Pink Milk

Procrastination And A New Project

2012-01-23T12:24:00.004Z

Heddo. *sniff* *snuffle*

I'm wallowing in a sea of tissues and self-pity today. Mind you, it's my first stinky cold since the summer so I guess I've done pretty well to last this long.

I know a lot of people consider Inhaler sticks as unhygienic but I love 'em!

It being January, I do like a project. This year, Blondie Daughter and I are swapping rooms. She currently has a big bedroom at the front of the house and I have a smallish craft/ironing room at the back. She is the messiest child I have ever come across and I mean SERIOUSLY messy. For ages I have been threatening a room swap, thinking in some misguided way this might encourage her to mend her slovenly ways. Anyway, in a rather sweet moment last week, she confided that she thought that "perhaps, maybe" her room is too big for her to keep tidy. She really rather "likes the idea of a smaller, cosy room". Well, she'd barely finished the sentence before I was making plans!

Unfortunately D has stepped in and flexed his DIY muscles, insisting we first address a few minor structural issues. We bought our house from new ten years ago and, in certain areas, big cracks and chips in the plaster have appeared. I'd gladly waft a paintbrush over and ignore them but Mr 'Let's Do Things Properly' has been quite adamant.

He has already turfed a lot of my things into careless piles and invaded with his ugly man tools ...

My poor little craft room in it's current state.

Feel sorry for me?

My job for today is to clear the contents of my craft room and move them into Blondie Daughter's bedroom. She has, apparently, tidied it for me in readiness ...

Blondie Daughter's bedroom. This is it tidied, honestly.

*sigh!*

No, I really am excited about the project but just finding it a little hard to get going today.

Anyway, when D has done his bit I shall be decorating her 'new room'. She's chosen lilac which isn't my favourite colour to be honest but it's what she desperately wants. This pretty, long blond-haired daughter of mine is going through a 'pink is forbidden' phase at the moment. Only yesterday, she and D went shopping and came home with a new Liverpool FC football top for her. And it's GREY!!! I'm really hoping this will pass. By way of 'compensation', she has let me order this for her, from Mini Boden ...

G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S!

I haven't allowed myself to indulge too much in the plans for my 'new craft room' yet. Needless to say, I have butterflies of unadulterated thrilledness when I think about it! :-)

So that's me today. I'd better galvanise myself into some sort of action and get started.

Come to think of it, another quick cup of coffee and a good nose blow first.

What are you up to today?

Hxxx

PS. My bloggy friend Cathy has just opened up a new Etsy shop. If you fancy browsing her vintage bits and bobs, do pop over for a look.

Simple Crochet Bunting Tutorial

2012-01-16T16:12:00.001Z

Since showing you my crochet bunting, I've had a couple of requests for the pattern. It really is the perfect project for someone who has not long dipped their toes in the crochet pond so, here goes, my very first tutorial ...

Simple Crochet Bunting

The only stitches you need to know are:-

ch - chain

dc - double crochet (single crochet in US)

I'm using a 4mm hook and double knit weight yarn.

***

Row 1. First, chain 2.

Row 2. Work two dc into the second chain from the hook (ie. the first chain you made).

Row 3. Turn your work. Ch 1. Dc twice into each of the two stitches.

You should now have four dc stitches in your row.

Row 4. Turn your work. Ch 1. Dc twice in the first stitch then dc once in each of the remaining 3 stitches. (5 stitches in row.)

Row 5. Turn your work. Ch 1. Dc twice in the first stitch then dc once in each of the remaining 4 stitches. (6 stitches in row.)

Row 6. Turn your work. Ch 1. Dc twice in the first stitch then dc once in each of the remaining 5 stitches. (7 stitches in row.)

And so on! Continue working two dcs in the first stitch of each row and one in each of the rest.

Turn. Ch 1.

Keep going until you are happy with the size of your triangle.

My last row had 24 stitches in it (23 rows) which has given me approximately 4.5" long triangles.

Fasten off and sew in the end of the yarn.

You can do the same with the original end of the yarn (at the bottom) or, do what I did, and thread it through a glass bead before knotting and cutting.

I recommend blocking your triangles before you join them together.

To join your bunting triangles together, select your choice of yarn. I chose cream. Chain 30 (or more if you want a longer tie) and then, right side of your triangle facing you, carefully double crochet along the top.

Carry on chaining (I chained 6 in between each triangle) and dc-ing along the tops of all your triangles and then chain an additional 30 for the other end of the tie. Turn your work, chain 1 and then dc your way all the way back along both the chains (bit tricky so do take your time) and dcs.

Fasten off and sew in your ends.

That's it!

Well done!

You can now string up your rainbow of loveliness and sit back and admire or embellish it further with little flowers or even lettering.

I got so much help from other people's tutorials (especially those with lots of pictures) when I was teaching myself to crochet and still do. I just hope this goes some way to help you too.

If you notice any glaring errors or omissions, or have any questions, do get in touch. Please!

Despite it being quite hard work, I have the tutorial bug now (it's the bossy boots in me!) so, hopefully, this will be the first of a few.

For now, happy hooking my friends.

Hxxx

PS. I used Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk dk yarn.

Just A Normal Sunday Afternoon ...

2012-01-15T16:43:00.000Z

D's making bread, following a recipe in his Great British Bake Off book ...

Blondie daughter is playing with new toys of the Moshi variety ...

... and reclaiming old and far-too-small ones ...

Blondie son is doing his homework ...

and I'm playing with crochet ...

... oh, and writing up my first crochet tutorial ...

... should be ready for tomorrow!

Hope you're having a lovely Sunday.

Hxxx

Parenting in 2012 ...

2012-01-05T20:57:00.000Z

Me: "Right guys. What do you fancy doing today?"

Blondie Son: "I know. How about I try and play Xbox for 10 hours straight without vomiting?"

Me: "NOOOOOOOOOOO!"

There was a twinkle in his eye but I swear he meant it.

Flowers And Fairy Lights

2012-01-03T23:43:00.000Z

(Pip Studio jug, a lovely Christmas pressie from a lovely friend.)

Well, it's been a real 'hold onto your hats' kind of day today. We made a mad dash to the supermarket this morning for some essentials but, once home, it was hatches battened and comfies on.

I most definitely consider a bunch of spring flowers as an essential on a wild January day, don't you?

The Christmas decorations all came down on Monday and, whilst I was quite glad to pack them back into their box for another year, I do miss their prettiness. So I've decided to keep my vintage bauble lights up. I treated myself to them from here at the beginning of December and I so love the cosy colourful glow they cast in the corner of the lounge. My crochet corner.

Talking of crochet, this afternoon, I spent a couple of gloriously indulgent hours finishing off my bunting while the Blondies both did their own thing. It's now strung up above our bed and I'm tickled pink with it. I'll try and take some photos of it in situ over the next day or two to show you.

Well, I'm off to bed now to gaze up at my latest make. All this pottering is very tiring you know!

Hxxx

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T13:31:00.000Z

Thank you for all your kindness and support throughout 2011. This little place we call Blogland is a total joy and a huge source of inspiration. My own life would be far less colourful without it.

Here's wishing you all a year full to the brim of happiness and creativity.

I've cracked open a brand new folder and called it 'Blog Photos 2012'.

Bring it on ...

xxx

Christmas 2011 - Back Online And A Little Bit Rounder!

2011-12-28T11:01:00.002Z

A very happy 'in between' Christmas and New Year to you all!

I trust you did the decent thing and ate and drank too much! Oh my, we certainly did. In fact, do let me know if you see my waistline anywhere because I sure can't find it!

We had the loveliest Christmas Day. We spent the day at my Mum In Law's with D's brother, his wife and three children. D's Dad died from cancer in early January five years ago and this is the very first year my Mum In Law has been able to cope with being at home for the festive period.

On Boxing Day, my middle brother and his wife hosted a family buffet. We've had a difficult year on my side of the family so it was lovely for most of us to get together and have a laugh.

(Message to my two brothers - you will NEVER, EVER beat me at Articulate!!!) *circles hips in jubilant and annoying winner's dance kind of way*

Today? Well, today I'm staying in my pyjamas and cooking roast beef and yorkshire pudding. Oh yes, and playing with my bestest Christmas pressie ever ...

My new laptop!!!!

Yay! I'm back online and raring to go!

She's so pretty and shiny and even has a Cath Kidston sleeping bag! :-) How lucky am I?

For now, whether you're out braving the crowds or taking it easy with loved ones, have a wonderful day.

Speak soon.

PS. I've just taken a big swig of coffee and nearly choked on the pine needle that was floating in it!

Chomping At The Bit ...

2011-12-21T10:47:00.000Z

Hello, hello, hello!

I've soooo much to show and tell you but I have to wait just a teensy little bit longer ...*

Since we last spoke, I have become an auntie again, the mother of a teenager and turned 40! D took me to Paris for three days which was absolutely fabulous - I'm dying to show you the photos.

Without the temptation of regular peeks into Blogland, Pinterest etc., I've managed to get nearly almost completely organised for Christmas! Pressies are all bought (two have been handmade - must do better next year) and wrapped, the fridge and cupboards are full of knock-your-socks-off Stilton, hams for roasting and enough booze to float a very large ship and the house is sort of tidy and bedecked with festive garlands (not tinsel though, I can't bear it - meh!).

Blondie Son finally breaks up from school tomorrow and Blondie Daughter on Friday and, as usual, both schools have crammed as much as they possibly can into the last couple of weeks of term.

All in all, December has so far been a whirl.

*Anyway, without boring you with the details, my dear little laptop, weighted down with 52 viruses (yes, 52!!), is teetering on the edge and awaiting a major rebuild operation in quarantine. I've been BEREFT without it. However ...

D received a largish square parcel from the Apple Store yesterday and whisked it off with a knowing look in his eye!!! It's now wrapped and under the tree with my name on it!!! Weeeeheeeeeeee!

So my dear friends, please bear with. I'll be back to catch up with you all very soon but, in the meantime, may I wish you all a simply wonderful Christmas.

Kisses,

Hxxx

Little Owl

2011-11-09T14:37:00.002Z

Do you like my little owl?

I bought him from Marks and Spencer this morning. I couldn't not. Look at that little flat face.

Blondie Daughter (just turned 10) is "not sure whether or not" she believes in Father Christmas. "Well, if you don't mind, I shall keep leaving him a mince pie and glass of Baileys" I say, "because I absolutely do." She really, really wants to believe but her friends keep telling her otherwise. Big displays in shops emblazoned with 'Stocking Filler' signs don't help my cause. Just a thought.

Frustrated ...

2011-11-07T13:38:00.000Z

Dearie me, how is it November already?

I do hope you're all well and embracing the nip in the air.

My dear old laptop has been having some trouble. Truth be told, it is getting on a bit and has been struggling doing it's normal laptoppy-type things. I'm a little frustrated but empathetic - I turn the big 4-0 next month and, to be honest, I don't always function as seamlessly as I used to! ;-)

Whilst my laptop undergoes a thorough tinkering of the technical kind, I shall be resigned to snatching the odd half hour on D's iPad to keep up with your doings but am unable to post properly. I have lots to show and tell so, wind in the right direction, will be back very soon ...

Hugs,

H♥

Where Did You Get That Hat?

2011-10-14T15:18:00.001+01:00

Hello you!

It's such a beautiful day here. I do hope the sun is shining where you are.

Ok, so it's not quite hat weather but I'm ready ...

It was easy-peasy to make and pretty quick too. I used this pattern (which is free to download) but stopped at 35 rows and added a simple scalloped edge.

Until I decide how best to embellish it, I've attached a couple of little homemade brooches.

I'll definitely be making a few in different colours.

Oh I do ♥ a hat, don't you?

Imagine my surprise when the postman handed me a parcel containing these this morning ...

How thoughtful of him! A combination of my favourite Debbie Bliss & Sublime yarns in such beyooootiful colours; perfect for another scarf I think. Well, it would be rude of me not to put them to use. ;-)

He (the postman) has also, on occasion over the last week or two, been giving me the odd vintage pillowcase ...

I think he knows I'm a teeny bit addicted to them at the moment!! D's not so keen, he thinks 'vintage' means 'somebody has died on me'!!!

Talking of D, he actually ASKED me to put a photo of blondie daughter's birthday cake on my blog! You see, he made it!

