WINNIBRIGGS HOUSE

TIPTOE THROUGH THE SNOWDROPS......

2012-02-13T22:44:00.003Z

OK so I know its supposed to be tulips, but I'm a little early for that!..
We found our snowdrop walk here....

Do you remember Doddington Hall , we first found it last year, although we live very near we had never visited before.... It looks a bit different in the snow...very striking ,very beautiful...

and an amazing amount of colour for the time of year....

and the snowdrops...bless 'em tried their best to stand proud against the snow!

Since we last visited a home decor store has been built alongside the farm shop and restaurant, which incidentally are separate from the actual hall and gardens. Which means of course that you can visit these without having to actually pay the entrance to the hall. The Farm shop is brilliant with a really good selection of local produce, preserves and cakes and the restaurant is excellent, both the quality of the food and the atmosphere.

I didn't succumb to any of the goodies though except these....

early Seville Oranges

and so tomorrow I have a little job to do...not that I have been a slouch lately.......

Just a few of the latest girls wedding /party shoes that I have added to my on line shop. I have really enjoyed doing them and am now starting on some new cushions and needle cases with an Alice in Wonderland theme and some Union Jack goodies...Well you have to take advantage of 2012 don't you, we wont get many better opportunities to wave our flag!

Hope you all have an enjoyable week (especially those on half term break).

TTFN

Jenny xx

CITY OF DREAMING SPIRES....AND COTSWOLD STONE..

2012-02-05T21:53:00.001Z

Just before I tell you about our first travels of 2012 I want to express mine and my family's heartfelt thanks to every one who has contacted me here, via twitter and direct with their well wishes for my sister. She is making steady progress and though its going to be a long battle I know her positive attitude will help her and we are all praying for her. Thank you so much, your thoughts and prayers are really appreciated.

Our first outing of the year was a super long weekend away in Wiltshire. We were based in a spa hotel just outside Swindon, very nice I must say, with a view to visiting some of the beautiful surrounding villages and of course Oxford.

Well now as Matthew Arnold dubbed it, Oxford really is the city of dreaming spires, but I have to admit not quite as I had imagined it. Being a big fan of Morse and more recently Lewis, I somehow expected everything to be clustered together in the city not spread out so far. I still found it a beautiful place, the architecture is stunning, but not at all as I had pictured it....

I was rather relieved there was a tour bus or I don't think our ageing legs would have shown us all the delights there were to see..

Apparently Hitler was going to use Oxford as his capitol if he invaded which is why it was not bombed. There are few things to be thankful to him for, but I suppose this is one!

Of course I couldn't visit Oxford without paying homage to 'Alice'. I am still fascinated by the books but am not too sure about the 2010 Tim Burton film. Bit too weird for my liking..perhaps I am too traditional. However as a sewer I have to say the costumes were superb.

Some of the prettiest places were hidden away.....

and this really sums up the city for me....and of course now I know why they need them..........

On our final day before heading home we stopped off at Lacock the National Trust village. So very beautiful. It was bitterly cold and a bit misty, but still a delight to see. There was the Abbey, a pub, several shops and a super Antique shop where I could have spent a fortune, but I did resist on this occasion as I had already acquired some vintage fabric and a couple of pieces of Rosedawn pottery!.....

The village is now run in its entirety by the National Trust and has been used for several film and television series amongst which are the 1995 BBC production of Pride and Prejudice and the 2007 BBC production of Cranford. It was also featured briefly in a couple of the Harry Potter films.

We had a wonderful weekend and look forward to some more during the year. Of course we wont be going far if this snow hangs about for too long.
Hope you are all snuggling down and keeping warm, I'm just off to fill my water bottle and make some hot chocolate...with a little nip of something to keep the cold out.

TTFN

Jenny xx

CELEBRATION....and sadness

2012-01-18T09:19:00.001Z

Well this has certainly not been the start to 2012 that I envisaged........

First a really big CONGRATULATIONS to our DD Heidi and her partner Steve (both in life and business) for picking up the Wedding Ideas Magazines award for the best 'Special Touches' on Friday night at their annual award ceremony. GiddyKipper was nominated last year and could not believe their luck when this time they won. I was able to watch on the live feed and it was brilliant.

Thank you to any of you that voted for them, I admit to blatantly promoting them at any opportunity, but I think the award shows that they have won on good customer service and brilliant products.

On a slightly less happy note, my posts may not be as regular as I had intended for the next few weeks as my beautiful older sister is very poorly in hospital. The awful 'C' word among other things and today she is having a big operation, so I have everything crossed for her and her husband Ted, who is an absolute brick and visits her every day, by bus, an hour and a half journey each way and has not complained at all. Sylvia has been in hospital a week now and will be there for some time, so my visits here may be a bit erratic. I will read any comments and thank you for them, but forgive me if I perhaps dont get to reply to you all.

Have a good week yourselves, I will try to keep popping by and reading your news. It does cheer me up.

TTFN

Jenny xx

A quick PS. Thank you for all the lovely comments, I am always amazed at the kindness of strangers here in blogland.
I am also very relieved to report that the operation has gone well, a first good step in a long journey.

I DID NOT FALL OFF THE EDGE OF THE PLANET.........

2012-01-09T22:44:00.000Z

Well what a few weeks that has been!!
Nothing awful thankfully for us just lots of helping out with grandchildren, slipping in Christmas preparations in any spare few minutes culminating in a wonderful holiday filled with visits, beautiful gifts and all round Christmas spirit(even a little of the liquid kind).
I do hope you were all able to enjoy the season, although I know from reading a few blogs that some have been far less fortunate than us and I am thankful for our health and happiness and wish you all the same in this New Year!
So a bit of a round up of our activity since I last wrote a post.......

.......Our eldest grandson was in his first Nativity, O what a pleasure to be able to watch him. He was so thrilled with it all and the children did really well. They performed in our local Parish Church, the wonderful St Wulframs which is huge. Not a dry eye in the house!
We were fortunate to have both our wonderful boys to stay for a couple of nights too as our DD and partner slogged away at their business often until 4 in the morning to ensure their customers were not disappointed. They do not complain of course. In this time of great uncertainty they are more than grateful for their continued success, but with a business and a young family there are always compromises to make as I am sure so many of you know too well! We are the lucky ones who therefore get the chance to see more of them than so many grandparents......

I was involved in a couple of swaps, one run by Tiffany The Curiosity Project and I received some wonderful cookery bits and pieces and a book all about the larder (lots of super tips and recipes for storing food) from Karrie to whom I sent a cookie tin holding a few Autumn inspired bits including these

and the other the Christmas Ornament swap hosted by DolceVita . I was paired up with Dannyelle from www.lifeisaparty.ca and received the sweetest mini bunting and vintage bauble.

I sent a mercury glass ornament and one of my gingerbread men.

I also managed to finish a sweater for my oldest grandson, (though still have to get one done for little one), make my own Christmas cake, mincemeat and Nigellas Chilli Jam...oooooooh..scrummy you must try it, but failed abysmally to keep up with you lovely friends, (and I didn't even have to make many slippers this year).
Still I hope that I will now be back rabbiting at you as usual, and if I get round to it am planning a blog shop. I am disillusioned with one of my on line shops since they decided to revamp and overhaul everything and although I do like change and technology there are times when I think things can be overdone and when you start to alienate your customers, which we shop owners are in this case, it could be you need to take a step back and review your actions. I am not the first to decide to pack up shop and I think there will be others following!
Anyway that's enough of that back to happier things.

We spent Christmas day at ours son and DILs, only the 2nd time in 44 years we have not been at home and it was super. We were well looked after and it was a really lovely change.
We visited our DD and family in their new home later in the week and were again royally entertained, not least by our grandsons with their new toys!
We had some fabulous gifts, all of them loved and appreciated,but one very special treat..tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show in May with first class travel as well......thank you Heidi Steve and the boys we are thrilled to bits!!

Well although I am a bit late I wish you all

A HAPPY NEW YEAR

filled with good health and happiness

and finally I just want to say how much I have loved this past year talking to so many different people from all around the globe, wondering at their kindness and generosity, learning new crafts, following some excellent tutorials, having a good old moan and sharing a few jokes and crazy moments and finding in all of this that it really is the little things in life that bring so much happiness.

Thank you for being one of those precious 'little things'

TTFN

Jenny xx

ON A MISTY MOISTY MORNING.........

2011-11-21T10:21:00.001Z

Well it certainly seems that our Indian summer is over.... Yesterday we went for a walk by the River Trent at Gunthorpe and though it was quite foggy it was almost magical...

Looks freezing doesn't it....but that was foam from the weir, not snow...though it was barely 4 degrees!!

We tried to stay clear of the fairy rings....didn't fancy being whisked away looking such a fright!...walking jacket, boots, fleece hat....and dripping hair!....

And just look at this tree...how on earth did that happen......

We really enjoyed our walk though and finished off the day with a visit to one of our favourite garden centres where Christmas has already arrived (reindeer - stuffed, skating rink and decorations from the bizarre to the downright tacky!!) and then a warm meal and home...

But it has got me thinking about my 'Christmas Theme' this year.....DO YOU THEME??...

I am rather taken with all these antique style decorations that resemble old mirrors where the silvering is flaking off, glass and white and white painted twigs....a veritable winter wonderland.....Whats your favourite thing this year.......

TTFN

Jenny xx

TYING UP SOME LOOSE ENDS.........literally

2011-11-07T21:16:00.001Z

Hello lovely people

I do find it most heartening to read on the blogs of very talented people, who I consider to be very organised and methodical that even they have projects discarded for something new lurking in the bottom of their knitting basket or sewing pile.
I personally have to admit to flitting from one current 'love' to another with no shame at all!!
That jumper I have been knitting to wear when I go walking is still in my knitting basket 11 months later....., I have found baby hats unfinished, sewing projects all cut out and pinned and crochet started in a moment of boredom which is growing at a snails pace having found other more interesting projects..

so.... well I thought I had better start to do something about it...of course that was after I had just run up this latest project inspired by one of my recent birthday presents...

Remember this......

this delightful little gadget pouch was bought to hold my kindle, however as I already have a leather case for it which can remain in place when I am reading, I was rather torn what to do. The kindle will not fit in here with the leather case on, and because I absolutely adore the pouch I am loathe to use it for the kindle as I would have to remove it when reading and would be devastated if I left it somewhere!

And then I had a brainwave..... I had been sorting out my knitting basket (hence the discovery of the skeletons in the bottom) and there were all manner of small items..crochet hooks, stitch holders, circular needles etc. tangled up in there and I suddenly thought of a new purpose for my pouch...and of course the fabric was just perfect....and then my mind went into overdrive. I needed more of this fabric and quick....
A search on the Internet soon revealed however that this was not going to be as easy as I thought and in the end it was the good old US of A that came to my rescue. I managed to purchase just enough of a fabric which was now discontinued to make this....

Et voila......The knitting needle roll as excellently described in this tutorial has enabled me to tidy up the rest of the knitting basket, and encouraged me to finish some of the projects lurking there....and to tie in their loose ends.....

my poor neglected tea cosy now takes pride of place in my kitchen....

and my crochet blanket looks like it stands a chance of getting done this winter!......

Of course there are still those baby hats, that jumper.....but come on I have made some progress you have to admit!!!

Well before I wish you good night I am going to make a plea on behalf of my lovely daughter and her partner aka 'GiddyKipper'. If you have not met them before you can see what they get up to here....I will let them tell you more.....

