Welcome

Hi there, I'm Ali and brand new to this blogging thingy so not sure how things work. I decided to start a blog because a very good friend of mine kept saying I should have one, told me it's easy, so here goes.







I have decided to call it Blossom and Grow because over the last few years that's exactly how I feel my life has been. Maybe i'm a late developer. You're never too old to try new
things and life definitely starts at 40 something.



















Friday, 31 August 2012

Ruby Treasures

Well we have been very busy last few weeks with kids off school but did have a little time to craft some lovely owls and pincushions check out out facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rubys-Treasures/395185780546157



Monday, 30 July 2012

Ruby's Treasures

Well What a busy time for Ruby's Treasures we are just putting pics up on our facebook page to sell our crafty shabby chic creations so excited hope they get a good response. Here is a taster of whats on there.
 http://www.facebook.com/events/232825153472785/#!/pages/Rubys-Treasures/395185780546157





We have also joined a Summer craft fair on facebook were we will be selling other handmade items here is the link to see whats on sale.
 Our shop is called Ruby's Treasures It opens on the 1st August till 15th August



Monday, 18 June 2012

OK WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING

WELL STILL HAVEN'T TOLD YOU ABOUT THE GIANTS THAT CAME TO LIVERPOOL AMAZING (APRIL EVENT) FOR THE 100 YEARS SINCE TITANIC. THE LITTLE GIRL, HER UNCLE AND HER DOG JUST BREATH TAKING CHECK OUT LINKS ON SEA ODESSEY
UNCLE
LITTLE GIRL



HIGHCLERE - DOWNTON ABBEY


CUTE GOSLINGS-ST ALBANS
ST ALBANS CATHEDRAL
HARRY POTTER TOUR - THE MODEL OF HOGWARTS
GREAT HALL - DUMBLEDORE
DAISY IN POOLWHEN SUN WAS SHINING.


WE WENT TO NEWBURY SLEPT IN A QUAINT 1700 INN THEN VISITED HIGHCLERE AND HAD AN AMAZING TIME AS HUGE DOWNTON ABBEY FAN. THE EYGPTIAN EXHIBITION WAS FAB TOO.

THEN WE WENT OVER TO ST ALBANS STAYED IN A PREMIER INN BUT IT HAD A WATER MILL IN THE GROUNDS WITH THE LOVELY GOSLINGS

NEXT DAY WENT TO THE FAMOUS HARRY POTTER TOUR IN WATFORD WELL WORTH THE MONEY AMAZING THINGS TOO SEE TOO MANY PICS AND VIDEOS FOR HERE BUT WILL JUST SAY GOING BACK NEXT YEAR AS SO MUCH TO SEE.

START OF SUNSHINE (GONE NOW)   DAISY DECIDED TO BUY A SWIMMING POOL TOOK LOADS OF WATER AN HOUR TO FILL SHE SPENT TEN MINUTES TOPS IN IT AND THEN IT WENT GREEN TOOK ALL AFTERNOON ON SUNDAY TO EMPTY AGAIN STUNK AND NOW DRYING OUT OVER THE FOOTY GOAL HA HA KIDS !!

NEARLY CAUGHT UP ENJOY AND BROWSE.    XX






Thursday, 14 June 2012

Mad May!

Well I know its June already 14th to be exact but I've been so busy in May didn't have a moment to blog or visit my favourite crafty forum 'shabby chic cafe' and June has also been a rollercoster.

So as this blog is like my journal and craft space I best let you know what I've been up too thats if computer will upload pics quickly as its 13.22 pm and im still not dressed or had lunch been advertising my fundraiser so i'll start with that. Less chat More pics here goes. Sit back get a cuppa and enjoy.

Come along and have some fun 

The next pic is for my May Monthly Challenge which I have not added to the site oops as so busy. But I'll just say I sent two egg cosies to Gary Barlow with a lovely congrats Union Jack homemade card handed to the warm up man to pass on whilst I was at X Factor didn't hear back though Boo Hoo asked for support for my charity not a sausage.


