The JuicyFig

Does ANYTHING ever go to plan???

2012-01-18T14:25:00.000Z

well as you have probably noticed my thrifty day's till Christmas came to an abrupt end a few weeks ago.

Everything had been going swimmingly, then I had a really crappy couple of weeks - and none of it was my own fault! Family stuff...I am still dreaming of winning the lottery and have had a tiny cottage that is away from it all and ready for my escapes, earmarked for the winnings for years now! lol - one day.

The thrifting is continuing, I can't wait for the Jumble sale season to start again as I have a list of things we need, can't afford but could quite likely find at a jumble sale (hubby is after a pressure cooker!) and Baby Fig and I have signed up to have a stall at a new local 'Crafty Vintage' fair on 11th Feb.

I have been busy making more up-cycled items for both folksy and etsy - I am very pleased with these scented hearts for valentines day filled with a divine vintage rose scent.

I have had some nice news to sweeten all the poo! I was asked to write a little 300 word sales story for Craft Seller magazine! It has been submitted and I should be in there in issue 9 - on sale on the 14th March, so if you get it look out for me! if you don't, take a sneaky peaky in the supermarket/news stand.

I shall be trying my best to get back on track with the thrifty tips and stories as soon as I can!

358 thrifty days till Christmas

2012-01-03T19:19:00.002Z

My thrifty-ness was thwarted today, and I am not happy about it!

Today is my Dads 75th Birthday - my brother and I are both very very skint at the moment and my dad is one of those people who just has everything he wants or needs. He usually ends up with a fridge full of cheese and gallons of port from the Christmas sales (he has not been disappointed this year) and after hours of agonising bro and I thought it would be nice to pay for Dad and Mum to go and see the Halle Orchestra on the 17th Feb at King Georges Hall in Blackburn.

I checked the price of the tickets, got the cash together, made sure on the KGH web site that the ticket office was open, drove 8 miles to Blackburn in the worst weather, paid to park, walked to KGH, and found it shut. There were no signs outside to say why it was shut or when it would be open and upon ringing the number on the box office sign found out they no longer use that number. I eventually pressed my head against the gates at an awkward angle and could just about see a small note on the door stating the office would re-open TOMORROW!

so - back home and straight onto ticket-master who charge £1.75 to post you the tickets, or you can collect them from the venue for...£1.75!

Anyway, dad is very pleased with his gift, even though we had nothing tangible to give him. And lessons learned? Sort out Dad and Hubby's birthday presents BEFORE Christmas next year!

I am however determined to post a thrifty post EVERY day.

Today I recommend another blogger. If you don't already follow her, do take a look, and if you have time read back through her posts. She is incredibly inspirational, she has paid off a mountain of debt and intends to pay off her mortgage early. This year she is not buying ANYTHING besides food and bills. I would LOVE to do this, but fear I am failing already, only 3 days into the new year!

Do pop by and say hello to the Frugal Queen!

Until tomorrow.

359 Thrifty days till Christmas

2012-01-02T16:51:00.000Z

A few years ago Mr Fig opened our wood burning stove and a huge nail fell out onto the carpet. We didn't notice until we smelled the carpet burning.

Although it is a perfect image of the nail, it isn't what I wanted to look at every time I sat down in front of the fire, so I covered it with an old Ikea rag rug I had in the bedroom.

While cleaning up for Christmas Baby Fig threw this rug out. it was filthy - although it has been washed many times, and Mr Fig had decided a couple of years ago to actually chop fire wood on it so it had slash marks all over the back (can you understand what I have to deal with!!!!)

I have so far not seen a rug I like - or more accurately a rug I like and can afford.

My Grandad always made rag rugs from old wool coats, and progressed onto wool rugs when coats were not easy to come by. I have had a go at rag rugging and wool pegging and find them both incredibly time consuming and boring to make, they just don't grow fast enough!

So I have just been up to the sewing room and brought down a bag of old t-shirts I have been collecting for ages and a pair of scissors.

My intention is to cut them all into long spiral strips, plait them into one very long strip and sew them together into an oval rug - for FREE!

I have found a brilliant tutorial HERE and like I said yesterday - I never had a better chance to learn!

I shall be back with the finished item soon.

360 thrifty days till Christmas

2012-01-01T15:05:00.000Z

Happy 2012 everyone!

I hope you are all feeling full of the joys of a New Year and not letting this miserable weather get you down.

Baby Fig is recovering from a late night out in the Village, and by late I mean about 4am.

I started my new year with coffee and crumpets in bed listening to the Archers omnibus - to me this is pure opulence, I LOVE IT!

Today I will be hopefully clearing away Christmas, cleaning up and making tea - using up the mountain of cheese my mother very kindly (a little too kindly) bought us in the supermarket sales.

I have been pondering today's thrifty tip. This one particular phrase keeps coming back to me constantly...

This is something my grandma, and then my mum would always say to me whenever I asked them to do something for me I thought I couldn't do myself (or was too damn lazy to do!)

As a youth I would dismiss this and usually storm off with a 'don't bother then!' attitude, and would make do without whatever service I wished them to provide for me!

Over the years though, this phrase remained with me (mainly because they kept on repeating it) but the more I thought about it, the more sense it made.

Both my Mum and Grandma had to learn to do all sorts of things we take for granted these days, they would never ever have dreamt of asking anyone else to fix, mend or make something they could well do themselves. What they were in fact saying to me is "don't take us for granted, but use our skills and knowledge to enable you to take control and look after yourself, here we are right now, we are willing to share all this with you, you really don't have a better chance than this to learn"

This is something I have stuck too through out my life - my Dad has taught me how to put up shelves, change a plug, draw up an accurate design, drive a car, take a photo, process a photo, change a tyre amongst many other things, my mum taught me how to sew and knit and bake and decorate a room, Grandma taught me how to make bread, feed a family for 4 days on one chicken, darn, alter clothes to fit, patch a hole, play whist, Grandad taught me how to get the most from an allotment - well you get the idea!

If something new catches my eye I take note, watch carefully, ask questions, pick up tips - People are always willing to share there knowledge, they offer it for free because they want to pass it on. So next time you ask someone to do something you think you can't do and they offer to show you how to do it yourself, remember, you NEVER had a better chance to learn!

361 thrifty days till Christmas

2011-12-31T12:40:00.001Z

Firstly I want to say a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Mr Fig

I always feel so sorry for him having his birthday today...

Secondly I want to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

the next is an even number so I am sure I will not feel quite so discombobulated.

In honour of Mr Fig's birthday the Christmas cards have come down, he will not let me take the rest of the decorations down until tomorrow though.

When I was a kid in the 1970's my mum would always get me to take the cards down and hand me a pair of pinking shears and a hole punch. I would spend hours cutting crinkly Robbins and Santa's out of the front of the cards, and punching holes out to hang them on next years parcels, and although I really didn't like the pinked look it was still more fun than using plain scissors.

This year I made all kinds of fancy labels with bits sewn and glued onto them only to watch them not get read, torn off and thrown in the bin with the wrapping paper - what did you expect? I hear you cry! well exactly!

So this morning I have made my own 2012 version of those 1970's tags. If you like them, feel free to copy - and actually, I am more pleased with these than the ones I spent hours over!

First get rid of the side with the writing on, send them to be recycled or hang onto them to use as templates for other crafty projects.

I used some thick card from the top of a go-cat box to make myself a luggage label style tag.

Instead of "fussy cutting" i.e. selecting a picture and cutting round this even if it means loosing the rest of the card, I fit as many onto the back of the card as I can. If I know it will only fit 2 or 3 on I tried to set them at an angle to each other - but DON'T look at the right side of the card, it will be a surprise!

then simply draw round your template, cut inside the lines, punch a hole in narrow end and thread string/ribbon/cord (I used the end of a ball of dish cloth cotton I had saved) through the hole - finally put them somewhere you will remember them or find them next Christmas!

I have been working hard on the recycled scarf I started a couple of days ago, and have made a hat to match and hopefully I have enough of the yarn left to make matching wrist warmers. I think they may well have to go into my Folksy Shop due to finances - but not to worry, I still have my purchases from Novembers Knitting and Stitching show to make into stuff all for myself!

Keep safe and see you all NEXT YEAR!!!

362 thrifty days till Christmas

2011-12-30T13:53:00.000Z

Cranberry's on the Grapevine???!

Before Christmas I was given a jar of Cranberry and Orange relish by a lovely and very talented lady called Mary who comes along to one of the knit and natter groups I also go to. She had promised me the recipe if I liked the relish, and 1 large packet of cream crackers and a quarter pound of Stilton later the jar was empty and I had made my mind up that it was indeed extremely good relish!

She e-mailed me the recipe, but as Cranberry's are not something I usually have in...well, I don't think I have ever actually bought a fresh cranberry in my life, I thought I would just pick up a bag as and when I could afford one.

Now this is where a good thrifty grapevine comes into play. Yesterday I received an e-mail from Mary marked "Cranberry relish - URGENT!"

Sainsbury's had a load of fresh cranberries reduced from £4 to 50p! Now who of you would have been able to resist a reduction like that?

A quick trip to Sainsbury's, 4 bags of cranberries (that still only came to half the original price of just 1 bag) and everything else I had in, and in less than 1 hour I had 3 jars of ruby red relish and 3 spare bags of cranberries popped in to the freezer to make more relish when I need!

Preserves are like the name suggests a way of preserving a glut of anything, I don't believe in buying expensive fruits and vegetables to make mine, instead relying on a glut on the allotment, or a friends apple tree, or from the hedge rows. Usually the only fruit I will buy are Seville oranges for my marmalade as they only grow in Seville, but with the cranberries I feel I have liberated them from a landfill site because lets face it, who eats cranberries all year round? and we all know how much good food supermarkets throw away.

Mary has kindly let me put the recipe on my recipe page for your use, she points out that it is her adaptation of a recipe by Saint Delia (the boozy bit) so please have a go - if you can get CHEAP cranberries!

363 thrifty days till Christmas

2011-12-29T17:28:00.000Z

I am as always trying to tidy my sewing room. Now matter how much I throw out, sell, tidy, give away, with in a week of there being floor and bench space, it has usually all vanished again. I don't buy very much new sewing materials these days, but I am always having a lot given too me! I belong to a couple of knit and natter groups and where there is one craft, others follow. Most of the ladies at these groups now exactly what I use, what I like, what I am looking for, and every time they have a clear out I get bags of goodies. Vintage lace, fabric, paper, ribbons, you name it, they ~~have~~ had it, and now I have it! Besides this I am an incredibly untidy person. I can't help it, and I long to be a tidy person.

If money were no object I am sure by now my little box/sewing room would have been transformed into a storage savvy area, but as money is always tight the room is full of random shelves from mum and dads kitchen, an old cupboard with the doors removed (as there wasn't space to open them) a couple of old office draws, baskets, boxes, tins...well you get the idea. I have to climb over stuff that hasn't yet been sorted out and bags of wool, just to get into the room.

I have decided that I need a set or two of free standing book shelves to place against the last bit of free wall but as I can't afford anything at the moment I have put out a plea on 'FREEGLE'

I joined this web group a few years ago when it was called Freecycle - I'm not sure why it changed to freegle, but it did.

If you are not familiar with this concept, I urge you to look it up.

Basically it is a way of getting rid of almost ANYTHING that is perhaps not good enough to sell but is far too good to go into landfill. It is also a way of receiving stuff as well.

You put out a Wanted or an Offered, let people know what it is you are giving away or what you want, and hopefully you will be inundated with people who either want what you are giving or have what you need.

If you are lucky enough to 'win' an item it is up to you to collect it, if you give something away, then it is up to the recipient to collect it from you.

Ourselves, we have received a double bed, a single bed, 2 gorgeous sofa's, a microwave, a tea chest, grout whitener, fabric, yarn, toys - to name just a few! we have got rid of a sofa, 2 beds, a wardrobe, files, books, an arm chair, fabric, yarn and all sorts more.

It is a fantastic idea, and ours in this area seams to work pretty well without incident plus they are all over the country. Even if you just sign up with nothing to offer, it is a revelation to see what is offered and what people actually manage to get hold of!

So Keep your fingers crossed someone has an old set of bookshelves they were going to get rid of and they come our way, one day I WILL BE TIDY!

364 Thrifty days till Christmas

2011-12-28T14:44:00.000Z

On Christmas Day and Boxing day I did NO crafting. I had been knitting and sewing presents right up to 8.30pm on Christmas eve, and wanted to sit back and think about what to do next, as I have previously mentioned Hubby and Dad's birthdays are both in the next week, but I didn't think I had a hope of getting anything else made for them!

I have spent those 2 days 'off' pouring over the gorgeous books I got for Christmas, mainly baking books, and a wonderful history of British Magic that has seen me having a sneaky lie-in for the past 2 mornings while I read.

Anyway, to get to the point, last night I was bored stiff without a project to get my teeth into - I wanted something easy, pretty, and thrifty.

Now while this particular project didn't start out thriftily, I think it has ended up thrifty, and it is the principal behind it that counts!

A couple of years ago when my purse seemed to have a little spare cash in it every now and again I indulged myself with 1 ball of Noro knitting yarn. As anyone who has bought or looked at it will know it is NOT cheap. A jumper can cost over £150 to knit in it.

I started to knit a shawl with my 1 ball, but I soon ran out and had to buy another 2 balls, they ran out and I bought another - by this time the shawl had cost about £40 and was still too small to put around my shoulders!

I cast the damn thing off and left it for 18 months in a cupboard, discussed with myself for spending all that money on something so useless!

About 6 months ago my Mother insisted I let her pull the shawl back, which she did, and since then it has been sat in 1 giant ball - staring at me menacingly.

Last night I started to knit it into a swirly scarf. I am LOVING IT!!! and can tell it is going to end up really long so it will wrap round many times. And who knows, I may even sell it and try to recoup some of the expense!

There is not much recycling of wool these days, acrylics are relatively cheap to buy, and not as many people knit from necessity, but my Grandma would often pull back a jumper that one of my uncles had grown out of and knit something up for my mum, she would knit sleeves from shoulder to cuff so if the cuff became worn or frayed she could unpick it from the cuff and replace that bit, she re healed and re-toed socks and never threw out anything that could be re-used.

So, if you have some yarn hanging around that needs knitting, get on with it, if you have something you made but don't like, pull it back and make something new!

