Poppy Cottage

2012-01-08T02:49:00.000-08:00

It has been a good year for Jose, she moved away from home in September to London, started college, met Christian Louniutin, spent an incredible amount on his book to be able to do so, but when I think out it no more then two or three good craft books (although I do think smile when I think how much her feet must have hurt waiting in a queue wearing THE SHOES!!)

And she came home to sleepy Bridport for Christmas, worked nearly every day apart from Christmas day, Boxing Day and News years Day. I think she must have spent more time in Waitrose then at home.

It is funny how life changes isn't it. In September I couldn't wait for her to go, we had a typical teenager/mother relationship. Now, three months later I have just put a totally different person on a train bound for London (with taxi money to get all that luggage back to Halls) and I am really going to miss her being around. Thank you Jose for a lovely month.

Now to move into her Bedroom............

Getting there

2011-12-04T13:10:00.000-08:00

The opening of the new wool shop in town saw the blanket I was making turn into a bag - the reason? Well the new wool shop sells some fantastic yarns and the thought of not being able to buy any for yonks didn't appeal to me. All I need to do is line it. I finished sewing together on a night shift at work.

I have managed to loose a stone - the room behind is all tidy and sorted out. My big sister came up from Cornwall and we blitzed, sorted, chucked away so much stuff. All the craft stuff I decluttered went to My sister or my niece so nothing important got chucked. I have to say that is it lovely having a really sorted out craft area/bedroom.

Started a pair of socks to keep in my locker at work - trouble is not the best colour to knit when your eyes are tired on a night shift when you get a chance to sit and knit.

Turned a child's tee-shirt into a bottom coverer.

Walked with my girl on my local beach - well I walked, she swam!!

Watched my boy play some of his County Rugby matches. He finds out mid December if he has got through to the next stage. (he is the one with the no 2 on his shirt)

Ashley and Rose came to watch him too. She has grown up so much. Seems strange to think this time last year she was just a big bump.

Spent a couple of Days with my sister in Cornwall which was so nice and relaxed.

Lily and I headed for the beach each day. An almost deserted beach is so good for your head.

Tried - in vain - to get some peace to sleep after a night shift - yes seriously that is how he sleeps with me, head on the pillow, snuggled under the duvet.

And the rest of the house has had a good sort out too. Will do the rest after Christmas, but Poppy Cottage is slowly getting sorted and tidy.

Have to say I do love this space - but waste too much time on Pintrest and reading blogs, filling my head with more ideas!!!

Listening to Christmas Carols, to get me in the mood when making presents.

(Even Jasper's room is tidy)

And started so Christmas presents - using up wool I had in the cupboard!!!!

The local paper had a couple of nice photos of Jasper.

As a much of a fearless lad who plays Hooker, I have to say I am really glad he is now wearing a scrum cap.

ANd Now this is on my table, needing to be assembled. Every year Mum has a diary, covered in photos of the past year. It is so much easier since Facebook (the only thing I think it is good for!!)

This year I am using Modge Podge instead of the dreaded sticky back plastic, so did a sample run on an old diary, really pleased how it looks. So had better go and get sticky!!

Hope your all OK and enjoying the run up to Christmas.

Growing so fast

2011-10-15T14:42:00.000-07:00

Someone seems to be enjoying the London life very much, it suits her, she sounds happy, excited, alive

But it was nice (lovely) to see her when she came back for a whistle stop visit last weekend. I miss the J's being at mine, Jasper is only with me about once a week (but calls in to mine most days after school which is really nice) I spent years dreaming of this quiet, peaceful time, now it is here it isn't all it is cracked up to be. I have to re-learn to be me.

Ash & Rose - I can't get over how much Rose is changing and growing up either.

I haven't got a recent photo of Jasper as I am banned from his facebook - he blocked me and his Dad!!

But this was the local paper's write up of a recent rugby match. The best I can do on the Jasper front.

Bridport took full revenge

Swanage and Wareham Colts 24 Bridport Colts 38

Bridport took full
revenge for last season's surprise defeat to the young Swans with this
six try victory. It was all the more impressive as they had only one
substitute and could field no under-18s against a full 22 man squad of
colts. They started with good pressure on their opponents and the
opening score came when Will Haggerty tackled a clearing kicker and
Mike Holden was on hand to intercept the loose pass and score under the
sticks. Although Swanage replied by getting the ball wide and
outflanking the defence, it wasn't long before the blues were back in
the lead. Bob Lester-Card's kick pushing the home side back to 10m from
their line followed by a textbook catch and drive straight off the
training ground, which would have had the coaches purring with
appreciation, Will Challis had his hands on the ball when the pack
crossed the line. They extended their lead when Jasper Mowatt picked up
from the base of the scrum and went outside the winger to score in the
corner. Once again Swans came back with a try of their own but Tom
White took the blues into the break with a fine score from close range.
Swanage started the brightest after the break using their bench to
bring on some fresh legs and it paid off when they kicked over the top
and won the chase to touch down. This only galvanised the blues and
James Hansford scored following a good run through several tackles by
Jason . Although the home side cut the deficit with a run from the base
of the scrum of their own, Jasper Mowatt had the last word for Bridport
when he scored with a carbon copy of his earlier try. Bob Lester-Card
added four of the conversions to complete a handsome win.

2011-09-25T13:27:00.000-07:00

Today was spent watching my son at the second round of his County Rugby Selection. I had so much I needed to do at home, finish the front garden, make a start on painting Josie's bedroom floor boards but I remembered all of the things that I had written on my last post, all those things could wait but this was special, especially that he had said I could come along and watch him. I dressed smart (well for me), I hid the knitting in my bag and only did it when I knew he couldn't see me.

We all thought that as he had only been put in one match that he hadn't made the grade, but his was the fourth name on the list that was called out to play next week against Cornwall.

I am so very proud of this young man.

Thank you for such lovely comments that you left on for me on the last post. I know I am so very lucky and I am so very proud of both of my two young adults.

I know many of the blogs I read at the moment have posts about children going off to uni or college, but a week and a half down the line I have to say it is OK actually. Strange, peaceful and tidy, but I know Jose is fine, excited about the start of this journey that is her's for the making. And now I just need to get my head around MY life is mine for the making.

Well done Jasper xx

All change (again !!) here at PC xx

2011-09-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

remember this is my baby!! looks at his arms!!

This is an odd, mixed up post but I want to get up to date with the things that have been happening around Poppy Cottage. I haven't managed to upload the photos in the order I really wanted to get them.

Jasper has been helping me to cover in a bit of a leanto that a friend built for me. Polycarbonate has gone on the flat bit and today he has put on slates on the 'roof' bit. I am so chuffed with how it looks, little bit more to do then I can have a dry place to sit out the front of my cottage (no more listening to very loud voice of neighbour who has a voice like a fog horn!! - when I sit out the back) I look at these photos and want to know where my little boy has gone, someone has replaced him with a young man with muscles!!

But the most important bit that has happened her over the last week is this.......

Jose has moved to LONDON!!!

She seems so happy and I am so proud. It feels odd. I don't really want to put on here what I am feeling as I don't really know to be honest. I have Jasper, Smudge and Whinnie here so I can't say that my house is quiet, far from it, it is a mess and with Whinnie being 16 weeks old, all she seems to do is play ALL the time.

But....... the house just feels so empty, I stand in the door way of her room and realise that it is for real, it has come around so fast, my little girl has grown and she has started her journey through life.

She has the passion and drive to do what ever she wants to do in life, she'll do it. I KNOW she appreciates not only the financial cost but what it is costing to ensure that she can follow this dream, and I have to say I would have sold my soul to be able to give her this opportunity. I know she will make her Dad and I so proud (we are both very proud of her already, I know I am)

But the thing I am going to miss the most.....is her eyes, her beautiful eyes looking at me, hey, I am allowed to be sentimental!!

I love you Jose xx

other things that have been going on in my little life....

Catching a perfect memory through my Mum and Dad's kitchen window,

A weekend spent with my sister in Cornwall, she was at work in the day but we still had the evenings together,

A wrong turn that lifted my soul, my most special memory of my marriage to Mike was standing in the gate way of a wind farm, the sound of the blades turning, was I have to say for me one of the most amazing moments (not children or pet related) the power, the sound but also the silence. I would happily live within the close proximity of a wind farm. So when I left Tracie's and went to wrong way I took time to walk through the farm, closing my eyes and just hearing the sound, magical.

And my girl got attacked by something. Much better now but she has yet another sore area come up. She suffers from 'wet excema (? can't spell it today!!)' and is on Antibiotics but I was just saying to a friend tonight that if I still lived on the Small holding I would spray it with purple spray (used for sheep's feet), I will run this past my friend who is a vet, and just see if there was a different type of the same sort of spray, a more discreet version, not bright purple, I can just imagine the looks we'll get!!

So tomorrow I wake up to the first Birthday in 17 years without my daughter with me, I'll be 39. I can't believe that the years have flown by so fast. I know that I am so lucky with how my life and my children have turned out but just sometimes I would give anything in the world to turn back the clock to the year when I had two little children age 5 and 4 and do so many things different, spend so much more time playing with them, less time worrying I hadn't done house work, dinner, washing, cleaned the fridge (I have a love hate relationship with my fridge even now!!) I wish we had just cuddled, read more just done more 'stuff'.

The one I think I did right was always tell them that I loved them, and I was so proud of them, I think that that is something both Josie and Jasper are in no doubt.

Live your life Jose the way you want to, soak up the buzz of London, shine in all you do because your Mum believes in you xx

Sleepless nights

2011-08-17T06:50:00.000-07:00

Just need to be CLOSE to you Mum!!

You'd think that being single, having a whole double bed to myself would mean I would have undisturbed peaceful nights sleep, especially now I have moved back up to the attic away from a dog with separation anxiety issues (Lily)

But........

Nope..............

The man in my life purrs.............. I am sure some of you would say that the man in your life snores..... (bet he doesn't try to sleep on your HEAD!! - actually we won't go there!!)

But mine purrs...............

Non stop!!!!! All night!!!!

Shut him out I hear you say!!

Not a chance, he'll then keep you awake TRYING to get through the door!!

So Wei Siew, would you like to have some ear plugs sent xx

My daughter - Part two!! and Meet Ruby (and Rose)

2011-08-16T07:23:00.000-07:00

Jose has worked her socks of this Summer holiday. She finished school, ready for the transition to London in September. Picked up lots of hours over time at Waitrose, and I really mean a lot of hours!!

And the incentive???????

Going to London with a healthy bank balance I hear you ask?

Nope, this, a bag. Not just any bag, her very own Chanel bag. To go with her glasses, filo fax and

Posh purse (her friends all clubbed together).

(befuddled?? bemused?? Yep, snap me too!! apparently it isn't just a bag, it is THE bag!!)

And do you know what? Good on her. Never will she have the opportunity of being 17, carefree and worry free. She is off to study at London's Fashion and Retail Academy. The chance of a lifetime and I just know she'll do really well. Well she has the bag!!

I know members of my family (and my friends) think it isn't the right thing to have done (her rent on her Halls is crazy - her Dad and I are paying half each - not sure if I'll loose weigh because I want to or because I will not be able to afford to eat!! Ha ha!!)

but I do understand it,

sort of,

and I know she is still going to have a good balance to take up with her, She'll be working at Waitrose in Bayswater so unlike some students she doesn't have to clamber for a job as soon as she gets up there.

We are very different, I do not understand the first bit about Fashion, I don't really want to, or have any desire to.

I just wish I had been home to see her face when it arrived this morning.

Just had to slip this photo of this gorgeous little girl. Can't wait to see her soon. They'll be down in a week or so, got to works out a day or two when I can get up there to see her as well.

An meet Ruby....

Too good an opportunity to miss. She did belong to one of the girls at work, and now to me. I hope I have done the right thing. She has lots of miles but new head gasket, cam belt and water pump over the last year, so touch wood not much to go wrong. I will be sad to get rid of my little green bubble as I love her even if my children don't but it will be nice to have a little bit bigger car again, also she has power steering. I don't need to use my car very often now as one job is just behind my cottage.

I have also now finished all the bits for Rose's cardigan (but can't post a picture until it is finished, sent and received) so now just have to sew it all together.

Phew!!

That was a long one!!

Don't you just want to get in the car and hug her? I know I do!!

2011-08-08T05:03:00.000-07:00

Rose is cutting her top teeth. Out of all the photos that Ashley, her Mum, has sent me, this has to be my very favourite. I just want to get in the car and go and cuddle her (also to give her Mum a break from the tearful teething - remember it well!!)

I am knitting her the cardigan, but in cream but I still have to decide on the edging. I haven't attempted to do the multi coloured knits but with the purchase of all three Mission Falls baby books I need to so Mum is going to help me out there. I didn't knit for Rose when she was little as I wasn't sure if it would be things that her Mum would like so made her a mini version of her Mum's Hug blanket. Now, especially as Ash is now knitting I just know she'll like the things I make. There is nothing nicer then knitting a cardigan for a baby - SO QUICK!! (can you tell I gave up on mine after 3 inches of the back!!) I have rubbish will power.

