tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81514247590449884892024-02-24T02:02:45.760+00:00ShabbyChicSarahSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.comBlogger284125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-86181800531860362882017-01-04T13:48:00.000+00:002017-01-04T13:52:21.828+00:00Homebroideries....<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">One of my favourite past times is creating my Homebroideries - custom portraits of homes, wedding venues or other special places.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Working from a photograph I sketch the building out which acts as a "pattern" for the appliqué which I cut from my stash of old, new and recycled fabrics. I iron them onto the backing fabric and then using the needle of my 1965 Singer sewing machine as my pen I draw the the outlines and details of the building.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Then comes my favourite part, embellishing with hand embroidery.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">A standard sized house costs £70 and if you would like to see more than check out my Facebook page:</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="file://mce_host/private/var/mobile/Containers/Data/Application/B6571E2B-C0EF-497C-BDCF-E9AB89BD2345/tmp/WYSIWYG/Commissions taken for custom hand and machine stitched portraits of your home, wedding venue or other special place. Please check out my Facebook page (link in profile) for more info. This was my favourite of 2016 - the lovely @jojos_things wedding castle using fabric from her gown and wedding clothes.... X">www.facebook.com/homebroideries </a></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">S x </span></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-54487810702145134112017-01-01T22:48:00.000+00:002017-01-01T22:49:17.274+00:00Happy New Year!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Georgia;">Happy New Year!! </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Georgia;">How are you all? Did you have a lovely Christmas?</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Georgia;">We had a quiet, homely time.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;">I had begun to feel very festive from mid-November and so the tree went up the last weekend, a bit early even for me!!</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Georgia;">We had a little real tree for the first time in years as I found a fab Christmas tree farm only 20 minutes from us so we went and chose a lovely little potted fella who fit nicely on the side table in the conservatory.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Georgia;">As is tradition I gathered foliage from the woods near where we keep the horses. For the first year in ages the holly had loads of berries on and I didn't have to resort to wiring in fake ones when I made my wreath. I don't use a foam base when I make wreaths, I just use a long length of ivy and wind it round and round itself to create the base - so lovely homemade wreath, total cost £0.00.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Georgia;"><a style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsy_V5vIZRp7nuZPo_yU3MLoh5MHUuaD4ForAy0nteJw79HWlF6uhen2dbpFNo5f0nfrlnB3ACl5RjCqFQUyWQKrUehyphenhyphenQjWfI9ucbW6AX4rWYCrKJhPX01RZ8y6JG7L5P6DgyLKLeUxmA/"><img title="Wreath" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsy_V5vIZRp7nuZPo_yU3MLoh5MHUuaD4ForAy0nteJw79HWlF6uhen2dbpFNo5f0nfrlnB3ACl5RjCqFQUyWQKrUehyphenhyphenQjWfI9ucbW6AX4rWYCrKJhPX01RZ8y6JG7L5P6DgyLKLeUxmA/" alt="" width="500" height="622" data-json="" /></a></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Georgia;">Naturally we popped to the local garden centre to see the reindeer....</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Georgia;">Crafting wise I was working on one of my Homebroideries, this one is one of my favourite so far, it's a wedding venue made using scraps of fabric from the wedding clothese and decorated with beads from the gown. I really enjoyed making this one and luckily the bride loved it.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Georgia;">I also repainted the dresser and chest and hand painted some flowers on the chest inspired by Polish folk art, fitting as my Granddad is Polish....</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Georgia;"><a style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINtRwYRpIWu0RdzFiLNf53X6Do5dqVLVeAEsoGx3idg95SR-ay9DW_K1AT04yzChE1WIm4-Y3i1rJM7g-yWchMtHwW0Zkxz4LpVwuSgI2GwFExGTsm0lajUSDQcz3c3boEPtZvEg2wIo/"><img title="Dresser" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINtRwYRpIWu0RdzFiLNf53X6Do5dqVLVeAEsoGx3idg95SR-ay9DW_K1AT04yzChE1WIm4-Y3i1rJM7g-yWchMtHwW0Zkxz4LpVwuSgI2GwFExGTsm0lajUSDQcz3c3boEPtZvEg2wIo/" alt="" width="494" height="750" data-json="" /></a></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Georgia;">I also had a trip out to Winchester Christmas market with my youngest W (on the left), my nephew A and my Mum where we enjoyed lovely bratwurst!!</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Georgia;">On the 20th December it was our 20th wedding anniversary - the weather was wet and blustery so we had a cosy day in and Mr G treated me to a beautiful Swarovski snowflake to add to my collection....</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Georgia;">My sister and I managed to separately buy Mum the same Christmas card!!</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Georgia;">And Mr G got into the spirit of things on a dinner out with friends....</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Georgia;">Lastly, we had a quiet New Year's Eve at home, with good food, good movies, cocktails and knitting....</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Georgia;"><a style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJ9-lOClDMONyJhL9WJxz63goYwaEclOb-9cwshruH3wUpdnKZMp1aT8u2oCtEgh9mU284ZNceYPn7Rid-ZJRsNp-f-k3mMQsOywwJLfhMBDj3irdXNNExUKufcXHQC6TjoqSYQBSF_0/"><img title="D" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJ9-lOClDMONyJhL9WJxz63goYwaEclOb-9cwshruH3wUpdnKZMp1aT8u2oCtEgh9mU284ZNceYPn7Rid-ZJRsNp-f-k3mMQsOywwJLfhMBDj3irdXNNExUKufcXHQC6TjoqSYQBSF_0/" alt="" width="500" height="666" data-json="" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Georgia;">Happy New Year!!</span></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-65028432843969613912016-10-28T16:00:00.000+01:002016-10-28T16:00:46.374+01:00The Year So Far....<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px;">Partly for my own OCD tendencies I thought a recap of the year so far might be in order? I may do further posts in more depth on certain events or subjects but for now I'll tell you what's been happening chez Shabby Chic Sarah....</span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCY1m__h3CjldIHsDR5MTWBkV6sat_W_Jrq4LuTqo6Bz74p-hcHzm2nE-WwuNbjbFcQ9-IsTB9bDdBpM-guhKG9bnsXsm6C-adFwXg-1b9dQ_D_lcVCbfHRhWE-578UCM7lHy6y6xQ95s/"><img title="Recap" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCY1m__h3CjldIHsDR5MTWBkV6sat_W_Jrq4LuTqo6Bz74p-hcHzm2nE-WwuNbjbFcQ9-IsTB9bDdBpM-guhKG9bnsXsm6C-adFwXg-1b9dQ_D_lcVCbfHRhWE-578UCM7lHy6y6xQ95s/" alt="" width="500" height="666" data-json="" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoa6im9XVMPmHaiQVniLLewuv6eCOAOToEYKxKOGQkkp1FSdoO-w14a4acYZf3QtO6FjPJFM-e5kcZ-Svp0OKhqX_hxJkKpuFSXtTJ3FRAdSoqO24F7d-TySuQO0RIWPmDEHrqo_rFlp8/"><img title="Recap #2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoa6im9XVMPmHaiQVniLLewuv6eCOAOToEYKxKOGQkkp1FSdoO-w14a4acYZf3QtO6FjPJFM-e5kcZ-Svp0OKhqX_hxJkKpuFSXtTJ3FRAdSoqO24F7d-TySuQO0RIWPmDEHrqo_rFlp8/" alt="" width="500" height="666" data-json="" /></a></div>
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<strong>January</strong> I'm not a fan at all of the period from Boxing Day to around March and so to brighten up the place I added some Cath Kidston Rainbow Rose wallpaper to the kitchen. Mr G once more object to the floral nature of the print until it was up and then (as always 🙄) he liked it!!</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px;"><strong>February</strong> I was brave and flew to Ireland to visit Vicky (my Bestest Friend In The Whole Wide World). We've been friend since we were 15. I'm pictured here with her sweet youngest daughter.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px;"><strong>March</strong> Brought stress. Our 16 years old nephew Alex (my sisters son) had an accident at a skate park and broke his leg, tibia and fibula. This in itself should have been relatively straight forward, however he developed <a href="http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/compartment-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx">compartment syndrome</a> and for a short frantic time it was touch and go as the toxins spread. As it was he had to have over 50% of the muscle of his lower leg removed because the tissue had died. He now has no feeling from the knee down and may yet go on to lose the leg. He has amazed us with his resilience and strength but of course such a life changing injury has been and continues to be hard.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px;"><strong>April</strong> Even though we were up and down to hospitals while poor Alex's leg was reconstructed I managed to get a rare haircut. My hair was over halfway down my back but it was straggly and wispy so I had over 6" lopped off. My mother didn't speak to me for three weeks. I Kid You Not.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><strong>May</strong> This month we welcomed a new member into the family, Aegon is a citrus bearded dragon. Our eldest H asked for a dragon for his birthday and as we had always rather fancied a lizard we obliged. Aegon is a real character and has even somewhat helped H's depression.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><strong>June</strong> Our youngest, W had his last day of school - how time flies!! Both H and W had birthdays turning 18 and 16.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Mr G and I had a lovely weekend in Somerset and W had his prom at a fancy hotel.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><strong>July</strong> started with a shock when I received a phone call to say one of my horses, my beloved TC, had died. We rushed to the field we rent hoping the farmer was mistaken but indeed my glorious ginger boy, at the age of 26, had lied down in the field he loved, surrounded by his friends and gone to sleep for the last time. He was my equine soulmate and took a little bit of my heart with him. I stitched a portrait of him as a memorial. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><strong>August</strong> I began plans for a kitchen makeover. I love the bespoke, handmade look but without that budget I set about designing what I wanted and commissioning a cabinet maker to revamp and add to our existing kitchen.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">I accompanied Mr G up north where we indulged in chips, scraps and gravy (not available in southern chippies), visited my beloved childhood home and then had a picturesque drive across the Peak District before staying in a quirky hotel. The following day whilst Mr G did motorbike related nonsense I went to Burnley to a fabulous, super cheap fabric shop.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">I also started riding my other big boy Bobby as I was reminded that our time with our animals is all too short.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><strong>September</strong> Plans for the kitchen continued and it was my 44th birthday. Mr G and I had another weekend away, this time in Devon and W bought me my first Emma Bridgewater mug - I adore that they still call us Mummy and Daddy (rather than mum and dad you see!!)</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><strong>October</strong> Has seen the start of our home improvements with the laying of real wood flooring to replace the tatty laminate; new marble style Quartz worktops; a fresh new butler sink and vintage taps. We have also had limestone tiles in the kitchen and after a gas leak a brand new Rangemaster induction cooker which I love. The tiler has fitted the tiles and we have had a preview of the lovely oak plate rack the carpenter has made.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Hopefully in the next two weeks it'll all be completed - watch this space?!!</span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Thanks for reading....</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">S x</span></p>
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</span></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-33009599655458049382016-10-28T12:54:00.000+01:002016-10-28T12:54:26.481+01:00Getting Back Into The World Of Blog....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEG6hwXA4pcpCdzCI-48YzPKwqZnNq0wndrbNjRjJ7mnGdIIJB7K0oxHFlMv5mJ9FHi86T8DLHihnSIk2s5LsREUyz1LomGGEFLDcOXr-iYwcvWRy9FHfaTCiduRPZt_btYdOdp6LwF0/"><img title="Dahlias from the garden...." src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEG6hwXA4pcpCdzCI-48YzPKwqZnNq0wndrbNjRjJ7mnGdIIJB7K0oxHFlMv5mJ9FHi86T8DLHihnSIk2s5LsREUyz1LomGGEFLDcOXr-iYwcvWRy9FHfaTCiduRPZt_btYdOdp6LwF0/" alt="" width="488" height="488" /></a></div>
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I place the blame firmly on the doorstep of Instagram.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I think that's when a lot of us amateur (as opposed to the "big" blogs that do it as a career) </span>fell out of love with blogging.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Instagram was so, well, instant.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">You could pop up a photo and interact with your online friends in a matter of moments.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">You still had a record of what you'd been up to but it was all so much less effort than blogging.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">When I started this blog five (yes FIVE!!) years ago I had a laptop. For the last three years or so I have had an iPad and Blogger is still tricky on a tablet - you'd think they'd have sorted it by now TBH.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I'm writing this post via on a new app I've downloaded (I was using Blogsy which was pretty good when it works, but it often plays up and your post that looks perfect in the app is all over the place once posted to your actual blog) so I'm hoping it'll be "the one" to make blogging via iPad as easy as it was on my elderly laptop....</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">But I thought I might try and blog at least weekly again - will you read if I do?</span></span></p>
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<p class="blogsyText" style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; background-image: url('file:///var/containers/Bundle/Application/69DE09D3-2805-4FE2-89CD-C2DE3218B9EC/Blogsy.app/typing_icon.png'); background-size: 10px 25px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;"> </p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-60170414873559875222016-02-01T07:45:00.000+00:002016-02-01T07:45:07.593+00:00Another Makeover....<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia"> Hello my lovelies, I hope you all had a good weekend?</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Today I'm going to tell you about my next makeover which was the entranceway.</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">It's really the hall I guess as you open the front door into it and then there is another door into the lounge but it's</font><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> so tiny we call it the porch.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Our son H calls it "the airlock" because he says it's like the entrance to a spacecraft, shutting out the outside with a double door before entering the living quarters.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">As with the bathroom on first glance it looked OK, but on closer inspection was rather tatty.</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">It had my trademark patchwork wallpaper made of samples liberated from B&Q....</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">BEFORE:</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bSebVLE8ip7WxBJCADcKDNEbjpS3YwgXIJvZ0YqmO7rgBXIuVd4tiRp7ujewfRelkQ2ULJOkPikWEMyIIV0XMktHNBvbrhZSUl6WOEI-yzp7c-gZMDW1BO52FXvYM7B5XQLPyZyf9zE/s1600/Photo%25252020160201001016851.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bSebVLE8ip7WxBJCADcKDNEbjpS3YwgXIJvZ0YqmO7rgBXIuVd4tiRp7ujewfRelkQ2ULJOkPikWEMyIIV0XMktHNBvbrhZSUl6WOEI-yzp7c-gZMDW1BO52FXvYM7B5XQLPyZyf9zE/s500/Photo%25252020160201001016851.jpg" id="blogsy-1454285558596.4197" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <font face="Georgia">I wanted to keep a patchwork wall, especially as we have done away with the other ones in the house and I wanted a more vintage feel.</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I gave the right had wall a coat of F&B Parma Grey paint.</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I had several wallpapers including vintage Sanderson and Laura Ashley as well as three types of Cath Kidston paper and so using my quilting ruler I cut them into 6" squares.</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I hate removing wallpaper and so a bit of child labour was employed - our youngest W was paid the princely sum of £10 and he did a stirling job.</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I applied the squares using watered down PVA glue - previously I have used regular wallpaper paste, but I didn't have any so PVA it was.</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">It was one of those projects where you get halfway through and think "what have I done?"!! The edges were being stubborn and one of the papers (a Cath Kidston one) didn't want to stick down at the edges at all!!</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I then ran out of glue with about a metre to go and so had to wait until the next day to finish, fortunately everything had dried flat....</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yT8CiIfGNCk/Vq6iejZk5JI/AAAAAAAAFRo/Wf22Rs32tdw/s2048/Photo%25252020160201001016889.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yT8CiIfGNCk/Vq6iejZk5JI/AAAAAAAAFRo/Wf22Rs32tdw/s500/Photo%25252020160201001016889.jpg" id="blogsy-1454285558539.1824" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">The radiator cover was another bargain from the tip £4.00.</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">The mirror has been "rustically" decoupaged and although it's a bit more shabby than chic I still rather like it</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pFbjOIcY6Mo/Vq6i9DTTCUI/AAAAAAAAFR4/oB2Fp0_H7WI/s2048/Photo%25252020160201001228219.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pFbjOIcY6Mo/Vq6i9DTTCUI/AAAAAAAAFR4/oB2Fp0_H7WI/s500/Photo%25252020160201001228219.jpg" id="blogsy-1454285558560.3865" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">The louvre doors need a little catch to keep them closed. Behind them is "The Cupboard Of Doom" which houses our shoes and coats It's the sort of cupboard whereby no matter how carefully you place your shoes on the top when you come to retrieve them you will only find one (if you're lucky!!)</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">The amount of times I've had to dig around while cursing is too many too count!!</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Hugs,</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">S x</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-91287895263001303312016-01-27T14:29:00.001+00:002016-01-27T14:29:52.468+00:00Bathroom Makeover - Vintage Style....<p style="text-align: center;"> <font face="Georgia">First off a quick thank you to all of you still reading!!</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Now I know that I'm not talking to myself I thought I would tell you about our bathroom makeover.</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">On first glance there was nothing wrong with the room as it was, it had one of my patchwork wallpaper walls and was pleasant enough....</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jXxADUh6_lU/VqjUGv4Sh1I/AAAAAAAAFQM/x-Sn3TUyy5Y/s640/Photo%25252020160127142839375.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jXxADUh6_lU/VqjUGv4Sh1I/AAAAAAAAFQM/x-Sn3TUyy5Y/s500/Photo%25252020160127142839375.jpg" id="blogsy-1453904991063.7073" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="608"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">However, on closer inspection the paintwork was tatty and TBH my taste has moved on from the sweet pastel shabby chic style - what I really like now is a more eclectic, colourful, mismatched, vintage style. </font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">The kind of style that looks like it's taken many years to collect - still definitely shabby chic but mixed with industrial, French and English country.</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I was inspired by vintage style bathrooms....</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gaVWkOK7OvE/VqjUIRB-SbI/AAAAAAAAFQU/-EZKuLAXMZ4/s1600/Photo%25252020160127142839408.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gaVWkOK7OvE/VqjUIRB-SbI/AAAAAAAAFQU/-EZKuLAXMZ4/s500/Photo%25252020160127142839408.jpg" id="blogsy-1453904991053.2146" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="650"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I began to look around for some wallpaper as I had decided that I wanted to paper the whole of the room about the tongue and groove panelling. </span><br></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">This was trickier that it sounds as:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">A. I'm picky</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">B. I have expensive taste</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">C. With the floor being Cath Kidston floral I had to choose something that went with it</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">After much umming and ahhing I decided on <a href="http://www.cathkidston.com/cath-kidston/birds-&-roses-wallpaper-1008333" target="_self" title="">Cath Kidstons Birds and Roses wallpaper</a> in the green. If you've not seen CK paper in real life do check it out, it has a lovely, hand painted look I've only seen on much more expensive wallpapers....</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I wanted a darker blue on the woodwork and had some vintage linens to make faux blinds with.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">When I'm deciding on new decor I find it helpful to use a photo collage app to make myself a mood board....</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s0Q3gdpdzo8/VqjUJ8v6qAI/AAAAAAAAFQc/xyasVT-d6WE/s1600/Photo%25252020160127142839436.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s0Q3gdpdzo8/VqjUJ8v6qAI/AAAAAAAAFQc/xyasVT-d6WE/s500/Photo%25252020160127142839436.jpg" id="blogsy-1453904991051.5974" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <font face="Georgia">After hearing everyone singing the praises of Valspar paint I had some mixed up in a medium blue. The paint is highly pigmented and nice to work with however, it has not been a good choice for woodwork.</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia"> I've always used emulsion on the panelling (it has been a multitude of colours) and never had any trouble but this Valspar is not holding up well at all. In fact I keep the tin under the bath for impromptu touch ups!!</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Don't let you put that off the paint for walls though, we have it downstairs in the conservatory and its wearing really well in there. It obviously needed a primer on wood.</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I spent a couple of days wallpapering - you may remember I loathe wallpapering but love wallpaper - </font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">it's a conundrum. </font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">This room with all its corners and angles really tried my patience, especially as I ran out with just two drops to go and had to wait several days while another roll arrived!!</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">So the reveal (apologies for the poor quality, it's just so dark here ATM!!)</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FrZrNqqVqDM/VqjUL8aZ4fI/AAAAAAAAFQk/3EpAob7K6ck/s2048/Photo%25252020160127142839463.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FrZrNqqVqDM/VqjUL8aZ4fI/AAAAAAAAFQk/3EpAob7K6ck/s500/Photo%25252020160127142839463.jpg" id="blogsy-1453904991046.185" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I made a couple of faux blinds using vintage tablecloths and completely defied Mr G and painted the side of the roll top pink!!</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UNDl8bqm8lY/VqjUOZbIt_I/AAAAAAAAFQs/moDJjFMrPJU/s2048/Photo%25252020160127142839487.