Creatures

We seem to be having a week of little creatures.

First up came the lovely beaded dragonflies I have been making, then we found a baby lizard in the kitchen and rescued him from the furries, putting him in a safe place outside.

He must have found his way up the drain as he suddenly appeared in the en-suite guest bath, so he was rescued once again.

We have been having trouble with our tv satallite, losing signal at the most inopportune moments, even losing half of the last episode of Downton Abbey! Quite frustrating, we thought poor signals due to the very wet, cloudy weather.  DH did go and clean the dish and removed a web but still problems.  Time to call in the experts!

What did he find? A huge tarantula had made his new home up inside the sensor, so every time he went out we were fine then on his return - poof all gone again.

The cure? a very sophisticated piece of polystyrene shoved in the gap! 

One very expensive eviction!  

Dragonflies

A whole mish mash of lifes goings on since my last post, most of which I could have done without, especially the migraines, medical appointments and the like. Also the camera card has gone on the blink and getting photos is proving quite a challenge.

The lounge chimney was knocked down and the new wood burning stove installed, what a difference, very economic in its useage of logs, so much extra warmth created by having the fire free standing (no chimney), but the best thing of all is it is so much cleaner and produces very little dust or ash, less time dusting and sweeping up, so I wonder if that means more time crafting? hmmm bet it doesn't!

 A quick blink of the eye and Christmas suddenly seems to be looming and the pressie box is not as full as it should be! and only 4 pressies for the advent calender, ooh I am slacking!

I did manage to make several pairs of shoe stuffers though, as a friend brought over my parcel of lavender from the UK so I was able to finish them off.

I have made several of the cotton cloths though, including the ones below of a dragonfly and hearts

I also ordered some lovely yarn from the UK to make DD a little bolero for a Christmas gift, both fronts completed, just working on the back now.  I treated myself to some new bamboo needles, they are so light and smooth and don't seem to produce the annoying click click sound that the metal ones do.

DD has now set the wedding date for September next year, so many an hour has been spent searching relevant sites for ideas, amazing where the time goes when on the computer

.

DD wants to incorporate butterflies and dragonflies, so I have been busy making some beaded ones, leaving the wires long so that they can be used in a variety of ways.  They do take about a couple of hours each, so how many we will get is yet to be seen!

Oh well back to the knitting, see if it can be a finish soon ready for the box.

take care

We're back

Yet another hospital appointment for DD on Thursday, this time it was for a second opinion on the vascular problems, unfortunately the second opinion was the same as the first and was not good at all.  More scans!

DH and I started our project of the Spanish street last year, but it was shelved due to lack of time and inclination because of all that was happening with DD. However, we are Back!  the Spanish bar is nearly complete, just needs a few tweaks, bar stools and a couple more accessories.

The grape picture above the bodega is actually a 1/12th scale version of  tile art that is in our Naya

The pictures above the bar are again from full scale tiles in our lounge and depict Don Quixote

We moved on to the artist's gallery - DH had already made the artist doll, so yesterday I made his clothes, belt and sandals.  We have to complete all the pictures and hang them in the gallery, then make some more items, but it is slowly coming along and nice to see it happening again.

DH also made this little hall table, just right for the cheese plant.

I have been doing a few Christmas gifts too in between the minis, I find there is only so long I can do them before my eyes get too tired, so it's nice to have normal size projects to make.

Wonder what is on the agenda today?
Take care
  

Tuesday treasure and more minis

When my Dad was a young boy during WW2,  he lived opposite Croydon areodrome (Surrey UK) and would watch the planes as they arrived and departed and even had one overshoot into their front garden.  It was during this time that he and his father would approach households with bomb damage to their leaded light windows and offer to repair or replace them.  It was during this time he learnt  the technique.  Fast forward many years and upon my suggestion one rainy day when he was at a loss he took up the hobby again.  He changed from lead to copper tape and being that his background was in electronics, was a dab hand at soldering.  He had wonderful stocks of the most beautiful shaded glass you could image, just like our fabric stashes. He was also quite prolific in his creations, enough that we ended up taking his wares to the local market to sell.
This beautiful lamp stands proudly in my lounge and even takes low energy bulbs, so it can stay on all night.  This is my Tuesday Treasure hosted by Melody, sadly we lost Dad in Oct 2009 but I have so many of his lovely lamps, clocks and other treasures that he is around all the time.

