Happy New Year!

January 2015

The first month of the year has flown by.

I enjoyed 2 weeks off & the winter sunshine. I finished my Christmas jumper, received treats from a fellow blogger, remembered the holocaust & of course I spent time with the children.

At the end of the month I started a new job!!

I will now be working 2 days a week at the RSPCA Little Valley animal shelter as the fundraiser.

This is a great opportunity & something I've been keen on doing for a while. It's my first ever office job & after one day of sitting on my bum for 8 hours I did find it pretty hard.

Thankfully I will still be in the shop for the last 3 days of the week so I'll still be dashing about.

We need to raise £1m to re build the dog kennels...... guess I'll be busy then!

That Was 2014

Another year has passed us by.....

January

Starting the year feeling poorly, spending time with my girls, finishing my crochet blanket after 5 years, joining in with Knit For Victory by making my hat.

February

 Trying to finish my hexagon blanket, spring flowers, more knitting & some reading 

March

Busy month for crafting, finished Matthews 1940's tank top, made a bow scarf for me (I live in it!), adjusted my charity shop bargain skirt (haven't worn it yet!), made a fox scarf (haven't worn it yet!), making flower brooches. First Crikey it's Vintage, I was selling for the shop. 

April

Trying to lose a few pounds by walking to work. Joining in with Sew For Victory but making my first ever item of clothing...... a pair of swing pants (I haven't worn them yet!) Making more brooches, spending time with my family & celebrating Easter.

May

Doing a VE day window display, meeting my nephew dog for the first time, trip to the theatre to see Birdsong, being mindful with some me time, finally making my airman & enjoying bank holiday weekends.

June

Remembering D-Day & Zoe, making cats for our window display, a day out at a 1940's event, another Crikey for the shop & enjoying the sunshine.

July

Remembering the Somme & Teddy. A day out at Dig For Victory 1940's event, a visit to the Bridport vintage fair, starting my cardigan & finishing all 2 more service men.

August

My birthday!! A day out with my parents, treating myself to yet another cardigan, starting my Christmas jumper, making poppies for the British Legion & remembering the 100th anniversary of WW1.

September

Remembering Charlie, celebrating 6 years in blog land, having my name in print on TMTCH album. finding bargains in my shop, Lupton 1940's event & more knitting.

October

Nights out with friends, days out with family, raising lots of money through my poppies & my first puzzle.

November

Remembrance day, seeing Amsterdam, travelling on buses, celebrating Claire's 40th, another Crikey this time for me & decorating the Little Valley Christmas tree.

December

Bertie Bear came to live with us! Counting down to Christmas, making decorations, finishing orders, Christmas meal with the family & resting!!!

Phew that was a busy year..... I can't believe how much I made!

My plans for 2014 included…

• Book in for 3 big craft fairs at Christmas & don't waste time throughout the year - NOPE - I only did one fair & it was successful but as always I wasted time throughout the year
• Plan ahead & make stock that will sell - be organised! - Of course not!
• Complete my things to do list - NOPE.... yet another year when it carries over
• Make something for me! YES!!!!  Hat, turban, trousers, red cardigan, gloves, 3 service men, poppy brooch, Christmas jumper, scarf, 
• Think of different ways to continue Make, Do and Mend on a small scale - No, maybe this year
• Continue reading - I've lost my mojo again 
• Spend more time with my family (my mum has been poorly) - I think so
• Spend less time on my laptop & more time crafting - Nope..... must try harder!
• Stay happy! Great start to the year but went pear shape when Paul moved out in August & the house started falling apart.

So 2015….. what will you bring?

• Be amazing in my new job! (More on that later in January)
• Sort out my crafting area 
• Decorate my living room & bathroom 
• Read more books

• Plan ahead & make stock that will sell - be organised!
• Complete my things to do list
• Make things for me
• Try to continue Make, Do and Mend on a small scale
• Spend time with my family
• Spend less time on my laptop & more time crafting 
• Stay happy!

I must stay focused this year!

What plans do you have?

Happy New Year!

I hope 2014 brings you everything you wish

New Challenge!

As you all know over the last few years I've lost my reading mojo........ I found it in October last year, it was hiding under the bed with the dust bunnies!

Now I don't want it to go again so I've decided to sign up for this challenge..... click on the picture to find out more & sign up.

50 books sounds a lot, not sure I'm up for it but hey ho I'm going to give it a go!
You can follow on Twitter #50books2013

So 12 days in to the year & I'm happy to announce I've finished my first book

I read a review on someone's blog a while a go & popped it on my Amazon wish list. My lovely friend gave it to me for Christmas & I wasn't disappointed.

It was a light read, perfect for a holiday or long journey. If you liked Diva's Don't Knit I'm sure you'll love this!

8/10

At a car boot sale in Sussex, three very different women meet and fall for the same vintage teaset. They decide to share it - and form a friendship that changes their lives . . .

Jenny can't wait to marry Dan. Then, after years of silence, she hears from the woman who could shatter her dreams.

