Jill Chambers
@jillchambers.bsky.social
(she/her) Adventures in creative living. Sometimes paid for them. Scouse/Geordie hybrid. Solar powered hygienic hippy. Mother of dog. Fond of circles, jazz flute and the colour green.
http://www.smoke-and-mirrors.co.uk
http://www.smoke-and-mirrors.co.uk
Today I am clearing, cleaning and then spite-decorating my conservatory.
My neighbours are really irritating, so I am about to blow their enthusiastic festive attempts out of the water.
Admittedly this is probably not the good will to all men that the angel Gabriel and his heavenly host spoke of.
My neighbours are really irritating, so I am about to blow their enthusiastic festive attempts out of the water.
Admittedly this is probably not the good will to all men that the angel Gabriel and his heavenly host spoke of.
December 13, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Today I am clearing, cleaning and then spite-decorating my conservatory.
My neighbours are really irritating, so I am about to blow their enthusiastic festive attempts out of the water.
Admittedly this is probably not the good will to all men that the angel Gabriel and his heavenly host spoke of.
My neighbours are really irritating, so I am about to blow their enthusiastic festive attempts out of the water.
Admittedly this is probably not the good will to all men that the angel Gabriel and his heavenly host spoke of.
Let's goooo! 🔥🔥🔥
Today in “Dudes Rock”:
A dude playing Dire Straits’s “Sultans of Swing” guitar solo on…a recorder.
A dude playing Dire Straits’s “Sultans of Swing” guitar solo on…a recorder.
December 12, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Let's goooo! 🔥🔥🔥
Wasn't it about 22 days ago that the unspeakable signed a bill which meant that the Epstein files would have to be released within 30 days?
Are they hoping that people will be too distracted by Christmas?
Are they hoping that people will be too distracted by Christmas?
December 12, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Wasn't it about 22 days ago that the unspeakable signed a bill which meant that the Epstein files would have to be released within 30 days?
Are they hoping that people will be too distracted by Christmas?
Are they hoping that people will be too distracted by Christmas?
The older I get, the more fond of Nick Cave I become.
December 12, 2025 at 12:08 AM
The older I get, the more fond of Nick Cave I become.
I remember disagreeing with someone I follow on Instagram a year ago about AI when she was insisting it wouldn't put people out of jobs and we all needed to get with the programme. Today she's outraged because it came for her and interfered with her work. I brought the receipts. Leopards...faces
December 11, 2025 at 10:27 PM
I remember disagreeing with someone I follow on Instagram a year ago about AI when she was insisting it wouldn't put people out of jobs and we all needed to get with the programme. Today she's outraged because it came for her and interfered with her work. I brought the receipts. Leopards...faces
OK Bluesky, in my epic decluttering this year I came across this plastic item which was in the kitchen gadget drawer. It's hollow and looks like it goes around some sort of circular pot handle or something. I'm stumped - does anyone have any ideas?
December 11, 2025 at 8:32 AM
OK Bluesky, in my epic decluttering this year I came across this plastic item which was in the kitchen gadget drawer. It's hollow and looks like it goes around some sort of circular pot handle or something. I'm stumped - does anyone have any ideas?
Am ignoring the posts about tree pic fatigue, as I checked my photos and the last time it was up was 9 years ago!
I'm counting it as a huge win for executive functioning now that I am developing strategies to help with my ADHD that, thanks to my diagnosis over the summer, I now know I have.
#proud
I'm counting it as a huge win for executive functioning now that I am developing strategies to help with my ADHD that, thanks to my diagnosis over the summer, I now know I have.
#proud
December 9, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Am ignoring the posts about tree pic fatigue, as I checked my photos and the last time it was up was 9 years ago!
I'm counting it as a huge win for executive functioning now that I am developing strategies to help with my ADHD that, thanks to my diagnosis over the summer, I now know I have.
#proud
I'm counting it as a huge win for executive functioning now that I am developing strategies to help with my ADHD that, thanks to my diagnosis over the summer, I now know I have.
