tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33069135490044641222024-03-05T06:37:56.932+00:00SUE'S ART STUFFSUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.comBlogger286125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-2098726064044591432015-04-17T09:55:00.001+01:002015-04-17T09:55:49.312+01:00Just a Quick Post ....Because I should be somewhere else really ....<br />
A couple of crochet bits - Owl Keyrings ....<br />
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They are slightly stuffed with toy polyester filling and using all the ends that weren't darned in - a tedious job at the best of times - lol....</div>
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Some Market Bags - a posh name for String Bags really. Whether I would put a boat load of shopping in them I don't know - but they are sooooooo stretchy and I'm thinking of storage for balls of wood, soft toys, kids socks, loo rolls etc etc ......</div>
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Next is hats and neck wear ....<br />
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<br />SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-87158406097856602762015-04-04T20:44:00.000+01:002015-04-04T21:12:14.138+01:00Hello Peeps - I'm Back ....<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's been soooooooooooooooo long since I've been here but so much has changed and happened in my life and crafting has taken a bit of a back seat. Anyways - that's enough of that and more to the point for here I've recently been doing 'stuff' again.</div>
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I did finish the Christmas Village (see the last post), which I called Christmas Lane and it took pride of place in my hall this Christmas just gone. It looked very pretty with some sparkly battery operated LED lights. I keep looking at it where it's currently living - upstairs in the craft room (it's a bit too big to fit in the top of the wardrobe) and I'm thinking it would benefit from some little flower pots outside the houses and maybe some people - will have to have a look round on t'internet. I'll post a photo of the finished article in the next couple of days ....</div>
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The current thing is that No. 1 daughter is going to try and arrange for a stall at the grandchildrens' new School Christmas Fete (yes, I know it's only April - lol). I'm still very much wanting to sell something I make... </div>
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The first thing I've made is these knitted owls. They're made from King Cole Tinsel chunky yarn with the eyes, feet and beak from a matching or contrasting DK yarn. They are nice and squishy and everyone who has seen them have ooohed and ahhhed over them. There's still some more colours to go in the bag - including a lovely emerald green .....</div>
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What do you think ....</div>
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At the moment I'm knitting Market Bags (string bags really - lol) and 'Pots for Stuff'; and thinking of dressed 5" dolls - but more of that later - promise ...<br />
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<br />SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-4445733517528477052013-01-13T13:37:00.001+00:002013-01-13T13:48:39.745+00:00Christmas in January ....<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, well, well - who would have thought it - lol. I'm not the biggest fan of the season and as the CEO of the West Midlands hub put it - 'you can't be bah humbug' - and that was only on Boxing Day! </div>
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Moving on ... At the beginning of December, while journeying through blogland as you do, I came across a beautiful project of a Christmas Village which was absolutely stunning. It was a big piece - three foot long and was made of twelve houses (representing the twelve days of Christmas), with trees and was lit. It was made by a very clever lady, Anita, and you can see it <a href="http://theartfulmaven.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/the-hood-at-christmastime.html">here</a> ... </div>
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I kept going back to Anita's blog and decided that I simply had to make me my own Christmas village. So I emailed Anita to ask if she would mind me using her village as the inspiration for mine (which she didn't) and here's where I am so far ...</div>
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Nos 1 and 2, Christmas Lane ...</div>
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All of the houses are based on the Tim Holtz Artful Dwellings Die. Each one is cut from grunge board, a heavy weight cardboard and whichever decorative paper I'm using. For the project I'm using TH Holidays Past paper stash and Christmas Emporium by Graphic 45 and a pad of Papermania Kraft Ledger type papers, plus making inroads into my box of Bazzill off cuts. <br />
Love the cross on top of the Church (from the TH Mini Ornate Crosses Movers and Shapers die). The heart on the door was on the string that a tied up a parcel from Art from the Heart (hands up everyone who is loving her new stamps being launched this week - waving hand vigorously in the air, while typing with the other one - lol)<br />
No 2 was bigger than this - but I have deconstructed it and the other half will become No. 8. The tinsel created a bit of a quandry and then on one of three trips to <a href="http://www.theglitterpot.co.uk/">The Glitter Pot</a> over the Christmas break - there it was - TH Tinsel Twine - love it.</div>
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Here's No. 3 Christmas Lane ...</div>
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This is the biggest house so far and is based n the biggest size of the Church. As I don't have any of the Christmas Mini TH stamp sets this proved a bit of a dilemma 'cos the snowman on the stamp set that I do have didn't look right in scale, nor did the size of the TH Holiday Snowman die that I had - but like everything else the solution came at the oddest time. I'd gone to bed to have an early night and only been there 20 minutes and bingo - lol. So there I am up again and destroying one of TH's Christmas Tags from a couple of years ago - that snowman is so cute. Just love the windows too - made with cocktail sticks - and that snowflake, made from the Mini Snowflake Rosette die ....</div>
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And Nos 4 and 5, Christmas Lane ...</div>
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The eaves of the roof of both of these were made with the TH Vintage Lane strip die. The holly wreath, which was cut from the TH Mini Wreath and Bow Movers and and Shapers die on the door looks a bit big but I used the holly leaves and berries from the Holiday Lamp Post die to give it some height. I even had a rummage around and found a tiny star punch and then added some star shaped self adhesive gems.</div>
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Here they all are together (at the moment) ....</div>
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I have it in my head as to how the final project is going to look and I've had a chat with my employer's preferred carpenter who's going to make the base for me; and I'm looking at forms of non-electrical lighting. I think this would be really cool on a sideboard (do people have those nowadays - lol) or on a windowsill. </div>
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Before I saw Anita's village, I was in the garden centre looking for possible suitable decorations for the Christmas cake (which was yummy by the way) and saw some trees. Then I had to go back and get some more - aren't they fabulous ....</div>
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Then I found these dinky and gorgeous Christmas lights on the <a href="http://www.calicocrafts.co.uk/">Calico Crafts</a> site ....</div>
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So that's where I am so far - and I'm already thinking I could make a seaside town next - I have the cutest wooden lighthouse and a couple of beach huts upstairs which would make a good focal point - lol!</div>
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Off to make more houses ....</div>
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SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-28749652799564173992012-12-29T15:53:00.001+00:002012-12-29T15:54:09.124+00:00A Bit About The Weather ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's either tipping it down with rain and or blowing a gale - and it's getting colder. But this is taken from my back door step five minutes ago ...</div>
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Blue Sky - whatever next - lol ...<br />
