Djinn Rummy

stripped

2012-02-24T20:50:00.000Z

a little misleading but not by much. I've had a couple of very glamorous weeks at burlesque class with my bosom buddies, Sigrid and Lisa. The class is in Falkirk, and is taken by the very lovely, gorgeous and extremely funny Dr Sarah ''Gypsy Charms'' Vernon. And it's fun and exercise in that it reminds me I have muscles somewhere, at least it does a couple of days later!

So aside for my two and a half hours on a Thursday night, and being back at work, other things are also coming together. Piper has started to sleep better at night more often than not, and when she does get up very rarely is she requiring me to stay with her! Winner! :D

And I got the commission on the messenger bag completed! So I'm feeling pretty damned happy today ... which is just as well, as I'm off the tabs! ;)

Here's the bag

And here's a shot of the boa I made (faux fur of course daaaaaaahrlink) and here's a shot of my practice make up! :)

Oh ok, here's a pic of Piperdoo too ;)

You may recall

2012-02-05T16:17:00.000Z

but if you don't here's a link to remind you...

about Sigrid's overnight/weekender bags. I finally got a photo of one, so here it is, filled with Sigrid's sewing gubbins :)

I also made some pillows, or rather boudoir cushions today one a beautifully rich satin with a contrasting bow, and the other a black, almost hessian like fabric with it's own little faux chenille style heart motif.

I have been meaning to try faux chenille for a while and decided today was the day. I cut 7 little heart motifs from three varied pieces of cotton fabric in pink/red and a white based spotty pattern. I layered them up and then stitched them onto the backing at 1cm intervals starting at the centre and working out. Then you snip between the lines of stitching and start to fray the strips. I meant to tumble dry it to get it even fluffier but the red cotton started to fray far too well! I still like the shabby chic appeal though.

I wanted to make a luxury appeal cushion too, but only had a small strip of the lovely plummy pink satin, so the idea to make a clashing bow was born. The next time I would try and ensure that the 'bow' fabric was a good deal looser than the cushion cover itself. Live and learn eh? :)

Like A Bus

2012-01-27T14:31:00.000Z

that's me and my erratic blogging, wait for long enough and a few posts run in at once!

It's been a funny old week, with the runny bum going around the house. Luckily Piper doesn't seem to be too badly affected and it has skipped the other half and Stuart in the main, with Ewan and I taking the biggest hits ...

However, yesterday I felt like making something. I got started with a large wheat bag for my Dad. He's to heat up his knee before he does his physio exercises. I made a huge piece of fabric but with a kilo of wheat in it. This meant that he can flatten it out quite evenly before strapping it around his leg. I hope that once he's done, I can shorten it and it will become a regular sized hottie! I didn't take photos though :(

I also made a start with the button field bag. Nancy Dale of NEDbeads mentioned some coffee streusel cake and the idea intrigued me. I just *had* to find a recipe and get to it. I used this recipe I found, and it resulted in a lovely light cake contrasted by a really crispy crumble topping. It was lovely still warm with a cuppa, but it was excellent with some custard as a dessert. Ideal for a cold winter night.

Today, I finished the bag, lining it with a contrasting duponi, which was left over from Sigrid's tote bags. It made a lovely finish to the vintage cotton. A secret surprise inside!

I also received the ribbon I ordered earlier in the month for continuing the taggy blanket range. So I'm raring to go!

busy

2012-01-25T15:20:00.000Z

Always seem to be busy.

I have made little progress on my quilt. Sigrid has been over so much time has been spent on the bags (now complete - need pics!) and she brought over a jellyroll which she sewed up into a single quilt top. It was fun, about half way through the roll the strips stopped alternating so there was a fair bit of scrambling to get the quilt to look balanced, but we managed it!

As a result of this visit I decided I'd need to practice my chosen quilting stitch. Free motion quilting! I chose some nice chintzy cotton, sandwiched it over a layer of batting and set up the machine according to instructions. The biggest hurdle my brain had was getting over not having to turn the fabric to make curves! My tension was also out a little between top and bottom which I did eventually sort as can be seen in the final pic, but over all I'm pretty happy!

Lisa was also over last Tuesday and was working on some knitting. I really must get to grips with cable knit for some soapy ideas I've had! :) Sigrid made it away with one of Lisa's dies and my cuttle bug as she is doing a hexagonal (honeycomb) quilt by hand! I'd never thought of doing anything so challenging, as I don't love hand sewing, but must admit now I've seen it done the appeal of it!

I have decided that this year my crafting has to take a more diverse and serious role and as a result we've signed up for another fair in February in the town centre on Sunday 12th, just in time for Valentines! We don't do the Valentines thing here, as we're pragmatic and homely souls, but for those of you who do, the Guide Hall behind the Howgate Centre between 12noon and 3pm will be the place to find some handcrafted indiviual items.

Also I've put up a facebook challenge. It's a pay it forward thing, so I've promised to send out a hand made item to the first five responders on the post within this year. I believe there might be a space left, and I'm not bothered if you aren't crafty and can't pay it forward in that way, paying it forward in kindness of another sort is always acceptable! :)

I'm also going to take part in the craftpimp pinterest challenge, as well as their journal challenge for January though the month is nearly over! :o

Nicola (Mrs Dawber! Not going to tire of that any time soon, sorry Nic) had this beautiful piece of button art on her pinterest board and I fell for it too. I decided to make a little boodwahhh pillow in a similar, more simple design and I'm pleased how it turned out though I totally mismanaged the size measurements and had to fill it by hand!

I'm going to do another couple I think in the correct size now I have my blanks and mebbe even squeeze out some bags for little girls in a similar vein! :)

Must remember to make Dad a long hottie too!

sighs

2012-01-11T17:20:00.000Z

Well, Christmas and New Year is officially over! The family are thankful and replete from turkey once more and it's time to recharge after all those last minuted makes for presents etc.

I hope you all got what you wanted from Santa and that you had a fun filled time :)

Having done so much before Christmas including my first sale where I sold items other than jewellery, I thought I'd be taking a rest, but had resolved that this year I would start, AND finish my first quilt, as Piper's vintage one has started to come apart as the fabric itself is fraying. I do want to patch it but I figured if I had the experience of building a quilt from scratch I would be in a better place to understand what's needed to tart up the eiderdown that's as old if not older than I!

So, I knew I had plenty fabric, just getting up and on with it would be the question. During the festive holidays Sigrid came over and brought with her her vintage Pfaff sewing machine, fabric to make some tote/weekend bags and surplus fabric which she was generously donating to my sizable stash! I couldn't believe how lucky I am to have a friend like her when she told me that she's happy for me to keep her machine here, so I can use it whenever I need to!

It was invaluable when stitching this dog collar. It was done for a swap on Bead Buddies, for Cazz, and more specifically her pooch, Riley. It's woven webbing covered with cotton fabric and the buckle/clips are polypropylene and were a b*tch to make the right path! But so very worth it as Cazz and Riley love it. Not bad considering she's in no way royalist or olympic loving :)

I also made this taggy blanket for a friend whose baby has arrived almost ten weeks early. Luckily both Mum and Baby Evie are doing grand despite the rather scary start!

Part of the fabric Sigrid brought was a fat quarter pack in chintzy pale pinks - immediately I set to work (in between helping with the weekender bags) chopping up the fabric. I envisaged making a trellis effect with rectangles of patterned fabric surrounded by a plain framework. I had a brainwave to use a flat sheet for the inbetween bits and the back and have also cut a butterfly appliqué for the plain side for a bit of interest.

Today, was the day, I could delay no longer. I made a band the width of the quilt as my first ''block'' and started by piecing a band to each rectangle of pattern fabric. Ironed it. Took two completed strip/rectangle combinations, pieced them together. Ironed it. Did another combi of two, Ironed them until I had four. Ironed them. Put two together. Ironed it. Put the other two together. Ironed it. Put it all together. Ironed it. Took a long strip, ironed it to the newly pieced section. Cursed a lot when I spotted my deliberate mistake. Ironed it. Ironed it some more. Ironed it again for luck. Put it away before I burned it with the iron!

I've stopped for today
But I shall try to do a little more tomorrow! :)

Skin care

2011-12-02T16:19:00.000Z

I've always been blessed with fairly okay skin, certainly softer and less wrinkled than I deserve after a life of not actually looking after it, but recently I've been plagued with dumb spots and general dullness, so I decided to try an oil based cleansing routine.

I have an atypical T-Bar skin, dryish on the sides, and a greasy forehead, nose and chin combination that isn't unusual so the idea of plunging oil on my face was one that filled me with trepidation. I'd definitely recommend it though, only two days in and this 'at-home facial' has left my skin feeling fuller, more taut yet softer and it has a nicer glow while retaining a mostly matt finish!

I decided, for my own edification, as well as anyone else who's watching, to conduct an experiment so after two days I look like this

Please ignore the enormous plook on my forehead, the one at the side of my right eye socket and the scarring of a very recent cold sore on my lower lip. I'm hoping with this regime it may eradicate this all together!

My daily routine consists of massaging in a small amount of a mix of sweet almond and light olive oils, then steaming with a (very very) hot cloth (as many applications as you feel the need for). A few hot, 'squeezed out til it's dry' cotton wool pads are then dabbed on all over the skin, with another 'hot as you can stand it' wrung out cloth applied over the face, finished off with a 'cold as you can stand it' cloth - It is recommended that the water is changed out regularly, so I refresh the sink between the first cloth and the cotton wool, and again before the final hot cloth. It takes about 5-10 minutes all told, and my skin tingles, glows and 'pinks' like a cooling engine for about an hour afterward, and never feels greasy. There are no chemicals, scents (though you could add an essential oil if you liked) and there isn't any requirement for additional toner or moisturiser!

This is day two, and I'm amazed at the results, and have swapped the 'first thing in the morning' for a later in the evening regime. In the morning I just dampen a cotton wool pad and dab at the sleep and anything else that looks tatty, with the evening getting the full attention.

The idea of blogging about it is twofold, I may actually manage to continue this as planned on a daily basis so it becomes routine, and I may encourage others to try it!

Normal Service

2011-11-29T15:17:00.000Z

will resume shortly! Well, what passes for normal around here. Still working, getting a bit of hassle back and forth, and reaching the end of my tether! Piper seems to pick up one thing after another at nursery and after walking down with another couple of messmakers one of whom had a stinking cold (mummy informed me she was fine, she's on antibiotics.... *eyeroll*) she's off nursery again!

I've been crafting my socks off to try and build up stock for a fair on 10th December, at the Dobbie Hall in Larbert - Sigrid, Lisa and I are trying our hand at getting ourselves out there! Having done this in the past with only jewellery I admit that I was a bit hesitant when Lisa proposed this ... but now, I'm excited, as well as anxious as a very anxious thing suffering from a panic attack!

I made a prototype crayon roll which will be a Santa present for Piper, as the design needs a good tweaking before I'm happy with it.

I have mosaic and button covered photo frames, fridge magnets, pomanders, phone pouches and bags to sell - and was thinking of having a bash at some handscrub as well, but we'll see. I will also make some tablet, as I am making some for the nursery as well as some for work! Today, I finally popped some crayons out their moulds. I was indifferent about the results as the crayons I'd used weren't the best quality and as suspected, the pigment separated from the wax ... however, once I'd rubbed my hands with a dab of olive oil and massaged it into the crayons I'm rather pleased with the finished articles! :)

A bientot! :D

Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr

2011-11-14T20:32:00.000Z

"plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose"

you can change how a person conducts himself, you can make him delete his facebook profile, and cut himself off from his friends and family, even those who love and cherish him, but you cannot change the past, nor how he conducts himself out of your sight at that point you have to trust him, if you cannot trust him perhaps it isn't a relationship worth pursuing.

The father of my two boys can be the most annoyingly self centred man, who has lived and operated as a bachelor his entire life, but he deserves someone who will take him for who he is, past, present and future as he can also be the sweetest guy when he puts his mind to it.

You may be able to tell him how to run his life, but you will not change me or my approach to life, not here on the internet, not in this world or the next so if you have a problem with the existence of me and mine, you will have to learn to deal with it. One way would be to stop reading this blog ...

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

2011-11-06T14:06:00.000Z

Well the sun is shining, and the misty foggy conditions have cleared today. Wish my head felt the same.... Piper's sinuses seem to also be fugged up as her wee cheeks are aflame and she's awfully clingy, so that's a fine excuse to dabble in little crafts whilst sitting on't sofa with the bub. Stuarty is upstairs watching youtube videos of some bloke named Simon who is playing Minecraft ... I cannot think of anything more boring than listening to this guy drone on whilst he plays the game and you merely watch! But I'm allowing him as his big brother is away to rugby with their Dad and he's feeling at a loose end. Doesn't help his friends all seem to go visiting on a Sunday so there's no one to pal around with. Taede is off to Colin's to take him out in our new car...

Here's a piccy of the vehicle - it's a Citroen C5 with bells and whistles, as well as the more usual car features. Currently it's showing up all sorts of sensor readings that just can't be true, so Colin and Taede are going to run a proper diagnostic on it. According to P'Shep at work (who used to apprentice for the local dealer before it shafted him good and proper) it's more likely to be the sensors being faulty ...

I also got Taede to return Lisa's cuttlebug to her, as I've had it a week and not used it to its full potential ... am very tempted to ask Santa for one! I selected buttons for matching pairs of hairclips and have sewn them together ready to attach to the clips ... it's more time consuming than I anticipated, but I did find inspiration in the thread I selected, look out for this colour combo at some point for me!

I received my goodies too, and should really be taking a photo of them but duty calls, Ewan is coming home from rugby early with a sore head - I'm assuming it's a headache and not a head injury ... I think they'd have said on the phone, but you never know!

Last weekend was the festival tournament hosted at their home club. The team did very well, again, working cohesively and making intelligent play. Ewan excelled himself too, with many of his plays setting up perfect tries - I was again so very very proud of all the boys (of course Ewan the most but that's just a Mum's job, right? :) )

And it all paid off - they won their gold, at long last and oh so much sweeter to win it on home turf and be presented their medals by Ben Cairns! Ewan, amongst other boys got his shirt signed, and came away euphoric! I'll admit to being a little high myself! ;)

posting and running

2011-11-03T14:32:00.000Z

Just a quickie, been a busy time of late - always something going on even if it is just the kids being ill! Can't believe it's November already - hope you all had a suitable Samhain/Halloween/All Hallow's Eve ...

I have been very lucky of late in the beady stakes ...

This piece was entered into O:TTBS Monthly Moodboard and I was lucky enough to be picked at random to win this awesome haul ... yup, I'm waiting to mug the postie! ;)

This month's Bead Buddies colours begin with K, Kiwi, Kahki and Kohl ... (which I was brought up to think of as cabbage, so thought it was another green, but it is kohl for your eyes ... The colours reminded me of a kiwi fruit but it wasn't until Bead and Banter with the fab input from Mary Marshall that I was encouraged to make a slice of kiwi! Several aborted attempts later, I managed to produce this.

Which led me onto this month's moodboard challenge for O:TTBS - red and green ... now how do you do something in red and green at this time of year and not fall into the Christmas trap? Answer - you make a watermelon! :)

Hope you have enjoyed a foray into my beady world at the moment, though there are other things I could and should be showing, like this scarf,the bag or these hair clips! :)

Quick 'n' Dirty

2011-10-19T18:01:00.001+01:00

I find making earrings to be rather inspirational, or at least a dirty little kick start to one's mojo ... so I just had to say count me in to the Day & Night Earring Swap on O:TTBS.

