Looking Back

This time last year I was full of plans and resolutions.

I did loose weight .........
but then I found it again!

 

I did write the odd blog post and took part in a couple of craft fairs,

but that's as far as my crafting business went.

 

I did cook a lot of family meals from scratch

but not using my own home grown vegetables.

 

Are you supposed to carry over your resolutions to the next year?
 

 

Just after my last blog post way back in September,

tragedy struck our happy life.

Our little friend Ozzy ( our springer spaniel),

died suddenly. The vet suspected he had eaten something poisonous.

Oz was my companion and made me get out and walk.

 Sometimes we would walk for 2 hours.

If you look closely at the last post you should spot him climbing out of the river.

He loved nothing better than splashing around in water.
I miss him.
 



 

So.......

A new year a new start.

And yes I guess I am carrying over last years goals.

They still seem like a good idea.

Merry Christmas!

Tis the season to be jolly.

May all your hearts and tummies be full of festive cheer!

I love Pattern

As the holidays come to an end
 

 I am trying to switch my creative side back on

and regain inspiration.
 

While walking our dog this morning
 

I noticed pattern in nature.
 

 



 

I have been very aware of pattern around me this summer.
 

We had a weeks holiday in Morocco.
 

Even the airport is beautifully decorated.
 

 

The ceiling in the hotel restaurant.

 

 

 

 

I love pattern.

 

I love patterned fabric.

 

Now all I need is the inspiration to start making again.

 

 

 



A Great Day Out

What a fantastic day.

A super venue. So bright, so airy, warm and complete with clean facilities.

Those of you used to attending fairs will know

that not every venue can boast the full compliment.

The organisers were fantastic and all we needed was ready and waiting.

Many thanks to those of you who popped in to see us

and especially those of you who purchased from us.

We had a great day.

All that's left now

 is to enjoy the extra long Jubilee weekend.







Off to the Fair

A few months ago I wandered round a craft fair in my local town.

It was lovely and so inspiring.

Why was I not part of this fantastic group?

So after many months of cutting, stiching, colouring and sewing,

I will be.

Tomorrow you can find me at the Apex in Bury St. Edmunds,

with The March Hare Collective

I look forward to seeing you there.

Wish me luck!

What happened to April?

Where did April go to?

It was lost in wet miserable days, peppered with teenage angst!

A distinct lack of crafting and a poor attempt at dieting.

Time to move on.

"Be not afraid of life.

Believe that life is worth living,

and your BELIEF will help create the fact."

- Henry James

Hello March

Oh I am so glad February is over.

So many sad times.

With the arrival of March

 I feel a fresh start is in order.

I have given myself a motto for the month -

"Make it happen in March"

As it's my also my birthday this month

 and there's Mothers' Day

there should be a few treats as well.

I am also setting myself a couple of challenges each month.

This month I will book a table at a craft fair.

And in an attempt to get back on track with my diet

(a total FAIL in February)

I will give up chocolate for the month!

Wish me luck!

"Nothing is particularly hard

if you divide it into small jobs"

- Henry Ford







Thursday's Thought

The consciousness of loving and being loved

brings a warmth and richness to life

that nothing else can bring.

-Oscar Wilde



Looking back, looking forward

" The best thing about the future

 is that it only comes one day at a time."

- Abraham Lincoln

Way back at the beginning of January

(Oh it feels so long ago)

I listed my 3 goals for this year

I think it is important to regularly review them,

if only to give myself a virtual kick up the .....

GOAL 1

 As you can see

 I now have lots of books

 to help send me on my crafty blogging adventure.

Now to find some time to read them

without feeling overwhelmed or terrified.

I am blogging  and crafting but

have not created anything worthy of etsy or folksy yet.

GOAL 2

In January I lost 2.5 lbs.

OK I could have done a lot better......

I have only got 10lbs to lose before I reach my target.

( I think this is the point where I need that kick!)

GOAL 3

I have been cooking using fresh ingredients most days,

 but not home grown.

But I do have the books to help me.

Mmm....I see a pattern....

 Note to self....

owning the books does not mean

that you have planted a garden

or started a craft business!!

All words of wisdom and encouragement

gratefully received.....Please!





Today I made....

Lots of quilt pieces.

It is so therapeutic to sit at my machine sewing.

Sitting sewing, chatting to a good friend,

drinking tea and generally setting the world straight.

What more could a girl want?

Welcome Home!

Oh how I have missed you my special friend.

It was lovely to sit down and start a project that has been in the pipe line

for a very long time.

Truth be told I've been putting it off, although I'm not sure why.

Skip over to this post by Lucy and Norman

As you can see this beautiful quilt was posted in November 2010.

I had not realised how long I had been contemplating this quilt.

Perhaps it's because I haven't made a quilt before?

The pieces are cut

and I am on my way!

