Something old, something new

At the weekend I picked up an old metal mop bucket, which had seen better days, but I liked the colour and thought I could put it to good use by planting a cheery Margarita plant in it.  My original plan was to plant some strawberries in it, but mop bucket and food didn't sit too comfortably with me!

I had no plans either to make a blind, but you know when you get a sudden urge.....and my blind was it.  I had all the supplies including 2 rings to thread the ribbon through - it's not often a plan comes together when you don't have to trot to the shops to pick up what you need.

Hubby thinks it's completely useless (from a functional point of view) as it's a faff rolling it up and doing the bows before it goes wonky - but it looks good!

There's lots of stuff I have to do this week, but it's also SAT's week for the Year 6's so I feel it may not be that productive.  Yesterday went well but I feel as the week goes on, we may well have to walk on egg shells.  This is just a warm up I guess, as tests and exams next year will become the norm, which won't be good for my stress levels, never mind Toby's!  I'm glad I have one chilled out son though.

Right, onwards and upwards.

TTFN.

Childhood Nostalgia

As a child I was never one for playing with dolls, I much preferred colouring, reading and drawing.  Now in my adult years, I keep being drawn to childhood toys and DOLLS.....

I bought this doll a little while ago - she's from the 50's I think and has her original clothing.

My 2 boys' thought it was hilarious that she didn't have pants on?? - typical boys!  I did chuckle to myself as I sat brushing her hair thinking about how I will have to learn how to make dolly clothes.

Over Easter my mum gave me back my old suitcase which I've always thought about and didn't realise my parents still had it.  Not a huge suitcase but one I used to take to school when I was 5 - always with a clean hankie in and I always remember putting my cardigan in it too.  I was so pleased when I saw it, and just how I remembered it.

Over the past few years I've been recollecting Enid Blyton books, Ladybird books etc.  Whilst out and about last week I saw a little wooden shelf which was ideal for housing and displaying some of the Ladybird books - I think it must have been made for them.

I also spotted this

another game from my childhood - of course I had to buy it. 

It's funny how many of us are drawn to childhood toys and books - I wonder if future generations will too?

Have a lovely weekend.

Time

seems to be whizzing past at the moment - maybe something to do with the long, extended weekends - who's to complain at that?!

Our weekend started on Thursday afternoon following a school picnic.  All the children came home with wedding cake, Union Jack hat, flag, and mug with the happy couple on the front, the date, and school name on the reverse.  A lovely touch I thought.

Friday gave me the perfect opportunity to sit down for the entire day, something I very rarely do, and embrace the Royal Wedding in all it's glory.  It was wonderful to see London looking lovely and everyone enjoying the day.  The country needed a little boost and that was it.

Whilst sitting, I managed to get some bunting made, aptly named 'Happy Days'

(Please click to enlarge)

Quite appropriate I thought!

Lots more to share later on in the week - hopefully normality may resume at some stage!

Back to it

but only for 3 days!  Hello all - did you have a good Easter, eat plenty of chocolate, enjoy the Easter break, and more importantly relish in the glorious weather?

We did a bit of everything, sightseeing, relaxing, lots and lots of walking, enjoying time with friends and just a small amount of car booting (my first this year)!

The boot sale came up trumps for me - this stack of 9 Beryl Woods Ware plates were £1.00.  I spotted these at the end and was surprised no one had picked them up, so I dutifully obliged!

Jigsaw - 10p

Set of coloured handled knives - 50p

2 books - 10p each (my camera won't seem to upload the photo's on those so I can't show you) but 1 was an Enid Blyton book and the other a Ladybird Book - The Enormous Turnip.

Not bad heh?

Anyway, enjoy the peace for those who's children are back at school!  See you later on in the week.

Colour

A splash of colour to end the week -

Pretty pink fabric

Daring yellow nail paint

homemade iced buns, yum yum

and my super duper purchase of the week - a set of 4 Gaydon Melmex cups and saucers

Have a lovely weekend!

I really shouldn't

get started on something else, especially when there's work to do, planting to be done, chores to get through, but what the heck, I'll do it anyway!

I was doing a spot of tidying up earlier on in the week and saw an article I had cut out depicting vintage yoyo quilts.  Traditional yoyo quilts were made from using small scraps of fabric and as I have an over run basket full of them I thought it was another way of using up some of them.

Apparently, they were made in the thousands as each would be about 1" in diameter.  I'm making 2" ones and as you can see I've made 1 but cut out lots of circles - I may be some time doing this!

It was also a project undertaken by a number of people - ha ha (only me doing this one).

It doesn't need to be backed or bound as the quilt should be double thickness due to the construction of the yoyos. Mine will be vintage by the time it's finished.....The question is, will I continue with it or will it end up on a pile of other WIP's?????

The other day Vintage Vicki was offering to send 2 ladybird books she had picked up.  One of them was The Gingerbread Boy which I haven't got.  I was fortunate enough to be the first to say I would like it.  Vicki promptly sent it and yesterday it arrived all beautifully wrapped.  Thanks Vicki!

Easter holidays start later today so I'll sign off for a few days - enjoy whatever you are going to be doing!

Allsorts

Count down here till the end of the week when our school breaks up.  I worked out that the boys' are at school for a grand total of 9 days this month!  Jack's off today with a nuisance cold and cough.  My throat's a bit scratchy....really don't fancy catching it.

I hope everyone had a lovely, restful Mother's Day.  For once Toby's football was on a Saturday so we had a rare Sunday off and to make the most of it we trotted off to a NT which was beautiful.  On the way I spotted a rather large car boot which got me excited.  I've never seen so much tat in one place.  There wasn't even a hint of a bargain.  Never mind, early days.

Hughenden Manor used to be the home of Benjamin Disraeli and where Queen Victoria used to visit.  It always amazes me when walking round places like Hughenden that such iconic people walked where we were.

The gardens were glorious, in particular the kitchen garden - oh to have a walled garden!

I was very lucky as for my Mother's Day treat I was bought Mr and Mrs Salt and Pepper from CK.  Almost too good to be used, but are now full ready to go.

Right, off to knit some more bunny egg cosies and be nurse for the day (wish me luck!).