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

My crazy busy life ...

Phew, what a week that was! I'm a bit glad it's over and done with, I couldn't cope with all that malarkey for very long, I don't think ... I got the keys for my little shop, Thriftwood Vintage, 11 days ago ... and opened 7 days later! That week was spent lugging furniture, stock and all manner of things to the shop at the crack of dawn (before the hairdressers below started work, because I didn't want to be jeopardising their customers) and after tea, late into the night. But I did it ...

I bought a bright orange pine plate rack from a furniture warehouse, and after we had been delayed by half a day by a very inconvenient power cut, Steve drilled it to the wall for me ... and that was my starting point.  I then painted it very quickly with Annie Sloan Country Grey, and filled it with vintage loveliness and fairy lights.  The decor in Thriftwood Vintage is a bit gloomy, and with no time to paint I decided that 'mood' lighting was a must! So lamps and fairy lights have made a big appearance ... my home is looking very sparse now!

 

A Christmas corner has been created, complete with tree, ice skates, stockings and a pile of vintage toys and games under the tree.

I have had to be inventive in maximising display opportunities ...

The green garden bench has also been giving a new home for the time being! 

Mince pies, carrots and a message for Santa ...

But best of all were all the lovely customers, friends and family, who dropped in to say hello ... thank you so much for all your good wishes, they mean so much to me!  Everything happened so quickly that I didn't have time to think and now my old friend Doubt is creeping in ... I know I've done the right thing because this chance will never happen again, and I would have always had regrets if I hadn't taken the plunge and forever wondered "what if?", but I wouldn't be me if I didn't worry ... really I have nothing to lose at this stage, and if I do decide it isn't working, I can just pack it all up again ...  I really hope that doesn't happen though.

As if that wasn't enough excitement for one week, me and Millie set off on Friday to Harrogate to The Country Living Fair.  I have a new phone that I haven't quite got the gist of yet, so am just using it for Facebook on the run, and taking photos ... I think I've managed to download one so for now that's all you're getting, my lovelies!

Rachelle & Tracy

For the second time I met blogging royalty Rachelle from Ted & Agnes blog and Tracy from Olive and Harry blog (combined, their stall was called Olive and Agnes).  We had arrived there too late to book onto their Liberty wreath making session, but when they'd finished we found their delightful stall, full of their unique bits and pieces. We had a lovely chat about crocheting, sewing, dogs,  my new shop (Rachelle had seen me mention it on Facebook!) Rachelle's new book, and of course, her last book ...

Thank you Amazon! 

It really was like chatting to old friends, they were so lovely, even though I was a little starstruck and giddy, and when we walked away, Millie said "that's made your day hasn't it?" and do you know, I think it had ...

I really need to get back to earth with a big bump, and start sorting out Christmas ... I hope you all have a quiet, peaceful week, and don't forget, if you're in the area, there'll always be a big welcome at Thriftwood Vintage!

Thriftwood Vintage

221 Rawlinson Street

(above Hairport)

Barrow-in-Furness

Cumbria LA14 1DW

Opening Times

WEDNESDAY 9.30-3PM

FRIDAY 10-4.30PM

SATURDAY 10-4.30PM

Have a wonderful, peaceful week, my lovelies ... looking forward to catching up with you all!

Love, Claire xxx

All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey ...

Well, that's September done and dusted for another year! It's funny,  the melancholia has just lifted ... it's like this every year ... all the changes have happened, not without a bit of drama, admittedly, but all sorted now, as far as we are able, and everyone's getting on with their new routines.

For the first time in it seems like ages, me and Steve got up early on Sunday morning, with the intention of calling in at a car boot sale at Ulverston, on the way to Windermere, where we were heading to pick up some much-needed Annie Sloan paint.  Just as I was approaching Ulverston, I saw a sign advertising my favourite car boot sale, which I hadn't realised was on.  I bought the lovely little English Bull Terrier dog there ... to think I almost missed him!

When we got back I set to with my tins of paint and started upcycling.  I forgot to photograph the mirror above and the table/side cupboard below before their makeover ... just believe me, they were in a very dire state!

This is a lovely sewing chest which I upcycled a while ago ... the outside was absolutely appalling, filthy, cracked vinyl ... when you opened it, it was lined with the most beautiful, vintage fabric!

I have a fair few Vintage events coming up, so the paintbrush is always out! My evenings are spent making crochet brooches and embroidered pictures, as my stall needs stocking up for the big 'C' (spoken in a whisper) events ...

Just a quick post today, my lovelies, I promise to be back soon, but my lunch is calling ... Butternut Squash and Peanut soup ... recipe below if you'd like it ... just the ticket for days when there's a chill in the air ...

