I feel a blog post coming on. Don't rush me as I'm building up my enthusiasm x

Busy, busy, busy

I do like to keep busy and always have a million projects on the go at once. It's just the way it is.  Some projects sadly are destined not to be finished.  It's quite possible that we just didn't have a connection.  Maybe someone else will get excited by one of my unfinished wips in the future as I do when a stumble across a mystery piece in a Cs or jumble sale.  But when a project comes together and to a happy ending, well all is good with the world. I have such a project,  finished this week for a little girl who has just welcomed her baby brother into the world.

Auction goodness part 2

The auction escapades that I blogged about earlier were at the beginning of the holidays and now after discovering a small local general auction I am bidding all the time! Last week I treated myself to a new sewing machine.  I didn't really need one, you see I do seem to have a small collection of  just nine of them hidden around the house! But this one was an immaculate Singer 201k, and I so need to drop my feed dogs and this was the girl to do it! Needless to say there was quite the bidding war, as there were many others who hankered after my machine. Notice that I said 'my machine.' There was no doubt in my mind that she was coming home with me. I felt that we had bonded. She knew that I would love her and cherish her for absolutely ever and ever. I even had her favourite cologne ready - eau de sewing oil. It really was fate.
Eventually the hammer came down, I was proud of myself for beating the competition ever so slightly before my self-set financial limit. Although we all know my heart was so set on my new companion that there was no limit! But we'll never know about that for sure. I brought her home,  cleaned, polished, defluffed and squirted her in all the right places with cologne. She repayed me by singing so sweetly I thought my heart would melt. Then husband came home. He had no idea that she was new. For goodness sake we're still hiding a rabbit, he was never going to guess! I scurried into the kitchen to serve dinner when he called me with words that sent a shiver down my spine! 'Your machine is making a funny noise' I rushed in to find that the foot pedal had stuck fast, either that or the ghost of sewers past were visiting.  Either way it was sad. I unplugged. I couldn't eat dinner,  I was so sad. I realise I'm going on a bit now so I will cut the story short and tell you that some capacitors from eBay and my husband's soldering abilities has fixed my girl to be as good as new! Phew!

Auction goodness part 1

I have recently been bitten by the auction bug. I've always liked the idea but the bidding business scared me. I have got a pending post of my very first auction,  it's only been lurking for over a year. Maybe I'll dust it down one of these days. Anyway I went off to Melton livestock market the other week and bought some hatching eggs. I managed that with no problems.  I made the mistake of taking Numbers 1 and 4 with me, quite the lethal combination at the best of times. They went off together and before I knew it they had ground me down into buying a rabbit. No 1 had even found a hutch on preloved! We waited patiently whilst other rabbits sold and finally it was our turn.  I stood back for a moment whilst two other bidders battled it out before stepping in and scooping the prize! Whilst that is completely true, the reality was that my insides were somersaulting,  my knees knocking and my hands shaking!  It is instant payment at the auction and when I tried to pay my hand was shaking that much I needed to use the other hand to steady it and lean my wrist against the table. All of this whilst trying to remain cool and unaffected. Phew! I don't really think that I have pulled it off too successfully.  

Ps to those who know me in 'real life' husband still doesn't know about our new bunny otherwise there may have been a bit of a stew!

Just being

My daughter sat two of her GCSEs early. It's what happens at her school.  We are very proud of her , we were anyway,  it's not easy being profoundly deaf in a hearing world. She achieved a B in English literature which is amazing considering she had no language at all until she was five. New words still often pass her by. Early testing at school showed that she was an outlier on their little box and whisker plot. 'Those sort' rarely catch up. Well she has and I am bursting with pride when I look at her. Amazing amazing child. Clearly follows her mother ;-) Once again my blog has lead me into something I hadn't planned on posting. This little rambling was clearly there just bubbling away ready to be told. I have brought her for lunch with her closest friends. She has chosen her friends well because she is accepted fully by them for who she is. If she doesn't hear they make sure she understands. I have been banished to another table.  That is fine as I can be here and just be. It gave me chance to catch up with a little hooking.

Our free day!

We arrived at Twycross zoo and the queue was enormous! As we were queuing a lady who worked there said that as we didn't have to pay we could walk straight in! I can't tell you how good it felt to be encouraged to jump such a huge queue. We spent the whole day there, looking at the different animals, feeding the lorikeets with nectar and of course 'resting' with a cup of tea and a little crochet ♥

Twycross Zoo

Tomorrow is International Orangutan Day!
All gingers have free admission. Thank goodness for red hair!

Newark Antiques Fair

I have wanted to go to the antiques fair for many years.  I've seen it on Bargain Hunt but have always felt a bit daunted by the thought to be honest.  It is after all the biggest in Europe apparently! I was pleased not to bump into Tim Wonnacott, well I was wearing pink and his teams are blue or red! I did meet up with Louise (and her Mum) from Hope and Elvis. She showed us the stalls that she frequents which was a relief as the place is huge and I'm sure we would never have been able to track them down without help.

