Iris + Lily

Testing, testing....

2010-03-07T18:45:00.003Z

Button necklace by Iris+Lily
Originally uploaded by Iris + Lily

The big computer has gone big capute (What is it with this big description? I've taken to saying the ' big light' as in "turn off the big light, so I can fall asleep in front of the telly and no one will notice..." sadly I think it's an age thing....) so like I was saying, big computer big capute, it's showing us The Blue Screen of Death, that sounds promising doesn't it? There were warning signs....the mooing when it was turned on (!) was a bit of a give away to be honest, but after we ignored it for the first year it was really easy to take no notice for the following two years, consistency is one of my strengths don't you know? Was there a point to this post? Only a very small one in that I've worked out how to post from Flickr to here, see always a silver lining to be found! Shame I haven't loaded any pics on Flickr for an eternity because I couldn't ever see when I was going to use it.
OW! That hurts! Does it have to be quite so painful when the penny finally drops!!

2010-02-14T23:22:00.003Z

Once upon a time, a Tuesday I believe, a young lady happily bounced down the steps of Tottenham Court Road tube station. Down the stairs? What all 146ish of them? Did the young lady not know of the perfectly comfortable and functional escalator in operation? Well, that she did, but nonetheless she chose the path less often trodden by the ordinary London commuter, preferring the solitude of the stairs. This was already an established habit, even though she had only just started new employment back in the West End two short weeks before, after a period of purgatory due to cheaper rent somewhere near the North Circular Road. But today the young lady in question was not alone. No, following closely behind her was a young man.

On closer inspection, ( difficult, ever tried casually looking over you're shoulder while carefreely bouncing down a spiral staircase, without falling arse over elbow? Mmmm, I should add that skill to my C.V) the young man was THE young man from the haberdashers who covered her buttons (that's not a euphemism for anything, he really did cover buttons...) the previous year. Then her legs did that funny thing, when they independently get very self conscience and decide they're off to audition for a role in a Monty Python sketch. So the young lady gives him her best smile, and he talks to her. Thank heavens! I hear you all sigh. He makes some idle chit chat about it being Valentines Day, she laughs, and it turns out the young man, who we shall call Mr.M, coincidentally only lives 2 tube stops away from her, and has only been working back in the West End for a few days. So a date is arranged - Thursday, MacDonald's, Golders Green (could that BE any more glamorous). And the rest, as they say, is history. It seems London is a very big city but it can be a very small world when fate steps in.

That was 20 years ago, today (it was today, but I've spent so long typing it's now yesterday because today's Monday, keep up....) and the young man is still making the young lady laugh, sometimes even for the right reasons, though they're not so young and I'd prefer not to comment on the lady status....

2010-02-08T16:26:00.003Z

So here I am, 3 months after the last post. Just 10 days after that post, so full of the joys of no builders, I lost my Dad. We knew he was very ill, but still it was a shock, as these things always are. And now I'm here caught between normality and grief, not really knowing what to write, but not able to stop because that feels worse, like pretending it didn't happen. But it did. And life goes on. Falteringly somedays, but on nonetheless it seems.

And I'm not ready to give up on blogging and stitching, and this is afterall a craft blog, it's just well hidden. Stealth craft. But it's still there, bubbling underneath as always. And sewing is like therapy for the soul, creating something from nothing. Dad would have liked that. Though he would have used a hammer and big nails. And less vintage lace.

2009-11-04T10:03:00.002Z

Well, that was a bit of a longer break than I intended! Who knew having builders in your house could suck out the creative spirit in a girl to such an extent!
Anyhoo The Builders have almost gone, just the skirting boards to go on. We spent last week laying the floor downstairs and then it's just all the niggly finishing little jobs for us to do, carpet the bedrooms, plumb back in the sink, get an oven, hob, kitchen, you know the little things that make a house a home. Oh joy.
So rather than doing any of that, I'm back blogging! The computer is back downstairs in it's new home in the kitchen, which is slightly more comfy than the bedroom floor! As having the builders in has taken over most of this year, I'd thought I'd write a mini survival guide/ top tips that I've learnt to having your house taken apart and then thrown back together. Though this all probably quite academic to most people, we do seem to be the only people to have got to their 40's without the help of The Builders.
Tip no.1: When The Builders show up, if you hear the theme tune to 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly', and see tumble weed rolling down the street, take that as a bad omen.
No.2: Prepare mentally for the dust.
No.3: Prepare mentally for more dust.
No.4: Prepare mentally for EVEN MORE DUST, in every single crevice you can imagine. With a light sprinkling of dust on top for good measure. I was warned, but didn't fully believe in The Legend of the Dust. I believe now.
No.5: When they take away your kitchen sink and you find it necessary to wash up in the bath. Remember to rinse out UNDER the bath mat. There will be a bit of pasta lurking there and nobody really needs carbohydrates in their bath.
No.6: Developing very laissez-faire approach to household hygiene saves a lot of stress. A kinda had a head start on this one.....
No.7: Get a sense of humour. Essential bit of kit this. "What's that you say? That hulking bit of metal holding up the back of my house is the wrong sized joist? Hilarious! I laugh in the face of ineffective steel!" Funnily enough my local supermarket is currently sold right out of the 'Humour package', but I do believe they are available online at www. laughatyourbuilder.com. Or eat chocolate, worked just as well.
No.8: Get a proper builders calendar. You know, the ones that shows tomorrow (as in I'll be there tomorrow) actually is officially a week on Tuesday.
No.9: The vet will give your cat tranquilisers if he gets stressed by the build! Pussy Prozac!! I've been laughing about this for months, can't believe I didn't blog it before.
No.10: Installing big sliding glass doors is a really good idea. Where else can the cat smear muddy paw prints to such great effect?.....oh, quite a few places as it turns out. Mind, if you look at it at the right angle when Mr.Fishy is in full scratch at the door mode there is more than a passing resemblance to the 'Scream' by Munch.
No.10: Real advice this time, Make sure you like your builder, we did and it worked out fine, though he was here so long I had a dilemma as to whether I should register him on our electoral role.
I think I'd best go and do something now, the short people of the Shires have had a VERY long wait for trouser alterations.
Now Mr. Fishy, where did you leave that Prozac?

2009-06-16T14:28:00.003+01:00

Forgive me Blogfather, for I have sinned, 'tis been a month since my last post. Worry not child, sit in the sun and drink beer, for surely that cures all that ails thee......Well, if you insist...

The builders are still here, but I'd thought you might enjoy these little gems from the youngest Miss. M,

Smallski was in the bath the other day,
Me: Lie back and get your hair wet
Smallski: why?
Me: So I can wash it
Smallski, looks confused, while reading the shampoo bottle: But it says for dry hair......

Later that same day,
Smallski: Hold out your arms like this and shake them like this (que vigorous flapping and unlady-like shaking of the arms)
Me, Mr.M and Grandma (suspiciously): Why?
Smallski: I want to see who's got Flamingo wings.....

Honestly you can't make this stuff up!

If it fits in the toaster......

2009-06-09T10:46:00.006+01:00

Remember the last time I showed you the front of my house? The new bit had no roof. Now it's got one, and it's been knocked through and it's (almost) plastered!!! As are the three bedrooms upstairs (by the end of today anyway).....because we thought "why not trash the upstairs of the house to match the downstairs?", (dead co-ordinated I am), and then live like that for about 2 months. And why not take out the gas supply to the cooker while you're at it, nothing wrong with pork scratchings and beer for tea, (not joking, I only left out we had crisps for dessert, because we're posh) though the vegetarian children are struggling with the concept. Whingers. (Actually I wish I cut off the gas to the cooker years ago, but best not tell anyone that bit!) And radiators? Totally overrated in my opinion. "And is that digging in the back garden ?" I hear you ask politely, Oh yes, that would be the foundations for the rear extension (Oo-er madam!). Without the front or upstairs being finished? Paa! I laugh in the face of finished!!!!

Surprisingly enough I'm not writing this while rocking in a corner, mostly because I can't find a clean one.....

So you can see why it's been a bit quite on the bloggy/craft front, been just a bit too dusty to do much else other than think, and that's no bad thing! Because now I've got a plan. Yes, another one. I want to carry on with the bits and pieces I normally do but I want to diversify into making some skirts, printed most probably, not in any massed produced kind of way, all individual and lovely. The idea has been bubbling away for ages, waiting for it's turn to escape the "ain't got time for that you fool!" box in the back of the brain, and now it just feels like the right time to go back to the old pattern cutting roots. I say now, but you know that's the elasticated craft version of now don't you!

Eye Spy....My New Favourite Blog

2009-05-05T09:09:00.004+01:00

Anyone mind if I bend the rules a bit? Thought not! I'm cheating just a smidge,
my new favourite isn't a blog, but a music site called Spotify that lets you create your own playlist on your computer and it's FREE!! That would be my favourite price! I can now horrify the children by singing along in my marvelously unique style to my appaling taste in music without it costing a penny, Oh the joys!!
More later, still building/destroying the house, but we've almost got a tiled roof on the extension!

Thanks to One Red Robin for this weeks theme and to Bug and Pop for the Eye Spying fun and games.

Eye Spy.....My work in progress...

2009-04-27T11:21:00.006+01:00

How apt is that for a theme?!

Crafting progress is at a nil, but hey the building progress is s-l-o-o-o-o-o-w, but crucially, there is progress. The bricks arrived , wrong ones on the Thursday (and a week late...), wrong ones on the Friday, right ones on the Monday!! So we have a wall!! And they're lovely bricks they match beautifully, much better than the ones I thought we were getting (I won't explain that, you never know who's reading!) So it was actually worth the wait, you see, there's always a positive side!! We have no roof yet, it's raining. Apparently builders go rusty if you leave them out in the rain, and they only cure is to lubricate with a strong dose of PG Tips......
Further progress upstairs, the plasterer is doing his thang in the back bedroom as I type! Oe-er missus!! And the nice gas man just serviced the boiler and it didn't get condemend! Whoa! (Excuse the excitement but it's always a bonus with a boiler that's over 20 years old.) How thrilling is this for a post, all this talk of boilers and bricks, oh, be still my beating heart!!
And just so someone doesn't call for Craftman and Bobbin to come and bust my non-crafting arse on this supposedly craft blog, does wrapping an old yellow t-shirt around an old dusty Ikea lampshade (Darling, it's what all the best lampshades are wearing. T-shirts at a jaunty angle? Why yes, it's all the rage) while saying aloud "I'll stitch that on there, it'll be lovely!" count as crafting? Or does saying "....eventually" under my breath negate it's right to be called a work in progress?! Actually, I'm going to refer to it as a WIMP (work in mental progress) or maybe just plain mental for short.......

