Thursday 20 June 2013

I am still alive

Hello peeps,

I am still alive, fear not.

I will be back.

Just a tad distracted at the moment.

Take care.

Oh, and by the way I don't want to visit your website dear Random Anonymous Commentators!!

Do you get them?

Jakixx
 

Wednesday 8 May 2013

WOYWW

Been missing in action for a while, sorry about that! I have been busy crafting though if that helps?

My desk:
 This was taken last night after I'd cut and pinned another bag.
 This lucky bag is going on holiday next week with my Mum! I'm never going to make my fortune giving away my bags, am I?
This little bag is going to market.


This one may just have to stay with me as I love it sew much (!)
For my next trick I am going to see if I can insert a zip into the lined bag, go me. Also, children's pillowcases to make beach bags. What do you think?

Right, off you go, hop around the desks

Wednesday 24 April 2013

WOYWW

I am going to be really quick today as I have so much to do. I spent yesterday doing nothing! Do you ever get those days when you know you have a lot to do but just can't be bothered? No, just me then!

Here goes with my desk today:

At the front are some pillowcases I bought in my local charity shop, they were 49p each and I'm going to make them into lined bags using this tutorial I have a few more to use as well because I think, well if they go wrong it hasn't cost much!
Then there's the dreaded paperwork! Parents' evening tonight and it's really annoying because we didn't get appointments with all the teachers we wanted to see. I have a particular bone to pick with a particular English teacher!
There is also a pile of information from the WHO on malnutrition and world hunger. My son needs to to an essay for geography. Man, they have to do a lot more than I did at that age. But as least I did it without parental assistance and handed it in on time, unlike number two boy.
Ok, onto my other recent finds:



I am doing a village fair in June in a rather well to do area of Surrey so I'm looking for some interesting bits and bobs to put on my stall. I noticed the suitcases in a local junk shop so popped out to see how much they were. Some while later I returned to the house lighter of purse but full of ideas! I have just looked on Ebay to research the largest suitcase and it looks really interesting. The other two are a little shabby inside so I plan on tarting them up using this tutorial
The other finds were, the large wicker laundry basket, £15 (don't care if I have to keep it!), vase £1.50, jelly mould £2.99 and Hornsea biscuit barrel £2.99, the suitcases were £15 for the 3

Right, I really must go as it's my son's birthday tomorrow and I haven't made him a card. I hate making male cards.

Pop over to Julia's page to see more crafty spaces
Take care and thanks for visiting.

Wednesday 3 April 2013

WOYWW

Short post today, hurrah I hear you cry, as I've lots to do.

Not a lot on the table today: 

However, the bed tells a different story


Trying to decide which fabric combination to use on a zipped bag I'm going to make for my mother in law's birthday.

It would appear that I entertained a few of you last week with my tales of woe about hosting foreign students. I'd like to tell you that things have improved since then. 
Unfortunately, I can't!
Let's just say that in the words of Mrs Meldrew, 'I could stuff a pillow with the pubic hair I've just hoovered off the bathroom floor'

This isn't the fabric for a pubic hair filled cushion, it is the fabric my son chose for his Nanny's bag. Good choice sonny!

 Don't forget to hop over to The Stamping Ground for a nosey around some other creative spaces

Wednesday 27 March 2013

WOYWW

My the weeks are flying by, before you know it it will be Christmas. Certainly the weather for it!

Not a lot going on today as I'm working. I know, shocking, isn't it?

We have:

  • My jotter/lesson plan  (actually I bought it for my husband 3 years ago and he never used it so I 'borrowed' it)
  • Two letters for parents' evening
  • The course book for my Japanese student which is far too difficult for him which means the lessons are difficult for me but that's another story
  • A Japanese football magazine. Did you know they read from back to front? No, me neither
  • My son's black coffee my favourite way of kick starting his mornings don't know how his teachers feel about a caffeine fuelled teenager but, hey ho!
  • Said son's school bag
No crafting-boo
However, yesterday I made these thus breaking my Washi virginity

How did I live without it?