My twirly scarf pattern is available for free (there is a tab at the top of the page) or click on the picture!

365 thrifty days till Christmas

2011-12-27T17:21:00.002Z

After eating up some of the left overs from Christmas day at Mum and Dads, Taryn pointed out to me that even though we watched several programmes by various exciting (or was that excited?) Chef's on how to make delicious and unusual left over turkey recipes we always end up making 'butties' (British for sandwiches) with just a bit of everything left on them, still, we have not had to buy any food for 3 days!

Today Mr Juicy and I had to brave a 'Supermarket' as all the bulbs in the kitchen had gone, and although I have an ample stash of tea lights, it wasn't going to cut it!

As we had to drive to a nearby town to visit family we made sure we went to a supermarket on the way to save on fuel, and as always I had the above 'mantra' firmly fixed in my mind. As you can imagine the left hand side is the side I seam firmly planted on.

We bought EXACTLY what we needed and NOTHING else, in fact we did not even venture down any sale isles because the temptation of a bargain I don't need and cannot afford can be very strong!

You may recognise the mantra from the Money Saving Expert's web site, and my advice is that if you have never been onto the site, click on the mantra and go take a look, there is something for everyone there, and even better, sign up for the weekly news letter!

oh, and thanks for the comments and idea's - keep them coming, 366 thrifty tips is a lot to come up with!

wrapping paper

2011-12-26T13:28:00.001Z

wrapping paper, a photo by juicyfig on Flickr.

366 Thrifty days 'till Christmas 2012

2011-12-26T12:45:00.000Z

Ahhh, I hope a wonderful Christmas day was enjoyed by one and all!

We had a lovely morning opening our hand crafted and carefully chosen pressies before a chaotic, noisy but very tastey afternoon at my mums with my Brother and his clan, then back home for Dr Who? and Downton Abbey.

And so to my new challenge - a whole year of blogging a thrifty tip or action EVERY DAY for a year, and as was pointed out, we actually have an extra day this coming year - What a mammoth task! hehehe

This is NOT aimed solely at next Christmas, it is to get me through all the different events plus daily life! we have a plethora of birthdays as usual, a few weddings (4 in the next 2 years so far) and all the other usual events, Easter etc! I am determined to save money, mend the house, eat better, exercise more, well, you know, the usual resolutions plus more - and the sooner the better.

I already have Mr Juicy's Birthday looming large on New Years Eve, and no idea what to get or make him as I kinda threw everything into Christmas for him, then on the 3rd January it's my Dad's Birthday. I know these events occur every year at the same time but I am never prepared and consequently they both tend to end up with reduced Christmas food items from the supermarket.

Anywho - back to my first Thrifty Day, (only 365 left!)

Baby Fig and I are determined to not spend ANYTHING on wrapping paper this year, it costs a fortune and is usually just ripped off and thrown in the bin, so Taryn the bag fairy had away with every gift bag as soon as it's gift was removed and came home with a stash to keep us going for ages - plus any that are torn or damaged around the top we are going to cut down and customise.

I know it sounds extreme and not much of a saving, but this is something we have done before, no one ever notices it is recycled and like I said, it just ends up in the bin in the end.

An image that blogger won't let me upload!!!!

Only one more sleep till Christmas!

2011-12-24T12:54:00.001Z

Well, it's almost here, just one more sleep to go!

On Boxing day I will be starting a personal challenge to blog every day for a year, the theme will be

"365 frugal day's till Christmas"

I have been a very lazy blogger this past 12 months, but 2012 is an even numbered year so I am sure things will go better than they have this year - not that it's been a bad year, I just don't seam to have got to where I was hoping to get!

Here is a Christmas Essential!

it would not be Christmas without Kermit the Frogs legs as he carries Tiny Tim home singing the Christmas Scat

A Parliament of Owls - How wise.

2011-11-02T10:40:00.001Z

A Wise old owl lived in an oak

the more he saw, the less he spoke

the less he spoke the more he heard

why can't we all be like that wise old bird?

My Grandma recently sent a copy of the Wise Old Owl to my niece for her to put on her bedroom wall. It had been years since I had heard this little poem, and for something made up of just 4 lines, it is one of those stop and think little rhymes.

With the state of our country at the moment this would be good advise for our government to stop and listen to the people for once, and as a group of Owls is called a Parliament - I thought it was quite apt to go into full Owl production! (well, it all made sense to me!)

So these little guys are the result - Owl brooches made from gorgeous felt and 'up-cycled' fabrics and buttons!

Then, I became all nostalgic for the 70's - my formative years from birth to 10 years old and remembered these little ladies

Sunbonnett Sue. After doing a bit of research it transpires that she has been around shading her face from the sun for over 110 years! it is such a lovely appliqué pattern to use though, and she looks so sweet - so more brooches!

My Folksy Shop had been getting smaller and smaller of late so making these gave me a real creative boost. The freshly tidied sewing room now need tidying again, and Owl production has continued in the form of soft toys and soon will be transferred to cushions! Baby Fig has also convinced me to make black felt moustaches with brooch pins on....not entirely sure what thats about!

Another new enterprise in the ever more enterprising juicy household is Mr Juicy's new found button making skills! He has been very busy searching out unusual woods that are 'Spalted' - this is where fungi has started to colonise the wood resulting in these amazing 'zone' lines. He has been cutting and sanding and drilling and polishing both the wood and the tips of his fingers. I have used a few of them so far and the rest he is hoping to sell - so keep your eyes peeled for his new Folksy shop (we are waiting for their big November relaunch of the site!)

And finally - an embroidered angel - Baby Fig thinks she looks like a Moomin, so she will probably not be going on sale!

As usual life is complete chaos in the JuicyFig household. I thought kids were supposed to get easier as they get older? Baby Fig has gone back to collage to study hair dressing. I am getting LOTS of free hair cuts and colours, but this can only go on until I have no hair left! we also seam to have plastic heads turning up clamped to tables and smelling of setting lotion. Mr Figs wooden buttons are leaving a trail of sawdust, shavings and sandpaper in the most unexpected places, and my sewing room has had to have all the wool removed to fit in the fabrics, so now I have wool in bags boxes and baskets in every room, waiting for a 'clear out' which for me means reorganising it all into colours and weights then maybe getting rid of one ball.

Right - Back to the wool sorting!

The preserve of the poor!

2011-10-06T17:52:00.002+01:00

It has been ages yet again since I wrote anything here. Weeks are flying by and I always seem to be busy without having that much to do!

I have been a busy house wife making jams and jelly's from a glut of plums on other peoples trees. I have been baking bread on a more regular basis while Mr Juicy has also been working on his own gluten/dairy free loaf - When he is successful all is well, when it doesn't quite work out the way he wants we all know about it as he gets the stinkiest wind you could imagine! (so bad it actually woke me up the other night!)

We have put up with a broken oven for months, using only a halogen cooker from Baby Figs last flat, but finally could afford to get the oven fixed and I am baking all sorts - well, mainly Yorkshire Fat Rascals with my own twist (basically replacing the dried fruit with anything in the cupboard!)- but bread, puddings and biscuits are very comforting this time of year - All my warming stews get made in my treasured stove top tagine these days, one of the BEST cooking pots I have ever owned!

There has been a huge abundance of fruit this autumn which is always a sign of a bad winter to come - I have never seen so many Sloe's in the hedges. As soon as we have our first hard frost I will be out there gathering them up for a bottle or two of Sloe Gin. The only problem with all this cooking baking and preserving is the vast quantities of sugar everything requires. ~I think I should start buying 1 bag every week of the year.

Things have been slow on the crafting front. The craft fairs I have done have been so lovely and friendly but not very profitable once stall fee's and petrol costs are taken into account, so I have chosen just 3 to attend up to Christmas (besides my Folksy and Etsy shops)

At the top of this post is one of the rag wreaths I have been making, and above are a couple of scarves ready to be sold.

I have had a big tidy up of the sewing room recently. It is a tiny box room with far too much stuff in it, I had been thinking about trying to rent a space as a workshop, but we really are totally skint - so I have had to make the most of space we have. It is really difficult to make anything of any size, especially my beloved quilts, but I am determined to work around these issues - I even managed to squash our old computer in there with the intention of 'writing' - I have make a start on a book about thrifty living and old fashioned home making, mainly inspired by my Grandma's life. I can't see it being finished any time soon though, every time I start to write it either turns into a rant or splits off in 10 different directions. Keep your eyes peeled though, I may be out here soon asking for ideas, suggestions, opinions and tips!

So - That was a very quick update (waiting for mare Fat Rascals to cook!) I shall leave you with this photo taken from the sewing room window the other day. The structure that frames it is Whalley Viaduct.

Are YOU ready for Christmas? a de-stash special!

2011-09-04T15:49:00.001+01:00

Before anyone tries to have me murdered...and yes, I know it is only September, but honestly, I am thinking of YOU!

I have been having a long overdue clear out in my sewing room. It is SO difficult for me to part with fabric, but it is so long since I made anything with Christmas fabrics I thought 'what better time to get rid of some' then if anyone buys it they have over 3 months to put it to good use before the festive season is upon us.

So - bellow is a sample of some of the fabrics I have put onto e-bay today. They will be listed for 7 days (ending Sunday 11th September) and everything starts at 99p. P&P is really cheap and I will combine shipping for multiple wins!

So, if you are into your sewing and desperate for a new project or even just some fabric to add to your stash - pop over and take a gander!

(click on a photo to take you to the auction)

and if you want to look at them all - click HERE!

Happy September everyone!

ps. I have been adding to my SUMMER SALE over in my etsy shop, you never know there may be the Ideal Christmas present for someone there...!

Life's what you make it.

2011-08-21T16:32:00.001+01:00

Baby, 
life's what you make it
Celebrate it
Anticipate it
Yesterday's faded
Nothing can change it
Life's what you make it

from Talk Talk - Life's what you make it 

It's been a quick 2 weeks since my last blog! Here at the JuicyFig house we have been making the most of our situation, I have been doing piece work at my mum and dads to earn a bit of cash, we have done car boot sales, tried to sell a pile of shoes given to us by a relative to help us out, we have made use of the halogen oven since our own oven has a broken element we can't afford to repair or replace, we had a budget home made TAPAS 20th birthday party for baby Fig, made some good sales on e-bay, went to a fantastic jumble sale at Hurst Green, judged the photographs at the Sabden Village show, put more stuff on e-bay (a lovely size 12 silk skirt by Monsoon), oh and I made 1 pair of jeans out of 2 pairs I had that had worn out - chopping the legs off them both and sewing the good legs to the good top bit, think 'Barbara from The Good life'  and now we are preparing for my Grandma's 97th birthday on Wednesday!

...stops for a breath...

oh - and in between, listening to loads of old vinyl records. Baby Fig came home with a record player and made me feel VERY old by asking me how to work it and getting totally confused between 45 and 33 rpm! 

CountryFile Photo Competition...if only...

2011-08-09T17:18:00.000+01:00

In the UK we have a TV programme called Country file - it has been going for years and years, and used to be the highlight of my Sunday mornings as I relaxed with a coffee and dreamed of my little farm and my hens and pigs etc. It then suddenly became a really popular programme and was moved to a prime Sunday evening slot.

Every year they hold a photo competition, and every year I yearn to enter it, but NEVER get around to it for loads or poor excuses - mostly because I don't think anything I have photographed is good enough - but this year I though I would go for it.

After going through piles of photo's and going on long 'nature' walks I chose 3 photo's I was reasonably happy with and this morning Mr Juicy went and posted them for me - the closing date is midnight on the 12th August. But...

I don't care if I win or not! I will be watching each episode now as they sift through the THOUSANDS of entries and if I see even the tiniest glimpse of ANY of my photo's my year will be made!

I shall be seen and heard leaping off the sofa screaming "that was my picture!" and ringing friends and relatives.

So - If you are a Country file fan, keep your eye's pealed and let me know if you see any of the above!

(the baby frog is on the end of my finger tip!)

Blissed out

2011-07-28T17:06:00.000+01:00

Nuff said...

Whether the weather

2011-07-16T12:26:00.000+01:00

As a nation we are passionate when it comes to talking about the weather - we discuss it endlessly, the forecast, what weather we have had, what is to come, if we like it hot, but not this hot, if the gardens need rain or sunshine, what grade of rain it is, that fine stuff that wets you through, torrential fat rain that bounces up when it hits the ground, we have dry days, humid days, days to rival north African temperatures and Arctic climates - summer events either end in sun burn or get rained off, winters are clear sharp and crisp or miserable wet and grey - what would we talk about if the weather never changed? - lets face it, we have a lot of weather!

Our felines have discovered they can also turn the weather to their advantage - as soon as it rains they are in and out of the house like they are on elastic, not because they enjoy getting wet, but because Mr Juicy has taken to rubbing them dry with a towel each time they come in which they can't get enough of - I think he has made a rod for his own back with this one!

I really don't mind the English weather - it can be frustrating at times, but hey, we should be used to it by now! So take delight in the small things, rain drops on ~~roses~~ carnations, morning dew on a spiders web, amazing clouds and sunsets, I even witnessed Blackburn from a nearby hill 'steaming' after a cloud burst on a hot day last week - the weather is rarely dull!

Now - how do I get all this washing dry???

Whether the weather be fine
Or whether the weather be not
Whether the weather be cold
Or whether the weather be hot
We'll weather the weather
Whatever the weather
Whether we like it or not.

Making it up as I go along

2011-07-10T16:22:00.000+01:00

Sometimes it feels like all I do is moan about one thing or another, and over the past couple of weeks I seam to have had reason to moan - but probably took it to the extreme, so today is a calm Sunday.

Well, t would have been calm, but first thing this morning I had to dash out to a muddy field to rescue Baby Fig from her flooded tent after she had been woken by a torrential cloud burst at the aptly named 'cloud spotters micro festival' - I don't know, teenagers these days have no stamina or sense of adventure!

Last week I went to our local wool shops first birthday party, and was inspired by the speaker Veronica Shaw who writes patterns for Let's Knit Magazine to just get on with my knitting, make stuff up as I go along, mix colours and textures and basically stop pontificating over everything I do! So to this end I have been crocheting a new blanket of blues from my huge basket of double knitting 'odd balls that need using up'

I did however get a little distracted mid week after discovering King Coles new sequined yarn - I am not a sequin type person at all so I am not really sure quite why I fell for this yarn, but cautiously invested in just one ball and am now working it into a frilly edged scarf I designed myself.