Giddy Kipper
As a Notonthehighstreet.com partner and being part of the award-winning Weddings at notonthehighstreet.com, Giddy Kipper are thrilled to have been nominated in the 'Special Touches' category of the Wedding Ideas Awards 2012. Last year we made it to the final 5 and would be delighted to reach the final again with your help! You don't have to be a bride to vote - we'd be extremely grateful for the support of our wonderful customers! (for any categories you don't wish to vote in, scroll down to 'no answer') Thank you!
http://www.weddingideasmag.com/home/the-awards/vote-in-the-wedding-ideas-awards-2012.html

Thank you in anticipation

TTFN

Jenny xx

MY FIRST TUTORIAL...

2011-10-25T14:02:00.001+01:00

Afternoon all
I hope you are all well and that you mums are coping if your little 'angels' are still on holiday. We have been lucky to have our grandsons to stop last weekend, very hectic but fun too and our eldest is coming again to have some time on his own on Thursday and Friday so grandad and I had better recharge our batteries!

Well with you know what just around the corner I have been sewing some more of my felt decorations in the evenings and I thought some of you sewers might like to try some for yourselves. The bigger children could perhaps make some too under supervision. Perhaps small running stitches could be substituted for the blanket stitch to make it a little easier for them.

Gingerbread men Tree Decorations

Materials

Gingerbread man template (either draw freehand or search the web for gingerbread man picture and you will find loads of images to choose from, just print off and cut out )
Ginger coloured felt
polyester filling
2 small cream buttons
2 round black beads for eyes
Strong thread,( either contrast if using blanket stitch or matching if stitching together with overcast stitch or running stitch )
about 10" string or 1/8" wide ribbon if preferred
9" spotted ribbon for bow

First cut out 2 gingerbread man shapes using your template and pin together. Starting slightly to one side of the top of his head start to join the 2 sides together with your preferred stitch (I love the look of the blanket stitch, but you can do what is easiest for you)

Continue all around the shape until about 3/4" away from the start of your stitching. Do not cast off or remove needle. Using the blunt end of a skewer or crochet hook or similar carefully start to stuff the figure. Begin by using small amounts of stuffing and stuff the feet first. Don't try to put too much in at once or you will not get a smooth finish and your poor gingerbread man will look all lumpy!. Continue up the legs and then into the hands and arms and finally the head. It does pay to take your time with this step.

Once you have him firm but not too solid, take your string or ribbon and fold in half and knot the end. Push the knotted end into the opening and finish off the sewing making sure that a few stitches go through the string or ribbon to hold it secure.

Next you need to sew a smiley mouth. I used stem stitch and the same colour thread as my blanket stitch, but you may prefer to use red.

Finally sew on the 2 small black beads for eyes, attach his buttons and tie a smart bow round his neck. You may need to trim the ends of the ribbon on an angle to stop fraying and to get the perfect size for your pattern.

And VOILA

One fairly cute tree decoration. Of course you don't have to stop there as you can create other variations. How about a snowman! White felt and just an extra piece of orange felt cut into a tiny triangle, folded in half and stitched down the long sides to form his nose. Carefully stuff with a tiny bit of stuffing and stitch firmly in place.

I made his scarf out of a piece of red felt, cut into fringes at the ends and substituted black buttons. I also sewed a running stitch mouth as this looked more like a snowman I thought!

I hope you have a go, they are quite relaxing to make and will look fab on the tree at Christmas....or then again you could make several, make a ribbon loop of only about 1/2 " and thread them onto string for a great garland to decorate the mantelpiece.

I would love to see what you do with them!

And of course if you don't sew, you can always purchase some from my Folksy or Etsy shops.....I would even make a garland if requested, just email me.

Well I am off now to finish cutting out some huge curtains, I may be some time........

TTFN

Jenny xx

PS I do apologise for the quality of the photos. It was my boy's birthday yesterday and I left my camera at his house. Have had to borrow DHs to do this and it's not quite as easy to use as my own!! Mr gingerbread man's bow is a beautiful pale green spot, but you wouldn't guess from these piccies!

AND SO WHAT HAVE YOU ALL BEEN DOING............

2011-10-03T21:22:00.000+01:00

Well...................as for me it has really been a mixed bag....

First I did a bit of sewing.....old skirts getting a bit snug!!............

Burda pattern 8213, great now that they include seam allowances, used to hate it when you had to mark your own, 'cos it doesn't matter how experienced you are, they never seem (sorry) to end up exactly the same width!! I only made this out of cheap cotton (£3.99 a metre) as I wanted one in a hurry, but had forgotten how much I like this style so am going to make a couple more in needle cord for the winter. (That's next week according to the weather forecast!)

Then I had a birthday, and was spoiled rotten as usual......................

Books, DVDs and quirky collectibles, what more could I ask for.......Thank you to my lovely family and friend, how well they know me......the cute Tea Cosy and the Kindle Cover were found by my DD on the Internet....she always manages to discover something really different. Don't get me wrong I love everything, some things were on my wish list and others were a lovely surprise.

And finally a visit to the Antique Festival at the Peterborough showground last Saturday...... I can honestly say I ran out of money before I ran out of things I would have liked to buy! Still I am very lucky to have been able to add all these gems to my collections...including more babycham pieces paid for by my DH, even though he had just spent plenty on me for my birthday......

Couldn't resist the Peter Rabbit picture, not only is Beatrix Potter one of my favourites, but to have him advertising slippers...well there was no choice, in my sewing room it will go....

So do I count my blessings....I certainly do, and not just the lovely gifts, but all the love with which they are chosen and given......in that respect I am truly a millionaire......

I know I did say finally, but there is a bit more....as you will know if you read this waffle regularly, we have just had some windows replaced at the back of our house...well, although it certainly wasn't planned yet, we have now started redecorating the kitchen, and since my cupboards are all free standing and hand painted, we have given ourselves quite a task......but we are half way there now!!....and it will be nice for Christmas......hopefully !

Off now to catch up with a few of your blogs, while I have a spare evening. I was supposed to be adding some new slippers to my shops, but who forgot to take the photographs in all this beautiful sunshine....You watch it will be really overcast tomorrow....

TTFN

Jenny xx

ANOTHER WEEK BEGINS!....

2011-09-26T16:06:00.000+01:00

Why does the time go so slowly when you have to work (at things you don't really like), but rush past at the weekends and holidays?

The highlight of our weekend, after a fairly quiet Saturday was a visit to the Stamford Antique Fair on Sunday.
We've been before, but generally we've seen lots of things that we liked (out of our price range!) but not too many that we really fell for within budget. This time however it was more a case of being selective!!

As you've probably seen if you've visited here before, I do have a penchant for old toys, especially tin ones and it's rare to find any genuine examples now at reasonable prices...there are always of course the exceptions and this one is my most favourite to date......and it works

However I really don't expect to come across many like this now, but on Sunday I was in for a nice surprise. Not quite so mechanical but they do wind up......and move.....

And then these, not tin not mechanical but my how kitsch.....

and there little heads nod....if anyone knows anything about them I would love to know more...

a bit more Noddy.....

And finally a great find in brilliant condition and one that will be investigated by my grandson I have no doubt.......

He really will wonder what 1d and 1/3d is.......

We finished our lovely day with a walk by Rutland Water amazed at how suddenly Autumn seems to have arrived........ and gazing at the spectacular sky....

before we headed off for tea in a beautiful country pub........

Well off to list a few things on Ebay now, need to make a bit more room as its the Antique and Collectors fair at Peterborough showground next week.....1700 stalls..........oh dear think I might have to find a few more things to list after all................................

TTFN

Have a good week

Jenny xx

IN MY BEST SCHOOLGIRL FRENCH......

2011-09-21T22:24:00.000+01:00

Bonne soiree mes amis

I'd better stop there before I really show myself up...

This post is a bit late, but its been rather hectic here for a few weeks and though my poor head is full of things I would like to share with you, finding the time to stop and write them has been more of a problem!

If you take into account helping out with the grandsons for the final weeks of the summer before our eldest started at his first school. Just being there in that first week to help mum get settled into her new routine. Spending a whole week trying to keep the dirt under control while having all the rear windows in the house replaced, and making up a few orders in between, I think or at least I hope that you will see I do have a bit of an excuse.

Anyhow......the Braderie de Lille.....quite an experience !

We travelled down to Kent on the Friday afternoon as our booking on the chunnel was early Saturday morning. The journey was pretty straight forward, if a bit long and it was quite a shock to arrive at our hotel to find none of our rooms ready!
Not to be put off though, although the site of our bright pink hotel nearly did that , we decided to leave the car and make our way into Lille. As anyone who has attended this event will know the whole of Lille is virtually closed to traffic, so public transport or shanks' pony is the only way to travel into the city. Luckily our hotel did have a leaflet printed with the bus and metro details to and from the festival and at least this was a help. We caught the bus to the metro, no problem....however when we went inside the metro it was packed, a huge crowd in front and as we stood a huge crowd followed.
Not being familiar with the system here, or I confess very fluent in the language we were rather nervous of getting in everyone's way so chickened out and set off to walk the rest of the way.
Fortunately we had brought our satnav and were able at least to check we were heading in the right direction and after only about 500 yards we came across the first street of what could only be described as 'car boot' stalls.
Disappointed......not a bit of it... there was a lot of rubbish but a few little gems.......

My first find was the wooden cotton reels. I had been looking at some of these only a few days before, starting at £6 each on Ebay......I picked up these 6 for only 2 Euros.
The beautiful fashion magazines from the 1950s, all nine of them, I got for 3 Euros. Not bad considering the first price quoted was 12!!! They are stunning. Fashion plates, as well as knitting patterns and sewing patterns. I have an idea to scan some of the black and white advertising to print onto fabric for cushions or book covers. I'll let you know how I get on.
The lovely box of Dewhursts thread at the bottom of the picture was not bought in France though, but was a gift from my SIL presented to me as we set off on our journey to add to my sewing room. She is so thoughtful!

We wandered around for what seemed miles, street after street of bric a brac and a great deal of normal market stalls, grabbed something to eat, and finally decided to call it a day...It had been a long one and we still had all of Sunday. We started to head back to the bus station (still too petrified to try the metro....what wimps!) and eventually dozens of wrong turns later, a couple of not very helpful gendarmes and some rather scary dark roads, we found someone who could actually give us the correct directions and by the skin of our teeth we just caught the last bus back to our hotel.

I will skip very quickly over the miniscule room, the shower made for someone much smaller than me ( I'm only 5ft 4in ) that had no ventilation or window, the strange absence of staff and the fact that this cost us more than our 4 star hotel in Liverpool, because despite that, it was an adventure, and on the Sunday we actually managed to use the bus and the metro like locals and headed towards the river and the 'antiques'.
The only problem here was that just after we arrived back on Saturday night, at about 10.30, there was a cloud burst. Torrential rain fell for some time and it was blowing a gale. Needless to say, those vendors who had relied on the normal beautiful weather and had not erected any kind of shelter found half their stock ruined. We saw beautiful furniture, samplers, paintings etc just spoiled...such a shame.

All in all though we were very glad we went, another thing to tick off our list, and we will certainly return to France again, but perhaps not to this particular event.
By the way the huge pile of black things in the second picture are the moule shells collected outside the restaurants. there is a competition each year to see who makes the biggest mound, hence the railings!
Well I did say I had lots to relate, though I didn't actually mean in one post so if you have stuck with it...well done.... and so for now.....

A bientot

Jenny xx

HUNGRY?

2011-09-09T21:45:00.000+01:00

Well if you're anything like me the answer to that will usually be yes! But as a food lover I am really concerned about these recent reports of the growing number of cases of obesity in the young,
I know we are supposed to be in a recession and there are loads of families struggling on low incomes but the facts from the 40s and 50s show that even in those days of severe rationing, when many families lost their breadwinners we were one of the fittest and healthiest nations in the world.
The reason being that we had to eat what we grew and processed food with no real nutrition but plenty of bulk was simply not available!
As parents and grandparents we have a responsibility to show our young that healthy home cooked food doesn't need to cost the earth (literally), needn't be bland, doesn't have to take hours to cook and needs no fancy gadgets to prepare. Whats more including children in the preparation can be fun and good training for later in life.

