Some Nice and Happy Things

I like going out for walks with my girls.
 It's nice to get out of the house, have a change of scenery
 even just for half an hour or so.

We look at flowers and leaves, pick up 'special' sticks
and look for frogs and snails.
And when we get back there's always hot chocolate,
well, for me really. The girls have a very milky, tepid version but
they like it just the same, a lovely treat after spending
a little time outdoors especially this autumn season.
.............................

We love eating cake in our house and we try to bake at least
once a week. Yesterday I made crunchy top lemon cake
with my eldest girl.

It's a Mary Berry recipe, one of her mix-it-all-in-one-bowl
cakes which I love because it's quick, easy and fuss-free.
This one turned out nice and lemony and it's keeping us happy at coffee
and snack times this week.

...................................

I finally finished the cushion covers I was making for a friend
and just in time for her birthday.

She's been patiently waiting for them for months and I'm so happy
(and relieved) that she likes them all.

.......................................

An hour- even just an hour- all to myself is always welcome.
And even better when I get to spend it at an antiques centre like I did
this week while my husband took our youngest daughter to
swimming class. I came home with all these lovely things

including another addition to our Ogden's tobacco tins collection.

It was a nice break from my usual busy mornings at home-
an hour (and twelve pounds) truly well spent.

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My eldest daughter, who's three, loves Katie Morag and
was genuinely delighted when she got this book.

It's a charity shop find by my father in law and it's full of
stories and poems--just perfect for any Katie Morag fan.
I love that both girls like books and it gladdens me to see
how much fun and enjoyment they get from them.

......................................

The best and happiest thing for us this week has been
hearing that all my family back home in the Philippines are safe and
my parents' house wasn't damaged when that horrible typhoon swept
through our town. But our relief and joy are tempered
from knowing that countless others have not been so fortunate.
We are giving help both through donations and prayers and really
hope that aid will get to each and everyone of them very soon.

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Thanks for reading!
Wishing you a lovely weekend!

A Little Bit of Crochet

I learned to crochet when I was growing up in the Philippines.
My mother showed me how and we were also taught the
basic techniques in school. I made little bags and hats but
eventually got bored and forgot all about it.
Then earlier this year I started reading craft magazines and blogs and
saw so many beautiful crochet creations and felt inspired.
After so many years I thought I'll try crochet again.

But it's been a very long time since I have worked with
a hook and yarn so it was quite slow going when I started last spring.
I remembered some of the simpler stitches but got all muddled up
trying to follow a pattern. In the end I opted for something quick
and simple and made this mug cosy.

It was just a small project but was actually just right for someone
like me trying to get back into crochet. It gave me some confidence to do
a bit more but I got busy with sewing last summer and crochet never
got another look-in. Not until this autumn when I saw this book
at the local library.

It's by Vanessa Mooncie and it's packed full of gorgeous projects.
 My favourite of all was this brooch.

I love cherries and have always wanted a brooch like this.

The pattern was easy enough for me to follow and best of all

I already had the yarns and brooch back at home.
I just had to make it!

It took a few attempts before I managed to make two cherries

that were roughly the same size, then the leaves and joining them all up

and then I had my crocheted accessory!

I think they look very nice- just perfect with my denim jacket!



And now that I'm less busy with sewing I've had time to start

another crochet project and there's two more lined up after this.

When I told my mother I'm enjoying crochet again

 she said she's very pleased.

 So am I.

Thanks for reading!

Have a great weekend!!!

What A Hoot!

This week I had time for a bit of sewing and 

decided to make an owl cushion. It's my little autumnal project,

inspired by walks outside with my girls, the colours of fallen leaves and 

my fondness for wise cute owls.

It was an easy project and was quick to make.

I just enlarged a pattern I already have and got all the fabrics

from my (ever growing) stash.

Some toy stuffing, a couple of vintage buttons and

she's finished!

Twit Twooo!!

Of course she's a girl!

