Thursday, March 30, 2006

Meme me me me it's all about ME!!!!

With thanks to the lovely Wendy

1. How did you get the idea for your profile name? Fabric, it's my hobby and big love.

2. What song are you playing now, or wish you were playing? I'm listening to Corinne Bailey Rae, lovely!


3. Has the death of a celebrity ever made you cry? Yes, Princess Diana, John Peel, Jim Morrison (even tho it was about 15 years after his death, I was reading about him).

4. What colour underwear are you wearing? Black with pink polka dots, (honestly Wendy!).


5. Do you want a baby? NO, I'll quit while I'm ahead thanks

6. What does your dad do for a living? He hasn't worked for at least 15 years.

7. What does your mum do for a living? She's a scheme co-ordinator for sheltered housing (looks after the welfare and wellbeing of those in sheltered housing). Brilliant at it she is too!

8. What is/are your pet's name(s)? Bella, Fifi and Boy

9. What colour are your bed sheets? Crisp white.

10. What are the last 3 digits of your phone number? 679

11.What was the last concert you went to? Beth Orton

12. Who was with you? Paul

13. What was the last film you watched? Ray

14. Who do you dislike most at this moment? No one really.

15. What food do you crave right now? Chocolate

16. Did you dream last night? Think so, can't remember.

17. What was the last TV show you watched? The Apprentice, last night.

18. What is your fav piece of jewellery? A silver bracelet that I recently lost made by a friend :-(

19. What is to the left of you? Lizzy's playpen

20. What was the last thing you ate? Pork chops, jacket potato, spring cabbage and broccoli

21. Who is your best friend of the opposite sex? Apart from Paul I guess Guy is my best male buddy

22. Who last MSN'd you? Elle

23. Where is your significant other right now? Watching football (which is why I am here!)

24. Do you have a crush? Not really

25. What is his/her name?

26. When was the last time you had your hair cut? January. Getting it cut again next Wednesday.

27. Are you on any meds? No

28. Do you have a mental disease? No except when I am cooking tea and everyone drives me mental with their demands

29. What shirt are you wearing? Pink, blue and white striped cheesecloth affair

30. Are you sexy? Oh hell yes!

31. What's your favourite store? Hennes, Jigsaw, Monsoon

32. Are you thirsty? Yes my wine glass needs topping up, I'll be back in a mo .................

33. Can you imagine yourself ever getting married? Nope, have managed to get to 41 without doing it

34. Who's someone you haven't seen in a while and miss? My little sister.

35. Where do you work? At home Pin It

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Spring chickens

This morning it looked very much like spring had arrived so I whipped out my camera to take photo of the poor late daffodils who have been wondering when it was safe to come out. The chickens, thinking that I had food for them, came running and followed me around. They are completely free range and have the whole 2 acres to explore but still try and get in the house whenever someone inadvertantly leaves the front (or back) door open. When I gave birth to Alfie (a home water birth) the door was left open by one of the midwives and they all traipsed in clucking and cooing wondering what was going on!!!! So here they are, we have 10 of them and they give the most fabulously delicious eggs ever but they poo for Britain. If it wasn't for the copious amounts of poop they produce I would happily have them in the house. Chicken nappies, now there's a thought, hmmmmm..........





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Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Face Lift

Well as you can see I have had cosmetic surgery, a face lift, and don't I look better for it? I wish I could say it was all my own work but sadly I am a technoklutz, I haven't a clue how all this came together. No It is the work of the wonderful, and aptly named, something so clever or Ali as she is known to me. There is no end to this girls talents I tell ya! I have always admired the beautiful blog styles of Hippo, Leon, Antipo and Wendy and always wanted to jazz mine up a little but just didn't have the knowledge. The lovely Ali came to my rescue and with a little chat on MSN and a few emails she came up with a blog to be proud of. Thank you Ali, you are a star.
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Sunday, March 26, 2006

My Mummy's Day


It's my mummy's (and my best friend's) day today so I've made my way into her blog to tell you why I love her!!

