Friday, 11 July 2008

Rain,Rain go away and an award.............

Blimey will it EVER stop raining. From our window I can see a farm with a small campsite across the valley and those poor campers in their tents and caravans - bleurgh!
I don't know what's got into me but I'm having a major declutter at the moment, I cleared out my porch last weekend - massive job and put a load of stuff on Freecycle and a bit on Ebay so have had a stream of callers!
Next job Twiglets 3 toy boxes! will have to be when he's in bed though as he isn't willing to part with anything!
The potty training is going well so he's earning lots of stickers and Thomas books :)
Anyhoo, we have got rid of the lurgi but I have now hurt my knee!! old croc or what? so Twiglet and I had a mummy and Twiglet day today. It started with air drying clay, honestly I'm sure this is the messiest (is that a word?) invention ever, I had to hose Twiglet down afterwards!!!
Next up Playdoh, I LOVE Playdoh, love the smell it reminds me of my 1970s childhood like nothing else. I got some for Christmas one year and made my extremely hung over (much older I hasten to add) sister sniff it until she was sick - ha ha, evil little Twiggy :) The lovely likenesses are from left to right. Grandma Twiggy, Twiggy (love my Gok Wan style quiff), Twiglet and Mr Twiggy, who HAD to have glasses!!!!Not forgetting buttons, start `em young - that's what I say!I've been fairly industrious this week finally finishing Grandma Twiggys birthday cross stitch 3 days late, which she loved.Also whistled off this little one for Mr Twigs cousins new baby Jemima (isn't that such a gorgeous name ?) Check out these gorgeous little shoes that I purchased from a fellow etsy lady for Jemima. I've ordered some other stuff too from America which hasn't arrived yet, so will blog it next time.And here are some Artist Trading Cards I've made for the July swap on Papercraftersunited. The first ones are entitled the colour blue, the second set are butterflies.My charity shop finds this week are all book related. In a bid to read more classics and less erm... lightweight stuff I thought righto after my hols I'll get stuck in (secretly it's to enable me to answer more questions when watching University Challenge than Mr Twigs, he's such a swotty pants, I'm good at literature and art, he's good at maths, science, geography.................... oh blimmin everything - pah!). I had to read a fair amount of `classic lit' at school and college and it put me off for a while . Anyhoo we were checking out my fave charity shop this week and I bought a bundle of books at a princely 30p each. I've just read The Mayor of Casterbridge and couldn't put it down and next I'm onto Tess (see above) aren't the books pretty?
I received a lovely award from the very lovely Daisie of Daisie Days fame, thank you lady, I love reading your blog too, so right back at you Mrs. I've also been lucky enough to receive this from Tullavilla @ Edwinas Random Ramblings, thank you so much. both of these lovely ladies details are in my favourite blog list.

Here are the rules for this award:
1. The winner can put the logo on their blog.
2. Link to the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you've nominated.
6. Wear a posh frock if you like, lots of bling and make a speech, but - sorry - no red carpet

As ever, I've stolen the rules from Daisies blog and I'm too lazy erm stupid erm lazy to set up links so I'd like to pass it onto the following peeps and their blogs are on my favourites list.

Jennie @Falling Down the Rabbit Hole -

Jo @ Home is Where the Heart Is

Sal @ Sals Snippets

Mary-Kate @ La Vie Est Belle

Vicky @ Anglesey Allsorts

Jo @ Blissed Out

LizzieJane@LizzieJane

Ok, I'm going to watch some stuff we recorded last night, ending with Still Game, I can't recommend this enough, it has me in stitches, on BBC2, Thursday nights at 10pm, about a group of old blokes in Scotland (one of them reminds me of my Dad - you'll have to see if you can guess which one!) the eagle eyed ones among you will recognise Granny Murray from Me Too in there - that's assuming you're brainwashed by CBeebies on a daily basis of course!

Bye for now and here's hoping the rain will stop soon!!!!

Friday, 4 July 2008

TGI Friday !