Thanks to the lovely Bug and Pop for Eye Spying fun, and to Michelle at Hugo & Elsa for the great theme!

New Phase.....

2009-04-09T10:23:00.003+01:00

We're at a new phase in the house renovations, I use the word renovations lightly, meaning house trashing in truth. The new phase shall be called:

Phase: 'What the bog are we doing this for?!'

'Tis half term here, we have a very slow extension being built at the front (waiting for bricks, don't ask) and a gutted bedroom at the back to contend with (gutted as in ripped it all out, rather than a room that's a bit down in the dumps and unhappy.....) and I think the computer may be full of dust, it's being rather unhelpful shall we say. The rest of the house is definitely under a layer of dust (oh yes, more than it's normal layer), so much I've actually taken to wearing walking boots instead of slippers. And we haven't really got going yet. Mmmm....bugger!!

So I'm going to take a little break from the old blogette for a couple of weeks. I've shut the shops on Etsy and Folksy until the 20th April, but if anyone can't live without a peg bag/pin cushion/apron, do feel free to drop me an email!

I just want to wish a

Happy Easter Everyone,

and save me a bit of chocolate! ( I think I might be needing it!)

Mine's bigger than yours.....

2009-03-27T08:51:00.004Z

Phase 1: Board the loft.......done!
Phase 2: Plaster and paint the hall......mostly done
Phase 3: Bathroom.....done!
Phase 4: Involves a sodding big JCB in the front garden....

A bit over the top in my opinion, it's the smallest of extensions.

But the MEN are in charge.

So it's a MASSIVE digger.

And I obviously wouldn't be so crude to mention every man's obsession with size and the importance there of...........would I?

2009-03-25T21:20:00.004Z

Got 10 minutes before I have to get ready for work, so bit of a quick post this one!

Above: Mother's Day card for mine and Mr.M's Ma's, with hearts made from.... wait for it.....the girls baby clothes. Aaahh sweet! Yes the red gingham and blue flower were worn by both sprogs the eldest only being 14 (I really do keep fabric for that long!) and the middle heart being newer and cut from a baby grow vest thing, was only worn by the youngest (um. I say 'newer' she's 9 and a half....)
Oh, just read that back to myself, the Mums got a card each not one between them, because there are 2 Mums I'm talking about, wouldn't want you to think there was only one and I married my brother or anything. I know I'm from Somerset originally, but really....

Moving on!

And then there was an emergency card making session last night for a friend's husband.

Smallski drew .......

And I stitched....

(and cleverly cropped out the massive stain on the tablecloth! Yay me!)

Eye Spy ...something in my garden

2009-03-25T20:41:00.004Z

Late again for the meme! Ho hum, that's life!
But look what's growing in my garden! It was a lovely little surprise from a friend for my birthday last week, so not sure who it's made by but it's taken up a happy and permanent residence on my coat. Only I keep forgetting why people are staring at my left bap....if you know what I mean....;)
Thanks to Beyond Pink and Blue for this weeks theme and to Bug and Pop for the Eye Spy fun!

2009-03-24T14:44:00.005Z

Let me introduce you to a friend of mine,

Kitty Kay!
Miss Kitty is a printing buddy of mine and has just opened her Folksy shop, which I know is going to be full of all sorts of gorgeousness in the coming weeks, in the mean time go and check out her rather fabulous knickers!

Stay tuned for more infrequent posts, and watch in stunned amazement as Shaz digs her self out slowly from another enormous pile of alterations.

Where do all these short people come from, does she in fact live in the vale of the hobbits, and why don't they shop at the short squat hobbit shop where they might find a cloak that fits, and don't they know there's a bloody recession on anyway and there just aren't enough hours in the day to sew and keep a bathroom shiny without getting frustrated? Not to mention blogging fun to be had....

I'm gonna have to stop sniffing the Cif you know......

Bargains and cold turkey...

2009-03-13T09:24:00.004Z

I've managed to find a few bargains this week.....

Huge stripey tongue

...ha ha only joking...nice new ironing board cover from Asda Living for only £3!

And while I was in there, it would have been rude not purchase these little soap dispenser things for only £1.50 each. Yes, I'm now so bathroom obsessed that I'm actually decanting the shampoo and conditioner! They're actually plastic, so I'm hoping they won't cause too much damage the next time the "cat" knocks them into the bath.

And this is free wallpaper! True 'tis only a sample, but quite a generous one and so lovely that it's currently decorating the fridge. It's called Dandelions and it's by Sandersons. I want those colours EVERYWHERE!

Right I'm now going to turn off the computer, walk away and paint the bathroom ceiling, then carry on sewing because all I seem to be doing is cleaning the bathroom - 3 times a day if you want the gory details! I'm polishing the taps so often I'm surprised there's any tap left. Even I know it's gone too far when I'm telling the smallest person to was her hands, but could she NOT touch the taps. And if they could all NOT get the shower screen wet.....never mind I'm sure I'll be back to my usual slovenly habits soon!

Oh and I've just gone cold turkey on sugar, we're on a bag a WEEK! And this week it's not really lasted a week. So I'm refusing to buy any. Two sugars down to none. Let's see how long I last. I don't predict very long, my coffee tastes like crap.
(Nearly forgot I bought bargain face cream, instead of my normal £8 pot, I got a £1.95 one from Tesco, works well. It moisturises and whatever, just smells a bit like bathroom cleaner........)

2009-03-10T09:05:00.002Z

There's a funny little meme going around that I found over at Bug and Pop, it goes like this...

Type "Unfortunately, your name" into google and see what appears, this is what I got.....

... Unfortunately, Sharon was a prime candidate for a stroke, thanks to years of inactivity, obesity, a poor diet, and extraordinary stress. ...

Unfortunately, Sharon relies on alcohol to transform into something that she's not.

Unfortunately, Sharon has had a major unfortunate complication ...

Unfortunately, Sharon did not go to Washington just to hear that America has not abandoned the United States to our fate. Rather he went there to receive ...

... Unfortunately Sharon has never served in the agricultural committee as Assemblywoman nor dealt with labor issues either. ...

Unfortunately, Sharon finds herself dealing with mysterious mishaps caused by her braces.

That first one made me laugh!

Eye Spy...something that makes me HAPPY!

2009-03-02T12:54:00.011Z

OOPS! Late for my own Eye Spy theme!
So what makes me happy? Well, this week it's bubble baths!
Because after nearly 2 years (yes, you did read that right) of having packing tape on the bath because of a hole caused by a large bottle of shampoo pushed by the cat, if rumours are to be believed (I don't believe, I have my own theory involving small creatures on two legs rather than four....) we sorted the bathroom. (Possibly the smallest bathroom on the face of the earth)

It started by looking like this...

Then we improved it, so it looked like this....

and this....

And then the nice plumber took over and made it look like this...

I love those tiles they make me very HAPPY!

I still have to paint the ceiling and get the drawer to fit in the sink unit (boring story!) but we're nearly there.
Just the hall, 3 bedrooms, front extension and kitchen to sort then. I think we're in for a LONG year!!
I didn't tell you about Mr.M puting in the loft ladder, did I? The idea was to board out the loft and make it into a proper storage/play room. Good idea. Great idea in fact. Only, I came home from work a few months ago, to find the hall ceiling on the floor, and M stuck in the loft! It's great now, but like I said it's gonna be a looong year!

More Eye Spy fun over at Bug and Pop!

Mug Swap Goodies!

2009-02-27T17:11:00.006Z

7.30 am Thursday. Ooo! My Mug Swap parcel arrived! How very exciting! Funnily enough, in a box with Bridgewater written all over, strange because that's where I grew up! I love a weird coincidence!

To Sharon...that would be me!!

LOTS of lovely wrapped parcels.....

Then it was a bit of a free for all, with lots of 'help' to unwrap all the goodies, so the camera took a bit of a back seat I'm afraid! There was coffee (yum!), chocolates (yum yum! can you see the little hand in the corner?!),a chocolate cookbook, stickers, some die cut flowers - that have already been used on a birthday card :), some Cath Kidston cloth and a piece of coordinating felt and beautifully made hand covered fabric buttons. I'm gonna keep these to make something special just for me. And then there were ribbons, the most gorgeous selection of buttons, and some lovely printed fabrics! And these were all in blues and greens, which I LOVE! I can't believe that someone I have never met could pick such perfect things for me! Oh I forgot to mention the mug, now my favourite mug, it's pink with flowers that look like they've been appliqued on. (I'll take a better picture when I find where I put the camera.)

And I've saved these beauties until last, a covered notebook and key ring that were made just for me! I cannot express just how beautiful the stitching on these are. Each stitch is absolutely perfect! (And the key ring looks so much better on the back door key than the frayed old bit of ribbon that was on there!) And there were cute little moo cards too....

So who was this generous crafter, I hear you ask, that put so much thought and care into this gift swap?

It was Andrea at Indigo blue designs.

So thank you Andrea, I'm truly amazed how well you know me from my blog! I really did have fun opening this, and I love my notebook ( it actually matches my cord jacket!).

(And by 8.15am ALL the chocolates were gone! No surprise there then....)

EDITED: Andrea has much much nicer pictures of my goodies over on her blog, go look HERE!

It's hip to be square....

2009-02-25T11:48:00.004Z

God help me, I just quoted Huey Lewis and the News!

I made a square pin cushion, because basically I got fed up of sewing in circles to make the round ones!

But, and now be honest, should I make more of these or does it look like a baby's toy block. Mr.M agreed just a bit too quickly that it did so I'm leaning towards yes.

What do you think?

And does anyone else have Huey singing away in their head?

Eye Spy!

2009-02-25T11:38:00.002Z

If you're playing along with Bug and Pop's game of I Spy, this weeks theme is:

I Spy...something that makes me HAPPY!

Doesn't matter what it is, could be chocolate (well, obviously!), crafting, the kids, your man - can you tell the priority of things in this house?

Anyway, whatever it is that puts a smile (or smirk) on your face, get posting about it!

(And if you're not playing Eye Spy, join in - 'tis great fun, I tell you!)

Eye Spy...Love

2009-02-23T11:36:00.006Z

This weeks theme is from Bug and Pop.

Paper love hearts, left over from valentines day.

Mr.M and I met 19 years ago on Valentines Day, all together now...aaahh!

I'm also loving stitching on paper, and the patterns on the inside of envelopes, always seems a shame to chuck them in the recycling. Well no more, not when they can be stitched together to make a (completely useless) pretty banner thingy! and I LOVE grey. LOVE IT!!

And I love that I've had a bath for the first time in two years.

I'd explain that comment, but I'm enjoying the look of horror on everyone's face!

