Tuesday 18 December 2007

Coming together...

This is my first attempt at stained glass creating on British soil... First you need to cut the glass and grind the edges so you don't cut your fingers off!

Then you need to put copper foil tape all round the edges, using a burnishing tool - or a plastic thing from a Dino-Dig set, in my case! That's improvisation for you...

Then you spend a couple of hours soldering all the edges, adding rings for attaching ribbon and beads. Voila! Custom-made glass bunting for my conservatory for the festive season.




A few weeks ago I spotted some half-price amaryllis bulbs in Woolies. They just can't help themselves, they have to grow!




And before you know they're looking gorgeous just in time for The Big Day!

And look perfect with the bunting! 'Scuse the dirty windows...


So, I'm nearly ready. I put the tree up on Monday with some new decorations from Ikea. I was worried it looked a bit sombre, but in the evening it looks nice and twinkly...



Finally, this is my first attempt at needle-felting. I bought a little kit at the Knitting and Stitchery Show way back in October. I decided to cut the tree out as my triangles weren't very neat. I only made 5 and sent them to my nearest and dearest.

Friday 14 December 2007

Where did that week go?

Just a quickie to post some photos before I go away for the weekend - hooray!

The obligatory first soft-boiled eggs, with soldiers, of course!



Appalling photo, I know, but these are the finished Christmas cards. I was really pleased with them...


I've made some bunting out of stained glass to hang in my conservatory. Photos will come in next post...

It's been such a busy week. I was so tired last night, I went to bed at 9.30! I've worked all day every day so far, plus C had his Christmas Show at school on Tuesday and Wednesday evening. Ohmigod - it was magical. I was so choked, sitting there listening to them perform. I was so proud. The whole of Year 7 sang an Irving Berlin medley and then a Christmas selection.

I'm rushing now as I've got to make a mad dash to the local shopping centre before work at midday. I'll have a couple of hours when I get home to pack, clean out the chickens and generally leave everything ship-shape before disappearing into the countryside for the weekend. We're staying with friends in Warwickshire, on the edge of the Cotswolds. Lovely...

On a final note, the moon looked serene last night...

Friday 7 December 2007

Small but perfectly formed...

Yippee! I have an egg!!





Soft boiled with soldiers for my tea, I think! I was beginning to get disheartened and actually spent a good while on the "Forum for the Egg-less" last night and had even saved an out-of-date egg to hard-boil and put in the nesting area as a decoy...


Also coming under the same title, I feel these little felt bowls fit in...

They are so easy to knit and I shall be filling them with little goodies for all the girls in my life...sisters, mum, aunties, friends...

Saturday 1 December 2007

Christmas gifts...

Now that we've got to December I feel quietly satisfied that I've a few gifts made and bought.

2 stripey Mousie Mousie's will find themselves in deepest Warwickshire care of 2 special little boys...

And don't you just hate it when you find a gift for someone and just really, really want one for yourself too? Well, I found this gorgeous carved wooden toadstool for my Mum's garden...
And decided that I would treat myself to these in miniature...



The tallest one is about 8 inches high. I have the perfect spot for them. I also ordered an extra medium one and I will take it to the cemetery for Splodge. Toadstools are one of the (many) things that make me think of him... Hope he likes it...

Monday 26 November 2007

Making headway...

Hooray, they're finished! For the last couple of weeks, I have been slowly making these little embellishments for some Christmas cards ... amongst other things, of course.




I've just got to print some cards and they're done! Felt courtesy of Sarah. I have just placed another order with her for some felt squares that I will be adding into a sewing box for my 3 nieces for Christmas, along with wool and knitting needles.


When I was young, I had 2 great-aunts who excelled in the Gentle Arts and who, I guess, instilled in me a love of domestic creativity. They were called Lily and Flossie and in their honour, I have named this pair after them! So, I am trying to pass on their legacy to the young ladies in my family! Not having daughters myself, I will try and pass on this appreciation to my nieces. Hope they like it! I do have another son who is now 11 and showing a tiny bit of interest in learning how to cook, so maybe I can pass something on to him too...


PS. don't these 2 look good with my new pointsettia?

