tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16256940645308720932011-12-27T10:48:58.089ZWelcome to my very Random Ramblings. This started out as more of a journal than anything else but has recently become more crafty as I embark on my journey into quilting. I love to know where visitors come from so please take the time to say 'Hi' if you can, you could even add yourself to my followers!easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.comBlogger3761100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-5535658603853109022011-12-27T10:48:00.001Z2011-12-27T10:48:58.096Z

Well, that’s Christmas over for another year. This year, for the first time ever (as far as I can remember) John and I spent most of Christmas day on our own. We were very civilised and sat down to a full blown Christmas dinner which we then slept off while we waited for David & Amanda to come around, with her Mum & brother, for tea. I don’t usually do much in way of tea at Christmas but this

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-64245931957163657382011-12-11T17:57:00.001Z2011-12-11T17:57:31.540Z

Now that caught your eye didn’t it! What have I done? I’ve listed some of my bags on Etsy – you can find me here at Handmade by Heather. I’m not sure if they will sell but if I don’t try I will never know will I? The pricing looks a little strange ‘cos you have to put the price in US dollars and I suppose depending which exchange rate the site uses the rate will vary. I really struggled to come

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-75453376163556839332011-11-20T19:57:00.001Z2011-11-20T19:57:07.038Z

Sorry if this is becoming boring but…Strictly was blooming fantastic. I’ve set this to post after tonight’s results show because the audience were sworn to secrecy about the result! We arrived at Wembley about 4.30 and queued for a short time before taking our seats which, although not fantastic, gave us a good enough view. We were fortunate enough to have a screen that we could see the dancers

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-73427174266880344302011-11-19T12:00:00.001Z2011-11-19T12:00:18.010Z

Ah, I see you all thinking this is going to be a crafty post, well you’d be wrong! It’s been almost five weeks now since I’ve been able to do any hand sewing or crochet – that simple holding action between thumb and for finger seems to have been the trigger for the dreadful pain I was having in my shoulder, arm & hand. However I have now had two acupuncture sessions as part of my physiotherapy

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-3387478748182285292011-11-06T19:21:00.001Z2011-11-06T19:21:10.119Z

Something a little different this week. When it was announced that London had won the 2012 Olympics, John & Matt volunteered to help with whatever was needed, they heard nothing so assumed they wouldn’t be wanted but, when we got back from holiday, John had an email inviting him for an interview for ‘transportation’. I jokingly said that he would be driving one of those electric carts that you

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-18293913775043430612011-10-30T08:33:00.001Z2011-10-30T08:33:02.924Z

OK – time to put the past few weeks to bed I think. I’ve decided to ride out whatever storms arise at work, thanks to this strange positivity that’s arrived over the past couple of weeks I now feel a lot more positive and optimistic about the future – just hope I can keep it up! Moving on to other things of a more domestic nature. Matt seems to have settled in Brisbane, he’s been there for about

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-3047574303363149782011-10-23T18:10:00.000+01:002011-10-23T18:10:55.085+01:00

Yes - that's what I've got now! Still need to decide about work but that will come, I know. The positive mental attitude (PMA) has come about from a weight loss programme I'm trying and I will let you know more about that in good time. I haven't got much to tell you this week apart from the problem with my shoulder which is slightly marring my PMA. For  a few months now I've suffered from

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-3755417907048854902011-10-14T07:20:00.001+01:002011-10-14T07:20:44.627+01:00

Dear Blog, I’m sorry that I’ve ignored you for so long. No excuses, well perhaps a few. We had a lovely holiday and I promise I’ll let you see the photos eventually (just need to get around to editing them a bit). Matt seems to have settled a little more in Australia. He’s been to Sydney and is now in Brisbane, he’s taken some great photos (I’ve pinched this little gem from his Facebook album –

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-15773388804112605232011-09-10T08:29:00.001+01:002011-09-10T08:29:14.105+01:00

  Warning – melodramatic Mum overload, I won’t be offended if you skip this post!! I don’t want to bore people too much with all of this stuff so I won’t link it anywhere, but if you stumble across it in your reader I’ll leave it up to you to decide whether or not to read it! 1) Saying goodbye is really hard, no I mean really hard – I’d kept everything tight right up until Tuesday when it

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-57777145717966836942011-09-07T19:55:00.001+01:002011-09-07T19:55:40.495+01:00

…just in time for our trip to the airport to see Son2 off on his adventures! We’d had our own adventure before he left, he came ‘home’ on Sunday and bought all his bits and pieces back on Monday – so much stuff! And clothes – he only took one suitcase with him plus a back pack and the rest has been left behind. The first suitcase split under the strain just as he finished packing, luckily we

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-73447946446433090802011-09-02T19:22:00.001+01:002011-09-02T19:22:06.071+01:00

Last night while I was idly watching Twitter scroll by relaxing after a hard day at work, the following message jumped up in front of me: Twitter: I need a title for BBCR4 short story about twitter. It's got libel, people not being who they say they are, and daytime TV. Ideas? This was posted by the author Jojo Moyes, and I sat and thought for a few moments and for some reason the words ‘

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-40624855618565374382011-08-29T14:31:00.001+01:002011-08-29T14:31:26.327+01:00

