On the shelf

We're making slow progress with house renovations, mainly because the pennies have had to be seriously watched over recent months. However, in the last few weeks we've finished the first part of the mammoth shelving job for our lounge and dining room.

We have four alcoves to fill, three of which are destined to be shelved. The final one will, fingers crossed, house a mini sideboard or cupboard.

We started with the empty corner ...



And the piles of supplies ...





The artiste got to work ...



Miles of batons went up ...



And they look darn fine ...





Books make such nice ornaments :)
Toodle pip
J
x

Ooh-arrr me hearties!

My two knitted pirate dolls are finally finished ...



These were darn fiddly things to make but I'm pleased with the result, they sort of look like they should - never a guaranteed outcome with my knitting! Making up is my least favourite part of the process so these blighters about drove me mad - so many bits to sew together, especially doing two simultaneously so both peapods can have one :)

The boys are pleased with them and in an unsurprising bout of 'anything my brother does I do too' both have been christened 'Captain Jack Sparrow'. You can guess the current obsession at our house. oooh arr!

Toodle pip
J
x

Mothers Day goodies

There was much excitement among the little peapods at the patch this year in relation to Mothers Day. Friday evening after school saw several whispered exchanges between munchkins and Dad - plus nods, winks and a few under bed 'hiding' missions all the while mentioning that it was all a great big SECRET. Bless!

By the time Sunday arrived it was anticipated with almost as much excitement that a birthday normally generates.

Pressies were:

A homemade card ...



Complete with a beautiful display of Reu's fast improving writing skills ...



A Betty's bun (only the box survives, contents were devoured before the camera came out, but it is such a pretty box I can't bear to throw it away yet) ...




And a pin board ...



This last one is an old thing of my Dads that was rescued from the garage a few months back. Dave saw its potential, acquired it (much gratitude from Mum who is always looking to get rid of the remaining piles of garage tat) and has secretly renovated it for me, all with Caleb's help - he apparently pitched in with the sanding! It is now duly mounted and waiting to display the daily deliveries of artwork and stories that arrive home from school.

Toodle pip
J
x

One wedding quilt - done!

ok, so it has been a while again. Once more life kinda got in the way of coming on here to record the mundane and the creative. Then I remembered a couple of photos lurking on the pen drive which I never sorted out and the spark re-ignited. I've at least got to add the completed wedding quilt project.

So I'm proud to present ...


Mr & Mrs Lewis 2012 Wedding Gift Bed Quilt



I managed to get it done well within my self imposed deadline of one year - months in advance of their first anniversary in fact. It came together lovely and quickly once I got started and it was a very enjoyable one to do.

A bit more of a close up, unfortunately my snaps still don't show some of the lovely detail in the prints we found (there are plenty of chickens in there!). It looked so lovely and at home on our bed it was quite a wrench sending it off to its new owners.



Well the quilt has gone off to a very happy home and I understand it has been doing sterling work keeping the newly weds toes toasty over these winter months. Next up is youngest sister, she gets married in October this year and has also requested a quilt for their gift. The aim this time is to get it done before the wedding, wish me luck! First fabric shopping trip coming up on Monday :)

Toodle pip
J
x

Random round up

A couple of completely random pics to round off this weekends triple posting. No hang on a sec, there is a theme, they are both related to purchases made last weekend during our "date" day. Mum came and sat on the kids for us so us grown ups went out to lunch and for a mooch round Harrogate. I found a fabulous material shop and completed buying stuff for the wedding quilt I'm making, three nice fat piles - about a thousand - are now sat awaiting their stitches ...

 

Laying out is booked for next weekend, yay!

The second treat was a set of Orla Kierley storage jars ...



L-R ..... Branflakes, adult biscuits and green tea bags. Scrummy!

Toodle pip
J
x

Peter piper picked a pair of pretty posies

Despite the lack of sunshine the garden is producing the odd bloom here and there, enough to supply the windowsill with a wee jug of colour. Not quite the cutting garden I'm aiming for yet but hey, these things won't happen overnight.

Toodle pip
J
x

Progress in the pantry

A bit late recording this here but our renovation of the main pantry is now completed, same colour scheme as the previous cupboard including more spotty mats!

Very much before ...



The work in progress ...



Jobs a good'un ...



Freezer homed elsewhere and shelves restocked with all the bottles and jars ...



Next job, a garden gate. Our current solution to garden closure consists of a pallet propped between bushes and it drives me nuts!
Toodle pip
J
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