WOYWW 346

TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT ONE MORE TIME.....
(RIP Glenn Frey)

Short and snappy, that's me today! 

I've finally been sewing again! Thought I'd better get my a*&e in gear and actually make the things promised for the Greyhound Charity. And have come to the end of that Scotty fabric. Blimey, that's the end of another era. So, there's a patchwork tote, a Bag for Life that can be folded up and shoved in a handbag and I'm using the final scraps to make a couple of make up bags :-)  

Sewing the handles on - I do a square of stitches then a cross through the centre. It reinforces the handles and makes it surprisingly sturdy.

The finished patchwork tote. It turned out quite well. You can see that I shove lots of things under my desk out of the way, wadding, stuffing, cushion pads. Out of sight, out of mind!

It's funny how things happen, isn't it? Julia and I were reminiscing about Janet Fairythoughts over coffee on Monday. And then on Tuesday, an email from Anne, Janet's friend came through:

Dear Jan

I hope you don't mind me contacting you.  I am an old friend of Janet's.  I will be doing a Tandem SkyDive on 16th April with Janet's daughter Lucy and Jane, another of Janet's friends. We are using our jump as an opportunity to try to raise some money in Janet's memory for the Countess Mountbatten Hospice, who looked after her so well in the last few weeks of her life.

Janet had told me about her lovely blog friends and WOYWW, Were you one of the two ladies who came to her funeral as well? The words read out from her blogging friends were a wonderful tribute.   I wondered if you would be willing to circulate our JustGiving Page link to some of Janet's circle of blogging friends?

Forgive me if you think this is in any way intrusive!

very kind regards

Anne Bell

I emailed back and told Anne that I'd be very happy to post the link and mentioned that Janet was a huge part of our lives too - meeting her (virtually) every week for a few years and in person too. We haven't forgotten her.  Donate if you can/want to - the Hospice cared for Janet for the last few weeks of her life.

We don't always say it but I cherish the friendships made through WOYWW. Thank you for being such a lovely and supportive bunch :-)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


41 comments:

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

ahh, so very true dear Lunch Lady Jan, we do make wodnerful friends through blogland and Deskland. Janet was a blessing to our lives. I pray for her family in this money raiser but most of all in the day to living each day.
Sorry I've been absent again. 2016 has been tad unhealthy for me and doing what I can when I can :D

Must say I for one am VERY sorry to see the END of your tote material of the darling scotty dogs. I love it so.

Happy WOYWW Shaz in Oz.x no number yet.

Helen said...

I was only thinking about Janet the other day when I was using a coaster she'd given me once... Wishing her family luck with the sky dive and will go check out the link. Can't believe the number of music legends that we have lost recently. Helen #??

jill said...

Another lovely bag Jan .
The angels are taking the stars all to quickly right now aren't they.
Happy woyww Jill #4

Lynn Holland said...

I cherish my blog friends too Jan and it's been such fun meeting many of them. Strong friendships have been formed with many
Lynn 11 xx

Unknown said...

Love the fabric you've used on your fabulous bag. Happy crafting Linda #17

Diana Taylor said...

That's one gorgeous bag Jan! I am wishing Janet's daughter and friend loads of luck with their skydive and I hope they raise lots of money - I shall check out the link, thanks for sharing it.
Hugs,
Diana xxx

Bridget Larsen said...

Gorgeous bag there, how funny that things happen mysteriously when you are thinking or talking about someone-eeerie
Bridget #1

Sue said...

WOW!!! Debbie is going to be thrilled with all of those.

Hope you have a lovely day.

Happy WOYWW
Sue #23

Annie said...

Love the bag Jan and what a lovely idea to raise money for such a good cause in Janet's memory.....such a lovely lady.
Have a great week.
Hugs,
Annie x #9

Christine said...

RIP Glenn Frey indeed.
Love the bag, delicate colours. I keep promising myself I will go find my dining table as I know that my sewing machine is sitting there waiting for me to come back. Soon I say, Soon.