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UNDl8bqm8lY/VqjUOZbIt_I/AAAAAAAAFQs/moDJjFMrPJU/s500/Photo%25252020160127142839487.jpg" id="blogsy-1453904991090.2283" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">My StepDad made the shelves and they are filled with various charity shop and car boot finds. The picture is a 1940's advert for Knights Castile soap which is the brand both my Mum and I took into hospital when we had our babies....</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTV4rVT5FzgCPUt4ZWqXi8HxLdqOohPkJThiPvvS9yCe7JQEx3PEG1zkChOc0XmpXYiJxuJzvwADg4ngl5XdnchR1UkbK-JXzxdXFRrEGArkB7XeVekLZrmwasmbInqpi8NmR-cvgIMk/s2048/Photo%25252020160127142839513.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTV4rVT5FzgCPUt4ZWqXi8HxLdqOohPkJThiPvvS9yCe7JQEx3PEG1zkChOc0XmpXYiJxuJzvwADg4ngl5XdnchR1UkbK-JXzxdXFRrEGArkB7XeVekLZrmwasmbInqpi8NmR-cvgIMk/s500/Photo%25252020160127142839513.jpg" id="blogsy-1453904991080.377" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Another of my vintage mirrors, I have about 15 now. They have rocketed in price recently but I've never paid more than a few pounds for one.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D9hBHxwvrss/VqjUUykrfsI/AAAAAAAAFQ8/yuW-cV_-jzM/s2048/Photo%25252020160127142839539.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D9hBHxwvrss/VqjUUykrfsI/AAAAAAAAFQ8/yuW-cV_-jzM/s500/Photo%25252020160127142839539.jpg" id="blogsy-1453904991013.049" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4n7f8OlRm5A/VqjUXJcPaoI/AAAAAAAAFRE/PpwUHL4e-5o/s2048/Photo%25252020160127142839564.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4n7f8OlRm5A/VqjUXJcPaoI/AAAAAAAAFRE/PpwUHL4e-5o/s500/Photo%25252020160127142839564.jpg" id="blogsy-1453904991078.7925" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">These are original vintage Palmolive soap ads....</font> <br></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I'm really pleased with how it turned out, I wanted it to feel like you were stepping back in time (but with indoor plumbing!!) and I think I achieved that look.</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Now if I could just get the boys to stop leaving their pants in the floor it would be perfect!!....</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Hugs,</font></p><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">S x</font></p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-58782817337591447572016-01-25T15:20:00.001+00:002016-01-27T12:40:52.239+00:00Is Anyone Out There?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">I've not blogged in so long I thought I'd ask if anyone is out there still following me before I start up again?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">I've done lots of redecorating so would like to tell you all about it, if you're still there?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Post a little comment for me, if you're still reading?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxG8jUV38cGukd_TW31YdMAytRtLzk1mnGhHKOZGSAcl1Ty10rj3xMpybWjcLjsW18wPadOLqjVQjsyW9JXh8UOZi_CGUHjbl4xO1O3gyksAhgnVvygSxAwRUNVRMDB0mXUCZ3h1G1ZGk/s1600/Photo%25252020160125152029616.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="650" id="blogsy-1453735243516.6682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxG8jUV38cGukd_TW31YdMAytRtLzk1mnGhHKOZGSAcl1Ty10rj3xMpybWjcLjsW18wPadOLqjVQjsyW9JXh8UOZi_CGUHjbl4xO1O3gyksAhgnVvygSxAwRUNVRMDB0mXUCZ3h1G1ZGk/s500/Photo%25252020160125152029616.jpg" width="650" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";">Hugs,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia";">S x</span> </div>
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<div id="blogsy_footer" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">y</a></div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-44363869825309266232015-07-20T13:56:00.001+01:002015-07-20T13:56:47.599+01:00Lounge Vintage Makeover...l
<p style="text-align: center;"> <font face="Georgia"> They say only hotels and airports have lounges</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">But it's called that in our house too.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">It was the first room I tackled in my mini home make over.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">As you can see it was perfectly nice and all but it just wasn't grabbing me. </font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">The other wall which you can't see in this pic had patchwork wallpaper in duck egg shades and the chimney breast was painted in a teal colour.</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/19669074848/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/527/19669074848_e969f6d96b.jpg" id="blogsy-1437397006093.7622" class="aligncenter" width="650" height="432" alt=""></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I started by searching for the perfect wallpaper and decided I would paper the whole wall, chimney breast as well as the alcoves either side.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I checked out all the usual places I turn to for wallpaper - Laura Ashley; Cath Kidston; Next; Wallpaper Direct but it was eBay where I succeeded in finding the perfect paper:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/19217138684" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3785/19217138684_5e8a5a7bcb.jpg" id="blogsy-1437397006063.9954" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="448"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/19832403722" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/436/19832403722_401e541b98_b.jpg" id="blogsy-1437397006063.522" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="874"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Vintage Sanderson - I couldn't find any info about it online so I emailed Sanderson with the label info and a photo and they said it was printed in the 1970's.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Isn't it just gorgeous?</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">I was delighted when my searching though eBay proved so fruitful but I was, however, a wee bit nervous about what Mr G would like as he always said "No" to full on florals in the lounge. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">Naturally, I did what any self respecting girl would do and I didn't tell him and bought it anyway!! *blushes*</span><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">My friend says "better to seek forgiveness than ask permission"!!</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Georgia">I managed to get all four rolls for £40 - Sanderson wallpaper is about £70 PER roll so as well as being just wanted it was also a super bargain.</font></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;"><br></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Luckily, when I broke the news to Mr G he reacted in his trademark laidback style!!</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">And so we spent a Saturday wallpapering.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I hate wallpapering.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I swear I'm never going to do it again every time I do any.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">But I love wallpaper, so what's a girl to do?</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/19217367524" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/475/19217367524_8d7540c1f9.jpg" id="blogsy-1437397006062.5168" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">We can't have a real or gas fire in the chimney breast as the flue is not right and we'd never found an electric one that didn't look totally fake. Then when we were on holiday we saw these stoves by Dimplex from their Optimist range - you fill a reservoir with water and a light shines through the steam, this creates ever such a realistic flame effect. </font></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">They were priced at £500-£700 so we thought we'd save up to get one but I decided to check good old Gumtree and low and behold there was an almost new top of the range Optmist fire for the princely sum of £125!! </font></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">So we collected it on the way home and it fitted right in. The mantle shelf was £20 from eBay and I just waxed the bare pine with Annie Sloan's dark wax to get an antiqued look.</font></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/19845179781" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/510/19845179781_eeabe9e14d.jpg" id="blogsy-1437397006052.2747" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">It's impossible to capture in a photo but the flames have that real flickering look.</font> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">The wallpaper gives the vintage look I was after.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">The china cabinet was my £6.00 bargain from the tip!! The chairs belonged to my Mum and we had them when she got a new suite.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">The hare lamp is by Abigal Ahern for Debenhams and is last Christmas's favourite present.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">The portrait is of my beautiful horse TC and Mr G had it done for me a few Christmases ago.</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/19844909591" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/328/19844909591_8e60b466a9_z.jpg" id="blogsy-1437397006091.4988" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="531" height="800"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/19635318756" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/255/19635318756_9f73a0ab16_z.jpg" id="blogsy-1437397006077.6597" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="529" height="790"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">As you can see we have a lot of photos in our home - I love the way they are a daily reminder of treasured memories - I once read that lots of photographs is a sign of a happy home.</font></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">The cabinet they sit on is Art Deco and was another bargain (£8.00) from the tip!! The clock on the sideboard belonged to my late beloved Granddad and though it no longer works it's something I treasure.</font></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/19473524950" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/418/19473524950_e8b54d585c.jpg" id="blogsy-1437397006128.109" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="425"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">This cabinet is an Ercol Court coup board and was a bit expensive for us at £40 - once the paper went up I knew it needed a colour change....</span><br>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/19813823406" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/401/19813823406_bf5088d1f8.jpg" id="blogsy-1437397006081.7349" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="444"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I decided to pick out the gold/mustard colour in the wallpaper and I used <a href="http://www.missmustardseedsmilkpaint.com/" target="_self" title="">Miss Mustard Seeds Milk Paint</a> to re-paint it. It's proper old fashioned paint that comes in powder form, you mix it with water and it creates a beautiful, authentically chippy look....</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/19651785660" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/323/19651785660_31403cd626_b.jpg" id="blogsy-1437397006115.7903" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="559" height="834"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <font face="Georgia">For the sofa (which I'm not keen on but is very practical with a houseful of animals and teenagers) I made a stack of cushions out of Sanderson fabric remnants and used a beautiful vintage crochet throw that my dear friend Dawn gave me for Christmas....</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/19830689086" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/540/19830689086_6deeee5def.jpg" id="blogsy-1437397006076.4" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <font face="Georgia">So that's the lounge. I need to change the curtains at some point, I'm rather fancying some heavy, interlined ticking ones so I need to keep my eyes peeled for some bargain fabric, I think....</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Thanks for reading!!</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Hugs </font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">S x</font></p>
<p>Â </p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-61589552197108417952015-07-13T14:52:00.001+01:002015-07-13T14:52:54.528+01:00The Inspiration for Redecoration!!
