Saturday, January 31, 2009
no words to describe this
my friend sent me this link a day or two ago. Apart from the amazing photography, you cannot help but be moved by the words. Check out the whole website - you can leave comments when you get to the end.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
new toy
My new toy has arrived. As usual I didn't read the instructions, I just put the battery and memory card in and started taking pics. My new toy is a Nikon D40 digital SLR, and I really do need to read the manual, but with such willing subjects, how could resist the urge to snap away?
Have you spotted a theme here?
I do like the soft brushed cottons which I have used to make this little kitty (it's still unfinished btw - paws and tail need to be sewn on) but it is much more difficult to hand sew compared to my fabric of choice - felted jumpers.
I've also worked up some kitties in paper - they are awaiting backgrounds and eventually framing
Have you spotted a theme here?
I do like the soft brushed cottons which I have used to make this little kitty (it's still unfinished btw - paws and tail need to be sewn on) but it is much more difficult to hand sew compared to my fabric of choice - felted jumpers.I've also worked up some kitties in paper - they are awaiting backgrounds and eventually framing
Monday, January 26, 2009
hello kitty
this kitty wip is the fruit of last weekends labour. It has moved on since this pic, and I'm quite excited about the resulting work that has arisen - no pics yet though, light doesn't permit sadly. I'm waiting for my new camera to arrive - so will experiment and take some pics of my kitties later this week.tatty bye for now
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Treasury Thursday
Woot Woot!
This week I have been featured in 2 Etsy treasuries. The pink theme seems to be carrying on as these are both pink treasuries. It's lovely to be included, especially as I have all but ignored my etsy shop in 2009. I must remedy that soon
I also receive a blog award from Woo of The devil makes work
I received the award for 'generally being lovely'. How nice, thanks for passing on the award Woo. I'm not going to pass it along to anyone however because I'm just being a bit of a rebel. I really do appreciate awards and that someone thinks I am award worthy, but I just like to break the rules too. I never passed on chain letters as a kid, and those emails from people telling me to 'forward this email on to 10 friends and an angel will send you a bunch of flowers' drive me bonkers. Instead I will send you to look at a couple of photography blogs I enjoy: My funny eye and How we say hello
The latter is a blog of great pics and guessing games - very good fun. Go on, have a look...
This week I have been featured in 2 Etsy treasuries. The pink theme seems to be carrying on as these are both pink treasuries. It's lovely to be included, especially as I have all but ignored my etsy shop in 2009. I must remedy that soon
I also receive a blog award from Woo of The devil makes work
I received the award for 'generally being lovely'. How nice, thanks for passing on the award Woo. I'm not going to pass it along to anyone however because I'm just being a bit of a rebel. I really do appreciate awards and that someone thinks I am award worthy, but I just like to break the rules too. I never passed on chain letters as a kid, and those emails from people telling me to 'forward this email on to 10 friends and an angel will send you a bunch of flowers' drive me bonkers. Instead I will send you to look at a couple of photography blogs I enjoy: My funny eye and How we say hello
The latter is a blog of great pics and guessing games - very good fun. Go on, have a look...
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The great escape...
I saw this on the TV this evening. I loved fuzzy felt when I was a kid and I like the idea behind this too:
I feel I also need to clear up a little misunderstanding from my last post. Mr Monda didn't actually make the handmade bear, although he was very happy for people to believe this! He purchased it for me from a handmade stall at a Christmas market. Perhaps I need to have a softie making workshop with him - he's a very creative chap actually (he is a designer), but his sewing skills are not really that honed.
I've been to see the doctor this week. I have a yucky viral infection in my throat - it feels like there is something stuck in there. I'm also quite snotty and bunged up too. This has been simmering under the surface for some time and has finally surfaced. Antiseptic throat spray and vitamins are the remedy advised by the Doctor.
Something not advised by the doctor but highly recommended by me however (if you live in the UK), is treating your self to a Graze!
