hoopla!

 As part of my new health and fitness regime (and just for the fun of it) I've started going to hula hoop classes.  So much fun!  And so much hard work - my muscles are aching!

 I'm HOOPING (see what I did there?) I'll get better at it so that it might become a lifelong hobby and also my first opportunity to show off any sort of sporting prowess.  So far I am pretty good at spinning the hoop round my waist (in one direction) and am occasionally managing a couple of the most basic tricks.  Definite room for improvement!

 But even just messing about and failing is good fun and good exercise.  

It's hard to find pictures of people hula hooping that are not joyful.  I think there's a reason for that.

This cat has the same hooping posture as me, which is apparently where my difficulties originate.  Well, practice makes perfect...once I can move again :)

P.S. You can find more info/sources for these pictures on my Hula! Pinterest board, as well as more cheerful hoop pictures.

get me my goddamn grammy!

I bet you can't look this cool with a crayon in your mouth.

Seriously, no shame...

the appliance of science

If you're ever wondering where I am, the answer is probably the Science Centre.  Dulcie and I got year-long passes a few months back and are making the most of them.  It's such a fun place and easily fills a whole day, plus they change their exhibits quite regularly and everything is really hands-on and fun.  Nobody objects if you eat your packed lunch in the cafe and the staff are great.  Hopefully Dulcie is absorbing some science know-how, but even if she isn't, at least she's enjoying herself.

The year-long pass isn't cheap, but really works out about the same as two visits, so is a great idea if you live anywhere near Glasgow, especially if you have children.

whyte (do girls love) horses?*

I'm never blogging these days, huh?  I'm not sure why, just a bit addled and disorganised and concentrating on...life?  Also, I'm secretly blogging elsewhere!  Don't worry, you're not missing anything exciting.  My consultant has given me strict instructions to lose weight so I'm focussing on that over the next few months and a friend and I have set up a private blog where we record our food and activity in the hope it will keep us both on track.  We started off great guns, but are dwindling already, I'd say.  She hasn't posted for days and I've been demotivated by standing on the scales and learning I've gained two pounds this month!  I'm hoping the scales were lying because I've been working really hard, apart from this weekend when Graham and I went to London and I boozed and ate loads of tasty food for 48 hours.  (You'd probably rather read about what I got up to in London than about what I haven't been eating?  Tough luck, but I will try to blog about it some time.  Maybe.)  Surely that shouldn't be enough to undo a whole month's work?!  Whatevs...

Anyway, in the absence of anything interesting to say, here's a nice song I heard on the radio this afternoon.  Enjoy.

*A little nudge for any Adam and the Ants fans out there, as well as a hilarious pun :)

say hello, wave goodbye

Did you hear that Claire of the Bellwether (and formerly of Miso Funky) is retiring again and this time I think she really means it!  She's been having loads of special offers (and even some giveaways) this month and today she's giving you the chance to browse her virtual aisles (ooh-err, missus!), fill your basket and make her an offer.  Plenty of bargains to be had, I'm sure, plus a beautiful range of independently designed and made goodies to choose from.  Kind of like Supermarket Sweep only much, much better and a bit less suntanned.

 

Claire supported me loads when I was an active crafter, encouraging me to try my hand at markets, selling my wares on her well-established website and always offering advice when I needed it, so hopefully someone reading this will help me return the favour by making her an offer she can't refuse.

  This link will be live from 9am today (Wednesday) and should take you right to her.  Go, go, go!

been sewing

I've overcome my fear of sewing with stretch fabric and have discovered a new addiction in the process!  I made these sweet baby leggings and matching hats for my friend's new daughter.  After two weeks in limbo (and me thinking they were lost somewhere between here and Denmark - waaaaah!) they have finally reached their intended recipient.  Dulcie wants the far-left pair made in her size, so that's the next challenge.  Then perhaps hot pants for myself?!  Look out, world...

I'm very excited The Great British Sewing Bee is back on our screens, though I've yet to catch up with the first episode.  I very nearly applied this year (in a why-the-heck-not moment) but was away during filming dates, so didn't.  Hopefully they do another series after this and I can attach a photo of me in my hot pants baby hats and leggings to my application.

Should you be interested, I used a couple of free patterns to make these.  Leggings here and hats here.  And sewing with stretchy fabric wasn't nearly as scary/tricky as I thought, so you should give it a go if you're tempted.

love love love

Last night Graham and I went to see Rozi Plain playing at Mono.  I nearly didn't go, feeling tired and grumpy and demotivated, but am so glad that I did.  Wow!  She was just so good - so, so good - and we had a lovely evening, drinking some beer and basking in the beautiful sounds.  And we got a seat!  Sitting down at a gig is my dream scenario :)

This cover of a Shirley Collins song was new to me.  Beautiful.  I've always been more of a fan of Rozi's upbeat songs, but it was the slower numbers that really struck me when she sang live, especially Red Dot, which she sang as an encore, all on her own on stage, just her voice and her guitar making something so incredible to hear.  I'm feeling all inspired to create...something (?) now.

Her support band, Yama Warashi, were really fun too.  Well, I thought so anyway - they kind of divided our party of two!  Rozi Plain sang backing vocals for them and then they came back on stage as the band for Rozi, which gave the evening such a lovely, friendly feel.

What a good night, just what I needed to spark my soul back into action.