Happiness is......

When your best friend sends you a surprise present in the post!

 Ooooohhhhhh (jumps up and down with excitement!!)

I was too impatient to take a photo when it arrived so you can’t see the wrapping. It is a shame you’ve missed it actually.  Best Friend has a quirky way of wrapping presents with newspaper and string!

 

I laughed out loud when I opened it! -

Surprise Present from Best Friend

Did I tell you I am going to be a granny?

Yes - our grandchild is due in March and we are all so very excited! 

This book, 'Not all Grannies Knit' (But this one does!!) by  Joan Pritchett  http://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Not_All_Grannies_Knit.html?id=1IjW3xBBj7wC   is hilarious and I can identify with nearly every page!

This page is useful –

Nicknames stay with us forever!

A reminder that any silly names we allow grandchild to call us will stay with us for the rest of our lives and beyond....  Granny Gard has a certain charm - however the thought of a child shortening this to the initials 'GG' and yelling full volume in the supermarket 'GEE GEE' has made me think again.  I think I will be safer as Gran.

And, I do recognise myself here…

Goodbye to a 'lie-in'

It takes me 2 hours and 3 cups of coffee to pull myself around on a morning!

Thank you Best Friend for the lovely book and making me laugh.  I love you x

 I have got my emergency bag packed.  Just in case I am needed......!!

It’s been a long time since we’ve had babies in our house - and how things have changed! The choices are overwhelming – the most dilemma I ever had was whether to buy pink, blue, white or lemon!

The ‘baby list’ has amused me! For example – Bath thermometer – What??? We used our elbows for testing the baby’s bath water (and the back of our hands or wrist for testing milk temperature!)  Hooded towel? (surely, a towel is a towel?!). 

I’ve been amazed to see such things as a bouncing chair (which I used to rock with my foot) is now replaced with an all singing dancing, vibrating contraption! I dare not tell the shop assistants that in the absence of the bouncy chair my late mother in law used to put my children in her washing basket.

I’ve learnt all about Baby pods and Bugaboos.  I see that storing the toys in ‘swing bins (with stickers)’ has been replaced with a huge range of toy boxes!

Among the ‘necessities’ for mother-to-be to take into hospital are, mobile phone and MP3 player.  When I had my two daughters the hospital would not release the cage unless you had some help at home so that new mum could have an afternoon nap and put your feet up – now the hospital will not let you leave unless you have a car seat, which is a shame if you are going home on the bus......

We’ve parted with an obscene amount of money for a changing mat – what’s that all about? I remember watching mother and aunties change babies on their knees!

Anyhow - we all want the best for our new babies and as grandparents we can indulge even when we know we are being ridiculously frivolous.

I took this photo to show you –

One of my cross-stitch pictures

I’ve always loved the Ecclesiastes verse: A Time and Season for Everything. 

I completed this cross stitch back in 2005.  It took me a year from start to finish. It is a Moira Blackburn sampler http://www.moirablackburn.com/ and the kit comes with very clear instructions. I enjoyed sewing it as there is a lot of interest in it and I like the muted colours.  It hangs in a prominant place in our dining room and I am very proud to tell you that it won me first prize in our Village Cottage Show!

In my little corner – I am pondering back to this time last year when we were so very sad because our dear Uncle Arnie was coming to the end of his life.  I am so pleased that I was able to spend time with him before he died and that we were able to say our goodbyes.  The days and weeks that followed were quite horrendous but during all that grief, little did I know that the same month the following year I would be awaiting the birth of my first grandchild. 

And, although this Easter will be tinged with sadness as we remember my uncle we will also be rejoicing the birth of our grandchild.  There really is comfort in this verse on my Cross-Stitch – a time to be born and a time to die for all of us.

Ecclesiastes 3:1  A Time for Everything

1. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2. a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 
3. a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 
4. a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 
5. a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 
6. a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 
7. a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 
8. a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Now then - just look at this lovely red Amaryllis – just waiting to burst into flower!! I potted it up in December and day by day we have watched it grow - and grow......and grow....

Amaryllis

 ........ And burst into flower!! WONDERFUL!

Amaryllis in flower

Wishing you a Happy Springtime everyone – and remember – ‘Isn’t it nice to be nice?’

Love C xx

  

Vintage Cleaning Cloths!

Hello lovelies!

Don’t know about you but I have never been one for getting excited about dusting and cleaning.  

Knitting, crochet or any craft work come to that, thrills me far more than any yellow duster!!

However – and I can’t remember where I saw this project – the idea of vintage cleaning cloths did stir up some excitement!!!

For the last few days I have been scouring the charity shops for suitable materials and this is what I came up with...

Home Made Cleaning Cloths!

 (Note sun shining through into the kitchen) - Hooray!!

Nice and pretty?  Has this maybe stirred up a bit of enthusiasm for starting the spring cleaning now?!

You need absorbent, material – something that will give a good scrub and shine.  Children’s clothes are ideal and usually in good condition because we all know that children do not wear out their clothes but outgrow them.

I found one pair of pyjamas, one dress and one t-shirt – I cut them up with pinking shears - ideal!

Warning: if you are going to do this – do not spend more than 50p or £1 at the most!  Very thrifty!  Think how many cleaning cloths you can get out of one pair of pyjamas!!

This is not a new idea –

for years our  mam used dads underpants for floor cloths –

it was the only way my sister and I could distinguish the difference between the floor cloth and the dish cloth. 

Shirts & pyjamas were always used –( dads pyjamas – I have another idea for these – watch this space). 

And now, after cleaning with my new home made cloths I am sitting down for a well deserved rest with a cup of coffee and home-made gooey cake.  

No - sorry – I am not sharing.  

This is MINE!

Home Made Tiffin Cake

Recipe courtesy of Lucy at Attic24. http://attic24.typepad.com/

Before you go – I will share a view from our kitchen window - 

Snowdrops in our garden

There's a lovely carpet of snowdrops in the garden and lots of shoots growing.  The nights are getting lighter.  Lambs are in the fields.  Spring really is just around the corner.

Take care 

Love Cx

Beryl The Knitter!

Why is it?

When we are snowed in and it is an ideal day to sit by the fire and do whatever crafts I choose - all I want to do is go outside and play in the snow!!!

–        yes,! Age 50+  – and I want to play in the snow!!   

So, I made a snowman – well woman actually – would you like to meet her?…

Beryl the Knitter

 She's standing right outside our kitchen window.

I would offer her a cuppa but I don't want her to melt just yet...!

Well I enjoyed myself anyway!

The snow is very picturesque where we live and we've been out and about taking a few photos - 

 Below - some photos taken in our garden -

Our Garden

The Holly Tree In Our Garden

Our Garden

Below some views from our bedroom window -

Queuing for Breakfast!

Queuing for Breakfast!

Lovely, crisp white snow.  Very cold though.

You may remember that we got a new addition to the family over Christmas.  

My daughter and her fiance got a chocolate brown Labrador puppy.  They called him Robin and he is adorable.

However he does get up to some mischief!

Robin And His Naughty Antics

Robin managed to get to the post before anyone else. 

He knows he has been naughty and it is very wrong to do this - 

We only laugh about it amongst ourselves when he is out of earshot.

On Sunday he enjoyed a walk around Easby Abbey with us.

Robin & Bobby

Bobby is Robins best friend and they had great fun playing in the snow! 

We had great fun watching them as they chased balls and slid on the snow but it is rather difficult to capture the moments on camera as they were too quick for us! 

Easby Abbey Walk

Keep warm & safe

love Cx

Saxon Cross

Yeah!

Got a blog in before Janurary is out!!

Other things got in the way a bit over the last few weeks!

I don’t know about you but I can happily go to bed at 7pm at this time of year!

And, the rest of the time (apart from going to work, doing the ‘big shop’ and eating) I’m going through a new fad  -  A fad of doing nothing – oh bliss!!

Curling up in my little corner, pondering, pondering, pondering over 2012……..

It was about this time last year that the Handicraft Group in the Village invited me to take part in making a Wall Hanging to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee year. 

The Wall Hanging would depict aspects and images of our village in a variety of textile media.

I offered to do the Saxon Cross from the church as no-one else seemed keen. I could see why – it was very drab looking..…

When an extensive restoration was undertaken a Saxon carved stone cross was discovered in the church wall, which is now on display above the pulpit. 

 I agonised how I would do this cross and took along to the meeting a selection of brown & red threads for advice.  When someone asked me ‘how do you see a cross?’ My first answer was ‘gold!’ And, so it was decided that I would do it as I see it!

The ladies were aiming to have this project finished for MAY!

 

We all set to work like busy little bees – it took over my life to be honest!

I drew the pattern on graph paper a first for me – I’m more than happy to follow a pattern thank you very much!

I agonised over colours. 

Now if you want gold - you really need to use metallic thread to give it ‘bling’.

Metallic thread – now there’s a challenge!

Lost count of the times I pulled it out, screamed with frustration and scoured the Internet for tips. 

Some tips I found useful –

• Use shorter lengths of floss
• Knot thread at eye of needle to stop it slipping off
• Use thread heaven or bees-wax to strengthen the thread
• Stitch slower and have some patience

Variation thread – another welcome discovery!

I decided to use variation thread for the knot work. I just stitched away and waited in anticipation to see how the finished colour design would turn out.  I was pleasantly surprised -

My Cross Stitch of the Saxon Cross

I am pleased I only did an A5 size and not A4!

We all did something different, using different techniques and imaginations ran wild -  

Village Wall Hanging

The Wall Hanging was officially unveiled on the 4th June and now hangs proudly in the Village Hall.

Stay safe and warm

love C x 

Looking Forward!

Hello!

As the year draws to a close and we look forward to welcome the new one in - here I am - pondering in my little corner.

Oh, we had a lovely Christmas!  Spending time with family, chilling out and exchanging presents.  I’ve eaten Turkish Delight, drank Baileys and watched too much telly.  We welcomed a new puppy into the family – my daughter and her fiancé got the most adorable chocolate brown Labrador! He is 10 weeks old and a little bundle of fun.

Before the decorations come down I’d just like to show you a picture of our dresser at Christmas – 

A Lot Going On!

This is the only time of year I can get away with having so much clutter!!

So, another Christmas is over and I don’t care what anyone says – we all feel a little down in the dumps at some point afterwards.  Not necessarily because the Christmas festivities are over but because January & February can be cold, dark depressing days. 

That’s why I like to have indoor bulbs.  Watching the shoots grow and the burst of colour as they emerge gives us hope.  Take a look at one of my hyacinths –

Signs Of Spring!

A little reminder that dark days don’t last for ever and spring is not far away.

I have lots to look forward to this coming year!

A grandchild (our first) 

and ....

youngest daughter’s wedding!

Eeeeehhhhhh!!!!! How exciting is that??!!

Instead of making New Year resolutions for 2013 I have started to make a ‘to do’ list instead - 

My 2013 To Do List

• Emulsion spare bedroom (tin of emulsion  has been sitting in the porch since May) 
• Wallpaper and emulsion our bedroom (pulling one strip of paper off last summer does not count)
• Re-paint Lloyd Loom chair & bedside cabinet (As they are taking up space in garage)
• Knit/crochet for new grandchild (a must)
• Finish cushions for youngest daughters beauty salon (started many months ago)
• Work out how to sell on Ebay (got a lot of clutter to go)
• Do exercises EVERY DAY for sciatica (so that I can look my physio in the eye)
• Read Keith Richards autobiography (been sitting on shelf for year)
• Tidy garage (so we can get car in)
• De-clutter house (on-going)
• Finish granny square blanket (sew ends in)
• Weed front garden (so that neighbours will stop talking about me)
• Be nice to people (because ‘it’s nice to be nice?)!

Wishing You All a Happy and Healthy New Year

Love C x

Christmas Memories!

