August 2013

2013 is marching on & autumn is just around the corner!

But what a beautiful summer we've had this year?

August started with a trip to Totnes & the cat cafe but I also checked out the gorillas in Exeter, made lots of cats, had a rainy day out with the family, had too many cider cocktails, spent time with my girls, read lots of books & finished off with my birthday!! 

Phew it's been a hectic month!

So wanna see what I got for my birthday?

A lovely new record player...... I had one like this when I was a child & I've been looking for one the same for about 10 years! This was very over priced for what it is but hey it's red & white & that's all the matters! It took 3 people to chip in to buy it for me.

A pretty kitty brooch

A jar of M&S sweets, a mug (it wouldn't be a birthday without a mug!), a coaster, DVD & some Cath vouchers...... I want the new birthday bag.

So that's summer done & now we're heading in to my favourite time of the year...... the mornings & evenings are getting chilly so it's time to dig out the cardigans. 

Bring it on September....... we're ready for you!!

In The Press

How excited was I on Saturday when my copy of Let's Knit arrived...... I quickly turned to the index to find myself & look what I found!

Can you see me???

I never thought I would be on the front page!!

Ok so now on to page 23

Look at me on the same page as Cath Kidston..... well actually I'm above her.... haha!! Thanks to OH for pointing that out :)

My Jubilee goodies are limited so snap 'em up quick!!

On Sunday the Olympic torch came to Exeter..... in fact the end of my road!

I some how thought it would be me & a few others...... how wrong was I!

The atmosphere was amazing & so were the police.

It's a bit dark 'cos I nearly missed it.....a word of warning.... it happens really quickly!!

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's post as it travels the country 

Hey ho..... back to my knitting!

Happy Easter

I hope you're all having a lovely long weekend!

I was off yesterday & today so 2 out of 4 isn't bad!

On Thursday me & my special friend Helen decided very last minute to go to see this..

It was fab...... although the songs were mixed up & they added bits which I thought was a bit wrong!

Me & Helen giggled lots, sang & even danced!

It was just what I needed after a rubbish day :(

I found out I didn't get the job I went for...... this was not just any job, this was my dream job..... the job I've been wanting for about 14 years!!

I didn't get it because I didn't have enough experience!!! Didn't even get the assistant job........ they found someone who fitted the store profile better..... mmm to me that sounds like I didn't look the part!

I'm gutted & it has changed my ideas of this well know company...... if I don't look good enough to work there then I'm not good enough to buy their stuff!!!!

I had a great day in Bridport yesterday, be back to show you my goodies soon

You're a star......

I was delighted when I popped into Primark on Monday to buy some tights & spotted this!

How fantastic...... very CK but much, much cheaper!!! It's poly cotton which does not make me happy but hey it's red & has stars on..... what more do you need! Of course I had to buy the red & white stripy sheet to go with it!

And Teddy loves it too!!!

I even treated myself to a new lamp from Laura Ashley & a new clock

I plan to add some white pom pom trim around the shade.

I love this clock.... I saw it in CK about 6 months ago & fell in love with it. I found it on a website for £8..... I was worried it would tick..... I hate ticking clocks.... but it's silent!! 

Hooray it's nearly Sunday...... which means.....BIRDSONG!!!! 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

What do you think?

It's only me & OH so I don't go over the top but I think it look festive! Can you spot my lovely new deer hanging in the middle?...... it was an early gift from my friend :) 

As you can see the cats with pudding are here again! I've had these for so long & look forward to getting them out.

Also my new curtains...... a bargain from LA at only £17.50!!!

My mantle piece is too full this year for my neon tree so it found a new home in the plant stand!

And the tree!!!

I was planning on getting a real one this year but with no car it's very difficult....... I think my retro white tree looks just as nice..... cheaper & kinder!

Looking forward to seeing your decorations 

I'll be doing a Christmas giveaway over on Facebook soon ..... pop over & say hello.

Gotta have it!!!

Have you seen this???

I'm sure you have as it's been everywhere!

I've been looking at it for weeks ..... I just want to knit the corgi's....but is it worth spending £10?

On Friday I popped to Cath in Bristol & had a good look..... I can now say it's definitely worth it :)

You can buy it from The Book People for only £3.99... bargain!!!!

