October 2016 & November 2016

I'm back!!

The last 2 months have been very stressful...... my Virgin internet was cut off at the end of the October ready for when I leave, I've had nothing but problems with the new internet & already I've over spent by £75 so hence why I'm staying away!!

So October came & went, autumn is my favourite time of the year but with all the things going on at the moment I didn't have time to enjoy it.

The biggest thing in October was the terrible fire in the Cathedral green, it was so upsetting to see the Royal Clarence destroyed. 

November was all about knitting.... wearing my fair isle jumper & finishing 2 dog coats for the boys.

An evening with the family seeing the Coca Cola truck & spending time with the cats.

I was also lucky enough to see New Model Army & The Beat, nice to let my hair down & forget about my troubles.

I'm still looking for somewhere to live but as it's getting so close to Christmas it will have to wait until the new year now. So many places but none that I can afford or will take cats.

Fingers crossed 2017 is better for us all.

Crikey!

I can't believe it's that time of year again....... I will be there selling my makes.

Come & say hello!

Christmas 2013

Over a week has passed since the big day, the decorations have been packed away for another year but I still wanted to do a quick reminder.

For me it's all about the food!! 

OH looks after me very well & cooks for me all day, you can see my lovely dinner (the best bit of the day), turkey sandwiches, pickled onions & the lovely Christmas cake my mum made us.

Popsy & Jean had stockings from my mum but you can see Popsy is not impressed!

I did very well on the presents……. a selection of Cath goodies, IWM calendar, 2 tins of biscuits, iPad case, cat bracelet, crazy cat lady figure (not sure why!!), handmade cat door stop from my sister who's just starting to knit again. Another yarn holder, ok so that was a gift to myself after seeing it on Julie's Facebook page. 

And my beautiful cat purse……. don't you think it looks like Popsy? Not sure what I'm going to use it for yet as I don't wear make up but I'm sure I'll think of something.

All in all it was a good one & this year I wasn't worn out from extra hours at work!

However I still feel terrible with my cough & haven't made it back since the new year :(

Chest x rays are all cleared (a good thing!) so now I'm just waiting for my blood test results to come back next week.

December flew passed as it always does….

I made a few gifts which Matthew seemed to like! I spent every Sunday in December with my family…. something I've never done before due to the joys of working. A evening at the theatre with my lovely Twitter friends, spending time with my girls & being in bed a lot!

I'll be back with a round up of 2013, book reviews & what I plan in 2014

Stay dry & safe!

It's nearly time…...

I've been away too long!

Sorry for the lack of posts but at least I'm keeping up with my advent calendar.

One of the reasons I've not been posting is because I've had the lurge :(

I've had 2 weeks of antibiotics which have made me feel really poorly, hopefully I'm on the mend now.

So what have I been up to….

The tree is up

An evening out with lovely Twitter friends. We went to the new burger bar that's opened in Exeter, then headed to The Bikeshed Theatre to see The Exeter Blitz Project

It was wonderful, I was so pleased I saw it. You can find out more about it here

I'm hoping it will come back next year so I can take pops.

I've been busy making Christmas presents

I'm so happy that I finish work at 1pm on Christmas Eve…… I'm used to working until 6pm!

I'll be home just in time to see It's a Wonderful Life!

2 1/2 days off…… bliss!

November 2013

So what did November bring….

At the beginning of the month we celebrated the girls first year with us :)

It was a mad panic getting ready for my last craft fair of the year and possibly my last ever!

My first remembrance day in 2 years that I didn't work, a week off from work, Christmas lights going up in the city, working hard in my garden, getting ready for Christmas in my PJ's & doing the window in my shop….. phew, it was a busy time!

I also picked up a nasty cold at the end of the month which I still have…. 2 weeks & counting :(

So we're already 1 week into December…… only 17 more sleeps until the big day! 

I need to start thinking about getting the very small amount of presents I have to get….. as I can't leave the shop during the day & I never go into town on my day off I'm really behind…. in fact I'm in a little world of my own.

Boxing Day

Happy Boxing Day!

The exact meaning behind the term "boxing" is unclear, and there are several competing theories, none of which are definitive. However, the tradition of Boxing Day has long included giving money and other gifts to those who were needy and in service positions. The most likely theory of how the term Boxing Day came about has its roots in English history. For centuries it was a custom for tradesmen to collect "Christmas boxes" of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service throughout the year. This is even mentioned in Samuel Pepys' famous diary, notably his entry for 19 December 1663. This custom is linked to an even older English tradition where in exchange for ensuring that wealthy landowners' Christmases ran smoothly, their servants were allowed to take the 26th off to visit their families. The employers gave each servant a box containing gifts and bonuses, and sometimes leftover food.

Did you know that? 

Not sure I did!

So did we all have a good Christmas?

I can't believe it's all over...... all that rushing around buying/making gifts...... food shopping..... just for 2 days!

Back to work for me tomorrow but I've had a lovely 2 days off. Lots of eating, napping & telly..... & of course spending time with my girls :) 

OH spoilt me rotten by waiting on me hand & foot..... I'm so lucky to have someone who can cook or I might've starved!

I will be back to show you some of my gifts but in the mean time I'll leave you with some pictures of the Snowman I crocheted for my nephew

I was very happy with it & thinking of making them to sell next Christmas.

Matthew loved it

Advent Calendar - Day 17

The countdown has begun!

Only a week to go until Christmas eve & what a busy week it'll be.... but for now I'm going to enjoy my day off & try to finish my crochet Snowman for my nephew.

My shops are closing today so no more orders to worry about.

Everything Oz - A review

Have you heard about this new fantastic book??

Here's what it's about....

Follow the Yellow Brick Road and get swept along by the cyclone force of Everything Oz, where dreams are brought to life. The classic tale of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum provides the inspiration for this spell-binding and creative collection of 50 makes and bakes, ranging from a Dress-up Dorothy Doll and Toto's Dog Jacket to the Tin Woodman's Heart Garland, Cowardly Lion Hand Puppet and Squashed Wicked Witch Cupcakes. The authors of the ground-breaking craft book Everything Alice, Christine Leech and Hannah Read-Baldrey, have interpreted this perennially popular tale in their own unique way to create all the projects in this latest book in the Everything - series, which is filled with yet more original and playful ideas for the eclectic craft lover. This enchanting book perfectly captures the magical essence of this faraway land. Everything Oz is brimming with new and innovative craft projects to eat, drink and wear, so slip on a pair of Ruby Slippers and accompany Hannah and Christine on their journey towards the Emerald City. Every crafter will enjoy this book, because, because, because, because, because - of the wonderful things it does!

I was a very lucky girl last week when this arrived on my doormat waiting for my review!!

I don't do reviews/free things but I couldn't say no to this one.... you see I've been lusting after it for a while now..... just waiting for the release date ( I think it's July 5th)

As you all know I have a few craft books..... ok, ok I have lots of craft books, all gathering dust on the shelf! But this one..... boy oh boy it's different!

The pictures are a feast for your eyes... in fact I let out several little gasps as I careful made my way through it. I then looked through again & spotted little details I hadn't seen before.

There's even goodies for your own Toto!! As you know I love dogs so this has to be my favourite bit!

I decided that I was not going to show you any pictures inside as I didn't want to spoil the surprise for you but...... I couldn't help myself

Just to wet your appetite!

I think I will be making something from this book.... unlike all the others I have & I can see this making a lovely Christmas gift for 2 special friends.

You can pre-order here .... go on you know you want too!!

or find out more about it here

I thoroughly recommend it & hope to see my makes on their website very soon.

Christmas Gifts

Hello everyone...... I received some lovely gifts this Christmas but haven't got around to photography them all.

I thought I'd start with the lovely blanket my mum made me....

There is a story behind this..... every time one of the family has a baby my mum makes one of these lovely blankets. I've been asking for a while now to have one as there's no way I'll ever have a baby!!!

Little did I know she was busy making me one! It took her hours & she used every last scrap of wool.....  for me this is a perfect present as it was made with love & not just brought.

She had also embroidered on it....

This is my favourite bit & it will last forever!!

This week I've been poorly with a horrible cold...... it seems everyone has had it at work for the last month & the rubbish heating/air con just makes it go around & around!!

I've also been busy playing with my new iPad app.....

It's a fab app & the best 69p I've ever spent!

You'll be seeing a lot more of these!

Teddy update:

After a stressful visit to the vets on Wednesday...... he was there for 4 hours & wouldn't calm down so they could take his blood pressure :( I had to go in & help!..... his blood pressure is 170 & a normal cat should be 120! At least we might have found the problem for his eye sight...... he's now on 2 tablets a day & we need to go back in 4 weeks. He's been told to watch his salt in take so I'm now reading the back of cat food to double check!

