Monday 29 April 2013

What a way to spend my bloggiversary.


GIVEAWAY CLOSED. NO MORE ENTRIES NOW. LET THE DRAW COMMENCE


Rather later in the day than planned, I am here to mark the fifth(not fourth as I initially reported) anniversary of my blog.
I can't believe that five years have passed since I first tiptoed into this part of cyberspace from the pages of Flickr.
I predicted my blog would last 4 years before I filled up allowance of space, but it seems to be going on. 
I've made some lovely friends and was very good at reading blogs for at least three years but lately its all got too much. 
I'm grateful to everyone who reads and comments still.
Anyhow lets get on to the customary giveaway to celebrate. Two brooches.




Comment below and add the word pink or green (for obvious reasons) and you can go into the draw for one of these brooches. I will choose one from each colour.
The giveaway will be closed on Thursday afternoon.

Hope you like them.

Today I have mostly been ironing.
You know what its like....the ironing basket gets filled up and every time you iron you leave a bit behind. Well today I was determined to iron everything. 
HUGE Damask  tablecloth; Egyptian cotton sheets; small embroidered table covers. And this is where it got a bit weird.I was ironing this familiar object when I suddenly spotted......


is it 'the scream' in cutwork? 
The leaf at the other end has only one hole.
And suddenly all the motifs took on lives of their own. 

Look at this cute little bear popping out of a box in the middle of a flower. 
Or is it just me?


When I'd finished the ironing I promised myself I'd clean the bedroom, (such fun!) change the bed, put away all the clothes, dust and hoover. ...er....Dyson.

But the drive belt had snapped on the dyson. No problem according to Sam from Unifit: watch with what ease he removes the sole plate. I'm with him there. Removing the old belt..easy ours had snapped; removing the brush roll...yes I managed that but then...if you look carefully you can see that Sam from Unifit grimaces...grits his teeth, his arm trembles  but still asserts 'Thats how easy it is'. At least  Matt from espares  has the good grace to admit its a 'little tricky. '

Hetty and Jules are as baffled as I am.

After an hour and a half with the aid of a knife and the handle of a washing up brush I conceded. 
You need long fingers like ET and biceps like Arnie (Schwarzenegger) to stretch the rubber band whilst niftily hooking it round the spindle of the motor.
My husband came home and we fixed it together but I have to admit..its twisted.
Never mind ..it works. I will ignore the heat and the slight smell of hot rubber.



Its taken me a few days to recover from my wedding flower escapades at the weekend.
A young woman who I used to teach asked me ages ago to do her wedding flowers. She wanted mainly 'gyp'. In her original email she asked me to do pew ends.
I did buttonholes.
I did bigger 'ladies' buttonholes
I did corsages for the mothers
I did a wrist corsage for the bridesmaid.
I did the bouquet.
I did an arrangement on the altar
and several bunches in jam jars for the top table at the reception
BUT I COMPLETELY FORGOT THE PEW ENDS.

 I discovered this omission on Friday afternoon so after a sleepless night  I made an early saturday morning trip to the wholesalers 25 miles away for some more 'gyp' and managed to tie 10 little bunches to the ends of the pews. Just in time.


It looked very pretty but I was so embarrassed that I'd just not taken it on board that I had to do them in the first place, and quite worrying.
I slept for the rest of the afternoon.

 Hetty news. She's had a drastic haircut. She's not happy. When we were protecting the flowers from wilting by not putting on the heating, she was sitting shivering so we had to put her coat on.

But I like how we can see her eyes now. 

(Just a note...I have just found a whole lot of comments in my spam folder. I don't know why or how but I am sorry if I haven't replied, They all had addresses as 'no reply' . If you would like a direct reply  you have to comment with a google account id.)

93 comments:

Robin Mac said...

What a post this has been. Ironing will never be the same again, you will always be looking for faces! The saga of the Dyson left me giggling, but I am glad you have managed to fix it. I hope the bride really appreciated your efforts with the flowers - the pew ends looked lovely. Poor Hetty looks so sweet. Oh and congrats on four years of blogging - I like the green best. Cheers

jill said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
jill said...

Happy anniversary, doesn't time fly when you're enjoying yourself! I'd normally say green but really like the pink... so pink if I'm lucky please.

