My Beautiful flowers

I was a very lucky mummy just before Christmas when the flowers you see above, arrived at my door with a note ' Thank you for everything over the last few months. I couldn't ask for a better role model as a mum. Your help and support means the world to me. Love Sian xxx'
Isn't that lovely?


Haven't the past two weeks flown by...... but in that time I've seen all my children, step-children, grandchildren, my mum and my sister so it has been a real family time. Just need Sian to give birth to my first granddaughter and it will be perfect.

Haven't been that productive sewing wise except for making Sian 4 of these lavender bags for the babies drawers: and making her a mei tai baby sling/carrier [ it's so large with all the straps etc I can't photograph it ]

Hope you all had a good Christmas and I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year

The start of the Christmas holidays

At long last, the Christmas holidays begin. I feel so much more relaxed already. Tonight I've been sewing two Christmas stockings for Sian and Ian, and have made 3 stollens that are in the oven at the moment. Have some parcels to wrap tonight but will do that later. Finally some time to be creative and be 'myself' once again.
Tomorrow, weather being okay, we are off to see Sam in Norfolk, picking up Sian, Ian and my ex on the way. Let's hope the snow keeps away. Then on Sunday Joe and Emma are coming to stay. Some fun times ahead....

I day to go..........

Only one day to go and then 17 days [including weekends] off work. The house look likes a bomb has hit it and I've got lots of sewing that needs doing - so there's plenty to do...

2 days to go......and paper chain fum!!

The school holidays are getting nearer and nearer. Today I have been making paper chains but stupid me left one of the made chains on the floor and stood on it. I've managed to straighten it out a bit but am still feeling really annoyed with myself. After all they aren't cheap.

3 days to go.......

Isn't it terrible wishing your life away? But somehow I can't help but wish it was Friday at 3.30pm.

Not much in terms of Christmas preparations completed today - one present handed out and that's it. Tomorrow I must try to do more - as school reports often say ' could do better!'

4 days to go..........

After a very difficult term there are only four more days to teach before the Christmas holidays begin. I have so much planned, that only a fraction will probably be achieved. One thing I am determined to do is relax. My batteries certainly need re-charging and a few days reading, crafting, spending time with Harry are just what the doctor ordered.

But before the weekend, there are presents to wrap, cards to write, stockings to make, a couple of stollens to bake and between all that I must teach classes of pupils, whose only thoughts are of having fun and Christmas. Good job, I am planning a Christmas Quiz and have a tin of chocolates to share around - hopefully that will keep them all happy on Thursday and Friday.

My new CK bag

Have been looking at this in the CK catalogue and web site and drooling. Today we went to Southwold and had a lovely lunch in the Red Lion. When we left the Red Lion I went looking for the shop that sells CK, that my daughter told me about and there was the BAG and at 25% off!!. Imagine my joy when Harry said he would buy it for me. So I am now the very proud owner of this delightful bag - Thanks so much Harry

Goodies from Jenny

I have been meaning to post pictures of the wonderful swap Jenny from http://winnibriggshouse.blogspot.com sent me. I was so lucky in receiving so many wonderful items. Jenny, I haven't forgotten your swap, but I am still putting it together - sorry for the delay.

And now for the photos:









Wasn't I lucky? Thanks so much, Jenny

Bean's bag and other items

Here is Bean's finished bag


A side pocket:
The inside:

All the items made so far:
A bib:

Sewing for Bean

Many of you may know that my daughter,Sian is pregnant. The baby is due on January 10th and I'm getting really excited. By the way Sian and her partner, Ian, call the baby Bean at the moment. I promised Sian I would do some sewing for her. I bought this pattern and she chose the material and I have now made a bag for the nappies etc - its lovely with two side pockets, one large back pocket and three pockets inside; 3 bibs; a changing mat; and a burp cloth- all using this pattern.
As soon as I can get my camera sorted I'll take some photos of what I have made.

I'm Back!!!!!

and determined to continue this time.

I have a lot of catching up to do and some people I need to contact. Will try to get some of it done in the next day or to as I have some photos to download etc.,

In the meantime, the Cath Kidston Christmas Gift guide has just been posted through my door. And what amazing eye candy it all is!! There is so much in there that is tempting me and yet I am trying hard not to spend

So here is my challenge: I will not buy from Cath Kidston but will attempt to create the look through cheaper alternatives.
I have already started as I have bought this for £6.90:instead of this from CK for £15:
And this for £2.30:


Instead of £5 from CK:

Last week's wedding

The photo was taken by Charlie, my eldest grandson

I am really going to try.....................

Hi everyone. I am going to try and start posting again but as there is so much I can post about the summer, before I go and get ready for my step-daughter's wedding at 2.30 this afternoon, I thought I'd share with you one of my favourite photos from my son's wedding 3 weeks ago. The setting was the hot house in Sheffield Botanical gardens, the sun shone and it was a wonderful occasion. Tomorrow I'll try and post more.....

I'm back but only just!

I found this on a random trawl around blogs and it looked like fun… Anybody else wanting to join in and compare notes?

Things you've already done: bold
Things you want to do: italicize
Things you haven't done and don't want to - leave in plain font

1. started your own blog
2. slept under the stars
3. played in a band
4. visited Hawaii
5. watched a meteor shower
6. given more to charity than you could afford
7. been to disneyland/world
8. climbed a mountain
9. held a praying mantis
10. sang a solo
11.bungee jumped
12. visited paris

13. watched a lightning storm at sea
14. taught yourself an art from scratch
15. adopted a child
16. had food poisoning
17. walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. grown your own vegetables-
19. seen the mona lisa in france
20. slept on an overnight train
21. had a pillow fight
22. hitchhiked
23. taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. built a snow fort
25. held a lamb - and bottle fed it
26. gone skinny dipping
27. run a marathon
28. ridden a gondola in venice
29. seen a total eclipse –
30. watched a sunrise or sunset –
31. hit a home run
32. been on a cruise
33. seen niagara falls in person
34.visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. seen an Amish community
36. taught yourself a new language
37. had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. seen the leaning tower of pisa in person –
39. gone rock climbing
40. seen Michael Angelo's David in real life
41. sung karaoke
42. seen old faithful geyser erupt
43. bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. visited Africa
45. walked on a beach by moonlight
46. been transported in an ambulance
47. had your portrait painted
48. gone deep sea fishing
49. seen the cistene chapel in person
50. been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. gone scuba diving or snorkelling
52. kissed in the rain
53. played in the mud
54. gone to a drive-in theatre
55. been in a movie
56. visited the great wall of china
57. started a business
58. taken a martial arts class
59. visited Russia
60. served at a soup kitchen
61. sold girl guide cookies
62. gone whale watching
63. gotten flowers for no reason
64. donated blood
65. gone sky-diving
66. visited a nazi concentration camp
67. bounced a cheque
68. flown in a helicopter
69. saved a favorite childhood toy
70. visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. eaten caviar
72. pieced a quilt
73. stood in times square
74. toured the everglades
75. been fired from a job
76. seen the changing of the guard in london
77. broken a bone
78. been on a speeding motorcycle
79. seen the grand canyon in person
80. published a book
81. visited the vatican
82. bought a brand new car
83. walked in Jerusalem
84. had your picture in the newspaper
85. read the entire bible
86.visited the White House
87. killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. had chickenpox
89. saved someone’s life
90. sat on a jury
91. met someone famous
92. joined a bookclub
93. lost a loved one
94. had a baby

95. seen the Alamo in person
96. swum in the great salt lake.
97. been involved in a law suit
98. owned a cell phone
99. been stung by a bee

Things are not good - normal service suspended for the time being!

Things in my life are not good at the moment and it is all caused by my job. I have decided I need some 'time out' in order to sort out my priorities in life. Not sure it will do any good especially as I can't see the job situation getting any better, but I feel I need to do something. One aspect of my life that I feel I can do something about is my use of the pc. Blogging, facebook and other sites are taking up far too much of my time. Therefore I am going to restrict my time on the pc and am going to stop blogging for a short while. I will be back - not sure when but you haven't got rid of me, I can promise you that.

First Suffolk Meetup

Five of us met up this afternoon at Southwold - Vicki, Dawn, Tracey, Shirl [plus husband, daughter and dog] and myself. I got there first and nervously awaited the arrival of the others. Next to arrive was Vicki and Dawn, shortly followed by Tracey. Soon we were all chatting away about numerous subjects and then Shirl arrived with her family. We then left the pier area and went to the boating lake as Vicki had seen a picture of the tea shop there. Despite having visited Southwold for the last 25 years I had no idea it was there:
As we went through the gate way we spotted the 'lake' minus boats but it had at least two families of ducks swimming around.
As we walked closer we could see the chairs outside but it wasn't til we got closer we spotted the variety of seating and the blankets and cushions scattered around.

I'm afraid I didn't take any close ups so you will have to wait for Vicki's photo of us all together and Tracey's photo of her scone and tea.
Thanks for a lovely afternoon, ladies and a special thank you to Tracey for a little gifts and to Vicki for arranging it
Snape Maltings next time, I believe

St John's Street Fair

We started the day by stopping off at our friend, Jo's stall for coffee and cake:
And I couldn't resist taking some photos of her shop window:
Later I did go in and buy some red spotted lidded bowls, some dolly pegs and some gorgeous vintage design napkins
Could have bought loads more but maybe another day.

Then it was off to the top of the street where it meets the main part of Bury for the first dance.
Harry in action with his stick....


In the background of the photo above , you will see Jo again - this time playing fiddle in the band that plays for the dancers.
After the dancers had finished we went to one of the pubs for lunch and then it was back for more dancing and scaring of the crowd.
We ended the day listening to the Bounty Hounds
And yes, you are right.....there is Jo again - one very talented lady.

It was a super day despite it raining several times

---

Only 6 weeks til the summer holidays then its 5 and a half weeks to recharge my batteries, get the house, my office and my classroom back into some sort of order ready for the new school year. I hate disorder and yet seem to spend so much of each year in that state.

Anyway for the time being I just need to try and keep on top of things the best I can. Have bought three of the large beech bookcases from Argos this morning and, now I just need to clear the spare room a bit so there is room to put them against one wall. That will then, give me a lot of space to put all my books etc. Kitchen also needs a good sort out and the washing and ironing doing. No peace for the wicked, as they say.

Sorry if I haven't commented on your blog recently - I will try and do better next week. Also there are several people I need to contact - again a job for next week....

Great News!!

I am finally allowed to tell everyone that I am going to be a proper Grandma [rather than step-grandma] in January. I am so excited and am busy trying to decided what I am going to make first for the baby. Thanks to the fabric addict swap I have already got some children's fabric so I now need to look for some coordinating fabric to go with it. So glad I an at last share the news with you all.

Charlie and Elvis Jewellery

Some of you may know that my eldest son. Joe and his soon to be wife, Emma make jewellery which they sell under the name of Charlie and Elvis Jewellery. They are at most of the vintage fairs in Sheffield, Leeds and surrounding areas.
This week they were part of the Pop-Up Boutique in Meadowhall. A promotional piece was done by Meadowhall TV



I am a very proud mummy.
Joe and Emma appear several times in the video. The first sighting is of Emma at 13 seconds in when she appears walking in [she has her hair tied back and is the one on the left. The first time Joe appears is at 1min 15 seconds when he is in the background with Emma [Joe is wearing a black jacket].
The stall is seen at 2min 43 seconds and then Joe is seen at 3min 34 seconds going through a rack of clothes. They are both seen together behind a counter at 3 min 41 seconds.