I also went to the RSPCA to look at another cat on Wednesday... lucky it was close because I've fallen in love!

The vet then told me that Teddy would be very unhappy if I got another cat as he loves me too much & is too old to fight for my attention.

Oh well no more cats for me at the moment..... I hope John finds a nice new home..... yes I had already named him!!!

Have a good week

1st week gone......

Another week has flown by...... did you do anything nice???

 

I was off on Monday so enjoyed a day at home....doing the housework!!

 

Tuesday was Make, Do and Mend day....

We planned to make granny squares but the Phoenix were having loads of work done & forgot we were coming so we could only stay for 2 hours..... but we made a start

Teaching was harder then I thought!!!!

There was lots of other things being made

I was planning on taking some photo's today as it was a lovely bright sunny day.... however I messed about on FB & Twitter..... chatting to people about our school reunion...*gulp* ....& before I knew it the sun had gone!!!

I think I've missed the boat for showing my Christmas gifts but here's just one...

My friend Claire brought me this..... he's now been packed away for next year :)

Now I have a few questions for you......

 

How do you feel about craft parties???

I know if you're lucky enough to live in London you have a wide choice but mainly hen parties....... have you every been to one????

 

Would you like to go to one????

I think there's somewhere in Bath that also run day parties but I find it hard to give up a whole day...... do you? Would you prefer evenings.....maybe just 3 hours??? or is that not long enough??? What would you like to learn?

How much would you expect to pay??? Some charge up to £80 per person.... wow!!! I only charge £3 a month for Make, Do and Mend!!!

  Would you expect alcohol or just tea????

I don't know about you but I find it hard to craft while drinking..... I like to keep those two separate!

I would really appreciate your feedback with this :)

Have a good week

Folksy

Hello everyone..... hope you're all having a good half term :)

Today I thought we'd talk about Folksy..... now I'm sure you've all taken a look at some point but have you brought?

There's loads of things & some times it can be a bit over whelming so I though I'd share a few of my favourite things...

Firstly.....

Remembrance day is just around the corner so go on treat yourself!

I love this shop....so many lovely things :)

Another favourite shop

I'll be buying some of these for Christmas

I can just see this little fellow on my hand bag

I think I'll be buying most of my presents from here this year..... much nicer then the high street shops.

And if you're looking maybe you could pop over to my shop...

I had a fantastic day out yesterday which I'll be telling you about another time

Snowy day & Christmas gifts.............

Hello, Like everyone we had snow yesterday....yippee!!!!
I'm sure you all remember me telling you how much I love snow...... This photo was taken about 6am..... I think the passing cars thought I was crazy in my front garden in my Pj's!
In true British style we couldn't cope.................. the buses stopped running until 9.30, lucky it was my day off! The schools all closed but that didn't stop the kids from hanging around the streets all day throwing snowballs etc. I bet there's so older folks out there that could tell us how to cope in the snow........even in my day you still had to go to school even if it meant everyone in one room with one teacher!! Health & safety.......blah I hate it!!!!

So back to the point......with Britain at a stand still I stopped too..... I found it really hard to do anything yesterday so I just sat in my chair looking out the window. Please tell me I wasn't the only one?
The pussy cats were all tucked up in bed for most of the day, when Nanny finally dragged himself out of bed he popped out to see what all the fuss was about......

He was trying to get to me in this photo without getting his paws too cold!

At last I'll show you my Christmas gifts, so I can put them away......

Some lovely books from my wish list, as you can see I've already started 'Keeping Mum' & very good it is too.

And everything else...... you see that's the trouble with not giving very many presents....you don't get many back :(
I love the Kitsch craft book... I would love to learn how to Macrame again, it does show you in here but only a pot hanger, I would like to make a wall hanging. The same friend also gave my the Union jack goodies!

Did you see the tea towel??

From my nephew..... I love it but it's far too nice to use!

I've also been off today as I'm working all weekend.....it's going so fast :(
I've had a very thrifty day....I've been cooking all morning....soup with left over veg for my lunch box & a lasagne for tomorrow using left overs.
The only trouble is my soup is very thick...... as you all know I'm rubbish at cooking...yes even soup!! So come on ladies what can I do??? Shall I just add a little hot water before heating it up???

We have more snow forecasted for the weekend....I'm keeping my fingers crossed it comes......maybe I could have a snow day :) Keep warm everyone.