Birdie, birdie, tweet tweet

I love sewing, I love the way you take a two dimensional piece of fabric and a few carefully placed stitches transforms it into a 3D work of art. (Usually.....)

This is a project from Cath Kidston's latest book Sew! It worked up quickly once I had figured that speed was not of the essence for this project. I really must learn to take more time over my projects, I'm sure I'll be less disappointed with the results then. It also made use of my favourite tool - The Mighty Glue Gun!

I hope the recipient likes it!

We've had a busy day at the park today. Devon County Council organised a Cycling Fun Day and although the girls scootered to the park instead of using their bikes we had a great day. Best of all was the smoothie bike - a bike attached to blender which created a yummy smoothie as you pedalled! The sun shone and the children were happy! All I need to be able to get on my bike is for Jez to give me back my front wheel and a seat on the back for Sullivan.

How does my garden grow, week 2

Sullivan. He's a great little boy. Great fun, always wanting kisses and cuddles yet very good at entertaining himself. He's playing 'This Little Piggy' in this picture.

I took these photos last Tuesday, things have changed since then. In the small yogurt pots are tomatoes and french beans. The larger yogurt pots have got butternut squash and courgettes. In the middle you can see my chillis, dwarf french beans and two herb pots. I'm really enjoying gardening this year. Nurturing these tiny seedlings is becoming an important part of my day, satisfying and rewarding as well calming and soothing.

Below you can see the children's beans and the newspaper pots I made. These pots are great, cheap, recycled and totally biodegradable (although I'm not sure about the chemicals in the printing ink). You just have to be careful not to rip them once they are damp...don't ask!

This is my little wall mounted basket, usually it has some sort of trailing flower in it but this year we have salad leaves. I thought it would be great on wet, grey days to be able to open the front door and harvest myself a sunny summer salad. The seedlings seem to like the warmth reflected from the bricks and are growing well.

I've been shown into the dark side. I've experimented with dyeing yarn using plants. Today I did my first ever dye job using dandelions, Thanks Helen. Photos to follow, along with a knitting and spinning update.

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My big girl, Emilia went on her first Brownie holiday this weekend. She was so worried that school told me to take her home after she ran out of school after I had left her in her classroom. Luckily someone we know found her looking for me and kept her until I came out of Maddie's class!

She had some tears getting on the minibus, but Maddie cried more! I didn't cry, but wanted to. She had a great time abseiling, climbing, fencing, singing around a camp fire and watching fireworks. The weekend was organised to celebrate 100 years of Girl Guiding in the UK and was attended by Brownies from all over Devon. I am so proud of her, I don't think I'd have been able to get on the bus!

Off to bed now, had too many late nights recently....

Oh, one last thing. Don't forget to vote next Thursday. It really is important to have your say.

Our Garden

The Back Garden

We are in the process of updating/rejigging/sorting out our back garden. Jez built the raised beds last summer and we have been slowly filling them with top soil. We got a load from freecycle last year which filled one of the beds but the one on the side remained empty.

Last week I decided that the children's playmats (recycled car tyre mats for use in playgrounds) needed a proper home so I chose the location and we started digging. It took most of Saturday but we did it - well Jez did it! The soil that came out of the hole for the mats has filled in most of the long bed on the left of the garden. The next job is to fill the hole with hardcore, sand and cement to make a stable base for the mats. They are going to have a deckboard edge so the children are going to end up with about 2 square metres of all weather play area.

Photos taken from the top of the steps.

The big wall at the end of the garden is a flood defence wall, the River Taw flows behind it and it is a tidal river which often has 8-9 metre tides.

The photo above shows where we could site the chickens if the council allows us to keep them. I don't hold out much hope so it'll probably get filled with more soil eventually. The henhouse would go where you can see the shed and the square bed would become their run.

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The Front Garden

The front garden/yard is a hotbed of activity at the moment. I bought the plastic greenhouse today from Wilkinson for £12. A bargain!

In the greenhouse we have:

Sugarsnap peas

Mange Tout

Broad beans

Dwarf french beans

French beans

Courgettes

Butternut squash

Beetroot

Lollo Rossa

Chillies

Sweet peppers

Sage

Flat leaf parsley

Basil

Beefsteak tomatoes

Gardeners Delight tomatoes

Sunflowers

Rosemary

Fingers crossed for a bumper harvest! I still want some rocket and sweetcorn.

In the drainpipes we have carrots for our annual longest carrot competition. There's also chives, parsley, more rosemary, strawberries, salad leaves and a cranberry bush in pots.

