I've Moved..

I've decided to move my blog here. No reason, other than I felt like a change. Will still be following all my bloggy friends' antics.

Caribbean Queen

I've got 2 of my favourite people coming for dinner, my friend Fiona and her other half Lee. I've decided to do Caribbean, so here's my menu:

Mojitos & party popcorn
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Corn on the cob
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Jamaican pork
Rice & peas
Pineapple, mint & chilli salsa
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Pineapple in rum
Coconut ice cream
(or possibly coconut creme brulee - not decided yet - will let Fee choose if she reads this)
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Any alternatives gratefully welcome, especially starters

I Promise...

... I haven't been as unproductive as this blog would imply, although most of the things I have to show today aren't quite finished.

Firstly, this is a ribbon necklace I've done, using some polymer clay beads I made over the Christmas holidays. I've always loved ribbons with jewellery, yet strangely this is the first piece I've made myself. The lentil shape beads are decorated with 2 sizes of a cane I made. I made the stripy spacers at the same time (and was a bit worried they would work together, but I think I like the look). I need to get some clear nail polish to seal the ends of the ribbon before I can wear it.

Unfortunately the photo's a bit blurred (I didn't realise until after I had packed my portable studio away).

Here's a little close-up of the beads:

I'm also working on this berry bracelet, from a kit Mum bought me for Christmas. I have another self-coloured strand to do (the strands are different colours, although I'm not sure that really shows in the photo), then onto the berries and leaves and twist and stitch the whole thing together. Would love to have this finished before I go on holiday. although also want to make a bracelet to go with the red and gold Crystal & Pearls necklace I've previously posted.

One of the things I had on my list to do this year was learn to crochet. My Mum used to do really lovely things, but I never seemed to quite grasp it (and I think she found it tricky trying to teach a lefty!!). Anyway, I have finally mastered it (thanks to some lefty instructions I found on Internet). It took my 3 nights to learn, which is a bit of a record for me, as normally I'm able to pick things up quickly - was extremely frusturating. Anyway thought I'd start with something simple and make a bag to keep my wool and hooks in. First couple of squares (unfortunately our local shop didn't have a good selection of cotton yarn, so this was the best colour combo I could get).

Finally, made this rye and white seeded loaf - I've done a couple of ones before using all rye flour, but they've come out really gluey and quite inedible. This one has a good feel, so hopefully it will taste nice too.
Thanks for looking.

Lisa xoxo

Happy New Year

Can't believe 2010 has come around already - where does the time go?

Hope it's a good year for all (if there are any left) my blog readers.

I don't really believe in New Year's Resolutions, but here are my aims for 2010:

• Lose some weight - I have been trying during December and want to do it slowly, as like living my life the way I do.
• Spend more time on crafty stuff - I know I probably said this last year as well, but I really miss making lots of stuff - just wish my craft room would repaint itself.
• Blog more often - see point above!
  
• Spend an hour or 2 a week decluttering - I realise I should have done this a couple of years ago, prior to Stu moving in, but that didn't happen. Would like to move house at the end of this year or during next year, and would love for it to be a smoother process.
• Stop keeping things I don't need/use/wear - see point above!
• Enjoy life and appreciate how lucky I am to have great friends, a roof over my head, food on the table and a job I love - I do mostly do this anyway, but it's nice to have a little reminder of this now and again.
• Pay off my debts - this one should only take 10 weeks to do :D

Let me know your aims/resolutions if you want to.

Lisa xoxo

Tree Time

Thought I'd take a break from trying to fix the stupid washing machine, which is leaking through the drawer and whilst reading up on washing machine problems, discovered that liquid instead of powder, along with washing at low temperatures seems to contribute to a lot of the problems, as the bleach in powder (along with really hot water) seems to stop them from gunking up.

.. anyways, onto the real reason for this post (as I am sure no one really wants to hear my laundry woes)...

We got the Christmas tree on Saturday. It's a real cracker and almost hits the ceiling. Here's a little piccie:
It's a lot brighter in real life - 300 lights on it.

Here's a little arty dot photo...

...and little close-up too.
Still got Christmas cards to do as well. Must, must, must do them tomorrow.

Started reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. Not my normal read, but I always used to make a point of reading the Booker Prize winner, along with most of the shortlist and thought it would be a good habit to revisit.

Although it's not my normal genre (rarely read historical fiction), it's good so far and the author has a good writing style. Might join Good Reads to keep track of what I think of the books I read.

Sure I'll have more to update soon.

Toodles

Don't Faint

But I've actually got around to making some Christmas cards this year!!


In the interests of recycling, I've done a design with a re-usable gift tag (ok, the person may have to change the ribbon, but they can definitely use the tag again, and if they glue it on, they can cover the glue on the back of the ribbon {hope that makes sense}). The last one in line looks a bit wonky, but I think that is due to squishing them together in my little portable studio thing, combined with my pretty crappy (lazy) photography skills.

Here's a little close-up some of the tags.

I'm going to do the design in other colourways as well - already have made some blue tags, with snowmen, penguins and snowflakes and have some lovely pink, black and grey Christmas papers I would like to use as well and quite a few other Christmas dies I haven't yet used this year (actually probably never used if I'm being honest).

I also made another batch of Christmas chutney when I got home tonight, and a batch of chilli jam last night - need to label the jam and take a pic tomorrow.

Thanks for looking.

Box of Tricks

My long-time readers may remember me posting this as a work in progress a few months ago. It sat almost finished for ages (just needed the feet put on) and I finally finished it last night.

We're going to give it to Stewart's Nan as part of her Christmas present (in fact Stu is right now heading over to his folks' to deliver presents for people we won't see on Christmas Day).

Finally, a couple of little detail pics.


I am also almost finished a different design for Stewart's sis. I relally love making things to put in with people's presents.

Thanks for looking. Off to start making some Christmas cards shortly.