Karens Hopes

Where was my Mind !!

2011-08-12T00:39:00.000-07:00

I told you recently that my journals were a reflection of how Iam feeling on any given day, If thats the case what
do you think was going through my mind when I did this ???
These journals could so easily be a bit gloomy cause sometimes thats in my nature, but I was determined
to try and fill them with positive images and not negativity, ha..... not sure I was entirley successful here, I did the underpainting which as you can see was a bit manic....I realised this and then tried to re-invent it to something more positive.

I am sometimes tempted to pull out pages that I don't think work......but really what would be the point of that
this is how I was feeling on that day......anyway perhaps thats what it looks like OVER THE RAINBOW !!!!!

Now this page is a lot different......my hand (lots of messy play whoooooo) and plenty of
advice about how I would like them to conduct themselves, this process has been very theraputic
for me too because encouraging others to be more positive and be the best that they can be
also makes you think about the choices you are making.

Journalling

2011-08-08T01:34:00.000-07:00

These journals are for my 3 children, something they can look back on when I'm not here any more,
(morbid I know)

Each journal is different and each page is a reflection of how I am feeling at the time, but I mostly want them to be full of positive pictures and words. The two large journals In the picture are for my daughters and the two smaller ones at the back were my experiment in book making, not entirely successful but I'm not unhappy with them. (I cant cut straight to save my life).
When I was working on one of these journals recently my son stood in the doorway watching me. "Do you think I'm weird" I said to him.... he thought for a moment and said "Yes...but in a good way"....that will do for me I hope he'll always have that memory of
watching me make these journals and how much I enjoyed them.

This is the first page of my daughters journal, I will constantly go back to each page adding extra bits and pieces until I am happy with it. I love this creative process everywhere I look I am seeing bits of inspiration.I love words and I am always cutting out magazines and I'm sorry sometimes books EEEK........ only very old books that are no good anymore honest !!

Can you see the Kookaburra. I thought my daughter would smile when she saw this as she was born in Australia. She has a toy Kookie that she has always taken to bed and I must say he is in pretty bad shape now, she is 27 after all !!! I think he only comes out now in times of desperation when she needs a good cuddle. I must try and get her to take a photo of him so you can see I offered to make a new body and WASH him but nooooooooooo chance she likes him just the way he is.

I Love this Angel/Fairy I haven't quite decided what she is yet, this is still a work in progress.

Another work in progress, this page is more about me I love music, I love flowers, and colour and of course my cat, can you see him there at the bottom of the page? I say these are works in progress because I don't always have the things to hand that I want to include on the page, as I find them they will be added.

Well that's my introduction to journalling and I will be back very soon with some more pictures (I charged the battery in my camera) YEHHHHHHHHHH. See you soon.

Here I am

2011-08-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

What a lazy monkey I am, I forget to take pictures, I forget I have a blog, I remember I have a blog, then have no pictures,
urghhhhhh..... I have been busy the past few months and I have started some art journals (I will get round to posting some pictures)
I am really enjoying these although my spare room looks like an explosion in a bead factory, I have to apologise if anyone stays in case they find beads/glue/sequins/ribbons in their bed....although I could think of worse things to sleep with.........
The lovely picture above is me with some of the choir rehearsing for a concert, this is our local shopping centre, its looks we are in a tropical rainforest doesnt it. The choir is finished for the summer holidays now and I'm already having withdrawals.
I will try harder and visit your blogs and update my own,I thankyou for your patience if you do pop in to visit.
See you soon xx

Party Time

2011-04-18T00:30:00.000-07:00

We had a great time this weekend with a party organised by my daughter for her boyfriends birthday. It was fancy dress and everyone looked great people really made an effort I loved watching them all have such a great time these kids certainly know how to let their hair down. My daughter is very good at maintaining friendships she's a wonderful friend and manages to find time for everyone and that certainly showed on the night over 100 people turned up. I'm quite often a bit uncomfortable around so many people especially people I don't know but this was a really relaxed fun noisy evening and we had a great time.

Its hard to tell from this picture what I was but if you look closely you can just see my wings and my halo....which was black cause this Angel isn't always as good as she should be !!!!

My other half and son as the pirate and Wheres Wally.

My daughter as an Egyptian.

My other daughter and boyfriend and of course my grandson who was an Easter chick.

Happy times........................................

Cookie Monster

2011-04-07T01:21:00.001-07:00

2 posts in two days...good grief it must be Spring.......................

Who stole that cake.....come on own up..........grrrrrrrrrrrrrr. These cookie monsters were great fun to make I have to make some for a party next week and thought I had better have a trial run..... well you have to dont you !! just before I was due to take a picture one went missing they were obviously just too good to resist.

2011-04-06T00:23:00.000-07:00

GOOD MORNING........... I was looking back on some old posts yesterday and it wasn't 5 minutes since I was talking about my birthday and well...here we are again....today I am errrrr.... mmmmm well you'll just have to look back and see, so what have I got planned for my birthday today. Nothing...zilch...nada..... Its a work day and nothing changes its a bit of a non event but next year I have decided that from now on I am going to have a days holiday on my birthday and do something special. Hopefully I will be seeing my children later and of course my grandson so I will look forward to that. At choir last night they all sang happy birthday to me and I got to pick a favourite song and I really enjoyed that, which song....oh yes it was "Electricity" from Billy Elliott my favourite favourite song and it sounded wonderful...I love the choir it makes me very happy. See this stitchery.....I must have done this two years ago, how lazy I am not to do anything with it but I think I should dont you ? My work room is just not working for me at the moment I seem to have STUFF everywhere so its being decorated and sorted out and then maybe I might be able to be more creative. I need a bigger house....anyone got one spare ???

2011-02-24T00:37:00.000-08:00

Lazy Lazy Lazy thats me.....I am still here, I am still crafting I just keep forgetting to take any pictures at least not of my crafts...this little boy is taking a LOT of my attention he's 10 weeks old now and doing well as you can see. When the camera is out its snapping away at him....well could you resist ?

I have started to paint again...what you didnt know I painted too...oh yes

I flit from one thing to another never quite mastering anything. I promise I will get round to posting some of my pictures, although for every one thats

half good there are another 10 that are not lol.... no I'm not just saying that Its a trait I wish I could overcome if only I had more patience

I moan about it constanty but never do anything about it sometimes you have to accept thats just the way you are.

The special place

2011-01-14T01:45:00.000-08:00

When you are stressed do you have a special place in your mind where you can retreat to ? I want to share with you my special place, if I'm upset or I cant sleep or I'm stressed I start at the gate and work my way through this beautiful place. I usually don't get very far it works it magic on me almost immediately.
Of all the places I have ever been in my life I wish I could re-visit this one GULP !! oh how silly I am get a grip girl.... This was my dad's garden and this is how I remember it 45 years ago sadly it no longer exists only in my memories and this grainy photograph.When other men were growing vegetables my dad was growing flowers and it was a beautiful place I have so many strong memories of that garden.I am so thankful that I inherited my love of gardening from my dad and when my own garden is looking good I have a few moments knowing that my dad would be proud of my efforts.
The Robin always pops in when I'm gardening and we joke that its my dad telling me what I'm doing wrong.

2010-12-14T00:51:00.000-08:00

I have been ver lazy with my blog lately...I just feel sometimes I havent got anything interesting to say....but today I have....
Welcome to our grandson Christian born on Sunday 12th December weighing 7lb 11oz.
We couldnt be happier although I am farrrrr to young to be a nanny lol...

2010-09-20T01:35:00.001-07:00

Well finally I have got round to posting....sorry for my absence I have no excuses.
Saturday I hosted a baby shower for my daughter, I had quite a few sleepless nights worrying about it I have never been to a baby shower so had no idea what people expected.I organised a couple of games and an activity that involved craft (of course) we bought some plain babybrows and some fabric paint and asked people to decorate them, I also did some pages for Natasha's scrapbook and asked friends to fill them in with words of wisdom for the mother to be... it all seemed to go well
and everyone enjoyed the activities. I also did a bit of baking and made some lovely cupcakes which everyone was very complimentary about. All in all a great day I started off taking photographs and then things became so busy the camera got forgotten but here are a few pictures I did take.

Pressie Time

2010-08-19T00:51:00.000-07:00

How exciting to get a parcel in the mail thankyou to Lisa over at Periwinkle (I would attach a link but I don't know how doh..... so if anyone would like to enlighten me !!) I was apprehensive about joining in a swap,what should I send, how much should I send,will she like it, what if she doesn't like it.... on and on and on
goes my little mind but in the end it was fine my swap partner Lisa was from my neck of the woods (Sunderland) so I knew we would be ok.
I'm very pleased with my parcel,each item was wrapped in lovely tissue paper and I feel very spoilt my husband and teenage son stood and watched me open it and my sons response was "I hope there's chocolate" and yes there was a lovely bar of Lavender chocolate,cant wait to try that. I love the knitted chicken and the lovely kitchen
cloths although I wont be using them to lift anything out of the oven (too nice for that) they will just hang around looking pretty.
So all in all my first swap went well and I hope Lisa liked my gifts to her.

