I'm really bad aren't I?!  I thought it had only been a week since I last posted not two!!... that's the pitfalls of having two blogs I suppose.

The spotty boy is all cleared up and back to his usual self.  We've had a few days out, and I've got a new bike so we're going for small bike rides as well.  He wants to ride to school one day which is ok for me but 3.5 miles is a long way for a small boy :o).  We'll build up steadily and maybe do it at home time instead of at the start of the school day ;o)

I was very excited to receive the above book from Amazon last week.  It's a book I used to borrow from the library when the youngest two were small, and then I couldn't find it when JJ was born.  I'd trawled the internet, had Waterstones search and even had a saved search on ebay, but nothing came up.  I'd given up to be perfectly honest but then a couple of weeks ago the title jumped into my head again so I had a quick search on Amazon and there it was...for 1p!!  I love its rhyming text, and I love giraffes so it's a win win for me.  I also got this one in a charity shop and was reminded of the lovely Jacqui on her Croft :o)  Another beautiful story.

JJ has been joining in when I've been sewing...here's his first bauble for Christmas.  I've also managed to make something for myself too.  I can't remember the last time I did that!  I wanted a bag that I could use on days out as I usually use a big hessian shopping bag which is not very pretty.  I made this out of scraps left over from the skirt I made last year, which make up the liner, then a full piece for the outside and the handle. It's very comfy, fitting snuggly under the arm, into my side, which is just perfect.  Right, I have a cycling date with a small boy, so I'll see you all soon.  Hope your all having a fab summer.

Bargains

Well hello... it's been a busy week again.  I've been making a new batch of soap everyday for the last few days.  I've also been out driving, which I'm loving!  I've had a lovely day out with my sister and our two youngest kids.  And this morning the youngest and I went trawling the local charity shops.  I had a good little haul - the above mini doilies were 10p each and I'm going to spray them with starch and hang them from the windows as snow flakes.  This book was 60p.......60p!!!!  How mad is that?!It's full of information - fab for my soap making.

I also got this blue valance (much nicer blue in the flesh) for £1.  I'll use this for material. 

I've also been making a new Christmas Decoration which is on the other blog (as the photo is on the other computer).  I'll hopefully get some more of those done, and I've got an idea for a new card too.  I should probably be doing some housework too, but what the heck...sewing and soap making are much more fun :o)

Treats and orders

It's been a busy week this week so I've treat myself to a couple of books. The first is ideas for felted items that maybe shouldn't have been felted and the second is Kirsty's Homemade Home to go with the television series that she did. Both really good books.

-

I had an order for 12 purple felt hearts so.....

Picking the ribbons.

Cutting everything out ready.

2 done.

All 12 done and nearly packaged ready for the post office.

-x-

While I was shopping for ribbons I emptied the reel that one was on. I asked what they did with them and was told that they throw them away and asked if I would like it....yes please says I, so they gave me a bagful of empty reels. Fantastic. It will hopefully mean my ribbon box is a bit tidier :o).

I also got some holly fabric for yule treats. Once out of Boyes I discovered a new fabric/wool/haberdashery shop!!!!!! Oh my...it was a good job I had JJ with me or I would have spent a fortune as we just don't have a decent fabric shop round here. The choice was amazing - the vehicle fabric came from there (JJ's choice).

-x-

Now, I'm supposed to be passing on a blog award to 10 bloggers that I love but I want to give it to all blogs that I read. I know thats a bit of a cheat but the 50 blogs that I 'follow' are all fabulous for various reasons - so, if I follow your blog have this award too, and thank you for making me happy with your knowledge, heartwarming stories, crafts, recipes, links, warmth, friendship, love.

Where is the time going?

I've actually managed to do some crafting! Another heart, and I've finished the first part of the GP season swap but I can't show you it as the recipient may see it. That is very frustrating as it's something I've not done before and I really want it to show you but I can't - I'm really quite pleased with how it's turned out.

I forgot to show you the books on my kitchen side as well - some of my cooking books. The one used the most is my Mum's old bero book, then the Delia book (although I fell out with her over her last series on TV), then the River cottage family cookbook. I tend not to follow recipes exactly (just like my crafting really) but I do love to drool over the pictures ;-). You'll have to excuse the dust - I would blame the builders as there is more than normal, but really I hate dusting.

Books

Following the blog of the lovely Pippa, here's some of our books. The above 2 piccies are from my craft shelves in the bedroom - some of our magazines, my crafty books and some of my most precious books.

Here are JJ's books in his bedroom. He's got stacks more in the living room!

These three pictures are our living room wall. There's allsorts of books here, covering a huge
array of subjects, plus all the fiction books too. So many of these have come from library sales, charity shops and bootsales. I'd hate to think how much money we have actually spent on books - worth every penny though.

-

I can't actually take a picture of Aaron and Nathan's books because we've just had to box them up so the builders can get in their room next week - suffice to say there are many, many boxes now residing in the loft.

Updates

Well France was very wet, but very warm and ended with a major electrical storm, which in a tin campervan and awning sounds rather loud (to say the least). All-in-all it was a very good few days in which I did manage a little bit of sewing.

I got this book with my nectar points that I'd saved up. I've had a quick flick through and it looks really good.

It was my Neice and Nephew's Christening today - these are the cards I made for them. I was very honoured as my Neice is 12 years old and she chose her own godparents, so today has been very special.

And last, but by no means least, it was darling hubbies birthday yesterday. He loves his VWs, so this was the card I made for him.

It's been a rather hectic few weeks, and the next week is just as busy as I've a few orders to complete.

Bargains OR Must stop buying things

I've felt like I was going mad these last few days as I've had no time at all to myself. So this morning I went to town by myself, yes I said by myself, for 3 whole hours ;-). I went to the charity shops and the library and it was great. On my travels I found the same Jean Greenhowe book that my Mum had (she knitted us and the grandkids a scarecrow each) for 79p, a stitch encyclopedia for £1.50 and a large bag of wool for £3.00, fantastic.

When I got home there was a parcel waiting for me too. Another ebay purchase 400g of red and black pure wool for £9.50. I will knit a hat that hubby will wear ;-).



While I was out I wore my handwarmers and they were fantastic.