just stuff...

Well it's been a while since I last posted but not because we have been doing anything really exciting, just because of my rubbish time management skills - yeah I know it shouldn't really take long to write a post but you see each time I sit down to write one I find other peoples blogs more interesting to read oh and then I check facebook like a lonely teenager with spots who has no friends, just to see if anyone still wants to talk to me, which most of the time they don't or I end up reading other peoples status' which sometimes can be amusing but I hate the ones that say things like "right I'm off to work" -SO BLOODY WHAT!, maybe just for fun I will put "right I'm off for a poo, oh and I ate breakfast today and got some post etc", it is the voyeur in all of us though that looks at such sites, I wonder sometimes if these sites are actually bad for the already twisted nation, like the woman who was so obsessed with farmville (a shitty farm game) on FB that she smothered her baby to death because it was crying and it was interrupting her time on the game.

I do love blogs though, they are so inspiring, uplifting, funny, and awesome. I have so many on my favourite list I need at least a day to read them all, I think I am officially a blog hoarder.

We made a little terrarium for a caterpillar we found at the park, Chris carefully collected things he thought the caterpillar would like to keep him cosy including some lovely soft moss and a twig to make his cocoon on. That was 2 weeks ago and I haven't seen the caterpillar since, I don't think he is dead or an escapee though, probably just hiding somewhere.

The boys love drawing, Adam especially is very talented and I don't just say that because I'm his mum either!. He wants to be a comic illustrator when he's all grown, he draws the most comical pictures.

Chris loves getting tips off Adam with his drawing, it's lovely to see them in full concentration, with hair not brushed and a complete tip of an art desk (mine) behind them!

I have been drawing designs by candlelight (not because the ellecy had run out, just because it's cosy) for an embroidery commission I am doing for a lovely lady, it has been great doing something so girly with 3 boys running around the house. The close up sewing has been affecting my eyes though, I pick up my new glasses tomorrow, they are proper geeky and black, I love them, the boys said I looked a real nerd when I went for a fitting so I'm glad, that's the effect I'm going for, my youngest asked me "what if Tom (bf) doesn't love you anymore when he sees you", bless him.

This is the face of a boy who has been told he can't go on his console as he has lightening homeschool to do! I had to put it on so when he is nosey and wants to see my blog he can find this hideous photo of himself ;) HELLO ADAM

I have loads of Christmas gift making to do, I have to make loads of things for a Christmas fair I am doing in dec, I have only 1 present made for family and I just want to curl up in front of the fire, we finally got our chimney pot put on, so it works now, and crochet granny squares. Not that I'm very good but I read this tutorial from Julia Crossland's blog, I found her in a search and I'm so pleased I did, her blog is lovely, she is a very talented illustrator, go have a peek but beware, you will be there for ages. She is also having a Christmas giveaway because she reached 300+ followers - wowee.

I have also been loving Kristie's homemade home, the good life, ugly betty, the walking dead and desperate housewives whilst I knit away when the boys are all tucked up in bed, candles glowing, fire crackling and too many cakes and biscuits to nibble on.

Have a lovely week xxx

Infinate future chaos...what will our children see?

Infinite future chaos – “whats that?” I here you say,
its the way we shape our future by how we live today,
the way we live our lives has a knock on effect,
we should give this world of ours some love and respect.

Freak weather, wars, global warming, hurricanes and nature dying,
destruction, rainforest's disappearing, children starving, children crying,
riots, warfare, guns, chemical waste, nuclear bombs and anarchy,
extinction of animals, genetics, clones, who is it down to, powers that be?.

Just think of our children, how will they survive, what will they see?,
lets all make changes so they can be happy and free,
who knows what the future holds but its down to me and you,
I'm just thankful I wont be around and bet that you are too.

This is a poem I wrote ages ago and it's message is still very relevant today, you can buy this as a card or print from redbubble, you can also get the above pic as a tshirt too, great quality too.
I wish I could wave a magic wand and sort things out with this world of ours, you may only be one person and sometimes it is easy to think that your little changes don't mean much but together our changes can become huge and have a real impact.

baby is on it's way....

My lovely sister in law (unofficially so far) is over her due date and we don't know whether it's a boy or a girl so with this in mind and some books from the library I started making some lovelies for her, I made her a patchwork quilt using some stashed fat quarters I have had for a while and didn't know what to do with and a matching lavender baby to hang in the crib to aid (hopefully) some sleep.

the baby looks much better in real life - trust me....

I love the baby blue and white striped squares, this was a sheet from a set I discovered a few years ago in a vintage shop, originally from a french hotel!! I do hope she likes it. I plan on making baby booties too with the help of this book
The photos in this book are lovely and there is a pull out pattern sheet at the back of the book to go with each design, clear easy to follow instructions too, it is written by Emma Hardy who has written several craft books and worked for Marie Claire (women's mag). I have read her green crafts for children book which is lovely if you have little ones.

I got my Christmas country living through the post today too and the piccy's are gorgeous, I do so want to live in the countryside and frolic in the deep crisp snow after opening gifts galore and looking forward to a hearty Christmas dinner then relaxing in front of a big open roaring fire, whilst smelling cinnamon and cloves wafting in the air.

Hope your having a lovely weekend xxxx

Cheery things on a rainy wednesday....

Awesome finds to make a smile come on your face in this pissy October here in Blighty, best of all this stuff is FREE, oh yeah we all like a bargain and with Xmas on its way and no spare pennies, we like free things best off all.

Lovely, warm snuggly songs, full albums to download actually all for free and legit, I especially love this soundtrack for listening to with the kids, we listen to it at lunch and it keeps everyone cheery, it's a bit like feeling stoned without the drugs!! Have a good look around Brian Gossett's site, it's great.......

Art posters to download and print off, these are top notch pictures from really talented artists, Feed your soul, the free art site really does, for me anyway and I'm sure it will for you too....

102 free mandalas - what's a mandala?,

To relax and to improve concentration, there are many things that can be done. One of these is, in peace or with soft background music, to colour in a Mandala.
Mandala more or less means "circle" or "centre". Shapes and patterns are added to a clearly calming centre point.

•Mandalas are healing mediums for the soul
•Mandalas are the merging of body, spirit and soul
•They uncover your own creativity
•You discover yourself and the real you
•You master your every day life and stress easier
•You become calm and gain trust and composure

Children love these and spend ages colouring them, they look great hung back to back like a wind chime, or sun catcher.

Lovely Bella Dia has the most delectable blog filled with pretty things and here I found this crochet heart tutorial, I haven't tried it out yet but it is on my to do list!

(image from Bella Dia's site)

On this site you have to register, but that won't take long and you can get you hands on some great free patterns for sewing, Burda style -for people who sew I love the tag line on this site - you have arrived at your kind of candy store!

Free printable paper toys, this lovely children's site by Marylin takes me back years, all you need is a printer, paper and scissors to get cracking at making your own paper toys, I especially loved making the mermaid puppet theatre

(image from Marylin's site)

Hope you all have lots of fun, smiles and enjoyment from these sites, who by the way have nothing to do with me, I just find these things whilst surfing the virtual ocean ;)

charles cole scam

I am on a site called Misi Handmade and I received a message the other day from Charles Cole who is interested in buying my kitschy pink pop painting, he asked me to reply to him on his private email, which I did, he asked if the painting is still for sale and to send my paypal details to him, he said he would arrange collection of my painting himself.

I then received an email which made me think this is a scam, I have attached it at the bottom of this message. I googled it and it turns out he is a scammer, I wanted to inform you about this because I think it sounds like a money laundering scam, I know lots of you sell your wares online and I feel like I would of never fallen for anything like this, but because it was through misi and the excitement of selling my painting -especially with christmas coming, I did. Thankfully I realised before any money transferred. I have informed Misi of this and hope this guy's karma works very soon.

Mon, 1 November, 2010 10:20:36 just about to make the payment
From: Charles Coleman



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was just about to make the payments when i had this little problem with the picking up of the item , I am currently on sea and i tried to book pick up with my pick up agent, but they asked me to pay first before they can make the booking, and they only accept western union money transfer for payments and they don't accept paypal or bank transfer and I tried to send the money online but i couldn't and I am on sea and there is no way i can find a western union agent to make the transfer to my pick up agent, so i wanted to ask if it was ok for me to include my pick up agent's fees in the payments I am about to send through paypal, my pick up agent charged £100.00 plus insurance and all of that, please can i include their money in the payments I want to send then after i have made the payments you will help me forward the £100.00 to my pick up agent through western union money transfer, this I would have done myself and not bother you but the for the fact that I am currently on sea, so after I have made the payments you will help me send £100.00 to my pick up agent through western union money transfer, I just wanted to seek your consent before going ahead with the payments,I will more than appreciate if you mail me back, and I will be making the payments shortly.


PS:the shipping company's Head quarters and any pick up fees to be paid is sent to their head quarters by the payee, so the money for pick up will be sent to their head quarters through western union money transfer(this can be done from any post office) at western union.