Jean said...

I love that pink one :) We had a dyson - I hated it because it was always getting blocked, by such unlikely things as a pine needle... and if the roller got stuck the belt would melt through in no time at all. Now I have a Miele, so much easier. Congrats on 4 years' of blog!

Gina said...

Happy blog anniversary. I can't believe it has only been four years. I feel I've "known" you much longer than that. Mmmm... pink I think!

jinxxxygirl said...

Well i don't think i have been following you for quite 4 years BUT it has been so nice to get to know you...I just LOVE your brooches so you KNOW I want in on your Giveaway! I love both colors but if you twist my arm and make me choose I'll pick pink.....no green....pinkkk....OMGosh you pick!

I would love to have a Dyson but they are too rich for my blood...lol...maybe one day...Other than this belt problem..do you love it??Is it worth the $$

Just love seeing pictures of Hetty! Which reminds me i haven't taken a pic of Jinxy Boy in a while he might be feeling neglected...:) Hugs! deb

crazydazy said...

Happy 4th anniversary.....the pew ends look amazing.......oh yes.......pink..........im keeping my fingers crossed, ali

Erin Fish said...

Happy Anniversary! Congratulations! Wow ... time certainly does fly! What fabulous and generous give aways. I love them both - but would love the green one if I'm chosen. Thank you!

Linda Vincent said...

Loved reading all this Jacky....love the gyp.....and the little ghost.....and the gorgeous super-smart Hetty. Your hearts are lush....I love both but will say green :-)
And congrats!!!
XX

Jane Perala said...

Love your brooches! Happy anniversary! The green one is my favourite please.
Hetty looks like my "Jack" when has had a hair cut. My neice does it for me, and gives him a "country cut" - aka short without the skirt. We have lots of scrubby areas on our property that catch in his coat. Forgive my rambling on here - lol.

Yvonne Moxon said...

I was sure I have been following you longer than 4 yrs! the church flowers are beautiful Jackie you did a great job but I can imagine the stress you put yourself under over it all, Id be the same :)
Those brooches are beautiful especially the green I love the way your dyed velvet looks happy blogversary!!

Linda Vincent said...

*Jackie*!!
Gee....I should know by now :-/
Just been reading Jacky's blog in Australia.
Soz x

Anonymous said...

My sister's dog loves getting a haircut...that is not the haircut itself, but how she feels afterward. I love both brooches, but put me in the pink draw, please!
And congratulations on 4 years.

Unknown said...

WOW and WOW again, whata' whirlwind time you've had of it!!!!!!!!! Anxiously awaiting the arrival of my treasures but would sooooooooooooo love to add the green beauty to my bounty................. keep doin' what you do, great job all around!!!!!!!!!!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Well, I must admit that finding images during an ironing project is pretty fun...makes mindlessness a little more bearable. Congrats on four years of blogging fun. And poor Hetty needs a special bit of lovin' for all the trauma - please give her some from me.

Penny said...

Love this blog entry, so many adventures, even in the ironing basket! Love Hetty's new hair cut. I am torn, red or green? both favorite colours, perhaps red, but then...
Happy blog anniversary.

Beacee said...

Congratulations on four years!
You have my sympathy where Dyson belts are concerned. Ours seems determined to come off every three minutes, which means Chris has to have an afternoon free before I can vacuum - that's my excuse anyway. You might enjoy the ditty Chris wrote a few years ago - I'm sure the tune will suggest itself.

Oh Mr Dyson, what can I do?
I wanted to suck up cat hairs
But I sucked the cat up too!
Where's my carpet sweeper?
Where's my brush and pan?
You can tell the blooming Dyson
Was invented by a man!

Not a problem you have with young Hetty though - she looks very grown up now.

Barbara x

Susan D said...

Happy Blogversary. Glad it's not just me that sees faces in things. Hetty does look unhappy but I'm sure she'll forgive you. Both brooches are nice, hmm decisions, decisions .... green please.

Cathy Hetzel said...

Love your beautiful brooches....but have to say "Pink" is my favourite.....well done on blogging for 4 yrs.....

Vicki said...

