Friday 28 March 2008

Wisdom

I'm going in to hospital today to have my wisdom teeth out under a general anaesthetic (thank goodness, I don't fancy this under a local). I've managed to escape this all my adult life so far, but now the time has come. I'm not bothered about the operation, no, what concerns me far more is how I'm going to eat over the next couple of days. It has been suggested that I'll be doing it through a straw! I'm prepared. Soup is made, and I thought scrambled eggs without the toast would be fine too. Any other suggestions?


I'm ready with my homeopathic remedies and Emergency Essence, and a book to while away some time. The hospital is very conveniently about 300 metres from my house, so I shall toddle up the road for 12, and hope to be home by tea time! And I do hope that any wisdom I have accumulated over the last few years isn't lost along with my teeth.

On another note entirely, I bought my first pair of knitting needles the other day. A lovely bamboo pair. I'm still having trouble casting on. I've looked at tutorials, and am in a muddle - I'm left handed, which means following pictures isn't working, so I'm going to get some hands-on help! I thought a little knitting would be a peaceful and restful activity........

Wednesday 26 March 2008

Odds and ends

After the wild and windy weather over easter, not to mention the chill in the air, this sky was a welcome sight yesterday morning. All it takes is that intense blue to warm my heart as my day begins.


A walk on the beach, soaking up the sunshine.


There was an influx of tourists over the long weekend - evident not only by the increased traffic, but also by the litter they leave behind. Clearly not much notice is taken of our signs at the beach:


There was a competition in the local schools a while ago for the children to design anti-litter posters, and this is a winner. I love the illustration and bright colours.

Over the weekend I also played with another method of binding my little notebooks - this is the front:

And this is the back:


Nadine - this one's for you!

Wednesday 19 March 2008

Heavenly days

Do you ever have days when you think 'this is it, life's just perfect'?
The last couple of days have been like that here..... such heavenly days


Waking early to intense blue skies, sunshine, sharp salty air,
so invigorating to the senses...


Days when the rhythm flows effortlessly from one moment to the next.
When you slip in a walk on the beach, with only the dogs
and the gulls for company,and this is the backdrop,
a castle on its own little island.
Life feels very special on days like these


And the icing on the cake is an unexpected phone call from
one of your dearest friends who you've not spoken to for a while


Heavenly days indeed

Monday 17 March 2008

Making notebooks

I love making things with paper and card - any excuse to get out my cutting mat and unwrap a new scalpel blade. I had promised Nadine a few notebooks like the ones I made here so decided to get down to it yesterday. These ones are quick and easy, just held together with staples.....(and no photos, otherwise there will be no surprises when the parcel arrives) so I decided to stitch some bindings as well.


This was great fun, and I think gives a more 'polished' finish. I did bend several needles, and resorted to a few taps of the hammer to get the needle through the paper and card.


I used cotton embroidery thread because the colours worked, and I didn't have any linen thread that was fine enough. Ideally, waxed thread should be used so the knots don't slip, and you can get a nice tight binding. Mmm, next time...


I used old magazines for the images again, except this pink one. I've deconstructed a book I never look at...thinking great photos, could use these for cards and notebooks. So I started chopping it up. That's quite a big thing for me, I'm a bit neurotic about my books, they're all in pristine condition, barely showing even a hint of having been read. Once I'd pulled the bindings apart I thought YES, this is going to give me so much more pleasure.


And I hope it will be a pleasure shared when I make some more cards and mini notebooks and give them to friends.

