happiness and success

I have decided i need to stop being depressed. I saw this book where i worked and thought hey let's give it a go.
I use food as an emotional crutch and I'm in a job that earns me money but is by no means my career. I'm a mummy and a part time ou student and I'm a fatty. So these are the things i need to change. I want to be happy, comfortable in my skin not worrying about money or caring what others think. So now i need to try to use this book to help me get the life i want not the one i think i deserve.
So I'm going to blog about it so far i have written down what i want to achieve and listened to audio one and have accepted that all life is energy so now the journey begins and i will be keeping you all updated on how it develops.
Who knows it might even work

Apologies for the crap picture but im using paint as my software has died.

the first item i ever crocheted yay

Hello folks and crafty types. I have taken 7 months to make this teddy bear hat but i am proud that i have indeed finished it so am sharing it with you. Boris is now a suitable attired bear who is not afraid to wear violet.

I also want to share the fabulous cake i made for my daughter's 6 birthday the fairies were done by a fried i just painted them a bit.

muffin madness continues

Hello as you know i have set myself a challenge to cook all the recipes in my 50 muffins cookbook so here is an update as to how i'm getting along.

I have done the basic muffins which were very well received and the chocolate double cream ones were to die for.
I then progressed onto recipe 2: Sticky toffee now I used salted caramel spread as a cheaper option to dulce de leche but the taste was just as good.

After this we move on to recipe 3: Marzipan muffins. I used almond flavouring and yellow marzipan the first batch i used balls of marzipan and the second i cut it into smaller chunks and stirred it into the mix. The first method produces a neater muffin but the second type has a better taste, so i'm told by my willing testers. I also used a pecan as almonds were more expensive.

My favourite ones so far were number 4 : Carrot cake muffins.  left off the zest of the orange and used orange flavouring again to save money but not compromising on taste. I did make proper frosting as i feel you can't scrimp on flavour here.

So the next batch will be jam doughnut muffins i will update you all again soon.

A Crochet hook appeal

Hi all i am appealing for anyone who has some crochet hooks to please send them to me. 

I am doing a Christmas creative craft session with the Rainbow unit that I'm helping at in aid of the elderly this year. The object is to crochet rainbow yarn into ribbons to trail around a tree and to add decorations too. In efffect a rainbow tree so could you please e mail me with the heading crochet hooks to becstarz@hotmail.com and i will give you the address. I'm not quite brave/stupid enough to write it up on here but am happy to give it via e mail. I need them by end of October so if anyone can help it'd be much appreciated

Thanks folks

Muffin Madness

Right my friends mum bought me a muffin cookbook for Christmas so i have decided to cook my through from beginning to end. I will be adding photos and updating accordingly. This is the book and so far we have done recipe number one chocolate cream muffins and they taste pretty good. There the ones on the front cover.

alongside this i found a fabulous 60's sewing table and chair on gumtree in Lymmington Hampshire for an absolute bargain i am currently redecorating this and will post when it's done.

I'm also making a 90's style gypsy dress for my daughter's 6th birthday which is fast approaching and planning the party. Fairies and Cowboys cool huh. I actually don't know how i manage it all and a part time job I am also attempting to work out 3 times this week too oh my god where does the time go to. I would also like to add i plan on setting up a business by September and work part-time i will be making my gold sparkly bra soon.

Making a sleeping bag liner for a Gelert Pod

I have left my knitting in a dark corner as I made a horrible mistake I couldn't fix but it has now been rescued by the lovely Mrs Sims so knitting will ensue shortly.

I have also started my new job as a funeral assistant. I can't say where or who for due to Data Protection but all i can say is I love it. I have the best job in the world. It appeals to my levels of organisational control, i have to think on my feet and deal with the deceased which appeals to my naturally mothering tendencies. I love making sure they look there best and that my chapels are immaculate. Some clients even give me chocolates, what better feedback is that. The levels of trust are enormous as it has to be as perfect as a wedding. Anyway enough of that onto the pod liner info.


Take a double sheet (ours was from Wilkinson's £7.99). Fold in half and decide how far back you want the top turned back. Fold pin and machine in place. Then do the same for the sides but leave enough room for your friend to be able to climb in and out. Sew shut the bottom. Then using a fabric pencil draw in your curves and sew along the lines. Cut off the excess. Turn inside out and slide into Gelert Pod bag. Hey presto a fab liner which absorbs sweat gives an extra layer of protection and cuts down on the amount of times you have to wash your pod. Below it is modelled by my friend Matt.

Back in the stitch of things a psychological overview

While all around me my life descends into chaos there remains 1 constant by my side.


It is not a man for they act like they love us and sometimes are supportive but ultimately if they feel there needs aren't being met there off.


It is not my daughter as although she looks like me, thinks like me, and understands me. She is supremely demanding of every last second of my time and fills my home with squiggly drawings and Barbie dolls on every available surface. I do love her though please don't think that I don't.


It's not my career that has been assigned to the filing cabinet as I wasn't selfish enough to put company demands before my life and child so down the ladder I have slipped into total obscurity.


For a while i was fooled into thinking that it could have been cupcakes and Ben n Jerry's but that makes me sick or just increases my weight gain.


No the constant in my life is craft. Knitting and needlework mostly but chuck in the odd abstract canvas. It can be put down and picked up where you left off, unlike a book where you forget the plot lines. Or when you think I'll catch up on my favourite TV series you can knit while watching but you can't talk on the phone while watching as others voices cause you to lose concentration.
I find it ultimately thrilling when you sew all the pieces together and think yessss. I made that it's complete and finished.H ow many other situations in my day to day life do I get that buzz? Very rarely when the laundry bin is emptied, but then I see the ironing pile so the victory is but short lived :(


So if your stressed and everything is getting on top of you, there is no one to bounce off ideas, too much to contemplate this is my advice. Take the phone off the hook, shut the door, give yourself some good lighting and do a bit of knitting even if it's only for 5 mins. The rhythmical motion and the sense of completion will restore your sanity if only for a fleeting moment. But seize the moment enjoy it and repeat tomorrow