Proof is in the biccies

So here's the pic - mad grannies biccies. Nom nom

Yum Yum - well, this is what they looked like.

Notice I say looked not look....yep that's right hubby scoffed them :) Well, I may of had one or two to help out.

Thankfully I made another batch for the friend who is visiting this afternoon. You have been warned they are moreish!

Takes after his mum

I went to pick my son up from preschool this morning. As he is one of the younger children he is in a little antiroom rather than the main hall for collection. Usually we go to the doors, one of the teachers calls out his name and out running like a mad thing comes my son all excited and uaually needing a wee LOL.

Today however the teacher wasn't on the door, as she was talking to another mum, so in I went and my son was sat on the mat with the other teacher. I crouched down, held my arms out and said hello to my little man.....but he didn't move. I went over to him and did it again but yet again he didn't move. He just sat there fiddling with his joggers telling me about his birthday card, but not getting up. I looked at the teacher who was in the room and she looked at me. I then asked my son why he wasn't getting up. Full of logic he said "lady hasn't called my name out". So dutifully off I went to find the other teacher to call his name out so we could go home.

Should I worry that my son is turning out to be a little bit like me, having to have thing right and organised? Actually I think he may be more like his dad who always follows the rules. Then again maybe he is a mix of both.

On a jewellery note, I made four, yes four pairs of earrings today and two necklaces for the Beady Pool Treasure Chest. I will try to get them photographed and online later this week.

Takes after his mum

I went to pick my son up from preschool this morning. As he is one of the younger children he is in a little antiroom rather than the main hall for collection. Usually we go to the doors, one of the teachers calls out his name and out running like a mad thing comes my son all excited and uaually needing a wee LOL.

Today however the teacher wasn't on the door, as she was talking to another mum, so in I went and my son was sat on the mat with the other teacher. I crouched down, held my arms out and said hello to my little man.....but he didn't move. I went over to him and did it again but yet again he didn't move. He just sat there fiddling with his joggers telling me about his birthday card, but not getting up. I looked at the teacher who was in the room and she looked at me. I then asked my son why he wasn't getting up. Full of logic he said "lady hasn't called my name out". So dutifully off I went to find the other teacher to call his name out so we could go home.

Should I worry that my son is turning out to be a little bit like me, having to have thing right and organised? Actually I think he may be more like his dad who always follows the rules. Then again maybe he is a mix of both.

On a jewellery note, I made four, yes four pairs of earrings today and two necklaces for the Beady Pool Treasure Chest. I will try to get them photographed and online later this week.

Spotty replay.

Look who came in the post today...... Spotty the sock bunny is destined to become a baby dummy bunny. We are planning to use him to finally rid our son of his dummies. He only has them at nap and night time, but he is three next week so mummy is on a mission :)

So, all primed we leave the dummies in the special box (bought and shown to son) at night and then the dummy bunny comes and takes the dummies and leaves a bunny behind to keep my son company and maybe leaves a pressie to.

Funnily enough though it is never a good time to take away the dummy. Little man was ill over Christmas (we were going to give them to Father Christmas), he currently has the tail end chicken pox and today complined about his mouth hurting. I thought it was the last of the chicken pox in the mouth but oh no we have the bottom back molars on the way.....like I said never a good time. We plan on Easter - good time for bunnies to be around I think :)

Will let you know how is goes.

Spotty replay.

Look who came in the post today...... Spotty the sock bunny is destined to become a baby dummy bunny. We are planning to use him to finally rid our son of his dummies. He only has them at nap and night time, but he is three next week so mummy is on a mission :)

So, all primed we leave the dummies in the special box (bought and shown to son) at night and then the dummy bunny comes and takes the dummies and leaves a bunny behind to keep my son company and maybe leaves a pressie to.

Funnily enough though it is never a good time to take away the dummy. Little man was ill over Christmas (we were going to give them to Father Christmas), he currently has the tail end chicken pox and today complined about his mouth hurting. I thought it was the last of the chicken pox in the mouth but oh no we have the bottom back molars on the way.....like I said never a good time. We plan on Easter - good time for bunnies to be around I think :)

Will let you know how is goes.

Been a making

Whey hey I made some fab pieces yesterday (well I think so). I was on a roll and am so pleased as I either haven't been able to find time to make or had no inclination for a couple of weeks. I have even made some earrings with the beads I made during my lesson with Laura. Hopefully I can take some photos later and post some up here for you to see.

Will have to see how it goes though as my little man has chicken pox - he is pickled. I did think he was getting off lightly with it, but this morning he has triple yesterdays count and I can see where the next lot are going to come up as well. I feel a little guilty as I took him to play with a friend who had it, I decided it was better to get it over and one with LOL. I am definitely seeing spots at the moment.

Been a making

Whey hey I made some fab pieces yesterday (well I think so). I was on a roll and am so pleased as I either haven't been able to find time to make or had no inclination for a couple of weeks. I have even made some earrings with the beads I made during my lesson with Laura. Hopefully I can take some photos later and post some up here for you to see.

Will have to see how it goes though as my little man has chicken pox - he is pickled. I did think he was getting off lightly with it, but this morning he has triple yesterdays count and I can see where the next lot are going to come up as well. I feel a little guilty as I took him to play with a friend who had it, I decided it was better to get it over and one with LOL. I am definitely seeing spots at the moment.

Some truth in it?

Maybe there is some truth in the old proverbs....it blew a hoolie all night and it's still really windy today. Today looks like it's going to be a damp kinda day with the clouds scudding across the sky - oh to be able to climb back under the duvet with a nice cuppa - I can dream LOL. At least I can do the cuppa bit - off to boil the kettle.......

Some truth in it?

Maybe there is some truth in the old proverbs....it blew a hoolie all night and it's still really windy today. Today looks like it's going to be a damp kinda day with the clouds scudding across the sky - oh to be able to climb back under the duvet with a nice cuppa - I can dream LOL. At least I can do the cuppa bit - off to boil the kettle.......

Red sky in the morning......

Shepherd's warning...well we must be in for some pretty awful weather if this mornings sunrise is anything to go by. The photo was taken at about eight in the morning, the colours were even more intense before that but I was making my boys brekkie in bed. It's become a bit of a weekend institution! Check out the frost on the road as well - it looks like it had snowed over night, but just on the tarmac.

Today we made fairy cakes, my son is enthralled by the idea of baking, so he and I made the cakes and then he decorated them with daddy.

Remind me next time to sweep and mop the floor after making cakes which are going to be decorated with sprinkles not before and not to leave a bowl of sprinkles easily to hand. Obviously I was wrong to assume my BH would not allow our little man open access to the sprinkles. I know I am a bit of a control freak at times, but I would of only let him at them when each cake was iced and ready to decorate - not whilst I was sorting the icing and had my back turned away. Like pine needles from the Christmas tree I think I will be finding coloured sprinkles for weeks, maybe months, to come :)

We did make a dozen, but one didn't make it to the icing production line......cakes are always best fresh.

Red sky in the morning......

Shepherd's warning...well we must be in for some pretty awful weather if this mornings sunrise is anything to go by. The photo was taken at about eight in the morning, the colours were even more intense before that but I was making my boys brekkie in bed. It's become a bit of a weekend institution! Check out the frost on the road as well - it looks like it had snowed over night, but just on the tarmac.

Today we made fairy cakes, my son is enthralled by the idea of baking, so he and I made the cakes and then he decorated them with daddy.

Remind me next time to sweep and mop the floor after making cakes which are going to be decorated with sprinkles not before and not to leave a bowl of sprinkles easily to hand. Obviously I was wrong to assume my BH would not allow our little man open access to the sprinkles. I know I am a bit of a control freak at times, but I would of only let him at them when each cake was iced and ready to decorate - not whilst I was sorting the icing and had my back turned away. Like pine needles from the Christmas tree I think I will be finding coloured sprinkles for weeks, maybe months, to come :)

We did make a dozen, but one didn't make it to the icing production line......cakes are always best fresh.

Belated Christmas pics

Apologies for the lateness but I have finally managed to get my hubbies camera off him in order to download the pics of our Christmas decoration.

