Recently Domestic sluttery posted about craft workshops as a suggestion for things to do in the new year- Most of them look awesome, and this really inspired me to book something and try something new.
http://www.domesticsluttery.com/2014/01/do-something-less-boring-instead-2014s.html
Unfortunately there isn't a whole lot going on in Bedfordshire- or the south east for that matter- so I started out looking for craft courses in london.
Homemade london was my first port -of -call. I really wanted to do their dressmaking day course and handbag making.
http://www.homemadelondon.com/workshops
I was bit gutted though as both courses would have cost £315- don't get me wrong- to learn a news skill thats not too dear really, but it was £115 over my budget (the budget being my combined xmas money of £200).
So, I want away and had a think- and I'm really glad I did- I'd whinged to my mum about how expensive the course was and she messaged me a link to The Makery in Bath.
They run the same dress making workshop for £45.
Sold. that's a saving of £120
So, if you care to join me for a day of dress making- In April- Please do book..
http://www.themakeryonline.co.uk/workshops/sewing-textiles/teens-dressmaking/
I had another look online for courses I'd like to do- and found a course in london which teaches you how to make your own shoes! SHOES! So, I've booked summer sandal making in July for £80 - here is the link if you too would like custom footwear made by your own fair hand:
http://icanmakeshoes.com/courses/
This leaves me with £75 to book another course.
I'm not sure what yet.
I was tempted by knicker making, and the makery but it's tooo sooooon.
I might book perfume making at homemade london. or maybe hold out for a drawing course at bedford college... orrr maybe something else completely.
My other crafty success is that I do surveys for yougov- you get paid £50 every time you reach 5000 points. each survey is worth between 25-50 points so it's slow money- but it's a nice treat- and surveys are really not time consuming.
Some of the surveys only allow you prize draw entries- for every entry you get a "bronze prize"- Every month they send a survey for the prize draw points, so I've now bagged:
* 1 free personal training session
* half price pottery painting
* 1 free family portrait photo
I'm redeeming them next month so I'll let you know how I get on! I think that's a pretty sweet deal for like 5/10 minutes of my time- especially the family portrait!
If you fancy doing surveys here is the sign up link btw- it seems unfair to brag and not show you how to get free goodies too!- surveys are emailed to you but no spammy stuff. :)
https://yougov.co.uk/refer/H0tjX1cxFV1ufh5J5TGO2Q/
Tuesday, 21 January 2014
Monday, 20 January 2014
Rebecca Sagoo ceramics workshop
We had a pottery workshop in December run by Rebecca Sagoo- She's just started out running her own ceramics parties business.
We made tea light holders with punched out designs- they were deceptively fiddley to make!
They finally came back from being fired this week- We lit them to surprise the girls- they were really pleased!
I was pretty chuffed too!
Look how cool!
It's just a shame we had to set them up indoors- it was waaaayyyyy too freezing cold to set them up outside!
Saturday, 11 January 2014
The Shard, The ball's Brother's Restaurant, Fishgoteque, Choccywoccy do dah, Camden, White lion bars and Shebeen
Today Traff and I went to London to use my birthday "Shard and Lunch" voucher- We were so luck with the weather- it was freezing cold but the views were amazing!
We also managed to fit in an incredible amount of other missions.
My feet hurt and my knees are cold- but it was soooo worth it.
We headed into london on the train and got off at London Bridge- It's not an area of london I know very well, And as we were a bit early for Lunch we had an explore.
We went for a look around the Cathedral and Borough market before returning to the Hays galleria for our food (The restaurant was really lovely- they let us come in a bit early as they weren't too busy so we were able to have a really relaxed lunch rather than being in a rush!)
The lunch menu is set but the options are really good- Traff had protabello mushrooms with cheese and garlic on bread to start- I tried some without being asked to and it was delicious!
For mains we both had butternut squash risotto- it was really good- Just the right balance of sweet and peppery.
I had lemon tart for pudding and did not share with Traff.
I also had a cocktail- It was called a "summer cup" and had gin. and lots of fruit. Some of the fruit looked like frog spawn. I assume this to be passion fruit?