I finished my earrings last week but panicked as I didn't have anything packaging wise to send them to my partner, Gill Hardbattle. At work last Thursday night I discovered Asda sell boxes, which is fab! I packaged them up ready and hopeful Taede would post them out, and he did! Yay! My relief has been shortlived however as I received mine from Gill yesterday but as yet, Gill hasn't got mine! Noooo! Boooo!Of course I utterly forgot to take photos!

Gill makes delightful stuff and should definitely be proud of her talent! Here are the beauties - I need to point out that Sigrid was here when I opened the package and snaffled the crackley drops!

So, forlorn, I turned to the bead mat to make replacements for the lost ones. As I was at Mum's we talked as I worked and after I made a sort of copy of one pair (spot the deliberate mistake), Mum suggested that it might be an idea to make totally different earrings in case the first lot miraculously turn up! Quite sensible really! I dug out some silver hoops and started to brickstitch around it ... I'm pleased with the result though I didn't risk not taking photos as the light was good today and who knows when it will be again! I am working on the other one now so Gill won't have to rock the pirate/Van Gogh look. The other pair I made from two of the felt balls Marina sent me for being the lucky commentator on her Bead Soup Blog Party post! I even made my own earwires! :)

Moving along

2011-10-09T19:02:00.000+01:00

Short snappy update, as it's been a while. Well, I've beaded a little more of late since the Big Bead Soup Blog Party, which was a blast to have been part of. But all those blogs, and so many inspirational pretties! It was difficult to get around everything, and some pieces really wowed me!

I was very lucky to have had my name picked from a hat after commenting on this very talented artist's blog. SavonFeutré showcases such a wonderful talent with pieces that are just gorgeous, and so I was delighted to be the winner of this beautiful soup

I've also been entering another couple of competitions, one of which is to design a charm bracelet kit for The Bead Shop Scotland, the monthly colour challenge at Bead Buddies and also this month's Moodboard Challenge over at Operation:Tackle That Bead Stash. So busy! Got some phone cover orders, had a couple of sales through Folksy and discovered a brill little online marketplace at Tosouk which has no fees or strings by the looks of things! :)

I also picked up some material from the Salvation Army shop in Falkirk, and have teamed up with Sigrid and Lisa to start up a stall at a local Craft Fair. All in all things are looking exciting! :)

Family news has Ewan in the spotlight as rugby is upon us again - today was a tournament at Linlithgow, and our boys in all primaries did very well, with P4 winning their tournament, Ewan's team mates played out their skins as a team and through their heats and the semi final did not conced a single try against them. They played Watsonians in the final and held them to a very hard fought single try win. We are all so very proud of them, playing cohesively as a team and supporting each other very well both on, and off the pitch. it was a pleasure and an honour to be on the sidelines encouraging them on ... And a rather spiffy medal too.

An Evening on the Town

2011-09-24T23:58:00.000+01:00

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

2011-09-17T11:19:00.001+01:00

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 :)

2011-09-14T12:14:00.000+01:00

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

2011-09-08T16:12:00.000+01:00

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?

2011-09-05T20:55:00.000+01:00

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

first flight

2011-08-29T22:43:00.000+01:00

Piper had her first day at nursery ... she waited, stewing all summer, to get to this day. Last week she was beside herself with frustration as her big brothers both got to toddle back to school. Her daddy was even off work so we were all able to enjoy this momentous occasion together ...

After dropping the boys off at school, nipping home for the inevitable forgotten item(s) and returning them to the boy in question, before the bell, by the by .... we trundled back up the road, and were still early for her first day. Her response was to take the car keys out my pocket and attempt a bit of B&E before class!

As predicted, when the moment came for us to leave, she didn't even give us a backwards glance :)

We were asked to return early today to pick her up, and it didn't go unnoticed that she did not want to leave (quelle surprise?!). However, she skipped up the road, in fact zipped, so she could show us and her uncle Stevie how fast she could run. Sadly she fell over, and scudded her wee schnozz off the tarmac :( A loving hug/carry home from mum did the trick though.

Despite all her activity and her apparent tiredness, she still managed to keep up with us until almost 8pm, as we all plugged into the xbox to play Lego Rock Band. We had a great laugh with Taede on bass guitar, Stuart on lead guitar, Ewan on drums and Piper and I on vocals ... it is interesting ... but mostly fun, especially when whoever has the mic goes to the loo with it still switched on and we can all hear everything! :) Piper invariable pulls out the leads to both the mic and the guitar, but you know, apart from all that ... we had such a great laugh :)

Spontaneous crazyness is always good for the heart ;)

maaaaan

2011-08-28T22:28:00.000+01:00

where does the tempus fugit to?

I thought August so far had taken the amount of time it was supposed to so far. Despite being busy with little things here and there, children returning to school and work taking up much of my time (I am finding it takes longer and longer to recover from the weekend's efforts)
But now I return to blog-land and notice it's been quite a while since my last post.

Piper starts nursery tomorrow, so she has her bag packed (ok, has had it packed for a week, and I'm buggered if I know what she's done with it! ;) ) and a new outfit to get dirty :)

I made some cute little phone pouches ... they seemed a hit :)

I got a few orders so will be busy with it all for a while, though I do have a bead soup and a Buead Buddies forum challenge to complete. I can't find the time to do it all without guilt at the moment! :/

Sigrid and Lisa are coming over for a swfit supper and probably/possibly some beading on Tuesday night ... I was going to stuff some mushrooms as Sigrid is severely curtailing her carb intake, but I saw some scumptious looking pasta today so I shall have pasta with red pesto, salad, and I am thinking that I shall make some bread ...and I am considering making the cheeseless cheesecake for afters ...

I was also planning to re-jig the furniture in the living room to fit the dining table in for the winter... but I think that trays will be the answer, I like the space I have :) (cluttered and toy befuddled though it may be ;) )

I missed a night out last night by being responsible and going to work instead of taking a holiday ... I wonder what I missed, I am certain those who were out enjoying themsleves wouldn't have missed the enormous workload we had (and failed to deal with - grrrrrrrrrr) :) My body is now paying for it, but I feel I shall sleep tonight xx

Earlier Vintage

2011-08-10T21:39:00.000+01:00

now I can reveal the bag, the one that kick started this recent compulsion with sewing bags of every persuasion.

Lynn Davy very kindly sent me some beautiful vintage Sanderson fabric and requested I make a bag ... I'd never made a bag before, far less used such precious fabric. It had been a curtain at one point and had belonged to an aunt who had recently passed away. So I had to be certain I could do it justice. I was scared, apprehensive and very reluctant to start, didn't want to cut it, didn't want to balls it up and procrastinated a fair bit whilst other things that were more pressing came in and out my life. I vowed on my return from our holiday week away I would make a start, and a mock up of less important material. Buoyed by that success, I wasted no time and started the bag.

I made an arse of ordering ironmongery having mised up 2.5 inches with 2.5cm (A common male/microsoft issue it would appear) and had to await the right sized buckle to make an adjustable strap.

Then Lynn was on holiday when it was completed, so a nailbiting wait ensued until her return and then I was able to post it out. I believe it was a triumph, as Lynn seems rather happy with the result :)

I hope you are too ... I was thinking of making up a blog tutorial/pattern for it here ... would anyone be interested? :D

I also made a cute little evening bag to go with JoJo's shoes ...

And this was the result of another recycling effort ... with her favourite colour of blue as the lining

Hoping that JoJo has lots of fun with it ... :)

Vintage

2011-08-08T20:58:00.000+01:00

I've always had a thing for vintage stuff, jewellery, fabric and clothes. When it was my final year disco (prom, we never had no steeeenking prom) I wore a rust coloured velvet dress my mum had made and worn herself in the sixties!

I've recently fell into recycling materials and such, having always had a knack for purchasing WAY too much in the past and having a lurve of raking through charity shops!

Lisa (Oblibby) recently lent me this book - which as a resource is fabulous for bags - the only pattern of which I am none too fond is on the front cover! :D

I really think I am going to have to buy it! :) Inside there is a cute little Dorothy bag that I thought I'd have a bash at, if only to work out how on Earth it is fashioned. This is my first ever zipper insert and I've got to admit that I didn't use the pattern, just freehanded onto the fabric and flew by the seat of my undies! From what I can tell (the instructions seemed a little hazy here) the bag in the book fastens itself by looping the loop over a fabric handle. I already had a nice chunky 80's bangle I wanted to use as a handle, and the loop was never going to fit over it, so I had to bodge up a compromise. The book also disguises this handle conjoin with a big bow on one bag and a rather dashing yet also humungous rose on another. I quite like my vintage button though, which allows the bag to open into a crescent (ok Ewan, bananaaaaaaa) shape.

I have another small piece of this scarf fabric left, and I'm holding out for a few offcuts of a camel coat so I think another bag may be in order .... though I *do* have some black fabric.... hmmm decisions decisions! :D

These bags are taking me roughly an afternoon to make from start to finish, so i think I might just be getting the hang of it ;) I'm getting the Piper seal of approval!

My next bag project is forming in my head ... in fact it's been in my head for a while, a nice little simple envelope clutch bag that is making my head ache. Perhaps that will be better out of my head and into reality! I really need to get Marcia DeCoster's Urchin pattern for the embellishment though... I plan on having that either dangle from one side with some fringy embellishments or make it the clasp ... but you know me, everything could change on a whim! :D

Talking of whims ... I recently won the opportunity to bead this button for a Bead Buddies competition.

The project I chose to match this was a textural, embellished rope. As it was pictured on the forum reminded me so very much of Picasso ... but now the button is in my hand I feel so much drawn to the influence of Gustav Klimt .... but I am bound by my original suggestion and boy is that going to be a challenge in, and of, itself! :)

I'm also going to introduce me to my Bead Soup Blog Party Partner ... (try saying that when one is pickled!)drum roll please ...... Liz Deluca. I am already on it as far as looking out some pretty bits and pieces. So it is another trip to the Post Orifice for the other half!

busy!

2011-08-06T10:49:00.001+01:00

I've been a busy girl lately, and have loved it! It isn't often I can say that about things I have to make, but I've felt I have throroughly enjoyed the pressure :)

I finally finished Lynn's bag, but I don't want to reveal it until the lady herself has seen it ...
so make do with a photo of the fabric!

I also managed to send out my O:TTBS bracelet swap and am itching to reveal it and the beautiful one I received! And find out who it was from! :)

I'm fairly excited that I finished this bracelet - I had gotten so far before Tuesday evening's Bead 'n' Banter but needed to buy some more pearls to finish it. Of course I forgot one of the colours of crystals so couldn't embellish it ... I turned instead to doing a bracelet for the Bead Buddies' Monthly Colour Challenge. Whilst at the B'n'B I had a eureka moment and decided to attempt a ring!

I was over at Sigrid's on Wednesday afternoon where I finished the bracelet off after bending needles, and snapping thread a go-go. My Turkish Delight bracelet still had to wait as I'd forgotten the alternative colour of crystals AGAIN! But I had a very nice afternoon with my girly, getting all caught up and being fed lovely food!

I posted out the doggie doorstop and the shoulder bag that Flossy-Lou-Lou and Laura won on Bead Buddies Pass The Parcel Draw - I was so silly I'd completely forgotten that I'd won Linda's beautiful treasure box and beads for that competition and was only after a nudge from Sooz I flew into a panic! So congrats ladies, hope you like them and that you all forgive me for being such a ditz! :D

I was out last Saturday night with the girls and guys from work and we hit the town... after a much enjoyed dinner at Wetherspoons (some of which was liquid, natch!) we went for karaoke, but detoured via another bar for shots .... I had my first (and second) Jager Bomb and turned up too late for any singing slots ... just as well, because we would have blown away the competition! ;) We ended up at one of the local discotheque whereupon I got a fairly ok groove on, and then got dropped off (very generously, thank you Liz and sober significant other ;) ) at the end of my street! At 2 ay emm! :D And didn't even suffer much on Sunday! Anyway, the reason I'm telling you this story is Jojo had on a pair of beautiful shoes and I offered to make a bag to match them! :D

I have a lovely pair of charity store find trousers that will make a fairly cute bag to match these stunners, and thanks to a loan of a brill wee book from Lisa Broadley I'm all good to go. I also found a lovely couple of tartan scarves and a bracelet that I'm going to use as a handle for one ...

Look what came in the mail today! Beautiful hand tatted lace from Pammi who is also a Beady Buddie :D Thank you Pammi, it is beautiful and will look adorable on the project that is still in my head :D x I'm such a lucky lady!

My final reveal is something I'm really chuffed with ... forgive the state of my hands etc but I adapted the Turkish Delight bracelet pattern to form a very blingy cocktail ring. I like my rings ... precioussssssss :D I'm thinking about doing a tut for them, as I've been encouraged by the lovely ladies at Bead 'n' Banter!

That's all for now folks! ;)

Who you gonna call.....? Stashbusters!

2011-07-29T19:45:00.000+01:00

Thinking about joining in with this for August ... another interesting way of busting your stash?

If you are interested, head over to her blog and sign up between 1st & 3rd August!

Lucky

2011-07-27T15:30:00.001+01:00

I have been very lucky of late ... and today more so than others!

Recently Carrie posted some of her fantastic polymer clay beads and pendants and this little guy caught my eye. Imagine my delight when an unexpected padded enveloped revealed this inside!

I've included a photo of the rear as well as Carrie has fantastic attention to detail even when it won't be seen!

So I need to get me some pretty ribbon as this is going to be all MINE! ;D

Also in the mail was the bracelet from the Operation: Tackle That Bead Stash Swap. Someone has definitely being paying attention as I recently mentioned a love of all things Coccinellidae when I was a child, and Piper does too (which menas I still get to love them without feeling a tube!) And look what slithered out the next unexpected envelope!

You can't look, I've taken the pictures away as O:TTBS want it kept under wraps til the reveal so if you saw it already .... shhhhhh! ;) Thank you mystery swappage person! And I still haven't found what I wanted to make - so better get my skates on!
The final envelope in the mail today brought what I was expecting, well, some of it! I managed to foul up an order thinking 2.5 cm was 2.5 inches, but that's easily overcome! :) So a sneak preview of the next bag on the sewing table!

That's all for today folks, enjoy the sunshine, but remember to wear ...

Feeling fruity!

2011-07-24T19:06:00.000+01:00

What a brilliantly sunny day today... was thinking of something to do outside today so took the children to West Craigie Fruit Farm near Edinburgh (not far from the airport!) . . . It must have been an omen that the sat nav sent us the wrong place at first. Oh dear, that sounds like we didn't have a good time, but we did ...

Piper loved getting chugged around on the tractor in the play area ... but the fruit fields weren't in the best of shapes with nettles, thistles and other less nefarious weeds growing through the straberry plants rather prolifically!

We picked nearly two kilos in half an hour though, so some for eating, some for freezing and some for jamming and some for making strawberry sekt! Sounds okay doesn it? They are all hulled now, and the blast freezing is taking place. We also got stung on the cost of ice cream - 2 quid for a scoop in a tiny cone? Saw us coming, (and the rest of the people - it was hoaching, with folks with terrible manners it would seem)! Sadly, if they saw us coming they didn't call in more staff, and ran out of vanilla ice cream (they had a couple of new tubs in but they were not softened ready enough to serve, and we were told it would take half an hour...erm, why not have had them out earlier then? they could tell it was busy, not to mention a scorcher (nsfw)!)

