The Big Move

Ok so another short blogging break wasn't planned but here I am. New chromebook to type on and a wonderful Google photo account which uploads straight from my phone.

Obviously there is a back story which many of you won't know so here is a quick run down. I fell out of love with blogging in 2013/2014. I had split up with the boys Dad and the boys & I moved to a gorgeous Victorian semi. We had 3 amazing years there so much happened - the boys grew into young men, finished school and both went to Uni. I met a really lovely man and we got married last August (more on that another day).

The Victorian house was sold in March 2017 as I was by then living with S in his flat in South West Suffolk. I had a full time job in the same school as him and all was wonderful. We married in August 2017 and after that decided we really did need more space for when both giants were home from Uni. Many of mine & the boys things were in storage as the flat was just not big enough.

We saw this little cottage on my birthday in March 2018 and put an offer in the next day. A tense few months passed before we got the keys on the last day in June. 

The cottage dates from 1880 and is quirky & colourful with the most gorgeous wildlife friendly garden. We have been here just 4 weeks but it already is our home. We moved the flat contents in one day and had it all unpacked by the end of the first weekend! The stored things came the beginning of the next week and we have worked like crazy to get them sorted and either unpacked, or sold or given to charity. Proudly only a tiny amount has gone to landfill - our local recycling centre really does have facilities for recycling everything!

Anyhow - less waffle more photos!!

 One of many stained glass windows.

 You know a house with a bat doorknocker is going to be fab!

 The kitchen is a favourite space - I have discovered my love of cooking again.

 The open shelves are wonderful - its great having our favourite things on display and at hand.

We have this little area at the bottom of the garden - a wisteria covered gazebo - its our favourite space to sit of an evening - glass of gin in hand. By day its pretty but at night it sparkles with 100's of solar fairy lights - a proper grotto. I must take a picture one evening!!

 Just another picture of the kitchen - our collection of vintage kitchenware is growing. I love that S totally understands my love of vintage and floral and I love his collection of more folk / pagan inspired things - and the 2 collections together work wonderfully.

It was wonderful to unpack treasures that had been stored for 18 months and put them out again. I culled quite a lot and only kept things which had really special meanings. I have quite a few of my childhood toys still and many of these are out on display - waiting for small visitors to come and use them. 70's Fisher Price toys were made to last - the camera was for my 5th or 6th birthday - and has been used by all my younger siblings, my boys and all my nieces and nephews.

The orange room is our front room which also doubles as a study and spare room! Hard to believe 2 weeks ago it was full of boxes - it had its first visitor this week. Small giant came to see the new house which was lovely.

We have Big giant here living with us whilst he has a break from things after 4 tough years at Uni. The final months were not easy - exam stress and losing both Great Grandma's in the space of a week.

Right I think that's enough for today. I promise I will be back soon - there is so much to share. 

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Ladies who lounge around in the sun!!

Good evening

How's your week been? Mine went downhill after Monday - Tuesday night I started with a migraine which really took hold. Couldn't shift it yesterday so I spent that mainly asleep, only waking to go to big son's parents evening at school. Finally after a dose of  the strong tablets I have I slept it off last night and woke this morning feeling much better. It means I am behind with my making schedule - is looking like I'll finish 8 raggies by the weekend rather than my original plan of 10. I'll share them between the shop and my stall. That leaves next week as final making week - really only a few bits left to get sorted and then the fun task of labelling begins.

Anyhow - less waffle and more pics. I treated my girls to something comfy to sit on - a vintage Sindy sofa set via ebay - they seemed to like it this afternoon when we were out in the sunshine;

Nos 2-6

My little sofa set - the boys think I've finally lost it buying these - have given up trying to explain they are for display purposes only!

When I've had a break from sewing this week, I've been engrossed in this book I borrowed from a friend - it is really a good read and even better lots of it is set on my part of the Suffolk coast so I can recognise the locations and dream of owning my own gypsy wagon.

Lastly for tonight, what would blogland be without a swap or two going on. I've already signed up for and am well on the way with the button swap. I saw this one on a favourite blog this morning and couldn't resist it - I mean who can resist the lure of a charity shop or two?

Right back to more raggy sewing - am working on Nos 7 & 8 at the moment - hopefully they'll be ready for photographing and sharing with you soon.

Until the next time.

xxx Vicki xxx

What's in the attic??

Hello

I know posting during the daytime - must be avoiding housework again!!  Actually the house is quiet - big son is spending the day with a friend and little son & MrVV have gone out for a bike ride.

Yesterday morning I went to see my parents. They are due to have their loft reinsulated and roof refelted in the next few weeks and decided to take the opportunity to empty their attic completely. They've lived in their house for about 35 years now and stuff has been put up in the attic but very little has come down until now. I went not to help ( they have son-in-laws for that) but to rescue some of my childhood toys that I knew were lurking up there.

Trust me when I say 35 years worth of stuff is a lot - mostly belonging to us older ones - it was a vintage toy collectors dream or actually nightmare. I am not sure why they kept some things but anyhow the attic is now empty and those that asked have got their favourite things back.

Here's what a I saved for myself;

I was thrilled to find Noddy & Big Ears and their car in the bottom of an old suitcase. Sadly Mr Golly is missing and the car is in a well played with condition. But tbh I thought that this was long gone and was really pleased to find it.

A 5th birthday pressie - my first camera - a little creaky but as soon as I looked through the view finder I was transported back to the days before punk has even happened!! Such a simple toy but I remember playing with it and getting my little siblings to pose.

Another pressie for my 5th birthday - that was a good year!! Sadly the clock hands are no more but just finding all the pieces was lovely as this had ended up in the attic loose!

Lastly for today - the main reason I went was to collect this trio. Tiny Tears was a pressie when I was about 6 but the other 2 were presents for my 2nd birthday from my parents & grandparents. It took a while to clean them up and even now they'll need another good scrub to remove some marks that are on them. Sadly their clothes were beyond saving - its seems that my grandma only knitted dolls clothes in pure wool and the moths had had a field day. My task therefore is to make/knit something for each of these ladies to wear. The one on the right had hair which made her look like Russell Brands lovechild - thanks to the SCC girls and a google I discovered that fabric softener works wonders and she now looks much neater - I don't ever remember her having perfect hair, must have been a trend setter.

What have you saved from your childhood? I'd love to see photos.

Right my cyclists are back so I'd best go and look busy!!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx