2013 Challenges and Needles

Hello friends

I've been thinking about next years challenges and what I would like to achieve and as yet I've not decided as there a quite a few going around in my head. My plan is not to set too many so that it's impossible to achieve them. When I have made my decision I will let you know. Back to this years challenges did I succeed or not?

Blog twice a week I started well with this but in the end I couldn't keep it up because sometimes I didn't have anything to say and other times I just didn't have the time and other times I did have something to say but no pictures because I forgot my camera (ah carry my camera all the time challenge).  Will I be able to do this in 2014? probably not. Although we don't have a gala float to build this year my mum is getting worse (has Alzheimer's/dementia) and has entered into the later stages so dad is going to need more help.

Declutter 365 items from our home Yes! I succeeded in this one 555 items have nearly left our home. still have about 10 things to sell. We have bought a few items but not 555. L had a clear out of her room (she did so well. Really proud of her) and made lots of space. We sent a lot of things to charity, passed a few things onto others that was useful to them, binned other stuff that was of no use to anyone and could not be he recycled, recycled and sold some stuff. This challenge I will repeat again next year because we still have way too much stuff.

Set up a shop on Folksy After lots of research I didn't set up a shop on this web site because after deducting the commission and other fees I wouldn't earn much so I decided to set up my own web site, www.l&ccraft.com This has not been successful and luckily I only signed up for one year. I will not renew my membership when it's due. I do get lots of hits but no buyers.

No spend days This was a good one but I forgot to keep a record as most days were a no spend day anyway. Some months I only went to the supermarket to do the weekly shop so it was a whole month of no spending. I won't bother with this one next year as it's normal and not a challenge.

Now for the needle. This morning I went into hospital to have a small procedure done. Since October I have been back and forth to the hospital to have scans done and see the consultant to get a diagnosis then a decision about the treatment. I have fluid around the macular of my left eye and has made the vision very blurred and there is only one treatment. A steroid injection into the eye. Yep into the eye. I was feeling quite sick this morning whilst M was driving me to the hospital. I was worried that it was going to hurt, or would they numb my eye? They did put some numbing drops into my eye just before I went into theatre. I had to lie on the bed and the surgeon put this blue cloth over my face with a window in it so that he could see my eye. I felt the needle and said "ouch" so he had to stop and put some more numbing drops in and then continue. Back in the waiting room I joined the lady who was sat next to me. She was really scared and was quietly tearful. I chatted to her and asked about her children and after my procedure I told her the facts and not what happened to me I didn't want to scare her anymore. She was ok afterwards. All the staff were wonderful they do a great job - Thank you.
Now I have to wear a clear eye patch until tomorrow morning and use some antibiotic drops for a week. and then a check up a week later. My eye feels very uncomfortable at the moment it feels dry and sore. I feel I want to rub it but thankfully I can't with the patch on. M thinks I'm a pirate and I tell him it's the new Christmas accessory.

Nearly time to get L from school, she's on a half day today, so I will say bye for now and thank you for popping by I love to read your comments and if I don't make it before Christmas I hope you all have a great one and an even better New Year.

Carolx

Christmas Festival and Victorian Market

Hello friends

Last night we went to a Christmas festival and Victorian Market.  We went last year but it was so cold and damp that we didn't enjoy it much so decided that we would go again this year as it was dry and see if it was any different.

The stall holders were meant to dress up in Victorian costume but didn't. However there were a few people dressed in costume but I suspect that they were the committee.
There were many food stalls selling burgers, hotpot, curry, chips. and some were selling drinks like mulled wine, tea, coffee and hot chocolate.  A few other stalls selling other types of food stuff and one or two selling Christmas items. Most of the shops were open for business but nothing we were looking for.

We met these two happy people. I loved their costumes, or were they the real ones? What do you think?

  
We also met this very tall guy. There were two of them, not sure where the other one was. They mingled with the crowd, shaking hands of the adult males and high fiving the children and posed for photos with children and actually managed to crouch down almost to their level. Their costumes were white and silver and quite magnificent. As you can guess these were the highlight of my evening. L's highlight was probably the chips and hot chocolate oh and not forgetting the hot donuts. M's highlight? having the evening off from taxiing. I think we might give it a miss next year.

Does anyone else go to similar festivals at Christmas time?
And what are they like?

