So, true to my word, I have been crafting! My craft room is nearly sorted - just waiting on some shelves - and then I will be making a few cards too. I have been cross-stitching even while I wasn't able to access my boxes, but I have really missed beading and card-making. I am looking forward to being able to post even more makes very soon.

Life Changes

Well, it has been an age since I posted on here. I have been making things but not consistently, and anything I HAVE made has gone on my Facebook page rather than my blog. Life has been funny lately. I finshed my job as a WeightWatchers leader yesterday, after nearly 21 months. I will now have time to craft more, until I find another job. I finished WW because I can't control my weight unless I can concentrate completely on myself. Much as I have loved the members and clerks at the meetings, it was physically hard work and took up the majority of my time and emotion. My son is looking forward to spending more time with me (he is nearly 11, so that will change soon no doubt!) and I hope to have more energy and verve. I am determined to update this blog more regularly and be a more active member of the crafting community. I would love to design more beading patterns, and set up an online shop selling kits for them.

So Much Going On...

I am really sorry that I haven't been around at all. I have been training to be a Weight Watchers Leader - which I have now finished - and it has been a little bit stressful! I passed the assessment though and spent most of today drowning in 30 boxes of 'starter' kit!

Despite not actually doing much crafting, I have ordered lots of clasps and a new beading book. I will post pictures when they arrive. I have also packaged up some vintage (1950s) buttons from France, which will be going on my Folksy shop as and when I get 5 minutes to sit down!

I am really trying to keep in touch with everyone else's blogs, but it is not as easy as it sounds. I have just made a whirlwind visit to some of my favourites, but didn't have enough time to have a good mooch. I think that craft may be taking a bit of a back seat for a few weeks!

Pincushion Swap...

I have signed up to do this swap, kindly being hosted by Claire at Claire's Crafty Blog. My partner is Julie at the 'Grey Frog'. I am still waiting for the blog address for her, so will amend this post when I have it.

In the swap, we have to make a pincushion and send it to our partners, along with some haberdashery items (buttons etc.) as a treat. I have already made a pincushion but am doing another one to see which I prefer...I will only post photos when I know that Julie has received it.

I had decided not to enter into another swap, as I have a lot on at the moment. However, how could I resist pincushions? I love them!

Tubby Tuesday

Well, another week, another weigh-in. Except this was my fortieth birthday! So, thank Goodness I lost 1.5lbs! I have now lost a total of 16.5lbs.

I realise that I am sadly lacking in crafting posts. My friend told me off last night! I promise that things HAVE been made and I will blog them as soon as I can...

Earrings For Course and Blog Giveaway From Calico Heart

Not a good picture of the bag as it is full of my stuff! The inside has a lovely lining and the other side is denimy material. If you want better pictures, go to My Calico Heart Thanks again Stephanie.

The earrings go with the necklace in my last post. I am inordinately pleased with them as they are totally hand-made, except for the ear-wires. I made the hoops and everything...(saddo, but pleased with myself!)

6 Unimportant Things I Love

I have been tagged by Woolywotnots...


Hmmm...

1 Would probably be chocolate. I don't particularly like the good stuff, Cadbury's is good enough for me. I love the texture, the smell, the taste...


My favourite would have to be Maltersers, Flakes, Mars Bars, Ripple, Revels, Double Decker...


...Well, a girl needs a choice doesn't she!


2 The Cinema - Nothing better than watching a good film on a full size screen. Keanu definitely looks better even bigger!

I love the big seats, the pic 'n' mix, the trailers, the ice-cream, even the sweet-wrapper rustlers.

3 Blog-hopping - There is definitely something really rewarding about finding a new blog that you didn't know about and seeing what other people do with their crafts. I usually start with the blogs I love already and then choose one from their list of recommendations. Then, from that blog, I choose one of their recommendations and so on. I have found some wonderful crafters this way. Give it a whirl if you don't already do this.

4 Beads - say no more!

5 The Saturday Times cryptic crossword. Often lasts me the whole week and very satisfying. It is about 3 times the size of the normal one and it keeps my brain working. Once I have finished that, I do the massive Sudoku puzzle, although I normally get too carried away and end up messing it up.

6 Cats - They make me so happy. It's a shame that both Mark and Max are allergic to them. Who wouldn't love this...

Isn't she beautiful!? She is my Mum and Dad's cat and very easily frightened, especially around Max. Some people dislike cats because of their look of superiority but I think they are just lovely. Mind you, any cat that is lucky enough to get their paws under the table at my parents' house WOULD look smug! They get the best seat in the house and are adored constantly...

Tag...

I have been tagged by Stitches so here is the info...

8 things I am looking forward to:
Max's 8th birthday
My 4oth in October
Summer (!?)
Two weeks in Devon
Losing my weight (erm...better get started then!)
The invention of calorie-free chocolate that tastes of real chocolate
The Summer holiday with Max
Getting a part-time job

8 things I did yesterday:
Eat chocolate
Go to Sainsbury's
Visit my parents
Cuddle my parents' cat
Pick Max up from Scout/Beaver camp
Lie-in
Make jewellery
Cry

8 things I wish I could do:
Knit
Marry Keanu Reeves
Eat without gaining weight
Run marathons
Make lampwork beads
Win the lottery
Stop suffering from depression
Enjoy housework

8 TV shows I watch:
Torchwood
Doctor Who (mainly for David Tennant)
Being Human
The Apprentice
Top Gear
QVC/Create & Craft craft shows
Costume Dramas
Documentaries

8 people I am tagging:
Dingle
Over Milkwood
Whizz

Oh, I can't think of any more that haven't already been tagged...

Pictures of Wrapped Loops

These pictures show some of the better wrapped loops I have produced from Daisychain's tutorial. Most of them are far from perfect, but they don't loook too bad and I would wear the pieces, which is all I can ask for really! I am going to continue practising and hope to be a professional 'looper' soon!

What a FAB Blog!

The Vintage Moth is such a lovely blog - with old-fashioned pictures that can be used in your crafting. She has images like these...

...which are just so lovely. There are so many to choose from, all with a vintage look. I am personally in love with this one:

Happy Blogiversary To Me

I realised today that yesterday was the anniversary of me starting this blog. Amazing that the year went so quickly! I have really enjoyed blogging during the year and have made some lovely blog friends. During the year I have gone from making cards to cross-stitch and from there on to jewellery making. It has been a bit of a rollercoaster!

So...

...to me!

I really hope to be blogging this time next year.

What I Got For Christmas

So, now I have all three! I have already made one of the bracelets in two colour schemes but, for some reason, my blogger won't load them at the moment. They are really pretty though and will be in my shop soon.