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<br />SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-6740761402383914252012-12-28T18:02:00.002+00:002012-12-28T18:04:55.658+00:00More Things Christmassy ....<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well - I had to show the results of the baking event that seemed to be taking place on a daily basis in my kitchen. Here is THE CAKE - which even though no-one else has tasted it, I think is absolutely gorgeous, even though I say so myself. It goes down really well with a nice cup of tea ....</div>
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Had a ball making the icing in my Kitchen Aid - not in a million would I have attempted that by hand - 10 minutes beating egg whites and sugar - I don't think so. I had to settle for a 'snow scene' with the icing but I did attempt snowflakes with the Lakeland push out snow flake cutter - you can just about see them (but only 'cos there's a silver ball in the middle of each of them - lol). In the Spring, I'm going to take myself off to the Excel Centre in London for the Baking Show and might even see if there's some evening classes going - this is becoming a bit of a serious obsession - lol</div>
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I also made these - Mini Christmas Cakes ....</div>
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The picture of said Mini Cakes is sort of like the one in the magazine apart from the extremely wonky middle layer of marzipan. These went down well and I will slowly munch my way through the rest. In these the dried fruit was steeped in Cointreau while I was at work - you should have smelled the kitchen when I came home - lol. You can see the push out snowflake cutter efforts more clearly here ...</div>
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Away from the baking front, I also made this as a gift for my partner in crime, CEO of the West Midlands hub and all round good mate who has helped me through some tough times this past year. She was telling me about table presents for her family at Christmas Day lunch - and when I said 'what's yours', she said 'oh, I will be too busy'. That's not right I thought - so I made her this ....</div>
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This is a Christmas Survival Kit - based on the Survival Kits made for the wedding earlier this year (it also used up another of the large quantity of paper bags that were purchased at that time - there's still loads left - lol).</div>
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Here's a list of what was in the Kit ....</div>
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And with a label ...</div>
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I've been catching up on my W.I.P. Knitting Projects over the last few days - in between munching Christmas Cake and watching 'Feel Good Rom-Com DVD's - lol - the needles have been flying, I can tell you .... </div>
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So - that's Christmas almost over for another year but saying that I've been out today over to <a href="http://www.theglitterpot.co.uk/">The Glitter Pot</a>, who very kindly assisted in helping me part with quite a lot of money for my next project - which is totally to do with Christmas. What am I like - lol - but more about that another time .... </div>
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SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-30869195193865511872012-12-23T12:55:00.002+00:002012-12-23T12:55:46.529+00:00A Present For the Beautiful One ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Whether it's because this is something that I never had anything like as a child or what - but I'm soooooo in love with this .....</div>
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This is for Charlotte Kaylet aka The Beautiful One. When I asked her what she wanted Father Christmas to bring her she rambled on about Hello Kitty but last week at PreSchool when they wrote their Dear Santa letters she put down a doll's cot. Well done Nanny I say - lol.</div>
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Yesterday I made some bedding - a mattress, a pillow and a quilt; and then sewed up some crochet squares made yonks ago.</div>
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Much as I love my grandchildren - Nanny will not be wrapping this one up (after all, where would you start - lol) - nor the enormous box with The Gorgeous One aka Finley William's goal post in - he has a big red bow, kindly made by the florist over the road from work.</div>
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Right off to ice THE CAKE ..... wish me luck !!!!!!!</div>
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SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-79111817312515772792012-12-17T15:45:00.001+00:002012-12-17T15:45:11.104+00:00And Then There Was One ... (And a Bit)<div style="text-align: justify;">
I started off the day full of 'I'm going to do this' and 'I'm going to do that' and you know what happens when you have high expectations - you either get let down or things go dramatically wrong.</div>
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In my case I did the first two jobs on my list and thought Job No. 3 - putting a Christmas tree up. The first part was OK - said Christmas tree is in a wardrobe upstairs - so no problem. The next part was OK too - lights, which are in a small box under the stairs. It was after that things went downhill. The rest of the decorations are in a humungous box under the stairs. So there I am - hunched double, puffing and panting, pulling and tugging to get said box out into the hall. Then - </div>
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Crash ... One of these which were residing in a cool dark place (cupboard under the stairs) fell to the floor ...</div>
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And no - it didn't bounce. The pudding basin broke and there I am in the kitchen trying to salvage my prized Christmas pudding. I could have cried. The basin had two clean breaks but there were bits of china on the outside of the pudding. So I hacked and sliced getting all the chipped bits off- swearing like a navvy all the while. Then I thought hey ho - and toddled off to the village shop to get a pot of double cream. I will eat the remains of this one with lashings of whipped up cream - it had better taste good is all I can say - lol.</div>
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Anyways - at least the Tree is up ...</div>
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Bad photo - looks much better now it's getting dark and the lights are on - lol. <br />
And I've got my 'Christmas Family' out ....<br />
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Off to get fat - ter - lol<br />
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<br />SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-12958572704922367072012-12-15T10:06:00.001+00:002012-12-15T10:06:23.651+00:00Getting Into The Christmas Spirit ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
And about time too, the CEO of the West Midlands Christmas Hub - Mother Christmas aka my Sous Chef, having imparted pearls of wisdom last night, regarding the impending icing of THE CAKE; would say - lol.</div>
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Anyways - having decided to take a big chunk of leave from work - spent yesterday shopping. I got all the 'stocking' pressies, some rather delicious looking baking chocolate, a really dinky mini grater, some tights and knickers, a red cabbage to braise ahead of the big day, a new balloon whisk - all the staple things of life - lol.</div>
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In the garden centre on the way home, I lost the plot even more and bought these - </div>
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They are all sooooooo cute - the three characters sitting on the bench cost under twenty quid - bargain, I thought, you couldn't make it for that. Here's a close up of the faces of the three ....</div>
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And now the Snowman - love him/her ....<br />
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Right, got to stop playing around here and get a move on. Soon I'll be off to deepest Hampshire for a sleep over at my son's new house, with him and the Lovely Rachel. I say sleepover - because I don't want to drive home in the dark - it's going to be tough enough driving there - especially as I haven't a clue where I'm going and No. 1 daughter didn't bring the Sat Nav over - lol. Just think you might not hear from me from a month - I could end up anywhere - but if I can see the sea, then I know I am well and truly lost - lol.</div>
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I am so looking forward to this - just getting up from the table and leaving my plate, not helping with the washing up, leaving my shoes right in the doorway, not making the bed, leaving a half opened packet of biscuits under the bed (have a packet of very crumbly shortbread just for this event) and generally acting in a very slobby, untidy and unhelpful manner. I wonder if my behaviour will ring any bells with him - probably not - but it'll be fun ....</div>
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<br />SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-31004562493202807052012-12-09T20:24:00.002+00:002012-12-09T20:24:46.415+00:00Bags, Bags And More Bags ....<div style="text-align: justify;">
No. 1 daughter asked me if I'd make some bags for Teacher pressies - and I think at one stage I said on here about giving her a fiver to buy some but then I thought that would be daft - seeing as there are many, many Bags left over from The Wedding - lol. I seem to remember saying then that they would come in handy - lol.</div>
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Anyways, I set too and using only stuff that I already had (apart from the new Woodware stamps - the snowman, the Christmas tree and the baubles - lol) I came up with these ...</div>
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So - let's hear it for the Snowmen ....</div>
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And now for the Christmas Trees ....</div>
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And last, but not least, the Baubles ....</div>
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There was one minor (almost) mishap - and that was with self adhesive gems - of which a huge amount has been used (click on the photos and you'll see - lol). I had various types in my stash - those that you pick up individually with a pokey tool - and those that I tried to, only to realise that they were on a strip of double sided adhesive. After much bad language and soothing noises over the airwaves from Mrs Crafter Extraordinaire at the West Midlands hub, I was sitting there cutting them off one by one and getting me and the scissors all gunked up. Still - I got there in the end.</div>
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Off to think up my next crafty project or kitchen antic - lol</div>
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SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-77103844151207784262012-12-03T19:34:00.002+00:002012-12-03T19:36:08.506+00:00More Kitchen Antics ....<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yesterday morning, I decided that yes - I would make Christmas Puddings. According to Delia, I'm way behind schedule but hey ho. So there I am yesterday, dutifully following dear Delia's recipe (having had to nip up to the Village Shop for an apple and a bottle of stout - and deciding to forgo the barley wine and add more brandy instead - lol) and putting all the ingredients in the order she prescribed into a big 5 litre mixing bowl. I didn't use the Kitchen Aid this time and something tells me this was a good move because the pile of dry ingredients in said mixing bowl was mountainous.</div>
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Then I got to the stage where you added the eggs and the alcohol - and just like that the liquid started to be absorbed. After much stirring and huffing and puffing, this was what was in the bowl ....</div>
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Once again, it smelt delicious - all that dried fruit, orange and lemon zest, apple and alcohol. Here I have to say that the stout I bought was made locally and was stunning - in fact I felt a bit 'wey hey' after I finished what was left in the bottle - lol.</div>
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Before I went to work this morning, I visited the local hardware store which opens really early. The visit being necessary to buy 'proper' pudding basins. Basins purchased and home at lunchtime to steam the puddings for eight hours ...</div>
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Then the fun started - which pudding basin was which size. I say this because they are of a certain make which only measures them in diameter - not literage. I don't care how wide they are - I need to know how much they hold. So there I am washing up said bowls and mucking about with a measuring jug - it was like being at playschool - lol.</div>
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Having established which ones I was using, I set to - greasing them and spooning yummy mixture in. I laid buttered greaseproof circles on the top and made a pleated foil covering and then on to the next drama - the string. I used yards and yards - could I get it right - could I hell. I sort of did the first one and then promptly forgot how I'd done it when it came to the second. For someone who is reasonably intelligent, I was a total idiot about this. One ball of string later and feeling quite bad tempered, I ended up with these ....</div>
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They both now look pretty much the same.</div>
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Then came the final drama of the evening - saucepan. I have one really, really big pan with steam holes and a locking lid - ideal. The next biggest one I have is just a bit to small - not a lot of room to put water in. So the steaming will have to take place over two days - which is a bit of a pain cos' the kitchen windows are all steamed up and I've had to open one just a fraction - and it's getting cold - lol. </div>
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So I ended up almost two hours behind schedule and won't be going to bed until midnight to give Pudding One Delia's preferred time - 8 hours - and up early to do Pudding Two 'cos I'm off to see The Gorgeous One aka Finly William in his Nativity tomorrow afternoon - Delia might have to make do with what all the other recipes say - six hours - lol. And now I'm thinking - how do I know if it's cooked?</div>
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I phoned my mate from work to share my adventure - and he said 'Wouldn't it have been easier to buy one' - <b>NOT</b> the right answer - lol ....</div>
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SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-71903583368773432432012-11-30T12:02:00.002+00:002012-11-30T12:09:51.614+00:00And Now November Has Gone ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
but at least this time there is a reason .... November has been a sad month for me but in between the sadness I've done one or two bits and pieces. First off I've made a Christmas Cake - something I've never done before. When the kids were small I used to cook and bake all the time - but never made a proper Christmas Cake. So with my new toy for the kitchen, I set too.</div>
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So, following Delia (well, sort of lol), here's all the fruit soaking in brandy (and soak it did for 24 hours lol) ...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7wuejfXQUFY/ULiZRhMHJBI/AAAAAAAACsg/dXEZLyKZgOY/s1600/SDC13099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7wuejfXQUFY/ULiZRhMHJBI/AAAAAAAACsg/dXEZLyKZgOY/s320/SDC13099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not being a fan of brandy at all, the smell was quite disgusting - but onwards and upwards. Here's the final mixture before going into a cake tin ....</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PkHumUIYj1c/ULiZUSyclPI/AAAAAAAACsw/iYdp2874Lj8/s1600/SDC13100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PkHumUIYj1c/ULiZUSyclPI/AAAAAAAACsw/iYdp2874Lj8/s320/SDC13100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Then in it went into the oven and ended up like this ....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNl9fJS7YhGGSIwQNh57PjPhGmW0dcesw5_8JxgcvHtHLplmQ-haGb-KKnhK-_LkwBJN2FVOJ53-rm89ehhszEakLsrOcyi-Ijvro6WqWDTdlDTBVcfgnOIA4G87qxRXCv12HdwuzTQg4/s1600/SDC13108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNl9fJS7YhGGSIwQNh57PjPhGmW0dcesw5_8JxgcvHtHLplmQ-haGb-KKnhK-_LkwBJN2FVOJ53-rm89ehhszEakLsrOcyi-Ijvro6WqWDTdlDTBVcfgnOIA4G87qxRXCv12HdwuzTQg4/s320/SDC13108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Following Delia, after it had cooled, it was wrapped in a double layer of foil and put in an airtight box and left on top of the toaster. After a week, I decided to 'feed' it. Oh my word - when I unwrapped the foil the smell was absolutely divine. So much so, that I simply couldn't help myself and sliced a bit off the edge (I'm not going to be too clever with the icing - wouldn't know how to be anyway - lol). Even though I say so myself, my little sliver tasted delicious - and I resisted slicing off another piece. That said, it will be feeding time again on Sunday - so my masterpiece might lose a little bit more - lol.</div>
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During the month, I've also done a bit of sewing and made The Gorgeous One aka Finley William; and The Beautiful One aka Charlotte Kaylet an Advent Calendar each. They're made from pre-printed panels, which I bought from an extremely efficient on-line retailer <a href="http://www.ladysewandsew.co.uk/">Lady Sew and Sew</a> in Henley on Thames. This morning I spent a jolly half hour filling the pockets - making sure that each one has exactly the same in. Can't have any arguing, can we? - lol.</div>
This one's for The Gorgeous One ....<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dX0vQD2yapw/ULiZuFcDOfI/AAAAAAAACs8/XN6sQ9DIerw/s1600/SDC13109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dX0vQD2yapw/ULiZuFcDOfI/AAAAAAAACs8/XN6sQ9DIerw/s320/SDC13109.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
And this one's for The Beautiful One ...<br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">So - it's going to be a busy weekend - Today - it's The Gorgeous One's School Assembly this afternoon and Christmas Fair this evening. It's The Beautiful One's PreSchool Nativity tomorrow morning (oh and I might have to take The Gorgeous One to football - but not if I can help it - lol). Then there's a marathon baby sitting session from Sunday afternoon onwards, when I'll be staying the night at their house as No. 1 daughter and hubbie are off to see Michael McIntyre at the 02. I've decided that the kids and I are going to make a camp to sleep in - should be fun.</span><br />
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In between all that No. 1 daughter wants seven Pressie Bags for the kids teachers - 'Just like you made for the wedding, Mummy, but Christmassy'. Should have given her a couple of quid to buy some - lol. Plus I want to make a Christmas Pudding in my new Lakeland Pudding Steamer (thanks to my sous chef in the West Midlands hub for her input on that one - and for introducing me to the 'Church of Lakeland' - fabulous - lol). Oh yes and some mini Christmas Cakes in Dariole Moulds. </div>
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So I had better put a wiggle on hadn't I - lol ......</div>
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SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-40168871910761635452012-10-31T10:55:00.003+00:002012-10-31T10:57:23.496+00:00Time Flies .....<div style="text-align: justify;">
and will someone please tell me where September and October went? ..... So much has been going on - some too sad to tell and the rest just real life stuff taking its toll but when I saw that the last post was 22nd August I was gob-smacked - but onwards and upwards and moving on and all that .... I've taken this week off work in a bid to 'regroup' - and attention to the Blog is on the list .....</div>
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Not a lot has been going on the crafting front - well to be perfectly honest - nothing, zero, zilch - not even a knitting needle has come into my hands. Craft shopping was almost non-existent too - yes really - lol .....</div>
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That said, I made a purchase a week or so ago from that well known shopping channel - which was this .....</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDoMROipDfA/UJD6QYi1SjI/AAAAAAAACsA/BRLqwdTebHc/s1600/SDC13088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDoMROipDfA/UJD6QYi1SjI/AAAAAAAACsA/BRLqwdTebHc/s320/SDC13088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm ashamed to say that this was obscenely expensive but oh my word when I finally plucked up the courage to use it (it's one of those machines that you get that 'Oh my God' feeling about - lol) it's worth every penny. Years ago, when the kids were young, I used to do loads of cooking and baking but haven't done any for years - but it's something I have always enjoyed doing. I kept seeing the machine and in the end I thought why not ..... I just love the way it looks (and the fact you can lean on it - lol).</div>
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I've only made one thing so far .....</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-23xn7-rWCaQ/UJD6RZCZHCI/AAAAAAAACsE/3RRKkCVei5w/s1600/SDC13078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-23xn7-rWCaQ/UJD6RZCZHCI/AAAAAAAACsE/3RRKkCVei5w/s320/SDC13078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bad piccie I know - but these are herb rolls. A soda bread recipe with spring onions and <b>real</b> <b>fresh </b>basil and parsley. </div>
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Now I've seen these on the cookery TV programmes and that shopping channel and of course everything is already prepared, weighed out and in lovely little dishes. Real life isn't like that - although I was thinking (when I realised I didn't have any milk and had to break off mid-preparation to dash up to the village shop) that perhaps that is the way forward - lol). </div>
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Add to that I have a new electronic scale which took a bit of getting used to (at one point I wished I'd kept the old totally totally inaccurate and useless scales I had - lol). </div>
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The herb rolls - which are totally scrummy - went into the oven and I was so excited I was sitting on the floor in front of the oven watching them cook - lol. the kitchen looked like a war zone (but it smelt absolutely gorgeous) - but never say never - I've just got to get back into the 'routine' of baking. </div>
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The next bake will be a pavlova (why not - lol) and a carrot cake (complete with frosting). Then tomorrow night I'm going to soak all the fruits etc in brandy (that was a shock - £11.25 for a half bottle - and I only initially need 3 tbsps - plus I hate the stuff - lol) for a Christmas Cake - to be baked on Friday.</div>
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No 1 daughter came to visit yesterday and was dead jealous - pointing out to me that living alone it was rather an extreme purchase for me and that it would be much better in her kitchen - lol. After half term we're going to arrange a 'girlie baking day' which will be fun ....</div>
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Right must dash - off to make Advent Calendars for the little people. </div>
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And the lunch menu - home made tomato soup and herb rolls .....</div>
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SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-41337474224907008222012-08-22T20:37:00.000+01:002012-08-22T20:37:00.507+01:00Something Different ....<div style="text-align: justify;">
My last surviving aunt is 80 years old in a couple of week's time. Her sons have arranged a buffet lunch party for her and although she said that she didn't want any presents, I've been making a scrapbook for her, 'cos she has always been very special to me.</div>
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I'm also known as the 'photo thief' of the family (I like to think of myself more as an archivist - lol) so last weekend I spent some time scanning and printing some old family photos - together with print offs from Google Earth of the places she has lived in over the years, extracts from old phone books and stuff like that.</div>
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I've had this 10" x 8" scrapbook in the bottom of my wardrobe for years (at least ten - lol) which I thought was ideal ...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ioj7yXhjnFQ/UDPfgiKNHGI/AAAAAAAACro/v-qf76f0fJc/s1600/SDC13060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ioj7yXhjnFQ/UDPfgiKNHGI/AAAAAAAACro/v-qf76f0fJc/s320/SDC13060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I made a front page using stuff that I had - nothing new (well the bird on the branch die is a fairly new purchase but was bought for something else - lol) ....</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JIlpCZZmClg/UDPfR3V5q7I/AAAAAAAACrQ/OU0nHGmVxRY/s1600/SDC13055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JIlpCZZmClg/UDPfR3V5q7I/AAAAAAAACrQ/OU0nHGmVxRY/s320/SDC13055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I won't bore you all with yards and yards of photos but these are a couple of favourite pages. These are my paternal grandparents (my aunt was married to Dad's brother - both have been gone for a long time now) on their wedding day in 1923 (I have the original photo in my 'archive' - lol) ....</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9MTPK-m1Pqw/UDPfRLUUQ3I/AAAAAAAACrM/uE8PCtnDfJw/s1600/SDC13057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9MTPK-m1Pqw/UDPfRLUUQ3I/AAAAAAAACrM/uE8PCtnDfJw/s320/SDC13057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And this is one of two pages with me as a baby as the star feature - the top left photo is me and my parents, then me and my grandparents and then a group photo. The other side is of my two aunts with their respective spouses with me. I suppose I was a bit of a novelty seeing as I was the first girl grand-daughter/niece - lol ....</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-myU8thaBVB8/UDPfUZ8U7mI/AAAAAAAACrc/UZ8TCoh5kig/s1600/SDC13058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-myU8thaBVB8/UDPfUZ8U7mI/AAAAAAAACrc/UZ8TCoh5kig/s320/SDC13058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The lady standing next to my Mum who is holding me - is my maternal grandmother - another very special lady ....</div>