Carolx

Christmas Decoration Swap

Hello friends

Hope everyone is ok after the terrible winds and high seas.  In my little corner of the Northwest coast we did suffer high winds with the sea coming over the wall but, compared to other places around the country, our coast appears to have got off quite lightly. There was damage to some buildings and trees felled and some flooding.

Now back to the title.  I joined Ladybird Diaries in her Christmas decoration swap and was linked with Chrissie from Chrissie Crafts. This is what I received last week

 

 

The little crocheted Christmas tree is just gorgeous. Chrissie felt that the tree wasn't enough (she is very generous) and added a small jar of homemade Quince and Pumpkin chutney to it. I can't wait until Christmas to try it. The Christmas card is lovely. The scene is a print of a painting done by one of her neighbours of their village green. I had fun making my make for the swap. I can't tell you much more because I don't know if it's arrived yet. If you pop over to Chrissie's blog in a few days she might let you have a peep. Chrissie has done a tutorial on how to make the tree if anyone is interested.

 

I've finished my baby niece's Christmas present. Do you want to see? ok, here it is.

 

 

 

I think that is my Christmas knitting finished, Still some shopping to do, lots of wrapping, cleaning and tidying in readiness for putting up the tree and other decorations.

 

 

Have a good week everyone

 

Carolx

Made More Jam

Hello friends

Welcome to new follower Chrissie from chrissiecrafts.blogspot.co.uk She's a great embroiderer.

A friend of mine has a grape vine in her garden and it has done very well this year and has had more fruit than she could cope with and I was invited round to collect as much as I wanted, which was very kind of her. I took a small bucket with me and filled it twice and there was still loads left on the vine.
I took them all off their stalks and froze the fruit until I was ready to use them.

Yesterday I took the grapes out of the freezer and filled two non-stick pans. I let them defrost over night and this morning, after L left for school, I crushed the grapes (no I didn't take my socks off) with the potato masher and then cooked them. The juice was quite sour as there were quite few green gapes but the black ones were sweet. At this point I'd not added any water as the grapes were very juicy. 
After the grapes were cooked I strained off the juice in to a big pan and cooked up the pulp again in the non-stick pan. Strained it again into the big pan and added the sugar.



The colour is a lovely rich purply red and whilst it was bubbling away the house filled with an amazing aroma. When it was eventually ready I filled 6 and 1/2 jars. 
I gave three jars to my friend with the grape vine.
The jam is very tasty and one I might make again next year.  I have some oranges in the freezer waiting to be made into marmalade but I've no room to store it yet.
Jam butties for tea anyone?

Carolx

Mum's Sunshine Award

Hello friends

 

Nice to see you all. Mum. over at mum's simply living blog was given a Sunshine Award and instead of nominating other bloggers she has left it open for any of her flowers to join in. That's nice.

 

 

'The Sunshine Award is an award given to those who inspire us and bring sunshine into our lives.'

There are a few simple rules:-

1) Include the award logo in your blog post.

2) Link to the person who nominated you.

3) Answer 10 questions about yourself.

4) Nominate other bloggers. 

 

 

 

Mum's 10 questions are as follows:-  

 

 

 

1. What would be your first thought if you saw the first flakes of snow falling from the sky?

Yeah! We don't usually get much snow here so it's quite exciting when it arrives. Saying that I don't like it to hang around too long. Just long enough to build a snowman and have a snowball fight.

2. Let's suppose you had to dress someone's snowman. What hat would you put on its head?

A flat cap
3. Do you celebrate this season? If so, how?

Assuming you mean Christmas - we have an artificial tree with traditional decorations (don't do colour themes) and nearly always buy two new tree decorations each year. L and I always go to a Christingle service and I make a small buffet tea for when we come home. M always goes to the pub on Christmas eve afternoon and usually come to church a bit worse for where.
4. It's cold, wet and blustery and you have to go out. What do you wear on your feet?

If I really, really had to go out it will be either walking boots, wellies, or a nice pair of full shoes (not sandals)

5. What game would you recommend for a seasonal party for friends and neighbours?

I have three brother  and when we were young we always played monopoly. Now I like Trivial Pursuits


6. You are going to a seasonal party for friends and neighbours - how would you like to spend the evening?

Chatting, drinking, nibbling and maybe playing a few games.
 7. Do you have a favourite decoration for putting out at this time of year? Please describe.

