Just Original

Budget bags!

2012-01-21T15:53:00.002Z

Me & my sister were on a mission to collect some pieces of furniture that she had spotted. When we got to the shop typically is was closed, but the shop next door was open and lucky for us that its was. The 1st thing both of us spotted were these, one for me & one for little dear!

Both for the bargain price of £15.

Cannot put it off!

2012-01-17T18:16:00.005Z

It had to be done, I needed some workable work tops. My mum get complaining about the clutter (I told her that's what you get for a small kitchen). I have had a right sort through, there was some herbs that expired in 2004, 5 lots of cereal that were out of date or gone soft.

It feels all inspiring to me now, I may bake tomorrow to celebrate!

Charity Shopping at it's best!

2012-01-12T20:09:00.003Z

Not sure if there old or new, but a visit to the charity shop paid off yesterday £1.49 for each piece and they are large too. Any ideas what to do with them?

Spring time!

2012-01-11T19:00:00.005Z

Last June we became the proud owners of an allotment in our next town. The plot had not been in use properly for 3 years so you can imagine what state it was in. Knowing that me & hubbo would not be able to manage it ourself or have the know how, my Ma & Pa are pitching in.

We missed the main growing season last year but luckily we managed to turn over a small plot and get in some winter vegetables. Most were free from fellow plot holders who had some spare plug plants.

Me and my Ma paid a visit yesterday for a few hours to turn over a section. Whilst there we dug up some swede, kale, cabbages, celeriac and leeks. There was even enough to give out some freebies to friends and families. It felt good to be out in the fresh air it almost felt like Spring!

New beginnings!

2012-01-08T22:03:00.003Z

The picture has no significance other than I love this picture of my Mum at Betty's in York back in September, very Calender Girls but with clothes on!

Well we are now 8 days into 2012, I've had a cold, not done any baking and been out once on my bike since before Christmas, so resolutions/goals are up the swanney all ready.

Hopefully I will be here a lot more than 2011 as I love the way you can look back on it.

Lemon Curd!

2011-10-12T16:05:00.003+01:00

Today has turned out to be a very productive day in terms of Jams & Preserves. 1st in the pan was Blackberries & raspberries to make some lovely jam. Next to be started was homemade Lemon Curd, we seem to have a glut of eggs at the minute, so time to use a few. I used the Mrs Beetons recipe and it has not let me down yet.

Lemon Curd

4 Eggs
1lb Caster sugar
4oz butter
rind & juice of 4 lemons

Break the eggs and separate white & yolk. Whisk the yolks, add the other ingredients and stir oer a gentle heat in a bowl over pan of hot water for about 20 - 30 minutes or until thick. Pour in to sterilised jam jars.

It normally makes 3 jars and keeps for about 2/3 weeks.

Just Original Animals!

2011-10-09T20:37:00.004+01:00

On the last post about our ever growing animals I showed you just 2 original chickens, Beatrix & Mabel. But after a visit to an agricultural show back in May I could not resist little MAY our Rhode Island Red Bantum. We thought she might get bullied by the other 2 bigger chcikens, how wrong were we. She has a British Bulldog instinct!

If I had known what great pets they make, I would of got Chickens years ago!

Here's Boo my daughter Beautiful Bunny, very loving and loves getting out in the garden with the Chickens.

Restlessness

2011-09-06T21:24:00.006+01:00

I don't know if any you out there are like me & hubbo but we are desperate to move but so many factors are stopping us!

The usual: Money, jobs, practicalities such as who would look after daughter when I am at work, etc, etc.

We look at Rightmove every day for houses within the vicinity of where we are looking, we do find houses within our price range and within the area we want but the doom and gloom of the practical side of a move put doubt in our mind.

We were 3 weeks away from moving in August 2009 when me & hubbo split up. Obviously we are back together again now, but the reason we wanted to move are still there. We do live in a nice village now, the reasons we moved here was to be close to the road network as both of us were based out on the road, but these are now the same reason as we want to move.

Our chosen area for the move is the Yorkshire Dales, we do love it there we went to Reeth for our 1st ever weekend away together 10+ years ago. We have looked at other options, Lake District & Scotland but property prices and distance put those areas on a back burner, so Yorkshire Dales is still our 1st choice.

We have twice jumped in the car to look at properties as it is only 1hr - 1hr 1/2 away. The pictures show a few of the properties.

However this long winded post is all about the fact that this weekend I have had a blow out and basically decided we are not looking anymore as I feel I am putting my life on hold and not getting on with the NOW!

Birthday Girl!

2011-09-01T09:19:00.004+01:00

From this to this in 7 years! Happy birthday little dear.

Road Trip!

2011-08-30T20:20:00.005+01:00

Tissington Hall

Edward & Vintage Shop

Cromford Mill

We decided today was the day to head out in the car and to visit a few places on my wish list.

First we visited Cromford Mill near Matlock, I was a little unsure what to make of this place, very interesting about the history, but not a museum. A few of the shops were a little tired in there choice of stock. The antiques shop was great though and very reasonably priced.

Next on the list was Tissington near Ashbourne. I absolutely fell in love with this place, the buildings and peace & quiet were amazing. I also loved the fact that a lot of the houses had honesty boxes outside the front where they sold excess fruit, veg, flowers, eggs and Jams & Pickles. Also a major attraction there was a great sweet shop that a spotted on someones blog.

We managed to pick up some great local produce alon the way, flowers, cheese, butter, sausages and black pudding.

Hedgerow finds!

2011-08-28T14:10:00.005+01:00

Thursday saw me & my family go for a walk up the Chesterfield Canal. We were expecting a nice pleasant walk in the sunshine, what we did not exact was the haul of Blackberries and Sloe's. They seem to be very early this year!

The sloe's are spending the next week in caster sugar before the gin gets added. The Blackberry jam on the other hand are being sold in my local shop to raise some money for Mencap.

Summer Holidays!

2011-08-27T11:16:00.003+01:00

A trip to Filey with cousins was a definate winner with the kids, parents would disagree greatly! 3 adults 2 babies and 3 kids in a 2 doubled bedroom apartment!!!!!

Easing myself back in gently!

2011-08-07T20:48:00.003+01:00

Even though the school holidays are upon us,unfortunately not a lot has been done or achieved around here except working!

The picture above was taken back in the May holidays, this is my little dear and my nephew, little dear adores him (little dear does not do children). It was taken on the choo choo train in Matlock Park.

Hopefully I will try a get back into the blogging malarky!

Ta Da!

2011-05-08T09:38:00.007+01:00

New dresser just waiting for some new handles. Love that I can now display all my treasures.

My fabulous table and chairs, really wanted different coloured chairs. Just need to make pads for them.

My great £10 ebay purchase, hubbo done a great job on this.

A great place to hide little dear rubbish.

Fabulous occasional chair, love my Cath Kidston curtains in the background.

Just having a really lazy weekend now, as shattered from all DIY jobs over the 2 previous weekends.

Easter break!

2011-05-02T20:53:00.005+01:00

Well what a great few weeks, I only worked the 1st 3 days of the school holidays and then I only went back for 3 1/2 hours this Saturday morning. Both long weekends have been spent painting furniture for the dining room. Included in the paint fest was a 1950's kitchen dresser, pine dresser, table & 4 chairs and a school desk & chair. I have to say I'm shattered. Obviously hubbo has been helping out!

Hubbo was still off on Easter Tuesday so we went on a jaunt to Filey, and then with hubbo back at work Me, my Mum, Sister, little dear and nephew went on a jaunt to Matlock. It was a great day the weather was very kind to us. Little dear took my nephew on the choo choo train in the park both really enjoyed themselves, and for 60p is does not get much better than that.

We also paid a trip to the fantastic Bow Boutique, it is really worth a visit. It's a great mix of new, vintage and locally handmade. I have to say money was spent, mainly on my sister's part.

