The Lexicon of Life

Like most families we have always had our own special and silly words for things - nessynog, dressing gown / peeblepobble, a verbal expression akin to blowing a raspberry / 'going to Milton Keynes', an activity that is somewhat pointless and will never come to fruition - are a few examples. So I am very proud to add my own daughters addition to the family lexicon.

'Nessynogs' in action

Effie (5 yrs old) has just lost her first tooth and her mother (me) is explaining the necessity of good brushing to make sure her emerging set of adult teeth (new one can be seen where baby one has dropped out) stay healthy. To press home the point of maintaining good teeth for life I use Effie's granny as an example of what happens when you don't take care of your teeth - ie. the dentist removes a large amount of them in one go.

Gappy Gal!

This is received quietly. After a long pause and much musing, Effie turns to me and asks "So, did the dentist give Grandma her Nancies?" "Her what" I venture, "Her Nancies" says Effs. It takes me a second or two to realise that she means her Grandma's false teeth which are usually known as 'gnashers' (also known as walies (pronounced Wa-lees), good old scottish slang for false teeth, but buggered if I can work out where you get nancies from walies).

And there you have it - false teeth are hereby known in out house as 'nancies'! So make sure you give your teeth a good brush tonight or you too may end up sporting a fine pair of nancies (see below)!!

Grandma and her fine pair of Nancies

Geeky!

It's a well known fact to my family that I love gadgets! Don't ask me why, I just do - I'm not the most techno-savvy of people but I do like a nice shiny new gadget!! So, having resisted for some time we finally bought a camcorder - "it's for work" we told ourselves, and have spent the time we've had it filming the cat, the dog and the kids pulling faces and mugging shamelessly.

Face pulling!

Anyhow, I thought it might be fun to get to grips with said camcorder and all it's accompanying technology as well as exploring hither to regions of my beloved macbook and it's applications. The result is posted here - http://bit.ly/eNlxMW - it's not particularly exciting or mind blowing, they are not the cutest kids in the world, and I was particularly grumpy during filming which you can hear on some of the soundtrack (which is a bit wonky in places, like some of the camerawork!) - however, for me, it marks a teeny, tiny technological milestone and I like it! So there!!

P.S. The film was meant to be uploaded on to this blog, however, this could be construed as 'uploading video-FAIL' which confirms my worst fears, that I may, indeed, be a technological numpty! However, I'm still ridiculously pleased with myself!!

Blimey!

Astonished to see that I had not blogged since April 2010! "Not good enough" says I. So what has happened since then - well I'm working part time which is one reason for the drop in blog posts; surprising how commuting to work three times a week in appalling weather (see below)

making sure there is clean uniforms to be had, food to go on the table, new kitten to be socialised, swimming lessons, homework (kids not me) and so on and so forth impinges on your time. Anyhow, the job is good - Project Admin for a rather cool Community Forest project (check it out - www.kilfinancommunityforest.com ), the sewing is kind of on hold, the China Hire is almost there and there are other moves afoot to expand the work that husband and I can do collaboratively! Watch this space!! And while your waiting, a selection of pictures for your delectation -

Snow berries!

This is Bickle - asleep for once, he's usually running around as if he's possessed

The view on the way to work - better than the average commuter view!

Dunan's Castle - just like Narnia! The snow was just awful but did produce some fabulous views!!

Tea in a China Cup

What a civilised thing to do - tea, in a vintage china cup from a proper teapot and with the addition of rather yummy toffee cake, served on a vintage china platter. Deliciousness all round!

I said in an earlier post I was thinking of pursuing the whole 'Vintage Tearoom' idea, providing clients with vintage china, tablecloths/napkins, dressings, centre-pieces etc, to make their own Vintage Tea-parties for Weddings, Christenings, Hen Do's, Kids Parties. And for those who want to forgo the tea drinking aspect, you could have your very own 'Speakeasy' party (we also provide home-made plum and raspberry vodkas)!! So, I've started a bit of a 'feasibility' study to see what the competition is like and what folk want. In addition I've been stock taking my own current hoard of vintage table goodies and frequenting charity shops and flea markets like they're going out of fashion!

The concensus so far from a couple of local gals in the hospitality trade is 'yes, this could have legs'. So, coupled with the idea for a greener alternative to party bags and wedding favours (see previous post!) I might start putting a tentative business plan and website together!! I mean who could resist, proper tea and cakes, proper china and teapots and we'll even do the washing up!! What do you think?

Hmmm? A new idea, maybe?

How about this for a sweet alternative to run of the mill party or wedding favours - Cotton (and re-useable!) party bags with an 'Alice in Wonderland' theme - upcycled glass jar decorated with vintage fabric and cotton bakers twine and filled with hand-made chocolates, and the simple, hand stamped instruction 'Eat Me'! But don't worry you won't shrink!! Plus a bottle of fizz - what a treat!

I'm thinking about this as a potential sideline - jars could be filled with traditional sweeties/chocs/home-made jam or marmalade/mini soaps, but all trimmed in the prettiest of vintage fabrics and hand-stamped individual vintage style lables.

A green alternative, perhaps (re- and upcycling, reusable bags, organic treats!). And you could theme them as well - Alice works really well!) Comments gratefully received!!

Keep on Running!

Well, as I seem to be doing bugger all sewing at the moment I thought I'd use the blog for more general, day to day stuff - it's the George Mallory approach "Why do I write it? Because it's there!"

I've been Twittering for over a year now and those that follow me know I started running in July last year and am now totally hooked. In a previous life I used to be a Personal Trainer and Sports Therapist so I was very fit and ran regularly. After a disasterous first pregnancy, followed by several more which finally resulted in two healthy, fat babies (fine example of one below) I gave up on the whole 'fitness' thing and settled down to pushing a pram, working in management/admin troubleshooting and moved back home to Scotland.

Two years after the big move north and being the wrong side of 40, I noticed I was spreading and not just around the middle!! After watching my husband complete a 10K road race in Balloch last year and seeing loads of women in all shapes and sizes cross the finish line, I found myself thinking "I could do that" and I bloody have! It's taken less time than I thought but I'm up to a 10K distance (about and hour and 10 mins continuous running) and I'm even toying with a Marathon at some stage -I say 'toying' in the loosest sense!

Running provides me with a way to keep my fat bahookie in check, it allows me to de-stress and let off steam and it gets me out of the house kid-free for a wee while. It also allows me to run through some fantastic scenery - on Monday I listened to the dramatic and ethereal sounds of 'Florence + the Machine' as I ran through towering tunnels of pines whilst out over Loch Eck and the hills beyond - It doesn't get much better than that! Admittedly, it wasn't the best CD to run to (I usually listen to a vast collection of shite Ibiza dance/techno tunes, consistent BPM, rising /falling cadences etc) but it was a great accompaniment to hitting my target time/distance and it was a beautiful day - all sun and shadows and glorious forest.

So, that's a bit more about me that's not about sewing or fabric! Watch out - it'll be about making soup next!!

The afterglow...

So, here we are a few weeks down the line from the Creggans Xmas Cracker and I'm still absurdly pleased at how well it went. We had a total of 24 different makers, crafters, artists and small businesses showcasing a quality array of products - from handmade soaps to fine art cards and prints, stunning designer jewellery to the best chocolate Brownie bites in the whole of the country (thank you, Fi Bashford-I still taste them in my dreams!!), wonderful, hand-crafted knit- and felt-wear, ceramics, retro cards, coasters and embroideries - too many fine things to mention! See pics below for a wee glimpse of the goodies on offer:

Fi, Fi and Lorna and their sweet treats to die for!
Rosie's Retro Styling - fabulous vintage inspired goods, gifts, cards and coasters

Amazing knitwear from 'Moses Well' - aka Pauline MacIntyre

the rainbow effect - natch! Am loving those new appliqued hottie covers!!

The wonderful Penny Crisp and her creative goodies including hand felted baby bootees, beautiful bunting and more hottie covers!!!

And the place was heaving!! I think Gill (proprietress extrordinaire of the Creggans Inn) had a bit of a wobble and was convinced no-body would come, but come they did, in their droves!!

The whole place was buzzing all afternoon and the icing on the very rich and delicious cake was the sweetest of sounds made by the choir from Dunoon Grammar School (although when our Effie is big enough to attend no way will she be allowed to wear such short skirts!!)

So, I felt justifiably pleased with the end result and, after a careful evaluation of the proceedings, next years promises to be even better!!