About Me

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My name's Alison but for reasons too long to go into I'm known as Cockney Blonde or CB for short. I've been rubber stamping for several years but now spend most of my time either knitting or crocheting. However, with the advent of a New Year I have bitten the bullet and am tackling my usually hated pastime of sewing. I've even bought 'Sewing for Dummies' to guide me on my way. I've been with my hubby Dave for 24 years and between us we have 4 kids and 5 grandkids. We also have 2 cats and a dog, the latter features as my 'photo' image. I used to be able to blog daily but these days I struggle to blog weekly. Hopefully now we are settled into our new home in the country, I can get back to a daily (well almost) update from the room I now have to share with hubby. No more personal crafting space for me!!! Thanks to all the blogs and sites I follow for all your brilliant inspiration, and thank you to everyone who finds the time to comment on my blog.

Saturday 26 July 2014

So, this is what I made

Do you remember my post from 16th July 'So what am I making with these?'
Well, this is the first finished item, from the sewing machine. I'd originally bought the fabric for another project which is not going according to plan. So having placed that on the back burner for now, I proceeded with another childrens' project.
I tied the batting through the layers so that it doesn't wriggle about in the wash, and let the ends show on the reverse of the item. I'm really quite chuffed with how its turned out.
A baby's playmat. It will be for our new little grandee, due in December. Not sure if Mummy and Daddy will keep this one or will prefer the other one which is under construction. Either way, they will keep one and we will keep the other.

The needles and hook are still in action so no 'show and tell' on those yet.

Must stock up on PINK yarn.........

'til next time, enjoy the lovely weather and have a good weekend, x

Friday 25 July 2014

How neglectful am I ???

Neglectful but also resourceful. Neglectful in that I fully intended to share with you the fruits of our labours....or should I say hubby's hard digging.

Our crop of potatoes has been amazing, yet again. Second year in the same area, although it was well manured and composted first. I will rest this area next year. In fact we have plans for some fruit trees instead.

The last of the strawberries which has been a bumper crop again. I'm just sorry I forgot to share them with you.

Lastly, the mange tout. Just a small picking yesterday, but we've had loads of fresh helpings on our plates and there is an ever expanding bag in the freezer.

Visitors and neighbours have all been benefitting from our garden.

We've also had goodness knows how many radishes, and there's plenty more growing. Turnips, beetroot and turnip have been good again, and the carrots are excelling themselves.

New this year are parsnips and cauliflowers. I will report on their yumminess as soon as the time is right.

Next up some crafting to share. Til then, x

Thursday 24 July 2014

Another Grandma moment

Look what Little Lady made at the weekend.

It was a kit from a crafting magazine, a while ago, and she dutifully sat and stitched this. I did the cutting out and helped with a little of the sewing but mainly she did it all by herself.

Really proud of her, x

Wednesday 23 July 2014

Oldies but Goodies

 Happy Birthday to #1 Son, 31 today. Which can't be correct as I'm only 21......
 Here he is with his younger brother in their matching outfits. Why do us Mums do that???
And here is his Mummy. How times change....no hats, facemasks and starched pinnies now.

Hope you're all enjoying this fabulous weather, x

Thursday 17 July 2014

Proud Grandma

Just had to share this fab photo of our little English grand-daughter. This was her after receiving her first gold medal for her first rhythmic gymnastics competition.

So proud of her, x

:: I say 'English' grand-daughter as we have 2 Scottish ones alongside our 2 Scottish grandsons

Wednesday 16 July 2014

So what am I making with these???

You may recall that I like to have several projects on the go at a time. Usually one on the sewing machine (above), one on the needles (below) and...
 one on the hook.....
I realised I hadn't blogged for a week, and in keeping with my resolution to try and blog regularly I was hunting around for something to show you. So I'm afraid its a tease of a post but I fully anticipate that at least 2 of these will be finished within the week.....now which 2??? You'll have to wait and see.

