6ichthusfish

Big son turns 18 ....

Last week our big son turned 18.  

 

The festivities were spread out over a coupla weeks, beginning with a trip to the huge shopping centre to buy him a new suit, shoes, shirt ensemble for his Birthday (and the upcoming Uni interviews).   He enjoyed spending time with just Husb and I especially the coffee break...

 

Then the week-end before his Birthday, we had my folks and bro' staying and we went out for a meal.  At the restaurant he opened the signet ring from my folks...

 

There was a giant cookie with candles after the meal...

 

The photos I took in the restaurant were not that great but we had a group shot at home (used the timer and ran to be in the photo)...

 

Great to capture our four looking so grown-up...

 

After the photos we sat down to watch an old video that my Dad had made of big son's 5th Birthday Party.  look on the TV below and you can just about see the tiger-suit I'd made him and his face painted like a tiger (as the party had been a fancy dress party with all his Reception Class attending).  It was great to watch, especially seeing how everyone had all changed so much...

 

Then, between this celebratory week-end and his actual Birthday, he passed his driving test (first attempt).  So proud.  Here he is as a brand-new-1-hour-old driver, bringing his car onto the drive.  Notice how Chef is sitting in the front seat with him!

 

His actual Birthday began with pressies and cards and plenty of paper with the queen's face on.  Then he decided to go for a coffee with Chef in town.  On his return he rang his car insurance to tell them he's passed his test and turned 18 (he's not one to hang about!)  I snapped a pic of him on the phone...

 

He had College in the afternoon and then a shift in the shop (he works part-time in the corner shop) but Husb did take him to the Pub for a pint later.  Well, the celebrations carried on this week-end with a visit to Husb's sister and family.  We had a meal then went to see Roald Dahl's  'Matilda' at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford.  My niece also has a Birthday around now so 'Matilda' was a special treat for all ages.  It was really brilliant and we all enjoyed it.  Back at their house, we sang 'Happy Birthday' and Nanny had made a special Birthday cake for big son, complete with sparklers...

 

 

Then he had some pressies... cuff-links and a special watch.

 

Yep... he's all grown-up...

 

Love you, B. xxxx

 

Shepherds Nativity Figures (or finger puppets)...

Here are the Shepherds...

**********************SCROLL DOWN FOR FREE PATTERN ******************

 

There's an old shepherd with white beard and a younger one with a shepherd's crook (both are the same height). 

Here's one as a finger puppet...

The 'stable' is getting crowded now (although the shepherds and Kings were never in the stable at the same time - factoid!)

 

...and to get a good idea of scale...

 

Here's the free patterns.  Please comment and link with a photo if you make the Nativity figures... it's lovely to see what others make with my free patterns (and it encourages me to make more!!)

Download Shepherds free crochet Pattern figure Nativity Set USA terms

Download Shepherds free crochet Pattern figure Nativity Set UK terms

 

Little Angel joins the Nativity Set...

*****SCROLL TO END OF POST FOR FREE PATTERN *****

This little  3" Angel is the latest figure to be added to the Nativity Set I'm designing.   

I'm quite pleased how the wings turned out.  I had a look on Google images at 'Angel Wings' and wow...seriously tons of images that inspired the shape of this Little Angel's wings. 

 

Here's a view of the wings from behind...

The Nativity Set is growing and is looking very Christmassy on the mantlepiece in my Craft Room...

 
The Shepherds are on the way.  Free downloads for USA and UK terms...help yourself  :)

Download Angel free crochet Pattern figure Nativity Set USA terms

Download Angel free crochet Pattern figure Nativity Set UK terms

Happy crocheting!

Mini-break in London...(yay)

Husb and I  met each other in October 1990 and started going out.  We decided this mini anniversary, of  being together 20 years, was definitely something to celebrate.  As it happened, Husb had hols due from work so we (just the 2 of us) went to London for a mini-break.  There had been several piles of hassle at home the gist of which was... a major electric issue with the house which was a fire hazard which resulted in the electric in whole the street being shut off.  Then a sudden storm very nearly flooded the garage if it wasn't for all hands on deck.  T-g had many marching band commitments and competitions. There was major re-organising the schoolroom & shedding of carloads of stuff to the Charity shop, then a decorator painting the old schoolroom and hallway.  So, getting away for 3 days was seriously welcome  :)

So, here's a pile of photos of London & of us in London...

