Hallway Refreshed

Today I started my day catching up on the ironing before dropping Mills at school. Arrived back home and started sanding the banister and stair cheeks ready to paint with the new colour I brought yesterday. It took me all morning but I must say it looks at lot nicer but now it starts me off refreshing throughout the whole house.

Went shopping to Bluewater and was wondering WHY? I did get the two (four) as I thought make it worth my while at least. Also I got the chocs from Throtons for James which Bex asked me to do.

Picked up the free source magazine from outside John Lewis and also a brochure for France from the travel agent.

Wow Great -Received Invitation to Raverly

On Monday I received my invitation to Raverly. Wow !!! I had heard so much about his on podcast I listen too and now I know why they were raving about it.. its absolutely fabulous.I spent quite a few hours looking around and trying to get to grips with all the things available and best of all looking at projects items other knitters and crocheters have done - Wtow I now want to learn how to crochet- just mastered knitting so hopefully by the end of the year I will have completed this challenge another craft. Oh where am I going to stash wool ....I have so much fabric stashed and now with knitting I think its getting a bit out of control but hubby encourages me o learn new things and he knows what I'm like for getting a bargain when I see it so now with fabric AND wool !!!
I have put some of my projects in my notebook and added a few friends but I still have to learn how to make the most of the site

Wow January nearly Over.

Today started with with a little lie in as hubby was working in London today. Dropped hubby at the station at 7:10 then back to finish the girls packed lunches and get them off to school.
My list for today.....

1. Shopping - card for mum-in-law and post also post the card mum sent to me by mistake. Boots hair dye, B&Q paint stairs hallway, Wilco kitchen bags, foil, film., WH Smith - A5 pockets for my knitting patterns printed from web
   
2. Customer 2.00pm
3. Sew Mr Bean Teddy together
4. Write up blog and upload all the photos I have been taking all the photos
5. Dinner - Sam Stern pg55 Pasta al Forno and pg 113 Choc truffle bars with vanilla ice cream

The weather was lovely and bright today which helped me feel good, I hate dull days.
The shopping trip went well all was achieved with the Trevor Sorbie colour care shampoo and conditioner I chose in Boots were on three for two which was a nice surprise as there was no notice saying!! (the assistant told me, so i fetched another conditioner). My shopping today cost £28.34 and £14.00 on credit card.

Customer arrived at 2.40pm but I didn't take the work on as it was a very fine slippery satin evening dress which needed taking in at the side but it was strapless, boned, side zip and the head ache came because the sides were pleated.

I sewn Mr Bean Teddy together ....shopping trip tomorrow to get two button for the eyes.
I finally have got on top of my blog with finishing the drafts and uploading all the photos I had taken.

Dinner was absolutely really tasty every body enjoyed it all plates were empty and the truffle bars were lovely and moist and very chocolaty the girls are saving a slice for their packed lunch. I'm really enjoying cooking and now with the extra time on my hands all the recipes book are coming out and I can honestly say everybody is enjoying the tasty meals, especailly Sam Stern at the moment!

Sandown Stitch and Creative Crafts Show

A great day out. I always but my mum a ticket at Christmas for a girly day out in January. We had a fabulous day but the exhibition itself was rather disappointing really as it was more like a market or mini ideal home!! rather then Creative craft and stitch.

In a magazine lets Knit I think I read it was going to be bigger and better but it was smaller and worse than ever as mum and I have been going now for a number of years and it was really good then but as the years have gone by its changed o much and NOT for the better either but we always have a great time anyway!!

I noted down a book to buy on amazon as its cheaper then at the exhibition. Mixed Media explorations so I have added it to my wish list.

Brought 3 hanging baskets they look so easy to do and the end result fabulous. Hubby says when he sees them WHERE are you going to hand them well a job for you love I need another hook out the front on the opposite side -

Mr Bean Teddy

All the pieces are knitted now!

Now they are all sewn together ready to stuff and Bex thinks its really good.

Wednesday 29th wow ... Now I have stuffed the pieces and the teddy is coming to life and I must say I'm quite impressed as this is the first teddy I have knitted and I only mastered knitting September 2007.

