Augsut 26th, 2012

First on today's agenda was a serious sleep after yesterday's 7 hour clean up, and we definitely deserved it!

Ended up heading to Harrogate today, Andy's dad is in hospital after a fall so we called up to see him. And while we were there (in Harrogate, not the hospital) we managed to sort the music for the wedding, so that was good!

I'd picked a song for me to walk down the aisle to, but it's really long so Andy's brother managed to edit it for us, and it's perfect!  We're not having any prayers or readings in the ceremony so we wanted the music to be personal to put our stamps on it a bit more, which I think we've done!  Not sure what we're going to come out to yet but the coming in is sorted, which is the important bit ;-)

August 25th, 2012

What a day!!  The estate agent was booked to come and take photographs of the house at 3.30, so Andy and I got up and worked for 7 hours straight to get the house put back together after last weekend's decorating. 

You've never seen anything like it, it was like one of these 60 Minute Makeover programmes, only on a bigger scale with only two people!  It was crazy, really was one of those enormous jobs that we finished with one minute to spare, which would have ben fine if the estate agent hadn't turned up 10 minutes early!  But all was well in the end, signed on the dotted line and the ball is rolling - just got to sell the thing now!  Which is a shame, as it turns out that when this house is tidy it's actually pretty big...typical!

August 24th, 2012

Today was the first day of my new life and I swear, from the second I woke up, I felt completely different.  Every bit of stress and worry has lifted and I've got me back, I feel motivated and enthusiastic to get things done, had a very productive day of Lucy Liz (which is a good job, as it's now my only source of income!)...it's just been a brilliant day!  I'm just fuming with myself for not making this move sooner!

Had the second estate agent to see us today, all went well again but their costs were a little higher so we're going with the original guys (told you, gut instinct!) So tomorrow they're coming round to do the measurements nad take some pictures, and the house will be on the market before the weekend is over!  Exciting times!

August 23rd, 2012

Today was, without question, one of the strangest days of my life.

It's been no secret that, for various raesons, I've been unhappy in my "other job" as I so fondly call it, and over the past 9 months my stress levels have gone through the roof.  Anyway, over the past few weeks I've really not been feeling well so, long story short, I took myself to the doctors and he signed me off with stress.

Such an awful moment, to sit in the doctor's room with a piece of paper on which he's put a huge tick through the box that says "not fit to work" was hideous, I've really never felt so defeated in my life.  So I quit my job.  Enough was enough.  Andy and I had spoken about me leaing on and off for months but I always found reasons to stay, but to be signed off by a doctor was the final straw for me, no job in the world is worth that.

So that's that - I guess I am now a full-time bag lady!!

Oh, and in other news, the car passed it's MOT!

August 22nd, 2012

Today we had the estate agent round, all seems to have gone well!  Pretty much what we expected really, which is good, the last thing we wanted was any unpleasant surprises!

But it all seems good and pretty positive, we've arranged for someone else to come around on Friday, just for the sake of having covered all bases, but I've got a good feeling about these guys - I'm very much a "go with your gut" kinda girl!

Now to worry about tomorrow, the car's booked in for MOT and I really can't see it passing - there's any expense we don't need 5 weeks before the wedding!!!

August 21st, 2012

Such a frustrating day today.  Had to go out to work and leave the house not even close to finished for the estate agent tomorrow, made worse by the fact that they decided to re-lay the tarmac on the road we work on, so hardly had any customers anyway as they couldn't drive to us.

So frustrating, I hate being somewhere doing very little when I could be elsewhere getting tons done.  So inevitably it was panic stations when we got home to get the house ready, as well as boxing up some orders that have to go out in the morning.  Feeling utterly miserable!

August 20th, 2012

MANIC day today!!

Called the estate agent this morning who is coming around on Wednesday morning to view the house, and I'm out of the house all day tomorrow, so I've had today to finish the glossing from the weekend, tidy the house, as well as finishing off some Lucy Liz orders that need despatching this week!  Blue arsed fly comes to mind!

It has to be said that I didn't get too far with the tidying, looking around all I can see is sewing, unfinished bags and packaging materials...that's not a great effort is it?  This is where I could really use staff!  Don't think that's happening any time soon, so best get myself into gear and get it done...not sure when, but it'll be done.

August 19th, 2012

Day two of decorating over with and you know, I think we're just about finished!  Two days of work and we've painted and glossed the entire hallway, stairs and upstairs landing, all the upstairs window ledges and repainted the dining room walls and ceilings - it's amazing how much you can get done when you put your mind to it!

I guess it helps that we're both really set on this move, so we're really motivated to get the work done to make it happen.  Only problem is that now we can barely move!  Stiff muscles, stiff joints, could barely eat our meal we're so tired!  But everything's clean and fresh and feeling very positive, so its all entirely worth it!

August 18th, 2012

I should probably let you in on what our master plan actually is huh?  These posts would make more sense if I did!

In a nutshell we're looking to sell our house and move back up north, which is home for both of us.  The area we're in now is truly lovely, it's just in the wrong place - Andy moved here for work and I moved here for Andy, so we're miles away from our friends and family.  Don't get me wrong, we have a perfectly decent social life, but it would be nice to have dinner with our families without driving the M60, M62 and M1 first!

So today we started tidying the house up ready to put it on the market and got loads done - high as a kite on gloss fumes now but well worth it!

In other news, our wedding gift list went live today, really feels like this wedding is getting close now...

August 17th, 2012

Final details meeting went well!  I was more than a little concerned at first as it turns out that someone has booked a wedding for September 28th, the day before ours, so was so worried about them being able to turn the venue around for our big day, but it's all good.

Details are coming together!  Rooms sorted, food, cake, flowers, the lot...still not got a dress but apart from that we're laughing!!!

Early to bed for us tonight, tomorrow is day one of major decorating as part of our grand master plan...must be rested!

August 16th, 2012

Well only the one minor panic today, had to call the emergency breakdown service to our house as our car stunk to high heaven of fuel.  Turns out there was a slit in the fuel pipe and it was leaking - lucky we caught it really, especially given someone I know is prone to throwing cigarette ends out of the window on the motor way! 

Heading up north shortly ready for the final details meeting at our wedding venue tomorrow, but before we set off we had to go through the questions the venue need answering, and that means confronting all the little details that we've been avoiding making decisions about!  Some are small things but some are biggies, like the music, music has been so important in our relationship (and let's face it, if it wasn't for our love of music Andy and I wouldn't even be together!) so it's actually a really big thing to decide the song I'll walk down the aisle to, and the one we leave to...but we'll get there, we'll have to!

August 15th, 2012

Today was one of those really annoying days that I hate, I got up this morning, did a day's work, now I'm ready for bed and I feel like I have sod all to say about my day!

I hate that, makes me feel like I worked all day but achieved nothing, I refuse to have any more days like this!

August 14th, 2012

With 6 weeks to go until the wedding I've decided to have one last health push!

In the kitchen you can't move for fruit, fat-free yoghurt and green tea, the natural shampoo is in the bathroom, exfoliating facial scrubs by the sink...I think I'm pretty geared up for this!

I just figure that the better I feel physically the better I'll feel in every other way, which really isn't a theory that should only be applying to the wedding but it's certainly a good reason to start.  It's right though, I think if you feel generally healthy and presentable you work better, so I have every intention of maintaining this long after the wedding.

In other news I *think* the dress is sorted, got to wait another couple of week for delivery which is less than ideal but at least I can sleep knowing things are moving!

August 13th, 2012

So today, after the cock-ups with my wedding hair, dress and the groom's suit, I finally took delivery of a pair of wedding shoes that fit (although they might be too tall)...you know what I did after that?

I went into the kitchen and was moving some bits around while I was on the phone, reached up to a shelf and managed to catch an un-opened jar of sauce with my elbow and set it crashing to the floor - only it didn't hit the floor, it hit my toes.  Hurt like hell!!  I was on the phone to Andy at the time who was driving and even he heard the thud of the jar trapping my toes between it and the tiled floor!

Lots of ice later I've a very painful, funny looking foot!  Just wondering what can possibly happen here next!?

August 12th, 2012

You know, I'm really quite sad the Olympics are over!  It's been brilliant!

Not entirely sure about the closing ceremony, some odd choices of artists and songs, and it didn't seem as upbeat as the opening ceremony, dare I say I don't think Danny Boyle has anything to worry about!

Also some very strange choices of guest stars, which actually I found rather irritating.  We've spent two weeks watching the most amazing athletes in the world, who've made their greatest achievements through nothing but hard work and dedication, inspiring the next generation and have done their country proud...forgive me, but Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss don't fit into that category as far as I'm concerned.

I hope we continue to be this patriotic once this is all over...would be a great shame not to.

August 11th, 2012

Today my Mum and I went to Harrogate for our wedding hair trials...didn't go well!

Mum looked stunning, she has naturally very curly hair anyway so our stylist, Nick, kept those in but defined each individual curl, it looked brilliant.

Mine on the other hand, not so great.  I must say that it was no fault of the stylist, it's me - I don't know if it's my hair (bearing in mind I'm stuck with a cut I don't want) my face, or my hair on my face but it's just not working....so with that, the disaster haircut, the faulty dress and the suit lining cock up, the only thing for me to do was have a meltdown, and I did. 

In my defence I'd been holding it in for weeks, which I shouldn't have, I should have just let it all out to begin with, so yesterday it all came out - probably did me good in the long run but not great for the hair trial!

August 10th, 2012

And today, disaster strikes again.

While I'm sitting here with a dress that's been returned, Andy's just returned from the tailor of his bespoke tailor-made suit to tell me that the suit, whilst stunning, has been fitted with the wrong colour lining....the lining is gold.  Yes, gold.  I assure you in no uncertain terms that it was never meant to be gold, so there's something else that needs fixing!

Dare I say, this wedding planning hasn't been stressful at all, it's actually been one of the most enjoyable experiences ever, but now it's time fo rhte professionals to step in and provide their parts of the bargain it's all going to hell!  Surely it should be the other way around?!!?

August 9th, 2012

So today we started putting together our wedding gift list.  I've felt funny about this one for a while but actually I'll admit to enjoying it more than I thought I would!

See, as far as I'm concered we just don't need gifts!  Andy and I have lived together for years now, so whilst we could look to replace some of our things we don't really need to, and to me it just feels wasteful to get rid of our existing stuff.  I also feel a bit odd about asking for gifts when people are paying for petrol, hotels, outfits just to come to the wedding itself.

To be fair, the only reason we have a gift list is because so many people have asked what to get us that we've set it up to cater for those who will buy us something regardless of what we say, but I'm still not 100% comfortable with the whole thing!

August 8th, 2012

6 weeks to go and I'm officially dress-less.  The dress has been returned to the designers and my fate is in their hands now!

The designer himself is looking at my dress so I really can't ask for much more than that, but it's nerve-crushing beyond belief.  Not helped by the fact that my body, which has always been completely out of proportion, evidently has measurements spanning over 3 dress sizes!  You ever think that something's not meant to be?!

August 7th, 2012

Well after the horror that was  yesterday, today wasn't much better.  Spoken to the designers about my dress, which is officially faulty, but nothing can be done without them seeing it, so right now everything is out of my hands - a position I hate to be in at the best of times but on the build up to my wedding it's hideous!

In other news, my nightmare hair does seem to be growing quickly - god bless Holland and Barrett Skin, Hair and Nails suppliments!

August 6th, 2012

Wedding dress is a disaster.  Complete disaster.  The work I wanted doing has gone from slightly cosmetic to full blown reconstruction.  Just don't need this with less than 7 weeks to go, really don't.

August 5th, 2012

Wedding fever continues here, though slightly tainted as I've barely slept for worrying about my wedding dress!  Seriously, 4 hours after I went to bed I was still awake and stressed!  But it'll be fine...it'll have to be!

Lunch with the best man today, so lots of talk of stag do's (and stag don'ts!) and then a trip to look at some of the bits we'd like to put on our wedding list.

That was awesome actually, the tennis had just started when we set off, got to the TV department in the shop and waited there for the match to finish so saw Andy Murray win.  Was such a great atmosphere, everyone stopped their shopping to watch the match and the cheer that went up when he won was wonderful.  Then a couple of minutes later they announced his win over the PA system and the whole shop broke into applause...felt quite emotional!!  Go Team GB!

Right, feet are going up and I am NOT thinking about this wedding dress...not one bit.... 

August 4th, 2012

Well it's here - there is a bought and paid for wedding dress in my house!

Something of a stress with it, counting down the minutes until I can get to the seamstress and make some serious changes (more than planned actually) but it's making me feel utterly sick to think about it, so will be distracting myself for a week!

Maid of Honour dress is stunning, and Helen looks stunning in it!  We've been so lucky with it, I chose the dress online, Helen went to the shop and tried on a sample dress so she knew it was OK but I'd not seen it.  I also guessed the colour based on a 1" square of fabric that I had sent!  But we've hit gold (well, green!) and it looks beautiful!

What a night for Team GB too!!  Wouldn't have minded being in that stadium tonight!!!

***I've managed to mess up with loads of these posts, need to stop trying to post from my phone so they actually publish!***

August 3rd, 2012

Bath is fixed!  That was just the last thing we needed, but all is well now, and the guy fixed our broken step while he was here, so that was ok!

Busy weekend ahead - going to be Wedding Central here!  Visits from the Maid of Honour, Best Man, collecting the dress, seeing the MoH dress for the first time...got everything crossed that all of the above go well!

August 2nd, 2012

Nothing but annoyed - had workmen in the house, had all around the bath re-tiled (and therefore re-grouted and resealed), been under the bath and the original problem that the work was meant to fix is still there!  Fuming!

So it's batch of workmen number two coming round to take a look at everything....not what we need will less than 2 months to the wedding!!

August 1st, 2012

August 1st....getting married next month!

I was such a geek today, I took delivery of a fabric order that I'd forgotten was coming...couldn't have been more excited!  I just love it, a big pile of brand new fabric ready to be cut and stitched and turned into product, love it!  Of course there's always the fabric that turns up which is too beautiful to cut but once I'm over that - bring on the scissors!

July 31st, 2012

So, let me explain, I did write my blog on July 31st, but I was so emotionally drained that I forgot to hit post!  Had such a nightmare but now it's fixed and OK I can tell you about it!

So, with 8 weeks and 1 day to go until the wedding, I went for my pre-wedding hair cut (you can see where this is going can't you?)  I'm not going to slate the salon because they were great, had a fabulous experience there, but long story short my hair was cut wrong.  It's not that it was cut in a style that I didn't like, it was actually wrong.

Tried not to think about it, you know what it's like when you leave the hairdresser, it's so full of products that you can never really tell what it's like, so I decided not to think about it until I got home and washed and dried it myself.  Did that..and it was even worse than I thought.  Devastated.  I know it probably sounds like a massive over-reaction but the problem was the first few inches of hair that sit right on my face, with only 8 weeks to sort it before my wedding.  So having cried for three days (!) I made an emergency visit to my wedding stylist on Tuesday night, who I'm happy to say has done the most wonderful job of fixing the problem and I'm now fit to be seen outside again!!

So after I'd driven back from her house (which is over an hour away) I was so mentally drained from three days of crying and stress that I think I passed out!!!

July 30th, 2012

Thank you all for the lovely comments on yesterday's blog, nice to know you're all out there and keeping and eye on what we're up to!

Just had such a great response to the new bags, not only the new designs but the new sizes too - I'm now offering two sizes of bag, my original size which is more of an evening bag, and a larger day handbag.  Seems that more people than I thought were keen for the bigger bag!!

Think I'm going to head to bed early, had the most emotionally draining weekend ever after a disaster of a haircut 8 weeks before my wedding.  I'm heading to see the wedding stylist tomorrow who hopefully is going to sort everything out, please cross everything for me!

July 29th, 2012

Two months to go!  This time in two months I'll  be married!  Crazy days...

Anyway, I thought for this Handmade Monday I'd show you all a little bit of what we've been up to at Lucy Liz HQ...the site isn't quite finished yet, still a few tweaks to make here and there, but here's a little look at what's been going on...

July 28th, 2012

God awful day. In almost every way today was utter crap. Going to bed and hoping to forget the whole hell of it.

July 27th, 2012

Had the most wonderful night!

After 72 years service, my future father-in-law stepped down from his presidential role in the Sea Cadets, so the Harrogate had a little presentation for him.  Great turn out including, captains, MPs and the mayor, but the highlight of the night was the speech my father in law gave.  It was stunning, truly beautiful and delivered with dignity and gusto, and a memory I shall treasure forever.

July 26th, 2012

It's official, our wedding photographers are worried!  Turns out I'm the only bride in history that doesn't really want to be in her pictures!

I just hate being photographed!  Really can't stand it!  I'm not a poser, I don't do all the posing for the camera stuff, it actually makes me really uncomfortable and in turn produces a rubbish photo anyway because I look so un-natural.  So come the big day I'm going to be entirely reliant on being so swept up in the whole thing that I won't have time to be self-conscious or aware of the cameras...here's hoping anyway, or I'll be paying for a serious amount of Photoshop work afterwards!

Oh well, Harrogate-bound tomorrow for my pre-wedding hair cut (!!!!!) so hoping that'll set me well on my way to feeling fabulous!  Fingers crossed!

July 25th, 2012

So today, I got to see the images of all my new bags....ohh my word, they are stunning!  And whilst I'm very proud of my products I have to say that a good chunk of that is down to the photographers! 

They just look stunning, I've said it before and I'll say it again, I urge anyone to get professional photography for their products.  Of course it doesn't come as cheap as producing your own photos (as I did for a long time without hassle) but professional shots honestly just take your work to a new level - I couldn't believe the bags were ones I made because they looked so good lol

You know what that means though?  I've got to get listing everything now :-s

July 24th, 2012

Ohhh the sun is here!  Massive, hot sun!  Shame I spent the day looking at it through three layers of glass but still, nice that something resembling summer has arrived!  Here's hoping it lasts!

Lastest batch of bags have gone off to be photographed, cannot wait to see them!  I just love seeing my products shot by a professional photographer, I almost can't believe they're mine, they look too pro!  Though that is entirely the work of the photographer lol

Only one more day dealing with the public this week (!!) then counting down the minutes until Friday when some serious pampering is on the cards...but until then, head down and work on!

July 23rd, 2012

After weeks and weeks of hard work, I think we're just about there...spent today making the last batch of new bags  and purses to send off to be photographed, then it's serious marketing!

So excited for it all to be done, sitting here now I can see 8 - yes, 8! - new bags, and that's not even all of them!  It's certainly been a labour of love but I'm more than sure it'll have been worth it when everything's finished - and not long until I can show everyone!

Also had a very exciting email from a contact I made at the Comic Con event, it's always so lovely to get follow-up business after an event, it's nice to know that people saw what you did and went away and thought about it...nice, nice day today, here's to tomorrow being just as good!

July 22nd, 2012

Is anyone watching Thelma's Gypsy Girls? Oh my days..! It's about a group of traveller girls who have been given the opportunity to work in the factory making the elaborate gypsy wedding dresses....dream opportunity but they're completely throwing it back in Thelma's face. There's been a lot of screaming at the tv tonight, I'd kill for that job!!

July 21st, 2012

MENTAL day!  After weeks of hard work, today we finally gathered up the latest Lucy Liz handbag collection..and took it to Comic Con!

It was unreal! The event was in Manchester, and I honestly have never seen anything like it.  Almost everyone was there in costume which was just brilliant, the amount of effort and enthusiasm that had gone into them was great to see, and these guys do detail!  No costume was without the appropriate props, from tiny name badges to massive weapons, not a detail was missed. 

And I'm pleased to report it was a brilliant day for Lucy Liz too!  I kept this project really quiet and the stuff isn't online yet as I was using today very much as a trial to test the water with it all, and I'm so pleased with how well it went, and I'm definitely putting the stuff on the site now!!!

Thanks to all for a great day!

July 20th, 2012

What a day...what a day!

Got a big event tomorrow selling my bags, and it's kind of a big one as it's something very different to the shows I've done before, so its kind of a big deal!

Spent all morning using adhesive to attach the frames to the bags, so was high as a kite by lunch time!  Went through almost 3 tubes of glue and ran out before I'd finished the job, so flew to Hobbycraft to get some more (which is where I bought the last lot)...did they have it?  No.  We then spent 30 minutes online and on the phone trying to find a supplier for this glue and, long story short, ended up driving to Warrington (from south of Stockport) just for glue!!!!  That about sums up my day!

We'll be up early as heading into Manchester for this event, fingers crossed that this time tomorrow I'll be blogging about what a success it's been!!

July 19th, 2012

Thought I'd share a pic with you today!  This picture was taken 7 years ago today, just before Meat Loaf played at the Summer Pops event in Liverpool.  There was a big fan club meet up (or is that Meat up?) at a hotel on the Albert Dock and there must have been about 30 of us, old friends and new.

The girl in the silver top in the middle is me, chatting away and having a good catch up with some old friends.  The fella behind me with his arms out is Andy, who at that point I'd not been introduced to...and here we are, 7 years later, and I'm about to marry him!

It's so funny to look at that pic, there we are just getting on with our evening, completely unaware of what the future would hold!  Of course we've not been together 7 years, but that night marked the beginning of a great friendship which is about to become a marriage, I consider myself a very lucky lady!

July 18th, 2012

Ohhh dear, today might have been a write off!  I think after the weekend's Springsteen goings on followed by our Harrogate trip today the tiredness finally hit us!  Didn't get a single bag done this evening which is no good at all, just hoping the "rest" has set me up for a productive day tomorrow!

Did get my wedding hairdresser booked though!  That's definitely productive!  

July 17th, 2012

Uh ohhhh..found another product I want to make :-s  I really shouldn't but I might not be able to resist!

This always happens when I have a deadline!  Going to a big selling event on Saturday and all of my focus needs to be going into that, and then I find something new to do!  Happens every time!  Good job I'm not doing these events every week otherwise I'd have 52 brand new products a year!

Thank you for the comments on the cushion in yesterday's blog by the way, I'll certainly be having one in my craft room to use as a reminder to Keep Calm!  Which, when things go wrong, I often do not!

July 16th, 2012

Can't even remember how long it's been since I joined in on Handmade Monday - shame on me!

There's been so much going on at Lucy Liz lately, some I can share soon, some things aren't quite ready, but today I thought I'd share my new cushion with you all - perfect for any sewing room!!

 I could also do with paying attention to some of those Keep Calm messages too, nearly thrown my sewing machine out of the window so many times this week!  And it's only Monday!!!!!

July 15th, 2012

There are not words to describe the pain and exhaustion we're feeling today!

Left London after last night's show and headed to a travelodge at Hatfield where we had a few hours sleep before heading up the A1 to Harrogate.  This week saw Mr King Snr turn 85 so we had a big family lunch to celebrate and there was no way we were missing that!!!

Such a lovely day with everyone and some wonderful photos and memories shared of a very long and eventful life!!

And now?  Bed!

July 13th & 14th 2012

OK, so a little bit of a cheat, but I'm putting these days together because they were essentially one day!

Springsteen at Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park, so after a 3.30am get up it was more queues, more numbers and more roll calls before the most dreaded run in venue history...I swear, the entrance to the front row barrier is a good 1km, which when you're sprinting is absolute killer.  And then, just in case we weren't tired enough, we were stood at that front row barrier for 11 HOURS!!!!

It's not quite as bad as it sounds, we were in at 12 and the first support act came on at 2pm so there was a steady stream of entertainment on the run up to 7pm when it was officially Boss Time!!  Amazing show, there's been plenty of reports about them cutting the sound for breaking the curfew but it was a brilliant night non the less. 

Hyde Park is a mess.  The combination of the amount of rain we've had and the Wireless festival last weekend made it essentially into a paddy field, which they then covered in wood chips to try and make safer.  They actually did a pretty good job, though the wood stunk to high heaven so it wasn't too pleasant, but truly worth every minute!!!!

July 12th, 2012

A very quick blog and early to bed for us tonight, as tomorrow we'll be getting up at stupid o'clock to head to London to join yet another Bruce Springsteen queue!  I'm sure we only just left the last one!

It's looking to be a very wet weekend - the show is in Hyde Park which they've had to cover in woodchips in an attempt to soak up some of the water, but I really don't see that working!  So we're heading armed with wellies and waterproofs!!!

July 11th, 2012

Just watched The Vow, what a brilliant film!

For those who've not seen it (and without giving away the ending) it's about a young married couple who have a car accident, she suffers massive head trauma and loses her memory (whilst listening to Meat Loaf I might add!) so she has to learn and remember everything about her recent past all over again, including who her husband is. 

One of those that really gets you thinking...I think sometimes it's easy to think that, given the choice, we'd delete all the bad memories and crap that we've gone through, but then those are the things that shape us and make us who we are, so to forget them would actually change the people we are now...tough one isn't it!

It's a lovely funny film though, considering the story line, would definitely recommend making time to see this one!

July 10th, 2012

So tonight, all eyes are on this weekend's weather forecast...

We've got tickets to see Springsteen (again) in Hyde Park but the weather is not looking good at all.  Tomorrow night's concert there has been cancelled already because the ground is too wet.  The event people have said that the show is going ahead and they're laying chipboard down to cover the grass, though rumour has it that the trucks can't get onto the grass to lay the boards...so it's not looking good!!

Of course the festivals all go ahead whatever the weather, but I'm not sure how "protected" Hyde Park is from being churned up, the area where the queue will be is right by Marble Arch so it's all really visible to tourists...guess there's nothing else to do but keep fingers firmly crosses!

July 9th, 2012

This morning, I faced war - Me vs The Sewing Machine!  I fear the sewing machine is winning though :-s

It's definitely not happy at the moment, don't know if it's the tension or what but the cotton underneath is snagging, coming through in huge chunks of thread and the needles are snapping. Scares the hell out of me, the Bang when a needle goes is shocking - I have some glasses which I don't wear because the prescription is a bit too strong, well I've taken as wearing them as goggles in case a needle goes when I'm on the machine!

My fear of sewing machines is definitely a valid one though.  I was always really confident on the machine, it was just like an extra arm to me!  Then when we were at college a friend of mine, who shall remain nameless, was doing some machine embroidery, moving the embroidery hoop round in circles, and I don't know how she managed it but she slipped and the needle went straight through her finger - straight through the nail and out of the other side.  I went into "teacher mode" in the immediate moment as we were in the room without a tutor but afterwards it really hit me, I just felt sick, so now I'm very wary of the machine!  Justifiably I think!

July 8th, 2012

Has anyone just watched Thelma's Gypsy Girls?  Oh I was so jealous, I'd love to do that job!

For those that didn't see it, Thelma Madine (the dressmaker from Big Fat Gypsy Weddings) is setting up a scheme whereby she takes on 10 traveller girls and trains them up to be dressmakers and seamstresses.  I'd love that!!  I'm not sure how well I'd get on with the enormous construction parts of those dresses but I'd be in my element doing the finishing - just let me loose with those diamantes!!

July 7th, 2012

Would you believe I've only just watched Apollo 13 for the first time?!  Well worth waiting for though, loved it!

I've always been obsessed with space, as a kid I used to love the illustrations of space and the planets in the front of my Mum's atlas.  On a clear night you'll always find me somewhere just looking up!

I always wanted to go to space too.  You see, and this drives Andy mad, I have no concept of space not having an edge..!  Like now I'm sitting on our sofa, which is inside our living room which is inside our house etc, I just can't grasp that space isn't inside anything, that you could travel through it forever and never hit the end!  How can that be?!

I would love to go to the moon but I think it would affect me beyond belief.  There's reports of these guys that have been to the moon, or even just up in those planes that take you up to where you can see the edge of the atmostphere before space, and they see the earth and how magnificent it is that when they get back to their normal lives, nothing quite matches up again.  I think I'd be like that, everything else would just seen so insignificant.  I also think I'd crave to go back - we all have those moments when you just need to remove yourself from everyone and everything and have some "alone time", what better alone time than sitting on the moon huh?!!!

I'm thinking it's probably not going to happen though, so for now, I'll stick to having my head in the clouds.

July 6th, 2012

This rain is unreal isn't it?  I feel like I can't remember the last time it wasn't raining!  And with the whole country now on a "red" flood warning I don't see it stopping any time soon!

So I completely gave up on the weather this afternoon and tucked myself up with tea, tennis (where, incidently, it was sunny) and the latest issues of Handmade Living and Mollie Makes.  Really got me revved up to make things!  The other great effect that these mags have is that they always inspire me to tidy my work room - everyone else's look soooo neat and tidy, mine looks like a bomb's gone off.  I'm determined to have a tidy sewing room...one day...

July 5th, 2012

Spent today with my head in the wedding file, think we've got it all sussed!  Every detail is accounted for so, in theory, there should be no un-welcome suprises.

The last big thing to do is plan the service.  Not sure that we want any readings or poems or anything but it would be nice to make it a bit more personal than just the normal words.  The music I'm sure will mak it personal, though we're yet to decide on that too!  Andy and I met through Meat Loaf, and whilst his songs are spectacular and definitely very special to us, I'm not sure they're entirely wedding appropriate, not for my Grandma!!

Heading to bed, and hopefully I won't have yet another dream that it's half an hour until the ceremony and I'm not even a little bit close to ready and have forgotten everything!  Twice in 10 days I've had that dream!!!

July 4th, 2012

My thoughts for today -

-Happy Independence Day to all my lovely American friends.
-Cannot shift this headache
-Calendar Girls is such a beautiful film, I hope that if I (God Forbid) ever ended up in that situation I'd handle it with such dignity
-Cannot wait to have my Mr King home tomorrow
-Wedding planning has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life, I actually think I'll miss it once it's all over!!

July 3rd, 2012

Today's been one of those frustrating days where you spend all day rushing round working, getting things done, helping other people get their things done...then you wonder actually whether it was worth it or whether anyone noticed you did it.  Not that things should be done for recognition, but I guess sometimes it's nice to know that what you do it noticed and appreciated.  Rant over!

No idea what tomorrow will hold, not a great deal if I'm still feeling like this...IBS is going mental, feel like I've been hit by a bus!  So I shall go to bed and hope to sleep it off...fingers crossed!

July 2nd, 2012

Well it was a struggle, but my new wooden dining table is here!!  Me and my white van man had a good giggle trying to get it down the side of the house (I'd already commited to buying it before I realised it wouldn't fit through the front door) but it was well worth the struggle, it's fab!!

In other news, time is flying and I have no idea where it's going - I booked an event where I'll be selling my bags and knew I had ages to get everything ready, suddenly it's two weeks away, and we're away next weekend!  Better knuckle down!

July 1st, 2012

After last night's horror watching The Woman In Black, tonight we lightened things up and watched The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and it was fabulous.

Amazingly strong British cast - Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Celia Imrie, Bill Nighy...the usual bunch who always do such a stunning job!  India looked so beautiful in the film too, I'd love to go for the sights and smells and definitely the colours, but I really don't think I'd cope - too much noise and too many people in small spaces!

The film had the best line in it though, this wonderfully optomistic young lad who kept saying "Everything will be alright in the end, and if it's not alright then it's not the end" - and I just love that.  I'm always saying to my Andy "it'll be 'right" but this guy put it so much more elegantly than me, and what a great idea to live by.

Can you believe it's July 1st already?!  Where's the year going!?

June 30th, 2012

So we've just watched The Woman In Black....ohhhhh my god!!

Well if the intention was to scare the life out of me it succeeded 100%, I watched half of it through my fingers and the other half from inside my top!  In fairness, I don't know anyone that scares as easily as me, the slightest thing and I'm jumping out of my skin, but this one really had some moments in it!  It's not particularly graphic or anything though, it's definitely all psychological.

Oddly though, that's my favourite kind of film - as me to choose my favourite films from our DVD collection now and I'd be choosing films like The Sixth Sense, The Number 23, Room 1408, Red Dragon...I love them, anything that's clever rather than gory I'd choose any day, and once it's over I'll rant about how brilliant it was, but during I'm an absolute wreck!

Very interesting to see Daniel Radcliffe in something other than Harry Potter, though at times a good petronus charm would have done him the world of good!  Must say though, we felt he was mis-cast in that role.  Don't get me wrong, he did an amazing job of the role he was given, but for me he was just way too young to pull it off.  For those who haven't seen it, his character is a lawyer who is a widower and has a 4 year old son, and he just doesn't look old enough for it to be believeable, he looks more like the little boy's older brother.

The other "problem" with Daniel Radcliffe playing the role is that, from what we've heard, the film was a lot more frightening to begin with but they edited it to within an inch of it's life so that the Harry Potter audience ( who are still fairly young ) were old enough to go and see it.  I can't comment really as I've not read the book, but I can see how they'd end up doing that - not that I'm complaining, I couldn't have coped if it was any worse!!!

Now I have to try and sleep, in this dark house...!

