A Saucerful Of Secrets

BELATED NEW YEAR GREETINGS TO YOU ALL X

2009-01-12T01:28:00.000-08:00

Well Hello my friends! I hope I find you all good and well and not suffering TOO badly with the post Christmas blues? We had a wonderfully relaxing crimble, we tackled the festivities in an unusually laid back way and surprisingly everything went like clockwork and the world didn't stop if we failed to get everything done on the list(s).

Here a some pics of our Christmas, seems such a long time ago now but it's good to acknowledge it here on my blog.
Look at that face! 6:15am and all is well with this little girls world.

A good relaxing time was had by all, even Mildred who took to guarding the tree and growling if we got too close to it(and her).We had a lovely time with the children playing games,watching movies and eating special treats.
Lovely flowers for Christmas from my friend of old , Cath.

Now we are well into January, dark mornings, dark evenings, poor Andy doesn't see the cottage in daylight at the moment. January is not one of my best months and what a lousy time to have a birthday!

Soon enough the days will get lighter and we will be heading towards the lovely springtime yippee!

I don't particularly have new year resolutions but I do find that as with tidying away the Christmas baubles I tidy away the past year and feel a twinge of excitement and hope for the new year ahead. January is the month for organising the mind and paving the way for the months ahead. If I was to have new year resolutions it would be to become greener and to do alot more walking in our beautiful countryside,I always feel wonderfully contented being close to nature. Poppy, at five, is still a bit little to do any major walking but on Saturday we went out into a VERY fresh morning and did a lovely 3 hour walk at a place called Ruskin Mill and the surrounding area. It was wonderful, we saw so many different birds and deer, making great use of George Dylan's new binoculars.I always feel inspired after being on such an adventure, imagine if I could do a walk every morning before setting to my work, if only........

I put this in because it's very intriguing.This sat in the lobby of Ruskin Mill, don't know what you call it, some sort of pump? if anyone has a clue, please share.

Here she is again, demon cat from hell, teehee, only joking, now I must be off. I have a sick child (again)to attend to and some work that needs finishing. I wish you all wealth, health and happiness for 2009 XXXXXXXXXXXX

THE WINNER IS.....

2008-12-19T18:23:00.000-08:00

Hi , just a quick post to say the name drawn out of the hat by George was,drum roll,..............
FUNKYMONKEY!! Please e-mail me your details asap.
Now, I am going back to my sick bed, the girls have succumbed.xxxxxxxx

DECEMBER DAYS.......AND A CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY

2008-12-15T04:45:00.000-08:00

I love this time, Mid December when potentially, the ***t hits the fan. I find it quite exciting trying to juggle with various festive events,doing lists,food lists, gift lists, card lists , lists of lists etc. etc.You know where I'm coming from? oh good, I'm not alone. There is also a birthday list, our George is fourteen on the 17th December.

I have been trying to get some last bits of work done for the Christmas markets , my little wren house is soooo cold at the moment, I'm being a wimp, doing it in comfort in front of a roaring fire, but look at the conditions I have to work under.............Needle felting with a soporific cat firmly attached to my lap-he's nearly come a cropper on more than one occasion.

Our tree went up on Saturday evening , it was lovely to at last see the vintage baubles I bought a month ago in their rightful place, the pics do not do them justice, the tree looks lovely, looks like the trees of my childhood, I'm so pleased....

A night shot of the children's tree which sits on the piano

I shared a table at the Farmer's Market Christmas market with my friend Mandy on Saturday.It poured with rain until about 11am but I love doing this event each year, it feels festive and I love talking to the people. The time flew but my toes took an age to thaw out when I got home.

We have the cold and flu bug buzzing around here at the moment, and as I write this, my son is sat cuddling up, having a day off school, also, the man of the house has fallen by the wayside.Just us girls left standing, you watch, mine will come in time for the Saturday market, hey ho!!

This brings me appropriately to my Christmas giveaway, something to snuggle under a lovely warm blanket with, a Green and Blacks hot chocolate and a dvd of a great christmassy vintage movie,'The Bishops Wife' , Cary Grant, what more could a girl want? Sorry, the welsh tapestry blanket is not included, it's very much in use right now.

All you have to do is come say Hi, it's as simple as that, I will get birthday boy to pick a number out of the party hat on the evening of the 19th Dec at 6pm. I need to get it off to the winner asap so they can enjoy a pre-christmas evening with our Mr. Grant.

I'm off now to mop some brows. Do hope you are keeping well out there, Annie xxxx

DECEMBER DAYS........A BLOG CATCH UP.

2008-12-08T01:31:00.000-08:00

WELL! doesn't the time fly? I honestly couldn't tell you where I've been all this time, maybe I have a bad case of amnesia, must have been from the fall I had the Monday after the VH fair but I wont go into too much detail other than to say it was VERY undignified and it bloody hurt. There have been a catalogue of mishaps lately, like the needle that went through my slipper and into my toe,oh yes and being bitten on the hands by something with teeth that would put jaws to shame.Anyway dear readers, this is starting to sound like some feeble excuses for why I have been such a shocking blogger. No excuses, I am a shocking blogger, but I do hope that I can, somehow make amends, for I can confidently say that I have reached that "christmassy" frame of mind and would love to share my excitement with people who understand how I feel, yes, YOU........

Firstly, it would be very rude of me not to mention that wonderful event on the 22nd November, it seems such a long time ago now, there were so many great posts about the day, so eloquently told with great photos. My photos are not so hot and are few in number.It was so lovely to meet and put faces to the blogs, alas, I didn't get round to having a chat with everyone but I hope I will next time.Jayne and Michele did a fantastic job in organising the event, I hope it wasn't too exhausting for you ladies.

This is a nice one of Mr. Snippets isn't it? Like my Man, he stayed all day, a jolly chap :)

didn't take any photos of my table so here is the quick dummy run on the kitchen table the day before.Again, not a brilliant photo but my website is up and running now (still being constructed),see my side bar, if you would like to take a closer look at my work.How grown up!

This photo was taken for Jayne(and the happy crow) I hope you can see your rabbit sat there, he's made himself very much at home. Thank you, it was a lovely giveaway and my first.

This was what greeted us this morning on the way to school, a lovely sprinkling of frost and a fresh bite in the air, oh how I love it! I still have high hopes of a snow fall on Christmas Eve, a girl can dream.......It was Stroud's 'Goodwill Evening' on Friday, and for us, this marks the start of the "Christmassey"feelings.

There were more people than I'd ever seen before, maybe this credit crunch business is making people more determined to have a good time, it has with me anyway. There were street performers ,

A lovely lantern procession with fire jugglers, stilt walkers, carol singers galore.....

Here they are again, entertaining everyone with their jolly banter, Poppy and George loved this. There were some lovely stalls in the farmers market, food, pottery, stalls selling exotic wares, the smell of incense punching the air, frankincense? myrrh?

I will be sharing a stall at the Christmas Farmer's Market on the 13th and 20th December, it was great fun last year so I am looking forward to it very much.

Lastly, I wanted to show you my piano. I find that the things that live on top of my piano changes with the seasons.

This is my piano in November, it shows some recent purchases, some vintage Russian dolls that I love, a vintage (70's) chocolate box bought from the rag market in October, and some vintage Christmas baubles bought for £5 on a bric-a-brac stall, can't wait to put them on the tree.
I have to say, my piano is no longer dressed for November, the children put their tree up on Saturday and this always lives on the piano.SO, dear readers, you will have to come back to see the festive changes that take place over the next few weeks.Phew!!! I hope you are still there?yes? oh good.... thought I'd over done it for a minute........Do come back soon, I have an award from the lovely Deanna (now there's a girl who loves Christmas) and a Christmas giveaway too- better get my skates on hadn't I, Eeeek!xxxxxxxxxxxx

THE VINTAGE AND HANDMADE FAIR

2008-11-20T14:19:00.000-08:00

Hi there! I'm just quickly dipping in to my blog to remind everyone that The vintage and Handmade Fair is on this Saturday 22nd November at Rangeworthy village hall, near Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire. Opening 10 till 4 with free addmission with refreshments on sale.
Get into the Christmas spirit, come along and bring a friend, it will be well worth a visit with lots of lovely things for sale plus the chance to meet fellow bloggers.

We would love to see you there, Annie x

AUTUMN TERM @ GREENVIEW.

2008-11-02T11:30:00.000-08:00

Half Term Bedlam, but we just find it best if you go with
the flow.

Relaxing in the afternoons, sometimes snoozing....

Warm cosy kitchen, waiting to be used.

Drying old lace.......

Some well appreciated sunshine in an

old jug....

Cooking soups and stews, real comforting stuff....

Some cushion making, can you see me?

MEET THE FAMILY

2008-10-19T18:30:00.000-07:00

I have been working on a rather large commission which was to make dolls to represent the client and her husband and three daughters, one of which died at birth, tricky, yes, but to my great relief they loved the finished result.
There were alot of new challenges for me in this commission, one being to make a MAN doll. I was given a brief to work to and some materials which meant something to each, it was a lovely project to do.

The girls were alot of fun to do, with their hairstyles and punky clothes.

The golden leggins of this doll were made from a gold metallic ribbon that came from a confectionary business my clients grandfather owned years ago, quite precious and very tricky to work with.

The baby doll I found the hardest task of all. I didn't want angel wings, so little butterfly wings were made. The little strawberry hat and stripey socks were the only two things my client bought during the pregnancy, she wanted the doll to wear these things, the money thing was wanted to represent her name, Luca, not a choice I would have made, I can't ever imagine what it's like to lose a child...........

I've yet to make the pet cat and rabbit, which will be done soon.

