Olympic gem

This little gem is something I meant to post before, but what with the advent of the paralympics, an appropriately themed tune seems appropriate right now - this is by a chap called Dave Pop, Ivan (Mr Bicknell) went to uni with him (Fine art at Coventry) back in the day - I am sure that you will agree - it shouldn't be missed! Go team GB (especially Livvy Breen)!

And well, you have to immortalise that Bond moment...

Pre Cornish capers...

So way behind again - totally rubbish, I know  - time has positively flown by this "summer", it has been very productive though, so I can't complain, although I would happily take another couple of months off given the opportunity! I have now painted and tidied my way through pretty much the whole house and it looks good (even if I do say so myself!), my motivation being that once Baby Bicknell arrives, my time will no longer be my own! I have left this particular room for now - saving the best till last of course, this and the fact that we have no idea if we will be matched with a boy or a girl - I cannot wait to make this room, I really can't...... I am also now at the point that I am so ready to be a Mum it is consuming me whole!

So this post is a boring catch up - pre our Cornish capers - A rather good holiday - even if it was in a tent and where you had to pay 20p for a shower and listen to a northern teenager have a cow about the fact that her head and shoulders wasn't 2 in 1, err, not that there is anything wrong with being either a teenager or northern of course....

Right, so prepare to be dazzled (not). 

Back to 6 years of Bicknell bliss - my lovely Mum gave us these - they smelt amazing - ta Mum!

Ivan (Mr Bicknell) didn't go without either - he got this mighty fine jar of Randoms! 6 years is sugar apparently!

The hall got painted and a new print was made to fill a space previously inhabited by one which no longer "went"

3 new cushion covers were printed to replace the ones I sold in Petersfield.

I got religion...

St Leonards is our local church - I'm afraid I haven't got religion - I'm afraid that in fact, on the whole, I actually don't get it at all, but my neighbour had promised to do the church flowers (there is a village rota - I don't get asked any more as I never remember) - and rang in a panic on her way on holiday asking if I could bail her out - would have been rude to say no! Here is my attempt.......

I printed more teal towels...

Cornish capers to follow!

Making, selling, enjoying

It has been very exciting watching the Olympics hasn't it? What it must have been like to have been there let alone to compete, I can only imagine,  spine tingling without a doubt probably- and this is how it should be, people stepping up and showing the world how exhilarating it is to get on and have a go - life is for grabbing and enjoying, stretching and challenging ourselves and not for sitting around just talking about what we could do if we were so minded, blimey, it's short enough already isn't it?  In this instance, I know I have said it before - but, WOW, not bad for the tiny island that is ours, how proud I am to be British right now! I am now waiting in gleeful anticipation for the Paralympics, I teach a lovely girl who is, it would seem, a pretty amazing sprinter,  her name is Olivia Breen and she is going to be competing this year. In addition to this she is also the youngest member of our team. I am so excited for her, she is also excited - more excited than I have ever seen anyone! Look out for her and keep everything crossed, she is truly delightful and it is so heart warming to see one of our students enjoying such an incredible chapter of their life! Her mother mailed me to apologise for the fact that she was behind with her textiles work - sod that I said, tell her to run faster! Good luck Livvy! 

Thanks to the wonderful Peter Charles, Alton also has its very own golden post box - I love the fact that this little token of celebration has emerged - so very British! Of course, I was straight out with my camera as soon as I found out where it was!

Peter Charles - great clear round!

Here are a few of  my favourite moments of 2012...

This is how to celebrate in style!

I know that this is a bit wibbly in origin - but I just love it!

Brilliant!

My brother could have given these two a run for their money!!! Go Mo!!!


So I continue to make and decorate, as well as force myself to keep my fitness up for Nepal which is going to quickly be upon us - oh God I hate body attack!

Canvases, paper bunting and lampshades - the cat, you will notice, still hasn't moved...

Except when it's dinner time!

paper bunting

lamp shades - a new venture and so easy to make- don't know if I can part with them though!

lamp shades - glamour shots - well the sunshine is so rare you have make the most of it!

New birds

New birds - their glamour shot!

New canvases - no glamour shots ....

New pile of lavender bags

The 12th August is our wedding anniversary - someone booked himself on some sort of boring mountain course thing (by accident apparently), so I was home alone (as usual), when these arrived though he was forgiven - the great thing is that it hadn't even crossed my mind that he would do this! 

