Happy New Year

It's been a fantastic year for my little blog.

An exciting move, meeting new people and some brilliant connections I'm looking forward to working with in 2019!

I hope you all have a Happy, Healthy and Successful 2019.

See you next year!

XxP&TxX

Year of colour

Patterjack and Tweed--Year of Colour

I have been told that Patterjack and Tweed has become a cosy homely page people like to visit with a cup of tea. I have this quoted.. I must find it!

As a rule I love earthy tones, from my clothes to fabrics. Except for my tights 😉 if you know me in real life, you will know what I mean!

Thrilled to see this has been reflected in my colour report!

Little things ☺

XxP&TxX

#yearofcolour #patterjackandtweed #colour #earthy #natural #brown #blogger #noplacelikehome #homely #green #cream

The Beauty of Nature

It's amazing the discoveries that children find when in garden.

Collecting kindling for the fire and my Annie found this Holly leaf skeleton. She was astounded at how beautiful it was. 'Look Mummy! A leaf Ghost!' What a wonderful way to look at a leaf skeleton and such a lovely imagination.
As adults, we can often walk around blind sighted by the jobs that need to be done. In some instances, getting it done fast. But if we slow down and see what the children see.... We might just spot the small treasures that make our world so beautiful for our children.

XxP&TxX

#patterjackandtweed #home #countrystyle #nature #mothernature #skeleton #childhood #mummyblogger #magical #gardening #children #discoveries

A Best Friend

Christmas is without a doubt, the most wonderful time of the year.

Spending time with family, eating delicious foods and the giving and receiving of special gifts.

Being prepared is probably the most important part of Christmas. I for once found my self in a position of relative calm as the big day crept up. I had my Christmas shopping done in record time. I had been able to handmake gifts for family and friends. I started my Christmas food shopping early, so aside from a quick dash to buy more cheese (you never can have enough primula!) I was pretty organised.

I listened to a Vlog from Philipa Hanna a while back about being your 'Own Best Friend' and it intrigued me. If I prepared earlier than normal, bought in advance and bought well.. I could be my own best friend when it came to Christmas.

So that's exactly what I did. As Philipa said, the 'future me: does not have to deal with the' past me: being disorganised. By getting the job done.. I am being the best friend for 'future me'.

So. For next year, I am preparing to be my own best friend for the 2019 me! I have written a list of things that have worked well, things we forgot and things we loved.

This list has been stashed in the Christmas decorations box ready to be brought out the first weekend of December 2019. Hopefully, this will lead to an even smoother running Christmas!

Is anyone else going to give this a try?

Best the best friend the 2019 you could have.

XxP&TxX

Fun at the Farm

Fun at the Farm

Nursery Opening Day

This week , we enjoyed the official open day of our lovely Nursery class by local Author Angela McAllister

https://www.facebook.com/angelajmcallisterbooks/

The back field of the school was turned into a farm which the children absolutely loved. From Bee Keeping, to milling corn,Tractors to Ducklings - there was plenty to experience.

The nursery is a fantastic addition to the school. There has always been a sense of 'Family' at the school , now even more so with our littlest people being welcomed in by the expert care of the nursery staff.

Judging by the smiles and excited giggles all around the field on Wednesday, my children werent the only ones having Fun at the Farm!

XxP&TxX

Working Together

As a family, we like to have a project on the go. Im quite creative and like turning my hand to different crafts and baking ideas. My Husband is a Product Design Teacher and Photographer, so there are always projects being worked on in his little 'Man cave' corner of our dining area.

The children like to get involved when ever possible. Their age and ability often limits them with big projects so we decided to simplify it a little and make something as a family they could enjoy.

We made a Teepee together for the garden which has brought all three of my children hours of entertainment since. Working together allowed them to choose their own fabrics, chose what part of the process they would get involved in and who would lead each task. 

My eldest daughter Evie was able to take the lead on some areas of the building process, guiding her little sister with threading twine through the channels for gathering. It was lovely to watch her take the time to show Annie how to place her hands and how the threading works. An important moment in their lives where they actually sat and listened to each other and made it work without adults intervention.

The project all together cost £5. I already had the material in my fabric hoard (it is huge!) , but the value of the Teepee is limitless. Their imaginations have given them new games to play in a whole new environment. 

Working together is such an important life skill. This generation of children are so swamped by technology ( which as a family we have massively rebelled against when it comes to our children ) that they are not learning basic life skills . Communication, Team Work and Imagination.

