Wednesday, 30 April 2014

Hot, hot, hot!!!....

No not the weather, although it is mild, it's dull and misty!!  No... I have been playing with a shuttle and 2 balls of hwt!! (For those that don't.... hwt - hand wound thread!) ROTFL

I found them lurking in a box in the shed.... yellow and orange - hence the title!!  I've also got a burgundy and a green....

So what have I been doing?  Well, in the latest Ring of Tatters newsletter there's a necklace.... Me fell in love with it.... so I started a flower....  What do you mean you NEED to see it??!!  I may decide to keep it a secret.... VBG

Oh, all right then.... here you are:


This is the first 'round' of the flower, quite enjoying doing it (well, a girl has to have something to keep her occupied when she's waiting for the kids to arrive at the crossing point!!)  This was yesterdays effort!!  Will keep you posted on that as well as the Hat!!, although there's not anything new to report on that.... didn't get chance to do any last night!  Did half a motif this morning, and I may be able to finish it tonight....

Anyhow.... back to the coffee....

Chat later

Monday, 28 April 2014

It's a Cat's Life!!!

Today has been a glorious day!!

Pigmini got herself sorted by that nice Mr Mechanic (I'm sure she goes wrong just so she can let him play with her engine!!!) LOL  This is good, because I definitely need her for the weekend!!  We're demonstrating lace and tatting on Sunday!!  There's a 'practice pillow' for bobbin lace and my shuttles and some tatted pieces will be going with me!!  For a start I'll find McVroom!! some earwigs, the necklace will be worn, along with a bracelet I made last year and the earwigs that match the necklace!

Right.... the title of this page.... as I said, today has been gorgeous.... and I found this in the garden:



It's Neo, our 3 legged cat!  (He lost a leg in an argument with a train!!) He was very lucky to have survived at all!!  Fancy just having the time to lay and sunbathe!! VBG  I also spotted this:


Those strawberries come up everywhere!!  This one is a wild one tho.... produces tiny strawberries that get eaten by the birds before I get chance!!  We leave it there to grow, might just stop them pinching ours!!

Not only was I back at school this morning, but I was also back at my friends.... looking after the kids!! A very early morning for me.... 5.15am start!!  Still, I managed to make a start on the last round of The Hat .... or at least the last round before the band and the brim!!



Haven't had chance to carry on during the day.... had to take the car, do Young Sirs pack up and our lunch, washing up, back to school this afternoon.... then spotted Neo.... and we've arrived to now!!  Will do some tonight tho.... maybe, unless I fall asleep that is!! ROTFL!  Mind you.... I've got an idea on what to do with some threads I found.... maybe!!

Isn't it great about Jane going to Palmetto??  I read it over on her blog this morning!!  I'm GREEN with envy!!!  Think it'll do me any good saying 'I'll carry your Case Miss'!!! LOL

Anyway, must make food....

Chat later

Sunday, 27 April 2014

WOW!!

You could have knocked me over with a feather (which is no mean feat I promise you... LOL) when I realised that I'd won that gorgeous mocha brown necklace over on Umintsuru's blog!!  Not bloghopping much over the easter weekend sure had it's downsides!!  Still can't believe it!!  Thanks for telling me Girls!!  I've emailed....

Right, that Hat....  Yesterday we had to travel to Sheffield for Sir to collect a whatsit... so we also visited Meadowhall!   Years since we've been!  All we bought was a coffee & a bite to eat!!  Did have a good look on 'the Lanes' though!!  The Lanes are the tiny shops that tend to be more independent than the general 'run of the mill' high street shops you see in every town!!

Anyway, as it takes an hour or so to get there from here I took the Hat with me!!  Managed to finish the round that I was working on!!


The next round is the last one before the ribbon band!  Then it's the brim!!! Onward & upward (or is it down & out....??) VBG

You can see it's definitely more 'bowl shaped' now.... curving nicely!!  Mind you, I'm quite surprised that the pic came out.... it was taken in the car whilst we were travelling!!  Just have to work out in my mind just how the next set 'connects', which isn't easy.... well it's because it's Sunday and my own particular BC3 isn't out of bed yet!!  She can't help being lazy on a Sunday!!  That and she needs to be wide awake early tomorrow.... we're back at school and Pigmini (my mini) is being VERY naughty and has to go to the garage, so I'm having to walk!!  3/4 hour each way and then 1/2 hours work!!

Chat later

Friday, 25 April 2014

Definitely Friday!!

Morning All

I had hoped to show you some real progress on the Hat today.... however the 'powers that be' decided differently!

