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!!
 

Going Potty In Sheringham

Good evening

Thank you for all the comments on my last post :)

Well I said I was going away this weekend and I managed it. I was very wary of heading off camping for the weekend but decided it was something that I wanted to do and I very badly needed some relaxing time and some serious fun.

I didn't pack my dancing boots instead I packed extra camera batteries and suncream!

The Morris side headed up the coast over the border and into Norfolk. The Potty Festival in Sheringham was our destination along with about another 30 Morris sides.

 We drove up on Friday night and arrived on the campsite about 7pm. I was so looked after - not allowed to carry anything heavier than a pillow! Two dancer put my little tent up for me whilst the others helped me get sorted. Once we'd all arrived and camp set up then it was time to open bottles and cans. I was very good - just one cider but a very welcome one.

We were up early on Saturday morning - bacon butties were eaten and then costumes put on. Whilst I hadn't packed my whole outfit I had added my twirly skirt and some fab new bloomers which you will get to see another time I am sure! We caught the shuttle bus into town and the side formed up for the parade - as this involves dancing a long route - I was walking with some of the children along side them and stopping when they did to take photos.

Once we'd got into the town we headed to our first dance spot - the sky was blue and it was getting hot.

 First dance over it was time to crack open the drinks!! Of course it would have been rude to turn down a can of Adnams!!

As you can see even my handbag matched!!

Everywhere you looked there were Morris dancers;

The pubs and food places were very busy! We of course stopped for ice-creams and chips - was a bit wary at first of having these but it soon became apparent that my tummy approved! Well worth having that op the other week!!

At lunchtime we took our chips down to the beach - sitting as a side on the rocks and then heading down to the sea for a paddle;

The beach at Sheringham is lovely and sandy - the tide was out and the decision was taken to dance on the beach. I was a bit sad not to be able to do this but I was happily snapping away and another dancer has videoed it all and its on Youtube (Pretty Grim at Sheringham).

At the end of the day we all eventually made it back to the campsite - the shuttle bus service didn't happen and I thought I'd have to walk back up the hill in the heat. However my parents had chosen the same weekend to be on their hols in Sheringham and they wandered passed me queueing. Dad went and got his car and took me and some of the others (and the bbq food) back to the campsite!!

This morning I was first awake in our camp - probably something to do with having far less booze than everyone else!! It was warm in the tent so I sat in the porch crocheting and watching the world wake up;

I started this in hospital and it is growing slowly - when it is done it will be a Granny Chic string bag!!

Here's my little home for the weekend;

Today it was decided not to dance - we opted for a beach trip as a group - buckets and spades were found/bought and we wandered down to the beach. Another perfect day - blue skies, a gentle breeze on the beach and maybe another ice cream and chips were had!!

Happy feet on the beach - yes I know those legs are a bit pink - I forgot about them when I was putting suncream on this morning!!

We got home late afternoon - just in time for me to watch closing sets of the Men's Singles Finals with the boys - just great to finally see a British winner - there was much cheering from our sofa!!!

Right time to email some photos to friends, have a long soak in the bath and then settle down to watch The White Queen.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

A Ta-dah for Friday!

Good afternoon

I promised yesterday that I would show you my latest make once it had been handed over - well here it is. A blanket for a sister for her 40th birthday yesterday. I'd met her in the morning and handed over what she though were her pressies! I then spent a couple of hours yesterday afternoon frantically finishing her main pressie - a blanket. I started in plenty of time in the autumn but what with 'other' stuff it was debatable whether it would get finished on time - however there's nothing like a last minute panic to spur you on!!

The edges do lay flat when persuaded!!

My sister loved it :) However I've started something - the next sister hits 40 in 18 months time and apparently she needs one too! AND the other 3 will want them when it eventually gets to be their turn!!

This morning there was some good news - a mortgage has been sorted for the new house and I've been paid for lots of shop shifts. Therefore it meant only one thing - time to think about my next project - a blanket for my superking sized bed! I stood in the shop for ages trying to find a colour combination I liked - I knew I wanted just 3 colours this time and the plan is for a giant granny square in wide 4 or 5 round stripes.

The yarn I choose comes in huge 400g balls and its an aran with 20% wool so should be lovely and snuggly when its eventually finished. I knew straight away that the green had to be part of the colour palette and once I'd settled on the pink it was just a matter of the 3rd colour - thank goodness for lovely customers in the shop and my friend too - we settled on a tweedy petrol blue. Can't wait to see how this all looks once I get started. In fact I might just do that now!