Thursday 30th I will go shopping and buy the buttons for the eyes and embroider his nose and mouth.

Hubby is looking forward to receiving his teddy.

An enjoyable ..more relaxed day

Worked on 10 ballet skirts, Made dinner at two and finished it off in the slowcooker, boli for the girls and chilli for hubby and I with banoffee pancakes to follow. Swimming today both girls came and we stayed in the pool for just over an hour.
Listened to a coupe of podcasts while hand sewing in the lounge as it was a bright sunny day its the best place in the house and I feel good with the sunshine!! Well doesn't most people!!!
Customer phoned and could not collect her jackets today but will be coming Thursday instead, but another customer phoned and arrived at two for a pair of trousers to be shortened ready for Friday so I arranged it that she could collect tomorrow afternoon.
Did a little knitting on the Bean Bear the ears and I've knitted up most pieces not much left to knit now.
A super book arrived today that I won on Ebay I must stop looking at Ebay as my bookshelf is getting rather full.
Looking forward to the Esher exhibition that I'm going to on Saturday....I MUST make that list!!!

Monday begins a new week....

Today I started the day at 5.45 making hubby breakfast and lunch. Got the girls lunches ready and off to school at last peace sitting having a nice cup of tea and planning my day 8:50.

• Plans for the day - complete some dolls outfits
• Asda shopping - fish, chicken, yorkshire puds
• Roast beef dinner tonight - I'll give the slow cooker a try
• Argos shop- Bex bag and quilt covers
• Wilco (shoe polish, matches) and Zavvi (phone case)
• Knitting Mr Bean Teddy

The shopping trips went well managed to get everything, well I ended up buying 3 cases as I couldn't decide which one I liked best. Bex was very happy with her new school bag and quilt covers.

The beef tasted so nice from the slow cooker- and the rice pudding did too! My slow cooker has a two part dish so I put the beef in one side and rice in the other. I also did mas with horseradish sauce and roasted carrots with orange- hubby really enjoyed it and so did I.

Received a phone call 6:15 from Treasea to drop in some alterations- Jackets sleeves shorten, jacket take in back seam, top sleeves to shorten. This I have planned to do Tuesday and Wednesday

The weekend Again

Oh where does the time go??? The 19th already.. Looking forward to Esher Exhibition next week...that means it would be a good idea for me to make a determined effort this week to make a list of the projects i want to create and therefore a list of materials/ tools required for me to complete them. So if the exhibition has any bargains - hopefully I will be able to get the things I need.

The usual Saturday - Mills swimming and spending the day with mum and dad.

A book arrived today that I won on Ebay for £6.04 with postage and its really good, it covers invisible mending and other types of repairs but the main subject I was really interested it was the invisible mending so I hope to try this out, the book looks really good and covers in great detail. So if I do accidentally rip a favorite item I will be able to repair it!!

More knitting -- Mr Bean Teddy!!

Sunday we went shopping to Bromley as I wanted a calender for my sewing room- I think I was looking for something not made this year a I ended up with a penguin calender I wanted an Art Deco one really. The day started with a coffee in Nero well I have Chai latte as I find the coffee strong in Nero but hubby loves it and I really enjoy the Chai. Hubby treated me to a new phone, We looked in Zavvi £149 but didn't have it in pink so we went to the carphone warehouse and they had the pink one and we only paid £109.95 so its worth shopping around - the pink Samsung U600 so Bex was showing me how to use it and add different wallpapers etc I expect to be asking her for a few weeks yet how to use different functions etc until I get used to it-am enjoying it though. Afterward we went to Waitrose for a small grocery shop as I will get the other items mid week. So a small bill £39.45 and making a saving of £3.99

Oh Friday- what a lovely surprise

I spent the day mostly knitting today. I have finished the knitting the Knitted Babe I now just have to embroider her face and sew her together which I hope to complete sometime next week, so I was progressing the Mr Bean teddy for hubby and I must say its going well and really enjoying knitting it as it is so simple with just using garter stitch. I was listening to a podcast while knitting which is lovely as it then feels like knitting in company.

Hubby phoned me for a little chat and finished saying "Happy Knitting!"

