Folksy Swap

This week, I joined in with the Folksy swap, organised by the lovely Amie (http://www.folksy.com/shops/amierosedesigns). I sent off a couple of pairs of earrings to Sarah at CowBag (http://www.folksy.com/shops/CowBag) and in the post yesterday, I received these gorgeous items from Nicola at Offthehook (http://www.folksy.com/shops/offthehook).
A cute little blue mousy who has been named Norman and will live in my craftroom away from my cat and a sweet little tic-tac-toe set....all so cleverly crocheted!

I'm Proud to be an Engineer - Folksy Friday

I'm just coming up to my annual appraisal at work....and also I turn 30 next month, so this week I have been doing a fair bit of pondering. I'm a Chemical Engineer by trade and as it turns out, I'm quite proud to be one.
When you come up against a big milestone, like turning 30/40/50 etc, you tend to reflect on the events of the past decade and what you have acheived. Turns out I've done quite a bit with my last decade. I've shared the majority of it with my BF and intend to share many more decades with him. We've bought a house, sold that house and bought a second house. Due to the recession, we now rent out the second house while we live many miles away.....itching to move back to it though. Oh, and we have a gorgeous geordie cat we aquired a couple of years ago.
I graduated uni almost 9 years ago now. I'm on my fourth employer and have a huge variety of things through those 4 jobs. I've aquired a huge line of initials behind my name and even a posh title to go infront of it....but I don't like to show off about those. I've learnt so many things which I am now starting to share with those who are just at the start of their careers.....
So, for all the engineers and geeks out there....this Folksy Friday is for you!

First up is a really funky memory stick from Tree Gems


Next is this cute T-Shirt from Clever Ferret


A geeky resin pendant from Spoilt Pig


Chocolate Bar Wrapper from Sizzling Science


and a cute iPhone case by EgoorEngland


Enjoy!

Beatiful Things Through My Letterbox

Within the last week or so, I received a few beautiful things through my letterbox that I thought I'd share with you.
The first was as part of the recent Folksy Swap, organised by the lovely Rachel of ChulsCharms (her shop is here http://www.folksy.com/shops/chulscharms)
I sent off 3 pairs of earrings to Kaz Malloy of Buteartism (http://www.folksy.com/shops/buteartism) last week.....and I received from Caroline of Red Moon.....














Two really prettily packaged items....a gorgeous memory wire beaded bracelet and a sweet smelling lavender heart, all wrapped up in pink tissue paper with rafetta bows. A delight to receive!
You can find Caroline's shops here:
http://www.folksy.com/shops/RedMoonHome
http://www.folksy.com/shops/RedMoon

Following this treat I discovered that I had won the blog giveaway competition run by Bonnita of Three Generations - http://www.folksy.com/shops/mootiemomo
Winging its way through the post on Monday came this beautiful keepsake album. It was just a gorgeously wrapped and is rather delightful!







Thank you to Caroline and Bonnita for these lovely items....please do take a look at their other Folksy items!

Over The Rainbow - Folksy Friday

I may dress in black most of the time....but secretly I love bright colours. Walking back from the train station today I noticed that so many people's front gardens have now come out in bloom...I think the warm weather has encouraged this blossoming. Along my route there were so many different varieties of flowers in a whole rainbow of colours and this got me thinking about one of my favourite things.....rainbows. So, I thought I'd go hunt out some rainbow themed items for my Folksy Friday this week.....











Rainbow Tiara by Funkitup
Rainbow Coasters by GlassInferno
Rainbow Bag by AstroJill
Rainbow Log Cabin Quilt by Sue Sewn and Hels
Rainbow the Sock Bunny by Widget and Friends
Rainbow Cats by Quernus Crafts

Self-Indulgence!

I'm going to be really self-indulgent today and showcase a bundle of the items for sale in my shop! All gorgeous and unique, even if I do say so myself.

Lazy Days

Well, it is officially the Bank Holiday weekend now work is done for the day. My plan....laze about all weekend! It's so sunny and there's nothing that can't wait. So, in honour of lazy days, here's my Folksy Friday finds for this week!