#proud
Holy hell, I have a LOT of decorations. They keep on coming!
On the plus side, if I ever win an Omaze Lake District house then I'm good for the festive season.
On the plus side, if I ever win an Omaze Lake District house then I'm good for the festive season.
December 9, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Holy hell, I have a LOT of decorations. They keep on coming!
On the plus side, if I ever win an Omaze Lake District house then I'm good for the festive season.
On the plus side, if I ever win an Omaze Lake District house then I'm good for the festive season.
Sorting through all my boxes of Christmas decorations and detritus and have come across loads of old Christmas cards.
So many of my loved ones have died now that I've decided to keep a card from each of them to put up every year, so their good wishes can still be part of Christmas.
So many of my loved ones have died now that I've decided to keep a card from each of them to put up every year, so their good wishes can still be part of Christmas.
December 9, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Sorting through all my boxes of Christmas decorations and detritus and have come across loads of old Christmas cards.
So many of my loved ones have died now that I've decided to keep a card from each of them to put up every year, so their good wishes can still be part of Christmas.
So many of my loved ones have died now that I've decided to keep a card from each of them to put up every year, so their good wishes can still be part of Christmas.
Operation Harrowing Loft Peril successful!
Reconnaissance mission for Operation Ruthless Purge indicated a promising outlook of loft completion within 6 months with a concentrated effort! 😆
Christmas decorations locked and loaded. Tree time can commence.
Reconnaissance mission for Operation Ruthless Purge indicated a promising outlook of loft completion within 6 months with a concentrated effort! 😆
Christmas decorations locked and loaded. Tree time can commence.
December 9, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Operation Harrowing Loft Peril successful!
Reconnaissance mission for Operation Ruthless Purge indicated a promising outlook of loft completion within 6 months with a concentrated effort! 😆
Christmas decorations locked and loaded. Tree time can commence.
Reconnaissance mission for Operation Ruthless Purge indicated a promising outlook of loft completion within 6 months with a concentrated effort! 😆
Christmas decorations locked and loaded. Tree time can commence.
Enjoying the roasting that Pantone is getting for this from all of the progressive, colourful people and companies I follow on Instagram.
Really, Pantone?! This is what you're going with for color of the year?? REALLY?
December 9, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Enjoying the roasting that Pantone is getting for this from all of the progressive, colourful people and companies I follow on Instagram.
This.
Because honestly, what other course of action do we have a available to us? I hope more of us are voting with our pennies now.
Because honestly, what other course of action do we have a available to us? I hope more of us are voting with our pennies now.
The only surefire way to stop oligarchs buying up the things we love is to drop those things the moment oligarchs buy them & that requires changing habits and massive self-discipline.
It means going to alternatives that might not be quite as good or convenient.
It’s really hard. But there it is.
It means going to alternatives that might not be quite as good or convenient.
It’s really hard. But there it is.
December 9, 2025 at 8:07 AM
This.
Because honestly, what other course of action do we have a available to us? I hope more of us are voting with our pennies now.
Because honestly, what other course of action do we have a available to us? I hope more of us are voting with our pennies now.
Co Durham folks, this one's for you. ⏬
🎄✨🎁What do you get the creative grown up person in your life for Christmas?🎄✨🎁
Well if you suspect they might like to learn to drum and possibly join our Samba band we have just the thing..!
Well if you suspect they might like to learn to drum and possibly join our Samba band we have just the thing..!
December 8, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Co Durham folks, this one's for you. ⏬
Fab wreath-making workshop with friends at Katie's Craft House in Whitley Bay tonight. They take a lot longer than you think to make! Great happy and relaxed vibes. 😊
December 7, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Fab wreath-making workshop with friends at Katie's Craft House in Whitley Bay tonight. They take a lot longer than you think to make! Great happy and relaxed vibes. 😊
New phone meant I finally had enough memory to cancel Spotify and transfer playlists to Tidal.