And so I am eagerly awaiting delivery of my copy of HUNGRY? the innocent recipe book for filling your family with good stuff.

If their smoothies are anything to go by, we are in for a culinary treat,and as a hands on granny I am looking forward to sharing the pleasure with my grandson.
These short videos will give you a taster (pardon the pun) and they certainly have got my attention.
The books RRP is £20 and is now widely available. Check back soon and I will let you know my personal verdict, but if you can't wait to get hold of your own copy I will be pleased to hear what you think.

Veggie burger

Fruit-mess

Chop-Chop-Salad

Enjoy..........................

TTFN

Jenny xx

FERRY ACROSS THE MERSEY..........................

2011-08-15T22:49:00.007+01:00

And we did.......

What a great few days we have had in Liverpool. I had never been there and quite honestly had no idea what to expect, however from the moment we arrived at our hotel......the Atlantic Tower....

we were full of anticipation......and we were not disappointed!
Our room was on the 10th floor with a panoramic window overlooking the Mersey.....Wow!

we saw everything from ferries to cruise liners...you could almost sit here watching all day........

But we didn't.... we took the tour bus to see the sights, went on the 'Eye', visited the free museums in the newly refurbished docks, went on the ferry and even drove a brand new Range Rover through one of the docks (and it was full)! A great idea between Range Rover and the City to raise money for the NSPCC, and very successful it seemed too!

It was like being kids again on one of the better school trips. We did lots of walking, a little shopping and far too much eating!! The people were some of the warmest and friendliest we have met and made us feel very welcome...so good on yer Liverpool you did yourself proud.

We stayed here for a couple of nights and then moved to just outside Runcorn for our third and last night.
And what did we do to round off our delightful stay...what else but visit two car boot sales and two Antique and Collectibles fairs on the way home.

This was my little hoard of goodies. I fear I have made so many great finds just lately that I am soon going to need an extra room or two despite the fact that DH and I have the whole place to ourselves...still it was great fun finding them

The sewing bits in the tin apparently belonged to an old lady and the girl selling it first asked for 20p each for the reels of cotton. When I asked her what she would take for the whole tin, she said £1.50. A few hours later those wooden cotton reels were on sale at the antique fair for £6 each.....I think I did well there!

Well as if this wasn't pleasure enough for one person my week has only improved as today I was able to meet up with my Australian cousins who I met two years ago through doing our family tree. It was brilliant to see them again and as usual I think I did most of the talking!! They're off home soon, so I hope they have a safe and pleasant journey.

Well off to bed now to have a read, getting to the end of my book and its really hard to put it down.

Have a great week

TTFN

Jenny xx

ARE YOU SITTING COMFORTABLY.......

2011-08-09T23:07:00.000+01:00

Well at the moment I am either sitting comfortably at my computer or my sewing machine, but not both. I only had (until this evening) one swivel chair and so I either have to wheel it around between the rooms or use something definitely not fit for purpose...

However to digress a little, this post was to be about the brilliant annual Heckington Show, but as my DD has done a super post about it here , I decided to tell you about my latest project.(I know..I know I have a million of them 'on the go' but in between the big jobs I have to keep my hands busy don't I?)

It all began when I found this awesome fabric.......

It came from here........

and better service you couldn't ask for. The fabric was listed on the site but not due in until July/August, but with all that was going on here I really didn't mind waiting. Yet a couple of days into August and I got a lovely email from the shop to apologise for the delay and to tell me they had sent a bit more than I had ordered as a thank you for my 'patience'. What stars and I will certainly be returning to buy more fabric in the future.

And I knew just what I was going to do with it....cover a new chair for the sewing room (and I can have a cushion too now!)..umm..but of course I needed to find another chair and where better to go than good old EBay. I really didn't expect to get the bargain I did though...

..........£1.50...if we collected it ourselves and it was only just over 20 miles away....Bargain!! Yes it did need either a clean or recovering and that's exactly what I am going to do. So hopefully I shall soon be able to show you my efforts.

Of course the only problem now is that all this lovely stuff I am collecting for the room will have to be moved out again when the major work (windows & floor) starts in a few weeks time, but it will be worth it.

Well although I have decided not to post about Heckington, I really must just show you the bits I found there.....

First there was this little baby.....

OK so not quite as amazing as Happy's or Claire's and crikey I would have to go on some kind of diet to squeeze in here, but it makes me smile and is a great addition to my mantle piece collection!..... (Oh the little van is a singer sewing machine van)

Then I found another little advertising box........

to display with my other bits.......

and finally the most beautiful 'trug', not the traditional shape, but perfect for storing my roll of jiffy grip and things like bondaweb. It's really heavy and solid and cost just a tenner!!.....

It was a wonderful day and we will certainly go again next year...

Well I can hear that glass of wine calling, a bit late really but never mind so have a good week and hopefully I will soon find the time to catch up with a few more of you, and greet my new followers properly. I have been a bit pants at answering some of your comments of late. My end of year report would certainly say 'must try harder.'

TTFN

Jenny xx

IS THERE NO END TO HIS TALENTS........?

2011-07-29T00:00:00.004+01:00

When I married my darling 'boy' 44 years ago, I was a love struck teenager with a very handsome bloke! (mind he's wearing very well and doesn't show his age even now!) I knew he was pretty handy at practical stuff the way he could strip a motor bike or lawn mower down and actually not have any bits left when he put it back together!.
He was also a great sportsman, football, darts, snooker then later cricket and seemed to excel in everything he did. He once bowled a whole cricket team out (though they only had 10 men that day) for about 26 runs, so they mounted the cricket ball for him and presented it to him at one of their cricket dinners.
Well over the years he has moved electrics, plumbed in sinks fixed just about everything that has broken and made kids toys from garages, to cranes to dolls houses.
So what does a woman do when her DD leaves home and is short of a table...of course you give them yours and say...but your dad will soon make me another one!!!

And so he did.......

and its perfect.....

Ummm!! now that corner could do with a cupboard....perhaps I better wait a bit before I put in my next order.....

Have a great weekend, we are off to a country fair on Sunday so hope to pick up a few bargains and have lots of piccies to show.

TTFN

Jenny xx

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER....

2011-07-23T23:26:00.001+01:00

Last year, still I think it was last year...in fact I hope it was last year, otherwise time is flying past far too quickly, we tidied up the outside of my beloved summer house 'My Retreat', by giving it a fresh coat of wood stain. I said at the time that we would be having a great sort out inside, since it had become a bit of a dumping ground, but because of the dismal summer we had...it didn't happen and the poor wee house got fuller and fuller with 'stuff'!

image courtesy of the telegraph.co.uk

We didn't quite get to danger point but lets say we couldn't get over the threshold.....

Well it was all the window mans fault really........ no not the rubbish, but the sudden burst of DIY activity!!

We are about to have some windows replaced at the back of the house, and the only way to bring them into the garden is by the back gate. Well that means they have to be carried across the rickety, rackety bridge over the pond. Now it wasn't so much a troll we were scared of as being sued when the workmen disappeared into the 5 foot of water (apart from the fact that they might damage our nice new windows too!), so first job tackled was a new bridge....with super lighting no less.....(a birthday present to DH yonks ago carefully stored in his shed)........

......... and so it has continued one job completed after another.....................

and that's how the poor neglected summer house finally got its makeover completed I am pleased to say it has been returned to its cosy best and looks loved and cared for...and whats more is back in use...yeah!

First we emptied out everything onto the lawn......

Then a fresh coat of emulsion.....

and voila order is restored.....

We even broke out the barby to celebrate......

and of course you know what happens once you start ........

we get carried away........

Ta da ............our new gate......now I wonder whats next!.............

Watch this space 'cos of course once the windows are done.........

the new sewing room needs cupboards ripping out and laminate floor laying....

the bathroom needs replastering......

the back room needs a new ceiling and replastering....

the dining room needs a new wood stove for the winter.....

Looks like we are not going to get bored sometime soon....

I think I need a drink after that and a lay down

Have a good weekend

TTFN

Jenny xx

DROOLING DEFINITELY ALLOWED........

2011-07-18T00:21:00.001+01:00

Well at last I hear you all cry...yes I know I have spouted about this cheesecake recipe long enough now so no more delays...

However I do have to say up front that this comes with a definite health warning....do not under any circumstances try this out if
a.) You have just reached your target weight at the local slimming club
b) You are about to leave on that long planned holiday and that itsy bitsy bikini is packed
c) You have just had your final fitting for your wedding dress.....

..........You have been warned!..........

All my previous experience of cheesecakes were the 'Greens' ones out of a packet way back when and various 'home made' ones in restaurants which definitely broke the trade description laws, but no more.......

I discovered the recipe in this book

Complete Cookery Farmers Market by Jacqueline Bellefontaine, I have tried to find it on the net and I think you can still get a used copy on Amazon. I got mine in one of those cheapy book shops.

The recipe calls for a 9" deep tin, but this would make a dessert big enough for a family party, so I used a 6" tin and just halved the quantities and it worked brilliantly and gave 4 ample portions.

Ingredients

For a 9" tin (half all quantities for a 6" tin)

225g/8oz oat biscuits (I used digestive biscuits which I prefer)

75g/3oz hard butter

350g/12oz full fat or medium fat cream cheese (I used Philadelphia on offer in Asda)

100g/4oz golden castor sugar ( I used white castor sugar)

225g/8oz Greek style yoghurt ( I could only find low fat or fat free so used the low fat)

300ml/1/2 pint double cream

1tsp vanilla essence

1 tbsp gelatine

Topping

250g/9oz blackcurrants ( I had redcurrants so substituted these. Have also tried raspberries which were delicious)

25g/1oz golden castor sugar

2 tsp arrowroot.

Method

Place biscuits in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin.

Melt the butter and stir in the biscuits. Press into the base of a loose bottomed or spring form cake tin.

Beat together the the cream cheese and sugar until well combined then beat in the yoghurt. Whip the cream into soft peaks and fold into the cream cheese mixture with the vanilla essence.

Sprinkle the gelatine over 3 tbsp of water and leave until spongy (about 10 mins). Place in pan of hot water or in a microwave for about 15 seconds and stir until dissolved. Fold into the cream cheese mixture.

Pour into the prepared tin and chill until set.

To make the topping mix together the fruit sugar and arrowroot with 2 tablespoons of water in a small saucepan and heat gently until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture thickens. Allow to cool covered with dampened non-stick baking parchment.

Carefully remove the cheesecake from the tin and spread the fruit mixture over the top.

I am a little ashamed to say we have had this about 4 times already since I discovered it and this could well be why my clothes are feeling a little snug, however once tried it is very hard to resist.......

Do let me know if you try it and what you think....

Have a good week

TTFN

Jenny xx

ALMOST BUT NOT QUITE..............

2011-07-13T20:09:00.000+01:00

Well I did say things had 'almost' returned to normal, and so as you can guess that meant it was going to be anything but.......

However it has mostly been for good reasons like our DD's 40th birthday celebration,

From this........with daddy

To this....with big brother......

Where does the time go beautiful girl..........

We've had visits by workmen for some renovations we're doing and, not so good, a battle (which I am pleased to say I won) with a pair of roman blinds for my son and daughter in law.....

Just a piece of friendly advise, don't ever try to sew the Velcro on the top of a 7'9" blind once the carbon poles are inserted.......a picture of me sat on my sewing room floor with my sewing machine trying to feed this through while working the foot pedal with my hand and shuffling backwards and forwards so as not to catch the poles on the walls must surely be enough of a deterrent!!!.....

