annie's abode

......sunshine and maine......

2012-01-20T10:20:00.000Z

........we have grey skies and it is dull, dull, dull!

so, i thought i would give you some sunshine...........

.........these pictures are from a little town called kennebunkport in maine.......

........we stopped here last year on our trip to north america.......

......a little fall decoration.......

........we stopped here for homemade cake and coffee and sat basking in the sunshine......

......these adirondacks were everywhere - i could have easily passed a few hours away reading or sewing in this spot................it was just lovely.....

back to reality ........ have a great weekend with some sunshine i hope.......

......i shall be adding to these squares but adding lots more colours ..........

(do you think i have been bitten by the crochet bug?)

.. a little crochet...

2012-01-12T12:29:00.001Z

...although i have knitted for some years, it is only recently that i have become more interested in crocheting. i am not an expert but i am enjoying making these little cushions....

......i find it easier than knitting because you don't have to focus so hard and it's easier to unpick...

......i have some other crochet projects on the go which i will show you another time.....

........incidentally, the pink double quilt in the background was found in second hand shop for £20! bargain....

enjoy the remainder of the day

....starting the year with a little cross stitch....

2012-01-07T14:06:00.000Z

......of late my spare time has been caught up with knitting and crochet, mainly crochet actually.......

.......i wanted to do some sewing and decided on this piece - a christmas gift from a good friend - not this year though!...........

.................it is so pretty - i love the colours.........

.........the thread is high so it takes a lot of time and concentration......

.....better late than never.....

2012-01-04T13:50:00.000Z

.....i did promise some pictures from my home on the lead up to christmas but... i have had flu....

.......however, i thought i would show you some now before they will be removed on twelfth night......

.....some feather wreaths.....

.......a wooden christmas tree.....

....a little wooden snowman on the kitchen shelf....

....ho ho ho.....

...kitchen mantle with tortured willow from the garden and small porcelain doves from palomas nest...

....a twiggy tree this year..... my son didn't like it as he prefers a traditional year...

.....small white feathery birds......

...... a chistmas cushion and 'norbet' (as he has been named) - the maileg
gnome....

......i hope you did.......

...some vintage baubles....

.......and some more!....

.....snowflakes on the window and a santa from the states.....

.....mistletoe and robins.....

.....brightening up the kitchen dresser....

....... a christmas window - doves on the window and twinkly lights after dark......

.....even some christmas gisella graham figures on the chandelier in the bathroom....

....some christmas angels in my bedroom......

.......some pink pantomime shoes and another snow dome in my bedroom..... i love snow domes!

......i hope you had a wonderful christmas and i wish each and everyone of a wondrous new year....

...it's nearly here.....

2011-12-19T12:22:00.002Z

...................sorry for the long period away. as you know i have been quite unwell and was nearly admitted to hospital. i am feeling better and i can see some light at the end of the tunnel.

i am glad i am feeling better otherwise i don't think i could have coped with the demands this time of year brings. i am quite well organised and will try to show you some christmassy house shots over the coming days.

stay warm and cosy.

......away for a while......

2011-08-29T16:18:00.004+01:00

.........i am feeling better, but have had a bad time coming off my medication which i have been reliant on for many years. at the moment i am taking nothing but i am having some emotional days and some on the edge days but... i am also having some good days, which is a good thing. i have found the meds to be problematic in themselves and i have been offered serious drugs like lithium to augment them, so i thought this is a route i must try to determine what to do in the long term.

we are about to go on holiday which i am worried about for two reasons - i don't want to spoil the holiday for the people i am going with and our first port of call is new york. obviously hurricane irene is gone but i hope there are none following in her path!

we have a lovely time ahead of us as we are cruising to new york and then travelling up to newfoundland, calling at boston, portland, newport, bar harbour, quebec nova scotia and so on. we shall be away for about a month so i hope to be ready with lots of news when i return.

although i haven't been too well, i have been reading lots aswell as crocheting and knitting - will show what i have done on my return as i don't have a lot of time now as there is so much packing to do. Finn is staying with my sister so we packing for him too - i will miss him.

will be calling into purl in new york of course and hopefully some other crafty places along the way!

be good and be happy

....a little blog lapse.....

2011-07-21T12:34:00.006+01:00

...................i am having a bit of a rough time with my health at the moment

so as the girl in the programme miranda says in her terribly posh voice (whose name escapes me) bear with, bear with.......

....this doesn't make sense............

2011-05-26T15:23:00.006+01:00

...............i enjoy gift giving even if it is only a bar of nice chocolate which is a favourite or maybe bake a cake for a friend who adores home made bakes but his wife does not bake!.......

...............it could be a little something that is hand made or perhaps some flowers/cuttings from the garden or a lottery ticket.................

........i am not talking about flamboyant or expensive gifts but something that lifts the heart. i remember when my son was small he found a heart shaped pebble and presented it to me. on a school trip to walton on the naze he brought me back some wonderful shells. more recently he brought me a piece of coral from the maldives (how times have changed)...............

.......................i still have these treasures.....................

.............what i also like is to have parcels nicely presented. once again, not expensively, but with some thought to what the recipient likes...........

.......what doesn't make sense is that the thought of wrapping presents gives me the hump!.....

.............at christmas time i hate the thought of wrapping all those gifts, but i research what colour/design/theme i am going to use and plan what i am going to use/buy weeks ahead???????????...............

........................ i also enjoy the finished result....................

........................this is all very simple wrapping (i love kraft paper) with a an uncomplicated theme....................

.............................i like real ribbon........................

..............i like it when people make an effort for me too............

.....................i hate thin, gaudily designed wrapping paper. i rather receive something in a paper bag (look at the creative mint blog and the post for christmas wrapping dec 2010)

.........so it doesn't make sense does it - do you think it is self gratification on my behalf?

.......i really do knit......

2011-05-24T12:15:00.008+01:00

.................several times i have mentioned on this blog that i will show you my knitting and have not done so.................

............................you wouldn't believe i go to a knit and chat group every week!.........(although more chatting takes place than knitting on my part)

.............however, here to prove i can knit are two recent finishes..........

........this is a pink shrug designed by linda from jolie. i decided to add a black crotchet trim and intend to add jet buttons.....(notice i said intend - like so many other half completed projects).....

........................this shrug is true to the original pattern which has eyelets for ribbon to be threaded through. i have chosen a matching velvet ribbon...............

..................this pattern is easy and quick to knit, but looks interesting and the finished garments are handy when our english weather gets a little chilly!!

..................i am currently having a go at a crotchet ripple blanket. crotchet has never been easy for me but i think i am getting there. i have also crotcheted the tea cosy from nicki trench's book and knitting another one from an old pattern book, which is easy but looks so pretty.

...................................i promise i will show!..............................

.......outrageous orange won the day.........

2011-05-18T14:36:00.005+01:00

..................after some consideration i have ordered the orange one!.......

...................it will be bright and cheery and i do seem to like a bit of orange at the moment - in clothes not interiors, that is a no no for me!.........

......................the price is so reasonable you never know i may find i need another one - red? tan? purple?.......................who knows

................will show it to you when it arrives....................

.....these are so pretty.........

2011-05-17T11:18:00.006+01:00

.................when we were in ireland, my sister was tidying her linen press and she came across these two pretty pillowcases...............................

......................'would you like these' she said

.......................are you sure' i said (wrenching them out of her hand)..................

................'yes' she said............

..............................'are you mad' i thought..........................

...............they are an old design from laura ashley, which she says she has had for some years. i wish they made some like this now, don't you?

......lovely lunch with lovely friends.....

2011-05-07T17:56:00.008+01:00

..........we have just returned from a lovely lunch sitting in the sunshine with our lovely friends........

........we visited the three lakes restaurant (www.thethreelakesrestaurant.co.uk) where we had a glass of wine and leisurely lunch over looking the famous three lakes..........

........it is so nice to eat outside and be able to relish the views and chat about planned holidays, future plans and so on with good friends.........

............the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and supper and as you can see a great cream tea......

...........as well as the restaurant, westmill farm (www.westmillfarm.co.uk) is a venue for

weddings

fishing

camping

model car racing

archery

laser shooting

plastic ball rolling (with you inside)

golf

buying furniture

and, the best bit, it sells some crafts at the art shed as well as having workshops for jewellery making............tempted?

..........it is also great for walking the dog ...........

....................as they also have a great little garden centre we headed there after lunch and bought some aquilegias, some courgette plants, a paeony and a beautiful fluffy looking pale pink delphinium which i have never seen before............

....................we had a lovely time, so if you live near westmill in hertfordshire give it a go and i am sure you will not be dissapointed!......

.....i want one!

2011-05-03T21:44:00.006+01:00

...................i have not spoken about fashion and style on this blog before but i do love clothes...........shoes................and handbags.................

i often wish i was one of those people who had no interest in these things as it seems somewhat frivolous, especially as there are so many more important things in this world,
but......................i get so much pleasure from looking at them.

........i spotted these today on www.etsy.com/shop/raydesign?page2 and loved these designs - very hermes, don't you think? they are very good value too!

..........now it is to be classic black or outrageous orange?

......my gorgeous, gorgeous oska

2011-04-29T19:30:00.004+01:00

..................when writing my last post i had intended to return from break in ireland with lots of photos of the beaches and the beautiful countryside of old parish in waterford. unfortunately i don't have any.

..............while travelling to ireland my beautiful oska became unwell. we rushed to the vet but unfortunately he died. i cannot express how sad i feel. it has been a terrible shock for us all.

................he was a sweet natured dog who was happy and playful. he welcomed us in the morning and would stay with us at night. he always wanted to be with us.

...............the house seems empty without him and finn is feeling lost. will we get another dog? who knows as it is too early to say. whatever we choose to do another dog will not repace our gorgeous, gorgeous oska. he was truly loved..................

easter time

2011-04-21T13:45:00.006+01:00

........i love the spring time especially when we have such beautiful weather. easter is a festival that signifies different things for different people. for me it is start to better weather which makes me feel a whole heap better. this morning i have been gardening and appreciating all the new buds and fresh growth that is beginning to emerge. i feel very hot and grimy but a sense of satisfaction that i have planted some lovely flowers that i can appreciate over the coming months.

........i am off to ireland for a short break and i have my fingers crossed that the weather is beautiful there too. when i return i hope to get back to blogging regularly and visiting all you lovelies.

.........i wish you all a relaxing and enjoyable time over this easter break.

yuletide.............

2010-12-24T16:02:00.003Z

.....................this season has been difficult as i have glandular fever which has totally exhausted my energy levels so lots of proposed projects have been postponed, including preparations for christmas. BUT, i have high hopes for the new year. i intend to do some more painting, sewing and knitting as well as some jewelry making.

i wanted to pop in today to say merry christmas, seasons greetings, happy holidays, god jul and salutations to everyone - stay warm in the snow and may peace and goodwill shine upon you in 2011.

....i did say three canvasses...

2010-08-11T20:34:00.004+01:00

............there are supposed to be three canvases - i appeared to have lost

one on the last post!....

............thank you to those of you who have sent comments so far........

.....some advice please?.......

2010-08-11T14:08:00.008+01:00

...............about peas............

..................i have been painting aswell as doing some

knitting and experimenting with some jewelry making.......................

............as you know i do not have a job due to my health but i would love to do something to earn a little income, so i wonder if i could sell my artwork?......

