Saturday, November 25, 2006

Ding Dong Merrily on High

I have this great book, a recent purchase, called "Instant Gratification: Ornaments". Right up my alley - mine is not a bonsai personality. There are several things I'd love to make in here. The peppermint sticks are so cool - made out of dowelling and grosgrain ribbon. I also quite like the mini-light sleeve, and am making some later tonight.



But the thing I wanted to try first - don't ask me why - was the sheet music bell. So I gathered together my materials:


- a bell template, courtesy of "Instant Gratification" page 140
- scissors - sadly, couldn't find the adult ones and had to raid Charlotte's art drawer
- UHU!!
- "Playtime Piano: Popular. 5-Finger Melodies", doomed to horrific death by snipping. But in order to make this omelette, I had to break a few 5-Finger-Melodic-eggs.

A scrap of ribbon, a 3" seam on the old Kenmore, and voila!


I really like this little bell, although I think it would look nicest if I had several of them, and sadly the well of sheet music has run dry. The book suggests "antique" or "vintage" sheet music (defunct composers and musicians everywhere are turning over in their coffins) but all I had were a few pages of "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" and "(Meet) The Flintstones". I think if I decide to make any more of these, I will beg some proper sheet music - something nice and complex and classical - off my virtuoso sister.

It has been snowing most of the day. It's been a nice lazy day, due to a sick baby last night so very little sleep. I am going to finish it off by going out tonight with Mr. HSBoots and another couple, who are bringing their kids and a baby sitter over in an hour or two. We're heading out to a pub to eat huge quantities of things with drippy sauces like ribs and Moroccan chicken wings (honey and curry - delicious) and drink some quenching beverages. Yum. Nothing like getting out of the house for an hour or two.

4 comments:

Gwen said...

Ooh, love the bell! I laughed my head off when you said you can't make this omelette without breaking a few eggs. AND I had that d#%n "I'd like to teach the world to sing" in my head ALL DAY!!!
Would also love to try those Moroccan chicken wings. Why haven't I ever thought of that?! They sound great.

Shan said...

Yes, the wings are delicious - they come coated with crushed toasted hazelnuts. AMAZING.

About the song, I keep thinking of that Coke commercial:
"I'd like to teach the world to sing
in perfect harmony
I'd like to buy the world a Coke
and keep it company."

I don't even know the real words.

Anonymous said...

Let it snow let it snow let it snow!
The bell is awesome, I'd love to see that book.
Hope the food and child-less hours were nice.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I see what you mean by the mini light sleeve. Very pretty. In fact, I bet I could whip one of those up myself. I'm still looking for some of those great sugared-fruit type garlands like the one you've got.

It's official, I HATE beta blogger, it's always down. Good thing you allow anonymous comments!

Gwen