Amigurumi - aka a long time coming

Meet my first ever attempt at amigurumi. It took me a long time. It turns out that I have a very tempestuous relationship with amigurumi. 

Way back in February I was chatting to a little person whilst we made a dolls house out of a box. I hooked up a couple of little rugs (as you do) to furnish said house. Then a conversation was had about could I make them a toy... I said 'of course' (what??) 'what would you like?'. I managed to barter (can you barter with little people?) them down from a robin to a bunny.... in time for Easter. I missed Easter so in time for their birthday... I missed the birthday so in time for Christmas.... I missed Christmas (the official date of 25.12.13) but I knew I was seeing them yesterday so I finished it off (an arm/sewing it together/tutu) yesterday afternoon.

I used this pattern and was inspired by this which has since turned into this! It was weird in that once I got going I did really enjoy it- it was good to stretch my crochet brain and learn new stitches. I churned out 3 baby blankets between April to September - which do warrant a post of their own but I am unsure if I actually took any photos! I just found all the counting a bit strenuous . I took this photograph at a crafty angle as I know full well that there is a foot size discrepancy. Which I have tried to balance out with a bigger arm on one side.... Anyway- the little person I made it for loves it and that is all that matters. Apart from the fact that it turns out that I have purchased this book whilst on an amigurumi high.

Oh dear......

Anyway- this is one of my finished projects of 2013. Back soon with more.x

Whirling dervish

I haven't been here for a while. I have been busy finishing off WIPs as I want to start 2014 with a clean slate. So, over the next few days I will update you with finished delights...... 

Merry Christmas ! X

It must be winter....

As number 2 is back out...

It's not the best photo but I am very excited. Since the blocking , oh the blocking. I will write about my love of blocking soon. Await with bated breath or something like that . 

OMG!

Number 2 is getting flatter. I blocked the foundation chain and number 2 is definitely flatter.....

Number 36 - finish patchwork (started in 1988)

When I was 15 (in a galaxy far,far away) I had a knee operation and a week off school to recover. Instead of revising for exams I decided to start a patchwork quilt. I had done  patchwork before (I had made cushions for our caravan) but I wanted to tackle something bigger. Over the years this has been in and out of my life/carrier bag (my poor parentals even had to bring to me when I was at uni) but for the past 7 years it has definitely been 'out of life/in carrier bag' as I didn't know what to do as all the material has a history and I had run out of material. Plus it was becoming an odd shape.
I found it at the weekend and got it out to have a look. What a work in progress!!! I just to need to fill in a couple of gaps and neaten the edges. I have decided to get new material and have a 'future' section- full of material that I like but has no history.
I am going to finish this!

 

But not in my 40th year !!!!! Probably my 42nd (Street)

Buntalicious

And it's off.... the bunting for Yarndale has left the building.....I am quite excited that my triangles might be seen by millions of people.
I finished the bunting  last week and then blocked and packed it last night. JGS is delivering the very important bunting parcel to the post office this morning for me. Nothing like cutting it fine....
Anyways- here is the evidence. I like them all laid out on the ironing board, like a bunting scarf (or just like actual bunting...) Stupid as it sounds (maybe I was overcome with delirium at actually finishing something) I have only just realised there is a gap in the bunting arrangement in the middle photo and the third photo is me trying to be arty... note to self- don't try again....

L x

Yarnbombing.....

Hello. Apols for the loooooonnnnnnnngggg delay. How can it have been so long? Well..... I am still having problems with my PC so have been relying on uploading photos into draft posts on my phone. Blog posts on my phone annoy me as the font never looks nice (totes detest Times Roman). So I just lose interest. I think about my blog. I feel guilty about it.I think 'ooh I will do a post and then remember the faff and look the other way instead. This is what is known as a concerted effort. I have lots to tell. 

So I am going to break myself back in gently. You may have heard of Yarndale. You may even be on bunting duty (as requested by Lucy ) I am. And I am mighty glad I decided to do this post tonight as looking at the bunting link has reminded me that there is bunting deadline !!  I just have to block mine (ooohhh I am in LURVE with blocking- I will be back with blocking goodness at a later date) and then get them in the post at the weekend.
I had in mind that, as I am unable to get to Yarndale, I could do a little yarnbombing of my own on National Yarndale Day. However, I am impatient. JGS put a technical thing in the landy -see the photo on the left for the science bit. The photo on the right is my side. I thought the blue was a bit dull. Plus, I am super proud of my ripple sample. I can look at it every day now. Yarnbombing- my new love.....

