Flibbertygibbet

You've got to feel like Dancin'

So what arrived in the post this morning...

The new limited edition Scissor Sisters CD!  It has a cute box that open like lift doors, and all the lyrics, and a poster, and oh yeah, IT ROCKS!   God, I want to be Ana Matronic.  We saw them at Benicassim, they were stupendous.  Showmanship and kitsch, you have to love it.

Getting lost

I had a great day (already!) today.  I got lost.

After doing my first set of morning pages, and trying my first (loud sound!!) online yoga tutorial, I walked to Stratford to visit the Theatre Royal as part of the annual Open House event.  I've always meant to go and I'm pleased that I managed to make to at least one this time (I chose to go to one local one rather than tear around London). The theatre has a very strong community remit and I'm tempted to go back to the free comedy night that they run each week.  One of the corridors was lined with Joan LIttlewood's obits.  What an inspiration.  The Beeb's obituary casually mentions that she

dragged herself from the poverty of South London to RADA on a scholarship. But she soon left, walked to Manchester and entered repertory theatre there.

She walked? That's a hundred miles away. A former colleague said:

"To know Joan is to be attacked by Joan, but the fact is she is a wonder. A ragamuffin, a nuisance, but a wonder."

I think that's quite an epitaph.  Quite a commendable one.

A vintage poster; the stage from the upper circle; detail of the stage decoration from one of the boxes; one of the illustrations from "Cartoon Corridor". 

Rather than walking home along the main road, I decided to turn off.  I had been trying to find my way around the Bow Backs and the noticed the Greenway which is part of the Capital Ring and headed down there.  I got a little lost while still knowing that I wasn't too far from home, found all manner of flora and fauna, and derelict buildings interspersed with fabulous studio space on Fish Island.  I was heading toward the Old Ford Lock, just realised when I got there that in fact it wasn't the place I thought it would be.  But I found my way home. 

How to get my life in order

I mentioned recently that I am making moves towards 'getting my life in order' and Pixie (jokingly..?) asked if that involved giving up blogging. Nah, unlikely.  Setting some goals and getting some routine is the way to go.

I'm sure it's not just me who sometimes feels like this: that I'm not doing enough, not prioritising, not achieving anything.  It's not so much a case of keeping up with the Joneses, as with myself.  I read other lovely blogs and think 'I wish I could express myself so captivatingly/that I was as creative/that I knew these creative giants in person' and now I realise what I'm actually saying, or indeed what I'm hiding.  That I'm not confident about writing for public consumption - and then I remember I have a blog. Who know how many people read it, but it's out there.  Creativity is as creativity does - and it's just as important to 'have a go' - create a WIP, a muslin, a first draft - as to ultimately get it right.  Much as persevering, finishing, frogging and ripping, and editing is. I'm experimenting, designing more, gaining a little more confidence. Knowing these people - well it would be interesting to have more people in my life who get excited about paper stock, Liberty cottons, sheet silver.  I just need to be brave enough to look for them, without feeling like Bertha No Mates, or a stalker.  They are out there.  (I know you are).

That's a lengthy preamble to the fact that I identify all these things, and have the best of intentions, only the very best.  But I am a typical Aries in some things, like jumping into new things but losing interest after a short while.   Especially when I can never do things by half, so it's lose weight, run another marathon, be more creative, blog frequently, don't just blog about what I did but about what I made, set up my company, sell my stuff, retrain. All of it, and now.  But I'm giving myself until the end of this year, and taking each day as it comes.  There are some mindblowing events and possibilities which could unfold between now and November, some of which are less than pleasant and I have not a ounce of influence over any of them - but all are potentially life-changing.  But isn't that what I am setting out to do? Change my life?  Might as well attempt to participate and change it the way I'd like - rather than just letting it happen to me.  It's funny how all the HUGE things that are careering across my path at the moment are not terrifying me, rather they are presenting themselves as opportunities. Maybe I'm braver than I thought. x

For B's birthday

Now I'm not normally one for kids' birthday parties, but in this case the birthday girl is a darling, as is her mum. And it's a first birthday so while there may be some crying and little people crawling underfoot, it's not a trip to Wacky World or Whizzy Kids or any other 'fun' 'filled' 'amusement' 'park'.  It's at mum's restaurant where the hospitality is always exemplary, warm and thoughtful.

