Sew Much Fun

Well, I have had sew much fun making fabric ATCs for a swap over at UKS this weekend.  The subject was "As Quiet as ..." and I pondered this for a fair while before collecting and commiting to the making thereof.

Of course, in the best laid plans, yada, yada, nothing is ever straight forward, nor did they turn out as planned.  But I did have fun and renewed my love of sewing.  Daughter danced from the age of 3 until she went to university and I was her chief Wardrobe Mistress.  I think having spent years making solo, duet, trio and troupe costumes, I needed a break.  Feeling much more enthused now, even if these ATCs couldn't have been made without liberal doses of PVA glue!

And these are the finished articles and, just because of the dance costume influence, I couldn't resist the use of sequins, beads and bling.  If I had a £ for every sequin I've sewn, I could probably retire tomorrow.  Those were the days ....

Vintage Love - A Second Secret Book

Vintage Love - A Second Secret Book

So, unaided and unabetted by various health issues, I finally finished my second book, for the wonderful host over at UK Scrappers (UKS), Nettyb.  Netty's subject was vintage love, roses and the such-like. 

Please excuse formatting of this post - I'm fed up faffing with Blogger.

The covers were fairly straight forward once I'd chosen the main colour schemes (vintage cream and red) - with "love" and "roses" of course. 

 I wanted to use lots of lace and bits and pieces I'd collected for the very purpose thereof.

I also wanted to use a poem and an easy choice was "How do I love thee" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

The tag is shown out of the pocket - I hid this part of the verse - it seemed appropriate!

 Lots of paper tearing, inking, lace, fabric butterflies, ephemera and even a fabulous feather or two.

The Butterflies and Buttons pages are either side of the "secret" matchboxes   

The matchboxes form the base of the book.

Vintage romantic images and more roses

 Weirdly, no stamping anywhere ....






So, finally finished, filled with crafting goodies,
carefully packaged and posted by hubby.  I can cross it off the top of my Guilt List - I hate missing deadlines.  I knew what I wanted to do, well, roughly, but am always amazed how long it actually takes me, even if I do manage to kick my "Be Perfect Driver" well and truly into touch!

PHEW.

Well.  After a long break and having been Particularly Puggled, I have decided to blog again to showcase some of the art and crafts swaps I have been in with some of the most talented crafters I know.  I can't promise to blog regularly, but will do my best!

The latest has been the Secret Books Swap.  I have been the extremely lucky recipient of 2 fabulous pieces of work.  The first was from Anne - a Steampunk Secret Book you can see showcased on her blog Anne-ecdotes.  The second was from Annette, all the way from Canada, and showcased on her blog Scrap Happens Here.  Both very different and both amazing work and the most wonderful crafty pieces to treasure in the secret drawers.

The instructions for this "secret book" are here and it has taken me well out of my comfort zone.  RL and health issues have bitten me on the bum and I have only managed to finish my first book and had to email my second recipient to apologise and explain.  Luckily for me, she is one understanding woman.  I have all the bits for the book, just want do this special swap justice and not rush for the sake of it.

Anyhoo, the theme for my first recipient is "Masks" and I have no idea why, but I felt the need to get my acrylics and watercolours out, which meant lots of drying times (note to self - do NOT assemble the book BEFORE decorating).  I haven't shown the contents of the drawers (you can just see the little handles at the top of the photos.  Apart from my lacking in photography skills, I hope I have done this justice and that Frances likes the actual book!

Righty Ho - off to carry on with the second book!

Lyn

Bad, Bad Blogging

Bad, bad blogging, and I don't just mean me. Almost a month since my last entry, no WOYWW as I've been busy Wednesdays with a friend for weeks, trying to keep up with other blogs I follow let alone my own. Work has been busy, real life has been busier, the therapy is proving above and beyond my expectations and, a month later, I again have a bad back, worse than last time. Nothing I can do except the prescribed exercises, resting it, using a stick and keep popping the pain killers, grrrr arrrrgh. It is a hereditory spine condition from my mother's side that I and 2 of my cousins have and I am the only one so far that has escaped spinal surgery. SIGH.

Anyhoo, on a lighter side, we are reaping the benefits of gardening in pots - we are happily munching on home grown lettuces, spring onions, basil, tomatoes ripening a treat and the chilli plants blossoming as I type. Oh, and beans, but that is another story.

Another fantastic crafter I have the privilege to know in RL - Helen - has started her blog. Just check out the wonderful Loving the Traditional if you want a real treat!

