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Sunday 8 July 2012

EVEN OUR GOLD FISH HAVE ASKED FOR BROLLIES

Hi everyone

This is getting just a little too much to smile about, isn't it?  I do feel so sorry for those people who live in areas of the UK that have suffered because of extraordinary rainfall.  We live at the bottom of a hill so do tend to get debris washed down off of the top of the Hog's Back - not into our home but at the end of our road that is nearest to the Hog's Back.  We live in a bungalow, so you can imagine our concern that there is no first floor to move to if we are flooded.  However, we could grab the cats and head up to the loft if it comes to needing somewhere to escape to - would prefer not to though.

We had lots planned for this week as Richard has been on hols, but the best laid plans, etc, etc.  The bad weather played a large part in spoiling some plans, but it wasn't helped by the fact that Richard somehow managed to get bitten.  Not by anything with four legs, more like something with four wings.  The odd thing is that I had been sympathising with Lesley about her bee-sting which caused cellulitis, and it turned out that Richard has the same condition (unfortunately for him, this is the third time he has had this problem).  Wonder if it was the same bee that flew over from Shackleford to Christmas Pie?  Could this be the original busy bee?  Like Lesley, he has been in considerable pain this week but unlike Lesley, he wouldn't go to see our GP.  But he had to give in eventually when the pain became too much for him!

A week of  'oh dear, my arm has fallen off' has meant very little gardening was done, going out and about was limited too.  It was our wedding anniversary this week, and we had planned to have a day of shopping, lunch and the theatre - first on Wednesday in London, then moved to Friday in Gunwharf Quays, and sadly moved again.  Never mind we will arrange some time away when Richard is next on leave.  I won't mention when because we have discovered that recently when he takes time off of work it rains - almost non-stop!

We had a meal with a friend on Thursday evening and hard to believe looking at the weather now, we sat outside until gone 10.00pm.  It was dry, warm and the sun shone for longer than five minutes.  I know summer is out there somewhere, but I think it has got a little lost.  If you see it, please send it back home because we are going to an open-air production of the Marriage of Figaro next Saturday to celebrate the 'Thursday evening' friend's birthday and don't really fancy the idea of trudging through mud to sit on (and in) more mud.

Have you managed to read last week's guest post from Madeleine of the Craftsite?  It's a great post and clearly demonstrates Madeleine's enthusiasm for her business and in particular for her customers.  I have really enjoyed the guest blogger posts I have had to date and I am sure you will agree each post has been interesting, and many of them have included some really great photographs.  As always, I am keen to add some more names to the long list of great bloggers, so if you would like to join them please do get in touch: christmaspiecrafts@virginmedia.com.

I started work this week on another fabric wreath which I had hoped to finish to display on this week's blog post, but it is a case of almost there, but not quite - so plan to add it to next week's Handmade Monday blog post.  However, as it was the last week of my course (until September), here in true Blue Peter style are some things I made earlier:


The first photograph is of the much talked-about serviette rings.  As you can see they are not the run-of-the-mill style as these ones stand up.  There were made with a triangle of clay, embossed on both sides and rolled around a tube.  Originally I made four, lost one and made a further three.  The ones at the back have been biscuit-fired, the ones at the front are drying off ready for biscuit-firing, which will be done during the summer break ready for me to glaze all of them next term.


While making the serviette rings, I had a triangle of clay left over and initially wasn't too sure what to make with it.  Then an struck, why not make jewellery?  So I cut a triangle for the pendant - at the narrow end I carefully rolled the point over to create a loop to be able to thread ribbon or wire through.  The earrings are small squares and I pierced them in one corner.  Once fired, glazed, etc I will be able to add wires that I learned to make on the Wire-work course I attended recently.  I have the wire-work bug now and am moving into making Polymer Clay Jewellery - I have bought lots of lovely colours so over the next few blog posts I hope to be able to show off my jools!  The butterfly-mind behaviour has struck again!


My last 'show' piece is a pot I made some time ago and couldn't think of how to decorate it.  I had carved a flower on one side of the pot and this week I sponged the outside in green-powder glaze (powder mixed with clear glaze and water).  I then coloured the flower petals in orange - I painted them several times to build up the colour and depth - and then painted the leaves.

Sadly, I ran out of time so I will have quite a few things to finish off next term.  I have really enjoyed the course and as I mentioned before, it has been so nice to do a course that doesn't have homework, assignments or exams associated with it.  Roll on next term.

Well, well, it has stopped raining!  Must check that the fish are OK and have not floated off into someone else's pond.  As well as that I am working on a friend's database and email marketing newsletter and as often happens, these things never go smoothly.  Don't forget to visit the other blogs taking part in Handmade Monday - as always lots of gorgeous makes and interesting posts.  I hope you have a good week - I will be back on Wednesday with my mid-week post and if you would like to be a Friday Guest Blogger, please do let me know.

Jill

40 comments:

  1. Oh no, you hadn't mentioned it was your wedding anniversary too. Poor Richard, is his cellulitis responding to the antibiotics?

    Your serviette rings look super-modern, good idea for the pendant.

    Hope you are dodging the showers today x.

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    1. Swelling seems to be reducing, so hopefully antibiotics are working. Getting married in July made us think guaranteed sunshine for our wedding anniversaries. Silly us.

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  2. Wow, another blogger working in clay... I think I have to give it a go, although your work looks amazing :)

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    1. It is a very relaxing craft and very addictive too. Have a go, bet you will be hooked.

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  3. Hope you enjoy your wedding anniversary celebrations when you get to have them. Really like the embossing effect on your serviette rings.

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    1. Thank you - it was created with embossed wallpaper and I am pleased with the effect.

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  4. I love the flower on your pot. What a great idea - making jewellery with left overs. You are quite amazing, not being afraid of trying something new. I am quite jelous. Hope you have a dry Saturday amd a good week.

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    1. I love trying new crafts - good fun and you never know that a hidden talent might be discovered. don;t think my hidden talent is in pottery, but I do enjoy it.

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  5. Crikey, you are so busy! I love those serviette rings, the shape of them is amazing!
    We live on top of a hill, but the rain still manages to make a moat round our back door! Fortunately it runs off before it gets deep enough to get inside, but we've had to put stepping stones out there!

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    1. That sounds grim - let's hope it stays outside. I have had enough of the rain now.

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  6. Love the shape of your serviette rings- really interesting and unique

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    1. thank you - I like to try different styles of every day things.

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  7. I wish you could send that rain my way, because I'd gladly take it off your hands. Hope your hubby is healed up soon.

    That last pot.. a vase perhaps? I love it!

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    1. I wish I could too and I very much sympathise with what you are going through. I hope it cools down soon and will try to send the rain your way.

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  8. Rain, rain and more rain and all Richard's fault for having a week off! just on you know, lol.

    Sorry he has been bitten but just like a man to take the pain like a man! so the whole world knows about it. Seriously I do hope he gets better soon.

    You are doing well with your pottery, good idea about the jewellery and love the flower vase

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    1. He is suffering 'quietly'! Potter has been great fun - quite addictive too.

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  9. Your clay work looks amazing. You are giving me itchy fingers, I want to get stuck in and have a go!

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    1. Give it a try Wendy - you will really enjoy it it.

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  10. Sorry to hear about Richard. Is it the arm he uses to reach for his wallet? Shouldn't joke really, I know how horrible that cellulite thing is, being a fellow sufferer. But I didn't get stung to be blessed with it. :o) Only joking, I know it's not the same thing. Mine came from eating too many oranges!
    Napkin rings look very elegant Jill, as does the lovely shaped vase, and the jewellery is very pretty and unique. I'll be interested to see them glazed. Can't wait to see what you do with the polymer clay jewellery!

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    1. Sadly it is - such a good excuse? I also have the orange problem - not fair is it especially when we are told to eat fruit! I have never used polymer clay before, so this will be a trial and error activity. Watch this space.

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  11. your ceramic creations are wonderful! i especially like the pot with the flower, such a pretty shape and design. It was very clever of you to think of making jewellery from your left over bits of clay from he serviette rings, i look forward to seeing them all glazed and fired!

    enjoy your polymer claying :) x

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    1. I am glad you like the flower pot - it was very much a 'what can I do with this pot' activity.

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  12. It looks like you are really enjoying the pottery! Lovely pieces and cant wait to see the serviette rings all completed.
    Hope you have a lovely wedding anniversary x

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    1. It has been a great course and the group are really lovely - all very helpful and so talented.

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  13. Sorry to hear your week didn't go to plan. I have taken an oath not to make plans as something always disrupts things. Hope Richard is recovering.
    I really like the napkin rings, unusual design and would look lovely on a table. The 'show ' pot is really pretty. Can't wait to see more.
    Ali x

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    1. The antibiotics are beginning to work and he isn't in as much pain now - thank goodness.

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  14. Hope your husband gets better soon, have also heard of a few people in Hants with similar problems, so your bee maybe busier and more widely travelled than you think :-). I love your ceramics, it was always something I wanted to be good at at school but wasn't, but it might be worth another go - your post is definitely inspiring. The painted flower is really lovely, love the soft, almost chalky colours

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    1. You should give it a try - great fun and relaxing too. That busy bee has certainly been extra busy.

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  15. Hope you can keep dry, and not end up like Pooh, floating along in your upturned brolly! x

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    1. Oh yes, I cam see that happening - lovely Poo, although Tigger is my favourite

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  16. Love the idea of fish with brollies :) Glad you have enjoyed your course, like the idea of the jewellery :)

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  17. I love the serviette rings and the little pot.Very different and unique.I enjoy the quest blog spots-it's always interesting to read about what people are up to.

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    1. Glad you have enjoyed the guest bloggers posts - they ahve all been really great.

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  18. Congratulations on your anniversary, I hope your OH is feeling lots better. It's a shame when plans have to be changed but hopefully things will improve before 'Figaro'

    Jan x

    I love the little house toadstools too, I plan to do quite a few more. X

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    1. Fingers crossed re the weather, but I think it is going to be wellies, macs and big brollies.

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  19. I havent heard of the hogs back for 20 years since i worked at a health farm in Grayshott, and hotels in Guildford, your post brought back memories for me. Love the serviette rings, very unique shape. Clever idea to use your left over pieces for jewellery. You've had quite an eventful week by the sounds of it, hope the sun shines a little more for you this week.

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    1. I know the Spa you mean - I used to visit it regularly (not as a customer) as I had students working there. Fingers and toes crossed for some sunshine this week.

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  20. Love the shape of your pot. We had thunder, fork lightning and hail stones on our wedding and that was in August!!! Hugs Mrs A.

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    1. You would think that as we both picked (so called) summer months for our weddings, that we would be lucky with the weather.

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Thank you for your comment - it is always lovely to have feedback and I hope you enjoyed my post.