(Above arty beach type pic from our hols!)
What a week I still haven't caught up with myself from my hols and have an inexplicable decluttering mania going on??? Managed to get rid of one of Mr Twigs grotty old cars - yay !!!We're also doing potty training, I chant do you need to use your potty repeatedly, to the extent that Twiglet shouted, NO MUMMY, STOP ASKING THAT QUESTION !!!!!

Anyhoo, no time whatsoever for crafting so it looks like Grandma Twiggy will be receiving her handmade gift post birthday, but, she's happy as we bought her a mini greenhouse and a mega bag of compost last week, my mum is a very practical lady :)
We collected Mr Twigs from the train station this evening and went to a classic car show at the local park. It was great Twiglet had a marvellous time, he had a go on the mini steam train, the fire engine, carousel, had a good look at the old cars and his favourite tractors and I was that busy remembering to take his potty, I forgot the camera - doh!!!!!

Here are some photos of lovely stuff instead. Remember I told you that I had a parcel waiting for me at the post office when we returned from our hols? Well a lovely lady called Kristy from the Papercraftersunited forum had read my blog and had seen some of my cross stitch , she asked me if I'd like a few bits as she was having a clear out and I said, ohhhh yes please. I was expecting a little envelope of goodies, when our postmaster said oh this box is yours, I asked, are you sure? Here's what it contained!!!!!!!

not only that but also.................................

How generous is that? Kristy has sent me all these wonderful goodies from the USA, I'm overwhelmed. It will certainly all be used and I won't have to buy any aida supplies for ages. Thank you so so much, lovely lady.

Talking of lovely ladies, I also received a Random Act of Kindness from the lovely Glitzy from the Crafts Beautiful forum, totally unexpected and a real treat.4 beautiful ATCs and a bundle of ATC goodies to get my creative juices flowing, thank you so much what a kind thing to do.

Blimey I'm on a kindness roll this week, I was lucky enough to win a few items on my local Freecycle website this week, Mr Twigs and I journeyed over to collect them and met a super couple who have retired, sold up everything and intend to travel in a camper van for the next few years. Starting with spending Christmas in Sicily, how fab is that? They have freecycled 30 years worth of their life and I told them I will really treasure the items they were kind enough to give me and I will.

Two beautiful plates for my kitchen (apologies for sideways photo)......................................and a simply lovely little sewing box.........................................Here's a pic of some basil that I've grown from seed in what I think is a very cute container. I've had this tin in my cupboard for a year or so just because I like it !! The jug is a charity shop find, I deliberated about buying it, didn't and regretted it so good old Mr Twigs went back to the shop for me and asked one of the lovely old ladies who work there to get it out of the window for me - bless him, I think it's gorgeous.

Daisie, I promise I'll blog my award from you next week, ok?

Now here's a bit of lurve to warm the cockles of your heart. Being a cheeky, bluff northerner I ahem (going red in the face, stuttering a bit) don't say things like this very often. However, Mr Twigs and I will have been married for 12 years on Sunday and together for 19 years on Sunday!!!! I'd just like to say thank you for putting up with me Mr Twigs, thank you for 19 years of laughter and I love you.

Now just to stop your little hearts a fluttering on the wings of love, I want to tell you someting about Doctor Who - it's a Twiggy spoiler........... David Tennant is going to regenerate into.........

MY HUSBAND - WOOHOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a fabtastic weekend

Twiggy x

Monday, 30 June 2008

The Wanderers Return

Helloooooooooo blogland. The Twiggys have returned to a very sunny Yorkshire. Just as well it's sunny as I've done a mountain of washing over the last two days. Anyhoo, we had a terrific time and took ahem, (I daren't admit how many) so lets say lots of photos. This will be quite short by my standards as I'm quite a busy Twigs for the following reasons.

1. Discovered just before hols that I'm jobless, so jobhunting is now priority number 1.

2. It's Grandma Twiggys birthday on Monday and I haven't finished her pressie - look I was too tired on holiday and had to lie on the sofa eating choccy and reading in the evening, ok? :)

3. It's the Twiggys 12th Wedding Anniversary on Sunday.

4. I have 7 loads of washing to iron.

blah, blah, blah.