…to Son2! He wanted a chance to say goodbye to family friends as I briefly mentioned last weekend. So yesterday was the day, it sort of coincided with John’s big birthday and we had our friends from Colchester up with all the grandchildren and we were joined by FDIL’s mum and brother (who was 18 on Friday). As usual, we bought far too much food both barbecue and otherwise and now the freezer is

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-11632679289177651932011-08-21T07:23:00.001+01:002011-08-21T07:23:27.312+01:00

I’ve had a couple of lovely days! Friday was my day off and I had planned to go to lunch with Nicola. Normally our socialising is limited to slaving over a steaming sewing machine but I had a voucher from Groupon for a local restaurant so off we went. Now, if you read Nicola’s blog, Stitch Magic, you will know that she spent a few days at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham so of course she had

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-59392329437782264582011-08-14T18:25:00.001+01:002011-08-14T18:25:03.321+01:00

After the fun and games of last Saturday, we took an impromptu trip to Snape on Sunday for the vintage market. I’m always so tempted by the wares displayed on the stalls, constantly saying ‘oh look, we had one of those’ or ‘oh look how much they want for that’! I resisted though and didn’t buy, although I was sorely tempted by the lovely cake stands made, mainly, from similar but not quite

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-39868985866302150952011-08-06T17:58:00.001+01:002011-08-06T17:58:30.129+01:00

Earlier today I had a really catchy title in my mind for this post, however the sieve that has replaced my memory in recent months has let it leak out and it’s lost! I hope as I’m writing I can come up with something that tells you what a great day I’ve had today! A few weeks ago I had the brainwave of inviting some likeminded ladies to spend the day being crafty and today was the day we settled

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-75568378422986804212011-07-24T17:37:00.001+01:002011-07-24T17:37:05.439+01:00

Another first for me this week – a bag on a clip frame, I’ve always wondered how these work and now I know. This one is called Easy Peasy Purse and came in kit form from U-handbag. I have to say it was very easy to make although I struggled a little getting getting the fabric into the frame – but it will be easy next time! In other news I took myself off to Dunelm on my day off as I had read on

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-72173109508714803252011-07-17T17:19:00.001+01:002011-07-17T17:19:14.662+01:00

Cast your eyes to the right – notice anything new? If you’re not seeing this as the top post you’ll have to scroll up to the top of the side bar ! Whilst I was whiling away some time this morning I noticed that Lynn over at Lilly’s Quilts has started a Hexalong. Naively I thought that hexagons were just that, six sided shapes cut and joined together, however there are so many ways to make a

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-23004907244526206232011-07-17T16:27:00.001+01:002011-07-17T16:27:36.982+01:00

Talk about a wet weekend!! It’s barely stopped pouring since yesterday morning – looks like summer is over! John was supposed to be going on a circular geocaching trail yesterday, I think it was something like a seven mile circuit, quite wisely he and his friend decided to change direction and go for caches they could drive between! He’s been out this morning though, I think I heard him leave at

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-2543780610120898362011-07-10T07:51:00.001+01:002011-07-10T07:51:36.891+01:00

  …in progress I think. May leave it, may change it again – if you have an opinion one way or the other, please let me know – I just thought it was time for a change with all these new things popping up in Blogger. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-21465268256563025452011-07-09T08:23:00.001+01:002011-07-09T08:23:05.937+01:00

I’d been looking forward to my trip yesterday for several weeks. It was the day that Janet and I had planned for our Fish Pedicure, neither of us had been before but both wanted to try it. Janet was Project Manager for the adventure and was set the task of finding somewhere for us to go, after much research she settled on this place – Beauty Rituals in Melton. The location for this seemed a

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-78280023721090433932011-06-26T18:53:00.001+01:002011-06-26T18:53:38.058+01:00

We decided to have a day out today with the prediction of a heat wave! John asked me where I wanted to go so I scratched my head and came up with a few ideas – and agreed that he could do a few caches as well, being the kind loving wifey that I am! It didn’t even cross my mind to go looking for fabric shops – I think I’ve done enough of that kind of shopping to last me a few weeks so instead

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-44665677573064530542011-06-18T11:42:00.001+01:002011-06-18T11:42:43.702+01:00

A new take on an afghan for a baby girl, I couldn’t get baby pink so opted for this slightly deeper pink instead. It will shortly be off for a new life with a friend of the friend that I call Julie – hope she likes it! I’ve set up a Flickr page as well – although a lot of the pics will appear on here, I’ll add some of John’s creations as well! It’s here if you want to take a look! Although I

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-38176366993832201872011-06-17T08:30:00.001+01:002011-06-17T08:30:59.061+01:00

It’s been a while again I know but time just seems to disappear from my grasp these days. I’ve been up to all sorts since I last wrote but the big thing is that we had a lovely long weekend away in Scarborough. You may wonder why Scarborough. Well, call me sentimental but it was the first place that John & I went for a holiday some 28 years ago! We’d been up to stay with his parents in

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-71725343483460569762011-05-30T15:02:00.001+01:002011-05-30T15:02:47.658+01:00

…I tell you about phones, glasses and my first big bag! I’ve stolen the title for this from that wonderful TV series Friends which seems to constantly on air on the satellite channels. First up the phone. I got an early upgrade offer for my mobile phone. I was that excited. I-phone here I come, I thought, but it was not to be . Much as I coveted the I-phone  i was not prepared, nor could I

