Off Yer Trolley!

Hello dear friends,

And how does this lovely Friday find you all? It may say Thursday on the date, but it is now 1.08 am on Friday!  Have you all had a fruitful and productive week? I often think of you all, all  friends I know here in blogland,  all the readers of my blog, some just passing through... what lives you lead, what books you read, all the things you do,  and what wonderful mixture of events, memories and loves that makes each one of you so unique!  I think of you all with each word I write and thank you all for visiting me.  You make me feel all happy inside!

                                                       HAPPY!

 Thank you too for all your lovely warm and kind words about my Dad's cousin too! I really appreciate you kindness and concern. I loved hearing your funny comments too, you have made me laugh out loud! And I absolutely love laughing out loud, it is the best tonic! :)

What have I been doing this week? Well I have been busy as usual, but actually don't seem to be getting far!   I have been considering what to do with this gorgeous Cath Kidston fabric. What do think?

 On the design front I have been working on a couple of new stitcheries, but I am not ready to show them just yet!
On the home front, I have made another pair of curtains for my workroom, an inspirational pair, to remind me of why I sit in that room in the first place! here they are....  Do you like?

 Please excuse the miserably weeping window! Not very pretty is it!??

On a relaxing front (whats that then?) ha ha, this is the book I am trying to read at the moment. I have started the first few pages several times now, over the last few weeks, as I spend so long between picking the book up again, that I feel I need to start again! I will let you know what I think of it when I finally get it read! I haven't seen the film yet.  I love something a bit deep, and I feel that although it most certainly will be harrowing, it will nevertheless be an enriching experience.

What do you all do to relax? I love sudoku, crosswords, (and of course crafting!, goes without saying!) and now promise you won't laugh,  I love video games, yes I do! Especially the ones in which there is plenty of puzzle solving. I also love the Sims, because I like building houses, furnishing and decorating them and giving the families daft names!  You can go mad decorating, as you can change all the patterns and colours!

 Pictures sourced from the internet.

I can't cope at all with games which are against the clock,or fighting/action ones, as I get in a complete state, and my heart starts to race! You should have seen me trying to play Tomb raider, every one in the room was in hysterics as I shouted at Lara Croft for running wildly around in circles when there was a predator after her! I just could not co-ordinate ....... I was in such an agitated state!

Now then! Shall I give you all one last funny tale? Shall I? One more George story, and this one too, displays what a wonderfully well humoured man he is!  Oh, ok, you have twisted my arm, here goes....

George you are so amusing sometimes!  He loves playing tricks on me!  He once lifted me up in a supermarket car-park and plonked me in a shopping trolley! Oh yes he did, and then he walked off and left me there, with my legs hanging out over the front.   Could I get out...no!   The more I tryed the more the trolley moved about, and the more I struggled the more I began to laugh, I was dangerously teetering on hysterial giggling!

What I must have looked like to the other bewildered shoppers, (who, by the way, were giving me a rather wide birth!)   probably thinking that I had put myself there, and was now laughing like a complete loon on my own! (George had very kindly removed himself to another part of the car park, enjoying the spectacle from afar)   You know that giddy panicky giggly feeling..... yes thats the one!  Eventually, after enjoying himself immensely, he took pity on me and came to lift me out!  He has a bad back these days, so thankfully he hasn't been able to do such a thing again! Or is that sad, that he hasn't?  It is a memory I treasure, because although a tad embarassing at the time, it was also an absolutely silly and childish experience. And isn't a lovely thing sometimes to act carefree and unhindered,  to feel like a giddy child again.  Just to be silly for the sake of being silly!  Wonderful!!!

Now, before I go for another week, I would like to thank  RosieP at Roses and Peonies and Emma at Em's Shabby Shack for giving me one each of this lovely award! Thank you so much RosieP and Emma! You are so kind to have thought of me! I am going to award this award to all of you who read my blog as a thank you for your friendship! Take it with you please!

Also the very lovely martha at Martha's Favorites has told me she has found an owl pin and is sending it to me! Isn't that kind of her. I will let you all see it when it gets here! Thank you Martha!

Look what has arrived in the post everyone! I have been the very lucky winner of this wonderful giveaway from the immensely talented and creative Corinne Phillips, Aren't these brooches just magical! I hope my photographs could really catch the beauty in each of these pieces of art! The fairys even have little necklaces and accessories! And each has a little description! Corinne I am just bowled over by them... I love each one, you are fab! Thank you so much! Please go and visit her! 

Right then, that is all for another week! One more thing though.....Hello Lynne! If you are reading this week, then HELLOOOOO!

Have a lovely sunny (I hope!) weekend!  Love and laughter to you all!

Suzie xxx

Christmas is nearly here! And all that glitters....

Hello to all! Since last week I am pleased to say,  I have managed to very nearly get up to scratch again for Christmas, hence my lack of commenting on all your blogs!  Sorry, I will make a real effort to catch up! In fact I almost missed these lovely awards, the first is from Tracey at Tracey's crafty scraps! http://tracey-craftyscraps.blogspot.com/ .