"Invent your world.

 Surround yourself with people,

 colour, sounds and work that nourish you."

- Sark





Resolved to Sew 2012

Oh I can't wait until tomorrow afternoon.

I should get my beloved sewing machine back.

I have so many plans.

I want to make my first quilt.

I want to make some more kindle covers.

I want, I want, I want!

Yesterday I found the most amazing give away.

Hop over to Very Berry Handmade

The prizes look fantastic.

I have wondered where to get Kate Spain's fabric

and Amy Butler's latest devine fabric - her Lark collection.

Any of the fabric collections would be a real treat for any fabric lover.

Well until my machine returns

 I will carry on with my crochet projects.



Am I bothered.....

YES I AM!

Today I chased up my missing sewing machine.

It's been 10 days and I had heard nothing.

Apparently it only needs a service....

that's not what it sounded like and it certainly didn't work.

Still ...if it's going to make it better....

HOW MUCH??

£70.80!!!

Is this normal?

 

I've had along cold and wet walk with my dog to calm down.

Now I'm looking through some beautiful books.

Next I will get my crochet out.

Then will I calm down?

Today I Made........

For a long time I have loved following

Crochet with Raymond

Last August ( 3rd 2011) she revealed the most beautiful blanket.

It is called the Gypsy Caravan Blanket

and is totally divine.

So today, following her Grandala Square Tutorial,

I started my own.....

I think this may take some time!



Thursday's Thought

"A day will never be any more than what you make of it.

Practise being a doer!"

-Josh Hinds

This is how I'd like to spend most days.

But I really need to do some planning

and 'doing'.







A Good Day

Today my daughter rescued me.

It's amazing how desperate I have been

 to sew something since my machine ground to a halt.

Then a life line was thrown....

'Mum, you can borrow mine'

I really didn't think it would be up to the task,

but it was more than capable.

It is a John Lewis machine and it cost £50 this time last year.

It is a fantastic little machine to start with.

Today I made.....

a kindle case.

I still miss my machine.

Is no news good news when you are talking about a sewing machine?





Today I Made........

A Kindle cover....

well I would have, if I could have.

Turns out my lovely sewing machine is poorly.

So instead of sewing round the edges I was dashing into town,

to the sewing machine shop. Apparently they need to send it away.

Let's hope the bill is not extreme (something tells me it will be).

However, I did manage to make some delicious Scotch Broth,

and catch up with a good friend.

So the day wasn't all bad.





Thursday's Thought

"A year from now you will wish you had started today"

- Karen Lamb



Today I Made........

Today I made my list of goals for 2012.

Christmas saw the arrival of a kindle. I wasn't sure if I would like it,

 but I can definitely say 'I love it'.

Within a couple of hours I had loaded up about 30 books,

 and not at vast expense either.

The best book so far has been

"How to do Everything and be Happy"  by Peter Jones

( no, not the Dragon's Den man!)

This is a great little book about list making and Goal setting.

I have written my 'Now List' and my 'Wish List' and my 'Goals List'.

Also making monthly dates in my diary as to when I will work on my lists.

I won't bore you with my now list or wish list at this time, but here are my goals-

1. I am a successful crafter.

 I have a blog,an etsy account and regularly attend craft fairs.

(by 31st Dec. 2012)

2. I weigh under 10 stone. I am a target member at Slimming World.

(by 31st Dec. 2012)

3. I cook a meal from scratch daily, using vegetables I have grown myself.

(by 31st Dec. 2012)

As none of the statements are remotely true at the moment,

 other than I have a blog and am a member of Slimming World,

I have a lot of work to do!

As you can see from today's photos I am also putting forward an excuse

as to why there is very little crafting going on.

Before the holiday I decided to move my work place into the study.

I think I know where to start.....

Almost There.....

Today I found a list......

I really don't remember writing it.

Or is it that I don't want to .

This time last year I made a New Years Resolution List.

1. No crisps. ( I don't think this one was ever going to work!)

2. No magazines, extra to the subscriptions I already have.

( Epic fail! Not only have I taken out a couple of extra subscriptions

but I have also continued to treat myself to others. Definitely have a problem here!)

 

3. Keep a diary. (Not very impressive....only managed to make it to February)

 

4. Complete the daily Flylady missions. ( Sometimes)

 

5. Remember birthdays. ( Does it count if the card is late?)

 

6. Keep car park change in the car. ( Wow! Something I am doing!!)

 

7. Sort out my hair. (Went to the hairdressers once.....)

 

8. Buy Book Club books only. ( Another one that was never going to happen.)

 

9. See a live band with the kids. ( Does it count if the band isn't famous?)

 

10. Learn to crochet. ( This is a definite yes! Very proud of my work so far.)

 

I think a little more effort in terms of specific goals is required next year.