We took the scenic route home and sung songs in the car... but we're now bushed, and don't feel like eating ... Boys are out playing with their friends and Piper is playing guitar and watching Peppa Pig .... :D

Next week, we'll go en famille to Cairnie Fruit Farms in Coupar .... it is a far better fruit farm and they might even have decent raspberries ( mmmmm my favourite!)

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! xx

love you long tiem!

2011-07-18T13:13:00.000+01:00

It's been a while, and no, nothing became of my Pimms cupcakes...time slipped away and holidays intervened. Since then I've been keeping my head below the parapet, in case Lady Luck or Fate catch me with a stray bullet again!

We had a lovely holiday break in the Trossachs... staying here ...

We were swimming daily (sometimes more than once) and played tennis instead of watching it on the telly! A couple of days out to the Doune and Dunblane Highland Games and also a visit to Inchmaholme Priory on Lake of Mentieth...

It was exactly the break we all needed, though the wheel snapping at the busy roundabout in Stirling on day two didn't help! We did overcome it, and Piper had a lovely birthday with her Granny, Grandpa and Uncle Stevie all making the trip up the road to see her on the day and take us out for dinner!

My first point of order (apart from the drudgery of work) on my return was to make a start on a bag for Lynn Davy. I had an idea in my head of what sort of bag Lynn wanted, but wasn't entirely sure how to best approach it. Suffice to say yesterday, after clearing my crafting table so I could at least see the wood and move my sewing machine to the fore, I set about making a mock-up bag.

And the results are thus. I've sent Lynn a message to see if this ticks the requirement boxes and am keeping my fingers crossed.

I was also recently asked by Catherine to make a fascinator, with the prerequisite that it have beetle wings, and perhaps some peacock feathers... It was a bit of a rush order, and I had the desire to use a vintage dress clip as a sparkling accent. I didn't take any photos, but Catherine did. I'm delighted to say she liked it and it almost survived the transport of Royal Mail unscathed ...

To keep me on my toes, I've entred a bracelet swapsie on Operation:Tackle That Bead Stash so have that on the 'to do' list as well. Sadly, into each crafty life some rain must fall, I was disappointed lately that I was unable to repair a friend at work's ring ... it is of great sentimental value but one of the claws in the setting has lost that vital piece that secures the stone. I'm many things, but lack the skills or knowledge to do anything about this particular issue.

But bouyed by my successes, I have ordered a couple of books, and intend to use up not only my bead stash but also my fabric hoard!

Nice to see you again xx

Cupcake City

2011-06-08T18:01:00.000+01:00

I am entering a challenge, and it was discussed last night in the car on the way home from Bead and Banter! I have to thank Lisa for being the most excellent of sounding board people. Together, we've got a cupcake idea that's a doozy ....

as well as being boozy.

Here are some of the ingredients that are going to make their way into the cupcakes.

The sharp eyed amongst you will notice the bon bons which will provide thoughtful mastication opportunities. There's a hint in what the outcome is going to involve, but I'm definitely going to blog the process, success or not ;) x

Day 8

2011-06-08T09:40:00.000+01:00

Piper was up most of last night. Woke up every 20 minutes or so until about 3:15am! Eventually I think exhaustion took her over. Certainly did me! Poor wee snot factory!

So, so far, no outfit. I had planned to go visit my folks today, but with Piper being unwell, I think it best to avoid the spreading of germs.
I have however, the pleasure of the company of this monster

Yes folks, there's some cable work going on for BT here, just in time for the part of the week I have to sleep during the day! Brilliant, isn't it? Oy vey ... I hope they're done soon, I'm fairly certain there won't be much napping today for either Piperdoo or I.

I will just have to get on with my cupcake challenge for this blog - Cupcake Challenge 2011 - just need to get some supplies first! Grocery shopping ... my idea of heaven ...what did I do to deserve such a day as this?

Day 7

2011-06-07T22:33:00.000+01:00

Just for Laney ...

Why I chose Djinn Rummy ...

I'm a total Terry Pratchett fan, and also Tom Holt. I love djinns, efreet, genies, witches, warlocks etc ...all mythical beings from all cultures cross over and melt from one hero to another :)

I wanted to call it Djinn Mummy, because I liked the connotation of Mother's Ruin. But I was vetoed for that by the other half - who has been a great influence on my sobriety!

My earliest memory of tv was watching Bewitched with my mother ... I think that this has a lot to do with my choosing this. That and I LOVED playing gin rummy with my Gran who taught me all the card games I know and some i've forgotten. Many an hour was whiled away in her kitchen in front of the coal fire, listening to the world outside and enjoying each other's company without many words. My Gran was a very wordly, proud woman who I know loved me fiercely. And my love for her is just as strong!

I chose the user name Mrs Cake, because I love to bake and because I like the idea of being feard by the men of the postal service in Ankh Morpork! :)

I wore a fairly autumnal get up today, as the weather cannot behoove itself to any one season here at the moment. No photos though, by the time I got home from Bead and Banter my Suck Me In Pantyhose were threatening to cut off my limbs so I ripped off the load and stuck on my fleecey jammies :)

Bead and Banter was great tonight, there were cookies, Hershey Kisses (thanks Shirley!) and gifts for Sigrid :) I got a lovely gift from Lisa too, for my fortieth which I'd kept quiet and now have no excuse for not starting a Laura McCabe Nudibranch bracelet! Thank you Lisa *hugs hugs hugs* :D And I have extra witnesses who can testify to me wearing a skirt and still not being able to negotiate the back seat of a hatchback :) I blame the chuffing chaffing ;) xx

Days 4, 5 & 6

2011-06-06T17:11:00.001+01:00

have also been jim jams or work clothes day ... here is a particularly unflattering picture of me with one of the chaps who come in every week (nissed as pewts, invariably) and make my life a mis... er, interesting, and mostly fun! :)

Meet Grieg!

Ok, now you can safely navigate forth into the much nicer world of beading! I'm a huge fan of Lynn Davy, her work is very inspirational and her use of colour and texture in her pieces fille me with awe every time. She makes fabulous tutorials and they appear in all the beading publications, both here and abroad. One such pretty was in Beadwork February magazine and on the recent bead retreat, Donna was working on it and I'd bought beads to make it, which seemed to be awfy tiny when I saw it working up. Undeterred, I had other turquoise beads in the stash and some size 10 delica beads in copper. So without the magazine but the memories (fuzzy of course) from the Retreat I made this. Yes, I know, there's no turquoise in it... turns out they were still too big! So I used some rock crystal facetted drop briolettes instead :D They match the crystal of the delicas and the teeny tiny facetted briolettes I got from Linda Mabbot in a forum birthday swap perfectly :)

I like it, but it's definitely a collar length thing, which isn't usually my bag. But the other half said he likes it and asked if I will be keeping it, and I was going to swap it, but not so sure now! :)

Day 3

2011-06-03T15:12:00.000+01:00

I've gone from being a popsicle to that ever dreaded chafing moment today ... temperatures here are(NSFW) *rather* nice but it feels a shed load hotter (don't click the link if kids/workmates/bosses/mothers/neurovores are about).

I am wearing a skirt not unlike this one from Matalan, except mine is florally printed and nice satiny feel. But not for doing the garden in I've found! I forgot my knees would be at the mercy of the ground ... I think I shall be quite happy to return to my jeans but this did mean I got the sun on my milk bottles briefly! Piper demanded the paddling pool, which is a good idea seeing she's still got a temperature and I'm running one now as well! Ugh!

Day 2

2011-06-02T08:34:00.000+01:00

Laney thanks for that comment yesterday! :) made me smile after a very difficult night! I will be wearing jammies ALL DAY today given that I have had a horrific night with Piper being rushed to out of hours service! I was to start my Thursday nights again tonight, but had to rearrange it til next week. I hope that Piper will nap and I will nap too :) Loving fleecy bottoms and tops that don't make my boobs so humungously large (even if they are! ;) )

I found this fabby cupcake blog with challenge yesterday thanks to Sarah Tucker, so might muster up the energy to rise to the occasion today - pinny with jammies?

Flaming June! Day One

2011-06-01T16:27:00.000+01:00

In so many ways ...

I had been intrigued and irregularly following this blog for a few months when it struck me that I need to 'feminise' myself as I'm always in jeans or work's trousers, or worse still joggy bottoms ... Now, I know you can get lovely girly trousers, and wide legs tend to suit me if I can get them in my length but I think for the purposes of girlyness - nothing does it like a skirt or a dress.

So I decided that I'd do it for one month. I had actually said in April that I'd do it in May hoping the weather would be just as fine, but I forgot and on first day I was in trousers, so June it had to be. The weather turned out to be horrendous. Not that today was much better.

But I've started. Of course I can wear jammies, and I will still be wearing work trousers, given that hobnail boots don't go with skirts unless you happen to be Nanny Ogg or Granny Weatherwax :D

I admit, I'm looking forward to better weather, and July :D xx

post 'n' run II

2011-05-10T09:15:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I picked up a rather funny all graphite pencil that was in a a pack my son has, and doodled while waiting on Taede returning from the take away pizza establishment. Piper was watching tv, tired and sleepy and yet mesmerised. So I thought I'd have a quick sketch of her. I reckon it could very well be 10 years or so since I drew something 'real' as opposed to just dawdled with things in my head.

I've resolved to get myself a sketch pad and scribble more often, and get my skills back up to speed. I've always been the sort of person who has to be in the mood to create things, regardless of whether it's sketching, baking or other creative pursuits... the more I have to do a thing, the less it turns out as it should. Please tell me I am not alone in this?!

A while ago

2011-05-04T19:06:00.000+01:00

I made a necklace for Jean's niece, for her birthday. Jean's now asked me to make a bracelet to match. And I have a week! The only requesite for the original piece was it had to be gothy, with purple and she likes dragons.

I have less to work on this time! So I raided the stash and made a start on a charm bracelet. My initial idea was to have some charms spaced out so it was a start of a bracelet. But it looked too sparse so I added in some pearls.

Now it's full, but not as full that she can't add more charms to it.

Then I thought I might make something that Carol Passaro via Sarah Tucker whipped up for us on Operation : Tackle that Bead Stash as an alternative. It used the same suede cord as was on the original necklace, but I didn't have a heart or crystal that was drilled through! I raided the stash again and found a purle pressed glass skull and used that. This gave me a Cinco De Mayo vibe, and I remembered this chap.

Another pressed skull in amber which I brick stitched around with an ornate headress in herringbone weave with tiny picot edges. I doubled up the picots at the bottom to give him a frill. I only had the one, so I ordered another pack of the mixed beads in the hope that there'd be another one. I was delighted that there was, but lost my beading mojo, so that little guy has waited for his buddy since mid December last year!

I thought it was high time they were a pair!

So, a tad early but ¡Feliz Cinco De Mayo!

More Lovely People

2011-05-03T22:44:00.000+01:00

Bead and Banter tonight, and Sigrid and I were joined by Shirley as well as Lisa and Mary.

We had a laugh as usual, and met another beader as well as hooked up with the fab, gentile and fun Jane Lock again. I didn't catch the name of the beader opposite Jane but what a scream she was!

Here are some pics ...

Lisa, Sigrid and Mary engrossed by their work ...

Shirley and another beader enjoy the banter

Jane looks at bead pr0n - oooooo matron!

I do like our jaunts, and both the journeys to and from ... later in the month is going to be a blast! :D

All the lovely people!

2011-05-02T20:42:00.000+01:00

I have had a wonderful weekend of birthday ness ... First, on Friday I got a free day off courtesy of the new Mr & Mrs William of Wales! Thank you me ole chinas!

We had friends and family over and I'd made chocolate cake. I had iced it with plain vanilla buttercream to look like roses (which was quite easy - Just like icing lots of cupcakes on one big cake!) Sadly I didn't get to take pictures .. I got waylaid by pfaffing the kitchen and the nuptials! And hats.... oh dear Lord the hats! :D Here's a piccy link to where I got the idea ...

And oh YES will I be doing the vertical layer cake at some point! Ran out of time this weekend :)

The boys' friends came over later in the day and in spite of the grey clouds and wild chilly wind went out with water guns and had a fun time :)

Saturday was different, the sun shone heartily and after Taede had finished work his week off started! woohoo! We visited my folks in the afternoon and there was more water fights. And more cake, Mum made a cinnamon cake that's traditional in Portugal and there was still chocolate cake left!

We all quaffed some cava and then made our way back up the road to allow me to get some kip before the walk. I wasn't keen on the idea of being without the bubs but Steve is entitled to his own bubs time, and I'd still kinda hogged them all day!

Sunday I got a wee long lie after my exertions! Then it was a small road trip to find Adventure Planet, an adventure in and of itself due to all the roadworks, with Sigrid and her youngest. Ailidh was at a party so Sigrid and I nipped along the road to Dobbies garden centre where I bought a few plants and we had cream tea. Sigrid gave me this beautifully crafted pendant, made with a smooth pebble from my garden which she snaffled during the great Garden Clean Up of Twenty Eleven. What a wonderful job of it she did too! I wore it at the garden centre where it really snazzed up my dusty cardie and scruffy jeans combo! I also wore it out to dinner with the family which was a day late.

Today we had the paddling pool out, and had general outdoorsy fun at home. And had a good grin at some twenty something chap on his mobility scooter, who was having a blast on the new tarmac laid by the council for a new five a side pitch. Sadly my batteries were flat or I'd have taken pictures.

This is a pic of some of the workmen on their lunch hour last week while the sun shone. I've never seen anyone enjoy driving donuts quite as much as this chap, and it fair put a smile on my face to see him come back later with one of his more able bodied companions who ran around after him like a daftie!

So, it's been fab and tomorrow is bead and banter. And I get to go out to lunch and some shopping with JoJo too ... Thursday is a night out for us, then Saturday is a night on the town with friends and workmates ... was going to make jelly shots, but I'm no where near organised as such at the moment. I don't want to make my own cupcakes, but my hand may be forced ;)

Well ...

2011-04-28T20:48:00.000+01:00

what are you waiting for? It's almost time! You can either tune in or opt out, but either way the Royal Wedding is nearly upon us. I'm having friends and family over for viewing or avoiding so there will be food and frolics a go go ... two tv's have been set up for those who do want to see every minute and the rest of the house and garden is a no fly zone!

I'm hoping the weather continues to hold, so we can sit outside and have eats set up there too. The back garden is going to be opened up and I may even get out the paddling pool (if only for somewhere to keep the cider/beer chilled)

On the menu

Sarnies - Ham, Egg and Cucumber varieties
Mini Cornish Pasties
Mini Scotch Eggs
Chocolate Cake
Crisps
Sweets (old fashioned style in plastic yet glass like jars)
Should I do cupcakes?
Scones, cream and jame
Burgers and Hot Dogs

Cava (do I look like Andra Carnegie?!)
Shirley Temples
Sangria
Margueritas
Various fruit spritzers
Cider
Alcoholic Ginger beer (with Roses Lime as an optional dash!)
Fruit Juice
Tea/Coffee ...

