how appropriate is this print from Emily at the black apple?

from jeans to skirt

i keep checking to make sure it doesnt fall apart as i walk. it looks better IRL. promise.

the culmination of a 5 day bday

so here we have another spending spree, this time on fabric. i met a girl from work and we went to what i can only describe as an Aladdin's Cave. this shop was all nook and cranny! the pile on the right of green and purlple is for bunting im making for our wedding reception, and the plaid is to make the dress bottom right of the pattern immediatly on top of it. i also got treated to a bday coffee and muffin which was really lovely.

i say a 5 day bday, because it's been all go since saturday! with trips out and bbqs and meals, ive barely sat down. but its been fun.

love kittyroboot?

well do you?? kittyrobot make sculpey buttons and a few other bits. if you head on over to their blog there's a chance to win . all you have to do to win a $35 voucher is put a link to them on your blog and then comment on this post by the 29th. easy!

coming soon..

this is the June Blythe release, Casual Affair. she has a name all ready for her. i will be changing her eye chips though as the stock ones are boooooooring!!

splashing the bday cash

so ive had a fabulous bday weekend. got some fab presents and today spent ALL my bday money :)

prayer box

went on an impromptu family trip to a place called Nailsworth yesterday where i bought myself this prayer box charm. you fold up a prayer to put inside , which i thought was really sweet.

after we'd had a wander, we had posh pub snacks, and marcus and his friend and sister came and picked me up and we went to bristol. we wandered around the shops, went and had sushi, then went back to a friends for a bbq on his balcony. perfect use of a sunny saturday.

tonight im going out for a joint bday meal for my stepdad and me, then tomorrow its my birthday!!

wreck them cakes

im an avid follower of the blog cake wrecks. sometimes it makes me laugh so much i cry. for those of you that havent found this gem of a blog, here are some pics. this, i promise, is dora the explorer..

more stuff

ok, here's my go at the latest inspired by amelie challenge. my other side has responsibility.

this is a just for fun LO of my Coraline button eye pic....

and this is 52Q question 20, my latest obsession.

i went along to marks and spencer this morning to see what all the penny bazaar fuss was about. the shop opens at 9, i got there at 10, and by that point all that was left was ginger beer and old fashioned sweets! of course i bought my 5 item limit of these, it would have been rude not to!

is this sad?

* is it sad to have ordered these fabulous stamps, just because neil gaiman wrote a story for each creature??

*is it also sad to have made a list of 10 potential names for my Casual Affair when she comes?

yay or nay?

to preorder or not to preorder??
well, i have. but thats beside the point.

i really want a rainy day parade but she's too expensive.

^--- *want want want*

may part 2

its time for part 2 of our may challenge. this time, its WHATS COOKING? so come on over to category stories to see our takes on this and dont forget to link us your efforts and add to the flickr group so we can find them all!!

yesterday i made..

a beret!! all crocheted in puff stitch. very please :) free pattern found here.

the wedding rose

today i took a trip down to the florists to see the rose she's getting in for my wedding...now this is the only wedding peek you'll be getting so enjoy


i also managed to get no 18 and 19 for 52Q done..

a LO of my wedding rose..
as well as my Lo for the next category stories challenge. here's a little sneak for you..

girly shopping

some tshirts for Bella and Frankie from ababietoy etsy.

i still need to find some decent shoes. both girls are still in stock shoes!!

baking

peanut butter cupcakes with (sloppy) frosting:
ingredients (makes 16ish)

55g butter, softened
225g soft light brown sugar
115g crunchy peanut butter
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
225g plain white flour
2tsp baking powder
100ml milk

frosting

200g full fat soft cream cheese
25g butter, softened
225g icing sugar

• preaheat oven to 180c/GM4.
• put butter, sugar and peanut butter into a bowl and beat together. gradually add eggs, beating well after each addition, then add vanilla. sift in flour and baking powder, then, using a metal spoon, fold into the mix, alternating with milk.
• spoon into cases.
• bake for 25 mins or until well risen and golden brown. transfer to cooling rack.
• for the frosting, put cream cheese and butter into a bowl and, with an electric whisk, beat until smooth. sift in icing sugar and beat until mixed.
• when cakes are cold, spread frosting on each with a round bladed knife. store in fridge until needed.

sewing

every month i buy a UK based sewing magazine called Sew Hip. at the moment they are running a feature called the 'mystery quilt', where each month they publish 4 panels to sew up. at the end of 4 months, they will tell you how to put them together. today i went and bought some more green fabric and managed to finish my pink square which has been sitting around for a couple of weeks, as well as sew up 2 green panels.

im having sewing machine issues though. my tension is totally messed up for some reason, and none of the settings make a difference. its so annoying!!!

big weekend

so today was our turn to go to the Radio1 big weekend. it turned out to be a lovely warm/hot day but the bands weren't really our cup of tea. in the end, we only saw 4: white lies, marina and the diamonds, franz ferdinand and maximo park.


marina and the diamonds..
maximo park..

it wasnt too bad for a free ticket, although i did spend £30 on food and drink for the two of us!!

yesterday we went on an 8 mile bike ride, which almost killed me!! but all bike pedals present and correct still!

may category

another month another challenge. this time its UNEXPECTED. come on over to the category stories blog for the chance to win a hambly prize. dont forget to add to the flickr group too!

little bit of this and that

here's a little taster of my last couple of days off..some scrapping...

for a true friend..

for say it in scrap..

and inspired by amelie.

a dolly denim skirt...

and almost 2 panels of a mystery quilt im making. kinda bummed as i went to buy more fabric today and the shop was empty...no people..but still within opening hours and the door was open. and i saw fabric i wanted!!