Thursday 12 May 2016

Next project...

Yes, I know I've loads on the go and I STILL am knitting the HG jumper. It might be ready for Winter 2020 at this rate! But I'm going to have a go at a bit of patchwork creation to then make a cover for my Stanley Tool Box which is massive and houses various sewing stuff! 
It'll have hues and tones to match the room and I plan to use this 
 Although the bottom two fabrics might be saved for something else! The turquiosey 'fabric' is very cheap 1m lengths from The Works. It's not the best quality but I really like the colours and washing them has improved the feel! I'm reckoning that if I balls it up, then it really doesn't matter as its not cost so much to make! The matching velvet ribbon is also from The Works. I'll make a start this weekend! 

The SATs are over today after about this morning's maths reasoning paper. One little soul went into complete meltdown during yesterday's maths papers. I'm not actually allowed or supposed to say meltdown because it offends people ( Who are these easily offended people fgs?? ) I should say 'experienced moments of high anxiety' instead. I was to say thank you for all your comments on my post the other day. I was horrified to read about one person's experience where the school was running classes in the holidays and numerous sessions after school. Now my two attended a few days in their holidays at High School getting ready for GCSE and A Levels and quite rightly! They were working towards life changing exams! No SAT test ever counts towards grown up life and job seeking.  My mum paid for me to have extra maths tuition because I needed it to pass my O'Level and it worked! I got my magic C. I certainly didn't have it to pass my 11plus - the only test I recall sitting at primary school. But intense extra curricular maths and English lessons in order to ensure that particular school hit its targets is absolutely pathetic. I definitely would have made sure Miss 21 and Mr 19, had they not been able to cope, would have been withdrawn from school for the SATs. I don't want to lump all children together, because, unlike the government, I know they are all different and some of them look forward to the challenge, enjoy the quiet ( I SO DO ENJOY THE SILENCE ) and are competitive and that's totally okay! Good luck to them! But making a full class of 30 individuals sit the same test is like me making Barry the school budgie hula hoop, because I can hula hoop. 

Here he is trying a dandelion for the first time at the weekend in my garden. He loved it. Scoffed the lot. But it was a bit like wotsits twenty years ago. His face was all yellow!! 

Tonight will see me baking cakes for my class tomorrow for our Celebration of success! ( aka After SATs party! ) what do you think of that Government - a mad afternoon of NO learning with children eating sugar!! 

I cannot wait**

Lots of love from 

Rachel * Applying factor 50 today and hunting for washing to do because it's going to be glorious* Radiostar 

** I can wait, longer than you might think! ( forever ) 

27 comments:

  1. Love the fabric. I must go into the Works - I didn't realise they sold fabric as well. How much was it?
    Totally agree with your SATs comments all the way!
    J x

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    1. Hi Joy, it's £2 I think! They also sell bundles of fat quarters I think. Ours has a full wall of crafty loveliness to look at now!

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  2. A post-Sats party sounds like a great idea. I love that cotton reel fabric.

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    1. Me too! I'm getting a bit like I am with my wool over fabric. Having to have it because I like it and not necessarily to use!!!! Oh dear lol

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  3. Your patchwork project sounds like fun I can't wait to see how it turns out the fabrics are lovely. There is so much pressure on kids today it's ridiculous, I remember they scrapped the 11 plus the very year I was supposed to do it I was so relieved at the time, they put half the kids from the A class into grammar school, the other half went into a GCSE stream at the secondary modern those in the B class went into the A class at secondary modern, dear me that was a mere 52 years ago, they must have reintroduced it later. I know my poor kids were terribly pressured when we lived in Syria I could have (and did) cried for them. I didn't know budgies liked dandelions, there is a feast for any budgie in my garden at the moment it's covered in them. Enjoy your cakes! xx

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    1. Wow Linda, I didn't know you used to
      Live in Syria. I bet it breaks your heart seeing what the war has done to that beautiful country?

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  4. Can I come to the no work and all sugar party please? I made three cakes yesterday so I can bring one ;-). I'd also like to see Barry hula. We have a very noisy starling family here at the mo. The kids keep pecking the parents when the worms aren't coming fast enough. I know how the parents feel. Xx

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    1. My noisy Starling cherubs are stuffing as many soaked mealworms in their beaks as I can put out!
      I also have a gorgeous Kackdaw who thinks he/she is a blue tot on my suet pellet feeder. He/she is a beauty. I've named him/her ( I really must look up how to tell them apart ) Jackie, so it doesn't matter either way! I've started calling to him/her by name when he/she comes! He/she isn't arsed if I'm there, totally calm and non plussed!

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    2. Kackdaw Kackdaw I'm laughing!!! My bloody iPhone will write a load of rubbish!!
      Jackdaw !! Jackie was also a very imaginative name I thought!!!

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    3. Now I'm in hysterics!!!
      Kackdaws and blue tots! I should get Springwatch round to look at my new species of garden pets!!!
      What I really want though, is a Chaffinch. Sally and Sidney Sparrow are back I'm happy to report!

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  5. Forgot to say I love the fabric!!! I have the cotton reel one too. Just off to sewing club now. I'm making peg bags xx

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  6. Ooooooh.....the fabric with the cotton reels is gorgeous. Can't wait to see your tool box cover.
    I would have failed miserably at these SAT's when I was a child and probably even now.
    Good on you for treating them to cake-x-

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    1. Don't hold. Your breath waiting for my show and tell Sheila - you know what I'm like for procrastinating!

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  7. Love the after SAT'S party, the children will run around outside and work off all the sugar.

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    1. We ain't daft, we had the party at 2pm and then sent the sugar laden cherubs home to their parents!!

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  8. I totally agree with you about the value of SATs for a child's future. I.E. none. I speak as someone who failed the 11 plus and went to an educationally dire secondary modern turned comprehensive as a result but still achieved a doctorate and a career in academia.

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    1. I wonder if you are my most learned commenter? I feel a bit nervous now about my writing style and content! I'd give myself a secure Level 4 in old money!!

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  9. hm. Not looking forward to next year and Violet doing them. Although I've already given her sage advice:
    You can only do your best and no more, so don't worry about them.
    So stick that in your pipe and smoke it, Cameron.

    Usually I avoid talking about anything controversial, but I have to just say it. I hate this government. Bunch of muppets without an ounce of common sense between them.

    :O) xx

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  10. Looking forward to seeing the box cover, the colours go well together. I managed to rootle out some washing, both light and dark bins are empty but there is some ironing to do now.

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  11. Enjoy the after SATs party. We are about to get the full on GCSE stress. We have a get-a-way plan for when she's finished. Looking forward to seeing the patchwork.
    Carolx

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    1. She can only try her hardest Carol, and considering what she's been through, the fact she's taking them is a success to be celebrated xx Good luck !!

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  12. I buy material from The Works as well. You're right it's not the best quality but for my 'messing around' it's perfect. I've not been involved in SATS in any way, shape or form this year, but even I'm glad they're over. At least for the remainder of the year teachers can teach and children can be children. Enjoy the party, you all deserve it. xx

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    1. The party was fun, it was great to see them all enjoying themselves. Back to lessons properly on Monday, all High School transition stuff now!

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  13. I love fabric. I wish I could hang it on the wall like a quilt display. Hey wait. I did do that in the 70s. Cool man.

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    1. I love fabric too, I like to look at it and stroke it mainly!

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