All will be revealed when the plumbers go - any day now, they've been here a week!
(And next Sunday is my turn to pick an Eye Spy theme. I can't think, the pressure!!)

Eye Spy...My Secret (Food) Shame

2009-02-16T09:00:00.004Z

image from google

This weeks Eye Spy theme is from Jade at Just Needs Salt.

Now this one had me thinking....I've already 'fessed up to hiding the Jaffa cakes from the kids and that was without even the tiniest hint of shame! All being fair in love, war and chocolate in my book. So food shame? Mmm, difficult that one...

And then I remember...on Tuesday tea time...I can't fry an egg! Oh yeah, you think I'm joking. Only I'm not. I seem to have a defective egg cooking gene. Don't confuse this with not being able to cook, I can - I can't be bothered, but I can (...ish)- I just don't seem to be able to cook eggs! I can boil an egg obviously, as long as your not too bothered if it's hard or soft boiled. Pays not too be too fussy in this house!
More Eye Spy fun at Bug and Pop!

2009-02-11T22:25:00.007Z

Looky, I made a mosaic! It's only taken me months to work this out.

Literally months.

Might have been a bit quicker if I'd remembered this LINK I'd saved last year. Doh!

Oh yeah, and the point of the mosaic?

The "Oh My! That's a Big Pin Cushion" Pin Cushion

has had some ballast added to her bum,

(only taken me a month to do that, don't tell the boss, she'll shout at me. She's a tyrant.

I have to feed her Jaffa cakes to keep her quiet)

so she's in the shoppe. And in the other shop.

(The pin cushion is in the shops , not the boss...'cause that would just be silly, imagine the postal charges these days....)

Eye Spy...Something Delicious!

2009-02-08T16:29:00.005Z

This weeks Eye Spy theme comes courtesy of another Sharon over at Handmaiden .
My something delicious is a panini, made by Mr.M full of cheese and pastrami. Sunday lunch always tastes so much better when someone else makes it. And the headline in the background is a complete coincidence, honest!

I've only just realized this is my first post of February, I seem to have lost my blogging mojo this week. Don't know why. I've been busy playing in the snow, but I haven't done a lot else (just looked out of the window and it's snowing again! YAY!!) I tell, you I've become weather obsessed this week, fascinated by the chaos caused , Britain at a standstill and all that. Mind it's a bit extreme taking a snow day when I work from home. Mr.M is threatening to do a time in motion study on me. Good luck finding the motion I say!
I did managed to squeeze in a New Baby present for a work friend of Mr.M, a heart garland made from gingham and a card with a little pram embroidered on it. Oh and I listed some Valentines cards on Folksy and sold one! Still amazes me when I sell anything!
Well, I must dash because, true to form, the chicken is burning...!

Pearls of Wisdom....

2009-01-29T09:59:00.006Z

Thought I'd share these.....

1. If you squeeze the hoover bag while looking in it to see how full it is, you will get a face full of dust and god knows what else. I tested this theory this very morning...

2. Children are full of surprises. They're not always of the good kind...

3. We're all different shapes. We're meant to be different shapes. We're not all meant to be 6 stone nothing. Would the media kindly shut the f*** up now about dieting/obesity and find a different horse to flog because

a) it's boring

b) I've just had to listen to 14 year olds talking about who's dieting

and c) we're not all stupid! Well.... not all of the time anyway....

4. Following on from number 3...Wedding dresses look better on girls with a bit of shape. Girls you DON'T need to loose another half a stone.

5. When you get to a certain age don't go and put your make up on while using a different mirror to usual, especially if it means looking down. Because when you look up again it takes a few seconds for everything to catch up...

6. I don't think I'll ever feel like the adult in the room. That's no bad thing...
7. D.N.A stands for deoxyribonucleicacid. I learnt that for biology 'o' level, and know one has ever asked me. So I'm telling you...

8. When Mr.M says he hasn't left me much petrol in the car, what he actually means is that the petrol gauge has flatlined and he's coasted home from Birmingham on fumes (passing at least 3 garages on his merry way...)

9. Cooking the tea is more interesting if you watch telly and surf the Internet at the same time.

10. You will burn the tea if you watch telly and surf the Internet at the same time as cooking. Again, not necessarily a bad thing.

That's not actually that much wisdom to show for 40 years on the planet!

Hey ho, feel free to add your own pearls of wisdom......!!

I Spy...Something beginning with J

2009-01-23T13:48:00.001Z

Mmmm...Jaffa Cakes....How I love thee.

Worth noting that I'm early with this post. Why? I hear you ask.

Well it's Friday afternoon, so the kids are at school, so I don't have to share them!!

Bad Mummy!!!!

Thanks to Lauren for the excuse to buy Jaffa's in the name of art...

And to Bug and Pop for I spying fun!

Printin' & Stitchin'

2009-01-19T22:24:00.017Z

Been a-printing and a-stitching...

Ta Da! I made a pod of pin cushions...

This one's over on Etsy and Folksy...
This one will be joining them any day now.....

And this one SOLD!! Overnight! (Cue over-ecstatic dancing around the front room)
But...go here...the lovely Cuteable is having a giveaway, and there is one of these babies in the great giveaway basket. Don't miss out, get yourself over there!

And just because I printed giant pins and needles I made a giant pin cushion, for giant sewing... with a pocket to hold scissors and stuff (just look at that print alignment Mrs.Cloudcake, doesn't it make you proud/ bring back nightmares...)

Just needs a weight in it's bottom for ballast.

That's been me excuse for years....ha ha ha how I make myself laugh.....!!

Eye Spy...A Taste of Summer

2009-01-16T21:51:00.003Z

Summer in England?? That would be Wellies and umbrellas then.....

Only joking! Actually I'm not, it's quite true. But let's suspend the reality of a proper British summer for the fantasy of what they could be like.....

Waking up to the sun...

Long days of no school and just faffing about...

Picnics (obviously with decent food, not the normal ropey cheese sandwich, squashed at the bottom of the bag...)

Clotted cream and home made scones at a little tea shop, in a pretty village somewhere ...

A deserted beach...

That'll do nicely thank you!

Thanks to Anastasia for this weeks theme, and to Bug and Pop for the Eye Spy fun!

Mug Swap!

2009-01-16T09:16:00.003Z

I'm taking part in Jennyflower's mug swap!

Go check it out to join in the fun!

Journey to the centre of the Earth.....

2009-01-13T09:35:00.004Z

Or more precisely, the centre of England. Also entitled a quick stop off on the Journey to the Garden Centre.....Can you hear that? It's Jules Verne turning in his grave.
The centre of England is, as the plaque above says, traditionally the village of Meridan, and every so often Mr.M and myself will say to one another "We should pop over and have a look...." (because basically we're a couple of saddo's, that's as in sad not masochist)

....7 years later we did! Not ones to rush into stuff are we? And it took all of 16 minutes to get there from our house! So there we are, pulled up on the side of the road looking at a large statue to the cyclists of world war 2, wondering why it doesn't say Centre of England anywhere - except on the front of a charity shop,

"Oh look a plaque!" I say

"Umm, Manhole cover actually" says Mr.M

All that's missing was a comedy pantomime voice shouting "It's behind you!!!"

So there you have it, The Centre of England on a Sunday, a large green roundabout with a couple of giggling saddo's on it.

And no, funnily enough, no one has ever suggested I go to work for the English Tourist Board...

Cat's eyes...

2009-01-10T18:55:00.001Z

What do you mean, we watch too much telly in this house?

Eye Spy....My Best Memories of 2008

2009-01-03T19:08:00.009Z

Continuing the Eye Spy game started by Bug and Pop....

2008 was the year of camping, (in a tent- not the Julian Clary variety of camp you understand...)

Very, very wet and windy camping, not once, not twice but thrice. Hardcore!!

2008: The great British summer. The year of playing on the beach in a fleece. With my trousers rolled up. I'm just sooo English.

2008: The year we all turned 40 together, 19 years after we turned 21 together.

At least this time we didn't celebrate with a night out that ended with 'sleeping' in Victoria Train Station. In March. I say sleeping, really it was shivering with your eyes shut. Yes, it was cold, so cold I still remember it 20 years later!

Ladies, here's to another 20 years of inappropriate nights out!

And at least I've stopped being annoyed at being 40, I'm far too pissed off at being 41 soon to worry about it!

Thanks to Kat at Kats Creations for this weeks theme!

And Finally for 2008....

2008-12-31T17:30:00.001Z

The Calendars! Nothing like leaving it till the last minute, there is afterall a whole 7 hours of 2008 left!

November and December courtesy of Laura Ashley...
December's coy little lady only slighty stained by my efforts in the kitchen...

and I couldn't finish the year without sharing the following from the Wallpaper calendar.

Cool looking spacemen, well I say men..I think the bloke in the rocket is possibly half man half frog...amphibians in spaaace! (Anyone else remember the Muppets 'Pigs in Spaaaace!' no? Just me then!)

And finally the amazing poodle mermaids!! Click to get a close up, those poodles are in some kind of doggy nirvana looking at their little faces!!
So let me just wish you all a Happy New Year and hope all your New Year wishes come true!!!
(And your hangover's aren't too bad either!!;))

Eye Spy the Festive Beforemath.....

2008-12-25T18:18:00.002Z

Yes, that should read Festive Aftermath for this week's Eye Spy theme, but I forgot to take the 'After' picture in all the excitment, oh well, at least I remembered a before picture!

I hope you've all had a Merry Christmas, full of turkey and joy!!

Eye Spy...

2008-12-21T17:31:00.004Z

Eye Spy.... A Bit of Bling!

This weeks Eye Spy theme is from Hoppo Bumpo. It worried me at first as I don't own any proper grown up blingy jewellery, or anything blingy at all in fact, so I decided to go down the Christmas tree route - turns out I wasn't the only one! I made these tree bling wotsits probably 10 years ago, using air-drying clay and the beads leftover from my wedding dress. Quite appropriate to have a bit of wedding dress on the tree, as we got married on Christmas day 11 years ago! ( In Vegas, which explains Elvis being here!)

And as they were made to entertain a then 3 year old, here are the ones Bigski made, entitled 'Explosion in a glitter factory'.......

and I also Eye Spy.....a Burst of Colour

which was last weeks theme from Flossy-P, only I was rather busy sorting out the loft, 'tis a truly exciting life I lead...

Tasteful bright pink reindeer lives on the mantlepiece throughout December, accompanied by an equally tasteful purple reindeer, who is sadly antlerless after a tragic freak accident (any reindeer reading this DON'T try diving off said mantlepiece head first...it'll end in tears and a date with some ineffective glue!)

You too can join in the fun of Eye Spy over at Bug and Pop!

2008-12-19T11:52:00.003Z

Think I need to get my eyes tested, just misread an advert for Nat West bank with the tag line 'helpful banking' as 'helpful bonking'......I know there's a banking crisis, but really, are they that desperate for customers?!!

Viva Las Christmas...

2008-12-19T09:23:00.005Z

Been a quite blogger this week, but I have been getting christmassy...

Mr and Mrs Stockings made for the window display at the bridal shop where I work, created to hang on the fab fireplace that Nicky designed...

And the decorations at home are up, the girls did them when I was at work one night...a creative pair they are...sweetly tried to recreate what I normally do around the fireplace, only they couldn't find the sellotape....so they used this

DUCT TAPE!! at least it's silver and coordinates...

I do things much more gracefully, as you can see by who's straddling the top of the tree...

Viva Las Christmas!!

Red, white & blue....

2008-12-09T21:56:00.003Z

Red...
white....
and blue.....
screen printed t.shirts for a little boy who was 1 at the weekend. The same little boy that I made the baby bibs for when he was born, remember? What do you mean you weren't visiting here then? Cheek!!

Bye Bye 'This is'...Hello 'I Spy!'

2008-12-08T15:31:00.004Z

Sadly, 'This is...' is no more, boo hoo! Angela, the lovely lady at Three Buttons who has organised the meme for the best part of a year, has decided to call time on the weekly posts. I'm sad to stop it's been great fun, and of course has kept postings a little more regular for the naturally slap dash amongst us (ie: me!!)

So it's with great joy that I came across 'I Spy Sunday...!' another new weekly meme, started by Cindy at Bug and Pop!

This weeks theme is 'Eye Spy Something in my Garden!' and guess what I have to cheat already (well apart from being a day late....but we'll ignore that), it's winter and the garden is not what you'd call at it's best - if it were a person it would be mutton dressed as lamb, faded and passed it's best after one bottle too many of Pinot Grigio (always a good look !), so a photo from a few weeks ago will have to do, because everything always looks better with a layer of snow....

...and clever cropping out of the massive shed and giant trampoline!

And thanks to Curlypops for this weeks theme!

New Shoes for Christmas!

2008-12-01T15:00:00.003Z

Is it a bird?

Is it a plane?

No! It's Super Shaz of the Shire single handedly saving the British economy with a totally unselfish act of Christmas shopping. Oh, the sacrifices I make!!

Does anyone else buy their own presents? I can highly recommend it, I do find it's a win ,win situation! :)

New on Folksy!

2008-11-28T20:27:00.006Z

I've just listed this lovely ballet shoe bag over on Folksy. It's got the cutest little ballet shoes made from felt applique, complete with satin ribbon 'lacing' on a lined calico drawstring bag.
Obviously the perfect Christmas gift for any budding ballerinas, but these are strictly limited edition .......
took an absolute bloody age to make, so I won't be going into bulk production on these!

2008-11-25T07:31:00.002Z

Whoa! I made my first Folksy sale!!

I sold a tea towel on Friday, didn't realize until Saturday evening because after obsessively checking blog, Etsy and Folksy, and emails constantly for months I didn't check them on Friday! Typical! A new and unique sales technique maybe - ignore your customers and they'll come a flooding in?!! And did anyone notice I switched the side bar to the other side of blog page? Apparently we scan pages across the top first, down the left hand side and then across the middle of the page, (imagine an 'F' shape). Did that on Wednesday, sale on Friday.....coincidence? I think not!

As Mr.M said "You've improved your sales by 100%!"

I think there was sarcasm in his smile.

This is..... my favourite thing from nature

2008-11-17T07:00:00.001Z

This hydrangea is my most favourite thing in our garden. Truth be told, I'm a bit sentimental about it, it's a very well travelled plant. My Gramfie ( the same one from these photo's) dug it up from his garden in Somerset and gave it to us when we bought our first flat in London, about 14 years ago. Them we dug it up and planted it here, in Warwickshire, where it's very happy. And I'm just happy to see it every day from the kitchen window.
Thanks to Cloth and Fodder for this weeks theme, and to Angela at Three Buttons for the This Is Meme!

Giveaway.....

2008-11-16T21:16:00.002Z

It's Sunday so it's giveaway result time!! I revved up the random number generator thingy, or got out the mixing bowl and got Mr.M to put down the beer, if you want to be truthful. As it turns out I'm an excellent multi-tasker. I can almost take a photo in focus while holding a beer. A talent like that is hard to come by you know.....

So without further ado....the winner is...drum roll please....

Swirlyarts!!!

Congratulations Lynsey! Drop me an email with your address and I'll pop your goodies in the post!

2008-11-12T10:32:00.003Z

You WANT these!! You NEED these!! You KNOW you do!!

Screen printed denim tote and a linen screenprinted tea towel - just for you!
So what are you waiting for? Leave a comment here and enter the

Iris + Lily Handmade

GIVEAWAY!!

Remembrance

2008-11-11T11:00:00.001Z

My Gramfie (on the right). WW2. Egypt?

Gramfie (on the left) WW2. Ceylon, 10th August 1943

This is....my favourite quote.

2008-11-09T22:01:00.004Z

Burne-Jones (left) and William Morris (1890)

William Morris said,
'Have nothing in your houses which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful'
Roughly translated to the 21st century that would be
'Stop buying useless crap!'

Favourite quote from my 14 year old?
'Be nice to your children. They pick your care home.'
Charming! And yet scarily true.....

Thanks to Strawberry Kisses for this weeks 'This is...'
More 'This is....' here!

Don't forget the giveaway!!!!

This is....100th Post Giveaway!!

2008-11-09T10:51:00.006Z

So it's nearly a year since I first started blogging and I finally made it to 100 posts!
I started this malarkey mostly because I just wanted to join in with all you crafty gals ( and you Mr. Griffin!) and because of Iris+Lily Handmade. I got a Plan, which I think I'm well on the way with (especially the coffee and cake bits), in fact, I could actually do with coming up with The Plan-mark 2. I've managed to win a competition, started a new job in the wedding shop, started another shop at Folksy to go with the Etsy shop, and the lovely Lily and Agathe are going to stock the "She's Got Bottle" Apron and Tote Bag! Oh yes, I'm going to be stocked! Wouldn't have thought that a year ago!!
Oh Alright! I'll stop waffling now, you want to know about the giveaway!
You're gonna have to use your imagination for now because the bloody camera is being an arse again!!!! ARRRGHHH!!!!!
I'm giving away a denim tote bag, made by moi, printed with Spirograph's and a linen vintage spoon printed tea towel! Cool! You know you want it so leave a comment and I'll do the random number/pick a name out of the mixing bowl thing next Sunday (16th)!
*Update* ( Ha!! Did you notice I've got pictures now!! Whooaa! And it's only taken a year to work out I can get two pictures side by side!)

Looky here!

2008-11-04T09:32:00.004Z

Looky what came in the post for me!

I spent my winnings.............

on three brand new screens and more ink! Yippee!!!!!

This is post 99, can you believe it ?!!!

And you know what that means, don't you? Blog post 100 is traditionally a giveaway ...and I wouldn't want to disappoint!

So spread the word throughout the land of blog , Shaz of the Shires is going to have a giveaway!!

She doesn't know what it will be yet, or even exactly when, but it will be THIS week! Just as soon as she stops talking about herself in the third person, which quite frankly is just plain odd......

2008-11-02T08:00:00.001Z

I've been lucky enough to receive the Kreativ Blogger Award from the mightily talented Mr.Griffin, who does weave such a wonderful tale.

Firstly, I have to tell you six things I like;

1. Stitchery and printing. Obviously.

2. Cats. I always stop and talk and fuss random cats whenever I come across them on my daily business. Didn't know how odd that actually is until I wrote it...

3. Chocolate. Obviously.

4. Coffee. Hate tea. It smells awful.

5. Getting older, you realize what's important...

6. Doing nothing. Just thinking, daydreaming.....

Now I'm supposed to pass this onto 6 others, but there are so many talented and creative bloggers out there that I'm gonna bend the rules and pass it onto the first 6 visitors who pass by these here parts....so if that's you leave a comment and consider yourself awarded!

This is..... a favourite recipe I'd like to share

2008-11-02T07:00:00.001Z

Are you sure you want cooking ideas from me? Because my first choice of recipe goes like this....
1. Put on coat
2. Exit front door
3. Cross road
4. Purchase some delicious chips, ask for salt and vinegar and curry sauce
5. Return to Chez Shazza. Arrange on plate, with addition of mayonnaise if desired
6. Enjoy!
But apparently Mr.M says that doesn't count, nor does giving you the telephone number of my favourite takeaway......Damn those men!

Which leads me to rely on Mr. Ramsay's rather fantastic cheesecake that feeds a lot of people, and looks very impressive for very little effort, always a bonus in my book! Sorry no pictures but it looks a lot like a cheesecake (because it is).

Baked New York Cheesecake (apparently serves 14- yeah right!)

1 1/2 Packets Hob Nob biscuits, crushed (or Digestives if you fancy)
75g butter, melted
250g caster sugar
800g cream cheese
pinch salt
2 tbsp pure vanilla extract
3 large eggs
for topping;
50ml soured cream
25g caster sugar
2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 180c, 160c fan oven, 350F, gas mark 4. Mix biscuits, butter and 50g of the sugar. Line the bottom and sides of a 23cm spring form cake tin with this mixture, pushing it into the corners. Store it into the fridge.
2. Whip the cream cheese until soft and fluffy. Add the remaining sugar, whisk, then add the salt and vanilla and beat once more. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Pour into tin and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes until cheesecake set. ( It only takes an hour in my oven so best you check!)
3. Whisk together sour cream, sugar, and vanilla and pour over cheesecake and bake for further 10 minutes.
4. Decorate with berries to make it look pretty, before serving to your guests who will applaud you loudly! (I live in hope.....)

Thanks to Angela at Three buttons for this weeks theme!

Spoon Peg Bag

2008-11-01T18:20:00.002Z

My Spoon Peg Bag has been included in a shopping list over at November Moon! It's the blog of Cathy Cullis an artist who creates beautiful textiles (you know I'm a sucker for a bit of stitch) and mixed media art pieces, and it's well worth a visit!

Oh yea, it's my blog and I'll self promote if I want to! Spoon Peg Bag is for sale over at Etsy and Folksy if you're in the UK!

New Jumper

2008-11-01T07:00:00.000Z

Bought a new cardi....soft grey....
....velvet ribbon and big poppers.

Yummy Yum!

