The North wind doth blow ...

Good morning, my lovelies! Well, it's a grey blustery Tuesday here on my little island ... but do you know, I quite like days like this nowadays. I always thought, that if I was asked, I would say that Winter was my least favourite season, but if it was forever Summer, we wouldn't be able to batten down the hatches, snuggle down and just potter about, would we?

I work from home, so am lucky that I don't have to brave the weather if I don't need to ... apart from a brisk walk with Ruby, I can put on my paint-splattered clothes, play my favourite music and just get on with it ... if the sun is shining though, it's very easy to get distracted! I bought a very dirty, forlorn dresser from a furniture warehouse for £30, brought it home with the intention of upcycling it, then selling it on ... somehow it found its way into my home ... the perfect fit for a wide alcove that I'd given up hope of ever filling ....

When I'm not working, I like nothing better than just faffing about, filling teacups and other containers with spring bulbs, they really make a difference to the 'feel' of a room, don't you think?

I've rediscovered my love of crochet ... I'm still a very basic crocheter, and even though I've been doing it since I was a child my grannies never seemed right! I've joined two lovely crochet classes and  after all these years I've mastered the art and started filling my home with granny squares galore ... however, some never make it to my sofa, my last two blankets were snatched up by two of my sons, so one blanket now resides in Leeds and the other in Salford!

My son's girlfriend gave us this lovely basket for Christmas, filled with lots of amazing presents for the whole family ... it really is huge and just the thing for all those projects ... most of the things I've made are practical, like blankets and cushion covers

but some are just for fun!

I made this little heart wreath one wet and windy Sunday afternoon ... all credit must be given to Lucy at Attic24 blog, her tutorials are amazingly easy to follow ... if I can do it, anyone can!

Our family has increased with the arrival of four new girls ... meet Nellie, Peggy, Dolly and Minnie, our lovely rescue hens! They have settled in really well, and knock on the kitchen door if their porridge is a bit slow to be delivered.

They pay for their keep by giving us the most amazing, sunflower-yolked eggs every day, and I'm so glad that we decided to have hens in our lives once again.  I really missed their reassuring clucking and manic running when a bag was rustled anywhere near them ...

Dotty has been earning her keep too ... while a little too cold just yet to sit in and crochet (and when the wind is blowing, it really does feel as though you are going to take off) she has been turned into a very beautiful shop, and held a few Sunday sales ...

It really won't be long until Spring blusters her way into our lives, with all her pretty colours and new beginnings ...

but until then, I'm going to enjoy a few more candlelit baths ...

and snuggle up on the sofa with a new magazine and a mug of hot chocolate ...

amidst dimmed lighting and warmth ...

safe in the knowledge that the best is yet to come ...

Enjoy the last few weeks of winter my lovelies, don't fight it, just give in to it ... embrace it, welcome it with open arms,  and most importantly,  make the most of it ...

With much love, Claire xxx

Stormy Weather ...

Happy August, my lovelies ... how on earth did that happen already?

Well, my garden sale was an absolutely fabulous event made so by the wonderful people who dropped in ... it was a meeting place for old and new customers alike and also of course, friends and family. £130 was also raised for NW Air Ambulance, just from donations in lieu of an admittance fee, so thank you all so much.

Saturday dawned bright and sunny, so I got up early and started lugging furniture around ... I had several big pieces: 3 dressing tables; a Dutch Dresser and plate rack, as well as the usual smaller items of chairs, side tables, etc.

Once the furniture was in place I was able to do my favourite thing ...  tittivate!

Even Dotty got a makeover and she was decorated with vintage teasets, old board games and annuals (anyone else remember Princess Tina?) ... there wasn't a moment in the day when there wasn't someone in there, oohing and aahing over everything and singing along to the LP's being played on Millie's vintage record player.

On Sunday, it was a bit cloudy, but I got on with it and it was a bit easier as everything that had been packed away related to a certain area of the garden.  At ten o'clock on the dot, I stood back and surveyed the scene ... I thought it looked even better than the day before ... I opened the gate ready for the visitors and the heavens opened! It was coming down so heavily I couldn't even attempt to bring anything in until it calmed down a bit.