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I'm going to finish the album off with photos of my children and my grandchildren - my aunts great nephew and niece and her great great nephew and niece. Don't you just love Family History ....</div>
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I have set this post as a Scheduled one - wonder if I've dome it right - lol - we will see ....</div>
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SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-17839256234507651262012-08-21T20:02:00.003+01:002012-08-21T21:37:32.426+01:00More About Bottles .....<div style="text-align: justify;">
Will someone tell me where the time goes ...... ? Here we are almost at the end of August - but at least the weather has perked up ...</div>
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I've done a bit more to one of the bottles from the last post - here's the biggest one, which was an old Schloer bottle with the first coat of texture. I think it might be a bit toooooo thick in places because the overall effect isn't quite the same as Mr Skinner's - lol ....</div>
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Then I had a play with a modelling clay type stuff. Never done anything like that before but I think it turned out OK - I'm pleased with it anyway ....</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3C-9igzmU60/UDPSVBOEbdI/AAAAAAAACqU/rGJ0pACHNcI/s1600/SDC13035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3C-9igzmU60/UDPSVBOEbdI/AAAAAAAACqU/rGJ0pACHNcI/s320/SDC13035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Then a base coat of paint ...<br />
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Which I thought was very 'in your face' but it all calmed down after more paint and a load of dry brushing ....<br />
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Here's the back ....<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3ZkmxF8ROI/UDPSpn-ZAKI/AAAAAAAACq0/U9Kd5r6MeAM/s1600/SDC13053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3ZkmxF8ROI/UDPSpn-ZAKI/AAAAAAAACq0/U9Kd5r6MeAM/s320/SDC13053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Off now to add some string and contemplate the next stage - which involves one teaspoon of bitumen out of a litre tin of the stuff - what is Mr Skinner like - lol ....</div>
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SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-7250032521735783112012-08-11T15:05:00.002+01:002012-08-11T15:11:23.081+01:00Bottles .....<span style="text-align: justify;">At the end of the last post, I said that I was embarking on another course with Andy Skinner. This course is called Evil Elixir and you can read all about it </span><a href="http://www.andyskinnerorg.blogspot.co.uk/" style="text-align: justify;">here</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> .... </span><br />
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So here's the bottles I'm starting the course with (bit of a naff photo I know - it was taken when it was almost dark ....</div>
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The tall one is an old Schloer bottle - which made the most noise because the glass was so thin. The bottle to the left is one of those bottles of 'just enough for a glass full of' wine; the one in the foreground used to have dipping oil in it - balsamic vinegar and chilli - very, very nice indeed; and the one to the right is a posh jar of Italian coffee from M&S. I also have a Mateus Rose shape bottle (the cheaper Tesco's own version) but I've got to drink it first (which I might start in a bit) and I'm looking for a Jack Daniel's bottle (which if I buy a bottle of it will probably go down the sink because I don't like it - lol) ....</div>
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This morning I spent a nice time out in the garden, complete with face mask and one glove (just for the hand that was holding the bottle - just in case - lol) sanding down the bottles for the next stage, with my lovely new toy - a Dremel complete with an aluminium oxide tip. Just love it - lol. You should have heard the noise - but then I have the neighbour from hell one side and the other side was in Tescos and her son, who is one of those that sleeps in all weekend, wasn't there - so I didn't worry about the noise. This is what they look like now. Just love that bright acid orange crocosmia in the background ....<br />
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The next stage involves Isopropanol (IPA) or alcohol blending solution. Do you think you can just go out and buy it - of course not. The cheapest supplier I found wanted more than the cost of the stuff to post it to me - and they were only two counties away - lol. So Alcohol Blending Solution it will be - and then the magic will begin ......</div>
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</div>SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-39032258822991283252012-08-09T22:27:00.001+01:002012-08-09T22:41:03.997+01:00An Assemblage - Shed No. 82 - Finished ....So - here it is - eventually with all the little bits and pieces made ...<br />
The whole thing ....<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3hj0J6Xu7Zg/UCQjXJ8DhcI/AAAAAAAACpQ/hBM2gFZhhIM/s1600/SDC13009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3hj0J6Xu7Zg/UCQjXJ8DhcI/AAAAAAAACpQ/hBM2gFZhhIM/s320/SDC13009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I added the bunting in honour of the great time I've had screaming at the TV at the Olympics. I really didn't think the Games would grab my attention so much - but having seen that fabulous Opening Ceremony and then sitting watching the Men's Road Race on that first Saturday - I was hooked. I've seen in the papers and heard on the TV that the question will be 'Who will be the BBC Sports Personality of the Year' I think ALL of the medal winners - lol - they have been just fantastic. </div>
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Anyways I digress - a sideways on view - </div>
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I don't know if I mentioned before but part of this course involved a Cook's Blow Torch - which rapidly became my favourite toy - then I discovered a Glue Gun - I am so fickle. I'd never used one of those before but I was dead impressed - the glue even held the stones firmly on the roof and was ideal for the moss ....</div>
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My Assemblage is called Shed No. 82. My house number is 28 but Mr Holtz doesn't make his plaquettes with that number on - but he does make a number 82 - lol ....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHOGOiLwK3EZRFCp6LDRfMrCgoEoR2GATqyDSo87MRZo6tyk4UeqFspSAdoldyrcOItwlGsYQddgxBajtuLbiroGWiUPdWUj2WDHkOe-oZXWnA042Wo2jYBhLVhB6KBxPo5MCbwA-fQE/s1600/SDC12985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHOGOiLwK3EZRFCp6LDRfMrCgoEoR2GATqyDSo87MRZo6tyk4UeqFspSAdoldyrcOItwlGsYQddgxBajtuLbiroGWiUPdWUj2WDHkOe-oZXWnA042Wo2jYBhLVhB6KBxPo5MCbwA-fQE/s320/SDC12985.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's a close up of some 'aged' nuts and bolts and some 'rusted' screws and washers and stuff - all raided from the tool boxes at work ....</div>
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Here's what's on the floor. This is a number of those fibre pots painted and then dry brushed to represent grass stains. There's also a piece of 'faux leather' with the washing machine springs - to represent a broken seat. There's also some 'rusted' aluminium mesh and some 'chipped paint' bits to represent the leftovers from various PlaySchool fetes - and yes there are still some odd bits in the real shed - even though my youngest is nearly 26 - lol. I love the driftwood pieces, which I got from <a href="http://www.calicocrafts.co.uk/">Calico Crafts</a>, along with the moss ....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOXzgI0h4KSpDeis2jtWPuWFjSS_4Xr_ZBbG8DrzHHHnIjtI7R9KSUs1RrMvsFU9xSP0td-be6vdUSi82pTiE0ZPEKmLzTh_X2yFJG3qHeHsHYFZbY5o9c2sc1ahMZWl5y2cXN1TJ2qk/s1600/SDC12995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOXzgI0h4KSpDeis2jtWPuWFjSS_4Xr_ZBbG8DrzHHHnIjtI7R9KSUs1RrMvsFU9xSP0td-be6vdUSi82pTiE0ZPEKmLzTh_X2yFJG3qHeHsHYFZbY5o9c2sc1ahMZWl5y2cXN1TJ2qk/s320/SDC12995.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here's the Onion - which is made of tissue paper and was brilliant white when I bought the string of three ....</div>
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And here's the other side. A miniature trowel that was lurking in the real shed all 'rusted' with porridge and glue. Some plant labels given the treatment with the Cook's Blow Torch, a 'porridge rusted' hook with some rusted wire (another purchase from Calico Crafts) and some string; and a chipboard compass stamped with metal letter and number dies (a bargain at £10 from Screwfix) and great for adding a touch of steampunk authenticity. You just press the dies into the chipboard and when you paint and then dry brush the piece the stamped letters and numbers just 'pop' .....</div>
