A Warren of Bunnies

I've finally got my making mojo back (I was getting a bit worried as the next fair is the 5th April).

These are my latest makes - lavender bunnies, and one lavender kitty (prototype - hopefully more will be made soon). I'm rather loving them, hopefully others will too.

Organising the fair is taking up a lot of my time at the moment (the person I was organising the fairs with is unable to do it anymore) and seems to have dominated the year so far, I still have lots bunting and a fabric banner to make as well as all the paperwork, and things to make for my stall.

A lot of work, but enjoyable, creative work! 

Do you plan to sell at fairs this year?

What do you plan to make?

Thanks for visiting

xXx

She's Been A Wandering Again.... (or Unfinished)

Can it really be over a month since I last blogged? And I've had so much to blog about too - so many lovely vintage finds and gifts, breakfasts at Bill's, days out, catch ups with friends (and even a night away with Mr B) and new friends of the four legged variety to fall in love with. So many photographs taken with the intention of sharing!

What I haven't done a lot of is making things. Oh, I've started OK but finishing is another matter! 

Bags

(in an attempt to use some of my huge amount of fabric)

I've enjoyed making the bags bit but I'm putting off making the handles - a bit of a boring job for me.

Cards

Started well but just lost enthusiasm

Sewing project bag

Used my favourite fabric (the cross stitch one), enjoyed choosing the fabrics but again, fell at the last hurdle (handles).

Quilt as you go cushion

Will probably never finish this, love the fabric but it doesn't go with anything in my house plus, it's a bit puffy for my liking!

Bunting

This is to decorate the craft fair venue not to sell. I actually have a good reason this isn't finished - I need to measure the space.

There's probably even more that I've forgotten about and will stumble upon one day....

How is your making going at the moment?

Thanks for visiting

xXx

Sweet

Today we are having double glazing fitted here at the Bramble house. We've had draughty single glazed aluminium windows since we moved in more than 20 years ago. We had hoped to afford replacement wooden sashes at some point. That's never going to happen (currently over £20,000 for a terraced house!) we now realise, so have opted for UPVC in green on the outside to give the illusion of painted frames as a compromise.

It's cold here so I decided to do some baking to warm myself up and keep myself busy.

I subscribe to these chocolates (yes, you can subscribe to chocolate!!!) and get twelve 35g bags a month.

I have a bit of a backlog so wanted to bake something where I could use them up.

And this is the recipe I chose - I must be the last person on the planet to try it and I can see why people rave about it.
It took thirteen packets of the chocolate to make the cookies and they are very rich, and massive too!
I was looking forward to eating one with a cup of tea, but as I've been nibbling the broken bits and now feel in need of a lie down from an overload of sugar, I shall save that treat for later!
Have you tried this recipe?
What do you think of it?
As the double glazing is going to take five days to fit I'll have to think of other bakes to keep warm - maybe a slightly healthier one next time (or maybe not, I am going to be the teenagers favourite person this week if I carry on like this!!)
Thanks for visiting.
xXx

Reasons to be Cheerful

I have started this post so many times, in my head, on paper, the computer...

Like many people I struggle in the winter months with 'low mood' (and to be honest, at other times too).  This is why I blog less during the winter even though I plan to blog more in the run up to Christmas!

I don't think I'm a full blown pessimist but nor am I a raging optimist either - I'd like to change that so after reading this article

(don't forget you can click on the pic to enlarge)

I have been listing three things everyday that have made me happy.
Some days I have struggled to find three things, and that's not because good things haven't happened...

Here are some examples of good things that have happened recently:



  Breakfast in bed courtesy of Mr B
All of us eating dinner together
Two new magazines delivered
Sunny weather
A friend called in to see me at work
Got lots done at work
YB made dinner
Enjoyed Meet and Make
Saw a squirrel in the library garden
New follower on blog

Today's will be:



Received a new magazine
Listening to music (The Beautiful South) on my Christmas present radio and Ipod dock.

