Also...

whilst in North Wales I found...

Her name is Donut and she is a Joanna Zhou Cosplay Momiji. There are 2 others in the series that I already had but I was finding it difficult to track Donut down. By pure luck I found 3 in a shop called The Secret Garden. I always pop in there when visiting Conwy because everything they sell is just so darn cute.

'I'm Alive' Photo Dump

Hey there my lil' chickadees! How are we all? It's been over a week since I last posted ,which I apologise for. I did have a lovely relaxing break in that time though; here are some photos of what I did and saw (there are a few more to come but they're on Ma's camera.)

On Friday I drove up to Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire to spend a few days with my friends Grace and Terri, who I met whilst at university. Hebden Bridge is such a pretty village and Grace has the best view of it from her cavernous farm house on top of the mountain - it's like something straight out of Jane Eyre.

We walked Milly the dog, picked and ate strawberries, raspberries and spinach from the veggie garden and generally had a wonderful time being big fat piggies, discussing sewing projects and watching 'Green Wing.'

We also visited the beautiful Castle Howard and explored the house and grounds.

You may recognise some of it from the T.V. and Movie adaptations of 'Brideshead Revisited' by Evelyn Waugh.

On Monday I drove to Rhyd Ddu in North Wales where I spent a few days holidaying with my family.

Caernarfon Castle

Breached Dam

Conwy Castle from the Elizabethan House Tower.

I was really wonderful being able to spend a few days with some of the most important people in my life and I now feel totally refreshed. I hope you all had a good week and bit too ^_^

Fanciful Friday and Apologies

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1. Bust a Move Dress from Modcloth
2. Owlets Harley and Boss Blind Box from Modcloth
3. Donut Cosplay Momiji from A White Room
4. Lady Liberty Flats from Modcloth

Sorry I've been a little absent this week, I've been making a dress that I was hoping to wear this weekend but unfortunately the weather isn't looking great and I've abandoned the idea. I shall be going to Yorkshire for 'fun times', seeing some of my favourite people and going on day trips (castles and Bronte Country) But the fun doesn't stop there; I shall be taking a little break from work for the rest of the week and hopefully I'll get to do a lot of walking, climbing and reading. I'm really looking forward to the week ahead and apologise in advance if I don't update very often or even at all. Anyway, I hope you all have a great week!

P.S. Don't forget to check out my brother's Blog. He is starting his Alps expedition today after a week of acclimatisation.

Raaawh

I just had to share this lil' dude with you all 'cause he makes me smile ^_^


His name is Riceroar and he is one of the Noodoll range created by Yiying.

His friend Ricemon is pretty cute too.

Fanciful Friday

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1. Nude Windsor Jacket from Miss Selfridge
2. Mint Knitted Fluffy Boxy Cardigan from Topshop
3. Green Tribecca Treat Wedge from Irregular Choice
4. Generation 7 Pixie from Momiji
5. Light Grey Mid Uneven Hem Skirt from Topshop
6. Ice Cream Nail Polish from Barry M
7. Snow White Headband from Anna Lou of London

Mountain Man

My brother Hywel shall be flying to France tomorrow to start his Alps expedition. He has spent a few seasons in the Alps but this time he shall be walking from Briancon, on the French side of the Alps, along the boarder with Italy (across the mountains.) Summit Mt. Blanc in the process and finish in Geneva, Switzerland. He shall be keeping a blog whilst on the expedition, so check it out.

I'm very excited for him to be going on such an adventure, but also very apprehensive, as he is my little brother and they are very, VERY big mountains. I hope he and the rest of his climbing party has a wonderful time and I can't wait to see some photos.

Oh and Hywel, try not to get involved in any avalanches this time.

Super Sunday

I always think of Sunday's as a sort of 'non-day' because you have to start worrying about the week ahead. Whilst growing up my entire town was on shut down on Sundays and there wasn't much to entertain yourself with if it was raining and you'd run out of drawing paper (not the case these days.) In general I don't particularly like them...

...So thank goodness for 'Sunday Club.' One Sunday every month I go to Cardiff on the train and meet up with Kim and occasionally Jo and Del (depending on whether they are trucking around the country in a HGV and spying on ruffians via surveillance cameras.) We have a snoop around the shops (usually the John Lewis Haberdashery Department and Lush - I have needs.) Followed by a veggie roast. Nom nom nom.

This weekend I got to wear my 'Spaghetti Strap Western' halterneck. It's so comfortable, I'm pretty much in love with it.

If you were wondering, it's unfortunately not me who has the fancy new iphone and hypstamatic ap *sad face*

I bought some buttons and pretty fabrics (I seriously need help people) from John Lewis and did some designing before lunch - I just had to get the design ideas whizzing around my head down on paper.

We then sheltered from the rain in Starbucks. Delyn always uses her middle name 'Louise' in these food ordering situations because even Welsh people have trouble writing it etc. I also have this issue, so use the pseudonym 'Rebecca.' Feeling left out Kim decided to call herself 'Jane' - I'm sure this is how identity fraud starts. We'll be into all sorts of criminal activity by the end of the year.

I'm now listening to Prince and shall be trying out my free Lush face mask. Maybe Sundays aren't so bad after all.

P.S. Happy 4th of July to any American readers out there!

Fabric Addict

I just wanted to share some of the beautiful fabrics I received in the post this week.Aren't they gorgeous!?! Clockwise from top left we have: Luca Blue, Luca Pink, Freebird Leaves Melon, Hop Valley Fiesta Squares and Dotty Circles Orange. I ordered them all from Fabric Rehab.

I love them so much I ordered more Luca Pink and another print. (I was going to give you a sneak preview but it looks like they've sold out and there is no longer a photo of it on the website.)

I have lots of ideas on what to make from all of them. I can't wait to get started!

Fanciful Friday

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1. Cricket Match Skirt from Modcloth

2. Decole Pink Chocolat Fraises Mug from Artbox
3. Elephino Tote from Modcloth
4. Test the Water Vase from Modcloth
5. Cats Eyes in Pink from Irregular Choice
6. Style of Music Dress from Modcloth
7. Black Cat Girl Pen from Artbox

The fabric in the background is called Luca Pink. You can order it from Fabricrehab.co.uk I've just received a metre in the post and it's such a cute design and of a lovely quality that I'll have to order some more. No doubt you will see something pretty made out of it very soon.

Sweetpea

I've been in the process of finishing this sweetpea and ivy leaf sugar craft spray for aaaages but it's finally finished *Happy Face* ...

...but so is my Sugar Craft Course*Sad Face*. I hope to carry on to the next stage as soon as my Archive Conservation training is complete.


P.S. How awesome are those tendrils?! They are the easiest thing I've learnt to make on the entire course and they're just the darned coolest things ever!

New Additions

This is Papillon and Kogal, they are the newest additions to my Momiji family.

What makes them extra special is the fact they are the last two characters I need to finish my Joanna Zhou Tin Collection. Sqeeeee!
I have so many Momiji's that I'm struggling to find space to display them all. They a currently residing on the shelf above my desk, which makes me happy because I can pretty much see them from wherever I am in my room, but I think they may soon have to be split up (dun dun duuuuun) because of their sheer volume.