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So there you have it - Shed No. 82. I've put all the photos on the workshop forum and entered the piece into the final Just For Fun competition. I've had a great time doing this - despite the gluey porridge in the carpet - lol. The next Andy Skinner online course - has already started - Altering Bottles - and I've got another new toy - a Dremel with loads of attachments - but I'll post about that another time ......</div>
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<br />SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-47781464933869169152012-07-23T14:28:00.003+01:002012-07-23T14:37:02.182+01:00An Assemblage - Progress<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Having just completed just under two weeks Jury Service and an emergency dash down to the West Country to see my Mum - time has not really been on my side. I did manage to fit in making some bits and pieces and having sneaked a day off today (naughty me - lol) I took everything out in the garden to take some piccies .....</span></div>
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Here's a close up of the Weathered Wood technique - the one that involves a blow torch which I just love. If you're of a mind to, click on the photos to see the effect. The inside .....</div>
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and the whole thing .....</div>
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Here's the whole thing 'staged' for a photo and to see how I'm going to arrange things ....</div>
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Now for some close ups - on the top shelf one of those furry fibre pots cut down and the rest torn up to represent bits of crock. Next to that some aged washers and bolts. In the corner is a piece of netting from a bag of something - but I can't seem to get rid of the white - yet - lol ....</div>
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Along from that, a pile of old paper tied up with string. This is representing a pile of newspapers and is made of torn book pages from old books very kindly given to me by my pal Sue. Also an old rusty key - which is how the porridge came to be glued into the carpet - lol ....</div>
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Here's a piece of Faux Leather. I cut a square from the sample I made originally and put springs from a washing machine (oh yes they really are) into each corner - to represent the seat of an abandoned, old chair ....</div>
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Here's some more furry fibre pots (they all have been dry brushed to give the feeling of moss stained pots but as I'm rubbish at photography - you can't really see that - lol). The 'onion' is from a string of garlic made out of tissue paper, which was brilliant white when I bought it .... Loving the floor - did this with Texture Sand (after the porridge there was no way I was having sand in the house - lol) - and it feels just like my shed floor all scrunchy ....</div>
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Finally, a close up of the letters 'S' and the 'H' which are bought papier mache letters. All of the letters are covered with card embossed with the Diamond Plate embossing folder and treated to the Rusty Tin technique....</div>
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So that's where I am at the minute. Upstairs I have more nuts and bolts and washers; and a miniature trowel that I found in the shed, all being rusted with porridge. I've also got various bits of card being subjected to the Chipped Rusty Tin technique, so as to add a bit of colour - methinks it's all a bit too brown .....</div>
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I'm also thinking about a clock or a sundial - but this could get a bit technical because I don't have a drill - yet - lol - and I'm not sure how to attach it - because I know where I want it to be. </div>
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I say yet because the next Andy Skinner online class has just started and could involve a drill with an aluminium oxide tip to sand down bottles - yikes - lol. Rather than sit for ever sanding bottles by hand a Dremel seems the way forward. What with the cooks blow torch and a Dremel I'm becoming quite the little DIY person - lol.</div>
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Off to have a late lunch and enjoy some sun .....</div>
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<br /></div>SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-37418021925561647642012-07-15T09:35:00.001+01:002012-07-15T09:35:52.276+01:00An Assemblage ....<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm doing another Andy Skinner online course - Timeworn - and I tell you people - the man is sooooooo clever, even though I have gluey porridge in the carpet and I now have a 'painting nightdress' lol. The course is nearly at an end and everyone is invited to submit a final piece using the techniques that we've learned. I don't really have a clue what an assemblage is - some of the pieces that are being made are absolutely outstanding. Also at the moment I don't have time to go rummaging in charity shops and at car boots - and seeing as I had a massive de-clutter a couple of years ago (and I mean massive - to the point of now living in quite a minimalist environment - lol) - I don't really want to because, I know me, I will end up with a load of stuff that 'might come in handy' - lol.</div>
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To be fair<i> </i>I was getting a little bit despondent about the whole 'final piece assemblage' thing and then I was in the shed checking to see that I still had my strimmer after some nice person stole my lawnmower (another story for another time) and I had a light bulb moment and thought 're-create the shed'. I love my garden and my shed, even though it's in dire need of a re-paint and the roof needs re-felting, so I had a rummage and came up with a couple of these ....,</div>
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The next stage was to get the wooden seed trays to start to look like my shed - all weather worn. It wouldn't be fair to Andy to say how it was done but I have to tell you I had great fun with a cooks blow torch and I didn't lose my eyebrows in the process - although there was one incident - lol - but we won't go there, otherwise No. 1 son will come and take it away from me .... </div>
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Again - without describing the techniques here's where I got to yesterday .....</div>
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I've just done some more to the two seed trays and it looks totally different to the point that I could have my shed, or part of it at least, in the kitchen - lol. I'll take some more piccies outside a bit later on, so you can see what I mean .....</div>
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Off now to make some bits and pieces to go in The Shed Assemblage .......</div>
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<br /></div>SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-49911803436326107302012-06-24T21:57:00.001+01:002012-06-24T22:01:37.438+01:00The Big Day .....<div style="text-align: justify;">
finally arrived .....</div>
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I got myself up about 6.30am just so as to give myself a bit of peace and quiet before the havoc and mayhem that I just knew would follow ..... and follow it did .... Gradually everyone got up and the proceedings kicked off with the arrival of the hairdresser at about 7.15am. Mind you - she soon looked as if she could have done with another hour in bed ....</div>
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The morning progressed with more and more people arriving and more and more havoc and mayhem. I took loads of photos but am going to be restrained (thank goodness I hear you say - lol). Here is the bride to be having her hair done (which took quite a while, I have to say) ....</div>
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Then she looked like this ....</div>
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Oh my word I thought, I don't like that - but she ended up looking like this ....</div>
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The young man in the photo with her was 'Big Tom' the chief looker afterer of The Gorgeous One aka Finley William and a grand job he did too - but such a polite and charming lad for one who is only 16 ....</div>
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Here's another of the bride - doing what all girls do best - gossiping .... (the head belongs to new father in law) ....</div>
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Here she is with all the men ....</div>
