Distractions

Firstly, a gorgeous birthday gift from the lovely Claire that I forgot to show you last week (it went straight into my book!). Thanks my lovely x.

Back to the distractions. My eldest broke his nose nearly two weeks ago so now I'm going to spend the afternoon crafting (she says with as much enthusiasm as possible) to try and distract myself while he spends the afternoon in the hospital having it straightened! I feel worse as I usually go with the kids if anything like this happens but hubby is off this week so we decided he would go (I can't drive) and I would stay home with the other two. I would definitely rather be there so I knew what was happening but I'll have pace the floor, I mean distract myself instead. I've got to finish the above bowl, then make a flower to go on this bag too (I got slightly carried away with the crocheting last week).

I drew this yesterday so I'm going to make a card with it. Hopefully, with the other two boys and making the tea I should be distracted for a couple of hours. I'll have to find something else for the rest of the time :o(.

The other red bag

Now, this is a scheduled listing as I'm away for the weekend so hopefully it has worked. It is hopefully Friday evening and the above bag has been received by Claire who ordered it.

Birthday gifts and bits

It's been a very busy few days (with a few more to come) but I wanted to show you two of my birthday gifts - a huge basket for collecting/putting things in and a gorgeous handmade bracelet from the gorgeous Claire - thank you very much it's just lovely.

Plum jam made today with the plums I got from my sister's garden. It tastes lovely - quite sharp but sweet as well. These are the plums I still have left to use.

A pile of san pro inners to go in the pockets I'm making. I had to order more poppers as I'd run out.

And finally - the thing I'm very very excited about - my very own website kit. This was recommended by Sarah at paper and string so I went to investigate and thought 'woohooo, I could do that' - so anyway, here it is. Hopefully I'll get to have a play later. Can't wait.

New baby and 'stuff'

Here's the new baby card I made for the gorgeous Claire and her family. Congratulations to you all xxx.

I had the last of my bereavement counselling sessions on Monday. It feels as if I've just got used to going and now it's ending. Anyway, it has been hard - coping with the emotions I hadn't realised I'd hidden away - but I also feel slightly stronger as well. I managed to play one of the songs we had played at Mum's funeral the other day as well, so I think that is very telling. I'm sure I will still find there are some difficult times but hopefully I'll manage them better.

My sister has given me one of Mum's skirts that she wants me to make a couple of things with. We both ended up with a couple of items of clothing but this skirt holds certain memories for her so I feel honoured that she has asked me to do this.

I also have an order for another bag.

Settled enough for...

...a couple of hours of crafting Yay. Hubby took our youngest out with him after tea so I was able to do a bit of catching up on the internet and then I set to and made these for the shop. It's been a bit neglected of late but hopefully that will change as I get to grips with my grieving. There's so many things that I've got buzzing round my head, and there are things that people suggest (thank you Claire) that there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day. I think I need to set aside some time specifically for shop crafting. I can but hope ;-).

A bit of all sorts

Here's the snuggly I made for Claire's bump (thanks for the piccie) - I left it simple so there were no bits that babe could choke on. The velour is very soft and makes you want to stroke it (or is that just me!)



I crocheted this last night - a dishcloth. I also made another one tonight as they are so quick to make and much better than shop bought cloths. We do reuse old fabrics for cloths as well, but these last much longer and seem to wash the pots better too. The dishcloth cotton came from a charity shop a few years back - I think there was 7 balls for £2.00.

It's my brother and sister's birthday tomorrow (they're not twins, just born on the same day) so here's the card for my brother. He's really into Metallica and this is from one of their albums, I think, so hopefully he'll like it. My sister is getting one of the stitched fairy cards as I love them, and hope she will too.

Another bargain I got in the charity shop the other day, and forgot to tell you about, was some candle wax dye for 50p. There are 5 different colours which you then add to 1kg of wax or I supppose you could cut them down if you had less wax. Anyway, I'll try and remember to get a picture to show you what I'm waffling on about :-).

Where does the time go?

I can't believe it's been 4 days since I last updated here!!! I've had a very busy week so far - started my group bereavement counselling on Monday evening, been out walking everyday, been very busy at home, been crafting, wooooohooo. It's been a good week.

I just had to show you these tomatoes that came in our weekly organic veg box...they are just gorgeous. Made them into a mozzerella and tomato salad.

I've got the scarecrow bag all finished with the liner and everything. I've also made the liner for the cottage bag but the lady asked if I could add a cockeral as well, so I'm just waiting for a gorgeous piece of fabric to arrive so I can finish that completely.

These arrived in the post yesterday morning from the very talented Claire - thank you so much (I'll be emailing you later my lovely).

Right, must dash as I'm supposed to be somewhere in 5 mins and I still haven't sorted out my hair, but I'll be back later with some other stuff.

Surprising myself

It's amazing the lack of confidence we have in our own abilities isn't it - I'm sure it's not just me. Well, I've surprised myself again by re-teaching myself how to crochet granny squares. My Mum taught me when I was in my teens, and thinking back it's probably 18 years since I last did any. She used to start me off and then pass it to me when there was 3 rounds - then I would just go round and round so it was a big square. Well, inspired by Claire, Becky, Joxy and Lucy, I got my hook out again on Tuesday. I've attempted this a couple of times already over the last few months but never mastered it - well, Tuesday was the night and I made 5 little squares using the bamboo wool that I got a few weeks ago. Amazing - I was so thrilled - my hubby knows I'm bonkers already but on Tuesday he was rolling his eyes ;-). Yesterday I sat and made another 22 and then this afternoon and this evening I've done another 3 (to finish the balls of wool) and then weaved all the ends in. Since this is my first go I'm going to do the blocking as well - might as well start as I mean to go on :-).

From bits and bobs, to books and buttons

I realised yesterday that I hadn't put up pictures of some bits I'd got from our GP Lets. The chick in the egg came from Michelle and the caterpillar came from sundog. They're both fantastic and are now sat happily on the season table (when not being played with). It's soo nice to get things that other mamas have sat and made with their own two hands.

For a bit of inspiration I got Country Living magazine the other day (wasn't actually the one I went in for but that's my own fault for not ready the title properly). There's a few good bits in it though so not a complete waste.

And from the postie today, from another lovely mama who make it herself, was this wonderful bracelet (which is a birthday present for someone) and and this gorgeous picture for me from her lovely daughter. It's amazing how nice people are even though we've never met, so thank you so much Claire and Phoebe.

And lastly is a book, The Children's Year. I've heard so much about it, and seen many things made from it, so I thought I would get it. I know, I know, spending again.....but it is an investment isn't it ;-).

oh, oh, oh, before I go....it's not just me who likes buttons - Soulemama directed us from her obsession to another obsession at button it up!

'Designed by Shell'

The fabric for this item arrived this afternoon so I got right on it. I sat with it for a couple of hours and then finished it this evening. I'm not going to post a piccie today as I want Claire to see it first, but I will tell you that it's 'a purse with a zip to hold cards and coins'. I have to say I'm very nervous as I've never made one before, and I don't think I've ever added a zip to anything, so we'll see.

I have fallen down on my buying nothing this month (how many blogs do you read that say that ;-) ), although I am definitely blaming Claire for this. She mentioned Moo cards to me so I thought I'd go and have a look - 15 mins later I've uploaded 14 photos, edited them and paid for them........mmm, never mind eh - next month maybe?