Ho! Ho! Ho! No! No! No!

Hi, just thought I say a quick hello. Seem to be really busy at the moment (isn't everyone!) and haven't had much time to do anything crafty, apart from on Tuesday when I dusted off the sewing machine to make a card for my old Textiles teacher, as I was popping in to catch up with the girls that had gone on to do the Level 2 course this year (had intended to do one for everybody there but ran out of time so had to do ordinary ones for everyone else). It was lovely to see Anita, Carol, Annie, Jill and Shelley and have a look at their sketchbooks and see what they were doing this year. It was lovely to catch up with them and have a good natter, but I felt quite sad when I came out that I wasn't doing it again this year, they are all so lovely and nice to spend time with.

Having a meal tonight with the 'Film Club' (the girls from work and Lyndsey and Eleanor that have gone on to work elsewhere). We started the Film Club to make sure we kept in touch when they left - but although we started off seeing a film every couple of months, sometimes we just been for a chat in the pub or a get together at somebody's house. It'll be really great to see them both and have a natter and a gossip!

After feeling really quite laid back about Christmas this year, it suddenly hit me last night that I don't actually have much time to get everything made, bought, finished off, wrapped and delivered (especially as I thought Christmas Day was next Friday and not next Thursday) and got into a bit of a strop with poor old Ian, who has done something to his leg and was limping around badly last night. We went for a run on Sunday in the dark and he misjudged a dropped kerb and come down akwardly on his foot and thinks he may have done it then. I'm feeling a bit happier today, having posted (almost) the last of the cards - pheww! although I do still have a couple I want to make, and feel a bit guilty about being such an old grouch last night. Anyway, lunchtime is over, better get back to some work!!

Ya Hey! Have done something!!

Well on Tuesday I was determined I wasn't going to waste the evening, so had an attempt at another scarf. Tried to lay the wool out much thinner and added some very strands from a dyed silk mawata square to embellish it. Was quite pleased with the end result, but it still wasn't as fine as I wanted it....

Last night decided I really must get down to writing some cards and had to drop Niall off and pick him up from Kickboxing so the evening was a bit disjointed, but did get quite a few cards written (yippee! one of my pet hates!!).

Tonight I was fired up with enthusiasm again, and despite having an extremely fruitless trip to the local shops (we are lucky to have quite a good shopping centre 15 minutes walk away) that usually has late night shopping on a Thursday on the lead up to Christmas - but didn't tonight, and resulted in me having an unhealthy tea in McDonald's which means I will probably put back on the 2 pound I lost at Slimming World on Monday (yes I know, I only have myself to blame!), had another go using a slightly different technique at another scarf. It has turned out very fine (possibly too fine in places), but I feel I am getting somewhere and am having fun trying - Sonja, you will have a handmade scarf for Christmas!!

Gorgeous Sunday

We got up early on Sunday and had a hearty breakfast, as the plan was to go to Southsea first so, (weather permitting), Niall could fly his kite, then we would go on to the race headquarters at about 12.30.

When we got there at about 9.30 am there was not a breathe of wind and it was gorgeous!!! Perfect blue sky, cold and crisp - but no wind for the kite, so we had a quick walk then stopped for a coffee in one of the cafés. Niall did sort out the lines on one of his kites and tried to fly it, but there wasn't enough wind to keep it up. Mind you, Ian and I were hoping the wind would stay down for the race!

We had another cup of coffee and Ian and I shared a flapjack (I said this would be slow release energy!) then made our way to the Sports Complex where the race was to start and finish.

We met up with Ian's workmate Alan who was also racing and had a warm up (was a bit worried as felt quite worn out after two laps around the track), then the race started. I stayed right at the back and tried not to keep up with anyone else as it is easy to run much faster than you would normally. I was doing quite well up to one mile and decided that I would try and make it to the 2 mile mark before I stopped for a walk, which I did. The rest of the way I ran and walked and with about a mile and a half to go started running with a very nice lady who was doing the same, and we finished the race together - it was a real help having someone to go along with -hopefully I'll bump into her again at another race. As I did a better time than I expected to, I've decided to run another 5 mile one in a month's time!! Ian was really pleased as he knocked off 10 minutes from his time last year, so we were both happy.

Came home, had a bath, had tea and watched the results of Strictly Come Dancing. Felt justified in having a rest, even though zero housework done this weekend!!

Losing those negative blues!

My cold developed over last weekend and I was very wheezy Monday morning and ended up having a couple of days off work. Watched a lot of daytime tele and dozed a lot on the settee but the last couple of days I have started to feel a lot better. Ian and I are supposed to be running a five mile race tomorrow at Portsmouth. It's the farthest I have run and even though I could have entered on the day I said I wanted to enter before to make sure I trained up for it, but because of my cold have done nothing since last Wednesday when I went for a run on the treadmill at work. I will see how I feel tomorrow, but hopefully I will be able to get round with a combination of running slowly - (which is all I do anyway) and walking. The course is supposed to be 'flat and fast' so at least it might not be too bad as all our training around here is pretty hilly and up and down.

Last night was late night shopping in Romsey and Santa arrived too!! I was really keen to go as it's a really nice place to go anyway and is particularly nice at Christmas with all the lights on and the tree up in the town centre. Had a glass of mulled wine (purely medicinal), a hot chocolate with whipped cream, and a pot of tea, interspersed with looking round some great shops and even though Ian and Niall had been a bit less than enthusiastic about going, we all agreed that it had been a really good evening.

Went back to Winchester today to dispel my negative feelings from last Saturday. I felt a lot better as nearly over my cold and weather fantastic. Could hardly move as the market was so busy, but enjoyed it a lot more and hopefully they are doing great business! Didn't do very well on the pressie front again, wondering around rather aimlessly with not much idea of what anyone wants, but it did give me an excuse to look at some nice bits and pieces. I'm getting a bit worried that I feel so laid back about getting everything done, but then I do thrive on a bit of panic, so hopefully it'll be all done in time!!

Feelin' flat

After saying those fateful words at work on Wednesday that I hadn't had a cold for ages despite coming into contact with loads of people that had, that evening I started to develop a 'funny throat' and the next day it was horrible and scratchy and became a fully fledged cold on Friday. Despite this, and the weather, I decided to go up to Winchester on the train yesterday, Saturday, to have a look at the Christmas Market http://www.winchesterchristmasmarket.co.uk/ in the cathedral grounds. As soon as I got off the train I could tell it was going to be mega busy and the precinct was absolutely heaving with people. I had a very quick look round all the stalls but didn't have the same enthusiasm that I normally have when I go there. I think it was partly to do with my cold and also the weather, it was very grey and dreary and my heart just wasn't really in it, although there was some really lovely stuff there. I left feeling a bit flat, I love Winchester and it's just a short trip on the train from us, and usually get a real buzz from going there particularly when the Hat Fair is on and at Christmas, as there is a real Christmassy feel to the place. I'll try and go up again before Christmas when I'm feeling better to try and capture a more seasonal spirit!!

The scarf ...

Here is a picture of the scarf I made on Tuesday. It's not finished, but thought I would lay it out with one of the spare flowers I didn't use for my textile course piece, laid on top just to get an idea of what it could look like. Am fairly pleased with it, but may keep this one as it was really a trial piece and do another for Sonja, trying to make it a bit more delicate than this one has turned out.

Just a quickie

Just a quickie as I'm at lunch at the moment but I did actually look out my felting stuff last night and did attempt a scarf. Bearing in mind the 'cobwebby' appearance of nuno felt I tried to make it very light, but unfortunately in one place there is an actual hole and not just a cobwebby bit. I was quite pleased with it otherwise for a first attempt at something so long. Am trying to think of ways to 'disguise' it - maybe some beads?? Will put a piccy of it on later.

Procrastinating (again)

I want to make a nuno felted scarf for one of my bestest friends, Sonja, for Christmas and have spent the last hour looking at other peoples scarves on the internet instead of getting everything out ready. If only I could use my time more productively, there'd be no stopping me!!!!!! But on the other hand, I suppose I was getting inspired! Well I can't put it off any longer, I've got to look everything out and get going - watch this space .....

I have done something!

Just thought I'd put a piccy on of a birthday card I've made for Danielle, one of the girls that I work with, for her mother-in-law who is into making dolls houses. Am quite pleased with it, it turned out to be easier than I thought it was going to be. Sorry it's a bit dark.

Also on the plus side I have bought a few bits and pieces this weekend for Christmas presents, so at least I have made a start!

Hello again!

Well I can't believe it's been over three months since my last blog. I think the main reason is that I started the blog originally with a huge rush of enthusiasm fuelled by all the other blogs out there and then felt bad because I hadn't actually achieved very much on the crafting front (apart from a fair bit of card making), especially when I had all the summer holidays off, and since have almost consciously been staying away from looking at blogs, as much as I enjoy them, because I feel guilty that I haven't achieved much when everyone else manages to do such lovely stuff, often with families and jobs to fit it around (I think that is what is known as 'cutting off your nose to spite your face')!!

Anyway I am back again reacquainting myself with the favourite ones and finding new lovely ones and will no doubt waste away hours (when I could be crafting) seeing what everyone else is doing (mind you it's not a bad way to waste a few hours is it)!!

See you soon!

Lazy me

Well hello again. I feel so guilty, all I've done for the last week is some washing and a bit of light dusting (with the emphasise on the bit!) and caught up with programmes I've recorded. I know I wouldn't feel bad if I had two weeks abroad and just read and sunbathed all the time, but somehow being at home I feel I should be doing something. I've hardly even been in the craft room now I have the time apart from making a batch of cards - I'm so stupid, when I'm at work all I do is think about what I could be doing when I'm at home and now I am, I am wasting time!! Well that is going to stop - watch this space .....!

Quick card

Thought I just put a piccy on of a card I've just done for Beverley, one of the ladies I met on my course. She made a brilliant lamp based on global warming made from all sorts of recycled bits and pieces. It was rectangular in shape and each side represented a different aspect, the Ocean, the North Pole, the Rain Forest and the Coral Reef. It looked great when it was finished and was amazing that something so decorative was made from things that people would throw away. I must get into the town this afternoon to post it as it's tomorrow - better get a move on!

Out of the Doghouse

After wrestling with it for a while last night, hubby managed to open up the Sky remote. He took out the circuit board and cleaned up one of the connections, put it back together and it worked again. It may have also helped that Niall tried to dry it out in the morning with my hairdryer as one of his friends did that when their mobile phone had something spilt onto it. Anyway, that has saved us about £25.00. No more dozing off with half a mug of hot chocolate in my hand!!

In the doghouse

Well I'm not very popular this morning. I dozed off on the settee last night and spilt my hot chocolate on the Sky + remote, so we are now stuck on GMTV. We can change it manually but having to trawl through loads of channels isn't much fun. Luckily the sun is shining at the moment so hopefully it won't really be too much of a problem today. Maybe it will dry out, but I don't hold out much hope - otherwise we will have to invest in a new one - oh dear!

Winchester Contemporary Craft Fair

Ah yes, there has been so much going on this week, I forgot to mention that I did get to the craft fair in Winchester last Saturday eventually, I say eventually because ...
the evening before, Niall and I attended a music evening at college put on by the Art Dept. Ian was working that night so was due to lock up when the event finished. It was a brilliant evening involving many of the teachers themselves that are involved playing in bands outside of college and we listened to Jazzatazz, featuring Andrew on Jazz guitar and Bob on trumpet, Joel playing Blues, Mist on the Bog, with Tim, - Irish music - really rousing at the end of the evening, Red Campion, a very talented melodic group, some Bruce Springsteen and Joni Mitchell courtesy of Gary, Jack and Sue from the Music Dept and Dave on the Djembe Drums (where a lot of us got to play along on various percussion instruments. I was given a tambourine which I was really excited about and got a bit carried away!). Anyway... the evening overran by quite a bit and Ian didn't get in until gone one after locking up and came in with a little bundle in his arms, he had found a tiny poodle with cataracts in both eyes, looking very disorientated and frail outside the college gates and had brought it home. He then proceeded to phone around for three quarters of an hour to the Police, RSPCA, Dog Warden and 24 hr Vet who talked through his sympoms with Ian and suggested we contact the Dog warden in the morning. The Dog Warden had shut for the night and came on again at 10 in the morning. Ian had to be back in work at 8am as there was an event going on so it was up to me to phone the Dog Warden at 10 - which I did, again, again and again. It was constantly engaged or the answerphone came on, and whilst the dog (a male as we realised next morning when he went out on the patio) seemed quite content out in our back garden, he had been sick on a number of occasions and it was clear that something wasn't right with him. Ian eventually managed to contact someone at the RSPCA who said they would come and collect him and that they thought he belonged to an old lady from the old people's bungalows near the college, which is what we had thought maybe the case. the RSPCA lady was lovely and said that he looked well cared for although very thin and that me may be having treatment for his problems. We asked that she phone us to let us know what had happened to him and she did about half an hour later saying that his name was Joey, he had gone missing at 11 pm the night before, he was having treatment from the vet and that his owner had been beside herself with worry about him. On Tuesday night we had a knock on the door from the owner wishing to thank us for looking after him, but said that she had had to take him to the vet to be put down on Monday and that he had died as they were getting the injection ready - he had kidney failure. We were so pleased that she had had him back for his last couple of days - he was a really sweet little thing and had been as good as gold with us.

Anyway ... all this meant that I didn't get to the craft fair until about 3.30 pm on the Saturday aftenoon, but it was really worth going. There was some really beautiful stuff on show - textiles, jewellery, woodwork, pottery, ceramics, stonemasonery - people are so talented, and I was pleased that I had got there in the end.

Nearly there!

Well I've nearly made up my extra hours that I have to do for being 'term-time only'. I have three left to do on Monday and this is because Ian and I attended Southampton University on Wednesday as Niall was in one of three teams from his school that had been taking part in a 10 week Science and Engineering project through the university and it was the final assessment day and celebration. It was lovely to see him and his friends asking questions about their project and a really good opportunity for them to have taken part in this prestigious opportunity with teams from other local schools. His team didn't win one of the final four awards but one of his school's teams got the best teamwork award. I think they all enjoyed taking part and I am sure they learnt a lot along the way.

I have taken out four books from the college where I work's (correct English?) library. We are really lucky to be able to take advantage of such a useful resource. They have a brilliant Textile section, much better than our large local library, and I suppose this is because they have to keep up with all the trends and order new books regularly. I have taken out Feltwork by Victoria Brown, Felt to Stitch by Sheila Smith, Creative Recycling in Embroidery by Val Homes and Three-dimensional embroidery by Janet Edmonds, I am able to keep them until the term re-starts and there are plenty of things in each one to whet my appetite and give me plenty of ideas of things to do in the holidays!!

We're going back to Cornwall - yippee!

Well we've gone and booked up a holiday for October half-term. We haven't got anything planned for the summer holidays as money is a bit tight and it's Ian's busy time at work, being a Premises Asst (aka caretaker/maintenance man) at the college where I also work - lots for him to paint, mend etc, but we were talking at the weekend and he said he had been looking on the Harlyn Bay website, http://www.harlynsands.co.uk/camping.htm where we stayed last summer in Cornwall, and they had an economy caravan at a really good price so did we fancy going then instead - Niall and I jumped at it and when I rang to book the girl there said they had a special offer and we will get 8 days for the price of 7 - bargain! It's a beautiful place, with a gorgeous bay just a few minutes walk from the campsite. We can take the kites as the water goes out for miles, and there is loads to see and do in the area. It's really bucked me up as I felt the year was drifting by and even though I finish work for the summer holidays at the end of the week, at the age Niall is now I probably won't see a lot of him during the day as he is out and about with his friends and gone are the days when the two of us used to take ourselves off on the train to the beach and different places and I sometimes feel at a bit of a loss - of course this is when I should be making good use of all the time to get creating while I have the chance but I find I waste so much time watching daytime tele and having yet another cup of coffee. One of the reasons for starting this blog was to try and keep up the momentum when my course finished to create some things which I could then discuss and put photos on of what I had made - lets see if it works!! I am so good at thinking of things I want to do but not so good about actually doing them - I'm the world's best procrastinator!

We did it!!

Well Christina, Janet and I completed the Race for Life on Sunday. The weather was just right, slightly cloudy and the air was quite fresh.

We weren't able to park where we'd hoped so had a longer walk to the start than expected which doubled up as our 'warm-up'. We decided not to get as close to the start line as we did last year as we all started off a bit quickly, carried along with the faster runners (which we definitely are not), so meandered up to the start and paced ourselves. Janet soon split from Christina and I, being the fittest of the three, but Christina and I stayed together until the last kilometre when I pulled away on a slight slope - but we all ran all the way and agreed that we had enjoyed it most of all the four races we have done. The encouragement all the way round the course was brilliant and we all felt pleased we had done it.

Greenwich Mean Time

Ahh that's better, just adjusted the time setting to London GMT - couldn't understand why it kept saying that I had posted something at 5.30 in the morning!!

Race for Life

Well it's nearly upon us. The Race for Life is happening this Sunday at Southampton Common. My Saturday morning training with Janet and Christina has tailed off a bit over the last couple of months as we've all been quite busy at the weekends so we don't feel quite as prepared as last year, although I did manage a whole three miles without stopping last week when I went out with hubby (he has a super-duper watch thingy that tells you how far you've gone). It was the first time I had actually run for three miles without stopping at all and even managed a kind of sprint for the last few hundred yards!

I am now rushing around asking people to sponsor me as I had put my form away back in January when we received it and kept meaning to look it out. I put it off as I hate asking people for money, even when it is for such a good cause, but as that is the real reason for entering I am now smiling sweetly at everyone at work so I can get my form filled up. Luckily we have some really nice people working here who are happy to help.

Lets hope the rain holds off, but if not it will still be a great event I'm sure. This will be the third time I've run it and the atmosphere is always really good.

Celebration

The night before last we went to the school for a Celebration Evening. Niall had won an award but we didn't know what for. We thought it may be PE as he normally does well in that and has been on a special day at Soton Uni recently to do with it, but it turned out that it was Music. He started playing the sax last October and has picked it up really well, although as with everything else we have to keep on at him to practice. He had to take his options a couple of months ago and his teacher was really keen for him to take it at GCSE as she thought he would do really well in it, so me must have made an impression on her. He took his Grade 1 sax exam last Friday, full of a cold, which isn't very helpful when trying to breathe through one's nose - but he seemed to think it went fairly well, apart from a couple of duff notes on the scales and said the sight-reading piece was easy and that the examiner was nice - so hopefully he will pass.

Another pound down

Went to Slimming World last night with Janet and Christina from work. Lost another pound, even though I wasn't everso good last week, so was really pleased. Cindy lost three pounds and was Slimmer of the Week and Janet lost two and a half, so they are doing really well. It's quite good that so many of us at work are all doing it as we are all supporting each other. I really shouldn't have had that sliver of chocolate cake that was in the kitchen at work this morning, but if I'm good for the rest of the day ...

Final Work for Textile Course

Just thought I'd put a picture on of my final piece done for my course. The actual piece that was being moderated was the large flower wall decoration. The flowers are based on Georgia O'Keeffe's flower paintings and were made using merino wool felted onto a fine layer of silk hanky. The technique was adapted from some instructions given by Beth at feltinginfibrespace. I tried several different techniques to make the flowers but finally decided on these as I liked the delicacy of them, despite the fact that they were quite large and bold, and used colours inspired by O'Keeffe's paintings. The decoration can be hung vertically, horizontally or can even be stood on the ground. After discussing how to move forward with the final project one evening, my teacher said what about making it into a light - I liked the idea of it having a use as well as just being decorative so looked into various ways of lighting it. I wanted it to be quite portable and not to have to worry about a lead dangling down or having to be near a plug and found some battery operated LED clear lights on EBay so fitted it with these. Some were left inside the light and some of the LEDs were put through as the centre of the flowers so it can be lit from outside and within which creates a very pretty glow when it is dark. I was pleased with the final result, although halfway through putting the lights and flowers on I nearly gave up, but as it had to be in the next day I had to keep going. It is absolutely typical of me, leaving it until the last minute so I get the adrenalin rush to get it finished - I always get there in the end, but could make life much less stressful for myself if I got things done in plenty of time, but there seems to be no way I can work like that!!

Winchester Hat Fair

My hubby, son and I had our annual trip to the Hat Fair in Winchester yesterday. There are lots of entertainers doing all sorts of acts outside in various places around the city. Luckily the weather held out despite being quite windy and we saw some really good acts. It's called the Hat Fair because after each performance the entertainers hold their hat out for the audience to put in a donation for watching their show. It's a really good day out and the place is buzzing with people everywhere and some really good craft stalls, although I couldn't believe that I didn't actually make it to the Contemporary Craft Show set in the Cathedral grounds, there was so much else to see. Luckily it is still on next weekend so I may get the train up next Saturday and spend some time looking around then.

My Textile teacher Anita had a stall in Market Lane and next to her stall was Elaine, one of the ladies from my textile class. They both had some beautiful pieces on their stalls, Anita does a lots of machine embroidered pictures, bowls etc., and we bought a set of three small watercolours that she did in France to go up when our Bathroom is finally finished (three years and counting - it is getting there, but very slowly, mainly due to lack of time and money)! Elaine also had a beautiful selection of jewellery, felt items, bags, cards etc, she had been very busy.

It was a really good day and my 12 year old son enjoyed himself too (he's getting to the stage where he'd really rather be with his mates than us), because the Hat Fair is a bit of a tradition for us and he does love watching performance art, he said it had been a fun day when I said goodnight to him last night - so a good time was had by all!!

Hello!

Well, here we go. Not sure if I'm doing this right but I'll carry on.

It's been a hectic week, had to take things into college for the exhibition of our Textile work ready for moderating, which took place today!! Will just have to wait now to see if I have passed. It was only put up on Tuesday and has already had to come down this afternoon as there is some photography work to go up ready for next week. I'm feeling a sense of anti-climax now after all the panic about finishing things off in the last couple of weeks, but there were some absolutely brilliant pieces done in the class and it was nice to go for a drink with Anita. our great teacher and some of the girls from the class last night as an end to the course.

I'll say 'bye for now as I have a headache coming on and probably sitting at a computer at 11.20 at night isn't the best idea!