Feeling special, thank you...

I am feeling very special today, I received a fantastic parcel in the post from the wonderful Quilting Debbs. I have just deleted a very long emotional post about the ups and downs of my emotions, heavy stuff so I am going to go with the English stiff upper lip and side line all the emotional stuff so as not to bore you. Never the less it is important to say that Debbs, having read my blog for a while, actually realised through my witter that I had been feeling down, I am so touched by this and I really do thank her form the heart. What a lovely thing to do. My delight is also in the beautifully made pin cushion, the choice of colours, I so love gingham, if you could be a fabric gingham would suit me in personality. Not only that, but Ric Rak, I have trouble sewing this on in a neat line and this is so fiddly, is beautifully done. I thank you Debbs.
I mentioned I had splurged on fabric over the weekend and this was my buy. I am so excited about it, what is it with fabric, I laugh when I say buying fabric is my 'Prozac' but you know I believe it, it makes me feel giddy and full of possibilities, sad maybe, but I could do worse things. Mmmmm just look at that eye candy. Yum!!! The first is a Moda fabric, sort of pre quilt...I plan to make a lap quilt for the winter, quilt the batting and backing with the top fabric, embroider some linen squares, design not decided yet, I have even already bought the backing fabric a lovely soft flannel dark cream sheet, which is washed ready for action. On my quilting course one of the girls brought in a quilt she was making at home and it has really fired me up to make one for myself using this fabric. The two green pieces are for stash, the pink...what can I say I have loved this since I fist saw it, sadly it was out of my price range but I thought I would invest in the sale, I am slightly disappointed though as there is a permanent mark right in the middle of one of the ruffles which makes it a little difficult to cut round so the planned project might have to change. The owl print is to make a spare pair of PJ bottoms for my youngest. As for the plastic lolly makers I bought these a couple of weeks ago, they are still unused and sitting on the kitchen window ledge, they look so pretty, a pound shop buy and they look real neat. Maybe when the sun does eventually shine here they might actually get used. In the meantime I am getting some joy out of their design, more as a work of art than a functional object.
I had an email about Charlie and Lola, so I thought I should show you an update on how they have grown, I came back from my week away in disbelief, they had got so big...
Can you spy the cushion in the background. I did plan to blog about this in the future, but as its sneaked into the picture I thought I would mention it. It needs no introduction I am sure you must recognise it, its from fellow blogger Treefall. I had so admired these cushions and pictures, so when it was my birthday I treated myself to the cushion and matching picture, its every bit and more what I thought it would be, the quality is superb. The picture is at a local shop being framed as we speak, well actually they said it would take two weeks, but I do like to support local business. Having done my early morning blog reading I have just discovered she has a new set for sale, maybe mine needs a partner!!!

Talking of spending money, what better way to make it go further than shop at sale time. Oh that's right the sales are already on. I have just completed mine, I have topped up my wardrobe with the Boden sale. As for luxury I paid a visit on invitation to Cath Kidston and finally bought the sewing box I have had my eye on for over two years, because I need one to add to the other three I already have!!! Well actually I also treated myself to a garden chair for the back of the car for when the sun finally shines. Lots of picnics planned for the summer holiday and I shall do it in style this year!!! Go on check them out, what will you go for?

As for the response on schooling this week I am still reading all the emails and taking it all on board, a lot of thought needs to be put into this from me and I thank you and value your opinions so much.

WIP friday and other stuff!!!!

Our little visit to Ikea actually turned out to be a whole day event. I went with a friend and her little boy, needless to say the two children started off having a great time, I say started off as later in the day my little one ended up being in the wars. He thought it was great as I had relaxed some of the rules, and guess what...He got hurt, two incidents, one his cute little smiling mouth got busted and the second his finger got caught in a trolley wheel...Ekkk! I do not often see my little guy cry, but we had big dew drop tears. Anyway after lots of cuddling from Mommy he was much better although a little bruised. I then picked up my oldest child who had been hit in the mouth by a rounders ball by none other than his teacher!!! To round it all off nicely I am off to the Doctors for some tests...All fun going on here at the moment. So that's the bad stuff on to the goodies...YES I did buy more than candles, how did you know? So here is a little shot of my booty. Loving that fabric and the little bags are so cute and useful. I always get some pens for my children also they are good for little extra birthday gifts.
As for the WIP this is my bundle. lots of knitting to finish and they are so near to being finished. The heather one has been on the go since last half term, I did not pick it up for ages, took it away with me and I am now only 16 rows from finishing it. The tank top just needs its arm edging finished, again only one evenings work. The colourful one is the holiday project that got put aside due to the playing with the crochet hook. Its a felted (or will be) hand bag. The sewing bits are two blocks for my quilt, again both near completion...
As for my little piggies, Charlie and Lola, look how big they are now. You asked for a picture and here they are...cute... cute... cute...They say 'hi 'and love your comments it makes them feel like film stars!
I leave you with a little garden play. Teddy bears picnic, enjoying the delights of Houmous and nibbles. Need to dash, sorry to be short on words to day...

Beach dreaming

Well its been four days since I have been to the beach and I am missing it so much, I think I need to move to be closer to the Sea. I guess you have had enough witter about my holiday, I am sure you can tell it was a special time with the children. So this is a picture to make me happy and I hope it does you too. My little one, the beach boy himself!!! The weather is stunning so I am going to make this a short post as I want to be outside. I have been asked for an update on Charlie and Lola (the piggies). I must take a photo, they are twice the size now and are just the funniest things you have ever had the pleasure to watch. Chatter chatter...they live indoors in an open run/cage in the same room as the computer, so lots of company for me. At the moment they are in an outdoor run being closely watched by Archie bunny, who let me tell you is a real softy at the moment. He is so after attention, if your about he's by your feet pushing you with his nose for a tickle behind his ears. On Monday I was bringing the piggies in when one made a bid for freedom. PANIC!!! She ran in to the plant boarder which has totally over grown into the cottage garden look. It took me a good half hour to catch him. I was shaking by the time I got him and stupid me burst in to tears once the drama was over. So I hope it will not happen again, just in case I took action on the garden yesterday...Big gardening action, my hands are sore, my back is stiff, BUT the garden looks good, no the garden looks FAB!!! I went to town on the boarders and re cut into the grass boarder so it is all neat, it looks very manicured at the moment, maybe even a little to much. As a treat for clearing the boarders I am off to buy some nice flowering plants for some impact as its all green at the moment. No blog tomorrow, I am off to Ikea with a friend and taking our youngest ones with us. I am only after candles but I am sure I will buy some fabric...See you Friday for WIP day!