Wednesday, 23 October 2013
Moving in - setting up craft desk!
I've been moved in to the new house for a while now, and I have a new craft desk! It's white, so I think I might decopatch it in a pretty light paper with birds or something. But for now it looks TERRIBLE! But I'm still getting work done :) Note the random items that don't really belong - the ice pack on the floor...?
Sunday, 20 October 2013
Life in the UK Test
One thing I have to do is pass the Life in the UK test - which mostly covers British history, culture and government. The questions are surprisingly difficult - and they're not on how to make tea or who won last year's X factor! I've taken a few practice examinations, and am halfway through the book that the test is on, and a couple of questions might be:
Q: What order do the patron saints of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland fall within the year?
and
Q: Name two forts that are found on the site of Hadrian's wall.
or
Q: How often does Prime Minister's Questions occur during Parliament?
It's all a bit difficult if you're not interested in British history or politics!! I don't think a lot of people in Britain would actually pass the test, unless of course they're history buffs and also work as a politician or lawyer... but oh well, I study on! I think it's actually quite lucky that I study archaeology, because it means I already know a bit about the prehistory of England. And I rather like the Anglo-Saxons, so I know that area of British history, and since my husband and I like to take walks in the countryside, I've picked up a bit of information about geography and history that way. But I'm actually a bit nervous about passing!The test costs £50 to take, but the actual Visa I'm applying for is over £1000 :( It's all worth it though (even though I wish it was cheaper!) so I can live in this amazing country!
Monday, 14 October 2013
A-Z book survey
I used to love surveys - remember the days of early Facebook and 'notes', or even previously, when you'd get loads of forewards in you hotmail inbox, which you fill out and send on to your friends? Those were the days.
So I was excited when I saw this book survey that Ellie did at Wellies, Crochet and Cows, and I thought I'd spend a few minutes not doing work and doing this instead :)
Author you’ve read the most books from.
Oh gosh... I'm not really a serial-author reader. I read 5 books in the series by Jean M Auel, Earth's Children. That probably wins!
Best sequel ever.That would be the second in the aforementioned series, The Valley of Horses.
So I was excited when I saw this book survey that Ellie did at Wellies, Crochet and Cows, and I thought I'd spend a few minutes not doing work and doing this instead :)
Author you’ve read the most books from.
Oh gosh... I'm not really a serial-author reader. I read 5 books in the series by Jean M Auel, Earth's Children. That probably wins!
Best sequel ever.That would be the second in the aforementioned series, The Valley of Horses.
Wednesday, 9 October 2013
Interview with Kirsty from DiGgeek - jewellery for the fashion conscious archaeologist!
Cory: Please tell us a bit about yourself and DiGgeek.
Kirsty: I'm a bioarchaeologist having obtained (through ancient DNA, sweat and tears) my doctorate at Durham university a couple of years ago. I realised that the life of the pure academic was not for me though and started doing lots of outreach with the public - all about bones of course! I worked my way into the university museums and am now a full time learning officer on world heritage site, so I must be doing something right!
How long does it take to get internet...?!
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| My pretty new coat! The Edie coat by Darling |
So this of course means I've been silent on the blogging front, just as there's so much to post about! My shop is back, I'm excited to be making bookshelf necklaces again, and setting up a new crafting space in my new bedroom. I have a new desk, and I have ideas for making a beautiful pegboard. And maybe decopatching the new desk? I also want to learn how to garden, and blog my trials as I learn about bulbs and weeding.
Wednesday, 2 October 2013
Aaaaand, we're open! Discounts!!
Coryographies' Etsy shop is back up, finally! I can't believe how much I missed it, and the crafting and networking and meeting people that comes along with it.
However, in my amazing way of sceduling things, I opened my shop at the same time I've been moving house AND starting a PhD. No biggy. So I have no internet at home at the moment, and am doing everything from my phone or from uni (when I should be reading!!) which makes things a tad difficult.
Also, I was due to send out the September edition of my Newsletter, but because of some hiccups it is now going to be the October version ;) I did promise everyone a 15% off exclusive discount however, for the month of October, and I haven't forgotten! Wiggle on over to my newly opened site (www.coryographies.etsy.com), and use the code 'OCTOBER15', and buy yourself or a loved one something pretty!
Come on, I'm standing here with saw and glue and paintbrush at the ready!!
Monday, 30 September 2013
Unpacking and setting up shop!
I'm moved into the new flat back in Oxford now, and unpacking my beloved craft supplies! I didn't know I would miss my shop so much, and I can't wait until the grand reopening tomorrow. There are boxes everywhere, though I've created a bit of a clear space on the bedroom floor to sort out the soon-to-be Coryographies Crafty Corner in the new place!
Above all though, it's been sooooooo nice to sit down and just play with polymer clay! Here's a sneak peak and what has been happening on my lap craft tray recently... some hints of Christmas!
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| Does it look like a business space? This will have to do as a business space. |
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| I didn't know I'd miss my lovely crafty supplies so much! |
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| Some Christmas and candy treats for the upcoming season! |
Tomorrow is the big day, the grand unveiling... I'm ready!
Tuesday, 24 September 2013
Pretty Sugar Cubes
These are my new favourite things. Cute little sugar cubes in pretty colours and shapes!
See the full treasury I made on Etsy here :)
See the full treasury I made on Etsy here :)
Sugar Cubes - Flavoured and Colourful!
Saturday, 21 September 2013
Fall Colour Trend - Mustard Yellow
I've been looking for a cute Fall/Winter coat to keep me warm as the seasons change. And while browsing Etsy, I kept finding pretty things in lots of nice warm golden mustardy hues - so I decided to make a treasury!
You can see the rest of it here. Enjoy!
Here's a peek:
You can see the rest of it here. Enjoy!
Here's a peek:
Fall Colour Trend - Mustard Yellow
Thursday, 19 September 2013
Homemade Refried Beans
My husband and I made burritos today for lunch. He's a great cook, and he makes his own refried beans as well which are amazing. Here are the directions if you want to give it a try. Warning - your house will smell AMAZING.
Ingredients:
2 tins of haricot beans
1 medium onion
Chillies (a few - whatever kind pleases you!)
A squeeze of lime
Bay leaves
Fresh coriander
Smoked Paprika
Ground cumin
Cumin seeds
Salt
Directions:
Boil the haricot beans with a few bay leaves and some salt, for about 5 minutes or so. Retain the water - don't throw it away! This will be used to reconstitute the beans when you are mashing them.
Chop the onion and chillies, and soften in a pan with a little oil and some cumin seeds. Tear a handful or two of coriander leaves and add this as well. Add a half cup of the bean water to the pan.
Then, with a masher (or a fork), scoop in half of the beans while mashing them up. Add lots of the liquid to the mixture as you go so you keep a gloopy consistency. Add some smoked paprika and some more cumin (ground) to taste. Add a squeeze of lime as well to make it interesting. Keep all of this hot, but not bubbling much.
Add the rest of the beans to the mixture. This will make it have a better texture. My husband was frying some chorizo for the burritos and he drained the oil that came off into the beans as well - I thought that was a nice touch, but not necessary, especially if you are going vegetarian!
Spoon it into your burrito wrap with other dressings, and YUM YUM YUM!
Ingredients:
2 tins of haricot beans
1 medium onion
Chillies (a few - whatever kind pleases you!)
A squeeze of lime
Bay leaves
Fresh coriander
Smoked Paprika
Ground cumin
Cumin seeds
Salt
Boil the haricot beans with a few bay leaves and some salt, for about 5 minutes or so. Retain the water - don't throw it away! This will be used to reconstitute the beans when you are mashing them.
Chop the onion and chillies, and soften in a pan with a little oil and some cumin seeds. Tear a handful or two of coriander leaves and add this as well. Add a half cup of the bean water to the pan.
Then, with a masher (or a fork), scoop in half of the beans while mashing them up. Add lots of the liquid to the mixture as you go so you keep a gloopy consistency. Add some smoked paprika and some more cumin (ground) to taste. Add a squeeze of lime as well to make it interesting. Keep all of this hot, but not bubbling much.
Add the rest of the beans to the mixture. This will make it have a better texture. My husband was frying some chorizo for the burritos and he drained the oil that came off into the beans as well - I thought that was a nice touch, but not necessary, especially if you are going vegetarian!
Spoon it into your burrito wrap with other dressings, and YUM YUM YUM!
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