Happy fifth bloggiversary Jackie! Wow, and I haven't even made one year yet.
Oh my! You've been very busy. The church pews look simply lovely - just as gyp should look, simple, to complement it's pretty, airy lightness. Great job.
I too "see" faces in such things as the tracery of branches and leaves in trees, patterns on material, shadows on the wall thrown by lacy curtains and knot-holes in wood. Love your embroidery faces :)
Sweet Hetty, summer clipped or winter coat, she is adorable!

Oh, and by the way, I would LOVE to be seen in your pretty aqua GREEN :)

Mary Ann Tate said...

Happy Blogoversary!!!!! I think Hettie looks adorable with her new haircut:)

If I'm lucky enough to win I'd like green please.

Jane said...

I LOVE the pink heart!

I have a dyson too, and have had very little trouble with it... DH always threatens to buy another one for each floor.

Jane

Unknown said...

Jackie, love your Facebook page but your blogs are best. You are always so busy and entertaining. Pink one please if I'm lucky.

Peggy said...

Your blog makes me feel right at home! We have a schnauzer that looks just like your Hetty. I would love your red heart! It goes perfectly with the green one I bought from you in February!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your anniversary...green for me.

Irene

Наталия Балабанчук said...

Wow! 5 years - it's incredible! Congratulations!
I read your blog a lot, though leave no comments, but everything what I see in your blog inspires me and takes my breath away! Thank you a lot!!!
I love the green one more, though both brooches are lovely and very artistic))
Natasha

Unknown said...

Happy Anniversary! Well since you've gone a whole year past your initial 4 year prediction, how long d'you s'pose you'll carry on now?
Hopefully forever - I do love seeing what you do!
Please put me in for green, though the pink is just as gorgeous!!!

Jane S. said...

Happy anniversary! Thank you for the lovely giveaway, I'd go with the green as the colors just glow. :)

I'm so glad that vacuum troubles happen to other people besides me! If I could manage without a vacuum I would but we have hairy pets.

Unknown said...

Congratulations on the aniversary,i love seeing all the beautiful things you make. Would love to win the green one (the pink is beautiful too).
looking forwardto the next 5 years.

jeanne said...

Happy fifth anniversary Jackie. I like reading your blog and looking at your amazing work. The ironing tale made me laugh... My ironing basket is never empty, trouble is, it is placed in my hobby room and after a few ironed items, my attention wanders to more interesting things.. Ha ha..
Green, if I am lucky.... And heres to the next 5 years of your blog.

Delia said...

This is my first visit to your blog and I wish I'd been before - I shall wander through the past posts later. I absolutely love the Faces in the Cutwork: I see them everywhere, too! If you think such a new arrival deserves to enter the draw, then green it is, please!

Theresa Evans said...

Happy pink or green blog anniversary!! The wedding photo is lovely x All your work always looks so classy but arty at the same time :) The thing we recently discovered about Dyson is that they'll replace your vacc if they can't repair it! Unfortunately he could ...lol

Gilly Tee said...

Happy blogversary. Love the embroidery and no it's not just you. Green for me please.
Gillx

Clare Hamilton Sneddon said...

Well five years on-you have gained a new follower.I love your work and look forward to hearing abt your adventures and makes.
I would love your green heart.
Clare x

Amanda said...

Happy Blogaversary Jackie!! I enjoy reading your posts very much and I don't think you have to over blog, just a lovely line now and then to keep in touch.

The two brooches are lovely, I really would struggle to choose so could you put my name in either please. If I won it would be worn with pride whatever the colour.

And vacuum cleaners... not my department. 100% a HIS thing, including the using of! lol

Hetty is as cute as ever. Woofs to her from my three.

RedfinAndBoo said...

Ooh those hearts are lovely! If I'm lucky enough.. green please! Happy Blogiversary!

misha said...

Dear Jackie, I've admired your creations ever since I saw them, which is why I was so happy to see a piece on your work in the recent issue of FUN, well done!!! I hope your blogging adventure will go one. Many happy days blogging and creating from Ireland wishes Misha :) and a little rhyme at the end: green or pink, let me think, well both would make me happy :)

Heather said...