My client, herself, is a maker of the most amazing mozaics, so, in part payment I am having my children's hands made.I love having makers work around me, but being a poor maker myself this is the only way I can do it. I don't mind being poor, but I do love being surrounded by lovely things, don't you?

OH MY!

2008-09-29T10:07:00.000-07:00

Hello! My, it's been a while, over a month since my last post.I have no explanation for this,only that real life must take priority and the virtual one must stand aside. I have still managed to pop by some of you lovely blogs out there and am truly heartened to find that most, like myself, find the summer into autumn thing a bit challenging and our offspring leaving the warmth of our nests to enter into another school year SLIGHTLY perplexing......
On the plus side, work can resume and at last I have found my thread (literally) and enjoying the freedom to make and the contentment it brings me.

Before I go any further, I must at last acknowledge this wonderful award given to me by Michele (Cowboys and Custard),bloody links still escape me, but I'm sure you all know who and where Michele is, if you don't, you are missing out big time. Anyway, Thank you sweetheart, but do forgive me for not passing this award on at the mo, I have a number of blogs in mind but not the time, patience or most importantly the SKILL to do it justice.

As I have mentioned, back to school time has come around again.George has gone in to year 8 and seems his usual settled self, it's Harvesting at school today, always a favourite with my boy. They spend most of the day digging up the produce from their bio-dynamic garden (their planting and growing is determined by the moon) and making a very grand Harvest alter in celebration. George's favourite part is when all the school share a meal of soup made from the harvested goodies, a lovely time of year.

Poppy has settled well into year 1 and her confidence has really come on since last term, which is lovely to see.Pops loves school,although, you wouldn't believe it from the photo, I think she was fed up of me taking so many,lol. The photo was taken on the wrong setting so it's not great, do you love the hat? I love it, one of CK 's better products,OOOhh! how damning was that? sorry girls, I find the quality of some of her products very disappointing to say the least and overpriced, would rather spend the money on real vintage finds, enough said......

It's been so long and I'm incredibly rusty at this malarkey, so I think I will just show some pics of some of the things going on around here with a little explanation.

There have been funny times.........

little bird making times.....

Mindless knitting times.....

Knitting and crochet book buying times.........

Book reading times, I loved reading about these strong creative ladies.......

I will leave it at that for now. I have a day ahead juggling my nursing and making hats, Poppy has a day off school today with a hacking cough and cold but I hope I can manage to do some making between all those lovely cuddles and hot chocolate, bliss..........xxxxxxx

MINDLESSNESS

2008-08-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

This is our August garden, with all the rain we've been receiving, it's gone crazy! but I love it wild. It's just a shame we haven't been able to use it as much as we would have liked, but who wants trench foot? We really must get in there and tidy it up before winter sets in.

I must admit, my brain seems to have skipped the summer mode and headed straight for Autumn, I find myself making mental lists and plans for:-

1. Preparing the garden for winter.

2. Digging out winter attire, I can already be found wearing my knee length suede boots, this does not feel odd to me, people around me have noticed, the British are very polite, they say nothing......

3. CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!! yes, I'm starting next week....

4. Laundering all our lovely blankets and quilts ready to dress the beds. I think , after much deliberation, this is the way forward, going back to the good,cold old days when we didn't have C.H. and we did have to put on extra jumpers. We cannot afford a 60% rise in our fuel bills. Please, if anyone has any good ideas on this topic, please let me know.

4. Oh yes! I've been planning a menu of hot soups and stews (and eating a few along the way too)

I have also started knitting up some scarves ( I AM LOSING THE PLOT). I call this my "mindless knitting", no counting of stitches involved so I can let my mind wander to those all important lists and yet I can still communicate with the children, the busy hands keep me calm:)The scarves look dead boring at the moment but I'm hoping a few flowers and buttons will jazz them up a little.

The children have watched me mindlessly knitting and asked if I could teach them how to do it,EEeeek! So we gave it a go.......... it was fun and wiled away a rainy hour, but I think George is a bit dispraxic and needs loads of time and practice and Poppy is just too young at the moment, one day they'll get it.

I got this book out of the library having it in mind to do crochet flowers on the scarves, but it may as well have been in dutch!ssooooo, I've ordered a crochet book from Amazon recommended by a favourite blogger of mine 'attic24' sorry,forgotten the link thing again, So hopefully, I will get the hang of it.

I saw this teapot in a charity shop and had to make it mine. It has replaced my trustee red pot that alas had a wicked chip on the spout. the only thing is, the cosy I made last year, as you see from the pic, does not work with my new pride and joy, so, a new cosy is planned to wile away the cool autumn evenings while curled up under one of our blankets.

Oh dear! I have gone on a bit, sorry about that, just call it my mindless blogging.....
MMmmmm, time for tea xxxxxxxxxx

LITTLE GIRLS ROOM, IKEA TO THE RESCUE YET AGAIN!

