Packing Henry's Bags.

Henry and I laid all his clothes and gear for his holiday today out ready to pack into his suitcase.

Goodness Henry do you REALLY need all that?

I think we can leave the denim coat behind now you have your gilet and a raincoat.  I'm sure you will be warm enough, it is summer there after all, even if it is coming towards the end of it.

I hope it will all fit and not exceed the weight allowance!

Yes lovely fit.

I hope you will be able to carry the case Henry as I will have my own to attend to!

You can?  That is good.  I see you also have you backpack over your shoulder.  Don't forget your sunglasses are sitting on the suitcase!  Oh and have you got your passport?

Yes it is already in your backpack is it?  That is good.

Bon Voyage everyone, we will write about all our adventures upon our return.  

We leave Wednesday and return Friday 23rd March.

I think Henry has pretty much everything now...just a couple of little items to sort out, but that should be it.

Looking forward to catching up with everyone upon our return.

A Raincoat...the last of the sewing for a while...

The last of the sewing was finished yesterday...I now have three days left in which to organise myself!

Henry is wearing his new raincoat...I don't think you need your cap and sunglasses on as well Henry!

You'll take your cap off?

But not the sunglasses?  Well okay!

What's this, bare feet?  Oh you're getting in practice for when you are on the beach...

I wonder if Henry will ever take his 'shades' off?  Even my husband remarked last night that surely Henry didn't need his sunglasses on inside in the evening!

Surfer Dude Beach Bag

Yeah, a beach bag!

Oh Henry, please look at the camera...

Oh, okay, is this better?

Yes much better!

Oh I do like to be beside the Seaside

Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside

I do like to be beside the sea!

Henry received another parcel in the post today from the lovely Julie in America.  She has sent him the most delightful beach towel with whales on it.

Isn't it fabulous?

Well Henry couldn't wait to show you the card...he has dashed off with the towel in his hands, not sure what he is up to...but I can hear some singing going on.

Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside

I do like to be beside the sea!

In the meantime I will show you the lovely little card he received.  I am sure he would have shown you, but as I say he seems to be distracted at the moment.

Isn't that so cute?  Beautifully handmade.

A lovely note to Henry written inside.  Yes he has read it Julie, he read the little card first!

Isn't that sweet?

Now I wonder what Henry is up to?  I heard him dash down to the sewing studio and rummage in the toy box...

Well looks like Henry just can't wait!  

He has his wonderful ball given to him by Dee and the kids at Sasha Village and has found the bucket and spade set that I bought for the Sasha children sometime last year.

 I have noticed one thing that Henry has forgotten though...actually two, but he just isn't wearing it - that's it his hat...but what is the other thing he has forgotten that isn't in the picture?  Can you guess?

Besides his hat which we know about...and I have let him off for that today as after all he is inside in the middle of winter with the sun shining through the patio doors so he should be okay.  I have stressed to him the importance of wearing it though when we get to New Zealand.

If you think you know what is missing, do comment  or email and let Henry know what he still needs to get for his holiday.  The first person to get it correct will receive a special gift from Henry which he will get while he is away on holiday...so there will be a little wait, but please do be patient!

Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside

I do like to be beside the sea!

Mr Cool Dude

Do you remember Henry feeling sad the other week?

When I broke his brand new sun glassses?

Well after much trawling through evilbay...and having to purchase a bundle of glasses...all for one special pair...

Henry is now cheering for joy!

Not only the sun glasses, but Henry was delighted by the arrival of the wonderful red gilet made by Judith of Dolly Doodles that I had ordered for him.  (He really does get rather spoiled...I spend more on his clothes that I do mine!)

Are these 'cool' enough for you Henry?  

(oops, looks like I need to show Henry how to clean the dust of his glasses!)

Look what has arrived for Henry!

What's this Henry?  You seem happier today.  Has something arrived in the post for you?

 Goodness me, what have you got there?

Look Mum, it has come all the way from Sasha in Dallas!

I'm going to see if I can open it up...it is lovely and large I should be able to get all my clothes and things in here okay.

That's it Henry, open the clasp.

Oh my goodness what is inside it Henry?

Oh Wow exclaim's Henry!

It is a horse!  Can I keep it Mum?  Please, pretty please?

Of course you can Henry, looks like he is pleased to be out of the suitcase!

I wonder what you are going to call him?

There is only one thing to call him Mum...

Dallas of course!

Look what else I got Mum!  Stickers!!  I love stickers!

I have a very happy Henry playing with Dallas now...so I should be able to get on with a few more chores while he is busy playing.

Thank you dear Brenda & Sasha family for thinking of Henry and sending him this wonderful gift.  I am sure he is going to make very good use of them!

True Upcycling Sewing Commission for Sasha

Despite the fact that I am supposed to be getting organised for my trip to New Zealand by tidying, clearing and sorting etc...I am easily distracted...and when I was asked if would make some clothes for Elsa's Sasha family, I readily agreed.  She wanted some things made with the fabric she had.  Actually it was recycling/upcycling...making use of some clothing and some curtaining that had special memories.

First up is a dress from the curtaining fabric:

Next was a sleeveless dress made from a skirt.

Next a dress made from a blouse:

Next up is a dress made from a very pretty Laura Ashley shirred dress with ties across the shoulders.  I wanted to fully utilise the prettiness of the dress by incorporating the shirring...this is what I came up with.

I am really pleased with this, it is so fine and pretty...I hope Elsa is as well.

Next was slightly challenging as it was a sleeveless top made of viscose with darts in the body.  Elsa wanted a sleeveless dress made from it and although it took some thinking about I believe I have achieved that nicely.

Now that will probably be all the sewing for me for a while now as I really must achieve quite a lot of household chores before I go away.  Six weeks ago I wrote out a schedule to make the work easier for me...did I follow it?  Of course I didn't and now I have last minute panicitis.  It is easy to say leave it...but I know what will happen if I do!  My dear husband will deal with it...and that is a scary thought indeed having experienced his 'tidying' techniques last year while I was away...So needs must.

I'm sure that Henry will pop in though to give some updates... :-)

Have a good week everyone.

Diamonds are Forever

I finished this lovely little 'Diamonds are Forever'  sweater dress last night. (Pattern from Ravelry) Just have the little matching hat to make now.  It is supposed to be for an American Girl Doll (or other 18 inch doll such as Gotz) but using this wool, I was fairly sure it would knit up smaller and be suitable for Sasha.

What do you think?

I think it looks quite cute on her.  Would be great if she had shoes that matched the colour.

It is the first time I have tried anything like this before and I am really pleased with the result.  I can see more of these dresses being made!

Aqua Skirt

Skirt finished to match the cardigan.

Sorry not many words, computer is grinding to a halt and I need to take some time to free up some space!

An aqua cardigan

I sat and knitted yesterday whilst watching three episodes of Call the Midwife.  I did do the ironing first if that counts ;-)  I was making a cardigan for an 18 inch doll, like American Girl or Gotz, but as it turns out the cardigan fitted Sasha much better as can be seen below being modelled by my early 70s brunette, Paula.

It looks a bit bulky under the cardigan as she is wearing her dungarees.

Today I have been slaving in the kitchen, all the work surfaces are clean, clear and tidy, paperwork has been sorted, shredded, recycled and there is a pile for DH to sort through later this evening.  All in all a good day's work.  Now need to head off to physio, but I couldn't go without uploading some Sasha photos.  Hope you have enjoyed looking at the pictures of Paula in her new cardigan.  She is expecting the matching skirt next!  I don't know, these Sasha kids are certainly demanding, although always appreciative...well perhaps apart from Henry's reception of the pink suitcase!