Greedily we ended up with two trees - there is a reason - honest. I prefer a thinner rather than full tree as I like to put my decoration deep into the branches. However when we put the first one we bought up in the lounge, it was a bit too short and a bit too big around the bottom (a bit like me LOL). I then popped to my friends saw her HUGE tree and had major tree envy.

So off I went to the garden centre and bought another tree. The first one then went into the conservatory (now little mans playroom). He was so excited about having his own tree, bless him. However I did then have to go and buy decorations for his tree. There is no way my glass breakable decs were going anywhere near his tree!

His tree had some really gorgeous soldier decoration and funky bells and pressies. Our tree was dark red, silver and clear with glass icicles and delicate glass drizzled stars. So not exactly child friendly. The pic was taken after Christmas hence why no pressies underneath.

Then, with the cut off branches, a couple of bunches of roses and a bit of hedgerow plundering I tried my hand at making my own wreath. The roses are loooking a bit frost bitten as this was taken two weeks after making - apologies but I have had the lergy that is going around :)

And finally, I tried my hand at an arrangement for the mantle peice - not bad for a first try? The roses were red when I put them in, but the fire took effect after 10days.

I am really quite pleased with my efforts on the arranging front and may well try again next year. I hope you like them as well.

I've got a few hyacinths coming on nicely in the bay window - will show you them soon, they smell gorgeous.

Belated Christmas pics

Apologies for the lateness but I have finally managed to get my hubbies camera off him in order to download the pics of our Christmas decoration.

Greedily we ended up with two trees - there is a reason - honest. I prefer a thinner rather than full tree as I like to put my decoration deep into the branches. However when we put the first one we bought up in the lounge, it was a bit too short and a bit too big around the bottom (a bit like me LOL). I then popped to my friends saw her HUGE tree and had major tree envy.

So off I went to the garden centre and bought another tree. The first one then went into the conservatory (now little mans playroom). He was so excited about having his own tree, bless him. However I did then have to go and buy decorations for his tree. There is no way my glass breakable decs were going anywhere near his tree!

His tree had some really gorgeous soldier decoration and funky bells and pressies. Our tree was dark red, silver and clear with glass icicles and delicate glass drizzled stars. So not exactly child friendly. The pic was taken after Christmas hence why no pressies underneath.

Then, with the cut off branches, a couple of bunches of roses and a bit of hedgerow plundering I tried my hand at making my own wreath. The roses are loooking a bit frost bitten as this was taken two weeks after making - apologies but I have had the lergy that is going around :)

And finally, I tried my hand at an arrangement for the mantle peice - not bad for a first try? The roses were red when I put them in, but the fire took effect after 10days.

I am really quite pleased with my efforts on the arranging front and may well try again next year. I hope you like them as well.

I've got a few hyacinths coming on nicely in the bay window - will show you them soon, they smell gorgeous.

Sending Sunshine

Brrr, I don't know about you but it's a tad chilly in Berkshire at the moment and a bit grey. No rain, just a bit grey. Definitely not the cheeriest of days to say the least. Days like this remind me that winter can seem long. I love Autumn and think winter is ok ( as long as it's a crisp cold day and not grey and muggy:)). But for those who don't, spring can seem along way away.

My solution - early narcissi sent from Scilly. Check these out aren't they gorgeous.

Because of their temperate climate Scilly can produce narcissi much earlier than on the mainland. When I was home in Cornwall over Oct half term I bought some Sols back up for me which had been shipped over from Scilly. Now that to me is amazing, daffodils in October. My favourite producer is Scent from the islands, they are a family business run from Churchtown Farm, St Martins. Their scent is intoxicating and can fill a room within minutes. Check out their website for some stunning photos of Scilly and fields upon fields of daffs - definitely a sunny sight :)

I'm off to order my mum some now as she has been unwell, I'm sure she will love them (If you read this mum, they will be with you Tuesday!). BTW they make a fab Christmas pressie as well, especially for the distant relation you don't know what to buy for......or is that just me with that problem? :)

Sending Sunshine

Brrr, I don't know about you but it's a tad chilly in Berkshire at the moment and a bit grey. No rain, just a bit grey. Definitely not the cheeriest of days to say the least. Days like this remind me that winter can seem long. I love Autumn and think winter is ok ( as long as it's a crisp cold day and not grey and muggy:)). But for those who don't, spring can seem along way away.