Have a good weekend all - I'm off out on Sunday - lunch with friends and then dancing at a pub :) The boys are off to spend time with P and eat him out of house and home for a change!!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Ta-Dah Tuesday

Good morning 

Thank you lovely people for your comments on my last boys. All doing ok here and getting used to our new routine and its scary to say I am finally getting organised and the poor house is getting a good clean!

Anyhow its Tuesday and time for a Ta-Dah moment. I've mentioned that my baby sister and her husband are expecting their first baby is about 6 weeks time - though if baby is like her Mum with time keeping it will be a bit longer!!

I wanted to make something for them that would be useful and decided to make a blanket. I asked about colours and was told as bright and cheerful as I wanted - excellent - no pastels here.

I started off really well and managed the first 18 of 36 squares in no time at all but the final 18 and the boarder took much longer. I picked up my hook again over Christmas and finally finished it the day before a family get together to celebrate the birthdays of my Dad and 2 others sisters!

Here it is - both little sister and my brother-in-law loved it and I can't wait to see my new niece or nephew snuggled up under it;

The edging is made up of rounds of single crochet in my six favourite colours from the project;

Yes you can see loose ends - I took the photos first as the light was fading ;)

As well as this project I shall use this weeks Ta-Dah to share 3 lovely new blogs I've found with you - all well worth a look and all gorgeous;

Scarlet-Sometimes

Ladybird Diaries

Oh Crumbs!

Right this mug of coffee is empty so time for a refill and then to chase those boys of mind - they are supposed to be getting ready for school but I've a feeling they aren't!!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Ta-Dah Tuesday - Giant Granny is finished :)

Good morning

Just a quick post - I should be doing something else! However its sunny today and just enough good light for a picture of my giant granny square blanket that I finished this weekend. Oh yes Saturday afternoon rugby is ideal for this - one eye on the tv and another on the project!

53 rounds of trebles and 2 rounds of singles to neaten the edges and its done. Mostly in Stylecraft yarn and apart from the centre & edge all the colours are different. It started as a using up the odd bits project but grew - I now have more leftovers but that's fine as our families special baby due in March wants a colourful blanket!

Ta-dah

Its rather lovely to snuggle under on these chilly evenings. It will also come camping in Bertie with us next year I'm sure. We've got our first trip planned already - MrVV & I are off to Folkeast for the weekend together next August - first time I've ever persuaded MrVV to camp at festival!!

Oh if colourful is your thing then have a look here at the blog of a friend of mine - Scarlet-Sometimes - she's a colourful, clever lady who makes the most brilliant things and also renovates old caravans with her partner too.

Right - to the housework!!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Last bits of October news even if it is November!

Hello again :)

 I know 3 posts in 3 days, scary! Rest assured I can't keep this momentum up - just sometimes there are so many things I want to share with you.

Lets just get October finished with, firstly a mosaic for October;

The first toadstools, boot wearing time, dragonflies & spiderwebs, fairy houses, Halloween, crisp skies & fiery leaves, an icy storm and comfort food - I think that sums up October rather well doesn't it.

Last nights S&B session included Happy Birthday to a friend who claims to be 50 but actually looks a good 10 years younger. As a group we made her a wall hanging - all producing a square - here's mine;

And then individual pressies too;

A snugly infinity scarf in the perfect green for her.

I practised this at the weekend with one for me;

Very warm and snugly and unlike normal scarves they don't unwrap themselves or have ends that dangle annoyingly.

I think these three makes shall be my monthly makes for October - whilst I've been hooking away on two blankets as well I've yet to finish them - hoping at least one will be finished during November.

BTW - Little Son had a fab time yesterday - pumpkin carving, baking Halloween cakes and then an evening of trick or treating. He came home with a huge bag of sweets - should last him for weeks!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Thank goodness for Daniel Craig!

Good afternoon from chilly and damp Suffolk.

Thank you Daniel Craig - all 3 menfolk are big Bond fans and they've gone out together to a late afternoon showing of your new film 'Skyfall' - it means I get the house to myself and time to blog :)

The weekend started wintry;

Hailstones - least it wasn't snow AND they didn't last long.

In the afternoon MrVV & I went to Southwold for a walk and wander along the seafront. We stopped at the pier cafe (outside)  for a pot of tea for two - all rather civilised. Just as we'd finished drinking the heavens opened and we dashed into the arcades whilst the shower passed over. We had a quick play on the penny falls - amazing how long you can make 50p of tuppences last!

We wandered through the town on our way back to the car and I might have popped into a CS or two - just one thing - another Ladybird book for my collection - one of my childhood favourites;

I woke up at my normal time this morning and try as I might I couldn't get back to sleep - I thought I'd take advantage of the extra hour and get some crocheting done.

