Lazy Days in the Country

Topiary in my Garden

2015-09-21T19:25:00.000+01:00

I have always been a fan of topiary and here are a few pictures of them in my garden. Some have taken quite a few years to develop into the shapes that they are now.

Here are some tips. Always use a sharpen cutting shears They are easy to maintain, make sure you trim them on a dry dull or wet day. non sunny day. As the sun will scorch the edge of the leaves. Ensure any trimmings you make are cleaned up, if any leaves are left on the plant they will rot and spoil the look of your plant. Only trim when they need it, between the months of March to end of October.

Delivery of Bulbs arrived today.

2015-09-19T00:55:00.000+01:00

Both bags of bulbs have arrived today. I ordered 50 bulbs of each, Top bulbs are the dwarf mixed rockery tulips and the bottom are narcissus tete a tete dwarf rockery daffodils.

Looking forward to planting them and seeing them bloom in the Spring.

Taming our Wild Garden

2015-09-17T13:31:00.000+01:00

We have had some dry weather lately, ideal time to tidy up the garden. This year due to the rain the garden has grown well, some areas are well overdue. Today have been busy trimming plants and organising the shrub beds, also purchased some spring bulbs. Ordered 50 bulbs of each dwarf mixed rockery tulips and narcissus tete a tete dwarf rockery daffodils. Looking forward to the Spring to see these.

Every so often I love browing at Kingdom-of-Rust-vintage-Salvage-Yard- Love picking up lovely old vintage items. Brought this corner planter the other day will look great planted up.

First Crochet Project Finished - Way Hay!

2013-04-14T11:56:00.000+01:00

Way Hay, it's finished and it's a scarf if you haven't already guessed. And Way Hay I am pleased with the results, isn't gorgeous. Made the pattern up myself. Crocheted it in half treble stitch and finished it off with a cluster edging. This morning my little model won't wear it and kept taking it off, but it looks pretty good on her teddy.

Also blocked it out overnight, pinned it to a towel on a carpet and lightly sprayed it with water, helped to bring it back into shape. My cast on edge was abit tight and it was taking it into a semi-circle. Will next time cast on with less tension, suppose that's the way we learn. Has anyone else had this problem or is it just me?

Oh my, doesn't it look good on my little model, it suits her. Looking forward to her wearing it out and about, one proud mum.

My very first crochet project

2013-04-11T13:12:00.000+01:00

I am a total beginner of crochet, but the other day fancied having a go. My mother use to crochet and always said it was easier than knitting. Purchased this gorgeous bright pink Snuggly Tiny Tots DK wool. It has multi-coloured wool bits mixed thorough it.

Had many practises with some older wool, almost gave up at one point, but kept at it until it looked ok. If you are a complete beginner like me, take a look at mikey he makes it look so easy. Couldn't wait to get started on the real thing, that beautiful yarn, so delicious it looks like sweets in a sweetshop.

Look, it so pretty crocheted up, I am really pleased. If I can do it anyone can. It makes me giddy with excitement to get it finished. Way hey it actually looks like crochet??? no big holes....

It's getting bigger by each row, i'll soon be out of wool. To be honest I am hooked with it and can't put it down.

Bigger and bigger.

It is so soft, my little girl touches it and says "pretty". It is pretty, very pretty. Any ideas what it is, well I'm not telling you yet until I've finished. All will be shown really soon.

Car Booting and Clear out

2012-08-22T16:33:00.000+01:00

Went car booting last weekend. I was there quite early, looked like it was going to rain but it held off until things got quiet. All in all I made about £85.00 which isn't bad. If the weather was better we probably would have made more. I was quite surprised what we managed to sell. There were a few things I put in that were making there way to the local recycling centre. Managed to sell a stack of magazines for £1.00, they were fairly new. An old petrol can for £1.00, lampshade and a quilt cover.

Also having a clear out of my crafting items on ebay. Selling them quite cheap as I now need the space and the room back, have a look

Where is the best place to sell your old crafting items?

Handmade Vintage Inspired Lilac Ticking Needlecase

2012-08-05T14:25:00.000+01:00

Had abit of fun yesterday making one of these vintage inspired needlecases. Used old vintage images of sewing items. I am very tempted to keep it myself, but have enough of this material to make another one. It is now in my etsy shop for sale.

Been thinking of making a single patchwork quilt with the sewing machine. Already purchased the fabric a while a go. Keep you posted on the progress.

Summer days on the beach

2012-07-13T14:18:00.000+01:00

Just hope the sun comes out more now that the summer holidays are almost here. For those of you who are dreaming of summer holidays on the beach, I was thinking of these nantical hearts. These beautiful blue stripe hearts would look great in a seaside theme room. I used to have a blue and white bathroom in my old house and this rustic seaside heart would compliment it.

Tutorial on how to mend a hole in a garment

2012-04-04T21:34:00.002+01:00

I hate throwing out anything that is useful or can be mended to be useful again.

These pair of favourite shorts had two holes in them, they still fitted and it was a shame to throw them out, so I decided to mend them instead.

To get a good repair always use the closest match as you can with the thread and material to be mended. If you have a badge to cover the hole just either mend with a white or black thread whichever is the cloest.

To mend the holes without a badge, follow these instructions.

Firstly cut out a square of fabric close to the colour of the shorts.

Pin it on two edges to hold it in place, once you have done a couple of stitches you can remove them. Use a small zig-zag stitch and keep going forward and backward. Take the needle out and slightly move the fabric over abit and go back and fore trying to keep to an even square.

Once you have finished it you can pull the threads to the back and tie off, if you can’t just cut them off close.

Turn your garment to the back and very carefully cut around the fabric backing, be very careful not to cut your garment.

If you are mending a hole in jeans especially on the knees, to gain easy access you might have to undo the main seam. Undo the seam on the inside of the trousers, use a quick and pick tool if you have one to undo the seam. Just undo enough seam opposite the hole. Once you have finished it all sew up the seam.

KEEP CALM

2012-02-15T20:48:00.002+00:00

Had a bit of fun on this site which lets you generate your own sayings http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/ I love the ones I have produced.

Handmade Bibs

2012-02-14T19:44:00.000+00:00

Thought I would have a go at making some baby bibs. They are very easy to make. Firstly traced around a good shaped bib. Used some nice fabrics for front and used some plain fabric for the back. Cut up an old thin towel for the middle of the bib. Stitched the layers together, left an opening. Turned them the right way and slipped stiched the opening together. Stitched on some velco fashening and ironed them. I am quite pleased with the results.

Baby Cot Quilt

2012-02-11T14:55:00.001+00:00

For many years I have fancied having a go at making a quilt. Before I started on a bed quilt, I decided it would be a good idea to have a practice on making a cot quilt for my baby daughter.

I was determined to use what I have already got at home as I already have a large collection of fabrics. Firstly I picked out six coordinating fabrics in pink and green.

24 x 7" squares were cut out. I laid the squares out to check the pattern. For the inner I used a double layer of soft flanette sheet. I backed off the quilt with pink polka dot fabric. Even sewed on a quilt label. I am very proud of my first attempt.

Halloween

2011-11-01T14:44:00.001+00:00

Been busy yesterday cutting out this pumpkin, looks great in the dark. We also had fun making some biscuits in the shape of ghosts, bats and witches for a party we were attending.

Favourite Things

2011-07-10T22:18:00.001+01:00

These are a few of my favourite things, they are in the conservatory which I have painted a pale green. Most of the ornaments are either vintage or country style in either green or cream. It is now starting to look lovely and I am pleased with the results.
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Just love these old fashioned roses, they smell so nice, also picked some flowers and other plants grown in the woodland part of the garden.

Love this little metal bird, looks cute in the bird feeder.

Love this cute feed birder and felt it is too nice to put outside and instead I have placed the cute little bird inside and placed it on the window sill.

Brought these coasters while on holiday, love the old vintage scenes and match the colour of the walls perfectly.

Also love this metal jug, perfect for displaying flowers.

My collection of old bottles, I have now displayed them differently, will show you in a few days what I have achieved.

Love this vintage style metal sign, it looks good on this green wall.

My favourite newgate clock, it has an antiqued face with a metal cream casing.

I hope you have enjoyed looking at my ornaments in the conversatory.

Elderflower Champagne

2011-06-26T15:26:00.003+01:00

Now is the time to have a go at making elderflower champagne. We had a go at making some today and I was surprised how easy it is to make. Here is a really simple recipe.

Making elderflower champagne is easy:-

• Go pick half a dozen full elderflower heads ideally on a sunny day when they are most fragrant.

• Half fill a clean bucket with 2 gallons of cold water (thats 10 Litres for my Euro chums)

• dissolve 2lbs (1kg) of white sugar into the water

• shake any debris and insects clear from the elderflower heads and immerse in the water

• Cut two lemons in half squeeze juice into water and throw in the squeezed halfs

• add a splosh (4 tablespoons) of white wine vinegar

• stir gently and cover with a clean tea towel

• leave for 24 hours stirring occasionally

After 24 hours, sterilise plastic carbonated drinks bottles – 10 x 1 litre lemonade/pop bottles are ideal – and strain jugfuls of the liquor through a sieve or muslin cloth into the bottles and screw the plastic tops on firmly.

Leave for a week and the naturally occurring yeast on the elderflower heads begins to ferment with the sugar creating a very weak alcohol content but lots of carbon dioxide.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let is Snow.

2010-11-27T14:38:00.000+00:00

Surprised to see some snow yesterday afternoon. We thought it wasn't going to touch our part of the country. These were taken this morning. I love looking at it, but must of admit hate having to drive in it.

New Kitchen Storage Jars

2010-11-14T10:24:00.001+00:00

I must admit I haven't been a very good blogger lately, but I will try and make an effort now on these dark winter evenings. I have been up to alot lately and all will be revealed later.

It was such a lovely day yesterday we decided to visit the lovely city of Hereford. I was looking for an outfit for my work's christmas party but just couldn't decide on anything.

I spotted these kitchen storage jars and we both liked them. They are by Charlotte Watson. For now we decided to buy the tea and sugar but will eventually collect some more. They look great in the kitchen as our worktops are black and the tops are blacks so they match well.

Also purchased some new oven gloves. Really likes these with the little hearts, purchased these from Wyevale Garden Centre.

Not on the High Street - Country Home Designs

2010-05-16T15:42:00.000+01:00

I may not have mentioned but I am now selling my lovely journals on Not on the High Street. Please have a look.

Etsy Treasury

2010-05-15T12:27:00.000+01:00

One of my hearts has been kindly featured in a Treasury, see link below picture.

Lovely 20 Cent PIF's

Folksy Friday - Gardening

2010-05-06T23:28:00.051+01:00

I have had a great response to my request for items for my Folksy Friday about Gardening . It's been hard to decide, as they are all lovely products. In the end I had to narrow it down to only a few, so apologies that I haven't included everyone. They were all lovely but it would have been far too time consuming to add you all, perhaps next time now that I have found a few shortcuts on editing a blog. Many thanks to everyone for contributing. It has been great fun.

I love gardening and it is even better now that the garden is starting to get established after about 3 years of being nothing .I have included some lovely gardening themed items. Click on the heading above the picture and it will direct to their shop for browsing.

Gardening Vintage Inspired Covered Journal

Father's Day Card for Gardeners from Dottie Cards

Lovely cute card, ideal for Dad who loves gardening.

Fairy Door by Gelert Design

I love this cute fairy door, ideal for a little magical space in the garden for the fairies.

Ceramic Plant Labels by Gimme that Thing

These labels are far nicer than the plastic kind and ideal for the vegetables rows. Just an idea, great gift for father's day.

Gardener's Delight Blank Greeting Card by Elli Moody

I am a fan of these cards and have already previously purchased some, great quality and such lovely designs.

Garden Card, Tag and Sticker Set by Fosscards

These labels are really cute, how about wrapping that present and adding these or suitable as a gift in its self.

Handknitted Handwarmers by Sue Wright Handknits

Ideal for gardening when there is still a nip in the air. Fingers free to plant/pot on/sow seeds
Machine washable too!

Smokey Iridescent Lily Stained Glass Panel by AmyOrangeJuice

I just had to add this fabulous window panel, fantastic feature for any garden room.

garden

2010-05-06T17:55:00.002+01:00

A day off

2010-05-06T08:49:00.002+01:00

The school is closed today as it is used as a polling station. Looks like a horrible wet day, so I think we will have to cancel our planned picnic and bike ride. Thinking about what else to do today, but some little people are still in bed catching up with their sleep. I'll keep you posted.

Have a good day everyone.

Vintage Fabric Covered Notebook

2010-05-03T12:34:00.004+01:00

Yesterday listed this journal in my Folksy shop. This is one of my favourites and it made from beautiful lilac vintage German and French fabric from the 1930's and 1940's. I am very tempted to keep it for myself if it doesn't sell.

It would make an excellent gift for someone who appreciates vintage items. I've Included a few pictures to show the back and closeup.

Off out now into the sun, I have some seeds to plant for the garden .

Spring Flowers in the garden

2010-05-01T12:15:00.007+01:00

We have been really busy over the last couple of weekends and due to the nice weather have weeded all the flower beds. We have even put down chipped wood, which we have chipped ourselves from old branches from the wooded area. It is nice to get on top of the weeding. The layer of chipped wood saves alot of time weeding and keeps the plants moist so therefore saves on watering.

A few pictures of the pretty spring flowers in our garden. I love auricula (bottom middle) and are looking for more.

Folksy Friday - Favourite Mice

2010-04-29T21:51:00.014+01:00

Just having a go at my first Folky Friday. Thought it may be good fun. I love this little mouse, as it brings back childhood memories. My mum use to knit these, mine was green, with white ears, tail and whiskers, even had a pink nose and little black eyes, it was so cute.

Little Mouse by Off the Hook

Nurse Mouse by Lamorndesigns

Tiny Mouse by Moss Mountain

Little Computer Mouse by The Hunny Bunny Company