MIAM

MIAM

Monday 30 September 2013

The One About Brum

Saturday saw the long awaited blogger meet-up in Birmingham  with Vix, Curtise et al and I must say it was with some apprehension that I went along as I hadn't met any of these ladies previously....(I needn't have worried.) I went up the night before, as an 0930 start in Brum is a tall order from Sussex and had booked a cheapie hotel in the city centre. I hooked up with an old friend from my flying days in the evening and we went out for a bite to eat, a reminisce and an angry rant about sex changes, which  apparently cost over £30,000.  (my friend knows someone who now has a cock, courtesy of the NHS!)
It was a fine evening and I got my first glimpses of Birmingham.


The next day I met adorable Vix and darling Curtise (who unfortunately was feeling under par but nevertheless put on a brave face) in The Bullring, I was expecting Emma and Claire to be there also but unfortunately at the last minute they couldn't make it, instead I met lovely Gisela and Liz too.

Being a local bird Vix proved to be a marvellous tour leader and took us to the World Famous Rag Market, along the way she drew many admiring glances and comments from passers-by and even a blog follower!  I felt quite honoured to be following in her wake, ha. Next stop was Digbeth, the Irish quarter of Birmingham and home to a plethora of vintage shops.  I kept stopping along the way to capture the abundance of architectural detail in the Victorian buildings.




First up was the brilliant 91 Allison Street which stocked the most fantastically priced items. I found this pinafore dress.




It needs some alteration around the bust as sadly I am not a buxom wench but for six quid I grabbed it like a shot.  I also found this Norweigan style cardi.



 Again it is a tad too big but what the hell, it was a fantastic £8 and it's hardly been worn, none of your acrylic rubbish either - 100% lambswool, which I was grateful for on the bloody freezing train home. According to Vix, thanks to the succession of Scandi dramas on TV anything with a Scandinavian look is a best seller on her stalls.
Sue the owner was lovely and even threw in this scarf for free when I went to pay, I would highly recommend this shop if ever you visit Brum.

 
 Vix found an amazingly coloured blue coat and Gisela scored a dress and a blouse before we left for lunch at a nearby boozer.



 Pippi (who joined us at lunchtime) Liz and Curtise


   Vix and Gisele (apologies for shocking photos, girls)

We also exchanged a few gifts, from Vix I received this lovely zebra scarf (could also double as a sarong) and this very elegant jacket from Curtise. 



After lunch we headed off for more shopping and at Cow I bought a tartan skirt. (also all the rage at vintage fairs seemingly, who'da thought I was so trendy?)






From there we made our way to the famous Custard Factory area where Bird's custard was manufactured until the 60's.



 Onto the hip-tastic Urban Village which stocks some fabulous 60's and 70's labels, egged on by me Vix bought Jon a groovy 70's shirt and Curtise grabbed herself a pretty tapestry bag.






As we left, Frankie the owner of Urban Village kindly allowed me to pose on his Vespa, he proudly informed me it takes seven hours to clean all that chrome!


And still there was more.....



Before heading our separate ways  we stopped off at another pub and after a restorative pint of Strongbow I headed to the station with Curtise, Gisela, Vix and Liz where we said our goodbyes.
I had a brilliant time on my first visit to Brum -  a vibrant, happening city (Britains second largest) full of history and interesting, innovative architecture. 


If you've never been, ignore Birmingham's bad rep and get yourself over there...you won't be disappointed.

xx

Saturday 14 September 2013

A Thousand Rainbows

It's raining again, so I had time this morning to make a card for this week's LIM challenge which is ONE LAYER, GET WELL SOON.  Initially I didn't read the brief properly (typical me) and thought I'd do this uber-quick fun idea which I'd seen somewhere on the interweb.



Then I realised it was supposed to be a one layer card and came up with this one. 



I used a new stamp from Woodware, it's one of those 'profound' ones (or should that read pukey?) but I thought it could be suitable for someone who's feeling rough. I suppose if they were feeling really shit they might just hurl it back at me across their sick bed. Yeah....the recipient will have to be chosen with care.   



I made a heart shaped mask with a die and sponged the sky and rainbow with various distress inks.  My cloud mask was made with a die from Joy Crafts.  I don't like this card much, (in my head it looked different!) it resembles something from a Disney shop especially with the saccharin sentiment but as I didn't get any smudges on it (my usual trick) it's getting entered, OK? 

Also linking to
Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes  
Addicted to CAS - Get Well
Make it Monday - Anything Goes

I've just been round the local vintage shops and chazza's...not a thing to be had, most disappointing!  Although I did want to try on several items in BHF (prices now much more reasonable, perhaps sales were suffering???) but I think the person in the changing room must have died and after nearly fifteen minutes waiting to get in there I abandoned the idea, and proclaimed in a loud sarky voice 'I haven't time to be waiting here all day!'   It probably fell on deaf ears anyway.  So as there's nothing to show you, instead I'll treat you to a glimpse of my latest crochet project.



After I finished the Oxfam baby jumper I wasn't going to start anything new as I'm still wading through granny squares for a blanket but according to the girls at Stitch & Bitch, they have anything up to ten projects on the go at one time! I was getting  bored with the small granny square blanket and have mum's wool stash to use, so started a big one which once completed will go to the hospice.  

Exciting stuff eh ?

I recently received a complaint that I'm not posting enough. I did explain that my life has been dull, dull, dull lately and I have no wish to bore the proverbial pants off my readers, but there is something on the horizon which I'm very much looking forward to, a bit of an adventure really.

More excitement now...cherry buns for tea. Hooray.



Enjoy what's left of the weekend.

Tuesday 3 September 2013

Scavenger Hunt - August

I'm a few days late uploading my August photo's as the last shots were only taken a few minutes ago!  Inspiration for some of the subjects came late this month but I enjoy taking part in this great photo challenge and hope you like my interpretations. Pop over to Greenthumb's blog to view some fabulous entries.


Brown  




Ten

(I nearly caused a major security incident taking this picture at my local dump!  Men on walky-talkies sprang into action to try to prevent me from taking it but I gave them some old flannel and got my pic.)



Windows

 
at my local church



Petrol Station

My friend Limbo at his petrol station.  This man works here from dawn till noon then does a nine hour 
shift at the airport.  When does he sleep?


Boats

at Hythe, Kent



Framed




Chopsticks





Transport

my old boneshaker





Playing






Fantasy





Sharp

Keep out of this murky old pond!




Postcard


Here's next month's list, maybe I can entice some of you to play?

 September's List
White
1
Graffiti
Ears
Repetition
Disney
Lace
New
Door Handle
Beach Life
Tree
Tattoo

I've got a few days off now so will hopefully be making the most of the promised late summer sun. Enjoy your week and thanks for looking.

Sunday 1 September 2013

It's The Life In Your Years

A super speedy post from me today as I'm on night shift tonight and need to get my head down before I go.  After a bike ride this morning I knocked up a simple card which fits the criteria at

CAS-ual Friday - Kraft and Text
Less Is More - Rubber stamp and Watercolour


The text is by Hero Arts which was stamped on hammered card, hence the 'wobbly' look and mounted on a bi-coloured mat. The butterfly by Rhona Farrer was embossed with white EP and then coloured  using pink, red and orange watercolour pencils.  It still needs an insert but as I'm short of time that will have to wait until later.

I don't know who's nicked my mojo but I'd quite like it back now!

What have you been doing this weekend ?