23BeechHill

I've been to 'Cowpat' today ...

2011-08-26T20:34:00.002+02:00

Otherwise known as 'Cowslip Workshops' in Launceston, Cornwall, to stroke all the yummy fabrics on offer.

The choice is phenomenal & I could spend an absolute fortune in there BUT these are my favourite purchases today. I bought some dotty fat quarters too and stroked lots of flowery & extremely pwetty bolts but restrained myself as I'll be back down in Cornwall in a few weeks with my 'wish list' of crimbo fabrics.
Isn't the doggy fabric just gorgeous ?

Pony Rosette Cushion

2011-08-15T01:26:00.004+02:00

Hello Peeps !
Cushions are not my favourite item to make but I do make exceptions for certain lovely customers & the little girl these two ponies are bound for is the daughter of one such lovely customer.

I do love my horses & ponies and I love incorporating them in my textile creations.

Boo's summer holidays started at the beginning of July so we've been on the go for quite a while. It's been a busy old time but I have tried to bumble along with my work & get as much done inbetween all the holiday activities.

I love the holidays & hate it when Boo goes back to school. Just being at home together is as enjoyable as 'going out'. We've got a nice quiet day tomorrow, no rushing about, no picnic to organise ... we're just going to 'Go with the Flow' as they say.
Here's to a little bit of sunshine too x

2011-08-10T01:32:00.002+02:00

*New*
Pony Rosette Keyrings/ Bag Charms. A lovely gift for a pony mad littly or growd up. I've just started making these & they seem very popular which is rather very lovely.
I'm quite chuffed ...

I bought all sorts of ribbon today to add to my stash so hoping to making more. If anyone is interested, please email me.

2011-06-22T15:57:00.001+02:00

I'd be very lost without my Boots , especially in this recent piddly weather ! Just thought I'd share that with you all,
He ! He!

2011-06-20T00:52:00.002+02:00

A custom Christening order for a 'Fairy Godmother' ...
I choose not to make too many of these anymore but conceded for a friend. She turned out quite pretty & I think makes a unique gift.

I have to say, I've seen something very similar recently which makes me a little cross ... one reason for me not making anymore, but hey ! what can you do about it ????

I'll try my best to post more regularly but I am rubbish at finding the time so bear with me whilst I am being particularly useless ...
Bye, Bye for now !

Archie Flying ...

2011-06-10T21:53:00.001+02:00

Another of my 'Dog Study' photo's ... Here's my by Archie doing a bit of hunting up in the long grass. It was a beautiful early morning with the sun shining & birdies a tweeting.
He really was having fun. He's such a happy chappy, a little mental at times maybe, but he's my nutter & I love him dearly ...

Smelly Houses & Flat Houses ....

2011-05-04T14:06:00.005+02:00

The 'Smelly' houses are now stuffed & ready to go .... I'm really pleased with them. I do like my spots !! Boo sniffed them and promptly declared 'Urgh, they stink, I don't Lavender Mummy' !

Oh well, I guess it wouldn't be the floral pong choice of a 7 year old would it ? But, on a positive note she did say 'But I love the spotty birds, they're well cool !' ...

Well, that's OK then ;-)

Rather than making more 'stuffies' as keyfobs/ bag charms, I thought I'd try out some flat ones too, just for a bit of variety really. They have a stiff interfacing inside which makes them not so floppy. I've added a little bell onto each ring for added 'ta da' so to speak.

It's Boo's Spring Fair on Sunday so hopefully my pitch will be really colourful & jollified - I'm glad it's inside as we have Thunder Storms forecast. It'll be a real shame if it's wet after all the glorious weather we've had, Boo is supposed to be Maypole dancing too. Soggy ribbons & miserable kids does not make for a happy combination.

Fingers crossed the sun will stay with us eh ?

Smelly Houses ...

2011-04-30T17:06:00.003+02:00

Nice smelly I hasten to add ...
Prepping for a Spring Fair coming up & these are part of my new stock. I've yet to stuff them but you get the picture.

I don't do so much stitchery anymore but like to keep my hand in with the odd fair & custom order. I was getting so disillusioned with the whole 'Handmade' thing, people preferring to buy cheaply made imported 'tat', that I just lost all my enthusiasm and motivation.

Anyway, I'm happy with what I do now so all's good in 23BeechHill.
Hope you like them ... xx

2011-03-30T00:11:00.004+02:00

Pwetty Pink Flowerpot Keyfob ... Just catching up on back orders at the moment.

Archie has had a nasty bout of Kennel Cough so I've stopped mopping up pools of doggy phlegm every 5 seconds !!

My thumb joints have been inflamed for quite some time which has made stitching quite uncomfortable but now that my mumsy has put me onto the fact that Citrus fruit is a known aggravant to inflammation & arthritis, I have stopped eating copious amount of oranges, Satsumas and having lemon juice in my water ...

Wait for meeeeeeee ...............

2011-02-27T18:11:00.002+01:00

ArchieFly
Originally uploaded by 23BeechHill

As part of my Dog Studies photography, I set Archie up about 150yds away and then recalled him.

It was pouring with rain so had to be quick with the camera !

I managed about 5 shots, with this, being the only decent one amongst them .... but what a cracking image.

It's just 'so' Archie & I am chuffed to bits with it !

Bless him, he's now curled up in his crate fast asleep drying off after having his lunch followed by a bucket of warm water to relieve him of all the mud and muck !

Sibling Love ...

2011-02-11T16:00:00.002+01:00

This photo was taken in @ The Vyne, NT. I kidnapped Archie's sister Quest (on the right) and took some photo's of the pair of them.

Beautiful pups eh ? They've both been out together again and ended up minging in mud but I didn;t take my camera as it was piddling with rain and really not very pleasant at all. School run beckons, Archie is drying off snuggled in his fleecy blankets so Bye for now ...

My Boy Archie ...

2011-02-08T23:04:00.002+01:00

Having a bit of a dip this morning in the lake ...
No wonder he stinks. He's fast a 'Bo Bo's' after a very long run with his mates, Roxy the Chocolate Lab and Gem the ickle Sprocker, what lovely dreams he's having.

I am really enjoying taking & playing around with the photo's, you'll probably all get very bored of my ramblings but nevermind.

I love the way Archie's ears are hanging low with the weight of the water & his orange 'Wolfy' eyes really show up in the sunshine.
xx

Roxy Girl ...

2011-02-08T20:48:00.003+01:00

A friend and I went out today into the forest to enjoy the bootiful sunshine with the pups. I took my 'proper' camera and just took random shots of the dogs. I managed to get a couple of nice ones, one of which is here ...

Meet Roxy. She has to be the most laid back Labrador I have ever known. You'd forget she was there if you didn't look for her, she's such a mellow lady.

I'm trying to gather photo's of a selection of different dogs for a portfolio so watch this space ... But in the meantime, enjoy Roxy

Something new .....

2011-02-03T23:16:00.004+01:00

Archie on Widemouth Beach ...

I've been poorly for quite some time with the flu which keeps morphing into various versions of the same bug .... currently I have a sinus infection & persistent cough which is really getting on my pip. So, any stitchery has gone on hold as I've just not been up to sitting at my sewing machine.

We recently spent a few days down in Cornwall with my brother and his family and he is quite into his photography. I did a photography course a couple of years back, not that I understood or remembered much of it, and thought I'd revisit my creativeness with a camera.

Archie in the woods ....

Now, whereas my brother is in no way creative in terms of being able to draw, paint or sew etc. he is interested in the technicalities of photography, such as aperture, depth of field, you know, all that sort of stuff ... Me ? I just prefer to bash away and see what I get. The technicalities bore me and I can't be bothered to sit down and learn. I find it more fun to wing it & see what I end up with ....

But, what I think I can do is be creative with my lens. I see things that might not be traditional but might be a little bit different.
I love Archie's expression in the second photo. He's alert as a noise in the woods caught his attention. It was a split second but I managed to catch him, he's not still for long !

I'm going to be concentrating on dog studies but outside in a natural environment, mostly working type dogs as they are what I have access to and what I enjoy.
No staged studio cushion shots for me !!

What say you about the images ?

Wellington Riding Course ...

2010-12-23T01:17:00.002+01:00

Myself & three of my mates recently had a course at Wellington Riding in Heckfield so we decided to tinsel it up a little bit.

Well, me being me went that little step further and created a rather large father Christmas hat to wear over my riding hat. As you can see from the photo above, it was QUITE tall as I stuffed it for extra effect.

When the instructors saw me they fell about laughing. Needless to say I decided not to wear it whilst riding as I couldn't face seeing myself in the school mirror every time I rode passed - I'd have been a hysterical laughing wreck !

Me on Welly, he's a bit of a toad but a sweet boy anyways ...

How bored does he look ? He's waiting to get back to his breakfast ..
It was a really fun (but serious) day culminating in a little dressage test, followed by Cake. Perfect !!!!

2010-12-21T01:31:00.002+01:00

Last Fairy of 2010 ... the brief was NO pink. OK, so the sweet cheeks are pink but they could hardly be purple could they ? Not unless she had a drink problem.

That's it, I have shut up shop until 2011. The sewing machine has gone into hibernation ...

My Studio is an absolute disgrace. Fluff, lint, paper, threads, ribbons, buttons - you name it, you'd find it somewhere on the carpet. My job tomorrow is to clear up my mess and make a nice new, shiny workspace for next year.

On second thoughts, I may just sit on my bum and watch 'House Gift' ....

Happy Christmas to all my visitors, may you have a fab Christmas and lots of love & luck for the New Year !

Flowerpots and dots ...

2010-12-12T23:02:00.003+01:00

A few more of my Fairy Godmothers winging their way via Fairy Post ...
I'm all 'Fairy Godmothered' out now, having made about Twelfty Million o the little munchkins !

I've had a fair few orders for these keyfobs which is lovely as Ireally enjoy this design PLUS they are pretty nifty to make and don't take up too much time & effort he! he!

If I'm not back by Christmas, I'd like to wish all my friends & new visitors a Very Merry Christmas and new Year !!

Higgledy House ...

2010-11-17T15:54:00.002+01:00

A friend suggested it might be a nice idea to make a cushion in the design of a house so here it is ...
I would normally applique onto a panel and then turn it into a cushion cover and fill it with a cushion pad so this was a bit of a experiment really but I really like it.

It's going to the Christmas Fayres at the weekend so I might be saying 'Bye Bye' to it soon, I hope ! Anyway, it took me ages so I'm not sure how many of these I'll make in the future - maybe stick to commissions ...

Pink sweet cheeks ...

2010-10-24T23:13:00.003+02:00

New WIP ... Pink things

Rather than the faff of stitching the faces, I've opted for the cheats way and used a fabric pen. I think they're OK aren't they ?
I'll blog the finished article tomorrow hopefully ...

Small Presi's/ Stocking Fillers ...

2010-10-18T20:04:00.002+02:00

I'm quite enjoying my Key Fob making. This little band is a more subtle design aimed at perhaps a Mum, Sister, Friend or Mother-in-Law.

Each has delicate little pink stitch embroidery top and bottom to finish them off with a pink Gingham backing. Ah, lovely ! They are nice & chunky so's you can find them in your handbag easily rather than rummaging around fruitlessly.