Thursday 22 November 2007

Introducing...

Today I thought I should introduce another face in my family...

This is Barney! Also known as Lickle Tiny One! Or that ******** dog...!

He is a Border Terrier, 15 months old! As I type, he is sitting on my lap looking with interest at me tapping the keys. He smells good. Particularly behind his so-soft ears. He never smells bad. Unlike some other dogs we could mention... Another post, another day.

We were going to call him Merry, seeing as we already have a Pippin, but he just suited Barney. Then I found out George W Bush had a dog called Barney. I try not to hold it against him, Barney that is...

He's quite a naughty dog and has pushed me to a limit previously unknown in dog owning. But then in the evening, when he's sitting on my lap, I can forgive him anything. I am grateful to him for teaching Pippin (a chocolate lab) to be a dog and not a human. They play-fight alot, but are firm friends. Barney is a chilly dog and can usually be found nose up to a radiator during the colder months. He shivers from his morning excursion to the garden. It's an excuse to knit him cute little dog jumpers.

Splodge would have loved him as he could have fitted on his lap.

Monday 19 November 2007

Photo catch-up...

I've had these photos ready to post for a week or so.
These are a couple of the stained glass pieces I made in the summer




I have a bit of a turtle thing going on in my downstairs loo(!), with some beautiful carved wall-hangings and an old map of Barbados, where I had the most amazing swim with some 4' leatherback turtles a few years ago. So this little one looks just right hanging in the window.




Meanwhile, back in the chicken house...still no eggs. Lily is now 22 weeks old, so should start laying any time. Or so I'm led to believe. She has got bright red wattles now, which is supposed to be a good sign too. They both love exploring the garden, hot on my heels when I'm out there.

They tuck into all our kitchen scraps, so I'm loving not throwing anything away anymore. After nearly 4 weeks, I still have one dog who is totally obsessed with them...
My workshop on Saturday was uplifting. It was really well thought out and the conversations were flowing and honest. I came away feeling as though the faith that I have in myself is a good thing. We talked about some pretty big questions concerning the World View... I wasn't really sure what exactly that was (still not fully comprehending, but hey...). Anyway, I met some lovely new people, was given a couple of new book titles (already ordered on Amazon!) and have signed up for a retreat!

Friday 16 November 2007

Feeling the Fear...

I've decided the time has come to be honest and explain more of who I am. I've been putting off this post for what seems like weeks now. It's taken a lot of something in me to be able to get my fingers to type the words that need to come.

I know alot of bloggers have been reading Philip's blog. I stumbled upon it via Tracy's blog via goodness knows where ... like many of you I have been touched by his words, humbled by his courage in expressing his grief and smiled at his memories. It has touched a raw nerve...

You see the thing is this, last year - on Saturday 29th April at 11.15pm, to be precise - my darling little boy died. There, I've written the 'D' word... it's out. He was 12 but 2 weeks away from his 13th birthday. He was my eldest child and his last 9 years were a constant fight for survival, more of which, I guess, will be explained in later posts.

For the last 18 months, the internet has been a constant companion. The first few unbearable months were spent reading of untold sadness on sites devoted to bereaved parents. I felt like I had joined an exclusive club. After some time something in me altered and the negativity I was surrounding myself in was beginning to bother me. I couldn't bear to think that my whole life was going to be awful forever. Don't get me wrong; I have a sadness within me that knows no depths and my thoughts stray to my angel at any time, whether I'm ready for them or not.

So, there it is. The thing that now shapes my life. From the beginning I decided that this wasn't something I wanted to 'get over'. I knew from day one that my choice was to learn to live with my loss side-by-side, within me maybe. I think it was a good decision. Yes, I can function now. I can even laugh and smile. More than some people, I can find joy in simple things. And this is what keeps me going. The blogs I read are filled with things that interest me because they are filled with things that I, myself, like to do. It has been a revelation, this world of blogging. For me, it started innocently enough and now I have been able to find the courage to do what needs doing for my own sanity, and that is remember my beautiful boy whilst finding things to do with my time.

I hope I can find the right mix, so bear with me. Maybe one day, a photo will make it on here. The jury is still out on protecting our anonymity. I will call him Splodge, it was one of many nicknames! I haven't told a living soul that I do this. I need a place where I can be myself.

Here's something that I miss about Splodge - he had the softest hands imaginable, like butter. We used to tease him and say it was because he never did the washing-up!

I will end this post now with this: ever since he grew his wings and became an angel, every now and then a white feather appears in front of me. I take this to be a sign that I have a constant companion...

I feel quite exhausted now. Tomorrow I am off to a parents workshop about Spirituality in Bereavement. I am genuinely curious about faith but have no strong feelings either way. Maybe tomorrow I will feel more enlightened?

Saturday 3 November 2007

A New Craft...

Back in the summer, we stayed with a friend in Florida. She is a stained glass artist and is lucky enough to have her own studio at the house. During the daily Floridian downpour she tempted me into creating something out of glass. Within a couple of hours and after some elementary tuition, I was hooked.


Over the course of the 10 days spent with her, I made about 5 things - mainly suncatchers. If the sun comes out I will photograph them to post. When we got home I scoured the internet to find a local supplier of the tools and materials needed. My mind was buzzing with ideas. The trouble was, I already had a longish list of things that needed doing once we got home. It took lots of self-discipline not to rush straight out and buy all that was needed to start creating. I'd never worked with a 'hard' material before, but it's almost patchwork, just with a different medium. As with the other things I like to make, the best part is selecting colours and textures to create a wonderful end product.


Anyway, today was the day. So, off we went this morning to find Lead and Light. To say I was like a kid in a candy store is somewhat of an understatement and a tidy sum was spent indulging in my new hobby.


This is the kit you need to get started


And then you can go mad picking out your glass...

The colours and textures and fabulous


My first projects will be Christmas based. The photo's don't really do the glass much justice, but the pile at the top are beautiful, rich purples, violets and plums. A lot of the glass was in the sale bins so I felt justified in buying such a lot!

The thing is this... I need to get a work bench before I can get going. Another trip to Ikea then...

Wednesday 31 October 2007

All Hallow's Even...

We had a suitable welcome for our Trick or Treaters tonight



The photo doesn't really give any clue about size BUT, the one on the left was grown by me and is roughly the size of a (wonky) football!

I have a HUGE stock pot of pumpkin soup from this book cooling down on the garden table for a Hallowe'en Party at school tomorrow. Hope I remember to bring it in later!

Chicken Update... I think I've had a soft egg. At least there's a soggy, speckled thing flopped through the roosting bars!! I sort of need some eggs to do some cooking and I'm reluctant to buy any now! Maybe I should, just to get the ball rolling...










Sunday 28 October 2007

Getting through the list...

It's been a very productive weekend... I have had the house to myself, so it's been all about ME!

All the aprons are finished. The embroidered vegetables are nicely raised for the children in my class to feel as well as look at. It's good for them to have objects of reference for each activity and I think these will fit the bill nicely.



The thing that kept me going was this


And these



Recipe courtesy of Elinor. This is what I have grown to love about blogging - following a thread and being so delighted with the outcome.

The Girls seem to have settled in nicely. They have both let me feed them with a bit of grass through the run - a good sign, apparently. Pippin (chocolate lab) and Barney (Border terrier) are both completely obsessed with them and keep patrolling the run. Needless to say, Lily and Flossie just look at them with disdain! That's my girls!!

Friday 26 October 2007

New Arrivals...

Today I welcomed 2 new faces to our household...


Lily is a Ginger Russet and Flossie is a Miss Pepperpot. They came complete with a fantastic, purple chicken house. My garden was crying out for chickens and the anticipation on collecting our first egg is so exciting.
The dogs have had a good sniff around but won't be able to meet them snout to beak for another 2 weeks. The girls need to stay in their run for a fortnight to get used to their new home. They both enjoyed a slice of marmite on toast as a welcome meal and have now settled down for the night.
The rest of the day has been spent perusing the shelves of Borders looking for 'touchy feely' books to add to the library at school. I work in a Special School so am always on the lookout for multi-sensory additions for the children to explore.
My son is off to an All Night Game-a-thon with his Scout Pack so an evening of quiet embroidery awaits along with this weeks episode of Spooks...

Thursday 25 October 2007

Tempus Fugit...

Hmmm...not easy this blogging business. I feel like I'm trying to fit too many things into each day at the moment. I can't believe I've not posted for over 2 weeks. I have been busy, I promise! I've been trying to prioritise and get the stuff that's got to be done first before starting on more frivolous projects that seem more fun. It's hard!

Amongst other things, there has been a wedding to attend - beautiful attention to detail; a parent's group meeting in Oxford to participate in - difficult but a must-do; a Knitting and Stitchery Show to visit- packed, but good. I bought a few bits and pieces, but not much wool for some strange reason. Plus work! Part-time admittedly, but still quite consuming... Oh, and the probable reason for writers block - a Personal Statement for my degree application for next year. 4000 characters (including spaces!). You probably all heard the loud exhalation when I was finally satisfied with it. Not easy... I'm taking a HUGE step and am applying to do a B Ed next year. 3 years studying and teacher status at the end of it!

I spent the whole day last Sunday digging in the allotment. It was very satisfying to see weed-free soil; and what soil it is! Lovely and dark and rich...perfect! The other plot is almost ready for a dig now. It was burnt by Joe, the previous plot-holder, yesterday. So, hopefully, I can get cracking on it soon.

And now it's half-term and the last week has flown by. I've had friends to stay so all projects have been on hold since the weekend. This is the current WIP


A pile of calico aprons for my school gardening club. Vegetable motifs to be embroidered on.

A trip to Ikea always goes down well! Amongst other things, I got my Christmas wrapping sorted out. I'm not usually that organised...




Tuesday 9 October 2007

Going loopy...

Today I finished the loopy cushion! I think it looks fab on my sofa.

The wool is Colinette Point 5, colour Raphael. It's much more multi-coloured than I'd imagined...I do love this wool though! It's so quick to work with; I'm a bit of a quick-fix knitter so rarely knit big things to wear, more accessories and things for around the house.

My favourite knit of the moment, and on the needles as we speak (so to speak!) is another felted bowl from this book. Looks like most people I know will get one of these for Christmas filled with goodies! I have several already...one for dinner money, one for PSP games, one for general bedside junk, their uses are never-ending.
I'm off to The Knitting and Stitchery Show on Friday. I've not been for a few years and so I'm hoping to restock my stash and come away itching to get knitting something new...

Sunday 7 October 2007

That Autumn Feeling...

And here I was thinking that I would be posting every day! The week doesn't seem to have enough hours in it to do it all and I still spend hours reading other blogs and quietly neglecting my own.

I so enjoyed looking at the wonderful autumny photos at Ragged Roses, off I went today armed with my camera. It was a bit cloudy but still lovely to be out walking with my son, friends and dogs. Here's what caught our eye...
I'm thinking that the holly pic would make a great Christmas card... In my own garden things are looking seasonal too. The agapanthus seed heads look stunning...
And my amelanchier is at it's most colourful...

In the garden, all the bulbs are in and the wallflowers...roll on spring for a carpet of colour. Today I also dug up the rest of my Pink Fir Apple potatoes. It truly feels like digging for treasure. These potatoes make the most amazing potato salad and are great roasted in their skins. Plans for my new allotment are keeping me awake at night! I bought Sarah Ravens Grow your own cut flowers for ideas about doing just that! I can never bear to cut too many flowers from my garden and spoil it, so this might be just the answer to dedicate an area on the allotment. Soft fruit is also high on my wish list.

These are the things that are going to be taking my time up in the coming week...

The velvet stripe fabric is to make a Roman blind for aforementioned son's bedroom. It seems to have taken an age to finish decorating it, what with stock problems, delivery problems, tv aerial point problems, to mention a few problems. It's going to look great eventually... The other bits of fabric are remnants for lining some more Point 5 bags (the orders and coming in thick and fast!) and the wool is to knit myself some leg-warmers to tuck down in my sheepskin boots - very 80's!

Almost finished is the 'loopy' cushion in Point 5 also. It took some practice getting the loops right, but I got there in the end and it's going to look fab on my sofa.