Just where has...

...January gone to?

I can't believe that we are here at the 29th of the month already - another few days and we will be in February. Gosh how time flies.

2018 has started in a rather hectic manner. Work has been a madhouse and commuting has been 'delightful' (NOT). Quite a bit of crafting has been going on but I really need to get the camera back into use - at the moment I seem to be completing bits but because the lighting is so awful nothing is getting photographed.

I've managed to organise myself right through until the end of October so that I can have Fridays off. This means that I can continue with my parchment classes which I am really enjoying.

Before Christmas I attended some of Andy Pearson's (Pinnacle Crafts) Saturday workshops where we got to play with Pan Pastels and Inks - all nice and messy and not the sort of thing that I tend to do at home. The camera did get forgotten most of the time but here are a couple of the cards that were made...

...it is lovely making a mess and seeing what results from it.

Lots of knitting & crochet has been going on and I'm pleased to say that I've made a great start on the Christmas gifts (don't groan). Christmas card making needs to pick up pace a bit but at least I've made a start...so you never know...I might have them all done & dusted well before Christmas.

Ooooo, was that a flock of pigs flying past the window.......................................................

Santa Dash...

...by one of our team.

At the start of December one of our team dressed up as Mrs Santa and joined Santa dash to raise money for her local hospice. Despite a very soggy day (she said she could really have done with some glasses with windscreen wipers LOL) she completed event and raised £140.

 

She brought her medal into work....

...to show all her colleagues who had sponsored her.

As I sit here creating this post I can't believe that it has been over a month since I last posted - time has more than just flown this year but although the posts have been rather lacking I think time has been well spent on the various causes that I and my colleagues have managed to support.

Back in July my "Craft & Chatter" group completed and sent off 150 mini hats for the Innocent Smoothie "Big Knit" to help raise money for Age UK. When the hatted bottles hit the shelves in the shops this Autumn, we eagerly looked out to see if we could find any of our creations. The answer to that was NO but we all bought items with hats that had been created by other folk. There were certainly some fabulous creations.

In October we were merrily making crochet & knitted poppies...

...which helped to raise just over £180 for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

The group are currently making "Bonding squares" for local Neo-natal units.

The office supported the Newham Food Bank (part of the Trussell's Trust) again this year and as usual I decorated the collection area to make it look a little more festive. There was a fabulous response and we collected far more than in previous years. The Newham Food Bank provided nearly 2000 food parcels last Christmas and we hope our contribution helped them to do even more this year.

Our support of the RNLI is on going and folk regularly bring in books & un-wanted gifts to add to our 'shop' area. Support from wonderful folk on the web has also been amazing - handmade items & cards from Lunch Lady Jan & Shaz Silverwolf  (regulars on Julia Dunit's "What's on your Workdesk Wednesday" over at "The Stamping Ground") all very much appreciated.

Although you would never believe it due to the lack of posts on here, November & December were very busy crafting months. I finished off all my handmade gifts and managed to make all my cards (yes, I failed on the making as I went through the year - but hey-ho it all got done) but the thing that I didn't manage to do was take photos as I went. I was so determined to get everything wrapped the photos were forgotten.

With it being just a few hours away from a New Year, I can't promise that posting will be any better but I'm sure 2018 will be just as busy and just as crafty as 2017..........................................

 

But I wanted a...

...playstation.

Don't you just love the expression on this LOTV image...

...you can tell that she is not amused.

Whilst colouring this little miss I was reminded of so many Christmas gifts from my gran. She always bought clothes for everyone and they were always too big - "so we could 'grow' into them". This might have been fine for the grandkids but she also did it with the adults...socks was the traditional gift for the men and my poor Dad (who didn't have the largest feet in the world) would receive socks that were so big that you could tuck the toe under the foot and it would reach back to the heel LOL

Did you have folk that gave 'strange' presents?

I would love to know if there are others out there that had family members who had similar mind-sets - I think with my gran a lot was to do with her up-bringing and the era that she grew up in. Things had to last so it was common practice to buy things bigger than needed so that you could in deed 'grow into them'.

