Sajona's small world

Dress a girl around the world

2012-01-26T23:19:00.001-11:00

dress a girl around the world, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Spent the last 2 afternoons using up fabric stash by making 6 dresses for the charity 'Dress a girl around the world'. They are really simple pillowcase style dresses using cotton fabric. I handmade binding for the spotty dress, but used packet binding for the rest. The 2 on the right are from a recycled dress I bought from a charity shop - they were actually the most expensive as the dress cost £9.99 and was unworn. Must resist those charity shops - especially in Harpenden, which is always way overpriced :( (but often has Boden and designer labels..). The dress on the left is actually Boden fabric, courtesy of Fabrics Galore in London - a really designer fabric treasure trove.
The blog for the UK organiser for DAGATW is:
http://sewscrumptious.blogspot.com/

Down by the riverside

2011-11-06T02:37:00.003-11:00

Small People busying themselves on the swings - so I had a little stroll around the river nearby..

A few brave ducks
a rather depleted river...we need some rain!
you'd never believe we are so close to a town here.....and that this river (The Lea) is so long that by the time it gets to the other side of Hertfordshire it is big enough to be used for the Olympic games next year (the white water rapids bit near Broxbourne). It then flows through East London and then out into the Thames.

Ernest - The Knitter Magazine Issue 32

2011-10-30T06:20:00.002-11:00

knit324004, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Lots to report from over the summer - but the main thing is that I finally had a design published! This guernsey started life as an idea in wool back in 1988 - it was one of my final year projects at uni - there are lots of other designs that relate to this, and I still really like them, so I will be gradually re-working them and writing up patterns.
This little fella is made from Twilleys Gorgeous 4ply - a bamboo mix that is just lovely to knit with - soft and smooth and shows of the stitchwork beautifully.
It is also very economical - this sweater only took 4 balls in the 3/4 year size!
Hopefully it should be appearing on the new Future publishing site soon - where you can download and pay for patterns individually that have appeared in The Knitter and Simply Knitting (plus their other craft magazines) - I will add a link when it does.
If you click on the photo it will take you to flickr, where you can view other bits of the pattern etc!
Ernest is the name of a special little boy in the life of Jeanette - you can check out her amazing blog in the list over there >>>>
(Lazy Seamstress).

Autumn

2011-10-30T05:43:00.006-11:00

This is a test post to see how to post more than one picture in a posting! Blogger doesn't make it easy...so it appears you have to upload them all at once and then insert the text afterwards...

Revamp...

2011-10-30T05:12:00.001-11:00

Looking at making more of this blog as it is sadly neglected! I am going to change the layout etc shortly - will be back soon!

Where we live

2011-05-20T06:33:00.007-11:00

(Long time no post sorry!)

We are really lucky to live in the countryside part of Hertfordshire - near enough to a town to walk to the centre in half an hour, but surrounded by fields of horses and cows, plus a river and a golf course. A small walk down the road and we have a pretty woodland full of bluebells and wild flowers. We took a walk the other week when the flowers were in full bloom - so nice to be in the shade on a hot sticky day like that.

Dressember Tips

2010-11-24T09:20:00.002-11:00

My old buddy Laura (we went though our degrees together - but she was far brainier than moi :)) works in a lovely clothes shop in London and tweeted lots of tips recently - I have simply compiled them here for the benefit of all dressember members (more about that on another post)

To help the #dressember movement along and in honour of 21 years selling frocks at www.katharinebird.co.uk, I'd like to impart some tips.

#dressember is about wearing dresses in December. Great idea. 1st thing 2 remember. Dresses r the hardest thing to fit. Both length & width

#dressember If a dress doesn't fit, blame the dress, not yourself. I fitted made to measure dresses 4 years. Learnt that we're all different

#dressember Having a short waist or narrow shoulders is NORMAL. Trying to buy a dress to fit from maybe 4 sizes if you're lucky is bonkers

#dressember Learn what suits you but don't discount all other shapes. Just find a good alteration service!

#dressember Prints are more flattering than plain. Small prints more than large. But if you fall in love with bold lillies etc, go for it

#dressember Everyone always asks for colour in Winter but always ends up buying BLACK! It's more flattering of course but remember underwear

#dressember Our parents and grandparents wore 'foundation' underwear for a reason. Smooth lines are more important than sucky in pants.