Have a good week

Bishopsmate #33

My name is Cindy said...

Great projects and echo all your sentiments re the friendships of WOYWW Jan. I'm reminded of Janet often, I'm still using the coaster and notebook she gave me the last time I saw her. Glad my list made you smile - but personally losing 3 stone by the end of January was a more unrealistic goal than 100 cards!! Love n hugs, Cindy xxx

Jane Willis said...

I've been humming old Eagles songs all day too :(
Love your tote bag, so much more special than a mass produced shopping bag!
Jane #40

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Your patchwork tote is so pretty. You make it look so simple. Ah yes the Eagles....seems quite a few of this age group are passing, leaving memories. Have a lovely week.........can't wait til flowers bloom !! #33

CraftygasheadZo said...

Aw what a lovely post. Gorgeous bag and sewing as always. I will pop over to the page for Janet. She was such a lovely lady and will be missed by us all. You are right. WOYWW friendships and weekly online 'get togethers' have helped me feel less isolated. Having all you ladies as friends and the support you all give has gotten me through many a low day even if I don't say it. I know it does. much love. Take care Zo xx 39

J said...

Jan yet another gorgeous bag, I do love the scotty material.
Funny how I have only ever met Ali H but feel I know everyone else too from joining in over here, It's been lovely meeting so many new friends.
Jan S no 40

Twiglet said...

Thanks for posting the link Jan - let's hope we can raise loads for that worthy cause. Another fab bag - that scotty fabric worked so well for you! x Jo

Marit said...

Such a sweet post today Jan, I love your bag and it's so sweet of you to post the link. Happy woyww and a hug from Holland, Marit #41

Inside the artists shed said...

The finished patchwork tote looks fab. Very sad news about Glen Frey - I too have rheumatoid arthritis so it was quite poignant for me. Have a good week x Jackie 32

shazsilverwolf said...

Hiya, Jan, they're putting a heck of a band together, wherever they are! Can you imagine the after-gig party? Loving the bags, and how lovely of Janets friend to be doing this for the hospice. Donation made, I think it's a wonderful idea. Huge hugs and lots of love to you all, Shaz xxxxx

Maisie Moonshine said...

Hi Jan, gorgeous bags as always, I wish I could stitch so neatly with my machine, but I seem to always go wonky. I know practice makes perfect and all that but... sometimes you know when you're beaten.

So sorry to hear the sad news about Janet.

Hugs MMx #49


Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

Lovely post, Jan, very heartfelt! I didn't know Janet very well and I was away from blogging when she passed, but I was very shocked to find out a few weeks later. Life is so unpredictable! We just have to believe it all works out for the best in the end. Great initiative of her friends and family to raise some money for the hospice and so brave of them to do a sky dive! I'm not sure I would have the bravery to do that - in fact, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't! Love your new tote - and your lamp caught my eye too! It must be one of those daylight lamps which allow you to take great photos even in these dark, wintery conditions! Happy WOYWW! zsuzsa #47

Lisca said...

Lovely bags. The patchwork one turned out beautifully too. Probably because the different fabrics still went well together.
Thanks for sharing that message about the hospice fundraiser. I was a specialized nurse at St Peters Hospice (Bristol) for 22 years, so I know how important fundraising is. I hope they raise lots of money.
Thanks for visiting already,
Have a good week,
Lisca

Unknown said...

Soul sister! You have given me some inspiration to get my arss in gear too! I'm such a lazy crafter right now. I just want to sit around and hand stitch. This is such a lovely thing in Janet's memory, how wonderful. I hope you are feeling well and hope the weather there isn't as dreadful as here! Hugs! Sandy Leigh #55

Morti said...

Bless that lovely Anne Bell. I shall endeavour to donate, though I'm doing my own charity thing later this year, too...

