2020 Fashion on the Ration Challenge

PipneyJane

TwibbleDee said:

Yay for good news!
It's starting to "cool off" here - which means our highs are in the 80s and 90s instead of 90s and 100s (and sometimes 110s!).  The problem is, now the air conditioners can keep up, and everywhere feels freezing to me.  I left my sweater at the office.  Apparently it's time to have a sweater I keep in the car again.

You’re bring back memories.  Southern Queensland in the middle of summer, when we sought refuge from the heat in a cinema.  (I think the movie was Monsters Inc.). It was about 110F with 90+% humidity, so intolerable outside.  I went from OK in the car, to “Oh God get me out of this!” in the car park to “OMG!  I’m freezing” once we got inside the cinema.

- Pip

Laura_Elsewhere

PipneyJane said:

My task for tomorrow is to put a script together so that we can record a message for her.

- Pip

Top Tip from someone who helped M.I.'s son last year, and who has a lot of experience of patients who have been on life support, ICU, etc. - instead of saying "it's okay", apparently it works better to say "it's going to be okay", because it often takes a while (months, even years) for the brain to adjust/accept to such a huge experience, and there can be a period when the brain is less able (willing?) to cope with vague concepts, and is very concrete about things - so when the person hears "it's okay" when it blatantly isn't, they are injured, in hospital, nearly died, etc., it means they can feel dismissed and ignored, which is ironic when people are usually trying to be reassuring! 
So My Intended changed how he talked to his son last year, on this advice, and apparently it did help, in both short and long term. 

TwibbleDee

PipneyJane said:

You’re bring back memories.  Southern Queensland in the middle of summer, when we sought refuge from the heat in a cinema.  (I think the movie was Monsters Inc.). It was about 110F with 90+% humidity, so intolerable outside.  I went from OK in the car, to “Oh God get me out of this!” in the car park to “OMG!  I’m freezing” once we got inside the cinema.

- Pip

We hit the 110F here in the summer, but luckily we're desert so we NEVER get the 90+% humidity.  If I have to deal with that level of humidity, I better be able to see the coast.

MrsCD

Pip, fantastic news about your colleague! You can all breathe again after all that worrying although she'll still have a long way to go.
Laura, oh dear, I do feel for you with the jumper. I know you are brilliant and you can do something to fix it! 😁

MrsCD

Pip, fantastic news about your colleague! You can all breathe again after all that worrying although she'll still have a long way to go.
Laura, oh dear, I do feel for you with the jumper. I know you are brilliant and you can do something to fix it! 😁

Cherryfudge

Pip, that's wonderful about your colleague - and Laura's advice is both interesting and helpful, I would imagine. 

I bought a couple of pairs of trousers the other day, but both charity shop finds so no coupons. I was looking for a scarf in burgundy to set off a dress and of course I didn't find one but I know the trousers will get plenty of use.

I've also found a stash of my Mum's Woman's Weekly magazines from the early 1960s! I can only get a certain amount of reading out of them - no good looking at the stories if I never find out how they resolve! - and so far I haven't found any knitting patterns that I've wanted to make, though it's occurred to me to sell scans of some. They are well out of copyright but some look very snug and comfortable.

CraftyLittleLisa

Its been a while since I posted but I have been reading all the news from everyone.  I am so impressed with your knitting and crochet projects that you have put pictures up of.  I really should have another go at knitting something for myself but I'm trying to work through lots of my current stash of wool and fabrics before I commit to another project.  Its also really good news about your colleague.  I know she won't be out of the woods just yet but the fact she is awake is a very good start.

I haven't really got any coupon spends to report as I am trying to be mindful and think about what I need.  However, I did need some slippers but I was pleasantly surprised that when I mentioned it to my Mum she had a pair that she had been given but didn't want and were in a bag to go to the charity.  Second hand slippers - nil points.  My main focus on making is making dolls clothes for my niece's Christmas present.  I have loads of small left overs of fabric and they are working perfectly.  So far she has a coat, hat,  scarf, boots, dressing gown, pyjamas, slippers, skirt, denim jacket, short sleeved blouse, bag and bolero.  The challenge for this week is to make a pair of jeans, a long sleeve blouse and knit a cardigan.  I'm planning on knitting a jumper as well but other than that I'm not sure what else a well dressed doll needs in these modern times.  She already has a couple of dresses and two pairs of shoes.  I'll have to have a think. 