#dressember If u can't break away from the LBD, brighten it up with colourful jewellery or maybe a scarf. Or be brave & wear coloured tights

#dressember While we're on the subject of tights, Winter is great for dresses because we can all wear 'opaques'. Try to get high waisted.

#dressember Opaques means showing more leg than most of us would dare to in Summer. Best with high boots of course. Heels or flats

#dressember Finding high boots is a nightmare. www.duo.co.uk do all widths but are a bit pricey. Clarks have some great wide boots this year

#dressember If you have skinny legs, I don't have another suggestion but at least the thick socks look is in this year.

#dressember Yes you can show your knees. From experience most women think their legs are at least 10 times uglier than they are.

#dressember I have no idea where this ugly leg thing comes from - just like I despair over arm fixations. Whatever you think, you are wrong!

#dressember Also don't worry too much about sleeveless dresses in Winter. Put a cardi over or a long sleeved vest under.

#dressember If you go for the l/s vest, try to find a long one so you don't have fabric crinkling up round your waist.

#dressember If you like a dress but you think it's a bit shapeless, you can do wonders with belts. Thin ones round hips, thick under bust

#dressember Maxis are still around this Winter but only ever wear them with short cardis/jackets or you'll look like a sack!

#dressember OK, shapes. It's true V necks suit a bigger bust but you can also create a V with a nice, long necklace tied in a knot.

#dressember Everyone wants to show off their 'tiny' waists if they have them but don't nip in too tight if things go out again too much!

#dressember A gather on the front of a dress you wear doesn't mean you're pregnant. It just means the dress is comfortable!

#dressember Ruching is VERY flattering. Ruching is horizontal gathers. Looks rubbish off but fantastic on the body.

#dressember I love bias cut. Trinny & Susanna are wrong. But if u find something u like, make sure it is cut generously, with lots of fabric

#dressember Also, bias cut dresses also look super long without a body in them. Don't judge a dress by it's hanger appeal. Put it on.

#dressember In fact if a bias cut dress looks extra long, that's probably a good sign that the manufacturers haven't skimped on the fabric

#dressember I work in a lovely dress shop that has expensive and cheap dresses. Libelula is a great label. But so is InWear.

#dressember And the place I love for really pretty fabrics and great shapes at an affordable price.... Wallis. Good size range too!

#dressember If anyone's read this splurge and has a question, feel free. Otherwise, check the details at www.katharinebird.co.uk & call me!

#dressember I work Sat - Tues but the lovely Tina is also great. She's a totally different shape to me so our own experience is extensive!

#dressember When buying dresses (any clothes really), be aware of the dressing rooms particularly mirrors and lighting.

#dressember Seriously, why should we have to look at ourselves in something that approximates those mirrors that help you see round corners?

#dressember And a harsh white overhead bulb might be good for Dracula but not good enough for us. Remember good lighting is your friend.

#dressember & when u look in a nice flattering mirror, use a hand mirror 2 look at your rear. Twisting only makes shoulders narrow & bum big

#dressember Your shoulders are very important. They balance nearly every figure shape & are more important than your bum. Give them a chance!

body con dresses? #dressember Aren't we all body conscious enough already? Wudn't say no to a Herve Leger tho. Original and best.

Absolute genius advert

2010-10-25T09:51:00.001-11:00

It is easy to forget how great UK agencies are at making adverts - but this is genius!

Baby Loss Awareness Day

2010-10-15T08:58:00.001-11:00

IMG_1814, originally uploaded by Sajona.

An opportunity to light candles in memory of angel babies everywhere. I am particularly thinking of Florence and Lauren who were both born awake but left their families far too soon xxx

No need for any other comment today

2010-10-13T04:46:00.000-11:00

Mario Gomez, 63, who was thinking of retiring in November, has now emerged from the mine. Emerging from the cage, he stuck two thumbs in the air and held up a Chilean flag.
Mr Gomez, the oldest man in the mine, falls to his knees in prayer.

"I have come back to life," he says, quietly.

(from the BBC news website)

The Angel of the North

2010-09-21T05:54:00.001-11:00

IMG_0926, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Back in August we took a trip OOOOp North to see our friend in Northumberland - and took a little detour off the A1 to see the Angel close up. I was a little disappointed to be honest, as it was smaller than I expected - but it does make for some good photo- ops. I am still amazed at how good the iphone is at taking pictures - all it needs is a flash and a zoom and I'd be able to use it all the time.