2008-08-11T10:36:00.000-07:00

I have found myself, on returning from our phantom holiday, wandering around the cottage making mental lists of "things to do". The list is sadly endless at this point in time. One job desperate for attention was Pop's room.

When Pops came along, all her worldly possessions could fit into one small vintage nursery trunk that I had found during my student days, as with George, five years on, storage has been a major issue. Toys filled the said trunk and toppled out spreading chaos all over the floor. A few months ago we were preparing my wren house studio and discovered shelves at Ikea perfect in every way, especially the price, £29! Ikea come to the rescue yet again, we buy a set for Pop's and I spend a whole day sorting through , baggin , shelvin, binin. I was so pleased with the result and I think Pops was too, she could find things she forgot she had and her bedroom seems twice the size now. We also bought a stack of wicker baskets which did the trick in containing all the annoying little bits like yoyos, bouncy balls, musical toys etc. Result!!

The bed cost us £32 from a bric-a-brac shop in Brecon, it's very shabby, but as they say, it's chic! it's covered in an old fifties patchwork i bought off an antique dealer friend and an old welsh quilt I had in exchange for some sewing repairs.

We hung some pictures and found a use for some old dummy boards I'd made a lifetime ago, brightening up some corners. The bunnykins clock was a christening gift for George, and a favourite of ours.

I do like a bargain but I have been known to spend a bit on toys, saying that, the children only have them at Christmas and birthdays, so we feel justified. I think it's important that George and Pops should value what they receive, being a maker myself, workmanship and quality is important to me and I want things to last, as heirlooms, they might even be the antiques of the future, that would be lovely....

This is the dolls house we got Pops a few years ago, as a child I always wanted one, so obviously I couldn't wait to get this for her, there's something magical about life in miniature don't you think?Pops plays out all life's scenarios with the little people living inside.

The painting was done by someone at college the same time as me, I think it was a swap. It's quite naive, but I love it for this reason, it's perfect in this room.

This Noah's Arc is made by 'East of India', again, simple and naive but robust enough for heavy duty playing with ( even though a label states it is not a toy).
The plan is to paint the draws and cupboards with a lovely eggshell paint, but I can't decide on the colour, any ideas?
Oh well, enough of my waffling, I must be off, I have that mental list to deal with.
I do hope the sun shines on you wherever you are today. Annie x

FOWEY OR FOLLY

2008-08-02T17:03:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of July I took it upon myself to book a campsite. Myself and my family were desperate to get away from it all, even if it was just for four days, it has been a bit of a roller coaster around here these last few months with one thing and another.

I have been reading the memoirs of Daphne du Marier's daughter and the setting of Fowey in Cornwall inspired me to take action.

Penhale farm campsite was truly spectacular, as you can see in the pic, with views out to sea. This being only the second camping experdition undertaken with the children I did my damndest to make it special, we took our lovely welsh blankets to ward off the cold night air, we bought a snazzy cooker with grill and some comfy folding chairs. much to Andy's amusement, there was a table complete with table cloth and our trusty teapot complete with cosy. I felt I had done my best to make it work.

Fowey was, indeed enchanting, the lovely narrow streets, the harbour with the little boats bobbing about, reading the book and it's place in history, it was, in theory the perfect choice.....

Monday night, our first under canvas,was noisy and very wet. There had been severe weather warnings. Morning, we thought, that wasn't too bad.

Tuesday we had a lovely day,firstly going to Truro for a look round,got some good things from the charity shops and a nice lunch, but the best part of the day was driving to The Lizard, the most southerly point of Britain, a wild, exciting place, we celebrated with a cornish cream tea, cor!

Nature is truly a wonderful thing and I am often in awe of it, but oh my God! Tuesday night, in that tent, exposed to all that nature could throw at us, it frightened me. Apparently, there had been further severe weather warnings. The noise was incredible, and myself and Andy soon realised we were in trouble, looking out of the bedroom pod, we could see the tent had risen about six inches and everything was soaking.All the pegs had come loose and the tent was virtually flat on top of the children in the other pod.

To cut a long(night)story short, we were awake all night, soaked, the tent was wrecked and we packed the car all through the night. We new our Fowey holiday was over.

George was awake and alarmed by the whole situation. Poppy! well, she slept through the whole ordeal,AMAZING......

The week before had been glorious, it seems so unfair, four days thats all we wanted.....

Before heading home, I went round some of the lovely shops in Fowey and consoled myself with a few treats to take back to Gloucestershire with me.

It was sad our cornish break ended so disasterously, but a few good things came out of it. Both myself and Andy were of the opinion that camping is not for us, strictly cottage hire from now on,WHOOPIE!

