Makey-fingers: recent results.

First of all, there was the necklace (because I do love a new challenge, and decided recently that I could be a master jewellary maker!) I've bought a few bits and pieces over the last couple of months to get me started with my new hobby, and have been perusing craft magazines and the Accesories departments of the shops for inspiration. I have thoughts on a memory-wire bracelet, and am writing down other ideas as I have them, to put by for later when my skills and materials have caught up with my imagination!

But here is my first attempt: A button necklace (some of it is out of shot- they're terribly difficult to photograph! But its a little bit longer than it looks, and symmetrical... kinda).


Then there was the thought that I'd like to get something pretty and heart-like downstairs, to cheer up the corridor. I saw some hearts on ribbons in a shop window recently, and thought that I'd have a go myself. I fixed them together in a temporary fashion, whilst I waited for some more wire (preferring that to the ribbons once I'd experimented). And I'm glad of that, because I have changed my mind about the order of the three, and the beads between them several times.

They're not hanging here, on a door, but, again, its all quite tricky to photograph! They're actually here, on a heart peg.

And the individual hearts look a little bit like this:

Its imperfect, but then, so am I! If I was to do this again, the words would be in the middle. I'm still considering what I could use over the top, if anything, as a fixitive... It may well change the whole feel of it, so I'm unsure...

There is a musical theme here, and I got hold of some spare written-music of a couple of my favourite tunes to use, then layered with decorated tissue, and the words? A bit of Shakespeare that I am fond of, (Ariel singing in The Tempest) which is also beautifully set to music by Arne. (This isn't my favourite version, but its very pretty. I think I prefer it sung a little bit more simply- Emma Kirkby perhaps?...)

Where the bee sucks, there suck I:
In a cowslip's bell I lie;
There I couch when owls do cry.
On the bat's back I do fly
After summer merrily.
Merrily, merrily shall I live now
Under the blossom that hangs on the bough.

I love the image this gives me, being the size of a fairy, flying around in an idyllic Summer. So I guess the sweetness of it makes me smile- its lovely to pass it by a couple of times a day.

Theres also a little photo of my sister, Pootle and I, that has been hanging about (not literally on a wall unfortunately), waiting to be made use of. Unfortunately it was printed on regular paper, and was a4 size, and the original print hasn't been seen for a while. It deserved a frame of its own, and something special. I fiddled about with some watercolours and pen, and came up with this. Its one of a kind!

I've also been working on something else with pen and watercolours. Its still a work-in-progress, as although it is 'finished' and framed, I'm not entirely satisfied, so am tweaking some bits. But here is a sneak preview...

Not to be out-done, the children have been busy too.

So I suppose my makey-fingers have had their exercise for a while, but this is pretty much how things go around here- inactivity in the craft department (or nothing going on of note), then I find the energy (and drive) to zoom about until the early hours for a few days in a row, just to finish those things that need finishing! At least I'm making progress on my Thirty List! I can now tick off 4 (the hearts: 'inspirational'? Well, its something that I love reading and it puts me in a good mood, so perhaps it is, indirectly), two of the three from number 5, and one skill of the three (jewellary-making) of 9.


xxx

And now for something Completely Different...

I've caught this little bug, the one that has been milling about recently. Symptoms include:

itchy fingers

the need to create

pestering more crafty family members, for advice, support, spare equipment, and lessons

hunting around charity shops for useful fabrics and books

emitting squeally sounds when you feel an especially expensive yarn (or wool as I'm used to calling it- sorry!)

There are some quite serious cases of it in Blogland, so I kinda hold you people accountable. And theres that little matter of my 30s list- this new sickness is just the right kinda thing to tick off, numbers 5 and 9.

I've aways enjoyed making things: cards, cross stitches, and I love drawing and painting, so perhaps the signs were there. I've mentioned before that I grew up in a house of crafty-ness. I felt a little inept when it came to making costumes for Pickle Missy's World Book Day recently, so something had to be done. (The sewing machine is being dusted off, and there is a fabulous project ready to start, thank you once again, Lucy). It used to be unfashionable to make things, and you'd attract comments about lack of money if you sported lovingly created hand-made jumpers as a child (from other children of course). I wouldn't dare mention to my school friends that I got one of these!

 I can still remember what I made for the big project: an adult sleeveless stripy jumper in a kinda aqua marine and navy, with buttons on one shoulder. Beautiful!!!! It was the '80s, people, therefore, this is an acceptable design and colour combo.

A new era has come. I have one of these noodles, (that is what Pickle Missy calls them, and that is therefore what they will be known as!) and I'm ready to go.

You see? I read blogs from proper crafters- I understand that we are supposed to find the prettiest fabrics to photograph things on :)

In fact, truth be told, I've started. Mum tried to teach me, but proclaimed me un-teachable, so she found me a couple of books and some remnants and told me to set out into the big crochet world unaided, for that is truly the way forward (and her mother had decided that she couldn't be taught either, so that is the route that she also took) ...or something to that effect. I can now proudly make round things, and long things, and wormy things.

So anyway, how does this sound so far?....



xxx

Eastery Goodness

As predicted... I didn't manage to get back here before Easter, but I hope your long weekends were full of nice things. Mine was! I bought this little chappy for my niece, (and was so pleased with the find!) and the campervan for my lovely fella.

Christmas Easter is all about giving. Egg-cup-pressies wherever possible I say. 

And there was baking, much baking.

The Little People helped with the mixing, and icing, (and EATING) but mummy will have to admit to finishing the getting carried away with the decorating after they lost interest slightly.

My first attempt at a simnel cake for many years. Its only me (and a couple of visitors) who eat it. Not a bad situation given my love of marzipan...

I cooked a roast chicken dinner on Easter Sunday, which was a treat in itself (I don't do roasts very often on account of Pickle Missy's veggy preferences, and me working Sunday lunchtimes). This weekend was different, and the left-overs didn't last long. I made a Rocky Road for pud with crushed cadburys mini eggs, but you'll have to trust me on that one, as the photos didn't really come out.


What else? Well there were swimming trips, arty-moments, barbeques by the beach (no we don't live in Australia, but this weather convinces one to do these things!) an Easter Egg Hunt, and picnics, and gardening, and baking and, and, and...

Our lovely Easter cards.

I'll do another post on the garden soon, but I couldn't wait any longer to show you our hanging basket in its new position, hanging!- look!

The children had scooters from mummy. There is something to be said for the art of nagging. Given enough time, mummy does listen, and she does respond! I didn't mind treating them, as their birthdays are so near to Christmas, that they could otherwise miss these Summery Outside thingys. No major injuries as yet, unless you count a very sore trapped finger... but that was more the fault of a bedroom door hinge...

 Note the green and gold curly-ribbons, which are now permanent fixtures, and arguably just as exciting as the main present.

Lots of outsideyness this week. Perfect.

It was all quite fab... and now we must leave it behind, in an ' in between Christmas and New Year' fashion, because the loveliness isn't quite over-and-done-with yet, although it feels like its all happening a bit too quickly. It is a great pull, to have to resume 'normal business' for a couple of days, and to have to pretend to concentrate on school and work... before the Royal Wedding Bank Holiday (!!!!) which I hope will be full of lots more nice things.



xxx

PS, the 's' on the keyboard only works when it feels like it, so in actual fact, 'Easter' keeps coming out as 'Eater'. You ought to see my kitchen cupboards after the Little People opened the rest of their pressies from family and friends- how apt!

A Perfectly Imperfect Easter Tree.

IF I were more organised, and I was a member of the bloggy circle who produced beautifully crafted and seasonal wonders, I might be tempted to do a 'how-to' here. But as it is, I am not, and my pictures aren't great, it leans terribly to the left, and my children did things their own way, with as much sellotape as possible. Isn't that what its all about though? I'm very proud of their efforts- come and have a look!

We made an Easter Tree this week.

 I like to 'mark' Easter, like we do Christmas (although on a slightly smaller scale), so I have a handful of holiday projects, for Little People who are, afterall, only ever at home with me, for every-other 25th December. They're old enough this year to get quite involved with the preparations. And I've been really busy, so we won't get around to them all this year, but we certainly enjoyed this one.

We love daisies, and seeing them pop up through the grass over the last couple of months has given us great pleasure.

 My beautiful brolly pot. I have another of these on my staircase-window, with a flowery arangement in, but have recently realised that the picture is fading! Very sad face. I have rotated the 'vase' and am now on the lookout for a new one.