Her presssie is finished, in the nick of time.  It's got quite a few imperfections, the binding is a bit crooked, it's a bit lumpy bumpy, though the label isn't quite as wonky as it appears in the photo.  But I think she'll like it.  (mother and daughter!)

No pain, no gain

I've done a number of exciting* things while I've been away for a while (bad Flib, bad blogger).

It started with one of my 43 things - I started running again. I've been down this path a few times but now I have a simple schedule, and a real commitment to it.  It will take a while, and there will probably be some pain along the way! Creaking bones and inflexible muscles.  But it's both to help me get healthier, and also because I miss running so much.  So I'm going to try to get back into it gradually.  I set off with my iTunes playlist which is 30 mins long, 2 minute songs alternating with 4 minute songs, so it's run for the short ones and walk the long ones. Simple, non? 

• Personality Crisis (Live) - New York Dolls (Death Disco - The Club Soundtrack)   
• Got To Have Your Love - Liberty X (Thinking It Over)
• A New England - Billy Bragg (New Waves: 45 Original 45s From The Post Punk Era)   
• Mr. Robinson's Quango – Blur (The Great Escape)
• If Only - The Kooks (Inside In/Inside Out)
• My Doorbell - The White Stripes (Get Behind Me Satan)
• Four Kicks - Kings Of Leon (Aha Shake Heartbreak)
• Planet Earth - Duran Duran (The Business OST)
• Theme From Inspector Morse - Pheloung (Classical Chillout (Disc 2))   
• Bitch - Meredith Brooks (Brit Awards '98 (Disc 1))   

A somewhat eclectic mixture, I know.  Another of my 43 things was to release a Bookcrossing book, so I sent Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island out into the world - well, to one of the CrossingZones in Bethnal Green, a great pub called The Camel, which does fantastic pies for lunch (went back the following day with DH) and left it there - and scored 'Hip to Knit' which will help with another of the 43 things, to knit something!  Can you see how it all comes together sometimes, folks?

The planned excursion which I had mentioned was... well, somewhat truncated.  I went to see (loud sound!) Wicked which I've been looking forward to forever.  Hmmmm.  So I might as well spit it out: I left at the interval.  I think it's because I adore the book so much, but what's wonderful about the novel is the satire, the dark humour and its slightly tainted heart.  I felt that it was overly homogenised, even Disneyfied.  Don't get me wrong, the costume design and sets look great, Idina Menzel has a fantastic voice but it lacked the spark that I had expected.  I'll stick with the book, thanks.  I'm sure others - well, practically everyone - will differ. 

I'm working on getting a lot more routine into my life at the moment:

• the get-running schedule - walk/run 30 mins four times per week, over eight weeks, building to 30 mins running;  safe and steady
• a commitment to yoga - even if it's only sun salutations and stretches each day
• researching my novel - preparing a reading list on Sunday and spending a day at the British Library next week
• preparing for Nanowrimo 2006 as I am determined to win it this year
• starting The Artist's Way again - although a three month commitment seems a bit daunting, particularly with Nano in prospect, but I think it's worth it

It's all good really.  A lot of stuff to do and keep me occupied but I'm hopeful that I will achieve great things out of all these aspirations.  I'm hopeful generally, in fact.

I recently read something that Diane Setterfield said following the publication of (*beware of loud sound) her novel which I first read in manuscript form, when the publishing house I used to work for was one of the underbidders for it.  I want to read it again to see if there have been any changes since the first draft. The Thirteenth Tale is sublime, one of my favourites of all time and it will become a classic.