They also look rather quite lovely just hanging from the door. I have one hanging in the lock of our kitchen stable door & it just makes a nice addition as well as being practical.

Wonky Cottages

2010-10-18T00:06:00.003+02:00

Some more new keyfobs ...

With ribbon Chimneys ...

Four Blind Mice ...

2010-10-13T18:16:00.003+02:00

But they still have their tails so that's OK ...

I've been in the wilderness again but have committed to two Xmas Fairs so I thought I'd better pull my finger out.

I only want to make small'ish items so thought I'd start off with some new key fobs. They are nice & chunky so you can find your keys in the bottom of your handbag - hopefully you find any mouse poo !

What say you ?

What sort of price should I set these at bearing in mind they'll be Xmas School Fairs, but nice quality ones.
Any other suggestions for gifts to make ?

Sisters, Sisters ...

2010-08-10T00:37:00.002+02:00

These cushions were commissioned by one of my very lovely customers ... one cushion for her and t'other for her sister.
For some unexplicable reason, things conspired against me to be able to finish these yonks ago. They have been pretty intricate with lots of stitchery and seemed to take be a bit of an age to finish but here they are in all their glory.

I am pretty pleased with them but probably won't make any more and these shall be my 'Sisters' swansong ...

I am really struggling with time right now so the plan is to make smaller/ less intricate items. I have a couple of ideas but until I've worked out the master plan I shall keep things hush, hush ...

Bye, bye for now ... x

Miss Boo - Lesson 4 FIRST CANTER, Yay !

2010-08-08T00:14:00.003+02:00

My little scrunchie munchie had her fourth lesson today and Roland had her cantering ! Bless her she was sooooooooo pleased with herself and Roly said she'd done brilliantly.

Boy, was I a proud mummy this morning or what ? You can hear Roland 'Whooping' saying 'Good Girl' in the video so I'm not sure what he expected, Joey, the little pony was pretty fast but very kind.

Miss Boo can't wait until her next lesson now ... and nor can I

We passed !

2010-08-04T23:56:00.004+02:00

Our Grade 3 Gundog Test ... I am so proud of my special boy, we achieved 90/ 105 available points.

Our fab group training via the West Berks Gundog Club ... Well done everyone, 6 passes !!!! Huge thanks to our trainers too ... Awesome !
Grade 4 here we come

Paddy & his amazing collapsing leg ...

2010-07-30T23:53:00.005+02:00

Me riding lazy Paddy ! He needs nudging along sometimes and has a habit of lunging when coming down his transitions. He's a lovely soul though ... just not the most comfy to ride.

Watch his hind leg after the canter, not sure what was going on but he was fine ...

Boo's First Riding Lesson

2010-07-30T23:42:00.004+02:00

Miss Boo has started riding, she's had two lessons so far with her 3rd coming up on Sunday.
She rides at Wellington with me and here she is on Joey with Roly (Roland) our instructor.

Roly was fantastic with her and she wasn't scared at all, she thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to ride again. The little pony looked after her too and was bombproof.

Just look at her little face ! How excited is she .... she's having a ball !

Nice pair of bums eh ?

Standing up in stirrups to gain balance ...

The End .....

More Little Ladies ...

2010-06-10T14:00:00.002+02:00

A quick sneaky peek at my latest project. Isn't that flowery fabric just delicious ? So, so pretty. It reminds me of some sheets my Nan had when we were little.

I've got a way to go but the girls and their dresses have been cut out. OK, so they are faceless, hand'less and leg'less at the moment but they won't be for long ...

They are destined to be something other that A Textile Picture so watch this space.

Right, well I've just got back from a tromp in the VERY muddy woods with Archibald and some friends and their dogs so I'd better get changed before I do any more work.

Three Springers and three Labradors = six very wet & stinky dogs. My jeans look none too clever either, I reckon they'd walk to the wash bin themselves !!

Baby Bunting ...

2010-06-01T11:26:00.002+02:00

My first length of bunting that I have made & I have to say I'm really quite chuffed !
It's an order for a little girl whom I made a 'Princess & the Pea' for so I have tried to match & co-ordinate some of the flags to match the mattresses.

The flags are quite big (I don't like little faffy floppy flags) and double sided so nice and substantial.

After my current batch of orders I think I might even make myself some,well, for Boo really.

It's miserable weather here today so I hope my fabric order turns up and then I can get cracking on some more stitchery.

Better get the puppy dog out for a run first though otherwise he'll be very miffed and start to badger me ! Hope the sun is shining wherever you are, if it is, send it over to Berkshire will you, pronto ! x

Some more stitchery ...

2010-05-29T19:07:00.003+02:00

Another version of my 'Sisters' appliqued picture. Again, this one was given as a birthday present for sister.

I loved the fabrics and colours I've used on this particular piece, very subtle but colourful at the same time.

I have a couple of cushions to make with a similar design so it seems to be a popular theme. I'm just waiting for the fabric to arrive and away I'll go - although it's half term this week and we are chocca with things to do so I'm not sure how much work I'll manage to get done.

Ah, lovely black wellies with 'french knot' flowers. Every girl should own a pair don't you think ?

Me & Spider ...

2010-05-26T12:14:00.004+02:00

(click the little arrow in the box to buffer, video will start after a few secs)

Just a diddy bit of video showing me & Spider at the end of our lesson on what was the hottest day of the year so far !

I was so exhausted .... probably shows as we are flagging a bit. I was beetroot & a right olf 'sweaty betty' !!!!

How hot was it today ?

2010-05-21T23:54:00.004+02:00

(just stretching out)

So hot that I nearly fainted whilst riding this afternoon. i came over all uneccessary, felt sick, couldn't breathe & had to cut my lesson short by 10 mins or so.

OK, so Roland is very tough but I need that, the heat and exhaustion took it's toll and I wussed out I'm afraid. I drank a litre of water and had to sit down for about 10 mins to recover

We did loads of 'light seat' cantering which absolutely kills your thighs, if like me, you are carrying to much weight and need to improve on fitness.

But Spider was a complete gentleman, he's ginormous but a real sweetie ...

Roland made me raise my stirrups so I felt like a jockey but it's all about securing my lower leg.

Just having a breather for some oxygen and water ....

New Baby Door Hanging

2010-05-21T14:28:00.003+02:00

A quickie post as I am off riding in a mo ... 2 days on the trot (scuse the pun), what am I doing ? I ache enough from yesterday !

Anyhoo, a friend has just recently had her third little girl so I've made a Fairy Door Hanging for her room.

TTFN ...

Lovely Day Riding ...

2010-05-14T20:47:00.004+02:00

The sun was shining, the horses were behaving and the call of post-riding 'CAKE' was deafening !
A group of us mums from school ride every Thursday together. It's a lovely social thing to do as well as fantastic to get back to riding after such a long time ...

This is Badger. He's a lightweight coloured cob with attitude. Not so many weeks ago he had a good old go at getting rid of me. Granted the weather was dreadful, piddling with rain, blowing a hooley and generally not particularly pleasant riding conditions BUT after the first 'Spook' he thought he'd try it on.

He was checked out afterwards because his behaviour was pretty unpleasant but nothing untoward came to light. Apparantly he's prone to having the odd loopy moment !

He's bloody hard work ... tries it on & I'm exhausted after I've ridden him but I do like him. He's the Equine version of Archie !
My instructor tell's me I have to find the right BUTTON. I've looked but I can't find it ... not yet anyhow.

When you are riding him, he sort of sways or wobbles. It's an odd feeling and you feel like you are on a bobbing boat. We did an exercise of closing our eyes whilst rising trot and I felt sea sick after a bit !

After all the huffing, puffing, red faces and sweating, the free cake we get is a welcome treat !
I love my Thursday mornings !!!!!

Blowing the lurgy away ...

2010-05-09T17:47:00.002+02:00

Yep, Boo & I have had the dreaded lurgy that's doing the rounds. Awful coldy/ fluey symptoms, headache, aches and pains, high temperature ... that sort of thing. It's been lovely !
But this morning we were on our own with Archibald as Mr Boo was working.

The world doesn't stop for a cold and so I dragged my crappy body down the lane and across the fields so that Archie could have a run. Boo is very much on the mend, and by the way she was tanking down the lane on her bike you wouldn't think she'd been so poorly ! Kids seem to bounce back that much quickly ...

I'm glad I made the effort as the fresh air really cheered me up and cleared my airways for a bit. Plus all the bluebells are out and all seems well with the world when I am amongst the countryside. Maybe I was a tree or a bunny or a weed in a previous life, all I know is that I always feel so much better when I am amongst the greenery.

Boo had a ball blowing the Dandelion clocks, I lost count how many she blew !

Another ...

And another ...

We came home, hosed Archie off (he'd end up with mud wellies even if it were 90 degree heat & sunny, he'd find muck somewhere) and then popped to our local farm shop to get a fresh loaf.

The homemade cakes started winking at us so we sat down and had a drink and a great big slab of homemade Chocolate Cake and Victoria Sponge. Just perfect ...

I am now curled up with Archie & Boo, Lemsip in hand, just wondering if we have room for any tea ?

Back in the land of stitchery ....

2010-05-05T20:02:00.002+02:00

Hello peeps !
I've been commissioned to make another 'Sisters' applique picture which has helped me regain some of my enthusiasm.

It's in it's early stages but I am well on the way. I think I prefer ad hoc pieces rather than stressing over trying to make enough for fairs or websites. I just don't seem to have the time to dedicate all day to stitching.
Archie takes up a lot of my time with his training and the day just seems to disappear.

Having said that I have another two commissions come in today which will keep me very busy over the next few weeks.

I shan't be riding tomorrow as I had a cortisone injection in my hip today and need to rest it for 48hrs. Humbug ... but I shall be a good girl and do as the consultant tells me. Might get some more sewing in tomorrow now ...

Easter Weekend Fun ..

2010-04-11T20:14:00.008+02:00

(Sending Archie away for a water retrieve)

Thankfully, Archie has made a full recovery from his infection. He had his first run out today since last Tuesday and I've never seen him so springy and boingy. We didn't go mad as he gets tired very quickly, but we had a quick 20 minutes out in the field and boy did he enjoy himself !

These pics are from the Easter weekend before the little man got ill. We had all the family with us over the weekend so we all tromped out to the forest for a walk one afternoon.

I did a little bit of retrieving with Archie which he absolutely adores ... as you can see.

The audience ... not sure everyone was particularly interested ...

Tilly trying to be helpful, bless her ...

I seem to have a whistle permanently stuck in my gob these past few weeks ...

The whole crew : From L to R - Nick & his parents, me & Boo and Archibald, my little brother & his family and then my parents.

Two Grandads putting the world to rights. Actually, my dad is telling Nicks dad one of his stories from his Policing days. I keep telling him he ought to write a book !

Mud Monkey, Boo ... She thinks that by having a pair of Muckboots like mummy gives her the red light to fill them with muddy water !

How could I get cross with that cheeky face ?

Bottoms Up ...

Bottoms Down ...

On the balance bar .... and No, I don't still have it !

It was more fun to jump off and pull silly faces !

A lovely weekend had by all, lots of fun, lots of laughter, lots of happy tiredy children !

My Boy Archie ...

2010-04-09T23:55:00.002+02:00

... has been a very, very poorly boy and the reason ?