Wednesday afternoon we went out with Madame and her Mum up to Wharram Percy.  We had lunch in a pub at Sledmere (wonderful lunch it was, albeit a tad 'ouch' on the pocket!!)  We'd intended walking round the gardens at Sledmere House.... but it was SHUT!!  Soooo.... we went to Wharram Percy instead!!

What is it??  Here's what English Heritage say....

The village of Wharram Percy, in the Yorkshire Wolds, 
was continuously occupied for about 600 years, 
but by 1527 it was almost deserted, as a result of gradual
 abandonment and forced evictions. The ruined church is
 the last standing medieval building. 
Around it are the grassed-over foundations of
 two manor houses and about 40 peasant houses 
and their outbuildings. 
Since 1948 the settlement has been the focus
 of intensive research, which has made it Europe’s 
best-known deserted medieval village.

Some pics were taken but I can't share them with you now, because they're still on Sirs camera!!  You can still see the church, but the rest is just grass.... and really peaceful!!  You'll just have to make do with these that I took on my phone....  The building isn't that old.... 1850's it was a railway station (I think). (Actually, it's younger than our house by around 20 years!!)



So that was Wednesday, yesterday we spent most of the day in the garden, weeding, planting, etc...  and last night was my Lace Class!!  Got there, no problem, but... coming home the engine on the car decided to misbehave!!  It boiled!! (Again!!) this happened a few months ago and the water pump was replaced because it had gone!!  I've got demo stuff sitting in the back of her and she's in serious trouble!  Pigmini (her name) has a mind of her own!!  It's just dawned on me that I don't think I ever said why it's Pigmini's Tatty Tales.... Pigmini is my mini, she's 11 years old and usually behaves herself, but I think she must have some fetish for the guys at the garage!!  She's called Pigmini because she's yellow and has purple pigs in the logos on her side!!  Looks like she's becoming a stroppy teenager!!  She's off to the mini doctor on Monday!

Anyway, this morning, we were just getting up when the phone rang.... Sirs Mum.... in agony!  She's 92, lives on her own and a few weeks ago decided there were too many weeds in her garden (she's a keen gardener, does almost everything herself).  She needed a trip to A&E because she was in soooo much pain and couldn't move!  We rushed over, without breakfast or coffee or anything, thinking she must be paralysed or something!  She was pottering in the kitchen when we got there.... anyway, we took her.... strained muscles in the lower back (or as Sir puts it.... a pain in the bu....!!)  She's to take both ibuprofen and paracetamol every 4 hours, and if it isn't any better, see her doctor next week!

With any luck, I might just manage to do some tatting tonight!!  Did get a bit done last night, but not a lot as they say!!

Chat later



Wednesday, 23 April 2014

Eggs and Chocolate and....

Yummy little Granddaughters!!! VBG

Didn't get much tatting done yesterday.... I was out babysitting my gorgeous Granddaughter!!!  Mum had to go see someone and couldn't take young Madame with her.... so Granny got to babysit!!!  We went for a walk and she charmed the men we saw in the street, loved the cherry blossom falling on the pram and coo'd & giggled at everyone she met!!

On our return, we sang songs (she was playing with Nellie.... so it just HAD to be Nellie the Elephant didn't it?? LOL) (Actually, it's probably why it rained.... Oops.... Sorry!!)  Then we watched the cats in the garden before reading stories, which is quite difficult when you start at the wrong end of the book!!!  Well, Madame had the book and I was busy trying to stop her eating it!! LOL  Oh, and she has decided that Roly Poly is a good game!!

Anyway, tatting.... I found some gold thread wound on some lace bobbins.... I'm now seriously thinking of winding it with the white cotton (both are around an 80 thickness) to make a HWT for something exotic... like earwigs!!! VBG or a brooch....

I digress... (do I??) the Hat is coming along slowly.... the first of the 12 'start of the side bits' were done the other day (I'm sure I put a pic up.... the cream one that looked blue), and I've now got the first 2 of the other filling in bits in their proper place!  See what I mean?  Once I've got the other 4 in place the whole thing will start to look more like a bowl!! LOL  Still lots to go though.  It's the top and the bottom ones of the 3 on the right hand side!!!  I took the photo on the pouffe while the cat was not in residence for a change!!  It still looks a little blue on the left tho... think it must be the daylight or something!!


Young Sir was shattered when he eventually got home 2 nights ago.... he'd started work at 9am Monday and was supposed to leave work at 5pm.... he stayed until 10pm!!!  A 13 hour shift is not my idea of fun!!  He must be barmy!  His attitude is that he gets paid tho.... VBG  Then he was back 2pm till 10pm yesterday and will be today too....