After finishing lunch we had just over an hour to spare before our Shard booking- So we went on a mission- to find the fishgoteque fish and chip shop near waterloo station:
Mission completed.
I wanted to go to the Old Operating theatre museum too- it;'s supposed to be interesting in a very gross way, but we didn't have time.
Next time!
Traff didn't look enthusiastic, So maybe I'll need a more intrepid partner for this adventure...
On to the SHARD! I've been so excited about this! I've wanted to go up the shard since they completed building it So to go within the 1st year is pretty good.
It's impressively tall from the ground- but once we were at the top it didn't feel very high up! The views were completely worth the entrance fee. I promise.
I caouldn't get over how far you could see- and how densely populated london is.
It's insane.
We saw so many trans and busses (The trains looked like caterpillars!) and all the cars with their lights on. We managed to spot the olympic stadium, Wembley stadium, St Pauls, The Tower of London and Traff found more major landmarks but I got distracted watching the trains.
And there was a helicopter.
London never stops. not even for a second.
So, All sharded out- and the viewing platform was insanely busy! I think we'll go again when all the hype has died down a bit- it's still a really new attraction and it's popular with tourists and locals alike.
We booked inadvertently for sunset too- which people had waited around to photograph making the platform even more busy than it probably had been an hour before.
It was beautiful.
It really was. Even over the heads of the 4 or 5 deep crowd.
There is no restriction on the length of time you can spend on the viewing platform. Perhaps it would be better to book for the morning, quite early and just stay up there a few hours before it gets really busy and you have to wait about to look at the views.
We headed to Oxford street to meet Amanda- The plan was to meet by Topshop, Go to Choccywoccydodah eat cake then mooch about.
Amanda ended up meeting us late- and by the time we'd found eachother in the chaos of Oxford street and made our way to Choccywoccydodah on Carnaby Street their cafe was closed for the evening. Although their chocolate sculptures are incredible!
I really do want to eat cake there, Maybe on my Operating theatre museum trip.
We tried another coffee shop on Carnaby street but they told us there was a 20 minute wait.
Rather than stand around in the cold we headed to Camden for Record shopping and Street market food.
I love camden street food- Normally I have moroccan but Amanda persuaded me to try "Bang Bang" Chicken, It's deep fried chicken with spices.
It is comfort food.
Especially with noodles and blackbean sauce.
We got to the market about 7:30 so many of the stalls were closing up- This is the food markets "happy hour" and massive trays of food cost £3.
I'm making sure this information sticks in my brain. I need more happy hour camden street food in my life!
We walked up through camden to Kentish Town to get the train home- the last newsagents before you turn right from Camden high street towards Kentish town sells white lion bars.
And Peanut lion bars.
And polish Kit Kats of all different flavours.
Armed with Sweets for the train we headed on towards the overground station.
When we go there we realised we'd missed our trains by seconds, So we went to SheBeen Speak easy- under the Canteen restaurant (It's directly opposite the overground station).
Amanda had never been there before and was really impressed.
I was impressed because they had a new menu.
Traff was impressed because he got to read "5 go to the seaside" by Enid Blyton.
So a good, Gin soaked day was had by all. Except Traff. Who is now Enid Blytons biggest fan.
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
2013 in Survey form
1. What did you do in 2013 that you had never done before?I visited Geneva- and saw the Hadron Collider, I made a christmas cake, and a rug for the front room, Did glass blowing, Went on a UK road trip, Was a bridesmaid... sooo much stuff happened this year!
2. Did you keep your new years resolutions and will you make more for next year?
NOPE. oops, I had a go though!
I'll make some less complicated resolutions for 2014.
3. How will you be spending your new years eve?
At a party in Reading with Kirstie- her friends band will be performing and I've been promising to see them for ages!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully no.
5. What countries did you visit?
Only Switzerland this year- Thats pretty tame for me!
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
More travel!
7. What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
I've done so much cool stuff this year I can't name one specific date- this has been an epic year!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I lost 3 stone so that was a pretty big deal for me- and I've been trying to be healthier now that I'm on the mend from being ill (Which caused the weight gain in the first place!).
