Fading Grace

A Week of Tales from the Spare 'oom

2012-02-24T02:11:00.000-08:00

Those of you who are familiar with the story of The lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe will recall a little girl called Lucy Pevensie, who could not pronounce her R's and a certain fawn named Mr Tumnus with a hairy 'bottom' oower! half, the other, upper half, being human, who rather daringly wore nothing more than a red scarf to keep out the winter chills of Narnia. Why am I telling you this?....well my spare 'oom had a lot in common with that of Narnia, in that once you entered its realms, it could be some time...possibly even years before you'd return, and this my friend's has been my week.

Clearing, cleaning, sorting, having small inner turmoils as to whether things should stay or go.

So I do feel as if I have been on a quest of the upmost importance obviously not on the scale of saving a world from the clutches of the evil snow queen, but well, close! There have also been tantrums...not mine, hormonal outbursts...not mine, missing cats....now found, a very sick chicken...slightly better, lost opportunities....mine, tears...mine. No car for two days...quite nice really, and a slightly dottie old lady. And lastly devastation of the upmost kind, now organized into 7 suitcases.

It was safe to say that I was easily distracted at times, truth be told the rearranging and making it look pretty at the end was much more fun than the clearing, but I love how it looks now....

A lot of the things have been sorted into categories and stored in the many old suitcases I found...thus far counted 7....all empty...now full of

Linens, Lace and Doilies

Vintage Hats, shoes,scarves

Vintage clothes have been neatly hung on a rail in the corner, now known as the Vintage Quarter.

A lot of pictures...note to self, resist the urge to by more pictures.

Old sheet music

Eidies a plenty

So from this disaster......

To a tidy, lovely little sewing room in the eaves of my house

Cost £0.00 + 3 days hard labour

Everything was squirreled from around the house

Arthur gets a look in

The plan had always been to knock down the wall between the two little bedrooms on the top floor, so this little room just became a room with no function waiting to be sorted. Now it's cleared there has been a revelation that actually it might be nicer to leave it this way. 2 little rooms are better than one big room.

So the funny thing is that for the past 4 years I have wanted my own little sewing room, and there it was right under my noes.

It has quite possibly been a Pants week, what with one thing and another, sometimes it is hard to look on the bright side, when everything around you is chaos, i am left thinking wouldn't it be nice if life itself was a simple as just packing up all the crappitty crap in 7 old suitcases and forgetting about it........

'Onwards and upwards' she says

Upwards & Onwards

Hope you have a lovely weekend

Looking forward to mine, meeting up with my Bestie, who I haven't seen for ages, we are going treasure hunting....

Good medicine

Sophie

Rabbity Way's

2012-02-21T14:19:00.002-08:00

It's been a long winter, but there is most definitely a little whisper of spring in the air.

I've been cleaning and sorting and dusting and shuffling,

And Thrifting

a stitching.

I spotted these Little Grey Rabbit books at the car boot, it was one of those moments when you stop breathing for a second and hug them to your chest before they are snapped away from in front of your very own eyes, such is the way with some tricksty characters at car boot sales.

When I was a little girl there was a shop in my village that sold Little Grey Rabbit things, and I would go with my Mum and look lovingly at everything, my eyes just peeking over the counter.
I was very shy.

Oh how I loved Little Grey Rabbit.

On Sunday afternoon I sat by the fire and read all 5.......

One day when I am a Granny, with Granny blanket upon my knee, sat before a roaring fire,

I will read them to my Grandchildren.

They date from the early 70's, a couple were damp, I think they had been kept in a shed, a gentle wipe clean and they are fine.

Beatrix potters I have been collecting for some time

The kitchen shelves had a re-shuffle, pretty pink worcester cups and a Old Horse Guards tin.

Car-boot finds

Carboot vintage curtains

******

Do you remember I told you about This Book

I have completed my first project

2 round cushions

It was pretty easy straightforward instructions

I did fight a little bit with the button

My fingers are full of holes

A thimble is recommended!

Spring cleaned lounge

******

Things I promised.....

To show you from....

the Flea, but forgot.

This devastation has been my main mission today

The dreaded spare room!

This was taken about half way through, when you get to the point when you wish you'd never started and it actually looks worse than when you began....

I'm nearly there just a few more things to sort through of auction buys and forgotten treasures.

It's amazing what you find that you'd forgotten you had.

Rails of Vintage clothes have been sorted.

Lace and linens and doilies

Vintage hats and shoes.

I have come to the conclusion that I am very easily distracted.

I will show you the things I found next time!

Until then....

I hope you're having a good week.

Bye for now

Sophie

***

P.s May and Arthur are fine. May is fully recovered, thank you for all your kind wishes. They have had there first adventure outside today. Arthur loved it. May has never been outside in her life before, as she was only indoors at the rescue centre.

At first a little scared, but she did get braver as the day wore on......

In the old day's.....

2012-02-17T13:18:00.000-08:00

I went to see Gran on Thursday, it always gets me thinking to sit and talk with someone who remembers better what happened 80 years ago than what happened yesterday. Old age is a sad thing, where as just a year ago we would shop together Gran and I, look for treasure in the charity shops and have lunch out, now she shuffles from room to room, is not able to walk very far without a frame.
She'll be 92 next birthday, oh what changes she has seen, & how the world has changed in those 92 years.
She lived through the second World War, when thriftyness was not trendy but a necessity, and make do and mend was a way of life. She suffered the heartbreak of the man she loved being sent to war, for him to come home, to survive the horrors of war, but sadly die at age 40 from cancer, she was widowed, and has been on her own for 50 years, she speaks of him now as if it were yesterday, her love for him no less now, than it was then.
She has carers in 3 times a day, she cannot even do the simple things that bring pleasure.
Sometimes I think her days must seem endlessly long.

I've been thinking about time, and those summer days of youth where you'd wake at the crack of dawn, the day stretching ahead, the same world as now, but somehow safer, I'd set of on my bike, cycle to far of places, no mobile phones to let Mum know you were safe, a sandwich from your bag when you got hungry,
Home before it got dark, or you'd be in big trouble.
Those day's were endless.

I even remember a time when I would wake up singing!

Then in the middle years time speeds up, or has the world speeded up? I'm not sure...
If I walk down into the village it takes me an hour and a half round trip, if I jump in the car I'm there and back in ten minutes. It's always tempting to cram more in..... to do things more quickly...Everything has speeded up, to send a letter in 1970 took a couple of days to reach the person it was intended for, now I just write a text or email and they get it right away, no matter where they are in the world. So have we run out of time because life is too fast, therefore we cram more stuff in? surely we should have bags of time, as things happen so quickly and at such a fast pace.
Where has the time gone?

And then, inevitably time wins back what it has lost, for Gran, maybe a little lonely, so many she loved have gone, and time has almost stopped.

The blogs I enjoy and read , strangely I feel have a common thread.......

to slow down,

to simplify,

to create,

to stitch

to knit

to plant

to grow....
To love what we have

I don't think I am alone..... is time running away from us, are we all just desperately trying to get it back? are we all wistful for the good old days?

Paris 2010

So, just me thinking too much.....

Do you think he'd think I was bonkers If i woke up and started singing?

Have a lovely weekend

Sophie

Thoughts on Love.....

2012-02-15T01:15:00.001-08:00

Think what you will about valentines day, but quite frankly after seventeen years of being together the Mr and I need all the help we can get to keep the old romance alive, which is why we jumped on the Valentines Day Bandwagon. Interestingly the saying 'to Jump on the band wagon' originated in the USA, and was believed to have been coined in the mid 19th century, for the name that carried a circus band, circus workers where skilled at attracting the public with the razzamatazz of a parade through town on highly decorated bandwagons, in the late 19th century politicians picked up on this and started using bandwagons when campaigning for office.

You can read more here

Any way digressing slightly from Romance.

Now it is a common fact that the Men on my husbands side of the family are not exactly known for there skills in romance. The Mr is one of 4 brothers, and their Father, a burly policeman, who was an amazing man and worked undercover in London in the 60's, around the time of the notorious Krays.

Was not known for his skills in romance and affection, which he then passed on to his sons.

Now over the years it has become a bit of a family joke, discussed at family get togethers

Affection,

or the lack of it.

But I have trained my man over the years, he is not getting away with that one, as every girl needs a bit of romance and a Mr Darcy from time to time, and quite frankly in my opinion taking an evening out to spend some time together to have a chat and a nice meal, in the midst ot the hum drum of everyday life, in my mind is a good recipe. Especially when perhaps otherwise he would be snoring in front of the tv.

So it was, that T took his girlfriend out for a meal, R had a friend for a sleep over,

and the Mr and I cooked and chatted and drank Presseco. And maybe sorted out the world a little for the better.

I have realised in my 41 years of being alive that Men and Women are so very different, and that sometimes, that difference sets us so apart, it is a wonder that we manage to stay together at all!

But in the words of Jennifer Worth

'And so it is,

Just as the swans last song is the sweetest of it's life

So loss is made endurable by love,

& it is

Love

that will echo through eternity.

(The Mr says I think too much.)

I'm not sure if it has reached overseas yet but do look out for

Call the Midwife

The memoirs of Jennifer Worth a Midwife in the poverty stricken East End of London in the 1950's.

It is so good and I am hooked.

On Saturday the sewing machine had an airing

Inspired by Soulemama

which I first read about via this post at Little Cottage Comforts

Who's blog I admire greatly.

The newly discovered Soulemama blog has made me slightly wistful for the days when my children where small, when I made things for and with them.

But hey life moves on & maybe one day there will be Grandchildren, such is the circle of life.

So I purchased this book

Sew what you love from HERE

which actually is very good, clear instructions and some nice things to make.

Although there is a large section for sewing for little ones, which is great if you have little ones, but I feel there are enough projects to justify buying.

I bought the fabric from

M is for make

Anna Maria Horner

Sadly I think I bought the last little bit in the UK.

It was the end of roll, but she does some gorgeous fabrics.

I have new bag love

I popped into a little flea market yesterday and bought some nice things

I will leave them to show you next time for fear of this being a rather long post.

Thanks so much for stopping by, your comments make my day, they really do.

Ta Ta for now

Sophie

Stans the man

2012-02-10T09:59:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I found a little treasure.

There is a bloke in these parts who sells things from his shed.

Let's call him Stan.

Some of his stuff is absolute rubbish but some of it is not, and as you can never be quite sure what he will have, it is always worth a look. He is a nice man and doesn't even mind a small bit of haggling.

Last week I popped in as I was passing by, and noticed in his loft space (it's a big shed!) some thing on wheels. Now you all know that I have a fondness for Critters on wheels.

So he promised that within the next week he would get out his ladder, to retrieve lost and forgotten critter on wheels. I promised to come back the next week.

Lo and behold Stan kept his word. When I went back, everything had changed and new stuff had come in and things had shuffled and moved around.

So I had a poke around in the dark corners of Stans shed,

and found.....

A 1946 Fleetway Wringer

Fleetway Manufacturing Co

With much scrubbing and cleaning and a little help from

Arthur Dent

We don't really have room for a mangle

I think the Mr's eyebrows where raised slightly higher than normal on his return from work.

I feel I did not do my best to ease his furrowed brow.

I was trying to cook tea and my head was aching from muzzy cold and bunged-up-ness,

so I didn't explain

that I Love this mangle.

And although my sewing room is a far off dream......

wouldn't it be nice,

in a corner,

jars filled with buttons and threads & bits and bobs

adorning it's formica top?

I have donned my nurses cap, as Little May is not so well. An early morning visit to the vet, her wound is not healing as well as it could, she was sick in the night and is off her food.

She has lost all her negotiation skills as her whiskers are covered and keeps bumping into things.

Antibiotics and lot's of rest, I'm sure she'll be right as rain.

I'm looking forward to the weekend

Mr's got the day off on Saturday

Found these next to the paper bank at the dump.

A quiet day mooching
then for a curry with friends.
~

T is in Berlin for the film festival for 4 days, lucky thing.

He has been offered a place at Cardiff University, but also that same evening was offered a place at Kings in London which is his first choice, he is chuffed to bits.

He has not always had an easy time of things, he is dyslexic and was bullied throughout school.

He has worked so incredibly hard.

Please forgive me a proud Mum moment!

Panda on Wheels

So I hope you have a lovely weekend

Thanks so much for all your comments, I love reading them.

Keep smiling

Sophie

Wise words...

2012-02-08T08:41:00.000-08:00

I think it is safe to say that life is getting back to normal after the rather lengthly Birthday celebrations in honor of T. He was of this morning stuck on a broken down train somewhere between here and Wales, on his way to Cardiff University for an interview. The last I heard he was waiting for another train in Bristol, lets hope he makes it.

My Dad departed on Monday morning in a flash of yellow,
he drove 20 mins down the road in the little Triumph Spitfire,
when the exhaust fell off...
Having had this fixed he drove off again,
15 mins later the Manifold went.
He got back to Germany eventually
drove into his drive way, in which the car went sput, sput
and chugged it's last chug.
~

I have a cold and sore throat, it is my own fault as the Mr had it first over the weekend and I stupidly said I was obviously super immune as I haven't had a cold in ages, that will teach me to open my big mouth. I'm trying to ignore it, it's not working.

I've been tidying the debris from the weekend, in a half hearted slow sort of tidy, the nice kind, pottering, and moving stuff from here to there and back again........

I'm lucky I don't have to go out again now, it is sub zero Antarctic weather out there. I've been shopping for tea, treated myself to some flowers, Lithianphus and gypsophilia, so pretty.

The old cooks measure I found at the dump last week.

This book is in the Works at the moment for £6.99 for those in the UK.

It looks lovely, with some really nice projects

You can also buy it Here

I haven't tried any thing yet but will let you know how I get on.

I found these old pictures in the charity shop whilst shopping with my Mum, and then forgot about them, what with everything else going on.

A pair of tinted photographs

They are so beautiful.

Eventually they will hang in our bedroom on the top floor, when we get it done.

I was surprised to find them, as most old or vintage items get put on Ebay now, I think charity shops make more money this way.

It is sad though, I remember a time when charity shops where amazing places to find a treasure or two.

I guess you can still get lucky from time to time.

I paid £20.00 for the pair which I guess some would say was a lot,

but I really love them.

May is back home safe and sound, with blue shaved belly and big scar.

She looked so sad and frightened when I collected her, I think she thought I'd left her there for good.

She is so happy to be home.

I'm so happy to have her home.

So I hope you are managing to ward of the lurgy.

Or maybe it is lovely and warm where you are?

I'm going to light the fire and leave you with........

Wise words from my daughter R aged 11 3/4,
after spending 2 nights on a makeshift bed, made from

the sofa cushions, on our bedroom floor, due to the excessive amount of visitors in our house & not enough beds......
"Mum" she said "When I get older I'm going to try and marry a man who doesn't snore".

Now why didn't I think of that!

Bye for now

Sophie
x

Red sky in the morning.......

2012-02-06T04:48:00.000-08:00

And so it was, stood in the Jumble Sale queue on Saturday afternoon that the Wintersmith arrived, and big, soft snowflakes began to fall.

I bought some pretty snowy plates

A dinky little jug and wash bowl

a very tiny goat with no eyes named Trevor, and some flannelette pillow cases that are in the washing machine, at this very moment.

And a patchwork cushion

Little May

My Dad finally arrived

Sadly the Spitfire didn't make it.......

He got as far as Bath , which is about an hour from us

and the little yellow dream machine spluttered and died in the snow.

Thus followed a rescue mission of the upmost kind.....

I'm not sure that these photo's taken on my phone do justice to what happened that night.

But you get the idea......

Snow, sleet, rain....freezing fog.

One flat tyre

One lost father, eventually found.

One very worried daughter.

Home at 11.30 pm

No dinner, very hungry.

I'd like to say he won't do it again,

but I know he will,

like I said before nothing is ever normal when my Dad is around.

Car is yet to be fixed...

I'll keep you posted!!

Now they have all gone back to Bath to try and sort things out.

Yesterday was slightly less eventful

With a home cooked Sunday roast,

Camera shy....

Listening to records

Arthur and I are all alone now,

as yesterday I took May back to the rescue centre to be spayed, I felt so awful leaving her there.

She will be fine, I know that, and I collect her on Tuesday at 11am.

Arthur Dent, slightly odd cat!

~

& so I leave you with one last bit of treasure from the charity shop

and hope your weekend was a happy one,

did you find any treasure I wonder?

The snow has gone now, it didn't last long.

So I'm off to hang out my stripy flannelette pillowcases.....

Bye for now

Sophie

Red Sky in the morning Shepherds Warning
...Saturday's sunrise....

x

It all started with....

2012-02-02T08:07:00.000-08:00

a vintage curtain. Which I bought from the charity shop last week. When I took said curtain to the counter, the really nice lady said 'Oh they used to be mine, they are early 60's Mary Quant design...ten quid exchanged and they were mine...I know bit pricey! I pondered covering an old suitcase, but as I have a rather large growing family of suitcases at the moment, I decided on a dress.....how you go from suitcase to dress in the flip of a second I am not sure, this is the mystery of my mind.

I had bought an Amy Butler pattern last Autumn with visions of making myself a tunic dress, to wear over leggings and jeans. I have made two items of clothing before, you can read about it in this post A little tale of two skirts I am a self taught sewer I learnt by watching my Mum when I was little, and then having a go. But how hard can it be...... right?

Wrong!!!

It was all going so swimmingly

Everything was fine, I took it slow and although it hurt my brain following the pattern, it was fine, not easy, but fine. It looked lovely, I liked the style and the fabrics together.

Then I tried it on.

Hmmmm.....

It had a bit of an issue, you see, with the bodice, the neck and the sleeves, well the whole top really..

It had the desired effect of making me look like a throw back from the 80's with shoulder pads.

Not good.

So this morning I unpicked.

The trouble is, I have found with dress making , if you alter a bit Here, this tends to have a knock on effect over there....so it was fiddly shall we say.....

whilst unpicking, I thought there is probably a lot to be said for going to the high street, choosing something, trying it on and deciding if you like it or not.

The draw back to making clothes is that you never know if it will fit for one thing, or if you will like it for another. That is an awful lot of time and effort wasted if it all goes wrong.... As although it said 10 12 medium, we are all such different shapes.

So I have unpicked and tweaked and snipped and stitched

and yes I think

I am much happier now

And although I realise it will not be to everyones taste, I rather like it.

And am happy enough to walk around in a pair of 1960's Mary Quant design curtains.

And I am not deterred, I enjoyed making it very much, my skills are lacking, if you could see my workings you would laugh...or weep, but the outside is the bits you do see

Right?

As long as I don't unravel it will be fine!

I'm already thinking about the next one.

I would also like to learn to crochet as I am in love with

This blanket

Nanny Mcphee

Too much to do

just not enough time.

So what else have I been up too, apart from birthdays and visitors?

I found this old box file at the dump

cut out vintage fabric scraps with the pinking shears

and glued them on with fabric glue.

