And Now November Has Gone ...

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.

So, following Delia (well, sort of lol), here's all the fruit soaking in brandy (and soak it did for 24 hours lol) ...

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 ....

Then in it went into the oven and ended up like this ....

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.

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 Lady Sew and Sew 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.

This one's for The Gorgeous One ....

And this one's for The Beautiful One ...

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.

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.  

So I had better put a wiggle on hadn't I - lol ......

Time Flies .....

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 .....

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 .....

That said, I made a purchase a week or so ago from that well known shopping channel - which was this .....

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).

I've only made one thing so far .....

Bad piccie I know - but these are herb rolls.  A soda bread recipe with spring onions and real fresh basil and parsley.   

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).  

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).  

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.   

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.

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 ....

Right must dash - off to make Advent Calendars for the little people.  

And the lunch menu - home made tomato soup and herb rolls .....

Something Different ....

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.

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.

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 ...

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) ....

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) ....

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 ....

The lady standing next to my Mum who is holding me - is my maternal grandmother - another very special lady ....

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 ....

I have set this post as a Scheduled one - wonder if I've dome it right - lol - we will see ....

More About Bottles .....

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 ...

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 ....

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 ....

Then a base coat of paint ...

Which I thought was very 'in your face' but it all calmed down after more paint and a load of dry brushing ....

Here's the back ....

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 ....

Bottles .....

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 here .... 

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 ....

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) ....

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  ....

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 ......

  

An Assemblage - Shed No. 82 - Finished ....

So - here it is - eventually with all the little bits and pieces made ...
The whole thing ....

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.  

Anyways I digress - a sideways on view - 

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 ....

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 ....

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 ....

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 Calico Crafts, along with the moss ....

And here's the Onion - which is made of tissue paper and was brilliant white when I bought the string of three ....

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' .....

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 ......

An Assemblage - Progress

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 .....

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 .....

and the whole thing .....

Here's the whole thing 'staged' for a photo and to see how I'm going to arrange things ....

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 ....

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 ....

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 ....

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 ....

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....

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 .....

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.  

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.

Off to have a late lunch and enjoy some sun .....

An Assemblage ....

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.

To be fair 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 ....,

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 .... 

Again - without describing the techniques here's where I got to yesterday .....

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 .....

Off now to make some bits and pieces to go in The Shed Assemblage .......

The Big Day .....

finally arrived .....

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 ....

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) ....

Then she looked like this ....

Oh my word I thought, I don't like that - but she ended up looking like this ....

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 ....

Here's another of the bride - doing what all girls do best - gossiping .... (the head belongs to new father in law) ....

Here she is with all the men ....

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.

And here's an awwwwww piccie ....

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 .......
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 ....