He's had a nasty infection somewhere in his body which thankfully, has responded to being pumped full of antibiotics. He's also been on a drip as he's not eaten or drunk for a couple of days.
He's been looked after by the staff at the Vet Centre where I started my working life about twelfty hundred years ago, the head vet is the same young vet that started his career too all those years ago .... almost 30 to be exact !!!!

We got him home tonight & it's so lovely to have him back with us, I've been a bit lost without him if truth be told. He's very sleepy and not 100% but hopefully he'll be back to his normal boingy, bouncy self very soon.

Boo has had her 6th Birthday and she had a lovely time with lots of family & friends around. It's been pretty hectic at 23BeechHill but I will post some pics of all the frivolities very soon.
And, once the Easter Hols are done and dusted for another year, I'll hopefully be back to crafting. My mojo has gone on his hols again !

Hope you've all had a great Easter !

Grrrrrrrrrrr ....

2010-03-27T15:25:00.002+01:00

I haven't blogged for ages, so apologies for being very lazy on this front ... but I have been very busy, just not with sewing particularly of late.

Still, I keep my beedy little eyes upon all things textiley and came across something that made me gasp out loud. I'm all for taking inspiration from all sorts of places but come on, when you find something within the handmade crafty world which looks remarkably like your own work ... and other peoples, don't you get a little miffed ? Especially when they seem to sell loads !!!!

I'm not going to let on where/ who though, I shall keep my dignity and not whinge any further.
OK, I'm done ......

New Bookmarks ... Yay or Nay ?

2010-02-24T13:21:00.003+01:00

I am an avid reader and I hate to see the corners of pages turned over to keep a page so ...
I decided to make some appliqued bookmarks. Based on 'Archie' , I thought I'd start with a dog design. More designs to follow (hopefully).

Cute little butterfly landed on his nose ...
Made from Linen and scraps of fabric, attached to a Shepherds Crook, perfect for keeping your book pages as they are meant to be.

So, what do you think ? Shall I make some ?

Exhaustapated Pups ...

2010-02-24T00:14:00.003+01:00

Why so sleepy you may ask ?

I'm soooo tired I can't tell you !

So, we'll just share my bed and sleeeeeeeeeeeeeep if you don't mind.
My mum will explain.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, nighty night.

Well, it's like this ...
Archie and his sister, Quest, did some of this (only play fighting before I here any "Gosh's")

(from Left to Right: Lily, Quest and Archie)

They had an afternoon out in the forest with their mum, Lily. So lovely to see them all running free together.

Three mostly white rockets zooming about. Can you tell which is which ? Me neither, certainly not when they are running away from you. I think Archie is on the left ...

The three of them had a swim (it was chuffing freezing!), or in Archie's case he decided to do a bit of diving !

So, not surprisingly, they were completely knackered by the time they stopped playing back at home. Archie and Quest finally zonked out about 10pm.

Oh, and that's me wearing Boo's bobble hat. I look a bit special don't I ?

Mr Boo and my friend Julia walking ahead with Boo and her friend lolloping behind complaining they were tired ..

A bit of a rest to pull silly faces. Ah, Miss Boo that's very attractive !

Legs still aching ...

Over the fence and back to the car.
A lovely afternoon with friends and a fab walk with the pups, followed by supper and a silly game. Happy Days !

Ah Lovely ....

2010-02-11T21:32:00.003+01:00

(click to enlarge)

'Sisters' is now finished ...
Yay, and how pleased am I with the result ? Very, is the answer.

From the french knot flowers in their hair and on their Wellies to the little Toadstools at their feet.

I really do enjoy bespoke commissions but they do take me a lot of time.
To start, I will sketch out ideas, then I'll probably screw them up and try again. This might go on for a bit until I settle on something I am happy with. If I have a specific brief it can take me longer to find something that I feel works.
Then, unless I can utilise a template from another project, I have to make new ones.

It's fascinating to watch a project develop. Sometimes I like the direction, sometimes not. However, this one, I love !

Sisters WIP ...

2010-02-10T22:50:00.003+01:00

Nearly finished ... bit more detail & embroidery to go and then I am done. I am really chuffed with this after my creative drought. It's a commission piece so I do hope it will be cherished as a special gift.

One Blonde ...

One Dark ...

Lost and now found ...

Back to Work ...

2010-01-20T21:09:00.003+01:00

(Very rough sketch of my new textile piece)

I haven't much felt like working over the past month. Other things & circumstances have dictated such BUT I started back in earnest today.

I'm struggling again with knowing what to concentrate on. I was sooo 'Princess & the Pea'd out at one point I really started to feel quite stale about what I was doing. Actually, the right word is probably bored ! Sounds very ungrateful but I did start to resent her ...

She was itty bitty and very fiddly foo to make so I withdrew her. This is a fault with me I know. However hard I try I just cannot make something in half an hour hence, I take hours and hours to make something and by the time you've totted up the number of hours , you have to ask the question, is it really worth it for what customers are willing to pay ?

Anyway, as far as I know she's still wallowing in her bed, lucky mare !

So, what to do next ? Do I stick with textiles, should I pursue painting again ? Shall I have a go at ceramics? I did pick up a book on Papier Mache in the library yesterday. I thought it'd be fun to make something with Miss Boo but I did do some Googling last night and found some amazing sculptures made purely of mushed up paper so it's quite versatile !

(One of the sisters - all cut out and ready to go )

In the meantime I have a textile commission to make. There is a poignant story attached to this piece and all I will say is that there are two sisters involved and one has blonde hair and the other dark hair. There is also a moon involved along the way too ...

From something sad comes ...

2010-01-16T22:42:00.003+01:00

Boo next to the awesome 'Desert Orchid' statue

Happiness & pride, slowly ...

Today, Mr Boo, Boo, my sister & I all went to Kempton to watch a very special horse run.
The horse? Fenix.
Why so special ? He belonged to Mr Boo's late brother whom we tragically lost before Christmas.
It was his first run since we lost Jonny and his first run in over 800 days after a very bad injury. Mr Boo has taken over the mantle on behalf of his brother so today was our first adventure as racehorse owners.

I've loved horses all my life, I've loved racing since the age of 13, it is my passion. Nothing evokes more emotion than seeing a horse run his heart out. These beautiful creatures are a sight to behold in full flow ...

It was a very, very tall order but we were hopeful of a good run as he was very fit and crying out for a run.

Mr Boo & I in the paddock after saying bye bye to Fenix before the Off ...

We waited in the saddling enclosure to meet his trainer Lucy Wadham from Newmarket. No horse. No trainer. What had happened ? had he thrown a shoe ? become ill ? refused to come out his box? We didn't know. Mr Boo & I walked back to the paddock thinking "Did we miss him somehow?" Nope he wasn't there ... No declared Non Runners so we ran back to the saddling boxes.

Phew ! we spotted Lucy's bright blue scarf waving about. He was there, safe and ready. And he looked amazing. Fit and bouncing.

Fenix finally in the paddock

His race was the Lanzarote Hurdle, a very good Class 2 race, 2 miles 5 furlongs in Heavy ground. Fenix likes it soft but the ground today was pretty desperate. It was going to be tough for all the horses.

In a nutshell, Fenix did not win, he didn't even finish the race. Pulled up 3 hurdles from home. Safe and at no risk of a tired fall.
He was way to keen and pulled like a train having led or been 2nd for a very long way. He was enjoying himself, having a ball and just wanted to fly. The poor jockey's arms are now twice as long as they were before the race but the opinion was that Fenix ran a very very good race, jumped well but was way too keen. Just got puffed out from all that pulling and fighting his jockey.

Imagine a child being cooped up in a classroom for a month and not being allowed out to play. That was Fenix today.

We met him after the race and he had a huge smile on his face, in fact I am sure he winked at me, as if to say "I bloody well enjoyed that, but I'm a bit pooped now if you don't mind".
Even though you knew he had had a race, his ears were still pricked and he just looked happy.

I hope Jonny was sat up there on his cloud, fag in hand, watching with pride as his little brother & horse mad sister-in-law represented him. There will be many more days of racing and many more clouds a watching ...

Is it a Film Set ?

2010-01-10T01:38:00.003+01:00

Peepo ... tis me, back again.

Today we went to Narnia ...
No, seriously, we did. I even thought I saw a glimpse of Mr Tumnus, scarf and all.

The woods opposite truly looked like a scene from 'The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe'. Eerily so.
It looked like someone had sprayed fake snow all over the shop. It's so pretty over there and not a bit of grey wet sludge anywhere, which is normally the case with our English snow after a day or so.

Me, Boo and Archie having a little resty. We walked for ages today and Archie eventually developed Snow Bumbles on his coat. He loved bounding about in the snow and Tilly did so well walking such a long way in the deep, deep snow.

More snow is forecast tonight so our friends are walking round tomorrow for Sunday lunch. What a lovely way to spend a a grey, freezing cold Sunday.

We'll be needing these then ...

2010-01-08T22:19:00.004+01:00

For a few more days ! These are Boo's wellies and welly warmers. An essential form of dress here in Berkshire lately. How much snow ???
I'm a bit bored with it now. School is shut & believe it or not Boo is a little bit bored, roads are dangerous and it's flippin freezing !

Still there are plus points. No early wake up calls for school for one ... and we've been able to spend more time with friends.
Plus, just look at these piccies of Archie out in the woods and fields. We've had so much fun, but it's all a bit surreal really. One big Christmas Holiday !

Archie is well camoflauged ...

Off to retrieve his tennis ball .... but yes, we did lose it later on.

More, more ... give me more tennis ball retrieves please mum !

Way Hey ! I can fly ...

Me and my special boy.

Blimey, that was a bit deep mum !

Hah ! had to burrow for that one ...

A little while before the snow came ... but still really cold and frosty.

Archie gives me so much joy. Yes, he can be hard work but we've worked very hard with him and with maturity comes a little bit of calmness - but not for long.

Can I please ask ...

2010-01-06T23:54:00.003+01:00

Even if you are not religious or believe in a higher being, that you might pray for the little boy, Tommy, who fell through the ice this week and who is in a critical condition.

He is a lovely sunny little boy and so please God, if you do exist, bring him back to his mum, dad and little sister.

God bless you Tommy, we want you back at school ... xxxxxxx

Best Friends

2010-01-02T23:57:00.002+01:00

On their way home ...

From a brisk walk in the forest. I love these photo's of Boo and Archie. He is so good when walking with Boo. It was really icy and slippery so even more important that he didn't pull her over.
Boo is quite firm with Archie, very authoritative for a 5 year old !

What you can't see is the fact she is almost up to her knees in icy water. I swear she's half Springer Spaniel, never happier then when she is in water or dirty puddles.

Good job she has her wellies on, I don't think there was one puddle 'unjumped' in on our way through the forest. We walked a heck of a long way so as long as she was happy ....

The funeral has come and gone and so we are getting back to normal after a horrible few weeks.
Mr Boo's brother had a lovely send off, if that's the right term. It was a very, very sad occasion but the services were very heartfelt and personal, I hope Jonny was looking down on the day and felt right chuffed at the turn out ... he may even have had a chuckle at seeing three of his ex-girlfriends turning up at the same time !

I don't know how Mr Boo & his parents got through the day. It all seems so surreal. The shock of losing your son & brother aged just 42 from heart failure is almost too much to deal with. One day you say "Night, night, see you in the morning", but that morning never comes. No warning, no clues, nothing. Just gone ...

Mr Boo has been so brave and has been dealing with the practical aftermath that a death generates too. No easy feat when you have to grieve too. Hopefully the New Year will help with closure and acceptance will come in time.

Good to be back blogging. Happy New Year to All !

How do you cope ...

2009-12-14T22:11:00.002+01:00

With a sudden death ?
Especially at such a young age ?
Especially when it's your husbands brother ?

Blogging will be on hold for a bit but I wanted to wish everyone a
Very Happy Christmas and lots of love and luck for the New Year.

Bye, Bye for now x

The Best Day ...

2009-11-29T00:10:00.004+01:00

(The Pea done good ....)

Today was 'Hennessy Gold Cup' day at Newbury. As far as I am concerned, it's my favourite race. I have some very special memories of Hennessy Day and have been priviledged to witness some very special winners - One Man, Suny Bay, Coome Hill and more recently Denman in 2007.

Denman was declared to run again today and carrying top weight of 11st 12lb and conceding upwards of 13lbs to the other horses, it would be a very special win if he pulled it off.

But before I tell you what happened (if you haven't seen the race already) I wanted to share with you part of the 'Rainbow Swap' that Trash organised. It's a twist on the 'Princess and the Pea', the pea having locked the Princess in the cupboard under the stairs I reckon !

(apologies for the gimpy expression ... I wasn't quite ready for the photo)

OK, back to the race. Waiting with freezing baited breath for Denman to come into the paddock. We grabbed an early seat as the course was heaving ... what you can't see is my cup of hot choccy with whipped cream on the top. Boy was it cold today. I had 4 layers on and my big wool coat. I even had long socks on under my trousers.

I'm an old hat when it comes to winter racing but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that a strapless dress, bare legs, stiletto shoes and NO coat add up to freezing your tits off and blue lips !
No word of a lie, there were women dressed like this today. I had to chuckle. Even their inch layer of hairspray had frozen rock solid.

But wait, looky here ... male totty waiting on the rails. Ok, so you may have had to shut your eyes, maybe squint a bit, even pretend ? Ha! Ha! Hardened punters me thinks. But, I was taking photo's of the race and NOT the totty ... they were all inside, in the bar, in the warm.

A proper wintery National Hunt day's racing view.

The crowds waiting for the start of the Hennessy. There is always a huge roar at the start, goose bumps galore and a hope that all the horses come home safely no matter where they finish.

Denman leading on the first circuit generated a HUGE huge cheer.

Done ! An awesome race. Other runners tried and failed to break his spirit but Denman, being the bull of a horse that he is, would not give up. The Queens horse, Barber Shop, ran brilliantly for a long way but Denman just galloped him into the ground.
People were screaming, shouting, cheering, applauding and showing their appreciation of such a deserving and brave horse.
I get very emotional watching my racing and admit to having a bit of a watery eye watching the closing furlong and listening to everyone cheering him on.

Looking very chilled out on his way in to the winners enclosure. Perhaps he's thinking of his bucket of water, a nice feed and a warm rug.

The review of race read like this ...
Denman - Tracked leaders, challenged from 11th until led 15th, pushed along from 4 out, ridden when challenged 2 out, stayed on strongly under pressure run-in.

A brave, brave defiant horse. A deserving winner for the 2nd time. Long may he stay well and fit.

It'd be super duper, smashing, luvverly if you could ...

2009-11-24T21:35:00.003+01:00

Please vote for my Bootiful Boo ...
Here on the Next Voting page

I love this photo, it's from our Disney trip a couple of weeks ago xx

A blatant plug ...

2009-11-24T17:33:00.002+01:00

Take a peep at the very delicious and utterly gorgeous fabricness that 'Sew Very English' creates.

Beautiful, beautiful cosies ...

Tracey is a very clever lady indeedy and I reckon gives Poppy a run for her money.

Well .....

2009-11-23T23:46:00.001+01:00

What can I say ?
Thank you all for your support and kind words !!!!!!!
I feel a bit of a plum now but it has been a lesson learnt certainly.
Mwah xxxxxxxxx

Tell me it's all worth it ...

2009-11-23T12:01:00.006+01:00

(The smiles didn't last long I'm afraid)

Apparantly I have been a right old mare since the Christmas Fair on Saturday ... so if Mr Boo is ready this " I apologise" ... but in my defense, I have felt pretty rubbish. No excuse tho.
I have been working my warm and fluffy socks off these past few months sewing away and finally the anticipation of Boo's lovely school Christmas Fair arrived.

I was very hopeful of a good day but after about an hour the writing was on the wall. Have I got it so very wrong ? I didn't sell one Fairy Godmother and yet they've been selling steadily online.
I packed up my table, with a little tear in my eye. I covered the table plus a bit more but compared to my neighbour who sold £500 worth of glassware, I felt a complete Noddy !

I can't tell you how disappointed, let down, even stupid, I felt. Daft eh ? I know it happens and you just cannot tell how fairs will pan out but the fair was heaving with people who just wandered past smiling at my work and muttering a few 'ooh, how sweet' or 'Lovely' ...

My lovely Godmothers just didn't do it for the punters on Saturday. Oh well ....
Anyhow, I can't dwell on the disappointment but I have questioned whether all the hard work, time and effort is actually worth it. Would life be easier to buy in stock and sell it on ? Shall I try my hand at something completely different ? Shall I just go and work in the farm shop ?
OK, enough ...

But hey, looky here. This was just part of Santa's Grotto at the school. It was truly amazing, magical and so christmassy. I think it has to be the best Grotto I have ever seen, so old fashioned and traditional. The children were led in one by one for a chat with Father Christmas before receiving their pressies.

When Boo was having her chat, father Christmas asked her if she'd put a carrot out for the reindeers this year, to which she promptly replied
"YES, WE WILL. BUT LAST YEAR THEY POOED IN OUR PORCH !"

I made bread and marmite turds and scattered them at the front door with some flour and glitter. Quite effective I thought !

Another view of the Grotto. The photo's don't do it justice, shame.

I am not sure if this is pre or post 'The Reindeer pooed in the porch' discussion'.

So, I have one more Christmas fair in 2 weeks time and will then decide what I shall do. The difficulty is the time it takes to make handmade things, everyone seems to want something for nothing.

I had a customer looking at something really quite lovely I'd made which I'd greatly reduced because it was the last one and I didn't want to make any more. Seriously, I was practically giving it away but she ummed and arred over paying a fiver for it. I felt like saying to her, "Hello, that took me x amount of time to make, please don't insult me".
Hmm ... Am I being a bit precious here ?

Lots of prettiness and a few old bags ...

2009-11-04T19:06:00.004+01:00

(Hmm ... collective name for a bunch of Fairy Godmothers ?)

Prettiness being what I have made ... The old bags? Well, that'll be what can be found under my eyes. I was up til the early hours stitching key fobs last night and it's just catching up with me ... Yawn, Yawn.
One late night and I am knackered, how pathetic is that ? Still, seeing all the lovely fabrics I bought down in Cowslip transformed into Fairy Godmothers and pwetty key fobs makes it all worthwhile.

I've been stressing lately over lack of time and not having made enough stock for the upcoming Christmas fairs I have committed to. Boo is on the 2nd week of half term so that has seriously hindered productivity ... having said that, I'm not prepared to compromise my time with Boo, we've had a great time.

I think the doors are my favourite of the keyfob designs. I'm making some funky car ones too for the fair. Any other suggestions for a simple design would be gratefully received.

And, for the boys .... some little comfort Gnomes. I am not sure how well these will be received so I am not going to make too many. Having a little girl I am not sure whether a little boy would appreciate one ? Anyone with a boy munchkin have an opinion ?

At last, my lovely Welly cushion commission is finally finished. The backing of the cushion is the same Laura Ashley Bibi fabric as on the wellies. The recipient has been a very lovely customer indeed and i so hope she likes the finished cushion.

Lastly some pocket money hair grips for the Christmas Fair. I'm making a batch of these colourful grips, little girls can't resist colourful girly things can they ? Some have daisies on them and some have sparkly sequins. Next on the list are some flower hair grips ...

I was riding again yesterday so I'm feeling a bit stiff and achey. I am sooooo loving getting back in the saddle and was chuffed to be told yesterday that I have drastically improved since we started back riding a month or so ago. No mean feat after 20 years out of the saddle.

I rode Albert yesterday, he's a grumpy git but I get on well with him. I think he has to be the bounciest horse I have ever ridden !

4 And A Half Hours Later ....

2009-10-25T21:52:00.006+01:00

(click to enlarge)
(Not such a lady like mount, dam, who stole the mounting blocks ?

That's how much riding I have done in the last couple o' weeks. I hadn't ridden properly for 20 years or so ...

A chance encounter with a mechanical horse and the lovely people from Wellington Riding changed all that. And boy, was it to be a very good enounter indeed !

After such a long time, I am incredibly rusty but it's all coming back to me slowly, BUT I am a bit impatient and want to be further on. Hmm, call me impatient. YES ! actually, I am very impatient.
So, here I am having a lunge lesson with the Chief Instructor, David. He's a cheeky chappy with a definite twinkle. Absolutely the kind of person I can bounce off and have a good rapport with. I can't be doing with serious, stuffy people.

Don't get me wrong, he knows his onions and is very, very professional. A hard task master to boot but I had a real giggle with him.

There see, can you see me laughing ? I'm such a bad pupil aren't I ? He! He!

The horse is called 'Piglet' and he is adorable. I rode him on Thursday and he had a very fussy mouth but we got on just fine.

We did loads of work without stirrups which has benefitted my 'seat' no end. I'm riding again on Thursday so it'll be interesting to see how everything feels then.

Isn't Pigelt sweet, he's such a gorgeous horse ? He likes to rub his snot all over you at the end of the lesson but I'll allow him that.

Doing a bit of 'legs away' ... and I am still laughing !

I'm listening very hard, trying to take it all in.

David is laughing at me because my hips 'pinged'. He found it amusing but I was wincing a bit whilst puffing a few 'Ooh's' and 'Ah's'. A bit of bendy manipulation and away I went again.

I am loving getting back in the saddle again, it's been a breath of fresh air for me and Mr Boo is very encouraging too.
I can't wait to go again this week. I have a goal for next year, to train for and perform a Dressage test to music. How lovely would that be. D'you think riding to 'Pink' might be acceptable ?

Ta ta for now ...

Oh The Life On An Ocean Wave ...

2009-10-21T15:01:00.004+02:00

(The spelling of 'Pirats' is intentional. They are children Pirates and we all know that children Pirates haven't been to school !)

Two cheeky Pirates aboard their stripy ship. I don't think they'd get far with their dinky little sail though, do you ?

Just a quickie post as I have lots on ...
One commission down, two to finish and then my Christmas Fair stock needs some serious attention.

Back Soon ....
x

Welly WIP ...

2009-10-13T23:31:00.003+02:00

I'm loving this new piece, a commission piece for one of my lovely customers.

I can't wait to finish it and show you what it is ...
But you'll have to wait a bit longer my lovelies :)

How it all begins ...

2009-10-07T22:02:00.004+02:00

I've been a quite unindated with commissions and orders and I have quite a list to get through. I'm working my way through them and on my list is a couple of 'New Baby' keepsakes.
The 'New Baby Girl' keepsake was easy, a bigger version of my 'Fairy Godmothers', but the 'New Baby Boy' keepsake needed a bit more planning.

I always start off by doodling a design and then creating all the bits of templates. That done, I can then get on with the choosing of fabrics, cutting out, stitching and then stuffing.

The result was 'Dogsy' ... Cute eh ? Fahioned on my Archibald, I just had to use his ears in the design.

And his full waggy tail too ...

Sweet cheeks Fairy Godmother in all her dottiness ...

I reckon she'd be able to fly long haul with those babies ...

I've only gone and done it 'Rodney' ...

2009-10-03T19:36:00.006+02:00

(Me & Spider, a true gent !)

Riding that is !
I haven't ridden properly for Ooh, about 18 years. Why did I leave it that long ? Oh yes, I have crappy ligaments (The professionals called me a baggy mess), and a back injury (from a bad fall about 23 years ago).
I've been umming and ah'ing about getting back in the saddle for ages but the fear of setting off my back, lack of confidence and not pulling my finger out all culminated in the likelihood being absolutely zilch. That is until ....

Boo's school held a family fun day and Wellington Riding brought along a horse simulator for the kids to have a go on. Well, I was straight over there, Boo desperate to have a go on a pretend horse.
The very lovely people from Wellington were trying to organise 'School Mums' riding sessions with Coffee and Cake afterwards. How perfect is that ?

(OH MY GOD !!! Look at those baggy jowels ! )
I'm so embarrassed. It's like looking down into a drawer and finding a mirror in there. In my defense I was at the point of the down in the rising trot so gravity is pulling my face down.

I registered interest and kept in touch and so this Friday saw me have a 1/2hr assessment. I'll be honest, I was a little bit nervous, more about my back and whether I'd kick off the mega mega pain I've had to suffer at times.
After talking to me about my riding history etc. they gave me 'Spider'. He's one of the centres Schoolmasters and showjumpers. He's very big but very much a gentleman. He put me at ease and I thoroughly enjoyed the session even though after about 15 minutes I was bloody knackered.

Roland (my instructor and why oh why didn't they give me a real minger to instruct me) had me trotting for the majority of the 1/2hr, transitions from walk to rising trot, sitting trot, 20m circles and going large round the menage. I tell you, I was puffing like a puffing thing. Well, I'm no spring chicken, my legs were weak, my core non-existent but I didn't fall off - I should bloody hope not just at a trot !!!!

I LOVED IT, GOING BACK ON THURSDAY ! I'll be having some 1/2hr lungeing lessons with no stirrups to strengthen my legs and core so watch this space as I'm sure I'll have some bruises to share ;-(

Myself and some lovely friends went out last night to celebrate my birthday. We went to a Blubeckers and had a real laugh. The waitresses brought me out some balloons and an ice-cream with a candle in it and sang me Happy Birthday.

Ju, Linda and Di caught unawares. Ju is smiling but don't be fooled, she rode yesterday too and was just starting to feel the effects of also not having ridden for about 18 years. We've been comparing aches and pains all day.
Linda is trying to be invisible cos she hates having her picture taken and Di who always looks perfect, I don't think I have ever seen her in her scruffs ???

Anne WITH HER EYES OPEN, Yay ... I can take a 100 pics of Anne and she'd normally have her eyes shut in 98 of them. Guaranteed. Anne is Boo's unofficial Godmother and is fantastic with her. She'll sit for about 5 hrs playing puzzles, hide and seek and games without one utterance of a moan.
Edyta is in the background looking lovely and glam as normal. She's just one of those people who would look fantastic in a bin bag. Grrrrrrrr ...........

Thank you dear lady friends, I had a ball and hope you did too. I just can't behave at times and I don't need a drink to be a bit naughty. I was crying with laughter at one point.
But I couldn't possible tell you the details of the conversation. However it did involve men pulling faces .... I dare one of you to make some suggestions.

I'll leave it with you then he! he!

OK, well I'm going to roll myself off the sofa now, I'm getting stiffer and stiffer by the hour. I can't cross my legs so what state will I be in by the morning ?
A small price to pay for having a lovely ride ...

We've fallen out again !

2009-09-30T11:50:00.004+02:00

It's my birthday today so I've enjoyed a nice cuppa and toast in bed (well Boo polished off most of the toast), followed by what I thought would be a lovely tromp in the woods with Archie.
Hah ! Not so ....

This is where he started his hunt ... see all that bramble and undergrowth ? Well, Archie is in there somewhere. I promise you, I could hear him crashing through it. Whistle ? Did no good. Voice command ? Nope, that didn't work either. Not even when I screamed ' Archie you little toad, if you don't come back now I'm going home without you !!!!

This is the tree I hid behind to scare him into staying close to me. At home he has to be where I am, even as far as sitting outside to the loo ! But, outside, in all those lovely bunny and wildlife scents it's a different story.

This is the gap I was expecting him to appear at. Nope !

This is Archie bombing back to me after, Ooh, about 6 minutes of self rewarding hunting. Bad. Very Bad. Very, very Bad.
Look, he's laughing again isn't he ?

Finally got him under control but that's cos he's knackered and panting like a train.

" Think I'd better lie down for a bit, I'm a bit tired " .... Oh really ? Well, tough bloody titties. Get up we're going home, on lead, you've spoilt it for yourself now. End of walk young man !

" Just a bit longer, not quite got my breath back yet ... "

" I'll just have one more laugh at you, if that's OK mum ? "

Archie is now asleep at my feet, exhausted after his escapade, as if all is well in his Doggy World.

Me ? I'm OK, I've counted to 10 and had two shortbread fingers ...

I AM A STUPID WOMAN !!

2009-09-29T12:39:00.006+02:00

Repeat after me ...

STUPID WOMAN !!!!!

I have blogged but saved it to the wrong blog. I am a stupid woman ..
Please go take a peek as I can't be arsed to do it all over again on here.

Blogged here instead ..........

At flippin last ...

2009-09-23T23:10:00.008+02:00

(Dartmoor Pony Pencil Study)

Blimey, it's been a nightmare trying to upload images. I kept getting the spinning wheel of DEATH !
Anyhoo, blogger suddenly decided to work. Hurrah ! But now it's underlining all my text.
WHY ????? I'm having to use the eraser on the text to get rid of the lines.

I was rummaging around in the garage yesterday and came across a box tucked away right at the back with all sorts stacked on top. Intrigued, I opened it to find some old drawings and paintings from way back when.

(Watercolour of my first Springer Spaniel, Sam)

I painted this when I was just 17 years old, it's now 28 years old ... quick if you do the sums you'll work out that I am in fact 'twelfty' years old ;-)
Sam died when he was just 7 years old, cruelly cut down in his prime by cancer. He was a very special boy and it was he who started my love affair with Springers.

(I don't think so little man ... Get Down. And I don't care if you've brought me your bone)

And, Ooh look ... here's another one. He is not as noble as Sam, in fact he's a little toad. I love him to bits, honest I do, but he's in my bad books tonight cos he ate one of my Fairy Godmothers.
He snuck her out into the garden, chucked her about a bit, pulled out her stuffing, covered her in mud and then cooly came back into my studio, laid down quietly at my feet and nonchalanty looked up at me ...
With HER in his mouth !
The cheek of him. Ooh, I was soooooo cross as she was destined, together with 9 other Godmothers, for a Macmillan Coffee morning sale on Friday.

He has also taken to sitting on my chair whenever I get up. Talk about jumping in my grave.

(You're no fun mum. I brought you a present and everything)

(Ok, Ok .... I'm off to dig a hole in the lawn then. Or maybe I'll rip up a slipper ~ like I did yesterday)

Oh Yes, he had one of my slippers in the garden yesterday. Completely mauled it to death (it was an animal print design.

The beginnings of some Diddy Dolly Key Fobs. All finished now and well out of reach of a certain naughty Springer puppy dog.

Uploading Photo's

2009-09-23T23:04:00.001+02:00

Anyone else having trouble before I contact Blogger ?

Dots and Doodles ...

2009-09-15T21:13:00.009+02:00

Archie was a tiredy little man this morning as we did some training ... partly to keep him away from the bunnies and squirrels in the woods and partly because he's so well in himself he's being a little arse and not listening to me ! Time to give him some more tough love ...

Anyhow, we had a lot of fun with his dummies and he got rid of a lot of pent up energy, hence the doodle above. He was curled up lying on his bed quietly snoring away (typical man) looking so sweet (as if !) so I thought I'd dust of my drawing pen and doodle him.

His nose is not right, too square ~ but not bad considering I haven't picked up a drawing pen or pencil for absolutely yonks and yonks.

I've revisited my old friend the 'Huggly', OK, so he's been revamped a little. His ears are more rounded and he's grown a tail too, but essentially the same. This particular one is made from lovely soft flannel with dotty applique detail. He has the same dotty fabric on the back.

I'm in the middle of making three more commission 'Princess and the Pea's and I also have a pile of Fairy Godmother worry dolls and Diddy Dolly Key Fobs that need finishing.
Anyone got any Elves I can borrow ?

Look at this, go on, just look at it ...

THAT IS MY SLIPPER !!!!!!

The little toad (otherwise known as Archibald) snuck it out into the garden, tried to bury it by the looks of it, obviously gave up and so brought it back indoors for me.
AND I hoovered today.
The carpet now resembles the sodding Grand National Course

AFTER THE RACE HAS BEEN RUN !

He's laughing isn't he ? Can you see that smirk ? He's laughing so much his eyes are closed ...

I want to tell you a story ...

2009-09-10T19:10:00.005+02:00

But first can I just show you my latest commission. Yep, another 'Princess'. I am very flattered this design is so popular, it makes all the hard work and fiddlyness worth it. And the lady who commissioned this particular picture is a very nice lady indeedy.

The brief was to make the picture as PINK as possible. It is very pink but in quite a subtle way I hope. The bed posts are 100% wool felt as I can't stand that scratchy, itchy cheap fake felt. She has french knot detail in her hair and I've also stitched a couple of pearly sequins into the stars this time for a bit of sparkly'ness. Ah, lovely ...

And talking of lovely .... I found this wonderful little book in the charity shop yesterday. Now, I love children's books, but I especially love children's books with meaningful stories with especially beautiful illustrations. And I especially love Horses.

Let me introduce you to 'The Story of Ted' .

(Isn't this just an adorable image ?)

Based on a real Clydesdale Foals experience, this book was a real joy to read with Boo. It's a little bit sad at the beginning but Ted does have a very happy ending. In real life Ted was very poorly suffering from Pneumonia and a tummy blockage. At one point he only had a 50/50 chance of surviving til daybreak and his lovely Vet spent 48hrs with him.

Written by the lady and her 12 year old daughter who saved him from the sale when he was only 12 weeks old, it's an emotional and informative book telling the reader all about the Clydesdale breed. A written dedication is also a lovely touch.

Just beautiful illustrations ...

Ted has his own website, www.thestoryofted.com I haven't looked at it in detail yet so I don't know how up to date it is but it looks very interesting and Boo can't wait to see that Ted is now all growd up and happy !

