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!