Sew Recycled!

My View, my cat, my boy!

I was recently tagged by the lovely Steph of Curlew Country to show the view from my kitchen window, so here it is......

Considering I live in a city, I am very lucky to have a garden of this size. Its a pity we have neighbours as my heart is in the country, but I do look out of the kitchen window, take a breath of the sweet smelling honeysuckle scent and whisk my imagination off to a green green pasture, trickling stream and acres of veg, flowers and pigs!
The climbing rose is looking magnificent this year, I reckon my care and attention thanks to the yummy Monty (I am heart broken by his illness, hope he recovers back to full health) has really helped it this year.

Anyway, here are the first pictures of our dear little Jam Jam on her maiden exploration. I have forgotten how cute kittens are chasing bugs and chasing imaginary mice through vast forests of shrubs. Her face was a picture when she realised that she was allowed to venture out, mouth open, tongue hanging out smelling all the weird and wonderful smells!

Oh, what was that in the bushes?!

As for my little boy, well, here he is with face adorned with paint as....... ARIEL from The Little Mermaid!

Its his favourite film at the moment and would do anything to be in the stage show version. Bless!

Oh, I need to tag 3 peeps, so here they are, lets see your views from your kitchen ladies....

Lavender House
Vintage Heaven
Vintage Pretty & Shabby

I have been transported............

The things mothers do! After weeks of sewing, guilt led to this........

"Mummy, can we go to the garden centre and get a box and make a tardis?"

Me - (said in my head) "ooo, any excuse to go to the garden centre is fine by me!"

" Mummy, can we get a big box so I can go in the tardis?"

Me - "Ok!" (oh, yes, last time we made a small one and he got upset because he didn't fit! I must get this right)

Tada! After a few cuts here and a sla of paint there..............

Back to sewing, a pile of................

.......can you guess, its all the rage at the mo..........

Babushka!

I had it in my head that I must have a go, it was all up there looking good in my head, not sure whether I like the result? They have sold at a couple of fairs but a few people have picked them up and sniffed, expecting lavander. Do I or don't I fill?........

Doing the Open House this year at a different house has been really good fun and opened new doors. A gallery have approached me, wanting to sell my rabbits and crayon wraps. I have met a few fellow bloggers and had bloggers buy from me. Its all inspirational!

I thought that I might list a few bloggers that are new to me but fun to browse, its always fun to see what others are doing, saying, reading, watching, moaning, laughing and recommending about. So go and have a peek and be inspired!

Vintag, pretty and shabby

Distractions!

Can you tell why I have not been blogging for a month!

We have a new baby.......''My name is Jam Jam Spotty!''

May is Open House season here in Brighton, so I have been sewing and here is the final display. It has been on for 2 weekends so far, so please come over to have a gander. Lots to see and buy of course!

Its on for 2 more weekends and it would be lovely to meet those faces that fit the names! You can find me here!

Kim and her gorgeous family (yes M, even with the rugged look!) came to the private view. So lovely to see them and catch up, I hope I was the hostess with the most-ess! I can sigh a huge relief as it winds down, but start fretting to arrange MY WEDDING!

More will be revealed.

Have a fun filled hot week everyone!

Snow deep in sewing!

Yes, we finally got some snow! YIPEEE!
Out came my childhood sledge, 30 odd years old! Dusted down and presented to the boys. Perfect! The only problem, one wet cold boy, one grumpy sledge puller (my eldest on the way home) led to one poor mummy with a very soar back. I spent the rest of the day with a hot water bottle strapped to my lower back wincing at every move! It was worth it. And as you can see we made a snow cat - which gives you a clue to a little surprise we are getting in early May!