As I mentioned I have a Japanese student with me at the moment and I have to take the rough with the smooth, the Yin and the Yang even.
The rough is the slurping, just can't deal with it. Fishy noodle slurping at breakfast? No way Jose. I have to leave the room and then light scented candles when he finishes!

The smooth? 



                           

                           Gifts!

Not all as beautiful as these. I didn't photograph the 57 packets of tissues, 89 sushi themed erasers and 247 assorted vile packets of unknown substances!

Have fun hopping around the blogs of the world this WOYWW. How? 
Click this
Me? I'm off to lie down in a darkened room far away from slurping, confused Japanese boys.

XX

Wednesday 20 March 2013

WOYWW

Straight into it today
Not a lot going on today as I'm meeting a friend for coffee later and then I'm working so I can't make a mess! At the front is a card I made a while ago using Stampin' Up perfect postage punch, K&Co self adhesive papers and three buttons. Very simple but quite sweet I think. In the middle are three bags which I've recently made. On Friday I did a sewing workshop at The Eternal Maker and learnt how to make a lined, zipped bag. The one at the front is the one I completed there. I came away with the template and whilst the method was fresh in my head I wanted to make another so on Sunday I made the one on the right. Of course I couldn't remember how to do the zip part so I frantically googled and came across a lovely blog which helped immensely. Especially as I was a little fraught trying to cook slow roast pork, make a 3D model of a sperm cell and help my other son get his cookery, sorry food tech, ingredients ready. I made the red one on Monday and now all I have to do is decide which bag I'm sending to my 'cyber' friend for her birthday.

Over the last few weeks I've been a bit lazy and used photos from my iPhone but I've noticed that the photos disappear so today I've gone back to a 'proper' camera so hopefully they won't vanish.
I'll leave you with this message my husband left for us this morning. My youngest thought it said, 'I love sheep'. Maybe he does, who knows?
If you want to see a little more action, head over to Julia's blog and have a good old snoop.

Wednesday 13 March 2013

WOYWW

Here we are again and my desk is actually showing signs of activity, albeit reluctant activity.
I belong to an ATC group and this month's themes is 'Liquid' Really? I was toying with stamping then I thought, 'Pah' so off I went to The Graphics Fairy for some inspiration and lo and behold, an ATC is being formed:

                                      
We have: 

  • a box of stamps, hardly ever used, an impulse buy from Create and Craft often regretted
  • the image from The Graphics Fairy, it's for Lion's Coffee, you can see the original image here
  • the ATC is one I received in the swap, the theme was Theatre
  • my beloved ATG and trimmer
I have also been making felted Easter bunnies, these have been receiving mixed reviews from my husband and children! I probably can't say what my boys said as it's a bit non PC these days.
                        
 I also managed to make some strawberry jam with my French student last week. Never again!

If you want to see some more inspirational desks, hope over to Julia's blog.

Happy WOYWW

Wednesday 6 March 2013

WOYWW Where have you been?



'Where have you been?' I hear you ask. 'I've been to London to see the Queen,' I reply. Well actually I've been to see Albert, hall that is.
Not a lot of crafting going on here as I did so much before my craft fair that I'm all crafted out, I'm also WORKING this week. I know, shocking, isn't it?
Here is a photo of my stall at the Brighton Craft Alliance craft fair a couple of weeks ago
Last week I actually went to London twice. Just like buses,you wait for ages to do something and then everything happens at once.
On Tuesday I went up to London to meet Kirsty Wiseman and another friend Judi, we met at Leicester Square which was an event in itself. You should have seen us all on our phones trying to find each other when we were only yards apart. We went and had a long, chatty lunch and then hopped on to a bus to Harrods. We spent hours wandering around pretending we had the money required to purchase all the lovlies they had on display. I did buy something, a custard tart for £1.30!
We ended up in this wonderful little cafe for another spot of silliness!
In case you're wondering, I'm the one on the right!
Friday was time for my husband and I to go and see Carmen at the Royal Albert Hall. What an amazing place that is. Just think how much love Queen Victoria had for her Albert to build such beautiful and lasting memorials to him. Can't imagine it happening now, can you? 'Camilla Parker Bowles Memorial Hall' doesn't quite have the same ring to it, does it?
Anywho, that's enough for me. Time to hop over to Julia's blog to see some far more interesting tables,desks,floors and general crafting spaces.
Thanks for stopping by.

Wednesday 13 February 2013

WOYWW

Busy,busy,busy. Preparing for a craft sale on the 24th so I am actually crafting this week!
At the back is a massive box a friend made for me out of a wine box I'd thrown out! She was horrified at the waste and came back with this! Am I the only one who has a big box where I shove all sorts of bits and bobs and then goes through it once a week? Thought so!
In the middle is a vase of balls, yesterday I made a felt ball garland using ready made balls. The next step is to make my own balls! Trying to work out how much to charge by doing research on Etsy. About £12.50 looks average. At the front is a pack of Kraft card stock, some buttons, some K&Co sticky backed papers and a Stampin' Up postage stamp punch. I made one card the other day and decided I'd make a few more. To the left is a big box of different craft things that I am using at the moment. I find it easy to shove everything in there, slip it under the table and Bob's your knob everything's tidy.
Oh, and a few of the felt hearts I made the other week waiting to be made into a garland and one to be popped onto a Valentine's card.
That's me for this week, why not hop over to Julia's blog and join in?

Wednesday 6 February 2013

WOYWW

Not a lot of action today apart from preserves!
Thought I'd show a shot of my tidied up craft storage. I won't show you the 'shoved it all under the bed because people are coming for dinner' shot though!
On the right there are jars of spiced plum jam awaiting labelling and two jars of rhubarb and blood orange jam awaiting eating! The rhubarb is purely for me, although I may give the tiny jar to my Mum, so generous. As the rhubarb was £2 for 400g it isn't cost effective to sell. In the summer I get my rhubarb from my neighbour but I do think that forced rhubarb makes such a pretty coloured jam. Well, if you don't burn it, it does! (whoops) My Mum suggested I give my neighbour a bucket and ask her to force some for me! I think a better idea is for me to buy a rhubarb crown and grow my own.
My beautiful ribbons take pride of place on top of my drawers and nestling between them is my faithful ATG, now restocked with genuine Scotch tape, so much better than the 'bargains' from Ebay.
Speaking of which, I have just answered the door to the postman who has just delivered a large box. I really must check out what 12 cm is before I bid on something!

Anyway enough of my problems, jump over to Julia's blog and join in the fun

Take care

Wednesday 30 January 2013

WOYWW

A different view today as I have discovered a craft I can do whilst watching TV!
Needle felting! I went to a friend's house yesterday and she gave me a quick tutorial on needle felting. I'm planning on making the heart garland from Mollie Makes magazine. I really want to make little animals too, but I think that might take some practice. The great thing was my boys wanted to try it too. They managed to make some hearts and really enjoyed themselves. I must go on the internet and get myself some more needles.
I'm currently sitting on the sofa watching QVC as they finally have some craft on and what's even better is that the lovely Marion Emberson is on. Word is, there will be regular craft shows. I'll believe it when I see it.

In other news: I've just been to a local charity warehouse and bought a wooden, two tier tea trolley! Can't wait to do it up and use it for my crafting. That will mean I can craft and watch TV! My husband might just kill me when he finds out but never mind

And finally, I would just like to say thank you to all of you who offered to send Tom a birthday card. His Mum would like to say thank you very much as some of them have started to turn up. He was so surprised and very, very happy.

Right, off you go to Julia's blog and have a nosey around.

Adios

Wednesday 23 January 2013

WOYWW AND DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A YOUNG MAN VERY HAPPY?

I decided that I wasn't going to start this post in the usual way as we all know what day it is and why we are here! So here it is:
At the front are eggs,jars and recipes. Today I'll be making blood orange curd. In the middle is a pile of cards I made last week all ready to be sold. At the back are four jars of mango chutney which I made yesterday. Luckily the stink of the vinegar masked the vile smell which had blown over from France, I kid you not! And finally at the back is a pile of coins from our coin pot. I send my son to school every day with a pound but I have no change, hence the raid.

On Monday I was supposed to travel to Bristol for the funeral of a lady I'd never met. Sounds strange I know, but we met on Facebook and we made friends. Her generosity touched me; she sent me a donation for Epilepsy action because she said my photographs of the preparation for my tea party kept her going in hospital whilst she was receiving treatment for leukaemia  Unfortunately, Nina died just after Christmas after contracting a virus she just couldn't shake off. She was only 42 and leaves behind a husband and 15 year old daughter. I didn't make it to the funeral because of the weather so at 4pm, the time of her funeral, I did this instead:
Nina, loved cake!

And finally, do you fancy making a young man very happy? Another Facebook friend was saying yesterday how sad she felt for her 14 year old son as he had only received 4 birthday cards, which included one from her and one from the dog. Her son has special needs and it just made me so sad to think of this young lad with so few cards. I decided I was going to make it my mission to ask as many people as possible to make cards and send them to him. His mum will keep them all until she gets a big pile and tell them they must have all got stuck in the snow. If you want to be a part of this RAK, please leave a comment and I will pass on the address.

And the final finally, hop over to Julia's blog to check out some more creative spaces. Keep warm and have fun 

Wednesday 16 January 2013

WOYWW

Brrrrrrrrrrrrr, is all that I can say. -14 in Norfolk? Glad I live in Worthing!

Here it is:

What that you say? Evidence of crafting? I know, right!
At the front the new Panduro catalogue and I HAVE to have the entire contents of pages 99-103. Under the catalogue is an ATC to be posted and the rest of the table is covered with 12x12s which I am going to sort out. I am also going to make some cards.

I have made 12 ATCs for a swap group and whilst I have enjoyed making them, I won't be carrying on with this group. I would be interested in joining another swap group if anyone can suggest one.
This is the ATC I made for the theme of 'Theatre'
I thought you might like to see what my table looked like last week when I was in the middle of a TWO day sort out of my 'work' bookshelf. I almost lost the will to live. However, on a positive note I have a beautifully tidy book shelf and I have managed to rehouse some unwanted books to two trainee teachers.


Nightmare, right?
Anyway off you go to hop around the world via Julia's blog whilst I make my coffee and get on with my sorting.
Keep warm

Wednesday 9 January 2013

WOYWW

Wednesday again! Really must get back in the habit of blogging more as I'm only doing it once a week. Oh well, here goes
So, what do we have this week? At the back on the left there is evidence that I have broken my New Year's promise, well when Dunelm Mills have Bazzill Basics for 24p a sheet it would have been rude not to. At the front is proof that I have been crafting, a birthday card for a 14 year old boy, In the middle are the binoculars that I bought my son for Christmas, we were all excited to watch 'Stargazing Live'last night and hopeful to see stars, however it was not to be all we got was rain. Also there is a pack of cards and a single matchstick, my husband and youngest son were playing pontoon last night. And finally a gift for me from a friend. 'Lovely' I hear you say, I'm in two minds about it and its message! Oh yes, and at the back The Hairy Dieter's cookery book and a job application form to be a home help!

Now run along over to Julia's blog to see some more exciting desks.
I'll leave you with a shot of my lovely tidy cupboards and a message from my sponsors!



Wednesday 2 January 2013

WOYWW MIA

I'm back!
I did actually take photos of my workspace for the last two weeks but never got around to blogging. It's been quite nice actually living a life away from my kitchen table!
Anyway, here's today's
 At the back is an empty cardboard box and some bubble wrap and newspapers, to the left is number one son's schoolbag, shock horror he is doing homework! Usually leaves it til the Sunday night before he goes back. In the centre are the daffodils my mum brought with her last Thursday when she came for dinner, she has a thing about having daffodils at Christmas, strange. Just by the flowers is a lampshade, obviously, and at the front is a bon bon dish which I bought on Ebay just before Christmas, hence the empty cardboard box at the back.
 This was the picture from the Wednesday before Christmas, this stack was number two son's. I can assure you I am not a multi millionaire but it's amazing how far I can spread my budget!
This was the picture from Boxing Day, number two son was very happy with the Monopoly and we were in the middle of a two day game, which I won.
I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year, I'm off to clear out my cupboards and stick loads of stuff on Gumtree, failing that I'm off to blog hop on Julia's blog and donate all my stuff to the charity shop!