Butternut Squash & Peanut Soup

2 large Onions

1 large Butternut Squash

Carrots

Peppers

2 tins chopped tomatoes

(any other red, yellow, orange veg you want to add!)

Finely chopped chillis, ginger and garlic

2 chicken or veg stock cubes

Smooth Peanut Butter

Sweat the onions in olive oil until cooked, add the chillis, ginger and garlic and continue to cook for a few minutes ... then add all the rest of the ingredients (chopped or diced) and bring to the boil.  Simmer for up to 40 minutes, then cool.  Blend until smooth and add a dollop of peanut butter, and heat through to melt.  Serve with a swirl of cream and lots of crusty bread and butter.

I've been quite loose with the quantities, but this does make a lot ... I decant it into takeaway boxes and freeze it so I have it handy in the right portion size.  I haven't met anyone who doesn't like this ... you can just leave the peanut butter out if someone has a peanut allergy, and it could be added separately to individual bowls and stirred in. It's actually very versatile, curry powder can be added, it can be topped with croutons or grated cheese ... the possibilities are endless!

Bon Appettit!

Oh yes, before I forget, me and Millie are a bit excited ... have booked tickets on a coach to Harrogate for the Country Living Fair at the end of November ... oooh, we're madly saving up for afternoon tea at Betty's!!

Have a lovely week, won't you?

Love, Claire xxx

Riding along in my automobile ...

Thank you all for the good wishes for the Vintage Pop-up Shop last Saturday ... it was a great day and I sold a good few things so went home lighter in car and not pocket, as I was very good, and for the first time ever, didn't buy anything!

When I got home we had to unload the car straight away, to reload it with Harry's University stuff, because we were heading off to Salford, first thing Sunday morning.  You may be aware of my fear of driving long distances, it has been recorded on this very blog, so my little sis was kindly doing the honours.

Sunday morning dawned bright and sunny (thankfully!) and we made our way to Helen's, where we swapped seats and the trip began.  There were four of us, me, Helen, Steve and of course the studious one, Harry.  Plus all his worldly goods.  (It's amazing what you can get in a Micra).

courtesy of Google - thank you!

We had been travelling along for about an hour and a half and Helen remarked how well the car was doing (it was a big day out for Minnie Micra, she only ever travels ten miles away at the most) when suddenly she said, "your oil light's just come on", Steve said "I put oil in this morning", next moment she said that it was losing power, and pulled onto the hard shoulder.  Smoke started to come from the bonnet and I had a bit of a flap.  I think I'm calm in a crisis if I'm the only one there to deal with the situation, but if there are more grown-up people around, I crumble a bit and hope they'll deal with it ... I panicked again when Helen asked me if I had breakdown cover ... I couldn't for the life of me remember if I had, but fumbled around with my phone looking for a likely number.  I found one, but when I rang it was an obsolete number.

To cut a long story a bit shorter, I then rang my insurance company to ask if I was covered, and they put me through to the RAC.  I was explaining what happened when my phone went dead.  Helen wasn't impressed with my lack of organisation (I have had a lot on, and didn't think to charge my phone, as I didn't think I'd need it) so we used hers.  Luckily I did have cover (there is a God, after all!) and the RAC duly arrived.

Google

I only had cover to take us to one destination so we had to decide whether to go to Salford, where I would have to then dispose of the car as it was dead, (RIP Minnie, you've been a good and faithful friend, but you certainly chose your moment) or have it taken back to a depot and arrange its disposal afterwards.  Harry said that he'd get a taxi to Salford on his own, and we could just go home.  Of course Mammy wasn't having any of that so it was arranged  that me, Steve and Harry would get a taxi to Salford and Helen would go back with the RAC man who had very kindly made arrangements to take the car (and Helen) all the way home.

A taxi was then called ... we had to unload all Harry's stuff onto the hard shoulder to await collection by the lunatic who picked us up.  We loaded his taxi, got in and waved goodbye to Helen and Mr RAC, and then began the nightmare journey ...

Mr Taximan pretended he didn't know the area ... he told us this fabulous news after just driving straight into the line of traffic on the motorway, whilst fiddling with his satnav. I had a scrap of paper with directions, which I relayed to him, but he still wanted the satnav on.  I put the postcode in and the voice began.  We were approaching a crucial part of the directions on the post it note, and I told him where to go (in the nicest possible way) but he said he was going via the satnav now.  We totally missed the turning and then went on a round trip around Salford, so by the time we did arrive, Harry had had a whistle stop tour of his new city.

Thank-you Google!

We experienced a hairy u-turn on a busy dual carriageway ... we went through a red light ... the explanation given that he didn't have time to stop! We eventually got there, miraculously in one piece, but not until after he shot past the building which was our destination, so he did another dramatic emergency stop, with a loud screech of brakes and rapid change of gears into reverse ... and so our arrival was announced.