Over and out.

Number 34 - make an ironing board cover (Ironic)

Oh. Deary. Me.
Oh. Deary. Deary. Me. Repeat to fade.
Bad Leanne. But on the plus side I have something to write about. Admittedly it is something that has been completed for months (well within the 12 months of being 40 timeline). So yes. An ironing board cover. Below, I have tried to mosaic the photos (like I see on other blogs- turns out I have just neglected my own blog but have totes obvs still found the time to dedicate to reading other people's blogs) 
Anyway- lets see how the mosaic thing pans out (I don't think it is going to pan out in any way/shape/form but hey ho)
I needed a new ironing board cover (see 1st photo as evidence of why new cover was required) as all the clothes were getting a lovely little criss cross pattern. This might also have something to do with my heavy- handedness.......
Anyways, I wasn't going to buy an ironing board cover... I have a sewing machine, it will be fine. I will make one. And I will put it on my 40 4 40 list - that will make me make it ! Surely.
So, the second photo is my first attempt. I got excited. I forgot to concentrate (details of when I forget to concentrate can be found here) and cut the cover to the exact measurement of the ironing board. Which left me with nothing to gather so I painfully/randomly/don't know why, thought it would be a good idea to sew bias binding round the edge so I could thread the ribbon through to draw the cover together. Can you see the bias binding/pins/general bad tempered hand sewing as it would not fit through my sewing machine properly?
So I threw all the toys out of the pram and put it away and bought an ironing board cover. Oh the shame. And then I thought I should make one.I should. I know I can. So I nipped to the shop and got some lovely material (third photo) and followed a pattern et voila- as they say. I do need to follow a pattern- otherwise I do get into trouble.
I have been happily ironing away with my lovely new ironing board cover since December 2012.
Altogether now..... ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

Pineapple upside down cake

I have decided to host a vintage garden party this summer. Because we all know what I am like for ideas/time management. What could go wrong?  So in preparation I decided to make a pineapple upside down cake. I used this recipe for no other reason than I am impatient and it was the first one that popped up in Google (I have a few recipe books  but none of them shared the delight that is the PUC !). I will make it again because  it was scrummy and when it has been half eaten, it looks like an owl and this made me laugh hard ! Twit twoo (repeat to fade)

Sunshine sunshine

Weaving in my ends whilst waiting for my hometime pick-up . Far too nice to stay inside and wait. Bring on the Bank Holiday!!

Buzzy buzzy - the Great British Sewing Bee.

I am sad it is all over. I am sad that my fringe can no longer compare itself to Claudia's on a weekly basis.
However... Lauren is here (YAY) and Tilly is here  I was rooting for Sandra for obvious Homeland connections.
I have my shirt dress pattern and I am good to go. Then that patchwork (number 36) is next on my list (after socks/hexipuffs/two crochet baby blankets..........)
When I find my patchwork I will upload a photo of it in its current state... (the fact that I have to find it- doesn't bode well does it?)
Actually- I have done a random amount of sewing this year. I have made a skirt, a glasses case, a bag and a purse - which totally tested my zip (in)ablilities. I will post about them later- I will class them as  the inevitable 'unexpected opportunity'.


PS quote of the show belongs to Sandra after Patrick had been chatting to her about her bag 'you've gotta try and woo em a bit haven't ya!'

Not a cloud in the sky

What a beautiful day. X

Number 13 - Walk part of/all Coast to Coast path

When I was thinking about things to go on my list (in hindsight I should have done this when I was 20- a lot less to deal with) I wanted some things that JGS and I could do together. For example, one day JGS randomly mentioned walking the Coast to Coast path. I took this random comment as a concrete desire and arranged for Father Christmas to deliver JGS a 'C2C' (people do refer to it in this way) book in 2011. 
I put C2C path on my list and didn't think anything of it. As in, I didn't think how long it might take, that we would probably have to take time off work, that I might actually have to organise something.
Skip to December 2012 and an opportunity presented itself in the form of our little jaunt to the Lake District. We were so close to the Grasmere- Patterdale section (day 4).
However............... Friday and Saturday were accounted for in that we had made arrangements to meet up with people and on Sunday we were going home. It didn't matter- I only had to do a bit of it and by 10.30pm on Saturday I was like' I only have to stand on it... that would do. maybe walk 4 steps or something. We could multi-task and walk the dog before we set off home.'

