The look of love

Oh yes that day is almost upon us - the day florists, chocolate shops & card sellers sit back & rub their hands with glee & watch the money roll in! Cynical aren't I!

We've been out today to Norwich and my goodness the shops were stuffed red this & valentines that - some tasteful and some definately not.

However there is a hint of Valentines spirit here in the VV household - it started with these (made by me);

and then the one of these (again made by me);

and lastly I found this silk rose in the CS the other day & have attached a pin to the back to make a brooch;

I wonder what tomorrow will bring for us all - chocolates, flowers, cards or just a lovely day??

xxxx Vicki xxxx

Just Thursday

Will this winter ever end?  I can't remember one like it - seems we've had snow/frost almost every day since the middle of December.  I have a real longing now for wearing sandals and a lot less layers.

Despite the best efforts of the weather to scupper S&B group last night - it went ahead.  We're now a group of over 20 regulars - with about 15 of those there last night.  Have to blame the icy roads for putting those living out of the town in more rural areas off.

A real mixture of skills and abilities. One lady who came last night is a brilliant knitter but wanted help learning to use a sewing machine.

I'll have to be honest - lots of nattering does go on but even with that I was able to finish another square for my blanket.

One of the things we all do is bring craft books to share and inspire. I was lent this book by a sister (an amazing knitter);

Haven't actually uttered those words yet - but the phrase 'Wait till I've finished my row' is becoming increasingly used in this house!!

Lots of stuff in there and loads of pictures - my favourite is this one - perhaps its a Peruvian S&B group?;

Right the half term holidays start in about 1/2 an hour when the boys come in. Lots planned including big son going on a scout camp for the weekend - rather him than me.

BTW - thanks for all the birthday wishes & comments yesterday - he had a great day.

Tiil next time

xxxx Vicki xxxx

Another day - another birthday :)

Yep, we reached another birthday here in the VV household, this time its the turn of big son, who is 14 today.

From this little baby who fitted nicely onto Daddy's lap;

Via a cute little boy who was obsessed with tractors & trains;

Growing into a huge lanky teenager with an enormous appetite, a big smile and wicked sense of humour;

Blowing out the candles on his Top Gear inspired car (made by me)- note the Lamborgini car (stolen from his room) and gingerbread & fondant icing Stig (made by little son);

As he's off out tonight to test his badminton raquet it means I can escape to S&B group for more nattering and knitting :)

See you soon

xxxx Vicki xxxx

A hint of colour

Good evening

Well the weekend started with such promised - when the VV household eventually woke (quite late) on Saturday we were treated to a sunbeam peaking round the curtains. 

As it was so nice little son & I decided to walk into town to collect a newspaper and few forgotten pieces of shopping.  We called into the florists as the sunshine was making me long for more colour - opted for these mini-daffs which since the pic was taken have bloomed even more, bringing much needed sunshine into my kitchen. Thought they'd look even better in my cs cornishware bowl;

The boys all planned a cycle ride for after lunch as the weather was so nice.  Off they set leaving me with a quiet house to myself.  After a little while I wandered off upstairs to collect more wool and I happened to glance out of the window - oh dear - thick mist had decended.  They arrived home much quicker than planned having cut their ride short :(

Another hint of colour in the kitchen this weekend has been my gorgeous new silicone bun cases from £land - I bought one set to test and a lovely sister got me some more in the week;

Sunday  morning we were all up early & dressed as we were heading out for breakfast a treat to big son who is 14 later this week.  He choose to head to the FarmCafe @ Marlesford which is brilliant for a special treat - expensive but still cheaper than having a house full of 14 year old boys which was the alternative. I forgot to take my camera so there are no pics of him devouring his full english breakfast :(

I have been plodding on with 20 minutes of crafting - the knitted blanket now consists of 18 squares sewn together with another 2 ready to sew on.  When I've got this next band finished I will pop another photo on. I've also been planning a couple of sewing projects as I've more birthdays coming up and want to make things towards those - oh the joys of a big family!

See you later in the week.

xxxx Vicki xxxx

Friday again

The end of another week has arrived already - at this rate it will be Christmas again before we know it! and I still won't have booked a campsite for our summer hols!

Lots of boring domestic stuff has happened this week - mainly coz its an excellent way of keeping warm. My sewing room is probably the coldest place in the house other than MrVV's office.  I did manage to spend some time up there and have made the start on a patchwork cover for a cushion;

I was wondering what to border and back it with - I'd hunted through my fabrics and not found a piece big enough. I'd nearly given in and gone to the haberdashery shop to buy some when I called into the charity shop and found a perfect offcut of Laura Ashley fabric :) So hopefully I'll get it all put together next week and I'll have 2 out 4 cushions recovered.