Having said that, if you are making a reasonably sensible sized blind and want some tips how to make a really professional job, just check out these videos, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJGdLU3v2cI
I have done some in the past but have to say these instructions and the template you can find on Terrell Sundermanns own site, which not only tells you what size to cut your fabric, but also what other accessories you will need to complete your task, just by inputting the width and depth of the finished blind are amazing!

Ta Da.........

Only 2 more pairs of full length curtains and another blind to go........

And finally I have been making headbands for my Etsy and Folksy shops and managed to find a willing ~~victim~~
model for them this time....
How cute is my great niece.......

OK, so next time I really will share the delicious cheesecake recipe with you........that is of course unless something else gets in the way!.........

TTFN

Jenny xx

NORMAL SERVICE HAS ALMOST RESUMED....

2011-06-27T13:13:00.002+01:00

Well I have really enjoyed being a needed mum, doting nanny, head chef and laundrymaid, but it is quite exhausting and so kinda nice to return to something like normality.

It means I can get some sewing done, start on the house projects and catch up with all the lovely bloggers who bother to read this stuff and not only that send me some great (and often very witty) comments. I am sorry that I have not answered many individually of late, but I do read them all and hope that I will return to my good habits again very soon. (Only regarding replies you understand...I can't be good all the time!!)

I was intending to share some delicious recipes with you today, but on Saturday I received my parcel in Lucey's Button Swap from Jenny at the Red House
I couldn't therefore let it pass without showing it to you, so the receipes will wait.

What a terrific haul, Thank you so much Jenny, I love it all and the buttons will come in very handy. I can't believe that you also included a fridge magnet from Becky at Dots and Spots as well. I already have one which my daughter bought me and I do love her work.
Jenny has been struggling with her arm, having had surgery and it seems a great deal of pain, so I am doubly grateful that she went ahead and completed the swap.
Thank you again.

I will be back later in the week to share those receipes including a wicked cheesecake.....so be prepared to forget your diets......

TTFN

Jenny xx

PS I would like to introduce you all to a new blogger who I am sure will keep you in stitches, but no doubt show me up for the boring old wrinkly I am. She has not written her first post yet, so I am waiting with baited breath. Find her at www.giddygirlsworld.blogspot.com No words but some lovely pictures!!

FAN FARE TA RA TA RA!!!! ........Charlie has arrived.......

2011-06-02T21:28:00.000+01:00

No not Prince Charlie....though I'm sure he is to his proud mum and dad,

no I wish to announce the safe arrival of our

Charlie

(2nd Grandson)

Mum and baby doing fine.

Charlie weighed in at 9lb 1oz, has dark brown hair and blue green eyes, just like daddy.

Big brother Alfie has been a star

He has been staying with us and he has been no trouble at all, even at bedtime! All down to his super mum and dad who have made a wonderful job of bringing him up.

We love them all to bits

Thanks for allowing me a bit of boasting!!

TTFN

Jenny xx

VERY EXCITED...but a little anxious!!

2011-06-01T14:02:00.002+01:00

Tomorrow our 2nd grandson will be delivered and though we are thrilled and very excited as a mum you can understand why I am still a bit anxious.
I have therefore been keeping myself very busy..

There is a huge stew slow cooking in the oven as all the expectant family will be dining here this evening because grandson no.1 will be staying with us for a few days while mummy is in hospital and they can then put him to bed themselves as I'm sure leaving him will be a real wrench.

His little room is about ready, Victorian pine bed, bespoke mattress (as it's only 6 foot long, so we couldn't buy one ready made), new bedding and a few toys to make it more like home. Still a bit to do but I think he will like it. It was his bedroom when they lived with us, but his previous furniture has gone to his new home...

I have also been making leek and potato soup for my lunch from this recipe...

....believe me this is one of the best cookery books for simplicity, straight forward ingredients and tasty recipes I have used for a long time....

..now I love to cook but sometimes the whole preparation thing puts me off. I am not a chef and have never yet accomplished the rapid chopping that they seem to do while still leaving fingers in one piece. But I have my trusty gadget....had it years, can't remember when I bought it..the Braun multimix...

This amazing little machine saves getting out the food processor and chops raw carrot, peppers onion etc. in seconds. It also grinds granulated sugar to icing sugar and even grinds whole nutmegs....

Another gadget, bought on a whim I must admit at a Good Food Show many moons ago is my Daily hand blender. I was eyeing up the Bamix but at the time it was way out of my price bracket and they were demonstrating the Daily (at under half the price) and it really did seem to work just as well. Well I can tell you many years later it still blends my soups beautifully, minces up meat for pate and makes wonderful mousse from skimmed milk, so for once 'you only get what you pay for' appears to not be quite true.

So as I finally sit down to lunch on my soup and home made bread, I am racking my brain for something else to occupy me and my mind....perhaps I could start cutting out those new curtains......

(beautiful scented roses from the garden...)

Bon Appetit

I will be back to show off our newcomer soon...

TTFN

Jenny xx

PS Have you seen the film Julie and Julia...Meryl Streep...great if you like to cook and a really lovely feel good movie....

NOT HARD TO FILL AN EMPTY SPACE......

2011-05-23T22:27:00.000+01:00

Evening all

For any of you that follow my posts, you will know that my daughter's family have just moved out into their new home. It feels very odd to have the house to ourselves, and for it to feel so big and empty. Of course it is neither, A reasonable size, but with a few rooms that are definitely shall we say currently looking very minimal. However that will not be for long as the following piccies of some of my recent finds will prove. I have already installed new beds in the 2 bedrooms they have vacated and am about to gut what was their first floor sitting room to turn it into my new sewing room. I will post about the progress of those later, but in the meantime here is my recent haul (not bought all at once I might add) CS, CB and fair finds.......

Utility china

sauce boat to go with my Sylvac dishes...

Hubby bought me the chicken because it reminded him of Kellogg's adverts...to go with my advertising collection...I must say I agree and have come to love him..(the chicken not the husband..)

a Beswick bunny....just because!...(least I think its Beswick. It looks like Sylvac but has no number on the base!)

a couple of pieces of retro kitchenalia....

my latest love.......he's just so cute....

and a couple of pieces for my DDs new home..retro of course. The pictures aren't great but it was getting late....The most expensive of these was the scales, currently retailing at about £33, for the princely sum of £7.60..good old Ebay

Finally a sneak preview of one of the rooms about to be revamped, its all very exciting like starting again, now wheres that paint pot!!....

Hope you all have a good week and manage to stay anchored in this wind.....

TTFN

Jenny xx

A SAD GOODBYE........

2011-05-17T08:51:00.001+01:00

No lovely readers I am not closing my doors, though goodness knows how I manage to keep rabbiting on...but I do.

No, this was our sad goodbye to Northumberland. I have been to many places over the years but this holiday will be remembered as one of the most active, informative and wonderful breaks of them all. Don't get me wrong I love our beautiful Islands and there must be many places I haven't visited that are equally as dramatic and varied, I speak only of my experience.....so far!

Well since my writing can't compare to the rugged beauty of the place this post will again be picture heavy.
Our last two days were spent at Cragside and on a trip to the Farne Isles.....

Set in the most dramatic parkland.........

among towering trees...

stunning Cragside House, the home of Lord Armstrong and his family the Victorian inventor who was the first person in the world to use hydro-electric power to light his house and run things like automatic roasting spits and even lifts! His inventions were many, too many to list here, but I think his biography would be well worth a read. The house was occupied by the same family until it was rescued from decay by the National Trust, at a time when they only occupied the top floor flat. Although the rest of the house was in a dire state, all of the original furnishings and fittings were still there. It means that restored this is now a true example of Victorian taste and indeed ingenuity.

The engine that powered all his amazing devices... including these spits.....

and some of the amazing rooms....of which there are many...well worth a visit....

....and so to our final day, which after a very breezy but sunny week, delighted us by turning the turbulent sea into a mill pond for our trip to the Farne Islands......

...birds...lots of birds.....

...seals.....

The original home of Grace Darling...how bleak is that!.....

....and my beloved puffins......sigh!!....I don't know what it is about them, their cartoon look, their cuteness, but I could watch them all day....
However everything must come to an end as did our holiday and this far too lengthy post, so if you are still with me.....well done for persevering......

Next time I have an abundance of CB and CS finds as well as some little gems picked up at collectibles fairs...so go and get that well deserved drink now.....

TTFN

Jenny xx

NORTHUMBERLAND Cont........

2011-05-09T10:23:00.002+01:00

Hi lovely readers
Despite the fear of boring you all rigid here is part 2 of our recent trip to Northumberland. I have kept it mostly to photographs as I think they tell their own story.

Stunning Bambugh Castle, can't have too many photos of this.....

Imposing Anwick Castle, formal gardens and water features......

and no visit to Anwick would be complete without a visit to Barter Books...and yes I did get a copy of the original poster!....

another day and a ramble from Craster up to Dunstanburgh Castle, wild and fresh with stunning views....

Well I do hope you hung on in there, I have only one more post to do showing the amazing Cragside House, home of Lord Armstrong the victorian inventor and the first place in the world to use hydro-electric power and for me the ' piece de resistance' of the whole trip, my first sight of my beloved puffins.

Have a great week, mine is very strange as after more than 12 years my DD her partner and my grandson have just moved into their new home and DH and I are on our own for, would you believe it, the first time in 44 years!!! DH is getting very concerned as my 'plans' for the reinvention of our house appear to be growing every day, so that will be something to share in the months, (or should that be years) to come.

TTFN

Jenny xx

OH TO BE IN ENGLAND NOW THAT APRILS HERE......(Robert Browning)

2011-04-28T21:13:00.001+01:00

And this April those words could not have been better.....

Hi there, I do hope the sun has been shining for you as it certainly seems to have been for me for this past few weeks....

2 weeks ago found me here.....

Beautiful Northumberland. Wide open spaces, enormous skies, wonderful walks and all the birds you could wish to see!

We arrived on the Saturday to find our base for the week was pure luxury, a log cabin on the most amazing holiday site that seems more like someones private garden than a site at all....

We quickly unpacked and went off to explore our surroundings.....we were not disappointed.

That night we ate like kings and on the Sunday set off for Berwick on Tweed, town of ramparts, bridges and the odd jumble sale, ( I even found some super fabric for making slippers).

We returned to our 'home' to find it bathed in sunshine and so hot we managed to sit out on the veranda (which circled the whole cabin) reading and enjoying a fine bottle of wine! (Asda's best 3 for a tenner....we know how to live!)

The following day we drove over the causeway to Lindisfarne and enjoyed a very bracing walk around Holy Island. Although we did walk to the castle we didn't actually get to see inside on this occasion as it was a Monday and all National Trust properties are closed on Mondays...but it didn't spoil it...and there's always another day..... we did get to go inside the 19th century lime kilns though, amazing things dug right underneath the castle....!

Lindisfarne Castle formerly a Tudor fort converted to a private residence in 1903 by Edwin Lutyens. Part of its appeal is the enclosed gardens designed by Gertrude Jekyll.....a pleasure still to be sampled at a later date....

The 19th Century Lime Kilns beneath the castle

We returned to our 'home' tired but happy planning our next days excursion to Anwick, but more of that later....... .

Hope you have enjoyed this first episode and if you're not too bored by holiday photos I hope to do a couple more posts as we seem to have seen and done so much in such a short time I want to share the beauty and history we discovered. Many of you will no doubt have seen this gem of a county, so I hope I can bring back some lovely memories to you too!

Have a wonderful Royal weekend and I hope you will all join me in a toast to the happy couple. No matter your feelings about the whole 'event', these are two young people who will forever be under scrutiny starting out on what is not always an easy journey in life, and I for one do not envy them one bit but wish them the greatest of luck and happiness........