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-53908981263568830912011-05-28T08:02:00.001+01:002011-05-28T08:02:34.582+01:00

This has to be the longest I’ve gone without blogging! I even missed my Blog-versary . No reason though, just been plodding along doing all sorts of stuff and getting on with life in general whilst battling that dreaded middle-aged woman thing, you know the one I mean, don’t you? Mother nature has a very cruel sense of humour, likes life to be full of surprises so that things happen when you

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-38383618532547418392011-05-03T19:46:00.001+01:002011-05-03T19:46:39.809+01:00

What a weekend! It started off with that wedding on Friday and just disappeared really! So what have I done? Friday saw me up at 6.30 to make sure I got a front row seat at the Virtual Royal Wedding Party (VRWP) I’d foolishly volunteered to host. The word ‘Virtual’ is the giveaway here – on line attendance only, but never let it be said that I don’t push the boat out for my guests. People came

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-31721206322627640872011-04-25T17:18:00.001+01:002011-04-25T17:18:38.206+01:00

What a busy few days, I hardly know where to begin!! I’ll start with Friday, I think. I went off to Nicola’s for the day for more sewing practice – it seems that you can’t have too much practice!! I had prepared a couple of bits as I hinted at in my last post and I think I’m safe to reveal them now! The pink one I made all by myself – it’s not quite the same as the purple one but I didn’t do

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-61359182863567671852011-04-22T20:46:00.001+01:002011-04-22T20:46:49.201+01:00

This arrived in the Inbox from my dear friend Scott….   I should probably add some witty riposte but can’t think of anything right now

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-88129426876012575872011-04-17T17:39:00.001+01:002011-04-17T17:39:04.688+01:00

Before I get stuck in, I’ve added a new button over there on the right hand side for Brit Quilts – if you’re interested take a click and join the group! I came to it via this blog which is one I regularly read through Google reader. Disaster struck on Friday. John’s car was due in for service and as it was my day off I ‘volunteered’ to get up at the crack of dawn to take him to the garage which

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-58650975200481040752011-04-10T17:27:00.001+01:002011-04-10T17:27:33.686+01:00

I don’t always tell you about all the fabric I buy. Phew – I’m so relieved to have been able to get that off of my chest. You see, I’ve developed a habit. I suppose as habits go it’s relatively safe, but nonetheless it is a habit. My wise neighbour told me this morning that I need to use before I buy anymore. Of course she is talking about starting to work through the fabric stash that I already

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-76916536155442678682011-04-02T12:47:00.001+01:002011-04-02T12:47:42.059+01:00

(Warning – photo overload, please be patient as the page may take a while to load!) Not the newspaper but my version! Well, we’re back after a fantastic week in the capital city of Washington DC. Boy was it cold! For the most part we had lovely sunny days and blue skies but they were accompanied by a biting cold north wind, the weather stats said an average of 16 degrees c (61 f) but it didn’t

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-27620231727600789202011-03-22T18:18:00.001Z2011-03-22T18:18:31.264Z

Excuse my feeble attempt at humour with the title of this post – I’m tired and borderline really crabby! Not much to tell this week, nothing overly creative – a quarter of the last quilt is now bound and I just need to finish the hand stitching on the back but the big news is that we’re off on holiday tomorrow! Yes – I know it’s only been a few months since the last one but that’s the reason I

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-70848320094732268042011-03-14T20:56:00.001Z2011-03-14T20:56:48.256Z

From the friend that I call Julie….. Courtesy of Photobucket.com During a visit to my doctor, I asked him, "How do you determine whether or not an older person should be put in an old age home?" "Well," he said, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the person to empty the bathtub." "Oh, I understand," I said. "A normal person

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-24229913702995027712011-03-13T09:53:00.001Z2011-03-13T09:53:08.368Z

So here, in pictures, is my day yesterday… A lovely view across the Cambridgeshire country side My oh so patient darling husband (he made me say that!!) View from the other side! What’s that? Not what you were expecting? Oh sorry… Beautiful Liberty Tana Lawn – my Mum worked at Liberty when she was a young woman and I still remember her being passionate about their fabrics. Personally

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-75240849088906483462011-03-12T19:41:00.001Z2011-03-12T19:41:08.155Z

…it has been two weeks since my last post, but on the other hand I did do three in the space of two days – am I forgiven? So what’s been happening? The trouble is when I go so long between posts I forget what I’ve been doing and what’s been going on. Work is still work – more of the same really so I won’t bore you with that, other than to say it’s been punctuated with cake wars! For the last

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-24670243593927207522011-02-28T19:14:00.001Z2011-02-28T19:14:46.015Z

…the day we spent sewing!! Sorry – that started out better than it finished (I had that stupid song about a Trip to Bangor in mind when I started typing!!) Unusually, I had today off as part of my nine-day fortnight and I spent it sewing with Nicola (check out her handiwork here – plus her version of events!!) after I had completed the mountain of ironing that had built up over the weekend!

