enough of me moaning……

Hello readers, I hope you are doing fine…  I am feeling a tad like the weather, up and down..  I know why, I am reducing my meds and its making me erratic, but I just want to be normal again.  I am feeling very unloved and lonely, and also I feel very self conscious, unnerved and not confident at all,  which may be the side effects.. 

I am also very anxious about next weeks relay for life..  Getting on the grass going back to the place where i broke my Achilles this time last year. *SIGH*  OH BOO HOO ME *SLAPS SELF*

Okies enough of me moaning…………………

Ok so what have I done?

I made this pattern for a quilt with a jelly roll..  I am still naff at it but Kenzie loves it so she says..  I hope so, I really do.. I never did this pattern at all and I used a wool batting which I find makes it a smoother finish.  I hope Kenzie takes some pics for me I will have to get her too. co I am naff lol

And a little card to accompany

PS: 50 shades of grey is all I am saying bwahahahahahahaha…  Angel this is just up your street love ………..

Banana wrapped in pancake

What a lovely Sunday!! I am sitting here all cosy after just finishing a superb Sunday roast, which I must say was absolutely scrummy yum yum..  Although with the gaps in my teeth I will probably be picking out pork for the next week.

So guess what happened???  It only went and done it didn’t it.  Yes! After months of promising the kids got their wish and the snow fell, and fell and fell.  Mum was on weather watch with my friend Gina who hates the snow… So every few minutes I have an update…  We call it Snow watch bwahahahaha! Anyhoooo we have snow..

I’ve not been upto much just practising my colouring and painting skills.  Inspired by Lena.  You should really check out her blog she is so talented..

Here is my feeble attempt at a little process of what I did.

I started with the leaves, usually I start with the hair. 

The Hair my favourite part.. 

The face I am really having trouble blending the right colours..  I am using Derwent Inktense which do throw out a really rich colour or INTENSE bwahahahahaha!

Flowers lastly..  I am not sure about them but ho hum.. 
I just have to do the background to make her pop but I want her really dry before I start sploshing about lol.

And just to make you really jealous NOM NOM NOM..  I love my mummy.. Banana wrapped in pancake with strawberries and cream *DIES*

Lastly in my business this week.  Oh wait no… I wasnt..  I did a little project that was in craft beautiful this month.

This was sewwwwwwwww (exsquease the pun) simple even i managed it..

Ingredients.

1.   Word processing program to make a word search
2.   One sheet of cotton sheets (I used A4 size from Crafty Paper)
3.   Printer
4.   Assorted coloured threads.
5.   Picture frame

Make the word search, print it, sew round the words or names whatev and then frame it TADAAAAAAAA

Happy days people xxx

Z Z Z z z z . . .

CRIKEY!!! It’s the best I can come up with, without offending someone lol..

So last time I spoke I had the worst throat infection ever, I couldn't even speak.  As you can imagine everyone was so happy about that, never mind my pain they were just joyous for the peace…  I did feel a little sorry for myself though when they were skipping and dancing about **SIGHHHHHH!

Good news is I finished the jackets, yes still almost finished the fringing on my shawl..  For goodness sake I didn’t realise how boring fringing is, so I am doing a little bit at a time..

In between fever, sweating and the chills I started this project..  Come on have a guess at what I am doing..

Elastic Bands +

Nappies or Diapers if you are American or Poop Catchers if you don’t know either word LOL!!

= 192 rolled nappies later

Any guesses yet?  Yep I am making 3 nappy cakes..  I’ve never done one so I researched on you tube how to and it’s so easy and really effective and it can be as expensive or as cheap as you like..

I also started some sheep today before I went to work..  Yes I said back to work..  WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO – BLOODY – HOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Yah last week my lovely physiotherapist signed me off and I skipped went to the Doc’s and hoped for the same.  He was happy to let me back to work but he just wants me to ease back into it..  I am happy with that.  My first day back and my ankle felt it.  My hip. leg and ankle are feeling it now but that’s to be expected. 

