Sorry its been so long......

But its been with good reason. Sadly in the first week of May, my lovely Gran passed away suddenly. It was (and still is) a great shock to us all as she was so full of life and active for her 92 years - she was due to go on holiday just a couple of days after she passed away.
I will miss her so much, although we lived 100 miles apart, I was lucky enough to see her just a couple of weeks before she died, I will cherish the memories of that day, she was so happy, sitting in my Mum and Dads conservatory watching two of her Great-Grandchildren play. I am thinking of all the happy times and that is what has seen me through and bought a smile to my face even though I am sad. Unfortuntely this all happened very close to Georgia's 3rd Birthday, so the 'Pirates and Princess's' party we had planned had to be postponed, but we are planning to have another party later on in the summer.

Moving on, I needed something to focus on, and I am ready for a challenge so on September 20th 2009 I shall be taking part in the Great North Run in aid of 'Beating Bowel Cancer' This is a half marathon (13.1 miles!) in which over 50,000 people take part. If you would like to sponsor me, I would be very grateful - please send me an e mail and I will contact you with my details.
So off I was this morning in the drizzle running along the sea-front against the wind wondering if maybe I had bitten off more than I can chew?- Hmm - I'll let you know on that one!
I have kept up to date with all your blogs and even though I haven't been leaving comments, you have continued to put a smile on my face. My mojo is now on its way back, so I will post again soon
Natalie x
Added 1/6/09 - You can now sponsor me by clicking on the link in my sidebar - thanks so much!

Springtime

I just love Springtime - its there on my sidebar as one of my favourite things, and I think I love Easter almost as much as Christmas. Perhaps its the prospect of not one, but two bank holidays, or maybe its when we start looking forward to warmer weather and lighter evenings - but whatever it is, this time of year is flippin fantastic!
If you cross over the road from my house and go down the road for about a minute you come to this lovely path, known as 'Martins Ravine'......

which leads directly to this......

Sunday was gorgeous here, usually there is quite a bit of a breeze on the beach but it was sunny and dare I say it? - almost warm!
There was plenty of sandcastle making to be done and plenty of this too....

So now I have 8 glorious days off work - there is so much I want to do, Projects I want to crack on with and places I want to visit. I started as soon as I came in from work today by arranging this little easter display in our hallway. I am quite pleased with it, but think I will add a pretty potted primula and a basket of mini eggs (bet they won't last long!)

There has also been a little more crochet done too....

I can't wait!
Natalie x
P.S - Thank you to everyone for your kind comments on Callum's birthday, he read them all and we were all touched by your kind words and well wishes, you are such a friendly bunch and I feel lucky to have your friendship

Happy Birthday Callum!

Tomorrow is my lovely Callum's 11th Birthday - wow! where have the last 11 years gone? it seems like only yesterday that I was cradling my firstborn and now I am getting ready to pack him off to 'big school' later this year. Wouldn't it be nice to step back in time just for a day to re-live those days?
Callum - you are growing into such a special young man, who never fails to make us proud - we always know that when we go to your parent evenings that the teachers will have nothing but praise for you, we are sure you will go far and we thank you for being no trouble to us (yet!) - long may that continue! I love how you always have a kiss for me when I leave for work and again when I get home, and although your now too old to hold hands with me in public (embarrassing) I know you would do anything to make us happy. Thank you for being a wonderful son and for always doing your best
Love you lots - Mum and Dad x x x x x

I love Hearts!

There has been a distinct heart theme round here lately, firstly I have been very busy making these little hearts which I sell in my shop. Although we are primarily a curtain and blind shop, being by the coast, there are naturally a lot of tourists, especially in the Summertime. Whilst we don't have much to offer visitors in the way of souvenirs, I do like to make up a few bits which sell really well in the holiday season.

Secondly there has been the heart swap, and my swap partner was Gemma from Deravelled - I received some lovely goodies including some lovely cards which Gemma had made and some charms and stickers so I can make some of my own - there was also some lovely smelling soap slices and the pretty black and white handmade heart you can see in the picture,

Thank you Gemma - I love everything!
I have a busy week ahead, It is my eldest son's birthday on Thursday (he will be 11) and it is also my last full week at work before I have some nice time off around Easter - I have lots I want to do, things to make, books I want to read and places I want to go - I love Easter time and can't wait
Natalie x

Mothers Day

I had a lovely weekend and in particular a lovely Sunday, which was Mothering Sunday here in the UK. Some lovely choccies (which were gone before lunchtime) - and later a trip into York, where I was treat to a pair of lovely Cath Kidston pillowcases. I had got my eye on the CK 'pins' & 'buttons' tins and the boys raced into the shop clutching their saved up pocket money, but they had sold out! - Oh well, it will just be another excuse to return!
Later on in the afternoon we went to Frankie & Bennys which is one of our favourite places to eat out as a family - & I even treat myself to the chocolate orange profriteroles for afters! - Yes it was a lovely weekend and I was spoilt rotten. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend whether you are a mummy, or an Aunty or a Grandma.
I have been busy making things to sell in my shop and of course busy doing more crochet - but more about that later in the week
Take care everyone!
P.S - As you can see, the children had a good time too, although none of them would co-operate for the photo - probably because they knew it would end up on here!!

Pretty things

Just wanted to show you this delightful tin I picked up this week at a lovely little shop in Scarborough. Thankfully we don't have much call for first aid supplies in this house, but I daresay that might change when the weather warms up and the little ones get out and about on their bikes a bit more! - I think it will look lovely on my kitchen shelf to hold my collection of barbie plasters, cotton wool and TCP!

Secondly, here is a photo of the goodies ready to send off to Gemma of Deravelled for the heart swap organised by mollycupcakes - Goodness knows how I have managed to be so organised, that I have them wrapped and ready to send a week early! - I even found another use for one of my crocheted flowers, can you see it there adorning the gift tag? - I am enjoying this week, it has been very busy with work, the shop, parents evenings and all the usual housey stuff but the lovely Spring weather has put a Spring in my step! - Hope you are all enjoying your week - Natalie x

Loving to crochet

I am just loving crochet at the moment, and inspired by similar cushions made by Julia and Jane I decided to make one of my own, and I am just loving it! - It is so nice to start a project and see it through to completion, especially since I have recently taught myself to crochet and six months ago, didn't even know how to hold a hook!
In the background is the granny blanket I started in the summer, and I am hoping this photo will guilt trip me into sorting it out - typical of me, I thought I could take short cuts and didn't bother to block the pieces, but now I have decided I must take apart the pieces I have stitched together so far, block them and then crochet them together.
Here is proof that I blocked my circular cushion

It really does give a better finished result and I am now planning on making some more of these cushions to display (and hopefully sell) in my next shop window display which will be in shades of dusky pink and mink.
Almost forgot there about my one year giveaway - I put the names in a hat (well, actually a bowl) and the name the little hand pulled out was English Teacup, so congratulations and hopefully I will get a little parcel of goodies off to you in the next couple of weeks.
Next on the 'to do' list is working on the heart swap, I have been paired with Gemma and I can't wait to see what heart shaped lovlies she sends me - I love receiving things in the post! - Anyway hope you are all having a wonderful weekend and enjoying the mild spring weather
Natalie x