#ArtisanApronOff

Here we go then.  

Possibly 14 of us have signed up to make Janet Clare's Artisan Apron.

There's no time limit, just help & advise along the way from each other to make this fabulous apron.

Steps 1 - 5 are pretty straightforward.

Don't forget to wash, dry & iron your fabric before you start to avoid your apron  shrinking after its made.

As in Step 2, fold your fabric in half, lengthways.  The diagram below shows where the selvage should be compared to the arrow across which is also on the paper pattern pieces.  See my fabric photos to follow.

Pin the paper pattern pieces on the outer fabric & cut out.

Then again on the lining fabric.

I marked the darts and the shoulder marks with a pencil before removing the pattern pieces, although Janet recommends sewing large loops (step 4 on pattern).  

That's as far as I've got for day one.  Feel free to comment below should you have any difficulties or top tips for the rest of the girls.

So far so good.  I'm not imagining it to all be this straightforward & I'm certainly no expert!

Xxx

It's safe to say I have learnt how to distance myself from friends nowadays.

I'm pretty good at it.

This way I don't get hurt.

I keep part of me locked away from my friends & this keeps me safe.

My husband & children are the only ones who see the real me.  Having said that, I do now think before I speak so don't say things even to them that I may be thinking.

Yesterday I got hurt by someone in my family for their actions.   

I've mulled over it for the last 36 hours & I can see that they are distancing themselves from me.

Why? I'm not too sure.

This person has to keep themselves 'on an even keel' or else they become unwell & I think that's what they're doing.  Protecting themselves from hurt, so distancing themselves from me & having to deal with me & my feelings.

Its so sad as I'd love to be closer to this person, but I think we are just on different pages.

Therefore, I think rather than having a fall out or an argument, I am going to have to distance myself from them too.

Not so good to be on the receiving end of someone distancing themselves from you.

Xxx

So, I have signed up on Instagram to make the #crochetmoodblanket2014

Its making a granny square every day for a year or, like me, a square each week. You pick a colour to reflect your mood for the day/week.

To be honest, it will be a miracle if I succeed, as I can get distracted quite easily.

Anyhow, I picked my yarn colors & moods to go with each colour.

Today, with approximately 500 people, I made my first granny square.

It was pink to reflect 'Calm/Happy'

I had previously decided on a seven round square in the one colour.

I then saw everyone else on IG getting more creative with their squares & doing boarders.

Here is my first granny square with one round of a cream boarder.

Nope, it didn't look right, so an IG friend suggested another cream round.....

Yes, happier with this.

I will be joining as I go.....

.....watch this space ;)

Follow your Heart

For over three years, I didn't follow my heart.

In all honesty, it was a good thing I didn't at times.

I have felt every emotion in that time, but all of the time I have felt deep sadness.  

I have cried buckets & I still feel part of me is missing....like grief.

I followed my heart this week.  I'm hoping it will make me feel lighter in my burden.  

It also made me shed a tear.

Xxx

VFest 2013

Ever since my old boss at Virgin Trains gave me 2 VIP tickets to V Festival back in 2000, I have been yearning to go back.

This year was that year. God knows how I persuaded Mr B to book us tickets! He was very afraid to use the port-a-loos. We used rather nice loos last time in the VIP area!  He needn't have worried, there were urinals bloody everywhere, for the boys & the girls with their she-wees! 

The weather forecast was rain all day, so good old walking boots & waterproofs were donned.  As if we didn't look old enough! All the girls & boys in their short shorts or pants & wellies. Haha!

So, on my must see wish list was Seasick Steve, The Stereophonics, Olly Murs & Kings of Leon.  Three out of four wasn't bad.

On the 4 Music Stage was Seasick Steve.  He was AMAZING!!!!! Changing his guitar every song, swigging red wine from the bottle and serenading a lovely young girl from the crowd.  He was accompanied by Led Zepplin's John Paul Jones.

After every song, the whole crowd chanted 'Stevo' He loved it! :)

After Seasick Steve, we saw Rudimental, then over to see Lianne Le Havas on the Arena Stage.

Later was Emeli Sande & The Stereophonics on the main stage.  Kelly Jones is my new found crush *swoon* How have I not noticed him before?!

Back over to the 4 Music stage to catch Rita Ora.  This was the act which made us feel very old! All the young uns around us jumping & singing whilst we stood there a little shell shocked! Ha!

Finally back to the main stage to watch Kings of Leon.  They were brilliant.  Their old tunes are fabulous - I must find out my CDs.

I think I've got this V Festival thing out of my system now, think I'll leave it to the under 30s!

In my wisdom, I thought it would be a good idea to buy a Butterfly Garden with caterpillars.

I'm not going to lie, the caterpillars were pretty gross.  They crawled around a little jar eating & pooing as they went, getting bigger every day!

The magic happened when they chrysalised.

Mr B transferred them into their enclosure, and the very next day 3 of them emerged,  We fed them as per the instructions, making a sugar solution poured over fresh flowers and fruit.  

Another butterfly emerged the next day, and the last one the following day.

We released them last night.  Four of them flew away.  One, possibly the one that emerged yesterday morning, is still sitting on our flowers this morning.

A pretty fabulous experience for the kids, but not sure we'll be repeating it soon! 

Xxx

One of my old Blip pals used to enjoy the photos I used to post of my back garden.  Really, it was me being lazy - putting the camera on macro setting & taking myself off into the garden for 20 minutes or so.

I think he believed I had this amazing garden with lots of gorgeous plants.  

In reality, it's all grass with a few inherited plants - many which have been destroyed by Nate playing football!

However, I do still enjoy taking shots of plants & strolling around my garden discovering which plants, or weeds, are now in bloom :)