Shaolin Warriors

Last night I went to see the Shaolin Warriors perform at my local theatre. It was the best show I've been to for a long while. Take a look at this youtube video for an idea of what it was like- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7VhLwAlqRc
I went with my sister who is massively into martial arts (she's a black belt ) and my mum who loves anything with a bit of action :) I couldn't take my eyes off the stage from start to finish, they were so skilled and fit, I have no idea how they manage to move like they do.
 I love watching any form of talent or intelligence, there is something fascinating about watching someone (not in a weird stalkerish way)  do the thing that they are good at, perhaps its because I haven't found the thing that is my talent yet (if I have one!) that makes seeing people that have discovered theirs so appealing.... anyway, if you have the change to see the show go and see it!

It's Handmade Monday so I thought I would share some of the things I have been making this week. I've been teaching myself to crochet for 5 weeks now and thought it was about time I ventured from making squares and tried to be a bit more ambitious. I found a tutorial on youtube (what would I do without it ?) teaching you how to make flowers... I got a bit carried away and have made tonnes...

A few of the tonnes I have made

Some are a bit irregular, with differing amounts of petals which I don’t understand as I'm doing the same thing every time so surely they should be pretty uniform? It must be something Im doing differently but I haven't worked out what yet. Still, the ones I’m happy with have been turned into brooches.

Crochet Brooches

I’ve gone a bit crochet mad this week and even crocheted with two pieces of lace that I bought on a whim a month or two ago and had no use for, I embellished the black one with a white plastic bead and some silver seed beads just to set it off a bit. I’m really happy with the black one and will definitely be listing it in the shop if I can stop myself keeping it. I’m not so happy with the white one, I don’t know why, as you can see I’ve started to add a bit of embellishment but it just doesn’t feel right… I ll have to work on it.

My last bit of crochet to show you… the squares I am sending to Africa. The yellow one was knitted by my mum, I have to teach her to crochet soon as its much faster than knitting. A few posts back I said how it was a shame my practice squares were going to waste, well it was Picto who mentioned this charity . It such a good idea and a lovely way to help people that need it.

I’ve made a start on Christmas decorations (ahh! way to early to be thinking about that!) and have made these. I used normal string to hang them at first but thought that was a bit boring so I’ve threaded seed beads onto beadalon which I think adds a bit extra.

Have a great Monday!

LH
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Folksy Friday. Thunder and lightning!

It's been that sort of day where I haven't got much done at all... I'd planned to go to the gym, potter around the garden, take some photos for folksy and make some crochet flowers from a tutorial on you tube..... out of that list I have done nothing! Instead I fell asleep on the couch and have just woken up. I don't like it when I sleep in the afternoon( except when I'm on IV's and sleeping in the afternoon becomes the best thing ever) it feels like I've wasted a day and a sign that I'm brewing something... hopefully its nothing and just a result of the busy last few days.
Anyway, the weather here is a bit rubbish, not summery at all. Its all cloudy and, while it doesn't have that atmosphere that's a sign it may thunder, I wouldn't be surprised if it did. So today's Folksy Friday is titled Thunder and Lightning.

Rag'n'Bones: Quality Handmade Gifts

KitschenSink

Mojosteph

HarrietsImaginations

Yey!

Now let me start by saying I'm someone who couldn't win a game of bingo if I was the only person playing so it was a massive surprise when I checked my email and found out I had won a Versatile Blogger Award! Am so chuffed!

Now there are some rules to follow if I want to claim this award (and I do!)

1. Make a post linking back to the person who gave you the award.
2. Share seven random things about yourself.
3. Award seven recently discovered bloggers with this award and contact them to let them know they have won.


1... I want to say a MASSIVE thank you to Picto who sent me this award, check out her blog , it's a great read and she has the cutest sock horses!


2... Some random things about me.