2010-07-26T00:10:00.000-07:00

The most fantastic Merry go round is in Milton Keynes at the moment. Its a french artwork called Magical Menagerie that has been created from scrap items and made into this beautiful fantastical ride. I adore it, it appeals to my sense of shabby chicness (my sons words lol) I cant describe how wonderful it is you have to really see it and I hope if you live anywhere near MK you can come and see it. Its here until 8th August and then it moves on. At first when you see it you wouldn't think you can actually ride on it it looks so mechanical but all the creatures have seats in them and lots of levers which make the animals do things as you go round.In the centre of the ride there is a massive buffalo (my favourite) an elephant a huge fish which has a hydraulic arm that takes it up to the ceiling. Around the outside the creatures are smaller, frogs,prying mantis,ladybird, and bugs. On the corners of the ride there is a cage that you step into and you are in the body of a wasp or fly you can operate its wings as the cage goes up and down. My other half and I had a ride on it(yes that is me on the buffalo the big lever between my legs made the buffalo's head go up and down )and we were the only two on it....... As we got off the music that was playing was the clown circus music....very amusing. I have attached lots of pictures so you can see for yourself although I have to say these pictures dont do it justice.

2010-06-25T00:41:00.000-07:00

Well I said I would be back and here I am...... the clue I was going to give you about my surprise is not ready...typical lazy me.......so I think if you look at the picture you can see quite clearly what my news is. Nooooooooooo....I'm not pregnant BUT I am going to be a Nanny whoooooo....

My daughter Natasha is expecting and hopefully it will be here around 8th December.

My husband and I are both delighted after a few horrible years of losing people around us
this was very welcome news. In fact when she told me I sobbed like a loony....everyone who was there couldn't quite understand was I was so overcome but I make no apologies............

I cant wait and up until recently I would have said I'm not ready to be a grandparent yet but
actually YES I AM....

I have already started a small crib quilt which is coming along nicely if not a little slowly but I have got a few months yet. That was what I was going to show you as the clue but never mind you'll see it soon. We have already visited the baby shops a couple of times oohing and aahing
over all the lovely things.... even my son who is 18 got all excited in Mothercare and has already earmarked what he is buying the baby.

Help get me out......................

2010-06-09T05:22:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to say sorry to everyone for dropping off the face of the earth for a while....actually that's quite apt as it feels like what I have done. You see I've been in a black hole ( I blame the Hadron Collider)....Every now and again things become a bit too much for me and I opt out for a while. I still have to go to work and do all the things that are expected but my heart just isn't in anything so I apologise....... I'm sure we all get times like this in our lives when things just seem so hard and I was determined that my blog was going to be full of positive vibes but I believed I owed you an explanation. I had nothing positive to say so its better to say nothing. I loose the joy in everything I don't sew I don't read I don't do anything because my heart isn't in it.

I've always struggled between positivity and moroseness (is that a word I think it is I hope you know what I mean) sometimes those bad vibes are just too strong.

I haven't even been reading your blogs.........no don't gasp..........please I promise I'm heading on upward and I'll be back with you all soon.............anyway I've had some good news Yippee...........

but I cant tell you just yet I'll be back with a big clue soon I promise.

My best garden friend

2010-04-26T01:19:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share this action shot of my best garden friend in action.
See all the bits of tuber in the soil.... grrrr............this is what was left of my clematis. It had been lovely in previous years and it was really struggling so I did a bit of investigation and it's roots were completely destroyed by leatherjackets.....no not the ones you wear...... the little grey buggy ones..... they are the lavare of the cranefly or daddylonglegs. What a nuisance they are.........you don't know they are in the soil until the plant starts to die. Shortly after I had dug the clematis up my beautiful little friend turned up to help me clear them out....can you see the little beast in his mouth. Apparently there is not much I can do at this time of the year to get rid of them so now I am paranoid about my plants but other than go round digging them all up I will
just have to wait and see. The clematis although in a very sorry state has been saved yipee................. I put it into a pot
(after giving it a nice bath ) to get rid of any more unwanted visitors
from what was left of its roots and then it potted it in some nice
new compost and after a week it has a lovely 2" long green shoot on it.
I'm having a few days off this week (yes....thankyou) so I'm going to be in the garden and will bring you some more garden shots next week.
Now.....All bow down to the beautiful ROBIN REDBREAST.

2010-04-07T00:25:00.000-07:00

Thankyou every one for my birthday wishes,I've had a good time with lots of nice presents and good company. I had a lovely meal with my family on Sunday, I find it so weird to think that I am the parent of these grown up children !!! I certainly don't feel like their responsible parent. I have decided
that 50 is going to be a time for me (and my other half) I'm going to look after myself more I'm going to be more adventurous,I'm going to sing more and laugh more and generally let my hair down...so watch out world cause I'm headed your way.