My solution - early narcissi sent from Scilly. Check these out aren't they gorgeous.

Because of their temperate climate Scilly can produce narcissi much earlier than on the mainland. When I was home in Cornwall over Oct half term I bought some Sols back up for me which had been shipped over from Scilly. Now that to me is amazing, daffodils in October. My favourite producer is Scent from the islands, they are a family business run from Churchtown Farm, St Martins. Their scent is intoxicating and can fill a room within minutes. Check out their website for some stunning photos of Scilly and fields upon fields of daffs - definitely a sunny sight :)

I'm off to order my mum some now as she has been unwell, I'm sure she will love them (If you read this mum, they will be with you Tuesday!). BTW they make a fab Christmas pressie as well, especially for the distant relation you don't know what to buy for......or is that just me with that problem? :)

Gylly Beach, Gylly Beach Grandma

Half term saw me and my little man making the four and a bit hours train journey back home to see granny and papa in Cornwall. I've not lived down there now for near on ten plus years but in some respects it is and will always be home. It's funny really but lots of people feel an affinity with Cornwall and I do miss it, especially the sea. Whether I will ever get to move back is another story, what with the high house prices and the lower wages than in the Thames Valley. I am however lucky that my family are there and we can visit whenever we want - assuming my folks aren't off in their camper van! We didn't fantastic weather but it was okay and boy did we make the most of it - my mum is always on the go. My parents are fairly centrally located for both coasts, however this visit we spent most of our time visiting Gylly beach.

Gylly beach or Gyllynvase is one of Falmouth beaches just at the bottom of castle drive. Its a shingle and sand beach depending on what the tides have been doing and it has a fab beach cafe. I have a thing about their blackcurrant and white chocolate flapjacks and their burgers are rather good to! every time we said we were going to the beach my little man kept saying "gylly beach, gylly beach grandma". I am beginning to wonder if he thinks it is the only beach in the world! We whiled away literally hours throwing stones into the sea and into the rock pools - endless fun. The sea looked freezing, but there are a few locals who swim daily all weathers....brrrr, we were all dressed in about four layers and had to have (yes we had to) hot chocolates afterwards. It was the week of the North wind where England had snow - I haven't known Cornwall that cold for years.

Just outside of the cafe in the flower beads I spotted this gorgeous plant...isn't it stunning?

Due to Cornwall's Mediterranean climate lots of half hardy plants grow in its temperate climate. If you are ever that was and are even remotely interested in plants there are loads of gardens to visit - not just the famous Eden Project.

Just check out those blue flowers against the red of the leaves - nature can be so stunning and in October aswell! I did find out the plants name - it is related to a Puya (growing next to these plants) and it is a bromeliad of some kind, but for the life of me and many google picture searches I now can't find it...if I do I will let you all know. More jewellery coming soon...watch this space.

Gylly Beach, Gylly Beach Grandma

Half term saw me and my little man making the four and a bit hours train journey back home to see granny and papa in Cornwall. I've not lived down there now for near on ten plus years but in some respects it is and will always be home. It's funny really but lots of people feel an affinity with Cornwall and I do miss it, especially the sea. Whether I will ever get to move back is another story, what with the high house prices and the lower wages than in the Thames Valley. I am however lucky that my family are there and we can visit whenever we want - assuming my folks aren't off in their camper van! We didn't fantastic weather but it was okay and boy did we make the most of it - my mum is always on the go. My parents are fairly centrally located for both coasts, however this visit we spent most of our time visiting Gylly beach.

Gylly beach or Gyllynvase is one of Falmouth beaches just at the bottom of castle drive. Its a shingle and sand beach depending on what the tides have been doing and it has a fab beach cafe. I have a thing about their blackcurrant and white chocolate flapjacks and their burgers are rather good to! every time we said we were going to the beach my little man kept saying "gylly beach, gylly beach grandma". I am beginning to wonder if he thinks it is the only beach in the world! We whiled away literally hours throwing stones into the sea and into the rock pools - endless fun. The sea looked freezing, but there are a few locals who swim daily all weathers....brrrr, we were all dressed in about four layers and had to have (yes we had to) hot chocolates afterwards. It was the week of the North wind where England had snow - I haven't known Cornwall that cold for years.