<p style="text-align: center;"> <font face="Georgia">You may remember back in October 2013 our home was <a href="http://www.housetohome.co.uk/house-tour/picture/be-inspired-by-sarahs-country-style-home?slideshow=" target="_self" title="">featured in "Style At Home" magazine</a>?</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">The photoshoot took place in the May and so we had to wait several months to see our home in print.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">When the copy arrived I noticed something that showed up in the pages that I had never noticed IRL - all the rooms seemed a bit, um, <em>samey....</em></font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I guess a person has their favourites and their style but I didn't realise just how similar each room was. </font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Our house is just a small three bedroom semi but even so walking from room to room the similarities didn't hit me as they did when I saw them all together on the same pages.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Let me show you what I mean: </font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/19663155615/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/318/19663155615_0fd15c030b_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1436795573044.905" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="867"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <font face="Georgia">See?</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Very duck egg (my favourite colour) and pink and a bit sugary sweet.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Don't get me wrong I loved it for a long time but lately my tastes have evolved a bit and I'm liking a more authentically vintage, bolder, less pastel and more eclectic look.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">For example, I love <a href="https://www.sarahmoorehome.co.uk" target="_self" title="">Sarah Moores</a> vintage style:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/19475173380/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/259/19475173380_4a567aca9e_z.jpg" id="blogsy-1436795572969.6826" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="557"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/19476532349/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/552/19476532349_127da72c01_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1436795572999.0918" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="729"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 1.3em; font-family: Georgia;">I've also been inspired by several bloggers, including </span><a href="http://lisalovesvintage.com" target="_self" title="" style="line-height: 1.3em; font-family: Georgia;">Lisa Loves Vintage</a><span style="line-height: 1.3em; font-family: Georgia;"> and</span><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia"><a href="https://instagram.com/sarahmaguire_myvintagehome/" target="_self" title="">Sarahmaguire_myvintagehome</a> on Instagram: </font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/19476535049/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/447/19476535049_36abaeefc6_z.jpg" id="blogsy-1436795573039.4265" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="507"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <font face="Georgia">And of course the lady who inspired both my home decor and the starting of this blog </font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia"><a href="https://instagram.com/janegoble/?hl=en" target="_self" title="">Jane Goble</a> AKA Posy:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/19042232313/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/420/19042232313_43e3ebb3e7.jpg" id="blogsy-1436795573017.9702" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="488" alt=""></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Next time I'll tell you how I changed things to get more of the look I was after....</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Thanks for reading!!</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">((((hugs))))</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">S x</font></p>
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<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-3352362964325378252015-07-09T14:59:00.001+01:002015-07-14T14:14:56.017+01:00How Do You Spend Your Free Time?
<p style="text-align: center;"> <font face="Georgia">Yesterday I spoke about time and how it flies.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Today I'm wondering about how you spend your free time & energy?</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Do you have hobbies and pastimes you like to indulge?</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Or for you, is a little free time the chance to relax, unwind and recharge your batteries?</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I know many of my readers have little ones and it can be hard to find a moment to oneself in the hustle and bustle of looking after little people.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Our boys turned 15 years and 17 years last month and I've now long been rather surplus to requirements (unless I'm making dinner or picking up after them of course!!)</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/19362845330" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/437/19362845330_20a599f62c_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1436879687117.0107" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="750"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">(They'll go mad if they see I've posted this pic!!)</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">When they became Tweens and no longer needed the constant supervision younger children need I found myself at a loose end. I had my horses (which I got back into when both boys were in full time school) but I couldn't help feeling something of a fifth wheel. </font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I cannot work due to health issues and found myself twiddling my thumbs. I'm not ashamed to confess feeling a bit depressed. Of course children always need their Mum but I just didn't have the day to day role of looking after them.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I was "saved" by Kirstie Allsopp.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Her first craft series aired on TV and after seeing her manage to knit after years of thinking she couldn't I was inspired to try crochet again - I too had tried and failed before.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">This time I cracked it and that gave me confidence to try other things.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Soon I realised it didn't matter that I failed both Textiles and Art GCSEs at school.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">So now I have so many things to pass my time I sometimes don't know what to choose and I can't imagine what people do who do not have a hobby.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I still like to crochet but I also knit, sew, embroider, draw and DIY - a report from school as a child once said "Sarah is like a butterfly, she flits from one thing to another" and that, I guess, is still very true!!</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">A few recent makes:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/18930076763" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/374/18930076763_a60e54f412.jpg" id="blogsy-1436879687037.1785" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/18930095673" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/504/18930095673_1e33a6de0c.jpg" id="blogsy-1436879687097.7622" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/19364487479" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3769/19364487479_90f5e53730.jpg" id="blogsy-1436879687045.726" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">I still have horses, so spend a bit of time outdoors.</span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/19363049360" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/355/19363049360_37306eb961.jpg" id="blogsy-1436879687056.27" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">This is TC (The Colonel) and I adore him.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">And I don't mind a bit of a potter in the garden, these days, I think it must be an age thing - I especially like growing flowers to bring indoors: </font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/19544253752" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/439/19544253752_d404ff119b.jpg" id="blogsy-1436879687056.5576" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">It turns out gardening is one of the UK's favourite outdoor pursuits and if you wondered what the others are <a href="http://www.first-utility.com" target="_self" title="">First Utility</a> have a neat little chart with all the info:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/19525091976" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3772/19525091976_ea6b4794eb_b.jpg" id="blogsy-1436879687094.7305" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="218" height="1331"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">Tell me in the comments what you like to do with your spare time and energy?</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Do you fall into one of the categories on the chart, or do you do something out of the ordinary?</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Until next time....</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">S x</font></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><font face="Georgia" size="1">Although this is a sponsored post, all opinions are my own.</font></p>
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<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-75606118381017490662015-07-08T13:07:00.001+01:002015-07-08T13:07:08.226+01:00I'm Back!!
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Where does the time go? </font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">I'm convinced it ACTUALLY gets quicker as one ages. As a child having to wait for a week was an eternity, but now, as adult, something happening next year hardly seems any time at all away.<br></font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">My roundabout point being, it's been A-G-E-S since I did a blog post.</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">So what's new?</font></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Not a whole lot really, just pootling along in my own little way. But I have been decorating, here's a little glimpse and I will do detailed posts over the next week or so.</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/19526129201/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/524/19526129201_26d24d957d_b.jpg" id="blogsy-1436357226844.2126" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="564" height="842"></font></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/19333841160" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/484/19333841160_1917091238_z.jpg" id="blogsy-1436357226848.5408" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="538" height="819"></font></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/19335309689" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/290/19335309689_75d49d0e4c_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1436357226885.0947" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="691"></font></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/19333979328/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/556/19333979328_630df16fac_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1436357226813.037" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></font></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/18899403284/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/286/18899403284_bd74c69c75.jpg" id="blogsy-1436357226831.9922" class="aligncenter" width="650" height="451" alt=""></a></font></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em; text-align: left;"> Watch this space for more pics and details soon!!</span><br>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">Hugs,</font></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">S x</font></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia"> </font></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia"> </font></p>
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<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-51209165445332918362015-02-01T13:34:00.001+00:002015-02-01T13:34:08.195+00:00Oops!!
<p><font face="Georgia">Hello, my lovelies!!</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">Well, my promise to blog more regularly didn't pan out for January did it?!!<br></font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">I've been quite busy in my cabin making "Homebroideries" (bespoke machine and hand embroidered house portraits) </font><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">as I had a special offer at the end of December so had a fair few commissions:</span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/16418259735/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8647/16418259735_207a4d61f7_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1422797648953.5154" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></font></a></div>
<p><font face="Georgia">I've created a second blog "<a href="http://www.homebroideries.blogspot.co.uk" target="_self" title="" style="line-height: 1.3em;">Homebroideries</a>" - which I can use as a portfolio of my work and has all the details on how to order. I'd love it if you could pop across and follow me over there too? There are lots of of pics of my previous work for you to have a nosey at.<br></font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">In other news - one of my best friends from school had her third baby, a little boy and so that meant I could give her the cardi I knitted while she was expecting - what a cutie, eh?</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/16232033229/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7316/16232033229_62fb4b4e79.jpg" id="blogsy-1422797648978.7114" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="490"></font></a></div>
<p><font face="Georgia">I went for cuddles and although he was absolutely gorgeous, I didn't feel broody for once. I think that phase has passed for now!! I love it when they fall asleep on my chest, I must be comfortable as most little babies I cuddle do it!!<br></font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/15795769294/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8570/15795769294_37be29a555.jpg" id="blogsy-1422797649011.8967" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="495"></font></a></div>
<p><font face="Georgia">Just before Christmas I bought myself a vintage Singer - I wanted one specifically for free motion embroidery as I understood that these old machines are particularly good for that (in fact <a href="http://www.poppytreffry.co.uk/" target="_self" title="">Poppy Treffry</a> uses them to make here lovely products).</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">I had Googled and researched and found it was quite tricky to ascertain which Singer was thought to be the best for FME, one forum would say that the 99k was best, another would say the 201k another still would prefer the 221k - and then you'd find info saying completely the opposite.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">In the end I opted for the 201k - which in its day (the serial number on mine tells me she was manufactured in 1951) cost six months wages.</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/16392288956/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8639/16392288956_bb0dc488f8.jpg" id="blogsy-1422797648947.1406" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></font></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"> <font face="Georgia">She came with her beautiful bent wood case:</font>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/16232355427/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8670/16232355427_4e826ea50f.jpg" id="blogsy-1422797648977.962" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></font></a></div>
<p><font face="Georgia">I found her on eBay - I noticed she was from where I grew up and it transpired it was an old school friend of mine who was selling her!! We had a lovely catch up and I went away with my lovely machine.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">Up at the horses TC got a lovely new rug - when I saw the polka dots I couldn't resist!!:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/16417323482/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/16417323482_5c4625ea44.jpg" id="blogsy-1422797648952.3467" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></font></a></div>
<p> <font face="Georgia">I went with my Mum and her BFF to see The Russian National Balket perform "Swan Lake" - I'd wanted to see it for a while and it didn't disappoint:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/16416498601/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/16416498601_77926a7a8e.jpg" id="blogsy-1422797649024.1167" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="363" alt=""></font></a></div>
<p><font face="Georgia">And so I think that's January all caught up with!!</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">Thanks for reading....</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">Hugs, </font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">S x </font></p>
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<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-31032228784031078432015-01-02T00:02:00.001+00:002015-01-02T00:02:19.344+00:00Christmas - Done And Dusted....