.........these are my recently finished project - i did the three canvases

with the intention of them being hung together

but i think they work singly too........

.......................they are about 40 cms square and they are painted with

acrylics onto prepared canvases......

.....do you think they would sell and if so, what do

you think they would sell for?

.................honest opinions and comments truly appreciated.......

...ferry across the mersea (well, not quite).........

2010-08-09T16:43:00.012+01:00

pretty coloured beach huts

the oyster bar

.......a nice summer's day out with friends at mersea island,

which is in essex near the historic town of colchester.

the causeway, or the strood as it known by the locals, becomes flooded so you

have to check the tides for crossing times, hence why it is known as mersea island.

this what can

happen if you forget!

we had the oyster bar (an oyster shed pictured above) recommended

to us for their fresh fish and
of course, the locally caught blackwater oysters.

although it looks quite basic, it was great to sit outside in the sunshine

by the creeks and watch the water traffic and

eat the wonderful fresh fish - i am too much a coward for oysters

but the fish and chips were great.

one of us had the sea food platter which included, wait for it,

large prawns, small prawns, shelled prawns, crayfish tails,

crab, herring, smoked salmon and cockles with fresh bread and butter.

this can be washed down with a cool lager or a chilled chardonnay. yum!

we walked along the beach after lunch and saw these great beach huts -

we all fantacised about lovely it

would be to have one!

am i a bad blogger or what?..................

2010-06-20T16:07:00.008+01:00

time seems to pass so quickly and before i know it many weeks have passed before i have written a posting on my blog ............or made comments on other people's blogs.

i have been busy with various hospital appointments for both myself and my mum - i don't know if i told you that both my mum and sister have moved back from ireland to the uk as they missed us so much.

since moving back, my mum has been diagnosed with parkinson's disease. obviously i feel very sad about this but i am trying to be positive.

now on to happier topics! the lovely r always laughs at me as i am a real sucker for any kind of marketing - a pretty box or a nice design on the packaging and i am taken.

well, i suppose this is what happened with this book.

while shopping in waitrose i saw this book and and was totally seduced by the cover - so pretty.

quite honestly the name fiona cairns was a new one on me.

however that did not stop me buying it!

the book is lovely - the photography gorgeous.

so i decided to research fiona cairns and found these lovely images are from her website...............

anyone for tea?

aren't you seduced too?........

are these really ribbons!

2010-05-14T16:57:00.009+01:00

............like most craftsters, i love ribbons aren't these fabulous?

how about using the ribbons (or little works of art) to:

...........to decorate an invitation to an afternoon tea party with some friends and neighbours

............to wrap around a bag of produce from your garden

..............to decorate a cake or tie around a gift

..............to wrap a present from one knitter to another

................a cheerful little ribbon for the kiddies

.................to decorate a gardening journal

...........................the courting ribbon for a newly engaged couple

................auricula ribbon (one of my favourite flowers) could be used to tie a posy of flowers to make them something special

.............all these and more are available from lfn textiles.

............all these suggestions but i dare you to use them - i find them very hard to part with!

R.I.P Elspeth Thompson

2010-05-04T22:22:00.003+01:00

Elspeth Thompson died on the 25th March, 2010, aged 48. A very sad situation which touched me deeply. I know I am late in making this posting about Elspeth but I felt quite shocked that a few days before her death she was (seemingly) happily writing her blog which was full of hope for the season to come.

I, too, like Elspeth suffer with depression and have felt very close to the edge on occasions. I have never spoken in detail about my depression in this blog, but I think it will explain why there have been absences in my blog entries. When I feel very low I am unable to communicate and become quite reclusive. I do not want to exhibit my sadness here.

There are no reasons for my depression just my clinical composition. I feel very guilty about my illness because of the impact it has on those close to me. They feel so useless in the bad times.

I hope Elspeth is now at peace.

The V and A - Quilts

2010-03-22T16:22:00.009Z

I would like to go this exhibition as there appears to be a varying selection of quilts on display - some owned by the V and A themselves but some contemporary designs are on loan from new artists.

To accompany the exhibition a range of fabrics are available at £11.50 per metre - here are some examples:

Seedheads.............

Coral leaves.............

Petals..............

Seaweed.............

Or a stack of fat quarters for 35.00 or £3.50 for a single fat quarter..............

Interesting eh?

I had a lovely time in Harrogate and will update with piccies as soon as I can - lovely hotel, lovely place and lovely people.

I had a little retail therapy whilst there - who wouldn't? I also had some cultural therapy. A happy mix!

Bye for now and be back soon - hope you are all feeling great after this wonderful burst of spring weather.

I love Thursdays......

2010-03-12T10:09:00.015Z

Thursdays are my knit and chat days at Jolie. It is such a lovely place to be and there are always new exciting finds either in the shop or a project another person brings along.

We all seem to know each other very well now and it is a joy to be part of such a group - knit and chat gives us all some time out from our everyday lives to enjoy a hobby we all love and to chat about our families, our friends, clothes, jewelry, holidays and of course, knitting and crocheting.

This is Dany and Linda who are two friends who run the shop. Both are very talented ladies and provide a lovely welcome to us.

Knit and chat wouldn't be knit and chat without lovely cakes served on vintage plates with frothy coffee, tea or juice - once again all served in vintage china.

As the group finishes we all gradually descend upon the shop to find what goodies there are to buy - for pressies and for ourselves. The selection is just too much! Gorgeous isn't it.

Both Linda and Dany are always thinking up new ideas and projects and this needle case is currently one of Linda's designs. I would like to have a go at making one of these.

The selection of wools in the shop are beautiful and just so tempting - I love kidsilk haze but they have recently introduced a new wool by Adriafil which certainly competes with the kidsilk and the colours are so scrumptious. I bought some in a vanilla/lemon colour and will show you when I have managed to knit some of it.

This angora also belongs to the Adriafil range and is so light and dreamy - when I picked up these dear little bootees, which were knitted by Dany, they were like a feather in your hands.

When purchases are complete we head down to the Brewery Tearooms for lunch. As you can see there is more temptation here. Sarah runs the tearoom with her husband Nigel, but it is her Mum who makes all the goodies - from homemade soup, to cheese scones, to welsh rarebit with wonderful relishes and chutneys. Once again, serves all her wonderful food on beautiful vintage china - I wish I owned some of her cups and saucers as they are divine.

To the back of the tearoom there are more goodies to be had - as you can see, there is a wonderful selection. This was her display of items at Christmas - at the moment she has lots of Easter items.

Sarah and her team are always so welcoming and there is never a rush for you to move on - there is such a warm atmosphere here.

So you can probably see why I love Thursdays so much.

It's Mothers Day this weekend in England - I hope all you Mum's get thoroughly spoilt and receive lots of beautiful flowers and choccies from your lovely offspring. I am taking my Mum for a special breakfast as the lovely R and I are off to Harrogate on Sunday for a special anniversary.

Apparently a special surprise event has been planned by my sister and my J for tomorrow evening and then we will drive to Yorkshire on Sunday afternoon.

Have a lovely weekend.

First day of March - hoorah

2010-03-01T12:11:00.004Z

I am saying this but isn't the time racing by again - but the sun is shining today and it certainly lifts one spirits. I think we are all fed up with snow and slush and cold.

I hope you all had a good weekend - as the lovely R was away the weekend I had planned to do some knitting and sewing all on my own together with a nice pot of tea and perhaps a cakey or two. Instead, I have spent most of it in bed with a shocking head cold - you know the one when you are frightened to move your head and only laying down quietly seems to soothe it. Even my face hurts. This is the fourth dose I have had since Christmas. I have had two lots of antibiotics already (I really don't like taking them) so do not want to take anymore.

Anyway enough of me, I hope you got to do what you wanted to do over the weekend - be nice to hear.

Ooops, I forgot.......

2010-02-26T11:45:00.007Z

I just wanted to thank those of you have dropped by and left a comment and for the emails I have received.

Thank you so much - I really appreciate your comments.

PS this little cartoon schnauzer is so cute like Oska, but a bit grumpy looking, unlike Oska.

Friday at last

2010-02-26T11:11:00.006Z

I don't know why it should bother me as I do not work but I look forward to the weekends so that we can spend time together as a family. Not that happens as much now as J is grown up and has his own life to lead. I would like to go back though and relive his growing up - it goes by way too fast. We have some lovely memories though as well as some stressful and worrying ones.

I know we are biased about our own children but he was a lovely baby and continues to be a kind, sensitive, thoughtful and loving young man. The picture is typical of him - always smiling.

This post was not intended to be about J but I came across these baby pictures when looking through my snaps. He is still happy to have a cuddle with his dad.

The point I was initially going to make is how easy it is to spend money without leaving your chair. The web is very enticing and as I have said before I do like a parcel in the post.

Firstly I looked on eBay as I wanted some fine lawn cotton for a project I have in mind. I want to do some fine embroidery possibly by hand, maybe by machine. I actually bought the cotton but added some other pretty fabric which will be useful for other projects!

I then looked at Jamie's website as I do like these kilner jars - they are quite reasonable in price so Annie made a purchase. oh dear!

They are nice though - take a look. Be prepared to be seduced by the lovely things. Perhaps you are more disciplined than I!

Onto Cath - I have been loving these new pieces since receiving the catalogue. Oh blow, I will just order these too.

and some plates, oooh and a cup and saucer for me and maybe, just a teeny weeny jug!

Have a lovely weekend everyone, where ever you may be - in the snow or in the sun (lucky you).

One of my loves - stationery

2010-02-19T21:47:00.007Z

Postcards, notecards, notepaper, notebooks, pretty envelopes, stickers, labels, tags - I love it all! There is nothing better than a shop full of pretty paper.

As you know I like making my own cards, but I also enjoy buying them - there are so many lovely designs to be had. I then like to add a little extra touch, like some stickers on the envelope or some paper hearts inside.

Obviously, I use email for its convenience but there is nothing better than a little note card or letter received in the post. I like to receive them so I try to make an effort for my friends and loved ones. I am sure they must think I am nuts as sometimes I send two cards as I cannot choose just one for an occasion.

The American store, French General, sells lovely stickers and note cards apart from all their other gorgeous stuff.

When wrapping presents I also like to add stickers or pretty labels to the gift - I have all sorts which relate to differing topics like ones with stitching and sewing.

It is not easy to always find nice stationary in this country, although we cannot forget Angie Lewin notebooks, but I have found some great ones in America. I have recently ordered some from Amazon US and will show them to you when they arrive - I am patiently waiting for them to arrive.

I have given you a taster for now - if you know of other designs I would love to hear about them.

Do all have a lovely weekend - we are starting to decorate our bedroom this weekend (more of that another time) and we are having supper with a friend tomorrow evening which will be lovely.

A lovely day .........aarhhhhh

2010-02-16T00:00:00.008Z

The lovely R said he had arranged a surprise for valentine's day and that I was to be ready to leave home at 1.30pm. Although I do like surprises, I also feel that I need to be prepared. So I badgered him about where we were going and what should I wear - something nice but no jeans was the answer. Still no clues. Perhaps a late lunch?

We began our journey and it became obvious we were going to London - ah the theatre? - I had been hinting I wanted to see The Misanthrope. As we got to the centre of town the lovely R said I am going to drop you outside and I will park the car as it was raining. Just go into Fortnums and Mason and head for the St James restaurant as we were booked for afternoon tea, he said, and I will be with you shortly.