TTFN

Jenny xx

A VERY HAPPY EASTER

2011-04-22T21:54:00.000+01:00

Well my best intentions to do another post this week didn't happen, and like many of you I hope the next few days will be about family, relaxing and hopefully enjoying the sunshine. So I just wanted to wish you all a very happy holiday wherever you may be and I will catch up properly very soon.

TTFN

Jenny xx

HOME AGAIN

2011-04-18T08:29:00.000+01:00

Hi lovely bloggers

This is a very short post today as I have only just arrived back from a little break in glorious Northumberland. I have oodles of pictures to share (hope you won't mind), but haven't got round to sorting them yet.

We walked miles, the weather was dry though sometimes a little chilly and our pad was out of this world!
However before I can get down to that I have to make some little shoes to post off tomorrow because.......

Fan fare here..ta da da daaaaa..... I have at long last sold a pair not only on Folksy, but also on Etsy....!!!

Mary Jane Union Jack slippers/houseshoes

Personalised cowboy slippers

Needless to say these are priority, so will be back later in the week to catch up with all your news and tell you more of our trip...

TTFN

Jenny xx

TIME WAITS FOR NO MAN....

2011-03-29T09:28:00.000+01:00

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!!

2011-03-14T11:07:00.000Z

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........

2011-03-07T21:51:00.001Z

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

2011-03-02T10:30:00.000Z

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

1st ANNIVERSARY.....AND A GIVEAWAY

2011-02-21T22:25:00.001Z

Well can you believe it...I missed it!!!

The 1st anniversary of my blog was yesterday February 20th, and due to being so worn out with this blasted cold, I couldn't even face the computer. What a pig it has been, two weeks of thumping headaches, a throat so sore it felt as though I was swallowing razor blades, cold sores on my eyelids....yes you heard right, and I've coughed and sneezed so hard that I set off an old back injury and spent several days bent double, unable to stand upright.......

Picture courtesy of britishcomedyclassics.co.uk

Two soups!!................... the irony is that for a good part of my adult life I have often been told that I am very like Julie Walters, and I have certainly felt like Mrs Overall this last week or two.

Anyway enough of my whinging, it's just a cold and there are so many much worse then me, so I will now get onto what I hope is the good bit....

To celebrate how great I think you all are and how much I have enjoyed both the writing and the reading for this past year I would like to give away a couple of bits which I have named my...

Fly away giveaway

My theme is sea birds, for no other reason than the fact that I love them, and the gift will include, a drawstring bag and one or two bits and pieces which might be useful on your travels.......

As you can see they are not finished yet, but I will have them ready to fly by the time I draw the winner on Monday 7th March.

So if you fancy feathering your nest with a few birds (and the odd surprise), just leave me a message on this post before Sunday 6th March.

If you would like to put one of my piccies on your blog to spread the word that would be great, but not essential.

Well I'm off now to down yet another whisky toddy (shame but someone has to do it) and then to my bed.

TTFN

Jenny xx

PS. I am just adding this as I feel a real fraud with all the lovely comments of sympathy which I really do not deserve. You are all very kind and it is really appreciated but I am on the mend now...Thank you!

JUST MESSING ABOUT......

2011-02-11T22:16:00.000Z

Oops! I appear to have been missing for a while, great intentions scuppered by boring life things, but hopefully back on track now. Which is just as well as I am fast approaching my 1st Blog Anniversary and hope to have a bit of a giveaway, but more of that later.

My first and most important item in this post is to say a big and embarassingly late thank you to both Jenevieve of Buttons, Ribbons and other things and Amy of Blighty Boutique for passing me the Stylish Blogger Award. It is customary on these occasions to tell seven new things about yourself and pass the award on to 15 other people. Well in truth after a year of boring the pants off you all, I don't think I have anything else of interest to recount so I will be very naughty and say if you read some of my old posts you will gather what kind of a nutcase I am, but hopefully won't hold that against me and come visit me again!
Since I follow so many brilliant blogs I would be hard pressed to name 30 of you, 'cos I like you all, or I wouldn't have followed you in the first place. You are all pretty damn stylish!
I am therefore going to highlight two blogs for no other reason than they have time and again amazed me by their ingenuity and prolific output of stylish fashion, for themselves and others, they are.......

Alexandra Mason and Kitschy Coo

Please ladies take(or not) the award, I do know that some prefer not to, but even if you don't I would just like you to know how impressed I am by your work, both quantity and quality.

Humbling apologies now over back to the title of the post.......

Do you ever get the urge to play truant from all the jobs, sewing, housework you should be doing, just to go and really mess about for a change.

I do and often when I look at what I have achieved I have no clue how I will use it, or even if I ever will, but that never seems to stop me producing some very strange and mostly useless things.

So here are my first offerings of things created when I was ~~drunk~~ feeling playful, a complete waste of time and possibly money....but hey who cares occasionally!

Do feel free to join in the fun, I would hate to actually feel that I am theonly one who is this insane.......

Just why would you needle felt a bowl of vegetables......even my grandson shunned these from his toy shop! (they are too hairy!!)

This one surely smacks of foraging gone wrong....or was it the alcohol?..... again!!

Photo Homes and Antiques magazine

And this little fella was the fault (or rather inspired by) an article in Homes & Antiques magazine about the very talented Domenica More Gordon. My puny effort is no reflection at all of her work, which is brilliant, but yet again another example of....what am I going to do with it now........ I am not even a dog lover!..

So come on let us all see some of your cupboard stash (that is hidden in a cupboard 'cos you don't know what else to do with it), you know you really want to........................

I will be back soon with the start of this years places I have been or rediscovered (as I think our glorious Isles are open again now), and of course my giveaway.... but for now ....

TTFN

Jenny xx

FASHION OR FOLLY....!

2011-01-19T14:27:00.001Z

A few days ago the new Boden catalogue dropped through my letterbox and as you do I settled down a bit later with a coffee (honest it was just coffee!) to have a browse through. I mentally ticked one or two things, particularly dresses, which caught my fancy, but when I totted up what they would cost me I nearly fell off my chair!!

I do love their style and especially the prints they often use, but can I really justify paying out between £69 and £89 for a simple jersey wrap or cotton dress....

Well as you've probably guessed the answer is a resounding no!...so what does a girl do but raid her fabric stash and set to........

The fabric I selected was I think very bodenesque (sorry about that) and the pattern one of my all time favourites which I have made a few times......

the one at the back, although I have also made the front one.....

This one was in a grey devore fabric and I think I wore it till it almost fell apart it was so comfortable. The only thing I found was I didn't like the bodice unlined and so now I line it with the main fabric which helps to keep the neck shape as well.

....and the finished article made the same day at a cost of about £7....no competition really and I am only an average dressmaker, so think what we all could save with a little time and patience....!

Of course having bit the bullet I was on a roll so next a variation for my 5 month pregnamt DD. This is to be a top not a dress and is awaiting fitting.....

The fabric is a very fine jersey with almost a devore look and has the finest gold thread through it which doesn't really show in the picture...

Before I continue though, take a look at the lovely little pin cushion I am using. If there is one thing which makes my sewing really great it's having lovely notions and accessories.
I bought this....

and this little phone cover..............

From a very talented young lady at.....

www.dinkydaisy.co.uk

Go take a look, her things are so pretty and so well made...

and so........having well and truly got the dressmaking bug I am now making a slight variation of the dress in this....

so I think that may be my spring wardrobe sorted and my wallet saved..........

..........and to celebrate even the sky decided to give a wonderful display just to round off the day.....

Hope you are all finding your creative side now that 2011 has truly started...

TTFN

Jenny xx

ANOTHER YEAR OVER......and what have we done!.....

2011-01-06T22:16:00.000Z

Well, quite a bit really and so in the time honoured fashion of the best review shows, here is my 2010 in brief........

There was lots of crafting.......

Lots of exploring.....

Bonding with nature........

and enjoying our picture postcard winter...(of course we didn't get stranded, cut off or starved, so our view of it was through rose tinted, if frozen specs!)

and finally we finished it off with a traditional, cosy family Christmas for which I am very grateful as well as very fortunate to have had.....

and so to 2011....

I have loads of projects planned...decorating and renovating parts of this tumbledown pile....making new curtains and cushions....making new stock for my folksy shop, including a new range of satin slippers for tiny bridesmaids and christenings (photos to follow soon)....

and all this on top of a birth..... (our second grandchild due at the end of May), a family wedding, two trips already booked, one to a log cabin in Northumberland and one to France, so as you can guess my year will certainly not be boring, in fact I may need next year off to recover!!

Seriously for a minute though, I know how lucky I am, my life, my wonderful family and all my friends and I do say thank you every day that I am so blessed.

I hope you too will all be blessed in 2011 and that your hearts and lives will be filled with love and happiness.

TTFN

Jenny xx

MERRY CHRISTMAS..........

2010-12-21T21:01:00.003Z

and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all....

As this will be my last post for 2010 what better subject than my trip to Brussels for the Christmas Market....

We travelled by Eurostar, a first for me, and what a great way to travel. The only downside as far as I was concerned was the fact that you don't actually get to see much of the countryside at all. It seemed as if there were walls, fences and cuttings through the landscape virtually all the way, so any glimpse of an interesting hamlet was almost immediately concealed by some barrier or other. This said, the speed and comfort of the journey was second to none.

Our hotel was situated about 20 minutes from the Grand Place and the start of the market. Modern, comfortable and with really friendly staff it was the perfect base. It was also situated in the designer shopping centre, Gucci, Versace you name it. Definitely just window shopping for us, but quite an eye opener!

And when we eventually reached the Grand Place....we were not disappointed......

The market appeared to be quite small until we discovered that it was spread over several streets and squares....

The ice rink was a surprise and I loved the penguins for the little ones to hold onto....

There were rides for the children.....

and we big kids even dared to go on this......

There were beautiful shopping arcades...

whose windows were a delight...in more ways than one.....

Yummmm.....chocolate......what else!...

and we finished the day with the most amazing light and colour display on the buildings in the Grand Place accompanied by cheery Christmas music....a most fitting finale.....

And so with the following beautiful picture, as my Christmas card to you all, may I wish everyone good health and happiness over the Christmas break and good fortune in the coming New Year.

I have made so many lovely friends over this past year and I would like to say a big thank you for so many lovely comments, words of encouragement, friendliness and unbelievable generosity. You have restored my faith in human nature.

And finally to Diane from Heart Shaped, Thank you so much for your card, what a lovely gesture. I am sorry I could not reciprocate as I cannot find your address, but just to let you know how much it was appreciated.

TTFN

Jenny xxx

SANTA CAME EARLY........

2010-12-14T20:42:00.001Z

Hi lovely bloggers

Welcome to any new followers who I haven't yet contacted. I am sorry if I have missed you or can't trace a way of contacting you. You are very welcome, I do appreciate all your comments, and read and try to reply to as many as possible.

Just got back from a terrific trip to Brussels which I will tell you about later in the week when I have sorted my hundreds of photos....

For now though I want to show you the fantastic goodies I received from Shaz at Odd Socks in the Autumn Leaf Swap. I posted her parcel last Friday, so hope she receives it soon....before the next snowfall or there's no saying when she will get it!

I cannot believe what a treasure trove this parcel turned out to be...I think I will hire Shaz to pack my cases next time I travel. I have never seen so many items packed into one small space.....

beautifully packaged........ and this is what was inside...........

delicious teas..............

a cute badge and a pretty hand made felt leaf brooch........so so pretty and perfect for my camel coat!

an exquisite decorated needlecase in the most gorgeous autumn colours....

pretty fabric, ribbons and buttons.....

the obligatory edible delight........(they didn't last long!).......

And finally....the Piece de resistance.......

Mr Wol...isn't he just the cutest little owl you ever saw!!!