I think Ted will be a very popular Christmas present this year. A DVD of Ted's story is also mentioned on his website.

"The Story of Ted will touch your heart and teaches everyone that humility is one of life’s most precious gifts"

Who's that hiding ...

2009-09-08T16:20:00.005+02:00

Where did that come from ? The sunshine I mean ... It's scorchio at the moment, really lovely out there. I've been stitching away today but have just been out in the garden to see whether it was as warm as it looks. And it is .....

And look who i found hiding in the Hibiscus. She must have escaped while I was wasn't looking.

Once the little Fairy Godmother saw me she quickly tried to hide but those bright blue wings are a bit of a giveaway. I reckon she was out there enjoying the sunshine and sprinkling some TURBO glitter on Archibald.

So much for him having to be careful of his stitches. He has been completely mental since his plumbs removal last Friday. A complete whirlwind on legs. The wind has really got up his tail today, he even snapped his retractor lead this morning because he was so desperate to run and hunt. He's supposed to have no free running exercise for another day or so, so we are in for some fun when he finally gets off the lead !

His trusty pal 'Mr Octopus' has had a very hard time this afternoon ...

Poor Mr Octopus, shaken to bits ...

Just a bit more running mum and then I'm done, promise !?@*

This is our bit of sky this afternoon. Lovely eh ? Long may it last too.

New Key Fobs and Bag Charms ...

2009-09-05T15:58:00.006+02:00

Just a quicky post to show you something new ...

How about a diddy 'Smiley Girl' (sorry, that's as good as it's gonna get until I can think of another name) to look after your keys or brighten up a handbag ? I've made some mini versions of my little 'Fairy Godmother' comforts, minus the wings, to attach to whatever you fancy ...

Maybe even a pair of earings or, ahem, tassles ... you know the sort of tassles I mean !

I think they'll look quite nice and unique as a little accessory so I plan to make a bunch for my Macmillan Sale at the end of the month. Hopefully people will like them ?

And this dear friends is my Archie, looking pretty glum last night ... minus a pair of plumbs.
Yes, I had to have him done. I've been putting it off but that's the deal with taking on an RSPCA rescue, and that's fair enough by me.

He wasn't too impressed when he got home but he's firing on all engines today. And there was me thinking I'd have a lovely quiet day to get on and work. Hubby was doing a 70 mile cycle challenge, Boo is feeling under the weather and just wanted to snuggle and watch her DVD's and I was expecting Archie to be quieter and want to sleep. Perfect working conditions.

You must be joking ! He is a Springer Spaniel after all.

1. He's been trying to jump on my lap whilst I've been trying to sew
2. He's had his head in my sewing bin countless of times, emptying and trying to eat the contents
3. He's dragged my Pilates ball out into the garden and punctured it whilst chucking it up in the air.
4. He got through the hedge and was running up and down between the hedge and fence next door
5. He's found some chicken bones - hence a chase round the garden after him
6. Got on a scent in the garden and had a 5 minute 'Mental' chasing an invisible cat or bunny
7. Constantly bringing me balls, toys, nylabones and Mr Octopus ... all in the hope of a play

I think he's feeling much better don't you ? He's restricted to 5 days of lead exercise only this week. Hah ! His poor sister has had an op on her foot and she's been laid up for 5 weeks. She's like a coiled spring so I ought to be grateful for only 5 days of hell.

Archie ... I'm sorry my little man but they had to come off. They were only little plumbs so you shouldn't miss em too much ;')

I've been re-visiting my brushes ...

2009-09-01T21:55:00.004+02:00

For the first time in absolutely YONKS ! and it felt Great ...

OK, so it's not my usual watercolour painting but I'm game for a bit of a change. I bought some fabric paints today, just as a bit of an experiment you understand. I've fancied having a go at painting on fabric for quite a while now and as usual, whatever I do seems to be more intensive than anticipated.

Maybe I'm just a perfectionist, maybe I'm just stupid and make more work for myself ????

I've always, always, always, doodled eyes. Don't ask me why. I wouldn't be able to tell you. It's generally just the one eye. Sometimes I'll doodle two but not very often.

I wonder if a professional doodle decipherer (is that such a word?) would be able to tell me why ?
I'd be fascinated to know why ...

I really should get back into my painting but that'll have to wait as I am drowning in 'Princess and the Pea' textile picture commissions. Don't get me wrong, it's fantastic, I'm chuffed to bits, but I am going to be really, really busy and I fear that I'll be dreaming about green peas for evermore.

Sunshine and Rosettes ...

2009-08-31T18:50:00.007+02:00

Today, we bumbled on over to our local annual Country show & had a lovely afternoon in the sunshine.
For a bit of fun, we entered Archie into a couple of the dog classes.

Firstly, we entered in the 'Fastest Recall' competition followed by a very hot and sweaty wait for the 'Best Rescue Dog' class.
We were about the 10th dog to run the recall competition and achieved the fastest recall from that point onwards. How excited were we ? Archie is incredibly fast so we knew he'd do quite well. Boo was well excited !

Anyhow, after he'd done his bit we had an ice-cream and had a look around the show and then went to wait for Archie's 'Rescue' class to start.

(Pah ! and what am I supposed to do with that ?)

Now, I know I'm quite a competitive soul but not to the point I'd nobble my opponents or such-like, and I know that the novelty classes were meant to be fun, BUT I, and my neighbour in the ring were a tad confused at the logic of choosing the winner.

The judge, who seemed a lovely lady, came around and spoke to all of us handlers asking questions such as age of the dog, how long we'd had them and more importantly to her (quite obviously), in what terrible circumstances did come by our four legged pals.

OK, so Archie wasn't tied up in a sack and thrown in a river, nor was he found in a terrible emaciated state, nor was he tied to the central reservation of the M4, but he is still a 'rescue' pup.
My friendly neighbour in the ring also had a Springer Spaniel, a 4 year old she'd had since he was 4 months old after being found wandering around the streets of Portsmouth, assumed dumped because he was a failed Gundog pup. The docked tail (illegal now unless it's a proven working dog) and nervous manner and behaviour hinted at such. Not a great start in life for him.

So, there we were, waiting for the judge to call up the six best in class to eventually choose an overall winner. Archie was getting a bit bored so I snuck him a Chicken Hula Hoop to keep him focussed on me and not so interested in sniffing his new 'mates' winky do dah ...

And then the judge pulled out the first dog saying ..
"This little dog was shut in the dark ... "
and then she said ...
"Oh it's so difficult to choose. All the dogs are just lovely but I am trying to remember their stories"

Well, I feared that that sealed the fate of all of us who didn't have a sufficiently sad story. I felt really sorry for a little boy next to me, he looked so disappointed and he had a beautiful little dog.
My neighbour said "Why not just interview the entries and make the saddest story the winner eh ? Rather than waste time and ask the dogs stand in the heat"

She had a point, and I'm the first one to admire anyone taking on a disturbed or severely mistreated animal. But surely the competition should have been based on how well the dogs looked, their condition and personality ... or am I being too harsh here ?

It didn't really matter to me though. The whole point of the exercise for us was for educational purposes as far as Archie was concerned. He's been dreadful when other dogs are around, screaming and barking with excitement because he wanted to play with everyone. I've been taking him to busy and dog populated places to try and de-sensitise him to all the excitement.

And, I have to say he was absolutely brilliant today. Whether it be down to just maturity or his new food and herbs, whatever the trigger, he's much improved. So, I was a happy bunny. If you'd asked me, even 2 months ago, to stand in a ring with 25 other dogs and expect Archie to be quiet, I'd have said "Pah ! You're having a laugh aren't you?"

But looky here ....
No-one got close to Archie's time in the recall competition and so we won the 1st place rosette. He is a rocket, so it was going to have to be something like a border collie or another pocket rocket Springer that was going to beat his time.

Mr Boo was happy as Archie also won a bottle of wine !

And look at that sky. The morning started fairly mild but grey and not very promising. By 2pm it was flippin roasting !

Little Miss Boo is becoming a real whizz with the old Hoola Hoop. She was like the Goldilocks of Hoola Hooping, trying out all the different sizes of hoops.

Then she tried a bit of balance beaming. But she got cross when she kept falling off. The man to Boo's left in the photo was having a great time having a go all by himself ~ maybe he was reliving his childhood. He had a go on everything ~ bless im.

Bouncy Castles, slides, entertainers, craft tents, produce tents, children's activities, showing (horses) amd show jumping, dog show, fairground rides, ice-cream vans, pony rides, firemen (hubba, hubba !), main ring events, birds of prey, music bands and bars .... we had the lot there.

A huge amount of work goes into this show and it was brilliantly attended this year ... I know, because my next door neighbours were on the gate.
It's in the field practically opposite our house so we can walk to it too.

I loved this set up ...

A quick go on the spinning tea-cups and then it was off home. Very tired, very hot but very happy. Boo had a lovely time, Archie learnt a bit more AND he beat 70 other dogs to win his shiny bright red rosette. What a clever puppy dog.

We have mostly been ...

2009-08-26T21:44:00.009+02:00

Woken up by midnight visits this past week. Boo seems to be having trouble sleeping and wakes up after dreaming. The other night I woke to see a black shadow looking over me in bed and I nearly pooped my PJ's (I have to be blunt so you get the picture of what a scary sight that was when I was half asleep ! ) It was Boo, herself half asleep, wanting a huggle. Needless to say, she ended up in 'The big bed'.

So, it got me thinking ... apart from all of us having disturbed sleep on a regular basis, Boo has got into the habit of waking up and I don't want her to be scared of being in her own bedroom.

So .... meet my NEW 'Fairy Godmothers.

They are small enough to pop under a pillow to keep a little one safe and ward of bad dreams. Boo wants to put one in her school bag too as a bit of a comfort for when she starts back at school in Y1. She knows it's going to be a big change from Reception so knowing she has her fairy godmother with her will make everything a little bit better.

They are made from linen and have 100% woolen felt faces and cheeks, stitched eyes, eyelashes, noses and mouth and pwetty embellishment detail. I've stitched little wings on their backs too. I'm going to make a batch for the Macmillan sale ~ being 'Fairy Godmothers' I think they'll be a nice little gift.

If anyone is interested in one, please just drop me an email.

They are £10.00 each.

There are things that every child knows
And deep within us is the child who knows it

Making the most of ...

2009-08-24T17:24:00.007+02:00

(click to see a ginormous image)

The weather lately, we were able to enjoy the sunshine and warmth when we were in Cambridge last week visiting Mr Boo's parents. Boo was beside herself because they have a pool and sooooo much space to run around. I know we have a big garden but theirs is positively ginormous with an Orchard section too ~ just perfect for hide and seek !

And Archie thought he'd died and gone to heaven with all the lovely country pongs and scents on offer.

Anyhoo, more of that later. But before we get all depressed about the 'Been and Gone' weather, I want to show you yet another 'Princess and the Pea' textile picture.

(I like my new book shelves ...)

This time, it's a commission for a New baby girl due at the end of the month. The brief asked for a rocket and star in the window. You may well be scrunching up your nose thinking ...

"Eh why ? I don't remember a rocket in the story. That's a bit daft"

Well apparently, the little girls daddy is a Rocket Scientist so maybe daddy is in the rocket whilst the Princess snores her beautiful bonce off.

Can you see the rocket scientist ? Me neither, maybe he's in the loo !

We had a lovely couple of day's in Cambridgshire and the weather was just glorious. Boo made the most of the pool and even dragged her Papa in too.
Mr Boo didn't get away with it either. Meanwhile ....

I sat and relaxed, drank a Diet Coke, spent a bit of time swatting the dam wasps away, checked on Archie every now and again as he kept disappearing into the Orchard. Those bunnies were just too much temptation for him.

Ooh look, a bit more relaxing ... Nice

The slide was a big hit too. It took a bit of coaxing and hanging onto hands on the way down but eventually Boo went solo and then there was no stopping her.

"Push me in Mummy, push me in!" OK, then, Whoosh. "Well, you did ask Boo"

Some little friends from the next farm came to use the pool too so Boo had some play mates. Archie was sooooo desperate to get in there with them. He made do with drinking the splashes instead.

Young Archie with the wire pheasant. He wasn't quite sure what to make of it. Sniffed it's bum a few times (probably peed up it a few times too) and then ignored it.

"Can you just throw one apple mum ? Oh please, Oh please, Oh pleeeeeeease ? Look, I've collected a selection for you to choose from. I have big ones, small ones, eaters, cookers, rotten ones, waspy ones, red ones and green ones. Any take your fancy cos I'm not fussy"

Nope.

OK, I'll just sit here with one in my mouth then. Yum ! Yum ! Cookers, my favourite.

Ooh ... I can't move this morning !

2009-08-13T09:35:00.005+02:00

(Oh, how I love thee ...)

And this is why ...

The garden ! Mr Boo and I spent all day pruning, digging, weeding, strimming, hedge cutting and grass cutting. Oh my aching bones ! I feel like I've been run over by a herd of Buffalo this morning.
It was quite physical stuff at times, climbing ladders, dragging bags of hedging to the skip and generally manipulating myself into weird positions to get the dratted weeds from the bottom border without standing on anything that I shouldn't.

I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to certain things, and having a neat garden is one of them. However, we've let it get a bit out of hand lately because of work, holidays etc. So, a real blitz was necessary. The shrubs had gotten out of hand, the clematis was taking over the world and the weeds have had a real Paaaaarrrrrrty ....

4 years ago, this bottom border wasn't a border at all. It was a sort of nothing'ness with just one poorly little conifer tree, some chicken wire, mud and tons of weeds and rubbish.

It's now a little garden in itself and comes into it's own in the Spring, especially with the periwinkle. During the summer months, it's all evergreen so a bit dull so I need to inject some colour.
There are some fairies dotted about and big rocks but I want to add a bit more interest.

My 'middle bit' has also been a WIP. It was origianlly supposed to be a Mediterranean garden (courtesy of the previous owners) and it was hideous with those horrible big spiky Yucca things.Ugh ... I hated them. So, over time we've completely replanted this area to be more 'countryfide' as I call it.

I hate uniformity of plants, I much prefer the higgledy piggledy look of planting. There's all sorts in here, David Austin Ross (Mmmm, my favourite is Geoff Hamilton, smells divine), Periwinkle, Hot Lips, Hebe's, a Forest Pansy Tree, Clematis, Jasminoid, Heleborus, Strawberries and a rogue Tomato plant to name but a few.

Young Archie had a fantastic time with us, he loved having all day company in the garden. He sat with Boo under the duvet cover and blanket camp I made out of the upturned washing line (Mr Boo had to move it while he cut the hedge).
He sat and surveyed his Kingdom, nodding his approval every now and again.

"You've missed a bit there mum ... come on, do it properly"

Ok, I'm actually quite exhausted now !
Can you see Archie's bone on my wrist ? Ever the hopeful isn't he ...

I really must try and roll myself off the sofa before I'm stuck for the day.

Finished ... (Holds Hand Up). Can I pleeease have a wee now ?

2009-08-11T20:41:00.003+02:00

Phew ! That's better, been waiting to do that all day. He! He!

I've finished my latest commission and I must say I think this particular 'Princess' is probably my bestest, most favourite to date. They are all unique in that the fabric mix changes.

She's destined for Northern Ireland as a Christening present and although the little girl probably won't even know what it is yet, hopefully it'll be a lovely keepsake for her.

Little dinky, dainty, ickle Princess slippers. Cute eh ? Cute but flippin fiddly to make and stitch. I wouldn't get my big fat feet in these babies, especially with my emerging 'Onion' on my right foot (that's 5 year old speak for a Bunion ~ courtesy of my mum's family Grrrrr ....)

Anyway, enough of my lovely Onion ! Boo is still awake as she's been at a friends all day to enable me to get on with some work, but I hear her bed calling.
We've got some fab books to read from the library so I have a bit of a carrot to get her up the stairs. Normally she's in bed between 7.00 and 7.30pm so it's a bit of a treat ~ well, it is the summer hols and we have lovely quiet day at home tomorrow.

Gardening is on the agenda tomorrow but I may just squeeze in a bit of work if I can bunk off without Mr Boo realising I'm not underneath the hedge weeding :)

WIP ... And a Flippin Headache

2009-08-10T21:39:00.005+02:00

(I've been playing with my templates again)

Ooh, my head really hurts. Not just a little bit, not even a medium bit but a GREAT BIG STONKING, THUMPING all singing and all dancing sort of hurty head.
I've drunk lots of water, I've taken a pill and I haven't eaten any chocolate. Maybe we are in for a monster storm tonight and the air pressure is affecting me ...
Does it give dogs the farts too ? No ? Ok, well Archie is just farting for the sake of farting then ... or maybe it's Mr Boo blaming the dog !

Anyway, I digress ...
I've been happily 'Bondawebbing' away today working on one of new commissions. Hey, maybe I've developed a sudden allergy to Bondaweb. I'm in the habit of allergies, evil Hayfever (well, tree pollen fever to be exact) and out of the blue last year, Strawberries. I love strawberries, I could eat buckets of the things but alas if I so much as sniff one, I'll be in bed with chronic tummy pains and nausea. Nice ! And Nickel ... no cheap jewellery for me.
I'm digressing again aren't I ?

I'm well on my way to finishing this project.
I really like the colour and fabric combo. It's quite subtle but colourful in the same way.
Boo has been a very tired munchkin today, lots of lounging on the sofa with a blanket watching her DVD's which has allowed me to get a lot done. The songs in 'Barbie Princess and the Pauper' are actually very lovely to listen to.

I get through loads of Bondaweb and loads of black thread. I like the graphic quality of outlining the fabric with black thread. To me, it finishes the design off ~ without it, it sort of looks naked.

Sorry, I'm gonna have to cut this post short, I've got to go nurse my poor old bonce. Nighty, night.

I lOVE a good old clear out don't you ?

2009-08-08T21:13:00.009+02:00

I couldn't stand it any longer, not a second longer, not a smidgen of a second longer !

The room that doubles up as my studio as well as Boo's playroom (we like to share we do) had gotten into a right old mess.
Ok, so I am a bit of a hoarder, never quite sure if I'll need something or not in the future, worrying if Boo will realise that I'd thrown out some old bit of tat that she plays with from time to time ...
But lets get serious, THREE bin liners of rubbish is a bit excessive in the hoarding stakes. Yes, three BIG black bin liners destined for the giant rubbish tip on the sky. And, what a good feeling that was ! I feel positively cleansed.
I now have an incredibly inspiring workspace and Boo has a clearer view of what she can actually play with.
Now .... for the rest of the house.

(Isn't her hair just fab?)

I didn't just stop at the room either, nope, I went out into the garden too. I have problems with my bush you see. It grows at an incredible speed, sprouting out from every angle. It really had gotten out of control. I even had to wear my new pink suede gloves to do a proper job !
Boo has been helping in the garden too whilst Archie made sure we were doing things properly.

"Mummy making dandelion clock daisy chains isn't the easiest job in the world, if only I can persevere"

"Hmm ... they are a bit tricky aren't they ?"

Archie, ever hopeful that someone will chuck his ball for him to chase. But it aint gonna happen little man ... it compromises your training m'laddy so you can sit there as long as you like.
Bless him, he is persistent but he's such a manic retriever that I have a job on my hands steadying him and chucking balls and toys around is not gonna help.

"Humf, well that's what I think of that! You are just NO fun mum"
Is that a teenage look or what ?

Bush A (before) .. Pyracantha actually (ouch !)

Bush A (after)

Bush B (before) Yew

Bush B (after)
Smart eh ?

Nothing like a neat and tidy bush is there ?

Sale ... Roll Up, Roll Up, Grab yourself a bargain

2009-08-03T21:39:00.004+02:00

Sheep in Wellies. Textile Wall Hanging. A lovely alternative to a traditional picture or canvas.
Dimensions 36cm x 25cm
Price: £15.00 +pp

I love a good sale don't you ? Not the sort of sale my mum likes though ... that is, she'll buy anything if it's on sale even if she doesn't need it ! Shoes ? She has pairs of the bloody things, never worn but bought because they were a bargain and she was sure she'd get some wear out of them.
If mum and dad lived nearer I'd have a mass Ebay sale of all her bargains ...

Because my work space is compromised and I want to make room for my new work, I'm offering certain items at greatly reduced prices. If there is something here that you'd like, please drop me an email and I can send out a Paypal invoice.

Pink Knotty Bunny. Born to adorn shelf, bookcase or your bed perhaps? She has pretty blue french knot flowers and a ceramic blue button detail.
Dimensions 22cm x 22cm
Price: £8.00 +pp
(Please note, my bunnies are not toys and so not suitable for children. Decoration only)

Brown Knotty Bunny. Born to adorn shelf, bookcase or your bed perhaps?
Dimensions 22cm x 22cm
Price: £8.00 +pp
(Please note, my bunnies are not toys and so not suitable for children. Decoration only)

Green Wool Tweed Knotty Bunny. Born to adorn shelf, bookcase or your bed perhaps?
He has ribbon detail with the text 'Laugh Often, Sit Long, Talk Much'
Dimensions 22cm x 22cm
Price: £8.00 +pp
(Please note, my bunnies are not toys and so not suitable for children. Decoration only)

Ditsy Doggy. Fabric covered box canvas.
Dimensions 20cm x 20cm
Price: £8.00 +pp

Dotty Donkey. Fabric covered box canvas.
Dimensions 20cm x 20cm
Price: £8.00 +pp
SOLD, Thank you !

I'll be posting up some more textile pictures on sale over the next few days but the light was pretty poor by this evening so I wouldn't have been able to do them justice.

My sister has asked for a BIG 'Princess and the Pea' textile wall hanging for her birthday so I know what I'll be doing this week. That is, amongst the numerous dog walks, a visit to 'Hero's' (an organisation that rehomes ex-racehorses), a torture session at Pilates and Power Plate, a trip to see Harry Potter, some major gardening surgery and of course some serious spring cleaning.

A trip to the 'Veterinarian' is on the cards as young Archie is pooping through the eye of a needle at the moment. He doesn't seem to keep any weight on so I want to get him checked over. He's very happy and lively in himself but better to be safe than sorry. So, a bland diet of rice, pasta, chicken and fish will be on the menu for a day or two. My poor little man sounds like an almost empty bottle of washing up liquid when he 'goes' ...

Hello, Hello .... I'm back again

2009-07-31T15:34:00.002+02:00

After a lovely break in Cyprus we are back in sunny old Blighty ...
OK, maybe it's not as sunny as Cyprus but at least we haven't got the torrential downpours that we've been reading about back home whilst slobbing it on the beach.

It's actually quite sunny at the moment ...

This is just a quickie post as my parents are visiting from Cornwall and I really must hoover up all the dead flies, spiders, wasps, cobwebs, dust bunnies etc. that seem to have taken over the house during our absence.

Having come back with a fresh pair of eyes and some new ideas, I've decided to have a bit of a clear out of my stock to make room for new work. So, I will be having a little sale soon.

I'll post some piccies with prices and if anyone is interested in anything do let me know. Ta, ta for now ...

Bye Bye ..

2009-07-13T22:46:00.002+02:00

Hello peeps, I'm having a little break from blogging but will be back to the blogging world soon so please don't disappear.

Bye, bye for now. Have fun !
xxx

A lovely time and lots of mud ! Lots and lots of STINKY mud !

2009-07-12T15:12:00.010+02:00

This morning Boo, Archie & I went for a lovely trundle in the woods whilst Mr Boo did a 10k run in London for Marie Curie. Well it started off lovely ... things slowly changed.
Boo & Archie looking lovely and shiny and clean. I'm afraid it didn't last very long !

As you can probably tell, Boo got herself dressed this morning. Not particularly suitable for dog walking but I did insist on the wellies. A necessity when you have a Springer on the loose.

Still looking clean ? Yep, we're still OK ...

Clean Archie ? Yep, still white !

Lots of exploring and generally getting into mischief. The pair of them have selective hearing when there is mud and muck about ...

Hmm ... here comes the mud. Lots of mud. Stinky, Rancid mud. Thick, gooey, pungent mud.
Mud with things crawling in it. Mud that would pull you under and eat you at it's leisure. Mud that makes you panic when you realise your dog cannot get out and might easily get sucked under.
OK, maybe that's a bit dramatic but I did have a heart stopping moment when I saw Archie. Jumping in rather than wading into the putrid mass probably didn't help, but then again Archie doesn't do gentle or SLOW.

This was the result on dragging him out. Yuk, Pooey ... A real hold yer nose situation.

And this is the crap he jumped into. It absolutely stunk, thick black disgusting goo. Normally Archie wouldn't go near it but for some reason today he rather liked the idea of a mud bath.

Eewwwwww .......

Back in the field and 'A Hunting We Shall Go' ... I drop a tennis ball as we walk along and then get Archie to 'Quarter' and find it. It keeps his focus on me rather than the bunnies.

Boo at the top of the hill and Archie just coming back down to check on me ...

'Flying Without Wings' ... just great big Spaniel Ears.

Boo wanting to see the view over Grazely ...

A bit more hunting ...

A bit of a rest and a huggle ...

Ah, I love this photo ... Best Friends

I went out with no make-up on (shame on me), hadn't even brushed my hair and my scaggy old jeans. Heaven. Just glad I didn't see anyone I knew ...

Lordy, look at that bonce. That's real bed head for you, spikey, standy uppy hair and everything ...

Can you see those muddy legs. That was the stinky black muddy stuff ...

Stinky, black muddy star jumping ...

On the way back home ...

It's quite a long way y'know ...

Back home and after a lavender bath and hose down in the garden, Archie is looking lovely and white and shiny again. He smells better too. And look what he found in the woods, a new Kong toy that someone lost.
I threw Boo in the bath for a scrub, threw all the clothes in the washing machine and then I had to have a clean up too ... and we are all squeaky clean again.

A bit o' everything ...

2009-07-07T22:27:00.005+02:00

We've had lots and lots and lots of rain (and thunder) today) and boy did the garden need it !
I looked out the window early evening to see that there was a weird greeny, yellowy light ... everything looked luminous.
Maybe it was the plants and trees showing their gratitude for a good old drink ?

Anyhow I took a couple of photo's but decided to have a fiddle about. The effect reminds me of 'Bagpuss'.

Back to the hot weather and Archie just looooooooooved jumping about through the Sprinkler. True to Springer form, just look at that leap !
He was in his element and it was just the ticket to cool himself down.

More jumping and Springing ...

He ! He! Boo doing her catwalk pose with her 'Booby Bra', sunnies and sun hat on. I don't know where she's got this posing from but it was hilarious.

The end of Boo's Reception years culminated in 'Celebration Day'. The children sang lovely songs and all received their certificates. They all sang their little hearts out and it was a very emotional morning.
I've had Boo's hair cut as it's so much easier to manage, especially since it's been so hot ... She looks so grown up and beautiful to me. Our beautiful Boo ...

La, La, La, La, Shooby Do Wap, de Wap Bop ...

I was at Handm@de Winchester on Sunday and had a lovely day. I met some lovely fellow blogger and crafters which was really nice. Trash appeared in front of me with a 'Hello Mrs Redman' ... Hope you had a lovely time at the show Trash !!
It was quite a succesful day and I've had some great feedback and interest as a result of the show. The quality of the exhibitors was extremely high and it bode well for future Handm@de events I am sure.

OOOOOPH ....

2009-07-02T15:37:00.003+02:00

I'M MELTING ....
BOY IS IT HOT TODAY !!!!

Archie has spent the day at the vets ... foreign body up schnozzle, AGAIN, possibly bee stinger, possibly the bee itself. (serves it right for getting in the way, mind you nothing stands much chance when a Springer is on the hunt, nose to ground, sniffing all and sundry).

I'll have to stuff his nose with corks from now on, stop him hoovering up crap and costing us excess on the insurance. They'll be putting up our premium soon :(

Bless im, couldn't stop sneezing, and not just little polite sneezes either ~ Ruddy great, shuddering, oomphing sneezes. Poor little lad didn't know what to do with himself. He'll be getting his own suite at the vets soon I reckon :)

Summer Ball and a Posh Frock ...

2009-06-29T23:09:00.003+02:00

(And this was at the very beginning of the evening)

Boo's school held a parent Summer Ball at the weekend and Mr Boo & I decided we'd go as we are very sad and don't get out very much !
The company was great and the evening was such a laugh, we were so glad we went.

(A little black Monsoon number)

I'm not one for dressing up, I'm usually to be found in jeans and wellies or my Fitflops or crocs. We went to Royal Ascot the week before so to get all dolled up twice in such a short period of time was quite a shock to the old system. But y'know what ? I really quite enjoyed the whole pallava.
I bought a new Lancome foundation which must have worked as my friend kept saying how young I looked. I even bought some 'Smokey Eyes' Benefit make-up ... Ooh La La as my friend Edyta would say.

Can you see Mr Boo's reflection in my eye ?

Having a real laugh during dinner. Mr Edyta was very, very naughty and had me in fits on more than one occasion. In fact all 'the boys' were very naughty as I seem to remember a wager which contained the words 'Knickers' and 'Not'. Hmmmm .......... detention boys !

This is Edyta, we always say she'd look good in a black bin liner. How glam eh ? She could wear something from the cheapest of cheapest shops and still look like she's walked out of Chanel.
We hate her ! (only joking)

Mr Boo, who incidentally is the real James Bond. Scrubs up well eh ?

And this my dear friends is how not to attempt to sew. A 12kg Springer Spaniel sat on your lap is probably not very sensible but he just wanted to come in and have a cuddle and share his smelly old knotty with me.
He doesn't like to be far away from me ~ I call him my little shadow.

Well, only 5 days left to Handm@de Winchester, Aghhhhhhhh. Panicking me ? Nah .... Gulp !!!!!

Ballerina's and Busy'ness ...

2009-06-23T22:57:00.004+02:00

Hello everyone !
I'm sorry I have been quiet on the blogging front but I do have good reason, honest. I have been really busy with commissions and also preparing for Handm@de Winchester which is only 2 weeks away now ... Yikes !

I wanted to share Boo in all her pontification ready for her first dress rehearsal for the show on Saturday because in my own biast opinion I think she looks absolutely beautiful. I had to put her hair in a bun, OH MY GOD ! But, for a first attempt, hairnet and all, I don't think I did a bad job ?
We had to add a bit of lippy and some rouge because apparently the bright lights on the stage will drain their little faces. I hate make-up on children but I understand why on this occasion.
Fortunately Boo has the most amazing long dark eyelashes so the mascara stayed in the make-up bag !

This little lady will be winging her way to Winchester to hopefully find a new home. I think this one is my most favourite version to date, I love the dotty floral fabric, so old fashioned & nostalgic ~ it reminded me of one of my Nans skirts from way back.

And these three funky mutts are more of my dog lead hangers about to join the existing pack that are sat on my dining table ...
These three are a bit more bright and funky than my previous examples, more for the girly dog owners out there ...

And this gorgeously soft heart started life as my cashmere jumper but it shrunk slightly (or I got stretched slightly ... nope, that's not right, I've lost 10lbs on Slimming World :).
So, I've made use of it and have made some appliqued stuffed 'thingy me bobs'.

Leading on from the 'Pirate' boy themed textile picture I recently made, I wanted to make something else aimed at little boys. A 'brmm, brmm' car in a fabaroony blue gingham with wool felt detail.

And this, my dear friends, is Archie's creative contribution !!!!!!

It WAS Boo's bicycle helmet. She'd left it on the lawn and of course the temptation was just too great. I was stitching away and just happened to look out of the window only to witness Archibald romping around the garden with the remains of the helmet in his mouth.

He was having a jolly old time out there, tail held high, bouncing about. The grey chewed wooley thing inside the helmet was 'Once' a woolen pompom ~ stolen by my mutt out of a basket in my studio. Yep, that got the 'chomping' treatment too.

He's a little monkey. Mr Boo on the other hand wasn't quite so generous in the name calling.

A Lovely Weekend !

2009-06-14T22:34:00.007+02:00

Class of May/ June 2009 .....

Archie at 12 weeks, after several RSPCA foster homes he finally settled with us. Lucky, lucky us !

Archie at 9 months old, and look at him now. Proud as punch displaying his rosette for passing his Grade One Gundog Test. OK, so he hasn't got a clue what he's done, it's all a bit of a game to him but I am very proud of my little man.
We had a 100% group pass rate with some very high individual scores so a huge thank-you to our trainer Alan and his wife Sue for all their help, advice and support.

Archie really is the best family dog and he enjoys his training too so on we go ....

The first photo is of our training group (in no particular order) ~ Archie, Jess (Archie took a particular fancy to this little lady), Ollie, Purdey, Alfie and Meg.

I'd like to say thank-you to a fantastic bunch of ladies, supportive, friendly, fun and very talented !!!!

Back to family life and Boo and Moo having fun in the garden. Moo was staying for a sleepover in readiness for the girls ballet show dress rehearsal the following day. Poor Boo has inherited her mummy's ginormous shoulders (sorry sweetheart),but they do come in handy, Boo is a very good swimmer. I wish I had a squidgy bot bot, I might fill me jeans out a bit better ...

She's even got her goggles on ready. All very necessary when the paddling pool had all of, Ooh, about 4" of warm water in it.

Ah, that's better ...
Photo's of the ballet rehearsal to follow in a day or so. The girls looked truly gorgeous !