Drawing the Layers at Your Window

I make curtains. I enjoy making curtains and am familiar with various headings, linings and encourage, wherever possible, the adding of a layer of interlining for extra insulation.

At local events I take examples of the various interlinings with me and demonstrate how curtains are made. I also have a presentation I give with further information if invited.

Here is some of the information from my presentation:

A building loses heat through its windows and doors
Heating a building costs money – which we have to manage carefully.
In the UK one third of our greenhouse gas emissions comes from the heating of our buildings.
Trapping air between layers creates a natural insulator. We do it every day in what we wear.
A small investment now can have a long term effect on your finances and the environment.

We needed new curtains for one of our bedroom windows. With the above in mind I replaced these lightly lined voile curtains with some new interlined curtains.

Although I am not now woken by the first light of the new day I have noticed how much warmer the room feels. And they look great.

Love for the Natural World

I write this on St Valentine’s Day. This year it has fallen on Ash Wednesday.

Last night I used some of the eggs I wrote about in my blog earlier in the week to make pancakes. They were very tasty – thank you to the BBC Good Food website for the recipe.

Here is one I made earlier …

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This morning I helped plant three apple trees in a public space in our community. The saplings are called Cornish Aromatic, Cornish Mother and Sweet Lark. I also learnt that you have to plant them in a “square” hole rather than a round one. With a square hole the roots spread out. In a round hole the roots wrap around and create a root-ball.

Having been married for many years to the same man – Ian, we decided against exchanging cards this year.

So I had an idea to send a message of love in a different way.

We have a lovely Camellia in the garden which produces an abundance of flowers at this time of year. Sadly many of the flowers fall to the ground far too quickly. I collected up some of the beautiful waxy fallen flowers and made a “heart” on the grass in the garden.

Love to Ian on St Valentines Day and love for our natural world too.

The Humble Hen’s Egg

How often do you buy eggs? Perhaps you open the box in the supermarket and glance over them before buying to make sure that none are cracked or broken.

Once home are they put into the fridge, left in the egg box or placed into another container until needed?

Do you ever really look at them again?

With a break in the weather I managed to get out on my bicycle the other day. I delighted in the early signs of spring – the daffodils, snowdrops, bird song and some sunshine.

On one of my regular routes is a small holding with a variety of hens. By the gate is a wooded box where you can purchase eggs – if you are lucky enough to get there at the right time and before anyone else. At this time of year when the hens are not at their most productive I didn’t expect to find any filled boxes. But to my utter delight there was one and a half dozen.

I have a carrier on the back of my bike and in that a small purse with some change for such occasions. I purchased one dozen, put them carefully into the carrier and continued on my wonderful cycle ride that morning. Being mindful to avoid any bumps in the road!

When I got home I delighted in the wonderful array of colours in these eggs. Someone had also written the date of collection carefully on the shell in pencil.

The humble hen’s egg. Each one so perfect. And for which I was so grateful to receive that morning.

Textile Repairs

I am preparing to go to the village market on Saturday with my sewing machine, threads, buttons and a collection of fabric pieces.

Originally I attended several markets taking along the things I make. Sales have been slow and the return for the effort has been very limited at times.

I do like to support where I can though. On one occasion last year I decided to take my sewing machine with me and do my own sewing.

Some of the visitors stopped by to ask me if I could repair or sew something for them. Some told me that they could not sew a button on.

So I now go along as a “textile repairer”.

I have put patches on and repaired rips in beloved shorts, trousers, coats and t-shirts.

I keep prices fair and whilst I do the repair the customer has time to look around the market. They can have a cup of tea or a bowl of soup, engage in conversation and enjoy time away from home in a warm space with a friendly welcome.

My customers are delighted with their repairs and I love solving these problems and ensuring the items continue to be used and loved. And I hope they tell their friends and neighbours.

A drawing for social media to promote what I do at the forthcoming market.