Simple tasks involving household equipment are usually almost impossible - it's just a sales pitch! I feel quite tired after all that ironing (love the faces) and floristry. No wonder you forgot the pew ends. The church looked lovely - no doubt the bridal party did too.

Unknown said...

Happy 5th anniversary. Love the brooches and you are almost making me think I might tackle my ironing Everest.

Thanks for the opportunity to win a brooch, and I'd love the green one if I happened to be so lucky.

Carol Rigby said...

Happy Anniverary Jackie. I have always admired your brooches and would love to be in with a chance to win one. They are both beautiful but the green is my favourite.

Plum Cox said...

Crikey - what a week you've had! Flowers look beautiful - well done for providing over and above what you'd been asked to do! Happy bloggiversary! If I was lucky enough to win a brooch I'd find it hard to choose between the colours. On balance, probably pink.... I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Erica said...

Well done on getting to your fifth bloggiversary. Poor Hetty - she looks so waif like! And poor you struggling with the Dyson. Friends of mine have one too. I really don't like it. When I house sit for them, I take my ancient (bought in 1993)but great little Phillips. Jackie, I love your work (floristry included), your courage, your ethics and your creative spirit. Kia kaha from NZ.
P.S. I love them both...but as I have to choose one, it has to be the pink heart.

Katerina said...

Thank goodness for someone else who sees faces everywhere !! And what a lovely offer - GREEN please - thank you and keep on blogging!

Rachel said...

I'm glad you found something in the ironing to entertain yourself with, otherwise it can rather seem as though it is going on for ever!

Green for me, please, if it's me - one of those shades looks just like the stone in my engagement ring!

Anne Essex said...

Congratulations on blogging for five years.

It's hard to choose but I think PINK is my favourite. x

Marsha said...

Four years of blogging, so appreciated, love listening in on your artistic endeavours and sharings of your days. If I must chose which is a favorite it would be green but I truly am partial to both :)

Gretz said...

Oh they are both so beautiful! Pink for me! Cant wait for my other two to arrive!
Happy Blogversary!

Miriam Weaver said...

I dont know how I found your blog Jackie but I'm so glad I did. I suppose it must be five years ago, Betsy is glad I found you too especially when she's wearing her Hetty coat on those cold morning walks!
The Dyson story is funny well not for you, I don't think I would have even attempted to try and change the belt on my own, your so brave ;-)
It's not just you I could see the scream and the bear in your cloth, ironing will never be the same again.
Hetty looks very relaxed with her new look, love the way she has her arm resting on the arm of the sofa.
Oh yes! nearly forgot if I'm lucky Pink please, and congratulations on your Five Years of blogging. x

Twiglet said...

Well done on the flowers they look so pretty. I love the brooches and think I might prefer green but I really like them both!! x Jo

Gill said...

Happy blogiversary!
The ironing story rang a bell since I haven't found the bottom of mine in years!
Green please!

Monika Schmid said...

Happy 5th Blogiversary!! I am no fan of Dysons... when I had to use one it was like wrestling a carpet snake... Miele are excellent if a little heavy :-) I _LOVE_ the GREEN heart!! Your work is amazing!!!

Unknown said...

Happy anniversary! My puppy needs a haircut badly; she will not let me :)

All of your work is amazing. I love the green :)

RoseMary said...

Your work is always wonderful to look at, But I love Green. I smile ever every time I see your work.

Y-Knot said...

Happy blogaversity......whenever I see an example of your work, either in pink or green, I smile and think nice thoughts and want to sit down with my computer and create little hearts using GIMP.....

~*~Patty S said...

Hello ~ I am visiting from your Facebook page where I have admired your creativity again and again!
Your post is not only full of eye candy but very entertaining too...
Congratulations on five years of blogging ... thank you so very much for the chance to be a lucky winner of one of your gorgeous hearts ...
both are exquisite ...
green would be my first choice ...
Brightest of Blessings to you and yours
oxo

FishyKissKnits said...

Got my first brooch - love it. Would adore having the pink one.

Happy Anniversary.

Lindsay Satchell said...

I love following your work and your blog. Congrats on continued success and creativity! You inspire more folks than you know.
I proudly wear your brooch on my winter coat... perhaps a lovely green one could adorn a spring coat? ;-)
All the best to you!! Cheers!

