Crafty in the Med

I am here to enjoy meeting other bloggers and to share my love of craft ,mostly crochet, my thoughts and my daily happenings here in Alicante,Spain, my adopted country. I belong to a local choir because singing and music makes me happy. Flea markets and book shops are two of my favourite places to be. I read lots......sci´fi/fantasy,buried treasure, and off world adventures. I have a passion for history! I walk and walk and walk for about 10 months per year during the hot months I swim.

Friday 8 June 2012

Bitty definitely bitty!

  

A big welcome to new followers Miss in Bloom at The Blooming Times,Stephanie at Millefeuilles,Lenka (pls send me your link),Charlotte at A little bit of Wooliness & Sophie at Sophie's Paradise....so pleased you have visited my blog. Now,don't be shy I live for your comments :-)






 It seems that the powers that control my life and destiny have the impression that blogging is not an important factor in my life and that any tiny weeny bit of quality time I have managed to scrap away from my 12 hour daily schedule over this week, is not for an enjoyable task such as posting on my blog but for teacher designing the new summer course programme and material starting next week!
I don't consider myself a workaholic but suffer from stupid me ....oh I'll do it then = martyrdom syndrome.

Therefore this post is going to be a bitty post, a bit here and there when I can write something post. Its also a bitty post because I have a lot of bits of this and that tumbling around in my mind, things to talk about and others to query here. Perhaps this way I can settle my own thoughts to be able continue facing the rest of this horrendously work packed week which doesn't finish until Sunday morning!

The week didn't start very well for me....we are told at work that they expect teachers to respect a dress code which we were told is a conservative approach...therefore I have in my wardrobe several jackets,blouses and other garments which I consider fits within the college's dress code requirements.

Don't you just know when  a week is going to go badly? The setbacks usually start on a Monday...something happens to mark the rest of the week.
I normally prepare my clothes for work the evening before or occasionally the same morning              ( I really hate being rushed)... this time it was the latter. I'm setting out my clothes in the bathroom to go and get my shower and horrors of horrors this looms at me from the blouse on its hanger...             it sort of shouted out at me...hey look at me I'm a stain on your blouse na na naAAAAA!

a white stain which looks like the bl***ing map of the British Isles!!!!  Now this is a new blouse that I've worn twice and I washed it by hand (I'm a bit fussy like that with my good clothes)...how did it get a white stain on the back of the blouse...and then plus plus ..... more horrors, after a closer inspection of the garments I find this on the sleeve
and another HERE!!!!

on the other sleeve.
I went into a split second cold sweat... rapidly thinking I've no time now to sort out other clothes...I can't go to work looking like this.....
the solution...was at hand in my crochet bits basket.....I had been fiddling around the other day making flowers out of embroidery cotton so I quickly tacked on a few to cover up the stains ...yesss we women can think real quick and off to work.
..phew!!  


 The above photos were taken later the same day , prior to the incident when I removed the star flowers and sewed them on properly.I liked the effect so I've decided to leave them there, a blouse emergency makeover.


I've finally found an online shop here in Spain where prices of yarn are not so exorbitant as in the two local shops in this area. However I am reserving my opinion on quality until I use these yarns..... its a Spanish company no particular brand...doesn't carry the famous Brands like Sirdar, Rowan.
I am very tempted to order from a UK based online store. Any recommendations???? I am not particularly worried about brand more about quality.

I feel a giveaway coming on ...my very first....I'm thinking when I get to 100 followers but I have 51 now and that does seem ages away so perhaps I better think around the 80 mark...that gives me time to prepare. After all the preparation is lots of fun too and I want to get lots of fun out of it...there is great pleasure in giving!
My giveaway is going to be made up in categories to represent all craft bloggers and that way something among my giveaway bits will please everyone. I'm thinking along the lines of :
  • culture
  • yarns
  • makeover
  • frugal
  • cooking
  • photography
  • china
  • crochet
  • vintage
and so on....perhaps you can suggest others??'


I really don't know what the matter is with me lately my urge to crochet has not diminished in anyway but I don't seem to be motivated to finish a project I get bored and flitter from one thing to the other ... I just don't seem to be able to settle to something. I have a couple of gifts to prepare for friends' babies and I have done an elvish beanie and some Mary Jane booties are in progress  and will be finished if I can shift this stagnant feeling I have looming over me!



and now then why have I added a picture of someone's feet and blue nail varnish well they are my Cookie baby's feet.




