebuilding our crumbling patio but as they were also hideously expensive I don't think I will be gazing upon them again.

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    1. Hello my dear and thank you for calling in. The embroidery is an old one....I have a few....oh my....
      Your blog is also wonderful and lovely (too very good words I think!)
      Ah yes - the right builders at the right price...that can be tricky
      I hope that you are having a lovely summer
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  36. By the way, I forgot to mention - I read the introductory message at the top of your home page as "Welcome to the Custardsphere" - love it, a perfect description!

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    1. Now that sounds like a good idea!
      xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  37. For some reason I couldn't see the first picture, so scrolled frantically down ... what a beautiful bag! Love, love, love it! Homemade ... what's wrong with looking like homemade when homemade is as fantabulous as this? Great blog post, really enjoyed reading about your exploits and gorgeous pics as always Jenny! (Love the pinny too ... ice cream looks lush ... and a Giveaway! Always most welcome xx

    Thanks for your lovely comments the other day, there is a story about my dress on my blog about 2 years ago, this is the link thriftwood114.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/darling-happy-anniversary.html but I'm being a technophobe today so think you'll have to cut and paste it! xx

    Have a wonderful day, and sorry I'm late reading this, have been very absent lately!

    Love Claire xxx

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    1. Hello Dear Claire
      Thank you so much for your generous words - I will do a giveaway after the summer now I think.

      I shall catch up with your dress adventure
      Have a lovely day
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  38. Hi Jenny,

    What a post! You had me LOL, staring at that amazing bag of yours in awe and looking at that, you say, lucky shot of in which the aeroplane and all the colours feature.

    You are a really talented lady! I don't follow your blog long enough to know what you teach, but if you teach textiles, I would love to be in one of your classes. Wish I could embroider like you!

    And that amazing bag of yours........if the hight street doesn't pick up on this, I don't understand a fig of it :-)

    Hope my English is correct. If not, please forgive me :-)

    Wishing you a Happy evening!

    Madelief x

    Love your living room bye the way.....the light, the space, the windows........Beautiful!

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    1. Hello again and thank you so much for your kind words. I now teach student nurses mainly - so anatomy and physiology, health promotion and so on! Not a great deal to do with textiles sadly.

      That stretch of coast is lovely isn't it - lots of pretty villages along the way too. Come back again soon - especially as the weather is nice for a change!

      Thank you again for calling in
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  39. Dear Jenny what a BEAUTIFUL bag,the handles are quite long I feared you may get them caught in your wheels as you tra la laahed along!! I hope you realise I have had to alter my sitting room to place a bookcase containing my dictionary to look up the long words you are so fond of! I was a lowly secondry mod girl (But I was in the top stream and was told by our lovely drama teacher that we were the crème de la crème,and I believed her and have never been popular since!!) I do hope you have a jolly good time at camp what larks you will have.(Envious sigh!!) Thankyou for popping across,I had a fab holiday plenty of rest,reading and glorious sunshine.Ttfn Pam.(P.S are you sure you are not related to the author of the Womans Own article?It very much sounded like you!!)

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    1. Dear Pam
      Thank you for your generous words - handles not too long (I always put them against me for size before I attach!).
      I cannot believe how long the sunny weather has lasted - makes such a change
      Do you know when I read that article I thought the 'voice' sounded familiar - a kindred spirit from times past perhaps

      Have a lovely summer Pam
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  40. Your post is a wonderful read! The bag is superb,and the piping is perfection. Being very nosey, i can't wait to see your kitchen-if you will show us when it's done-pleeease. Lucky you were not saying anything silly when Churchills grandaughter was behind you.Years ago we visited a stately home, and we were discussing a painting of a man-who must be the owner, and a lady- who must be the daughter.We met them in the house, and they were actually husband and wife-Ooops.

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  41. A stonking bag! and another wonderful read (that I know I have to sit down and not be disturbed for some time to read). Think everybody is is out enjoying the weather, posting and reading is on hold for most of us till later in the year. I do love your posts so much, it's like receiving a letter (remember those) from an old friend, enjoy the weather. xx

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    1. Dear the woolly dog
      Thank you sooooo very much for your kind comments. The weather has been the nicest it has been for donkey's I think - no wonder we are all out playing!
      Enjoy the rest of the summer
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  42. Hi Jenny,

    I wanted to say thank you for your kind comment on my blog! Hope you had a good time today in Lewes. We drove through it on our way to Brighton. It looked like a lovely town. We visited many years ago, but I believe at that time we did not get further than the high street :-) The girls being tired!

    Wishing you a lovely summer!

    Madelief

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    1. Dear Madelief
      Lovely to hear from you again and I do hope that your summer is a wonder too
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  43. Dear Jenny, it is another sunny morning and reading your post has made me even happier. The bag is a thing of beauty and although I cannot sew, I am now tempted to make a small cushion... that would be a life-shaking project for me!
    I'm glad you love words too. Somebody once snarked at me for using 'clever' words and asked me why I do it. I didn't have a reply then but the answer is, of course, they say EXACTLY what I'm trying to explain!
    Have a happy summer, Jane xx

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    1. My dear Jane
      Thank you so much for calling in and I look forward to seeing your cushion - I am sure that it will be wonderful

      Keep up with the words!!!
      Have a lovely weekend
      Best wishes
      Jenny

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  44. Jenny your bag is adorable and if I ever see a woman (of a certain type) with a bag like that i will rush up and hug her you have been warned...!
    d.
    ps your builders are quite handsome!
    PPS I am now in need of a cup od something my blog reading eyes are full to the brim with wonder and ideas after reading this.
    PPPS Seriously you are special....! x

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  45. Thank you for tears of laughter. Going thru a time of grief, so very much needed.

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