Wire, Pigeons and Squirrels.

It's been a good but busy, few days. Yesterday I went along to clay pigeon shooting with my boyfriend and a group of his friends for a birthday celebration/ activity. Now, I could never shoot anything with a pulse, big meat eater that I am I know that makes me a bit of a hypocrite, but I was looking forward to having a go and shooting the clays. However the weather was against me and we were blessed/ cursed with a thickish dusting of snow and freezing temperatures. I love snow and am like a big kid whenever we get any, but standing in a field for an hour or so left me absolutely frozen and I decided that shivering plus holding a gun probably wasn't the best idea. So I was in charge of the very important job of keeping score, It did look very good fun so hopefully, when the weather is warmer, it is something I can give a try. Afterwards we went to a pub/ restaurant and I ate lots of chips, pork and surprise birthday cake. All in all it was a great day even if I'm only just getting the feeling back in my frozen feet.

Today was a lazy one, I have been wanting to properly try wire wrapping  for aaaages and today I finally had some time to just sit down and mess about. It's always good fun trying something new and I have found out it is much, much more difficult than I imagined but at the same time I absolutely loved it. I have tonnes of ideas, especially using the glass cabochons that I love making. I need to start making some drawings and design ideas, something that doesn't come naturally as I'm more of a 'just do it now and see what happens'  kind of woman.

Here is a picture of today's make-

Lots of practice (and more planning!) needed I think.

Today while wire wrapping, I was distracted by two visitors to the garden. They were very, very cute.

Tomorrow I am going to attempt to bake a birthday cake for my dad's birthday...this could go horribly wrong!

Have a great week :)

Frustrations and Flowers

 It's Handmade Monday!

It feels forever since I last look part in this fab blog tradition! It's hard to believe it's been going more than a year, it only seems like only yesterday the "Handmade's'' were in the double digits.

So, what have I been up to this week?  Well, I have taken advantage of the lovely weather and have been taking some photo's around the garden, I love this time of year (I've probably said that on this blog a million times up to now!)

You can just make out my sparkly slippers on this one!

Don't you just love how bright and fresh everything looks? Love it!! 

I was at clinic last Wednesday for my monthly check up, I've managed to avoid another stay in hospital for the next 5 weeks at least (well, baring anything happening, the nature of CF is pretty changeable , I can be well one minute and be flat out the next,  it makes planning a real hassle!) I've done pretty well after the rubbish time I had at Christmas, it's taken a lot of hard work, but finally my lung function has started going in an upwards direction which is a relief! 

I've been making necklaces with the pendants I have made using the glass molds I got for Christmas.  I put them up for sale on EBay 2 weeks ago thinking that £8 for 11 would be a bargain price for someone looking for car boot joblots ...I've only had 17 views and no bids, I'm feeling very frustrated and a bit despondent if I'm honest and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong or where I can sell ( I've had a few on Etsy but again hardly any views. I'd love to sell them at Craft fairs but I can only do those now and again as they are such hard work and tire me out for days) I'm not really sure what I can do now... any advice (including "just give up!") greatfully received!!

Here is the Ebay listing if you fancy having a look Here.

I've also been making bracelets again after having a bit of a break from them. I think I will list this one on Etsy in the next few days. I do love the making, I think I just need a plan of action and do a bit of research on promotion so I can sell and afford more glass and beads! I'm not going to give up, just need to start feeling a bit more positive !

Have a fab week everyone!

150!

Wow, this is my 150th post! where has the time gone? It's been a while since my last update, I don't really have a good excuse other than "real" life has gotten in the way, it has been a few months of ups and downs to say the least.