My ways may be different to the norm and what our schools are pushing upon them increasingly, but I want my children to be able to work together to make and solve throughout their lives without any device telling them the answers.

Now . If you want me. I shall be in the Teepee thinking of our next family project!

XxP&TxX

The Beautiful skirts my girls are modelling are handmade custom items from https://www.facebook.com/myHollyandIvy/

My new special piece of jewellery.

We paid a visit to The Lantern today. It's a special shop I have been taking my little girl to since I was expecting her.

She was in absolute awe today at the gem stones and rainbow makers. We decided to make our own necklaces!

My daughter chose a rose quartz. Rose quartz is said to promote unconditional love, compassion and healing. She can be quite an anxious child at times so this was the perfect choice for her. Something she feels will make her feel happier when she is uncertain. 

For me, she chose the Turquoise stone with black veins. The turquoise stone is said to protect and dispel negative energy . I thought for a five year old to want her mummy protected from bad things was so special!



Together we chose the Amethyst stone for my youngest daughter. It is said to promote calm, balance and peace. It is also said to eliminate impatience. She is a rather spirited child so this was a perfect choice for her.



It was a wonderful experience to give my daughter. She has been off from school for a couple of days and has missed her routine. We have done some alternative  home schooling in this time which she has simply loved.

Regardless of your thoughts with regards to the power of these stones, to my little girl - they mean everything. The stone necklace will hang above her bed whilst not being worn to protect her and remind her of our lovely morning together.

XxP&TxX 

Rydale Clothing

Rydale Clothing

If you follow my Instagram page, you will have seen we are acquiring an ever growing collection of these beautiful Rydale Fleeces and Gilets, 

We have most certainly turned to Rydale Clothing to kit us all out this winter. After falling in love with my boots and rugby shirts, we explored the rest of the range. The fleeces in particular are so warm with the rather chilly winter we have just experienced ! 

It is not often as family we find a collection that suits all of us but Rydale has definitely achieved this. In a practical sense, the clothing is warm, washes exceptionally well and dries quickly without losing its shape. In a style sense, its perfect. The fit is brilliant , the embroidered motifs and logos add a lovely finish to the garments without taking away from the quality of the product which so many designer brands do. 

I have been taking full advantage of the generous sales they have had, and certainly looking forward to kitting us out this Summer !

XxP&TxX

Highstreet VS Handmade

I bought a skirt this morning from a leading supermarket . I love it, it's a medium weight tapestry skirt. Unusual print. I love it and I can't wait to wear it.

Now, I make clothes as a hobby and furnishings as a side business. This seam is supposedly finished? This is hidden in the waistband. A high wear area of the garment clearly.

How are we as small businesses making textile products meant to compete with retail products yet handmade is clearly just made better

Handmade items are cut with care, seams are finished properly. If I use a fabric that will fray like this, I always finish the edges either using the overlocker or a simple zigzag stitch if it won't be seen.

I will re do this seam to ensure the garment lasts longer which I do with a lot of shop bought items.

I just wanted to share it, I spend a lot of time making my items and I couldn't leave them like this!

Il get off my soapbox now!

XxP&TxX

A Stitch in Time

If you have been following  Patterjack and Tweed, you will see that I have been looking at the generation of Make Do and Mend . Taking inspiration from the lifestyle the women of that generation with my clothing choices. 

I have been darning socks, repairing dropped hems and reworking wool into a new product. This week I have turned up the sleeves on my friends chef whites to make them fit for purpose . No more dangerous rolling up , just a nice neat finish.

I am currently working on a beautiful blanket in a colour scheme I do not usually work with. Pastel colours ! I am using up ends of balls of yarn I have been given by friends and family . The blanket will not have cost me anything but time, but will be enjoyed for years to come.

In a change of habit,have stepped away from my sewing machine this half term in exchange for more traditional hand sewing and crochet projects. Although I adore my Singer , it has been a nice break and I am now ready and raring to go back on it with some beautiful cushion orders I have received.

 It does make you appreciate the hours of work that must have gone into making clothing before sewing machines were as readily available as they are now. I know I certainly wouldn't have the patience , but maybe this should be a challenge to set my self?

XxP&TxX 

Make Do and Mend

Make Do and Mend was a pamphlet issued by the British Ministry of Information during WWII. It was intended to teach Housewives to be more frugal in the times of such strict rationing.

