Its a bit on the cold side at the mo so I've got the heating on full blast and considering a nice cup of chai to keep my fingers from freezing to the keys.
Went to Leeds Castle on Thursday for the first time. Its an amazing castle, extremely cool. It absolutely peed with rain for most of the day but that didn't stop us having a good look around the castle, having a lovely cream tea in the restaurant and visiting the gift shop.
Sold some of my earrings at the craft fair I was at the other week :) I was extremely chuffed about this. Its a great feeling seeing someone wearing something that you made. I sold 2 pairs of rainbow drop earrings and my lavender star ones.
I've also stunned myself as I've been very organised and now finished all of my Christmas shopping. I pretty much stayed in budget which was good and have even bought my Secret Santa pressie for work. I just need to wrap everything and post them.
I've also been crafting away making things for the favourite animal swap. I need to get a move on though as I thought I'd be finished by now but I've been a bit stumped by the idea of making a lion and something lemury. My swap partner likes both. I've made quite a few butterfly related bits and bobs and thats been pretty easy. I hope she likes what I've made. She's making butterfly, bat and cat related stuff for me. I can't wait to see what she comes up with. The bat Kiddo made for me in one of the other swaps lives by my bed :)
Saturday, 5 December 2009
Thursday, 26 November 2009
My stuff for sale!!! \o/
We've got a Christmas Craft Fair tomorrow and some of my jewellery is on sale :) I've already had some interest so I'm hoping to make some sales. Fingers crossed.
Just watched an item on Martin's Money tips on some women in the US who has made a living out of saving coupons/vouchers and is able to feed a family of 6 for just a couple of dollars, which to us is about a £1!!! If you're reading this from the US check out the link to Martin Lewis' website with my links of interest. Unfortunately the system seems to be slightly different to here but I'm always pretty chuffed by the fact that although I cut my income by 20% it hasn't really effected my standard of living and I'm still able to save. Most of that's though shopping at market stalls, buying multi buys and things that are on offer and using my Boots reward card points. Charity shops are also great but thats not a new love, I've always bought most of my clothes from Charity shops.
Christmas should be interesting though, a bit of a challenge. I'm on a very limited budget (about £10 a person) + 1 birthday so hope family are happy with present. Thankfully I don't celebrate Christmas so no worries about turkeys and all that nonsense. We're just spending a few days down at the South Coast and will probably do a spot of fossil hunting on Christmas day. We're much happier with that. Christmas is fine if that's what you want to do but its not important to me or my bf so we don't celebrate it. It sounds a bit scroogish but its really nice and so much cheaper and less stressful.
Just watched an item on Martin's Money tips on some women in the US who has made a living out of saving coupons/vouchers and is able to feed a family of 6 for just a couple of dollars, which to us is about a £1!!! If you're reading this from the US check out the link to Martin Lewis' website with my links of interest. Unfortunately the system seems to be slightly different to here but I'm always pretty chuffed by the fact that although I cut my income by 20% it hasn't really effected my standard of living and I'm still able to save. Most of that's though shopping at market stalls, buying multi buys and things that are on offer and using my Boots reward card points. Charity shops are also great but thats not a new love, I've always bought most of my clothes from Charity shops.
Christmas should be interesting though, a bit of a challenge. I'm on a very limited budget (about £10 a person) + 1 birthday so hope family are happy with present. Thankfully I don't celebrate Christmas so no worries about turkeys and all that nonsense. We're just spending a few days down at the South Coast and will probably do a spot of fossil hunting on Christmas day. We're much happier with that. Christmas is fine if that's what you want to do but its not important to me or my bf so we don't celebrate it. It sounds a bit scroogish but its really nice and so much cheaper and less stressful.
Saturday, 14 November 2009
Rain, rain, rain
It has absolutely peed with rain today and yesterday and the winds have been so strong that we woke up this morning with all the plants of our kitchen windowsill in the kitchen sink and our loft hatch open. It was a tad breezy! All the plants were fine thankfully although we did closely inspect our oak bonsai and have decided its not just sleeping. We'll do the burial tomorrow at the allotment if the weather is kind enough to let us go down.
