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Tuesday 30 October 2012

Reasons to be cheerful ....

I've been busy Instagramming this week ... hope I'm not boring you with it, but I love it!  I'd just like to share a few images with you, of things that have been making me smile this last week ...


Dresser full of jam, awaiting labelling for the upcoming fairs


Slow cooking ... this particular one is shoulder of lamb with rosemary and garlic.  Mmmmmmm ...


The last roses of summer ... are they meant to still be flowering, when it's almost November?


Corner of my living room ... don't you just love the 'sunshine' tin sign? £7.99 from The Range! ... amazing value!


Ooh! I can't wait ...


Five minutes from hen to eggcup ...


and my girls enjoying their porridge before bedtime ...


Has anyone else discovered the vintage Colgate toothpaste in Home Bargains? Two for £1 and looks lovely on the bathroom shelf!


Cyclamens in a cracked Emma Bridgewater mug ...


and in a Lyle's Golden Syrup tin ... lots of treacle tins around at this time of year ... please don't throw them out! Use them to plant mini daffodils and muscaris in, or as pencil tins, utensil holders, etc ... the possibilities are endless!


Lovely colourful heather, welcoming by the front door ...


and a little before ...


and after ... my first attempt at upholstery! My Mam was a brilliant upholstress, and I used to go with her on the bus, often to the countryside, to measure and later to return and fit the lovely loose covers she'd made for the ladies cottage suites.  Unfortunately, I didn't inherit her immense talent, and sadly she died when I was young, so she wasn't able to pass her skills along to me. At the time I wasn't interested in sewing at all, my Mam always had the Singer out, working away, but I just took it for granted. I really wish I'd shown an interest then ...


and lastly, my autumn garden; the first cup of tea of the day (and the best!); Ruby; and the glorious russet cherry tree over the hedge.

I did have some more pictures to share with you, but my technophobia seems to be setting in and I can't download them for you ... will share them with you next time.

A big hello to all my lovely new followers ... there's always a big welcome at Thriftwood!

What's making you smile this week?

Enjoy your day ....

Love, Claire xxx



57 comments:

  1. Well your lovely blog made me smile this morning! The squirrel coming for his peanuts in my garden makes me smile, the fairy lights switched on around the summerhouse in late afternoon now the clocks have moved, and around various places in the house, they make me smile. And a lovely bowl of home made roasted squash soup, that makes me smile inside too!
    www.hometalesfromanorfolkbroad.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Ooh Maggie, that all sounds very lovely! Popping over to you now ... Xx

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  2. Hello Claire,
    Lovely photo's. The cyclamen in the tin looks lovely. I use mine as pencil holder but I think you've provided me with some inspiration. Have you seen the halloween treacle tins? I can't wait till mines empty so I put it to good use. Your chair looks wonderful, I love the hanging heart. Hope you have a lovely week.
    Ali x

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    1. Hello Ali, gad I've given you a bit of inspiration ... You're always inspiring me!

      Love, Claire xx

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  3. What a lovely post Claire ... so many lovely happy things ... your chair is very pretty and very impressive for your first attempt ... love the photo of the hens enjoying their porridge ... Bee xx

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    1. Hello Bee, thanks for your lovely comments ... always nice to see you! xx

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  4. Lovely post, loving the effects of the photos, wish I could come and visit in your lovely house :) Cyclamens are one of my favourites and definitely make me smile, love the chair :) x

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  5. A lovely blog post...made me happy. :) The Sun is out, my dog will be wanting a waggy walk. I am on holiday for the week...I will get some crochet done today...I have chicken and sweetcorn soup in the slow pot...ahhhh reasons to be cheerful. xxx

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    1. Lots of reasons Lucy! Hope you've enjoyed them all! xx

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  6. Lovely photos :) We still have roses in bloom too - a splash of colour in an otherwise increasing autumnal garden.

    Whats is your IG name? I'm an IG addict - my name on there is VickiMowe :)

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    1. Hello Vicki, it's thriftwood114, I've already followed you ... Love Instagram! xx

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  7. Oh my I love your photos ... and the instagram treatment is amazing!!

    xxx

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    1. Thank you Mellie, lovely of you to drop in! xx

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  8. What lovely cosy post.

    Love the tin sign I have a bit of a weakness for those!
    And a lovely splash of colour in your garden.

    The chair makeover is amazing! My mum has never been majorly into crafts although she has had a go over the years. I think I got my love for it from my nan. I wished we lived nearer to her when i was young so she could of taught me all her tricks. She got rid of her sewing machine a long time back and I think she struggles with even knitting now bless her.

    P x

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    1. Hello Paula, would be lovely if you share your signs with us ... xx

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  9. Loving your little snap shots Claire. Love the plants in the golden syrup tin, fab idea! Ooh and nothing beats homemade jam!
    Victoria xx

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  10. Gorgeous pictures Claire, love Instagram and it's convenience! Your 'new' chair is fab, well done you :) Hazel x

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    1. Thanks Hazel, hope you're enjoying your maternity leave ... Won't be long now! xx

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  11. Ooh I have discovered the vintage tooth paste by Colgate, courtesy of you Mrs Thriftwood!haha..
    Lovely pictures and you have been busy and I always love the ones of Ruby best!
    Your dear Mum has passed many blessings on to you Claire!
    See you soon.
    Love Maria x

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    1. Hi Maria, looking forward to next Tuesday! xx

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  12. Love your pictures. We will be at the Country Living Christmas fair on the same day, I wonder if we will bump into each other!

    : ) x

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    1. Ooh that would be lovely, Mrs H! We'll have to see if any more blog friends are going, we need a photo shoot! xx

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    2. oooh yes as long as I can stand at the back!

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  13. What a lovely post. I have roses too and would you believe it runner beans! I also picked more tomatoes from the greenhouse! Not bad since we also had snow last week! Can't be far away from you, as I am contemplating the Harrogate fair too! Also I love the Range picture- I need to go to the one in York , asap! What a good idea for the treacle tin, we love "sandpie" as my brother used to call it!

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  14. Hello Nana Cathy and welcome to Thriftwood! Have just popped over to you ... Harrogate is about 2 hours drive from me, so not as near as you I don't think, but a lot nearer than London or Glasgow! Nice to meet you ...

    Claire xx

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  15. That sign is a bargain! And I'm off to get me some Colgate! Lovely photos.

    Anna x

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    1. Thanks Anna ... Good luck with the Colgate, hope you get some! xx

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  16. Hi Claire, just found you on instagram I'm @mahanasally. I find when life gets so busy it's much easier to IG than blog! I love you upholstery skills, your mum would be so proud of you S:)

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    1. Thank you Sally, that's lovely of you! Am following you on IG, thanks for following me xx

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  17. Oops forgot to add that I love the "you are my sunshine" sign. It reminds me of my mum, dad used to sing it (well only the first verse), and we sang it at her funeral, since then it's taken on a whole new meaning. I think we actually changed the words for the second verse at it was too sad! S:)

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    1. Hello again Sally, I've just googled the lyrics, and the second verse is so sad, a lovely song for your mum though xx

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  18. Yay - lovely Instagram images Claire, they have a lovely aged appearance don't they. Love the chair too - did it take very long to do?
    Best wishes
    Jenny

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    1. Hi Jenny, I just slapped the old Annie Sloan on, waxed it, distressed a bit, then cut the material around the seat and tacked and glued it in. I was amazed at how easy it was, and now I'm on the lookout for more chairs like these ... Have gone off bedside tables!

      xxx

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  19. Wonderful pictures Claire,I'm off to my home bargains tomorrow to look for the vintage colgate :) love that sign too.XxXxlove julie

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  20. Thank you Julie ... Hope they've got some left! xxx

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  21. Hello Claire
    I love the jam on the dresser, I think you have made a wonderful job of the chair, some skills are passed on without you knowing, I am sure your Mum would be very proud... It must be lovely having fresh eggs from your girls they look very happy with themselves
    Happy Tuesday
    Thea x
    Thank you Claire for your sweet comments it is always a pleasure to hear from you.

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    1. Aw thank you Thea! My upholstering skills are nothing like my Mams, my kit consists of a glue gun, hammer and tacks ... No sewing machine involved, not to mention piping cord, hooks and eyes, and exact measurements!

      Take care and have a happy Halloween!

      Claire xx

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  22. Dear Claire,

    You have shared such a beautiful post today, all those gorgeous photos made me smile.
    Thanks for sharing... love the Sunshine sign, and seeing your sweet chickens having their porridge. How clever of you reupholstering the chair, great job!
    the roses, cyclamens and Heather are so pretty.
    Hope you have a lovely week
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  23. Hello Carolyn, it's lovely of you to pop in, and thank you for your lovely comments ... You're always welcome xx

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  24. Well to be your first attempt
    You were very good with the chair, Claire.
    I have one too, but not to be covered
    I decide, I'm afraid of being wrong!
    Love Susy x

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    1. Don't be afraid, Susy ... honestly, if I can do it, anyone can! Thanks for your lovely words

      Claire xx

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  25. Hello Claire, so many lovely things on your post today!! Your home looks so cosy and inviting and you always have lots of lovely tips to share!!

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    1. Hello Anne, thank you, you're very kind! You're always welcome to drop in if you're passing! xx

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  26. Claire, your home always looks so cosy and inviting, just the sort of home I like to pop over to, and have a cuppa! Ada :)

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    1. I'm always ready to share a pot of tea or two with a friend, Ada!

      xxx

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  27. Ohh I want to Instagram! I love the look of the photos. And yes the first cup of tea of the day IS always the best! xo

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    1. Beware, Instagram is very addictive! Thanks for dropping in, you're always welcome! xx

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  28. What a fabulous collection of images! The lamb stew sounds so good, and the eggs look fresh and tasty. Roses this late - how wonderful. And that chair looks marvelous. Good job! x

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    1. Aww, thank you Gillian, you're very kind! The stew was really good, the meat just fell apart and the potatoes were all mushy and crisp on top ... yum!

      Have a Happy Halloween ...

      Claire xx

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  29. Jolie photos!! :0) J`adore le coin de votre salon il est tres jolie!! :0)

    Merci de votre doux commentaire chez moi!!

    Bonne semaine!!
    xxx Maria xxx

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    1. Thank you so much Maria!

      Hope you have a lovely weekend xxx

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  30. Lovely blog! The photos on instagram have something special. I'm glad I found your beautiful blog, I follow you. Greetings from Spain. :o)

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    1. Thank you Sopa, a very warm welcome to Thriftwood! Hope you have a lovely weekend in sunny Spain!

      Claire xxx

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  31. Lovely post Claire ! Oh I think you don't realise but you have inherited your mams creative streak !! you did a lovely job on the chair! Love your chickens...I only had one but they have such characters don't they ? have a nice weekend...Gail x

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    1. Awe, thanks Gail, you're very kind, but my Mam used real tools like bradawls, pliers, hooks and eyes and a sewing machine ... Not a glue gun and tacks like me!

      Enjoy your weekend, hope you're going somewhere nice in your new top xxx

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I love to hear what you think of my ramblings and value all your comments ... I will try and get back to you, but am sorry if I don't always manage this ... sometimes real life just gets in the way! Claire xxx