Of course I had to introduce him to my jacabunny, Val and Tyne, his friend who is a baby burble........(made by the amazing Kit Lane)

I think they will get on very well together in the flatland above the computer.......

So as you can see I was a very lucky girl. Thank you again Shaz, I love it all and hope you like yours too!

Well I'm off to do a few hours hand painting for my DD now. They have only 4 working days to get out about 300+ orders, so all hands to the pump.

TTFN

Jenny xx

THAT WAS THE FAIR THAT WAS.....

2010-12-06T22:16:00.001Z

Or rather it wasn't....

Too much more of this...

and the antique and collectors fair I was all fired up to do was cancelled, mind you I don't suppose I was as disappointed and possibly deeply distressed as all the stallholders who were hoping to do the Lincoln Christmas Market. As one of the busiest and most supported Christmas Fairs in the country I suspect a lot of them rely on this to make most of their annual income. I really feel for them.....

At least my pretty tablecloth embroidered with snowflakes and the acres of red and white bunting I seem to have made won't be wasted...they will now be the centrepiece of my own Christmas decor....the spirit of 1940s make do and mend.....home made decorations...union jacks...parcels wrapped in brown paper with home made tags.....

so I've put away the bubble wrap and the paper bags, unloaded the sellotape and the cash tin, put all the pottery, sewing collectibles, linen and enamelware back into storage and hopefully in January I will try again....

In the meantime I have kept my self busy with a bit of this....

ably assisted by my little friend.....

and finished a few of these orders.....

so I haven't had too much time for regrets and now I am getting ready for our trip to Brussels (all being well), so plenty of washing and ironing to do too....Oh deep joy!!

Finally I am sorry that the post about York and Harrogate didn't materialise. Both of them turned out to be a bit of a disappointment...not the actual places I hasten to add as I adore both, just the reasons for going, but I will tell all another time, but that will be after I tell you about the super parcel I received today from Shaz at Odd Sox for the Autumn Leaf Swap. I confess I have not posted hers yet, as it has been a bit too treacherous to walk to the Post Office, but it will go this week. We have had no parcels here for a few days and several came at once so it really was a little bit like Christmas.....

THANK YOU Shaz everything is brilliant and I will post about it next.

TTFN

Jenny xx

ITS BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS........

2010-11-27T21:44:00.001Z

Come on now join in....Everywhere I go........

( Christmas Tree Decoration just added to Folksy)

Well it certainly did late last night when I went to peek out of the bedroom window.......

I had no idea it had even started, the sky had been so clear....

and come the morning, there had been a bit more...

My retreat looked a bit bleak and tea on the lawn was definitely off.....

they say the snow muffles sound and we found out why....

10.00am on Saturday morning and the place looks deserted..

but Oh so pretty.....

and at last evidence of life....running back into the warm as fast as they can go!!!

I do love the snow when it's crisp and fresh, love to hear it crunching beneath my boots, love the freshness in the air....but today the wind chill meant it was bloomin' freezing and so we followed suit and hurried home to warm drinks....shame the mince pies aren't done yet a nice hot one of those would have warmed our hands a treat.

Hope you are having a lovely weekend whatever your weather and I'll be back in the week to tell you about my trips to York and Harrogate.

TTFN

Jenny xx

PLEASE NOTE AS FROM 31 OCTOBER, ENGLAND IS SHUT!!.............

2010-11-15T21:41:00.005Z

No not really, but more of that in a minute.................

First and very importantly I would like to draw your attention to this Poster ..................( Picture nicked from Elaine's site...but I have told her)....

I think it is so good that we can promote such lovely events, even though like me you may be far away and sadly unable to attend. With so many of our High Streets becoming little more than 'Pound' shops, Estate Agents and though I am not really complaining about these, Charity shops, it is wonderful to know that small groups of enthusiastic people are gathering together talented crafters and suppliers to provide us with the kind of shopping experience we seem to have lost.
This fair brings the collected and collectibles, the hand made and carefully sourced vintage or vintage inspired goodies that so many are now finding really desirable.
So come on ladies if you can get to Pamphill, near Wimbourne Minster in Dorset on Monday 29th November you are in for a real treat. And you will get to meet a few of the lovely ladies that many of you chat to on a regular basis.

AND NOW......to get to the title of this post....

On Sunday, as we do at least twice a month now, we planned a visit to yet another NT property or landmark, within about a 40 mile radius of our home. Those further away we are gradually getting round on our weekend visits away which we are very fortunate to be able to do about 4 times a year.
Well this Sunday our plan was to go to Keddleston Hall in Derbyshire, but no... the house is closed from 3 November!..
Next we looked at Sudbury Hall,......closed from 31 October.....
Calke Abbey?..........no! closed from 31 October

OK so the grounds of most of them are still open, but it is quite a long way to each of these so we rather wanted to do the whole thing. We know that they need to do maintenance (and dusting) but its a shame they all seem to pick the same time to do it!

But not to be daunted we set off for one of our favourites...Nene Valley Steam Railway intending to catch the train to Ferry Meadows near Peterborough and enjoy a lovely walk around the park....

But you've guessed it........no it wasn't closed....just no trains running!!!

Plan 327......

We eventually drove to Stamford, where we enjoyed a stroll taking in the beautiful Georgian buildings and did a bit of window shopping. We also discovered that a musical version of 'The Railway Children' is on next Saturday evening, so took down the details to see if we could get tickets. ( I know it's a children's story but I love it, along with 'Goodnight Mr Tom', it is one of my all time favourites.)

We discovered the most amazing little collectibles shop and.......It was Closed!!!......

.....but we will be back.....

From here we drove to Rutland Water and finished our day with a bracing walk around the lake,

There were even trees with leaves still........................
tho' we didn't expect to find these hiding in them, (the leaves that is not the trees!!)

and finally off to Empingham for a warming meal....and a well earned glass of wine!!

Well it has now taken me 2 hours to upload the photos for this post and quite frankly I am fed up, just as we thought blogger was behaving, here we go again.

So I am now going to take out my frustration on a pair of slippers, for me, .... (oops hope the sewing machine isn't listening or that's another no-no) and wish you all goodnight.

I think I may even resort to a stiff Whisky, (such decadence)!!

TTFN

Jenny xx

SO EXCITED!!

2010-11-13T20:24:00.002Z

Just a very quick visit.
I am so thrilled my gorgeous son has just created a new banner for my folksy shop.....Just need to sell something now!

www.folksy.com/shops/winnibriggshouse

TTFN

Jenny xx

WHO STOLE THE LEAVES........

2010-11-08T16:59:00.001Z

Hello my dears ( I sound like that 'old' lady in the childrens TV programme who flies the plane!)

It seems ages since I did a 'proper' post and so much has happened in that time.......

First I can't believe that it was only a week ago that I took these pictures....not very good as they were taken from our car whizzing on our way to Ikea......

And now the trees outside my window are bare!.......

And then only a week ago spent a happy afternoon doing this..........

and now all the bonfires are out and the fireworks done.....

However I'm kind of excited about this picture, not because it is a work of art, or won any competitions, but simply because it is lit with battery operated tea lights from Hobbycraft! My grandson was thrilled that he was allowed to carry it to the door to show his mummy and daddy, and that it could stay indoors lit!!

I am now trying to get some more to place around the house for Christmas....I have always loved those photographs of stairways lit with candles, but immediately it was followed with gasps of 'how dangerous'. But no more!..... I shall be able to have my dream staircase this year and will show you piccies when we decorate the house. Obviously they are better in almost darkness, but then real candles don't show that well in the light....but the safety aspect with young children, (and drunk adults) is surely a bonus.

I have been busy sewing again, some orders...though not enough yet!...and none actually from folksy. Have been doing quite a bit of 'secret sewing' for Christmas presents and the Autumn Leaf Craft Swap kindly organised by GiddyStuff

Obviously I can't really show you anything yet but here is a little peek.....

....and finally a very naughty bit of retail therapy... Last winter I was fortunate to pick up an absolute, and I believed never to be repeated, bargain of a beautiful brown winter coat, at our local designer outlet. £299 down to £79!!. A real classic which will last me forever. Of course being a girl that likes several colourways in her wardrobe, I felt it didn't quite go with everything I possessed and rather fancied a grey. So...with hubbies approval...I withdrew some of my savings and went shopping again......

OK so not quite as good a bargain as the brown, (I had to pay £20 more), but it is super. So warm and I think stylish and a real investment.

I feel now as though I should refuse all Christmas presents as I am so lucky to have such nice things.....but I do like to open a little something on the day.....now where was that diamond ring I saw in that catalogue....only joking. We have limited our spending to £20 each this year, but we can make what we like....so I'd better get back to that machine.

BTW, I see the Christmas fairy has been early and sorted out some of the gremlins in the photo upload....yippeeeeeee!!

Hope you all have a productive and pleasant week...

TTFN

Jenny xx

NEW FOLKSY SHOP

2010-10-27T16:28:00.000+01:00

Just a very quick post to say have taken the bullet between my teeth and opened up a Folksy shop. Will take some time to get more things made to sell but thought I would make a start. This site will be for items already made and generally not personalised. I will be selling those on my website hopefully very soon. However if anyone wants something custom made they can contact me direct by email, or through Folksy.
Please forgive me for being cheeky and please wish me luck.......

TTFN

Jenny xx

GLOUCESTER, CHELTENHAM AND TEWKSBURY....

2010-10-21T22:04:00.000+01:00

You know how it is when you build yourself up to something and then the reality doesn't quite hit the spot....

well our arrival in Gloucester last Saturday was a bit like that...

To start with we were only stopping at a Premier Inn, not a place I had stayed in before...I know I have been a bit spoiled, but I have had to wait until my retirement to sample some of these lovely old hotels....anyway....

I was pleasantly surprised, the room was clean, not over big but adequate, the bed very comfortable and the staff delightful! ....so far so good..

We drove into the city to take our first look around and that was when we were a little disappointed....dusty grubby streets, shops closed...altogether a bit drab and absolutely not what we had pictured....and then we rounded a corner and found ourselves here.....

Gloucester Cathedral, what a stunning building.....and from here things only got better....

stunning architecture.......such a shame that those 'To let' signs are everywhere you visit now !.......

unfortunately the Tailor wasn't in.....

A little gem ........

and the stunning dockside area where we found our first Antique shop....Its hard to believe looking at that sky that these pictures were taken within minutes of each other!.....

After a short stop for tea and cake we returned to our hotel with instructions on how to find the new shopping area in which there was another Antique Centre.....

On Sunday we found ourselves at Cheltenham Racecourse.....no not to back the gee gees, but to see what bargains we could find at the large car boot sale.....and bargains we did find, including some of the Masons Pink Vista I collect and a couple of pieces of Johnsons Goldendawn.

We left here to go back into Gloucester only to find yet another CB, but after a brief tour we finally set off to find the second Antique Centre we had been told about.

This was on several floors with units filled with all kinds of treasures. We all found something to our liking here including DH so it was a very successful visit.

.......But the most amazing thing is that back at home on Monday evening I settled down to catch up with all you lovely bloggers when I spotted a post by Jayne at Country Cottage Chic showing some new things she had just put into her shop. One of these was a tin in the shape of an old cotton reel, and I knew it was one which I had picked up and almost bought on Sunday. I commented on Jayne's blog about it and explained that it had lost out to a piece of Johnsons Greydawn, and would you believe that was one of her items as well. talk about small world.

Well if you are in Gloucester and enjoy Antiques and Collectibles you must visit the Gloucester Antiques Centre at the Gloucester Quays, it is well worth a visit!

