An Evening on the Town

Just what the doctor probably didn't order, what with antibiotics and still sounding like a seal on the ice floes of ....well, somewhere cold! :)

A very nice steak at the 'Spoons in Falkirk, and fresh orange juice for me (gotta keep that vitiman C uptake going) .. then on to the Scotia for the karaoke.  I was encouraged to join JoJo for Cher's If I Could Turn Back Time and she rocked it, totally rocked it, she sounded amazing :)

The bar was lively, full, even if it was predominantly males that were thronging the bar.  (what is that all about, anyone care to enlighten me?  It's not, erm, a gay bar ... I'm sure) - what I really need to know is why the gentleman in the bar wearing the white tee shirt tapped me in the side (where I'm horrendously ticklish by the by) and then lifted up his tee to reveal a rather ... average stomach actually and the very clean waistband of his Calvin Kleins ... when he didn't get a reaction (because he wasn't actually looking at me at the time) he did it again ....
I was very pleased to see he was proud of his mum's laundry skills - not enough sons take the time to show how much investment their mother's make in them

I particularly liked us (Sigrid and I) winding up the bouncer that we were posh!  Don't think he's ever going to believe you come from Bearsden :)

On the way home it was discussed that we must take afternoon tea at this establishment!
The Blind Pig

Bead Soup Blog Party

Huzzah! And time to pull those party poppers!  

Thank you firstly to Lori Anderson for all her hard work and for giving me the chance to partake of this party!

Secondly, a BIG thank you to my partner Liz DeLuca who makes the most beautiful beads and shared with me the fruits of her talents!

When I received my beads I was like a child receiving a parcel from Down Under, and upon opening it stunned by their inner sparkle and I'm guessing they're a lot like Liz from the correspondence we've had and her blog posts!

I had sat down earlier in the week and typed a whole post including links for when I uploaded pictures of what I'd made, but it was all on my laptop which I've just packed up and sent away with my 9 year old to his Dad's, complete with SD Card containing said, as yet not uploaded pictures!  I was organised because I work nights Thurs, Fri and Saturday and have a propensity for forgetting stuff at weekends! Sadly, I've actually been off sick this week what with one thing and another (details are boring/icky) so I now have time to post and nothing to hand! Those who know me will laugh as that's typical of me ... As Rabbie Burns once wrote, 'The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men. Gang aft agley' But I have taken some with the mobile and am rather taken with the 70's porno soft focus it has managed to give them!  I will however, return to decorum and add on the original edited photos when I get my lappy back :)

I didn't want to detract from the loveliness of the selection Liz sent, so I went back to my stringing roots. I added very few small ivory frosted crystals to give a little space and lightness, if one thing was transmuted to my hindbrain when I saw the beads was; how the light played through them was important. I've been beading for just over three years and tried a range of different things to keep me learning and soothe the restless beast that is my creative bint ... multipersonalities? check!  I moved ahead from stringing quickly,  wishing to produce more complex and intricate pieces.  And I don't believe I can do 'chunky ' very well.  So this was a challenge on one hand, and a comfort, like Gran's Mac 'n' Cheese, on the other!

I chose to embellish the focal bead with fringing, because I like it, and thought I could try out Lynn Davy's technique.   I'd do it again, but learned several things ... one, crimps are tricky - why did I not remember this?  Two, doing a project like this for public consumption is not the best time to try out a new thread.  Although I am loving the SoNo ... but it has a little bit more stretch to it than I had thought! Three, beading with toddlers around is hazardous to one's mental health!

Here it is, Liz, I hope you think I've done your selection proud, and thank you once again! 

I am retiring to bed now, but rest assured, I will dig out the silverskin opnions and have a couple of martinis later whilst browsing through all the wonerful Bead Soup Party Blogs!

If you are in a partying mood and not yet had the chance to sign up, please do the next time, and snuffle along the trail to the many, way more talented than I artists! xx


Edited To Add - original photos ...

I think these are possibly more 'true' in colour represetation :)

well, the day is nearly upon us and for a change I've been ready for a few days, with my piece made for the Bead Soup Blog Party ... I can't wait for the reveal!  I hope Liz DeLuca had as much fun with the beads as I did with mine!  I was more than a little relieved to learn that mine had arrived safe and sound! after this post last week!

Djinn Rummy: Tenterhooks?

Here's hoping that Liz isn't offended by what her beautiful beads have been turned into! 

The week that was

where did that 7 days go? A blur of work, rugby, social outings and crafting!

My washing machine has gone on the frit again, but at least is covered by warranty.  That was the good news, the bad news being it will be tomorrow now, before an engineer (called Tom) will visit (between 8am and 2pm) to fix it.  I hope he fixes it good and proper as we seem to have three loads every couple of days.  Mum has been a brick letting us use her machine but that tends to lead to visits on a daily basis where lunch is consumed, then you hang around to go pick up the boys instead of going home, which leads to nothing much getting done around the house!

Bead and Banter on Tuesday night was, as ever, a blast. I was quite productive for a change, and can only reveal one item as the other is for the Bead Soup Blog Party!

The rest of the time I've been bag making, pouch making and a hat now as well.  The idea didn't execute as well as I had hoped, as the fur was a lot thicker to sew than expected and the presser foot didn't like me much after it!  Next time I shall make a double length of fleece so it is only fleece at the top and fold the fur up. I would also use a single strip, instead of trying to make the most of the fur fabric I had, and accidentally sewing one segment upside down! :) Still, looks like the recipient liked it :)

The bags I made for myself, a handbag to match my outfit on Monday as I was off out with the girls for a late lunch! :) The next day I whipped up a tote to cart my beady projects to and from Bead and Banter, complete with keyholder. Today, whilst out shopping (at a local charity boutique!) the manageress approached me and asked if I would make bags for them from their fabric - the stuff they get donated that may have a mark on it, or a tear that can't be sold.  She's meeting with me next week to discuss terms etc, but she's hopeful I can be paid for my time - or they pay a small fee per bag and they add a mark up. And of course - they'll promote my bags and other bits and bobs as well.  I'm fairly happy at that, I never thought I'd make it on to the High Street! ;)

Tenterhooks?

I'm on them .... isn't it strange the saying we have? :)

I received my Bead Soup Blog Party beads from Liz Deluca, and have to say the pictures I have taken just don't do them justice.  Having them in your sweaty little mitts is just divine, to turn them over (and over and over...etc) to see the shimmer and sparkle has become a daily past-time :) I have to thank Liz greatly for her generous spirit and for her attention to detail in the presentation.  I am on tenterhooks, awaiting news of delivery of my beads to her... I'm worrying because of the vagaries of international post, hoping they survived the journey and herald the return of spring/summer to the southern hemisphere.

I can't even recall if I took pictures of the beads I sent, having been in such a rush to actually post them out!

Hopefully they'll arrive soon! *prays*

Here, for your eye candy, is some photos of the beauties I am lucky enough to receive :)

and I know what I want to do with them too! :) I may even get it done tomorrow night at Bead and Banter