Pokémon Masters - Unite!

I wanna be the very best

Like no one ever was

Catch them is my real test

To train them is my cause

I will travel across the land

Searching far and wide

Teach Pokémon to understand

The power that's inside

Pokémon!

It's the long awaited weekend, where pokemon masters across the UK gathered together to... eat cake and celebrate the youngest Nephews birthday! My nephew had specifically asked for a pokemon magic show for his birthday from my hubby and, being incapable of saying no to the niblings, of course we had to make that happen. The last few weeks have been spent secretly building props and rehearsing fun ideas and, I'm pleased to say, I think it paid off. 

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Firstly was the worst drive down to Manchester I've ever had (I blame my eldest neice who tagged along for the ride with us and my mum, she's jinxed!). Between people forgetting things, a crash on the M74 and overnight works shutting the M6, it took us 6 hours to get to Wythenshawe where we were staying. 

On the morning of the party I took Missy a nice walk and then we all got kitted up and made our way to help set up the party. Yep. We. Through inside contacts and a stretch of the truth of Missys status as a therapy dog, she came along as a real life houndour. I was a bit worried people would feel we were overindulgent about bringing her, but it was an absolute success. I have several wonderful photos of kids grinning away in gatherings about her, but I won't post them here on the Internet out of respect to the fact I don't have permission. 

The magic show went brilliantly. From Alakazams collapsing wooden spoon to pulling a scorbunny from a hat and a pokemon race that saw the birthday boy being the winner, it went great. The scorbunny was claimed by the birthday boy and I was pleased at a day well done. 

After that was a tidy up and a trip to the playpark before everyone, exhausted, ended up at my sisters for left over sandwiches and birthday cake. Nephew opened his pressies and I was delighted that the Espeon I made went down so well! Neice has commissioned. E for a female pikachu, so that's her birthday organised! Then we thieved off with some board games and introduced my eldest neice to Latice back at the Airbnb. 

Today was a meet up for the playpark and lunch before we set off back up the road. A short trip, but worth the effort. As I said to my hubby, it's days like this weekend that become core memories - this 6 year old pokemon party will be fondly remembered for thr longest time.

Missy is sleeping off her newfound fame (I often forget how smitten the extended family on that side are with her) and we're having a well deserved quiet evening ahead of work tomorrow.

Until next time - Gotta catch 'em all! 

Thistle do Nicely

A backwards post today. My aunts dress, which I've been stringing this out since February. So at long last, the full story. My aunt has not had much luck with her health. My mother says her sister was a sickly child and, certainly, my experience growing up was that she was always down with something when we visited. So, several years ago now, whilst it came as no surprise to be told she had cancer, we were shocked to discover she had three individual cancers. The doctors said she was lucky, but as you can imagine, my aunt never felt that was the case. 

So there's been multiple surgeries to remove it. Reconstruction surgery which then failed and had to be removed again. The chemo. The steroids. Everything in between. 

So despite the joyous news that her son was going to get married, she was absolutely distraught, saying that she was going to look like "a sausage in a bin bag" on the day. 

I went through this with my mother when I was married (hell, even my MIL who doesn't give two figs what people think about what she wears had it). They want to put on a show for what is thier child's happiest day. My mother tried on more dresses for my wedding than I did! So when I got a mercy call from my mother asking if I would be willing to do a commission, of course I said yes. My poor aunt really does deserve to feel nice for a special day. 

So I agreed. I got some suggestions, gave a few of my own and saw my aunt once for the initial measure up. I had my sewing books, pins and measuring tape and (with the help of hubby who knows how to flatter someone into agreeing with him) came up with a battle plan. A smock, using a belt as a waistband (she can change size overnight) and a couple of thistles. Some thistles. Oh, they're your special symbolic flower from your late husband? Lots of thistles. 

And that was it. Fabric was ordered, the dress was made and... She was too poorly to make it for a fitting. Well, having to guess the length of a dress which I would be unable to alter again, was a bit nerve wracking to say the least. And then there was the thistles. So many thistles. 

After much anxiety, this weekend was the moment. I kicked mum into the other room, gave my best and most flattering pep talk (always use compassionate language) as I helped adjust the "waistband" into an empire line and fluffed the petticoats and....

She was absolutely delighted. Its the right side of dark for her comfort zone. Brings the eye away from the features she's worried about and matches with the coat she had picked out. So she was a happy bunny. She did try to pay me, but I insisted it was a wedding gift for her son - that his mother is happy. 

After that, I caught up with my oldest nephew to check out the pokemon event in town. It was a community day and, to be honest, was expecting more than a marquee that was handing out stickers. Thankfully my nephew is easily pleased, I showed him the best baked potato shop in Edinburgh and then we chilled out in the Gardens taking turns to catch stuffuls. 

There was ice creams too to enjoy in the spring sunshine and it was a pretty good way to end the end the day. My neice caught up with us and I saw them off on the train before heading to a friends for dinner. Poor Missy was absolutely beat from the day, so a quiet Sunday was definitely in order. 

Well. Quiet in a get on with the garden and get engrossed in a new sewing project kind of way! 

Happy Halloween!

Well, a belated one!

This Halloween as been unusually busy for me - the last few years have fallen flat with everyone too busy to do anything, and then this year I got several invites, including a doggy parade in Manchester (next year, I have to go next year!) and a puppy disco in Glasgow. Owing to the fact that I was working, I couldn't go to any of them except for a family party.

So this years party all started as my tweenage niece wanted to dress as Pusheen for Halloween. She is savvy enough to know that the costumes available are massively overpriced and that her aunty (ie me) is completely gullible and happy to take on a challenge.

The Pusheen 'rug'

And then my nephew jumped on the bandwagon! He wanted to go as Owen from Jurassic World, only he couldn't get a waistcoat that was just right. None had pockets. Or they were black and not brown. Eyelashes fluttered and:

Well, I very well couldn't let the kids have the best costumes and not make an effort myself! So I followed on from our current pokemon phase and made Missy a Houndour outfit. The hubby and I went as Ash and Misty to compliment Missys outfit (yes, I had chosen hers before ours!) So I'll leave with the comment that we had a great night. I had brought Just Dance on the Switch and we just spent the night dancing away - although I am slightly concerned that my nephew dances better than my niece!

No pokemon were harmed during the photoshoot!

What kind of biscuits do Pokemon get?