On the final day of a very long year...

Here I am sat at work on the final day of 2008.

I will freely admit that this past 12 months feels like there have been more downs than ups, but I am determined to at least be more optimistic about 2009 as I sit here wondering about my new years resolutions ready for tonight.

My baby girl has up and left home - not sure if it is for good or not yet, and she has quit collage. I can quite honestly admit that parenthood has been the most difficult job I have ever undertaken - rewarding? sometimes. would I do it again...? who knows!

on the up side, I have become an avid sock knitter - neglecting my lovely sewing room, and carrying a ball of wool and 4 double pointed needles with me everywhere - everyone got socks for Christmas!

Today is Shauny sugar buns 40th Birthday - so it is always double celebrations on New Years eve in our house - due to the credit crunch he has received a rather fetching pair of hand knitted 100% wool, walking socks - he was thrilled to bits with them knowing the time involved in such a gift.

I think my first resolution will be to blogg more often, and get the camera back out - I need the therapy!!

I will hopefully be posting some of my photo's submitted for my first assignment on the photography btech.

so for now, all that remains if for me to wash up my coffee cup, close down the computer and bit farewell to this god forsaken office until next year - and of course to wish everyone a happy healthy thrifty crafty utterly splendid new year!!!!!

catchup

wow, it seams like a very long time since I was here last...well actually it is a long time.

I am not sure where to begin so think it might be best to just say that life has been hectic this summer, new people in our lives, illness's, work issues, and I am now going into winter a very tired and emotionally drained person.

I have not been into my little sewing room for weeks - I have not had the time the energy or the inspiration, but I have been knitting like a demon. Knitting was always something that created tension and angst with me, but I am finding very relaxing at the moment. I am on to my 4th pair of socks at the moment, and love every second of the creative process, and planning my next project as I knit the current one. Photo's to follow as and when.

I have also signed up for a BTEC in photography - with my daughter - at Blackburn collage. it is costing me a fortune and I don't have a digital SLR camera yet but am really enjoying using my little compact and just getting out there 'shooting' everything and everyone!

I am looking forward to the knitting and stitching show at Harrogate in November - it is always around the weekend of my birthday and I LOVE IT!!! more wool than I could knit in a lifetime, the quilt exhibition, the fabrics and the new crafts you just have to get a kit for and try to work out for the rest of the year...you know what I am talking about!

I regret I have not been keeping up with any ones blogs for weeks now - and I do regret this - you are all such an inspiration out there, and I feel like I have abandoned my friends - but I know you all understand how life gets in the way of living at times!

so - this is my attempt to ease myself back into a gentler calmer way of life - (is that possible) and to make the most of the impending dark evenings and rainy weekends, and the crisp sunny frosty mornings.

More than a girl can handle!

well, what a strange few weeks I have just lived through! Blogging has been so far from my mind - and I didn't think that was possible!

Firstly, my Daughter found her natural Father - it was a bit of a shock for him, he didn't know he had a 16 year old daughter. Fortunately, he was absolutely over the moon! - so much weirdness in the Juicy Fig household.

My job has been a total nightmare for the past few weeks as well, during the day, I work for the government - the role of the site I am at is completely changing, so it has been non stop training and will be for the foreseeable future...

The Drumming work has been busy on top of that, and every gig I have done has been in either gale force wind or torrential rain, meaning we have had to squeeze into marquee's with everyone else - fun, but exhausting - and still another 3 gig's to go before the end of the month!

It was our wedding anniversary, a big family and friends camp, My daughters 17th Birthday - and tonight we are of to an old school RAVE in a Field!

THE DIET

Well, I am still on the lipotrim diet - 3 weeks in, and I have lost 21lb! yup - 1 1/2 stone!!!

so, although it is really hard work, it has been worth it so far, I just keep planning what my ideal 'first meal' would be when I finally get to the end...ANYTHING would do right now!!!

POT FEST

One of my favourite events of the year last weekend at Penrith.

We took my 11 year old niece this time, she has a real artistic streak, and had to have a go at a RAKU firing.

The pots where already made and biscuit fired ready for the glaze and raku kiln - here is her pot with the glaze applied waiting to go into the kiln

and here it is being lifted out still glowing, temps are about 1100 degrees when they come out, but because of the 'grog' in the clay (ground up fired clay) it doesn't succumb to thermal shock
The pot then goes straight into a sealed bin with sawdust in - this catches light immediately but the lid seals it in, and the cool reactions start to occur
Last, it is plunged into cold water - after it has cooled down, you have to scrub it clean.

I love this technique - the colours will always come out in the most unexpected shades and tones, metallic, crackles etc.

I think she did pretty well for her first go - she was so chuffed with it, she kept lifting it out of the bag all the way home and staring at it.

The Kiddo Swap

Taryn got her swap items through the post a couple of weeks ago, but due to the above events, I haven't had Chance to put them up here.

A huge thank you to Suzanne at chickadeecards - We were blown away by the gifts she sent!

Taryn hasn't taken the bracelet off yet, I love the colours of the beads!!

And the matching key ring has been displayed hanging from the living room mirror, Taryn couldn't bear to run the risk of breaking or losing it!
And two gorgeous cards as well! THANKS!!!
SO, finally got my own half of the swap parcelled up to go today. Suzanne, if you don't want to see it - hide your eyed now, or scroll up, or navigate somewhere else...

The swap was for a 'almost 7' year old boy, into Harry potter, Dr Who, minerals, rocks etc...

Eventually came up with a Book cover in Gryffendor colours, for his Harry Potter books, or anything else really - and a small 'wallet' in the same colours containing a load of crinoid fossils SSB and I went on a hunt for at the local quarry/nature trail.

I found it incredibly difficult to think what a nearly 7 year old would want (having little experience of boys that age) so, I really hope he likes it!

I also got an award! but, I have to do lots of links n stuff n ting for it, so, now I am back from la la land, I will hopefully get it on here this week!!!

and the winner is....!

OK! all the names are in, folded up and in the hat....er, dish

Glamorous assistant Taryn is mixing them up...
and the winner is......
the lovely Michelle at Cowboys and custard!

Massive thanks to you all for your lovely comments - week number 1 on the diet is finally over, it has been far harder than I expected, and I have been tired, emotional and very very hungry! but I lost 8lb so quite a good result!

good greif! 50th blog - and a give away!

finally! 50 blogs.

it has been fantastic fun so far, and it feels like the journey has only just begun, so in celebration I am going to be giving away one of my heart broaches, plus a load of other bits and pieces, some golden hands magazines plus some bits n bob's for loveliness in sewing pursuits. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post, and I will put names in a hat next Monday night - so almost a week...

Today is also my last day on solid food for a while. I have finally given in, gone to the chemist and signed up for the 'lipotrim' programme, a complete meal replacement - I AM A FOOD ADDICT!!!! there I said it.

just lately I have been comfort eating for the whole of our rainy country - then bent over the other day and split my pants - much to SSB and Taryn's amusement. so - no more cakes, puds, pies, sweets, kit kat chunky peanut butters, no more anything really! wish me luck as I wither away... hehehe

I took a photo of one of our lovely EDIBLE nasturtiums - I can't even eat that!so - the big diet starts tomorrow (don't they always?) Just think of all the crafting I can get done when I would have been eating - I will probably end up subconsciously knitting cup cakes!

so - updates when I have the strength to type (can't a girl milk the moment??)

eeek! just reminded me - someone sent me an e-mail the other day, and called me a lovely 'lady' OMG how old did I feel? a LOT older than I am - or a lot older than I feel! I wouldn't mind, but the 'girl' who sent it me is only a month younger than I am!!!

a little bit of everything.

on the !st August, SSB and I will be celebrating our 5th Wedding anniversary. I know this is a bit premature, but life has thrown us our fair share of problems over the past 12 months, and as a couple we are just as strong as we were the day we got married. (sorry for the soppy sentimentalism...)

It seams like a million years ago now, and both our lives have changed so incredibly much since SSB posted to a drum group wanting a goat skin, and ending up 10 months later with a wife!

so - we have all sorts of 'life' stuff happening over the next few weeks, and will hopefully be basking in the sun (cough...yeah right!) at Gibraltar farm camp site on our anniversary for the annual 'family and Friends' camp.

I GOT AN AWARD!!!!

the lovely Vicky has given me this award! Thank you so much!

there are apparently RULES to this award...

(copied and pasted from Vicky's blog)

1 . I can put this rather sparkly Logo on my Blog.
2. Put a link/or mention the lovely person who gave you the award.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4. Put a link to those Blogs on your Blog

5. Leave a message on their blog of your nomination

So - here is the sparkly logo

I have put a link to Vicky's blog!!!

I am afraid I am just choosing 2 recipients...bad blogger me!

first Jo for being a super ace swap partner

second candeez who is making me insanely jealous of the weather where she is!!

both relatively new to blog land but both fascinating people!

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This is the view from my office window this morning at 7.30. I kid you not, it could have been the middle of winter! Accrington isn't the cheeriest of places in the blazing sunshine - but come on - is this really summer???

SSB sent me an e-mail to tell me a parcel had arrived - at 9.30 this morning, so only had to wait 6 HOURS to get home and open it!!!!

and it was well worth the wait - just look what Jo sent me for the Russian doll swap!

a gorgeous doll, with two babies in her pouch, an bracelet a card and cutting all in this fab box! I LOVE THEM!!! thanks Jo!

here is the cutting

and the card...

and here is the cushion I sent to Jo - actually remembered to take a photo before I parcelled it up, and as she got it yesterday, I can post it up!wow - this post has been all over the place! sometimes I just have too much to say, and incredibly unorganised thoughts - but hey! that's life!!

oooh, almost forgot - next post is my 50th! so I will be doing my first give away - so keep your eyes peeled while I desperatly think what to give away!!!

St Swithins Day...

Happy St Swithins Day!!!

If it rains today, then we will have rain for the next 40 days - so same as the last 40 days really!

I have been addicted to my newest book, "the gentle art of domesticity" for a couple of weeks now, and as a tribute to the book, and the day - here are my very blue lemony fairy cakes, in the kitchen window with the rain behind them...

Right! off to the post office to post my Russian Doll Swap!!!

Enjoy the rest of the day - and I sincerely hope it isn't raining where you are!

x

wooliness!

I am hooked! after completing the hat - I went wool shopping on line! I placed my order, then decided the time had come to finish the socks I had started 4 years ago for my then unborn niece, who is 3 1/3 years old now.

I had knit the first sock, and feeling very proud of myself, cast on the next, then gave up.

I couldn't remember which size I had knit, and having no idea how to count stitches, decided that if I had cast on 48 st then I must have been making the 6-9 month size. it was only when I finished it I realised the socks are two different sizes, so if anyone out there has or knows of a baby with different size feet, let me know and the socks are yours!

then the wool arrived! it is gorgeous! I got it from www.theyarngallery.co.uk

and it is hand painted/dyed - the silk one is just so tactile, I think I may knit myself a tiny 'blanky' to carry round in my pocket, like a comforter...

This is lambswool and silk, and I think the name suits it perfectly - fruit pie. Yummy!

I have cast on (3 times so far) a pair of socks for myself - I can't wait to see how the wool knits up, and what weird shape or size the socks will end up!

And finally for today - a sneaky peek at my Russian doll swap 'article' for my swap partner Jo at http://kitschcraft.wordpress.com/ who is having trouble with her links to her blog - so if you can give her a hand to sort them out, pop over there and let her know - and take a look at her growing heard of pointy kitties!Just signed up for a kiddie swap at http://meecrafty.blogspot.com/ and have the challenge of getting my daughter into a jiffy bag...I mean creating something for a Harry Potter / Doctor Who fan...hmmm, real thinking cap time!

a first for the fig!

ok ok - so, it is just a hat, but it is the first 'garment' I have ever knit by hand! (I did knit a cardigan for Taryn about 16 years ago, on a knitting machine that has remained in a cupboard ever since...)

I was so chuffed! I am not a knitter, and being left handed in a right handed world doesn't help, but after 2 weeks intensive knitting, then realising after I finished I had used 4 ply instead of DK wool I think it has turned out OK - and about 6 months ahead of schedule! (it was going to be a Christmas Pressie for Shauny Sugar Buns...

The stalk was only supposed to be 8 rows, but SSB said "make it longer" so I made it longer, as a good obedient wife should!
He was very eager to model it for the blog - I think he has delusions of grandeur...and could have done with bringing forward his monthly shave!
he thinks he is one of those male knitting pattern models. sigh....I think a matching tank top is in order now!
And finally, a HUGE thank you to everyone who left me a message on my last post, it was quite humbling and very wonderful to read such lovely kind words from you all - thank you.

well...it was an experience!

It definitely was an experience, and I am not sure yet just how I feel about it!

The market was dead! apparently it had only been advertised on Friday night, and after the ad had gone out, the Farmers market (along with music, entertainment etc) had all cancelled. But we stayed! we threw caution to the wind and set up our merry little stall of goodies, lovingly made over the past few months... I had taken some 'props' and free sweeties, and tried to make it colourful, added some small pocket money items etc etc...

I sold two items. making a grand total of £5.50p worth of goods, and a loss of what feels like several million!
There were quite a few of us there on our first market - or first time at Preston etc, and no one was impressed. Some had had a stall for the past couple of years and said this was the quietest it had ever been. Am I cursed???
I had deliberated over prices, and taken ages over it, but in the end no-one actually looked at the price tags, there were so few customers looking around, and most people just drifted past on their way to the shops, or looking for the non existent farmers!

The highlight of my day was the stall next to us - and before I left, and after looking round and round the stall several times, I had to buy something from them - it took all my float, the money I had taken and a small advance from my mum - but I love it!!!

Here they are wrapping my purchase in it's own 'body bag'

here is said body bag...
and here is Zadat...
The information on his preliminary Autopsy Toe Tag states;

Caste: Doldrites

Faction: Progues

Home: Murk, 3rd Island of the forest of gloom

Caught: Wedged behind the radiator

please take a look at there web site - it is brilliant!

http://www.sockhorror.com/

The stall just over from that was also gorgeous! but they were packing up early and shipping out, fed up with the lack of people, and desperate to finish the web site she had been trying to promote all day - The lovely Emma Travis designed and made the loveliest stuff for kids bedrooms - so here is another link (although you may need to wait until she has finished it all!!!)

www.spotsanddotsfortots.com

Anyway - came home, poorer, happy, and ready for the next challenge!

then decided to make these as compensation - yum!

I feel a giveaway coming on...back soon!

Swap Heaven

One of the simplest pleasures in life is the giving and receiving of
gifts, and when the gift is something you made yourself, then the
pleasure is all the greater.

I am relatively new to this blogging lark, only realising this little
universe existed after I bought myself 'the crafters companion' using a
book voucher I had been given for my birthday - I had deliberated for
weeks over what book to purchase, and found the CC in a small
independent bookshop in the local town.
I read it cover to cover in a couple of days, and realised that I wasn't
alone in my crafting addiction, I no longer had to hide myself and the
things I made away from the world, in fear of being labelled a hippy!

Each chapter of the book was like reading another version of myself, and
needles to say, as soon as I could grab some computer time, I had to
look at this world of blogging. I cannot tell you how it has changed my
life so far - nothing dramatic, just a gentle drift towards the person I
have had lurking inside waiting to burst free for most of my life, and I
can tell you, it is so very exciting!

One of the things I found most fascinating were the swaps. I was a keen
observer of this strange phenomena, and finally took the plunge - it has
been a really pleasurable experience to say the least.
from signing up, getting your swap partner, trying to get a feel for
what they would like, the creation of the swap item, the parcelling up,
posting off, then waiting to see if they like what you have made for
them, and if that wasn't enough, there is the anticipation of what you
are going to receive, when will arrive? what will it be? and before it
ever arrives, you know you will love it - it is a wonderful buzz!
One of the strange things is seeing your own work on someone elses blog
- it must be similar to seeing your work in a magazine or a book.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings, my mood is philosophical today, in
preparation for my first ever time selling my own work on a market stall
this Sunday. I need to take my mind off the whole 'will they won't they
like/buy my stuff?'

Last Saturday, the post man woke us up. SSB ran down to the door, and
returned with a tray of coffee, and 3 parcels!

the first was his, but the second 2 were mine - I really could get used
to this!

Just look what Sarah at Pink petal designs made for me in the kitchen
swap!

I had been coveting some of those dish cloths from the first time she
posted them on her blog, but now they have arrived, I realise they are
far to nice to use for there intended purpose. I was going to put them
in the bathroom, but for this week so far, they have remained
beautifully bundled up, and proudly on display in my sewing room, so I
can look at them!!!

And look at all the gorgeous things she sent with them - an Owl egg cosy, a mini rolling pin, napkins, the famous cleaning cloths, and a gorgeous card!


then, another parcel, this time from Canada!
The lovely StayMa at L' Univers de StayMa sent me this in addition to the fab
toadstool I received the other week!

A lovely necklace, some fab-ric, little wooden wot-nots, a pendand and a sand dollar

The sand dollar is so cool! check out the link telling you what a sand dollar is.




So - despite the rotten weather, it has been sunny here in the juicy fig household.

Keep your fingers crossed for me for my very firstest market stall this Sunday! If you never hear from me again, well, it was either a total disaster or I made millions and am celebrating on a tropical island somewhere!!!

Summer Solstice

Just typical! only two days away from the longest day of the year, mid summer, England's green and pleasant land and all the rest of it - and where has the sun gone? It has poured down all day here, and my mood has gone down faster than the rain! I have been a right old grumpy so-n-so.

So, a little light blogging to cheer me up is definitely in order.

Yesterday was the monthly pilgrimage to see Grandma in Warrington, and for a change (to Ikea, errr, well actually, as well as Ikea) we decided to go the the HUGE Laura Ashley shop.

LA's used to be one of my favourite shops, especially as they had a factory outlet near by - not as big as the liberty outlet, but still good for a bargain, but I kinda got fed up with them for a few years.

OMG! I was in Laura Ashley Twee Heaven! if only I was a wealthy girl! there was just too much niceness in there, and in the end mum treated me to a couple of meters of sale fabric (still V expensive!) but soooo lovely!

I had been enraptured earlier in the week by a multitude of wild roses along the path to the river nearby. (ooh, that sounded ever so grand and posh like!) I just love English hedge rows - they have fascinated me all my life, and from a very young age I was introduced to Cicily Mary Barkers Flower Fairies poetry. I still get excited when I see the wild autumn aliums or 'lords and ladies' under the hedges, lighting the fairies paths so they can get home from the dance safely. jeese - how sad am I? !!!
I have been tucked away in the sewing room at every opportunity as well. At the beginning of the week the labels I ordered turned up from mini labels
- I am so pleased with them, a real bargain, and they arrived in just over a week! and here are a couple of bags I have made for the stall!
And finally for the day - a quick shot of all my lovely drums (well, some are mine, most I borrow) all set up in the park waiting for some eager drummers!

Taryn with the 'flutterby' she and niece No1 were making out of willow. Unfortunately they didn't get time to cover it, so it is now residing in my van until they get a sunny day to finish it off, although I have no idea where they intend to put the finished article!
My last rainy day pick me up task is to sit and dream about how many different things I can get out of my new fabric, and when I can afford to go back and buy the glass domed cake stand from the sale! (because I desperately NEED it!)


Almost forgot! Thanks Keely! The tutorial was spot on! you did tell me what to do, and I did do it!!!!

pps...gloat, gloat, cough, ahem! shuffle shuffle...

76 As a 1930s wife, I am Very Superior Take the test!