June 29th, 2012

3 monthsn to go until our wedding!  Three months!!  Not entirely sure where the time's gone, it's flying by, really doesn't seem like two minutes since we got engaged!

So spent today getting some wedding bits done.  Andy had his second fitting for his suit and it is looking fabulous, really really stunning.  I really hope the photographs do justice to how beautiful a suit this actually is!  Then we went to get shoes to wear with said suit...that was fun!  That's the problem with having such a fancy suit, the shoes have to match up!!  But we got there eventually, and while we were there we registered for our gift list, so that'll be the next thing, running around the store beeping things I like - looking forward to that one!!

June 28th, 2012

I've just realised why the June 26th post didn't work...I was in the middle of a spider attack when I was doing it!

I say spider attack - there was a spider, which to me, is an attack.  A complete violation to me and my home!  Made worse by the fact that Andy was working away so I had to "deal with it" alone!  Deal with it is probably an exaggeration of what I did actually, it ran underrneath a cushion I threw so I beat hell out of the cushion and ran away!

Went to bed scared to death, got up the next morning and after spending a good half hour plucking up the courage, I moved the cushion...and it wasn't there! Back to square one!!!  So as far as I'm concerned it's loose, wild.  Everyone else says it's "gone back to wherever it came from" but I can't help but feel I'm being watched - this could go on forever!!!!!

June 26th, 2012

I've just seen that yesterday's post didn't publish!  I did it on my phone so must have done it wrong somewhere...but no way am I admitting defeat on this blog-a-day thing!!

So I promise I did write it lol

June 27th, 2012

Ohh dear, I fear I may have "done a Lucy"..!

Was at the post office today and a guy came in to put a couple of ads in our window, one for a dresser and one for a wooden table.  It's the most fabulous wooden table you can imagine, proper farmhouse-style, chunky thing and I loved it straight away.  Turns out the guy just wants rid of it before his new table arrives and pretty much wants peanuts for the thing, so after much deliberation I called him after work and commited to buying his table, and sorted out a guy with a transit  van to get it to my house.

Did I measure my doorways?  Did I hell!  No idea how we're going to get it in the house, it's certainly not coming in the front, so the only option is down the side and through the back, which isn't easy at all as it'll involve turning my almost-2-metre-long table through almost 180 degrees...this may be a complete disaster!!!!!

June 25th, 2012

Epic day today - finished 9 bags!

I tend to work in production lines, so when my new fabrics arrive I'll draw all the patterns, then do all the cutting, all the pinning etc rather than doing one entire bag at a time.  The cutting day is always a long but productive one, then I have a massive lull in the middle of the process when I'm doing lots of machine stitching and everything's half done.  Today's my favourite day though, a whole day of hand-stitching and finishing, so it feels like I've done much more than I have!

And I can't wait to show you all what I've been doing!  It's all a bit of a secret just now but as soon as everything's finished and photographed you'll see what I've been up to...and it's my favourite project yet!

June 24th, 2012

Does anyone else hate football or is it just me?

I can't stand it!  Grown men who earn more money than I could even imaging who roll around on grass faking injuries for 90 minutes...I just don't get it!  And I have to say, all this rolling and diving trying to gain a penalty or free kick, it seems they don't even hide that they're faking it any more!  We watched the England match tonight and I was stunning to see guys tripping, falling over then desperately clutching their heads or faces which didn't even touch the ground!

And what really gets me (I'm off on one now huh?!!) is the money...I just cannot understand how the money those men are on can possibly be justified?  Not when there's soldiers fighting for their country every day, it's just hideous.

Rant over.

June 23rd, 2012

So last night we saw the amazing Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band...but what a nightmare getting there!  Hope you’ve got a cuppa for this one!!

The Springsteen fans run a queue system – because the concerts are general admission where you queue to get in there’s a system whereby when you turn up, you’re given a number that’s put on the list and then you attend roll calls every few hours, which means that they fans that queue for several days (and they do!) can leave the queue to shower, eat, sleep etc and only have to check back in occasionally rather than staying.  Then when the times comes to open the doors then first 1000 people that have numbers are let in in order.  It happens at every venue and it’s a system that Springsteen’s security are involved with – fans do the queue then hand over to them to sort out the wristbands and putting people in order, and the venue security do as they’re told from Springsteen’s lot.

We went to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night just to see if anything was going on and bumped into another couple that had had the same idea, so the four of us decided we may as well stay and be numbers 1-4, and that meant we were running the queue.  So we camped at the venue for two nights!  Didn’t sleep Thursday because all the fans that were at the Sunderland show shot straight down to get their queue number so we were up all night doing that then organising roll calls – by 1pm on Friday we had well over 1000 people to deal with!!!!   The rain never stopped for about 36 hours, we were so busy that we just couldn’t stay dry – I had two pairs of socks in Ugg-type boots, four layers of tops, a waterproof jacket and plastic poncho  and was soaked to the skin by 10am yesterday morning, so was soaked through for a good 14 hours.

Despite the rain and volume of people it was all going well, everyone was supportive and understanding that our lack of information was because no-one was telling us anything.  The venue security told us where to queue, set up barriers etc and worked with us doing the numbers for two days so they knew what was doing on.  Then (presumably) because of the rain the soundcheck and safety checks inside the venue took longer and Springsteen’s security guy  didn’t make it out to us.  The venue security then decided just to let us in and refused to work with any kind of system other than theirs, which was to open the doors all at the same time (not letting the numbered people in first as promised) and getting 55,000 people into the venue as quick as possible, so 48 hours of work was completely wasted.  Then when they let us in (bearing in mind that everything is soaking wet) they opened all the gates and let people squeeze through a door and burst into the the top back left of the stadium, so nearly 3000 fans, who were already really angry about the queue thing, had to run down a steep set of stairs and across a plastic-covered pitch to the golden circle area, and security did nothing – it is down to nothing but luck that people a) weren't crushed on the stairs, and b) no-one slipped and broke legs on the wet plastic flooring.

All turned out ok – we were front row (though our spot should have been better for the numbers we had) and Bruce did a good 3 and a half hours.  The show was epic, it was just a shame that everyone was in a crap mood because of the venue staff.  

Clarence was truly missed but his nephew Jake on stage playing those parts was really something, very emotional night!

And that was that!  We've spent most of today sleeping and re-hydrating!  Better get some training in before the next Bruce show!

June 22nd, 2012

Right now there are no words to describe what Andy and I have just put ourselves through for the Bruce Springsteen show we've just seen but boy was it worth it!

More tomorrow, right now jumping in the shower to try abduction regain some feeling in my limbs!

June 21st,2012

It's pouring with rain, everything and every one is soaked through, the wind is howling...yep, we've ended up running the Springsteen queue!