Sonny and I are joining the gym.  We want to be fitter than we are, me for lots of reasons, mainly the fact that if anything goes wrong I am gonna be stuffed..  Last week I started back at Aqua Aerobics and my leg loved the weightless feeling, but didn't like the work.. LOL!!  It really felt odd..  I finally got over my fear of getting out of the pool and went along only to discover they have a completely different stair system..  YIPEEEEEEE!!!

Well I do have one more piece of news for you guys buy I will save it..  You will lurrrrve it…

I blog because I love blogging

Hello Loves..  I hope you are all well.  I myself have been very well as you do when you are busy you haven’t got the time to be ill LOL!!

Anyhoooo I have been super busy, well busyish.  I am doing my quilt along quilt, which is taking up swooper amounts of my time and I’m also resting up my foot. (Yes I’m still in agony.)

Today I joined in a class at school, I was all excited over the weekend, and how much has changed..  I went into a biology class with Mr Cook who said I was very welcome to join him if I wanted.  Well of course I wanted, I was invited to be present for a dissection of the heart, how gruesome is that?.  Not as gruesome as you think, a bit like cutting meat up.  But before I go on lets go back, hmmmmm (thinks hard) about 20 years.. I messed about at school, I never did very well due to the fact that I did have special needs (ADD), which is really no excuse, even so I miss out on a lot.  Working at the school gives me these opportunities to learn things.  I absolutely loved the lesson and I loved being in the lesson too.  I have been mulling over working as an LSA.. Maybe something to think about in the future, when I’m so much brighter..  Anyhooooo I couldn't believe how well behaved the classes were in comparison to when I was at school.  Children these days get so much help and so many opportunities to really bloom, I hope they take that opportunity. 

Rightio back to the crafty stuff in life..

I made some really lovely Lemonade.  There is nothing better and it’s easy as pie.  Cut up your lemons, I had 3 here for about 1.5 litres of water, then bring it to the boil adding sugar to taste.  I use granulated light sugar which brought it out just as nice. Simmered for about 30 minutes left to cool and then stuffed in the fridge to get icy cold..  YUM YUM..  Easy as that!

Now remember I told you I am joining the Quilt Along which Shruti is holding.  Well this is the first of about a million squares that I have cut and pieced back together. Yes some of them are super wonky, and some just wonky *grins*

This is my finished block.. I’m so loving the colours xxxxx Love you Colours

This is the beginning of my zigzag edging.  I’m doing 2, 50 x 50 inch ones that's a hell of a lot of squares *sigh* Which I am still ironing and cutting to size..

Anyhoo I don’t know when I will be able to get back..  But I hope not to be as long as I was last time..  My life comes before my blog and I am not obliged to blog, I blog because I love blogging xx

Have fun till next time we meet my lovely readers xxx

Charlie who is bonkers

WOOOOOHOOOOO!!! I’m so happy it’s sickening *hands everyone a pink fluffy bucket with sparkling gems on it*

How are you all this week??.  I can’t remember the last time, I blogged, but since last time so much has happened, quick go and make a cuppa and I’ll tell you all about it..

This is the first week of the Easter Holidays, it has flown by but, I really have been proactive.. I mean super proactive.. Like sickly proactive you get where I am going here…… I found out what is wrong with my foot, I have the good old Plantar Factitious..  Pain is the operative word here, so while I’m off I am trying to rest is as much as possible.  I have been given a night splint and also exercises to help heal it..

Charlie who is bonkers chilling out!
Ma bambino!!

I actually used my sewing table for the very first time.. WEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! I made the boys a skirt for their bed.  I was just totally fed up to the back teeth of looking at the toot under it, so if I can’t keep it tidy, hiding it seemed the best way.

We went in to Colchester this week to my most fave shop and of course everything is based around London at the moment because of the royal wedding (I’m not really a monarchy lover, on the other hand mummypoo is).  Charlie absolutely loves anything Union Jacky so it was perfect.