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-28479209281042323662011-02-27T16:23:00.001Z2011-02-27T16:23:09.018Z

Woo hoo!!! I am a chuffed Sparkle! Two batches of muffins – one Blueberry the other Butternut Squash and Rosemary – this weeks Blueberry mix rose a little more than last weeks but I still don’t think I’ve found the best one – anybody have one to share? The Butternut Squash ones are from this book here. I don’t very often watch TV cookery programmes but this one really caught my eye – especially

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-26749993618577495712011-02-27T07:45:00.001Z2011-02-27T07:45:15.630Z

Nothing exciting to report I’m afraid ! No sunny day photos, no crafty reveals, no great news, nothing particularly cheery to share – oh how I hope that will change soon!! I think last weekend I told you I was going to bake (just going to check that ‘cos I’m doubting myself – and I’m back) correction I told you I had baked! Well, I didn’t like to declare at that time that I was sooo disappointed

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-70395594303624457972011-02-20T10:28:00.001Z2011-02-20T10:28:41.736Z

Before I get started, if you read me in a reader and only see a few lines, I learnt this great tip the other day! In Google reader, go to ‘Settings’ (over in the top right had corner) and choose ‘Reader Settings’, then take the tab that says ‘Goodies’ and scroll down to ‘Put reader in bookmark’, drag the ‘Next’ button (right click and drag) up to the lower tool bar and you’ll see the Google logo

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-9099883991978727242011-02-09T08:14:00.001Z2011-02-09T08:14:20.672Z

I received this email yesterday from ‘Paul’ – should I be flattered?? Hi, I am interested in buying your blog . If you are possibly interested in selling your blog, please contact me at paul@evolvedmanagement.com. What price would you put on your blog? If you have other blogs, I may be interested in them also. Thanks, Paul To Unsubscribe, click here Paul – if you are reading this (which

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-10751846701763774992011-01-30T18:07:00.001Z2011-01-30T18:07:10.496Z

No not the liquorice type but a mish mash of stuff that’s gone on over the past couple of weeks! Last time I posted I mentioned that the friend that I call Julie and her friend Steph were coming to visit and I was going to help them create a blog, right now I should give you a beautifully crafted hyper link to take you to it. But I can’t. When it came to getting started neither of them could

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-58110781686734294952011-01-15T09:36:00.001Z2011-01-15T09:41:57.469Z

Here we are again, Saturday morning time for a round up of my oh-so riveting week – not! To ring the changes this morning I am writing this post from the comfort of my bed! Outside I can hear the wind blowing around the house but I still have the curtains closed so can pretend it’s still night! Oh – and John has already been out for about an hour – something about a ‘first to find’ geo cache

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-65130664078536128032011-01-09T08:20:00.001Z2011-01-09T08:20:14.972Z

… I’ve had better weeks! I won’t go into detail but work has been crazy this week. Some very harsh decisions being made, the impact of which will show over the coming months. Moods have been low, tempers frayed and tolerances tested to their very limits. Please keep your fingers crossed for us all for a better week! Christmas is well and truly over now. We had a lovely day on Sunday with the

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-35474962262165229162011-01-03T16:37:00.001Z2011-01-03T16:37:45.776Z

So what do I miss about Son2 now he’s moved out? His laundry – well make that his ironing ‘cos his washing machine doesn’t work at the moment His untidy bedroom – I now have a beautifully tidy spare room, all guests welcomed! We use less toilet roll – what the hell did he used to do with it? The bathroom is so tidy with his shaving stuff and hair gel gone We get through less cereal – he

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-61103321321931299262011-01-02T08:26:00.001Z2011-01-02T08:26:07.229Z

Happy New Year everybody! It seems that this years ‘thing’ is to have a photo montage of the past 12 months – I tried to choose one photo per month but found that was difficult as some months I’d taken more than others but here is my contribution – in no particular order! 2010 was a good year, we had three great holidays, I completed loads of crochet projects and I learnt to quilt – mostly

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-39275670677265250032010-12-27T08:05:00.001Z2010-12-27T08:05:11.378Z

I finished the last post wondering what it was going to be like waking up childless on Christmas morning and I can tell you it was … OK! I still woke up early and sat around waiting for John to wake up but I have to confess the excitement levels weren’t quite the same. We’d already decided that we would wait until the boys & FDIL arrived before we’d even touch any presents and that was just fine!

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-26390874695897716922010-12-24T06:26:00.001Z2010-12-24T06:26:35.542Z

  As I woke up at stupid o’clock this morning I thought I’d use my time wisely and have a quick update of the Ramblings! The madness from last week has so far continued with lots of things to do and little time to do them in! Monday has been our only ‘normal’ evening this week – by normal I mean getting home about 5.30, plonking myself down on the sofa, rising only to cook dinner and go to

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-82784787724119981812010-12-21T06:53:00.001Z2010-12-21T06:53:38.306Z

Naughty Nicola posted this on Sunday as a teaser for me! Those of you that have visited her blog already will know just how talented she is with fabrics – I think she has a real knack of putting colours and patterns together but she denies this!! Yesterday she revealed the whole thing to me and here it is in all its glory. The light isn’t very good and doesn’t show the lovely colours at their

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-2076723047386598352010-12-20T20:07:00.001Z2010-12-20T20:07:54.427Z

What a week! Time just flew last week with one thing and another which left me with very little time to think about anything! Son2 spent the first night in his new home on Sunday after a day spent ferrying bits and pieces around. I’ll confess to feeling a tad wobbly on Monday and Tuesday but that feeling soon passed. Of course I miss him but, as with Son1 when he moved out, not in the way I

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-82965391672763147162010-12-15T07:12:00.001Z2010-12-15T07:12:16.395Z

Today I just want to send those of you who don’t already know Posh Totty over to her blog to read the most moving post you’re likely to see for a while – beware it’ll be a Kleenex moment! The post is here and recounts the recent experiences of Posh and her Little Man as he goes through his third open heart surgery procedure. That is all – nothing more today!