A lovely blue sky today

But it is soooo cold -3 or there abouts brrrrr!

I've lit the fire and allowed myself the indulgence of writing this before chaos ensues when everyone gets home and wants feeding...why is it I always feel guilty doing stuff for me?

Thank you for all your birthday wishes for T. He had a good day.

I would say that things would be returning to normal here, but my Dad is arriving on Saturday from Germany to stay for 2 days,( I'm hoping to squeeze in going to a quick Jumble Sale before he arrives!) and life is never normal when he's around!

Quite honestly I think he's mad, he's bought a car, a little spitfire, which he has to pick up from Doncaster. Thats a good 4 hours from me! So he is flying into Stanstead airport, going to see my sister in Cambridge, she's driving him to Doncaster to pick up the car, not to mention it is an old car, probably has no heater and the weather is predicted to drop to -10 on Saturday! 4 hours, cold car...hmmm

like I say completely mad.

Wish me luck

Love

Sophie

Time has flown by,.....

2012-02-01T14:12:00.000-08:00

18 years ago today a tiny little person drew his first breath and turned my world upside down.

Happy Birthday T

And then there was two.......

2012-01-29T07:11:00.000-08:00

They say there may be snow coming, the sky is heavy and looks full to burst, whether it is full to burst of snow or not is another matter. It is just the Mr and I this weekend, a small luxury, to mooch on a Sunday without the usual demands of being parents, we walked to the pub last night just the two of us and had a meal, then wandered home, the sky was clear, the moon a thin crescent in the dark sky, it was cold.

Just me and the Mr.

This morning a lie in, fire lit, we watched a movie, how very civilized is that? +1 is away this weekend, pre 18th celebrations.....+2 is with Grandma, being spoilt no doubt, for this is what Grandmas do best.

Sherborne Flea-market yesterday, a purchase was made, although it must be said that maybe it ought not to have been. But there are times when the heart rules the head, and shall we say that this was one of these times.

There is a cottage in my village and in the window is a beautiful 1920's plaster figure.

I have loved her for at least ten years, and walk past often, to gaze in the window.

I have seen these plaster figures in the past, but they can be very expensive and therefore always just out of reach.

Yesterday I had a good day of selling, She spoke to me quietly from across the hall all day, and just as I was about to loose her to another buyer, I realised I would regret not buying her, probably for the rest of my life. Luck quite possibly was on my side as the other buyer ummed and arred and couldn't think where she might go, and walked away.

So Impulse stepped in and I bought her.

So here she sits on the landing window sill.

She was a bargain.

It has been lovely to spend time with my Mum.

Friday was for thrifting,

finished of nicely with Latte and cake.

We had lot's of laughs, and hugs and long chats.

It was just what I needed to lift my January mood.

We have promised to not let the time go past so long until we visit again.

I got beautiful flowers and a pot to put them in, all the way from France.

My flower seeds have arrived

My mind is full of plans for the allotment, this week I am hoping to spend more time getting the ground ready. There is still alot of work to be done. Let's hope there wont be snow.

Calendula, Larkspur, Gypsophila, Bells of Ireland, cornflower blue, violets, sunflowers.....

Bought in a package just perfect to get started from

Higgledy Garden

With an online growing guide.

May and Arthur are doing fine

One more week and they can be together, May is being Neutered next Monday.

Hope you are having a lovely Sunday

I feel spring is just around the next corner

Sophie

Dreaming and sceeming,..........

2012-01-24T04:03:00.000-08:00

Arthur is at the vet's, I'm all twitchy and cannot settle, the vet's here are so lovely, so I know that he is in safe hands, I put him in the pre opp room earlier and he has a heated blanket. I think he was starving, as no breakfast this morning, his little face,but when I said goodbye I told him he would come back a new man, and that life will be just dandy from now on in. He will be micro chipped at the same time.

I've been to the supermarket tidied up and it's still only 10 o'clock,....think it's going to be a long day.

I picked up the Feb issue of Homes and Antiques Magazine, popped the kettle on....

Homes and Antiques Feb issue

What I wouldn't do for a fabric stash like this,

I love the wooden crates and the higgledy piggledyness.

I bought a little table at the jumble sale the other week, it wash 50p.

It was to be sold, but I've got rather attached now

I'm really not very good at selling things, in fact I'm hopeless, sometimes I think I am doing the wrong job.

But you will be so proud as I am still in the process of de-cluttering the cottage. I've cleaned out cupboards, taken another 3 bags to the charity shop this morning. I'm writing lot's of lists, it seems to help the process along, it is a nice feeling to tick of jobs on a list at the end of the day.

Some vintage fabric and sheets I found this week

I am hoping to make some pillow cases from the sheets, there is a

Tutorial Here.

When life has calmed down and all the visitors have come and gone, I hope to be doing some sewing.

So there we are thats me all done,

Not much going on, short of things to blog about.

A January thing I think

I am dreaming and sceeming about seeds, and flowers for the allotment.

We are waiting

and hoping that Arthur will be home

for a cuddle

this afternoon

P.S Pictures taken on my phone today as The Mr has taken the camera to work.

Bye for now

Sophie x

Granny Blanket's and Picnics

2012-01-19T09:21:00.000-08:00

Some day's my mind slips away plotting and planning of Granny Blankets and Picnics. I don't think I've ever told you about Violet, because you see we don't talk about her much, as it hurts to do so, Mr especially does not like to talk about her, for I think it breaks his heart.......

This is Violet, we bought her in 2001.

She is a beautiful old girl and came with her name.

I cannot tell you the happy times we had in her, driving to far flung places, adventures to deserted beaches.

She was a good and faithful friend. Driving down country lanes, stopping on the way for cups of tea, from the little stove, they were happy days.

The kids loved her, camping was never to be the same again.

Violet and Little legs 2001

And when we could we'd sneak off on our own just me and the Mr, and violet, head down to the coast for a weekend, just the three of us!

Life has a way of chucking stuff at you and due to a series of sad events, and very little money spare in the pot,

failing her MOT Violet has been off the road for too many years.

Her floor is full of holes.

Her windows are growing Moss.

The rust is spreading.

and it makes me so sad.

2002

I long for those happy days of cups of tea on verges, granny blankets and picnics by the sea.

So I am hoping, and it is a big hope that this year will be the year, the pot will have enough pennies in to restore her.

Thanks for stopping by

Sophie

January Day's

2012-01-18T01:14:00.000-08:00

Gosh, been a bit grumpy cannot deny it, may be a January feeling, or maybe just eating too much rubbish, so three days of healthy eating lot's of fruit and water, this morning woke up with a spring in my step.

In January, even if the sun does it's best to shine, it doesn't quite reach my back door, I think our garden faces North which means that only a smidgen of sunshine reaches the garden in winter. Half the washing gets nearly dry, (the bit on the sunny side of the washing line), if I can be bothered I jiggle it all around so that it can all get abit of sun, but it is abit of faffing, and if the wind blows it almost dry's anyway.

The front of the cottage gets all the winter sun, which makes the front room a pretty, light room.

I miss the sunshine.

I'm feeling quite excited, as on Thursday next week my lovely Mum is coming to stay. I haven't seen her since May, and I so miss her at times.

We talk on the phone of course, but it's not the same.

You see on Feb 1st my +1 is 18...oh my I'm not sure how it happened, I feel as if it cannot be possible.

It heralds the start of big changes in my mind, of the beginnings of him flying the nest. He has been applying for universities for some time now, so come September....I can't actually think about it, I will miss him so much and just writing this makes me cry.

I'm so proud of him.

Any way his Birthday will be a grand affair and he will have two, as Nanny and B will be here next week to get the celebrations started.

We may even fit in some thrifting, as it is partly my Mum who gave me my thrifty ways.

Sunday's flea market was cold, I thought of being back home in the warm by the fire, and then thought, I must be mad. You see I know I have been grumpy to not enjoy a flea market.

I was pleased with the things I found though

An old battered suitcase and a faded paisley quilt

The suitcase has this on the front, which I thought was quite clever,

cut out from an old sewing pattern.

The quilt, I love, it is so faded you can hardly see the pattern, it is soft and worn and beautiful.

Some pretty vintage fabric which has gone straight in the fabric cupboard.

An old painted mirror.

The two books I borrowed from the library last week

Both an excellent read

Sometimes when you're abit down in the doldrums you just have to get making, so this little dumptie

From the Dump for £1.

A few stitches here

A few stitches there

It was a tricky little number, took ages to get it right,

due to it's round, squareness.

The cat's are driving me bonkers, May is now named Flirty Girty as her love for Arthur knows no bounds, she does this amazing meow that I swear sounds just like "Arthur I love you" and oh my does she love him. They were having supervised play until things got a bit out of hand, now it's back to shifts. I think by the time both of them have had their nethers sorted I will have a few more grey hairs. I feel that one day it will all be worth it and the cat hormones flying around the cottage will be a thing of the past.

Arthur is booked in for next Tuesday for the chop, as we have had no phone calls.

Calmer moments

Hoping you are fighting of the blues of dark January days

Love

Sophie

Vintage Nostalgia Show May 2012

2012-01-12T02:27:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post to let you know of an exciting weekend vintage fair in Wiltshire

http://www.vintagenostalgiashow.co.uk/

Check out the website, and Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vintage-Nostalgia-Show/136657083107966

Live Music

TheObscuritones RockabillyBand

TheObscuritones

The 1940's family

Will be there

Yummy food

Vintage cars

Auto Jumble

Vintage Clothes

And Curiuos

Camping

I'll be there all weekend

May 25th, 26th & 27th 2012

Before's, after's and a few bit's in-between.