I know you are jealous of me sewing table, I can tell!

So here it is all finished..  How I did was easy peasy lemon squeezy. 

1. I stuck on the sticky velcro tape to the bed, dead easy…
2. I measured the length and doubled adding a 1/4 inch hem on all hemlines. 
3. To the front of the fabric I added velcro tape.  Sewed in place and then pulled it like a curtain tab until I got a lovely gather. 
4. Stuck the velcro tape together Bob’s your Uncle and Fanny’s your aunt, one bed skirt all neat and tidy.

For my grand finale..  *hears heavenly trumpets playing in the background* I finally after 8 months finished my mummypoo’s lap blanket.  Well it was supposed to be a bed blanket but I got so bored with it lol I told her “oh look a lovely lap blanket for when your sitting there with a nip in the air”  Yes the eyes did go rolling round her head, but she loves it anyhoo ha ha ha!!!

Today I am finishing off my granny square cardi.  No I’m not showing it you yet you can see it when it’s all done.  I also cleared out 2 shelves of books and magazines, they are all off to the charity..  Now I’m watching The Tudors and chillaxing…

Off for now hope to see you soon. Oh and a big thank you to my little following friends, I really appreciate it.  It’a really nice to know I’m not a boring old fart. MEH!!!

Have a great week xxxx

Running….

Round like a headless chicken.  But the circle is getting bigger LOL!!  Do you ever have one of those weeks?..  And there was me thinking it was going to be a really calm week.  NAHHHHH!! Anyhooo. What have I been upto let me show you..

See that?  That’s the blue sky from my window.  Yes a powder blue and that day was so fresh and warmish?  It was a good happy day..  I was like a bambi springing about.

Rosie Pickles enjoying the burst of sunshine, woofing at everything she looks at, saying hello!

I finished my pillow Zippy Do Dah!!..

I’m still crocheting squares for my cardi, but I’m getting to the end now.

I bought a new jug and filled it with fabby looking Tulips..  It’s on the lavvy so I just took a piccy of the jug, oh and the air freshener has snuck in too LOL!!

So in between housework, work, hospital, dentist and a visit to Dunelm’s.  I have still been off the cig’s.  Today is day 19 ..  How fabby is that?  I can say I am a non smoker.  I haven’t had even a sniff of a ciggy.  How's that making me feel?  Well it’s making me fat, which is turn is making me feel down in the dumps.. I know I have to be patient, but patience is not one of my strong points..  Oh I dunno…. *SIGH*  I am having a moan LOL!!  The good thing is that I’m not smoking and I’m not going to be going back to the fags.  So ok if I have to be fat for a bit then so be it.  The patches are working, I mean I haven’t completely turned into a gruffalo yet!! MEH!

Anyhooo I’m off to workypoo.  Have a wonderful week xxx

BRING ON THE SPRING!!!

Retail Therapy

Happy Monday everyone.  It’s still dreary in Clacton BOOOOOOO!! I’m hanging in there for the spring..  I can’t wait.

I had a really lovely weekend.  I have a confession to make.  I had a lot of retail therapy OOOOPPPS!! Oh well when my goodies come I will show it.  But as a sneaky tell tale, one of the goodies I really had to save for this item, and it’s gonna be really useful and practical.

Saturday Mum and I went off too the Stitch and Craft show and as usual we got lost on the way, I mean come ON it was only up the road in Braintree, but we did have a lovely drive through of Stisted. The craft show was wonderful, impossible to take photo’s as there were so many people.  There was everything there and more.  I was there for a look see as I had never been to one before and Mum was looking for a new craft.  If you are into paper crafting, scrapbooking, card making etc then you would have been in your heart of glory. There were loads and loads of stalls there for paper crafting.  Hmmm let me think about the kinds of stalls.  Well there were paper craft, quilting, sewing, knitting, silk painting, clothes makers, basket weavers, cross stitchers oh loads and loads.