I'll get to it now. Anglesey was magical, weather was a bit pants but we had SO much fun, watched the car racing, went in the sea (check out little surfer dude, he had his wetsuit on under his clothes !)......................played on the beach...................................Twiglet loved it but when he got a bit chilly, he said his teeth had gone ALL BOINGY :) did lots of touristy things which I'll share with you over next few weeks.
A good time was had by all, look at those smiley faces!!!!

We also met lovely Vicky of Anglesey Allsorts and her very lovely family. Look what she made for me, lucky Twiggy, how gorgeous is this. Get in touch with her now - she does commissions you know !!!
Not forgetting this too, so cute!When we returned home I had a card to say that I had a parcel waiting for me at the post office, so I collected it today, Wow what a lovely surprise. I'll tell all next time as I'm off to scoff my toast and Frank Coopers Oxford Marmalade - I love marmalade, any kind at all , but that's for another time. Note to self - stop eating all the time, I'm a bloater at the moment!
Finally, big thanks to Daisie of Dasie Days for my award, I'll blog it next time I'm here.
Cheery Bye
Twiggy xx
PS Thanks for all your lovely `have a nice holiday' messages you left on my last post :)

Thursday, 19 June 2008

The Twiggys Have Now Left the Building............

Well we will be leaving at the weekend and although I'll be avidly reading your blogs before then - no internet access for a week - how will I cope !!!! I won't have time to post again.
We are off on our jolly hols to Anglesey and can't wait, Twiglet has been bouncing off the walls with excitement all week :) The good news is Myrtle is fixed, good old Mr Twigs he even gave her some new wiring, she's quite speedy, smooth now. Our colds have also cleared up yay !!!

Just a few photos to leave you with.
Here's a cross stitch card I made recently, you can't really tell from my rubbish photo, but the card is purple glitter, funktastic!Have just finished reading this book it is fabulous, I won't give any details away or you'll probably guess who it is about. I actually bought it for a bargainous 30p purely because I loved the cover but it also turned out to be a top read. Here is some of Twiglets fabby art work, my boy certainly loves his glue, a bit like me and buttons I suppose :)And finally, look at these brand spanking new Le Creuset ramekins at £1.50 each !!! RRP £8.
Grandma Twiggy bought this for £2.50 RRP £11.99, boy our charity shop is fab. I love the colours of this stuff and have a few pans already, so I'm v.pleased about my purchases - doesn't take much to excite me - it's my age you know :)So that's it from Twiggy for a week or so, have a lovely week and take care of yourselves and I'll be back with news of our jolly japes some time soon..................................................................

Monday, 16 June 2008

Ohh the Great Outdoors

Well we had quite a quiet weekend here in Twiggy Towers as Mr Twigs & I both had grotty colds - boo!!! We managed to drag ourselves to the shops on Saturday as Mr Twigs needed to buy a soldering iron to fix Myrtle for me. Myrtle is my lovely old Singer sewing machine. I was sewing away on Saturday night, Mr Twigs came in and said, hmm what's that smell? your foot is smoking!! (I couldn't smell it as my nose was bunged up). I'd been working poor old Myrtle too hard and she'd burnt out her capacitator - apparently. I just smiled and asked can it be fixed dear - see, I am a retro housewife when it suits me :) (Even though I scored a pathetic 51 when I took the quiz on the Cake Makes the World Go Round blog)I would have posted a pic of Myrtle but she's feeling very sorry for herself, so I'll save it until she is restored to her original 1950s splendour.


Thankfully wee Twiglet was a total poppet all weekend, so we just sniffled and moaned our way through it. Here's one of the 3 Fathers Day cards Twiglet made for his Daddy - aww bless........
We spent lots of time in the garden today, the weather has been lovely. I'm in the process of moving all my plants out of my greenhouse and into the garden before we go away at the weekend. However, my very precious ones will be cared for by Grandma Twiggy. I'm particularly proud of my Basil (above) it's the first year I've grown it and it smells divine.

