Leah's Halloween Swap Goodies

I thought it was about time I got my act together and blogged about the lovely goodies I received in the Halloween Swap.

The first of my 2 swap packages was from SqueezyCheese, and it was a beautiful necklace.

It's made from greeny/light jade beads that have a crackly pattern to them, interspirced with clear crystal beads.

The clasp is just adorable being a leaf design.

It came all wrapped up in an orange box.

My second package was from my mystery swap partner - and was full of goodies.

I got 2 FQ of fabric, plus 2 squares of felt - all halloween colours - I especially love the pumpkins!

Some spooky sweeties and a little cup with ghosties on - both of which my DD loved!!

And the piece-de-resistance - drum roll please - a pincushion.

The top of which has been cross-stitched with halloween motifs - a pumpkin, a bat, a ghost and my name initial dripping blood!

Thank you both ladies. Everything was lovely xxx

Chachargabor's goodies!

Fudge is absolutely scrummy, smells intoxicating and so moreish. DD in pictures, minimally dressed as usual [hmm] but decent enough, has had a good munch and carries the little bag around everywhere with her. Made up with this craft swap :)

Thell's swap goodies!

I am going to add the pictures you send me with your 'received' post as anything I write won't be as good as the excited first post after it turns up, so without further waffle, here's are Thell's gorgeous gifts!


Received my gifts this morning - thank you SO much!
I received a beautiful scarf and essential oil candle-melt, wrapped in very funky skull wrapping paper, both completely fab!

phantom knitter - you needn't have worried about colours as I love stripes too (I'm wearing a grey and black stripy top and hat today!), but thank you so very much for choosing the wool specially x x x

Lucky, lucky Jack!

My gorgeous swap has been ehre for a few days but DH kept 'needing' to use the camera...

Here they are in all their glory!
DD1 opening parcel
















Very pretty bags that have been put into use as dolly picnic bags
















Lana opens hers and Nessa's parcel


















A Punkin! (You can't see the beading on this, must get a better pic, it's so pretty, and is in Lana's bed as a dolly pillow)




















My gorgeous hand towel, I have tried to persuade DH to do the bathroom so we can put it in there!





















Close up of embroidered cat with beaded eye, so pretty!






















DH's present, some lovely sweets. I did point out that the parcel said for the ENTIRE FAMILY but it was too late, they had all been scoffed and/or hidden
















Lana's scariest face. Just for hahas

More sneaky peeks!

Some more sneaky peeks that I found as I was working out how to use my email

However, these are well worth the wait, how cute is that cat?
And knitting sneaky peeks are mean, and not even a clue for me as to what it is going to be

(It's not for me, but that doesn't mean I don't want to know!

Sneaky peaky peaks...

I know I said sneaky peak, but still!

New Swap!

Hello fellow MNer's.
Jack Bauer here just setting up the blog for our new Hallowe'en 2009 swap.
Important things to remember, send in info for your sender to JackBauerMN at gmail.com or post it on our thread.
Make your hallowe'en themed thing.
If you are feeling sneaky, send me a sneaky teaser pic of your project and I will post it up here to show off.
Other than that, have fun!

Jack
x

Happy Birthdays !

Ah September, the month of Birthdays !
We have had three in our immediate family plus another two if you count a cousin and Uncle. Plus, IT'S MY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW (on the 30th)

It was a very special birthday for my dad, his 70th. Where have all the years gone ? It's scary to think your parents are getting older and although they might drive us bonkers at times, we should be grateful that we still have them.

So, HAPPY 70th Birthday Dad ! You're a star and a poppet !!!!!! x

This little munchkin ? This is Chu-Harlie Farley Pudding and Pie ... Tilly's cousin on his 5th Birthday.
Fantastically, Dad and Charlie are both in Cornwall within 10 minutes of each other so we were able to celebrate both birthdays whilst down there. Charlie enjoyed a soft play party and Boo loved it as I don't often allow her to go as they are stinky, dirty and dangerous places up here in Berkshire. They are a last resort for me ... What a cruel mum eh ?
But the Bude Soft play was lovey and clean, fairly calm and a great layout.


Sammy, Charlie and Boo waiting for their party food, FIRST in the queue ! Samuel likes his food, his day revolves around what he's going to have for breakfast then lunch then dinner. Mind youhe has long legs to fill ...


Auntie Sah-wah cutting the fab Dino cake she made. Not sure about the manic expression on her face though. Charlie is having hysterics, can you see his face ? And look at Boo, chomping at the bit for a bit of cake. She's practically sitting on the table.


Blowing out the candles with Samuel unintentionally doing it too. He! He!


Let me at it, let me at it ... Can I have the choc buttons, ooh and the chocolate finger biscuits too. Ooh, ooh and butter icing too. Yum,yum !