 Of course I bought some fabric, a pink spotty hair tie and a pink pinny for my inner domestic goddess!

Another swap!

The temperature is definitely beginning to drop and once school is back thoughts quickly turn to Autumn (and Christmas!) I  do love Autumn (and Christmas!), the rich colours and falling leaves are really just my thing. I also have Yarndale to look forward to. We have already started cutting the firewood from the pallets that we are given ready for the cooler weather.

I've signed up for another swap. Click on the picture to whisk you across for details.  Sign up closes on 17th August so you still have a few days if you are interested!

I've also got my workshops organised, there is lots of interest and the first one which is Learn to Crochet is full, although not all have paid just yet.  Such a lot to look forward to! 

Let's do lunch!

The workshop that I went to yesterday was in Grantham.  I don't visit very often but when I do I fall in love with the place all over again. They do say that love is blind as I  ignore the shops that are boarded up and the general rundownness of parts of the town.  This is a frequent sight in many of our towns sadly.  It was market day yesterday and the town was buzzing. I took lunch with me and sat with Sir Isaac Newton to eat it. He made an excellent choice of dinning companion, not interrupting my thoughts or stealing my food. He is often to be seen there just hanging around. You should join him, he likes the company.

A little floral goodness

Today I had the very good fortune of joining an Eve Marshall workshop.  She has been felting for many years and today she taught us how to make wet felted flowers. It was amazing and I had the best time ever! We made three different flowers and she showed us how to make felt balls. They are so simple to make and not something produced through the dark arts as I had previously thought ;-) one day I will share this skill with you!! I can now make stamens too. There will be no stopping me now that I have discovered these new talents. Here are the flowers that I made below. My very favourite is the little raggy one. One  of them was made by folding in the raggy edges to produce a smoother flower. Alas smooth edges are not for me.

Beautiful sleep

We currently have No 1's kittens living with us. Their visit has not been without trauma but that can be for another day. This is the little girl who is as cute as can be ♥

Good old days!

I have rejoined Facebook not under my own name but that's not important.  It's not a life time commitment but it's fine at the moment.  I joined many years ago then deleted my account.  I'm happy blogging or instagramming because I use a pseudonym not for any other purpose than to remain a little anonymous. Anyway through Facebook I have reconnected with some old friends.  Publicly as we already text from time to time.  Why we've even been known to meet up every once in a while! One of my friends has got herself something that produces a jpeg from an old slide. She has posted them onto Facebook and tagged me in them. Most of them I have never seen but it has been quite lovely reminiscing.  I'd like to share them here. I've made a little photoshop mosaic and kept my most favourite 'whole.'

Time to get up!

Last week I went to see my sister who was staying in a caravan at Scarborough.  I don't see her very often so it was lovely to catch up. We stayed over too and sister had brought her own alarm clock with her...

It was her little dog who is really excitable! She jumps onto the bed and licks and wags until you get up! I should have brought her home with me because No 4 really doesn't like mornings! 

A little crafting

I committed myself and a friend to doing a craft stall at a local event. I have made a few bits and bobs but really need to up my game! The whole point of the stall is to promote the craft workshops that I have arranged.  I do like to draft a little help from my little friend and she truly considers herself drafted :-)

A spot of sewing.

I had not done any sewing for a while but had been thinking about it. I'd even bought some fabric. I suppose it's always difficult when you use your only dining table as your craft table. I finally managed to bite the bullet and get both of my machines out. I'd bought my overlocker a while ago but hadn't used it. The other machine is a beautiful old singer which I love. I still have to hem the sleeves and the bottom of the dress but this is the result so far! I'll put it on and give you a twirl when I'm done!

It's the little things.

I haven't disappeared I've just been busy with lots of things.  How I ever found time to work is beyond me. I am trying to tackle lots of the little jobs and some of the bigger jobs too. They have kind of mounted up some what. I was given this lovely pine unit over a year ago. I waited patiently for Mr Cymraeg to hang it, and I waited, and waited.  Today I thought blow this and I've done it myself. It's the little things that make me happy ♥ Thanks Sal ♥

It's hog roast time!

Last year we did our very first hog roast. Surprisingly we were asked back to do one again this year...

Help with crafting!

We are cat sitting for my daughter's two kittens. It's very difficult getting anything done! Then fast asleep as all that wool chasing work is very tiring. 

Elvis

I have been off work for almost three weeks now and will not be back before the summer holidays.  I was dancing to Transvision Vamp, baby I don't care when I heard something in my hip tear. There was horrendous pain and lots of heat. I tried to walk/shuffle but I thought I was going to pass out.  No 4 helped me to a chair where I settled and waited for husband to come home from work.  He made me phone the Nhs helpline and they wanted to send an ambulance.  NO! I live in a village and everyone can quickly know your business. Husband practically carried me to the car and I spent an evening in A&E. I was a bit of a mystery as I was clearly in lots of pain and yet it happened so simply. After an X-ray where they found it hilarious and nicknamed me Mrs CanCan I was finally allowed home providing I could prove that I could stand and also with very strong painkillers.  With all the effort I could muster I stood. I was determined not to stay in hospital overnight!
Now comes the long and painful recovery. I have started crafting again which has kept me sane. I hadn't intended to blog about this but it spilled out! If you remember previously I mentioned becoming a dancer, I had a text from my sister saying 'Elvis, your dancing days are over!' Clearly Elvis has left the building.

Yarndale 2014

I'm a big fan of last minute,  it's just the kind of gal I am. But as soon as I caught a whiff of Yarndale 2014, I was on it! Last December I booked a room because this year we are going hard or going home. That's a saying that my daughter says and I know as she reads this her eyes will rise to the heavens. I haven't blogged about this before just in case it wasn't happening! I have confirmed my booking and it is indeed happening!  At the risk of wishing my life away I just can't wait!

Happy 21st birthday!

Happy birthday to No 1's No 1!

A good year for the roses!

I planted this rose which is called 'My Dad' when my Dad passed away.  This year it is beautiful and I can't help but smile when I look at it.

Woohoo!

I can rarely pass a charity shop without nipping in. This morning I was early for a meeting and the AA* had let me down a little with their directions.  Whilst I wasn't lost, I didn't know where I was either.  A practically perfect excuse ♥. I found a pair of shoes that were just right in size and price!  I do like it when things come together. 
*despite the rumours it's automobile association and not alcoholics anonymous.

I'm back!

Yesterday I said that I'd be back to purchase and tell! Firstly I bought myself a spoon hook from Steve Handley. It's my very own with my very own initial on. I thought it would make an ideal hanger for my aprons (of which I have one or two, or three, or four...)

I also met a very nice lady who had come all the way from Scunthorpe. She was interested in buying a little sewing box full of press studs and hooks and eyes. It was to be sold as a job lot for two pounds. She asked me if I would like to share her find, so for one pound I bought these...

 I also bought a pink fairy.  I'm a great believer in everyone's need for such a thing...

I also bought two tea towels for which I have great plans!

A visit to Hope and Elvis

 It was the start of Hope and Elvis open weekend today. So off I went in my little car to visit. I wasn't quite sure where I was going but I followed the crowds!

They had some of the things made at their workshops on display. I've always fancied doing a Hope and Elvis workshop and now that I know where to find them maybe...

Other craft studios were open and it was good to see what was being made. The exhibition centre was open too with lots of lovely goodies. I spied some brooches made by the very talented Julie Arkell. I didn't buy a brooch today but I didn't come away empty handed either...

...I'll be back tomorrow with pictures of my purchases!

My leaving do!

It was my leaving do last night and I was amazed that forty fantastic friends turned out.  We don't often have that many sign up for a Christmas meal so I was very touched that so many people came. I no longer feel sad about moving on but will miss my lovely, lovely friends. I have 33 working days left at school and I pray that they will be good ones.

Santa Swap 2014

 

Have signed up for this swap again.  There's still time for you too! Click here for details.

Dreaming and a little inspiration

Tonight No2 called to see me and brought me a gift. Well,  it was actually two. One of them was the Cath Kidston book 'Coming up roses' which is the story of her business start up and the  journey she took. No2 knows that I would dearly like to  have my own business and thought that it would inspire me. I'll let you know.
Prior to this gift I had booked a local hall in which to run craft workshops.  I have a lot of crafting skills that I have practised over the years which I would love to share with people. So who knows where my journey will or will not take me. Meanwhile I will continue to look for a teaching job or even supply as dreams don't come cheap you know!!

Is Summer here yet?

Trying to get ready for summer...

Too early to think of Christmas?

We have just been given some small Christmas tree saplings. It always amuses me that when you do a kindness for someone that they like to return the favour in some way. We were also given some blue eggs to incubate, so I'll keep you posted about those. It's a little late to plant the trees really but with enough watering hopefully they will survive.  It will be quite some time before they are ready.

As one door closes...

My contract ends at the end of this academic year so I shall be moving on to pastures new. I was discussing possible job opportunities with a friend today. I suggested pole dancing but apparently there is way too much waxing involved for my tastes. Anyway I can rarely be bothered to paint my toenails so all that hair removal malarkey is definitely a no go. Back to the drawing board then.

It's good to talk

I have for a while emailed a reply to people who leave a message on my blog but then, this is impossible for those no-reply bloggers who leave messages. I have decided recently to reply on my blog especially as all messages left have to be moderated. I hope this is okay.

The craft group this evening was really lovely. The weather had brightened up, there was some relaxing music and chocolate cake and it was very chilled after a long day at school.  I shared my hexie patchwork skills but my lovely ladies are all quick learners who don't need much teaching. It may be a little while before we see any completed projects but the hexie love has started and can become very addictive as your project grows!