...Steph from Curlew Country, picked via an online random number generator as Grace is far to busy upstairs to come down and help! Thank you all for your lovely comments and birthday wishes. I have added a Christmas section to my website which will be updated again in the next day or two.
Well, I had a fabulous birthday. We went to Malvern to what we thought was a Flea market (according to the website), only to find it was a proper Antiques and Collectibles fair. The girls got a bit bored wandering round and I had promised them a couple of quid each to spend before we got there thinking there would be bargains aplenty. Unfortunately the £150 bear that Ruth spotted wasn't in my budget (or hers) and so we left empty handed. It was very interesting to look round, but I was after some bargains, so we headed home via the local car boot fair, and there I found bargains left, right and centre!
This for £1. It matches a toast rack that I have had for ages.
A perfect set of 6 for 50p. I almost wanted to tell the lady selling it to up the price!
A set of 4, also from the same lady for 50p!
This bed came with the most revolting bedding so I am going to make a new set when I get a few moments. The dahlias also came from the car boot fair, and I also bought a sleeve-board for £1 for my ironing board. I have been after one for ages to do all the fiddly bits for my sewing.
We then popped home for a quick bite of lunch before heading off to the hills with Bodie, and had a beautiful walk in the sunshine whilst playing the Alphabet game (A is for...etc). Quick change at home and a few family phone calls, then off to Zizzi's for tea. It is in an old church, and is amazing inside. The girls were spell bound and really loved it (as did Andy and I). More family phone calls in the evening and a nice bottle of red. All in all a perfect day.
I have been very lucky - Andy got me a Cath Kidston make up bag and PJs, plus the promise of a hair cut when I book the appointment. I go to the hairdressers about once a year as I have really long straight blonde hair, and they usually take off a couple of inches, do the fringe and then that keeps me going for months and months. I never want to spend the money on the hairdressers, so Andy decided to treat me (not sure if he was trying to tell me it was about time in a subtle way, or just thinking about the pampering side of it). I was given lots of money by my family to spend on myself (which will be hell!), plus Sarah Raven's diary, a pretty scarf and the promise of the Tilda Hus book, which hadn't made it to the bookshop in time. My sis got me a gorgeous blue and white top/dress from Monsoon along with some pretty knickers. I also had a gorgeous rose bush, champagne and chocs delivered on Saturday from my Aunt in Seattle - she knows me well...my 3 most fave things!
Not only have I had heaps of fabby presents, I also received these in the post. The first picture is my winnings from Sarah at Paper & String. The felt comes in such beautiful colours, and her cakes and pictures are so well made and pretty. Thank you Sarah, I will be ordering heaps more felt asap! The second photo is some fabric I ordered...the blue one looks suspiciously like a Cath Kidston one from a few years ago. I was really shocked to discover that designers basically take an old print and update it slightly. I saw her 'bird' fabric compared to an old version from the 40s on another blog (which I cannot remember the name of), and it was virtually identical. Methinks maybe I could be a fabric designer too!!
I have also been very busy on the website front, and may have some exciting news to share with you in the next day or two...watch this space!
I am off to make another cuppa and swap the washing over. I am feeling a little redundant as the girls just want to play together upstairs, only surfacing for trips to the loo or food! Still, the peace and quiet is lovely, and I am getting on with some more sewing! Hope you are all ok and enjoying half term (if it applies to you!).
Cathy XX
PS I am sooooo glad I discovered Bloglines...I don't know how I coped without it!