I've been working on a new swap at the moment. This time its an favourite animal swap and I'm making my partner items on the theme of butterflies, lemurs and lions :) I've so far made a lemur card, butterfly earrings, a lion necklace and have a butterfly postcard that I will make into a little notebook. I need to search on the internet later and look for some lemurs as the picture I drew on the card came from one of our art books at work and that took some tracking down. Its a crowned lemur and looks quite cute. A bit like a meercat.
I've also got some yellow felt and some bright orange ribbon with butterflies on so I'm hoping to do something with those later.
I've also been making some bits and bobs for my shop. I've made my first pendant which I've taken piccies off but haven't got round to uploading them in the shop. I shall do that later.
I'm also reading Sherlock Holmes and thats brilliant. I'm really loving it and now fully appreciate just how good Jeremy Brett was in his portrail in the 80s. He's spot on with all the little quirky behaviour.
I've been working on a new swap at the moment. This time its an favourite animal swap and I'm making my partner items on the theme of butterflies, lemurs and lions :) I've so far made a lemur card, butterfly earrings, a lion necklace and have a butterfly postcard that I will make into a little notebook. I need to search on the internet later and look for some lemurs as the picture I drew on the card came from one of our art books at work and that took some tracking down. Its a crowned lemur and looks quite cute. A bit like a meercat.
I've also got some yellow felt and some bright orange ribbon with butterflies on so I'm hoping to do something with those later.
I've also been making some bits and bobs for my shop. I've made my first pendant which I've taken piccies off but haven't got round to uploading them in the shop. I shall do that later.
I'm also reading Sherlock Holmes and thats brilliant. I'm really loving it and now fully appreciate just how good Jeremy Brett was in his portrail in the 80s. He's spot on with all the little quirky behaviour.
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
New stuff in my shop!!!
I've been busy the last week making some more bits and bobs for my shop and I have a few bits on order so I can keep up the making momentum :) To take a look check out the link on the right hand side for Woodle Doodle Dandy (thats the name of my shop) and feel free to let me know what you think.
I've also signed up to a new swap as I'm not in any at the mo and I do enjoy making for someone else. It usually inspires me. This time I'm making around the theme of favourite animals and my partner likes Butterflies (like me), Lemurs and Lions. These should be good to make things round and I've already got some ideas around Lions.
Its now officially the end of summer and the clocks went back on Sunday night. This means its nice and light when I head out in the morning but gets darker much earlier. Still getting my head around just how dark it is at 5 when I leave work.
I had a great time yesterday spending my birthday vouchers for Lush and came away with lots of nice smellies and smell all nice now from my shower. I love Lush. Not only do their things smell lovely and help the planet but they are so cost effective. They cost a little more initially but I usually ask for their stuff for birthdays and Christmas, so I don't feel it too much on the purse and they last for ages. I started using their shampoo/conditioner bars, which are like bars of soap, and one bar (costing about £5) last about 4 or 5 months. The only thing you need to get used to is that they don't foam up in your hair like other shampoo but this means they wash out much easier and don't leave residue in your hair so it doesn't need washing as often. I love them and can't rave about them enough.
I also finished A Secret Garden yesterday. It was beautiful and had such a nice ending. I've now started the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and have already read the first story and I'm half way through the second. Although I always loved Jeremy Bretts' portrayal of Sherlock Holmes back in the 80s its only now, reading the book, that I realise just how spot on it was. The expressions and expressions are exactly as he played them.
I've also finally got round to sewing the Winter Pansy seeds. I've started them off on the window sill and I'm hoping they get warm enough to germinate. I might move them to a warmer spot if it doesn't look like much is going on. Unfortunately my Cyclamin isn't looking too healthy. I've only had it a few months and was warned that, as indoor plants go, they are pretty fussy. I don't know what they're lacking in but I've moved it to a window sill it was looking a bit stringy and yellow in places.
I've also signed up to a new swap as I'm not in any at the mo and I do enjoy making for someone else. It usually inspires me. This time I'm making around the theme of favourite animals and my partner likes Butterflies (like me), Lemurs and Lions. These should be good to make things round and I've already got some ideas around Lions.
Its now officially the end of summer and the clocks went back on Sunday night. This means its nice and light when I head out in the morning but gets darker much earlier. Still getting my head around just how dark it is at 5 when I leave work.
I had a great time yesterday spending my birthday vouchers for Lush and came away with lots of nice smellies and smell all nice now from my shower. I love Lush. Not only do their things smell lovely and help the planet but they are so cost effective. They cost a little more initially but I usually ask for their stuff for birthdays and Christmas, so I don't feel it too much on the purse and they last for ages. I started using their shampoo/conditioner bars, which are like bars of soap, and one bar (costing about £5) last about 4 or 5 months. The only thing you need to get used to is that they don't foam up in your hair like other shampoo but this means they wash out much easier and don't leave residue in your hair so it doesn't need washing as often. I love them and can't rave about them enough.
I also finished A Secret Garden yesterday. It was beautiful and had such a nice ending. I've now started the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and have already read the first story and I'm half way through the second. Although I always loved Jeremy Bretts' portrayal of Sherlock Holmes back in the 80s its only now, reading the book, that I realise just how spot on it was. The expressions and expressions are exactly as he played them.
I've also finally got round to sewing the Winter Pansy seeds. I've started them off on the window sill and I'm hoping they get warm enough to germinate. I might move them to a warmer spot if it doesn't look like much is going on. Unfortunately my Cyclamin isn't looking too healthy. I've only had it a few months and was warned that, as indoor plants go, they are pretty fussy. I don't know what they're lacking in but I've moved it to a window sill it was looking a bit stringy and yellow in places.
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Vote Peter Murphy for Prime Minister!
I was my birthday at the weekend and I had an amazing day. We went out during the day to a Craft Fair in Alexandra Palace which I had won free tickets for. I bought a few bits and bobs, mainly jewellery making stuff so I can make more stuff to sell on my Dewanda shop plus some cool wool and got a free sewing magazine :)
In the evening I had the most amazing time as I went to see Peter Murphy at IndigO2 in London. He was absolutely amazing. I can't believe I have liked him and Bauhaus about 20 years and never seen him live. I've seen tons of bands play live over the years but without doubt he wiped the floor with the lot of them. I got on the front row which was a good start and he played for about 2 hours. He was one of the most entertaining performers I have ever seen and he was so engaging and talked constantly to the audience and really seemed to be playing for us. He answered questions, talked about his songs, played my favourite \o/ did some Bauhaus stuff, some covers (brilliant cover of Space Oddity) and was very witty.
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Charity Shopping
I had a nice day out today strolling round some of the local charity shops. I picked up a really nice jumper from Oxfam for £4.99. Its has purple and light blue stripes - very nice and I'm wearing now. I also got a mini sewing kit for 15p which had a needle threader which is what I was after as I broke the last one and probably the one before that too.
I also found a knitting shop which I didn't know was there :). I got myself a crochet book as I'm considering trying to follow a pattern. The one I got has some clothes in but some really simple projects too like a couple of scarfs and about 3 bags so I might give one of those a go when I finish my scarf.
I also finally got round to parcelling up my dinosaur swap for Ashley. I was holding back for a little bit to see if I heard from her. No joy as yet but she's apparently just become a mum again for the 3rd time so I don't mind taking a bit of a risk. I'll send it out Monday and hopefully she'll receive it and it might remind her of CO&K.
I've had some money for my birthday so I've been spending a bit of that on new bits for my DS. I bought the Lego Indiana Jones game and the 100 Classic Books. I'm currently reading The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgeson Burnett. Even though I've seen the film a few times I'm loving the book. I thought at first that reading a book through the DS would be tricky but it actually works well. I love the fact that you can flip over the page using the touch screen. You also use bookmarks to mark your page. Its very easy to use and actually makes reading a bit easier as there are less words to a page so you feel like your flipping through pages at a pace of knots which is pretty satisfying. Also 100 books for £15 - not bad value. I can't see myself reading Shakespear but you never know.
I also found a knitting shop which I didn't know was there :). I got myself a crochet book as I'm considering trying to follow a pattern. The one I got has some clothes in but some really simple projects too like a couple of scarfs and about 3 bags so I might give one of those a go when I finish my scarf.
I also finally got round to parcelling up my dinosaur swap for Ashley. I was holding back for a little bit to see if I heard from her. No joy as yet but she's apparently just become a mum again for the 3rd time so I don't mind taking a bit of a risk. I'll send it out Monday and hopefully she'll receive it and it might remind her of CO&K.
I've had some money for my birthday so I've been spending a bit of that on new bits for my DS. I bought the Lego Indiana Jones game and the 100 Classic Books. I'm currently reading The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgeson Burnett. Even though I've seen the film a few times I'm loving the book. I thought at first that reading a book through the DS would be tricky but it actually works well. I love the fact that you can flip over the page using the touch screen. You also use bookmarks to mark your page. Its very easy to use and actually makes reading a bit easier as there are less words to a page so you feel like your flipping through pages at a pace of knots which is pretty satisfying. Also 100 books for £15 - not bad value. I can't see myself reading Shakespear but you never know.
Friday, 2 October 2009
Win Win Win \o/
I'm pretty chuffed with myself as I have won 2 tickets to a craft event on my birthday \o/. I enter a lot of the free giveaways in some of the crafty magazines and the other week I found out I'd won these tickets. I was a bit sceptical as I couldn't remember entering this giveaway but the tickets turned up the other day and sure enough they are real :). The tickets are for the Knitting & Stitching Show 2009.
Even cooler still.... my ticket for Peter Murphy (who I'm going to see play live on my birthday) turned up yesterday too :) That should be very cool as he's advertised as playing Bauhaus stuff as well as his solo stuff. I can't wait!
I've finished my dinosaur swap bits and bobs but I've been a bit on the slow side getting it sent out. Ashley, who's my partner for this swap has just had her 3rd baby so I should imagine she has her hands pretty full at the moment so probably isn't too worried. I'll get it sent Wednesday. I hope she likes what I've made. I've made dinosaur earrings, a dinosaur keyring (I think its a triceratops), lizard necklace, bookmark and some stickers. I'm sure I made something else too but can't remember. I'll take some piccies before sending and post them later. The earrings and keyring were pretty fiddly to make - threading a jump ring through the tiny holes I'd made in the dinosaurs were pretty tough.
We've been harvesting more from the plot - some parsnips this time. They're a little small so could probably do with a bit longer in the ground but they look pretty good. We've also been given a beetroot and some kale to try. I've never had either (other than pickled beetroot) so I'm looking forward to trying them :)
I've also started on my crochet scarf from the other ball of multi coloured wool. The colours are more autumnal so it won't be as loud as the hat but hopefully it will turn out well. At least its easier.
Even cooler still.... my ticket for Peter Murphy (who I'm going to see play live on my birthday) turned up yesterday too :) That should be very cool as he's advertised as playing Bauhaus stuff as well as his solo stuff. I can't wait!
I've finished my dinosaur swap bits and bobs but I've been a bit on the slow side getting it sent out. Ashley, who's my partner for this swap has just had her 3rd baby so I should imagine she has her hands pretty full at the moment so probably isn't too worried. I'll get it sent Wednesday. I hope she likes what I've made. I've made dinosaur earrings, a dinosaur keyring (I think its a triceratops), lizard necklace, bookmark and some stickers. I'm sure I made something else too but can't remember. I'll take some piccies before sending and post them later. The earrings and keyring were pretty fiddly to make - threading a jump ring through the tiny holes I'd made in the dinosaurs were pretty tough.
We've been harvesting more from the plot - some parsnips this time. They're a little small so could probably do with a bit longer in the ground but they look pretty good. We've also been given a beetroot and some kale to try. I've never had either (other than pickled beetroot) so I'm looking forward to trying them :)
I've also started on my crochet scarf from the other ball of multi coloured wool. The colours are more autumnal so it won't be as loud as the hat but hopefully it will turn out well. At least its easier.
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