Half term

After a bad start with the weather, at last it has picked up. I've had a few days with my younger daughter and husband, although they did spend one day shopping and going to the cinema. We also met up with my daughters in law for lunch at Betws-y-Coed. It was lovely and I even managed to get caught by the sun a little!

Youngest daughter went home and then we picked up eldest (Smudges Blog) from Wrexham train station. So I've had a lovely week, fitting in revision classes for GCSE's for younger son!
When we got home we had a fitting of The Dress, and it fitted beautifully, so daughter was pleased and I was relieved!


She had also bought with her her new toy which was a Big Bite for eyelets, grommets and snappers! We have had a play but time is short.

And then my friend of 28years is coming over tonight. We lost touch about 8years ago, but now are back in contact and she's coming over here, I'm quite excited about that!

Shoes

We went to Llangollen to do some shopping this morning and in a window I saw the most amazing pair of shoes with a matching handbag in a charity shop. I had thought about grey to go with my wedding outfit but never imagined I'd find any. And they were my size, what luck, and what's more they did fit 'cause even though something is your size it doesn't mean it will fit!!
We then went to our Tuesday market (only small-very small) and one of the stalls was selling a block of A4 card for £2, what a bargain. He had white, blue, orange, bronze, ivory and another colour which I forgot. Being broke, I just bought white!
The dress is coming along nicely, so is my camisole top, all seems well at the moment, touch wood.I have even succumbed to knitting a friend for Marlene, I said I wouldn't knit any more but it stops me from biting my fingers while I watch the telly in the evening. Anything that does that is good!!!
Marlene seems to be pleased, she's keeping an eye on Stu's revision timetable and exam timetable just to make sure we don't miss anything!!

Dress

Oh me Oh my!
Sewing and sewing and sewing.
Edging the netting and putting a bead every so often is driving me nuts (yes again)
Mind you I have done quite a lot today. Think I've managed to alter the straps. You know how daughters can be, "mom, I like this pattern and I want a dress just like that, except could you do this, day-de-day and this" and like an idiot, you say "yes of course dear!"
Then I realised I hadn't finished the raw edges on the lining.
No cards done since her birthday in April, I'll get to the point where, not only will I be able to find anything, but I'll have forgotten what they are for!!!!!!
Moan, moan, moan, that's me! Not really, I think I'm a jolly person.
Oh, no bags made either.

While I was doing this, Marlene decided she wanted to play at Brides.

She is so naughty. I've told her if she doesn't start to behave, I shall unpick her!!!!

Monday

Why are Mondays sooooooo bad. Is it because you are more relaxed and can do what you like at the weekend?
I've spent nearly all day cleaning out my fish tank and, oh boy, did it need it! It was digusting, the poor fish must have thought they live in the worst fish slum ever.
I just hope, noe, that they won't die from shock. They are swimming, I hope, around a large storage box while I have moved, washed and cleaned a ton off gravel (well it felt like a ton).
There was so much water needed to clean it that I wore my new wellies that I had for my birthday!
I was outside at the time, just incase you thought I was wearing them in the house while flooding the living room, they are pretty enough to were indoors.
THE DRESS, it's driving me nuts!!!!
I've ordered a new pattern for my wedding outfit even though I have already spent alot on the material for an existing pattern. I will be able to use the material I have so that's not bad!!
oh well onwards and upwards. must go.

Marlene is enjoying learning how to use the computer. She probably knows more than me. At least it's keeping her quiet while I sew!
It's another glorious day but I must slave away getting all tangled with the wedding dress netting! Daughter take note!!!!!!

Marlene

At last, this poor monkey (actually looks like a cross between a pig and a clanger), is finished. She has been a bit poorly, but is now well fed as you can see and is ready to take her place on the stage which is either on my computer or my craft desk, that is, if the dog doesn't get her!
Well you can see for yourself that I am not the best monkey maker and I don't think she who is named Marlene will have any friends or relations in the near future.
Marlene does have a cousin who lives in Birmingham and he is very naughty! you can see his antics on Smudges blog site. Although I think I may have put a photo of him on here, he is a monkey with attitude!