My 11 year old grand-daughter is a very fancy child and colour is her middle name... she prepares what she is going to wear to school the night before (does that remind you of someone ... LOL ) and not just her clothes but her extras...bracelets...belt...sash on her jeans (its all about jeans at the moment...dresses and skirts are a no no)..something  attached to her sandals,her dangly bits on her school backpack and her nail varnish. She is straining at the bit already where make-up is concerned but thank goodness my daughter is very adamant about that....she told Cookie baby that the discussion on make -up can be reopened when she is 16. There was a very long face about that for awhile but my daughter will not be swayed...good for her I say...make-up at 11....unbelievable. After deliberation her Mama allowed the nail varnish because this means Cookie baby keeps her nails lovely and clean and nice looking.

That's it for the moment dear bloggers ....hoping you are enjoying the summer....send some rain this way please its hot, dusty and parched looking everywhere.

Hey! I nearly forgot ...I have a confession to make....I've been very very naughty:


I have had such a rotten week and so I sinned!!!!!    (cackling...evil laughter!!!)

Amanda :-)




38 comments:

  1. There's nothing wrong with bitty, that was a fun read. I LOVE the way you handled the blouse situation. Can it be such a bad sin when you are having one of your 'five a day'?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ok Elaine you've convinced me ...I haven't sinned it had fruit with it LOL

      Thanks for your comments

      Have a great Sunday

      A xx

      Delete
  2. Yummm. what a nice sin :) The flowers were genius, quick thinking and look fab x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Hi Cheryl

      Its always the same isn't it anything that is nice is bad for you!!

      Amanda :-)

      Delete
  3. I love your little flowers - they were a very elegant solution to the problem. Jx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jan....and they are staying there now.

      Amanda :-)

      Delete
  4. Well done on sorting out the blouse dilemma so effectively Amanda you are so right we women are genius at sorting out any hiccup that life throws at us, those little flowers are perfect. It's a shame wool is so expensive out there here are some places that I buy from on-line.
    http://www.kempswoolshop.com/
    http://www.purplelindacrafts.co.uk/index.asp
    http://www.knitandsew.co.uk/knitting/0_caaa700_caaa725#
    I'm not sure about international postage, it may be expensive, Kemps is my favourite because they have lots of special offers.
    I hope that you get some rain soon, I lived in the middle East for 19 years and we had no rainfall from April to October, I hated it, I missed the rain so much, now I'm back in England I say enough is enough lol. I hope that you enjoyed your yummy treat you deserved it after having such a lousy week, I hope the next one is better for you. Have a lovely weekend :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Linda,
      Thanks have replied on your blog

      Amanda :-)

      Delete
  5. Hi Amanda!
    Well, the stains were completely covered, since as you also said,we, women can become creative not only about beautiful but also for useful things!
    I agree with you that putting make-up when you're 11 is a big No!
    Finally,the sweet you tasted can't be considered as a sin, since it contains no chocolate!!!!:-p
    Have a wonderful Friday!!!!
    Lots of kisses,
    Angeliki

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He! He!...so what hasn't got chocolate isn't bad for you...ok Angeliki I'll remember that . It gives me a wider scope.

      Many thanks

      Amanda :-)

      Delete
  6. Gosh the sinning looks wonderful, well worth it!
    Quick thinking with the blouse adornments, very pretty. I wish we could send the rain your way for a few days as we have had enough!!!! Take care xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pls try sending a drop or two...it is so dry everywhere.

      Yes,I'm afraid the sin was very delicious.

      A x

      Delete
  7. Hi Amanda, Sorry youve had such a rubbish week :( I dont blame you for sinning,hehe.Love the crochet flower makeover ,great idea.hope you have a better weekend,lots of love juliexoxo

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for another lovely comment Amanda! You'd think a big blanket like that would do something to dampen my 'urges' wouldn't you? I guess we'll find out nearer the end!

    Love your little mary jane booties and colourful sandels btw!

    S x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sandra
      Thanks for your comments....been thinking along the lines of making an Afghan throw for a wedding present but I just don't seem to be very motivated....It's got to be crochet cramp!

