Mad About Bags

The Travelling Craft Box

2012-02-13T22:44:00.000Z

Thanks everyone for their comments on my question about swap etiquette it would seem most of us would be happy to re-gift a present and also wouldn't mind a re-gifted present either as long as it doesn't go back to the original gifter!!!

The travelling craft box organised by Lynda over at Hookin' with LaaLaa is on it's way around the UK.

I was lucky enough to be the first recipient of Lynda's box which was full of lovely crafting bits and pieces (I haven't added a photo as I don't want to spoil the surprise). Lynda also included a lovely CK drawstring bag full of goodies just for me which I can show you.

All my lovely goodies from Lynda

This included

a fab DOTS & SPOTS postcard

A very cute sewing set

Heart card toppers

Butterfly sticky notes

Cath Kidston buttons and badges

A Yankee Candle spiced orange candle

as well as some spotty fabric, a notepad (which I am using for my to do lists) and some incense sticks.

Thank you Lynda for organising such a fab swap idea and for all my wonderful goodies, I have taken something from the box and added some more bits to it and have sent it on its way to Heather at Pink Milk.

Back in the saddle and a question?????

2012-02-08T18:36:00.001Z

Okay so I've given myself a kick up the proverbial no more moping around waiting for Spring, I'm just going to have to accept this dreary old cold weather pull on another jumper and get on with it!!!

Mmmm as you can tell by my absence and my opening sentence the last few weeks have been a bit Bleurghhh!!! But now I'm ready to get back into crafting, blogging and my photography.

I have been lurking in the background, reading all your wonderful posts and even commenting on some but just haven't felt like writing anything myself and then I found the longer I left it the harder it became to write anything, now I don't want this post to be all dreary like the weather so I'm not going to dwell on what I haven't done but I do need to ask you a question about swap etiquette.....

We all love taking part in swaps and I am always amazed at the generosity and talents of my swap partners and we all agree how lovely it is to receive a beautifully wrapped parcel in the post.....

BUT......

Is it okay to pass on something that you have received as a swap gift onto someone else who you know would love it even more than you do?

I'm not talking about passing something handmade off as your own or doing the aged auntie thing of giving back the present you received last year but how would you feel if you saw one of the smaller gifts that you had given to someone as part of swap being received by someone else as part of their swap parcel.

Would you be offended or would you think of it as recycling????

I'd love to know what you all think about this so please feel free to leave a comment.

This passing on of gifts has reminded me of a comment made to me once by a friend in the school playground (not known for her tact or diplomacy!!!)

"I've a really ugly brooch at home I think would suit you" ????? it was a good job I knew her!!!

Pay It Forward......

2012-01-16T22:41:00.004Z

Many thanks to those of you that entered my Pay It Forward I put all the names into a hat, alright it was a plastic beaker as I look terrible in a hat!So congratulations to......

Claire of Cute and Cosy

Emma of My Red Wellies

and

Kimberley of Creative Chaos

you will be receiving some handmade goodness from me very soon!

I wish I could send all of you something but for those of you that missed out this time I've just be picked to receive some handmade loveliness from Vintage Vicki's Pay It Forward so there will be another chance for you to enter in the next couple of months.

Ladies I will be emailing you later to get your details etc and will send out a parcel to you soon.

January Makes

2012-01-13T21:30:00.001Z

Like many of you I signed up to the challenge of making a least one item a month over at Annie's blog -

The Felt Fairy

I wanted to use this challenge to make some things for our home as these often get put on the back burner in favour of making lovely things for other people...think typical builder, builds lovely homes for other people but can his wife get him to put up a curtain pole - can she heck!!!

So I have surprised myself this first month by not making one but two makes, alright they are identical but we can count them as two can't we???

And here they are - my patchwork stripe bolster cushions for Rachel's bed.....

because of the design of her bed there is always a gap when she puts the bed against the wall (she moves her furniture around quite a bit so sometimes there isn't a gap at all!!)

Clothes, books, pens, socks and much more have a tendency to fall down this gap and I have meaning to make these some bolster cushions for ages to stop this and to make the bed look more comfy.

I used a combination of new and reclaimed fabrics so we have pieces from a charity shop skirt, a duvet, a pillowcase, and the one I love the most one of my Nan's vintage dresses.

I have to confess to finding it hard sometimes to put fabrics together like this and initially when they were cut and laid out I really wasn't sure but once I started sewing them together, I was delighted with the combination. I used my over locker for the seam as I love the neat finish it gives.

Anyone else find sewing the pom pom trim on a bit of a nightmare, I tried to sandwich it in between the fabric so that the pom pom's were only showing but my sewing machine just didn't like it so I resorted to putting it on the outside. Any tips would be gratefully received for the next pom pom trim project...

I think I may have over stuffed the first one and might re stuff it at a later date, am I'm the only one that does just keep on stuffing, I do find it tricky to get that just plump feeling!!!

Both the cushions fit nicely along the back of the bed and ~~even if~~ when Rachel decides it's time for a room shuffle then they can sit at either end of the bed too.

Rachel loves them and I think they do go rather nicely with the CK bedding....

So that's one item crossed of the Home Makes List, it's a new ironing board cover next...unless I get distracted by something else!!!

Lastly I just wanted to say another thank you Annie as the other day I received my bag handles through the post from her bag handles giveaway, I received some round handles and a funny postcard, not sure whether I am actually going to use them as bag handles yet so we shall see what my creative brain comes up with???

Soups, Scooters and Shiny Sinks.....

2012-01-08T22:07:00.000Z

Rachel keeps asking for carrot and coriander soup so on Friday I popped to our local farm shop and bought several pounds of carrots and some lovely fragrant fresh coriander.

Then on Saturaday after peeling all those carrots and chopping the coriander and using one of Jamie Oliver's recipe I set about making some soup. It's the first time I've made anything of his (I know where have I been - not in the kitchen obviously!) but it was a nice simple recipe and I what I loved most was because it was on line lots of people had left useful comments on it, so I added potato because I like a thick soup, was careful not to add too much stock and threw in the chopped coriander, stalks and all, to give it a bit of a kick.

The result, a really easy to make and very tasty soup, mine came out darker and greener than the photo on the website but its was very yummy. The only downside was Paul said his portion was too small, well you can't win them all can you. Not content with making one soup I made two on Saturday, simultaneously too, woo get me!

I also make a mean broccoli and stilton soup, if I do say so myself, so armed with a huge lump of leftover stilton and some fresh broccoli I got to work, stirring and simmering and blending. I try to make double the amount so that I can freeze some but as this is quite popular in our house (even Tomas likes it) it never seems to last very long.

We did eat some of the soup(s) but thankfully there was enough leftover for another day.

It's not been all aprons and dirty dishes here this weekend, we managed a little fresh air too and took the kids scooters out for a, well, scoot!

Rachel and I also took our cameras with us and managed to take some photos for the scavenger hunt.

We also met a very friendly cat at the end of our lane, I think Tomas wanted to bring him home.

As for the shiny sinks, well I have to say that I was quite sceptical and a wee bit tongue in cheek when I signed up to the Flylady but I have to say that keeping a shiny sink does make a BIG difference, my kitchen is definitely a lot tidier, and as the hub of the house of five it does take some bashing, but each night I have made sure that not only is my sink shiny but all the sides are nice and clear, it's so lovely to come down to in the morning. I'm not quite there with all my babysteps and need to sort my control journal, but I'm seem to be on the right track and its seems to have progressed to the lounge too. No more papers left lying around or toys on the floor just a nice tidy room at bedtime. I am hoping that I can keep this up and that it gives me more time to craft....talking of crafting now that the christmas decorations are packed away and the house is tidy(er) I really want to make a start in my craft room and getting some crafting done but what to make first???? perhaps I should pop over to pinterest!!! No seriously I have a long list of " I want to make"s and I'm going to try really hard just to use what I have in my craft room and not buy any more fabric, wool, buttons etc. We'll see how long that lasts shall we!!!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

Getting Back in the Saddle.....

2012-01-05T21:40:00.001Z

No not on a horse, but just getting back into the swing of things after Christmas.

This week all three of the children were back in school, for Tomas this means an extra full day at pre-school so he has been feeling a ~~little~~ ~~quite a bit~~ a lot out of sorts come tea time, so there has been a fair bit of cajoling on my part to get him to eat his dinner and he is then out like a light come 6pm. But I think he will be just fine as we get a routine going, he does so look forward to going to pre-school which is always a bonus I think.

As for the older two they seem to have settled right back into their routines with no problems at all, sorting out timetables, homework and after school activities with ease, I just wish I knew what they were doing!!! Rachel has just had another super school report and Paul and I are so proud of her, this year is going to be a busy year for her choosing options and she has already started some of her GCSE'S.

As for Paul and I it is just a matter of establishing a routine, I use the word routine in the loosest sense of the word, as we are both at home we can choose to change things around if we want to. Although I would like more of a routine when it comes to the housework otherwise I find that things slip a little, so with that in mind and having been spurred on by Kelly's Clutter blog I joined the Flylady, and have started on my baby steps, so far I have shined my sink and managed to keep it shining!!!

Paul has been laughing at me because when I explained the babysteps and said this is great,

day 1 shine your sink and then

day 2 all I have to do is keep my sink shining and get dressed this is going to be a breeze,

you can imagine why he thinks this is hilarious can't you!!!

Saying that though there are some good pointers on the flylady and I think that I shall be adapting lots of them to suit our family home. Just think I might even have the last laugh on Paul too!!!

Right I must dash as I've just realised I've missed the beginning of Celebrity Big Brother!!!

I really need to sort out the WIFI extender so that I can blog on my iPad and watch TV at the same time....

TTFN

A New Kid on the Block....

2012-01-03T20:00:00.000Z

My daughter Rachel has started a new blog for 2012,

having received a new camera for Christmas she is hoping to join in some of the photo challenges and to write about her days at home and school, if you would like to pop over and say Hi that would make her day and if any of you have children with blogs please let her know as she would love to meet some people her own age here in blogland, until then she'll have to settle for boring old Mum!!!!

First Swaps of 2012

2012-01-02T21:33:00.001Z

If you're feeling a bit flat now that you have packed away all the Christmas decorations or you just fancy getting back into making again then these two swaps might be just the ticket.

Firstly, in preparation for the month of LOVE,

Gem over at Gem's Country Life Dream has organised a Blog Love Swap

The theme is blog love

so basically it can include anything you wish to send that your partner would love to receive.

It must include a minimum of 5 items but there are no other requirements. For more information or to join in with this swap please pop over to Gem's Blog but be quick the closing date for this swap is the 8th January with swap parcels to reach their recipient by the 14th February.

Secondly, if like me you still need to tidy up your craft area and you have more stash than you have time to create then the Travelling Craft Box over at Hookin' With LaaLaa might be just your thing.

Lynda will start the box off with crafty bits and pieces, books or magazines and each time it stops off on its journey the recipient may take any items they wish from the box as long as they replace them with bits and pieces from their own stash. Sounds like this one could be lots of fun as you have to blog about what you take (but not what you put in) and you will get to see the box travelling around the UK.

For all the information on how this swap works and to take part pop over to Lynda's Blog now.

I hope these first two swaps of 2012 have whetted your appetite a little I'm sure there are plenty more swaps to come.

P.S Don't forget for the chance to receive from of my handmade goodies you need to join in my

PAY IT FORWARD.

A Great Way To Start 2012...........

2012-01-01T23:50:00.000Z

As you can see I have had a little revamp here at Mad About Bags, a new header showing some of my craft makes and a few little changes with colour and text.

I have found over the past year or so of blogging that the direction I thought my blog would take i.e networking for my mad about bags websites hasn't happened and my blog has become so much more... I have taken part in some fantastic swaps, "met" some truly wonderful people and found a passion for photography.

My crafting has also branched out in many different ways, I've learnt to crochet, tried my hand at applique, quilting and much more hence the addition of "and so much more" to my blog title. I hope that I can continue to try new things, whether they be crafty or not and that I get to meet some more amazing people along the way.....