A wonderful surprise at midday the doorbell rang and it was Mr Giggles delivering a most beautiful orchid in vase with a message "Happy Friday Sweetie! I didn't think these would survive the trip from Chersty with love . I do miss our lunchtime Friday coffee and snack at Costa though. I call him Mr Giggles as every time he has delivered flowers to me I open the door and He always smiling/ giggles which is really nice but it does make me wonder if I've turned into a alien???

An easy dinner today Pizza... We spend a lovely evening together watching a film -

My Day

Yesterday a customer brought me two jackets to shorten the shoulders so I worked on one jacket today and the other is on my list to do for tomorrow. She is collecting them on Tuesday but if I get them done this week it leaves next week free unless I get more customer work in the meantime. It nice though it gets me a little pocket money to spend on my little luxuries that I like.

I was watching a book on Ebay that finished at 11:04 so I wanted to try and win this before going shopping and with 20 seconds to go I placed my bid and WON. So now looking forward to the postman delivering it. I must stop looking at Ebay and Amazon especially Amazon sellers as my bookcase case is getting rather full. I just need the time to study now and create the projectsI so wish to create.

I went shopping to Hobbycraft craft for some wool to knit a Bean teddy for my husband for when he travels to India with his new job, he hates travelling and spending nights away from me and I miss him too! So I thought it would be nice as I have just learnt to knit to knit a bean teddy to keep him company. I didn't get the wool at Hobbycraft as they didn't have the colours I wanted BUT i did come out with a set of scissors that they had reduced from 9.99 to 2.99 want a bargain.

I did manage to get my wool in a local town wool shop and I have started knitting the bean teddy. It is lovely to knit as its only garter stitch so I can watch television while knitting.

I cut out ballerina skirts to go with the t-shirts I have made and started sewing them up hope to finish 9 sets tomorrow.

A customer Dean came to collect the trousers I shortened for him.

I cooked dinner Shepherds pie with Apple and pear crumble for dessert before picking Mills up so when we go swimming there no hurry to get back to prepare dinner. Well we stayed in the pool for two hours swimming and aquacising having fun then we had a nice long shower after, by the time we got out it was just prefect timing to pick hubby up from the station.

Much of the same again

Hubby was working in a London office today so had a lie in had to get up at 6:16 instead of 5:45
And he arrived back at 6.40 instead of 7:20.
Went swimming with Mills today she's a water baby she keeps me swimming and aquacising for one and half hours.
Much of the same today finishing UFOs but I did to a little more knitting on my knitted babe and hope to have her finished by the weekend.

Alterations-Butterflies Shop

I was busy most of the morning shortening 5 pairs of ladies jeans, 1 ladies trousers, 2 boys trousers all for the same customer which needed to be ready for tomorrow midday.

And I also shortened 2 men's trousers required for Thursday daytime collection.

I had a phone call from a customer recommended to me to shorten a dress and take in, she booked an appointment for 1st Feb 1pm.

I also had a phone from a lady requiring shoulders of a jacket to be made narrower, only enquired and said she would ring back to make an appointment.

The weekend

A pretty lazy one really ....although I did do all my washing ....so ironing Monday afternoon as I have alterations (trouser shortening 8 pairs) to do first thing Monday along with Ebay post.
I did pair up a lot of my dolls clothes ufo's ...ie. t-shirts with trousers/ skirts etc and finished sewing about a dozen.
Made up a menu plan for next week...shopping list....shopping Waitrose with hubby after a coffee and chat at Costa about our week ahead and plans for hols, breaks etc... quality time without the children ---just wonderful. ( Well for a short time anyway as I love them but a break is always nice to have for any one I think!)
Looking forward to my week ahead with lots to do, hoping to achieve it all!!! I'll be lucky I always try and fit too much into my week I need 48 hours days!!!
So although I said lazy I suppose not really.

Alterations

Today I had two customers booked in for 4:oo and 4:30. Fairly easy straight forward jobs two boys trousres shorten and 4 pairs of jeans and my Dean neede two pairs of trousers shortening. Henry wlaterations I need to gat done by Tuseday midday and Dean by Thursday but I shall enjoy doing the work and it gets me a bit of pocket money in too.