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-24988526174912497932010-12-11T08:07:00.001Z2010-12-11T08:07:49.211Z

(If you read me through a reader I have made some changes – you’re just getting a snippet now and will see more by clicking on the post title!!) …yes, I know it happens on the same date each year but Christmas never fails to creep up and surprise me! I still have to buy something for John – what do you by the man who has everything and wants for nothing? (I know you’re reading this!!) Anyhow – I

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-71653010245553635362010-12-04T08:26:00.001Z2010-12-04T08:26:16.695Z

I know – I left you all tantalised at the thought of the lovely new sewing machine and then just left you hanging in limbo! I’ll tell you why. I got the lurgy last weekend. I was full of good intentions, I’d take some pics as I unwrapped it. I’d take some picks as I was setting it up. And I would take some pics of the finished results. I failed. Miserably. And indeed I was miserable . It

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-91998337159545064762010-11-21T09:01:00.001Z2010-11-21T09:01:47.040Z

Finally finished my latest quilty project – apart from the actual quilting that is! I used an idea in this book which had been made by my friend Nicola and tweaked it a little. I’m quite pleased with how it’s come out but I still have issues with the finer touches, mustn’t beat myself up though as it still is really early days! This will adorn my dining room table over the Christmas period, I

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-23962497024566495842010-11-19T08:08:00.001Z2010-11-19T08:08:34.460Z

At last I hear you all say – well I hope that’s what I hear!! This must be one of the longest times I’ve gone without blogging which has felt a little strange. We’ve been home from the holiday for about a week now and with one thing and another I just haven’t got around to writing anything. So, let’s get going shall we, no more dilly dallying. We had a lovely early morning flight from Stansted

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-44609611111001768552010-10-31T17:11:00.001Z2010-10-31T17:11:34.291Z

Well another week has just whizzed by! Busy at work resulting in tired at home ! No big crafty reveals this week, I haven’t even touched the crochet since last Sunday evening, when I unpicked my previous attempt and started a ripple instead – bizarrely that wouldn’t work for me either – perhaps that’s why I haven’t picked it up since! I’ve actually had a busy few days at home as well, thinking

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-56053342131278892942010-10-26T18:27:00.001+01:002010-10-26T18:27:00.685+01:00

As soon as this happens........ retire with dignity.......    I’m not there quite yet!!

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-3140958404932831262010-10-24T16:45:00.001+01:002010-10-25T18:54:42.027+01:00

I’ve had some lovely deliveries this week! Whilst I was blog hopping last Sunday evening I came across this site which has some lovely fabrics! Well, I looked at it for at least 15 minutes before I decided that I really did need some more fabric for my stash, I ummmed and aahed for a while before settling on my fabric bundle of choice, placed my order and quickly moved off before I found anything

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-53429877507824438962010-10-18T18:54:00.001+01:002010-10-18T18:54:10.858+01:00

You see dear readers, when I fall outside of my fairly regular blogging pattern people start to wonder why! OK – one person wondered why – you can’t blame a gal for trying to make it sound more than it is can you? So I’m late this week (or last week), I have no real reason, yet again, for failing to post news of scintillating life other than I couldn’t be bothered! Yes – that’s right, just

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-7041270138435067632010-10-09T08:25:00.001+01:002010-10-09T08:25:17.138+01:00

Bonkers busy week at work, been feeling completely shattered but, strangely, in a good way! I’ve been asked to help another department out of a bit of a sticky situation whilst still keeping my own stuff going as well, but it’s OK at the moment – probably a touch of adrenalin rush! After revealing my ‘Blanket of Love’ last week I knuckled down to finish the blanket that I’d agreed to make for

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-28849203423535835482010-10-03T18:08:00.001+01:002010-10-03T18:08:44.026+01:00

Well, the seasons have changed yet again and with the autumn comes the rain – especially for the last few days. No rants this week – I promise! Quite a quiet week really, work hasn’t been spectacular – just more of the same no awful situations to deal with no fights fought – just as it should be really! I had my day off on Friday and debated whether to go into town early or lay in bed for

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-32145566842527330012010-09-26T09:42:00.001+01:002010-09-26T09:42:41.558+01:00

I hope you’re not expecting something exciting this week ‘cos you’ll be disappointed! This is going to be one of those posts where you all think ‘why has she bothered?’ So why have I bothered? Well, from time to time its good to have a little down time, where things go on, life goes by and nothing in particular happens. I’m probably going to wander off on several tangents as this progresses –

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-73726283696783439902010-09-20T19:50:00.001+01:002010-09-20T19:50:09.023+01:00

Oh that’s right – I’d finished the top of the quilt! I proudly took it into work on Monday last week knowing that I had one or two people who, despite having a laugh at my expense the previous week, were actually quite interested in what I’d done. There was just the one detractor who simply doesn’t like things like this! She nobly looked in the opposite direction whilst I showed off my handiwork

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-36539318422611312182010-09-19T09:08:00.001+01:002010-09-19T09:08:38.922+01:00

Thought I really ought to have a little update – I’ve been getting so carried away with being Mrs Needlewoman that I’ve neglected the Ramblings again lately! Last time I wrote, I told you about the quilt walk, showed you my cushion and mentioned the voucher that I’d won. Well the voucher was for a stonking £20 which I thought was pretty darn fine considering I’d had such a fab time winning it! I

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-63209537848685179092010-09-12T07:32:00.001+01:002010-09-12T07:32:51.765+01:00

This week Jenny has given us an evocative prompt which, given the date, can only really be linked to one event – do you remember where you were on September 11, 2001? When events changed the modern world forever? When time almost stood still? They say that there are certain events in history that will stay with you forever – Kennedy’s assassination is one of them. The events of 9/11/01 another.

