R2-D2! really...

It's funny how you can tweek something too much.

I had to find more white paint to correct some creative shading, which really didn't work.  anyhoo, Tom's thrilled, and I've just a little more silver paint touching up to do.  Getting things to make the knobs and such like isn't the fiddle, it's the sticking them on that's tricky (double-sided duct-tape in the end).  See what you think...
                                  before:

 R2-D2 with feet!

                                       Latest:

I'm planning on putting him in white shirt (school) so arms are white, and he'll need pale coloured trousers, apart from that I'm quite pleased - still needs a blue bar on the bin body, above the other 2 bars, so not quite done yet.   A week to go, so no pressure!

Have today managed to find Phoebe a white dress which I can tweek, and add a hood, got a white belt in a charity shop, and have ordered some white ballet 'pumps' from e-Bay, so that's coming together as well.  So looks like Princess Leia will also be in attendance...

TTFN  :)

Getting there.... slowly

Where does the time go?

I've had my final letter from the company advising me of my redundancy details, but not seen the balance in my bank account yet...

I actually had an interview as well last week, but blew it when I said I was looking for part-time term-time.  They said I presented well, and they liked me and all that, but essentially the other candidate was more.... available.

In the meantime, I'm getting on top of all the niggley jobs around the place that you never normally have time to do.  Which is quite nice actually!  I've tidied my daughter's room, re-arranged the furniture (with her permission) and sorted the muddle of clothes strewn on her bottom bunk bed.  My nose hasn't forgiven me, and I've had words with her to put her dirty things in the laundry basket in future.  11 going on 17 going on 7.

R2-D2 is coming on quite nicely, if I say so myself. (see previous post). When next I upload the camera I'll post something here to give you an idea.  I've found some reference images online and am currently painting the detail in on the bin-body.

More of a problem is Princess Leia - which won't be cheap.  Freecycle hasn't been forthcoming, so I'll have to leg it to the fabric shop and get sewing.  Again, the saving grace has been web-surfing - I've managed to bookmark a few sites with quite good instructions on how to make you own costume.

If I wasn't just newly unemployed I wouldn't do it.  But with xmas on the way and school holidays I need to get everything done before the kids break up, so I'm not pushing the job thing too hard.  I'm fairly sure we can get by until new year.  Then it'll be new year, new start, and there'll be no stopping me!

Watch this space...

Invited to a party, you are...

So my youngest (son, Tom) has been invited to a fancy dress birthday party  in a couple of weeks time - Star Wars theme.... He's 5 and has, I'm told, seen Star Wars (the first, and original, if you're my age.. or the 4th in the series, if you're young) at his friend's house - when he went round to play.

Frankly, I'm not sure how I feel about this, but it's done, so I can only go forward...

And so to fancy dress.  He decided he wanted to be 'R2-D2'.  The robot. The small wheeled robot. The small, white, dome-headed  (do robots have to have a head?) robot that emits squeeks and squeals and bleeps and blips, and whatever else you care to call the sounds it makes.  This, it has been decided, is the fancy dress my son desires above everything else.

I love the web!  A few search terms and clicks later and we arrived at: http://www.coolest-homemade-costumes.com/coolest-homemade-r2d2-star-wars-costume-31.html. or, how to make an 'R2-D2' costume from a plastic rubbish/trash bin.  A quick click to Argos, one reservation later and we're on our way.  This is going to cost me more than buying something from Amazon or e-Bay, but what the heck, it's going to be fun making it and no other kid at the party will have one!

We collected the bin, purchased some paint suitable for use with plastic(!) and, with my trusty drill in hand (!) I started the construction. Let's just say for now, it's going fine, lots of curly plastic-dust from the drilling, and so far, so good.  Preparation will be everything, I've got thick elastic for suspenders (over the shoulder), and duct tape for rough edges, and we've got a picture or 2 of the little fella himself, so the creative goddess gets up off her chaise longe, wanders over and says to herself  "...invited to a party, you are... son, you shall go to the ball!".

Dipping my toe in

Is this a stream of consciousness?  I'm trying to do too many things at once.  Get a job. err, finish updating my CV.  I only wrote it last week, but so many things have happened since then - 3hrs in minor injuries for Phoebe's 'soft tissue injury' which was a hockey accident, so we took it seriously, 3hr seriously, as she broke that arm when she was 5...  Manic bonfire night, 27 people in the field, bonfire and fireworks, and afterwards in the house enjoying food and drink...  lovely  :)

Get a job.  But I'm mum to 2 kids, I drive them to school and pick them up - who'd employ me? Schools.  Sounds ideal, but actually not all that keen on kids myself.  I know I have 2 of them, but many of other people's kids?  in the same place at the same time... scary.

Get a job.  What happened to your last job?  made redundant.. long story.  Too raw. 

Get a job.  No pressure then.  

Walk the dog.  Misty mornings.  Lovely.