I was so excited as I love going for afternoon tea - something decadent about it don't you think?

Although I have been to the Ritz and Claridges for tea, I had never been to F and M. Everyone knows their trademark colours and this followed through to the lovely china, matched with a stiff white tablelinen and silver accompaniments. We toasted each other with champagne and munched our way through the delicacies.

Well not all the delicacies as there was more than enough so we asked for a goodie bag so we could take some home for precious J.

Look at the lovely box and the attention to detail with the ribbon.

I didn't take a camera with me but here is a sample of one their cakes - so pretty.

As if that wasn't enough, the lovely R said we need to leave by 6.15pm as we are going on somewhere else. Wow another surprise. We caught a cab to the British Film Institute, where we then saw Breakfast in Tiffanys. It was great to see it on the big screen. Audrey Hepburn was absolutely beautiful and so stylish, but, I had forgotten how handsome George Peppard was when young.

In all I had such a lovely day - the lovely R is so romantic. It's a good job he is as I am not and cannot think up the lovely surprises he arranges.

I would love to know how you spent your day.

Happy Valentines Day

2010-02-14T11:27:00.003Z

Have a happy and romantic day with your loved ones

I will try to be a better blogger this time........

2009-11-18T17:02:00.006Z

The past few months have been rather up and down for me and the time between posts gradually became longer and longer. I still managed to drop by my favourite blogs from time to time but I didn't leave any messages - I felt I didn't have the right as I wasn't making a contribution to the blogging community.

Some of you make such a huge contribution to the blogging world and I. for one, appreciate the effort that you put inot your postings. There is so much to learn from the information that you offer ande endless inspiration. I do wonder how some of you do so much as well as looking after your families. It does put me to shame!

Our extension has been built and has caused more upheaval and chaos than we envisaged. Of course, little extra jobs have been added along the way. we will get to that another time.

I am becoming more used to being a stay at home and gradually I am having more structure to my week. I go to a craft group, which is very friendly and welsoming. It is very informal with a general bring what you enjoy doing theme.

I have joined a knitting group which I go to fortnightly and once again, it is friendly and welcoming and allows like minded people to get together. This quite nice as I go with a neighbour and another close friend.

For some months I have been going to a knit and chat group based at Jolie in the high street at Walkern. I really enjoy this group as I have made some lovely friends here. The shop is a treasure trove of types of goodies in addition to the lovely wools they offer. There is also also a cup of tea or coffee to be had with cake, cake and more cake!

We often then move on to the tea shop in the village for lunch - lovely!

Well I do hope you will come back and visit me - I am sorry there are no photographs but I have been having a few problems with the main pc, thus I am using my laptop. I will try to make up for this in the future.

I look forward to being part of this lovely community again.

..how sad.....

2009-03-23T00:35:00.006Z

........no matter what you might think about jade goody you must find sadness in your hearts about her death. even though i knew she had little time left i felt quite stunned and so sad when i heard the news.

.........i don't how well she is known across the world but she came to the fore when she was a contestant on the british big brother programme. she was not very well educated but she could laugh at herself as she made so many gaffs with her lack of knowledge.

........but she won affection in the hearts of the people as she was willing to have a giggle, make a fool of herself, be straight talking (which did not always win her friends) and always have a go. you always knew where you stood with jade!

........unfortunately she was diagnosed with cervical cancer last year and she died at 27 years of age, which is just too young. even though weak and suffering with great pain she continued to smile.

..........she leaves her two young boys whom she loved very much.

i will leave you with a picture of jade in happier times - god bless jade and i hope you are out of pain and at peace. farewell.

...i love catalogues..

2009-02-25T13:47:00.020Z

...........do you look forward to a catalogue dropping through the door?
................i do and i love them. the lovely r thinks i am mad and says why do you need to see so many catalogues and i must admit that together with home and interior magazines, craft magazines and fashion magazines the house does become rather overladen.

..................... i rather like shopping on line too from those catalogues as i look forward to the item arriving - the anticipation is part of the whole scenario. the items often arrive rather better wrapped than in the shops (my sister and i have a thing about things being crushed into the bag - we like things wrapped nicely in tissue paper or folded nicely)

...............sometimes there is a little extra something or a nice little thank you card which to me sums up good service. i think the our american friends are rather good at this as the craft items i have purchased from the states have been beautifully wrapped, often with a free cross stitch chart or a skein of thread and a thank you card.

............liz earle is fantastic as her items are beautifully presented ( i understand she employs disabled persons in her company who are involved with this process) and she is very generous with her free samples.

................the catalogue that arrived today is the plumo catalogue which does have some lovely things to tempt. i do find some of the items a bit expensive but they are often unique.

..................do you not love these tin pear decorations?

............or what about these pretty doilies - we do like heart shapes - i know i do!

..................are these glass containers soooo cute.

.......................and who wouldn't like their cake and biscuits served on these plates for afternoon tea?

..................gorgeous bunnies and chickens - easter gift? i am sure it would be truly appreciated.

.......similar to the tin pears but birds this time - aren't they great!

.......pretty little hair combs - what colour would you choose?

.....................and clothes. i rather like this scarf.

................ a fish dress anyone?

...................oh what pretties. these are venetian glass.

......................i do love a ballet pump and have amassed quite a collection - perhaps i shall show them to you another time. these are very summery.

.........i do like this bag and i think the colour is gorgeous. don't you think it would make a lovely pressie for someone - me?

........why don't you go and have a browse on line but be prepared to be very, very tempted......

ps. i haven't bought anything yet - i did say yet!

....absolute chaos....

2009-02-23T12:02:00.009Z

.......my poor home is a very untidy mess at the moment with dust everywhere!

......................i mentioned that we were planning to build an extension to our house - well at last we have begun.

.....................the actual building begins in march after we have waited over a year for the architects, the planning department and the builders to organise themselves. in preparation we needed to empty our conservatory and find a place for that furniture, which is incidentally in what will be the new dining room and will eventually go to ireland.

the conservatory was pulled down this weekend and this too has made a lovely mess of the garden. i am sure it will only get worse!

...............as the conservatory was attached to the kitchen we had to block the entrance (which makes the kitchen very dark at the moment) and therefore, impacts on that room too.

..............dust, dust and more dust is all i seem to see and i must admit i do think what is the point of clearing it up as more will appear very quickly again.........

BUT we can begin to plan the decor which is the part that i love - that is if we have any money left after the actual building is erected.

....... i want the room to be very light and airy and there will be french doors directly opening to the garden which will be lovely in the warmer months. i will use a soft light taupe on the walls with white paintwork (i must buy some paint sample pots from farrow and ball) and a soft taupe colour in the furnishing. i would like the windows to be edged with a white architrave and have white shutters set in the frame. to soften these i thought i could add a fabric pelmet in a taupe and cream/white check with matching cushions mixed with some other designs too.

............ i do love this fire but lovely r says we may have to wait for this and perhaps substitute it for another cheaper model - we shall see!

.......we have already bought two of these chairs and footstools from riviera maison (there was a ten to twelve week wait so i thought i should order them quickly (how wrong can you be) - they too are now stacked in the to be new dining room)

...... we have also ordered two rattan square chests from riviera maison to act as tables for side lights which will sit beside the two cream sofas we plan to have (with removable covers because of oska and finn)

........ i have bought two lovely lampshades from jolie (i will tell you more about this shop another time as it deserves a post of it's own) which are cream and taupe check and ordered a similar check throw (greengate) too.

..........i can imagine what i would like it to look like and hope it becomes reality.

..................i will show you more piccies as we proceed.

.............i know i have also promised some photographs of some of the crafts i am doing but find it very dark to take them, but will persist.

......as you can imagine i am not living in the best situation to craft with any satisfaction.

........i hope all is well in blogland and look forward to reading your fab blogs over the coming weeks.

...it's me again

2009-02-05T14:12:00.004Z

....... don't fall down with shock - i hear you say we don't hear from her for weeks and then there are two posts in one day!

.......i just wanted to tell you that one of the first trips i made after feeling better was to buy some craft materials and i saw a range of scrapbooking supplies designed by laura ashley.

.......i then popped in to tesco's to find out if there any more cath bags (to feed my craving) and i saw a box set of a plate, bowl and mug which highly resembles emma bridgewater's pink heart design for 7 pounds.

...........sorry no pictures as battery gone on camera and i am short on time.

take care lovelies x

hi folks

2009-02-05T13:07:00.015Z

...........i did hope to be back before now but i have been feeling quite poorly..................
...... my op has been done and it was not as straight forward as presumed and then i got an infection which required returning to the hospital every couple of days for redressing ................ not easy when you are not allowed to drive.

........................... then the wound refused to heal and which necessitated further hospital trips.

so i have been virtually housebound until recently, but these little chaps have kept me company but are beginning to sulk when i get ready to go out as they want mum to stay and play.

................ they have been great company and i am so pleased i have them

........................ lovely flowers were delivered which also brightened my days

........................ cups of tea were welcome with the occasional cake or biscuit to make me feel better, while listening to the radio or watching dvd's or the tv. it was fortunate i received the sex and the city box set for christmas.

................ i've read books, which i also received quite a few as presents, which yes, did include cookbooks (i am running out of storage space for my cookbooks but i cannot resist them)

.....................i also have spent quite a lot of time here - i love my bed! i have also started some red and white cross stitch for the kitchen and a stitchery which i want to frame for my new dining room ( i mentioned the building works in my last post).

................... i am also planning a hanging which i wanted to do with fabrics, beads, embroidery and buttons. everything i craft seems to take me so long while other bloggers make things so beautifully and very quickly.

.............. as i have been so unwell and because the building work is due to start on the house i am going to ireland for a few weeks so will be absent from blogging for a while - there is no broadband in old parish i'm afraid!

........... on my return i hope to be a better blogger and comment giver (thank you so much for yours by the way especially the lovely beverly and melmel) and i will hopefully show you some of the crafting i have done.

.......... i have things to look forward on my return - tickets for the spring (i love that word and all that it means) country living fair and i shall be going on holiday early in april. we have been asked by some very close and lovely friends of ours to go on a three week cruise visiting spain, italy, croatia, gibralter and greece. .................can't wait as i need the sunshine!

take care and keep writing those wonderful blogs - will be back before you know it!

.....it's christmas time!

2008-12-18T16:04:00.011Z

......as you know from my last blog entry i have had health problems which has resulted in lots of tests and scans and eventually an operation.

.......we always think we are invincible but it is times like this when you realise you cannot do it all, so although the present buying has been done and i am trying very slowly to wrap up each gift, the rest of the arrangements have gone by the by.

.........i usually enjoy dressing the house but i cannot do that this year as i am resting and I do not have the energy to do very much. i should begin to be getting back to normal in about three to four weeks so i can then get into the things i love doing.

..........although i have been inactive i have been reading, especially the lovely christmas edition magazines which the lovely r has been buying for me. i have also been planning - i am keen to do some red and white embroidery, particularly some french designs. i also intend to make some more use of my lovely sewing machine which has not had much use this year. one more thing, i want to have a go at making some things with fimo - have any of you had a go and do you have any tips?