Still, the thought was there and the gifts were always given with love - bless you gran................

"Little boxes...

...made of..."

The box that we made as the base for the parchment project was such a nice idea that I thought I would have another go at making one.

The box is constructed from 300gsm smooth white card and covered with PP from a paper stack that I bought in Poundland (the stack was one of several A5 sized pads that they had and the paper is actually very good quality).

Here is the resulting 'make'...

 ...I didn't have any very fine magnets that could be used as a closure and Velcro was also too thick so I raided my ribbon stash.

The inside of the box was covered in the same PP...

...although I did consider using a contrast.

A lovely sturdy little box - perfect to pop a gift or some fancy chocolates in and still have a cute storage box afterwards................................................................

"Pretty Print" is...

...the perfect name for this yarn.

I've already shown you the hat & scarf set that I made with this pretty variegated yarn...

 ...and as you can see, both items (knitted on looms) resulted in a stripe pattern.
I am currently making a crochet blanket in the same yarn but wanted to see if the 'pattern' was any different when using needles...

 ...so I decided I would make a cushion cover out of granny squares.
Here is the first completed square...

...and as you can see - we still have the stripe thing going on.

I'm going to continue with the granny squares and see what they look like when joined together.

So as we head into February, it is clear to see that I have plenty of knitting on the go - I just wish it was easy to take my card making stuff on the train then I might get a few more cards done but I can't see folk being very happy about contending with glitter & glue LOL.............................................

How can two weeks...

...fly by so quickly?

Christmas has been "packed away" ready for the next one and the fridge is groaning a little less...

...as the mountain of food has gradually been consumed.

The sales have been visited and taken advantage of...I now have a lovely new log-burner effect stove for the lounge and a collection of stamps to add to the ones that I received as gifts (I will be playing with my selection of Card-io stamps once I get myself a bit more organised).

I haven't blogged much over the holiday period but have taken the opportunity to catch up on a bit of blog reading.

The knitting needles & crochet hooks have had a good workout over the holidays and once I've taken some photos I'll share the details - although I realised that there are a few items that I forgot to photograph before I gave them as gifts...what a numpty.

So the New Year is up and running and it is back to work (groan) - I wonder how many emails I will have to wade through?

Have a wonderful week everyone.............................................................

Happy New Year...

...out with the old; in with the new.

2016 has been quite a stressful year but it finally rounded off in a far more enjoyable manner.

For the first time in a good many years, Christmas was actually fun. This was because I wasn't running around like a loon at other folks insistence. The family get-together took place at my Sister's on Christmas Eve (boy were we stuffed after all the fabulous food she served up) and then Christmas Day was a quiet day at home just enjoying the quiet and playing with some of my gifts. It was wonderful not having to quickly open presents and then dash off somewhere at the beck-&-call of others. It may seem selfish but I actually enjoyed being on my own on Christmas Day...in my own home (I can't remember the last time that I spent Christmas Day at home).

I hit the sales after Christmas - not the big store ones where folk have been battling for the large (still expensive) goods. No; I hit my local stores to see what they were clearing out "post-Christmas". I also visited some of the well known high-street supermarkets and picked up some bargains. I am also very organised for next Christmas - I purchased a lot of the 'reduced to clear' gift wrapping stuff and have actually put it all together in a storage box so it doesn't get 'misplaced' by next Christmas LOL

I have enjoyed watching the Harry Potter films each evening and sitting knitting (don't groan but I've already made a start on 2017 Christmas pressies - after all, there are just 357 days to go...).

I will not be making any resolutions as I do not want to set myself anything that could make 2017 stressful but I do hope to get myself a little more organised as that will help to reduce stress levels.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas & a very Happy New Year and that 2017 will bring you all that you could wish for.................................................

I promised...

...so here they are.

Elaine (Chidkid) sent me some lovely goodies when I was lucky enough to win her giveaway...

 ...the box contained a pretty gift bag with the cute penguin card. Look what was inside...

...some adorable stamps, elastic string (now that was a lifesaver as I broke a bracelet and this came to my rescue), a tape dispenser elephant, pine cones, pearl brads, a lovely tag (perfect for a bottle) and a little zip bag.

Thank you so much Elaine. Hope you enjoy many more blog posts.................................

More...

...Happy Mail.

I really wanted to have this post done last night with photos & all but due to the building site across the road, connectivity has been very 'hit & miss' for a few days.

Elaine King had a 'giveaway' to celebrate the number of posts on her blog and I was the lucky winner ***happy dance***

The postman very kindly hid it behind the plant pots by my front door late on Tuesday. I took some photos yesterday of all the lovely goodies with every intention of creating a post yesterday evening to share with you what the lovely Elaine had sent - my service provider had other ideas on the matter.

Having spent ages doing & re-doing the post because every so often the whole thing would freeze or just disappear...I finally gave up.

So this is just a quick post to say a BIG thank you to Elaine and when connectivity starts to play a bit nicer, I might even be able to load some photos.

Thank you Elaine........................................................

Tuesday was...

...my birthday.

A day that I share the following events with...

The death of JFK
The birth of Jamie-Lee Curtis
The death of C.S.Lewis
The resignation of Margaret Thatcher

...and I'm sure there are many more.

My staff presented me with the most wonderful present...

 ...a coffee maker and a basket of goodies to go with it. They also came up with a wonderful poem (which I will share another time). Such a wonderful gift. The only problem has been getting it home as I commute - two days later and everything is now sitting in my kitchen.
Tuesday evening I came home to find flowers and chocolates waiting for me...

 ...my arranging doesn't do them justice...

...but they are lovely and contain my 'birthday flowers' - 'mums and sea thistles.

I was also given a huge bottle of Baileys which I shall enjoy over the holiday period.

I will be meeting my friend Hilary on Friday and we will be going for lunch and a bit of retail therapy as it is "Members Weekend" at Pinnacle Crafts.

Not a bad week........................................................

It seems like ages...

...since I last made a mini album.

So it was lovely to attend a workshop over at Pinnacle Crafts where Irene was showing how to make lovely little books that can help with your 'stash busting'.

I haven't finished decorating mine yet but here is the basic book...

...just 4.5x7 inches - so a lovely size for making a 'brag book' for grandma or a mini planner for an up & coming event. The pages are all attached using 'hidden' hinges...

 ...and there are plenty of pockets & panels for photos, journaling, general notes and keepsake storage...

...and you can add as much or as little as you like.

This book was made using: -
1 x A4 Greyboard
6 x 12x12 PPs
1 x A4 CS

So you can see, it doesn't require loads of materials and I'm sure you could make something similar and use up some of that stash mountain - you know, the one that we crafters all have tucked (???) away filling every nook & cranny.

If you have friends or family that have a special event coming up, you could make one as a gift so that they can fill it with photos/keepsakes after the event. I know that I'd like to get a few of these made if I can stretch a few more hours in my days.

Thank you Irene for a lovely day......................................................

Knit & Natter...

...the second gathering.

Another good turnout for our Knit & Natter group with two new members putting in an appearance.

Here are some photos of what folk were getting up to...

 ...Debbie & Kristian were hitting the Granny squares again. Pam decided to join us...

 ...as she feels this will be the only way she gets her son's jumper finished. She has been knitting this for quite some time as can be seen from the state of the pattern LOL. Heather finished off her last snowflake...

 ...she now has 21 of these so the next step is to join them all together. I've been playing with knitting looms (the colourful pegged circles)...

...they are a bit like a huge version of the "French Knitting" that I used to do as a child - remember the wooden cotton-reels with four nails in the top that you could use to make knitted cords?
I was finishing off this little hat that I was making for a colleague's grandson... 

...the good bit about these looms is that you can knit stuff fairly quick & easy and there are no seams to sew up.

Sheenaz & Francis also popped in. Sheenaz forgot her crochet but she was up for a natter and was intrigued by the baby jacket that Francis was knitting (I had put my camera away, so no photo) as it was made-up of a pretty 'wave' pattern.

So there are some photos of what everyone is currently up to. You never know, next time I might convince them to have their photos taken too.................................................

Just take a look...

...at this lot.

(Sorry about the lighting)

This huge parcel was left with a neighbour by our Postie...

 ...I couldn't believe how big it was.
Inside the brown paper...

 ...was two padded envelopes keeping this lot safe & sound during transit...

...what a fabulous variety of beautiful cards. Not just for Christmas but for many different occasions.

These were sent to me by the lovely Shaz Silverwolf, to help with the RNLI fundraising.

Shaz was visiting Lunch Lady Jan and saw the goodies LLJ was sending me so she offered to send me some cards - SOME!!! - there are loads. So many in fact that I will have to take them into work in two phases.

Thank you so much Shaz, they are lovely and I'm sure they will boost our total ever closer to the £1000 that we are now aiming at (currently just short of £700).

Now to try and fit one of those padded envelopes into my bag so that I can actually carry it LOL........................................................

I promised...

...so here we go.

This was the huge great parcel that was hidden behind my planters...

 ...isn't it ma-hoo-sive!!! Inside was a whole treasury of goodies...

...beautiful fabric totes, knitted crazy birds (all soft & squishy). Fabric tissue cases...

...a fold-up shopper and some glasses/phone cases. Can I say at this point, this is not the full quantity that arrived - I had colleagues grabbing bits as I was un-packing so not everything got photographed.
A lovely child's knitted jumper...

...which someone has already measured so that they can check whether it will fit their grandson and these sweet baby knits...

...what a fabulous addition to the sale table.

Thank you so much Jan, I'm just sorry my photos do not do your lovely makes justice.

So there you go folks, as promised............................................................

WOWZA...

...what a fabulous surprise to come home to.

Normally, my tubs look like this...

...sited either side of my front door but Thursday evening they were all higgle-de-piggle-de. The reason being that the postman had used them to hide a rather large parcel.

When the lovely LLJ (Lunch Lady Jan) offered to send some goodies to help towards my fund raising, I didn't expect the fabulous array of goodies that arrived (I will photo everything later when there is some decent light).

I had another amazing surprise on the fundraising front this week.

A colleague sadly lost his Mother recently and the family wishes were for charity donations rather than flowers - I was presented with £360 to add to the collection...

...and as you can see, this has taken the total over the £600 mark.

When I set a target of £150, I was quite happy to meet or possibly just go over that but everyone has been so generous. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to be announcing a figure like this.

What is even more fabulous is the fact that folk at work are still interested and supporting the fund raising.

Jan will probably not see this post as she is now in full "house moving" mode but I had to post and say a very BIG thank you for all the lovely things she sent (especially at a time when she is so busy) so if Julia (Stamping Ground) happens to drop by...please do let her know that I am over the moon - and I will post some photos ASAP.  I promise..................................................

RNLI fundraising...

...still going strong.

Oh and look what a colleague has made...

...a toilet-roll cover looking like a football fans bobble hat. Another looking like a tiger...

 ...sitting snug in amongst the teddies that another member of staff donated...

 ...and another toilet-roll bobble hat. A couple of kiddies hats...

 ...complete with google eyes and just look at this bunny...

 ...isn't it cute. It is a soft & cuddly child's handbag. There's more...

 ...a little piggy bag and a kitty...

 ...but if there is a cat there has to be...

 ...a dog. They are all adorable and just to round things off...

...a couple of animal face shoulder bags. Gosh Francis must have been burning the midnight oil to produce all these adorable items.
We have a second 'splash' on our totaliser...

...but with these super additions, I don't think it will be long before we are adding another.

It would be super if we could double our original target by the end of the Summer so we will keep things going and hopefully the pennies will continue to roll in......................................