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T22:03:00.005Z

Halloween joke, courtesy of Smallski:

What did the Mummy Ghost say to Baby Ghost as they got into the car?

"Don't forget to do up your sheet belt!"

Another of todays gem's from the small person,

"I found this penny and I put it in my pocket for a rainy day, but it rained and it didn't do anything...."

Aaah!

And I forgot, It's the last day of Blogtoberfest! A must just say a big thank you to

The Big Cat's Emporium for a month of fun!

Snow Joke...part deux...

2008-10-29T21:27:00.006Z

I got the computer and camera on speaking terms at last! So it's only fair that you all pretend that I wrote this last night as planned, when we still had snow and I still had a point....albeit a very small one....

It's snowing!! In Autumn, in October, before Halloween! It's about 3 months too early! And we still have strawberries growing in the garden on the plants that refuse to die no matter how much we neglect them...which is quite a lot in their case, that could well be my specialist subject on Mastermind "101 ways to neglect your garden". Don't they know the summers been (I blinked and missed it) and gone. They're about 3 months too late! Weird, weird weather!

And it's ALL my fault...Oh, yes according to the till lady in Sainsbury's who gives me the evil eye if I dare ask for a carrier bag. Forget cheap flights. Forget gas guzzling cars. The Eco disasters of the world are in fact a direct result of my carrier bag use. Yes, I agree one-use bags are irresponsible, if you only use them once...but if you re-use them instead of buying bin bags is there really any difference? Does an ordinary cheapo plastic bin bag (not talking super duper recycled bin bags-I'm not made of money!) break down significantly quicker than a reused carrier, anyone know?
My theory, and I freely admit I could be wrong here, is that there isn't actually a lot of difference between a bin bag or a filled carrier bag going to landfill and it's all become a bit of over-simplified fluffy publicity. After all clothes are still put in carrier bags when they're sold, and no one moans, how's that any different to how you carry home your apples and potatoes? As crafters, I think I'm safe to say we all try to recycle, reuse and generally not waste stuff, but the carrier bag thing has got me wondering....

So what's the general consensus then? (Apart from the fact that I probably need to get out more...)

Not a lot between the two, or do I have to start buying bin bags?

I hate computers.....

2008-10-29T09:15:00.003Z

Had a post planned all about our unseasonal snow. Tried to do it last night. And then I tried again this morning. But, "the computer says no" and won't load any photos from the camera. Mind, we did drop it, the camera that is, and it's soldiered on for three years, but it's getting a bit temperamental.

Or just mental. Buggery thing.

It's snow joke, you know! Ha ha ha....

...oh, how I make myself laugh!

This is..something I'm surprised Iike....

2008-10-27T21:45:00.006Z

Duck. Let me explain.... Now, I've spent all my life refusing to eat sweet little quacky Daffy, I mean why would you? Really, he's just so cute! But then a friend invited us for dinner a couple of months ago and she cooked (no prizes for guessing....) duck! And me being me was far too polite to say "Sorry, I don't eat anything that quacks..." and it did look so nice and crispy (cooked a la Delia) that I thought "Well, I'll just eat a bit so as not to offend....". Well quarter of a duck later and there I was licking the plate! (Classy bird, me!) Just think, all of that time I wasted, years, feeling sorry for Daffy when what I should have been doing was spreading him in Plum sauce and wrapping him in a pancake! DOH!
Thanks to Earl and Cookie for this weeks theme, and to Angela as always!

Blogtoberfest...Loving Fridays!!

2008-10-24T08:27:00.005+01:00

Loving this Friday!

It's just me and the sewing machine today....yea!...and if I focus on only looking straight ahead, and squint (quite) a bit, I won't be distracted and I'll be able to ignore the fact that the house looks like a weapon of mass destruction went off ! ! ;)

More reasons to love Friday....it's half term next week.... so....NO getting up in the dark at 6 0'clock and NO making sandwiches for packed lunches! for a whole week....whoaa!

I tell you, it's the little things that keep me happy.....

2008-10-23T08:20:00.000+01:00

Propaganda poster from WW2 Home Front Series, after clothes were rationed in 1941.Wouldn't the world be a very different place if they'd never lifted rationing? Just a thought.

Origin

2008-10-21T12:23:00.009+01:00

Oops! Sorry missed a couple of days of Blogtoberfest! (but it's Ok, I'll get my Mum to write me a note......!)We spent a wonderful day in London on Sunday, Mr.M and Smallski went to the British Museum. And I took Bigski to the last day of Origin, The London Craft Fair. There are so many talented artists that show at Origin and I thought I'd share with you the ones that I found the most inspiring. As Smallski had custody of the camera I didn't take any pics I'm afraid, so the following have all come from the artists websites.

Betty Pepper: Little Women

Betty Pepper who has a 1940's/Victorian Gothic thing going on and creates the most stunning pieces of textile jewellery and art pieces often using old books. Just beautiful.
Anna Lewis, who makes mixed media contemporary jewellery

Anna Lewis: Katami

Jennifer Collier, creates decorative recycled paper garments and shoes, as well as jewellery that captures everyday items, such as buttons and pins in resin, holding them like little treasures.

Jennifer Collier: Resin Jewellery

and Michelle Holden, creatively reinvents books and maps through her crafting.

Michelle Holden : Ordnance Survey of England, Cornwall and Devonshire 1919-updated in London 2006
Don't you think it's funny how there you are marbling maps and stitching through them, deciding that you like the reverse more than the front, one day and then you look up and someone else is doing the same or similar - only better! There must be something in the air that I've subconsciously picked up on about maps. I've been obsessing about them all summer, saving them, thinking about stitching the journeys I've made. I know there's a general feeling of altering a surface, breathing new life and use into a once defunct item, a waste not want not and recycle attitude that runs through many peoples work. These are the crafts that are the most interesting to me; they preserve and recognise history, usually through domestic and everday items that are most relevant to women, while giving an object a new future. I know I'm not the only one that enjoys finding a creative solution by using what I have, or what I've found.
Now we're officially in Recession, I reckon the feeling can only grow, maybe it will even go totally mainstream and people will stop buying pointless badly made crap ( I say that with one eye towards Christmas. I don't need a singing and dancing comedy Santa, thanks!) Yea, I'll live in hope on that one!
Oooo! Get me!! That's all sounding a bit arty farty, isn't it?!!

Well it's either arty farty or I'm not creatively recycling-I'm just too tight to buy materials!

Well OK! Arty Farty it is!!

The Rainbow Fish

2008-10-18T21:12:00.006+01:00

It must be the season for making costumes for randomly themed school days! There is a promise of it over here and Smallski had to dress up as a character from a watery themed book on Friday.

"Great" me thinks, "Pirate! Easy-peasy, bandana, scarf, maybe an eyeliner scar..."

"Actually, I want to go as the Rainbow fish"

"That's nice.." I say aloud, "But you'll probably go as a pirate, like everyone else" I quietly mutter, rather hopefully.

So, as is traditional in these parts, I wait until 7.30 on Thursday to make a start. Don't get me wrong I'd thought about it quite a lot and had formed a plan of action, in fact I thought about doing a documented tutorial, but it was getting late-you know how it is!

So, this would be the edited undocumented tutorial.....
Get old T-shirt, (but make sure it fits!) Slash up the sides/underarm so it lays flat, cut strips of cloth (I have an unofficial policy of using stuff I already have in the house in these situations, hence the umm, interesting, colour scheme...) and scallop one edge to make scale shapes - a handy baked bean tin turns out to be the perfect template. Stitch them on the T-shirt so they overlap in a scaly like fashion on the front, back and sleeves. Cut up a too too small tutu to make fins and pin them in at side seams , close side/underarm seams , chop up another old tutu that's too too small (alright I'll stop the bad puns now!) and hand stitch in place down the centre back to make the big fin at the back. Fill in any gaps around the neck with individual scales and voila! you have one happy tiddler!

" So what made you think of going as The Rainbow Fish?"

" Well. Me, Lauren and Alex are all dressing up as fish, you know, like a SCHOOL of Fish......!"

Well it made us laugh.......and that's what counts.

Blogtoberfest Fave Friday!

2008-10-17T10:27:00.002+01:00

Drewzl has declared today 'Blogtoberfest Fave Friday!' and who am I to argue?!
So I have to tell you about my favourite song, I warn you I am no aficionado musically, and on Singstar I only get a good result singing the Scissor Sisters (yes, I sing like a high pitched gay man!) and appalling for everything else! And I'm the only person I know that turns the radio off in the car, preferring quiet most of the time. So anyway, favourite song would be U2 'With or Without You' no particular reason for liking it, always have and probably always will. I'd find it on You Tube but I still have the cold and cough from hell and my need for cake and coffee and nurofen is just that much stronger.....

Blogtoberfest. Day 10 (for me. I think..!)

2008-10-16T13:22:00.004+01:00

Thursday's are a good day. A college day. Time in the print studio. A few hours just to be me. Even though every Thursday morning I have the same thought at the back of my mind: "if I stay home I could finish Mrs. Soandso's trouser/jacket/skirt/clean the bathroom/make the costume thing for school tomorrow/clean the oven" (actually that last one is just a blatant lie!)

But I go, burying that feeling deep inside, right next to the spot of guilt for paying £300 a year in fees. Remembering it gives me a creative balance to the sewing alterations, and working in the wedding shop, and besides, it's much cheaper than a studio!
It's something we all struggle with as women, wives and mothers, allowing ourselves time to do something for ourselves. Us ladies are just far too good at guilt!

We feel we need to justify ourselves. And then there are those that think we (semi) stay at home Mums just sit around and drink coffee all day. To you I say, "Yes, we do and you're just jealous!!!Ha, ha, HA!" There are a number of other things that I could say to them, but hey I haven't got all day and the kettle is a boiling....;)
So anyway, I went to college, leaving the wake of disaster that is breakfast time at Chez Shaz and spent a happy morning marbling maps and paper. I'm off to work in the shop soon. I was just wondering, you wouldn't happen to know anyone that wants to buy a wedding dress off a lady with very blue fingers, would you?!

Calendars

2008-10-15T13:24:00.004+01:00

More (late!) images from The Wallpapers Calendar,

August: I don't know why, but I like it....me thinks it's time to step away from the cough medicine...

September: Flying ducks.....

October: Who ever thought teracotta and lilac, with a dash of green for good measure, would be a good colour combination?! I hope they are hanging their head in shame! Oooo, can you imagine living with it? I mean, what colour carpet would you go for? Tricky decision, you wouldn't want to end up sufferring from a self-induced bad taste coma...

Blogtoberfest. Day 8. Dress art

2008-10-14T08:28:00.008+01:00

Selvedge dress by RicRac

Jodie, over at RicRac, has been working on her Big Selvedge Project secretly for months now, just teasing us with a mention here and there. But it was most definitely worth the wait! She's created this stunning dress, purely from selvedge. This has got to be crafting at it's best, creative, using a resource normally thrown away and so beautifully executed and constructed and yet.... it's still functional!! Totally amazing!! Pop over to see more of Jodies Selvedge art here!

Blogtoberfest Waffle!

2008-10-13T17:10:00.005+01:00

I haven't posted any images from the calendars for a little while, well alright 3 months....but it's Blogtoberfest and I have nothing else going on....so hard luck, here they are!

August
September
October

Now August and October don't do anything for me style wise, they're rather (dare I say it) boring, but September is a completely different animal (Ha Ha! Private joke for Mrs Cloudcake!)I could see myself swanning around in a luscious velvet cape, looking like a truely creative bohemian dreamer! ( In reality I'd obviously look like a leftover Hobbit from Lord of the Rings, but as I have previously mentioned, I'm on good terms with Mr.Denial...)

More tomorrow from the Wallpaper Calendar (gotta stretch these posts out a bit you see....)

This is....My Current Reading Material

2008-10-12T09:56:00.004+01:00

Living Etc (always, every month, without fail)....and the back of the Sudafed packet (suffering from a cold)....and I might progress to the Sunday Times later, just for a bit of variety!
Thanks to My Champagne Dreams for this weeks theme and Three buttons for the meme!

Blogtoberfest. Day 5. Saturday night....

2008-10-11T18:24:00.002+01:00

Gold disco ball, my present to the blog world. Because, after all, no Saturday night is truly complete without one! Let it not be said that I don't know style when I see it........

Blogtoberfest. Day 4. Look what I found in the attic....

2008-10-10T11:59:00.006+01:00

Well technically it wasn't me that found them, but Bigski. Rooting around up in the loft she found my final collection from college shoved in an old holdall. I'd really forgotten all about it, it was after all 22 years ago ( What's that?I don't look old enough?*blush* Why, how kind of you to say!! Denial has been my good friend these past few years...)

Wool jersey tops and dresses ( so short they really are only tops, what was I thinking?) with inset lace booby bits (you can tell I was a technical pattern cutter can't you...) The moths have had a good feast on the jersey, but the lace, oh yes....it's still good! Proper vintage stuff!!
It was from an old antique shop when I bought it all those years ago, so I really couldn't hazard a guess at it's true date. Even after all these years, I still really like my final collection, but that's not going to stop me ripping these apart and salvaging the lace! The only question is what shall I do with it??

Blogtoberfest Day 3.

2008-10-09T13:21:00.003+01:00

Bag to match the "she's got bottle!" Apron, slightly grubby and creased because I'm using it! The idea is to make a small range of 'bottle' aprons, bags, tea towels and possibly just a couple of prints to sell on Etsy or Folksy. It's the usual problem of not enough hours in the day, (I know I'm not alone there!), which is frustrating, but I've written it down now in black and white just so I'll HAVE to make time and do it!

Blogtoberfest Day 2. Eleven details......

2008-10-07T09:28:00.006+01:00

I've been tagged by the lovely Tanya at Lily and Agathe

1. Clothes Shop: Le boutique de Helene-the-chat-hater, Gap, quite random really....
2 Furniture Shop: again quite random really, Ikea if I'm lazy, and skint. That would just be Ikea then....
3. Sweet: Minty Aero's, but if it's chocolate and you're offering, I'm not that fussy.....
4. City: London, Las Vegas, Barcelona, ....
5. Drink: Beer, Bacardi and coke (classy bird,me)....
6. Music: Rather a lot of Elton John playing in the shop at the moment (not a good thing)....
7. TV series: E.R, random daytime tv while I sew....
8. Film: Roman Holiday, A Very Long Engagement.
9. Workout: Does walking to the pub count?....
10. Pastries: Yes please!(but no currants/raisins because, really, what is the point of them?)....
11. Coffee : Oh yes, just keep it coming.....
I'm a tagging....
Cloudcakes, Jennyflower and DaisyDays!
Have fun Ladies!

Blogtoberfest!

2008-10-07T08:55:00.003+01:00

I'm a bit late, but I've joined the fun that is BLOGTOBERFEST! The idea is to post everyday in October which, I'm hoping, will give me the bit of bloggy discipline that I sorely lack of late, and Blogtoberfest is such a great name how could I not?! It's all been organised by the lovely lady at Big Cat's Emporium, and it promises to be full of fun and festivities. So what are you waiting for? go see for yourself!

I must dash now, I need to go and beat next doors camper van to a pulp with a baseball bat because the sodding alarm has been going on and then off (lulling me into the hope that it will stop) and then ON AGAIN. Only joking. I haven't got a baseball bat.

(See one post down already!)

This is....my Favourite Kitchen Gadget

2008-10-05T15:13:00.003+01:00

Yea, no surprises, it's the cafetiere.

Says it all really!!

Thanks to Angela for the This is meme.

This is...A WINNER!!! (Who's showing off!)

2008-10-03T23:30:00.005+01:00

Image from the Folksy Blog

Oh bugger it! I've just tried to write this while being all modest and humble, well I'm far too damn excited for that I tell you!! What's got me so excited at 11.30 on a Friday night? I hear you ask. I only went and checked the Folksy blog and they've announced the winner of the Howies competition and it's only ME!!!!!!!! Me, I tell you, ME!!! Go here and check for I suddenly fear in my abilitity to understand English and worry that I've misunderstood and I'm making some kind of hideous embarrassing mistake publicly to the blog world! I've checked again, for about the 27th time, and it's true!! It's ME!! I'm amazed, I feel like I've been allowed to play with the big girl crafters!
Ha Ha Ha!! World domination is surely only a few printed fripperies away!!
(Queue manic laugh...................)

This is..me showing off!

2008-10-01T09:04:00.006+01:00

Well apart from the apron thing (see last post), not alot to show off about this week, except I did a rather magnificent reverse park into a parking space yesterday, that would possibly be the first since I passed my test - 10 years ago! I always expect a mass of applause and congratulations related to my driving. Unsurprisingly, and most disappointingly, this doesn't usually happen - not that I'm particularly bad at it you understand. I'm just still constantly amazed I can get myself from A to B, on my own, in a car!!

Thanks to May the Cloth be With You (isn't that a great name?!!)for this weeks theme!

It's the week of the small peeps birthday's, only they're not so small anymore! Bigski was 14 on Monday. 14!!! And possibly taller than me, but don't tell her that because I'm in denial (not about the age, just the height. ALL of her friends are taller than me). Her shoes are 3 sizes bigger than mine now, so my shoes are safe, make up and t-shirts, shall we say, are less safe. But crucially she's old enough to do all the things she's wanted do for years and suddenly she's old enough, it's such a relief! (Relief to me that is!) And ofcourse she's old enough to babysit!! Yipee!!!

Smallski is 9 tomorrow, with a very sore arm that warranted a trip to casualty just to check it's not broken (luckily, it's not). It's going to make for an interesting birthday party though, I've booked a climbing wall. So typical!

Happy Birthday Girls!!

This is....what I want to be when I grow up! and some exciting news!!

2008-09-21T15:34:00.006+01:00

I have actually already given this a lot of thought - even before this weeks theme! I can't quite decide between being a Fairy godmother (Benefits including: cool sparkly outfit, magic on hand, wings, hours to suit) or James Bond (Benefits: licensed to kill - which would be handy when doing the weekly shop, foreign travel, very cool car). Think I'll have to settle for Aston Martin driving psycho fairy!

Thanks to Bug and Pop for this weeks theme!

And now the rather exciting, to the point that I'm not actually sleeping properly, news is the "She's got bottle!" apron that I submitted for the Howies/Folksy competition got selected! My apron is part of a display in the Howies shop window on Carnaby Street, London!! I'm in really good company with some truly talented crafters, and you can see the other items that were selected here! They'll be on display until the 26th September, and customer voting will decide the overall winner, so if you find yourself wandering down Carnaby Street this week pop in and vote for your favourite (which is ME, obviously! I know, I have no shame!)

Craft for Breakfast

2008-09-19T12:42:00.003+01:00

Made a bracelet this morning, before breakfast, before even the school run from pearl buttons. Now, please don't have an image of a woman so organised this is possible, the reality ia a slovenly not quite awake pyjama wearing coffee addict (that's picture was taken on the kitchen floor and I've just croped out the dirty bits, quicker than washing it) that just needed to make it, NOW. So I used shirring elastic, because that's all I had. Not sure that was a good choice. It's quite a heavy bracelet. Will it/won't it break? Ooo! It's like russian roulette, with button jewellery. Living on the edge, I'm just so rock and roll.

Folksy update!

2008-09-16T11:23:00.004+01:00

Bottle Apron (catchy name, I know. Any further suggestions on a postcard please....) has just been listed over at Folksy (and I secretly hopes that no one buys her, because she's a favourite and I haven't got time to print and stitch a twin). I've listed her as part of the Howies 'Life is complicated. Sport is simple.' competition. Because you KNOW housework is an extreme sport......
In other news, not much crafting going on here, too many alterations (why are there so many short/oddly shaped people where I live?) and stripping instead (wallpaper, what were you thinking?) Quite frustrating actually, thought it was the summer holidays disrupting me, apparently it wasn't, it's just me. And somebody somewhere decided to only put 24 hours in a day. Idiot. Bet it was a man.

UPDATE: Bottle apron has got a new name , now officially called

"SHE'S GOT BOTTLE!"

Thanks JODIE!!!

Cuteable!

2008-09-04T20:41:00.003+01:00

Hey! I got a mention on the lovely CUTEABLE website!

Pop over and see all of the other lovelies there!

2008-08-25T09:37:00.002+01:00

HELLO MUM AND DAD!!!

(they've just entered the 21st century and the virtual world!!)

This is ...A bit of a catch up!!

2008-08-24T17:53:00.011+01:00

Now I sat down with loads to say, but two hours of surfing later, and it's still all a jumble of nonsense in my head with no real discernable shape or form. So no change there then.
The summer has almost gone, in a flurry of camping and giggles. In a week they'll all be back at school in new shiny shoes and slightly too big polo shirts ("Room for growth/shrinking in the tumble dryer" I'll say), the house will be so quiet. Normal service will be resumed. No more sharing the computer or the chocolate -Yippee!!
I've managed to miss a few of the 'This is ...' topics over the summer, so I'm going to shove 'em all in one post.
Are you sitting comfortably? Good, this could go on a bit!

First up: This is my... trade secret.
Now I should cover something to do with pattern cutting or sewing, but no it relates to camping! Because I'm obviously such an expert after three trips.....
Top Tip No.1: Take an umbrella, it WILL rain.
Top Tip No.2: When you pack away your tent, DON'T pack your handbag INSIDE the tent. Proves to be inconvenient. Especially if that's where you keep your front door keys. Oh how we laughed and laughed.....

Next up: This is...a Work in Progress ( or Operation Tea Cosy)

1. Wait to the last available day to begin Tea Cosy ( the day before it's needed is my preference, even though I had a special request last March for one after this one appeared at my house...) and then trash house (even more) to find every loved scrap of print, trim and fabric....

2. Drive self potty (ha!ha! geddit?!!) picking and arranging said fabrics. Ask Kids for input for Aunty Helens Tea Cosy. Ignore kids, what do they know anyway..
3. STOP! Hang out washing and feed people.
4. Make very professional pattern out of wadding ;) Realize taking picture of white wadding against white wall is never going to have a happy ending, DOH!

5. Chop and stitch merrily away creating a front and back.
6. STOP! Go get in washing because it's bloody raining again..

7. Try to take 'arty' creative shots of WiP. Give up and just take bad photos.

8. Go to work and leave kitchen looking like a health and safety accident....

9. Come back 4 hours later and embroider bits and pieces of text (Tea...a drink with Jam and Bread.....) , applique some spoons while talking to recipient on phone and tumble drying wet clothes. Forget to take any more photos.
10. Stitch front and back together, add wadding and lining.

11. Ta Da! Finished!
12. Go and dye hair, after all it's only 10 o'clock...Remember to wrap present!

Well just time to say This is...How I Like to Spend my Weekend.

Helen (the-cat-hater), moi and Rachel (Iris)

The tea cosy was made for Helen-the-cat-haters 40th birthday, and to celebrate she organized a girls weekend in Brighton! Now this doesn't happen every weekend, but we shopped, ate, found lovely tea shops, visited the Pavillion, shopped a bit more, went on The Pier, paddled in the sea and went to a very glamorous club with banquette seating (bonkette seating my Mum called them innocently once, wondering why I looked horrified..) and a live Salsa band! We salsa-d till 2am!! 'Twas the most fabulous time, great to make new friends (hello ladies!) and great just to be with two friends that I've known for more than 20 years, you see we three were at college together, and I have a suspicion in 40 years time if you're on Brighton Seafront you might spot some 80 year-old-babes laughing their heads off. We'll be the ones with the handcrafted Zimmer frames....

Quick hello...

2008-08-08T21:35:00.004+01:00

Hi! I'm back and inbetween camping trips...and with a (stripey) tan!! Dorset was lovely and warm enough to paddle in the sea, kinda wet at night and cloudy during the day, which it has to be said is far better than we expected. My Mum and Dad came to visit and stayed in the tent on Tuesday night, by Wednesday afternoon the girls decided they would go back with them! WIMPS!! Mind, that was after we drove for about an hour so we could see The Cerne Abbas Giant, I don't think they were that impressed. (Let me just say that I thought he could do with a bikini wax...) So Mr.M and myself stayed on, deciding we'd pack up the tent a day early on Thursday instead of Friday, only to get up to sunshine! Bloody typical! So we were forced, I tell you, forced to sit and read books for several hours in peace and quiet, in the sunshine!

Off again to Wales in the tent on Sunday for a couple of days, that is if the car's suspension can take the weight of shoes and eyeliner that a teenager needs on a camping trip!!

2008-08-02T18:03:00.002+01:00

I've been neglecting you my lovely blogette friends! A whole week sans enfant can do that to a girl ;) ( Thanks Mum and Dad-in-Law!!)

And now I'd like to issue a severe weather warning for the Dorset coast. Oh yes, we're off in the tent! So I offer apologies to the south west of England, say goodbye to the sun - I've packed my fleece and flip flops, we're on our way!!

See you all in a couple of weeks!

This is....What Makes Me Happy!

2008-07-21T08:10:00.006+01:00

In no particular order......Mr.M, the small people, family and friends, printing, sewing, coveting a certain skirt, coffee and cake, Mr.Fishy, beer, the fact that I can drive, sunny days, being on my own, bagels and brie, no dirty washing in the basket, possibilities for the future and the first day of the summer holidays!

Picture of Mr.Fishy just because he makes me laugh when he sleeps like that!

And I have another SHOP!!

Jennyflower posted about a fantastic new UK site caled Folksy which is just like Etsy, but in POUNDS! NO conversion stress!! It's just starting out and still in BETA at the moment. You know, fibre to the node! Ofcourse I know what I'm talking about....

And a big thank you to Jacinta at One Little Acorn for this weeks theme and to Angela at Three Buttons for the meme! Thanks ladies!!

This is....What Gives Me Goosebumps

2008-07-12T20:00:00.000+01:00

Shallow, I know, but Ali posted about these screen printed skirt kits from Clothkits last week, and it was LOVE at first sight. Oh hello goosebumps! And though it's filled my thoughts for most of the week, I'll be coveting from a far for a while. No time, not alot of money. That hasn't stopped me having the world's biggest dilemma (only a slight exaggeration, I'm sure you'll agree) - eau-de-nil or tealy, tealy or eau-de-nil? I just can't decide. Oh such sweet agonies!!

Thanks to Juddie at the Flightless Boyds for this weeks theme, and to Angela at Three Buttons for the meme!

Calendars

2008-07-11T20:24:00.008+01:00

I meant to do this about two weeks ago, but still haven't quite worked out the work in the bridal shop, work from home, work on my own stuff, family, sit on my arse and eat biscuits life balance. So mainly I just sat on my arse. Turns out I have a talent for it, I like to treat it as an extreme sport requiring focus and drive and above all else - practise. Look out for me at the Olympics.
So the point was lovely Daisie gave me an award and I've rudely not posted or passed it on! Thank you Daisie!Here are the rules for this award:
1. The winner can put the logo on their blog.
2. Link to the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you've nominated.
6. Wear a posh frock if you like, lots of bling and make a speech, but - sorry - no red carpet.

I'm passing the award to Donna Cloudcake, because I've known her for a very long time (pre-children) and she still makes me laugh till I cry. I'm lucky to know her.
And also to RicRac, Area Thrifty One, Lily and Agathe, Domesticali, The Small Stuff and Three Buttons because I've found them all to be funny, inspirational, talented and friendly women! (Um, slightly worried I sound like a stalker...)

And I know you've all had sleepless nights wondering what pictures I'm looking at on the calendars this month. Fret no more, here they are!

I can't believe we're already in July with these! Now the Laura Ashley lady is annoying me this month, that top just does not go with that skirt! (Rather liking the turban though.) And I think those would be crowned cranes ( I remember drawing them at junior school), wearing turbans of their own, while standing behind what can only be described as giant leaves! (Or are they pygmy cranes?)

Shop Update!

2008-07-06T15:51:00.002+01:00

There has been a shop update! Only a small one that has taken hours! Does it take everyone this long or am I just very easily distracted?

This is..My Most Treasured Childhood Possesion

2008-07-05T21:31:00.005+01:00

Now, I can't actually claim that the Abba soap is actually my most treasured childhood possession ever -that honour could possibly belong to Sweepy the Teddy-with-a-hole-in-his-stomach, but he's in the attic and I really can't be arsed to go up there to get him. But, 6 Abba albums, a patch from my 1970's jumpsuit, a badge and the (unused) soap are all strangely to hand and bring to mind memories of my Abba obsession, the usual room full of posters, knowing the words to every song (still do - my memory doesn't seem to have deserted me there!) And the trip to the cinema to see Abba-The Movie. I was so excited! And confused! Would we have to get up and dance? Would we sing along? Would we clap and cheer? No. We wouldn't. Singing and dancing at the cinema would apparently have to wait until they turned the cinema into a ropey disco in my teens. So there we sat in the dark, Mum, Dad, little brother and my slightly confused but ultimately happy 8 or 9 year old self, and the one single thing I remember above all else from that film? Somebody in Australia had Abba socks on! Lucky girl! Oh, how I coveted those socks! White nylon knee highs with Abba on the side, what more could a girl want!!? Way more trendy than that lime green jumpsuit with the Abba patch that I wore.......I'll stop there. I wouldn't want to make you jealous with my stylish ways......

Thanks to Teacups on Treetops for this weeks theme and once again to Angela!

This is....My Best Charity Shop Find

2008-06-28T21:28:00.002+01:00

Now we have , I think, 8 charity shops where I live and I've mentioned before it's a really small town, so you would think I'd have an abundance of goodies to show! But alas not! I did manage to find these cute little lampshades for the grand sum of £1.98 and a few ornate mirrors over the years ( 5 plus the one that fell off the wall because I hadn't bothered to put in a new nail, oops!).

The best bargain though, was found by Mr.M.

This lovely 1930's club chair and it's partner were being put in the skip, when Mr.M rescued them and put them in the boot of the car! For FREE!! Of course, they weren't in this condition and we eventually got around to getting this one covered (only took us about 4 years!). The other is in the shed, still in it's original state - and believe me I don't use the word state lightly! But we live in hope that one day it might get covered and make it into the house too!

Thanks to Lino Forest for this weeks theme! And go here to see other Charity/Op shop finds!

this is... my most favourite outfit that expresses my individual style

2008-06-19T08:06:00.005+01:00

This is me, most days, on the school run or sewing in the house, only I've got a head and chunkier legs. Yea, I know, I've cheated and it's not me wearing it, but last time I tried taking a photo of myself I ended up jumping up and down on my bed with a lampshade on my head.....

So, green t-shirt from Peacocks, with the addition of Lobster print from me.

Gap crop Jeans from two summers ago, that I keep having to darn at the, Ahem, crotch area. Either Gap are using super soft denim or I mince alot when I walk!

Wedge sandals from Clarke's.

Necklace bought from Jennifer Collier at Origin Craft Fair about 18 months ago. It's looking a bit chipped due to the fact that I dropped it on a French cobbled street. I like to think that gives it a vintage look!

Additional styling of the tape measure courtesy of the 13year old, you can't see the pair of scissors she put hanging out of the pocket, or the fact that I told her off for shoving pins and needles in the t-shirt - before I realized that's actually what I do when I'm sewing!!

This would be my summer outfit, my winter wardrobe being exactly the same but with boots and a jumper!

Thanks to Kitty's Kaboodle for this week's theme and Angela for the meme!

Has anyone found my brain?

2008-06-17T15:01:00.007+01:00

So is this what happens when you reach the BIG 40? Your brain decides it doesn't need you anymore? So then you turn up at the dentist, oblivious to the fact you're a day late because, bizarrely, you've written it on the calendar for Tuesday instead of Monday, and can't blame anyone else except yourself, and then you begin to wonder if you've got early onset Alzheimer's (only you can't spell it because the brain has gone on holiday without you). Is this normal? Am I the only one who needs a list for EVERYTHING, especially if you want any edible food and toilet roll this week? Is it all downhill from here? Is there a special room full to the rafters of crafters (hey! that rhymes!) braincells? Or is it a mother thing? Or a crafting mother thing? Or a mother-f*****g thing? Or is it just me?

Oh and I joined Flickr, don't know what to do with it, but stop by and say hi here. (Pleeease, I'm a Flickr-no-mates at the mo!)

It's alright! Jodie has diagnosed me...apparently it's early onset C.R.A.F.T. disease, (Can't remember a f*****g thing). There's no hope...there's no cure....fellow sufferers should leave a comment, we'll set up a support group. Would someone remind me of that later.....

This is....the Space Where I Create

2008-06-17T07:15:00.005+01:00

Now I've put off this weeks theme because I don't have an interesting place to create, it's just the kitchen table, neither exciting or inspirational in the great scheme of things! But you know what - it works (most of the time!) I'm right in the middle of the house so I don't feel cut off from what's going on, situated close to the kettle, telly and the Internet and vitally - the stash of chocolate and biscuits. And it's Mr.M's Granny's table. It's nice to be using it everyday, rather than it sitting in a shed somewhere (we've been using it for the past 14 years actually, I painted it when we were given it and shocked the whole family! Ooops!). It's perfectly normal to have more kitchen cupboards full of thread, fabric, trims and an overlocker, than food and kitchen stuff anyway right?! The only real downside is people keep wanting to be fed - how annoying!Oh, that and Baked Beans stuck to my work surface! Actually I did think of just saying the whole house, a small terrace. I've also got stuff stashed under the settee, under the bed, on top of the wardrobe, fabric in Bigski's bedroom, probably the attic, the boot of my car is full of print stuff, a silk screen behind the bed, only the bathroom is safe......Hello. I'm Sharon. I have a problem......

Thanks to Michelle at Quilting Mick for this week's theme and to Three Buttons for the whole meme!

And Good Luck to Cloudcake, she's got an exam today!!

Update! When I say create in the kitchen, I mean stitch related not cooking related. I wouldn't want anyone to mistake my cooking for a creative endeavour, it's not so much that I can't cook , I'm more of a really-can't-be-arsed-to-think-about-it-cook!

And the Winner Is.....

2008-06-15T20:26:00.007+01:00

The random number generator that is my smallest person with the aid of a mixing bowl, chose

Bec! Of The Small Stuff

Congratulations Bec! You've won the apron giveaway! Just let me know your postal address so I can send it to you! And Bec's favourite blog is Starashan, I'll try and list some of the other favourite blogs throughout the next week.

Craftman and Bobbin.....

2008-06-11T09:04:00.008+01:00

Holy tomoly, Craftman! What is it!
Avert your eyes my trusty side kick Bobbin, I'm afraid - it's BAD craft!
What can we do Craftman!?!
It's too late this time Bobbin! but we'll continue the fight for good craft, and uphold the principles of Handmade! We'll dedicate our lives to saving the world. One. Stitch. At. A. Time!!
Could we nip into Tescos on the way to save the world, it's just we've run out of milk....
Well Ok, but we'll have to be quick - I've got to be back at 3.10 for the school run......

And in the swoosh of a crusaders cape (Screen printed vintage denim, lined in a quilt made of their childrens old summer dresses, delightful hand embroidery and button embellishment), they were GONE! Gone to rid the world of the ugly, the mass produced and the badly made (all inbetween cleaning the toilet, cooking the tea and the Primark sale....)

Stay tuned for the further infrequent adventures of Craftman and Bobbin. CRAFTING SUPERHEROS!!!

(Um? Would you mind looking down the back of your settee please? I seem to have lost the plot...)

This is... My Favourite Travel Memory

2008-06-09T07:09:00.005+01:00

Once upon a time, in a land B.C. (before children), two bright young things went on an adventure travelling around Morrocco (just after the first Gulf War - as you do!). They made it all the way down to Marrakesh where they had a high old time with a couple of Scottish lads and a set of bagpipes, before coming across the local dentist. Oh yes, they're TEETH on that table! And I'm holding a set of dentures (as you do!). Funniest thing though is the chap looking through Mr.M's arm..

Thanks to Hila for this weeks theme!

And a follow on from last weeks theme....... Mr.Fishy 'helps' with weeding the garden!

Don't forget the GIVE AWAY!

Open All Hours....

2008-06-07T23:04:00.012+01:00

Evening!

Now I know for a fact that no-one will be reading this, I mean it's 11 o'clock on Saturday night, you're obviously all going to be out partying! But I'd just thought I'd make a small announcement....

THE SHOP IS OPEN!!!

Oh yeah, at LAST! Look, I've even got a link thingy in the side bar!

So the ribbon to the front door has been ceremoniously cut and you all are welcome to come and join me for a glass of the best champagne (for best read virtual)!! I've got one whole apron (actually it's a half apron) in there, which will be joined very shortly by a few more lovelies , just building up a bit more stamina it's taken a most of the evening thus far!

And to celebrate being on Etsy I'm going to do a GIVE AWAY!

This lovely raspberry apron is the sister to my first Etsy listing. She has my 'Vintage Spoon' design handscreen printed onto recycled raspberry linen, featuring button embellishment and hand embroidery with a fat tie made of the most delicous green/grey linen fastening into a bow,at the front or back - whichever you prefer! So if you fancy glamming up life in your kitchen leave a comment, just telling me who your favourite blog is, to go into the grand draw! (I say grand, but you know I mean pulling a name out from my rather under-used mixing bowl....). I'll post the name of the winner, along with the most popular/interesting blogs, in a week (Sunday 15th).

Phew! It's all going according to Plan!!

Calendars

2008-06-06T09:02:00.002+01:00

June's image from the Wallpaper calendar, just perfect should you be considering that underwater themed kitchen......actually given the weather lately it could catch on.....
And from the Laura Ashley calendar. I love this, it's so nice to see such an innocent fashion statement, makes such a change from most of todays dress your children/young teens as tarts ranges that I see on the High Street. How highly do you rate my chances of getting my 13 year old daughter to wear it to the next school disco? Mmmm, shan't hold my breath!

(Oh, just read this back and I sound like a right old fart!!!)

Dear Nanny and Grampy

2008-06-04T08:51:00.008+01:00

Ethel loves Fred shared the sweetest letter on her blog that she wrote to her Grandparents in 1974, and it reminded me of the one I wrote to my Grandparents on the aeroplane as we travelled back from Australia to return to live in England, also in 1974. Trouble was I opened it up 'ah, sweet' thought I, forgetting that inside was a letter to me that my Nan had written just after my Gramfie had died. 'Bittersweet' thought I, through the unexpected tears.

So anyway, following the lead of Ethel loves Fred, here's a translation of my (rather good, if I do say so myself) 6 year old writing;

39 GloucesTer road bridgwater Somerset

Dear NANNY and Grampy

ILOVE YOU NANNY and I LOVE YOU to Grampy

I hope the airoplane dont crash.

from SHaron xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I've always been an optimist, you can tell can't you!I love that I wrote it on Qantas paper, on an aeroplane, and it says by Airmail! I needed to work on that mix of capitals and lowercase letters a bit (it just confused the hell out of spellchecker) but my writing was much neater then than it is now!

This is...My Pet

2008-06-01T21:13:00.009+01:00

Hello ladies! I've missed you all! Actually this isn't my pet, it's an apron (but you knew that, right?) - I've been on a bit of a blog break because of

1)loads of alterations to sew

2)a camping trip, and

3)the craft fair was today! Hence the apron picture! If this post makes no sense, it's because I've been sewing into the wee small hours once too often this week!

The short version of all that is there are

1) only midgets where I live as I still have stacks of alterations,

2) it rained - ALOT and then ALOT more! And this comment possibly won't be understood everywhere across the world but it was not a good campsite choice - 'Shameless by the Sea' would be the best description!

3) I sold one bag!(£18) So that was worth sewing into the early hours, buying fabric, getting labels made, paying for the table (£80ish altogether). Mmm...I might postpone my plans for early retirement for a while!! Still it was a positive experience in that I met some like minded crafters which was very encouraging and there was alot of footfall, just not sure that this type of craft fair is entirely right for my product. I still feel positive though, not sure why but I do! (Although slightly stitch blinded if that makes sense!) And a very big thanks to Helen-the-cat-hater who came down from London to hold my hand and made the lovely corsage in the photo!

The good news is that I now have stock for my ETSY shop! I'll be stocking her this week, I'll keep you posted! But I REALLY do need to clean the house first.....

Back to this weeks 'This is...'

This is Mr.Fishy! His real name is Stanley (he insisted on having an alias like the rest of the family) also known as Stan the Man - he's so clever he'll answer to anything - just as long as your holding a piece of ham in your hand.....
Thanks to Kyla for this weeks theme!

And just a little mention that Very-Talented-Maria has started her blog! Stop by and say Hi to her here! (She's also far too modest to say but the paper quilt that she's posted is a prize winner!!)

UPDATE:Stan the Man isn't a burmese, he's just got a pointy face! Ha, so glad I never taught him to read!

Forgot to mention the irony of the lovely lady who bought the bag at the craft fair only lives in the next street to me and yet the craft fair was 5 miles away in Leamington Spa!

This is...What Reminds Me of My Mum

2008-05-10T19:04:00.005+01:00

Now there are many things I could have picked for this theme....like the potential for a double chin, short legs, my sewing ability, the ability to put colours together, but I've picked my Engagement ring.

When Mr.M and I decided to get married we'd already been together 7 or 8 years ( you don't want to rush into these things....) and my Mum gave me her engagement ring that she and my Dad bought from H.Samuel the jewellers in the mid-sixties, I've always considered it good luck as they've been together over 40 years now! It's a delicate little combo of a platinum setting for a sparkle of diamond and a band of 18ct gold. When Mum gave it to me she said to get the band fixed as it was getting rather thin, 10 years later and whoops, I still haven't done it! Partly because there is always something of higher priority, but mostly because I'm afraid it will get lost if I hand it over to anyone!

Thanks Angela for this weeks theme!

Apologies......

2008-05-09T09:13:00.003+01:00

Ha Ha! Guess what? We've had a few days of beautiful sunshine so I put on those cream shoes last night, and dared to consider wearing them tomorrow and booked a couple of days camping. It's now raining....told you !
I'm so sorry....