New projects

Hi

Well, firstly, I wore the dress and it got great reactions. I still felt very conscious in it, but I had to suck it up and go with it. I got loads of compliments and lots of 'where did you buy it from?' I got a couple on my assets too!!! Everytime I went to the loo, I re wrapped it in a different style and people, said 'have you changed your dress?'. We did giggle about it!!

I have another birthday bash coming up in 2 weeks and I am already thinking I will make another dress. I can't wear this latest one because it is the same people!!

I have started a new project this week. My first attempt at hand applique. I'm not quite sure where the inspiration came from, and why I have started with such a difficult design. I have stitched the green circle into place and a couple of the flowers. The flowers, once stitched on, now look like stars and bells!!! It is also my first time using freezer paper. I found it quite frustrating, because it started to peel away from the fabric after a few stitches. 

I will post my progress later in the week. 

My lil man is really into snails at the moment, which is not surprisingly really, because there seems to be tons in my garden, eating plants n veg. AAGGHH

He managed to get in the garden in his pj's and picked up this little snail. He started shouting 'GOOD MORNING' until it popped out of it's shell, and it did!! He was determined to bring into the house and put it on the fireplace and it crawled into my large tea light lantern. It seemed to enjoy moving in and out of the little holes and 'A' just found it hysterical when it peeped it's head out! 

We made it a little bed in a box with some leaves, but only if he promised to set him free at the childminders (it can eat her plants for a while!!!) 

Hard times with lil man recently. The usual tantrums, anger and sibling jealousy issues. I just need to keep it together and ride it out!

Well, not much going on here. Hopefully, more exciting craftiness next week. 

Kel x 

Posh parties and new frocks

Hello all,

I have a posh birthday party to go to on saturday in York and wanted something special to wear. I thought it would be a great idea to make something. Agggh why do I have these ideas.

I debated over patterns, fabric and notions.

I finally decided on the infinity dress (check it out on pinterest). Now, I am not the slimmest of women, I am quite top heavy you could say!!

I searched patterns and patterns and finally found one, that seemed quite simple here at Sew like my Mom. Love it. But, thought it would be quite revealing, and then realised she made a bandeau for hers, and here is the pattern.

I went to my local fabric store and ummm'd n arrrr'd and found some fabric I like with a good weight.

Here we are all finished.  

I love it but my top half looks so big and i'm not sure whether it suits me.  I am not over weight,  and the rest of my body looks 'ok' (could always make changes!!!) O h what to do?

The issue also is, I made the mistake of trying it on all the time and I started to pick fault with my body and become increasingly self conscious. 

I wasn't going to drink, but I think I may need one for courage before I leave the hotel room!!! 

I will let you know if I wear it, or drag something old out my wardrobe!!! 

Kel xx

Ta dah!!! for the granny stripe blanket

Hi

Just a quick post to say I have finally finished the granny square blanket from the tutorial from Attic24.

It is absolutely huge. To be totally honest i almost gave up on the darn thing. It isn't quite the size I would like but it is big enough. 

The kids call it the rainbow blanket. 

It didn't last long on my bed, it went straight down stairs on the sofa, the floor, the chairs and many more places. I hope it lasts the test of time!!!

I am trying to post a picture of Shrewsbury every time I blog or at least once a week. Just to show you how beautiful it is.

This is the view from the English bridge over the River Severn. In the distance you can just see the spire of St Mary's church and the building in front of that, hiding behind the tree's is The Parade Shopping centre, where my studio is. 

The path along the river is the one I cycle along. I don't cycle this far on, but this path tends to flood quite often when the water level rises. 

This was back in February. This is the English bridge where I took the picture from above, just the other day.

Finally, to make you saw 'aaawwww' . . . 

A little blue tit. I found it on the church wall. We think it fell out of its nest (not so smiley), we could hear its mother chirping for it, and the this little fella was calling back, but we couldn't get it back to its nest. 

Hoping it kept safe and managed to get to its nest. 

Take care

Kel x 

Making the most of it

Hello

I hope you are enjoying the half term break and the weather is good for you all.

I went to Yorkshire on Sunday until Monday and we had a great time. but it wasn't long enough.

When we arrived on Sunday, we wanted to make the most of it, so we went off to tropical world.

