Blogtoberfest day 31 - a fond farewell ...

Well, can you believe it, Blogtoberfest is over for another year!  I'm quite pleased with myself that I've written for most of the days, read almost 170 of the blogs and left a comment on every one.  Next year I'll try to get to 200 blogs read :)  It's been such an adventure of discovery reading new blogs and connecting with others, I've enjoyed it thoroughly.

So what did the last day of Blogtober find me doing?  Working, with a new creative project that may come to fruition to highlight the experience of those with mental illness - I spent a lot of time researching that (you'll have to watch this space for news of that one).  Coming home to my lovely family.  Reading the last chapters of 'How to Train Your Dragon' by Cressida Cowell to the Little Man (totally unlike the film, and a really great read, highly recommended).  Talking to my dad on the phone :)  Then getting ready to write this blog, wondering what to write, and finding a bookmark with a quote I love, which is very apt for all those lovely people who have followed my blog-ventures, old and new:

"A good friend is one who thinks you are a good egg, even if you are slightly cracked."  - Anon

So to my blog friends, thank you for all your comments and for following me during this last month, for your visits to my little whimsical space in the blogosphere.

Blogtoberfest day 30 - back home ... connected!

Obviously I am back on the internet and able to publish my posts - yay!  It's nice to be home, I have to say :)  Although it is also vitally important to have time to yourselves as a couple so you can remember who you are without the kids!  But there's nothing nicer than the front door being pulled open and kids spilling out to give you a cuddle when they hear the car coming up the drive ...

Another pic of our day yesterday - the approach to Capel Vale winery, isn't it beautiful? 

Blogtoberfest day 29 - Some Aussie pics ...

We spent day 29 of Blogtoberfest travelling around Mandurah, Bunbury and Capel, visiting a couple of wineries and having a perfectly lovely time.  Thought you might like to see some pics not taken in Perth, rather in the beautiful South West, a bit of Australiana ...

A warm welcome received at Clifton Wines, and a few yarns shared whilst tasting ...

Couldn't leave without some mango wine :)

How much more Australian can you get?  My Holden and a water tower in thr trees ...

... now you can see the water tower

Clifton winery welcome ...

The vines at Capel Vale winery

A drop of Chardonnay with lunch anyone?

Blogtoberfest days 27 and 28 - The Duct Tape Corset!

Ho hum – I’m now in Mandurah – without internet service!  So I’m having to write my posts in Word to save for later, and they’ll all appear on the same day.  At least Blogtober is still happening, even if at a delayed rate!

So here are the photos I took on 27^th, blogging about on the 28^th and possibly not being published until after the 29^th!  They’re pics of the brilliant duct tape corset I made as part of the costume for the wedding anniversary/Halloween party we went to on Saturday.

Tools of the trade – having fun making holes and putting in eyelets ...

Starting on the skirt, which is made from a black sheet – here I’m trying to create the Gothic look ...

Lots of fun with tulle and organza ...

The finished outfit, minus my pointy hat ...

Front of the corset (sorry for fuzziness, bad lighting!)

Edited later:  The corset pattern/idea was taken from the brilliant book 'Anticraft - Knitting, beading, and stitching for the Slightly Sinister' by Renee Rigdon and Zabet Stewart.

I so enjoyed making the costume up as I went along ... I can feel a new career as a costume/dressmaker forming itself in my mind ... J
 

Blogtoberfest day 26 - A corset of sorts!

If I hadn't got over tired last I would have written about the corset I was making last night for a costume party on Saturday night.  Nothing too weird there, but wait ... it's made from duct tape!  The good thing is it's made to fit my shape exactly.  The not so good thing is that breathing becomes difficult and it does get a bit hot as you twist and turn to stick the lengths of tape to your t-shirt, especially as the tape sticks to everything else in the vicinity as well!  So glad I was on my own - it would have had everyone rolling on the floor!  Add to that a minor injury with scissors when they got stuck to the tape, and you do begin to wonder if you should have even started on this escapade ... I'll show you the finished project tomorrow if all goes to plan ...

Oh and blogs read today, numbers 151-160 from the list :)

Blogtoberfest day 25 - oooops!

I forgot and went to bed!  Nooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!

Blogtoberfest day 24 - Portrait of moi

Today I have a guest photographer - my dad!  Here's a pic he took of me enjoying the world's best ice cream in Torrington, North Devon, when I was there back in August.  It was a trip down Memory Lane for both of us - when dad picked us up from school we would sometimes stop on Torrington Common for a yummy Hocking's ice cream (with flake!) as a treat.  This photo was really intended to wind up Big B who always gets us to stop for this ice cream when we're visiting in the UK!  In fact he plans out his entire itinerary based on where he wants to eat - bless :)

Before you check out anything else, check out Kat's (at 'I saw you dancing') wise words here; did I tell you she's hosting Blogtoberfest too?

Blogs visited today: numbers 141 -150 (less than half on the list, but not a bad effort!)