Make do and mend!

I was inspired to attempt to extend the life of my clothes after following http://www.secondfiddlecrafts.blogspot.com/ (that and being skint), so I set about making a skirt from an old pair of jeans. These jeans were given to me by sister a few years ago, and they developed a hole in the crutch. I hope to get at least a few more months use out them. I used the instructions from www.savvyseams.com/clothing/jeanskirt.php as a guide and I have to say, I am quite pleased with the result:

I tried to replicate the existing seam pattern, but my

sewing machine couldn't handle the thick layers of fabric

so it kinda stops dead by the zip! I also got the tension wrong

on the hem, plus its in a different colour thread to the rest of the

stitching, but hey, it was my first attempt!

I'm attempting to bring back pale and ashen and make it chic.

(Excuse my bloated gut at the top of the photo).

Side view showing a faded area that used to be the 'knees'

of my old jeans.

They do look rather homemade, but I think they are fine for dossing about the house. Hopefully the next skirt I make from old jeans will come out a bit more professional!

Burnham on Sea dog show

Willow and Tangent both had running orders for this show, so it was a bit of a nightmare and I wasn't quite as laid-back as I'd like to have been!

Tangent was very focused throughout hisround. Love that boy!

Tangent was 9th in the running order for Beginners (dog and bitch). The judge was very pleasant and didn't mind me training the round. I was very happy with Tangent today. He was very motivated for his toy, was very focused and generally seemed to be having a whale of a time! His heelwork is coming along (well, as long as we avoid left-turns!) and he's starting to work much closer to my leg.

He wasn't this close during all his heelwork,

but I thought I would show his best position!

He proved entertaining with the retrieve excercise as he initially brought the dumb bell to the steward, probably because she was closer!

Willow drew 2nd in the running order for Novice, but I decided not to work her in this class as she didn't really seem herself (I've decided that working two classes with her is asking too much of the old girl now).

I worked Beginners with her and her heelwork was ok, although she was working quite far in front of me:

Top: Willow miles in front!

Bottom: She wasn't really concentrating;

it looks like she's out for a jolly little walk!

She was quite distracted throughout this round, and ended up anticipating her recall. By the time it came to the retrieve she had lost the plot somewhat and toddled out after the dumb bell when I threw it, stopped, looked around and caught site of a dog in another ring she took a disliking to and bolted after it. Fortunately her instant downs are pretty ace so I yelled "Down!" and she dropped. I tried training the rest of the round, but by now she was far too distracted so I ended it there.

I was not disappointed with Willow, just how it went! I think she is definately past her peak with Obedience and considering the 6 year gap in shows, I was happy with her.

Willow once again distracted! Excuse my

vast ass - going by the position of all the

surrounding dogs it looks like it has its own

gravitational pull!

Well, next show is 26 September, and with plenty to work on with both dogs, I will not be short of things to do! I suspect that the next show will be Willow's last one before she is retired completely as her arthritis is getting quite bad. As such, I hope our last show together will be fun, if not successful!

Abyss

"I wanna go out!"

Whilst recovery from having the coil fitted, the dogs haven't been getting out much this week. This is a bit unfortunate as I have an obedience show with them this Sunday. Anyway, Tangent appears to have upped the ante in his campagn to get out and demanded an outing in no uncertain terms. This rather alarming view affords a good look at his teeth, and quite possibly his entire digestive tract.

Card!

Having missed my youngest niece's 1st birthday for a full week, I felt a handmade card would molify my guilt (I doubt my neice cares that I forgot, being 1 she hasn't a care in the world)!

I feel that I did cheat somewhat as the rabbit (or bunny, if you will) was just a stamp that I coloured. A-hem, moving on...