Now, if I had remembered my camera yesterday I could have shared many photos of a lovely day out with Neet (Hickydorums) and her other half. They had already discovered Blakemere Craft and Antique Centre a few weeks ago, so I met them there and after coffee we browsed the various buildings.

Back to ours for lunch where Cinderella (my hubby) had been slaving away all morning, and dog-sitting, and then back out (this time with Cinderella) so that I could introduce them to Lady Heyes, another craft and antique place. Part of my plan was to take Neet to Crab Apple Crafts, a card-making/scrapbooking shop. What a muppet!!! So busy starting at the opposite end of the place that by the time we reached the shop it had closed....it was 5pm!!! Where did that afternoon go?

Only one thing for it......    they will have to come over again and this time we'll start at Crab Apple Crafts. I should say that I did lead Neet into temptation by taking her into the quilting/fabric shop....nuff said.

Today's a lazy day as I have to balance a day of activity with a day of rest and this evening we're out to watch our beautiful grand-daughter in her first rhythmic gymnastics competition.

Enjoy your day, x


Wednesday 9 July 2014

A Rat and Some Chicks

OK, so its supposed to be a mouse, but with those 'elephant' ears and large snout and long tail it looks more like a rat, so I've christened her Rosie. A pain in the backside to make and assemble so she's a one off.
Here's more of those cute little chicks, but this time I've 'clipped' their wings in the hope they won't keep flying off and reproducing, lol. The one on the right was knitted on straight needles, hence the garter stitch. Far easier to knit in the round so I went back to that method for the next two.

Let's see if their clipped wings keeps the reproduction rates down.....I doubt it.

See you soon, x

Monday 7 July 2014

Boyzone in The Forest

OK. So I know I'm a lady over a certain age and therefore shouldn't get excited about 'boy' bands but I wasn't the only older lady there. In fact there was a real mix of ages from babies in prams to people older than myself.
Phwoar.....hot or what??? Sorry...getting carried away. It was a brill concert but I wish they had spent more time singing than chatting. Having said that their vocals were spot on and they certainly know how to play the audience.
As we were queueing to get in 2 helicopters flew over, which appeared to land very nearby, so I expect that was their mode of transport.
The weather stayed fine and the picnickers were out in full force. Becky (#1 Son's partner) and myself opted for fish and chips from one of the food wagons, and very nice it was too.
Kian from Westlife was their supporting act and he was amazing. He did far more singing, including a couple of new hits from his first solo album. Absolutely brilliant.

The Forestry Commission had made changes to the parking set up this year which seemed far improved from last years, including a traffic light system for leaving the Forest. Much better than the grumpy police from last year.

All in all a good evening but I'm paying for it today. Still in my PJ's...

Friday 4 July 2014

Chick, chick, chick, chick, chicken, lay a little egg for me

Taken from Lucinda Ganderton's article in a Sew Magazine I created this chicken doorstop by upcycling a ladies trouser suit (a bargain at £4) purchased from a local charity shop.
 The wings, chest and rear end were created from fat quarter scraps. So all in all a cheap little project.
Hope you like it, x

BTW....Happy 4th July to everyone across the pond

Tuesday 1 July 2014

A Trip to the Movies and some Rubber Stamping

OK. So Hubby and I decided that we would go to the cinema this afternoon to see Mrs Brown D-Movie.
Tuesday's are good at our nearby cinema as they have a super cheap rate and for people over a certain age (hubby) this includes a hot drink....no dear she didn't offer whisky!!! The last time we went on a Tuesday I also got a complimentary hot drink....not today:((  I chose a low calorie soft drink and look what it came in....hilarious. It made me feel good though that she thought I was about 12....
As for the movie.....wait for it to come on the TV. It was amusing but if you usually follow the TV series then I think you will be disappointed.

Also, at long last I have a little bit of rubber stamping to share. This was a framey type card which was shown to us by the uber talented Pat Chesterton aka Chezzie at our last Viccy Stampers workshop. I finally got it finished and its now waiting collection by #1 Step-daughter for her birthday next month.



'til next time, x