Tuesday 20 November 2007

Flickr

This is a test post from flickr, a fancy photo sharing thing.

Thursday 15 November 2007

'Sewing'

Metalic Marble Painting to celebrate Diwali


I feel like I been very neglectful. I haven't posted for sooooo long.
I have been so busy at work and home that I get to the evening and all I want to do is make Pom Poms. (there's a whole post about Pom Poms coming soon, bet you can't wait! ;-)
Anyway thought I'd better post something so you know I haven't forgotten about you all.


Here are two photo's of some sewing done by 2 and 3 years. I just showed them how a hole punch works and threaded their needles and off they went.






And here is a big kitten helping me work, they just can't resist a box!

Thursday 8 November 2007

Bonfires and Knitting

My Parents Annual Bonfire Party was it's usual success.




It started in the traditional way with my Dad putting on his very old handknitted jumper that only comes out once a year.



The pyrotechnics team staged a well co-ordinated display and soup and baked potatoes were enjoyed by all.

Then something wierd happened, it all went crafty...............



My Aunty Lainey has been crocheting a jumper for my sister Laura.



So, Laura had to try on said jumper while we all discussed the length and felt the wool!


Then my mum held a knitting surgery and we all tried to figure out a pattern that Laura was trying to follow.




Now let this be a lesson to you all, this is what happens if you where a polyster woolly hat while tending a bonfire!

Friday 2 November 2007

Just couple more things

Just couple more things I need to say;

First Karyn's shop is now open over at the Fat Orange Cat blog.
If there is anyone who reads this and who buys me presents - I want, no, need this bag! click here and it will take you straight to the page!
I have my eye on a couple of items, I hope they don't go before I get my 'Slack-Arse' in gear.

And the second thing, in the sprirt of the handmade pledge, Sew, Mama, Sew has a 'Thirty Days of Gifts to Sew' thing going on.

Looks like lot's of fun inspration to me!
Projects planned are:
November 1 ~ Aprons
November 2 ~ Pincushions & Pins
November 3 ~ For the House
November 4 ~ Lunch Bags
November 5 ~ Tote Bags
November 6 ~ Blankets for Baby
November 7 ~ For your Purse or Pocket
November 8 ~ Whimsy
November 9 ~ Fabric Ornaments
November 10 ~ Ties and Belts
November 11 ~ Reading & Writing
November 12 ~ For the Table
November 13 ~ Placemats
November 14 ~ Kids’ Clothes
November 15 ~ Warm those Toes
November 16 ~ Gifts for the Crafter
November 17 ~ Purses
November 18 ~ For Baby
November 19 ~ Tech Gifts
November 20 ~ Gifts for Organization
November 21 ~ Pillows
November 22 ~ Fun for Hair
November 23 ~ Soft Toys & Games
November 24 ~ Sachets
November 25 ~ For the Kitchen
November 26 ~ Embellishments
November 27 ~ Gifts for Warmth
November 28 ~ Drawstring Bags
November 29 ~ Fabric Boxes
November 30 ~ Gift Compilations

Slack-arse Housewife!

Slack-arse was a phrase coined at college to describe a co-student who; 'cut corners, was a bit lazy and lackadaisical', and that's how I feel about the domestic arts.
Don't get me wrong I love to cook, knit dishcloths and make jam but I can't be arsed with dusting and the like and don't get my partner started on my lack of ironing!




Spider cake inspired by Not Martha


But some tidying had to be done today, we had a Halloween Party on Wednesday and there was a trail of spider sequins, feathers and glitter through the house that I had ignored for long enough.

But, I think I might of found the answer - Craft Podcasts!


There is a whole list of them at Craftypod, first I listened to a couple of festive podcasts from Crafty Chica, (that was the sofa wiped (it's leather), toy's put in a pile(there still there), wand making materials put away and floor swept) then I half listened to a Craftsanity interview with Amanda Blake Soule while I swept the kitchen, moved a rug and plumped cushions.
Great!

I usually resent spending time on my day off cleaning, but this way I feel like I'm crafting and it takes my mind of the domestic drudgery!

Haven't got much crafting in during the last week or so. I have been experimenting with the felted Christmas decorations and come up with some prototypes.




I'm happy with the red heart but I think the green one needs something, I'm on the lookout for small bells and the yellow star needs a button or something.


There's a lot of chat at the moment about blogs and books making the authors lives look perfect and how this makes others feel inadequate.
When I had my first son there was a lot of mums making out that their lives and babies where great and perfect and I resolved then to tell it how it was; sick and wee covered, sore boobed, boring hard work! (that was on the good days ;-)And it's quite easy to make your bloglife look perfect in the photos you show. I love the idea of moving the camera a bit to the left or zooming out to show what's really there, so here is the corner of the kitchen where the above photo was taken.





It doesn't look that bad when you can't see the whole of the smeared bin and half eaten cat food!


We're looking forward to my Mum & Dads Annual Bonfire Party tomorrow night; three hours of fireworks followed by hot soup, baked pototoes and smoking fags with my Dad by the bonfire (shh, don't tell anyone!)