Clare Wassermann said...

What a fun post - you've cheered me up after a days hard slog at the chalk, err whiteboard face!
I love the green brooch particularly.
Congratulations on the bloggiversary and let's hope for all our sakes that there will be many more years ahead. Thank you for everything so far.x .

anne said...

Jackie I love your work. The work that hangs in my home makes me delight every day. Even sad days like today when I have to take my nearly 16 year old orange tabby to the vet for the last time. If you don't give it away are you going to list the red heart on etsy?


Congrats on your anniversary. anne

June Rose said...

Congratulations from me too. I would love to win pink!

Unknown said...

Congrats on your 5th! The pews look lovely as do your brooches esp the green one - should I be lucky enough.

Wendy said...

I get funny looks when I 'see' faces and stuff in inanimate objects. I am glad I am not alone any more ;)
I am impressed that you have time to iron, not something I take seriously...
Green or pink, both are delicious

Lesley said...

I often read your blog but don't comment, but I can see the scream and the bear in the tablecloth so you are not along with that. My dyson is new so i am hoping the belt does not go for a fair while. Both brooches are lovely and i would be delighted to receive either.
Happy blogoversay

Lesley said...

I often read your blog but don't comment, but I can see the scream and the bear in the tablecloth so you are not along with that. My dyson is new so i am hoping the belt does not go for a fair while. Both brooches are lovely and i would be delighted to receive either.
Happy blogoversay

mellifermoore said...

What a talented lady you are, and so busy, reading about all your activities makes me want to lie down... Happy 5th bloggiversary! Having recently acquired one of your beautiful green/blue hearts I would like to go into the pink draw, please. Here's to the next 5 years. :D

Maggi said...

I have to confess that if my Dyson ends up like that I will have to show it the door. Hetty looks sweet and I'm sure she'll appreciate it as the temperatures continue to rise.

Joy said...

Well done on 4 years of blogging. Green please.


Raggedy Angels said...

Congratulations on your anniversary, and many thanks for showing us your beautiful work and keeping us entertained. Hettie is as delightful as your brooches. And if luck is smiling on me, green please.
Sharon

Unknown said...

Well done!
If I'm a lucky winner I'd like the PINK brooch please.

Daisie said...

It's not just you! Until you mentioned 'The Scream' I was thinking it looked like a possessed carrot!!

And pink please x

Jilly said...

Well done on 4 years of blogging, I think I found you a couple of years ago and enjoy reading your blog. If I'm lucky enough to win I would love the pink one - but its a close call!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your 4 years, I wish I had found you earlier. I hope my blog is still going (and has readers!) after that long. I have a friend who has just discovered your blog and it would make her day to have a green one!

Christine Kiehl said...

Whew...I thought from first glance at your title today that it was going to be more of a sad rather than Happy post! I'm so glad that you are surpassing the time that you thought you'd have fans here!! Love your work and look forward to your future posts!Happy Bday!

Bea said...

Happy blogiversary Jackie. your msuings always brighten me up. both your brooches are equally stunning but I have to say I prefer green!

Anna said...

Happy blogging birthday! I see you have a large number of comments, obviously many people want a brooch! My choice would be pink. Well done for the wedding flowers, I think the pew ends are delightful. Impressed by your ironing and Hetty looks very smart!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on 5 years of blogging. That's a lovely accomplishment - think of all the pleasure you have provided to your followers. I clearly saw the faces in the cut-work too. Yep. It was The Scream. :-)

All of your brooches are lovely - I would be delighted to have any of them but have to say the shading on the green is superb. Thank you for the chance!

vintagerockchick said...

Happy Blogiversary Jackie, but I think you should steer clear of those hallucinogenic substances before doing the ironing. Although on second thoughts......
Well done with the Dyson, but I gave up on mine and I'm now a Miele girl.
I too, have used espares, and that's the subject of a future post!
In the unlikely event I'm lucky, although I'm usually a 'pink', on this occasion I'm really taken with the beautiful green xx

Carol said...

