Sweet pink roses and cushions

Hello

These beautiful, pink roses are for you. Yes from me to you, to say a big, warm, heart felt

THANK YOU.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by to say hello, and leave so many lovely words of encouragement. It is very dearly appreciated. I've had a spring in my step all week. You've spurred me on, no end.

You've helped me to take the plunge, and tackle the sewing machine once more.

I couldn't quite face making another tea cosy, so I took the easy option and made a matching cushion instead.

She's now sitting proudly in the kitchen.

I'm on a roll, still having fun. The novelty hasn't worn off yet.

In fact I'm already on with another one!

Bye for now!

Bertie x.

A cosy tea

Hello!

Don't you think January is the most leisurely month? Perfect for making plans, snuggling up and drinking lots of tea.

That's what I've been doing, I'm easing myself slowly into 2012.

I decided to attempt making a tea cosy, to make my tea drinking more pleasurable. I'd doodled an idea years ago, and thought I'd start there.

If I had known how long this project would take me, I may not have attempted at all!

I was off to a flying start, pattern made, fabric cut.

And then came the actual sewing bit. The bit that scared me.

My sewing machine has been sat unloved for about five years, waiting patiently for the day when it could be let loose on a piece of fabric.

After a day of YouTube video tutorials, and pulling my hair out, I'd finally cracked it.

My first foray into the world of machine embroidery.

And I absolutely loved it!

Loved it !

The sewing machine and I are now friends.

I pressed on, experimenting and making piles of fabric petals. Deciding what would go where, and in which order to place, and how was I going to join this bit to that bit? All fun.

And many, many, many, many, stressful, joyful hours later...

I am ready to reveal,

my tea cosy.

Ta-da!

Oh I'm chuffed to bits, so proud of my tea cosy am I!

I feel as though my fear of the sewing machine has at last been conquered, and I am now ready to progress onto the dizzy heights of a matching cushion. What a rock and roll lifestyle I lead!

But I know that you get it, the feeling of satisfaction and pride of making something with your own fair hands. It's addictive isn't it?

Tell me, if you saw this in a shop, would you part with your hard earned cash and buy it?I would love to know, and appreciate your honest feedback. Because I feel like making another one!

Bertie x

Escape to Bamburgh

Hello, I hope you have all enjoyed your Christmas celebrations. We have had the most wonderful time. A few days ago we managed to escape the Baileys and Quality Street and drive north to beautiful Northumberland. This gorgeous cottage will be our home for the next few days.

Isn't it lovely? Have a little peek through the dinning room window.

Do you want to come and have a look inside?

O.k then I'll give you a quick peek in to the sitting room.

Isn't it cosy? I shall never want to leave.

But the best thing of all about this cottage is the view of the neighbours pad,

the stunning Bamburgh Castle

I would love to stay and show you more, but I really must dash.

It takes us 20 minutes to get 6 adults and 8 children, clothed with hats scarves and gloves, and out of the front door. But so worth it, as a bracing walk along the beach makes you feel alive.

I hope you all enjoy your celebrations this evening. I wish you all a Happy New Year.

Welcome 2012 I can't wait to see what delights you have in store for us.

Bertie x

Merry Christmas

Hello, hello,

Seasons Greetings to you.

{my gingerledge}

I know we are all so busy on these last few days leading up to Christmas, but I had to pop in to say

HELLO.

and wish you all a very merry CHRISTMAS.

Are you all ready? Got your halls decked? Your bottle of Baileys, and tin of Quality Street?

You do?

Well that's great, I'm glad to hear it.

Go and make yourself a hot chocolate, and put your feet up for ten minutes,

you deserve it.

Have a wonderful Christmas, enjoy every moment of it, and I'll see you all next year.

XxX

Ice lolly giveaway!!!!!

:: Due to a poorly laptop and a house full of children, I'll draw a winner next week xx ::

{ I hope }

Hello, gosh it's a bit hectic around here. My children finish school today for the Summer, YAY. I'm busily trying to get ready, so that we can all enjoy the best Summer ever! ( I say that every year) And of course that involves lots and lots of ice lollies.

I thought it would be fun to make some. I'm so excited to share these with you. They aren't the edible kind though.

No, these are going to hang around all Summer long.

Looking delicious.

Used as cute place settings, when friends come round for tea.

Reminding us all to enjoy the Summer whilst it's here. But most of all to have some fun.

I would love to send a little bit of Summer fun your way. As a way to say thank you for all your lovely comments, and for knowing that you understand my silliness for making things like this. I've enjoyed making these so much I just have to share.

Please leave me a comment and let me know how you celebrate your Summer, and I'll enter you into the giveaway. I'd love to hear from you. I'll draw a winner next week.

Bertie xx

Three little things

Three simple little things today,

snipped sweet lavender from the garden,

organising a little corner,

and finding the perfect spot to hang a prized possession.

My youngest daughters clay cottage. To be treasured always.

It's all about the little things.

And I'm giving myself extra brownie points,

for not eating this last little piece of cake!

Summer lovin

I'm having such a fun Summer this year. I've been gallivanting around all over the place. Down to Kent for a family holiday, across to Scarborough to see Sir Elton, over to the lakes on my honeymoon, and up to Glasgow with my Mum and Sister to see Take That!

And now I'm home, I love to be at home. Just doing my thing and enjoying every moment of it.

I'm lovin the light Summer evenings, and going for walks across the moors,

to the local pub,

to enjoy a well deserved glass of wine.

I'm lovin these crocheted bikes spotted on holiday in Whitstable.

I took a photo of them to share with you, because I know you'd LOVE them too. They remind me of the ones in this magazine (yep, lovin that too).

I'm also lovin my morning routine of going to feed the hens,

and collecting their still warm eggs in my little basket.

I've fashioned together a pencil with a bit of string to tie on the side, so that can write the date on the eggs before I forget, and they all get mixed up!

And now I'm lovin GRASMERE GINGERBREAD, we visited this quaint little shop whilst on our honeymoon.

It smelt delicious!

I had to use all of my charm to get them to pose for this photo . Can you feel their embarrassment?(bless em)

I'm lovin having a sneaky slice in the afternoons, with a cup of tea in my new favourite mug. Ummmmm.

I'm lovin all my goodies sent in Lucey's button swap.

especially these gorgeous buttons that Lynda hand made for me. Thank you Lynda.

A little sneaky peak of some buttons I made for Lynda,

a little handmade rag ball, and lavender filled heart. I left them to rest in the jar to absorb more of the aromas. But I couldn't resist taking the lid off every now and then, to have a sniff.

I'm lovin Susan Branch's new blog. What an inspiration she is. I want to move in next door to her on Martha's Vinyard.

When I clapped eyes on the delicious coffee cake that she's working on for her new book, (can't wait for that to come out!)

My mouth started watering and I just had to try and make one myself,

and then devour it in five seconds flat on my new roses and raspberry plate.... Heaven.

I'm lovin the lawn just before it's fortnightly cut, bursting with a carpet of buttercups and clover.

I'm lovin my new shabby Amish star. I've wanted one of these for so long, and I couldn't believe my luck when I spotted one in my local shop of gorgeousness.

I'm also lovin that I'm still moving her around, to try and find the prefect spot to place her.

It's all part of the fun.

And last but not least, I'm lovin that our little den, the room that the children and I share, play and make things in, has had a makeover....... and has almost reached the status of organisation!

I'd love to share it with you when it's finally done, soon I hope.

With so much to enjoy this Summer. I don't want it to end. I sometimes wish I had a pause button don't you? I'll have to make sure I make the most of everyday.

I hope you're all enjoying your Summer too. I'll be back soon.

Bertie x