You know how this is going to end don't you?????
Below is the sum of 'number 13- walk part of/all the Coast to Coast path'. I apologise.

 

We couldn't find the start. we drove up and down a fairly busy main road several times. I thought there would be a big signpost saying 'COAST TO COAST PATH HERE!' but there wasn't. In fact, after consulting the book (which I could have/should have done the night before maybe?) there was quite a bit of walking that we needed to do before we would even get onto the path..... Time was cracking on... the weather was rubbish.... I conceded defeat. And just pointed my camera in the general direction of the path.
Instead I went in here and treated myself to a couple of books - this one and this one which I bought in honour of the lack of time management/organisational skills I seem to have. 
And then promptly spent the first hour of the journey home in a self induced strop as I was very disappointed in myself.

Number 17 -partake in more culture

Um, where to start.....how does one become more cultured?  A couple of years ago I met my lovely friend LC in London for her 40th. We spent the day pootling around and ended up on the South Bank on some fake grass knocking back the Pimms (there we go- the actual phrase 'knocking back' betrays my lack of cultural roots) anyways,  a quick loo trip  (too much Pimms) coincided with a performance starting and I impetuously decided I was going to immerse myself in culture. So I put it on the list....

I think I got as far as listening to a lot of Radio 4. And I do watch Question Time (if only to shout at the tv) (is it wrong that I think this is culture?).
This may smack of desperation but I am ticking off number 17 as I went to the theatre the other week- and it wasn't to see a pantomime (because in that case I would be super-cultured as I have been to several pantomimes in the last few years- I even went to two different ones in 2011). (I am actually quite easily pleased it would seem...)
So yes, the theatre.....

What is the scene you see before you ????? A modern interpretation of an established classic? The works of Shakespeare via the medium of dance? Vincent and Flavia from Strictly Come Dancing and their Argentine Tango show?

Don't worry about putting your answers on a postcard as we all know it was the third option. In my defence I had to concentrate as any spoken word was Italian.

I am resigned to being uncultured but è stata una giornata fantastica fuori.

Number 21- knit a tanktop jumper

Well... I started here in September 2012.
Still knitting in October 2012
And then knitting is never mentioned again. Until now !!! Yes, I finished the jumper. Well, JGS's mum and I finished the jumper (thank you so much x).

Here it is, all finished and about to be stitched up

And here it is modelled by moi. All stitched up.

This is my 'very proud of myself but I feel quite self conscious' look. I did finish this before my 40th year ran out. I finished knitting before Christmas but had to wait until 6th January 2013 to sew it together. I liked knitting once I got into it (which is just as well as I have set myself the task of knitting socks this year !)
Out of all the tasks I completed (included the unexpected opportunities and the completions that I still have to blog about) this was the hardest I think. I am not very patient/good at concentrating/following patterns (which is unlucky as I am currently crocheting this  which I am enjoying whilst being tested to the highest level- it is a thin line and all that)

Another giveaway...

I am attempting to be more 'blog sociable' so here is a link to a giveaway from Cuckoo. I am going back to enter and try and win a tea towel.

Number 22- be able to do 20 press ups in one go

I can do this. I have been able to do this for about eight months. I held off blogging about it as I was holding out that the photographic evidence required could always be better (and look less painful). Alas, it appears that was never going to happen so you are just going to have to take my word for it. I can do 20 press ups in one go.

I am particulary proud of this as I have always had rubbish upper body strength (although I am no Olympian now) and my nose doesn't touch the floor. But there is definite elbow bending and body lowering to the floor and then rising back up again.

To be honest, it is for your own safety/sanity that I have refrained from photos.

 

I know there are many other things I should be doing... updating this blog, crocheting a bunny, crocheting a baby blanket , housework, getting a grip/life......but I. JUST. CANNOT. HELP. MYSELF...........

 

Technical moment

If I have done this right- click here and enter the giveaway on knitsofacto....

If I haven't done it right- go via Google..but make sure you visit x

Morning!

JGS has gone out early so I am doing one of my favourite things. Propped up in bed with a cup of tea with the blind up and the window open. Listening to the birds chatter amongst themselves (obviously- as I cannot speak 'bird'). Not quite spring but not far off .

Number 39 - do a zumbathon

Hmmmm what constitutes a zumbathon ? Doing zumba outside my normal zumba class? Oh, ok then. I can tick this off . No photos though as it is not a pretty sight.
I have however crocheted a hat for a girl egg. Is there a market for egg hats I ask myself......

Note to self.

I must stop faffing about with my fringe. I cut it using this tutorial. And I like it . So why is it I have faffed around with scissors at least 5 times today?  I know from experience that Playmobil hair is not a look that works for me . Is my head on a tilt or have I faffed to much on the left?

Number 26- an unexpected opportunity - part 11

Camping! In a camping pod. In The Lake District. In the winter (between Christmas and New Year).
I heartily recommend a camping pod. We loved it. Mostly because when it was raining we didn't have to worry about a flooded tent or wet stuff. We have had far too many wet dog on sleeping bag camping trips to enjoy them anymore.
The Lake District was as beautiful as ever and the actual lakes were the fullest I have ever seen them. We stayed at the Grizedale Forest campsite. The camping pod in the forefront of the last photo is the one we stayed in. Like that makes a difference- but I was excited when I realised.

Our pod !!!
They are empty inside so you still need to take all the stuff that you would take if you were camping in a tent. We did try for a fire on the second night but everything was just too wet and it was more smoke (if only we had nuts/fish/cheese/other goods for smoking) than fire.

And the interior- Our sleeping mats are from Vango and were delivered by Santa. And very comfy they are too.

My sister had kindly furnished us with some cheese and biscuits (and pate for JGS)when we left The Homeland. After setting up camp we sat ouside (in full winter gear) with a very warm paraffin lamp and scoffed.

When we were planning the camping trip we did discuss climbing Helvellyn but when we actually got to the Lakes, the weather forcast was quite severe and we were lacking ice picks and crampons ! So we pootled around and met up with some friends and family. And went to do some shopping....

A very rainy (but pretty) Ambleside

And then the rain stopped- so we got out. Our mission was to find me a decent waterproof. My current one was purchased in a rush about 5 years ago and is falling apart. To the extent that even I was getting a little ashamed about wearing it out- and I am never bothered about clothes/colour/style co-ordination.

We purchased two outer garments for me- so celebrated back at the pod (ranch) with a little Glaver. But no cheese and biscuits.

I then settled down for some more mindless #2 by lamplight.

The next day we went out and about- In the distance is Lake Coniston. In the forefront is a new Lake Coniston- mini Coni? Which was a field last time I saw it ! The mind boggles at how long it is going to take for all this to dry out.

 

I think I might have compensated in this one post for the lack of photos recently....
We would definitely stay in a camping pod again. A brilliant unexpected opportunity.

Stripey bewilderment

I am perturbed. I had a post in mind about the journey mindless crochet #2 and I have been on. We travelled to The Homeland for Christmas . We went to The Lakes between Christmas and New Year in a camping pod and worked together under lamplight. Most importantly, from 31st December until 11th February we supported each other through all 7 seasons of The Shield.
I have various photos of this growing wonder.
But on Monday night we watched the last episode of The Shield and I realised #2 was going to have to be packed away until we go camping in May.
So I laid #2 out ready for the photographic glory and I realised the something was very wrong. I have checked the pattern. I have 'striped' before with no problem. But somehow my foundation chain and my actual blanket have fallen out. The chain seems too tight. #2 won't lie flat....

Things I didn't do....

This time last year I thought February would be delivering me  a neat blog listing 40 completed things.... Turns out I have a haphazard blog with random stuff and a partially completed list. I need to blog the rest of the things I completed from my list and also list the things I didn't...

I have decided that the main reasons for the 'non completions' are the following:

Lack of organisation/bad time management (are they the same thing?)
Forgetting I need to involve other people.
Things that were put on the list out of desperation for my 40 things list which in hindsight I am not that fussed about.
Things that i am going to incorporate into my everyday life.
Things I am going to carry over (is this the same as the above 'incorporation'?)

However- I think I need to clarify two things:
Firstly- the list was NOT a bucket list. Just a list of things I wanted to do in 12 months that I might not necessarily have thought of otherwise. To clarify, if I only had 6 months left on this earth, whilst number 28 - put up hammock and crochet in it, would be high on that bucket list, number 30 - cycle to work could take a running jump as could 17- more culture (too busy crocheting in hammock). Turns out I just want to crochet....
Secondly- I am not really disappointed with the non entries as number 26- unexpected opportunity has provided me with a few more activities. I think I might have completed 26 actual entries off the list and I have at least 10 unexpected opportunities which takes me to 36 things.

