Christmas Chickens

I've just finished making some little chickens for a customer. It's the first time I've made them in a christmassy fabric - I'm really pleased with them!

Might have to make some more for my craft stall.

Northampton Balloon Festival

What a fabulous day we had yesterday - I was too exhausted to write about it last night!

We went to the Northampton Balloon Festival. Brilliant value for money - £4 per adult, children free! So me and 3 children got in for £4.Even with the £5 car parking fee it was a bargain! Loads of stalls, entertainment in the central arena, a circus tent and a stage with live music. And the wonderful people in the John 3:16 tent serving free refreshments - a lifesaver when I ran out of cash!

But the highlight had to be watching those awesome balloons go up!

Even the boys were stunned into silence as we watched them slowly filling with hot air from the burners, then suddenly leaping into the air as they were freed from the ropes. Then as fast as they rose, more were inflated on the ground to take their places.

Magical!

Northpole Nonsense

Well it's 6.30am, Saturday morning, and I'm sitting with my early morning cuppa contemplating the past week.

It's been hectic, I'm shattered but the children have had a fantastic time! What was it? North Pole Nonsense - our church's annual Holiday Club. From 10 - 12 every morning, hordes of village children have descended on the church for 2 hours of games, songs, crafts and general fun led by the wonderful Paul Wilmott. Paul is a brilliant Holiday Club leader - the only human I know who can keep (and hold) the attention of 80 primary school children single handed! The highlight had to be Custard the shark threatening to eat the children for lunch! Anyway, this was the result on my youngest son. It's not quite sleeping on a clothesline, but you get the picture!

The other highlight (apart from Custard), was the fact that the helpers all pulled together and made this a success. It's been a brilliant atmosphere all week, with many new friendships forged. Topped off by us all going out for lunch after the final session on Friday. Ultimately it has been a testament to the power of God in all our lives. A great week!

Flippin' Chickens!!

Aaaah, I give up! I thought my veg patch was now chicken proof, but it appears that one little madam sees it as a personal challenge to attack my veg patch at every opportunity. Yesterday I noticed that she had been in again and this time scratched up all my patches of new seedlings - beetroot, chard, rocket, mizuna and lettuce!!!! Thankfully, everything that was growing well has not been touched. It is Bella that is the culprit, she isn't even laying any eggs at the moment. Luckily for her she is the prettiest chicken - but looks will only get her so far. If I catch her in there again I will not be held responsible for my actions! :-( :-(

New Chicken!

I was given a McCall's pattern the other day - various soft toys, book covers, bags and things. As soon as I spotted this chicken cushion I had to try it as soon as possible! It's quite large - 13" nose to tail and the body is soft and squashy. The wings and tail are also quilted, although that doesn't show well in the picture. It was a bit fiddly, with the head, wings and tail having to be handstitched to the body (I always end up with several pin stabs when hand sewing). I also messed up the comb a bit, but managed to get it looking OK.

I don't think I could make them to sell, too fiddly and faffy. But it was nice to make something different!

Preston Presents

I will presenting my wares at the Preston Presents Craft Fair on 31st August. Preston is just south of Oakham. This will be my first 'proper' craft fair and I am simultaneously excited and terrified! Click on the link to Preston Presents on the left to see more about it and see what other craft stalls will be there. And if you are in the area - come and say hello!

Ebay Bargains and Caterpillar Wars

I've just realised how long it is since my last post!
Just goes to show what a boring old life I lead!! LOL
Anyway, this is my latest ebay bargain, £72 for a set of garden furniture in need of some TLC. Well it is surprising what a bit of TLC can do for wood! After plenty of elbow grease, some wire wool and a couple of litres of teak oil, this is the result. Looks even better when the green parasol goes up and the green cushions are on the chairs! It was well and truly christened on Monday when I had some friends over and we all sat round the table eating pizza, drinking coffee and having a good old chinwag in the sun!

Although there has been some activity down at the allotment site (grass is cut, an area of hardstanding has been created and there is a proper gateway), we can still not get on as the parish council and the allotment association are in negotiation as to who will pay for the shed *rolls eyes*

So I've dug up all the potatoes and used the space to plant out my cauliflower seedlings. I was hoping to get them onto the allotment, but I don't think that will happen this side of christmas. So we are into round one of caterpillar wars. After eating half a caterpillar in last years broccoli, I'm determined they won't get to these brassicas!!