A day out at Patchings

Good morning Diary. I had a smashing day yesterday at Patchings Art, Craft, and Design Festival. It's on the outskirts of Nottingham a few miles from Arnold, on the north side. Angela came with me, we got there just after 11 and the car parks were filling up fast. There were about a dozen coaches as well, it looks like a popular event. I chose a midweek day because I thought the weekend would be even busier. We had plenty of room to visit all the stalls we were interested in, and the exhibitors had time to talk to us as we quizzed them for more information. 

We were given a programme and map when we went in so we could check on what we were most interested in. There is a full list of exhibitors so that will be useful for future reference. The site is set out with massive marquees, and a walk through the tarmac car park to the permanent arts and crafts buildings. 

Angela likes her gardening so the Bonsai exhibition drew her attention, I am also fascinated by the way the small bushes are trimmed and fashioned to look like miniature trees. 

Some of these are 40 - 60 years old. It has been a family business for a long time.

We sat and listened to his 40 minute presentation which has given Angela a desire to try it on one of her bushes when she gets home.

There were lots of different crafts to get a taste of, these fused glass pendants were lovely.

And so were these pictures on the same stall.

Plenty of room to walk around.

There is Angela getting all the info on repairing a chair.

I wandered around the corner while she was talking. Don't know what this is about but I liked the colours.

One stall caught my eye, Sarah Turner Eco Art and Design. She transforms rubbish, plastic bottles and cans, into unique creations. She had some lovely pieces on display, some good ideas for my future projects.

Katherine Mary Hill makes handmade cushions out of recycled fabrics. Her work made a fabulous display and she was very chatty. In fact all the exhibitors had time to chat to us.

Sue Hawkmoon was there with her wet and needle felting. She is local to me, I have done one of her courses. It was nice to see her again.

We spent a lot of time laughing, Angela is a lot of fun, not at all shy, and ready to dive into any situation. She asks lots of questions which made the day a lot of fun. Before we set off back we finished our packups. There were people camping on the edge of the grassy car park and we wished we had taken tents and done the same. The sun was still shining, it would have been good to crack a bottle of wine before retiring to a tent. We will know next time.

We stopped on the way back for something to eat because we didn't want to cook when we got home. The Green Tree pub had a carvery, I had the veggie carvery which is everything else except the meat.

Anyway, I must go now. Breakfast time, Bailey poodle to walk at 9, a few Parish Newsletters left to deliver, and I want to go to town this afternoon. There is a Grayson Perry exhibition on at the 20 21 Arts Centre. Always something to do. Toodle pip

We'll get along fine

Dear Diary. This is a new start. I like new starts because it means that things are constantly changing, being refreshed, and moving in different directions. Life does not stand still, yes that's me stating the bleeding obvious. No longer do I have to wrack my brains thinking about what would my readers like to read, now I just have to put down my jottings, what's inside my head. Space to do this has been created, time has been created. My life will become much simpler now that I don't have to worry about how my words will be received, will people like it, or not like it. As long as I like it that's all that matters. 

I do appreciate all the kind comments I have had over the years, I am chuffed that people have found some of the information useful. I don't know everything, I can only talk about how I deal with things, so if people want to stick with me, that's fine. I know my blog is read world wide, that is enough for me to know. I don't need to be told constantly about what a nice person I am, how kind I am, etc, in fact I feel a little embarrassed by it all. So, I am not pushing anyone aside, not blocking you from my life, I know you are there, that is enough.

Now I must get my breakfast and make a packup. My money saving continues, I take food from home when I go out.

Hey diary, this is me and you, but I have to warn you, we will be watched, eyes will be on us, but I think we're gonna get along fine.  xxx

keeping busy

Hello. You are all very kind, I am not going anywhere, the blog lives on. Now I am sad because England is out of the world cup, they lost tonight. Today I delivered Parish Newsletters, (400), it was hot again, and tomorrow I am going to Patchings Art, Craft, and Design Festival. Goodnight. See you soon. Toodle pip

Heart to heart

Hello. This post has been in my Draft box for a while, now is the time to get it out.

Hello. Trying to think of the right words to start this post. It's morning, the time when my brain is refreshed after a nights sleep, so let's crack on. I've been reading on several blogs, about the reasons why people write a blog, and the reasons why people stop writing a blog. I see mine as an online diary, it records what I do, usually on a day to day basis. I write it for me so I have a record of something to look back on when I am sat in an old folks home, that's if they let me have a computer in my room, ha ha. It may not come to that, I may stay in my own home bimbling around my village until the end, who knows.