Chicken Love!

2011-05-02T09:05:00.002+01:00

Meet Beatirx (Ginger) & Mabel (Grey). We collected our chickens 2 weeks ago after having the eglu since February. We also had to chicken proof the garden e.g put up a fence. It has been a bit of a learning curve, how much to feed them, what to feed them! Will are still waiting for the 1st egg, but each morning is like Christmas morning here.

The chickens were from Jody at Raw Green Cottage she has a great set up and really knows her stuff. She has lots of different breeds and also runs chicken keeping courses.

A few treasures!

2011-04-17T04:47:00.008+01:00

I had a lovely Mothers Day, look what little dear bought me, I felt very spoilt!

Picked up this great commemorative Tetley tin from the coop, £2.50 and it was full of tea bags!

My lovely sister bought me this, I personally think it was bribe in exchange more marmalade, it's from Matalan.

And then finally again from my sister, her mother in law passed it onto her, from her family, but given my sister hubbo is an only child she had no no one to pass it onto, so my sister asked if it was ok to give it to me!

Look how much there is, 2 boxes worth!

Beamish Open Air Museum

2011-03-18T15:48:00.008Z

During half term we took a visit up to Beamish Open Air museum. We had prebooked the tickets back in January and booked into a Premier inn for the night before, we felt we had got a right bargain all in £29 for the hotel & £21 for the tickets into Beamish.

We had a great day and more than worth the trip further up North. I can imagine that going in warmer weather would have its advantages as believe me it was freezing!

Its a soup kinda day!

2011-03-10T10:11:00.005Z

My favourite winter warmer soup at the minute is Butternut Squash & Yellow Pepper. So easy to make and the smell and taste is out of this world.

How to:- Makes enough for 2 adults depending on how thick you like your soup (I like it thick).

Cut 1 yellow pepper into strips about 2 cm thick, lay on the bottom of a shallow oven proof dish.

Cut a squash in half and take out all the seeds, (dry & roast feed to birds). Make slits into the flesh of the squash to speed up the roasting process.

Lay the squash on top of the peppers.

Place thin slices of butter onto the squash and drizzle lightly with olive oil.

Cut a vegetable stock cube up until it turns into a fine powder and sprinkle over the squash, you might not need to use all of it.

Place in oven for 45 - 1hr depending on if the sqaush becomes soft enough to scoop out.

Place scooped out squash and pepper in to a processor and blitz. Add some boiling water to make the soup into the consistency you require.

Voila Butternut Squash & Yellow Pepper soup.

Enjoy

RIP (Room in Progress)

2011-02-05T14:50:00.003Z

The decision was made just before Xmas to decorate the Dining room, it was spurred on by the new gorgeous light I bought a few weeks earlier. The flying ducks I bought in the sale last January. All that is left to do is:- new floor, new curtains (in progress), dresser needs painting, 1950s kitchen cabinet to be painted! And the list goes on!!!!

Freebie!

2011-02-02T19:47:00.003Z

Me & my sister paid a visit to Welbeck Garden centre, just outside Worksop last week. And at the end of the tills there were two trolleys full of diaries & calenders, a man who worked at the garden centre said they were all going free. Well lets just say I did not need to be told twice. Sarah Ravens diary went straight into the bag! Thank you very much!

My Dad's birthday!

2011-01-13T14:43:00.004Z

On Saturday it was my Dad's 65th birthday, an important one I think, it's the one where he retires in June, a big thing for a man who runs his own business!

We made the decision to go out the Monday previous, luckily one of his favourite nip and pop restaurants was ok reservation wise, Prezzo is great for food and always child friendly. We had a great meal and the company as ever was great. We topped off a great meal with Fancie cupcakes, as ever they were gorgeous.

Family treasures!

2011-01-09T17:20:00.005Z

Following on from my last post about loosing my Grandad, here are just a few of the treasures that I have been able to have. First of all is my Nan's edition of Pride & Prejudice, it was given to my Nan in 1943!

This is just one of many water decanters that my Nan & Grandad had.

A group of random silver spoons.

In a blur!

2011-01-05T21:12:00.005Z

Little dear opening her presents on Christmas morning!

Lunch at my Ma & Pa's!

Trip to Clumber Park on Monday, to help clear away the cobwebs!

The festive period, well in fact all of December have just passed in a blur. I seemed to be so busy with NOTHS orders when the snow hit us, that by the 6th December I decided to suspend my shop as working, sewing, packaging and get supplies back in stock was all too much. I know I made the right decision as I did feel I might have to let people down.

New Year has of cause bought upon me new energy, my plans for me Just Original, home and family are endless. A little at a time though. My Nan gave us some money for Christmas so we have joined the National Trust, hence the trip to Cumber Park twice this week. Many other destinations are on the visit list too. Getting fitter by walking will also be a added bonus. My personal plan though is to read more, so for the last 2 nights I have gone to bed early and read a chapter of my Kirsty Homemade Home book. For Just Original the plan is to find some more wholesale customers, and to start preparing Christmas stock now.

On a more personal note my Grandad died just before Christmas. He died just the way he would of wanted though, in his own home, instant and with all of his dignity still intact. My mum is having the not to pleasant task of clearing out a house that my grandparents have lived in for 55 years and they are hoarders. I will show you on my next blog the treasures that I have been able to have.

Perfect weekend!

2010-12-09T09:21:00.007Z

After me & hubbo separated last year and then got back together this year, one of the things we agreed to change was that we needed some time for us! So back in August I booked a weekend away in the Yorkshire Dales, our retreat prior to having little dear!

We were not sure if we were going to get due to the weather, it was 26th/27th November prior to massive snowfall! We trekked all the way to a lovely B&B near Aysgarth. Our sanctuary for the weekend!
We spent time in Leyburn and made a visit up to Hawes, god it was so cold as you can see from the above picture.
This is looking out the window last Tuesday night that little dear took without me knowing of the full snow action, can you see how high the snow is by the gate across the road, if did get up to the next run on the gate by morning.

Another Teachers Gift idea!

2010-11-07T14:52:00.002Z

Even though the teachers gift set was very popular and still is, I felt a new product was overdue. So combinding two products I do seemed to be the best idea. I loaded them onto NOTHS last week and surprisingly all ready I have had a few orders for them.

Perfect weekend!

2010-10-19T21:36:00.004+01:00

Just returned from a great weekend in Keswick, the weather was fantastic and as ever the company was brill.

Remember if you fancy a break up in the Lakes we have an holiday apartment to book.

Christmas Preperation.

2010-09-28T17:01:00.004+01:00

As my gift sets always seem very popular around Christmas, I spent today make 10 up in preperation, not sure I have done enough but it's a start. I was even tempted to put them in bubble wrap and then put them in the mailing bag, but I thought that was to organised.

I also had an order for 4 cushions so I completed the order and made a few extra. I am trying to stock pile as this week alone I have been asked to do 2 ladies nights and I want to do a craft fair myself. I have got a full day to myself tomorrow to sew, what will I stockpile tomorrow?

A rainy Sunday!

2010-09-19T21:26:00.007+01:00

My afternoon was spent in the workshop, filling my beautifully painted new cupboards.

This then obviously sparked a tidy round. Believe me it is a lot tidier than before.

Hubbo spent the afternoon painting the understair cupbaord and fitting a new light.

And little dear spent the afternoon dressing up as Postman Pat, to say she has turned 6 she still loves Pat!

Cupboard love!

2010-09-15T18:43:00.003+01:00

My father in law works as a school caretaker and over the summer period they have had a new block built, so have had to have a major clear out of classrooms. As a result hubbo made a trip and thought I make like this locker cupboard. Its the heaviest thing in the world and for most of the doors it has proper vintage keys. This is the state of the cupboard in undercoat, I just need to persuade hubbo to finish it off!