I don't think my picture does it justice - it was about three inches thick. (Mind you, I think at least two bars of Green & Blacks chocolate went into the mix!)

He's been completely glued to The Great British Bake Off and mentions Mary Berry, oh, at least three times a day. I tell you, if she were a few years younger, I'd definitely have a touch of the green-eyed monster!

As you know, I'm really not into cakes at all, so out of desperation D started baking every Saturday morning. He bans us all from the kitchen, puts the Foo Fighters on maximum volume, bakes his little socks off and loves every minute of it! There have been honey flapjacks, victoria sponges and I think tomorrow's project is a lemon drizzle cake.

Anyway, it's half term next week so we have lots of pottering planned!

Have a simply lovely weekend.

Hxxx

PS. Anyone else think Blogger is being totally poo at the moment?

Just A Few Of The Things I ♥ Today

2011-10-06T16:20:00.000+01:00

(thank you Shabby Chic Sarah for advice!)

But, most of all, my beautiful baby who is ten years old today ...

Happy birthday precious girl.

Advice Pretty Please ...

2011-09-08T15:31:00.000+01:00

A little while ago a friend and I enrolled in a drawing and painting evening class. It's just dawned on me that we start in a couple of weeks so I've unearthed my poor neglected watercolour paints ...

They were terribly dusty. Can you see my fingerprints?!

I absolutely love painting but far too rarely do I actually do it. I don't know why really. I find it one of the most relaxing and rewarding ways to spend a few hours. However, the longer the gap between painting, the less confidence I have that I will be able to create something that I like or am pleased with.

A few years ago, I painted a few little ACEOs (Art Cards, Editions and Originals) measuring 3.5" x 2.5" and put them up for auction on eBay to try and make a few pennies. They each started at 99p and, to my surprise, all sold for between £5 and £15!

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you may remember me struggling with this painting of Bertie about a year ago ...

Other than the odd half-hearted dabble, I've done absolutely nothing since (hence the dust on my paintbox!).

The class we are going to is of 'mixed ability' thankfully. The idea is that we each take a photograph from which to draw or paint. That's where I'm getting a little stuck/greedy. I really, really want someone to help me paint more 'freely' and to be more confident with colours. I'd also absolutely love to tackle a portrait in watercolours. Do you think that's too ambitious? Should I approach one thing at a time? Does anyone have any tips as to what type of photograph I should take? Should I take one of my own children or am I better to tackle a face less familiar to me?

Sooooo many questions!

Any advice would be warmly welcomed. :-)

When All Around You Are Losing Theirs ... Crochet!

2011-08-29T22:52:00.001+01:00

Well, I won't lie, it's been a difficult summer.

Whilst my reason for having a blog is still a little fuzzy around the edges, I know here is not the place to elaborate fully. I will stress though that my little family and I are all well. We have been taught a lesson in life and now face a slightly different future to the one we had envisaged. I'm not a great one for telling all, to my detriment I think. Maybe I will one day; I'm so very tired of taking everyone's shit on the chin.

Suffice to say, my blog - and yours - continue to give me an enormous amount of pleasure. Thank you so much.

Anyway, onto brighter things ..! I've done far less in the garden than I'd hoped this summer. It's looking very definitely tatty. I've neglected the dead-heading and my watering has been a tad sporadic. Hey ho, there's always next year!

Thank heavens for supermarket flowers to bring the outside in ...

How pretty are these asters?

They're sitting in the kitchen in all their pinkness and the joy they've given far exceeds the £2.99 price tag! It's true what they say, "I'd rather have flowers on my table than diamonds around my neck".

There's been definite therapeutic hooky action. A little iPhone cosy (the colours in the photos look a little washed out, sorry) in Sirdar Smiley Stripes and half-trebles 'in the round' which took less than an hour ...

I've also dipped my toe in the Pinterest puddle! I'm exercising a little caution at the mo, it has the potential to be quite addictive me thinks! Completely in love and inspired by a new-to-me blog and this pattern, a glimpse of my current scarf work in progress ...

The yellow frill is taking FOREVER. Each stitch has three, four or five trebles in it.

I'm going to cover it in little clutches of brightly-coloured roses.

The green is a new Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo shade called 'Groovy Green' and I think it is possibly one of the most gorgeous yarn colours I've ever come across.

We've actually had a lovely relaxing bank holiday weekend despite the awful weather ...

We've been shopping - the nice browsy kind with the odd school necessity thrown in - and D treated me to a new Pip Studio towel ...

My kind Mum In Law took us out for a wonderful Sunday lunch yesterday, we've watched films and pottered.

(Ooh, I've just had to break off to peer through the window ... our next door neighbours have just come home from hospital with their brand new baby!!! Sooooo sweet.)

Where was I? Ah yes, I've also been going through some of my photos. My little laptop is positively groaning under the pressure of so many of them. I took this of D on our holiday in Spain ...

I just love it. He's so engrossed in his book, he barely takes his eyes off it to slug his beer and certainly doesn't notice me taking a picture. Plus he is wearing his new glasses. It's still quite a novelty to see him in them ... is it normal to fancy your hubby like mad in specs?

The Blondies are back to school on Thursday and, to be quite honest, we're all looking forward to the return of routine.

Anyway, a little chatty catch-up and a hint of an explanation as to why I've been a little elusive.

Hope you've all had a super bank holiday weekend and that August has treated you kindly. Here's to a serene September ...

Fridge

2011-08-10T20:20:00.000+01:00

There are two new additions to the front of our fridge freezer.

A rainy day gift for me from Blondie Daughter ...

(Ahhh, if only it was real.)

And this hair ...

Me: "Why is there a hair attached to the fridge?"

BD: "I pulled it out of my head. It's special and I want to keep it forever. It's my very first brown hair!"

I felt a little sad. I don't want to have to rename her Mousy Daughter.

We had lots of garlic mash for supper tonight. It's a sad indictment of the British summer that I'm craving winter food in August.

Thank you so much for all your crochet cushion compliments. You're lovely you are.

Spanish Ripples ♥

2011-08-08T12:27:00.000+01:00

(Warning - this post contains excessive amounts of colour!)

Remember the glimpse of something hooky in my last post?

Well ... those few coloursome ripples became my Spanish Ripple Cushion!!!

Come and see ...

I took, on holiday, a bag of my favourite Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK and set about making ripples following Lucy at Attic 24's Neat Ripple Pattern. What a thoroughly soothing pattern it is too once you get into the rhythm. Sitting on the sun-drenched balcony, overlooking the Mediterranean, a glass of wine to hand (seriously), I rippled my way through first one side and then the other.

Lucy actually backed her cushion with a thrifted sweater so I had to call on my own rusty initiative when it came to joining my two crocheted sides together.

After a few aborted attempts at one thing or another (and some really FILTHY words), I ended up double crocheting up the sides of each (two sets of two for each colour and four at each corner) and creating a sort of half ripple (combination of doubles, half trebles and trebles) along the bottom and top to 'straighten' the edges. This was then followed by trebling all the way around ...

I then joined the two panels together by creating a double crochet seam ...

I'm soooo happy with how it looks.

The finished product? Ta-doodly-da ...

My Spanish Ripple Cushion! Do you like it?

It's so wonderfully squashy and, if I bury my face in it, I can still smell the factor 15 ... aaaahhhh.

Happy days.

A Lovely Time But Oh How I Missed My Own Bed ...

2011-07-28T17:01:00.000+01:00

Como estas?

We're back from sunny southern Spain. Boy, it was HOT. You know, 'sweat pouring from every orifice and hurl yourself into the sea at every opportunity' hot! We spent most of the time on the beach at Fuengirola, sunbathing, shell-seeking and swimming ...

We managed a few lovely jaunts around the historical parts of bougainvillea-draped Marbella ...

... showy Puerto Banus, holiday home to the rich and famous, (where I had a 'to die for' beef carpaccio, rocket and parmesan lunch) ...

and pretty Benalmadena ...

Other than the odd exception, we have been on a fish, water and wine diet!

I think I have Omega 3 and Rioja in equal quantities coursing through my veins!

I chickened out of taking my crochet in my hand luggage on the plane though it seems the general consensus is that plastic hooks are permitted.

I managed a little hooky at 'balcony time' (post-beach and shower, pre-going out for supper) ...

(I have, since this photo, done a lot more so will show you in my next post.)

Oh, and read these two books ...

I thoroughly enjoyed both (the title and cover of the Catherine Alliott book are misleading - they make it look a lot more frivolous than it actually is) and would highly recommend them as holiday reads.

So that's our holiday in a nutshell. Two long and wonderfully relaxy weeks.

Here I am, back in Blogland, tanned with peeling boobs (didn't pack my inhibitions!), absolutely streaming with a snotty cold (bloody air conditioning on planes), skint, and soooooo looking forward to catching up with you all and your doings.

Before I potter off, a huge ♥THANK YOU♥ to the gorgeous Cuckoo for bestowing this on me ...

... in my absence. I love your blog Cuckoo (and I did look out for you at Malaga airport!) so am completely delighted!

I know a lot of people already have this award but I should like to pass it on to Cathy at Pink Green if she'll accept it. Cathy's was the very first blog I ever read and it inspired me to make the switch from lurking to blogging. Trust me, trawl her archives, they're so moreish.

See you all soon.

♥ Adios ♥

2011-07-09T10:05:00.002+01:00

It's been a while, how are you?

What to tell you? Hmmm. Well, like a lot of fellow bloggers, we have been struck down with endoftermitis.  A stressful disease which is basically caused by schools shoehorning about 73 different events in the last two weeks of term!!

On reflection though, the Blondies have settled in to their new schools seamlessly and, oh, does that do my heart good.  I'm sooo glad we moved them when we did. We now approach the summer holidays with lots of new friends to arrange playdates with and we know what to expect come September.

Despite being frantic since we last spoke, I've very little of interest to report. I've had a fabulous night out with D and a couple of friends (danced 'til 1:00am which I've not done in ages). I've bumped my car (was actually sitting in my car near school - engine off - crocheting, hadn't put the handbrake on properly and rolled part way down a very steep hill into my daughter's teacher's car!  Luckily very little damage was done other than a slight tattering of my nerves!) I've had a lovely crafty friend for coffee and gossip. Oh and I've been getting upto date with my washing. Why? Because we're off to Spain for a couple of weeks on Monday!!!

I've treated myself to a few new balls of yarn and have a holiday hooky project in mind. By the way, does anyone know if I'll get this through customs and onto the plane?

I mean, seriously, you can do more damage to a person with a pencil. To highlight my point, I stabbed D with my hook, "OWWWWWW, WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR?" Oops.

I'll leave you with a burst of colour from my 2011 archives ...

... and bid you a fond farewell for now and leave you with my heartfelt wishes for a wonderfully happy and healthy few weeks.

(You might recognise sunbathing monkey from my sidebar; it's a bit of a holiday joke that never gets old!)

Kisses, Hxxx

PS. Apologies for close-up of my bottom! ;-)

Things I'm Loving ... And A Couple I'm Not ...

2011-06-24T19:26:00.001+01:00

So loving my patio rose bush (blooms aplenty - more luck than judgement), particularly with the forget-me-not blue fence in the background ...

Ditto my profusion of marguerite daisies (seriously, there are gazillions of them) ...

Apparently, their unopened flowerbuds can be pickled and used like capers.

Still completely in love with the mindless 'up and downness' of my dear old crocheted blanket ...

(Please tell me it's growing) ...

But hate it when there's not ... quite ... enough ... yarn ... to last the row ...

Love 'less is more' crochet and lavender ...

... and mastering slightly more complicated patterns ...

Adore these african flowers (superb pattern here).

(whispers now in case Mr Purse Strings is listening) Love love loving new dress ...

Not loving the fact that it is from Marks and Sparks so there is a distinct possibility of bumping into an 80 year old woman wearing the same one!

Really loving this tangle of sweet peas on the kitchen table and it's heavenly fragrance ...

And always loving this snuggable, huggable, kissable snout ...

But definitely not loving the chocolate-coloured spaniel hair and gubbins wafting along the floor like tumbleweed when there's a through draught ...

Hope your weekend is full of things you love.

The Winner Is ...

2011-06-22T12:25:00.000+01:00

Hey!

I'm a day late with my giveaway draw - oopsy, sorry - but better late than never!

I loved reading your 'I wish I could' comments and it was great to 'meet' some new people! It seems I'm not alone in the desire to waft around in my own handsewn creations.

Anyway, without further ado, I shall be sending a little box of treats and this ...

to ...

Gem of Treasures From The Cherry Tree! Yay!!!

If you send me your address Gem via my email pinkmilk@btconnect.com, I'll pop your parcel in the post petal. Do hope you love it!

Thanks so much to you all for taking part.

♥

Every day I ask my blondies to tell me a fact they have learnt at school. It has to be a little more educational than "my friend Emily doesn't like tomatoes". I thought I'd leave you with what I've learnt today ...

"NEVER CLEAN A TOILET WEARING YOUR FAVOURITE LOOOONG NECKLACE"!

Just saying ...

♥ GiVeAwAy! ♥

2011-06-15T17:27:00.000+01:00

Ooh, I do love my little blog!

As promised, to celebrate my 100th post and as a little thank you to you gorgeous girls and your blogs which also give me such pleasure, a little giveaway!

I've strayed away from my jewellery making for a while - to be honest, it's been usurped by crochet. I do still, however, make the occasional item for myself or special requests.

The winner of this giveaway will receive this pretty sterling silver charm bracelet with turquoise gemstone heart and Karen Hilltribe silver daisy.

Plus a few extra pretties ...

Including some handmade buttons, rose fridge magnets and a few lovelies for your lapel!

Now, I would LOVE to be able to make my own clothes. I have the ideas but not the ability! I've half-heartedly tried but have always ended up getting into a ratty pickle. It's in my genes; my paternal grandmother was a very successful fabric and fashion designer. She didn't like to be referred to as a granny so we always called her Maggie. This is her at the age of 15 ...

And a couple of copies of her handpainted garment and fabric designs ...

In the 1970s she used to go to Buckingham Palace once a month to dress the Queen.

Maggie could sew absolutely anything. If she saw an outfit she liked she could make an exact replica for herself. She was always immaculately dressed though I never, ever saw her in a pair of trousers.

Maggie, who was also a professional artist, worked until she was in her eighties. She died eight years ago at the age of 91.

Anyway, this little canned history of my family leads me back to my giveaway believe it or not! To make it slightly more interesting, is there a particular skill you would LOVE to have? Do tell.

I'll randomly pick a name on the longest day, the 21st June 2011.

Good luck!

H♥

Can't Be Bothered ...

2011-06-10T16:12:00.000+01:00

Hormones dictate that I'm having an 'everything is too much effort' day today. No point in fighting it. It's Friday, the world won't stop turning if I mooch for a while now will it?!

Yesterday I had a little more energy and decided on a spontaneous shopping trip into town. Want to see what I bought?

I just love the colour combination of these Primark beads. They go perfectly with my new White Stuff dress ...

(Note smudge of white gloss paint near my thumb - it won't seem to come off!)

Better view of the dress. It's quite shapeless but in a flattering way, believe it or not, particularly perfect for those 'can't be bothered to hold my tummy in' days! ;-)

Prettiest and softest pyjamas from Primark. Perfect for those 'can't be bothered to get dressed' days.

Also from Primark, a lovely floral ruched top for a 'can be bothered' day.

Citronella tealights in gorgeous rainbow colours. Perfect for those 'can't be bothered with bugs' days!

Rosy socks ...

and, finally, when you can't be bothered to make much effort with supper ...

M&S' edible flower salad. Sigh, summer on a plate!

It's hard work all this 'not being bothered' business, but such fun!

Have a gorgeous weekend.

Such A Lovely Time ♥

2011-06-06T19:07:00.000+01:00

Oh, we had the loveliest little break away, D and I.

We travelled in style, top down all the way! The weather was glorious.

Byfords was absolutely charming. It's a boutique-style hotel with a restaurant and a deli.

Byfords sits in the middle of Holt and is absolutely surrounded by gift and antique shops.

Our favourite place was the Antiques Emporium (thanks for the tip Top Chelsea Girl!). It was like a tardis - room after room stuffed to the rafters with vintage-everything. If only our boot space wasn't limited, I'd have ended up bringing home chimney pots for the garden, a Lloyd Loom chair, a dresser-full of crockery and an armful of linens but I was more than happy to settle for my Sylvac spaniel ...

Note to self, return to Holt next year in a pick-up truck! ;-)

So, in a nutshell, we ate, drank, shopped, chatted, drank, laughed, ate, shopped and ate some more!

It was soooo good to spend some quality time together.

I came back home slightly more chubsy and definitely a little bit more in love with my gorgeous husband!

Before I go, I haven't forgotten my 100 post giveaway ... news to follow shortly. In the meantime, guess what came in the post today ..?

Yay!!!

I've only had a quick flick through so far but, without spoiling your pleasure, it looks every bit as good as the first issue!

Speak soon.

Hxxx

Ooh Laa Laa!

2011-06-01T22:31:00.002+01:00

There's a lot of grot in the world ...

but there's also a hooooootling amount of loveliness.

Look, look, look what Lynda from Hookin With Laa Laa sent me ...

The most exquisitely handmade little purse in CK fabrics (see the inset photo of the back too) complete with beautiful stitchiness on the front.

Embroidered roses (definitely destined for denim), a CK mug (no kidding, I so nearly popped one of these in my trolley when I last went to Waitrose), perfectly peachy ribbon and Lush lotion (my favourite).

Wait, it doesn't stop there, Lynda also included these pretty iron-on letters ...

Oh. How rude.

Oops ...

Tee hee!

Thank you so much Lynda. You have completely got me sussed. Everything is perfectly perfect and I am tickled pink.

I have yet more loveliness to share with you. Tomorrow, D and I, sans blondies, are going here for a whole day and a whole night ...

It's Byfords, the posh Bed and Breakfast, in Holt, Norfolk. Yay!!!

Of Holt, "this pretty Georgian market town, nestled in the north Norfolk countryside, is brimming over with many interesting antique, arts and crafts and gift shops. There are also plenty of lovely places to eat and with the North Norfolk coast within easy reach you can walk off some of those extra calories while breathing the refreshing sea air."

This little trip sort of ties in with D and I 'being together for 18 years' and I'm soooo excited.

Can you believe that our stay is a 'thank you gift' from our dear friends, Peter and Jane *waves to Jane as she is known to stop by from time to time!*

I shall have my trusty Canon Ixus clutched in my mitt so will share all (well, select highlights) on my return!

Before I go, I should like to say a big "THANK YOU" to the lovely Helen of Moonstruck Creations and the gorgeous Gem of Treasures From The Cherry Tree for these awards respectively ...

Do go and have a peek at these girls' blogs, you'll love them.

With regard to fulfilling the rules of the awards, I think you know enough about me already but I'll rack my brains for some interesting facts.

I don't know if you're the same, but it boggles my mind sometimes to know that there are creative, articulate like-minded souls out there (yes, you) who browse my pictures, read what I write and then come back for more.

As I say, such loveliness in the world ...

H♥

Succinct

2011-05-27T22:26:00.001+01:00

Yoo hoo!

How have you been?

Other than a grotty cold (me, courtesy of Blondie daughter), all's well here.

I'd like to take you back (20-ahem-something years) to my school days if I may and tell you about my English Literature teacher, Mrs Thomas, also my form teacher. She was small, dumpy, bespectacled, highly intelligent and completely self-obsessed. She used to like the sound of her own voice so much that she had permanent froth around her mouth - you know, at the corners? The only make-up she wore was crimson lipstick (which made the froth more obvious). She had extremely short cropped brown hair and ginormous bosoms. I don't think she ever liked me. I certainly didn't like her. The fact that she inflicted Chaucer on me was reason enough. I used to while away her lessons marvelling with fascination/repulsion that she had managed to find a husband who was happy to 'do it' with her - and only her - for the rest of his life.

Anyway, Mrs Thomas used to consistently say of me "Heather has the inability to be succinct. She is far too flowery."

She used to use a thick red pen to strike through the 'irrelevant' parts of my paragraphs, leaving only the bare facts.

Yeah, right.

Ok, so maybe I do chunter on a little but that's no bad thing surely?

Back to now, since we last spoke, I have been doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that. The danger is though, you see, it having been a while since I posted, I am tempted to drone on a bit and regale you with the unnecessary and uninteresting. So, with Mrs Thomas and her enormous boobies in mind, (wherever you are you old ratbag), I give you an unflowery and succinct recap on what I've been up to in the last week ...

A little DIY ...

(If I weren't being succinct, I'd remind you that I'd bought this lovely shelf unit last summer from a local house sale for the princely sum of £10. Up until this week, it has been languishing unloved in our garage. I thought I'd best rescue it before D starts putting his man gubbins on it!)

Some thrifting ...

(If I weren't being succinct, I'd say that my heart skipped a beat when I spotted this Aynsley china posy to add to my ever-expanding collection; it's in such beautiful condition.)

(If I weren't being succinct, I'd tell you that I love, love, love this little jug. The price? 20p from a car boot sale! Are the flowers dog roses?)

(If I weren't being succinct, I'd let you know that this is actually a pair of vintage handmade curtains. There must be about 4 metres of fabric and, at £1.99, I couldn't not buy them!)

A trip to the hairdresser ...

(If I weren't being succinct, I'd tell you that I ALWAYS have highlights put in in May, I call it my 'summer hair'. I've gone more copper than blond this year.)

Done a little crochet ...

(If I weren't being succinct, I'd say that I was making slow but steady progress with my dear old blanket. I've done 28 rows and am aiming for about 100. The Sublime Baby Cashmere is a complete dream to crochet.)

Had some treats in the post ...

(If I weren't being succinct, I'd tell you that lovely Lynda, Hookin With LaaLaa, and I have done a little pressie swapsie. She mentioned that she loved a particular pair of my handmade earrings so I sent her some and she, in turn, sent me the most wonderful package of goodies. So wonderful, in fact, it is worthy of it's own blog post.)

Phew, it's hard being succinct.

See ya.
(If I weren't being succinct, I'd wish you all a fantabulous weekend, I'd thank all new followers for deeming me worthy and say that I love reading each and every comment even if I am a little behind in replying personally.)

H♥

PS. My name is Heather and I am incapable of being succinct. Up yours Mrs T.

Oh Sweet Saturday ...

2011-05-14T20:54:00.000+01:00

... all about a little of what you fancy.

♥

From The Ridiculous To The Sublime!

2011-05-09T17:08:00.001+01:00

Hello friends. I do hope I find you well.

Do you like my rose? It's sitting in an Ikea 'milk bottle' on the mantelpiece. As I walk past the lounge, I find myself popping my head in and gazing at it. A bit naughty really, but I cut it from my patio rose tree which only has eight flowers in bloom so far - I couldn't resist bringing some of it's prettiness inside.

The blondies both started at their new schools last Wednesday and seem to be settling in so well. At the end of the first day, Blondie daughter came out beaming from ear to ear and arm-in-arm with her new best friend, which delighted me enormously. Blondie son is still finding his feet a little with his school - it's large and modern (I think he's gotten lost a couple of times) but he says he is enjoying it. Both were very chirpy this morning which I think can only be a good sign!!

Anyway, I wanted a little chat about crochet and yarn if that's okay?

It's funny, before I stepped over the threshold of Blogland, I had absolutely zero interest in crochet at all. To me, it was something done by old ladies with itchy oatmeal wool. Two of the very first blogs I encountered were Lucy's rainbow world at Attic 24 (synonymous with crochet, say no more) and Vanessa's Coco Rose Textiles. Both were creating such crocheted gorgeousness I NEEDED to learn! Vanessa had not long taught herself to crochet and was extremely encouraging. That was the beginning of last year. I did teach myself but, since then, I've been a bit like a child in a sweetie shop. There are so many beautiful colours of yarn, so many pretty things I wanted to make, I think I got myself into a bit of a pickle. I would buy the odd couple of balls of yarn here and a few more there; I would start a project, lose interest or run out of yarn and completely forget what I was using and where I got it from. I had little baskets or bags of 'works in progress' dotted around the house. All this is quite unlike me in some ways. I am meticulously organised when it comes to my jewellery beads and findings ...

Anyway, enough was enough so, last week, I had a jolly ruthless sort out. I've unravelled a fair few 'WIPs' I know I will never finish, I've gifted a few odd balls of yarn to Blondie daughter and neatly categorised the rest!!

This, I have decided dear friends, is where my little old blog will come in extremely useful!!! One thing Lucy does on her blog which I absolutely love is to include the details of each crochet project. That way, she has a permanent 'crochet log' to which she can refer. Also, of course, you may well see a particular yarn in a particular colourway that inspires you too.

So, here goes ...

Project 1 : Crocheted Striped Blanket

Started : May 2011

Hook Size : Starting Row 5mm, Remaining Rows 4.5mm

Stitches In A Row : 200

Pattern : None, random!

Yarn : Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk dk and Cashmere Merino Silk dk from here.

Colours : (top row, left to right) 158 Ladybug, 122 Honey Bunny, 195 Puzzle, 194 Seesaw Blue, (bottom row, left to right) 048 Cheeky, 130 Fleur, 103 Jelly, 125 Bathtub.

Don't you think it's a good idea?

Right, I'm off to catalogue my knicker drawer now ...

Have a lovely evening.

H♥

Ooh, I've just realised this is my 100th post!!! I think I can feel a little giveaway coming on! :-)

4 Years ...

2011-05-03T21:00:00.002+01:00

This is my baby girl ...

We bicker, she answers back, she is INCREDIBLY messy ...

but she is the light of my life.

She is 9 years old but still looks like a baby when she is fast asleep with her arms above her head and her cheeks flushed pink.

I adore her and couldn't begin to imagine life without her.

I'm not a perfect mummy. I don't think any mummy is.

Four years ago, Madeleine McCann was snatched from her holiday apartment in Praia Da Luz in Portugal.

Madeleine will be 8 years old on 12th May.

Whatever your thoughts about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, please spare a thought. For her parents. For her brother and sister. Most importantly, for her.

Wherever you are Madeleine, I hope you're safe and being nurtured. You're not forgotten sweetie.

xxx

Sandy Toes ...

2011-04-27T19:11:00.003+01:00

Guess where we spent Easter?

Camping in beautiful Dorset!

It was very spontaneous; decided on Thursday, went on Friday. We didn't book anything, simply packed the car and went. It was absolutely GLORIOUS!

We've come home with sun burnt shoulders, handfuls of beach treasure (I have a little project in mind), 300 photos and a hootling pile of dirty washing but so completely refreshed and recharged.

Hope you all had a fabulous Easter.

Thank You x

2011-04-16T14:53:00.001+01:00

Hello! I do hope you're all well this sunny Saturday.

A massive and heartfelt ♥THANK YOU♥ for your comments in response to my last post. I was completely touched by your kindness. In fact, a few of you brought tears to my eyes. I'm not normally one to lick my wounds in public and came extremely close to deleting the post straight after I'd written it, but your supportive comments started to appear which filled me with confidence.

To update you very briefly, we've been to look around the children's new schools and they are both fabulous. So colourful and creative. The blondies are thoroughly excited. You're absolutely right, I think I had underestimated how resilient children can be.

As for the other business, well let's just say I'm stealing myself not to dwell on it.

Do you like my little tree? Guess what it is. It's an olive tree! Blondie daughter and I adore olives and the idea of being able to pick and eat them straight from our very own tree fills me will such pleasure. Whether or not it will flower and fruit this year, I've no idea. Apparently they are extremely slow growing. I shall have to do a little research to find out more.

I pottered around the garden first thing this morning in my dressing gown with my camera.

1. Viburnum 2. Lilac 3 & 4. Crab Apple Tree Blossom

It really is one of my favourite times of the year in our garden. The viburnum flowers are all nearly open and the smell is heavenly. The lilac buds are bulging in readiness and the crab apple tree is peppered with pink and white.

I couldn't resist showing you this picture I took of Bertie too - just love his shadow!!!

Well, I'm off out into the garden again now with some crochet. I've been trying my hand at some amigurumi. Kate of Greedy For Colour (gorgeous blog if you've not come across her before) has a super tutorial for little Easter Eggs. There sure are a lot of stitches for something so little! Here is my first attempt ...

I really rather fancy making half a dozen in zesty colours to hang from my little Easter tree so I'd best 'crack on' (tee hee!).

Enjoy your weekend and thank you again, you are all angels.

Hxxx

The Last Couple Of Weeks Have Been A Bit Pants!

2011-04-08T11:08:00.001+01:00

Hello dear friends.

I'm going to side step my usual pretty pictures and creative musings and tell you a little bit about the last couple of weeks if that's okay. It's really for my own benefit I guess.

I am very proud of the fact that D and I have managed to send our two blondies to private school up until now. Like a lot of the parents who choose to do the same, we have never found it terribly easy but have always considered it money extremely well spent. We are lucky to have two naturally (read as 'genetically on my side' ha ha!) bright children who have positively flourished at school.

You may remember me posting about one of my proudest mummy moments? It was last year's Speech Day when Blondie Son collected a scholarship for academic excellence and Blondie Daughter an award for outstanding academic achievement?

There comes a point however when one has to admit defeat and that can be very, very hard. For some time now, more than every last penny has been going on household bills and school fees. We have, quite simply, had nothing left.

Last half term, Blondie Daughter went to spend the day at her best friend's (a gorgeous and unassuming little girl) house. (Picture a sprawling country house with acres of land.) Blondie daughter had the most wonderful time swimming in their pool, grooming and riding their ponies and going out for a meal.

On the way home, best friend's father asked my daughter if she'd had a nice day and whether she wished she could stay with them or was she glad to be going home (yes, peculiar question I know). My daughter apparently replied "Home, because it's cosy".

Fast forward to today, in an hour I shall be collecting my two children for the very last time from their current school. We have secured them places at good local state schools and they start after Easter. My gorgeous husband has had a huge financial weight lifted and his relief is visible.

We have talked until we are hoarse and have had a lot of tears about leaving friends but I have never been so proud of my two wonderful children who have accepted our decision with such understanding.

We still have a term's fees to pay which, despite these austere times, have risen by 5% but that's another story.

So, as you can imagine, that has been preoccupying to say the least.

***

Our next door neighbours have a very pretty cat. Everybody locally knows this cat. She has slept on each of our doorsteps in turn. She has zero road sense and has been known to stop traffic by slowly sauntering across the road, often stopping midway to have a wash. I recently found out she was 18 years old. Despite being more of a dog person, I have always been fond of her. We all have.

Our neighbours are a young couple in their thirties. She is expecting her first baby in the summer. They went on holiday for a fortnight and his parents visited their house twice daily to feed the cat.

Last Friday, I was out in the garden and heard a commotion coming from the road at the front of our house. I rushed out to find two young Asian men with two bullmastiff dogs. Each dog had one end of our neighbour's cat. I'm not going to go into detail but will say that it was horrific. Instinctively I ran straight over to help but the dogs were not going to release their prey until she had died which she did thankfully quite quickly, through shock I think. One of the men panicked and was thumping and kicking the dogs on the head but the other man couldn't really give a shit. He became very threatening with another neighbour who called the police and then ran off. These men have been seen locally on numerous occasions, particularly in a nearby park, goading other dogs with theirs.

As I said, I am more of a dog person and know that a dog's behaviour is a product of the way it's been brought up. These dogs were aggressive like their owner.

We have a lovely local community and it wasn't long before nearly every neighbour came out onto the street.

The police arrived en masse and tracked the men down but as I hadn't actually seen the men taunting the cat with their dogs prior to the attack, no arrests were made.

I looked after the cat's body until our neighbours returned the next day and obviously had to tell them what had happened.

The problem has been that I haven't been able to stop re-running the ghastly scenes through my mind. It was one of the most awful things I've ever seen. What if it had been a child? I'm even worrying about the dogs - they took quite a few thumps to their heads. I know the pictures in my head will fade but it is still leaving me a bit sick to my stomach.

So, as I said, the last couple of weeks have been a bit pants.

However, the sun is shining. Four weeks of Easter holidays stretch ahead. My desire to crochet is making my fingers twitch and I have a lot of delicious blog reading to catch up on.

Thanks so much for listening.

Being Creative In The Garden

2011-03-30T16:39:00.002+01:00

Hello you.

What a naughty blogger I have been of late. The truth is I've been outside making the most of the sunshine and 'doing stuff'! Tidying, painting, weeding, painting, sweeping and painting. Oh, did I mention painting?

I'm slowly transforming our little garden into an oasis of colour.

We're making a couple of lifestyle tweaks which are preoccupying me at the moment so being busy outside has been very therapeutic.

So saying, I have managed a little gentle creativity this week inspired by Julia Crossland's 'Being Creative' project. This month's theme is, rather appropriately, 'Garden'.

I'm not a natural seamstress but do love fiddling with pretty fabric on a small scale. Garden to me is synonymous with flowers and I wanted to make something whimsical so, a little ta dah ...

(Not brilliant photos as it's so very dull today.)

"Just living is not enough ... one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."

Hans Christian Anderson

Do take a peek at the other creative contributions, they're fabulous.

H x♥x

Charting The Seasons ... Spring 2011 ... Still Chilly Enough For Tights ♥

2011-03-15T11:49:00.000Z

Making Plans

2011-03-08T15:34:00.000Z

Hello, hello. How lovely to see you. I do hope you're well this sunny Shrove Tuesday.

I am not the biggest fan of pancakes. When we were children, Mum used to make us a thick dinner plate-sized pancake each and, my goodness, I did have to wade through mine and nearly always felt slightly sick afterwards! D is definitely in charge of any pancake making in this house and even has his very own crepe pan for the job. He makes beautifully light lacy pancakes but they are always very, very round. I mean, spookily round - they give me the heebie jeebies. His omelettes are exactly the same.

Anyway, I've been out this morning and bought a couple of big fat lemons which is my contribution to pancake proceedings!

I have a springy-spring in my step today. I'm LOVING the fact that we've had two days of cloudless skies. My bedding is out on the line for the first time in absolutely ages. It always smells so much fresher when it's been dried outside. Just look at that sky ...

I was a domestic goddess yesterday; cleaning, tidying and washing like a mad thing. Today, I feel much more like pottering and bitting-and-bobbing.

I wandered out this morning for a browse around the local shops, treating myself to a plummy chrysanthemum and some daffodils.

Then I sat on the back door step with my M&S prawn sandwiches and a smoothie while I contemplated the garden. My thoughts always turn to the garden when the sun is shining. I've decided that I'm going all out for colour and flowers this year. Three of our fence panels blew down in the recent winds and were damaged so we're having to replace them. I'm rather fancying staining them this colour ...

(Image from www.cuprinol.co.uk)

Isn't it gorgeous?

Our little garden is south-facing and like a sun trap. Can you imagine me sitting in my lavender-coloured oasis with a large glass of chilled white wine? I can! :-)

Well, I only have an hour before I collect the Blondies from school which gives me just enough time to cut these Sarah Smith cloths up into triangles for some garden bunting; an idea which I've seen a couple of times in Blogland. One of the many reasons I so love blogging, it's like a bottomless pit of ideas and inspiration.

Enjoy the rest of your day.

♥ Hx ♥

From The Pencils Of Babes ...

2011-03-02T14:46:00.000Z

Am I improving with age?

Hmm, clearly not!!!

Optimistic ...

2011-02-28T16:17:00.000Z

Well this won't do. It won't do at all. My 'February 2011' blog folder is looking very sparce so I thought I'd slip in a quickie before we march optimistically into March! ;-)

I did actually compose a post on Friday entitled 'The Half Term Horrids' which opened with a large photograph of a puddle. Well, it depressed me so much, I thought I'd spare you and deleted it, choosing to wait until the stresses and strains of last week abated. Said stresses - only ickle ones - were not all directly linked to it being half term but just happened to fall in one badly-timed heap which was half term.

Hey-ho.

Look at me, I've not even asked if you had a nice week/weekend. Did you?

As lovely as it is to have the children at home and a week off from routine, it's just as lovely to send them back to school isn't it?!

I didn't get much chance for 'creating' last week.

One of my many ongoing projects is crocheting a ripple lap blanket which is proving to be so easy to pick up and put down as the opportunity arises because it doesn't need too much thinking about ...

(I don't know if you can see my sparkly hairgrip in the top righthand corner of the photograph? Well, it's my stitch marker! I'm such a girl!)

It's not progressing terribly fast but I'm not too worried. Ooh, maybe it could be for my first grandchild?!!!!

Talking of projects, I have several more lined up since buying myself this super book ...

I know there are quite a few people out there in Blogland wanting or beginning to learn to crochet so I do thoroughly recommend it. The book opens with some of the clearest stitch instructions and diagrams I have ever come across.

I wonder if I can whizz up that jaunty hat before the warmer weather comes?

Here's hoping March is filled with sunshine and smiles.

Hugs and kisses, Hx

I Should Like To Thank ...

2011-02-18T12:24:00.000Z

It being award season, I should like to add a few of my own 'thank yous' if I may ...

♥ To all of you for your really kind comments and good wishes on my wedding anniversary post. (D and I have since acquired a few more grey hairs, lines and pounds I hasten to add!)

♥ To the wonderfully talented Tanya of TeaPea for my gorgeous pink cow print. As soon as I found out Tanya had made prints from her beautiful embroidered creation, I ~~wanted~~ needed one ...

♥ To Marion of Colour Couture for my Valentine Swap goodies (I'm so glad you liked yours) and, of course, the lovely Jackie of Sew Special Bears for organising said swap ...

(one lolly missing - it didn't quite make it to the photo shoot!)

♥ To the incredibly sweet (and scarily TIDY it has to be said) Lissy Lou for not only awarding me another ...

but also for her fantastic '2nd Birthday Giveaway' prize ...

I love it all. Thank you so much. x

♥ And finally, but by no means least, to my very own Blondie Son for leaving this in the middle of his bedroom floor yesterday ...

So that I might end up with a lump on my head and this on my underarm ...

It's so sore :-(

I shall be back shortly with some WIPs including my very first attempts at patchworking!

In the meantime, have a simply lovely (and safe) weekend.

Still My Valentine ...

2011-02-14T10:15:00.000Z

13 years ago today, I married my bestest and most handsomest friend in the world.

Love you D.

xxx

Handmade With Love ...

2011-02-09T15:21:00.000Z

What a wonderful day it was yesterday. The sun shone and the world seemed a much brighter place.

It was a little bit chillier than it has been but what a good excuse to wear my new creations!!!

Yay! I finished my scarf (see the tassels!) and made matching wrist warmers following Julia 'is there no end to her talents?' Crossland's brilliant toasty mitts pattern.

I am so proud of them.

(Do excuse gnarled dry hands!)

I honestly think they are the first 'items of clothing' I have ever made myself and worn. What a lovely feeling that is.

Happy days.

Hx

Just Us Girls ...

2011-02-04T14:20:00.000Z

Hello there. How lovely to see you. How are you this extremely blustery Friday? I don't know about you but I'm staying safely holed up at home today for fear of a stray roof tile landing on my head! As I sit here in my little craft room up on the third floor, the wind is crashing around and buffeting the house like goodness knows what. It's quite unnerving.

Well, it's been just us girls this week (apart from Bertie of course) as D and Blondie Son are on a skiing holiday in Avoriaz. I went skiing once, hated it and vowed never to return. It would seem BS has inherited D's skiing genes (and superior sense of balance) so, as I write, they are probably tearing down the side of a mountain in the French Alps. We'll move swiftly on if that's okay or I shall start imagining worried-mummy-type scenarios ...

Blondie daughter and I have had such a lovely week. One of the first things we did on Saturday, after the boys had left, was to go shopping and fill the fridge full of treats and the foods we like. We've had lovely long Cath Kidston's rose bubble baths in the evenings, treated ourselves to magazines, had crafty sessions, (she can now crochet chain and has been making Hannah Montana-style headbands for all her friends) and she's been reading The Worst Witch to me. We haven't fallen out once. So, as much as I've missed my boys, I have thoroughly and unashamedly enjoyed having my baby girl to myself.

What else have I been up to this week? Well, my spring cleaning quest continues though not quite as intensely as before and I'm currently ruthlessly sorting through clothes and having curtains and blinds cleaned. Crikey though, I think you need a degree in window dressing to re-thread roman blinds once you've taken them apart! They're a nightmare.

Mum and I had a lovely 'ladies what lunch and shop' day on Wednesday. I bought yet more yarn (seriously, I think it's an addiction - put a great wall of wool in rainbow colours in front of me and any willpower I might have simply buggers off). I also found this stunning wrapping paper marked down to £1 a sheet. I bought one purely to frame ...

Beautiful isn't it?

Despite trying to be a little bit frugal at the moment, my purchases didn't end there. I simply couldn't resist this after seeing it in the new White Stuff catalogue ...

Lush isn't it? The colour attracted me instantly, like a moth to a flame, particularly when it's teamed with this week's crochet project ...

Yes, it's a vertical stripe scarf (less ends to sew in!) in wonderful zingy springy colours.

A few more stripes are still to be added; lilac, another pink and vanilla, and then it will be tassled!

My desperate need for colour continues it seems.

Well I'm off for a sandwich, there's some smoked salmon in the fridge with my name on it.

Have a wonderful weekend and, if you get the chance, spare a thought for a little someone who will be knee deep in dirty pants and smelly salopettes! ;-)

Yarn Shopping

2011-01-22T11:42:00.001Z

Oh you girls (as my Gran used to say); such lovely comments regarding my felt heart garland in my last post. Bless you, thank you! I do feel a bit of a fraud as it came together quite quickly and supremely enjoyably!

Now, some weeks ago, a little card came through the letterbox announcing the arrival of a new and very local wool shop! Wool shops are extremely thin on the ground in my neck of the woods I can tell you, so I was quite thrilled about the prospect of going shopping when it opened yesterday!

I might have 'learnt to crochet' some time last year but I'm still finding my feet with regard to yarns. To be honest, I have absolutely no idea as to the technical difference between 'double knit', 'worsted' and 'aran' weights. I'm only just discovering the merits (or not) of acrylic versus cotton versus silk, blah de blah.

To date, I have ordered the majority of my yarn from the internet where I can commit my crochet crimes in safe anonymity.

So, yesterday, it was with a teeny bit of trepidation that I went to buy some yarn in person. Would there be crochet police around the perimeter, ready to pounce? Worse, would there be three middle aged women who had 127 years knitting and crochet experience between them, grilling the shoppers on how they sew in their ends? Would I be timed on how long it took me to complete a 6" square of treble stitch before being allowed to cross the boundary?

Is that silly?

Of course, there was none of that; the staff were kindly, and I had the most wonderful browse and eventually selected a small pile of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino and Sublime, a mixture of double knit and aran, simply because I liked the look and feel of them! And, yes, I had every intention of using them together. Because, when you learn any craft, that's what's important isn't it? It's all about finding your own way. There aren't really any rules. Are there?

Yah boo sucks!

I wish you all a wonderful weekend but not before showing you my sweet violas. The colours are so pretty they leave me weak with delight.

Happy crafting!

Addendum ...Yes, the ergonomic crochet hook is FANTASTICALLY COMFY! I'd been getting hand cramps with my previous metal hook. Shame it was only proffered in a poo colour, seems you cannot have brains AND beauty. :-)

One Free Afternoon ...

2011-01-20T14:31:00.000Z

... and a thirst for colour ...

Monday Musings ...

2011-01-17T16:45:00.003Z

Other than a slightly icky tummy, I had a lovely weekend. Did you?

You'll be pleased to hear that my cleaning negligee has been packed away and, apart from the odd little 'sort out' here and there, I am now happy to just potter and be rather than do.

Today's domestic duties have included clearing the fridge front of all magnets, notes, party invites and bumf, giving it a quick spritz and wipe before putting them all back again!

We have a spotty cup of coloured pencils in the kitchen at the ready for any important colouring-in requirements and I spent a wonderfully therapeutic 10 minutes or so sharpening them all this morning.

Colouring-in these days for us seems to be mostly homework-related. Now that the blondies are 12 and 9, colouring books seem to be a thing of the past sadly. Aah, I do miss it. None of the pressure of drawing, simply colouring. Do you remember those A3 doodle colouring-in posters you used to get in cardboard tubes when we were younger? They often came with their own little four-pack of pencils or felt tip pens which were awful quality. I wonder if you can still get them?

Anyway, that is absolutely as domestic as I'm getting today.

My little car has gone in to the garage to be mended. Thankfully, we've just been informed that it is a relatively straightforward and inexpensive sensor problem so I should have her back tomorrow. I had no idea my little car had sensors, so I am really quite impressed with her for sounding so complicated and grown-up.

I am also finding it quite delicious that my car-less drive makes it look like I'm not at home when I actually am!

So, having had lunch, and with D collecting the blondies from school, my afternoon will be a leisurely one.

Talking of lunch, I rarely eat mine alone. Do you ever feel like you're being watched? ...

"Purleease, I've not eaten for weeks and weeks ..."

Bertie has so mastered the art of looking scraggy and beseeching when there's food about.

Right-oh, coffee to hand, I have some definite blog catching up to do.

Before I go, a big thank you to the lovely Pene of Scrap My Midlife Crisis who has awarded me with this ...

To be considered 'stylish' makes me very chuffed indeed!

I am struggling to find the obligatory seven interesting 'about me' things so, if it's okay, I shall cheat (albeit stylishly of course) and borrow some of Lissy Lou's (whose birthday giveaway link is on my sidebar) recent tag. As for forwarding it, so many blogs give me so much pleasure so, if you're here and still reading, I hereby award it to you. Yes, you.

What time did you get up this morning?

6:16am, usual school morning time. Hideous isn't it?

How do you like your steak?

Very much and medium to well done please.

What was the last film you saw at the cinema?

Yikes, I can't remember. I usually wait for things to come out on dvd.

What is your favourite TV show?

Currently Miranda and always QI.

What did you have for breakfast?

Bovril on toast and tea.

What is your favourite cuisine?

Spanish and Italian.

What foods do you dislike?

Stodgy puddings, liver and goats cheese. Bleeurgh!

Favourite dressing?

Simply a good quality extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper.

What kind of vehicle do you drive?

A cornflower blue feisty 1.9 VW Polo.

Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?

Nearly always 1/2 full.

Where were you born?

Leicester.

What is your favourite sport to watch?

Yuck, none.

Are you a morning person or a night person?

A morning person.

Are you a cat or dog person?

Woof!

Are you married?

Yes, to my soulmate D. We will celebrate our 13th anniversary on Valentines' Day.

Do you always wear your seat belt?

Oh god yes.

Been in a car accident?

One which has left me with a lorry phobia.

Favourite Pizza Toppings?

Tuna, capers, anchovies and pineapple.

Favourite Flower?

Gerberas, tulips, peonies.

Favourite ice cream?

Don't really eat it.

How many times did you fail your driver's test?

None, I passed first time.

Broccoli?

Absolutely love it, particularly purple sprouting broccoli.

What are you listening to right now?

Radio 2.

How many tattoos do you have?

Two. A daisy on my wrist and a rosebud on my shoulder.

Coffee drinker?

Ooh, yes, one sugar please.

Happy day.

Clearing The Way For 2011 ...

2011-01-11T22:08:00.000Z

(http://www.weheartit.com/)

Oh my goodness me, how January is nipping past. Have I really not posted since last year?!

I should love to tell you that I was spirited off on a spontaneous adventure to a far flung place and return full of wondrous tales but ... alas, it is not so.

The truth is, I have been taken over by a demon domestic fiend who has had me working my way through my little home tidying, sorting, cleaning, hoovering and polishing. With regard to conversation, I am a little bit definitely sitting in the 'complete dullard' department at present. Unless you fancy a chat about the merits of hoovering mattresses, rearranging furniture and washing fingerprints and ancient spaniel bogies off walls and skirting boards then I should absolutely pass me by.

Only for a wee bit mind ...

2010 ... Done!

2010-12-31T16:18:00.000Z

Just a quickie 'hello' to you.

Everyone in Blogland seems to have had a lovely Christmas and we were no exception. It's been a wonderfully lethargic few days brimming with over indulgence. No more beige food for me though please!

Lots of gorgeous pressies including a new Canon Ixus camera from Handsome Hubby which was a complete surprise. I've been lugging around my late Father In Law's chunky-monkey camera for yonks so it's a total delight to have something so teeny and convenient. I am a little worried it will slip out my pocket and into the loo at some point (I have done that with a mobile phone before - wasn't pretty!).

Other favourite pressies have included a fab new purse ...

... perfume and smellies, a jewellery holder, ditsy floral tights, some handmade pretties oh, and this ...

It's just hilarious. I'm trying to eke it out and only watch one episode each day. Such fun!

I've been doing lots of crocheting in the last couple of days but I'll fill you in with that next year! In fact, I've got terrible cramp in the palms of my hands which I now call 'crochet claw'!

We're off out partying with our lovely neighbours tonight. I've already exchanged 'Happy New Years' with my brother in Sydney. Weird to think he is now in 2011 and we're not.

Anyway, as the sun sets on this, the last day of 2010 dear blog friends, I wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year. May all your piles of ironing be little ones.

To All My Wonderful Blogging Friends And Followers

2010-12-22T14:58:00.000Z

I can't tell you how much pleasure you have given me over the past year, thank you so much.

Can we do it all again next year?!

In the meantime, I should like to wish each and every one of you a wonderfully

With love and kisses,

Heather

xxx

A Week To Go

2010-12-17T14:42:00.000Z

The cards are written and sitting in their neat little piles of those to be posted and those to be delivered.

The decorations and tree are up.

The presents are all bought and paid for though a couple are sitting in draughty warehouses awaiting despatch.

We finally made it through the teachers' pressies, carol concerts, parents' evenings, secret santas, Christmas fayres and parties madness that is the end of term. Three whole delicious weeks.

My little home has had half its pre-Christmas clean.

The cupboards are nice and full.

And breathe ...

I feel strangely relaxed.

This, my friends, is one of the best bits. The preamble when almost everything is done and the excitement starts to build.

(Christmas angels created by my blondies some years ago and my most favouritest decorations!)

Post Traumatic Pottering And A Pressie x

2010-12-04T14:35:00.001Z

Yoo hoo!

It's me!

Hello!

Aren't these flowers gorgeous? I bought them from Waitrose. I've no idea what they're called, I just love their big blousy cabbagey heads and plummy colour.

It's so good to be back and isn't blogland just bedecked in festive cheer and inspiration?

Since we last spoke, my Christmas Craft Fair has been and gone. Despite the FREEZING conditions, over 500 people came. We had a fabulous variety of stalls and raised lots of money for charity. My god but I'm glad it's over though. Sooo stressful. Never again. I know a lot of bloggers wax lyrical about craft fairs they've attended and the wonderful people they've met. From an organiser's point of view, most of the stallholders were indeed quite delightful but a couple deserved a slap for being so downright rude. The sad but true law of averages I guess.

Despite having a bit of a snotty cold, I have had such a lovely week since. Lots of much-needed post-traumatic pottering and fiddling plus an extremely therapeutic craft room purge and tidy!

I've thoroughly enjoyed leisurely making some more bits for next week's school Christmas Fayre (which somebody else is organising hooray!!!).

I've been photographing some of my jools ...

Oh yes, can you believe, I won a giveaway this week!!! My very first one in a year of blogging!* Our brave woolly-hatted postman risked life and limb (for which I am everso grateful) to deliver this ...

Thank you so much lovely Alison at Vintage Amethyst for my gorgeous pressies. The sign is hanging so prettily in my kitchen - I love it. If you haven't ever visited Alison's shop and browsed her beautiful collection of home bits and gifts, you need to go now, do it, go, go, go and don't forget your purse!!!!

It was blondie son's 12th birthday on Thursday. I put in a teeny request with Mother Nature who came up trumps, bless her, and dumped a shed-load of snow on top of the children's school rendering it closed for the day!!! We ended up having a wonderfully moochy day (despite Now That's What I Call Music 77 being on a constant loop in the background!).

I said to my Mum, "I can't believe my baby boy is 12", to which she replied "well I can't believe my baby girl is nearly 40!" Gee thanks! For the record, I shall be 39 on Tuesday, nearly 40 indeed!

I must go for now. I have to return blondie son's pal after a sleepover and am feeling an overwhelming urge to crochet a star or two and blondie daughter needs help with her Tudor Fashions project.

Have a super weekend.

Hx

*PS. I've just realised that I posted my very first blog entry a year ago today!!! Happy bloggiversary me!

Trying To Be More Brazen ...

2010-11-21T16:27:00.000Z

Hello all.

How are you this dreary and chilly Sunday? I won't tell you that I've just had a message from my little brother (he who's emigrated to Sydney) who took great pleasure in telling me that he has been sunbathing in temperatures of 25 degrees and over. You can go off people you know ...

Well, I've spent the last few days making felt flower brooches, partly to satisfy my thirst for colour, partly to sell on my stall at the school's Christmas Fayre. In fact, I've gone a bit 'felt flower crazy' and made so many that I've listed a few in my poor, neglected Folksy shop just in case there are any lapels out there gagging for some cheer!

The novelty has worn off a little and I now feel the need for a lie down in a darkened room!!!

By the way, I was tickled pink with your response to my cheeky toilet picture so I've popped one of those in my Folksy shop too. I feel a little bit of a fraud as it didn't exactly take much crafting but I've decided I've got to be more brazen and prolific otherwise I'll never make any money doing the things I love.

Isn't it funny? I'm actually an outgoing and self-confident person but when it comes to selling things, I turn into a bit of a heap and HATE talking money. Love spending it, just hate talking about it!!!

Anyway, this week I shall be having a break from sewing and putting my jools head back on - I've had some lovely necklace ideas.

I'm off now to catch up on a few of your blogs and then to browse the White Stuff website - handsome hubby has asked me to earmark a few things as ideas for my birthday in a couple of weeks ... wheehee!

Hx

Keep Calm

2010-11-15T10:05:00.000Z

The dishwasher is making a strange grinding sound.

My car keeps slipping out of gear.

I've lost my 4mm crochet hook.

My dear little house is festooned with chocolate spaniel hair.

There are more clothes in the wash basket than in the wardrobes.

Meals are unimaginative and, frankly, a pain in the way they keep coming round so quickly.

Blondie daughter has exams all this week.

My little blog is gathering dust.

My family has five birthdays in December (including mine).

Mum and Dad's 40th wedding anniversary.

Not to mention Christmas.

I am organising a 50 stall craft fair.

So what do I do?

I sign up for a stall at the school's Christmas Fair.

Note to self ... keep calm and make stuff.

Quick.

Normal service will be resumed soon. Hope you're all well. x

Shameless Promotion And A Little Gentle Begging

2010-11-04T11:32:00.000Z

Good morning! I hope you're all well.

I have been a busy bee.

If I may, first the shameless promotion ...

In just over three weeks time, my pal noodleBubble and I will be hosting our second ever Christmas Craft Fair!

It's a big old 'do' and takes a lot of organising (and diplomacy) but it is something dear to both our hearts. We have fifty stalls booked with crafty-types selling almost everything you can think of!

If you're localish and fancy a one-stop Christmas craft shop, then we'd love to see you. Mention 'pinkmilk' and you'll get in free! :-)

Secondly, the gentle begging ...

I will be heading up the tombola and our chosen charity this year is the NSPCC. I had my own stall selling jewellery last year but want to have some freedom to wander about doing event-organisery type things with my clipboard this time! Most of our stallholders have kindly offered to donate items as prizes. There is, however, always room for more. That's where you come in! If you have a little handmade something you would like to donate - all proceeds going directly to the NSPCC - it would be received with a huge whoop and cyber hug from me.

Dear friends, you are obviously under absolutely no obligation but I should hate to regret not asking. If it is something you think you'd like to do, please send me a quick message to pinkmilk@btconnect.com and I will let you have my address.

Bless you and thank you.

♥ Hx ♥

Men!

2010-10-26T20:58:00.002+01:00

Just a little something I fashioned today.

Loose Ends

2010-10-23T14:30:00.003+01:00

(Sooo many loose ends to sew in! Crochet heart bunting in progress based on Julia Crossland's pattern!)

Happy Saturday to you.

I expect a lot of you with children will be languishing in the enjoyment that is a week of half term ahead. Well, we're coming to the end of ours so homework is being completed, uniform is drying on the radiators and I'm trying not to think about the 6:16am starts. :-(

Anyhow, thought I'd use this opportunity to do a little blog housekeeping and tie up a few loose ends.

Firstly, thank you very much to those girlies offering to take part in my PIF giveaway. For ease and, I hope, fairness, I shall select the first three:-

Beki at The Ramblings Of An Everyday Mummy
Tanya at Tea Pea
Jackie at Sew Special Bears

Yay! If you can email me at pinkmilk@btconnect.com and let me have your addresses, I shall be sending you something Heathermade in the forthcoming months.

Secondly, one of my very first and bestest blogging buddies, the lovely Kayleigh at Love 2 Illustrate, tagged me with the following seven 'Meme' questions:-

1. What is your favourite book?

Definitely this one ...

2. What is your most treasured childhood memory?

I had a happy childhood and treasure all my memories as they come back to me. I treasure the memory of the freedom we had, going out for adventures down by the river and returning home only when we were hungry. I treasure the memory of the constant company of my three brothers. I treasure the memory of the pebble lino floors and peppery smell of the house we used to rent by the beach once a year and the rose petal perfume I made with my Gran. Most of all I treasure the memory of always feeling safe and loved.

3. Have you got a favourite holiday destination, and if so, why?

Marbella, Spain. Sun, beach, wine, clams. 'Nuff said!

4. What is your favourite day of the week and why?

I love Sundays which are very much family days.

Then again, I always enjoy my Mondays when everyone is despatched and the day is my own.

5. Do you have any pets? If so, what are their names?

Bertie Boo the chocolate working cocker spaniel.

6. What would your ideal job be?

Greg Wallace's on Masterchef.

7. Do you have a favourite artist/designer/illustrator?

Lauren Child is, in my opinion, a genius. Her illustrations cleverly appeal to children and adults alike.

Nostalgically it would have to be Shirley Hughes' charming illustrations.

I should also like to mention an artist called Lucia Stewart who I discovered some years ago selling her ACEOs (tiny collectable art originals) on eBay. I adore her style and should so love to be able to paint like she does. She has since moved to Shanghai. I'm lucky enough to be the owner of a couple of her originals featuring her wonderful creation, Stressie Cat.

Now I am to think of seven questions of my own and ask them of seven people so ...

Emma-Jayne at My Red Wellies
Val at The Victorians Didn't Even Like Pink
Pally Ali at With Love, Cupcakes & Biscuits
Vanessa at Coco Rose Textiles
Helen at Crafty Helen At Home
Kazzy at A Mermaid's Purse
Vicki at Vintage Vicki

Being a nosey bugger, I should love to know the following:-

1. Have you ever been in the newspaper? If so, why?
2. If you were given £1000 which you had to spend which would be the first shop/s you'd head to?
3. Is there a skill you wish you had?
4. What was your favourite sweet as a child?
5. What is your favourite time of the year?
6. If you were marooned on a desert island with a celebrity, who would you like it to be?
7. When did you last cry?

That's all for now. The uniform on the radiators is nearly dry so, if I can bring myself to bear the excitement, I'm off to iron!

Hx

Pay It Forward Giveaway

2010-10-19T15:35:00.000+01:00

A little while ago I was lucky enough to be one of the winners of Me Plus Molly's Pay It Forward giveaway. I've often lusted after Kirsty's beautifully embellished 'textile treasures' so you can imagine my unrestrained delight when her parcel came in the post ...

Feast your eyes on this gorgeous purse (which is simply perfect Kirsty) ...

and this lavender heart ...

They are absolutely gorgeous!

Kirsty, thank you soooooo much, I am delighted and an even bigger fan than I was before! ♥

Now it is my turn to Pay It Forward. I will send something handmade by me to three people, who should then go on to give something handmade to another three people. That's the only 'rule' but you've got twelve months in which to do it.

As you know I'm a bit of a crafty butterfly but I suspect it will either be a painting or a piece of my jewellery or maybe both. If you'd like to take part, please leave a comment saying so and give me an idea of the theme you'd like your gift to take (green, butterflies, summer, vintage, etc.) and I will randomly-ish select three. :-)

Love Hx

Bed Etc!

2010-10-17T17:19:00.000+01:00

I ♥ my bed!

It looked so cosy and inviting last night bathed in the warm glow from the lamp, I leapt gazelle-like(!) up the stairs in my pyjamas and got my camera so that I might show you.

When I've had enough of the day, good or bad, there is nothing on earth as desirable as waiting pyjamas and the bliss of bed.

I love sleeping too! I am a great believer in the healing/recharging power of sleep and am lucky enough to sleep very easily, quite deeply.

Other than sleep, I crochet in bed, internet shop and browse your blogs, do my crosswords, write lists and watch television or films.

This all-consuming stressful life we lead these days needs to be countered with a relaxing pyjamas/duvet day from time to time. I insist on them. The blondies love it when I declare one. It now being half term (yay), we will naturally be holed up for at least one day this week, pottering in our comfies.

Back to my bed. May I introduce you to my bears, Rummage (on the left) and Valentine (on the right)?

I rescued Rummage from a jumble sale about twenty years ago (I spent a lot of my youth in fusty-smelling church halls picking through other people's cast-offs - hmm, nothing changes).

Valentine was a gift to me from Mum and Dad on the eve of my wedding day. Handsome hubby and I got married on Valentines' Day in 1998.

I love to have flowers on my bedside table. Whenever I buy a bunch of flowers, I always carefully select a couple of stems for my thrifted bedside jug.

My bedside table is unstaged owing to my spontaneous photo shoot but I think it sums me up pretty well! Slightly dusty and a nice cluttered mix of the necessary and unnecessary!

There's normally also a cold half-drunk cup of tea there too (if you look closely you can see the ring)!

Anyway, I may show you the rest of my bedroom in another post. I love to nose around other people's homes so you might hopefully be inspired to do the same!! :-)

Before I pootle off, totally unrelated, I've found this brilliant website I thought I'd share. If, like us, you or your little ones love colouring, Doodle Art has the most brilliant free doodle colouring pages to print out. Perfect for rainy half term afternoons!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend ... yippee, Downton Abbey tonight!

Poo Cake

2010-10-07T10:30:00.001+01:00

Lend me your ear and I'll sing you the song of a mummy trying to bake her daughter a birthday cake!!!

The scene was set; the radio was humming quietly in the background, Nigella's recipe was laid flat on the table with it's reassuring 'easy peasy lemon squeezy' instructions and all the ingredients were present and correct - I was frankly the picture of domestic bliss.

Well I won't bore you with the details suffice to say the first attempt resembled a pancake. Couldn't get it off the base of the baking tin either! Seriously, somebody ought to consider building houses with my cakes!

Not one to give up easily, I considered my options and decided that I'd make chocolate birthday muffins instead. I couldn't bring myself to make another cake so, yes, muffins would do nicely. I hotfooted it to Asda and purchased a silicone muffin tray which PROMISED that the cakes wouldn't stick once cooked and cooled. (I have yet to decide whether to pursue said manufacturer legally under the Trades Description Act 1968 for false claims!)

Second time round I even folded in some chocolate chunks for added interest. I followed the recipe to the letter.

My Mother In Law called in for a coffee at this stage and suggested I maybe blend the mixture for longer in order that the sponge would be lighter.

They rose beautifully in the oven but, as soon as I removed them, they deflated like poo-coloured balloons.

Hmmm, they do resemble some of the deposits Bertie leaves on the lawn!

Long story short, this was blondie daughter's chocolate birthday muffin hereafter called the 'poo cake' ...

The moral of this story? Well, on a personal level it is not to EVER make cakes - I stopped enjoying the whole procedure after about ten minutes. Generally, we can't all be good at everything and wouldn't the world be a boring place if we were?

Now, as you probably know by now, I am not a cake eater. Perhaps this was a case of 'the flesh being willing but the spirit weak' or even the other way round? However, hormones dictate that I should devour something extremely chocolatey once a month (it's purely a biological thing!). So, from now on, I shall vicariously enjoy all you talented deft-fingered cake makers and your creations. When the need for chocolate cake arises in this household however, I shall stick to Marks & Spencers' Belgian Chocolate Cheesecake which is heaven in a slice!

Ho hum.

PS. I was awarded 9/10 for taste though! :-)

PPS. Anybody want an only-used-once silicone muffin tray?

Now We Are Nine ...

2010-10-06T09:28:00.001+01:00

My precious baby girl,

heart-stoppingly endearing,

utterly eccentric,

totally entertaining,

occasionally moody,

always the light of my life.

I adore you. ♥

Happy birthday baby girl.

Mummy xxx

Just Enjoying A Little September Sun (For A Change!)

2010-09-30T14:30:00.002+01:00

See you in October!

Stew Monday And An Award

2010-09-24T17:15:00.001+01:00

As the weather turns a little more chilly, don't your thoughts start turning to comfort food and one-pot meals? There's something about ladling out great spoonfuls of a homemade stew crammed with vegetables that is so fulfilling and heart warming.♥

(Image actually chicken stock - I didn't have a photo of stew!)

I was watching River Cottage Autumn last night and LOVED Hugh's idea of a 'Stew Club' so immediately started planning my own version - 'Stew Monday'. I am going to invite four couples of our lovely neighbours to join (that includes you Jane!). The idea is that each couple takes weekly turns to cook a stew large enough to generously serve ten people and then delivers it to the others for them to reheat for Monday night's supper. How exciting is that?! I'll let you know if they tell me to get knotted! :-)

Now, I want to thank the lovely Lynda at Hookin' With LaaLaa for considering me worthy of this fabulous award.

Lynda is one of the warmest and most honest bloggers I've come across so I thoroughly recommend you pay her a visit.

A condition of accepting this award is to tell you seven facts about myself.

1. I currently seem to have a big crush on David Cameron!

♥

2. I don't mind blood and can watch the most gruesome of operations or horror movies but sick, bogies and poo all make me heave. Even talking about them makes me feel queasy so I shall move swiftly on ..!

♥

3. On a similar theme, I cannot bear people who spit. If someone walking in front of me spits on the ground (or 'flobs' as we used to call it), I tap them on the shoulder and politely say "excuse me, I think you've dropped something". It can invite a variety of reactions!

♥

4. I absolutely love cryptic crosswords and all word games especially Scrabble.

♥

5. I wasn't very good at being pregnant. I'd love to be able to report that I floated serenely around in pretty ditsy floral maternity clothes with a self-satisfied glow on both occasions but the truth was that I was tired, ratty, emotional and wore dungarees for the whole nine months. I did however thoroughly enjoy childbirth! Two natural births with just gas and air, twenty-five and seventeen hours respectively.

♥

6. I am petrified of spiders. I was held hostage in my own house just last week by a spider the size of a hand lurking outside the front door. Thankfully my wonderful postman came to the rescue and removed it with somebody else's letter.

♥

7. I am very much a summer person and really don't like the cold and short days of winter. Give me Easter and its promise of spring and summer over Christmas any day. Bah humbug.

♥

I get so much pleasure from all the blogs I follow and I truly mean that. The five blogs I nominate for this award however are:-

The English Writer

Ramblings Of An Everyday Mummy

Julia Crossland

Scented Sweetpeas

Fondant Kiss

They are all wonderful so do go and have a peek.

Have a super weekend.

A Change Is As Good As A Rest x

2010-09-23T16:43:00.001+01:00

Goodness me, is it really that long since I last posted? It's not that I've been away. Au contraire, I've been here doing normal me, mummy and wifey things. Since the blondies went back to school two weeks ago, I've been quite happy pottering, sprucing and preparing my little nest ready for the colder weather. I've also had a stinky head cold and spluttery cough for the last few days so have been feeling a bit bleurgh.

Anyway, one of my favourite Cath Kidston summer dresses got perhaps it's last 2010 outing yesterday ...

Mum and I went to London for the day on the train. It was wonderfully warm and sunny. We browsed around Camden Market (you'd love the vintage clothes shops) and then sat with a huuuge glass of wine in Covent Garden and indulged in another of my favourite pastimes - people-watching.

I was a very good girl and, other than a couple of little birthday pressies, only had a teeny fritter on some new fridge magnets from Paperchase ...

Other than slightly tired feet and a croaky voice from too much talking and laughing, I feel positively recharged today.

Must pop off to the Post Office now to post a few parcels. I'm heaping a lot of my clothes on eBay in an attempt to ~~justify buying a couple of new items for the winter~~ get a little nearer my goal of a capsule wardrobe! :-)

PS. Thanks so much for your fab book suggestions - I'll keep you posted! x

Sunday's Thought For The Day

2010-09-12T10:30:00.003+01:00

What to do when your child's new teacher looks like a creepy weeble, has a chip on his shoulder and stares at your bosoms while talking to you?

a) Stop being so immature as to take people at face value; as long as he is a good teacher.

b) Give him a shove and see if, in fact, weebles really do wobble but they don't fall down.

c) Fashion a brooch saying "I'm up here" and pin to said not-even-very-big bosoms.

Hmmm ...

Enjoy your day!

Hugs, Hx

Best Book Ever?

2010-09-08T17:53:00.001+01:00

(image courtesy of www.weheartit.com)

I've not read a book for ages.

Sure, I pick through magazines, the odd newspaper, reference books and, of course, blogs but I can't remember the last time I got lost in a novel.

I always had my nose in a book when I was younger. I would find a writer whose style I really enjoyed and then devour anything and everything I could find that they had ever written. I would read four or five books a week, every week.

When I was very young, I read every Enid Blyton book in existence. The Enchanted Wood and The Magic Faraway Tree were favourites, along with the Mallory Towers series.

I then progressed to Jane Austen and Thomas Hardy. As for Laurie Lee's Cider With Rosie, well, it remains my favourite book of all time. I remember sitting on a bus in near tearful meltdown as I read Watership Down. Unfortunately, we had to drag our way through several of Chaucer's painful Canterbury Tales at A' Level which I think, with hindsight, put an end to any further interest in the classics.

When I had the children, my concentration levels took a bit of a nose dive so I turned to Maeve Binchy and Rosamunde Pilcher. Catherine Alliot, Cathy Kelly and Sophie Kinsella seemed the natural progression and then I don't know what happened really. Perhaps I was all chick-litted out.

I miss reading but I think I've sort of gotten out of the habit. Do you know what I mean?

As a starting point, I had a browse through the BBC Big Read's 100 Greatest Books Ever Written and rather fancy picking a couple ...

1. The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien

2. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

3. His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman

4. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams

5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, JK Rowling

6. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee

7. Winnie the Pooh, AA Milne

8. Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell

9. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, CS Lewis

10. Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë

11. Catch-22, Joseph Heller

12. Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë

13. Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks

14. Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier

15. The Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger

16. The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame

17. Great Expectations, Charles Dickens

18. Little Women, Louisa May Alcott

19. Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Louis de Bernieres

20. War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy

21. Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell

22. Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, JK Rowling

23. Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets, JK Rowling

24. Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban, JK Rowling

25. The Hobbit, JRR Tolkien

26. Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy

27. Middlemarch, George Eliot

28. A Prayer For Owen Meany, John Irving

29. The Grapes Of Wrath, John Steinbeck

30. Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, Lewis Carroll

31. The Story Of Tracy Beaker, Jacqueline Wilson

32. One Hundred Years Of Solitude, Gabriel García Márquez

33. The Pillars Of The Earth, Ken Follett

34. David Copperfield, Charles Dickens

35. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl

36. Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson

37. A Town Like Alice, Nevil Shute

38. Persuasion, Jane Austen

39. Dune, Frank Herbert

40. Emma, Jane Austen

41. Anne Of Green Gables, LM Montgomery

42. Watership Down, Richard Adams

43. The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald

44. The Count Of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas

45. Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh

46. Animal Farm, George Orwell

47. A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens

48. Far From The Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy

49. Goodnight Mister Tom, Michelle Magorian

50. The Shell Seekers, Rosamunde Pilcher

51. The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett

52. Of Mice And Men, John Steinbeck

53. The Stand, Stephen King

54. Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy

55. A Suitable Boy, Vikram Seth

56. The BFG, Roald Dahl

57. Swallows And Amazons, Arthur Ransome

58. Black Beauty, Anna Sewell

59. Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer

60. Crime And Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky

61. Noughts And Crosses, Malorie Blackman

62. Memoirs Of A Geisha, Arthur Golden

63. A Tale Of Two Cities, Charles Dickens

64. The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCollough

65. Mort, Terry Pratchett

66. The Magic Faraway Tree, Enid Blyton

67. The Magus, John Fowles

68. Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

69. Guards! Guards!, Terry Pratchett

70. Lord Of The Flies, William Golding

71. Perfume, Patrick Süskind

72. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Robert Tressell

73. Night Watch, Terry Pratchett

74. Matilda, Roald Dahl

75. Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding

76. The Secret History, Donna Tartt

77. The Woman In White, Wilkie Collins

78. Ulysses, James Joyce (does Homer's The Odyssey count?)

79. Bleak House, Charles Dickens

80. Double Act, Jacqueline Wilson

81. The Twits, Roald Dahl

82. I Capture The Castle, Dodie Smith

83. Holes, Louis Sachar

84. Gormenghast, Mervyn Peake

85. The God Of Small Things, Arundhati Roy

86. Vicky Angel, Jacqueline Wilson

87. Brave New World, Aldous Huxley

88. Cold Comfort Farm, Stella Gibbons

89. Magician, Raymond E Feist

90. On The Road, Jack Kerouac

91. The Godfather, Mario Puzo

92. The Clan Of The Cave Bear, Jean M Auel

93. The Colour Of Magic, Terry Pratchett

94. The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho

95. Katherine, Anya Seton

96. Kane And Abel, Jeffrey Archer

97. Love In The Time Of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez

98. Girls In Love, Jacqueline Wilson

99. The Princess Diaries, Meg Cabot

100. Midnight's Children, Salman Rushdie

For a start, I can't believe Cider With Rosie isn't included!!!

Anyway, I've highlighted those that I have already read in pink. Is your favourite book of all time in the list? Have you just read a fabulous book you can recommend? I know we each have different tastes but I'd love to know what you think.

Hx

Old Spice

2010-09-02T10:49:00.001+01:00

It's one of those little 'jobs' that you just fancy doing now and again.

It's not THAT long since I had a little herbs and spices sort out.

Surely?

February? Oops.

January 2009? Yikes! So ashamed!

How DOES that happen?

Why Wait?

2010-09-01T14:30:00.001+01:00

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple

With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired

And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

And run my stick along the public railings

And make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

And pick flowers in other people's gardens

And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

And eat three pounds of sausages at a go

Or only bread and pickle for a week

And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

And pay our rent and not swear in the street

And set a good example for the children.

We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

Jenny Joseph

xxx

Fickle Friday ...

2010-08-27T11:24:00.001+01:00

Ooh, I could hop, skip and jump today!!! Yes, I admit, I'm a fickle sausage - yesterday I was as grumpy as grumpy can be and, given the opportunity, would have hopped on a plane to sunnier climes and not come back. The incessant rain has been drowning my joie de vivre I don't mind telling you and I'm not at home to all this 'summer is over' talk.

Today the sun is back!!! And ... I am totally alone ... without blondies!!! For the first time in nearly two months I have a day to myself. I love my babies to bits and back but, oh, it feels so good.

The first thing I do? Make a cup of coffee and come and see you of course!

How are you all?

I've nothing particularly interesting to report but, bugger it, I shall just regale you with the mundane!

We've been school uniform and stationery shopping in readiness for the new term. Ordinarily, I loathe uniform shopping. In my experience, the people who work at schoolwear supplier shops are either biding their time 'til something better comes along or are too thick to pronounce "customer service" let alone know what it means. Though, this time, it has to be said, we had a really rather lovely plump and jolly chap by the name of Jason look after all our navy and grey needs. Don't get me started on the cost though. :-(

(If I were in charge of deciding a uniform for a school, I would opt for floral tea dresses with a lavender or primrose cardigan for the girls and coffee-coloured cords with soft white brushed cotton shirts for the boys.)

Stationery shopping I love though! Brand new packets of sharp colouring pencils, rainbows of felt tips and pristine rubbers really float my boat! I could almost go back to school myself if only to choose a pretty pencil case and fill it with essentials!

Blondie son has been braving the bloody awful weather and playing cricket all this week. He's been coming home tired with his wet hair plastered to his head but a sparkle in his eyes and a flush to his cheeks that he doesn't get from sitting watching Aircrash Investigates or playing computer games with friends.

Blondie daughter has had a few play dates (one of which she's on today) but has otherwise been quite happy pottering with me. She had one of her dearest little pals to play yesterday; we played beauty salons for a little while - I gave them a strawberry face pack, applied cucumber slices to their eyes and then painted their toe and finger nails in different colours - but they were busy for the rest of the day making dens, playing make believe and decorating picture frames.

Thus affording me a little time for a fiddle in my craft room. A little much-needed rosy sunshine for my t-shirt ...

That is what I do in my craft room now - 'fiddle' at my desk. I can no longer 'potter', which would suggest wandering around, because blondie daughter and I have swapped rooms! She now has the larger room ("But I need the space for sleepovers and handstands mummy") and I am all compact and bijoux in the smaller room. I do love it though. I'm on the third floor and at the back of the house so get the sun - if there is any to be had - all day. This is the view from my window.

I'll show you some more piccies of my dear little room sometime soon.

Ooh and another thing, I've joined Facebook! I've never been tempted before (being put off by horror stories of inboxes full of unwanted emails and pestering approaches from blasts from the past [shudder]) but it really is the best way to keep tabs on my little brother who's relocated to Sydney. I'm still tentatively finding my way around but quite enjoying it!

That's it for now. I must love you and leave you and go and revel in my brief freedom. A slow browse around Waitrose is what I am fancying so that is what I shall do.

If I don't speak to you before, do have a lovely bank holiday weekend.

Four Go To Foxton Locks

2010-08-17T14:21:00.002+01:00

Hallo! (Isn't that just so Enid Blyton?!)

Hope you all had a super weekend.

Saturday was an absolute washout here so we only ventured out to collect a curry in the evening!

The sun came out on Sunday so we hotfooted it down to the Foxton Locks Festival for a meander.

Foxton, which isn't far from Market Harborough, is on the Leicester line of the Grand Union Canal and home to ten tiered canal locks.

There were stalls as far as the eye could see but, other than buying a little salt dough necklace for blondie daughter, I kept my purse in my pocket. I enjoyed the browse but, rather unusually for me, just wasn't in the mood for buying.

This was my eye candy. Don't you just love the vibrant colours?

This seafaring chap looked very nonplussed as people streamed past ...

I couldn't resist snapping this feisty alpaca. "What are you staring at?"

Now, I should like to tell you that we all had a wonderful time. The children ran ahead, flushed and excited, eager to explore. Onlookers smiled at them, vicariously enjoying their pleasure. Bertie spaniel pottered happily alongside us, pausing only to sniff and wag his tail his tail in greeting to the different animals we encountered. We had a delicious picnic of fresh bread and cheese, fruit picked from the garden, my homemade cake and lashings of ginger beer. The blondies chattered gaily as we ate and the sun shone. We returned home in silence, each of us tired, glowing healthily from the sun, and enjoying our own memories of what had been a truly lovely day.

What actually happened was ...

It was heaving and there were wasps everywhere. Blondie daughter kept moaning and hanging back because her suddenly-too-small Crocs were rubbing, blondie son pestered to have a go on the inflatable horizontal bungee thing and a goat tried to head butt Bertie! We hadn't taken any food and so queued for twenty minutes to buy an over-priced minging roast pork and stuffing cob - uugghh, it was foul. I got stung by a nettle and handsome hubby was in a grumpy mood owing to work pressures. We returned home in silence after I swore I'd never go out anywhere with any of them ever again!!!

Tee hee, happy days!

Feeling Blue ... And Pink And Green And Yellow!

2010-08-13T17:32:00.001+01:00

What to do when you're feeling a little blue because it won't stop raining, the house is a tip and your littlest brother (middle) has jetted off for a new life in Australia?

A little colour retail therapy, that's what!

Softest rosy pjs ...

More eye candy for the arm ...

Matryoshkas made for crochet needles ...

Total price = £11.00.

Cup of tea in a spotty cup ...

and random crochet brights ...

Aaah, that's better.

Have a happy weekend!

Hx

Yoohoo! I'm Back! (Part 2)

2010-08-08T17:49:00.001+01:00

... continued from previous post ...

(My two blondies and my 4 year old nephew.)

(Last but by no means least, the beautiful bride and groom.)

I wish them all the happiness in the world. They were made for each other.

We came home via Brussels where we stayed for a couple of days and it was my most favourite city of the whole trip!

Moules et frites and ice cold wine in streetside cafes surrounded by beautiful buildings, people-watching, street artists and handmade chocolate sellers as far as the eye can see ...

My idea of bliss!

So dear friends, that was a condensed version of our holiday!

I've been picking my way through the latest blog postings to catch up on your doings - it's been like having a delicious book to read!

I'll leave you with a couple of piccies of my mini-me blondie daughter which made me chuckle - check out the Cath Kidston! ...

Speak soon.

Yoohoo! I'm Back! (Part 1)

2010-08-08T16:35:00.001+01:00

Hey there!

How are you all?

Well, 2000 miles, 3 countries, 5 different hotels and 350 photos later, we're back! Tee hee, don't worry, I've not included them all; I've diarised our trip using just a few of my favourites!

The journey ...

We took a train to St Pancras, the Eurostar to Brussels and then hired a car.

We spent a day in Berlin which, frankly, isn't anywhere near long enough to visit all the landmarks. As our hotel was situated in the Tiergarten area (German for 'animal garden'), our first stop was only a short walk away - Berlin Zoo, which is one of the most popular in the world ...

(Tiergarten)

Berlin is a fascinating city. If you get the chance to go, do take it. It is steeped in history, particularly 20th century, and you can't help but get swept up by it all. Our whistle-stop visit included the Reichstag, the German parliamentary building ...

The Brandenburg Gate ...

(The first picture shows the Brandenburg Gate in 1989 with East German soldiers on the Berlin Wall.)

(Poignant memorial to those who lost their lives attempting to climb over the Berlin Wall.)

Next stop was Poland, or Wloclawek to be precise. The reason for our trip, of course, was to attend my little brother's wedding to his Polish girlfriend. The general standard of living seems very low in the parts of Poland we saw. The buildings look neglected, people tend to live in ugly high rise apartments and most of the roads are in a terrible condition. We must have passed a dozen 'ladies of the night' sitting, smoking at the roadsides in broad daylight! I think there is a lot of EU funding money being spent on the main road network though as we got held up in so many roadworks.

(These pictures were all taken within a stone's throw of our hotel.)

There were pockets of prettiness though and our destination, the Hotel Aleksander, was one ...

The wedding was simply gorgeous. There were about 50 guests (mostly English). It was a short Catholic service followed by a reception at the hotel.

The whole thing was wonderful but quite emotional; the newlyweds are emigrating to Australia this week. :-(

My brother is ten years younger than me; he is the youngest of the four of us and I am the eldest. He's always been a baby to me and I shall miss him terribly.

(Me with my 'little' brother, the groom!)

(My lovely little family.)

Blogger is not letting me load any more photos, maybe it has reached saturation point! I shall continue in another post ... x

See You Soon x

2010-07-23T11:06:00.002+01:00

Good morning sweet people. Are you well?

A very half-hearted bee fell to the ground near my foot. It lay there for a minute. Knackered? Contemplating what to do next? It took a few slow steps then stopped again. Mustering up the energy and enthusiasm from somewhere, it suddenly took off and flew to a nearby flower. A small flurry of buzzing and bee-type activity ensued and then it fell back down to the ground. It lay there for a minute. Knackered? Contemplating what to do next?

I daresay this pattern would have continued for a while but I got bored watching and went back inside with my cup of tea but not without realising that I feel a little like that bee at the moment! Small flurries of activity interspersed with lots of sitting down, knackered and contemplating what to do next!

This really won't do as we are heading off to Poland for my little brother's wedding in a few days!

We're driving most of the way, stopping for a couple of days in Brussels and then Berlin. Oh yes, this is a holiday with a difference for us. We are normally to be found stretched out on a Spanish beach, liquid refreshment and trashy novel to hand.

So am I rushing around, washing, ironing, bleaching u-bends and winding down the food stores? Am I heck! I'm saving all that for the day before we leave!

I always, always come home from a holiday with a renewed determination to be more organised, finish works in progress and start a hundred more! Despite not actually having gone yet, I've already started a new project list!

So I shall be back in a couple of weeks dear friends, refreshed, a little more worldly wise and full of tales of the wedding. 'Til then, I wish you long days of sunshine and moments to treasure.

Hxxx