Things are fairly good at the mo, I've been out of hospital for three weeks and am enjoying my post IV high, I am very thankful that I managed to escape before the heat wave, it's hot enough in hospital at the best of times, I have a feeling it will be roasting on the ward now. I've been started on a new nebuliser which I think is doing me good, though I can't really tell if its the end of my IV's making me feel good or the new drugs- I 'll have to wait and see. The only trouble is that its 3 times a day which is a bit of a pain, I am proud that in the two weeks I've been having it, I haven't yet missed a single dose- go me! So in total I have 10 nebulised doses of drugs a day- effort!
 I've also finally reached a weight where the hospital have said 'no more' which is very, very weird to hear as my whole life I've been told I need to put it on, I've had to try and try and try. The challenge now is to keep it stable, I have also been told to do more exercise as the weight I have put on has mostly gone on my stomach and they think it might be squashing my lungs a bit- the job now is to try and shift that onto my arms and legs which are still skinny (yep- I look odd!) and not lose any weight. I have been taken off some of my high calorie supplements which, and I know this sounds daft, is a bit scary in a way. Weight has always been such a big issue for me and to have what I feel as my safety net taken away is very unsettling. I feel like if I start loosing weight then I wont be able to put it back on and I will be back to square one... I need to stop thinking like that.


I have been out and about, both in the garden and the local area, enjoying the sunny weather. Here's some photos instead of me waffling on!

A toad that I found in the garden. Trying to get some shade I think.

My garden peas. I harvested these yesterday and got about 3 meals ( for 3 of us) from this one tub. I've still got another lot to pick.

A vase of  home grown Sweetpeas. Loooove the smell.

Down by the river. Went a lovely walk here as part of my get fit regime! 

The lake at the park. Another walk!

Swans at the park.

I hope you are all enjoying the Summer! Hopefully it wont be so long before I update again.

Tadpoles!

I've had a fairly quiet week here, I've been appreciating the sunshine (at last!!!) and have been in the garden. Saturday I managed to plant two new clematis and a few wild flower seedlings before the clouds decided to make an appearance and make it a bit chilly.BRR!
I did take some photos before I froze, I love how many flowers our cherry tree has this year.

I think these are called Grape Hyacinth 

So much blossom on our cherry tree this year- hopefully we'll get tonnes of cherries! 

The first flowers on the peas.

Some Broad Beans- I've never tried these before. These are a gift from my friend :)

Carrots waiting to be planted :)

Cucumber- I have never, ever been able to grow one of these. Hopefully this will be my year!

Lots of peas and carrots waiting to go out.

Beetroot and some carrots.

Lots of tadpoles this year.

A view of my pond

On the crafty side of things I have listed three new things. The photos are links :)

I have also curated my very first BNR (buy and replace)  treasury. The idea  is simple, you have to buy something featured in the treasury and that item is replaced by one from your Etsy shop. I have had plenty of views but no sales yet, I must admit it's a little disappointing. Still, I am running it until the end of May so who knows! If you have an Etsy shop and fancy having a go, click on the treasury below and see the first and second comment for full details.

'May BNR. No Minimum Spend. Sales so far- 0' by LittleHarriet

MY FIRST BNR SO PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH ME!NO MINIMUM SPENDNO NEED TO SHOUT OUT, JUST POST A COMMENT WITH THE SHOP YOU HAVE BOUGHT FROM AND A LINK TO THE TRANSACTION. SEE FIRST COMMENT FOR FULL DETAILS!

8 bit Link Legend of Zelda H... CuttingPixels $16	Limited Edition Watercolour ... Pamelajonesart... $4.5	Lucite Flower Earrings, Pale... Phoebedreams $9
Wrap Bracelet Plaid Plait Pi... 78HappinessPla... $4	Butterfly Coaster, Brown Fl... missbohemia $3.5	Pug Birthday card onelittlepug $2.5
6mm Ocean Blue and Silver Sh... NiaBandSags $12	Owls earrings Tickledpinkshe... $10	cute handmade Elephant Shape... pollypurplehor... $3.5
Button bracelet, Fall Autumn... GoddessJewelsU... $10	Owl Hoot T-Shirt - Cute Wom... BostonStClair $15	Make Up Bag with Cute Tag Bi... olganna $10
Rose sachet love heart hangi... NancyEllenStud... $10	Lady Bug Magnet- Teacher Tes... HobKnobin $7	Lime, Red and Turquoise Bead... timetalentjewe... $12
Cute Elephant Charm Post Sty... LittleHarriet $3

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Have a great Handmade Monday!