Lovely, Funny and Happy

L O V E L Y

The new Hoop-La! Magazine.

It's a great first issue, full of  adorable projects. Can't wait to make
Charlotte Lyons' pocket dolls for my girls.


This vintage cup and saucer.

The colours are cheerful and the design reminds me of spring.
Lucky Sunday afternoon find.


This print and three postcards from the spring craft market 
at the Millennium Gallery in town.

  

They remind me of the designs on Norwegian Figgjo Flint pottery 
wall plaques. Looking forward to more beautiful things from the
 designer Karoline in future craft fairs.



F U N N Y

The things Markie packed in her little suitcase for her stay at Nanny
and GrandDad's house.

It's always good to take a pair of fairy wings with you--you might need 
them, you never know.



H A P P Y


Feeling treasured and spoiled on Mothering Sunday.

I love all my Mothers Day card especially the one Markie made at 
nursery. Her drawing of Mummy is perfect and so sweet.


Making the back for my granny square cushion cover-hurray!

I'm still enjoying this project and always love the chance to sit down
and do a bit of work.




 Thanks for stopping by.
Hope you've all had a great weekend!

Friday Bargains

My mother-in-law and I went to a newly opened tea room

this morning for some tea and lovely cakes. Of course 

we couldn't resist dropping in at the charity shop next door

to see what's on offer and we were not disappointed.

While she found a couple of painted wooden bowls, both small and

still with the labels 'Made in USSR' attached on the bottom,

I found these:

Aren't they all lovely?

 The little wooden bear is just so sweet I had to take him home with me.
 I couldn't resist the pretty plate either. My favourite of the lot though
 are the three jars. I've seen and admired exactly the same set
at a nearby vintage shop a few weeks ago but they were too expensive.
These three were only £4 but when I brought them to the till
I was told I can have them for £3! I was even more thrilled.
 Now that's what I call a real great bargain
and a really lovely morning!


Thanks for reading! Back soon!

A Little Break

This week we were in Center Parcs in Sherwood Forest,
Nottinghamshire. We always love coming here in spring time.
In fact it's our favourite place for family holidays and lucky for us,
it's only an hour's drive from Sheffield. This time the place
we stayed in was next to a pond full of ducks, geese, moor hens
and swans. Our feathered neighbours liked to walk around and have
a nosey all the time, looking through the glass doors to see what
we were doing- much to the girls' delight.

Home away from home

Early morning visitors

It was cloudy and cold most days but luckily it didn't rain and we spent
our mornings outdoors- walking in the woods and of course,
 the playground.

Early afternoons were spent in the swimming pools which the girls
absolutely enjoyed. Lots of playing in the water and going down slides.
When everyone got tired we all headed back to our little place
in the woods for snacks and more play and then it was nap time.

Snack time for the grown ups

When it was all nice and quiet I sometimes read and did a bit of crochet
and sewing. Bliss!

Sometimes I couldn't resist and fell asleep too.

Mummy's having a nap. Shhhh!

My husband, as always, did all the cooking and he made us
lovely meals every day. We were spoiled!

Our days were happily spent like this when we were there--
very happy and relaxing. We all wish it was longer than five days
 but at least we've had a much needed break and we were
 able to spend wonderful time together as a family. It's been a great
holiday, our first one for 2014, and we're so grateful.
Hopefully we'll have a few more this year.


Hope you've had a fun week too!

Bye for now!

Nice and Happy Things

Just a few of the things making me happy lately...

......lovely flowers in bloom.

I like the delicate pinks and dark yellows together.

......time to sit down, read and do a bit of crochet.

It was short but very sweet and very much enjoyed.

......a visit to The Hepworth in Wakefield where Markie made this couple.

They're getting married--the bride's the one on the right.

She's very proud of them. I think they're sweet.

Thanks for reading!

Have a lovely, sunshiny week!

DIY Fabric Memo Board

I had this wooden framed cork pin board in the
little room where I keep my sewing machine and all my
crafty bits and bobs. It was useful for keeping magazine cut outs
 and postcards on display. However it was quite plain
and the little corner where it hung could do with some colour
so I decided to try and turn it into a nicer looking
 fabric covered memo board.

I started out by padding the front of the cork board with
a layer of polyester wadding leftover from previous projects.
This was then covered with the red flowery fabric which I secured
at the back with tacks and pins as I didn't have a staple gun or
glue gun. I then attached the pink ric rac and added these
mini wooden pegs.

Tadaah!

My old cork board is now a lovely memo board.

 Hurray!!

And here it is 'at work'.

I'm so pleased with it and I'm glad I chose this
brightly coloured fabric. Hope you like it too.

Thanks for reading!

Have a lovely weekend!

Simple Happy Sewing

What a lovely, sunshiny Sunday we're having here today!
Maybe spring is truly, finally here! I do hope so.
The girls played in the park this morning and were so tired
they're both having naps right now. Which is perfect because
I get to have some peace and quiet and I might even
do a spot of crochet later. But first I'll show you the bags
I've just finished making for them.

They are simple tote bags made from calico fabric with 

their names appliqued on one side. I got the idea for these

from Gillian who made lovely personalised bags for her

kids last summer. I thought they would be handy for keeping

the girls' books and toys when we go on holiday or when 

they go to Nanny and Granddad's house. 

The girls love their bags and this makes me
very happy. Here's Markie with her bag.

And a very bored Lulu with hers.

She'd rather be watching Cebeebies.
Mummy's sewing may be lovely but it's not as interesting
as Mr.Tumble!


Hope you've all had a lovely weekend!

Back soon!

More Crochet

I have started a new crochet project this week
and for this I'm using my lovely new
Drops Cotton Light yarn.

I started off with a little granny square and
 I've been slowly adding rows to it over the last few days.
Hopefully soon it will be big enough to make into
a cushion cover.

I think it will be nice as a table mat too.
I'll just keep going and see how it goes.

I hope you're all having some lovely weather
where you are. It was dark and rainy here this morning
but it's sunny and lovely again. Hope it stays this way
over the weekend.

Thanks for reading!

Back soon!