new year bunting

Widgets

2012-01-26T13:56:00.000Z

You may have noticed that I have posted up some links to books in the sidebar. I wanted to let you see what books I reference for patterns or inspiration, and using a link to Amazon seemed to be the easiest way to do it.

I do have a lot of crafting books, as well as reading books (and now a pile of Kindle books too!), so I will add to the list as time allows.

Of course, many of the books I link to come from our library, so please remember to check yours out! I have found it very helpful to be able to see what you're getting before deciding to actually buy, as some books are very disappointing in content.

Honey and Lemon

2012-01-26T12:53:00.001Z

Honey and Lemon, a photo by rowsew on Flickr.

I was going to post this yesterday, but felt so under the weather with my latest cold that I Just Couldn't be Bothered. As is so often the case! Honey and lemon to drink for the sore throat, paracetemol for the headache (and still sore Foot of Doom), and some cheery and bright daffodillys to look at. Hope you're all in better health than me!

Hand made tiles now applied to fireplace!

2012-01-23T12:08:00.001Z

Hand made tiles now applied to fireplace!, a photo by rowsew on Flickr.

Finally got round to tiling round the woodburner. It's a year tomorrow since we had it installed . . .
Grouting comes next, but on a warmer day when I can have the fire off for a few hours without freezing my fingers off!

Hooking

2012-01-19T16:06:00.006Z

Hooking, a photo by rowsew on Flickr.

Using a quiet and child free afternoon to learn a new stitch. This one is Crocodile stitch, have a look at yarnmuse for the instructions, and some very helpful videos too!

Traditional

2012-01-01T16:31:00.000Z

Well, Happy New Year to everyone. I'm sat here, with my two young children, watching a film (a rare event in this house!); one knitting, and one weaving on a home-made cardboard box loom. Truly, it warms my heart. The rule in our home when I was small back in the mid-seventies, was that any (also rare) TV watching was to be accompanied by similar 'activity for hands'. It seems some traditions do carry on.

Here's hoping that 2012 will bring happy moments, peace and health to all.

And miles of stitches yet to do!

2011-12-22T20:11:00.001Z

And miles of stitches yet to do!, a photo by rowsew on Flickr.

I know my brother doesn't read here, so it's safe to post that I still haven't finished quilting or binding this quilt. Which was started three years ago. My excuses aren't worth listening to, although small kids are generally good to blame. I'm off to do some more quilting now.
Happy Christmas!

Musical Stars

2011-12-01T10:57:00.019Z

Hello, all. And I wish you Happy December 1st. As you can imagine, my children were tremendously excited to get up this morning to put the very first Advent star into their Nativity calendar, (and then the snowman marker into No. 1 on their fabric calendar...... and drool over the possibility of a little chocolate from their other one - but not till after school)!

We like to start December very gently, as the youngest child has only just had her birthday. I think it's right to have a little space between birthday celebrations and Christmas excitement.

So, the wreath has been put up on the door, the calendars were found, and yesterday, we made these gorgeous stars from old music books.

With thanks to Maya for her post, and AnneKata for the tutorial. I'm off to make some small stars now for a garland. Enjoy the Advent season.

Finished!

2011-11-19T14:15:00.001Z

Finished!, a photo by rowsew on Flickr.

And almost no swearing. A miracle, forsooth. Off to wash carefully and block before wrapping for Christmas.

Via Flickr:
The tank top is finished. I'm quite proud of myself, hardly any swearing was done during the construction of this garment.

On the needles

2011-11-15T12:44:00.002Z

On the needles, a photo by rowsew on Flickr.

It was so cold in the house earlier that I decided to make some new fingerless gloves to keep me warm. I found some very ancient wool, and this pattern from one of my favourite blog sites, and voila! half a glove already done. I'm off to make a yummy grilled sandwich for my lunch now. Take care and keep warm.

A Rose in November ...

2011-11-15T12:41:00.001Z

A Rose in November ..., a photo by rowsew on Flickr.

Beautiful and scented, what a treat for a cold but sunny day.

Handmade Cold Process Soap - Lavender

2011-11-04T16:07:00.002Z

Second slicing of soap, a photo by rowsew on Flickr.

What I did today, whilst balancing on my very dodgy broken foot. Made the soap yesterday, so today had the excitement of demoulding (which is always trying as I forget to grease the moulds first) and then slicing. Almost the best bit because you get to see what the texture is like when you slice it open. Now there's lots of waiting. Almost six weeks. And then it will be properly cured and ready to use. If you want to have a go at making your own soap, I recommend that you read this post from Rhonda at Down-To-Earth. But please be aware that kids, pets and people with breathing difficulties should be banished whilst you are making soap, as lye (caustic soda) gives off dangerous fumes and if spilled will cause burns. You do need to c be very careful and concentrate on what you are doing. Of course, further reading is always helpful, so check out your local library for any books they might have.

Knitting

2011-11-03T13:46:00.001Z

Knitting, a photo by rowsew on Flickr.

For the husband. It's all there is to do with ye broken foot, as I have at least another three weeks sitting around. As long as I keep my patience, it will be fine. I am not normally a knitter, I crochet, but I have decided to be a better person and try not to swear too much whilst attempting my first adult garment. Wish me luck.

The Broken Foot of Doom

2011-10-20T12:04:00.001+01:00

The Broken Foot of Doom, a photo by rowsew on Flickr.

Yes. I fell over at Mum's, and now I have footballers foot - i.e. a broken fifth metatarsal. Let me tell you, it hurts. A lot. And crutches suck. Unless you like hauling your own bodyweight (plus cast) around by your arms. Only another 6 weeks ......... (insert quiet screaming here).

Via Flickr:
What I did at the weekend. Not as much fun as I was planning otherwise.

ipad snaps

2011-07-31T22:23:00.001+01:00

ipad snaps, a photo by rowsew on Flickr.

My new toy. And something to put it in. Those lovely numpties at apple never think that people might have. to. put. it. down. On a surface, which might scratch all the loveliness of it. So I made a cover, from a very nice bit of fabric my mum acquired for me in the good ol' US of A some while ago. Poppers for easy putting in and out, bound buttonhole for putting in the bit of USB string.

Dinner in the garden

2011-07-06T21:23:00.001+01:00

Dinner in the garden, a photo by rowsew on Flickr.

Camping, kid style. In the garden for food, in the tent for the day, in bed for the night!

The Proud Mama

2011-06-05T20:30:00.001+01:00

Mama & chicks3, a photo by rowsew on Flickr.

2 chicks, Susan and Titty/Roger. We're not completely sure! Very cute, little and peepy. The kids absolutely love them. Big smiles for half term all round.

View over Chesil Beach from the Coast road

2011-05-27T22:31:00.001+01:00

View over Chesil Beach from the Coast road, a photo by rowsew on Flickr.

I was out - collecting my lovely sewing machine from her service - and this was the view on the way home. As I have a new phone that can (shock, horror) do photos, I thought I'd do a snap. I'm so lucky to live here.
Happy Bank Holiday weekend to all.

The Secret to Shiny Buns!

2011-05-22T21:52:00.001+01:00

The Secret to Shiny Buns!, a photo by rowsew on Flickr.

A very late Easter post, my top tip for this year is 'use maple syrup to glaze hot cross buns - quick, easy and very tasty'.

That's all for today folks.

Although, coming up soon, news of broody hen playing adoptive mama to eggs (hopefully chicks soon though).

I'm going in!

2011-05-01T22:29:00.001+01:00

I'm going in!, a photo by rowsew on Flickr.

Here they are, ready for a paddle. Just in case you don't live near me, the water temp at this time of the year is shocking, and on this day was about 6°C. Which is cold. Which is why I am behind the camera .... !

Sky Trails

2011-05-01T22:21:00.001+01:00

Sky Trails, a photo by rowsew on Flickr.

A low tide day near the end of March. Very cold, but a really lovely day. My son's choice for his birthday treat. Ice creams were consumed later.

Welcome to Greenhouse Towers

2011-04-18T21:02:00.001+01:00

I've been a bad blogger. Kind of lost the will to do much blogging lately, but Spring has gone 'boing', and thus sprung, so we have been thinking about the home grown veggies. This year's latest addition to the garden is a greenhouse. Please don't laugh, it is a plastic one. But it is something of a trial run - if it goes well then we are going to look around for a more permanent option. For the meantime, we are all very pleased with our new growing space, and the tomatoes are settling in well already.

The pink chair is Thing Two's - she had earlier been stung on her foot by a bee, and needed to supervise me planting out the tomatoes.

Moonshot

2011-03-19T21:36:00.001Z

Moonshot a photo by rowsew on Flickr.

Brrrrrr! It's cold, but look at the moon - so bright, so cratery. Just been out to look at it with the bins, and took the camera too.

Handmade Soap!

2011-02-27T16:12:00.000Z

Thought you might like to see my very first effort at soapmaking - I was so excited to have a go at this, and now I'm itching to use the stuff. But you have to leave it to cure for about 6 weeks, and I'm only at the end of week 2!

Just going over to Flikr to load up some 'during' pics. I did cheat a tiny bit and wash my hands with a very small piece that fell off yesterday (my mould was not the best shape) and it was lovely, my hands felt clean, but not too dry.

The instructions I used were from Rhonda's excellent 'Down to Earth' blog - check out the sidebar for a link to her blog. I used the soap calculator she recommends in her soap-making post to calculate the quantities of oil. For those interested, this batch contains olive oil, rice bran oil and a little coconut oil.

Izzy's hat

2011-02-27T15:56:00.001Z

Izzy's hat
Originally uploaded by rowsew

Anyone seen this hat? Lost in St Ives, Cornwall - possibly in the Cath Kidston store. Or up Fore Street somewhere.

Her birthday hat, which I made, only 3 months ago - grrrrr!

Stained Glass

2011-02-07T22:01:00.001Z

IMG_3127
Originally uploaded by rowsew

The start (finally) of my own designed door panels for Mum and Dad's new front door. Panel 1 of 2, - mirrored. Based very loosely on Frank Lloyd Wright's work as per client's (parental units) brief.

Since I started this, both kids have been throwing up, I have a rip snorter of a chest infection and the OH has had a very dodgy weekend. Topped off today with OH's 40th birthday spent at the local Minor Injuries unit - this morning for me, my chest and eye (ha, ha, ha) and then very unexpectedly this afternoon, about 10 minutes after I left, back with child no. 1 who split his face open on the pavement at school. What a birthday, we have cancelled it until the weekend so we can do a re-run and hope to god no-one's ill!

The Fire

2011-01-12T11:21:00.001Z

IMG_3116
Originally uploaded by rowsew

At last, only 2 months late, but there you go. Hooray!

This Morning

2010-12-02T18:35:00.001Z

IMG_3059
Originally uploaded by rowsew

Blimey, against all possiblity, we actually had snow today. Our little warm (haha) special Dorset biosphere has finally given in under the weight of all the cold weather. Of course, it will rain tomorrow ....

Busy

2010-10-08T13:35:00.000+01:00

And this is why!

Finally, hurrah, they are both at school. The down side of the smallest small being there is that it's only 3 hours a day. So my toiling up and down the road has increased from two trips to three. It really disrupts the day, I can tell you. And the poor little sausage doesn't even get to stay there for lunch, she has to walk home first - cue a tanty immediately we get through the door. I am knackered, she is knackered, we're all sick of it - except - SHE LOVES SCHOOL. I am so pleased, and she is coming on a treat. Roll on next term when she is there properly, all day.

Box

2010-07-08T13:51:00.001+01:00

Box
Originally uploaded by rowsew

Beautiful cute folksy tin box found at the local charity shop today - will make a great sewing box for me!

Handmade Home Bathmat

2010-07-07T20:00:00.001+01:00

Mushrooms with blue towel
Originally uploaded by rowsew

A bathmat made using the instructions in Amanda Soule's fabulous 2nd book, 'Handmade Home'.

Warning though - I busted through 5 needles trying to sew through all the layers and ended up skipping the really thick bits.

I used an old towel my Mum gave me, and some fab mushroom/toadstool print cotton that I picked up a while ago at the charity shop.

It's the most favourite bathmat in the house. We fight over who gets it - Mum and Dad, or the kids. I need to make another one!

A Useful Tip

2010-07-05T20:23:00.000+01:00

"Stay out of the middle of the supermarket - meat, fish, dairy products, fruit and vegetables are all on the outside aisle of every supermarket. The processed stuff is in the centre."

Bear this in mind when you shop. I think of it often now as I plod round, trying to avoid the jars, packets and assorted processed rubbish when I do my grocery run (sorry, limp). We try to eat fresh, unprocessed food here as much as possible, and on the odd occasion when a non home cooked meal has been presented to us, really have noticed the difference.

Yesterday, we ate home grown carrots at lunch time, fresh picked from the back yard, and small courgettes with dinner. Today, home made Shepherds pie! Yummy. And of course, home made bread every day from this book. So easy, even my dear husband can knock a perfect loaf out - which is good, because for the last 5 days, I've had one arm in a sling (tenosynovitus, look it up, it hurts!) and he's been on catering, child minding and cleaning duty!

Enjoy your food, we always do.

What we've been doing lately....

2010-07-04T22:12:00.000+01:00

Reading:

and releasing butterflies into the wild...

Elections and Chickens

2010-05-25T21:06:00.013+01:00

Still appalled at the election result. I cannot even bring myself to listen to the news anymore. I was a confirmed Radio 4 listener to the 'Today' program every morning, but lately, it's been Chris Evans on Radio 2, and then burying my head in the sand - ostrich stylie - since the coalition was announced. Is anyone else feeling slightly depressed?

Also, why has it been so bloody cold? For goodness sake, it's nearly June. I only switched the heating off last week, we've had the grand total of - oooh - 4 days of nice, pleasant, summery weather, and suddenly, it's getting cool again. I only changed the duvet on Sunday for the 'summer weight' one, in a small fit of optimism that I am now surely going to regret.

Rant over, and breathe, and relax.

On to chickens, but even there, I feel a further rant coming on. We have had to make some replacements lately, we were down to 3 chickens (from an earlier total of 5) but due to a)illness and b)stupid broody hens decided to boost the numbers back, and got 3 new pullets. One is a Leghorn (beautiful, white all over with a big floppy comb) and 2 Amber Stars who are sort of .... peachy colour. The Leghorn is called Miranda, she is capable of a vertical take-off that a Harrier Jump Jet would be envious of - discovered this after 2 minutes of fenced in garden time, and the 2 AS are Spotty Carmen, and Baby Peaches (cos she's the babiest one, obviously). They appear to be incapable of anything except running round the back of the hen house every time they see me. Since they all joined the flock about 8 days ago, we have had the grand total of ... 6 eggs. Yeah. Who's first in the pot? Even the kids are joining in with the threats now! Off to warm up the slow cooker ..