Progress (At last)

2010-09-14T17:37:00.005+01:00

Today felt like I actually achieved something, last week was just catching up with friends and sorting out what needed to be done in terms of getting stock sorted for Christmas!

I started off by making some Raspberry Jam, the raspberries had been provided by my Mum from there garden, then I spent an hour in the workshop making one half of the 'Teachers Gift set'. I set myself a target of 10 sets to make.

I then had the urge to bake so made some chocolate buns, they are very tasty.

Jolly Holidays!

2010-08-29T20:23:00.010+01:00

A lovely week was spent on the East Coast. We spent the week at my Ma & Pa's flat in Filey and used it as a base for lots of lovely days out!

Monday - A trip to Pickering, a visit around the market then followed by a trip on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

Our final destination on the track was Goathland, unfortunately the weather stopped play and we jumped back on the train back to Pickering after 50 minutes.

Tuesday - A trip to Whitby and the best fish & chips from Magpie.

We then paid a visit up the coast to Sandsend, lovely place and not very busy.

Thursday - A trip into the moors to make a visit to Hutton Le Hole, I can remember going there as a child with my friend. The stream for little dear held the same excitement as I can remember.

Friday - We saw a picture in a book of places you must see and in it was Robin Hoods Bay. I really really loved RHB, the hill going back up was a killer (literally) though. But it was lovely and not overly busy.

Tomorrows agenda!

2010-07-31T18:47:00.003+01:00

Hubbo is working tomorrow and I have been working most of the week, so me & little dear are going to watch Toy Story 3 tomorrow morning as a bit of a treat. I then need to get into the workshop to do some sewing for some orders.

Hope you all have a good weekend.

Busy, Busy, Busy!

2010-07-19T20:46:00.004+01:00

I can tell that the end of term is approaching, as I have been making on mass lots of 'Teachers Gift sets'. Lucky teachers that what I say.

Also another big seller has been my doorstops, I have been that busy with these I thought that they had been featured somewhere without me knowing.

Also with it been end of term it has been little dears first sports day, the team colours top was that big on her it looked like a dress. Bless her she came third in her sprint race.

We also made a trip to Foxhouses in Derbyshire on a recommendation from Diane to set sail little dears new boat. We had a great afternoon which was cut short by a family arriving a little bit down stream with a dog. It was a young dog which was not well trained and it jumped all over us, then proceeded to poo in the stream and the owners just let it float down, pass there own children and onto probably 100 more kids further down stream. Disgusted I was!!!

Family holiday!

2010-07-14T11:52:00.004+01:00

This was our home for 2 weeks in June. My Mum & Dad every year pay for us all to go on holiday together. Very informal, no set itineraries, free babysitting for each of us (us & brothers & sisters). Perfect! This year we went to the Vendee region in France, it was great, very rural and quiet.

I have to say my favourite town/village was Vouvant, absolutely picture perfect and so quiet. On mine & hubbos free pass we took our selves off for a picnic at the side of this lake.

Next blog post may contain some of the car boot finds!

What's going down!

2010-07-07T16:07:00.006+01:00

We did manage to make it to York to celebrate our wedding anniversary, but the weather was really horrible I did not manage to take photographs. We had a great day, a lovely meal, lots of shopping and great company. The CK stuff and the DVD were a wedding anniversary present from hubbo.
We spent the rest of free weekend watching the Darling Buds of May DVD before we had to collect little dear from my sisters. We have also just returned from a 2 week break in France with all my family, it was really great and we even managed to find a car boot sale!!

My intentions before we went to France was to start up some home brew, but unfortunately the Elderflower were not in full bloom and when we returned it was a little to far gone so we will have to see how it goes.
Little dear helping out, can you get arrested for encouraging your child to produce home brew?

Next photos will be of France, Jam making and maybe some crafting!!

Van Jamboree

2010-05-26T21:18:00.004+01:00

What a perfect weekend to take in the delights of a VW campervan experience. Like many of you folk out there, we at the Just Original household love VW Campervan, the pennies are been saved every week. The Van Jamboree at Newark was in its 3rd year and it was great, lots to see and do and for the bargain price of £16 for the two of us and little dear was free. A great day out!

I did not take many photos but the mint green was great and the red one with the beetle trailer was fantastic, people must spend hours cleaning and polishing them only to get fly splats on them.

Anyway gonna go, more photos after the weekend as we have a trip to York on Saturday, childfree, Yeh!

Stamp tastic!

2010-05-17T20:21:00.005+01:00

Since starting work in my local Post Office, I have a new appreciation of the humble stamp. After visiting the bric a brac market at Chesterfield and finding a treasure trove of stamps at 50p a pack I just had to buy. I then wondered what to do with them and then I had an idea. Buy some cheap canvas frames!

Spend 15 minutes gluing them on!

Et Voila! I have to say it looks really great and given most of the stamps have the original postage marking on them, I think they look really vintagey!

Return visit!

2010-05-05T11:02:00.003+01:00

We enjoyed our 1st visit to Derwent Dams/Ladybower reservoir so much we made a return visit on Bank holiday Monday. We got up early and arrived at the car park for 9.30, the place was deserted so we knew we made the right decision to get up early. We only did a short walk as little dear has only got little legs you know mummy! We went very high up much too little dears amusement.

We then had a drive around and went to Hope & Castleton. We did not stay for long as to be honest I was a little disappointed in them really, don't know what my expectations were but they did not live up to them. But hey ho its another place off the list. You may ask what the list is, its obviously a list of places where we all want to go to in the UK, both local and national, free activities and paid up activities.

Next on the list is Leverton Windmill, will let you know how we get on.

What a week!

2010-04-05T11:44:00.005+01:00

My sister gave birth on Monday, a gorgeous little boy called Ted, with a head full of red hair, just like his Dad. I look really miserable in this photo don't know why!
Inspired by Diane over on her blog we decided to make a trip to the Derwent Dams. Been born in Sheffield and having most of my family still living there and having had 4 branches spread around Sheffield in my before child life. You would think I would of been here but I never have. Even with the weather not been great on Easter Sunday it was a great day. The scenery is fabulous even with it been man made. But the history behind the build is great.
We also visited Southwell on Saturday and visited the minster, so all in all a very busy week.

Hope & Elvis workshop

2010-03-22T20:07:00.007Z

As some of you know my sister bought me a voucher for a Hope & Elvis workshop. Louise the lady behind Hope & Elvis has lots of different workshops running throughout the year at her workshop at Harley Gallery, Welbeck Estate, Nr Worksop, Nottinghamshire. I was booked on the 'Cosy Home' workshop, where basically you could make whatever you wanted for the home. The picture above is all her work to use as inspiration, there were lots of ideas wizzing around in every ones head at this point.

Look at the stash of buttons, threads, beads!

This was one of the many suitcases full of samples and vintage fabrics. Louise was fantastic she was very patient and taught us all something new even though we were all at different levels.

This was my finished product, I know it does not look much but it took me ages to do the template for the teapot & cup and saucer. I also had ago at free hand sewing on the machine. I used bondaweb for the 1st time properly and I learnt to use the transfer for the label.

I have to say I had a great day, a great place to learn and Louise is fantastic please look at her website for further workshops.

Pottery purchasing!

2010-03-16T18:08:00.004Z

This was my purchase from Chesterfield market a few weeks ago, I absolutley love it, it was a little expensive, but who cares!

This is my Gabriella Miller jug, I love her stuff, I have a couple of pieces. We went to Fancie a while ago and it was in the sale for £7.50, I had to have it!

What a difference a day makes!

2010-03-06T13:05:00.005Z

These were my crocuses on Monday!

These were my crocuses on Tuesday.

Don't you just love the tea cup & saucer plant pot, I treated myself with some garden centre vouchers that I found in my drawer in a tidy out the other week!