Exochorda x macrantha 'The Bride'
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Emilia had her 9th birthday during the Easter holidays. She requested the usual stack of gooey chocolate brownies for her cake. Ooh yum!


She wanted a Roman theme for her party as that has been her topic at school. It was a fun theme and I enjoyed making their costumes. All the children who came had made such an effort too.

My little Roman Soldier.
and my army!


Emilia asked for a sewing kit for her birthday and choose this skirt from Clothkits.com. She was brilliant with the sewing machine and did loads of it herself. I can see Clothkits making me broke!

I finished these little trousers for my friends new baby boy. The pattern is Blu

and a very easy knit. I really didn't get on with the seaming though and opted to sew the up regular fashion using mattress stitch. I wasn't very good at the embroidery either...

We have poorly babies at the moment. Emilia and Madeleine are recovering from a bout of Norovirus but Sullivan has been hit hard. I keep thinking he is better and then he is sick again.


I hope we are all better by Friday because Mum, Barry and Maisie are coming to stay for Easter :)

Make sure you visit Barry's blog - he hasn't posted since last August and writes such lovely things.

Happy Easter!

Oink.

It was half term last week and we spent most of it looking after Madeleine and Sullivan who both ended up very poorly with the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. They were both given the antiviral medication which has done a fantastic job of getting them well again. Poor Emilia spent most of the holiday being sent to friends houses to play...I bet she'd like Madeleine to be poorly again! She was very worried about her and kept asking if she'd have to go to hospital, it took a lot of reassurance to put her mind at rest.

Both girls were in their dance schools production this time round, Emilia had three dances - Ballet, Cowgirls dancing The Deadwood Stage from Calamity Jane, Tap - Penguins from Happy Feet and Modern - Catch a wave by The Beach Boys. Maddie had 2 dances - Ballet - We're off to see the Wizard and Tap - Penguins again. They were wonderful, I'm so proud of our girls having the confidence and stamina to perform on a professional stage in front of a full house. Well Done Girls! xxx

Jez is working hard, very busy with work and the gig club. He's training loads and is just about back to the weight and build he was at university.

Me? I'm okay. Not quite myself at the moment but on the advice of my Dr I have cut back the amount of hours I do at the Children's Centre. It's all voluntary so I can't be signed off and I feel like I am letting a lot of people down but maybe I should start pleasing myself a bit more and doing less to please others? Maybe, but I don't like it!

We went back to Hampshire this weekend. It was my brother Edward's 30th and my father-in-law's 65th. Crazy busy weekend, but fun. It was great to surprise Edd and to see Dad, Maisie, Laurie and Michelle too. Laurie was going to come back with us for a while but changed his mind :( I've made him promise to come down soon. We also got to meet my sister in law's new man, and a lovely man he is too. I think she has found someone who'll look after her.

We went round to see my dear friend Sharon for lunch on saturday. I wish her daughter would stop growing up, it's making me feel old! Such a lovely family, wish we saw more of each other.

The girls were back to school today, Maddie's class are already talking about the Christmas play - I'm so excited!

I'll leave you with a photo of Sullivan and I, taken at Mum and Barry's Wedding 18/04/08.

More photos soon, and hopefully a short video or two! Have a great week - I'm off to bed ready for a busy day tomorrow.

Ilfracombe Pilot Gig Club Regatta, Fibrefest and P/hop...

Yesterday Ilfracombe Pilot Gig Club held their first regatta. Despite strong winds and a very lumpy sea everyone had a great time. The course was shortened due to the sea conditions so the races were about 1 mile in length compared to the norm of around 1.5 - 2 miles. The rowers had to work very hard to fight against the waves, and they definitely won the battle!

The Ilfracombe Men's A didn't do too well but the Men's B won their first ever race! It was Ilfracombes' first ever race win in a regatta and much celebration followed! Well done boys! The mixed team came a close fifth after Weymouth, the team really worked hard to try and edge past. It was practically a photo finish!
Daddy didn't win :o(


I loved this seagull, he (or she) posed quite happily for me before fighting against the wind to soar in the thermals. Not his thermals, it was quite warm yesterday!

Here you can see all the boats lining up for the first race. These crews are the Ladies B teams, Weymouth - the 2 green boats - came first and third, Paignton - yellow and blue - came second.

Overall, Weymouth were the outright winners. They have extremely strong crews who work with good coxswains to ensure the whole crew pull together well.

Emilia had a great day, she spent almost all day in the food tent helping to sell the cakes. She was brilliant with the money, adding it up, giving correct change and always being polite, confident and happy. It has done wonders for her confidence. In fact our Millie was back, the one who was so happy and confident before she started junior school last year. Let's just say that I will be watching the school closely this year and if her confidence even takes the slightest dive I will want to know why!

All in all it was a wonderful day. The Ilfracombe crews, committee and friends worked so hard to make the day as brilliant as it was. I hope that they are all proud of themselves - I know I am!

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Last weekend Mum, Barry and Maisie came to stay. It just happened to be the same weekend as Fibrefest at ColdHarbour Mill. Oh what a wonderful day I had. I was totally overwhelmed and overawed by the talent, beauty, squooshiness and total loveliness of the day. I bought a fair bit, some jute to make shopping bags with for £1 a skein, Araucania Patagonia Cotton to make Liesl (which I have started), some blue and red merino tops to spin into something for Sullivan and a few knitpro harmony tips. Barry disappeared when we got into the main tent and then reappeared with an Ashford Niddy Noddy for me. What a great stepdad! xxx

Mum let me 'shoplift' her wonderful fibre that she had brought down with her I've got so much lovely stuff that needs spinning but not until after wednesday when the girls go back to school :o(

This chimney is at Coldharbour Mill, it gave me reverse vertigo to look up to it!

One of the lovely outdoor stands, Sullivan adored all the animals and was answering the sheep back when they baa-ed at him!

I'm sure he wanted to get in with the sheep....

I've just realised that I haven't any photos of my newly enhanced fibre and yarn stash, maybe tomorrow.

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This a square I've knitted for a P/Hop blanket to be auctioned for Medecins Sans Frontiers. Mum has been helping knit and sew up these blankets and needed just a few more squares to finish the last one. I'm not sure what the yarn is, but I didn't have quite enough for it and the final 3 rows are knit in Fleece Artist merino sock yarn. I'll be adding a P/Hop donation thingy to my blog, please help if you can as it is such a wonderful cause.

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Tomorrow is my 5 year blogiversary. Amazing. How should I celebrate I wonder? Cake.....

Tomten

This is the gorgeous jacket from Knitting Without Tears and The Opinionated Knitter, both by Elizabeth Zimmerman. I haven't enjoyed making something so much for ages. The chatty nature of her pattern directions make you feel that you a knitting alongside your best friend with a good cup of tea and warm chatter to keep you smiling.

The yarn is Katia Mexico which I was sent in a swap sometime last year and the icord edging is King Cole Merino. I did spin some green yarn for the edging but I learnt a lesson doing this. Don't bring your wheel downstairs to watch television whilst spinning, don't spin in a hurry and always let your singles settle overnight on the bobbin before plying. I made rope rather than yarn...

Maddie got a bit fed up with posing so the photo's aren't that great.

Mum, Barry and Maisie are down this weekend. Today Mum, Barry and Millie have gone to Fibrefest, Jez is competing in the Clovelly Gig Boat Regatta and I'm at home with Sullivan, Maddie and Maisie.

Maddie and Maisie are currently making felt beads and cardboard sandals from a lovely book called Green Crafts for Children that Mum brought down for the girls. I'll show the results later as they are enjoying being in a crafty, happy mess at the moment.

Tomorrow Mum, Sullivan and I are going to Fibrefest, I am so excited. I'm looking forward to meeting my friend Sarah whom I used to knit with a couple of years ago in Boston Tea Party and I can't wait to squidge lots of yummy fibre.

I'll blog again tomorrow to show you all my purchases!

Happy Birthday Mum!

My lovely Mum celebrates her birthday today. Those of you who have met her or know her as Picperfic will know how wonderful she is. Without her I doubt I would knit, sew, crochet, bake, etc etc! She taught me so much and continues to inspire me. I am very proud of how she has turned her life around and made it the life that she wants and deserves. Love you Mum xxx

This is my current project. A Tomten jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman in Katia Mexico. This is a lovely knit and the yarn is great too. It's my first EZ project although I have read her books from cover to cover numerous times. I love the way she writes, so easily and calmly. I'm going to edge the jacket with an applied i-cord using some green handspun.

We had some sunshine yesterday and were planning to go to RHS Rosemoor but the central locking on my van has gone loopy and gives you a split second to open the doors and then locks you in. I don't feel happy driving long distances in it so we picnicked in the garden instead. The above photo is Sullivan just before he launched himself on top of Emilia and Madeleine's Barbie game. Boys!

The girls were wearing their Amy Butler Sun Surf Halters, this is a lovely pattern. I made one for myself but the fabric was too stiff and just looked yuk! I love the girls in theirs and they were them as often as possible.