Talking of amazing people some of you will already know Heather from The Patchwork Heart, but if you don't then do pop over and say Hello. Well back in November Christmas Heather blogged Pay It Forward (PIF) and I was lucky enough to be selected to receive a gift from Heather and this is what she sent me in the post a few days ago...

pretty packages all tied up with string...

a fabric flower keyring

a gorgeous HOME SWEET HOME patchwork kit

I love the colours in this kit and can't wait to start it

a shabby chic fabric heart

here are my PIF gifts all together

Here's how to continue the Pay It Forward and be in with a chance to receive something made by yours truly...

So the rules of the pay-it-forward are:

I need to find three bloggers who would like a handmade gift from me

and who are prepared to do the same, and I have 365 days in which to do it.

If that appeals to you just leave a comment on this post telling me your favourite colours.

The closing date will be 16th January

and if more than three people are interested, names will be drawn from a hat.

I don't know what I'm going to make yet but I can guarantee you'll like the colours

and I promise it won't take me a year!

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T22:04:00.001Z

Wishing you all hope and happiness for 2012.

Advent Swap Goodies

2011-12-30T19:34:00.002Z

I want to start the new year afresh here on my blog so I am just doing some post Christmas catch up blooging to show you the rest of my advent swap goodies from the lovely Sue over at @home.
Sue and I were lucky enough to be partnered twice in a row, once for the cupcake swap and then the advent swap and it has meant that i have been able to get to know her a little better over the past few months. I know that Sue is taking a little blogging break at the moment and is planning to show you what I sent her soon but if you can't wait then I will be adding some pictures to my facebook page so pop over and take a look.

Day 16

Some sticky notes invaluable for lists etc.

Day 17

a gorgeous heart shaped soap - I love the wrapping on this and don't want to take it off.

Day 18

Another yummy chocolate treat - which I had to share again - funny how the kids didn't want to share their advent chocolate.

Day 19

This Christmas bauble which when opened contained...

the sweetest glass ladybird charm

which I now have on my new phone and some delicious chocolate coins.

Day 20

Now the whole of Sue's package smell divine as she had bought me a bath bomb from Lush which I opened on the 20th, there is no photo I'm afraid but I had the most heavenly scented long hot bath that night!!!

Day 21

A sweet hand painted Robin

Day 22

another of Sue's truly brilliant glass miniatures - this time a Christmas tree....

here are all three of them together with Sue's cupcake in the background.

I can feel a collection of these coming on!!!

Day 23

I really couldn't capture this on camera but it is a heart map mobile with one of Sue's glass beads on the end

I could imagine these working really well for Valentines or anniversaries

with a special place picked from the map.

and finally

Day 24

Some too pretty to blow your nose on CK tissues....

I've thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the advent swap again and would just like to thank the lovely Lynda over at hookin' with laalaa for organising the swap and to Sue for being such a wonderfully brilliant swap partner.

Thank ladies you made my Christmas extra special...

A Christmas Round Up

2011-12-30T12:41:00.001Z

Although I haven't posted on my own blog over Christmas it has been wonderful to see all your lovely posts about what you have been up to, the gifts you have received and your hope and dreams for 2012.

Our Christmas was a lovely quiet family affair with just the 5 of us, and this year there wasn't any of the stress that I normally feel on Christmas Eve as all the presents were wrapped and hidden beforehand and the table laid ready for Christmas day.

We kept busy decorating gingerbread Christmas trees

We had an enjoyable Christingle service at our local church and it was nice to take some time out from all the excitement.

After a tasty KFC we watched video's sent directly from the big man himself, where we found out if we had been naughty or nice. Luckily everyone passed (phew!!)

The rest of the evening was spent keeping track of Santa on Norad, setting out the Christmas sacks and wearing our homemade Christmas pyjamas.

Everyone (including me) was in bed and asleep by 12.30 and up again at 7.30 to see if Santa had been....

He was very generous this year bringing lots of techno gifts, I was lucky to receive an Ipad and there were also an Ipod, a Playstation, a netbook and a camera as well as Fireman Sam toys for a huge Fireman Sam fan.

After we had opened our presents Paul cooked up a scrumptious breakfast of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs and later he also served us with a tasty turkey Christmas lunch.

The rest of the day was spent getting to grips with all our new technology and building the town of Pontpandy.

Later I shall be posting about the rest of my advent gifts from Sue from @home.

He's behind you....

2011-12-18T22:46:00.003Z

Yesterday after a a hearty full English brunch to celebrate Paul's birthday last week the kids and I headed off to the local village hall for the Pantomime. There was lots of booing and hissing when the King Rat the baddie came on and quite a few "he's behind you"'s too.

Tomas was rather fidgety and I was quite glad we were sat at the back as he was in and out and under his seat quite a lot!!!! I think he enjoyed it though and he joined in quite well with all the audience participation.

The ladies that run the village hall always put on a lucky dip and the children love have a few go's, Tomas was thrilled with his Thomas train, Noddy book and soft frog toy, Jack unfortunately was caught between the boys 8-10 and the mens boxes and ended up with some shower gel, and rather unusual aftershave samples, one named Mouse??? and some good old hankies!!! Rachel relieved me of the notebook I won from the ladies box but was less chuffed with the Warner hotel shower cap, well you can't win them all can you!!!

Today we popped over to my Nan's to share a Christmas lunch with her, my parents and my nephew. I took over some scrumptious homemade mince pies which I made last night.

Am I the only strange person that eats the raw pastry leftovers.

Mmmm don't answer that one needless to say that I didn't quite make as many as the recipe suggested but the fresh out of the oven ones tasted delicious if I do say so myself!!

The children received lots of lovely gifts but I forgot to take my camera so no family shots today :(

My Nan still uses a film camera and it was funny when she took a couple of pictures of the kids and Tomas asked if he could see them!!! Definitely a child of the digital age!!!

We finished the evening off with a meal out at a local Indian restaurant and feeling completely stuffed came home to watch the brilliant Eddie Izzard in Lost Christmas and Just Henry.

Finally I thought I would leave you with a picture of my latest Christmas make, another cushion.

I also saw this one on Kirsty's 365 days of pinterest creations blog and decided I needed to make one, I'm getting quite a collection going, and I really want to try the Christmas top one and the printed ones too so watch this space.....

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend it's only one week till Christmas you know!!!!

Advent Swap Goodies Day 8 - 15

2011-12-15T17:26:00.000Z

Christmas is now only 10 days away - how did that happen???
It's been another busy week here what with school productions, birthdays, coughs and colds but I thought I'd would just update you all with more of the wonderful goodies that I have received in my advent swap from Sue

Day 8 - I now know what to do with my stale bread and burnt toast with this ingenious bread bird feeder.

Day 9 - another one of Sue's incredible creations a glass Christmas pudding - I love this!!!

Day 10 - red and white paper chains - this should keep the kids busy!!!

Day 11 - a purple bejewelled mirror

Day 12 - a delicately stitched notebook

Day 13 & 14 - somehow I missed a day so had to open two what yummy surprises!!!

Day 15 - some extremely cute cross stitch button patterns and some buttons to cover...

I'm really enjoying seeing what everyone has been getting this year and have found some wonderful new blogs along the way and even some new crafting ideas for next year!!!

When Tomas met Santa...

2011-12-10T18:57:00.000Z

Today Tomas and I ventured out into the cold afternoon to see if we could visit Santa in his grotto at The Little Baddow History Centre.

As we arrived Santa pulled up his beard (lol)

and together with his elf came to say "hello".

We saw the North Pole

The reindeer

and Santa's grotto which was beautifully and naturally decorated.

Tomas wanted to bring these huge pine cones home with him.

Initially Santa thought that Tomas was a girl and gave him princess hairbands but a little while later the elf realised what had happened and we received a boys gift too. Luckily Tomas is too young to realise and was quite happy with his presents.

Tomas took a ride in Santa's sleigh

and amazingly it started it snowing!!!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend .......

WHOOSH - AND YOUR WEEK IS GONE!!!

2011-12-07T19:38:00.001Z

Anyone else have the feeling that December has arrived and decided that its wants to got at double the speed of the rest of the year!!!

My plans of daily blogging to show off my advent swap gifts and Christmassy makes doesn't seem to have happened so this is an update of what we have been up to this past week....

Day 3 of the Advent Swap and Rachel wanted to take some pictures of me opening my gifts, looking at my hands I could really do with some handcream in this parcel.....

but wait it's even better than handcream it's chocolate, that will take my mind off my dry old hands

unfortunately I had to share with the rest of the family !!!!

Day 4 was this beautiful green and gold star bunting to brighten up my dresser. Tomas wanted this for his room as Rachel has put up the Cupcake bunting that Sue sent for our last swap in her room but I managed to persuade him to let me put it up in the orangery as long as I promised to make him some for his room...

Day 5 and I waited until the kids were at school to open these latest gifts as they are just a bit too eager to nab them for themselves.....I'm still not sharing!!!

and in today's package was a shiny cupcake keyring

Day 6 inside today's package was this delightful little fella - how cute is he???

Day 7 and we are already a week into December I can't quite believe how quickly it's going, next week is a full on week of school this and that's and then the kids break up and then and then it's Christmas!!!!!

I'm trying really hard this year no to flap about things, but the time is going so quickly and there is still so much I would like to do/make/finish/start/blog/photograph the list just goes on...I've decided that I will do what I can but if it doesn't get done then it's not the end of the world....there's always next year!!!

In today's package there were lots of lovely card making bits and pieces some of them Christmassy which I will save until next year!!!

So that is me up to date with my advent swap gifts from sue a crafts@home don't forget to pop over to Sue's blog if you would like to see what I have sent her too.

As some of you know I have also been trying to do an advent activity with the kids each day, which I have to confess hasn't been easy to keep up, what with after school clubs, homework, dinner, tired toddlers and bedtime we have managed to do some of my planned activities this week but not all. I think this idea has migrated here from the USA and works great if you are homeschooling and your kids are a few years apart but when you are trying to think of things that will please both a three year old and two teens then its hard I can tell you. What has been funny is that although the older two moaned at having to watch Home Alone 1 again (a big favourite in this house and already watched several times since the end of November in anticipation of Christmas)when I hadn't organised anything yesterday they were the first to ask "what are we doing today"......

So far we have

1.listened, danced and sang to Christmas music

2. written letters to Father Christmas

3. supposed to have put small trees up in bedrooms - this didn't happen due to a party and illness yuk!

4. Put up the BIG Christmas Tree - fun but quite stressful at times as Tomas thought you could put 5 ornaments on one branch and the older two had a case of silly - itus!! I have been really good though and have only re- arranged the branches that had two or more ornaments on them and have added some wired bows.

5. we didn't do anything tonight but I had written on the calendar "Carol's 8pm" and Jack thought we were going carolling but we weren't I was going round a friends for the evening I think he was a little disappointed!!!

6. half heartedly watched Home Alone, everyone went off and did something else and Tomas decided he was too tired and asked to go to bed!

7. tonight we made magic reindeer food ready for Christmas Eve, someone tried the oats, someone tried the sprinkles and someone used up all my lovely fine glitter!!!!

I also wanted to spend each day before Christmas either showing you something that I had made or bought to decorate the orangery to make it more Christmassy, so with the tree now up and each windowsill starting to fill up with bits and bobs I can show you a few more things.

I spied this snowglobe in our local TK MAXX back in November and just couldn't resist - I do love a snowglobe!!!

I've also been following a 365 pinterest blog written by Kirsty which shows a make a day from her Pinterest boards I liked some of them so much I just had to make my own....

I made this reindeer cushion from a charity shop skirt and some felt I also added a lovely red glittery felt nose as Rudolph is a big favourite in our house.

Today I almost finished a christmas tree cushion which I will show you all tomorrow.....

Right must get on as the older two are at the school concert tonight and I want to wrap some of their presents while they're out as they have already been confessed to having had a snoop around!!!!

Advent Day 2

2011-12-02T22:32:00.001Z

Day 2 of the Advent Swap and I chose one of these lovely purple gift bags from Sue to open this afternoon.

and inside was this beautiful hand painted tea light holder

green is my favourite colour and I love the holly leaves.

I can't remember the order I packed Sue's gifts in so if you want to see what I sent pop over and take a look at Sue's blog crafts@home

Keeping with the Advent theme our activity today was writing our letter to Santa Tomas was thrilled at the prospect but as he is only three I wasn't sure how this was going to pan out I needn't have worried...