Lack of organisation/bad time management (I have decided they are the same thing)

8  Road trip holiday (French/Spanish passion). Turns out that for this to happen JGS and I actually needed to take a holiday.... oops.This was also going to tie in with number  9   drive abroad (including motorway) and  number16  be a more confident driver.
23 Go to Lewes bonfire night. This looks freakin mental and part of me is glad I was too disorganised to go (turns out Lewes is a fair drive from here and there is only one November 5th in the year). Maybe next year... hahah not likely. This also ties in with getting other people involved.

Things that were put on the list out of desperation for 40 things which in hindsight I am not that fussed about and will cruise to being 41 (um have passed that mark now...)without any guilt.

10  Go wild swimming. I am unsure about this one- if it should be in the 'carrying over' section. Anyways, it turns out that even though I do not live very far from the sea I was unable to commit to swimming in it. I did meet a man at a car boot who told me he swims a mile in the sea every day and he said I should just do it. Turns out I didn't.

30  Cycle to work. This would take me about an hour. Either along  the bypass all the way (and just the thought of having to turn right at the second roundabout brings me out in a sweat) or I can turn off and go along a cycle path/Crimewatch reconstruction route (it is the townie in me). Neither appeal. Plus it is not practical as I have commitments for four out of five days of my working week (how lucky is that?) which require me to be back quicker that it would take me to bike home. I love my bike (JGS even got me a lovely official cycling jacket for Christmas).I pootle around on it at least 3 days a week.
Just not to work. At the weekend....


Lack of organisation/bad time management (are they the same thing?)/forgetting I need to involve other people/things that were put on the list out of desperation for 40 things which in hindsight I am not that fussed about.

13  Walk part of/all Coast to Coast path- I saw it but just didn't walk on it.
37  Go for a drink at a social club- apparently you have to be a member ! Or be recommended by a member !
40  Submit Chartership paperwork. I am a librarian. The professional qualification for library lovelies is Chartership (never sure if 'C' or 'c'. It always seems to be 'C'). So I signed up.
Totes not all my fault this one. I found a mentor to help me in June 2011 and I wanted to submit (not necessarily pass) by June 2012. To the extent (probably due to not thinking things through for list and knowing that I like to tick things off) I put it on this list. For extra motivation. Anyways, I am getting nearer but it won't be before 14/1/13.


Things that I am going to incorporate into my everyday life (I have decided this is different  to carrying things over)
9    Drive abroad (including motorway)
16  Be a more confident driver.
18  Stop my checking habits
33  Make Gert lovely (seats/doors/seals)Making Gert lovely- work in progress like driving

Things I have completed but have yet to blog about
6   Get into blue stripey dress
17  Partake in more culture- I listen to Radio 4 a lot of the time. Does this count?
21  Knit a tanktop jumper
22  Be able to do 20 press ups in one go- unsure if this can cope with photographic evidence.
26  This is blank for an unexpected opportunity- I have several of these to catch up with
32  Crochet a ripple blanket
34  Make an ironing board cover


Finally those I am going to carry over
5   Learn to surf
25  Have fish and chips and cava watching the sunset. I partially did this- in that there were fish and chips but no cava or camera!
29  Go up a wind turbine
31  Finish felt fish for JGS
36  Finish patchwork (started in 1988) 


And because I think everything needs a photo- I was practising as I am going to embark on an Amigurumi adventure- so here is something I think I need to make more of... he looks so happy with his hat and it has been so cold recently.

All very Twin Peaks....

JGS and I went away to celebrate my last weekend of being 40! We went to see The Hobbit at the local cinema. It was lovely and old fashioned. When you bought your ticket you were allocated a seat - which had the fabulous result of 30 people all seated in 5 rows of seats at the back whilst the rest of the seats were empty. Check out those empty seats!
I took a photo before the film started because it was all very Twin Peaks.

The owls are not what they seem.

Yarny fix

I wanted a quick fix of a finished item. My 'mindless crochet blanket #2' is cracking along nicely- but I need to stop working on it as it is supposed to be something I turn to when I want to do something without concentrating- not be a full time project in it's own right.
I thought abut a cushion cover and nearly got the sewing machine out when I realised I was too comfy on the sofa (and it was a bit late to start 'revving up').
And then I spied a wooden coathanger ........ (Sorry, there is no 'before' photo) 

I used this link to make it and then prettified it with a flower I had lying around. Am now starting another one. I think I am addicted...

Also- I am loving my new blog finds...Inverleith and Bunny Mummy

PS- mindless crochet blanket #1 is also coming along nicely- it was my 'travelling back to the homeland before Christmas' project- more later.
Mindless crochet blanket #2 was my Christmas and New Year travelling blanket.

Little things

It is a lovely thing to discover that the blanket you are currently crocheting is big enough to snuggle under whilst you continue to crochet . This is mindless crochet #2 which has been keeping me company during all seven seasons of The Shield

Number 35 - revamp dining table

Well- here is said table .

Just your normal run of the mill pine table.

 I couldn't decide what to do with it. I bought some oilcloth in the Cath Kidston sale last year and then went off it.
I was going to paint table but couldn't decide what colour would look best (lot of wood in the room and not much natural daylight. (plus painting it seemed to require such a lot of work. Sanding/priming/ painting).
So then I decided I would collage loads of photos on the top and varnish it. So I printed off some photos. And then went off the idea. Didn't like the photos enough to look at them for the rest of my life.
In the meantime I made a quick blind (more on that later) and the room got decorated and I went back to the oilcloth.

Finally.....(I hear you cry- is it becoming clear why I have to make lists?) on 21st December 2012 about 20 minutes before the JGS parentals came round for macaroni cheese, JGS got out his staple gun and this happened .

Wow!

I have worked out how to blog from phone/on the move. Never mind that I have a list to update from the last 12 months -I am now likely to spend all my time doing this now ....

Look - Chops and her new friend (Chops 2) . Chops 2 was a lovely knitted birthday present from a super friend x woof woof

 

Sorry for the bad photo quality. Shortly after this was taken, Chops 2 had to be removed for 'safekeeping' as Chops was getting over attached !!!! 

Plus I was laughing quite a lot when I was taking it.

41 and a week!

Where does the time go?? But mostly my first week of being 41 has looked like this!!

Goodbye 40

Hello 41 !

I thought I should write something- even though I am still unable to upload photos and I have a several posts in draft (lucky you) waiting for the photo thingy to mend itself/me to do do something about uploading photos a different way/find another blog space...

But I have had a lovely day, lovely presents and am surrounded by lovely people.

Happy Birthday to me. x (and to you )

AArrrgghhhkrtjne;onte

Still unable to upload photos ! Deadline looms !! Never mind, I have realised one thing at least- my blogging has been sparse because it is always such a faff uploading photos and I am sad that my little blog space does not look as nice and sparkly as others I have seen. I think I am going to use this as an opportunity to look elsewhere for blogging.

See you on the other side !!!!

Number 38 - Go to a New Years Day fireworks celebration

I first saw information about the New Year's Day firework celebration on 2nd January last year . I was gutted ! So next time (i.e 2013) I was determined to go. So determined in fact, that I contacted the people in charge of the display to find out the best time to arrive. And good job I did to. A few of us went and arrived about 3pm (according to the information I was given by the lovely lady I spoke to). Some people were a bit dubious about arriving so early (after all, the display didn't start until 5pm) but it was a good job we did. Even at 3pm we had to queue for the car park and at 5pm when were were finding the perfect spectator spot (turns out we found the 2nd best spot- best spot was on the beach- I so did not know we could stand on the beach and watch- next year...) the queue for the car park was still relentless gridlock (as was the queue to get out of the car park at 5.30pm). Turns out that a quick trot around the town, scoffing some chips, slurping a scrumptious hot chocolate (some even had donuts for pudding!) was the perfect way to while away 2 hours. And before we knew it, we were all huddled up on the prom- 'oohing and aaahing' as the fireworks went off from the pier. Some of the display was even in the actual sea. The actual sea!!! Can you believe it??? (I am easily pleased...)  

oooohh I have just tried to upload a photo and it won't work. Apparently (according to interweb) this is a 'known problem' . This is like being at work...........
I will be back with photos later. Happy New Year.... x

Update- if this works then Firefox is magic......

OMG

10 days to go until my 40th year ends....... a lot of things still to tick off...... but mostly I have been distracted by this hooky-fest   I do have things to report though so I will be back.
Happy New Year.