They do make me laugh!!

They drive me mental sometimes, as my friends will tell you, but Mr Chops and Mr B both make me laugh.  Poor Mr Chops had a bad dream so came into our bed all upset and tearful this morning.  I couldn't really work out what it was all about but it seems something bad happened to his brother and he was very upset.  Mr B joined us later and received a huge hug and affection from Mr Chops.  Now, Mr B is a great lover of all things huggy and kissy and to receive this from his much adored big brother so unexpectedly was just a dream come true for him.  He though he would chance his arm when they had come down for breakfast but this was clearly step to far for Mr Chops who held up his hand and announced...'The moment is over'...poor Mr B :(  He'll have to live off that piece of brotherly affection until the next bad dream!

Giveaway...

I have probably left  this too late but if you look here there is a rather lovely giveaway.  I love both these shops...The Ribbon Girl is run by an online friend and her mum and they could not be more helpful.  These fairy charms are just gorgeous and I have one to have a play with for some new designs :D

Brrr.....

it's chilly - minus 4 when I attempted to de-ice the car this morning.  I gave up...we.walked...we slid...we (well, me) appreciated the frost and the scenery.  I don't think the rabbits do though.  I have hardly seen them for days as they are tucked up in their cosy shed.  Well, cosy for rabbits....can't say it would be my abode of choice.  Bit too draftly. And this weather is too cold for poor Miss Jessica's bones.  She is, after all, an old lady.  I know how she feels!

So for today....envelopes to address, washing to put away, cardigan to continue knitting, and a kitten to look after :D  She fetches apparently.  Maybe we could teach her some new tricks.  Making a cup of tea would be a good one :D

Not seen any of these in my garden this year :(  So I have resorted to making my own :D

Oh my life indeed...

If you knew how long it has taken me to change the background and header on this blog you would tell me not to waste my time - I haven't done it that well!!  But I have done it and it is all a learning curve.

So, yesterday spend wrapping presents and today I MUST get my Christmas cards done.  The ones to the States went, almost, on time, but I hear there are sever delays and it doesn't look like easing so they may well get those in the New Year.

It is absolutely pouring down with rain here so it is hard to find the Christmas spirit...but I must...off to write.......

Too long...

It's been too long since I last wrote here and much has been done.  There has been lots of sewing, a little knitting, much singing (I never expected to be in a gospel choir I can tell you!), lots of card making, some teaching, some craft organising, writing of the christmas cards although not finished yet, ordering of christmas pressies, girlies day (hey, Kazebo...we actually managed to make some things!!!), receiving of christmas parcels, lots of blog reading, entertaining, sorting, hoovering, garage visits with the car (again!!) and lots of other mummy/housewife/teacher/crafty person things...but not many photos...at all...I am a disgace...but I will try better.....

I did manage to get photos of this though....



 An almost finished wall hanging for William



Cute little button on his bum!

I just have to put the sleeve on the back for the hanger and it will be finished.

Oh yes...a small milestone for my shop...2 international sales :D  Both to the U.S and bith bird pictures...very pleased with myself.  I also approached a gift shop in one of the local villages today and she said she would be interested in some of my hair accessories in the new year....things are looking good :D




Some more robins...

just finished making these...so relaxing to do.  Kathryn, these are the ones.

It certainly is feeling wintry today...do you think it might snow?

ETA - much squealing and clapping of hands here - these little beauties are on their way to California....hope they catch some sunshine :D

Introducing...

My beautiful new nephew, William.....

A few hours old

He's being tube fed as a precaution

The proud parents

Nana now has a third grandson to add to her collection :D

Because of his condition, Lissencephaly, we really had no idea how he would be when he was born.  When my BIL phoned he was yelling well so he has some good lungs and chest muscles.  He also trying to suck which is good news but they are tube feeding him just to make sure he has enough.

Off to see him for my cuddle this afternoon........

