I nearly died with my legs in the air....

I don't expect that everyone will be as excited as me, but for all you local Liverpool people, Cath Kidston has opened up a new store next to Bluecoat Chambers.... Sophie, Big Si and I had a visit last week on what turned out to be the official opening (it's someone's birthday coming up mentioning no names Mary) and saw Cath herself. Well Sophers and I saw her... Dad got a bit closer and I expect that we are now going to have to call her Mum! I also expect I'm never going to have any money ever again....

Dougals got a brand new bag

Dougals got a brand new bag
Originally uploaded by sln1977

Well - I don't think I need to write much in way of explanation of this one do I?.... Poor Sophers... I hope she doesn't want it back now it has been claimed by the Douglas cat! Have a look here for some more mental cats!

More Superlambananas!

More slb's!

Another SuperlambananaI made my poor Father drive round the roundabout twice and the photo isn't marvellous, but I'll walk round at some point and get a better one!
This is called Peel and the Artist is Lisa Parry. No. 99 On the Airport Roundabout in Speke.

On the other side of the roundabout from Peel is this one! This is no. 98 and the artists were Wade Deacon Arts Team, produced by Sophie Backhouse and Ian Town.

A Liverpool Campus superlambanana, no. 73, artist is Jeanne-Marie Kenny. This is wearing the graduation gown from the Uni. Just outside Blackwells on Brownlow Hill.

Another Liverpool Campus slb! This is sitting outside of the Harold Cohen Library. No. 74, Artist is Vince Cleghorne with the Kensington Youth Inclusion Project.

Another view from the front!!

More to come soon!

Its safe to come out now!

Mystery Misery Funk has now departed, thank you to all well wishers, I'll get back to you all individually, but all messages were gratefully received cheers!!!


The superlambanana parade has begun today in Liverpool... Pop along and have a look - I'm going to try and photograph and post as many as I can, although if there is someone at Euston Station in London - please post or photograph the one there for me???!!!!! or even up Moel Famau! There are 119 in all (including the original) so get out there and find one today!


So... No.76 Superkalazarbanana, outside Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, I'm off to get some more at Lunchtime with Steve so..... watch out Liverpool...!




Isn't she great!

Viva La Republique!

Well it's been an eventful few weeks since I last posted... lots of madness that we shall just have to gloss over, but last weekend, a community event overtook most things. For those that don't know, Liverpool has been awarded European Capital of Culture 2008. To that end, where I live in a small area called Garston, was one of the areas chosen to have it's own focal point. There has been a focus for a number of years on bringing art and all things cultural to Garston and we now have the Garston Cultural Embassy, designed by artist Michael Trainor.

The celebration on Saturday saw the arrival of the President and his weapon of mass attraction (don't be rude) to declare independence! There was a parade and local groups performing all led by a local pirate who with the help of some dodgy diamonds helped Garston in the 18th C!!!

So despite an attempted assasination attempt the new President was installed, promising no more parking fines or council tax for the citizens of Garston (thank you!) and told us of the large olive oil deposits that have been discovered underneath the Embassy (yippee - we are rich!) and urged us all to use creativity to build the future of this fine area!

So.... come to Garston.... just remember to bring your passport!!!!

Two in one week - she must be ill

Well no - I'm not ill - I just thought I'd behave myself and post again. I have had blogger apathy this last few weeks, well months if the truth be told. As much as I love the cold weather I think the lack of light really affects me. Is it just me or is it everyone? I'm sick of the grey and miserable, and the snow in April, it makes me feel so bleughhh I can't even be relied upon to get my arse into gear to get the washing done without resenting having to move out of bed. I'm feeling better now the clocks have done their thing and we have some more sunshine and even as I sit here now, the dappled sunlight is gracing the wall. Nice.


A bit of Pet Shop Boys and Django Reinhardt and I'll be a happy lady again! I'm going to try and persuade Mother to post again. She's right here now with her exercise ball doing her physio oh we make an odd sight!


As you can see I've been buying more fabric again - I'm going to have to get going to make something with it!!! Still I've been promising Sophers an apron for a long time....plus I've a birthday party to go to at the weekend - I think the birthday girl may be a recipient too!! oh and I'll have to make something for Sally when I visit her in London, and I'm going to be making bags this evening for the Africa car boot!

