Bookworm Sweater completed

Doesn't it look gorgeous? Pulled a late one last night getting the knitting done, then did the making up this morning, aided and abetted by the model himself. I'm really pleased with how the Bookworm Sweater has turned out, but I've still not scratched the knitting itch in me- must be the weather or something. Having to be a bit disciplined though as the wedding is two weeks today (!!) and there is still the small matter of some felt cubes to be made for the youngest guests' goody bags. I've cut all the squares out, so I'm going to do one a day for the next week or so, then indulge the clickety-click.
Decided to work on the 'Supernaturals' tea cosies next, which meant turning the hank of Cornish Organic wool into a ball to knit from. As I don't own one of those fancy oojamaflips to do this job, I tend to get in a bit of a tangle. This time I ended up winding the ball in the dark, sitting up with the boy who was teething, poor love. Remarkably, no tangles! He's asleep now, my felt cube for the day is sewn and stuffed and I'm casting on...

Wedding preparations

Today is a hymn of praise to what mums can do, serendipity and all things handmade. As I've mentioned in previous posts, a very important wedding is coming up in (eek!) only a couple of weeks now. I'm an honoured daughter-in-law indeed to be involved in lots of different ways including making treats for the children (see crowns in previous post), playing the flute for the entrance of the bride (gulp!) and reading.
So obviously my outfit is pretty important, but I always find it really hard, not least on a limited budget, to find anything I really like to wear. So I decided, like I did with my own wedding, that making my own was the way to go. I realise that sounds slightly like I made it all myself, which would be slightly innaccurate, but suffice to say I found a fab 50's dress pattern free with a copy of 'Sew' magazine and rang my mum to ask if I could stay with her for a couple of days of free babysitting/dressmaking consultancy. Mum being mum she said yes of course, so I got some samples of fabric from MacCulloch & Wallis, whose online service I can heartily recommend, and, having previously decided on gunmetal grey or sage green, ended up buying a scary amount of dupion silk in green shot with RED! It looks wonderful and is perfect for the autumn feel of the wedding (I know, I've been privy to fabric samples and flower plans from the bride herself!).
So two days of sewing later (sewing on my part mainly consisting of stitching the neck ruffle you can see detailed here- my idea for an addition, therefore my stabbed fingers achieving it!) and the dress was ready, fitted to my exact requirements and the one and only in the world.
I needed something on my shoulders so I made a shrug from Fitted Knits using Rowan Kid Classic, which makes beautifully soft garments with that lovely fluffy haze that works well on retro designs.
The serendipity came with a text message from my mother in law asking for my shoe size. Turns out we are the same size, and also that she had bought some shoes to wear for the wedding but had changed her mind. The colour and retro styling just happened to be perfect to go with the dress so would I like them? Well now I have a policy never to look any horses in the mouth, least of all gift horses...
And to (literally) top it off? Only a cocktail hat would do- not least because playing the flute in a lampshade would just look weird. Folksy came good, with the simply marvellous Tallulah Blue. Despite having to struggle with dodgy internet connections and being on holiday, she agreed to making a customised version of one of her fabulous designs, using my dress fabric and at an incredibly reasonable price. The detail is great, down to the leopard print lining and the sequined jewel buried in the rose. My photography really doesn't do it justice but do go and check out her shop and/or blog.
There's something wonderful about knowing that you're wearing something where care (and not sweatshop labour) has gone into every stitch. I can't wait for the wedding day now!

Patience rewarded...

Just back from a lovely overnight at the farm. P was determined to help move the grass clippings! This morning we accompanied the bride-to-be to a flower wholesaler to look at all the fabulous blooms that will decorate the country church, candlesticks etc. Even without any sign of Eliza Doolittle, it was like sweetie shop only less fattening. Makes floristry tempting, until you remember how cold you'd get, lugging buckets of flowers around...
Sitting in front of the open fire and inexplicably hooked on watching Steve Martin in 'The Lonely Guy' last night I managed to finally get the mini fairisle vest finished, even weaving all the ends in. As a bit of sewing effort also finished the crowns at the weekend, it meant that I was able to give in to temptation and start on the new jumper for the boy. Pic doesn't do it justice, the tweed effect of the wool looks lovely and the blue/green colour changes in different lights.
Would love to hear what people think of the crowns- I have to admit to the acorns being my favourite...

Soup!

Hooray! Finally managed to achieve pictures on the blog. Okay, so an interesting first choice maybe, but this Soule Mama Soup is yummy and will hopefully fuel another walk tomorrow, this time at Blea Tarn. P and I are entertaining our new pals from up the road for lunch before we set out for a buggy run. He decided to help with the cooking...
Fingers crossed the weather will be reasonably kind and the footpaths less overgrown than the one we took to Furness Abbey the other day- machetes would have been useful!
As for the last picture- well it's a bit of a teaser, as it could be part of the 'To-Do list' post I'm working on, or even the 'Wedding Preparations' one I have in mind. Suffice to say it's harvest-y and autumnal and much as I'm a knit-nut at heart I am enjoying the calming rhythm of hand stitching. I've learned that doing a decent job with sewing means s-l-o-w-i-n-g down and working methodically, which is definitely good for me and my usual whirlwind ways.