Sunday Ramblings

Hi Everyone
Well, surprisingly its a beautiful sunny Sunday here in Filey, after all the recent rain, its lovely to see the sunshine, but unfortunately it will be just through the windows today as I have loads to do in the house, and I have just seen hubby carrying his toolbox into Georgia's room, which can only mean that he is going to change her window. When that is done, I promise I will post lots of pictures of her room, you will recall that decorating it was a mammoth job, involving taking all the plaster off right down to the wooden framework. I have shown you snippets, but have held off showing you the whole room until the final bit (i,e the window) was completed.
Yesterday we had a lovely day visiting York. It is three years since we bought any new bedding for our bed, so I picked up this lovely set in BHS.

Even lovelier was that it was discounted when I took it to the checkout. Sorry the pictures are so dark, but I took them late last night. the bedding has really vibrant embroidery on it, and I think it will look lovely with some Cath Kidston floral pillowcases behind the main pair.
While I'm at it, I also wanted to show you this lovely mannequin I picked up in a quaint little shop in Whitby. Georgia refers to it as 'Lady no 'ed' so that it how she is known now. It is my intention to pin all my brooches etc onto it - pretty isn't she?

A week or so ago I was tagged by Joanne and have to tell you 6 quirky facts about myself - I can't promise they will be wildy exciting, but here goes!

1. I am such a light sleeper that I simply cannot sleep without earplugs, years ago, when there was a spate of car crime on the estate where I lived, I was always the one able to give a statement to the police, because I only had to hear something on the street at an unearthly hour and I was out of bed to see what it was!

2. I have had a baby in the 7lb range (Callum 7lb 10), in the 8lb range (Georgia 8lb 4) and the 9lb range (Nathaniel 9lb 2)

3. I love to run, I have a treadmill in my bedroom (OK so I wish it wasn't in my bedroom and I am thinking of places to re-locate it to) I try to run at least 2 miles a day, usually uphill for extra pain!

4. 18 years ago I was a WAG - my boyfriend at the time never made it into the first team, but during that time I met Gazza and went to a party at Vinnie Jones house.

5. When I was 14 I won a competition in the local paper and became their 'Junior Editor of the Year' I really wanted to become a journalist, but that dream died when I left school and realised that if I got a job I could earn money right away. Funnily enough, my Eldest Callum now dreams of being a sports reporter for a national newspaper so I will encourage him all I can.

6. I have to wash my hair every day, it is very fine and looks greasy really quickly, I am jealous of anyone who only has to wash their hair every 3 days or so!

So there - not that fascinating. I am now supposed to pass this on to 6 other bloggers, so I will hand the baton to Tracy, Josie, Lucy, Jessica, Julia and Debbie
See you all later in the week
Natalie x

Lovely Swaps from Sarah

A couple of months ago, Sarah and I from Pink Petal designs decided to do a swap, it has taken us some time to get round to it, but last weekend I received these lovely items in the post

I love everything, although I said to Sarah that the lovely crocheted coasters are destined for my dressing table, I don't want anyone dripping tea on those! - Look at the little baboushka doll, isn't she sweet? and Sarah made the little rolling pin especially, after I saw it on one of her previous posts. Sarah sells lots of her lovely things on etsy, you must go and have a look.
I thought I would also give you an update on the Granny squares. With 19 done, there's still a long way to go, but I am still enjoying it and think it will be a lovely project to crack on with now the nights are pulling in again (Boo Hoo!) My mum had a look at her stash and sent me a big parcel full of wool oddments, some of which were jumpers she knitted for the boys when they were babies, so each time I look at my blanket it will remind me of those days.

So we are into September now, the boys went back to school on Tuesday and the Summer seems all but over. It has been another strange Summer hasn't it ? - My thoughts are now turning to Christmas, I like to start my christmas shopping early, or at least get ideas together, and with lots of christmassy craft projects lined up for those long winter nights, I'm sure it will be here before I know it!
Natalie x

Relaxing Weekend

Hi everyone!
This bank holiday weekend was a very relaxed affair - Tim's Dad and Stepmum came over from Rotherham, and Tim and I took the opportunity of a night out together (yes, a proper grown up night out!) We hadn't had one of those since we went away for our wedding anniversary in December so it made a lovely change.
On Bank Holiday Monday we decided to explore some of the nice places not far from us, up here in North Yorkshire. Firstly we went to Thornton-Le-Dale which was really picturesque - just look at this gorgeous thatched cottage - it looks straight off a chocolate box

The weather was bright and breezy and so we enjoyed an ice cream on our stroll.
I love this picture of Georgia and Tim dropping twigs in the stream and watching them float away

We then went on to Pickering which was just as lovely and has a great flea market - I could have spent ages in there, but unfortunately the rest of the family didn't feel the same way!
Just a short post today, we have been really busy of late, I can't believe the school holidays are now drawing to a close, but I will hopefully be back to posting more regularly come September
Natalie x

One Weekend, Two Parties, One tired Mummy!

This weekend saw us shut up shop and travel to Sheffield for my Nieces first birthday party. We had a lovely time, it was great to see all the family again and catch up on everyones news. My sister loved the cushion I had made for Sophia, which I showed you recently, and my Grandma was especially pleased to see us all again - I mean this literally, as she has just had a cataract operation on one eye and can't believe how well she can see now, she is waiting to see if she can have the other eye done now, it has made a great difference to her quality of life, as her eyesight was so poor, she was classed as partially blind. My Grandma is 91 years old, and has 4 Great Grandchildren (3 of them belong to me, the little one is Sophia, my sisters little girl)

I am sure you will agree that she looks great, I am going to blow this picture up and send it to her.
This next picture is my boys enjoying the party - they look like they are having fun don't they?

