* Lazylol *

New Sewing Sites

I found this website today, it looks good & they ship to the UK (with reasonable shipping costs, up to 4 yards of fabric for under $12.00).  I have been buying from the US but the bigger sites have increased their shipping costs recently.  I know it is expensive to ship things but sometimes they just overprice the shipping to put international buyers off I'm sure!  Some have a set shipping price of $30 - $40 dollars which is fine if you want lots of fabric but no good if you only require a couple of yards. However, I am not complaining because the choice is fantastic compared to the UK and it is usually half the price for the fabric in the first place, so this balances out the shipping.

Another site I found was isew which is UK based.  At last something about sewing that is up-to-date and based in the UK!  I will be joining the forum later. Lots of ideas & tips. Great.

I Love Ikea

I've been up bright and early this morning.  I needed to visit Ikea & Borders and didn't think I could stand the nightmare that is now in full swing, Saturday Christmas shopping. So thankfully, I was back in the house by 10.35 am, after looking for fabric.  Nothing suitable this time (I'll have to go back - what a shame!)

But I did make a few purchases.

At last I have mangaged to get hold of some ikea tiny E5 replacement bulbs to fit this.  I've had the lamp for a couple of years so have used up all my spare bulbs and slowly, one by one the bulbs have been going.  They have been out of stock at Ikea for ages so I was delighted to find a full shelf of them on display and bought plenty. Yippee - another thing I can cross off my 'to do' list.

I also bought these cute little gnome gift tags

and lots of other goodies...

..... a Christmas guest towel, storage boxes, gift bags & boxes, tea towels, a couple of throws for the recent freezing cold weather we are having in the UK!

*i heart ikea - that place is sooooo cheap!

Lately Loving......

in the jungle with the extremely funny Ant & Dec

Cranford

And how cute are these little knitted Christmas puddings by dottycookie who has also kindly posted a tutorial for them.

Christmas Shopping

I have been buying gifts here and there for the past few weeks but today was my first day doing some proper Christmas shopping.  I went to the White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds and made a serious dent in my list, wallet and energy.  I am now at home and am wrapping the gifts.  I think I am about half done.  I have sore feet. Hopefully I will only need to do one more trip and some internet shopping now.  phew.

I bought this for a gift and seeing as I didn't have time to look at anything for myself, I bought myself a copy too..... for a little treat...well i derserve it after all that shopping!  I am listening to it now and enjoying it.

Sunday

While I was out shopping yesterday I bought these lovely Ameretto flavoured German Tree cakes. I also got some mini Stollen and some Gluhwein - I love this warmed up at Christmas time.  I always have some on my annual outing to the German Christmas Market in Leeds, which is on next week.  I also bought a chocolate santa but he seems to have vanished...strange that.

I have been watching Coalhouse on BBC2 - it is on through the week in Wales but here in England we just get a once a week highlight show. 

Gill is having a little red & white string giveaway - I could certainly use some at this time of year.

And just look at this gorgeous fabric over at Treefall. I need some to make some christmas tree ornaments.  Sadly I looked on the Prints Charming website and can't seem to see it?! Help

On my ' to do list' today

• make some soup to take to work for lunches this week.
• tackle 'Mount Everest' ironing pile.
• make some Christmas Cards and packs for ebay.
• roast chicken for dinner.

Nigella - Hokey Pokey

So much for me posting more often, I started off well but this week as been the usual whirl wind of activities!  I am soooo glad it is Saturday, even though I have a busy day ahead of me.  Lots of housework to catch up on, a trip to the supermarket, ironing my 19 year olds clothes so he can pack for his holiday to Benidorm (eek) a bit of ebaying (hopefully) and if I'm all done I can settle down tonight and watch X Factor. Maybe with a glass of wine, if I'm lucky.

I made the Hokey Pokey (cinder toffee, honeycomb) from  Nigella Express.  I thought I followed the instructions accurately but I must have done something wrong because it didn't set properly and had to been thrown away.  Shame because it was fun to make and really simple.  I think it must have been too little/much golden syrup - it is difficult to measure that stuff.  Has anyone else made this?

Well I can't sit here all morning (pity!) so I better get cracking on those jobs.

Bonfire Night

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Bonfire Night.

I wish they just allowed fireworks on the actual night because my poor little dog Homer is terrified of them. Some have just gone off and nearly shattered my windows. Homers little heart is pounding ten to the dozen.

What happened to the nice little bonfire in the garden or the park with hotdogs, mushy peas, toffee and parkin?  What was wrong with a little box of 12 fireworks with always had a catherine wheel, rocket, banger, snowstorm and traffic light? - most of which just went poof (if you were lucky). My Dad reading out the firework code to us. Making a Guy Fawkes out of an old halloween mask and my dads old clothes stuffed with newspaper. Dad then going mad with my mum because 'he was going to wear that again' hehe. Getting all wrapped up in hat, scarf and gloves and and drinking hot chocolate.  Being allowed up a late on a school night! Next day drawing a bonfire picture at school.

Those were the days.  God, did I just say that? I'm turning into my mum.  I'll be saving old margarine tubs next.

Nigella - Bruschetta

We are having a family Sunday lunch today - it's ages since we were all together for Sunday lunch - what with the caravan trips, everyone doing different things and our mega busy lives! I am looking forward to it. Not sure how I'm going to squeeze everyone around my little table but we'll manage. *Note to self - look at bigger tables in Ikea next week.

Like Grace, I am also a huge fan of Nigella as I have mentioned before. I recently bought her latest book, Nigella Express to add to my collection. Instead of flicking through its lovely pages and admiring the recipes (and there are plenty of them) I decided to actually cook some of them. 

So I started with Chick Pea Bruschetta.  So simple.  Actually on Nigella's show she made the Bruschetta and used 3 different toppings, advocado, tomato and chick pea. For some strange reason the book only gives you the advocado and tomato ones so I made the chick pea one from memory (well sort of, seeing as my memory is shocking lately).  Luckily, it turned out delicious and very easy.  Basically it is mashed chick peas (from a tin) with pepper, a little olive oil and a splash of lime juice, placed on toasted sour dough bread. Tasty.

Only problem is, my picture isn't a patch on Nigella's so I'll have to show you just a little of it (it's pretty crappy - sorry)

I am making Nigella's Easy Cheesecake this week so I will let you know how it goes.

Handmade for Christmas...or for me!

Over at SewMamasew they have a fabulous idea......

 

Everyday a different item to sew.  Lots of ideas to get you started on that gift list.

I am not planning on sewing all that many gifts this year. (If only I had the time!)  I don't have that many people I can give handmade gifts to.  But I am planning on a few cushions and some decorations. I also would like a christmas apron for myself.

Today's item on the Sew Mama Sew '30 days of gifts to sew' is this beautiful bath mat by Montessoribyhand...I am drooling over this mat and have to add it to be 'to sew' list.

Isn't it lovely?  I love patchwork and the combination of red and aqua is one of my favourites.

Bright Light Bright Light

I think the week of autumnal cozying up on the sofa, candles lit, casserole in oven etc, may be short lived.  New street lighting has been fitted this week in our area.  Last night they turned it on and OMG it is so bright. It is almost like daylight.  Unluckily for me there is a lamppost right outside my house and what was a mellow-yellow glow is now like bright white interrogation zone. I suppose I shouldn't really complain about it.  After all, the streets are better lit so no more walking the dog and getting a little nervous around dark corners and snickets.  It is better for driving and for older kids who are still out and about much later than 5 ish when it gets dark. 24 hour daylight almost. So I will have to just get used to it. Maybe I will just move the candles onto a table and close the curtains.

I am feeling a bit better today and am up and about.  Good job because I may have gone stir crazy if I'd been forced to watch anymore daytime TV!

I was thinking about joining NaBloMoPo but it's hardly likely that I can keep it up.  Instead I've decided to post as much as possible during November and December and hopefully that will get me into a new routine. I don't post nearly enough.  I spend too much time reading blogs and planning my posts then never actually posting them. So here I am posting two days in a row. wow.