I wrote out the words and he copied over them with a felt tip pen....

He took his time and was so careful, here are just a few photos of what he achieved....

Rachel and Jack were brilliant and joined in with the family fun...

Jack wrote a lovely letter asking not just for material presents but family new year wishes too.

Tomas watching how it's done!!!

Rachel's letter/poster was bright and cheerful

And here is Tomas' finished letter

These wonderful letters have been placed under pillows and are waiting for Father Christmas to collect them overnight and hopefully he will write back soon....

I think I'm going to treasure these for years to come.....once Santa has finished with them obviously!!!

Finally I have managed to make these little fabric Christmas trees in pots for the conservatory (please excuse the photo I will try and get a better one tomorrow in the daylight!)

I am making more of these in different colour ways using fabric scraps from the workroom and any buttons I can lay my hands on!!! I thought the trunks were a little too thin so have substituted them with brown pencils!!! you gotta a love a bit of recycling!!!

I'm really pleased with them and can't wait to add more Christmassy bits and pieces to the room.

Advent Swap - Day 1

2011-12-01T21:57:00.001Z

Hooray! It's December 1st and time to open my first advent swap package......

This is what I found at the end of the drive this morning, the postie had kindly popped it over the gate....

Inside were all these wonderful packages

and also this wonderful handmade felt Christmas tree card.

If you're wondering who sent me all these fabulous gifts it was Sue over at crafts@home, we were also partnered in the cupcake swap and it has been nice to really get to know Sue through her blog and our emails these past few months.....

Now I had to be really patient this morning as I was already on my way out to toddlers with Tomas when I noticed the package and it took all my willpower not to go back indoors, pop Fireman Sam on the TV, stick the kettle on and start unwrapping....

After toddlers we arrived back home and once hungry mouths were fed I opened my box of goodies.

Sue had given me a pick and choose advent so I let Tomas help me to choose the first gift....

Can you guess what it is yet????

Here's a rather awkardly taken picture of me trying it out

We've all had a try of it now and it's definitely a hit in our house.

I've packed away all my goodies in a box that I keep in the conservatory - away from grabbing hands

I don't want to share!!!!

I love swapping especially the advent swap - I know it can be a bit daunting 24 gifts but its such a lovely idea and so much fun!!!

Here's what I sent Sue

I found this tin can idea in a recent magazine and enjoyed making so much that I have had to make one for our house too - just need a few more tins yet!!!

Sue loves ladybirds so I couldn't resist these ladybird tissues - almost too pretty to blow your nose on!!!

I can't wait until tomorrow......

Also over the next 24 days I'm hoping to blog each day about something that I have either made or bought for my conservatory as we decorate the room ready for Christmas...today's one will be the advent tins so far I have made 11 of them, covering them in red and white snowflake wrapping paper and using numbers printed from the computer. Inside are three chocolates, 'tis the season of chocolate for breakfast, and an activity for that day....so tonight we have enjoyed listening, singing and dancing to lots of Christmas Cd's to really get us in the mood for Christmas.....

What will you be getting up to over the next few weeks???

Rugby World Cup Swap

2011-11-24T22:17:00.000Z

I know that the Rugby World Cup has been and gone, that we all cheered on our respective teams and watched in awe as the host nation took the crown but I have a little reminder of the competition in the form of some lovely swap goodies.

During the competition Mousehouse asked if anyone from a participating country would like to take part in a rugby world cup swap, now coming from a rugby mad house we couldn't say no could we and I was partnered with Kimberley all the way from New Zealand. The idea was to send your swap family bits and bobs pertaining to your home country. We decided as we are half English and half Welsh that we would combine the two and we put together a package of English and welsh sweets, a handmade English and welsh cushion, some English and welsh card games, a letter from Jack to Kimberley's three boys and lots more. I completely forgot to take any photos of the bits we sent in my haste to get my parcel sent off as I was a bit behind but I didn't forget to photograph the parcel that Kimberley put together for us and here it is.

We all a share in the package with Jack claiming the All Blacks flag and key ring as well as one of the pens and pencils, Rachel nabbed the tea towel, the soap, a pen and pencil, Tomas was quite happy with the pencils and chocolate, Paul got the socks and I claimed the wool and the recipe book, we all enjoyed a bar of chocolate as you can see from the empty wrappers in the photograph.
Here's a closer look.

I thoroughly enjoyed this swap as it was lovely to receive a package from overseas. Kimberley sent me a lovely email saying how well our package had gone down especially my handmade cushion among her friends and family.
So it just leaves me to say thank you to Mousehouse for organising a brilliant world wide swap and to Kimberley and her family for being such great swapees!!!

P.s Kimberley has promised to email me some pics so i can show you what I sent!

Christmas Shopping - Handmade and On-Line!!!

2011-11-21T08:49:00.001Z

The weather has taken a decidedly chilly turn over the past few days and together with the fog this has made me want to stay snuggled nice and warm indoors. But I'm not going to let this cold weather stop me from getting on with my Christmas shopping - Oh No! I shall be doing this from the comfort of my armchair at the Creative Connections CRAFTfest this weekend.

There will be 175 (yes 175!) stalls selling an array of unique and wonderful handmade goodies at this

on-line extravaganza.

So if you were thinking of heading out this weekend to start (or finish) your Christmas shopping then STOP

pop the kettle on instead,

grab some biscuits,

get comfy in your favourite armchair

and browse through the many virtual stores that will be showcasing their wares.

I f you would like to see what's on offer then I am showcasing some of the stall holders over on my facebook page so pop over and take a look.....

A Fungi or two.....

2011-11-17T22:58:00.000Z

Tomas and I decided to make the most of the sunshine this afternoon by getting out in the garden. Tomas got straight to work collecting leaves for Daddy's bonfire whilst Mummy wandered aimlessly around the garden looking for things to photograph!!

Even Barney joined in the fun!

There was even time to practise some pedalling.

Then we met a fungi or two.......

These amazing toadstools were on some of the logs in the garden.

Whilst these were under one of the Lime trees virtually hidden by all the leaves...

Collecting leaves is such a tiring job so a little rest was required but no photography was allowed.

The colours in the garden were amazing today I do so love this time of year...

Finally I will leave you with a picture of one of our bird feeders - I think there is a reason we're not supposed to put Paul's leftover soak seed (for his aviary birds) here!!!

11.11.11

2011-11-11T20:56:00.000Z

Cupcake Swap Goodies

2011-11-06T11:51:00.000Z

This is another of my catch up posts and is another wonderful swap reveal...
I was fortunate to be partnered with Sue over at crafts@home for the Cupcake Swap and this is what she sent me.

Goodies wrapped in cupcake paper

This was what was inside what to take a closer look?

a cupcake zippered pouch with tiny glass cupcake

how cute is that!

Cupcake Bunting

A close up of the Cupcake Bunting

a felt cupcake in a silicon case

Cupcake card

Cupcake covered notebook

Cupcake cases and edible toppers

Cupcake tissues

I was thrilled with what I received from Sue, everything so well made and packaged beautifully, thanks Sue for making another swap a pleasure, and again like the last swap in my rush to send off my parcel (read late) I forgot to photograph what I sent, but this time I wasn't the only one Sue forgot to take any pictures of what she sent me so if you would like to take a peak then pop over to Sue's blog.
Sue and I have also been partnered for The Advent Swap so although I might not be able to show you all what I am working on at the moment I shall be busy crafting in the background!!!

Autumn Swap Goodies

2011-11-05T11:47:00.000Z

I'm a bit behind with all my blog posts from last month so I'm going to try and catch up over the next few days..... Last month the lovely Lisa from Kandipandi and I were partnered in the Autumn/Halloween Swap organised by Bluberry Heart, both Lisa and I chose Autumn as our theme and this is what I received....

A wonderful handmade Autumn card

A stunning beaded bracelet

some dangly beaded earrings

A mini jar of buttons

Autumn Fruit Candles

A delicious bar of Galaxy chocolate

This beautifully made tree applique bag

A leaf design zippered pouch

A knitted poppy - Lisa kindly donated £3 to the Bristish Legion too

A handmade felt leaf brooch

wooden buttons with a floral design

a leaf design keyring

All my wonderful Autumn goodies together

Lisa thoroughly spoilt me with all this lovely Autumn goodness didn't she so it just leaves to say a BIG thank you to Lisa for being such a wonderful swap partner and to Blueberry Heart for organising such a great swap.
I completely forgot to photograph what I made and sent to Lisa but if you would like to see them then they are here on Lisa's blog.

My Sewing Room......

2011-11-04T20:19:00.002Z

I've recently joined a new 30 day photographic challenge over on facebook, and the challenge for this month is a single theme photographed over 30 days so I have chosen

My Sewing Room.

1/30 - My Sewing Room at the bottom of the garden

I'm killing two birds with one stone on this challenge as my sewing room needs a really good tidy up so that some crafting can actually take place and I definitely can't photograph it in the state its in so I shall be busy, busy, busy.

2/30 My Sewing Machines

These are my sewing machines, I've hoovered up all the threads and fabric scraps and dropped pins etc and wiped down all the sides!!!

3/30 - magazine style shoot

This photograph was taken after my friend Ruth came to lunch and we made some padded hearts as a trial run for a forthcoming craft evening at Ruth's church.

4/30 - tidying the zips

I did some more tidying today, cleared the table, hoovered half the floor and managed to squash the cascading zips back into their box!

If you'd like to see more of my sewing room and follow my progress on the tidying front then please pop over to my photography blog

Depth of Field

and if you'd like to join in the photographic challenge or to find out more about it then click on the link below

A Kitten Called Betty

Halloween......

2011-10-31T23:30:00.001Z

On Sunday we made the most of the mild weather by cutting, scooping and squelching our pumpkins in preparation for Halloween.

Tonight after Jack's rugby game and a rather rushed tea we headed out into the spooky darkness to go trick or treating although we didn't see many other ghost or ghoul's we did have a lot of fun.

Hope you all had a lovely Hallow's Eve and haven't eaten too many sweeties!!!

Recent Makes and Orders!!!

2011-10-29T14:28:00.000+01:00

I recently had to make a present for one of Rachel's friends so using some lovely linen fabric with purple roses, decorated with machine embroidery and sequins and teaming it with some sumptuous purple corduroy I made this pretty make-up bag.

Probably like most of you I tend to shy away from zips but as they say practice makes perfect, so I have been practicing.

Both these animal print make up bags were a custom order via facebook and I was really pleased with how these turned out.

A finishing touch with a pink ribbon zip pull and a silver heart charm for the zebra print

and a red ribbon zip pull and gold heart charm for the leopard print.

I already have orders for a few more of these so I shall be getting lots of zip practice!!!

Crochet Ta Dah!!!

2011-10-04T17:52:00.001+01:00

I was supposed to post this at the weekend but better late than never eh!!!
I've finished my first crochet blanket, I used the ripple pattern from over at Attic 24. This is my first completed crochet project and I finally finished it on Saturday night whilst watching Big Brother, I then left it on the sofa for Jack to snuggle under whilst watching Wales play Fiji at 6am!!

It was obviously a good omen as Wales triumphed with a big win!!!

I used some Bonus Dk as this was my first project and I wasn't sure how it would turn out. I am a project hopper so I didn't want lots of expensive wool sitting in bag for years (I would never do that!!!). The wool was lovely to crochet with and is surprisingly soft, so now it's onto the next project a blanket for Rachel - more ripple or a granny ripple I can't quite decide?? but I do have the wool already.....

The missing T

2011-09-29T08:49:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I posted the A to Z of Me and to save time I copied and pasted it from another blog, deleted the answers and added my own, what I didn't realise, but Joy did, is that there was one missing - the letter T.

After checking the blog I had copied and pasted from and a couple of others that were doing the same thing they all had the T missing too,but I finally found out what it was over at The Felt Fairy - thanks Annie!

The missing T was

Time you Wake Up - well with a three year old in the house quite early! if we are lucky then 7am if not then 5.30am and more often than not anywhere in between. I'm so not looking forward to the dark mornings!!

