Bag lady wannabe

A laptop was donated to me by N and it came with a bag with lots of zips and compartments and straps, well padded and ideal for transporting my laptop.  BUT  time consuming to put the laptop into just to carry it safely down and up stairs so I have decided to use a parcel of my African material to make myself a 'bag'.
I have also commandeered DH's desk!  Naturally there are no photos showing the process, just the finished item, I do simple - no pattern, stitch as you go and then find easier ways!  Eldest daughter always asked  for "the second one you made, it's better!"

So here we are - I shall make a sleeping bag insert out of the white sheet,  which is a necessity and no problem.

For my bag, I laid out the material and placing my laptop onto it measured out the main pieces - I wanted to make the bag in double material not just for neatness but also to give it strength - then measured out the plastic foam but this time just a single layer.
I added two side pieces and stitched them onto one side only.  I then inserted the foam and handstitched the sides so that the bag became an envelope.  

Laptop just fits nicely

Two long strips stitched together on the short seams, folded and stitched into one long circle about two inches wide, was going to be my handles and also wrap around the bag so that there was added carry strength.  Sorta like the diagram (but not in this order - I mean ..... this is simple!)
After pinning 'the belt' into place I stitched each strap on both edges in one continuous stitching.

There was still lots of material left (a top and skirt maybe?!) so I made a little bag for the extras, (cables and external hard drives) but just made the handle attached to the top edge.









This is how they look when I carry them around, I link the smaller bag handle over the main bag handles.

Bright, cheerful, strong, convenient.

A good day's work, methinks

Update on Garden - photo heavy

The sun was shining so I thought I'd show some of the garden - soon to change as the 'Summer' creeps in - I also believe in fairies!!!

This is the bed nearest the house, full of bluebells and hucheras and aquilegias.  On the left - from the pond view - and on the right - from the house view.  Verdant.  Great for the Bluetits and Greattits to go insect hunting - very successfully I might add.  





I love these McKenna ones but there are also lots of blue ones.  I don't like the plain blue so will remove them before they seed (weather permitting) and just leave these blue/white ones to set seed.


There is also this gorgeous Clematis showing along the fence, don't ask me its name ......... I'm not in my jungle trekking gear!!!



The 'chopper' pond looks settled now, a few more grasses round the edge (chopper? look in the pond, crashed and wrecked!)




The greenhouse is full of my plants for Training, late planting due to the weather and my bad health.  They must be planted this week as DH would like his greenhouse back!!




I love this Laburnum - I know those blossoms only last a week but so great.  This was a seedling growing in between the paving in the front and I transplanted it.  Been in the concrete pot for a fair few years - so rootbound I wouldn't dream of moving it!!  One day the pot will crack...........





In the walled garden the Hosta are starting to peep through, I had forgotten about this little beauty!  I shall move the Hebe on the right but not just yet.



A close up of the Auricula - lots of purple ones in the border and round the base of the Tamarisk pot - just seen behind the Acer - what's with purple?  
Must be the soil ............



The Acer has survived the winter weather, this is so beautiful that I have suggested a plinth so that we can really show it off.  It sits at the edge of the patio but this doesn't really do it justice.

Rotten weather

Over the past few weeks we have had such varied weather but last week we had HAIL.

These were the stones once the shower had passed so they had melted somewhat but it's not the usual weather for May.



Needless to say it did not stop the Barbecue King!!!!

Roaring Twenties Flapper

The name of a new swap with my ATC group .......... I remembered the photos of my Mother, a very well dressed lady of the times.  She may not have been exactly a partying flapper but she was there ....... oh! yes! she was there.

I sorted through the photos of Mam taken about that era ...........  printed off the one I wanted and it came out really awful ......... printed it again but on better settings - miscoloured now!
Changed my inks and then printed the photo again - the photo is repeated on a Word Doc so the photo is the right size for my ATCs. 
The photos came out streaked with purple.....PURPLE!!!......
try again.......... ink missing in places ........... 
Decided to use another image for my ATCs!!!...... not a photo of Mam!

In between the showers.........

I am going about living - films, shows and holidays........... well, one film, one show and one holiday!  And this month is not over yet!
I hope to be back to blogging regularly soon, this month is really busy - we have two more visits yet so don't hold your breath............ I shall be back as soon as I can.

In the meantime ...........

Spring has sprung!!

I am not posting because...... Spring has Sprung - true to English folklore, as we were in April, we have the sunshine and showers, not expecting HAILSTORMS but gotta move with the times!


PJ and I decided that we ought to finish off the garden - start on my side he meant!  I know these things.....

So off we went on Sunday to fetch the 'Horse Manure' - he did all the sack filling, I admired the horses and gossiped with my friend (PJ did manage to get a bit of gossiping with his mate).  We had to wait until the next day to add it to the garden cos the plants had to be removed.



Monday saw us rise bright and early - yes! I said  early but I think the bright bit was over exaggeration! 

As I removed the plants PJ started to rotovate the soil.  We had to stop for coffee break but by then we had all the plants out while PJ had only a fraction to do, which was finished within the hour after coffee break and then the bags were emptied. 

Ugh! what a mess!



So we left it overnight to settle, and then while PJ went to sort steam trains, I started to dig in and ............ it was very hot.............. the flies come out when it's hot ................and there's 'oorsemuck' about!!  Not a pleasant job!


But it was dug in and most of the plants were back in their beautiful, soft, fertilised soil by the night time ............. a quick water and so to bed.

We left it all the next day and started again on Thursday - I did anyway - PJ went to play with his Princess.  6201 Princess Elizabeth may be off the rails in a shed but there is still plenty of work to be done.




I finished the planting, emptied the bags containing all the new plants, donated by my friend D and it looks beautiful ......potted on some leftovers for my Niece to collect and then of course ................ lovely to sit in the sunshine and look at it ....... in between the showers of hail of course!!!

Within the red circle - 2 labels

PJ has planted up our new peartree and raspberries as well .

I think we're getting back to normal .........  must be ........

I'm posting on my Blog!!