Conclusion

2010-09-18T05:09:00.001-11:00

well my waistline is not going to thank me for the amount of baking I did last week - but at least the baking cupboard is looking far more organised, I’ve discovered that Tia Maria doesn’t go off (as I have a nearly full bottle) and the veg box is now empty :))

Day 3 - a day off!

2010-09-08T11:19:00.002-11:00

Really long day driving down to nan's flat in Eastbourne and back in pouring rain - all furniture and contents packed, vast amounts taken to the recycling centre and then back home - exhausted! I did manage to cook up some chicken last night for my hubby to feed as sandwiches to the kids for tea, and I had enough to do an 'everything but the kitchen sink' risotto when I got home - and of course there will be no waste as the chicken carcass will be made into stock tomorrow :)

Day 2

2010-09-07T11:25:00.001-11:00

IMG_0996, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Bought a long handled fruit tree picker today - it makes picking our Bramley Apple tree so much fun! It has a gravel path underneath it so any windfalls are unusable (unless you spend ages picking all the grit out!) - so large basket full picked this afternoon.
I've gone through my recipe books and the Popina cookbook has lots of savoury muffins recipes - so made Spinach,Garlic and Nutmeg ones and then Feta and Tomato..yum! They've gone in the freezer. Had 'use it up omelette' at lunchtime which used all the boiled new potatoes lurking in the fridge from Sunday and remembered to freeze the cooked beetroot before it went off! All my peelings are in the compost bin - and cooked food scraps are collected by the council anyway - so nothing really gets binned here.

IMG_1753

2010-09-06T10:09:00.001-11:00

IMG_1753, originally uploaded by Sajona.

IMG_1752

2010-09-06T10:07:00.003-11:00

IMG_1752, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Zero Waste Week

2010-09-06T10:07:00.001-11:00

IMG_1750, originally uploaded by Sajona.

As you can see by the button on the right it is 'Zero Waste Week'. I've signed up as I really need to declutter the baking cupboard! Some of it's shameful contents are pictured here! I have actually listed everything in there and am attempting to buy as little food as possible this week and use up as much in the larder/fridge and freezer as I can,
So far I've made 4 cakes and frozen all the runner and french beans lurking in the fridge. I even whizzed up the end crusts of bread from the bread bin and froze them too.
So that is day one - more reporting tomorrow!

Harpenden sings Gospel

2010-08-20T11:36:00.003-11:00

I've spent all weeks with the lovely folks from Luton Gospel Choir, learning 4 songs along with 30 or so others from local churches. We have had great fun and it is so good to realise that my voice really does work and the years of being rejected for not being able to sight-read are behind me..the gospel songs are learnt by ear! Complete bliss!!

We had a concert tonight and it all went brilliantly - here is the first song we did. Hoping to join them again in the near future.

Ravelry Party at Knit Nation

2010-08-05T09:20:00.001-11:00

Ravelry Party, Knit Nation, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Last Saturday I went along to the Ravelry party hosted by Jess and Casey of Ravelry, at the Knit Nation event at Imperial College in London - loved meeting some names I've known online for years and newer ones I'm looking forward to getting to know. Enjoyed seeing everyone's stash purchases - lots of yummy Wollmeise, cashmere, lace and sock yarn in pretty hand dyed colours. If I didn't already have a heaving cupboard of lovely yarn I'd feel pretty jealous :)
Busy weekend altogether as I dropped the biggest sajonette in Stevenage so he could attend Sonisphere (Iron Maiden, Iggy Pop, Pendulum...nice) .

Sorry I've been awol

2010-06-28T08:41:00.002-11:00

IMG_1412, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Real life has taken over Chez Sajona - largest sajona-ette has been doing GCSEs, smallest has a hectic social life and mummy is left being taxi.
The poor garden has been much neglected as we are waiting for our landscape designer/builder to come up with a final quote and design for us - and therefore the flower beds have (literally) gone to seed as I know they will all be dug up in the autumn. There are lots of temporary pots filled with dug up perennials and shrubs that I want to save, along with a makeshift vegetable patch and even the strawberries have a new potted home rather than the flower beds they are used to.
A few little gems are surviving - the perennial sweet pea has sprouted up everywhere (it seeds like mad) and an english rose is currently blossoming in an old recycling bin! I rather like the combination of the various clematis and roses growing up against the fence - grey/purple and pink aways works in the garden.

