Random Blethers

Interview update and Christmas preparations

2011-12-05T00:00:00.007Z

As I thought, I didn't get the job... the person who was already doing it got it. Good news is that I have another interview for the same sort of job at a different school, which is on Wednesday. I'm more nervous about this one. Not really sure why - perhaps because I sort of know what to expect and I think I've already had the relatively 'easy' questions. Some feedback I got from the last interview was to think of more examples of how I would deal with certain situations whilst 'in post' - so I need to think about that. Anyway, it will all be over soon enough.

On to Christmas preparations...I am almost done with my gift shopping, just a couple of small items to get and most things are wrapped too. Cards all written and waiting to be posted. Some (well, quite a lot actually) knitting/crochet to be finished/started. Something else to be made that I can't mention here. Cake still not marzipanned or iced (marzipanned? - not a word one uses a lot). Decorations are going up tomorrow - complete with some rather odd looking things you hang from the ceiling chosen by OH.

I am almost on day 5 of the 'Journal Your Christmas' scrapbooking/journalling project - at least I would be if I'd actually begun it yet. I will get caught up in the next couple of days :) I'm not stressing yet.

We had our first touch of snow this morning (lasting about 10 mins) - I know this because my lovely neice texted me to tell me this at 8am!!! Now I know snow can be exciting and magical and looks so pretty...BUT, I do not want any snow, no thanks, not now, not any time soon. Does that sound mean spirited? Okay then, there can be a nice downfall of snow on Christmas morning - just enough to allow a snowman or two to be built, a quick ride on a sledge, and then it has to gracefully melt away without causing any traffic problems at all. That's fair, right?

In other weather-related news, it's gotten a lot colder here. We shouldn't be surprised of course, but it's been so mild up until now that it has taken me a bit unawares. Time to dig out warmer clothes and hunt out those gloves and scarves!

Progress of sorts

2011-11-18T20:08:00.006Z

So, I had the interview for the little job - it was as a Support Assistant in a primary school. It was actually a lot better than I had anticipated. I worried that my first interview for over 20 years would be absolutely dreadful but it wasn't so bad and I think I actually did reasonably well (and for me to say that about myself is a big deal!). However, I haven't heard anything and I really don't expect to get the post but I am just really thrilled that I got as far as the interview, so yay for me...there's hope left ;-)

What else to chat about? Hmmm, can't even post a pic of what I've been up to in the knitting/crochet department because they have mainly been secret Christmas projects. Well, I could show you the dalek inspired gloves I knitted for Mr A from a pattern on Ravelry, he doesn't read my blog. Here they are...they look better in real life, believe me - really 'daleky'!

Now that I have looked through some photos, I see I have got a few pics to show after all. These below are some fingerless gloves I knitted for myself from a ball of Noro yarn that I had been meaning to 'do something with' for several years.

And these are 'ninja' fingerless gloves for Mr A (crocheted).

...and fingerless gloves for Miss L (crocheted). Bit of a theme here...

Ah, this was a lacey-ish scarf knitted from sock weight yarn. I'm not that keen on it, so will probably re-use the wool for something else.

Oh, and my ripple blanket is coming on. It's bigger than it was in this pic and much more vibrant in the flesh. I love the ripple blanket...it's growing on me lol.

Oh yes, and my first ever crocheted 'garment'. A little cardi for my new niece.

That turned into quite a few pics! And I'm not the only one to have had the needles out - Miss L knitted a lovely scarf for her great gran who is 91 (we call her Nana) and she is going to give her it at Christmas.

It's a lovely colour and so cosy. Nana will love it :)

I hope you are all having a lovely Friday xxx

It's been a while...

2011-11-14T16:01:00.003Z

Yes, it's been a while since I've blogged with any great regularity (or enthusiasm for that matter) but I thought perhaps it was time to try. Of course it's been sooooo long that there may not be anyone apart from my 12 year old still visiting here, but I'll give it a go!

So...what's been happening? Well, the biggest news I suppose is related to my last post and that is that I am now in possession of a BA (Hons) Humanities with Literature! Yes, I finally got the certificate and everything, and get this - I got a First!! My graduation ceremony will be in April in Glasgow Concert Hall.

I also took a maths qualification with the OU (MU123 if you're interested) and a Digital Photography course (T189), and passed both of them!

Other news is :-

I have applied (again) for the PGDE at Edinburgh University for 2012 and am on tenterhooks waiting to see if I've got an interview for that.

I'm still volunteering in the local primary school and loving it.

I've been knitting a bit.

I've been crocheting a bit too.

Hmmm, can't think of anything else really. I've been looking for a job, applying for lots and getting nowhere mainly. However, I've got a little secret...shhhhh...I have an interview this week! It's only a little job and I'm not saying any more in case I jinx it, but I'll keep you posted.

Ah, it feels strange to be blogging, my words are all rusty. But it's nice to be back :)

I'm going to be working on this. Last time I did any Christmas scrapbooking/journalling was back in 2005. Time to do some again methinks.

Degree Done

2011-06-11T16:46:00.003+01:00

Well, that's my degree done. Finally. So come August sometime I should have an Honours Degree of some description - which degree depends on the pass mark I get (won't bore you with the details). So I'm free...and bored! I've only been done two weeks - the first week I had a horrible lurgy and now I don't know what to do with myself. Well, that's not strictly true - there is another teeny tiny OU course I'm doing at the moment - digital photography - but that's for fun and it's just for 10 weeks and I'm almost through that. It just feels weird without study, that's all :(

And now I have to look for a job!

You Never Know...

2011-03-15T21:14:00.003Z

I sometimes think it will be a miracle if I ever manage to blog on a regular basis again. OU work and life in general has been so busy and stressful this past year that there has been little time for anything else. Even my procrastinating whilst assignment-writing has been drastically reduced ;-) However, soon my courses will be over and hopefully I will have an honours degree in something. I will be relieved it's all over but I know I'll be at a loss for a while. I won't be able to rest on my laurels though as I'll have to find some work. Unfortunately, I didn't get any interviews for a place on the postgraduate teacher training PGDE for this Autumn. There is a small chance I may get something in the 'clearing' in the Summer, but I won't hold my breath. In any case, there are only two places I can realistically go and I'm pretty sure they will not have many places, if any. I'm sad because my dream of teaching is probably not going to happen now for several reasons.

Still, perhaps when the courses are done and dusted I will get back to crafting and blogging and some guilt-free pursuits (I can't really imagine that yet). It will be wonderful just to browse through all the lovely blogs that I just don't get to nowadays and send emails that don't relate to assignments. And maybe, just maybe I'll have a chance to finally complete a pair of socks knitted with four needles instead of having not even finished one sock of the two different pairs I've started! Whoa there...maybe I'll just start with blog browsing :)

Busy Bee

2010-10-20T16:26:00.002+01:00

I am a busy bee. This year I have two courses to do (well, actually I have three, but that is a long and boring story). I am doing A330 Myth in the Greek and Roman worlds and MU123 Discovering Maths. It's proving quite a challenge to fit all the work in and so far I'm a little behind with things. Not to worry, such are the challenges of life. I'm also applying for a postgraduate teacher training course (primary) to begin next September, so fingers crossed for that - I know it's a long shot, what with hundreds of applicants and only limited places.

Hmmm, what else? Oh, I'm working at Mr A's primary school one day a week, helping out in the classroom, which is brilliant - I'm absolutely loving it.

Miss Lucy is getting on well at high school and has changed overnight.... She is growing up so fast...

As for art, craft, anything creative - well, no time for anything really, although I did manage a little jewellery making at the end of the summer which was a great therapy for all that studying.

So, no time to blog either it seems. The intention is always there, just not the time at the moment...maybe one day :) For now I just need to get on and get through this coursework so I can finally have my degree...keeping my fingers crossed that nothing puts me off course.

Did someone mention Christmas?

Results

2010-08-04T23:01:00.002+01:00

Got the result for my OU course back yesterday. Grade 2 pass. Just one more course to do for my Honours degree. Can't wait to be finished with it all!

Ribbon rose tutorial video

2010-07-31T23:09:00.001+01:00

Here is the ribbon rose tutorial from YouTube that I mentioned in my last post :)

Ribbon Flowers

2010-07-31T22:43:00.004+01:00

After watching a tutorial by Donna on YouTube on how she makes lovely ribbon roses, I just had to have a go. My first efforts (from left to right, below) were pretty poor to be honest and I did have a few issues with my glue gun - probably because I've had it for years and used it once!

However, I persevered and the final three were a bit better, although the white one was off centre and the black one covered in glue :) I think it's the kind of thing that needs perseverence and practice to get right - Donna certainly makes it look simple on her video, she is a very clever lady! I can't remember how to link to her video, but I will try and post it up here in case anyone would like to see it. (Excuse the quality of the pics here, but I took them at night and the light was horrible).

I thought that the roses would be nice on handmade mini albums as embellishments, maybe with beads attached? Anyway, I had fun making them...it was good to be creating something :)

2010-07-29T20:38:00.002+01:00

Hi folks! Nothing much to report I'm afraid. Have done a little work on my art journal, but nothing quite complete yet. I will post some pics soon though. In the meantime, if anyone can tell me what I can use instead of ModPodge or what I can put over ModPodge to stop it being so tacky, then I would be grateful. At the moment I am putting tissue or greaseproof paper in between those pages I have modpodged to stop them sticking. I am really enjoying doodling and scribbling in the journal but I seem to have lost my mojo a bit - maybe it's all that studying? It certainly leaves little time for anything else and certainly is not conducive to creativity :( I haven't even done any baking!!! Very unusual. Never mind, I'm sure I'll get back to it even if it's a slow process.

Speaking of studying - my results for this last course should be out any day now. Usually, I'm pretty laid back about waiting for them...some folks are constantly checking online to see if they are out yet, but I usually just wait until someone says they're in. This time though, I am a little nervous as the result I get this time will affect my degree classification. I still have one last course to go to get my Hons, but this result now is the one that's giving me butterflies :-/ Yikes. Keep your fingers crossed won't you, mine are (quite hard to type like that actually...).

Oh, a wee bit of news - Miss Lucy has her own blog and you can visit it here - Cookies Cool Creations .

How the Time Flies

2010-07-19T23:26:00.003+01:00

I can't believe it's almost a year since I last blogged. Seriously? Wow. Well, things have been busy I guess. Another OU course completed (awaiting results) and only one to go for my Hons Degree - this is what has taken up all my time. With each course there has been less time to spare for anything else it seems - crafting becomes all but non-existent and the urge to be creative has been squashed into submission. But now that there is a teeny break from study, that urge raises it's head above the parapet again! So, I have done a couple of journal pages so far...nothing terribly ambitious is it?...but still, it's something.

Otherwise, life goes on in it's usual way. Miss Lucy is heading from primary to high school this year and Adam grows in height and confidence every day.

It feels strange to post to this blog again and I wonder if I will have anything more to say?

Edinburgh Book Festival

2009-08-23T19:32:00.002+01:00

We went back to the Book Festival again this year - we were organised too - took lunch, water and remembered our rain jackets (we needed them!). We were extremely lucky to get a couple of ticket returns so Lucy and Adam could get in to see Jacqueline Wilson and then even luckier when a woman behind me in the queue said she had a spare ticket and gave it to me so I could go in too (and she wouldn't take my money either - nice lady). JW gave an hour long talk with question time at the end and was really lovely. Really interesting and easy to listen too. The only tiny disappointment was that we didn't manage to get Lucy's book signed as she had to limit the numbers due to her health, but we were all thrilled to have seen and heard her. She is teeny!

I also met up with a lady from the Open University (they are one of the sponsors of the BF and had an area there) that had helped me when I returned to study with them 3 courses back. She was extremely helpful to me at that time, although I had never met her in person, and so I was delighted to finally meet her face to face and be able to thank her in person.

After all that excitement, we traipsed in the rain to watch the street performers in the rain at the Mound. I seem to remember it raining at the Mound last year too! It was fun though - the kids absolutely love it.

So, a good day had by all including Dave who even managed to avoid all tram works and find a very handy parking space.

Sock Pattern?

2009-08-15T10:17:00.003+01:00

Some time ago I was knitting a pair of socks on four needles with some lovely self patterning wool. I say some time ago, but it was actually July 2008. How time flies ;-) Anyway, I've not got much (any) further forward and have lost the pattern and am trawling the net looking for another.

So, my question is - does anyone have an EASY pattern for a pair of socks? I would much rather begin with something that someone else has actually knitted and can vouch for instead of me stumbling through a pattern that may or may not work (surprisingly, this has happened to me a few times lol)

You never know, I might get further this time :-)

DIY

2009-08-11T23:34:00.002+01:00

I hate DIY. Well, not hate exactly, I just loathe all the hassle that goes along with it. All the furniture heaving and towers of books all over the place that are guaranteed to fall at any moment, treacherous toys underfoot and so on. I've been decorating Lucy's bedroom and I'm (almost) finished. It seems to have taken forever but now it is a vision in pink (a surprising choice from the girl who has objected to all things pink and 'girly' up till now) - on one wall is Cheeky Wink - a dark pink, and the other three are tastefully pale in Mademoiselle - oh and traditional white woodwork. Good. I'm not planning any more DIY for a while :-)

By the way, thank you so much for all the comments that have been left regarding my course result. I do truly appreciate every one of them. Thank you. xxxxxxxx

Happy Dance!!!

2009-08-06T09:55:00.002+01:00

I am totally gobsmacked and (almost) speechless... I got a Distinction for my OU course A363 Advanced Creative Writing!!!!! I sincerely cannot believe it. But I have checked several times and it is writ large in red letters so it must be true lol. Happy happy girl :-)

Sphinx Cake

2009-07-26T17:01:00.002+01:00

After being sent to Mr Ts for fondant icing, I was banished from the kitchen so Miss Lucy could bake a secret cake (she's very bossy sometimes. I don't know where she gets that from...). The result was a very artistic (and extremely delicious) Sphinx cake. We weren't sure if a Sphinx should have a tail or not, so she added one anyway!

I'm not quite sure why it needed candles - it just did :-)

I love it's happy little face.

Twilight Mini Book

2009-07-23T19:12:00.003+01:00

Miss Lucy is a big fan of the Twilight books so I thought I'd make a little keepsake for her. It was a lot of fun to do and she really loves it, so I'm pleased. I thought you might like to see it - but please excuse the photos, they are a bit fuzzy.

This page below was a little flowery for the genre really, but I couldn't resist that floral black red and white combination!

This page below is my favourite - it looks a lot better in real life, the colours are actually really nice together.

I must admit I do love to make mini-books and journals - there's something about all things compact that appeals to me. It's inspired me to get back to doing more in my art journal - I love working on that - I think it's the freedom to express yourself and create pages without restriction or boundaries. Where did I put that gesso...?

Last week...

2009-07-20T21:07:00.002+01:00

My second post in one day - miracle!

I have to be honest. Last week was pretty boring. After being camping we were out of cash, car-less (Dave being back at work) and a bit stir crazy. Well, I was stir crazy - the children were quite content to play on the playstation or the computer or go to the local park which has been renovated and has a zip slide! By Friday I had had enough and we headed for the local town where I enjoyed with great delight, a large cappucino in M&S. Bliss.

There were some developments at the bottom of the garden. A new gang hut was under construction, and with some useful bits of wood and two different coloured tarpaulins and a bit of string, it was soon built and looking good.

Under construction...

Inside...

Looking out...

I'm just wondering how long till they want to sleep in there...

Camping It Up near Killin

2009-07-20T20:38:00.002+01:00

It's been so long since I blogged on a regular basis, I think I've forgotten how. I've been feeling a bit guilty reading everyones lovely posts and writing nothing myself. So, I challenge myself to blog on a regular basis again - it may not be very interesting, but I will try to do it once a week at least. We'll see...

So, we went camping recently for a few days. Headed off to a campsite near Killin, which is by Loch Tay. We'd visited this site last year for a night to test out the tent and as we couldn't get into the site we were originally planning to visit, we headed back to this one. Miss Lucy and Mr Adam were so excited (I was slightly less so, I confess) and we managed to get there and erect the tent with no major incidents!

Lucy couldn't wait to get to bed that first evening!

Cooking facilities.

We visited a country park one day and Adam was not impressed at the size of field this coo was in - it wasn't big enough he said and 'what if the coo wanted to visit somewhere else in the park?'. Oh dear.

Ahem. Not my best side. We stopped by the side of a stream one day and cooked up our lunch on the wee stove. Dave and the kids thought it would be fun to take pics of me washing up without me noticing. Grrrrr.

The view from inside looking out. The first night was pretty noisy as a load of people were drinking and making a lot of noise and generally being a pain but by the next day (Sunday) they were all leaving and the rest of the week was lovely and peaceful.

I love this picture of Lucy at Loch Tay. It was a 5 minute walk through the forest to the shore and it was absolutely scorching on this morning. So much so, that the children ended up with their swimwear on, paddling about in the water - which was freezing!

Adam is very fond of Highland Coos and this one is rather famous in these parts - he is called Hamish and weighs in at 1 ton! It was absolutely pouring with rain when I took this photo - Hamish looked quite unperturbed.

The same day we visited Hamish we also stopped at the Queen's View near Pitlochry - gorgeous view.

Back at the campsite, Miss Lucy showed off her Girl Guide skills in Barbequeing (yes, there is a badge...) and wouldn't let anyone else help. It was delicious.

The weather alternated between really hot and both types of rain - horizontal and vertical. In the end, I really enjoyed it (even though I swear I was sleeping on concrete and the midgies liked me best) and I was the one who wanted to stay on longer! I just love waking up to peace and quiet and the sounds of nature - you just can't beat it.

Another Cake & a Study Break

2009-05-23T23:56:00.005+01:00

At long last the final assessment has gone. After agonising over the damn thing, tweaking and re-tweaking, spellchecking and printing it out, it has been posted off and the course is over. So, time for a breather, a little space to relax (ha!) and catch up on housework (ha!) and maybe even time to be creative in a different way than writing (yay!). At least until September time when I will have to begin another course :-)

Tomorrow is my Nana's 89th Birthday Party - which she is having at my house. So, I've been forced to dust and hoover up months of neglect and make a cake. This was a bit of a cake saga (aren't they always) in that it was supposed to be a fairly simple cake - one layer, bit of icing, nice decorations on top. But no, once my mind was free from OU thoughts, it went a bit crazy with thoughts of more exciting cake designs - which took twice as long as they should and involved 'mummy being cross'. Ahem. Anyway, I'd never tried a two tier cake before and always wanted to, so I did and it turned out okay (I was surprised). And the fondant roses (yes, they are supposed to be roses!) were something I learned this morning from a tutorial on YouTube - that place is amazing, they have tutorials on everything! There are plenty of mistakes on the cake - lumpy bits, uneven bits, even bits where the cake shows through the icing and the icing shows through the ribbon (oops), but I think my Nana will like it and that's what counts, right?

Happy Birthday Doreen!

Another Birthday

2009-05-08T10:46:00.003+01:00

Can you believe Miss Lucy is now eleven? I can't. I've noticed a big change in her this last year or so and next year she will be off to High School after the summer.

She had a great party at home with a few of her friends and much laughter. I had to do a rush job on a cake for her too - this is a 'Twilight' themed cake (based on the books by Stephanie Meyer - which I thoroughly recommend). It was different than my original idea because I had a slight icing sugar 'incident' :-) Miss Lucy liked it anyway, so all was well.

She was not expecting to get an Ipod Shuffle and I think she was rather excited...

I don't know why she suddenly looks so grown up. Soon she won't want jelly and ice-cream or pass the parcel...sniff, sniff. Don't you wish sometimes you could just stop time?

I will have more of this sort of scene to look forward to I guess!

Blog Candy!

2009-05-08T10:40:00.003+01:00

Look at the lovely things that arrived yesterday from Sally. I love all of it, but my favourite has to be the bird card - isn't it just gorgeous? Not only did I receive all these lovelies, there were also several rubber stamps in the package and some (much coveted) bits of swiss dotted card. I didn't take a pic of them because I just couldn't fit them in the photo! So, a big thank you to you, Sally :-)

A Lovely Award!

2009-05-03T20:24:00.003+01:00

I received this lovely award from Sally over at Crafty Salutations. It has just made my day - Thank You! Sally, you are very kind :-)

I also discovered that I have also won some gorgeous blog candy from Sally as well! How cool is that? I just can't wait to see it either because Sally is a very talented lady, which you will see if you have a look on her blog. I'm feeling all smiley and happy now ;-)

Now, I need to pass this on to ten other people, but I think I will just pass it on to all the blogs I follow (and you know who you are!) because you all make me smile every time I visit :-)))

Most Excellent Easter Activities

2009-04-12T22:44:00.017+01:00

We've had a lovely Easter weekend here. The weather has been good - especially today - and the children and myself have been doing plenty of crafty Easter activities.

Lucy made this gorgeous Easter basket - following the instructions found here on the Limelight Papercrafts blog (thank you Limelight!).

We made some finger puppets. Quite cute, but the glue wasn't the most effective :-/

Then it was on to card making - we got a bit carried away with cards actually and made loads!

Card making in progress...

Finally, we coloured some hard boiled eggs with food colouring - brilliant fun!

Most of the crafty stuff was done on Saturday, but today we had such good weather that Miss Lucy and Mr Adam were out in the garden for ages and I had to make cupcakes without the usual helpers to assist :-( Still, they came out okay despite that! We had some visitors arrive in the shape of my mum, my Nana, my sister and my nephew (complete with full length cast on his leg - the result of his first ever skiing holiday!) - we had a good blether, tea and cupcakes and a generally nice time of it.

In the words of Bill and Ted; it was Most Excellent, Dude!

Please excuse the wonky formatting on this post - Blogger wasn't playing!

Getting back into Crafting

2009-03-15T16:24:00.006Z

At last I did something vaguely crafty...well, it's been a while (apart from the Christmas Sock Monkeys!). I had been promising to make my niece a little photo album for at least two years and since her birthday was coming up, I thought it was the ideal time to get it done. Of course, I left it till the last minute and did it all in a day. I had printed out some photos beforehand though, which was a big help. In fact, I had extra photos and made a little tag book for them as a wee extra.

It's not my usual style, I like more grungy, less vibrant stuff, but for a fifteen year old girl, I thought the colours were nice. I did enjoy doing it, although next time I would start earlier because the glue was still drying when I gave it to her! You will have to excuse the photos, they aren't very clear and I took them in a rush (the colours were a lot more vibrant in real life).

Red Nose Day 2009

2009-03-13T23:02:00.002Z

I know Mr Adam doesn't look that enthusiastic about it, but he was happier than he looks!

Some Red Nose Cakes made by Miss Lucy. Her and a couple of school friends made cakes and sold them at the school tuck shop to raise money for Comic Relief. They raised £20 between them. Hurrah!

What's Occurring?

2009-03-08T19:21:00.001Z

It's Time for Cake!

2009-02-23T14:03:00.002Z

Had to show you my awesome birthday cake made by Miss Lucy and Mr Adam - isn't it cool? They made it in the shape of a book and the TMA on the one side refers to my studies (stands for Tutor Marked Assignment) and the writing on the other side says 'Once upon a time...er...um' - which refers to my writing progress! Cheeky monkeys. I am so chuffed with them, they did it all themselves and daddy only helped a wee bit at the end. Can't wait to taste it now, but I have to wait till they get back from school :-(

Wee devils!

They do like cake making - here is the cake they made us for Valentines Day - the little figures are meant to be me and the other half - awwwwww.