Now back onto what I have been doing recently.... I made this crochet garland with the help of Attic 24,although I couldn't for the life of me follow her pattern for tiny flowers and the garland that was supposed to be crocheted...well....it isn't
that's all I need to say about that !! but I'm happy with the end result I think it looks cute.
I've NEARLY.. finished this lap quilt
This material was a b........er to work with with some of it had a very fine weave and pulled out of shape very easily. It came in pack from Hobbycraft. Its taken me 12 months
to get round to using it. I incorporated a few of my stitcheries and I'm happy with the results,I have to say I was fairly patient and tried hard not to rush.. BUT.....du du duuuuuuuu.
I cut the border....noooooooo....I stitched it on.....my way.....nooooooooo
and I've made a mess. Look I'm sorry ok I know you have all tried to show me how to do this properly but I didn't...But I will.. I PROMISE, I'm going to unpick it and do it again.
This is the best job I've done so far on a quilt and I will finish it properly.

2010-04-06T01:31:00.000-07:00

Can it be possible....no....I cant be....

fifty !!!! FIFTY !!!! how on earth did that happen lol........

2010-03-29T01:51:00.000-07:00

What am I doing at the moment.....well a bit of allsorts really. I'm working on this sampler which is very personal to me. Its all about my parents who sadly are no longer with me,I realise that this sort of work really appeals to my non conformist attitude (ie: I don't have to follow instructions). Let me tell you a little bit about whats on there,the photograph at the bottom is of my dads garden, when I was growing up Its the most vivid memory I have of my childhood.
My dad was a brilliant gardener and he loved flowers,most of the garden was given over to the growing of flowers even the greenhouses were full of beautiful smelling geraniums,even now the smell of geraniums warming on the windowsill transports me back to my childhood.
I was very excited at the car boot yesterday to find these cards,especially the geranium card
which of course has to have a place on the sampler somewhere.
Apparently these are cigarette cards !! If you click on the picture you should be able to read the
blurb. What else can I tell you..... the air mail envelope was a letter that my husband and I sent to my parents when we spent some time in Australia ,the crochet was something my mother was brilliant at and I wish that I had taken the time to learn from her whilst she was here.
There are two earrings one at the top and one at the bottom, one belonged to my mum and the other to my grandmother,there was only one of each so it seemed right to put them on here.
The stamps are for my dad, he collected stamps,coins, cigarette cards ( he would have loved those flower ones). And of course I cant forget the Robin the symbol that reminds me of my parents everyday. So there we have it a work in progress,very personal to me,I must admit I did wonder if any one else would "get it" but even if they don't I'm really enjoying making this.
I'll show you again when its finally finished I'm trying to decide how best to display this...any ideas.

I think I'm in Love

2010-03-12T01:19:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness....I think I'm in Love look who's come to stay with me.
I've coveted one of these babies for a long time and last weekend we visited a fabulous shop called Ampthill Antiques Emporium.Oh my goodness what a place it was 3 floors of antiques and vintage goodies I didn't know where to look first. I will certainly be going back again, it was impossible to take in all the goodies.
I will ask if I can take some pictures next time. They had a great section of vintage clothes sadly all to small for me.
I think vintage clothes are more suited to this beautiful lady than to me.
Okay what should her name be ? should she even have a name?
As my daughter told me...your weird mum !!!
Weird me.........hah
So come on some suggestions please, I've had Fleur, Marilyn (cause she curvy obviously) Lacey (my Husbands suggestion !!!) and I need some more so please join me in naming this beautiful (impossibly thin waisted) lady.

Spring is Springing...

2010-03-10T07:24:00.000-08:00

WELL...thank goodness for this beautiful sunny day...and boy did we need it I was beginning to think those grey miserable days were with us forever, but no...there are definitely lots of Springy signs about and that feels good. I spent Saturday going for a walk near to where we live, along the canal,through the tiny little tunnel that goes underneath the canal (how stupid am I not taking photographs) but I will next time I go. I did take one picture of this lovely church,isn't this tree amazing. Next time I promise to take more pictures...

Sunday saw us at a local Forest Centre...we were there to plant a tree in memory of my husbands father, it was a beautiful bright sunny day but sooooo.... cold as you can see from the picture.This is a lovely spot and was a favourite place for my in laws to walk.I'm sure we will be regular visitors. I made some promise knots to give to the family,I suggested they make a promise to their dad and then put the knot in the hole as the tree was planted. I also made some small ribbons to give so that they could keep and always be reminded of what their promise was.On the whole this seemed to go down well with most of the family participating. Sadly I have already broken my promise.......I dont mind sharing my promise with you, its not a secret.......my promise was to be more PATIENT, something I find increasingly harder as I get older. I do have my little ribbon though to remind me everyday to be a better person in memory of the people I have lost.

2010-03-03T00:37:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd share this picture with you,wouldn't it make a good stitchery ? This is my wedding invitation from 31 years ago...yes very 1970's.I loved it then and I love it now and I think I will definitely make it into a stitchery,feel free to join me if you wish.

Jim Shore

2010-02-03T01:45:00.000-08:00

I was so excited yesterday when I found that one of my favourite designers Jim Shore
Had a fabric range. Of course you probably all knew that especially my American friends....For those of you who don't know Jim Shore he does some fabulous ornaments.
A few years ago I paid quite a lot of money for a beautiful Noah's Ark and its one of my most treasured possessions. Sadly as I'm at work at the mo I haven't got a picture but here are some other pictures to give you some idea. It seems like it may be difficult to source his fabric in the UK so if any one in the USA can point me in the right direction I'd be very grateful.

So what do you think.... I just LOVE these designs.

Time to revist some projects

2010-01-10T03:45:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to You All..... I decided that the beginning of 2010 would be a good time to finish one or two (or ten) projects that I had started but discarded as I became disheartened.So here are one or two items that I have managed to complete.I was fairly pleased with the stitchery on this little wall hanging but it all went pear shaped when I did the border.In my frustration I shoved it away in a drawer and thankfully it was one of the first finsihes of 2010 YEAH.....
I have been working on this panel since last Christmas and sadly the photographs don't do it justice as its covered in beads, is a very touchy feely project and although it has a Christmas feel I have decided to leave it out as its so pretty.
AS usual it was the border that posed such a problem and prevented me from completing it but when I looked at it again recently I made some ribbon corners
and I'm quite happy with the result.

This cut out was HARD work I cut the tree out by hand with a scalpel !! don't ask me what possessed me but I'm glad I did although once I had cut it out I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do with it.Once again it was put away and now its this lovely little wall hanging (can you see a theme here !)
So a good positive start to the New Year and so my word for 2010 is
POSITIVE
I may need to be reminded occasionally but I'm sure that I can rely on all my bloggy friends to keep me on the right track........

2009-12-24T01:06:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Peaceful and Happy New Year xxxx

A Tutorial - How not to do things

2009-11-29T12:38:00.000-08:00

Oohh I am the most annoying person !! Why do I print off instructions then
completely ignore them... Why can I not be patient grrrr.......
So I saw these wonderful journal covers, yes I thought I can do that.... mmmmmm
Now don't get me wrong I am fairly happy with my finished item...at least I am Karen happy.This means I am always chuffed when I manage to finish anything and I am most definitely not a perfectionist I frequently tell myself that my work has character, yes I like that it has character....
So here's what happened...

1. ignore the pattern.. you don't have time to read that Karen
2. Measure your journal without a tape measure.. what on earth would you need a tape measure for?
3. Cut cut cut mmmm yes that looks about right.
4. Stitch stitch stitch oh not quite right what have I done, ok add a border...
5. Oh bother... its slightly too small oh blimey I've got a headache coming on.
6. Must finish tonight everything depends on it it must be finished tonight.....
7. Add bits here and there to hide all the sins, breathe a sigh of relief..
that's better its got character now.
Now the thing that I find frustrating about myself is that if I just took a little bit of time I know I could do much better...sounds like a bad school report..could do better !!!!

Lets take a look at the finished items shall we..NOOOOOO don't look too closely
remember the mantra say after me CHARACTER.....

Now I am always printing off poems,sayings, sentiments etc and I end up with bits of paper everywhere the little book on the front is to store these until I get round to putting them in the journal.
Can you see the little keeper of the secrets

I have started the first pages, dedicated to my three children of course. My two girls both in their twenties now and my baby who is 17.
This journal although only just begun has been claimed by one of my daughters so when I leave this mortal coil
(not for quite some time I hope) this journal will be full of my thoughts,feelings
hopes and dreams to pass on to them. Looks like I'd better get on and make another two !!!!!

2009-11-23T08:35:00.000-08:00

As I've got 5 followers over the weekend I'll be sending a little gift to you all.
If you havent already please email me with your address to get your suprise.
By the way do you like my status cloud. All these words are things I have been talking about on facebook. I particularly like the last one, STUPID Yes thats me I went out of the office on Friday and left the door unlocked for the whole weekend, eek....

2009-11-20T07:29:00.000-08:00

Good grief I think I might have done it !!!!!What,what I hear you say,
something exciting... well not really,look at the right hand side of the page
I think I have finally managed to get the followers gadget on my page.
I only think I've done it cause I've got no followers yet.. ahhhh come on all say
ah........ thats it,now go and be a follower, go on you know you want to....
I might have a little suprise for the first 3 followers.