Spotty and Peaches

Miranda

Kids

2010-03-16T10:17:00.000Z

This is someone else's life with kids ... but sounds a lot like mine was only 18 months ago. Enjoy!
Stay at Home Mama - Voices

Window Shopping

2010-02-02T14:24:00.000Z

Lately, I've been spending some time virtual shopping. There being no real money available, you see. I found these delicious
Matryoshka Book Ends and these very cute mouse babies - check out the tiny pillows and blankets Matchbox mousey
I also found a whole load of lovely things I shouldn't really be looking at here :) spotty heaven (did I mention I like spots?)

I suppose I could have a bash at the bookends myself, if time allowed, but I sure don't have any sewing needles small enough to do tiny mice.

Right, off to the next shop now ...

Handmade Home

2010-01-23T21:18:00.002Z

As you can see, I've not been around here much lately. I'm training to be a Teaching Assistant at the moment, which involves doing lots of volunteering at school, and then lots and lots of homework (at my age!) later on, after all the jobs are done and the kids are in bed. So blogging has been rather put on the back burner.

However, a generous friend recently gave me my very own copy of Amanda Soule's latest book 'Handmade Home', and I just had to make these hot pads. Mine have all recently gone to the giant pot holder in the sky, and I was in desperate need of new ones. This is a super easy and quick design, uses up scraps, and looks FAB! (I know, I shouldn't say that of my own work, but I love them). Have a go yourself, and kit out your kitchen with love.

Happy Sewing!

Hi-Speed Digital Dorset - dorsetforyou.com

2010-01-19T21:08:00.000Z

Hi-Speed Digital Dorset - dorsetforyou.com

2010-01-07T19:57:00.000Z

My wish list starts here ....

Just like the ones we used to have for school, only Red! Available from the Cambridge Satchel Co. (If you have many pounds to spare, which, currently, I don't).

Still not snowing here. Anyone care to share some of theirs?

Severe Weather Warning

2010-01-05T11:06:00.000Z

So, that'll be everywhere then?

Keep warm!

Snow ... Or Not

2010-01-03T22:20:00.000Z

It continues NOT to snow, or even slightly precipitate in this area. We are all sulking considerably. Friends and family in parts further north cannot believe we have had nothing, not even a flake, but that's what you get living in the balmy (-4 tonight folks!) South.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year

2009-12-26T22:53:00.000Z

Hi

I seem to have inadvertently taken a blogging holiday. Sorry! We Advented our way through our lovely activity calendar, and I will update with photos of the crafty ideas we made, (once I find the camera), the children have had lovely gifts, we've all enjoyed some really tasty food, and we're enjoying being at home all together. Even Teflon boy is at home for a few days - hooray - someone else for the kids to be snotty on!

Happy New Year, may 2010 be wonderful for you all, and thank you for reading this past year.

Bunting

Advent Activity 1

2009-12-01T22:37:00.003Z

IMG_1961
Originally uploaded by rowsew

And, fortunately, today's was an easy one! I got to choose one of the thirty odd books in the "Winter Basket" which I gathered together from the shelves at home and the local library. We sat on the sofa and snuggled - a bit - and enjoyed a quiet moment. Hope you enjoyed your day too. I have now set up a Flikr pool if anyone else is joining in - Flikr Pool - I look forward to seeing you there.

The Advent Calendar

2009-12-01T22:34:00.001Z

IMG_1957
Originally uploaded by rowsew

As you can see, there are a few tickets missing holders. This is because I ran out of loo roll middles. Painted card is currently drying on the stove, I (or the elves) will be finishing it overnight!

Are you ready?

2009-11-28T20:20:00.001Z

Yay, it's Advent Sunday tomorrow. And you know what that means - the Christmas countdown begins!

I have been looking around for Advent ideas, and have found tons of things to do. Even though I now have the children's flu, I will persevere and tomorrow will be working on this idea from MayaMade TP Advent. Fortunately I have loads of cardboard inners, so we should have enough for the whole thing.

This will be filled with little activity tickets, and I found a lovely set of vintage prints to use - here, and a whole bunch of ideas to put ON the tickets here. On this lovely site you can move through from one activity to the next by clicking on the link at the top of the post. Have a look at her other pages too - the advent ideas are from a while ago, but there is so much more to look at here! I won't be doing all of those listed, but a good selection have gone on the list. One of my favourite ideas is a different book related to the general theme of Winter - which I will definitely be incorporating. TIme to go and sort the book shelves out!

I will also be including a few activities like 'take a walk to see the Christmas lights', 'make eggnog and drink it by candlelight', and of course 'decorate the tree'! It would be really nice to see what everyone comes up with - I will be posting pics as soon as I get going tomorrow - so if anyone else wants to join in with their makes, let me know and I'll set up a Flikr pool.

Wishing you all a lovely, peaceful and fun-filled Advent season.

Fab find for a Sunday

2009-11-22T21:40:00.000Z

And another one - which I just found (thanks to the Old Style Money Saving Experts in the November Grocery Challenge). I'm really stoked when I find something that's useful, easy to make (and therefore crafty-ish) and FREE.

Have a look at the PocketMod - it's a little bit Filofax, a little bit origami - and LOTS of fun! I just printed off my own little fun pad to tide me through the week, and I'm really looking foward to using it.

The best bit? Getting to recycle it at the end of the week!

And if you're wading through cereal packets, you might also like the handy carboard wallet, found here.

Have fun, Internet crawl notes

2009-11-19T20:11:00.003Z

Hello

Today's internet crawl starts at the current Spoonflower voting list - this week it's calendars for next year. There are some fantastic designs to choose, and you can vote for more than one idea. (I voted for about 5 or 6).

Next - Kids Craft Weekly, for a great bunch of crafty Christmas ideas - I can recommend purchasing the Christmas Crafts pdf - I got last year's and it was great. This weeks newsletter is about ideas for Advent calendars, but you can look up the older newsletters by clicking the sidebar link.

Printing and paper fun - a whole bunch of lovely, free downloads from The Small Object. I have used a few, and everyone comments on how cute the images are, and there are a couple of fun ideas like the little notes. There are a few more downloads available aside from this link, you have to look about halfway down the front page to see a complete list.

And finally, for those of us who never grow up, a fascinating set of videos and photos from Eric Carle, detailing just how you make a Hungry Caterpillar!

Quick, run & comment

2009-10-23T21:45:00.004+01:00

Evenin' all
Just wanted to let you know that one of my bloggy friends is running a fantastic giveaway at Original Stitch ( here,) all you have to do is go and make a comment about her lovely makings. You could be in the running for something really cute - and original!

Quick update - I won! I am patrolling the mailbox religiously waiting for a little parcel to arrive! I'm doing a happy dance, you'll just have to imagine it!

Cough. Cough and again Cough

2009-10-16T19:47:00.004+01:00

Yea verily, I have the annual cold once again. Usually it's more than annual though, I think I had this one at the beginning of the year. I sound like I've been eating gravel and smokin' fags. Which I HAVE NOT. Also, I have had to miss 2 sessions of Teaching Assistant training time at school this week, not excellent timing as I have just started my college course to get a qualification. I know, stunning, back at the old alma mater 6th form college after some frighteningly long period of years, like about ..... (counting on fingers to make sure I get it right). erm 20. Which now makes me feel old. Time for another cough.

