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Tuesday, October 31, 2006
The Secret Society of Fairies
My swap partner, Jackie of Wren's Nest, had parcelled it up in a pretty green tissue paper with a Wren's Nest sticker and gorgeous French inspired label.
I was completely spoilt. Jackie had sent some gorgeous quilting fabrics, including a vintage feedsack fabric, some beautiful vintage buttons, ribbons and trims, some delicious diet busting chocolate in my favourite coffee flavour, a pretty vintage handkerchief and two great magazines from the US. It's so interesting to see the different takes on Country Living. It is my favourite magazine here in the UK and I am off to the CL Christmas Fair next week in London so Jackie was inspired sending that.
And last but not least I feel really honoured to have one of Jackie's beautiful pincushions. Look at this lovely strawberry shaped pincushion, the workmanship is just breathtaking. Thank you so much Jackie it was a beautiful and very thoughtful package that really made my day.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Your Birthdate: April 15 |
You take life as it is, and you find happiness in a variety of things. You tend to be close to family and friends. But it's hard to get into your inner circle. Making the little things wonderful is important to you, and you probably have an inviting home. You seek harmony with others, but occasionally you have a very stubborn streak. Your strength: Your intense optimism Your weakness: You shy away from exploring your talents Your power color: Jade Your power symbol: Flower Your power month: June |
Friday, October 27, 2006
Yesterday
I treated him and the rest of the family to a Thai meal and then back home where we had friends round for drinks in the bar. Very shabby as per usual, great party guests and lots of fun! I stopped drinking around midnight but went to bed at 3.30 am. This morning I got up at 8 am as I had to get Jazz to work for 9 am. The little ones, Mum and I went to Exeter on the train (I was too shattered to drive). I felt a little fragile all day mainly through lack of sleep but I managed to get my roots done at Toni and Guy and buy half of H&M! Paul is a champ (or should that be chump?!) he has gone out again this evening as he had forgotten that he promised to DJ at a Halloween party. They rang while we were eating our supper and he couldn't let them down. I'm off for a bath in a minute and an early night (alone, boo hoo). Kiss kiss xx
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
The 'C' Word
Now I know it is still only October but I have to mention the C word. I can't think about it until after this weekend, Paul's birthday, but having a sister in the USA means I have to think of it early as presents need to be thought about and posted way in advance of Christmas (eeeeek there I have said it, so, stone me!). In fact if I wanted to send it by surface mail in time it would have to be all bought, wrapped and sent by this weekend. I don't think I am ever going to be that organised sadly! However I did buy something towards our Christmas decorations last week. When I visited Niki's lovely stall at the Honiton Textile Fair she had some beautiful stockings made from vintage quilts, lined with a deep burgundy satin and backed with a vintage paisley fabric. I was seriously tempted but having spent rather a lot of money on fabrics I decided not to buy one. Once I got home I kept thinking about them and especially one with a touch of red and white polka dot fabric on. Now anyone who reads this knows how fond I am of the red and white polka dot, I have a lot of it in my kitchen, so I emailed Niki and asked her if she still had it. She did and she sent it to me with a beautiful little card and two vintage humourous postcards from Devon that she found. Here it is, front and back view. Beautiful huh? I think it will have pride of place over our Aga.
So while we're on the subject, I would like to draw your attention to the lovely vintage Christmas swap happening over here and the Society of Secret Fairies Christmas swap going on over here and also to mention the gorgeous Christmas cards designed and printed by the lovely Gretel over here. Right that's it. No more mention of the 'C' word until after Halloween and Bonfire Night!
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Friday, October 20, 2006
Tired and emotional
First thing this morning the Aga man came (actually 2 Aga men). Twice a year my 50 year old Aga needs a service, today was one of those days. Before they can service it it needs to be turned off so that it is cool enough for them to work on. Now this is the only cooker I have in the house so we have to plan this with military precision, making sure everyone has had enough eggs, bacon, sausages, tea etc to get them through the morning because once it is switched off there is no hot food again until it is switched on and has reached its optimum temperature (scientific stuff!). The Aga can only be cleaned thoroughly when it is cool so twice a year I get out the Astonish, wire brush and crome cleaner. So in my groggy state this morning I cleaned like a madwoman making those chrome heat covers shine.
Then a friend called to ask if she and her daughter could pop over as half term started today for us Devonians. I had to pop out for food for lunch as we were without anything decent to eat in the house and I had just got back when she arrived. I love my friend, she's a great girl, and has recently hooked up with a new man in her life, leaving her boyfriend of 18 years. They are very happy together. He is Italian and she showed me her photos of their recent visit to his family in Italy. They are a great match and I love seeing her so happy but she told me something that made me so sad. When her house is sold she will get a settlement and when her new boyfriend's divorce comes through he too will get a settlement so they will pool their resources and get a house together, all good. She said that their money will not go very far in this part of Devon so she is thinking of moving, possibly to Exeter or maybe ITALY!!!! If she moves to Italy she will leave her 7 year old daughter with her ex-boyfriend. She said that her daughter has always preferred her daddy and that she has an attitude problem with her, she is very argumentative and confrontational. I asked if that might be a reaction to her and her ex splitting up but she said no, she realises now that this has been the case for a long time. I am not a judgemental person and I try hard to see the reasoning behind why people do the things they do but I can’t get to grips with how she could leave her child here. I told her that a daughter needs her mummy and that arguing is quite normal, isn’t it? I just can't imagine how any mother could leave her little girl and start a new life with a new man in a new country. I’m crying as I write this, I feel so sad about it, am I being silly? I just couldn’t leave my children for anyone, not even, even, even, Johnny Depp. Maybe I’m just overtired.
Anyway I hope to get more sleep tonight. Paul is out, Jazz is out, my babies are asleep and I have a bottle of sparkling chardonnay for company.
When I get dressed in the mornings Lizzy is always interested in my routine watching me intently. She takes pairs of knickers out of my underwear drawer and drapes them one by one like a pashmina over her head. She then walks to the mirror for a look, ‘ahhhhhh pitty’ (pretty) she says before strutting around the house, often walking up to Dean, our decorator to show him how gorgeous she looks! Here she is, the knicker thief!
p.s. I wanted to leave you with a track from the Guillemots but Youtube isn't playing. I shall try again later.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Thrifty finds Tuesday
Firstly, this lovely retro fabric, that is so Amy Butler, who, incidently, has been buying vintage fabrics from me for years!
This gorgeous 1950's musical jewellery box. This is so me, I mean look, it has roses and polka dots!
A vintage egg cup in the shape of an ocean liner. HMS Egg!!! I'm not sure whether to put this in the kitchen or the bathroom.
Some vintage tins. The tweed in the background was also a purchase but has now been turned into a shoulder bag and will feature on my crafty blog soon.
Some vintage books, all for £1.00!!!! Just look at Robin Hood, what a hunk in tights! Speaking of which has anyone seen the new Robin Hood yet? I haven't seen it on account of me having a social life (at last) for the past few Saturdays!!!
And finally this little fellow. Just look at his face, who could possibly resist him, with a 50p sticker on his head, Oh that'll be just me then!
Friday, October 13, 2006
Thursday, October 12, 2006
John Peel Day, Keeping it Peel!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Vintage book swap
The packaging was beautifully autumnal
Inside was a vintage Betty Crocker book from the 1960's, some halloween fabric, some wool felt, vintage rick rack braid, pretty book plates, a fabulous Japanese craft book, a great embroidery set from those Sublime Stitching people with a kitchen theme. I had so wanted one of these as I had bought several for other people. All such beautiful gifts and very thoughtfully put together by someone who had obviously taken time to read my blog and find out what I liked. Thank you Selena.
Fot those of you who haven't yet caught the swapping bug there is a fabulous vintage bird swap going on over at vintage swaps, so what are you waiting for? Vamoosh, skeedaddle, scram.........
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Another lovely swap
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Fabrics and stuff
Aren't these a fab idea? Mini cards made from your prints on flickr! Check them out here