Just outside of the cafe in the flower beads I spotted this gorgeous plant...isn't it stunning?

Due to Cornwall's Mediterranean climate lots of half hardy plants grow in its temperate climate. If you are ever that was and are even remotely interested in plants there are loads of gardens to visit - not just the famous Eden Project.

Just check out those blue flowers against the red of the leaves - nature can be so stunning and in October aswell! I did find out the plants name - it is related to a Puya (growing next to these plants) and it is a bromeliad of some kind, but for the life of me and many google picture searches I now can't find it...if I do I will let you all know. More jewellery coming soon...watch this space.

I've been tagged

I've been Tagged by Caroline at Crafted Gems and the rules are as follows:

1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by including links to their blogs.

4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs.

Okay now 7 things about me - not sure if I can come up with seven LOL, however those that know me will know that once I start talking........

1) I love chocolate, I'm not particularly fussy, it doesn't have to be "good" chocolate. Mainly chocolate on its own without added extras but I do have a penchant for praline seashells and I used to love Spiras. If I am having a bad day then yes I do reach for the chocolate

2) I'm a sorter outerer, if someone has a problem I have to come up with a solution - it's instinctive.

3) I am a bead horder - I have far more than I know what to do with and I still keep buying more!

4) I am Cornish born and bread, but don't like clotted cream, will only eat my mums' saffron buns and didn't really enjoy pasties until I met my hubby - who is from Essex. He and my son LOVE them though.

5) I have a degree in Physics and I used to teach it (all boys school up to A-level - fun :)).

6) I'm fairly messy, but my wardrobe is very organised with my clothes all neatly folded on piles of t-shits, jumpers, long sleeve jumpers etc. You can get far more in if they are folded on shelves!

7) I love cooking and baking. I used to belong to WI country markets and sell cakes through them. Unlike the stereotype, I was under the age of 30 at the time!

I hope those facts are interesting enough? Can I add another? I can't get my blog to edit correctly...all those extra spaces and gaps are meant to be there - honest!

Here are the people I am tagging.

Laura Sparling - I think I bought one of my first lampwork beads of Laura and then was hooked

Angie Finn- I love her strawberry beads - I've just made a charm bracelet with a set - pic soon...promise.

Rachel Dawes - lovely organic beads and florals.

Barbara at Wildberry designs, she makes some lovely pearl bracelets, check out Alannah.

Craft Clare - I have yet to purchase any from Clare, but her beads are gorgeous and her recycled range is such a fab idea, brilliant keepsakes

Tina at So, whats new today, Tina makes lampwork beads and I love her serenity earrings.

Alison Perry, she has just prompted me into looking at doing more wirework - watch this space.

I've tried to find folks who haven't been tagged yet.....hard, I am a bit new to all this so don't read many blogs yet...there were lots of other people who I would of tagged but you have all been tagged already ;) Jo at Gem Heaven, Izzy at Flame and Glass, Brandi...and I could go on and on. If you don't already, why not try some of the blogs listed on the right, they make interesting reading.

I've been tagged

I've been Tagged by Caroline at Crafted Gems and the rules are as follows:

1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by including links to their blogs.

4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs.

Okay now 7 things about me - not sure if I can come up with seven LOL, however those that know me will know that once I start talking........

1) I love chocolate, I'm not particularly fussy, it doesn't have to be "good" chocolate. Mainly chocolate on its own without added extras but I do have a penchant for praline seashells and I used to love Spiras. If I am having a bad day then yes I do reach for the chocolate

2) I'm a sorter outerer, if someone has a problem I have to come up with a solution - it's instinctive.

3) I am a bead horder - I have far more than I know what to do with and I still keep buying more!

4) I am Cornish born and bread, but don't like clotted cream, will only eat my mums' saffron buns and didn't really enjoy pasties until I met my hubby - who is from Essex. He and my son LOVE them though.