Just an ordinary day!

2010-03-02T20:10:00.010Z

Start the day with a cup of tea!

Drop little dear off at school (hop, skip & jump time!)

Package up some parcels, and pay some bills!

Walk to Post Office (My new place of work)

Out for tea & cake with friend! (I had to share as I am on weight watchers)

A bit of light reading! (started this book on Thursday, nearly finished)

Cook tea, just a chicken & vegetable soup!

A grand day out!

2010-02-27T09:47:00.004Z

On Thursday i met up with a good friend. She is 39 weeks pregnant so I went to see her. When I arrived at her house at 10.30 I was whisked away to a ' Managing Back Pain Labour' class, very weird but I did find out that I had been doing my pelvic floor exercises wrong after giving birth all this time! So very useful.

We then went into Chesterfield and it was market day. I used to have a branch in Chesterfield so I knew the market was good. Thursday is the flea market so there were some really treasures, I only came away with a cup & saucers but what a cup & saucer I love it.

My friend was then deciding on where to go for lunch in the town centre, and then inspiration took over and she said she knew somewhere I would love but it was out of town. We went to the village of Barlow just outside Chesterfield but it felt like we were driving into the middle of nowhere. We went to the cafe 'Hackney House' it also has a gift shop attached which is very reasonably priced. When we arrived there was a 30 minute wait, we ummed & arhh, I made a phone call to a friend to pick up Little dear if I was not there at school kicking out time. So we had a mooch around the gift shop, made one or two purchases.

The wait was well worth it my friend had meat & potato pie, I had a turkey, brie & cranberry panini (it was weight in day at WW that evening so I was goodish). I also took home one of there small lasagna & chocolate cakes for tea after Weight Watchers.

A grand day out!

(I was back in time to pick up little dear too!)

Anyone looking for Mothers Day Gifts!

2010-02-15T08:55:00.003Z

I have loaded some of my Tea Cup candles on to my website in time for Mother's Day. They are really beautiful. I ran out of them on the run up to Xmas in my NOTHS shop. The wax used is from my Mum's local church, all the stubby bits they cannot use, so very green! They have a lovely vanilla smell. They are presented in a gift box with coordinating ribbon and gift tag. They cost £7.99 so are very reasonably priced. Please take a look on the website.

A kind friend!

2010-02-09T09:51:00.002Z

A very kind friend gave me this Singer sewing machine. She gave me the machine back in July and then in October she had managed to find the key for the box. Shame on me I only opened the machine back in December. I think it still works, will have to check it out!

I would really be interested in finding out how old it is, it does have a serial number on it so that will be a start. If anyone has any websites they could recommend to find out its age that would be great.

Bum in gear time!

2010-02-03T11:22:00.003Z

Over the last year or so I have been make the odd purchase here & there on Ebay or on our local market. It all started with the 1950's kitchen cupboard, which hubbo fixed and did the 1st coat of paint. Then the school desk & 2 chairs that I won on Ebay for £2.80. Then came the small sewing table/box from the market for £7. The part upholstered chair was bought from the market for £12 and then I spent one of my sewing lessons partially upholstering it. The garden furniture has just got piled on there to save doing a paint job in the summer.

This was my next purchase from Ebay, a dresser which needs repainting and then putting in my dining room. But when I went to collect it the lady was selling a matching table & 4 chairs, so they got thrown into the van as well.

The point of this post is you DON'T need to buy anymore furniture & your car will never fit into the garage until you get your bum in gear Vanessa!

New addition!

2010-02-01T20:50:00.003Z

I realised the other day whilst cleaning out the bunny that I had not shown you little dears Christmas present. His name is Boo, he's a chocolate otter dwarf lop, he is absolutely gorgeous and very nice natured.

Little dear has all ready lost interest in him a bit, but I love going into the garage and having a little cuddle with him!

The weather outside is pleasing!

2010-01-31T13:18:00.002Z

How nice is to have a sunny dry day, so whats is left to do but to put out the washing!

Charity Shop finds!

2010-01-20T20:56:00.004Z

A few more Enid books to add to little dears collection, she cannot even read by the way!

2 tea sets, £3.oo for the gold set, the white set £1 and the beautiful pink cup & saucer was 50p. The 2 sets have all ready had candles melted into them and the pink one has been added to my personal stash.

Not a lot going on this week as I have started my new job and let me tell you there more to working in the Post Office other than stamps & car tax!

Off to Scarborough at the weekend for a family catch up, so may have a few photos.

Feeling the Love!

2010-01-14T21:57:00.007Z

I beautiful personalised love gesture set. My fab sister designed this it has a personalised gift tag/bauble, 4 notelets and a paper LOVE banner. This is for the man in your life! Available in white & black and grey & black.

The button love frame.

Beautiful heart brooch available in red & pink. Made by Sara.

The rose scented heart.

As promised (studio pictures)

2010-01-12T21:22:00.008Z

My mini ironing station (wise buy from Ikea, saves going back into the house)

My supplies station.

Corner for paperwork.

The workstation.

Packing supplies (the cause of the change around & sort out)

Little dear work area, master creations are made here.

I will be back soon with my bargains from today's charity shop trip, so chuffed!

Day job tomorrow and then lots of sewing & packaging to do on Thursday as I start my new Job working in my local post office for 1 1/2 days a week on Monday. 3 full days next week due to training.

Sewing resumed!

2010-01-11T20:28:00.005Z

Work in process!

The finished article.

Button heart picture.

After the upside down week last week, today was the day, after tidying, washing and cooking. I managed some to do some sewing. With the run up to Valentines day I had to make up some products for the website & my not on the high street shop. I did the usual red heart and filled it with roses. I also had a go at something that has been in my head for a while the button heart picture, not 100% happy with it as the glue gun wasn't successful.

I also have a couple of other items that need to be put together before I photo them, so that is tomorrows plan!

I also have had a tidy around in the studio, so I will get some photos taken and show you them tomorrow.

New to me fabric samples!

2010-01-10T10:16:00.003Z

I was on the phone to Globaltex the other day ordering some more fabric, and the kind lady asked if I knew they had 2 new colourways in the spotty fabric, I did'nt, but as she reeled off the colours I realised I did not know about 3 other colourways also. I am not sure if they would fit into my Just Original range, but I do like some of them! What do you think?

Tales of the snow!

2010-01-08T18:48:00.004Z

What to do in the snow but bake low fat blueberry muffins!

Stoke this up, it has been on none stop since before Christmas, I only have 2 bags of coal left and coal man has cancelled on me twice due to snow! The ashes are been thrown onto the drive/pavement to provide good grip!

This had to be done we spent 3 hours building this, I cannot believe how much snow it took to build. It also doubles up well to provide a giant bird table!

More sewing & planning will be achieved over the weekend as little dear is at her Dad's (thank god as I may kill her, we only live next door but one to school, so we could manage to get in, even if there was'nt any teachers!)

Bargains!

2010-01-05T20:26:00.003Z

Nipped to Dunelm Mill yesterday and spotted some bargains! The santa plate was 99p, the reindeer star dish was £1.49. Even though the teapot was not in the sale at £5.49 you cannot turn it down can you.

I don't know if any of you visit Vicky at Anglesey Allsorts but she is giving out some great thrifty ideas for household chores, take a look!

Photo retrieval!

2010-01-04T21:26:00.016Z

A holiday in May to Crete (little dear Swimming)

Me & little dear on Balcony in Crete

Holiday in July to Ilfracombe with all my family (Little Dear at Exmoor Zoo)

Hubbo/Brother/Niece/Sister/little dear on Woolacombe beach (very windy)

Little dear leaving Pre-School Party

Little dear's 5th Birthday party 01/09/09 at Fancie in Sheffield, brilliant!

A good time was had by all at tea party!