IMG_1409

2010-06-28T08:32:00.001-11:00

IMG_1409, originally uploaded by Sajona.

IMG_1408

2010-06-28T08:31:00.001-11:00

IMG_1408, originally uploaded by Sajona.

The March UFO Pile

2010-03-13T08:14:00.001-11:00

IMG_1242, originally uploaded by Sajona.

With a bunch of sewing/crafting friends I'm working through the stash pile this month and making up lots of sadly forgotten items.
I started this last summer, and it has stayed in a pile on my bedroom floor since then - and as I keep tripping over it when I close the blinds it had to be the first to get done!
It is a Sublime Yarn pattern - called 'Little Red Smock' and is made in Twilley's Freedom Sincere Cotton DK - Organic cotton. Really splitty to knit - there are various loose threads that had to woven in :( The fronts are the same length by the way - it is just the photo suggesting otherwise!

Still need to fight!

2010-03-02T00:12:00.002-11:00

It was announced that the BBC is planning to close 6music (along with others) - there is still time to email the trust and make a protest!:

trust.enquiries@bbc.co.uk

Save 6Music

2010-03-01T03:13:00.002-11:00

26943_357402970916_547860916_4794363_8126165_n, originally uploaded by Sajona.

I am so annoyed that there is a possibility that the BBC may close this Radio station down - it is a treasure that would be very sadly missed.

As the BBC log all complaints, and they are treated quite seriously, I sent them the following:
I would like to add to the many who are complaining about the potential closure of 6Music - I love the station for it's diverse music and use of all your archived Radio sessions - especially all the John Peel sessions that I knew and loved. There are thousands of us who are over 35 and still love and adore REAL music - not Radio 1 RnB pap or Radio 2 1960s bias (which is fine for our parents but doesn't reach us) - we grew up with punk/heavy metal etc etc - we aren't ready to throw in the towel and listen to Phil Collins yet!
PLEASE leave 6Music alone!!!!
-----------------------

You can join the facebook campaign here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=278123313911

and here are the inchies...

2010-01-24T01:31:00.001-11:00

IMG_1144, originally uploaded by Sajona.

rather pleased with these - although they are a right fiddle to do! I doodled over the fabric on the machine first - then marked out suitable 1" squares and straight stitched round and cut them out. I used fusible fleece on the back for stability.

The last scrap

2010-01-24T01:27:00.001-11:00

IMG_1148, originally uploaded by Sajona.

The final piece of Jeanette's fabric - I was making inchies with the scrap I had left and this odd shaped piece was that was left - so I did a bit of machine doodling and sent it back to Jeanette :)

Knitters unite to help Haiti

2010-01-15T10:55:00.002-11:00

Just wanted to give a mention of the Yarnharlot's call for donations for Medicins sans Frontier - it shows what humble knitters can do when we get together to help!:

http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2010/01/13/the_knitsignal.html

Jingle Bells remix

2009-12-14T07:48:00.001-11:00

IMG_0540, originally uploaded by Sajona.

DD is going round the house singing Jingle Bells - but it is 'Tinker Bells' apparently - and she goes on a 'tissue ride'...the mind boggles!

My Babies

2009-11-13T06:20:00.001-11:00

My Babies, originally uploaded by Sajona.

another mosaic - my 4 as of July this year - they are cute aren't they? (if cute is the right word for a 15 year old)

Autumn - Sajona Style

2009-10-27T09:57:00.001-11:00

IMG_5327, originally uploaded by Sajona.

I've been browsing loads of blogs recently - and every single one has images of brisk autumnal walks with close ups of browning crunchy leaves..you know the kind of thing. You won't get that from me (despite being surrounded by trees and countryside where we live!) I like to cook and bake when the weather starts turning - hence large stacks of chutneys and jams building up in the cupboard. Today's production line used Green Tomatoes from one side of the county (my mum's greenhouse) and the cooking apples off our tree (oh and the chillies from our plant) , can't get more local than that really! Now have to wait 2 months for it to be edible....