Lazy Daisies by Midget Gem Beads
Blindfold by 4GetMeNot
Cafetiere Cosy by Mouthy Mitts
Lazy Sunday Afternoon Kitten Print by E J Hillson
Lazy Daisy Childs Hat by Blossom Tree

Giving Some Love Back

All this month I have been playing along in a little club called the May Mayhemmers where Folksy Folk list an item a day as part of some collective promotion. Every day without fail, the devoted Natalie Ofkants has been blogging about everyone's listings over at http://nofkantscurios.blogspot.com
If you aren't following her yet, you really should be!
So, as she has featured a whole bundle of my items, it's time to give back. The following are some of the gorgeous goods available right now in her Folksy shop. Click the pictures to find out more about each item.






You can also check out today's May Mayhemmer's listings at
http://forums.folksy.com/forums/6/topics/40897
There's a thread for each day and all of them have been packed with gorgeousness!

My Current Favourite Make

I made this bracelet a short while ago and I thought I'd show it off to you all. I'm crazy about tibetan silver....has a much heavier looking quality than sterling and not so shiny...more natural looking. These lovely leaves are really chunky and were just asking to be linked into a chain. From there, the rest of the design just flowed. I grabbed up some purple beads from my stash and got to work. The little clusters are all different. They feature some very small clear, silver and purple czech glass beads, then each cluster also got a larger bead. I used a glass faux pearl, piece of fluorite, more czech glass as well as crackle and millifiore glass beads. The clasp attaches to a short extender chain which carries another little cluster, so placed to add a little weight to the extender which makes the clasp much easier to fasten with just one hand. I think this is a gorgeous piece and I hope you like it too.

A Homebrew Adventure

A few weeks back, Dave spotted a whole range of homebrew stuff in our local supermarket. His eyes lit up and he got all excited, but decided to leave emptyhanded and have a think about it. The thought of tasty beer made by his own fair hands has not left him and so yesterday, with a few pennies burning a hole in his pocket, we were back in said supermarket. We left with a kit and the feeling that this could either go really well, or be a complete disaster.
As soon as we were home, he had the box open and was investigating the contents, making sure it was all there and seeing what ingredients we would need. Sugar required......some digging at the back of my baking cupboard solved that issue! Teppic took the opportunity to investigate in the cupboard then came to sniff round the big plastic tub that looked like a perfect new bed for him.
So, late this morning with all the bits assembled, we started work. First there was some steralising to do...a necessary evil I suppose. Then the fun started.
It needed 3.5litres of boiling water....but my kettle isn't that big!! So, while the can of malted barley goop sat in a sink of hot water to soften up, the kettle plus two large saucepans of water went on to boil.
The malted barley goop can was opened and the scent was something to knock you off your feet. A cross between horlicks and treacle. Looked like treacle too, and glooped slowly from the can into the brewing bucket. Once the bulk of the sticky viscous stuff was out of the can, in went the boiling water and sugar. Then a good stir!





Now, cold water was required to top the brew bucket up to a full batch. The smell of warm malty stuff was enough to draw Teppic away from his sunny spot to investigate.



All topped up, the yeast went in. One last big stir, and the concoction is complete. It now sits, under the stairs, magic working. Next Saturday we shall find out if it is success or failure!

Big Up the Newbies - Folksy Friday

We were all newbies once, so this week I want to big up the newbies I've found in the Folksy Forums today. They are all looking for that first sale, and with these items, they shouldn't be waiting long! Lots of lovely new items for you to drool over!












Items from:
Starlight Jewellery
Squintessential
Blossom Tree
Forest Flower
Fresh n Funky Cards
The Cookie Button

Folksy Friday - May Mayhem

So, this weekend for me promises to be mayhem....Nephew's birthday tomorrow and off to Newcastle Sunday to help out with my second love...theatre lighting! Will be riggin and playing with lights all day and catching up with all my lovely friends up in the Toon. So, what better subject for my Folksy Friday this week than some of the items being listed recently by the mad mayhemmers on Folksy. All have been listed in May, so are fresh and new....do take a look!














Lovely Silk Purse by Hats Outrageous
Red Felt Flower Hair Clip by Mushy Makes
Black and White Bracelet by Buttons and Beads
Forest Blossom Green Garland Necklace by Mildunkley Beads
Wedding Card by Clairez Cardz
Owl Coin Purse by Eva B Designs