I have mine delivered to work twice a week on a Tuesday and a Thursday (they get delivered by royal mail with your daily post), and these little boxes do a lot to cheer me up, as well as filling me up with healthy foods to graze on. My first box arrived this week and contained fresh pineapple slices, lemon salted almonds and a mix called 'aye carumba' which is cajun spiced seeds with goji berries and apricots. Take a look at the graze website - you can basically tell them what you would like to have delivered in your box by rating various foods, you can also tell them what you don't want too (I said no to everything with Chilli's in). I have no idea what will come in my box tomorrow but having a little pressie to yourself twice a week is great fun. The team behind Graze are concious of the environment too - all the packaging used is recycled, and the inks used in printing are vegetable based. At the moment, you can get a half price trial box for just £1.49. Try it, I bet you'll like it!
I feel I also need to clear up a little misunderstanding from my last post. Mr Monda didn't actually make the handmade bear, although he was very happy for people to believe this! He purchased it for me from a handmade stall at a Christmas market. Perhaps I need to have a softie making workshop with him - he's a very creative chap actually (he is a designer), but his sewing skills are not really that honed.
I've been to see the doctor this week. I have a yucky viral infection in my throat - it feels like there is something stuck in there. I'm also quite snotty and bunged up too. This has been simmering under the surface for some time and has finally surfaced. Antiseptic throat spray and vitamins are the remedy advised by the Doctor.
Something not advised by the doctor but highly recommended by me however (if you live in the UK), is treating your self to a Graze!
I have mine delivered to work twice a week on a Tuesday and a Thursday (they get delivered by royal mail with your daily post), and these little boxes do a lot to cheer me up, as well as filling me up with healthy foods to graze on. My first box arrived this week and contained fresh pineapple slices, lemon salted almonds and a mix called 'aye carumba' which is cajun spiced seeds with goji berries and apricots. Take a look at the graze website - you can basically tell them what you would like to have delivered in your box by rating various foods, you can also tell them what you don't want too (I said no to everything with Chilli's in). I have no idea what will come in my box tomorrow but having a little pressie to yourself twice a week is great fun. The team behind Graze are concious of the environment too - all the packaging used is recycled, and the inks used in printing are vegetable based. At the moment, you can get a half price trial box for just £1.49. Try it, I bet you'll like it!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Blue Monday?
Today is Blue Monday - the most depressing day of the year apparently.
It is very easy to get bogged down in January isn't it. To say that I am feeling quite lack lustre at the moment is an understatement. I'm really trying hard not to get bogged down though, and I think planning and doing is the way forward. Well that's the theory anyway.
This Blue Monday makes me feel much happier:
I don't feel blue when I look at some of my recent purchases - I feel perfectly pink!
Some pink papers which I picked up at a newly opened craft shop in my local village, and some Laura Ashley fabric - a metre off cut for £1.75 - bargain!
and how can you feel blue when you see this? 
This is a handmade bear which was a christmas gift from Mr Monda.
not such a blue Monday after all really!
It is very easy to get bogged down in January isn't it. To say that I am feeling quite lack lustre at the moment is an understatement. I'm really trying hard not to get bogged down though, and I think planning and doing is the way forward. Well that's the theory anyway.
This Blue Monday makes me feel much happier:
I don't feel blue when I look at some of my recent purchases - I feel perfectly pink!
Some pink papers which I picked up at a newly opened craft shop in my local village, and some Laura Ashley fabric - a metre off cut for £1.75 - bargain!
and how can you feel blue when you see this? 
This is a handmade bear which was a christmas gift from Mr Monda.not such a blue Monday after all really!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
looking back
Amongst the many things I like about blogging, one thing I'm particularly thankful for is having a record of what I have been doing, thinking and feeling. Yesterday I looked back to January last year, to do just that. A couple of things struck me:
I blogged quite a lot (probably more than I have of late),
I was quite productive on the creative front (more than I have been of late), and
I was struck by the January blues (yep - same as this year).