Not a brilliant photo - but the whole of the Ribble Valley is currently sitting under a very grey cloud!

It is now just over 12 months since I worked for the Department of Work and Pensions. The department I worked for was the Child Support Agency. In the 6 years I worked for them I learned more about bitterness and suffering than I ever imagined was out there on our small island. I think I had been rather nieive about life! I saw a side to people I would be more than happy never to witness again, both within the workplace management, myself and the customers. It left me wondering just how disproportionate my view of humanity was compared to reality, and it also left me feeling distrustful and suspicious - almost paranoid! I am however working very hard on seeing the country and it's people with a more balanced view, but also trying to look at myself and my part in the grand scheme of things - I am by no stretch of the imagination a model citizen - how boring would that be! but I am trying my best and have been looking at the SLOW MOVEMENT - I am not signing up to anything, joining anything or telling anyone else to - but I like the ethos behind it, it's new old fashioned ways - the sense of appreciation of your own toils and those of others. Life is too short for all the stress and worry we create for ourselves. I don't suppose I will stop moaning about things, people, situations - but I am determined to to make an effort not to let the same things wind me up like they have in the past.

So - here is a 'big up' to life, lessons and living - next time I am about to have a rant, I will count to 10, look at it from all angles, fight the fights that need fighting and take the most from small pleasures in life like a sparkly sequinned scarf - and spot happiness in everything around me.

Finally, a moment captured last Friday at Warrington Walking Day - My Grandma who is 96, attending her 96th walking day - She loves everything about it, especially when the pipe bands play as they pass us all standing in the same spot we have stood in for over 100 years!

Grandma with a bag she asked me to crochet for carrying her handkerchief!

Sis-in-law Elpetha with her youngest Daughter Gracie

Our now dwindling group of family and friends in the usual spot!

My baby brother on the right and uncle on the left

Gracie running out to give her Daddy his walking day money

My wonderful mum giving her Brother his walking day money

Friend of the family who walk every year

that was the week that was...busy!

2011-05-24T11:16:00.000+01:00

I have had an incredibly busy week! I have finally finished this baby quilt that was my first commission - I chose the colours etc, so I just hope they like it! It has been finished in a record 2 weeks, this is mainly due to my Daughter's statement when I started..."I bet you don't finish it, it will end up with all the other blankets you have started" - I am now wondering if my client paid her to say this, as they both know me so well! so - 90 squares, and 4 balls of wool later - it is done. I hope Baby Oliver (when he is born) appreciates all these colours!

Last Wednesday Baby Fig and myself went to the first of 6 FREE printing workshops at Blackburn Museum.

It was a fantastic afternoon, the teacher was so lovely and very talented - however, the only people there were baby fig and myself - what a shame! So, if you are in the area and have a Wednesday afternoon free, get down to the museum and have a go - we can't wait for this weeks workshop!

I have been busy tweeting...the internet conspires to keep me at my computer far too long! but if you are a tweeter - come and say hello!

Very exciting for me, I was asked to write a GUEST BLOG by a fellow twitter-er, so I did! I was quite pleased with it - which is unusual for me! These girls have a lovely site about thriftiness and good money management, do pop over and say hello to PennyWisePenny

So - in the next few days I will be posting up a couple of Bread making recipe's to tie in with the blog, my basic-can't go wrong-daily loaf recipe, and my Grandma's 70 year old woman's hour recipe!

All we need now is more sunshine - what happened to it?

Some one has to win!

2011-05-16T14:41:00.000+01:00

Thank you so much to everyone who entered my little may give away - it's at times like this I wish I could afford to send everyone who entered a prize!

Good to see some familiar faces, and also good to see some new faces - but enough waffle!

This morning I made 2 parcels up - both identical, with some lovely smellies, and a little extra something!

All the names and entries were put into a bowl

Including my friend Fig at Hairy Knees - living in distant South Africa!

2 impartial 'name taker out of bowl' people were found...

Mr Juicy went first - and selected....

Look at those workmans hands! - Well done to Fiona Mac!

Then Baby Fig picked a name....

Disgusting nails BFIG but well done to Michelle!

THANKS AGAIN to EVERYONE who entered - and Fiona and Michelle - I hope you love your parcels!

The Great May Give-away!

2011-05-11T09:56:00.000+01:00

Welcome my bloggy chums - I thought it was about time I did a Juicy Give away, and as May rhymes with 'Away' well, a May Give away was in order!

To be extra generous, but also make you work for your entry, you have 4 chances to enter - Names will be drawn out of the proverbial hat (i.e. a bowl) on Sunday 15th of May, at 12pm - so get your entries in before then to qualify.

Ways to enter;

1. Leave a comment if you are allready a follower

2. Follow the JuicyFig blog, and leave comment to let me know!

3. Tweet this post on the twitter-me-bobs, leave a comment to let me know you have done it

4. 'Like' the JuicyFig page - then leave me a comment here to let me know

I will put the name of EVERY comment in the hat - and draw out 2 winners.

But what do I win? I hear you cry!

Well, as I have been having a blast making scented items for both my Folksy and Etsy shops - it will be a selection of scented items - and a few other little goodies!

These all smell fantastic - Baby Powder and Vintage Rose scents for your wardrobe, knicker draw, car, bathroom, anywhere you need a sweet smell!

So what are you waiting for? Share the love and maybe win a prize, Sweet!

Busy Sundays

2011-05-08T18:06:00.000+01:00

Why is it that Sundays are always so busy? Mind you, I do feel like I have achieved a lot!

A couple more hexagons sewn today - Still trying to make up my mind about what they will eventually be, but Knitting bag is number one on the list of possibles right now.

Listed a pile of summer jumpers on e-bay for the 'traditionally built' ladies out there, as well as some beloved fabric, some almost vintage Rowan wool, and a load of Simpson's Toy figures - I have no idea why I had them for so long! - Links at the top of the page if you fancy an e-bay bargain!

Then, Made a pair of curtains for my 14 year old Niece who lives next door - Her dad has been doing her room up for 6 years now, and tonight she finally gets to move out of the room she has been sharing with her 6 year old sister, she is VERY excited, and I have promised her I will blog about the room once she has 'sorted it out'

Tea is almost cooked - and I have another 50 granny squares to crochet for a baby blanket - not all tonight, but hoping to get another 10 done at least!

Also - After forgetting I had signed up for a Button swap, and getting a reminder from my swap partner, I have been thinking a great deal about what to make for her - I will be ready for a rest tomorrow!

Looking back, over your shoulder...

2011-05-04T10:34:00.000+01:00

What a morning - I have just spent half an hour looking back through my own posts - mostly being astonished by how long ago things occurred in relation to how not so long ago they are in my memory! (does that make sense?)

This time was supposed to be spent reading other peoples blogs - I am getting so tardy at this, and I so love reading all your adventures! But since signing up for twitter, and starting a JuicyFig facebook page, I get so easily side tracked, mind you it does not help me being SO computer illiterate, it takes me AGES to do anything!

The other thing that struck me while looking back is how clean and tidy my house looks in them! Since finishing work and Baby Fig moving back home, the house has gone to pieces! there is not an inch of space anywhere - I wouldn't mind so much if I hadn't spent the past 12 months throwing stuff out and selling items on e-bay, plus I can't afford to buy anything new! - so where does it all come from?

Has anyone been watching the series on BBC1 about Liberty's, Habitat, Boots et al?

I had dreams of my products being stocked in Liberty's for years - but to be honest, after watching this programe, and seeing artists and crafts people taken on by them, then the gorgeous stuff they make being mass produced abroad, and there prices being knocked down and down, I am not sure I would want that! - Still, the money would be nice right now. My compensation from my last job has long since ended, and I am at another of those strange life junctions with decisions that need making. Baby Fig has also lost her job, but is desperate to get back into screen printing. Our goal is to work together someday - we just need a huge cash injection - a donation preferably!! hehehe

In the mean time, I have been busy knitting. These scarves are all in my Folksy shop - HOWEVER! the twirly ones are so simple to make, only the knit stitch is required, so I am going to post the pattern on here so if you fancy having a go you can!

Right - better start tidying up!

Craft Fairs and Farmers Markets

2011-05-01T18:05:00.000+01:00

Hello my bloggy chums, I hope (if you are in the UK) you are making the most of this glorious sunshine!

It has been an absolutely stunning spring so far, which always makes me think that summer is going to be rotten, but fingers crossed it will continue to be as glorious as it is now!

This morning we went off to Browsholme hall in Bowland to their monthly Farmers and craft market - it is in the most stunning location, nothing but rolling hills, green fields, twisty country roads and woodlands as far as the eye can see! I had gone to see if it would be worth taking a stall their. The market is in the old Tithe barn, and there were plenty of people there, but apparently people were not spending much money - also another stall selling items similar to mine already had residence, I was a little disappointed by how little the lady was charging for stuff, how she made things for so little I don't know. All the way home, all I could think about was finding a workshop for my Daughter to set up screen printing and me to sew the fabric she made - everywhere is just so expensive though! I will keep dreaming, who knows, one day!

So - to help facilitate said dream, I listed some new items in my Etsy shop, one step at a time sweet figgy!

Bodkin The Brave

2011-04-27T16:34:00.000+01:00

Thanks for the get well soons for our teeny tiny kitty Bodkin.

He has somehow managed to take some of his stitches out, so another trip to the vets was needed to get his leg stapled instead - he is now feeling very sorry for himself, as he has to wear one of those Elizabethan collars that looks like a trumpet on his head - he has been banished from the great outdoors until it heals more - in the mean time he is insisting on throwing himself against the windows to get out, then moon walking round the house - very funny, but I can't wait for him to be allowed out again!

Only a couple of days now until the Royal Shindig - I must admit that although I am not a fan of Royalty, it does completely fascinate me! As far as I can tell our country does have the longest Royal History, there have been good 'uns and bad 'uns, and I would rather be a citizen than a subject - I think...but we really do pomp and ceremony like no other country, and every aspect of the wedding has some historical story behind it.

I was watching a program earlier today about other royal weddings, and the gifts received from loyal subjects - one of the queens wedding gifts was a pile of knitted dish cloths - I wonder if she still uses them?

When Charles and Di wed in 1981 - I was 10 years old. I was spending the week at Stonyhurst collage, about 5 miles away. On the day of the wedding they set up a TV in the refectory - it was the most amazing place to be, I felt almost Royal! (check the link and you will see why!)

This time I am going round to my mums to watch, we will make sandwiches and drink Bitter Shandy's!

What ever you get up to on Friday - I hope you have a wonderful day!

Pink Linen Roses

2011-04-20T16:22:00.000+01:00

Our poor computer has been poorly with evil vile viruses for over a week - and thanks to the combined efforts of brother in law, daddy fig and mr juicy it is all back up and running now.

The silence has been deafening! how strange not having the pooter fan whirring away in the background all day, and I have missed checking my twitter and e-mails every time I have passed by.

I have been in a bit of an embroidery mood - I had picked up some sublime linen embroidery floss a few weeks ago, I saw it in a sale basket, and immediately thought of dusky roses. As the floss was linen, the fabric had to be linen too! My stitching is slowly improving!

I chopped the linen into pieces, and did a slightly difrent rose on each - then had to think of some way of using them - so here is a cushion top WIP!

DRAMA - Our little tiny black cat -Bodkin - came out for a walk with us on Monday evening, shot up a tree, then in an effort to get back down stepped onto a dead branch and fell onto a barbed wire fence, making a huge gash on his leg. He spent a night in the vets, and is back home now recuperating. Mr Juicy however has not recovered from the whole traumatic event!

JuicyFig: Droplets Face Cloth FREE PATTERN

2011-04-10T13:48:00.000+01:00

JuicyFig: Droplets Face Cloth *FREE PATTERN*: " Finally - I have got around to a free pattern, carefully worked out by little old me! This is for a face cloth - I have called..."

All In The Golden Afternoon

2011-04-07T17:22:00.000+01:00

The sun is really doing a fantastic job of shining this week - so out I popped with my trusty camera to get some photo's of the flowers in my little pots at the front of the house now they are literally springing to life!

Every time I see a cluster of pansies or 'micky mouse faces' as my grandma calls them, I am reminded of this little song from Alice in Wonderland

I just LOVE the colour of these ones, they look almost black in some light - truly sumptuous!

Another of my favorite spring flowers are Grape Hyacinths - I don't think we can ever replicate what nature does with colours!

These ones were planted up from a supermarket mothers day gift years ago, and their little colony is growing steadily

Last years primulas are also making a triumphant return - I usually loose them and have to replace them every year - it must be Mr Juicy's secret fertiliser formula that they liked.

and I finally got my knitting mojo back after getting some recycled cotton yarn - I have been busy making face cloths for one of my shops - I have even designed a pattern for them, if it works out, I may just be posting it up here as a little freebie gift for you all!

right - off to my nieces school show this evening, a 1980's music extravaganza! got my dancing shoes on, and my jacket sleeves rolled up ready to boogie!

Jobs I have put off for too long or The worlds slowest way to tidy up.

2011-04-04T12:21:00.000+01:00

I am not a fan of house work - in any form. I alway seem to have something far more interesting to do, or far more urgent, or far more anything that actually commiting to doing house work, e.g. right now, I should be tidying the living room - but updating my blog is just so much more entertaining!

After doing a pretty rotten craft fair on Saturday, and having spent the previous week making items for said craft fair, Sunday should have been a good housework day - but it was Mothers Day - so as a treat to myself, I gathered some old magazines I had been saving and went through them, cutting out pretty pictures to make scrap book pages to inspire my creativity - what ever was left of the mag was then taken swiftly to the recycle bin, so they wouldn't find themselves back on the bedroom floor!

Actually, it was very relaxing! I was like a 'pig in muck' so to speak, my magazines in shreds, some big skisors, and a glue stick.

Not quite sure if I have managed to glean any inspiration or ideas etc from this excercise and the house work is still calling out in a 'please put me out of my mysery' winy voice - but what the heck - I enjoyed it!

British Summer Time begins & THE CENSUS!

2011-03-27T12:41:00.001+01:00

It doesn't even feel like spring has fully arrived yet in the Ribble Valley - but British Summer Time started this morning, "Spring forward, Fall back"

Giving us Brits an hour less in bed we don't get back until autumn, but the nights are now an hour lighter - I had a feeling this was going to be abolished this year, but no - we have been saved from gloomy nights for another year!

I know this is a contentious issue on our small Island, many people in the far north want it abolished because the mornings are dark again - and as we no longer need to "dig for victory" it isn't really needed to help feed the country in desperate times, but I like it - I like looking forward to longer days, I like the fact that it is peculiar to us, and I like the fact it confuses people!

So here is a whoop to BST!

have you changed your clocks yet?

And don't forget to fill out your CENSUS forms today! Figure out what your job is, count the bodies sleeping through the hour change - and declare you are a JEDI KNIGHT!
I love this country!

Red Nose Day - behind the scenes exposed!

2011-03-17T18:07:00.000Z

Tomorrow is Red Nose Day - As usual I have bought a red nose, but due to financial er...lack of money, will not be contributing any more.

A few years ago I was fortunate to get the opportunity to work in one of the Red Nose Day call centres for the evening. An e-mail had circulated work from the DWP asking for volunteers, and you could also bring any friends along to - so I fired an e-mail straight back - then surprised my hubby, daughter, brother and friend with their sudden volunteer roles - luckily they were all really chuffed and excited!

We had a fantastic night - we each had our own desk and phone with head set at Cardwell House Job Centre Plus office in Blackburn - Baby fig was too young to man the phones, so was assigned a position as runner - dashing round the desks collecting the pledges, then tallying up the totals.

It was quite a surreal evening - there was a TV in the corner with the show playing, and the phones never stopped, we were warned to expect a massive increase in calls each time one of the scenes in Africa was shown, and we certainly got them!

I had 3 memorable calls in the evening - the first from a lovely lady who's brownie pack had backed biscuits and sold them raising £65. She asked if it would be possible to get them mentioned on TV - but there wasn't anything I could do to make that happen! The second was from a gentleman with a very serious tone - I asked him how much he wanted to pledge then almost fell of my chair when he calmly said £4000! I covered the mouth piece and hissed "this guy wants to donate £4K what do I do?" - "Take it off him!" said the guy in charge. Do'h

The third memorable call was my last one of the evening - we were shutting down and logging off ready for another call centre to take over when my phone rang, the guy on the other end had been watching the programme in the pub - and was extremely er...well oiled.

He did not have a credit card to make his pledge with (the only way possible for anyone to pay over the phone) and for 15 minutes I tried to get him to understand this, That I couldn't take cash over the phone, and that if he went to post office the next day he could pay it there. He was crying by the end of the call - so much has the show moved him - I was almost in tears too - everyone but the guy in charge had left the building and nearly all the lights were off - I often wonder if he did go and make a donation the next day.

Anyway - that's enough rambling - enjoy Red Nose Day wherever you are, and think of all those volunteers in call centres all over the country excitedly waiting for your call!

A bit of what you fancy does you good!

2011-03-15T15:00:00.000Z

Today has been a wierd old day. I have not gotten into the sewing room yet - but instead have become enraptured by twitter, and done some baking!!!

The kind butcher sorted me out when he asked what I was after, and I replied "Tea for 2 for £5.56" as that was all I had in my purse - managed to aquire mince, potatoes and eggs - the eggs have gone into a fruit loaf, the potatoes and mince will be transformed by Mr Juicy later on.

Baby Fig has the night off work - she is working in the Whalley Arms pub, and has developed a nasty throat infection - although I thought she might have drunk enough alcohol to kill any bugs etc!

My first ever PURCHASED ACEO arrived from Estonia this morning - photo's to follow soon - in the mean time here are two more ACEO's I have been busy creating!

ACEO me-o

2011-03-09T17:40:00.000Z

Have you heard about ACEO's? I am completely obsessed with them at the moment - the title had me all curious at first, so after some investigation I found out they are tiny pieces of art work that can be traded and collected, they can be in any medium so long as the dimensions are 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

Mostly they are in what I would call 'ART' mediums like pencil, paints etc - but anything goes!

And here is my very first attempt at an ACEO - you never know, it could be worth millions if I ever become famous!

for the wiki definition click here

ACEO: Art Card, Editions and Originals

I have been buying more buttons this week after the two brooches I made for the craft fair sold straight away - I LOVE these, and fully intend to buy even more - to check out the shop click on the photo, she is so lovely to deal with as well!

And now...The Craft Fair...what a strange day! and what an odd bunch of people these stall holders are! The lady on the stall next to me was very upset about so many things, most of which hadn't even crossed my mind, and another would not let me take any photo's of her work in case her designs were stolen, I explained I only wanted to blog about them, put a link to her shop etc, but no, she ended up shooting odd looks at me for the rest of the day.

Overall I had quite good day, I took more money than I expected, but that was due to quite a lot of sales to friends and family!

So here is just a couple of shot - the bottom stall was soooo gorgeous, I love how she has taken a theme and used it so inventively, I wanted the rug, and the bags, and the brooches (one of which will be coming home with me at the next fair!) please check her Folksy shop out - again another REALLY nice down to earth Lancashire lass.

Next Fair!!! 19th March HERE! Pop along if you are in the area - I would love to meet y'all!

Treasure Island - with cute animals.

2011-03-03T17:48:00.001Z

The sun has been fighting through a thick haze all day, making it look warmer than it is! After spending most of it chained to my sewing room, on my last sewing day before Saturdays Craft Fair (tomorrow is labeling and final titivating day!) Mr Juicy and I went for a swift walk to blow some cobwebs out of the old noggin!

Jemmy was extremely pleased to be out for a second time, and Stitch came along for part of the way

He insisted on walking over the snow drops I was trying to get a shot of. Too cute to be told to bugger off though!

This little guy was born a few nights ago in the field opposite - his mum had kept us awake shouting for an epidural the night before.

This season should be re-named 'the time of cute baby animals'

Thanks for your comments on my last post - I am in the process of inventing the perfect island paradise - in true sci-fi manner, once imagined - anything is possible!

so far there is a small hamlet of warm stone cottages, large gardens with soil perfect for growing veg. Trees, fields, streams, hills and valleys - but it all fits onto a few square miles! the children can run round barefoot, and the village shop will not be tesco's, but a lovely co-operative that also stocks the fruits of out crafty labours for the odd tourist who makes it there. Now then, men... Strong, outdoor types with rugged good looks, and they can have an old barn on the hill to do bonding type things like building fires etc. when there is a good period drama on TV!

oh well, will keep working on that plan.

So, before I say ta ta for now, here are two pickie of a couple of brooches and some key rings I have been slaving away over - ready for Saturday!!!!

you wait for 1 craft fair, then 3 come along at once!

2011-03-02T11:56:00.001Z

It has been CRAZY here at Juicy Towers this past few weeks. After getting hitched up mentally to the possibility that lady Golfers may be from another planet and not appreciate my hand made earth items, and being set right by some of you good readers, I have signed up to 2 more craft fairs BEFORE the golf club fair.

I have always suffered from 'What the heck, give it a go' syndrome. This in the past has seen me come away from various meetings with a new role. For example, when Taryn was a tiny figlet, I ended up as chairperson of her play school committee, then after attending a meeting to re-energise the local horticultural society, and sitting listening to 2 old gents argue about weather to alter the entrance fee from 15p to 20p for half an hour - I left as Chairperson - again. When some parents wanted to start a 'Rainbow' unit in the village, I came out of the meeting running the 'new' unit - then there was no knit and natter group, the African drumming class, the list goes on and on - it got so bad that my husband threatened to cut my arm off to stop me raising my hand at the crucial 'do we have any volunteers?' moment - now I just avoid going to meetings - but a tempting e-mail...well, sometimes you do just have to throw caution to the wind and sign up!

I have been face booking the events, twittering the events, sticking up posters, handing out fliers, and busy busy making items I just hope the buying public will love so much they need to part with their cash to own it!

In the mean time I have been watching programmes like Hugh's fish fight, The peoples supermarket, country file amongst others and feeling quite confused and torn up about being a part of the whole 'problem' - I have resolved to buy unusual fish, shop at the fishmongers, and keep an eye out for mackerel on local chip shop menu's (although I can't remember the last time I went to the chippy!) I am trying to shop at Tesco (or the others) as little as possible, but as a child of the 70's I have grown up with large supermarkets and no local grocery shops - so it is taking me some time to get my head around how I shop - getting there though! And country files report on affordable housing for local people in rural locations hit a real chord - this has been a gripe of mine for 20 years! I was brought up in a house my parents bought from my great grandfather, and they still live their - however when me and baby fig moved out almost 20 years ago, I could not afford to buy or rent a property in the village, so had to move to the next village where much of the housing was council housing or mill terraces, and over that 20 year period the prices of houses in Whalley has become obscene! a small 2 up 2 down will set you back up to £250K! The village is growing and growing with new housing - about 10 years ago a huge old 'mental hospital' was closed down apart from a small secure unit - then hundreds of new houses were built around the site, almost doubling the village population - and now plans for another 2-3 hundred houses are being made. All on green fields. They are even considering building a new school - please don't let them knock down the 200 year old school we already have!

I am feeling less and less like a 'local' I hardly know anyone in the streets and shops, and while walking down a country lane the other week had some 'newcomer' in their 4x4 blast there horn at me to move then call me a 'yokel' as they tore past!

Give me an Island, with a sewing machine and a stack of fabric - nice weather, Internet connection, and a husband who can catch our food.

Call for Lady Golfers!

2011-02-17T09:49:00.000Z

Well, the van has gone - Sold!!! I had just posted it on e-bay when a lovely local chap knocked on the door - he had recognised where I had taken the picture, and came straight over to offer me cash!

All my lovely drums are scattered about now, My brother is looking after about 15 for me, mum and dad have about 10 of them, and we managed to get away with only storing about 4! so still in business for the odd drum circle or class. - I just hope I do see the van around town looking good and being used.

I have been asked to have a stall at an open day event at Gt Harwood Golf course. I have no idea at all would appeal to lady golfers, Taryn said to make golf club cosies. I said NO! and anyway, I would have no idea what shape to make them etc...I am hoping they are like normal human beings and like other things besides golf...

So - I have been trying to come up with more ideas - so far I have managed some notebook covers! then run out of ideas again...

Who would have thought creativity was soooo difficult?

Oh yeah - I made some shoe sweeteners in case they get smelly golf shoes!!! That's er..lateral thinking? well, something like that!

These ones smell of Baby Powder. - Do women admit to smelly feet?

My Van is DEAD!!!!

2011-02-12T16:46:00.000Z

New on Folksy

Hello My Bloggy friends!

What a miserable couple of weeks! the weather has been rotten, the days speed past so fast I feel dizzy! and the house work is just never ending.

My Van had to go for it's MOT this week, and has failed miserably - I cannot afford to get the welding done to get it through the MOT, so have decided to cut my losses and get rid of it. It has been a real star for me, a good work horse getting my mountain of Djembe's, Douns, Kpanlogo, Apentema etc all over the North West of England, from schools to youth clubs, corporate knee's ups, African Drum classes and Community drum circles - but the work has diminished over the past couple of years and I have been left with gigs for very young children who just don't get anything out of it!

I am selling all but a few of my drums, and Valda the Van will end up being sold or scrapped.

The End of an ERA for me. and I must admit, I have cried quite a bit over it.

I have been very busy moving the sewing room round as well, now I can manage the leek better, and it did need a good sorting out! I managed to free cycle a huge bag of fabric, though you can't tell, and another bag to the charity shop full of t-shirts that were going to become a rag rug, but that could be anytime n the next 20 years! there is only so much I can store for those 'just in case' moments!

Finally I got around to some more items to sell on Folksy in my newly tidied and re-arranged room!

A friend asked me to make a heart for her sister who had just had her bedroom decorated in black/white/grey - I made one for her, and one for the shop - she was so pleased with it! there is nothing like instant positive feedback!

These are a new idea for me, and I have been working with a lovely woman who makes scented candles and soaps to get something to scent my items with that won't fade too fast or stain the fabric - these are for stinky trainers and smell of chocolate! I am going to do a few different 'flavors' and some more manly ones - because they have smellier feet!

and a couple more needle cases - I love this linen fabric from my new favorite e-bay shop

Shopping with Mother

2011-01-29T16:43:00.000Z

I have no idea how I managed to work full time and do every thing else I either wanted to do or had to do, House work etc, Since I stopped working, I have never been so busy! The house work NEVER ENDS! And I don't even do certain things, like IRONING! It is a real struggle to find time to be inspired to sew and knit, and list things on Etsy and Folksy and E-bay, and tweeting and facebooking...the list is endless.

I have just been to tesco for about the fourth time this week also. BUT today I forgot my bags and saw the new Tesco charity shopping bag. I um-ed and ah-ed over the £4 price tag I couldn't really afford, but caved in eventually and had to have one of the new Orla Kiely designs (I could certainly not afford one form her shop, and it is for charity!)

It was lovely and sunny today as well, Clitheroe was Packed with shoppers, and the charity shops were like sardines packed in a tin with tomato juice!

so baby fig Taryn (who has just started her own blog and Etsy shop) took her old mum to Jimmy Citheroe's market cafe for coffee, pie, peas and gravy. We were playing around with my camera while waiting for the food

I love these shots, but then she is my favorite model!

2011-01-22T16:48:00.000Z

Thank you everyone for your advice and commiserations regarding the roof - I am sure we will get it sorted out before it lands on us!

Before Christmas our Dryer broke, after freezing solid in our shed, then the ice breaking the fan - so all radiators have been permanently covered in washing - Today Mr Juicy finally dragged it out into the yard and we found the broken part, a quick trip to the local appliance shop and it is all mended, I envisage none stop washing for about a week now to catch up with the back log!

I have been busy avoiding My Juicy while repair were being seen to - and made a few bits for folksy...

My Mum dropped by earlier and commented on my domesticated 'look'

this involved me wearing an apron (a shock for her no doubt!) and as I pointed out to her my lancashire house wife's clogs!

right, back to scaling the dizzying heights of the washing mountain!

Tiny stitches

2011-01-18T09:47:00.000Z

Thank you for all your comments regarding the roof - every spare penny is being saved for it at the moment, then we just have to find an honest roofer (having already paid 3 different roofers to go up their and do nothing!)

The 'dummy' turned out to be the good type! but as daughter Taryn acquired it, she is now keeping it in her already overcrowded bedroom. She has started her own blog this week, and put photo's of 'Pertunia' up Pertunia the plus size model

Still away from the sewing room, I have been doing a little bit of embroidery as well, Taryn bought me a book for Christmas with some really pretty idea's for cross stitch - not thinking too much about fabric and hole sizes etc I set forth on a couple of little samples - my eye's were nearly bleeding when I finished! Me thinks some bigger fabric might be in order!

I also signed up to Twitter this week - what on earth is that about? I kept thinking it was crucial because everyone is tweeting - but I just don't get it! still, it is keeping me both perplexed and amused for the moment.

Right - I am off to Culcheth near Warrington today - double visit as always, Black Sheep Wools first, then into Warrington to visit Grandma.

Wet and Miserable.

2011-01-16T13:00:00.000Z

What a HORRIBLE couple of weather days we have had in the North West. Not only has the rain hardly stopped, it hasn't allowed much sunlight through, so the days have not ever really been 'light'

We have known for a while that our roof is in need of some MAJOR work, most of the beams supporting it are rotting and need repairs or completely replacing, but as neither Mr Juicy or myself are currently in full time work, and only just managing to pay the bills, it has been put on hold until we have the money!

Yesterday the rain seamed to be coming in from the East, hitting the front of the house, and pouring into my beloved sewing room above the window. I have rescued my hand made blind, and moved most of the items on my workbench (in front of the window) - there are two large pans catching the water, about 4" during the night.

I just didn't have the heart to sit in their and work around the water yesterday, so to try and cheer myself up, and inspired by the cushion I received in the swap I have dug out my own granny's garden quilt project, now in it's 20th year, and sat down stairs in the gloom, sewing until my fingers hurt!

The hexagons sides are just 1" long, and it contains bits of fabrics from most of my projects over the past 20 years, and still fits in the first Octagon box I ever made!

Even Bodkin was in a funk about the weather (I had to get him to open his eyes to focus the camera on him!)

While Stitch is having a wonderful time asking to be let out into the rain, then returning 5 minutes later for a good rub down with a towel and a purr, then asking to go out again!

the be-clothed bunny

2011-01-13T17:18:00.000Z

Thank you all for your advice! in the end I made....HIM....a purple jumper (although he could still possibly be a she)

Billy Bunny is now for sale on Folksy, and I shall be making a larger bunny or two, so I can make dungaree's pinafore's, skirts and pants etc - all in Purple! hehe, or not.

I have been very busy photographing the stages of making marmalade all day, and I still haven't finished it, and have decided my Etsy shop will be for Vintage items and my Folksy shop for hand made items. I have been trawling through one of the many button tins from my Grandma (now in her 97th year don'tcha know!) and it is a real wrench getting rid of any of them, but there are so many, and I can't see me ever using some of them. If you are into your buttons, take a look, they are all reasonably priced (I think!) '

Right - I am off to pick baby fig up from work - she works at the clothes store EVANS in Blackburn town centre - the shop is closing for good the first week in February, so they are clearing out all the junk. Apparently she has managed to get her hands on a shop dummy - I just really really hope it is one of those tasteful headless calico bodied, one wooden leg affairs and not some slightly chubby plastic, naked, bald chick!

The Naked Bunny

2011-01-12T12:49:00.000Z

I have been busy making some new 'almost spring' items for my Folksy shop - and created this bunny yesterday. I think he looks kind of...well, very naked!

I am wondering if I have the skills to knit him a jumper, or to sew her a dress, or both - or should a bunny be naked?

If only....

2011-01-11T12:05:00.000Z

I have searched everywhere for Seville Oranges this year. It has been quite a sad little journey really - at one time you could have bought them anywhere at this time of year, but I suppose if there is a lack of demand they are less likely to be imported or stocked - also all our local markets seam to be on a downward spiral.

Our nearest 'big' market is Blackburn. This has been a huge vibrant market all my life and way way into the past, however over the past 5 years the number of stall holders has dwindled. A couple of years ago, the MALL bought the town centre and market. They have been refurbishing the shopping centre and building an all new singing and dancing market hall where rents will be higher and stall holders will have to be open 6 days a week. This has put most stall holders out of business or caused them to move to other markets. Last week the very last of the fruit and veg stalls closed on the old market. Very sad - and all we can do is stand and watch as it all vanishes.

A similar fate has been working it's way through Clitheroe Market - a smaller market for a smaller town, but after a huge over haul about 10 years ago, that too has become smaller and smaller.

It doesn't help that both these towns have a large amount of supermarkets, and that for the average working person a weekday market that closes about 4pm is just not practical, and Saturdays are spent trawling round the huge shopping centres and supermarkets - to be totally honest, we only have our selves to blame.

So it is with a certain amount of shame on my part that I finally found my oranges in one of Clitheroe's Supermarkets. And yes, I am as bad as the next person - I could have supported the markets more, the local shop keepers and helped to keep my community alive, but I do go to each of the supermarkets, have a loyalty card for each, am loyal to none, and if I can get it cheaper their, I probably will.

Anyway - I have those darned oranges now, I just hope the marmalade will taste sweet, and not leave a taste more bitter than it should be!

2011-01-05T13:49:00.000Z

AT LAST!! I signed up for a cushion swap - ooh, AGES ago! Then - I completely forgot about it! Imagine my surprise when this absolutely gorgeous parcel arrived from Neeta at Everything Neet

It is so lovely, and SO ME!!! all hand sewn, finished beautifully, and with some lovely 'extra' too (she has managed to encapsulate the relative size of my underwear uncanilly accurately!)

The cushion cover received a feather pillow to give it maximum squashiness and has resided by the fire place on a tiny stool over Christmas for my smaller nieces to sit on!

In return (after a bit of a shock reminder!!!) I sent out my cushion cover. I hope Nita liked it, she had requested something not too old fashioned, but once I finished it, I kinda thought it was a bit old fashioned...eek! but by then it was too late to make another.....

I am going to restrict myself to only 2 swaps this year I think - or - just organise one myself...so any suggestions of what to swap would be cool!

I had a request for my Marmalade Recipe - I have added another page to my blog with the recipe! No photo's yet, but take a look if preserves are you thing - and all comments are welcome, perhaps share some of your own fail safe techniques!

Tea of Life

2011-01-03T12:43:00.001Z

2011 is here. I made it!!

As Mr Juicy's birthday is also 31st December, and he is now tea-total, we had a quiet night in, him scoffing his gluten, wheat, dairy free chocs, and me eating everything else! - well, someone has to do it, can't have all those short bread going off.

Above is a gift from baby fig's new man - the most adorable collection of tea's I have not been able to open until I had photographed them, and now feel I should open as they look 'healthy' and smell fantastic, but I don't want to spoil them...oh well, perhaps I should have resolved to not hoard things because they 'look nice'
They are Pure Ceylon Tea flavoured with Earl Grey, Red Pomegranite, Jasmine Orange, Mint Julep, White Lavender, Tropical Sorbet and Green Passion Fruit, to name a few!!!

One resolution has been to walk more - or cut down on my car use, especially now the price of unleaded is so high. I have been taking my camera with me as well, but sometimes get fed up with taking photo's of the same things over and over, however, I have been walking under what is known as the 'school house' my entire life and never ever noticed how colourful it actually is. Maybe it was just the light, angle etc, or that I had been reading my new Kaffe Fassett book about patterns and textures etc.

I just have to figure out how to turn these images into beautiful hand crafted items!!!

Oohh, and it is almost Seville Orange season. I have been making Marmalade for donkeys years now, mainly because I love marmalade, the home made stuff is always better than mass produced orange jelly with a few shreds thrown in, it is so therapeutic to make and usually lasts us a whole year - Mmmmmm

For you x

2010-12-23T17:17:00.001Z

Well, Only 2 more sleeps until the big guy arrives!!!

I've been watching out, trying not to pout, there has been some crying and a bit of shouting as well, Santa, I have been a little bit naughty, but on the whole, very nice, but however you decide to play it father Christmas, don't bring me one of those toddling cooing dolls, or rootitootoots and rumitumtums....bleurch! I want...er...I want....well, not much really!

I want everyone who has read my blog, and sent me wonderful inspiring comments to have a fantastic Christmas

I wish everyone who supported me in times of crisis the very best to you and yours

I hope all my swap partners have enjoyed swapping as much as I have!

And - Thank you all for helping restore my faith in human nature.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

My gift to you all is a little Christmas song you may or may not have heard before, but please listen and enjoy!

And finally for Christmas, a few photo's around the Village...

MERRY CHRISTMAS WHERE EVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD!

Kath

BRIX - The Adventure!

2010-12-05T10:49:00.000Z

Wow - what an experience that was!!! The Journey to London from Lancashire started at 7.15am on Friday. The Motorway was thankfully snow and ice free, however, the entire 233 miles was either thick fog or blinding sunshine - the squirters on the screen wash froze solid and we had to continually stop just to wash the windscreen with our flask of hot water. London was a little busy but not too bad, and after the trauma of having a seagull flap up and hitting the windsceen and the Tom Tom giving me directions completely different to those I usually follow we made it!!!!

Above is my Auntie Cathy and my Niece Maisy - my helpers.

The Venue was really nice. The Brix is an old Methodist Chapel right in the heart of Brixton - A lovely building both outside and inside. We all got on with setting out our stalls, getting to know the other stall holders etc. I must admit the first night was disappointing with regards to the amount of people who turned up, mostly family and friends of stall holders - but it was dark and bitterly cold and frozen outside, so I don't blame people for dashing home after work and not leaving it again for the evening!

So by closing on Friday night I had only sold 2 items, had drunk several complimentary mulled wines and was rather tired and emotional!

Here are a couple of other stalls - the lovely ladies next to me has the most gorgeous jewelry

I think these ladies were mother and daughter - they had the sweetest knitted animals

And the stall below sold these amazing cake stands made from plates, cups, wine glasses etc

We were there bright and early on Saturday with the promise of far more customers.

It was busier than Friday, but still not the quantity of people who had been anticipated. The organisers spent hours dashing round Brixton with fliers, trying to encourage people in. The visitors who did find there way in were so positive, complimenting the goods etc and I took just a few pounds more than the cost of the stall, selling about 10 items - gave away LOTS of business cards, and met some really lovely people!

These two were having a ball!

So - we packed up our suit cases at 4pm, loaded up my tiny car, set Tom-tom for home, and ploughed our way across London to the M1

Thankfully the Motorways were fairy clear all the way home - Alan Carr entertained us on Radio 2 - I managed to buy a hot coffee at a service station and having not secured the lid properly, pored scalding coffee down my chin - then about 3 miles from home got flashed by a speed camera in Osbaldeston! My lovely niece suggested I plead for clemency by telling the police it was foggy so I didn't see the speed signs - I explained that they may possibly double any fine if I said that!

SO - Cost of stall - covered. Cost of petrol, £70 down, cost of speeding fine, possibly £60, cost of the whole experience??? PRICELESS!

Thanks Aimee and Jo for a lovely lovely time - and here's to many new friendships and connections!

I made it!!!

2010-11-30T09:46:00.000Z

Well! the big 40 went by very smoothly - thank you so much for all your positive words, I know I have lots to look forward too now!!!

I was a very lucky girl, Baby Fig bought me a hamper she had created herself with every kind of sweet and drink that VIMTO make, and a dinky Vimto delivery van - anyone would think I like Vimto!

Hubby bought me an ace mini weaving starter kit, containing a small loom, various wools and some hilarious instructions translated from German by someone who doesn't speak the language me thinks!!!

Mum and Dad bought me an Olympus PEN camera - I had been yearning for one for some time, and my Dad being my Photography guru couldn't help himself and keeps posing every time I see him.

Of course, as with any new camera, the first photo's are usually of what is right in front of you - here is my little stitch boy keeping his mummy's foot stool warm, with the camera in 'pinhole' mode - ooh, listen to me!!

Life as ever never slows down, I am doing my first real craft fair this weekend in BRIXTON - only a few hundred miles away in a big city.....arghhhh! I am terrified to say the least, but as I was invited, I thought it time I started to take up opportunities when they present themselves - so if you are in the Brixton area, pop along to the Brix either on Friday evening or Saturday, and tell me to CALM DOWN!!!

now - where did I leave my sewing room???

...almost there...

2010-11-17T16:35:00.000Z

One week until the big 40!

Thank you for all your wonderful comments regarding this milestone - I am almost prepared for the next decade...

What a glum week the weather has made, is the sun ever going to shine again? I have been busy busy busy making things to sell on Folksy - and can't get a decent photo of any of them without the sun! every time it does pop out I am either not at home, or after running to the sewing room it has buggered off again! Also, I think my hibernation instincts may be kicking in, I could sleep for England! (if only there was a job in the civil service with that very title...)

I am fed up with knitting this week - having made 2 stupid mistakes on 2 different socks I threw them into a plastic bag and hid them in the wool cupboard until I have the light and patience to undo them back the mistakes, so instead I became a little obsessed with Heart Making - All that Kirsty Allsop's fault! - and am even considering getting out my 20 odd year old cross stitch equipment, dusting it down, and selling it on e-bay! no, I am kidding, there are certain things a girl can never sell (can I still call myself a 'girl' after 40?)

Here are a few of my favorite hearts made this week...

Now - I need to wean myself off hearts...but what will I replace them with?????

The big count down...

2010-11-06T14:47:00.002Z

I usually try and avoid anything to do with Christmas until the very last minute, otherwise I am totally Christmassed out before we even get to December - I don't let anyone in the house mention it until after my birthday in November - however...This November it is my 40th birthday, so to take my mind of that I have been busy in the sewing room making Christmas Decorations for my Folksy shop. It has kind of worked - the count down to the big 40 has been forgotten and despite making decorations for Christmas, I still don't feel 'christmassy' RESULT!

A little selection of my fancy bird and chili inspired decorations! (see, not TOO Christmassy!)

oh - and in a shamelees bit of advertising - I am offering free P&P on all the Christmas decorations in my folksy shop to UK customers!!!!
Just click on my FOlksy link, or any of the photo's in this post!

Right - time too look for egg nogg recipe's!

size doesn't always matter!

2010-10-29T09:40:00.000+01:00

Just a quickie today - two more projects I have been working on this week...

First of all this teeny tiny Bunny Nugget - free pattern from Ravelry!! this is so cute and simple to make, so look out for more colours and a bunny nugget invasion!