The last few days were spent in Hay-on-Wye, I love this place, with all it's book shops and individual gift and antique shops, and pottering around here. Atleast we were dry,warm and stress free. We did get about a bit didn't we?!! (she writes, laughing hysterically)

Please let me know some good holiday weather stories, restore my faith, PLEASE X

THINGS THAT MAKE ME SMILE,PART 2

2008-08-01T23:20:00.000-07:00

Emma Bridgewater china............

Lovely Billy Holiday..........

old china bought for next to nothing..........

hand made goodies........

my swap with Mrs.Custard, it's perfect there......

my mannequin, she's a doll..............

Birthday cakes and party bags...............

our leaf and bee lamp, our wedding gift from Andy's parents.......

and christmas of course!!!!!

THINGS THAT MAKE ME SMILE, PART 1.

2008-07-21T15:36:00.000-07:00

LONG HOT DAYS ON THE BEACH.

LOVELY COOL ICE-CREAM.

SMILEY HAPPY FACES.

RHOSSILI BEACH.

THE SUN SHINING ON WORMS HEAD.
MY MAN ASLEEP IN THE SUNSHINE.

MY JULY GARDEN.

ANDY MAKING US LEMON CAKE,MMMmmmmmmm.

ROLL UP! ROLL UP!

2008-07-17T14:15:00.000-07:00

There's been a bit of a buzz in blogland of late, and it's all to do with this idea cooked up over a good coffee by Jayne of http://countrycottagechic.blogspot.com/ and Michele of http://infocowboysandcustard.blogspot.com/. Basically, the ladies thought how great it would be to organise an event where like minded bloggers could meet and sell their vintage and handmade goods to each other and the public. I, as do others, think this a fab idea, an opportunity not to be missed, think of all the lovely things to buy for christmas and of course, there will be plenty of cake.......Vintage & Handmade Fair to be held on Saturday the 22nd of November 2008 at Rangeworthy Village Hall, nr. Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire. 10 a.m - 4.00 p.m. Tables for the event are £10.00 each for the day Maximum 2 tables per person.

If this little jamboree sounds too tempting to miss and you would like to find out more information, then please click on the above links. I would love to meet you there . xxx

NOW I AM 5,ANGEL AND BUTTERFLY

2008-07-13T22:28:00.000-07:00

I think this is one of my favourite pics of Pops, it was around the time of her 2nd birthday, a glorious age, little did I know how much fun was still ahead of us.........

Now I am 5! here she is, my angel. How time flies when your having fun. I can't believe how she has grown in three years. I love her spirit and how she reacts if she thinks an injustice has been done and her motherly ways, in one so young. Mostly, I love her slapstick humour, it gets me every time.........
This was Pops birthday party, mmmm, rain and mud, mud and some more rain. We put the family tent up in the garden and decorated with balloons, banners and streamers, lots of games were played and food was devoured, they loved the mud and playing football. Pops thought it was wonderful....... Phew!

So happy you had a great birthday peaches, I look forward to many many more,

We All LOVE you baby xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Meet May Fly, she is a fairy I've made for a customer's daughter. I have not made a fairy before. I decided to make her a butterfly fairy, with butterfly wings. I have a thing for winged creatures, birds, butterflies, dragonflies. It's started me off now, I'll be throwing wings on everything !!!!
It is the final week of school, while I am both relieved and excited about having six weeks with my babies, I also wonder how on earth I can keep them busy and happy during this time AND work on a large commission too, Help! any tips? It usually takes us a week or two to get into a rhythm that feels good for us all. We are going camping down in Fowey in Cornwall the last week of July, please let it be dry :)

I shall leave it at that for now, night night xx

A MONTH GONE BY ALREADY.......

2008-07-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know, I have been a shockingly bad blogger these last few months and have toyed with the idea of putting the old thing to rest, but I think I must atleast reach my first year anniversary!!
I have just managed to put a few pics on of the open studio that was a month ago now, i can't believe how time flies. look at the sun shining in the photos! The weather has been something else these last few days, It was Poppy's 5th birthday on Sunday, boy, did it rain. Luckily, the rain held off for the two and a half hours of her party. We put the family tent up in the garden and decorated it with streamers and balloons, they loved it, and lots of games were played and jelly devoured with gusto. It was lovely, but exhausting. I will post some photos in my next post, hopefully tomorrow, I really must get back in to regular blogging, I enjoy it and I love reading comments from other bloggers and reading about their lives and loves. The issue, is having enough time for this pleasure.

Mandy's knitwear, I've bought a few of her lovely hats over the years, and her knitted bunting is gorgeous

At long last, this is my studio, I love it and am enjoying working in there, as you can see, I'm not the only one. A certain amount of time is wasted fighting for my seat.

I'm afraid my table is a complete mess, but it's my mess and it's pure bliss being able to just leave it that way.
It's 11:30pm now so I think it's time to say bye bye and put the laptop to bedZZZZZzzzzzzxxxxx

TIME TO STOP AND TAKE STOCK.

2008-06-20T21:56:00.000-07:00

WELL HELLO MY FRIENDS, COME, PULL UP A CHAIR, IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE WE LAST MET FOR A CATCH - UP. DO YOU FANCY A BREW? MILK? SUGAR?

IT'S BEEN A FEW DAYS SINCE WE FINISHED THE STROUD '08 OPEN STUDIOS. I DIDN'T REALISE HOW MUCH IT WOULD TAKE OUT OF ME BUT I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE.

ANDY WAS A TRUE KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR AND FINISHED MY WORK ROOM AND THE GARDEN, I WAS SO PLEASED. THERE WERE FIVE OF US EXHIBITING, IT ALL WENT TOGETHER VERY NICELY I THINK.

PHOTOS HAVE BEEN TAKEN, BUT ALAS, THEY ARE NOT ON MY LAPTOP, SO MAYBE I'LL HAVE SOME FOR MY NEXT POST....

A MAJOR HIGH POINT OF THE EVENT WAS MEETING MY BLOG FRIEND, MICHELE ( COWBOYS AND CUSTARD ) AND HER LOVELY MR. CUSTARD. IT SEEMED SO NATURAL TO BE GREETING THEM AS IF SEEING OLD FRIENDS AFTER A LONG SPELL APART, WE HAD NEVER MET BEFORE , HOW STRANGELY MAGICAL . MICHELE WAS JUST AS I IMAGINED, HAVING NOT SEEN ANY PHOTOS ON HER BLOG, JUST A TANTALISING SHOT OF HER HAIR OR A BACK VIEW, HER VOICE ON THE TELEPHONE....... IT'S LIKE FINDING THE FINAL PIECE OF AN ON-GOING PUZZLE, BUT THERE IS NO ANTI- CLIMAX, JUST HOPE, THAT WE WILL MEET AGAIN...

SOME OTHER EXCITING THINGS HAPPENED DURING OUR OPEN STUDIO, BUT I CANNOT TELL AS YET, WE SHALL SEE....

THESE PHOTOS ARE A FEW WELL OVERDEW MINUTES OF FUN WITH MY POPS, THERE'S ALWAYS AN ELEMENT OF GUILT INVOLVED WHEN I'M PUTTING ALOT OF TIME INTO MY WORK, THE POSITIVE SIDE OF THIS IS THAT THE CHILDREN SEE ME MAKING AND ARE EAGER TO HAVE A GO THEMSELVES. GEORGE LOVES FELTING AND POP'S HAS JUST STARTED SEWING, I COULD DO WITH SOME HELP!!!!

EARLY MORNING SUNSHINE AT THE LITTLE WREN HOUSE.

2008-05-14T14:05:00.000-07:00

HELLO, I DON'T WANT TO BORE YOU WITH YET MORE PICS OF MY WORKROOM BUT I'M AFRAID I MUST,LOL. THE SUN SHONE GLORIOUSLY EARLY THIS MORNING WHEN ME AND POPS VENTURED IN TO THE LITTLE WREN HOUSE, IT SMELLS OF WOOD AND PAINT, NEWNESS, I'M SO EXCITED NOW.

I THINK THESE SPANISH TILES ARE LOVELY, I BOUGHT THEM ONE A WEEK YEARS AGO, WISH I'D BOUGHT MORE.....

THE POND HAS BEEN CLEANED OUT, WE HAVE TWELVE NEWTS PLUS THEIR BABIES AND A LOVELY FROG, HE STANDS WITH HIS BACK LEGS ON THE BOTTOM WITH HIS FRONT LEGS OUTSTRETCHED GAZING UPWARDS, LIKE SOME KIND OF SUN WORSHIPPER, I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.

AGAIN, IKEA COME TO THE RESCUE WITH THESE SHELF UNITS, CAN'T WAIT TO FILL THEM WITH ALL MY BITS AND PIECES.

MY GIRLS. I THINK THIS IS THE FIRST PIC I'VE MANAGED TO GET OF MILDRED SINCE SHE WAS A KITTEN, SHE'S TWO END OF THE MONTH! LIKE HER BROTHER, SHE IS A BEEEAAAUUUUUUTIFUL CAT. I HAVE WORKED VERY HARD TO KEEP HER, KEEPING HER IN FOR SIX WEEKS AND GIVING HER LOTS OF LOVE, CROSS FINGERS, I THINK IT HAS WORKED. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY CHECK THAT THE NEIGHBOURS ARE NOT TAKING HER IN AND FEEDING HER.

SHE IS SO WORTH IT.

I WILL TRY AND POST ABOUT SOMETHING OTHER THAN MY WORKROOM NEXT TIME. THE WHEATHER HAS BEEN GLORIOUS, LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO TURN TO RAIN TOMORROW, THE GARDEN NEEDS IT SO THATS OK..... BYE FOR NOW X

AND FOR SOME MORE .........