Talking about Take That for a moment I was performing at the Royal Albert Hall Sunday  May bank hols on the Monday whilst shopping in Portebello road met Howard.  Thats another story for another time.

I know I look like I have special needs it was raining and id pinned back fringe
'The Night of the 1000 Voices' was an amazing experience met some lovely westend dancers and stars and actors from film and TV what a weekend and of course singing with all my  singlive family it was fab.


Too many names really to mention so I'll post a link so you can here us sing and see the stars we sang with im in the choir front row in red on very end .http://youtu.be/HEADl4B1TQ8 Enjoy.

Ok so Jubilee came and went very wet but I was glued to tv and enjoyed waving my flag. I did go and see the olympic torch come to Birkenhead sun was shining.
local charity worker

Missed Mel C as she ran through the other side of park and Chris Boardman cyclist.

Will sign off and do June seperate see you soon xxxx



Thursday, 26 April 2012

Label Of Love

I thought it was a great idea to sign up for a workshop at my local Urban farm called Tam O'Shanta to make a stool. How hard could it be well here are the photos you make up your own mind It took three days over three weeks. I need to take it back once it is seasoned but oops its been in the garden for a month now and we've had a lot of rain.
This is the freshy cut log my three legs will be cut out of.

I used a very big hammer to split the wood into four equal pieces taking off andy's knuckles and drawing blood oops! Well these men will get in the way.
I am sitting on a wooden'Shaving Horse' not comfy had a cushion for my delicate posterior. I used a 'Draw Knife' to shape out three legs.

This part was physically exhausting and Andy kept saying feel the wood you become part of it and just take off another inch. after two days of sitting on the horse I felt at one point letting him feel my leg(stool) over his bonce. I'm not a violent person HONEST!

Carved LOVE LAUGH LIVE in top of stool
Its now in my garden drying inbetween down pours of rain will have to take a photo of the finished stool/table. We used it for the roof men who placed their endless bacon buttys and mugs of tea on. It has a cup holder groove which is not shown on this pic as I added it later after a flower went wrong hee hee!

Hope I have not put you off as although tough it was also rewarding to make your own stool/table.

Thursday, 12 April 2012

April Showers

Well what a rainy April it has been here! I've just posted my Monthly Make Challenge April which also was part of my spring swap on Shabby Chic Forum hope Cartier06 likes what I have sent. Here is a peek at my spring items.

I have also made a duck and as you have guessed I did have a lot of wool in spring yellow and orange.


I received gorgeous items from my swap partner and here are the photos most of the chocs have been eaten already so much for me losing weight yikes.

Sunday, 11 March 2012

Spring Baby Blanket

Well here it is at last I made this blanket for a very special baby that will be arriving in April. Its made from SIRDAR SNUGGLY babybamboo DK in three colour shades 157,154 and 128. I found the wool when I was at the craft fair in Manchester in Feb bought four balls of 50g from the Black Sheep Company as a fellow crafter said thats all I will need for a pram blanket. I started crocheting and soon realised I would need more wool. I searched online at ebay then amazon after a disappointing bid I ended up buying from two different places so two amounts of postage. Anyway its turned out lovely I've enjoyed it and I have loads of wool left oops will learn from this. I have used about 400gs altogether at approx £2.00 a ball so not bad really. Any suggestions what to do next with the rest of the wool (13 balls). I have added this to the Flickr grp. as my A MONTHLY MAKE for MARCH CHALLENGE 2012 even though I did start it in Feb.

The Pattern
The main part of the blanket (now a Cot blanket) is made up of a row of chain stitch to the length you need, then double stitch into each chain st.to the end then *3 treble stitches into a double stitch then 2 slip stitches then 3 trst then 2 ss.*which I continued for two rows in each colour sought of made it up as I went along. when it was big enough I then went around the edge in double stitch.
Then the clever bit went the library loaned a book 'crochet edgings & trims' by Katie Haxell were I chose Papyrus Fan pg 60 to do my edging. I had to adapt in places as the corners are a bit messy but over all I think its great.
Hope you like it and When I become a great aunt I hope the baby will too!!