All Rumours of my Demise have been Greatly Exaggerated

Hello All,

I feel the quote is not correct but it felt right.

It seems incredible now that I should have given up on the exciting world of blogging for such a long time ! So much has happened - a lot of it not good - that I have just about survived by doing my basics of life, let alone carrying on with this blog.

 

On the bright side I would like to report that my glass is half full again because : things in my family are looking up ,

• I managed to carry on - albeit at snail's pace - with my beloved AlikiBags,  
• I have had a steep learning curve on the computer , enjoying the new world of facebook,
• I have made lots of new friends, artists, makers, computer-brains, not "geeks".

It will be so lovely to look into our blog world again ! I intend not to bore and irritate you with all my mistakes - easy to say, because I'm going to have help from Erin  (www.boxoffmycomputer.co.uk)

Just to show you that AlikiBags really are alive and kicking, I include some pictures of the
" Disappearing Jacket". This is/was a  vintage Designer Jacket made out of an absolutely AMAZING material : the pattern is created from tiny diamond cut pieces of metal , magically attached to the base velvet ! Each little piece glitters and sparcles in the colours of the rainbow, difficult to capture on a photo.

The jacket was very expensive , even in a Charity Shop , and I think the material is sooo special that I am going to only use it as PART of a bag . That way more AlikiBag lovers will have pleasure in my find.

Hope you enjoyed having a look again into my little needlewoman's life and I promise to at least keep you updated with the story of the "Disappearing Jacket".

Goodbye for now and hope to see you all back here soon, Kiki x







         

Wardrobe Challenge - June 2010

Here it is, I feel very good about my choices but anxious about getting the blog and photo attachments right.

First I was tempted to just totally try and "glam myself up" but sensibility and truthfulness prevailed and I chose things I actually do wear in mydog- and grandma-fied busy life.

I am wearing AlikiBags and Oxfam clothes and accessories, collected over my years as a volunteer.

Jeans: Funky Style Image and Design - Oxfam Formby

Bag: AlikiBags (my own)

Shoes: San Malo - Shush (when it exsisted in Formby)

Dress/Top: Quiz - Oxfam Formby

Jewellery: Lifetime collection - Oxfam

As I'm always feeling cold I'm hardly ever without a cardigan and warm shoes to hide my warm socks and possibly even long johns (sorry!!!)

Jeans, bag and top as before

Cardigan: Per Una - Oxfam Formby

Boots: Dorothy Perkins - Oxfam Formby

Jeans as before

Top: Cotton Traders - Oxfam Formby

Shoes: No Label - Shush

Jewellery: Beads - gift from Germany, Bangle - Oxfam Lichfield Staffordshire

Bag: AlikiBags (for sale)

Bike: Oxfam Formby (brand new only £60!)

Dog: My Senta who is actually very good at running on the pavement on the lead.

Jeans and top as before

Jewellery: Oxfam Formby

Bag: AlikiBags (For sale)

Corsage: AlikiBags (the corsage can be worn clipped to the handles of the bag or as a corsage).

Shoes: Calzino (£1.99 - on loan from Oxfam).

Dress: No label, made in Italy. This is actually a skirt which I tied with an old Oxfam belt to make it into a dress.

Bag: AlikiBags - (For Sale).

Shoes: J'esjimo - Oxfam Formby

Jewellery: Dress watch - gift from Germany, Bangles and Beads - Oxfam Formby, Acrylic Ring - Craft fair at Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk.

I would like to say that I would not have been able to participate in this competion without the photos taken by my grandson James (10 years) and my patient neighbour - friend Sarah (she of the kids craft session fame).

The drink was sadly only apple and elderflower (from tesco, cheap and absolutely lovely). James and I had a glass to celebrate the successful photo session.

Wardrobe Challenge - June2010

Finally climbed up into the loft and found all the items I hope to wear. Will have to do some serious sorting up there.... It was sooo depressing to see what I have let accumulate and lovely to find "old friends" : books, clothes....

Hope I can manage to get the picture of my 5 selected items to show you - otherwise it all has to wait until I can get help from my young friends tomorrow.

Anybody knows where I can get an IT brain implant?

Kid's Craft Session

We had a lovely time messing and creating, using beads and buttons, as well as "FIMO"(polymer clay). James made loads of buttons, varnished them and even made one lovely button perfect for my bag commission.
I know this sounds like an advertisement - well it is really - for "Klara's Crafts", where I had bought most of the stuff we used. I so love it when even the boys join in, you should have seen James's friend Harry and Damla's little brother, Arda, making friendship bracelets.

College Bag Commission

The bag is finished at last - it was hard work with my little "Bernina" but so much fun. The pressure foot would just not want to lift high enough.....All you needlewomen will get a cold sweat, remembering many a broken needle, sorry for reminding you!

I'm afraid that I can not yet show you pictures of it because I want Jane to be the first to see it. After all, it was her kind commission!

Going back to the hard work aspect, I do not think we appreciate what a hardwearing material jeans cotton weave is. No wonder they started off as true "workhorses". It pleases me that I can give at least some of them a new life, like a creative reincarnation.

College Bag Commission

With the help of my neighbour friend Sarah here are at last the pictures of the materials for the Aliki College Bag. As you can see the main part is a much loved skirt and we agreed to highlight the blue in the pattern by using "NEXT" jeans trousers for straps details and lining.

I collected felt and "FIMO" for custom made buttons and hopefully a corsage.

The two bags are unsellable items from Oxfam, which I will use for the metal fittings, possibly the Velcro for the main bag closure.

 I have started on the bag but progress is slow because it's half term and I am playing at being very involved Grandma. I would like to say that I take my hat off to all you parents who keep the kids entertained, fed, watered and safe. I cannot believe that I ever was a single parent career woman.

Commission

Here is the proud announcement that I finally have got the time - BH and no grandma duties - to start work on my proud 1st AlikiBag commission. Even better, that the bag is going to accompany a woman I greatly admire on her return to student days in September.

Please cross your fingers that the needle /scissors and design angels watch over me!

Progress pictures to follow.