2 Birthdays on one day

2009-10-25T22:09:00.001-11:00

DSC00006, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Saturday was the annual celebration for 2 of my children - the second oldest and the youngest, they were 13 and 4!
They were both due on 23rd October and arrived in the early hours of the 24th both times! I think my youngest has always considered 2.25am as her special awake time as she is a hopeless sleeper.
Anyway - pizza, gaming and a lot of noise for the boy on Saturday (still cleaning up popcorn from under the sofa) and a princess party for DD this coming sunday :)

Natty Warhol

2009-10-18T05:33:00.002-11:00

More playing around with biglabs!

Loadsa Squash!

2009-10-17T10:36:00.001-11:00

IMG_5325, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Well after taking over my veg patch for most of the summer with their huge leaves and long winding stalks, this is my entire harvest (apart from 2 that are soup and curry in the freezer). This is actually better than last year when the horrible wet weather all summer meant that the flowers rotted and dropped off before they even made a measly attempt at forming squash. The late sun helped this year - they seemed to triple in size in the last month and I've brought them in before the hard frosts.
Runner beans have also done well this year - pity that I seem to be the only one who eats them!

Lighting a candle

2009-10-15T10:50:00.001-11:00

candle, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Tonight was the night to remember all of us who have suffered Babyloss . My candle was lit and I remembered my lovely friends Jeanette and Cheryl as they remember their beautiful baby girls who didn't stay more than a day, but are in their hearts forever.

Just after I blew it out I checked my email and discovered an old friend had died this evening of liver cancer - so I dedicate it to John too xxx

My first mosaic

2009-10-05T01:43:00.001-11:00

My creation, originally uploaded by Sajona.

I love playing with flickr toys! This is through big labs who supply this mosaic software - really simple to do (even for a numpty like me)
These are a selection of ATCs I've made over the last few years.

2009-10-05T01:11:00.003-11:00

IMG_5296.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

2009-10-05T01:11:00.001-11:00

IMG_5301.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

A Special Blanket

2009-10-05T01:10:00.001-11:00

IMG_5311.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

I have belonged to an internet sewing group for over 8 years and just about all of us contributed towards a special blanket for one of the members Jeanette - I'll let her share her side of the story on her blog:
http://lazyseamstress.blogspot.com/2009/10/from-beautiful-friends.html
I collected together the squares, blocked them (you can see them taking over my workroom below!) , sewed it together and crocheted round the edge.
Not perfect - but lots of love went into it!

zantedeschia - Z card for ATC swap

2009-09-18T02:32:00.001-11:00

zantedeschia - Z car for ATC swap, originally uploaded by Sajona.

total cheat really - printed a pic in black and white and painted over the top with watercolour pencil :) Was pleased with it though

Yarn Yeti - Y card for ATC swap

2009-09-18T02:31:00.001-11:00

Yarn Yeti - Y card for ATC swap, originally uploaded by Sajona.

forgot to blog these when they were sent out - this is Y for Yarn yeti - hand knitted - the fastest knit ever!

Very Moving - RIP Patrick

2009-09-15T23:48:00.001-11:00

LOL!

2009-09-15T04:19:00.001-11:00

ATCs for August

2009-08-31T11:19:00.001-11:00

ATC August 09, originally uploaded by Sajona.

3 ATCs made for a craftster ongoing ATC swap. The Sew one is machine stitched, the Fsh one is a collage and the Jacques Fath one is hand drawn in Ink.

just to prove it's age

2009-08-09T12:26:00.001-11:00

bookday, originally uploaded by Sajona.

this was my now 15 year old wearing the Dino outfit when he was nearly 6 :)

2009-08-03T01:01:00.003-11:00

IMG_0468, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Disneyland photos

2009-08-03T01:01:00.001-11:00

IMG_0456, originally uploaded by Sajona.

I got to try out our new camera at Disneyland Paris last week - I just loved these 2 - close ups of the floats going past during the evening parade at the main park.

village day

2009-07-27T04:28:00.001-11:00

village day, originally uploaded by Sajona.

DD being a dino for this year's Village Day parade (the theme was 'Before the invention of the wheel')
This is a well used costume - made for my now 15 year old when he was in year 1, for book day - and has travelled round the country ever since !

my chunky houses!

2009-07-27T04:25:00.001-11:00

my chunky houses!, originally uploaded by Sajona.

a new obsession - another craftster swap. These are the ones I sent out from left:
Fashion House, Blink House, Happy House and House for sale

My Alphabet ATC swap is finished

2009-06-29T07:20:00.001-11:00

IMG_5189.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

thank goodness! It has been a long one (18 months?) . Here are all the ATCS I received from other craftsters - they are positioned ready to go in a box frame.

Fabric ATC swap April 09

2009-04-24T06:26:00.001-11:00

Fabric ATC swap April 09, originally uploaded by Sajona.

'spikefoot'

Fabric ATC swap April 09

2009-04-24T06:25:00.003-11:00

Fabric ATC swap April 09, originally uploaded by Sajona.

'spikefish'

Fabric ATC swap April 09

2009-04-24T06:25:00.001-11:00

Fabric ATC swap April 09, originally uploaded by Sajona.

the next round of Fabric ATCs on craftster - this took up my crafting time last week (along with helping and selling at the Nearly New Sale) This one is 'merfish' (my 7 year old named them) - the batik fabric I used as the background seemed very sea-like so I just machine doodled with a variegated Madeira thread and added some sequins and beads to highlight.

MSCE April - Weds 15th

2009-04-15T06:55:00.002-11:00

IMG_5103.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Had a short break due to being away on holiday - but I'm back now!
Almost instant pin boards for my office - cheapo stretched canvas from an Art outlet shop, a bit of wadding/batting and some Painting Red Rhinos cotton cord fabric - stapled gunned to the back and hey presto! I've been working out what to use for ages - then spotted the canvas idea on Jeanette's blog (lazy seamstress) and as I had these lying around it was easy!
The postcards on the top one are from the Mermaid Shop in Lyme Regis - one of my favourite shops!

Concorde is 40 years old

2009-04-09T09:53:00.001-11:00

IMG_5085.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

and they were celebrating at the Fleet Air arm museum in Somerset today - so my 7 year old and I joined in the 'make a concorde from junk materials' workshop - the rather sad result is pictured!

This charming man

2009-04-07T06:22:00.001-11:00

IMG_0008.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

The sweetest statue in London - John Betjeman at St Pancras Station.

MSCE April - Tuesday 6th

2009-04-07T06:14:00.001-11:00

IMG_5078.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Our mini herb garden using my 7 year old's greek 'miffs' pot.
At last I can tell the cheesy joke..

Whats a grecian urn?

About 15 drachmas a week.....

Yeah ok - old as the hills!

MSCE April - Monday 6th

2009-04-07T06:10:00.001-11:00

IMG_5077.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Home made pizza :)

MSCE April - Sunday 5th

2009-04-05T09:13:00.001-11:00

IMG_5065.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Today was gardening day - made a new strawberry bed, replanted a large bed in the front to be a 'hot' garden and I need to pot these tomato seedlings up.

MSCE April - Saturday 4th

2009-04-05T09:11:00.001-11:00

IMG_5072.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Finally attached these boxes to the wall in DS2's room and added his plane models - they were originally hanging in a smoky pub owned by my mum's friends. When they moved on she bought them off the owners and I repainted the boxes and gave them a bit of TLC to make them fit with his light blue colour scheme. He is mad about military stuff!

MSCE April - Saturday 4th

2009-04-05T09:08:00.002-11:00

IMG_5068.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Put up DS2 (who was 10 when he made this) 's windchime in DS3's new Doctor Who inspired room.

MSCE April - Friday 3rd

2009-04-05T09:05:00.002-11:00

IMG_5066.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

DD who is 3 made this on friday at toddler group - all her own work. Wasn't terribly chuffed at the drippy green glitter glue that attached itself to the lining of my bag though!

X

2009-04-03T11:15:00.002-11:00

IMG_5051.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

marks the spot...
originally meant for 'T' for Treasure map - but I thought of something else instead so in desperation used it for X!

W

2009-04-03T11:14:00.001-11:00

IMG_5050.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

is for Wheat - hand drawn on hand made paper over a photo of an organic bakery.

The ATC alphabet swap again

2009-04-03T11:12:00.001-11:00

IMG_5052.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

V is for vitus vinifera..which shows that google was my best friend this round!
Hand drawn in ink.

