Life is good ...

Happy Monday my lovelies! Isn't it great when everything's going well? I don't want to jinx anything here, but I'm in a really happy place at the moment, it could be because the sun is shining, the sky is blue, lalala ... I wish I could capture this feeling, pour it into a bottle, put a stopper in and tie with a dotty ribbon.  To be opened when things aren't looking so rosy ...

Last week Jacob came home for the weekend unexpectedly, but a lovely surprise and took me for lunch on the Sunday, as an early Mother's Day present, as he won't be here then.  He also bought me a beautiful mossy green alpaca throw, as a late birthday present ... I didn't take any pictures this week, so am just going to fill in the gaps with pretty pictures, so you don't get bored!

The Vintage Fair last weekend was a great success ... always a bit of an unknown quantity, a new fair and a new venue ... I sold all 5 pieces of furniture that I took with me, so need to be very busy with my paintbrush from now on, as I have 4 rather 'big' fairs scribbled onto the calendar. Millie 'helped' me at the fair ... kept me company and looked pretty while I lugged furniture around and dealt with the customers.  She is very good at fetching cups of tea and cake though.

My eldest, Oliver, has been very busy lately.  He is a DJ in his spare time and he and his friend have their own recording label and are doing very well. He had a gig at London at the weekend and it went very well so I've heard!

Me and Steve trundled along to Manchester to see Harry on Saturday, and let the train take the strain. Harry met us on the train at Salford and after a delicious Italian meal, he took us shopping ... I got 4 tea towels, and a couple of things for Millie, Harry got 4 carrier bagsful! We then went back to his room in Salford, changed his bed, hoovered his room and brought a big holdall of washing home with us, which he can collect when he comes home in a couple of weeks ... since when did summer break start before Easter? A grand day out though ...

Today, as it's so sunny, I'm going to get my paintbrush out and start to tackle the mountain of furniture currently stacked in Harry's room (sssssh!).

This post is a bit random, and I apologise if you're struggling with it ... the pictures bear no connection whatsoever to the words I'm churning out ...

I sincerely hope that life is treating you and yours well too, and if you are going through a bad patch, that light will be seen at the end of the tunnel very soon. If I don't 'see' any of you before, have a wonderful Mother's Day, whether with your children as a mother, or with your own mothers ... and for those of you who can do no more on Mothering Sunday than place flowers by their lovely Mam's picture, I'll be thinking of you ...

Have a wonderful week,

Love Claire xxx

And I know it's gonna be, a lovely day ...

Hasn't the weather been just beautiful. my lovelies? I've got a smile on my face and a spring in my step, the window-cleaner's been and life is good!

I walked down the stairs this morning, and for the first time this year, it just felt like Spring (even though it's not official yet!) ... there was a glimpse of daffodils and the air felt warm ... I just had to record the moment.

March has been very busy so far ... at the very beginning, it was my birthday and I was a very lucky girl, my family and friends know me so well, and I got loads of things that I need and use, but also some lovely things that are just luxurious and lovely to have ...

like two of the new Emma Bridgewater rose and bee mugs  Aren't they just perfect? Pretty, robust and with roses on too ... what more could you want ... a bit of cake maybe?

Well, my Millie came up trumps and made me not just any birthday cake, but my childhood favourite cake! Pineapple Upside Down Cake, served with custard ... just the thing you need after a day of celebrating (hic!) with your sister and lifelong friends.

It was Ruby's birthday yesterday she's now 9 years old (63 apparently!) but still acts like a silly puppy ... here she is wearing her lovely new spotty birthday collar.

The chickens have started tentatively laying again, after having a Gap Year (yes, really!) but think they're going to have to pull their socks up a bit ...

A thimble would have been more appropriate, I think!

They've been enjoying the sunshine too, and digging up the beginnings of summer's blooms ... they may be banished from the back garden!

I've been busy upcycling furniture, and as it was such a lovely day, thought while I had it outside, it was the perfect opportunity to set up a photo shoot.  I've got some fairs coming up, so it's good to let people know what sort of things you'll be turning up with.

I found this adorable tray on my travels a couple of weeks ago ... do you all remember Betsy Clark? I had forgotten all about her, and then yesterday I found a chopping board.  Isn't it strange how you don't see anything for years, and then they all appear at once?

I think that's enough excitement for one day, so I'll love you and leave you ...

Love Claire xxx

I've got a little something for ya ... The Results!

I got up this morning, knowing I had something very important to do ... silly me! I put the wrong date on the giveaway, but did say in a week's time and on the Tuesday ... so I dug out my old hat and put the names in ... actually I did neither of those things, I sought out a Random Number Generator on Google, and wait for it ... roll of drums, clash of cymbals ...

Just thought I'd leave you in suspense a little longer, and remind you what the prize is! One of my hand-sewn pictures, personalised to your liking, with whatever, name, phrase or song lyric you choose.

Drum roll again please ...

And the winner is ...

Number 7 ... my very favourite number! (Sorry for the blurriness!)  let's count down the list and that is ...

Gill from Dosie Rosie!

Please email me your address my lovely, and let me know what you'd like, and I'll get on with it for you.

I'm decorating my kitchen at the moment, and attempting some sewing too, so hopefully I'll be back later in the week with the outcome of both ...

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

Love Claire xxx