WOYWW 175

GET ABOUT AS OILED AS A DIESEL TRAIN,

GONNA SET THIS DANCE ALIGHT,

COS SATURDAY NIGHT'S THE NIGHT I LIKE,

SATURDAY NIGHT'S ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT.

WOOH, YEAH

Ermmm, don't know if that's really the most appropriate lyric for welcoming everyone to the WOYWW crop this Saturday..lol!! But it's one of my favourite Elton John tracks so it starts off today's post *grin*

I would say it was about a 75% for/ 25% against blinging the bag. Rock on, you Blingtastic Bunch! Actually, in the end I did a Buttons version as well as some fairly subdued bling - the fabric was loud enough on its own!!

What's on my workdesk today? A right old hotch potch, that's what! There's too much going on at the moment and I seem to have Butterfly-Minditis; I can't seem to settle to one task, another idea pops into my head and off I go, chasing rainbows. Sigh. 

The makings of another linen and gingham tote....

D'ya like the pleated front going down into the pocket - an integral part of the bag? Completely and utterly part of my design from the get go, oh yes indeedy.... (and nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that I cut the linen about 5cms wider than the gingham...oh no, not at all..... *cough*)

Appliqueing (is that a real word??) some hearts onto the linen for a cushion cover with ties...

Sewing up the bean bag part of a hangie-bin whatsit...

Life sure is full on at the moment :)

Did you know I have a WOYWW soul sister in Missouri?!  We're both 51, love yarns, fabric, gardening, cookery and a shared appreciation of crochet elephants... Yup Sandie Leigh at EatWriteDreamStitch, I MEAN YOU!! We promised that we'd send each other something made completely out of scraps. This beautiful stitched ATC arrived this week...

I love it because I'd never have the patience to make this in a gazillion years!! Thank you, Sandie - I hope your parcel arrives soon :)

Thank you to all the lovely folk who commented last week, I was really touched by it all. It is taking a lot longer to comment back now work has reared its ugly head, but I promise I'll get around to you all!

Oh, and if anyone spots the Odd One Out on my desk, there might be a small prizelet winging its way soon. All will be revealed next week!

TTFN xxxx

WOYWW 174

Red is the rose that in yonder garden grows
Fair is the lily of the valley
Clear is the water that flows from the Boyne
But my love is fairer than any

Thank you, Sam (Hettiecraft) for reminding me that there were only 11 sleeps til the WOYWW get together - ooer, that's coming around fast, there's quite a lot of things to do....better break the rules of a lifetime and MAKE A LIST (don't faint, Julia!!)

Last weekend's card marathon was great fun, the ladies were lovely, the food all went and I sold quite a few items! Win-win-win :D There was rather a lot of cake left over so people were forced to take some home in doggy bags as I didn't want the temptation!! Sorry, but I didn't have enough to send some out to all the Woywwers - I'll make extra next time!

So, I've been making some more stuff as there is another craft fair next weekend....

Thought I'd have a look-see at what red checked/spotty fabric I had (hence the lyric!) - rather a lot, as it turns out.

Isn't it amazing just how many tones of red there are? But they're all good for linings, hearts, applique - ah yes, the 'C' word has reared its head at LLJ Towers. It's all my band's fault...the Christmas Music folders were handed out last week!! Seems far too early, doesn't it? But our first festive gig is about 8 weeks away and pieces need to be rehearsed!

I forced Julia to come to Dible and Roy, my favourite fabric shop in Marlborough, as I needed to get some more of the 'Radley' scottie dog cloth - the things that gal does for me :D As she will tell you, it is an Aladdin's cave of rolls of fabric and I found two that are at the opposite ends of the spectrum...a plain linen of beautiful quality and this eye-poppingly colourful specimen that reminds me of India.

To bling or not to bling, that is the question...?? I knew I already had this zingy lime green spot and they make a pretty good combination.
Anyway, some of the red check gingham has been used in earnest, see how this one fares at the fair.. :D

                                     My desk.....

It's hard to get the colour balance of the linen right, it's slightly more silvery grey in reality. I'm quite pleased with the rim of gingham at the top of the bag, that was a happy accident (don't tell, will you??!)

The good thing about working at school again is that these discounted book companies always leave samples to buy. The Book People (who are also online) had this rather interesting looking colouring book for £3.99..

There are some fun pages...but why leave it for the grown-ups? I think they'd be fun as a wet-play activity for the 10 and 11 year olds! Now here's a question for you (and probably reveals more about my personality..) Why do I find zentangling an incredibly frustrating (and boring, sorry...) thing to do and yet I love colouring in?? There's no rhyme nor reason, is there? 

 

 

The one top right reminds me of medieval floor tiles in Winchester Cathedral, gorgeous!!
Have a happy week everyone xx

Let's Go Mash a Mole......

The moles have broken through the Maginot Line of our hedge and they're really pushing their luck....

My husband, normally a mild mannered man, has been driven to distraction and is losing the war....

This was how he finally lost it..

                                                 (Posed by models!!)

I would like to add that no moles were harmed in the posing of this photograph...fat chance of that! He never used to catch many fish either :)

WOYWW 173

EVERY BIT HAS ITS TIME,
TOO MANY PIECES TO KEEP OVER.
WITH EVERY SHAPE AND DESIGN THAT WON'T FIT IN...

I have to own up...I had to google for an apt lyric but it's very appropriate to accompany what's on my desk this week. Before I show you, it's confession time.....

I consider myself to be a generous person in terms of giving time, love, prezzies etc, but when it comes to crafting, I'm as tight as a duck's whatsit....Scroogier than the meanest Ebeneezer...you get my drift!

When I'm cutting out fabric and the tiniest little offcuts are hanging around, why is it that I can't chuck them away?? I know I'm never going to make bijoux little pretty things with the scraps, but still I hang on to all the bits. They gather in a bag until it's overflowing....

There was an autumnal 'Keep Warm' theme for my craft stall last weekend and I decided to make a couple of doggy draught excluders - don't worry, no animals were harmed in the course of crafting.... *grin* And all those little scraps went in the stuffing!!! *Happy dance* How sad am I ??

Other things on the desk....

Attaching the loop onto a carrier bag holder...

Finished the Bling Bin for the WOYWW crop...

Made some beady bits for the craft stalls coming up... who says 'Blue and Green should never be seen'?? Not me, I love that colour combination, like the sea in a Cornish cove...

Some mobile phone charms...






I am blessed with my friends! Old or new, virtual or 'real', I cherish each one. Their generosity is just wonderful...Lisa Jane sent me this GORGEOUS album - every page is sewing related with lots of space for journalling, piccies etc etc

 
Luscious colours and patterns....I love it all :D

The little scissors..and the bunting...and the bee..and the buttons...and......!!

Each page is filled with goodies, it's as pretty as a picture. Thank you Lisa Jane, I LOVE it!!



And this gift is from my dear friend, Suzie, whom I'm fortunate to work with in school.

It says it all, doesn't it? I'm one very lucky gal....

WOYWW 172

SUNRISE, SUNSET.. SUNRISE, SUNSET,
SWIFTLY FLY THE YEARS.
ONE SEASON FOLLOWING ANOTHER,
LADEN WITH HAPPINESS AND TEARS.
(Fiddler on the Roof - one of my favourite musicals EVER! And probably where I get my love of all music in a Minor key from - either that or it's because I'm a mechancolic Celt sometimes...)

We had the most wonderful 30th Anniversary prezzy from dear friends of ours in band..

A bud vase made by a very talented friend of theirs! Not only does it feature my favourite colour, it has our names and wedding date impressed into it. And look at the hearts....and the flowers...and...

Look at the gorgeous card and tag she made to go with it. We both melted when we saw this.  So please, if you would care to, check out 
http://www.facebook.com/greenwalnut and marvel at the wonderful creations of Clare. And persuade her to join us on WOYWW, I think she'd fit in really well!!
And THANK YOU to Helen and Simon for giving us the prezzy in the first place - we LOVE IT!!




Anyhow, what is on my workdesk? Well, as you asked so nicely, I'll show you! I'm just inserting a floral lining into a Scotty Tote, which is an order for someone. I haven't done this combo before and rather like it!!

Here's the makings of something for the WOYWW crop day... :)

And I thought I'd make something from the brilliantly named (by Wipso!!) 'What the Duck?' fabric with a funky spotty contrast. Not sure what yet....

                                                   
Ah, that makes me laugh each time I say it...sorry...infantile sense of humour again....*grin*
The jewellery making is progressing too..

A commission for someone...

You can't really go wrong with red, black and silver, can you?

