tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166Thu, 19 Dec 2024 03:23:37 +0000Cross StitchknittingpotterySewingPointy Kittykewpiepatternsoftytoywee wonderfulsEtsyfreefree downloadbagbuttonsgingerbreadhouseice skatingjapanesemushroomnintendophotographyshopCraft magazineHay on Wyeballroom dancingbar codebarcelonabeesbeigebluebook coveringbuilderscakecamper vancatcharitychristmascraftingdaffodilsdampdecoratingdiydownloaddresseyesfeltingflickrgardeninggategreenholidayhome improvementskitchenkokeshilamplistlondonmencapmoney boxmoonote bookparispigpurserobotsrugbyshoppingsockterry wogantheatrevideowaleswalletwallpaperyarnhttp://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Blogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-117214999660860434Fri, 27 May 2011 13:13:00 +00002011-05-27T14:31:10.399+01:00dressSewingLet me try again - lol. I obviously wasn't prepared for the demands of parenthood when I last blogged - but I'm feeling much 'bloggier' right now ;o)So - Catrin is now 22 months old and I'm 6 months pregnant (!). I've left my job and bought a franchise with www.tinytalk.co.uk, teaching baby signing to babies and young toddlers. I've just sold my house and bought a fantastic new sewing machine http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2011/05/im-back-again.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-4859414383535953773Sat, 26 Sep 2009 11:11:00 +00002009-12-12T09:24:24.699+00:00It's been months since my last post, in which I hinted at a big project that was a work in progress. Well, I'm thrilled to report that it's now completed and ready for a grand unveiling.Introducing baby Catrin.She arrived in August and is absolutely beautiful and a complete joy.I'm afraid I didn't get on very well with pregnancy - I suffered from severe oedema (swelling) which saw my feet expandhttp://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2009/09/im-back.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-8043553637197827918Sun, 01 Feb 2009 09:33:00 +00002009-02-01T09:45:25.132+00:00barcelonaholidayknittingWe've been to Barcelona! It was only a super-quick visit for a couple of days to take advantage of Ryanair's 1p flights (best not think about the imapct on our carbon footprint...) - and it was lovely. I'd never been before, and I was thoroughly impressed - but two days really isn't enough. I want to go back and next time I would like it to be for a week or so. We were very lucky with the http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2009/02/gallivanting-and-knitting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-4689925179631749185Sun, 25 Jan 2009 12:31:00 +00002009-01-25T12:32:37.556+00:00Aopologies for my absence of the past few weeks...Normal blogging will be resumed shortly with news of a brand new project that I've been working on....http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-absence.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-7811668073568936899Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:00:00 +00002008-12-07T18:22:58.964+00:00Cross StitchgingerbreadpotteryThis is my wood sprite. He makes things grow and looks after the garden, or at least he will do from next spring onwards. He's only a few weeks old and is still a little bit too vulnerable to be left out in the December frost. Until then he will be wintering on my mantelpiece, where it's safe and warm, and wherer everyone can admire him properly.He doesn't have a name. He's a wood sprite - they http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/12/wood-sprites-and-gingerbread-houses.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-4073701212665676371Sun, 16 Nov 2008 10:33:00 +00002008-11-16T10:38:03.772+00:00Cross Stitchfreefree downloadmushroomnintendopatternOk, maybe it's not 'properly' new - but there is now a green version of the free downloadable Mario Mushroom cross stitch pattern available to download (over on the right, there). I have created and posted it response to a request via etsy from Rachel (Hi, Rachel!).A request! Can you believe it? I'm so chuffed... :o)I will probably expand the collection with a blue one and/or a yellow one in thehttp://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/11/new-free-cross-stitch-pattern.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-316099335132840494Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:11:00 +00002008-11-15T21:41:12.218+00:00buttonsice skatingparispotteryCan you believe it's been nearly a month since I blogged? I have loads of stuff I could blog about, but I've decided that my blog entries are far too long, so I am limiting myself to a very quick overview of some of November's highlights. With pictures, because we all like pictures.Handsome J and I went to Paris for a 5 day break. It was lovely, Paris is lovely, the food was lovely (with the http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/11/things-i-did-in-november.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-2043960996232908881Sat, 18 Oct 2008 10:46:00 +00002008-10-18T12:06:28.302+01:00Cross Stitchgingerbreadice skatingpotteryI am becoming a tiny bit obsessed with my pottery at the moment - and I'm loving it! I'm afraid I still don't have much to show off, as I have several projects in different stages of construction / firing / glazing in the studio, and many of the pieces I have thrown on the wheel seem to have wanted to collapse while drying - or else I've pushed them too far on the wheel and had to duck as thick http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/10/first-annual-office-ikea-gingerbread.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-4725969844609310653Sun, 05 Oct 2008 22:42:00 +00002008-10-05T23:48:10.537+01:00Cross StitchOne of my most recent, most amusing and most useful ebay purchases has been a clip-on jeweller's loupe, consisting of two magnifying glasses on swivelling arms which clip onto my specs. I love them because they make me look like Icabod whatsit from Sleepy Hollow (Johnny Depp's character in the film), and they've proven really useful for those times when the tiny, dense stitches in my cross stitchhttp://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/10/loupe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-3933781080316054121Sun, 28 Sep 2008 21:35:00 +00002008-09-28T22:50:09.484+01:00Cross StitchpotteryI can't help it! I don't seem to be able to stop stitching...My first was a mini-project, to stitch up one of the patterns I have for sale at Etsy, both to show it stitched up and to sell the panel itself (it's getting closer to Halloween, after all - somebody might fancy it). I gotta say - it was really quick to stitch up, it only took a couple of evenings and (if I do say so myself) it looks http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/09/stitch-aholic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-5680738027065082131Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:45:00 +00002008-09-22T21:53:28.951+01:00Cross StitchEtsyI had a day off work today to make up for my Saturday being taken over by work (boo - work!), and spend the day clothes shopping (yaay - shopping), going to the dentist (!) and finishing this little cross stitch...Isn't it cute! It's my little Nintendo/Mario cross stitch pattern. I will update the pattern to put the cross stitch photo on the cover. I reckon I'll put this panel up on Etsy to http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/09/day-off.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-5196726892656750829Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:38:00 +00002008-09-17T17:57:37.031+01:00knittingpotterysockWe went to pottery last night. It was good, we picked up some of our pots from last term, I started to make a cake stand, and J's making a fish bowl. I think I'll have to make several cake stands before I figure out what it is I'm doing, but it's ok because it's all fun. And cakes stands are pretty. Especially with cakes on them. These are the pots I collected from last term... Before I show you http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/09/going-potty.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-525015320991477583Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:49:00 +00002008-09-15T20:16:58.558+01:00camper vanCross StitchknittinglondonvideowalesWow - it's been nearly two months since I blogged!I have intended to blog, but the longer I've left it, the harder it's been to come back - kind of like if you haven't done your homework for an evening class...We've had a couple of birthdays since my last entry. We went to Londong for my 33rd in August, went to see Spamalot and Avenue Q in the West End, met up with some friends, and did the wholehttp://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/09/wow-its-been-nearly-two-months-since-i.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-5349122869461310176Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:09:00 +00002008-07-22T15:13:23.541+01:00I've been off work poorly for a couple of days, which has given me the opportunity to finish Kewpie!She's hanging out to dry now after a gentle hand-wash to dislodge some the grime and biscuit crumbs that had found their way into the work during stitching. Next steps will be a good ironing over a fluffy white towel, and a trip to the framers on Saturday.http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/07/shes-finished.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-3400257174669954201Sun, 20 Jul 2008 05:54:00 +00002008-07-20T07:07:10.707+01:00Cross StitchhousekewpieWeeks ago, probably about 4 or 5 weeks by now, I accepted an offer on my house. I don't think I blogged it at the time, for fear of jinxing the sale.Time has passed, and we're no nearer completing the sale. The buyer has been having trouble getting a mortgage. There had been a mark on his credit record from a late payment on a mobile phone bill, which has apparently now been sorted out with http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/07/house-selling-frustrations.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-3516069526903679815Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:26:00 +00002008-07-09T14:45:06.252+01:00I have a day off work today - woohoo! :oDI love flexi-time. I can take up to two days off work as flexi-leave every 4 weeks - that's an extra 26 days a year that I'm not in work! Yay! (Of course, I do have to make up the hours, but that's not too difficult.)So - what am I doing with my day off?#1 - Sheltering from the rain. It's peeing it down here, the man on the radio said that we can expect a http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/07/day-off.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-2846518335085013903Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:18:00 +00002008-07-04T16:47:33.877+01:00Cross StitchThis morning I timed myself doing a short row of cross stitch. I didn't rush, and I didn't dawdle, I just wanted a fairly accurate idea of how long the stitching takes.I took 5 minutes, 35 seconds to complete one row of 20 stitches. This averages out at 16.75 seconds per complete cross stitch (both directions). My Kewpie pattern measures 200 x 166 stitches. A total of 41,500 stitches.On that http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/07/some-sums.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-6351486332830414209Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:46:00 +00002008-07-02T22:13:34.822+01:00Cross StitchkewpiephotographyThis week I am taking French lessons. I'm doing a 2 week french conversation summer school at the university, 3 hours a night, 3 nights a week for two weeks. So far I've had two classes, and am thoroughly enjoying it. I'm finding it much easier and much less stressful than Japanese!The end of my mammoth Kewpie cross stitch is in sight! Nearly. I have a lot of stitching ahead of me , still - but, http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/07/french-kewpie-and-photos.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-1487261081038785685Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:08:00 +00002008-06-26T22:49:07.773+01:00Cross StitchfeltingflickrmooQuite a photo-heavy post today, I'm afraid. But not very many words, I have too much stitching to do!I went to a felting class on Tuesday. It was brilliant fun, but was only an one-off class. I hope there will be more classes, but in the meantime I might have to try to teach myself. Because it was the best fun ever.I made this...Which would have been a bag, but we were running out of time, so http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/06/felting-moos-and-stitches.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-4541168847189230251Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:40:00 +00002008-06-23T17:09:16.981+01:00beesI have a nest of bumble bees in my composter.I think they might be the Buff-Tailed bumblebee, or Bombus Terrestris, happily they're fairly common, and are not among the endangered species of bumblebee. There seem to be a lot of them. They were coming and going every few seconds as I was stood there. I like having bees living in the garden. It's reminded me of my ambition to keep a hive or two, http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/06/i-have-nest-of-bumble-bees-in-my.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-4458544034191095089Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:26:00 +00002008-06-22T15:59:01.883+01:00gardening I've been gardening. For reasons that I'm not yet ready to share (for fear of counting my chickens...), I have been taking cuttings and lifting my most treasured plants from the garden.The first to be lifted was my beloved bay tree (back-right in the photo, with the droopy leaves). I know that it's the wrong time to lift it, and that it will sulk terribly and perhaps even die because of its http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/06/alan-titchmarsh-would-be-proud.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-8791672729003128394Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:46:00 +00002008-06-18T22:06:18.667+01:00bagknittingpotteryPhew! I am pooped!I've spent the past 3 days on an extremely intensive course for work - which was both mentally exhausting and extremely useful. I'm glad I had the opportunity to do this course, but I'm happier still that it's now over (and even hapier again that there are only 2 days until the weekend!)So I am now pooped. Properly, thoroughly and undoubtedly pooped. I'm talking about 'http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/06/pooped.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-1730908258079900293Tue, 17 Jun 2008 06:37:00 +00002008-06-17T07:54:59.533+01:00I wrote a long, intricate and really interesting blog entry on the weekend, telling you all everything that I had done the weekend before, but something went wrong with Blogger and it disappeared without a trace.I'm afraid I threw some of my toys into a corner and had a mini-sulk from Blogger. But I'm over it now, and I will try to quickly recap on the blog entry that was lost.We went to a http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/06/two-weekends-ago.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-1808566181772469861Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:31:00 +00002008-06-02T21:41:38.510+01:00freefree downloadknittingpatternI've written the pattern and I've put it up. (Look over there on the right....) Yay me!I must admit that I haven't tested or proof read the pattern yet, though... If anybody knits this and notices any mistakes, or needs anything clarifying or explained - please let me know and I'll try to make it better.And just for lovely Ruth, because you asked so nicely, and because I like you so very much, (http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/06/free-knitting-pattern.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4076155732832517166.post-831791604633641631Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:54:00 +00002008-06-02T16:06:45.183+01:00bagHay on WyeknittingI finished the bag! It was #1 on my "list of things to do", and it's all finished, sewn up and felted. Yay me!The decision to felt the bag was all abit of an experiment. I couldn't really be bothered lining it, and I though if I felted it, it would be dense enough that I might be able to get away without having to line it. I diodn't know whether the yarn would felt, either, due to a high-ish http://friendlyflamingo.blogspot.com/2008/06/one-to-cross-off-list.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1