10 Reasons why i love my mummy by Jazz

1. She wears converse (nuff said)
2. She lets me live my life instead of telling me what not to do all the time
3. I can tell her EVERYTHING because she doesn’t have a go at me or judge me and she always make things better
4. She gives me lifts everywhere even if she really doesn’t want to
5. I can trust her with my life and biggest secrets
6. We share the same music taste
7. We have the best arguments cos neither of us will back down! and we always make friends 10 minutes later
8. She lets me bring loads of mates (and smelly boys) back home and cooks and goes supermarket shopping for us
9. She lets me have fun, and go to as many parties and stay up all night getting drunk and just shake her head instead of being cross!
10. Well..what can I say she always looks immaculate and she’s perfect, I love her because she will always love me

Happy Mothers Day Mum, I love you so much xxx never change Pin It
http://www.GlitterMaker.com/ - Glitter Graphics

It's my little angel's first birthday today. Happy Birthday baby xxx

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Thursday, March 23, 2006

Johnny Marr

I'm fed up. I feel like I am coming down with a bad cold again, I'm tired, all my baby wants to do is feed feed feed and I need some space, oh and I'm premenstrual. It didn't help that I stayed up late drinking wine with my friend Nina last night. I'm off to bed. Pin It

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

My not so old 'Pops'!

Hmmm yes you've rumbled me girls. The man is indeed only 50 and not really old enough to be my father! He was 9 years younger than my mum when they married and he took my sister and I on. He seemed very much older than his years though, he is an old soul, and was very sensible and strict too!!! Everywhere I went women used to comment on how gorgeous he was, (the dental nurses always flirted with him), and as I got older they used to ask 'Is that your boyfriend?' 'Eeeeeuw no way' I would say, 'He's my dad, he's gross!!" I couldn't see what the fuss was about!

I was too old to call him Daddy and he was too young to be called Dad so we called him Pops as a bit of a joke! He now has 2 of his own children with his gorgeous American born Japanese wife, they are the cutest looking things, but he still considers my sister and I to be an important part of his life.

I couldn't possibly do a family tree or even try to explain my family situation, I simply haven't got the time. It's complicated, and has many branches. More like a family forest, hehehe. Let's leave it at that!
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Monday, March 20, 2006

My old 'Pops'











Well we had a lovely afternoon with my stepfather (Paul). It was so nice to see him and we picked up where we left off 7 years ago. He's looking good and is happy and successful, what more could you ask?

Jasmine loved seeing him and cried when he was about to go, wh
ich surprised us all, (especially her) but she felt very emotional and we agreed that a few hours with him was much nicer than the visits we get from her 'birth grandfather'. Sad isn't it?

Alfie was spectacularly badly behaved as only he can be! I had given him a pep talk before Paul arrived saying that he hadn't met him before so it was important to me that he behaved nicely, and he can when he wants, so that Paul will get a good impression. But he was a prize twit, showing off, shouting etc, ho hum! I don't think Paul minded, he thought what a handsome and bright boy he was. See I told you he was nice!
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Sunday, March 19, 2006

I am having a visitor today. My stepfather is over for a (very) brief visit from San Francisco where he now lives. I haven't seen him since I was pregnant with Alfie and was on the verge of moving to Devon. He hasn't met my two youngest and the last time he saw Jazz she was about 5. He's in for a bit of a surprise! I can't wait to see him, he's a lovely lovely man. I shall report back later with photos. I'm off to clean up the house. Pin It

Saturday, March 18, 2006

I'm singing


I'm so excited and I just can't hide it. I'm about to lose control and I think I like it!

Why? Cos I only went and found my bloody ipod that's why!!!!!!!!!! YAHOOOOOOOOO.

I'm embarrassed to say that it was in my handbag all the time. It was hidden under a false bottom along with my cheque book. Even though I completely emptied my bag the darned thing is so tiny it was tucked neatly under the flap. Oh I don't care how silly I look, it's back. I'm off to update.

Oh my ipod's back and there's gonna be a party, hey la hey la, my ipod's back. All together now.......... Pin It

Friday, March 17, 2006

Fabrics'r'us

Just to clarify what these gorgeous fabrics are for and to let you have a sneak peek at some of the prettiest ones I have found so far.

I have been given these fabrics to sell on behalf of someone who does not have the time or expertise to do it. I have been headhunted. I sell them for this person and we split the proceeds 50/50 after costs. I can't see how I could possibly lose on this one. I put in a lot of hard work but all the sourcing that I had to do, which is extremely time-consuming, will be taken away as I have a never-ending supply. He said that I probably wouldn't live long enough to sell all the fabric he has, although he hopes I do!

These fabrics are from France, dating from the 1880's right up to the 1940's and are in fact museum pieces. They all come in very old sample books with the dates neatly penned in on the front. They are all small pieces so not big enough to make anything bigger than cushion panels with really so I am not sure what they would be used for but us fabricaholics are funny people. Sometimes we like to have a fabric tucked away in a drawer to be brought out and stroked from time-to-time before being put away again! Someone might like to frame them, who knows? They have been selling well so far so I know this will be a success.

Here is a selection of delicious designs.








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Thursday, March 16, 2006





Well my meeting went well yesterday. The fabric man he came, he went and he left me with a huge amount of fabric which I am in danger of drowning under. Paul is already making noises about having to reinforce the ceiling, hehehe!

I have many bags (too many to get in one photo), in each bag is many rolls of samples and in each roll is many fabrics. These fabrics date from the 1800's up to the 1940's and were bought at an auction in Paris. They are beautiful, so many different designs. Some look very contemporary and wouldn't look out of place in Habitat or Heals. It just goes to show how nothing is really original. We have been taking ideas/inspiration from history.

I must be off. I have a lot to sort out and sift through. There are sateens, moires, popelines, cretonnes and velvet flocks to tend to.

Ciaou Bellas Pin It

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Mundane in the membrane


I haven’t had much to blog about recently. Life is fairly mundane just now with the usual day-to-day domestic chores taking precedence.

Baby has a cold. She has the rotten bug that we have all had and it is making her miserable. She is a coughing, snotty, clingy creature. Poor darling. I remember how horrid it feels.


My ipod is pretty much lost I would say. I did put up some notices around Appledore but I don’t hold out much hope. I guess if it’s meant to come back to me then it will. I am still mad at my credit card company. I think the worse part about it is that it’s Marks and Spencer’s &More card. I trusted M&S, they are an established good old British company but I feel let down by them. I am keeping my money in cash under the mattress from now on. I won’t let the Big Bastard Corporation steal any more money from me!

On the upside I adore my cleaner, well not her personally, although she is very nice, but just having her makes my life so much easier. She comes for 3 hours once a week and it really helps me to keep on top of the cleaning rather than feel as though I am drowning in it. Sometimes it becomes so overwhelming that I can’t do it at all and just go out rather than face it!! It's a joy having someone come and do a deep clean once a week.


I am having a business meeting this week with a potential partner. He has access to many beautiful and very old fabrics that he would like me to sell. We would then split the proceeds. I’m looking forward to meeting him and seeing the fabrics he is bringing with him!

Jasmine has learnt to play the guitar this week. Last Sunday she went off to visit her gran, the grumpy old woman to you, and came back having learnt how to play the guitar. How cool is that? She can now play 'The house of the rising sun' and 'Walk away' by Franz Ferdinand in less than a week. The girl's a natural!

I met a friend in town this week. She has just split up with her partner of over 20 years. They have one child. She has not been happy in her relationship for years and she has just taken the courageous step to leave and live on her own with her child. I have never seen her looking so happy and radiant. The move was obviously a positive one for her and so far things are very amicable with her ex-partner, both of them trying to do what is best for their daughter. I hope things work out for them all.

I’m baking today. Leek and gruyere quiche and possibly some sort of cake, I don’t know which one yet but a little peek inside the pages of Nigella’s delicious book will probably inspire me.

Bye for now x Pin It

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Good things and bad things


Many thanks for all the get well wishes. They worked a treat. I thought I was better last week but when I lay down to feed my baby and woke up 2 hours later I knew I was still not right but now I am back in fighting health. My favourite get well wish came from a couple of Numptys, 2 dear little creatures that are the invention of this lovely lady. I really think they should be made up into little toys, made of vintage fabrics of course, I know my kids would adore them.

I had a bad day yesterday. I found out that I had lost my ipod. I thinked I dropped it from my pocket when picking up Alfie from a party. I was carrying baby, goodie bags, clothes that Alfie had cast off, trying to keep him from bouncing all over the place in his sugar-shocked state whilst avoiding his nasty balloon. I think it’s understandable that I may not have noticed if it dropped out of my pocket. I have contacted the local police just in case some nice person decides to hand it in, It does have my name engraved on the back, so I live in hope that the good people of Appledore will come through for me. We’ll see.

I also contacted my insurance company to see about recovering my excess now I have my car back. They informed me that the liability is in dispute by the third party. I fail to see how he can dispute that he was at fault when I was stopped, handbrake on, while he hurtled into me at speed!!! Trouble is in many cases of country lane bumps they tend to go knock for knock, but I am furious. I shall dispute the dispute. This could go on for ages.............yawn!

I also contacted my credit card company to ask why they had charged so much interest on my latest statement. Almost £100 when my balance was less that £800. I have paid off most of the balance and was amazed to see that I am paying more interest now than when my balance was 10 times this amount! I phoned and got a call center in India. I explained the situation and got a very quiet, barely audible response from the lady at the other end. She got her supervisor to explain it to me. She spoke very good English (still very quiet) but it was total gobbledegook. Apparently I am being charged on the balance back in December and to avoid being charged so much should have paid off the balance last month. How is that supposed to work? I told her that if I paid of the minimum amount that they suggested (£25.00) then I would be paying this bill for the rest of my life. She made no sense with her stock answers and I shouted that it was bullshit and that they can keep their card and hung up. I cut up my card in a fit of pique. Then I burst into tears. It seems to me that I am being punished for trying to pay off my credit card, they would prefer for me to be in debt. I still don’t understand it but they have me over a barrel. I am paying off this balance and never using the card again (well I can’t it’s in little pieces on the kitchen table!). Pin It

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Donna does Dallas

Oh don't look at me. I'm just being ill. It's sooooo boring don't look at me.



Thank you, thank you, thank you for all those lovely and flattering comments. Just what a girl needs to hear when her eyes are watering endlessly and her nose is streaming uncontrollably. I didn't feel very beautiful I can tell you but I feel I must 'fess up. I think I owe my healthy look to a little product that Tats and I bought on our recent shopping trip to Exeter. We were accosted by the 'Benefit' girls in Dingles who did a bit of a make-over on us with the result that we both came away looking rather glam and a little sunkissed (not bad for the end of February). The answer? Dallas. A face powder that you sweep over your cheeks, chin, forehead and nose and voila, you get the outdoor look for the indoor girl! I tell ya, I have not had one ounce of sympathy from anyone around as I look too darned healthy.

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Wednesday, March 01, 2006

I'm ill

Oh woe is me. I have red sore eyes, a throbbing head, sore throat, a tap for a nose and I'm cold and miserable. Bah! and to top it all my good friend Tats has gone home. I did tell her to stop mucking about in France, she's proved her point and it's time to come home now, but she wouldn't hear any of it.

Here I am cold, miserable and friendless trying to keep myself warm in my new fluffy jacket, hehehehe

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