I like the creative process in writing, always have done. I did well in school with English language, although you wouldn't thinks so now, when you see my grammatical errors. Sometimes my fingers don't keep up with my brain. But it's fun to bash out a few words on a keyboard.

I am happy that people find my blog interesting and entertaining. My sense of humour is always lurking in the background, and if it makes people chuckle then I am happy. I often laugh at myself, I see simple humour where others might not have noticed it.

I am fairly thick skinned, but sometimes my defenses are down, and I become saddened by what I see  and hear around me. I then have to detach myself from whatever it is that is upsetting me.  I alone are responsible for my own well being, no one else is.

I have touched on this topic before, so forgive me if I repeat myself , there is a reason for this post. Ok, I have always been a loner, I have always done my own thing, except for the teenage years when I wanted to be one of the gang. I grew out of that when I left home and got a flat. From then on I took full responsibility for myself. Life was good, but when I made mistakes it was my fault.

So, what's all this leading to. It's the responsibility thing I am struggling with, I never wanted to be responsible for other people. I entered relationships but when they became too clingy I was out. If friends became too demanding I backed off. I am no good at working in a team, driving a truck was where I was happy. I can socialize but only up to a point. When I am in a room full of people I will make small talk for a while, but I would much rather sit on the edge and watch, and then slip quietly  away unnoticed.

I started the Lady Truckers Club in 1986 and built it up from nothing to over 300 members. We met at Truck Shows, we had parties, I put in all the work, but got more pleasure in seeing other people make friends.

I started a singles club because I didn't know anyone in the area I had moved to. I organized nights out and made a few friends. Again, I did all the leg work and got pleasure from seeing others form friendships and relationships. My role was getting people together, I didn't need to be part of that gang.

So, where is this leading, and what's this got to do with blogging. I have been thinking about this for a while, and have come to the conclusion that there has to be changes. I have always said if you are in a place where you don't want to be then get out and move on. If you are doing something you don't want to do, then stop doing it.

This blog is going to revert back to being my online diary. It will not close, I will keep posting, but there will be no facility to accept comments. I have made a monster here and if I don't make changes now the monster is going to gobble me up. So this isn't goodbye, I will still be here. I won't be posting every day, I have to free myself of the shackles of the keyboard.

To the readers who have always supported me over the years I feel your love and appreciate you popping in each day. Please don't think I am casting you aside, but I don't need constant reminders from you about how much you like my blog and look forward to it. I already know it in my heart. I hope you will carry on reading, I will see your support through the page views in the stats. If you choose to leave then I understand.

I need to pull up the drawbridge, need to tidy up and make my blog into something more manageable. This is all about needs and wants, the direction I need to go in, and what I want from my life. I want more simplicity and less hassle. I need an outlet for my writing, but I don't need constant appraisal, constant questioning, constant scrutiny.

So what will happen next? At some point soon I will turn off the facility to accept comments of any kind. There will be slight changes in the content of my posts. Hello or Dear Reader will not be the starting point, it will be Dear Diary, because I will be talking to myself. You are welcome to read, you can leave if you want to. Walking Group members will still be able to check in on the 1st of every month. I want you to keep walking, it's important that you keep it up.

Thank you for popping in. I am going to be busy for the next couple of days. You have a chance to comment now, but it will be turned off. I have to do this for me. Goodbye, but not goodbye.
Lots of love xxx ilona

Now there's a thing.

Hello. I get a few phone calls on the landline from call centre's, they usually try and sell me something, or they are scammers. Every time one comes through and I can hear background chatter I know it's someone in a big office so I put the phone straight down. About two weeks ago I listened to the introduction and heard the word Santander. Oh, maybe I won't put the phone down, my house insurance is with Santander.

I was cautious because it could still be somebody who wants me to part with my money. A male Scottish accent asked if I had read the renewal proposal which they had sent in the post. It was still on my desk, so I said I have glanced at it but not read every word. He was checking that the details on it were the same, and asked if anything had changed. I said it looked alright, still being cautious.

He asked me if I had a mortgage on the property, or if it was owned by me. I answered, it's mine, I paid off the mortgage about five years ago. He said I can give you a discount, which is all very nice I thought, cheaper insurance, a little bonus for me, and I didn't have to ask for it. Every little helps.

