Blogging is Torture!

Through the wonderful world of Blog I have seen many a pretty item that I want but cannot have! Those lovely Primark bags but when I travelled a considerable distance to my (not very) nearest store, alas there were none.

And now the gorgeous Rosali in Ikea which I would love for my bed but I do not live near any Blue and Yellow stores! Could I, should I make a long trip for something when I may again come home empty handed?

We shall see!

Happy Snapper!

Today I am a very happy girl indeed. When the postie arrives at my door holding a parcel he is a most welcome visitor but especially when it is an unexpected delivery. I was ready to make an accusing call to Mr. Pink at work for ordering things without consulting me (although I am the one guilty if this!) when I read the message on the delivery note. It was an incredibly generous gift from a family member completely out of the blue.

One of these.....

I do enjoy photography and have been coveting a DSLR for some time but there has always been something more sensible (boring) to spend our money on. Now I can surround myself with photography books, magazines and websites while I try to figure out what ISOs, Apertures and White balances are! I am already making notes of the lenses and accessories I will be saving for!

Obviously I had to try it out so got snapping with some of the goodies I bought in this shop. Some pretty fabrics.

And some lovely ribbon.

During the couple of hours I get to myself whilst Miss. P is at pre-school I often enjoy a child free stroll around the charity shops. It is lovely to be able to rummage without trying to stop a two year old from rummaging too! Yesterday I found these trousers made from Ikea CK Rosali. Unfortunately they are a bit faded but I think will look ok if used for smaller projects and I was pleased anyway as I'm always hoping to find some Rosali.

I need to be more picky!

I bought this from a local seller on ebay with the intention of painting it and putting on the wall in my bedroom. This was last August and I'm ashamed to say that up until this afternoon it was still sitting by the back door completely unchanged. Actually, it had gained a layer of dust and some cobwebs!

The trouble was it wasn't exactly what I was looking for but I bought it anyway. I didn't have the motivation to do the makeover as I wasn't really in love with it. From now on I will only buy something if I really want it, promise!

Anyway, I've now almost finished the makeover so here's what it looked like before......

...and this is what it looks like now.

There are still some areas that need touching up with a bit of paint but apart from that I'm quite pleased with how it looks now. It's painted in a colour called 'Sketchbook' by Crown which is a really pale grey/off white.

The glass shelves I covered with some pretty ck-like serviettes.

I painted it with a mini roller so when it came to the more intricate leaf design the roller didn't get into all the nooks and crannies but I actually quite like it like this so I might leave it.

Unfortunately now I have completely gone off the idea of a shelf unit in the bedroom so I'll be sticking it back on ebay! So there ends the seven month story of why I must be more choosy with the purchases I make! Lesson learnt!

Pretty and Cute Overload!

I'm back from my trip to Wales visiting family. Had lovely weather, better than I have ever seen that side of the border! I also managed to squeeze in a trip to the lovely shop that Mary Poppins previously mentioned. It was so full of prettiness I wanted to stay there all day.

I took some piccies but be warned, there are quite a few!

There were some lovely handmade bits in there but my budget was tight so I couldn't buy anywhere near as much as I wanted!

I must admit I planned to spend more of my hard earned pounds in the fabric shop next door.

My parents were with me and I really felt guilty as I took forever choosing which ones to take home!

On Mothers Day we went to visit some gorgeous little lambs and a couple were so new they were still very shaky on their legs. It was very difficult to resist smuggling one home on the train!

ETA - I forgot to say the two shops are called Copperfield and are on the Four Mile Bridge Road in Valley, Anglesey. Worth a visit if you are in the area.

Tea Towels and Travel

I must admit I am not a big fan of Emma Bridgewater but when I see a brand new tea towel in a CS window for £1 I can't pass it by, can I?! It did happen to be the one EB print I like (especially the little dolly tea set) so it came home and will hopefully one day become an apron for Miss. P.

Tea towel number two is one I appliqued with our handprints for MILs birthday today.

Finally, after too long, I have organised my fabric stash so it looks all pretty now and I can see what I have without emptying the whole basket out. Unfortunately I have no space for anymore so looks like I may have to buy another basket! There is no way I can vow to buy no more fabric!

There is a new light in my bathroom that I found on ebay. Much better than the bare bulb we have had for way too long.

I won the Molly Cupcakes giveaway and received this lovely little goody package. I especially love the hook that will be going in the kitchen to hang my apron on.

Tomorrow we are travelling to Anglesey to see my parents and I'm hoping to get the opportunity to visit this shop that Mary Poppins mentioned recently. I am leaving space in my suitcase just in case!

This must be spring?!

This has been the view outside my window for the last few days. Not a cloud in sight and warm enough to be outside without having to break into excessive physical activity to keep from freezing solid! My washing would have preferred a little more breeze but I'm not complaining. I have a feeling it wont last but it has been enough for me to add a peg bag to my 'to make' list!

I have mentioned I'm a big fan of my local library service and they have provided once again! I loved the series 'Mums Know Best' shown on tv recently so when I heard there would be a book to accompany the programme I went straight onto the website to reserve a copy. Surprisingly I was high up in the queue and I now have it all to myself (for about three weeks)!

It fits in nicely with some of the others that live here. Who knows, maybe it will impress me and gain permanent residence. Obviously I'd buy another and not steal the library copy!

Apart from the cook books, I also enjoy a good novel too (see my reading list down the side) and thought it was time I saw something pretty and handmade every time I pick up where I left off. I have wanted to make a bookmark for a while but needed pinking shears for the one I had in mind.

Once I finally plucked up the courage to spend an outrageous amount of money on what is essentially a fancy pair of scissors, I pulled out my scraps and made this for myself.  

Of course the expensive fancy scissors were worth every penny (which was not actually that much dear Mr. P if you are reading this)!

Just out of curiosity dear readers, do you use your bookmarks ribbon/tassel end up or down? Mine is always down but I have often wondered which is correct! My mind is regularly filled with questions of such vital importance! 

Anyway, I will have to make a couple more as I do often have more than one book in action at a time. I may just have to get some more CK samples!

And finally, anyone for chocolate brownies?!