5) I have a degree in Physics and I used to teach it (all boys school up to A-level - fun :)).

6) I'm fairly messy, but my wardrobe is very organised with my clothes all neatly folded on piles of t-shits, jumpers, long sleeve jumpers etc. You can get far more in if they are folded on shelves!

7) I love cooking and baking. I used to belong to WI country markets and sell cakes through them. Unlike the stereotype, I was under the age of 30 at the time!

I hope those facts are interesting enough? Can I add another? I can't get my blog to edit correctly...all those extra spaces and gaps are meant to be there - honest!

Here are the people I am tagging.

Laura Sparling - I think I bought one of my first lampwork beads of Laura and then was hooked

Angie Finn- I love her strawberry beads - I've just made a charm bracelet with a set - pic soon...promise.

Rachel Dawes - lovely organic beads and florals.

Barbara at Wildberry designs, she makes some lovely pearl bracelets, check out Alannah.

Craft Clare - I have yet to purchase any from Clare, but her beads are gorgeous and her recycled range is such a fab idea, brilliant keepsakes

Tina at So, whats new today, Tina makes lampwork beads and I love her serenity earrings.

Alison Perry, she has just prompted me into looking at doing more wirework - watch this space.

I've tried to find folks who haven't been tagged yet.....hard, I am a bit new to all this so don't read many blogs yet...there were lots of other people who I would of tagged but you have all been tagged already ;) Jo at Gem Heaven, Izzy at Flame and Glass, Brandi...and I could go on and on. If you don't already, why not try some of the blogs listed on the right, they make interesting reading.

Out of alignment

I seem to be out of alignment - physically and mentally. The past couple of weeks have been all a bit weird for me, if something could go wrong it just seemed to. I am not a strong believer in horoscopes etc, but even I am beginning to think my planets may be out of alignment! Anyone know if life is looking a bits pants for Aquarians? More likely though it is just me!

Coming up is a bit of a whinge, so if you are all positive, warm, smiley and fluffy then I would come back in a few days when I am back on plot and back to being me ;)

It kind of all started going wrong when I renewed my mobile contract. I did get a good deal so no gripe there, but getting the new phone was a nightmare. Without too much explanation, I waited in for a delivery that looking back they were never going to make and then they tried to deliver when I was on holiday - and yes I did tell them I wouldn't be there.

Then I ordered a new roll around vacuum off a very big internet seller. I paid extra for next day delivery - Saturday morning... go on guess...it came Wednesday. They did refund my delivery, but as I ordered a wiring beads book as recommended by Ali they only refunded half as that did arrive! I should of just gone with the super saver delivery, I reckon it would of arrived at the same time and would of been cheaper! Plus I wouldn't of been stressing so much about being in.

To top all this off I have had fun and games with my little mans pre-school. That however is a story for another day - depending on how things pan out LOL.

To top things off, I have spoken to a few people in the past month or so who just seem to want to pick a fight. The girls keep asking if it is just "V being a bit sensitive" as normal. It could well be, but it is damn hard work. Then again it just good be me and I have lost my ability to communicate!

Physically, I had to visit my cranial osteopath again this week and am going again next. My son has such momentum when he runs and usually it is at me, that I am beginning to suffer (over two and a half stone of small child at full pelt....let,s work out the force F = mv-mu - sorry previous life ;). Cranial osteopathy is fantastic but a bit weird. Or at least I think so. Unfortunately for me, I can feel it working which means I spend most of the session grimacing whilst feeling weird sensations. Apparently most people don't feel too much or if they do it is a positive energy sensation - I wish! Anyway it seems to be working as I am feeling a lot less achy.

On a far more positive and beady track..... I have finally finished (if the clients are happy) my commissions that I have been working on. One is a revamp of some wartime Indian beads, the other is a from scratch commission featuring beads from Alison Davies in orange, blue and ochre.

Pics to follow as soon as the clients have seen them!

Also, if you have a chance, I have just uploaded lots of new items onto my website, ready for some Christmas shopping. Back soon in hopefully a much more positive frame of mind :)