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

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