Drilling Glass Takes Forever!

Woo! I think this is the first Handmade Monday that I have taken part in for months. It feels really good to be back, I have missed getting involved with things.

Firstly, my Etsy shop is back up and running. I am slowly relisting things again. The photos are links to my shop

I have also been making glass pendants. My first lot turned out well and I glued some bails onto the back. While this did work for most of them, some of the bails could be pulled off... not something I am wiling to risk selling yet until I am 100% sure they are going to stay on. Plus my gluing technique isn't the best and some of the pendants look quite messy on the back.. I need more practice. I've been using 2 parts epoxy and think I was rushing as it sets fairly quickly...yep more practice. So... I decided to have a go at drilling a hole in each pendant and attaching a pinch bail. I am really happy with how they have turned out. What do you think? The holes aren't totally centered which makes the pendant hang slightly unevenly, but I think that adds to the charm.

The only trouble with this method is that it took me nearly two hours to drill one pendant... now I know that can't be right. I'm going to order some different types of drill bits and see if that helps... I hope so as I really want to start making these.

Have a great week everyone!

2 to Go!

It's been the last full day of my I.V's today, I have a dose to do tonight and tomorrow morning then I am freeee! (Hopefully for at least three months)  I will have a spare 3 hours a day back.

Since I got home last Thursday, I haven't been doing much more than sleeping, eating (a little) and pottering around the garden, due to the times I have to do my drugs it's been hard to get out, plus I have been so tired and have had a few naps during the afternoon. I did make the effort to go to my family history lesson last night, it was only for two hours and was great to leave the house. I hope to get back to my normal routine tomorrow though the tiredness normally lasts a few weeks.

I managed to dodge the showers and take some photos around the garden.

Cherry Tree Buds- we got about one cherry last year!

Beetroot Seedling.

Peas that have been growing since October.

A red Primrose (I think)

Sweet Peas planted in October

Some purple Crocus

Red Onions I planted back in October

We got these Spring plants free at the local garden centre

Actual blue sky!!!!

Another Primrose ( I think!) They last forever!

It was lovely to get out and get some fresh air! And natural light!

Have a fab Tuesday!

A little bit of Etsy.

It has been a couple of days since I have shown off some of the listings on the CraftyFolk Etsy team so I'm due a post. There are some gorgeous things. All photos are links to the shops :)

Picnic

Day two in hotel Wythenshawe and it's the weekend. I can not tell you how much I don't like being in hospital at the weekend. It draaaags.... I think it's because there are no clinics on and the whole hospital seems to be less busy plus weekend telly is rubbish. Still, I have been off the ward twice today, once when I got wheeled down for an xray, it being weekend I had to have it at the xray that is part of  casualty and isn't really where I like to go (this isn't a comment on the staff at all, they have always been great, it's more that it's just not somewhere I am used to going) and once when I went a wander in search of salt and vinegar crisps and Haribo which are pretty much the only things my stomach wants to eat at the mo.

I did manage to find some crisps but got chocolate instead of the Haribo (Cadburys Caramel for a quid- who could resist?) and had a very small picnic of sorts up on the top corridor at a little quiet spot that I like. It was nice watching the world pass by, but it was very quiet. It gives you time to think, which isn't always a good thing! Mainly I was thinking about how, last time I was in, I had a good idea my 2 and a good chunck of a year relationship was coming to an end and how stressed and emotional I was. The difference to how I feel this time is marked- I'm not stressed (well no more than being in hospital makes me) and while I am sad at times, and I do miss him very much,  I haven't yet spent any time sobbing in the bathroom like I did back then. I have definitely had lots to think of, for the first time in a looong time, I am putting myself, instead of someone else, first and it feels good! I quite like this being single thing, tho I wouldn't say no if Damien Molony came and offered himself on a plate hehe, but I am enjoying doing what I want, when I want without thinking about how it would effect someone else. My weekends are my own again! I'm giving myself and my little crafty business my undivided attention. The world seems quite a positive place again!

Have a great Saturday night.

First Day

Hello from hotel Wythenshawe! I have been in just over a day now and feel a bit rough (though nothing too bad that would keep me away from the internet!) I'm on a combination of I.V drugs that I don't normally have and they are making their presence felt in my stomach, I'm waiting for my tea but don't think I'll manage much, luckily I have my button ( a tube into my stomach) that means I can still get calories without doing much so hopefully I wont lose weight.

 I haven't had much time to get bored what with seeing various staff (doctors, nurses, dietitians) and going off to see the gas vampires who take blood out of my ear to see how much oxygen and carbon dioxide I have in my blood. I'm supposed to be having an xray but at the time of writing I haven't had it yet and its getting a bit late. Hopefully they will forget! As well as keeping busy, I have lots to keep me entertained. I have brought some crochet in with me so I can keep making the squares I send to Africa, I have my ipod ( where would I be without music?) my Kindle and of course the laptop I'm writing this on.

I am going to spend some time promoting The Crafty Folk Etsy team by blogging about what has been listed as well as making treasuries. I can't wait to get back into listing things. I'll be doing some more research on my family tree while I'm in, there's something to be said about being in hospital and that's that it gives you plenty of time to get on with stuff!

Have a great weekend!

Crocus.

Today wasn't as sunny or warm as yesterday but I wrapped up and and went out to the local shops and had a mooch around. I'm off in hospital tomorrow for my usual super drugs so I have been taking every opportunity to get out and about as for the next 2 weeks I wont feel like doing much at all ( or have the time really as I will be on I.V antibiotics 4 times a day)

I took some photos of the local church and the crocus they have flowering there. They are not out properly but by the time I get out of hospital they will be past their best I think. I just wish it had been sunny!

My trip out inspired this Etsy Treasury. It's been ages since I made one. The photos should be links to the shops ( I haven't done a link like this before so fingers crossed it worked!)

'Purple and White Spring Time' by LittleHarriet

Inspired by a Church Yard full of Purple and White Crocus. A cheerful sign of Spring.

Counting Pins, Needlepoint M... TJBdesigns $9	White Pearl Bracelet, Bridal... pinksparkles01 $7.5	Crochet flower hair clips, l... Christinescraf... $4
White feather flower, bridal... tashascreation... $20	White Flower & Pearl Earring... missbohemia $4	black & purple wrap bracelet... jcudesigns $17
Pearl earrings with silver h... PollyAJeweller... $15	Book Cover Bag PURPLE PLUM P... WhimsyWooDesig... $16	Purple Hair Clip, Flower Cli... ZNextDesigns $4.5
freshwater pearl tiara ivory... PearlsByTabs $79	SALE 25% Off Lilac Pearl Scr... Lottieoflondon $10.5	Earrings Sterling Silver ivo... maramjewellery $20
Opalite Wire Wrap Ring Fashi... gimmethatthing $9.75	Black Purple Flower Necklace... LaurasJeweller... $9.5	8 ft snowflake paper garland... JDooreCreation... $12
Coastal Decor Amethyst Wine ... CereusArt $10

Treasury tool supported by the dog house