Why do the kids always pick the times you're feeling really pants to be poo-poo heads? (This is what they call me, Teflon boy, and each other when they are being a) silly b) more silly c) 3 and 5). They just spent an afternoon fighting over a small tin box masquerading as a Peppa Pig house. No you can't have the beds, I want them; no, I want them, .........zzzzzzzzz. I had to shout, and with my voice the way it is, that hurt me. So I shouted a bit more so they got the message.

Small amounts of making have been going on, but I haven't photographed them yet, so you'll have to wait.

Bye!

Owls!

2009-10-04T21:35:00.003+01:00

Twit twoo - we had fun making these. Go to Kids Craft Weekly to find the latest projects.

Owls 2
Originally uploaded by rowsew

Bread!

2009-09-29T20:38:00.003+01:00

Now, you should know that I really, really like bread. And mostly, I cook my own at home. But look who moved into town recently -

Phoenix Bakery. Run by a renowned baker, we've been to test the wares - and I can vouch for them wholeheartedly. Proper bread, lots of interesting other baked goods (Eccles Cakes were on the slab when I last visited), and you can have a cup of coffee in the cafe upstairs. What a great place - if you're local, go and buy something!

Woodland Crafts

2009-09-27T09:58:00.002+01:00

Something for the weekend? Acorns, no problem, if only I could find some velvet ribbon ...

Woodland Crafts

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Goodbye Mr Boo

2009-09-12T12:59:00.002+01:00

Our lovely boy cat, Boo, was very sadly, put down today, suffering from a large cancer in his stomach. We are all so sad. Boo has been in our family since he was a kitten, and was only 8 years old. The photo shows him in healthier times.

I finally made something/Winners

2009-09-06T21:01:00.005+01:00

Look, a project, finished and all, AND I managed to ravel it - my scarf project. It's only taken me about a year to figure out the system, also, I've been busy with other things. This project was a birthday gift for a 6 year old - I'm sure we'll be seeing more of it once the weather starts closing in!

And, the 2 people who made lovely comments will both be receiving a stained glass bird in the near future! Thank you. Susan, please could you let me have your snailmail address?

Back to school tomorrow - hooray - can't say I'm not looking forward to it because I would be lying! I have discovered, however, that last year's trousers will need a small sewing adjustment - into shorts. The boy has grown without me noticing (whoops!) The small child is looking forward to attending her first ballet lesson, and the big child is looking forward to 'not being at home and seeing his new teacher'. Me too!

Have a great week!

Warning

2009-09-03T20:50:00.002+01:00

Any more advertisers trying to post here - FORGET IT - I will report abusive use of the comments system to the admins.

To everyone else, apologies for any unnecessary rubbish posted here in my absence.

And now, I note this being my 100th post, a little stained glass bird will be sent to the nicest comment found here by Sunday, 8pm GMT.

Sorry for shouting, but really, some people .....

Shopping Fever

2009-08-15T21:09:00.004+01:00

It's a good thing that I'm not 3, because I really, really want one of these :
toddler skirt and I don't have that kind of money to spare. But I do have a 3 year old girly ......

I must go and rummage in my fabric stash. She will probably need one of these for the new term at nursery!

Maybe I can fashion something for myself whilst I'm working on this.

And I note that this is my 99th post, so maybe I'll think of something special for the 100th, in the fine tradition of bloggers everywhere.

Um.... service interruption

2009-07-29T23:06:00.003+01:00

SORRY POST DELETED DUE TO STUPID SPAMMING ADS

Stuff we're doing

2009-07-15T22:15:00.006+01:00

Shakin' up some butter. This is great entertainment to keep the children going at the end of a busy day. Who would figure shaking a jam jar of cream would be so much fun?

Keeps a boy happy - colouring in (as it says on the sheets) - nuff said!

Wow!

2009-07-15T19:12:00.001+01:00

I'm amazed - never thought more than 2 or 3 people read this blog and look what I just found today!

Thanks to everyone reading, hope you're not too bored .....

Fab Ideas - Memory Makers

2009-07-14T10:37:00.000+01:00

Where does everyone get their ideas from? I feel like my brain is a big empty space, with a few small dusty peas rolling around somewhere in back.

This is a great idea, and one that I will be adapting for my ankle biters. As someone else has said down in the comments for this post, the last time I wrote in their baby books was like, a couple of years ago. I'm a slacker Mum, really.

pottymouthmama: Memory Makers

Summer Holidays Planner - Netmums

2009-07-13T13:39:00.001+01:00

Summer Holidays Planner - Netmums

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Oy vey!

2009-07-10T18:59:00.009+01:00

I'm so sorry. I'm still here, really I am. But, you know, kinda busy. Also kinda sick lately - tummy bugs lay you out something bad .... It's those germy kids of mine. Plague-ridden really, but soon, it's the holidays - yey! And no more walking round half of Dorset to get the children to school or nursery. Days at the hut will be taken, visitors will visit and fun (YES FUN) will be had!

Goblins have moved into the garden recently:

They have been told to move off by the children. But I'm not entirely sure they're listening. (Actually, it's great fun, my Mum made some very very small clothes and bedding, and I've found some bits and bobs that are the right size, and every now and then, I go and change what's on the line.) The children like to go and see what's happening in the goblin patch at the end of the day, (as you can see above, they put up NOTICES!!!) and if they've put something up, I can take it down and save it. I thought I'd taken more pictures. But that was my organised self who appears to have left the building. I will pay attention and do more as the summer wears on.

The Veg/Chicks are producing:

Although lately, the chickens need a swift kick up the bum, 2 eggs from 5 chickens are not enough.

And there be a fairy in my garden too:

1 skirt was not enough, I was informed that a second layer was required!

Hope you're all having fun.

Hmmm. And stuff from the charity shop

2009-06-11T20:46:00.008+01:00

Well

The yoghurt was a bit disappointing. I used 1 litre of milk, and got about 500g strained yoghurt at the end. I don't know if I did something wrong, but this seems to be a bit wasteful. Don't get me wrong, it's really lovely, but on a cost/effort ratio this one's a failure. I may do more research. Or not.

On to more happy things, I wanted to share the lovely things I have recently purchased in a variety of local charity (thrift) shops:

Very pretty Poole Pottery coffee cups (£3.50 - for these and 4 cake plates too - a bargain!)

Fabulous vintage look cute toadstool fabric
quilting weight cotton (about 2 metres) £1.

Lovely spotty skirt (ignore bedroom behind it though).

Butter ... and assorted dairy products

2009-06-09T11:14:00.005+01:00

Well hello there.

I made butter this week. It was very exciting, and now I'm going to tell you a secret. It's very easy. And it tastes super good, just the loveliest thing to put on your home-made scones with your friend's jam!

All you need is some room temperature cream, and your friendly kitchen mixer. Here it is in the Magimix, just after turning into butter:

(click to see this picture larger)

All the white liquid dripping down the sides is - buttermilk - yes, the real stuff, not the cultured whizz that gets sold at the supermarket. It tastes very like milk, but I'm using mine to put in some more scones. I got about 1 cup of buttermilk and probably 2 1/2 cups of butter from 1 litre of double cream. Then I put all the butter in a big lump in a bowl, shoved it under the cold tap and kneaded it gently until the water ran clear - apparently this is important because any remaining buttermilk not washed out might make the butter go rancid - big yuk! Then into my lovely new IKEA glass bowls for pretty. It's been in the fridge to keep fresh as it's been warmish lately, but it spreads well from cold unlike shop butter, so that's no problem.

