Peacock Dreams

Over the bank holiday weekend, Steve and I decided to actually do something rather than simply sit still, watching tv and saying very little. We infact went to Warwick Castle and Warwick races. Despite losing every single race on the bank holiday Monday (I wasn't running, although I may as well have been for all the good it did!) I had so much fun! I would certainly do that again, possibly dolled up to the nines like Holly Golightly. I did indeed come out with the line, "Move ya bloomin' arse!" which I think is only right, and quite frankly, necessary in the situation!



It was at the castle however that I got another idea, well a half baked one anyway! No I do not plan on making medieval style outfits or accessories, chain mail bags and brooches, or candles with an eau du plague rotting peasant, it was the peacocks that did it. For anyone who hasn't been, the place is packed with peacocks and peahens, stunning in all their seasonal beauty. Their distinct and formidable song echoes around the grounds from all directions.It was while watching (I think I counted about 9 males) these peacock present themselves that I suddenly remembered I have peacock feathers in the bottom of my sewing bag!


These feathers were left over from November last year when we went to see Mighty Boosh in Nottingham. We decided to go dressed up as characters (if you haven't seen boosh please do not worry about the pictures that follow, you really need to see it to understand just exactly what it is you are seeing) from the episode Nannageddon. Caroline was going to go dressed as Glamour Nanna (a bit saucy in the 50's) but decided she just looked like a nanna (still glamourous to me sweetie!!). So while she dressed as Ebola the Goth Girl, the rest of us (Steve, his brother Owen, and myself) went as members of the board of Shamen.


I made the boys their outfits, wether they liked it or not. Steve, as Saboo, who as we know has been to the 'Crunch' on several occaisions, and not as a tourist, needed lots of feathers and frills. His jacket was a charity shop job with an old feather boa stitched around the collar and down the lapels. I then made a fan style headress- neckdress I suppose - with long black feathers and peacock tail (which I did have to buy).


I wasn't too impressed to be honest, didn't look exactly as planned, butI think the outfit all together, with Steve's attempt at a look of contempt, kinda worked.


As for Owen, he had no choice in the matter. He was going as Tony Harrison, a pink headed pain in Saboo's arse (so many levels!). For this I bought some pink lycra from the Rag Market, stitched into tenticles and filled it with mini polystyrene balls from a bust squidgy cushion. I have to say, this I think worked a treat! I was so chuffed with my little self - this was the firt thing I made on my sewing machine!


So, after embarressing my Blokey and his brother, it's back to the question in hand. What to do with my spare peacock feathers? I was thinking about maybe a 20's style fascinator, or decorations on a black bag. . . not sure. Will have a think and a play, any suggestions, greatly appreciated!!

The Sock Conundrum

Now, all of us have often wondered what exactly happens to those rogue socks who decide to break free of their desperate existence on our feet. Every now and again whilst putting out our washing, we realise, yet again, that another woven friend has done a Steve McQueen on us. Despite our best attempts to loacte the tunnels which surely have been chisled out of our washer-come-tumble-dryers, or the tools with which they have accomplished this mesmerising task, we never see any evidence of their Great Escape.

However, it has recently come to my attention that this masculine, war time, movie style disappearing trick may not be the way in which they escape. I now believe they are being liberated. Liberated not by other socks who got left in the grass on a summers day having fallen from the washing line; not by the mice under the sink who found it lounging amongst the recycling having been dropped on route to the shiny tumbler; but liberated by quite a strange, small and slightly scary (for many many reasons) human being.

This individual has been sneaking into your houses in the dead of night, or while you are at work, or seemingly, just when you're not watching, to free our toe warmers. She has then taken the refugees into her trusting confidence to no other place than . . . FOUR OAKS! The hell which then befalls our socks is so bizarre and sick, that no other item of clothing could ever imagine it. They are sewn and stitched into a strangely bewitching and fairly funky ANIMAL!!!!

The above creation is one of the first, and I am sure many, of Kaye's sock animals. Despite her stealing your missing socks from the cosyness that is the laundry basket, she has actually made something quite cool - if not a little scary (a bit like the bad boys toys in Toy Story!!). But what a way to recycle?!!! I can imagine a whole army of these creatures, coming to life to aid Ms Martin in her conquest of the world - and lets face it, they'd be indestructable, after all they are just socks! Nothing kills a sock!

Kaye - hats off! I think this is awesome - can't wait to see the Sock-topus!

The Case of the Missing Glue Gun

Hoorays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My candle making equipment has arrived! Finally!! The company apparently had some shipping issues, but no matter tis here now!

I haven't written or made much since my last post, mainly because I have been right royally knackered. Yes woe is me who gets to finish at quater past three! I know, I know, all the usual teacher jibes, its fine . . . get them out of the way now . . . thank you. I shall continue.

Today was the first of our SATs week and my nerves for several work related reasons have been on edge for a couple of weeks. I spent last night not sleeping well, and when awake feeling as if I was going to throw up any second. I hadn't been so nervous since, well, never! I didn't even feel that bad during my own exams! Poor little sods having to go through this at 10 years old! Bring on the scrap heap. Science tests over with but tomorrow is the one that I am most concerned about. The writing tests.

This is what has concerned me for the last couple of weeks. I, who wants to become a successful writer, am now in full on stress mode about wether or not I have given my kids all the skills they need. There is nothing more I can do now, but I am a little unsettled to say the least. Hence, distraction techniques!

When I got home to see my shiny new toys I got rather over excited (yes a 2kg wax does that for me!!). So I dug out the shot glasses, cleaned them up - all 50 of them! - found the instructions again about how to make them, got ready to start and then . . . brick wall. Twice! Firstly I realised I had no suitable pot in which to melt the wax. Secondly, I couldn't find my glue gun! I need to attach the wicks to the base of each container using hot glue, but alas! it has gone.

I just can't work out where I have put it. How do you loose a glue gun?!!!! Its in none of the places I can see, maybe the attic? hmmmm.

So before I can venture into the world of molten wax, I need to do two things, hunt down the glue gun and glue sticks, and go to the charity shop for a wax pan. Bummer. Was really looking forward to distracting myself this evening. Looks like I'll just have to wait til Sunday.