I was still a bit suspicious, companies don't normally ring their customers and offer a discount without a catch. It was on my mind, so I went into the Santander office in town with my paperwork  and told them what happened, voiced my concerns that I might have been scammed. They had never known that before, so I went in an office with a very nice man and he agreed it was a bit strange. He got on the phone and  spoke to whoever in whichever department, and said it's ok, all above board, you will be getting a discount. Phew, sigh of relief.

No bank or payment details were talked about on that first phone call with the Scottish gent, he didn't ask me and I didn't tell him. But it was best to get it checked out just in case. So, an extra few quid for me to spend on whatever I fancy.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Dragging up the past.

Hello. I wasn't going to write a post tonight as I haven't got much to say, but I have just read a comment on someone else blog, having a go at me, which makes me bloody angry. Someone twisting an old story around to mean something else. This person recently sent a similar comment to me, and I deleted it.

Helen4:09 pmPeople turning up unnannounced (meanqueen's blog said she didn't want any at her house!!!) and now people wanting to make an appointment to visit, it's enough to make you want to move house and not tell anybody where you're going!

This refers to the time I called in to say hello to John in North Wales, I was on my way home after holidaying in Anglesey. Some people thought I was a bit rude to just turn up. I was passing the door and thought it would be a nice surprise. I am a friendly sort and so is John, I read his blog and he has on occasions made a comment on mine, so not completely strangers. I knocked the door, had ten minutes chat and met his dogs, then I was on my way.

I have mentioned in the past how I would rather people who read my blog do not know my address. It does come out sometimes when I am in the press, and I can't do anything about that, but on my blog I would rather not say. Any single female living alone is a target for all kinds of unsavoury characters to take advantage of the situation, and it is sensible to be vigilant about personal safety at all times.

Helen above, if that's her real name, seems to have a bee in her bonnet about me turning up at Johns, and then not wanting people to turn up at my place. She plucks something out of a past blog post, 24th May 2017,  and twists it around to suit her agenda, and that is to have a go at me. I call this trolling.

I will tell you what happened a few years ago. A complete stranger turned up at my front door, he showed me his mobile phone, there was my face on it, he said, it is you isn't it. Well what would you do in that situation, it is a bit unnerving. It turned out that he had been looking for me for four years after seeing me on a TV programme. He had phoned my Tesco store to ask if they had my address. He had looked at pictures of all the roofs in my area, trying to find one that matched mine, my house was in the TV programme. He had been back to my area four times in the last four years, looking at roofs, and looking for me, he lives 100 miles away in the North East. Why was he doing this? Because he thought we might have a lot in common and we might get on with each other. Basically he took a fancy to me.

I told him to go to the pub and I would have a drink with him. I rang my friend to meet me there, I wanted a witness. I took a photo of his car in the car park, a brand new BMW, and I listened to his story. I then told him that what he had done was stalking and was totally unacceptable, and if I ever saw him in my village again I would call the police. He looked a bit shocked that I was straight to the point. I never saw him or heard from him again. So now you can see why I have to be careful. Single females are targets.

So why is Helen saying that I don't want anyone at my house and people need to make an appointment to visit. It is not completely true, twisted lies. What I don't want are oddballs, and he was really creepy, you didn't see him Helen, I did, he was creepy and weird, turning up after searching for  me for four years.

Blogger friends have been to my house they are welcome. People who I have had some contact with in the past, people who are known to me. So put a sock in it Helen, you must have a very sad life to keep bringing it up.

Good night and Toodle pip

This could be the start of something big.

Hello. We had some clouds come over this afternoon which brought with them a light breeze. I thought we might have some rain so I went for my usual walk just in case it tipped it down. I was half way round and the clouds cleared and the wind dropped, and I was boiling hot again. I am not getting on very well with the heat, quick to run indoors where it's a bit cooler. 

A new project has begun. I bought this dooodaaah thingymajig from a charity shop for £1 a couple of weeks ago, I had to ask what it is for. Apparently it's to hang your scarves, belts, necklaces and accessories on. It's made of metal with a velvety cover. I like the tree shape and thought I might colour it, or add fabric, or wrap it with wool, or something like that. 

Yesterday I had an idea, use it as a template first, then later maybe do something else with it. I drew the outline on a large piece of paper, I used the back of a cheap print out of an old frame. Then draw the outlines of the holes onto cardboard and cut them out.

Next find pieces of colourful cotton fabric, preferably with a floral pattern, and iron on that vilene stuff to stabilize it.

And use the cardboard templates to cut out the shapes.