And Jasper's Puppy Whinnie has come to stay and play and play and play and play and play and play with Lily. She is really lovely and I haven't felt sad (I lost my black lab, Daz, a couple of years ago) but I am SO glad that I haven't got a puppy full time (bit like I am glad the my two are no longer wee babes!!)

So today I planned to paint the front of my house, do loads of gardening, look at my NVQ stuff, but instead I am going to walk Lilly, do a bit of hoovering and chill as I am really tired.

Drop The Weasel

2011-07-21T17:14:00.000-07:00

You know when you stumble across something, well someone who just is not only talented but nice into the bargain.

I think we have all met 'friends' through blogging, some that you get such a buzz when you see the work that is showcased on their blogs, that you wish more then anything that you had just an ounce of their talent.

Well, when that person then opens a 'shop' be it an online one, it is fantastic.

So Lizzie has opened her shop, Drop the Weasel.

Have a look, it is great. I am already planning to do most of my Christmas shopping there, I know this year I just won't have the time to make much but still want to give gifts that are hand made.

I know what I am planning to get for my nearest and dearest especially after this week.....

A short story....

At one of the Care homes I work there is a lady, we'll call her G, she is wheel chair bound, has parkinsons and likes to spend a lot of her day relaxing on her bed, it eases the pain in her neck. From her bed she can see a rail outside, upon that rail often sits a male black bird. It is the high light of her day. He hasn't been for a while, so when I saw Lizzie's birds on this post http://peapoddesigns.blogspot.com/2011/06/lightscameraaction.html

I just knew that I had to buy the last one.

But not available!!!!

It would have been perfect, so Lizzie made me another, totally perfect!! It arrived so nicely packaged, (Lizzie's writing of address labels is also to die for!!!!)

I took it to work on Wednesday, G was having a bad day, the pain hard to cope with, but her face when she opened the box, must have been one of the chuffed moments in my life EVER!!

It is now hanging up above her door, from her bed she can see her very own black bird, even if her real one doesn't come, she has her other one to look at.

In fact I like it SO much, I brought myself the pink bird in the shop and asked for another black one - I haven't yet put in an order for another four black birds (sorry Lizzie, Can I have another four for Christmas???)

Treat yourself to something, it is worth it for the parcel that arrives on your door step AND the address label.

I'd travel for a workshop!!!!!!!!!! Next year????

I have one very happy young lady

2011-06-26T15:58:00.000-07:00

So you make your way to the front of the Pyramid Stage, in the heat of the day to stake you place a little after 1pm, armed with a hat and a bottle of water, you listen to some very strange bands, Paul Simon, not your cup of tea at all, then you make it to the barrier RIGHT at the front!!!!!

Your Mum is at home watching, catches glimpses of your happy, HAPPY, face, watching your heroine.

(OK, have to admit that when she then did this, mixed feelings, one of knowing that Jose must have been fit to burst, second that my baby was against the barrier, what happens if the crowd pushed forward - Hey I am a her mother, it is my job to worry!!)

And then the phone call to say Beyonce was cm's away from her.

On very happy camper.

And boy what a show that woman gave.

Now I am just thinking of all the washing that is going to come home tomorrow!!

Not a pair of wellies in sight!!

2011-06-25T00:05:00.000-07:00

Hello. I'm still on holiday from work, and, I have to say loving it. last night was the first Friday night I have spent at home, not working, for, maybe six months (trying to think!!)

I spent it trying to keep two of Jasper's chicks alive, being Agony Aunt to a friends partner (they have just split up) and making tea, bit awkward, as I can see it from both sides but don't like the way it has happened, but she is a good friend, so I just listened. It was OK.

Have a look at this blog http://juliacrossland.blogspot.com/2010/09/toasty-mitts.html

She has just very kindly made an e-book, have a look. I have started making the mitts. I never knew you could make a rib with crochet!!! Opens up a whole new world!!! Boy I must get out more!!

It is one of those skeins of wool that costs a bloody fortune and you don't know what to do with it but your HAVE to have it!!

Then I have finished these, made with yarn prom a swap from this lady. Boy I wish I could see her knit, she knits SO much and SO fast!!

It is so soft, made with possum fibre.

sewed in the ends of this............ pattern from here. So easy.

Quality controlled checked by the man of the house!!

And now I am sat in the warm, with a cup of coffee, making Mum's birthday present (an alpaca version of the cowl) with warm dry feet (Sorry Jose) watching Glastonbury. I can SEE the bands, I can HEAR the bands, I haven't had to walk miles to get to a different stage, I have just clicked a mouse (talking of mice, just caught the blighter who had taken up residence in the kitchen dresser!!).

Josie and both of her Aunts (my sisters) are wallowing in mud as I type this!!

Mumford and Sons, think I am in deeply in lust with the lead singer!!! If I was 20 years younger...........

Back again....

2011-06-22T15:28:00.000-07:00

This is A HAPPY Rose!!! She normally seems to cry when I see her!! She is growing so fast and, as far as babies go, is adorable.

And this is my totally un-spoilt four legged daughter (well that is how it feels!!)

Lots have happened lately (seems to be going at that pace around this cottage at the moment), Jose passed her test (can't remember if I posted about that last time) She only started to drive at the end of Jan, paid for most of her lessons herself, taking her test the same day they lost their Dog, Ned. It must have been so hard to keep it together with such a sad heart).

She has been off driving LOTS, even took her friends to North Devon for some festival. Your heart is in your mouth when they are out on their own, it is ten times worse when they have two other people precious 17 year old daughters in their car!! It isn't Josie's driving I worry about, it is all the other plonkers on the road!!

Jasper had work experience, the first two weeks her worked at a big local farm Estate, the second week he went to a Solicitors in town, boy did he look smart, his sister was on hand to offer fashion advice!! Although this week she is off wallowing in Mud as she has gone with her Aunt to Glastonbury. This should be interesting as Jose doesn't do getting dirty!!

My VERY smart young man!

Enjoyed feeding Rose, boy I am SO out of practice,(and plan to keep it that way!!)

Mind you just as well, you don't get much of a look in when Great Gran is around!! (now are you sure you are doing it right Ashley???? xxx)

And this..... is Whinney (don't ask) Jasper is buying his own dog, well chosen, little black girl. I was really, really impressed by the breeder, and her dogs, the behaviour of the dogs was so good, and the Mum reminded me of Daz so much. There is something about black labs. I know that Jasper will be amazing with this pup, note to myself to encourage Mike to go off sailing more often, I get to babysit!!! It is strange how nearly five years down the line, how we all seem to work, albeit in an un-conventional way. Both J's have turned out to be pretty amazing kids, it could have so easily gone the other way.

Mike with one of the pups, a day in the car with him and Jasper (to see the pups) was a test of how much things have changed (suffice to say I was reminded why I have chosen to remain single all this time!!) but fair play, it must have been hard for him too. He was totally smitten with the pups, I think he has found loosing Ned as hard as I found loosing Daz, Whinney will be a breath of fresh air for us all.

His Dad went to meet a friend so Jasper and I spent a good chunk of the day together, I hate shopping at the best of times, add my personal money minder (you don't keed that, you don't want that, nag, nag, nag) and I know why I don't like shopping either (well unless it is in a craft shop!!)

But Sunday saw me going to a local Country Fayre (boy, I really wish that I worked outside)

So as a bit of retail need (left over from the restrictive shop the day before) I just happened to call in at a craft shop on the way home, and it was rude to come out empty handed!! - Wasn't it?

Whoops!! Have since been back to get a further three balls for a cowl and a hat, preparation for winder you know!!

Lil and I have had some lovely walks as I am off from work this week,

Monday Mum and I went to Tiverton Canal. Well we walked, Lil swam.

But she seems to have cut a pad on her back paw and is finding it painful to walk, so the plan to walk the Exeter Ship Canal tomorrow has gone on hold.

Which means I will be at home, so a day of pottering and house work and finishing off projects is called for I think.

More of which will follow.

But a question< why do we always leave sewing in the ends to last< how much better would it be to do it as we went along?????

Has been AAAAAAGGGGEEEESSSSS!!!

2011-05-29T01:15:00.000-07:00

I haven't felt much like blogging lately. I have been reading others but couldn't get the umph! to do my own.

Lots has happened. Rose was christened, yep, although good, well fantastic actually, though the service, She cried. Ha Ha!! Ash - I am only joking!! She is growing up so fast it is scary!

It was nice to see Great Nan, Nana, Mum and Grand daughter together.

I swapped some wool with http://kiwiyarns.wordpress.com/author/kiwiyarns/ and now planning to make some things that are just for ME!!

Spent some time with my sister in Cornwall, and have been down again since to help her move, hopefully temporarily to a different cottage.

It is my Grandad's Birthday today and I have been trying to finish a small lap blanket for him.

I have walked with Lily to try to sort out a very muddled head, I have made some bits, got a new job (along side my old one) worked stupid hours a week, but for a very worth while reason which will become apparent in a bit.

I have found photo's of me I guess taken 13 years ago.

We have lost a very special pet, Ned, the children's dog. When we split it worked out that out of our three dogs, I had Daz the older black lab and Mike had Ned and Smudge. Ned was very much his dog, wanting to spend time with Mike at work rather then days in a child filled noisy house hold. It is horrible to see your children break their hearts when a much loved pet dies. It was such a bitter sweet day as Jose also had the ordeal of taking her driving test unbeknown to us on that day too. She passed!!!!!

I have spent a stupid amount on some alpaca yarn, well, it is better then chocolate!!

BUT most of all something very special has happened, is going to happen.

I didn't blog about it as I had such mixed feelings, I don't know if Jose will ever understand why.

I had Jose when I was 21. All I have really know is being a Mum (I never had the high flying career, I wanted to be a home maker, a full time Mum, wife etc) I have done different jobs to earn a bit of pin money, then as the children grew up we ran a B & B, but always based on being at home for my children. Then four and a half years ago it changed but my children were always at the root of every decision I made. The home I chose was one I thought would be suitable for them at the time.

They have grown up so fast into young adults. Jasper has matured from a nightmare angry confused little boy into a strapping, headstrong, very focused young man, knows what path he wants to take, what he wants to study.

And as for my beautiful daughter........this is where it will become apparent for the muddled head and the new job....

Jose applied for a place at http://www.fashionretailacademy.ac.uk/

Not a mean feat, you might remember we went to London for her interview.

Well she got offered a place, an unconditional place. Pretty bloody amazing!!!!!

Now this is where I go gulp, she will, at 17 years of age, leave home to start off on her life's journey. Every thing she has dreamt of being, doing, is now no longer a dream, it is a possibility. It is going to be amazing. It will be the making of her.

But............... this is the bit I don't think she will understand.

I know that where I live, where I have brought up my children holds no real interest to a young lady starting off in the world of fashion retail. I know that the bright lights of London, New York are what captures this lady's heart, where as for her old Mum it is the peacefulness of the coast and the landscapes of the West County that grips mine with passion.

So it is the letting go, getting used to the fact that everything I have been, known is now starting it's next stage. I will always be there for them, I will always be their Mum. I will no longer see her everyday, I will worry (blimey it is bad enough since she has passed her test!!)

But life will just be different, for the first year busy as the accommodation is stupid money per week, thankfully her Dad and I are sharing the cost, hence the new job. Need to have a small nest egg also just in case something happens and she needs help (see something else to worry about!!)

But, my cottage will be peaceful, I'll have to keep it today as there will be no one else to blame!!

I guess it is called the start of the empty nest syndrome!!! Ha Ha!! it isn't that, I am quite looking forward to that, it is the feeling of loss that goes with your children growing up. You have to remember that due to being on my own it feels a bigger loss as there is no partner to take up that gap.

Mind you, I have Lily and Marmalade, who could want anything more!!!

She is back!!!

2011-03-17T13:57:00.001-07:00

My lovely niece Ashley is back in the land of blogging!!!!

And you can see the finished baby's blanket that I made for Rose.

Have a look http://ashleyrhiannon.blogspot.com

To copy or not to copy.

2011-03-15T05:44:00.000-07:00

First of all a Picture of Rose in a hat her Mum was part way through making for her. isn't lovely (mind you she is pretty scrummy too)

I have actually got my act together and started to clear up around here. The wool shed is now no longer full of wool but is ready to become my hide away from it all shed with my spinning wheel, or just somewhere tidy to go and sit. (read hide). I chucked out stuff that was of no use to man kind or Colette and three bin bags later this is what I had.....

A tidy shed (last time you saw it it was full of playing puppies!)

This is the next thing on the to do list.

Not helped by frogs spawning in some of the most awkward of places!!

Now this is what my title refers to. I saw a picture in this months Country Living Magazine and really liked it, but at £60 (and being able to do it myself) not an option. I don't know what size the original one is but I had just brought myself an Ikea frame so I had a play. Fun too, I love doing needle felt anyway. I searched the net for different needle felted nest/pictures and there are lots that do actually look very similar (well a nest is a nest isn't it - can't make it too different) so here is my question.

If you blog about something you have made and if you are showing how you do it or just showing the final item you are almost inviting people to 'have a go' or change it slightly to make something 'inspired' by what you have make. Take all the things that Lucy at Attic 24 makes or the tea cozies that Alice makes, we all have a go at making the Granny Stripe blanket, things that we see made on the internet, or pictures in magazines. I know that ages ago I saw a blog post and the blogger was having a really big moan about people making her owls and selling them. But hang on she did sell the pattern!! So does that mean that Mrs Bloggs in Dorset makes something and Miss Oz Blog sees it, is it OK for her to make her own version of it and sell it in her local craft store or should she not even if she is thousands of miles away.

I changed this, made it mine, either to keep or to give to a friend, I don't know.

See something else for my head to think about.

I don't know if any of that made any sense, If anyone sees something on my blog, I am happy for them to copy it, to make some and sell it (coz you can bet your bottom dollar I won't have got off my arse and done it!!) I'd be chuffed that someone liked what I had made so much that they wanted to make one too. Just don't try to sell them in Bridport please!!

But on a lighter note have had very important letter officially offering me the new job!

Am slightly nervous now though.

Have a great week, the sun is out here and I am off to work.

No words needed!!

2011-03-10T10:22:00.000-08:00

A thank you and Wow!! A new job!!!!!

2011-03-10T01:57:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I returned home to find the postwoman had delivered this.......

I knew from the writing on the envolpe that it had been sent from Lizzie at The Pea Pod

A total suprise.

How cool is this. A spot of sunshine to brighten up a dull February.

Along with a stunning postcard showing some of Lizzie's work (remember my first Christmas presents of last year that never made it out of my cottage!!)

So I decided to put him in my porch - nice and safe, somewhere where I would see him every day when I picked up my gloves when I took Lily out...............

As you can see, he was a VERY happy bunny, but once I looked at this photo I thought I should better move him!!!!

So he ended up on my front door - perfect.

Just looking through my photos and came accross this photo of Mum (left) and my boss (middle). This is what must happen when you hit 60+ you get a job as a cleaner with attitude!!

And thanks to a comment on my last post from Clara this young man is on cat food, like it or lump it!! thank you so much for that Clara, I just never gave it a thought.

And a very good day taking my rubbish to the tip and coming home with someone elses rubbish for Joe's room.

On a totally different note............. I saw a job advertised in the paper and just rang up to find out about it. Apparently how I sounded on the phone got me an interview, how I smiled and chatted got me an offer of a job!!! (before the interview had finished!!) So now I am going to be a Senior carer in training at a residential home just at the back of my cottage. From almost begging to be put on an NVQ 2 at the home where I work and by the time I start it I will have been there 2 years!! To walking into a job where they think I would walk the level 2 so are putting me straight on the 3, along with POVA, Health and Safety, Fire, First Aid and any other training I want to do straight away!! But I am hoping that I can keep on my old job too as I couldn't imagine not seeing the residents, they become like your Grandparent's. I think being a carer is more about a way of life, it can't be just a job. So I am walking around a bit like a Cheshire Cat. Maybe I should have a bit more confidence in my abilities.

Have a great week!!

Catch Up.

2011-02-23T11:35:00.000-08:00

I have finally finished my Jacob Granny stripe blanket. Really please with it but had to edge it with Gotland wool as I had run out out the Jacob on the last stripe. But all made from Devon/Cornish fleece. Now I have worked out how the camera on my phone works I will take a photo of the finished blanket this week.

I started a small Attic 24 bag on nights, again, using 100% British wool.

And finished it!!!! Used the button my big sister gave me for Christmas.........

I am pleased with it and also lined it.

Took this young lady out for Dinner on her Birthday and had a lovely time. (Jose has also started driving!!)

The next day met my little Sis for her 31st Birthday. Ate cake, drank coffee from a flask and had a lovely walk with Lily and Mum's dog Susie along Chesil Beach.

Rose enjoying the hug blanket

So really meant that she needed one of here own. But I can't show you anymore until after the weekend.

Enjoyed loads of walks with Lily. Took Mum's dog along too. I am not sure that Mum will let me again though. Lily ended up with mud all up her legs and tummy, so you can guess the state that I returned Susie in to my Mum!!!

My cat Marmalade (who is laying on my lap and left hand as I try to type this) has decided that he can only eat tuna in Brine. Being not really a cat he doesn't do cat food!!! No matter how expensive.

And yesterday my little sister, My Mum and I went to see my Big sister in Cornwall as it was her Birthday. We had such a lovely day. I really do miss her so much. She has started making stuff out of things that she finds on the beaches around her. I'll get her to take some photos so that I can show you.

Don't ask about the cake!!

Off to the beach. Lily would have loved it.

So nice to have Mum and us three girls together. Really special.

I saw a starfish and could have spent hours watching it.

I am so lucky to have such a lovely family. Jose spent the day with Ashley and Rose. And this weekend, Ashley is coming down to Dorset with Rose and Tracie is coming up to see them. So it should be a nice weekend too.
I have started a granny stripe for Jasper. He doesn't want it but I want to make him a blanket so he doesn't really have a choice. It will live on his bed. Work is OK, sort of just keep your head down and get on with it. You know the saying too many cooks............................

Bit miffed the Palliative care course that I was due to start on the 10th of March has been cancelled due to numbers but can't be helped.

The garden is starting to wake up and come to life and the Pea Pod sent me something to brighten up my day but the photo's of that are on the other computer (which isn't playing ball at the moment!!) but it was such a lovely surprise.

Hope you all have a good week.

Colette, Lily & Marmalade
.

Moved

2011-01-29T05:34:00.000-08:00

You know when something just gets you deep inside. I dare anyone to watch this and this and not cry. To me my blog is not just about crafts and things I make, for me it is a way of sharing my thoughts and feelings too. I think many of us who keep blogs find them a sort of diary, for me that is how I see it. OK nothing personal (really personal) get put down here, but I do write about things that are going on inside my head.

In my job you shouldn't have favourites, but we are only human, and I think as long as you don't show it it is OK. I no longer have a Nan or a Gran still alive. I have a wonderful independent Grandad, and I know I am so so lucky. But there are a couple of residents who I have to say I adore.

I also have been thinking a lot about where my life is going to go in the next few years. I need my NVQ, without it so many possibilities are closed to me. So I am looking into a way of doing it off my own back, as it looks like if I do it through work it won't be until September, two years after I started work there, but I also don't want to change jobs (that is one way I would get to do it straight away.) Sorry I digress. I saw a job advertised that floated my boat as they say. But......yep you have guessed it Training, Qualifications, Experience etc etc. But at least it is a start. I have enrolled on a few courses that I have had to pay for myself, but that's OK, I think they will be interesting and will mean that I can't be a total hermit, you know, go to work come home, go to work, come home and so on...I will HAVE to meet people and I have got my name down to do a Certificate in Counselling, but that also starts in September, see why I need to do my NVQ now!! Phew!! An NVQ 2 in Gardening just doesn't cut it!!!

I just wanted to say that I have been so lucky in my life so far to never have had a loved on effected by Dementia. Whatever life throws at me it is something I am so grateful for.

My daughter

2011-01-27T07:37:00.000-08:00

That was me 17 years ago. Holding this brand new baby, my brand new baby. Awkwardly as I had lost the use of my left arm after her birth (long story but it did come back to life 6 week later). This precious bundle of joy.....

Sorry I can't turn the cake around....

Happy Birthday my darling, I am so proud of you and I love you so very much.

Meet Baby Rose

2011-01-25T12:11:00.000-08:00

On January 24th, baby Rose joined our family. She is beautiful, just like her Mum

My clever niece Ashley gave birth at home in a water pool to Rose, all 9lb 3oz of her.

(I am even more chuffed as on Thursday it will be 17 years ago that I gave birth to my own 9lb 8oz Baby, also at home in a water pool. I know what a special feeling it is to achieve a happy, safe birth at home, so am extra, extra proud of her - if that is possible)

Not that this wee baby girl will be spoilt by her 'Aunty' Josie or anything.

So yes a fantastic start to 2011. Can it get better?????

Back on track.

2011-01-23T13:09:00.000-08:00

Jose came home from school on Friday and presented me with a brown paper packet.....inside were some flowers. Isn't is strange how when your children do something like this it always means so much. This is a candle that she also made, the first time I had heard of Modge Podge. Fantastic stuff.

My Granny Stripe is finished. I have used up all of the Jacob wool that I have had in my 'stash' for near on 6 years. But I ran out of grey, so I used some Cornish Gotland. It is lighter then the grey of the Jacob, but looks similar. I am please with it. At the moment it is just on the back of the sofa. My Dad came up yesterday to measure for some skirting and I said about it and he really liked it. So, I have until Oct to make him his own one, even if he just uses it in his car, not sure if that is what he'd really like but I am always stuck on what to make him. I think I will stick to natural colours so I have just ordered some wool from here but they only have aran weight in the colours I want to use. I thought I would do a test run first to see how it hooks up.

I haven't blogged much lately as I have a) not had the time (but have been reading lots) b) not really had much to write about. The old mo-jo seems to be flagging a bit.

Poppy Cottage has been under going a few changes. A wall down between the lounge and the hall has made a lovely big room, I have moved my bedroom downstairs (although I haven't spent much time in there as I have been staying 4 nights a week at a lady's house who's husband is in hospital, along with my Friday night at work) The attic now is a massive craft room. I wanted to put the fun back into making stuff and the smallest room (the attic stairs are in there) is now a clear white, peaceful room (OK I have to move a few things, Ashley's chair, need painting and gifting to her and the drawers need to go) but other then that it now holds my wool........well some of it.

The quilt top is one that I brought to finish off but I think that I will make it into a curtain for this room until I have the time to finish it off properly. Mum doesn't really think that one curtain will look OK, but I can't split the quilt top, and I think it will be OK.

The stairs are now boxed in - just needs to be painted...........

My son also need to use a tray when he carries his coffee upstairs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the lounge - minus that wall...

The two sofa's on the left are the best buy of 2010. £25 for the pair from eBay!!!!! Lily has kept her sofa. just have to keep reminding her that the new (to-us) sofa's are not for her!!

See, much better, or I think so. All I have to do now is de-clutter BIG time.

And need to tidy up a bit more, well, a lot more really!!

But this bit is done and painted. everything is going white, easy to touch up after a muddy dog has been through.

So you can see that I have been a bit busy. But hopefully, I shall be back on track with my posts. I also need to make this the year of the UFO's. I have lots of things I need to finish. My older sister, who lives in Cornwall is going to take a few bits of my stuff when she does a craft stall in Fowey, so I shall only make a few things to sell this year, the rest of the time I intend to do some courses, make some things for my cottage and most of all enjoy the places that are on my door step with Lily and go and explore.

Take care

Colette

What is it about 2010

2010-12-27T11:04:00.000-08:00

This year. I have to say that I am looking forward to saying good bye to it. I have a gut feeling 2011 is going to be better. It has to be really. Ashley's baby is due at the end of January. Jose will be 17 so wants to start driving. Jasper has been picked for The School of Rugby. Good, positive things.

But 2010, pretty crap really. This is Socks. She is 15, tomorrow I say good bye to her. She is filling up with fluid, her breathing is painful to watch. She no longer looks like this, like she did in the Summer of 2009, she now is skinny, matted as she can't groom herself and to brush her hurts her so much. But she still purrs.

She is my last link to the life I used to have, I know it sounds daft, but this bundle of fluff came home when life was good, Jose used to dress her in baby clothes and plonk her in a pram, Socks loved it. She is such an affectionate cat. She has always dribbled, strange how that seems to have stopped at the moment.

Seems crule to play God like this doesn't it - or does it. Because lets face it if she was human, we'd shove her in a hospital bed, keep her going until her body fianally gave up. Till she was so scared because breathing was a battle, till she slowly drowned. Often alone. At leat I can prevent that from happening to my beloved cat. But so soon after loosing Cleo. Jon is coming back to my cottage tomorrow to help my cat slip away peacefully.

Where has that month gone?

2010-12-21T14:36:00.000-08:00

Yet more snow photos!!!

Sorry.

I can't believe that it has been a month since I last wrote a post.

In that time. 5 amazing puppies have gone to the most fantastic homes. I have been so chuffed that they have all kept in touch so I have seen pictures of the puppies. They all seem to be so good. Mmmmm...... Lily, do you hear that!! But I miss them. More then any other litter I have raised in , Ooooh, 10 years. I wish I had kept one. The one that clicked for me in the last week was the little girl that they called Ruby (yes I also wanted to keep one of the boys - I know, I know!!)

My cottage has under gone an amazing transformation. The stairs are boxed in (sorry Lily, no more going upstairs!!!) and the wall between the lounge and the hall has gone, so now I have a lovely open lounge. Just need to paint once the plaster has dried and make curtains for the front door and small window. My Bedroom is coming downstairs. Not more attic stairs to negotiate in the middle of the night. And - cringe (for some) but I can have Lil to keep my feet warm!! ALL my craft stuff is going to go up to the attic. Jose and I can have a massive - fun - craft room. I am not making things to sell any more, I want to make things for me and friends. It seems, I don't know if you agree, when you make things with selling them in mind you forget to make some of those things for yourself. It can almost loose the whole reason we make things in the first place. Well, that's what I think anyway.

I have GOT to try and keep my house a bit tidier. Tomorrow I go with a friend to pick up two nice sofas that I brought on e-Bay for £25!! (must be Christmas) Although I am not sure if they will fit through the cottage's front door!!

I also have got a new phone with the most amazing camera on it. So now there should be no reason not to blog more often!!

Some crappy personal stuff, which has made me question some aspects about my life, and taught me a few lessons, made me just that little bit more cynical (and slightly more un-trusting) but hey ho, it is what makes us not only stronger but who we are. So it is not all doom and gloom!!

I love my dog, my kids, my cottage and my job, but there is something missing. The J's are growing up and I feel sometimes a bit like a spare part, like they still need you, but no longer REALLY need you. I guess it is the start of the empty nest syndrome (yuck!!) but I would think that for someone who is part of a couple or a complete family unit, that means that you just get to know one another a bit more, better or what ever. For me, as I know my partner Lily like the back of my hand so it has made me think more about what I would like out of life. Made me wonder what 2011 will bring.

My boy has been picked by The School of Rugby. Two things Mike and I did right was have amazing kids. Strong willed, pig headed switched on kids. They are at that wonderful stage in life where what ever they want is obtainable. Deep down I envy them that future, but I know that I have to make mine in the same way they will make theirs (for the first time I can put what I want at the top of my list - although that isn't so easy when you think about it). I want to work full time, to do a job that I feel rewarded in, sort of whole (Yes Yes, this time of year always makes us feel mellow dramatic!!) I also would like a decent wage! (who doesn't when you have bills to pay, a house hold to run) I totally love the job I do now, but there are not really full time hours available. I have a regular night now and the lady I work with is fantastic, (I could learn an awful lot from her) But something just niggles, I miss being outside, I miss working on my own (!!!!!). So I have started to think of other things. They sacked - sorry - let go the Gardener they employed (instead of me!!!!!Ha Ha!!) so that job is coming up. But this last week has made me think differently about applying for it. But I have applied for a post as Dog Warden. I know I don't stand a chance but it was good to fill out the application form. To think of all the positive bits about yourself. To try to sell your self. I want my cake and eat it really, I want to keep the hours I have at H.H but to do another totally different job as well.

Who wouldn't want to work for the benefit of these all day, along with the good bits, the sad bits, the not so good bits.

Me and my girl, I don't need anything more then that. Together we are a team, a relationship that needs each other to work.

So here is to 2011, a fresh new year. I hope that everyone enjoys Christmas with the differences that the weather will make. We are alive, hopefully healthy and have a whole new year to look forward to.

For that we are so very lucky.

Colette & Lily

I once had a garden.........

2010-11-21T02:02:00.000-08:00

but then again who cares, it'll grow back!!

Thank you for all you words of comfort. As you all said the pups are so lovely and so cuddly having them has really helped.

As you can see from the above, the pups have grown and have discovered that it is really really good fun to hide under the shed and to totally distroy any bit of garden that I had, but do you know what, who cares.

Colette x

Thank you so much xx

2010-11-17T14:21:00.000-08:00

Thank you all so much for such lovely comments. Jon came up about 9pm on Monday, Cleo was asleep on the sofa. He carefully injected Cleo with a sedative which made him sleepy, I made us a cup of tea, and he gave me time to make 100% certain that this what what I wanted, Jose came home from an evening out with her Dad, whilst I sat and stroked my cat, in turn my very grown up daughter hugged me, Jon quietly went out to get what was needed. With the up most respect to me and my feelings, he very carefully put my beautiful black cat to sleep. Jose was amazing and Jon also. We talked about how long I had had him, in between my snotty tears, I thanked him and carried on touching my soft, pain free cat.

I know it is his job, but I was amazed by the tenderness Jon showed to me and my daughter - to put an animal to sleep to end it suffering is one thing, I think to put your friends pet to sleep and to watch your friend suffer the heartbreaking moment when you know they are gone must be incredibly hard. For that I will be forever grateful.

I have always said I may be skint, but I am so rich in friends.

Who could want for more.

This is Sheye

Nelson

Now these wellies smell good!!

Nelson

Ruby

Flo

Don't those eyes just melt you.

Nelson

As you can see, wellies seem to be the best kind of foot wear in Poppy Cottage at this moment in time.

They still smell so nice, Sheye really snuggles into your neck.

Look - must like him a lot!!!!! 2 photo's (Samba - Just so so laid back)

Socks - She seems to be Ok.

Boy, I need to re-paint my door frames!!

Again Ruby or Flo

Sheye

In the background, as you can see, are the boys!! (and Sheye)

Watch out Brian, she is SOOOOOOOOOOOO affectionate.

Nelson

My favourite (shouldn't really admit to that should I) Samba

Nelson

Ruby or Flo

All of these photos were taken by Jose

Cleo

2010-11-15T04:08:00.000-08:00

This was my lovely cat Cleo last night, all snuggled up with the pups.

Then before I went to bed he seemed to collapsed on his back legs, he does do this often, he is 19 and seems to just get up and carry on. He was sat on my lap, being stroked and brushed. (he does have a smell about him, I have put this down to age - horrible to say but a rotting smell) When I placed him on the floor he seemed to have a really hard job breathing, it was heart breaking to watch, when he recovered he chose to hide away from the pups, this in it's self is unusual. I made him comfortable and he slept. This morning I hoped, is that wrong, that he would have passed away in his sleep. When I came down, he came out from where he had slept and just sat and watched me. Why did I want him to have gone in his sleep? Because it takes away the decision that I know in my heart is the right one to make, but how do you know it is the right time, how do you know that your animal, who you have loved for so long, has had enough struggling on. He seemed to rally when the pups came along, he has spent most of the last six weeks in the company of the five pups, through choice, almost seeking out their company. But his eyes seem to be different, his body is just fur and bones, even the muscles in his back legs are no longer there.

But I have had him in my life for so long.

When I moved in with the children's Dad I really wanted a pet of my own, Mike had his dog Percy, I kept asking for a kitten, the answer was always no. The one night, Mike was really drunk (!!!!) and I asked again, this time the answer came, "if you must!!"

Needless to say I had learnt enough about this man to know to say nothing more in the morning. He left for work, I had a day off, I headed for the postcards in shop windows and found a litter of kittens.

I went to see them, two litters, born at the same time from two sisters. An abundance of kittens ran around this room, all so friendly, not shy in any way....apart from one........who hid behind the washing machine.

And that, being me is the kitten I came home with, Cleo, who was meant to be a little girl, turned out to be a boy, who has been with me all my adult life. And tonight my friend the vet will come and put him to sleep for me.

Just pure fun........

2010-11-11T05:08:00.000-08:00

All the girls have new homes and to be honest they couldn't be going to nicer people. I am so chuffed, so that leaves the boys..................

A family with two boys are coming to see them on Sunday..... I have a good feeling about them, you know when you just get a feeling in your tummy, that you know that something good is going to happen, that is what I have at the moment.

Don't ask what happened here...................

Although, I do have a favourite, hands down, but I can't keep one, Lily and I have too many adventures to go off on.

Not so tough as you make out Oh son of mine......

2010-11-09T10:42:00.000-08:00

My Son

xxx

(The roughty toughty rugby player)

Sometimes even the hard nuts crack.....

Something so soft, so cuddly brings out the gentle side of someone.... a side as his Mum and him being 15, I don't see very often,. but.....

put a five week bundle of mischief (or two as the case may be) and you see a different side to him......

Well, that is until it is his turn to pick up the soggy newspaper, or scoop up a neat brown package lovingly delivered!!!

(and yes they are big for 5 weeks, remember they are still on gold top milk delivered by Mum as often as possible, no stopping her)

Super speed!!

2010-11-08T14:35:00.000-08:00

This is an action shot, I'd like to see you try and get a better picture, they just don't slow down (until that is they flop and sleep!!)

The pups are set on one speed at the moment.... super fast!!!

They are like todlers, can't walk, have to RUN!!!

This morning they all headed outside.

After the heavy winds last night I came down stairs to bedlem, all five pups were running around downstairs having broken fee from the confines of the kitchen........

Who Me???

Apart from those who are far to chunky to run, you know, sometimes things are just too much of an effort!!

Hellooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo..................

A stern word from Mum!! Who am I kidding, she is as bad as they are. She loves playing with them,

See, how can ANYTHING get done in this house at the moment.

I seem to be spending my free time surrounded with soggy newspaper, but it really is great fun.

xxx

Total time waster!!

2010-11-04T17:06:00.000-07:00

First I am sorry I am late picking out my give away winners, I promise I will do it over the weekend.

Why am I being so lack you ask.........well........ http://lilyspups.blogspot.com

These............

Don't hold out for much crafting updates on my blog, I have 3 weeks still to play, hug and enjoy.

Although Josie's blanket is nearing completion and I have started some of these

Have a lovely Friday xx

The next stage.....weaning.

2010-10-24T01:11:00.000-07:00

I have decided that I just can't crochet a flat circle - what am I doing wrong? This is meant to be this....http://lallylou-lou.blogspot.com/2010/10/apples-from-teacher.html

But as you can see, erm..... it isn't. I have the same trouble with this so it has to be me. Remember this

Help please.

The pups have changed so much over the last few days. They are standing up for a little bit and walking around, rather the the hairy slugs pulling themselves along.

They have changed so much

And now the fun has started.... the process of weaning them off Lily and onto proper food. It isn't something for the light hearted, house proud person. In fact, if my washing machine packs up now I'd be, well, buggered actually.

They sort of loose their cuddle appeal for a few days. I seemed to spend yesterday in clothes that had puppy pee, poo and food over them. Whoops, seem to be in them again today, Ha Ha! Who cares, I am a slob, have no interest in dressing to impress, Lily loves me unconditionally!! (Clean underwear mind you!!) - But I suddenly remembered what I was wearing when I had walked half way into town, maybe the J's are right to be embarrassed by me. The sad thing is I didn't turn around, I just carried on!

Trying to get to grips with the new blogger layout and the 'easier' way of posting. I must admit that my brain can't function too well at the moment, but I think it will be a lot easier. I always found adding photo's a chore. They seem to go on a lot better, for me anyhow.

A small selection of WIP's

And now I just need to sort this out. A selection of brooches to be finished off. The ideas are in my head but I have been struggling to find the time to sit down and add the backs and the beads to them. They will either end up on the Christmas stall I am thinking about doing or as presents etc. I have really enjoyed 'painting' with the fleece via needle felting. But really need to finish them off before I start anymore.

Awaiting beading

It is a beautiful day here in Bridport and I really should get out into the garden, but I am sat here on the sofa, puppy watching (they twitch so much when they are dreaming), Lily is laying on my feet, house is peaceful (Josie is on a school trip to New York - and doesn't want to come home) and I am just looking around my cottage, thinking. Do you ever wish you could sort out the mess that makes up your head? I'd love to learn how to empty it and just have what needs to be in there rather then all the craft ideas, life dilemmas, thoughts of what will happen in the future, just to stop it racing all the time, I might be able to sleep better then.

First attempt at a felt flower - not too bad

Actually, in fact, Lily has wind so I am moving. Nothing like that smell to bring you back to earth!!!!

Feeding time at the zoo.....

2010-10-19T02:52:00.000-07:00

And my 100th post!!

I'm also playing with uploading a video, so you all can see the progress of the puppies. Lil is still feeding them but their eyes are now open and over the last couple of days they are taking more of their weight on their legs rather then crawling like baby seals.

They went with me down to visit the Residential Home were I work yesterday, I have been taking them down once a week, boy have I missed being at work. Funny isn't it. Although two of my shifts have changed so I won't be working with two of the carers I have been and that is such a shame as I loved that shift, but I understand the reasons why it has changed and I have to see it as a compliment.

So....I guess I need to think about a give away. No idea what but I'll think of something.... a puppy maybe....ONLY JOKING!!

So leave a comment on this post and I'll pick a name next Monday morning, the 25th.

(As you can see from the video, Lily is fine with anyone else doing anything with her babies, but she is not too keen on sharing me with them)

And yes, they are real time wasters!!

So much for starting my Christmas shopping!!

2010-10-11T12:29:00.000-07:00

My first bit of Christmas shopping arrived today..... It was from Lizzie. I just love the address label, so much so that I had a real job opening it without spoiling it (boy I wish I had neat writing like that)

Sealing wax to keep the fantastic red and white string in place....

A little note .......this is where it all started to go wrong, I mean REALLY wrong........

You see, after reading the note....I started to waver......my will power started to thin....... (OK, so I don't actually have any will power - but I haven't eaten chocolate today!!)

Then I opened the pink tissue paper..... all wrapped around them...... it was then I just knew it.....

These little ladies that had started their journey to Poppy Cottage - with the hope of leaving Poppy Cottage as Christmas presents.......were......infact.......

Not going anywhere..........

See, so my start on Christmas failed, but I now own three lovely ladies who I am blown away by the detail on them. I would recommend (if you have stronger will power then me) getting a couple as presents, I had intended to give them away as book marks, so now will have to have a re-think.

Time Wasters

2010-10-09T07:39:00.000-07:00

Time wasters - That is what they are. Everything takes longer as you walk past the lounge and just have to pop in to see them.

Lily is spending more time out of the box and with me, which is lovely. I am still sleeping with them (well on the sofa next to them, because I can. Another perk to being single, I could spend 8 weeks with them if I wanted and no one to nag me!! (don't worry, 8 weeks I'd be MAD by then!! But it is lovely to lay awake at night watching them twitch in their sleep (although I do seem to wake with a Lily dog making herself comfy on top of me and the duvet.

I have half wondered if I should make my bedroom downstairs in the redundant Dining room as I really do miss sleeping with her and she can't make it up the stairs to the Attic........ It is food for thought... Isn't this just amazing..

Jose with her early morning cuddle before she headed off to work (for me I still have a week more holiday, and I have painted the kitchen, just got up the stairs to do then it is the Garden and Poly Tunnel after that)

Their faces are starting to pop out now, and over the next few days their eyes will un-zip and the ears open up.

She is being a fantastic Mum, plenty of milk so these Pups will not be small......

But I have managed to get on a bit with Josie's blanket, four piles of 18 squares, joining with cream in a join as you go sort of way, then I shall just granny cluster borders around the edges until I run out of wool.

Old knitting needles are really handy for this.

(don't look too close at the floor, I haven't really been bothered with house work this week (Hey, second good bit about being single...... Nope, kids moan eventually)

This is Post number 98 so I guess I should think about getting together something for the 100th (that seems to be the done thing)

Enjoy your weekend.

Look what my clever girl did.......

2010-10-04T12:40:00.001-07:00

Five beautiful, healthy puppies. Three girls, two boys. An ideal first litter.

Timing couldn't be better, First day of my 'maternity leave' (two week hoiday from work)

Two weeks to watch, cuddle puppies, can't think of anything much nicer actually!!

And they sounds so lovely xx Sofa for me again for the next few nights.

Chicken

2010-09-28T11:52:00.000-07:00

That's me. Thank you for all your kind, encouraging words. I didn't sleep for two nights, my mind racing, the serious lack of self confidence I have in myself had taken over from the excitement of the moment. I know I could do it, deep down, with my eyes shut, but no matter how much I kept telling myself that, I just couldn't shake off the sense of total dread I was feeling. Of being in the public eye, so I left it another day (again a sleepless night, plenty of tears) then e-mailed my friends turning down the offer. They know me so understand.

See at work in the residential home I feel totally different, I feel confident once I walk through the doors, I love it. I have the feeling of 'coming home' went I go to work.

Ok, so I found out something about myself, and maybe given myself the shake up I needed (too personal to blog about xx) So, I shall enjoy Lily and the impending puppies (we are are on the last week count down!!!!) I shall get some UFO's finished (Jasper's jumper was being worn last night and Josie's blanket is getting there - Oh what a shame, I need to buy some more wool........)

And stop worrying!!

But on a much more positive note, my baby is 15 today!!!!!!! (He forgot it was his Birthday so he agreed to play rugby after school - they won hands down!!) I gave him an incubator and an IOU for 10 rare breed chicken eggs (once he has set up the incubator) and his sister, who he ALWAYS professes to dislike, brought him (and their Dad) England V Samoa rugby tickets. How cool is that!! Even he had to smile at that!!

Sweet Shop Syndrome

2010-09-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

Most of you who read my blog know a bit about me, those who don't here is a little bit about me.....

I love wool, fabric, buttons, fibres, making stuff, sewing... anything crafty....

So this job offer.......

be stupid to turn it down wouldn't I...

so at 6 pm went for a formal interview, offered job....accepted job.

That means in the last four years I have been 'head hunted' (sounds impressive!!) twice!

Maybe I am not so rubbish after all!!

And as long as H.H agree, I should be able to do both jobs, as someone said, the best of both worlds.

Now will have to cut out eating rubbish, loose a bit of flab, find something decent to wear (smart!!) and stop hiding away!

But....... Just think of all that fabric to touch and look at!!!!

Heaven.

Turns out, on the 1st of August they brought the business and Megan asked Tom (who happens to be the Chairman of the management committee at work) if he thought I would be interested in working for them. He said he couldn't ask as it would be a conflict of interest, so what luck that I bumped into them yesterday, on my Birthday. Now I keep thinking about all I DON'T know about fabric, boy have I got some homework to do!!!

An offer of the 'perfect' job?

2010-09-19T00:42:00.000-07:00

I have had about a week and a half off work, lots of things planned but not much done. I spent ages sorting out my bedroom craft room. Now it has gone from a cluttered 'God knows where anything is' type of room to a work room come bedroom. I sort of know where stuff is, it is relaxing and my fabric is now in a cupboard, OK, a slightly big cupboard, but orderly (if fabric stashes can be orderly. An inspiration board behind one craft table...

Neat (ish) stash

Is it possible to say I have enough fabric to open a shop????? (the boxes on the top shelf are CRAMMED full with fat 1/4's)

I have had time to play......

Fiddle......

And just see what that would look like if I did that....

I had forgotten how much I enjoy all of that, to just know where things are so that they are on hand when you have a few minutes.

But the fabric thing brings me on to yet another dilemma in my life (sound like a drama queen don't I, sorry)

What would you do if you were offered (although part time) a job in a fabric shop, that has just been taken over by friends, who plan to expand, to sell wool, run workshops. Anyone who reads the right hand side of my blog knows that that would be, to me, almost the most perfect job in the whole wide world.

But, not only would it be 50p less then I get now an hour, so £6.25 per hr, I love my job at the residential home.

I could do both I guess, the fabric shop is in town so I would walk to work, I'd have to start taking a bit of pride in how I look. I'd have to find that confidence I seem to have lost over the last four years.

But just think of all that fabric to touch, feel.....

Catching up (although for me that is impossible!!)

2010-08-30T00:15:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I went to Cornwall to spend the a couple of days with my Big sister. It was a lovely 'get away' from it all. Trace has been a bit down, so I wanted to take something down that would cheer her up. Now as sisters go, we have pretty similar tastes in 'craft' type things, so I knew that to be given this...... would be so much better then chocolate, flowers. It is a sirdar, but I can't remember which one but at £1.49 per 100g ball it means she can play to her hearts content (she has just learnt to crochet). We spent the weekend chatting, I went through Lucy's blog and taught her to make the Summer Garden Granny Square as well as the join as you go method. So by the end of the weekend I think she had the start of a small blanket. She also got to grips with the Granny Stripe blanket.

I made this......Using wool left over from Ashley hug blanket.

And then have started these - to match

Teenager don't really 'get' the craft thing, Jose does, but I am sure that she thinks I am slightly nuts but Jasper, nope. He DOES think I am nuts. (Although I did receive a back handed compliment from him after being told I was a failure I asked why he doesn't just go and live with his Dad full time, his reply was 'Just because I think you are a failure doesn't mean to say I don't like you - you have to know and understand my son to understand it isn't as bad as it sounds).

He asked me ages ago to knit him another jumper (the last one took about 4 years - thankfully it stretched!!)

He chose the colours (to me they are school uniform colours) One and a half sleeves done and almost finished the back.........There is hope that he'll get it before he is 16!

And then Jose sent me a text. "I want a hug" (she was at home with Jasper at the time so I thought it was a bit odd, but then I remembered the Hug blanket I made for Ashley). So The Cuddle has been started...

With really soft wool, brought just for the blanket........ (£2.99 per 50g - ouch!!) but it is SOOOOOOOOO soft

I got to choose the colours......

with an idea of what she likes.

So now, I have YET ANOTHER project on the go!!! So much for trying to catch up!!

But I do have nearly two weeks off once they go back to school, and that is going to be constructive, as I WANT to get sorted, rather then thinking that I should!!

And.... hopefully I should find out if Lily is in Pup this week. (I am taking the vet to the airport and instead of getting paid 'taxi' fare he will do an ultra scan on Lily - can't be bad as after all I am using his car and his petrol!! - He didn't think mine would get there!! Bloody cheek!!) ;0)

Spinning.....

2010-08-15T15:51:00.000-07:00

.....not the sort that uses loads of energy and make you slim!! The good old spinning wheel is back out, set up and working well.

You have to remember that I am still learning and last week I took my wheel, some fleece to Jenny She taught me how to ply the wool and we had a really relaxing and enjoyable morning spinning. I'd like to do that more often but know she is really so busy all the time (I don't know where she gets her energy from!! I'd like to bottle if I could)

This is what i have spun tonight. I have been given a new TV and digi box. It is fantastic (Thank you very much Sue) so I sat and watched the news (the picture wasn't green!!)

So I span, then plied it wound it into a skein. I really am happy with the way this has turned out. Looks almost real! Now to make a few more then!!

I am ging to try to have half an hour carding tomorrow, I need to buid up a stock ready for the winter when I want to master the art of spinning!

Nun night

Wow!! What a day. (even the puncture didn't spoil it!!)

2010-08-01T04:37:00.001-07:00

The sun shone, My niece looked a stunning bride, My daughter looked amazing, My sister looked the proud Mum, everyone looked so happy.
My son looked..........erm..... 'casual'

The bride's car had a puncture on the way to the church and the had to flag down a lift!!

Don't think I need to add anything else, the pictures say it all.

Apart from a very happy and lovely Great Grandad

The Big Day has arrived....

2010-07-31T00:41:00.001-07:00

Today, Miss Newman becomes Mrs Landells

Jose is a bridesmaid........

Tracie, My big sister sees her only child walk down the isle......

My Mum has done the Cake (more photos to follow)

The flowers......

And I helped my little sister make button holes in the afternoon and last night I took Mum's camera back fully charged (isn't it always the way you loose the charger when you REALLY need it) I stayed and helped make the flower arrangements for the tables. I really enjoyed doing this. Bit of greenery, bit of this bit of that. The best bit was being allowed to make a mess on my Mum's kitchen floor. I chatted to Mum and heard my Dad wetting himself laughing listening to a comedy programme in the other room. That is a sound I have missed hearing so much. You forget these things.

I got married when I was 18 (the first time). I have carried a few personal ghosts around with me for 19 years (it lasted a week, long story......) But spending the time with my Mum doing something as simple as flower arranging laid a few of those ghosts to rest. Difficult to explain but I know what I mean.

Now, I have to decide what to wear. I have two options, three maybe, but I can't decide. I am not a natural dress wearer (I actually can't think of anything worse) and now wish I had tried to loose at least a stone or five. Still I had a wake up call on Tuesday. Lily collapsed on our walk. I mean collapsed. I had to carry her home, I guess a quarter of a mile, she was a total dead weight, I have no idea how I managed, but from somewhere you know you just get the strength. Got her to the vets and her body temp was 42 (it should be 38.5) She had heat exhaustion. Because the outside temp was so hot and humid she would probably not have been able to cool herself down by panting. The bottom line is I could have lost her. So I am slightly glad I am not a size 10 slip of a thing. But, I realised big time, that I have really got to get fit and loose weight. I can not risk loosing my Dog.

Right off to look at what I could wear. Maybe I should have done this yesterday........x

A very Proud Auntie.

2010-07-14T15:49:00.000-07:00

I am now allowed to officially get excited.

Bug is 12 weeks and 4 days.

How do I know? I was Ray's stand in at Ashley's scan. It was a real shame he couldn't be there but I felt really chuffed to be asked by Ash. To see my lovely niece so damn happy was lovely.

To see this tiny baby wiggling and giggling on the screen, to look up and see the face of it's Mummy watching it on the screen was amazing, something I shall never forget. To share that moment, was, I have to say pretty darn good.

So....... Meet Baby Bug xx

The day has finally arrived!!

2010-07-08T14:53:00.001-07:00

The preparation started about 12 noon.

The legs, the face mask, the hot oil on the hair, the nails, the make up, the styling of the hair (others before herself!!) the false eye lashes on - then off - the mascara (much better I think)
The curling, the straighting, the waving....

The double checking, the triple checking (quite pleased how the bathroom looks - whoops! sorry decorators eye wanders..)

The wonda bra... (amazing, shame we can't share!!) The dress, wow!! the dress

Oh better just check the hair again.........

AND don't forget the shoes. For the untrained eye amongst us (me) these are Christian Lσuboutin shoes. Stupid money. These shoes cost the same as a cheap car and 10 driving lessons!!! But give her her due, they are her Christmas, Birthday money and all her babysitting money, 100% her money to spend (waste) as she pleases.

That smile makes it all OK, see, why drive when you can get a bus!!

Her Dad sorted out an old taxi to take them.

I just hope they have had a wonderful time and the after prom *iss up leads to a few hang overs.

Guess she really is growing up!!

Boy I feel really really old.

The perfect house....

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

Have a look at these two blogs Jane and Christine. Both have been to visit Trevoole Farm.

Maybe, there are still parts of cornwall that are un-spoilt..........

A 'Just What I Needed Day'

2010-07-05T01:01:00.001-07:00

What a fantastic invention. Some daft people use the yarn holder to put a drink in. Some people just have no idea do they!!!!

This was Saturday. A lovely way to spend a day, good company (my Mum) and good Music. Have a listen here. The Band is called 'Show of Hands'.

Mum and I decided there was no point worrying about work, money, stuff for the afternoon, and do you know, it worked. I sat, listened, crocheted, chatted and in between various breaks in between bands Mum and I wandered around the Gardens, it was so lovely. There was no phone reception!!! Mum knitted. (she hadn't knitted for ages so after I made that waistcoat for her Birthday last year she asked if I had a pattern for another one, the wool came from my 'shed stash'. We must have looked a sight, but do you know, I couldn't give a damn!

This is an oak tree that fell and as it was too big to remove someone has made it into a feature. incredible, the work and the detail is fantastic.

OK, my Mum is tiny, like both of my sisters (they are SOOOOOOOOOO lucky!!) I have the build of my biological father, tall, big bones, broad shoulders (that isn't a bad thing these days) but.... it is photo's like these, that make you (me) realise that I really have to loose some weight.

How amazing to be able to make this....

My Mum hasn't changed really at all over the years (her clothes haven't either ;0) nor has her hair style) If I could look like that at 65 I'd be well chuffed, but somehow I don't hold out much hope!!
The planting is fantastic, inspiring.....

So full of colour. Plants that I would love to put in my garden. That is what makes me sad about work. After being promised that interview for the gardening job being an internal applicant, I have not been given one. Bit crappy really (OK, under-hand, sexist, bloody well wrong really). Still as I said in my last post it all could be to my advantage. I spoke to my boss, so I now have an extra shift so at least my contracted hours are sorted. She will give me extra, covering other shifts, nights etc. to make up the extra I need for F.T.C. So four days one week, 1 day the next. So I can also pick up some extra 'un-official' gardening work, which gets me know as 'a lady gardener' do the NVQ via my little Sister, and get my life, house and garden sorted.

Giving me time in the evenings to sit down!! Craft, read or walk. As I said, use it to my advantage. As long as I pick up enough to cover bills and stuff then I'm OK, work towards some qualifications. I am lucky that I have a job I really really like, and really don't want to leave, this way I can have the best of both worlds, that can't be bad can it.

On a different note. There are times when I hate being single, someones someone special (not many I hasten to add!!) I was surrounded by happy huggy couples (boy there is no better way to see so many loved up duo's the a summers day, blankets on the ground and music. I joked to Mum about it (but deep down I envied them) until that was........

Brian and his wife sat in front of us!!!!!

All I'll say is I love my single life, my nagg free, criticism -less life. I'll say no more!! Anyway I have Lily when I am down and need a hug!!

And there is a reason I am making a blanket.... Too keep my Mum warm (but she can't have this one!!)

To my Mum, thank you for a lovely day xx

Maybe to my advantage.....

2010-07-03T17:02:00.000-07:00

Show of Hands

This is just a quick post as I am shattered. After working last night I haven't been to bed yet and I had to stay up, awake and dressed to go and get Josie after she finished babysitting.

I have had a good day. I picked my Mum up and we headed to Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens for a concert by Show of Hands plus a few other bands. On the way over we talked and talked, about life, job, money it was good. We decided that there is nothing I can do about it and we would just switch off (both of us) and enjoy the gardens.

My post this morning was full of panic, fear. But the more I think about it, sort of their loss my gain really. Tell you a bit more in the morning and the photos from yesterday.

A dilemma.

2010-07-03T03:51:00.000-07:00

I worked last night. It was a good shift.

I took up a residents trousers instead of having 40 winks. I couldn't settle.

I sat and read, watched seagulls, walked around the corridors thinking how strange that I felt so at home there.

I sat and went through the rota, picking up any extra shifts I could. Why?

How about this.

I have got a list of my regular hours....... it is a 2 week rota.... My contract is for 15 hrs per week...... (crap huh!! I NEED 18 for working tax credits, I need 24 to run my house hold, feed my kids, pay my bills etc)

My new hours are....
Week 1 - Thursday 2 - 8, Saturday 8 - 2, Sunday 8 - 2.
Week 2 - Thursday 2 - 8.
Maybe possibly Wednesday 2 - 8.

Even I can add that up, I need that Wednesday to just make up my contracted hours. Let alone enough to qualify for Working tax credit. I can pick up the odd shift if someone is on holiday, but you have to be quick for that.

I saw in the Diary that they are at 9am on Monday "interviewing Groundsman" (Bugger, last time I looked I was a woman!!)

So not me, as I haven't been told about it, I am also out with Jose on Monday. If I hadn't looked in the diary I wouldn't have known, or maybe, shouldn't know.

I should really be having a little sleep right now as I am out to listen to music with my Mum this afternoon but I can't, my head is too full!!

So...... A second dilemma for me this week, a bit more important then how to crochet a flat circle.

I love my job, so so much but..................... it is looking like I can't afford to stay there.

See, a dilemma.

Holiday, crochet, (help please!!) Sea, Mugged and Special Birthday.

2010-06-29T16:37:00.000-07:00

Hello. Do you like my new mug? Great isn't it. I have been given it by a friend. Wondering if I should take it to work, that way everyone will know it is mine!!

Jose and I went to stay at my sisters in Portloe, Cornwall whilst she was up in Glastonbury working. We went down on the Wednesday (I was already missing work as I had had 3 days off already) Came home on the Saturday afternoon/evening instead of Sunday. (I was really, really, missing work!! - crazy huh!! Just wondered if everyone was OK etc. I guess that is good, shows I love my job!)) Also it was so so hot and OK, I'll own up to being a bit of a home bug! (I am also wondering if I should withdraw my job application for Gardener - I'll let you know on that one)

What I also liked was time with just me and Jose. (She had her last exam on Monday so she has now officially left school, boy do I feel old!!) No pressures, no housework but I have yet to learn the art of totally switching off. but after speaking to Mum and Dooks, I do not hold out much hope as neither of them can at 65 or 87! Also Dooks had a really nasty fall on Friday. It really brought it home to me how far away from my folks Cornwall is. (for me anyway)

Oh, almost forgot. OK, rewind. I spent time with my two very special girls.

Saw wonderful sunsets that made me sad. Sad because I always wanted to live where this is what I saw before I went to bed every night, right the way from 18 years old I have wanted to live there, but my dreams have been slightly shattered because it has changed. So much so because places have to adapt to survive, the tourist trade brings in so much revenue etc etc the easiest way to explain it is this bit of an e-mail I sent to a friend.

Shame that time can't be turned back isn't it, the dream place one falls in love with is of Derek and Leo's books all those years ago. Or maybe it is the fantasy of the life they led at that time. The longing for the simplicity of that way of life. (or the happy coupledom that they wrote about)

The same friend told me that there are still parts that are so special and unspoilt. I know I am so lucky as Dorset is pretty fab too.

I guess I just feel a little unsettled at the moment in all parts of my life in some small way or another.

Never mind. Jose and I had a great time, that is all that matters!

We had tea and fairy cakes. Market research you understand, Jose and I are hopefully doing fairy cakes for Ashley's wedding.

The service was pants (I am not joking) The chap go it all mixed up. So Josie's cold chocolate milkshake became hot chocolate, My coffee became de-cafe and cold.

Fairy cake was forgotten...... but in the end it was OK.

We sat on the beach, just shared time, not always talking, just being in each others company.

St Ives, pretty nice huh!! I think of how Noelle

must find living here in the summer. We went to the Tate and I would have to say I am not a lover of modern art type!!

Then I was MUGGED!!!!! First Ice Cream of the season, walked away from the shop, suddenly didn't know what had happened. Bugger nicked my Ice cream. I didn't know if I should have laughed or cried. We laughed instead!!

WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE!!

Now, I need help, or advice.

I am making a hug bag, with wool left over from Ashley's hug blanket

But........

No matter , how hard I try I can not for the life of me get the attic 24 flat circle to be flat. What am I doing wrong?

You know when you come across another blog and think how come I have missed that. Have a look here, unless you folloe the link when people leave a comment you can miis some of the nicest ones. Have a look at this.

I sat on the beach I and tried to finish off My Mums Birthday present and Jose and Lily swam in the seam

FINISHED!!!

My Mum, 65 !!

So all in all a lovely week, somewhere different, but VERY glad to be home - Boring huh!! Ha Ha!!

Got to go to work!

2010-06-19T05:06:00.000-07:00

I saw this the other day on one pretty thing. I have had plenty of goes at making felted soap (I mean PLENTY) but they always fall apart, or just don't felt as I thought they would. But their tutorial just seemed to click. The main bit, don't dunk your soap!!

So needing to wash the mud out of my hands before going off to work I thought I would have one final go.

Perfect.

Take a long time but it is a really nice feeling.

Smells nice too as I used a bar of Dove soap.

Guess what everyone is getting for Christmas!!

Bum, late for work xx

Whoops!!

2010-06-18T03:43:00.000-07:00

How did that happen??

OK, so I have the will power of a slug!!

They have just picked up the whippet I have been looking after and paid me in real money!!!

Might just have to get one more ball of each......... well, it is really soft.

Someone slap me please!!

2010-06-17T12:40:00.000-07:00

Let me explain....

I belong to a scheme, an alternative currency. In stead of being paid for jobs eg. cleaning gardening in cash, you get paid in Nets.

This is how it works - it is a bit hard to get your head around to start with.

You buy into the scheme, for £5. In return for this you get 6 nets, a paper cheque book and a directory with what other providers have to offer.

I put in that I can offer cleaning, gardening, pet sitting, old people sitting, patchwork lessons etc.

I have been surprised the number of people asking for things to be done. You get paid in Nets, 1 net equals roughly £1. This is paid into a 'bank'. They encourage you to go into 'debt' so that they know you will always be willing to work. The snag is, I can't see anything that I need help for or want in the directory. My balance is nearly 300 nets (I have had a whippet type dog to stay for 17 days) but I can't see ANYTHING that I can spend them on!! - Just think what I could spend £300 on!!

This is where I need a slap. I have limited time. I have my own garden to do and never seem to get my arse in gear enough to get on top of it at the moment. I have my own cottage to clean, again, it could do with a through blitz.

So why am I going out of my way, on my day off to clean for and old lady who is recovering from a stroke in the morning, then in the afternoon gardening for a lady who suffers with ME but can do most things fine. (decides to pay me 6 nets (equivalent to roughly £6) as she feels she over paid me last time!! - and bearing in mind I was digging over her veg patch at 3pm today, flipping hot, makes herself a cold drink but doesn't ask if I'd like some water!!)

So, I came home, made fairy cakes for Jasper then went out into my own veg patch and gardened, until Jasp was so hungry he asked for supper. I have also decided that I have got to say no, sorry, I can't at the moment the next time I am asked to do anything for Nets

Back in my own Garden, the compost (one of many) is in need of sorting out as there was a rat in there in the winter and he (she?) ate all the worms so it has sort of stopped working.

I cut down a tree that was shadowing one of the veg beds (and was blocking out the neighbours light into their conservatory. This had made the veg patch (My back garden allotment) seem much bigger.

FINALLY got some runner beans in (this gardener is way behind on even the simplest things this year)

Emptied out one compost bin......

See this is my garden. I am almost up the top and you can just see my cottage roof above the Poly tunnel. This is why I have to say no!! There is just me to keep on top of all this. I know it isn't wide but it is jolly long, and there is also the front garden.

Days like today I am filled with a mix of emotions, pride that I do it, bewilderment as I don't know where to start sometimes, joy that it belongs to me, and jut sometimes a wave of loneliness. There is no one inside who is interested in what I have done. No one to say come see. But then I snap out of it and remember how darn lucky I am.

But I would love to live here. That is exactly, I mean EXACTLY, what I want to live in one day. Add a rocking chair out there and I'd be sorted.

It is getting on. Found a Charity shop selling Arran weight wool, 100g for £2.79 the same colours that i used in the hug. Shame I decided that I wasn't going to buy any more wool until I had used up some of what is in the shed.....

I almost forgot. I do have help (or should that be hindrance) in the garden..

Filling my time......

2010-06-11T14:46:00.000-07:00

This is my niece Ashley and her boyfriend ray. Correction, her fiancee. They are getting married on the 31st July as Ray is off to do his GP training in Chichester. She is so excited it is lovely. Jose is going to be a bridesmaid so she too is dead excited.

I wanted to make a small engagement present. I have brought her her wedding dress but wanted to do something else. So I have this pile of fabric...

An this....... (I LOVE my sewing machine!!)

So I thought that I would make a small wall hanging..... well that is what it started out as....

I really enjoy doing foundation patchwork. There is no brain strain with it.

Simple, a bit like dot to dot. Have a look here
It is a really easy way to get very sharp points on small (or large blocks) I have lots if anyone would like some to try. Happy to post.

See easy... painting by numbers almost

The famous pin cushion in used. Ann was right, it is just perfect, pins go in really easily. Had a sort of warm feeling using it.

The colours are very 'Ashley-ish' Wonder if I could make the time to make a small quilt or Quillow as a present. Or maybe I'll wait a bit...

Very apt for an engagement gift

See how crisp the points end up.

Only snag is I had already made the background for the wall hanging and the heart turned out just a little bigger (or shall I say wider) then I thought so it ended up as a pin cushion.

This is the bit that I don't really enjoy. You really need to make sure when you start off you over sew the first few stitches. You can use paper that dissolves in water or inter facing. Tracing paper is good as it tears off a lot easier then normal paper.

And very satisfying when you see this little pile.....

Notice the two hand pose? Well, only a woman would understand the difficulty in trying to balance your camera on such an un-even surface!!

This is the inside of a duvet Lily decided to take apart one night. Knew it was being kept for a reason!

I used the back of the 'wall hanging' as a back to the pincushion. Actually worked out really well.

The cottage is getting tidier. Just need to get my act together to paint the door and the windows and also the whole of the front of the cottage.

And yep, I have been bitten with Lucy's new blanket bug! I need to use up a lot of my wool before I can get any more. I thought the granny stripe would be a really good way use up the different one balls of colour. So once I have made my blanket using the Jacob's wool I can make a start on de-stashing!!

Lucy (and everyone else) is right. It is a really simple to follow pattern you can find it here.

I have used a 4.5mm hook and the yarn is DK. I like the colours in this one.

As you can see Marmalade has no shame..

Who me??

And sometimes it is all just so much hard work!

Keep your fingers crossed for me. The hours that I have at work are not really enough to run a house on so I have applied for the post of Gardener/grounds person, as well as my job as carer (I wouldn't give that up for the world.) I can work as hard as any man, I am passionate about gardening. I am practical, can paint, sweep, carry etc. I'd like to grow lots of flowers for cutting so that the residents can all enjoy them and lots of scented flowers so that the residents who's eye sight is not as good as it used to would also get lots out of it, but I just have a gut feeling that they are after a bloke (the advert did say building experience you see). We'll see. All I can do is try, and at the end of the day that is all any of us can do.

Nice to post about craft things again!!

Enjoy your weekend.

Colette xx

A Personal Post

2010-05-15T15:49:00.000-07:00

This pin cushion was given to me by the lady I talked about in my last post.

Made by her Grandmother for her when she was a young girl. You can see the tiny tiny hand stitches used to join the sides together.

The top takes short pins, and the sides take long / normal pins.

Given (her words) From one Craft woman to another.

I will treasure this forever, it means so so much to me, that as just a carer she chose to make a gift of something so special to me. I am sure that unless you sew/craft the meaning of this gift would be lost on you, you wouldn't understand. I don't mean that how that sounds, but what I am trying to say that when you pass on something so lovingly crafted by someone as a gift to you, you then pass on a bit of you with it. I know I am not really making any sense. I know what I mean.

She died last night.

I was not, am not prepared for how sad I feel deep inside.

This job, I love it. But how do you manage to get a hold of your emotions, manage them. Deal with them. Am I in the right job? This is going to happen more and more to me. I have to know, learn how to compartmentalise emotions. Of course I am in the right job, I couldn't imagine working anywhere else.

It was good though as I had a gig to go to after I finished work. Steve Knightly was my teacher at school. I was a smitten teenager (although Phil Beer is my 'ideal' type of bloke). I was doing Business Communication and Business Studies for my GCSE's. He asked if I would type out their lyrics to this song, I jumped at the chance. I never let on that it took me all night to type them up. What I want to know is I was at school 22 years ago. How come he still looks the same????? (just thought of that) This is their new song. It was really nice to have this to go to, to take my mind off feeling so sad. She died peacefully, it is what she wanted, a welcome release. So why am I sad. I don't really know. Maybe it is times like these that one misses being part of a couple, you know someone to come home to and tell, having someone to give you hug, make you feel safe. Instead tonight I feel very much alone.

Enough of this waffle. It is life and I have to knit this after seeing it done in sock yarn here See, life goes on.

Work, Rest & Play......

2010-04-30T14:04:00.000-07:00

That was the theme for the art papers at GCSE level for Jose. I haven't been over to school yet but apparently they are being displayed in the reception. As you can see Lil is demonstrating the 'play' theme.

This was her interpretation of the work of another artist (but I can remember who it was - sorry) but the marsh mellows tasted really nice.

I am baffled that when I took art we used what was in the art room at the time. Nope, this exam has cost me a small fortune. Her teacher wanted them all to do a mock up of what the though they would do, these are the photos here. Jose did send me photos of the final bits but they are on my phone and I haven't worked out how to get them off it onto the computer. Technical stuff and all that.

Again her interpretation of another artist (her Dad said eventually he'd like to have one of her pieces hanging on his wall. (seeing that he pays NO maintenance I mentioned to Jose being an original art work he can flipping well buy it!!)

Mock up of WORK (this is just a basic idea, her actual exam piece had plenty of Work related embellishments. - also if you look at the photo of just the shoe you'll see a bee which Lily ate before this photo!)

Mock up of Rest (I like the shoe for this - unfortunately so did Lily, one day both children will remember, no matter how rushed you are just pick up precious things from the floor as Lily sulks when I go to work!)

Again another mock of play.

These are the shoes that formed the centre of the display. Jose is totally unlike me as in her interest in Fashion, London and basically her obsessions with shoes made by some Christian Louboutin person!! What is so special about these shoes, they are too high, too expensive and the bottoms are red (gloss paint and a steady hand is all you need!!)

Work (see the bee)

Rest (didn't look like that when I picked up all the bits and stuck them back on before she came home from school)

Play (Lily didn't seem to like the taste of this one)

Another interpretation of someones work. I really love this. What did we do before hot melt glue guns were invented?

Then the younger J has played his last match of the season for county. I still can't believe how much he has grown up. Bit too much sometimes. There are a few issues at the moment that I am trying to work out the best way or actually anyway to deal with. Important ones, he has very strong views on certain things that I have no idea where they have come from, fear maybe but somehow he has got to learn that not everyone is going to fit into the correct life category. And how close takeing the mick is to bullying. But that aside at the moment he played really really well.

Poppy cottage's transformation is still under way. It has taken a long time and I kind of got a little bit lost along the way, you know mucked around by builder blah blah blah........

Lily has a friend to stay for the week, the local vet has gone away and I seem to have been trusted with his pride and joy (also happens to be Lily's best friend whilst out walking) They have played non stop in the house, out of the house, in the garden, on the garden. There are just a few time they have had a falling out, it is funny to see, Chrissy goes like a drama queen, almost 'I can't look at you Lily as my feelings are hurt!!' This lasts a few minutes then back to playing around.

As you can see there are time that they each need a bit of space.....

Kinda feel a bit sorry for Lil.

Lily is definitely a 'just me and Mum dog' roll on Tuesday when it gets back to just me and Lily. (and the J's will be back at school)

My friend Rob helped me sort out my front path. I say helped me, I mean, made it look like a real path whilst I just carried stones (we have used the ones from the house that were taken out when the kitchen was done to edge the path) Sorry the photo is dark, I took the photo's late last night.

My 'free' new gate. (I never said I was proud. Pot of hammerite and a dry day, that's all I need)

I just love it, when the path gravel turned up it wasn't what I wanted, I have to stop being so impatient, go and see what you are ordering first. But actually it is far better then I could have got the other stuff to look. It will fade in colour (I have been reassured).

So now all that is left is to tidy and put back together the cottage. To paint, make curtains, to sort out.

As you all know I have a dream to go off once the J's leave home and live a very basic life in Devon or Cornwall. The reality of it is I have FAR too much clutter and no matter how much I try and sort through it there is just so much that I just can't part with. I have taken loads to the Charity shop, so there is hope for me yet. I need one of those Life Laundry people. But then again I have the pleasure of having only my children to nag me about the mess and clutter, and the beauty of children is you don't have to listen to everything they say, especially when your son comes home from school and utters in the words of his father, 'just what have you done all day?' Wonder if he will live to be 15?

Now onto something that has really meant so much to me (not that all the above hasn't).

My boss asked me the other day if I was happy in my job. That she had been told that I was unhappy. See women working together. I will never get used to it, no matter how long I work there. Now I shall have to watch even more closely what I say incase it gets taken the wrong way. I love my job, to have a job that you wake up chuffed that you are going to work, is pretty damn good I think. I was given advice when I started (you know how everyone has a bit of advice to offer up. It was this - being single don't make H.H (where I work) your life. I can see what they meant, (I can see it in a carer - it is her life) but in defence of that it is such a lovely place to work, the residents become your friends, it is impossible to prevent that. Saying that, if you don't then really what are you doing being a carer. I think deep down people who become a carer do so for this reason, subconsciously we all have a desire to be wanted, needed and the job does to a certain extent fulfills that desire. Also these people are fascinating, they have such a rich life history behind them, you see photo's of them in their 30's or 40's full of life, hopes and dreams. It is an honour to care for some of them.

Take this lady. Very proud, a staunch Quaker. Her needs have reached the stage where a residential home can no longer meet those needs. She fully understands this. Her mind is still sharp. She has crafts in her room that she has made, from Dorset Feather Stitchery, canvas work and smocking. Me in 60 years time!!! (there is NO way I would be able to fit into one room) I have so much respect for her, she is one I would say to be able to be in the position to provide her personal care has truly been an honour. I will miss her dreadfully when she does move to a care home. I also feel very lucky. These are some of her craft books that she has given to me....

For her Birthday I made her a flower broach and put in the centre a Dorset Cross Wheel button that I made from a book she lent me. I have been searching for a copy of this book (having missed the chance to buy one when I found a copy as I had no money on me and they wouldn't hold it for me!!) Imagine how much it meant to me to have been given her copy of the book. I came home and cried. See, I do have a heart!!

Still inside this book are samples of her work.

So now I guess I will pop into town and get the fabric so that I can hopefully make a start next week on getting my kitchen up together before they come to lay the flooring. Isn't amazing how quickly a small mortgage disappears when you do house improvements. Back to being skint but happy.

Better pick up another cleaning job as the school year of 2010/11 sees a French exchange trip, a New York trip, and a skiing trip or two. I keep thinking to myself that one day the money that I earn will be mine one day.

Or not!!

Enjoy your weekend.

Wonder if this is a do-able dream...........

2010-03-19T02:59:00.000-07:00

Have a look at this http://www.maywhetter.co.uk/propertydetails.aspx?property_id=684

A bit about me.... (most of you know)

I would love to live in Cornwall, I don't know 100% why but I just would.

I like a very simple life, I don't want to be well off, just enough to get by and pay bills. I am not a follower of fashion, latest trends etc.

I have this silly, burning desire to own a wool/craft/tea shop, somewhere where workshops can be run from, friends can come and put on workshops, sell their stuff. Where people can mill around chat, craft, drink endless cups of coffee, meet new friends, share interests. Almost like a craft drop in centre. My friend Nicki and I often talk about it. Would it work, how would we go about it, you know, over cup of coffee ramblings.

Still, you never know one day I might break out of my little comfort bubble and try something like that. If the J's were older I think I would be very tempted. I could sell up and go on an adventure. Fowey is the most magical place, very popular with sailors, so maybe there would be water widows who would like to craft or learn new crafts while their loved ones go and play on water. It is full of quaint little craft shops, full of pre-made stuff but there is no wool shop, nope. Couldn't see a craft shop. I could run a B&B again, offering craft holidays..........

Enough mutterings, I would be too scared to actually do something positive like that, maybe in a few years time you never know. Maybe I'll surprise everyone and do something outrageous!! I have just dropped Jose off to school with her textile course work almost finished (nothing like leaving it to the last minute, but it is done. I would LOVE to do a textile course, LOVE to go to uni to do art and textiles.

Hey, maybe in 2 and a half years time, when I hit 40 (how did that come about so fast!!) I might actually do something like that.

You know when your head is just so so full of things, ideas, thoughts, hopes and dreams and you would just like to pause it for just a little while but you can't find that switch.