I've got a treat for you at a later date. Morti gets out her sewing machine! I'm halfway through a makeup bag for Lil Miss B, but have had to sideline it for the time being, Panto you know... Gah! Fun hobby but takes up so much of our collective time!!!

Sharon said...

That's a great bag! I love the scotty fabric.
Have a great week!

Sharon #52

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

What a lovely thing for Janet's friend to do. Gorgeous bags. I've always liked that scottie dog fabric.

Fiona #59

Neet said...

What a wonderful gesture - yes, we do make virtual friends through Julia's brainchild don't we. Even though we have not actually met in the flesh I feel we are good friends and one day I will get to the meet!
Thanks for sharing about the handles and the tote is wonderful - as always.
Hugs and thanks for visiting when I was asleep over here (be glad to gt back to normal patterns), Neet 3 xx

Unknown said...

Beautiful bag! That Scotty fabric is just so cute! And it is great how we make friends through this fun blog tour of Julia's! Hope you have a great week!
Carol N #51

Tilly Tea Dance said...

Fabulous bag Jan, what a brilliant thing to make for the greyhound charity. Thanks for sharing the details of the sky dive. Happy crafting, Max #29 :-)

Sue Jones said...

As Always a beautiful tote bag. Thanks for the earlier visit . Have a great week.Soojay xx

lisa said...

Mmmm now that bag looks quite familiar, lol!! Hope all is good with you. Thanks for your lovely comments, Nerys is not sure about this new upstart that's invaded her space. She's spent the last 7 years sharing so you'd think she'd be ok but she'll come round in her own time I'm sure. They are keeping to their own halves of the living room at the minute.
Hugs Lisax #14

Kim said...

So true about friendship! And I can attest to the sturdiness of your handles; my flute bag is proving to be invaluable, and shlepps around a lot more than one flute and some music!! I think it had about 12 pounds in it last week! Thanks for stopping by; Laughed loudly at the deflowering comment; scared my co-worker! Have a great week.
-K

Anonymous said...

Happy WOYWW. I always admire your ability to take some gorgeous fabrics and make some even more gorgeous things. Does inspire me to dust down my sewing machine. The Pomodoro Technique is great for me because it stops me getting distracted so much - and it is easier to get started when you know you only have to do 25 minutes of something. Ali x #45

Bernice said...

Great bags Jan, Love that scotty dog fabric - I think I still have some in the plastic coated version - but I need to get motivated to bring the sewing machine out.
Bernice #69

RosA said...

Hi Jan,
Sad to see the end of the cute scotty dog fabric! (I'd probably be looking for more, haha!)
As for those challenges, well, we'll see how I go :) The Wanderlust course is the "important" one, cos I paid for that :)
(What did you think of my postscript to the Great Fingernail Disaster of December?)

MadeByKarla said...

That is really lovely fabric! The woyww community really is wonderful! A banana into a vcr huh? That sounds tough to clean!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

How interesting! I was just thinking of Janet earlier this week. My blog friends mean so much to me that I feel their loss! I lost another blogging friend over the holidays. She was the one I called my non-partisan adult friend and often went to her for advice and opinions. The other day I was really sad and when asked why I said, "Because I need an adult!"

Anywho... love your bags and so sad to see the end of the Scottie Dog era. You've made so many lovely things with that material!

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

I love your bags, Jan and I can testify to their strength. Mine currently carries all my techie things when I travel. What a brave thing to do a sky dive and I hope they raise loads of money in Janet' s memory. I hope you find lots of new fabric to create beautiful things from. xx Maggie #65

buterfliecrafter said...

Lovely tote and how good to not waste any fabric by making little bags with them. Vicky#66

Hettie said...

You are taller than me!! Haa Haa!!
Lovely bag there Mrs.
As for blogging friends, I don't know where I would be without mine, including you, the last few weeks!! I love you all for being there with me.
Hugs
xxxx

Kyla said...

A lovely idea and a nice bag too....I cannot believe you have finished that fabric...thought it was never ending!!
kyla

WOYWW 769

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