On cue, my lovely friend Ruth arrived, and we swabbed everything down with old towels and wrung out the upholstery on my chair seats.  The rain came periodically throughout the day, and whilst not as busy as Saturday was still a good day with more lovely people coming through the gate, and some returning for a second visit! I'm sorry I haven't taken any pictures of the customers ... it was so busy I really didn't have the time and all my photos are taken beforehand.

We also had the pleasure of the company of the amazing Miss Becki Fishwick, who serenaded the shoppers on Sunday afternoon. Such a shame we didn't have the beachgoers passing by as we had the day before ...

My stock is now at an all time low, so a great excuse to go treasure-hunting once more! I can actually move in the house, and when Steve returns to work next week, I'm going to give the house a bit of a Spring Clean (well better late than never!) and revamp. Last week I took it easy after all the excitement, and as Steve is off work we've just been pottering about, doing jobs that need doing, and Steve's birthday was on Friday so I made him a cake that I'd been itching to try out after seeing it on t'internet. Didn't turn out quite as imagined but it tasted delicious, which is all that matters really!

Anyway, I'll love you and leave you my lovelies, until next time! Thanks for dropping in, you're always welcome ...

Love, Claire xxx

PS: I really need to get a wriggle on ... Betty the Wood Fairy's swap is due in soon ... will reveal all in due course xxx

Am I only dreaming?

Good morning, my lovelies!

This is where I'm writing to you from today ... and no, before you ask, I'm not on my jollydays although it does feel like it ...

Come on in ... kick off your shoes, and I'll give you a tour ...

Meet Dotty ... our new family member, and already much-loved ...

This is my favourite place to sit and watch the world go by ...

Room to relax ...

Another cosy corner ..

and Ruby, photobombing my pretty pictures! She's settled in very well, and I can often find her in here, getting away from it all ...

Time to put your feet up, and enjoy the ride (although we aren't going anywhere!) ...

Floral loveliness abounding ...

My treasures all fit in so effortlessly ...

And life really is just a bowl of cherries! 

This dream of mine, to have a caravan in the garden, has been harboured for ever ... ever since I was a little girl and used to visit a family friend's caravan by the sea.  A bolt hole, somewhere to think and dream, to be creative or just simply to laze about in, doing nothing. Somewhere that is home, but not in the house ... but not properly outside either. 

This dream has been made a reality by a lovely lady called Gillian. She remembered that about a year ago, I had been enquiring on Facebook if anyone had an old caravan I could buy, for a project in the garden.  I wasn't lucky as the replies were all too expensive, too big, or just not what I was looking for.  When passing a possible candidate parked at the roadside, I would screech to a halt, leap out and look for phone numbers, but it was never to be.  Until now, and I'm so, so glad that I waited! Gillian contacted me, saying she was selling her caravan and would I like to look at it.  She mentioned it was green with white spots, and decorated in Cath Kidston style.  All I can say is Gillian is not prone to exaggeration and I was flabbergasted when I saw Dotty for the first time, and when  the door was opened I was in seventh heaven! Steve took down the measurements and we then had to come home and measure the space we had available.  I knew that if she didn't fit through the gates that was the end of it ... with about 6 inches to spare on each side, Dotty was eased into position on our drive on Sunday evening.  We are busy removing raised beds on the veggie plot to finally position her as we can't get through our front door with ease any more!

Everyone who comes to see Dotty says "you've been busy, when did you get her"? and can't believe that she was already like this ... she is just perfect for my taste ... I had even painted a little step stool green with white spots only last week ... and my cushions match the roller blinds! I have been introducing small items, but can't go mad as yet, as Dotty has to be moved, so I will only have to empty her again.  There is loads of storage but I am determined that she doesn't become like my craft room ... too full to open the door! My craft room can now be tidied and sorted as my old Singer can now reside in Dotty ... a perfect place to sit and sew ...

Dreams can come true ... and thank you so much Gillian for making mine happen ... I know we are going to have many, many happy years with Dotty! 

Love, Claire xxx

PS: Thank you all for your lovely greetings and comments on Tuesday! We had a wonderful day with family and friends and the sun shone, so it was just perfect ... thanks again xxx