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-72581134229166923322010-09-06T18:00:00.001+01:002010-09-06T18:00:18.634+01:00

I’ve had a great day today. Day off and all alone so, after waking early, I set about finishing the, ahem, ‘creation’ that I started last weekend. Although I knew it wasn’t anywhere near perfection I’d decided to finish it off anyway. I started the day with nine squares – none of which were actually square! I trimmed them the best I could and joined them together to make one big square – which

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-17145129119413155422010-09-05T17:41:00.002+01:002010-09-05T18:50:26.861+01:00

After posting last week about my quilting attempts, I persuaded John to come with me to Quilters Haven with a promise that I would do a couple of geo caches with him (he’s easily bribed!). The shop is in a small village, Wickham Market, just a little way from home – in fact so much closer than I thought it was that I’m wondering why I’ve never been there before! Anyhow, it turns out that there

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-66855422621765188202010-08-30T17:23:00.001+01:002010-08-30T17:23:11.203+01:00

Well, I finally got around to unwrapping the sewing machine. I had mentally promised myself a few hours to get started on the quilting, well patchwork at the moment but quilting ultimately.   Last week when I was off work I found an amazing YouTube channel here which offers tutorials for quilting – they make it look so simple! I’ve also bought several books which I hope will inspire me –

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-80062355058636165032010-08-26T18:27:00.001+01:002010-08-26T18:27:21.584+01:00

Those of you that know me will not be the slightest bit surprised that for the colour blue I choose my beloved football (soccer) team Ipswich Town. On Saturday afternoons throughout the football season (August through to May) you’ll not get much sense from me as I will generally be focusing on either getting to the game if we’re at home or listening to to the radio if we are away. I will be

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-54322647009651347632010-08-22T09:58:00.001+01:002010-08-22T09:58:07.825+01:00

This week Mrs Matlock has taken us all back to that first day of term when we had to write about our summer holidays (for some reason I always hated that). This can be fact or fiction and has to be written in the first person. I’m going to continue Dotty’s story so the following is a work of fiction. I sit in the car watching from a distance wondering what I’m doing here. On vacation, my two

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-22870268197563515892010-08-21T09:43:00.001+01:002010-08-21T09:43:58.208+01:00

It’s been a long time. So long I can’t even remember the last time. The last time I wrote just general lifey things. No reason. Plenty of excuses – such as I have nothing to say! So what have I been up to? Well, the holiday is now a very distant memory and I’m well and truly back in the work thing – that’s another excuse, it’s been busy at work! I’ve been crocheting – another excuse, needed to

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-59755582228598865642010-08-18T11:49:00.001+01:002010-08-18T11:49:45.797+01:00

  Still on Summer School time over at Jenny’s and we reach the colour green in our rainbow series. When I was a child living just to the north of London, a shopping treat was a trip to the nearest big town which was Watford. We didn’t have a car back in the sixties and seventies so we always took a bus – or to be more accurate a couple of buses. The reason for taking a couple of buses was

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-52931990004125790232010-08-15T12:03:00.001+01:002010-08-15T12:03:28.995+01:00

This post is bought to you courtesy of the friend that I call Julie….  A new sign in the Bank  reads: 'Please note that this Bank is installing new Drive-through cash machines enabling customers to withdraw cash without leaving their vehicles.  Customers using this new facility are requested to use the procedures outlined below when accessing their accounts.  After months of careful research

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-44018967617977048032010-08-12T20:00:00.001+01:002010-08-12T20:00:50.915+01:00

  I’m not fond of the colour yellow when it comes to clothing. In fact I’d go so far as to say that I would generally avoid wearing it at all. Except for the time when I worked in a team that wore yellow polo shirts. Not lemon. Bright canary yellow. Yup. The kind of yellow that does not flatter any skin tone. The thing was, we had a choice of absolutely any colour under the sun but for some

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-51371890409642959542010-08-08T09:01:00.001+01:002010-08-08T09:01:54.642+01:00

Saturday Centus time again. 100 words or less not including the prompt (as usual in bold) – just as well I’m not writing a novel, it would take for ever!! I shouldn’t have made this journey. Rules say don’t get involved with the clients but Dotty is, well, different. She has a certain something about her, a fragility that belies an inner strength. I’ve let her go to talk to her father on her own

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-50733176345702440212010-08-04T18:24:00.001+01:002010-08-04T18:24:36.219+01:00

  Short and sweet – literally! Here in the UK we have sweets called ‘Smarties’ I guess to compare them with anything stateside or elsewhere you would have to choose ‘M&Ms’. Now, when my children were small I discovered that I loved the taste of orange Smarties, looking back I don’t think they tasted of orange but there was just something about them that made them different from the other

