tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74357255796937598232024-03-20T11:37:08.702+00:00Granny RuthUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7435725579693759823.post-21807155046565632872010-07-27T21:24:00.002+01:002010-07-27T21:37:38.543+01:00Moving to Pastures NewI have wrestled with this site for some time now. As a blog it was fine, but I wanted a website that was a destination point for all of my web based shenanigans and unfortunately this was never going to be it! <div><br /></div><div>I tried, I really did to follow <a href="http://haptreeandme.blogspot.com/">Hilary Haptree</a>' s blogging tips, but it was no use. They did not make any sense in the pea sized part of my brain reserved for computer jargon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then I happened upon a free website hosting service which I thought I would give a try (quite reservedly at first as it wouldn't be the first time I had tried to use a 'template' website to no avail).</div><div><br /></div><div>But Lo and Behold! It is ruddy fantastic! I know have everything I could possibly want (for the time being) under one banner at my shiny new website.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have absolutely no idea how to import this blog into my new blog so I am here to tell all my lovely shiny followers that you can continue to follow me at <a href="http://grannyruth.webs.com/">www.grannyruth.webs.com</a> were you can find out how to shop, tweet, facebook and blog with Granny Ruth! You can even sign up and become a member and be emailed with updates! It's so exciting! What are you waiting for?</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm off over there now....</div><div><br /></div><div>Who wants to join me?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7435725579693759823.post-69579195117087782732010-06-08T11:45:00.002+01:002010-06-08T12:04:50.091+01:00The Postie brought a Present....I have been growing my own for many years now, so much so I pride my self with being the instigator of many of my friends new found passion for growing their own too. I used to have an allotment until we moved to our current house and I couldn't keep up with the overgrown garden and the allotment too. The one thing I always grow is tomatoes. Love them. Love the smell of the plants. But not this year. I have been so busy, I just never got around to planting those little seeds. This made me sad.<div><br /></div><div>But...........<br /><div><br /></div><div>I was just sitting down for a cup of tea around eleven o'clock when the familiar rattle of the letter box went. Look what the postie brought me! <div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGdWpU0CGre5V-LgmZf5FpVplRoBvBxt6lFU1d1RbZGGTQZNapJ51gR6oXZlrBPfp2T411gt0pqZ7XPE33Y0g_ws_tqNlIUlhnIoZiqaYV_B-zXWMuwtdhh8FEho_1wJK5oJweWWjPHTk/s1600/DSCF5835.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGdWpU0CGre5V-LgmZf5FpVplRoBvBxt6lFU1d1RbZGGTQZNapJ51gR6oXZlrBPfp2T411gt0pqZ7XPE33Y0g_ws_tqNlIUlhnIoZiqaYV_B-zXWMuwtdhh8FEho_1wJK5oJweWWjPHTk/s400/DSCF5835.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480352646087557922" /></a><br /></div><div>The lovely Sarah of <a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/noahsarkcrafts">Noah's Ark Crafts</a> has been growing hundreds of tomato plants with the seeds she got from <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/digin/">BBC Dig In Campaign</a> and has very generously been sharing her well grown bounty with her twitter friends. She sent me a very expertly packaged parcel containing six tomato plants, and nestled in between them, I also found a bonus couple of what looks like pepper plants, and another teeny weeny tomato. They have now been potted up and are resting their very weary roots in a tray of water.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am now very much looking forward to lots of lovely tomatoes this summer with great thanks to Sarah and her generosity!</div><div><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7435725579693759823.post-26314629410055885342010-03-12T11:08:00.011+00:002010-03-12T11:48:22.651+00:00Folksy FridayA lot of my lovely Folksy friends do a 'Folksy Friday' which if you've had your head under a stone for the last couple of years is the day we show off a few of our favourite Folksy items usually with a theme.