It wouldn't be the holidays if a couple of dump purchases hadn't been made! These two beauties cost me £4 - watch this space.....

Sanded

and primed - more to come when the sun comes out!

I know I said that my bathroom would be boring -  but well, I couldn't resist!

I have also repainted our hall and the bedroom is next - but that really would be pushing it photographically!

Last weekend saw the first of a few craft markets to come - building up to Christmas - the sun shone, my Mum popped by for some well needed company and the punters rocked up - well, you couldn't exactly miss my stall.......!

Looks like a jumble sale you say? Well, how rude!!!

London baby

I continue to enjoy my summer break a great deal - ahhh, this is the life! Yeah, I can hear all of you non-teachers booing and hissing at me, but pah, teaching is hard and knackering and I deserve every second of my time off, so there! More booing I hear, oh well, never mind! So I continue to make - 3 lampshades and 4 birds down, along with lots of paper bunting - photos soon, honest - I was hoping for some sunny weather to get some outdoor shots - Ivan (Mr Bicknell) tells me that there will be sun at the end of the week - not sure I trust the met office - they said it wouldn't rain until after 4 yesterday, yet when walking next door's dog at 2.30 it bloody chucked it down and we got soaked - so I shall wait and see - I have two bargain stools from the dump (well all those trips had to have a positive) to do up too, so some warm weather would be most welcome! Since my last post we have been to the big smoke (Ivan [Mr Bicknell] returned from Italy in one piece) to catch up with family, slurp up a bit of culture and stay at the mad Muswell Hill house! It was nice to get out and about, I have to admit that I wasn't super keen to head up to London for fear of hellish tube trips and falling over Olympic hungry tourists, but the place was empty. The streets were clear, there were no pushy elbows at Tate, you could even get an evening cocktail without having to wait for an hour! I even shopped in a tranquil manner at one of my favourite shops (spending money I don't actually have), this is easy to do if it is opposite Standfords in Covent garden and you can loose the voice of reason there for half and hour!!! He didn't even notice the lovely ribbon-tied paper bag for quite a while, by which time I had installed him in our sushi bar of choice!

We wandered along the Southbank and took some cheesy tourist shots in front of the rings and saw the Munch at Tate which was incredible, such beautiful work which goes way beyond painting and much more deeply into the emotions experienced by the artist - go and see it, I know I always say this, but listen to me this time!

We have also met another family who have adopted from Ethiopia - Gorgeous little girl and lovely M & D - I am too excited now for words - did I mention that all our papers are ready for country now??? It is just a shame (although I am looking forward to it enormously) that we have to go to Nepal in October, as we will have to put the brakes on a bit, although talking things through at the weekend, it appears that court in Ethiopia is quite an ordeal, so not looking forward to that.... Maybe we will have  some good luck (please) since we had such a mare at panel?

Cos - the route of all evil

Kulu Kulu Covent Garden - don't be put off by how it looks, the food is amazing and the staff are cool - ever since Ned introduced us to their delights a few years ago we have been hooked - they also have places in Soho and South Ken.

I try to avoid E, but....

Even the chipped mugs for the self-service green tea make it all the more charming!

One of our faves

You gotta check out the street entertainment haven't you? We know how he does this - can you work it out?

Olympic sized rides on the Southbank - had Georgie from work been with us, she would have been on it like a shot - we were far too chicken - this is not a camera trick - have you seen how high this is????

Poetry on the bank 

Cheese in need of a haircut....

Just cheesey!

I missed this when I saw the Hirst - doh!

Tino Sehgal - such fun to watch and the chanting is impressive too!

Mr Munch

Great place - but the £60 for 3 cocktails and some wine was a shock....

Even though we didn't see any Olympic events, it doesn't mean that we aren't uber proud! Not bad for a tiny island!

The Olympic spirit is not lost on Worldham - these baby pheasants were running their own marathon on our lane when we came home - all 14 of them stopping us in our tracks!

Italian presents from the climber...

Errrr, nice racks!

Veggie update - hmmm, both my carrots and parsnips appear to be growing sideways.....

And finally - whoever it is that does the brilliant grating displays in town has come up with this wonderful addition! Is it possibly Olympic inspired?!