 Whether or not I'm listening to music is a good indication of how I'm feeling. I love a good sing along but don't play music if I'm really down but I'm going to change that because how could I fail to be cheered by a sing-song?
I'm hoping number three will be that Mr B didn't work late!


How do you cheer yourself up?

This isn't meant to be a glum post but a post about appreciating the little things in life and doing so more. I am lucky to have a lovely family, great friends, a nice job, somewhere safe to live and so much more. I just need to remember it more!

This postcard (bought because I love typography) has been in my kitchen for a year or more, it's about time I took more notice of it!!

Thanks for visiting.

xXx

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you all!

xXx

Beautiful...

I just had to share this beautiful image of a snowflake with you

click here to read the fascinating article and see more stunning images of snowflakes.

Have a cool (sorry!) day

Thanks for visiting

xXx



I'm in the mood...

..for Christmas!!

For the first time in weeks I actually feel well and have some energy. It's taken me until now to get into the festive spirit and today, for the first time this year, I feel jolly and Christmassy.

I've spent the day so far tidying and cleaning, and have even enjoyed it (maybe I'm not better after all!). Enjoying the housework has come as a massive shock to me for sure!!

I have just received the last of the five deliveries I had arranged for today as I knew I'd be waiting in for an engineer so I'm also feeling organised and, OK, maybe just a tiny bit smug!

I'd like to share with you the gorgeous decoration I received from the swap organised by the lovely Ladybird Diaries.

Joy, who has a fabulous blog and is a talented crafts person made me this crocheted hanging decoration. As some of you know I love crochet but can't crochet myself so this is perfect for me.

Apparently, Joy made her own sparkly yarn by mixing in shiny thread which I am very impressed by, and couldn't imagine how she'd done it until I saw the picture on her blog, and also how she managed to get a perfect round shape.

Joy also generously sent me a box of chocolates that didn't last long enough to be photographed!

This is what I sent to Joy

I'm off now to catch up with your news and then wrap some presents whilst the casserole for dinner cooks in the oven.

So, this is what it feels like to be organised - amazing!!

How are you doing with your preparations for Christmas?

Thanks for visiting

xXx

Evening out

Despite having a stinky cold I'll soon be heading off here

to do this

really looking forward to it, and hoping there will be a shopping opportunity too!

Have a great evening

&

thank you for visiting

xXx



Christmas Shopping

On Saturday myself and Mr B took ourselves off to a nearby town that was hosting this

I thought it would be a good place to find some Christmas gifts.

And, I did buy this

for me

(the pier in my hometown).

And these  

for me

(wish I could have afforded the original paper cuts, but love the handmade bag/envelope - going to pinch this idea!)

 We then had a stroll around the town and I bought this vintage string dispenser

you've guessed it - for ME!!

Not quite the shopping I was planning, but I came home happy!

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

 

Yesterday I made some cards for the next craft fair

inspired by the letterpress designs I so love,

and these packs of note cards

And a few more Christmas cards,

my favourites being this

and especially this one

As always, thanks for visiting, reading and commenting.

It means so much to me...

xXx

...and, relax...

Hello,

how are you all?

(How did your craft fair go, Ali?)

I've missed you whilst preparing for the craft fair but I'm now gradually catching up with all of your news.

my stall

I'm pleased to say our craft fair was a success, with many lovely customers and talented makers.

I made a respectable amount and met some super people.

I was very restrained and only splashed out on a vintage watering can for a mere £7. Unlike the first craft fair I did when I spent almost all of my profit at the fair!!

 

Things to remember for the next fair are:

1. Do not believe your 15 year old when he tells you that having 4 friends to stay the night before the fair will not cause any problems as they will be quiet!

2. Remember to eat properly the day before so that you don't wake up at 2am with a rumbling tummy!

 

It was strange to wake up yesterday (Sunday) and have nothing to do for the craft fair - it was nice to have a 'day off'.

But, by today I was itching to make something so I made some cards.

My stock is very low so I'll need to get back to the making properly soon as the next craft fair is on the 14th December - not that far away.

 

Thanks for visiting

xXx