2012-01-10T14:09:00.000-08:00

Un-finished business has been going on here in the cottage. Lot's of projects that have been waiting for a bit of love to bring them back to life. Firstly came this old trunk.

It's been up in the attic bedroom collecting dust and the odd stash of fabric since I was given it last summer.

Annie sloan old white, ruffed up a bit with sand paper, then waxed.

****

On Saturday morning I went to my first jumble sale of the year, Very excited I must say. I bought this little 1950's kitchen stool

the previous owner had already painted the legs, so it was just a case of choosing some vintage fabric

*****

Next was a little chair

The Decal Rose was from the charity shop.

*****

On Monday I was lucky enough to buy some lovely Vintage dresses, fabric and bits and bobs.

This dress in particular is my favourite

Also lot's of Granny woolens. Yesterday the sun shone enough, that I hand washed everything and was able to hang it outside to dry.

Lot's of lovely Vintage fabrics.

So with the sun shining through the window's this morning, it was nice to be able to take some photo's, January can be a little dreary.

I have been having a de- clutter, trying to bring some light in after all the dark.

This large quilt on my sofa is not Vintage, but I really like it.

I rescued it from the dump, would you believe.

After much squishing and huffing and puffing, I managed to squeeze it in the washing machine.

***

This old wooden door rescued from the dump also

I thought it might come in useful one day

& an old photo

I sanded and waxed the door, then cut the old photo to size to use as a frame.

Added two coats of varnish. Actually the varnish bought out the photo much clearer.

***

Lot's more things to photograph but ran out of day today.

Good news...Mr is now in his new shop, so much hard work but it looks fantastic.

Today I have scrubbed, cleaned and scrubbed some more, his old shop ready for the new tenants,

so tired but that is it now, the final hurdle.

A quick cat update.....

Arthur is still with us

I am doing shift's between him and May, so that they don't feel lonely!

He likes to watch a bit of telly does Arthur, and loves people, he is a gentle lovely chap.

After this weekend if nobody has claimed him, he'll be neutered.

He'll have a warm loving home with us with lot's of love.

Fingers crossed x.

Thanks for all your lovely messages.

Been rather busy but hoping to catch up on reading your blogs, so sleepy now so it's off to the land of Nod for me

Take care

Bye for Now

Sophie

This is Arthurs Story......

2012-01-06T02:42:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to think where it all started where did it all begin? Was it loosing Edd when the story began.... after all if I hadn't of lost Edd I would never of found Arthur, or should I say Arthur would never of found us.....so I will begin with my broken heart........

for those readers who are new to my blog.

In October 2011, I lost Edd, one day he was here the next he was gone. He was without a doubt a special cat, I loved him with the deepest love you can have for an animal, and loosing him broke my heart. A futile search took place, posters all around, on the lost and found register of cat's protection and in the local paper. Edd would follow me everywhere, if I was at the allotment he was my constant companion, around the house and in the garden, if he wasn't sleeping, as cat's do very well, he would be with me.

Edd

He was six years old, I had nurtured him from a tiny flea ridden poorly kitten, knowing his nature and that he never strayed too far from home or me, I feel that he has gone and that now he is at peace, of course I don't give up hope, but instinct, I guess tells me otherwise. Sorrow leaves a big hole in your life, you cannot replace living things that are lost or gone, but you can help to relieve the sorrow you feel by loving another, so along came May.

After all a house is not a home without a cat to cuddle.

****

Christmas Day 2011

In the morning we went to visit Gran, we returned home about 11 o'clock am and the answer machine was beeping with a new message. The message was from a lady who had spent the morning at a little church in a small Hamlet a couple of miles from where we live, she had taken her toddler outside as she was restless during the service. During the time she was outside the church a very friendly little black cat was fussing around them and would not leave her side. She had seen my poster and wondered if it may of been Edd.

The Mr sorted out the Christmas dinner, and I drove to the little church.

I called and called but no sign of a cat.

So I returned home.

Boxing Day

On Boxing day me and youngest returned to the church, parked up the car and walked all around and called and called Edds name. No sign again, so I put up a poster outside the church and we came back home.

About half an hour after returning home, the phone rang, a nice man saying he had seen my poster, there was a little black cat on his window sill and had been there all night, it had followed him home from the church on Christmas Day.

So I hopped in the car again.

It wasn't Edd....but an un-nuetured male cat who looked so much like him. So friendly and very hungry, I have May at home who has not been spayed, so I had a quick cuddle(not with the man!) and came home.

2nd January 2012

Eldest needed picking up from his girlfriends house, I usually drive down the back country lanes as it's a more direct route. I drove from home about a mile I guess, there is a farm just over Three Arch bridge that crosses the railway line. So over the bridge, across the railway line, drove along a little way and there is a lady walking down the road with a black cat in her arms. I stopped the car, just incase it might of been Edd. It was the Church cat again!! She asked if I knew who he belonged to and I said I thought he was a stray and told her the story. So he had obviously walked a good way and ended up by the farm.

I said I was sorry that I just couldn't take him and carried on. When we came back past on the way home he was gone.

Tuesday 3rd January

The weather had taken a turn for the worse, it was the first day of being home alone after the kids where back to school and college. A getting straight and cleaning day. With the torrential rain battering down on the windows and the wind howling round the cottage I was glad of being in the warm and dry.

At about 12 o'clock my neighbour knocked on the door.

'Sophie' she said, 'There is a little black cat in our garage, I think it may be Edd', heart wrenched out of chest again, wellies on and rain coat.......

Now I Know I am inclined to be slightly mystic about things, I can be superstitious, I do believe in fate.......

It was only the little black cat from the church!.

I was shocked, I explained to my neighbour the story.

Church cat purred very loudly and fussed and cuddled and snuggled up to me and something happened.

Yes, you guessed it I bought him home .......EEEEk.

Well it was weird wasn't it?

Of all the places in my village....it is a large place he ended up in my neighbours shed!

Is that just odd?

So I have put up a notice saying I have found

1 Un-neutered black male cat.

I have rang cat's protection

He will be in the paper this week.

I took him to the vet, but he is not chipped, is about a year old.

I wormed and fleaed him.

We have called him Arthur

Arthur Dent, from hitch hikers guide to the galaxy........

having been on a grand cosmic adventure!

He is a lovely friendly chap

who has a big chunk missing off one ear.

He Loves people and cuddles.

And Food!!

And is partial to sleeping in flower pots.

I am keeping him and May separate.

And waiting to hear if any one comes to claim him.........

And trying desperately not to get too attached incase they do.

And that my dear friends is.....

Arthur's story.

We await his fate

The End

Beginings........

2012-01-02T09:44:00.000-08:00

As beginnings go it was a bit of a soggy one......Every New Year for donkey's years, we have headed for the coast. It has become a firm family tradition to wrap up warm in winter woolen's, and start the new year with a good lung full of sea air. Yesterday we set of for Lyme Regis after a good hearty breakfast.

By the time we arrived, the fog had descended and the rain began to fall steadily........

We didn't mind too much, a rainy walk along the beach, as soon as the rain began to fall, alot of people packed up and went home, so it was nice to roam the little shops and streets without the usual crowds.

I totally love Lyme for it's random higgledy, piggledy shops.

Having a good butchers in all the shop windows.

Lot's of inspiration, to get the creative clogs turning, after the Christmas brain fog.

We wandered around the antique and vintage shop, it's huge and full of cool stuff.

Little units or shops in one big building

A very happy bunny indeed to rummage.

There is an amazing book shop if you head up the hill

We were glad to be out of the rain for a while, a roaring fire welcomed us inside

Like walking into someone's living room....

The most amazing shop with floor to ceiling books

A little wooden house sits on top of the bookshelf along side a stuffed crow. Everything is unusual here, everywhere you look there is something to see....

Down stairs in the basement is a tiny room

I could of stayed for hours.

Back out in the rain, fish and chips for lunch

Lot's more lovely things to look at, pretty vintage dresses

Battered old suitcases....

We made our way back through the winding streets, past little seaside houses, peaking through cottage windows.

Back to the car,

home again

To our little cottage, to light the fire, all dry and warm and cosy, smelling of the sea.

A lovely beginning to 2012.

Bye for now

Sophie

An old Irish Blessing

2011-12-31T01:51:00.000-08:00

May love and laughter light your day's, and warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful freinds be yours, wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures.

May all lifes passing season's bring the best to you and yours!

Wishing you and yours the best of times in 2012.

A big thank you

Love

Sophie

Blowing away the Christmas cobwebs.........

2011-12-29T07:31:00.000-08:00

Cold, grey and dark today, the wind battering, a drizzly rain, a long walk to blow away the Christmas cobwebs.

A bleak winter landscape.

Purposeful walking, time to think.

I walked to the next village, a little hamlet really just a couple of farms and a little church

Not another soul to be seen,

I headed back to the village, bought some supplies for tea, another mile back home.

I love the feeling of coming home cold, wet, wind battered

Kettle on

warm and cosy

curl up in the armchair with a cup of tea and a good book

*****

On Christmas Eve there was the most beautiful sunset

Christmas has been a strange time for me this year

I have had a lot of time in my own company to think and reflect, with the Mr working everyday, to get the new shop up and running for Jan 4th, up early and home late, I miss him, but know that this is an important time for him.

I'm ready to say goodbye to 2011

There is so much change ahead.

So much to look forward to.

Life has moved on slowly without me noticing, eldest is waiting to hear from universities, has a girlfriend and is busy and happy.

No.2 is settled in secondary school, is busy and happy.

I have been offered a job, I'm really quite excited about it but don't want to say to much just yet,

it will be hopefully to start March, April time

It sounds perfect.

Partime, so still time for Fading Grace, although I'm thinking I might reduce the amount of fairs I'm doing.

So, maybe it's time to think of me more, sometimes it's easy to be busy looking after everyone else and forget about yourself.

I'd like to simplify things a little

If I think about the times I am most happy,

it's simple things

being over the allotment, digging, planting

It has been so neglected this past year

On Tuesday I had pretty much a whole day pottering, planning, digging.

I cut back alot of the brambles that have been slowly taking over the far end.

I have never quite managed to clear the whole plot, it is a large plot that a neighbour kindly let's me use for free.

So I have begun to create 2 new beds that hopeful next year will become a cut flower garden.

As you can see it is a mess, but good progress has been made, I will post some pic's soon.

So although I won't make New years resolutions I will make plans.

Learn to crochet!

*****

Tonight is the last episode of Great Expectations,

I can't wait, I've enjoyed it so much.

It is very rare for me to become so totally lost in the TV.

****

So I guess I'd better put you all out of your misery regarding this box

and it's contents.

It did make me happy, to think that all these years have passed since my Dad brought weird and wonderful things home for me, when I was little,

rather a long gap of roughly 24 years and......

inside the box was

Dating from the 1940's

He just thought I might like them.

Definitely not out of place for Bagpuss' shop........

I wonder what their story would be?

Of course I love them.

***

So only 3 days left of 2011,

enjoy what is left,

a new chapter is beginning

Love

Sophie

N.B The characters in the box are a China man, A Monk, A Devil, An Arabian Princess?,Father Christmas, and A Donkey......Dad kept a couple which he has promised to send pictures of, a Jester and a Giraffe, they are German and hand made...the rest is a mystery.

The Solstice and a Mysterious Package.......

2011-12-23T05:53:00.000-08:00

The Winter Solstice was lovely

Greenery was gathered,

The house was decorated,

Fire was lit

Although we have the long Winter months ahead of us, It feels cheering to know that from now on the nights will be getting shorter and the Sun and light are gaining in strength each day that passes.

***

Yesterday a Mysterious package arrived from Germany.

From my Dad & Sabine

Now I know I'm a big girl, too old maybe to be excited about Mysterious Packages,

And I have been told this is strictly an

UN- Christmas present,

and not a Christmas present at all,

BUT.....

What can it be?

And although it is an UN-Christmas present, so strictly speaking, I could open it now.

I have not had a present from my Dad in twenty years!

What would you do?

I thought it would be nice to wait......

My Dad

Love you Pops xx

*****

Lastly I would just like to say to each and every one of you

Happy Christmas

Stay safe

Be Happy

Pull those crackers

Eat that Turkey ( I shall be having Nut Roast )

Boil those sprouts

Have a wee Tipple of your favourite drink

May all

Be Merry and Bright

(And don't worry, If it's PantsThere's always next year!)

Lots sa Love

Sophie

The Winter Sun

2011-12-20T08:20:00.000-08:00

The winter sun shone through the window, I took up needle and thread, sat and sewed, for no other reason than I love hand sewing, needle pulling thread, a small piece of happy.

Bear now has festive bunting

We had such a lovely Sunday,

family time together

Even No. 1 came out of his bear cave for the afternoon.

The tree is up

Hand made peg fairies from years gone by.

I've found a volunteer for the washing up

I think my cat is completely bonkers

But I love her.

Went over to Happy Landings today,

the rescue centre where we got May.

To Take blankets and food for the animals,

& meet someone special..........

Mrs Grey.

You can read

Mrs Grey's story

here.

(Warning......it is very sad)

This beautiful old lady now 17 years old.......

My wish for Christmas is that she will find a home, filled with love, somewhere warm and safe to spend her winter years.

She broke my heart.

I would give her a home in a second but she cannot be homed with other cats.

******

Today I saw a Hare

these beautiful creatures have fascinated me for years.

She ran along in front of the car for a while, I pulled into the verge as she turned and ran into a field,

I sat and watched spell bound by this beautiful creature,

she stopped suddenly, turned back to look at me.

'Hello, Mrs Hare' I whispered

She turned again and ran.

I believe hares to be a very lucky omen.

Moonlit Hare by Amanda Clarke The goddess and Green Man

*****

The chimney sweep has been, so happy to have the fire back again.

All cosy

Take care, be happy

love

Sophie

Solstice Lanterns

2011-12-15T13:34:00.000-08:00

I thought of you all today, all of you in blog land, I really did, as I stood in the very long queue in Marks and Spencers, taking deep breaths. I wanted to take a photo of the moment but I thought that the other one thousand and four people there might think I was odd, so you will just have to use the power of your imagination when I tell you it was really, really hideous..... But you will be relieved to know that Christmas will commence in 10 days time, as Mr has his Marks & Spencer's stuffing balls, and there was three for two on reindeer noses. I did stay calm, I thought of my inner Christmas cheer, came home & released any bad feelings of bar humbugness by washing 3 inches of ingrained mud off my kitchen floor, the weathers been so wet and awful here.

I can now relax a little and enjoy the up and coming festivities, without any fear of having a Christmas meltdown

Yey bring on the Baileys!

So moving on from monotony to lovely.

A Christmas card I bought today

Isn't it beautiful,

Out of Narnia

by an artist called

Su Blackwell

Yesterday while the rain, hail, sleet and then snow raged against the windows of the cottage, I was lucky enough to have a cosy day at home,

I made some lanterns for the Winter Solstice next Wednesday.

The small jar is a mayonaise jar, the large one had some itlian biscuits in it from last year.

I used old sheet music and woodglue that I found in the shed, as I'd run out of PVA.

It worked fine! and dries clear, then you just pop the candle in, easy peasy.

I'm looking forward to a cosy evening with the Mr by the fire

With yummy food and candles.

I will bring in the greenery and decorate the house.

Our fire has been out of action for the past week, as we had a wee chimney fire last weekend,

Luckily no harm done, Mr put it out with the garden hose just in time.......

unlike last time, our neighbours were avacuated, 2 fire engines and a lot of panic!!

Most of the houses around us are thatched.

The chimney sweep is coming on Tuesday just in time,

I'm just thankful he can squeeze us in, I miss the open fire.

Just watched Victorian Farm Christmas

I'm not sure if my overseas readers will have seen it.

I love the series, so fascinating to see how life would of been in victorian times and how they celebrated Christmas.

Everything was such hard work back then, their lives were tough, no mod cons, only medicine for the wealthy, bitterly cold, they must of really appreciated the festivities and to look forward to a big feast.

Last night they showed how they made there own crackers

How to make a christmas cracker

Crackers were invented by Thomas Smith in 1847

google images

I have made my own crackers for years.

Its nice to choose a tiny gift for everyone and put it inside, it makes it more special.

Mr has not had a day off for 4 weeks, I've hardly seen him, but on Sunday he is home,

We're going to put up the tree.......

I'm excited!

We will have Christmas day and then he's back to work again, I feel a bit sad about it but am just trying to make the most of things.

Spoke to Mum tonight, she is going to try and dig out the photo of giant blue bunny!!

bet you can't wait...

Much love

Sophie xx

P.S

Love is.........

A cat to cuddle

The North wind doth blow.......

2011-12-13T13:06:00.000-08:00

A bitterly cold wind is howling around the cottage, and down the chimney pots, the kind of bitter cold wind that takes away your breath and gets into your bones. I'm not sure if it is the North wind but it does feel cold enough to snow. I'm glad to be inside, i've been making things cosy nesting in for the cold weeks ahead, there is nothing nicer than coming home out of the cold to a warm and cosy home, when its cold and grey outside.

Sunday saw me heading off bright and early for the flea market, I nearly didn't go, my bed was warm and it was cold outside, even the pull of finding some treasure wasn't really persuading me to crawl out of my warm duvet nest. But get up I did, with lot's of layers and my big winter coat. It was a good decision in the end, I love to wander round, never knowing what little gems may be hidden amongst the piles of lost and forgotten, once loved things.

I spotted bear right at the beginning. Now for some strange reason I have an obsession with things on wheels.....I think this stems from my childhood. Those of you who have read my blog from the beginning will know that my Dad was in the building trade when I was a child and would bring us home treasure from work, things that people no longer wanted, he would bring home.

He was the real bag-puss of my childhood.

One particular day he brought home a giant blue rabbit on wheels. Well my sister and I loved that giant blue bunny, even when we were older. We were children of the seventies, when Mums used to chuck the children out to play, to get them from under their feet. We used to hack giant blue bunny, at a hundred miles an hour down our lane, one used to ride it, the other used to push...it was the coolest go-cart in our village, all the kids wanted a turn!

I definitely do not need a bear on wheels, and in my defense I did walk away from him, thinking " I'll have a look round, if he is gone when I come back, then that is fate"

And of I went for a wander.

On my wanderings I bought some lovely old books

I spotted this one, I had a feeling, and I was right

Illustrated by Mable Lucie Attwell, the illustrations are beautiful

This one is not terribly old 1968, but i love it and it completes my AA milne collection.

Upstairs at the Flea on the balcony, is where I usually find vintage fabric.

Tucked away in an old dolls crib I noticed a crumpled up patchwork.

I asked the stall holder if it was for sale and she replied "that old thing, oh no, I cut it in half",..... EEEEEK. I said I didn't mind, that I would mend it, she seemed slightly surprised. So another purchase, 1/2 a patchwork quilt.

which I have put on my sofa in the dining room

so cosy.

