A Sad Geek...

When in life did being a geek become the coolest thing???

When did knowing all the Marvel comic heros become cooler than knowing the latest pop stars whereabouts?

I do not know the answers to this. All I know is I AM THRILLED!

I never really liked boy bands in school(although I was a massive Spice Girls fan...I am not ashamed. GIRL POWER!) I never conformed to the "must have" fashion style, or the latest sports wear. I didn't care if a boy fancied me or if my cupboards were filled with no frills food and my charity shop school blazer lasted me 3 years because I would "grow into it"

I was cool. I was cool because I had the confidence to pull off all these high school faux pas'

Some people didn't. I made friends with a lot of these people. They became cool by association, with their winkle picker shoes, daft conversations, sad fan fiction obsessions, AWFUL hair cuts and clothes that had seen better days 3 people ago.

I know that sounds so deluded and I sound a little too self assured, but I only know all this because they have all told me. I loved each and every one of my friends, geek or swat, popular or wall flower. I didn't care.

One thing I couldn't stop though was the geek teasing! It was not cool to be a full on geek.

Glasses were NOT the one. Knowing all about Star Trek was not cool, being teachers pet did not do you any favours.

THIS HAS ALL CHANGED!

HOW?

WHEN?

WHY?

I have no idea. I think programmes like the Big Bang Theory have helped, along with a lot of celebrities admitting they are closet geeks and tweeting pictures of themselves looking cool in glasses.

I have to say I love the geek revolution. I can have conversations with my boys that I actually understand. Turns out it is cool to be clever, comic books are awesome and Enid Blyton is for girls AND boys!

My eldest goes to a high school where all the kids remind me of shaggy sheep dogs with their untamed hair and heads facing the floor as they scuff their no name shoes by dragging their feet.

All their blazers look like they grew into them a few years ago or have a few years left to reach that goal.

I see young girls unashamedly speaking out about their feminist views. They are no longer going to be objectified by boys or worry about being cool because the popular boy fancies them.

They are gathering on social media sites, not to discuss the latest lipstick shade but to discuss the art and culture they see around them.

Now obviously not all boys and girls are like this. I myself still love flicking through magazines and cooing over pretty handbags and dresses, and we all blush when a handsome chap or lady offers us a smile, but being who you are seems to be more OK now.

I know this is a very random post but each time I have conversations with teenagers I get so excited, mainly because I can have conversations with teenagers...I found this difficult when I was a teenager hehe!

So here is to all the people in the world.

Here is to acceptance and friendship. May it long continue.

And here is to my new, fabulous glasses...

Making the Best of it...

Hi there. So what about this sunshine? I don't know about you but when that sun is shining I am filled with ideas and excitement before I even open my eyes, which is why it really, REALLY sucks to have the crappiest immune system ever!

Guess What???

Yep!

I am ill again!!!

This is getting sooooo boring. My house has so many messy spots which I am noticing more and more every day. I have redecorated at least 10 times in my head since being laid up.

I have spent thousands!

I have won the lottery, all different amounts and planned how to spend it and deliberated on how deserving family and friends are and how much they will get.

I have been on about 20 different holidays, some with kids and some without...

I have bought so many pretty things that in reality I can't afford. I have made Pinterest boards which display these desires...even made a holiday one(a girl can dream).

I have made soooo many cakes(and eaten them) and my decorating skills would put Cake Boss to shame hehe!

Obviously in reality I have been lay in my bed or on the sofa, feeling sorry for myself, crocheting and moaning. I have been drinking tea and eating out of boredom!

I have been enjoying marathon programme catch up. Mainly Call the Midwife and Sewing Bee, that has been one good thing. I am longing to learn to use my machine and Sewing Bee doesn't help this longing!

I think it is safe to say I am a little worn out with my own company. 

I have been popping in and out of blogland and seeing all your lovely posts but I am so worn out that I get through some and then doze off again.

I have made a concious decision this morning after waking up without the ability to swallow and discovery of white spots on the tonsils, to spend the morning typing(albeit moany typing) on my little blog and upload some of the photos I have been snapping away at.

My little bug. We went to the cinema over the weekend(I started feeling really poorly half way through Muppets Most Wanted) he had to take Fluffy and Mickey with him and they thoroughly enjoyed it.                                             

Something that has been a source of mindless entertainment...it gets boring very quickly!

Some flowers to cheer a girl up :)

The garden is getting a mini makeover. Just something to make this very small and ugly yard a little less of an eye sore!

More bright, beautiful flowers.(both bunches were reduced and count as medicine for sure)

New wool storage...

Cute retro Pop bottles...little in love...

So there are some of the nice things about the last few days.

I haven't been too bad with my frugal March.

I have looked for bargains everywhere. I spent a lot of money on my food shop, but I managed to buy enough for over 2 months for £400. I know that sounds like a lot but for a family for 2 months and it includes meat and all cleaning/household products, I am quite chuffed!

These pop bottles are a sparkling £2 each from Tesco, which is a bargain I think. They have a lovely range at the moment with all this gorgeous coloured glass and some stunning pastel cookware(which definitely did not become part of my March)

Wilkinsons also have some gorgeous coloured glass products including Kilner jars. Again I haven't indulged as they really couldn't be justified.

I know you may think that these bottles can't be but they can I just can't go into details...yet!

(My crochet ta-dahs can't be shared right now either :( )

But a sneaky peek wont hurt ;)

ooooo and another little tip. Right now we are in garden stuff season. Now, if like me you are not the greatest gardener but still find yourself browsing these aisles then despair not.

Garden paraphernalia is usually a lot cheaper than pretty indoor decor.

The bucket I am now using for yarn storage is a gorgeous pastel green and has the wooden embellishment on the handle. It was £4 in the garden section at Tesco!!! £4! If this was an indoor decorative item you would be looking at upwards of £10.

I also use a lot of string in my crafts and for wrapping and twine is perfect...gorgeous twine holders are EVERYWHERE at the moment and they are really reasonably priced.

Keep an eye out people x

Happy Tuesday xxx 

MIA...

Yes I have definitely been Missing in Action lately. I am determined to find some time soon to sit down and read through everyones lovely blogs. Life just gets in the way sometimes.

I have been active on FB though.

Barefaced selfies and Odd Socks...

 So happy that so much money has been raised for cancer research by this social media fad.

Showing support to raise awareness for WDSA.

I hope you all had a great week, see you very soon...

Happy Friday x

Fabulous Flat Crochet Flowers...Tutorial...

Hello lovely people. 

Firstly let me say thank you for all your lovely comments regarding our recent furniture endeavours. As I sit here typing I am enjoying the pretty and colourful crafty things that are in the corner of my eye. Goading me to make more and share more, so with that in mind I am going to share another of my little patterns.

You may remember my train journey a while back where I happily watched the countryside whiz past whilst hooking some cute little coasters?
Well I promised on that post that I would share my flat flower pattern.
Flat is important to me...remember the hexagons? Flat crochet items make great embellishments, home decorations, blankets, scarves etc. I love crochet flowers, all of them, but I find sometimes that they are just too fiddly or time consuming, especially when my brain is tired or not functioning to the best of its ability and I need something simple, soothing and pretty. Pretty crochet leads to satisfying crochet.

Before Christmas I was asked to make a flowery scarf from a customer on my FB page. There were no specific instructions so I had free reign over design. I took inspiration from pinterest, but do you think I could find a pattern that satisfied my simplicity? Nope. So in situations like these there is only one solution. Make your own.
As I have said before, we all sit there and work hard creating something we think is unique only later to find that someone else has already done it, so if a wonderful person already has a similar pattern then I promise this is not from anyone elses.

The scarf and wrist warmers made to order.

Can you see how lovely the flowers sit together and piled on top of one another? This is one of my most favouritist patterns and I am so happy to be sharing it with you.