9. What was your biggest failure?
I'm not sure I had any "failures"- not anything that was such a complete disaster I couldn't learn from it.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?yes, but I've been on the mend since May- and properly almost back to normal since September... Fingers crossed it keeps up!
11. What was the best thing you bought?Gig tickets!- this year we've seen Rasputina,soundgarden, Deftones, Alice in Chains, Mark Lanegan, Mudhoney and the meat puppets.
Lots of adventures.
12. Where did most of your money go?
New car. Holiday- we're off to Malaysia in May!
13. What song will always remind you of 2013?
The justified theme song- I hate that TV series but Traff's mad about it.
14. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Photography- my camera broke almost a year ago so this year has been marked by a lack of photos- Also wish I'd done more crafting. I need to join the WI!
15. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Less paperwork for work!
16. What was you favourite TV programme?Lewis! - I've been recording them on the TiVo box and watching them back before bed! I loved the morse books but wasn't super keen on the TV show- I like this much better!
17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No, I don’t hate anyone.
18. What was the best book you read?
Anything by PD James- Death comes to pemberly was probably my fav. so far.
19. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Sonic Youth.
20. What was your favorite film of this year?
The vampires assistant- based on the Darren Shan Books- I hadn't seen in before although I think it's quite old- It's really true to the books!
21. What did you do on your birthday?
My sister organised me a surprise party- and it really was a surprise- completely unexpected!
22. What kept you sane?Tea. Traff. Good music.
23. Who did you miss?
I'm missing Randi at work now she's living n Malaysia- and I still miss all my friends who are in cardiff/Bristol/ Durham so I don't get to see them so often.
24. Who was the best new person that you met?
Ayesha.
25. Tell us a valuable life lesson that you learned in 2013?
All in good time? Things happen for a reason?
I have no idea what the year 2014 will bring but I hope that with a positive attitude and determination it will be a great year. I am excited for the future!
Wednesday, 25 December 2013
Merry Christmas! :D
I just wanted to blog about my monster of a cake- I know blogging on Xmas morning is a little unusual- Christmas is a little unusual at this year as I'm in my Flat- not in my Parents conservatory with one of their rescue xmas trees.
And Ray and John are at work. So they're staying in Oxfordshire and cooking dinner for some of the guys from work.
Incidentally, this is also the only year (Bar the Christmas in Australia) I haven't been to All Saints Church in Didcot for Carols. No Carols this year :(
I'm feeling excited, but maybe not so festive- I've done my best to dress festive- black dress, red belt, green cardigan, giant bejewelled pineapple necklace- Maybe I'll festive up once I collect my Parents from their hotel.
I've text everyone to wish them a merry christmas too- Every year I forget and feel guilty as the texts roll in- but this year I'm on top of my game!
This, by the way- is the cake which took all day yesterday to make-
There are several lessons to be learned here-
1) I should have halved the cake mix as this thing is a MONSTER. I can barely lift it!
2) The "baked filling" is actually patisserie custard without the egg yolk- I guess they don't really eat that in America? It didn't click for me until it started to set- And I realised it wouldn't set properly without the egg.. so that was a bit disastrous. it was very runny- the top of the cake slid off when I was trying to get it to cool in the fridge (whilst praying to the god of set jellies- there is no other deity which can assist under such difficult circumstances)! so next time I'd either just make the custard properly or substitute for whipped cream- which would probably be easier to work with and less distressing.
3) the chocolate icing is AMAZING. I ate an awful lot yesterday. So did Karl- he was chief cake tester. 4 bars of dark (85%) Chocolate, a whole tub of bourneville, a whole cup of black coffee, one entire pat of butter (Melted) and a box if icing sugar- How could this not be delicious?! it's still got a bitter kick to it which I wanted- as the cake is quite sweet- the "Custard" is very sweet and the cherries are sweet with a luxardo aftertaste.
4) The only issue with the icing was that it really needed to set on the cake in the fridge- fine for us as we're eating out today so no turkey in our refrigerator- otherwise I'd probably have cried.
I would do this again, it's worked out pretty well- all the individual parts taste delicious so I'm hoping that the overall effect will be amazing.
I'll keep you posted.
I want to open my presents now, but I think I'll have to wait until after dinner so Traff is home from work. :( Bah humbug.
