Nothing but Patches

In one way or another I've had a bit of a rotten day. Facebook chums will know what I'm talking about, but I feel it's now time to move onwards and upwards, and forget about the horrid people who have no respect for the feelings of others. As you can imagine, it's not nice for someone to call you 'sick' and say that you are 'pro death' just because you take an interest in the Royal Air Force. No I'm not 'pro-death and if I'm classed as being’ sick' for taking an interest in history and indeed of all those who served, sadly lost their lives or survived the war then so be it. Just because I take an interest doesn’t mean I want to glorify it or even agree with it, but these things should not be forgotten and nor should the people.

 ***

First off let’s see what all the fuss was about hey!

 Please ignore the wonkiness..

“ The Roval Air Force” I think I need to put another stitch on the ‘y’!

 

Pretty innocent looking isn’t it. Who knew that this patch would cause me so much grief both before and after it was finished! The funny thing is, the two monsters harassed me, then had the nerve to say that it was ‘a nice bit of needlework’….blooming cheek!

Well, my first ‘proper’ patch is indeed finished (celebratory jig and ginger beer for all!) and I’m rather pleased with it I must say! It’s quite big at 5 x 6 inches. I had the notion that if it was bigger it would be easier to work, which is true, but boy has it taken some hours!

 

Another patch finished for the 'show me your colours' project.

 

Well that's a'nuff of that trouble maker...

Now moving on to something that has caused me no hurt feelings (well, it has a few holes, but they can be darned!). Chums, meet my very own service knit! It's one of my most treasured items. (Yes I know, I say that about everything... but I mean it!)

To my knowledge I'm the third owner that has had the honour to keep this scarf safe, and only the second to wear it! You may be thinking what is she on- it's only a Air Force blue scarf knitted in a simple garter stitch, and yes, you would be right, but to me it means so much more. This very long scarf may have been knitted by a RAF Comforts Party, or it may have been knitted especially for a loved one- who knows? I also have no idea who collected the patches- some are older than others, so it may have been started by the original owner and then added to over the years?
Did I mention that it smells divine? Well it does! Yes, it has that old wool smell, but it also has an oily musk about it too- you know that lovely engine-y/garage smell? Please say that you know what I'm on about.... please! I wish I could bottle the smell...then again, s'pose I just need to buy a bottle of machine oil eh!!!

A picture of yours truly wearing the scarf- twas a very windy and cold day! Picture taken not long after Christmas last year!

 



Anyway, don't you think it could do with a few more patches? Hint, hint, hint. here's nudging all you RAF folks out there... please feel free to send me some new patches to sew upon my scarf! I know, subtlety is an art I have yet to master! :p

I wasn't even pretending to sew on a patch here- one really needed to be sewn on again!

 

***

Here's two very simple patterns for scarves from the "Knitting for the R.A.F" booklet...

 

And here's a great little pattern for an easily knitted service pullover.

December, 1940.

 

 

Have you got any original service woollens?

 



Also I would just like to say a big "Ta very much" once again to all on FB that helped me along today- You are all stars!

 

Here's to a chirpier weekend...

 

 

Sincerely Yours

 

Tickety Boo Tupney

 

 

 



***

RAF Friday so far...

 

It's a Piece of Cake

Mrs Pickup's

Knitting for the R.A.F

Love Is In The Air

Double Trouble

One Mans Photo's

The Rings

Here Comes The Bride...

The Other Box

The Box

Mayday! Mayday! She has bought more wings...

Checks for Autumn.

 

What'ho Folks!

 

Yesterday I had the house and garden to myself, so I popped out the conservatory window (don't ask!) to take a few snaps of Mammy's newest creation.

Facebook chums have already been treated to a glimpse of my new suit (how very modern of me), and I have finally sat down without any embroidery hoops or knitting needle to hand so I can show all... show the suit off, that is!

.

 Such a suit has been on my ever growing wish list since I don't know when, so I can't even begin to tell you how much I'm in love with my natty new suit. I must say it's real boon to have a suit that hasn't been ravaged by moths, that doesn't need mending somehow and not to mention one that doesn't have stained lining (always find this gross when inspecting old clothing!).

Plus it's quite, quite lovely to have suit that has been made to fit ones awkward frame- no tight shoulders, short sleeves or baggy waists with this suit,.... oh no!

 

c.1942- the pattern.

 

'squse the dishevelled look- I chose a 2 second timer to do these as it was very nippy out, thus not having enough time to straighten myself out!

 

 Mother being mother expertly matched up all the checks- makes such a big difference I think.

We did chuckle when I wore it out and we overheard people saying things like "oh look at that girl in the original suit" or "well it's easy to find good vintage it her size" (is it?).

 

Snazzy welted pockets

It even has three welted pockets- mammy wasn't looking forward to doing these, but I got my whip out because I.. well because I wanted them. Luckily mammy dearest didn't have any trouble in the construction of these...phew! Funnily enough the jacket took hardly any time in comparison with the skirt, which proved most troublesome!

 

 

The jacket is also fully lined- that's how much my ma loves me!

 

 

Ain't I lucky girlywig having my own tailor!..... now waiting for Ma'ma to give me a kick up the never mind......ooh, ouch!

 

Details:

Suit made by Mammy

Hat: 1940's quilted beret

Shoes: Modern loafers

Hair: Models own

Silly poses: Models own

Scarf and Gloves are old'uns too.

Photographer: Tupney- who else!

 

 

Well, here's to tomorrow and RAF Friday and all.

I'll have to do something extra special, well try, as I haven't done one in a while- oops!

 

 

Tickety xxx

Email troubles...

Hullo All!

 Just a quick message to let you all know that my email is still messing me about! Apparently all it needs is a mobile number, so I can unblock it, (sounds simple enough)… Well that’s all fine and dandy, but I don’t own a mobile! I’ve only just found my way to facebook, so it will probably be decades before I buy a mobile…. Anyway….

Thankfully, I can still receive your emails, but the darn thing won’t let me reply.

So to those who have already sent me an email and to any future email senders (just in case!), I shall say a big “SORRY” for not replying. It’s not that I haven’t read them, or that I don’t want to talk to you- I have and I do, honest- it’s just because I can’t.

 

Well,  if I can’t figure out how to fix it by the end of this week, which I probably won’t, then I’ll fire up a new email account! :)

 

 

 

TTFN

Tickety Boo Tupney

 

xxx

Cheese Pud.

As I sit here waiting for my cheese pud to come out of the oven (shivering with hunger I might add!), I thought I’d take the time to do a quick share of the recipe. It’s a great little lunch or supper dish, as it takes very little time to prepare. Well, having said that, you do have to leave it to soak for half an hour, before you bung it in the ole oven for forty!

This recipe was taken from a wartime Woman and Home cookery book, and has been tried and tested many a time by me….

 

Ingredients:-

3 thin slices of bread,

1 egg (shell or reconstituted),

½ pint of milk, (or milk and water),

2oz grated cheese,

¼ teaspoonful of made mustard,

Pepper and Salt.

 

Arrange the bread and cheese in alternate layers in a greased pie dish.

Beat the egg, add the mustard, salt, pepper and milk.

Pour over the bread and leave to soak for half an hour.

Cook in a slow oven for forty minutes.

Eat!

 

 

(Just a pic to show how it sinks a little!)

 

Grubs up!

 

Tupney xxx

A Holiday in Pictures

Here's a few snaps of our jaunt up in bonnie Scotland- nothing particularly interesting or vintage related, but I thought you might like to see them....

 

In The Car

Day One:

Are we nearly there yet?

The only pic I took on the way up- Stirling Castle.

 

 

The Wedding

Day Two:

 

 

Part of the Hotel- I stayed in the Turret room! 

 

 

My Room for the night 

 

 

Chanonry Point

Day three:

 

 

Fort George

Day Three:

(An operational 18th century Garrison- lovely place, but mighty chilly and windy!)

Me and my fella!

 

 

 

Culloden

Day four:

 

Again, mighty windy and cold!

 

 

which is which?

 

Loch Ness

Day Five:

 

Could this be Nessie?

 

 

 Urquhart Castle

Day five:

 

 

 (horrid stairs- not suitable for a skirt wearer like me!)

 

The Commando Memorial

 Day Five:

 

 

 

Glenbogle!

Day Five:

 Does anybody remember Monarch of the Glen?

 

 

 

 

 

Brodie Castle

 Day Six:

 

 

Shopping!

Day Seven:

 

Not much to be had in the charity shops we went into- not that we got to do much in the way of shopping :(

 

Glencoe

Day Eight: Home!

 

I love going on holidays, but I was certainly looking forward to going home by this time!

 

Largs

 

We took a bit of a detour on the way back to check out one of our old and much loved holiday haunts.

We had pizza at the amazing ArtDeco restaurant/cafe, Nardini's (not as amazing as it use to look mind you!). I found the name of the restaurant quite amusing!

 

And no, I didn't take any pictures of of Nardini's- I was beyond wanting to do anything at this point. I think we all just wanted to be at home!

 

 

 

 

TTFN

 

Tupney x