His nibbs bought a 5 foot vase from our local auctioneer many years ago.
It stands in the corner of the living room and over the years I’ve experimented with filling it with lots of things.  Acorns, pot-pourri, bullion hair, seashells, coloured stones, tinsel..........but I think this is by far the best idea...

A vase of Baubles!

It just screams, 'CHRISTMAS TIME!'

And the best bit is - I've bought many of these baubles at car boot sales and charity shops over the year for pennies!! Their junk - my treasures! 

House is all decorated for Christmas.  We don't like to do it too early - much more festive when it's done nearer to Christmas Eve.  

Cards are up.  How do you display yours?  I’ve bought many things over the years but have never been happy with any card displays.  About 6 years ago I made these –

Card Holders

Simple really! Long length of ribbon, a curtain hook and a bauble!!  I cut random lengths because I don't like things to look too uniformed!

Stick Blu-tack onto card – stick onto ribbon – hey presto!!

Cards on Ribbon

I love cards!  I saw these in our local market town and just had to buy them!

Vintage Cards

Home made cards are never thrown out in our house! They are brought out year after year.  Here's a selection on our dresser.....

 

I treasure these cards.  Especially the ones my mam made because since her eyesight deteriorated she doesn't make cards as often as she did.  I think you can spot the ones my children made many years ago!! The pink glittery reindeer one is a favourite from Gemma, my youngest daughter's school friend. (who is now in her late 20's!). The last one that stands alone was made by Aunty Margaret the year before she died so that one is rather special. 

Ah, 'tis good good to bring out favourites from years gone by - Let me share some of my other Christmas treasures with you -

  

 

Made by my children over 20 years ago and brought out every year!
This angel (?!) was made by my great nephew two years ago and has joined the collection!

Oooh isn't it lovely to remember those infant school days with our children?  I can still remember the look of excitement on their little faces as they ran out of the school gates clutching their latest creations.

I've tried over the years to have a themed Christmas Tree - but sentiments get in the way! 

Like when I decided on a red & gold them - my mother-in-law gave me this purple & silver bauble which belonged to my late father-in-law.  It was one of the first baubles he ever owned and he treasured it for many years. When I think about that young boy spending his hard earned money on this bauble and how much it meant to him - I can't bear not to put it on our tree!   

A Very Old Bauble!

There's the Little Drummer Boy! One of the Christmas decorations we bought in our first year together   - just because 'we liked it'.

The Drummer Boy

This acorn (one of many) made by my mam -  

 These two tree ornaments made by my uncle.  The one on the right is an egg shell!  I did have another one with Christmas mice inside but one year I dropped it and it broke - I was devastated!

Oh, and here's another tree ornament that tells a story!! 

Glass Angel

I'm afraid she doesn't photograph very well but believe me - she is beautiful! 

Must have been about ten years ago - I was in a shop choosing a pair of William Morris design curtains but couldn't choose between two choices.  A man in the shop went on to tell me the whole history of William Morris and the story behind every design!! I left the shop thinking he was slightly cracked - even though he had helped me make a decision! As I was leaving the shop he gave me this glass angel for a Christmas present. Now I treasure that angel -

and remember those words ........ 'Eehh! Isn't it nice to be nice?'         

Ah, so many memories at Christmastime - so personal to us.

Like this little log that was my grans -

 

It didn't look like this when I got it! I've titivated it up a bit with a new robin and new decorations but the memory of seeing it in her house every Christmas is still there.  

This table runner which belonged to my husbands great aunt - 

We put it on the sideboard every year! I love the angels! Unfortunately I've spilled candle wax on it and it has a few greasy spots.  But, our possessions are there to be used not hidden in cupboards and a bit of Christmas holly hides the marks.

I've made a few things myself which I'm hoping will be family heirlooms - 

Cross stitch

Christmas shopping in York this year I treat myself to these Christmas goodies! -

Oh, I just love Christmas!
Spending time with family, indulging, being creative -

Christmas Silhouettes

 snuggling up, keeping cosy and warm and having fun, fun, fun!!

Wishing you a merry little Christmas and a healthy New Year

Cx