June 20th, 2012

Today's blog will be a short one because, I kid you not, tonight's bed is a tent outside the Man City ground in the queue for the Bruce Springsteen show!

Yes, we must be mad, but I promise you it's worth it!

June 19th, 2012

What a long night...apparently there's some football thing on?!  I cannot stand football, I'll not get on a rant about it but I just hate it!  So I wasn't overly enthused when Andy wanted to put the England match on tonight, but I did get a lot of research done of potential outlets for my new products, so that's something!

I'll tell what I found tonight, just how many people there are out there designing and making amazing products!  And that made me wonder why on earth Handmade isn't more mainstream?!  I looked at tons of sites and each site had its own set of makers, not the same bunch of people cropping up everywhere, and all of a brilliant standard.  So if so many of us are doing it, why don't more people know about it?  And if they do, why aren't they supporting it to a greater extent?

All of these "handmade sites" only seem to be popular in "handmade world", where makers are selling to other makers rather than the general public.  Don't get me wrong, a sale is a sale, but it would be nice if handmade was more recognised outside of the industry wouldn't it?

Ohhh welll, I can dream!

June 18th, 2012

A productive morning has been quickly cancelled out by my IBS kicking off and therefore an evening spent doing nothing :-(

It's so frustrating, apart from the obvious pain and discomfort, my whole body just shuts down and aches...there's not a single bone or muscle not hurting right now!  But of course my brain is still completely switched on and ready to work!  So I've laid, in pain, feeling so sick I could hardly move, with my mind shouting at me to get up because I've lots to do - it's exhausting!

Oh well, just have to be twice as productive tomorow!

June 17th, 2012

Ohhh dear...I've been window shopping for things for my sewing room!!

It's a funny thing, if I see something I like I can always find a way to justify the cost, even if I shouldn't!  I don't tend to do it with things for myself like clothes or shoes, but anything for my work room or the house and I'm terrible.  Today I found a load of fabulous bits, some vintage Singer sewing posters and stunning wooden spools and even more buttons...I could go on forever!

You see my excuse is - and I do believe that this is true! - the nicer the room is, the nicer the work you produce!  So to design and make products in a room full of beautiful things that you find inspirational can surely only be a good thing, right?!

Well that's my story anyway, and I'm sticking to it!

June 16th, 2012

A lovely day spent with family!

Woke up at Mum's to lots of wedding talk, primarily who will be walking me down the aisle, a topic which I'm happy to avoid like the plague! Then off to Grandma's for tea and cake and the trooping of the colour (my Grandma is just like the Queen!)

And then we were Harrogate bound for more wedding talk, Father's Day presents, and best of all I got to hold the ceremonial sword we'll be cutting the cake with! Definitely nut a toy!

Lovely, lovely day!

June 15th, 2012

Just been for a fabulous meal at our wedding venue which acted as a menu tasting for the big day!

Lots of great food and even more great wine, and now laid here feeling so full I won't need to eat for a week!

June 14th, 2012

I was right - today was productive!

I need to stock up for an event I'm doing next month and it's entirely new stock that I'm taking, so today I started the big make-a-thon!  There's nothing I like more than to have a pile of brand new fabrics and felts that all need cutting and stitching and turning into products.

The other thing I love about needing to stock up rather than making one thing is that I can production line everything, which is my favourite way to work.  It means the OCD in me can finally be useful and I work very efficiently!

So after a day of measuring, drawing outlines and cutting I now have 34 pieces ready to be stitched, all with interfacing and linings...that's 204 individual pieces I've cut today, no wonder my hand hurts!!

June 13th, 2012

Not entirely sure where today has gone, or what I have to shoe for it! I'm quite sure I only just got up!

Big pile of sewing waiting for me in the morning so I should definitely have something to show for tomorrow, and if not something's gone badly wrong!

June 12th, 2012

Rather excitingly, Andy and his either Paul have been filling me in on the ceremonial sword that we'll be cutting our wedding cake with!  Apparently it's not a toy..!

June 11th, 2012

I think I have a post London Jubilee celebrations injury :(

We covered some serious miles, did over 20 in two days, and my toes were really hurting, right in the joint.  Well now it's a week later and whilst the pain has stopped, my toe feels like the circulation has been cut off, like there's a tight band around it.

Andy's had a similar "injury" before and his was nerve damage, so really hoping that's not what I've done!  Honestly though, even if that is what it is it was worth it!  Such an epic trip, can't believe it was only a week ago!  Is it time to go back yet?!

June 10th, 2012

Another lovely day spent with Helen and her little one, always such a pain to have to take them back to the airport, missing them already!

Lots of good productive wedding talk though, it's all getting a bit real!

June 9th, 2012

Such a lovely day today, picked up my best friend Helen and her wonderful little girl and off we went to Oulton Park for a day of gossip, wedding talk and catching up with old friends...what more could a girl ask for of a Saturday?!

June 8th, 2012

Such a good day today, the fabric for my new project starting arriving this morning so, of course, everything went on hold while I started my new project!!  Three products done and I'm so pleased to say I'm over the moon with all of them!  No sneak-peaks of this one though, you'll have to wait until it's all finished!

Right, off to bed, got my gorgeous Maid of Honour arriving tomorrow for two days gossiping and wedding talk!

June 7th, 2012

First day of my new project today!  Costings done, materials bought and I cannot wait to get started!!

I love this part of a new project, the bit where it's all planned out but you don't tell anyone what it is just in case it doesn't work or you have to take it in a slightly different direction than planned.

What I will say is that I'm very excited about this one!  Some products are the same, some brand new and verye different, but what's exciting about this one is the fabrics and the intended outlets...it's a very niche market but an appreciative one and it promises to be a lot more fun than some of my other bags!!

Materials should start arriving tomorrow so hopefully it won't be too long until I'm posting pics!!

June 6th, 2012

There's nothing worse than the first day back at work after time off is there?!  Actually I shouldn't complain, only had to do one day and I'm done until next week, so it could be worse!

We've just watched Rolf Paints The Diamond Jubilee, ohh it was fab!  For anyone who didn't see it, Rolf Harris got a group of artists together in the Old Vic Tunnels and got them to paint images to represent the Queen and the Jubilee across the 6 decades.  It was so inspiring...I find now that I create to earn, I make bags and purses all with the intention of selling them for profit, and it makes me sad that I don't seem to paint or draw just out of the love of it any more, everything I do is done with a product in mind.

So, I'm going back to creating for fun, I shall have a hobby!  Even making things just to frame and enjoy them, I've got to get out of this "business" head and find the passion and love for art that got me started in the first place, starting tomorrow!

June 5th, 2012

Ohhh I miss London :(

There's not a great deal I can say about our London trip as there aren't really any words good enough!  I love London anyway, it's got such a buzz and I always come away so inspired by the history, but this weekend was something like I've never experienced.

