I've got a little something for ya ...

Hello my lovelies! As a gesture of thanks to all of you, for being so loyal, kind and ... well, just amazing, I'd like to give away one of my little pictures ... hand stitched with love!

You can choose what it says, and it doesn't have to be for you if you are the winner, you could dedicate it to someone else, the choice is all yours!

All I ask is for you to leave a comment below, and I'll pick the winner out of a hat in a week's time on Tuesday March 5. That way, there will be plenty of time for me to make and post it to you, if you want the picture for your Mum for Mother's Day.

Until then I'll love you and leave you ...

Love Claire xxx

I'm in the mood for love ...

Happy Valentine's Day, my lovelies! Hope you've been pierced by Cupid's arrow ...

As I think I may have already mentioned, me and Steve aren't really into the lovey doveyness of Valentine's Day ... haha, every day is Valentine's in our house, but hey, what better excuse for hearts and flowers abounding, and a Marks & Sparks meal deal?

On a recent jolly to Kendal, I found some lovely old postcards in an antique shop ... ooh, the glamour!

Sorry for the blurry image, but the little girl with evil features and scary doll is saying "There isn't a word (I've looked right frough) that says how much I'm in love wif you!"

This sweet little image comes from an old autograph book I found on my travels - "I ain't nobodys sweetheart yet"

Lurrrve this song!

True love of the highest order - "I love you more than chocolate"!

and in the immortal words of Whitney, "Owl always love you" ...

I hope that the recipients of my customer's orders are pleased with their presents, given with much thought and love ...

I've got a busy day ahead, going to make some 'hearty' soup ...

and a cake for my loved ones ...

take the dog for a walk to the beach ...

and re-organise my cupboards! This is my latest find, I don't have a before picture but believe me, you wouldn't want it spoiling the Valentine's Day loveliness! It was grim ...  I spent the whole day cleaning and painting it. I love it, but it is replacing a closed cupboard which was full to the ginnels of  'stuff' (about ten years worth of Country Living magazine), so if it stays I really need to downsize my belongings!

Google, thank you!

And lastly, I'd just like to say a big THANK YOU to all my lovely blogging friends! It's Thriftwood's second anniversary on 17th February, and I feel that I have made true friends ... the loyalty, friendliness and support I've received has been amazing ... I love to read your kind comments and emails, and look forward to continuing our blogging journey together ...

Well, I'll love you and leave you my darlings, and have a fabulous Valentine's Day!

Love Claire xxx

Bits n pieces ...

Good morning my lovelies! How are we all on this bright February morning? I'm being slightly optimistic there ... it's rather grey and dull at the moment, but it is only 8 am, there's time left to shine ... (I always was a glass half full kind of girl). Could I just take a minute to thank you all for your kind comments on Tuesday, they really mean a lot to me, you know.

We seem to be heading towards Spring if everything in the garden is to be believed ... the snowdrops started the parade, and are now being closely followed by the daffodils, hyacinths and crocuses.  I'm not going to be lulled into a false sense of security though, by this display of showy blooms ... I think winter hasn't had the last word just yet!

I've had a lot of commissions lately for my little hand-sewn pictures, especially as Valentine's Day and Mother's Day are just around the corner, and I have 3 to do this weekend.  I also have a standard lamp to paint and revamp, also for a customer, so things are ticking along nicely and I've got several fairs on my calendar, so I'm going to be very busy, which is what I love! While the weather is bad, I like nothing better than to put some good music on, make a big pot of tea, and settle down either with my paintbrush or needle and thread ... the weather can do its worse, I'm in my little bubble ...

Things that are making me happy this week are ... thrifty finds! My little house, above, came from Tesco ... from the Christmas clearance shelves ... it gives a lovely glow, and I don't think it should be locked away until next Christmas, do you? (It was £2 ... shhh!).

Another good find were these lovely jugs (oooh, Mrs!) which I found in a local charity shop ... they weren't cheap by my usual standards, but I'd sold a lot of pictures that week! They were £8 for the pair, but just look so lovely filled with tulips, and brighten the bleak outlook of my kitchen window.

Before Christmas we decorated the hall ... it was long overdue, and my niece's boyfriend came and painted everywhere a pale cream which really brightened it up.  I still felt something was missing though and on a trip to Harrogate, popped into Cath's shop, and took home a sample of the Garden Birds wallpaper.  I kept telling myself it was too expensive, and not thrifty at all, but I was sent a voucher and got 20% off and free delivery, which wasn't to be sniffed at! I absolutely love it because it has an old, comfortable feel to it, and looks like it's always been there ... which if you know me at all, that is exactly the look I try to achieve! Ruby likes it too ...

My magazines dropping through the door (bought using Tesco clubcards vouchers, naturally) are always a welcome sound ... and look what was featured inside ...

my lovely new wallpaper! I do love it very much ...

What are you all up to this weekend? I do love to know, you know! I'll be catching up with you all in my teabreaks ...

Lots of love, Claire xxx

Scattered pictures, of the smiles we left behind ...

Alive in our hearts forever ...

My lovely Mam

23 June 1932 - 4 February 1974

Remembered with love and never forgotten ...

Love, Claire xxx