Thanksgiving

We don't really celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK - but then I'll celebrate anything given an excuse (see - the opening of a mailbox, the day that ends in 'y' etc) - so I decided to cook something festive last night in recognition as it were, of what's going on across the pond.
In addition, Al was all set to fly out to Leeds (Yorkshire) this morning to see his folks and look at a few houses before heading down to London for the World Tour Finals - so I felt we needed a wholesome proper dinner together (why? this is MENTAL).
Ive had a pumpkin in my kitchen since before Halloween, and I've been putting off eating it because ITS SO BIG - and this was a really small pumpkin! so we had that, nicely roasted with salt and pepper and chilli, and a roasted chicken and some lovely salad (sun dried tomato, mozzarella and baby leaves with Al's special dressing that he makes) - it turned out really pretty!
I'd like to point out that i did not eat a whole half of a chicken!! some of that's my lunch and there's more in the fridge!!!

My lunch is probably closer to proper Thanksgiving food, by virtue of the fact that its mainly Quinoa. (so tasty!!!!!)

other than my lunch being awesome, things are not going well so far today! we had a late night (packing and finishing a birthday card I had forgotten that I had to make etc)


and a very early morning getting up to head for the airport . Car wouldn't start. of course.
so I had to wake my dad up to bail us out - if he had had any hold baggage or hadn't checked in he would definitely have missed the flight, and now I have no car! dreading the prospect of getting the bus home in this weather - Al's already been spreadeagled on the road this morning and his balance is MUCH better than mine! I should probably point out that its probably only -1 outside, and there are those who would be practically sunbathing in this temperature in other parts of the world - but its WET here, and everything's made out of pointy rocks....

and then one of the letting agents called to say the house that we were to view at 2pm (our appointment was for noon...) has been let this morning : (
we really liked that one! it had a pretty garden! and a Chinese Restaurant about 3 doors down! clearly not meant to be though! we have one more house to view today - but first reports are grim - its amazing what some people think that they can get away with charging people for! this just goes to prove that you HAVE to view the properties! Al's taken his dad (who was the head of housing for Bradford for about 25 years) with him to see the place though, so i hope he's giving them what for!

that's all for the moment - but i have an exciting weekend planned, with lots of crafts and a SPECIAL OUTING...

one scary dragon

as requested by bcriminger
I hope your boys like him!
I actually drew this originally about 8 years ago - I found it in my high school art folder - is that cheating?

Very familiar basset hound

Not wanting to get into trouble - personal use only this one!

Nautilus

Today we have a Nautilus - because they are awesome!!!

You liked that?

Everyone really seems to have liked the anatomically accurate heart from yesterday's digi's - if you liked that, then you'll love this!this pattern - believe it or not is available for FREE from Ravelry (who should be congratulated on reaching 1000000 Ravelers last week)!

In other news, I saw James Martin last night! And it was totally awesome!

There were around 350 people there, and I believe that we collected a large amount for Children in Need - though I was slightly disappointed not to get to eat anything he made : ( Everything smelt SO GOOD, we were starving by the end! I took a few pictures, but I'm not sure that any of them are any good - I'll have to have a looky. My mum also bought me his book (proceeds to Children in Need), which I had signed! I took the opportunity to ask him about his new restaurant which is opening in Leeds in January - so local and handy for me! - but I think I was going a bit off program, he seemed a little surprised that i didn't just want my book signed and to gush at him! Oops : )

HOORAY!

Look everyone! 30 followers! Already we are beginning to become a throng! in celebration here are some "love you loads" stamps!

Enjoy!

Happy BIrthday Bear

I needed two cards for older people this weekend - it was my Grandfather's 80th and my partner's pseudo-Gran's birthday also, so I needed something unoffensive! here's what we ended up with...

I may also do a version holding a football, and a wee pile of hearts! Any more requests???
(I haven't forgotten about my scary dragon!!!)

That's what I'd buy

Well, we only had one suggestion (quite surprised) so I can but deliver - one stall full of kittens! Enjoy!

Awning Card

Ive been looking at this Awning card tutorial from the Papercraft Planet newsletter - it's so awesome!!!
And I got to thinking, what other things could I draw to put in this adorable little stall?? Fruit and Vegetables aren't really handy card making material...
flowers maybe? I was thinking maybe fish for a Man's card?

If anyone has any ideas please let me know - you suggest it I draw it!
What else could I put in my market stall????

pin up 2

Today I have some stamps to go with the last lot - things to pin up with all our pins and pegs! I've done some baby clothes and a Christmas stocking and also a scroll and a Polaroid photo!

I'd love to see what you've done with my stamps!

Pin Up

Necessity is the mother of invention!

And as a result we now have all sorts of pegs and clips and pins for Christmas cards and scrapbook pages, all those Halloween photo scrapbooks and whatever else!

I hope they come in handy!!

Yup, thats right

Just had a dodgy Phone Call AT WORK!
oh yes, its hard to sexually harass people at home now - they work such long hours and they're out all weekend.
So lets start calling them at work - better yet, lest also call them back to ask why they hung up!

AWESOME start to the day!

A worm of Robins

A 'worm' of Robins for you today - one of the more unusual collective nouns if you ask me.... but they're SO CUTE!

or as Terry Pratchett says "stroppy, evil little bu**ers" - actually, like pigeons, quite unpleasant to each other as a general rule. There are a few that show up in my Mum and Dad's garden periodically that look just like red and brown tennis balls

I hope that these prove useful ; )

incidentally, I also found a fantastic photography website and blog today that's worth a look - Austin Thomas Photography. Some truly AWESOME photos : )

TIS the Season!!!!!

Reindeer are one of my favorite things about the Festive Season (she says, resolutely trying not to mention the C word) - I like to think of them as a symbol of the working woman - in a very Post Feminist way - (only the female deer keep their antlers all year round, the males have to grow a new pair every year to replace broken bits from rutting etc, so ALL of Santa's reindeer, as traditionally depicted, are GIRLS!!!) they are cute and fluffy and consummate career women!
All the stamps and whatnot with reindeer that i have been able to find this year are really tiny - so here is one that you can make AS BIG AS YOU LIKE!
I hope you like her : )

I WON! I WON!

Hahahahah! I have won the Sophisticated Skirt Contest on Your Style Rocks.Com!!! This is so awesome, I never win anything!!! I can't wait to see the finished article and have a go at sewing it myself - statistically there are only so many things that can go wrong with my sewing machine... perhaps this time....

I also finished the napkins that I was working on for a friends wedding gift - the finished napkins were embroidered with a compass rose and the map coordinates for her favorite place - but I forgot to take a picture!!!!!!! Such a moose!
Never mind, there's always next time (there probably wont be a next time - they took AGES). I got my inspiration from Coastal Living - which is one of my mum's favorite magazines - though, I did add to the design with my Wind Rose : ) I hope she really likes them!

And now I'm on to Christmas Cards and presents - I have 180 cards to do before I start on my own! I hope my friends and family wont mind if my cards are arriving a little late in the season...