She loves to accessorize with a little flower on her head.

She also likes to read,

arrange flowers

and sit outside in the sun.

She likes to play with the girls and doesn't mind too much
being pulled, poked and squeezed by playful little hands.

She was a joy to make although I was surprised
when her 'ears' turned out longer than I was expecting.
  But never mind we all think she's lovely!
She's a year round friend and not just for this season.
Hopefully soon we'll find her the perfect name.

What a hoot!!!





Thanks for reading!

Have a fun weekend!!!

Some Nice and Happy Things

This week we've had so much rain and after many wet and grey days

it started to get a bit depressing. So I was very much cheered

 when the sun finally appeared on Thursday morning.

Such a welcome sight!  And it stayed shining the whole day! 

hip hip hooray!

It was the usual busy day in our house
 but it was so much nicer going about our chores and routines
with lots of bright sunshine coming through the windows.

...............................

On Wednesday I went for a wander around shops and

found some pretty bargains. 

This little jar was a pound in a charity shop

and these bowls had forty percent off their original price in a shop

that was closing down. 

I always love a bargain especially when they're unexpected and

they're found on a wet and miserable day. Gives me a smile

everytime.

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My husband baked and we do love a homemade cake in our house.
He made Torta Caprese, a chocolate and walnut cake.

It's very yummy and gave us our cake and chocolate fix this week.

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I was able to do some sewing on Tuesday and made
 good progress on the set of cushion covers I'm making for a friend.
I'm hoping to finish them very soon.
In the evenings I've been making granny squares while sat on the sofa
 watching television.

I'm finding crochet enjoyable at the moment and like to see the
stack of little squares growing slowly everytime.

..................................

My copy of Molly Makes magazine came in the post and it's got
a very nice free calendar!

It's full of beautiful pictures and they're inspiring me to do more crochet
especially this winter.

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Our three year old girl did her very first dance exams in ballet and tap
last weekend and we got the results this week. She did well on both
 and we're just so proud of her.

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Thanks for reading!

Wishing you lots of nice&happy things this weekend
and the coming week!

Sew Last Summer

Around May this year I received a number of commissions, 

all from friends and family. It wasn't a lot but enough to keep me
 happy and busy. I spent many sunny hours working away in my sewing 

machine while my girls were in bed having their afternoon naps.

I made personalised buntings

and cushions.

This one was a first birthday present

and these were for a little boy and his new baby sister.
 The owls were a special request.  I added some toadstools
just because I like them.

I also made these little party bags.
I had lots of fun sewing those cupcakes and ice cream appliques.

And it was the first time I used my very own labels- exciting!

Last but not least this wedding present for my sister in law's friend.
I was asked to make a cushion with the names of the bride and groom
included in the design and the rest was up to me.
The happy couple both live and work in London and they also
got married there so I decided to put a bit of London in the design
and this was what I came up with

and the finished cushion.

My sister in law liked it very much and most importantly,
so did her friend. Hurray!

Some afternoons when I was busy sewing I had a little helper.
She was ever so good at keeping me company and (ahem)
 sorting out my things. I'm so lucky!

As I've said earlier it wasn't a lot, the commissions,
but it was plenty enough sewing for me especially with
 my crafting time very much limited to my girls' afternoon naps.
I'm so grateful to everyone for asking me to make some nice and
pretty things for them and to my girls for obliging me most afternoons.

And thank YOU for reading this post!

Wishing you lots of sunshine where you are.
(It's wet&miserable here in Sheffield)

Have a good week!

Hello

Hello!

This is my first ever blog post 

and I'm a little bit lost for words.

I think what I'll do is 

show you some of the things I've made for craft fairs

this year.

I signed up for my first one in March

and had a stall at a local vintage and craft fair

in May.

It's been a very busy, very crafty

springtime for me.

Next time I'll  show you 

what I've been up to craftwise

last summer.

Thanks for reading.

See you soon!