Next trace the tree shape using chalk, onto a piece of green snooker table baize, thank you Janet for that, and cut it out.

Place thingymabob on the top and put the spots in place to see how it looks. Now I have to sew them all on. I'm doing blanket stitch with matching colour cotton. I already have a backing, something I started about six months ago but didn't get round to doing any more. It's going to look good.

Two punnets of strawberries, minus some that I ate, 20p each, in the freezer.

I noticed the other day that when the sun goes down at the front of the house it shines between the houses and lights up parts of the back garden. From a distance it looks like the sequins on the decorated flowers are little sparkling lights.

I need to wash up now and clean the kitchen. Clever me burnt a pan while I was steaming the veg, I didn't put enough water in it. Will I ever get the hang of this cooking and housework lark, ha ha. I'll do it now because there is hot water in the tank left over from an earlier bath I had. Might as well use it up.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Chink chink chink

Hello. Jacky asked do I want these bottle tops, she has been collecting them for a while to make wind chimes, but hasn't got time. OK says I. 

The first one is finished. Five rows of eight caps = 40, and they chink very nicely in the wind. 

They are hanging from a metal circle cut from a baked bean can, wire from a broken set of Christmas tree lights is attached to hang it anywhere in the garden.

I used a hammer and sharp nail to make two holes in each cap. This needs to be done on a rough old piece of wood so the nail doesn't pierce a table top or bench.

They are joined together with plastic coated plant rings from Wilko, a pack of 100 for £1. I cut each one in half with pliers, and squeezed the ends together inside the tops.

I think it would take a long time to save enough tops, if you want to make one perhaps a good idea to ask at a pub to save them for you. I still have loads left so I will make some more of these, or maybe I will think of something else. I will give this one to Jacky for her garden.

I hope England wins the match today, I won't be watching as I'm not a footie fan. It's going to be hot hot hot. There is talk of hosepipe bans coming in because rivers are running dry and reservoir levels are going down. I hope most people are being sensible and not wasting water. If it goes on much longer I can see panic buying of bottled water. Lots of brown grass everywhere, my lawns are still mainly green because there are more weeds than grass, ha ha. Nice that I don't have to cut it, but I am walking up and down with cans of water for the pots and flower beds.

I'm off, there's washing to get out of the machine and hang out, and strawberries and pasta to freeze. so I'll get myself off into the kitchen for an hour. Thanks for popping in, have a nice weekend, we'l catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Eating well for very little money

Hello. It was time for a Tesco late shop last night, haven't been for a few weeks. When I arrived at 7pm I saw a few of the usual faces hovering around the back door waiting for the yellow stickers to appear. When they did the man took them straight down to the front of the store to put them into the chiller cabinet. A mini stampede followed him. I know there is not usually very much for me in that load because it is mainly meat and ready meals, but I went and had a look anyway.  Whooppeee, I got some custard tarts, pack of four for 35p. 

Then it was head back to the other end to wait for the fruit and veg to come out. It was taking a while so I meandered over to the bakery and picked up large seeded baguette for 20p, and a pack of wholemeal buns for 16p. 

Eventually the trolly's were pushed out, but appeared at another door further away, they didn't deposit the food where they normally put it. There was that much of it they positioned it closer to the frozen food in the middle of the store. I asked a regular shopper why they had done that. He said they put it out anywhere now, you have to watch and follow them. That's a new system then. 

There was plenty for everyone, and even some left over for the charity collection at 9pm. Some great reductions. 

A quick breakdown of some of the food I got.
Grated carrot 8p. Mango 20p. Wild rocket 9p. Grapes 20p. Bag of potatoes 11p. Iceberg lettuce 5p. Strawberries 20p. Houmous 20p. Pasta salad 22p. Mixed bean salad 22p. Baby sweetcorn 9p. Romaine hearts lettuce 10p. Prepared veg 15p. Mushrooms 9p. Prepared fruit 20p. Fridge full, this will last a while.

This morning I went a walk around the park. Brenda drove us there, she is recovering from an operation so can't walk that far just yet. She usually takes Bailey and Maisie by herself every Friday, but she asked if I would go in case she needs to cut it short. It was lovely walking and chatting. When we got back to the car the park was full. Bus loads of children with their teachers, and three walking groups doing their Walk for Health walks. They do 1, 2, or 3 miles, depending on their ability.  Lots of brown grass.

Back home for lunch. I love this Pasta and pine nut salad, went down well with some tasty crusty seeded bread.