The second one is from Teresa at Faerie Moon Creations. Thank you so much Teresa!  These are the rules:

• Copy the Kreativ Blogger picture and post it on your page
• Thank the person who gave it to you and link back to their blog
• Write seven things about you that we don’t know
• Choose seven other bloggers that you would like to give the award to
• Link to the bloggers that you choose
• Let the winners know that they have the lovely award.

I would be mortified if people thought that I was ignoring them!  Thank you so much Tracey and Teresa!!! It was really lovely of you to think of me!  For Tracey's award,  am to give it to 5 people and tell you all 5 things that I love doing, but I will post the awards again the next time I post as I just can't seem to think at the moment with my arm the way it is! ( I have just added this since I posted before, if that makes any sense!)


My cards are written and my sewing nearly done, and have just posted off some hearts which I hope will make it there on time!

Little pixie!

Little fairy

The back of one heart.

My presents are still unwrapped (but at least I have bought them!) and the house is so definitely not decorated yet and in need of a clean.  Still though, I feel more in control, and what the hell Hey?! At some point we all have to just stop and let it all happen regardless don't we?  One worry though is that as I sit here writing this, I am achey all over and feel like I am about to come down with something. The real worry being that my arm that I have Lymphodoema in (swelling of the arm due to the lymph nodes being removed during my breast cancer operation ... hence no drainage!), has gone bright red and hurts all the way up to the armpit , like a chinese burn and painful to the touch. I only hope that I am not getting another infection in it.  Last time I got an infection in said elephants trunk, I could not stay awake, and anyone who knows me will tell you that I do not nap, ever! Also, if I have, it will mean two weeks on penicillin, and then I will spend the whole of Christmas on the wagon!!! Oh NO!! Not now!!!

One of our christmas dinners in Canada. Look at my Mum, all dressed up and sparkling too!

I love Christmas, I really do. Maybe because it evokes memories of chilhood festivities.

A childhood Christmas, and me sporting the gift of a new dressing gown!

Christmas for me as a child was all about the giving, we were taught to be kind and grateful for all of the goodness in our lives.
 What is your definition or memories of Christmas?  Of course, it is many things ...  tinsel, sparkling lights, good food laid on a welcoming table, sat beside a roaring fire with a warming glass of mulled wine. Being with loved ones, family and friends and the joy of seeing someone's face as they open the gift you have wrapped for them.  It really does conjure up so many lovely images doesn't it? Snow ball fights, Doris day! And all those wonderful oldie Chiristmas films - Cary Grant in the bishop's wife and its a wonderful life for instance. How I love those films!  I have to admit that I am unashamedly soppy and starry eyed about Christmas!



The one thing about it all I don't like, however, is that, for my liking there is a little too much emphasise on the glitter and sparkle. Oh, no-one loves sparkling lights and the whole Christmas magical package  more than me! My eyes just go wide at all the gorgeous Christmasy goodies!  No,my bug-bear is the over commercialism and materialism. Too much emphasise is put on the price tag, instead of the love that goes into a gift from the heart.  Simple giving is almost laughed at by some, but Kirsty Allsopp has been doing a homemade Christmas program, so maybe....! Although, her idea of homemade is rather ridiculously expensive! I don't think the rest of us will be making that sort of homemade! Take a look at Mummy mad's wonderful post on Kirsty's program, I have to agree with her, Kirsty has left the planet!

One of my precious childhood memories is of my brother and I going up into the forest to get our own Christmas tree. We would take the sleigh and a saw, and off we would go. Grahame would pull me along on the way there and the tree would be pulled on the way back!

Me with my brother... brrrrrrr!

I am reminded of a story I used to like although it is very sad! It was about a little tree growing in the forest, and every year it watched as the other trees were sent off to faraway places, to live in houses to be dressed up with pride of place. The little tree had heard many a story of the sparkling lights, candy canes and colourful baubles that were festooned on its many pals from the forest. "And! said one, apparently you will be the focal point and every one will love you, they will sing and dance at the delight of you! No more will you stand out in the cold, you will be warm...and special!"
How tree wished to be picked!!!  Little tree did not have to wait too long and one day he was uprooted and sent on his journey.

Little tree found that it was just as he had heard... his family were so pleased to welcome him into their home, they ooohed and awhhed over him and made such a fuss dressing him. He looked the perfect picture!
He had never, ever had such a splendid time!

After only a short time though, his needles started to drop off and he felt a bit droopy, so droopy that the beautiful decorations began to drop to the floor. Oh no, whats happening thought little tree, even the children don't seem to be interested in me anymore. Tree felt very sad indeed, but suddenly his world became even worse, a big person came in and took all his decorations off, even his lights and the pretty fairy on his head, lifted him up and threw him out with all the rubbish in the wind and the sleet. Poor little tree was so sad and felt rather foolish that he had let all the glitter blind him to what really matters in life,  and he missed the big  forest, where the only sparkle there was was the twinkle of ice and snow! He felt ashamed that he had been so vain, and for thinking that all the finery had made him a more superior tree. No, he was just a tree, and he had found out too late that just being him was enough! 