      A x

      Delete
  9. Fab cake Amanda, a girl needs a treat now and again!
    Very ingenious with the blouse cover ups.They look great!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Amanda,

    Really enjoyed reading this tonight after a looooooooooooongish week over here with the political mess I'm sure you all heard about! Anyway, very very crafty in the Med, indeed! Kudos to you! Also, it's refreshing to read about truly honest situations. Thanks for the eye "candy", too; yummy- and to me, looks totally innocent!

    Have a great weekend,

    Poppy

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm sorry, Amanda...that you've had "one of those weeks"! I feel your pain. It's been a stressful one for me, too. I am embarrassed to say that earlier this week I ate an entire bag of marshmallows (and, I really don't like them that much). Your strawberry shortcake looks more like it!
    I'm sure you've heard the phrase..."Necessity is the mother of invention"? Your crocheted blossoms are genius! What a creative way to salvage a lovely piece of clothing.
    I hope you have a better weekend than your past week, my friend!
    Blessings,
    Carolynn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks Carolynn for these kind thoughts...well I do like marshmallows and could easily eat a whole bag but MUST NOT! Things are looking up this week now and I am more relaxed...stress brings out the worst in me.

      A x

      Delete
  12. Hi! Would you be interested in some smei-balls of yarn?! I have got quite a bit of green, blue and some different coloured bits of acrylic I want to get rid of before I go back home to the UK. I brought loads of wool with me to Spain but I haven't had chance to do much with it. And of course all the problems start when you get back to the UK - I want to have more room in my bags because I am already over the baggage limit for Stagecoach!
    If you are interested I could send you a photo of what I have? Let me know!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Charlotte have answered via email

      Amanda :-)

      Delete
  13. Sorry - that should have been SEMI balls of yarn!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Amanda!
    The idea to use the crocheted flowers to correct stains on the blouse was very clever!
    I've done too many times in my daughter's clothes when she stains them and do not clean the clothes in the washing machine! I have crocheted a lot of flowers and when I need them i just sew on the clothes! Sorry for my English I know it is not very good but i think we can communicate!!
    Kisses and have a nice day!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hello Sophie,
    Thank you for your comments and your English is very god. remember the more you use it the better it gets so you're doing fine.

    keep well
    Amanda :-)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Amanda - no joy on the new blogger front. It's crazy really. When the old version is 'retired' I just won't be able to post any more. X

    ReplyDelete
  17. XAIΡΟΜΑΣΤΕ ΠΟΥ ΠΕΡΑΣΑΜΕ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ BLOG ΣΟΥ.ΩΡΑΙΑ Η ΙΔΕΑ ΜΕ ΤΑ ΛΟΥΛΟΥΔΙΑ ΠΟΥ ΚΑΛΥΠΤΟΥΝ ΤΗΝ ΖΗΜΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΡΟΥΧΟ!!!ΦΙΛΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΑ...

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hello Marileni
    Thank you for your comments but I do not speak your language unfortunately. I have visited your blog but as you have no translator gadget installed I can't translate your posts. Can you install the gadget google translate I will then be able to comment on your posts.

    Amanda :-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Way to save the blouse Amanda! The little flowers look very pretty. And I think a yummy dessert is justified after a rotten week.
    p.s I have those same dishes! Love them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Portmeirion china Lynne I just love it but its not easy to find here in Spain so I have to wait until my visit home and I bring something back with me each time. I love to eat off a good china plate.

      China is one of my passions

      Amanda x

      Delete
  20. The shirt became more beautiful after the clever idea to use crocheted flowers.
    Thank you for your visits.
    Actually, the birds were made for use in charity bazaar.
    Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Amanda! Sorry, but I can't find your email anywhere! Can you send it again?! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Amanda, I'm in awe of your passion to crochet flowers on your blouse as you're practically going out the door!! Brilliant idea : -)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He! He!Noooo Trudy I'm not that quick I had a few flowers in my crochet basket that I had been making with embroidery cotton a few days before and I was very lucky they were the right shade of purple....quick thinking though!

      Amanda :-)

      Delete
  23. Such a clever way to save the blouse! I LOVE IT! The cake also looks delicious - a little bit of strawberries and cream is esential I say! Thanks for popping by, lovely to have found your blog x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Faye....I agree with you totally...but I really mustn't

      Amanda :-)

      Delete

Thank you for your comments. I do read them and try to reply to all as well.Please keep them coming. Amanda :-)