Today and yesterday MSCE April

2009-04-03T08:07:00.002-11:00

hmm - not much to report really as it is end of term and lots of small kids to be picked up at strange times from school etc!
Yesterday I hung up a very cool Dalek windchime made by my second son when he was doing woodwork - It is now in third son's Doctor Who theme room.
Today I am making another Dr Who themed collage picture with tardis mirror - no point showing a photo as it is almost identical to the one 3 posts down.
I've also got a piece of MDF for second son's room and have primed it ready to paint in situ to use as a desk top - that will be tomorrow's MSCE!

Make some cool everyday in April

2009-04-01T10:53:00.002-11:00

Inspired by heather from croqzine and dabbled.org I have think of something cool to make each day this month. Hmmm - ok today I made 2 yummy chocolate sponges with Betty Crocker fudge icing inside - yum.....
I am also working on a crochet baby blanket but this will be more of a day to finish :)

the rest

2009-03-02T22:39:00.001-11:00

IMG_5015.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

the inside of the box plus a collage picture with tardis shaped mirror (from ebay)

Dr Who craft swap

2009-03-02T22:38:00.001-11:00

IMG_5016.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

A wooden decoupaged box with crackle effect for the Dr Who swap - the 'Blink' episode

LOL!

2009-02-14T06:46:00.001-11:00

more animals

U ATC

2009-02-02T04:07:00.001-11:00

atc u, originally uploaded by Sajona.

'UK' - map pic from a magazine doctored a bit and a flag card topper added.

T ATC

2009-02-02T04:06:00.001-11:00

atc t, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Tudor Wives - tudor patterned cardstock plus figures from an old childrens book painted with tea to 'age'.

S ATC

2009-02-02T04:04:00.001-11:00

atc s, originally uploaded by Sajona.

next in the alphabet ATC swap on craftster.
Fimo Sun painted with glitter glue. Lyrics of 'Here come the sun' printed on acetate with gold card behind.

I don't think..

2009-02-02T02:53:00.001-11:00

IMG_5010.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

..we are going anywhere today!

Dairy Free

2009-01-28T06:00:00.002-11:00

A friend passed on a link to the blog 'Vegan ice cream paradise' when I was asking for Dairy free ice cream recipes and I highly recommend it - see my blog list on the left.
The Rocky Road ice cream is definately in 'to do' list!!

A bird feeder???

2009-01-22T08:23:00.001-11:00

IMG_4981.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

The flipping resident Squirrel doesn't think so!

Purple Haze

2009-01-18T13:08:00.001-11:00

Purple Haze, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Tags made for the Tag Tree project on Flickr

R ATC

2009-01-18T13:07:00.001-11:00

R ATC, originally uploaded by Sajona.

R is for Red

Q ATC

2009-01-18T13:06:00.001-11:00

Q ATC, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Q is for Quentin (Crisps) quotes...

P ATC

2009-01-18T13:05:00.001-11:00

P ATC, originally uploaded by Sajona.

totally forgot to blog my next in the alphabet swap on craftster - this was back in November.
P is for Poppy Day

it fits

2009-01-06T00:38:00.001-11:00

IMG_4957.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

But I'm glad it was finished a year late - as the 2/3 year size would have drowned her! This is 2/3 width and length on the body, but 2/3 width and 3/4 length on the sleeves.

Finished!

2009-01-05T12:12:00.001-11:00

IMG_4952.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Just hope it fits the small one in the morning!

ever had the feeling..

2009-01-04T07:26:00.001-11:00

3164587186_40d74990be, originally uploaded by Sajona.

that your kids need their hair cutting?

First FO of the year!

2009-01-04T07:20:00.001-11:00

IMG_4951.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Well almost - currently wet-blocking using foam playmats to pin onto. A year of procrastinating...hope it still fits DD!

My little Mermaid

2008-11-02T11:38:00.001-11:00

IMG_4813.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

I found this in the understairs cupboard where it had languished for sometime - it was at my dad's house for ages waiting to be framed - but I took it back after a few years (as he moved house and didn't get round to sorting it)..so I posted it on Craftster and it was quite a hit - it even got into the 'hot projects' bit! It is now propped up on a shelf and I still don't know how to frame it! (it is padded so normal glass wouldn't work)..I think DD might end up with it as she is obsessed with the Disney version - should have made her a redhead...

Billy Mackenzie tribute dotee!

2008-11-02T10:30:00.001-11:00

Billy Mackenzie tribute dotee!, originally uploaded by Sajona.

for the dotee doll swap on craftser - my swappee turned out to be as mad about him as I am - so it had to be done! Freehand machine embroidery doodling. The lyrics (for Club Country) were printed on printable shink plastic. Musical notes from etsy.

My baby is 3 in 14 days...

2008-10-11T07:21:00.001-11:00

IMG_4809.JPG, originally uploaded by Sajona.

where does the time go??

Thanks Vanessa!

2008-10-02T10:05:00.001-11:00

blueshawl, originally uploaded by Sajona.

I bought some pretty laceweight from iknit day (from the natural dye company) and the lovely Vanessa crocheted this pretty shawl with it :) I made her a pair of 'Fetchings' (see knitty.com) in return!

God Bless you Paul!

2008-09-27T08:49:00.001-11:00

Paul Newman e Elizabeth Taylor em Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Sad to hear of the passing of the most gorgeous, talented actor of his time - and if you haven't seen Cat on a Hot Tin Roof then I suggest you do so - it is FANTASTIC!

mno atcs

2008-09-18T03:06:00.001-11:00

mno atcs, originally uploaded by Sajona.

for craftster alphabet swap

M - marlin - hand drawn with ink
N - nest - hand drawn and real nest material
O - oast house - ink drawing on top of a photo from the internet.

Sending today in the post!

Iknit day

2008-09-08T05:08:00.001-11:00

I-knit-3, originally uploaded by asher139.

moonmamma and I caught on camera waiting for knit harlot to come on stage :)

Great stash enhancing day alongside fellow fibre addicts!

L atc

2008-09-07T23:24:00.001-11:00

l atc, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Lavender from the garden

K

2008-09-07T23:23:00.001-11:00

k atc, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Japanese for 'cute'

Next batch of ATCs

2008-09-07T23:22:00.001-11:00

j atc, originally uploaded by Sajona.

J for Junior - 1950s magazine cuttings

Happy Anniversary

2008-06-29T08:21:00.001-11:00

pretty flowers, originally uploaded by Sajona.

..to my mum and step-dad...25 years....!

GHI ATCs

2008-06-29T05:09:00.001-11:00

ghiatcsmine, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Next batch in the craftster swap...
H for Homemaker - 1950s magazine cuttings
G for 'Gurning' a UK term for making a horrible face! There is a yearly contest in the North of England each year - the picture is a newspaper cutting of the world champion! The card is 3d - the face is cut out and mounted on card
I for icicle - very hard to photograph or scan! sparkly icicle christmas decoration mod podged on crinkly white tissue paper (I soaked it in PVA glue and random crinkled and creased it to look like cracked ice) the writing underneath is stamped with my new alphabet stamps. The whole thing sealed with glitter modpodge, which is rather wonderful stuff.

Urchin from Knitty

2008-05-26T05:57:00.001-11:00

Urchin from Knitty, originally uploaded by Sajona.

Yarn arrived 9am - hat knitted and packed up for it's new owner by 8pm (and that includes all the housework and mothering time in between) . Would have been quicker if I'd been able to understand the pattern to start with!
Used the yarn in the pattern - shetland flame. Did size medium and it ft my large head no problem. My glass head is a little bit small- looks better on a human. I think I'll try it in a smooth chunky yarn next.

My D ATC

2008-05-18T05:44:00.001-11:00

mydatc, originally uploaded by Sajona.

'Dolly Dots' - wanted it to look a bit silly and rough around the edges!

My E ATC

2008-05-18T05:43:00.001-11:00

myeatc, originally uploaded by Sajona.

'Expressing Englishness' - lots of cheesy English images - that are faded by laminating with tissue paper - my feelings of my 'culture' being eroded.
For the ATC swap on craftster.

my 'F' ATC

2008-05-18T05:42:00.001-11:00

myfatc, originally uploaded by Sajona.

fairy poem from old poetry book, flower fairy - both laminated with white tissue, then the 'F' pasted over the top and the whole thing varnished with 'mod podge' - for craftster ATC swap