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-66719663385327498652010-07-31T11:20:00.002+01:002010-07-31T11:26:48.917+01:00

Saturday Centus time again! Nice short prompt this week which is nicely tucked up in the body of the story (bold & italic). Once again the rule is 100 words or less excluding the prompt, it’s amazing what you can convey in 100 words – have a look at some of the other entries! I needed to do this. After coming so far I had to see him, I needed explanations. Just a hint as to why he dips in and out

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-50203371582030521872010-07-29T17:44:00.001+01:002010-07-29T17:44:01.830+01:00

No rest for the wicked! As we have finished the whole of the alphabet, Jenny has decided that we need to keep our wits sharp and has set a challenge for the next seven weeks linked to the colours of the rainbow – in order. So obviously the first colour is red. I was going to write a convoluted  post that related to Stewart tartan so that I could enthral you all with the wonderful concert I

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-41416169727748290042010-07-25T14:41:00.001+01:002010-07-25T14:41:32.989+01:00

Saturday Centus time again, and a cheeky little link this week – can you spot it? The prompt is in bold, here we go: Driving six hours is a long time on the road. Six hours spent singing car-aoke and taking in the picturesque scenery, but mostly reminiscing about the good times. But those days were long gone and my mind was in a different place now. Or was it? My pulse quickened as I passed the

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-30643504872040467562010-07-24T07:59:00.001+01:002010-07-24T07:59:20.964+01:00

Oh heck – I’ve almost missed last weeks Saturday Centus, how did that happen?? As usual, the prompt is in italics and the rest is all my own work! “Mama, how do we get the names we get?” I asked one hot day way back then, “ I mean what was it that made you call me Dotty?” Mama turned and looked at me and a huge smile burst across her face. She didn’t answer straight away. Instead she found an

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-79690105228634832252010-07-22T20:37:00.001+01:002010-07-22T20:37:00.437+01:00

This week Jenny has mixed things up and made some suggestions for a final round up of Alphabe-Thursday. I’ve opted to re-post the one that I think caused more hilarity from you, dear reader, than any of the other posts. And that would be L is for Lycra which originally appeared back in April here. Picture the scene. We’re just home from our wonderful holiday. Son 2 is at home to greet us. All

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-64469552120405693892010-07-19T20:33:00.001+01:002010-07-19T20:33:47.884+01:00

Now where was I? Oh that’s right – listening to that awful football match on our way from Lincoln, Nebraska down to Neosho, Missouri! After more miles than I care to remember and several hours later we arrived in Neosho at our ‘home from home’. Black clouds have threatened for several hours as we worked our way south and we were not disappointed to hear rumbles of thunder in the distance. Summer

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-56268858054397722152010-07-14T18:36:00.001+01:002010-07-14T18:36:38.052+01:00

…Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah!!! Oh come on, allow me this little ,um, indulgence! Well, 26 weeks have just flown past haven’t they? It seems like only last month that we started this Alphabe-Thursday over at Jenny’s and here we are at the end. So Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah. This was in my mind anyway for Z but while I was on holiday we went to see Jim Stafford in Branson, Missouri and he sang this! My first

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-11428432645381467262010-07-11T17:38:00.001+01:002010-07-11T17:38:47.031+01:00

Well, where to begin – I know at the very beginning, a very good place to start…sorry, I was getting carried away. Our early morning flight to Chicago meant that we stayed near the airport on Sunday night – so much more civilised to get up at 4.15 and only have 15 minutes to travel than  to leave home at 2am and drive for two hours in the hope that you don’t hit any road works. We flew American

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-17475719484224014252010-07-10T17:27:00.001+01:002010-07-10T17:27:27.651+01:00

Slightly different spin this week to celebrate Saturday Centus number 10 – we’re allowed 200 words, whoo, hoo!! But it has to be on a romantic theme. I know I haven’t been around for a couple of weeks and I haven’t looked back at the prompts I missed – deliberately so as not to kick myself if I missed an opportunity! Anyhow, onwards. I hope this completes a little more of ‘my’ story. Remember

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-56606406522500756172010-07-07T18:15:00.000+01:002010-07-07T18:15:00.509+01:00

…Y, a whole lot of words courtesy of The Phrontistery Yaffingale – a green woodpecker Yapok - an amphibious opossum of South America yarmulke - skullcap worn by Orthodox Jewish men (I’ve always wondered what they were called!)   Yelek - outer garment worn by Turkish women Ok – not very inspired from a personal point of view but I wonder what everybody else has done over at

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-30289503447948258182010-06-30T17:07:00.000+01:002010-06-30T17:07:00.958+01:00

…X-ray! Sorry, I know it’s lame but I do have a tenuous link in as much as our future daughter in law is studying to be a radiographer which will mean, that, among other things, she will take x-rays! That is it for this week (I’m still away – this week I think I’ll be in Neosho, Missouri, hopefully Number 2 son has arrived by now, if not I hope he’s behaving himself at home!!)    I may or may

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-9111628657849988932010-06-23T16:52:00.000+01:002010-06-23T16:52:00.256+01:00

…Woodbridge, a small town not far from home which has a more villagey feel to it. This is short and sweet as I’m setting a series of posts to auto post while I’m away (I think I’ll be somewhere in South Dakota as you’re reading this). A couple of weeks before we left for our holiday the friend that I call Julie joined us for a trip to Woodbridge and a stroll around the town and a mooch amongst