I had intended to make a vertical layer cake with chocolate/strawberry sponge, but it's now 20 to 9 at night and I can't be arsed!

In true Oor Hoose fashion, it wasn't until about an hour ago I discussed with Taede that it might be an idea to hook up the different t.v. - cue much grumping, and we've got the x-box set up to stream it on the other telly assuming it's going to actually be that popular! :)

I did, like a twit, resort to some red white and blue bunting which I may hang along the garden fence in the morning if I a. have time, and b. remember :D

I wish the young couple nothing but health and happiness, which is hard enough to get in a normal life, far less the goldfish bowl that they will conduct themselves... I've managed to avoid hype and hyperbole up til now and would just prefer it to be a day of relaxing with friends at home while something magical and mysterious (as well as historic) plays out in the background ... we'll see :)

So, what are your plans?

excuse me, your cool Britannia's showing....

2011-04-26T11:09:00.000+01:00

The Bank Holiday weekend isn't over yet for us, this being Taede's rota day off, but the boys are back to school!

We had a fab weekend, Friday the boys went to Deep Sea World with their Dad and I had work at night. Saturday was a Dad day for the boys again, with him doing childminding duties while I slept. An early sleep was essential as I was doing a backshift on Saturday night. I was allowed to go home early though, as I'd done something to the middle fingers of my right hand, and the pain is now excrutiating ... :(

Sunday was a big tournament for the rugby up at Strathendrick in Fintry. I wore a summer dress as it was sunny here, but it was dull and breezy up there! Not unpleasant though and what a day was laid on. Tombola, bouncy castle slide, hot food, and plenty rugby. Sadly our p6's were laid low after a promising start. And in the final pool play off Ewan was felled by a big lad from Hillfoots and had to be attended by first aider and helped off the pitch. Never seen him in so much pain or so upset - he was gutted he was going to miss the last half of the last game. We carried him to the car after he got his medal and headed back to Granny and Granpa's for Easter dinner...

Which was lovely!

Yesterday, the boys were both expecting some mates to come over, but this didn't materialise, which given Ewan's stiffness of knee probably was a good thing. Not that he saw it as that. I had a jewellery repair to carry out and Sigrid popped over for a wee sesh on how to upload and link to photos ...

Some tea and scones later and the pics are all up but I'm so not used to the magical workings of iE ...

Today I think I shall be waiting around in A&E to see if my finger really is broken ... oy vey

I'm off this coming weekend so I shall be making the most of having a house full for the Royal Wedding and the snarking should be good. I am horrified at the amount of crap that is being punted, even by what I would class as a reputable business, with the union flag on it. And the exorbitant price of this bandwagon claptrap ... I'm annoyed, because in the midst of all this rubbish, lie beautiful gems, lost and swamped by the tide of tat! If you must display your britishness and want to wave your flag, please buy responsibly. Or with humour ... I'm loving regretsy at the moment, and would love this mug ... *evil cackle*
If you're having willing mates round and there's going to be alcohol involved, or even if there's not - you could always try this drinking game on facebook. pixpls if you do :)

toodlepip, and chin chin!

Hat Trick

2011-04-21T16:38:00.001+01:00

I know, I know.... THREE posts... I warned you I was like something driven by Midland Bluebird* ;)

I was in the garden this afternoon, pottering, snipping, and hanging out laundry whilst Piper began to paint. Yes, I let her have paint, and no, I didn't used to... but she got to at her granny's and I figure outside the mess can't make it much worse. Besides, it's a (reinforced) glass table top, easily cleaned!

So here she is, hard at work creating. And this is what she did - not bad for not yet three years old, stayed in the lines not too badly :)

The dog had fun too, she has a little bubble machine from Asda that she adores, turns out Alex likes to chase them too!

*an old bus! ;D

Moe hee toes

2011-04-21T15:15:00.000+01:00

Well, I could wait no longer, so had to pop out some of these babies!

I have discovered through trial and error that the best way to free these chappies is to run a sharp knife just inside the rim, then lay the tray in a swiss roll tin of warmish water. The key is to use the knife on all of them, but just the shortest time in the pan, pop out a fw, then lay back in the pan for a moment or two then pop out some more... more patience is required for photo perfect jellies, but I think you'll agree that for home use, these will do!

I'm fairly certain that for a virgin style of these you could substitute the rum for water and add a few drops of flavouring (though not too much as you don't want to really taste the rum, alcohol or not)

Mojito Jelly

2 cup water (1 cold, 1 fresh from kettle)
1½ cup sugar
1½ cup white rum
juice of 1 lime
juice of 1 lemon
handful of mint (leaves and stalks -you're going to strain it!)
2 sachets of gelatin powder (or any equivalent of agar agar, or vegegel, or gelatin leaves )

I'm going to blab about gelatin first. I haven't experimented yet with agar agar, but when I do, you will be the first to know! I have the strands, not the powder. I use Dr Oetker's (you know they used to be supercook!) bog standard gelatin sachets, I also have the leaves, not tried them yet either. I think that like me, you will have to trial and error in your own kitchen, but be aware if it doesn't set, you can boil the kettle, mix up 100ml water with a sachet of gelatin, fully dissolve it, and then add your original non-setting mix to it and you will have rescued it!)

Also the more strong a proof your alcohol is, the more water:gelatin ratio you will need to fiddle with. But you knew that was going to be the case, right? ;D

Back to the recipe. Boil 1(cold) cup of water with the cup and a half of sugar, allow to reduce by half. remove from heat and add chopped mint, lime juice, lemon juice and white rum and mix well. You can leave this to infuse if you like, up to 15 mins, depending on how minty you want the taste!

In a heat proof jug or bowl, mix the hot, freshly boiled water with the gelatin as per the manufacturer's instructions. mix with a fork continuously until it is all dissolved (a few grains won't make a huge difference, but preferably all dissolved).

Using a sieve, strain the other minty liquid into the jug and mix thoroughly. You can now pour it into your prepared moulds. You can use any moulds you like, I spray my ice cube trays with Lakeland's bake release then swipe it around each with some kitchen roll, to absorb the excess. You can put it in a loaf tin, where the weight of the jelly will allow inertia and gravity to take it's course when turning out! (I've read that agar agar hates grease of any kind though)

Preferably chill in the fridge, flat, for a few hours, possibly overnight!

When serving, you can take a sharp knife around the edge of your mould and sit the tray in a baking tray half filled with warm tap water. I'd recommend a dip, then turn out a few, then a dip again, rather than sitting it in the water for more than a few minutes. You can firm it back up in the fridge though, if it gets too soft!

I just laid an extra mint leaf on top for presentation but you could sprinkle it with chopped mint, or the finely grated zest of lemon and lime (or mebbe just a fine shred of the lime peel? Go wild!)

A jelly shot is absorbed less quickly than an alcohol shot, so even seasoned party hearty drinkers will have it hit them hard if you consume too many! (you can dliute it further with water if required, and these are teeny little shots as a taster)

Please drink and chew responsibly, I'd hate to be cited for the damage to your liver ;) Chin Chin! xx

Need shooting!

2011-04-21T11:26:00.001+01:00

Recently I discovered this fabulous blog Jelly Shot Test Kitchen with fantabulous eye candy in the truest, and occasionally drunkest, sense of the word! (some, a lot actually are virgin recipes so it's not all adults only)

I love to create pretty things, so yes, I've preordered the recipe book...duh! I do have a nemesis in gelatin though, so I think after my gelatin stock is used up I will start making agar agar my jelly maker of choice! Then its all suitable for those of the vegetarian persuasion as well!

I also bought some funky moulds. There's a tale about that

I bought this mould and showed it to a buddy who was round for drinkypoos the other night, and it was tacky from the packaging so without thinking I stuck it in the dishwasher... that's a tenner I won't see again in a hurry, but lesson learned *sigh*

So, this morning, armed with limited stocks of alcohol, I started remaking shots I did yesterday. *smile*
I made a batch of mojito jellies, as I had just made some mojito cupcakes from the Hummingbird Bakery Cake Days book. Those were a hit and I shall definitely be making them again and other versions as well. I had an issue with my gelatin, having put more than enough in the pan, and a little extra for luck, and stirred it for what seemed like an eternity, I added the rum, lime and mint mixture. It was only after straining out the chopped mint that I realised quite a bit of the gelatin hadn't actually dissolved. So, now I have to buy a pan that isn't dark grey which I can see to the bottom and check properly. Any excuse eh? :)

Not being a woman with an abundance of patience I checked the jellies about an hour and a half later and was surprised to see they'd thickened up considerably, so perhaps there had been enough gelatin after all? This morning they hadn't firmed up any further so I wasn't surprised pleasantly after all. Add this to the opening of the dishwasher and I was superbummed.

Yet not easily deterred.
One boiled kettle, an extra sachet of gelatin and some more action with a fork later, I had a nice clear mixture in my glass jug. I added the jelly I'd made previously (wobbly mass of ..... no let's not go there) and stirred like a demon. I'd thought I'd need another tray but the mixture very almost went back into the original trays (after washing, drying and regreasing!) Already they're firm - so it's looking good!

Buoyed by this success I decided to have a bash at some red jewels/hearts with some vodka and grenadine. I had seen a recipe that used sachets of quick setting gel as well as gelatin. Whilst the jewel tray is buggered the hearts are quite deep, and (I think I inherited it from Sigrid - ta chuck!) took up most of the mixture. Due to the proportions of liquid to gel mix/ gelatin it remains quite cloudy, but still *hic* tastes ok, if a little potent.

So, what have I learned from this I hear you ask?

Do not wash silicone ice cube trays in the dishwasher....
Be fully prepared with your liquids measured, any colourants you will use handy
If one more person tells me I'll need extra gelatin due to alcohol I'll lamp them one
Once you find something that works, stick with it, perfect it
(don't you dare say it Sigrid! ;) re extra gelatin)
Get better cake release stuff with finer spray and less residue!
Perhaps it's not politically correct to use an old baby bottle for measuring one's alcohol.
Nor is it such to have your almost three year old help ... have I mentioned she likes to cook? And now has a fascination for jelly .. so obviously we had to make some virgin stuff for her :)

Can't wait til my space invader tray and lego tray arrive. I want to do the rainbow ones soon, with the stalked cherries! I better get on it quickly though... got some to make for a night out in a week or so!

So, happy Easter everyone, I hope you all have a relaxing weekend *love and hugs*

Nice Weather

2011-04-09T07:48:00.001+01:00

for ducks at the start of the week

For those of you who haven't caught me on facebook, I love this song. I love a lot of songs, but right now, this song is driving me 'quackers' (sorry)

Now that I have that out my system, I need to show you just how busy I've been and how lucky I am to have beady friends online and in real life!

I received a wonderful BeadBuddie birthday table treat from Carol Passaro, aka Bead Queen. The coulours of the buttons whilst fab were completely taken on with the colours of a mixed pack of beads, so much so I made this ring (twice) and then added the buttons to make another!

Carol has also sent me another pack of lovelies and I can't wait to make something worthy of them !

O:TTBS colours are red, black and white this month which is well within my spectrum of comfort. I have still got a commission that I should be doing that is in these colours but I was influences by the moodboard and what I had in my stash as well as the wonderful method of Odd Count Peyote stitch that Sigrid passed on to me!

Bead Buddies also have their new colours up for the monthly challenge, and boy did these colours stump me. Not because I don't have them in my stash, far from it, I just didn't know what to do. First I got carried away and did a bezelled cab of Tan's. I have ogled, stroked and purred over these beauties so it was nice to finally make something with them. They were much simpler to bezel round than I had anticipated and whislt I liked the result, it wasn't wuite 'me'. So I raked out some other stuff and again, a surprise extra from Carol came in handy here too!

Bead and Banter at The Bead Shop Scotland in Edinburgh was on Tuesday evening, and fresh from an afternoon's beady play with Sigrid, it was great to get out with fellow beady buds Mary Marshall and Lisa Broadley. We had such a laugh, and boy are these ladies talented :) I love Lisa's 'laissez-faire' and 'que sera' attitude. Such an adaptive creative person :) And those shoes Lisa, just wow! ;)

I must also thank Lisa for the loan of her texture mats for cupcakeness this weekend and for the fantabulous card stock she gave me for the children (well, I'm a big kid too eh? ;) )

Personally, my health is at a low ebb, so whilst I've tried to stay busy, I've been on a bit of a downer! As a result, I think I am likely to miss out on a night out at work. Whilst I'd love to go, I really need to take time for me, and try and recuperate. Needless to say, the cure from the doc's is almost (but not quite) worse than the disease :)

I've enjoyed baking this week, including banana bread, brownies, peanut butter cookies, scones, scones and damned scones as well as cupcakes for mother's day (which was the best ever according to the boys! ;) ) and also tonight. I have also been donated some chocolate and condensed milk which I have to turn into Millionaire's Shortbread for a girl at work! Her hubby loves it apparently so hopefully he'll like mine ;) Should really teach her how to make it herself, eh? :D

I also have started making a tutorial of the odd count peyote project, which I'm determined, as much as Sigrid, to credit, if not the originator of the idea, at least someone who taught it!

I shall put it here when it's done!

Dear Blog

2011-04-05T15:40:00.001+01:00

Here is a beautiful star shaped cushion fashioned entirely from size 11/0 beads by my lovely mate Sigrid.

She is too shy to expose the world to her beautiful neat freak beadwork so I am going to have to do it for her, that and we're experiencing technical difficulties with our host *eyes the other half glaringly* :)

The star is based on a Jean Power design and will be an ornament in her family room.

We've had an afternoon of bitch...er, beading, tea and cakes so it's all good. Off to Bead and Banter tonight too, we're spoiled :D

Thank You

2011-04-01T13:12:00.000+01:00

This is a thank you post to Sarah and the gang at Operation: Tackle That Bead Stash! for the lovely prize I won for mentioning their birthday giveaway here on da blog ...

Here is the prize that is pretty in pink! Trust me to have inspiration now that March is over! ;)

Check them out now for this month's colour push and get yourself some insiration as well as that necessary punt to get you motivated ;)

I'm starting to believe in the motto on the front of the card too, but that's a story for another post! ;)

Steak Pie

2011-03-30T17:14:00.000+01:00

I remembered to make steak pie today ... after forgetting yesterday until it was too late! So Parsnip soup, steak pie, trifle and a choice of scones, brownies, lemon curd biscuits or nutella ones are all on the me-n-u tonight.

The boys' dad is coming for tea now too as they are still unwell :(

They rested this afternoon whilst Piper helped me bake

She's turning into the semi-naked chef!

Here she is rolling the dough - didn't stick either, what a clever stick!

Here's a Ta-Daaaaaaaah! moment if ever there was one!

And what they looked like once done

Enjoying the fruits of her labours - she even helped with the crescents and we've packaged some up to take to Granny and Grandpa tomorrow - Dad has a mate that pops down of a Friday night for some tea, homebaking and a 'set the world to rights' sesh ... so it's nice to take the pressure from Mum now and again :D

I crushed some cardamom seeds to flavour the icing sugar we sprinkled on the lemon curd biscuits today though I may just add the crushed seeds to the biscuit dough the next time and I fecked up the scone mix, having doubled the biscuit quantity, I forgot I wasn't doing that with the scones and ended up having to add flour to a very wet eggy mixture *d'oh*
Doubling the mix worked well for both though :)

a day late but no short dollars

2011-03-29T17:17:00.002+01:00

Due to being pawly, my biscuit trials had to wait til today. I'm still not great but I am much better ...