I like to put out my nativity set because for me that is what Christmas is about.
 8. Have you written your Christmas cards yet?

Not yet

9. Are you making or crafting anything seasonal at the moment?

I have made three gifts so far  and plan to make a further four. I also have four mini Christmas cakes to almond and ice.

10. There's always something to like about each season. What do you particularly associate with this season?

I love Christmas, The decorations, the preparations, the whole atmosphere, oh just everything (except the shopping, I hate shopping).

I'm not passing this on because I'm full of a chesty cold and can't think of any questions. If you do want to join in maybe you would like to use Mum's questions above.

Hope you have a great week. and I will see you soon

Carolx

 

 

 

 

 

Some Christmas Makes

Hello friends

Welcome to new follower Chrissie from http://chrissiecrafts.blogspot.co.uk. I've been a secret follow of Chrissie for a while (sshh don't tell her) She is such an inspiration, she can knit, crochet, embroider and much more, why not take a look?

Ok my Christmas makes. My 11 year old nephew is into Harry Potter and wanted a scarf similar to the character's. Having looked on the internet and checked out the price his mum asked if I would make him one for Christmas and a hat. He wanted Gryffindor colours which is a dark red/maroon and gold. I didn't have those colour so I trotted off to Fleetwood market (I also did some other bits and pieced whilst in town).
The badge I was going to make in cross stitch (I hate doing cross stitch; I find it so boring) however M found one on Amazon. In total this scarf cost me £10 which is less that half of what the original would cost.


For my baby nephew, a toddler of 21/2,  I've made him a jumper. L decides that is should be red and black striped. This yarn I already had as it was left over from the Hero blanket I made earlier. To go with the jumper I have bought a Thomas story book that was half price. That's Three down and a few more to go.

Next on my needles will be something pink for their 8 month old sister. But first I need to make a Christmas decoration because I have join in with a Christmas swap organised by http://ladybirddiaries.blogspot.co.uk another great crafter.

This week I have decorated a picture frame I got for my birthday. I was lovely as it was but a little too stark so it went from this

to this

 

 



I played around with different ideas and ended up with this and it got L's approval. Now I just have to find some photos which could take a while to get them just right.

I need to get on I've to go out, clean some cupboards (yuk) and then I want to do some baking.

Hope you all have a good week end and the weather stays fine.

Carolx

What Have I been Doing This Past Two Weeks?

Hello friends

Welcome to new follower Joy.

What have I been doing this past two weeks?
Well, quite a lot but only one thing that was very exciting.
 During Half term I didn't spend as much time as I would have liked with L because I was sewing, these crafted squares (on the right) onto the backing fabric, on my mum's industrial sewing machine.  Radio Lancashire have been promoting the Up For Arts project all year and this is one of their projects. All the craft groups in Lancashire were asked to make a square, using yarn or material, it could knitted, patchworked, embroidered etc but it had to represent their craft group and then it was sent on to us at Thornton Library to put together. There are some wonderful works of art. Some very simple and some very details and lots of in between but all fabulous.  We did the unveiling last Thursday with radio Lancashire. Please click on the pictures to see them better. In a few weeks the displays will be going on tour all round the libraries in Lancashire. Unfortunately I don't know the tour dates. If I can find out I will pop them into another blog post.

One of the other things I did over half term was to pack mum's case because dad was going on holiday for a much needed rest and mum was going into a home for 9 days. This was not an easy task because I didn't know if she would be warm or cold so I selected a mixture of clothes that could be layered. Then I had to put her name in all of it. Finding space on a label was not as easy as thought it would be. We have name tags now ready for next time. On the Friday dad and I took mum to the home and stayed with her for a little while before returning home. All last week I visited mum every afternoon before getting L from school. One of the sad things about the home is that all the resident did all day was sit and watch TV or sleep and it was quite sad. Although mum has a form of Alzheimer's she is still very active and ended up helping the staff with some of their chores which I thought was a great idea.
Whilst mum and dad were away from home I spring/autumn cleaned their home as it's so much easier when no one is about. Now that is all done and they are both home (mum was so pleased to see dad back) I can relax a bit. I'm glad they are both home because mum is not ready for a nursing home yet and I missed them at home.

I have been making some Christmas present in the evening and I will share them with you in my next post.

See you all very Soon

Carolx