Apparently Mr Adam made himself very useful eating all the bits left over from shaping it into a heart!!

A Lovely Award!

2009-02-14T21:15:00.009Z

I received this award from the lovely Karen at Time for Tea and Cake. Thank you so much, Karen :-)

Now, I must pass this on to eight more deserving blogs, along with the following text:

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbon of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."I pass on the praise to:

Pauline at Life According to Pauline

Diane at The Sound of One Hand Knitting

Carol at Taylor's Textile Trials

Graeme at Grumblog

Sarah at Everything Stops for Tea

David at Authorblog

Kate at Kate's Quilting (and other fibre arts) Blog

Alis at Alis Clair

All lovely people, every one of them. And if they want to, they can pass it on, but I won't send da boys round if you don't :-)

Baltic on the beach

2009-01-23T22:13:00.000Z

First beach trip of the year was some days ago and very chilly but lovely. Miss L and Mr A played a bit and then we walked alongside the sea for a good while. Blowing away the cobwebs :-)

Sock Monkeys

2008-12-23T07:47:00.004Z

Are the weirdest looking things aren't they? Anyway, I've secretly (ssshhhhh) been making a couple for Miss L and Mr A. They turned out a lot larger than I was expecting, I guess it depends on what socks you use or something ;-) I'm not sure how much I like them, but I think the children will so that's okay.

The black spotty is for Adam and the red with white hearts for Lucy.

Am I the only one who thinks they're scary?

Well, that's the last of the Christmas preparations I think - apart from making up some gift hampers I stupidly decided would be a good idea...

Have a good one! XXXX

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-19T21:18:00.003Z

I hope you all have a wonderful time.

You're Never Too Old

2008-12-08T22:59:00.004Z

For Santa!

Thankfully, my little ones are not too old for the annual trip to visit Santa. Awwwwwwwww. Although Adam was desperate to see Santa, you can see he wasn't quite sure how 'cool' it was to have his photo taken with him.

Our Christmas cake is finished!

There was some of this...

and quite a lot of this...

until we had...this!

This is entirely Miss Lucy's own creation from start to finish - I only helped with the heavy, hot or particularly fiddly bits (oh, and the washing up). I think she's done a brilliant job. I'm reliably informed that the snowman that's centre front is Elvis Snowman. He has a rather nice black quiff which you can't see very well and his little fondant microphone is sitting in front of him. It's probably best not to ask who the others are... :-)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Almost Christmas

2008-12-02T07:39:00.006Z

I feel I can mention the C word now that it's December. Time is marching on and I'm running out of it fast! I've got most of my shopping done, but nothing wrapped and my plans to make all my Christmas cards have been replaced by the purchase of several packs of ready made from Tesco. The children are desperate for the decorations to be brought down from the attic, but Dad is holding firm so far - I think he will weaken by the weekend.

The one thing we do have up is the Advent Calendar - Adam was so excited by the thought of a sweetie in the morning, I thought he would burst with anticipation! So, hopefully this time next week the tree will be up (how I hate putting those bloomin' lights on) and the tinsel draped artistically around my standard lamp ;-) I do love it when I've got all my Christmas 'bits' dotted around the living room and can sit of an evening with just the tree lights, maybe a festive candle or two lit and watch Miracle on 34th Street again and again. Aaaah blissssss. Of course, this isn't likely to happen, but a girl can dream.

My Open University course is going well. It's extremely challenging to say the least - we are heavily into scriptwriting for stage, film, TV and radio at the moment and let's just say, I've developed a new respect for the writers of Dr Who! I've an assessment that's due on the 19th and I'd really like to get that off early so I can concentrate on doing nothing for a week or so and just enjoy all the festive stuff. A couple of the ladies from last years course are also on this one with me - Ros and Rosa - and I have to say that I wouldn't be able to get through it without them, they are a lovely, talented and very supportive pair (have to put that bit in in case they get super famous and invite me to society balls and the like - lol).

No crafting has been done (yet again) and I really need to make a couple of sock monkeys before Santa comes - you can guess the recipients. As for the socks I was knitting for my mum..... socks, what socks?

I'm so envious when I read through all your blogs and you are all busy creating wonderful things. Maybe one day I will have an interesting pic of something to post - keep yer eyes peeled for the sock monkeys!

Catch Up

2008-10-17T22:28:00.006+01:00

Since I haven't posted for a bit, here are some catch up photos.

Adam - 'potato mining'. I have to say he is a potato miner extrordinaire.

He's very thorough..

Meccano Master (or should that be Miss?). This was a tricky project.

A new apron from Ikea just begs to be used, don't you think?

Cranberry and white chocolate biscuits - yummmmmm.

And a big success for Lucy this month - she and her team came second at the Big Brain Book Quiz 2008. She was in a team of three from our local library and they were competing against 30+ other teams from Fife. They had a fantastic time and loved the whole experience. Their prizes included a voucher each for £25 to spend at Amazon. Yay! Well done Rosyth Library!

Miss Lucy is the best!! (no, not biased at all...)

Awards!

2008-09-14T20:45:00.007+01:00

How exciting - I've received an award from the lovely Alis of Alis Clair, a very talented lady with (obviously) excellent taste! LOL. Thank you very much, Alis.

Now I need to nominate seven other blogs.....hmmmmmm. How can I choose, they are all brilliant. Okay, here goes;

Diane of The Sound of One Hand Knitting
Carol of A Stitch in Time
Sarah of Everything Stops for Tea
Kate of Kate's Quilting
Graeme of Grumblog
Karen of Tea and Cake (and the equally wonderful Pushing Pencil)
Val of Val's Musings

The rules for the nominees are:

1) Add the logo of the award to your blog
2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you
3) Nominate 7 other blogs
4) Add links to those blogs on your blog
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs

I've also received another award from the lovely Sarah of Everything Stops for Tea, which I should have said thanks for already (sorry, Missus). Thank you Sarah, you luvverly wummin.

The rules are: SHARE THE LOVE!!! Share this award with all those blogs out there that you love. All the people who make you smile. All those that make you laugh. All those that make your day. All those that leave uplifting comments on your blog. **All I ask, is that you include a link to this post with the award and ask your recipient to do the same**

So, I nominate all the other blogs I love. Those I didn't nominate for the previous award; those that are on my list and those that I've neglected to add but do visit. You are all worthy of this and much much more. xxx

Is It That Time Already?

2008-09-10T21:13:00.004+01:00

Just when I was happily procrastinating about the need to get some writing done, a parcel was delivered - all the course materials for A363 Advanced Creative Writing. Time to stop talking and sharpen my pencil :-)

Her Royal Pinkness Has Arrived

2008-09-08T22:26:00.005+01:00

At long last I made my decision and my mum placed the order for the KitchenAid. A day later and she arrived. She was much more gorgeous in the flesh than I had imagined, and a wonderful shade of baby pink - the right choice after all.

I had a bit of trouble finding somewhere to put the KitchenAid as my kitchen is tiny, but I've squeezed it in beside the breadmaker! The photos don't do it justice, it's much nicer in 'real life'.

I can report that it made light work of two lemon drizzle cakes. Yum. I've also got a pasta attachment that I've yet to try out. I need to work up to these things.

Being her mother's daughter, Miss Lucy was next to try the new machine out and made this rather tasty and nicely decorated cake - I thought the little umbrellas were a particularly nice touch (in case you are wondering, it reads 'to the best mum and dad ever'). I still had to do the washing up though. Some things never change.

Firkling for Fun

2008-08-25T22:02:00.004+01:00

Is that like Digging For Victory, do you think?

We have dug/firkled our first crop of potatoes ('earlies' which were put in a bit late). These were grown in the same two largish pots that we planted some in last year. Last years efforts were very tame compared to the motherlode of 2008 - 63 glorious specimens! We have another two large blue containers (just behind Lucy and Adam in the pic) to be harvested as well as some planted direct into the soil, unfortunately a lot of them were trampled by a hedge cutting man who doesn't recognise a potato plantation when he sees one, and they just didn't survive :-(

I boiled up a few of these beauties tonight and they were really delicious - had a real flavour to them. I think they were Duke of York. I really should write that sort of thing down for future reference. It's just as well the potatoes are doing well because the rest of the things I planted have mainly been eaten by something that likes carrots, peas, and lettuce. Grrrrrrr

Festival Frolics

2008-08-18T22:40:00.010+01:00

Last week the children and myself went off on the bus to Edinburgh to visit the Book Festival. Lucy and Adam LOVE going on the bus so it was a real treat for them (I remember when going in a car was a treat. Oh dear, showing my age...) and of course we had to go over the Forth Road Bridge - much excitement looking out of the windows over the edge of the bridge to the waters way beneath us!!

We hung around the Book Festival for a bit exploring the bookshops, having a coffee (very expensive) and attending the free storytelling (I think Adam felt he was a bit too 'grown up' for that sort of thing - until the storyteller asked if she could use his 'name' in her story!).

There was some art at the book festival which consisted of a shed and some blue bins half buried in the grass. Miss Lucy was not impressed and said in a very loud voice that that 'was NOT art'. On leaving the book festival, she decided to take some 'artistic' photos (just to show the difference between 'art' and 'NOT art' you understand!). So here they are...

1.

2.

3.

Artistic moment over, we headed down to Princes Street to see what else was going on. There were a lot of film crews around as there was quite a lot of street theatre/performance - you can see a camera set up in the road just next to Lucy here. Just after I took this pic the one o'clock gun went off up at the Castle and frightened us half to death - we loved it!

We found some fire jugglers, escape artists, and a young man who could dislocate his shoulders at will - which thrilled Lucy and Adam no end (but not me - ewww!).

I just love the architecture in Edinburgh, and the atmosphere around festival time is just brilliant - no one cares if it rains!

Hamish came with us - he is quite the cultured coo you know.

We would have stayed much longer if it hadn't been for the weather. We ended up getting rather soaked and hungry and had to head away from the entertainment in search of sustenance and the bus home, but all in all a good day out.

Jam Time

2008-08-18T07:54:00.002+01:00

Managed to make a few jars of raspberry jam this summer. It's not the cheapest way to get a jar of jam, but I still love making it.

I got about eight and a half jars from 4lbs of berries.

A rather blurry pic of the finished jam.

Eye Candy

2008-08-13T22:17:00.004+01:00

I found some lovely pics of the pink Kitchen Aid Mixer on the Flikr Kitchen Aid Group (taken by Jennifer.lee who has some lovely pics of cupcakes too) which I've borrowed just to show you. I can feel myself swithering...

doesn't it look nice?

Pink, yes. But not too sugary pink...no?

Well, it's that or a white one.

Hey. At least I'm narrowing it down ;-)

Oh, and did I mention there is a special promotion at the moment whereby there's a free ice cream attachment thrown in with every purchase...

SO tempting.

Carry On Camping

2008-08-11T23:05:00.012+01:00

Since I'm having problems with Virgin at the moment and can't send or receive any emails, and it's driving me MAD (grrrrr), I thought I'd post a few pics of a short camping trip we took recently (well, it keeps me amused :-) )

A couple of weeks ago we tried out our new tent and camped near Killin, at a nice little site five minutes walk from the shores of Loch Tay. After some initial discussion about which bits went where, we got the tent up with not too much trouble and went about the serious business of trying out the (new) stove and kettle and making a cup of tea. This proved successful much to my relief and I settled into our one deckchair while the others went exploring. It was pretty misty the whole day until a heavy bout of rain cleared things up nicely. Unfortunately, it also brought out the midges!

The following morning heralded a bright and warm new day.

Hamish was rather naughty on the whole trip and kept getting Mr Adam into trouble. He has been told he had better behave from now on (he is rather prone to mischeviousness).

Can you tell?

We walked in the woods...

Played...

Walked to the loch...

and visited some family of Hamish.

We weren't too far from our favourite place - the Scottish Crannog Centre. It is near Kenmore at the opposite end of the loch, so we took a trip along. It was still as good as ever.

