A Christmas journey

With the festivities over for the first part Bertram decided there was time for a little mystery tour adventure before the hoopla of New Year's Eve so he caught a bus.

Jumping off at Bank he made his way to Liverpool Street station and caught the first train he saw.

Woohoo! Bertram found himself in Salisbury.

It was a bit damp and chilly but he tightened his bow and wandered off to explore.

First stop - Waitrose/John Lewis. Oh the delights that lay instore. Books, bedding, toys and tellys. Cakes, crisps, chardonnay and champers. It was a very pleasant hour wandering around examining just what it is the Brits buy.

Not quite a nice cup of tea but definitely time to stop for drink to boost the energy levels.

Unfortunately the people at the next table were making a terrible racket with that drum and bass noise young folk call music.

On reflection Bertram decided he quite liked this funky sound.

Within seconds he was busting some smokin' moves.

Go funky brown bear, go!

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This post today was made possible by the fabulous efforts of my lovely Swapper in Chookyblue's Secret Santa Swap 2009.

Not only did Pam actually make Bertram but she sent me these fabulous handmade delights as well.

A mahoosive bag that held all the loot I scored on Christmas Day. Pam's work is so beautifully pieced I am in awe. And then there was this gorgeous postcard. All made by her own fair hands. So talented.

As well as the three pieces pictured there was a whizzy piece of ric rac, a sweet Christmas ceramic box and nine 6" squares of seasonal fabric. I can't show you these right now because if I wasn't typing this I would be quilting the tablerunner I have made with them. Yay me!!!! Perhaps next post it will all be done and then you can see. If you get a second go visit Pam, she does beautiful work.

Went to London to visit the Queen but apparently she doesn't see 'derros'

Have I mentioned there has been a 'Rainbow Swap' going on? Some groovey chick I know came up with a plan and loads of luvverly international girlies agreed to take part.

I was delighted when my swap partner turned out to be the truly luvverly and fabulous Charlie P up in The Pigeon Loft . Very thrilled it receive this parcel of rainbowy loveliness last week.

Turns out Young Miss P.L. is incredibly talented as well as clever and beautiful as not only was the button notepaper and matching brooch designed and created by her but so too the fabric!

There was a rainbow explosion of ribbon from a sweet little noodle box chosen by her own fair hand

but I think even a whizzkid such as she would not lay claim to handcrafting the Skittles!

Being a parent of such grace and virtue I even held 0ff scoffing them down until Pr.C-W and d/Boy were home from school to share.

Once the excitement of Rainbow Swapping had died down a bit (three sleeps!) it was time to head up to town to the Big Smoke. Maria Juanita Conchita Gonzales delivered me faithfully to the train station and sat quietly waiting my return.

As I arrived hours before everyone else I let my heart fly free and found myself on Piccadilly at Fortnum and Mason's.

Combination of bucketing rain and d/Boy's school backpack adorning my dog-walking coat gave me a decidedly bag-lady air but they are far too mannered at my beloved F&M to comment (that and there is no doorman).

I swooned from department to department, floor to floor. I delighted in the lighting, the layout, the colours and the products. I even delighted in the prices, knowing full well that some of what they sold was even worth the money.

Already uber-burdened I bought just a few trifles with which to tease my soul.

Single estate chocolate (which the nice man at Loop appreciated on Saturday), some funky marshmallows we taste-tested for pudding last night (lemon was our favourite, violet not so much) and an F&M tea towel which already has a repurpose mission attached to it.

Eventually my past caught up with me and Moog and Locket tracked me down. We mooched up and down Marylebone High Street, enjoying the big city lights. Some of us enjoyed a little more than just the lights!

Then it was off to the plush hotel where it turns out the font of all knowledge isn't actually experience and practice but Messrs Google and Youtube.

It all got too much and Lesley threw herself backwards in sheer frustration.

Never one to miss an opportunity Locket claimed the pillow for herself and just kept on going!

After a great night's sleep for some we packed up our bags, hailed a cab and visited Loop, Liberty and Covent Garden before I gave in and claimed my train seat home.