We had fab weather, coolishly-crisp but sunny.  As we stayed in South London, London Bridge tube station was our main jumping -off spot to visit the Tate Modern which we did twice.

 

 

We enjoy Modern Art and sculpture.  Nothing beats getting up close and personal with the work and seeing finger prints and all the texture that you miss-out on when viewing stuff in a book.  Monet...

 

Totally loved the 'Sunflower Seeds' in the Turbine hall.  It looks just like a big gravel patch from above when you first see it but close-up, Aii Weiwei, the artist has created something fascinating.  We walked across the sunflower-seed-gravel and it was a unique sensation... not like pebbles on a beach or real gravel, a totally new & unique sound and feel underfoot.  It brought out a playful side in many people (including me).  Here we are, camera sitting in the seeds ...

 

Yep, I've had a new (and very red) coat.  Husb joked that I might be mistaken for a Beefeater.

Here's husb laying back in the seeds for my photographic delight/practice...

 

Totally love the Tate Modern.

 

We had a tour around 'Shakespeare's Globe' ...

 

The guide was very funny and full of interesting stories (and gross facts!) and she was an actor too.  Loved seeing the inside and standing in the audience area...

 

After a morning of culture, Husb and I set out to find a craft shop that I'd researched before we left.  No address except "opposite the British Museum".  Tucked down a side street and kinda opposite the British Museum we found 'Blade Rubber Stamps'.  Paradise browsing. 

 

Then we went across the street to visit The British Museum.  I especially enjoyed seeing some of the objects discussed on the Radio 4 programme 'A History of the World in 100 objects'.  The Durer Rhino was fab.

 

That evening we went to Leicester Square and wandered around. 

On the second day we went to Camden Town and Market...

 

Such a wonderful atmosphere and colour everywhere...

 

 

We had a lovely lunch and while waiting for the food to arrive I took this photo out the window...

 

Next up was a trip over to Covent Garden.  Bunting love...

 

 

We had afternoon tea in 'Candy Cakes' (somewhere I've drooled over before but never gone in)...

 

The colours were F.A.B...

 

We sat a while and just enjoyed it all... eachother...the cakes..the tea/coffee and the prettiness of it all.  [AND taking a break from all the walking too]

 

Our last day began at Trafalgar Square...

 

Felt very Romantic.  Possibly because we visited Trafalgar Square when we first went out together (20 years ago) or possibly because of batteries now re-charged and a bit of re-connecting going on.

 

Then we went across the road to The National Gallery...

 

Phew.  We packed a lot into those 3 days.  Love this Husb of mine (who poses without complaint whenever asked.. even leaning against red phone boxes so I can fiddle with my camera)....

 

So, so blessed.

 

Looking forward to the next 20 years xxx

Crochet Nativity Figures...'The Three Wise Kings'

I have been working on the set of crochet Nativity Figures.  Here are 'The Three Wise Kings'...

SCROLL DOWN FOR FREE PATTERNS

.. 

I used beads for the gifts and some beads & sequins to decorate them too.  Here they are with Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus...

 

They don't have to be stand-up figures, thay can be finger puppets too...

 

I used a 2 mm (B) hook and 4 ply (sport weight)cotton yarn (PATONS) but the red is 4 ply (sport weight)wool and the silver and yellow are thick crochet cottons. Here's an idea of scale...

 

The set so far...

Choose the correct download for USA and UK terms...

Download 3 KINGS free crochet Pattern figures Nativity Set USA terms

Download 3 KINGS free crochet Pattern figures Nativity Set UK terms

There are Shepherds and an Angel on the way.  I'll be updating the blog as new figures and free patterns are ready.  The free patterns for Mary Joseph and Baby Jesus are on the previous post...scroll down. 

I do like to get some comments here on the blog.