Someone at work said to me that I was quiet the other day, then there is a whole new thing to worry about, times when you just want to be quiet, to not join in 'chat' you have to be so careful that is doesn't come across as being grumpy or rude. It is complicated this life stuff. So much to always take into consideration. I found it difficult the other day when I was ironing stuff at work and one carer came in to grumble about the other. I don't want to know, to get caught into that bitching about another one thing. If you have a problem, deal with it or say someting to that person. We are all working for the same purpose, to care for the people who live there. AAAGGGGHHH!!!

I was so chuffed that I was going to have these regular hours, I had started to plan things, work out in advance when I could go and do things, see friends I hadn't seen for ages. Looks like that isn't going to happen, long story (to long to write) I have got some more hours but as it is done on a two week rota the second week I have 9 hrs. Mmmm... try running a household on that! What would be perfect if two nights a week came up. Now THAT would be PERFECT!!! You never know, one day.

But I have started to make things again. When I can be bothered to tidy and find the camera I will post a photo.

I could have washed up, tidied the kitchen and drank at least 3 cups of coffee whilst I was doing this!!

BUT THE BUILDER HAS PROMISED TO TURN UP ON WEDNESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Only snag is the plumber will be here doing the bathroom too.

Looks like it could be a slightly stressed week next week.

Doesn't time fly.

2010-03-06T00:40:00.000-08:00

You know what it is like. You sit down to do a post, head full of ideas and then life just gets in the way, or you think you'll just have a quick look and everyone else's blog, then you follow a link from theirs and before you know it best part of an hour is gone.

We all start with such a flourish, posting daily.......see look. Started this an hour ago. The called to help find art stuff so that Jose can go over to a friends to do course work. Now got to print out some invoices for a friend. Maybe I should come back to this after work tonight. Best idea so far today.

OK. Nice shift at work. I have now finished my 'Safe Handling of Medication' course so can hopefully get a bit sorted out at home. Now that's a joke as a month ago the builder came.. then went..... then came back for a day.... then left. This is a bit difficult as the builder is a sort of friend. I phoned, texted, rang the home phone, spoke the his wife, his son, yep, he'd phone me back........

Now I am a pretty laid back person (Not sure if the J's would agree) but in the end, I have to say, I don't mind him not turning up, but, and here is the big but, I would just like to know!!

So I went up there. So, a promise of coming back next week...........shall we watch this space????

Right, on to something far more interesting. My lovely niece Ashley has mastered the art of crochet. it was a joy to teach her, although I think she had already got the basics. I showed her how to join as you go like this and I sent her up to my shed full of wool to pick out what colours she liked. She seems to have a mature idea of colours and is very into this (I'm jut showing off how easy it is to like to different sites - it has taken me so long to really understand how it works) SO she came down with an armful of colours, colours that I wouldn't really have thought about putting together, but once they are then they look fantastic!!
(She was like a child on Christmas eve)

What do you think? Not bad for her first attempt.

She has today moved out of Halls into a room in a house. The couple who are now her landlords sound really great. She has been told by her Nan (who finally had her hip op on Saturday) to remember that she has course work to do rather then crochet!! As you can tell my dear old Mum hasn't been bitten by the 'Crochet Bug'!

Other stuff that has been going on is I joined the Lets Scheme in Bridport, read about it here. Basically one net (currency) is equal to a pound but no money changes hands. I have hoovered, looked after a dog for the night and made apple cakes. A tip for apple cakes. If you are a) running short on Apples and you have scrummy apples with interesting skins b) can be bothered to peel loads of said apple, leave the skins on. They were pretty scrummy and looked a bit more interesting.

Oh well, I am actually off to bed. I have a child free night, I could do LOADS of me related things, but, all I want to do is go to bed early. Boy I must be getting old!!

Poppy is still in an unfinished state (along with SO many other things in the cottage)

Have a great weekend xx

I'm bored!!

2010-02-06T12:55:00.000-08:00

This is how the conversation started.....

Jasper: "Mum, I'm bored" (Dad is away, Mum's house is rubbish, nothing fun to do)
Mum: "Do you want to take the tiles off the wall in the bathroom for me?" (1st stupid mistake!!)
Jasper: "Yeah, OK. Where's the hammer and dust sheets?" (sounds promising)
Mum: "Dust sheets? Blimey. Why do you want dust sheets?" Trick question!! (found dust sheets and hammer)
Jasper: "To protect the floor boards" (Mum VERY impressed, walks down into town for Jose to catch the bus - 2nd stupid mistake)

Phone call from Jasper.

Jasper: " Hi Mum, how are you?" (alarm bells start to ring inside Mums head.) "Were you planning to plaster the wall?"

Tiles off, wall off, lovely bricks though.

Part of window sill missing..... (can you see the dust sheet, it's the pink sheet looking thing WITH NO DUST OR TILES ON IT!!!!)

Least he kept the loo seat shut.

Mum: "Would you like me to get the bags for you to clear up?"

Jasper: "No, did what you asked, you said tile off. Mum?"

Mum: "Yes?"

Jasper: "I love you"

Good old Mum. Never fails does it, those three words help them get away with blue murder!!

Sorry I haven't been around - this is why.....

2010-02-03T16:25:00.000-08:00

Hello. Thank you for all your comments. I am sorry I haven't posted for a while. Thank you for asking about Poppy, she now has hair and blue eyes (she did have a mouth but it just didn't look right) But for now she is under a pile of boxes. I'll explain more in a bit. But..... on the 27th January, this... my little girl turned 16!!

Along with their Dad, we went out for a meal.
This is the main reason..... I think the photo's will tell the story. But if not ....

This is the old rotten window. I am Grade II listed (the cottage not me although I do feel like it sometimes!!). So really my old windows shouldn't have been put in by the old people. They needed to be like the windows out the back or next doors front windows. Too expensive for me to do. I was having trouble affording to buy paint to re-paint my rotten ones. Then a couple of month my next door neighbours had new windows fitted. I asked for the old opening bits (can't think of the proper name) I, in my wisdom, thought they looked the same size as mine, I could just bodge them in place. OK, remember I am NOT a builder!! Then a friend suggested I find out about a mortgage. (the cottage is mine, you know the saying property rich cash poor!! - without doing some work on Poppy Cottage I wasn't even going to be property rich).

The long story cut short is........

A friend who is a great builder has done this..... took old windows out (REALLY REALLY rotten, that is why my front walls were SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO damp.)

Made new frames for the recycled bits from next door. Old windows were smaller so made the holes back to the right size, so more light!

This is recycling at its best!

The window from the 'craft' room.

Jasper's window (soon to be Josie's, they are swapping rooms although I don't think Jasper is too keen on this idea!)

Now I too have posh, Grade II happy windows.

And my front porch was not only rotten but the door was in the wrong place. In the summer (not just the summer) I always have my doors and windows open and when the lady next door smokes it always come through my cottage. I HATE, (I really mean HATE the smell of smoke) so now that won't happen as the door is on the front.

See. Poppy Cottage looks so so right now.

Lily is a bit confused as to why the door isn't where it was.

And this....... is my little cottage door. My ex gave it to me when he was taking it out of a little cottage they were re-placing the doors and windows. I LOVE this door. I have had it for about 6 months and every time I looked at it in the garage I got a really excited tummy feeling.

And now I keep sitting looking at it, keep opening and closing it. I love how it make my cottage really really feel mine. So you see, I haven't really had my head in a place to make stuff, finish stuff, diet, or write a post. My cottage is totally upside down inside. But that isn't really unusual!!

I just have to decide. Do I paint the wood work white and the cottage walls pink or do I do the wood work cream. Do I have the patience to re-paint my picket fence. Would it look silly white. See my head is just SO full (again)

Have a look at this. Couldn't you just live in one of these!!

The other thing that is swimming around in my head is my new wood burners. I am having one in each room. I don't really watch TV but could happily sit and watch a fire burn all evening! It will hopefully cut down on the gas bill, keep the cottage warm and look and smell lovely. After reading this post I spent the evening googling what people thought. Where I work, they have five carrier bags of papers a week. If I could turn them into free flue that would help. I can dry them out in the poly tunnel and store them in the garage. Time consuming but worthwhile. Most feed back I came across was really positive. So another inside idea in my head.

On top of all of this, I had been thinking of jacking my job in. One of the girls I work with (only sometimes) seems to be a bit of a control freak. I went to school with her, primary and secondary. I didn't know if it was just her trying to prove a point or just they way she is but she makes me feel SO stupid. Lots of put downs. Unnecessary. I have had that for too many years to go through it again at work. But it seems to be sorted, so I can relax as I really do enjoy my job and working there. I may not have qualifications (yet) but I do know I have HEAPS of common sense.

Anyhow, sorted plus the offer of more regular hours which will really help.

All I need now is the builder to turn up...................................

Poppy in progress

2010-01-21T05:11:00.000-08:00

Poppy in progress.

The hair I decided to use was some Jacob from Cliff's farm that I had spun and was sitting on the dresser.

I am finding myself talking to this doll, asking her what colour eyes she'd like. Think I am going slightly nuts!!

Inspired

2010-01-20T15:50:00.000-08:00

Hello.

I don't know about you but I have a stupid amount of recipe books. Lots of lovely ideas, photos etc but I never use them. These days if I want to find a good recipe all I have to do in type into google and hey presto, just what I was looking for. I was having this conversation, via e-mail with a good friend of mine. So as I was typing I seemed to talk my self into going through my book shelf once again. (It's OK, I will never part with a craft book!!) so yesterday I took four bags to the charity shop, and today I took another three. (Not all recipe books I hasten to add). So the Poppy Cottage de-clutter is underway.

My friend Kim was going to come up and make a felt bag with me but asked if I wouldn't mind going to her house instead. Jose was babysitting next door and Jasper was stuck to the X-box so I trundled over to hers with my fleece in a bright pink trug. Sitting at her table I asked if she would show me how to make one of her lovely dolls instead. What do you think? ( I have tried to put one of Kim's dolls here but can't manage it. Just follow this link if that doesn't work)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kbob/sets/72157623244304062/

So sitting on my table is my mini,'trial' doll. She, we'll call her Poppy, needs her limbs sewing on. Then all her other bits, hands, feet, elbows, hair, etc sorting out. Then I have borrowed Kim's book and she has given me some more fabric (although I did get a light skin coloured tee-shirt in a charity shop today) So I shall make Daisy after I have finished Poppy (along with a button nose I'll have you know!!) I have a couple of knitting things to finish. Then I think I will put my needles away for a while. Keep the crochet out and to hand, but do a bit more sewing.

Oh well. No interesting photo's (seem to have put the camera somewhere safe) but please let me know what you think of Kim's dolls. Now if you want to talk about talent, That is one hell of a talented lady. Paints, draws, write stories and poems, makes felt, (remember this) sews and LOADS of other stuff. Puts me to shame!! (and she is really lovely and a very dear friend).

Right, I have just seen the time. Nun night xx

70 posts!!!

2010-01-11T16:52:00.000-08:00

And I really should be in bed asleep!!

But look.....

Not the right place (I haven't worked that one out yet) but they are finished!!

Lily is in season, Jasper, being a typical boy, doesn't understand. So action was called for.

Do you know why boxers have a hole in the fly? Actually don't go there, I know what you are thinking. But really it is to put the tail through.

Braces keep them in place, you've heard of dream catchers? well this is a season catcher!!

On a eco front, I wonder why they don't make mooncups for dogs................................. (this is a honest blog after all!!)

So does that mean if I have finished two things off my list I can start something new..............??

Blimey, 1.05 12/01/10 better got to bed!!

A garland it shall be......

2010-01-10T06:35:00.000-08:00

The hearts are going to become a garland, not sure where it will end up going. I wonder if they might end up horizontal or vertical. Have to have a think about that. As you can see, multi-tasking, bit of blog reading (when I should really be doing other things) having a quick read of a pattern and finishing off the hearts. Chap came over who is going to put the stoves in and left it up to me to decide if I want to line the chimneys when he puts them in. Another £500 per chimney, but peace of mind especially as each chimney goes through the J's rooms (oh and mine come to think about it!!)

Lily and I brought our first log home from our walk today, well I carried it, Lily tried to help, so I guess you could almost say I carried Lily and the log home. There has to be a children's story in there somewhere!!

I remember years ago staying somewhere and they had a log carrier. It was basically a length of canvas with two handles at either end. I think, seeing as if you pick up any stick, log or twig Lily thinks that it must be for her that maybe that is the only way I will be able to bring wood home with me. So maybe I'll make one this week and test it out. Ha Ha!!! Yet another idea floating around my head. Like I really need more.

I notice that http://skippinginthemeadow.typepad.com/ is back, well sort of. Keep watching for the spring. I really enjoyed reading her blog.

Jen it is knitting on Tuesday, are you going to be able to come?

The yarn in the basket was from the hug blanket, and I managed to have a lot left over so I intend to have a go at this I really like the colours of the Hug blanket and would like to make something a bit like it for me. After all it is a doing things for Poppy Cottage year.

Hope you are all keeping warm.

Colette xx

P.S. I haven't forgotten my PIF's either.