I bought myself a cross stitch kit, the design is one of my favourite artists, Suzanne Woolcott with one of her girls.

I also bought this lovely basket, which I am thinking beachy for the summer to put my crafts in when I go down there.

And I bought a new craft which I’ve never done before.  It’s called Decopatch and it’s a fast craft with quick results.  I did one tonight just before blogging.  I bought a giraffe which I’ve yet to name.  But I think he has come out really well.  I really enjoyed doing it and also because of the non smoking me, I am looking for things to do.

I finished my love cushion finally.  I did enjoy this one, but I don’t want to make another one.

My cushion front is coming along really well.  I am really happy with it.  I’m going to make another one for a gift.  I bought all the material I needed to do it.  It’s so easy to make.  Although it does take me ages because of the wrist.

Anyhooo I am off to take mummy to work. 

Pedagogy!

Happy friday! What a weird ole day I had today!   I learned a new word called pedagogy, yeah it’s real.  It means something to do with teaching.  It did take us MDA’s a good 20 minutes how to even say it lol, then we did the thesaurus thing lol.

So here is the great news.  I went to the smoking cessation appointment I booked up.  Yes I am going to stop smoking.  Not only for my health but also because it’s a really bad habit and obviously over the years has got worse.  I noticed my breathing is just awful, sometimes it sounds like I have had a set of bag pipes shoved down in my chest.  Not good.  So yes me and the patches are on track. I’m all ready for tomorrow.

So for some nicely news.  I’ve finished my love pillow, but I need to just snag up some edges in order to look fab.  I started my heart pillow

I got the tutorial from Miss Ellie and this is how far I am.

Tomorrow I am off to the create and craft show, hopefully I will be able to take some snaps, depends on the rules and regs.

Have a wonderful weekend…

Ps. Have you have any signs of spring where you are?

Happy Valentine x

Yes another valentines is but upon is.  I am single again this year, something that doesn’t actually bother me.  I have never really celebrated valentine in a romantic way.  But I made a decision and decided that, ‘poo’ I am gonna have a little valentines all of my own.  I love hearts so I made this cake

I used the recipe from my new favourite Cherry Menlove.  I absolutely love Cherry’s site, she is full of inspiration.

I also finished my little pillow

Wonderfully inspired by The DIY Dish

I do have another pillow on the go and I am hoping to run that up on the machine after I have finished blogging here. 

The thing I have found out about these projects that although they are NOT perfect, they are indeed handmade all by me.  I love the way they have turned out.  I think crafting for me is a sense of achievement rather than a perfect finish.

What does crafting give you?

Is it Spring yet?

Oh I do hope so, though I seriously doubt it.  The sun was shining brightly today and I had an overwhelming wash of happiness.  I love spring it’s really my most treasured season.

Saturday was fabulous.  Mum, Sonny and I went off to Peterborough to watch Holiday on Ice Energia.  It was amazing, the costumes and choreography obviously amazing.  I couldn't take any pics because of the rules of the show that you are not allowed to take pictures.  So the next best thing is to send you over to Holiday on Ice website where you can have a little glimpsy of the show.

Sunday I had a really wonderful day.  I did all my chores as you do, showered then sat for a rare moment and crafted on and off (wrist allowing).  I started a love cushion, I am really enjoying making.

The pattern I am using is from The DIY Dish.  I really am enjoying this project, did I say this before LOL!!

I went for a little wander today into town.  The wind has really died down so it’s possible to walk upright instead of being blown left right and center.

I bought some unnecessary fabric as you do.  I went in for 2 zips and came out with a candy coloured bundle,

 

two of these fabulous country blues, Victorian Garden called Winter,

and a snazzy pair of scissors.

Such a lovely day I had.  I hope you had a lovely one too x

……lazy bum extraordinaire!

I am so loving stumble upon.  It’s kind of addictive, and while I have been cooped up and generally no energy I have been stumbling quite a bit.