Maggie has put her broken heart behind her and is gearing up for the biggest event of her career - until she's forced to confront the past once more.

Alison seems to have it all: married to her childhood sweetheart, with two gorgeous daughters. But as tensions mount, she is pushed to breaking point.

Dealing with friendship and families, relationships and careers, highs and lows, The Vintage Teacup Club is heart-warming storytelling at its very best.

Happy New Year!

What plans & dreams do you have for 2013?

2011.....

Yes I know we're 5 days in to 2012, I've been trying to do this post for the last few days but work/life got in the way!!!

One of things I love most about blogging is looking back on past post...... it's like an online diary isn't it?

I kept a diary through out my teenage years but just suddenly stopped..... when I find them I always stop to read through.

So I'm going to do a quick round up of 2011 just to remind myself what I did (it went so quick!!!)

January
ah yes I remember Wreck this Journal...... now where is it!!!

February
Our trip to France

March
One of my favourite months of the year..... 2 weeks holiday, Cheltenham races & the sun starts to say hello!

April
The start of the Make, Do and Mend poppy appeal, the Royal wedding & the month I was told to re apply for my job!

May
VE day & spring is in the air

June
Lots of knitting & the month I was told Habitat was closing :(

July
The first vintage fair in Exeter & a 1940's event

August
My 40th birthday, my parents 50th anniversary

September
Unemployed!!! My 3rd blogging anniversary. 3 weeks off..... bliss!!!

October
Starting my new job & no time for blogging :(

November
2nd vintage fair, busy month for Josie-Mary!

December
Another Christmas......

These are my 2011 hopes & dreams that I posted on my 2010 round up..... have I done them all???

• I turn 40 :( How did that happen???? I'm still 16 aren't I??? I would like to do something special but not sure what......I was thinking of a lovely holiday but I'm a rubbish traveller....hot air balloon??? Zoo keeper for the day???? Maybe a weekend in Edinburgh???? Only 8 months to sort it out!!! Nothing special done as it happened when I was losing my job...... I might regret that!

• I must finish my list that I started in 2008!!!! or at least finish my blanket that I started nearly 2 years ago! NOPE!!!!

• Re decorate the house..... things have been up in the air as we weren't sure if we were moving but I think we're starting put so I want to sort out all those jobs that need doing & paint the living room to make it more homely. NOPE!!!

• Continue with Make, Do and Mend..... I'm hoping to set up a children's class in the summer holidays but first I need to get everything in order. Now it's getting very popular I need to get the admin side of things in place Yep! No children's class as the other group has done that but I have other things planned for this year.

• Attend more craft fairs I only did 3 last year.... the vintage fairs are so good for me I don't see the point in wasting time with run of the mill craft fairs

• Continue to sell on Folksy/Etsy Yep! Both stores are doing ok but an extra push wouldn't hurt.  I know the road I want to go down now so it should be clearer

• Complete my CV...... I'm hoping for changes this year! This made me chuckle!!!! I was talking about John Lewis but little did I know I would lose my job!! My CV is completed & I will be updating it every few months as I be looking for another job in October...... fingers crossed for JL

• Sort my back out..... I'd like a full MOT as I've been ill for months now, if it's not my back it's my stomach (pain killers are playing havoc with my tummy) or a cold. I'm going to go to the doctors in the new year & demand more tests NOPE! I never did go back to the doctors, last summer I was so ill with stress that I wasn't even worried about my back...... maybe this year :)

• To make it through the year with all my love ones..... my dad is going to be 70 in April & I'm starting to panic at the idea my parents will leave me at some point :( Yep we all made it! I hope the same for this year.... including Teddy

•  Be a better blogger.... the last few months have been so busy I haven't had time to leave comments or post as much as I would like Nope..... in fact I've been worse in 2011!!!

• Visit my friend in Lincoln....... I've been wanting to do this for years! Nope..... & with the train fares going up I can't see this happening :(

In 2012 I would like to....

•  Update my website for Josie-Mary & Make, Do and Mend
•  I'm booked in to 2 vintage fairs this year & need to pull my finger out so I have a decent amount of stock
• Re design posters & newsletters for Make, Do and Mend
• Learn how to use my Mac laptop!!

I must stop doing this in 2012!!!!

Thanks for sharing my 2011 with me

Happy New Year.....

I hope you all have a lovely evening seeing in 2012.

I'm staying in tonight as always...... working tomorrow so it will be a quiet night with a take away as a special treat.

I for one will be glad to see the back of 2011 as it's not been an easy year........ I look forward to welcoming 2012 & hope it brings better things!!!

Have fun what ever you do

We Are What We Do.....

Ever since I started blogging I've planned to post about this but I've never got around to it!

So as I haven't done/made much of late I thought this would be the perfect time.

I'm sure you've all heard about this fantastic group..... no??? Then read on!

Back in 2007 I discovered 'We Are What We Do'....... it's all about making the world a better place.....  

Be the change you wish to see in the world ~ Mahatma Gandhi

So I bought the book....

And started completing all the actions..... some easy some not so easy! It was £5 but you can still buy it on Amazon for a bargain price of £2.73!!! Maybe people don't want to change the world.

I enjoyed the challenge so brought the next one.....

This is all about the work place & my colleagues were keen to join in.

Within a few months they hit the headlines with the launch of this bag...

Ring any bells????

Yes this bag was sold in Sainsbury's however it was reported some staff were buying them all & selling on Ebay..... on the day the went on sale you could buy this for over £100! 

My dad collected my at 6am that day & drove me to every Sainsbury's in the area to get one but we no luck..... you were given a raffle ticket, 1st come 1st serve & then at 8am you could buy.... even at that time in the morning we couldn't get one!

They're limited addition & being a women because I couldn't get one I wanted it even more!!! I was lucky that I was on the forums & in contact with 'we are what we do' & managed to get one of the 2nd batch!!!! Yippee!!!! 

I often wonder how many are now laying unloved in cupboards..... mine is hung in the porch for all to see but I must start using it again.

I've tried so hard to complete all the actions...... I even started to give blood but had to stop because there's not many places to give in my area :( 

I keep feeding this back to them as they often email & text asking why I haven't been for so long..... I would love to start again.

At the moment I'm tracking 117 actions & have completed them nearly 2000 times - must update that!

Would you like to take the challenge??? Are you already sign up???

You don't need to buy the books now as the web site is very good & you can track your actions online...... 

sign up here

.......and start the New Year off on a good note :)

Hope you enjoy it!!

2010

Well another year is over & we're all a little wiser (?!) 

 

I feel 2010 went very quick..... didn't you?

So today is Show & Tell 

I thought it would be a good idea to re cap 2010 & list my hopes/dreams for 2011

January 2010

It was a snowy start to the year & Make, Do and Mend was born!

February 2010

Our first Make, Do and Mend meeting!

March 2010

April 2010

Starting to feel like spring :)

May 2010

Vintage fair followed by my own Handmade Home Fair - a crafty month!!

June 2010

The worse month of the year... heart broken after Zoe passed away :(

July 2010

My first 1940's event & the birth of Frazer (the only new addition this year)

2nd 1940's event

September 2010

My 2nd anniversary & 200th post.

Innocent Big Knit & Make, Do and Mend takes off!!!!!

October 2010

Starting to get ready for Christmas on Folksy. Meeting Cath Kidston & generally being unwell for the whole month :(

November 2010

My first sale on Folksy & Etsy :) Things start to get busy

December 2010

Ended as it started....snowy!!!

Phew so another year over & thanks to blogging I can see it wasn't wasted!

2010 has been an odd year, in one way I feel I've started to get my life on track......I've been trying to set up a craft group & fair for so long but work always gets in the way....... this year I did it! The group has been very successful which makes me very happy :)

The fair is another story but hey you live & learn..... I'm not sure I'm ready for those sort of people, it's a bit cut throat for me so I'll step back thank you very much!!!

But on a sad note it's the year I lost Zoe...... now I know some people will think it's only a cat but this was the first Christmas in 20 years with out her :( On the day it felt odd as me & OH have only spend 2 Christmases without her. We remembered how she climbed the tree when she was a kitten & was very naughty but she always got away with it because she was my baby :)

So moving on what will 2011 bring......

• I turn 40 :( How did that happen???? I'm still 16 aren't I??? I would like to do something special but not sure what......I was thinking of a lovely holiday but I'm a rubbish traveller....hot air balloon??? Zoo keeper for the day???? Maybe a weekend in Edinburgh???? Only 8 months to sort it out!!!

• I must finish my list that I started in 2008!!!! or at least finish my blanket that I started nearly 2 years ago!

• Re decorate the house..... things have been up in the air as we weren't sure if we were moving but I think we're starting put so I want to sort out all those jobs that need doing & paint the living room to make it more homely.

• Continue with Make, Do and Mend..... I'm hoping to set up a children's class in the summer holidays but first I need to get everything in order. Now it's getting very popular I need to get the admin side of things in place

• Attend more craft fairs

• Continue to sell on Folksy/Etsy

• Complete my CV...... I'm hoping for changes this year!

• Sort my back out..... I'd like a full MOT as I've been ill for months now, if it's not my back it's my stomach (pain killers are playing havoc with my tummy) or a cold. I'm going to go to the doctors in the new year & demand more tests

• To make it through the year with all my love ones..... my dad is going to be 70 in April & I'm starting to panic at the idea my parents will leave me at some point :(

•  Be a better blogger.... the last few months have been so busy I haven't had time to leave comments or post as much as I would like

• Visit my friend in Lincoln....... I've been wanting to do this for years!

You see I'm not asking for much as I know the year will go so fast, if I can achieve this I'll be happy!

What do you wish for?????

Hope you're 2011 is one to remember :)

PS I know I haven't shared my Christmas gifts with you...... last week was so busy, damn work!! I will take photo's asap as I got a lovely new record player :)