It's another lovely sunny day here in Essex today, the builders have finished the roof and Tomas and I are off to toddler's this morning and there maybe a bit of gardening and photography this afternoon. I hope you all have a lovely day today whatever you are doing....

A to Z of Me....

2011-09-28T21:42:00.002+01:00

I've seen this on a few blogs lately and as I don't often write much that is actually about me I thought I'd give it a go.....

Age - 41

Bed Size - Double with a kingsize duvet

Chore That I Hate - I dislike most chores as there's always something mch nicer to be doing, although once I get going on a big tidy up there's no stopping me! If I had to choose then it would be ironing.

Dogs - We (hubby that is) used to breed Dogue de Bordeaux's (from the film Turner and Hooch) so we have had a large number of dogs in the past, I'd be at the checkout buying sausages for the dogs and the kids would say we've got 14 dogs and the look of horror would cross the checkout girls face! They all lived outside which when they are that big is a blessing I can tell you. So now we only have three dogs Ozzy - the grandson of first our Dogue de Bordeaux, Enzo - the most stubborn of Dogue de Bordeaux's you are ever likely to meet and Barney a Jack Russell cross Patterdale Terrier who looks about 12 but is really only 2.

Essential Start to my day - Cup of tea or two!!

Favourite Colour - Green

Gold Or Silver - Gold

Instruments you play - I can't say that I can play any instruments but I once owned a harmonica and could play Moon River rather badly!

Job Title - Jack of all Trades - far too many too list

Kids - Three - Rachel 13, Jack 12, and surprise number three Tomas 3

Live - just outside Chelmsford in Essex

Mothers Name - Margaret

Nicknames - never really had a nickname that I know of!

Overnight Hospital Stays - had my ears pinned back at the age of 5, dislocated and broken elbow which resulted in several operations age 23, I stayed in hospital after both my older two were born but was out with a few hours after Tomas was born

Pet Peeves - Definitely manners including at the table, politeness and common courtesey oh and text speak

Quote From A Movie - No one puts Baby in the corner (Dirty Dancing)

Right or Left handed - Left handed and left eyed!!!

Siblings - One older sister.

Underwear - Yes I like to wear underwear not quite as lacy or skimpy as it used to be but underwear all the same!

Vegetable you hate - Brussell Sprouts yuk!!

What Makes You Run Late - According to my kids I'm always running late , although they have never been late for school or an appointment. I have so many things to do I like to leave with just the right amount of time to spare rather than like hubby who likes to leave early and then wait!!!!

x-rays you've had - quite a few on my elbow

Yummy Food I make - I can't say that cooking is my one of my strengths although I think my roast dinners aren't too bad!

Zoo Animal - We live not far from Colchester Zoo and with Jack completely obessed with Tigers we have visited quite a few times over the years and Sasha the white tiger was always a firm favourite.

You can now see why I don't tend to write much about myself as I have a tendency to ramble, but if you fancy joining in then give it a go!

The Great British Seaside Swap

2011-09-28T13:47:00.000+01:00

This was another fantastic swap organised by Julie over at KC's Court
and I was partnered with the lovely Sue over at Vintage from the Village.
My parcel arrived with this wonderful tape all around it - how fab is that!

This is what I found inside.....

I did laugh out loud when I saw this - an ingenious play on the theme of this swap and great thinking outside the box!!!

This is not a great photo of this RNLI nail file but I think you get the gist.

I also received two lovely lavender bags

surfer's delight

and pearwhelk

There was also some wonderful lighthouse fabric which I am hoping to use when I revamp my summerhouse with a beach/nautical theme.

Imagine my delight when I opened this package as I had coveted the tape on the outside of my parcel and now I have my very own!

These photographic notecards from the RNLI are amazing and I can't wait to use them.

Now you can't beat a lovely cup of tea, even at the seaside and I shall look forward to a nice cup of tea and some biscuits in my new mug, coaster and tray set.

Finally Sue also sent me some lovely buttons that she wasn't going to use and that I can add to my collection.

Thank you Sue for being such a fantastic and patient swap partner and thank you to Julie for organizing a brilliant swap.

Camera Club

2011-09-28T08:13:00.000+01:00

I've recently joined a local camera club and it's been fab so far, there have been two competitions, a superb talk by photographer Phil Shaw and next week we are off to a studio to take some portrait shots.

Last night they held a knock out competition for summer prints of 2011 and guess who won????

This is my winning photo

If you look closely you can see the transposed view of the flowers in lots of the raindrops.

You can read more about camera club and my love of photography here

Dress Alterations and a Thank You

2011-09-22T18:57:00.000+01:00

As most of you know I love photography and was recently asked if I would take some photos for a triple christening and wedding blessing, so to show some of my previous shots I sent a link to my facebook page where I take part in a monthly photo challenge, this is my personal page and also has pictures of some of my crafty makes. After seeing these I was also asked if I could alter the dress that would be worn for this very special occasion.
Firstly the dress needed taking up by at least 3" so off came the lace edging and out came the scissors to chop off the extra lace and netting. I also had to take up the lining which included some boning to give it shape.
Then came the tricky bit, the dress didn't fit across the back and originally it had a zip going all the way to the top of the v back. I needed to add a panel and some corseting. I knew roughly what I needed to do but help was on hand in the guise of Paula over at Inspired Brides.
Paula makes the most amazing dresses and posted recently (the same day is was adding the modesty panel) on how to add a modesty panel and corseting. It was the loops that threw me as I really didn't want to start ripping seams open but in the end it was the best thing. I cut the zip off just above the waist sash band and used the seam ripper to open up the seams, added to darts to make the dress lie flat across the shoulder blades and the added some rat tail cord in loops inside the seam and then ran a top stitch seam to hold them secure. It felt quite odd sewing on the dress like that as it didn't have a stitch line before but it looked fine and it meant that the ribbon lacing lay nice and flat.
Here's the finished dress on the day. I'd like to think that it's not glaringly obvious that I have added the panel, what do you think?

Put your feet up and go shopping!!!

2011-09-15T15:01:00.001+01:00

Not the usual thing you hear when you talk about going shopping but this is shopping with a difference. This is the kind of shopping trip where you pop the kettle on, make a nice pot of tea (or coffee its your choice), grab a slice of cake or some yummy biscuits and find a nice comfy chair and then browse up to 175 different shops selling a variety of amazing handmade gifts.

Just think you could have Christmas all wrapped before the end of September!!!

"Not possible" I hear your say but it is.......

On Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September (that's this weekend) the lovely people over a Creative Connections are hosting a CraftFEST where an amazing 175 creative crafters have booked a stall and will be displaying their wares.

you can find a list of all the stalls that are taking part here.

I have nearly finished setting up my stall which links directly to my Facebook page where you will be able to buy from a selection of my bags and other handmade gifts. If you see something you like but would like a different size, shape, fabric etc then please don't hesitate to give me a shout as custom orders are always welcome.

I think this is going to be a massive event as the response for stalls has been overwhelming.

So go on make a date with your computer, laptop, ipad etc and join in this CraftFEST extravaganza.

August Photo Scavenger Hunt

2011-09-03T08:30:00.000+01:00

Morning everyone I forgot to add a link to my Scavenger Hunt Photo's for August so if you fancy popping over and taking a look here's the link

Depth of Field

Thanks

Tuesday Night Sew In

2011-08-29T16:42:00.000+01:00

That's last Tuesday not tomorrow - there's no way that I'm that efficient....

Every Tuesday (well almost!) I have a Tuesday Night Sew In with my partner in crime Ruth,
this was the inspiration for our first project.

It's been a major learning curve as neither of us have hexagonal quilted before and rather therapeutic too.
I have embarrassed my kids on several occasions by taking my tin of hexagons out in public.
This has been a work in progress for several weeks and sometimes more chatting occurs than sewing but last week we were on the homeward stretch (well Ruth was as I had forgot to make my hexagon flower).

My work is on the left and Ruth's is on the right

Because I hadn't finished my flower we made a start on sewing Ruth's cushion together.

Ta-dah!!!

how fab is that!

Not wanting to hold up starting on our next project I got to work making my hexagon flower and finished off my cushion too.

Here it is on the chair in the porch - now you can see why I went with a different colour scheme.

I did have a slight panic when in the final throe's of stuffing my cushion one of the patchwork squares frayed (I should have realised when I cut it that it would fray quite easily and used a wider seam but then hindsight is a wonderful thing) I managed to salvage this mishap with lots of awkward hand sewing. Phew!

I think Ruth and I are both very pleased with our cushions (I know I am)and have learnt lots by completing this project, we are now thinking about the next one and are hoping to find a Halloween themed something on the wonderful waste of time that is Pinterest!!!!

Faith, Hope and Charity Swap continued.....

2011-08-15T18:30:00.003+01:00

Here's what I sent to Verity in the Faith, Hope and Charity Swap organised by Lakota at Faith, Hope and Charity Shopping.

I found a tutorial for a quilted "friendship" bag which I adapted to add the wooden handles and machine embroidered the seams. I haven't done much quilting before and really enjoyed making this bag.

I added a yo-yo button brooch which can be left on the bag or worn on a coat. These yo-yo's are quick and easy to make and very addictive.

I found another idea on the internet to turn some plain brown wooden beads into a bright bold bracelet.

This necklace is one of my Pinterest pins and was great to make - I don't often rip fabric but you had to for this beauty. Very theraputic!

I added another sewn on yo-yo to the necklace to tie all the strands together.

I really like this necklace and think I shall have to make myself one very soon...

A close-up of the fabric yo-yo.

Finally some Country Living Smellies.

I loved trying out these new ideas thats what I love about swapping as it makes me try lots of new crafty goodness.

Faith, Hope and Charity Swapping

2011-08-14T22:24:00.000+01:00

I recently took part in The Faith, Hope and Charity Swap hosted by Lakota over at Faith, Hope and Charity Shopping. I was partnered with the everso lovely Verity over at Miss Ginger Make

and this is what I received.

Some gorgeous cowboy fabric, Verity did mention that I might make something for the boys from this fabric but honestly I have to say it's mine all mine!

A fabulous new handbag pattern which I can't wait to try out.

Another piece of delightful fabric which I'm prepared to share with Rachel as I promised I might make at skirt/top/dress from this for her.

A bright red fabric covered ring.

A waffle pattern scarf and a flower brooch.

Here's a closeup of the pattern and the brooch.

A silky scarf which has come just in time as there was an article in the latest Mollie Makes magazine about turning scarves into tops so now I can have a go.

And finally here is a picture of all my wonderful swap goodies together, can you see the biscuits there in the photo - sorry no big photo as they were dunked in a nice cup of tea!

I love this Gnome card it's fab and reminds me of one of the mum's from school who was having lots of gnomes appearing in her garden (front and back) I think they were just taking their holidays there but she thinks someone was just taking the p**s!

Thanks Verity for being such a wonderful swap partner (here's to the next one - signed up already!) and thank you to Lakota for organising such a fab swap I'm already looking forward to hearing all about the one lined up for Christmas!!!

New Swap for Autumn/Halloween

2011-08-14T21:38:00.000+01:00

I know the summer isn't quite over yet but in anticipation of the gorgeousness that is autumn Blueberry Heart is hosting a swap. It's an either or option of Autumn or Halloween so pop over to her blog and join in ....

Fabric Swap Extras

2011-08-08T19:36:00.000+01:00

I completely forgot to mention the two books that Sandie kindly sent me in my fabric swap parcel and also the lovely handmade card.
I've never tried rag work before so shall be having a good read to find out more

Sorry Sandie and thank you!!!!

My Daughters Blog....

2011-08-08T14:12:00.000+01:00

Just a little post to tell all my lovely followers about my daughter's blog......just have a quick nose around at her makes, bakes and other day to day things...

Thank You...

Fabric Swap Goodies

2011-08-07T14:43:00.001+01:00

Like many of you I signed up for the fabric swap over at Kandipandi's blog and was lucky to be partnered with Sandie from Sandie's Patch
After several emails and a good hunt through each other blogs we sent off our parcels. I'm not sure about you but I don't like to open a swap parcel if it arrives before I have sent mine (does that make sense!)So Sandie's parcel arrived on Friday and it took quite a lot of will power not to open up the package so on Saturday once I packed up the final pieces for Sandie and had been to the post office I returned home to open my long awaited parcel.
Here is what I found.....

two glittery fabrics which I will look forward to using nearer Christmas.