Another patchwork, dolls crib size

front

back

I'm going to make this one, into a cushion.

Love is......

the hap hazard faded charm of an old patchwork.

Also on the balcony I met Lizzie

and bought a rather nice vintage jumper

As for bear

He ended up in the boot of my car......

I can't imagine how......

He is a Merrythought bear

rather thread bear and worn,

but he has had a good wash and brush up and has found a home by the fire place.

*****

A few christmas decs are creeping in

this is my favourite, comes out every year, you light the candle and the angels spin.

We have bought the tree...its in the woodshed until the weekend,

Mr loves putting up the tree.

Billy, Bargain of the week.....

Strange bendy Elf from the charity shop 25p.

So off to watch Kirsty's Homemade Christmas, first episode recorded.

Keep safe and happy

bye for now

Sophie

Ho, Ho, Ho........

2011-12-10T11:03:00.000-08:00

I spent a couple of happy evenings this week, hand sewing little rag brooches from all my little scraps of vintage fabrics

I mounted them on old postcards

The sewing machine has finally been packed away for this year after a bit of a battering,

I made these loop top hand towels

After reading Tanya's blog

Suburban jubilee

I just discovered her blog, and she has some great ideas on living a more sustainable lifestyle

This one is for me

Some will be for presents.

I just think they are such a brilliant idea.

******

We nipped into town this morning, No.2 wanted to get a few little things for her friends for Christmas. We left early as I knew I wouldn't be able to park, it gets so busy now.

Market day today, the big Christmas tree is up in the square,

busy with shoppers

We met two friends,

doing a grand job of looking festive to raise money for Greyhound rescue

This display is put up every year in the town centre.

As we were passing by the church, we noticed a Christmas Tree festival.

Sitting on the churchyard wall,

the Churchyard cat

He looks rather fearsome, but he was actually a friendly chap.

I have named him Stan.

I wondered what the little girl was thinking....

The three bears

Bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and .....GRRRRRH!

Nipped into Oxfam.

Then to get tea.

The butcher was singing Christmas songs, standing between the turkeys,

I couldn't resist the photo opportunity!

*****

Last night I was at a local fair.

Shy Violet in Stalbridge

They have a little courtyard at the back of the shop.

It did look so lovely

It was a lovely evening, very busy,

very festive.

Santa was there,

the main high street was full of people.

It was sooooo very cold,

I was there til 9pm & when I went to fetch my car I had to scrape the ice of the windscreen,

by which time the cold had seeped into my bones.

A rather large glass of wine was drunk when I got home,

snuggled under my Granny blanket, with my hot water bottle.

Ho Ho Ho!!

****

And so I have found comfort in the words of strangers, and maybe a little bit of Christmas cheer to boot, in all your comments and emails,

Thank you

Love
Sophie
x

Maybe Christmas....perhaps.....means a little bit more!

2011-12-06T12:42:00.000-08:00

Dear readers,

It has come to my attention that over the past few years, as my hair turns greyer and the wrinkles set deeper, that Christmas has become slightly lost to me. I'm not sure if I am alone in this feeling of lostness or if it is something that is just not talked about out loud, for fear of sounding like a scrouge or of hurting Santa's feelings. Sometimes the unbelievable pressure that is put on the human self for one day of the year boggles my brain slightly, while others may relish in the chaos of crowded grumpy shopping experiences, with tired out grumpy shop assistants, who have about as much Christmas cheer as a leftover sprout. (can't really blame them) I do not.

Truth be told, my family don't really do Christmas, Mum doesn't do Christmas, we have spent only one festive season together in the past 20 odd years & one Christmas spent with my Dad since I was 9 years old, unless my memory is playing tricks with me. I feel sad that Christmas is 'just another day' I am loosing it, I even find myself saying "What a fuss"

I don't want to loose Christmas, It isn't what I want at all, it isn't how I want it to be, for I fear if we loose Christmas, all will be lost, like all the very best things are........

So as I type this I'm thinking "Sophie.......put on your Christmas happy hat and change Christmas, who says it has to be so. This year do Christmas another way".
Over the next few weeks I will be digging deep into my Christmas stocking, right to the very bottom where you find the piece of coal, and the satsuma, I will be questioning the ghosts of Christmas past, & those of Christmas future in the hope of finding, a Christmas present,

that perhaps everyone can enjoy.
So stick around this could get interesting......

He stared down at Whoville! The Grinch popped his eyes!

Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise!

Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small,

Was singing! Without any presents at all!

He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME!

Somehow or other, it came just the same!

And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,

Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?"

It came with out ribbons! It came without tags!"

"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"

And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store."

"Maybe Christmas....perhaps...means a little bit more!"

And what happened then? Well...in Whoville they say,

That the Grinch's small heart Grew three inches that day!

And the minute his heart didn't feel quite so tight,

He whizzed with his load through the bright morning light,

And he brought back the toys! And the food for the feast!

And he, HE HIMSELF! The Grinch carved the roast beast!

****

I bought this lovely book

HERE

Homemade Gifts Vintage style

It has some really good ideas for interesting gift ideas and lovely photo's,

One of the things I find so hard to swallow about the festive season is the waste,

the mountains of packaging and plastic that is dumped into landfill.
This lovely book is well worth the purchase in my opinion.

I have made little parcels of soap

for the Christmas fair I am doing on Friday

Planted more bulbs into old tins and containers

I will try to do my best to reduce the amount of rubbish we make.

Recycle where possible

but above all else up-cycle & re-love.

Here is this years Christmas wreath

The origins of Hanging a wreath are found in the customs of pre- christian times when, during the cold darkness of winter people would gather wreaths of evergreen and light fires as signs of hope and renewed light for the coming spring.

Mine will also feed the hungry birds.

*****

Now the Moon is rising high above the

rooftops

It's cold outside

One child is sleeping, one has gone out,

Mr well we all know where he is....

It is after all Tuesday night!

So here I sit by the fire, little May asleep beside me,

thinking......

Love is....

being warm and cosy by the fire

when it is cold outside,

with a cat to cuddle,

contemplating

Christmas

So good night to all

and to all a good night

P.S I would just like to say a big Thank you for all your lovely comments, I'm sorry if I don't reply to every one, but I appreciate them imencely.

A big Hello to Julie in New Zealand, I couldn't reply to your message as do not have your email, but

'Thank you!!'

P.P.S Also I love you Mum, I don't mind that you don't do Christmas! xx

Love Sophie xx

Fabric, needle, thread

2011-12-03T06:57:00.000-08:00

An outing today to the Buttercross vintage market. I was in a happy mood even though an early start, looking forward to the prospect of going to a vintage fair as a buyer, rather than a seller.
It was lovely, felt very festive, and a good variety of stalls.
I bought a couple of bits of vintage fabric

This piece is gorgeous

& this will be lovely for something, not sure what yet,

They have both been added to the fabric cupboard

*****

I have revamped the little green jacket from the charity shop,

with velvet ribbon and lace

No. 1 took the photo's

and would not take the fashion shoot at all seriously!

Hence I am on the squiff!!

I do believe in this shot I am trying to slap him...he is too old now for child line!!

Pesky kids......

I have lost my buttons, but when I find them again, I will add some to my jacket.

****

This weeks treasure from the dump was this lovely old crinoline lady bread bin, for the bargain price of £1.

For now it is living on the shelf in my kitchen full of tea lights.

I love this time of year for cosy candle lit nights.

Something really, really exciting happened this week,

Mr, had a minute to put up

the little 1930's cupboard from the auction.

It is a beautiful thing

I would like to find some delicate pink, vintage wine glasses to go in it, if such a thing exists.

The little eidy on top of the cupboard is one of my absolute favourite things I own.

It is a babys eiderdown and is so faded, with the most beautiful roses.

I love it for it's worn out beauty, but also from the memory of buying it, I will try and tell the story,

Awww if only you could of been there, you would of loved it.......

Last year before I started blogging, Mrs G sent me a message saying that she had had an invite from a friend of hers to go to an invite only, house sale, would I like to come.

"Oooh, Yes please" i said....

So the day arrived and off we drove through the Wiltshire country side, winding lanes pretty villages, so lovely.

We parked outside a beautiful grand old manor house, that had once belonged to the father of the lady who was running the sale, he had sadly died, but the lady was now living in a cottage on the grounds.

We walked up the path of the most beautiful higgledy, piggledy cottage you have ever seen. The cottage was literally 4 rooms, a tiny kitchen where she had baked cakes, and poured tea into vintage china tea cups, the lounge was a small room just jammed packed with gorgeous things, vintage fabric, books trinkets, little battered old suitcases, like an alladins cave. The stairs were so higgledy, obviously original, and led to a tiny landing, bedroom, containing a bed and rails and rails of beautiful vintage clothes, and bathroom. The floors where so old and wonky only 4 people could go upstairs at any one time for fear of the ceilings coming down! I honestly don't think an awful lot had been done to it in 100 years! It was just so lovely.

It wasn't busy, it wasn't expensive, it was just this slightly eccentric women living alone in a tiny old cottage having a clear-out for friends, except me, as I didn't know her at all, and felt like a complete gate crasher! she didn't seem to mind.

I found the little quilt in an old out house, and paid £10.00 for it, it was filthy and full of holes but I loved it.

I also bought an old suitcase.

So I put my eidy in my battered old suitcase and sat with it on my lap all the the way home in the car, with a massive grin on my face....such a lovely day.

Love is.....

Most definitely without a doubt

this little faded roses vintage Eiderdown

found in an old barn,

next to a higgledy piggledy cottage.