<br /><br />I have been itching to take part in the Folksy Friday tradition but there is soooooo much lovely stuff I like and I couldn't think of a theme, until last night when I saw a lovely listing by <a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/BirdcageCreative">Birdcage Creative</a> and then I knew! So, after my giveaway last week here is my first Folksy Friday with a lovely spring daffodil theme.<div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HLgDL7NZWe8/S5okIH-QUQI/AAAAAAAAAGY/3bmpKEDe6n4/s1600-h/daffodil-necklace-large-on-green-5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HLgDL7NZWe8/S5okIH-QUQI/AAAAAAAAAGY/3bmpKEDe6n4/s320/daffodil-necklace-large-on-green-5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447706421255753986" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HLgDL7NZWe8/S5omd8Gkj9I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/N2ydaVTE7yI/s1600-h/daffs2+(1).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HLgDL7NZWe8/S5omd8Gkj9I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/N2ydaVTE7yI/s320/daffs2+(1).jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447708995049787346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HLgDL7NZWe8/S5omZKn3KyI/AAAAAAAAAHI/S_lUx8sMy8A/s1600-h/Daffodilsp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HLgDL7NZWe8/S5omZKn3KyI/AAAAAAAAAHI/S_lUx8sMy8A/s320/Daffodilsp.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447708913048169250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HLgDL7NZWe8/S5omRLORalI/AAAAAAAAAHA/AQ-3ybzgNr8/s1600-h/yellow_roses_crop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HLgDL7NZWe8/S5omRLORalI/AAAAAAAAAHA/AQ-3ybzgNr8/s320/yellow_roses_crop.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447708775770319442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64hk6Ej7GraanNL0GP44sBx1iP7D4HgHbubNS_exaYIuwtKFw_w6DRxy_oSQ-SxmUf2hnQKSBLKzY3rYKhSTj11A0fFy9VxK5ztq3OwkijipBvHh0drF6HqTWeA2yEji0tqA-AMBeP6jg/s1600-h/daffohdilly.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64hk6Ej7GraanNL0GP44sBx1iP7D4HgHbubNS_exaYIuwtKFw_w6DRxy_oSQ-SxmUf2hnQKSBLKzY3rYKhSTj11A0fFy9VxK5ztq3OwkijipBvHh0drF6HqTWeA2yEji0tqA-AMBeP6jg/s320/daffohdilly.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447708620524360514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HLgDL7NZWe8/S5omDABhflI/AAAAAAAAAGw/0M4EOp3pZu0/s1600-h/daffodils_1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HLgDL7NZWe8/S5omDABhflI/AAAAAAAAAGw/0M4EOp3pZu0/s320/daffodils_1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447708532245888594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HLgDL7NZWe8/S5ol9ya-e1I/AAAAAAAAAGo/Tqw6HvCQc2Q/s1600-h/daff3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HLgDL7NZWe8/S5ol9ya-e1I/AAAAAAAAAGo/Tqw6HvCQc2Q/s320/daff3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447708442695203666" /></a><br /><br />From Top</div><div><br /></div><div>Spring Daffodil Necklace £11 by <a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/BirdcageCreative">Birdcage Creative</a><br />Daffodil Earrings £8.50 by <a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/Wychbury">Wychbury</a></div><div>Free Machine Embroidered Daffodil Cushion £35 by <a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/Maxemilia">Maxemilia</a> </div><div>Yellow Roses - Original Watercolour Painting £155 by <a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/DickandFranny">Dick & Franny</a></div><div>Daff-Oh-Dilly £1.50 by <a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/hannahmadden">Hannah Madden</a></div><div>Spring Daffodils £22 by <a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/FleursDePerles">Fleurs De Perles</a></div><div>Fine Silver Daffodil £45 by <a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/willowwirecreations">Willow Wire Creations</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7435725579693759823.post-12776629955291070912010-03-08T19:38:00.005+00:002010-03-08T21:51:06.232+00:00Slave Bread<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZYrA9_bEcHbvhtBfNoS1I1WCotzv0ccBjJloofNaGan4VU-9_ihMtOyJDPjqhKyhbS-cTrSAMwBeKmPqNwh7jv4bFKGXzR3N5q5JjSOoqaWoPdlb33kT8n4tpC_y8HSAf4l7kTxlgeun/s1600-h/IMG_0564.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZYrA9_bEcHbvhtBfNoS1I1WCotzv0ccBjJloofNaGan4VU-9_ihMtOyJDPjqhKyhbS-cTrSAMwBeKmPqNwh7jv4bFKGXzR3N5q5JjSOoqaWoPdlb33kT8n4tpC_y8HSAf4l7kTxlgeun/s320/IMG_0564.