"I thought authors had to be orphans, or have a drug problem, or be out having lots of sex – and none of those things were me!" says Diane. "Once I realised that the only difference between everyone else and writers is that they write, I felt I had cracked it."

Simple and yet true - half the battle is allowing yourself to start.

And here are some pics of the WIPs and the fabrics.  I'm working away on the quilt today, as it's being delivered tomorrow (hah!).  I'm using the very last of my pink gingham which is a stash-buster measure, as there should be just enough to bind it.  Here's hoping there won't be any need for a late dash to John Lewis for another half metre... 

* what can I say, this is my idea of a good time...

Crochet, or knit?

Now the thing is, I'm not very experienced at either.  But for some reason, even though it's an incredibly hot day today, I seem to be developing an obsession for making wristwarmers.  Eh?  Crochet or knitting, what's it to be.

Interestingly, just got an email about an organisation which I'm a member of, which is hiring again. I applied for a job there about five months ago and was relatively confident that I was going to be offered it, but eventually withdrew myself as they needed someone to start in ten days and I couldn't leave my job with such little notice.  Not only are they rehiring for the job I was interested in, they are also offering a marketing/pr manager role, concentrating on events.  If it's part-time it would be perfect.  I'm not working at the moment so could start immediately.  Something very interesting to consider...

Off to the seaside

We're going to Devon with some of our closest friends for the weekend, which I've been looking forward to for ages. But DH got in rather late last night - or indeed this morning - so I think we'll be setting out much, much later than anticipated.  And I'd really just like to curl up on the sofa with a hot water bottle.  But I know it will be fabulous when we get there.

Enjoy your weekends - see you Monday. x

Skip to the end

Not quite to the end, but V was going to be for Vintage. And I was going to show the cup that I'm sending to my Swap-bot partner for Tea Cup Swap 6 but then I realised that although it's a very remote possibility, there is a chance that the person I'm sending it to could find her way to this site and see it. So that's under wraps still.  Until it gets wrapped. I'm waiting for another little something in the post to complete the package so I can't send it yet. 

W is for Woo-hoo I got some creative stuff finished! 

As my swap partner's favourite craft is making cards, I thought it was the ideal time to try hand-carving a stamp. (Sometimes I do marvel at how my brain works.) I decided to do a Halloween one, and a cup of tea to decorate the package. But this is a god-fearing Christian grandmother, and my first offering is a deranged Jack-o-Lantern that resembles something from Tim Burton's 'Rejected as Too Scary' pile.  And the cup looks like it's from the cafe at the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa.  I had fun though...Back to the drawing board/clip art library/pink rubber block.

I also finished some sewing - just a sneak preview as these may be the Quilt Quiz (or as Danielle calls it, "Whoring for Comments") prizes.  But I'm pleased with how they turned out and will be making more!  You can probably guess what they are, or the first one at any rate.  I am also proud of myself for getting over my Stash phobia (I know a lot of us have this - buy-buy-buy, hoard-hoard-hoard) and using some of the Denyse Schmidt fabric that I bought in New York earlier this year at the City Quilter, and some of my vintage haberdashery bits from eBay - I've got such a bad eBay habit going on at the moment.  The problem is that I keep finding great
bargains, and it's naughty because I guess a lot of it is just adding to The Stash (I've decided it needs Capitals)  I may even start a Stash Swap on Swap-bot, although I know I'm not as bad as other people but then again, I have subconsciously put stuff all over the house so that it's a series of Mini Stashes rather than one location which could for example be shaky-fingeredly-pointed at by a clutterphobic husband. It's funny though, we justify purchases to ourselves by saying 'But this will go so well with x and y which I've got already' as if we're saving money... when the little angel on our shoulder should say 'but you've had that for 12/18/24 months and haven't used it'...

