Nearly a tutorial

There are plenty of tutorials on the net for making fabric gift bags. I keep a look out for shiny, sparkly, shimmery material to make Christmas bags. This dress was free from the Charity Shop because the zip was put in wrongly and didn't fasten to the top.

I cut off sections to make bags utilising the original seams if possible.

There were only a few bits left over plus a now useable zip and a large belt which could be made into a bow.

The large bag can be just wrapped round a present and tied with a ribbon.

This ribbon was 50p in the sales last Christmas. The spray was from the Charity Shop. The smaller bag I edged with binding found in the junk shop. The button was on the dress and I can't remember where I got the felt.

The real cat couldn't fit in the bag!

It's been a year ...

since a colleague passed away.

For whom the bell tolls

No man is an island,

Entire of itself.

Each is a piece of the continent,

A part of the main.

If a clod be washed away by the sea,

Europe is the less.

As well as if a promontory were.

As well as if a manor of thine own

Or of thine friend's were.

Each man's death diminishes me,

For I am involved in mankind.

Therefore, send not to know

For whom the bell tolls,

It tolls for thee.

(a poem (No man is an island) by John Donne)

Addition Sum

This

Whizzer

plus this

leeks, potato, very large courgette

plus this

left overs

equals this

looks like porridge!

More soup!

It's hailing ...

... on the Velux window.

This picture was taken a few days ago when we had gales.

ABC of a day in my life

I thought I’d take an Alternative look at this ABC game Because I’m sure you can Certainly glean an awful lot about me by just reading the posts on this blog. I Don’t want to give too many personal details away. I like being Extra careful For obvious reasons so I’m Going to do this my way. Here goes. I am Just about to put the Kettle on because throughout the day I Like to sit with My favourite lemony drink Next to me with my Other half Perhaps having tea or coffee. The mornings are Quite busy with Repetitive household chores Such as Tidying (Upstairs and down), Vacuuming, making bread and local shopping (Walking of course). 

In the afternoons I go ‘walkies’, visit friends, work or play.

Love from Mum

Xx

ps I bet You thought I’d finished then didn’t you?

In the evenings I 

* play in my upstairs room on the computer,

* listen to the radio,

* read,

* knit,

* sew or 

* crochet or 

* all of the above and later on I watch a little bit of tele with DH before going to bed - Zzzzzzzzz.

31 Day Challenge

I told Azza that I might not be able to succeed at a 31 Day Challenge. Each day she is trying to get rid of or find a proper place for items in her house as a means of de-cluttering. I've made a tentative start but I don't know whether I'll last the 31 days. We'll have to see. I may not do something each day but the things I do may add up to 31. I will try to re-cycle or re-purpose items. Here goes:

1. Passed on 6 magazines to friends at our music evening.

2. Passed on a further 6 magazines to a colleague at the Charity Shop.

3. Sorted out clothes and took 2 carrier bags full of old t-shirts to the Charity Shop.

4. Turned an old jumper into a cushion cover.

5. Turned a shimmery blouse into Christmas bags.

These are 'Selection Box Bags'.

6. Mended a broken Lego model which had come apart while being washed in the dishwasher. (Don't ask.)

DH made this little fellow when he
was 8. He's now 28 and I'm soft still
keeping him.

7. Turned an old soft jacket into a cushion cover. (I think I've got enough cushion covers.)

That's it for now - there may be more.
xx

Playing with my balls

Roll these balls around in your palm and they will relieve the stresses and strains of life.

Who needs Chinese balls? Let's do it the natural way. These conkers are the ideal natural stress busters. Just roll them about in the palm of your hand, two together or one in each hand. Perfect while humming a happy tune to accompany a walk in the park and perfect for relieving tension when witnessing somebody's little dear throw sticks at the ducks on the pond. (They missed.)

The original Chinese balls worked aswell. These have seen plenty of action!!!!