<p><font face="Georgia">Happy New my lovelies!!</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">Today marks the start of 2015 (the same year Marty McFly went Back To The Future!!) and my only resolution is to blog more regularly as I was definitely rather slack last year.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">We had a quiet family Christmas, Mr G has been off since 19th December (the day before our 18th wedding anniversary) and we have had slow lazy days.</font></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">The house was all decked up and looking festive and there were a couple of outings to see my niece Little E in nativity and to visit the local garden centre - I have to borrow her these days to get my fix of kiddy things as at ages 16 and 14 H & W are less inclined to humour me!!</span></p>
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<p><font face="Georgia">On Christmas Day itself I was a lucky girl and opened a navy leather handbag, fab hare lamp, a Bluetooth speaker and lots of stocking fillers from Mr G - and (having started a Microsoft Apprenticeship in November) for the first time H bought me a gift with his own wages, a lovely sewing box covered with roses.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">W also popped into Cath Kidston with all his mates (they were on their way to see The Hobbit) and chose me a lovely mug - we have around ten CK mugs but he managed to pick one I didn't have already so I was super impressed!! Apparently, all his mates Mum's got the same mug too!!</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">I have been busy in the run up to Christmas crafting. I work on at least one project every day and can no longer just sit and do nothing. If I'm watching TV I'm also knitting or stitching too!!</font></p>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/15981105450" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8608/15981105450_4baf9c085d_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1420156876832.4407" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="867"></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;"><div style="text-align: left;">I had a few commissions for my bespoke embroidered house portraits too:</div></span>
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<p><font face="Georgia">They are very tricky to justice to on camera, I really must get my DSLR out and try and get some proper shots. I have a fair few orders to be getting on with so will try and get better shots of them. I'd like to build my little hobby this year and do one a week or so.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">Wishing you all a very happy New Year....</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">Hugs,</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">S x </font></p>
<p>Â </p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-27091459147877494372014-11-09T15:21:00.001+00:002014-11-09T15:21:16.334+00:00Well Hello There!!
<p><font face="Georgia">Hello my lovelies, are you still there? I've had a little unscheduled break from blogging for one reason or another but have made the time this afternoon to do a little catch up for you. This may be a long one, are you sitting comfortably?</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">Back at the end of September was my 42nd birthday - there was pressies, we went out for lunch and had family round for a takeaway dinner.</font></p>
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<p><font face="Georgia">It was pretty low key because the day after Mr G and I were off in our holidays. We had taken ages to decide what to do this year. Our boys at 16yrs and 14yrs are now reluctant to do anything modest and so we're not keen on the proposed holiday to Ireland (to visit my BFF) or France and so when Grandma offered to come and keep an eye on them (in reality all Grandma and Granddad needed was to be cooked for them and ensure no wild parties took place!!) we took them up on the offer.</font></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">We were going to go to France to do the flea markets but had a blip with my anxiety a couple of weeks before we were due to go and as such wanted to stay in huge UK.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">A good friend let us use her seaside house in Salcombe and it was to be the first time since we had the kids that we had such a long time on our own together - I did travel to Singapore with John one year, but he was working there so we didn't get much "us" time).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">The house was a beautiful cottage in the heart of Salcombe:</span><br></p>
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<p><font face="Georgia">Nearby was the church and I loved to hear it chime the hour and on Sunday morning we lay in bed listening to the bells ringing:</font></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">Salcombe itself is beautiful, arguably one of the most picturesque places we've been in the UK:</span><br></p>
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<p><font face="Georgia">By day we explored the area - we had a mooch over Dartmoor:<br></font></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">After much persuading Mr G started growing me a beard!! </font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia"><br></font></p>
<p> <font face="Georgia">We explored the pretty towns:</font></p>
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<p> <font face="Georgia">We went to a vintage fair in Plymouth:</font></p>
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<p> <font face="Georgia">And the National Marine Aquarium:</font></p>
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<div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">We had a traditional british "car picnic" at Bigbury-On-Sea and then walked over to Burgh Island (home of a gorgeous <a href="http://www.burghisland.com/" target="_self" title="">Art Deco hotel</a> , a favourite of Agatha Christie):</font></div>
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<p><font face="Georgia">We drove along a coast road, including a road that was tidal!!:</font></p>
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<div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">By night we ate out and had cocktails:</font></div>
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<p><font face="Georgia">But mostly we stayed in and snuggled in front of the TV with plenty of goodies to eat and just relished having no responsibilities, no one to look after and nowhere to be:</font></p>
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<p> <font face="Georgia">It was bliss, it really was and we returned home with batteries recharged and feeling very loved up!!</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">Hugs,</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">S x</font></p>
<p>Â </p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-67087612166413274462014-09-08T12:31:00.001+01:002014-09-08T12:31:07.422+01:00Finding That Loving Feeling....
<p><font face="Georgia">Ever since we had the boys (who are now 16 and 14) we have made sure that we get away for a weekend at least once a year to ensure we have some "us time" and so back </font><font face="Georgia" style="line-height: 1.3em;">in August Mr G and I had a night away.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia" style="line-height: 1.3em;">We booked a little B&B in Henley (which is a couple of hours from home) and off we went arriving in Henley at lunch time.</font></p>
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<p> <font face="Georgia">We had a wander around the shops and found Tudor Antiques - the most tiny, jam-packed but well organised little antique shop we've ever had the pleasure of looking around:</font></p>
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<p><font face="Georgia">All the jugs were placed together in gleaming rows, all the plates on shelves, enamalware balanced in stacks, copper pans on one shelf and jelly moulds another. An entire floor to ceiling bookcase was crammed with vintage tins which had contained all manner of objects, waiting for someone to take them home and fill once more with treasure. There was even a shelf just for gravy boats.</font></p>
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<div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">After a good rummage (whilst being incredibly restrained!!) we bought freshly made sandwiches and headed down to the river to eat:</font></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">After which we had fun trying to take the perfect selfie:</span><br>
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<div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">We walked back into town admiring the pretty baskets:</font></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">That night after a lovely dinner and a film in a tiny cinema we had a restful night in the B&B (which was a garden annexe of the ladies house) and in the morning were served a lovely breakfast - retro style - on a hostess trolley!!</span><br>
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<p><font face="Georgia">After breakfast we decided to head to Eton and Windsor for a mooch. </font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">Eton and Windsor are the kind of places that couldn't be more English if they tried - the kind of place that would strike a little bit of patriotic pride into the heart of even the most hardened cynic:</font></p>
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<p> <font face="Georgia">We parked in Eton and had a wander in a couple of antique and charity shops - I bought a folding wooden yard stick and a pretty plate and then we wandered over the bridge to Windsor stopping for another selfie along the way:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/15177698115/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5584/15177698115_bffecb0765.jpg" id="blogsy-1410175865632.3643" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></font></a></div>
<p><font face="Georgia">As we walked along the banks of the Thames we saw the boats and thus decided to partake of a boat trip:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/15154678456/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3846/15154678456_33e287b297.jpg" id="blogsy-1410175865621.3015" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></font></a></div>
<p> <font face="Georgia"> We bought our tickets before hopping on for the 40 minute tour along the sunny water.</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/15177700185/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3894/15177700185_50ac56f361.jpg" id="blogsy-1410175865601.1492" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></font></a></div>
<p><font face="Georgia"> There were some a-may-zing houses along the way: </font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/15174694051/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5571/15174694051_1e2d9e507d.jpg" id="blogsy-1410175865659.634" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14991121868/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3926/14991121868_835d72dffe.jpg" id="blogsy-1410175865617.853" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></a></div>
<p> <font face="Georgia">And on the way back we got a view of Windsor Castle in all it's glory:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/15177330442/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3899/15177330442_124bfd1ab1.jpg" id="blogsy-1410175865604.5103" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/15154683306/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5568/15154683306_b3aa92b9b1.jpg" id="blogsy-1410175865645.3633" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></a></div>
<p> <font face="Georgia">When we got back in dry land I was eager to feed the multitude of swans, so purchased two bags of swan food and hoped they were hungry.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">They were!!</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/15174697731/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3892/15174697731_a9c83a93ba_b.jpg" id="blogsy-1410175865692.8533" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="890"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14991126168/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3918/14991126168_c6ebfdd853.jpg" id="blogsy-1410175865646.1538" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="365"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/15174700051/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5582/15174700051_4f0136185e_b.jpg" id="blogsy-1410175865618.836" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="890" alt=""></a></div>
<p><font face="Georgia">All too soon it was time to head back home to Hampshire - back to the messy house and animals and two stroppy teenagers - but the trip had it's desired effect and we headed back happy and fully loved up!!</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">Hugs,</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">S x</font></p>
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<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-19010247109762216492014-08-29T13:03:00.001+01:002014-08-29T13:03:41.303+01:00Sofa, Sogood!
