Ladybird love

I love ladybird books, I used to read them when I was a child. I still remember them in the small school library at my primary school. I remember the Peter and Jane books that taught me to read. Of course it's all different nowadays with jolly phonics.

I love the illustrations so nostalgic. My favourite is 'Shopping with mother'

I started collecting them when I had my son 3 years ago. I thought I would collect him the well loved tales for story time, then the addiction kicked in. I would see them in the charity shops or the bootsale and quickly grab them. I found hundreds in an antique shop in north Norfolk while we were on holiday it was like I hit the jackpot. I must have bought 30 books. So what started as a small collection has now turned into 300+ books and an obsession.

There must be hundreds I don't have... But my bookcases are full. I do love books. So when I knew fee at chipper nelly could make blocks from the books I knew I had to have some. These are the ones she made for my little boy.

He loves them. There are diggers, cranes, trains, cars all of his favourite things.

Do pop over to her blog as she is having a fantastic giveaway.

x x x

A mixed bag

It looks as though it is bad news for me it's very likely that I am going to be made redundant. I wasn't sure if I would go back after my maternity leave but it looks as though that decision has been made for me. I have been designing kitchens for a well known DIY store for ten years. The last year was difficult as I was part- time and pregnant again. After my first baby they took an a full timer and he turned out to be a bit of a bully. I didn't get on well and earnt a lot less money than previous years as some of my wage is commission based. So in a way I am relieved because I hated working with him but a little sad as I really did enjoy myself in my job, I am not a pushy salesperson and my customers liked that. So I need to save as much money as I can until I get a new job.

I always try to save money where I can but it will be even more important now and if it is Eco friendly all the better. We are using cloth nappies again she has the cutest little bottom and its better for her and the environment too. This is my current favourite nappy so squishy and cute.

We have been selling loads on eBay recently things just hanging around that we never used. Hopefully this will be enough to pay for our summer caravanning holiday in France with my sister, boyfriend and my niece. The kids love camping and caravanning as I did when I was little. They love being outside. All weather dependant of course. We had to abandon a picnic this week because we didn't realise how windy it was. The sand was wipping up lashing us and it was freezing. We stayed for half an hour then hastily retreated back to the car with our sand filled sandwiches.

I need to resist going to the bootsale I always see things I just can't live without. Last week we found this toy kitchen,

The week before this old doll house,

This week it was old wooden blocks and a children's tea set. I can't resist a old traditional toy. I really would love a Mary Poppin's style nursery. The OH groans when I see something I like he knows he will be dragging it back to the car and trying to squeeze it in.


I have big plans for the toy kitchen and dolls house. I love the one on mousehouse blog. Isn't it amazing. Mine won't be quite so amazing, I can't believe the detail she has gone to. I was thinking a new carpet, new wall paper and maybe paint the furniture.

I thought i would show you what my studio looks like these days. It is still not finished but it's half painted it has electrics and the lights are in and working. I love it and can't wait to move in but I have a feeling it will be a while yet. Maybe I will work from here one day. I have dreams of using it as a studio where I could teach jam making, bread making, crochet and art classes if only I knew everything about these things and could teach. It's just a dream.

x x x

Wips

It seems as though life at the moment has been one long round of feeding at the moment, baby milk, breakfast for us, the cats, the chickens, more milk, lunch, more milk, cats snacktime, more milk, dinner, more milk and feed the ever hungry cats again. So, as not much exciting stuff has happened I thought I would show you my present little pile of wips. Half wips really as each one is half finished.

This is a pretty shell cardigan in 0-3mths I have crocheted in Amy Butler belle organic dk in a sort of coral shade. This is the first garment I have made so I am happy how it is turning out. I got it from Nicki Trench's new book cute and easy baby clothes. It is supposed to have sleeves but actually I quite like it with little cap sleeves ideal for chilly afternoons in summer. I need to get a wriggle on and finish it quick because she won't fit it soon she is 7 weeks now. When has that time gone!

My next wip is a baby bootie, only one I tried to finish it to go with her jubilee dress but as it happened it rained and most of the time she was wrapped in a blanket in the buggy so no one would have seen them. Also it was very large for her do she needs to grow her feet.

The final wip is my favourite, I have named it the sweetie blanket. I love it and it's getting bigger I am up to 225 squares. I have about 150 to go. I am using belle organic again in nine different shades that I got for my birthday. It's nice to work with but sometimes splits but not too bad. I love the colours of this wool they are so bright and zingy but I must remembers its half wool so I mustn't shrink it when its washday.


What are you working on at the moment?
Bye for now, Sarah

Basketcase

Do you love my new yarn basket? I love a wicker basket £2 in our local church rummage sale. I did have a huge post planned but I am having trouble uploading my photos. To be continued...

HipstaPrint, a photo by squiggle2010 on Flickr.

rain, rain go away

 Party dresses were worn

 Paper chains were made and strung from trees

 Flags were raised

 Buns were iced

 Cakes were baked

Bunting made and then...


The rain came. However, despite the rain we still managed a Jubilee street party.

Hope the weather didn't spoil you celebration plans this weekend.

Sarah