He unceremoniously turfed us out (we felt like the Clampetts, surrounded by boxes of Coco Pops and tins of beans, rolling onto the road), charged us £48 for his service, then kindly reduced it to £40, as he had made a couple of  mistakes and taken wrong turnings. Yeah, right ...

Thanks Google!

Some lovely ladies from the University listened to my tale of woe and sprang into action.  Harry and his Dad went to register, which only took moments, and then a man arrived with a van and loaded Harry's stuff in and delivered it to his new room.

We unpacked, made his room a little more homely and then took him for something to eat.  As it was Sunday, we weren't sure about train times, so thought we had better leave sooner rather than later and with a heavy heart, had to say goodbye to Harry in his lonely student rooms of which at that time, he was the sole occupant.

We walked to Salford station and forked out another £60 for 2 single tickets back home, and arrived home at about 6pm.  The end of a very eventful day.  I felt drained, and very emotional ... I had worried about this day for a long time, but never envisioned that it would turn out this way.

Before bedtime I rang Harry ... he was in the pub with two of his new flatmates and sounded very settled, so I went to bed, and slept for a long, long time.

The next day when I awoke I expected to feel quite down and depressed but instead just made myself think that the situation could have been much, much worse.  We were all safe and well, the car was back home and I did have breakdown cover, otherwise I dread to think what the cost would have been! We had a bit of an adventure that will be talked about for years to come,  but despite all that, I couldn't help thinking "Thank God it wasn't raining"!

Have a lovely week

Love, Claire xxx

PS: I have not been sponsored by the RAC, or received anything from them, apart from excellent service! Thank you so much ...

PPS: Helen has the only photographic evidence of this adventure ... don't even want to imagine the grim images!

Oh, Island in the sun ....

Almost a year ago I took you for a walk on the wild side to the wonderful Piel Island.  To be honest, I really didn't think it was that long ago, and as it was such a grey, miserable day, I thought it was last October, but no, it was actually in August!

Yesterday ... not last year!

My lifelong friend Anne who lives in Dorset, is visiting my little town on her annual jolly to see family and friends, and  over a nice meal out the other night, mentioned that she was going on a nostalgic boat trip to Piel Island with friends, so Millie and I invited ourselves along ...

This time we were going on the Ferry, not by foot, and the day dawned wild and windy with heavy showers, but as I always say, if we waited for sunshine we'd never get anything done. Armed with our pac-a-macs and picnics, we met up on Roa Island, and while we stood around idly chatting, missed the first ferry over!

Harry, ready for action

It only takes 10 minutes or so to do the return trip, so we didn't have long to wait before we boarded.  The sea was quite choppy, so it was a boisterous journey, but the sun was shining brightly and shimmering on the waves ... a bit different from the last time I showed you the island.

 

We approached the island after being gaily thrown about for five minutes or so, and although I have said it before, I still think that Piel Island would make a great setting for an Enid Blyton feature film as it has all the essentials ... a rugged, desolate beach; dark, brooding castle, a secretive huddle of smuggler's cottages, and an old sea dog's inn, all steeped in ancient, salty history ...

Millie, hugely excited!

We disembarked without falling in the sea, and went for a quick look around the island, as it is well over 30 years since Anne last camped here, and she needed to reacquaint herself with the landmarks.  She got a bit emotional which is very unlike her, as we looked at the little cottage that is still for sale, and had a little dream about living there, and then found a sunny spot to lay the blanket on the ground.

Replete with a Tesco meal deal (I left it too late to decide whether or not to go, so there was no time to make up the usual hamper) and several Fondant Fancies, we ambled along to the pub for a swift half of shandy ...

who needs to go abroad? 

By now the sun was really blazing it's socks off, so we all rolled up our jeans, fiddled around with tee shirts to avoid tan lines and joined in with the kids playing on the sand.  These are the best kind of days, and cost practically nothing ... the children get to play together, team build, use their imagination and are out in the fresh air, communing with nature.  Much better than trawling around a gaudy theme park eating vast amounts of chemical laden 'food' while their parents apply for a further advance on their mortgage.

This unfiltered image of the beach, sea and sky, wouldn't have looked out of place in a brochure advertising select 'off-the-beaten-track' holidays in the Aegean sea ...

eeeh! It's grim up north ...

All too soon it was time to leave, and we walked around the island, passing the castle ...

following the time-worn path beside the cliffs, eroded by the vicious tide, which will one day bring down this magnificent building and take it for its own ...

and boarded the ferry tired but happy, full of plans for next year!

Definitely A Grand Day Out of the highest order!