Little son & MrVV have been brewing again - this time cider.  In order to avoid the problems we had with the beer it moved into the aircupboard straight away - whilst it takes up space it does make it smell really nice in there;

They even pinched my fridge thermometer to make sure that it is warm enough for it - honestly it gets better treatment than me somedays!! Little son has appointed himself as chief-checker and tells me that it should be ready for bottling hopefully this weekend and then ready for drinking by the end of the month :)

I've been out today with my friend Country Girl - we headed somewhere we'd never been before but had heard good reports about.  It was a cross between a carboot sale/2nd hand shop/antique centre with an attached coffee shop.  It is run by a co-operative of sellers who all take turns in maning the shop.  There was everything in there from vintage bedding to 70's party frocks via floral china and of course books.  I was for once rather spoilt for choice for Ladybird books - there were so many that I'd have loved to bring home with me.  In the end I settled for 3 more Well-loved tales & 2 more from the nature series;

I have a feeling we shall be heading there again as the stock is constantly changing.  Today as it was raining we virtually had the shop to ourselves but it is in one of those places that come the warmer weather will be busy with daytrippers and holidaymakers.

Another busy weekend is looming - boys are hoping for sunshine so they can all go off on their bikes and I'd like to make a start on tidying the garden.  We're off out on Sunday for a meal to celebrate big son's 14th birthday (which is actually in the middle of next week but school gets in the way).

See you next week

xxxx Vicki xxxx

Thrifty Tuesday

Good afternoon

Is warmer but wetter here in Suffolk today and I nearly came straight home after I'd visited my grandparents this morning. I am so glad I didn't - the charity shops came up trumps today :)

Firstly 2 TG Green Cornishware basins - perfect for baking and just looking gorgeous with bulbs in;

Oh and the little strawberry cruet set too - all 3 things for just £3 :)

On to the church charity shop - this is a wonder aladdins cave of stuff - you really have to rummage.

More coloured knitting needles and another Ladybird book and

An almost full wooden reel of cotton in a very springtime yellow :)

Thankyou for all the comments on yesterdays post. It is great being part of a big family - never short of someone to go out with or just have a coffee & a natter.  Ok so when we were small there was fighting and arguing afterall we were normal - however I also remember lots of fun - sharing of books & toys.  This has continued now though we now share cooking tips, charity shop finds, homemade pressie swaps and of course clothes.  In fact one of my lovely sisters passed on a dress to me today too - she bought it in the sales but when she got it home she realised it wasn't her but would suit me to the ground.  A fair swap for the vintage coat I gave to her a few weeks ago :)

Off to keep another one of my new year resolutions - the bathrooms need lifting into a state of less messy ;)

See you soon

xxxx Vicki xxxx

Knitting, crafting and an award :)

Good evening

The day is ending better than it started - think cold, Monday morning, 3 hormonal males and a Mum with PMT!  However calm has been restored - thank goodness for baking!  Ok confess who else likes cookie dough??

I did get into town today and bought more wool towards my squares blanket;

I've also started to sew together the first squares I knitted - I wasn't sure about including all of them as they are real beginners squares full of mistakes and wonky bits. However I have decided to include them as the blanket will show my progression from complete beginner to improver :)

9 squares are now sewn together - depending on the eventual size, it means only 112 left to knit/sew together. I guess I'll get quicker as I progress.

One afternoon as part of the 20 minutes crafting, I made this padded strawberry from the Sew Pretty books;

I've got loads of small pieces of red/pink fabric so it will be getting some friends soon.

I've been given an award by Catherine @ Kids & Capers;

The condition of accepting the award is to pass it on to 5 people and to list 5 things I like doing;

1. Baking - I find it a great way to relax with the added benefit that theres something scrummy to eat at the end of it!

2. Picnics at the beach;

3. Camping - either as a family or with friends.

4. Music especially live music.  Am a latecomer to music festivals. Past 3 summers I've been to Latitude which is held about 20 minutes up the road from me.  Am hoping I'll be there this summer too accompanied as usual by little son who shares my love of live music;

5. Spending time with my siblings.  I'm the eldest of 7 children - ranging from me nearly 40 to my brother who is nearly 23.  Its not often we all get together - infact I couldn't find a picture of the 7 of us only one of us 6 girls out for a meal to celebrate someones birthday (me in the top left hand corner);

I need to pass this award on to 5 people - never an easy choice - so I wrote the names of all of the blogs I follow on slips of paper and these ones were the first 5 out;

Country Girl @ http://myeastcoastlife.blogspot.com/

Bellaboo @ http://bellascountry.blogspot.com/

Bekimarie @ http://bekisbloggybits.blogspot.com/

Lissylou @ http://lissylouandthe2littleboys.blogspot.com/

and last but not least

Sarah @ http://sarah-redgingham.blogspot.com/

Here's hoping that calm returns for the rest of the week.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx