FH&CS Jubilee Swap

Good afternoon

I meant to do this post last night but somehow managed to get side-tracked elsewhere in cyberland.

A fair few weeks ago I signed up for Lakota's Jubilee Swap - I was paired with the lovely Miss_b from Retro Lovely and we happily stalked each others blogs and exchanged emails. We decided due to other commitments that we were in no real rush to exchange but as and when we were both ready.

Anyhow last week parcels were posted to each other and a minor miracle both arrived safely within days of each other. 

Mine turned up on one of those horrid grey & damp days we've had rather too many of recently - it certainly helped cheer me up;

Homemade cookies, a gorgeous pink rose china triplet set, a fan (handy when it actually gets warm) and a CD full of some rock-n-roll - I had this playing yesterday whilst I was in the kitchen tidying and cooking - shame there is no film of me jiggling about ;)

 This gorgeous card is for Bertie - I shall be fixing that to his wall :)

and this lovely cross-stitch card was for me. Cross stitch is something I've never tried - probably because you seem to have to be neat & tidy - not things that come automatically to me!

Here's what I sent;

Crocheted bunting

A UJ cushion

A UJ hook & notebook, a red rose ring and of course a swap isn't a swap without something edible ;)

Thanks to Lakota for undertaking the task of organising this swap and Miss_b for being my swap partner.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas

Good Morning

I know there are still 6 days left but looking at my diary there doesn't seem to be many blogging gaps left! The trouble when you are finally able to get out into the big wide world after almost 4 months is - you want to do it lots and fill the final week before Christmas up!! As well as the boring essentials - Doctors, opticians and physio theres the exciting things too. Off out tonight with my 2 best friends from school - one I've kept in contact with ever since and one I only got back in contact with this year (the miracle of Facebook). They've not seen each other for over 20 years now. We're off to the pub for drinks and catching up - can't wait :) 

Anyhow it does mean that blogging is unlikely to happen anymore before the weekend - so here's one final slightly picture heavy post so I can tidy everything up.

Firstly, I was one of the lucky 3 ladies to receive a parcel from Anne @ Andamento as part of an ongoing PIF (Pay It Forward). Here's what I got;

 A pretty brown paper package tied up with string - with the addition of a very festive smelling dried orange slice. Inside - such pretties;

 The tiny nativity scene fits into its own matchbox, a wooden dove, felt mushroom, glass pebble magnet and bracelet (all made by Anne), a festive Phoenix card, a crocheted snowflake, chocolate coins and a mulled wine sachet. All lovely and all very much appreciated. Thank you once again Anne xx

Now the exciting bit - I now have to prepare parcels for 3 lovely people. So if you'd like to receive something lovely through the post sometime in the next 12 months (mostly likely by springtime) then leave me a comment on this post and tell me your 3 favourite colours and I'll choose 3 names on January 15th. I'll try and add a button to my sidebar later as a reminder too.

The final festive making has finished - just need to start on my collection of January birthdays now - and I've booked a fair for the end of February too :) I finished this fairy the other day - I don't think I'll be able to part with her - she is my favourite so far;

Even her wings got a little extra detail;

I made a final batch of christmas cards most of which have been delivered to family and friends now;

Two of my photos from my blog - tweaked with Picnik and then the photos were printed by Photobox - my task was to paste them onto card and then write them! I don't normally do this but I did have lots of extra spare time this year!

When the postie brought my PIF parcel the other day, he also handed me another one. I wasn't sure what it was but as it had my name on it, I opened it. Inside, a surprise pressie from a friend from another internet forum - this pretty coloured and jingly bag charm - isn't it just stunning - can you see all the knitting/sewing charms on there?

Right, I'd best be off - need to wake those sleeping boys of mine - I need to take one into town to get his glasses tweaked after they, his head and the car boot collided the other night!!

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas - be good, keep safe and just enjoy yourselves. 

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Cakes & looking forward

Good morning

Hope you are all well? and your festive preparations are going smoothly? Sort of slowly getting sorted - waiting for a parcel or two to arrive and then I need to plan a festive food shop nearer the time. There's the small matter of retrieving the tree from the attic - I've decided I want to put it up this weekend.

Apart from Christmas preparations and trying to catch up with jobs that are 3 months overdue! I've made sure I've found time to catch up with my Christmas mag reading & cake eating!

Yesterday was a baking day - the boys seem hungrier than ever at the moment and the cake tins needed refilling. As I was making pastry for a quiche for dinner it seemed a good idea to make extra for a batch of mince pies;

A good friend moved house last week so I thought I'd make her a card;

I've also continued with my December ritual of lighting a candle each day - I do this to bring light into the house during these darker days and use it as a point in my day to remember those that aren't with us anymore. It also reminds me that the dark days will soon be over and we've the lighter days to look forward to - the Solstice is the 22nd so after that the days will slowly start to lengthen.

The weather has continued to be pretty awful here - the wind has battered the garden. The cherry tree has almost lost all its leaves now - you can just see the start of buds that will burst into flower when the springtime comes;

 I spotted another sign of growth the other day. Last spring I bought several pots of hyacinths to brighten the house out - when they finished they were left in the conservatory to die back with a view to planting them in the autumn. This got forgotten about with everything else going on. However I noticed that the bulbs had started to sprout again - so I've bought them all into the warm and I'm hoping they'll be flowering sometime soon;

Finally for today - good news - I'm stick free :) Had a physio appointment first thing this morning and he's said that I really don't need them anymore. I've also been told that I should be back riding my bike by the middle of next month - now that is something to really look forward too.

Keep warm & safe and I'll see you soon.

xxx Vicki xxx

Faith, Hope and Festive Charity Shopping Swap

Hello again

Well I turned the page on my calendar this morning - we've made it almost to the end of 2011. Its finally December - things start to get exciting and festive :) Now I've had this parcel almost a week but thought I'd share it with you once the proper festive month had begun;

I was paired with Caroline from Whats Happening At My House - a completely new blogger to me and one that I'll be staying in touch with from now on :)

A lovely easy swap brief - 5 pressies - one to be a decoration, something thrifted from a boot-sale or charity shop, chocolate and 2 others things you think your victim would like - easy peasy lemon squeezy. We exchanged emails of likes/dislikes and stalked each others blogs for clues.

Here are the results - firstly the parcel I received;

Inside;

A christmas mag full of lovely ideas, some knitted tree decs, some candles with little star shaped holders, a festive mug and some chocolate coins.

 These are so cute - can't wait to put them on my tree when I'm finally allowed to put it up.

This mug is just perfect for hot chocolate & the works - its been in use already :)

Now when Caroline told me her colours were ice-blue, silver and white, I decided to theme everything around those;

Chocolate coins, blue & silver reindeer decs, a button heart, fab blue nail polish and a handmade felt stocking. She's even the first person to get one of my homemade christmas cards. There was also a little something for her little man but I forgot to take a pic of that.

Thanks Caroline for being a great swap partner and to Lakota for organising everything.

Phew I think I'm finally up-to-date with my blog posts.

I'll leave you with my sampler of November;

xxx Vicki xxx

Brrrrrrrrrr Monday

Good evening

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Another weekend rushed by>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This morning saw our first ground frost of the season;

As my dear bloggy (and RL friend) Dawn put it in her post earlier, the silly season has begun. The festive madness has started especially for my 2 brass playing menfolk. Saturday saw them playing in Aldeburgh for the switch on of their Christmas lights. Apparently it all went well and there are some pics on Dawn's blog - including one of Little Sons right ear!!

I opted out of that particular one as I knew it would be a long afternoon and the lack of comfy seating would mean I'd have to do loads of standing around.

However, I did make it out to Little Sons training band engagement at Minsmere Bird Reserve yesterday afternoon. It was lovely the band played really well. Not easy to get pictures as the space they played in was rather tight - but here's one of little son - as you can see the training band is rather more casual than the full band;

Looking at the gig list next weekend is even more hectic - 3 engagements - have a feeling he'll be sick of carols by Christmas Eve!!

Not sure if I've told you before but I've a bit of a thing about postcards - I seem to collect them from all over and have a hanger on my kitchen door which is changed over regularly.  The very clever Nina @ Tabiboo takes the most brilliant photos and she's turned some of her festive / wintry images into postcards - I couldn't resist;

 Even the packaging makes a nice picture.

Inside - these 3 gorgeous cards - not too Christmassy so they can stay up for a while.

Thanks for all the comments on yesterdays Pause post :)

Right see you later in the week for Novembers Scavenger Hunt pics and finally the contents of the lovely swap parcel. BTW still no housework fairy - I was planning on getting the boys to help on Wednesday when they are off school but they've gone and got themselves some paid work with MrVV!

xxx Vicki xxx

Faintly Patriotic????

Hello from Soggy Suffolk

I started writing this post on Thursday night but realised I'd forgotten to take pictures - thought I'd wait for the better light in the morning - wrong - tis grey,dull & wet outside so the photos aren't  as clear and flash free as I'd like.

Anyhow - this faintly patriotic thing - it started on Wednesday night at S&B. We were having our cuppa and we started to comment on one of the mugs - a rather posh Silver Jubilee one that belonged to a friend. It lead the conversation round to whether the rest of us still had our mugs (those old enough) from 1977. I still have mine - it now sits on my desk and holds pens;

A friend had her daughter with her who was doing some drawing before she goes back to uni - about trend predictions. She mentioned about a patriotic theme due to the forthcoming weddings and next years Diamond Jubilee. It made me think about the bits I've been making this week towards birthdays and the craft fair - I hadn't realised that there was a red/white/blue theme coming through;

I wonder if that's right - will everything be red/white/blue this spring / summer and next?? And I wonder if my children would keep a mug for over 30 years??

See you soon

xx Vicki xx

I love Fridays :)

Well this one in particular I've loved!

Woke to more sunshine which is always a good start to the day.

Boys were busy doing nothing this morning so I left them to it and popped into town. I was having CS withdrawal symptoms! Went into all 4 shops in town & 2 came up trumps :)

4 more pairs of coloured plastic needles for my ever growing collection;

2 more Ladybird books

Came home to find the postie had been and brought me my final birthday pressie!!

Well worth waiting for - lots to inspire and when I've time I shall be doing something inspired by this book.

Its was quiet here this afternoon, MrVV was out today, little son was at the cinema with a friend and big son spent his time happily battling things on the Wii. On my to-do list was 'make a birthday card for a sister' who's birthday is next week.  Thought I'd try something a bit different - quite pleased with the results;

Have a good weekend - I believe its going to be sunny & warm. We have plans for Saturday which hopefully will happen.  Big son is out tonight bowling with the Explorer Scouts - means MrVV can't have a drink as he's got to collect him later :( - doesn't mean I can't have a cider though ;)

Till next time

xxxx Vicki xxxx

An odd week

Has been a very strange week - started with such high hopes & plans but just seemed my get up and go, got up and went.  The weather hasn't helped - been cold & grey for most of the week with the odd glimmer of something  sunnier but often only for a few fleeting moments :(

Apparently its all down to my age - big birthday soon.  Caught part of Grumpy Old Women on Monday night and the signs of ageing include - talking about the weather (tick), knitting (tick) and wearing glasses (tick).

Hoping this weekend things pick up and my GUAG returns.

In one brief spurt of crafting, I made a card for my Mum for Sunday (Mothering Sunday here in the UK);

Have also made her a brooch;

and if they survive there's also a box of her favourite chocolates. 

Even the charity shops this week haven't turned up much excited - infact my only purchase this week was this pretty little posy - I've seen these so often on other blogs. This one was hidden away in a dusty corner and was only 50p;

Lastly on Wednesday I headed as normal to S&B group.  As a break from knitting I've been having a few lessons in dressmaking.  Last week we made patterns for a skirt - mine needed a lot of altering - not sure how my measuring partner came up with those numbers - they were a long way out and I could have fitted a friend in there! Anyhow this week we made the necessary adjustments and once it was sewn together my calico mockup fitted perfectly. Just need to fine some summery skirt fabric soon and remember how to put zips in.

A couple of my sisters come to the group - one of them brought me a bag of goodies. A gorgeous woollen dress (a CS bargain complete with tags) which replaces one I've worn to death and a selection of Ladybird books;

Off to the hairdressers today - need a full de-yetifying and also my grey highlights need covering up.

Here's hoping the weekend brings better things - menfolk have promised to cook on Sunday and also to build my dolls house so I can get on with the serious business of decorating it.  Hopefully whilst thats all happening I can find my mojo, get my colour-swap parcel finished and start something I want to make for a giveaway thats being planned ;)

Until next time

xxxx Vicki xxxx

Crafting and thrifting

I am still plodding on with my knitting - am hoping by the time I next blog I might actually have something to show you - the first 9 squares all finished and sewn together.  I did take it with me to the Stitch & Bitch group last night but didn't really get much done (and I had to get Country Girl to help me unknit a row I'd done wrong!!).  Instead I spent lots of time chatting with other crafters and also reading some of the craft books that people had brought along.

I have been keeping up with my 20 minutes a day though and one day I made cards for forthcoming birthdays of a couple of my sisters (using the offcuts of fabric from the boxes I made);

I also made the pompoms to decorate the recycled gift bags - somehow I've ended up with lots of these pretty bags from Joules and they are so pretty and make perfect gift bags.

Whilst in town this morning I had a quick look round the charity shops and my favourite one came up trumps again - a ladybird book, a crocheted cushion cover & a pair of red needles all for only 50p!!  The cushion cover is currently in the machine being dyed along with a few other things that I've been meaning to recolour.  Sadly one of the needles got broken in the bottom of my shopping bag but hopefully one day I'll find it a friend - until then it looks rather pretty with my new growing collection of coloured needles.

It has been so cold here again today - am hoping as we move into a new month next week we might start to see more signs that the winter is coming to an end and spring will be along soon.

See you soon

xxxx Vicki xxxx

PS - I would just like to say a huge thankyou to all my followers - new & old. I was so happy to log in the other day and see I'd reached the 50 followers mark :)  I am planning a giveaway during March to mark my 40th birthday, 50 (or even more by then) followers & probably my 100th post!!

Beds, cards and a busy week

First of all I must thank everyone who has commented so far on my new venture into blogland - I love reading all the comments. Thank you also to those that are now followers of my blog - makes me feel very special :)

Well where has this week gone too? Good news Will is now better and is back at school.  He's still to regain his appetite but we're getting there.  Had a funny incident the other night with him sleep walking and me nearly having to clean out the camping gear cupboard!!

As I mentioned on Monday we have a new bed.  Am very lucky that MrVV imports & sells furniture - have been waiting ages though for something new to find its way to our house. Is always the way the cobblers children were always the poorest shod!  Anyhow we've gone for hotel luxury living style and have a superking size monster - great as it means I actually have space at night and no longer nearly fall out everytime MrVV turns over.

Am planning on dragging MrVV shopping at the weekend as we still need to get another duvet cover set and I think its about time we finally got some new pictures for our room too.  The ones you can see are very old and match colour schemes in a house we've been left for almost 7 years.

I've not been neglecting my blog this week - its more the fact that the week has run away from me. I've got a college assignment to hand in next week and I've been working on that.  Have also been doing some work on health and safety in the workplace - is a miracle I survive each working day the amount of 'hazards' I've found!

One last thing to show you, as I've mentioned before I've recently started making cards for birthdays and occasions instead of just turning to the high street.  Well its a workmates birthday tomorrow and I've made her this - hope she likes it.

I found the Union Jack material in a charity shop today - 2 whole flags just perfect for cushions.  Also got a bag of pretty white buttons that are currently in the dishwasher.

Hurrah tomorrow is Friday - see you then.

A weekend reclaimed (sort of)

Had such great plans for the weekend but sadly these were not to be. Little son woke Saturday morning after a dreadful night (in with me). A quick check with the thermometer revealed what I'd already guessed - he was running a temp :(. Eventually got through to the weekend doctors and an appointment made. Anyhow I was right he did need meds as his tonsils were 'yucky'.

However this unplanned weekend at home did mean that I could finally get round to completely a few tasks from my to-do list.

First of which was making a batch of green tomato chutney. Despite a bumper crop of tomatoes this year very few have ripened.  Thought I'd be clever and make a double batch - was a minor panic that the pan was going to be too small but it fitted with an inch or so too spare.

Had 18 clean jars waiting to be filled - used 17 of them. A good bit of guess work on my part.

The next task to get to get ticked off the list was to use up all the sloes we picked the other weekend and turn them into some warming for the winter months ahead.  I think 1.5 litres will keep us going!

Final task was to finish making a card for my nieces birthday - I'd taken the photo ages ago - it just needed mounting and some birthday trimming round the edge.  Am quite pleased with it - the whole card making thing is new to me and so far the results have been very well received.

Thats all for today - tomorrow something special is happening - we are finally getting a new bed. Might even share some photos with you ;)