Little dears 1st day at big school 04/09/09

Little dears nativity in December (Inn keepers wife)

My sisters hen weekend in September, 7 woman, 4 pregnant including hen. Pretty tame day activity painting a tea set for the bride.

Finished pots, ready to be baked. Great activity at Fired arts & crafts in Southwell

Italian themed night, great food, wine and non alcoholic drinks for pregnant women!

The 3 non pregnant women in the party (drunk)

Christmas morning, little dear putting on her CK slippers, Santa has good taste!

Sorry there are lots of photos, I have been having problems downloading photo's on my camera since May!

What did santa bring!

2010-01-03T19:06:00.003Z

(Photo courtesy of Hope & Elvis)

After much coveting of Hope & Elvis courses of the years, I was the lucky recipient of one of her courses from my sister. She has picked for my the 'Cosy Home' course. I am so looking forward to the end of March. Her studio is set in the lovely Welbeck Abbey estate, with the great Lime Tree Cafe, Harley Gallery, Farm Shop and the Dukeries Garden Centre so there will be ideal spots for some lunch and shopping. Take a look at the website.

There was plenty more things also in my sack, 1 year subscription to Country Homes & Interiors, cooking books, smellies, picture frames, big fluffy dressing gown, candles and much more.

I have been very busy today in the Studio, tomorrow I will try and get some photo's taken from in there.

2009-12-31T20:50:00.002Z

Happy New Year Everyone!

I promise that I am going to make more of an effort to blog in 2010!

Please come back to check on me!

Vanished without a trace!

2009-12-09T12:00:00.005Z

I did not mean to be away so long but I have an excuse, I have had 5 craft stalls at varying location days and duration, which has meant a lot of sewing and arranging child care what with me & hubbo splitting up. I have also joined NOTHS and I really pleased with the results so far, I do realise it is the busiest time of the year for them but I am pleased with the variety of goods been purchased and the number of orders I am getting. My best seller so far is the Reindeer dust which pictured below and followed closely by my personal favourites the Tea Cup candles.

We also had the news that Keswick got flooded in all the recent rain. Luckily been a 2nd floor apartment we did not get flooded, but unfortunately the 2 ground floor flats were wiped out. Also our cleaner and family got flooded so for the interim they are using the flat up until New Year, when after they have got a house for 6 months until there has dried out and been done up.

Any way I must dash as I am at work, so I guess I should be working. Before I go I don't know if anyone has done this, but my little dear received a message from Santa from here and she thought it was magical, she had tears in her eyes. All that they ask is a few details plus one photo of your child and voila a truly magical thing.

Hope to be back soon

How cute is this!

2009-11-13T09:51:00.003Z

My little dear has always put some reindeer dust out on Christmas Eve for Rudolf and his friends. It was always provided by her Pre-school, but now that she has gone to big school the responsibility has fallen on my shoulders. As the labels says its magic stuff!

All that it is is porridge oats with glitter, not very imaginative but little dear appreciates the sentiment it part of her ritual along with putting out a Gin & Tonic and kit kat for Santa!

If anyone else is in need of some Reindeer Dust let me know I am selling it at £1.50 and this includes postage.

The best bit!

2009-11-04T20:15:00.004Z

I had a order from my nail lady to make her Christmas gifts to her customers, apparently last year she had an idea in her head what she wanted to buy and how she wanted her gifts to look, but she struggled with time and in the end spent far too much cash. So I showed her my tissue holder/lavender bag gift sets and how they looked all gift wrapped and she jumped at the chance the only decision she had to make was what to put on the label(not Best Teacher as the picture shows) and what Cath Kidston fabric design she wanted!

5o gift sets later all complete, I handed them over on Tuesday morning and she was over the moon. She thought they looked gorgeous and all she had to do was write on the label.

So one happy customer!

Tea cup love!

2009-11-03T09:00:00.008Z

What do you do when you want to get rid of the smell of a curry brewing in the slow cooker, you make vanilla teacup candles. I love going into charity shops and spotty gorgeous vintage teacups & saucers! As I suspect many of you do!

These beauties will be going into my NOTHS shop if it ever gets approved.

My favourite one is this yellow one, I only have this one and one left to make up so I have to make a tough decision soon!

A different kind of fair!

2009-10-19T19:07:00.006+01:00

I was child free yesterday and my sister was attending a wedding show so after a phone call requesting lunch as she was starving, I made a short trek down the road to Hodsock Priory to provide refreshments. I don't know how the fair was for her as unlike my shows it does not provide instant results but the vibe felt good!

What's in your stash!

2009-10-08T15:58:00.002+01:00

I have an idea mulling around in my head and I need your help. I buy some of my basic sewing supplies e.g cording, seam binding, bias binding from a lady on my local market and she supplies it in bulk e.g 30 metre rolls. I also obviously go through a hell of a lot of white guttermans cotton. There are probably also a lot of items you do the same but I want to know what they are and how you get them e.g do you buy from a wholesale haberdashery, from your local sewing shop in small amounts or from some where like Dunelm Mill.

Please let me know as you have probably guessed my idea it to start supplying it.

Thank you

Long time no see!

2009-10-07T19:25:00.002+01:00

Well what can I say, it is now October and I feel like I have been away for ages (well I have). There has been so much going on, well my last post was full of happenings and plans, but they all went up in smoke. Me & hubbo have split up, no drama attached just we were both unhappy with each other and it took the possibility of a new house to realise we were probably just covering over the cracks. We are still friends and we are trying to move on.

Anyway onwards and upwards!

Got loads going on, craft fairs, joining Not On The High Street, Little dear starting school, sorting out a mortgage, decorating the house. So hopefully I will have lots to blog about over the next few weeks.

I have joined Twitter, its great!

Sorry!

2009-07-03T08:51:00.002+01:00

Sorry I have not been around much lately, loads going on!

Went on a weeks holiday to Crete, great and very warm.
Two days before our holiday we fell in love with a house.
Came back from holiday, started the onslaught of putting house up for sale.
Went up for sale last Tuesday.
Sold yesterday (Yeh!) so excited.
Hubbo says we need to go and check out another house to make sure my dream house is right (Deh! I know it's right)
Go on holiday again on Sunday down to sunny Devon (the weather forecast suggests otherwise).
And in between all of that me & hubbo celebrated our wedding anniversary and both our birthdays.

Phew take a breath now!

Will catch up soon.

Loveliness!

2009-05-26T14:50:00.004+01:00

I was trying to be really good and not buy any new fabric, but I was lead into temptation by a need to treat myself. I went onto Holland house fabric website and to be honest I was quite restrained, I treated myself to 1 metre of Pink spot fabric, and 1/2 metre of the other designs. I have to say the patchwork design fabric is gorgeous. The ribbon was a must too, OK so not really but I love any thing with mushrooms on at the moment.

Mrs B!

2009-05-22T14:44:00.005+01:00

As some of you will know my Nan Nan died earlier this year, and my Grandad has been having a clear out of some of my nan's treasures, in particular lots of her books. My Nan's taste in books was very stable throughout her life it consisted of Poetry Books, Great classics, books on Scotland, Crocheting and fabulous Housewife books. My Mum has been coming home with a very wide selection and has been distributing them between various sources. My mum had this on her kitchen side the other day and I was admiring it/drooling all over it. So when I arrived at my Mum's on Thursday and she passed it onto me I was dead chuffed.

It looks like it has been in the family for quite a while as the above names suggest. Mary Cuthbert is my Great Great Great Nan, Agnes Cuthbert is my Great Great Auntie, Mary Bagshaw is my Nan and than there's me. For some reason I think something to do with tracing the family tree my Mum has put my name in there, but as my maiden name!

Look at the fab pictures, look at that bunny, talking of bunnies look at the picture below this little beauty appeared in our garden today, not just once but three times. Little dear wants me to pick it up and stroke it!

My Grandad as practical as ever recovered it some years ago to protect it.

Have a great Bank Hoilday weekend!

2009-05-20T22:38:00.003+01:00

Gift Workshop

Sunday 25th October 2009

10.00am - 4.30 pm

Barnby Memorial Hall, Blyth, Nr Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

The workshop includes:

Vintage Teacup & Saucer gift Ideas

Ribbon Brooches

Dried Fruit Wreath/ Garland

Gift Wrapping Ideas

The price includes:

All Gifts made

Worksheet & Buying Guides

Lunch (Soup & Sandwich)

Afternoon tea & cake

£40 per person (£10 deposit reserves a space)

Great idea for a get together or as a gift for someone special

This idea has been in the pipeline for a few months now after both me & Sara at All about Eden spent some time looking for day courses in the area and also after we spent some time giving tuition. If anyone is interested please drop me an email.

Ta Da!

2009-05-13T21:51:00.014+01:00

Just to show you some of the photo's from the refurbished apartment in Keswick. The best thing about the apartment is the view, look at it an admire them fells!

The main room, how funky are those cushions!

The main bedroom.

The main room.

The kitchen.

The 2nd bedroom.

Some accessories.

The new table & chairs

The 2nd Bedroom.

I hope you have enjoyed my little bit of bragging, and if you are interested in renting a 2 double bedroomed apartment in the centre of Keswick drop me a line to check availability and price!

SHAMELESS PLUG I KNOW!

Custom Order!

2009-05-11T19:18:00.003+01:00

I do get some requests by customers for things, but to be honest the majority of them are things like cushions, which are a little boring. So when I was asked to make a baby wipe case I jumped at the chance of doing something different. I was rather pleased with the outcome to the point where I have decided to produce them and add them to my stock.

I have some serious sewing to do this weekend as I have decided to do a show at the weekend, last minute decision to help with the cash flow. So I might not be back until after the weekend.

Show & Tell

2009-05-07T17:04:00.003+01:00

How gorgeous is this, I am now kicking myself as I should of got more. Can you beleive this only cost me 99p from Dunelm Mill. It is quite a decent size tin as well. I may pop back for more next week with fingers crossed that they are still there!

It's the Good Life!

2009-05-05T21:10:00.002+01:00

This strip of land is at the side of our house next to the garage, before the transformation it had a raised bed in filled with scrubs and was the bin storage area and general dumping ground for all of hubbo's work stuff eg old radiators, boilers etc! (Scrap yard it is not!)

But in 2 weekends and a lot of effort from hubbo this is how it is now, the old raised bed was filled with 19 bags of top soil and was made up of 5 railway sleepers, which have been re homed. I have sown carrots, beetroot, onions, garlic and potato, the beans & courgettes are still to be planted.

Happy days!

Northern Belles Swap!

2009-05-03T21:06:00.002+01:00

Go have a see at The Northern Belles blog, there's a fab swap happening.

Catch Up!

2009-04-27T21:38:00.005+01:00

Sorry for my absence it was not intentional, just life get's in the way. So today I promised myself that I would make the effort to blog. I have been keeping up to date on you lot, but again I have been lazy as I have not left any comments, so again this week is going to change. I promised myself that I would leave 3 comments an evening.

To ease my self in gradually I thought I would let you know what I have been up to.

My great swap partner Kirsty from Ruby's Mamma Makes it, sent me this great set of gifts, the bracelet that she made me is gorgeous and has been worn on many an occasion. The mug is used on a daily basis for morning cup of tea.

Little dear had her Pre-School Easter party.

Over the Easter weekend we visited Keswick and thank god there was no DIY involved! Little dear loves any thing Peter Rabbit/Beatrix Potter, so we decided armed with my Mum's Scottish National Trust card to visit Hill Top Farm, I have to say it was great the guide took a shine to little dear and showed her all the hiding places of 'Samuel Whiskers'!

We bought little dear her 1st pair of proper walking boots so it was only right that we christened them with a 4 mile walk, but little dear also thought they were climbing boots!!!!

I will be back later in the week (promise) with my new vegetable plot and things I have been sewing.

Chucky eggs!

2009-03-20T21:09:00.003Z

Just to show you some of the things I have been getting up to. I was going to list them on Ebay but I am very disappointed with them at the moment, so if anyone is interested in one they are £3.75 (P&P inc), they would make great Easter gifts instead of the usually eggs.

Have a good weekend, what with this glorious weather.

Bye Bye Nan Nan!

2009-03-17T21:05:00.002Z

I don't want this post to be all doom & gloom as my Nan Nan was not that kind of person. My Nan passed away with my Mum & Auntie by her side on Thursday the 5th March. The funeral was last Friday and it was a little sad, but at the same time very nice!

The most important thing to me was that my Mum was OK, and surprisingly she is, she keeps having a little cry, but overall I think it has come as a bit of a relief!

Any way I have been very busy in my studio, my 1st show is on the 5th April at Weirlow Hall Farm in Sheffield.

Catch up soon

PS thank you for all your kind words on my last post x

Ta Da!

2009-03-02T21:44:00.002Z

At last on Saturday the carpet was fitted at 11 O Clock and by 12 O Clock we were beginning to build up all the furniture. My sister took little dear away for the afternoon which meant we could really get stuck in to putting my plans into action for how I wanted MY studio to look. Hubbo even commented how well thought out everything was, I did not tell him that I had been planning this out in my head for over a year now!

I had to give in to the fact that little dear would have to come into here at times or I would not ever get in there, so we bought her a desk and a pop up tent to play in!

It is not completely finished as I have to put up the blinds that I have made, hubbo has got to make my cutting table and I have got to strip down my bargain 1950's kitchen cupboard that I won on Ebay a couple of months ago.

Sorry I have not been around for a few weeks there has been a lot going on as well as getting my studio ready. I have been organising the refurbishment of the flat at Keswick which has turned into a bit of a rush as we have someone in on the 26th of March.

Also my lovely Nan who is in a home is sadly fading away, which is heart braking to see, my Mum is been so strong. I made the decision last week not to visit her anymore as it upsets me too much as she has changed so much, and I don't want to have this image in my head of someone who doesn't remind me of my Nan.

Hope to catch up soon of I can tear myself away from my new playroom!!!!!!

Love is in the air!

2009-02-14T10:03:00.002Z

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I hope love is in the air at your household today.

A place of one's own!

2009-02-11T14:21:00.002Z

Finally it has got plastered thanks to my Mum & Dad helping us out, I think they got sick & tired of me moaning about the state of the house as it is getting put on hold until this is complete. Hubbo installed the radiators at the weekend and I have to say what a clever heating engineer he is. I think I may never leave my office as it is warmer than the house even with the fire been lit!

Hopefully hubbo will put the skirting boards and raise the floor with further insulation this weekend and then I have to step in to decorate and put the blinds up which will be complete tomorrow at my sewing class. I quick trip to Ikea will then just finish it off apart from the bits of furniture that need doing up!

Progress on the sewing front is going well 5 more eco totes complete, 10 of my lavender hearts and one more egg cosy. I also sewed 7 paper heart garlands for my sister, and 30 of her hearts for the shows.

Fingers crossed for tomorrow on the crafting front as its Half Term next week, so nothing will get done!

Cupboard love!

2009-02-09T19:50:00.002Z

Today is my child Free day and guess what I did for 2 hours! Cleaned all my kitchen cupboard's out. I had to empty one half of my kitchen cupboards out yesterday as hubbo was attaching the radiators in my office to the boiler so this meant a real up heavel in my little kitchen. I woke up thinking about how to rearrange the damn things!
I then got down to some serious sewing, I managed to achieve finishing off the wholesale order and then posted it out. I then sewed 5 egg cosy, 3 eco tote bags, and then made a start on an order of 100 small lavender hearts for my sister to distribute when she does her wedding fairs. They have to be done by next Wednesday.

Look what my sister treated me too, I ummed & arred about these last week at hobbycraft, but eventually put them back. So my lovely sister bought them for me on Friday

Hopefully I will be back over the next couple of days with another post, I might even show you a glimpse of my office!

I feel a new obsession coming on!

2009-02-05T22:34:00.003Z

Had a go tonight at making candles, a what a easy and enjoyable thing to try and the smell is unbelievable! Also had a 'Snow Date' with a few friends at the local park, but it turned out the whole village was there with us! What great fun having an Adult v's Childrens snowball fight!

Little dear sledging on her bum!

Hope everyone is enjoying the weather and sorry I will try not to leave the next post so long!

Forgot to mention I managed to get that wholesale order using some of my Cath Kidston stash, I feel a shopping trip for new fabric coming on!

Roll on September!

2009-01-23T21:30:00.002Z

You might be thinking what's happening in September, well I might sound heartless but September the 3rd is when little dear starts full time school! As some of you know I don't find motherhood the easiest part of my life. I have a very little patience with her and this has in turn rubbed on to little dear, she is very cheeky and as I call it lippy(answering back) at the moment. Another thing that is getting me down is she is forever making a mess in every room she enters, she is like a whirlwind. Also the biggest problem at the moment is that she has not got her 'Listening Ears' on. I have to say it turned 9 O clock and I hit the wine bottle (God I sound like a wino, but I am not!) Any way I am not the kinda person that gives out sympathy, so I am not here looking for it! On a more positive note look below.
This beauty appeared on my windowsill this week, I was left with one from the Christmas fair which I was really pleased about as I wanted to see how they turned out! I have to say I was rather pleased with the result. Very beautiful!

I have had to raid some of my CK stash this week for a possible wholesale order that I have brewing, so fingers crossed for that one. I have been kinda busy this week with work, not necessarily sewing though. I met up with a couple of Craft Fair buddies to discuss fairs for 2009 as I think this year might be a strange one for crafters.

Going to bed now slightly drunk as we are going away tomorrow to sunny Scarborough for one of our annual family get togethers.

Have a good weekend

Forgot to mention the irony of little dears schooling, she was born on September the 1st which means she missed out on starting school by ONE day, and our local Primary school only has one intake per year!

I feel an Easter theme coming on!

2009-01-13T20:51:00.004Z

For a while now I have wanted to try out an egg cosy, and yesterday seemed to be the day, after a few prototypes due to size issue I settled for this one! I am planning to get these on the website for the run up to Easter!

This ones for Sara's little girl, Kitty. Just to let you know your bunny costume is in good hands. Any way popping up to Keswick for a couple of days to sort out decoration and a new kitchen and then hopefully we are looking to put it back onto the Holiday Let market, so if anyone fancies a holiday in the Lake District keep us in mind, it should be all complete by March!

My sisters new website!

2009-01-11T13:05:00.002Z

If you know my sister you will know what it has taken her to get to this point with her business. She gets very side tracked at times and cannot make a decision to save her life, but when she decided on something she puts 100% into it. She is also a Virgo which makes her a perfectionist!

She decided after designing my Wedding stationary 4 years ago, and then getting her qualification as a Graphic Designer that she did not want to go and work in a normal agency as it would not be creative enough for her so she decided to start her own business. On top of all the wedding stationary she also does logo designs, Point of Sale material and various other things but her heart is with her Wedding Stationary design.

Please take a look at her website and her Blog that is included within it and let me know what you think! And remember if you know anyone who is getting married pass on her details!

http://www.the-happyproject.co.uk/

Hope you are having a good weekend

Christmas presents & crafting!

2009-01-08T22:47:00.006Z

The best thing since sliced bread in my opinion at this moment in time, I have cooked in it 3 times all ready this week. A good pressie from the Out Laws for Christmas!

Sausage casserole, they look a little dirty don't they or is that my dirty mind!

This beautiful Coffee set was given to me just before Christmas by a friend, she knew I would appreciate it as it was her Mum's, so thank you Toniann if you are reading this!

I know you might all be what is she nuts making Christmas decorations in January, but in my efforts to be better organised I thought whilst I am still in a Christmassy mood why not make these. I have also made matching Stars & Stocking!

Here are my efforts for Valentines present, beautiful Mother of Pearl Button hearts, they are in the most gorgeous colours, silver, pink, purple, brown and mint green. I am going to load them onto my website next week! I struggle a bit for ideas for Valentine gifts as the majority of my customers are woman so they are looking for gifts for there partners, so if any of you have any ideas please let me know, I might send a little gift to anyone who comes up with any ideas!

This is me crafting this afternoon, just so Sara can see I actually do do some!

Here are my recent charity shop purchases, 2 cup & saucers for 69p each, used this afternoon when little dear decided we needed a tea party. And this fab book for £1. It has sewing, gardening, paper crafts ideas its great!

Got more sewing to do tomorrow plus some cutting out!

Remember the SALE is on at Just Original if you want to grab a bargain!

Mojo not back 100% but getting there!

2009-01-05T21:02:00.002Z

We had a very hectic Christmas, but a lovely relaxing New Year! I hope you all had a great break and I hope that all of you did not catch the dreaded lurge! Meet 'Pudding' the rescued seal at Scarborough's sealife centre, bless him he's only 3 months old and he was rescued from the river bank in York!
Here is little dear paddling in the sea at Filey on New Years Day, it was very strange we expected it to be very quiet but it was really busy for Filey. We spent the day loosing pennies in the slot machines, eating warm donuts & latte's and a long walk along the beach. PERFECT!

Back to reality now, little dear went back to Pre - School this morning and then she went to our new child minders for the afternoon. We had to remove her before Christmas from the nursery as she really hated going. She was fine when she was there but getting her there was a nightmare!

I have spent today shopping, preparing meals for the rest of the week and then getting down to my day job which was to update my website and get on with preparing my 'Newsletter'.

SALE NOW ON AT JUST ORIGINAL - BAG A BARGAIN!

Anyone found my mojo!

2008-12-17T18:39:00.003Z

It's just a short post to say I am having a short blogging break until the New Year. I seem to have lost my mojo about blogging, I still keep checking in on you lot but that's as far as I go at the moment. I have a lot going on with Plans for Just Original for 2009 and a very naughty 4 year old and on top of that Christmas, I have not even put my decorations up yet!

So here's me wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a fab New Year!

Last fair tomorrow!

2008-12-06T18:45:00.002Z

I know I should not say this out loud, but thank god tomorrow is my last fair for 2008! I have attended some howlers this year, but at the same time some really great ones. My task for next year is to find more great ones!

I really love fairs for things other than sales, great customers, fab other stall holders & great present shopping & the main thing is that I get to spend the day been myself, not a mum or wife just me!

I will get back to blogging next week, hopefully, as our wireless network does not like my computer but loves hubbies so don't know what that is all about.

Have a great weekend

PS Forgot to say that I did manage to do the draw for my 100th post compo, the winner was Joe @ Josie-Mary, so well done. Email me your address and I will get the goodies sent off sometime before Christmas!

Sorry, Sorry, Sorry!

2008-11-25T12:36:00.002Z

No Pictures today as I have no new ones.

Right to start with sorry number 1 - I have been a very bad blogger as I have lots on at the moment, lots of fairs, getting ready for Christmas, husband very busy at work which has forced more day to day chores onto me & then on top of all that I am organising a 'Ladies Pampering' evening for little dears Pre-School tomorrow evening here www.hodsockpriory.com we have sold 100 tickets I have 10 stall holders, 2 beauticians and an Indian takeaway arriving mid way through the evening. I will take some photo's and let you see how it goes.

Sorry number 2 - I have not been leaving lots of comments as I have loaded all my blogs onto Bloglines and it is then a pain to go and leave comments.