2009-11-15T10:19:00.000-08:00

Just to prove to you I do sew sometimes I'm making this lap quilt,actually its going to go over the arm of my sofa,the colours go really well with my living room. I love the combination of colours here. It was a jelly roll that I received as a gift last Christmas. Yes it has taken me this long to use it, I'm very bad......The jelly rolls are very good for me as I hate cutting out, I'm not very accurate and these rolls are pre-cut, easy really.I'm also incorporating some stitcheries,just little sentiments that make me smile.

2009-11-05T04:36:00.000-08:00

I'd like to share my little work space with you.... If I didn't have this space I doubt I would do any sewing, I'm so messy and its great to be able to leave the machine out and everything else for that matter. I've only just reclaimed this space
so its still a work in progress but it is good to have everything in one place. The only problem is I'm sharing the room with my husbands wardrobe if I could get rid of that I'd be even happier...now what can I do with his clothes !!!!!!!

2009-10-30T07:11:00.000-07:00

I have been very bad...... no blogging, no sewing, no reading, no nothing............
Ok so I had an excuse but its about time I got my finger out.
I have no pics on my camera at the moment so I hope you enjoy this summer collage of my garden.
Thoughts are now turning to Autumn and soon Christmas. I have done no Christmas crafting but I am starting
to sew a little project which I will show you as soon as I get my camera out. I've got a lot of catching up to do and lots of bloggy visits to make.

2009-09-25T06:55:00.001-07:00

Just thought I'd let you all know I'm still alive and recovering well. Thankyou for the good wishes. I've been home a week now and I'm fine although I just cannot be bothered to do anything.My crafty mojo is in hibernation I think, I suppose in another week or so I'll feel more like it. I dont feel ill as such just not all there(nothing new then) he he .....
I'll enjoy reading all of your exploites and hopefuly it will give me some inspiration as I said to my other half I cant keep blogging about car boot finds!!!
Hope to back with you all soon. xxxxx

More booty goodness

2009-09-14T23:52:00.000-07:00

My last visit to the car boot for a while was quite a good one. I'm going into hospital tomorrow and will be laid up for a little while. I was considering blogging about my experience and recovery in the hope of helping anyone else going through the same thing (hysterectomy) but I don't know maybe this isn't the place to do that.
Anyway back to the booty......
Look at this lovely little wooden doll family, I've just noticed I left behind the tiny baby.... oh no,its ok they were only separated for the photo they are back together again now... he he he
These little dolls are wooden, they look Japanese and the paint colours are very dark.they are so cute as they have nodding heads... I love them.

I've always wanted one of these egg cups (oh no I feel another collection coming on!!!!) this one has its own little woolen hat to keep your egg warm.

Who can resist wooden beads...not me that's for sure.

But just look at this... the bargain of the day, £1 yes £1 I nearly fainted. Its a hand painted cheese dish, I love it, its just my kind of thing a very good find I'm sure you'll agree.

Well that will be all for now I'm off to bite my finger nails, and as soon as I'm up to it I'll be in touch.
I'm hoping that this enforced rest will allow me to get some sewing done.I'm sure that I will still be able to visit your blogs. See you soon.

A little bit of craftiness

2009-09-07T00:35:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love poppies... I do,I have lots in my garden sometimes they are only there for a short time depending on the weather but they are glorious, I love to watch them pop out from their cases, unfurling their creased petals and stretching up to meet the sun, hidden inside a wondrous inky blackness...... oops I'm dreaming again. I think I might do some more of these flower embroideries, they are just hand drawn and then filled in as the spirit moves me, I like doing this kind of thing I think it allows you to be more expressive, as you know I'm rubbish at following directions I like to be a free spirit.

I'm finding that I love projects that have a little bit of everything incorporated into them. This little stitchery has just that, I'm not sure what to do with it now
I might make a little wall hanging as I don't have much of the surrounding fabric,
I really like this fabric and would love to find some more to do a bigger project, it was given to me so I don't know the name of it. I'm sure someone out there will know.

Well...... this was my blanket, after realising I had nowhere near enough wool its now a cushion. Its a long time since I have done any crocheting and my squares leave a lot to be desired but I'm pleased with the overall result. I was quite shocked at the price of wool these days......
You know what this means don't you.. another cushion on the chair that no-one is allowed to sit on he he he..

2009-09-03T02:01:00.000-07:00

Thankyou to Michela for the lovely blog award. In response here are:
5 Things Id love to do

1. Open a Craft shop/Tea Room
At this moment in my life I sit at my desk dreaming of a lovely little shop and tea room that I would love to own. I would be surrounded all day by wonderful fabrics, buttons and crafty things. I would get to chat,drink coffee and eat cake with all the wonderfully talented people that came to visit. sigh............

2. Own a beehive
I would love to own a beehive and produce my own honey, actually it wouldn't just be a beehive, I'd like a goat,a donkey,sheep, ducks !! You know what I think I'd like a farm..... I'd grow all the fruit and vegetables and make wonderful dishes to serve in the tea room.

3. This is something I wish I'd done
I wish I had been a nurse, its only as you get older and you look back on your life you wonder .. why didn't I do that. My life took a different direction and for me it wasn't to be. I don't believe in regrets but if I could go back I would have followed this dream. I can hear you all saying " you can still do it". But no its too late
I have taken a different path....

4. Id love to visit Machu Pichu
I have a poster taped to my desk at work and everyday I look at it and think one day....For anyone that knows me this is funny beacuse I dont like flying. I'm a real coward when it come to adventure and I spend more time dreaming about the things I should have done. (I think I'm having a mid life crisis) lol...

5. I'd love to spend more time enjoying life and less time worrying about it.
I'm not sure after all these years of how to do that. Maybe when my children are settled I'll suddenly shock everyone.

So thats my five. Which of these would I really like, probably number 5 because if I had got over that I could have probably achieved all the others.

2009-08-26T01:29:00.001-07:00

2009-08-24T03:37:00.000-07:00

I have nearly finished this little wall hanging, and then as usual because of my impatience I put the border on wrong, got fed up and put it in the drawer, its really sweet and I must unpick and put a new border and backing on it , as you can see I'm not the greatest quilter I seem to get very frustrated at keeping everything square ! I enjoy doing the stitcheries and embellishments but seem to spoil it when it comes to the quilting.
My new mantra I must take a class ...... I must take a class...... I'm sure if I did I would be a lot less disappointed.

2009-08-19T00:19:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I found these two strangers from a foreign land (you guessed it at the car boot...) I loved them instantly they are made of wood and I have no idea what they are, they have a small indentation at the top but are not hollow any ideas ?

A few weeks later my other half and I were mooching around the age concern charity shop

when my husband saw this little lady at the back of the shelf. I was overjoyed I couldn't believe we had found another one.It certainly earned my husband some brownie points.

I took her home and reunited her with her family, how sweet are they. I wonder how many more of them are out there ?

Car Booty....

2009-08-17T00:14:00.000-07:00

A very good days work at the car boot yesterday.See the picture with two.. yes two robins, well just had to come home with me.
I saw a lovely old song book,I might take this into choir and see if we can sing any of the songs. We are always looking for interesting material.
Look at that little jewellery box, it plays a lovely tune when you open it up, its a bit neglected (shabby chic I think you'd call it)!!! but I love it.
I found two lots of embroidered handkerchiefs which I am hoping to use in one of my sewing projects.
The children's books (my grown up children despair!!!!) I bought these as I thought I might transfer some of the pictures and make them into stitcheries, I'll keep you posted.
Also found an unused stamp set (you can never have too many) and a lovely horse money box. Much shaking of the head from two of my children that were with me. I told them I'm leaving them at home next time...............They just don't understand.

2009-08-13T06:04:00.001-07:00

2009-08-12T00:17:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited today I have become a member of The Toy Society (see link on right hand side)
If you don't know about this (I'm sure you do) pop over and have a look its a fabulous idea.
You make a small toy, label it and leave it for someone to find, the label will let them know that it is a gift and they can take it home, how great is that! I am definitely going to participate so I'll keep you posted on my progress.

2009-08-09T23:47:00.001-07:00

I've nothing much to show today I had two attempts at the weekend at sewing and the first two pieces I sewed back to front doh........ so I put the machine away in disgust. I really need my sewing room back.
This morning I am not a happy bunny, I was looking for something in the bottom of my wardrobe and the iron fell of the shelf above me and hit me on the head....ouch.... I am feeling very sorry for myself and am nursing a big bump on the back of my head. I must admit I had a few tears. Hopefully will have something more interesting to report soon. bye for now.

2009-08-09T23:47:00.000-07:00

And the winner is ........................... Nadine..... If you would like to email me Nadine with your address
and the colour of bird you would like, it will be winging its way to you.

2009-08-06T05:28:00.000-07:00

I forgot to say when I would make the draw for one of the little birds. I will do it on Sunday
9th August, so if you havent already then leave a comment and tell me what you think about them.

World Picnic-Milton Keynes

2009-08-05T00:07:00.000-07:00

Saturday - weather was awful, I stood gazing out of the window feeling a little sad that the World

Picnic would be cancelled. It rained and rained all day.

Sunday - Blue sky's, sunshine, I cant believe it. Well I never would have thought after yesterday the weather would turn out like this, someone was obviously smiling on us.

