Lemonade Kitty

Update

2012-02-13T08:51:00.000Z

Thank you to everyone who left me a message yesterday when Rachel was having surgery, it means so much to know you're all thinking about me.

Rachel went into theatre at 9 am and got back onto the ward for 1 o'clock, Anth was there and he said she was in quite a lot of pain, but ok.

Rachel phoned me herself at 6 pm and she said she'd managed a few spoons of soup and a drink and she'd put her new jimmies on but was in a lot of pain, which I knew she would be.

I spoke to her at 8 this morning and she said she hadn't had a very good night but she was ok and was going to try a bit of toast, considering she's 5' 6'' and a size 8 she does like her food !!

I'm just happy it's all over and now and we just have to get her home and rested for a while till the wounds heal, she's hopeing to come home on Wednesday.

Well what does a worried mama do while her girl is under the knife???

After a few chores and wrapping of birthday pressies for two lovely people, I started to sew,

after choosing the fabrics I thought I'd make a bunny inspired by the lovely Julie Arkell, when I'd finished her I sewed an old initial on to her dress and called her "Rachel rabbit" so I shall take her along to the hospital this afternoon and hope it cheers Rachel up a bit with some chocs, balloon and card as you can't have flowers in hospital these days....where did that come from???

Thanks again for all your well wishes,

Lucey xx

Boob operation

2012-02-12T10:12:00.001Z

Our daughter Rachel was always flat chested and very self concious so nine years ago she decided to get breast implants fitted and apart from them being quite lumpy she hasn't had much bother with them but just before christmas she heard about them being filled with, basically "rubbish", and went straight to see the surgeon in January.

After the consultation she was told she would be put on a waiting list to have them replaced and it would be about April/May time but she got a letter 10 days ago saying the op would be today, she had to be at the hospital at 7 am this morning and went down to theatre at 9 am. The op should take about two hours and up to an hour recovery time so by 12 today I should know if everything has gone ok.....fingers crossed,

Love you, mam xxxxx

TREASURE TROVE.

2012-02-09T08:57:00.000Z

My mam was having a clear out of some craft things she's had stored away for a few years and she asked if I wanted anything before she gave it away, quick as a flash I was in the box and out come a bag of miniature knitting

there was little hanks of wool and on the thinest of needles was some knitting

also in the bag were patterns for making miniature dolls clothes and a tea cosy which I might attempt to make with the help of a very large magnifying mirror!!

I covered a chocolate box with some nice gift wrap to keep it all safely in.

Then there was a book of decoupage with about 80 sheets of images inside and loads of ideas for making things

I'm sure I have a tray or two that could do with a makeover,

some of the birthday ones I made into gift tags and I'm sure when Alexa comes this afternoon she'll have loads of fun making things.

There were lots of photo albums and all mams paints, pencils and artists book that she used to do many moons ago and her "craft dress" that she wore while having fun and now it's mine!

It's a lovely blue sprig dress with a detatchable pinny that fastens on the shoulders and ties around the waist, made from a cotton fabric and I feel like....Hilda Ogden ....in it in the nicest possible way, haha, it just needs a bit of adjustment.

Right I'm off to the RSPCA shelter but more of that next time,

Lucey x

Brrrr I'll have to wrap up warmly it's freezing out there!!!

Cath Kidston presents.

2012-02-01T17:20:00.000Z

Ooooohhhh it's been a bitterly cold day here in the north east with some snow flurries but I was filled with warmth when Mr Postie brought me a parcel from my lovely friend Barbara,

inside was not one but two gorgeous pin brooches from CK, standing to attention were three handsome soldiers and, a big red bus, they looked nice pinned on my grey jumper.

Don't daffy down dillies brighten up the day, I was pleased to see these little fellows pokeing their heads up over my planters this morning, and this afternoon I took Alexa to the park to feed the ducks and squirrels and there were shoots coming up everywhere, another month and spring will be around the corner...I hope!!

Keep warm and snuggly,

Lucey x

2012-01-27T14:07:00.000Z

Afternoon girls,

I'm feeling a bit better today, thanks for all your get well wishes, mind you I had quite a fright when I looked in the mirror my hair was like Jedwoods, my nose was like Rudolphs, I had black bags under my eyes and my throat feels like I've swallowed a huge roll of barbed wire, I don't eat ice cream even on the hottest of days but I could murder some right now!!

Yesterday afternoon I made a lovely brooch

I embroidered tea o'clock, (as it's alway's tea o'clock isn't it,) onto some of the yellow blanket then glued a lovely bracelet I had onto it, I love the brilliance of the stones and it looks realy nice on my tea dress.

I've pinned the lovely brooch Daisy sent me onto my coat and it realy brightens it up, there's two things I'd never be without, one is my lipstick and the other is a pretty brooch.

I've been reading all your lovely blogs while laying in bed this morning and I've found a few new ones that I'm now following, I loved the post Nicki wrote from "nastalgia at the stonehouse blog" it's "The history of aprons" have a read it's so true.

Talking of aprons this one is all ready to sew when I can be bothered to get the sewing machine out

it's going tp have a big pink pocket sewn on the front to hold my hankie and pretty pink checked ribbon for ties, I do like a nice pinny.

I made myself some soup for lunch and I've had a shower and got dressed and am now sitting on the settee with a big blanket round my knee it's turned chilly now the sun has gone in and as it's "tablet o'clock" I'll go and dose myself up and have a spray of that disgusting throat spray that does actually make me feel a bit better!!

Bye for now,

love Lucey x

A lovely surprise

2012-01-26T12:21:00.000Z

Ohhhh yesterday I got a lovely surprise, there I was feeling ever so sorry for myself with a very sore throat and the sniffles, when the postie brought me a parcel from my lovely friend Mandy from Daisy Moon blogspot.

Mandy sent me some pieces of blanket in lovely ice cream colours so I can make some brooches and other things from, I have looked in the charity shops for ages but you just can't get blankets so I now have a piece in all the colours.

I also got this gorgeous hand sewn brooch that will go with just about everything in my wardrobe, I love it's blue velvet button in the middle,

and some pretty buttons and tape, the pink blanket has satin ribbon sewn round the edge and I have an idea for making a book out of it

I think I'll have a bath and put clean pj's on and get out my lovely sewing box my sister gave me and get creating this afternoon

it's a lovely "Dewhurst" set for displaying cottons in

it would have sat on the shop counter years ago ....they were the days!!

Love Lucey x

Birthday week

2012-01-23T18:24:00.000Z

What a lovely birthday week I've had, it started off with tea and birthday cake with the family on Monday and a day out in Whitby, then on Wednesday it was off to Betty's for lunch with a friend, on Saturday I went shopping to spend some birthday money, and today I've been out for lunch with the girls from work, so I managed to stretch it to a whole week!!

Mr Lucey did realy well picking me this gorgeous fairisle waistcoat from CK, even the label is lovely

and a couple of books

one is a notebook and the other one is full of post it notes, I got some lovely flowers and a pot of daffs in a big tea cup, chocs and wine, a stanley keyring, a cupcake doorstop and "Ethel" who I'd like to introduce to you.

Ethel is wearing a lovely tweed skirt a hand knitted jacket and a very fetching beret, and she likes nothing better than coach trips, playing bingo and scandalising with the neighbours !!

She's set her heart on this little cottage and has asked Mr Mouse to help lift some of the heavy boxes for her, she wants to be settled in by the weekend as she's off on one of her coach trips with her fancy man, Albert!!

Lucey x

Whitby

2012-01-18T08:41:00.000Z

Jack Frost had been out and about on Monday and it was just on freezing when we set off for Whitby but as we drove over the moors the sun shone and it was a lot warmer, still not warm enough for sunbathing or donkey rides!!

It was nice walking round in the sunshine and it was so quiet with only a few tourists browsing round the shops

I always head straight to "Judith's" on Brunswick Street as she stocks so many lovely fabrics and buttons, I picked these 3 pinky fat quarters, some lovely buttons, interfacing, wadding and some calico, I'm going to attempt to make a doll!!

There's a new shop on Flowergate opened called "Isabel May" (used to Bespoke Country)

and it was filled with lovely pieces of furniture, bunting, candes and cushions etc I could have brought the shop home, I got a few things for birthday presents and these lovely coasters to put your cuppa on.