We spent two days there and the atmosphere was wonderful, everyone was genuinely in such high spirits and happy just to be there, never been so proud to be British!!  The best way to tell you about our weekend is with the pics, I've included a few here but do head over to my Facebook to see the rest of Andy's fantastic pics!

June 4th, 2012

Got back from London much later than expected so will do a proper post tomorrow with pics, but what a wonderful trip, I will missing London before we'd even left and am certainly counting down the minutes until we're back.

Will post more tomorrow but I have to say we've been truly proud to be British this weekend!

June 3rd, 2012

Our feet are throbbing beyond belief, clothes are wet through and I've spent £27 on tea and sandwiches...yep, jubilee weekend in London!

Unbelievable crowds today for the boats but having a great time, pics tomorrow!

June 2nd, 2012

Urrrghhh, just watched 127 hours!  Actually not as graphic as I was prepared for but still, wouldn't fancy having to do that to myself!

Started the samples of my new project today, not something I've ever done before but I think it's turned out OK...pics to follow!

Right, I'm going to go and pack, because we will be celebrating the Jubilee in London Baby!!

June 1st, 2012

Today we bought our wedding rings!  So excited, it's all starting to get very real now!

Was lovely to go to the jewellers and do it, obviously I had no involvement in buying the engagement ring so it was great to do this together and try them all on!  Gone for something very traditional and plain on the basis that it can be "jazzed  up" if I ever get an eternity ring, I did pick one that was really detailed but I knew I'd look at it one day and think it was over the top!

Very pleased to say that Andy has his too and is looking forward to wearing it!

In other news, the sewing machine is fixed due to the wonderful engineer at Janome over in Bredbury, he was a star, and my new project can get back on track!

May 31st, 2012

Ohhh dear...I have a poorly sewing machine :(

I think it was heading towards needing a service anyway but I've well and truly pushed it over the edge!  I think it was doing those thick canvas bags I was on about, they were too thick so I had to really pull them through the machine and I think I've pulled the machine out of line with itself, the needle is hitting the metal plate and snapping, so mid-stitch there's an almighty bang and a metal needle goes flying - not nice!

This happened once before when I was doing embroidery on some hand-made felt, actually it really knocked my confidence on the machine.  The bang is so heavy and you're right on top of it so it's quite un-nerving to start stitching again, you're poised waiting for the next bang!

So off to the doctors it's going, hoping it won't be away for too long, or too expensive!!

May 30th, 2012

Finally finished work and ready for a nice few days off!  In fact I only have one proper PO day in 13 days!  That's not bad going!

Really excited for some time off, we're having a little trip to London over the Jubilee weekend, and got three new fabrics on the way so hopefuly will have some new products to share with you all soon!  But apart from making those three bags, I do intend to have some time off and a proper rest before I truly burn out beyond help!!

And on that note I'm off to bed to get a good night's sleep before Day 1 of my rest!

May 29th, 2012

Typing this is going to be interesting...I've been sat making fabric buttons and it's really taking some force to get the fabric to hold in place against the little metal teeth, so I've ended up with the ends of my fingers burning and sore!

I'm really not sure it's meant to be this difficult to make them but it's taking ages, and I don't think I'm doing anything wrong, but it really hurts!  These are not going to be the quick product I intended!

In other news - 4 months to go until the wedding!

May 28th, 2012

Yet another lovely day, isn't it funny how much better the weather can make you feel?! 

Spent this morning finishing off a batch of custom order bags which really are fab, hoping to find time to take a pic before I hand them over, they're very thick fabric (like upholstery fabric) so they're like a little set of carpet bags, really love them!  Almost killed my sewing machine doing them but they were definitely worth it.

Back to the PO job tomorrow, just hoping the weather does cool down a bit, it's like a greenhouse in there so goodness knows what we'll be like by closing time!! 

Off to bed, to pray for a storm!

May 27th, 2012

Alert the media - I had a day off today!

OK, I made one bag, but for me I assure you that's a day off!  The weather's just been too nice to work, and let's face it it won't last so best make the most of it!  We've enjoyed the garden, got some jobs done (so we now have a shiny re-painted front door), watched the Grand Prix, all washed down with an oversized bowl of Ben and Jerrys - you just can't go wrong can you?!

Back to it in the morning, got 4 bags to get finished, but I shall tackle them happy and rested!

May 26th, 2012

I've had a right happy day today!  No specific reason, you know when you just have a really nice day for no reason?  It's been one of those!

We were up early though..loving this weather but it's too light to sleep in on a morning!  So we've had a day of DIY, clothes sorting, F1, sun and ice cream, it's been bliss (even if I am a little pink now!)

Going to take myself to bed and try rid my mind of the 3 hours of Eurovision we've just watched...oh dear!

May 25th, 2012

Today - I cleaned!  And not just sort of tidying up, I properly cleaned!

Our house, especially our living room, looks like a Lucy-shaped bomb's hit it.  I just don't seem to get time to really tidy up or clean things before  I'm starting the next job.  And it can't possibly be good for me, I surely can't think clearly if my environment is so chaotic (deep huh!) So today, armed with J-cloths and mops, I cleaned!  I must say I do feel better for it and actually quite enjoyed doing it....must try and make a habit of it!!

May 24th, 2012

It's been a funny one today, lots of sewing done and lots of decisions made - some small, some big, but all important!  All helped by this beautiful weather we're having, long may it continue!

May 23rd, 2012

What a beautiful day!  It amazes me how this country can go from freezing cold to burning hot overnight!  It's been an absolute scorcher here in Cheshire today, here's hoping it continues!

A little update on yesterday's Mouse-Gate...I'm sorry to report, the mouse is no more :(  Just so thankful Andy was here to deal with it, I was on my own yesterday, there's no way I could have got rid of a dead mouse on my own, not a hope in hell!  Where would I be without my man huh?!

May 22nd, 2012

Yet again, I have sat down to write my daily blog and I have absolutely nothing to blog about - how is that possible?  How can I go out to work from 9-5 and still have nothing to say about it?  That's not a good sign is it?

I think the most exciting thing that happened to me today was when I went to feed next door's cat...let myself in, walked into the kitchen and there's the cat...and a mouse.  It was a lovely little mouse too, not rodent-like at all, really cute little round thing straight out of a Beatrix Potter book.  So there I am, trying to distract the cat so I can get the mouse (though Christ knows what I would have done with it had I got to it), whilst trying to distract the mouse so I can get at it, whilst trying to protect myself from the inevitable mouse death than seemed imminent!  Anyway, the cat moved the mouse ran, I covered my eyes...all three of us are alive but I have no idea where the mouse is!  Hoping I find it before the cat does!