The day was a great success, there were stalls with different world foods and goods, and a very diverse programme of entertainment from Bollywood dancers, belly dancers, our choir of course,singers, musicians and lots more. The day stayed fine and we finished at 7pm tired but very happy. Hopefully in coming years this event will go from strength to strength.

GIVEAWAY

2009-08-02T23:54:00.000-07:00

Good morning, look who has just flown in to the garden. It's the word birds !
These bright little birds have there tummy's filled with sweet words and sentiments.
They tell me they come in all colours, for any occasion, with words of your choice.
I'm going to give one of these sweet little birds
away so please leave a comment and tell me what you think.
I'll pop back later today and let you know how my choir performance went, stayed tuned.

2009-07-31T08:17:00.000-07:00

Quick Friday post,
I'm so excited that I have been receiving comments you are all truly wonderful. This blogging lark is truly addictive. Can anyone tell me how to add the followers gadget to my sidebar, it doesnt seem to want to work for me. (not that I'm assuming I'll get any followers but you never know) Busy weekend ahead,I've got some ideas brewing and of course my choir performance on Sunday (fingers crossed no rain). Oh and I'd better fit in some housework somewhere (boo......).

2009-07-30T01:08:00.000-07:00

I want to tell you a little story about the Robin Redbreast. A short while after my father passed away I started to get visits from the Robin. It became so frequent that we joked it must be grandad but then the visits became more and more unusual we would see him every where (and I mean everywhere) we went. The children would ring me with regular reports of seeing him .I decided that it was a message from my dad letting us know that he wasnt far away and it brought us all some comfort. It makes me sad and happy at the same time when I see him. My mother passed away recently and since then we have hardly seen him but the first week after she had gone I had two Robins in the apple tree.I smiled and knew that they were together and strangely I havent really seen them since.

Blankie

2009-07-29T01:34:00.000-07:00

This is a comforter that I made for my daughter, its for when she is feeling sad or down,on the back is a lavender filled pouch to help relaxation. I made both of my daughters one of these and I hope they will always treasure them.These small quilts are about as much as I can handle at the moment until I improve my quilting skills. I keep threatening to take a class but I never quite get round to it, one day maybe.

World Picnic

2009-07-29T00:30:00.000-07:00

Choir practice last night for the World Picnic on Sunday 2nd August
in Milton Keynes.
It should be a great day celebrating music, dance and the
cultures of the world. The choir are doing 2 sets with a live band
so it should be very exciting. Pray for fine weather,there is
such a lot of work from a lot of different people going into this day
it would be shame for the weather to spoil it.
Come along if you are in the area and enjoy a great day,
oh and bring a picnic.

CAR BOOTY

2009-07-27T00:59:00.000-07:00

A very successful day at the car boot on Sunday. I found a lovely little sewing basket
with a pin cushion on the top, some gorgeous duck buttons and a wooden santa badge, I'm sure Ill find something to put that on at christmas.
I was amazed to find a little picture of Port Isaac in Cornwall where I have just been on holiday, if you click on the picture you can see the School House where we stayed. I also
found a lovely wooden bracelet which I was going to split up to use in my necklaces but it's
so cute I might just leave it as it is. Last but not least a little hand made rabbit which was bought for 50p, I just had to give her a home for that. I think the lady on the stall was a crafter as she admired the flower on my bag that I had made.
All in all a good haul. Although my other halfs reaction was "not another basket",men they just don't understand do they.

2009-07-24T00:50:00.000-07:00

This is something else I like to make, I love beads and have recently begun making these pretty necklaces.
I also love felt, its so forgiving and easy to work with.
As you can see I'm a bit all over the place with the medium I want to work with but I love them all
so I'll just keep flitting from one to another for now.

2009-07-24T00:48:00.000-07:00

This is my first attempt at applique, this has a little bit of everything, patchwork, applique and
embroidery. I tied the top of the cushion with pink ribbons. I love this and I get very protective when anyone
sits on the chair (he he he )

2009-07-24T00:44:00.000-07:00

This is what I'm doing at the moment,I love stitcheries and I'm hoping
when I get my sewing room back (daughter back home temporarily)
I'm going to include them in a quilt.

2009-07-24T00:42:00.000-07:00

I Thought I would show you my very first attempt at making a lap quilt.
Although it has a million things wrong with it I was very pleased with myself.
I am a beginner and could do with taking a class or three but I'm learning,especially
to be more patient.

2009-07-22T02:43:00.000-07:00

2009-07-21T06:37:00.000-07:00

2009-07-21T06:02:00.000-07:00

This is my first attempt at blogging, I'm trying to get to grips with the layout so please bear
with me. I'm posting some photos of our recent hols to Cornwall hope you enjoy them.