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446382676616969394" /></a><br />Today my slaves... er... I mean my children decided they wanted to do some cooking, so instead of the usual fairy cakes I thought bread would be a whole lot more useful, and considerably more interactive!<div><br /></div><div>The recipe we used was from 'The Ultimate Cooking Book by Jane Bull (pub DK), so is very simple to use but with little fuss could be jazzed up with herbs or olives or sun dried tomatoes. This is a fab childrens cookery book, and as my daughter is now 8, she can do everything in here with very little help (interference) from an adult.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIULtbjNv471taLc6JS29Kfusp7CtRz9skJoxQvEyICZ_ecpASpxZ9qa_4ShRz3auAXNYQyXjRYQQAEFtNiqmiLIXk769dk7K9_6gQHGhSG_smDGDn2q3R6ZfC1GqitClskVw5QWwhQBJa/s1600-h/IMG_0565.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIULtbjNv471taLc6JS29Kfusp7CtRz9skJoxQvEyICZ_ecpASpxZ9qa_4ShRz3auAXNYQyXjRYQQAEFtNiqmiLIXk769dk7K9_6gQHGhSG_smDGDn2q3R6ZfC1GqitClskVw5QWwhQBJa/s320/IMG_0565.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446383184388046674" /></a><br /></div><div>750g 1 1/2 lb strong white bread flour</div><div>450ml 3/4 pint warm water</div><div>1 tspn salt</div><div>2 tblspn oil </div><div>7g (1 sachet) easy blend yeast</div><div>1 egg (optional) to glaze.</div><div><br /></div><div>makes 8 large or 10 smaller rolls.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>1. Put all the ingredients except the egg in a large bowl and mix them together.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. Sprinkle the worktop with flour and take the mixture out of the bowl.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. To knead, press your fist hard into the dough, then turn it and do it again.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Knead for 10 minutes. The dough should be stretchy, not sticky.</div><div><br /></div><div>5. Divide the dough into smaller pieces or pull off chunks to plat with.</div><div><br /></div><div>6. Choose a design, try making faces!</div><div><br /></div><div>7. Set the oven to 220 degrees C/ Gas Mark 7</div><div><br /></div><div>8. Place rolls on a greased baking tray making sure you place the shapes as far away from each other as possible.</div><div><br /></div><div>9. Cover the tray loosely with clingfilm and leave it in a warm place. Leave it until it's double it's size, approx 30 minutes.</div><div><br /></div><div>10. Brush the bread with beaten egg and decorate with nuts, seeds and dried fruit if desired.</div><div><br /></div><div>11. Bake for 10-20 mins. The smaller shapes will cook quicker, so take them out sooner.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2M6EcIUfB0CK4ZfDef0xRc_5VCr_OMZKvyyEmT_4ZWL1KSpxa4PbAbE3NrGzbbAniN5FNGUqbA3DmTY9KYqcPxQ_f_6-hZA9hojKoo-Obwq0uVOwBlvj0kqN9vVthoyDd9FQMmgNa1Xa/s1600-h/IMG_0568.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2M6EcIUfB0CK4ZfDef0xRc_5VCr_OMZKvyyEmT_4ZWL1KSpxa4PbAbE3NrGzbbAniN5FNGUqbA3DmTY9KYqcPxQ_f_6-hZA9hojKoo-Obwq0uVOwBlvj0kqN9vVthoyDd9FQMmgNa1Xa/s320/IMG_0568.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446383650346427090" /></a><br /></div><div>The kids had so much fun making these, the squidgy dough making part was great, and then their artistic side was won over by fashioning bread rolls into all sorts of shapes. We had hedgehogs, ladybirds and even a cat! Funny faces and wiggly worms too! And I have to say, it was so tasty, I might have to force them to make some more!</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7435725579693759823.post-28187621268560721172010-03-08T09:37:00.002+00:002010-03-08T09:49:09.329+00:00And the winner is.....<div>Firstly I would like to say thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway. It really <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">exceeded</span> my expectations, and I loved reading about <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">every one's</span> favourite flowers! It has given me food for thought, a lot of ideas, and you never know maybe one day you could purchase a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">felty</span> version of your favourite flowers!