Spent yesterday up at Epping Forest, (can't believe we'll miss the festival there next week - there's going to be jousting!)  I walked/ran while DH cycled, both very happy bunnies after that. I used to run miles, but now am overweight, have knackered knees, dodgy shins, lousy back (and bad hair today, but I digress so much) and even running a little has given me some hope.  And some pain, today, but the trade off is worth it.  Time to get the running shoes back on.

Ok, time to fulfill the other deal with myself - out to do errands briefly (doesn't that just sound so 1950s?) - well being honest, I'm off to Fat Girls' Club - the double W in Alphabet August! -  and then two hours to attack the ironing pile; followed by crafty fun making a birthday present. Effort, reward; effort reward; repeat ad naseum.

Somewhere over the rainbow...

...there's a leprechaun waiting to give me a large pot of gold.  And when I find him - I'll be going straight to the Ribbon Jar.  I enjoy torturing myself so I subscribe to their newsletter, which arrived today, and their special collections are so utterly divine...but I haven't actually ordered anything from them yet.  Yet, hah!

As an addendum to the letter M, I just have to share my love for the Muppets.  The epitome in family entertainment (plus I was pretty much raised on Sesame Street).  Remember Pigs in Space? The Swedish Chef? And Miss Piggy, of course.

One of my favourite trivia questions is:
Name the two guys on the balcony who heckle everyone, but mostly poor Fozzie bear?
And for bonus points, where do their names come from?
Answer here.

So come on, which one are you?  Apparently, I am...

Fozzie Bear!

"Wocka! Wocka!"
You're the life of the party, and you love making people crack up.
If only your routine didn't always bomb!
You may find more groans than laughs, but always keep the jokes coming.

Do leave a comment to say who you are...

Oh lordy, it's almost midnight.  Time to flee up to bed with my ballgown rustling before I turn into a pumpkin.

Meh

Meh.  I love that expression - it encapsulates the feeling when you're so utterly unengaged by a situation that you can't even be bothered to look for the right words to express your dissatisfaction.  I kind of felt that way about posting today because the first thing that sprang to mind when I though about the letter M was Money.  It's a little lacking at the moment.  But that would be moaning - in keeping with the letter of the day, but not the spirit of things.  And really, life is good. I have everything I need, and more.  So why on earth should I moan, as John said (or was it Paul?)

So less of the Meh, and more of the Munkeepod!  which you can find out more about here, but this lovely lady's sheer excitement, as posted here below, made me think...

   

Guess what.  Guess whaaaaaaaaaaattt!!!!   

    I am officially a registered, legal, self-employed, small business owner, professional artist/crafter!!!

I CAN HARDLY CONTAIN MYSELF!!!

    ...Anyway, that's what I did today. Hope your day was as exciting as mine! I feel like I'm entering a whole new era and it's all a dream!
    *don't pinch me! lol!*

She also made the point about getting some stock ready - and I'm thinking that's a rather good idea.  I've been dallying with the idea of an Etsy shop...and some Christmas markets.  Ooooh, how exciting!  Hell, why not.  Time rich and cash poor, as I've said before.
Oh how mind-wibblingly exciting...tee hee hee hee [Flib allows small Train of Thought to shunt out of sidings and chug slowly towards the track...]

Although it's only halfway there, the top of the quilt is done.

Thank you so much to all the people who popped in to unanimously vote for the first version (if it ain't broke...) It's not perfect when you look at it closely but I'm hoping that will be overlooked.  Made with love.  If not with a huge amount of expertise.  It will be interesting to see how the actual quilting goes.  I've bought lots of large safety pins.  I should warn the neighbours to ignore the screaming later.

And the extra jewellery supplies arrived.  I have lots of plans... time to go do, rather than just letting small creative notions boil over inside my brain and explode out into the ether without capturing them for posterity, and rendering them into actual fripperies.

So it turns out after all that M may actually represent Motivation.  Momentum.  Moving on...