Three autumnal fabrics I love the floral one and am hoping to team it with the green and a lovely cranberry fabric to make a stripe quilt something (not sure what yet but definitely something!!!)

Lots of lovely bright fabric scraps - don't you just adore the Elvis flamingo!

Both Sandie and I mentioned a love of the seaside and I was thrilled to find lots of beach themed fabrics together with some delicate shell buttons.

Just look at the detail in this brooch it reminds me of a cloud with raindrops and I can't wait to wear it on my coat!!!

Since we had the new shower put in our bathroom I haven't had many baths (of course I have HAD a shower or two!) but I think that a lovely long soak may be on the cards to enjoy this bath fizzer.

Finally there was this bag of ribbons, beads, teeny tiny buttons and much more, with Rachel and Tompom helping me open this paercel they soon grabbed what they liked most. Rachel grabbed the "follow your dreams" ribbon and most of the larger jewellery beads for her bag (she has a green canvas bag, a bit like the cath kidston badge bag, which she is adding badges, buttons and ribbons to) and Tompom grabbed the letter beads as he is enjoying learning how to spell names at the moment. The rest is mine all mine!

So it just leaves me to say thank you to Sandie for being such a fantastic swap partner (you should get your parcel on Monday) and sending me such a lot of lovely goodies and thank you to Kandipandi for organising such a great swap.

July Photo Scavenger Hunt

2011-08-03T22:25:00.000+01:00

I've recently added my latest list of photo's for the scavenger hunt pop over to my photography blog to take a look...

Time to smell the flowers.....

2011-07-27T09:32:00.001+01:00

Probably like most of you with school age children the past few weeks have been hectic, what with sports days (times 3),

summer fairs,

award ceremonies,

leavers services, year 6 productions and finally the last day at primary school.

We have made some amazing memories with triumphs and tears as we come to the end of one journey and wait to begin our next new adventure.

But now the time has come to relax and take the time to smell the flowers

which is what we have been trying to do these past few days.

Normal blogging will resume shortly - Hope you are all enjoying the holidays!!!

A weekend of Englishness....

2011-07-10T23:07:00.004+01:00

This weekend we enjoyed a couple of very English pursuits.
On Saturday Rachel, Jack and I headed off for an evening bike ride across the fields, our nearest footpath takes us around the wheat fields and pea fields and are rarely used as we are a little off the beaten track.

We should have realised that as footpaths they are for walking and not really designed for bikes but we have a lot of "fun" trying to negotiate the crops....

Having been stung yet again by stinging nettles I think Jack was wishing he'd stayed at home!

We finally decided to turn back towards home when we saw the rain clouds approaching, we really need to find a much better route next time.

Today we were all out early at the local PYO farm where we collected and ate lots of delicious strawberries.

Even Tompom got in on the action but he wouldn't eat any that he picked until we got in the car!!

Delicious!

Our pickings!

Enjoying the fruits of their labour.

I know there's not been much in the way of crafty posts lately but I am quietly beavering away at the hexagon patchwork cushion, Ruth and I are hoping to make a start on piecing together the actual cushion on Tuesday night. I also re-covered a notice board for Rachel (will take photos tomorrow) and am continuing with my ripple crochet blanket so shall do an update very soon..

My next post will be my Versatile Blogger Award post kindly given to me by Joy over at Joyknitt, just have to think of 7 interesting things about me now!!!

..where we meet Peppa Pig

2011-07-06T08:35:00.000+01:00

On Sunday we went to the pre-school summer fete, the weather was gorgeous and we even had the chance to meet Peppa Pig.

One of the mum's at pre-school makes jewellery and asked me to take a couple of photo's she also organises a craft market at the Moot Hall in Maldon once a month so if you are in the area don't forget to pop in.

Here are some pictures of Bethan's (Beady Betty) jewellery.

I love the starfish plate that these starfish bracelets are on on.

Hanging beady hearts

Colourful children's bracelets

Beautiful button bracelets

There were lots of stalls but one of Tompom's faveourite was Hook-a-Duck where he spent quite a bit of time perfecting his hooking skills.

"I got one"

There was candy floss

The Peppa Pig colouring tent kept Tompom busy for ages allowing me to have a little wander.

This old vintage "chitty chitty bang bang" car had the most amazing detail I love the real wood and very shiny brass.

Jack took Hook-a-Duck a little too serious!!!!

The kids spent most of their time on the bouncy castle

We couldn't say no to one of these cakes on a stick

And finally Jack couldn't resist one last cuddle with Peppa Pig!!!!.

Strawberry Tea

2011-07-02T22:57:00.001+01:00

Today we headed off for Strawberry Tea at the
Little Baddow History Centre,
this is also where I go with Tompom for one of our weekly toddlers sessions. It is set in the grounds of the church and manse and the gardens are beautiful, just the right amount of kept gardens alongside wild meadow and a small copse. The weather was just right sunshine but not too hot and a nice breeze.

I made a beeline for this stall (the history centre sell some gorgeous shabby chic home wares to help fund the centre) and today they had all their loveliness outside for all to see and buy!!

I have my eye on the heart mirror, a jug and a footstool but we were only browsing today so I shall have to bring more cash with me next time we go to toddlers.

What summer fayre wouldn't be complete without some pickles and jams, there was also some delicious elderflower cordial too.

I ~~enjoyed~~ shared a scrummy fruit scone with clotted cream and jam whilst the children had a bowl of strawberries each.

We bought a couple of bits from the bric-a-brac stall,

a puzzle for Tompom and a dish for me (sorry forgot to take photo's).

There was fun and games too

Tompom and Rachel enjoyed several go's on Splat the Rat

The gentleman (he could only be a gentleman as he was wearing a bow tie!)

running the stall called all the boys Nigel and the girls Susan he was quite the eccentric.

There were also some vintage cars, I loved this Morris Minor

complete with red leather interior and red carpet.

What a lovely way to spend the afternoon.

Another try to Splat the Rat

this one definitely didn't want to be splatted

as he jumped over the bat!

Look at all those rats!

Whilst Rachel and Tompom enjoyed more fun and games

I spent a lovely hour chatting to several of the locals who both entertaining and full of local knowlegde and history.

Soon it was time to leave and whilst I put Tompom in his car seat I didn't realise I had put my bag on top of an ant's nest until I popped it on the floor by Tompom's feet and was about to drive off when he shouted "Look Mummy" for me to turn around to find ants crawling all over my bag and the floor of the car. Luckily a quick swish of the carpet and a shake of the contents of my bag and they were all gone.

Not quite ants in my pants but almost!!!

And if that wasn't enough tomorrow we are off to see Peppa Pig open Tompom's Pre-school summer fete I just hope we have as much of a lovely time as we did today...

Toy Story and the Big Apple

2011-06-29T21:45:00.001+01:00

With Tompom growing rapidly and with him taking his arms out of the car seat straps every time we strap him in it was time to buy a new car seat....as soon as he saw this Toy Story one that was it, luckily for us it was also in the sale so a great bargain too.

Looking very pleased to be in his new big boy car seat.

Although this new car seat is very comfy and Tompom is keeping his arms in the right places I did notice that the seat belt strap will rub on his neck especially in this hot weather so after dropping him off at pre-school this morning I headed off down to my workshop to make a seat belt cover. I've had this Woody fabric for ages and after a quick search of a couple of tutorials and a nice cup of tea I whipped up this...

Tompom was chuffed when I picked him up from pre-school this afternoon at least it took his mind off the fact I hadn't made his Wales cushion!

As for the Big Apple, look what I picked up at Matalan the other day, a giant ceramic red apple, not sure what I'm going to put in it yet - might be my secret stash of biscuits!!!!

Monthly Makes - June

2011-06-28T22:52:00.002+01:00

There is a definite theme to this month's makes and that is all things Welsh....
Despite being born in Essex and only being half Welsh doesn't dampen Jack's enthusiasm for Wales. He has previously told people that he was born in Swansea!!! and would prefer to cheer on Wales rather than England in whichever sport they are playing so this has prompted me to start the
Neat Ripple Blanket

featured over at Attic 24, I had previously tried a sample piece for this pattern and what i love is that once the pattern is in your head then you are away... As this is my first real (big) crochet project and I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out I picked up some large balls of DK from my local charity shop (at £1.30 a ball it doesn't matter if Jack takes one look and it and pokes out his tongue!!) There was obviously only three choices of colours and that was red, white and green.He wants his bedroom decorated soon and I have seen some Wales bedding so am hoping that the blanket will look great at the end of the bed.

Even though it is acrylic the wool is easy to use and has already started to drape well.

Don't you just love that wavy stripe?

The Welsh theme continued with the one of the cushions that I made for Paul for Father's Day, I opted for the traditional red white and green for this one and have now got to make two more, one for Jack and one for Tomas. Tomas keeps asking where his cushion is so as he is at pre-school tomorrow morning I may just get another cushion finished.

Rachel didn't want to be left out but as the red, white and green wouldn't go well in her bedroom I made up a shabby chic version with some fabrics that I had in my workshop and finished it off with a pink dragon.

I'm really pleased with how it's turned out and it's definitely more girly that the traditional one.

I also picked up so lovely soft merino wool in Hobbycraft to start another blanket for Rachel and I'm trying desperately hard not to even get the wool out of the bag because once I do it will be on the hook and I shall have two blankets on the go at once. Right I off to finish one more stripe before bedtime....

Father's Day

2011-06-19T16:59:00.000+01:00

This post is for Paul, the best Daddy in the world.....

Rachel popped some of those money tissues in her card it's probably the only time she'll be giving money not asking for it.

I have come to the conclusion that I work better under pressure and you can't get more pressure than making cushions the night before can you??? Paul has been asking for months for me to make a union jack cushion and a welsh flag cushion and I just kept putting off doing them always making/starting something else first or using the excuse that I didn't have the right fabrics!!! Well like most men he isn't easy to buy presents for and although we had a couple of small things for him I was stuck for ideas. On Friday/Saturday he hinted that I must have been burning the midnight oil in my workshop making his cushions (I hadn't I'd been crocheting in front of the TV) so last night I set about the task of making two cushions and instead of fannying about I just got on with it and cut out a dragon made stripes and started sewing. Needless to say it was a bit of a late one but he was chuffed with his cushions

and now I've got to make the kids a welsh flag one each (pink for Rachel and red for the boys). I was a bit worried that the union jack one was a bit girly but wanted to keep with the green and red theme as it is to go in the orangery on the green chesterfield.

You can't see it very well but the red felt is glittery for just that little bit of sparkle!!!

I have to say having now cut out three dragons (only one more to go) my thumb was a little sore from the scissors!!!

Rachel has also put in an order for a pink/green one of these - I knew there was a reason I bought all those cushion pads...

After opening his presents we all sat down to a lovely full english breakfast made by yours truly

We have spent the day just taking it easy and we're looking forward to a lovely roast lamb dinner in about a hour...
I hope all you Daddy's/Dad's have had a great day!

Summer Swap Goodies

2011-06-16T09:06:00.002+01:00

Like lots of you I signed up for Beki's Summer swap and was partnered with the lovely Julie over at KC'S Court (which is a fab name for a blog - it pretty much describes our house most days!!!).

Yesterday I received my swap goodies from Julie and as Julie is new to swapping she was a little worried about her parcel but as all of you lovely ladies know it isn't about the amount that's sent it's about the sending and receiving and the thought and care that goes into swapping...as Carole (my button swap partner) said "I'd be happy to receive a postcard!". So here are some pictures of what Julie sent...

My fabric wrapped parcel tied with pink ribbon

I love the idea that the wrapping is a present too!

Giant buttons - one purple one red - I can't wait to use these in one of my projects

These note cards are of a cross stitch sampler that Julie made, photographed and printed.
(I might just have to "borrow" this idea!!!)

A packet of mixed seeds - now I have explained to Julie that I am not much of a gardener
(too heavy handed with the secateurs and not too regular with the watering can I'm afraid) but I have been looking at these mixed seed packs every time I visit the garden centre and now I have some I can give them a try.

How fab are these chocolate insects - the kids and I shared them last night whilst watching Waterloo Road..nom nom

I always say that I wish blogger had a smell button because if they did you would be able to smell the gorgeous lavender in this beautiful handmade heart.

And finally a delicate purple butterfly (he's waiting for me to plant the seeds so he can flutter on by them!)

Here's a picture of all my summer swap goodies together which just leaves me to say thank you to Julie for being such a great swap partner it turns out that Julie grew up not far from me here in Essex and now lives in Minehead just around the corner from my friend, so next time I'm down in Minehead I might just pop round to a cuppa!!!

Also a big thank you to Beki for organizing such a fab swap
I know Julie has now received her parcel so here is a little collage of what I sent her....

Wednesday Weekly Woundup

2011-06-15T22:54:00.000+01:00

Sorry should say round up but i couldn't think of anything else to that started with a W to describe my lacking of posting and this catch up post..
I've started so many posts (alright I only started one in blogger but lots in my head!) this past week but time has been against me so this is a quick reminder of what I have been doing. As most of you know last week Jack was away on his year 6 PGL trip and on Friday we trundled up to school to wait for their coach to arrive bringing them home... Jack was first off the coach and from the huge smile on his face he had had a great time/was pleased to see us!

He was extremely tired after his adventure and after a quick tea and a bombardment of questions from us as to what he had been up to he took himself off for an early night!!!

Needless to say the weekend involved a lot of washing!!!

Paul and I decided that as the builders were arriving on Monday morning to start of the bathroom revamp we'd give them a head start by getting all the tiles off the walls, removing the shower cubicle and stripping the walls.
Under the lining paper I found the paint samples from the previous owners...
some rather unusual choices, especially the day-glo green.

When we moved into this house back in 2002 the lady that lived here was very into paint effects (there were different ones in each room) and the bathroom was painted in stripes with a seaside theme here are the last remnants that I found under the lining paper. It doesn't look too bad in this small section but in the whole room it was a little overpowering!!

and if you think that's bad then you should have seen the room that Jack's now in, they had three boys sharing the room and each wall was painted in a different scene, farmyard, circus and even the ceiling was painted blue with clouds. It took several coats of white just to get it back to a blank canvas.

We don't always have a chair in the shower although after a hectic day if would be nice just to sit there and let the water fall all over you!!!

One bathroom, stripped, detiled and ready for action...

Whilst we were emptying the huge cupboards that are in the bathroom (they are like the tardis as the go back over the stairs) I found a load of quilts that I had completely forgotten about so I took them downstairs to give them a wash a little later I found Tomas tucked up on the floor in the kitchen (no he's not really asleep just pretending!)

The builders arrived early Monday morning and work began in earnest, Tompom was most upset when on Tuesday they "broke" his bedroom by taking up the floorboards to lay a cable for the new electric shower!! Although I have to say the Lee the builder left the room tidier that Tompom (and me) had all week.
So now I have a new shower tray, new tiles, we kept the old bathroom suite and a new radiator we're not quite finished as the tile adhesive needs to set before they can grout and fit the shower cubicle but it is all look very grownup and I can't wait to try out the new shower!!! I shall post some photos after Monday once they have been back to finish off and I have been into town to buy new fluffy towels.

Button Swap

2011-06-06T19:26:00.000+01:00

My Button Swap goodies arrived this morning all the way from New South Wales Australia!!! I've never had a parcel from Australia before so I was a little excited to say the least, but I had to be very restrained as we were just going out the door when the postman arrived to take Jack up to to school for his year 6 trip to a PGL adventure holiday. He was very excited this morning and it was smiles all round as we waved him off on the coach. He is in for an thrilling and exhausting week but it is going to feel really strange at home not having him around!!!

When Paul and I got back he tucked into his leftovers Indian lunch and I went off to open my parcel...

See all the way from Australia!!!
My swap partner was Carole from Serendipity, Raindrops and Roses (A Blessed Life!)
Carole and her husband deliver all the post in their rural community so she will deliver my parcel to herself (how cool is that!!!)

Everything beautifully wrapped in pink tissue paper

A gorgeous drawstring bag which Carole tells me for for popping my coffee cup in when I go out but I think I might use it to keep some of my sewing bits in....

Some lovely smelling fabric door hangers

I think I shall pop these on a pretty coat hanger in my wardrobe to keep my clothes smelling of roses.

A thimble (or is it a kiss!!!) and a tiny drawstring bag to keep it in!!

A fuchsia pink notebook for me to write all my ideas and to do lists in.

A lovely card with this inspiring quote

Some "Gorgeous" Milk Chocolate Truffles which I will enjoy later with a cup of tea... edit these were delicious and I even shared them with Rachel!!!

A Vintage pencil tin from the Lake District containing lots of vintage buttons

and finally a paper rose

Here all all my goodies together I can't quite believe that these have travelled half way round the world in less than a week to be delivered right to my doorstep.

I love everything in my button swap parcel so thank you Carole for being such a great swap partner for my first ever overseas swap and to Lucey at Lemonade Kitty for organising such a great swap in the first place.

Hot and Cold!!!

2011-06-05T00:01:00.000+01:00

Yesterday we finally decided to put up our pool as it's been sooo hot. It takes ages to fill up and is absolutely freezing when we do but for some reason my kids don't feel the cold and jump straight in. Rachel spent all morning pestering us about going in and Tompom kept saying he wanted to go in the "pond".

So at about 10am this morning Tompom emerged with a little help from his big sister looking like this!!!

Now don't be fooled by this lovely looking blue water it came straight from the tap and hadn't even had the chance to be warmed by the sun.

Little toes waiting in anticipation...

You can tell how cold it is from the look on her face!!!

I'm ready!!!

One...

Two...

Three...

I'm not cold honestly!!!

Jack decided to join in the fun and immediately wished he hadn't!!!

They stayed in for about 15 mins and needed hot chocolates and warm clothes on to recover!!!

Saying all that though it didn't stop Paul, Rachel and Jack going in again later on in the day, where there was a some of this...

Plenty of that...

And smiles all round...

Needless to say I kept watch from a safe distance (mainly my workshop) and shall only be venturing in the pool on very, very hot days and wearing my wetsuit after I have unearthed from the garage!!!

Kitchen Makeover - Part 5 - It's finished - well almost!!!

2011-05-30T23:01:00.000+01:00

Right before I tell you the story behind our "new" kitchen I'll show you the photo's first...

My electric oven and gas hob, we only have electric here so we have a gas bottle for the hob, which is great as we will still be able to have a cup of tea even when we have a power cut.

My other electric oven, microwave, my cupboard to hide the ironing board and hoover (no excuse for leaving them out now!) and a new door to hide the ginormous electric boiler.

Ginormous boiler hiding inside it's new home - the door still needs painting I'm not sure whether to paint it off white or a pale green.

My new shiny red kettle

My second sink (yes I have two sinks!!!)

The plate rack and wine rack

The view from the other end of the kitchen

This empty space now houses a large ikea desk for the computer and a magistrates chair from the local courts that I got off ebay for Paul

The finished(ish) orangery with its new dresser unit. The table and chairs which we bought off ebay a couple of years ago match the units fabulously and the green chesterfield and armchair (another ebay purchase - can you see a theme here!!)

Just need some nice plates and a few bottles of wine to display

A very shiny floor

The back door with its large coir mat for all our muddy shoes and boots, the tongue and groove still needs painting (story of my life) and we need some big hooks for our coats.

The cupboard to hide the fuse board and all the electrics

The main sink, dishwasher, washing machine and fridge freezer

I can tell you that the sides are never this clean and tidy now!!!

So what do you think? we're really pleased with how it's turned out, now shall I let you into a little secret...

Our new kitchen isn't really new at all we bought it off ebay, it's a Mark Wilkinson solid Maple kitchen with black granite work surfaces and Gaggenau appliances. When we started looking at new kitchens the prices started running away with themselves especially as the room is quite large and we would never have been able to buy a Mark Wilkinson kitchen new (i believe they average about £60,000 - ours cost a fraction of that) so we looked on ebay and found this kitchen. I spent many nights working out if it would fit and we spent one afternoon travelling up to London (the kitchen was in a fabulous house in a private mews next to Lord's Cricket ground) to have a look at the kitchen take measurements and photos we then agreed a price and that was it - sold!!!

Luckily their carpenter was taking the kitchen apart and labelled everything for us and the only hair raising problem during its removal was that the granite might not come off but a quick phone call from the seller to a granite company and they came out and took the granite off in a flash.

Next we organised a removal company to collect the kitchen for us, an easy job the two boys at the removal company were told you'll be finished by 3pm!!! They arrived at the house in London at 10am and started packing up the van everything went well until they needed remove the fridge freezer, now the kitchen was in a basement and the only staircase out to the van was the metal external one luckily the builders helped our guys get the fridge freezer up the stairs along with the heavy pieces of granite. They finally arrived at our house in Essex at 10pm unloaded everything into the orangery and left at midnight. My plans for arranging everything in groups depending on where they were going in our kitchen went out of the window!!!

So everything was now nicely! stored in our orangery and that's where it stayed from November to January you couldn't even get into the room from either door as it was completely jam packed with units!!!

How did you know it was all going to fit I hear you ask!!!

Well there was a lot of planning and drawing and with the help of our builder Ben we worked out where everything could go and we managed to use everything other then three units. We used a local company to come and measure the granite and it worked out that we only needed a few cuts and a little polishing and it all fitted perfectly.

My only nightmare during the whole process was a dream that I had that the second sink unit (this was an island unit originally with the chopping board at the back of it) would stick out too far into the room and there wouldn't be enough room to pass if someone was standing at the sink. I woke up in cold sweat especially as all the plumbing work was already in and couldn't be moved!!! But everything was fine and there was plenty of room.

We were even able to use two wall cupboards with the backs taken off to hide all the fuse boards and electric metres.

The dresser units in the orangery is also part of the same kitchen and fits perfectly on our back wall and houses all the kids games etc.

Now this way of buying a kitchen isn't for everyone and definitely isn't for the faint hearted but would we do it again - YES! without a shadow of a doubt we have even found a company called The Used Kitchen Company even we can't find one on ebay!!!
We still have lots of little things to finish off, like painting, curtains and the best bit buying bits and bobs for our new kitchen but we love having a lovely space to cook, eat and enjoy time as a family which is definitely what we can do now...

Here are just a few bits that we have bought so far...

So come on what's been your best buy on ebay!!!

Yah!!!

2011-05-30T16:36:00.000+01:00

I have finally be able to leave a comment on another blog!!!
I know lots of us have had problems with comments so fingers crossed this is all sorted now!!!
so please understand that I haven't been ignoring you just been feeling very frustrated that I couldn't comment on all your lovely going ons!!!!

Kitchen Makeover - Part 4 - On the homeward straight

2011-05-28T16:06:00.000+01:00

The kitchen was really starting to look like a proper room now with its Calico walls and cream floor tiles

This is the view from the hall doorway towards the french doors leading to the orangery, which was jam packed with kitchen units...

This is from the back door to where my sink, dishwasher and washing would be going.

Again from the back door towards the hall doorway

And finally from the hall doorway towards the back door.

The next stage was fitting in the units and this is a story in itself.....so you'll have to wait for the next post!!

Kitchen Makeover - Part 3 - Plastering and Painting

2011-05-28T15:45:00.000+01:00

This is a nice short post as it shows what the kitchen looked like once it has been plastered, this also meant that although we had a break from having the builders in it also meant two whole days of painting as I as I was determined to paint the whole room (i know I'm mad!!) as I didn't want to have to paint around the units!!!

There are no pictures of me or the painting as I was just too busy and too exhausted to take any. All I remember is that on the second day of painting I was locked in the kitchen with the radio, the paint and the paint tray and wasn't allowed out. With my cups of tea and lunch being passed through the window!!! I finally finished about 4 o'clock that evening and we all went out and enjoyed a lovely meal at Frankie and Benny's....
I still have a few bits to finish and the skirting to paint and with my lot running in and out all day the nice calico coloured walls are in need of a bit of a touch up but on the whole it does look lovely and clean (ish) and fresh...

