I think it may be on its way!

 Spring that is.... After what seems like weeks and weeks of rain (for some much worse than here), and living in almost permanent night, we have finally had a couple of days of sunshine.
My how that lifts the spirit and actually makes you want to do things.
We have even managed a lovely walk through Clumber Park, though it was so cold I put up with carrying a flask of soup to warm us up mid trek! Oh the joy of holding a hot mug in your chilled hands and letting the spicy parsnip soup warm your insides. It felt like a banquet and certainly put a bit more spring in our steps on the homeward straight.

 This little fella seemed quite happy for us to join him

 And yet another beautiful boy  singing his little heart out....

We have visited Springfield Gardens too on our way home from a toy fair. We were hoping to see swathes of snowdrops and crocus, but even here the rain has soaked the ground so much that being surrounded by waterways most of the gardens were closed to the public for safety reasons. Still we did see some signs of Spring and the promise of things to come.......

 Not sure what these  berries are on but I'm sure there's someone out there can tell me.. I know I've seen them before but my brains gone blank!  They are such a stunning orange though so I couldn't resist the picture.......

It's also made me start thinking of what we need to do to the house this year. Unfortunately the main things are all a bit more than just decorating! New patio doors, re plastering the hall and stairway (a beast of a space) and the possibility of a new bathroom. I am even tempted by some lovely pictures on Pinterest and in some of my collection of home design books to paint the risers on our stripped stairs. Love the look of those that have dared to wallpaper them, but not sure that would quite work here. Perhaps I will first just give the kitchen a fresh lick of paint and break myself in slowly! Though if  I am completely truthful my job will be the clearing and washing of all my collectibles and DH will do most of the paintbrush wielding. Whatever you have planned I hope these little bursts of sunshine will lift your spirits too and become  more regular so that our beautiful country can finally start to dry out.

Just as a little aside I once did a post on utility china, and I know a lot of you in blogland are collectors like me. Well if you or you know of anyone interested we now have quite a few bits up for sale in our new Vintage Emporium, and you never know something else may take your fancy too! Just pop a comment 'Reserved' against anything you're interested in and we'll get back to you.

Have a good weekend 

TTFN

Jenny xx

AND THE WINNER IS....................

Thank you to everyone who joined in our little giveaway and apologies for the delay in posting the result. (Due to sudden return to temporary employment, poorly grandchildren and a broken washing machine), no excuse at all really then!

And so at last the winner picked out by our vintage random generator (me) is.........

TILLY ROSE

Congratulations.( Sorry about the awful photo) Your parcel will be on its way in the next few days. We hope you will enjoy its contents and pop back  now and again to Olive and Edna's Vintage Emporium to see what other goodies we are adding.

Thank you again everyone for your encouragement and support.

Jenny and Heidi

xx

SO WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON......

I sometimes find it a bit hard to get back into my crafty ways after holidays and particularly Christmas. I think we all set ourselves so many tasks that we get a bit overloaded with it. At least I do.
I love making all the decorations, table settings and the odd gift, baking the cake, making mincemeat and mince pies but when you add that to customer orders and family requests, I sigh a little with relief when the big day comes thinking that now I can decide what I want to do, and when!
And so now that things have calmed down a bit and I have decided to take a break from my sewing business, I have been able to pick and choose how I spend my 'spare' time.
I have kept my hand in by making these, for family members and really enjoyed doing them without any pressure.

I have also been busy making this little knitting bag for our giveaway,

 and Ive also made a  knitting needle roll for this lovely lady  Jan from Lemonade Kitty  who wrote out a graph pattern for a knitted cushion I admired on her blog. So very kind of you Jan! Hopefully it will get done before next Christmas and I will be able to show you how beautiful it is!
I have done quite a bit of baking  and trying new soup recipes. Though why when I think of all the food consumed over Christmas I don't know except that in this dismal weather I think we all need a bit of comfort food!

And I have finally got back into knitting. I used to do loads when my children were small, but as they got bigger my enthusiasm waned and sewing rather took over (much quicker for me). I also found that unless I could afford to pay an awful lot out for wool the results never quite matched the effort.
That was until I discovered Phildar!  I know, I know I should support British and I do try but for me I have personally never found any patterns as stylish or yarn as delightful to knit! (Please don't all clamour to beat me up)

Phildar withdrew from selling here some long time ago but  from a chance read on Jorths blog I discovered that they were still in operation and that I could order the magazines and yarn direct from France. Of course I am not only revising my knitting skills here but also brushing up on my not very good schoolgirl French as all the patterns are in this language, so perhaps I get browny points for that!!
I am pleased to report though that I have already completed the back of a new jumper for my grandson, and am beavering away at the front now.

 I am really enjoying it and cant wait to make some of the others in the 3 magazines I have so far purchased. They were all on special offer and the yarn very reasonable.
So that's me for now. I would love to know what you are up to and if you have a favourite reasonably priced yarn you would recommend for ease of knitting and  practicality. Little ones' (and sometimes big ones') knitwear does need to withstand an awful lot of washing, so I'd be interested in your thoughts.

Have a great week. Don't forget our giveaway and if you know someone who likes knitting and a bit of vintage don't forget to tell them too, its free!
 Hope to hear from you soon

TTFN

Jenny xx