As you may have noticed I have been some what slack in the posting department - May Festival is the time for Open Houses down here and I have a lot to do. But, I have had the most amazing gifts in the post. I while back I won TWO giveaways! Above the lovely Tricia at Raindrops on Roses sent a MASSIVE box full of goodies - It took my forever to open each bundle, fabric, trimmings, petals and all this gorgeous bath and soap delights! Thankyou x

Then the next parcel arrived from Ginny at The Flour Loft. Again I have been spoilt rotten, so many green and yellow delights that I can have so much fun with. I can't wait to get stuck in. Just look at these cotton reels, so pretty together. Thankyou again x

Anyway, must get on, hope you all enjoyed the snow, we most certainly did!x

The Diary of a Virgin Sock Knitter!

Look what goodies I recieved from the kind Kim @Ragged Roses. We finally managed to catch up over copious amounts of coffee and the smidgen morsel mouthfuls of danish pastries! What a perfect engagement gift! Of course the lovely couple in the vintage postcard are just like JP and myself!

The ragged heart fits perfectly on my new cupboard - thankyou Kim x

Now - yes, I am a Virgin Sock Knitter! But how exciting is that, look at the colours. After several attempts and quite a bit of cursing I am off!

Mmmmm, yummy! Its been something I have been wanting to do for while, so I took the plunge and bought some wool, needles and a free pattern!
Everywhere I look I see the colours.......

.... carrots, satsumas, red cabbage, even these lovely tulips which gorgeous boys bought for me. I hope all you mum's managed to have a lovely relaxing day.

Oh and here is the other little splurge I had! The book is Vintage Crochet, and written by the lady who owns and runs Loop. It has so many tempting ideas, oh but what so little time I have. Kim and I were discussing that maybe we should have a little book for 'PROJECTS TO DO' and then you could dip in a cross off!

Anyway, if you get a chance, it is a really lovely book if you want something dreamy to look at and fun projects at the same time, go on splurge out!

Labels: books, sock knitting

Spring is bouncing along.

It has been the most wonderous week here, especially just befor half term. I managed to spend days on my own digging for England on the allotment Ah! Bliss.
I can now say that I am not ashamed of it and that its amazing what a few days can do to change what was a rather overgrown allotment into a haven of paradise! (maybe thats a bit extreme, but when you hear those birds chatting away and Mr Robin comes to say hello, the sun shining and worms big and juicy wiggling through freshly dug soil - yep, paradise!)

The photo's above are of some snowdrops that grow in my garden - can anyone help me as they are really long! Is this possible or have I a rare breed growing here?!

Its lovely when they flower as I know that spring is on its way. I am a person who loves every season, winter does not get me down and I have to say Autumn is my favourite. Does anyone share my theory that what ever season is your fav usually tends to be around the time of year you were born? JP loves spring - he was a May baby, I love Atumn and I was an October baby!

As its been half term I have been doing things that the boys wanted to get up to - Our first day was a visit to our favourite (mmm, using that word too much in this post!) town - Lewes and of course Lewes Castle. We have a free years pass so great in my books! But you can't go to Lewes without coming home empty handed, such gorgeous shops. Hence my little birdy! They had lots of brown and grey ones, but this little lady was the one!

Anyway, less dribble, just a quick peek of my winter display on the mantle, can't get rid of it!

Must go and get some cookies out of the oven - boys eat so much!

Etsy at last!

Good grief, how long has it taken me to finally get going? And how long has it taken me to put these little fellas on?!

I know, it was like this in the early days of ebay - I was a pro by the end of the 1oth attempt!

All I need to know now is how to get a bigger posh link on here, so you will have to do with the small link on the side bar for now or click here! Phew!

This week I had to say goodbye to my parents who flew off to here to see this little munchkin and her new brother, Oh how I wish I were there.

Thankyou for all your comments - its been a horrible flu which caught both JP and I out. We were both poorly trying to muster the energy to take the boys to school, and now to top it all my cheeky flippin wisdom tooth is playing up again! HOW DARE IT!

Oh for the warmth of the Austailian outback............

Why Oh Why today?

Why is it that today we have glorious sunshine, the children are both at school and nursery and I fell like this!

I have been looking forward to a day of either sewing or digging on the allotment and I go and catch a cold. I am going to stamp my feet and shout "its not fare, its not fare!"

So I am just having to curl up in bed, Lemsip in one hand, laptop on lap and chocolate biscuits coming out of my ears! (not too bad really). The only sewing getting done in this house at the mo is by my 7 year old son. He wanted "to do what you do mum" at the weekend, its going to take a while but I am so proud!

My lovely hubbie to be bought me a gift last week, a Cath Kidston dressing gown and a CD with one of my favourite Vaughn Williams tracks - Skylark Ascending! Ahh, what was he after I hear you say, possibly the guilt of buying this laptop! I'm not complaining.... ;-)

A Handmade Christmas

This year JP and a I decided to try and make all our Christmas presents for family and friends. ''Oh easy peasy lemon squeezy'' we thought! But then most people we know have had things I make already over the years - that means new fresh ideas! Oh......... the brain struggled and succeeded.
This gave me the opportunity to try out a new bag from Amy Karols book Bend the rules sewing.

It was a success, the first photo shows an elongated version and the last was the actual pattern. Both recipients were very pleased (so was I!)

A batch of homemade cranberry and Apple chutney was made, and went down a treat along with Brandy Truffles and Sloe Gin!

For JP I made a very manly artist pencil wrap in suede, and a mobile phone holder. The boys got their Un-handmade Ben10 watches! but also one of my floppy bunnies (which had specific requirements!). Mmm, what else....... Aprons, needle cases and lavender hearts.

Jp got in on the act and made wire sculptures and cd compilations (with beautiful handmade illustrated covers).

We received lots of lovely goodies too, including these gorgeous handmade stockings made by Jane Foster. She is an extremely talented lady who I feel incredibly lucky to know very well. She makes fantastic bags, brooches and prints, all her own design. I strongly recommend you purchasing her work as she will be someone to watch!

With all this rain, I wish it would snow........ I will just have to enjoy our snowflakes on the window! Can't bear to take them down yet.

Just a little fun......

Try this, its quite fun!

What a year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well, everyone, what can I say except, what a year!

Here are possibly the 10 best things I have ever done, seen or heard or read in one year - 2007.

1 - Become an Aunty at last (3 times over)!

2 - Travelled to the other side of the world, Austrailia for a lifetime holiday and my sisters wedding.

3 - Sucessfully exhibited and sold at many craft fairs.

4- Read and made great new influential friends in blog land - Kim, Nonnie, Victoria, Jane and Cherry.

5 - Finally decorated our lounge!

6 - Had a fantastic summer holiday in Devon. (2 holidays in 1 year, unheard of!)

7 - Appreciated my father more than ever after his health scare.

8 - Found myself listening to Classical FM nearly everyday

9 - Made the decision that the countryside is for me, no more city life.

10 - The biggest shock ever, after 15 years the lovely man in my life finally asked me to marry him! (I said yes by the way!)

I feel that 2008 is going to be a busy one!

'Deck the house with lots of sewing....tralala!'

Yes, I know, where have I been? Well, tis the season and one has to do ones duty in fullfilling the folk here with dreams of owning high quality handmade gifts for Crimbo!

So folks, if you are down this way, come and have a few glasses of mulled wine whilst browsing and purchasing gorgeous wares!

If you can't read the above dates, its 24th/25th Nov - 1st/2nd Dec and 8th/9th Dec.

Lots of Bunnies!

Party on!

Its Birthday season in this household. I think October is such a great time to be born, well I would say that as "ITS MY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW!!!" I know, I'm far too old to get excited and to shout about it, but I am "SO EXCITED!"

That's what it was like for my little boy too this week, I can't believe it was four years ago when I got a little cross with a certain chef on TV, cooking in his Devon restaurant which led to my munchkin number two, to be born 2 weeks early!

Fun was had at his birthday party, at home with a select few bashing the daylights out of a flying pig! Yes that is what you can see above, my attempt at a homemade pinata! It was worth the effort, their faces were a picture as the sweets came pouring out!

Ladies, (and gents if you read my blog!) we all love bargains and I can't resist them. Whilst purchasing party food at a well known food store I came across this gorgeous cardi. It sums up Autumn to me, Mustard and cosy! It just ad to be popped into the shopping trolly.

And for my REALLY mega bargain, I confess to never have entered Matalan before. I am glad I did look what I got for a £1! In fact, I had to by four of them! Even JP loves them, what a lovely man!

I am enjoying my tea!

Tara, I need to nurse a cold and enjoy the last few rays coming through the dining room window.

Back to life!

Hello everyone, thankyou so much for your lovely kind comments. Well what a month or two it has been! My father had a scary moment but he is really well now but what a scary thing to come back to. We had such a great time in Devon, as you can see. I spotted this little mermaid on Brigmore beach, all washed up with beautiful seaweed like hair!

We had glorious days on the beaches, helping granny in her new garden, exploring the woods and building dens.

Visiting ye olde villiage fete's and riding on this cute old steam roller!

So imagine my surprise to come back to my poor father in hospital. I really believe that somethings happen for a reason - this was one of those times. Whilst visiting my father I noticed a man in another bed. He looked so familiar yet really ill, the name above his head was too. It dawned on me that he was a really old friend that I had not seen properly for at least 15 years. He was really ill so I contacted a couple of old friends to query it and update, not knowing what to do in that situation. I decided to write a letter to his mum, she seemed to be his only visitor. Well, basically, my old friends all contacted each other, but it was too late. He died lonely. We all went to his funeral, so weird seeing all these old friends and in such a sad way.

But what I meant about things happening for a reason, if my father had not been there in hospital, I would have not seen Barry and he would have had hardly anyone at his funeral. I hope we were there for his mother at the time she needed us and we all remembered Barry in a happier times.

On top of all this I had an Autumn craft fair to do, so more bunny's were made and sold and a new line in children's tops and smocks.

Its good to be back, but its a time of sewing a plenty, Christmas is but a sniff away!

Still here........ just!

Hi everyone, still here but its been an odd few weeks. I can't put any pics up as the camera can't connect to the computer at the mo but I will have some fab photos of our holiday to SUNNY Devon!

We were there for a fab time, beaches, countryside, family and friends. But on my return I discovered that my father was in hospital. I have been up and down, he has scared us and made us laugh but he is on the mend. So sorry for the absence but I will be back!

Treasure your moments with family! X

Reflecting on days that have gone by......

We have had the most glorious weekend ! I hope all you lot have too. My goodness, it was hot -yes I said hot.
The summer hols are here and vanishing so quickly. Days have been spent playing, escaping to new places. Cake has been made and eaten by the bucket load. I so love the holidays, time spent with both boys. I love hearing them go off and play role play games in their bedroom or adventures in the garden.

Talking of garden - we had to buy a new paddling pool last friday (perfect timing for the weekend). I was going to be a cheap and cheerful mum and purchase a small 3 ring paddler, but alas they had sold out at Asda!!!! All they had and luckily for me it was half price, was this enormous whale pool that spouted water too! The big problem was that it took me hours of huffing and puffing to blow it up - must get a foot pump!

Look - its sunny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh by the way the other photos were of a gift I made for yet another wedding we went too - a lavender filled patchwork heart with the couples initials on the reverse.

Ooo, I nearly forgot I have been nominated for a Blogger Reflection award by Ginny at The Flour Loft. Thankyou - it was such a lovely surprise. I could tell you of soooo many blogs that inspire me, too many infact so here are just a few that I shall recommend to be awarded.

Ragged Roses

Tales from Pixie Wood

Cupcakes At Home

What Katie Did

Snapdragons Garden

Life should be like this, once in while!

This sums up what I want life to be like for the boys, countryside wooded walks, messing with mud a water. Imagining fantasy worlds deep in the undergrowth. We had a gorgeous day out last Saturday at a wonderful UN-commercial place called Wilderness Woods in Hadlow Down. It was so perfect and so much fun was had by all. Lots of deep breaths of country air, perfect. Dens were built, picnics were eaten and imaginary worlds were created.

Whilst writing this I am having a sneaky early elevenses with a yummy scrummy piece of Mocha Cake. My mother used to make this in huge batches when ever we used to go Guide camping and now I have mastered the recipe. Its very rich so small slices is recommended with copious amounts of tea!

MOCHA BISCUIT

Biscuit base

5oz Porridge Oats

8oz Margarine/butter

2oz Cocoa Powder

8oz Sugar

5oz Self Raising flour

Melt butter in saucepan and add remaining dry ingredients. Stir really well and pour into greased square/oblong tray. Cook in oven for between 20 - 40 mins, you want it to be slightly soft/chewy in centre. Remove from oven, whilst cooling make the fudge icing.

Fudge Icing

1 Tablespoon hot water with 1 teaspoon of coffee powder

8oz Icing sugar

2oz Margarine/butter.

Melt butter, add the icing sugar and coffee and stir really well over heat then pour over biscuit base. Let it all cool and cut whilst still in tin into small slices. And enjoy!!!!!!!

I need to sort out my chaos known as ribbons, buttons, beads and threads!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is what my corners in my home generally look like.

Oh, before I forget I had a lovely coffee and chat with Kim from Ragged Roses and look what I got!!!!!! I could not take the corsage off my cardi as its just too perfect. And also she gave me one of her lovely pom poms - I wish they smelt like they look -Many little buds of roses! Thankyou Kim.

Just received my copy of Country Living - I wish my patio area looked like this........

And sew time passes by ...............

Fairy Skirts galore!

Well sorry again - I have had 2 very busy weeks, sewing my heart out and had 2 excellent school fairs! These fairy skirts went well, such fun to make and seeing my little boys modelling them was a giggle. Tee hee - they really didn't mind, honest!!!

Now that they are behind me, I can get on with some very delayed projects, this being the mammoth one.
I kindly offered my help to a friend who was constructing this patchwork. She did all the hard small piece work but was at a loss as to how to go on and make it bigger - this was were I came in and suggested big squares on the outside using the materials she had already used. Easy I thought.........Oh oh oh..........6 months later......I have now managed to do the outer squares, and started sewing in the detail. Oh my, its harder than I realised! Still going....I will get it done.

Here's a girly TeePee I made to sell at the fair, I might put it in my Etsy shop soon - watch this space. Below you can see me trying to stop the wind and rain blowing stock, teepee, gazebo and myself from flying off!

(May I say that my little sister was a complete star helping out that day, cheers me dear! X)

Its War!

Ok, I shall explain. I have declared war on the slimey slithering slugs of sussex! Not in my garden, oh no - I can tolerate that (its those dastadly snails in the garden that need to watch out!) No, its the slugs in my HOUSE! Yes I did say house - Aaaahhhhhh!
Every evening befor we go to bed we discover them slithering in to the kitchen, worktops and now the dinning room! They come up through the floorboards and I can't stand it ANY more. I have tried allsorts, but now its war - my father inlaw is coming round with tubes of sealant and we are going to fill the floorboards! Ha!........... I will let you know the outcome!

Anyway, we had a very busy week (I am preparing for a stall at my sons school fair!) and at the weekend we went to JPs cousins wedding. It was so sweet and simple, they looked stunning and very happy.

As a gift, I made the cushion above, a bit like my friend friendship cushion here. I hope they liked it, it was nice to put their initals and the date on, even if my sewing machine decided to be akward!

They had this gorgeous traditional wedding cake and surrounded it with these little lovelies! Perfect for popping in ones mouth whole!!!!!