Kitchen Makeover - Part 2 - Ripping Out & Making Good

2011-05-27T23:06:00.000+01:00

I'd forgotten just how hectic January was for us this year in the first week we had the final two wooden windows replaced and the new oak porch added to the back door and no sooner had that finished the builders arrived again to start on the kitchen. It was rather a manic couple of days if I remember rightly as I only had one day to box up and empty the kitchen and I think I was still finishing off when the builders arrived early in the morning.

This post shows the kitchen space with all the units removed.

See I hadn't quite finished tidying everything away, well they did want bacon sandwiches didn't they???

More progress with the first fix for the electrics, trying to decide where I wanted all those sockets!!!

The ceiling had to come down again for the electrics but this was an easy job (shes says not having had to do it!) as the panels had been screwed in place..

The big machinery was out today because the old floor tiles had to come up and trenches dug out for new water pipes and the gas pipe for the hob. We also found that part of the floor wasn't level so that had to come up to and then all be levelled off ready for my lovely new flooring.

It's starting to look more like a room again now with the last of the plasterboard going up.

The rsj's are finally boxed in...

This last picture shows what I was using for a washing up bowl in the very very cold garage that was our makeshift kitchen as well as the storage room for the builders tools etc, thank god for good friends, takeaways and launderettes!!!

Kitchen Makeover - Part 1 - Demolition!!!

2011-05-27T22:33:00.001+01:00

As I seem to be getting my A**e in gear I thought it was high time I posted about our kitchen makeover before we make a start on the bathroom!!!
I have just had to check with Paul as my poor addled brain can't seem to remember when all this happened as it's just a distant blur so here goes...
Back in November 2009 we had an orangery put on the back of the house as after the arrival of Tompom we needed a bit more room for our growing family, this would mean Rachel moving from her downstairs bedroom at the back of the house to what was the dining room at the front of the house. This would then enable us to knock through from the kitchen to Rachel's old room and create a nice big kitchen opening on to the orangery (are you with me so far!)
Having built the orangery this stayed empty and unused for sometime whilst we decided exactly what we wanted to do in the kitchen.
I couldn't find many photos of the before kitchen but here is one I took on the morning before the knock through.

The knock through for some unknown reason we booked for the May/June 2010 half term holidays I don't know what we were thinking as
builders removing major supporting walls plus kids running around = disaster so I had to take the kids out everyday to keep out of the way!!!

Paul was very worried that the corner of the house might fall down as we were taking out two supporting walls and I think he had a few sleepless nights worrying about all those acro's.

This is our builder Ben - smiling at the beginning of the job!!!

We also had to take down the whole ceiling which was lath and plaster and I was so glad that Paul had made the boys seal up the door to the rest of the house!!! There was dust everywhere!!!

As you can see we still managed to stay on line whilst this was going on!!!

That big thing in the corner is not a freezer but is infact my electric boiler - what a beast!!!

The pink curtains still half hanging from when this was Rachel's old room.

My makeshift area - i say makeshift but it stayed like this until February this year!!!

Initially we were only going to knock through the one wall but I'm so glad we decided to open up the other side too as we finally managed to get rid of the red brick pillar and open the the sink wall completely.

This is the view from the back door looking in.

The back entrance to the house was always really small and as we use this as our main door we wanted to open it up so the door to Rachel's room on the left of the door was blocked up and the wall on the right taken back as far as it would go.

The cupboard there hides all the fuse boards and meters so that had to stay for the time being until the electrician was able to come and move all the boxes etc.

So that's the knock through as I said we lived with it (minus the acro's) like this until February this year and I'm glad we did as it gave us time to get used to the space and work out what we wanted to do, although it was funny was how we got used to living like this and it wasn't until we visited other peoples houses with proper kitchens that we realised what a mess ours really was!!! This spurred us on to make the decision to finish the kitchen.

Getting my A**e in Gear!!

2011-05-25T22:31:00.001+01:00

Recently my Mr Site website came up for renewal and I was in two minds about keeping it going.

So I made a list of Pro's and Con's...

Pro's

its has the email address that I use for all my crafty/bag making
it's fairly easy to use

Con's

it cost £35 per year
i never update it
i never visit it
i never check the stats
i don't think anyone else visits it either!!!

as you can see not really such the dilemma I thought it was going to be so saving myself £35 per year I have opened a new hotmail email account and have not renewed my contract with Mr Site.

Obviously this now means I really must get my A**E in gear as I used the website as a showcase of bags that I have made and sold and also...

I stopped selling on Misi after their blip earlier on this year (still in two minds whether to return or not)
my Etsy store is empty (not sure about this one as I can't compete with the low prices in the States - although it is a top selling place for lots of people)
my Folksy store items ended and i didn't realise so now need to be relisted
my newly opened Wow Thank You store has been sitting empty since I joined last month

which means that no-one is seeing my bags or buying them so tonight after sorting out the email changes

I have listed a couple of bags in my Wow Thank You shop (you can use the link in my sidebar to pop over and take a look)

and tomorrow (and probably over the next few weeks) I am going to

add a buying page to my blog
list more bags in Wow Thank You and promote the site
relist some items in Folksy and add more bag making goodies for all you lovely bag makers
have a good think about Etsy and Misi
add more bag photos to facebook and picasa and promote these
list some of my overflowing fabric stash on ebay
start making so more bags to add to all these wonderful places

so you see I really am getting my A**E in gear - anyone care to join me!!!!

Bee Update & Tuesday Night Sewing

2011-05-25T00:17:00.000+01:00

Our visiting bees are still enjoying their stay with us and Paul is completely obsessed with checking what they are up to, he is convinced that they are all living in the dip of the roof under the chimney stack which is just out of sight even when you (HE) is perched precariously up a ladder. As they are no longer coming down the chimney and really aren't bothering us we are letting them enjoy their little stay with us until

they decide to buzz off.
they become a health hazard and need to be dealt with asap. or
Paul suddenly decides he would like a new pet (or pets) and buys a hive!!!

I can't see it being number three as bees and wasps seem to like my husband a little too much and give him a bit of a sting to show how much they care!!!

Right that's enough about bees as most of you know Tuesday night is sewing night with my friend Ruth where we chat, eat Frutella chewy sweets, put the world to rights (gossip) and even manage to fit in some sewing...

We continued with our hexies tonight and have sewn quite a few together now both of us learning lots of new techniques along the way. I even managed to finish off a couple of swap goodies (sorry no pics as my swap partners might be peeping in). So hopefully next Tuesday we will be able to start on the cushion itself and I promise to take some pictures to show you our progress.

Okay that's me done for tonight, I seem to have broken outlook express so can't access my emails, blogger won't let me comment on any one's blog and I can't decide whether it was the right thing to do to let my mr site website lapse and just concentrate on my on line selling sites (which I have just realised are all completely empty so I really must get my finger out and put some stuff up for sale!!!)

Good Night All!!!!

As Busy as a BEE.......

2011-05-22T10:51:00.001+01:00

Or in this case as busy as several thousand bees...!

On Friday afternoon I went into Rachel's room to find about 20-30 honey bees dozily try to make their way to her window, they had come into her room via the fireplace, which we had boarded up due to a similar problem with wasps late last summer (we were advised that as it was nearly the end of the season they would just go away).
I let all the bees out of the window and went to look at the chimney stack to see that several hundred bees were swarming about up their.
Speaking to our neighbours we found out that they had lots of wasps in their front room too so we decided to light a fire in the living room and Rachel's room to see if we could get them to move on.
This seemed to work as the numbers died down, so we boarded up Rachel's fireplace again and kept a fire going in the living room.
All good so far we thought...
that was until Saturday when Rachel said "Whats that?" looking out of the window we saw thousands of bees swarming around the trees and bushes on our boundary, with a mad dash we all ran around closing the windows and doors as quickly as we could.
Within minutes they all seemed to have disappeared Paul went out into the farmers field to see if he could see them and this is what he saw

How amazing is that - I just couldn't resist getting a photograph or two!!

Our neighbour spoke with pest control from the council who said that they were scout bees around the chimney and that they were looking for somewhere to stop and that they would all probably move on from the tree.

Well the good news was that in the evening they did decide to move on but the bad news was that they only got as far as the chimney stack...

A swarm of bees generates a terrifying noise and we made another made dash around the house to close the windows for the second time.

We also lit more fires adding yew tree branches to give off lots of smoke.

Today we think they may have finally buzzed off as there is no sign of them on the chimney stack, haven't checked the tree yet but fingers crossed they have found somewhere nicer to live!!!.

More decoupage....and a cherub!!!

2011-05-18T21:27:00.001+01:00

I seem to be enjoying decoupage again at the moment, constantly looking for objects to paint and decorate with pretty papers...
We've had this pencil pot for years, it came free with some pencils and was a very bright green colour, well I found it lurking in my workshop and thought I would give it a makeover.

I used an old tester paint pot, also lurking in my workshop, and some more of the freebie papers that I used of the Ikea drawers.
Here's a photo of each side...

Finally I couldn't resist adding this photo I took of Tompom the other day whilst we were picking Jack up from school. Isn't he just a cherub!!!

You should have warned me...

2011-05-11T18:47:00.001+01:00

about how addictive hexie's are!!!

In my last post I mentioned that Ruth and I were going to make a start on this project

Never of us had made hexie's before but having read up on a few books and taken a peek at a few blogs we were ready for the challenge. Ruth had popped into town on Monday to see if she could buy a template but neither Hobbycraft or Franklins had what we were looking for. A quick search of the Internet and I found a site where you can print of hexies on an A4 sheet to whatever size you like. We wanted ours quite small (even though the lady in Franklins thought that they would be too fiddly) so I printed off two sheets of 0.75" hexagons.

So our first job was to cut out our paper templates, what I found funny was our different methods, Ruth cut all the excess paper off from the sides first and cut hers in rows and I just cut mine out a bit randomly so was left with the last few in a bunch..

Next was the best bit going through my fabric scraps to find the right colours and patterns, Ruth decided she wanted to make the cushion for her daughter so she chose denim for the cushion and lots of different colours for her hexagons. I decided that I wanted to make a cushion for me so I'm plumping for either green or cream corduroy for my cushion and autumnal colours for my hexagons.

Here our differences showed up big time with Ruth choosing random colours mixing bright plains with busy patterns in lots of different colours so from now on I'm calling her Random Ruth!!!
I didn't take any photos last night of Ruth's hexie so will have to ask to take some to show you what I mean..(hint hint Ruth)
As for me I needed some help with teaming my fabric choices together so I cheated completely and used some fabric which had a crazy patchwork effect which I used to make this

so now I just need a T word to describe my method I was thinking Tonal Tracy but I don't think that's quite right anyone know a T word that is the opposite of random???

Right back to the job in hand with the fabrics choices made we got busy cutting and tacking

and even though they were probably a bit small to start a first project with they were totally addictive and both Ruth and I have decided that this is our new "in front of the TV/waiting for the kids/stuck in a jam/whenever we can fit it in" type of crafting.

So now I'm off to watch Waterloo Road with the kids and finish off the rest of the hexagons.

P.S I think my love of hexie's will continue as I already have an idea to make a black and white version of the cushion and also to add a row of hexie's to the turn ups of my favourite jeans...

Busy Bee...

2011-05-10T09:34:00.000+01:00

I had one of those days on Sunday where I was able to crack on and achieve some finished projects!!!
They don't happen very often but when they do they are just fab!!!

Firstly, we have had these Ikea drawer units for ages, they have been used to store pens, pencils and crafting bits for the kids and had lots of pens marks etc on them, so I gave them a coat of cream paint (I just used whatever I had in the shed which happened to be some garden shades paint) and added some shabby chic decoupage papers that I had picked up when I bought a crafting magazine.
I always find it a bit daunting at first knowing where to place the papers as initially I had this idea that I would cover the front of the drawers completely but the papers had other ideas so there was lots of cutting and glueing!!

I'm quite pleased with how they came out and am hoping that they will look good in Rachel's room and that they keep the unruly pile of homework/school books tidy!!!

I also completed another make for Rachel on Sunday, she has been pestering me to make a short jumpsuit, I had an old pattern cover for one but couldn't find the pattern pieces anywhere, so using another shorts patterns as a guide I made a new pattern for the jumpsuit. I quickly made up a mock suit in some old fabric and I'm so glad I did as I needed to make the bust line wider and the legs shorter. Once I had the measurements about right I cut I the fabric that Rachel had chosen (I have had this fabric for about 10 years hand had initially bought it to make Rachel some summer dresses when she was small!!! at least it's being used now!!)
With no pattern as such and without any instructions for placing the waist elastic it was a case of putting the jumpsuit on and marking where it needed to go, this probably worked out better as Rachel has quite a high waistline. I used a length of bias binding as the casing for the elastic and since taking this photo I have added some elasticated straps too.
Rachel seems more than pleased with it as she wore it last night to a choir rehearsal with a cardigan over and a pair of flat pumps.
I'd forgotten how rewarding dressmaking is and how good it is to finish a project!!! must get cracking now on all those work in progresses!!!

I also thought I'd show you a picture of the plastic bag holder that I made and talked about here
I was thinking of putting these in my on-line shops - what do you think?? I also have this fabric in a pink and turquoise colourway.

Inspiration

Sue from Vintage from the Village mentioned that she was selling some books and patterns etc over on Ebay so I popped over to take a look and found this book on handbags, it has some great patterns and ideas so hopefully will give me a bit of inspiration to get creating...

Thanks Sue for a great book.

Finally I just wanted to show you what my friend Ruth and I are going to start tonight at our Tuesday Night Sew In, I know many of you have already found Pinterest but if you haven't then take a look it's full of lots of beautiful ideas, picture, themes etc. Ruth found this great little cushion over there

and tonight we are making hexies!!! I can see sore fingers coming on...

May Day at Audley End House

2011-05-06T22:50:00.000+01:00

I don't know about you but all these bank holidays have throw me right out of sync!!! I'm not sure what day of the week it is, although I do seem to have blinked and "poof" another week has gone by!!!

I've tried to make use of some of the time that Tompom has been at nursery, although having Paul at home too seems to make for too many "manana" days. I have managed to do a bit of a tidy up in my workshop so I hoping that next week I may even get some sewing time.

Anyhow back to this week, on May Day we drove over to Audley End House, which is not far from Saffron Walden and part of English Heritage, we have a family membership which is great as we can have great days out for free (well after you've paid your membership but after two trips to Audley End as a family they are all free!).

The May Day event was a Victorian Day with lots of fun activities for the kids...

The Falconry Display was fantastic and Jack went back to watch the second performance too!

There was music from the Essex Yeomanry Band

Victorian garden games, although I think that Jack should have been a little further away...

Rachel played Guy of Gisbourne in a very funny adaptation of Robing Hood!

There was lots of beautiful architecture and gardens to explore

And the Huntsman and Hounds led by Lord Braybrooke (whose family originally owned the house) gave a superb display

and enjoyed a well earned drink from the river.

All the dogs were extremely friendly

and we had the chance to find out more about them back at the stables, like the fact that they only use the girls for displays as the boys have a tendency to cock their legs and wee on all and sundry!!! Eurggh!!!

Paul and I are hoping that we can pop back on a school day when we are child free and have a lovely wander around the main house, which is something we haven't quite managed to do on our previous visits!!!

Another milestone reached......

2011-05-01T23:11:00.000+01:00

Rachel celebrated her 13th Birthday today
I can't quite believe that I am now the proud mother of a teenage daughter
I can tell she's growing up as she now wants flowers and chocolates as part of her presents and just like me the chocolates didn't last beyond lunchtime!!!
After much umming and ahhing over what she would like for her birthday Rachel chose a violin! We managed to pick up a super bargain on ebay to get her started and after a few tutorial videos off you tube she has been practising "up pony down pony" - what ever that may be!!!!

The journey starts here...

2011-04-28T18:13:00.000+01:00

Tompom started pre-school on Wednesday and he has been so excited about starting school just like his big brother and sister.

This is him heading off to school in the morning.

He had a brilliant time and only got a little tearful once, his tears soon dried after he enjoyed a street party snack time outside and lots of outside games and fun.
For Paul and I it was the longest 3 hours with Paul phoning at half ten just to check he was okay!!! And sending me off far to early for the drive to pick him up, which meant that I had a little time for some photography and I just had to share this photo of these topiary rabbits that were in the gardens of the lovely country home that is across the road from Tompom's pre-school.

How fab of they!!!!

Fancy A Button Swap?

2011-04-25T15:13:00.000+01:00

You do!! I knew you would, us girls can't resist buttons can we!!!

Lucey over at Lemonade Kitty is organizing a fantastic button swap

here's what you have to do

Just send your partner at least 5 items which could include,

a button tin, box or bag,

some really nice/pretty buttons either on cards or loose,

handmade (if you're able) or bought gifts with buttons on, could anything from a single button to all buttons,

a lavender bag,

and to keep us smiling, something edible!!

so if you fancy joining in then just click on the picture below which will take you over to Lucey's blog where you can find out more

Easter Egg Hunt Part 2

2011-04-24T13:58:00.001+01:00

Those of you with older children will know that at Easter no matter how old they are they still enjoy taking part in Easter Egg Hunts and especially enjoy getting chocolate at the end, the only difficulty is finding an Easter Egg Hunt that is a little more taxing for them and isn't over in five minutes!!!
Last year we did
"Who Kidnapped the Easter Bunny?"I had to make up lots of rhyming clues and the kids had a whale of a time!!

So this year I wanted to do something a little different, okay I admit it I'd left it to the very last minute (I'd bought the eggs and rabbits ages ago but hadn't thought about what we would actually do!) so last night after hours of searching on the Internet I found an idea I quite liked the look of.

This...

As you can see It involved those blank wooden jigsaws that you can buy from most craft shops (luckily I had several in my workshop - never was too sure what I was going to do with them!!!)
So I painted one yellow and one pink and then added a rhyming clue (unfortunately I didn't have one of those fancy 3d pens so ours are a little more homemade as I just used a permanent marker).

I then hid the jigsaw pieces all over the back garden and hid the chocolate in the front as I didn't want them finding the eggs before all the jigsaw pieces!!!

Off they went to hunt for their 28 (yes 28!!!) jigsaw pieces, some were hidden together some on their own so it was a bit of a test to see if they would work together are not, and work together they did handing over pieces to each other and pointing out places to search...

some up high

some down low

counting how many pieces

working together

getting warmer!!!

yes!!! we found them

one more here

finding the corners

piecing together

have you got all the pieces

well perhaps not all

I must have hidden some of the pieces really well as we couldn't find them all but it didn't stop the fun as the kids worked out where they needed to look to find their chocolate stash.

only one missing - but we do have the clue

rugby posts for Jack

arched window for Rachel

three happy children with chocolate to share!!!!

Easter Egg Hunt Part 1

2011-04-24T12:28:00.000+01:00

This year we held two Easter Egg Hunts, one for Tompom and another much harder one for Rachel and Jack.

Tompom had to hunt for foil covered chocolate eggs that were dotted around the garden.

He had lots of fun searching for them and popping them in his basket.

The best bit was once you had found them all you could start eating them.

HAPPY EASTER!!

What did we do before......

2011-04-16T19:31:00.000+01:00

we had the Internet!!!!

Our computer crashed a few days ago and had to be carted off to the computer hospital.
It made me realise how much we all need and use the computer and the Internet but also how much time I spend wittering away the hours searching for this, buying that, researching, blogging, reading, facebooking. I've managed to complete several more rows of my ripple blanket and have spent almost all day in the garden achieving much more than usual as I haven't had to pop indoors for a cup of tea and a quick browse!!!!
I glad to say though that my trusty machine is now back and I couldn't wait to catch up on all that I have missed these past couple of days!!!and blog about my dilemma, I even had to pop into the library today to use their computer as I desperately needed someones details from my emails and wasn't sure if my computer was going to be revived at all.

One big thing I have realised is that I can't keep putting off backing up all the thousands of photos that I have so I feel a trip to the shops is on the cards tomorrow to buy a large capacity external hard drive!!!!

A quick Catch Up...

2011-04-14T09:29:00.002+01:00

Probably like many of you we have had some very changable weather these past few days....
last weekend we had the most amazing hot sunny days which resulted in lots of outdoor activities including a spot of gardening for me and bubbles for Tompom

Needless to say this beautiful weather and all that playing took its toll on Tompom and this was the result on Sunday afternoon!!!

Paul came home from the garden centre with a few new trees and shrubs which I planted up (forgot to take photos though) and I moved some of the existing plants to new homes to see if they would thrive. The photo below shows the area outside the outhouse which we revamped last year. I left the original shrubs in place as they have been there for many years. Tompom and I moved lots of topsoil to build up this area and then I added the pot and the clematis, hopefully as this site is more sunny than it's last home I'm hoping that the clematis should be a bit happier.

Monday was a strange day as Rachel was off on a school trip to Austria (music concert tour) and as she wasn't leaving until 3pm it felt like the longest day ever!!! We've had several updates from her, the coach broke down in Calais, someone was sick, the driver was given the wrong postcode for the hostel and the journey took 27 hours instead of 20!!! It's snowing and she seems to be having lots of fun and spending all her money!!!

Tuesday was chilly to say the least and we met up with friends in the park with us adults huddled under a blanket to keep warm and the kids running around to keep warm.

In the evening my friend Ruth came over as we have started getting together once a week to craft as we both just don't have the time during the day, the first time we met up we did more chatting than crafting but this time we both managed to complete what we started, Ruth made these gorgeous felt hearts on sticks and I made a plastic carrier bag holder for the kitchen.( I shall take a photo and add it later).

Wednesday was another chilly day and Paul and Jack went off with one of Jack's friends to Tilbury Fort, unfortunately we didn't check the opening times and it was closed!!?? so they had a walk along the Thames before heading off to Coalhouse Fort, but this too was closed for restoration works but the park was open and they had a great time on the death slide before coming home to play on the playstation, Jack is back into Pirates of the Caribbean as the new film is out next month and he can't wait to see it.

With the big boys out for the day Tompom and I headed out into the garden where we had lots of fun telling the time with dandelion clocks...

I carried on where I had left off at the weekend moving logs from one part of the garden to another.....

This is the tree

we had taken down over 2 years ago the logs have been piled beside the outhouse since then and I got stuck in moving some of them and burning all the small pieces.

And this is what I created for the kids (it's not quite finished yet!) not sure if it's a fairy ring/pixie ring or a campfire circle but all I do know is that I was in bed by 9.30pm completely exhausted and aching all over after my day in the garden!!!

Today we're off to see my Nan so should be a little more relaxing....

I hope you're all having a lovely time over the Easter break and that the weather is not putting too much of a dampener on things for you!!!

One of my bags is featured........

2011-04-10T07:41:00.001+01:00

in a charity auction.

I have donated one of my Easter Mini Bags to help raise funds for a brachycephaly helmet for Enes.

Here's what it says over on Emma's (Enes' Mum) Facebook page.....

My name is Emma, my son Enes was born on the 9th october 2010 and is now 5 months old.Enes has just been diagnosed with severe Brachycephaly commonly known as flat head syndrome.

Enes needs a specially fitted helmet that he will wear 23 hours a day which will help to correct this problem.This helmet is molded to Ene's head leaving a space around the flattened area so that any growth is channeled into the area.Unfortunately the NHS will not fund treatment and this costs £1950.00 privately. The results once children have been wearing these helmets are fantastic,Enes has had his first consultation and 3-D scan in preparation for his helmet.

Please help us with this worthy cause and help to highlight this problem and so aid other children like Enes.

Any money donated over £1950 will go to the charity headstart4babies who aim to help families on low income provide helmets for their babies.

Enes is the most beautiful and happy little boy so please help us to make a difference, Many Thanks.

Want to find out more????

Pop over to Emma's Facebook page - Enes Brachycephaly Helmet Appeal have a look at all the wonderful items that have been donated for her auction.

Like her page and don't forget to share it with your friends.

Bid on an item that takes your fancy.

I'm sure this won't be Emma's last auction so if you fancy donating an item just pop over to the discussion board on her page and leave a message - that's what I did.....

All the items in this current auction finish TOMORROW (MONDAY).