52 weeks of happy - 18/52

Linking in again with Jen it's time to share my 52 weeks of happy post with you - my favourite four happy smiley moments are:-

1. Celebrating Vicky's special birthday

2. Making marshmallows on sticks

3. My first attempt at making a felt bunny - it's taking shape..........

4. My herb garden is suddenly bursting with colour

Another week to be thankful for all my lovely happy moments and the special people in my life.

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments it's like having lots of new best friends.

talk soon x

birthday celebrations.................

I was up bright and early yesterday as I had a birthday brunch to prepare - my baby girl hit 30 - how can my youngest daughter be 30. It only seems five minutes since I was a young working mum with three little girls, Kate was 3, Laura was 1 and Vicky was a new baby, life was very hectic but full of reward. Moving on thirty years my life has changed a lot, my daughters have blossomed with busy careers and their very own families and I no longer work in the Health Service  - I am now a stay at home Nana, but I have to say life is still hectic but just different.

Wow that makes me feel old I had better get on with the birthday celebrations. I decided on brunch because it's easier with a big crowd and we can all chip in together toasting crumpets, teacakes, welsh cakes and potato cakes and warming lovely buttery croissants  - yummy.

Then we had bucks fizz and birthday cake and of course lots of other tasty goodies. I had great fun attaching marshmallows to straws and dipping them in melted chocolate - I got the idea here 

We all had such fun but I am definitely in need of a rest day today ....................talk soon x

sewing bug - Miss Maggie Rabbit .......................

After making my little Russian dolls I have had the urge to do some more hand sewing. I enjoyed embroidering the little faces on the dolls and did get more adventurous as my family of dolls increased. My inspiration for what to do next came from one of my favourite blogs Cherry Heart. Sandra has just made Matilda and Molly, two adorable little bunnies, if you are tempted you can buy the pdf here.

Sandra is very skilled and needlework is just one of her many talents so I hope I haven't over estimated my sewing skills but I'm going to have a go.

I had plenty of fabric to choose from but not the right shade of felt, so I have compromised and chosen light grey for the head and upper body and dark grey for the legs as the light grey wouldn't stretch to arms and legs. This will be my practise bunny so keep your fingers crossed,

I read through the pdf as instructed.........

all pieces cut out - and some stitching started on the head...............

Hopefully more to show you next week.

talk soon x

nature in the home................

I’m joining in with Lou's nature in the home series and this week's challenge was to go foraging - so I've done just that.
Armed with my secateurs I was pleasantly surprised just how much lovely spring colour my garden had to offer  - hopefully I've managed to bring some sunshine and cheer from outside in.......................

 
I was so pleased with my collection; I had pink and white Camellias, sprigs of flowering Redcurrant, Aubrietia, Heather, Primulas and a few others I can't name. Nothing was wasted I found an assortment of different containers all shapes and sizes. I was very excited to use my two new mini milk bottles - just like the ones I had at school.

hope you like my mini indoor garden.................

talk soon x

my creative space - Russian dolls part 2...............

I have been having so much fun making these sweet little dolls. My collection grew rapidly as Tatiana my first doll was lonely and needed a friend (which I'm sure was no surprise) her new best friend is Rosa who is quite a shy little girl. Then I thought an extended family would be good so aunt Tamara has arrived with her two daughter's Kristina and Yana.  

Yana is the youngest and I think she can be a bit of a handful she certainly doesn't smile very much ( may need a few alterations as she does look quite sulky)

Tatiana and Rosa such good friends already..................

working on my new family.....................

Tamara, Kristina and Yana....................

I love them.....................

do I need another family?.......................

I hope you like the names I've chosen (I did get some help - thank you for your suggestions)

talk soon x

yarn along - a little lacey bonnet

I'm joining in with Ginny's weekly yarn along and for a change I've got a little bonnet to knit  - one of my friends has asked me to knit something for a little baby expected very soon - how lovely a baby daughter for the spring. Spring is such a lovely time to be a new mum, my youngest two grandsons were born in the spring, perfect for long walks with the pram and sitting on rugs in the park.

my favourite pattern from my favourite knitting book

My productivity has been quite high during the last few weeks, things seem to be flying off my knitting needles and crochet hook, being under the weather has some compensations. I've also started another novel, this time on my kindle it's called Gray Justice a debut thriller from Alan McDermott. The main story is about a guilty man walking free from court, the victim's father sees just two options: accept the judge's decision; or take on the entire British justice system............so far so good but I'm only about a third of the way through it.

If you have time do pop over to see Ginny and catch up with her yarn along and some very good news........

Thank you all so much for taking the time to read my blog and also for the lovely comments you send me, I try very hard to email a thank you to everybody but if you have a noreply blogger account I can't - so an extra big thank you to you all.

Talk soon x

52 weeks of happy - 17/52

I'm linking in with Jen for another 52 weeks of happy post - lots to be cheerful about and an abundance of smiley moments to share. My top four are :-

1. Russian dolls - thank you for all of the lovely comments.

2. A lovely bunch of beautiful flowers from my good friend Sue B.

3. Beautiful stocks and tulips from two of my favourite little boys" Zachy and Noah"

4. My lovely blue bird - a special treat to me from me .........

Another opportunity to reflect back on my week and remember all of the special moments.....

talk soon x                                                                                 

a little birdie has just flown in ........

I recently found a delightful blog Emmie and Emma at home. Emma lives in a small village in Cumbria and her blog gives us a little glimpse of her life, the beautiful surrounding country and the amazing arts and crafts she produces in her studio. I adore the little roses that she recently blogged about but I lost my heart to an adorable little blue bird. I popped over to Emma's Etsy shop and was so excited when I saw that one little blue bird was available. So just a few clicks on the keyboard and using the wonders of Paypal my order was placed.

I waited patiently (only two days) and  then the moment arrived a little parcel popped through my letterbox - yeah it's just perfect.

I can't wait to open it...............................

lovely wrapping....................

just perfect..........................

just got to decide what to wear now.................

If you have time do pop over and have a peep at Emma's blog and Etsy shop they are well worth a visit and I've just found out that Emma organises workshops. I would love a few days in Cumbria and combining it with a workshop sounds wonderful - something else to add to my list of things to do.

Hope you are well, talk soon x

my little Russian doll.................

I have rested my busy knitting needles - sorry cushion I will finish you soon but stocking stitch can be quite boring. Don't be fooled into thinking that I am doing chores - no my needles have been swapped for a crochet hook and I have made a little Russian doll.

I saw the pattern earlier in the month and it has been on my to do list ever since. If you want to see the original which is really beautiful visit Annaboos House - a blog I adore, full of amazing ideas and easy to follow tutorials - you should stop by.

I hope you like her.....................

The only slight problem is I think she wants a family - she does look a little bit lonely....................what do you think I should call her?

talk soon x

# post circle..............................

A few weeks ago I was having fun looking around blogland when I stumbled upon Miss Beatrix a beautiful blog which is vintage inspired and all about things homemade and thrifting, so just my sort of read. Anna's blog is lovely and she has set up a post circle which is so exciting.

I left a comment on Anna's blog and then had to fill in a short survey about my interests - if I was happy to be in an international group etc and then after a short while I was part of a group - such fun and the idea is we just write to each other -  that old fashioned thing that we don't do very often. I can't wait to use some of the lovely stationary, that Kate is always buying for me (so kind) and then having the delight of receiving a letter through the post that isn't a bill will be wonderful.

It happened this week - I received my very first # post circle letter..................................

My letter was from a lovely young women and she shared lots of interesting information about her hobbies and interests and also sent me this cute little mirror that she had made herself, backed in adorable vintage fabric.

I just can't wait to write back .......

talk soon xxx

nature in the home..................

I am joining Lou with something a little different today - I decided to string together some beautiful trees and have my own little indoor forrest..........................................

I love the detail - a little snail climbing up the florrie fern tree and a tiny house in the branches of rosy posy tree

don't they look adorable - the trees were designed and created beautifully by Kate

My next job is deciding where to hang them - I think I will also pop over to see Kirsty for some creative ideas........................

talk soon x

Yarn along - cushion update

It's time to link up with Ginny and join her weekly yarn along post, if you have time do pop over for a peep. I have prised myself away from my new knitting book, stopped knitting little creatures and have returned to my lovely cushion that has been sadly neglected. I have got on well and finished the front which has a lacey pattern involving three colour changes, now I can relax with the plain stocking stitch back. Hopefully this will be finished and sitting on my sofa by the time yarn along comes around next week.

Reading wise I am back into crime thrillers and enjoying "Watching the Dark" a Detective Chief Inspector Banks story by Peter Robinson - haven't worked out who done it yet!


talk soon x

thank you again for all of your lovely comments x