So far I've finished off 3 new dishcloths - I prefer these to the shop bought ones - easy to make and after I'd done a Granny Square one I thought I'd make a couple using other stitches - whilst I can Granny Square almost in my sleep I find other stitches require concentration. Since then I've started on a cowl scarf for me using a gorgeous Rowan Aran yarn I bought several years ago. I just need to sew the ends in and then I can take a picture - that will have to be tomorrow as already its getting dark - the downside to the hour change.

First thing this morning - the sky was blue and the rooftops were covered in frost - perfect for taking this weeks Autumn Views Challenge photos;

The trees and plants all have less leaves than last weekend - most of them are on the lawn waiting for a willing volunteer to rake them up - might see if a teenager wants to earn some money tomorrow!

Right time for more crochet I think - as well as my scarf there's at least 2 blankets on the go that I can add to for an hour or so till the menfolk come home.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Mondays Musings

Good evening

Well that's another week started then - honestly they are going by so quickly at the moment.

Today was the first day of 'back to normal' - MrVV at work, Little Son at school and Big Son finally started 6th form - he's been on hols since late June, he was more than ready to get back to using his brain.

I've been trying over the last few weeks to be more organised - this is week 3 and so far so good :) I right myself a task list for each day - some mundane and some nicer ones. Today's included more fruit shopping! Our local greengrocers has loads of English apples and plums for sale at the moment and they are rather lovely - as fast as I buy them they get eaten!!

Another item on the list was catch up on photo taking. I've joined a local Facebook selling page and its proving a good way of getting some extra pennies - working my way through the big pile of items I never got round to carbooting this summer!!

As well as those pics of course I found time for a couple of bloggy ones too;

The lovely Lucey from Lemonade Kitty is also a fellow Ladybird book collector and she responded when I had a couple of doubles to swap - here's what she sent me. Not one I'd seen before but its lovely and I was pleased to see a section about Ely Cathedral we visited last month in there too. Thanks Lucey :)

Right I promised a crafty catch up too. The squares from a previous post sat in a pile whilst I pondered what to do with them - I liked them but wasn't 100% happy. A quick look through Pinterest and Instagram gave me the answer. The white square was unravelled and I used the white to border the other squares. All 6 have been joined together and voila - the first 6 squares of a 36 square blanket;

I've got a while till this needs to be finished so there might not be much progress in the next few weeks. Instead I must crack on with making for the next fair. I've a huge list of ideas and pile of fabric so there is no excuse not to have loads to sell.

I mentioned at the beginning it was Big Sons first day at 6th form - he reluctantly posed for photos this morning - after all these years in school he knows the drill. Perhaps for his 18th birthday I can put them all together as a mosaic!!

He came home from school tonight shattered - so much to take in, new timetable, new classrooms, no rules and just the shock of a school day after so much time off!

Right time for me to have a wander around blogland and get caught up with everyone.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

Changing of the seasons

Good evening

Its that time of year again - the switch from Summer to Autumn - almost as soon the month started I noticed the dewy mornings and an invasion of eight-legged creatures in the house. Currently battling against the cobwebs - seems hit squad of spiders works faster than me!!

 This one has set up home in the garden - on one of the conservatory windows - just leaving him/her alone after all outside is where I'd prefer them to be!! The web is growing daily and there are little 'food' bundles in there which seem to disappear quickly!

These berries were on the honeysuckle that grows over the summerhouse - the birds have been happily feeding on them.

I was so pleased the other day when I found the perfect dandelion clock - just more proof of the 'wildness' that's taking over the garden!!

I spend ages the other day trying to get photos of the butterflies on one of our buddleia plants - they are so camera shy - eventually I managed this pic of a Red Admiral.

I mentioned that my crafting mojo has returned - am sure the cooler evenings make me want to find a hook & yarn and also some sewing.  Firstly a couple of felt christmas decorations towards next months fair;

and then - the first of a least 49 squares towards one of the blankets I'm making;

I am so glad I learnt to crochet - its been in my bag during both hospital trips this week - ideal for waiting around! Just wish I could have taken it into the MRI scanner - not the best experience - not keen on enclosed spaces especially as my head was clamped still! The ENT doctor thinks that it was a nasty attack of Labarintitis - I've a follow up appointment next spring just to check the progress, retesting my hearing and to let them know if I've had any further attacks.

Happily things seem to have settled down - a few giddy moments but nothing serious and they've soon passed. Back out & about and working in the charity shop again. We've been changing over the stock to Autumn things and despite the gorgeous sunshine we've been selling loads too :)

Right back to my Paralympic watching - I am in awe of these athletes and their abilities.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

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