First off. I work in US terms

ST= Stitch

SS= SS UK

CH= CH UK

SC= DC UK

DC= TR UK

I am using Drops Merino for the turotial and a size 4.5mm hook.

You see, it is flat.

To begin magic ring or if you just can't(like me) then ch2.

This shows your first ch.

DC 14 into the first ch. Join to beginning ST as shown.

CH 3+1 (this counts as your first DC, CH1), DC into same ST, CH1

You will have your first V stitch.

*Skip next ST. DC, CH, DC into next stitch* (shown above)

Repeat from * a further 5 times. 7 V stitches.

Join to beginning CH. You have to count up 3CH to find where you are joining your work. I have shown in the photos below how to do this. You have a plait type pattern when you chain and all you have to do is count up.

1 CH

2CH

3CH. Once you have joined, CH1 and turn your work.

This is the space in-between the V stitches.

1SC in this space.

In the V stitch *2DC, CH1, 2DC. SC into CH space* 

You should now have a little petal mountain like above. Repeat from *to* 6 times, but do not SC after the 7th petal.(7 petal mountains)

Instead of SC at the end SS into the first SC stitch. 

This is where we are up to. Isn't it wonderfully flat and perfect for sewing onto that cushion, bag etc? You can leave it here for a smaller flower and/or small coaster(if using as coaster or bunting I advised a little starchy after care. I use spray starch. Pin to a rolled up towel so all is flat and happy and spray starch all over the flower. Leave overnight to dry)

LAST ROUND...

CH1 and turn your work.

SC in the space between the SC(SS for the first one) and the DC.

The needle is where you need to SC, the red hook is the CH space of the petal from previous round. I will quickly run through the pattern again in a second.

In the CH space of the petal mountain DC 5 times.

You then SC in the space between DC of previous round and the SC. The needles are placed where you need to SC.

It is a little blurry but I want you to see where the SC are.

The pattern for this again is

*SC, 5DC into CHsp at top of petal, SC*

Repeat to end

SS into top of first SC.

Cut ends and pull through. Then you just have to sew in your ends.

TA DAHHHH!

A Fabulous, Flat, Crochet Flower!

Now again, I am not little Miss Expert when it comes to patterns or tutorials so please, if you do try this and you have any problems then let me know so I can fix them x

This is what I did with that little flat flower. I needed a good mug of coffee before I sat down to write this. 

Can you see that little crochet hook holder sneaking its way into the photograph? This was a gift made for me by the lovely Jacquie at Bunny Mummy.(Told you I still have it Jacquie) Jacquie and I became blogging friends many moons ago when I had my original blog

Land of Emma.

I would like to say a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Jacquie as well for your fab piece in Simply Crochet magazine xxx

Happy Friday x

Mini Post...

I know I have posted today but I have a few more things that didn't fit in with the last post.

Firstly I would like to say a HUGE 

THANK YOU!

For all your lovely comments on my last few posts. I love reading your comments and it always a relief to know you are not just babbling to yourself. I don't always get time to reply to comments but each and everyone brings a smile and I appreciate that you take the time to read my ramblings x

Secondly I am on a mission. M is for March and Management and Money.

Put them together and you have

MONEY MANAGEMENT MARCH!

I am going to spend March doing all I can to spend as little as possible and start managing all my money a lot better. I don't know about anyone else but I have good months and bad months. Thankfully good months outweigh the bad but when I do have a bad month it leaves me chasing my tale a little.

So pay all bills, buy everything as cheaply as possible and save!

Please wish me luck and please send me any tips you may have on extreme thrifting...

xxx

A New Friend...

Hi all, I thought I would write a little note to let you all know about my fab friend who has joined us on the blogging journey. She is completely new to all this and I have been telling her how fab it all is. Why don't you pop and say hi if you have five :)

Her name is Hazel and she is a very lovely and talented lady xx

Link xx