Sorry number 3 - The winner of my 100th post competition result, so in theory there is still time to leave me a comment saying anything as you then get entered into the giveaway.

I will try to resume some normality with blogging after this weekend.

Vanessa x

Teachers Gift Sets!

2008-11-19T11:36:00.003Z

This is the 1st time ever I think I have tried to promote you lot some of my products, but I have sold so many and received some nice comments from teachers who said " I wish someone would buy me one of those" that I have decided to plug them. They are £5.50 each they contain a tissue holder & a lavender heart with the words 'Best Teacher' on it. It is beautifully boxed with Christmas ribbon on it. If you are interested drop me a line as I have more designs of Cath Kidston Fabric available that are not photographed as yet.

Plug over!

I am doing the draw for my 100th post later tonight so there is still time to leave me a comment, to be honest if anyone leaves me a comment they are getting added into the bag.

A build up! (Not in my bowls)

2008-11-05T11:10:00.010Z

You know when you have a lot to blog about but downloading the pictures, making the time just seem to get in the way of you actually sitting down and writing a post, well that's how I have felt for the past week, so today at work I have made the effort.

Look what arrived in the post for me, a much awaited parcel from Natalie at Roseberry Crafts, she was my swap partner in the Campervan Swap arranged by JellyBelly, Jelly Brain.

Look at the gorgeous parcel, are you excited at this point as much as I was, I think not!

More build up, more gorgeous paper, but the chocolates were lucky to get into the photo action!

Yeh! The campervan picture is amazing, the amount of detail and effort was fabulous, the vintage cotton reels are now added to my little collection that I got from my holidays earlier in the year.

Gorgeousness! (Is that a word!) Waiting to be displayed in my studio, talking of my studio, look below!

My studio looks very lovely from the outside, now it is all rendered and painted and accessorised. Ignore the cable going in through the window, I have light in there but as yet no sockets are live! My hubbo is working on putting the radiators in there this weekend to get some much needed heat in there. I will do an inside shot soon.

Look what loveliness arrived on my door step on Saturday, don't get the impression that I need a different brooch for every outfit, I sell these at my fairs! Lovely friend Sara @ All about Eden makes them for me. I have to say my favourite one is the aqua one and guess which one sold!

I also received an award from Joe over at Josie - Mary, so thank you very much.

The rules are that I pass it on to 6 people so here goes.

http://all-about-eden-saraeden.blogspot.com/ - Sara

http://thechiccountryhome.blogspot.com/ - Faye

http://mollycupcakes.blogspot.com/ - Catherine

http://picciolo-picciolo.blogspot.com/ - Jayne

http://jane-petticoatlane.blogspot.com/ - Jane

http://dreamacresdiary.typepad.com/ - Karon

Well done ladies you thoroughly deserve it!

My next gripe it with all you ladies that have not entered my giveaway as yet all you need to do is put up a link on a post to my blog 'Passing on' Jamies Mackeral Pate. And then just leave me a comment saying the deed is done. (I have altered the rules slightly to make it easier for you)

Have a good day, don't know when I will next post as I have a big fair at the weekend, so I may be sewing and packaging stuff!

Vanessa x

The big 100!

2008-10-28T19:00:00.002Z

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!

I didn't mean to keep you hanging on with the next post, just that I have been very slack of recent weeks with both housework and Just Original, the only thing that has triumphed in my absence is my cooking skills. Jamie is still doing very well in my house the menu's are so simple. So with this still in mind I am going to do my bit for 'Pass it On'.

To enter my giveaway all you need to do is pass on Jamie's recipe for 'Mackerel Pate' that I blogged about last week. You just need to put the recipe on your blog, and if your really good try making it. Then come back and leave me a comment saying that the deed is done. So come on all you lurkers and you regulars do your bit.

I don't know as yet what the giveaway will be but it will be worthy of the work you will put in.

Jamie Olivers Food Movement! Pass it on!

2008-10-18T20:54:00.002+01:00

What with the town of Rotherham being only 10 miles from where I live I been amazed by the antics that Jamie Oliver has been up to. Love him or hate him you have got to give him credit for his goo intentions and effort and passion that goes into every thing he does. So with this in mind my Mum went out and bought his book, Jamies Ministry of Food (£9.79 @ Tesco's). I pinched it the other day and had a look through and I have to say for a lass that hates cooking but loves baking there are a fair few recipes that I am going to try. They are pretty simple, no faffy ingredients and I have to say after today's efforts they taste 'Bloody Lovely'. So in Jamie's words 'Pass it on', so here goes.

Smoked Mackerel Pate

4 Smoked Mackerel Fillets taken off the skin and mashed
4 Finely chopped Spring Onions
1/2 the rind of a Lemon
1/2 the juice of a Lemon
1 small container of Philidelphia
2 tablespoons of Horseradish
Black Pepper

Basically just mush it all up together and serve on warm ciabatta or crusty bread.

It tastes really great even little dear loved it, a great weekend lunch recipe!

I then made some Pork Kebabs with a sage, onion and lemon dressing again easy to make and lush to taste!

After all the cooking in the house today I went into my work room with little dear in tow and started to get inspired by the Christmas bug! I had a play around with my button stash and made some little brooches and then had a go at making a little fat robin!

With regards to the to do list not a one thing done! Oh well there's always tomorrow.

One more post until the biggest giveaway on blogland this year, only joking! but please come back.

Home Sweet Home

2008-10-15T20:28:00.003+01:00

As you can see the hills were a live with the sound of music!

Well the weekend just flew by and luckily the weather held out for us, so some walking was done. I have to say it was nice to get home as little dear spent her nights there on a blew up bed at the side of me and god does she snore & wriggle!

Well now back to reality and the epic list continues & grows from last week, so here goes:-

Finish off my accounts, they need to be with HMCE by the 1st November.
Start thinking about my next newsletter.
Cut out the 4 custom ordered cushions.
Send out magazine swap items, Campervan/Magazine
Cut out 10 childs aprons.
4 bibs started & finished.
The epic 'Lavender Bag' assault continues.

I will keep you posted on how things are throughout the week, what am I talking about week its Thursday tomorrow!

I have also opened a Folksy shop today, I would love your views on the whole Esty/Folksy thing.

Just realised I am 2 posts away from the big 100, so check back soon, as if I have not got enough to do I will do a 'Giveaway'.

Update 3!

2008-10-10T11:25:00.002+01:00

Sorry no photo's!

Yesterday was not as productive as planned as I was so tired that I went to sleep for an hour in the afternoon! But got done Package for potential wholesale customer and 5 weekend set bags.

Any way must dash as I am going away!

Have a good weekend, catch up Tuesday!

Update 3!

2008-10-08T20:44:00.002+01:00

Weekend gift tags cut out and labels stuck inside them.

Yesterdays Eco totes now photographed.

I have not achieved a great deal today as I have been at work and the took little dear to dancing. Hopefully tomorrow will be more productive as little dear is at Pre-school in the morning and then off to nursery in the afternoon. But I do have some chores to do in preparation for our weekend away.

Wish me luck!

Update 2!

2008-10-07T20:12:00.004+01:00

Gift set ideas for Christmas all 10 made up.

Teacher gift idea made, I hate it but it's one thing of my list

Baby bib finishes (not on the list).

I also managed to finish the 10 eco bags, but I did not photo them, but I will take photo's tomorrow. In between my day job and taking my daughter to ballet!

I also did something great today as I spent 2 hours teaching a friend how to use her sewing machine, we managed to sew a lavender heart which she thought was amazing. It was a really strange as I am not the greatest machinist at all but I used to be a Training Manager so it was a blast from the past for me in terms of covering the basics, how to explain things and how not to plough in and just take over. We are going to make a cushion cover on our next lesson!

Catch up tomorrow.