Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Wheels of change, a victorian velocipede suit.

With the start of a new decade, we did take the time to look back on the past years. Are we on the right way, where are points we can make some modifications?
On the most are we content with how our lives goes on, though some small changes we want to make.

By living in the countryside, in these modern times, it´s completely understandable to drive the car to town to do the shopping. We do that also, nevertheless I do not take the slightest pleasure from it. Although I do have a drivers license and I can drive very well, it´s just not a thing that I can enjoy. However, what do you do? It´s more than 25km to the nearest town and it´s too far to cycle there, isn´t it?
Anyway, this tiny doubt that made us wonder... Maybe we can´t cycle there every time, but maybe it will go in the warmer months?... Maybe we could do that?
When I lived in the Netherlands, I did cycle a lot! I did cycle everywhere! Every day! But that´s 12 years ago, and unfortunately, I have to say, I have not cycled much since then.... I walked, worked in the garden, enjoy a very active life, but just cycling... That needs to be trained the coming time :).

This change makes a very good opportunity to make some new clothes ( who wouldn´t take that as an excuse to sew something new ;) ;))
After a bit of research, I came up with the following idea
On the homepage of bikes and bloomers http://bikesandbloomers.com/patterns/ I did find a pattern for bloomers and a cape/skirt thing.
To go with that, I´m going to make a black wool waistcoat, a pair of gaiters from either wool or leather (I haven´t decided yet), long stockings in red and cream, made on my vintage sock knitter, but more of that anon :)
So I hope you like to follow along!
Next time The Viktoria sock knitting machine

Sunday, February 2, 2020

A day without rain



What a lovely day! After days of dark and dreary weather, the sun was shining clear and bright today. Although there was a brisk wind coming from the west, it was far too delightfull to stay inside.
With my cozy winter coat, shawl, and mittens on, I put on my shoes and went outside.
I fetched up my shovel and rake and started working in the garden. After a short while, it seemed not that cold any longer and soon my mittens and shawl were hanging over the fence. The first pair of garden beds were now cleaned up, after the neglect of the late summer. The rich black soil, now freshly racked, is lying ready for the growing season yet to come.



Pleased with the work of this morning, I made a large cup of cocoa, to both my husband and me and we had a piece of apple pie to go with it. 
    

Chips and shavings

Chop! Chop! The chips are flying around. He gives his axe another sway. The early morning air fills with the aromatic scent of pinewood and ...