<p> <font face="Georgia">It's a running joke in our family that Mr G and I have never bought a sofa new. We always have family cast offs. In the 19 years we have lived together we have had three sofas/suites from my sister and two from my Mum.</font></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">Luckily, my Mum has a "thing" about her sitting room furniture. She has had four sets in about ten years. I kid you not. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">Mum always orders her furniture from </span><a href="http://www.sofasofa.co.uk/" target="_self" title="" style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">SofaSofa</a><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;"> and so when their brochure drops through the letterbox, it quite often heralds a change!!</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em; font-family: Georgia;">When she first changed her sitting room we took on her classic </span><a href="http://www.sofasofa.co.uk/3-seater-sofas/sienna-3-seater-leather-sofa.html" target="_self" title="" style="line-height: 1.3em; font-family: Georgia;">Sienna </a><a href="http://www.sofasofa.co.uk/3-seater-sofas/sienna-3-seater-leather-sofa.html" target="_self" title="" style="line-height: 1.3em; font-family: Georgia;">brown 2 & 3 leather sofas</a><span style="line-height: 1.3em; font-family: Georgia;"> (which in fact are so classic they still sell them):</span><br></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/15068998551/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5570/15068998551_6cd7759fb0.jpg" id="blogsy-1409313821223.806" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="432"></a></div>
<p><font face="Georgia">These sofas (like all settees from SofaSofa) are very well made and sturdy and have taken almost ten years of hard use from us and our brood of boys and animals and are still holding up really well.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">Another family cast off used to reside in the conservatory, this sofa was huge and comfy and was shipped back from America when my Sister moved back to the UK 14 years ago:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/15068999211/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5576/15068999211_d52c82dd06.jpg" id="blogsy-1409313821246.4946" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="432"></a></div>
<p><font face="Georgia">As you can see in the above pic, the sofa had seen better days but I was still sorry to see it go when Mum changed up her furniture again and offered us two classic striped chairs - the two seater leather sofa came out to live in the conservatory and the chairs created the mismatched look I love in our lounge:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14877123687" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3854/14877123687_af0e05acf7.jpg" id="blogsy-1409313821192.8875" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></a></div>
<p> <font face="Georgia">Once again the chairs are from <a href="http://www.sofasofa.co.uk/" target="_self" title="">SofaSofa</a> and they are the most comfortable armchairs I've ever sat in. They are super sturdy and have stood up to our two big teenagers flopping down into them. </font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">In fact I like them so much that I think with eventually reupholster them - I've been wanting to do an upholstery class for ages and so I can start big!!</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">Now my ultimate sofa (if I could choose any) would be a teal velvet chesterfield like the <a href="http://www.sofasofa.co.uk/belvedere-3-seater-sofa.html#product-details" target="_self" title="">Belvedere</a>:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/15068999721/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3903/15068999721_9f63407832.jpg" id="blogsy-1409313821172.6875" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="300"></a></div>
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<p> <font face="Georgia">Swoon!! I just love it!! It would look fab with my armchairs re-upholstered in something like this:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14885329319/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5585/14885329319_d32907d118.jpg" id="blogsy-1409313821193.9045" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="333"></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;"><br></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">Be still my beating heart!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">In the conservatory for my ultimate sofa I'd choose something like the <a href="http://www.sofasofa.co.uk/3-seater-sofas/sienna-3-seater-leather-sofa.html" target="_self" title="">Hampton</a> in luxurious cream velvet chenille to echo the button backed good looks of the Belvedere but with a little twist:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/15069001011/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5573/15069001011_b0464c07a4.jpg" id="blogsy-1409313821174.2769" class="aligncenter" width="650" height="300" alt=""></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">Though for practicalities sake perhaps a darker shade would be more prudent - two dogs and two cats with sixteen muddy paws I don't think the cream would be cream for long!!</font></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">Sigh, I do like a bit of fantasy shopping - don't you?</font></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">Hugs,</font></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">S x</font></div>
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<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-82847284992088659922014-08-22T14:07:00.001+01:002014-08-22T14:07:55.141+01:00Friends, Old And New....
<p><font face="Georgia">My dear friend Cuckoo (<a href="http://talesfromcuckooland.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_self" title="" style="line-height: 1.3em;">Tales From Cuckoo Land</a>) invited me to stay with her at her lovely home in Somerset for a few days back in July and I jumped at the chance.<br></font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">I was more than happy to settle in the gorgeous guest room:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14975780046/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5575/14975780046_1b4dbd8f71.jpg" id="blogsy-1408712870456.708" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></font></a></div>
<p><font face="Georgia">Cuckoo lives in the middle of nowhere and so the view is beautiful:</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia"><br></font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14998761705/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3911/14998761705_49c9a1e2af_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1408712870444.5608" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="867"></font></a></div>
<p> <font face="Georgia">The view is made all the more swoonworthy by the gorgeous Airstream trailer: </font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14998396492/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3843/14998396492_b086890d68.jpg" id="blogsy-1408712870425.9739" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></font></a></div>
<p> <font face="Georgia">Isn't it just fabulous? We spent our evenings after Cuckoos boys where in bed sat in the trailer, crafting, drinking tea and laughing our heads off!!:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14812242587/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3923/14812242587_f3664649be_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1408712870449.2996" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></font></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">The trailer has all the mod cons - I'm not jealous at all, oh no, not me....</font></p>
<p> <font face="Georgia">We had lunch with Cuckoo's friend C and I swooned at C's beautiful home, here's Cuckoo posing in front of C's gorgeous blue Aga:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14998402382/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5588/14998402382_f2c20a060d.jpg" id="blogsy-1408712870504.8623" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></font></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14812122520/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5554/14812122520_481f837e80.jpg" id="blogsy-1408712870480.1636" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></font></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">Look at C's beautiful pots!! Every corner was crammed with pots and tubs overflowing with lush blooms, the photo doesn't do it justice, they were truly beautiful!!</font></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14998777715/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5594/14998777715_95522fdc81_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1408712870452.4412" class="aligncenter" width="650" height="867" alt=""></font></a></div>
<p><font face="Georgia">C made us a lovely lunch and we sat in the sun drinking white wine spritzer so and watching Cuckoo's children and C's grandchildren playing gleefully in her lovely garden.</font></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">Cuckoo "met" C on Instagram and when they realised they lived in the same village they became firm friends - another example of how fantastic the internet is for bringing people together.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">All too soon my stay was over and I hoped back on the train and made my way home....</span></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">Hugs,</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">S x </font></p>
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<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-71861690029872552942014-07-21T14:29:00.001+01:002014-07-21T14:29:52.876+01:00Let's Go Shopping!!
<p><span style="font-family: Georgia; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.3em;">Come on my lovelies, let's go for a little wander around the shops shall we?</span></p>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Georgia"><br></font></span><p style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Georgia">First of all let's nip into <a href="http://www.joules.com/Home-Garden/Crockery/Joules-Bone-China/Cake-Stand/Crmflrl?id=Q_CAKESTAND%7CCRMFLRL" target="_self" title="" style="text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://www.joules.com" target="_self" title="">Joules</a> - now I love, love, love Joules clothes, but alas, as a girl of the Rubenesque persuasion their sizes do not go big enough for me (I can't help thinking that in this day and age all high street shops should cater for plus sizes, but last a a whole different post).</font></span></p>
<p style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.3em;">So I will eschew the womenswear for the lovely china they have:</span><br></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14666320874" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5583/14666320874_1bcb5af3f2.jpg" id="blogsy-1405949369874.0088" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="367" height="297"></font></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: start; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Georgia"><br></font></span></div>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Georgia">I also need a new pair of wellies before the winter because my old Hunter ones have developed a split. These lovely floral ones will do nicely:</font></span></p>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Georgia"><br></font></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14645645126" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3865/14645645126_635f3d6f14.jpg" id="blogsy-1405949369836.7283" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="349" height="407"></font></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Georgia"><br></font></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Georgia">Let's have a look in one of my favourite shops, <a href="http://www.cathkidston.com/?lng=&ctry=GB" target="_self" title="" style="text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://www.cathkidston.co.uk" target="_self" title="">Cath Kidston</a> shall we? I could get carried away in here!! I love the new clock print as on this iPhone case:</font></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14668665025" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5484/14668665025_ecf069d2f5.jpg" id="blogsy-1405949369850.463" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="339" height="435"></font></a></div>
<p style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Georgia">And we really need some new mugs as unfortunately they don't last very long in this house - in fact I have a set of seven Cath Kidston mugs on my dresser - all glued together (but still pretty!!)</font></span></p>
<p style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Georgia"><br></font></span></p>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Georgia">So I'd like some new ones:<br></font></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font color="#000000" face="Georgia"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14688613723" target="_blank" title="" style="text-decoration: none; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3835/14688613723_bbe0105225.jpg" id="blogsy-1405949369878.3582" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="456"></a><span style="text-align: left;"></span></span></font></div>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Georgia"><a href="http://www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Accessories/Bags-Wallets/AM210-ORA/Womens-Apricot-Soft-Leather-Bowling-Bag.html" target="_self" title="" style="text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://www.boden.co.uk" target="_self" title="">Boden</a> have a gorgeous leather bag I've been lusting after for months:</font></span></p>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Georgia"><br></font></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14481995548" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3913/14481995548_457aa640d2.jpg" id="blogsy-1405949369864.5947" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="307" height="321"></font></a></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Georgia"><br></font></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Georgia">There's a cute sun dress is <a href="http://www.forever21.com/UK/Product/Product.aspx?BR=plus&Category=plus_dresses&ProductID=2000059872&VariantID=" target="_self" title="" style="text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://www.forever21.com/UK/Product/Main.aspx?br=f21" target="_self" title="">Forever21</a> that I have my eye on:</font></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Georgia"><br></font></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14666453204" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/14666453204_89f2a37fe9_z.jpg" id="blogsy-1405949369856.1086" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="342" height="592"></font></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Georgia"><br></font></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Georgia">And then we'll pop into <a href="http://www.toast.co.uk" target="_self" title="" style="text-decoration: none;">Toast</a> and I'll buy a pair of pink Salt Water sandals (I already have a pair in silver and they were super comfy, straight out of the box):</font></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14482089598" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2932/14482089598_1a88ffe37b_z.jpg" id="blogsy-1405949369825.3953" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="525"></font></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Georgia">But then, on the other hand, <a href="http://www.esprit.co.uk/flat-and-heeled-sandals/metallic-leather-sandal-shaped-sole-054EK1W025_693#!ThumbFlat" target="_self" title="" style="text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://www.esprit.co.uk" target="_self" title="">Esprit</a> do have this rather nice pair of pink metallic sandals - decisions, decisions:<br></font></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14645625896" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Georgia"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2925/14645625896_902d726eb7.jpg" id="blogsy-1405949369886.4243" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="351" height="387"></font></a></div>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p>Â </p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-17337858646888788122014-07-07T11:45:00.001+01:002014-07-07T11:45:53.775+01:00Untitled
<p> <font face="Georgia">I have a few photos taken over the past couple of weeks or so to share but bare with me as they are all a bit random and unconnected!!</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">After undertaking the makeover of H's room he needed a bit of art on his walls - keeping up with the English hunting lodge theme I had a look at stag or hare prints but as usual they were rather expensive and so I decided to have a go myself.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">For someone who got a "F " in art I don't think he turned out too bad:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14593179414" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3896/14593179414_d301554930_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1404729810625.6045" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="867"></a></div>
<p><font face="Georgia">The window box Mr G made me is finally in bloom:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14572049986" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2901/14572049986_2615d81e76.jpg" id="blogsy-1404729810592.0269" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="650"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14594425992" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3843/14594425992_062d2ca753.jpg" id="blogsy-1404729810541.1208" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="650"></a></div>
<p><font face="Georgia">Recently we had a fantastic new charity shop open up nearby which just stocks craft materials - they have a lovely selection of fabrics, threads, buttons and other vintage and secondhand lovelies. I got a lovely little haul on one of my visits:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14591787041" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3886/14591787041_041626bee7.jpg" id="blogsy-1404729810630.5112" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="650"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14615153823" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3844/14615153823_14bf9691d6.jpg" id="blogsy-1404729810576.2358" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="650"></a></div>
<p><font face="Georgia">And I also found a gorgeous little china cabinet at the tip for the princely sum of £6:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14408498499" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5536/14408498499_e951703e14.jpg" id="blogsy-1404729810555.1907" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="650"></a></div>
<p><font face="Georgia">In other news, we have a new pony - my friend R has loaned a lovely big cob called Bobby who has come to live with my two:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14594410642" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3903/14594410642_6313aeab03.jpg" id="blogsy-1404729810609.1545" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14594410172" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/14594410172_fd983a1dcb.jpg" id="blogsy-1404729810585.0886" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14408505599" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3917/14408505599_d363ccd405_b.jpg" id="blogsy-1404729810617.7432" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="1157"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <font face="Georgia">Once more I've stuck to the advice on how to found a perfect mount "Ensure they have an arse to match yours"!!</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14591793251" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5536/14591793251_d291e15b6c.jpg" id="blogsy-1404729810594.5894" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">Can't leave out little Jasmin!! </span><br></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><font face="Georgia">Thanks for reading....</font></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><font face="Georgia">S x</font></p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-79810684707370687772014-07-04T20:49:00.001+01:002014-07-04T20:49:44.738+01:00Birthday Boys....