..........a good part of 2008 has been spent obtaining planning permission for an extension to our house (we think this would be to our advantage when we eventually sell and move to ireland). the plan is for a new sitting room and a bedroom cum study cum workroom above. as you can imagine i have lots of ideas in my head which i hope to put into practice. hopefully building will commence in the new year.

...........if i am well enough we plan to go to our family in ireland for christmas where i can rest and hopefully do some sewing. mum is very keen for us to go and she has said I must take it easy!

...............i want to wish you all a very merry christmas and a happy and peaceful 2009; especially beverley over at teatime and roses. who has been especially sweet in her comments.

i hope to be a better blogger in the new year and be able to share nice things with you and of course, share your nice things by visiting your blogs more regularly.

......take care and be safe everyone x

....a little respite

2008-10-28T10:02:00.003Z

...... sorry that i have been so remiss in my blogging posts. i do continue to read other bloggers posts when i can but not to the extent i did in the past as i have been feeling really poorly. i do not want my blog to be about illness so i am going to take a blogging break.

i will be going into hospital on thursday for further exploration so hopefully i will have some answers and begin to feel more like myself.

i love reading your blogs and appreciate the amount of effort that is put into them - i feel i am letting the side down as i cannot offer this commitment at this moment.

take care everyone and keep up the good work x

....sitting in my little nest...

2008-09-15T14:26:00.003+01:00

..........i have been sitting in this little nook in my nest (the kitchen) trying to organise myself.

the lovely r and i are off to seville for a few days to have a rest and hopefully a little

sunshine!

......i enjoy sitting here as i can listen to the radio or sew or read or as i have been doing today

organising what i need to do before we leave and what i need to pack.

i am truly looking forward to this break - it is lovely for r and i to have some time together.

we are staying in a hotel with a rooftop terrace which overlooks the city which will be

lovely to just sit with a nice drink and watch the world go by.

we will do some exploring and hopefully find some goodies along the way.

....remembering...

2008-09-11T14:05:00.003+01:00

.....remembering those who lost their lives seven years ago today.....

.....a little more cross stitch

2008-09-09T11:31:00.003+01:00

.....................this is another piece of cross stitch i have finished for our bathroom.

the photography is not too good as it makes the colours look

very faded, which they are not at all...................

......................the chart is a french design which i interpreted using my own shades

to suit our house .................................lots of blue again and some pink!

.................i found the fish and shell buttons on ebay. i do have some other charts in this heart shape and intend to do some more but there are not enough hours in the day!

........as always enjoying all your lovely blogs.....

......a little cross stitch

2008-09-03T18:22:00.007+01:00

...............the kits from shepherds bush in america are one of my favourites as the colours are pastel but pretty and there are lots of varying stitches to keep you interested.

..........a little charm is often added just to make the design even more interesting

........... a little something that i am working on at the moment......

...............the aim is to have a little collection over the top of our bed and for them all to be framed in simple white photograph frames...............

............can you see the little key charm on the piece above?

....................this one has a spade charm.................

.....................a pretty little heart embellishes this design..............

there is nothing nicer than sitting in the garden on a fine summer's afternoon

sewing with the dogs sitting nearby and the afternoon play on

the radio.....................ummm

there's not been much off that this summer as the weather has been grim so i

holding out for an indian summer -what

do you think?

ireland hopping

2008-08-18T12:06:00.008+01:00

........island hopping in the greek islands would have been nice but hopping over to ireland on the ferry had to do.

...........the sea looks magnificent but it is not so nice when you are being thrown about by it on the rosslare to fishguard route.

....................the weather was pants!

....................i was worried about these little chaps but they were cosy and relaxed, more than i can say for the both of us!

.............. some work was done on our house - painting the upstairs floorboards white, shifting the boiler and cleaning the windows as well as planting an oak tree (we bought it for 5 euros - yes really). the lovely r says it will lovely for the children of the future to have their swings on - romantic or what!

...................managed to fit in some reading and some sewing and a few nice visits to local restaurants - one of my favourites - the tannery - is opening a cookery school this autumn which would be a lovely treat to attend.

..................take care all you lovely bloggers and i will be more diligent with my comments on your blogs - i have read plenty but have not left messages. i know how i appreciate comments left so i must pay the same respect to my fellow bloggers.

GETTING BACK TO NORMAL........ARTWORK

2008-07-14T16:20:00.003+01:00

I mentioned in my last post that I have been doing some painting - this was actually a request from a friend who lives in Ireland. She has been very patient as she has had a long wait partly because of my health problems and partly because I get terribly anxious when someone asks me to make or do something for them as I am not confident about my work.

Luckily she was really pleased with them.

I think it is really difficult to determine what people want and what meets their taste - it is a slightly different case if you paint or create a piece of work and then the person chooses to have it.
It is hard to see from the photographs but the background is very textured - I have used scraps of tissue paper which have been soaked in watered down pva glue to create the affect. The middle of the poppies are raised using polyfilla.

The background is gradually built up using various shades to create some depth.

As you can see she wanted a triptych of slightly abstract californian poppies. She had decided on a place for them in her sitting room which is decorated in autumnal colours featuring the burnt orange shade I have used.

I can tell you it was such a relief when I finished them!

I WONDER DO YOU REMEMBER ME?

2008-07-10T14:32:00.011+01:00

I have been absent from the blogging community for quite a while and missed the opportunity to share news with other bloggers and to hear how their lives are faring.

I have not been too well and have been unable to do very much in the way of crafting but I am now beginning to dabble again - I will show my efforts another time.

The last few weeks have been spent in Ireland with my family which has been refreshing as the air and light is so good and indeed inspiring.

The fields are full of calves and foals - across from our house there is a mother and her foal grazing in the field.

The wild flowers are just lovely and I hope to eventually have an area left to wild flowers perhaps with some fruit trees planted in the space. Apart from the wild foxgloves and fuchsias there are beautiful grasses in soft pink and greys and an assortment which I do not know the names. I must get a book which illustrates the various types of wild flowers in southern Ireland.

Don't you think these pictures lend themselves to being reproduced using machine embroidery together with various fabrics being applied, perhaps some dyed to represent the colours. I also like adding hand embroidery on the surface using various threads and beads.

So many ideas so little time!

A LITTLE HEART INSPIRATION............

2008-02-02T00:34:00.000Z

I think there are those of us that are drawn towards certains items - ie. I have a friend who collects anything with pigs on and another who likes frogs. I have seen on blogs that some bloggers adore items with fairies, or butterflies or roses and so on.

I find that I love the heart shape and I am often drawn to it - is it the shape? or is it what it stands for? I don't know but I love it!

I have lots of items around my home representing the heart shape and I know from other bloggers I am not alone.

I came across these hearts on http://www.purlbee.com/ and thought how simple they are but so lovely. I looked further and found out they are valentine cards - how nice would it be to send or receive one of these rather than the horrible mass produced ones that are in the shops.

Further details regarding how to make them and the materials used are on the purlbee site.

Umm - will just have to wait to valentines day to see what happens???????

BIRTHDAY TREATS

2008-01-24T22:57:00.000Z

I had intended to start 2008 as a more regular blogger but unfortunately this hasn't happened as time seems to pass so quickly and all my good intentions go out of the window!

I do have a good excuse as I have been away in the west of Ireland at a place called Inchydoney Island - sounds lovely doesn't it and indeed it was.

It was the lovely R's birthday and a special one at that and I decided to plan a special treat as a surprise. We wanted to include our family, hence the location in Ireland.

I booked the flights, car and hotel way before Christmas and managed not to let R know until the last minute. I booked annual leave via his secretary so it was a complete surprise for him.

We reached the airport and of course, he realised we were going to Ireland but not the exact whereabouts. At the Cork end he thought we thought we would be met by our family but I picked up the hire car and travelled towards Clonakilty. He was so mystified.

At the end of our journey which was in the dark and in the pouring rain we reached the Inchydoney Island Hotel and Spa.

I had never been here before or indeed to this part of Ireland but the hotel came highly recommended and indeed it lived up to my expectations.

This is the reception area where we were warmly welcomed and offered a complimentary drink.

I arranged for champagne to be in our room with lots of balloons and banners.

A five course dinner was served each night in this lovely restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The food was interesting and tasty.

The spa was lovely with lots of different treatments on offer together with a swimming pool, jacuzzi and steam room.

This was the view from our room which was decorated in the boutique style - interesting but not my taste. It had a lovely large comfy bed but the decor was a little dark for me.

There were lots of lovely toiletries in the bathroom.

We all had a lovely break but felt so relaxed it was difficult to shake ourselves out of our lethargy. I would love to revisit in the summer months as it is a wonderful place for walking with outstanding views. Oh well I will just have to wait for another special occasion.

The lovely R totally loved it all by the way!

HOW DO YOU KEEP WARM?

2008-01-10T23:25:00.001Z

At this time of the year in the UK and of course, many of the other European countries, we are thinking about how to keep warm and cosy. The weather this week has been cold, windy and dull making one feel they should hibernate or least it does me. We have had the threat of snow but it has failed to appear in the south east of the country although we did have a flurry or two.

Some of us may be lucky enough to have real open fires smelling of wonderful pine or wood burners which are crackling away inviting us to sit close with a good book or a piece of sewing or knitting.

I can remember when I was a little girl when I lived in an old house, which incidentally I would love to have now, we had coal fires. I can remember them being so warm and cosy and how lovely it was to soften marshmallows over the coals and to toast bread with a toasting fork. Unfortunately, my parents complained about the mess and wished for the day they could have a modern home with central heating.

Eventually this did happen and I am sure this was the lament of many families. How things change and go full circle. I hear so many people now saying how they would love an open fire and how soul less a home is without one. Actually my lovely neighbour was saying this to me the other day and it did make me think. There are lots of new houses built that do not have chimneys and how many children miss out on those joys of toasting marshmallows or sitting by the firelight dressed in their jammies listening to a bedtime story, or having their Christmas presents tumbling out of the chimney. I am glad I have those memories and they are special to me.

There are substitutions with modern technology whereby you do not need chimneys and or you can have a fake effect or gel fire.

Although I love open fires I was rather taken with the new Smeg fires which do not need chimneys. I am a fan of the whole Smeg retro range as they produce lovely refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers in superb colours. I love the smooth and simple lines too. So I was quite pleased when I came across this advert in a magazine.

What do you think?

Would you like a sleek black fire?

....................................................or perhaps a plain cream one?

.......................................red even?

You can have silver too. It is a shame they do not make the fires in the baby blue, pink or maybe bright orange they make their fridges in as I am sure it would appeal to the adventurous amongst us.

I do rather like the cream one and I have shown the lovely R who liked it too - so you never know, but I will need to save my pennies as they are rather expensive!

HAPPY 2008

2008-01-03T17:30:00.000Z

I am now home from Ireland after spending a quiet and relaxing time with my family. The time spent there went far too quickly and I didn't want to come home. Although we had invitations to go to friends for New Year's Eve we decided to have some time on our own with a glass of fizz or two.

We had a great time with Santa being kind to us all, but now is the time to look forward and to plan the new year. There is lots to be done and new projects to look forward to!

I want to wish you all a very happy, healthy and wondrous 2008.

SEASONS GREETINGS

2007-12-20T13:57:00.001Z

I have been a terrible blogger of late for one reason or another and must make a new year's resolution to make an extra effort to blog more regularly. I have had the best intentions but life takes over and I am sure you all appreciate that at this time of the year.

