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Much of a muchness
Things that make you go 'hmm'…
A very sociable weekend
Posted by on February 24, 2008
Now here is today’s ‘and finally’ item. I know it is first, but it’s my blog and I can do what I like here, so bear with me. This is one of those amazing optical illusions. If you stare at this and let your eyes go slightly out of focus, you can see a giraffe. Took me a while to see it but it is rather amazing.
Now back to business, this is today’s book. Red, black, white. Japanese Chiyogami paper from Paper Source. Not a lot more to say about it really. I like it, but then I’m a sucker for red and black.
It’s been a busy weekend. I was up early on Saturday as a friend had asked if she could pop in as she wanted me to help her upload some images to Moo. She had seen my little Moo cards and wanted some but as she is not terribly good with computers (and she won’t mind me saying that!) I offered to help her.
We had no sooner started when another couple of friends dropped in unexpectedly. They had just returned from a holiday in Cuba and were full of news about what a fantastic time they had had. They had gone to Cuba to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary (quite an achievement!) what they didn’t know was that their daughters had arranged a surprise party for them that very night. I was quite terrified I was going to inadvertently give the surprise away and was almost relieved when they eventually left, as the stress of not mentioning the party was giving me palpitations!
I did have one of those wonderful moments though, when you think of the perfect comment right on cue – and not two hours later as I usually do. Mike had said that he had been suffering with a bit of a dodgy stomach since he returned and it came to me – he must be suffering from ….wait for it….. Castroenteritis! Well, we thought it was funny….
They had no sooner gone home, than another couple of friends unexpectedly dropped in for coffee. I just thanked my lucky stars I wasn’t having one of my infrequent ‘pyjama days’ – that would have been just too embarrassing.
The surprise party was fantastic and miraculously, was just that – a complete surprise. The surprisees were suitably shocked and pleased and the surprisers were all suitably pleased with ourselves for not blabbing the secret. The party was themed around – guess what? Cuba, of course, and we drank lots of Cuban cocktails – Mojitos (a lethal mix of white rum, mint, sugar and lime juice) and we listened to the ‘Buena Vista Social Club’ to get us in the mood. An excellent night.
After my late night, I was woken this morning at 8.30am by my mother who said she hoped she hadn’t woken me up (she had) but she wanted to know if I had a copy of the ‘Mail on Sunday’ (an English newspaper). She was ringing to tell me that there was an article about my friend Claire Fordham (who is the friend I went to stay with in Los Angeles last year). I gave up having a lie-in at that point and went to the newsagent to buy a copy. The article was in the ‘You’ magazine section and as usual was very funny. It was all about her book and the film of the book, and the film of the film of the book…..
Here’s Claire appearing on the Craig Ferguson Show.
How cool is that?
Much of a muchness 
very cool video Diane !!!!
I love the red and black….the inside is very elegant…
sounds like you had a wonderful weekend….exotic drinks and friends dropping by…ha…you could have had a pj party if they had caught you in your pj’s…
got me on the giraffe lol….and here I was taking my glasses off and peering very closely durrrr lol…
I’ll have to pay you back on that one :D
I found your blog via Drowsey Monkey…I was pleased to see you are a book artist. I used to do quite a bit of papermaking, but stopped after I moved into a condo (can’t make a mess here, lol…).
(There’s a Paper Source in my town, too).
Anyway, your books look great. Happy blog b-day too!
that giraffe thing is hilarious
Hi Diane,
Your friend Claire can certainly hold her own against the Host Craig Ferguson – She is very funny – and her type of humor and laughter is infectious. “Looking at the size of the diamond, you can see I married for love, not for money” is a great line.
Your quip about Castroenteritis is hilarious too. No wonder most Cubans are thin, they have continuous expelling of Castro, who’s really hard to digest, daily. It zapped their energies. They play good music though. :-) –Durano, done!
Kim – Claire did well didn’t she?
PJ party! What a great idea!
I love giraffe’s face!
Dave – welcome! I have tried making paper – I’m far too messy! I envy you a Paper Source though. I wish they would open up a franchise here in the UK!
Glad you like my books and thanks for the good wishes :-)
Nurse M – I think I love his raised eyebrow best!
Durano – Claire is one of the funniest people I know! I always have a ball when I visit her.
The music is fun isn’t it? They must be doing something right – they are all in their 80’s and still going strong. Must be all that dancing :-)
It sounds like you are as popular in “real life” as you are on the internet, all those people dropping by to say hello. How nice! I’m glad the party went well too.
Very nice book by the way. I’m a sucker for red.
It was great to see them but I was just glad I wasn’t in ‘book making mode’. Not a pretty sight – all that glue :-)
I will whisper it here but you musn’t tell anyone – I even had a date for the evening….. :-)
Red and black – hmmm, reminds me of your blog!
Oooh, red and black…much of my wardrobe is red and black. That book would match my outfits! ;)
That’s a good one about Castroenteritis…LOL!
Your friend Claire is hilarious! Now I’ll have to go look up her book.
So glad you had a fun weekend. :)
Oh, and I forgot to say, aren’t you thrilled about Day-Lewis winning the award?!
If you go to Claire’s website/blog there is a link to get the book on Amazon. I get a mention in the opening credits. Ahem *bows politely* :-)
I’d like Catherine Zeta Jones to play me in the movie, thanks :-D
Yay! The boy did it! Could do without the ear rings, Daniel, but otherwise – you looked great!
Hey Diane – what happened to yesterday’s blog? I can’t see anything for Monday so as a punishment you have been tagged! http://bijouxandbanter.wordpress.com/2008/02/26/knowing-me-knowing-youdo-you/
Kylee – I had a day off – sun was shining – played tennis – went to see some friends – food shopping, so no new book I’m afraid :-(
I’m thinking I might post every other day now the weather is improving. I could manage a book a day when it was gloomy and nasty outside – even last summer was grim, but when the sun is shining….
I’ll check out the tag now. Hope my punishment isn’t too bad :-)
Now back to the bookbinding….
i love the Compay Segundo music and dance this rithm.
And i love you optical illusion picture, is funny.
It’s great music isn’t it?
And the giraffe is very silly….