With a delighted air I spotted Maria Juanita Conchita Gonzales sitting under the street light where I had left her 36 hours earlier. Bags dumped on the passenger seat , into the driver's side and a quick flick of key. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Someone had left the lights on and my little hot tamale was completely drained of her usual bouncy energy. I rang CK to come get me. The phone died before I finished dialling. Taxi was waiting on the rank but a look in my wallet revealed about £2.53 in change. Our little station has NO phonebox. The nearest ATM is a hike.

There was a collection of young people waiting by the station (locked) door so ignoring the half-empty bottles of alcohol they held and explaining my predicament I asked if I could borrow a phone. As one tall blonde lad passed his mobile over, the statesque blonde girl beside him asked "Are you Australian?" in a very Strine accent.

"yes." I replied as I dialled.

"We are too." she finished. Another girl then asked where I was from in Australia. As I said 'Victoria' the phone was whipped from my hand. Holding out my hand I said 'Ah,you will be form New South Wales then..'

As CK answered I remember thinking 'God was I ever that young and stupid?' Sadly the answer was a resounding YES!!

So our story ends with the exhausted princess being driven home by a faithful coachman in his comfortable hansom cab all the way up the hill where her knight in shining armour waited with a ten pound note in his hand to claim his beautiful bride.

THE END

Blogtoberfest Day 22 Perhaps it hasn't gone after all.....

the very lovely Wonderwoman(not!) braved the heavy rain and came for a visit this morning. Both destructoBoy and I were pleased to see her as it brought a welcome break from the intense competition of the Inaugural Ironing Board Table Tennis World Championships that was taking place in the living room.

With d/Boy off sick for the day he lurked while Maria and I chatted. As you do. One of the things we spoke of was our swap commitments and I confessed my worries that any contributions may be Scarey Mary-ish, not least my first attempt at hand-knitted and then felted fabric.

She was kind enough to not only calm my nerves but give me a few tips for successfully turning this into a bag for Pr. C-W to take to a dinner party (!!!) this weekend.

Feeling a bit cheerier I coyly brought out a few other WIPS for her keen assessment. These are jammie shorts for d/Boy and his mate, Dervish to wear for the Halloween sleepover. Obviously they have a pair each because, quite frankly, sharing a bed with Dervish would be like trying to hold a cyclone in a glass let alone a pair of pyjamas.

I am quite chuffed as I constructed the template from a pair of in-house pj pants. Didn't actually cut around actual jammies as I love them too much and was scared they may end up in pieces.

The two girls aren't getting pjs as I am unsure what size Dynamo wears, just that she is waaaaay taller than Pr.C-W. So I made an accidental trip in the hammering rain to the lovely fabric warehouse down the road and 'found' some lovely Halloween fabrics.

Again suggestions were made. So tomorrow (after doing the bag for Dynamo's birthday present bag) I shall be adding some applique to the Irish linen background (less than £5pm!! Yay for old-fashioned haberdashers) and then quilting in the ditch before backing it with the spooky spider and witchy-poo quilting fabrics to make cushions.

Picture is a bit blurred but this is 2/3 of a teddy bear destined for the school hand-made Christmas.

Finally is this year's Christmas piece for painting. Unfortunately I wasn't there the night we began so Miss painted my background.

No. It wouldn't have been my choice either which is a real shame as I am LOVING the pattern and it is soooooo quick to paint up. I just feel a little sad when I look at everyone else painting this on to a plain cream surface.

All this is in the last two weeks so perhaps my crafting mojo wasn't gone but just sleeping.

Whoops! Missed Days 9 & 10.

My absence has been caused by some little intese crafting up here on the Hill. Friday was spent finshing Will's quilt before yesterday's Christening. And then yesterday was spent at the Christening. As always our local Vicar was in fine form and the service was a hoot with young Will attempting to set free all of the water destined for the font. He obviously knew that when it came time for the blessing Anne would hold nothing back - poor wee lad was just a little soaked!

Other than the attempted drowning of a small boy by a passing Vicar the day was fabulous. An island of sun and clear skies in the middle of gloomy and sodden skies. After the service there was much cake and tea with small children climbing very tall trees and playing chase.