<p style="text-align: justify;"> <font face="Georgia">June sees the birthdays of both our boys so it's always been a somewhat hectic (and expensive!!) month. This year both boys were content to have low key treats and a bit of extra cash instead as they were both after PCs/upgrades.</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14387582249" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3884/14387582249_ca2f85c6e3_z.jpg" id="blogsy-1404503304211.1052" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="578" style="text-align: justify;"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">H turned 16 on the 17th and he had three of his friends round for a sleepover in my cabin (!!!!) - needless to say they all had a strict talking to about keeping the place tidy/not wrecking anything and I'm pleased to say they all behaved impeccably!!:</span><br></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14387571929" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5502/14387571929_bd07b530ff.jpg" id="blogsy-1404503304240.216" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375" style="text-align: justify;"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;"><br></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">Naturally, there was cake:</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;"><br></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14573410812" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5313/14573410812_cd6e9a63ff_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1404503304207.8044" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667" style="text-align: justify;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14387581989" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3838/14387581989_a4cd8ac682_z.jpg" id="blogsy-1404503304182.0444" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="639" style="text-align: justify;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14387560898" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2906/14387560898_1009c61844_z.jpg" id="blogsy-1404503304176.4392" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="474" height="603" style="text-align: justify;"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">Incidentally, H's last day of school was just a few days earlier:</span><br></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14570817521" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5508/14570817521_8087792485.jpg" id="blogsy-1404503304229.2322" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500" style="text-align: justify;"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">First and last day of school....</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">We can't believe H has left school. Personally, it seems like only five minutes since I left school. I still can't believe *I'm* the grown-up!! </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><font face="Georgia">On the 23rd June W was 14 - he wanted a PC and so using the bits cast off due to H's upgrade of his and a fair few new parts, that's what he got. We said he too could have friends over but he settled on just his best friend for dinner. He said he wanted it to be "just us" - he takes after his Grandpa Joe (my Dad) there....</font></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><font face="Georgia">When I asked what kind of cake he wanted I was chuffed when he said "a hedgehog" (though I suspect he was humouring me!!) as that's what I always had when I was little. </font></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><font face="Georgia">However, W's hedgehog did end up looking a bit more like road kill due to a shortage of icing and a hot day making spreading it an arduous task!! Still he tasted nice:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14574199445" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2895/14574199445_971459a513_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1404503304172.3262" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667" style="text-align: justify;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">Coconut grass!!</font></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14573403102" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5532/14573403102_7410915715_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1404503304175.773" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667" style="text-align: justify;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14572456234" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3925/14572456234_e206661725_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1404503304153.0898" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667" style="text-align: justify;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify; clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; text-align: left; line-height: 1.3em;">So both boys are now well into their teenage years. With many of my friends either a bit (or a lot) younger than me and with their children very much little ones I'm beginning to feel a bit left out - even my two oldest school friends still have tinies.</span><br>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify; clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">Still, I think the broodiness is still being kept at bay. I'm enjoying having time to myself and also lots of time with Mr G as a couple.</span><br>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">Although, that's doesn't stop me yearning occasionally for a soft, enthusiastic toddler cuddle....</font></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">Hugs,</font></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">S x</font></div>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Â </p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-81398909925524097192014-06-20T22:31:00.001+01:002014-06-20T22:31:30.944+01:00Harry's Room Make Over!!....
<p> <font face="Georgia">Back in October when we moved my sewing room out of the third bedroom into the newly built cabin the boys tossed a coin to decide who would have the bigger room.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">The deal was that the person who got the much smaller room would get it decorated first and the bigger room would have to wait until after Christmas.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">H got the big room, but it wasn't until last week we finally got around to decorating the room for him.</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14281983280/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3863/14281983280_e90826cc68.jpg" id="blogsy-1403299884106.4893" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></font></a></div>
<p><font face="Georgia">H really didn't care how I decorated (as long as it wasn't Cath Kidston, I rather fancied the CK cowboy) and so I kind of went for a hunting lodge type theme which I thought would go well with the vintage 1930's bed (Freegle) and wardrobe (£10 eBay).<br></font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">As per much of the rest of the house we painted the walls an off white.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">I had ummed and ahhhed about whether to wallpaper the wall behind the bed but when <a href="http://www.wallstickers.co.uk/" target="_self" title="">www.wallstickers.co.uk</a> asked if I would like to review one of their wall decals I decided that would be perfect. </font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">There are some lovely ones on the website and I went for the stags head personalised with our surname. You could choose from numerous colours so as I had the duvet cover with red tartan reverse in mind I went for a deep red.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">After the paint had dried Mr G helped me affix it to the wall, which was much simpler than we thought - I'd previously bought a very cheap quote from eBay and that was really tricky to apply - not so with the Wallstickers decal which was much better behaved!!</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14281980049/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2921/14281980049_1eed314ab2_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1403299884061.1914" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></font></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Rub out any bubbles with a bank card</font></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14467448204/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3846/14467448204_35058d5a7c_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1403299884068.9983" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></font></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Peel off the backing</font></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14282156127/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2930/14282156127_d05f952870_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1403299884084.138" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></font></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14281988670/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5589/14281988670_468401b004_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1403299884052.6638" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></font></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">Adding the personalisation</font></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14281990200/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3866/14281990200_eed113822a.jpg" id="blogsy-1403299884124.4343" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></font></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14468606685/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3896/14468606685_3674ca43c8_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1403299884082.471" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></font></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia"> Ta Dah!!</font></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">H is very pleased with his room, not least because we have for the first time allowed him to have his PC in his room, at 16 it's time to allow him his own space, we thought.</span><font face="Georgia"><br></font></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">I'd thoroughly recommend the Wallstickers, they are a high quality, reasonably priced way to add a bit of wow to a room.</span><br></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">Hugs,</span><br></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><font face="Georgia">S x</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia"><font size="1">This is a sponsored post however all opinions are my own</font> </font></p>
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<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-18139718128973890472014-05-23T14:16:00.001+01:002014-05-23T14:16:52.989+01:00Mr Tumble....