When I have done that present I want to make a "pamper hamper" for my friend for her Christmas present.  My aim is to do it with eco-friendly things.  I want to knit a pair of slouchy socks and make some reusable make up remover pads.  I already have some nice bar soap and bar moisturiser, lavender epsom salts, scented candle, pretty flannel, soap scrub bag.  I thought I may get some nice hot chocolate to put in there as well.  I may make a lavender pillow as well.  Not sure what else, if anything, would be good.

I have also been thinking about presents that people could get me if they ask.  I don't really want "stuff" for the sake of it and that is why people generally ask me.  I have come up with one idea.  I need some new trainers so I thought I could get myself fitted for some and buy them and then they can contribute to them.  If it was then a present it wouldn't be any coupons and I would be getting something I really need and want.

That's most of my crafting/wardrobe news for now.  Take care and stay safe all.

Laura_Elsewhere

It may all still look a mess to other people, but to me (us) this is one of he biggest triumphs since the cataclysmic summer of 2013 started my life anew.

All my fabrics are in those 13 Ikea zip boxes, sorted by type and labelled (we will update the Excel spreadsheet another day).
Underneath those are several plastic storage boxes, with coloured ribbon tied to the handle to distinguish them easily, containing variously projects I have planned but not started, projects I have started but not finished, and mending needing done; all these are non-urgent.
Under the table, across the room, are three more plastic storage boxes: one each of more-wanted things to-be-mended and to-be-finished, and one of crochet cottons, with a small box on top of crochet threads.
In a small notebook I have listed every item that is in the storage boxes, by box, and by location.
The bright green boxes to the left on the bench are a) mending I would really like to get done asap, and b) projects only needing small amounts done in order to finish them. Again, listed in the book.
The big pile of plastic bags to the right, on the bench, are leftovers from finished sewing over the years; those need winnowed, ie empty a bag, pick out pieces big enough to be useful, iron and file them in the Ikea boxes, and everything else is chucked in the textile-rags bag (we can put that out for our kerbside recycling collection so long as it's clean and dry and in a clear plastic bag). Winnowing will happen over the next week or so.

This has never happened before.

I've put a 'Before' pic as well, even though it's embarrassing. Even when it was safe to have folk round, we didn't really have folk round...

When I say I have no habits of housekeeping, I really mean it. Gran trained me up well in all the methods, but because I wasn't allowed to do any housework at home, I grew up with no habits of even tidying my room at all. I am learning, but it is slow.

And yes, you're right. There are branches of John Lewis with less stock than I have. There are four plastic storage boxes under the bench filled with buttons, zips, thread, ribbon, lace trim, technical fabrics and so on, as well.

Laura_Elsewhere

p.s. the jumper draped over the chair in the 'Before' pic is the Alice Starmore one the moths have got! 

PollyWollyDoodle

Wow, i’m really impressed by the way it’s all organised!  And yes, it’s a fairly impressive stash as well, although if I got everything out and took a long, honest look at it I reckon I could probably match it ...

I find it very hard to throw fabric away. Even small pieces. I am in the process of making a quilt of hexagons (called English paper piecing these days but it was just called patchwork when my mum did it) and that uses some of them. I’m embarrassed to admit that I have a pile of stuff that is too small even for making the hexagons. In my fantasy world I am going to be one of those people who makes quilts out of really tiny pieces. In reality, that is never going to happen as I’m not a quilter and already have umpteen-three UFOs and unfinished projects, and rag recycling is where they should go. How marvellous to know exactly what you have and where to find it.

I wish I was more organised…

Also, I can see why you want to do your best to restore that jumper, it’s fabulous.