This is my pride and joy in the garden. I bought this stunning lily back from Ireland 6 years ago - Mr Twigs thought I was barmy, I sat with it between my feet for a very long journey via the Holyhead ferry in a very small Renault 5 - anyhoo, I was determined to bring a piece of the place that I love home with me. I love these beauties and they are in just about every garden in South West Cork. I've nurtured it for years, it lived in a huge pot at our old house in our tiny yard garden. We've lived here 3 years in November and it's finally come into it's own, now it's been planted out, I also have a smaller one that I brought home with me a few years later. It's still not fully flowered yet, but I couldn't wait for you to see it.This little parcel arrived from a lovely Ebayer today, aren't the colour gorgeous. By the time you see it again it will have hopefully turned into something beautiful for Grandma Twiggys birthday. I'm taking it away on holiday with me (I inted to get some serious sewing and reading done :).I've had this lovely lady lying around for quite some time now and couldn't think what to do with her. I bought her from Etsy seller Gorjuss who has a shop full of things which are well... gorgeous. I thought about putting her on a top but I want to draw attention AWAY from my rather large appendages so decided against it. I had a flash of inspiration when I was tidying out some cupboards to make room for more fabric at the weekend. I've had this little khaki bag for ages and love it, so lovely lady + khaki bag + vintage buttons = rather cute I think. Can't decide whether or not to do anything else to it, I rather like it, what do you think?


After our gardening exploits we had a trip to the supermarket and a fight with a self service till. Twiglet insist we use it, I did against my gut instinct that was shouting NOOOOO. He pressed loads of buttons, sat on the scales!! an assistant had to scan my stuff then I set the bloomin alarm off on the way out. Oh, the shame, last time I take advice from a 3 year old - pah!(The photo above is the view from my window. I just popped out in my rather loud Tyrrell Katz doggy P.J.s to take it as we didn't take the camera on our walk this afternoon. Didn't realise my neighbour was pottering in the garden - tee hee :)

Anyhoo, on the way home we thought we'd have a little walk, highlights were:-


1. Twiglet stating No Mummy dogs DO NOT like dog roses???


2. Mummy let's count the horse poos.


3. Mummy let's buy that farm you can plough it, while me and Daddy watch Ceebies on TV.


4. I need to go home now Mummy the bees are just too loud :)


Happy Days.............................................................................................

Roll Up, Roll Up for the Fabby Cupcake Swap !

Evening. Just a quick post from me (yes amazing, I know, may be back on later). Anyhoo, get yourselves over to Rachael Rabbits blog - address on my favourites list on the right. Rachael is currently organising a fabtastic cupcake swap. If you fancy taking part - and why wouldn't you???
Get your name on the list before Friday 20th June...................................

PS Images courtesy of Flickr and stolen erm, I mean borrowed from Rachael.

Friday, 13 June 2008

Daddys Girl................

Photo above shows Twiggy and her Daddy, what a grumpy baby!!!

Well I've been AWOL this week again, as I've been rather busy, so not much to report on the crafting front. I have done quite a bit but all of it is surprise stuff for people so I can't post any pics, so shhhhhh don't tell anyone. Note to self do interesting stuff this weekend and blog it!
I am pleased to discover I am not alone in my Ding Dong Appreciation of Mr Tennant (see previous post), blimey Charlie, better not get giddy again.............................

Twiglet and I had a Twiglet and Mummy day today as I was due to be working this weekend. Have since found out that the rotas have been messed up so I'm not. Mr Twiggy is happy as he'll get a lie in on Sunday - harumph!! Anyhoo young Master Twigs and I fed the ducks, went shopping, went to the playground, made a rhubarb crumble and made 3 Fathers Day cards for Mr Twiggy - once he started he couldn't stop :) I, of course forgot to take photos before putting them in envelopes - doh!!
I just wanted to say have a Happy Fathers Day and I hope you have a lovely time with your Dad. Sadly, my darling Dad died 6 years ago, I was, and probably still am a total Daddys girl so I was devastated when he died and obviously he never got to meet Twiglet.

Another favourite pic of mine, check out that poncho, I practically lived in it.
Anyhoo, I like to think he made me the person I am today (for better or worse:) and every time I look at Twiglet it's like looking at my Dad.
We took him some flowers last week and he'll always, always be in my heart. So have a great day and to those of you who can't be with their Dad for whatever reason, a big hug from Twiggy.
Hope you like the photos................................

Sunday, 8 June 2008

A RAK,ATCs and a jolly day out.............

Amazing it's the weekend and Twiggy isn't at work. Hence the two posts in one day. Well I've caught up on all my gardening to do list, gardening may be good for the soul, but not the back, but it was very therapeutic.Thank you so much to Margaret D one of the lovely Crafts Beautiful ladies who sent me the above totally unexpected and kind RAK (Random Act of Kindness) in the post. A super tin of gorgeous buttons, two little packets of lovely glass buttons and a gorgeous ATC, thank you so much, I will make good use of them.
I've been pretty industrious on the crafting front this weekend, as I'm working next weekend then we are away on our hols. I have been catching up on some cross stitch bits and bobs - not showing you yet as they are pressies :) But here are the ATCs I have made for this months Papercraftersunited swaps.
Firstly we have Canvas - incorporating canvas ! (sorry about sideways photo :)
Then, Under the Sea, I made these using the lovely RAK stamps that wonderful Tiggertastic sent me.Finally, my favourite subject - buttons!! You may notice that the flower one is just like the mini quilt I made for the Inspirational Summer Swap.Today, we've had a grand day out and visited Middleton Railway near Leeds. Amazingly it was it's 250th year anniversay !!! So we had a ride on one of the gorgeous steam trains, and had a good look round. Twiglet LOVED it, will definitely return. If ever you're in that neck of the woods do visit, it's great and staffed by volunteers. Google Middleton Railway and you'll find lots of info.On the way home, we decided Mr & Mrs Twiggy were in need on liquid refreshment. A pint of Black Sheep for Mr Twigs and a pint of Timothy Taylors Landlord for me, hit the spot. I've not had a pint of beer in a sunny beer garden for an age, just the ticket...........................................Finally, I've received a load of great fabric and toy patterns from a couple of fellow freecyclers. I intend to spread the love a bit but will wait until July, so keep your eyes peeled for a giveaway. Enjoy the rest of the weekend and have a great week.

David Tennant is Hamlet ...........................

DING DONG.................................................................................................................................
(I have nothing further to add).

Wednesday, 4 June 2008

What a difference a week makes, an award and a tag!!!

Well I must say I'm glad the last week is over with. Twiglet is on the mend, I've got most of my work commitments out of the way and can start to plan for our hols at the end of June. We've spent a lovely day at Grandma Twiggys today, I've been dozing in her lovely summerhouse while she played with Twiglet all day. She has spent 5 days out of the last 7 at our house helping out. Aren't mums brilliant? As ever, this will be a mammoth post. I've not had time to update over the last week (Above is a local wind farm, we took Twiglet up there on Friday night as he was spotty and a bit stir crazy after being under house arrest).

Here goes...........................
This is a little something that I've made for Twiglet as he is being a very good boy while he's ill. Don't know if you can read it, but it reads, little ray of sunshine :) haven't decided what to make with it yet.Here's a lovely load of stash that I won recently in the Papercrafteruniteds lucky numbers drawer, I in turn sent the next parcel of goodies onto Angie. It's a bit like a PIF and lots of fun.This is a card I made for our Papercraftersunited challenge card kit.
Look at this little lot, as you can see Twiglet had lots of fun playing dress up in this mountain of fabric that I was lucky enough to win on Freecycle (please don't look at my disgraceful carpet!). Blimey it will keep me going for ages. There is far too much to photograph, but I'll do my best at a later date. I've also won some soft toy patterns which I'm going to collect this weekend - yay !!! As Frank Carson used to say, (do any of you remember him?) and there's more.......A mystery benefactor from the Crafts Beautiful forum has sent me this totally lovely and unexpected package. A fabulous pack of stained glass paints, I'm so giddy, I've always wanted to have a go at this and it really made my day. Step forward you lovely person so I can thank you by name. How kind is that???