On Saturday evening, we stayed at Tim's Dads house in Rotherham, and on Sunday we were invited to a BBQ at some friends of theirs, back in Sheffield! - It was their grandaughter's birthday and although the weather wasn't forecast to be very good, it actually surprised us for a change. The kids spent the day running round the garden, and Georgia spent most of her time on this little trampoline (I hope Father Christmas is taking note!)

By the end of the afternoon, we had three pairs of very dirty trousers, the boys were mainly caused by diving headfirst down the slide onto the lawn - Georgia's trousers started out white linen and ended up black, amazingly though, they have washed up nicely (the wonders of vanish spray eh?)
I couldn't resist taking a photo of these dirty feet though!

Before we left my Mum and Dads on Saturday, my Dad gave me a load of veg from his garden, some Courgettes, Beetroot and Runner Beans - We are having them for tea tonight with some Lamb chops and I am really looking forward to it.

I don't know what it is about parties, basically just sitting round talking, drinking and eating food that someone else has painstakingly prepared for you, but they can be really tiring - By the time we arrived back in Filey at 7.30pm on Sunday night, I was bushed!
And its the start of another week again - The forecast is not good (anyone else getting fed up of this weather?) so our evenings will probably have to be spent inside - At least its a good chance for me to carry on with the crochet - thank you to everyone for all your kind comments - I am pleased to say I have now completed 8 squares towards my blanket.
See you later in the week
Natalie x
P.S - I received my swap parcel on Friday from the cupcake and tea swap, so I will show you what goodies I received in my next post!

Holy Moly - I can crochet!!!

Just wanted to share this with my blogging friends - I am not quite sure how it happened, but - I seem to be able to crochet! I have been practising like mad over the past week or two, and there has been much unravelling and starting again, but bit by bit it seems to be clicking into place, (might have something to do with the fact that I'm a Capricorn and can be very determined). There were times when I thought I was never going to 'get' it but finally, on Sunday, I produced a 'Granny Square' and have made two more since (without using the pattern I hasten to add!). The squares measure 6" each, So I reckon 42 or 49 of them will make a good sized blanket.
This is one project I'm determined to finish, as I do have a history of starting lots of different things and never finishing any of them - So I expect you, my blogging friends to keep hassling me on whether I've done any more squares for my blanket.
Its hard to think of needing blankets to snuggle up on the sofa and keep warm, the weather here today is glorious, but I'm sure it will be with us all too soon
Bye for now
Natalie x

Corners of My Home

Not a long post today, just wanted to show you a little corner of my home - in this case my lounge, and the lovely lilies I bought yesterday.
My lounge is on the first floor and looks out across Filey's bowling green (on the right) and the tennis courts (on the left) - We have a window seat built into the bay window and whenever we have anyone round, they always seem to want to perch on the window seat so they can enjoy the view outside.

Finally, I keep forgetting that I have been nominated for the Brilliante award 3 times (not that I want to brag or anything!) I know the rules are that I should pass the award onto other bloggers, but to be truthful, I think this one has been doing the rounds for a while, and most of the blogs I read have already had it! Hope I don't offend anyone.
Have a good weekend everyone

Natalie x

Cups, Cushions and Crochet!

At the weekend, Tim's Dad and Step mum came through again to see us for a couple of days - We had a lovely time, exploring Scarborough's Italian Gardens, eating fish & chips and sitting in the sun - Saturday was glorious weather, but unfortuntely I forgot to take the camera, never mind, I really enjoyed the Italian Gardens and am sure I will be going there again before the summer is out. The Gardens are located just off Scarborough's Esplanade and not far from the building where they film 'The Royal' on ITV. Sunday was a different thing altogether, a really bad sea mist hung over Filey all day - The beach was packed, but it was like sunbathing in thick fog - you couldn't see more than 10 metres in front of you, so there was no point in taking any pictures.

However, Terry and Sue came bearing gifts, and for me, were these 8 lovely pink floral mugs. I have put 4 under this little cabinet that hangs in the kitchen and the other 4 are hanging from my other little kitchen shelf. They look lovely and are really nice to drink from too.


Next Saturday, will be my niece Sophia's 1st Birthday and we will all be travelling through to Sheffield for her party. I know she has loads of clothes (because I pass a lot on to her!) and I'm sure she is not short of toys either, so I decided I wanted to make her something she could keep. I made her this cushion onto which I have appliqued her name, and trimmed it with cream lace and some little dragon fly motifs - I am really pleased with how it has turned out and I hope my sis likes it too!


For a long time now, I have wanted to learn to crochet, but the time has never been right, however I am determined this time, and armed with these 2 books I have been practising away. I am a fairly accomplished knitter (my mum taught me at a very young age and I remember making my first item of clothing - a maroon tank top at the age of 10) but trying to learn crochet from a book is harder than I thought. I did however manage to make this little heart using this pattern

I don't know how i managed it, and lets just say it didn't look very 'heart-shaped' until I blocked it, but its a start!
The lovely Lucy over at Attic 24 has been very helpful, giving me tips on which yarns are best to use - so all I need to do now is keep on practising. I am aiming to make heaps of ripple and granny square blankets for this winter, when I can't afford to have the gas on!
Hope you all enjoy the last day of July and I'll be back in a couple of days
Natalie x