Poor Lisa! Technophobic Friends, Who needs them??????

Poor Lisa has just spent the last two hours, yes two hours, updating my website, because I have a morbid fear of technology. Any mention of updating classes, information etc sends me into a frenzy and I have to eat cake. I can just about manage the blog, and lets face it, I'm none to regular with it, although I am getting better! Now its done, please, please, please, check out the website and see whats going on in the shop over the next few months. We are also planning plenty more, so that means another session of hell for poor Lisa. Anyway, I'm off to the florists to buy her some flowers.......bribery gets you everywhere x 

Quick catch-up

Mid July, England 2011

It's been a week since me and the baby chick came back from Latitude, very wet and bedraggled and to be honest I've been on a bit of a go-slow as far as making goes. I have managed to complete my circular crocheted cushion (pattern purchased from The Royal Sisters, on Etsy). Apart from that it's been a week of planning classes for the new season. We have loads lined up; hopefully something for everyone. Next job is to get them all listed on the website and posters out advertising 'whats on'. Hopefully, we'll get a good response. In fact people are already asking, so fingers crossed we'll be busy come September...

All I need now is a cushion pad

knit and Natter goes mad!

Today started as a noisy, knitting/crochet fest, as the girls (and I use that term loosely) were all on splendid form. We had an oustanding 'show and tell' performance today from some of the ladies, amidst plenty of tea, coffee and homemade carrot cake. What more could one ask for?

 


Cecilia and her pink elephant; a gift for her grandaughter Lola

 

Lisa (Mimi and Cakes) and her gorgeous new bag design



 Knit and natter truly lifts my mood, it is chicken soup for the soul and I heartily recommend it. I've made such friends and we are planning lots of fun over the next two months. In August we are off to an 'open garden' for the afternoon where we will be able to knit and natter, wander round the beautiful gardens and enjoy a delicious cream tea, all to raise funds for a local charity. In October of course we have our annual outing to the Ally Pally for the knit and stitch show, where Jen and I will be competing to see who can buy the most gorgeous trimmings, beads, buttons and fabrics etc.

My favourite 'show and tell' from Lara - a darling dress which was actually made for Brian Adams' baby. Fancy that!

homemade carrot cake - scrumptious!

Anyway, tis the festival season which means me and my baby are off to Latitude for the weekend. Despite weather forecasts we are going to have a fab time. And any way, if it rains I can always sit in a tent and get my crochet out to keep me cheerful! Happy weekend everyone x

Too many balls in the air

Sometimes I wonder why I can't seem to do one job at a time, get it finished and then move on to the next. Is it the way my brain is wired? Or is it the old chestnut of 'gender socialisation'? Are we conditioned to multi-task, as women? Does it hamper our progress, or have a negative impact on our identity?...........Woah, for a minute there I thought I was back in the classroom, teaching A level sociology!

Whatever... once a multi tasker, always a multi tasker! And there will always be at least half a dozen projects that need finishing...........



Planning for the launch of the new webshop





Where's my hair?

 

A cushion without stuffing!



Flowers for a lampshade

Squares that need joining

At least the children get their projects finished!

Rain rain go away

I can't believe Monday has come around again, without me finding the opportunity to blog. The week has been hectic, as usual, but fun and fruitful. This week has seen the Leigh Art Trail, which has been a great success for my lovely friend Emma who sold all but a few of her paintings. On Thursday evening we had a reception and it was attended by the local celeb, Phil Jupitus, who purchased one of Emma's star exhibits.



'Yeah!' Emma with one of her exhibits



On Wednesday it was Borough Sports day for Ru and she was allocated the task of competing in the Javelin discipline (not that she had seen one before the event). She had three shots to try and get it as far as she could. The wind was blowing straight at her as she took her first shot which went up in the air and came back down at her feet! Ru's dad and I cringed as we saw her embarassment but she didn't give up. Her next two shots, following some sound advice from other competitors, were good enough for her to come third so she was really chuffed!

I came 3rd Mum, Yippee!

So here I am back at Monday and its raining as I watch Andy Murray make it really difficult for himself to get through the first round. I've done my usual trawl of the charity shop circuit and found a picture for a very cheap £1, which will be added to the gallery when I get a chance.

Monday Find

Finally, what better way to spend the evening than making squares for the two throws that I'm in the middle of doing, whilst drinking a cup of tea! Oh happy Monday everyone xxx



Little Piles of Happiness!



Monday, Monday

Monday is now officially my day off so I decided I was going to enjoy the first one and do things that I don't otherwise get time to do. So, after a quick housework session, I had a wander into Leigh for a charity shop trawl. It was a good day for finds - one floral cushion cover and two pretty doilies, all for the princely sum of £1. And who should I bump into but Lisa doing the same thing. Great minds think alike!


Bargain finds from the Salvation Army shop

 This afternoon I have made some floral cushions for the living room - I've decided I'm going to revamp the flat and have been collecting bits and bobs in preparation, like fabric, junk furniture etc which is all stored in the garage, waiting to be brought back to life. One of my most recent bargain finds was some beautiful wallpaper from Laura Ashley, which was end of lot and reduced to £4 a roll. I do love a bargain! Anyway, all I need now is some time to get started!

lovely floral fabric for cushions

The week in pictures

What a great first week in the shop as a full timer!

It's been a roller coaster of fun and emotion and I feel pleasantly exhausted as we go into the weekend. First of all, on Tuesday I attended a first aid course, which was really interesting and useful. Tuesday evening was very special as Sam finally finished her first project. I have to say Sam, you are a star. The jumper is great and you made it in less than a year after all!!!!!

Not bad for a first effort, Sam!

Then on Wednesday we had an apron making session as you can see. It really brought out the domestic goddess in us all.  It's amazing how wearing our finished articles made us want to rush home to bake.

Pat went with a flamenco feel, the pockets are handy for her castanets...

Then Friday, Jen visited to show us her poorly foot.  And spot the nail varnish!  She may be in plaster but she has standards!!!!  Never a dull moment at Roses and Rue!

No Jen, YOU get in the car!

Frankly, for sartorial elegance nothing competes with Jen's foot covered by a blue plastic bag during a rain storm, where Jen leads Vogue will follow.