</div><div><br /></div>So last night before I went to bed (couldn't help it, too excited to sleep (sad but true)), I very scientifically picked a winner at random! I wrote <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">every one's</span> names on a bit of paper, tore it into strips and folded, put them all in my magic name calling pot (plant pot), shook them up, closed my eyes and picked........<div><br /></div><div>Sarah of <a href="http://noahsarkcrafts.blogspot.com/">Noah's Ark Crafts</a>! Well done to you!</div><div><br /></div><div>I will be contacting Sarah today but thank you again to all who entered!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7435725579693759823.post-66895421493251090622010-03-08T00:37:00.002+00:002010-03-08T00:39:53.629+00:00Wow!Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway! I have been really overawed by how many people entered. I never expected to have so many new followers, so thanks to you all for the follow, and as it is quite late I'm going to bed and I will announce the winner tomorrow!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7435725579693759823.post-19464173350183072092010-03-01T13:34:00.006+00:002010-03-01T13:55:27.273+00:00Spring is Sprung!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYa5MZ6sNOiAtlzD6MiIk0wHd5hUySua6gXY9TPClMJ9xBe9ebFk_u9m-8_JxI5osZ0bGb9uVzbJESVvhyYHKIjBRC-_xp-vPgEBTgIbdHcDGUwbqAggt8n5bpP5XRa2smZNTUoC3Of6ab/s1600-h/DSCF5603.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYa5MZ6sNOiAtlzD6MiIk0wHd5hUySua6gXY9TPClMJ9xBe9ebFk_u9m-8_JxI5osZ0bGb9uVzbJESVvhyYHKIjBRC-_xp-vPgEBTgIbdHcDGUwbqAggt8n5bpP5XRa2smZNTUoC3Of6ab/s320/DSCF5603.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443659619103796562" /></a><br />Hello everybody! I've been very busy this past month (as always) and not had time to blog or sit and mooch on the internet, so as it is today officially SPRING, and St Davids Day I thought I would have a little competition to celebrate, and what better prize that my new daffodil brooch which I finished at the weekend!<div><br /></div><div>These brooches will soon be available in my <a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/grannyruth">Folksy Shop</a> and make great spring gifts. Mothers Day, Easter alternatives to chocolate, and just a lovely treat to cheer yourself up after the grey winter months!</div><div><br /></div><div>To win one of your very own, all you need to do is (if you haven't already) click to follow my blog, tweet about this competition, and leave a comment below telling me what your favourite flower is, and why! You never know, one day it might even be immortalised in felt! The competition ends on Sunday 7th March at 12pm. Good luck!<br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghF_d8bzKArlvLLdBlGpbb1C4a9iMput3i14FAGa_3ch-dhFJY2gvHCp5qX4t7ID-3uOK3H28OPWkPFGj7cBYLkRg1yMUsmFav8SlWDXU26TKCY_IW8hMcVWNePw9Kkx3vHqNKiPG4GIFa/s1600-h/Daffodil+Brooch+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghF_d8bzKArlvLLdBlGpbb1C4a9iMput3i14FAGa_3ch-dhFJY2gvHCp5qX4t7ID-3uOK3H28OPWkPFGj7cBYLkRg1yMUsmFav8SlWDXU26TKCY_IW8hMcVWNePw9Kkx3vHqNKiPG4GIFa/s320/Daffodil+Brooch+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443658731177791042" /></a></div> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7435725579693759823.post-24702233439108395742010-02-01T10:00:00.002+00:002010-02-01T10:04:51.965+00:00My First Feature!<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/46770150@N08/4318593129/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4318593129_94526bde1e_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style=" margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.9em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/46770150@N08/4318593129/">Fabulous Felt Florals</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/46770150@N08/">Folksy Weddings</a></span></div>After a mad dash with the kids to school, I came back home through the sprinkling of snow we had overnight to be greeted by some excited tweets from my crafty Folksy friends, so I headed over to the <a href="http://folksyweddings.blogspot.com/2010/02/monday-florals-fabulous-felt.html">Folksy Weddings</a> blog to have a look!<br /><br />And here it is! My first feature! And I must say a big thank you to the fabulous Anna at <a href="http://www.folksy.com/users/eviegeorge">EvieGeorge</a> for considering me, I had never thought of using my pin pots as wedding favours or table pieces before! Just goes to show you how other people look at the world with a different slant on it!<br /><br />So, if you happen to be getting married this summer, keep me in mind. You could always use my rose brooches as corsages as well!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7435725579693759823.post-16551802348778344052010-01-29T11:58:00.002+00:002010-01-29T12:00:31.400+00:00Ta DaaaaaaaaI have nothing more to say than this.....<div><br /></div><div>I have finished my accounts, and I have filed my tax return.</div><div><br /></div><div>*breathes a huge sign of relief and goes to put the kettle on*</div><div><br /></div><div>Will some one <i>PLEASE </i>tell me to start in April next time?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7435725579693759823.post-33476003647271255092010-01-16T22:45:00.005+00:002010-01-16T22:57:23.907+00:00Felty FlowersI thought you might like to have a little look see at my new pin cushions. I am very excited about them. They are all based on actual flowers, have a see if you recognise any. You can have a sneak preview before they actually make their way onto Folksy! I can't list them yet as I am waiting for my packaging to arrive. Yawn! Been a week now! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-k-FoiNiQmtoXuBBwZVLLOupjYVSyTevbXSlXe-KUr70iwYFhVKjzDvATjxeFNVzcpQl3XdZeppsQZOF37hJ6QuW_BPgK7FZc32An9t2VGufn3VwZXGjwl7UFAlsvxCzXuaQYoVftcLQN/s1600-h/DSCF5342.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-k-FoiNiQmtoXuBBwZVLLOupjYVSyTevbXSlXe-KUr70iwYFhVKjzDvATjxeFNVzcpQl3XdZeppsQZOF37hJ6QuW_BPgK7FZc32An9t2VGufn3VwZXGjwl7UFAlsvxCzXuaQYoVftcLQN/s320/DSCF5342.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427473895687565842" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This one is based on the common daisy. The cheery little flower that grows in the lawn</span>.</div></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_61nOuXTOYvmvGMIJO6GCfmFxhKO2xN61oV2sl8bLKrop10K87TRcIwRSQJajegfjC_4MlVXuqwhb5tVB2ySig77QBpc4FygL7TL_6s5igI3hnAu4p0DJN48G1-Biz2kj3BAamhS1qyu/s1600-h/DSCF5351.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_61nOuXTOYvmvGMIJO6GCfmFxhKO2xN61oV2sl8bLKrop10K87TRcIwRSQJajegfjC_4MlVXuqwhb5tVB2ySig77QBpc4FygL7TL_6s5igI3hnAu4p0DJN48G1-Biz2kj3BAamhS1qyu/s320/DSCF5351.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427474561321215106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This one is based on the Aster. A relative of the daisy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BPOHPA4kANTJC9rszj__XUf_uLDIXTJaIsI-DcDM6qirf_l05EwBoCnBm-_F-PBAOeoKU_9Dasz1XX2ocZy_TzJK8vEvDyNlfUoZQdbkryFuml9enJa0Qr6mEuOMN3HqODocNn5VoNNT/s1600-h/DSCF5376.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BPOHPA4kANTJC9rszj__XUf_uLDIXTJaIsI-DcDM6qirf_l05EwBoCnBm-_F-PBAOeoKU_9Dasz1XX2ocZy_TzJK8vEvDyNlfUoZQdbkryFuml9enJa0Qr6mEuOMN3HqODocNn5VoNNT/s320/DSCF5376.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427475032482806978" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And this one is based on Rudbekia. One of my favourite flowers.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7435725579693759823.post-86049182225874102562010-01-15T22:19:00.003+00:002010-01-15T22:53:18.166+00:00New BeginningsThe lovely winter wonderland is a distant memory now, and everything is turning into a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">distasteful</span> grey slush. We are only just beginning to get back into our routine. The kids schools have been opening late and closing early, which really doesn't help the creative process, and the impending need to finish off tax returns is getting greater.<div><br /></div><div>I on the other hand would rather be making things. At the moment I am bouncing between Valentines (which I have to admit, I'm not very good at), and starting up some of my new ideas, which I am very excited about. My new pin cushions were an idea born of necessity. Before Christmas I was lamenting my lack of pin cushion (I only had a fiddly magnetic tray - very annoying), as I was making some decorations, so I decided to quickly run one up! Using up some handy discs of felt I had already cut out made me think of a daisy, so one thing lead to another and I was sewing petals around the edge and sticking it in a little terracotta pot Ginger No1 had painted at a party. </div><div><br /></div><div>So this is a photo of my prototype pin cushion. I am still using it now, and it is working very well.</div><div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HLgDL7NZWe8/S1DqDFDgwTI/AAAAAAAAAE0/PlWINCqB5GY/s1600-h/DSCF4811.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HLgDL7NZWe8/S1DqDFDgwTI/AAAAAAAAAE0/PlWINCqB5GY/s320/DSCF4811.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /></div>It has undergone some major structural changes since then, adding a board in the bottom to stop the pins poking all the way through, and generally neatening up, and I am very pleased with the final item. Keep an eye out on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Flickr</span> and in my Folksy shop for the new super improved version!</div><div><div style="clear:both; text-align:CENTER"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;clear: both; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;clear: both; "><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7435725579693759823.post-59316662498924803142010-01-10T11:07:00.000+00:002010-01-10T11:26:47.006+00:00A New Year, a New StartWell, it has been a very long time since I last blogged. Christmas was a very busy time, making stuff for my Folksy shop, making stuff for commissions, and lastly making Christmas presents! I was very tired towards the end, surviving on approx 3-4 hrs of sleep a night. But all was well in the end, although I did forget to give out some cards to neighbours, oops! Never mind, I can keep those until next Christmas!<div><br /></div><div>My first three months as a Folksy Seller went amazingly well, much better than I could have imagined. It has fuelled my desire to continue making and selling. This is my job, and I really don't ever want to go back to working in retail!</div><div><br /></div><div>I have to say a big thank you to my lovely friend Mel. If it wasn't for her pushing me (I do need a swift kick every now and then) I wouldn't have made a single thing to sell. So here's to Mel. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have lots of plans for 2010. I am currently sourcing recycled felt from the very lovely Jenny and Joe at <a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/thefeltedrainbow">http://www.folksy.com/shops/thefeltedrainbow</a> They are very helpful, so pop over and give their felt a try. As my current stocks dwindle I will be replacing my packaging with some biodegradable alternatives. I already package my cards in biodegradable bags made from corn starch, but now I have found packing foam made from potato starch! </div><div><br /></div><div>2010 also brings plans to open a new shop on Folksy. Red Kite Ceramics will hopefully be open for business in the next couple of months. Feedback from the Folksy Forums is very positive, so hopefully, time allowing, making will commence and something will be happening soon!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7435725579693759823.post-74586513742620336062009-11-24T14:05:00.000+00:002009-11-24T14:14:02.311+00:00This is not a good dayIt's a good thing that I am currently spending the middle of the day on my own today. I am in such a foul mood. It started this morning when OH hijacked my making of eggy sandwiches for kids lunch box (just because I'm moaning doesn't mean I don't want to do it) I was actually trying to make the point that the eggs I had bought from the farmers market where so fresh the shells wouldn't peel off properly. But never mind.<br /><br />For the whole of the rest of the day so far I have been annoyed. Keep finding things OH has done to annoy me. I know he does it on purpose. He lies in bed at night cooking up ways to irritate me.<br /><br />And then if that wasn't enough, have spent most of day sorting out PTA accounts (I am treasurer) which has given me a headache, and made me even more annoyed. Still haven't finished but brain is now swimming, and no more will go in.<br /><br />All I want to do is be making crafty things. Instead I had to clean kitchen and have yet to do bathroom. My friend is coming over later, her house is always immaculate, so I feel I need to make an effort.<br /><br />Never mind! This evening I am going dancing! Off to Tap & Jazz for some hard core work out!<br />Yay! I'm sure that will help put me in a better mood, and if not, I can always get some chocolate on the way home.