       * Me and super glue have a  strained relationship... I once managed to glue myself to the front room carpet. I was making one of those airfix models with super glue and felt like I didn't need to put paper on the floor.. the glue must have gone on the carpet and I didn't notice when I leaned in it, it was only when I went to get up and nearly ripped my arm off that I noticed... oh dear..my mum rescued me by prising my arm off the carpet with a spoon if I remember correctly.. i was quite young if that's any excuse. About two years ago I ended up in  A&E because I managed to glue the fingers on both hands together..lets just say you shouldn't pick the dried end off a tube of glue at the same time as squeezing the tube and not expect the stuff to go everywhere when the pressure is released.


        *  I am massively allergic to horses. I found that out while I was sat on one at Camelot Theme Park. I can still feel the embarrassment as my eyes first began to itch and water before swelling shut. I remember being at a party and my friends sister came home from riding... a min later I had the streaming and puffy eyes.... the shame! 


        * Its taken me 9 years on and off to learn how to drive and three attempts at the test to pass. On the day of my second test in the hour practice before the test I hit a bin van, not a a massive crash or anything, just pushed in the wing mirror, but it was enough to freak me out a bit. I hate roundabouts. I drive an automatic car which I have named Shane after Shane Macgowan from The Pogues who did a song called Fiesta and my car is... yep you guessed it.. a Fiesta


        * I love gardening and always have done. Every year I grow tonnes of tomatoes for my mum as I don't eat them. This year I'm trying to grow veg for the first time. It seems to be going well though I want to pick them now as I'm impatient!


        * I used to write a lot. Mainly awful, awful poetry but there were a few stories too. I did a creative writing class and came top (I'm still proud of that!) and used to go to a writing group. I have a very vague idea for a book but haven't the discipline to sit down and write it. Also my spelling is aweful.


         *I have a very sweet tooth. I love mixing honey and sugar together and eating it. Not sweet but I also love carrots and vinegar mixed together and grated cheese in vinegar. Yum!


         * I love the beach and am fascinated by rock pools and the creatures you find in them. I love watching the sea when it's really stormy and the waves are huge. 


Blogs I think deserve the award...


kerryalexxx- an inspiring read by a stunning lady who is waiting for a transplant.


/amatteroflifeandbreath.blogspot.com/ -      I love the way this blog is written, its such an uplifting read from someone who is post lung transplant. It gives me hope for the future.


With you in Mind - because these monsters are ace!


that fuzzy feeling-  the things she makes with felt are lovely and I always like to read about what she has been up to in the garden.


umbelhandmademania for the wonderful art work.


thiscraftinglife- love love love all the different craft on this blog.


puppyflyboutique- for the gorgeous hand painted glass.




Choosing just 7 was so difficult! 
Have a great day and week everyone!


LH
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Folksy Friday!

Hello! This week I was chosen to write the Folksy Friday blog post, it was a lot harder than I thought it would be and I went through so many ideas before I found the one that clicked. You can find the post I wrote here- Folksy Blog

I decided to chose pieces that are made from clocks and watches and are very 'steampunk' as this sort of art really makes me go ooooo. Its so interesting and different. I would love to have a play around with steampunk type jewellery but doubt I will get anywhere near to how good these pieces are. Click on the photos to be taken to the shops :)

Steampunk Steamstress

#

Whimsical Wren Jewellery

Cherrytree crafts

Ginger's Altered Bits

Industrial Radical

Gym and website of the week.

I'm sat here typing this with wobbly fingers! My legs are aching and my arms feel like they weigh ten tonnes. It can mean only one thing- I've been to the gym! I haven't been since April, way too long really but a combination of a hospital stay, two weeks of IV's and a cold means I wasn't really up for anything that required much effort. Now, I'm not really one for exercise, its not that I'm lazy (well maybe a little bit) its just that sometimes when I'm feeling a bit lung achy it seems the better option to put my feet up and get busy with the crafting but (whisper it) I quite like going to the gym. I think its more getting out of the house and meeting new people that I like but its also the feeling I get that I'm doing something that is good for me, it kinda feels like I'm fighting back. I've been going for about a year after I found out how well I felt after a go on the treadmill at the hospital gym. I don't do a lot when I go, perhaps 15 mins on the treadmill or bike and a little bit on the resistance machines, I try to do just enough that I get out of breath (that's not hard!) and feel like I'm working. I have to use oxygen when I go, something that was a little bit embarrassing to start with but now I don't care, I've had the odd comment but they are curious and friendly ones and,as I've never been ashamed to talk about my c.f., they don't bother me. I think I'm going to start going more often if I can.
Have just listed this bookmark on folksy, just click the pic to be taken to my shop.

Little Harriet's

Also, here is a link to a website that has made me go ooo this week, its Animal sculptures made from rubbish... Animal Sculptures  Take a look :)

Have a great Wednesday!

June bugs 13th and 14th

Hello everyone! Not had time to take part in The June bugs daily listing challenge (hopefully tmw!) but I have been looking at the forums and what has been listed. Here are some of my favourites from the last two days, click on the photos to be taken to the shops :)

carols crafts

Putting on the Charms

Bessie loves

lej jewellery

Diomo Glass Gifts

Steampunkstorm

June bugs 9th and 10th

Hello! Have listed a new item on folksy so thought I would do another blog about some of my fellow June Buggers! The beaded bookmark is the item I have listed today, click the pic to be taken to my shop or to the shops of any of the items that you like to get more details.

Little Harriet's

blue daisy glass

Deborah Jones Jewellery

flonightingale

jcu designs

With Hugs and Kisses

June Bugs 6th and 7th

Here are a few item that I have picked from the 'June Bugs' folksy threads, there are some gorgeous items out there. Check out these links to be taken to the folksy posts or click on the pictures to be taken to the shops.
http://forums.folksy.com/forums/6/topics/296049 -6th June
http://forums.folksy.com/forums/6/topics/296337 - 7th June
I've been a bit lax in my June bug blogging adventure so thought I would combine two days into one post. That's not cheating is it? :)

Anna King Jewellery

Diomo Glass

Kate Bowles

Whimsical Wren Jewellery

Becky Leigh

♥ Lonely Hearts ♥

Bessie loves

Handmade Monday

Hello everyone! It is that time again, time for Handmade Monday. Yey! Have a look at the talented crafters and the fab items Wendy makes.
Have had a nice week relaxing and trying to shake off the cold that I caught. It's mostly gone now but has left me with no voice, not the worse thing that could happen but it is so very frustrating! I've been communicating mainly by flapping my arms about and whispering which I think has made it worse as my throat is a bit sore today, I'll just have to try to be good and have a complete 24 hours where I dont make a noise *gulp*
I've been tying to list regularly on folksy, I've been taking part in Folksy June Bugs (you can take a look at today's items Here) and have managed to list three days out of six which is a little disappointing since its supposed to be daily listing but there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to get everything done and go online and make.

Here are the things I've listed this week, sorry for the repeat pictures, will have new items to show next week I promise! Click on the pictures to be taken to my folksy shop :)




Have a great Monday everyone.

LH
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Folksy Friday! Frogs!

I was in the garden today when I saw this little fella, I dashed ( well sort of!) inside and grabbed my camera not really expecting him to still be there but there he was!

 So this weeks Folksy Friday is frogs. Click on the pics to be taken to the shops. :)

SimJaTa ~ Bags of Swank

Polka Dot Sky

ButterflyLove

Glow Box Solar Lanterns.

June folksy listings.

I can't believe it is June already! Scary! I have decided that this month I am going to try to list something everyday on my folksy shop so I can be a part of the Folksy 'June Bugs' Take a look at This Link for June 1st listings, there are some lovely items on there. Here is the photo link to my listed item ( a pirate bookmark, click the photo to be taken to my shop and more details) along with some of the items on the thread that caught my eye.

















Please click on each picture to be taken to the folksy shop :)

LH
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