I don't think it's any cheaper than buying butter (from Lidl or Aldi where it's about £1 for a 250g packet), as I paid £2.50 for the cream, but 2 approx. packs of butter and a cup of buttermilk from fresh seems to be worth it, rather than buying at the grocery store. Also, I got the cream at the local dairy, so the food miles are lower.

If you want a recipe, this is the one I used (but as you can see I went for the option that didn't involve shaking your arm till it falls off).
http://www.allotment.org.uk/allotment_foods/Making_Butter_at_Home.php

The next task is to try making yoghurt. This will be tricky for me because it involves ..... waiting ...... this is not something I am especially hot on. Mostly I like fairly instant results, but I can see this will be a test for me. And I will be a better person for learning patience I'm sure. I'll report back, erm, when it's ready then!

Wishes

2009-06-07T21:40:00.005+01:00

My daughter's latest funny comment:

'Daddy, I've got a wish flower.'
Good, says Dad. 'What are you wishing for?'
'I'm wishin' for a pony.'
Ho, ho, ho - Daddy just about rolls on the floor laughing
(some while later)
'It's good to have aspirations,' says Dad 'go and have a ride on your wooden horse.'

Summer Delights

2009-06-01T21:19:00.004+01:00

Here's a recipe for lovely drinking all through the Summer:

Elderflower Cordial

40 heads Elderflower - picked in full sun to get the best flavour
60g citric acid
2 lemons juice and rind
3 lbs white sugar
3 pints boiling water

(also 1 plastic bucket and tea towel to cover, bottles)

Put all the ingredients into a clean plastic bucket and leave for 5 days. Stir occasionally if you feel like it. Strain through a fine sieve or muslin and bottle. This can also be frozen (which is why we're only just finishing last year's batch) just remember to leave an expansion gap in the bottles, or freeze into ice cube trays - this makes the ideal size to defrost in a glass of fizzy water for a most refreshing drink.

Dilute to taste.

PS Also quite fun to take small people out when picking the flowers for their and your entertainment thus: Mummy, you forgot to put your trousers on - those nettles will make your legs hurt.
:)

Share the love

2009-05-20T22:27:00.004+01:00

The Toy Society

You have to love the idea - sign up, leave toys in funny places, make people happy. It's a winner in my book. We'll be trying this one next week in the half term holidays.

Green Metropolis

Books - do you love 'em? I do, and I can't ever get enough. The library's ok up to a point, but sometimes you need more. At Green Metropolis you can buy and sell for a fixed price. They'll send you an email if you want a book and they get it into stock - I love it. Also, trees may be saved.
Herewith some marketing puff from the site
"Imagine if you could earn money and help the environment at the same time… well now you can! Join a growing community of buyers and sellers, where the more unwanted books you buy and sell, the more trees can be saved and planted - we donate 5p from every sale to the Woodland Trust."
We like them a lot.

Book Crossing
Another one a bit like the Toy Society - leave books hanging around for people to collect. It's a fun idea - and yes, I have seen some lying around (I already had the titles I saw unfortunately or I would have pounced on them). A great way to have a closet clear-out, and maybe refresh your collection without spending any of the those very scarce pennies!

Happy swapping!

Doings

2009-05-04T21:15:00.004+01:00

Things we're big on doing at the moment :

Moving stuff round the garden again, and again, and again ...... but today, we managed to take some of it away to the tip, so hurrah for Teflon boy and his small but useful boy assistant. I can see the ground in the alleyway at the side of the house now, instead of grotty rubbley piles, HUGE stumps of conifers (thank you, previous owners of this house :) not), boxes of metal bits, dead bits of wood, hedge trimmings, old plastic bags and god knows what else we have dug out of the top end of the garden.

Washing. Someone small and not very useful is spending a LOT of time weeing in her pants. If anyone knows why a toilet trained 3 year old chooses to do this, please let me know. I am pulling my hair out, and shouting a lot. I'd like to trade her in for a model that works properly, but I was assured at the hospital as I left, that they didn't accept returns. Pooh to them.

Planting things - way to go - we've made a huge new planting bed from the pergola that we've gradually been dis-assembling over the past year or so - so that has lettuce, sweet peas, cucumber, courgettes, rocket, tomatoes, french beans and more lettuce in it. And now we've moved them chickens, I've been able to expand the flower borders a bit and put in things like, rhubarb, (about 4 lots!!) herbs, strawberries and a few seeds that I forget now what they were. It's all very growy here. Last year's veg beds are full of garlic, onions, peas and a pumpkin, and I have been using the local supermarkets rather nice 'bags for ever' for the potatoes, carrots and squash that we've got going too. I'm so hoping this will be our most productive year at this house. Roll on the summer weather please!

Planning. This year, we have decided we need a beach hut (we cannot afford a summer holiday away, so we are trying to make the most of what is on the doorstep - ie the beach), so I am now in the process of persuading my Dad that he needs to build one. Hmmmm. He's not keen, and has many other projects - or so he says. But I will work on him until he gives in, then we can have every day at the beach between now (when he builds it I mean really) and the end of October if we want too. With somewhere to put buckets and spades and towels and beach shoes etc etc etc, without dragging the blasted things up and down the road every time we go. And then do it again next year, and so on, until it falls apart. Please send happy thoughts to Papa.

I hope everyone's had a good weekend, Happy May Day to you all!

I'm back!

2009-04-15T21:27:00.007+01:00

Hello

Anyone still out there reading this? I hope so. I'm doing a catch up, first the birthday boy (only 3 weeks late but there you go!):

I'm a KNIGHT!!!!!!

AND..... I'm FIVE Mummy!

Next, I joined Usborne Books at Home - and now I'm selling books. It's great fun, I earned some money (yes, already) for the first time since I had the children, and it's giving me something else to do. I really like it - and the children LOVE it because I've got lots and lots of new books - with stickers - which when you're 3 or 5, is the absolute bestest thing in the world!

And finally, this Easter holidays, we've mostly been moving sheds, and building an enormous veg bed, and a chicken run (or fruit cages as they're known to the rest of the world). Tomorrow is moving day for those girls - after I've been for a catch-up and a coffee with my best friend.

The old shed being dismantled ...

Re-assembled in its new place ...

and joined by Chickenopolis aka fruit cage

And at last, 5 eggs from 5 chickens! Only had to wait six weeks for those new girls to settle in. Of course, yesterday must have been a fluke, because there were only 4 today. I'm feeling very Mrs Tweedy today, but I'm holding off getting my clipboard out just yet ....!

You really would not believe how difficult it was to put that blessed fruit cage up - we thought that under the pavours it was soil, but no, it was lumps of old concrete, bits of concrete flagstones and any old cr@p you could possibly imagine. However, we are moving on from the six (yes 6) hours of work today that this poxy thing has taken, and are now enjoying NOT doing anything else for at least 12 hours! Roll on bathtime, I say.

Happy holidays everyone!

Vote For Me!

2009-04-02T13:18:00.005+01:00

Hey

My 'apple' design is up for voting at the Spoonflower site. Please take a look over there (spoony link) and see which of the six designs this week takes your fancy. Obviously, I'd appreciate a few votes for mine, but feel free to choose otherwise......!

On a slighty different note, I have been most absent here for a while (life getting in the way again) but I am planning to catch up soon - a birthday, a new business venture, and possibly even a few things in the Folksy shop too.

Hope you're all enjoying a breath of fresh Spring air.

EDIT:
FINAL VOTES CAME IN - I WAS THIRD WITH 360 VOTES - THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO VOTED FOR MY DESIGN!

Why?

2009-03-07T19:45:00.006Z

Why does this make me so happy?

From this:

to this:

Yummy!

Busy, busy, busy

2009-02-24T21:29:00.006Z

And cough, cough, cough. I know, it just won't go away. Regardless of this, we have been very busy painting and putting together the long awaited bike shed. It's so pretty! All the bikes and gear fit in (except the new trailer) and now that nasty salty seaside air can't make my bike rust any more. We're so happy with it - we just keep going into the courtyard and going 'oooh, isn't it good?'.

The amazing thing was that we wanted to get it done during half term holidays (as Teflon boy was off too), and we actually did. This may not sound so amazing to many of you, but when you have 2 fairly small people helping you with the paintbrushes, and the screwdrivers, and they start taking all your fittings away, it's quite good. Also, we actually fitted in with our own scheduling. Usually what happens is, we say - oh, we'll do that - and we start off with good intentions - and then we go and do a whole load of other totally unrelated things, and then get to the end of the week and notice we haven't finished what we've started.

We've also managed to get out in the fresh air, entertain the children for a week without anyone killing anyone else, clear the hundred and one bags of rubbish that have accumulated over the winter, Freecycled a load of baby stuff, passed a non-laying chicken over to someone who has more space, ordered the new Chickenopolis accommodations, and purchased two new pullets to add to the egg-producing flock.

I'm happy. But very, very tired. Today I cycled up to No 1's school with both children in the new trailer, cycled back, then dug about a hundredweight of compost up with my friend and carted it into her (very long) garden, and just this evening been to my Pilates class. I didn't fall asleep on the mat, and managed to get home without dropping off either, so I think that's a good days' work.

Children 'helping' Papa

Our lovely bike shed

Daddy with the children at Lyme Regis

New hens - Henny Penny, Baby Mavis

Kids ATC Swaps - Ready to go

2009-02-19T17:13:00.001Z

ATC's ready to go
Originally uploaded by rowsew

All done, and even more of a miracle, actually POSTED in the mail this very afternoon! Good fun, both children had a go, (even though only one is old enough to actually send some off) and they're looking forward to the return post.

Change

2009-02-06T19:27:00.002Z

Just trying to jazz up the front of this blog, please ignore any rubbish formatting ......

Great Idea

2009-02-05T20:28:00.003Z

Check this out - a kids art trade - I've signed up No 1 (he doesn't know yet!) and wait with anticipation to see what will happen. It should be fun, combining his love of drawing pictures and stuff in the post. Let's hope it's a winner.

Stuff we've been busy with

2009-02-03T21:55:00.009Z

The snow (yeah, right, all 2 cms of it)

The chickens - they want to know what the hell that white stuff is, where's the grass? And by the way, we've done the eggs already.

Sticky back plastic. Way to go with 3 yr olds! Thanks to Amber at Kids Craft Weekly (again) for the idea.

New glass piece made at the weekend - for a light that I just discovered no longer works. B*gger. Not quite finished - there's a mirror border to be cut and added, if I can get the time, or fix the light.

Sense of purpose

2009-01-28T21:28:00.008Z

Right, I've done my Asian fusion stylie broth for dinner today (see here for recipe), I've had a cup of Pukka tea, and now I'm going to show you some photos - whether you like it or not!

Today's baking:

Cake, artisan bread, wobbly breadsticks

As you can see, inroads have been made on the cake, and, I have to report, all the breadsticks are gone, gone, gone!

Look at this beautiful handspun, hand dyed wool rug my Mum made for the children:

And finally, that Christmas cake - decorated. All gone except for the snowman. And yes, it was properly cooked - yummy!

Kung Hei Fat Choy! (Happy New Year)

2009-01-26T20:50:00.003Z

Yes, I know, January 26th cannot really be happy new year for non-chinese people, but I'm jumpin' on the bandwagon anyway.

Been in a blogging/life slump lately, but it's time to snap out of it and get on with some work. Hoping to get some crafting going soon (as soon as I shake off this cough I've got ... more germs at Germ Central), together with a few shop updates, and some decent pictures.

To start us off this year, here are some Chinese Lanterns, thanks to Amber at Kids Craft Weekly for the great idea - so easy to make, the children were impressed.

Those Chickens

2008-12-22T22:27:00.002Z

What you lookin' at?

Makes

2008-12-22T21:57:00.007Z

Hello, I've mostly been busy with these......

Christmas cake. I hope that the 4 1/2 hours of baking at warp factor 1 and leaving overnight in the oven did actually cook this bugger, cause I'm going to be upset if there's goo in the middle of this. I ask you, a kilo of fruit!!!!!!

Elizabeth, the birthday doll. Complete with pink frock and green knickers (underpants for you lot over in the USA). She was made following the kinda-pattern in one of my birthday books, I was quite pleased with the finished result. The idea of this particular type of doll is that you leave the features very generalised, in the Steiner manner, to help the child develop their own imaginative play. She took about 5 hours to cut, sew, hairdress and clothe. And of course I did leave it until 2 days before the actual birthday to make her! She also got a little mattress, sheet and quilt to go in her beautiful red pram - the other part of No 2's birthday gift.

More 5 minute bread.

Advent stuff - Santa Christmas (as my little dears insist on calling him) and Christmas placemats. The little printouts were downloaded from fellow blogger aprintaday who very generously provides her stunning artwork as free files for plebs like me to use. Have a look, the art is fantastic. (Hers, not mine!) And the twiddly tree - just for the children to do really. They found this stick in the local park gardens, and we decided to decorate it. Fortunately one of our local garden centres has a great Christmas decorations department where we found the tiny decorations - just perfect for this sort of thing - even the fairy is the right size.

Birthday presents for various bodies large and small.

I know this looks like a pile of nonsense, but eventually, it turns into a lovely tinkly ball!

Happy Christmas everybody, and a peaceful New Year.

Look, but not with your purse open

2008-12-12T23:28:00.004Z

Have a look at this lovely site for Japanese designer Shinzi Katoh stuff - http://www.shinzikatoh.co.uk/

As they say - lovely things to make you smile. But my husband just about had a fit when he looked at the prices, so I suggest you keep those blokes away while you're looking! I was just browsing and I got up to about £50 with no effort at all. But I will be having a couple of things, I think! And if you need a gift for a special friend, I don't think you'd have much of a problem finding something suitable.

Happy shopping.

Suffering from neglect, somewhat.

2008-12-12T22:06:00.008Z

Hello there

As it says above, I haven't been paying much attention to this poor ol' blog lately!

One thing after another, germs, germs, almost terminal germs, and a general sense of laissez-faire have done nothing for the writing up of day to day life in our lovely flea pit. Yes, one of the more recent developments is both cats acquiring those little bitey beggars (fleas), and spreading them amongst the house and family. Cheers to you, Mouse and Boo, and begone. Never had them before, and I hope to God we've got rid of them all now cause I'm fed up with being bit.