Wow just how many UFO's

Hi, had a good tidy in my sewing room today and I cannot believe how many unfinished dolls outfits I still have, but I will be working on these next week and hopefully I will finish them all!! I am going to try and not let it get that bak agien but you never know.
My room looks reasonable but it will be even better when I claer all those dolls outfits.

11+ Over and a Nice evening too!

Today my daughter finished her 11 plus tests today and her sister was taking her out in the evening with her friend for a treat. Mills found the verbal and non-verbal challenging but the maths no problem so now we just have to wait and see but she did her best and that's all that counts.

Today in my crafting I worked on finishing more dolls outfits finished off about seven today and carried on with knitting - I'm working on a knitted babe and really enjoying it.
Hubby and i went to for a meal today- text him "would you like to eat out" and reply "love too" so in the evening we went to Ed's first time we've eaten there and it was very nice!! Really enjoyed it.

My needles from Socktopus arrived today beautifully packaged - it was a shame to open it. I carefully opened the tissue as it was to nice just to rip open. The items were lovely I'm so pleased and can not wait to use my new needles. And also my new Lets Knit magazine arrived to so more projects lined up to do.

My Day

The day starts at 5.45am making hubby breakfast and packed lunch then dropping him off at the station at 6:10. I arrive back home and start preparing leaves to free machine embroider for my doll that I must finish today. All the leves i free machined today wre small and I had to finish coloring her arms and make her little shoes.

Bex walked Mills to walk while I got on with some housework. Bex wanted to go to Decatalon to get some ski boots which meant going to Lakeside. At 9:35 after finishing free machining my leaves for my doll doll we made a move. Luckily there was no traffic and got the boots and was travelling to Bluewater by 10:22. Bluewater was suscessful

(Vanilla essence, 4 ply wool ( redeuced 1/2 price 2.25 a ball), needles Sam Stern book !/2 price waterstones) Although Bex wasn't so lucky the book she want My Booky Wooky was not in any of the shops.

Bex picked Mlls up from homework club, while I did the post - Angie birtday card and Shop order before carrying on to take a card to Siobhan - went in for a tea had spent an hour half chatting very nice it was too.

Picked hubby up 7.15 and he had a three course meal to look forward to today Soup, Lemon chicken and Banana loaf with custard. with a glass of red wine. The girls enjoyed their meal too I did them Sweet and Sour chicken as Mills requested rice with her chicken.

My Day

Postman arrived early today ringing the bell s a few parcels arrived two books for hubby and my Chocolates from the Chocolate tasting club. The usual Saturday went up the High Street with mum brought myself a bag for swimming -Bargain £2 and a small Pyrex dish for fruit crumbles and like-Bargain £3 so I did well today and didn't spend that much trying to save for the exhibition I'm going to at the ed of the month.

In the evening though I did packed lunch lists ideas up and printed them so hubby can chose his packed lunch / breakfast and it will be easy for for then to make the shopping list and organise the packed lunches/ breakfasts a lot easier this task took most of the evening but hopefully it will save a lot of time trying to work out different ideas so his packed lunches/ breakfasts will be really varied so it will not be boring eating the same things week in week out.
I used slimming world meal plans and recipes ripped out of old magazines that I needed to clear out of my kitchen so I could store my books all together and make more space on my worktop. The magazines certainly came in handy!! The magazines actually dated back to 2002 but I have got some really nice tasty recipes and having put a few pounds on over Christmas hopefully it will help lose a few pounds too.

Great Surprise- checked my emails and Ebay before going to bed and an item had sold from my shop £9.99 and 3/12 of of items had bids on them so all is looking good.

Latest Books

Books arrived today that hubby ordered on Amazon over Christmas using a voucher that a friend sent him. I'm so happy with them and really looking forward to creating some knitted babes.I am hoping to master crochet by the end of the year. The crochet book is really good it was recommended in one of my knitting magazines and the combining yarns was a book I heard about on a podcast.

