Going on Holiday!!!!!!

Well it is 4.15 on Friday afternoon.  I am at work until half past, then - I AM GOING ON HOLIDAY!!!!!!!! I am so excited, I have been doing my holiday dance at work all day, and they all think I am insane (they are probably right).  Anyway, I am off to Norfolk for a week with my mum and the dog.  My mum retired yesterday (at 67) so she rightly deserves a good break, and I just happen to be going with her!!!!

I have packed my book selection for the week (I have 15 paperbacks I am taking), and have sorted out a couple of projects, and intend to sit on my bum for the week, drinking tea, eating biscuits and cake, and generally being totally lazy.  Last time we went, there was a gorgeous squirrel that visited every day, so hopefully I can get some good photos of him!

About the only place we are planning on visiting is the Norfolk Shire Horse Centre.  It was taken over a couple of years ago by Hillside Animal Sanctuary, and they have loads of rescued animals there.  I will make sure I get loads of piccies, and will show you all when I am back.

Bye for now.

Zoe
xx

Look What I Got!!!!!!!!

A short while ago, there was a cry for help on the Folksy forum from Heather of NiftyKnits. Her daughter had bought some glass beads to make her mum a necklace, but could only make a bracelet as the holes in some of the beads were too small. Heather’s question was how to make the hole bigger. The answer to this, is a bead reamer, but they can be quite expensive. I had treated myself to a posh new set recently, so had a set that I no longer I needed, so offered them to Heather. They did the trick, and Heather very kindly offered to return them, but as I no longer needed them, I said she could keep them, in case she ever needed them again. Heather emailed to say she would send me a little gift instead, and look what I got......

Isn’t he gorgeous??? The lovely note attached from Heather explained that he is a prototype that she had produced for an article she had recently written. I am so chuffed with him, and he now has pride of place on top of my computer, keeping his eye on me!!! Now, my main concern, obviously, was what to call him!! The first name that springs to mind is Larry, but I did not feel that was a dignified enough name for such an upper class kind of a lamb. So...... I would like to introduce you all to Laurence, the extremely upper class lamb.

I would recommend you all have a look at Heather’s shop www.folksy.com/shops/NiftyKnits - where you will see, she is the Supreme Queen of the Meerkats!!!!!

Perfume

Okay peeps, I have got a task for you. My mum and I have got vouchers for a perfume making experience. We are going Friday to make our perfume (apparently we sniff lots of things, mix them up and voila!! I’m sure theres a lot more involved, but thats the basic), and once its made, we get to take home a bottle of it, and also to name it!!! I have been wracking my brains trying to come up with a suitable name, and haven’t managed it yet, so I thought about all you wonderfully talented and imaginative people, and thought you might like to help. Add your suggestions as a comment on here please, or PM me through Folksy. The best suggestion will get a little treat from me!.


It may help you to know that i tend to like floral/rosey/vanilla type fragrances, so it will probably be something like that.

Zoe

Followers

Hi all,

Just noticed that I have got loads of new followers, and just wanted to say a big HI, thanks for following, great to have you.  Would love you all to introduce yourselves - comment below, or contact me through Folksy.

Big virtual hugs, biccies, and copious amounts of chocolate for you all.

Zoe

Latest Make

Thought I would show you all my latest make.  I have had these silver filigree butterflies for a while now, but was unsure of what to do with them.  So, on Sunday night, as there was absolutely nothing on telly, I sat with my bead mat on my lap and played!   I tried various different things, but wasn't happy with any of them, then I got out some silver wire I bought ages ago and never used.  I threaded the wire through one of the holes in the butterfly body, threaded on some seed beads, and threaded back through the second hole, then twisted the wires together at the back to hold the beads in place, then snipped off the wire ends.  I then used the edge of my flat nosed pliers to smooth down the wires and make them lie flat against the butterfly.  I did all five butterflies like this, then joined them together with Beadalon quick clips (I think that's what they are called).  I added an amethyst Swarovski bicone to either side, then added chain to complete.  I finished the necklace with a magnetic clasp.  I love these as they are so much easier than fiddling with lobster claws or bolt rings.

Anyway, this is the finished item.

What do you think????

Swap

Well, the postman arrived on Saturday, and bought me the usual load of junk mail, bills, etc. etc, BUT he also bought me a lovely big pink parcel. I knew I hadn’t ordered anything, so was quite excited as to what it could be – when I opened the plastic envelope, I discovered a lovely pink jute bag, with a pink tissue wrapped gift. I wish I had taken the time to take a photo, as it was wrapped so gorgeously, but I had no patience because I was so excited, and was ripping the tissue open before the word camera even occurred to me!

And look what I got!!!!!!

I recently blogged about the Folksy swap I was organising, and the person sending me the swap was Dottie of Dottie Designs. It is the most gorgeous photo album, entitled Rose’s Special Memories. I was so touched that Dottie had gone to so much time and trouble for a simple swap. The album is lovely, and will soon be full of pictures of my little darling (!), and all her adventures (or misadventures!)

I would recommend everyone to have a look at Dottie’s Folksy shop, where she sells personalised photo albums, guest books and keepsake boxes.

You can find her at www.folksy.com/shops/dottiedesigns, or her blog is at www.dottiedesigns.blogspot.com.

Thanks Dottie.

Folksy Swap

Hiya,

Well, I am quite excited at the moment.  I got it into my head to try and organise a swap on Folksy.  I have never done anything like this before, but thought I would give it a go, and couldn't believe the response.  I had to cut it off at twenty!!!  So, I am currently thinking of what to make myself, and also really looking forward to seeing what I receive.  I will keep you posted!

So not Sweet!!!!!!!

Here is my little darling!!!!!

I know she looks really angelic, but she is soooooooo not!!!!

Why oh Why?????

Why oh why can't I have a normal dog?????

My darling, beloved (!) Rose is only 7 inches tall, so you really wouldn't think she could be a lot of trouble would you???? HAA!  she is a little swine!!!!  I have just been sitting having a merry old hour surfin the web (don't I sound cool) and ignoring her, which was my first mistake.

We have a large bin in our living room, it stands about 2 feet tall, is rectangular in shape, and is up against a wall.  For some reason we seem to get through thousands of tissues in our house, which inevitably end up in said bin.  My beloved darling Rose used to like to tip over the bin and shred the tissues all over the floor, so we resolved this by putting a brick in the bottom!!!! Clever, I thought, she'll never manage to tip it over now.   I was so wrong.  I have just got up to make a cup of tea, and the far end of the room is covered in tissue, which now resembles confetti.  She has somehow managed to tip over the bin, brick included, making no noise whatsoever.   Can someone please explain how a 7 inch tall daschund can manage this?????  Oh well, off for the vacuum I go.......

I am so Baaaaadddd!!!!!

I am so bad.  I have thousands, if not gazillions of beads at home waiting to be put into a project, and is that enough for me????  No.... I made the fatal mistake of going on the internet last week, and placed an order with Precious Sparkle Beads.  Have a look at their shop, but put your credit card somewhere safe before you do!!!! I bought some gorgeous faceted Garnet briolettes, some small round Peridots, and some lovely moonstone strands, in multi colours.  I am now planning on what to do with them all, and will post some pictures shortly.

If anyone is looking for something really special for their jewellery making, then I would highly recommend having a look at http://www.precioussparklebeads.co.uk/, but be warned, it is very, very tempting!!!  The customer service is excellant too.  I emailed them with a really thick question, and the responded really quickly with the answer, and the beads arrived the next day as well!!!  couldn't be better.