And secondly my GIANT needle rug I am knitting - there is only one place in the house I can sit to use these bad boys - and I am using 6 balls of wool at a time, though I could probably fit another 6 balls to make it thicker - if I could afford to!

Have a great weekend!

It's amazing what you find in Birmingham!

2010-10-26T11:47:00.001+01:00

A couple of weeks ago I had made a resolution to myself to blog more, read more, etc etc, this week I am making a resolution to not make any more resolutions!

I am sure when I was a kid that time went a lot slower - holidays lasted for ever, weekends stretched out to infinity on a Friday and Monday was an eternity away, Christmas really was some dream in the far far distance - These days it feels like not only the weeks are shorter, but the months and years too - weeks are flashing before my eyes, and it sometimes feels like we have skipped a month or two all together - and Christmas, well, Slade got there wish!

Last week My Brother and I travelled to Birmingham to help set up the sound for the first 'professional' concert my Auntie Nilam had staged. After My Uncle Died she took up Classical Indian Singing, and for the past few years has been living with her Guru-ji in South India training intensively. She now wants to do more professional performances, as most Classical Indian Music is only played and performed at private house gatherings these days.

We were in for a surprise when we found the Temple complex - I had no idea anything like this existed in the UK - this photo is of a TINY part of it!

These two ladies were in the entrance to the community centre - I have no idea who she is, but I love the colours!

And this is my Auntie tuning up for the performance.

If you ever get the chance to go to a classic Indian concert - GO TO IT! The Audience were just so enraptured they call out and throw their hands up with passion at a particular note or phrase - and you feel yourself becoming more and more involved - wonderful!

The rest of my week has been taken up with knitting and nattering, sewing and Autumn cleaning!

I have actually completed TWO projects this week for my daughters friend who is expecting her first baby in March next year...

This gorgeous baby grow from a pattern a Friend copied for me took just over a week to complete with a few lessons in sewing up techniques from my Friend Debbie

The wool is a Regia 6 Fadig sock wool bought in Wales about 3 years ago that has been itching to be knitted ever since

And this tiny newborn Eyelet Cardi from a free Ravelry pattern by Linda at Clickertyclick

It is a seamless cardi done on a circular then 4 DPNS

I always think most baby wools are a bit insipid - so went for something darker that will hopefully suit a boy or girl!

This is knitted in King COles Merino Blend DK with Anti-Tickle (???)

It took me about 6 hours to knit up, it grows incredibly quickly and like magic the cardi appears very quickly - a really quick and very satisfying project!

the bit's that were left over....

2010-10-09T15:46:00.000+01:00

URGHHH! what rotten weather! - mind you, being British means you have to speak about the weather at least 10 times per day or it's off to the tower - and if you need to queue up to talk about the weather, then that's even more British.

I love this country!!!

I have been busy cutting up mount board to make into kits, at the end I was left with a huge pile of cardboard triangles - I hate wasting anything so sat contemplating what the triangles could be transformed into - I made a decoration for the Christmas tree, that seams to have vanished - it must be camera shy! then a friend suggested a pin cushion - so after much 'faffing about' I produced the above item - it doesn't stand up, or close quite like it should, the hinge is a bit wobbly, the corners a bit bulky and the whole thing is well...a bit impractical - so back to the drawing board! by the time I come up with something really cool to make I will have run out of triangles!

Here in the North West we are still (as far as I know) under the hose pipe ban, not that I have had cause to use a hose pipe since the ban was imposed as it hasn't stopped raining for weeks! I know I know, it's to do with drainage, geology, run off and other such technicalities - but come on! the reservoirs and rivers couldn't be much fuller!

I caught my reflection in a puddle - I look like a puddle poodle!

So - to try and get the better of the weather, today has been a baking day. A gluten, wheat, dairy free apple cake for Mr Juicy, Leak and potato soup and an egg and cheese using up quiche for me and baby fig - and now I am scouting round the kitchen trying to figure out what to use the rest of my short crust pastry on!

Have a great weekend folks!

A Night Out at the Mechanics

2010-10-06T08:49:00.000+01:00

Last night Mr juicy and myself treated ourselves to a very rare night out - all the way to the glamorous Burnley Mechanics to see this guy - Rich Hall.

I haven't laughed so much for a long time - he is a funny funny guy - especially at the points where he couldn't keep that dead-pan face straight!

There was only one slightly awkward moment when he asked the audience what Burnley is famous for - some one shouted "football" and someone else shouted "riots" - when probed further as to what the riots were about, the crowd fell silent - so he moved on swiftly!

This evening our little village knit and natter group is meeting at our new venue for the first time - a rather posh cafe that has opened in the village called "Benedict's" - never the less, I shall be there in my usual jeans and wooden clogs! I can't wait to see who turns up - so if you are ever in the area on a Wednesday evening from now on - pop in for a brew and a natter!

Right - I am off to pick up Mum, Dad and Aunt to take them all to Blackburn Market - Their Wednesday morning ritual. I am the temporary driver until my Dad is allowed to drive again in a few weeks. - Thanks to everyone who left a message about him - he is doing great at the moment - stir crazy, but great!

Big Excitement!

2010-09-30T15:59:00.000+01:00

I received a message on my folksy shop the other day to tell me that one of my pincushions for sale will be featured in "Creative Crafting Online Magazine"

I am chuffed to bits as they say in these parts!

There is a link to the site on the left of my blog - and it should be in there from 1st October!

so - huge grins abound in the JuicyFig household :~)

I have been neglecting my 'creative space' contributions, so today set out to make a new cushion for my folksy shop

The pile of cushions is growing and growing, poor baby Fig's bedroom that was commandeered in her absence is now full of not only her stuff, but a mountain of cushions that are for ever being re-stacked to prevent a land slide in the night!

The latest is in Heather Bailey Fabrics - I am terrible for collecting fabric then not wanting to use it because it's just too nice, it has taken a lot of will power to get the rotary cutter to them - I hope that now I have used some I have broken my obsession and can now start to plough through lots of fabric to make room for more of course!

The last days of summer

2010-09-29T09:55:00.000+01:00

if there is one constant in life, it is change. On Sunday my Dad phoned me and asked if I would take him to hospital, he has had angina for years but has recently been suffering from chest pains. His doctor had booked him in to see the cardiologist in October - but he had had a few bad nights and had taken some convincing from us all to get it seen too a bit quicker.

I took him over to Blackburn Royal's A&E - it was heaving, and we thought we would be waiting for hours, but of course as soon as he mentioned chest pain they took him straight to triage, hooked him up to an ECG and before we knew it they had rushed him to the next department, hooked him up to all sorts of monitors, taken blood etc.

It turns out he had suffered a mild heart attack.

On Monday he had an angioplast and a stent fitted, and yesterday I brought him home!

They could not have dealt with him faster or better - and we are all feeling a huge sense of relief he is back home with us with strict instructions to call an ambulance next time and not wait for his daughter to fetch him in!

As I have been too distracted to do much crafting, I thought I would treat you to a few shots of Billington and Whalley - I have lived here all my life, and like they say, no matter where you roam, there really is no place like home...

Even though we live in a small mill terrace, the view at the top is from our front door - the river is about 100 yards away, and this is our view as we walk into the village

then we cross the river and head towards Whalley through the old abbey gatehouse, built about 1500 years ago

Elderberries drape themselves over the garden walls next to the vicarage

and the ivy at this time of years throws out it's strange flower heads...

And outside the local primary school that I attended, as did my daughter, nieces, brother, father, auntie, grandfather and grandmother and their parents too! we found 'penny buns' growing - hubby was dying to pick them to fry up with some butter - but as he is on soya spreads these days I convinced him it wouldn't be worth it - so we left them for the kids to see.

I find a good walk around familiar territory can be good for the soul!

So - summer is giving in, and autumn is truly upon us - lets just hope it stays a little sunny!

The Hungry Caterpillar

2010-09-24T16:37:00.000+01:00

Autumn - amazing colours that are gone before you know it - natures last exhibition before she shuts down for the winter! - I know how she feels sometimes...on the sunny autumn days when the air is crisp, the leaves crunch under foot and gather round your wellies, you can see your breath in the air, but the sun can still warm you through given the chance - mmmm lovely.

I have just finished a couple of warming items for folksy - a Noro neck warmer and a patchwork quilt to snuggle under.

After being a dozy so and so the other day and managing to get myself locked out and waiting for hubby and the pooch to return I photographed these guys (is a blogger ever without a camera?)

They had grow considerably in the couple of days since I first spotted them - I think they are great white - yes yes, I know they look black and yellow...

and look! after scoffing my nasturtiums, he has left a special little 'gift' for me.

We have been inundated with spiders this past couple of weeks as well - this is a particularly angry looking one I think! mind you if they all keep insisting on building there webs across doorways, they should expect to catch humans in their webs!!!

Tuesday - the new Monday...

2010-09-21T16:22:00.000+01:00

Since baby Fig moved back home less than 2 weeks ago, the house and my head have been in turmoil!

Currently she works Tuesday to Saturday, so very quickly her 'weekend' has become ours - meaning my so called working week also starts on a Tuesday when peace and quiet return to the household and I can actually get on with my life!

I am in the middle of some sort if Identity crisis as well - trying to figure out what my own particular style is when it comes to crafts, decorating etc...

You see, I love mad crazy vibrant colours - but - I also love calm peaceful colours, I love clutter, and order, new and vintage...you get the idea.

Consequently I find what I am putting into my folksy shop is not quite one thing or another - it all seams a bit dis-jointed somehow.

on the other hand does it really matter? Do I need a clear cut image? or will one that hasn't quite made it's mind up ok?

I have been like this all my life! what is a girl to do? oh well, just enjoy it all I suppose.

so - happy Autumn - and here is a pretty bad photo of my new crocheted shopping bag made from cotton bought at last Novembers knitting and stitching show at Harrogate.

Things to do on a wet Sunday in September...

2010-09-19T17:26:00.000+01:00

What a week it has been, rotten weather, the nights drawing in, baby fig has moved back home along with enough 'junk' er, I mean belongings, to fill every room in my house and my mothers!

My fantastic Mum was 70 on Thursday - she was very upset that only 1 person said "ooh, you certainly don't look 70!". We celebrated with a family meal cooked by yours truly at mummsies house, a memorable meal after the oven broke half way through me cooking the leg of lamb, the chip shop round the corner going up in flames and filling the house with acrid oil and plastic fumes, and our paper lanterns failing to fly off into the night, preferring to drip scalding wax all over my feet instead!

On the up side (although with this much rain it is difficult to spot silver linings!) I had some great feed back from my box making workshop, sold a kit, and am booked to do ANOTHER box workshop in Clitheroe this time, and may be getting a couple of wholesale kit orders from the same shops! to celebrate I made this cute pumpkin pin cushion for Halloween - and popped him on folksy!

The Box Making Workshop

2010-09-10T16:28:00.000+01:00

On Tuesday this week I taught my first craft class - a full day workshop making fabric covered boxes - and it was fab!

The class was very small, 3 lovely ladies had booked, none of whom had made these before, they were surprised we actually built the box from scratch, thinking we would be covering a ready made box.

I had made a sample for the shop in their chosen fabrics, and all 3 ladies wanted to make the patchwork tops for their boxes, meaning we didn't quite get them finished, but everyone left with about 30 minutes sewing left to do at home, and eager to finish them - I ended up buying this tilda fabric and making a box at the same time - it was amazing to see 4 identical shaped boxes look completely diferent from each other just because of the fabrics we all chose

Here are the workshop tables with everyones heads missing for camera shyness reasons! :~)

you can see the boxes starting to take shape - looking inside out at this point!

I really wanted to get photo's of everyone with their finished box - one lady has promised to e-mail me a photo of hers - I can't wait to see it!

This particular box size and shape is now for sale as a kit in my folksy shop, including all the precut mount board, wadding and full instructions!

I am still working on the tutorial!!!

As one door closes...you need to start knocking on others!

2010-08-31T12:16:00.000+01:00

eek! Where has the summer gone? where has the past 6 months gone???

Life has been so busy - again! the fact that I am not 'working' seams to mean that I have less time to do anything, how does that work?

Clitheroe held it's first arts and crafts market - unfortunately it felt like most of the county had attended, and I only managed to get close to about 3 stalls!

My new favourite wool shop had it's grand opening and a fashion show - the owners knitting daughters made excellent models! we will miss these girls at the weekly knit and natter once they are back at school

I did a whole week of African Drum workshops with these guys - we also did some tie dying, they are all getting ready for the performance here, wearing their t-shirts and getting the grease paint on - they have promised me a DVD of the performance!

And a lovely lady bought 3 of my pin cushions off Folksy for her haberdashery stall, so I am busy replenishing the stock, and trying to come up with some idea's to make for my own web site - I have signed up for a free moonfruit website, that is supposedly easy to create - 3 weeks in, and I now have JuicyFig written in one corner....err, not as easy as I had hoped! so anyone out there who has made a web site on moonfruit, I would be grateful for any tips!

Next week on the 7th I am hopefully teaching my first ever craft class, I really hope it is booked up - I have to cut all the card this week, and right up the instructions.

Apologies once again for not getting round the other blogs I follow, I am dying to catch up, but think I need to learn to manage my time a little more efficiently.

Thank you for all your comments regarding my job ending - To be honest, the relief has been worth it, and now I can't understand how I managed to put up with it for so long, anti-depressants, counselling, tears, sleepless nights, frustration and bitterness...my time with the Child Support Agency is now another closed chapter in my life.

And - although we have no income at all at the moment the money worries aren't half as depressing as the job! Things will work out for the best, I will make sure of that!

Swapsies, wips and the end of an era!

2010-08-10T17:53:00.000+01:00

What a week!

I received my swap goodies for tilly roses shabby vintage swap all wrapped in Cath Kidston paper and in a CK bag...Look what the fab and very patient Traci @ Handmadehappiness sent me!

This is so cool - they are wood! I love the colour of the flowers, how did she know?

I love the round box, and inside were vintage buttons, a linen tea towel just like my mum used to have back in the 70's and this gorgeous thimble looking a little er...snug on my pork sausage like fingers...

Thank you so much Traci - I love it all!!! - notice anything missing though...? yup, you guessed, the chocolates did not make it to the photo shoot due to er...being eaten.

My return swap parcel has just been posted!

Other news in the JuicyFig household - I have finally been 'let go' from work - I am no longer a Civil Servant! I am so happy - it has been a really miserable 6 years working for a government agency that had a reputation as bad as it had (and it wasn't HMRC) - my only regret??? that no one ever asked me to sign a passport!

So - now I am now unemployed.

It was Mr Juicy and I's 7th wedding anniversary on the 1st August, so I finally finished the waist coat I had been knitting him for about 5 years - I will get him to pose for a photo soon...

It is baby figs 19th Birthday on 15th August, so I have been busy trying to arrange a surprise pressie and may also get this finished in time

so she can keep warm and snugly in her cold cold flat...

on the 24th August it will be my Grandma's 96th birthday - she is at the age where you add on a year, she has been telling people all year she is 'almost 96' - funny how we do the same as kids, then loose a year after we get to about 30 "I was 29 last year you know"! or "I am ONLY 36" then revert to adding on a year when we pass 80.

oooh - good news though, I will hopefully be teaching my first box making workshop on the 7th September at a lovely shop in Barrowford called Patchwork Chicks - lets hope we get lots of folk sign up for the day...

I have been doing the odd drum workshop here and there but next week I am doing a full week of drumming with family's working towards a performance next Friday - I am still trying to figure out how to keep everyone entertained for 5 hours a day! eeek! I think some instrument making may be in order...anyone for a yogurt pot shaker??

Lastly - in case I don't get back here for another week or so I wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who has left comments and who follow my exploits, I love reading the comments but at the moment feel like I am being rather neglectful when it comes to replying and visiting all my favourite blogs - I will get there in the end!

My Creative Space...

2010-07-29T18:13:00.001+01:00

Today I have been playing these with 30 kids aged from 3 years to 10.

We created lots of NOISE! woohooo!!!!!

I baked a quilt!

2010-07-25T14:50:00.000+01:00

Sometimes I finish off a project I started ages ago and wonder why I didn't bother to finish it at the time!

It only took me a couple of hours to finish this quilt, and I must admit, it isn't my best work. BUT it was a learning experience, and now I think I would have another go, but with hindsight!

so - above is the top of the quilt...

Below is the back of the quilt

And here is a close up of that fuzzy effect I wanted!

It had to be washed and dried for the edges to fray - it was almost like waiting for a cake to bake, with me running round the house looking for My Juicy shouting "it worked!!!" "I baked a quilt"

My baby brother who lives next door to us with his partner and their 2 gorgeous children, are all off to Wales for a fortnight - this morning he has been messing about with a tiny boat and outboard motor he bought for mackerel fishing last year, readying it for it's maiden voyage ~(well, his maiden voyage with it - I think he bought it off the local scout troop) and he has been popping round to keep me updated with animal care instructions - when to feed the cat, how to handle the hamster - oh, and apparently the Sea Monkeys need feeding on a Thursday...wish me luck! (I forgot he had fish last year...and now he has none.)

Handmade Christmas Challenge - week 1

2010-07-24T11:11:00.000+01:00

Eek! the first Saturday arrived very quickly!

OK - so this is not a very well thought out gift at the moment. I bought the yarn at the knit and natter yesterday (wool shops should be banned from holding k&n groups - just for the benefit of my purse!)

The yarn was in the sale tub at £1.85 - and, well,....to tell the truth, my mum bought it for me....

I came home with a pile of ideas and very excited to get started, then all the idea's either fell out of my head, or started to sound to complicated, or boring etc, so in the end I just cast on 100 stitches on my DPNS and set off.

It has organically transformed itself in my head into a hat - a spiral hat with bobbles (just learned how to do them) and on top it is going to have i-cord tentacles and even perhaps some crocheted flowers....

so - people I want to to open a Christmas present and say "er...thanks...that's er...really thoughtful er....thanks?"

Mr Juicy

My little brother

Baby Fig

My Creative Space...

2010-07-22T16:04:00.000+01:00

It's been a busy old day.

An early start (yawn) at a secondary school doing an African Drumming workshop, and home before lunch! then up to the sewing room.

This is a quilt I have been working on every now and again - quilted as you go along, and the seams all showing are snipped, then when it is washed - hopefully - the snippety bits will get all fuzzy!

Although...I think it may well end up being a cushion cover at this rate!

and I finished and listed these guys on Folksy - another dinky pin cushion with characterful lumps and bumps, and another fabric box - Mr Juicy thinks this one should be for chocolate - I prefer to store chocolate in my stomach, not a box!

I signed up for 'my creative space' today - take a look if you fancy joining over at Kootoyoo

bits n bobs n stuff

2010-07-17T18:20:00.000+01:00

After a week of rain I just had to get out of the house today. What could possibly be better than an hour pottering around Clitheroe's charity shops I ask? well, a holiday in a HOT country, a day at a spa, you get the idea, but as Clitheroe is only 4 miles away, and doesn't yet have all the high street shops found everywhere else around here, Clitheroe it was!

I picked up this hand embroidered table cloth for £2 - gorgeous colours! - this is to go with all my other table cloths for when I eventually get a house big enough to accommodate a table!

Down the lane at Patches and Buttons I acquired 1 meter each of these fab trims - Juicy colours!

then came home and made a Pin Cushion for my Folksy Shop - as I have more than enough pin cushions myself, and yet can't help making more, plus, said juicy trim had to be used as soon as possible!

right - where did I put the wine????

Giveaway winners! - oh, and I am back....

2010-07-15T15:31:00.000+01:00

wow - it's over 2 weeks since I last updated my blog - I haven't even had chance to catch up on other peoples!

so - first of all - to everyone who commented on my giveaway - THANK YOU!

Mr Juicy has just been enlisted to draw the winner...please excuse the state of his man phalanges!

I somehow don't think he will be getting that hand modeling contract he so desperately wants! lol.

the labels actually read...

I will be posting out a prize to Clair @ Hidden Turtles in Tulips and JP @ Life in retirement

- I hope this gives you both inspiration to blog more!

All sorts has been happening over here at the JuicyFig household - I am still on sick leave from work, but I don't think they will be supporting my absence much longer, and I don't think I can face going back, lots of serious decision making to be done. My e-baying is going very well, and does take quite a bit of time up, I have also started to clear out my craft books on Amazon - and will hopefully be going through my holistic therapy books soon, so if you are interested in these, take a look!

Baby Fig - who had moved in with an ex a couple of months ago decided it wasn't working out and moved home, prompting me to get on with re-decorating her room, then a week later she moved back in with the ex - she has also got herself her first full time job having given up on the idea of uni for another 12 months...

My wonderful dad has upgraded his computer again, so once again we have received his old one, I can't get used to how fast the damn thing works now, I have got into a routine of uploading photo's and making a brew while I wait!

And finally, a new toy! My lovely Elna machine needs a good service once again, but funds don't allow that at the moment - I have been using a machine we received through freecycle and had reconditioned for baby fig who doesn't have space for it, and my singer hand machine and treadle machines aren't agile enough, so mummy kins has given me her machine, bought several years ago, and never used - it is LOVELY!!! she has also given me an over locker, but that is another project all together! now I just want a project that requires embroidered ducks and apples!

welcome to my boudoir...

2010-06-26T17:05:00.002+01:00

The elderflower cordial was a great success - Mr Juicy loves it, I on the other hand can take or leave it, it has a bit of an earthy taste...

There was a satisfying 'plop' though the letter box this morning and my parcel from Fondant Kiss was transported up to the boudoir with a coffee and my camera...

Look at them all!!!!

A vintage dressing table set for my brush/mirror/comb set (remember those????)

Green and Blacks chocky, my favourite! don't think it will get chance to melt though...

A pair of delicate earrings - quite vintage looking me thinks!

and this! WOW - thank you so much! all cross stitch and beautifully framed. Too good for MY boudoir, it is going to have to go where everyone can see it!

Publish Post

And finally for today, another box finished for Folksy. The fabric is by Heather Bailey, it is called 'freshcut' and it really is a gorgeous colourway - I even ventured a little beading on the top!

I am thinking about the tutorial suggestion - I will probably try and get another few boxes made, then I promise I will work on one.

ooh, one last thing - Mr Juicy has just passed me the lid off his tea bags with this lovely quote on it...

"There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea"

Bernard-Paul Heroux.

Enjoy the sunshine!

everybody's doing it.

2010-06-24T17:32:00.000+01:00

It seams like EVERYONE is making Elderflower cordial this year - it makes my heart sing to know as a nation we haven't forgotten how to use what nature provides, that people are out there using the hedgerows to feed themselves, that we still spin wool from our own livestock, make clothes from the yarn - though I can't see anyone washing clothes in the rivers these days!

I have trying to make sure my time off sick is used well, it isn't like I am physically debilitated, and I feel the best thing for my brain is to be occupied in fruitful pursuits that make me happy, and hopefully some one else! I have been toiling away sampling ideas, testing colours, knitting, crocheting and sewing - after the Boudoir swap I was inspired to revive box making, something I learned ohhhhhh, about 20 years ago...

I am still using the boxes, as are the people who all got them for Christmas one year (or so they tell me...)

so here is a peek at the latest one, all finished and listed on Folksy.

Right - I am off with the dog and cats for a walk - we are collecting some elderflowers....

tadaaaaaa! the JuicyFig 100th Blog GIVEAWAY!

2010-06-21T17:21:00.001+01:00

Welcome to my 100th blog!

It doesn't feel like 2 years and 5 months since Monday 7th January 2008 when I wrote my EPIC first post....

click here for EPIC FIST POST!

there have been highs and lows,

I have met more friends than I can shake a stick at,

I have shared the lives of strangers who have helped restore my faith in humanity

I have swapped, and swapped and swapped

There have been real life and death experiences!!!!!

Click here for REAL LIFE AND DEATH EXPERIENCES!

so my wonderful blogateers - I would like to thank each and every one of you who takes a moment out of your busy lives to pop by here, sit awhile, read my inane drivel - and leave a comment - YOU ARE ALL STARS!

finally...to the point...(milking this for effect,,drum roll please!.....)

I will be giving away a couple of little mystery parcels - and all you have to do if you would like to have your name put into the draw for them is leave me a comment!

errrr, and I would be ever so grateful if....you could pop my button on your blog to spread the word!

I will be drawing the winners on 1st July 2010!

Lots of Love

Kath x

Hit the SALES!!!!

2010-06-20T17:54:00.000+01:00

I have been having a crafty clear out today

and I have listed lots of lovelies on my e-bay auction

So...in a moment of shameless advertising

Pop along, if the mood takes you, and you snap up a bargain!!!!

ok....phew....ad over!

Hope you have all had a wonderful weekend where ever you are on the globe!

Egghead!

2010-06-18T15:22:00.000+01:00

In the JuicyFig household we have a new routine developing. At 6pm EVERYTHING stops for Eggheads.

This is the only programme of mine on our TV planner, I need my quiz fix!

It would seam, however, that Hubby and baby fig (who since she moved out 3 weeks ago has spent more time here than she did before!) also both have a routine that occurs at 6pm every weeknight - it is the art of getting casual comments to coincide with Dermot the quiz master asking a question - consequently I am getting very good at guessing the correct answer to a question I didn't even hear!

hmmmm, I wonder if we could get a crafty blog quiz team together??? what would your speciality be? Sport? cookery? arts and literature? science?

I have actually just returned from The Sanctuary in Langho - Mum treated me to a Reiki treatment to help with my anxiety - I have been looking forward to it all week, and it was fabulous! only wish they could have pored me off the treatment couch straight into my own bed at the end!

This afternoon I am trying to finish off my half of the Boudoir Swap - and hopefully post it tomorrow morning!

Here is a little sneaky peaky of what it might..or might not look like...

hmmmmm.....

oooh, and some little flowers - from an Irish Rose pattern teacher gave us at this weeks crochet class.

If only I could get self patterning wool that changed when I wanted it to!

Country Lore

2010-06-13T14:53:00.000+01:00

My first Rose of the year has bloomed and it has 3 hearts!

and smells FABULOUS!

On Friday hubby (who is training to be a volunteer walk leader) went on our first official walk with the healthy walk club folk - and despite being about 20 years younger than most there I still managed to huff and puff my way around 3 miles, arrive back last, hot tired and red! oh how fit am I...urghhh

Although these guys made me remember a train journey from many years ago

In the next table of seats to my mum and I on the train were 4 lads of Liverpudlian origin having one of those conversations you just can't help but listen and smile at - it went something like this...

"If it means it's going to rain when the cows lie down, what does it mean if sheep lie down?"

"Light showers with intermittent sunshine"

perfect.

Shocking!

2010-06-10T11:41:00.000+01:00

I feel like I have granny squares coming out of my ears at the moment!

I have made them in soft muted colours, lavish cashmere, chunky funky colours...is there no end to them???

These are probably, might be, possibly going to be a bag - the violent pink left over from Baby Figs 'goth' phase Black n pink sloppy hat!

now - I MUST get on with my boudoir swap!

Waiting for...

2010-06-08T12:51:00.000+01:00

I tend to be writing my blog in my head a lot - then when it comes to actually writing it, all those pearls of wisdom, all those neat phrases, the perfect sentence, the interesting subject - it all disappears. Mind you, if I could write a blog with an interface directly from my brain, it would ramble on and on, twist and turn, and never get to any point!

This week I have spent a lot of time in the sewing room trying to remember the inspirational ideas I came up with for my future income - I don't know, I suppose it will all fall into place eventually but right now the future is as much terrifying as exciting!

I have put a few more items in my Folksy shop after selling my very first item this week, reviving some kind of faith in myself

These are "Quit-tin Quilt-tins"

Everything needed to make a traditional English patchwork pincushion in a tobacco tin - especially for anyone trying to quit smoking or for 'waiting' - something you tend to do a lot of from the moment you have kids - and for the rest of your life! from sitting by the pool while they have lessons to sitting in the doctors waiting room as more and more of you stops working!

And a little bit of crochet - my latest obsession.

Oh my giddy aunt! 2 parcels for moi???

2010-06-02T13:36:00.002+01:00

After a pretty glum, rainy, busy day yesterday - in particular an African drum workshop that left me frustrated and deflated, this morning I was awoken by my gorgeous handsome cat Stitch, who is not allowed upstairs but had somehow found a way and come to give his mummy a kiss and a cuddle.

Next - Hubby arrived with my freshly brewed toasted nut fudge coffee, the sunshine, and - 2 PARCELS!!! so I sent him straight back down stairs to collect my camera.

Biggest decision of the day so far....which parcel to open first???

so...

From the other end of the country the lovely Marie sent me my Fabric Swap. A brilliant mini monster kit I can't wait to make, some juicy fabrics I love (especially the apple fabric) and in a few colours I haven't used before and can't wait to put into a project now! 2 bags of buttons and goodies, a rose brooch and a doughnut pin cushion with Marie's fantastic label on it.

Poor Marie has been having computer troubles recently - I hope she is back in blog land soon!

Next - all the way from the other end of the world! my Apron Swap partner Cathie at Melbourne epicure

It is so perfect for me! covers my 'ample' bosom and er...roomey hips!!
She obviously knew I loved plants and had studied horticulture in the past! it is just perfect for me, and shall soon be seen on me while pottering around the kitchen and garden. Cathie also popped in some of her gorgeously photographed post cards, including one with a recipe on the back - so maybe a little baking will be in order to test the new apron!

The apron that will be flying off to Australia from me will be in the post today!

So - MASSIVE THANKS to both of my FANTASTIC swap partners and to the fantastic people who organised the swaps! (I am planning my own swap soon!)

Better get started on my Boudoir Swap now

a temporary toy to play with.

2010-05-31T13:23:00.000+01:00

Well, the battery in my faithful old compact has nearly died it's final death - and while a new one is on order and as my trusty DSLR is a bit big for everyday use my SuperDad has loaned me his Canon Powershot G10 - oooh, I love these sexy camera names!

so, this morning has mainly involved photographing everything and anything just because it is such a nice camera!

When my boat comes in / lottery ticket wins/ rich non-existent aunt dies/ oil is found under the allotment/ my craft book (that I haven't written yet) becomes a number one seller....well, you get the idea - then, I shall buy myself a Leika - Oh yes- it shall be so, and now tis written also!

Fancy that!

2010-05-28T16:50:00.000+01:00

I can't believe almost a week has gone since I posted anything on my blog - it is amazing how you can fill your time and sometimes feel like you haven't actually done that much, but then on reflection you have achieved more than you thought!

My little e-bay shop is doing quite well, but I have to admit my mothers wardrobe has supplied most of what I have sold so far. She is addicted to clothes shopping, and hiding her purchases from my dad in their original packing with the labels - it has proved a little gold mine, and she reckons I have enough to keep me in business for the next 6 months!

I have been very industrious in the sewing room making things for my Folksy shop - nothing sold to date but I did feature on someones 'Folksy Friday' which was a total buzz!

While pottering away in the sewing room my mind fills with ideas and wonderful things to blog - unfortunately I don't make a note of them so consequently can't remember what the idea was! I bet I am alone in this...who am I kidding!

Lots of my Grandma's favourite pearls of wisdom keep popping in there as well, so to help you through the long bank holiday weekend here are a few of them...

"If I had a new feather, would my old hat do?"

Only the mugs get used - the best china stays on the shelf

Do your best - more than that even Angels can't do

Look after your hands - they are precious - and one day they will look after you!

No photo's from me today - the weather has reminded my of my love of Fancy Birds - and other people do them so well!

oooooh, what's that ya got juicyfig????

2010-05-22T16:29:00.000+01:00

the swap pixies have been playing in the sewing room, and have a bundle of goodies ready to post on Monday morning...

and hopefully by Tuesday morning this will be arriving on Marie's doorstop

Unless this heat makes me swoon on the way to the post office!

Ventures on FOLKSY

2010-05-18T19:04:00.000+01:00

Wow - what a week - I haven't had time to read all the lovely blogs I normally do!

Baby Fig is moving out into her own flat this week, so we have been busy collecting bits of furniture, buying tea towels etc...Just had time to pop out with the dog last night to 'Spring wood' - aptly named as it is at its very best in spring when our native bluebells form an amazing purple carpet

and for the rest of the week I have been busy selling my clothes on e-bay, and...tada...opening my Folksy shop! (shameless advertising time!)

Here is a little sample of what I have posted up for sale all ready!

The next step is the harshest one - I NEED to sort through my vast fabric collection (dating back almost 20 years) and pop some of that onto folksy as well, so if you are into your vintage Liberty and Laura Ashley - keep your eye on my folksy shop!

there - advertising over.

Midweek blues...and reds and greens and...

2010-05-12T19:46:00.000+01:00

The sun is streaming through the window, and the wool haul is destined to be a stripey blanket.

Happy mid week!

Flower Fairies - they get everywhere!!!

2010-05-08T12:01:00.005+01:00

My head has been in a spin for the past week - I have a lot of what I consider to be big decisions to make at the moment about my future income - do I want to go back to work at the same place with the same problems, frustrations etc etc because I am the only one bringing in an income at the moment - can I put myself through it all for another 6 years? or - is it now I throw my heart and soul into trying to start my own business making/selling the crafts and materials I have loved since I was a child?

I have finally braved e-bay to make a start and get the hang of this Internet selling - before Tuesday I had NEVER been on e-bay before! (I think I may be the last person beside my hubby to do this!) - I have sold 3 things already - not enough to cover this months bills, but it certainly gave me a boost!

I am in the process of opening a Folksy shop - and may even get a web site if I can find a cheap good website building type person - or a free course!

so - I have been busy - and it is lovely to be able to parcel my sold items up and take the dog out in the sunshine, into the village to the post office - with the camera of course!

All along 'Broad Lane' in the hedgerow are the Lords and Ladies
(also known as Wild arum, Lords and Ladies, Jack in the Pulpit, Devils and Angels, Cows and Bulls, Cuckoo-Pint, Adam and Eve, Bobbins, Naked Boys, Starch-Root and Wake Robin.)

They may look a little boring, and are easily missed but these are one of my favourite wild flowers. When I was about 5 years old my mum bought me a copy of Cicily Mary Barkers "flower fairies of the autumn"
Not only did it spark my interest in wild flowers but confirmed for me that fairies were indeed living among us - outside, but among us!

In Autumn, the lords and ladies plant produces these amazing columns of berries, that according to the poem are for lighting up the tiny paths in the hedgerows and woodlands so that the fairies could safely see their way to the dance/ball

wow - what a way to spark of a young and fertile imagination!

Above is Whalley Abbey 'School house' - this is part of the Abbey that straddles the road - I love that it is part of the village now rather than the abbey grounds and that to get into the village I can drive or walk under it - it always reminds me of the mouth of some huge wale!

and the gate way to our little station that had been closed by Beaching in the 60's and re-opened in the 90's.

but I really NEEDED more wool!

2010-05-03T13:46:00.007+01:00

Please! ban me from wool shops and their sales!

Four of us went over to the Black Sheep Wool sale yesterday - they sell luxury yarns at HUGE discounts, and yesterday there was and extra 25% off - so what chance did I stand?

Actually, I was very very restrained - not by ropes and chains, just the overdraft! and like a true thrifty person NOT - convinced myself that I needed to buy one of every colour of this gorgeous cotton/linen mix for my wavy crochet blanket, still, they were only 75p a ball so.....

My niece who came with us almost had to blind fold me and frog march me away from the place - and my mother ended up buying a mountain of some Japanese Merino/cashmere yarn with no bands on them because they had been reduced from £8 per 25g to 75p - she has no idea what she is going to make, but what a bargain! - I love how us women can pretty much justify all our spending!

I also treated myself to some more natural colours for my first granny squares - to say I only learned to crochet last Monday I am quite pleased with these, they are a bit baggy, slightly wonky, and 3 different sizes - but it kept me entertained while Mr Fig was off on a boy's own camping adventure with his friends, and baby Fig was stopping at the "we're not going out together" boyfriends (?)

I have been meaning to stop and take a photo of this tree for YEARS now - finally as I was driving past the other day there was a parking spot nearby, no people, the sun was shining, no one was with me, and I had my camera!

If you look closely the tree has both pink blossom and white - half and half! It is probably the result of a graft many years ago, but I think it is still pretty cool!

Sloe Gin, mamalade and cheers!

2010-05-01T12:26:00.008+01:00

It has been such a busy week! first of all I went to a crochet class with age concern on Monday - it is run in the library, so anyone can attend - my 50th is a long long long way off...honest!!!

so since then I have been obsessively crocheting strange looking objects and then pulling them back after giggling like a school girl at them.

Yesterday my niece came round and made marmalade and bread, we have set up a little stall at the front door to try and earn a little spending money for the black sheep wools sale we are off to tomorrow
Yesterday was also my baby brothers 34th birthday - here we are, a very rare photo of me! I love the delicate way the flash bounces of his baldy head!

The Sloe Gin I started last November was ready to decant yesterday. It was a first for me, I have made cherry brandy in the past, wines, bears etc, but spent a long time trying to find sloe berry's growing round here - so now is my chance to raise a glass to all you wonderful people out there in blog land!

To all of you who follow my blog, make me smile, keep me sane, share your lives and passions!

CHEERS!

And thank you also to the two lovely bloggers who awarded me more smiles this week!

From Catherine at Kids and Capers for the sunshine award

and from Deborah at Fondant Kiss for the I love your blog award

CHEERS to you two lovely people!

There seams to be so much love going around at the moment I couldn't possibly choose between all the blogs I read and love to pass these onto, so to anyone who pops by here and makes me smile - help yourself to an award - you deserve it!

Way out (north) West

2010-04-26T11:46:00.006+01:00

You wait all month for something to happen, then 3 events are run on the same day! on the last Sunday of the month, Whalley has it's Farmers market, a table top sale and of course our knit n natter meeting.

It's a pity more of the shops don't also open and fetch more people into the village, there seam to be quite a few visitors wandering around looking for something to do - and the market, still in it's first year is getting smaller and smaller - such a shame!

Mum and I popped over to the table top sale - I love the way it has been advertised locally, "full of interesting items from GOOD homes!" - what constitutes a good home?
My mum, fantastic as ever, treated me to these guys (above) they are money boxes! I have always been a huge fan of Laurel and Hardy - especially Stan Laurel who is an Ulverston boy, so almost local! plus he reminds me of my long departed grandad!

A few weeks ago through FreeCycle I managed to get some embroidery equipment, a 1930's biscuit tin full of silks, a pile of very old transfers, and a linen table cloth with the pattern already on it - I haven't done embroidery for a while, so have been trying to get back into it - like I don't have enough to do!!! I have had to look up some of the stitches a few times, and haven't done any that are too adventurous, but I am really pleased with the results so far.

At the table top sale, mum also bought me these two embroidered pictures, they are absolutely gorgeous, in pristine condition and have been professionally framed - the lady wanted £5 each for them!

This morning I received my swap partner for the APRON SWAP - Cathie at Melbourne Epicure

I have been over to her blog from a preliminary sneaky peek, WOW - take a look, it is gorgeous! can't wait to make contact with her, and get my thinking cap on for this project.

Ne'er cast a clout till May be out...

2010-04-23T12:44:00.003+01:00

I'm British for goodness sake, how am I supposed to cope with this amount of sunshine???
Hubby and I escaped the cats for a walk yesterday, not far, just across the nearby river, and round the fields, both of us taking advantage of the arrival of more spring flowers.

The council have been busy putting up new sign posts in the past 12 months - now I remember my dad calling this lane 'Turkey Lane' but I thought he was kidding! As a country I think we have some of the strangest names for our lanes and even our villages, I know of a Jam Pot Lane, and a Jolly Tar Lane, and in Silverdale there is an 8 acre lane at one end, that mysteriously changes to 16 acre lane at the other end!

now this is not a sight you see very often round here - land for sale! By the time we had finished our walk, we had, in our minds, bought the land, were farming Alpaca's, rare breed sheep, cows for milk, and had a good number of silky hens - the stables had been converted into a house with workshop space and a shop. Well...we need to dream big sometimes!

But the thing that made me smile most was the arrival of the May Blossom.

I don't care what the arguments are regarding the proverb 'Ne'er cast a clout till may be out'

For me, it means the May Blossom, not the end of May.

As a child in the 70's attending the local primary school, one of my favourite after school activities was being in the May Pole class. The May pole resided in the school hall all year round, but as May approached, it was tipped over and the ribbons attached, we would choose either the yellow or pink dresses and do intricate moves that would create the 'Barbour's pole' or the 'spider web'

I can still hear the reel-to-reel player on top of the staff room roof playing old accordion tunes out over the school yard as we danced round.

The May Pole dancing was abandoned in the late 1980's after a new headmistress claimed it was a Pagan ritual not fit for a Christian school - how sad, and how misguided. ah well, perhaps it is my destiny to bring it back! ;~)

the ramblings of a traditionally built lady

2010-04-20T12:15:00.007+01:00

It's amazing what a little bit of sunshine does for the spirit! I almost leapt out of bed this morning, then decided that easing my way into the day would be nicer, as I have nothing of consequence to do today.

But I like to have something to do!!!
I thought I would blog about the things that cheer me up - this depression lark can be a real pile of cr*p at times, and even though the day starts off well, the smallest thing can send me off into floods of tears of sadness, happiness, confusion, frustration....and so on.

The sun hits the front of our house in the morning - above is the blind in my sewing room, based on a Kaffe Fassett design from his first book - it is nice all the time, but particularly when the sun shines!

My mum got the (almost) latest instalment of the Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency for Christmas, and finished it yesterday - so I was next in line for it - We have been avid fans from the start, and I do love the books so much more than the TV series - it is like slipping into a comfortable pair of slippers! and we consider ourselves to be "traditionally built" - sounds so much better than fat! hehehe

On my windowsill is my Caithness glass paperweight, a present years ago from the factory itself when mum and dad where touring Scotland - I find it so fascinating to stare at, I love the colours - but I always had a fascination with glass marbles - wondering how those swirls were put into them - magic glass fairies I think!

Ahh, the view from my bedroom window - especially on a sunny day - Whalley Viaduct is right in front of us, it leads straight onto the Settle to Carlisle line after Clitheroe - and I still get a kick out of waving to people going past - my niece rang me the other day from one station away - "Auntie Kath, we will be over the arches in a minute - will you come and wave to us???"

And my scruffy little urchin dog Jemmy had an appointment at the groomers yesterday, bath, trim, nails done - she is like a pup again, all that mucky matted fur must have been dragging her down! I love the way she moves round the room with the sunshine.

so - better get myself out for a walk while the sunshine is here!