And finally, if you are easily offended, proceed no further.........I'm going to blame this one on my dear husband. He'd gone to meet a mate that he hadn't seen for a while - and as they're both steam train-spotting anoraks, they met at the Watercress Line in Hampshire. And what does my husband spot and take a piccy of?  Because...and I quote...'It might do for your blog...'

!!!!! Trust HIM to lower the tone..... :D  It is a genuine, vintage, enamel advertising sign at one of the stations!! LOL

Spratts it is from now on then...oh, and for the cats as well....... ;-)

WOYWW 171

TODAY I DON'T FEEL LIKE DOING ANYTHING,
I JUST WANNA LAY IN MY BED...

My desk is still the dining room table this week...you know what I mean! Work has seriously interfered with my life in general, especially the crafting side! Having said that, I am enjoying being back at school, working with my mate Sue and the little kiddlywinks again :D
So, crafting has been reduced to doing what I can while in the midst of other jobs...isn't it amazing how quickly dinner can burn??.........cough.....

Under construction is a set of jewellery for a friend..she plucked the idea out of a book. It's pretty - I'm enjoying doing something delicate. Cos that is one thing I ain't!! 

I bought these sweet beads in C&H Fabrics in Winchester, when we dropped in on Janet a couple of weeks back...

Used some of 'em in this necklace that's going to be a prezzy for a little girl, with a matching bracelet. I love the summery, shimmery colours!

Whereas the next two pics remind me of Jelly Beans and Haribo sweets...can you tell I'm on a diet???

Sigh.....  :D

These are presents for slightly more mature ladies...I can do that one! Easily, in fact!!
I am really enjoying the beadwork but will be concentrating on cutting out fabrics now as a couple of requests have come in.

And finally...Mr LLJ, G3 and myself had a lovely day out on Saturday..a wander around Devizes, followed by a picnic up on top of the Marlborough Downs under a blue sky, followed by a stroll up to Adam's Grave...

Looking east towards where we live...there were three beacons lit along here on the Queen's Jubilee..it was magical. Talking of which - here's the remains of a crop circle in a wheat field. The area is renowned for the crop circles that appear every year. There have been some interesting designs this year, including one that seemed to refer to the Mayan prediction that the world is going to end in December!  Better not make too many Christmas stockings then... :)

Here's G3 and me standing on Adam's Grave, a Neolithic Long Barrow. There was a 360 degree panorama from the top..we felt as if we were standing on the top of the world. It was quite wonderful. Whoever was buried in there must have been a real VIP in their time! Talk about surveying your domain...

And all we could hear were skylarks singing... fabulous!

WOYWW 170

WE GOTTA GET BACK TO HOGWARTS,
WE GOTTA GET BACK TO SCHOOL,
WE GOTTA GET BACK TO HOGWARTS,
WHERE EVERYTHING IS MAGIC....COOL!!

After a break of 18 months or so, today I am returning to 'proper' work, as a Teaching Assistant at my village Primary school - a job I did for 10 years previously. A combination of circumstances has led to the need for some extra employment - paid, too, now there's a bonus!! Consequently, Wednesdays are going to be somewhat fuller than before, so I may be tardy in replying to comments...but I will get around to everyone if I can :)

Sewing has been my priority this past week, trying to get ahead for the craft fairs that are fast approaching...

Lots of cutting out from this Scottie Dog fabric...

Peg bags of differing shapes and sizes...

Pretty button detail on the across body version...

I know...ANOTHER bag....!!

Workdesk No 2 - a.k.a. the dining table...

I've got a couple of orders to do, so this is to work on while the evening meal is cooking - I'm not very good at just sitting doing nothing. I can't help it, think I've always been like that! Just want to pack as much as I can into each day....

Next week, Mr LLJ and I celebrate our 30th Wedding Anniversary...blimey, that man deserves a medal for putting up with me all that time (vice versa as well... *grin*) We decided that we weren't going to do 'big' presents for each other, just a nice meal out...you know the sort of thing! But I had a really lovely surprise today. G3 and DH made me shut my eyes and led me out into the garden where there was this little beauty....

Our surname is Appleton, you see, so they bought an apple tree to celebrate our life together plus the fact that we've grown two apples of our own (the Big O and G3!!) It made me cry....and means more to me than any flashy gift. It's now been planted with a libation of Calvados to ensure prosperous, healthy and happy times ahead...and you can't ask for much more than that in life.....