Bird on the Wing

Feeling Crafty

I woke up to see that the large fir tree at the bottom of the garden, was at a rather precarious angle. 

I'm a bit worried about it.  It actually belongs to the garden that runs along our back wall and I don't really want to bug them about it for no reason.  I suppose I will just keep an eye on it.  Easier said than done since I leave work for work and return from work in the dark.

On a rather more positive note, after clearing up some dead leaves, I found some ickle snowdrops poking up to say 'Hello'.  What a lovely surprise.  They have such personality don't they?  We only moved into this house three months ago, so we have absolutely no idea what little surprises are in store for us in the garden.

So it was/is Craft Day on QVC today.  I have to say that my interest in this type of crafting is very much new to me.  I've never really understood the point spending money on things to stick on a card, when you could just draw your own card.  And to be honest, I still kinda think that, BUT since I had some money left over from Christmas, I succumbed to a couple of items.  Things which I hope to use in conjunction with my own freehand drawings and ideas.  Firstly, a Scrapbook Memories Kit.  With 5,000 pieces, I'm hopeful that I can make a fairly cool scrapbook or two.  Secondly, a K & Company Daisy and Blue Poppy pack which had some lovely designs.  I'm very excited about receiving them.  I hope to become a Scrapbooking menace and drive my family mad!  I'll let you know how I do.

It's all part of the grand plan of releasing my artistic side, after many years of putting my mundane day-job first.  I'm feeling very positive about it.  2007 is going to be such a fun and beautiful year.

xoxo

The cobwebs are now certainly gone...

Phew, what a blustery day!  I actually didn't think I was ever going to get home from work this evening, since the entire city of London seemed to have blown away with the wind by the time I left the office.  Train stations closed, roads out of use, buses diverted.  At one point I did wonder whether I was going to be whisked up from the pavement and find myself in the Emerald City.  Fortunately however, I did make it back home at about 9pm! 

Not quite so fortunately, a little lunchtime purchase of mine was a casualty of the wind....  I am lucky enough to work next door to Spitalfields market, and Thursday is the antiques day.  I went and had a little browse, and couldn't resist the mesmeric green of a Sylvac vase (fast becoming one of my weaknesses it seems).  I bought it off a lovely French lady who said she's had it in her kitchen for about 25 years.  It was one of the first things she bought for her home when she arrived in London.  "What a lovely little story", I thought.  "Why don't I give it a lovely new home for another 25 years and beyond!".  So off I trotted back to the office with my treasure....but look what happened.

A big gust of wind blew the bag it was in, and *CLUNK*, it hit a door frame.  I'm devastated.  I can glue it back of course - the break was clean enough.  But for the next 25 years and beyond I will always look at it and think how I ruined it 5 minutes after buying it from it's previous loving owner.  Oh the guilt!!  I don't think I will buy treasures on blustery days ever again.

On a happier note, I found my fab little Black Apple badges.  I lost them the other day - about 5 minutes after taking them out of their delivery envelope. (I'm sensing a pattern developing here....).  But oh joy, they have resurfaced. 

Aren't they cute! (Sorry about the flash).

Whilst I have your attention, thanks SO much to all of you who have visited this blog over the past week, and especially those who have left me such lovely comments.  It's so heartwarming and encouraging to have contact with such fantastic, inspirational people.  I never thought "cyberspace" could feel so, well, real & human.  Thanks again. 

Well I have to be up for work in, ooh, 7 hours.  The duvet is calling.  Take care in the gusty, blustery wind everyone!  Until next time...xx

Sunday, lovely Sunday

Sunday: my favourite day of the week.  Shorter than I'd like as I didn't get up until about 11am.  Which is suitably lazy for a Sunday morning, but also rather unlike me so I feel guilty about the morning-time missed.  However, I did catch Countryfile which meant the day started off as happy as can be.

The aim for today was to relax and potter about.  I think I have largely achieved this, although I have been pretty lazy too if I'm honest.  However, the birds got a nice birdseed lunch on the bird-table.  Thrilled to see that the blue tits are refusing to be put off by the ever-present glare of the local wood pigeon.  The garden really needs a lot of work, which really cannot be done in such damp weather.  Roll on spring.

I also managed to wash-up, bake a chocolate loaf, do some ironing and watch a most fantastic programme about Rolf Harris on BBC 1.  Did you see it?  Love that man, just wished I'd Sky+'d it for inspiration at the touch of a button.

Yesterday was hectic but yielded a few treasures.  First was the delivery of this little darling bought from Lily & Agathe. 

Can you see her?  Pretty camouflaged isn't she!  I've been awaiting her arrival for a good week or so now.  She is Constance the Foxlett, handmade by this lovely inspirational lady - She's Sew Vintage.  I must post a message of thanks.  As you can see, my newly papered walls in my study match her perfectly, so I just had to have her.  She is now my study-buddy.

I also popped into town for a little bit of shopping.  Headed for John Lewis for a browse and whilst perusing curtain materials for my lounge, I found this remnant...

Now I bought it on a whim (a) cuz I love it the design and colours (b) cuz the smooth linen material felt heavenly and (c) cuz it was £99 reduced to £25 for 3 metres, and I can't resist such a huge mark-down.  I thought £25 was a little steep, but fancied making some cushions out of it at least.  Anyway, I get it home and find out that it's Osborne and Little fabric called Selphe!  And even better, I have done some measurements and found that I'll just about get a pair of curtains for my downstairs loo out of it.  Far better than some ratty old cushions made by a virgin cushion-maker!  As a bonus and ultimate privilege, my mother-in-law makes curtains for John Lewis customer order service, so I'll even get them expertly made for free.  So I'm feeling very chuffed and very lucky.  I will post a piccie of them once they're up.  I'm just hoping they compliment my 70's turquoise toilet and handbasin!  If not, I'll cut them up and either make those ratty cushions, or reupholster my dining room chairs.  A win-win really.

Now here is the downside about Sunday's ..... the thought of work in the morning.  I guess I must go and get organised for it.  But not before a cuppa, slice of chocolate loaf whilst watching the episode of Antiques Roadshow that I just taped.  *Sigh* It's just such a shame that everyday can't be a Sunday (pre-8pm).

Gotta start somewhere...

Well "hello" is probably the best thing to say at the start of ones first blog entry, so hello!  ...and welcome to my blog. 

I, like many other people in this fresh new year of 2007, am starting my very own blog.  I suppose as a focus or a little hub for my daily thoughts.  Of which I have many, I must say.  Rather than drive myself mad trying to unravel them all by writing endless lists, I am rather hoping that typing them up (well some of them) into a blog might relieve the head-pressure I've recently been feeling.  And perhaps even entertain some people lurking in the shadows along the way.

I love reading so many other people's blogs on a daily basis.  I always like to find five minutes during my day to catch up their going's on.  It's like sitting down each evening to watch Eastenders, only I don't bother with TV soaps as your blogs are SO much prettier and bursting with FAR more talent than Albert Square.  Thrilling really.  I'm sure you all understand.

Well it's late, so off up the wooden hill I go.  Tomorrow brings another day, during which I must learn how to use this blog thing effectively, and make it look a bit prettier.  Hmm, yes.  I have many plans for it...