Have a lovely weekend

Love

Sophie

Love is.......

2011-11-30T23:58:00.000-08:00

Do you remember......

Well from now until Dec 25th, I will be spreading the Lurve. and Posting a

Love is......

With a photo of something I love.

You can join in on my facebook page, all you have to do is like my page, post a photo and a...Love is....on my wall.

Facebook page

If you don't do facebook and have a blog you can still join in, become a follower, grab the Love is...... button and link it back to me.

It can be anything you love, doesn't have to be vintage!

Why?

Oh I just thought it might be fun!!

To spread a little Christmas Love,

in these times of doom and gloom

after all LOVE is free

and makes the world go round

Sooooooooo...........

**********

Love is.......

Opening the first window

Of my advent calender.

***

Love

Sophie

Rusty old metal & cosy corners

2011-11-29T09:39:00.000-08:00

Sherborne flea last Saturday, the last one for me before Christmas. It's a really great little fair, and I've met some lovely people since I've had my stall there. I always find interesting things to buy and you never know what you might find, I sometimes manage to sell some stuff too!

Gorgeous, gorgeous old toffee tin from

Vintage Jane

A little american enamel match holder.

What is it about rusty old metal with faded roses on, that I love so much?

an old enamel jug.

Some pretty vintage fabric & a little dolls blanket.

another suitcase makeover, even though I said never again after

This suitcase

this one was much smaller, still fiddly, it's not perfect, but I don't mind as it is for me, and not to sell

I nipped to make a coffee

Sometimes I think my heart will melt.

It has been raining so hard today the cottage is dark, but cosy.

I love little corners of cosy

Bought the bunny light yesterday......

couldn't resist

from a new place in Yeovil called the Yeovil Vintage Emporium, a mixture of old and new.

****

Had a lovely surprise through the post today

From Pixie over at the

The crafte Nook

A gorgeous little crochet aster brooch.

I am so touched, and truly love it.

Thank you Pixie x

It is so lovely to be in contact with so many like minded people in Blog land.

And thanks to a very nice lady, who also has a stall at Sherborne Flea, I know you will read this!! Who on Saturday pointed out a really sylish lady wearing a Re-vamped coat, such a great idea...

Change the buttons add some velvet ribbon.......

I have a little green jacket in my wardrobe that I bought from the charity shop, which is crying out for such a make over. My little aster brooch will go perfectly,

I will show you next time.

*****

Found this at the dump yesterday

It started some interesting comments on my

Facebook page as to how anyone would dream of throwing it away.....

It cost £4.

& lastly before I must go and cook tea

my Dad has bought a 1965 ford

Fire engine!!

That is his partner in the photo's who loves anything from the 1950's.

I am currently trying to negotiate a deal, whereby I get the fire engine.

I am thinking there is probably more chance of seeing a flying pig in a tu tu!!

Enjoy your evening

Bye for now

Sophie

St Cuthberts

2011-11-25T03:07:00.000-08:00

I was lucky enough to have been bought up in the countryside, I was an outdoor child, I loved the world outside, exploring, getting covered in mud, looking, with both eyes open. I've not changed, if I stay indoors too long, I go a bit stir crazy, get a bit agitated, I need the countryside, it makes me feel better. The fog that has been shrouding my part of the world has lifted for a while, and for 4 hours we walked.

I moved from the flat Cambridgshire fens 17 years ago after sticking a pin in a map, quite literally.. I'd never been to Somerset. One of those crucial times in life when you know something has to change, I packed up the car, me, 1 toddler, 2 cats, no furniture, and headed for a house I'd never seen, a place i'd never been too, left all my family behind, and started all over again....... Brave? foolish?,,,,,
but I love this place, the beautiful landscape the fact that you can walk and not see ahead of you to the horizon, hills and valleys, my green green grass of home. Perhaps it was my destiny, who knows, you can never be sure of what is around the corner or of what life has in store for you, things worked out just fine.

I miss my family of course, it isn't just a case of nipping round for a cup of tea, sometimes it's hard. The world is a smaller more accessible place now, people I love are scattered all around.

We walked to the little chapel called St Cuthberts, it is the second smallest church in britain. There has been a building here since AD 970. In 1533 the chapel was built & served by monks from the local Sherborne Abbey.

It is not easy to get to, you have to walk, and in the 17 years I've lived here I've never been inside , until the other day. It was larger once, the bit you see is the chancel, which was restored in the 1930's.

I love old churches, although not religious myself, I follow my own path, each to their own I feel.......but I'm fascinated by the history, the silence, the echo's of the past, written into every old stone.

A tramp sleeps in the church, and I've always been too afraid to go in. It seems the tramp is not there in the day, as the place was deserted. I guess he would be moved on, as the chapel is open to passers by and still has the odd service now and again.

I have seen him around the town, head down, sad looking, and if I travel back in the car at dusk I have seen him making his way 'home' to the little chapel.

Footsteps heavy his life in his rucksack.

I wonder about this man, what turn of events led him to this moment, what happened in his life, that he has no one to love him and loves no one, no home, no belongings.

Is it his choice, or did life just happen to him.

When it gets cold again, (last winter was bitter), what kind of a life is his life.

How does he feel at night in this place, where he sleeps with mice and the ghosts of the past?

Perhaps I am just a great big softy...........

Bye for now

sophie

Thriftyness in the fog

2011-11-22T13:56:00.000-08:00

Some might say that I'm a little superstitious. Things in my opinion don't just happen, but happen for a reason. Cause and effect, if you do something here, it is bound to have an effect over there. Some superstitions are born, long, long ago from customs and practices that are now forgotten, for example a big, huge no, no for me is NEVER, ever put shoes on the table, that is very unlucky. This is because years ago when somebody died they were laid out on the kitchen table, this being the most practical place to put them, their shoes where laid beside them. Even though I know this is the reason, I still believe it to be unlucky. My Dad told me from a very young age, 'Never, ever put shoes on the table. Never, ever cross your knife and fork after eating, and as for breaking Mirrors....Well....

On Sunday morning I left for the artisan fair in thick fog

A little bit Sleepy Hollow

I quite like the feeling of not knowing where I'm going to end up. Having never been to Middle Woodford before, it was an adventure

Whilst setting up the stall, I broke a mirror (sharp intake of breath I hear you all take!)
Between you and me, I think it will all be fine, something happened to sort it all out (cause and effect, shall we say) So do not fear, all shall be well, but just in case,

I shall throw spilt salt over my left shoulder,

plant lavender for luck

& rosemary by my garden gate.

It is always best to err on the side of caution.

A few pics from the fair

Sunset over Middle Woodford

So all worked out in the end, a good day, some nice friendly people, drove home weary and hungry, to warm cosy house, candles lit, fire burning, pj's and wine, pennies in my pocket.

****

There is an awful lot going on here in the back of beyond at the moment, Mr is changing premises, a whole new shop refit, it is all very exciting, as he has been staring at the same four walls for 22 years...yes 22 Years!! He is not here so much now, which is strange. Also it means a severe tightening of the purse strings, money is a complex thing, you cannot live without, something most people worry about, most day's, I'm sure, especially in these times. And although a part of me thinks how nice it would be to drop out of the rat race, & do a Tom and Barbara I have on many occasion tried to live 'The Good Life'. Although I have the allotment, I only seem to be able to grow enough peas for one meal.....my knitting is very similar to Barbaras too. We have to pay the mortgage and the bills etc, etc..... So although I cannot be of much help to Mr, I am trying to do my bit and not spend all his money!

So if you are a man you may like to quickly just skip this bit........

Now those of you who have read my blog for a while, know that I love a good jumble sale, there have been a few here lately, so as it seems more and more Granny tendencies are creeping into my everyday life, (it is an age thing I am sure). I have bought a few new things for winter from the jumble sale. Now it did need a bit of tweaking so here are the before and afters

A pile of clothes

before, not too keen on blue

A pack of Dylon, antique grey dye

after

Before....not very practical baby pink dress

After

Granny cardigan and fluffy pink slippers optional

Changed buttons on Granny cardigan..May be Granny but very warm!

Now there are more things , but quite frankly I got a bit bored, so you get the idea.

Dylon dye £5.29p

Blue dress 20p

Pink dress 30p

Granny cardigan 30p

Boots hu hum...I bought both pairs when I had some dosh, you cannot skimp on good boots, (in my opinion) but I have had the brown pair for 4 winters now and the black pair for 3, which is good I think.

*****

So now here I am in the evening Mr at the pub, trying to dry my washing by the fire, as the weather is like this a lot

Not very good for drying ones smalls.

With May

Who is, it seems fitting in quite nicely here as she is completely bonkers! and rather than being a lap cat, is a shoulder/neck cat and most evenings plonks

herself on my shoulder like a 1940's fox stole, I am thinking this could become quite handy as the weather turns colder.

Lets hope the fog clears soon, I am feeling the world is lost.......

Much love

Sophie

Hopeful, cheerfulness

2011-11-18T07:56:00.000-08:00

Hello out there.

This candle smells lovely

My friend K just emailed me to say my last post sounded sad, and I read it back and kind of wished I hadn't, wasn't sure if in hindsight putting a picture of me and my aura for the whole world to see was the wisest decision, felt abit like going to the super market in your bra and knickers but not realizing till you get there, and your pushing your trolley down the baked bean aisle. So short of freaking out, do you ever do that? (not the supermarket underwear thing) the, when you forget you're writing to quite a lot of people thing, like LOADS...sometimes it freaks me out. So moving on swiftly....... blogging paranoia...eeek!