With pages filled with thrifty ideas for up-cycling and repairing worn clothing, the pamphlet became a household essential for the modern housewife. Encouraging women to turn to sewing, knitting and crochet meant many women took up the traditional skills as a way of life, not just a hobby.

The original trend for 'Visible Repairing' essentially was born, sewing patches in clothing, turning collars, re purposing worn clothing as childrens clothing, aprons or even rags for cleaning.  Darning and frogging back knitwear to re-knit jumpers and blankets was an every day occurrence. Penny pinching at its best , sparing all ration allowances for food where possible.

I have always been into altering my clothing, either to increase the longevity of the item, or to personalise to reflect my personality. Making my own clothing and accessories from recycled materials , charity shop buys or even re-purposed curtains is so satisfying. 

I frequently replace zips in items of clothing both for myself and for friends. A damaged zip does not by any means deem the item to be useless. A good seamstress can replace a zip quickly and it will cost you a fraction of the price of replacing the garment entirely.

Being brought up by a thrifty mother, daughter of the 'Make Do and Mend ' generation, lots of very handy tips have been handed down to me by them both. My Mother is a keen sewer, and has an ever growing Mending pile with my Father and Brother both being labourers. Not to mention my mums customers also making use of her skills in her part time role as a seamstress. 

*A turned collar -Sewn by my Mother. 

Being a fairly thrifty person, I seem to attract like minded people, my best friends both having sewing machines, an abundance of buttons and threads at the ready. I am steadily making my way through my close friends, teaching them to crochet and sew their own clothing.

We definitely have something to learn from the Make Do and Mend generation , an art I shall certainly not let die out !

XxP&TxX 

Vintage Kitchenware

Vintage Kitchen

With the forecast trend for Kitchenware being 'Mixed Materials' for 2018, it made me look at my own kitchenware in detail. Out with the whites and in with the gold /brass and wooden.

You may have seen on previous blog posts and photographs, I have quite a collection of vintage and vintage inspired well made kitchenware. 

Why chose Vintage?

The saying goes 'Ifs its not broken,dont try and mend it'. I feel this applies to kitchenware perfectly. Over the years I have accumulated a wide variety of kitchen tools. Modern Ikea sets, classic wooden tools and vintage pieces given to be my family members or bought in charity shops.

Vintage kitchenware is still around , because it works. Its been tried and tested and is still going ! Consumerism says that buy cheap and cheerful and keep replacing. But I like to go against the grain and say, Buy well,Buy once. 

In our house, we do not purchase processed meat products. Yes it takes longer to cook proper meat, but I would rather know exactly what is going into our meals . From added salts and sugars to preservatives , so much is packed into convenience food . I will stick to the butchers and fresh cuts of meat thanks.

Home cooking deserves to be executed with the love it deserves. Spending the time making pastry only to ruin it by using bad quality cookware is such a shame. Nothing beats the proper fluted tops of a homemade pie !

For example...My old faithful Pastry Blender was given to me by my parents years ago, It may have even been my Nans before that. I not only use this for pastry, but also find it much more effective for mashing potatoes than any of the hand mashers I have acquired. Its one of those tools you dont know you need, then you use all the time. It must be top of my 'Most Washed ' kitchen items!

My Pie dishes are another essential item that gets used...and used..and used. Actually daily. I picked both of them up in charity shops for little over £1 each. A complete steal, the white one is Wedgewood so will last years . They are the perfect sizes and the thick bases on them ensures my food cooks evenly . No soggy bottoms here !

I would love to give my children the real experience of home cooking as they grow up. Where possible using our hands to mix the ingredients and licking the bowl afterwards, isnt that what cooking as about as a child?

My kitchen may not be fashionable but its functional....a bit like me!

XxP&TxX

The Promise of Spring

With the gales we have been having here today, its hard to believe that in just a couple of months, we shall be fully into the swing of things in the garden. 

Soon the shrubs will wake up from their winter 'sleep' and will need tending to once again. The vegetable patch needs digging over and feeding before I can prepare it for this years crop. I am also hoping to extend it slightly to broaden the range of produce I can grow.

Winter can be a very dreary time when we dont have the excitment of snow or crisp frosts, but winter has its own beauty.

Snow drops are popping up all around us. Come March there will be a fantastic display of Daffodils,Snowdrops and Primroses bringing colour to our gardens and hedgerows.

In this damp weather, fungi grows prolifically providing nutrients for plants and animals in the eco-system. Some Fungi make medicines such as penicillin. Although ,unless you are an expert,its sensible to avoid touching them.