Hi Jackie,
I can't beleive you've been blogging for 5 years!!! I love your hearts... pink is my favorite! Mom-in-law went on a week's vacation to visit her sister in Florida and wound up in the hospital and had to have 2 minor procedures and a surgery... things went from bad to worse down there... I flew down for a week to take care of her in the hospital, got her out of there and home to MA, and then she came to Maine for a little more than a week. She's home and doing well.
I showed her your blog and all your stitching designs when she was here... She loved them all! She's pleasantly surprised we still keep in touch!

Peaceful Parallel said...

Lol, I see faces all the time :) Green please Bethx

Alphadux said...

I love the 'pink' one :-)
I really enjoy looking at your work on-line and would be delighted to win this brooch :-)

Colette said...

Happy anniversary. The flowers looked lovely. I think the green one is pretty and would match my jacket.

shoune said...

Bravo pour vos 5 ans!
Beaucoup d'admiration pour votre créativité!
J'aime vos broches, elles sont magnifiques!
Denise Blais (Québec)

Wendy said...

I know that feeling with the ironing, I tend to leave it until the pile falls over, then it takes me hours and hours and hours...

I'll send my mister over to fix your Dyson belt, he did ours in a couple of minutes! he does have his uses...

As for the blogeversary and giveaway, congrats on 5 years of blogging and thanks for the chance to win one of your wonderful pieces of art. I'd be happy with either as they are both so beautiful I can't bring myself to chose!

Greedy Nan said...

Hello. Happy anniversary! I'd like to be put in your giveaway draw please [pink - or failing that for Hetty!].

Valerie said...

I love your blog. don't ever stop. You are as talented with flowers as you are with felt!

Have you visited municipal rubbish tips? You see more Dysons lined up than any other machines- or so it seems to me. (Maybe they just sell more machines than anyone else.)

Jo Campbell said...

Lovely brooches, I would normally choose green out of those two colours but as soon as I saw the pic the pink one captured my heart. And I saw a ghost in your ironing :-)

karen said...

Love your work and the green brooch!

Pam said...

Wow, look at all these comments Jackie!
Many happies for your 5th, and you know I can relate to the thing about "all too much"! I'm still in that space myself! If not for subscribing to posts of fav blogs in emails, I probably wouldn't get out to many of them at the mo. Just wish I could work out how to fix myself in this regard! :) hmmmmmm.....
Your two hearts are gorgeous colours and I love them both way much and can't choose! If it's not too late and my name is drawn, I'll have which ever the other peep doesn't want! :) I would love one of your hearts to make a set with the leaf I bought, and every time I visit your etsy shop the colours I see, though so lovely, don't sing to me like these two do. Such a generous giveaway indeed Jackie.
I've got doilies and tablecloths of that sort and I'll have to go have a look at them now and see if there are any lives in mine! Not just you, no.....I often see things in patterns all over the place. :)
Hetty is so very sweet, long haired or shorn. ;-))) ♥

apologies for the long rant!

Betty (Elizabeth) said...

Wow! Congratulations on 4 years. I love your use of colours .... I always feel inspired and happy when I see your work. :) Green is my favourite colour. Thanks for sharing your talent.

Karen Hurrell said...

Congratulations on fixing your Dyson and your five years of blogging.

Love the green brooch.

raveloe said...

Green, pink, they are both beautiful! I would be happy with the one that is NOT the color the other winner chooses! Happy Anniversary, and thank you for your postings...seeing that bit of color ( usually in the afternoon before i leave work) sets my fingers atwitching to get home and work on my own little felt ditties....thank you for the inspiration! XxooL.

FeltersJourney said...

Great post! Sorry to of missed the giveaway.. those brooches are real beauties. A belated happy blog-iversary to you!
I bet you are still shattered from all that flower arranging! And the last minute dash must of been a nightmare.. the pew ends do look pretty and I can imagine how beautiful the rest must of been (I love gyp.. wish I'd been brave enough to insist that was my flowers when we got married, I was told not to be silly, and at 20 I gave in).
Poor Hetty.. our Amber recently had the same haircut and had to wear her little fleecy coat for bed and the coldest days too.
xx

Suztats said...

I'm late! oh, well.
Happy Blogaversary! lovely brooches, too.



Mo
st of my pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Dear Anonymous.....

....don't waste your time...I have a spam filter.