Sunday, 24 March 2013

A smile is a smile ...

This week started off mighty cold with a few remaining signs of the snow that sneaked up and surprised us last Sunday.
 The week has remained fffffreezing cold then, blown me down, we had another tonne of snow yesterday! The view from my window as I type is white, white and more white.
The Easter bunny will be calling on Father Crimbo for a favour soon and spreading chocolaty joy via a sledge, reindeer's and a sack at this rate!!

 ~ ~ ~

What song has been playing over and over in my lil world this week?

Not gonna tell you!! Click to reveal ;)

I thought if I put this at the top of the page you may like to play it whilst reading x x

~ ~ ~

This weeks fav photo is ...


A close up of my Bertie boy.
I love to pick out a specific detail when taking a photo, I know its not to everyones taste and is definitely not the traditional style of taking photos but for me the detail in this photo and the look in Bert's eye speaks a thousand words x x

and ...


My boy dreaming sweetest dreams x x
 
~ ~ ~
 
During a mundane trip to do a mundane chore this week I came across this sign.
Now, to some this could be described as criminal damage but to me its totally fab, raised a smile and I wish more boring road signs could be given a personality and make more people smile. Life can be way too serious at times and one of the ways forward is to lighten up a little and see the funny side, if this includes adding 'expression' to street furniture then, hey.
A smile is a smile!!!
 
~ ~ ~
 
Easter will soon be upon us but with snow on the ground and such cold weather sadly it feels like anything but. In preparation I have started to decorate our home with Easter delights ...
 
 
Sadly though as hard as I try, I just can't switch from winter mode to Easter/Spring mode. May be the thought of all of that impending chocolate will do the trick ;)
 
~ ~ ~
 
This year I really want to add some colour to our patio.
At the moment it looks like this ...
 
 
 
Perfectly OK but what I really anchor after is this ...
 
 
A beautiful floral welcome.
 
 Can you imagine sitting an enjoying a cuppa surrounded the scent of these floral delights? 
 
 
I'm thinking something like this to add colour and interest  ...
 
 
At our old home we had a pergola built which we loved,
we'd lurve something like this again ...
 
 
So far I have bought these three colourful beauts in preparation of the patio beautifying project ...
 
All we need now is sun, sun, sun
(oh and some money)!!
 
 
~ ~ ~
 
 Love is ...
 
 
 Not just any bear hug though ...
A Bessy Bear Hug ...
 
 
 
♥ Bess adores her brother from another mother ♥
 
 ~ ~ ~
 
I have been scouring through my photos this week desperately in search of the prefect ones to 'bling up'. Yep, I've discovered that bling can be added to photos ~ OMG! This is a sample of what I have been happily making all sparkly and shiny ...

 
 
 Picmonkey ~ where bling happens

~ ~ ~

I have been doing overtime at work at the mo so to keep me motivated to spend time in the office instead of roaming free I have treated myself to a lil luxury.


Hello Kitty and a Liberty mix = I'm all in!!

 
The smell of the cream reminded me of something and it took me ages to figure out what? It's the smell of old fashioned Johnson & Johnson baby lotion. Ahhh, every time I take the lid off it evokes a tonne of memories, a treat that keeps on giving!! Yay :)
 
~ ~ ~
 
Well that's it for this week folks, thanks for reading.
Bye y'all
xx xx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday, 17 March 2013

Glad to be home ...

Well, this week for us started off with every parents worst fear ~ a stay in Hospital with our son. All is well and we were very glad to come home. This has meant I have either been tending to a sick and poorly boy, trying to keep up with daily grind, busy at work or flaked out in a heap. Not great for providing interesting reading for y'all. But I will try so here goes ...
 
~ ~ ~

With Easter approaching I thought I would share with you some lovely Easter free downloads of printable loveliness.


Download said loveliness here at fun.kyti.me

Amongst other things these can be printed and used as Easter cards, tags, invitations to an Easter event, used along side Easter displays ~ I'm going to print some out postcard size and prop up on our mantelpiece, cut the pictures out to use as Easter bunting, the possibilities are endless.

Last years Easter craftiness of mine
 Can be found here.

Each year we have an Easter egg hunt around the garden (or house if its raining). Our youngish and not quite so youngish kids lurve it. They are armed with a basket and the promise of nomminess scattered hither and dither. They almost turn primeval over the sight of a shiny wrapped piece of chocolate. This Easter I'm also going to try something new, I'm going to give my kiddywinkles a handful of jelly beans to scatter in the garden (then pray the dogs aren't behind us gobbling them all up). In the morning they will find that lollipops have grown out of the ground where the beans have been scattered ~ eeek. They are probably way too old for this kinda fun and frolics but hey, the promise of additional sweets will no doubt get them out there reaping what they sow.

~ ~ ~
 
Hum, so what have I've been listening to this week ?
The video for this is very poignant for some parents xx
 
~ ~ ~

My latest bargain is this ~ yay.


I paid a whole £1.00, yep one squid for a brand new silk lampshade ~ whoop whoop and a yippee.

~ ~ ~

Shhhh, I have been on etsy again. My husband will lose the plot when he opens yet another email congratulating him on yet another purchase and for his wife's good taste ;) I have revisited the same shop that I bought the 1950's Greyhound racing postcard. I discovered that if you order more than one postcard at the same time the postage remains the same ~ well I'd be a fool not to partake!!! I currently have another 1950's American Greyhound postcard and a 1940s New York postcard crossing the pond. I plan to put these in frames and at a couple of quid each what a fab and unique way to fill a gap in our home. If temptation or vintage Americana isn't your thing then click the below but, for the week willed such as myself halt with the clicking as this link will take you to the etsy shop I have a secret crush on ...
The Vintage Plum shop

~ ~ ~

Just a lil thought before I go, this week I have been struck by the kindness shown to us by family, friends and hospital staff. From phone calls, messages and visitors to presents, cards, concern and well wishes.

Because it really does make a huge amount of difference to someone.
 
And, just as important ...
 always
x
 
~ ~ ~

Well that's it for this weeks folks, I hope I've managed to russell up enough to entertain you. Until next Sunday, fingers crossed for a fit and healthy brand new week, bye y'all xx

Sunday, 10 March 2013

For the love of baby birds ...

Happy mothers day to all Mums,
whether your a mother to an actual person or to a furry creature


Enjoy xx

~ ~ ~
For the love of baby birds ...
 
 
I have been collecting fluff from the tumble dryer filter all winter and putting it in a bird feeder. (I know, slightly tragic).

 
The reason behind such random behaviour? I have a romantic notion that lil dicky birds will come along and take it to their nests which they have lovingly rebuilt ready for an impending family. Then, when their chicks are born, they will snuggle down in the warm fluff left over from our socks.  Fingers crossed those lil birds think the same way I do and they help themselves to free nest fluff, hum may be I should make a sign so they know what its for !!! ;)
 
~ ~ ~
 
This week has seen me fiddling and twiddling sticks.
My fiddlings have made these ...
 
Whilst on a dog walk I collected straight sticks then, once home used a small hand saw to cut them to roughly the same length. Then came the fiddly part ~ grrrr. I used a glue gun to glue three sticks together (at the ends) to make a star then glued one star on top of the other, placing the top one upside down (hope I'm making sense). I then drove myself scatty twisting twine around the ends of each stick as the glue is just a temporary measure and the sticks eventually come apart as they dry out. The ones I made are quite large so I decided to hang them outside. I was soooo chuffed with my free handmade decoration concocted from foraged finds until I stood back to admire what can only be described as ....
 
 
Blair Witch Project in our back garden!!!
 
 
I think I'll make much smaller, discrete ones next time ~ ooops!
 
~ ~ ~
 
 
 I have jumped on the Washi Tape bandwagon and frankly I don't know why its taken me so long. This particular bandwagon takes me 'right up my street'. The prettiest sticky tape imaginable that's uses are as endless as your imagination ~ pure bliss. I know I am gonna go Washi mad and cover everything in sight if I don't getta grip so for now I have just used it to make a quick card.
 
 
  
Everything I look at though is crying out to be Washi'ed at the moment (starting with my Blair Witch sticks above).
 I think I may have found a replacement for my glitter mania!! 
 
~ ~ ~
 
My long suffering husband and I have a fairly big Wedding Anniversary coming up next month ~ 15 years ~ whoop whoop!
 
For 15 years of wedded bliss the traditional present given is Crystal. Yay, I think my husband is crying out for a lovely vintage crystal chandelier ...
 
wink, wink.
 
~ ~ ~
 
 My fav photo of the week is this, taken whilst on a dog walk.
 
 
I'm not sure what it is but there is something about it that I love. It draws me back that peaceful and tranquil place in the middle of no where in amongst woodland. That's one of the many attributes  photos have, it can take you back to a moment or place at a glance. This is one of the reasons why I never tire of taking photos, they plot our journey through life and time.
 
~ ~ ~
 
What have I been listening to this week? Well, a very enjoyable blast from the past as it happens. I couldn't decide which one to post so I've included them both to pleasure your ears ...
 
 
 
and ...
 
 
x x
 
~ ~ ~
 
Until next Sunday, bye y'all xx
 
 
 
 


Sunday, 3 March 2013

It was from the real Kirstie Allsopp ...

Yay, it's March which means ... smiley Lambs and Spring!
 
 
Happy Spring folks xx
 
With that said though, this week started out ffffreezing and once again I have been left wondering how others look so chic in their winter ear muffs and go out of the house looking like a fool?

~ ~ ~
A very exciting letter plopped through our door this week. It was from the real Kirstie Allsopp no less. Yep, me and Kirstie are like that you know #crosses fingers! Nope, in honesty I think she thinks I'm a total loon but with a kind heart (probably not far off the mark). I saw a vintage Jaegar dress, thought to myself "that looks just like a Kirstie Allsopp dress, it's the exact style she wears" so I bought it and posted it to her. Yep, you did read that right ~ random and a bit stalker'like'ish but meant with very good intentions. So, the lovely Kirstie sent me a even lovelier letter thanking me. If I see her on my TV wearing it I will squeal like a piglet being chased by a small child ~ eeeeek!

 
 ~ ~ ~

So, on to the love of my new chair. Who would have thought a chair could make someone this happy. I love my chair, I have never felt love for a chair like it. Me and my chair are inseparable. Here is said chair ...
 
 
 
 
 With the chair in situ the redecoration of our living room is nearly at an end. It has been painted, furniture re-positioned, new chair purchased, wooden table sanded and waxed and lampshades swapped and moved around. All we need to finish the job is a new carpet. We have had much fun defacing our old one in preparation of the spangly new one...
Carpet art ~ every home should have some.
 
In honesty, after Bessy Bear Puppy dog chewed purple and orange sharpie pens on our carpet trashing it beyond all repair my 'OCD clean carpet' obsession has gone right out the window. During all of our kids lives I have constantly said/nagged "watch that pen, don't get it on the carpet" and "lean on something if your colouring books are on the carpet". I'm feeling liberated and Bohemian after Bess came over all Banksy and graffitied our flooring, to the point where I have said "hey kids, come on, lets draw all over the carpet". They looked at me the same way they did when I used too much strong smelling glue one avo and had an 'episode'. It felt very naughty but very satisfying in a 'being told not to do something so doing it" kinda way. I like trashed carpet and the so don't care feeling, I'm gonna come over all OCD again when our new carpet is fitted :(
 
Here are some pic's of our room thus far ...

 
 We still have burgandy accessories throughout which sadly no longer go. I'm loathed to move them on and some I love, like the leather bowl below, so I need to great creative!!
 
 
 
 The new colour we used to paint the walls.
 
 A stone shaped like a heart that we found on a beach abroad.
 
A cosy corner.
 
My view as I type
 
~ ~ ~
My heart fluttered with the joy of discovering the most gorgeous fabrics this week but then quickly sank as I realised I will now spend too many days dreamily 'wanting' such beautiful things.

Click on the link below if you dare but be warned, ravishing things lie in wait on the other side ...

Kate Forman

So, did you click on it?  Are you smitten like me? Will you now rush to trawl eBay in the hope of finding Kate's ravishing fabric at a pittance of a price?
If so I wish you luck along with offering my sincere apologies for sharing such an enticing website ;)

 
If you've got nerves of steel and an under active 'want' gland (as appose to my very over active want gland) then grab a cuppa and browse through these photos below found in the Inspiration section ...
 
 
~ ~ ~
 What have I been listening to this week I hear you cry
(with bleeding ears and a big sigh)
... this my friends:
 
 
~ ~ ~
 I have been struck down with an attack of etsy love again. I had managed to go cold turkey for well over six months but I've had a relapse, damn.
I have succomed to the following ...
 This is the prettiest handmade dog collar I have ever seen. A clever lady in America makes them using vintage fabric and one is winging it's way across the pond as I type ~ yippee.
 
Then I found this,
 
Soz for the small pic, it's a 1960's Greyhound racing postcard from a dog track in Florida, USA. Total cost plus shipping over here to Blighty is under £2.50 which is cheaper than a birthday card bought from the local corner shop. I have someone in mind to give this to on their birthday, that's if I can part with it when it arrives!!!
 
My fav, fav, fav ever purchase from etsy has been
One of these!
 
I have been obsessed with crows since a child! They are such beautiful birds, dressed from beak to toe in shiny jet black feathers and full of personality. I love staring dreamily out of the window at work watching them terrorise the seagulls resting on nearby roofs. A pair of crows can have such fun being a total pain up the ass to flocks of gulls ~ bursting with character and such fun bird to watch. Anyways, I commissioned a lady in Canada from a company called Moon Raven to sculpt a crows skull (different to their Ravens skulls). I am over the moon with it, I can not tell you how beautiful it is. I am definitely banned from going back on to their site, boo hoo.
 
I have two items saved in my 'favourites' that I love, but I mustn't buy them ~ my husband will self combust if he sees another 'congratulations you have purchased ..... from etsy' email ~ ooops :/
 
~ ~ ~ 

This weeks bargain purchase is this pretty book bought for £1.00. I bought it with the intention of cutting out the flowers and using them for decoupage, etc but I just can't bring myself to cut up a book. I don't know why but for some reason books seam sacred and to damage/deface them is just out of the question, big sigh.

 
So, for now it will sit with all of my other books looking pretty and a bit dusty.
 
~ ~ ~
 
Fav photo of the week? Is not one of mine! It's from this fab site Cre8  


Such a beautiful picture.
If I managed to create something even close to this I would be over the moon.
Perfection.

~ ~ ~
 
Well, that's about it for this week.  Until next Sunday ... bye y'all xx