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

Which colour?

Well I have been away for a while again, apologies. I have been very busy welcoming our new bundle of Joy to the world. But what colour hat did I take with me to the hospital???

It's a girl!!!! We were convinced that the baby would be a boy so we were very surprised and happy to have a girl. My mind is racing with all the things I can make for her- dresses, teddy bears, blankets. She is a joy to look after and at the moment seems to be a contented little girl. We are so happy.

I have started a crochet blanket for her using the Amy Butler wool I was given for my birthday.

I love the bright colours, I am using a simple granny square because I think the colours do all the talking.

I knew there was a reason I bought this cute little wooden pram from the bootie last year. Little Ob did like it for a while for pushing his toy cars about, but my little girl will really appreciate it.

Have a great week,

Sarah

Be mine ..

This week has mostly been filled with entertaining little people and baking. I have found loads of inspiration from other blogs.
Valentines heart biscuits from yvestown for my sweet heart.

I found this on hearthandmade uk and just had to make it for my friend's birthday.

The cake inside is pink but because the yolk from my chickens is bright yellow it went more of a retro orange colour. I just love the aqua colour for the icing though.

I have wanted one of these for ages but could never justify £17 but thanks to a sale bargain £5 at Cath Kidston i now have prettied my ironing board.
I thought we would go shopping for baby stuff today I don't need much another monitor, a nice outfit to bring it home in and I want to get some wool to crochet a little hat. When OB was born my other half didn't find the hat I bought in time and before we knew it a pink hat was on my little boy. So the first photos we have are of a little boy in a not- so- boy- coloured- hat. That's not happening again I am going to have it ready by the bed this time. I found a pattern on raverly that I like which is suitable for a boy or girl seeing as we don't know what it is but is it too over the top?

Little Bear hat with sweet texture and optional flower

by Bonnie Potter

Obviously I won't make the flower or I'll make it removable. I just like the texture, oh and the cute bear ears.

Have a lovely weekend,
Sarah

Back again

Oh well, I have totally missed doing my Christmas and new year posts. To be honest after I started feeling less sick from morning sickness I think I got a big of blogaphobia!! I have a fancy mobile device and most days instead of turning on my laptop I have a browse through all your blogs on that. It's quicker and easier but impossible to write a blog post on far too fiddly. Anyway I am over my phobia now partly thanks to a nice email from Cuckoo basically telling me to get my bottom in gear as its been three months since my last post.

So much has happened that I decided to make a mosaic of our my latest craft projects. Mostly Christmas presents but that's old news now.

I am feeling really big at the moment and my pelvis has started to give me some problems but it will be worth it in the end only about 85 days to go now. I have been going through all little OB's baby clothes from the loft, washing and ironing and packing away in readiness for the babies arrival. Knowing my luck it will be a girl and all these blue clothes will be useless.

I have been obsessed with nest building lately trying to get all the rooms in the house in a totally finished state. And we just had to have a new king sized bed- mostly because the stray cat we adopted wee-ed (how do you spell that???) on our old mattress on Christmas day. Thanks, susie. So a trip to ikea meant a king size mattress and bed with storage drawers was purchased I have always wanted a bit more space especially as my tummy is so big now and we desperately needed more storage as all the linen has had to be removed from the nursery wardrobe. This leads nicely to my current craft obsession- crochet trimmed pillowcases. I searched for new bed linen everywhere and couldn't find anything fabulous, so I am making my own. I have long admired rosehip's pillowcases and now I can make my own. I tried out some fabrics I had in my stash as testers and I am really pleased with how they look, in fact I love them -they look like proper pillowcases.

I have just got to add the crochet to complete the look. If you would like to make some too check out this blog  you go girl . I have added the tutorial button to my side bar.

A Happy week to you all, I am off to make more pillows,

Sarah