With my newly acquired ill gotten gains (sales of handmade stuff) I treated myself to this fantastic bread book - Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day which has rather occupied my time. Today, I finished off the most recent batch of bread with this little dear :-

And then, being unable to resist the thought of lovely bagels, made these from a new batch for me and Teflon boy for tea. Mmmm, mmmm, good!

I would highly recommend this book. I've been making my own bread for about 8 or 9 years - on and off. We slipped into buying from the supermarket when I was in hospital and recovering this year, and I kind of stopped bothering for a while. Also my bread making machine (which I just use for mixing and rising the dough) packed up last year and I was too idle to do much making without it. Then I managed to get a new machine a few months ago, and started up the old home bakery again.

But, to be honest with you (and I am well aware of how silly this sounds) I was beginning to lose the will to put a mix up every day - then I saw this book on someone else's blog and had a look. It starts with a simple premise - mix up a big batch of dough - enough for 4 or 5 loaves, leave it to rise, refrigerate it, and cook up a loaf with very little fuss. There's no kneading, so you don't have to worry about your weak little wristies (like I do), and it does take literally 5 minutes to make a batch up, and five minutes to put enough dough up for the day's loaf. The only time you need is rising time for each loaf, and you'd have that anyway with the regular method. The great thing is, the longer you leave the mix, the more the flavour develops, so you end up with something similar to a sourdough flavour without all the palaver of starters, bigas and all that. Hooray. And, it's really good fun. There are plenty of recipe variations, so lots to look forward too, my only bugbear is the lack of photographs - 3 or 4 plates in the middle of the book is a bit thin in my opinion. Go and buy one, or borrow it from your mates - it's worth it.

And no, I haven't bought any bread from the supermarket since I started doing this method - and the children now always ask if the bread they're having is 'Mummy's homemade'.

I are 3, I are

2008-11-29T22:58:00.005Z

I think we'll just gloss over the past few horrible weeks of utter misery, and move swiftly on to No 2's birthday, this week. As it says in the title - she's 3! Not sure where the time went, but here she is in jolly birthday glory:

Lovely, but only in small doses! She did eat all her veggies, with great glee, at tea time today though, a great leap for mankind (and small girls).

And I found a small green elf in my living room:

He's practising for the school Christmas play. Not only his own lines, but someone elses too (a reluctant participant, I think). We've all had to provide costumes - a bit of a shock to discover. Thank god he wasn't picked for a reindeer! But he loves it, so that'll be going into the dressing up box very soon!

Happy Thanksgiving weekend to all our American friends - enjoy your turkeys!

New fun, and germs galore

2008-11-14T18:51:00.004Z

Hello

I haven't been here for a while, we have germs galore in the house. My children both have chicken pox, Teflon boy (unusually and very non-stick for him) has the most disgusting cold, and I have had flu (again, and some of the cold too). So we are stuck at home, no school, no visiting, not much fun!

I did manage to get to the beach on a bright day this week, with the children, and my Mum, who saves me every time we go down with something. It was a good day for a long walk, and we had a little picnic for lunch, and a blowy walk home, good for all of us I think!

And last week, after resisting for some time, I joined this lovely site - Ravelry - dedicated to crochet and knitting fans everywhere. Obviously, I will have to start doing some crochet soon, instead of just looking at everyone elses! In my defence, amongst dealing with the deadly germs, I have been making some of No 2's birthday present - a dolly - to go in her new wooden pram, which will also have a little mattress, and quilt. Dolly will be photographed on the birthday, just in case the children get at the picture folder before then! She has underpants and a pink nighty at the moment, and I should think she might get some more sensible clothes by Christmas time.

Off to another local sale tomorrow, wish me luck!

Not quite a sell out!

2008-11-07T16:32:00.005Z

Phew!

Well, after a day of sewing yesterday (Mum thankfully took the spotty ones away), to finish off a bunch of pencil roll ups, I rushed off to the school sale. I previewed my table at home:

And it looked very similar at the school (minus No 2 though!). It was quite a busy night, and I made quite a few sales, hooray, but not quite as much as I'd hoped.

Enough to buy a new book that I've hankered after though, and probably some spare to put away in the savings jar (ha, ha, ha). Cue hollow laugh here, we've just had an electricity bill for £390, due to estimated meter readings over the past year. Toast for Christmas I think, or gruel.

Another sale next weekend, in the meantime, if you're interested, have a look at my Folksy shop (rowsewcreative).

Warning, toxic family environment..

2008-11-05T22:24:00.003Z

Wouldn't you just know it. Having spent the past 3 weeks enjoying a delightfully disgusting cold and cough, No 1 has contracted chicken pox for the second time this year. Couldn't have had it last week, whilst it was half term though, could we. No, we have to get it 2 days after going back. Oh good, a bored, spotty, itchy 4 year old at home for possibly another week. Hooray (not).

And when I looked at No 2 in the bath tonight (who is also enjoying a surplus of germ warfare), she had spots too.

I feel like leaving home .....

Yay! Election results!

2008-11-05T21:52:00.003Z

Finally, and thank goodness it's all over, but well done everyone, and congratulations to Mr President (elect) Barack Obama.

Now we can all get back to griping about the weather.

Boo!

2008-10-31T22:11:00.002Z

Boo!
Originally uploaded by rowsew

A bit of sewing

2008-10-31T21:20:00.007Z

And, as mentioned earlier in this blog, I am still creating things for the school shopping night. Although I've got a feeling that this skirt isn't going to get as far as the stall. No 2 has her eye on it already ('are that skirt for me, Mummy?')!

And there is a bag (with matching purse) and another pencil roll up

and lots of little glass birds!

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T20:51:00.010Z

Spooky goings-on here this week

Toffee apples:

Pumpkins:

More pumpkins:
(Isabelle's was too big to weigh on our scales, we think it was just over 8 pounds (lbs)!

And, da da!
The baby moved from cot to bed....only she's not really a baby any more. Have a fun night!

Falling in Love Again... With My Shoes!

2008-10-25T22:33:00.006+01:00

These are my most favourite pair of Earth shoes. I've had them nearly 5 years, and they are fabulous. The most comfortable, go with all my clothes, suitable for almost all weather anytime, faves. Due to back problems, this is the only kind of shoe I can wear now. I recommend them to everyone, they are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn - and they're good for you too!

They're extremely expensive, so I normally have to wait until sale time to buy a pair - because, even though these are my very most and best pair, a girl must also have boots, sandals, red shoes, and house shoes/slippers too! I do wish that I could wear heels occasionally, but as I'm just shy of 6 foot, it's un-necessary really. And without these, I really would be crippled. A day wearing flip-flops around the house aggravates my back/leg problem so much that it's not worth the pain.

So anyway, I polished the tippy toes of my favourites this morning, and was so happy to have them I had to photograph them (and don't you love the inlaid floor of our porch? There's a quilt design waiting right there). My only sadness in life is that this style is not made by Earth any more. I'm going to start a campaign - 'I want new Intrigues, bring them back now!' It might be a success, you never know.

Children and Cats

2008-10-22T22:18:00.006+01:00

I'm so proud! My baby boy made front page of the local paper - for the Reception Class supplement they printed yesterday. I know it's not the world press, but there were a lot of other classes, and his was the one they picked out for the cover. And look, he's quite cute - doing his best photo face!

It's been a source of fascination to both the children, leafing through all the pictures - from every reception class in most of the county - 'who's that girl mummy, what's her name?' - for children in schools miles away! If you click through to the Echo, you can see his class photo (and all the rest).