As you may have realised I was on a bit of a downer last week for several reasons I posted about and a few more that that I won't go into here, but things are looking brighter this week and I'm feeling like my usual self now, but I would like to say thank you so very much for all your lovely supportive comments they really mean a lot to me (Ohhh I'm filling up, group hug everyone:)I'm Cross Stitch Crazy at the moment and made this little thing at the weekend, I really like it and it just sums everything up for me and I'm sure for many of you too.

I've won an award from the lovely Daisie at Daisie Days (see my favourite blogs for details - I'm so lazy). Daisie said -You make me laugh, give me inspiration and an alternative look at life that I really love.Well right back at you lady, and I'd like to pass the award on to a few people that really make me smile, even when I'm sure I don't want to :) - all details in my favourites list, they are:-


Anglesey Allsorts

Daylily Lane

Falling Down the Rabbit Hole

Home is Where the Heart Is

Ok, now I'm a tagee (have I made this word up? probably) I've been tagged by Juicy Fig - wahey, go take a look at Figgys blog, from Twiggy to Figgy ! it's lovely and has photos of naked men on a beach on it - honest !!!

Here goes...........................

1) What was I doing 10 years age...
Well I spent most of my 20s in a drunken haze - blimey I'm making up for that now, I'm practically tee total anyhoo, erm, had just resigned from a job as a marketing manager for a really pants company and was finishing off my OU degree.


2) what are 5 things on my to-do list today?
Well as it's the evening now I'm going to ................

1. Package up some goodies for a certain someone, shhhhhhh

2. Paint my toenails - is that too much information?

3. Finish off a cross stitch card

4. Iron some sensible work type clothes for college tomorrow afternoon

5. Watch the young upstarts on The Apprentice get slaughtered in the interview round - I REALLY shouldn't get so much pleasure out of it.

3) Snacks I enjoy
chocolate, chocolate, chocolate
blueberries
toast and marmalade


4) things I would do if I were a billionaire
Pay off my mortgage and criminally large debts
sort out family & friends financially
go and live in a beautiful farmhouse near the sea in South West Cork
buy a book cum craft cum fabric shop that also sells lovely cakes with a built on garden centre.
buy a night of passion with David Tennant - only joking -mutter, mutter, probably can't afford him anyway :(
Only do the work I want to do and not what I have to do.

Restore historic crumbling buildings then give them to the nation and pay for their upkeep.

Ensure that every single child had a happy secure, upbringing, felt loved and protected and important - now I may need a magic wand for this one, but this would be where I'd invest my charitable donation.


5) places I have lived
Erm, 2 villages and a city in West Yorkshire, yes boring I know!


6) bloggers I would like to know more about...
Has everyone done this now? well if not, then :-
Daylily Lane (I'm keeping you on your toes lady:)

Solstice Dreamer

Lizzie Jane

Phew, I need a rest now, bet you do too. Don't forget to watch The Apprentice and catch you later.............................

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Well I"ve finally taken the plunge...................

After drooling over many blogs for months now I've decided to finally take the plunge, so here is my new dawn.
Hence the beautiful sunrise above as photographed by Mr Twiggy through our bedroom window. (I'm sure I'll be including a lot of his pics, hope he doesn't expect commision).

I love crafting and have ever since I was a little girl and spent hours playing with my mums button tin (which I've inherited) and amused my self by making dresses for my dollies - even though I'd cut their hair and given them green felt tip highlights. Punk Tiny Tears - I should have marketed this idea !!

Hope you enjoy my work as much as I've enjoyed others who are a daily inspiration to me.

I hope to share favourite blogs, books and anything and everything with you, so enough off my blithering on and watch this space...............................................