Well Monday found us heading for home, but we decided to check out Cheltenham and Tewkesbury while in the area and we were quite impressed. Cheltenham reminded me a bit of Bath, mostly the architecture...

and Tewkesbury very similar to Boroughbridge in North Yorkshire..........

only small but filled with tiny Antique shops, cafes and boutiques as well as Tewkesbury Abbey...no photo I am afraid as my camera battery failed, but another place worth a visit.

Well that was a bit of a marathon, if you're still here and not asleep, I am impressed and I apologise for the initial negative vibes about Gloucester and happy to say my first impression on this occasion was wrong.

Off now to read a few chapters before I turn in so.....

TTFN

Jenny xx

A FLEETING GLIMPSE.....

2010-10-20T15:27:00.000+01:00

Well I said I would.........

One New Coat........

..terrible pictures as taken in the evening when I was packing to go away for the weekend....

It came away with me and was warm and cosy...so glad I lined it though as not sure I would have liked all the seams showing. The pattern has no fastening except the attached scarf, but I put one button at the top and this seemed to work OK.

Back tomorrow with the piccies of Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewksbury.

TTFN

Jenny xx

OCTOBER GEMS..

2010-10-13T01:00:00.000+01:00

No not the sparkly sort.....

...the ones that make you really appreciate your lot.....A beautiful afternoon spent with good company (DH and grandson) enjoying the marvellous scenery and mother natures treasures.....

Rutland water...

...people messing about in boats....

....exploring the woodland paths...

....man and boy in perfect harmony...

...then the spoils of an unexpected car boot sale....still carrying on until the weather breaks.....

Ok so its only repro..but it will look great in my kitchen....

...............and the best find of all.........

I already have one of these but without the box, and I have to say that it is the box which appeals to me the most...I just love the illustrations, It will look great in my sewing room! I think I might have to take the other one to a little antique and collectors fair that my SIL and I are doing at Lincoln showground in December..

Well lets hope the rest of the month proves as pleasurable as these first few days. We are off to Gloucester at the weekend. Never been before so hoping for a good rummage.
The new coat is almost finished so should be able to give you a peek in a day or two, hoping to take it with me, so I'd better get it done!!

Finally I have been very honoured to be passed the 'versatile blogger' award by Amy at Blighty Boutique.

I am very flattered but I am supposed to tell you seven interesting facts about me........well I will be honest and say I did this once before and can't for the life of me think of anything else at the moment, so I am going to think about this a bit longer. I should also pass it on to 5 other lovely bloggers, but there are so many of you that deserve it far more than me that I hate to leave anyone out, so am not going to do this either.
I do hope Amy will forgive me and still read my blog!

Well that really is all for now, its getting very late again..

TTFN
Jenny xx

THE DEVIL MAKES WORK............

2010-10-04T22:27:00.001+01:00

Well believe me when I say he didn't get a look in this weekend!!......

My plan was to make the green tomato chutney and start on some slipper orders.....Well thats what I did but somehow I seem to have got a bit carried away...not that I'm complaining as next week I will probably achieve nothing....

First of all the chutney, 9 one pound jars stored away for Christmas. The recipe from this book....

was so easy and the instructions very clear. It smells lovely and I cant wait to see how it matures.

Then I decided to do a bit of sewing for myself. I purchased these patterns the other week,

I started with this......

with the intention of using up some of my stash of fabric. As I havn't made any of them before I didn't want to use my best fabric, but as two of them are knits making a muslin first was not an option. Any way for the top I found a remnant of a boucle type knit I once made DD a top out of and as is usual I am rather pleased with the result, but no doubt when I use a fabric that's a bit more pricey it won't go as well
I did make a few adjustments though. I made the top 4 inches shorter and the neck band only half the width it was supposed to be.My fabric was quite bulky and I thought any more would have been too much.
I bet on some of you younger folk the original length worn over a top, with a belt and some contrasting tights would look pretty good and certainly keep you snug when the weather really turns.

I then started on the cashmere coat I mentioned in a previous post, but not the style I had intended at all. I found this, unlined coat pattern which I really like...

Much less formal and a perfect solution for weekends away. I will line mine as I am not keen on unlined coats. It is all cut out now so I'll show you my progress soon.
The dress pattern will have to wait until I find some knit fabric that inspires me as believe it or not there was nothing suitable in my stash...mind you most of it is linen and cotton so it's not so surprising.

Finally I made some of these....

for Emma at Land of Emma for her Christmas stall to raise money for 'Help for Heros'. If you have any thing hand made that you would care to donate and get to her by November 10th, I am sure she will be more than grateful.

Well thats about it really, apart from having a rant about blogger!!!!! what is going on????
I have been trying on and off to do this post and upload photos since 4pm. I have never had this problem before they changed things. I always make my photos smaller in photoshop so that they do upload quicker, but it's taking so long now I seriously considered packing it in today and just reading everyone elses!!!!

Anyone else having this problem or is it just me and my machine!

Off to have a very stiff drink....or two now....

TTFN

Jenny xx ( Oh those extra grey hairs!!!)

BIT OF A DISAPPOINTMENT.........

2010-09-29T21:18:00.000+01:00

Hi all
First I would like to say a huge thank you for everyone's birthday wishes and comments on my last post. I ended my birthday with a smile reading all your kind words. Mind you I was thoroughly spoiled again and had a lovely day, so I certainly should have been smiling.

bithday goodies......

.............. another great creation by DD and her partner...still not on sale yet but I get the first one!

Well....I said I would show you what we got up to at the weekend and which 'celebrity' we rubbed shoulders with and so here goes..... ( mind you I use the term loosely, 'cos although I think most people will recognise him, the term celebrity does seem to be used to describe any random exhibitionist who is prepared to embarass themselves and most of their audience on these so called reality shows nowadays). You can guess here I am not a fan!! ( of reality shows that is not this gentleman, although quite honestly he's a sort of amusing bloke on the tele presenting an antique show, nothing that I can get really excited about!)
Struth...talk about grumpy old women...I really sound like one don't I? I'm not really, but the use of the word 'celebrity', along with 'hero' certainly means a far different thing now than it did a few years ago!

Saturday was fairly quiet and on Sunday we first went here.....

beautiful Stamford to an Antique fair. It was windy but at least fine. Apparently Friday had been horrendous, but I have to say it was very poorly attended. It did mean however that at least you could get to the stalls to have a good root around....

It was here that we spotted.........

They were filming episodes of bargain hunt and because of the lack of people, it must have been quite a bonus for them to be able to do so almost undisturbed. So when the new series goes out, if you see a flash of bright orange trying to get out the way, it could be me, 'cos even with all that space they kept coming to the same stalls I was happily browsing in.
Any way I did manage to find a Christmas present for my DD, a pair of fantastic 40s glasses to add to my costume I am getting together (more about that another time) and a wooden shoe form, which I shall use to shape some felt slippers I am trying out (adults this time) and then use it for display in my sewing room.

From here we went on to Wansford to the Nene Valley railway to what has for the past two years been one of the highlights of my birthday weekend. But alas once again there was such a poor turn out. The weather didnt help either as by now it was drizzling quite heavily.
There were still some brave souls sporting 40s outfits, and I think that the Saturday had been much better attended, but it will be a shame if it peters out.

We finished the day with a lovely meal at a country pub. I did enjoy the day it just seemed such a shame that after all the effort put into these things we are in danger of losing them through lack of support.

Well I'm off to do a bit of work (sewing) now before I allow myself a few minutes... (who am I kidding).. with Professor Layton!!....well......got to keep the old brain cells working!

TTFN

Jenny xx

IM SO GLAD THEY LIKED THEM........AND 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME'

2010-09-27T21:42:00.000+01:00

I am feeling quite perky at the moment because the little gifts I have just sent out seem to have been well received. As all my 3 PIF winners and the 'Pass the book' winner have now received their parcels, I can show you what I sent. You may have seen them on their blogs if you follow them, but just in case you haven't here they are.....

First of all I made this for Fiona of Tizduster .......

As she had won the 'Pass the Book', I made her a little reversible book bag.

For the 3 PIF winners I thought that a bag each would also be pretty useful, so they received the same style bag in a different colourway. Em from Garden Peas and Fleas and Jane of Marigold Jam who seemed to do more knitting and sewing also received a covered tape measure and Sue from @home received a little plant marker as she seemed to love her gardening (although she seems to turn her hand to many other things too!). Go say hello if you haven't met them already....

As my part time employment is about to end, I am concentrating now on returning to my little slipper business which I hope to relaunch very soon .

This is the sample of the latest pair I have made which with a few minor adjustments will be available. They are more house shoes than slippers being made completely of cotton. I am even toying with the idea of making a few matching dress and shoe outfits...but thats still just an idea at the moment.

Will be back again later in the week to show you what we got up to this weekend and which tele celeb we rubbed shoulders with!!. Blogger was not playing with photo upload or I would have done 2 posts. It seems to be OK now but I've wasted so much time I'll leave the second one and do it later.

I will console myself with reading some of your latest offerings, and the fact that it's my birthday tomorrow and perhaps I'll get to have extra wine.....and cake!!

Have a good evening and I hope the sun shines for someone tomorrow!

If you can't be good, enjoy being naughty....and don't apologise.....

TTFN

Jenny x x

AUTUMN...Season of mellow fruitfulness....

2010-09-20T21:49:00.000+01:00

Hi there lovely bloggers..
Bit slow at updating my blog this time, but I have been busy..honest!

I LOVE Autumn...crisp sunny mornings, the fabulous colours in the trees, evenings snuggled up under a rug reading ...... and even more the sight of all the fruit and vegetables gathered from my garden....or given by kind neighbours and friends prepared ready for freezing and bottling for the long winter months ahead.

As you will have seen from my previous posts (those that aren't too bored to read my ramblings) we do not have a large garden..or at least large parts available to sow endless rows of fruit and veg, but we do try to do a bit..

This year our most success has been with the runner beans....which we ate as they grew..don't know about you but I don't think it's worth freezing them, although I do remember years ago helping my MIL salt the pounds of beans she used to get from her garden. It was the topping, tailing and slicing that got a bit boring! And then you had to remember to rinse them a dozen times before you used them or...Yuk!!
Our second best crop was the tomatoes, all grown outdoors as we dont have a greenhouse and all except the black ones grown in old hoppers on the wall. My BIL grows all the plants every year and we like to try all sorts of varieties. As you can see above they make a lovely sight all the different colours together. I must say my favourites are the yellow cherry ones, so sweet, I must have eaten dozens straight off the vine!

These are the last pickings...apart from the green ones which I am making into green tomato chutney. Home made soup, Yummm! Plenty of garlic and a red pepper to sweeten. Just the ticket with some home made bread!

We have also been very fortunate to be given loads of these...

And these..... now stored in my freezer ready to make chutneys pies....and of course crumbles...I can see the elastic waist skirts could be making an appearance here this winter..

We were given some of these too...such super colours..I almost don't want to use them..

Although I talk of 'chutneys' I have to confess I am but an amateur here, but with the help of this little book..

I am hoping to have a pantry full of filled jars with pretty labels and covers either to use or to give as presents this Christmas ( Oh no it's that word again), mind I could be forgiven for thinking it was nearly here as our visit to a Notcutts nursery last Sunday found us in a complete winter wonderland of trees, lights and decorations..all fully operational and taking up a good third of the indoor space..and there I thought Halloween and bonfire night came before that.....but what do I know!!

As well as pretending to be some sort of domestic goddess...which I certainly am not.....either I cook or clean. You don't get both out of me in the same week!.. I have also been finishing the gifts for my PIF winners, the little gift for Fiona who won the 'Pass the Book' and a swap parcel. These will all go in the post tomorrow, so as soon as I know they have been received I will reveal what I sent.

Well time for that cosy read now....and perhaps a glass of vino to round of the day.. so cheerio for now and hope you all have a fine and productive week.....or a good rest if that's what you need.