Last night as I snuggled in front of the fire with my knitting my friend rang to express her delight and gratitude for Will's quilt. It really is very satisfying to gift handiwork to someone you know will appreciate it.

And speaking of appreciation look what my luvverly secret pal sent me last week.

Another tin of surprise and delight. Obviously my assistant's memory is in full working order. As soon as the lid was off she was sniffing to see if there were goodies for her.

But no! Hahahahahaha .. they were all for me. These softy soft balls of wool came all the way from Paris. Are they not the most delicate and delicious colours? Secret Pal suggests they are pink and 'greige' and the French names are 'brume' and 'orchidee'. I can go with orchid for the pink but the other colour is the palest taupe. And my so-clever pal included sweets in the same colourway!

Yay for Percy Pig!

сравнительное изучение русских кукол EDITED

The title above translates as

'A comparative study of Russian dolls.'

Last May last year Katy arranged a Russian Doll Swap and I excitedly signed up because

a) who doesn't love post?

and

b) I had a triffic plan as to what to make.

I was quite chuffed as it is a pattern I had made up all by myself . The writing says 'Happy Days'. (This actually shows Locket's Trash Raffle tray which she better actually be using or else but the pattern is the same. The photies of the little box I painted are on the water-loogged Dell computer.)

In return I received a bag.



A bag with a Russian Doll on the front.

Or perhaps the Russian Doll was meant to be the back of the bag? I don't know.

Let me show you a better representation of the colours.

Excuse the camera shake, the heebie jeebies may have kicked in after taking a couple of photies.

Over the last sixteen or so months I have used this bag - or as it became known almost immediately in our house (and beyond) Scarey Mary - a lot. It has been to the supermarket, the fabric shop and travelled to Australia to be perused by several quilting mommas. It regularly goes to school, the library and last December it even went to the Country Living Fair in London (although Locket suggested it wouldn't be allowed through the door - she was right).

I have never been embarrassed to carry Scarey Mary. I do so with an ironic, post-modern air, confident that all seeing it will recognise my post-modern irony. And then I remember where I live. Both post-modernism and irony are frowned on in this little hilltop town. So I added something special to the back. Or possibly it is the front.

Yes, yes. A Russian Doll Donkey. I even sacrificed a couple of square inches from some Fortnum's quilt fabric to make his headscarf and apron. (Donkeys are ALWAYS hims no matter how they are dressed.) So as before I freely carry the Scarey Mary bag I just make sure the Donkey side is out ;-)

Thinking sufficient time had passed I felt free to confess to Katy that her delightful swap had resulted in Scarey Mary arriving in my life. I didn't even mutter out loud about Locket getting silver jewellery in the swap (I had finally got this out of my system over the last few months ;-). Scarey Mary was meant to come with me to the Festival of Quilts so Katy could enjoy the delights with which I live but accidentally I left it languishing at home. Perhaps my subconscious was active that morning? So that evening I sent Katy the pics you see in this post.


Just yesterday I found an unexpected parcel in my letterbox. It was a surprise present from Missus Ginger Monkey to keep Scarey Mary company.

I think all of those delightful Russian Dolls you see may in fact be spies and gaolers!

Most of the above was written late last night and on reading it back I can identify the main problem - there is no real comparison. Let's address that right now.....

1. Scarey Mary is a purchased bag. The delightful new bag is handmade and pretty. I have no problem with the pre-made bag thing. Some of my best friends are pre-made bags. Just not convinced if pre-made is the way to go when you possess the skill to make an Amy Butler Weekender Bag -I'm just sayin' is all.
2. Scarey Mary is a multi-hued Russian Doll figure on a plain background. The delightful new bag is loads of multi-hued Russian Dolls surrounded by gorgeous fabrics of pretty patterns and colours.
3. The delightful new bag was made with care and attention to detail. Scarey Mary was cut out and sewn on by blind Abyssinian monkeys during an earthquake.
4. On one side Scarey Mary's head is triangular while, having examined them closely, ALL of the Russian Dolls on the delightful new bag have uniform and consistently shaped heads.
5. The colours used in the delightful new bag all sit well together, they tone, blend or contrast. This term pictures of Scarey Mary are being used by art colleges throughout the country as an example of how not to associate colours on the same 'canvas'.