So, the lemon curd biscuits ... I used a variation of Nigella Lawson's birthday biscuit recipe for the dough - I don't use vanilla essence as a rule, as my sugar is stored in a large kilner jar with shedloads of vanilla pods!

90g soft unsalted butter

100g caster sugar
1 medium egg
pinch of fine salt
half tspoon baking powder
210g plain flour
tspoon vanilla essence

mix the butter and sugar on a moderate speed until light and mouss-ey, then add the dry ingredients and egg. I add half flour mix, then egg, then other flour and mix slowly - if it takes a while to form into a ball of dough add a teaspoon of milk and it should all come together. Now you can chill the dough especially recommended for intricately shaped cutters but for these particular cookies you don't need to.

I used a round cutter from a enormous mix box that is 10cm in diameter. I'd reckon the dough would be between 3-5mm thick at this stage. This meant I could add a generous teaspoonful of lemon curd. I made seven generous dollops from 1 small ramekin of homemade curd (refrigerated). I still had dough so I made 5 with Nutella. Mostly because I was curious and I didn't want to sacrifice any more lemon curd.

I folded them over then pinched the edges of the crescent together, taking care to not let the filling smoosh out. I then flipped them and put them onto a prefloured baking sheet. I baked them for about 12 minutes on 175 C in a fan assisted oven then dusted them with icing sugar and transferred them to the cooling rack.

The Nutella ones I dusted with icing sugar and cocoa - so we could tell the difference.

I sat down and checked my phone, as I knew Sigrid was coming over about 3.30 - this was 3.33 by the way...and she'd requested scones! Eeeeek! Half an hour later and these babies were just out the oven :) I like it when they 'laugh' ... and yes, they are huge :) and lovely with a nice smear of fresh butter melting in

I'd love some feedback and if you make the biscuits please let me know how you got on! Pix too if you feel generous :D

whey-hey

2011-03-27T20:51:00.000+01:00

After last night's bananary cupcakes the troops were kind of hacked off there wasn't any for them, so despite feeling like slightly lukewarm death, or at the very least Bill, er...Sky? Door! ... I caved and made them some banana muffin-cakes. These were a bastardisation of the banoffee cupcakes and the banana and cinnamon muffins, and though I do say so myself, are light and fluffy with just the right amount of banana, spice and sweetness. I used a combination of cinnamon and nutmeg with caster sugar for the sprinkling which prevented the nice doming shape I got last night, but it formed a wonderfully crunchy crust that is at odds with the moist soft sponge. I would make them again if I remember to write down what I did instead!

I also made some microwave lemon curd. I do love this recipe. So quick, simple, yields just enough for a jar and a small pot (which you can give away) and tastes soooooo much better than shop bought!

Microwave Lemon Curd

you will need:

1 large microwavable bowl or jug, glass is better but plastic works too
2 lemons, juice and grated rind.
3oz butter (90g)
3 eggs (medium)
10oz (300g) caster sugar

Melt the butter in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Whisk the eggs and sugar together, then add to the melted butter. Mix in the juice and grated rind of the lemons. Whisk together and put into microwave on full power for 3 and a half minutes, whisking every minute until thick. You may need to zap it for another minute, but whisk and check after 30 seconds. When thick and lemon curdy pour into a sterilised prepared jar or ramekins. Leave to cool at room temperature, and store in the fridge. If it lasts three days I'd be surprised, but I wouldn't keep it past a week :D

Of course the reason I wished to make curd, was not just to spread it thickly on my hot-buttered Oatilicious toast tomorrow morning, though that's a perk, it was to make a batch of lemon curd cookies. I found a pic of some on a blog randomly yesterday and the path to the recipe was buggered. So I'm going to have a play day tomorrow with some biscuit dough and dollops of lemon curd and will bring you much pictorial evidence of my machinations! I promise to take them in better light too :)

No. Sleep. Til' Bakin'

2011-03-26T18:43:00.000Z

It was a while since I'd seen Chris, one of our day managers who has moved on to nights. What with time off, training, rotas and so forth. So it was good to see him really beginning to blossom (he'd smack me for such a camp comment but I like it ;) )into the role. I had promised I'd bake but he didn't say he was in! So I know Lee and Chris are both in tonight. I owe Lee some scones, as he missed out the last bake-in. But tough, tonight it's banoffee cupcakes or nothing!

I bought another Hummingbird Bakery book, which is chock full of more amazing recipes that just scream out for being made. This time the recipes mention there may be surplus to the amounts indicated, which is a great touch. For, as an exact science baking can be, sometimes the results vary and you get much more than you bargained for. These cupcakes call for a fiddly custard/con de leche (I'd assume the caramel condensed milk in the tin would be an ideal substitute for this) topping, but I opted for a slightly soured whipped cream topping with a hint of banana in it, topped with fudgy pieces. I got 20 out of this recipe, so I'm taking 18 to work and the other two got the thumbs up from my tasters (Piper and Taede)

The boys are still at their dad's but have opted to come home to sleep, which is a heck of a lot easier to be honest, as it's an early start tomorrow morning rugby wise.
I feel terrible that they prefer to stay here, but I am a firm believer in them being able to make the choice, though sometimes I steer them in the right direction.

Next weekend, as it is the wedding, (Tash's, not mine!), Steve will be staying over with us, and I'm sure, while he won't be looking forward to a noisy night in the boys' room (snore? champions at it!) they will be happy to have him in their domain for a change!

So, having vegetated for a couple of hours after getting up (couldn't sleep but had no energy!) I've now been fed, and am contemplating a nice bath before getting ready for work.

See you! x

Family

2011-03-25T11:13:00.000Z

Sometimes, I seem to have a moment of clarity and rediscover why the people and things that matter to me most do just that. This week has been full of moments like that!

First out of the starting blocks has to be Piper, who has just this moment managed to use her potty successfully whilst clothed! No pressure kiddo ;)

If you hadn't already seen these pics, where've you been? ;D

Mafia child in training, I can see I'm going to have problems in the future ;D

Ewan, my eldest can, at the moment, swing from being super adorable big brother, to pain in the arse in the 60 nanoseconds it takes to say the word nanosecond. Last night we both came to the realisation that we'd taken each other for granted. Bless him, he can't choose whether he wants to be treated as a kid or as an adult ... a few hugs later, after a dose of really straight talking, we're better and so is his attitude!

Stuart is working really hard at the moment to be a better student and I need to find something which will reward him and show him how proud I am of the effort he's making (has someone swapped my sons' brains while they and I were sleeping? :D )

Taede went out to borrow a car from a friend at the weekend and came home having bought one! His friend has been very considerate and generous, but even more generous are my parents who, after discovering what he'd done, instantly offered to pay the sum agreed with Colin. So all we need to do is road tax it and we're roadworthy again. Just need to get my van sorted now. :D

My friends at work make it all worthwhile. I love my job, but mostly because of those people with whom I work. One of our team is getting married next weekend, and it was her Hen Night last weekend. It was good to be out and see some of the gang in a more relaxed setting. I only wish JoJo could have come too, but we went out for lunch on Wednesday and had a pleasant afternoon :)

Taede has the cold, and is the world's most stubborn man when it comes to taking potions and getting better. Thankfully the days have been sunny and warm, so work has meant he's gotten better in the fresh air, but nights are currently sleepless. I'm so glad I'm working tonight and tomorrow! I'm finishing early on Saturday night (well, Sunday morning really) as there is rugby at Tillicoultry on Sunday morning and we've to be there for 1015hrs! And don't forget that the clocks 'Spring' forward so there's an hour to be lost in bed this weekend! It's another medal tournament, so I hope that the team can pick up from last weekend's defeat and keep their heads, hearts and feet in the game :D

New Clothes!

2011-03-16T14:24:00.000Z

I have been awfully norty and bought yet another new frock, erm, and shoes...

I did buy both in the sale though, so I don't feel so tarred by the guilty stick! And I've made a pair of earrings to match it. So I'm almost set for my night out on Saturday. Yes, this Saturday I'm not working, and will be part of a task force of ladies taking over the town and painting it scarlet, or possibly harlot, as part of a Hen Night. There's a meal at La Banca (no sangria for me - I'm off alcohol for Lent) and then the traditional pub crawl where Natasha will be selling kisses to strangers for money in her potty. I'm going to have to re-jig the earrings though, I thought there was a jade green in the print but it's more yellow/cerise/magenta mix ...

All I have to get now is a nice thick pair of tights!

What? You want to see pics of the frock and shoes?

I've also been baking from the beautiful book Nicola sent me. These are the second and third recipes I've tried from the book and so far they've been fabulous!

Chocolate Brownies have long since been a nemesis of mine, with only Nigella Lawson's recipe working for me in the past (but yielding far too many). This time I think I overdid them (fan assisted oven grrrr) but only slightly, and I'll know next time not to make it over 12 minutes (I've started adding post it notes to the pages with notes)

The Banana and Cinnamon Muffins were supposed to have 4 bananas in it, but I only had three, and I didn't have buttermilk, so I mixed up cream/milk/lemon juice again - which made them super light! Had I put in the four nanas, I'd have had enough mixture for 24 muffins, instead of the estimation of 12, as it was I had 20 ... not many left now though! I would also advocate adding a little more cinnamon than the 2 tsp the recipe calls for, but I suppose that's just personal taste. There's no way they'd have made it to 30mins in the oven without being cremated, so definitely err on the 20 minute side of the recommended cooking time! And taste even better the second day!

So, this recipe book is certainly a hit, for when it comes to a single school of cooking (ie baking) I rarely find more than one or two favourites!

Piper's introduction to potty training is going well with few accidents, though she's reluctant to do more than pee in it! Stagefright ;D

And after my night out, I get to get up early and take Ewan to his rugby away game at Glasgow Accies! His dad is away at some karate shindig this weekend, so the boys won't be with him overnight like they normally are. I'm guessing the boys are looking forward to a change in routine too. Seems a shame all their time with their dad is packed into one part of the week then a whole while without!

Think I should go bake something else now, keep the troops happy :D

Yes, No, Maybe.

2011-03-11T12:31:00.000Z

Been a week and a half this week! And today's my first work day!

Having had Mum's car I've felt it only fair to use it as much as possible, and have had the use extended as her arms are still too uncomfortable for her to drive. I chauffeured her all day yesterday, and am glad to have done so, having seen how much discomfort she's in for myself!

Piper's potty training has gone on hold for now, but at least once a day she's getting on it and doing something so it's at least an introduction!

Was out for dinner with JoJo from work the other night and went to a local chinese restaurant where they do a buffet. We had a grand night gossiping away, and the food was lovely, I was pleasantly surprised.

Sigrid was round last night and we watched Inception - I have to apologise to her because there wasn't much chatter (most unlike us!) and sadly, her hernia op date has been given only a few days before we were due to go on a weekend away beading and retreating! I'm going to admit to being utterly selfish and hoping she can have it rescheduled (preferablybefore) so we can have our away date!

Beading has rather taken a back seat as has crafting from scratch. I had some swatches to cut for Sigrid so her daughter can dream up something fancy for her Roman topic at school, and a onesie from which I had to remove the feet for Sigrid too so she can be an Eastery Bunneh for Red Nose Day next week! Still have her skirt to alter as well. Which I had planned to do yesterday but I didn't get home between taking the boys to school and teatime!

Sigrid has given up snacking after dinner for Lent unless it's fruit or veg, and I have given up wine (shocker, I know) so last night we had two great big dishes of veg and fruit and some dips. The Moroccan spiced hummus was a hit and I made a yoghurt and also a choccy dip for the fruit! Boys have some of it for their lunch today too, so it's all good!

Sadly, Sigrid will be missing out on this year's Bead Retreat, as her hernia op is three days before it... how typically bummerish is that? Still, as there are four of us signed up for it, I'll still be doing chauffeur duties ;)

OTTBS are doing a birthday giveaway-, I've been nosing at it for a few months now, but only recently took part in the Monthly Moodboard Challenge, but take a hop over and get yer name down! And take part if you feel like it, it's all great fun and just nice to have an outlet for that ever growing stash! ;)

arglefloff

2011-03-08T21:33:00.000Z

oh it's been a fab day ... not!

Started last night! Stuart got a less than glowing report from his teacher on his parents' evening. All over homework! He's been doing his homework but not handing it in, and mentioned of late he kept 'losing' it. I bought a fancy folder for him and as we do the homework together, I know it's being done - I have no idea why he's too scared to hand it in!

Today it has been a lack of potty use from Piper (obstinate refusal, not like her) and Taede having to nip to the local DVLA office in Edinburgh, to get a British licence. Which cost us fifty quid instead of twenty. But didn't explain why my card wouldn't work at the checkout in Asda. That'd be the bank, paying out a few fraudulent payments on our account! Nothing over 20 quid, but none of them made by either of us! Eek! Luckily RBS is fairly on the ball, and the money will be reimbursed by their legal department pending investigation outcome. I was on the phone to Virgin about my mobile that's buggered, and using another one with the sim card when the battery ran out! The fact it's Fat Tuesday the boys wanted pancakes and so pancakes it was. Taede enjoyed them the good ole British way with fresh lemon and sugar. Boys and syrup never go far wrong! And I was supposed to meet with a friend from work tonight. And running ever so late! So we've rearranged for tomorrow night, even though its rugby night and we've set in motion that Stuart's homework will be completed whilst Ewan's away!

I've finished a tubular peyote bracelet, which is the first time I've done that, only to find I should have used brick stitch! And here was me worrying that I'd feck it up by it not making it long enough! Ah well, at least I have some thing nice to embellish ...or hack up, I'm undecided!

Least my lappy loves me *strokes it gently*

So much

2011-03-08T12:58:00.000Z

to do, and so little time!

I'm back on my own laptop now, and feeling comfortable again, though my fingers still weren't used to Taede's continental keyboard, now they're still hitting the wrong keys here!

Right, Stylish Blogger awards

Thanks ladies, it's nice to know I'm putting a smile on people's faces!

For whatever reason!

I've already linked back to Nic at Smitten Kitten, and now must direct you to Donna 'Delicate Sparkles' Sanders!

Seven random things about me. This is a fairly new blog, so I'm sure there are things that some of you know and that some of you don't

... I lived in Canada for a short while, just on the 'burbs of Toronto.
... I used to dj on a radio station on internetland

... when I was small my favourite sweetie was rhubarb rock. This was primarily because my favourite snack at home was a stalk of rhubarb and a poke of sugar!
... Piper is the spitting image of me when I was her age (poor wee scone!)
... I'm happy with my lot
... I'm an only child
... I dropped out of Art School

Blogs I follow ... er, well, I'm a sneaky bugger and don't 'follow' blogs, instead I have them bookmarked in my favourites and dip in and out from time to time.

DJ Adam
I've followed this chap for a long time, and consider him quite something. Not quite sure what though! He's the most egotistical human I know, but blow me if he hasn't overcome the most badly dealt hand and come out of it not only smelling of roses but the most amazingly well adjusted narcissist I know! But for Pete's sake don't tell him! ;)

OTTBS
For an injection of reality and beautiful inspiration in your daily beading life, this blog is shaping up to be a must-see place to be! The monthly colour challenge alone is worth a watch, and joining in is simple! I love the fact I'm being inspired again by things that have lurked in my stash as well as the serious styling that these beaders have!

Oodles
Of Obliciousness that is. Lisa's blog is varied, creative and a great peek into life. What's more she's a local lass!

Delicate Sparkles
Donna Sanders writes about life and beadyness, and soon we'll all get to meet thanks to her organising a beading retreat in Derbyshire later on in the year for fellow like minded bead nuts!

Laney Mead
creates the most beautifully diverse lampworked beads I've had the pleasure to view, and she's fun!

Sooz
in the Shed, runs a great little bead enterprise, as well as a forum where beady botherers can get together and feel somewhat normal about their addiction as well as crafting her way out a paper poke!

(do you see a pattern emerging here?)

Smitten Kitten
Nicola does inspirational things with normal components creating fun, kitsch and innovative jewellery as well as naughty things with cupcakes that's just droolworthy!

(okay, this one is a little different, and may not be to your taste)

ErosBlog
The sex blog, says it all really, a conundrum of photos, art and written erotica, as well as insightful discussions and humorous opinions on all aspects of sex and porn.

Ribbonry and other whimsicle fluffery
This is just eye candy for me, I couldn't begin to do this sort of thing at all, but the colours are lovely

No Pants
I'm thinking of challenging myself for this in the summer, mostly because I think I could whip up some nice summery numbers without too much tailoring and get away with it! And also, because I think I may unleash my tree trunks without too much comment then! I ear breeks far to much! :D

Seedy Beader
I know Aster through Bead Buddies, and it's great to see she's started a blog, and with her expecting, I'm looking forward to seeds and more from this talented chickadee!

Crikey Aphrodite
Not really the most bloggy of blogs, but a damn fine excuse to go browse through the rest of the site and all that corset eye candy!

Cake Wrecks
I love this blog, it makes me feel better about my baking disasters, although still slightly horrified people charge for this!

LittleTreats
has more than just little treats in store, but lots of huge ones!

Ruthie's Ramblings
Another beader's blog with insight into what drives this talented miss, and an eye for the exotic!

Soozs
Another Sooz, equally as talented and antipodean, I stumbled into this blog recently after looking for some bag patterns, it does annoy me slightly that what once was free, is now charged for, but everyone is entitled to make a living at what they enjoy :)

Phew! That was tough, and now I have to comment to them that I'm loving their blogs? Sheesh, you don't ask much do you Stylish Blogger Awards?! I will get to it, I promise....

In the mean time I must off and scrub the tippex from my child's nails....she found a bottle of it whilst at her Grandparents' house yesterday with her Daddy - who was installing the pc he'd rebuilt for my parents. He thought she was downstairs with said Granny and Grandpa and they thought she was upstairs with her Daddy. In point of fact she'd sneaked into Dad's office and found a bottle of white correction fluid, and as it looked just like a bottle of nail varnish, she just had to paint her fingernails along with a matching set of piggies....going to have to get her to paint mine! ;)

Moody

2011-03-04T09:12:00.000Z

Last night Taede, in his infinite wisdom, decided to start repairing the busted fan on my old laptop! Just when I was winding down I got all wound up so off I bumbled up the stairs (ok, I stomped, but I'm not proud of it!) and after seeing Jane Lock's ring the other night at Bead and Banter decided to whip up a variation.

I don't often work with size 8's but this zipped up quickly, and looked as mean as my mood! It's a tad snug though, as I made the peyote strip big enough to fit the intended finger (yes, THAT one) and after the simple embellishment, it had tightened up considerably!

But, the project I am working on is so lovely and girly, I just couldn't face making that whilst in a strop! For once the thread didn't knot every time, and I judged enough for the job in hand....something that never happens when I'm not really in the mood!

I used to be in awe of Sigrid having many projects on the go but I'm beginning to see where it comes in handy :oD

more monthlies!

2011-03-03T12:14:00.000Z

I had started with a bead mat full of sumptious sparklies yesterday and have made one side of a clasp (don't roll your eyes!) and started a rivoli flower. I liked my flower so much I decided to turn it in to a ring that is to compliment the idea I have in my head for a cuff style bracelet. So I've completed the ring, and now have the RAW(r) base for my cuff and have started the embellishment. It's going to be a while before it's ready for photo taking, but I have taken a picture of the ring. It's on a band of even count peyote and the flower beads are from a bead soup mix I bought yonks ago, and I only had a scant amount left. Which is a pity as I can't make another rivoli the same ...

I'm feeling a bit crappy today though, I was stuck in a cold rugby field for longer than I'd anticipated last night with just a T-shirt and a pair of joggers, thinking I was going to make it to the gym. When I got home, after a day from Heck (I'm the dolt that went in to the supermarket where I work, bought thirty quids worth of groceries and then discovered despite having the purse and the handbag, I had no blinking bank card! So instead of the fast early dinner, it was a rushed affair after having to weave my way back up to the house and back down to the store through rush hour traffic!), I couldn't face turning up late to the gym and the adrenalin that held me up just ebbed and I felt like a washed out rag. In hindsight I think I should have jumped into the bath and tarted up the heat but I didn't and am suffering today.

Oh well, live and learn. Might make some scones soon, after having a bath now, most probably with Piper!

Time of the Month

2011-03-02T13:15:00.002Z

when all the colour/moodboard challenges change over. So Over on Bead Buddies, they (and I) have been quick off the mark! There's an alphabetical theme to the colour choices, and this month the colours are Carrot, Charcoal and Chrome.

I have some super dentelles in my stash after being tempted by them on The Bead Shop Scotland's site. I bought Hyacinth, why, I will never know, but I dug them and all my other coordinating beads out and left a miasma of packets on my bead table. I didn't appreciate how marvellous these swaros actually are until I had squeezed one from the packet. Such a depth of brilliance, pity they need to be beaded

So, in the afternoon while waiting on a call from the other half I knocked out a little cheeky earring. Sadly despite much trying, a visit to Bead and Banter at the Stockbridge venue of the aforementioned bead store, where the muse still escaped me I was unable to recreate a partner. It was even suggested I take two separate photos of the same earring and 'shop them! I was sorely tempted and inhibited only by the fact the lappy is still out of commission whilst awaiting a new fan to be installed.

So this morning, after snipping the damn thing apart about five times yesterday, Piper demanded Toy Story 2 and whilst Woody and the gang thwarted chicken suited villainy, I knocked out another earring. Funny, it was playing yesterday as well. It turns out that my muse is Pixar created, or at least, sated by Pixar's creations!

These are the offending earrings - with Miyuki delicas, in some sort of AB coated orange and a matt yet AB coated dark grey, hiacynth dentelles (11mm) and new wild heart shape charm in black diamond both by swarovski with size 15s silver lined clear seeds and sterling silver earwires. I'd be more specific, but it is one of my pet hates that the bead shop don't list the code numbers or colours on their packaging!

I'm due to go to the gym tonight with Sigrid and her friend Julie, and have managed to get an mp3 player set up and working. Now if it was just as easy to do the same with my body! Sigrid suggested that we do Friday night as well, but just prior to work is not a fun option, and I couldn't articulate why doing it prior to working a nightshift was so much more of a horrifying prospect than doing it after work (which is what she does). I think it's the fact that I am jiggered (it's a word, honest) after a 9 hour shift working hard in a physically demanding role without having slogged my guts out on the aerobic machines before. That and Friday evening is the only time I seem to spend with the bubs before Sunday as I'm asleep during Saturday and they are away to their Dad's on a Saturday evening, with Sunday being a time of reuniting at rugby. So, yeah, I think I'll be missing out a trip to the pain chamber before the hellhole

Now all I have to do is link up with all the other places that I frequent and see what they have on the boil as far as colours and themes are concerned. I hope one of them has lime, I bought lime stuff last night!

Thanks go to Nic for her Stylish Blogger Award!

Catcha on the flipside whilst I work out what I'm going to wear and my acceptance speech, er blogpost!

Upcycle?

2011-02-23T10:24:00.001Z

I'm not fond of that phrase, but recycle sounds so .... close to rubbish!

I do recycle though, I separate and clean our different waste and we clear out clothing on a regular basis, for the children at least (once a year is regular, right? ;) ) But what do you do with the items that are too roughed up to give to charity? And blue bag clothing drive at school has already passed for the year?

Well, now I'm able to create some sewing stuff. So that's putting things to good use. Although if the makers of Toy Story and Robots are to believed, recycling isn't what it's cracked up to be! Two of the littlest's favourite movies, along with Monsters Inc and Nemo ... though I'm not sure she agrees with all the characters' names. Woody is Buddy in our house!

Anyway, enough digressing! I give you a pair of perfectly presentable jeans that once adorned the bod of my eldest, Ewan. Not a broken jasp on them anywhere else other than the knees! These were beautifully soft, casual but 'kept for good' jeans from La Redoute, and after a particularly energetic disco at school, came home without any knees! What is it with boys and an open smooth floorspace that sends them to run around like beserkers and end sliding on their knees like some sort of star football player after another goal scored?!

I took them apart and decided a door draught excluder was a way of making something that wasn't particularly complicated yet functional. Then I thought, add a handle so it can be hung out of the way when not in use!. The length was a little tight, so I had to add a gussett at either end, and even after all that I thought some hearty shaped decoration would make it more homely in appearance, so what started with a simple tube, became more complicated very quickly! For some reason my machine has stopped winding on bobbins (argh!) and half way through the final seam to sew, a needle broke! I took this as divine provedence and stopped there, stuffed it and finished it by hand. My hand finishing is becoming better as well, though I am still very self critical. I'm learning to trust a single ladder stitch rather than going over in the opposite direction and making it ugly. I also hand sewed on the patches. After stuffing. Which I would definitely do again! It was quite easy, if a little cumbersome to do, but it meant there was no 'pooks' in the fabric after stuffing! *happy*

Next time I'd just chop the jeans in half and seam them. I thought I'd be doing grand to get rid of the torn pieces, but realise now I could have just patched over them! Durrr! I've got a few platypus to get on with now, and I'm going to try my hand at a dinosaur with an adapted pattern. A skirt to take in and a bag to make ... a nice number of projects to keep things ticking over.

2011-02-21T10:37:00.001Z

Piper is in her element ... she's playing hostess to all her brothers' friends and enjoying the attention! Cameron has been particularly good with her, so gold stars to him :)

I've spent the morning clearing up whilst the boys game and Piper flits between them all... I'm amazed at how few of them eat breakfast, though I suppose the distraction of the Xbox360 and PS3 aren't helping. I figure there's no point in forcing them, after all you can lead a horse to water.....eh? ;)

I'm also making my first cupcakes from the hummingbird bakery book ... Isn't it fab when you've started a recipe then realised you are missing a vital ingredient, with no hope of getting out to buy it? ''Use what you've got and you'll not want,'' was a phrase that was heavily used in our house, so a tub of cream and some lemon juice later and voila, buttermilk :D Jiggery pokery aside, this recipe is much more frugal on eggs than the one I am used to, and the mixture was much thicker than my normal result as well but yielded 18 good sized cakes and would have stretched to 20 had I been willing to rake out another six hole tray! The mixture also resembled something out a horror flick, the 20mls (almost a full bottle) of red colouring created a rather evisceral looking mess in the midst of my kitsch old Kenwood! I should have taken a photo....it certainly impressed the boys! Now the cupcakes are out and cooling, they've risen in a very pleasing gentle dome and had I overfilled the cases, I'd have had a very successful muffin shape! I've never before managed to have that rise and fill without a lot of spill!

I shall do a photo post later to show the final results!

I shall also be going to bed early tonight, as I think my eyes look as if they are about to disappear under the luggage that they're carrying ;)

Sleepless in Falkirk

2011-02-20T13:53:00.001Z

Gah! I feel worse today having gone to bed early and not slept for a huge chunk of the night tossing and turning worrying about finances....

As you do...

So up and at 'em early to get cupcakes made today, Iron Brew ones for the boys' sleepover and Malibu ones for my Mum's GabFest function today. She's having the neighbours in for drinks and nibbles and had wanted to make the Guinness Cupcakes but ran out of steam. I figured if I made a double batch of vanilla cupcakes I could doctor one batch to have a sophisticated yet still cheeky and casual look for her shindig. I substituted some creamed coconut in the vanilla mix instead of milk and the marshmallow icing was made with a measure of malibu. It wasn't til I iced them that I realised a wee spot of jam in each cupcake would have been a fun addition, as the company are all of an age that teacakes and snowballs are fondly remembered and possibly (certainly in my Father's case) revered.

I am supposed to be going to the gym with Sigrid later, but money is too tight to mention, and I've done a power of housework so, I figure I should be financially savvy and not get any further overdrawn! Thankfully Steve (boys' Dad) has offered to get in provisions and pizza for the sleepover, so that's a relief....only three more days til money lands again...I wish the people who took direct debits off the account would stick to the same date and not an approximation of 'sometime within the same week'!

Ewan has reported that his side won two and lost one of their games as they were playing away to GHA in Giffnock. That's the first game I've not been to watch since the season started and I feel terribly guilty ... but I did have stuff to organise for his mates coming round and I think he's had a fun time with just his Dad :)

Tomorrow I shall make more cuppycakes, but try one of the recipes from my beautiful Hummingbird Bakery book that Nicola sent me :) They certainly use less eggs than the recipe I currently tweak ... I may even make a proper cake, if I can locate the tins!

Meet

2011-02-18T19:24:00.001Z

Montgomery,

my first door stop project and first sewing project without a pattern. Ok not first sewing project without a pattern but certainly the one of which I'm most proud!

I was full of thoughts to run a couple of darted channels in the front and rear, but eventually decided I can do simple well and complicated less so. He's free hand drawn, folded, then pinned to cut out two identical shapes, he has lightweight fusible interfacing and then stuffed with toy stuffing and ABS plastic granules for ballast. The beautiful heart button is ceramic and made by his recipient Tan Grey ... I'm happy to say she got the Star Trek reference as well as a happy feeling when she saw him :D She's also the new caretaker of Elvis so it's great to have put a smile on someone's face today :D

Sakura

2011-02-17T15:58:00.000Z

Hito kioshi hitoboshi koro wo sakura chiru

"Yearning fills my heart

When the candles are lit;

Cherry blossom fall."

-Shirao

It's finally finished, my eggy oddessy into the beady unknown :)

I have thoroughly enjoyed this (with moments of frustration) and have learned how to bead around things (and what not to do ;) ) and how to form petal shapes

Piper has a lovely new egg to replace her plastic one, and seems well chuffed with it! :)

The idea was to have the blossom beginning to blow away in the fresh spring wind, as cherry blossom is symbolic of youth and beauty, reminding us both are fleeting and that life is too short.

Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T13:27:00.000Z

the most romantic day of the year, for some, and just another day for others!

We're the latter in this house, not that we're not romantic in our own way, but on our own terms, not this 'holiday'

Anyway, been a long day yesterday filled with work, little sleep, cold fields of rugby ness, tidying and a smidgeon of beading, and some pattern cutting.

Beading has been a bit lax lately, I'm entering a piece in a challenge set by a fellow forumite at Bead Buddies, which has the theme chooks, eggs and Easter. I decided I wanted to make an embellished egg, a la Fabergé, but having never beaded round much more than a largeish cab or rivoli at most, it is taking much longer than I anticipated. Piper is not impressed at the temporary loss of her white plastic toy egg either...

