tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41812869946342175962024-03-21T06:25:24.908+00:00Spellbound CharmsNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-69942626432044646782010-10-26T10:11:00.000+01:002010-10-26T10:11:05.700+01:00I'm Going Away!Next week I am going back to Norfolk to visit some friends and family, I can't wait!!<br />
<br />
I decided that I would do this trip on my own as sometimes I just need that alone time to spread my wings and feel free. I think I am a free spirit and whilst I love my OH I feel that my wings are permantely clipped whilst I am with him, so I took this opportunity to spread my wings and see how it goes.<br />
<br />
I have to admit that I am also being a bit indulgent what with getting my hair done and eyebrows waxed and eyelashes tinted. I have also booked into a B&B for the night. I know what your thinking that its just a B&B but not this one!!<br />
<br />
I used to live in Holt in Norfolk and have always wanted to stay at <a href="http://www.byfords.org.uk/index.php5/en/accommodation">Byfords</a> but it's a bit expensive. However I have been working very hard and can now afford it, so I booked a room for one night YAY<br />
<br />
I shall be staying in Room 5 for the night and intend to pamper myself silly!Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-10990170226008420362010-09-17T11:11:00.000+01:002010-09-17T11:11:38.266+01:00Its a bit quiet isn't it!I know I hang my head in shame at neglecting my blog once again. But this time I have a good reason and that is because my computer broke :0(<br />
<br />
I thought it would just be a simple fixing but after a week of tinkering with it the OH admitted defeat and sent it to the shop to be fixed. Unfortunately it was the motherboard that went and it was non-fixable. When the computer was built I specified that I have a hard drive of my own that would store all of my bits and pieces and that incase of the computer breaking would not be affected. The OH insured me that it was okay and my work was safe!<br />
<br />
He lied!!!<br />
<br />
Approx 5 years worth of work has been lost, all of my accounts, logos, website files, personal files and pictures have been lost. I'm devastated and have no idea how to even begin to sort it all out. The OH's response was oh dear never mind! I think at that point I would like to have thrown something at him. But it has taught me a lesson to never trust a man when he says it will be ok.<br />
<br />
On a better note though all of his stuff was saved as he had an external hard drive!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
I do now have a new computer but I have to re-load everything onto it so that is todays job.<br />
<br />
N<br />
xxxxNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-54270683861829088782010-09-01T08:57:00.000+01:002010-09-01T08:57:03.034+01:00Yukky Yukky ColdI have a cold :0( though to me it feels like the flu, how wimpish of me is that!<br />
<br />
So after that revelation lets see what has been happening this week so far<br />
<br />
<ul><li>The advert scam was non-canceble (sp?) so that is £150 I have literally wasted and the OH is mad as hell at me for letting it happen.</li>
<li>I have been banned from buying any new crafting stuff</li>
<li>I have a cold!</li>
<li>I'm fed up :0(</li>
</ul>I am pretty non pleased with myself for wasting that large amount of money to be honest and when I spoke to the company yesterday they where not very helpful in telling me what I needed to produce or even where I should send my advert design to! Seeing as the deadline was supposed to be Friday I have no idea what I should do. I might sit down in a bit and put something together on Photoshop and see how it looks, but they said they would produce an advert for me from my website which is sooo out of date it sunbelievable!<br />
<br />
Banned from buying - yep the OH has now put his foot down and told me that as none of my crafty stuff is actually selling and is just cluttering up the place I am now banned from buying any new stuff at all. So that means no more pretty stamps, no more nice papers, no lovely Promarkers or anything else that clutters up my desk. Howevere today the postie should be bringing two new stamps to me which I ordered last month before the buying ban came into effect! :0)<br />
<br />
I have a cold, I hate colds they suck with avengance. My nose is streaming and I spent loads of money on nasal sprays, tablets and posh tissues to keep my nose feeling nice. None of it has helped though and I am ready to admit defeat and go back to bed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMKAYU5ceocvLK7wKkJomc-YoNlTXk_Dw0LrL6S46MWDP4yGPQ0VTvKqutM_qaIsOzbpcAudIhAPyID2b5_zXZ6_C6pRgAOywoTKHuO4HdT3yH_zHtqxpSWoe4-I-P1hHL4apxy0CwMdb/s1600/sneezing-woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMKAYU5ceocvLK7wKkJomc-YoNlTXk_Dw0LrL6S46MWDP4yGPQ0VTvKqutM_qaIsOzbpcAudIhAPyID2b5_zXZ6_C6pRgAOywoTKHuO4HdT3yH_zHtqxpSWoe4-I-P1hHL4apxy0CwMdb/s200/sneezing-woman.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
I'm fed up! There is no reason for it to be honest as I have a full time job, a lovely OH, 5 cats (2 large, 3 wiggles) and my crafting. I think the thing that has made me fed up is that none of my work has been selling, I seem to spend all of my time making and then everything just sits there gathering dust. My latest work is cards and I made this little card the other day. I love stamping especially with these cute stamps but it is the colouring that makes my day especially with my promarkers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwc46cBqV9i__ClEcFKmROC_b0Jiv7L9TBskc3n6hlyLnM-vB1ZoDIGlvUqy1cxlqcoOPMceGImUF_xCMG8H49e78WFIrB7r6_jjuONbfxyAIkmXk8RFLJnmdUdw_r7fvXJ-NORWdvCZG/s1600/28082010061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwc46cBqV9i__ClEcFKmROC_b0Jiv7L9TBskc3n6hlyLnM-vB1ZoDIGlvUqy1cxlqcoOPMceGImUF_xCMG8H49e78WFIrB7r6_jjuONbfxyAIkmXk8RFLJnmdUdw_r7fvXJ-NORWdvCZG/s320/28082010061.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Anyway off to do some tidying up and blow my nose for the thousandth time today.<br />
<br />
N<br />
xxNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-78575331050797954072010-08-28T09:24:00.000+01:002010-08-28T09:24:33.915+01:00Early Bird!Its my first day off today in 11 days and I really wanted a lazy day but that doesn't happen in my household. Toby woke me up at 5.30am from jumping down onto my pillow from the bookcase, he just missed my head and if he had landed on it then it would have seriously hurt as he isn't exactly kitten like anymore!<br />
<br />
So once I was awake Libby then took it upon herself to meow in my ear and that meant my day had started. It didn't help that my OH had fallen asleep on the sofa (again!) with the TV on loud. So I got him into bed and he instantly converted into a starfish so that put paid to me going back to bed.<br />
<br />
Never mind I took the time to catch up on blog reading, ooohhh I love reading other peoples blogs! and I also made a new notelet card.<br />
<br />
Here is todays attempt at being crafty, as you can see I have used my new pirate stamp again, don't worry as soon as I get paid I will buy some new stamps to add a bit of variety into my work. The pirate picture actually sticks out as I found that it just lacked oomph if I stuck it straight to the backing paper. The lace corner border I also found gave it that little edge, oohhh the pun!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0tOK75WQ8iFzDLBNugEH9lA-jgj4xT0JfdpV5oNsTMrzbpgS3CiigkNrWG0GKvSjGOMNlysCduibEm6Nx20C7_iHOrFnLaMAZKlin9dotvXUXte8RGb9AQVKmsmSNp5iCYhI_lOPrxuz/s1600/28082010061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0tOK75WQ8iFzDLBNugEH9lA-jgj4xT0JfdpV5oNsTMrzbpgS3CiigkNrWG0GKvSjGOMNlysCduibEm6Nx20C7_iHOrFnLaMAZKlin9dotvXUXte8RGb9AQVKmsmSNp5iCYhI_lOPrxuz/s320/28082010061.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Whilst I had the camera out I also took some pictures of the altered notebook I treated myself to on payday last month. It is made by my favourite crafty seller of the moment <a href="http://www.craftypagandesigns.com/">CraftyPagan Designs</a>. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJEIBvBa63KHWTi0GIR05y7G49cYtLz4NTu1mbOD6xYcaz2-RwIQ-RUhJiT6lcxX1cwztlTzGdShsp4P2p8Y_GDIVr9O7M2Y17g5EWXbtXMJbBnzZVlYvKNjOzs4xebR27iUfUfeua-OU/s1600/alicepad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJEIBvBa63KHWTi0GIR05y7G49cYtLz4NTu1mbOD6xYcaz2-RwIQ-RUhJiT6lcxX1cwztlTzGdShsp4P2p8Y_GDIVr9O7M2Y17g5EWXbtXMJbBnzZVlYvKNjOzs4xebR27iUfUfeua-OU/s320/alicepad.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxR1GSrLTyeZaUouK0BiH_S34sUiW1t-1ntmoV8F7ECIpcflhTIGTGvF4XcQCXN97cmttxLLZ1aEmIAe4Bk-c06AIhBL5O6rCI0uBD8LrlSx7gwNECsTAQKrivGIZcxucUe97aP4v9xLX/s1600/alicepadinside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxR1GSrLTyeZaUouK0BiH_S34sUiW1t-1ntmoV8F7ECIpcflhTIGTGvF4XcQCXN97cmttxLLZ1aEmIAe4Bk-c06AIhBL5O6rCI0uBD8LrlSx7gwNECsTAQKrivGIZcxucUe97aP4v9xLX/s320/alicepadinside.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Pretty isn't it. I have to say I won't be using it as it is too pretty to ruin with my scribbles however it sits on my (currently messy) craft table so that I can admire the craftmanship.<br />
<br />
I have decided that today I shall spend doing my craft work and building up stock for the craft fairs I have booked and also to add a few more things to my <a href="http://www.littleblackcauldron.co.uk/">website</a>.<br />
<br />
N<br />
xxxxNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-88771500797575688372010-08-27T22:17:00.000+01:002010-08-27T22:17:44.494+01:00What an idiot!I was having a good day today especially as I had this afternoon off work to relax and put my feet up.<br />
<br />
I say I WAS having a good day as it turned into a nightmare after a phone call.<br />
<br />
What happened was that a lady called me saying that she had been trying to get hold of me for days and wanted to write an editorial feature about my Wishing hats in their magazine. Of course I thought this was brilliant until she told me it would cost me £130 + VAT, next thing I knew I was giving out my credit card details to this woman and had booked an advert!!<br />
<br />
Then I started talking about it to some of my friends on the craft forum and it seems that it was a scam of sorts and the publication is not even heard of!!<br />
<br />
So you can imagine my terror at the thought of losing all this money that I didn't actually have in the first place. Anyways I have to call them on Tuesday and see if they will cancel it if not I really need to start selling some of my crafty stuff asap so that I can eat for the month!Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-41461847932457862602010-08-23T20:22:00.000+01:002010-08-23T20:22:40.717+01:00Kittens!My kitty cat Libby had her babies on Wednesday evening, she had three gorgeous black kittens. <br />
<br />
I have left them alone for a few days and Libby is only just trusting me to go near them which is great so I managed to get a few quick pictures whilst they are asleep.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLz02WFpVW1rIUDMQKzvdTry5d3ICOo7zvgnjP6nFlrdEmXiitfKdOMjXzGu351osXapNQ9MUVJ4Wv6iMyCO5Rtljkm3zQy_krI9MZm0WBNF0jpcKeVKNkhwWlRBjXS79VKgbSw14Bqn3/s1600/kitten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLz02WFpVW1rIUDMQKzvdTry5d3ICOo7zvgnjP6nFlrdEmXiitfKdOMjXzGu351osXapNQ9MUVJ4Wv6iMyCO5Rtljkm3zQy_krI9MZm0WBNF0jpcKeVKNkhwWlRBjXS79VKgbSw14Bqn3/s400/kitten.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In preperation for Libby's birth I made up three birthing boxes and left in various places around the flat. When the time came she actually gave birth behind the sofa!!! I then got her to move into the pet carrier in the lounge. When I came home on Saturday the kittens where not in the carrier, a few panicky moments later I found that she had hid them under the bed which has been fun the past few days as they are really noisy at night. Today though I came home and she had moved them again this time back into the pet carrier which is right by my bed so I can keep an eye on them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope you enjoy the picture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">N</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">xxx</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-18531660594266849682010-08-23T19:36:00.000+01:002010-08-23T19:36:13.437+01:00I Love It!Today I finally got chance to sit down and use my fantastic new stamp and my promarker pens. The result is pretty nice I think. I used some of my scary pink paper that I brought in July with my birthday vouchers and the heart is a cut out from some other paper I had lying around.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/46108135@N05/4920385543/" title="Strawberry Pirate Card by brookernicole, on Flickr"><img alt="Strawberry Pirate Card" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4920385543_656872c4b3.jpg" width="380" /></a><br />
<br />
So what do you think?<br />
<br />
This is my first actual card I have ever made so I am very impressed and am sat here with a huge smile on my face. I may even save the card to send to my nieces 7th Birthday in October as she loves pink!<br />
<br />
N<br />
xxxNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-12885054615040135362010-08-23T13:58:00.000+01:002010-08-23T13:58:28.037+01:00Just Me!Okay after a brief hiatus I have decided to re-open my Spellbound Charms blog. So a huge Hello to everyone again!!!!<br />
<br />
Soo lets have a look, today I decided to spend the rest of my Hobbycraft vouchers that my lovely OH brought me for my birthday in July. I did go in and have a look on Saturday but came away empty handed, but today was a different story.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4898072087_1c0d8d3837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4898072087_1c0d8d3837.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I decided to buy some promarker pens. I am interested in card making and stamping but never find myself with the right equipment mainly stamps and pens. So I have oredered a gorgeous new stamp which hopefully I will get to show you tomorrow and brought myself a set of 10 promarker pens. They where pretty expensive at the cost of £16 for the 10 of them but after a bit of experimenting I have found them to be fabulous. As you can see I also brought some general felt tip pens as my current ones are years old and all dried up. I also got a couple of bargains in the shape of card templates so I can use my new stamp on these.<br />
Did I forget to also mention that I have moved my craft desk from the bedroom into the office/spare room. It looks so much nicer here and I can now have a less crowded desk, which is certainly a good thing seeing as my kitten likes to explore everything. Here is a picture, I have now put up some bunting on the wall to make it a bit more cosy and crafty looking.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4888271478_91cc8cb03b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4888271478_91cc8cb03b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Can you see my witch?<br />
<br />
In the spirit of all things spooky I have also started to prepare myself for Halloween by making large paper mache pumpkins. I have decided to have a massive display of these on my 1st floor balcony and light them up all spookily. Hopefully everyone else will enjoy the effort that will go into the display.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAkkoV170i_31hoaN09r7DCnhg8VE5cTyCCwqP1OTGbosAJZpt0UFIsXirjCg4VMvLEN-8XWhnoac4ZX7-lBoRGYZvL5BNAp1C7QU2kLiHC4vQQ1PMCkPV6tdfi-us3B-sV2S_CsXDbi5/s1600/pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAkkoV170i_31hoaN09r7DCnhg8VE5cTyCCwqP1OTGbosAJZpt0UFIsXirjCg4VMvLEN-8XWhnoac4ZX7-lBoRGYZvL5BNAp1C7QU2kLiHC4vQQ1PMCkPV6tdfi-us3B-sV2S_CsXDbi5/s320/pumpkin.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
At the moment I have my large pumpkin on the windowsill in the kitchen trying to dry out before I carve his face in then carry on building up the whole pumkin to make it more solid. I have decided to leave all of the painting till October that way I know that they are all dried out properly and I can save up for the paints.<br />
<br />
I have a question though :0) Why do we British not celebrate Halloween as they do over in the USA?<br />
<br />
I love halloween and can remember going trick 'n' treating all dressed up when I was younger. But now it is frowned upon! For the past couple of years I have gotten sweets in all ready to be scared by the kids only to be dismayed by no knocks at the door. Actually I tell a lie last year some boys did knock on my door but they demanded drinks, sweets and when I said NO (I was home alone and there was a gang of approx 6 teenage boys) they then spent the next 10 minutes ringing my doorbell non stop!!!!<br />
<br />
Anyway I would love to hear from some people who celebrate Halloween and even see some pictures of your displays or outfits.<br />
<br />
N<br />
xxxNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-64368800648674073582010-04-16T17:38:00.002+01:002010-04-16T17:38:51.049+01:00VERY IMPORTANT!I have a NEW Blog which is where you will now find me. Please add yourself to my new Google Friend follower on my new blog.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.spellboundcharms.co.uk/">LINK</a><br />
<br />
Thank you<br />
<br />
N<br />
xxxxNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-18813439090873787552010-04-16T11:19:00.000+01:002010-04-16T11:19:53.188+01:00First Ever Folksy Friday<div style="text-align: center;">I keep seeing lots of blog posts about Folksy Friday so I thought I would join in.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today's theme will be Summer, seeing as it is nice and sunny here in Gloucester though it does smell like bonfires.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">First up is this beautiful 'Tropical Summer' Fushia/Purple wooden bracelet from <a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/TheLittleBlackCat">The Little Black Cat</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://d200fahol9mbkt.cloudfront.net/item/2571858/P1010841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d200fahol9mbkt.cloudfront.net/item/2571858/P1010841.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This print reminds me of summer walks when I lived in Norfolk it is from <a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/EmmainWonderland">Emma in Wonderland</a> (fantastic shop name!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://d200fahol9mbkt.cloudfront.net/item/2170361/Buttercups_Lomo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d200fahol9mbkt.cloudfront.net/item/2170361/Buttercups_Lomo.jpg" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">The colours on this spinning fibre are gorgeous and soo summery, even better it is called <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/440066">'Darling Buds Of May'</a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://d200fahol9mbkt.cloudfront.net/item/2589282/DSCF9584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d200fahol9mbkt.cloudfront.net/item/2589282/DSCF9584.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">WOW I love this driftwood cabinet from <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/441930-Tall-Driftwood-Wall-Cabinet-with-Mirrored-Door">Driftwood Art</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://d200fahol9mbkt.cloudfront.net/item/2601142/TALL_CABINET_017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d200fahol9mbkt.cloudfront.net/item/2601142/TALL_CABINET_017.JPG" width="320" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Final piece is from <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/439798-Bright-White-Flowerbomber-Mini-cheer-Miniature?shop=yes">Flowerbomber arts</a> and I have taken a shine to this cute minature piece of art.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d200fahol9mbkt.cloudfront.net/item/2587490/folksy_wht.jpg" width="320" wt="true" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So there you go my first ever Folksy Friday</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Enjoy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">N</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">xxx</div><div align="center"><br />
</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-21835331621322891332010-04-15T11:04:00.000+01:002010-04-15T11:04:03.494+01:00Oh Dear!I have neglected my blog, not on purpose mind you but due to the fact that I have just finished a 6 day stint at work *blimey*<br />
<br />
BUT Great news is that I have a new job (whirls round and round in excitement) it is as a community care support worker for elderly people. I had the interview on Monday and was offered the job right there and then *yay*. I have never done anything like this before and understands that it also involves personal care with people aswell so I am a bit nervous. My current work colleagues keep saying that I won't like the job and it isn't for me so my head is in a major whirl. I know they don't want me to leave or maybe I should actually say my cashier friend doesn't want me to leave, the first thing my manager said to me when I told her I was leaving was 'You had better put the tip money you borrowed back', I borrowed £20 and had every intention of repaying it. No congratulations or anything like that so that put my back up a bit.<br />
<br />
It does mean though that I need to buy a car before I start and so currently my car fund stands at £30 *aaaahhhhh* I had better start selling stuff left right and centre I think to hit a £500 target.<br />
<br />
Did I mention that the money is fantastic in my new job?! Well it is 3 x the salary I am on at the moment so that softens the blow slighty :0)<br />
<br />
Anyways day off today and my craft desk looks like it has been hit by a bomb so I shall be making some nw little gems today.<br />
<br />
Love<br />
<br />
Nicole<br />
xxxxNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-64391231423775999342010-04-07T01:31:00.002+01:002010-04-07T01:31:53.238+01:00Felt PursesI have spent the evening making these cute little purses for my friends and family. Made from the felt I attempted to make earlier.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwgunpg8IgbFyK3A0zHtl4SmcSJgH-G1YGde4lVARaRCBzALvxiDGqSvSo0IS8wewfdJ10I59_XFofH8wdk3vpMCTPTwkzy5f7UE62IWh_GyBr8Tp1b2FJrNDnNxe26Y3LdRaoIgZHe-_/s1600/blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwgunpg8IgbFyK3A0zHtl4SmcSJgH-G1YGde4lVARaRCBzALvxiDGqSvSo0IS8wewfdJ10I59_XFofH8wdk3vpMCTPTwkzy5f7UE62IWh_GyBr8Tp1b2FJrNDnNxe26Y3LdRaoIgZHe-_/s200/blue.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF92YT_pz0RvX0toUdD051t-fI40TLecj3CHT1w0aETabvKzXqKui_TPonvuuiqEnd7cv8yBUREmxH5ITZdiECYUi9w5ZCL04iIjGOA4U7I19ep8iEm6fEDpx3-kyCeEUFlZl_ZkhlxXrd/s1600/purple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF92YT_pz0RvX0toUdD051t-fI40TLecj3CHT1w0aETabvKzXqKui_TPonvuuiqEnd7cv8yBUREmxH5ITZdiECYUi9w5ZCL04iIjGOA4U7I19ep8iEm6fEDpx3-kyCeEUFlZl_ZkhlxXrd/s200/purple.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAV9HCS5VQ9mCMa4iN75FvPNo5rns4k-qtiJVlZXNYR2eV11-07dFSSZGHjXOQdqpnkdEfu4SO95f24q2vosUPKXNIQhaWHiFI28JpNnnrwD6gpfoIDPHA_8IJFrFoli9ZS9Gv97r6JxO/s1600/purple2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAV9HCS5VQ9mCMa4iN75FvPNo5rns4k-qtiJVlZXNYR2eV11-07dFSSZGHjXOQdqpnkdEfu4SO95f24q2vosUPKXNIQhaWHiFI28JpNnnrwD6gpfoIDPHA_8IJFrFoli9ZS9Gv97r6JxO/s200/purple2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrM8GgxkE_78FsKLo54SmGVIcNlITBucJsDwVUs6wud-AKC8kNpFQ9E0i-hyJp1Ha4PPTAJgm6B_Idr67U97izNCQ6ryFtdgMRBsdNeUqr-G59OaGex1uB8jCyb0VpxciVPKr6F7So5sN/s1600/purple+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrM8GgxkE_78FsKLo54SmGVIcNlITBucJsDwVUs6wud-AKC8kNpFQ9E0i-hyJp1Ha4PPTAJgm6B_Idr67U97izNCQ6ryFtdgMRBsdNeUqr-G59OaGex1uB8jCyb0VpxciVPKr6F7So5sN/s200/purple+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-27261035474784465822010-04-06T17:56:00.000+01:002010-04-06T17:56:34.975+01:00My felting disaster<div style="text-align: center;">Following on from my last post I thought I would share my experience of making felt for the first time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just so you know the lesson I learnt was that I should follow instructions rather than just plowing straight into something.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I started off with my wool</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboOffAjfek_p8Io22bMNh8_ghHSES_wdOa7zMurR6al2UQPP4UqBbDXMm0FsOPs-UyYhonmEnOD4juwRzTWLHt5-UwgKLzTnfhQ4KVsIX8jg0Ta-YguGmzUKIT_0hmYLUppcQf0GAvxJg/s1600/start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboOffAjfek_p8Io22bMNh8_ghHSES_wdOa7zMurR6al2UQPP4UqBbDXMm0FsOPs-UyYhonmEnOD4juwRzTWLHt5-UwgKLzTnfhQ4KVsIX8jg0Ta-YguGmzUKIT_0hmYLUppcQf0GAvxJg/s320/start.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I purchased this from <a href="http://www.forestfibres.co.uk/">Forest Fibres</a> and was a fantastic bargain.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFvRPeolAc-OOtGeOSLbyO5WhP2F3eBcGErUAsXymJxX-YyuOdJSivgTt8BPxR9wuNgS7evJbqk5VVl6sI3xZ7cTM8DXHCNTveU78anFBjYf0mNBUbd14uoENBJj27oTB419WHQ8WOtml/s1600/mornioblue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFvRPeolAc-OOtGeOSLbyO5WhP2F3eBcGErUAsXymJxX-YyuOdJSivgTt8BPxR9wuNgS7evJbqk5VVl6sI3xZ7cTM8DXHCNTveU78anFBjYf0mNBUbd14uoENBJj27oTB419WHQ8WOtml/s320/mornioblue.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next stage is to then layer the wool in different directions, this I did then covered with soapy water and rubbed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It all blended together though there where a few small holes but that can be ignored.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I ended up with this</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO62qO8u0Y1pYdj5ZzrZU5OpMo1yTtJ4d6iBBnKqUytK6UJqfXsyDwlY9wUmfGxdYdAlXHb9jYsvYKAPgODDGDq5Z4S1LFJhxY7BGq83El1iLw0TAYB-bfHOsPHxPwnerl5PnSqi0bzryY/s1600/blue+felt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO62qO8u0Y1pYdj5ZzrZU5OpMo1yTtJ4d6iBBnKqUytK6UJqfXsyDwlY9wUmfGxdYdAlXHb9jYsvYKAPgODDGDq5Z4S1LFJhxY7BGq83El1iLw0TAYB-bfHOsPHxPwnerl5PnSqi0bzryY/s320/blue+felt.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looks gorgeous doesn't it :0)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I did miss a few of the steps out, like making sure it was really soapy then rolling it, fulling it, and then shrinking it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh well as my first go I am pretty impressed maybe next time I will do it properly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">N</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">xxxx</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-30313965341804072032010-04-06T17:48:00.000+01:002010-04-06T17:48:21.307+01:00Newest Needlefelt AdventureSo my wool finally arrived thank you postie!<br />
<br />
I couldn't wait to start experimenting with my new needlcraft stuff so I actually made this.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5EStQcQLln6x3HuS8LuUbcEa5OZm68g5aanCvMr0Go0lRpC9F241Zk9cshJTrOoGDboWW1brI8RxDDgOFyQTsMQx1-1pnYBxFBmWDbIqWf0S3G0AYMJDk-_GgkAq3n9ozLg7Lcducjo7/s1600/purplbroochm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5EStQcQLln6x3HuS8LuUbcEa5OZm68g5aanCvMr0Go0lRpC9F241Zk9cshJTrOoGDboWW1brI8RxDDgOFyQTsMQx1-1pnYBxFBmWDbIqWf0S3G0AYMJDk-_GgkAq3n9ozLg7Lcducjo7/s320/purplbroochm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGssvZqwP89Ge1hQkeNY6pTRfny6sOT4sOk-TOUZFmQoDB20Ge1Cj6L4HlU_hkjIdnS8vdmC3uPOuAXQa0FNiafqVOtGfKt5m_CkIR9PwH9P_IFm8BMjU9q3_8C1ihw-Rtj2n58FJ4bwa0/s1600/purplebrooch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGssvZqwP89Ge1hQkeNY6pTRfny6sOT4sOk-TOUZFmQoDB20Ge1Cj6L4HlU_hkjIdnS8vdmC3uPOuAXQa0FNiafqVOtGfKt5m_CkIR9PwH9P_IFm8BMjU9q3_8C1ihw-Rtj2n58FJ4bwa0/s320/purplebrooch.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The base is made from my own handmade felt, and then topped with fluffs of merino wool and finished with sequins.<br />
<br />
Let me know what you think<br />
<br />
xxxNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-12628585966836489922010-04-06T10:42:00.000+01:002010-04-06T10:42:02.961+01:00Why?Todays post has a simple question and that is WHY?<br />
<br />
A couple of days ago a friend introduced me to someone who said he had some properties that he was renting out. One property in particluar caught my eye as it was a gorgeous house and a bargain at just £500 a month. Now after looking around the area we decided to arrange a viewing and take it from there.<br />
<br />
This man said he wanted £250 as a deposit so I spent the past couple of days scrabbling around to come up with it and finally succeeded.<br />
<br />
So that was Friday and since then the man in question has disappeared, and after doing a land registry search it transpires that he doesn't even own the house!!!<br />
<br />
So he was a conman!!!!!<br />
<br />
I got my hopes up about moving into a bigger and nicer place and this man just took advantage. The stupid thing was he did it on hiw own doorstep as he has (supposedly) a garage on the same street as I work, so a visit may be due to tell him what a horrible person I think he is.<br />
<br />
I am soo upset at the whole turn of events and the thought that someone could do this to someone else. From now on though if we want to move I shall be going through an agency only, that way we have some security at least.<br />
<br />
On a different note I am waiting for the postie to arrive! She should have my felting material, or at least I hope so seeing as she was supposed to re-deliver it on Saturday and never did. If she doesn't have it then I am dreading the hour long journey to go and get it from the sorting office.<br />
<br />
I hope you are having a better Tuesday than I am.<br />
<br />
Love<br />
<br />
N<br />
xxxxNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-2719054225849978452010-04-04T14:56:00.000+01:002010-04-04T14:56:18.302+01:00Happy Easter!Happy Easter everyone! I hope you all have a great day and stuff yourself silly with easter eggs :0)<br />
<br />
Today is the day that I can open my Secret Easter Bunny gift that was arrabged via the craft forum I am a member of. I have to say it has been sitting on my shelf for 2 weeks now and I have been dying to know what it is.<br />
<br />
So here they are:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFAG0KXbFmq5BRQ96qcAiu47LRRFa3DY_vQEja75WLIAT-NH5GsHM3lET1gjJs92nrdhcfaFptJjvz40a4uSWDuy3T2V9vtNxm8f2SX2EMc9cAUM6EBYx-KjJqBnv1YzcirjFLjxYsygP/s1600/Image1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFAG0KXbFmq5BRQ96qcAiu47LRRFa3DY_vQEja75WLIAT-NH5GsHM3lET1gjJs92nrdhcfaFptJjvz40a4uSWDuy3T2V9vtNxm8f2SX2EMc9cAUM6EBYx-KjJqBnv1YzcirjFLjxYsygP/s200/Image1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yDAicOqyry__nG5WbrGNfN6SPo4_OrILLqE6MwIW3tNtZHCmbT4Qt-98kAtZEWy-pxPygcXAGbzVYXICRTpWT1lwwiBQuYdK3tz-yvrtO6qyEUlcOYog5z9nRW5jbgJZB7wT8l4H893b/s1600/Image3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yDAicOqyry__nG5WbrGNfN6SPo4_OrILLqE6MwIW3tNtZHCmbT4Qt-98kAtZEWy-pxPygcXAGbzVYXICRTpWT1lwwiBQuYdK3tz-yvrtO6qyEUlcOYog5z9nRW5jbgJZB7wT8l4H893b/s200/Image3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are two gorgeous necklaces from my SEB, I totally love them both and the work that must ahve gone into them is fantastic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well I'm off to go and sit on the couch and eye up my easter eggs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Enjoy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">N</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">xxxx</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-28875027916614631252010-03-30T11:07:00.000+01:002010-03-30T11:07:25.017+01:00New Felty ProjectIt was payday on Friday so I took the opportunity to head into Hobbycraft and spend and obscene amount of money *whoops*<br />
<br />
So what did I get, well I managed to get some Needlefelting tools and some really expensive woll shapes which in my honest opinion where a rip off, but seeing as Hobbycraft is the only place to buy my bits and pieces I had to swallow the cost.<br />
<br />
I was going to buy some jazzy felt aswell but upon arriving in the aisle I was disappointed with the choice. I mean there was some nice prints there but nothing original, all mass produced.<br />
<br />
So my solution was to buy some plain white felt and use my new needlefelting tools to come up with my own designs.<br />
<br />
I am half way through my first design and couldn't wait to show it off so heres a sneak preview. As you can see from the second picture the felt can be used either side which is great, it gives totally different effects aswell.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAcStjRe3Scev8Hgmy6-58HHpfmqzshDQi2Ug_xOaWUxJfHnidGDJTKnAsfMJdtOZPit7XSTLaoueTrAiRT9wMjs337r8KjvsjipYTLKTdAAWV7E4-Dy_A_NJoXiQCoUGiG17Vu9UUGAw/s1600/front+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAcStjRe3Scev8Hgmy6-58HHpfmqzshDQi2Ug_xOaWUxJfHnidGDJTKnAsfMJdtOZPit7XSTLaoueTrAiRT9wMjs337r8KjvsjipYTLKTdAAWV7E4-Dy_A_NJoXiQCoUGiG17Vu9UUGAw/s320/front+1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the front, as you can see I started off with a pencil design first then added the thread.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDYKG8cd3LkGpikResGH_Xy5xmjwye_yvb0-HAXsHvpEsFLnE7L30EfTR_kfYIUYK-2IZQ6v7nJ8cf5jUs4HbtAGMxJYsRppYzrERzOL4j9069N_gAVvec-PkcsT6H8-48V3i74p2fxLK/s1600/back+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDYKG8cd3LkGpikResGH_Xy5xmjwye_yvb0-HAXsHvpEsFLnE7L30EfTR_kfYIUYK-2IZQ6v7nJ8cf5jUs4HbtAGMxJYsRppYzrERzOL4j9069N_gAVvec-PkcsT6H8-48V3i74p2fxLK/s320/back+1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the back of the felt sheet, you can't get a real sense of the difference between the front and back but trust me it is very fluffy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiU-YTWBkNz2fHpoBjOJEsaQp0Jrp4Nbd_HIkkMdRWhFtfvTAwY3OgGEyJWCYeySwXyxh7RNgESJhowCSnddkV6teTkUv82-CRbFgKs_GjXmvJgT-KJShT4aJQms7_rQ3ZkMmEGPKVO7s/s1600/Image3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiU-YTWBkNz2fHpoBjOJEsaQp0Jrp4Nbd_HIkkMdRWhFtfvTAwY3OgGEyJWCYeySwXyxh7RNgESJhowCSnddkV6teTkUv82-CRbFgKs_GjXmvJgT-KJShT4aJQms7_rQ3ZkMmEGPKVO7s/s320/Image3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this is Toby, he just couldn't resist getting in on the action!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">N</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">xxxx</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-21624307513004616522010-03-28T11:59:00.000+01:002010-03-28T11:59:22.770+01:00Sunny SundayWhat a loooong week that was, today is my only day off so it is only right that I update my blog with all that is going on in the Spellbound household.<br />
<br />
We have a new baby!!!<br />
<br />
Ok so he isn't actually human and has 4 teeny tiny legs and is fluffy but still he is my baby. So I am proud and excited to announce the arrival of Toby who is a 6 week old tabby cat. He is extremely bold and has us all wraped around his little paws.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICOPDvPW60T7u_bcp5jDOZ_9X-lQDNwI7tjFBxFc2HL3I4MrLCWF3K3FP8TYFgitv6PRXKaONSOhkSu2BpSfff2xF_VwzIScXy5WF6apuq1WVNKkqV2GfHuVyn1HauzMc5FzCHDwhnhOX/s1600/Image2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICOPDvPW60T7u_bcp5jDOZ_9X-lQDNwI7tjFBxFc2HL3I4MrLCWF3K3FP8TYFgitv6PRXKaONSOhkSu2BpSfff2xF_VwzIScXy5WF6apuq1WVNKkqV2GfHuVyn1HauzMc5FzCHDwhnhOX/s320/Image2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not the greatest of pictures but he just moves soo quickly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is one of him and Libby.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-1aAOdoj7b0qkvcs6MjEBEVvp1oIRjrGlNwA4tFdeQN5XAQAnzlGQ90PzmROk72NivHgwVl2FKwsgtRKibv6J7Eit0X5lw9AjhF5ICIl4cWqYFMIdvBUvCJpjConehQNhSF-CF1njOWc/s1600/Image1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-1aAOdoj7b0qkvcs6MjEBEVvp1oIRjrGlNwA4tFdeQN5XAQAnzlGQ90PzmROk72NivHgwVl2FKwsgtRKibv6J7Eit0X5lw9AjhF5ICIl4cWqYFMIdvBUvCJpjConehQNhSF-CF1njOWc/s320/Image1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh and my multi-coloured socks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What else has been happening, well not much to be honest I have been working soo hard this week and have topped the 40+ hours at work, surprising as I am part time!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also popped to Hobbycraft yesterday and picked up some bits to start needlecrafting, not quite sure how to do this but I'm willing to have a go. I also want to make my own felt so have ordered some merino wool off of Ebay (don't you just love Ebay for bargains).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyways must dash as have loads of housework to catch up on, kittens to entertain and a Hubby to push out of bed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">N</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">xxxx</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-25149978923188437502010-03-23T21:27:00.000+00:002010-03-23T21:27:27.614+00:00Sassy Tuesday<div style="text-align: center;">Wow March is flying by really quick, soon it will be Summer!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hate wishing the time away especially now I am nearly hitting 30 :0( It's a scary thought being that old and I swear in my head I am only 21 still.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I am still working on my business plan, slowly it is coming together and I do mean slowly. Once it is finished I will then be in a position to look for an investor or Business Angel at least.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today I also made the decision to re-open my Website Angel business. I stopped all work in December as it was extremely quiet what with xmas and the recession. However recently I have had an influx of emails asking for quotations so have made the decision to open up my doors for more e-commerce work.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>So if you need help adding any products to your online shop just drop me an email and I will be happy to give you a quotation. </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>To find out a bit more about the services I offer you can view </strong><a href="http://www.thewebsiteangel.co.uk/"><strong>HERE</strong></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have also started to search for a new kitten (not of the socky kind like<a href="http://pussygaloresockcats.blogspot.com/"> Pussy Galore</a>) but of the bundle of fur that gets up to mischief and then looks at you lovingly. We currently have Libby who is 7 months old and is soo sad being on her own that she has even tried to be-friend Harry the hamster. Of course he doesn't really want to play with her so she sits on the windowsill all day waiting for me or Hubby to come home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So the hunt is on, if you know of anyone in the Gloucester area that has kittens for sale please do let me know.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">N</div><div style="text-align: center;">xxxx</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-26750258156667173902010-03-21T10:50:00.000+00:002010-03-21T10:50:08.166+00:00Looking for a partner and InvestorSo the past couple of days have been extremely hectic in terms of working in the bookies, but also because I have been expanding on my business idea.<br />
<br />
Now I would love to own a gift shop but the risks are huge, as in will anyone buy my stuff, will the business fail etc etc.<br />
<br />
Well now I have sat down with Hubby and have decided on a business, a ceramic cafe. I am currently drawing up a business plan for the venture but will need investors.<br />
<br />
So why the need for investors?<br />
<br />
I'm not rich, I never will be and the chance of me saving approx £20k would take me forever and a day. I work full time at the moment and I am scrimping and saving every bit of that but my passion is having my own business. I am prepared to do all the leg work as in research, setting up etc, also working 7 days a week in order to make it successful.<br />
<br />
What I really need is a Business Angel or partner that would like to invest in me and my idea. This is not for a short term quick buck but for a long term business with a huge scope of possibilities.<br />
<br />
Not only that but you would be investing in the future of Gloucester itself.<br />
<br />
If anyone out there in the virtual world is interested please contact me on <a href="mailto:nicole@thewebsiteangel.co.uk">nicole@thewebsiteangel.co.uk</a><br />
<br />
Please note that I don't take kindly to people just being nosey, so only serious offers please.<br />
<br />
N<br />
xxxxNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-59546621423783772822010-03-20T09:24:00.000+00:002010-03-20T09:24:29.444+00:00Stunning SaturdayOr in the case of Gloucester it is gloomy Saturday as its raining cats and dogs here!...<br />
<br />
Well what a week, it was Cheltenham Festival this week (Horse racing) and working in a bookies meant it was busy, busy, busy. Yesterday especially!... I worked from 9.30am right until 8pm last night without a break, I managed to take over 700 slips on my own and the normal amount for the shole shop is approx 350 per day! So yep it was very busy. Made our day though when a woman struggled through the door with 4 huge bouquet of flowers for us from a customer as he had won a huge amount of money, it made everything all worthwhile. <br />
<br />
But now for a moan...<br />
<br />
After a stupid old woman came in shouting and screaming at us and calling us names I actually wonder why we don't get danger pay! The reason for her outburst was because we couldn't give her the winnings she had won. Reason being was that by 5pm last night we had no money! People seem to think that a bookies is just like a bank and that we should have enough money to pay out all the time, well surprise surprise after paying out £13,000 yesterday we were skint and the banks where closed. We don't have a money tree behind the counter! The reason we don't keep a lot of money is because of the robbery risks but some people don't realise that and expect us to risk our lives so they can have there bloomin money *GRRRRRR* It makes me soo mad when they start having a go at you and I really don't get paid enough to have to deal with that. I am actually on minimum wage!<br />
<br />
Thats my rant over, sometimes I do feel like telling these people to F off! <br />
<br />
Now onto nice things, this morning the postie rang my door bell with a parcel for me, oooohh it is my Secret Easter Bunny gift from the Craft Forum, I am soo excited and can't wait now. Must hide it so that I'm not tempted to sneak a peek...<br />
<br />
I am also on the hunt for a kitten as a friend for Libby, she is driving us mad with all the moping around and poor Harry the hamster isn't too keen on her trying to play with him through the bars of the cage. She does mean well but its a bit of a scary scene coming into her sitting on top of his cage!!<br />
<br />
Right I am off to Twitter to my Twitteroos and catch up on all the blog posts I have missed.<br />
<br />
Love<br />
<br />
N<br />
xxxxNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-18171441927436068552010-03-16T21:01:00.000+00:002010-03-16T21:01:31.478+00:00Thoughtful TuesdayNot that I have been that thoughtful today but it rhymed and I like rhyming things, theys ort fo slip off the tongue and glide through the air. Ooohh look at me getting all whimsical lol<br />
<br />
So what did I do today, first of all I popped into the city to the bank and the post office. I hate the post office in Gloucester with a passion, there is always a huge queue and only two cashiers on! Imagine my surprise today when I walked into a new look post office, gone was the huge queue and in its replacement was a ticketing system and comfy chairs, not to mention the post and go machines. Ooohhh I loved it! I did use the special machines (well after sitting down for a min to admire the place) it was mega easy and soo quick aswell, well it would have been quick if I could figure out how to send something to America. But all in all it was a very pleasant experience and now I just want to send more parcels *lol*...<br />
<br />
I had a bit of a mooch around Gloucester before I walked home and just re-iterated my thoughts on how much of an awful place it actually is, full of pound shops and empty shops. It is really sad and depressing to be honest, ideally I would have loved to have a shop in Gloucester as it is only a 5 min walk from home but if I am realistical about it all then I am better looking at somewhere like Cheltenham which would embrace a shabby chic shop like mine. So I am going to keep on saving for stock.<br />
<br />
Did I mention that I am saving for a new car? I had a saxo that went to brum brum heaven in December so have been carless since then. And I hate it! I should embrace the opportunity to use my legs and walk or even use public transport, but can't seem to get any enthusiasim up for doing that. Plus working till 9.30pm at night when no buses run and its a mile and a half to get home is a pain in the bum. Ideally I would love a smart car, a cute one maybe even Pink! I have to save £1000 then the hubby will help me get the rest of the money together, so far I have £20! Not very good is it :0( ...<br />
<br />
For tea tonight I decided to make Risotto, hubby had explained how to make it the night before and left out the ingredients for me, this was onions, chicken stock and the risotto rice. So off I went and put everything in the pan as instructed and then I stirred, stirred a bit more, and stirred even more. In the end it got close enough to what it should look like so I sprinkled in my cheese and butter and served.<br />
<br />
IT WAS AWFUL! <br />
<br />
I was going to put a piccie on here but it just looke like someone had thrown up on a plate so thought best not to. Personally I think it was the stock so maybe next time I will do it with plain water and see how it goes.<br />
<br />
Anyway I have muttered enough for tonight and I have a kitten to go and tell off aswell as a hamster to prod to see if he is still alive.<br />
<br />
Bye<br />
<br />
N<br />
xxxxNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-41609912668102442472010-03-15T17:48:00.000+00:002010-03-15T17:48:11.710+00:00I want to be famous!Well not exactly me as in being on the telly or in the movies but i want my blog to be famous. I think...<br />
<br />
I have just watched a movie calle Julie & Julie, it was about a woman making 527 recipes in 356 days from a cook book called 'Mastering the art of french cooking' by Julia Childs. It was brilliant, basically the modern woman wrote a blog about the whole journey and it was fabulous!<br />
<br />
So I would love that to happen, I mean my blog being famous just like this womans one was. The only problems is that I'm not sure that I am interesting enough. Actually scrap that most of my family would say I am completely crazy and all these weird and wondeful things happen to me on a regular basis, I suppose that now I am used to oddness happening I don't really take much notice. So from this day forward I am going to write about everything that happened. So lets start....<br />
<br />
I like ending sentances'paragraphs with .... it makes it look nicer I think, so concious effort to remember to do that!...<br />
<br />
Right as I was, today was mine and Hubby's day off, he has just been promoted to Head Chef so had a phone interview for a prospective sous chef. We then went to pick up Timmy's ashes from the vets :0(<br />
<br />
Whilst meandering around Morrissons Hubby said he would teach me how to make Risotto so that I wouldn't ahve to buy the pre-made packet stuff anymore. I like him teaching me and he has promised to do it more often which is great. So todays lesson is Risotto, well when he wakes up at least...<br />
<br />
Libby the kitten has also taken a shining to running out the front door for freedom, not exactly a great thing seeing as we live on a main road and my kitty is supposed to be a house kitty. I can now see that going out the window. So when we got back from shopping I let her have a supervised sniff around outside, then I picked her up to go back inside and she had flailing limbs everywhere!... - oohhh look I remembered dots!...<br />
<br />
I suppose I should update on my market stall/business idea! I need to save all fo my money up in order for this to progress, it is coming along slowly and I have some amazing stockists that I am just dying to order from, but patience is a virtue apparently...who am I kidding patience does not exist in my world. Maybe I should look for a Business Angel... Anyone want to invest in my idea?<br />
<br />
I made this amazingly cute bag last night, once I have batteries in the camera I will take a photo for you so you can all admire its cuteness...<br />
<br />
WOW how long is this blog, must dash to go and tidy up the kitchen before my lesson.<br />
<br />
Bon Apetit!!<br />
<br />
N<br />
xxxxNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-11615278672481548282010-03-14T10:58:00.000+00:002010-03-14T10:58:41.860+00:00Mothering Sunday!Happy Mothers day to all you mummy's and especially my mum!<br />
<br />
Hopefully next year I may be on the receiving end of the celebration, but first I need to lose some of this dreaded weight.<br />
<br />
Right so what have I been up to, ummm not a lot to be honest. I had Saturday off so spent the day catching up with housework and make a few new mini bags, of which I will post some piccies of for you. Today I am off to work in a bit (boring, boring, boring!!!) I shall pop into Hobbycraft on my way to work and pick up some more felt for my mini bags.<br />
<br />
I have decided to have a go at making my own felt seeing as I use soo much of it, it should be an interesting experiment if nothing else.<br />
<br />
Ooohhh I got my very first Etsy sale on Friday! I sold one of my pin cushions, messed up on the postage though so actually made zilch :0( I shall post it tomorrow though and it is winging its way over to America, ooohhh how exciting!<br />
<br />
Right off to prod the kitten who has kept me awake all night and is now sleeping like a baby (mean mummy alert!) and to do my hair and hopefully my fringe will go okay.<br />
<br />
Have fun!<br />
<br />
N<br />
xxxNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181286994634217596.post-34535743621282393342010-03-10T11:31:00.000+00:002010-03-10T11:31:05.631+00:00Morning Wondeful Wednesday!It is wednesday isn't it?!<br />
<br />
I'm currently in hiding from my ringing phone, my part time/full time job wants me to go and work in a different shop tonight but I really don't want to especially after they keep screwing with me over holiday entitlement and pay rises not to mention bonuses. I don't mind helping out my own permanent shop but others should sort out there staffing correctly. For some reason the bosses think that they can just phone me and I will drop everything to do the extra shifts, well afte 35 hours last week I want to enjoy me days off thank you very much. Not to mention the fact that I have no way home from the shop in question!<br />
<br />
Right rant over!<br />
<br />
I used my craft table for the very first time last night, I managed to make a little bag for my Itsy Bitsy Munsters to go in. I have entered a secret easter thing so this will go off to some un-suspecting soul. I do worry that they will think that my stuff really isn't good enough to be given away and maybe I should give up on my crafty stuff.<br />
<br />
On a side note I was on You Tube and looked at needle felting and I soooo want a go of that, how cool would that be! I do need to earn some money first though before I can buy any more crafty stuff, Hubby's orders I'm afraid.<br />
<br />
Today I am going to drag out the sewing machine and try and see if I can get that to work for me, last time was a disaster but this time I intend to concentrate and try my hardset to get it to work as then everything will be soo much easier than all this hand stitching in wonky lines.<br />
<br />
Right off to go and experiment (and do some housework!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLwwAZRtJiB9e57xKStSzugkgCSPuFlaxdPt4pxV_6EqMp_B72FMt6G8UxHuO2m1kM1dgqhF4o3OAhCnXk0a-qOV8qkSbGhc8wY6uT77EOW5pJSvj6excKCCg6iyeTSub54I9PxKPUu3I/s1600-h/group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLwwAZRtJiB9e57xKStSzugkgCSPuFlaxdPt4pxV_6EqMp_B72FMt6G8UxHuO2m1kM1dgqhF4o3OAhCnXk0a-qOV8qkSbGhc8wY6uT77EOW5pJSvj6excKCCg6iyeTSub54I9PxKPUu3I/s320/group.jpg" vt="true" width="269" /></a></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11367673426516035668noreply@blogger.com1