We are still up in the early 30'sC unbelievably warm for October.  DD has her best friend and little 4 year old staying with her at the moment, so after yet another hospital appointment we went to Calpe for lunch then on to the beach.  I had quite forgotten the wonder and joy a 4 year old can radiate by slipping into his cossie and jumping around in the very warm rock pools and making sand pies and castles, it certainly made his day. DD joined them in the pools and then presented me with a teeny tiny shell and a pretty pebble, so really I can have two Tuesday's treasure today!

I even managed some crafting time at the weekend and played around with basket making, it was quite time consuming, but then again what isn't? and sticky with the glue, but I was pleased with the final results after trying various different threads.  We also made the contents of the baskets, with the exception of the cat!

 (Thimble used for scale)

 The Alibarba basket has a removable lid

I mentioned knitting the little shopping bag a couple of posts ago, so it was sewed up and a leather handle added. The other hand bags are made from faux suede and are very soft.  All in all quite productive.

It was back to chores this morning, but there is always this afternoon........
take care

Builders

Not much crafting going on at the moment for me, unfortunately there have been more hospital appointments with DD, now she needs to wait for a further CT scan of her lungs, breathing tests, consultations and updates with the vascular department, its all go!

We have also just knocked down our chimney in the lounge, it held a cassette log fire which had burnt through last season and needed replacing.  I was impressed on the builders, we had removed what we could and covered the rest of the furniture, but they were very clean, removing all debris, swept up, even asked for another broom! and left the place very tidy.  Not like some we have had where I don't think they had even heard of a dust pan and brush.  Now we wait for the wall to be rendered and a new fire installed.

I did knit a shopping bag, it's just waiting to be sewn up and handles attached, so I will show you later, and I managed to needleweave a few more mini ferns ready for the flower pots.

Going to nip off now and see if I can sneak a little time crafting.

take care

Little minis

This is our yukka at the beginning of the drive way with the mountain as the back drop, it didn't flower last year so its nice to see it in bloom again

I have joined Lynette Anderson's project club, although unfortunately I still can't get the little badge to go on the page, anyway, this little thimble bag was the bonus pattern.  They are really easy to make and cute too.  I increased the pattern making ones for larger pressies.  These are ideal for tiny gifts or crystals, any manner of things.

I have also been making plants, 1/12th scale, here are a couple of ferns and although the mass of french knots look a little strange, they are destined to become trailing ones, like these....

quite effective once in place.

Also made tiny flower pots and bowls from stiff paper ready to be placed in the florists or in the house garden.

The first project from LAPC was for this delightful pouch.  I have made plenty of this type of pouch before, especially for Christmas decorations, but I always made them so much smaller.

This size is just right for that special something you treasure or wish to give as a lovely wrapping for that special gift 

 plenty of room inside.  Great fun to do something different

better go, got some mini gardening to do, take care

Frogz

I had finished all the components for the frog and they all just needed to be stitched together and stuffed.

 After a remake of the head pieces, as I had stitched them wrongly and the yarn did not like being undone, he gradually came together and here is the finished article.

DD was really chuffed with him and he now resides on her shelf in her new house.

After a couple of days of cloud, the sun is shining so off to enjoy

take care

Rain

Yesterday the sky was very dark and we had some funny stuff falling from it, firstly huge great blobs then the heavens opened and it became a deluge, we had 25mm in 30 minutes.  We haven't seen any rain up here since about February and I don't think you can count the 2 minute shower a few weeks ago that barely filled a teaspoon.  All the dust and pollen has been washed away and the plants are holding their leaves up again, hmmm but I bet the weeds are laughing too!!

A couple of weeks ago DD attended a consultation and was devastated to learn she has yet another shadow on her right lung and fibrosis due to the chemo and radiotherapy.  Time is a healer and they say it could take years before this improves, in the meantime probably life changes and compromise.  Still more consults to go next month, gosh what a year!
We were all a little shell shocked by the news and needed some cheering up, so the four of us went to a little cocktail bar in Javea

I've never had a cocktail before and DH and I decided on a Pina colada, DD had a non alcoholic mango and pineapple but DS decided on the works called a slammer, not surprised at its name as it had about 5 different shots in it
The bar had beautiful sofas and even four poster beds to relax upon whilst watching the bay.  Then they brought some nibbles

 This made us realise how hungry we were, 

 and we were not disappointed with our choices.