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7435725579693759823.post-73041025692867356742009-11-23T11:08:00.000+00:002009-11-23T11:27:22.005+00:00Out of TimeI have been intending to tell you all about my busy busy week, but I've been so busy I haven't had time. Having said that, I have been so busy that I have just spent an hour reading <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/">Soule Mama's Blog</a> dreaming and feeling very inadequate.<br /><br />Soule Mama is someone I aspire to be. I would like nothing better than to lead a bohemian existance, crafting, creating and being the earth mother to my earthy children. I cannot imagine Soule Mama ever raises her voice or gets angry. It's not like that in my house.<br /><br />I swear I am going to die of a heart attack before I am 50 (and the fact that my mother has just been diagnosed with angina doesn't help). If I go ONE day without screaming, it's a good day. I wish I was serene, but I'm not. I am highly strung. I even wind myself up! It seems to be a female trait in this house, as my daughter is following in her mothers well trodden path. Fortunately I can see that she seems to be more clone than chip off the old block and have been teaching her strategies to calm herself down and de stress. She is only 8 but about a year ago started to go through the 'change' early and became mostly hysterical, and sometimes just angry. I have to say that I did the calm understanding nurturing thing (which didn't work) and then gave up and gave her an ultimatum (stop now, no one wants to hear it type thing) (which did work). She has been much better since then, only occasionally slipping back into the hysteria.<br /><br />So consequently this is not a calm oasis. I would like it if it is, but I feel I am mostly responsible for the overall ambiance of my household. I have never been a calm person. I am <em>emotional </em>and as such everyday is a rollercoaster. I <em>feel</em> things in an outwards fashion, and project my emotion outwards. If I didn't I would explode quite spectacularly.<br /><br />So, Soule Mama, I will continue to follow your beautiful blog, and continue to aspire to be more serene. I can't promise anything, but I haven't shouted today. Yet.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7435725579693759823.post-7938835124160671832009-11-12T14:02:00.001+00:002009-11-12T21:02:08.612+00:00Socks and Monsters<div>So I got involved in chatting to my fellow <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Folksians</span> which is something that can take over your life if you let it! But whilst chatting and reading threads, I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">stumbled</span> upon <a href="http://www.hotdogandmerock.blogspot.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Hotdogandme</span></a>'s challenge to fellow <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Folksies</span> to transform one of her marvelous sock creature kits to be sold on <a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/CrafterooShop"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Crafteroo</span></a>'s page on Folksy to raise money for children in need! </div><br /><br /><div>Luckily I managed to nip in at the end and nab myself one of said kits, and a couple of days later this is what arrived...<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HLgDL7NZWe8/SvwXd-OCrMI/AAAAAAAAAEU/iiKf3FoUTw0/s1600-h/DSCF4816.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403219456623291586" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HLgDL7NZWe8/SvwXd-OCrMI/AAAAAAAAAEU/iiKf3FoUTw0/s200/DSCF4816.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br />Originally I had marvelous ideas ideas about making a curly snail with big wobbly feelers and it was all very exciting but when it arrived it was nothing like I expected! I wouldn't exactly say I was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">disappointed</span>, but thoughts of snails <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">disintegrated</span> quite quickly, luckily to be replaced by new ideas. It's rather bizarre to think that a humble sock can have a hidden identity. Lets face it, it's just a sock. What do socks do? They keep your feet warm and stop them rubbing on your shoes. At least, that's what I thought until <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Hotdogs</span> kit turned up. Now it has taken on a whole new identity. Its almost akin to a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">sculpturer</span> revealing the hidden treasure inside the stone.