Sticky fingers

Here's the second of the little 8 inches x 6 inches plyboards, I am aiming to decorate. Trying to think of ideas, trying not to use glue, but I have to confess I did with this one. After varnishing I wrapped thin wire around the board, three verticals and three horizontals. I didn't measure the distances apart, just guessed. This made a grid, then I secured the wire to the board at the junctions where they crossed. 

I looked through my cotton fabric stash and chose a mix of patterns and colours, and cut them into postage stamp sizes to fit squarely within the grid. The first plan was to sew them to the wire, but then I realised that the four corners would only be fastened on two sides, and the outside ones on three sides. That was not going to work. Solution, glue.

I used Hi Tack School Glue. It comes in a small plastic bottle with a narrow nozzle, to put the glue exactly where you want it. It's a bit like PVA glue. Spread it on both surfaces and press down. Work from the centre easing out the air bubbles around the edge. Wipe excess glue off with my fingers.

Fastening the wires at the back.

I think I might add those silver buttony things in each corner so that it matches the slate one. Also I've put pink wire for hanging, think it should be silver, not coloured.

Now starting the third board, I'm going for buttons this time. I have eight boards altogether, if I can think of enough ideas to decorate them. Now there's a challenge. Toodle pip. ilona

Cutest ever.

This has just come up on my Twitter. Amazing.



ilona

The village comes out to play

It was busy at the Bowls Club this morning, they had a coffee and cake event, with a chance to have a go at bowls if you haven't tried before. I chucked a few balls around two years ago so didn't bother this time. It's not really my thing, too slow, and my balls went all over the place. 

It was £1 at the gate to get in.

The new club house is just perfect, all modern facilities, a big improvement on the tumble down old shed they used to occupy. Coffee and biscuits included in the entrance fee. Cakes for sale on the W I stall if you so wished.

A marque was set up outside for the tombola. Lots of prizes to win.

 Quite a few people took advantage of the 'give it a try' offer.

A target was set up on the grass so the youngsters could have a go. 

Whooopeeeee, I won a prize. A bottle of red wine.

After it closed at 12 o clock, I did a litter picking circuit of the playing field. Toodle pip.  ilona

Jiggered.

I'm wilting. I delivered 450 news letters today. Most of them today, I made a start last night and had to stop when a thunderstorm gave everything a good soaking. Not me thank goodness, I made it back to the car just as the enormous droplets started to fall.

I finished them today. It was hot but I kept going. It had to be done because there was information inside about an event which takes place this weekend.

Opened a can of cider when I got home. Had had to have a lie down on the sofa. I don't think I need to do my walk tonight, already done five hours going up and down garden paths.

Highlight of the day was a little girl getting some instruction on how to use a white cane to help her walk about in the street. Two ladies guiding her, one I think was her mother, the other offering words of encouragement to keep her in a straight line. A lovely sight to see. She must have been about seven or eight. I felt sad that the little girl could not see all the colours of the flowers in the gardens. I am so lucky to have my sight.

Dinner out of the fridge tonight, can't be bothered to cook.
Toodle pip.  ilona

My knight in shining armour

I've had a man at my house this morning. Meet my friendly local RAC man. I moved the car to the centre of the drive yesterday, to wash it. It needed it. I am embarrassed to say I don't wash my car very often, and I am not going to pay anyone else to do it.

When I went to it at 7pm to go to a WI meeting, I am the speaker, it would not start. Oh bother. Get on the phone, ring a friend for a lift, not in. Go up the road to ask another friend, not in. Go across the road to ask another friend, not in. Ring another friend, help can you come. Friend dropped everything and came out to help. He transported me and my props to the venue, a Village Hall three miles away. 

I did the talk, big success, lots of giggles. Asked if someone could give me a lift home. Thank you to June who went out of her way to deposit me at my front door. 

This morning I did my normal three mile walk at 9am, I now have a friend who comes with me. I was almost home when our local RAC man came down the street in his van, with his big dog in the passenger seat, taking it for a walk. He doesn't walk it from the house he drives to a country lane so the dog can run free. 

I flagged him down and told him of my dilemma, a car that wouldn't start. I knew he wouldn't be able to do anything because he can only take work as directed by his office, but I thought I would mention it anyway, because he is a friend. 

I rang the help line and reported the breakdown, and was told someone would be there within the hour. I thought it would be daft to bring someone from miles away when there is a man and van who lives in my village, but there you go, rules are rules. 

I had to laugh when my friend turned up, he had walked his dog, dropped it off at home and come straight round to me.  

I suspected it might be the battery, and it was. Get the computer out, diagnostic check all round.

My friend the RAC man said I have a good car, it's worth keeping. Everything in good order, except the battery. How lucky that he brought a new one with him.

So much easier to get assistance at home. My policy cost me £68 a year. I used to pay the RAC direct, but now I get it through an insurance broker, it's a lot cheaper.

Mobile again, and the car is clean. Think I might go out tomorrow. Toodle pip.  ilona