So easy it's almost cheating

I've sewn something!

And as my title says, it was so easy I feel I'm cheating even telling you about it.

I needed a peg bag. My pegs until now have been kept in a plastic freezer bag - not a great sight. So when I found a blue spotty top in a charity shop, I thought making it into a peg bag would be a wheeze.

The woman who sold the top to me folded it up so carefully, I didn't have the heart to tell her I'd be cutting it up.

I've sewn three sides and done a bit of cutting. How simple was that? I feel it's hardly worth telling you about it. However, I did have to contend with some interruption...

Having never heard the sewing machine working before, Elsie was rather curious.

So perhaps this will explain why I'm feeling ever so slightly triumphant.

Blessings,

Andi xx

Flat Battery. Darn!

First Harvest

Three blueberries from my garden.

So proud.

Thank you George the Lad and Rose H. The unidentified flower in my last post is indeed a Pheasant Berry (what a fantastic name). Sherri B. I thought it was some kind of fushia too. Looks very much like it, doesn't it?

School holidays are upon us so I took my daughter up to London for a girls' day out. I knew I should take my camera but the battery was flat. Darn! So here to help the tale along are some 'borrowed' photos.

First stop was Zara's at Oxford Circus where I bought a shirt and daughter tried on a white leather-look jacket. The jacket was lovely, but too old for my daughter, much to her disgust.

Then a stroll down Regent Street led us to All Saints.

Oh My!

Here is where I wished I'd had my camera. The shop was fitted out with hundreds of vintage sewing machines. Floor to ceiling.

Can you see in this pic?

There were also mangles and (I think) cider presses. I loved the shop just for the decor.

The clothes, alas, were out of my budget (£40 for a t-shirt? I don't think so) and of a style I'd imagine Helena Bonham Carter would wear on her more casual days. I loved it.

Then on to M&M World.

Again floor-to-ceiling decor only this time it was practical and edible. Tube after tube of M&Ms all the usual colours and more (black?). Clothes, toys - even dog chews. We had a great time.

Armed with a bag each of our favourite colours we made our way to the Novello Theatre in the Strand for the matinee of Betty Blue Eyes.

This is a musical version of Alan Bennett's 'A Private Function' and boasts an animated pig called Betty (voice supplied by Kylie Minogue, no less).

It was a jolly, patriotic kind of show that sent us home humming the tunes and wishing we had Union Jacks to wave.

A grand day out. Next time, I'll be sure to recharge the camera battery. Tch!

Blessings,

Andi xx

ps - thank you for all your congratulations re the play. Made me beam. xx

Elsie, Some News and a Question

I meant to show you the pics of Elsie first, but it seems the following uploaded in this particular order, so here goes:

WE WON! The play wot I wrote won Best Production in the festival. Along with the brilliant performance by the cast we had them almost rolling in the aisles. I was so astonished. I was hoping for a couple of laughs and a few chuckles. The response was amazing.

Here I am collecting the trophy from the Festival Coordinator:

(Perhaps I'll remember to relax my shoulders next time.)

This has certainly encouraged me to write more for the stage.

NEXT - Elsie. Butter wouldn't melt, eh?

Here she is with a towel stolen from the downstairs loo:

Earlier on today she 'helped' me dig a hole for a paeony. Digging deep...

...and then deeper...

The other morning I found I'd left a cushion to my swing seat out all night. It had rained and the cushion was very wet. I left it in the kitchen to dry by the Aga while I went out for coffee....came back to find the kitchen filled with foam and a very amused puppy. Hmmmm.

Lastly, can anyone help me identify this plant?

I bought it at a car boot sale last year. The seller didn't know what it was either but told me it grew well and was easy to care for. I've searched google images but can't find it.

I'll try and blog more often from now on.

Blessings,

Andi xx

It Runs In the Family

This is a photo of Granny Owens. She is my g-g-grandmother born Elizabeth Edwards in Wales in the 1850s.

She lived into her 80s and according to my Nan she would do any job that needed doing - which included digging graves. On Christmas Day she would walk from her cottage to my Nan's with her apron full of fruit.

Now the photo above seems an ordinary photo of my g-g-grandmother, but if we take a closer look under chair...

I believe I can see terrier fur, a box face and black nose and ear.

I like to think the camera-shy pooch is a Welsh Terrier and that I have something in common with my ancestor in owning one.

My Elsie is growing bigger and peskier all the time. Yesterday, while I was hanging out washing she ran around the garden with a pair of my knickers in her mouth. Thanks, Els.

Blessings,
Andi
xx

I'm Still Here

Hi everyone,



Just wanted to let you all know that I'm still around but have so much going on at the moment I don't seem to have much time for blogging.



A play wot I wrote has been shortlisted for a competition and I've had to get a cast and backstage staff together as well as direct the play. The learning curve is so steep it's almost vertical. I have to be honest and say I'll be glad when it's over.

Then there's Elsie...

Oh boy. Just when I think the house training is a success, she pops a surprise. She's gorgeous and lots of fun, but it's like having a toddler in the house - she needs to be watched all the time.


I will try to visit your blogs when I can and hope to write a bit more soon.


Hope you are all well and happy. I'll leave you with a link to this video. It gets funnier every time I look at it.


how to upset your dog



Blessings,

Andi xx

At Home

Happy Easter everyone. Hope you all had a wonderful time. We didn't go away for the holiday as Elsie has only just had her second lot of vaccinations. However, we did go out for her first official walk:

She was interested in everything and of course got lots of attention from people we met. She's very nervous of other dogs though, so we have to ease her in gently with a few smaller, calmer dogs.

She is gradually losing the black on her face and the brown fur is coming through.

We took her to a local park which has country walks, a walled garden and an outdoor theatre. I liked these seats:

Elsie is chewing everything. She bites the blooms off flowers - attracted by the nodding action. Today she ate a wasp. I believe she is Imelda Marcos reincarnated as she LOVES shoes.

This weekend saw the demise of Sasha and Elaine:

(Yes, I have named my clothes pegs. Why not?)

And my garden trolls have been terrorised outside their own front door.

Elsie drags them off by the hair.

What a monster!

This is a bloom she has not been able to reach. A paeony we inherited from the previous owner of our house:

This week I am linking to Met Monday over at Between Naps on the Porch. These stepladders I bought at a car boot last year for £4.

They've been in the shed ever since while I waited for time and opportunity to paint them:

I got the idea for white stepladders to display plants from Sal over at Sal's Snippets

Sal has a greenhouse and surrounding area I covet.

I've been having fun in the garden during the glorious weather we've been having. I'll show you some more next time.

Blessings,
Andi xx

Absolute Chaos

Introducing

ELSIE

Our little Welsh Terrier came to live with us last Sunday and since then has given us a week of chaos and love.

It's like caring for a new baby again. I can only get chores done when she's sleeping. Oh but she's soooooo sweet.

I'm sorry I haven't got too many nice pics of her yet. She seems very curious about the camera...

But I hope to post some nicer ones later on.

This morning was the first morning there wasn't any crying or howling. I hope she's finally settled in. She certainly looks it during the day

Blessings,

Andi (and Elsie) xx