Swap and stuff

Hi there, I feel like I have been busy doing not alot! Everything is ticking along but I dont have any finished projects as such. But the most exciting news is from the sewing swap. I am a super lucky girl who has a swap partner and new friend to be Vicki. who blogs over at Vicki Kate s Makes. I love Vickis style and she has even made a Colette Sencha, which is high on my to do list, we also have little boys called Arthur! I am really looking forward to putting a parcel of goodies to Vicki.

I have also become totally addicted to pinterest, one of my growing boards of inspiration is hand made summer clothes, feel free to follow and have a nosey round, it would be great to build up some more friends. Make your own summer board.

Lets hope I have something to show you all soon. 

A mixed bag.

This week has all been a bit different, out of the normal routine as poor Arthur has chicken pox, so days off work. It has felt like the good old days of stay at home mummy. I have cooked, and baked mainly from my favorite new book Honestly Healthy. I have been in the garden planting seeds but most exciting is that I have picked a pattern and fabric to start a summer top, and dress!

Arthur had time to help with the cooking.

Poor chicken pox boy fell asleep on the floor.
 

Spelt base pizza, topping of beetroot, garlic ans feta. Also courgette, lemon, and feta.And a traditional ham and sweetcorn.
 

The summer top pattern.
 

And the summer top fabric.
 

It has been lovely pottering at home, I don't want to return to work! I hope you have all been enjoying your week too. x

This is my favourite book of the moment!

Honestly Healthy: Eat with Your Body in Mind, the Alkaline Way by Natasha Corrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book ROCKS!!!! I totally love it. It is clean and fresh for the eyes and the palette. All the information is simple and thought around real people that can slowing make positive changes to their diet without the crash and burn 'I can't keep this up' kind of mentality. The recipes to have a few weird and wholefood shop only ingredients but I think that is good as we should be supporting these shops, any way that's a different subject all together. Recipes, they are colorful and inspiring. Just buy it, make stuff from it, feel good. ;)

View all my reviews

the secret keeper, book review

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was so looking forward to this book having read all of Kate Morton's previous books. Sadly I really didn't get on with the main character Dolly, I just hated her! I also found the book to really lack momentum and I found it difficult to continue past half way. I did persevere and to my delight everything comes together, I also felt I had made a journey getting there along with the character in the book.

View all my reviews

The Spring Sewing Swap.

Oh it's been a while since I've joined in any fun and this just seems perfect to inspire a little more sewing. Kerry from Kestrel Makes is hosting a spring time sewing swap and count me in, and you could join in too. Pop over to Kestrel makes to see the finer details.

A Little Sewing

I have great pleasure to inform you that I Charlotte Pb has ventured back to the world of dressmaking. It has been over six months since I have last made myself anything, taking the pressure away and treating myself to some shop bought clothes really help my busy times. Although I have actually missed my crafting/ hobby times, so with a week off work I indulged myself, just a little.

Firstly I have to say I was going to enter this into Faye's essential top sew along, I even finished it in time BUT I lost the lead to my camera and had to order a new one. So the sew along has been and gone and it was tremendous with over a hundred participants, so well done Faye!

My little effort as you know I don't tend to push the boundaries of effort was an easy top, taken form this lovely book.

This book is a real gem, so may other have noted that often this style of book comes with limited sizing. I used small pattern and I am generally a size 14.  The garments in this book really lend themselves to English weather, lots of layering of clothes to suit ant season. I chose a basic top, but I am also eyeing up the drawstring trousers and a a cute dress.
 

I was true to form very easy to make up, and I am enjoying the way it hangs, I don't like anything too tight around my middle! It does have an essence of a smock, due to the lack of darts, but with home made binding a cute sleeves I think this is a wearable little number. Note to self though, is to improve with the binding around the neck, I had give it a little pleat as it gaped. I'm sure there are better ways to deal with this.
 

The fabric is thrift from a duvet cover bought from a boot fair last summer. I just long for a bit of warmth to wear it now.

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