2008-05-12T17:07:00.000-07:00

As promised, here I am again with yet some more pics. The first ones are of studio progress, and as you can see, it's amazing what you can do with a bit of determination and hard graft, thank you so much my love, your a hero x

Don't you just love IKEA? i'm not so keen on the furniture, but their lighting is ace and soooo cheap, they do great jammy dodgers too! a must for us on every visit.

I love my sink, how sad is that? called Charlotte, I have a habit of HUMANISING objects I like or love, I wouldn't tell my brother, he's a psychiatrist, he would have an absolute field day!

The GANG. A dummy run( RRR!) For the textile festival market which I attended on Saturday and Sunday.

Little Nell and her little hen.

Maybelle.

The venue for the textile sale.The setting was in this lovely old house which was once part of the mansion belonging to the mill owner. I really enjoyed the two days here, made some sales, met some lovely people and learned a lot, fabulous!

Miss B.T

This is me, a month ago, I had surgery to remove a freckle that appeared about ten years ago. I had the photo taken because I was very pleased with the plastic surgeons hand work. ALAS, my biopsy results were not what we expected, my freckle was what you would call a wolf in sheeps clothing........ I have to have the surgery again next week, such is life, things could be a damn sight worse, it was a dissapointment to think I'd been living with a melanoma for all these years, I have an angel watching over me, THANK YOU MY ANGEL X

IT'S BEEN SUCH A LONG TIME....... BUT NOW I'M BACK!

2008-05-11T22:28:00.000-07:00

HELLO, IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE? i SHOULD THINK NOT! AFTER THE PERIOD OF TIME THAT i HAVE BEEN ABSENT FROM BLOG LAND. lIFE HAS BEEN A TAD ON THE MAD SIDE i MUST SAY, IT IS HARD TO KNOW WHAT TO WRITE, HOW TO BEGIN, SO I WILL START VERY SIMPLY BY SHOWING A LITTLE OF WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON AROUND HERE. I WILL TRY TO BLOG EACH DAY THIS WEEK IN THE HOPE OF CATCHING UP WITH NEWS AND EVENTS, IT WILL DO ME GOOD.

some before pics of the wren house.

As you can see it's a bit of a mess, but the pics that follow the progress of andy's hard work will show what can be achieved when you have a major deadline.

FRIEDA AND THE BIRDS.

maria von katz.

MY SWEET WREN HOUSE.I AM GOING TO LEAVE IT AT THAT FOR NOW, BREAK MYSELF IN GENTLY, HA HA XXXX

HAPPY EASTER !!!!

2008-03-22T10:09:00.000-07:00

Some Easter decs to brighten the place.....

A little egg display to tantalize and tease....

Andy's lemon Easter cake to please....

Easter breakfast with hot cross buns......

My favourite china in fresh springtime colours......

The Good Friday procession with crosses and free buns.

These are some of the ways we have spent this easter weekend. We still have bonnet making and making chocolate nests for the ' Collieockey Bird' who lays chocolate eggs in the nests on Easter morning and if we are really lucky, she might even leave one of her brightly coloured feathers for us to find, what fun!!!

Do have a safe and wonderful weekend, Annie x

THE TALE OF RUFUS AND THE CATNIP AND SOME OTHER STORIES.

2008-03-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!I HAVE TO SAY I'VE HAD QUITE A WEEK ONE WAY OR ANOTHER AND I CANNOT HELP BEING OVER THE MOON TO HAVE GOT THAT ONE OVER WITH.
POPPY WAS OFF SCHOOL MOST OF THE WEEK WITH A TEMP AND COLDY SYMPTOMS, BOY, ARN'T THEY TIME CONSUMING?WHAT WITH FEEDING, CUDDLING, CLOTHING, ADMINERSTERING, PLAYING........ THERE AIN'T MUCH OF THE DAY LEFT! WHAT ABOUT WORK? OH WELL, SHE'S GREAT FUN EVEN WHEN A BIT GRUMPY AND OFF COLOUR.
I HAVE BEEN HAVING HEART WRENCHING MOMENTS OVER MILDRED,MY CAT, YES I DO HAVE ANOTHER CAT BESIDES RUFUS, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE MILDRED DOESN'T THINK MUCH OF US ( WITH SOME NAUGHTY GOINGS - ON BY A NEIGHBOUR,AGAIN!!!) AND IS NOT COMING HOME.I AM DEVASTATED AND ALSO VERY ANGRY.ANYWAY, TO TRY AND HELP MILDRED LOVE US, I PURCHASED SOME VERY POTENT CATNIP AND PUT IT IN ONE OF THE HOUSEHOLDS BEST SOCKS ( THEIR LIKE GOLD DUST HERE). MILDRED WASN'T MOVED, TURNED ON HER HEELS AND SCARPERED.
RUFUS COMES IN AND IS IMMEDIATELY FLOORED BY THE BREW, HE WAS POSITIVELY ORGASMIC ! SO I LEFT HIM TO IT.....
HE LATER COMES UPSTAIRS, PULLS ALL POPPY'S TOYS OUT OF HER BASKET ATE HER STRETCHY RUBBER FROG, THEN OPENED HER BOXED GAMES AND TOOK ALL THE BITS OUT. THE PIC ABOVE IS TAKEN JUST AFTER THE RESCUE OF SAID BITS OF BUCKAROO, LOOK AT HIS EYES!! THIS BEHAVIOUR CONTINUED ALL MORNING, NEEDLESS TO SAY, CATNIP HAS BEEN CONFISCATED. HE'S CRAZY ENOUGH WITHOUT IT