I'm now boycotting so many mainstream companies and things owing to ethics, it feels quite joyless and isolating so here's my final Wrapped. Spotify are evil, but Wrapped is a tiny joy I will miss.
I'm now boycotting so many mainstream companies and things owing to ethics, it feels quite joyless and isolating so here's my final Wrapped. Spotify are evil, but Wrapped is a tiny joy I will miss.
December 7, 2025 at 9:39 AM
New phone meant I finally had enough memory to cancel Spotify and transfer playlists to Tidal.
I'm now boycotting so many mainstream companies and things owing to ethics, it feels quite joyless and isolating so here's my final Wrapped. Spotify are evil, but Wrapped is a tiny joy I will miss.
I'm now boycotting so many mainstream companies and things owing to ethics, it feels quite joyless and isolating so here's my final Wrapped. Spotify are evil, but Wrapped is a tiny joy I will miss.
THIS IS A PSA FOR ANYONE LIKELY TO BE IN A FORD TRANSIT ANY TIME SOON.
See this handy moulded mobile phone sized pocket in the door?
You may think the tiny sticker may be reminding you not to use your mobile when driving.
You would be wrong.
See this handy moulded mobile phone sized pocket in the door?
You may think the tiny sticker may be reminding you not to use your mobile when driving.
You would be wrong.
December 6, 2025 at 9:08 PM
THIS IS A PSA FOR ANYONE LIKELY TO BE IN A FORD TRANSIT ANY TIME SOON.
See this handy moulded mobile phone sized pocket in the door?
You may think the tiny sticker may be reminding you not to use your mobile when driving.
You would be wrong.
See this handy moulded mobile phone sized pocket in the door?
You may think the tiny sticker may be reminding you not to use your mobile when driving.
You would be wrong.
Recently watched a video about the wildly complex chord progression in this song and even though I have the original vinyl single and can sing every word, I never noticed James Bond in the prechorus.
For anyone who loves music, this is rich nectar.
For anyone who loves music, this is rich nectar.
This They Might Be Giants TONIGHT SHOW performance of "Birdhouse In Your Soul" from 1990 remains firmly lodged in my noggin thanks to the Tonight Show Band's full commitment and Doc Severinsen's incredible trumpeting... It took an already great song and made it transcendent.
December 4, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Recently watched a video about the wildly complex chord progression in this song and even though I have the original vinyl single and can sing every word, I never noticed James Bond in the prechorus.
For anyone who loves music, this is rich nectar.
For anyone who loves music, this is rich nectar.
After today's Wes Streeting debacle I was going to write an angry and personal response about the chaotic, debilitating and very real carnage that has been my experience of life up until my ADHD diagnosis this year, but actually this makes my point for me.
December 4, 2025 at 10:24 PM
After today's Wes Streeting debacle I was going to write an angry and personal response about the chaotic, debilitating and very real carnage that has been my experience of life up until my ADHD diagnosis this year, but actually this makes my point for me.
Have been standing admiring my newly cleaned, decluttered and sorted living room just taking in the calmness. Feeling proud and emotional. Have been living in dysfunction for so very long.
ADHD really buggers up your life, but once you know you have it, you can get support to get your life back.
ADHD really buggers up your life, but once you know you have it, you can get support to get your life back.
December 2, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Have been standing admiring my newly cleaned, decluttered and sorted living room just taking in the calmness. Feeling proud and emotional. Have been living in dysfunction for so very long.
ADHD really buggers up your life, but once you know you have it, you can get support to get your life back.
ADHD really buggers up your life, but once you know you have it, you can get support to get your life back.
So now that my apps are starting to refuse to open owing to the fact that there hasn't been enough memory to update them for months, I guess today is the day I FINALLY transfer my precious pictures and videos from my SD card to my laptop.
December 2, 2025 at 7:04 AM
So now that my apps are starting to refuse to open owing to the fact that there hasn't been enough memory to update them for months, I guess today is the day I FINALLY transfer my precious pictures and videos from my SD card to my laptop.