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-15233441810707221882010-06-19T13:45:00.001+01:002010-06-19T13:45:54.156+01:00

I’m liking this Saturday Centus stuff! Shame I’ll miss the next few weeks :( I’ve tried to link in with my previous efforts and am actually enjoying finding out who ‘I’ am – does that make sense? I mean I obviously know myself but I’m still getting to know the ‘I’ in my story for it is not the real me! There are back links here, if you want to see what happened previously – I’m feeling a bit like

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-88739136341449303692010-06-19T09:21:00.001+01:002010-06-19T09:21:18.510+01:00

…Tracey! I entered the numbers in the wonderful Random Number generator and it picked number 11 which is my lovely neighbour Tracey. Thank you all for entering – maybe I’ll be invited to do another one soon!

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-68813064022897000262010-06-17T19:06:00.002+01:002010-06-17T19:12:15.739+01:00

…don’t forget to enter here for a chance to win a voucher for £50 or $50 to spend on line – go on, you know you want to!! Closes on Saturday at 09:00 BST.

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-81403064905521500122010-06-16T16:58:00.000+01:002010-06-16T16:58:00.402+01:00

  …vacation – yes I know it’s not been very long since the last one, but it’s been three months since we last went away and I owe to my poor old weary body – and brain – to take a break. This time we’re off to visit the friends that I described in this post here, the lovely Missouri Arkles. this will be the fourth time we’ve visited with them since way back when  it all started but this year

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-13579518809668419792010-06-13T19:21:00.001+01:002010-06-13T19:21:47.009+01:00

Where does the time go? Apart from the obligatory memes I haven’t posted anything general for ages. It’s been busy chez Sparkle, John has returned to work after six months of leisure. He’s joined the staff bank at the hospital  and has spent the last two weeks working his socks off in the medical records library – it’s really hard graft, he’s used to a more sedentary work life so it has come as a

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-82556227478495928232010-06-12T19:47:00.001+01:002010-06-12T19:47:53.256+01:00

Saturday Centus time again. The prompt is in italics and I’ve cheekily picked up on a couple of previous efforts (here) and (here) It’s true, the smell of freshly mowed grass can stay with you for years, for decades, as I walk along the smart street with it’s neatly manicured front lawns, trimmed to almost perfection, I’m transported back to the days before all this. Before the trauma that led

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-43051926345711628982010-06-12T14:00:00.001+01:002010-06-12T14:00:42.197+01:00

Earlier in the week I received an email from CSN making asking me if I’d like to host a give away for a voucher for £50 to spend on one of their websites – or I could write a review and have something myself! Well, I’m a generous being so I thought I’d share this you, dear readers. CSN have amazing on line stores one is for lights and another for everything from furniture to cookware. I love

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-2784736864599386322010-06-11T10:45:00.001+01:002010-06-11T10:45:36.583+01:00

I spotted this on a friend’s Facebook posting, had to share it!!!  

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-42791092621810631852010-06-09T19:52:00.000+01:002010-06-09T19:52:00.300+01:00

…Les Parapluies! OK I’m getting desperate now. When I got to thinking about U all I could think of was umbrella and that got me thinking about one of my favourite paintings, hence Les Parapluies or The Umbrellas by Auguste Renoir. I’m a great fan of the impressionists as a whole but I first came to appreciate Renoir when I bought Rod Stewart’s album ‘A Night on the Town’, I’ve also been lucky

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-83595336368790968362010-06-06T06:45:00.001+01:002010-06-06T06:45:34.626+01:00

Saturday Centus time again! The prompt is in italics, courtesy of Mr Jenny! I settled into the comfortable movie theater seat with awkward 3D glasses perched on my nose, a small tub of popcorn on my lap, and a bottle of water lodged into the seat holder, although it was dark I felt self conscious. I was not used to going out on my own and wondered why I had chosen a 3d movie. I needed to share

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-30680208226265346842010-06-02T19:49:00.001+01:002010-06-02T19:49:21.400+01:00

…Twitter!!! Described in various circles as the micro-blogging site and in others a complete waste of time, it was Twitter that first got me blogging. 140 characters is all that Twitter permits for each update although the clever amongst us simply update as many time as we need to to get our message across! I started Tweeting (as us Tweeters/Twitterers call it) early in 2009. I found myself a

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-16683472691357994902010-06-01T18:00:00.002+01:002010-06-01T18:31:55.783+01:00

In answer to the question a few weeks ago ‘What will Sparkle do next’ here is the reveal! I started with the intention of making just another blanket  to stow away somewhere for a rainy cold day and then had the bright idea of making a cover for the garden swing seat – all this blog-hopping inspires me no end! I like the way that the back looks like an old-fashioned deckchair with it’s stripy

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625694064530872093.post-30192259485168327972010-05-29T14:29:00.001+01:002010-05-29T14:29:47.409+01:00

Ooh Mr Jenny has been kind this week! For this week’s Saturday Centus I have swapped the prompt to the end and continued with my week one contribution. “Hey, looks like you could do with a hot meal – how have you been?” It must be five years since the last time we met. “I’ve been fine” I lied, too ashamed to confess to how I’d been living my life. “How about you? Still working all hours?” As

easternsparklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655745434901079268noreply@blogger.com17