A macbre discovery at a cafe

 

For Grandad (please excuse the weeds)

 

 

 

 

A moan and a challenge

I've been sick of late: first I was sick of being a SAHM, then I was (very quickly) sick of being back at work, and now I have a stupid cold that won't go away and it's making me miserable.

Most days end with feeling like I haven't done a single productive or really enjoyable thing. I constantly feel like I'm just getting by.

So, I've given myself a challenge. January is going to be a month of making. I'm calling it I feel Sew/Sow. I'm going to spend the month sewing and sowing (and/or tending the garden). It's time to get a creative spark back into my life.

I don't really have a plan but I do have a couple of things that have been on my to-do list for a while - a cute plaid vest for Remy Monster, a hoodie for Jules, and some dresses for me.

I'm also toying with the idea of joining the people who are going to handmake or thrift their clothes this year - no buying new from shops unless it's underwear or shoes (thank god). Maybe that'll actually be easier than it looks - we're as poor as little church mice right now, and necessity is the mother of invention...

Now I've been a Moaning Myrtle for an entire post, I feel obliged to end on a positive note. Crap. There's nothing coming to me. I'll have to get back to you on that.

Handmade Christmas

These last few months have flown by, what with going back to work and all, so I'm doing a last minute rush to get ready for Christmas. But, really, every Christmas I'm scrambling to get ready. Now of course I wonder what the hell was I doing with my time before Remy arrived...

This year I got all inspired by the Christmas Ornament swap organised by the lovely Louise over at twenty cent mixture.

I got the most beautiful angel made from a woollen blanket (I think...) from Scrappers. Here it is:


I love it! And I wanted to share some of the love so I copied the shape but added my own little touches:




I've left the edges raw and used a simple running stitch around the heart and the edges. I've added a little stuffing under the heart too - more is more after all.

These are going to some very good homes. Yay for a handmade Christmas.

Favourite Christmas message ever

 

fush'n'chups on the beach

Paris does Christmas

 

A few years ago, I went to Paris just after Christmas. I thought I'd fall in love with Paris - I mean, what sort of fashion junkie doesn't? But it was worse than that. I hated it. Didn't like the smell, didn't like the weather, didn't like the people... but Paris does do Christmas well. Particularly Christmas windows. So maybe it wasn't all that bad.

 

Yusss!

I got all 6 ornaments for the swap in the post today - wohoo!

For a moment there, I thought I might have to email everyone in my group and tell them how hopeless my life is right now and how stupid I was to agree to the swap, but NO! I did it!

Photos to follow - I can't upload them until Monday. We've run out of broadband allowance because someone* watched far too many episodes of The Office and Dexter over here.

Other news in this 'disasters that happened this week' section of my blog, the MySky remote broke. Nooooooo!

But in good news, we're off to the Strawberry Fare tomorrow.

*yeah, yeah, that someone was me but I'm still cranky about it. Is there no way I can make it someone else's fault?

The interweb: there's truly something here for everyone.

Thanks In Case You Didn't Know

Oh Christmas Tree

I'm taking part in this Christmas ornament swap. Because going back to work* after 18 months at home with a kid who still wakes in the night was not enough to fill in my days.

I've started which, frankly, IS A FREAKING MIRACLE, but that's about all. I made one piece (only 29 more pieces to go... did I mention that I designed the most time consuming ornament EVER?) and had to open a bottle of wine**.

Blimey. I'm such an eeyore somedays. So, for those of you who are still reading after my grizzling, here's the silver lining - I can expect some precious, handmade ornaments for my Christmas tree this year. Yay to that.

*Yes, I have a new, full-time job. I've been meaning to write about it but, for one reason or another, I haven't. It's also one of those jobs where it's best not to talk to the interweb about it. Most excitingly, it means that Jules is now a full-time dad/house husband. It's like I've landed in feminist heaven. He even has my tea ready for me at 6. Still working on him greeting me at the door with my pipe and slippers. I'm going to make that a stretch goal in his performance review this year. Am I still blathering on about this? It appears I am.

**Jules, if you're reading this, please keep calm. I went for the moderately priced stuff i the cellar.

Oh. My. God.

A wedding to remember. That's all I say. Actually, one more thing - would you ever speak to him again?



Thanks I Hate The Earth.

Flowers a la Frou Frou