I snapped this photo yesterday. I actually think Fungi is rather beautiful usually, but this slimy tree stump juxtaposed with the Snowdrops reminded me a little of the Beauty and Beast . 

If you look, even in the Winter, nature still gives us a marvellous show .

XxP&TxX

Out and about with Out'n'About!

Out’n’About Nipper V4 Mojito Green

Being a Mum is a challenge, every day, especially when you are massively outnumbered ! I have Three children ranging from 10 months to 5 years. In my time as a Mummy I have tried and tested many , many,many off-road pushchairs ( sorry husband) .I am glad to say I feel I have ‘nailed it’ with finding the ultimate pushchair for ‘outdoorsy’ Mums!

I have owned two Nipper Double V1s before owning ‘The Green Machine’ and adored both of them. Even heavily pregnant  I was able to lift the Double  Nipper pushchair in and out of my boot with ease. No drama! Bonus, all the fabrics come off to wash. Perfect.

When my now 3 year old started to refuse to ride in the pushchair , I knew I had to get a new single workhorse. My double was really used and abused on the school runs, playgroup walks, Jogging and walks around the farm visiting Grandad !

It had to be ‘Man Enough’ for an outdoor lifestyle. It needed to withstand heavy use, heavy loads, off road terrain but not too big to go shopping with either. 

The Nipper V4 was the perfect solution. Its 360 degree swivel front wheel makes it perfect for manoeuvring around the windy paths on our school run. It can locked to be fixed too which is ideal for exploring the woods on walks , when I go running and even glides with ease over the sand at the beach.

We purchased the Nipper V4 with the all important basket and the matching foot muff . It is super cosy for the bitter cold mornings and long enough to last my boy a long time.There are two big pockets on the hood perfect for snacks for the kids or your valuables. The shopping pouch behind the seat is an added bonus!

 I use the V4 every day, with its lightweight aluminium frame and easy handling it’s every busy mums dream. There are no fiddly extra bits to fit to get into your boot. I can fit this and my entire food shop in the boot with no fuss. It folds so compactly its unbelievable. The ultimate Mummy test….can you fold and unfold it one handed? Yes you can!

The five point harness was put to the test on this walk  as we had to pile into the bank away from a Horse that found it truly terrifying, cut through an almost vertical climb to carry on the footpath route and running through a narrow section of the road to the next passing place to let a tractor through. My son didn’t move an inch and stayed asleep the whole time. His comfort and safety are what makes this pushchair my ultimate choice.

The great thing with the out’n’about Nipper pushchairs is the fact they are real work horses. There are a number of them around ranging from the V1-V4 , all carrying heavy loads , children hanging off them and working their way through the thickest of mud and deepest of sand with no issues. They are the Shetland pony of the pushchair world! They come with a two year warranty, you will get years and years of use from these pushchairs!

 The Out 'n'About Nipper V4  is going to be my noble steed for a long time!

http://www.outnabout.com/

https://www.facebook.com/outnaboutuk?sk=wall

Kathy's potato pastry meat pie

War Time Inspired Pie

With our post Christmas 'big shop' due this week. I was mindful of the amount of food we consumed over the festive season. All the 'bad' food we put in to our bodies... im not complaining..I enjoyed every single cheese board and iced gingerbread !

I wanted to try and feed my family some proper back to basic wholesome food. What better cooking style to follow than the basics of war time food.

I stumbled across a Potato Pastry recipe. My family love a gravy based dinner. Pie it is! Working in the food industry on and off for a number of years, I can appreciate the true value of a good pie! But potato based pastry? It caught me.

With our societies strange opinion that 'perfect looking veg is best', I went against the grain and bought all of my ingredients in Morrisons in their 'Wonky' and 'savers' range. 40% of a crop of vegetables can be disregarded because it does not meet the aesthetic requirements of supermarkets. Having a perfectly shaped potato is not of importance to me 

The meat for the pie was purchased on the deli. Chopped cooked meat mixture just 70p for 100g. Chopped ham, turkey ,pork/pork luncheon and beef. Perfect pie filling.

This pie was made on a real budget. It fed all five of us in my household. One man sized portion, my portion, 2 good sized kids portion and a babys portion . One of my daughters also had seconds ,as did the man sized person at my table!

The cost?

£3.70 ....for all of us... thats just 74p each for a hearty meal.

XxP&TxX