misplaced widget

found the widget to put photos on computer, so here goes , see if I remember how to do it. OK so the way I can post has changed and how to put photos on has changed.....GERRRRR. When the !@*? computer updates itself to a new improved version could it please up date my brain at the same time !
What you can't see is the 4ft 6" T Rex made with the little girl next door.....

Christmas present

This bottle of wine remains full. It was one of several presents from my daughter, Angie. We were unable to solve it  for a Christmas tipple or to toast the New Year...... Yes, we have Googled for the solution..... to our frustration, it says it is the SIMPLEST puzzle..... I don't feel so bad as four of us tried to solve it. Ours doesn't look quite the same as the one being solved on Google although it has the same name. I can't get back to the way it was when we started.

Naturally we have come to the conclusion it was assembled wrongly in the first place (it must happen occasionally) lol As I see it, I have two choices....use it as a sign to stop enjoying a glass or two occasionally and forsake alcohol from now on..................OR TAKE A PAIR OF SCISSORS TO IT, cut the cord AND DRINK IT !! Happy New Year everyone !

dads local dialect videos

Gemma, my neice, the girl in the last bellycast pictures got my dad  to recite some of his local dialect poetry and the monologue Albert and the Lion made famous by Stanley Holloway, The Innkeeper, one of Arthur Jowetts (a local dialect poet), and put them on youTube. When I know how how to I will put it here, but if you are interested youtube Bob Wilkie, the older guy not the young sporty one ! Dad started writing poetry many years ago when his dad died, it gave him something to focus  all the memories on. He had his verses published in the local paper and was a regular on the local BBC Radio some years ago with something topical. Since then one of his poems would  be requested from time to time by a listener over the years, especially Colours of Hull, Grandmas Grub or Blackleaded Stove.
Below is a link to see the videos on youtube.

Click here to view the videos

sad news

Have just seen that Sarah of Craftynotions has died. Her stand was a must at any show to see what she had that was new and how to use it. She bubbled over with ideas and helpfulness. Often I couldn't get near her demonstrations for the throng of people just as eager as I to learn from her. I can hear her now..."just have FUN"  When I bought her products, I was served by her family, how they will miss her. She was such a character, as well as a great communicator, so willing to give out and full of ideas. Going to shows will not be the same without Sarah and her family to visit.

Angels and Christmas trees, folded books

I was asked to demonstrate how to make paperback Angels and Christmas trees. These are in the unfinished state. The top picture shows the basis of both Angels and tree. Simply fold the page, fold top corner to the spine, fold the folded edge to the spine, fold the bottom edge level with the bottom of the pages. Fold the book like that and you have a tree, Tear of the stiff front and back pages, For the Angel glue on wings, head, arms, hymn book/song sheet.

Bottom picture is my take on a Christmas tree. Fold page like first stage as above. Mark page under folded edge and cut to the middle of book. Fold half cut page to the bottom edge of the page and it will look like this.      
      
UPDATE...I have put a FLYING FOLDED BOOK ANGEL and WITCH and others on the July 25th 2012 blog post

I have been folding books in various ways, fascinated by the patterns the printed word made across the page and the way the gaps between words made tracks down the page. I investigated telephone books, TV guides, anything I could get my hands on. I wanted to combine stitching with folded paper by smocking the folded pages. In 2004 I won a place at uni for a practising artist to develop the ideas but left as my dad became ill and needed help with mum who had developed dementia. Still have the box of folded pieces.........one day....

bellycast with hands

Sometimes I do the cast with the mum standing and sometimes like this, sitting and leaning back on a chair. Gemma wanted to hug her bump and try to form a heart shape with her fingers and thumbs. The "bump" was affectionately known as Freddie. As you can see she is bound up in clingfilm (saran wrap) When I have finished and want to take it off I simply cut through the cling film at the back. The final cast was trimmed up a bit and painted white as requested to keep the look of the plaster bandage while sealing it. While dad was in hospital his grand daughter was also on the labour ward giving birth to little Freddie. (the name stuck) I had my first cuddle of Freddie last friday....lovely.......See May blog post for another belly cast.

sorry, life got in the way !

There's nothing like a whole bunch of problems to remind you that you are alive and kicking ! The winner of the giveaway (no I hadn't forgotten) is Jeannie. Hello Jeannie are you still out there ?  Congratulations, daughter picked you out what seems a lifetime ago........please get in touch so I can post it to you.
The builders came out of the blue and the plasterers.......
Dad rang in great pain and couldn't get a signal on his phone to ring for paramedics.......I rang for him, emphasising  where he lives and that I was ringing from a different address........the paramedic was here in minutes...... and sent away again.......neighbours were out like a flash to see if I was OK........ (it's not that long ago I was rushed into hospital)........stood 5hours in A&E with dad until they found him a bed..........
a week later father in law was rushed into A&E.......stood four and a half hours with him until they found him a bed. Usually has a black wallet on him with a lot of money in it.....had a BROWN one we have never seen before with only has a tenner in it .......mentioned it to the hospital staff....... search his flat for his money .....fear he has been robbed as we search his flat and things don't add up.  3 days later the staff tell us the hospital has his money in the safe.......Weeks later was checking out care homes for him........."best interest" meetings.........search his flat again, this time for paperwork.......mountains of it ! Father in law now in a residential home where he is settling in nicely and my dad is home misbehaving himself as normal......I just have to clear up after the builders and plasterers.........decorate........and put everything back......... empty father in laws flat...........and find out Jeannie's address to send her the giveaway..........