Off to creak about for a bit.......

I'll be back. Back. BACK. Geddit?

WOYWW

Already Wednesday!

Again the Roller Coaster of Life races on. From the lows and highs of saying goodbye to a friend at the funeral on Monday, the lows of having a really bad back and the highs of having my new nails "filled" this week.

Anyhoo, this weekend, only able to sit in a comfy chair, I decided to start my bedroom curtains. Not just window curtains, but curtains for behind the glass in the wardrobe, matching co-ordinating cushions and a bed runner. So that it what is on my workdesk this Wednesday! Also at the front is my tiny steel hem measuring ruler - nothing special, you would think, except that I have had it since I was about 17! This is my third sewing machine. My parents bought me my very first basic one when I was about 14, then as a reward for my O Levels, bought me a super-duper one which lasted for years and when it was finally beyond repair, this is my latest, now some 6 years old now. I have rediscovered my love for sewing just - after a 2 year break from making DD dancing costumes for over 10 years!

Weirdness and New Experiences

It's a funny old life, this one. One being the operative word. We just get the one.

Going through my own recovery from a long .... ummmm ..... condition ...... for want of a better word, I have not had a good few weeks but know there is light at the end of a few months tunnel with any luck. Last week Monday, I just could not go to work. Work, a new role that I am absolutely loving and enjoying and what is keeping me relatively grounded and for which I am very grateful. Very early that morning I had a message to call a friend only to find that another friend's partner had died suddenly in the night. For us that is the second friend lost in less than 4 months. Are we really that old, when it is no longer our elderly relatives, but our peers? Sobering thought.

And so to lighter things. Crafting also keeps me sane, although the offspring (albeit aged 24, son, and 20, daughter) regularly aim to throw me off balance, they haven't quite managed it.

Yet.

Daughter (youngest child) has been suggesting for a long while that I try false nails as mine have steadfastly refused to grow back to their former glory. Not just any false nails, but acrylic tips and gel stuff with spray on French polish and gloss. A whole new world for me. Just as long as she doesn't attempt to get me to try the 6 inch stilettos that she is also very attached to. Lots of pairs of teetering eye-wateringly high shoes - things of a misspent youth a very long time ago for me. And several stones less pressure on the poor old feet. I don't think they even do 6 inch stilettos in an extra wide fitting.

And here is the result of a visit to a lovely man named Yum - who could resist? Of course husband and son made all the right noises, as they have been well trained. Especially as, also on the spur of the moment, I had my hair cut at the same time. N0t the same time as having the nails done, but straight after, if you're still following. No big thing you would think, but if the family think my hair is too short (it's STILL shoulder length after being cut and long enough to put up in a twist for work) there have been threats of divorce and disowning in the past, although not necessarily in that order.

What can I say? I LURVE my new nails and, 2 weeks on, they are still a) attached, b) still looking FINE, even though I say so myself, c) Not stopping me crafting, d) Now longer and all the same length for the first time in so long that I cannot remember and e) now hindering my ability to type. Well, not to actually type, but actually hit the keys I was aiming for. Would I do it again? Hell yeah!

And here is the proof of my crafting on a tiny scale AND with long nails - my 2 groups of red inchies for the August Inchie Swap on UKS with our fabulous Monthly Colour Inchie Swap host, Tracy. Thanks Tracy and keep up the good work! Having just finished a fabulous fabric ATC swap I am so into fabric at the moment, so these are felt, lace flowers, beads, fabric butterflies, yarn and yummy red stickles - gotta have a bit of glitter!

And so back to where I started - life is not a rehearsal dear reader, so remember to make the most of the one you have!

WOYWW

Life is passing by at a speed of knots, a roller coaster ride with moments that leap out and bite you, including the sad loss of a friend Sunday. I have not felt in the gardening, blogging or crafting mood for a while now and the weather hasn't helped. However, this is the photo of my desk last night. To be honest it is exactly how I left it on Monday as I was out on a meal with colleagues last night and a very yummy one it was too.

So, what is on my desk .... The colour does not show true because the sun was shining behind the orange curtains, but you will spy a theme of red. I have one set of inchies for next month's red swap and the second set are drying at the back on a box. My inchie acrylic album is open at the purple month as I was seeking inspiration and this little book rarely lets me down! Ahhh, and you may also spot my latest toy ..... a little red nintendo DS Lite *blush* .... purely for the training of this old brain, of course..... !