ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 15TH OF 2026

 Good morning finally it is a Friday I'm managing to post on, time to find the silver linings and positive moments from the last 7 days. 

So last Friday I had decided in my infinite wisdom that I could make a dress in a day, now when I say that I don't mean just running a dress up, I mean sticking the printed pattern together, cutting the pattern, reading the instructions, cutting the materials and then making the dress and I will be honest none of that would have been possible if my lovely hubby had not helped with the sticking and cutting of the pattern and the cutting of the material then giving me a 3 hour run at making the dress and completing it before tea time.  Why the urgency, well the tea party was on the Saturday for my daughter-in-laws birthday on the Sunday, thankfully I'd chosen the right size (and definitely the right style) for the dress and here she is showing off the finished item and yes it is a Toy Story dress and yes it was made from a duvet cover

We had people over on Saturday for a birthday tea and this was before they descended, unfortunately my brother and his fiancée couldn't make it but we had a lovely afternoon nonetheless

the table matched the Easter flowers I'd received

I also wore a new dress that I'd made, I'm not sure I pulled the style off if I'm honest, but I had fun making it, the pattern is the Marauder's Map from Harry Potter and this too is made from a duvet cover, my dress is floor length.  

Hubby decided it needed a bow at the back

This little man was amazing on the day an absolute joy to be around and yes he is wearing a Toy Story outfit. 

We also managed a walk on the day look at those blue skies

The rest of the weekend was quiet, we enjoyed reading, I enjoyed scrapbooking, we spent time outside, we spent time in front of the woodburner and I managed to complete a couple of books, the first is the book 'Eat Pray Love' I'd seen the film but was intrigued to read the original book, it was a joy to read

and then 'The Grapes of Wrath' this is a book my Mum read and declared that neither myself nor my sister would be able to read.  On reflection we have no idea why, we think she might have been trying to stir the competitiveness in us so we could discuss in detail, but unfortunately it didn't happen whilst she was still with us.  I did however complete the book and what a read it has to be said, such a harrowing tale of humanity but also one where being determined to survive the day is essential, I enjoyed it immensely. 

And that my lovely people is my lot for this week, I hope you've had a good week too. 

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 3RD OF 2026

Morning all tis Friday time to clock the silver linings and positive moments for it is time for

So one of my tasks this year is to catch up on my scrapbooking as I'm still scrapbooking 2023.  This is bittersweet as it means I'm still scrapbooking photos of my Mum, but it also means that scrapbooking of my grandson is going to take an age to get to.  Nevertheless I'm determined to put best foot forward. 

This first layout is a double page, it was family making some headway on my Mum's garden which had got a little bit wild.  Me, hubby and my sister set too getting it sorted, and my Mum dipped in and out helping as much as she could.  She was really pleased that it was a more usable space after we had finished and the following weekend my niece, her partner and his sister helped recover the first tier in the garden. 

Then this layout I took of my Mum when we were at a craft class, she loved nothing more if I'm honest and we always had a wonderful day. 

Then this was a theatre trip out, the show a one man show about Laurel and Hardy, they were childhood heroes of mine so it seemed apt to see it with my Mum (hubby was there too)

and then documenting seeing the Ocean at the End of the Lane, which was a fabulous touring production

Layout for the Motley Crue and Def Leppard gig 

I feel that my layouts have become very similar, so I'm attempting to mix things up a bit, you'll have to let me know if you think I've achieved it with the next set I share. 

So how has the rest of my week panned out?

Well I finished this beautiful book last Friday, it is a set of four and showcases Angela Harding's linocut artwork and is beautiful.  I have the other three which I will be reading as the seasons appear (Spring, Summer and Autumn still to read)

We also woke to a smattering of snow, but it didn't last (thankfully) although it did make everything look very pretty. 

We had some persimmons lurking in the fruit bowl and as we both have a real issue with food waste hubby made a persimmon parfait, which was lovely, topped with pistachios and then he added to it the following day with baklava biscuits which are what are sticking out either side.  The dessert lasted us 4 days in total and fully used up the persimmon so definitely a win. 

I also finished this read, I've had the book an age, I think it was published back in 2013.  It is a riotous read and I thoroughly enjoyed my first read of a biography.

You may recall my first knitting kit coming through the post, this was my first couple of rows, I am very rusty and I don't think it will be very pretty but I'm off.  For reference Lisca my intention to learn is one a month not one a week, I don't think there are enough crafts out there for me to learn that would enable one per week. 

I also finished reading this book, which also proved a good read and allowed a little bit of focus. 

The knitting was coming along OK later in the week

and Wednesday night after my working week was done we headed out for our walk and accidently fell into the pub.  I had the none-alcoholic Old Mout cider cherries and berries and hubby enjoyed a pint of cider. 

Thursday was my first full day off, I thoroughly enjoyed a lie in after my three very busy days at work.  We sat drinking tea and reading tablets, made a plan for the next few days and then had showers.  

I had some house jobs to sort, vacuuming through and lots of washing so the dehumidifier is on full tilt today but it shortens the drying time so that is definitely a win. 

I also managed to sort a couple of boring tasks out that were on my to do list, you know the ones you keep putting off and then once you've done them you don't know why you put it off because it didn't actually take that long to sort.  Hubby helped with that and I'm definitely grateful on that front. 

I hope you've had a fabulous week.

Hugs