Having the January blues is not really a problem though is it, if it happens every year and it only lasts a few weeks. I'm Looking forward to February though :o)
One thing I did last year in January was started a little house embroidery - one of my most viewed and favourited (is that a real word?) pics on flickr. It amounted to absolutely nothing but was fun to do.
Without even meaning to - I've started another one, but this one has a destiny. Wip pic:
I consulted the random number generator, which picked Kate from paperleaf as the recipient of my little give away of those cool printed habitat tea towels. Kate, can you email me your snail mail address please and I'll get them in the post to you.
My mum is here, and she's going to teach me to crochet tonight. Wish me luck, I think I might need it.
I blogged quite a lot (probably more than I have of late),
I was quite productive on the creative front (more than I have been of late), and
I was struck by the January blues (yep - same as this year).
Having the January blues is not really a problem though is it, if it happens every year and it only lasts a few weeks. I'm Looking forward to February though :o)
One thing I did last year in January was started a little house embroidery - one of my most viewed and favourited (is that a real word?) pics on flickr. It amounted to absolutely nothing but was fun to do.
Without even meaning to - I've started another one, but this one has a destiny. Wip pic:
I consulted the random number generator, which picked Kate from paperleaf as the recipient of my little give away of those cool printed habitat tea towels. Kate, can you email me your snail mail address please and I'll get them in the post to you.
My mum is here, and she's going to teach me to crochet tonight. Wish me luck, I think I might need it.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
making do
This weekend we did our first supermarket shop since Christmas. We had been putting if off through a combination of laziness and using up the odds and sods of food bought for the Christmas period. As a result, meals this last week were odd combinations of food and dishes devised of what I could find in the fridge, freezer and cupboards - just like in the old days, we were making do.
Speaking of the 'old days' Did anyone see Victorian Farm last week on BBC2? It's a 6 part documentary on 3 people who are living the life of Victorian farmers for a year. Last week (the first episode) was about learning to plough a field with horse drawn plough, making cider by crushing apples with a stone wheel, pickling and potting foraged food, and decorating and furnishing an old run down farm cottage. It really had me hooked and made me think quite a bit about how wasteful we are, and how we have such a throw away culture these days. With this is mind, today I made some Banana and Chocolate muffins
(based on this recipe - I just used muffin cases instead on loaf tins) because I had 3 bananas in the fruit bowl which were very over ripe. I might have thrown these away if I hadn't watched Victorian farm earlier in the week.
These muffins are really tasty, come highly recommended by Mr Monda, and something I will be making again if my bananas get too ripe.
There's also still a couple of days left if you're interested in my give away - just drop a comment in my previous post.
Speaking of the 'old days' Did anyone see Victorian Farm last week on BBC2? It's a 6 part documentary on 3 people who are living the life of Victorian farmers for a year. Last week (the first episode) was about learning to plough a field with horse drawn plough, making cider by crushing apples with a stone wheel, pickling and potting foraged food, and decorating and furnishing an old run down farm cottage. It really had me hooked and made me think quite a bit about how wasteful we are, and how we have such a throw away culture these days. With this is mind, today I made some Banana and Chocolate muffins
(based on this recipe - I just used muffin cases instead on loaf tins) because I had 3 bananas in the fruit bowl which were very over ripe. I might have thrown these away if I hadn't watched Victorian farm earlier in the week.These muffins are really tasty, come highly recommended by Mr Monda, and something I will be making again if my bananas get too ripe.
There's also still a couple of days left if you're interested in my give away - just drop a comment in my previous post.
Friday, January 09, 2009
a slow start and a telegramme!
Thanks for all the lovely comments and congratulatory wishes on my last post - I agree with all of your comments, a very nice way to start the new year.