I have made a cod of the bottom end, but hope I have learned so that the top looks passably more interesting. A big thank you must go to Aster Sadler for her inspiration tutorial in the latest Beads & Beyond Magazine. I have an inkling that I want to make little cherry blossoms from a bugle branch embellishment on the egg's surface. Being a lover of Japanese art and culture, I think that would be quite a fitting tribute to spring. Of course now that Terry Pratchett has informed us that his latest book, Snuff, which will feature the fabulous Vimesy will be released in October, I can hardly contain myself until the dawn of winter again! Must get Captain Jack over with first before I can swoon into the arms of another fictional character :D

Mum bought me flowers today, given that I've been a bit poorly of late, and the drugs didn't work! She's a fine one to talk, but the flowers are beautiful. So yes, a romantic VD (whoever thought of that had to have been having a laugh!) but from my good ole maw than the other half!

Competition

2011-02-09T16:41:00.000Z

It's been brought to my attention in a roundabout way, that there is no official collective noun for platypus. In the wild they are solitary animals, and so there has been no need . . .until now! I need a collective noun for my platypus, and with your help I'd like to find one, that has preferably not been used for anything else...

Of course, feel free to comment on your favourites! (I am partial to a murder of crows!)

So a ......... of platypus?

The prize eh? Well I think it has to be a platypus, custom created of course, as either a baby or toddler safe soft toy, microwavable hottie or decorative toy for older children!

Just add your ideas to the comment box below, with a contact (email or whatever you prefer) and how you found me. In accordance with facebook rules all competitions must be ran externally but you are more than welcome to use your id there if it helps.

Winner will be picked at random after the closing date of 28th February 2011 and notified within 24hours! Have fun and go wild!

Meet Elvis

2011-02-08T15:25:00.000Z

the latest member of the platypus family. With a trade mark sneering lip and a fetching skin tight white floral jumpsuit, Elvis is ready to grace the land again!

This particular platypus is all ready to get fired up in the microwave or be chilled out in the freezer to help you deal with any day to day aches and pains. What music you play to help this along is entirely up to you!

Gack!

2011-02-07T17:25:00.000Z

I has the cold! I knew working with someone who kept sneezing and couldn't cover her mouth on account of holding boxes of wine bottles or beer cans was going to lead to this!

Piper was sleepy so I thought a nap may happen, but it didn't. So I decided to be productive instead. I've fancied this pattern for a while but never got around to enlarging the image. After wrestling with the printer I finally got it, and then hacked up an old top of Piper's to make it. She's outgrown the fleece, and always liked it, but it was a bit tatty to give to a charity shop on account of her having fallen heir to it from a girl at work!

So armed with a fantastic tutorial Sigrid steered me toward on the net, I gave it a bash. Having learned from my sesh on the sewing machine yesterday I took things slowly, and carefully.

Piper is very happy with her new toy, who we've named Parma (as in violets) the funky little 'tattoo' heart is from Maggie (Pinkowl) on Bead Buddies, and was in a bargain mixed bag. It just matched perfectly and Piper likes her tattoo'd pet!

She also likes posing for the photographs and tries to steal the camera if we let her. Mostly because she wants to see what we've just taken!

busy sewing bee

2011-02-06T20:21:00.000Z

I've had a busy working weekend with more numpties per square inch than even I could shake a stick at!

I've gotten out the sewing machine today and tackled the pattern I had in mind for making a doorstop for Tan Grey. It's not meant as a doorstop, but I think it will look cute nonetheless. I finally got some replacement fabric on Saturday while I slept (benefit of having a postie as a hubby :) ) as the last lot went missing in the Great Snow Bound Mail Snafu of Twenty Ten! I do have another plan in mind, but I'd have to do the pattern myself and it being a new machine I wasn't very confident - there was a lot of swearing involved with the making of the tunica!

I felt, if not in sewing nirvana, at least a sense of oneness with my machine (is it weird to like the smell of machine oil?!) and once I had started I didn't stop! I will update with the pattern when I've completed the task and sent it on its merry way. Obviously I want Tan to be first to see it, but I have stuck in a sneaky preview teaser shot! :D

So instead of having just cut out the pattern, I'm at the 'fill with ballast' stage, but waiting on the exhubby who has a source of good quality plastic pellets which will allow for machine washing! :D Enjoy your Sunday evening and the week ahead ... I'm sure I'll have more to throw at you ;D x

2011-02-04T15:33:00.000Z

Well, having started the year off well competitions wise I decided that entering these challenges stretch my mojo a little and give me inspirations, so armed with this new found enthusiasm, and laissez-faire attitude I enterd the Bead Buddies Monthly Colour Challenge with this piece.

I believe that everyone who enters a piece goes into a hat and the winner is drawn at random, and this month I was that lucky girl!

I was going to do a simple stringing piece for February as the colours didn't appeal to me as much (amazing that, as I have so many that match it in my stash which I didn't discover until after I set about it) anyway, the simple stringing gave way to a beaded bail which in turn led me to beaded beads (Nod to Nicola for the great tute she has over at Beaders Online)

On Tuesday at Bead and Banter, Sigrid and I picked up Mary and we went into town, town in this case being Embra. It sounds like we painted it red, but that's a mild exaggeration it was more a dusky pink, pink at least....possibly oyster ;) I blew my budget on those pesky delicas. Ok I bought swaros as well but they are so gorgeous and evocative of a time gone by :) I have a plan on what I want to make with them but it's not translating well onto the finished piece. I did get my chainmaille piece finished, and Sigrid had a practice version of her piece on the go, instructions are all very well but sometimes I believe people think we can read their minds too!

The colours I had bought were a very faded elegant version of turquoise and brown, which happens to be the colours at Operation: Tackle that Bead Stash for February. But I'm going to make a mess o' things if I rush what I see in my mind's eye.. Already I've started a cuff and abandoned it for OTTBS, and a necklace (which is what I have in mind for these lush swaros)but have ended up doing a brooch (again!) for my Mum, with a delicious Scarab bead crafted in Polymer clay, by the extremely talented Caroline Harvey . Mum loves all things egypt, and I had originally planned to turn this little fella into a necklace, but it was bigger than I thought and though Mum would appreciate a statement piece I don't think she would wear it. I then thought of making a cuff around the chap, but again gave in at the thought of him being swamped by embellishments. A brooch seemed the way to go, and I thought I'd go for something evocative of the era in which Carter discovered Tut's tomb. A quick google later and I had a vision, all I had to do was translate this to beads and within my ability. This is the first time I've glued a bead to a backing and I'm not sure what I'm doing but I think it's turned out all right :D though I can't get it to photograph particularly well ... it looks much better in the flesh, with my rose tinted specs on :D

I just want to thank Nicola for her beautiful gift, and rest assured the cupcakes will be baked and photographed on the plate, possibly with my charity shop find teacups in the background!

Looking forward to the Bead Retreat in May, and the Tiara Walk for Strathcarron Hospice. Sigrid and I have signed up for more torture.... just a cheeky wee ten miles this time! ;)

Monday again ...

2011-01-31T12:41:00.000Z

comes round all too quick!

Yesterday was rugby day but it was so very cold, and with only three hours sleep I was uberchilled! Lord knows how the kids felt. It was so cold that I sent himself, Piper and Stuart back home with Granny and Grandpa because I don't think it would have done them any good to get frosted at the edge of the lower fields!

Ewan's team lost two games and drew one, the matches seemed fairly even though. Last match had an opposition coach booing when our team scored their first try. Luckily I was at the opposite side of the park or I'd have said something I regretted. If I'd had anything to do with our team I'd have hauled the kids off the pitch and told them they could forget about playing, the lads are only 10 or under, and ours are encouraged to be very gracious and sporting regardless of whether they win or lose.

Ewan didn't seem as disheartened as I thought he would, nor was he in the thick of the action this weekend, his idea of running was definitely a quick stroll, and even that had to be encouraged (ok, I yelled at him but it's encouragement, of a sort....!)

A hot shower and a game of charades at Gran's later and he was all happy. He came down just after half past nine last night to get a water refill and to give me a hug, to say thank you for sticking with him through the cold afternoon. How could I not eh? :D My lovely wee man :D

I have also started work on a new chain maille project, having taken delivery a couple of weeks back of some stainless steel rings, I figured it was time I tried using them.

I'm not well versed in chainmaille but as it was a friend at work's birthday on Friday I thought I'd make her a charm bracelet with a swarovski heart on it for a surprise gift. JoJo has crazy psoriasis and can't wear just any metals so I hoped stainless steel would be okay. She was delighted with it and wore it the rest of the night, so hopefully no ill effects. I made a copy with a shamrock swaro charm which I managed to photograph(above).

Playing with the rings led me to try something a little more complicated so I've started this, again as a gift for a friend in NornIron. It's late, should have tackled it last year, but I wanted to have the skills to do the project justice, so I hope Mark can forgive me! If anyone can tell me what weave it is I'd be grateful, as it was a quick and dirty wee tutorial in Make Jewellery mag last month. Didn't give ring sizes or name to it, and I just thought I'd give it a try in my rings and it worked nicely ... though I may have to invest in proper chain nose pliers *eyeroll*

Hope you have a lovely week ... I'm working tonight, but looking forward to Bead and Banter tomorrow :D

post 'n' run

2011-01-28T14:55:00.000Z

How could I not post that one? :D

Sadly I'm working tonight, so this is a post and run prior to my nap!

I've been busy making cupcakes for Sigrid today, for her girls to take to Brownies so how could I create anything other than chocolate brownie cupcakes? With supersweet frosting! Just what the bubs need before bedtime eh? ;)

I also made some vanilla cupcakes with Scottish Tablet frosting - which was a pure accident but a happy one! Colin, our vehicular fairy godfather will be getting some too, as will my buds at work!

So, yes, Friday, I'm in love ....hope it's good where you are too

Thursday

2011-01-27T09:29:00.001Z

Yes, tis the Day of Thor, and what better way to kick start one's day than with some Rock from the Eastern Bloc? (how fecking cheesy was that eh? Gorgonzola anyone? :D )

I happen to feel extremely hungover today, which is something considering I had a white wine with soda last night... cheap date non?

I had a blast with Sigrid at the Wheelhouse, though the food was .... expensive, and rather flat ... reading the menu was very tasty. I still don't know why a salad can't come naked and you dress it yourself! :)

ANYway, today will be prototype cupcakeyness...got an order for tomorrow night ;)

Wednesday

2011-01-26T11:01:00.000Z

I promise I'm not going to make a habit of this musical interlude stuff, but I figured it was as good a reason as any to include the band Slut! Not that there's any connection, oh no, not me ;)

Well, this is still technically last night, as I decided to make a start on another beaded star now that I know where I went wrong.

And even though I became momentarily distracted by Bruce Willis (what the eff is wrong with me?!) in Cop Out, I finished the second star. Much happier, but Taede, bless his cotton socks, commented he thought they'd make a great pair of earrings. Git. So before bed (at 11pee emm!) I started the first panel of a third star.

Thankfully this morning Piper was a sleepy girl quite happily lying on in bed (how come she never does this at the weekends when we could do with it?!) So by half past ten I had a pair of earrings and a hungry bubba. Coffee and toast later and she's being a dinosaur, with a gun, terrorising the dog. As one does.

Poor pooch.

We're off out to mum's today, possibly even in the new oldsmobile. I had to laugh the other day when they brought the car up for admiration purposes and mum couldn't work out why she couldn't get the key (USB STICK!) out the ignition slot. Would have helped if you put it in park maw! :) Still, I'll be old myself one day, I just have more kids to spread the senility around ;)

theme

2011-01-25T13:45:00.000Z

As it is Tuesday, no other song in my head could be more appropriate. Well Perhaps Paint it Black, but that's depressing.

Today's botch job is a Jean Power 3D star. I think I fecked it up in the first panel which meant zipping it up went horribly wrong ... however, by panels 4 & 5 I was confident it looked right (instead of unsure) and so I think the next one I tackle might turn out a sh....edload better...

This is the second attempt I've made at Operation Tackle That Bead Stash

The first was going to be a beautiful RAW(r) *winks at Laney* cuff that faded through four shades of purple swarovskis but it just looked like a p.o.s. I even attempted to turn it into an earring but it still looked sh*t. :D

This one is rejected on two grounds (possibly three)
1. It's not perfect
2. The gold doesn't look Gold-y enough
3. I've ran out of purple delicas so can't make a neighbour for an earring.

And let's face it, Operation:Beadstash just isn't cutting it if I have to order in more beads! :D

So, back to the drawing board...perhaps inspiration will hit me like a truck soon

In other news .... It's Rabbie Burns' Night .... or will be when darkness falls, currently it's just his day, but it's less atmospheric so let's gloss over that m'k?

In honour of the philandering ba....rd, how about this wee ditty from the Merry Muses

Wad ye dae That?

Gudewife, when your gudeman’s frae hame,
Micht I but be sae bauld,
As come to your bed-chaumer,
When winter nichts are cauld;
As come to your bed-chaumer,
When nichts are cauld an wat,
An lie in your gudeman’s steed, Wad ye dae that?
Young man, an ye should be sae kind,
When oor gudeman’s frae hame,
As come to my bed-chaumer,
Where I am laid my lane;
An lie in oor gudeman’s steed,
I will tell you what,
He fucks me five times ilka nicht, Wad ye dae that?

And you thought he was all...My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose.... eh? ;)

No wonder he's worshipped wi' the banter!

As testament to the old rake, I'm having pasta for tea! Though I do have shortbread

Monday, Monday ...

2011-01-24T21:57:00.000Z

Yeah, Okay, I'm feeling a bit Mamma Cass at the moment, but the day of the week is the only reason I chose this song, and I'm feeling a tad mellow today. In the face of everything!

Today, I didn't get a lie in, though I did expect one, as it is also Taede's day off and a Monday is a tough one as I never sleep well after the couple of night shifts.

I also had the added spice of Stuart telling me before bed that he has a project due tomorrow. And he needs a model with moving parts for his Wars of Independence topic at school. Last year, we made a wooden framed mangonel for Ewan, and for a torsion based projectile firing weapon, it worked really well ... I can't recall if we took photos, which is a shame as it was goosed by 32 happy kids firing marshmallows around the classroom. Ewan was bitterly disappointed that his teacher wouldn't let them light the marshmallws...Imagine that eh? :D

So, this morning, after I went back to bed to try and avoid the day, I found myself with a cunning plan. I make cupcakes, and the boxes I use for transportation have the holders and the holders pop out perfect little discs that would be ideal for wheels. And mum gave me a great cardboard box that was just not the right size for cupcakedness.

The drawing out of a paper template and then a honking great stanley blade later and I was ready to assemble, but I'm fairly sure there wasn't gaffer tape back in the 1300's although I think William Wallace did take out the patent on it....no? :)

Assembly was a whizz and Stuart seems really pleased with the result and now wants me to build a castle so he can lay siege to it!

Sigrid's little bug has the Romans as a topic, and needed a tunic made (for a slave, which can be cream or brown.. I'm told) so she asked if I would help out and I was happy to jump at the chance to use the new machine (yeah, I'm going all out for authenticity eh? :) ) so I raked out some cream material whipped up a funky little tunica that will be several shades too big I think, though Stuart is a slight wee beggar. I'm hoping that she can stick a belt on it, as it will do a few dress up days in the future (and last Ailidh into her teens I think!)

Mum and Dad came round to show off their new car, we passed each other a few times on the road up from school though eventually they got here and mum brought me a new pair of shoes we'd ordered from Hotter....they are fab, very old fartesque but fab for work, not that I'm itching to get to work yet ;)

Now I'm sat watching the pilot of No Ordinary Family.... chinchin!

New Stuff

2011-01-18T19:08:00.000Z

I've been beading today again. I decided to make a ring for the first time, following on from a peyote based bracelet I finished yesterday. I got my eyes in the post today and just had to jump to it! Piper enjoyed an afternoon of being placated by plastic beads, and jelly diamonds (I hear her rattling something and thought it was beads, turns out she raided the cupcake decorations instead, oops! Bad Mummy! :o/)

Inspired by a project in the Laura McCabe's Embellished Beadweaving, this is my homage....

Oh I Do Like To See Beside The Seaside

It was fun to do, and I think my peyote is much improved! Not that you can see from the photo particularly, but I'm much happier. Fancy some sculptural stuff, and another eye project to do. They certainly weren't what I expected though....but by gum they looooook so groovy in an unsettling way (I try to think Monsters Inc when I see them, and was so very tempted to make the ring in Sully colours as a result! I might yet :) )

Glam Camo

2011-01-17T19:08:00.001Z

I've had this planned to be a cha cha style bracelet, but after a catalogue of what felt like disasters I decided that less is more! It has turned out rather like an example from Carol Hubert-Cypher's Mastering Beadwork book, but it was unintentional I assure you, subliminally I think it called to me though....

I also attempted to make something with Vickie from Beads4Breakfast's lampies, but it didn't work out as planned neither, well it did, but the picture doesn't do it or the beads justice. It does, however, show how well the light pools and flows from these babies! :)

So, that was my Blue Monday ... not sad blue, but more the air being blue!

finished!

2011-01-16T23:40:00.000Z

I put a brooch back on the ...er, well, brooch actually! (didnae take a photie as it's just looking the same! :) though as an update I did manage another RAW pearl bracelet!)

And I finished the necklace commission! Well, it is Valentine's next month and whilst I don't buy into it much, I have nothing against those who do! :)

I'm hoping Taede's Dad's girlfriend likes it (and his Dad, as he paid for it - though well mate's rate!)

This pattern is freely available on the web here what you do with it after is your own business. I'm planning to use it with some embellishment a la Laura McCabe et al :D

working

2011-01-15T21:11:00.000Z

both on new jewellery pieces and at Asda again. Tonight is the colleague night out (except it was cancelled) but some of the colleagues are still using the night off and going out for drinkypoos. Wish it were me. Though earning money is good.

I bought Laura McCabe's Embelished Beadweaving from Amazon which was a fab price and pointed out by Carrie on Bead Buddies. I am inspired by it, and whilst it looks intricate the step by step instructions and diagrams are explicit enough for even me to be able to follow. So, think I shall have to do a magnum opus as I'm fuelled with ideas and want to feed my creative monster! Want to use it as inspiration though, as opposed to recreate a particular piece! And hopefully I shall learn patience amongst other things, but I must clear my plate of greens first. I have half a clasp to add to Taede's father's necklace and it's done! Hurrah!

Lurgy

2011-01-12T21:56:00.000Z

Don't know what's up with me, a tightness in my chest, and a cold spot in between my lower shoulder blades along with a nasty narcoleptic tendency suggests it's all gone a bit Pete Tong.

A few days in bed have helped and luckily the other half was on hand to take care of Piper and/or the house.

Glad to be up and haveclothes on today, albeit slouchy style, but better than jim jams!

I have even cooked dinner (three different versions) and given myself the gippy tum, as the dish I prepared is a very luxuriant rich feast that always has me sitting on the throne for a while ....tmi? oops!

I have a commission of beadyness to work on for Taede's Pop, so as a way of putting off that evil hour, I've whiled away some time I've had with this folly - though it's going to be a brooch for Mum.

I have also had the pleasure of being inspired by a piece another forumite beadalicious person had created after stumbling on a tutorial on youtube. I am currently working on another in a different colourway :)

And have looked out more of stash goodies to create a couple further. As well as found my heart charms so another couple of pearl bracelets will be in order shortly. As well as this damn commission :) I shall try to get involved with as many challenges and competitions this year as possible, although I've been very lucky so far, having won the Winter themed competition on Beaders Online :oD

We were at Mum's today returning their car which has been a Godsend, if not just boon to us in the past month or so. They're likely trading it in against a new (to them) Merc A Class. Dad has trouble with his knees, predominantly his left one so they've opted for an automatic. And as they're due some money back after some hokum company trying to rip them off for solar heating panels hopefully they'll have fun in the new voiture. They're also going to be getting some money from Cunard after spending almost their entire cruise confined to quarters after contracting the Norovirus onboard ship. Cunard are blaming it on a passenger having carried it on board, but it's particularly suspicious to hear that within a fortnight of their return to Southampton the Queen Mary has also had a modest outbreak of the same bug!

Ewan had an awesome homework assignment today. His math homework is angles ...he loves it, as do I, and I enjoy the fact he's beginning to link how math and all that palaver relates to the outside world, something I don't think I did til I was an adult! The other assignment he had was find as many words you can make with the letters in the word 'alliteration'. We sat around the table and came up with thirty or so at first, then Ewan said he wanted more than a girl in class who had worked with her family and come up with 53. We decided to quit after 103 ... some were Proper Nouns though, and he wasn't sure if they'd be acceptable. so we gave ourselves a small cushion just in case. Piper was crotchetty so we decided to quit at that and go home. Ewan had rugby tonight, and he'd fallen en route to the car today outside school as the roads were like glass. He has a big bruise on his gluteas maximus, and a nice dent on his left shin. Poor scone.

2011-01-06T13:28:00.000Z

It hasn't been the best of months old December. Passed in a blur, it did. As has Christmas and New Year! Neither of which went according to plan! Taede's family were over and it was good for everyone to catch up on everyone else but more work than was expected. Piper caught the flu, and we had to take her to the out of hours doc. Then we caught it, though not as bad as some so our celebrations were postponed until Tuesday past. Boys are back to school today, and Piper and I are lost without them! Means I'm slowly catching up with the laundry ....

I have orders of fabric and beads yet to arrive, and my sewing machine did eventually make it so I've made a start on the to do list. I'm currently having fun guessing the senders of my secret santas, both from tinternetland and work! :)

Mondays ...

2010-12-06T15:31:00.001Z

No chance of the boiler being fixx0red today. Chap is snowed in himself, so hoping he got out eventually. Other folk are in worse states than us though, so another day or so here won't be too much trouble. Does feel weird though, living in my parents' house like it's our own.

So much freshly fallen snow today

We had fun in the snow in the back garden with the dog though! And now they all like the shower, sadly at the same time, but it was fun!

Am hearing via this weather site that there's a Siberian style cold snap going to hit over the course of the next couple of days. Watch yer pipes!

well well well

2010-12-04T12:18:00.000Z

It's a hole in the ground, and I feel like I've fallen down one!

After digging and and scraping road yesterday for about 4 and a half hours, we finally managed to get the car out of our street. Came back into the house, and laid things on the radiator to dry, and discovered they were all cold. Uh oh... boiler goosed! Handily my folks must have managed to get away so we were able to decamp to their house for the night or so. Getting there was fun, with Taede marshalling the boys with their suitcase, and a bag of toys and stuff and dragging Piper on a sled. I followed bringing another suitcase for our stuff, and work clothes, and the casserole dish with partially cooked tea in it, and a box of provisions to get/keep us going when we got there. Also on a sledge....sledges, it would appear, don't drag too well on tarmac, who knew there was actually still tarmac under all that snow!?!

After navigating what can only be described as treacherous road conditions in my parents street, which has a nasty hill eitehr entrance, combined with a great old uphill dogleg turn, we got inside. Heating was on ....ahhhh bliss. So, kids in, stripped of wet clothing, Provisions put away, dinner on, rice for accompanying dinner on, upstairs, and beds (two single and one sofa bed) put to rights, sheets etc., Glasgow shower, into work clothes and wait for Taede returning with the pooch. All that in half an hour is no' bad! He took forty minutes! Which made me late for picking up a chap from work to get him in for shift and pay! Eventually got to David and apologised profusely for freezing his ....feet off!

Got into work without much more incident. Helped out with stocking up batteries (who said retail wasn't glamourous!) and then as the night went on, ended up taxi-ing more people home, or at least to a close approximation as main roads allowed! I got home myself and feeling like crap stepped into the shower with the intent of standing there for ages, but it doesn't drain away quickly enough! Never mind, settle Piper after she fretted and into bed. Oh dear sweet slumber...oh how thee mock me!

Eventually after a fairly ropey sleep, Piper woke at five-ish. There was the roar of the mains, and I thought initially it was the heating, but then I begun to fear it was an outside tap. On investigating it later, after no further snoozling, my worst fears were confirmed. The outside tap is completely shot from it's moorings, and water rushing everywhere! The idea of our own home being without heat and in a similar situation fills me with equal amounts of fear and dread. With us hosting all the immediate family of Taede at Christmas we don't need any further upheaval! Thankfully the ex managed to make a mercy dash to B&Q and after a little bit of hamfisted duck tape surgery most of the water exiting the burst pipe is now being fed into a drain. So I can afford to wait for a plumber, and a few emergency calls here and there I can afford to pay for one too! At least until next month! :)

Thanks go to Shirley Campbell, for general all round good-eggness! David Harley, for being an understanding sweetheart, Kim Munro for being the best boss ever, Sigrid MacMillan for her excellent, and precognitive cake baking skills, Stevie Weir for winning gold medal in the B&Q dash, and Julie at Santander for being the best advisor on the phone by a country mile!

aaargh!

2010-12-03T10:27:00.000Z

Yesterday as the snow shone, the icicles grew longer, the stalagmites taller, and the kids that little bit kookier, my other half got home at a very early time. So I donned my wellies, double layered myself, put on my hi-viz jacket, fingerless gloves and roadkill fuzzy hat and set forth for a supermarket. Taede has been very good, topping things up daily, but even though he received a list, he didn't buy it all which became very frustrating. So working my bag-lady look, I made it to where I work, and got on with some serious shopping. Asda was mobbed! Utterly bouncing with people buying grub like it was out of fashion! Seriously, who the feck needs 20 packs of babycorn?

Salt was limited per customer, and so was bread. Not just bought in bread either, like Hovis or Kingsmill, but their own baked goods, such as rolls and crusty bread! I couldn't believe it. Of course, as my hair was greasy and my bag lady look so complete in it's authentic glory, I met everyone I knew! At least I finally managed to pay my lottery money to the syndicate! Thanks Lorna for the funny of the day....she eyes my brown fake fur hat (it's like a tuke ... eh? ;) ) and says, ''I like what you've done with your hair....!'' B!tch! :D

On the way home I was wondering if I'd get parked on the top road again. The space was there, but before I got to it, travelling very much uphill, despite the fact he saw me and my lights navigating the single lane made by the plough, a taxi pulled out and played chicken. Full of ire and faith in my reversing I backed down (quite literally) until another car, turned around the corner behind me! Checkmate! I plundered someone's driveway to let the tube in the taxi past. When I did reach my point of origin, I couldn't park in it, because pedestrians decided it's perfectly safe to swipe the sides of my car while I attempt to move it on ten inches of snow! Least I have a clean bar on my (Taede's) car now. I called Taede to say, and he told me to just come home and park it in the drive. So one out of two's no' bad is it? Another farking pedestrian with a deathwish started walking up the hill towards me. So I had to stop. And didn't have enough momentum to clear the slight incline of pavement! Taede despaired, but couldn't move it so we're now blocking our neighbour's driveway as well....how does it feel ya numpty?! :)

I don't know what we're going to do when winter comes! ;)

Selfish

2010-12-02T10:24:00.000Z

I know it is terribly selfish of me, but I'd really, really like my sewing machine now please and thankyou mister delivery man. I know it's at my 'local' depot...what is with that anyway, they say local like Bellshill was somewhere other than a good hours drive away, or Motherwell, or some other arrisend of the world...

I wants to make me a door stop ... well actually I want to make Tan Grey a doorstop...and I have a plan to make one in the shape of a Scotty dog....but as usual will probably feck it up at least once ...

Thank you for travelling with Air Seatofyourpants .... do fly again!

well ...

2010-12-01T15:56:00.000Z

...that was interesting!

And when I say interesting, I mean exciting and momentarily scary.

I've been out in the snow, clearing the driveway, I figure if I prepare now I won't be so bad off when it comes to us actually needing out. So I work my way up to the car to discover our neighbour has cleared her car and driveway on to ours, and the space between our cars, where the drivers door is, natch, is piled up to the roof with snow. No biggie, I'm strong enough, and Steve (the ex) has come up to visit with the boys (Ewan and Stuart) and they and their little sister (Piper) have an adult watching over them. I say an adult, but we all know what midlife crisis does to the average male eh? *winks*

So there I am, leaning on the snow shovel (don't get jealous, it's the neighbour's, ours mysteriously disappeared!) and talking to said neighbour, when the loud low pitched (this far away) moan starts up. Her car is running, so it's difficult to tell, and we were talking. She freezes, and looks at me, I look at her, infused by her panic and we both shout 'BP' at the top of our lungs and dash into the house. A quick check of the int0rweb reveals it's a siren test ...I've already dialled Taede (current OH - he's Dutch! - and a postie!) as he's delivering in Polmont, today, as he does every other day! By the time he's answered I can confirm to him it's a test, and laconic as ever, he says, ''thought so.'' Fecker!

Back out to clear the remaining snow, and try to get into the car to clear it. There's no room for any more snow so the idea was to move it back towards the road, but still in the driveway so I could clear it. No joy, because of the volume of white stuff on the other side of the car, the car is slithering close to the house. And as it's my mother's car and not mine I ain't risking it spotwelding itself to the roughcast!

So that was my afternoon.... Of course, in the middle of all this it started snowing again, and more looks to be on its way, so I wonder if it is all worth it.

No word from my parents yet, they're supposed to be en route to Southhampton or somesuch to board the Queen Elizabeth for a two week cruise to the Canaries.... I'm assuming 'no news is good news' ... Or they're back home and in the huff, one of the two!

Sigrid is coming over, braving the snaw! It's amazing what we'll do for a bit o' vino some nibbles and a damn good bitching session, isn't it?

Bounce!

2010-11-30T20:12:00.000Z

As a result of enjoying being a narcissist on a beading forum I frequent (frequently), I've taken the plunge and have entered the world of bloggage.... hmm, sounds like a bit of a push, if you ask me!

As it may, or may not be where you are, the snow here as we perch on the south wall of the Ochils dominated Forth Valley, is pretty damned deep. Now I'm a shortarse, I make no bones about it, but even being so dumpy of frame, I'm gabberflasted the snow is up to my hip in places....places it seems the dog wishes to drag me! During the meanderings and musings throughout this blog, you will learn more about my past, my family, my workmates ...sorry, colleagues(!) and what makes me tick.

Be assured that my opinion is not everyone's, that life really isn't a dress rehearsal, and bring yer tenalady!