So now I'm waiting.... hurry up Mr Postie, I want to knit corgi's!!!

I'm looking forward to The Wedding....are you? What do you have planned?

I hope you're enjoying the beautiful weather..... unfortunately I've had to work. I've now been told my day off has changed next week so I'm working a whole week without a day off...... oh blimey I'm too old for that!!! I already have swollen feet thanks to my day out in Bristol..... standing & walking around the shop for 8 hours, rushing to the station to find my train was delayed so I had to stand on the platform..... train arrived packed so had to stand all the way home..... I think I was on my feet for over 10 hours!!!

Thank goodness for Clarks shoes!

Have a good week..... back soon

March 2011

April has come so quickly this year.... don't you think?

I was really looking forward to March & my 2 weeks holiday but blink & you've missed it!

But it was a good month..... full of treats & days out.

I was lucky to have today off as it was a crazy Make, Do and Mend last night. It just gets busier every month.... which is a good thing but it's hard work!

I've spent today changing web sites, emailing people about the poppy appeal as we're making corsages to sell...... no rest for me!!

I've recovered from the fair on Sunday.... it was a long day & not as busy as I hoped but hey ho you live & learn. Here's to the next one!

It's going to be a long week for me as I go back tomorrow until next Tuesday..... then after 1 day off I have to work another 5! 1 day off in 10..... damn my retail job!!!

Hence why I've been working so hard today. I have to work in Bristol on Friday but I'm hoping a trip to Cath's will make the day bearable.

My lovely new sign..... I just had to have it!!!

Hope you're all having a great week..... I'll be back when I can.

Still here......

Yes I'm still here..... it's been a week since my last post & I've been really bad leaving comments..... sorry everyone! I will try harder...promise!

So the count down to work has began..... I can't believe I had 14 days which has now turned in to 4 days left! I'm starting to have that back to school feeling already. I've been so lucky with the weather as it's been beautiful here in Exeter. I spent some time in the garden trying to cut back the blackberry bushes..... they've taken over!!

Have you all seen this...

Lovely t-shirts at a fantastic price!

 You can find them here

I checked yesterday but couldn't work out the sizes.... if you check on the pop up size page it says the XL size is an 18 but then in the next block it says it a 16..... I'm very confused!!! Anyone know?

I brought a jumper from there years ago that's XL & it's massive!

They're selling like hot cakes, yesterday nearly everyone was in stock in XL...today only 3! Does that mean all CK fan are larger ladies??? Then why are all her clothes for little people??!!!

I wonder if they'll get more in?

I hope you all enjoyed Comic Relief on Friday..... I was out but spent Saturday watching it on catch up..... 6 hours!!!!!

What was your favourite bit? 

I love the Smithy sketch....... soooo funny!!!

Today I'm waiting in for my new armchair :) 

It's being delivered between 12-6pm which is a complete pain as I can't do anything in the morning so it's a wasted day :(

Hopefully I won't be the last on the route!

Enjoy the sun

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 :)

Snowy Christmas

My, my I've been away for a while..... sorry about that. 

Last Friday saw the first of the snow for sunny Devon & it hasn't gone away. On Monday the heavens opened for 3 whole hours...wow I love snow!!!! What I don't love is ice which is what we have now :(

What big feet you have Nanny!!!

So last Sunday I thought I better make the effort to get a bit christmassy, I had a sinking cold (yet another joy of retail!!!) but I think it came out pretty well....

Only a few decorations this year as I was feeling too poorly to go to the loft but I did treat myself to a fake Christmas tree...

I don't normally like fake trees but I thought this had a real retro feel & it was such a bargain I couldn't say no! 

I was working in Bristol last week & it would be rude not to pop to Cath!!

Back in November I brought this lovely biscuit tin from M&S.....

Looking forward to cracking these open on the big day!!!

 

It's been my day off today & with the ice being so bad we've had a lazy day in..... watching TV & playing games. I need to make the most of my 2 days off!
The scene is now set..... tree lights on, Silver Bells burning on the mantle piece & some homemade brownies.......

So my friends it's Merry Christmas from me.......

and here's to a crafty 2011!