I've been taking a mixed media art class and this is my shabby background. I'm really pleased with it and I'm amazed I can say that. It was so much fun to do as well. I actually enjoyed it, I didn't feel stressed making it like I often do with sewing. Just a couple more weeks until the final product.
I never used to like Geraniums, I think it was the very odd smell. But that colour is amazing. When I was little, my friends mother used to wear lipstick that was this colour. Unfortunately, most of it was on her teeth!
There is a constant issue which raises its head from time to time in our house and that is my 'office'.
As you can see, I use the term loosely. It is really the dumping ground of the house. There's the computer, the ironing pile, stacks of fabric and little gems I have accumulated from car boot sales and thrift shops. Old clothes that the children have grown out of that I cannot bear to give away. Chairs waiting to be reupholstered. Generally it is a room full of dreams unrealised.
My husband hates this room. Every now and again (more now, than again!) he will bring it up. I get very defensive about my room. I say it is my space to do whatever I want with. The room does not need to be used for anything else. If I moved out, he would only fill it with his vinyl collection - and we don't want that! I say that one day this will be my proper space, that I will sort it out and it will be beautiful and inspiring but that for now it is fine.
I found a great description about female artists' studios here which says 'The studios of these creative women are like treasure troves full of jewels'. I would like that.
Clearly there is a long way to go but I kind of feel a change coming on. I know the room isn't fine at all but there's something comforting about it to me. I like the chaos of it all. But I would also like to come in and sit down to my sewing machine and make something without having to clamber through piles of boxes and fabric to get there.
We'll see.
I always wanted to make Elderflower cordial and last year came very close, but a heavy bout of rain finished off the Elderflowers before I got chance.
This year we were out and about, as soon as the first heads were fully out.
We picked around 30 heads in all and followed a recipe from Hugh (Fernley-Whittingstall for those of you who aren't on first name terms with him!)
In a 'Country Living' style we filled our baskets as we jollied our way along the country hedgerows.
Then back home again with our pickings.
A day later we had 2 litres of Elderflower cordial - for free! (Well, apart from the sugar, and the oranges and lemons - mainly free!). 1 bottle in the fridge and the rest is freezing for later.
We gave the first glass to Sam to taste as it was his interest in it that spurred our cordial making enterprise. However, he gave it a thumbs down - like he was the 'Man from Delmonte' or something. He said it didn't taste like the one from the Supermarket. The rest of us all thought it was delicious and indeed, over time, he has grown to love it to!
I've always been a fan of Topsy & Tim and still have some of the books that were read to me as a child. Now I read them to my children and they love them just as much. For me it's Topsy & Tim's Bonfire Night that will always be my favorite, but recently we've had a couple of Topsy & Tim moments ourselves. Earlier in the year, when we had our brief but exciting 'Snowy Day', Sam worked hard to clear the path to earn his Snowshifter's Medal! More recently, the better weather has allowed another classic reenactment!
Remember the stockings on sticks that their mother makes? And jam jars with string? And then there's the naughty donkey that pushes Tim in the river and it all ends in tears, going home without a stickleback. Still, this is Topsy and Tim, so after a nice warm bath Dad saves the day by going out and getting them a goldfish each. I mean who wouldn't enjoy a day like that?
Sometimes, in what might be just another ordinary day, a little bit of magic happens!
I always presumed that felt making was a complex business. Then, a few weeks ago me and my son went to a felt making workshop for mums and tots. I was so surprised to find that within a few minutes we had managed to produce something resembling felt. Of course he was having the most fun squirting water and soap everywhere, whilst the hard work of agitating was down to me. Nevertheless, the instructor reassured me that there wasn't much that could go wrong and there was probably no such thing as too much water or too much soap! Just as well.
I was so encouraged that I decided to buy some supplies to try it at home - this is what we bought ::
And this is what we made : :
Not bad for our first attempt. My daughter is going to turn hers into a hairband - watch this space!
I've been feeling a bit like this lettuce lately. Small and weak and battered by life. For a good long time there has been so much to deal with. Just when you think that there can't possibly be anything else, the car got clamped whilst parked outside the Post Office collecting a parcel. That parcel cost me £150! I was so angry and resentful about it, I mean you never just have £150 to give away to some ridiculous person who thinks that clamping cars is a good way to spend your life.
However, after a period of quiet reflection in a dark room, I've decided to move on and not let this bother me any further. In fact I'm going to be moving on from quite a few things that have lingered long enough in my mind. I've decided I want a new start and hopefully over the coming weeks and months me and my little green friend here will begin to feel stronger, healthier, crunchier (that's just the lettuce) and generally more ....
sparkly!