My latest find is a really lovely site called Gracious Rain.  What a great Blog name too. Launi is a wonderfully generous crafter.  She shares all kinds of crafting information and also tutorials.  Be sure to check her out.  I know I will be going back.

You know what else I am loving and that the new Windows Live Writer.  It’s so easy peasy lemon squeasy. I think it’s the easiest way I have blogged for years.  I don’t even have to leave my desktop or log into anywhere.  I just type and click.  And there is no uploading of pics. So for me lazy bum extraordinaire it’s the perfect lazy bum extraordinaire solution.  If i knew it was this easy I would have clicked on it way before now lol..

So I’ve been feeling a bit poo of late, well to be honest the dreaded lurgy has been graced upon me, and I dunno about you but my spirits seem to plummet into the ground.

So to cheer myself up A LOT I have invested in a Clover Mini Iron II not very exciting but hey, I did need cheering up *bats eyelashes, causing a draft*

I’m about to embark on making a lovely cushion from A Crummy Marriage Blog. 

It’s a Love Pillow.. Just in case you got a little bit confused LOL!!

Anyhooo I do hope I get some visitors soon, I’m feeling kinda lonesome out in the web alone lol..

Have a wonderful evening x

circus fandango!

Well helllllooooo to you.  I hope you are all doing fabby as you do.

(Insert a violinist and dergy music here!) So the wrist is still torture, and I'm hardly crafting at all, which is a right pain up the bum, actually not the bum, the wrist hahahahahaha!.  (Enter circus fandango here!) Right I can't do any crocheting or sewing or anything really that I want to do.  Switch tactics. (Enter light bulb above one's head!) Soap making!!!.  Yes I thought I can do soap making.  It doesn't put any strain on anything.  (Enter ebay skippage!) Off to ebay I went and ordered a few supplies, which come to around £13.00 and I'm going to have a go.  Yes I am.  So I am currently stalking the postman waiting for my goodies.  It's not really a pretty sight, as every time he posts something there I am looking back at him through the letter box.  I need to do something it's terrible just sitting there picking something on my body.  That isn't a very pleasant to look at either, especially when I start analysing what I've picked from my ear/nose/arse LOL!! Seriously though, when I mean bored, the tears have dried up and frozen into icicles.  Maybe a slight exaggeration, but I'm trying to paint a picture of how bored I have been.

ANYHOOOOOOOO.  Guess what?  I started my job last Thursday.  It's so weird being in the real world.  I am battling with my confidence.  I am determined to pull myself out of the rut I have been in for a few years.  Some SAHM/D know what exactly I mean here.  Well so far I really love it. Obviously at the moment, I am just feeling my feet.  I think once I get settled in I will totally love it! My job title is Mid Day Assistant (a dinner lady to help out with the lunches at the local school).  It's the perfect job to ease my way back into work.  I mean I haven't really had a job for about 11 years.  So for me it is a next step of my journey of reclaiming myself.   It has not been an easy journey and I am still tripping up along the path, but I have learned to pick myself and dust myself off.  4 years ago I didn't even know my arse from my elbow.  I came through that and I am a much stronger person.  Anyway less of that more of this.

This week I received the lovely book from Elizabeth Hartman or Oh Frannson! as some of you know her by.  She has some really wonnerful work in her book and I really recommend it for those of you who are starting out on your quilting adventure.  The book is very well written explaining everything about the parts of a quilt.  How to cut and then build the quilt back together, and even tips about how to quilt the sandwich together.  Yup on my top 10 books I have bought.  And you know the nicest little thing that Elizabeth did, was to send me a little note on the insert of the book.  How nice is that?  I love those little personal touches, it does make the difference.  Thank you Elizabeth x

I have been doing some really light embroidery, I can get about 10 minutes at a time a few times a day.  I've been collecting the 'Truly Scrumptious' BOTM (Block of the month) from The Fat Quarters.  It's by Natalie Lymer from Cinderberry Stitches.  I'm absolutely loving it.  I'm not the best embroiderer on the planet, but I can handle back stitch and Natalie's instructions are soooooo simple.  I think the toughest is deciding which jelly you want to go with it.