<br /><br />So, faced with a sock adorned with hearts, i had two options, cute, or not cute, and as anyone who knows me will tell you, I don't really do cute, so I hit upon the idea of a monster that was cute, but didn't want to be! At first there was a bit of stitching and unpicking as my perfectionist self wasn't impressed with the outcome until eventually Hartley <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Sockosaurus</span> was born! And here he is!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCSvijqt3IW4FP4a2Ltr0MLUAl2A5wLcOV2Xrk2zekgVnbqr3AzVGTvm7uvVNbFs3_0bzWD09K16USkl9YLnOIew072EqIUfiJYL0CWoyT3-PIdlzmEFmpKZv42FU2_cZsF8XybYf111L/s1600-h/DSCF4829.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403323945388130898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCSvijqt3IW4FP4a2Ltr0MLUAl2A5wLcOV2Xrk2zekgVnbqr3AzVGTvm7uvVNbFs3_0bzWD09K16USkl9YLnOIew072EqIUfiJYL0CWoyT3-PIdlzmEFmpKZv42FU2_cZsF8XybYf111L/s320/DSCF4829.JPG" border="0" /></a> Ginger No.1 and 2 didn't want him to be sold, and tried to hide him, but Hartley just didn't understand and kept '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">un</span>-hiding' himself. A couple of days later he was bought by a lovely lady and shipped off to his new home. The place just isn't the same without him!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7435725579693759823.post-56301220369185629102009-11-03T21:29:00.000+00:002009-11-03T21:34:06.960+00:00A Blog is BornI am writing this whilst surrounded by paper kites and the sounds of children laughing and crying, Liza Minelli and Joel Grey sing 'Money, Money' in the background. Actually it's not so much in the background, as attempting to drown out the crying. It's not working, but it is blending in, in a bizarre way.So this blog is all about what goes on in our lovely chaotic household, and my trying to make some sense out of it all. Sometimes I do wonder why I bother, maybe I should give in and just embrace the chaos. I'm not actually sure if I am making sense either at the moment. It is quite difficult with all this noise going on.Let me explain who we all are...<br /><br />There is Alex, he is daddy. He spends most of his time at work, or honing his skills at the squash court. You may hear about him every now and again. His favourite place in the world is in bed. Asleep.<br /><br />Next in line is me, I am Nic, currently a stay at home mum and crafter. I used to be a normal person, but then I had children and gave up work. My brain shrank to the size of a pea and since then I have been struggling between my two lives (more about them later).<br /><br />Further down the line is Ginger No1. Willow is 8 yrs old and an emotional roller coaster. She's one of those artistic types, and will probably still be getting away with outbursts at the age of thirty because of it. Mind you, it works for me, and as my mother keeps pointing out, she is a chip off the old block.<br /><br />Rounding off our little quartet is Ginger No2. Oscar is 5 and has just started school. He is our construction king. And an aspiring stand up comedian. He hasn't quite perfected the art of a good joke, but he's working very hard on it.<br /><br />On the four legged front we have Ginger No3. Diablo the cat. We have had him from a kitten, when he was cute and a pain in the backside. I have never met a more aptly named cat (el diablo), although he is getting rather fat these days and has calmed down quite a lot in his old age. A very talkative cat and very pig headed.<br /><br />Thomas is cat number 2, but thankfully no more gingers, he is black. He is a recent addition to our household, an extremely timid feline, quite surprising really as he is monstrously huge. We saved him from the terrors of city living. He couldn't hack it as a city cat, so came to live with us earlier in the year. He and Diablo are still vying for top cat position which is a bit fraught and not great on the nerves.<br /><br />So that is our little family, and this blog is all about me, craft, and them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0