So, I will be enjoying the sparkle and magic for what it is, ( I will be rolling in it and eating it for breakfast!!!) but I will enjoy most what I feel is important about Christmas even more ....friends, family, health, love, giving, because we all need those so much more than something expensive that eventually wears out or tarnishes! I shall also be giving thoughts to all the people in the world for whom christmas feels more like the little tree's Christmas, and I will remind myself to be so grateful that my lovely Christmas is a blessing, not a right.

Who else feels that Christmas has become a time when people feel pressured to spend money that they can ill afford! I can't help but feel aware that for some people it is not a happy time at all, but one filled with loneliness and worry!

Still I can't help enjoying Christmas and all I associate with it too! I love it!!!   Hopefully I shall start getting my decorations out next week!

Until next week, love and Christmas cheer to you all!  Ho Ho Ho!

Suzie. xxx

Party time!!! Show us your Cath!

Well, here it is, the Cath Kidston party! Go to Lissy lou's blog to see who is taking part.
http://lissylouandthe2littleboys.blogspot.com

I have visited many blogs lately which have shown the latest Cath Kidston book 'Sew', and people who have bought it saying how good it is.

Well, a couple of weeks ago, after drooling over said book each time I saw it, I looked at it on Amazon, thinking I will just have a little look. It doesn't mean that I will buy it I convinced myself!  So, I read a couple of reviews, and ummmed and awhhed. Was just about to leave it, when I noticed that not only did it include patterns for many lovely makes, but it also included all you need to make a very pretty handbag! Gosh, I thought, this is a bargain which can't be ignored. What strong resolve I have! NOT!!!

I had the book for about a week before I got stuck in and made the bag. I decided to line it with red gingham and put a button I had covered on to the front. Having never made a bag before, I was really chuffed! I got the big giddy girl syndrome!

 

 

 

When Lissy Lou suggested this party, I got to thinking about why I and so many others love Cath Kidston so much. What is it that makes us fill up with excitement when we see her fabrics, colours, homeware, etc? What is the secret ingredient that beckons?

Is it that we are reminded of cosy times, perhaps of childhood, Enid Blyton and Ladybird books and nostalgic imaginings? With bright fresh and whimsical florals, polka dots and stripes, can it be awakening something within us that makes us feel warm and safe. I feel that Cath kidston conjures up feelings and images of baking in a country kitchen, vintage homes, fresh bread and being surrounded by gorgeous colour and pattern. It is a feel good thing!

 

I love the cheerfulness and also quirkiness of  the overall look of mixing florals together with polka dots, stripes and cute patterns, quite often in soft pinks, blues and splashes of red, with fresh greens. I think it is hard to explain the feeling that it all gives me, but I am sure anyone reading this, with the same love of anything vintage will know what feeling I refer to. It actually gives me a buzz of sorts! I just love it!

If I woke up one morning and found myself surrounded by all things Cath Kidston or the like, I would think I had died and gone to heaven!

It doesn't surprise me at all that I like Cath Kidston so much, as I do some Laura Ashley........................

 

Monsoon....................

 

and Bridgewater too,

 

After all I do so love all those old Doris Day films which give such a rosey cosy picture of home!

Love the film Don't eat the daisys!!!

I would like one of these!

I would also love :

 And look at this gorgeous pin tin!!!

Just look at these knitted cupcakes I found on the internet for more inspiration!

Now here are a few of my own Cath Kidston and CK inspired goodies that are dotted about my home!

A Ck carrier bag bag, one to actually want out instead of hiding it away under the stairs!

The dotty jug is Laura Ashley, as is the enamel cake stand, the heart I made and the little cup is Ck!

I love mixing florals with checks, Here is what I have on my bed at the moment! Rosebud and pink gingham pillow, with a sequin edged top pillow, floral duvet and patchwork bedspread in green gingham and pink florals with tiny splashes of red.

A spotty dotty holdall hanging next to my much adored monsoon handbag.

A bright red polka dot enamel tin from Primark (!) sits on a lovely vintage linen embroidered tray cloth, which in turn lays on a Laura Ashley tea towel (too nice to be used as a tea towel) with Laura Ashley daisy coasters bought in a sale!

I love this little enamel bucket, it is so cute! I have a few enamel buckets now, for some reason!

This peg bag makes hanging out the laundry so much nicer. It is bright and cheerful and I love it!

Finally! Here are a few of some lovely squares made up out of a mix of CK and Laura Ashley fabrics, all ready and waiting to be made up into a patchwork creation of some sort!

Well everybody, I hope you enjoyed my CK party. I am off out now, into blogland to go to all the other wonderful parties going on out there today! Can't wait!

So until next week, enjoy the parties and have a fabulous weekend!

Lots of love and hugs Suzie. :) xxx