The inspiration for this comes from the wonderful Mrs. B. She is the sort of lady who knows something interesting about everybody, who has an orginal Lowri, who has newts in the pond, a fresh cake just out of the oven, and an empty drawer designated as 'the spare'... to gauge clutter. (If things find their way into it, she has a clear-out). Until fairly recently (and I do believe she's almost into her early 80s, but you'd never know), she used to swim, before 8am, twice a week. And yes, she also has a jar of sticks, decorated with Easter loveliness, on her grand piano at this time of year. We love Mrs. B.

 That scrunchy stuff is blossom. Yes, I thought you could tell.

 A happy sunflower (with an artist's impression of seeds in the middle), and another artist at work.

We didn't need much in the way of materials. This tree is the image of 'cheap and cheerful'. We've borrowed the brolly-pot from the inside the front door, but thankfully we haven't needed brollys, or a vestibule to put wet ones in for a few weeks. Quite the oppposite- where are those sunhats?! We gathered regular tickle-sticks on walks, I covered them with strips of coloured tissue paper, then, the decorations that we didn't already have, were made, and attached with a loop of green gift-ribbon. I kinda wish we had more sticks with other offshoots attached, rather than regular doggy-fetch uninteresting ones, but nevermind. It might have been an idea to use pipecleaners to reinforce the little-er offshoots, and manipulate them into more interesting, and stronger bends, but that would have required buying pipecleaners. Nah...

We had the pink bows hanging around the craft box, and we made the leaves to fill out the branches. It looked more like an Easter Tree, and less like a collection of sticks covered in paper, once the leaves were on!

 A dandelion... but that was obvious too I'm sure...

I had some decorations given to me a few years back, and I'm all about Childhood Traditions, so hopefully the children will come to recognise them and look forward to their arrival, like they do the Christmas decs. These went on the tree. We also bought 6 decorated eggs at the shop around the corner, and a chick or two, and added home-made spring-like-happenings: seasonal things that we have seen on our walks, and some other grass-dwelling-favourites... and a cotton-wool lamb (chiefly because he wanted to be there).

He (Curly Whirly Flick Flick, to give him his full title) demanded to be sat in the centre. His fluff is falling off but he's a cheerful kind of chap, who isn't bothered by such matters

Hopefully I should make it back to share another Easter-post with you before the day... but its turning into a busy week (in a nice way!) If I don't, have a wonderful weekend!

xxx

Three-Photos-Thursday, 14th April.

I baked these recently, with the help of a small girl and a small boy. They chose the recipe from Pickle Missy's recipe book from Great Gran, (I think the monkeys in the picture helped...) I thought they were moreish.

However, the fella hates bananas, and evidently the Little People, after some thought, don't like banana bread...

Even if its masquerading as a muffin.

More for me then.


xxx

Is it really Wednesday?

I'm not entirely sure where the week is going, but I suppose its faster when your time is spent snuggling down with a small Pickle Missy, administering cough medicine that doesn't take away coughs.
I enjoyed your comments about my Cornish treats. I can't help my weaknesses, so I'm not going to fight them! I have been known to say 'lets have clotted cream for tea- what shall we have with it?!' Those of you that are interested in Cornwall might have heard about this.

I'm having a catch-up day, doing those little jobs that have mounted up- so I'll have a little catch-up here too. So what have we been doing? When we haven't been poorly and off school, or flipping pancakes, this week we have mostly been baking,

...with pretty good success! These were yummy- we've made two batches in two weeks.

and drawing,

I can't get enough of this 'lets draw bunnies' phase.

and being Angelina Ballerina

for World Book Day. Now why exactly was I panicking?!

and having our nails done,

at our friends party (manicures for 5 year olds anyone?!) 

I thought I'd be shocked but I just thought- 'oh, you have beautiful strawberry-fingernails!'

and growing

These are our tiny little tomato plants. Its so lovely to watch the seedling process- this picture (if you look really carefully!) should show all of the steps, as we understand them:

1) a loop

2) a shoot with a seed-hat

3) a shoot with propellers.

Hope you are having a good week too.



xxx

Another Party.

I've been a busy girl! I have been having fun, seeing friends, making plans, and having hard times as well as lovely times, smiling big smiles, purchasing good purchases and dating. Yes, I do believe that we can still call it 'dating', even after this long, and even this infrequently! So I apologise for the delay, but here is the recent party write-up!

My Little Guy turned 3 before Christmas, and for many a varied reason, he had to wait until last week for his party. Hmmm- he wasn't at all bothered, but I felt a little guilty that he had to wait that long... although the original delay was intentional. The plan inside my head went: Birthday-Christmas-Birthday-Party-(Breathe!)-Party... its just that the 'Breathe' took longer than anticipated! Missy Pickle had her Cat Party not so long ago, and I lifted the ideas from there really, having seen what worked well. Little Guy is like every typical pre-schooler boy, and he's into three main things, which made the choice of theme easy: Thomas the Tank Engine, Dinosaurs, or Pirates. He decided on the last option, but Mummy said 'no dressing up' (but she felt sad about it!) because she didn't want to put pressure on the other parents. Just as well, because she came across some pretty worried looks when it was first mentioned. Face paints were available upon request for stubble and moustaches though!

The children were younger this time- most of his friends were only 2 and a half, and what a big difference there is between a 30 month old and a 3 year old! But they all joined in, and here are some of the things they got up to:

They had parrots to colour in first of all. And the children had lots of things to choose from to decorate them with, but they went with googly eyes, and kept things simple. I was most surprised!

What a pity, because I had found feathers and stickers and bits of coloured tissue, and I put them all in a large tupperware, (in a semi-organised fashion) all ready for them! We played a short 'pass-the-parcel', and after that we had a little game of 'pin-the-tail-on-the', with the parrots and a pirate.

No parrots were harmed in the playing of this game.

Most of the parrots were taken down again before I got a picture- but you get the idea. It was a close one, but we had one happy winner. The prizes were little ones: small boxes of crayons, a mini-puzzle, a bracelet or two, all kept in the 'treasure box' until they were needed. Everybody won something. So, what else? Ummm...

Pirate biscuits to decorate (and eat alongside the trifle). Do they look like pirates? Maybe not. But after some creativity they were gorgeous. Heres one I made earlier:

These were fun. The children had a picnic tea, and weren't short of yummies. I kept things simple, and raw, which is just as well, because what should greet me when I arrived home earlier that day to hinder my Party Prep Plan? I shall tell you, because it will be much quicker. (I indulged in a game of '20 Questions' with my sister earlier today, and it really did take a while to get to the incorrect answer!) A power cut. Three and a half hours worth. I popped around to a neighbouring shop to see what the news was, at a Very Nearly Lunchtime sort of hour, and upon finding that I was unable to prepare cooked food for the party as planned, she marched me (yes, she does 'march' me) around to the pub next door, and asked if they might cook the quiches and the sausage rolls in their gas oven. It was more a case of 'not knowing when the power would be re-installed' on her part I think, but I was very embarrased. However, I can confirm that Community Spirit is alive and well people!

Here are the party bags:

My mum made them and sent them down from London the week before. I remember these pirate (and rag-doll, nurse, princess, baby...) badges from fundraisers and craft fairs and Summer Club Projects that she was involved in years ago. Lovely memories, all created from a pair of old tights, I do believe!

And here are the contents:

Arrrrrr!

There ye be, shipmates. Twas a grand time. Oh, one last thing- the Best Bit: the cake! Happy Belated Birthday Little Guy!

xxx

Thingys to Make And Do

I have in my head, bubbling around, a little list of projects that I would really like to undertake at some point soon. Note the lack of schedule- schedules are not my favourite things- I get short of breath at the thought of deadlines, and will be doomed to failure if I take that route. I also have problems finding spare time. But I like to be distracted from day-to-day issues, and I have wishes to do things- to create and make, and adapt ideas and patterns and produce sparkly things! I need to weild scissors and glue, and make my sewing machine whirr, and find a style all of my own. I want my children to be brought up in a making environment too, and I'm missing the homemade Beautiful Things that were in my lovely home, on bookcases, around my twirly whirly staircase, on the front door, on the piano.... in every room at Christmas, from somewhere near the start of Advent, to Twelfth Night. The house looked so much more personal, and it was such a pleasure to be in. I'm loving the party prep that I have been absorbed in the last couple of weeks, and am sad at the thought of 'no more projects' once its all over. You bloggy people are not helping, with your Beautiful Things that are home-made! So I have decided that I need these kinds of handcrafted thingys to live Here, somewhen:

1) Loose covers/ throws which are Beautiful, (in a hotch-potch of patterned and pretty fabrics) to cover my sofa and chair, which are currently not Beautiful. I'd like to do something similar for the children's beanbags, if I continue to draw a blank looking for new loungy-seating for them. This massive project is just soooo clear in my mind's eye- I can see it! But I have literally no material! However, I do love a Charity-Shop trawl, and we have a wealth of them here, so its time to start collecting.

2) Artwork in my bedroom. I think I may be able to produce something of my own. It won't be spectacular, but it will be pretty, and flowery, (I love happy flowers) and all the things that I want my home to be- important stuff!!! I loved the dandelion pictures I saw in Louise's makeover. (I can't tell you what a release it has been, being able to adorn my little pad with my own things- feminine things, now that its We Three. The buzz I got from re-arranging the front entrance and putting my 'dolly' pegs on display in a pretty heart wire basket when I first became a singleton was a just a little bit fab!)

3) A modest Doll's House. Not a professional looking one, but something in the vein of the Blue Peter 'Barbie/ My Little Pony-Makes' that they used to do when I was growing up. You know the ones? Rooms made from cardboard, with wrapping-up paper walls, and clever things inside to makeshift into cool furniture.

4) A doll and a soft toy. More sewing projects. I like the idea of my children being involved with them personally. I've been thinking it over a while, wondering if it was more a project to undertake with Grandma's supervision in the Summer, then Lucy blogged about hers, and it got me excited. Back-burner with this one perhaps so that Pickle Missy is really ready to try sewing machines so she can 'create' with us.

5) Cards. More of them. I do enjoy making them, but don't seem to find the time very often, but this again is something that the children enjoy. I should have a few more creations put by, for card-related-emergencies, in the card box. I grabbed myself a good few ideas for Easter ones in my friend's Craft Shop recently.

6) Jewellery. I'm no designer, and I don't know anything about this really, but I just love accessories, and am thinking of doing my own research and collecting things that I could use over time. I could start with making badges, and things on pins and hairbands. I want to find a style here too.

7) A Bag. A nice patchworky bag, with perhaps some sewing detail, and buttons, and Beautiful Things on it. One with a huge strap, so that I can wear it across my body- I'm quite often a creature of habit, and that is really the only style of bag I can comprehend nowadays! Maybe I should start with more of a 'shopping carrier', and work upwards. Bags, much like the rest of it, are just a big complicated thought right now- I haven't made them since school. But I think I might just have to give it a go.




xxx

The morning after...

Hello!
Well we all feel a little like we over-indulged last night! Oh so tired, with scratchy coughs. I let the children have a sneaky lie-in this morning, because although it wasn't a particularly late night, with all the partying yesterday, nobody felt like getting ready for school or nursery this morning. Note to self: when administering sneaky lie-ins, make sure that I am up at the usual earlier time so that things aren't too manic! I've been really busy preparing for yesterday but have missed writing my little updates here, and I owe you a post-party review. It went very well, and Missy Pickle (and her cat-friends) seemed to have a lovely time. Here is the afternoon in pictures! I tried to include a few different cats, although this little lady, Hello Kitty, is Missy Pickle's favourite, and she was on the invitations.

 We did our 'Pin the bow on the Cat In The Hat' as a bit of an icebreaker, and here he is all coloured in, with Little Guy's family Birthday Cards above. It will be his pirate party next!

My mum also came down for the afternoon from London, and helped out with the face-painting (just noses and whiskers) and the 'Kitten Says' (Simon says). My lovely fella came to help too, and he was fab. It was only the second time that they had met, despite us being together quite a while, but they seemed to get along fine. *Small sigh of relief  and a contented smile*  Mum bought me these roses. I appreciate the relationship we have now- we are too far apart geographically really, but it does mean that you tend to avoid the day-to-day grumbles and disagreements, and that the time together is valued.

We had a Kitty Treasure Hunt. There were three teams, (yes- there were several children!) and each team had to try and be the first to collect all 8 kittys in their team colour. They were hidden everywhere, and one of the green ones turned up underneath a coaster yesterday evening as we were enjoying a congratulatory cider. We are still looking for a blue one though, so if you come across it?...

Have you spotted her?

Of course there was a pass-the-parcel, and balloons to play with, and a picnic tea on the carpet. They also had a cat shaped cookie to ice and decorate...and eat.

And the party bags turned out beautifully. I also had a fairly late night sorting out this cheeky pussy cat cake, the night before (I include the link because some people are unfamiliar with Meg and Mog. We were brought up on these stories and they're so beautifully illustrated). Not a great photo (are they ever?!) but you get the jist. This has got to be my favourite part of the party planning! I think he was appreciated.

 

xxx