Ok, so why Eggs and Chocolate.... well it is Easter Week and I didn't get any easter eggs or chocolate.... but that's OK because I'd sooner have that yummy granddaughter!!!! LOL  Maybe I should call this post Rhubarb & Custard.... because a friend brought me a rhubarb plant for an Easter Present!!  Just gotta get it in a bigger pot and.... Yum in the Summer I hope!!!  (Wonder what Rhubarb muffins will taste like.... That'll stop Sir eating them.... he can't stand the stuff!!)  More for Meeee!!!

Anyway, coffee or something methinks....

Chat later

Monday, 21 April 2014

The Demise...

On Easter Saturday we visited a local town where there's always a large market on a Saturday.  Veg and fruit were purchased from our favourite stall, and meat from the local butchers & deli (who's extremely good...).  There's a cafe up above the shop.... coffee & pork pie for Sir, coffee & fruit cake with Wensleydale cheese for me....  For those of you who don't know... Wensleydale cheese is made in Yorkshire (funnily enough... in Hawes, Wensleydale!!), it's a crumbly cheese, not unlike cheshire, but with a far better taste and texture!!  Best eaten with either home made apple pie, or with fruit loaf (or christmas cake....)

Anyway, while we were there I was browsing a local mag, and came across this.... just had to share it with you....


Goodbye to Common Sense!!!

OBITUARY

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.  No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.  He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
Why the early bird gets the worm’
Life isn’t always fair;
And maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.  Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student/ but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot.  She spilled a little in her lap, launched a lawsuit and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by..... his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion, his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 5 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I’m A Victim
Pay Me For Doing Nothing

Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone.


How true is that??

Yesterday, we were at a friends house in the afternoon for a barbie... they throw wonderful barbies!!  lots of people, lots of food, lots of drink of all types!!  Brilliant!!!  And, before you ask... of course I stayed sober enough to do my tatting!!! (Not...Hic!!)

This is what I've managed to do over the weekend!!:


So that's the 'no 2' motif done with... now for the 'no 3'!!  Don't ask me why the colour looks blue, because it's definitely cream!!!!

Off for coffee

Chat later








Friday, 18 April 2014

Good Friday

Now can someone please explain why it's called Good??  Christianity states that crucifixions took place on this day.... that wasn't good surely!!  Maybe the explanation lies elsewhere....

I googled it.... and this is what Wikipedia said:

The etymology of the term "good" in the context of Good Friday is contested. Some sources claim it is from the senses piousholy of the word "good", while others contend that it is a corruption of "God Friday". The Oxford English Dictionary supports the first etymology, giving "of a day or season observed as holy by the church" as an archaic sense of good (good, adj.), and providing examples of good tide meaning "Christmas" or "Shrove Tuesday", and Good Wednesdaymeaning the Wednesday in Holy Week.

So now we know!!!

Anyway.... can someone also explain why it is that I have a favourite nail for tightening rings and chains.... and I broke it on Wednesday in that garden!!!  How annoying is that??!!  I spent last night attempting to tighten a different way.... didn't work, so I'm just using what's left of me favourite nail!!! LOL

This morning while it was cloudy I went 'blog hopping', a favourite pastime....  you learn all sorts of things.... so, I followed links, made coffee, followed some more links and found a site that had something VERY interesting on it....  it was this!!  Thanks for putting it up Tatting Fool!!!! VBG  I do so love it when someone posts something useful!!! And before you all run away muttering 'that's not very interesting'... it is to someone who loves that type of thing!  So there!!  I love some of her other tuts as well!!  One thing that will make me run away muttering is.... split chains!!  (Aaaaarrrrgh!!!)  I just can NOT get them to look right no matter what I do!!!

Last night I was at Class, (think I mentioned it yesterday....) Teach hadn't read the blog.... so she didn't say anything!!  But the table was full of lace pillows so I retired to the easy chair with me shuttles.... I did a lot of tatting (not!!), but I did manage a bit.... this bit....


So as you can see, the Hat is moving along (albeit slowly)!  Mind you, I had to rewind my shuttles (both of them) during the evening as they both decided to run out of thread!!  Not good!!! LOL  It's not going to fit on the chair arm at all soon!!  I'll have to find somewhere else to photograph it!!!  Oh, I also found out that one of the 'Thursday Night Class' has the finished article somewhere!!  I'm demonstrating lace with a friend in a couple of weeks, and we'll put on a bit of a display.... I've got my fingers crossed it may 'just' appear.... then I can take a real photo instead of the one in the book!!  (wonder if I can say it's finished.... VBG)

Oh well, they say it's Easter so I think I may have one of my favourite lunches.... Toasted Hot Cross Bun with Cheese!!!

Chat later!!