Wednesday 12 March 2008

Tagged

I've been tagged by Jane at Snapdragon's Garden for the four things meme. Thanks, Jane! This is the first time I've been tagged...and I'm grateful it's an easy one. So, here goes:

four movies I'd watch again
The Constant Gardener
Amelie
The Golden Compass
1 Giant Leap

four places I've lived
Notting Hill, London
Chiswick, London
Reigate, Surrey
West Cornwall

four tv shows I watch
I don't have a tv, so pass!

four places I've been
Botswana
Texas
Prussia Cove
Sierra Nevada (Spain)

four people I email
My sisters (all three! Can I count that as one?)
Gavin
Rosie
Kate

four things I love to eat
Anything Green and Black's
Homemade bread
Roast parsnips
Cheese

four places I'd rather be
If it were possible...Prussia Cove with my Mum
On the beach on a sunny spring day
Catching up with friends 'up country'
But...there's no place like home!

four things to look forward to
The bluebells coming out
Walking barefoot on the sand
Planting my garden
Longer days...and the clocks going forward

four people to tag
Tricky!!
Sally Ann, Suzanne, Charlotte, Amisha
Feel free to opt out if it's not your thing.....!


The sun came out today for a little while, dancing on the water


while the wind still blew us this way and that, not that the dogs minded. If anything, they're more excitable. Any excuse for a dip!

Tuesday 11 March 2008

Paying it forward

I have a couple of things I need to catch up on. A while ago I committed to the 'Pay it Forward' challenge over at Amisha's Heavenly Days. These are the rules:

"I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this Pay It Forward exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog."

So there you have it. Would anyone else like to join me in this? I'd love 3 people to sign up (the first 3 to leave a comment below, committing to join). I love the idea of it, the generosity of spirit, of giving with no expectation of return. It reminds me of this. There was also a film a few years back of the same name, a bit of a tear jerker.

I'm looking forward to receiving my gift from Amisha - whatever it is, I know it will be beautifully made. I'm not sure I'm up to her standards, but I'll give it a try! The other thing I have to catch up on is a meme....more of that tomorrow.

The weather

We've had wild weather for the last couple of days here in West Cornwall. The sea has been whipped up into a frenzy, trees have come crashing to the ground in my favourite woods and the rain keeps lashing down, with the occasional pause for a glimpse of sun, then it starts all over again. A couple of years ago the storms were wild, waves scaling the rooftops along the promenade. As I sit here and write I can here the wind howling outside, pummeling my little house. I like wind - it blows away the cobwebs, livens things up a bit, reminds me that life isn't static, change is around the corner.


Last night's skies were promising a little calm.....but it didn't last very long.

Monday 10 March 2008

And the winner is...

Thank you everyone who visited my blog, left lovely comments, and hoped to win 'Choosing Eden'. I put all your names in a hat....well actually, a rather beautiful hand carved oak bowl (one of the early pieces of work from this talented pair)


The winner is Niki from Rural Writings!


Niki, I'm sure you'll enjoy the book - please email me your address, and I'll send a little parcel on to you in the next few days. I wish everyone could win!

Sunday 9 March 2008

A not-so-quick make

I finally got my sewing machine out today with the intention of making a shopping bag - I wanted to use some of the lovely fabric that my sister gave me back in january. Now, these things are quite simple, aren't they? Seems that's not the case when me and my machine come together, so after a frustrating time which turned into hours, I ended up with this:


I should add that when I took some photos the top stitching wasn't done around the top (it is now). I was in a rush to grab the fading light for the pics! I'm quite pleased with it, though my stitching is a little uneven in places - I wish I understood more about the mechanics of my machine, and how to troubleshoot. I wanted to have a practice run as I signed up for the shopping tote swap over at Rhonda's. It beats a plastic bag, too.

Last thing tonight is closing time for the giveaway below.....so I'll post tomorrow with the winner!

Tuesday 4 March 2008

Passing it on

I've recently read this book, 'Choosing Eden' which I was lucky enough to win in a giveaway on Rhonda's wonderful blog.....so I'm going to pass it on again. It's about one middle-aged couple's decision to leave behind city living for a simple and sustainable life in the country, and the fundamental reason why they chose to move at a time when they thought their lives were very settled.


I've been playing around with making some fabric bookmarks, so I'll include one in with the book - it may be this one, it may be another one, I've not decided yet!


If anyone's interested, leave me a message in my comments by the end of sunday 9 March, and then I'll randomly pick a winner - you can be anywhere in the world....international post welcome!