Some fleece dyed with local plants.

Miss Lucy tried to make fire again - she does this every time we visit. It's really difficult to do, but she has managed to get some smoke going before!

Our trip was over all too soon, but we thoroughly enjoyed it. Even those of us who weren't that keen (having been camping all over Britain when small - no matter what the weather!) had a lovely time (that kettle was a lifesaver).

The Results Are In!

2008-08-05T22:50:00.002+01:00

At long last the results for A215 Creative Writing are in. Unbelievably I got a Grade 2 Pass!!!!! This is good. I am one happy bunny. Especially as I had (in my wisdom) worked out that the best I could get would be a Grade 3! WOO HOO!

Have celebrated this evening with a trip to Borders, where I wandered around taking note of books to buy cheaper elsewhere, sampled a Starbucks beverage and bought a magazine and two pens. Who says I don't know how to live it up ;-)

And, just before I go, can I say a heartfelt Thank You to all my blogging and non-blogging friends who have encouraged me throughout my studying this past few months, I really couldn't have done it without you. XXX

Breaking News!

2008-07-24T08:08:00.002+01:00

Guess what? My lovely mum has decided she wants to buy me a Kitchen Aid mixer. Yes, it's true. Woo hoo! There's only one problem - I can't decide which colour to choose...

Classic white perhaps?

or maybe the ever popular red? (my sister has just got this one from mum and it's GORGEOUS)

I quite like the apple green,

but I do have a strange hankering for this pink one. Strange, because I'm not a 'pink' sort of girl...

Oh, I just can't decide. All of the shops I've looked in only stock the black, red or cream and I'd really like to see the colours 'in the flesh' before I decide. I mean, what if the pink one is a really sugary pink? I wouldn't like that at all. But, if it was a pale-ish pink, then that might be rather nice... Och well, it's not a really bad problem to have, is it? :-)

2008-07-23T10:09:00.003+01:00

Here is what I'm working on at the moment - very, very slowly. Not a great photo - but the colours are really lovely in the flesh. I'm following a sock pattern which doesn't have an illustration - on reflection this probably wasn't a great idea as I've not knitted socks in the round before and it's proving hard to visualise the different stages!

We had a nice trip up to our favourite wildlife spot at the weekend, saw the ospreys, red squirrels and loads of birdlife. The weather was gorgeous and we spent hours there just watching nature and relaxing - ahhhhhh...

Two posts in one day????

2008-07-13T22:26:00.004+01:00

Some pics of a street fair we inadvertantly came upon in the lovely village of Falkland at the end of June. This was mainly due to a certain someone (okay, it was me) thinking that the Big Tent Festival was on that weekend when in fact it wasn't until 26/27 July! It was a happy mistake though, as the street fair was good fun and had a rather lively jazz band too.

Falkland is very picturesque and still looked nice even when the rain came down.

Falkland Palace - very old, very lovely with beautiful grounds and gardens to stroll through on a summers day (if we ever get one).

There was also a small pipe band.

Miss Lucy and Mr Adam spent a lot of time trying to win various prizes by throwing toilet rolls (clean ones, I might add) into toilets (also clean), hitting things with hammers to ring bells, and hooking little ducks.

And rolling down the hill in the churchyard!

Use Yer Loaf!

2008-07-13T21:33:00.002+01:00

I am now the proud owner of one of these little beauties, thanks to the generosity of my mum (thanks, mum). It's a fantastic all singing, all dancing bread machine. I got it last week and so far I've tried several different types of bread including, wholemeal, white, sundried tomato & parmesan and spicy fruit loaf. They have all been delicious! My goal is to never buy supermarket bread again (thereby saving a fortune - even taking into account the cost of flour and electricity) and I think it will work out fine. My only problem is going to be cutting the bread thin enough for sandwiches!

On the same day I got my bread machine, I got a surprise parcel of goodies from my lovely pal, Diane (she of The Sound of One Hand Knitting). Aren't they gorgeous? The corsage brooch is really soft and fluffy - yummm. Thanks, Diane xx

Benderloch

2008-07-05T10:57:00.019+01:00

We had a lovely weeks holiday at Benderloch last month (about 9 miles north of Oban on the West coast of Scotland). It was so lovely I can honestly say that it's the first holiday I haven't wanted to come home from - usually I'm ready to head home by day three!

We stayed in a lovely cottage - the four of us and my mum.

Right opposite the cottage were several ducks, geese and cockerels which made themselves heard at all times of the day.

Most mornings Lucy and I went for a walk down a leafy lane. It was lovely - foxgloves, irises, wonderful lichen laden trees, fields and mountains in the distance.

One morning we had company; a little cat that Lucy christened Kit and it followed us all the way on our walk and all the way back but we never saw him on any other morning. We did see a fox and a deer on our walks though.

By the way, that lovely jumper that Miss Lucy is wearing was knitted by my mum - she stayed up late the night before we left on holiday so she'd be able to take it with her! Just as a matter of interest, the jumper was knitted with wool I must have bought about 20 plus years ago and kept 'just in case' and then eventually passed it on to mum - see, I knew it would come in handy eventually!

One day we took the ferry from Oban (Oban harbour below) to the island of Mull.

Ferry heading out to Mull.

Just look at those clouds over Duart Castle (on Mull). It was pretty wild weather-wise that day!

Adam and his dad took a look around Dunstaffnage Castle on another day trip. Adam was happy - there were swords for sale!

One of the best days was when we went up Ben Nevis by gondola. I don't mind telling you I was somewhat terrified but was trying not to let the kids know :-) I was very relieved when we got to the top.

It seemed rather surreal that there was a restaurant at the top, but we took full advantage of it's facilities and then climbed another summit (sorry, can't remember it's name) which had amazing views up to about 30 miles away.

Mr Adam got a new friend at the gift shop (a gift shop up a mountain? bizarre) - a furry highland cow which he named Hamish. That coo' has been everywhere with him since - even to school where he behaved rather badly and bit a small boy. Tut tut...

Heading back down in the gondolas wasn't nearly so bad as going up! There was a track for mountain bikers which you can just see in the left of this photo and we watched them zooming ahead of us as we went down.

On the last morning Dave and the children went horse riding. They were riding for about an hour and they had perfect sunshine - as soon as they got off those horses it poured!

They rode through woods, along an old track and on the beach in front of Castle Stalker which you can see in this photo. They would have been riding along directly below the trees you can see in the foreground. What a setting eh?

There was a fantastic beach about 3 minutes walk from our cottage too and for some reason I never did take a picture of it. It was truly amazing - it swept round in a curve and at one end it was quite sandy but by the time you had walked to the other end it consisted of those lovely rounded stones that make such a lovely sound in the waves. The view from the beach was stunning too. It was called Tralee beach I think and it was in Ardmucknish Bay.

I loved absolutely everything about the holiday, it was relaxing and that's just what we all needed. I would love to go back again and maybe take a bike and do a bit of cycling around those leafy lanes and also explore some of the walks that were around. Aaaaaahhh... bliss...

Now the children have just broken up for the summer holidays and we've already had our holiday :-( Still, apparently we will be going camping sometime - joy...

Where to Begin?

2008-06-30T22:24:00.005+01:00

Where to begin? It's been so long since I posted anything - I just can't combine blogging and studying successfully. Not to worry, I've a few months with no studying and at last I can reintroduce myself to my blogging friends (if they remember me...).

Well then...what's been happening lately? In May there was the occasion of my Nana's 88th birthday. Here she is cutting into her surprise cake. We had a lovely family meal at a local hotel and she loved every minute of it. She is now planning her 90th bash!

One of the big events in June was my niece's wedding (well, Laura is Dave's niece really, but I've adopted her as my own ;-)) Miss Lucy was the littlest bridesmaid and looked absolutely gorgeous and took her duties very seriously - looking after the bride and the biggest bridesmaid :-)

Mr Adam was desperate to wear the kilt (I mean really desperate), so a kilt was duly hired and I think he looked wonderful in it. His official title at the wedding was 'Guest of Honour' and his duties involved walking the bride's mother down the aisle and presenting the bride with a lucky black cat. In the photo below he is trying out his outfit to make sure it all fits okay.

I loved this pic of Adam - it reminded me of this famous picture...

Here are the happy couple, Laura and Colin; biggest bridesmaid, Emma; and littlest bridesmaid, Miss Lucy.

Cheeky monkeys.

It was a fantastic day and the weather was lovely - really hot. I think Lucy and Adam had the best time of all at the reception where they ran about outside in the gardens with other children and had an absolute ball!

A week after the wedding we had a weeks holiday near Oban. I'll post up some pictures soon.

Aaaah. It's nice to be back :-)))

Rockstar

2008-05-12T12:43:00.005+01:00

Today I am loving Nickelback's Rockstar vid, especially since it features the OCC guys! The kids and I love to sing this one in the car - LOUD!

Foux De Fa Fa

2008-05-10T18:19:00.003+01:00

It's pouring with rain here - thunder and lightning too. Whilst browsing blogs I found this little song by Flight of the Conchords - cheered me up! Thanks to Natalie at Chickenblog for this.

Beaver, Birthday & Cake-tastrophe!

2008-05-04T23:29:00.004+01:00

Well, what an exciting week. Mr Adam had a wonderful day at Scout HQ last Sunday with all his little Beaver friends doing all sorts of outdoor activities in glorious sunshine! Dave and Lucy both stayed to help out and they all came home tired and happy. Doesn't my boy look cute in his Beaver sweatshirt and tartan neckerchief?

It's been birthday time again. Miss Lucy had her 10th birthday today! I can't believe it... seems like only yesterday I saw her little face for the first time. Awwwww...

She had a few friends round for a little party on Friday after school and we had pass the parcel, musical statues etc, followed by a birthday tea (and jelly and ice cream of course), and a good time was had by all. It was an absolute joy to see them all having such fun and to listen to their conversations (er, rather illuminating in parts too). We had a cake in Lucy's requested colour of yellow - I couldn't resist adding a few sparkly bits too. Looks a bit like the Millenium Dome - something to do with the way the candles are positioned I think!

Then of course, she had to have another cake for today - her 'actual' birthday! This one was rather a catastrophe to say the least. It was supposed to be a rather fetching fairy toadstool (complete with fairies and sparkle dust). I rolled the icing far too thin, and as a result it all went kind of droopy and listed rather heavily to one side. Oh dear. I have to confess I was ready to put it in the bin until Miss Lucy told me she thought it was lovely (bless her) and took over the decorating! She made a door and windows and added some goblins and tortoises, which made everything look a whole lot better. She told me that nasty goblins had taken over the fairy toadstool and hadn't looked after it and that's why it was a little, well, dilapidated! That's my girl :-) It did taste rather nice though..

This afternoon lots of family came round and had cake and a chat and made it really special for Lucy. She got some lovely gifts too. And what did she want for her birthday this year? Same as ever - books, books, and more books!!

Oh yes... and Doctor Who pyjamas!

No Sewing Machine for Miss L

2008-04-24T10:21:00.003+01:00

Well, no luck with a sewing machine for Miss Lucy. I think she will just have to use mine, supervised, until she is a little older and can get one of her own. She is pretty philosophical about it all though and not too dissapointed.

Some excellent news for her though - she passed her Grade 2 Ballet Exam with a Distinction! She was so pleased because she thought she had made some mistakes. Yes, I'm a proud mummy :-)

Not long now until the end of my course (thank goodness). I'm at the stage where I just want to be finished so I can relax a bit and get all those jobs done around the house - and have a holiday! We plan to rent a cottage for a week in the Oban area sometime in June, so fingers crossed for some good weather.

