Finished at last

Phew what a busy week - we have been flat out finishing off the victorian terraces and making the brick roads. Trying to make the road with a realistic finish like cobbles/rough bricks, was a brillant idea until it came to painting them! it took Ages as the 'ruts' were deep and the paint had to be stippled in. I made various flower beds using florists blocks paints and ground tea for the dirt, and trees and decided to have rough grass at the edge of the common for the horse using a piece of fur material.










Experimenting with finishes was interesting, mixing tea with sawdust and paints, flock made from finely cut tapestry wool and the tufts were the painted offcuts from the fur material. Finished the curtains, DH also made rolled awnings for the shop fronts. Really pleased with the finished result. It was then on to the common and tufting grass etc, I also finished my flower shop. Talk about squeaky, we only finished late Sunday evening ready to load the car on Monday for the exhibition. We actually have a home again instead of a crafting workshop which had spilt out into every room, now the boring bit of dusting and polishing. Ok maybe tomorrow..............



It took us all morning to do two trips back and forth and set up the exhibition, some of the other members brought their boxes ready to be fitted and again apart from info sheets everything was done by 2pm

Apart from the terraces, the blacksmiths, flower shop and bakery are our three boxes








The other members have made the boxes their own like the ones that follow




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Where would we have been without the web to do the research to ensure the authenticty of some of the products. We have coordinated with the local press for publicity so just have to wait for the opening now.

Yesterday (28th) was the 40th anniversary of the first day we met, we joke about where did the week go, but 40 years!! that seems incredible. All those years ago, a shy 14 year old went to the local youth club and there he was, just as shy. We had a lovely day shared with DD & her boyfriend who gave us flowers and champagne, went to Maria's for lunch and DH had taken a lovely bouquet of orange lillies, a huge heart with balloons and used sprinkles for 40 on the table. Wasn't that lovely and romantic. We meandered home after lunch for a cool off in the pool then shared the bubbly, a lovely lovely day.

We had taken lots of photos but when DH put them onto the computer they had disappeared from the chip, how, we don't know, but to say DH was not a happy bunny was an understatement.

Have a happy day xcx

Today would have been Mum's birthday, two and a half years ago she lost her battle with the big 'C', miss her terribly every day but Happy Birthday.

Empty nest

The house feels quite empty as DS has returned to the UK after staying for 2 months, its been so nice having him here and he turned his hand to many much needed tasks, which was such a great help as it has now turned too hot to do most things. Such a shame though as he has returned to cold wet dreary weather, bit of a shock after here, but at least his veggie patch has survived and is brimming with goodies for him.
I think we have to agree with Fiona's sentiments though (http://bubzrugz.blogspot.com/) about being good to have the house back to ourselves. Never satisfied as we lol

Bernia

Yesterday was hot 30C and very still, we decided mid afternoon to visit a restaurant for a drink on the other side of our Bernia range of mountains. The restaurant has recently been opened by our neighbours so we also wanted to support them.
The road twists and turns with hair pin bends, spectacular views and usually very little traffic, but these are the views when you get there. Sitting relaxing with a cold drink looking out on that can't really be beaten.

They were very quiet and we joined them for a chat, bearing in mind they are spanish we all tried to communicate and although DH's spanish is better than mine, our spanish is poco poco but we had a very enjoyable couple of hours using their little english, spanglish and our little spanish. They were pleased to display one of the exhibition posters which was nice and discussed the possibility of DH doing a gig there one Sunday lunch time, that would be fun and wonderful surroundings toboot


DS, DD and boyfriend had gone away for the night to a campsite near Valencia with huge lake and lots of outdoor amenities/sports so we had a quiet evening to ourselves.

Celebrations

A definite lack in the creating department apart from decorating some of DD's birthday presents. It was a beautiful day and we all went to our local restaurant for lunch, we were able to do a few 'sillies' for the table and some balloons for her chair. As I've said before it is a long leisurely afternoon, so we took some of her pressies with us to add to the fun. She was delighted with all her gifts and ......

loved her cake. I made the chocolate leaves and coffee chocolate icing then popped some nasturinams (sp!) on to finish with some candles, we had this in place of dessert and was yummy. We left a chunk for the girls at the restaurant to enjoy as they had been so accommodating. DD's day wasn't finished as they all went off to an all night party for more fun. For one of her present DD's boyfriend gave her a lovely carved memory box and I think she had quite a few to put in the box from the day.

Two of the street terraces have been finished and Debra from the club brought her finished boxes, a butcher, grocer and jewellers. We have two more terraces to finish and two weeks to do it in before the exhibition!


Other shops will include millinery, books, habadashery, bakers, photographers, 12 all together, should make a good display.

Have fun whatever you choose to do

mini knit

Very variable weather at the moment, one minute sun and warm the next rain and chilly, oh well nothing for it but to crack on with the 16 pairs of curtains. I mentioned previously a finish -
here is the little jumper knitted on 1mm needles and one ply wool, he looks quite comfy and cozy in it doesn't he?

have a good day in whatever you choose to do
xcx