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From left to right - Jamie (I think but i'm not sure - we weren't formally introduced), John (an usher and an extremely funny and charming man from 'Up North' who is married to the make up lady), James S (the Best Man who became a Daddy two days ago), Elizabeth the bride, James the groom, Neil (stand by Best Man relegated to previous position of usher because the original Best Man could make it to the Church), David the father of the groom, Roger father of the bride, Matthew brother of the bride.</div>
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And here's an awwwwww piccie ....</div>
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<span id="goog_1624283565"></span><span id="goog_1624283566"></span></div>
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All the havoc and mayhem of the morning had disappeared (and I have to say that I have since found out that the groom and the bride's father went off for a full English in a nearby greasy spoon for their breakfast - all calm and peaceful. Mind you we had an M & S finger buffet - posh like - lol) and the day was lovely - very informal, relaxed, no dramas or tantrums (well at least not until the end when it was time to take the grandchildren home with me and no 1 son couldn't get his father to leave the party - but hey ho .......<br />
It's taken me all day to put the house back together, deliver the grandchildren back to their parents and have a (rather long) nap, to say nothing of giving advice and encouragement over the fence to my neighbour who has taken most of the day to put her new garden shed together (see we all have our problems - lol) which is why this post is a bit late ....<br />
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<br /></div>SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-80385614176652525642012-06-20T11:51:00.000+01:002012-06-20T11:58:03.022+01:00It's The Final Countdown ....To The Big Day .....<br />
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I did say that all was done on the 'making front' but there have been one or two extras - well there would be wouldn't there - lol ....</div>
The Lucky Sixpence tags for the children. I managed to get said sixpences relatively clean - after all they are old money - lol ....<br />
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The ID Badges for the children (so they know they are 'Very Important People') ....<br />
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The Lottery Ticket envelopes ....<br />
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And herein lies a drama, which was off the Richter Scale. First off No 1 Daughter said they would be scratch cards but bought tickets. Gave me said Tickets and wallet cards she had bought. The tickets hung over the edge of the wallet cards and then she decided she wanted a poem inside. Frantic hunt around for <b>39 </b>matching envelopes which I had and then I spent a good three or four hours printing, die cutting, sticking - only to find when I got to the end that I was two Lottery tickets short. The extreme hissy fit that followed prompted some very bad language on my part <span style="background-color: white;">in a text</span><span style="background-color: white;"> to the West Midlands Hub I can tell you. All was resolved by a very sheepish child turning up half an hour later - 'Mummy, I forgot me and James' and with two more Lottery tickets. If ever I was potentially up for being investigated by Social Services - it would have been then.</span></div>
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Last night I started a little surprise for the soon to be newly weds - a Wedding Smash book - but typically me - I'm not 'smashing' but being a bit too precise. Hey ho - lol.</div>
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Anyways now is the time for some very big Thank Yous -</div>
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1. To Sue - the one who hasn't got a blog but should have, the CEO of the West Midlands Hub and the one who has been on this journey with me every step of the way. Thanks honey - couldn't have done it without you xx</div>
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2. To Helen - the sister of the West Midlands Hub CEO for stepping in to save the day with her beautiful handwriting for the place name cards - and buying a new eraser. Thanks ever so Helen xx</div>
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3. To Stephen - for making the ID badges and generally helping out with the IT stuff. I know I still owe you a couple of beers ...</div>
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4. To<a href="http://judyspostcardsplus.blogspot.co.uk/"> Judy</a> in the US who has always commented on the blogged wedding preparations .... xx</div>
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5. To Nanny Wendy at <a href="http://thestampattic.co.uk/">The Stamp Attic</a> who supplied the majority of the crafting supplies for this mammoth project .... xx</div>
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6. To the ladies at <a href="http://theglitterpot.co.uk/">The Glitter Pot</a> where we went, complete with children, to chose the original papers ...</div>
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And finally, before I go off to have my hair done - a photo of the garden when it was sunny earlier today - a beautiful spirea, euynomous (spelling - lol) and a tall spiky yellow perennial that I have no idea whatsoever of the name of .... </div>
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<br /></div>SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-45599581998919708182012-06-03T23:17:00.001+01:002012-06-03T23:19:10.691+01:00The Library ....<div style="text-align: justify;">
Since the last post, I've really got into Andy Skinner's Book of Secrets online class that I'm doing - you can read more about it <a href="http://bosw.andyskinnercrafts.com/">here</a> .... - so much so that I didn't stop at one Book - but have made three more ....</div>
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They aren't books at all really - they're boxes that look like books with a 'secret drawer' - the spine comes out. Doing the course, I've learned some really clever techniques - dry brushing, making a faux leather finish, hand made tape - just like the TH tissue tape - which is really cool and many others. </div>
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So - I've got the original brown one, a pink one, a green one and a blue one. The photo (always take rubbish photos - lol) doesn't really do the books justice - but I just love them.</div>
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I've signed up for two more of Andy's online workshops (which you can read about by following the link - Timeworn (which is all technique based and looking at the 'ingredient' list, looks very interesting), starting on 15th June; and Elixir Mixer (to do with bottles) in mid-July - and in amongst all of that is The Wedding - 20 days from now and Jury Service - can't wait - lol.</div>
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<br /></div>SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-13986043618924425992012-05-28T21:49:00.001+01:002012-05-28T21:54:17.177+01:00And Now For Something Completely Different ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
which has got absolutely nothing to do with the 'W' word ...</div>
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I'm doing an online course run by Andy Skinner - the Book of Secrets. Having seen one of the Books 'in the flesh' as it were at <a href="http://www.thestampattic.co.uk/">The Stamp Attic</a>, and after my usual 'I couldn't possibly do that' thing, I signed up. The class started just over a week ago and this is where I'm at at the moment ...</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">No-one is more amazed than me - I keep stroking it 'cos I'm so pleased with the way it's turned out ...</span></div>
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<br /></div>SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-4272151083130610732012-05-26T16:50:00.001+01:002012-05-26T16:58:12.574+01:00Saturday Afternoon In The Sun ....<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just love this gorgeous weather and this afternoon I put all the rubbish stuff that's going on out of my mind and disappeared down to the bottom of the garden - not far - but far enough 'cos if I position the chair just so, I can't see the house (well the lower part anyway) .....</div>
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I sat here for a while and decided against painting the shed - today at least - lol. I like my shed - it's green and very, very weather worn and is in dire need of re-painting, plus the roof needs re-felting, but it blends in so well with the garden .....</div>
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Anyways - there I'm sat - looking at this - the bottom of the garden. In the foreground is Euphorbia. I bought a very small clump of this back from my Mum's garden ages ago - and now it's everywhere - but very pretty all the same. It's past it's best now but it's one of the first things out in the Spring - acid yellowy/green flowers which are now at a dull yellow/burnt orange stage ....</div>
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And every now and then I got up to do some weeding. I generally start at the top of the garden - because it's nearer the house I suppose - and don't usually get right the way down to the end but today I started at the bottom - 'cos the top doesn't look too bad. I had a great time alternating between sitting in the sunny shade - ???? lol - and on my hands and knees pulling out weeds. I did a fair bit - about two yards and 'fluffed up' the bark chippings, until I got to these - </div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">A lovely clump of Alchemillia Mollis and London Pride (don't know the Latin for that one - lol). These are really old fashioned cottage garden plants and go from strength to strength year on year - and to think they started out from little pots ....</span><br />
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On a disappointing note - what has happened to Poppy ....</div>
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This is a clump of good old fashioned English Poppies. Every year, the clump comes up big and strong and bloom in May - great big blousey bright red flowers that are absolutely stunning. Every year, two days after the flowers come out it rains buckets - dashing the whole lot to the ground. This year - the whole clump has gone like this. The leaves are all brown and crisp and I can't see any sign of disease or insects. Now I'm not sure whether to cut if all away or just leave it to die right back. I do hope it comes back next year.</div>
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Right - off to see if I've got some white spirit - yet another random task - lol - but I might venture back outside in a bit ....</div>
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<br /></div>SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-71627672967977209482012-05-25T18:46:00.004+01:002012-05-25T18:48:37.637+01:00THIS IS IT ....<div style="text-align: justify;">
As Michael Jackson said ......</div>
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This is the end - the finish - nothing more left to do (at the moment anyway) - of all The Wedding Stuff. Thank goodness for that - and if you're not saying it - I certainly am - lol .....</div>
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Here are the last photos ....</div>
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First off the Table Plan - starting with the patterned board (a big piece of A2 grey board) coloured with lovely shades of Dolly Mixture and Sherbet Fresco Finish paints by PaperArtsy. Liberal use of a couple of stencils with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink and a chunk of cut and dry; then the 'mixed up' lines stamp by Tim Holtz and used with an Encore gold ink pad (which you can just about see if you click on the piccie) ....</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The thought of getting people in the wrong place was making me feel quite tetchy, so I did the bunting thing with the ribbon at the top of the board - which made me even more tetchy and put the bluebell photo in the middle (bluebells have a special meaning to James - for one who is very 'tough and manly', no-one was more surprised than me when he started wittering on about bluebells meaning spring which means new life - blah blah. Bingo, I thought - got just the photo, taken by the lovely Rachel (daughter in law to be - soon, very soon) in the bluebell woods over the back of my house - which was taken to work and scanned on an all singing, all dancing, coffee making scanner by Stephen).</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">At this point I had to have a power nap. When I woke up the nerves were still taut and jangling but I set to putting everyone in their right place and checking and double checking - which was just as good, seeing as I'd given someone a completely different surname. Onwards and upwards - here is finished Table Plan ...</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Attention now focused on guests' comments about the day. Lengthy discussions by text had taken place between Wedding HQ here in West Sussex and the West Midlands hub in Wolverhampton. We decided that a blank book with lovely clean white pages could be off putting, so the suggestion was made about The PostCard stamp from Penny Black.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Now I remember when I bought this - say two years ago at the NEC - and I was raving madly about it. Not any more - lol. I've stamped it about thirty times and when it came to trimming it up - it isn't quite square or rather there's nothing on the top or the bottom to cut it straight to. Hey ho - so I soldiered on and a couple of hours later here are the first batch - and amazingly they are all the same size - give or take a millimetre or two ....</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">There's another 30 or so to cut out and the CEO of the West Midlands hub, Sue (the one who should have a blog but doesn't) suggested I put M.O.T.B. on the line where it says '...handstamped by'. What is she like - lol. Mind you - I might - I just might ......</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Each person at the afternoon reception will have one of these cards and a Personalised Pen - which apparently are sitting on Stephen's desk at work - but how to get the people coming to the evening do to join in. Easy - the CEO of Sussex HQ makes an 'Invitation Board' .....</span></div>
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I spent quite a bit of time this morning printing off various photos - again and selecting random comments about Mr and Mrs to be. </div>
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At some stage I will stamp and cut out more postcards or do some tags - but not today - lol.</div>
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Then I finished the last job - the bridesmaids' and page boys; Lucky Sixpences. Well at least, this is what they will go on when (a) I've cleaned said sixpences up and (b) bought some glue dots to stick them on with - lol ....</div>
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So there we are - a marathon post - all jobs done - and methinks time for a break from Wedding Stuff.</div>
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I've just joined an online class with Andy Skinner - the Book of Secrets - have a look at what I'm talking about <a href="http://www.andyskinnercrafts.com/online-workshops.html">here</a>. Having seen a finished one, which was really cool, over at <a href="http://thestampattic.co.uk/">The Stamp Attic</a> - I want to get cracking on mine. I'm doing two - one just like Andy describes in the class - and a pink one - 'cos I want to - lol.</div>
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<br /></div>SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3306913549004464122.post-8198329771920652292012-05-20T19:15:00.002+01:002012-05-20T19:35:12.320+01:00The Saga of the Place Name Cards ....<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm almost there with The Wedding stuff (or at least the things that I know of - lol) and this is the saga of the Place Name Cards - which are almost as well travelled as the Olympic torch will be - lol.</div>
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We started in Sussex with some sheets of The Cream Card - which was cut to size (can't remember how big) and scored ....</div>
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They were then placed in a suitable receptacle ready for mailing to guess where ....<br />
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That's right - you guessed - Wolverhampton. Me and my mate Sue (you know, the one who should have a Blog but doesn't) are texting - as we do - and I'm wailing and whining and generally going on to the point where it becomes boring, about how on earth I was going to get these Place Names done. This is particularly as my handwriting is worse than your average GP's - lol. Says Sue - quite late it has to be said - 'my sister has beautiful handwriting, I'm sure she'll do them for you'. One photograph posted on FB later and the above receptacle is sent off to the lovely Helen, quicker than you can say ink ....</div>
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Helen certainly came up trumps - have a look at these ....</div>
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Such beautiful writing. She did it with a fountain pen too and I understand bought a new rubber to erase her lines. Helen - you did great and you definitely ROCK - lol.</div>
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I added the decorative bits in the corner and voila ....</div>
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So - thank you ladies xx<br />
Off to do some knitting - just for a change - lol<br />
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<br />SUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16855052880056929030noreply@blogger.com1