Sale of the Century

I know I promised to tell you all about my Vintage Sale which took place last week, BUT ...  I didn't take any photos ...  I started setting up at 6.30, and it took until 9 before I was satisfied with how it looked.  I took a little breather, had some breakfast, and made myself presentable, then everyone started arriving and didn't stop until lunchtime! By then it looked a little picked through and tatty, so I didn't bother with photographic evidence.  It was a fabulous day, the sun shone, was very well supported, I sold lots of stock, made some money to contribute to buying more of said stock, and decided that I will definitely be making Fabulous Vintage Sale an annual event! Thank you all for your support and kind words.

I'd just like to say that I was completely overwhelmed with the volume of comments for my last post. Thank you so much, they mean the world to me, and I was glad to be able to share my news with you.

Have a fabulous weekend, and hope the sun shines for you

Love, Claire xxx

Going for a song ...

Happy Monday, my lovelies ... I hope you've all had a wonderful weekend, and for those of you overseas who have celebrated Mother's Day, I hope you've all been well and truly spoilt!

 I always try to use song titles or lyrics from songs in my post title, and while searching for Jumble Sale (without much hope I may add) I found this charming ditty by Jake Thackeray ... you can view it here.  I don't think there was romance in the air at the sale I attended on Saturday, among the bric a brac and Nana's nicknacks, but you never know!

I had a little trip to Ulverston on Friday, to do a spot of thrifting and visit Violet's, and I'm so glad I did, otherwise I'd have missed the sign saying there was a Jumble Sale at a village hall the very next day! My second son, Jacob, called them Jungle Sales when he was small ... so of course, I still do too. Well I arrived fifteen minutes early, in the pouring rain, only to find it had opened early. Like a demented dervish I rushed in, thinking everything would be gone, but what a sight met my eyes! Lots and lots of tables and stalls very well set out and PILED HIGH with treasure! I bought the wooden lamp stand (ripe for a spot of upocycling), vintage shade and a lovely straw hat for 50p for all three ... then I spied the linen stall, devoid of customers ... so no jostling or being poked in the eye with an errant basket or elbow.  Utter bliss ... I had the stall to myself for a few minutes ... the most well spent moments of my life (apart from getting married and giving birth of course!) ...

Underneath the teetering piles of curtains and tablecloths, I struck gold ... numerous coloured doilies and traycloths, scarves and pretty embroidered hankies! I scrabbled through, selecting what I wanted, and was charged the same amount that I would have been asked for one doily at a local charity shop!

This little beauty was still tacked to its tissue paper ... I wonder why it was never released and made use of? The hours of work that must have been spent to create this beautiful piece of work, so intricate, delicate as a spider's web, and the exact colour of a bluebell glade.

I also bought a sweet little basket, some books and a bag ... I spent less than £7 in total! The jumble sale is an annual one, that's why there was so much of everything ... I'm going to have to mark it on my calendar ... definitely one not to miss!

Some of the traycloths had tears and stains on them, so I've been busy upcycling them, using the embroidery hoops I've been collecting.

I need to find some more of these, but as with anything, as soon as the charity shops realise something is popular, the prices are suddenly as much as you would pay in a sewing shop!

I think I'll take these to a fair I'm having a stall at in June ... I already have a commission from a friend!

I really enjoyed doing them, watching Sunday night tv, glass of Baileys, and threads, buttons, lace and ribbon spread out in front of me ... I really know how to live life in the fast lane, you know ...

I've been spending lots of time in my little workroom lately, I absolutely love it, and when everyone leaves for work/school/college in the morning, I head there with my breakfast, and sit at the window planning my day ...

It's that time now, so here I am! Harry and Millie have A Levels and GCSE's today, so a bit subdued ... Good Luck!

 These pictures are a bit misleading ... it looks a lot more lived-in and 'used' now! Please notice Oonagh in the corner, a lovely gift from Gilly ... please check out her blog, Gilly makes beautiful things and provides lots of inspiration ... and is a very lovely lady too!

My workbench ... I now have an old high stool which is great for sitting at the bench, painting and making.
The lace curtain hides a multitude of sins ... all my vintage fair stock finally has a home, and isn't dotted all over the house ... on a fair day it's much easier to pack the car up as it's all in one place...

I've had a great time tittivating this room ... my family think I'm eccentric enough without all this ... but who wants to be the same as everyone else? This is the reason I love blogging so much ... I'm not the only one who gets excited about a pile of smelly doilies!

Think it's time for another pot ...

I'm off on a jolly on Friday ... a real treat ... to London, to celebrate the 'big' birthday of one of my best friends.  There are 6 of us going, staying in Mayfair, going for champagne afternoon tea, seeing a show and sightseeing ... will share with you next week, so until then my lovelies,

Have a wonderful week ...

Love, Claire xxx