Chairs

Last summer I posted about loving chairs and I said that I was bidding for two vintage Parker Knoll chairs. Well, I won the ebay auction at £15, and we have finally had them recovered in a greeny-turquoise wool. Very comfortable and gorgeous to look at too. Upholstery cost = mega.

P.S. The back door is being propped open with a jar of lentils - working on a better solution for that problem. Will post the result.

The Oh My Goodness Cafe

Today local council workers were on strike which meant that Georgia's school was closed. So I took a holiday and we spent the day planning a surprise for Cully for when he came home from work. The last item on our what to do without spending money list (the post just before this one) really grabbed Georgia's imagination since cafes figure top of her list of places to go. Cafe was one of the first words she recognised! So we planned what we were offering - she made the menu and I baked the scones. We did spend money, however, on strawberries, jam and cream. Georgia had a lot of fun practising how to be a waitress (although she nearly drove me crazy with impatience for her daddy to come home) and I enjoyed baking what turned out to be fabulous fruit scones (I've never made fruit ones before, I used sultanas, apricots, dates and raisins). Cully was impressed that I remembered to buy clotted cream. The bill came to £2 which was a bargain for such a posh cream tea.

We also read Tim the Tiny Horse by Harry Hill. Georgia got the belly giggles with that one!

Don't Say You're Bored!

A "what can we do list" of stuff we can choose from when Georgia and I have the week off together at the end of the month. Trying not to spend any cash - hoping for good weather. Click on the list to see it close-up.

Happy Easter

There Have Been Birthdays....

Pick of the Week (and another holiday collage)

Its been a week. Sure has. Lots of things done all while nursing a terrible headache (gave up on pain killers on Thursday since my tummy was starting to feel weird). Seem to be ok now - was probably fighting some bug. Besides the usual telephone and spreadsheet situation at work, here is a sample of some of the other stuff that went on:

Had a two hour meeting that may just get the ball rolling on something very important.

Had lunch with a former colleague. I had forgotten what a lovely man he is. His charm and complimentary encouragement gave my esteem a big lift.

Went to a play at the Live Theatre in Newcastle with Caroline. The Pitman Painters was written around a true story about miners who took art appreciation classes in the 1930s. They decided to create art in order to understand the meaning of art. This play explored their terrible working conditions/poverty and the way art enriched and lifted their lives. It was very funny - not at all trite - but with very serious ideas being presented. "Art is about You" said one of the characters. I just loved it.

Got these earings in the post - you can see more at maryandjane's etsy shop here. They are very swing-y and fab!

Got this wonderful book in the post too. It is by the artist Rob Ryan. The combination of his paper cut designs and the seemingly simple sentiments he expresses makes my heart flip. Look here for his book, and here for Rob's blog

Helped to rescue a cockatil -someone's pet that was trying to escape from the dive bombing magpies and crows. It banged into a lamp post and fell to the ground. Super Clair and I went to find it and scooped it up into a box. Clair nursed it, Sarah took it to the vet. Sharon got an update. It survived and is with a bird sanctuary lady until its owner is found. Result for all the blondies at work - and of course the bird!

Georgia's homework is a breeze for her. Her reading is really coming together. How exciting to be five and have this magical power begin to happen.

Finally, a GORGEOUS customer winked at me on Thursday. WooHoo.

Stripey

Lots of catching up to do after the summer. Over the next few days I'll update with some images of things we have been up to and some of the things I've made (even some new collages!) Here is the first image - Georgia and me under the stripey crochet banket I made earlier this year. Warm and soft and over-the-top colourful. I am making a felt bag for myself at the moment with a much more subdued colourway - I'm trying to finish by the end of the weekend, so will post a photo then. You can just catch sight of it behind our heads.

Growing Up

Some one is growing up - more wiggly ones too. Looks like the tooth fairy is gonna be busy.

Spiraling Back Into Control

What a few weeks! A big worry/stresser has resolved itself. I have had what seems like weeks of anxiety, but the result is that fixing the situation will give me less RESPONSIBILITY and free up some time for more personal creativity. The weight is lifting and I'm happy that there is a good solution for everyone involved, but I will wait a LONG time before volunteering my time for anything again.