I hope you are enjoying your summer!

Custard Pies!

If you ever want to get rid of pent up aggression in a safe(ish!) environment then organise a custard pie fight!

This event was organised to help Childrens Hospice Southwest here in Barnstaple. They'd also had a sponsored 24 hour space hopper-thon going on since the previous evening. Can you imagine how hard that would have been? Hope lots of money has been raised!

Before they got too mucky!


Emilia's school organised two sports days this year but unfortunately the weather wasn't playing fair and they only managed one. Emilia loves sports, she puts 100% into everything she tries and always enjoys herself. The teacher who was running the event below was brilliant, really good at keeping the childrens' attention as well as making them laugh. I hope he's still teaching when Emilia is in year 6.

Giggking away because of the way she threw the ball :o)

Cheering on the team 'Go Reds!'

On Saturday 18th July, Pilton held its yearly street festival. I love this day, it's how I imagine Glastonbury to have been in the early days. (In fact isn't Glastonbury held in a village called Pilton?). Mum and I were meant to have been spinning in the Rotary Gardens but I was told Sullivan had Swine Flu on the thursday before the festival and couldn't let Mum come down. Sullivan then sprouted two new teeth - little monkey!

It turned out fine though as I met a friend who had a gazebo in the gardens, she was making felt and her friend was making beautiful hand embroidered owl cushions. They let me join them and I had a fun afternoon answering all sorts of questions about spinning including whether I had spun cat fur as this couple had been keeping the combings from their cat...

We were in the parade for the third year, Sullivan slept through most of it, even the loud drumming couldn't keep him awake!

My next post may include some knitting or even some spinning!

Rubbish Blogger

Facebook appears to have ruined my blogging, as well as my housework and creative time. I'm going to limit myself to 15 minutes a day from now on and hopefully I'll get more done. I'm feeling quite unproductive at the moment.

Maddie had her sports day last wednesday, they all did really well. As well as the team events they have a few running races. Maddie came 2nd in hers which is way better than I could ever have hoped to have done even though I was 'a natural athlete'! fnar fnar!
On thursday we drove down to Weymouth for a camping trip and the Weymouth Gig club Regatta on the saturday. This trip was fated from the start! The van did us proud until we got to the camp site and then the gears/clutch packed up so we decided to camp where we had to stop lol! We unpacked the van, found the tent and then started to pitch it.

My darling husband looked a bit purplexed when unpacking the tent. He'd forgotten that when we packed the tent away last time he'd decided not to pack the tent poles in with the tent...

Luckily the campsite had a whole load of tent poles that had been left behind which they let us borrow and we managed to cobble something together!

This is the reason for the camping trip - Gig Rowing . Jez is a member of the Ilfracombe team and we have had a great year so far travelling around the west coast of England for different Regattas. The children and I don't go to all of the regattas but the ones we have been to are great fun for all ages, the social-ness of them is wonderful!

Whilst Jez was rowing my dear friend S and her lovely family drove up to see us. It was wonderful to see them again if a little wet! (A LOT WET!) I can't believe how much her sweet daughter is growing up and I love how our 3 girls all get along so well :o)

Here's Dion and Sullivan, Dion is another member of the Ilfracombe along with his gorgeous girlfriend Jules. They camped with us at Osmington Mills, having recommended it to us.

When we got back on Saturday evening a couple of our sleeping bags had got wet so we decided to pack up and come home. Dion and Jules stayed on and said they had to move their tent at 2am because of the howling wind. Blooming weather!

On Sunday we went to the Big Sheep in Bideford, they've got these new trampolines called Pillows which are huge inflatable, erm, well, pillows! Great fun!

I have been knitting, and sewing too but I have no photo's of that.

This is Emilia's Adipose. Jez printed the pattern before Mazzmatazz had to take it off her site. Lovely pattern, cute little critter. Made in Rowan Soft Lux.

Sullivan adores In the Night Garden and Makka Pakka is his favourite. This is crocheted from an online free pattern. I can't remember from where but it is in my Ravelry list so I will credit her when I get back from school. I adjusted the head a little as it didn't quite look right and used buttons for the eyes as my embroidery skills are quite rubbish!

This is Sullivan (again) in his Humbug Hoody. This has become a summer staple and will probably fit him next year! Rowan Luxury cotton (I think), from RYC Mother and Baby.

Well, I have to get the girls home from school now. I hope it doesn't rain again! No promises to blog again soon as I'll only break my promise and then you'll hate me! HA!