Computers are a pain

Hello there

'Headquarters this I'm saying the words into the iPad and it's typing for me'! I should probably explain that that sentence was typed by the iPad. Not bad going really, being as what I really said into the microphone button on the keyboard was "how cool is this? I'm saying the words into the iPad and it's typing for me". It did the post title for me too! I remember seeing about computers of the future on 'Tomorrow's World' over 30 years ago but never thought you'd be able to do that on a portable device for goodness sake! But I'm having to use the iPad as my computer is in trouble again, so  not everything is good about technology. So I'm using The Blogger app which I never find to be half as easy to use as the computer version.

This week I've also had to get used to varifocal glasses , Chris has been away for most of this week (as he was last week) and I'm feeling very behind with orders for 'A Place to Set' and the craft fair on November 30th AnD my mum reminded me yesterday, that it's my step dad's birthday tomorrow!!! I was in the middle of doing the card for that when I had a break in proceedings to wait for glue to dry, so thought i'd do a blog post as therapy.Basically I'm telling you that I'm a bit stressed at the minute but hey, it's the Season of stress = Christmas - bah humbug! 

Did any of you see the Children in Need show last night too? I did and realised why I normally don't watch it, although I do donate; it's just such an emotional thing to watch, especially when you're feeling 'off' anyway. Some families have a ton of very difficult things to cope with, so it does help put my own little concerns into perspective for me.

That photo is of some bunting I've  finished today, as the ribbon arrived. I do have to confess to loving that ribbon. It's grosgrain which is a weakness of mine; the colour is fab and the width is perfect and the design is exactly what I wanted. I trolled t'internet the other day for what felt like hours but was only about 1, sourcing a few things I need for current projects and this ribbon was about the only thing I found to suit. It's going to go around my craft fair stall and at the rate I'm going it'll have to go on sale too,  as I won't have much else! 

Me? Exaggerate? A stressy knickers? .....  Surely not?! 

Anyway, I'm off now to get this 'ere card done.

Take care out there and don't do as I do,do as I say and don't stress! 

Everybody loves bunting

Hello there

Well, well, that was a weekend and a half! On Friday I did alot of work on 'the business' side of things. That basically means that I finished off a couple more sets of portable coasters and then I created a slideshow ready for my first craft fayre. I spent alot of time on the slideshow and then went for dinner. 'Why is that relevant to me?' I can almost hear you thinking. Well, if you'll bare with me, the relevance is that I left the computer for about half an hour. Upon my return it had decided to seize working completely! That was not satisfactory in the slightest and not part of my evening plans of relaxation.

I do hope that you realise that last sentence was stated in such a way as to disguise my complete and utter outrage, fury, annoyance at the stupid computer for doing such a thing to me!!!

Ooops, I let the cat out of the bag!

On Friday night I went out to a work get together and had more wine than I should have, as I was rather wound up about the computer.

Saturday saw me at the amazing building which is Liverpool Central Library; if you're close enough and like that sort of thing, get yourself in there. It's only been re-opened for a couple of months and yet still has much of it's old character but now mixed with very modern, open space. I was there to take part in an Enterprise Nation Startup Saturday event. The link I've provided you with there, takes you to watch a youtube video of Emma Jones and gang telling what that event is all about. I'll tell more another day; so you'll jolly well just have to come back to my blog to find out, hee hee.

 

When I got home it was straight out with the dogs for a walk and then to a community barbecue and to a friend's to warm up afterwards, as it was rather cold!

Sunday morning saw me in Liverpool again but with my daughter this time, as I just knew she'd love the library and I was right, oh and of course I had to go to Abakhan whilst I was there; surely you understand my reasoning! Library/fabric store - clearly an obvious link! :-)

Now the even better bit. 

Sunday afternoon saw me, with the help of a friend, fix my computer and actually save my slideshow. It's not a straightforward story but hey, you just want the good news surely! 

I also got to finish off the bunting for my stall at the craft fair on September 21st. A good way to end a very busy weekend. Bunting has a feel good factor all of it's own.

Take care out there and feel free to swear at your computer when it misbehaves! Before you do that though, BACK UP to a separate drive! 

Jubilee bunting

Hello there
I find myself in the middle of the Queen's Golden Anniversary and still no bunting of my own. I've bought two sets from Etsy to give as presents but still haven't got any of my own. So tonight, I set to putting that right. I got the retired white valance, the excess red material from the lounge curtains and some blue material left over from when I made the last lot of placemats. No cost at all suits me fine!

I created three template triangles of different sizes and off I went. The length I need is about 7/8 metres but I've no idea if I have enough; I'll just have to spread them out further apart.

A pile of 'not done yet'. I sewed with red thread
on the blue material

and then the 'yee hah" moment when you
have the 'done and ready to be joined
together' pile.

Then the realisation that I don't know what I'm going to use to join them together but I left the project there for the night, in the hope that some miracle cure would present itself whilst I slept, so I could tackle the project again in the fresh light of a new day.

I was mad to cut the triangles out on the floor
as it's back breaking

In the light of the morning, I decided to use long strips of the white valance material to connect the pennants together. I didn't want to sew them together and then turn it inside out, as that would be hideously boring, so I decided to just use my pinking shears along the edges. I tried to fold it over and do both edges at once but the fabric kept moving and I couldn't be bothered pinning them together. On this great British weekend of the Jubilee, I decided to use my British spirit and 'Keep calm and carry on regardless' i.e I let the fabric strip fall over the back of the chair and cut up from there, which made it easier to keep the fabric in place. Chris despairs of me I'm sure.

but then Nero couldn't resist seeing what on
earth I was up to

At first the dogs weren't bothered

It seemed like alot......

....but then when it came to trying to put it to the tree at the front of the house and then back to the house, it didn't really work as I don't have time to make the pennants double sided, so it looked odd from one side. We decided to do the much quicker option (considering the rain too) of just placing along all upstairs windows.

The thing to always remember is that there are invariably tonnes of reasons why something can't/shouldn't be done; as I didn't really have enough time to do them neatly or properly (not double sided) or much longer but then you don't do anything. Just get on and do and you fill your life (and others') with much more happiness. I hope things like this will help Maggie to remember the Jubilee with fondness.

Chris and I also worked as a team to make some fancy sausage rolls. He used the mincer for the first time and made the sausage meat with some of the locally bred pork.

It might've been an awful rainy day but we've had a busy full day of allsorts of things, so it feels good. We had a day out yesterday at the wonderful Lyme Park, so all in all, it's been a wonderful weekend so far. Fingers crossed tomorrow's events at the park just add to it even more.

Take care out there