We saw tortoises, meerkats and their babies (too cute!!), sea life, crocodiles, boas, pythons and loads of other creatures. 

It was so hot in there and we soon made a quick exit once we had seen the majority of things. 

We then headed off into Roundhay park and jumped onto the land train down to the lovely cafe and back. 

It's such a big and beautiful park, but the kids just had one thing in mind . . . the fun fair. Aggghhh, I am not a fan of them. I think they are over priced, but, the kids are just drawn to the flashing lights, the music and the adrenalin of the rides. I wanted to go into the gardens, but no, no, no, peace and quiet was out of the question!!!

On Monday we took a stroll around the local park and fed the ducks. Unfortunately the ducks were full and over fed!!!

Again, wanted to do a walk around the lovely gardens and nature trail, but oh no, the laughter from the park and the ice cream van was calling the little ones in!!!

I managed a little walk, but for about 5 minutes!!

Post soon, hopefully with some new crochet, or even a W.I.P finished!!

Kel x 

Spring in a pot

Hello, 

Hope your are well.

I just wanted to show you my lovely little jug I painted. I decided that I was going to paint something for my self, for the studio, something to hold small delicate flowers. 

Ta dah! It turned out really well, so sweet. I'm so pleased. I wanted the look of a summer cottage garden or wild flower meadow. I filled it with fresh sweet williams and popped outside the studio on a little table . . . love it. I kept glancing over and feeling rather pleased and springy!!!

The thing with pottery painting is you have an idea when you start out . . . the colours are very pale and absorb into the bisque, you never know how it will turn out once it is glazed and fired. Sometimes you start out with one idea and the paints and brush strokes take you somewhere else. I am always excited to open the kiln at the end of a firing (with fingers crossed that everything has turned out well)!!

I am going to Yorkshire tomorrow for a one night stay, not long enough but looking forward to it.
Take care
Kel x 

(p.s thanks again Joy for the picture collage tips, love it)

I am going to Yarndale again whoohoo!!

Hello all,

Sorry I haven't been blogging much recently. I have gone from 0 hours of work per week to at least 37.5 hours a week. It was a bit of a shock to the system for me and the rest of the house, but it is worth it!! I need to be mega organised . . . I'm still working on that!!!

I do miss my home time, and little A keeps saying 'I miss you at work Mum' awwww, pulling on the heart strings. He has also started the school nursery this term. He is finding it very hard and fighting back the tears. My daughter just didn't have the issues, she would go anywhere at anytime, so much confidence for a youngster!!

Anyway, like I said before, I have been neglecting my blogs recently and I woke (not naturally, by a 6 year old, gggrrrr) this morning and after telling a grumpy child to go back to bed, I couldn't get back to sleep. So, I grabbed my phone and checked out Attic 24's blog and realised that Yarndale is coming up and she has a crochet Mandala challenge. This spurred me to book my hotel for Skipton , my tickets for Yarndale and get my hook out. I'm not sure when I will do it, maybe in my sleep!!!

All I need now is for someone to mind the studio whilst I am in Yarndale . . . any takers???

Here's a little gallery of what I've been up to (Anyone know how to do a picture table in blogger the easy way? I have tried and tried to no joy)

Pebbles

Pottery

A few of my favourite things

My beautiful town in which I live in. Quirky and full of history.

Family time and bbq's!!

It's taken me almost a week to write this post because I have been trying to fit my pics into a tale and getting frustrated. I have given up . . . .HELP.

Kel x 

A misty morn . . .

Hello

I fancied cycling into work today. I am so glad I did.

It was a crisp, fresh morning. It really blew the cobwebs away. 

I pootled along and it only took my 10 minutes until . . . .

I get to St Mary's water lane.

This pic is from half way up the hill, looking down. 

You can just see the arch way at the bottom of this STEEP hill.

This is looking up the hill from half way point. 

I certainly didn't cycle it. I pushed the darn thing up. 

Oh my poor thighs did hurt at the top.

It is too dangerous to ride down it too, hence, why they put railings at the bottom. 

I'm sure there's been a few people flying into the river at the bottom. 

I shall be taking this trip more often.

Feel the pain, feel the burn.

Hope you are all cool xx