The Fair has come to Town

It's that time of year again, Hull fair has arrived for the week, well arrived for last week, it's actually all packed up now. I've written on here about the fair before and it's rather interesting history and royal charter here.

We didn't go, but Imogen went a couple of times with her friends and Adam and Holly took the children.

Apparently little Zack was quite taken with the rides and didn't want to get off when the ride finished! He's grinning away in this photo, sitting next to big sister Izzy.

I've been doing a bit of sewing. I thought I'd have a go at making a simple bag for Zack to keep his stacking cups in, one of his favourite things is to put them in, take them out, put them, then out again... you get the drift. I bought the spiderman fabric in a pack of fat quarters in Hobbycraft.

I thought a drawstring bag was the way to go, but I didn't want to just sew 2 pieces of fabric together as I'm trying to learn more about sewing. I decided to make a drawstring bag with a squared bottom

I lined it too. Much easier than I imagined it to be and that means there'll be a few people getting little lined drawstring bags for Christmas!

Holds all of Zackary's cups and he loves undoing it and pulling it tight again. I tied all the cords together to keep them nice and short and not dangerous to little ones. He is never left on his own, but you can't be too careful.

My wonderful husband has brought me a cup of tea upstairs, so I can stay in bed and do some blog reading.

Take care
xxx

What a Wonderful Day

It was my birthday on Wednesday, a milestone one, I'm half a century! I had the most wonderful day, spending it with my favourite people, my lovely family who thoroughly spoilt me.

I had breakfast in bed, some tasty kippers. I couldn't remember the last time I had them, I'm the only one who likes them so it felt like quite a treat. I stayed in bed with a nice cup of tea to open my cards and some of my presents, I even had a badge to wear!

When I was ready, the curtains to the conservatory were opened to reveal a very special present from my parents. I was absolutely blown away, a new scooter covered in balloons and banners, what an amazing start to the day. It's more than just a scooter, it's trips to the park with little Zackary, dog walks, trips to the local shops and so much more.

I had a nice cosy afternoon with Andrew and we watched Oliver so I could warble along with all the brilliant songs. Adam came in the afternoon with Zack, Holly and Izzy came later on and we all sat down to a party tea prepared by Andrew and Imogen with all my favourite party food, homemade potato salad, gammon and lots of other bits and pieces.

It was made even more special by Zack being able to join us at the table in the new highchair we had just bought him, though he was more of an observer than participant as he had just eaten his own yummy pureed vegetables and isn't quite old enough for finger food yet.

Imogen had spotted these little '50' sequins so had bought them to scatter over the table, a thoughtful little gesture, my sweet girl. I've saved some for when I do some scrapbooking.

The perfect accompaniment to my birthday tea, a lovely strong cup of tea in a bone china cup and saucer, I drank few of these.

Adam has a friend who makes the most delicious cakes, so between them, Andrew had secretly arranged for Adam's friend, Laura, to surprise me with this amazing cake. The actual cake is the most scrumptious Victoria sponge, my favourite. Even the numbers and the 'balls of wool' had sponge in them, what a clever lady Laura is (and green is my favourite colour).

The lights were turned off while everyone sang happy birthday and the cake was brought through with these amazing coloured candles, the flames were all different colours too, I haven't seen candles like this before.

More cups of tea and some cake followed by lots of special family time, what a wonderful day I had.

I had the best day ever and received so many lovely presents, I'll show you some of them another time.


Take care
xxx

Lots of Happy Things and some advice please

What a wonderful Bank holiday weekend we had, everything always feels better when the sun shines. I love the feeling when I open the curtains in the morning to be greeted by a beautiful clear blue sky. I like to fling open the french doors and drink my first cup of tea with the birds singing in the background (they tend to stay out of the actual garden because of the myriad of family pets).

We went to a car boot on Monday in a big field fall of stalls. The ground was a bit bumpy for my chair, but so worth it, we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Here are some of my new happy things

I have such a weakness for bone china cups and saucers, and these are so pretty

I'm not sure what the original purpose or name for this dish is? It's very pretty though, and looks lovely in my dining room.

More happy, pretty things, I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it

 Lots more goodies were purchased, I found a lovely stall full of wools and yarn and gorgeous wooden buttons, I'll have to take some pictures of the buttons to show you, so pretty. Imogen bought herself some small bottles of nail varnish and we all had ice cream to help us keep nice and cool.

A little more happiness on my kitchen window sill, I really didn't like having to drink school milk and found it quite torturous (I really don't like milk at all), but I do like the cute little glass bottles!

 And some lovely fresh flowers

And lastly, I need to ask for some help. I've been busy crocheting a round cushion cover but can't find a cushion pad to put in it. I've only found them in one place, but they were horrible and dusty/dirty. Any suggestions please?

Take care
xxx

WIPs, Pretty Finds and another Cushion!

I'll start with the cushion as that's something finished. It was so easy and quick to finish my last one that I thought I should crochet another cushion. I used bits and pieces left over in my wool stash.

There wasn't enough of the peach colour to use on both sides.

Two big granny squares, instant gratification!

 My other crafty endeavours are WIPs, I love this cushion. I haven't made a round one before and after much web searching came across Attic 24 and Lucy's flower pattern.

I think it's so pretty and the colours go together well. The instructions are lovely and clear, I've still got a way to go though.

Here's my other WIP is in early stages, but will hopefully not take too long.

 I think you may guess what it is :)

A friend brought me a couple of pretty china mugs, and it just so happens I already had a lovely jug to match the pattern.

Not much matches, so what a lovely coincidence :)

Before I pop off to cook some tea, I'll just share some more puppy pics. 2 have homes now, just 2 more happy homes to find. So cute, with big floppy ears... and big appetites!

Take care
xxx

Pretty Things

I thought I'd show you some of my pretty finds today. I love a good wander around the charity shops, looking at the once loved pieces of china and bric a brac. I try to discipline myself and only allow myself to buy something if it makes my heart sing - otherwise we'd get overrun with bits and pieces and I'd be featuring in one of the hoarder programmes on TV! It's very hard sometimes when I'm holding something pretty to put it back and think, yes it's lovely, but I'm not going to buy it!

Here are some of my pretty, heart singing pieces. A beautiful plate found at a car boot and pretty, delicate cups and saucers.

This little dish is so pretty, I love the small flower design.

Pretty little jug, just right to fill with cream to pour over our Sunday afternoon deserts.

This glass dish needs to be filled with brightly coloured wrapped sweeties.

I haven't picked up any crochet since I finished Imogen's bobble blanket, but I have so many projects I want to do! I've made a start on a Granny Square throw to go over Andrew's chair in the conservatory. It's going to be quite narrow, just over the back and seat, not the sides. Here are the first few squares, still quite a few more to make yet.

Really enjoying making squares again, think I'll go and do some more now... anything rather than make a start on all those ends that need to be sewn in!

Take care
xxx

New and Old

Hmmm mmmm... my darling hubby has bought me a gorgeous new Cath Kidston mug. It's bigger than my usual bone china ones, lovely to snuggle up with - I do like my tea! Isn't it lovely!

We found a wonderful shop full of antiques and vintage goodies, and I bought this lovely little box to put my pills in. It's covered in fine engraving, including inside the lid.

It means my pills don't get put on 'the side' to roll about, and I can conjure up lots of romantic notions about who it belonged to before me :)

Wee Bruce has settled in, can't resist showing some more photos of him... smelling the flowers

and just being friends...

with Imo too

Take care
xxx