It's hot again so I am in for the afternoon. Thanks for popping in. Wind down for the weekend and enjoy. We'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Still a bit of life left in them

Hello. This morning I added a bit more colour into my world. My sad looking scruffy trainers have seen me through many miles of walking. They leak so cannot be worn in the rain, and the heels are unevenly worn down. However, it isn't time to throw them out yet, they are as comfy as old slippers and have many more miles left in them. 

You know me, get a bit more use out of old things, make them last a bit longer, make do and mend. Remember the old boots held together with tape, they did have to go eventually, but not before I repaired them several times. 

Cue fanfare......daub them with acrylic paint and marker pens, a couple of odd laces, and they have a new lease of life. I shall be hopping and skipping along in these for a while longer. Not bad at all considering I rescued them from a skip. I've had three years wear out of them up to now, and they cost me nowt. Now that's the kind of bargain I like.

It's very hot again today so I'm only venturing out for short bursts. I trimmed up some of the hedge at the front, then felt knackered so came back in. I see the last Dogfest event this weekend has been cancelled because of the heat. A good move, dogs should not be walked in the middle of the day when it's hottest. I see sensible people out at 8 or 9 o clock at night. Please keep your pets cool, have plenty of water available.



I have another art project floating around in my head, I will make a start on that. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip.

The wall hanging of many colours

Hello. I'm pleased to say that this wall hanging is now finished, hip hip hooooray. The idea for it came from Carol at Crafty Club. She explained how to paint on a piece of sacking. Then Janet made one, now I have done this one, and Pat has  made a start on hers. Not that we copy each other, each one is different, we just share ideas. 

It is 19 inches long, and 16.5 inches wide, not quite as big as the curtain ring flowers, and slightly bigger than the zippy one. I had no pattern in mind when I started it, and picked out random colours of wool, ribbon, and narrow strips of fabric, to do a simple running stitch throughout. I put a border of black wool around the edge to stop it fraying any further. Then I stitched it onto a black background. It is quite thick, four layers in total, three black, and one piece of old curtain sandwiched inside. 

The idea is to go both horizontally and vertically with the running stitch. I just threaded my needle and stopped when it ran out, then started again with another colour, in another direction.

There has to be some long and some short stitches at the end of each row, so the overall effect is like laying bricks. When I first started I thought it would be better to stitch over the paint in the same colour, but then found it looks better if you use a contrasting colour so the painted background shows through. My piece of sacking is a very loose weave so it was easy to push the needle through.

So there you go, another one finished. Time to move on to something else.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Make 'em laugh

Hello. A late pop in tonight. I've been entertaining the lovely ladies from Hibaldstow WI. We had a right good laugh, what a jolly lot they are. 

The first one of three for July. Another WI, and something a bit different, a Probus meeting in a pub. We'll see what kind of a reception I get from a room full of men, ha ha.

Off to bed, goodnight.

Fun at our Chat and Craft club.

Hello. That was a good start to the week, something different for the Crafty Club ladies, and we had a right laugh. Last week I told them to bring drinks cans and scissors and we would make some wind chimes. I was amazed by how many cans they brought in. Off we went, cutting them up, punching holes in them, and wiring circles together. No one managed to complete one, we ran out of time, but they will finish them at home, and hopefully bring the end results next week when we can all admire each others handiwork. 

Eyes down ladies, be careful what you are doing with those sharp scissors.

There are many videos on yoootooob giving instructions on how to make wind chimes. The version we are doing here is quite simple, maybe we could move on to the next level when the ladies have got the hang of this.

Thanks for popping in. The Walking Group members can still clock in with their miles, just go to the post on the 1st of every month. I'm pleased to see that everyone is still making an effort.
We'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Check in day for Walking Group members

Hello. Here we go then, the regular slot for the International Walking Group members to check in with their mileage. We are half way through the year, the target is 500 miles for those aiming for 1000, and I have FAILED. Lots of excuses, I have been busy, so I am seven miles short, on 493. Oh my, I must try harder, must make an effort during July.

How are you all doing? Are you managing to keep up, is your mojo still working or have you lost it? A  little slip now and again is inevitable, but what I don't want to see is someone giving up completely. It doesn't affect me whether you walk or not, but it will affect you. If you want to ease off a bit that's ok, but DON'T STOP WALKING.

Good luck and let's have some miles. How many for June, and what is your total to date. Lots of praise for those still going, and a kick up the bum for those who need it.

Comments welcome from all readers, even if you are not a part of this challenge. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip