It's that time again...

I can't wait to see what more lovelies

are on offer at...

'Always something there to remind you'

Vintage at its finest.

True crafts, none of this 'bought-in' old tat 

here, thank you very much.

Wonderful venue, buzzy exciting stalls,

fun folk, tea, coffee and homemade cakes.

What more could a bod ask for?

See you there!

***

Help!

now what LL?

I've come up with a cunning plan

and I need to see whether anyone

thinks it's a goer or not!

The plot thickens...

I have a new blog

see here for
further details.

Ideas on a postcard...

Doris says...

what now LL?

***

What to do next for...

badness?

August Bank Holiday Monday 

and

I'm bored.

Elizabeth Bott type bored.

Our timber-framed 300 year old cottage has seen some things over the years and often when I'm bored in a nice way, I try and imagine all the fun, laughter, 

tears, pain, births, parties, grief, wakes

death and dare I say it...bonking 

that the fabric of this ancient cottage has experienced.

August has been a busy entertaining month for us.

I just adore having folk to stay.

Saturday saw the last visitors until half-term.

Yesterday I reclaimed my studio.

Today I started sewing again on my family history wall-hanging.

I was keen to see how the old sorely hand coped with a little light stitching.

It held up better than I thought it would, although it is throbbing now.

Work still in progress

I just wish I could sink in the West;
talk to my soft toys,

trump at will, 
dunk biscuits in my bone china mug,
take my teeth out to tackle toffees,
say and do outrageous things,
talk in a stage whisper,
 about how awful the people are sat at the next table.
Not give a fig about whether Blair took us in to an illegal war,
care not whether he gets a knighthood.
Vote for Miss Whiplash as a backlash to how I feel about
the majority of our politicians.
Stop shaving my legs and bits; at least, in these tough economic
times I now don't have facials, waxing, pedicures and the like.
Well someone's got to show some restraint.

Pop socks are the way forward.

I know, I know...

you should never talk race, religion or politics

however

this is one couple

I hope will not take it upon themselves to 'grace' 

the opening ceremony on Wednesday.

***

Look... I do bubbles...

Okay!
However

 I AM a Leo...

so I also do - OTT!

And even if you don't believe a word of this star sign carry-on...

I do think  there is an element of something.....  in it!

- that's only the good news.

The full-on giving it with both barrels
Leo trait, even on occasions gets me down.
Added to which, having had a very rich and varied life; 
in any conversation I can come up with 'I've been there, done that' carry-on.
And we all know how annoying that can be!

I am coming from the standpoint of... 

those closest and dearest get the full force of my opinion...
whether they want it or not?
On balance...  Probably not!

Very often, after I've let my thoughts and feelings known
(with knobs on I might add)
Ted says two things...
'Do you think you should have taken a diplomacy tablet there Lin?'
Or the most recent one, I like even better...
'How long did you last in the Diplomatic Corps?'
My mouth open and closes like a bored goldfish in a naff round bowl
before I reply...
'Well I was on a day's trial and didn't last 'til coffee break!'
And there you have it.  Although in my defence I do try,
oh how hard I try... 
to put a sock in it.  
However, out it all spills.

***

Yesterday was my 65th birthday.
A milestone some might say.

The scales are finely balanced as to which way for me to go...
i.e. sensible and start acting my age or
the much more appealing one...
make an art form of eccentricity.
I sure as hell haven't got the genes to
do art in 
any other way!

So brace yourselves we're oft

Stop wearing knickers at all times,
even on formal occasions,
that way I won't smell of lavender and wee.

Say and do outrageous things
trouble with that... see above.

Throw the frigging deaf aids away
and demand an ear trumpet on a velvet tartan ribbon;
the end of which will peep provocatively from my
builders bum crack of a cleavage.

Don a psychedelic Crimplene catsuit in clashing colours.

Give the prickles on my chin full rein and audition for the
part of the bloke on the Player's Navy Cut fag packets.  They're bound to turn it into a musical one day.

Brighten up God's highlights (read grey) with a streak or two of purple.

Talk loudly - already do that, see above.

Try ever so hard not to feel guilty, when whiling away a month or two
reading and eating crackers and cheese.

Mug pimply youths of their benefits and tinnies of Special Brew.

Purchase a life membership to the 
Tim Wonnacott Appreciation Society.
The application of which will be fast tracked, due to my ability to master the 
finer points of a hand tied dicky!

Footnote...
WSD (Wicked Stepdaughter) thinks my sorely thumb might be 
RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury)
hearing this I visibly brightened...
sounds pretty upmarket, bit like letters after your name.
RSVP, VSOP, VIP, KISS, BA, MA, AA  and the like.
Trouble was she was gently hinting my injury had been bought about by
my tirelessly lifting full flutes of
sparkling water.

Blooming cheek... as if!?!

Cheers... Happy Days!

 

Look what I've just...

made...

And jolly proud of it I am too!

A week or two ago the lovely Viv

of hens teeth

offered a kit to make these lovely corsages.

Now those that know of my struggles with crafts will be aware

I pour scorn on the painting by numbers style of crafting.

However I decided to get the instructions and have a go.

Am I pleased I did.

After having sent for the full range of felt colours from
Annie the felt fairy...
what a lovely kaleidoscope of quality felt I've now got.
I've washed and shrunk some, which I've used for my first
(look away now if you don't want to hear this next word)
home-made Christmas present!


The instructions are clear and concise,
even for a sorely-thumbed crafter like wot I is.


I've got lots of ideas for mine, not only as a corsage
to wear.


Get ahead in these straitened times and for very little money 
amaze and delight your friends
with these delightful felt posies.

***