I have just read these out to Pr.C-W and d/Boy. Once the laughter subsided (gotta love a well-trained audience) Pr.C-W said she hoped that the creator of Scarey Mary wasn't going to read this. I said that perhaps she would but it has been 15+ months and maybe she could see that we have provided Scarey Mary with refuge and shelter because heaven knows there is no way she would have survived in the wild! I'm just sayin' is all ;-)

we got presents (part the third)

To end this week of lovely gift show and tell up here at Trash Towers we have Secret Pal Swap 14. This is my second parcel from my swapper and once again she has nailed exactly the right things to send.

First thing visible on undoing the bubble wrap was a tin. Oh how I love tins. Boxes to put things in. Lidded containers to be home to the many bits and pieces I keep on hand.

Things got even more exciting when I lifted the lid.

Look at all the loveliness hidden inside the tissue paper.

Two balls terracotta and one white of Rowan silk cotton (My luvverly swapper lady suggests a beret-oh I think so!) , a pin of nine gorgeous snag-free stitchmarkers, a tube of ever-so fragrant and delicate strawberry and rose confiture direct from Bon Marche en Paris. And finally a bag of biscuitty bones for my doggers.

I think ....

... my hounds...

approve.

We got presents! (Part the Second)

Woohoo! Finally the Vaio is letting me look at the innernets. Which means I can show you the parcel of lovelieness I got from my seaside swap partner over at meplusmolly. (I am never sure of the protocols in using names on the innernets so I shall stick with the blog name unless told otherwise)

Firstly there was the wrapping. Is there anything more satisfying and exciting than opening a package addressed to you and finding individually wrapped gifts? I don't think so (hmmm... unless it involves Dara O'Briain, some honey and a really long, hot shower afterwards ;-)

After slapping both my children's hands away because I am evil and have not shared opening presents with them since d/boy was about three I got see all of this!

So many things to list! Immediately I hung the long-legged seabird up above the 'everything pockets' on the stairs so I see it all the time. The rock was consumed with morning coffee the day it arrived - Sylv was most impressed that someone could get that teeny, weeny writing inside it. My yummy smelling shower gel has nearly all gone but I have spent the past few weeks in a haze of delicious scent. The witches stones hanging is up in my kitchen and Princess C-W has claimed the sweet little ice-cream dangly. We fought for a little bit about it but people started looking and you know it is impolite to rugby tackle your 10 yo in public so I gave in gracefully. Sort of. CK was thrilled with the flags and is talking about decorating the house with them during his upcoming two weeks off (YAY!) I may have to give in to this because he is stronger than me and can run faster.

Thanks again for sharing your amazing talent Missus MeplusMolly. I love the pillow. It is that perfect size for having behind my neck when sitting on the couch. Too many times our house has reverberated to the sound of my howls of pain as yet again I sit back too quickly and pitch my skull against the wall. Pr.C-W has also had great use when stretched out on the floor watching telly but today it is coming with me up to Birmingham to the Festival of Quilts to cradle my head on the long drive North.

Wonderwoman(not!) is driving so I shall be reclining in the passenger seat, playing text scrabble with Katy and singing loudly to whatever music is thrashing out of the stereo. Oh yes the chauffeur is a metalhead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See y'all on the flipside!

We got presents! (part the first)

Miss Nutt left a comment a few posts back about loving Flakes and their lack of availability in the States. Naturally I offered to send her some. She asked whether there was something I would like in return. Having a slight love of Jolly Ranchers I wondered whether she would send me a packet.

This is what turned up yesterday. Nearly four & half pounds of bob! Real life American bob.

My children were beside themselves!

Having sorted them into groups they then started to play with them.

Reese's cups.

Jolly Ranchers and Laffy Taffy

Then my disgusting boy lay still while someone did this to his face. (whistles tunelessly while looking at the sky)


The bird thing is one he came up with all by himself

My assistant is delighted that the package also held something for her.

But she sure wasn't planning on sharing!