Epic bedspread project

Wow, finally I am free to take part in a Handmade Monday ! Have been so busy these past few weekends with trips to the Black Country Living Museum and Windermere Airshow, I haven't had much computer time.

I would recommend a trip to the BCLM, it's a great day out if you are into history and are interested in how people lived in the past. What I really loved was how it wasn't like a regular boring museum where you look at things behind glass, instead you walked around a village, all set out as it would have been years ago, there was even a working pub and a fantastic fish and chip shop which sold the most gorgeous, traditionally made fish and chips. You could go in the houses and there were people in character that gave talks. Here are some photos-

I also visited Windermere for the airshow that was put on there. I must admit I'm a bit of an aeroplane geek and jumped at the chance to see the only flying Vulcan Bomber. It was a beautiful setting and seeing the Vulcan against the backdrop of mountains was amazing. It was so loud and as well as hearing it, you could feel it! When it first came into sight the crowd went 'OOO' as one and when it left everyone clapped which I have never seen/heard happen at an airshow before.

And now on to the crafty stuff! I've been crocheting now for nearly 3 months and fancied a bit of a challenge. After taking a look at the ace attic 24 I found this bag pattern and decided to give it a try. I decided to line mine and add press studs and  I'm fairly happy with how it turned out since I've never done anything like that before and the lining was something I really had no idea how to do. I must admit the press studs are in the wrong place and the handles are a bit wonky but I'm a bit in love with my new bag.

I also decided to make myself a black and white bedspread.... I think its going to take me a while! Only 35 more of these squares to make...

Have a great week!
LH
x

A big thanks :)

Just want to say a big thank you  for the comments on my last post, I was in 'that' sort of a mood and the lovely comments helped get me out of it. You see there are a few things that I have to give some thought to at the moment but  the big thing that was driving me mad was should I leave home or not (ok not a massive problem and didn't warrant the amount of angst I was giving it) It doesn't sound much does it? Not that hard? Well.. I have spent the last few weeks looking at flat after flat, all either too small (I'm hoping to share with a mate so two bedrooms are a must) or in dodgy areas (please don't think of me as a snob- honestly I'm not but when you notice that the areal cable on the side of the house has been cut in half, the alley next to it is full of broken glass and the house next door is playing nightclub levels of music it gives me the warnings and deja vu as I grew up in a place like that. And don't get me started on the one where the bedroom ceiling was black, not caused by damp as the bloke showing us around insisted but condensation... yes.. I'm sure it was.
I was feeling frustrated, to afford something decent I need a job, if I get a job (and I have had one) my health goes pear shaped, but if I don't work I can't afford something decent, so I need a job... and repeat.So I'm still living at home, which in all honesty I love, my parents are fab but I need to have my own space, I want to be able to spread my crafty bits and pieces all over the place and not worry about making a mess or them getting moved.
So this is the thing.. do I risk getting a job if (and its a big if) I can find one? I know it will affect my health(it did before) which is why the thought of being self employed so appealing.(I'm in no doubt that it will be tough but being able to work around treatments and hospital visits would make a massive difference) Do I give up the dream of a craft related business as I wont be able to afford rent and materials to make things with? Am I even good enough to run my own business and are the things I make sellable? Or do I stay at home, happy but not fulfilled? Or is there another option that I'm not seeing? Is it a bit weird that I would love to be in the position where I have to pay tax?
Rarrr!

In other news, went to clinic Wednesday, have lost weight again (only a pound tho but that's a pound too much when you lack a bum) had a chat to the doc who said my lungs were a bit noisy which I totally agree with.. the upshot is that I'm now on the list to go in hospital for a course of the super drugs. Only just over two months since the last lot which is a bit annoying. Never mind tho, as it will give me chance to get away from flat hunting!
Other than that, I've had a fairly busy few weeks but more on that next time (with photos!)

LH
x

Rarrrr!

First post for ages and it's a 'woe is me' miserable one... sorry. If I were you I'd stop reading right about now.


Ok....The past three weeks have been a bit trying, things are a bit tough and I've had to do some serious thinking (not something that comes naturally to me, any serious thinking tends to be health related and this isn't- it doesn't sit right and is making me a bit unsettled.)
You see, there are things I want and things I can't get and I know that if I'm ever to get the things I want I have to make some serious and scary decisions first.
Do you ever feel like you are totally on your own? That all you want is someone to give you a hug and tell you what you should do even if they know you will probably do the opposite? It takes me a lot to tell someone I'm in need of an escape and I'm brilliant at hiding how I feel, saying ' I'm fine' is the easiest thing in the world and there are only a few people that can see through me well enough to know that I'm not happy. The people that do cheer me up are either too busy or have problems of their own.This is why I'm sat here on a wet Wednesday afternoon feeling lonely, frustrated and with nothing to turn to except a keyboard and a screen.
 Is it too much to ask that things, just once, could be easy? That I don't have to be the one making the effort or the compromises? That just once, I could be put first?
*sigh*

I know I sound selfish and maybe I am. Perhaps I'm just over tired or just sad. I know I need to do something, a holiday or a trip out or anything just to get away for a few days and I know I still have a big decision to make ( I will explain- just not yet, again sorry!) that I know is at the route of this miserable feeling.
*sigh*

Anyway, I feel better for getting that off my chest and normal blog posts will be resumed shortly.

LH
x

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
x

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

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Whimsical Wren Jewellery

Cherrytree crafts

Ginger's Altered Bits

Industrial Radical