A very happy party indeedy. Happy Birthday Charlie x


Sara made dad a delicious birthday cake that we took to the restuarant. Unfortunately, I am allergic to strawberries so I just sniffed it ...


We bought dad a new computer for his birthday between us all and even with a picture on the box he still had no idea what it was. He loves typing up his Fly Fishing notes but the computer he was using was a tad ancient and in danger of losing all his work.


Realisation ... Bless him, he was speechless.


We all went out in the evening for a meal. All of us, altogether ... it rarely happens, but it was lovely that we could do it.


Dad, Mum and Holly (my niece)


Me and Sara, looking very Turqwahs ... (That's posh speak for Turquoise).


Boo looking well chuffed after kidnapping Holly, her cousin. I think she might still be tied up in the pub ...


And here is Stan, Sara's new Neddy, just coming in from his Bo Bo's.


Isn't he a handsome chap ? He's flippin HUGE too ! I'd get vertigo if I rode him. He's an ex-racehorse who must think he's died and gone to heaven.


Stan having a cuddle with his mum, Sara .... I can but dream eh ?
Still, I have Archie, he keeps me busy enough so don't think I'd have time for any more four legged pals.

But, ssh ... Guess what ? Don't tell anyone but I am riding again on Friday after about 15 years out of the saddle. I'm having a half hour assessment first then hopefully it'll be a weekly occurance followed by coffee and cake afterwards. It's got to be worth it, just for that bit hasn't it ?

I'll let you know how I get on. I'm expecting not to be able to walk for a week afterwards !

testing testing!

just gave another mumsnetter the details for this sorely neglected blog
and wanted to check it all still worked!


well it seems to!

x vInTaGe VioLeT x

Happy Blogiversary To Me

I realised today that yesterday was the anniversary of me starting this blog. Amazing that the year went so quickly! I have really enjoyed blogging during the year and have made some lovely blog friends. During the year I have gone from making cards to cross-stitch and from there on to jewellery making. It has been a bit of a rollercoaster!

So...

...to me!

I really hope to be blogging this time next year.

Loony Dook!

Hope everyone had a great New Year. I stayed sober 'cos I had plans to take part in the Loony Dook on the 1st - a bunch of us jumped into the freezing cold River Forth to raise money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Mum did it last year & was the first to sign up to do it again so I did it in her memory - it's amazing what seems a good idea when you've had a drink!

This is my Auntie Holda (mum's sister) holding me in the water!



I even lost a shoe! My feet were totally numb & I didn't even feel it come off. I certainly wasn't going back in to look for it :0D

On a crafting front, I've been having fun with my spinning wheel & have spun up some Falkland roving into this -



which is in the process of being crocheted into a headband - pics to follow soon.

S x

Sad news & a chance to help a charity

Hiya everyone - long time no see.

I haven't posted here in ages (I've barely posted on mine own blog too) as RL has been giving me a good kicking recently.

My mum was diagnosed with lung cancer back in April - containable but not curable, they said so we were hopeful that with the right care mum would have at least a few decent years left. That was until we discovered it had spread to her brainstem. Mum fought bravely, never once complaing or feeling sorry for herself but sadly on 17th November the cancer won. I feel like such a hole has been left in my life & can't see it ever being filled.

My sister Laura, who has been thinking about doing something mad for charity for a while, has booked herself a solo skydive for 7th February 2009 (the day after what would have been mum's 57th birthday). To help her reach her £1000 target I'm running a prize draw on my blog to win handspun yarn, hand-dyed spinning fibre (also fab for wet felting), stitch markers, etsy gift certs & a project bag - all prizes donated by some of the lovely ladies on the ravelry UK Spinners forum. Every £2 donated gets 1 entry into the draw which is open until 21st December & is open to everyone, everywhere. Full details on the prizes & how to enter can be found on my blog.



Left to right - me, mum & Laura

A bit fed up ... No, not about dog poo this time

I don't know who put the sign on our front door that said 'All bugs please stop here' ... but thanks very much !
We spent Saturday afternoon at the out of hours doctors surgery at our local hospital after a terrible night with Boo's croup. How busy was it ? If you don't go in with something you certainly come out with something with all the coughing, spluttering, sneezing and breathing going on.
The croup has subsided but Miss Boo has been left with a horrible irritating night time cough. Sleep? What's that ? Everytime we nod off another coughing extravaganza kicks off. The whole house stinks of Olbas Oil - which is actually quite comforting. Mr Boo will come back from his travels, open up the front door and think he's stepped into the local chemist. What with the pong and the various bottle of Calpol, Nurofen, cough linctus, the inhaler, the steam breathing cup and the giant bottle of Olbas Oil.

You may wonder what the above photo of 'Charlie' the Springer has to do with all this ? Nothing, absolutely nothing but all will be revealed (possibly) in another post soon. That's all I'm saying.