New Sewing Machine

2008-04-14T14:24:00.008+01:00

Excitement! Miss Lucy has her own sewing machine! I took her to the shop on Saturday on the pretense of 'having a look' at machines. I had already done a bit of research and planned to get her one if she liked it. Anyway, she did, and we got this dinky little model by Janome. It's quite basic, (not suitable for heavyweight materials), has three straight and three zig zag stitches and sews a treat! It only weighs 5lbs and the speed is quite slow compared to a full size machine, so it is ideal for a child to use - much less scary. Miss L was absolutely thrilled and said 'thank you' 100 times (precisely!).

Unfortunately when we got home and tried it out, something was wrong with it and it kept jamming. Poor Lucy, she was all ready to get sewing. I took it back to the shop this morning and got a brand new replacement. I made the man try it out in the shop, just to make sure it was working okay (it was some distance away and I wasn't planning another visit!). Everything was fine this time, and now it's sitting waiting for Miss L to come home from school and use it.

** Have just had to edit this post to say that the flippin' new machine isn't working either now.. grrrrr! It just keeps jamming and all the thread is getting trapped down in the bobbin area. I've tried all the usual stuff re adjusting tension, re-threading etc, but it's still doing it (and it looks like the plastic bobbin casing is moving around too much). I will have to take it back again and look for something else for Miss L :-(

Not one to be put off by the lack of a functioning machine, Miss L whipped up a lovely needlecase for me by hand.

Cute, isn't it? I was also rather pleased to note that she seems to be following the same traits as her mother - namely, take up all available space with fabric, thread, scissors etc and work in a tiny square in the midst of it all! Must be in the genes...

spontaneous crafting

2008-04-12T22:54:00.002+01:00

Yay! We made some stuff! Yesterday Miss L and Mr A decided it was time to make felt balls. As this involved clearing the dining room table, I was less than eager. However, the little darlings did the job themselves (and admirably, too) so I had to join in, didn't I? I admit it was good fun, despite the fact it has been so long since I did any hand felting myself, that I kept forgetting what I was supposed to be doing. I got there in the end and made a long narrowish piece of green felt that I'm planning to use for a bag of some kind, some time in the future (most likely decorated with felt flowers, I think). Miss L and Mr A made copious amounts of felt balls and Miss L made a really big one which was quite impressive. I didn't take any photos unfortunately, but if anything happens to the green felt, I will.

I hope you are all enjoying this spring(ish) weather. So far today we have had several types of weather including hail stones! Surely it will improve soon, won't it?...

Busy Bees

2008-04-07T17:54:00.009+01:00

The children are off school at the moment (this is the second week of the holidays) and we've been out and about a bit. Last week the weather was rather nice and even quite warm on a couple of days, so we took full advantage. Just as well, as today is bloomin' miserable - cold and wet, and it looks set to continue that way for most of the week.

So, we went for walks along the coastal path...

Visited Dunkeld (again)...

The River Tay was really fast and high. I was terrified someone was going to run too fast and fall in it!

The tall trees were as gorgeous as ever.

The wee hooses were as cute as ever.

We also visited the Loch of the Lowes to see the Ospreys (they had just arrived a couple of days before our visit) - fantastic! It was really sunny and pretty warm - see Pup's shadow? - so we had a picnic lunch outside.

There is a woodpecker in this picture, honest, but my new camera (which I HATE) doesn't take a good pic I'm afraid.

And a red squirrel here... (taken from behind glass)

Watching the Ospreys on their nest.

Miss Lucy tucking a leaf into Mr Adam's glasses. He is a bit of a Johnny Kingdom fan and wants a hat with feathers on it, but a leaf was the next best thing. We had a great time at the wildlife reserve and these two just love it!

If you are interested, you can watch the Ospreys live at
http://www.thewebbroadcastingcorporation.com/swt/swt.php I could watch them for hours. It's a great way to avoid studying ;-)

That trip to see the Ospreys had started out rather badly. That morning we discovered Miss Lucy's backpack was missing - in it was her inhaler and my camera. We had been bowling the day before and were pretty certain it had been left there. We phoned them and they didn't have it but I though we'd go and leave our details with the manager etc in case it turned up. Well, I did all that and then we headed North. About 10 miles up the road, the manager of the Bowlplex phoned - they had the bag after all - it had been locked away but no one had written it down as being found! So, back we went and got the bag - I was SO relieved to get the camera back (with all the children's pictures on it), that I promptly hugged the manager and burst into tears! Talk about embarrassed. (Incidentally, the manager was gorgeous, and he smelled nice, and he called me darling....sigh...) I'm not going to be able to set foot in that place undisguised for quite a while.
We were back at the wildlife reserve on Saturday with mum. She was pleased to get out into the wilds after her hip op 8 weeks ago - she was getting stir crazy for a while! We also went to Pitlochry (there was some nice bunting in a shop there Sarah - not as nice as yours, though) and Aberfeldy - nice day again, but very very cold.

Oh, yes - I've dug some trenches for my potatoes. Hurrah! But I haven't put them in yet (because Miss Lucy fell into a trench, then Mr Adam fell in smelly compost water, and I had to throw them into the bath, and then - it snowed).

I'm still plodding away on the OU course, least said about that the better I think. It's so hard to get things done when the children are off school and it's just so nice to spend time with them. Next week I had better get Really Busy. As for anything creative, I've done nothing at all for months and months. Maybe in the Summer hols, eh? ;-)

Catch Up Time

2008-03-06T17:08:00.007Z

Despite my best intentions to do so, I've not managed to keep up with my blogging yet again. Still playing catch up I'm afraid. Last night however, I bashed my foot on the bottom of the bed and ended up in A&E this morning. Thankfully nothing is broken, but I've been forced to rest up and do nothing much but watch telly and post on my blog - yay!

Nasty foot picture (I hate feet, and I suspect I'm not the only one, so it's rather evil of me to post this don't you think? mwahahahahahaha).

Moving hastily onwards... I'm still plodding on with the course and have just completed the third assignment (poetry - difficult but brilliant) and now I'm onto 'life writing'. Not long till June when I will be finished and can spend time doing all the things I want to do now but can't - like spend more time with the kids! Speaking of my little darlings, they gave me a very nice birthday last month and excelled themselves on Mother's Day as well - some most delicious gingerbread ladies were made and some sweet little cupcakes too. Aren't they lovely (the cupcakes and the children!)

And now, an unashamedly gratuitous picture of my new mug from Starbucks. I have a bit of a Starbucks mug obsession I'm afraid. This one is called 'Field of Dreams' for those who are er, interested in that sort of thing.

Now, just because I'm not doing anything creative in the household, doesn't mean there's nothing going on. On Valentines Day Miss Lucy whips out this hand made creation, complete with googly eyes and felt heart, that she has secretly made for the object of her affections (I'd better not say his name out loud, sshhh). How wonderful is that little teddy, and imagine her beavering away in her bedroom of an evening stitching him together with love - aahhhhhh...

Now that I've been virtuous and done some blogging, I'm off to get some studying done. How joyful - can't you tell that I'm a natural learner - so disciplined, so studious......

Yay! I'm in Gryffindor

2008-02-20T21:07:00.002Z

be sorted @ nimbo.net

Congratulations on making Gryffindor!
Basically, you're brave, daring, chivalrous, and pretty much.. an all around good person. Of course, some see you as a goodie-two-shoes. But hey, it's true! You're really good at winning, and normally always come out as the hero. Everybody likes you.. except, maybe, the Slytherins. You're too perfect. No, really.. You're too perfect. It's annoying to watch you win, repeatedly. Oh well. Be proud anyway.

Gryffindors to Remember:

Harry Potter
Ron Weasley
The whole Weasley family
Hermione Granger
Albus Dumbledore

Hi Folks

2008-02-12T22:25:00.000Z

Hi folks. Sorry to have neglected my blogging friends for so long, and thanks to Lynette for giving me a gentle nudge in the direction of my blog (thanks Lynette!).

The reason I haven't been around is that I've just been really busy with my OU course work, that, and the general everyday stuff that gets in the way of blogland. My course is going fine and I'm two assignments down and working on the third one - poetry. Poetry is bloomin' hard. You'd think all you had to do was lock yourself away in some old garret somewhere, all wretched and starving (yea, right) and wait for inspiration to strike. Not so. Even if you do get some divine (or otherwise) inspiration and manage to write a poetic offering, you then have to take into account things like imagery, rhyme, rhythm, metre, feet (yes, really) and so on. It's practically mathematical - and I don't do maths! Never mind, poetry will soon be over and then it's back to 'writing' again - this is generally when my imagination deserts me. So, as you can see, it's all going swimmingly :-)

Other than that, I've nothing exciting to report. Miss Lucy and Mister Adam are fine - Mr Adam has just recently had his 7th birthday - a fine time was had by all. Never again will I have more than one little boy in the house at the same time. We had four and it was all very, very NOISY. Not only that, but they would rather sword fight than play Pass the Parcel! Can you imagine?

What else? Hmm, well mum is in hospital after having a hip operation (shhh, don't tell her I told, she will kill me) yesterday morning and is doing very well. Amazing really - last night she was paler than pale and a little woozy and sore and this afternoon she was sitting up in bed looking much healthier and wearing her lipstick. Apparently, some of the medical staff are rather dishy...

Well, that's about all my news for now. My laptop is about to run out of power (Yes, that's my new laptop!!!) so I must fly before everything disappears from this post. I will try to post more regularly and keep in touch more. I hope you are all well and being wonderfully creative!

THANK YOU

2007-12-31T21:47:00.000Z

A big and heartfelt THANK YOU to all the lovely people who have made this year a better one in blogland with your support and friendship. I wish you all a very happy and healthy 2008.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-20T22:04:00.000Z

As it doesn't look like I will get much blogging done over the festive period (mainly due to having an assignment due on 4th January... oh, and Christmas of course!), I would like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year and thank you for being such lovely and supportive blogging friends throughout this year. xxx

Woo Hoo!

2007-12-15T18:48:00.000Z

The very lovely and talented Graeme (see Grumblog and Charlie Cornelius) has nominated me for a Roar Award. I am extremely honoured, thank you Graeme.

One Is Amused...

2007-12-14T14:25:00.000Z

Passing through the lovely Miss Diane's blog The Sound of One Hand Knitting, I chanced upon this little jewel of fun... well, naturally one wasn't too surprised to discover one's royal heritage...

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is:
Her Royal Highness Susan the Paragon of Yetts O'Muckhart
Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

(Incidentally, Yetts O' Muckhart is a real place, not far from here!)

It's Raining

2007-11-28T12:19:00.000Z

It's raining here - a lot. I've just worked out that I need to do 48 hours work and 1 tutorial assignment to catch up with my studying. Not good.

I knew there was a reason I got organised for Christmas early...

You'd Better Watch Out... Santa's in Town

2007-11-12T11:04:00.000Z

We saw Santa! Okay, I know it's a bit early, not even December yet and all that, but if Santa's visiting then it would be rude not to say hello, don't you think! On a visit to one of my favourite stores at the weekend we discovered that the man himself had just arrived, so Miss Lucy and Mr Adam joined the queue to see him. Just look at their little faces...

I think Miss Lucy felt a bit self conscious this year, I'm not sure she will want to do it next year. I guess she's growing up (nooooooooo!)

The store has a huge Christmas display and it's just lovely, and they have bags of those cinnamon scented pine cones all around the place - yummmmm I love it!

Hello!

2007-11-09T21:52:00.000Z

Hello! I'm still alive. I can't believe it's been so long since I posted, thanks for sticking with me :-) I've been so behind with my studying because of the October holidays, other family stuff and then I had a bit of a health scare where I had to have a mammogram and then wait a week for the results! Thankfully, everything was just fine. So, I have just managed to send off my fist assignment for my course (only a week late) and just need to catch up on my studies and my friends now.

If you can remember back to Halloween, my mum was having a party and we had a great time - dooking for apples, trying to grab doughnuts covered in syrup hanging from a string and bowlfuls of lovely homemade soup and stovies! Brilliant. Here is Miss Lucy in her bat outfit I made - you can just about see her little bat ears on top of her head.

And here she is again being scythed by Mr Adam (aka the Grim Reaper) in his costume - he is in there, honest!

Other momentous occasions lately have included Mr Adam losing his top two front teeth in the same day!

And here is my Christmas cake ready to be popped in the oven!

Other than that I have done absolutely nothing for ages. I'm going to try and catch up with everyone over the weekend and visit all the lovely blogs I've been missing. I've managed to get my connected wirelessly to t'internet now, so I can be really lazy and sit in my cosy bed and surf!!

Bored, bored, bored, boring.......

2007-10-25T12:36:00.000+01:00

Well, what to say? Nothing much has been happening here recently. The kids have been playing too much Playstation Harry Potter games (NOT my doing, I can tell you - and it won't be happening again!!). I'm way behind on my course work but I have managed to clean out a couple of cupboards and made a grim reaper costume for Mr Adam. Just to make a bat costume for Miss Lucy now - for Saturday night! My mum is having a Halloween Party for the family and we are all to dress up for the occasion - kids are sooooo excited but didn't want to wear their usual dress up stuff, so out with the sewing machine. The grim reaper outfit came out okay after I had unpicked one sleeve because I had put it in the wrong way round (it was inevitable - that sort of thing always happens when I'm being extra careful not to make a mistake). He likes it anyway. I've a hospital appointment this afternoon, so Lucy's will have to wait until tomorrow.

We have been on a couple of nice walks, one around Linlithgow Loch which was really nice and we saw loads of wildlife (crested grebes, cormorants, etc etc). The funniest bit was when a very large male swan walked (waddled?) up behind Dave and tapped him on the back with his beak - the look on his face was priceless (Dave, not the swan). But, I must admit that the weather is so much colder it's been keeping me inside a lot more than usual brrrrrr!

The biggest excitement of the week (you can tell I don't get out much)was getting my Student Union card - how cool am I? I feel so young and well, 'studenty' now. If only I could still fit into those faded jeans and hippy top...... Never mind eh, I can get an extra 5% off at Amazon, so it's not all bad!

What Planet Are You From?

2007-10-19T20:39:00.000+01:00

That's strange, cos' I thought women were from Venus....

You Are From Neptune

You are dreamy and mystical, with a natural psychic ability.
You love music, poetry, dance, and (most of all) the open sea.
Your soul is filled with possibilities, and your heart overflows with compassion.
You can be in a room full of friendly people and feel all alone.
If you don't get carried away with one idea, your spiritual nature will see you through anything.

What Planet Are You From?

B********ocks!

2007-10-15T09:56:00.000+01:00

Ballcocks, that is. Apparently we need a new one. For the past week my overflow pipe has been regularly running water out - something to do with the cold water tank in the loft (or 'attic' for those with haunted mansions etc). So every so often I have to turn on a tap to stop the water running out and it should get fixed sometime this week (I hope). Not too disastrous then, just really annoying!

On Saturday I had my first Day School for my Creative Writing course with the Open University (I'm sure I've mentioned it once or twice - lol). It was held at Stirling University which has a beautiful campus - trees, little lakes, wildlife - you can imagine how gorgeous it was at this time of year with the leaves all changing colour. This picture gives some idea (I didn't take it, it was from the internet).

Anyway, I was so nervous I can't tell you. I almost didn't go, but then I thought I had better do the Grown Up thing, so I went. I needn't have worried - everyone was really nice, the tutor was lovely and I think we all had a good day. The worst thing was having to write something quickly and then (worst of all) to read it out and hear people's comments!!!! Can you imagine? Thankfully no one said mine was total pants. I was amazed at what people could come up with in 20 minutes or so - they must have great imaginations. The hardest thing was to think of something constructive to say about peoples work other than 'I liked it' - I just don't feel qualified to comment in any intelligent fashion! I expect that is the sort of thing that, like the writing itself, will take some practice. Apart from the day school, the course is going quite well although I need to get the finger out and increase the amount of writing I am doing on a daily basis (well, to actually write on a daily basis would be a start!). The best thing is that I am enjoying it!

Hmmm, what else have I been up to? I have been working on a sewing project but it's a gift and I can't show it on here - it's coming on reasonably well though. Oh, I know - this is going to make some of you groan but I have to confess - I've almost finished my Christmas Shopping! Yes, I know, sickening isn't it - something is bound to go wrong now - like the year we ate chipolata sausages for Christmas dinner because the pork we were having 'for a change' was off! Oh dear..... fingers crossed then.

For Any Aspiring Writers Out There - Free Advice!

2007-10-09T21:41:00.000+01:00

This post is for any of you budding writers out there, for all of you secretly writing the next bestseller in your bedroom, for anyone with any interest in writing at all. And so......

In view of the fact that all bloggers are writers (but not vice versa!), I think you might be interested in a daily post by my good friend David McMahon, based on tips for writers, called 'Telling Write from Wrong' at Authorblog. He would like this to become a central point for writers of any description, any nationality, any age and any interest, to get honest advice from an experienced writer. You can leave your questions as comments - and he will answer them. Here are some questions that you might want to ask David McMahon, and his anticipated answers.

Is he just trying to publicize his own blog?

No, he’s trying to create a groundswell across the globe to let other writers benefit from his experience in journalism, editing and writing novels. I don't know of any other successful novelist who does this.

What are his technical qualifications?

David has written a bestselling novel. He’s been a writer and editor for 30 years. In 2002 he was one of three finalists in the national Walkley Awards (the Aussie equivalent of a Pulitzer) and in 2005 was shortlisted for a National News Award.

Is he just trying to get us (and others) to link to his blog to improve his Technorati ranking?

No, he’s never tried boosting about his Technorati ranking. And he’s never asked anyone to link to my blog.

Thank you for reading, and good luck on improving your writing skills! I for one need all the help I can get!

I'm COOL at last!

2007-10-06T19:03:00.000+01:00

At last - I am officially COOL! - (well, according to my kids at least). I've been awarded a Rockin' Blogger Award by the very lovely and talented Viki at Pernickety Hat. Viki's writing is brilliant, you should go and have a look at her blog - you won't be sorry. Thanks Viki.

Just to make you all feel like throwing things at me - I am for once organised with my Christmas cards because I wrote them all out this morning! It must be the first time I've been that organised I think, but this year I was determined to stay In Control of Christmas. I'm off to look at my Christmas cookbooks now....

Long Time No See

2007-10-04T20:44:00.000+01:00

My goodness, I feel as if I've been away for years! I hope you are all well and I'm planning on catching up with all my favourite blogs asap. I've been missing you all :-(

What have I been up to? Well, whether you really want to know or not, I will tell you. I've started my OU studies again you see. I promise not to moan about it this time though, or at least not too much. It's Creative Writing and I've had to do daily writing exercises. This has mainly resulted in meaningless drivel, but never fear because they tell me this is good and sooner or later a little gem of literary marvellousness will appear that I can develop into the next Harry Potter type novel and make millions (well, something along those lines anyway). It's all beyond me. I mean, I have the most awful arguments with myself about where apostrophes do or don't go for goodness sake, what chance have I got of writing anything of any worth - LOL . Still, I have to admit, I'm rather enjoying it :-))

Other than the studies and the housework (who knew it took so long if you actually did it properly?), I have managed to make a couple of things. This little orange item made from handmade felt which was stitched randomly and then made into a bag/pouch with a nice greeny lining (note to self, next time use a lining that matches the outside - much neater!).

And this - made from silk fibres, throwsters waste, fme'd, backed with dyed cotton and made into a little notebook cover/holder. I like the twig closure! These are both long overdue gifts for a very nice lady who helped me with my studies last year. I might even get them posted tomorrow - although isn't there a strike..... grrrrrrr.

Not too much else has been happening here apart from Mr Adam having a whole afternoon of Beaver activities at a local outdoor centre last Saturday (he is a recent convert - dib dib dib and all that). He had an absolute whale of a time and so did we as we hung around to watch him. Lucy and I had a roam round the assault course too - until we were spotted and ran away!

And did you know it was National Poetry Day today? See, I get to know stuff like that now that I'm a Literary Type (guffaw).

Quick Photo Post

2007-09-21T20:39:00.000+01:00

I'm pretty busy right now and haven't been doing much blogging lately. Here is a quick photo summary of the last week or so.

The QE2 visited us on it's last voyage before it's off to Dubai as a luxury hotel or somesuch nonsense - we nipped down to the shore to have a last look. Excuse the terrible pic.

I received my postcard for the Colour Combinations Swap I'm in with Unlimited Textiles group. I'ts from Sandy and it's really gorgeous.

This is a quiltie made from silk fibres made into a 'paper' with some throwsters waste and silk ribbon snippets added, then FME'd on top with beads added last. It looks nicer in real life but my photographic skills seem to be getting worse instead of better! I must stop photographing things on that background too (it's the plastic stuff I have on top of my dining table to protect it and it's not a good background!).

Postcard (first one I've ever attempted) done in the same way. I've a feeling I might have done it slightly wrongly in that I put wadding in the middle and fabric on the back - shouldn't it be flatter and have card or stiff vilene on the back? Maybe it doesn't really matter - I hope so.

Finally, thanks to everyone who comments on these posts and I just want to apologise if I have missed replying to you, I don't always manage it and so just wanted to say thanks for commenting and I do really appreciate all your input. xxxxx

Nice Surprise & Wet Weekend

2007-09-17T13:37:00.000+01:00

I had a lovely surprise from Annica in Sweden this weekend - these beautiful ATCs - aren't they gorgeous? I'm afraid the background colour is not doing anything for them - they are really lovely in the flesh. Thank you so much Annica :)

Sunday must have been the wettest day for ages. We all squelched our way through the 'Naturally Fife' exhibition - a kind of combination horticultural and environmental show. This is only the second year it's been on and it's held in Dunfermline in Pittencrieff Park which is absolutely gorgeous. Everything was on in large marquees and we had a good time although we were really cold and wet by the end of it - the water seeped up through the bottom of my trousers - euch! There was a lot of information about environmental things - being greener in the home, recycling etc etc. There was a woman with a peg loom which was quite interesting - my other half assured me he could make me one (I expect he has forgotten already!) and the RSPB and the Woodland Trust were there too. There were activities for the children to do and mine got into the spirit of things..

Making a home for ladybirds to hibernate in for the winter from hollow sticks tied together (who knew ladybirds hibernated?)

Decorating a wooden necklace..

They also made nice fish from willow which they wove - Adam wanted to make a dragon but the lady said they only did fish! They wanted to make felted flowers too, but there was a bit of a queue for that and so I promised I'd do it with them at home (and you know they won't forget!).

There were some extremely large vegetables to behold! How white are those cauliflowers?! I just wanted to grab them all and make soup. :-)

There was quite a show of flowers too and a huge long table of bonsai trees.

It was a shame the day was so cold and wet because I'm sure it must have affected the attendance numbers. I hope they continue to do it every year. Oh, I nearly forgot - one of the best things was that I got two new plants for my garden - an echinacea and a heuchera - absolutely gorgeous, just have to figure out where to put them now...

All The Nice Girls Love A Sailor

2007-09-13T12:05:00.000+01:00

When my dear Dad was still with us, he had been working on a kit of a model tugboat ( I say working on it - it was a bit sporadic - like the rest of us!). Anyway, my brother recently took up the challenge and began working on the kit. Much painstaking bending of wood, painting of hulls, adjusting of ballast and fiddling with electrical do-dads ensued. Finally it was completed and last night the tug took it's maiden voyage on the local pond in Rosyth. Ta-Dah!

Everything went swimmingly (ahem) and the tug sailed like a dream. I even got a shot of the controls - we had a great time.

Close up.

This is the man himself, my brother John. Notice the apparent ease with which he manfully handles the controls :)

This is the face of a happy boat builder don't you agree? I have to say by the way, that I love my little brother to bits, he is absolutely the best in the world, he is so kind, generous (and quite cuddly too, but don't tell him I said so) and to me he is my absolute hero. I just love him. Of course if he reads this, then I am a dead woman!

Nigella Minxing It Up!

2007-09-10T21:10:00.000+01:00

Now, I love Nigella as much as the next woman - but boy was she over the top tonight! I think she must have been on the 'frisky' pills.

I gotta get me some of dem dere pills.

Saucy minx!

And The Winner Is....

2007-09-08T17:26:00.000+01:00

Mary! Well done you. I think there is something a bit spooky about you missus!!! Yes, I have to confess that my middle name is indeed Audrey - ugh, I hate it. I mean c'mon - Susan Audrey? Do I strike you as an Audrey? Shouldn't I be floating around in a kaftan, like Margo Leadbetter in 'The Good Life', drinking aperitifs before dinner and doing Good Works for the church? That's the sort of image it conjures up for me. I think Tallulah suits me much better (grin). No offence to any other Audreys out there - I'm sure your name fits you just right and that you are nothing like Margo :)

Now that I think about it, I kinda liked Margo....oh dear...

Or maybe I'm more like this Audrey from 'Little Shop of Horrors'?

Congratulations to Mary, I will send you a little prize in the post.

A Clue (or Two)

2007-09-08T07:16:00.000+01:00

After a few guesses at my middle name - which include; Mildred, Morag, Rumplestiltskin (!), and Tallulah (I wish) - I will give you clues -

1. It starts with an A

2. It's not Scottish

The photo below was the view from my window this morning at 6.30am. Looks like it's going to be a lovely day here.

We are off to Perth later this morning (Scotland, not Australia -lol) and Mum is coming too. We will have a nice mooch around the shops hopefully and then I'd like to visit Caithness Glass where they make gorgeous paperweights (and other things) and you can see them glass blowing. I have some of the paperweights and Adam was asking how they get all the shapes inside, so I'd like to take him and show him!

Better go and make up a picnic I think :)

100th Post!!

2007-09-06T20:49:00.000+01:00

Can you believe it? My 100th post already. Blogging has been quite an adventure and, for the most part, I've really enjoyed it. The best bit by far has to be all the lovely friends I've made over the months - so to all of you kind, thoughtful, wonderful, supportive and inspirational people - a big THANK YOU! from me.

How to celebrate? Well, I was thinking a skinny cappuccino later... Seriously though, doesn't everyone have a little competition on their 100th post? Well, I wouldn't want to be left out - so, the first person who guesses what my middle name is (d'ya hear that Mary? - LOL) and emails me with it, then I will send them a little prize! Incidentally, I feel I should point out that whilst I don't exactly hate my middle name - I wouldn't have chosen it for myself! (it's just not me, y'know? then again, maybe I should just embrace the name...lol) Anyway, I digress - go on, have a guess!

Just a couple of other things to say on this momentous post. I have finished the ATCs I was working on. Here is a photo below - I did add a few beads to one or two of them after this pic was taken and now most of them have been posted off to new owners. It's been quite a lot of fun working in this size, I've always liked 'miniature' things, even in art class at high school I can remember loving getting into the detail of things.

I've still not been brave enough to try inchies yet though!

I've been browsing through the first issue of the new Fibre & Stitch ezine, thanks to a very generous person who has gifted me a subscription (you know who you are! xx). It has some great ideas and techniques in it and I've only managed to have just a quick look so far. I'm hoping the article on Embellisher Techniques by Purple Missus will finally prompt me to get my machine out of the box in the corner!

Hurrah! for 100 posts and blogging friends!!

Quiztime & Quilties

2007-09-04T21:06:00.000+01:00

Not wanting to be left out, I've taken this popular quiz too. Yes, it just about sums me up perfectly (tongue firmly in cheek).

What color is your soul painted?

Grey

Your soul is painted the color grey, which embodies the characteristics of elegance, humility, respect, reverence, stability, subtlety, wisdom, strong emotions, balance, and cancellation. Grey falls under the element of Water, and symbolizes the moon, tide, ebb and flow.

Click Here to Take This Quiz

Quizzes and Personality Tests

I've been getting on with a new batch of quilties and I've some more ATC's to finish too. Of course I should be getting on with preparations (the creative kind) for that Special Time in December - oh well, maybe tomorrow... (after I finish the ATC's of course!).

Here are the quilties. I gave up on hand stitching for this batch and used my trusty Husqvarna and I'm still working my way through the pile of hand dyed fabric I have. I only have smallish pieces and I think I'd like to some more dyeing, only with bigger pieces of fabric. Hmmm, just the thing for an Autumn day I think...

Quiltie Quandary

2007-08-30T13:19:00.000+01:00

Some of my first quiltie attempts - all made with hand dyed cotton, some are hand stitched, some machined and some with fme as well. The colours look a bit washed out due to my stunning photographic capabilities (!) but they look okay in the flesh. They are kinda simple in style, but I like them that way:)

Since I had never made any fabric ATCs before, I had a go at some of them too.

One of the quilties and an ATC have been posted off as part of a swap I joined in with (I hope my swapee likes them) and another quiltie/ATC have gone to Mavis - just because she is lovely. It was quite fun to do them but now I will have to think of another 'style' to try out. The 'quandary' part of my title was because it took me ages to decide which ones to send and in the end Miss Lucy decided for me!

Quiltie Swap

2007-08-26T19:35:00.000+01:00

I am involved in a quiltie swap with the Unlimited Textiles group and this is the loveliness I received yesterday from Margaret at Digital Gran a lovely quiltie with an Egyptian theme - pretty impressive huh? Many thanks to Margaret, I love it. I had to borrow this photo from Margaret's blog because all the pics I took were really washed out looking. This is better, it shows the colours well and the work Margaret has put into it is really amazing.

Naughty but Nice

2007-08-22T20:58:00.000+01:00

I got a lovely parcel today from Mavis at Textile Artist. She has been very naughty sending me something so lovely - but I forgive her!! Just look at this lovely envelope - love the button too!

And inside was this lovely embroidered cloth and special little hand decorated box. Everything smelled lovely too! Thank you so much Mavis, you are very kind.

We finally had a day of Summer weather today - typical! Just when the children have gone back to school. Still, we made the most of it after dinner and went for a short coastal walk which was lovely. I think we are to get good weather for the rest of the week too - fingers crossed.

Perth, Pizza and Poorly Girl

2007-08-19T10:18:00.000+01:00

Being another horribly rainy day yesterday we headed to Perth - yes, I know that doesn't make sense really - I mean, it's not as if Perth is any better in the rain than anywhere else but it was the other half's idea so we went. We treated ourselves to Pizza Hut and it was great fun, I even managed to get into Laura Ashley for a quick look (if only...). Then Miss Lucy started feeling a bit breathless (she has asthma), so she took her inhaler and we headed back to the car. She kept feeling worse in the car and so we just drove her straight to the hospital in Dunfermline - it seemed to take forever because not only was there the heavy rain, there was also fog and we could hardly see the road. The hospital were great and a nice nurse managed to get her to calm her breathing down because she was panicing which was making her worse of course. After the doctor had seen her and done a few tests we finally got home about an hour and a half later. I think her panicing had just exacerbated things and thankfully she didn't have to be admitted. She was taken into the hospital last October and I wouldn't like to go through that again. She is fine this morning, although she has eaten so many pancakes that she might soon have a tummy ache!!

On a lighter note - I think you are starting to convince my sister Judith to start a blog! I think all your lovely comments on her birthday post are persuading her - she even left a comment herself. I shall keep applying the pressure!! Incidentally, she came round the other day to show me her latest purchases from the Bead Shop so I think it's only fair that she makes something with those purchases and shows us it on her soon-to-be blog!! Yes Judith, I mean YOU!

The Carrier Bag Carry Bag

2007-08-17T21:25:00.000+01:00

This is what happened to the carrier bags I ironed yesterday - this bag. Not a great photo, but you get the idea. It seems really strong too - it is made of around 4 layers of plastic. I might experiment with perhaps '8 ply' plastic and make a larger bag for Library Book Carrying purposes with longer handles so I can carry it over my shoulder - I think that might work quite well. I kept thinking of loads of things you could use the bags for - and they are waterproof too!!! Well, it beats chucking them into the landfill I guess.

I got a bit carried away and made a little notebook cover as well - cute don't you think?!

I do seem to have a bit of a thing about creating with a 'recycled' theme at the moment (just saying that has probably put the curse on that very theme now and I shall nevermore mention green issues or landfill ever again! as if)

Just one more thing - and this is mainly just because I can't seem to stop talking - it will be my 100th post soon. Can you believe it? I will have to put on my thinking cap and figure out some way to mark the occasion in some way - fancy dress party anyone?

Okay, one more teeny tiny thing, honest. Look at these cuties -

I discovered a link to create them on Annica's blog Fabulous Threads. You can go and make a little friend of your own here at the Chick Machine - irresistible!

All the Fun of the Fair

2007-08-16T22:47:00.000+01:00

As it is almost the end of the school holidays now, and as I had promised the children ages ago that I would take them to Burntisland to the 'shows' - we went this evening! This is the last week of the shows so a lot of things like dodgems etc weren't there - it was mainly smaller rides for the younger kids and those stalls where you can 'hook a duck' and win a prize.

Lucy was really keen to go on this caterpillar rollercoaster and managed to persuade her brother to accompany her. Here they are waiting for it to start - all was well at this point and as the caterpillar started to roll forward - about a minute later as things sped up a little poor Adam started screaming and was not a happy bunny! It was way too fast for him and he had to endure another round before he could get off. I felt so sorry for him, he was sobbing and wanted to go home. He soon got over it but made me promise not to tell his friends - bless him.

This was more like it! Adam was having much more fun on these motorbikes, crashing into the barrier every two minutes.

These 'orbiters' were fun too, they spun round as well as going backwards and forwards.

Miss L and Mister A also had a couple of shots of hook the duck and were thrilled with their prizes. Adam got a spy kit and a ninja sword and Miss Lucy's spoils were a bow and arrow set (she was so thrilled!) and a ball and bat combo. To finish off they got one of those teeth rotting sugar dummies each and were happily busy with them on the way home in the car! The dummies will probably last longer than the prizes.

Felt More Like Creating

2007-08-16T10:18:00.000+01:00

Get it? - 'felt' more like creating?.... never mind, bad joke :))

I had a go at creating something from a bit of felt I made. I had used white pre-felt which I hand needle-felted red rovings onto and then bunged in the washing machine to see what happened - I liked the result but didn't really know what to do with it as it was too small to make anything really useful out of. Here is the result - a little hanging I call 'Arctic Sun' (pretentious - moi?) - I'm quite fond of it!

I made my first quiltie yesterday. I had an idea of a pre-raphaelite design I wanted to do for my sister's birthday (inspired by Alis' quilties - thanks Alis!) and so I got up early and had a go. I was pleased with how it turned out and I think Judith liked it. Now I just have to get on and do one for the quiltie swap I'm in!

Talking of Judith - Miss Lucy wanted to make her a birthday cake and so she got busy in the kitchen and here is the result - very yummy and very sweet!

Right, I have an idea for something so I'm off to iron some carrier bags!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS!

2007-08-15T11:34:00.000+01:00

Happy Birthday to my lovely lovely little sister Judith, who will be 21 again (snort). She will most likely never speak to me again for putting these photos up for view (those aren't her own horns by the way) but I just want her to know I love her to bits and I hope she has a nice day. Love ya Jude. xxx

Incidentally, my sister is a very talented lady - oh yes, she makes fantastic jewellery, her cross stitch is the neatest I have ever seen and she makes a mean handbag too! Don't you think she needs her own blog? (apply pressure now please).

Mad Hatters

2007-08-14T21:33:00.000+01:00

I found this photo I had 'embellished' when I was searching for something else. It was taken earlier in the year on a trip to the Crannog Centre. I thought it might give you a giggle! (click the photo to enlarge). You can have a go yourself at pikipimp - go on, you know you want to..

Positivity Prevails

2007-08-14T09:12:00.000+01:00

Thank for all your thoughts on why you create. The most dominant feeling is that you/we all need to create. I think this is the key point - if we didn't create then we would be missing out on something that is part of us, we wouldn't feel whole and so we are driven to satisfy our need by stitching, painting, drawing, knitting - whatever - just as long as we can create. Some of us make things only to give as gifts or sell, some decorate our homes with our creations and lots of us do it just because we love it! I still personally have a problem with not making things for a 'purpose', whether it be for a gift or home decoration/use etc - but I think that is perhaps to do with financial guilt! By that I mean that I have spent so much money on 'stuff' to use in my crafting, I feel guilty doing it just for fun. Obviously something I will have to get over :) Maybe some expensive therapy.......

Thanks for all your comments, it has been really interesting to hear what you all think about this subject and how you will all keep creating your wonderful things for your own satisfaction and whether other people 'get it' or not.

What Do You Think?

2007-08-13T09:01:00.000+01:00

I recently bumped into a lady I was at college with a few years ago (City & Guilds Patchwork and Quilting Part I). She happened to ask me if I was doing any creative stuff at all and said that she wasn't really doing much at all because she often wondered what to do with it all - you know? I have to say that I often feel that way too. I love to be creative, there's no question of that, but recently in particular, I have been questioning why I do it. 'What's the point?' is my question. Unless I am making things for gifts or something specific for our home then I sometimes feel the project isn't 'justifiable'. The things I made for the City & Guilds course for example are stuffed in a bag in storage. Perhaps it's something to do with guilt at not earning money from doing something - a 'frivolous' pursuit? What do you think - is it a waste of time/money/effort/space? What do you all 'do' with the things you make?

Double Whammy!

2007-08-11T07:33:00.002+01:00

Hello everyone! I've been missing you all because I've been out of commission for a few days due to illness (again), any more of that nonsense and I'm off to the knackers yard! Anyway, I'm back in fine fettle again and having a lovely time catching up on all the blogs I love to read.

The lovely and talented Mary has very kindly bestowed the Nice Matters Award upon me - I am very touched (well, you knew that LOL), thanks Mary!! You can find out all the details about this award in my previous post. Now I have to pass it on to seven other people so here goes:

1. The lovely Gill at Lucy Locket, who is very nice indeed and I love to read her blog.

2. Another lovely, kind person - Dianne over at Faery Di's Fibre Feats or Fiascos. She does some gorgeous work too!

3. Val at Val's Musings - yet another nice lady doing wonderfully inspiring things with fabric.

4. A very nice, generous and helpful chap called Graeme who has blogs at Grumblog and Charlie Cornelius. Graeme is also an extremely talented and published author - I've read some of his work so I know!

5. Carol at Taylor's Textile Trials - another kind and generous soul, who will very kindly explain techniques if necessary!

6. Lynda at Purple Missus - for all the same reasons as No.5 Thanks Lynda!

7. Last but not least, the Nice Matters Award goes to Gunnel over at Gunnel's Blog - a lovely lady, whose blog is great to read and whose work is amazing.

There you are ladies (and gent). You now have to pass it on to seven other deserving souls!

It seems to be the time for Awards of one kind or another doesn't it? Well, I have very kindly had another one bestowed upon me (I'd like to thank my agent......). The lovely aforementioned Graeme (see No.4 above) has nominated me for the Creative Blogger Award. I was 'fair chuffed' as we say in these parts and highly honoured, so I thank you very much Graeme.

I have to nominate five others for this award and so here they are:

1. Viki at Pernickety Hat - another talented writer. Viki has a great sense of humour too, which makes her blog a great read (and she leaves me very helpful comments!).

2. Carenza at Lightly Done. I've just recently started reading her blog and her work is so inspiring - have a look!

3. Diane at The Sound of One Hand Knitting - because she is totally amazing and wonderfully creative and fantastic!!

4. Pauline at Life According to Pauline because she is just getting back into the creative stuff and is really good at it! - no mean achievement with two children, one who is just little - very admirable!

5. Jaqueline at Jacqueline's Blog - her work is just so inspiring and wonderful, I never fail to be amazed.

Phew! Job done. Now, all you nominees have to nominate five others. Have fun!

Nice Matters Award

2007-08-06T11:19:00.000+01:00

I have been awarded the Nice Matters Blog Award by Alison. Thank you Alison, you are so kind (if only you knew what I was really like !) The Nice Matters Award is a new friendship award started by Bella Enchanted.This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. I understand that I have to pass it on to 7 others who I feel are deserving of this award.

Like Alison said, it is very difficult to chose just seven people but here goes:

1. Well - Alison, obviously (not sure if you are allowed to pass it backwards but I'm gonna!)

2. My bestest buddy Diane who has been with me through thick and thin (love you x)

3. Carol, who is lovely and kind and helpful and...

4. Alis, who is also lovely and kind and helpful and hides paper towels from Roger!

5. Jo, who is lovely and whose posts always makes me think! (ouch)

6. Miss Sarah, who is also all of the above with a wonderfully wicked sense of humour too!

7. The lovely Susan - also kind, lovely and patient at explaining techniques to me!

Actually 7 really isn't enough, there are so many more I could mention. I've found so many friends in the blogging world.

In fact, I'm going to cheat just a little here and mention another person who deserves a Nice Matters Award to himself - the lovely and talented David. If you've never read his blog now is the time!!

Don't forget to pass it on to seven others who deserve this award!

Fab Friends and Field Trips

2007-08-05T21:31:00.000+01:00

I've been meaning to post a photo of the lovely things that Alison sent me to cheer me up recently - aren't they lovely and isn't she very very kind and thoughtful?

On Friday we went for a nice drive to Newburgh where I visited the lovely Twist Fibre Craft Studio which has lovely things (and a website) and I forced myself to buy a few bits and bobs that I didn't really need - lovely! We then travelled on to Cairnie Fruit Farm near Cupar to pick some fruit - we picked some rasps to freeze for Christmas as I like to put them in my trifle - yum! Miss Lucy picked a few strawberries and we also bought 3lbs of blackcurrants for mum to make jam from. I used to make jam every year but I haven't for the last two because I just don't seem to have enough time somehow. I must get more organised for next year. After leaving Cairnie Fruit Farm we headed into Cupar itself to investigate the toy shop there. There aren't many places you can find an independant toy shop these days and Cupar has one of the few remaining. Mr Adam had some money from his Grandpa and was in desperate need of a skateboard. Luckily for the would be skate dude, there was indeed a skateboard available, complete with skull motif on the underside (very important apparently) so Mr A went home a very happy boy!

Here is Mr Cool himself - sporting skull sweatshirt to match skateboard, Action Man helmet, his dads woolly gloves and one Barbie elbow pad!!

Yesterday (Saturday) was glorious weather wise and I felt the need to visit the Bead Shop in Edinburgh again which was fun, we then had a wander around the streets of Stockbridge and investigated several charity shops and bookshops - a very pleasant time was had.

Later in the afternoon Miss L and Mr A had a Sale of Goods in the garden to raise funds for the 'Spy Gang' (don't ask - suffice to say I am in the Spy Club - sorry, can't say too much - hush hush y'know). They sold juice, water, notebooks, badges, crispy cakes and apple quarters. They managed to make £1.25 each!

After the fantastic weather yesterday when I almost believed summer had come, today was a total washout. We had planned some forest walks but it was just too wet. Undaunted however we set off in this...

We drove to Falkland in the hope that the weather might be a little better there - nope, not a chance. Falkland is a gorgeous little place, home to Falkland Palace and numerous old and quaint houses, little cobbled streets and a rather nice National Trust shop. I would have taken more photos but I feared for my camera in the rain (which just became heavier and relentless).
So, we did the only thing we could, took refuge here...

where some of us had this...

and others chose this...

I did manage a scone myself of course - well one must keep up appearances don't you think?

Thank You!!

2007-08-02T22:49:00.000+01:00

A heartfelt THANK YOU to all of you who congratulated me on passing my exam, you are all so lovely (sniff, sniff). xxxx

On the same subject, I was not allowed out of my bedroom for several hours this morning because there were secret 'goings on' happening downstairs. You can imagine my delight when I was finally allowed to see what my little darlings had been up to - bless them, they are so sweet.

Exam Results Are In

2007-08-01T12:17:00.000+01:00

The long awaited exam result is in - I passed! WOOHOO! I can now breath a sigh of relief and make the most of time until the next course begins in a couple of months.

The Hermitage, Dunkeld

2007-07-29T23:04:00.001+01:00

We had a fantastic day out yesterday when we went to The Hermitage at Dunkeld. There is a lovely forest walk up to Ossian's Hall - a folly apparently dedicated to the 'semi-mythical' poet Ossian (who is supposed to have lived around the 3rd century). The walk follows the River Braan and there are several rapids andwaterfalls, the most amazing of which is the Black Linn Fall - which is overlooked by the folly. Further on past the folly is Ossian's Cave where a hermit was supposed to have lived - I am not sure if there is any truth in that or not - there seem to be varying accounts! You can walk further again to another waterfall that drops 70ft but we didn't go quite that far. I wish we had now that I have read more about it - I can imagine it would have been spectacular with all the rain we have had.

We came across a lovely little cottage that looked uninhabited and everyone thought it would be the ideal place to stay (well, apart from me - it was lovely but a bit far off the beaten track for me!).

It was just magical being in the forest - the trees, the birdsong, the rushing river - quite amazing and invigorating. These natural places always make you feel more alive don't you think? We also came across Blaeberry bushes everywhere, loads of interesting fungi and lichen, wild raspberries and even redcurrants!

I've made a slideshow of photos from the day that you can see on the right hand side of the blog (I tried but couldn't get it actually in the blog itself!). I would definitely recommend the Hermitage as a place to go and just enjoy nature at it's best, but bearing in mind that it was pretty busy when we were there - I guess due to it being the weekend and the holiday season.

Sun, Sea & Sand in St Andrews

2007-07-28T23:18:00.000+01:00

We finally found the sun in St Andrews, the lovely University town on the East coast of Scotland. We headed off for a day trip and it was gorgeous. Just look at that sky. The children had a great time - two minutes after this photo was taken they were absolutely soaked - I always pack extra clothes wherever we go now for this very reason!

It was just so nice to feel the warmth of the sun on our faces and hear the sounds of the sea and the gulls overhead.

We were on a tight schedule and had to get home by 4pm, but we still managed to fit in time for an ice cream!

Days Out & Dungarees Visible from Space

2007-07-26T20:17:00.000+01:00

Although the weather has been atrocious here, we have managed to get out and about a bit. Adam and his dad had a Boys Day Out on Monday and took themselves off to Edinburgh Castle followed by a picnic in Princes Street Gardens and then a trip to the swimming pool - a good day was had by both (there were swords and stuff - need I say more?).

We also harvested some of our potatoes this week. We have three large containers which we are growing them in - not that we don't have space to grow them in the garden, but someone hasn't dug me a veggie plot yet! The children were so excited to dig them up and we managed to get 18 of varying sizes from our smallest pot. I was pretty pleased with that and they tasted lovely - we had them with our meal last night!

Today was the first day I've managed to get near anything creative for ages. I was determined to do something productive and so finished Miss Lucy's dungarees. They are bright indeed! She loves them and they are very good for dancing in apparently! I've still got a largish bit of orange tie dyed cordurouy left over if anyone wants it.

I must also tell you all that I have posted my final registration form for my next OU course. Yes, amazing though it is, I have Made A Decision. This means there is no going back unless they decide they have had enough of me and my hysterical behaviour. I've gone for A215 Creative Writing - partly because it sounded really good at the time and partly because I have to pick something. It does sound a bit tricky however and as I've lost my grasp on most of the English language over the years, I am expecting another steep learning curve. Oh well, in for a penny...