2020 Fashion on the Ration Challenge

Cherryfudge

I meant to add that I've fixed a run in Dh's jumper and I'm rather proud of it as it's a machine-made knit and far too fine to see with my glasses on. Once I'd had a couple of goes, I managed to recreate the loose stitches using the tiniest of crochet hooks, right the way up to the seam. Okay, so that was about a centimetre but it felt like  big deal.  

Liverpool_Anne

Hi All, belated seasons greetings. I also want to thank you all for your inspiration and help during the past months. I lost two dear friends very close together during the lockdown and it knocked me sideways, they featured large in my retirement plans and being able to visit with you really helped me regain my balance in these difficult times. I spent most of Christmas eve chopping wood with my new chop saw, which I love, for the log burner. Christmas day was lovely and I got new bras, as requested, a set of crotchet hooks with soft handles, which I have never used before.  I have a set of bamboo hooks which I love.  I also got lots of lovely smellies, chocs and bottles of wine, I don't usually drink but parents can be very generous.   I had made a pact with my sister and far away friends not to buy presents as I didn't want them out in the crowds shopping, being around for next year is much more important. One friend did send a solar powered warthog which will find its way into the garden as soon as it stops raining. I had planned to go for a walk on boxing day but it was lashing down and blowing a hooley here so stayed snug in front of the fire, thanks to all the wood I had chopped. I had finished the scarf and really enjoyed making it, knitting on the circulars removed the need for sewing and I will definitely do another as a gift, planning for next Christmas already though how I will afford the coupons for the wool will test me lol, I will have to start trawling those auction sites for second hand supplies.  I have now started a baby blanket for my neighbours great grandson due in March. I did have a look for second hand crotchet hooks, just for curiosity, and there were loads priced very reasonably. I do have a couple inherited from my Mum, very fine with caps along with her knitting needles but I haven't used them for ages, doilies being all I could manage to make, not being able to read a crotchet pattern but I have investigated the symbol system and I think it is much easier so I will have a go at some point, another thing on my list of things to try lol. Sorry for the long post.
Here's wishing next year is much better for you all, take care, Anne

keepcalmandcraft

River has gone down a bit but is rising again after rain last night and water from further upstream making it’s way past. 

Photo attached is my normal running route - it’s usually a path across a meadow!

Cherryfudge

@Liverpool_Anne, I'm so sorry to hear about your friends. I think you were very wise to decide on people above presents this Christmas. It's brought the 'really matters' things into sharp focus.

A solar powered warthog So that's what I saw as I wandered round Much Mending admiring the Christmas lights this evening! I couldn't quite work it out, but how fabulous. You will put us on the map!

@keepcalmandcraft, that's some running route. Are you by any chance training for a triathlon? I hope it dries up from now on.

CraftyLittleLisa

A belated Merry Christmas to everyone.  I hope the flooding subsides quickly so everyone feels safe again.  I have to say my Christmas Day was one of the best I have ever had.  It wasn't particularly "special" in any exciting way but I think because we are a family that in usual times get together a lot for dinners and barbecues and the like and we haven't been able to and then to actually do it it felt so good.  Everyone was upbeat and we played lots of games and chatted.  Now we are back in Tier 4 so who knows when we will manage it again. 

Boxing Day was also very different but again I enjoyed it.  I had already prepared myself for a day on my own so I had got things in to enable me to work on my hobbies (working on my dollshouse mainly), watch a DVD I was saving and just doing what I fancied.  Again I rather enjoyed myself and didn't feel guilty just "playing".  The only downside was that Boxing Day is my Mum's birthday and we weren't able to spend it with her as we usually do.

I do have a coupon spend to report.  I made myself a top for Christmas Day and used another 3 coupons.  In total this year I have used 66.5 coupons so I still have 18.5 coupons left (as I carried over from last year).  I got some running shoes for my Christmas present and I also got given some trainers from a friend who said they were too big for her and she had had them so long she couldn't send them back so that was a bit of a bonus.  I was hoping to get to test this footwear over the next few days but, unfortunately, I had a little accident this morning and seem to have broken my little toe.  I obviously really wanted to make sure I remembered 2020 Never mind I can support the runners for the New Year Fun Run in Little Mending from the sidelines.

Stay safe everyone and don't try and kick your bed legs.  Take care.

Cherryfudge

CraftyLittleLisa said:

 I was hoping to get to test this footwear over the next few days but, unfortunately, I had a little accident this morning and seem to have broken my little toe.  I obviously really wanted to make sure I remembered 2020 Never mind I can support the runners for the New Year Fun Run in Little Mending from the sidelines.

Ouch! I'm one of those people who used to say I've never broken anything but I can't do that any more - however toes seem particularly vulnerable and mine just get strapped up and left to get on with it. All have mended without mishap but it can affect balance while it's ongoing.

Hope the bed leg is okay?

Your cheering is going to be much appreciated - are you going to take photos for the Village Hall notice board as well, pretty please?

thriftwizard

Oh ouch, Lisa! Hope that mends swiftly.

Keepcalmandcraft, that's - very soggy! At this rate, it'll be several months before they're talking about drought warnings again...

CraftyLittleLisa

Cherryfudge said

Your cheering is going to be much appreciated - are you going to take photos for the Village Hall notice board as well, pretty please?

I will be very happy to take photos for the village hall as long as I can sit or lean.

Cherryfudge

CraftyLittleLisa said:

Cherryfudge said

Your cheering is going to be much appreciated - are you going to take photos for the Village Hall notice board as well, pretty please?

I will be very happy to take photos for the village hall as long as I can sit or lean.

Thank you!

I'll put a deck chair by the finishing line - you may wish to bring a blanket and flask as we're not promising to be speedy!

PipneyJane

Cherryfudge said:

CraftyLittleLisa said:

Cherryfudge said

Your cheering is going to be much appreciated - are you going to take photos for the Village Hall notice board as well, pretty please?

I will be very happy to take photos for the village hall as long as I can sit or lean.

Thank you!

I'll put a deck chair by the finishing line - you may wish to bring a blanket and flask as we're not promising to be speedy!

Or warm!  

@CraftyLittleLisa, my sympathies.  Hopefully, it won’t be painful for long.  Just strap it to its neighbour for support and, if you’re feeling brave - or up early in the morning - make a visit to Accident & Emergency to get it x-rayed.   (The quietest time in A&E is around 6am.). I’ve broken a couple of toes over the years as well, the most memorable being when I inexplicably kicked an umbrella stand.  It wasn’t anywhere near where I was walking, so I still don’t know how I did it. 

@Liverpool_Anne.  I’m sorry to hear about your friends.  Big hugs.

@keepcalmandcraft, I hope your flood defences hold and that the river continues to subside.  (Has anyone else here read the “Rivers of London” books?  Perhaps we need to put a mince pie and mug of mulled wine out for the goddess of keepcalmandcraft’s local river?)

Talking of New Year’s Day, don’t forget that we have the Fashion on the Ration Award Ceremony after the fun run.  Please tally up and report your total coupon spend for 2020.  The awards are:-

Platinum Award - less than 66 coupons spent
Gold Award - 66 coupons spent
Silver Award - between 67 and 86 coupons spent
Bronze Award - between 87 and 100 coupons spent

Thinking about, do you you think that the levels are too generous?   Should we change platinum to 48 coupons or less?  (Remember the ration dropped to 48 coupons by 1944.). Gold could be 49-66 coupons, silver 67-76 and bronze 77-90.  What do you think?

- Pip