I know Traff got me a camera, so I'm tempted to open it early so I can use it...
Is that Naughty?
Or should I just use my phone camera today so he can see how delighted I am with it when I open it?
We're off to the Toby carvery for Lunch - at 3pm- and then in the evening we've got some films and "The London Game" to play.
I did buy cheese and crackers to incase we're hungry later.
And proper coffee to perk us up in our post lunch slump!
Just thought I'd add some of our very merry photos from xmas day:
PRESENTS:
This is my Dad modelling my joke present from Randi- she bought everyone really weird malaysian stuff as presents.
We're not sure how to wear this...
Cool wrapping paper from my Nan:
The dinner at the Carvery- I was delighted that I was able to have Gammon, not Turkey, which I think is overrated and a bit gross:
And us at the Carvery:
And Ray and John are at work. So they're staying in Oxfordshire and cooking dinner for some of the guys from work.
Incidentally, this is also the only year (Bar the Christmas in Australia) I haven't been to All Saints Church in Didcot for Carols. No Carols this year :(
I'm feeling excited, but maybe not so festive- I've done my best to dress festive- black dress, red belt, green cardigan, giant bejewelled pineapple necklace- Maybe I'll festive up once I collect my Parents from their hotel.
I've text everyone to wish them a merry christmas too- Every year I forget and feel guilty as the texts roll in- but this year I'm on top of my game!
This, by the way- is the cake which took all day yesterday to make-
There are several lessons to be learned here-
1) I should have halved the cake mix as this thing is a MONSTER. I can barely lift it!
2) The "baked filling" is actually patisserie custard without the egg yolk- I guess they don't really eat that in America? It didn't click for me until it started to set- And I realised it wouldn't set properly without the egg.. so that was a bit disastrous. it was very runny- the top of the cake slid off when I was trying to get it to cool in the fridge (whilst praying to the god of set jellies- there is no other deity which can assist under such difficult circumstances)! so next time I'd either just make the custard properly or substitute for whipped cream- which would probably be easier to work with and less distressing.
3) the chocolate icing is AMAZING. I ate an awful lot yesterday. So did Karl- he was chief cake tester. 4 bars of dark (85%) Chocolate, a whole tub of bourneville, a whole cup of black coffee, one entire pat of butter (Melted) and a box if icing sugar- How could this not be delicious?! it's still got a bitter kick to it which I wanted- as the cake is quite sweet- the "Custard" is very sweet and the cherries are sweet with a luxardo aftertaste.
4) The only issue with the icing was that it really needed to set on the cake in the fridge- fine for us as we're eating out today so no turkey in our refrigerator- otherwise I'd probably have cried.
I would do this again, it's worked out pretty well- all the individual parts taste delicious so I'm hoping that the overall effect will be amazing.
I'll keep you posted.
I want to open my presents now, but I think I'll have to wait until after dinner so Traff is home from work. :( Bah humbug.
I know Traff got me a camera, so I'm tempted to open it early so I can use it...
Is that Naughty?
Or should I just use my phone camera today so he can see how delighted I am with it when I open it?
We're off to the Toby carvery for Lunch - at 3pm- and then in the evening we've got some films and "The London Game" to play.
I did buy cheese and crackers to incase we're hungry later.
And proper coffee to perk us up in our post lunch slump!
Just thought I'd add some of our very merry photos from xmas day:
PRESENTS:
This is my Dad modelling my joke present from Randi- she bought everyone really weird malaysian stuff as presents.
We're not sure how to wear this...
Cool wrapping paper from my Nan:
The dinner at the Carvery- I was delighted that I was able to have Gammon, not Turkey, which I think is overrated and a bit gross:
And us at the Carvery:
Monday, 23 December 2013
Glassblowing @ the national glass centre, The North and The road trip
The weather today is so rubbish- the sky is go grey and overcast the house is dark even with all the curtains open and the lights on.
It feels wintery but not yet festive.
We were supposed to be in Durham today- arriving back this evening- but we cut our trip short to avoid all the bad weather in the North- and the Christmas traffic (No trains, loads of flooding and gales up to 90mph made us think our journey would take us much longer than the prescribed 4 hours).