I'm having a slow blogging start to 2009. This last week I have felt a bit bleugh - not really sick, but not feeling well either - somewhere in between. I don't think there is a name for this limbo state is there? Sick+Well=Sill perhaps? Under the weather is probably a better description. Speaking of weather it has been mighty chilly here, when I left work on Tuesday evening it was -3 brrrrr. I don't mind the cold so much really - I like to see frost lined branches on trees and feel the crispy grass crunching under my boots. Last night we had a freezing fog - everything looked totally eerie and creepy, it's amazing how certain weather can just make thinks look so different. I had to take a picture:
We took our Christmas decorations down on twelfth night as per the tradition. No matter how many times we go through this, I am still surprised every year at how bare things look without decorations, and I almost feel the need to have something new to put in place of the decorations. Are you feeling bare without your decorations? Would you like something nice to fill that big empty void the decorations have left? Yes you say? great, you've come to the right place.
I've been in only 2 shops since Christmas to look at the sale items - I can't bear fighting with crazy ladies in clothes shops grabbing at all the bargains, so I went to Habitat where it was nice and calm. Last year Habitat commissioned Telegramme to design a range of home wares, some of which appeared in the sale.
I picked out a couple of cotton tea towels with great prints, and because they were in the sale, I picked up a couple more to give away to my bloggy buddies.
If you would like this small gift from me to you, then please just drop me a comment in this post, anytime before Tuesday 13th Jan, I'll pick the winner at random.
I'm not sure what I'll do with mine as yet. The cotton is very good quality though - oh the possibilities!
I'm having a slow blogging start to 2009. This last week I have felt a bit bleugh - not really sick, but not feeling well either - somewhere in between. I don't think there is a name for this limbo state is there? Sick+Well=Sill perhaps? Under the weather is probably a better description. Speaking of weather it has been mighty chilly here, when I left work on Tuesday evening it was -3 brrrrr. I don't mind the cold so much really - I like to see frost lined branches on trees and feel the crispy grass crunching under my boots. Last night we had a freezing fog - everything looked totally eerie and creepy, it's amazing how certain weather can just make thinks look so different. I had to take a picture:
We took our Christmas decorations down on twelfth night as per the tradition. No matter how many times we go through this, I am still surprised every year at how bare things look without decorations, and I almost feel the need to have something new to put in place of the decorations. Are you feeling bare without your decorations? Would you like something nice to fill that big empty void the decorations have left? Yes you say? great, you've come to the right place.I've been in only 2 shops since Christmas to look at the sale items - I can't bear fighting with crazy ladies in clothes shops grabbing at all the bargains, so I went to Habitat where it was nice and calm. Last year Habitat commissioned Telegramme to design a range of home wares, some of which appeared in the sale.
I picked out a couple of cotton tea towels with great prints, and because they were in the sale, I picked up a couple more to give away to my bloggy buddies.If you would like this small gift from me to you, then please just drop me a comment in this post, anytime before Tuesday 13th Jan, I'll pick the winner at random.
I'm not sure what I'll do with mine as yet. The cotton is very good quality though - oh the possibilities!
Sunday, January 04, 2009
a new year
2009 already, hasn't the last year just flown by. Happy New Year!
I'm very glad that I blogged to remember a few milestones of 2008. So much happened over the Christmas period, it would be hard to try and mention it all in this one post - one very memorable thing to happen on 31st December, was that Mr Monda asked me to marry him. It has only taken 12 years to reach this point, so obviously it took me a while to decide whether or not he was the right one for me. Eventually after a few seconds of decision making, I said yes. This proposal was not done on a whim mind you, he was well prepared - I received a plywood postable ring in the mail, and a little message asking me to be his 'proper missus'. Now, who said romance was dead?
I'm not sure this ring will stand the test of time however, so I have been checking some designs by Chris Parry, as I really like his work.
Back at work tomorrow and back into something of a routine, which in a way will be nice, but I'd be lying if I said that I wouldn't just like just a bit more time off - at least to to adjust to those early mornings again.