ITS SEVEN O'CLOCK AND ITS STILL LIGHT - WOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

On the day the celebrations begin...

Today Liverpool begins it's celebrations in the year it is European Capital of Culture. Ringo Starr will be singing (or swinging - no not that kind) on the roof of St Georges Hall. It is being televised on Sunday I believe...

Think of Liverpool and you'll think of football, the Beatles, the ferries, the Liver Birds (as seen in this picture of The Royal Liver Building by Dave Wood which can be seen with more at this site)

People are what make a place, this city has many brilliant people who have helped make it what it is...as a poet from these shores once said...

'Lippy loose-limbed liberatingly lyrical

Irreverent inspired je ne sais quoi

Vibrant Visionary with a capital V

Edgy eccentric essentially europhile

Racy restless raw rock 'n' roller

Pacy passionate positively pop

Obsessive optimistic on the go

Off the wall outlandish ee aye addio

Legendary life-giving life- loving Liverpool'


-- Roger McGough

Look Grandma a Fruck!!!!!!

There were, according to my father a large number of occasions that I took it upon myself to embarrass my poor parents. I suppose like most children I always took the most inappropriate times to do this, like for example the time when as a small child I asked him in company if condoms came in different sizes, I kid ye not I did... To put it in context it was when the first widely publicized cases of Aids and HIV were beginning to be reported in the press and well children pick up on things more than adults realise and I was obviously curious! Well to carry on a theme, I had various sayings when I was little, inside out became "outside long", reflections became "beflections" and frogs became "frucks", all very innocent apart from when your Grandma doesn't hear what you said quite rightly and poor parents are left to explain, "SHE MEANS FROGS!!!!!!" I was reminded of this when one came to visit the other day specially to frighten Hamish. Poor little sausage, some ornamental pond nearby is missing a resident me thinks!

I finished the sorting hat, much to Sopher's delight, I'm not sure if it managed to sort people into proper houses, but with only a few days to work on it it was the best she was getting out of me!

Its going to come in rather handy for her housewarming party too (Halloween theme anyone) I'm about to start on my costume which will involve lots of ripping up of black material and feathers!

Speaking (or writing) of the Sophers, she, I and a few of her friends went to the Hope Street Festival on Sunday. It was a great day, we went to a free Concert at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (http://www.liverpoolphil.com/content/AbouttheHall.aspx) a fabulous Art Deco Building and listened to the Orchestra play some fabulous Mendelssohn and Grieg (see the classical music listings I've just added to the sidebar) and went to the Farmer's market and the craft fair where I bought a dinky brooch from a fab stall have a look at some of their ware's at www.myspace.com/landbabyshop

Cute ain't it!!!! made from old receipts pasted onto a jigsaw piece! We saw some street theatre, some buskers and walked past one of the most famous buildings in Liverpool, the Anglican Cathedral... which has given me a great idea for my next post.......

See you on the Flypaper!

AFRICA OYE!!!!!!!

What a weekend we had!!! The Annual Africa Oye music festival on Sefton Park was on this last weekend. Always a brilliant event with lots of visitors from far and wide!




It was amazing, the company of friends and mbira players as well as the thousands of other people celebrating the fab weather and brilliant music from bands like Culture and Ska Cubano

Lots of dancing in Muddy Sefton park and fabulous Morrocan Food. There were great stalls where you could get anything from Jewelry to bags to African and South American art and clothes of all types.




This band had the oldest person on stage I think he was nearly 80 !!!


We played mbira in the park, I learned a new piece (which I now have to practice!!)Legs, hands and mbira courtesy of Eve!!! I really love the shells on hers!!

We all ended up very tired, mostly subburned and with very muddy feet!!!!

All in all a brilliant time, I hope that your weekend was as good!!!!

Will we ever be safe again.....

Well I've created a monster.... a blog cruising monster! My mum! She is as mad as a bag of badgers so look out for funny comments on a blog near you soon!!! Actually I'm trying to pursuade her to do her own blog so she can show some of her fab quilts - but she's shy bless her, so please help me try!!

We had much fun at the weekend buying plants and wedging them into poor Sophers car and a trip to the camping shop to get Sophers some bits for her big adventure to Africa in July! There was lots of planting, tea and coffee drinking and lots of chilling out and sewing. I finished the bunting I've made for a certain papoosue - all bespoke and ready to wrap up!! and some for Mum's little office for over the window in very pale muted colours.

I also took some snaps of the bags I've made for her that she hangs up for decoration when she isn't using them
This is the front of the polka dot one...




It looks like the lovely Nonnie had fun at her first craft fair, have a trip over there and have a look she certainly is a talented lady, whilst another one Cherry had an exciting house move, I can't wait for the photo tour!

Enjoy the rest of the day - it isn't raining!!!

It's Friday!!!!!!!!!!

Oh I'm so glad its the weekend (nearly) It seems like it has been a long week, especially as the weather here in Liverpool has been so bad. Its dark and miserable and I'm longing for the sunshine to reappear.

I went to Mum and Dad's last night, I usually do on a Thursday as we all go shopping together (I don't drive so I can get my "heavy" shopping) She has just retired so is taking the opportunity whilst the weather is bad to sort out all her quilting fabric before she embarks on one for my brother. In this tidying effort, she found some old sheets and some hankies which she has given to me (Thanks Mum) I'm going to have to find something exciting to do with them now! Any ideas anyone?

The buttons were in the bottom of the box mum gave me, I suspect that she'll want those back but I thought I'd photo them anyhow!!!

I do love an unexpected find!!!! Here's hoping that everyone has a fab weekend and that the weather gets much better and we transfer the rain to those that want it! Don't do anything I wouldn't!!!

It really is an ugly world at times

This morning in the car on the way to work, my Father and I heard a news item about a 21 year old who had been killed in what the police suspect is a racially motivated attack. What really brought this home was the fact it had seeming happened just a few streets away from me. One of the things I like about Liverpool is the fact that we are so multicultural so to have this happen on my doorstep virtually is shocking just I suppose as any murder is, but what shocked me more is that it happened yesterday and I'd heard nothing about it. What is it in today's society that its not attracted the huge local outrage it should, really despite why it happened? Is everyone just keeping their heads down? OR is it that they just don't know, or worse shrug their shoulders, remark upon the "modern" world and ultimately don't care? In a city that was rightfully outraged by the murder of another young man Anthony Walker, why haven't we heard more?

Sometimes I wish I had an outdoor job...

Its a bit chilly here in Scouseland this morning, but the sun is out, the sky is blue (there's not a cloud to spoil the view) I must stop this cue for a song malarkey! I'd love to be outside just for a bit longer today... still it will have to wait for my lunchtime trip to Azkaban..... (otherwise know as Aberkan) or colloquially as El Kilo given that you buy the fabric in the bargain basement by weight! If I find a bargain I'll post about it tomorrow!

Just downloading these photo's make me wish for the weekend again, these were taken across the road from my parents house.

I love blossom and I'm always surprised how far it flies when the inevitable winds will catch it later on this month!

I've been collecting conkers from this tree for YEARS, now I think I prefer the candle stage!

Ahhhhh, what a lovely weekend it was, bring on the next full of partying with friends and family!

Of mice and men......

Wasn't it a gorgeous weekend (pity about the grey today - well in Liverpool anyhow)

We got my Mother's presents, which she is just going to have to wait for (she's like a four year old when it comes to presents!!!) Then as all good plans have a way of doing, the rest of the days plans evaporated into lying on the grass in mum and dads garden, singing "what shall we do with the drunken sailor", "in my liverpool home" and "the black hills of dakota" with mum and sophers and then mbira and hosho playing (I think we worry the neighbours ever so slightly!!), drinking coffee and munching on Eccles Cakes. So the charity shops of Liverpool were safe for one more weekend! Then Sunday was spent cleaning and much more enjoyably having a fab dinner in a friends house (thankyou!) and drinking too much wine..... and now.... back to the working week!

I'm afraid this is going to be a photoless post as well... (I forgot the camera lead.....) So I'll have to post extra ones tomorrow.

Oh what a beautiful mooooorrrrrrnnnnniiinnnngggg!!!!

Sorry.... I'm in a singing mood today. I do sing quite often. As far as Sophers and myself are concerned EVERYTHING is a cue for a song. I'm really looking forward to the weekend now. We are birthday present shopping, doing a little bit of charity shop trawling and then going to have a picnic, play mbira and take photo's in the park as the forecast is for 24 degrees tomorrow! won't that be nice!


I'm leaving you today with a very unsuccessful photo of one of my fave things (I still can't quite get the settings right on the camera....I'll have a better play tomorrow!) I bought it on a visit to my Aunt and Uncles house in the Loire Valley, at a little brocante market along the river bank. It was a steamy hot day and after we had spent our Euros on vintage buttons, ribbons and pressed glass we sat in dappled shade and drank coffee and ice cold water outside a cafe in the town square watching the birds chase crumbs dropped by the other patrons..... mmmmm I wish I was back there (although in slightly cooler weather!) bliss

The 3 B's

B no 1... BONUS! As far as I'm concerned, Easter is a nice little 4 day holiday bonus to enjoy the sunshiney weather, which this year we got and it was lovely!

B no 2... BUNTING! I've now completed 20 metres of the stuff and I'm hoping this will be a bountiful sufficiency....



B no 3... Baby Brother.... this really is an excuse to post a picture to embarrass my brother, so here he is all painty from helping my sister (who would beat me with a stick if I posted a picture of her... other than her mbira playing hands that is...) paint my Mum and Dad's living room!

So.... what did anyone else get up to this Easter?

Da da DAHHHHHH!!!!!!

Here it is, my first post with pics!!

I have posted before about my attempts to learn mbira... well this is what mine looks like. It is a Zimbabwean instrument and it sounds amazing! I have been learning since last May when I went to my aunts house in France for my first mbira camp. I've been this year to one in Scotland and hopefully I'll manage to get the Devon one too!

This is the "action" shot of Sophie (my sister) who also plays to demonstrate how it is held. What you can't see is that the little finger of her right hand is placed through the hole to help hold it in place! (please excuse very untidy living room floor - we had been magazine reading and knitting and eating lovely things from the farmers market!)

Oh and here is a bad photo of some brilliant fireworks I saw along the Mersey last Thursday!

see.... I told ya - I'm really not David Bailey!!!!

First Swap Excitement

I've started the prep for my first swap thanks to the Lovely Angel Jem! I'm still not sure what it will entail properly, however I know which route I'm going to take with my bookmark(s) they shall be experimental (so apologies to the poor person/people that receive them!)

In other news I saw some AMAZING fireworks along the river mersey last night. There were 20,000 set off in three minutes to celebrate the opening of an exhibition at the Tate Liverpool. When I FINALLY remember to have my camera and the cable to download to the PC in the same location I shall post some pics!!!

I'm very much looking forward to the weekend, I'm going to finish the bunting (I hope) and get working on some surprises for my Mum's upcoming birthday and retirement party and drink pots of tea!. I still have no idea what I'm going to get her as a pressie though.... I'm hoping Sophers and Bert will have some bright ideas although I'm open to suggestions!

Have a great weekend everyone!

I know I promised

I promised a photo post extravaganza... unfortunately I neglected to bring the disk with the software to download the photos.... (silly Sarah) so it will have to wait until my next post.

I'm looking forward to a nice civilised weekend. I'm off to the Lark Lane Farmers market on Saturday with my Mum and Sister where we shall buy lots of nice goodies and have a lovely lunch with what we get! There is a stall that sells homemade preserves and jellies and jams and chutneys - I got some medlar jelly there last time - GORGEOUS - especially with cold cuts. They go to all the farmers markets including Hope St I think so if you are of the scouse persuasion get thee to see them!! (they even give you a little discount when you bring the Jars back!! - how cool is that!)

Have a good one all!

All ready for the new week!...?

I've had a great weekend, a reasonably drunken birthday night out on Friday led to a relatively hangover free Saturday I'm pleased to report. (It was VERY strange seeing my siblings, friends and colleagues together in the pub...)

We ended up in a seventies bar.... too much drinking led to mad dancing and the liberation of the DJ's afro wig (Debs... and we all thought you were so quiet.....!... It did suit you though!) So I'm not sure that they'll let us in there again!

We also sang for the Taxi Driver on the way home too... I don't think he enjoyed it much, but we did! He'll always remember the day a gang of drunken "ladies" attempted to sing the black hills of dakota in harmony in the back of the taxi rather unsuccessfully me thinks, still it was free entertainment for him.

I'm still in bunting limbo too.... I have sooo much more to make, 5 weeks on Saturday.... I'd better get a move on!