My greatest conquest yet!

A zip! I think the last time I installed a zip in a garment or item was probably my A-level Textiles final project; I think there's enough distance between then and now to admit that I had a fair amount of help from my dressmaking mother on that one. Because of everyone's anxiety surrounding the humble zip, I got it into my head that putting one in is SUPER hard. So I was a little reluctant to do this, but I was so surprised at how simple it was!

I've made yet another doorstop, this time as a gift for my boyfriend's family. They have a huge, beautiful German Shepherd and are very much a dog family. So when I saw this fabric I had to get some. But with the dog running around, occasionally vomiting, I could see this doorstop getting hideously grubby in a matter of days, so it needed to be washable. I absolutely exhausted all avenues, until I came full circle back to the zip - it is literally the only way! So the stuffing can be taken out and the cover washed. Instead of just throwing the stuffing in, I made two cubes from a very lightweight cotton and filled one with the toy stuffing and the other with LOTS of rice. The extra work was really worth it; the doorstop has a better structure than the previous attempts, due to the stuffing not stretching and distorting the casing, but rather the lining.

And here is the zip..

I think the zip makes it look ten times better and it's also now ten times more practical! If you can't tell from the pictures, it's on the bottom. It was so easy to alter the pattern - all you need to do is cut the bottom panel in half, put in the zip, and then trim it down so that each edge still measures 6". Simple! Removing the 1/2" seam allowances, the panel is a 5" square, so a 5" zip is made for this.

I think next, I'm going to try a zip down the front because it will be far easier to remove the stuffing that way.

Until next time! xx



In which I make a peg bag..

I had finished making a doorstop the other day and my sewing hunger had just not been sated, when I glanced up at the rattiest, oldest, most threadbare peg bag you have ever seen. Inspiration had struck. I knocked up a new peg bag which now hangs on the door and looks very at home in our kitchen. 

I used the remains of the oilcloth that I used for my doorstops. Now this fabric is fast becoming my least favourite ever. I love how it looks when it's finished, but it's hideously difficult to work with you. I sewed the strap inside out, which in theory makes the most sense, but this fabric sticks to itself like billy-o. This resulted in me, wait for it, pouring olive oil through the top to coat the whole handle to make it easier to turn it the right way round. This was messy. I don't know if it notices in the picture, but the strap is a very slightly different colour than the rest of the bag; olive oil stains. Who knew? So next time, I'm going to concoct some way of sewing the handle the right way round. 

I'm usually too impatient to handsew, but I handstitched the lining to the top of the bag (the visible bit) and I am SO happy with how it turned out, it looks very neat. Neater than I thought I was capable of. 

Making this was the most impromptu and fun piece of sewing, it really reminded me why I love making things. 

My mum said I should make one for my Grandma for Christmas... Does anyone else think that a peg bag is a bit of an insulting gift? I think maybe it could be just a little extra..

A bits and bobs sort of post...

This post is LONG overdue. Around this time last year, my beautiful housemate taught me how to knit. And then ensued the longest battle ever to not enter into a knitting coma for the duration of my degree. I exercised huge amounts of self control. Shortly after my inaugural knit, I took on the task of knitting a jumper. Which took me approximately nine months to complete. I lost interest in it round about February, when everything at uni just went mental and I only managed to finish it this summer! It really is rustic. There are holes ALL over it, and the seams are all on the wrong sides, it's actually awful. But I LOVE it, it's so warm and cosy and a lovely festive dark red. 

Usually I'm at least a little bit proud of anything I post on this blog, but the jumper? Not so much. But, if I didn't post it then I would be presenting a false image! That's the whole point of this blog, to catalogue my crafting explorations, whether the result be relatively pleasing or truly awful. I think my jumpy is somewhere in between. I'm not sure if this is something that we have invented or not, but my boyfriend and I call very woolly jumpers 'jumpys'. I have no idea why. So this my jumpy. 

 Please excuse my messy bedroom...

In conclusion, RE the jumper - I love it. But I will probably never ever ever knit a jumper again. Secondly, just a quick photo of my Twit-Knit club Project #1. It was supposed to be a blanket, but I ran out of the wool I was using and really didn't want to add any other colours. And I had no clue what wool I was using. So I turned it into a cushion and popped it onto my sister's bed, ready for her return from university! It's crazy how well it matches without my even intending it to!

For the back of the cushion I 'upcycled' an old, rather grotty, cushion cover I had knocking about. It felt nice to turn it into something that would be used more. 

Speaking of upcycling, my Mum brought Refab's card home for me from Greenwich Market. I LOVE the doorstops. If you love upcycling and all things home-y, definitely check Refab out - I absolutely love little companies like this. DO IT! Hope it inspires you all.. If you have cats, then I'm pretty sure it will...

It's a doorstop-y kind of day..

I decided a few weeks ago, in a fit of boredom directed at the retail industry, to handmake ALL of my Christmas gifts. I've always intended to do this, but either never had enough time or enough inspiration. Since I started this blog I have discovered so many crafters who blog their beautiful creations, and it really does make the stitching fingers itch.. Seeing all these beautiful and simple, yet clever, ideas, is so inspiring.

One such blog is Flossie Teacakes, a blog that is full of lovely, handmade goodness. There is a lot of rather complex crafting going on over there, of a standard I most definitely aspire to. There is even a post on how to build your own pizza oven, which I particularly loved. I've haven't yet discussed this with my boyfriend, but when we grow up, we're having a pizza oven.

I spotted Florence's doorstop pattern a few months back and have found the perfect opportunity to make some for some Christmas gifts. I won't go into too much detail in case of little prying internet eyes, but there are two very special people living temporarily with some very heavy fire doors. Thus, the doorstop was born. I purchased the pattern this morning and come evening, I have a doorstop! I love things that I can see taking shape quickly, as I have mentioned countless times before. Because of this I have a tendency to rush things and not take enough care, but not today! I really want these to look profesh, so I measured and then measured again.

The pattern itself is so beautifully presented and easy to follow, with a lovely little personal note at the beginning! It made making the doorstop feel all the more special! There are step-by-step instructions with a picture to match that makes it exceptionally difficult to make a mistake. It really is a very well constructed pattern.

I think I've used a particularly difficult fabric to construct mine; I used a very thick oilcloth that stuck to itself when I tried to turn it the right way round or move it in any way. I'm not sure that I like the shiny effect either..

The print is absolutely PERFECT for it's intended receiver, it reminds me of a print from that well known high street retailer that spews floral print on everything. In a good way.

It feels so satisfying to know that I've made this for someone to open at Christmas, knowing that they'll love it. I've given my local fabric shop a little more business, at a time when large companies are struggling in my town, let alone small, independent businesses. And it feels good to support a blogger in this way too.

I've filled it with dried marrowfat peas, as they were the heaviest thing I could find. I'm not sure if that's a good idea, but I'm sure we'll find out in a year or so...

So, that's two Christmas presents down, many more to go. Inspiration welcome! And thank you Flossie Teacakes!

Is anyone else giving any deliciously handmade gifts this year?

Oh, for the love of Corgi...

It may seem that this blog has become but a catalogue for projects I start and don't finish. But this is no longer the case! A couple of months after the deadline, I have finished my Twit-Knit club toy! I believe this was the second project, after the patchwork blanket (which I am yet to blog about), and has only taken me mere months to complete! HA. And he's tiiiiny. You may remember the moment I realised quite how small the pattern would make him.. 

So here is what he's supposed to look like...

Very neat, I'm sure you'll agree. And here is how my little chap turned out!

He does look a slightly different colour, but I think that might be the rather unforgiving flash on my camera. So now he sits on my Charbonnel and Walker box looking regally down from my book shelf.

When I say, "he looks regally down", I do use the phrase with some artistic licence, as he is somewhat boss-eyed. The eyes are supposed to be french knots, something so seemingly simply. Apparently not. I think they are supposed to be quite a lot smaller than that, I think I've quite probably done something wrong. And his nose is far too huge. So huge, in fact, I decided against sewing a little mouth on.

I am also aware that it is rather scruffy, I am SO bad at joining knitting pieces together, I use the 'stitch-it-and-see' approach. Ain't no method over here. If anyone has any tips on how to make the seams a little less pronounced, they would be very gratefully received!

Look out for the outcome of Twit-Knit club project #1..

p.s. The dog's collar is a chain of crochet! I painstakingly taught myself to crochet with the aid of YouTube! Another craft conquered! (sort of. But not really at all.)

A somewhat unconventional use for the household mug..

I own a very vast array of Cath Kidston mugs. There, I said it. There is absolutely no justification for this. Whenever I see them separately, in shops, I am CONVINCED that they are completely different to those that I already own. Put my collection together and they take on uncanny similarities. When I was at university, it was absolutely fine; one needs a lot of mugs. At home, in a house with two other mug addicts, they have been rendered useless. There's no room in the cupboards for them, and if my mum drank a cup of tea from one of them, she'd probably wee herself when sneezing. They hold a LOT of tea. (I really hope she doesn't read this).

And so, to the point of this post. Until now, the mugs have been gathering dust on my bookshelf. I present to you, mug candles..

 I'm aware that mug candles make them sound like some amazing new invention, wherein the candle is actually built into the mug, but this is literally just a tealight in a mug. But so effective! They really do look lovely. There are lots of frankincense and myrrh candles popping up all over the place at the moment, so you can even create your own festive version. I'm sure someone has done this before now, so I won't take all the credit for it. For we must remember, it is just a tealight in a mug.

I'm sure there is a joke in here somewhere about mugs and my being one, so there's the material, do with it what you will..

'Tis the season to be spooky!

Happy Hallowe'en!

And now I shall revert back to Halloween, for Hallowe'en is more effort and makes me seem slightly pretentious.. 

I have honestly never felt more in the Halloween spirit than I have this year. I'm not sure why this is, whether the event itself just seems bigger in general this year, or whether it has something to do with my working in one of the nation's favourite stores, selling a plethora of the yummiest, coolest Halloween snacks around. It's probably more to do with the latter..

So I decided to really get into the spirit, showcase my creative skills (or lack thereof), tick something off the proverbial bucket list and carve a jack'o'lantern.

I am SO proud of this. I typed 'pumpkin templates' into Google and up popped the Pumpkin Masters page, informing me that if I liked them on Facey B, I could get free templates! Then I remembered that my parents had generously given my sister the ink cartridges from my printer, so I had to draw the template myself and then tape my shoddy homemade one on. But it worked! I also didn't really have a sharp enough knife, so I got very frustrated and got cramp in my right hand. 

It may look like the sun is shining brightly in my garden, but it's a security light and it is in fact night time. The conveniently placed broken pots are so the hedgehogs can manoeuvre easily. Naturally.

I'm aware that Halloween is officially over in 15 minutes, but I'm planning on making it last at least two more days as there are lots of Halloweeny baked goods I want to try my hand at!

 And so, in 15 minutes, Happy Tuesday!

New Bow!

The 'b' button on my keyboard is broken, so this post is more difficult than you can ever know..

But I have made new bows! Keep an eye on Robyn's Ribbons for more!

The fabric is completely amazing for cheer bows, I saw it and snapped up a few metres there and then. Pretty hideous in terms of anything else though..

Personally, I think one of my finest yet..

A few sizing issues..

A couple of posts ago, I talked about my Royal Corgi that I was planning on knitting for twitknitclub, from the Knit Your Own Royal Wedding book. You may think that this blog has just become an outlet for all things crafty that I start and never finish, BUT, I always finish them eventually. I get very impatient when something doesn't take shape immediately.

Now, from the photo, and I'm sure you will all agree, the Corgi looks like an average stuffed toy size. Which I was quite excited about. He was going to sit regally on my bed. Turns out, he's tiiiiny. I'm dedicating a whole post to this because I think it's mostly hilarious. The wool was delivered at the end of last week and I remarked upon how thin it was.. "Oh dear Mum, I must have ordered the wrong wool?!". Then yesterday morning I went and picked up the needles the pattern suggested, 3mm, and they were tiny too! Then I thought, well, maybe the Corgi is just absolutely tiny? Ding!

I was somewhat disappointed about that fact. Until, I saw this.

How cute is that? I think the Queen is amazing and definitely have to get the book to knit that too.

I'm going to make an army of tiny Corgis..

Clarks' Heritage Range..

After weeks and weeks of very careful and calculated budgeting, along with a heavy dose of BEING ABSOLUTELY IN LOVE, I have bought these boots.

Bizarrely name 'Licorice Candy', I have fallen completely and head over heels in love with these boots. I mention budgeting because they carry rather a hefty price tag. However, anyone who knows me can testify that I wear brown riding boots close to every single day of the winter months. I absolutely live in them. so these bad boys will definitely be worth the money. My last pair were from Debenhams and, rather unexpectedly, fell apart at a rather inopportune moment - in the rain.

If you are thinking of getting some winter boots now, as the weather starts to change, it is the best time; enter 'BENEW' in the promotional code box at the checkout and you'll receive 10% off! So you can see that I really couldn't ignore these boots.

The whole range is completely delicious; dubbed the 'Heritage' range, it has an incredibly English countryside vibe. I have a tweed Zara blazer and a jumper that I have just finished knitting (more on that at a later date) that will complete the look perfectly.

Sadly, the dog is sold separately. 

Happy shopping!

IMAGE CREDIT: www.clarks.co.uk

An ode to Mary Berry..

During a fit of late night impulse purchasing last week, I became the proud owner of this...

I was in Asda at about 10pm, you may ask what on earth possessed me to be in there at all, let alone at 10pm.. I was looking for Jamie Oliver's 30 Minute Meals. Which they didn't have. On a complete tangent, I cooked this the other night, and it was incredible. SO easy and absolutely delicious. I never thought I'd be able to cook anything as complex as this, hence my search for the 30 Minute Meals book. It's literally a miracle.

Back to Ms Berry. In Asda, when I was not finding Jamie's book, I happened to chance upon the Great British Bake Off book! I'd only watched the final the night before so was so surprised to see this. Asda has it for only £10, so I thought it was rude to refuse. 

The book is absolutely beautiful. The recipes are laid out perfectly, with a picture for each step and whole page pictures for the technical bakes. All the technical challenges from the competition are in there, along with some of the bakers own creations. Highlights include Mary Berry's coffee and walnut battenburg and some absolutely gorgeous summery tarts. Along with the BBC's Great British Bake Off Masterclasses on iPlayer, this is surely failsafe?

We can only wait and see. I have two days off in a row now, so I'm planning to attack the Battenburg tomorrow, armed with Mary Berry talking me through it via my iPad. I'll try and post some pictures when I've done it, but if it's hideous then I completely refuse. I fear that mine may end up looking slightly, hearty, if you will. Not as neat and delicate as it possibly should. 

Let me know if you bake anything from it, we can have our own bloggy bake-off. :-)

Happy Baking!

#twitknitclub

Twitter. I joined Twitter, I HATED it. Then I worked out how to use it, started following a few people, and found out about this. twitknitclub. Which, I love. Started by Scarlett Curtis, of teengranny fame, the club sees twitterers, (tweeters? twits? tweeters?) complete little projects. Of the knitted variety, naturally. S'all in the name. The first project was a knitted patchwork blanket, which I initially got REALLY into. Then I had to hand in my dissertation and a million other essays and the knitting fell by the wayside. My 6 completed squares are currently sitting, unloved in London, in my desk drawer. I'm heading London-ward to retrieve them next week, (not just the knitting, my other possessions also) and plan to crack on and finish my blanket just in time for the winter months. I'm expecting it to take this long because I want to make it REALLY big. Yeah. I'll update on twitter and on this blog with pictures.

However. The second project, is knitted toys. This makes me so excited, as I have recently developed a love for all knitted animals. I saw this pattern ages ago and printed it, fully intending to do it straight away, but I didn't. Story of my life. So now, I present to you, my twitknitclub project two pattern..

This little guy! This is the royal corgi from Fiona Goble's Knit Your Own Royal Wedding. I'm aware that I'm a little late in doing anything from this book, but a dog is for life, not just for a wedding. And it is SO cute.

Also, bonus, one doesn't even need to purchase the book! In a fit of royal wedding generosity, you can find the pattern here, on the Guardian website.

I'll tweet photos as the little guy starts taking shape. Good luck fellow twitknitters!

Some more David Nicholls..

My last post was about all the things I had been managing to fill all my very spare time with. Cast your minds back; I wrote about a book I'd recently read, One Day by David Nicholls. I've since learned it's been made into a film, which I absolutely LOVE the sound of. Anne Hathaway is playing Emma, which I was slightly dubious about when I first heard, but I'm coming round to it. I think Anne Hathaway is so adaptable and I'm sure she'll bring a whole new element to the character that I never even read into. Jim Sturgess plays Dexter; I don't really have anything to say on this as I have absolutely NO idea who he is. Apologies if this is awfully ignorant. I think I like that I don't know who he is though, no preconceived notions of dislike or such.

So here's the crux, the whole reason for this post, which is supposed to have nothing to do with One Day. I've just finished reading Nicholls' The Understudy. Seeing the familiar style of the front cover and Nicholls' name perched neatly in WHSmith sealed the deal for me. The story follows the journey of Stephen McQueen, destined to play 'Dead Man' forever more, and Josh Harper, of whose wife, Nora, Stephen falls desperately in love with. Calamitous consequences.

I would recommend this book to anyone, actor or not; it's far less intense than One Day, whimsical you might say. And incredibly funny. As someone who has played an understudy, as I'm sure many have, and from someone attempting to navigate their way through the acting world, this book is hugely reassuring in that I'm not missing much; there is a strong chance the rest of my life will remain in much the same vein. As the Stephen C. McQueen so eloquently phrases it, fanTAStic.

Back in the saddle!

I have not blogged for AN AGE. Since I last wrote, SO much has happened. Which is probably the reason I haven't blogged, vicious cycle. Or is it circle? This post is going to be incredibly vague and roaming, so bear with. Bear with. Bear with. (Re-runs of Season 1 Miranda, they're making my life).

So I finished university, much to the delight of my family. I, however, feel complete desolation. Going from having the past three years of your life entirely planned out, to being able to do whatever you want, whenever you want, is not quite as liberating as you might think. I'm taking it steady though, don't you worry. Which leads me to my reading material. I have read not one, not two, but three books this week. I don't think I ever read that many books in a week when I was at university?!

Embarrassingly, and we won't dwell on this, I finished Jilly Cooper's Jump at the beginning of the week. It was vacuous, ridiculous and I was wholly embarrassed by it's calibre. Not the sort of book you whip out on the tube. (I will direct you to the title of this blog, which is a little nod in Jilly's direction, but also a nod to my being back in the proverbial blogging saddle.)

Secondly, came Ben Fogle and James Cracknell's The Crossing. Fogle and Cracknell take us through every minute and gory detail of their crossing of the Atlantic ocean in a two-man rowing boat. It's so interesting to see how quickly they are forced to bond aboard what is essentially a bathtub; they didn't know each other before they embarked on their adventure. Cracknell's Olympic rowing prowess paired with what I at first believed to be Fogle's hunger for media attention, could only mean catastrophic disaster.

HOWEVER. I was proved completely wrong, sorry Ben Fogle, I take it all back. Ben Fogle is not a brilliant rower though. To begin with. I was reluctant to even give Mr Fogle a chance, after his stint on Taransay island and his japes at Longleat I thought he was all front and no substance. The BBC television series On Thin Ice altered my perceptions completely; it would seem that my initial dislike of Benjamin stems from a jealousy of all his adventures. And I AM JEALOUS. I then read the account of their pole to pole race, aptly named, Race to the Pole. I would massively recommend both books, they are bone crushingly honest.

Up next is another piece of literature that I am in no way saying is intellectually stimulating. Massively enjoyable though. I've always loved Sophie Kinsella books and her latest offering is a series of books she wrote before her other, more popular stories, as Madeleine Wickham. I polished off The Gatecrasher in less than 24 hours, a new record I'm sure.



The premise of the story is somewhat ridiculous actually. The protagonist, Fleur Daxeny attends funerals and memorial services of strangers with a mind to preying on their grieving and hideously rich husbands, sons and brothers. Hideous, I know, but it really was good.

Only one more, promise. Another one I read a while ago now, that really deserves a mention, is One Day by David Nicholls.



It is absolutely fantastic. A man and women meet on the night of their graduation; the story follows their lives after university at ten year intervals. I won't say much more because it may give it all away, but this is really worth a read. Reading it on the eve of my finishing university made it all the more poignant.

Ok no more books.

That said, can anyone recommend a few good books? I feel rather bereft after finishing One Day, nothing since as quite lived up to it.

And this, is why I shouldn't leave so long between blog posts. I have so much more to say but I'll save it for another day.

I commend you on making it to the end. :-)

Bows!

Along with spending my days discussing toilet roll, I'm filling up my surplus spare time with lots of lovely things. That aren't toilet roll. I've spent today making an army of cheerleading bows for the group stunt competition that my squad have this weekend. 

I think I've definitely got a lot better at making them, you can see my first, rather embarrassing attempts, here. I'm super proud of these ones and think I'll make a little extra one for myself!

 

A little below the belt..

My housemate and I have just passed at least ten minutes having a vicious rant about toilet roll usage. I live in a house of four fellow students and it has come to my attention this week, that we have used TWELVE TOILET ROLLS IN A WEEK. That's a toilet roll a day! Slightly more, actually. Now that, dear reader, is wasteful.

It's very scary to be writing this post, because I'm so massively aware that I sound just like both of my parents rolled into one. Which I suppose is exactly what I am, but I can just hear my dad.. "What are you doing, eating it?!" Now that I've finished my degree it would seem that the most important thing I have to worry about it is how much toilet roll we use in a week.

I can't help but feel that if we were to invest in some slightly more exciting toilet roll, people might be more inclined to use it a little more sparingly..

Rant over, thanks very much for listening.

Image credit: thedesignertoiletrollcompany.co.uk

Recycling!

 I always have a real issue deciding what to wear. Ask anyone, my sisters, my mum, my housemates, they'll all agree. This morning was a particularly bad example. I don't think anyone quite knows what to wear at this time of year; it's so hot in the sun, but I live by the sea and the breeze makes it unbearably cold in the shade and in the evenings. So I tend to wear a summery top, jeans and have a handy hoody. Until Summer, when I crack the shorts out. So, this morning I had one of those 'I-don't-have-any-clothes' moments. I was digging through my wardrobe and all my drawers and I was SO bored of everything and actually didn't really like a lot of it. 

And then I found this!

 I bought this when I was about 15 in H&M, which was definitely ages ago. The only reason it still fits is because it's 95% elastic.. It's not, but it may as well be. Anyway. I think it's suitably frumpy. It's too long, shapeless, and a little bit see-through, so can't be worn for much other than the beach.

HOWEVER. I have carried out my first alterations! I definitely haven't done it how it's supposed to be done and I'm not sure whether it's success is all a massive fluke, but we shall see...

I literally just chopped off the bottom and hemmed it. I put it on and measured how long I wanted it to be. (I had to be extra careful not to lean forward at all so that it was accurate). I started to measure at regular intervals and put little pin markers in, but there is SO much fabric because of the gathering at the chest that it all got a little confusing, and I have to admit to just going at it with the scissors without much more measuring. I managed to cut it in a straight line by using the straight line of the hem as a guide. If anyone can reveal how this might be done with a little more finesse, please do fill me in.

 I'm so proud. :-) I feel like it's a completely new top, like I've been shopping. Only for free! I'm going to wear it so much more and it's not taking up unnecessary space in my drawers. I feel quite the sense of achievement!

I want to make something with all the left over fabric.. any ideas? I think it may just end up going into some sort of cushion cover or blanket..

Until the next time!

Antique rescue...

I'm half way through my dissertation and am thus celebrating with a blog post. It's only natural.

Now, I've never really been one for antiques; I really enjoy looking at something aesthetically  pleasing and to my tastes, and I definitely know what I like, but the thought of trawling through shops and markets to organically find my own? It fills me with dread and, I hate to admit, boredom. I liken it to Primark - I see people wearing things from Primark that I LOVE, but cannot think of anything worse than actually entering a Primark store and digging about in the heaps of screwed up clothes. That's how I feel about antiques.

However! My parents came home from decorating my Nanny's old flat, with this...

 

I love it! And it looks so good in our conservatory. It is a little bit used, the mosaic is falling off all over the place. I think because it's so old and it's been sat in the same room for SO long. We're going to try and fix it up and restore it to it's former glory. I get a little bit sad when I see little cluster of broken off pieces and, I am embarrassed to admit, I do remember quite clearly picking the little pieces off and discarding them behind the sofa. I was very young and knew no better of course. 

I shall update on the progress of the little Indian table!

A little light reading..

When I almost certainly should be writing my dissertation, (there are but three weeks until the deadline) I am writing you a book review.

I know that not a lot of people are into the cheerleader thing, so I'm telling you about Cheer! Inside the Secret World of College Cheerleaders by Kate Torgovnick, because I don't think it can fail in converting you.

I'm aware that it sounds incredibly pre-teen and a little bit Sleepover Club and, at first glance, it looks a bit like that too. But I absolutely promise that for someone completely unaware of the cheerleading world, this book is so informative and fascinating. 

It follows three American college squads in a year; they face try-outs, practices, injuries and national competitions. Having had the most annoying, painful and recurring injury EVER, I found the injuries part particularly juicy.

It's really interesting to compare cheerleading in America to here, people choose which university to go to over there depending on their cheerleading squad, and winning really matters to them. 

The book is SO insightful and written in such a way that you instantly warm to the cheerleaders, they are all completely likeable, something that will hopefully start to dispel the stereotype!

So, if you're looking for something different to read and want a glimpse into a world you never knew existed, you should definitely read Cheer.

Get it here.

More Felions I'm afraid..

UPDATE!

 

WE CAME FIFTH!!

I can't quite believe it, we did so, so well - especially considering the monumental music mess up. However, I can't help but wonder how well we would have done if it had all gone smoothly.. I think we'd be a fair amount further up that board.. BUT, that is still amaaaazing. I received this news on my birthday too, best birthday present ever!

OK, I promise there will be no more cheerleading posts until the next competition, back to the task in hand now. Which really should be my dissertation..

Who, who, can I get a who?

FELIONS!

That's who.

This weekend I competed with the fantastic Goldsmiths Felions cheerleading squad at ICC Nationals in Birmingham. I love these guys SO much and just had the best weekend ever with them.

 The competition runs over a full weekend, with squads competing on both Saturday and Sunday; the marks get averaged and awards are on the Sunday evening. I mostly want to share this because I am super high from our success this weekend and want everyone to know how swell they are. :-)

We're not quite sure where we placed, but we did suuuuuuch a good routine and we're all super proud.

Also, check the uniforms! They're new and SO good. It makes a massive difference if you feel good in your uniforms, the routine has so much more attitude. And the bows finish it off nicely!

There was a bit of a music debacle which we won't go into, as it still makes me have a sad feeling. However, the way everyone pretended to ignore the massive calamity and carry on has to be testament to how freaking good everyone is!

So Felions, this one's for you. :-)

ps. There'll be more photos when they all start to surface. Mostly because I am SO proud.