I'm very glad that I blogged to remember a few milestones of 2008. So much happened over the Christmas period, it would be hard to try and mention it all in this one post - one very memorable thing to happen on 31st December, was that Mr Monda asked me to marry him. It has only taken 12 years to reach this point, so obviously it took me a while to decide whether or not he was the right one for me. Eventually after a few seconds of decision making, I said yes. This proposal was not done on a whim mind you, he was well prepared - I received a plywood postable ring in the mail, and a little message asking me to be his 'proper missus'. Now, who said romance was dead?
I'm not sure this ring will stand the test of time however, so I have been checking some designs by Chris Parry, as I really like his work.Back at work tomorrow and back into something of a routine, which in a way will be nice, but I'd be lying if I said that I wouldn't just like just a bit more time off - at least to to adjust to those early mornings again.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Lost and Found
It's still mad with Christmas preparations here in the monda household - I just thought I'd take a few moments to say 'Merry Christmas' to everyone who has popped by and read my ramblings for the last year - and supported me, my craft and my shop. It is so nice to have met (virtually and physically) and been so inspired by some lovely crafty types (that means you!).
I also wanted to share something I found out today. On Christmas Eve and on Boxing Day, if you live in the UK or have access to channel 4 TV you can watch 'lost and found'. This marvellous book by one of my fave illustrators, Oliver Jeffers, has been made into a short film.
If you click this link, you can watch a small excerpt from the film. What a nice lead into the Christmas festivities.
As well as watching this, tomorrow will be filled with making mince pies, and preparing food for the big day - the day where you eat so much you feel uncomfortable, and then lie around on the sofa all day wishing you hadn't eaten so much. Tonight will be a trip to the supermarket to pick up some essentials - the queues of traffic into our local M&S tonight were just horrific - they are open till 10pm, so I'll be going out at about 9.30 - wish me luck!
I also wanted to share something I found out today. On Christmas Eve and on Boxing Day, if you live in the UK or have access to channel 4 TV you can watch 'lost and found'. This marvellous book by one of my fave illustrators, Oliver Jeffers, has been made into a short film.If you click this link, you can watch a small excerpt from the film. What a nice lead into the Christmas festivities.
As well as watching this, tomorrow will be filled with making mince pies, and preparing food for the big day - the day where you eat so much you feel uncomfortable, and then lie around on the sofa all day wishing you hadn't eaten so much. Tonight will be a trip to the supermarket to pick up some essentials - the queues of traffic into our local M&S tonight were just horrific - they are open till 10pm, so I'll be going out at about 9.30 - wish me luck!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
faking it
I'm not a fan of artificial Christmas trees. One of things that conjures up a Chritsmassy vibe for me is the smell of a real tree. All my life, and Christmasses since I was born (33 in fact) I have had a real tree at Christmas time.
I recently read this article about trees, and now I'm even more convinced that a real tree is the right thing to choose. My tree doesn't go to waste after Christmas time. I get it collected for chipping in January.
You might wonder in this case why this year I have got an artificial Christmas tree. I'm not happy about it, really, I'm not, but the choice this year was artificial tree or no tree at all. This is really down to space - and not having any basically! which might have something to do with my lovely but rather large sofa which was purchased earlier this year. No tree was just too baa humbug for me, so we opted for one that looked as much like a real tree as possible - except for the fact that it is tall and slim of course. I have asked people who have been to the house what they think, but are they saying it looks real just to be polite? What do you think?
Christmas is speeding here at a rate of knots. I still have presents to make and I'm rapidly running out of time - not to mention the wrapping of said presents. eeek.
I recently read this article about trees, and now I'm even more convinced that a real tree is the right thing to choose. My tree doesn't go to waste after Christmas time. I get it collected for chipping in January.
You might wonder in this case why this year I have got an artificial Christmas tree. I'm not happy about it, really, I'm not, but the choice this year was artificial tree or no tree at all. This is really down to space - and not having any basically! which might have something to do with my lovely but rather large sofa which was purchased earlier this year. No tree was just too baa humbug for me, so we opted for one that looked as much like a real tree as possible - except for the fact that it is tall and slim of course. I have asked people who have been to the house what they think, but are they saying it looks real just to be polite? What do you think?