IN BEETWEEN BEING NURSE AND KEEPER OF THE PEACE, I HAVE BEEN BATTLING AWAY WITH SOME MORE DOLLS AND THINGS. I THINK THE KITTEN LOVE HEART VERY MUCH SAYS WHERE MY THOUGHTS HAVE BEEN, WITH MY TWO LOVELY CATS WHO NO LONGER LOVE EACH OTHER.
THE BUTTERFLY DOLL HAS BEEN A PAIN IN THE BACKSIDE FOR SOME REASON, BUT I'LL GET THERE IN THE END.

THIS IS FIFI ET FELIX, A FRENCH MADAM WITH HER TRUSTY CHOWAWA, HE DOES LOVE HIS DIAMONDS!

ON SATURDAY, I ESCAPED THE CRAZY BUNCH AND WENT TO A RAG MARKET IN TOWN, OH MY GOD! I THOUGHT I'D DIED AND GONE TO HEAVEN. I COULD HAVE BOUGHT THE WHOLE LOT, I TRIED TO BE AS SENSIBLE AS POSSIBLE, ADDICTION IS A TERRIBLE THING. I SAW SOOOOO MANY OTHER WOMEN THERE WITH THAT SAME CRAZED EXPRESSION, IT'S OUR KINDA CATNIP, DON'T YOU JUST LOVE IT?
I THINK IT'S TIME I SIGNED OFF, THINK CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG WILL FINISH SOON,THATS ME BACK FEEDING, CUDDLING, CLOTHING, FEEDING........ BYE X

LIFE' S A BIT TOPSY TURVY AT THE MOMENT

2008-03-11T09:28:00.000-07:00

As you can see! didn't know how to change this pic but thought it was apt. I would love to offer you some topsy turvy tea and welcome you in to my topsy turvy world.
I have some pics to share with you or should they be confessions of how much needs to be achieved before June. I hope the after pics are a darn site better. Anyway, pick up your tea and follow me........

This is my 'Wren House', my work room. We shall leave the door firmly shut and save that pleasure for another day :(

My potting area at the bottom of my work room.

Halfway down the garden, where's the colour?

The bottom two terraces, MMmmmm, diggin and turfin is needed here.

Looking towards the house and workroom from the middle terrace. Oh my word! I feel a panic comin on.........

Finally, our sad little pond, the shame of it.

Do not despair dear readers! for I'm sure, by June we will have a garden to match this one, Monet's wonderful garden in Giverny. I've been here, a devine place. Don't you love that green?

Besides freaking about the garden, I've been doin a bit of this.......

Some sorting through my bits of fabric...........

And some felting.

What I am having to do is muster up as much belief and faith that great things can be achieved on limited time and budget. There's nothing quite like a challenge to get the blood circulating,lol.I will post the before pics of my workroom soon, hope you've got the stomach for it?

Best Wishes to you all, have a lovely day. Annie x

FOR JAYNE, AND ALL YOU TEDDY LUVVERS OUT THERE X

2008-02-21T09:09:00.000-08:00

Hi, in response to Jayne(http://countrycottagechic.blogspot.com)and/ her challenge of doing a post on our favourite teddy or toy, here are just a couple of pics of our motley crew who sit quietly on Poppy's cupboard.The old boy in the centre is mine, the 'old bear ' on the right is my sons which he was given by a dear friend on the morning he was born.The teddy on the left is Andy's which he has had since birth.Also residing there is Rabbie, friend and confidant to Ted,Winnie the pooh and a dragon commemorating The Prince of Wales investiture in Caernarvon in 1969.

As you can see, Ted's no 'Steiff ', but as a child I loved him dearly, he was my friend, comforter and councillor all rolled in to one. I'll keep him always.

What about you? why not join in this trip down memory lane?If you do, please let me know so I can come visit your past. It's cuddly fun!! Annie x

BRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

2008-02-19T09:32:00.000-08:00

This is what Rufus is up to today, and I can't say I blame him. It is dead chilly outside, but the sun is shining, so I think myself and Pop's will wrap up warm and head off on a little adventure together, nothing TOO exciting, just a drink in our favourite watering hole and then the library, charity shops and ofcourse the haberdashery, I need to be inspired.
Hope you are keeping warm and doing what you like doing best today. Annie x