My Birthday!

Here's my lovely Hubby!
What a lovely time I've had for my birthday, it has lasted for 3days and I think there may be more to come!
On Saturday my eldest daughter came with her partner, Jo and their dog, Alfie.
I had my first present of her delicious fairy cakes, yum yum.
Sunday, I was presented some lovely labels for my bags. She had designed them esp, for me with my blog site. We went for a mystery ride and had my first b'day picnic
Then today (my b'day) I've had some pretty wellies, and no, I'm not praying for rain, I like them dry! I also had some hiking poles, Elizabeth on video and a book about designing cards. I've got some more pressies coming in the post as well.
My eldest son and fiancee took me out for a lovely picnic where they brought out a birthday cake, a complete surprise. How I love surprises.
Still no crafting, but the wedding dress had a fitting and I was very relieved that it went well. Phew!
And what beautiful weather, I love you all but don't worry, neither the weather nor my love will last!!!!

crafting

There's not much crafting going on at the moment. The weather is just so wonderful, we even had our first bbq last night.
Miracles do happen, I remembered my camera today although we walked a different part of the canal so I didn't see many bluebells. Saw lots of for-get-me-nots, beautiful views that are all around and ,wait for it, two little ducklings. I couldn't photograph them because they were in the dark under a bridge.
I went to a class this afternoon to do iris folding which I've never tried before, I quite enjoyed it, so I have done a tiny amount of crafting after all.
Any way must get and do some sewing!!!

labels

See my new bag! Oh he's not a bag, he's a very naughty monkey with attitude!!!!!!

One day I'll get my head around loading photo's onto my computer. I think maybe making bags is easier. Thank you Joy for your lovely comment, it cheered me up no end. Well here's my latest bag and I think it's the best design yet. It's just a working progress on the same pattern.
I was feeling a bit low today, I was trying to clean some rubbish that has been laying there all winter, I had started to load the 4x4 up and yes it is a gas guzzler, when hubby came to help. He suggested we delivered our load to the skip and carry on for a picnic.
Well this is rural Wales so we took of into them there hills for a picnic. As the sun was shining we went for a walk with Rowdie up higher still. The view just took my breath away and reminded me of all the good things in life and how luck we are to live where we do.
Guess what, no camera. When will I ever learn. It just means I can't show you guys who live in cities just HOW lucky I am. Still the image is imprinted in my brain til it fades and hubby has a sore head and my face is burning from the sun and cooking breeze.
I now have to get bedrooms ready for my family to come and stay at the weekend and also my friend who I haven't seen for 10years. I'll keep you posted on that.
I've got some tissue paper to start sewing the net on Nayera's wedding dress but realised I need some more invisible thread.
Disadvantage of living in rural wales is you can't pop to a shop to get what you need.
Ah who cares? I'd rather be where I am!!!!!

Bag

I always think May is lovely month! the sun is shining and things are starting to turn green and bluebells are appearing. I have some in my garden.
Joy of joys, at last I've sold my first bag on EBay,it's the one in the picture, like a peacocks eye. Hurrah. Perhaps they'll start to take off.
I've cut the netting which is going over the top of the wedding dress (hope that's not giving too much away). I' dreading sewing it and keep putting it off!! I'll have to get some tissue to sew it.
Stew did well in his oral French exam getting an A. He said he was going to fail, and to be honest, I thought he wouldn't do well. Ah to have faith in one's children. Here's hoping he'll keep it up.
I have no ink in my printer and no batteries in my camera. Oh woe is me and another birthday approaching. Thrice woe, oh that's only two- another woe to make it three!!!
I'm not really mad.
Listening to a fantastic download called Melody-the cityof st...... can't read any more, but it is great! look out for it.