Sunday 18 August 2013

Pretty and Practical

Good evening

Wow a week since my last post - where has the time gone? Mainly in a sea of unpacking, sorting, tidying and dealing with lots of work that's happened on the house this week (more on that in a while).

Pretty stuff first!! It makes for a better opening photo!!

When I was in hospital I was lucky enough to be given yarn & a hook by a friend and a book by a sister - putting the two together I started making a little string shopping bag. I continued for a while when I came home but wasn't happy with what I'd done. I re-read the instructions, swore and pulled more of it out!! In the last week in the evenings I've sat and crocheted a lot and finally I finished my little bag;

I love it and everyone who has seen it has too - I've started on another as a pressie - they are lovely to do and the pattern - if you read it carefully and not in a morphine induced state as I was when I started - is quite simple!! Its from the wonderful Granny Chic book which if you haven't got it you need in your collection.


A few weeks ago I went out with my friend Dawn and whilst we were browing a local vintage shop we spotted some kitchen stools - we both said we wanted one but at those prices it wasn't going to happen! Well I was working in the charity shop the other morning when I got a text from Dawn. She was across the road in another charity shop and had spotted 2 stools - utterly perfect and just £2 each!! Did I want one!!I downed tools and dashed across the road and met her just as she was paying for them both!!

They need a sand and paint/varnish and perhaps a new seat cover but otherwise they are perfect - mine has already found its spot in the kitchen - perfect for sitting on when dinner needs a close watch!!


Now for the practical - just really for my records. When we bought the house we knew we needed some work doing - one of the major tasks was a new boiler - the old one was ugly, very old and most likely uneconomical. Well work started on Monday and the has been mess, strange smells and some disruption. Lots of the plumbing work has taken place under little son's bedroom floor so he has decamped to the front room during the day. We've been without water and power at various times as old plumbing/wiring have been replaced with new, safe stuff.

The old boiler - trust me it was so useless it could barely cope with one bath full of tepid water! Though that might have been the hot water tank too - which rattled well when it came out of the airing cupboard and into the rubbish heap earlier in the week!

 Its replacement - modern, efficient and very cheap to run. The first night 3 hot, deep baths happened in quite, quick succession - it handled the task without a murmur!

I am now left with a space in the kitchen - I think I will clean it up, paint it, get shelves fitted and probably cover it with a curtain - am thinking patchwork because I've rather a lot of fabric!!

I mentioned a rubbish heap - well at one point the back garden could have rivalled Steptoes yard;

Lots of things from the utility room spent the week outside too as their space was full of plumbing and plumber!! We finally got rid of the last of it yesterday - a huge trailer load - luckily Big Son and his mates arrived just at the right moment and between them soon got the garden clear.

We are feeling rather chuffed and smug with what we've achieved this week - boxes are all unpacked and most things are now in their permanent places. We've recycled, sold and donated more 'spare' things. The best bit was when I finally got to unpack my china collection - I've kept as much as possible though some things are heading to the charity shop this week as there is simply not enough space and I don't want things living forever in a cupboard wrapped up - I'd rather they were being used/loved by someone.

Right I'd best be off - more photos next time - I've just realised I meant to take some more today but completely forgot! Instead I went to visit Bertie the caravan to let him know he's off on an adventure in a few days!!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

PS - Thanks for all the lovely comments on my last post. The boys and I are loving our new home. We have got relatively straight so quickly as we'd measured and planned where furniture was going after one of our many pre-move visits! We also decided as the year has been so disruptive we didn't want it to continue once we'd moved. Instead we'd work very hard and get things normal as quickly as possible. Meaning instead of boxes we can fill the house with family and our friends instead. Its lovely for the boys to have their mates over and I enjoy hearing them having fun and being so happy. Once I've got my new oven this week I look forward to making sure the cake tins are always full as its amazing how much 6 extra teenagers can eat!!
 


12 comments:

Sue in Suffolk said...

It's good to see you getting sorted and settled. I have now worked out where your new home is! Have you asked L where we are yet! One day I shall pop into the charity shop and say hi. but never seem to be in there on the days you are there.

Josie-Mary said...

Lovely bag, well done.I think that stool is crying out for a granny square top!!! x

Lisa said...

You new bag is just perfect for carrying home freshly baked baguettes, brie and a bottle of wine!
I bet your first bath was bliss!
Happy baking when you get the chance.
Lisa x

Celia Hart said...

I've just caught up with your last post (I've been so busy!) the new house looks perfect and what useful boys you have :-)

I'm sure the SocialKnitwork tent at Folk East would love your bag ;-) and you will deserve a weekend break full of music and dancing.

C xx

thriftwood said...

So happy for you Vicki, you sound so content ... here's to your new life!

Love Claire xxx

Anonymous said...

Your new home looks lovely. I do hope that you and your young lads will be extremely happy there as you start a new chapter in your lives xx

Twiggy said...

Good on ya!! Lots of luck in your new home.I love the crochet bag
Twiggy x

Unknown said...

Loving your bag its gorgeous. It is good to see you so happy and relaxed. Loving the 50's kitchen stool to I have 4 of these I love them, enjoy your trip away, dee x

Claire said...

what a bargain 2 pounds for a stool! I dread to think how much the one in the vintage shop was!

greenthumb said...

Sounds like lots of work, but great result .

moonstruckcreations said...

Looks like everything is coming along beautifully in your new home.

What a bargain that stool was!
Helenxx

Crafty in the Med said...

Hello Vikki
How exciting! I know it is a great deal of work moving into a new house and making it into a home but I think a project like this is exciting. Although these things take time ....lots of time ....still its wonderful to gradually build and create your own home and I don't mean just the bricks and mortar! So here's wishing you very happy home building to you and your family :-)

Giveaway on the go just two days left!!!!

keep well

Amanda :-)