Across the bridge in the bookshop I got some cards and giftwrap, it's a sheet of ladybird book covers,

and a bit further up was an indoor market with the best sewing shop I've ever seen, the fabrics were absolutely gorgeous,

feast your eyes on this little lot!!

As soon as I saw this fat quarter I thought I could make myself a new pinny out of it, it just needs the edges sewing and a metre of ribbon for along the top and ties and it's done.

"Hello madam, can I help you"

The shop keeper told me the cat comes in and sleeps the day away on her counter and then she slinks off home, I think she's a secret seamstress who eyes up all the lovely fabrics and wonders how she can get a bolt under her arm!!

It was nearly dark as our weary feet wandered back to the car and as I've rambled on far too much I'll show you my presents next time,

Love Lucey x

What shall we do for your birthday?

2012-01-16T08:31:00.000Z

When Mr Lucey asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday I said "if you had the day off we could go to Whitby" so he did and we are!!

I'll be back later to show you my presents,

must dash,

Lucey x

I must get stitching.

2012-01-10T09:04:00.000Z

I was sitting with a cuppa round the fire last night when I decided to get the needles out again and make some more "wristies"

I've had so much wear out of these grey ones

so in a couple of hours I'd knitted these

I just cast on 40 stitches, using size 4 needles, and knit 50 rows then cast off, fold in half and stitch up leaving a hole for your thumb, so easy for beginners, and all you need are scraps of wool

I made these in cream and brown to go with a lovely aran cardigan that my sister gave me for christmas

but I didn't have anything to go with the cardigan so I sneaked off to York for a couple of hours and there just waiting for me in CK was this gorgeous dress, well I couldn't not buy it could I??

I "borrowed"one of Mr Lucey's wooden coat hangers to hang it on, I just need to cover it in a pretty fabric

maybe "stanley" will be just right!!

I've also got this cute little purse to make for Alexa's pennies it was free in Mollie Makes, problem is I'm dead messy with the glue gun going everywhere but where it should,

and last on the list is the heart wreath I started at the classes in December

the beads are so tiny you need a good light to see them and the needle is so fine

this one is half done but I'll have them all finished for next December, I hope!

Lucey x

Croft House

2012-01-07T10:03:00.000Z

Looking out across the lock with a view of the mountains is

"Croft House"

with it's little red roof and tall chimney pots

it's just the place I'm looking for to retire to!!

I was jucky enough to win this lovely hand knitted house just before christmas from Julia at "hand knitted things", thanks Julia I love it.

I got a few more red spotty bits to add to my shelf this christmas, my friends know me so well,

a lovely CK pin tin, some retro spot cake cases and I can't wait for a "blowy washing day" when I can hang out my washing using these lovely spotty pegs.

These are my lovely gifts from Jess at Bibbitybob that I got in the "Advent swap" back in November

There were 3 choccies that sort of jumped straight from the wrappers and right into my mouth before I could say "Jack Robinson"!!

This tea cosy is definetly my favourite gift

I need one of those little brown betty tea pots that hold just enough tea for a cuppa in the morning and I can cover it with my lovely stripey tea pot cosy, thanks Jess.

Here's Jess's parcel,

Before I go I love this idea I saw in a vintage shop

the fitting room is made up of two pairs of old wardrobe doors, brill eh!!

Lucey x

Laa laa's travelling craft box

2012-01-02T17:30:00.000Z

My lovely friend Lynda from Hookin with Laa laa has a wonderful idea for a "crafty" swap for us all to join in, do pop over and have a look it sound's like such a fun swap,

and a great start to the new year.

Lucey x

Happy new year.

2011-12-31T23:46:00.000Z

Just popped in to say happy new year, but most of all to say thank you to everyone who reads my "ramblings" on, follows me, takes part in swaps and leaves me such lovely comments.

I love reading all your blogs about what you get up to, what's going on in your day to day life and all the lovely things you make and becoming such good friends.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR"

I'm off to see the fireworks,

Lucey x

In my stocking were.....

2011-12-30T19:56:00.001Z

On christmas morning sticking her head out of my stocking was "bobtail" a gorgeous pink rabbit

and if you lift up her tummy she's a sewing set, she used to live in Jessie chorleys shop in London but now she lives with me!!

Just beside Bobtail, with his pipe held firmly in his teeth, was "the snowman" filled with chocolate,

does anyone remember these sleeves made by Rowntree's at christmas time? I think I've seen something similar when we were at Beamish museum.

And deep down in the toe was this teeny tiny book brooch

"ONCE UPON A TIME"

chapter XIII

Last Things

Good night and sweet dreams he cried on this night as the curtain was drawn back...

and there lay the beginning of an exciting adventure...

The End.

There was a note attached to the brooch that say's "this book brooch is inspired by the minature books of the 15th century that were worn by merchant princes either as a pendant or on their belts as a keeper of information, a calender or a souvenier."

I got some lovely books aswell so after my bath I think I'll pop off to bed for a read,

night all,

Lucey

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T09:42:00.001Z

Smoke is billowing out of the chimney on this special christmas eve as big flakes of snow fall from the sky, making everywhere look white and sparkly and slippery underfoot,

The family go out for a walk in the snow gathering a big bunch of holly as they slip and slide along the path

Back home it's warm and cosy with a big log fire roaring in the grate and Isabella's stocking is hanging above the flames, there's an orange wedged in the toe and a teddy bear and some gingerbread poke their heads out of the top. Placed next to the stocking is a pair of red leather shoes that Isabella has long admired in the shop window.

Mrs Bulmer, the old lady next door, and her son George give Isabella a brown paper bag containing an apple, an orange, some nuts, sweeties and some pennies.

There's christmas cards strung across the brightly lit room along with paper streamers, and outside a snowman stands proudly in the garden, as night falls everyone heads off to bed and if you've been a very good girl

"the sleigh will ride tonight"

and santa will fill your stocking while you dream of sugarplums.

Merry Christmas,

Love Lucey x

A few days shy of christmas.

2011-12-22T14:54:00.000Z

Not long now till "the big day"
all the presents are wrapped and under the tree, we've done the big shop, the house is shining like a new pin, the doggies are bathed and I'm erm.....knackered!!

So I'm going to sit in the snug with a nice magazine a slice of chocolate log and a large sherry,

as soon as dusk falls I'll be lighting loads of candles and I've got "the snowman" to watch.

"The stockings are hung by the chimney with care"

this is mine that I got from London,

and a smaller one for mr lucey.

On second thoughts I might just have 40 winks!!

Lucey x

Ice Skating.

2011-12-21T10:48:00.000Z

Today's activity is....Ice Skating!!

Mustn't forget the flask of hot chocolate with a nip of Baileys in, only for the grown ups of course!!

Be nice if it snow's.

Lucey x

When santa come down the chimney.

2011-12-20T07:58:00.000Z

When santa come down the chimLey (as my daughter used to say when she little) he brought two friends with him and landed on my mam's bed!!

I stitched these for mam about 20 years ago and every year she gets them out and puts them beside the fire but this year they have pride of place on her bed.

Merry Christmas Mam

Lucey x

Decorating the house.

2011-12-19T09:00:00.001Z

Sorry to go missing but what a busy two weeks I've had!!

First we had new gates fitted at the front of the house,

then we celebrated a birthday, so much fun in a box there were hands dipping in and out all week!!

I've had loads of visitors and we've exchanged christmas presents, I've iced the cake, decorated the house for the" big event" and packed our bags and had a weekend in York, phew!!

Snapped these in a shop window just waiting to be whisked off on a special journey.

Onto the decorations, a few weeks ago I bought some lovely doggie christmas cards from Poppy Treffry that were so nice I sprinkled them with glitter and threaded them onto some ribbon for the hallway,

and this year I bought a new tree for the living room and decided to go "less is more" with the decotations on it, the room looks lovely on a night with candles lit and loads of coloured twinkling lights on the tree,

and I copied someone from last year and tore up a book to make a garland for the wall

with lashings of glitter sprinkled on!!

Off we go up the stairs where the red glass lanterns cast a lovely glow in the dark

and "Apply Dapply" gazes out of the window with her big red bow waiting for a suitor to trot by!!

I' m going to Alexa's nativity play at school this morning so I'd better take a big pack of hankies as I know I'll have a huge lump in my throat and tears pouring down my face, ooooohhhhh I can't wait!!!

Lucey x

Wedding day.

2011-12-08T20:03:00.000Z

Today my lovely friend Lynda (hookin with laalaa) married her gorgeous Joe

Congratulations Lynda and Joe xxx

Advent aswap.

2011-12-05T15:26:00.001Z

Mr Postie left me a card in the door when I was at work on Saturday to say there was a parcel waiting to be collected so I had to contain my excitement until 7 this morning when I went to collect it!!

I was partnered with the lovely Jess from Bibbitybob, in the advent swap, look at all my lovely red packages,

and as today is the 5th I got to open 5 parcels

some rainbow pens, a piece of fabric, a waterlily candle, some deco pieces and a lovely crystal charm that I've hung from chandelier, thanks Jess.

Here's my parcel I sent to Jess.

I spent the morning making a door wreath, well I say making, I bought a plain green wreath and then I added fir cones and slices of dried orange and some red berries and added a ribbon bow and then I stitched a jingly bell to the bow as we all know christmas isn't christmas without a jingly bell!!

"Hello Mr Robin"

I have a little idea for us all to share but it will have to keep for next time.

Lucey x

This time last week....

2011-12-04T10:33:00.000Z

...we were walking down "Columbia Road flower market"

as well as loads of gorgeous bunches of flowers there were christmas trees of all shapes sizes and varieties, big bunches of holly, wreaths and hand made swags

I got some hyacinth bulbs and a big bunch flowers then we went for a cuppa,

there was a lovely old fashioned bakers shop on the corner and the back yard was a cafe

this is where we sat with our tea and donuts, a lovely little place with a big burner in the corner and a pile of books to read.

The sweet shop was called "suck and chew" it was filled with all the old fashioned sweets and loads of vintage tins filed with toffee's

these chaps are keeping everyone in order, "woof, woof!"

Round the corner there was a market I got two lovely big "sundae" glasses to pot my hyacinths in and I'm sure I saw "wee willie winkie" choosing a candle holder!!

What a little gem of a place to spend a Sunday morning, especially at this time of year,

we also went ice skating in Hyde park's "Winter Wonderland" but that's another story....

Lucey x

Jessie and Buddug, the shop

2011-11-30T08:44:00.000Z

The main reason we went to london at the weekend was to visit jessie and Buddug's shop on Columbia Road in the east end of London

"WOW"

it was amazing, full of handmade treasures and I spent an hour just taking it all in.

I love wearing brooches and there were plenty of hand made ones to choose from,

the shelves were full of journals all made by Jessie,

hand stitched pictures on the walls

and mirrors with bow ties,

you wouldn't find another one of these, a mirror made from a book.

Of course you can't lurk that long without buying a little something!

Can't wait to hang this Christmas stocking up made from a blanket with a cute little pug on the front,

and some gift wrap and cards

and I think I might find a couple of other gorgeous bits from santa in my stocking...

Luckily for me mr lucey loves shopping too and while I was in the shop he'd had a wander about and said "we must come back tomorrow to visit the famous Columbia Road flower market" isn't he just a gem!!

Lucey x

Off to London...

2011-11-24T17:03:00.000Z

With just over a month to go till the "big day" I thought I'd better do some christmas shopping so I'm off to London for a few days.

I've got the tickets, the maps and my trusty ladybird book,

my pj's are packed and it's time to catch the grand central with a couple of christmas mags and a box of chockies to keep me company!!

See you all next week,

Lucey x

The holidays are coming...

2011-11-20T19:01:00.000Z

WOW, this realy was in our big Tesco's car park today, we were driving past when I saw it so had to go home for the camera

it was absolutely marvelous all lit up with santa on the side

everyone got their photo taken and you can view it online and they were handing out tiny cans of coca-cola

check out the number plate "SANTA 1"

Christmas has definetly begun!!

Lucey x

So much to make.

2011-11-17T08:05:00.000Z

I spent a lovely couple of hours reading this book there's loads of lovely things to make in it and so easy,

these baubles are very vintagy, covered in scraps of fabric,

bits of fabric made into brooches or pinned on shoes

and I love fairies of any description,

I'll have to trawl the charity shops for old glass decanters, these will look lovely on the christmas table with the candles lit.

I asked my sister if I could have a look through her "tweed" stash

so I could make a brooch to go on a brown cardigan santa is bringing me!

I realy enjoyed Kirsties handmade home last night the little robin was lovely and didn't the girls do well taking third place?

I might just have to put a felting kit on my christmas list that's already far longer than it should be!!

Lucey x

My parcel has arrived,

2011-11-15T08:44:00.000Z

Morning,

I was partnered up with "annie the felt fairy" in Laalaa's christmas swap and yesterday I collected my parcel from the Post Office and couldn't wait to get it home so I could have a peek inside.

Ow isn't it lovely opening parcels, especially when you don't know what's inside, these gorgeous goodies are what Annie sent me.

a lovely hand painted "soldier" a christmas cat to stitch, some lovely tree decs made from the solftest felt and...the cutest card holder with a glass tree and reindeer....I love it.

And I have just the right card to display on it, there was also some candy canes but sadly they dissapeared last night while I was knitting!! ahem.

Thanks Annie. x

Here's my parcel to Annie,

a stocking filled with lavender, a fairy with apple spices, a plate for mince pies, a christmas stamp, brooch, soap and a sun catcher hope annie was as pleased with her parcel as I was.

A couple of weeks ago I joined a christmas craft class where Doreen makes the most lovely things

I've started to make a wreath like this one, it's quite fiddly stitching on all the beads, I've stitched two hearts only another 8 to go!!

Doreen must have spent hours and hours stitching these if only mine were half as good I'd be a happy bunny, practice makes perfect and all that!!

Lucey x

Our princess is 4.

2011-11-10T20:08:00.001Z

Today is Alexa's fouth birthday, it seems just like yesterday I saw her being born and held her in my arms, our little bundle of joy.

Last night my daughter phoned and said "is that the birthday fairy? I have a little girl here who won't go to bed and it's her birthday tomorrow" so she passed the phone to me and I put on an accent and said "this is the birthday fairy and you must go to bed and go straight to sleep or I won't be bringing you any presents" quick as a flash Alexa replied "grandma why are talking in a funny voice"?

You can't fool her!!

"Happy birthday princess"

xxxx

Is it too early?

2011-11-06T17:59:00.001Z

Mr Lucey popped into ikea in his lunch hour and brought me this nice lantern and candle home last week

well that was it, it started me off feeling all festive especially as I'd just collected the vintage christmas issue of Homes and Antiques with some lovely free gift tags so I made a cuppa and had a flick through.

Then I decided to stick some cloves in oranges

because for me christmas wouldn't be christmas without a big bowl of studded oranges this was just a trial run as it will have shrivelled up by christmas!!

Me and Fliss from Joshy and Bell did a swap of magazines, I sent her some interiors mags and in return Fliss sent me some knitting ones,

these will keep me going for a while, I love the old map paper they were wrapped up in

and the card shows the linen from Queen Mary's dolls house and took some patient lady over 1500 hours to stitch it all, just wonderful.

I also got a book from Jackie at sew special bears, "Laura's handmade life"can't wait to start reading it.

Thanks ladies you're so kind. x

Just before I go and watch Country file when would you consider it the right time to start wearing christmas pj's??

Do you think it's just a tad too early??

Honestly I haven't got them on ....yet!!

Lucey xx

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T09:45:00.001Z

On Friday evening we went on a "ghost walk" in the older part of the town and I must say there were some scarry stories told but a distinct lack of ghosts....thank goodness!!!

One of the pubs where we had a quick "spirit" or two, was decked out so I popped back with my camera on sunday to take a few pics for you.

There was a huge spider on the ceiling but I didn't realy want to be seen going into a pub on my own on a Sunday afternoon!!

Some beautiful autumnal flowers sat in a pumpkin,

and an arrangement we took to the cemetery,

Karen's favourite time of the year was autumn/halloween and she would decorate the whole house so little sister put together this arrangement for her,

and finally, couldn't resist this pic from the internet....

"witches brew"!!

Happy halloween everyone,

Lucey xx

Warm, pretty woolies.

2011-10-28T08:06:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I called into M&S for a browse and they've got an amazing offer on until Saturday, 25% off all womens, mens and childrens knitwear.

So I filled my trolley with warm pretty woolies for all the family and I got a few christmas pressies aswell, well it would have been a shame not too at those prices, ooohhhh christmas shopping in October!!

Lucey x

Tonight I shall be....

2011-10-21T20:02:00.000+01:00

After a long day at work I've had a bath and got my pj's on and very shortly I'll be snuggled on the new settee with some rather lovely reading material

Don't you just love it when the nice postie deliveres the latest Cath Kidston magazine to drool over

I had a sneaky peek earlier and these bags are to die for

The lovely Jenny sent me a brochure from Bespoke Country it has some nice gift ideas in it and a few stocking fillers that I'll be requesting from mr lucey!!

So with a bag of sweets and a glass or two of "red" that will be me tonight!!

Love Lucey

xxx

Mr Robin and chestnuts.

2011-10-18T11:01:00.000+01:00

On saturday we had a ride to Stockesley a lovely little market town that has some wonderful shops and one of them always has a christmas preview day with 10% off which is where I made a bee line for!!

Dasher and dancer were tethered outside

and inside was full to the rafters with gorgeous christmas goodies, the shop was full of people drinking mulled wine and eating freshly baked mince pies and arms full of robins, stockings and snowflakes so I couldn't take any pics of the downstairs rooms

Of course I had to make a few purchases well it would have been rude not to wouldn't it?

A round fat mr robin, I'm thinking I should have bought a slightly smaller but just as fat mrs robin to keep him company

a tea light holder in the shape of a christmas tree it just needs prettying up a bit with some holly and those little snowflakes

I also bought lots of stickers for my book and christmas card envelopes and some jingly bells.

We had a lovely time browsing about in the warm sunshine, we got all out fruit and veg and meat there as I like to shop in independant shops if we can and back home we roasted chestnuts over an open fire

well we would have had it been an open fire!!

Roasted chestnuts and a mug of hot chocolate with sprinkles, where did I put those marshmallows???

Love Lucey xx

Autumn

2011-10-10T10:36:00.002+01:00

I think it's fair to say autumn has arrived now, there's leaves everywhere just waiting to be walked through and I've got my scarf and gloves ready for the cooler morning doggie walks, I'm also thinking warmer foods like soups and casseroles to keep us going.

I've bought this charming little book of food by jessie Chorley

that has some lovely receipes for flans, bread, soups and cakes and the "damson chutney" sounds delicious

the receipes are realy easy to follow and the illustrations are charming

"when the pie was opened the birds began to sing"

I'm going to make the damson chutney so I'll let you know how it turns out.

If you fancy a copy of Jessies book it's from

www.jandbtheshoplondon.bigcartel.com

Changing the subject I've got a new mini!! A nice red one and look what was in the back seat waiting for me when I picked it up

some gorgeous autumnal flowers.

Right I'm off out for a spin in "The Fury" as Dylan has named it!!

Love Lucey xx

Crafternoon class.

2011-10-04T08:38:00.000+01:00

Yesterday afternoon Viv who owns the local wool shop was holding a "crafternoon" class at the local church hall and she asked if I would take along some hand made items to show everyone and see what they were interested in making.

I'd made myself a new knitting bag out of a piece of old wooly blanket that I'd lined with some pretty fabric and on the front embroidered "knit, purl, moss and rib" and a pair of (wonky) knitting needles,

the handles were made from a piece of blue CK fabric and I stitched on a pearly button to fasten the the top then I filled the bag with hearts, doggies and a covered notebook.

I pinned all my "bits n bobs" on a covered board to take incase anyone fancing making them

and I took couple of scarves and handwarmers and a crochet blanket and Viv took some wool and needles and some easy knitting patterns and crochet hooks and off we went.

It only runs for 4 weeks then it changes to something else so although everyone was interested in sewing brooches and watches they realy wanted to learn to knit and crochet first. I sat with a lovely girl called Vanessa and by the afternoon she'd made two granny squares and had wrote down the pattern so that she could understand it.

I also showed her how to stitch it together with a darning needle, she wasn't sure what a darning needle was, crafts seemed to have died out in the past few years but now it's made a big "comeback" and thankfully everone is back into it.

There was even a lad of about 25 there who can knit but can't read a pattern and he wants to knit his dog a nice warm coat, I might just borrow it off him and make my doggies matching coats for the winter!!

Looking forward to next week and I'll let you know how we get on.

Love Lucey x

Another make for September

2011-09-29T20:12:00.001+01:00

Well what's going on with the weather day after day of red hot sunshine, last week I got out the winter quilt for the bed as the nights had turned chilly and then on tuesday I had to put the summer quilt back on because it was too flaming hot!!

Not that I'm complaining 'cause I love the sunshine.

I finished knitting/ sewing up my little slipover last week all ready for when autumn finally shows it's face

I knit it to match the scarf and gloves I made earlier (sounds like I'm on blue peter!!)

the reindeer's are marching along the bottom

with rudolph in the lead

Can't say I want the sun to go away but when it does I'm set for autumn with my slipover, scarf and wrist warmers at the ready, so that's my makes for this month.

I've just cut out the fabric to make a knitting bag so I'm off to do a bit of sewing before watching Celebrity Juice with Keith Lemon, he's not everyones cuppa tea but I love him!!

Love Lucey x

Down came a blackbird and "pecked" out a winner...

2011-09-25T12:05:00.000+01:00

With only 3 short months left till the "big day" I thought I'd start sorting through my christmassy fabrics for all the lovely things I plan to make

so I dug deep in the fabric stash and this is what I found.

I plan to make covered journals, brooches, a knitting bag and lots of hand made gifts for my swap partners, Annie the felt fairy in the christmas decoration swap and Bibbity bob in the advent swap and my family hope there's a hand knitted scarf for them in their stockings on christmas morn!!!

My fingers will be "worked down to the bone" at this rate, only kidding I hate being bored and thrive on having loads to make,

anyway on to the serious business of picking a winner of the pumpkin giveaway.....

"down came a blackbird and "pecked" out a winner....

and the winner is.... Rose H UK....

Please e mail me your name and address Rose and Mr Blackbird will fly your parcel to you,

right I'm off to the sewing room.

Bye for now, Lucey x

Tea towels...

2011-09-22T16:19:00.005+01:00

I was recently asked by the lovely al of www.all-tea-towels.co.uk if I'd like to try out one or two well just like a box of choccies I chose two of the best ones!!

My first choice just had to be "dip in" as I'm a great fan of both boiled eggs and soldiers and ladybird books I thought this would be an eggsellant (sorry) choice for the breakfast dishes,

and because I'm a real "sweetie" this tea towel made from linen would be perfect for afternoon tea dishes. As I've never used linen towels before I wasn't sure what they would dry like but they're realy absorbent, thanks ever so much Al.

The lovely Scott asked if they could feature my blog on "the best of the web" so I jotted down why I started blogging and what I blog about etc, you can find me featured along with many others at http://pocketchange.become.com/2011/09/best-of-the-web-be-home-40.html

I shall be drawing the winner of the pumpkin giveaway on saturday evening so there's still time to leave a comment if you would like it to be yours.

Bye for now,

Lucey x

Old blanket...

2011-09-18T14:25:00.000+01:00

I'd mentioned to my friend Julie that I was looking for an old wool blanket to make crafty things with and the next day she brought me two from her father's blanket chest that he no longer wanted, yipee, I was delighted.

So what to make, well I had a lovely notebook but it had a plain cover so I thought I'd cover it in a piece of blanket,

I rumaged about and found a clock face and a pretty heart shaped locket to go on the front, a piece of orange ribbon to made a bow on the locket and some orange threat to sew "notes" on the front,

I added a little "hand made with love" tag at the side and with the help of my trusty glue gun in just half an hour it was done, I love the original blue blanket stitch along the top.

My mam said when I was a baby she could only afford a nice cover for the top of my pram and the ones underneath she made herself. It seems you could buy blanket by the yard and then you edged it in pretty ribbon, hmmm that's an idea for a cold wintery evening.

We went to the pet shop yesterday to get some doggie biscuits and these three adorable kittens were snuggled together I'm sure I heard one of them say "can I come and live with you" but Mr Lucey said "no don't even think about it" oh well.....

Don't forget you still have time to enter my giveaway in the last post for the knitted pumpkin,

Love Lucey x

2 years blogging giveaway...

2011-09-14T17:21:00.000+01:00

In a few days time on Sept 20th 2009 I wrote my very first post and that means I'll have been blogging for a whole 2 years, where has the time gone?

I've had such a great time reading all your wonderful blogs, participating in lovly swaps and have "met" some amazing people so to thank you all for reading my blog, always leaving such lovely comments and making me so welcome in the bloggy world I'm having a little giveaway, with a twist!!

Does anyone like halloween???

Good, because I've knitted a pumpkin and the twist is he has no face!!

Here's the pumpkin and I'll also supply a piece of black felt and you cut out a face and either sew or glue it on.

You must have a blog to enter because all I ask is that on halloween (october31st) you show us your pumpkin with his face, so, to enter please leave a comment on this post and a week on friday, 23rd sept I'll draw a winner.

This is my pumpkin from last year can you make your face even scarier??

Love Lucey x

More on the WI...

2011-09-12T16:10:00.000+01:00

Good afternoon everyone, it's not good weather wise is it with billy wind blowing his hardest, the workmen on site got a good look at tomorrows washing as I was bringing the bin in!! My skirt was somewhere around my neck showing everyone my knickers good job they were clean!!

I finished my wrist warmers and I'm very pleased with them

I took the photo in the mirror so that's my left hand, the frill is supposed to hang down but I think it looks better turned back

they're easy peasy to make, just two tubes with a slit for the thumb and a lace edge.

Well as you know last week I went to join the WI and when I mentioned it to Rachel she decided to some with me so off we went to the church hall where we were met at the door by a few ladies who smiled and said "hello". I explained that we had come as visitors with a view to joining so we were asked to pay our £2 were given a raffle ticket and we went into the hall.

As we went in I expected to see lovely bunches of home grown flowers in jam jars, maybe a table with home made goodies on and leaflets with things to do on but it was just a few chairs in rows and a table at the front.

(sunrise this morning)

A lovely lady called Dorothy assigned herself to "look after" us and briefly told us first there was Jerusalem then "the business" then a guest speaker and slide show on Durham cathedral and finally tea and social and she (Dorothy) did the teas.

After a little bit more chit chat I asked "what exactly does the WI do then?" Well not much she said because as you can see we range from 65 to 90 years old in this committee and I'm 80 and have been in the WI for 50 years.

She then explained they have a meeting once a month and also a day out to a country house or to the theatre and that's about it she said smiling, but we used to do things like keep fit and walking but not anymore. She then said they were probrably too old for us two but we'd be very welcome to join if we wanted to.

So we sang Jerusalem, someone read the minutes of the last meeting, they said how much they'd enjoyed the trip out to a house and garden last month and then appologies from so and so who couldn't make it to the meeting.

We stayed for the slide show which was realy good, but by the time it had finished at 9.15 we had to leave as Rachel had to get back for the kids so we didn't have chance to have a cuppa and a chat but on the way out an elderly lady said "it's harvest festival next month if you want to come" and what does that entail we asked her and she replied "we just bring some produce and then buy it back again" but in a sort of dejected voice if you know what I mean.

We said we will go next month as it might be a bit more lively but as for joining.....we were so dissapointed.

On a brighter note, this was Dylan last week,

in July he left his old victorian school along with all the otther kids as a brand new one was being built along the same road and then a couple of days before they were due to go back to the new school Rachel got a text saying the kids could have another week off as the new school wasn't ready for them, is that every kid's dream or what!!!

Mind you although he wouldn't admit it he was bored silly being off another week and this morning he was up at 6 with his uniform on and excitedly waiting for the bell to ring, so I'm just going round to see how his first day went.

Bye for now

Lucey x

Joining the W.I...

2011-09-05T15:53:00.002+01:00

Hello everyone,

the nights are getting a bit colder and the days shorter we tend to think a bit differently, thick cardigans come out and shoes replace sandles, I like to get some books out to flick through

I read the "what to look out for in autumn" book to Alexa and we collected some acorns and fir cones on our walk,

squirrel nutkin soooo loves nuts!!

As it's not quite glove weather yet I've started to knit some wrist warmers, they have a nice lace pattern that goes on the edge and the pattern said knit it all in one but as I couldn't quite get my head around the pattern I decided to knit it seperately.

Last night it was dark at 8.30 so I thought I'd best be getting some candles ready to light I got some lovely red holders in the sale but I'm keeping those for christmas time, I need to look for some silver coloured ones aswell,

and I found those CK candles left over from last year in the back of the cupboard.

I bought this lovely old "carnation" receipe book from a fair so I thought I'd give the lemon crunch deserts a go I'm putting those lovely biscuits in instead of ginger nuts as they're so scrummy,

and I shall make myself a "brew" in mr oswald owl or the pumpkin mug great size for hot chocolate too you can get just the right amount of marshmallows on the top!!

Tonight I'm going to join the WI (if they'll have me) don't realy know much about it but I've been to a few fairs and everyone seems realy friendly, I'll let you know how I get on, I'll be wearing my new red shoes for luck!!

Before I go I must show you this

I saw these mince pies on the shelves last week now I think the beginning of september is far too early, what do you think???

See you soon,

Lucey x

The fun part...

2011-08-31T07:56:00.000+01:00

Mr Lucey has spent the last few days decorating our living room and last night up went the new light fitting

It's like a modern take on a chandelier with the glass droplets, just right for the new room,

and in 6 weeks time the lovely new suite will be arriving. We bought the leather one as it was practical in the last house with the dogs but it just doesn't "go" in here, well that's my excuse anyway!!

As I was hanging the curtains last night I grabbed my camera as it looked liike the sky was on fire!!

Today's the fun part, we're going shopping for pictures and bits and bobs and a new "doggie" bed!

I don't know wether I need another of those lights for above the kitchen table for "posh" dinners not that we have many posh dinners but we could if we had a nice light fitting, lol.

Love Lucey x

She has a story to tell...

2011-08-24T11:27:00.000+01:00

Morning, as I said in my last post I've been "stitching" a book

"She has a story to tell"

So let's begin,

1st page

That's me as a baby, aw wasn't I cute? There's an old silver 3d for luck tucked into a spray of blue flowers, a little knitted brooch and a piece cut from an old deed.

2nd page

some snippets of fabric, buttons and old press studs, a picture of my lovely mam on the day of her wedding, and a beautiful treasured brooch my sister Julie (who was eight) gave to me when I become a "mother"

3rd page

I love old keys so I stitched that on first and then I found a tiny lock charm, a lovely old shirt button and an envelope addressed to my granda dated 1943, such lovely hand writing.

And finally...

I bought a bumper load of these pre paid envelopes a few years ago and I knew one day they'd come in handy for something.

"The end"

Just a wooly scarf, a couple of photos, a few bit's and bobs, my name and the date inside but one day a family heirloom perhaps? I'd like to think so.

I'll put this as my August's monthly make

along with my "reindeer" scarf.

Have you been sewing or stitching?

Love Lucey xx

Vintage bobbins...

2011-08-23T10:49:00.002+01:00

Oh I do love it when the sun shines and what better way to spend the day than sewing especially when I have all these lovely cottons to sew with!!

Most of these are wooden reels of Dewhurst's SYLCO threads and are silk substitute machine twist and are loads better than the polyester stuff you get now.

They have such wonderful names too, there's carmine a lovely burgandy, filbert a pale toffee and antelope a lovely shade of grey.

The small rurple reel at the front is Pearsall's gossamer silk, very luxurious and the two just behind the green at the right are celebrated elephant machine silk and one is pale green and white twist and the other is blue and white. I got all of these from e bay for under £1 each so I'm on the lookout for a few more, don't know why anyone would want to sell a bobbin of cotton but I'm happy to buy them.

And what better way to store them than in this giant "custard cream" tin, mind you every time I see it I'm reaching for the biscuit tin!!

I'll give you a little peek at what I've been sewing shall I?

It's a story book made from a wool scarf but I'll have to keep it for tomorrow's post, must dash as I shall be late for work!!

Love Lucey x

I'm knitting...

2011-08-21T14:25:00.000+01:00

I've started knitting again!!

Inspired by the lovely Lynda, of "hookin' with laa laa" I decided to knit myself a scarf, but not a plain one, one with reindeer's on, which was quite hard when I've never knit with two colours before!! But after a few goes I got the hang of it

but then I realised when I wore it the reindeers on one side would be upside down !!

So I had to pull these little chaps out and knit them upside down which took ages but eventually I managed to finish it and I must say I'm rather pleased with myself. I'm not sure I'd tackle another one but it's certainly got me back into knitting again.

I put a pattern in the middle as you wouldn't see the reindeers when you wear it

now I'm waiting for a cold blustery day to wear it, not that I'm wishing the summer away just yet as I have a week off work soon and am planning a few days out somewhere nice.

Thanks for all your comments on the "York" post, I put all your lovely names into the hat, well a mixing bowl actually, and the one pulled out was.... The vintage gardener,

here's Gill's little parcel.

Monday was my friend Barbara's "biggie" birthday so us girls went out for afternoon tea at Wynyard hall where we had tea in the library

there was big squashy armchairs and settee's to sit in and we got the full works delivered on lovely china

see those lovely big bunches of sunflowers

There was a wedding on and afterwards we had a little peek in the chappel, love the blue walls and the marble pillars

then we wandered down to the lake to see all the ducks and take more photos, it was one of those lazy afternoons where you just didn't want to leave.

Tonight we're going on a "bat" walk, you know the little furry kind? We have been before and Ian the chap who organises it brought along a common pipstrill bat for us to hold, he had to hand rear it as the mother had died, and it was only 1 1/2 inches long so we've got the detectors ready lets hope we hear loads of them!!

Love Lucey x

Magic ball swap and other things...

2011-08-08T08:39:00.001+01:00

I was lucky enough to be partnered with the lovely Emma from "fraggle cat" in laalaa's magic ball swap and wrapped inside a masive ball of wool was this very pretty bag.

It's ideal for work as it holds all the necessary bits n bobs and my lunch box.

But that's not all, I received all these goodies aswell!!

I love this pink fabric and will have to think of something special to make with it, it's just making the first cut with the scissors that's the hard part!!

Following my last post, I stumbled across a vintage shop called The House of Avalon in High Petergate York, (just in front of the Minster)

It's described as

"a quintessentially english tea room with a dash of vintage couture,

a magical little shop selling quality vintage clothes and accessories"

There was a lovely blue spotty dress hanging up just inside the door, if you click on the picture of the shop you might be able to catch a glimpse of it, priced at £95, is this the going rate for vintage?

Saying that if you "want it" then I suppose you have to" pay" for it!!

In the shambles there's a wonderful little wool shop called Ramshambles

(pic from internet)

so I went in for a little look and come out with some wool and a dish cloth hand knitted by a local blind lady for £1.50, bless her, and all proceeds go directly to her, so if you happen to be in the shambles please consider buying one, thank you.

Following my last post I'll put your names in a hat later today and there'll be a "little something" in the post for one of you.

Bye for now

Lucey xx

Guess the place....

2011-08-06T15:31:00.001+01:00

Afternoon girls,

First of all a very happy birthday to our lovely daughter Rachel who's 32 today xxx

Now do you fancy a little quiz then read on!!

I had a wander around some lovely shops on monday, anyone guess where I was??

some nice old fashioned pharmacy bottles

lots of flat irons, very hard work I imagine for some unfortunate girl

they don't make them like that anymore, thank goodness!!

just "the drink" for a hot sunny day

anyone for tea and a scone?

It was a pleasure trying on clothes in this changing room with it's gorgeous wallpaper and yes the skirt did come home with me!!

freshly squeezed lemonade (got any ideas yet?)

wonderful edible treats from the best cake shop ever,

and finally,

a trip on a river boat.

Just leave a comment if you know where I went and I shall pop a little something (don't know what yet!) in the post for one of you.

Bye for now

Lucey xx

Hello Edgorina....

2011-07-31T21:55:00.000+01:00

The picnic blanket is coming along nicely and it's a good way of using up all the balls of wool in my bag, our local wool shop has a big "reduced" basket of wool on the floor for only £1 a ball so I get a few balls whenever I'm passing

it still needs a few rounds adding to it and a nice edging but that's on the "back burner" for now as I've been stitching more brooches!!!

Let me introduce you to "Edgarina" she was supposed to be called "Edgar" but with those lips I decided "Edgorina" was a more suitable name (ok so I've lost the plot !! lol)

Another little brooch I knitted and it looks quite nice on my dark orangy coloured top, I love the ceramic heart button from "daisy moon"

This is a wristlet made from a pink liberty cotton with a gorgeous ceramic butterfly button sewn on and a jelly tag,

and finally, two watches, this one says 4 o' clock so it's always "time for tea"

and this one is set at 10 to 2, time to "sit and knit"!!

So that's my haul for this month have you made any nice bit's 'n pieces?

Love Lucey x

Pearls...

2011-07-27T08:36:00.000+01:00

Ohhh, they say diamonds are a girl's best friend but for me it's pearls, any shape or size and I'm hooked!!

At Tenerife Pearl you can fish out an oyster from a dish and Celine opens it and inside is a pearl that she makes it into a piece of jewellery for you,

so, I "fished out" a dark coloured oyster and waited to see what was inside, I needed another cream one to go with the other two I already had,

I was dissapointed to see that it wasn't a cream one to but delighted that it was a gold coloured one so I had it made into a neclace.

Well I had to have another go so I let Mr Lucey pick me one out, and bingo, inside was a large cream one.

Isn't it a beauty?

Celine drilled a hole through it and I now have 3 lovely pearls to match my gorgeous ring that Mr Lucey gave me for our pearl anniversary (30 years!!) two years ago

Are you a "pearly girly" too???

Lucey xx

R.I.P. Amy Winehouse...

2011-07-24T09:31:00.000+01:00

R.I.P. Amy Winehouse xxx

I've been on my jollies...

2011-07-19T08:44:00.000+01:00

Morning all

I've been on my jollies to the wonderful Tenerife where it was lovely hot sunshine every day for a fortnight, just laying on a sunbed drinking cocktails and dipping in and out of the pool when it was too hot, and now we're back home and it's been rain, rain, rain.

Don't you just hate that, you want to show off your tan but all you can see from under the brolly is your nose end!! Never mind, as usual we had a marvellous time and we decided to go for a ride on a camel which wasn't as frightening as I thought it was going to be

"up you get matey"

and we're off!!

We saw a mother and a six day old baby camel, it's coat was a bit like a sheep's all soft and cuddly

isn't she gorgeous???

We spent a few hours on a boat in the ocean to see the whales and dolphins

these were right beside our boat and if I'd had long enough arms you could have touched them.

We usually had a walk down to the beach on a night to watch the locals "crabbing" and the sunsets were amazing

but apart from that we just sunbathed all day and read our books...ah that's the life if ever we won the lottery!!

But today it's back to work with my tape measure,

bye for now

Lucey x

June's monthly make's...

2011-06-29T08:52:00.000+01:00

Hi, well it look's like it's going to be another scorcher today, the sun is shining and there's no hint of a breeze,

don't know where June went but I thought I'd best be showing you what I've made before it's too late so here goes,

first of all some cute mice filled with lavender, tutorial from The Felt Fairy, I've made loads of these as they're so simple, they're hiding in all the drawer's!!

I love the work of Julie Arkell she makes such beautiful brooches and she inspired me to make this one, just a scrap of material and some vintage blanket all lovingly stitched together,

"Four o clock it's time for tea"

This is my little lavender bunny called "Kitty" isn't she sweet?

I filled her body with lavender but I think I should have put a some in her head as it look's a bit flat, might do that now,

and I've covered a notice board in wadding and put a piece of linen over it to display a few bits n bobs, it's nice to look at while I'm sitting sewing.

And finally, I know it's way too early, but I found this fabric in the drawer so I covered a journal for christmas and added a little "let it snow" sign that Mandy sent me, am I mrs organised or what?

Well that's it for this month girls, did you make anything nice?

Love Lucey x

Lavender's blue dilly, dilly....

2011-06-27T11:14:00.001+01:00

Morning girl's

To cut or not to cut is what I asked myself!!!

The bees are loving my lavender that I planted down the path last year but there's so much of it it seemed a waste to let it go

so yesterday I picked a basket full and tied it into bunches and hung it up to dry in my craft room

(please excuse Lulu's tail she's camera shy!!)

it makes the room smell lovely and there's still about another four bunches to pick I will leave some for the bee's though as I know they love it, wish I knew where I could get some lavender honey from imagine that spread on your toast.....mmmmm.

Are we all enjoying the lovely sunny weather? I hate to say it but it is a trifle hot for doing "housewifey" things so I thought I'd raid the fridge for all those unusual shaped jars that have a scraping or two of pickles and chutney's and give them a good wash out so I can store my ever growing stash of buttons and bit's and bob's in them and I have a couple of crafty thing's to make for my partner in the magic ball swap.

Better get on then,

love Lucey x

Red spotty parcel...

2011-06-24T07:36:00.000+01:00

Morning girls

Before blogger rudely stopped us from posting any photo's this week I was going to show you what was in my parcel from the very lovely Mandy at daisy moon, well here it is.

Feast your eyes on this rather gorgeous red spotty box that was tied up with some lovely tape that said "How many kinds of sweet flowers grow in an English country garden" how sweet is that?

When I opened it all these beautifully wrapped parcels fell out of the box

Mandy had made me the most lovely jewellery wrap to hold all my jewels in and a cupcake and when I opened it it was a pin cushion on top and inside it was filled with the nicest buttons ever, there was also a lovely brooch and a very pretty bracelet in blue that had glass buttons sewn on and it fit my wrist perfectly, I felt like cinderella with the glass slipper!!

Two little lavender hearts, I love the one on the left it's made out of a snippet of an embriodered cloth

lots of buttons on cards in ice cream colours,

A box of hotel chocolate "buttons" and a travel journal and a card with a flowery badge on it, thank you ever so much Mandy I loved everything and I was thoroughly spoilt.

Didn't I do well?

Love Lucey x

Problems...

2011-06-22T17:00:00.000+01:00

I wanted to show you my button swap parcel from the lovely Mandy at daisy moon but for some reason blogger just won't let me put any photos on!!!

Three times I've tried but to no avail so I'll give it another go later on 'cause ooooooohhhhh I've got some lovely goodies to show you!!

Lucey xx

PS is anyone else having problems???

"Country Market"...

2011-06-20T16:46:00.000+01:00

I had a lovely day on Friday, I headed off to Northallerton as they hold a country market in the town hall every week

there were lots of hand knitted baby coats and hats and lots of dolls clothes, crochet milk covers, pin cushions and cards,

some nice ripe fruit,

lots of plants and flowers fresh from the garden,

and loads of home baked scones, cakes of every description, pies and bread all freshly baked for the big day.

There was also fresh eggs and jams and marmalades all made on agas in country kitchens, the ladies all wore pinnies and had their names on badges and you had to be there at "doors opening" to get the best stuff, there was plenty of "elbowing" going on aswell!!

Everything looked absolutely delicious, there were tables and chairs down one side for tea and cakes and the tables all had cloths and flowers on them, all done in the old fashioned way by these lovely ladies.

You were given a basket at the door by "Doris" to put your goods in then you made your way to the counter to pay, the ladies added everything up with their pencils and paper.

I imagine the lady above is "Ethel", after making the farmer his bacon and eggs on the aga she will of slipped off her slippers and hung her pinny on the back of the door, put on her coat and tied on her headscarf, picked up her basket and stepped outside where "farmer" would drop her off in town.!!

So what did I buy,

two bunches of country garden flowers priced at £1.50 and £1.90 per bunch,

everything had a sticker on displaying the price and postcode of where the product had come from, it was just like being in the 1940's, I wish!

4 delicious cheese scones, a dozen big brown eggs that we had boiled for breakfast on sunday and they tasted lovely,

some strawberries, blackcurrants and a big bag of gooseberries that Mr Lucey made into a crumble for tea, a little cover for my milk jug and some gorgeous shortbread that had ginger icing on top that didn't last long enough to be photographed !!!

There was a wartime weekend on and this is the display in the florist's window, all the veg sent out in rows and old pots and tools

and big bunches of corn and billy can's.

It was one of those day's that makes you "glow" with happiness!!

Love Lucey x

Happy Birthday Dad...

2011-06-19T13:51:00.000+01:00

Today would have been my dad's 81st birthday and also it's father's day so we cycled over to the cemetery this morning to take him some flowers.

My dad is nearer the back of the cemetery with my nan and my sister is at the front and in the middle there's a rose garden with benches round the edge to sit on, so we took a flask of tea and had a cuppa while we "people watched", I love to see all the graves filled with fresh flowers and some had "father's day" balloons on them.

"Happy birthday dad and a happy father's day"

Lucey xxx

Ice cream...

2011-06-18T06:40:00.001+01:00

Good morning girls

Well where has this last week gone??

After Alexa having a bad dose of chickenpox Dylan managed to catch it too then Alexa got conjunctivitus in both eyes so grandma has been babysitting "two poorly little sausages"and when the children are here they claim my laptop!!!

Feast your eyes on this gorgeous fabric!!!!

A while ago I did a swap with the lovely Betty from Mrs Yappy Dog and she made me some bunting out of this yummy ice cream fabric and I told Betty how much I loved it and so, Betty, the lovely lady that she, is sent me this huge piece of fabric.

I snipped off the edge piece to make a tray cloth and I put two little snippets in this lovely cream frame

and the rest made a lovely cloth for the table, thanks Betty.

Mr Lucey was busy painting the kitchen last weekend and we had a bit of a change around, the fridge freezer was opposite the door before and it seemed to cut the room in half and block out a bit of the light so we moved it into the corner

and brought the table and chairs up a bit and moved the clock

it gives us a lot more space and is much lighter

this is where the fridge was before, and the rest of the kitchen

the two end walls are painted in a silvery grey and the other two are white.

The past few weekends Mr Lucey has painted the en-suite and the cloakroom and the bathroom and changed the taps and fitted a new bath panel and toilet seats (I like to keep him busy!!)

So that's a few more jobs ticked off the "to do" list but it doesn't seem to be getting any shorter as I keep thinking of things to add on!!

Ooooohhhhh yesterday I had a lovely day out, and my button swap parcel arrived,

I'll have to keep you guessing what was inside for a little while longer as I have to work today with having yesterday off, but as you'll see it was soooo worth it!!

Love Lucey xx

Button swap parcel ...

2011-06-08T10:50:00.000+01:00

Morning girls,

I was up bright and early this morning as I had a very important parcel waiting for me at the post office,

my button swap parcel from Wendy, of little crafting bird,

I couldn't wait to tear off the tissue to see what was inside

I could smell the candle straightaway it will look lovely on the stove, there was a lovely pin cushion, a sweet little owl key ring, a brooch with the tiniest buttons I've ever seen and it's now on my jumper, just look at this gorgeous posy of flowers,

they're all on individual stems and wrapped in tissue paper and tied with a ribbon, isn't it lovely???

My buttons and fudge were wrapped in cotton doilies and tied with ribbons, there were also cards of pretty buttons and some chocolate buttons (sssssh don't tell Mr Lucey or I'll have to share them!!!) and a lovely cup cake card.

Thanks so much Wendy you've made me a very happy bunny today and as I was partnered with two lovely girls I still have a parcel to come.....lucky me.

Love Lucey x

Vases of cow parsley...

2011-06-01T16:24:00.001+01:00

Last weekend we went for a bike ride up the country lanes and they were full of cow parsley, it looked so lovely swaying in the wind so, we popped back later on in the car and cut some.

I had a plan you see!!

I had three empty "bottle green" bottles (they're far too nice to throw away) so I filled them with water and put the flowers in, I also put some new postcards into this frame and it fills an empty corner of the lounge.

The room is still painted in the "bog standard magnolia" that new houses are painted in but today I've finally found some wallpaper, so after we've been on holiday I shall have to sweet talk Mr Lucey into decorating it!!

I'm going to the cemetery now with my basket to pick some elderberry flowers and have a go at making some home made cordial, it probrably won't taste as nice as the bought one but I'll give it a go.

Bye Lucey xx

May's Monthly Makes...

2011-05-31T10:04:00.000+01:00

My needles have been well and truly busy this month as I was delighted to have two partners in the button swap, so what did I make for Mandy and Wendy???

They both got a covered notebook

brooches with flowery buttons on,

a lavender bag each,

and some hand made "buttony" gift tags to go on their parcels.

(I'll show you what else I sent to the girls in another post)

When I saw this sindy pram in Alexa's bedroom I sneaked it home to make some bedding for it as it was looking rather sorry for itself.

I made a matress out of some wadding and a cotton hankie,

and a sheet that I edged with little heart shaped buttons,

then I made pillow and quilt from some pretty CK paisley fabric and, as dolly had no clothes on I croched her a pink dress and hat. I thought the fabric suited the blue pram but Alexa is a "pink" girl and said "I wanted it pink spotty grandma"!!

Anyone know where I can get pink spotty fabric???

I've also been making "granny squares" to make into a picnic blanket, I have loads of balls of wool so I thought I'd use them up and make it colourful!!

And that's it for this month, did you make anything nice??

Love Lucey xx

Post man called three times...

2011-05-30T13:54:00.000+01:00

The post man called three times this week and each time he brought me a lovely parcel that I'm going to share with you, well to be precise some photos!!

First to arrive were these ever so cute saucer crackers from the lovely Helen at wwwtalkingtables.co.uk

they'll make your tea party go with a snap!!

Next was a canvas of my gorgeous grandaughter Alexa, (who now is covered from head to toe in chicken pox, bless her)

sent to me by the lovely people at www.bagsoflove.co.uk, what a little poser she is!!

And on Saturday I received a parcel of goodies from Annie at httl//THE FELT FAIRY blog all beautifully wrapped in yellow tissue paper

look at that mouse isn't he gorgeous, he's filled with lavender and is going straight in my knicker drawer!!

There's a lovely notebook with a mini on, some cat stamps, a mirror, a tea towel, some sandwich flags and stickers for Alexa, thank you Annie I love my parcel.

Thanks to everyone for all the advice on the issues I've had, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that's had problems with leaving comments etc, but, fingers crossed, everything seems to be back to normal now thank goodness.

Love Lucey xx

Problems...

2011-05-28T22:16:00.003+01:00

Just testing as I'm having problems!!!

My followers have dissapeared and I can't leave comments on some of your blogs, also blogger won't let me sign in sometimes, anyone else having the same problems as me???

Lucey x

Wednesday is "Alexa" day...

2011-05-25T09:40:00.000+01:00

Morning girls,

Wednesday morning again and what shall we do today???

First of all Alexa and I are walking to the "local" Post Office, we're lucky enough to still have a post office only 10 minutes walk away and and I certaily make the most of it!! I remember when there was a shop on every corner and a Post Office just down the street, how times have changed, sometimes not always for the better.

We're going to post my "button swap" parcels to two lovely girls and also a "birthday swap" parcel and it gets "dolly" out for a bit of fresh air.

Then I thought we'd go to the park to play on the swings and feed the ducks, we found these little bundles of fluff last year, how sweet are they??

Alexa loves to help in the kitchen so we can make some pasta for lunch and then we have story time, where Alexa holds the book and "reads" to me.

She always starts with "once uponce a time"( it makes me chuckle every time she says it,) and ends in, "they all lived happily ever afters".

Out of the mouths of babes......

Must go there's the doorbell.

Lucey xx

Planning a picnic.

2011-05-22T10:11:00.000+01:00

On monday I had a trip to Stockesley to meet my friend Shirly and before lunch we browsed around the handful of nice shops, "oooing and arring" over all the lovely things, I saw these lovely vintage cup cake cases, which I just had to have!!

Back home I looked on the website, and found they sold all afternoon tea related things to match, so quick as a flash out come the credit card and while I was at work yesterday the postie delivered me some lovely goodies.

At the back of the picture is a gorgeous two tier cake stand with reversable plates that have the most beautiful flowers on them, I can see a vanilla slice or two on there mmmmmm.

I got four long plates to hold sandwiches, sausage rolls or "loaf" shaped cakes on, they come in two designs

and no tea party is set without a tea pot, but this one isn't for tea it's for flowers, it's got plastic inside that you pop the flowers into and you have a "tea pot" vase,

or it would look nice with some little violas planted in it.

You can buy it all from www.talkingtables.co.uk

I can't wait for the Bank holiday weekend as I'm planning a picnic somewhere nice and, as it's all disposable there's no china to break, of course I'll be giving it a wipe down to use again as it's far too nice to throw away after one use!!

Have you got any picnic's planned???

Love Lucey xx

Elderflower jelly

2011-05-15T19:22:00.001+01:00

I decided to make one of the recepies from the "Bompas and Parr" book for jelly, and this one sounded rather nice, it's elderflower made with bottle green's elderflower cordial, mmmmmm......delicious made up into a drink but even better in a jelly.

The receipe is so easy, in a jug mix 5 fl oz of elderflower cordial with 12 fl oz of water, cut up 5 leaves of gelatine, they recommend you use a good "premium" quality gelatine, and add to a heatproof bowl, just cover with a splash of the cordial mixture and leave for 10 mins to soften. Then, place the bowl over a pan of simmering water and allow the gelatine to melt. Next pour over the remainder of the cordial mixture, stir, and pour back into the jug.

You can add raspberries at this point if you like them or, if like me you don't, then don't bother!!

Select a jelly mould or pretty glasses and pour your jelly mixture in to set, pop into the fridge for a few hours and when it's set, unmould.

Yummy, yummy, elderflower jelly!!

I would love to try the champagne jelly but I bought a bottle and then drank it, hick, hick!! so I'm saving up my pennies for another bottle.

Bye for now,

Lucey xx

"Piggies"...

2011-05-09T17:40:00.001+01:00

What happens when the girls get new sandles??

They paint their "piggies" pink!!

Alexa has a thing about shoes, I wonder who she takes after???

Anything with a bit of "bling" and I'm hooked!!

Love Lucey xx

P.S. Hope you've all contacted your swap partners for the "button swap" and everyone's busy sewing buttons!!

Reading letters...

2011-05-06T08:40:00.000+01:00

Last month was Country Homes and Interiors magazine's 25th anniversary so I thought I'd send them a letter saying how much I loved the magazine, I enclosed a photo of me and sent it off and thought no more about it until I picked up this months issue in Tesco yesterday and my letter was published!!

There it was at the top of the "seen, done and loved this month" page the photo wasn't in just the letter but hey, I'm happy with that!!

I've also had an e mail from a magazine asking if I'd like to write a "piece" each month, it's not one of the "big glossies" but hey as the saying goes....."from little acorns"!!!

Love Lucey xxx

(PS Lucey is my bloggy name!)

We're all partnered up....

2011-05-04T08:24:00.002+01:00

Morning all,

Big drum roll please as I partner everyone up in

Lucey's Button Swap

We had 39 entrants all together so I've partnered up twice, so here goes,

(I've never had so much excitement since....well, the Royal Wedding last week!!)

just to save a bit of time all bloggs begin with http:// and end in blogspot.

K C's Court.......   and    dee dee vintage retro delights

B.... and    mumu and squeak's place

The Crafty Cupcake   and   Sew Scrumptuous

lemonade kitty   and   little crafting bird

bertie meadows   and   hookin' with laa laa

simply vintage   and little cottage comforts

twiggy peasticks    and    the patchwork heart

sew special bears   and   scrap my midlife crisis

vintage vicki   and magic making hands

the pink poppy    and    second hand chic

kandipandi's pad   and   dinky dots

daisy moon     and   lemonade kitty

emma bear forever   and   pretty little jewels

bee happy   and   the undomesticated scientist

the red house   and   winnie briggs house

juicy fig   and   fee~ bee

ill monde de iris   and   a catterpilla dreaming

pretty petal handmade   and   postcards from the PP

mad about bags     and    a blessed life

quiltjude   and   crafts at home.

I don't think I've missed anyone out but if I have please let me know.

So do pop over to your partners blog and say "hi" and swap addresses etc and arrange to swap parcels by Saturday 4th June, that gives us a month to "collect and make"  and I hope we all have a
"happy button swap!!"

Love Lucey xx