MMM 2016 - Day 14

Usually when I see my friend Fiona, we meet at a point midway between us, and spend a few hours drinking coffee, eating cake and shopping.  Well, to be strictly true, I don't really shop, I just bully her into buying things.  It works for us.

Today, though, I went over to her house, and met up with three of her boys.  It's been a very different kind of Saturday for me - playing games sitting in front of the television frantically pressing buttons on a control.  I took part in my first ever game of FIFA - I was Argentina, but surprisingly they weren't blessed with their usual success.  

I blame this on (a) the fact that as a alleged grown up, I thought it was only fair to let the boys win, and (b) they didn't tell me what all the knobs on the control were for.  

I'll be more prepared next time.

I was also introduced to Minecraft.  Now what's all THAT about?  The blurb says "Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures. Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles"

Mmm....  we seemed to have a large hotel, with ladders instead of lifts, and cows randomly roaming about in reception, chased by a manic farmer dressed in a tuxedo.  Think 'The Archers' meets 'Crossroads' 

By the end of it I felt very confused and a bit dizzy.  Doesn't anyone do Blow Football or Fuzzy Felt anymore? 

Next time I'm taking a supply of knitting needles and yarn - and let's just see how they get on with knitting socks.

Anyway, after a spot of lunch, we took the two youngest, James and George, to the park for their tennis session, followed by a bit of skateboarding.  Obviously by now, I was in my element.  

To give credit where it's due, they were pretty good, 

But not a patch on me - I left them standing .....

But then I was wearing my go-faster Agnes Apples and Pears top, with my skater girl denim cardie.

Tony Hawk, eat your heart out.

MMM 2016 - Day 13

Today I met with friends Gina and Pam for coffee and knitting (please note - NO cake!) 

I wore a dress that was a little bit inspired by a Ted Baker dress I'd liked (and a price tag I didn't)  - previously blogged about HERE

Yes, it's a bit loud maybe, but I still quite like it.

Slightly surreal photo, I've half blended into the background.  Maybe it was the light, or maybe it's because its Friday the 13th?

MMM 2016 - Day 12

Today I've been to Clare in Suffolk to meet up with friends Lynne and Libby for a walk.  Obviously we couldn't start walking until we'd had tea and scones at Clare Antiques, plus a little (vintage) retail therapy.

Libby had printed out a walk, and we set off in brilliant sunshine.
I only wore one Me Made garment today, a Merchant and Mills Camber top in a linen/cotton mix - I've not even thought about making walking trousers!)

I do hope they're not laughing at my photo ......

There were a few wrong turns mainly due to lack of footpath signs, and the fact that some landowners don't want three well behaved "ladees' walking around their fields.

Generally though, it was a lovely walk with a couple of refreshment stops, beautiful views, sunshine and laughter.

And we definitely managed our 10,000 steps today

MMM 2016 - Day 11

I had a trip to the seaside today - Leigh on Sea - to meet my friend Viv.  We met in Belle Fabrics - probably not a wise move as I DEFINITELY didn't need to buy any more fabric.  Oh well, if there's ever a world fabric shortage, I'll be ok for a while.  No doubt the resulting garments will be displayed here over the next few months.

Anyway, today's outfit - a new Me Made this week - a Tilly and the Buttons Coco top, worn with my third pair of SewOverIt Ultimate trousers.  I made them a while ago, with a lots of pattern adjustments, and I'd made them quite straight legged, but when I put them on I couldn't help thinking they looked a bit like, well, 'slacks' to be honest.  So I've slimmed the legs down, adjusted the fit, and they are definitely wearable now.  

I'm beginning to wonder if I'm just not 'trouser-shaped'.

MMM 2016 - Day 10

Ten days in and I've still haven't worn the same thing twice AND I've managed to post every day.
Today I was working at the Creative Sanctuary, and I wore a Camber Set dress made in a cotton/linen fabric with sewing related images. Unfortunately we are out of this fabric now - you have to be quick!  I've had to go back to tights and boots as it was pouring with rain when I walked to work this morning.

Kym took the photos with my her new toy, an attachment that clips to your phone and has various lenses.  This is the wide angle ....

and this is the Fish Eye lens

You'll be glad to know there were no customers in the shop at the time these were taken.
Maybe I scared them away.

MMM 2016 - Day 9

I went over to Ashridge Estate today - the National Trust property near Berkhamsted to meet my friend Lynn for a walk and lunch.
Our walk took us through the bluebells at Dockey Woods which are still looking fantastic

They provided the perfect back ground for today's outfit - a dress from a Prima pattern in stretch cotton.  Not really walking gear, I accept, but it was only a gentle stroll.  

I was attempting a 'Victoria Beckham' pose, but I couldn't stop laughing, which kind of defeats the object.

After our walk, and lunch in the cafe, we went to see the exhibition in the visitors centre.  Its part of a national collaborative exhibition organised by the National Trust and the Embroiderers Guild to celebrate 300 years of Capability Brown.  

Ashridge are exhibiting work by three EG branches - Aylesbury, Hertfordshire, and North Herts and Beds, which is the one I belong to.  

Mine is the one at the far left, here's a close up before it was stretched onto a canvas

I took several photos of Ashridge House at dusk in the winter, and joined them up in Photoshop, then printed them onto cotton fabric. The trees are photographs that I also took in the Estate grounds and printed onto organza.  They were the collaged with hand dyed silk and other recycled fabrics and hand stitched.  If you look carefully, you can see offcuts of fabric from yesterday's top!

If you are interested in Capability Brown/Embroiderers Guild exhibitions near you, you can find a list of participating National Trust properties HERE

MMM 2016 - Day 8

Another sunny day, another lovely walk along the towpath.

Me-Made Merchant and Mills Camber Set top made in Nani Iro double gauze fabric.  This fabric is so beautifully soft, its like stitching a fluffy cloud - and it's fab to wear too.  I'll definitely be buying more of this.  

Oh, hang on.  Yes, as I suspected - I already have.

Still wearing shop-bought jeans, I'm afraid.  I spent several hours yesterday trying to perfect my Ultimate trouser pattern.  I'm not sure if I've made it better or worse.