Miss Boo was an angel in her nativity play and wanted wavy 'Angel' hair so we put lots of little plaits in damp hair and Voila ! Isn't it fab ? Very Pans People/ Legs and Co. for those of you who can remember them.


I just love it ! How much hair ? I've been toying with getting it cut shorter but not now, it'd be criminal.
A few odd bits and pieces. Another hair clip zipper pouch for a friend at school and a little hanging for Miss Boo's teacher as an end of term christmas gift. I'm going to make something else too and just thought something handmade would be a bit more special. She's a lovely teacher and Miss Boo loves her.



It's made from a Mohair and Wool wrap that I found in a little charity shop in Cornwall and then I felted it. The colours are wonderful, a mixture of blues and greens and it's a shame the photo's don't do them justice. It's sooooooo soft too.

Short post tonight as most of my time has been spent de-lurgyfying Boo so not a lot of crafting or otherwise going on. I've got my last event on Sunday, it's a traditional Christmas Market within the grounds of Heckfield Place, Nr Hook, Hampshire if anyone is local. It's all in aid of Naomi House, our local children's Hospice which is such an important cause. It sounds very festive with lots going on such as Head Chef cooking demonstrations, Heckfield Place History & Garden Walks, Wine Tasting plus lots more so if you are in the area please do come along and support it.

www.heckfieldplace.com
www.naomihouse.org.uk/

The Whizzz 'To Do' List

I'm having a stall at DSs school Christmas Fair on Saturday so I need to :

• dig out my notes of what sold well last year
• price up some of my bits & bobs
• make a few cheaper things (memory wire bangles, phone & bag charms etc)
• collect lots of pound coins & change together
• when complete - pack all stuff into plastic carry box ready for Saturday!

Thankfully I have enough 'stock' so am fairly organised as far as general stuff to take is concerned! It's always a mad few hours though & I have learnt that all stock + table cloth must be kid-mess-proof !!

Anyone around???

Come on ladies...I thought I'd give this blog a bit of a kick and post my to do list this week.

I have set a goal of 8 cards to make. 7 Christmas and 1 Birthday card.

Here is the first one!

Despite having a hectic week ahead, I have commited myself......come and give me a boost and show me what you want to achieve this week!

new crafters forum

there is a new craft forum called crafteroo - it's only a week old and very friendly - there will be a few familiar faces too ! i've tried to add a link but it doesn't seem to be working for me today!!!
will try again tomorrow x vInTaGe VioLeT x

A parcel from America.

Well I got a parcel from my swap parcel in America and here is what she sent me (the cat doll), how gorgeous is that!! Dd loves it (of course, she's 'borrowed' it) and it has joined various Gingermonkey toys on her bed, she still sleeps with that lavender mouse that GM made for me. I have parcelled my swap up now I've just got to make the trek to the post office and await with baited breath the arrival of it on the other side of the pond. Thanks M.

Inbetween battling with my doll swap (the hair required tackling a sewing needle and I think you might have guessed by now that handsewing is not my favourite activity), I knocked up a cotton shopping bag. I'm heartily fed up of carrying around a plastic asda 'green' reusuable bag, so I crocheted my own, much better looking alternative to put the 'green' carrier bag in!!. It's fine for lighter shopping but I fear 4 pints of milk may end in carnage!! By the time this photo was taken it had been used for several weeks and I can roll it up and just stick it in my (not exceptionally big) handbag. Soothing therapy and usefulness all rolled up in one little package, bliss.

Inspired by a conversation on a crafting forum (and those responsible for it's inclusion here.... you know who you are ;-) ) I just had to have this charming late 60s pant suit as pattern of the week, I culled it from a dog eared booklet in a collection of patterns that my mum gave me. I do love this booklet in a deeply unironic way, not only does it include bikinis and a knitted all in one playsuit (the joy!!), it also has a crocheted mod wedding dress, complete with cloche type cap. Really it's enough to make you hyperventilate!!

New swap at Mee Crafty

Hiya
Just wanted to let you all know that I'm doing another swap.
Its a 2 week sign up and a month project, so lots of time.
Here
x

Candy Challenge

Well it seems like it's taken me forever to get round to doing this & all I have come up with is this simple bracelet. These beads just remind me of wrapped sweets!

Cupcakes, Candy and Ice Cream- A Craft Challenge

Cupcakes, Candy and Ice Cream- A Craft Challenge

Who can resist the lure of freshly baked and iced cupcakes, sticky sweet candy, and ice cream melting on a hot summer day? This challenge is to craft something with a cupcake, candy or ice cream theme an essential part of summertime and of childhood. Knit an ice cream cone, paint a cupcake, make a card with candy shapes, create jewellery in candy coloured tones, or create softies in candy coloured fabrics. If you need more inspiration feel free to sit down with a bar of chocolate, or a bowl of ice cream, or a handful of your children’s gummy sweets, essential crafting materials most assuredly. So have fun and try not to get too much of a sugar high.