TIME WAITS FOR NO MAN....

Hello again....

Can it really be over two weeks since I wrote my blog.....the title says it all. I haven't been inundated with orders, I haven't been away, but I really do not know where the time has gone.

I have been busy sewing and setting up an Etsy shop, and have had a couple of trips out so thought I would share some rather random photos with you today.

First....a few weeks ago, before this little spell of sunshine we have been having we were at a bit of a loss what to do  and decided to have a trip to Kings Lynn. Some of you who have read my blog before, will know that I have been doing (and still am) our family tree, and one of DH's Aunts came from here and used to run a newsagents shop in the High St.
It has been years since we have really explored the town and we were quite impressed.....

Some of the old buildings are really beautiful...

The docks area has been redeveloped and now includes an information office with a coffee shop and a charity shop all in the one building. It has this wonderful sculpture outside which I think is just perfect here....

There is a very decent shopping centre and we even found the newsagents, it is still standing but currently empty...

It was a good trip and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves...though it was freezing, so we intend to return when the weather is a bit warmer!

My sewing has been concentrated on making things for my 'shops'. Not had any success with Folksy yet, so thought I would branch out and try Etsy. I have sold loads of my slippers through another shop on Notonthe highstreet previously, but they are too labour intensive to sell as trade and I am too mean to pay their fees to sign up myself. But we'll see how it goes!

Here are a couple of the new items I am adding...

 

....and finally as I am sure you must be itching for a cuppa by now, a peek at a work in progress....

..this is the ribbon embroidery to go on the front of some Mary Janes for Christenings or for Bridesmaids. This is my first attempt and I am quite pleased with it. The embroidery is on Dupion silk and I really like the texture of it.

Let me know what you think....

Well off to play with my grandson now, hope the weather stays dry as we're going to feed the ducks in the park.

TTFN

Jenny xx

OFF WE GO AGAIN...HOORAY!!

Morning everyone, and what a stunning morning it is here.
Although we had a hard frost last night, this morning the sun is glorious. It really makes you feel so much better.
Mind you we cant really complain about this weekend at all. I was actually sat in a lovely garden drinking a glass of wine yesterday afternoon, so perhaps things will start to warm up a little now...though I'm not holding my breath.
This weekend has been very quiet for us just pottering about at home and so I thought I would share one of our first real outings of  2011 with you.

Last weekend we drove here

 Hardwick Hall..one of the most significant Elizabethan country houses still in existence. Designed by Robert Smythson in the 16th century for 'Bess of Hardwick', Countess of Shrewsbury and ancestress of the Dukes of Devonshire. The house remained in the same family until it was handed over to H M Treasury in 1956 in lieu of estate duties. The Treasury passed the property to The National Trust in 1959.
The house was a real statement for a woman whose wealth was second only to Queen Elizabeth I herself, and in a time when glass was a luxury led to the saying 'Hardwick Hall more glass than wall.'

 It is a stunning if rather dark house to visit with many exquisite fireplaces and amazing tapestries..

Despite the gloomy light (due not only to the dark walls and furnishings, but necessary to protect its treasures from sunlight) it's not hard to imagine the richness of the original fabrics. You are allowed to take photographs without flash, (so apologies for the poor quality of some of mine), but I think you can still get a flavour of this incredible place.

...just imagine the hours of sewing to produce drapes like these......

This bed is in the 'Mary Queen of Scots' room...unfortunately she was beheaded before the Hall was built.....!

The state dining room....

Outside there are beautiful formal gardens, a kitchen garden and lovely promenades....

and the whole place is surrounded by breathtaking parkland, which we didn't have time to explore and will mean another visit later in the summer......

That will definitely be a perfect time to bring a picnic and my walking boots! Situated in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside not far from Chesterfield it is a place well worth a visit....

Well this has been a bit of a marathon post but I do hope you have enjoyed the tour, and I'm glad to say that now that our beautiful country appears to be opening again there will be many more trips like this to share.

Have a wonderful week, I am off now to finish those new cushions....

TTFN

Jenny xx

THANK YOU POSTIE....AND MY GIVEAWAY WINNERS........

Evening all.....
ooh sound like Dixon of Dock Green there....Ok there will be some of you who will remember him! (surely!!!!)

Two lovely things to blog about this evening , and apologies for being a bit late with the first...

Mr or at least at the moment Mrs Postie brought me two super parcels last week.....

The first was a surprise win from Alix at used-to-bees. 
I have admired her travel journals and other beautiful pieces on Folksy here
and I couldn't believe my luck when this landed through my letterbox

Beautifully wrapped.....

A brilliant covered notebook...and in a Union Jack fabric...how perfect is that for me!! Appliqued with copies of old travel posters....

and a great selection of other posters and signs printed onto fabric and backed with bondaweb for me to have a go myself....I am thrilled.  

Thank you so much Alix, the only thing is I forgot to keep the envelope with your address...if you don't mind would you email it to me!  I can't wait to use the appliques, I have a cushion in mind already, so will show you the result in due course.

My second parcel was from Lynn at Sea Angels
I bought some stunning rose fabric from her and it arrived like this.....

How pretty is that.......and the cute little cup cake is made of decorated wood, I am tempted to add a pin and use it as a brooch!

Can't wait to use this, destined for some new cushions I think....... although its pretty enough to be a summer skirt....a la cabbages and roses..........ummmm.........  Thank you Lynn an absolute bargain!

And Finally......drum roll please.......................................

THE FLYAWAY GIVEAWAY WINNER

No.35

Random numbers generated Mar 7 2011 at 20:21:55 by www.psychicscience.org 
Free educational resources for parapsychology, psychical research & mind magic.

and No. 35 is.........  AMY from Blighty Boutique

and as I had so many lovely bloggers leave me a message, I have also picked a runner up...

No.37

Random numbers generated Mar 7 2011 at 20:23:57 by www.psychicscience.org 
Free educational resources for parapsychology, psychical research & mind magic.

No. 37 is.........BuTtOnZ from stuff-n-bits

Congratulations both of you,

Please let me have your addresses, my email is on my profile, and your feathered friends will be on their way.
I only wish I could send everyone a little something,....but  you all get my hugs for making blogging so much fun.

Off to start packing those parcels...

TTFN
Jenny xx

AREN'T BIRTHDAYS FAB WHEN YOU'RE 4

Hi blogger buddies
Hope you are all keeping well.
This last week or two has been a bit hectic at Winnibriggs Towers. Finally finished the bits for my giveaway, made my grandson a Fireman Sam outfit to wear to nursery to raise funds for a local hospice charity and celebrated his 4th birthday....

He makes a great fireman!.... coat reconstructed from charity shop mac and trousers made from waterproof kite fabric........

His birthday was actually on Monday, but as this was a nursery day, he started celebrating (and opening presents....soooo many!) on Sunday.
He had a lovely day out at Twin Lakes, with some little friends and then a birthday tea at home with the family.
His very talented mum from Giddy Kipper, (no apologies for the shameless plug there!) made him a fabulous birthday cake and it went perfectly with his table setting......

I think I can safely say he had a great time....well done mum!......
I'll be back tomorrow to show some lovely things the postie has bought, but for now..

TTFN

Jenny xx