He's on his way.....

baby Carlson Jnr Jnr....watch this space................

Tonight....

I have my first ever Christmas Craft (shopping) Event...I am really excited but also quite nervous.  I have all my Lucy Made This stuff from both my Etsy shop and lots of other things that I have been busy making but too busy to upload to the shop.  SOmeone was asking me the other day about selling things in GBP so I have opened a Folksy shop but there are only 2 brooches in it at the moment.


I shall upload some pictures of the evening and  have a couple more in the pipe line.......

Bleurgh....

This is a house of plague again at the minute so not much posting has been done :(

I have been busy doing lots of things for here though and I am super excited to be part of Em's new adventure...it's all a bit pink and green here...pic to follow later if I manage to keep my eyes open.  Mr B was up half the night coughing and I am full of cold :(  Do check out the link and visit when it is open...I wish I lived closer.......

I'm too old for this....

Going out on a school night!!  Mr C and I went to relive our teenage and early 20's years (I can hardly believe that we have know each other for over 30 years and I am not yet 40!) last night by going to see this man.....

Mike Peters

Although when we used to go and see him he was in this band.....

The Alarm

and I looked more like this.....

 and could cope with a night out!  But it was good fun and a blast from the past.....68 guns will never die, 68 guns out battle cry.......

Oh dear me....

life seems to have got in the way of this bloggy malarky...I have even had a birthday since last time I posted...NOT 40 yet...still :D

But I have been making lots of things again.  Lots of card, which I never seem to photo, I don't know why.  Lots of things for my shop, which I have indeed photographed and even listed some...'tis nothing short of a miracle.  It always seems to take me so long but I am learning 'cut and paste' is a marvelous invention and also be be to the point...people just want to know what it is and how much it is...that is all.  So here are some of my makings......

Some of my hair grips

I actually finally managed to get these into my shop before I sold them all....I seem to make them, someone sees them and then buys them all.  Not that I am complaining but it is nice to get them photographed and then into the shop.  And I love them so have pinched a few for myself..they are just too cute :D

My business card

Here is my card...I absolutely love it, which is just as well because I have a few!!

I have also done a felt workshop.  A friend came over with a friend of hers and they designed and made brooches.  They were both really pleased with the results.  I love showing people how easy it is to make things.  I may not be arty...in fact I cannot draw for toffee...but I know how to put things together and it is lots of fun to share ideas.  Talking of which, I was introduced to a mum in the playground today who also makes things...horray...a kindred spirit :D

On the home front..Mr Chops did a marvelous job of getting his eyes tested.  Never having been to an optician before he had no idea what to expect but got on with it bravely.  He then had to go back the next week for eye drops....OH MY LIFE!!!!!  This is the boy who will have no other medicine that calpol (and not sugar-free at that) and who would rather chew off his own arms than have cream on of any sort (I exaggerate...he is getting better but it did take 7 nurses to hold him down to glue his cut on his head!).  But he was a trooper and only made a reasonable amount of fuss...V. PLEASED!   And no glasses needed for now but to keep an eye on the situation (no pun intended).  We then sat down to think of people in our families with glasses...it was easier to name people who did not wear them!! The odd are stacked against him.  And now, of course, Mr B thinks he may have to have his checked.....Daddy..........

Look who's nearly here......

My new nephew :D

Not your ordinary scan picture as his mummy had an MRI.  He has Lissencephaly so they are monitoring him a lot to watch his progress but he will be here for cuddles in about 7 weeks.  Hope Mrs C Jnr Jnr doesn't mind her body parts being splashed all over the internet!  Anyway, when Mr Chops was on the way, this verse was very close to my heart

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made

Psalm 139 v 14

So true...look at that beautiful baby :D

Start the clock....

5 plums were in our veg box this week.  I have just put them in the fruit bowl  Let's have a guess how long it will be before Mr Chops spots them and eats the lot!!! I give them until tomorrow tea time and then they will all be gone.....


Watch this space.......

Beautiful day....

Just grabbing a couple of hours at home between teaching.  Someone had blocked me in in the carpark (we have been walking to school a lot recently but Mr B was Mr Reluctant this morning so into the car we went).  Anyhoooo, someone blocked me in so I walked home...what glorious sunshine.  It is truly autumnal out there but also lovely and warm...if that makes any sense at all!

Another couple of cards from last weeks frenzy...

First one has Repro Depo printed paper and a Three Birds rub on while the second is an SU! stamp and some cards from a Scrapagogo kit :D

Been making lots if hair snaps and grips for my shop recently.  Unfortunately, or not :D, I am selling them faster than I van photograph them and get them in the shop.  This is a good thing but I need to make more.

A couple of cards...

Here are a few cards I made the other day.  The computer is playing up and keeps freezing so I will only manage a few and have to do the others another day....

From Waltzing Mouse. These are my new favourites.  The font is simply gorgeous...

I think the spotty paper is from Papermania and the other cardstock is Bazzill textured and Chatterbox.  The pearls are Kaisercraft and the Ink is Dew Drops.

I also finished another one of these....

which is in the shop here

Right, off to make pizza with the boys and then watch Merlin...happy Saturday night!

Lots of things made but no photos....yet!

I have been a very busy bunny.  Yesterday, while Mr C senior fixed all our duff lights (I have to tell you Mr C but the sunshine room now has a flickering bulb!!) I managed to make 10 cards, 5 hair grips and do the ironing :D  Plus all the normal keep the house running things.  Very pleased...and mostly because this set of stamps arrived :D  Having never had Waltzing Mouse stamps before I had heard good things.  And I wasn't disappointed...probably one of the best stamps sets  have EVER had!  And so I am going to make lots if cards and see if I can sell them in the staff room.  I have now had 14 sales, shop and private, for Lucy Made This so I have lots of other ideas in the pipeline for that too.
On the little people front...Mr B is taking a little longer to settle into school this year.  He doesn't like the thought of having to go in all by himself but we are working on it.  Mr Chops has been enjoying swimming in the school outdoor pool...wonder how long they will keep that up?

And OFSTED is nearly over...bar the shouting  Steak and wine for dinner tonight to celebrate.  One inspector  sat through 10mins of a lesson that clearly was not science, was not even in the science block and started with a power point heading with the words Hinduism in it (the clue is in the title!) before she stood up an announced to everyone that she was supposed to be in a science lesson...I rest my case!!!  That's a big tongue poke out to Ofsted!

Right, I must away but will come back with photos later..ta-ra.

OFSTED....

has descended on this house...I could rant for paragraphs about how divisive and destructive it is but I won't...it is my turn to be the positive one...It will all be over by the weekend :D

And a great big tongue poke out to them!

Now you see them.....

now you don't!!!!!

This is the disadvantage of letting you bunnies roam free!!  The other one is that they make desperate attempts sometimes to get into next doors garden to meet up with their bunnies...hence the various obstacles along the fence.

On the plus side we have lovely lush grass :D  And Jessica sometimes hops in the house, does a quick tour and then goes out again....much to the surprise of some friends who were visiting yesterday.

And they were visiting for a very lovely reason...they are getting married next August and would like me to make their invitations :D  To say I am a little over excited, and honoured, is an understatement.  Will share when they are done and sent out :D

Busy week teaching this week so not much on the crafty front but I did sell my Robin picture and make a few hair grips...photos this afternoon ...... plus a few amusing dramas...'Not involving Mr Chops, surely!' I hear you cry.....oh yes!

What a difference...

all that rain made to the garden. Everything is looking rather healthy and the rabbits are doing a beautiful job of keeping the grass short. We have only mown it once. Not that unusual in this household but it really does look all nice and short and lush. Well, they have to be good for something...at the moment I am spending far too much time stopping them pulling the tomato plants through the fencing that protects them and keeping them from digging next door to meet up with their bunnies...fur would most definitely fly. Jess is getting rather brave at venturing in to the house and Mr B was delighted this afternoon that she came to visit him in the toilet....whatever makes you happy!

So, here are some garden snaps....

I spy a lovely soup growing.

Barley has performed a miracle with the chives too.  they have never flowered before but this year  Barley has made the pot his favourite spot for sitting in the sun and poohing!!!  Guess rabbit manure is quite good.  Don't think I can bring myself to eat the chives though

 

 Here is the culprit looking like butter wouldn't melt...

Off to put the little monkeys to bed!

Forgot to say...Robins are in the shop :D

Robins in a Silver Birch tree.....

Don't think I'll get this in the shop tonight as I still have some clearing up to do before Casualty.  Dan has his last night of his play so I shall curl up on the sofa with some Weetabix (what a party girl I am!) and watch the gore.

I made this yesterday afternoon after the window cleaning frenzy...I was looking at next door's tree for inspiration.  I really do love those robins...they are so cute!

And here they are up close...well as close as I could get with my camera......

I took ages stitching on the 'snow' but it looked good without as well so I may not put any on the next one.

All the curtains are now drawn...it truly is September...my birthday month and the start of autumn :D

Robins...

have appeared in my crafting...I shall upload later and then onto my shop :D

Busy, busy, busy...

and too busy to post here :( Boys, all three of them, are back at school and so that means early mornings. Mr C is in his play, Redemption Song, so lots of late nights and early morning make very tired people.


Got to get some more stuff in my shop. Some is photographed but needs editing and some just needs uploading but it has slipped down my list, somewhere well behind cleaning the fridge and the windows :(


Here is something I have made though.....

 

 Something sunny to go with all the sunny weather we are having :D

Oh...and there was muchos excitement from me this afternoon as the postie arrived with my Moo swing tags....it is very strange seeing things you have done in proper print like that.

On the parenting front all is ticking along swimmingly.  It nearly wasn't when Mr B decided to hurl his scooter at the wheels of Mr. Chop's bike on the way home...could have been nasty. They are having a Star Wars evening tonight with next-door-Steve.  I am sure they will all have a great time.

Right...off to get ready.....

A blackberrying we will go!!

There were quite a few ready but seriously heaps more still to ripen.  I can't tell you where or I will have to come round and wipe your memory!!!!!

Look - BLUE SKY!!!!!!

Okay then....somewhere in Girton!

Mr Chops and Mr B also ate quite a lot!!  We are enjoying them cooked down and then eaten with rice pudding...YUM!!! Except Mr Chops who doesn't 'do' hot pudding, just like his uncle.

And on the parenting skills front...Mr Chops had a tantrum, decided to move in with the rabbits in the shed and announced he was going to sleep there with his 'rabbit family' (it will have all started about something to do with the Wii).  Okay, says I, shall I bring you a sleeping bag?  About half an hour later he slunk back in again and went upstairs to get ready to pick blackberries.  On coming downstairs he flung his arms around me and announced, 'I've been thinking Mummy, and my place is here with you'....You won't be wanting your sleeping bag then ;)

But that reminds me of perhaps the best and most poetic histrionics ever.  When told that, no, he couldn't read his Lego magazine on the toilet due to the fact that it meant he was there for ages and so is not going to bed, he embarked on a most wonderful 45 minute rant...and it was quite some rant...ending with the immortal saying (and I shall remember it to my dying day even if I have forgotten my own name and where I am)...

"My life is an aeroplane of loneliness, plunging (said with feeling) into an ocean of dispair"

That's my boy!!!

Mr B, on the other hand, an altogether more undramatic child, asked me if he was looking 'hunky' today!

There is never a dull moment in this house :D

Redemption Song....

We do appear to be a family of self publicists this week but if you are around in Cambridge next weekend, 2nd - 4th, then you might want to check this out....

I happen to know the writer quite well ;)  He is also in it so you can go and see if you can spot him. 

Thankyou!

A note to shop assistants...

I'm not being funny right, but.......  it would be really nice if you could get off your phone and stop chatting to your friends while you are serving me, especially when you feel the need to communicate to me through the art of gesticulation.  It's just manners...that's all!

I love this.....

I made it last night while I was listening to the radio.  Mr C was writing a  play and I was sewing...get us!! Sadly that is not how it is the vast majority of the time.  Anyway...here it is.....

There is just something about the colour...I want to make lots!

I think I will make some and put them in my shop.  I have been having an argument with my email this afternoon. I decided it might be time to blow my own trumpet and just send my shop address out to people I know...I seem to know a lot people, Mr C commented, and some have changed their address or got bulk email blocks (or just me blocked!!) and it kept stopping and saying it hadn't sent it for this reason or that.  I says it has sent it now but it is still in my outbox waiting to go so I do not know what I shall do...SORRY if you got it 20 times ..... I am slinking off to do something useful.....

Work in progress....

Today I made a felt picture with I will get Mr C to photograph tomorrow but for today, these are something that I am working on :D

       

Am I the only person who keeps their knitting in a fruit bowl???  It is Medieval Mice in the making...they have been on the needles a long time because I lost the pattern.  I was reminded by Mr Chops a few weeks ago that I STILL hadn't finished them so I checked out Alan Dart's site...and there they were :D  Happiness all round :D

Every girl needs a bit of bling....

On Thursday we had the best craft club yet.  The girls who came brought a top with them to 'bling up' with hot fix crystals.  You draw a design on paper, place some transparent stuck stuff over the top and add your crystal design.

 Then it's off to the iron to make it last forever :D  Some colours took a little longer to stick than others, butt his is what they came up with.....

A rather blooming marvelous time was had by all :D

And for those of you with beady eyes..yes. that is our bling nativity still stuck up on the window in the conservatory...it has been there for about 18 months now...and I'm not ashamed to say it  ;)

On another note entirely, it has long been my suspicion that Mr Chops and Mr B think that the 2 words/phrases 'wardrobe' and 'laundry basket' are interchangeable...and this week I have conducted extensive research on the matter.  They share a laundry basket and, despite the fact that I washed like a demented washer woman last week, by Wednesday is was overflowing!!  On inspection of the top foot or so (it probably looks like sedement when cross sectioned) I discovered that at least 3/4 of the stuff was not even dirty!!  Grr....we even had a sign up at one point, above it, saying 'Dirty clothes only!'...I think it will have to be reinstated.  The other language difficulty that they have is thinking when I say 'Put it away' that what I actually mean is 'Please do just leave it where it falls, I like nothing more than spending my time picking up your CLEAN clothes off the floor.

Hey ho!

Ridiculous......

It's raining...again...and it's August!!! I even had to put my winter slippers and jumper on the other morning...this is not right.  And it is also bad weather to take photos :(


Let's see what we can find.......

                                                     

Oh well....at least the garden is happy!

The wanderer returneth...

Mr Chops is back from camp and rather tired.  He's used to being entertained from 8 in the morning until 10 at night...I feel a few tantrums coming on...on his part...as he adjusts to life back in the real world.  They are both making dinosaurs at the moment so are gainfully employed.

This afternoon I have a couple of girls coming over to make cards...the mahoosive box from Ginge will be squealed over with delight.


Had time to make a couple of quick cards......

This one is from the July Scrapagogo kit.  

Tjis one had some elements from the same kit but I also used Craftwork Cards bloom and card candy.  The stem was made form button twine from The Ribbon Girl.  Check out their blog where they are having a giveaway. I twisted the twine and then let it twist on itself.

And now I really have to go and update my Etsy shop.  Everything is photographed I just have to upload it all...thats the hardest part!!!