TTFN

Jenny x x

REFRESHED AND ITCHING TO SEW.........

2010-09-05T21:27:00.000+01:00

Bonsoir mes amies (amis)
...don't want to be accused of sexism here!.....

As you will have seen from my last post, I have been a little busy just lately....however I can now confess that part of the pressure to get things done was because I was also going on a little trip.....

.......can you guess where.....! It's not too hard.....

A charming gite in the Pas de Calais.......

being only just over the water,..although we went under it!....as you can guess the weather is not so different from here, but we were very lucky that apart from a couple of sudden downpours we had really pleasant weather that got hotter as the week went on....

We saw the most amazing architecture...here in Arques....

....in Boulogne

and in Lille.....

and walked on the beautiful beaches of Berck sur mer and Le Touquet

were entertained by amazing displays at festivals.... I love stuffed aubergine, but I don't think I could manage a whole one of these....

or do the watering....!!

I quite fancied a go on here..... so so pretty..

and loved the true shabby chic that you get with french buildings...

we met some charming inhabitants who were keen to show us that you can't beat really fresh fish straight from the harbour.....!!

but now its back to reality. The unpacking done, the washing done........and back to work....but oh so grateful that we have had such a lovely 'pick me up'

Our only regret was our timing...we missed out on the huge brocante held in Lille this weekend, which apparently is one of the biggest in Europe. But all is not lost as we are planning to go again next year for a long weekend just for that.... empty cases of course...

And so lovely ladies who are awaiting packages from me, the slippers were finished, the wedding outfit completed and now I will finish your goodies and get them posted as soon as possible.....

and then.....

I have a fabulous piece of camel cashmere and wool just waiting to be turned into a new winter coat and it will be fastened with antique french buttons found in a tiny brocante on our travels, so I certainly won't be idle for some time to come.

TTFN

Jenny xx

THE WINNER........AND SOME APOLOGIES

2010-08-27T08:55:00.000+01:00

Hi lovely readers

This is a very brief post but very important.

First the WINNER of my PASS THE BOOK giveaway is Fiona of Tizduster. Congratulations Fiona, Dandelion Soup and a little gift will soon be on its way to you. Please let me have your address.
Sorry to those who didn't win, but might start up a monthly book swap or something soon as I have so many good books that I have read and they are rather taking over now,......so watch this space!

Secondly a really big apology to the winners of my PIF giveaway....I am sorry to say that your gifts will not be ready to dispatch until the end of September instead of August......!!!

The reason is I suddenly received an order for some of my childrens slippers (out of the blue), great.. but they do take time to make, and then I had a cry for help over a dress for a wedding!....and since the latter was from my darling daughter, how can a mum refuse. So you see I have not been wasting time....time has just run away. I will get my things done and posted by the end of September come what may so hope I will be forgiven.

So as you can see I will need to be concentrating on doing rather than writing for a little while so enjoy the quiet while I am away and I will be back soon.

PS if Viv from Poohs Abode reads this, or anyone knows her and can pass on a message I still need her address to send my Vintage Swap parcel which is ready to go!

TTFN

Jenny xxxx

ONLY 132 DAYS.................and a GIVEAWAY..!

2010-08-16T00:02:00.002+01:00

Yes....to Christmas, but I have to say in the last week or so it has seemed much nearer.

Firstly at work there has been talk about Christmas catalogues...then I received 2 fabulous parcels, which were just like receiving early Christmas presents and then this weekend........

Well it wasn't exactly Santa's Grotto, but a snow festival in of all places Basingstoke! We had come for a weekend break at a lovely Spa hotel and took a ride into the town before dinner and this is what greeted us at the entrance!!

The fabulous parcels I received were this....from the lovely Aija of CraftySmiles...

....loads of scrummy things for her own Seaside swap. I received fabric, and a handmade fish. A necklace and some seashells thoughtfully sent by one of her daughters. There were also sweets, candles and a pretty bag of assorted beads.

As you may know if you follow Aija's blog she has recently returned home after an operation and I was so surprised that she rushed to get this parcel to me before she was admitted. I had told her not to worry about it, so I am glad she received mine before she went into hospital.

Thank you Aija ( and your daughter) the gifts are lovely. I hope you are taking it easy and are on the mend.

My second wonderful parcel was from Emma of Silverpebble....

I was only a runner up in her Pass the Book giveaway and just look what I received....

As well as this little book...packets of seeds and.......(please forgive the awful photo, I got a bit too close!)

This exquisite little silver cotton reel, hand made by Emma together with a pearl and a button on a silver chain. I am so thrilled with it.

Thank you Emma you are so kind.

Well as these lovely bloggers have made my week another special one I would like to pass on something too...I am going to carry on the PASS THE BOOK giveaway by sending this book

Dandelion Soup by Babs Horton. If you have not read this and like something a little different you will not be disappointed. A bit of a mystery with shades of Joanne Harris, it really is one that you can't put down!

So if you would like to win this book, (and a small gift too) and would be prepared to read it and pass it on, or pass on a book of your choice just leave a comment on this post. If you would like to grab the piccie too and pop it on your sidebar that would be great.

I will leave the draw open until next Sunday 22nd August at midnight and post the result in the next week.

Well I think thats enough for one post, I'll be back later in the week with some projects I have been doing.

Hope you have had a good weekend ,

TTFN

Jenny x x

EXPLORING ON MY DOORSTEP

2010-08-08T18:19:00.000+01:00

Hello readers, I do hope you are all having a good weekend. We had a lovely family get together yesterday, A bit frantic when I realised I had promised puddings and had not even thought about them by Friday tea time. Luckily though as often happens when you do things in a rush they turned out OK. A fabulous Lemon Tart from the Joanne Harris 'The French Kitchen' cook book

so simple but so delicious, tangy and fresh and a cross between a mousse and a cheesecake which I adapted from an old Carnation milk recipe...but I'll share that with you another day...

For now I want to share our trip to Grimsthorpe Castle, yet another little gem so near to us that I am embarrassed to admit that it has taken me all this time to check it out!

The approach to the castle down the driveway is surrounded with beautiful trees..

and the castle itself is stunning..

..On this occasion as we had first strolled around the Antique and Collectors fair which was there we didn't take a tour of the inside of the castle itself, saving that for when we had more time. We were not disappointed though with the grounds and enjoyed a wonderful walk all around one of the lakes.

The whole place had such a calm atmosphere, there were loads of visitors and and there is a childrens adventure playground, but you would not have known it. It seemed like we were alone in the most beautiful English countryside...

how easy it is to miss the commonplace.....

the view looking back from the lake....

...lots of evidence of our very dry summer here so far, the lake overflow not only dry but overgrown....

...at the end of a wonderful walk, what better than to take tea in the lovely tea room..the cakes were delicious ( and the tea wasn't bad either)

Altogether well worth the entrance fee.

And finally I have a puzzle for you..We found this growing at the side of the lake among the bullrushes....(no not what you are thinking)...

the stem is about an inch thick, but there were none fully opened. I have no idea what it is and neither does DH...any suggestions welcome!!

Well I'm off now to do a bit of sewing, will be back in the week with piccies of two wonderful parcels I have received this week and details of my own 'Pass the Book'.

TTFN

Jenny xx

PS I would like to say a big Hello to any new followers for whom I have been unable to trace a blog or Email to contact you personally. I am so pleased when anyone shows an interest in my ramblings, and don't wany anyone to think that their comments go unread..

THE GREAT OUTDOORS...

2010-08-01T22:30:00.000+01:00

Hello lovely bloggers,
.....well that's it really isn't it?....the reason we blogging folk suddenly disappear for short periods at this time of year....we're doing what we should be and making the most of the great outdoors....And I am no exception.

We have had two great outings this week, but I will show you them one at a time as I feel they both deserve their starring role.

The first was to the Yew Tree Avenue Walk near Clipsham in Rutland. It is managed by the Forestry Commission, and is made up of around 150 clipped yew trees, some over 200 years old. It is a lovely though fairly brief walk and is very peaceful. There is good car parking and .....it is free!

Amos Alexander the head forester of Clipsham Hall during the 19th century started a hobby in 1870 creating figures in the yew trees outside his home the gatehouse.....

The Squire was so impressed he asked him to trim all the trees on the avenue up to Clipsham Hall. His son Charles was to continue the work and upkeep, and then in time the job passed to a local villager, but it all became overgrown during WW2. In 1955 the Forestry Commission took over the site and the Avenue was restored....They trained staff in topiary to continue the work and also create new designs.

The shapes commemorate historical events such as Concords first flight, the first landing on the moon and Royal landmarks. The trees are trimmed each year in September.

Some need no explanation....

While some seem to be just for fun....unless you know better....!

Not sure what the mouse is doing above the anchor....am I missing something....

The half mile stretch is a lovely place for a leisurely stroll and when you've seen everything here you can drive a short way to Castle Bytham, a pretty village, and meet some of the locals.......

Some are a bit young....but definitely not shy....especially if you have a crust or two!...

There pond is delightful.....as are the inhabitants!

Thats all for now duck, ( that's apparently how we're supposed to speak in Lincolnshire) hope you enjoyed another glimpse of our Great British heritage

Please join me again later in the week when I will tell of our trip to Grimsthorpe Castle............

TTFN

Jenny x x

DIDNT WE HAVE A LUVERLY TIME THE DAY WE WENT TO............

2010-07-24T21:01:00.000+01:00

Peterborough..............

City with beautiful cathedral, decent shopping centre, Little Frankies for lunch and now host to my first blogger get together.........

I arrived well in time for our 11am meet, a bit nervous (how old am I??) outside the lovely Harriets Tea Rooms. Of course I needn't have worried for within minutes I was greeted by a beaming smile and a hug from Karen (Tilly Rose). Next to arrive was Em (Ems Shabby Shack) followed by Anjalee (Yarn Lover) and her pretty daughter and finally Gill (DosieRosie) who had driven over two hours from Norfolk to join us.

Two of the group were sadly unable to make it due to family commitments, but I am sure we will be able to arrange another meet at a later date when they can join us.

The helpful staff in the Tea Rooms pulled two tables together for us and we were so busy introducing ourselves we almost (but not quite) forgot to order some of the delicious cake on offer.
Now at this point I should apologise...firstly I forgot to take a photo of the outside of the building, which is actually very beautiful, and more importantly.....The Cakes!!!!! So here are a couple I 'borrowed ' just to show you.......

Harriets Tea Rooms

Image courtesy of 'Where to eat out'

Lemon Cake (image by dessert.net.au

As you can see we are surrounded by empty plates...which is always a good indication of what they were like, but I kid you not when I say they were almost 4 inches high in their cake domes.....carrot cake, lemon, walnut........is your mouth watering yet!

It's amazing though that we managed to eat anything despite the fact that we were here for two hours as I don't think there was a pause in the conversation once!

It was so good though to put not just faces to the blogs but personalities to those faces and I would highly recommend this to anyone. It was a delightful way to say hello, find out a bit more about each other, listen to the tales of projects attempted....but not always completed and what each of us got out of the blogging community.....and I think it was a resounding thumbs up!

Em (front) and Karen

Gill

Anjalee,
it was great to meet her as she hadn't at that time got a blog, but had found out about the meet through Em's and my blog and decided to come and join us and we're so glad she did. She even brought her very shy (and very brave) daughter who had to put up with us talking ten to the dozen, but she seemed to take it in good part. Anjalee has now set up her blog,(see link above), which will develop as they all do and I hope she gets as much from it as most of us seem to.

Well I do hope everyone got home safely afterwards, I did ....after a bit of retail therapy at M & S....well went to buy what all we girls go there for and they let me down so I had to console myself with something.....didn't I.......and they were bargains.....

TTFN
Jenny xx