DD came over to see us on Friday and she presented me with these beautiful flowers saying just because you're you, how lovely was that.  I'll take another pic when the buds of the lillies and glads come out

Not much to show on the sewing front, its been too hot but I have been knitting a softie, finished all the components, just needs sewing up and stuffing now. Think I'll give it a go
take care x


  

Fun and frogs

It's all gone quiet as DS has now returned to the UK, it was so good to see him and join in all the things as a family we wanted to do at Easter but were unable as DD was in ICU.  It was his first fiesta, which he enjoyed, then trips to the rastro, a few meals out, lovely family meals in and lounging around the pool, beach trips, he even did a little crafting, so all in all a very successful trip.  Do miss him now though!

Ages ago I spotted some patterns for making dishcloths using 100% cotton yarn at frogiezplace but at the time I just saved them whilst I hunted for the yarn.  In the end it came down to ordering from the UK. I found a very helpful, sharp company and received my order within a few days.

The first one is a tree frog, this is for DD

This was the rose pattern in lilac, just DD's colours

Then again in purple.

 I found knitting with the yarn very easy and in the hot weather just ideal, think a few for the Christmas box will be in order.  I enjoyed the patterns too, simple but effective, they are easy to use as pot holders to as they are so soft and pliable, so thank you

On one of the trips to the rastro DD spied these patchwork Turkish harem trousers, they are really comfortable and cool to wear, especially in the evenings when you are trying to avoid the mosi bites.  Although DD doesnt 'do' sewing I thought they fitted in with the theme 

Oh well off to do a little more knitting, trying my hand at a softie........

take care

opps just noticed DH has photographed the back side of the roses, oh well never mind you get the gist.

Tried to put an update and couldn't work it out! Since I have been away blogger has updated itself to a new format, I want to remove a badge and add another one, but can I see how to? no!  can anyone point me in the right direction please, pretty please..........  

Fiestas

What a long weekend, it was our hamlet's fiesta.  We are quite exhausted.  It started on Friday evening after the Festeros had transformed the plaza with bunting, a bar, tables and chairs etc, everyone brings their own picnic and our little plaza fills up with many people.  This was DS's first fiesta as he has never managed to visit whilst its been on before 

This was the scene on Saturday night, even more people arrived and the place was really buzzing.  

The music each evening starts after the tables have been cleared about 11pm and continues until about 3am. It is usually a mix between traditional party music and hits.  Everyone likes to dance, from grandparents to the littlies .It is impossible to sleep as the volume is so high, then once the music stops the Festeros clear every thing away until the following night and it looks as though nothing had happened.

Sunday follows a different route with one of the Festeros letting off very loud bangers to wake everyone in time for the church service, half way through Santa Barbara is carried out and paraded around the plaza followed by those who had attended the service. then they return to the church.

Refreshments are served and this is a traditional iced drink or special milk with a huge chunk of cake.  The Festeros for the following year are then presented with an even bigger piece of cake adorned with a carnation to signify their role.  As we will be Festeros next year we duly accepted our gift, now comes the hard part of trying to raise funds for the next year. 

Races are held with fierce competition from all participants, the children all receive a gift just for joining in but the men receive a live cockrel, which the winner proudly displays

This year saw the return of the 

dancers who performed in their traditional dress and gave a good display 

Sunday nights are always a little quieter and the music finishes earlier about 2am.  Our fiesta only runs for 3 days, unlike in other larger towns and villages that can go on for 12 days of merry making!

How the locals do that every night and still get up for the normal routine beats me.

take care

A good day

Yesterday I had another appointment with the osteopath, still feels like the torture chamber but getting better. DD very kindly offered to take me as DH was off to Alicante airport to collect DS yeah!  but we found that one of the cats had jumped in the open car window and set off the hazards which were slowly and dimly blinking away, DH had time to put the battery on charge and called us later to say all was well and it had started.

So pleased as DD and I had planned to do a little shopping and be 'girls that lunch' and to have rushed back home would have spoilt it.  We had our little retail therapy then headed off to Moraira by the coast for lunch.  This is a very popular place and quite expensive, but we found a little cafe for Menu del Dia and had a lovely relaxing lunch chatting over mussels and squid followed by a mixed paella, we can't 'do' desserts as we have a dairy intolerance so just went for the coffee.  Silly me forgot the camera so no pics.

At home the boys still hadn't arrived......ah we thought, might be a case of whats good for the goose etc, sure enough they had stopped off at the local restaurant and joined the locals in some home made wine made from tiny white grapes, apparently quite sweet and certainly potent!

So good to see DS, lots of hugs, and look forward to some good quality time all together as DD slowly improves.  They are predicting highs of up to 39C and its already hot hot hot.

take care

  

Grinding halt

Nice weekend with DD and A here just relaxing, A even cooked us all a couple of meals which was really nice to relinquish the kitchen duties and meant I could go and play.  DD received a Wii for her birthday in June and we had some fun skiing and bowling, there was also yoga to try, I can see great fun being had.

I had this sudden urge to try a quilt....... thought I would start smallish and do a lap quilt.  Started cutting and making little piles, but what I failed to do was work out the maths.....

So I carried on stitching and cutting, making pinwheels, now I realise just how many of these it will take, so its all come to a grinding halt until I can get some contrast material.  Shame I was just getting in the swing of it

Went on to make a couple of little mats using the wavy patchwork method, hard to see in the photo but quite effective 

The little cottage butter dish belonged to my Mum, she had a matching teapot too.

Oh well another week, better get going

take care

Hopping

I was doing a little blog hopping, as you do, and found this little gem, it is very simple but extremely useful.  Its a car rubbish holder, we always seem to have bits n bobs in the car from car park tickets to munchie packs, so when I saw this at Kathleen's at Rose Prairie I thought it was just the ticket and made a small and large version.  It's a very simple bag. sized around a zip lock plastic bag with a handle to put over the gear stick or what ever, but as it can be sealed anything slightly whiffy can be sealed in.

 DH kindly harvested the lavender for me, not as much as I would have liked so when the rains come and we can actually dig in our  concrete  soil I would like to plant lots more for next year.  This is the before stripping

this is the yield, as I said not much really......

Its DD's fiance's birthday next week and I wanted to add a little something to his present and as he complains of a sore neck and back, I decided to make him 2 warm/cool packs filled with rice and 2 hand warmers, I also added a pair of shoe stuffers, stuffed with the lavender, well trainers can always do with a helping hand lol

Whilst I was at it I made another pair of hand warmers for the pressie box and several more shoe stuffers, but I ran out of lavender, so the only thing I can do is order some on line to finish off.

We have an uninvited visitor at the moment, a snake in the courtyard, of course the furries are agog with a potential play mate,  we think its harmless!! but don't want to upset it, just hope it will get the message and go away, and no there are no pics cos first I don't do snakes and second I'm quite sure lots of others don't do them either.

Oh well, off to do dinner, enjoy your weekend whatever you may be doing
take care

Tuesdays Treasures

Thought I would join in today's Tuesdays treasures hosted over at  Melody's, this sweet little tea set was given to me by my great Aunt Doris.  My grandparents would take me to see her in Forest Hill London in the summer holidays when I stayed with them and I would play with this whilst they chatted.  It was always a big outing as it meant walking a mile or more to Carshalton station, getting a couple of trains then walking at the other end and of course in reverse, a very tiring day for a little girl.  When I was considered old enough to look after it, I was allowed to bring it home and it now lives in my china cabinet with a few other treasures.

The crochet doily was from my Mum's collection of vintage linens and I can remember as a child, a green glass dressing table set sitting on it in her room.  Mum used to enjoy visiting antique fairs and even jumble sales, just looking for bits n bobs and she collected all manner of artifacts, including a little vase for 25p, it wasn't to her taste so she put it in the auction room and received £25.00.  Apparently someone had the other one and wanted the pair no matter what, how lucky was that on both parts.

Off to find something to play with...

take care

Creativity

I came across this little cross stitch kit lurking in the cupboard with a couple of others and decided it was just right to do, simple and easy without too much thinking.  Haven't thought what to make it into yet.  

I then decided to be a little more creative, this little cat is the same one I used on DD's needlecase (I'm sorry, but even though I have trawled through some blogs I still can't find who to acredit it to)  I drew around a heart shape and then let my pencil meander around creating the vine.  I used number 15 beads for the flowers and was quite pleased with the result.

What next? so I chose 1/2 squares in colours I don't usually choose and had a play.  I had been inspired by someone else's chevron cushion and gave it a go.  Trouble was, I totally miscalculated the number of squares I needed so decided to try the diamond shape as well.

I quite enjoyed doing these, just need to think a little bigger, lap quilt bigger perhaps?

What now?

take care