Positive energy is beginning to float around ....except that we were suppose to be going to hear the fabulous Stacey Kent tomorrow evening as a 20th wedding anniversary treat, but Ms Kent is ill. I am so disappointed (character flaw: Karen does not deal with disappointment well) Hopefully Stacey will recover quickly and another date announced soon. I have trawled the web for what is on tomorrow night (do not want to cancel the babysitter), but nothing sounds good. Probably will just go out for a meal. Curry maybe - or mexican....

Last week's country walk

Here are some photos from last weekend's walk near Featherstone castle in Northumberland - our caravan is near there. Off again sometime this weekend - waiting for the gas boiler man to come and do the yearly maintenance and need to do some cooking before setting off.

We met a lovely little spaniel called Satch. His owner commented on Georgia's chatterbox qualities. WE KNOW! Haven't worked out how to get her to be quiet even for a little while without hurting her feelings.

I love bugs - especially the jewelbox variety.

Isn't this the best gate? A storybook gate that you'd think was twee in an illustration, but somehow looks good in person or a photo.

Bluebell woods. Magical. Nature is lushing-up here. I'm glad May is here, but I'm really waiting for June when the English countryside is really breathtakingly beautiful.

Colour, Colour, Colour

Lots of colour in our house at the moment. Especially since I started the crocheted blanket. I was going to do a ripple one like everyone else seems to be doing - see: http://neisripplealong.blogspot.com . So I bought a great book called Ripple Stitch Patterns by Jan Eaton which shows patterns for knitting and crocheting ripples. But, true to form, I decided not to ripple - I just really like a straight line. I'm loving putting the colours together and changing after 4 rows. I am also using merino, cashmere, and silk blend wool which feels so lovely (should I mention again that I hate acrylic yarn? It squeaks and makes me feel weird like nails down a blackboard.) Crochet is my number one stress buster and always makes me think of my cousin Sharon who's work is of the highest quality.

The pom poms and beads are garlands Georgia and I made for her birthday party. We'll be able to use them every year. Very bright and pretty.

Can you tell which are the real daffodils and which are the ones we made in the birthday present photo?

The bracelet was my mother's day present. I've always wanted one of these, and could have made one myself, but I'm glad I waited for one that was made with LOVE from my very own five year old.

The sunset was the other evening at the end of our street.

One of the Sweetest, Happiest Little Souls on Earth

...and she lives with us!

Buttons

My sister sent me bags of buttons that our mother collected over the years. This makes so very happy. I've been saving buttons forever and it is nice to have that little connection with Mama. I'll be very selective about using them, but can't wait to find projects for them.

Thanks, Sonya!

Musical Banana -and other images from my week

What a couple of weeks. Completely overwhelmed. Stupid old February always bites my butt. No excaping all that I am responsible for and all the deadlines I am behind on. I MUST remember next Christmas to plan something good for February - like a little trip to take by myself.

I did have a little trip this week to a Four Star hotel in Cheshire. Unfortunately it was for work and I didn't have time to wallow in the luxury of it. I got lost getting there in the dark and the sat nav system I was using sent me down a farm track and I ended up driving on someone's lawn and had to apologise. Sums that trip up - the frost was beautiful the next morning though.

There was good news: Caroline and I managed to get some space at a crafts market yesterday. Sold some stuff ( a grey felt handbag that I hand sewed went very quickly!) and it was a good first outing because we'll have another space in April. YAY!

(*The mints just looked good all piled up in the glass - amazingly good photo for me. * Could Georgia's world be more pink? * Crocheted scarves and felted wool handbags * The pink and white thing is a dragon fruit. Beautiful, juicy, expensive, but pretty tasteless.)

Holiday images

These are my favorite images from Christmas - the fruit and veg shop in Ilfracombe, my favorite present - the three little pots,and the Genie of the Lamp courtesy of Granny's scrap fabric bag.

It was a good break - seems long ago, but Mike and I were tired and weary and needed some time to do absolutely nothing. His Mum and Dad provided that opportunity by being so hospitable as always. Feels like home at their house which is a comfort to me.

I have no New Year resolutions other than to try to remember to take carrier bags to the grocery store instead of getting new ones each time. A little thing, but I think resolutions should be angst free really. Who wants to start the new year with yet more rules and stuff to worry about. Life is tough enough.

What to report this week? Mike's car was stolen and damaged, so we will have to search for a small and cheap replacement for him to drive to work in. He has had a hard week because of that - Georgia and I have had to drive to pick him up from work each night which has put another hour on to our day. I have done tons of little admin things - tax, bank account etc. No fun, but I've ticked them all off except my passport which must be renewed this week.

Finally, I have been given a prescription for reading glasses (age related deterioration, bummer) so that will be a new thing. Took a while to find a couple of pairs that didn't make me look like old mother hubbard. And we are fighting the battle of the bug - head lice again. UUUGGGHHH.

Creative endeavors: Lots in my head, lots of crochet which is very relaxing. Finished two felted handbags at Christmas, will try to photograph them this week, if the sun ever shines. I'm also going to try to make a drawing to submit to the Draw Your Soul project run locally, but is an international project.

Happy Christmas Wishes

Happy Wishes to Everyone this Christmas - here is a corner of our home. Paper snow flakes cost nothing, are relaxing to make - and are always the prettiest decorations we put up. New white tree this year -very pretty with its bright baubles.

Peace for all.

Good day

Had a lovely day today - wasn't at work because it was Georgia's school play. She was a singing pink fairy light. She kept waving at me which was lovely. Submitted my tax return online. Phew. Only took a little while, but I don't really "do" numbers and I get all stressed about it. Cully was off today too, so it was nice to spend some time just hanging out with him. Got the mail off to America this afternoon - though it might be to late for pre Christmas delivery. Hopefully not. Lena (above) is on a diet and it is working slowly. She was 16 in November and still as shy as she was as a kitten. She is a sweet little presence in this home - we all love her dearly. If I can ever get a good photo, I'll post an image of the peg ballerinas that Georgia and I made last week. Finally, have enjoyed wearing a new denim skirt from Monsoon that Cully bought me. It is aline and swing-y and comfortable and will go with everything - just perfect.

Apologies for the mixed up post, but Christmas preparation makes my head spin and this is a good representation of how I have to keep changing "subjects" during my day.

Praying for my sweet Aunt Mary Jane's speedy recovery from a heart attack. Love to you MJ.

This little piggie

Georgia drew this to give to one of my friends for her birthday. Thought better of giving a "pig in a bikini" in that birthday parcel. There is a great Geordie saying..."what ya trying to say, like," which would have applied.

Have had a cold and sore throat this week, but carried on with a million things anyway. Went for pizza on Thanksgiving night. Georgia coughed the entire time, so we came home with headaches. Went to see/hear my favorite radio show being recorded on Sunday night. Mike and I went together (no child!). I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/comedy/clue.shtml is a silly panel game chaired by a terrific man called Humphrey Littleton. He is 85, still records this show and tours with his jazz band (he plays trumpet). And I was delighted to learn is a caligrapher and president of the Italic Handwriting Society. I wasn't aware that there was an Italic Handwriting Society, so I must look that up. Thursday night, my gallery group hosted a ceilidh (barn dance) which was fun, but I was an hour late because it took 2 and a half hours to drive the 8 miles home from work. Apparantly there was an accident on the Tyne Bridge. Today I finished the Christmas shopping after having a hair cut. Tonight we went to the GLOW festival in the Park. The walkways were lit with torches, the mansion there was lit with pink and there was a shadow play in the windows with the story read over loud speakers (love our park and the things our local council provides there.) Tomorrow, Caroline and I are off to check out a crafts market, then Georgia and I are going to have a crafts afternoon. Then back to work on Monday. Life is full, but the Christmas shopping is done- Hooray!!!!!!

Future Plans Sorted

Conversation in the car on the way back from After School Club tonight:

"Mummie?"

"What, Georgia."

"Did you know that some ladies have husbands but they don't ever get babies?"

"Umm humm."

"That's what I'm gonna do when I am an adult."

Mike is horrified.

Birthday Photo