I have been busy in that I planned to make all my own cards this year, which I have done, but I have not photographed a single card to show here. Am I a chump or what?

I also had an embroidery project to complete for a friend to give to her Mum for Christmas, which took quite a bit longer than I anticipated, and guess what? I haven't photographed that either. I was so glad to get it finished and off my hands I didn't even think to take a photograph. I will ask my friend to so I can show you another time.

I have decorated some of the house but not as much as usual as we will not be home for Christmas.

I have sprayed some tortured willow branches and decorated them with mercury glass baubles and festive words.

Sorry for the quality of these photographs but somehow I quite like them like this!

I have covered the top of a silver bowl with moss which I have sprayed with snow - I know it isn't very clear here. I have placed it in the conservatory as it looks nice against the dark night sky.

This is in the hall and likewise looks better when the candles are lit and the main lights are off.

A kitchen window.........................................

Some candles in pretty glass candle sticks intertwined with a silver garland......................

More candles with the little guys I showed you before - they look so cheeky..............................

Candles again with porcelain angels .......................................................

All the pressies are wrapped and packed to take with or ready to be delivered to friends and neighbours.......................................................................

A little tree for the dining room............................................ there are little white painted tin stars and birds on the tree but they cannot be clearly seen.

Finn says he is fed up with all this Christmas stuff - can we have a cuddle please?

Oska says can we go for a walk yet?

We might as well snuggle up and have a nap!

The house is decorated, the cards are sent and the presents are wrapped and all we need do now is pack the car as we are off to Ireland early in the morning. We are looking forward to a long break with our family - it is a first for us to spend Christmas in Ireland.

Although I speak to my Mum nearly every day I do miss her as until about eighteen months ago she lived nearby. We plan to eat, drink, relax and be merry with long walks for the boys.

We will be having a long break and won't be back home until the New Year which will be lovely for us.

In the meantime, I wish each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas and lots of happy and healthy times in 2008.

Thank you for all your lovely comments over the past few months and thank you for all the pleasure and inspiration you have given me by reading your blogs.

See you next year!

VENICE

2007-11-25T03:19:00.000Z

As I was reading through some blogs I came across Britt Arnhild's postings and photographs of Venice. Britt says you should not visit this city without your art materials so you are prepared for the moments when you are inspired to sit and sketch. This is so true because as you turn each corner you are confronted with wonderful architectural details together with amazing textures and colours.

The lovely R and I visited Venice earlier this year. We were advised to visit before it became too hot for two reasons; the first is there is a lot of walking to be done in Venice and it becomes so tiring in the heat and the second is the city becomes rather smelly later in the summer.

Obviously we went on the water as it is a wonderful way to capture the city, but we walked and walked discovering little scenarios which were waiting around each corner. I often wonder how people can live in such close proximity to each other as you can peer quite easily into each other's windows. I suppose when you are used to this way of life it becomes second nature. I was born in London and as I became older I was keen to flee to somewhere more peaceful. Don't get me wrong I do love to visit the capital - the theatre, the exhibitions, the galleries, the concerts! One area I really like to visit is along the Southbank and look at what it has to offer - The Tate, the Millennium Bridge, the National, the London Eye, the Imax, Gabriel's Wharf and the added treat of eating in the Oxo Tower. BUT I am more than happy to return to the relative peace of our home. I can remember when we came to this area to live we could not sleep because it was just too quiet. However over the years the town has built up as it is a favourite place for commuters for easy access into the city. Hence our decision to eventually move to Ireland so that we can regain some peacefulness and space.

We both enjoy visiting other cities and enjoyed sitting in St. Mark's Square sipping our coffees, eating our biscotti and watch the people pass by.

We went to the top of the Campanile where the views over the city were breathtaking but I was particularly drawn to these domes - this photograph was one of the many that I took!

A while ago whilst studying on a City and Guilds Textile course we were encouraged to look for 'sources' which were significant in some way to us and could form the foundation of a piece of embroidery - whether hand or machine, or a mixture of both. The piece could be a three dimensional piece of work, a wall hanging, an item of clothing or maybe an accessory. Imagine using this as a source for an evening bag - does that get your imagination working? I hope it does. It certainly did me. Reverse the dome shape - add some metal work - some beading or metallic thread - play up the squared effect. Oh the ideas can flow and flow. If I ever get to make it, like so many of the other ideas and projects I have stored away, I will let you know.

If you ever get the opportunity to go the Windsor College end of year exhibition of City and Guild textile student's work then grab it. This college has the benefit of having Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn on their staff as tutors and it shows in the level of work that is produced here. It is just so inspiring to sit and look through the student's work books. Jan and Jean also write the Double Trouble series of books regarding finding sources, using sketchbooks and then producing samples and finished items based on their findings. I so wish I lived closer to this college as it would be wonderful to learn and be inspired by their work.

THANKSGIVING

2007-11-23T21:01:00.000Z

I would like to wish all our American friends a very Happy Thanksgiving

REMEMBER ME............................

2007-11-20T08:52:00.000Z

........................................... I once wrote a blog called Annie's Abode and was part of the blogging community?

I am so sorry for the long absence but events happen that you don't plan for and they take over your life.

I have some long term health problems which appears to to raise its ugly head when I travel and knocks me flat - you may remember that I was quite ill in Ireland when I visited in the summer. It is a lengthy journey by car but it is the only way I can take my boys, Oska and Finn. I do not like leaving them in kennels, even though I have done so previously. Well the same thing happened this time! My immune system appears depleted even though I am taking my echinacea and various other prescribed medication. My health was the reason I left my job as a social worker. I had been employed in this field for many years and enjoyed this work as I love working with people and I loved the team but I am afraid I could not cope with the demands of carrying out a full time post, especially one that was demanding with my health situation.

Anyway, enough said about that - I do not want this to be a blog about horrible illness issues but I feel I need to explain my absences.

I did improve whilst in Ireland and had a lovely relaxing time with my family. As my reiki teacher says there is good energy in Ireland and I feel it - the sooner I can live there for good the better!

I was able to have a little purchase or two in the latter part of the break and even ventured into Brown Thomas in Cork - love that shop but quite expensive! I did buy a couple of Christmas decorations but they are still packed in tissue as I haven't unpacked all my goodies yet. There are some wonderful bargains to be had in Ireland and I will show you in the next few postings.

On my return this was waiting for me! You may remember that I ordered a new sewing machine at the Knitting and Sewing Show. I had been planing to buy a new machine and wanted one that could do monogramming and beautiful embroidery. I love hand embroidery but I wanted something that would be used for making pretty cushions or bed linen - I love white on white embroidery.

The machine was one of the items the lovely R said I should have when I left my job as he felt it was important to have something for me enjoy and fill the gap left by my work. I felt it was a bit of an extravagance and pondered for some while. However luckily for me the machine I finally chose (with the help of Mia of Mia's Landliv) was on offer at the show and came with the embroidery unit free so it made the purchase a little easier.

So here is my new baby!

I felt rather apprehensive at first and I still haven't done too much but I have watched the DVD's and there are so many beautiful tasks the machine can do (please note I said the machine can do - I am still to discover whether I can do them)

The people at Husqvarna have been amazing and have been are very supportive and care that you like your machine and feel happy with it. I have been offered some classes to attend in the new year too.

Obviously I have been very neglectful in reading other people's blogs but had a little peep this morning and I know Christmas is approaching fast. I love reading about how fellow bloggers decorate their homes or decorate their presents, especially our Scandinavian friends. People like Mia and Karna make such an effort to decorate their homes in an individual but simple way which I love.

I will leave you with these two little fellows - aren't they sweet? Look at their cheeky faces!

I hope I will retrieve some of my energy to start decorating my home in the next week or so. We will be going to our family in Ireland for Christmas but I will still decorate our home here. I, or should I say we, do not choose bright colours but tend to stick to pale colours, silver, glass and white sparkly lights.

I can appreciate this type of decor in other people's homes but cannot live with it myself. Just look at Jane's choices of colours on her blog Yarnstorm ( have you got her book yet? I bought one for myself and my sister). It is apparent that she adores bright, gorgeous shades and they look wonderful and Yvonne at Yvestown uses bright greens and pinks on her furniture - I should be so daring!

It's nice to be back and I hope I find you all well keeping warm and cosy in this cold weather.

ETSY

2007-10-18T14:17:00.000+01:00

I love Etsy shops don't you? There are so many lovely things that have been handmade and some of the creators are bloggers like you and I. I can lose myself on the site as there is such a huge selection of beautiful items such as jewelry, quilts and artwork. I think the artwork is probably my most favourite as each piece is individual and you can have an original creation in your home.

Over time I have bought several pieces and I am sure I will buy more for myself as well as for friends and family.

These prints are from a series called 'The Girls' and are by Carla Sonheim - give her shop a look as I am sure you will enjoy looking at her work. I have decided to frame them in white wooden frames but of course, a different look is achieved with a different approach.

I have placed a group together but one print can look such as effective. I love the soft colours and enjoy people's responses to them.

I am sorry as I am no David Bailey when it comes to photography but I am sure you get the idea.

I have also purchased some other prints taken from original paintings which I will show you another time - one set being from Belle and Boo, which I know is a favourite with some of you.

I am having a short pause from blogging as I am off to Ireland for a couple of weeks so I will be back on the blog on my return. In the meantime please take care and have a spooky Halloween. Oooooooooooooh!

HAVEN'T I BEEN A LUCKY GIRL

2007-10-16T12:43:00.000+01:00

Thank you to everyone who has taken their time to drop by and wish me well - all your comments are truly welcomed and appreciated. I know I have been very naughty in leaving comments and responding to those left on my blog but I will try to get around to them all.

I am now feeling much better but still have a croaky voice and that horrible first thing in the morning feeling - this has really knocked me for six. All the plans I had have been thrown to the wayside because I have been feeling so poorly - I really could not be bothered to do anything! Hence no sewing, knitting or painting although I did make a few cards which I will show you later in this post.

I promised to show you some of my birthday presents - you can see that I was very lucky with all the goodies I received.

It looks a little crumpled in this picture but the lovely R gave me the ochre leather satchel from Boden, which I love. He also gave all the Cath Kidston tins and the sweet little mushroom pin cushion. He also gave me some perfume - White Linen - which is a fragrance I love as it is so fresh and clean. The blow up cushion was added as he thought I would appreciate this on our trips.

The precious one gave me Nigella's new cookbook and some lovely patterned gardening tools.

As you can see I also received several DVD's - lovely R knows I love Waking the Dead and the Gilmore Girls and any film with Diane Keaton - I admire her style. There were also some products from Liz Earle - I love her products because they are natural and not tested on animals, they are always beautifully wrapped in tissue (by staff who may have some dissability I might add) and she is always generous in that a little extra is always added.

I received Trinny and Susannah's new book together with Swedish Interiors and Tildas Hus. Actually not everything is here as I have received other things since this photograph was taken so you see I have been a very lucky girl!

These are the cards I mentioned earlier in the post. A friend was getting married so I made this card for her.

This card was for a very close friend of mine who gave me tons of threads, buttons, canvases, old sewing tools and frames from and old lady who had died. My friend was responsible for clearing her home and automatically thought of me - it was sad but I am glad I could find a home for them rather than they end up in the rubbish. I was thrilled with them.

A couple of birthday cards for friends.

A special thank you card to a friend who cooked for a group of us (before I became unwell) and she prepared such lovely things and made the evening special. The hearts are raised and the block stamp says 'thanks'. It isn't to clear from the photographs.

I also went to the Knitting and Sewing Show at Alexandra Palace on Sunday. I enjoy this show as there is the opportunity to see new things and to try them out ( although there are more and more stalls selling non sewing or knitting items which is a shame). It is an ideal opportunity to buy some goodies - I bought some nice ribbons and buttons for future projects but also was tempted, as I always am, by the books. I bought three more in the Double Trouble series by Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn and a Country Quilts book. I also bought a couple of sewing kits which I can show you at a later date. BUT the big purchase of the day was a new sewing machine! I have been intending to replace my sewing machine for some while and have asked for advice about this from several other bloggers as well as researching it on the web. Luckily the machine I chose was on offer with various bits and pieces free so I am waiting patiently waiting for it to be delivered so I can start playing with it. My old machine is computerised but the new one is quite sophisticated so I think it will take some time to get used to it. I am so excited!

I also started my sewing class and as I think I already said I am making a contemporary quilt. It is a small group which is nice and we are all doing different things. As I get a bit further along with it I will show you.

It is nice to be back and I hope this post finds everyone well and hopefully not falling foul to the lurgy! Have a nice day everyone.

FEELING AWFUL

2007-10-04T15:19:00.000+01:00

I have been naughty in that I have neglected my blog - I have a good reason. I have been feeling unwell with a sore throat, headache, earache and a general feeling of lethargy. I am feeling a little better today but not up to full speed so I am going to crawl back to the bedroom, make myself comfy with Finn and Oska and watch the afternoon film.

I hope to be back to full speed soon so I can show you my birthday goodies!

I wish everyone well and take care.

BIRTHDAY TIME

2007-09-24T10:12:00.000+01:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ANNIE,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Yep another birthday - don't they come around quickly!

I am not going to tell you how old I am as a lady (ha ha) doesn't divulge her age. I have not opened any pressies yet as the lovely R and the precious one wanted to be here to share the moment and they had to scurry off early. I will share them with you another time. I am very lucky as R is very good at choosing pressies and organising surprises. He is much better than me!

The lovely R arranged a surprise meal with our closest friends on Saturday which was lovely and unexpected. The food was scrumptious!

So if it is your birthday today too I hope you have a fabulous day :)

I know I need to spend a bit more time on my blog and respond to your lovely comments so please bear with me - I do truly appreciate them.

THE NAME GAME

2007-09-20T08:53:00.000+01:00

Firstly, let me thank everyone for the lovely comments you left on my blog about the cushion and the light house - it raised my confidence no end!

A friend of mine has asked me to stitch a cushion for her Mum so I will show you it when I have finished it. These things do seem to take me a while because I do dabble in other things as I find it hard to concentrate on just one thing. I have also just had a couple of cross stitch designs framed which I will show you next time.

I have also have been planting winter pansies in the pots in the garden and I have made a few cards.

I have also been researching sewing machines. At the moment I have a Janome Memorycraft, which has been great but I would like something a little more sophisticated. I am debating whether to buy a Husquavrna - I have read all the blurb and I think I have chosen the machine that would do all the things I would like. However, they are expensive and I don't want to make a mistake, so if you have any recommendations or tips you would like to make please do.

I have put my name forward to join a weekly sewing group - it sounds quite informal in that you have the choice of what to do at the group. My plan is to start a simple quilt - I think the group will be the ideal place to focus me on one project and I will devote that amount of time each week to the quilt. The machine I have been looking at appears to be excellent for quilting but can do all types of fancy stitching too.

Now to the name game. This is the first time I have joined in something like this but Tracy from Pink Purl suggested I have a go and it sounded fun. Go and have a look at Tracy's.

Well here goes! Maybe you would like to have a go too!

YOUR ROCK STAR NAME (first pet and current car): Butch Chrysler
YOUR GANGSTA NAME (fave ice cream flavour + fave cookie/biscuit): Phish Food Coconut
YOUR FLY NAME (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name): A.Dav
OUR DETECTIVE NAME (fave colour + fave animal): Blue Dolphin
YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name + city where you were born): Zero London (I don't have a middle name)
YOUR STAR WARS NAME (the first three letters of your last name + first two letters of your first): Dav-an
SUPERHERO NAME (The + second favourite colour + favourite drink): The Pink Margarita
NASCAR NAME (the first names of your grandfathers): Teddy Arthur
STRIPPER NAME (the name of your fave perfume/cologne/scent + fave candy/sweet): Light Blue Chocolate Peanuts
WITNESS PROTECTION NAME (mum and dad's middle names): Catherine George
TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME (your fifth grade teacher's name + a major city that starts with the same letter): Watson Washington
SPY NAME/BOND GIRL (your fave holiday/season + flower): Summer Delphinium
CARTOON NAME (fave fruit + item of clothing wearing at the moment + ie or y): Banana Pyjamamy
HIPPY NAME (what you ate for breakfast + your fave tree): Granola Cherry Blossom
YOUR ROCK STAR TOUR NAME (The + your fave hobby/craft + fave weather + Tour): The Stitching Summer Tour

I think my hippy name is very appropriate, don't you? What about the stripper name? Come on and have a go - it will make you giggle.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING THIS WEEK?

2007-09-13T22:37:00.000+01:00

I have tried most types of hand embroidery and I enjoy most of it. I was lucky in that I had a sewing and patchwork centre based in a barn close to where I live. It was great to wander over there as it was in the middle of nowhere and hence was so peaceful and conducive to sewing.

The whole barn was full of all types of threads, needles, kits, charts, frames, gadgetry, patchwork fabrics and books. It was like Aladdin's Cave and at Christmas the owner decorated the barn so it was like stepping into wonderland.

If you had a bad day, there was nothing nicer than popping into the barn to see some friendly faces, buy a new chart and some threads. Then to top it all, you could buy a pot of tea and a scone in the tea shop.

Classes were held on a regular basis and there was a monthly sewing group where you could bring along any project you may be working on and share it and ask advice from the other members. Can you imagine sitting outside the barn on a summer's evening sewing with a group of friends. It was lovely.

As a regular I became involved in groups that were working on longer term projects like designing a crewel work piece using the original method of pricking and pouncing. I decided to design a firescreen, but people were adventurous in that they made covers for chairs and beds.

The finished results were fabulous.

Through attending these classes I found out how to do hard hanger, crewel work, ribbon embroidery, free embroidery, Brazilian embroidery, silk work and cross stitch. I wasn't interested in a lot of the cross stitch kits as they were not to my taste but I loved the Shepherd's Bush kits and charts as the designers chose such soft lovely colours.

Unfortunately the barn is now long gone but not forgotten. As a sign of the times, the land with the barn was sold off for new homes. I have been unable to find anything that replaces it in the area where I live - most of my equipment is bought via the Internet or at exhibitions.

Most of the sewing I do now is on my own, although I do enjoy reading sewing blogs which is inspirational and provides lots of information about new products on the market. I particularly love the french blogs - they produce such beautiful pieces of work. This past week I have been doing some cross stitch - this time it is a cushion for some friends who are getting married. I didn't want a traditional sampler type chart so adapted a chart I already had by changing the colours and by adding little pearls.

I have added the year and their initials at the bottom - the aim was to keep it pretty simple.

I cross stitched the little hearts onto fabric and then made them into buttons to attach the piece onto a piece of white linen. The lovely R suggested I should make this cushion but I wasn't too sure as I am always critical of what I do and feel embarrassed when I give it to the person.

Personally, I love to receive handmade items but you never know how other people will react. My closest friend loves to receive these type of gifts but I still hesitate.

My sister always encourages me to make things for her and is very pleased when I produce something for her. As I have said before my sister lives in Ireland and has a house by the sea and thus, has decorated her home with a coastal theme. Not overtly but subtly with some cushions from Jan Constantine which have been embroidered with a shell and a fish, a Caroline Zoob boat, some star fish, a wooden lighthouse and so on.

As a result of wanting all things coastal, she asked me to paint her a lighthouse. I thought automatically of the navy, red and white nautical theme but then decided she would probably like something more subtle. So I have used soft blues and whites - it looks more grey in the photograph. I aim to take it with me when I next visit her in Ireland - I hope she likes it!

This is the beauty of a blog in that you can show what you have made and get an honest response but you can remain anonymous. I am a bit of a coward aren't I?

It is nearly Friday so I wish everyone a good weekend with lots of sunshine like the past few days - lovely!

COOKERY BOOKS

2007-09-10T08:01:00.000+01:00

I am a keen cookbook buyer and read them just like novels. There is nothing nicer than snuggling up in bed with a cup of hot chocolate and a good cook book. Over the years I have collected so many I really don't know where to store them all and I am loathe to throw them away. Most of us do not have the room to keep them all in the kitchen. I do have my current favourites in the kitchen, but I have some more for easy reach in the laundry room and then the little collection beside my bed, some more in the study and I am afraid to say I have had to pack some up and store them in our Irish house. Where do you keep yours?

Apart from buying them myself, my family know that I love to receive them and the lovely R is very good at finding just the right one. It was R who many years ago bought me my first Susan Branch book just because he thought I might like it and you know how popular she is now!

I am getting together a lovely collection of Irish cookbooks - Rachel Allen from Ballymaloe House, Paul Flynn from the wonderful Tannery as well as the Avoca and Cafe Paradiso books.

My sister is not quite as compulsive as me for collecting cook books but she and my Mum will know when a new Jamie or Nigella or Nigel is about to hit the shops and tada! a copy will appear for a birthday or Christmas or just because.

While on holiday in Ireland this year we had planned to have a day in Dublin - I love to look around Brown Thomas and Avoca - look being the operative word as it is quite expensive. Unfortunately because I was ill with the flu I couldn't go, so I stayed behind with my Mum and the lovely R went with our son and my sister.

On their return they were bearing gifts. The lovely R had bought the cookbook 'Apples for Jam' by Tessa Kiros. He knew I had her book 'Falling Cloudberries' (isn't that a lovely title) and that I had loved it for both the recipes and the design of the book.

If you are not tempted by the covers of the books then take a look inside. As you can see the book not only has great recipes which look scrummy as indeed they are, but there is also the history of Tessa's family with charming photographs to accompany her text.

Doesn't she look cute?

Oh dear, he's not very happy!

I had to include this picture as I love carousels. Unfortunately I don't get the opportunity to go on one now but it was lovely when our son was small and he needed to accompanied.

What a lovely way to have a record of Tessa's life and the food she and her family loves and indeed for us too!

POOR ME!

2007-09-03T22:06:00.000+01:00

I thought I would share this picture of Oska. As you can see he is feeling rather sorry for himself. Why? He has just been stung by a wasp. He is a little devil in that he will chase them and bat them with his paws. Of course this is what happens.

Seriously, Oska was rather upset by the incident as was I. He was shaking really badly and his little heart was beating so hard in his chest. My lovely R immediately rang the emergency vet who said there was no need to be concerned; just to comfort him and eventually his own body would begin to fight the sting.

All afternoon he would not put his paw to the floor and looked to us to carry him up and down the stairs. However he soon perked up when we gave him some fresh chicken for his supper! Poor Oska!

WHAT IS MY FAVOURITE COLOUR?

2007-09-02T20:41:00.000+01:00

Don't you think it is odd that we often take the things around us for granted? Like modern appliances - how did our grannies manage to do the household tasks without washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens. Obviously they did not have comparisons to make but we do and I wonder if we realise how lucky we are.

I would also like to know how they fitted it all in each day. I find I set myself a little list of jobs each day and often do not finish them in the time I expect and yet I have the assistance of modern conveniences. It is probably because like many of us I have the luxury of our attention being taken by the lovely magazines and books we read or we do a little bit of knitting after a lovely lunch or we sit and admire the view.

Then take it one step further - what about the loveliness of the appliances and equipment we use. They come in all sorts of shapes, colours and sizes to meet all our needs. I appreciate these examples are not to every one's taste but whatever you like there is is something to fit the bill.

I know many of you like the vintage style - who can resist a whistling kettle? However these modern conveniences do allow the opportunity to do these other hobbies we enjoy so much.

How many types of kettles can you buy? They come in every colour and shape imaginable.
There are short squat designs and long lean works of art.

Our grannies often did not even have fridges let alone have the choice of what size, colour and shape they should be. I do love the old larders but they would not allow you to batch cook a lovely casserole or hold a batch of scones ready to be warmed with jam and cream.

We can listen to Woman's Hour, the Archers or Gardeners Question Time as we carry out our little jobs.

We can make out kitchens look pretty and make us happy to be in them rather than equipment being purely ulitarian.

We can make a nice flask of tea or coffee to take into the garden to drink while we sit and sew or garden or read.

There's music to dance and sing along to as we are hoovering or dusting or plays to listen to as we bake cookies and cakes.

We can make all types of coffee to help us through the day or to offer to friends and neighbours who pop by.

What becomes apparent when looking at this items I do tend to go for the same colour. So what do you think is one of my favourite colours if not the favourite?

ARD NA MARA

2007-08-24T10:52:00.000+01:00

Thank you for all your lovely comments about our new home in Ireland - I am now really keen to move there but I have to be patient as there are various things to be sorted out and considered here.

However, I know how lucky I am to have this prospect and it will not stop me making plans and collecting samples and inspirational pictures in my notebooks.

We, not I, have decided to have a pink and white dining room at Ard Na Mara. Generally, we both like neutral backgrounds where we can add colour through accessories like throws, quilts, artwork and ornaments (do we still use that word?)

I love blue, especially baby blue, which I am planning a post about as it is so evident in our present home. I also love pink, soft pastel greens and cream, oyster and champagne tones.

The colour choice for the dining room initially came about because we have a lovely old tea set in a pink and white willow type pattern. (I cannot show it to you as it is packed and ready to go). Coincidentally my sister called me to say she had found a lovely french dinner set in one of favourite shops which she was sure I would love. Yes, you've guessed it is PINK! My sister and my Mum were so sure we would love it they bought it for us. The shop keeper was amazed as she was worried about us liking it and how could they be so sure - she even relayed the story to another of our friends when shopping in her shop. (My sister and I do have very similar tastes and we often buy the same things without knowing). Well we loved it as we knew we would and the idea for the colours scheme of the dining room was born.

I also love pink glass and decided to have a search for some bargains - here are a little selection I think are so pretty!

The heart plates are new which I bought because I always become drawn to heart shapes (I feel another post coming on about hearts)

The lovely R spotted this little basket on ebay and promptly bid for it and it was ours for pennies - I love ebay!

It was the same with this little jug it was mere pennies. I don't know how old it is but it looks pretty old.

We have also bought a lovely platter from ebay and some pink drinking glasses from Ilva which I cannot show you as I do not have my camera as I have lent it to a friend. We have plenty of white china which I think will mix and match well with this.

We both also like this fabric by Cath Kidston which we would like to use for window dressing. The room we plan to use is at the back of the house with views over the fields beyond. We are going to take out the window and replace it with french doors so can walk straight out onto a patio where we will put our garden furniture. We thought we could have our breakfast there when the weather is fine or sit out after a meal when it is dusky for a cup of coffee.

We also have an old painted chiffonier, another ebay find, to take with us when we eventually move. It will hold our crockery and linen. What do you think?

FLU, FLU, FLU AND A HAPPY ENDING

2007-08-19T23:41:00.000+01:00

It has been quite a while since my last post which was full of excitement about my forthcoming holiday with my family in Ireland. Unfortunately this was short lived - I got flu the second day I was there and spent a lot of time in bed. It has taken some time to get back on my feet.

This picture is probably a good representation of how I looked and felt. I had a course of antibiotics and some strong painkillers as I was suffering with so much with pain in my joints and head. I had swollen bits where I didn't know you could have swollen bits and my throat was so sore.

So you can imagine how I feel - I had so much planned in terms of photographing lots of lovely things for my blog and visiting great places including the local beaches with the boys, Oska and Finn. I am so disappointed! I did manage to do a little sewing which I can show you another time but not much else.

Now for the happy ending. We finally completed on the purchase of our house in Ireland. Hurray!

The Irish can be very slow in getting things done (this is not a criticism as I think we can learn a thing or two from them) so we were not sure when we could call this house ours and we did not want to count our chickens, so to speak.

So here is Ard Na Mara - this is what we have chosen to call our house - it means the house on the hill near the sea. While we have bee waiting for this process to come to an end we have had many conversations and made many plans for Ard Na Mara and of course, one was the decision of what to call it.

There are plenty of things that need to be done to make our house look pretty but it will take time and for the time being this will not be our main home. We aim to move there permanently in the future but we will have to be patient until the time is right for all of us.

It is a light and spacious house and as I say we have plenty of plans for it like painting the upstairs floorboards white so that we can have some pretty rugs scattered around (I would like to have a go at making a rag rug - another project on my list)

I love these upstairs windows and thought perhaps a window seat would be nice as the views are so lovely.

This is the entrance to Ard Na Mara which will eventually need a gate as we don't want the cows to wander in and damage our garden (the garden we plan to have I should say). Saying that we have plenty of bunnies who will eat what they can but I do like to see their little white tails bobbing around.

We did plant a tree at the front of the house while we were there as a kind of mark of saying it is ours - in the future we hope to put a garden seat around the trunk.

As you can see we have the sea close by which changes on a minute by minute basis - the colours can be so sparkly and blue and then so grey and forbidding. Fascinating nevertheless!

This is some of the land which is currently kept tidy by the local farmer - the hedgerows are full of hardy fuchsias, croscosmia, wild hollyhocks, blackberries (will be great for making jams and pies) ferns and hawthorns.

I hope you can appreciate how wonderful the views are and how expansive the skies are - it is so inspiring and it is no wonder there are so many wonderful artists in Ireland. You cannot see here but there are some wonderful mountains in the distance to the left of this photograph.

More land! What are we going to do with it all? Fresh vegetables and fruit trees? Lots of wonderful flowers!

This is the wonderful stone wall at the front of the house. A friend of ours actually built the house and he so wanted to have a proper stone wall which was a painstaking job but well worth it.

We all feel very excited about the house and what it offers for the future and of course, our family are pleased we will be joining them sometime n the future.

Let me thank you for visiting my blog and for the emails I have received - hopefully I will now be able to get back to reading my favourite blogs and responding to your lovely comments.

I AM GOING ON A SUMMER HOLIDAY

2007-07-25T10:09:00.000+01:00

I am going off for a couple of weeks to see my family in Ireland and I cannot wait. As you probably already know by now I absolutely love Ireland but I am eager to see my Mum and sister. We usually go quite regularly but with things going on like weddings and birthday celebrations we haven't seen them for quite a few weeks. We keep in constant contact by phone, text and email but it is not the same as spending actual time with them. Until a year ago they lived locally so you can imagine the wrench for us. We are driving this time as we are taking the boys, Oska and Finn. It is long haul this way but we take music we like to listen to for the car and plenty of goodies as treats for us and the boys.

I thought I would leave you with some pictures of my garden - I managed to take some pics on the rare day when it hasn't rained here. This time last year we had a hose pipe ban and everyone was wilting with the extreme heat and yet this year we do not need our hoses - is that bizarre or what!

I have had this bird bath for some years and I love all the detail - can you see the little mouse at the top? I think I should add some pots with colourful flowers here. I like watching the birds coming down for a drink and a bath although they don't stay long if the boys see them!

The hydrangeas are lovely this year and I love these two colours next to each other.

I will just leave you with a couple of pics of the boys - they look happier in these than they did in the last post. They love my son J and I think it shows!

We will be celebrating J's birthday while we are away and we have booked his favourite restaurant and then we shall be having some of friends over while we are there as a second celebration and an excuse to get together - not that we need one!

I shall be taking some sewing with me and some good books to read but will also be going for some long walks on the beautiful beaches. See you in a couple of weeks and I hope the weather improves for both you and me! Good luck with the move Tracy (Cupcakes) and I look forward to catching up with you all on my return.

OSKA AND FINN - MY BOYS

2007-07-21T23:12:00.000+01:00

The following pics are for Tracy from Cupcakes at Home - I can tell from her blog how much she adores her girls, Tallulah and Bean and she said she would like to see more pictures of Oska and Finn after seeing the boys in my sidebar. So here they are!

For some time I had been hassling the lovely R about getting a couple of dogs. He loves dogs but wasn't keen as we had a bad experience with our last dog and it had caused us a lot of upset and he didn't want this to happen again. Eventually he gave in but I had to promise I would agree to the dogs going into kennels as we both like to travel (he knows how attached I get and would hate to leave them with strangers). Although I wasn't totally happy about this I agreed but said we would have to find somewhere nice for them to stay.

I was keen to have two small dogs as I didn't like the thought of one being left alone and because we do not have a huge home. I decided to do some research and came across miniature schnauzers which seemed perfect for us - they were said to be sociable dogs who liked being part of a family.

It was as if it was meant to be because I immediately found a breeder who was advertising a litter for sale. There was a litter of seven with two black and five salt and pepper puppies who were just three weeks old.

I immediately chose Finn as he was so tiny and the runt of the litter - all the other puppies were just treading all over him. (They wouldn't stand a chance of that now).

Straight after I spotted Oska - he was a little scamp and so playful and sweet. Oska looks just like his Mum!

These pics make them look a bit grumpy but they are dear little souls and are always ready with a wiggly bum and tail!

We had to wait until they could leave their Mum which was about 6 weeks later and I just could not wait. They were so tiny and helpless and I had this image of Finn being sat on by the others.

As you can see from the photographs Finn was much smaller than Oska and had to be helped everywhere as he couldn't even manage a small step.

Unfortunately shortly after we had them Finn was very ill and we were told by the vet not to expect him to pull through as he was so small. He spent a week in the veterinary hospital and he was kept in isolation as they were not sure what was wrong with him. Eventually they decided to try him with some pediatric medicine which seemed to do the trick and he gradually got better. I brought him home and he became strong and healthy and is now almost the same size as Oska.

Although they are from the same litter they are both so different in character but are both equally sweet and love being with people.

They are just coming up to their second birthdays and we all totally spoil them but we get so much back from them. They are an absolute joy.

LOOK WHAT I'VE GOT!

2007-07-17T20:06:00.000+01:00

For some months I have been reading a blog called Mias Lanliv, which I have found to be so inspiring. Mia has a lovely home and garden and is so creative - her patchwork quilts are just lovely.

It took me such a long time to decide whether to start a blog as those like Mias are just so full of wonderful things that I thought I could not have so much to offer other bloggers. But I bit the bullet and you can imagine how excited and pleased I was when Mia was the first person to comment on my blog. I sent her a little package as I wanted her to realise how I happy I was about this and she has blogged about ME on her blog and I am on her blogroll!

LOOK ...... this is what she sent me in return!

Although I cannot understand the text the magazine has some lovely features and was such a pleasure to receive.

However to add to the excitement Mia and her home is actually featured in the magazine. You can see for yourselves from the photograph at the top how lovely it is and I can now have an image of how Mia looks too.

Mia's garden is fabulous - it is full of all those wonderful cottage type flowers. There are some fab pictures of some of her roses on her blog.

Here is Mia working on one of her amazing quilts in her studio - isn't she lucky to have her own studio?

This sitting room looks so cosy and welcoming.

Isn't this a great kitchen and look at the great patchwork - isn't Mia talented?

These bedroom pictures are very blurred but you can see better ones on Mias Lanliv. Couldn't you just dive into that bed? Just perfect!

I love this room - the cushions and the curtain valance are made from tea towels - they look really great!

So Mia, thank you for this wonderful gift and the pleasure it has given me.

PS I hope you don't mind me showing you off Mia!

FABRIC, PAPER AND OH, SOME PAINTING

2007-07-14T10:36:00.000+01:00

I have been quite busy this week trying to do some of the little jobs I have been putting off because of other less interesting things that get in the way like housework and shopping. I have now reached the end of the week and I haven't done all I intended to do. Do you find that? We set ourselves unrealistic lists of things to do because we expect too much of ourselves and then we end up asking ourselves why we haven't done them!

Enough of chastisting myself and let me show you what I got! I mentioned in my last post that we had called into Bicester Village in Oxford. My sister has been there and suggested that I should go but I forgot about it. Luckily the lovely R didn't forget and suggested the visit on the way back from Devon.

I like clothes from a shop called Nitya which I usually admire but don't buy as they are expensive but at Bicester they had 70% reductions so it was a good excuse to dip in and buy.

The best bit is they had a Cath Kidston store and they had lots of reductions on all sorts of items. Luckily for me the lovely R is so patient and says 'why don't you have some of this fabric?' or 'why don't you have a bit more of that as it is so nice' so here is the result.

All these fabrics were either half price or less so they were a real bargain! I will show you what I decide to do with them when I have made up my mind.

I have also been spray painting some natural wicker furniture white which has been a lengthy job as I have been doing it in the garden and so have been dodging the rain all week. It is still not finished!

I have also been making some cards for friends and family - don't you find letter writing and emailing takes a long time too but it is important to keep in contact with loved ones, plus I love receiving a letter, don't you?

I have only recently started sending home made cards as I did not feel confident about them - I love to receive anything home/handmade but I don't think some people appreciate this. However I have had some lovely responses so it has spurred me on to make more. I love doing it and collecting the bits and pieces together for card making. My sister found the pastel coloured nappy pins in a cake making shop and thought I would find a use for them and I found some beautiful miniature shells on the beach in Ireland.

I made this card for a friend who has recently had a baby boy who is adorable - it is shame I cannot show you some photographs.

This card is for a friend's birthday and I have added some sprinklers as I know she will (jokingly)curse me as they fall out all over her.

A dear friend in Ireland is quite poorly at the moment and I know she will appreciate this as she does love handmade things and will have a go herself. I hope she feels well soon.

The lovely R asked me to make this one (he appreciates and encourages me to make things all the time, I tell him he is biased) for a friend of ours.

I have also made a couple of thank you cards for friends of ours who have recently cooked us nice meals and make us welcome in their homes. I do like to add little extras to the cards like the sprinkles or some paper confetti or a statement on the envelope just to try to make it a little bit special.

Well that was my week, as well as the hoovering, laundry, gardening and so on - so what have you been up to?

Have a great weekend everyone.

HI, I'M BACK FROM THE WEDDING!

2007-07-09T08:56:00.001+01:00

The lovely R and I have returned from our friend's wedding in Devon. We were invited to the our friend's wedding at the above hotel, The Woolacombe Bay, so we decided to have a longer break. As you can see the hotel is a lovely old victorian building which had extensive grounds at the front, with wonderful flowers, which swept down to the bay. The weather was not kind but the sea was all the more dramatic for this and was breathtaking.

Several of our friends made a long weekend of it so we were able to spend time with them having meals together and exploring the area.

Although it rained all day it did not detract from the wedding which was beautiful. As we expected from our friends it was planned to the last detail (except for the rain of course) so the day ran superbly. It was an early start at 11am with coaches transferring us from the hotel to the church. We travelled up small winding roads until we reached St Mary's Church at Mortehoe, passing by spectacular scenes of the bay on our way.

The church was decorated with lilies, eucalyptus and the most wonderful cream roses with pink edges.

As you can see it is a pretty little church which barely held the wedding party as the pews are so small. It is a pity that I cannot show the brides or brides dresses as they were exquisite. Following the service, which was not stuffy or too serious, we headed back to the hotel where we were received with champagne or pimms and platters of miniture jam and cream scones - so cute!

Obviously not many pictures were taken in the rain but many were taken in the ballroom which looked wonderful with glistening chandeliers and more beautiful flowers. We were all given bubbles to blow which made for some effective photographs. (I am a kid when it comes to bubbles - I just love them and have even bought bubble machines which I use in the garden so this made my day).

We sat down to the wedding breakfast at 4pm which was yummy and was accompanied with some really funny and emotional speeches - silly me had tears running down her face!

Following the meal we were able to relax until the music started and then more food was laid out - phew!! In all it was an enjoyable but tiring day so it was great to be able to just climb the stairs and flop into bed.

The lovely R and I were able to spend the next few days exploring and just relaxing and reading and more eating - it is so much nicer when you don't have to prepare it yourself! On the way home we took a detour to Bicester Village in Oxford and I found some more goodies but I will tell you about that next time. It is nice to be back.

GOODIES FROM CUPCAKES

2007-06-28T09:50:00.001+01:00

I love the postman as he brings so many goodies - I must admit I do buy from the web, etsy, ebay and other bloggers so that I can receive packages through the post as it is so much more exciting. I love the anticipation of waiting for it to come and wondering whether it will come today and then it's the package itself. Brown paper packages tied up with string (does that remind you of something) and the inner wrappings - so many people make the effort to add lovely tissue paper or ribbon or an extra little something!

Well this was not a disappointment!!!

I ordered some things from Cupcakes website - it was so hard to choose as there are so many lovely things on the website that I may need to go back for another visit! As you can see Tracy has wrapped some of the items in tissue and pretty ribbon as well as a lovely wooden star. Of course, there were the extra little something I mentioned.

I apologise as I have not photographed these too well in my eagerness but the top item is in fact a china milk carton (which you can see properly on the Cupcakes website), the doorstop is pretty but useful as I leave the garden door open for the boys, Oska and Finn, and it often slams in the wind. Last but not least, some pretty ribbon which I will find lots of uses for. This ribbon is far nicer in reality and comes in other lovely shades which makes it hard to choose. So thank you Tracy from Cupcakes.

I am now going to pack as the lovely R and I are off to Devon for a friend's wedding so I shall be away for a few days. Have a lovely weekend everyone.

FRIENDS AND SHOPPING

2007-06-26T16:21:00.001+01:00

What better way is there to spend a Saturday than meeting up with old friends to chat, drink, eat and go shopping together.

A group of us worked together in London some years ago and since then we have all gone our seperate ways but we continue to meet up periodically to catch up with each others news. Not every one can make it every time but we still continue to keep on touch. It is lovely to hear how everyone is and to hear stories about their families and their lives. We have seen each other's children grow and some even have grandchildren!

We have dispersed to all areas so we usually meet at Covent Garden and then we decide where we are going for lunch. This time we headed for the Opera House restaurant which is so calm and peaceful and has a terrace so that you can see the people milling around below you. The food is good and there is no pressure on you to leave quickly so you can relax and enjoy your meal.

We decided to some shopping after our meal, as we usually do, and I was keen to go to Cath Kidston. Good job we like the same things. I bought some things for myself as you can see below.

I decided that I should wear gardening gloves to protect my hands and what better way than with brightly flowered Cath Kidston ones! I also bought some fabric and some bobble trim. What is it about bobble trim I cannot resist it.

I know I have read about other bloggers that have visited this store and it is interesting to think you may be standing next to someone who you are aware of through blogging but you don't really know each other. Don't you think that is weird?

I would also like to thank those of you who have left comments on my blog - it is so nice to receive them in the first week.

COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE

2007-06-21T09:30:00.001+01:00

I am not quite sure what happened here but I will continue.

I do feel it is lazy publishing as I am sure there are plenty of wonderful homes to photograph and with the growing interest in interior decorating the number must be increasing all the time.I enjoy it! I look forward to my monthly subscription dropping through the letter box and I am trying to decide whether to subscribe to the sister magazine Coast. What do you think of it?

I love the sea and intend to move nearer to the coast sometime in the future. I absolutely love Ireland for its lovely beaches which are often quite deserted and perfect for walking the boys. The light is wonderful, the air is so fresh and of course the irish people are so friendly. I visit quite often as I have family in Waterford County and plan to spend longer periods there now that I have given up my work.

I love the photography in the Country Living magazine particularly the flowers as they do inspire me to paint. I will leave you with some of the lovely pictures from this month as I toddle off to make some tea, read my magazine in the sunshine and dream of being in Ireland. Have a good day.

THE COUNTRYSIDE

2007-06-20T12:19:00.001+01:00

I thought I would share with you some of the images I see when I take my boys Oska and Finn for a walk. It is not very easy taking photographs with the two of them in tow as they are keen to explore every nook and cranny and often in different directions. One fellow dog walker commented that I look like I am flying a kite with a lead in each hand!

It is a very sociable way to take a walk as people are more inclined to stop and chat and enquire about the dogs and of course you get to know the regulars.

We try to slip by the lake quickly if there is someone fishing as Finny likes to bark hallo and I don't think they appreciate the disturbance.

The dandelion clock was huge and was a lovely unusual taupe colour but that doesn't seem to show in the photograph, as was the cowslip - it was towering over me and I am tall!

The poppies are beautiful and plentiful this year as are the wild roses.

I also saw a wonderful iridescent blue dragonfly but I'm afraid I was not quick enough to snap a shot.

It does make me wonder how many people do take the time to look at the lovely things around them.

WHERE SHALL I START?

2007-06-19T01:07:00.000+01:00

I have been thinking about starting a blog for many months but have always chickened out as there are so many wonderful, interesting and inspiring blogs out there.I was introduced to blogs whilst reading an article in a Sunday supplement about the reemergence of the popularity in knitting and it mentioned the Islington yarn shop called Loop. JuJu loves polkadots was mentioned and I was intrigued as to who was this person and what was a blog? A whole new world was opened up to me and since then I have become addicted and have been introduced to blogs all over the world. I have recently given up work and I thought this blog would give me the opportunity to record my accomplishments over the coming days and months. I hope this new start will allow me pursue my interests and perhaps you will allow me to share them with you.