Christmas is speeding here at a rate of knots. I still have presents to make and I'm rapidly running out of time - not to mention the wrapping of said presents. eeek.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
donna and blitzen
Don't be put off by the video, just listen to the song. This is the one the BBC are using on it's Christmas idents. I defy you not to love this, and not to feel at least a little bit Christmassy after listening to it.
I have loved this song ever since the first time I heard it (it's on the soundtrack to the movie 'about a boy') Enjoy :o)
I have loved this song ever since the first time I heard it (it's on the soundtrack to the movie 'about a boy') Enjoy :o)
wet wet wet
nope, not the band from the late 80's, early 90's, but the weather today - it has been rather wet, but with relatives visiting - we were going to stick to plan and go into London.
This pic has not been altered in any way - it was so grey - the red double decker buses were the only things that stood out on the horizon!
The relatives wanted to do the things that as a (semi) local, you just wouldn't do on a Saturday before Christmas. We ventured into Covent Garden, Oxford street and Regent street - and as predicted they were all jam packed. We didn't do much shopping - just lots of walking. We also ventured down Carnaby street, as the decorations there are usually pretty good and this year was no exception - These are giant inflatable snowmen - really great. The last pic below the snowman is the lights on Regent Street.
I had to by pass a couple of shops I really would have liked to go into, but today wasn't really about me - so these shops will have to wait for another day.
I will be popping back into London again just after Christmas to go to the Theatre darling! so hopefully both shops will be open and I can shop till my hearts content!
I'm off to read some blogs now - I have over 350 posts to read (gulp). The relatives have installed themselves on the sofa and are watching Dad's Army. I'd rather eat my own head than watch this, so I have 'Christmas with the Rat Pack' playing in my headphones as I type away. Very festive indeed.
This pic has not been altered in any way - it was so grey - the red double decker buses were the only things that stood out on the horizon!
The relatives wanted to do the things that as a (semi) local, you just wouldn't do on a Saturday before Christmas. We ventured into Covent Garden, Oxford street and Regent street - and as predicted they were all jam packed. We didn't do much shopping - just lots of walking. We also ventured down Carnaby street, as the decorations there are usually pretty good and this year was no exception - These are giant inflatable snowmen - really great. The last pic below the snowman is the lights on Regent Street.
I had to by pass a couple of shops I really would have liked to go into, but today wasn't really about me - so these shops will have to wait for another day.I will be popping back into London again just after Christmas to go to the Theatre darling! so hopefully both shops will be open and I can shop till my hearts content!
I'm off to read some blogs now - I have over 350 posts to read (gulp). The relatives have installed themselves on the sofa and are watching Dad's Army. I'd rather eat my own head than watch this, so I have 'Christmas with the Rat Pack' playing in my headphones as I type away. Very festive indeed.
Monday, December 08, 2008
absent
I've been a little absent from my blog this last week or so. A lot is happening here and I just can't seem to find enough hours in the day. How is it that every year Christmas just sneaks up and bites you on the bum? I have lots of emails and messages to reply to - apologies if you are waiting to hear from me - I will reply to everyone eventually. I am also massively behind with my blog reading too.
Thanks to everyone who has swung by my little shop and made a purchase in the last couple of weeks - I've had quite a lot of sales, and some custom orders too, which is very nice, and despite my lack of time I have enjoyed making them.
Here are a few pics of my latest custom order:
I have some family visiting this weekend - we thought we would head into London and try to find some Christmas markets - does anyone have any ideas of such things in London this coming weekend? Any suggestions will be gratefully received :o)
Thanks to everyone who has swung by my little shop and made a purchase in the last couple of weeks - I've had quite a lot of sales, and some custom orders too, which is very nice, and despite my lack of time I have enjoyed making them.
Here are a few pics of my latest custom order:
I have some family visiting this weekend - we thought we would head into London and try to find some Christmas markets - does anyone have any ideas of such things in London this coming weekend? Any suggestions will be gratefully received :o)
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