And then, last night, whilst I was cooking and he was doing dishes, Teflon boy pointed out this in the corner:
Never mind chicken in a basket, eh!

Some great advice from a frugal blogger

2008-10-17T21:04:00.004+01:00

I have been reading the new Simple Green Frugal Co-op blog which opened up recently, and I like to read around all the bloggers who are posting there. I have particularly enjoyed the writing of notesfromthefrugaltrenches - the idea of really being in control of your life, through budgeting accurately, eating economically, saving carefully, and NOT SPENDING MONEY ON RUBBISH appeals greatly.

Of course, we manage on one income for the four of us, considerably reduced since we moved to Dorset, and try to spend/economise where possible, but I feel there is room for us to thoroughly reconsider our income and expenditure, especially when we think about the current state of economics! So that's what we'll be working on at some point this weekend. I hope you will read, and think, and maybe change a few things yourselves.

Happy economising!

Ooh, I'm rubbish at this computering lark.

2008-10-16T22:37:00.008+01:00

As my son says! I didn't post proper links yesterday, sorry, I'm blaming the tiredness!

Here's a few pics from the last couple of days - including silly paper bag hats, weekend fun, and busy sewing work - finished, and in progress:

Blogs to visit

2008-10-15T22:32:00.002+01:00

Hello

I know I haven't been here again for a while - much sewing/tidying/cursing in the workroom, together with child wrangling going on in the background. Plus, I'm so tired I can barely move some days. Ah, the joys of being a Mummy. (Not).

Anyway, I have (surprisingly) had some time to beetle about on the computer, and thought you might like to share in a few delights I have found recently.

Feeling the pinch? Need crafty Christmas ideas? Then looky here (thank you Rhonda at Down to Earth for the links):

http://mybyrdhouse.blogspot.com/2008/09/scrappy-hot-pad-tutorial.html
http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2008/09/how-to-make-a-charging-basket.html
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/09/26/oven-mitt-pattern/
http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/2008/10/creating-all-na.html

By the way, do try and read the blogs too - they're all very interesting! If you receive one of these gifts, you'll be a very lucky person!

post and run

2008-10-11T22:42:00.002+01:00

Hello

It's a real quickie today - I'm up to my knees in fabric at the moment - my son's school has a Ladies Shopping night coming up and I decided to book a table with a friend - now I have to fill it up with handmade stuff! So far I've done 3 handbags, 2 soft clutches, 1 zippered bag, 4 crochet hats, and cut out a load of christmas (I know, a bad word) type fabric decorations. Photos to follow, when I can stand up without falling into pins/cats/small children.

My main reason for posting was to let you know I received my first copy of the new sewing/crafting magazine called Sew Hip. I pre-ordered it a couple of months ago, and have been anticipating it ever since. It was worth the wait - a refreshing take on sewing, really contemporary ideas, and interesting interviews with the latest generation of crafters. I had to peel it away from a couple of friends who I stupidly let look at it! Lots of really good ideas, clear instructions, and not too much advertising to wade through either. I'll be taking a subscription, please.
Look here to see the front page, and here to pre-order or subscribe.

And that's it..... running now.

Hats and Spoony Fabric Delight!

2008-10-07T12:40:00.009+01:00

Wow, I had a busy evening Sunday.

Look - 3 crochet baby hats! This is what happens if you go sick, and don't have to run around looking after small children - time to do stuff!!

2 have been distributed to local friends' fairly small babies, and the third is waiting for anyone to have a newborn. I don't know any at the moment. I'm sure, like buses, several will be along shortly.

And now, to reveal my first Spoonflower print - received in the mail today with great excitement by me and No. 2 - da-da!:

Apple pie anyone? She already bagged it though: 'can you make me a quilt with that apples Mummy?' I'm considering it. Maybe one apple. I don't really want to share it. Let me know what you think! Off to Stich 'n' Bitch this evening, so I have to find something to do...... Maybe show and tell?

Happy Tuesday everyone.

Welcome, apologies, etc

2008-10-05T15:12:00.004+01:00

Hello
Sorry, I haven't been here for a while... some family problems. The littlest one started pre-school at the beginning of the month, and since then, has been an absolute nightmare, totally horrible all day, and absolutely awful to have around.

Of course, being dim, and somewhat pre-occupied with life, I hadn't put the 2 things together until last Thursday, when Grandpa dropped her off for me (hoping that she wouldn't grizzle if he did it), and said that there was no way he would want any of his (sic) children going there. As he was an educator of small children for 21 years, and has raised 4 of his own children, I really respect his opinion. And it kind of mirrored my own, so after a long discussion with Teflon boy, we have decided to pull her out of school for now.

It cleary isn't working for anyone, at any kind of level, so although I feel like a total failure for not putting the behavioural issues and disliking school together - duh - I think it's probably for the best right now. She's not 3 yet, and probably next spring will be a better time to look around for alternatives. Hopefully she will have stopped hating me by then! And I won't be racing back and forth to No 1's school for this ridiculous 1/2 day pick up that we have this term, so I won't have to be shovelling her into her coat every 3 hours for a 2 mile walk.

Also, I have yet another cold (cough, cough, cough) so sitting in front of the magic machine has been low on my priority list.

Anyway, I'd like to welcome visitors far and near - if anyone else is interested in seeing where readers are situated, page down (yes, right to the bottom) and click on the feedjit thingy - the map shows roughly where you are! You can also, whilst you're down there, click on the 'follow this blog' label to get instant updates to your favourite reader whenever a new post is made here! Be the first to follow me, I'm still waiting for a dedicated fan!

Glass Update

2008-09-29T22:48:00.005+01:00

Well, this is the layout that the blogger has decided to give me today, so I'll live with it - I hope you can too!

This is what I mostly did on Saturday at my 'mental health day' - my stained glass workshop at our local art encouraging studio. It's just once a month, so much awaited (by me and my Mum, and the 2 friends I've encouraged to join, too. We have a great tutor, and lots of lovely people attend on a peripatetic basis (as far as I've managed this year, anyway) for a few hours, or if lucky, the whole day. We had a short day this month, but I made 3 birds, and a decoration thingy. I'm still not sure if I like it, but I made something, and I wasn't at home all day with the children - who are being difficult again, so I enjoyed it. Roll on next month, I say! You can buy my glass at my shop - check out Dawanda (see the link at the top of this blog) and plug in 'rowsew' if you want to see my stuff.
Have a good day tomorrow!

What we've been doing lately

2008-09-26T21:29:00.010+01:00

conker love

at the beach

berries galore at the local nature reserve

ooh, Daddy, there was fishes in there!

blackberry muffins (fruits of our labour) - I know it's a bad pun, but I like bad puns!

and finally.... last weekend at Lyme. We almost left them, but decided they were worth bringing home after all!

Score! Wooden Crib

2008-09-19T22:29:00.006+01:00

Sorry, been meaning to take a pic since last weekend, but life has very inconsiderately got in the way. Here's our lovely wooden crib from the market at Bridport.

Totally untouched, although I was planning to sand it down and re-varnish it, but hey, I'm a slacker, so I haven't.

Currently furnished with a perfectly sized cot pillow (complete with cute IKEA piilow case), lovely crochet blanket from Granny, and a baby muslin as an extra sheet - "just in case Roger (No. 2's bear) does get cold Mummy".