Mills Leg Warmers and Quilt

I've now finished them with with the embellishments and she really likes them and then followed on hows my quilt which I started in 20o6 while on a course and I must get on and finish it. I finished one quilt while on the course and this one was started and thats how it has been but I am aiming to complete all my UfOs this year. So I will fit this in to my list my daily/weekly tasks and hopefully by Easter it will be finished.

My Day

This morning when the alarm went off I just didn't want to get up, beginning to feel the early mornings. Anyway no choice had hubby's breakfast and lunch to do. After dropping him off at the station I got on with the housework as this never stops. Dusted the lounge and cleared the lounge putting all things in the correct rooms. Woke Mills at 7:15 and she got up no probs,had breakfast then she emptied and loaded the dishwasher all of her own accord as I was getting on with other house chores. Oh she can be so helpful went she wants.

Moved the cake decorating books to the bottom shelf and the knitting books and items to the top shelf.

Wrote up and photographed 12 items for Ebay.

Hubby brought me Take That for my Friday gift this week. Oh I'm so spoiled with the books arriving too! But I have cooked him some nice meals this week and desserts too!! Today I cooked Chilli con carne from Sam Stern's book and Spicy Plum crumble from James Martin book.

My Day

More Dolls clothes finished another 7 items in the finished bag ready to go on my shop but still plenty of UFOs to finish I'm hoping to clear all these by the end of January! (I'll be lucky!!!)

Knitting Needles arrived today I'm so pleased with them and have put them in my new bag. I have I nice range of luxury needles now and so looking forward to using them. I ordered them from Laughing Hens.

Loaded 6 items on Ebay today hopefully they will sell but its not like it used to be but it brings me in some pocket money and I enjoy creating things so it all works out well really.

I went swimming with my youngest today and really enjoyed it, and Mills done too and asked well will you come again and I think I will. I asked about membership on the way out so I must have enjoyed it. Hopefully it will help with losing a few pounds too as I would like to lose about a stone over the next few months.

Baked Banana bread and the everyone really enjoyed it... both girls have seconds and finished it off ( well nearly left a piece piece for dads lunchbox!)

Art Doll

ART DOLL

Last September I went on an Art Embroidered doll course which was very enjoyable in the first 5 weeks we made the fairy doll that I'm working on now as I need it finished by the 8th on Jan as the tutor wants to put them on exhibition, the second 5 weeks we created an armatured doll and I'm about half way through finishing her and still thinking about a name for her. I really enjoyed creating the fairies, and going to the course as it was really nice company and I learnt so much too.




I did more work on her today. Yesterday I made tights for her and today I coloured her body and arms and also made knickers for her. I have finally given her a name ......Willow. I have really enjoyed dressing her the leaves I created by free machine embroidery with organza doubled and water soluble, the cones and frosted berries are from Christmas crackers (2007). The hair was supplied by our tutor Janet its wensleydale sheep wool and we dyed it. I love Autumn all the lours so I chose to do her hair in Autumn colours.

Hi My Day

My groan for the day Mobile Phones. Why do people not answer them!! Tried getting in touch with hubby today and guess what No Luck

Dolls Clothes more items completed from my UFO's

Bex Bag &Mills Leg Warmers

Finally the bag has got finished and Bex was so happy. I brought the fabric in San Francisco - April time.

Mills Leg warmers are to the stage of just embellished now I hope to have these finished by Saturday. I enjoyed knitting these so quick and easy. Another knitting project completed. I'm looking to start another knitting project now.

New Years Day

Tree Decorations all down and neatly put away in the loft... Oh the house always looks so bare for the first day but I do like to get them all put away by the 2nd Jan and start the New Year with a fresh tidy house. So not much crafting done today as this always takes me nearly a day to do with clearly out rooms as i put the new gifts away.

Oh my the loft STILL needs a good clear out I must get on with that task this year. Its that full I can not see the floor so I think I will tack this over the next few weeks but hopefully by the END of THIS year it be be a nice tidy organized loft.

When down to the town I went to TK Max with Mills as I wanted some new Yoga items that I saw before Christmas , great they still had them so hubby brought them for me. Hubby walked to the station to get his tickets for work. His first day at his new job tomorrow and he's really looking forward it. A whole new routines for both of us but we're both looking forward to our challenges. Hubby at work and me with my crafting.