Ms Lemons

When I was at uni, there was a librarian who had a very sour expression and always looked as though students presenting books for check-in and outs were a tremendous imposition. Her mouth was tight contraction; a moue, like that of a cat’s bum. We called her Ms Lemons.

And so have named my latest doll ‘Ms Lemons’ in her memory. The resting B*tch face says it all. The fact that she has a weaponised pin cushion to give a quick jab, stab or poke just adds to the whole persona.

And here she is in her permanent setting. The sewing room where she will be put to service and justify her … being.

She’s modelled on a Tone Finnanger Tilda angel (her wings are pinned on and a bit askew at this stage and have slipped a bit. Apropos).

A lot of work went into making her clothes, including modesty undergarments (of course) and really like the choice of fabrics. But her face… I may paint it off with acrylics and give her a make over. Another doll is cut out, stitched just waiting to be stuffed. And some clothes ready-made and lovely. Maybe she presents a second-go to create a beautiful version. They could sit like book ends. Like Mrs Bedonebyasyoudid and Mrs Bedonedonebyasyouwould bedoneby (if memory recalls the Water Babies correctly).

Cats are Nobbers

This is Charlie in his usual state of distress. If only he would chill out, ha ha.

Honestly, he has so many comfy places to sleep including proper-nice cat beds but since an Amazon delivery a while back, this is his favourite place to catch forty winks and whiskers. Very inconvenient as it’s on top of a table-cum-chest that is my yarn repository.

Daft

A new box arrived and he considered moving. On this occasion, Daft.ie lived up to its name (in ROI Daft is a property rental/buyer site). The property is definitely subsiding and looking ready to slide off its footings. Charlie gave it a go and decided it’s not the bachelor apartment he thought it might be.

Ignore the mess creative ideas lying around.

Life has generally become much more full-on. I now go to a couple of keep-fit classes and regularly join in with some pole walking (not dancing!) and line dancing at the local Womens’ Shed.

Had a Sound Journey which was a nice experience held in our town hall; a building that used to be a church. We all lay on the floor covered in blankets with our eyes shut. Looking at the photos sent round afterwards it reminded me of a make-shift morgue following some major catastrophe… dark humour there…

Joined a sewing group. Love sewing but never made garments. Apart from an apron. No understanding of darts, interfacing, grown-up terminology like ‘on the grain’ ‘on the bias’, amending patterns to fit, etc. Progress! Have made a blouse – traced and cut out the pattern/fabric, stitched it altogether, inserted sleeves… Amazeballs. Actually believe everything imaginable is possible.

Also joined an art class. Some very artistic members and we’re planning a 2-day exhibition before Christmas! Amazeballs squared!

The Wild and Woolies are going strong and are a lively group. Off to the North for a meet-up with a crochet group there the beginning of April. Again, wonderfully talented and lovely ladies.

With everything going on, finally finished the Elena Essex Christmas Cornucopia Christmas jigsaw:

It is a thousand-piecer and tougher than it looks. Gorgeous! Sadly, lost a piece. It had been under the sofa on a cutting mat and regularly got knocked by the vacuum cleaner so guess it got sucked up.

Am still exasperated with Adobe suite. Illustrator crashed when tasked with a simple operation. Not Bézier curve adjustments. Nothing THAT complex (sardonic laugh). Holy shit balls… but it’s still the best of the bunch.

So, like a vacuum cleaner with a sour face I have to suck it up.

With a sour lemon face.

Who Caved in?

I did. Got a Black Friday deal on the Adobe suite and am back in the Adobe fold. Sadly, There were tools that Affinity just didn’t have that clinched the decision. It’s still a great app and still does some things that beats the pants off Illustrator but it’s just not there yet. One thing Affinity does (at least for now…) is sell full programmes rather than subscriptions so the Affinity suite is still installed and can be used for its strengths when needed.

Christmas Hare
My Christmas fairy Harey is finished and looking sparkly and glam.

She’s instead of a stocking – see the gift bag? Apparently, there is something small but lovely for me for Christmas…. oooh! Don’t you just love waiting for the big day??!

Amazon … bleh. Ordered a pair of Dr Marten brogues (weirdly described as trainers) for Himself a couple of months ago. Despite not being available until between Nov 22 to 29, Amazon took full payment. Queried this as it wasn’t their normal practice but apparently, IS their new normal now. Okey Dokey.

But, come the evening of the Nov 21st, Amazon say they shoes can’t be shipped and they’ve cancelled the order. Got a refund a day or so later so no money lost. Just not a great customer experience and pi**ed off cos the shoes are gorgeous and would have made a brilliant present.

Fairy

Back to fairyland. As always, having made one, better ways of doing some things became apparent so have modified the template and am making a smaller one as a tree dec to trial my ‘improvements’. Making the first one was actually a lot of fun and really enjoyed it.

Can’t believe Christmas is just a few weeks away. We’re putting the tree up on the first and looking forward to decorating with some gorgeous new decorations. The Animal Shelter bazaar is this Sunday, as well, so will be attending.

Baby Blanket and Hat

The crocheted baby blanket is some seven rows from the finish. Matching baby hat is ready, complete with pom-pom. This is for the animal shelter bazaar if I can just get on with it but am being pulled In a few different directions at the moment. Fingers crossed. If not, they’ll auction it on their Facebook page before Christmas.

TK Maxx had some adorable ‘Guess how much I love you’ gift bags and I already had matching tissue paper just perfect for the baby blanket. Will make a lovely present for a new mum and baby for Christmas.

The Moffymakes Etsy shop is not getting a tickle or a tit. Not an admirer, let alone a sale. The high prices might be off-putting but the yarn is very expensive. The baby blanket being donated to the shelter is much, much cheaper.

Do I care? Not really. Am as stressed as Charlie about it:

Gracie is nearly as upset:

Anyway, the time to marzipan the cake is near! The cake smells very heady and alcoholic…lush! Christmas is wonderful and am excited, as usual, for its coming.