My parents had a newsagents and some of the covers on this fab thread are making me very nostalgic.
Also very interesting to see how illustration has changed over the years.
Kudos for putting this all together @markbungle.bsky.social Blimey!
Also very interesting to see how illustration has changed over the years.
Kudos for putting this all together @markbungle.bsky.social Blimey!
In 2023, Radio Times celebrated its centenary, so here is a thread of every single front cover of the #ChristmasRadioTimes over the last 100+ years, including all prices, number of pages and full credit to every artist and photographer. Here we go...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILcz...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILcz...
Further Christmas Wrapping: 100 Years of Radio Times
YouTube video by Bob the Fish Productions
www.youtube.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:52 PM
My parents had a newsagents and some of the covers on this fab thread are making me very nostalgic.
Also very interesting to see how illustration has changed over the years.
Kudos for putting this all together @markbungle.bsky.social Blimey!
Also very interesting to see how illustration has changed over the years.
Kudos for putting this all together @markbungle.bsky.social Blimey!
Had a DVD -tastic weekend while deep cleaning the living room. Finally saw Home Alone for the first time yesterday and all I can think about was how come the house was spotlessly clean and tidy when the family came home?
December 1, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Had a DVD -tastic weekend while deep cleaning the living room. Finally saw Home Alone for the first time yesterday and all I can think about was how come the house was spotlessly clean and tidy when the family came home?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My beautiful special time machine!!!!!
RIP lovely friend.
☠️☠️☠️☠️❤️💔
My beautiful special time machine!!!!!
RIP lovely friend.
☠️☠️☠️☠️❤️💔
November 29, 2025 at 12:44 PM
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My beautiful special time machine!!!!!
RIP lovely friend.
☠️☠️☠️☠️❤️💔
My beautiful special time machine!!!!!
RIP lovely friend.
☠️☠️☠️☠️❤️💔
Reposted by Jill Chambers
ARTISTS! BANDS! MUSIC FANS! Can you lend FOTN your ears & expertise this weekend to help some deserving artists find a wider audience? Please drop by the Listening Post & tell us your favourite tunes at freshonthenet.co.uk/batch591 Big love & warm thanks if you’re able to help x
November 28, 2025 at 5:30 PM
ARTISTS! BANDS! MUSIC FANS! Can you lend FOTN your ears & expertise this weekend to help some deserving artists find a wider audience? Please drop by the Listening Post & tell us your favourite tunes at freshonthenet.co.uk/batch591 Big love & warm thanks if you’re able to help x
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've seen.
Everything Everything (x 3. 4 as of next wk)
Hozier
Bros (at old Wembley Stadium)
Lindisfarne (mid 80s lineup with Alan Hull and Ray Jackson)
Gong (Alston Town Hall with Daevid Allen)
Everything Everything (x 3. 4 as of next wk)
Hozier
Bros (at old Wembley Stadium)
Lindisfarne (mid 80s lineup with Alan Hull and Ray Jackson)
Gong (Alston Town Hall with Daevid Allen)
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've seen.
Neil Young
Wilco
Black Keys
George Jones
Cliff Richard
Neil Young
Wilco
Black Keys
George Jones
Cliff Richard
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've seen.
Queen
Dire Straits
Billy Joel
Squeeze
Gillan
Queen
Dire Straits
Billy Joel
Squeeze
Gillan
November 27, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've seen.
Everything Everything (x 3. 4 as of next wk)
Hozier
Bros (at old Wembley Stadium)
Lindisfarne (mid 80s lineup with Alan Hull and Ray Jackson)
Gong (Alston Town Hall with Daevid Allen)
Everything Everything (x 3. 4 as of next wk)
Hozier
Bros (at old Wembley Stadium)
Lindisfarne (mid 80s lineup with Alan Hull and Ray Jackson)
Gong (Alston Town Hall with Daevid Allen)