We got back about midnight after a stop off at McDonalds somewhere north of Nottingham.
I highly recommend the cheesy bites and festive ketchup.
I do not, however recommend "I spy" on the M1A in the dark.
Not much to spy.
The perks of driving back last night- other than missing the traffic (Entirely!) and the awful weather - were that we got to see the harvest moon (Bright yellow and not quite full) And Venus.
I've been at a loss as to what to do with myself all day so far- I got the chocolate and coco powder for my cake icing tomorrow, Traff text and asked me to pick him up a video game in CEX so I have and I stopped off at the Samaritans charity shop for a jumper but ended up buying 5 PD James books instead.
That'll tide me over until I decode what to do with myself.
I'm meeting Michelle for Cake and Coffee later too.
:D
At Fancy.
Perhaps I can glean cake inspiration.
We drove to Abi's in Durham on Friday evening- I spent my drive home from work with the traffic report on listening to how awful the traffic and tailbacks were al over the UK and mentally damning the idea of going anywhere so close to Christmas.
I ate a whole M&S Pizza to myself in preparation for being stuck in traffic until the new year.
Ray and Kirstie arrived at 7, we set off, and the roads were pretty clear.
By the time we'd passed peterborough we were only seeing another car every few minutes.
We got as far as Melton Mowbray before I decided I needed to pee- It's a running joke with my family and close friends that as soon as I get in the car I seem to get a crazy need to pee- I think it's because I know I can't go for a set length of time.
Ray managed to direct us into the services- but once we'd parked up it was so windy we couldn't open the car doors- we had to wait for the wind to subside.
Super 70s services.
Burger king with hats.
All good.
We set off from the services following the satnav and it lead us a merry dance round rural england- we did see some very festively decorated houses though, so it wasn't all bad.
Ray eventually re-directed us to the A1 M and we arrived in Durham without any further detours.
On Saturday we went Glass blowing in Sunderland, we booked onto a workshop to make christmas tree baubles in October- without really any idea what to expect.
It was a really interesting and enjoyable experience- The staff at the glass centre were really calm and helpful- they demo'd the making of the bauble first and then we made our baubles one at a time- unfortunately infont of an audience but it took sooo much concentration I forgot they were there!
First you choose your colours- I did mine purple and green with little bits of white so it'll look frosted.
Then the glass centre staff get the molten glass from the kiln on the end of the pole, they hand you the pole- with warnings about where to toutch it- and you roll the molten glass on top of the coloured glass flecks.
That done, you carry the glass, on the pole, to another kiln to be heated so that it can expand easily when blown (At this point I decided I wanted my bauble to be stripey so you melt the glass and turn the pole at the same time! eeek!)
The next stage is to blow the air into the bauble to make the shape-the staff shape the glass to make it round with a paddle and they turn the pole as you blow into it.
It took like 4 goes to get the required size.
the staff then remove the blown glass from the pole (This is probably the riskiest part as if you do it wrong the whole thing will break) and then made a molten glass hook for the top of the bauble.
It then goes in the kiln for 3 days.
Ours will be posted tomorrow so will be here maybe before new year.
we drove back from Sunderland to Durham via the second biggest Tescos in the UK.
For Curry supplies and Peanut butter cup ben and Jerry's Ice cream!
This is my new favourite flavour.
We spent the evening watching Ru Paul's Drag race.
This is now possible my new favourite TV show.
On Sunday we went to Tynemouth.
Tynemouth has a massive flea market in the Metro station- They had some really sweet individual items, loads of vintage and some quirky clothes.
Abi was disappointed as last time she'f been there were more vintage and unusual items- but this being the run up to Christmas most stallholders had toned it down to attract christmas shoppers.
I was still impressed!
We went to the raspberry Bazaar and to the converted church- were we got retro sweets and I failed to recognise a nativity scene.
I tried to convince everyone they wanted to go on the beach, but it was genuinely freezing so I accepted the compromise of walking the harbour wall- but when we got there it was gated off with warnings about the expected weather.
It feels wintery but not yet festive.
We were supposed to be in Durham today- arriving back this evening- but we cut our trip short to avoid all the bad weather in the North- and the Christmas traffic (No trains, loads of flooding and gales up to 90mph made us think our journey would take us much longer than the prescribed 4 hours).
We got back about midnight after a stop off at McDonalds somewhere north of Nottingham.
I highly recommend the cheesy bites and festive ketchup.
I do not, however recommend "I spy" on the M1A in the dark.
Not much to spy.
The perks of driving back last night- other than missing the traffic (Entirely!) and the awful weather - were that we got to see the harvest moon (Bright yellow and not quite full) And Venus.
I've been at a loss as to what to do with myself all day so far- I got the chocolate and coco powder for my cake icing tomorrow, Traff text and asked me to pick him up a video game in CEX so I have and I stopped off at the Samaritans charity shop for a jumper but ended up buying 5 PD James books instead.
That'll tide me over until I decode what to do with myself.
I'm meeting Michelle for Cake and Coffee later too.
:D
At Fancy.
Perhaps I can glean cake inspiration.
We drove to Abi's in Durham on Friday evening- I spent my drive home from work with the traffic report on listening to how awful the traffic and tailbacks were al over the UK and mentally damning the idea of going anywhere so close to Christmas.
I ate a whole M&S Pizza to myself in preparation for being stuck in traffic until the new year.
Ray and Kirstie arrived at 7, we set off, and the roads were pretty clear.
By the time we'd passed peterborough we were only seeing another car every few minutes.
We got as far as Melton Mowbray before I decided I needed to pee- It's a running joke with my family and close friends that as soon as I get in the car I seem to get a crazy need to pee- I think it's because I know I can't go for a set length of time.
Ray managed to direct us into the services- but once we'd parked up it was so windy we couldn't open the car doors- we had to wait for the wind to subside.
Super 70s services.
Burger king with hats.
All good.
We set off from the services following the satnav and it lead us a merry dance round rural england- we did see some very festively decorated houses though, so it wasn't all bad.
Ray eventually re-directed us to the A1 M and we arrived in Durham without any further detours.
On Saturday we went Glass blowing in Sunderland, we booked onto a workshop to make christmas tree baubles in October- without really any idea what to expect.
It was a really interesting and enjoyable experience- The staff at the glass centre were really calm and helpful- they demo'd the making of the bauble first and then we made our baubles one at a time- unfortunately infont of an audience but it took sooo much concentration I forgot they were there!
First you choose your colours- I did mine purple and green with little bits of white so it'll look frosted.
Then the glass centre staff get the molten glass from the kiln on the end of the pole, they hand you the pole- with warnings about where to toutch it- and you roll the molten glass on top of the coloured glass flecks.
That done, you carry the glass, on the pole, to another kiln to be heated so that it can expand easily when blown (At this point I decided I wanted my bauble to be stripey so you melt the glass and turn the pole at the same time! eeek!)
The next stage is to blow the air into the bauble to make the shape-the staff shape the glass to make it round with a paddle and they turn the pole as you blow into it.
It took like 4 goes to get the required size.
the staff then remove the blown glass from the pole (This is probably the riskiest part as if you do it wrong the whole thing will break) and then made a molten glass hook for the top of the bauble.
It then goes in the kiln for 3 days.
Ours will be posted tomorrow so will be here maybe before new year.
we drove back from Sunderland to Durham via the second biggest Tescos in the UK.
For Curry supplies and Peanut butter cup ben and Jerry's Ice cream!
This is my new favourite flavour.
We spent the evening watching Ru Paul's Drag race.
This is now possible my new favourite TV show.
On Sunday we went to Tynemouth.
Tynemouth has a massive flea market in the Metro station- They had some really sweet individual items, loads of vintage and some quirky clothes.
Abi was disappointed as last time she'f been there were more vintage and unusual items- but this being the run up to Christmas most stallholders had toned it down to attract christmas shoppers.
I was still impressed!
We went to the raspberry Bazaar and to the converted church- were we got retro sweets and I failed to recognise a nativity scene.
I tried to convince everyone they wanted to go on the beach, but it was genuinely freezing so I accepted the compromise of walking the harbour wall- but when we got there it was gated off with warnings about the expected weather.
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