<p> <font face="Georgia">Just over two weeks ago, a little after lunch, I was sat opposite Mr G at the dining table painting one of my signs when he took a phone call. It was the school Matron.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">All I could make out was "fell down the stairs" and "ambulance" and so as you can imagine I freaked a wee bit!! </font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">It transpired that our youngest W had had a friend jump on him at the top of the stairs, they had tumbled down and the friend had landed on W's foot. Matron said that W couldn't weight bear and so did we want her to call an ambulance or would we collect W to take him to A&E?</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">Naturally, off we went to fetch him and soon we were at the local hospital and on our way to X-Ray, all of us saying "it'll just be sprained" as although it was painful for W to put weight on it, other than that it didn't really hurt and had minimal bruising and swelling.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">So both we and and the medical staff were amazed to discover W had broken four out of five metatarsals!!</font></p>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14228073046/" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2902/14228073046_5290cf83a5_z.jpg" id="blogsy-1400851011694.8828" class="alignleft" alt="" width="405" height="477"></a><a href="assets-library://asset/asset.JPG?id=5DAB4546-156A-46E5-AC29-454142574449&ext=JPG" target="_blank" style="text-align: right; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="file:///var/mobile/Applications/10726734-6EA8-4B7D-BA25-90B30572AFB8/Documents/temp/offline_image_2014-05-23%2013:04:29%20+0000.jpg" id="blogsy-1400851011706.2192" class="" alt="" width="406" height="406"></a>
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<p><font face="Georgia"><br></font></p>
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<p><font face="Georgia">Apparently it's quite a spectacular break as usually only one or two bones fracture.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">So, W had to have a plaster:</font></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14064576239/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2935/14064576239_98a31a3ee6_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1400851011725.1558" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div>
<p><font face="Georgia">This one is actually his temporary cast, he now has a proper one in purple!!</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">W had ten days off school while we awaited the appointment for the proper cast and he returned last week. This has been somewhat unsuccessful as despite the school initially saying he could attend all the classes that were on the ground floor they've since changed their minds and are keeping him confined to a corner of huge library on his own due to "health and safety" *rollseyes*.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">This means long periods where he has nothing to do as the teachers have not really been very organised at sorting out work for him, despite me telephoning every day to ask them not to leave him with nothing to do.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">This morning we attended the fracture clinic to check all was still aligned properly - it is, but W is still not allowed to weight bear. I must confess that after half term I am inclined to keep him home and the teachers can send homework so at least he is not isolated with nothing to do for much of the day.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">It's my belief that the main reason they want him in is because it'll skew the attendance figures if he has time off.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">Luckily, W is a laid back and happy boy and throughout all this he has been very brave and chirpy.</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">Although, he's not much impressed that the cast may still be on on his birthday in a months time!!</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">Thanks for reading....</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">Hugs,</font></p>
<p><font face="Georgia">S x</font></p>
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<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-59843258989262183542014-05-21T16:55:00.001+01:002014-05-21T16:55:54.184+01:00Gotta Love Spring....<p><font face="Georgia"> Whooops!! I had a bit of an unplanned blogging break there!! I do apologise!! I now have a backlog of things to write about and so my blog may do the "buses" thing!!</font></p><p><font face="Georgia">Late spring is one of my favourite times of year. The bleak midwinter is over and everything springs forth with life and promise - the weather is warm but not too hot (I don't "do" being hot) and we can get out into the garden and get things done that have been waiting.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/13918661407" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/13918661407_ee4ec79b95.jpg" id="blogsy-1400687754760.3958" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="410"></a></div><p><font face="Georgia">When we lost two of our horses last summer we had them cremated and my Stepdad made these lovely wooden planters. Now the weather has improved we finally got around to planting them up.</font></p><p><font face="Georgia">We added some rocks for drainage, a little soil and then carefully unwrapped each heavy parcel that contained my equine friends - the chalky white ashes were gently tipped in and more soil was added. Then we planted them with roses and bedding plants before adding handpainted signs.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14126153321" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7298/14126153321_b3db005309.jpg" id="blogsy-1400687754817.3142" class="alignleft" alt="" width="392" height="392"></a></div><p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14126493442" target="_blank" style="text-align: right; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2925/14126493442_dc1fa93dce.jpg" id="blogsy-1400687754747.0825" class="" alt="" width="375" height="375"></a></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.3em; font-family: Georgia;"><br></span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.3em; font-family: Georgia;">I must confess it was rather emotional and I shed a little </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">tear. I like to think that by giving the roses nutrients their energy will live on.</span></p><p><font face="Georgia">While we were buying plants we came across a chap in a local village square selling flowering wisteria plants for £15 so we couldn't resist snapping one up.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14125395233" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5338/14125395233_2611fe47fa.jpg" id="blogsy-1400687754819.092" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="539"></a></div><p><font face="Georgia">We have a wisteria growing up the front of the house but unfortunately it didn't flower this year. I think we slipped up by being afraid to cut it back last year and so will have to do that this autumn.</font></p><p><font face="Georgia">We got some bedding plants, strawberries and a beautiful blue hydrangea to go in our mismatched (I love mismatched!!) pots for the decking as well.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/13918719070" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/13918719070_3a52fcdef4.jpg" id="blogsy-1400687754789.8923" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="454"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/13918724830" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7324/13918724830_ce0f80756f_z.jpg" id="blogsy-1400687754750.4397" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="702"></a></div><p> <font face="Georgia">The aquilegia has sprung up all over as it is does:</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14102206282" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5504/14102206282_aaaab5d610_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1400687754769.9807" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="750"></a></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">Even Jasper, one of our two, Tonkinese cats took a moment to enjoy the spring sunshine.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/49967251@N08/14102235462" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2906/14102235462_73c9c722c1.jpg" id="blogsy-1400687754800.9119" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="416"></a></div><p><font face="Georgia">We got a lovely table and chairs for the decking - in candy stripes and so very me!!:</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/14051635860/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2917/14051635860_cdbefe9c65.jpg" id="blogsy-1400687754812.7188" class="aligncenter" width="650" height="487" alt=""></a></div><p><font face="Georgia">The directors style chairs are very comfy and I've already spent several afternoons out on the decking crocheting and watching Netflix.</font></p><p><font face="Georgia">Let's hope we are granted a half decent summer!!</font></p><p><font face="Georgia">Hugs,</font></p><p><font face="Georgia">S x</font></p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-40251661612203434922014-04-18T09:30:00.000+01:002014-04-18T09:30:00.638+01:00Windsor - Mum's Birthday....<p> <font face="Georgia">Last Sunday, as is traditional, we took Mum out for the day to celebrate her birthday. This year we decided on Windsor.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/13892631986/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/13892631986_81d099144c_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1397772036446.192" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="867"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">My Sis, Mum, Mum's Bestie and my niece Little E....</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/13892625852/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/13892625852_9413aee269_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1397772036475.9514" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="867"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We arrived late morning and the first order of business was a little bit of shopping....</span><font face="Georgia"><br></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/13892627482/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2940/13892627482_6b49b32259_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1397772036479.0361" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="867"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">Windsor is so very British, very steeped in history....</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/13892629012/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2900/13892629012_50cb6763a2.jpg" id="blogsy-1397772036398.8977" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;"><br></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/13916173624/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5170/13916173624_1abc4f8871_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1397772036436.772" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="867"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">We posed for the traditional photos....</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/13892631562/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3709/13892631562_4c1ed10f3b.jpg" id="blogsy-1397772036447.276" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/13915750305/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7039/13915750305_b2f7879922.jpg" id="blogsy-1397772036443.026" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="Georgia">And then it was time for afternoon tea....</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/13915811853/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7353/13915811853_6e1f839c81.jpg" id="blogsy-1397772036442.6313" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="218"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/13916179234/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3757/13916179234_c8a80dca2d_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1397772036466.6667" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">This years trip was a wee bit poignant as last years day out had to be cancelled as Mum was recovering from a triple heart bypass following her heart attack - she was only up to a quiet meal out. </font></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">So this year we were thankful in more ways than one to have our lovely Mum....</font></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">Hugs,</font></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">S x</font></div><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151424759044988489.post-64327956151904084182014-04-10T15:50:00.001+01:002014-04-10T15:50:05.825+01:00Building Raised Decking - A Ta Dah!!<p><font face="Georgia">Since we had the conservatory along the back of the house we have been without a patio and really missed sitting out in the summer to eat. After the cabin was built decided decking was the way forward as the space in front of it was perfect:<br></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/13760580474/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7107/13760580474_a068e9ae1c.jpg" id="blogsy-1397141404534.2922" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></font></a></div><p><font face="Georgia">Aside from building the cabin last autumn we had not done much building/carpentry and first of all decided to get someone in to do the decking for us but after a review of the budget decided that was not going to be possible - we would have to Do It Ourselves.</font></p><p><font face="Georgia">I did a bit of Googling and watched a couple of videos on YouTube and set about </font><span style="line-height: 1.3em; font-family: Georgia;">designing the frame, making calculations and then spent just over £500 on materials.</span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.3em; font-family: Georgia;">I found a place that did long lengths of decking as well as the beams to support it and so ordered them exactly the size we wanted to ensure minimum cutting was needed. We did hire a circular saw for 48hrs (£22) to do the cuts for the bearers which were placed between the joists to add strength.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">Mr G has had this week off work and he and W (at the rate of £1 per hour for his labour!!) have been hard at it the last two and half days:</span><br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/13760584084/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2849/13760584084_8be14c729c.jpg" id="blogsy-1397141404577.969" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div><p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><font face="Georgia">Of course I "project managed" with a bit of stitching to keep me occupied between "instructions":</font></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/13760589724/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="Georgia"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3797/13760589724_d320ff4526.jpg" id="blogsy-1397141404590.5586" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left; clear: both;"><font face="Georgia">After the first day the frame had taken shape and the supporting posts were concreted in - that was a lot easier than it sounds as we used Postmix - you dig your hole (a minimum 30cms deep for raised decking), fill it 1/3 with water, set in your post and then scoop in the Postmix powder until no water remains. It "goes off" in ten minutes so the post is going nowhere:</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/13760235773/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7319/13760235773_aca9253c70_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1397141404532.8499" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p><font face="Georgia">Yesterday, the decking itself was laid - we decided we didn't want railings for a couple of reasons, firstly (and a bit embarrassingly) we didn't realise quite how high it was going to be!! The garden slopes both back to front and side to side and so that left corner is pretty tall. Secondly, I thought railings would make the whole thing look closed in and detract from the cabin and thirdly, railings are expensive and so they would have doubled the cost:</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/13760239683/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7414/13760239683_5f07375bc8.jpg" id="blogsy-1397141404530.0745" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="650" height="487"></a></div><p><font face="Georgia">And today, we finished off by boarding the front and making some steps - </font><span style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 1.3em;">the deck is a fraction smaller than the cabin itself 4.8m x 3m:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tc-lover/13760600244/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7367/13760600244_214136fe6b.jpg" id="blogsy-1397141404506.6013" class="aligncenter" width="650" height="487" alt=""></a></div><p><font face="Georgia">Doesn't it look fab? To the right of the cabin we are awaiting a new fence and a gate so the dogs can't get behind the cabin as the fence belonging to the house that backs onto us is not secure and in front of that (where you can see the railway sleepers) we will fill with bark chippings.</font></p><p><font face="Georgia">We need to reseed the grass where it's got compacted with all the to'ing and fro'ing and I intend to put a standard rose in each of the planters (built for me by my lovely StepDad) along with the ashes of my two ponies lost last year.</font></p><p><font face="Georgia">So if you think you can't manage to build a deck of your own I'd urge you to think again, with just a couple of days (enjoyable) work and a small budget look at the lovely finish Mr G has achieved - (and at this point I will confess his nickname is "Bodge It Bennett" and so if he can do it anyone can, lol!!) </font></p><p><font face="Georgia">One last thing (before I shop for a table and chairs of course) I'd like to paint all the fences a paleish, sage green - Mr G currently DIY'ed out and refuses but I reckon I'll get my own way before long....</font></p><p><font face="Georgia">Many thanks for reading....</font></p><p><font face="Georgia">Hugs,</font></p><p><font face="Georgia">S x</font></p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11959932194973002007noreply@blogger.com5