Anyhooo times up, the pain of typing is creeping in..

I hope to be back soon, have a fantastically great week xx

Oh My Days Indeed.

Sometimes life is Arseholes!! And then Sonny comes along!!!..

Hello everyone, sorry for the absence.  I shall explain my sorry arse.  There is exciting news (wooohoooo!!!) and OMGoshly news (boooooo!!!).  Let's start with the OMGoshly and work towards the positive, seen as I really do loathe negativity.

Remember the wrist? ( I think I am gonna name my wrist Wally from now on!)  So yes you do.  Do you remember my love, John the Physio guy??  Well I went to see him last week and predicted I might have carpal tunnel syndrome, which I researched up and its the muscles that your tendons are surrounded by, might have tightened causing the tendonitus..  (you will have to excuse my spelling, I'm really naff at medical terms).  So last week he was giving me the once over with the ultra sound machine, this week he gave my carpol muscles a really good massage and some laser treatment.  No it wasn't painful, but by the end of the night I couldn't even hold a cup.  He still thinks its carpol tunnel and if it hasn't eased any by next week, the next step is accupunture and then off to the osteopath *SIGH*.  Do you know what that means!?  It means the osteo may possibly want to put my wrist in a contraption and then I will be stuffed..  This week I have been so good resting it.  No computer, (holding the mouse hurts) minimal driving (gripping the wheel hurts) and most importantly very minimal crafting, no more that 15 minutes at a time and no more than an hour through the day.  It's tortureeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Did I mention it's torture??.  If I want this blooming wrist to heal then I really will have to tow the line..  Today I am typing up my blog which means no crafting for me..  See how I sacrifice!!!

So lets get on to some good news..  I have been finishing up some projects this week.  Do you ever get that feeling where you start a million projects and put them to oneside to start another?.  Naughty yes, I am guilty!.  So I finished my quilt that I was doing with the quilt along over at Fat Quarterly.. Have a look, don't laugh and constuctive critisim is always welcome.

A close up of my colours.  I have learn from this to plan my colours better, so they stand out nicer.

The finished size.  Not very good at displaying I know, but you can get the idea.  Again I think if I had planned my colours better the quilt would look nicer.

I also had a go at stippling, which was easier than I thought, but not good for the old wrist and this took me forever to do but I completed.

I am really proud of myself, I have never done a quilt before, never ever.  So this has been added to my I can do list.  Hopefully each quilt I do I will get better and better.

A sneaky peak at a christmas presant I have finished.

I'm not saying nothing else, just incase they are looking... @( o  o )@

Finished the union jack cushions.  (oh look at the quilt sneaking in for a quick pic)

This crocheted flower is causing me to have frown lines..  I may need to get some botox.  LOL!!! By the time I have done a bit it's time to stop ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! Such is life...

Lastly my lil baby Rosie was all poorly this week.  She went for her booster injections which swelled up and left her with a very sore neck.  I must say she as been extra pampered this week.

OH OH OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guess what another bit of good news!  I have a job, yes I do!! I applied at the school as a mid day assistant, or dinner lady in the days with simple job titles.  So yes I went to the interview, which I must confess, I really didn't want to go, simply for the fear of another rejection, but I went and well,  CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS to me!!!... they gave me a call.  LOL!! When they called I was munching on crisps, so all Mrs Lewis must have heard was crunch crunch, slurp and a munch.  Still, I have to wait for the police checks to come through and medical checks blah blah blah..  Once they are done, I join the working people.

Tomorrow I have my first guitar lesson with Ben.  So I'm gonna get off here so I can rest up ready for tomorrow..

Have fun miss you all loads xxx

I'll be back!! (said in a terminatory way)