Painted my kitchen shelves yesterday, a nice shade of Annie Sloan Versailles, was just going to paint the shelves, got a bit carried away and painted the whole wall, I think it looks quite nice though

I'm always moving stuff around, I know I am, as when family come home they no longer notice things are moved around, for about a week.

****

Made some more of the little lavender sachets

Using the freezer paper technique

It was fun, the house smelled so lovely filled with lavender

I'm doing my first Christmas fair on Sunday,

Artisans at Christmas

So that means there is no avoiding the fact that Christmas is on it's way, have even bought a few pressies. Christmas is a funny old thing don't you think? On the one hand I get very excited about the tradition, it's a warm glowy inside feeling that feels all nice and Christmassy, on the other hand the whole commercial claptrap that goes with it completely does my head in.

So you watch all the magical films on telly, and you cry, well I do, Christmas does make me cry. Have you seen the John Lewis advert, on the other night in the break whilst watching Kirsties homemade britain, I was balling my eyes out

WHY?!

I have know idea.

My children are big now, Santa has been made redundant.

I'm thinking Christmas Eve, roaring fire, candles flickering, pjs, and a nice glass of Vino,

curled up on a huge sagging sofa, box of tissues by my side, watching

Miracle on 34th street.

It seems I am getting old.

*****

I also made some large lavender hearts

An old Whitney blanket recycled with vintage french fabric

I love this one, might wrap it up for me!!

Treasure from the dump this week a 1950's singer sewing table

£5.00.

One snag...

big hole in top

she is living in hope that nice husband will get out his vast tool box and rectify small problem.

Remember Auction cupboard?

Fell in love with lovely pink glass door

is not on wall yet as living in hope for second time today,

due to being banned from using the drill, some years back as got a bit carried away and made craters in the wall.

hope your weekend is a happy one

bye for now

Sophie

May

7 things you didn't know bout little ole me?.......

2011-11-15T13:45:00.000-08:00

Bit of a rubbish day today, but you're not to feel sorry for me as, just one of those things and it will pass.....but something nice happened over Here and I was pretty touched by kind words, thank you.....Magic and Drudgery.
So I will pass the versatile blogger award on to 7 blogs that I am enjoying at the moment, ......I know not everyone excepts awards so please don't worry if you don't want it!! I won't be offended!

1.The Crafte Nook

2.An Angel in the Garden

3.oooh Betty

4.Country rabbit

5. The polka dot petticoat

6.Homegrown originals

7.Florence and Rose

I look forward to your posts for so many different reasons, beautiful words and pictures, talented, crafty, lovely homes....

So seven things about me

1. I'm slightly scatty, but never late, it's infuriating, even when I try to be late I'm early!

2. I used to be an holistic therapist, I did LaStone therapy, indian head massage & hopi ear candles.

3. I once had my aura read

Here's me & my Aura.

4. I have 2 tattoo's.

5. The Jeff Buckley song Hallelujah gives me goosebumps and makes me cry.

Hallelujah

6. I had a really sad time in my life in my late teens, early twenties, I grew up pretty fast, it makes me appreciate what I have now, and how much I love my family, my home is my sanctuary.

7. I LOVE....... trees, and hares, the moon, country walks, the smell of garlic and onions cooking, my bed, sewing, making, reading, drawing.........

Oh and I think too much!!

'Somewhere in the depths of infinite space there is a tiny ball of rock. It hurtles through the heavens at breakneck speed, circling a faint yellow star. As it travels it spins like a top. Somewhere on it's surface are you and I and approximately 4,000,000,000 other human beings.'

(The psychic explorer)

Love

Sophie

Homemade Chandelier

2011-11-13T14:00:00.000-08:00

On Thursday I went to a charity sale, a rummagy type of sale, which are the best sort in my book.

Lovely pink jug 50p, had to then buy pretty flowers to go in lovely pink jug

A wooden wheel with pretty flowers painted on it for £3.

Then had an idea......

bought some hooks and chain.

Magpie tendancies......

I have a thing for all things glass and shiny,

I have had these chandeliers dropletts for years, they used to hang on a twisted hazel tree in my garden.

Treated myself to this beautiful vintage fabric roses garland hand made from

Magpies Laundry

bought on Etsy and came the very next day.

I used thin wire to suspend tea light holders and chandelier dropletts and a few glass Christmas decorations

Hung it from the ceiling

My homemade chandelier.

*****

Went to auction on Friday night, cold, torrential rain, and fog, but all worth it.

Bought a gorgeous little cupboard, it has XXXVI marked on the back, along with some old fench newspaper. After donning my Agatha Christie hat, sumised it is a little french cupboard handmade in 1936.

It has a pink glass door.

I'll show you next time.........

Have a happy, cozy, Sunday evening

Sophie

Tattered and torn............

2011-11-09T09:11:00.000-08:00

Left out in the Autumn rain, saggy, baggy and worn

With it's springs hanging out, upholstery torn.

The old umbrella came from our village Jumble sale a couple of weeks ago, the vicars wife bought them in, as they had been left in the church, I wonder how many years ago now the brollie was left behind!

Faded Velvet

I really love the legs

There is beauty in old forgotten things,

even forgotten flowers

I wonder where it sat for all these years.

Sometimes it's a difficult decision to make when you find something so old and battered, part of me thinks that battered and worn is part of it's charm. On the other hand, in my mind eye, I see a beautiful chair without the skirt, to show of those legs, covered in gorgeous old fabric. Its just abit too battered to keep as it is, I think? It needs to dry out first,

It cost me a massive £1....I think it deserves upholstering.

Bought this gorgeous book yesterday, I saw it on a blog ages ago, but can't for the life of me remember which one, sorry......

It is such a beautiful book

I'm totally inspired by the idea of growing some Lilly of the Valley, one of my favourite flowers ever,

The other day I bought this old tureen for a £1, it is battered and chipped with age but perfect for bulbs.

I have ordered the Lilly of the valley from

The Wild Flower Shop

Although the land is resting now, its nice to plant some bulbs inside,

I like using old pots to plant them in.

I planted this hyacinth a couple of weeks ago in an old jelly mould, it is just emerging.

So I will hopefully be successful in growing some Lilly of the Valley.

Vintage Flowers

Vic Brotherson

RRP £25...bought in The Works for £6!

It's miserable today, grey and raining here, I've lit the fire early and it's warm and cosy, I've been shuffling furniture around, and generally pottering, life has been so busy of late, it's nice to just potter for a while.

Bye for now

Sophie

P.s ...for those interested in Freezer Paper , to print onto fabric, this is the link I followed to suss how to do it!

http://www.craftster.org/blog/freezer-paper-who-knew/

Good luck

Can I get there by candle light?

2011-11-07T12:31:00.000-08:00

Change is most definitely in the air, as the seasons change, then so do I, I can feel it all around me, in the calling of the owl when I go outside late at night, in the chill of the Autumn air, in the falling leaves.

I like this time of year, and the change is welcomed, nesting is going on in the cottage, cosying up, candlelight, making the shadows dance on cold dark evenings.

I thought I even heard someone whisper Christmas......it's too early, but with the Christmas fairs I'm doing, I can't help but feel a little bit christmassy....as I'm busy making festive things, my steam will run out, if I'm not too careful.

I have been experimenting with Freezer paper this week, I had read that you can use it with fabric and then run it through the printer, it worked pretty well, but I ran out of black printer ink, so all is on hold until I go shopping for more, but it is exciting. I have my images I want to use stored and then there will be no stopping me. Here is a little lavender sachet I completed before the ink ran out.

It was not hard to do and quite fun really, so I'm looking forward to making more.

It ended up being a bit of a tea cup weekend this weekend, it seems that tea cups are like buses,

you don't see any, then all of a sudden loads turn up. The one above is from the USA

This one is a Susie Cooper, very pretty and feminine.

Then this lovely Staffordshire set, not a chip on it and in lovely condition.

I'm so clumsy, I was scared, delicate china and me don't mix so well.

It has survived this long, I'd hate to be the one to chip it.

Such a pretty ditsy pattern.

These gorgeous china knives I just love.

And this huge old meat plate, perfect for.......

I was watching Jamie's Great Britain last night and thinking he would love this plate!

These also came home with me, very 60's

One particular stall at the car boot was just full of boxes of little curious things.

It was quite hard to get a look in..like bee's round a honey pot it was!

But picked up two sweet little dolls from the 1920's minus arms and a leg! not that that ever bothers me! And some nice little odd bits from a dolls house.

*****

As for Milly May, as she has now affectionately become

She has settled so well, after a very skitsy first night and day, loads of patience, and soooo many cuddles.

Her little cheeky adorable personality is beginning to shine through, she is becoming braver and no longer runs to hide every time someone walks up and down stairs, or into the room, she was terrified of the stairs, bless her. Today it has just been me and her and between naps in her suitcase (It is her safe place beside the sofa where she can be quiet and safe if she needs to be.)

She has followed me Everywhere!! Even up the scary stairs. As I write this she is curled up on my lap.

I think she has been waiting all her little life for someone to love her, and to love someone back.

So thank you all for your lovely messages about Milly May, I read them all to her!

She sends you the loudest Purr in England.

Love

Sophie

And along came.......

2011-11-04T12:06:00.000-07:00

May

Rescued by the RSPCA from a house as a tiny kitten

Born in May hence her name.

Cared for at Happy Landings rescue shelter all her little life, nobody, until I came along had showed any interest in her.

She is very timid and easily scared, but loves a cuddle and has the loudest Purr in England.

I love her soooo much, we were meant to find each other.

A new chapter has begun.

Happy, Happy weekend

love

Sophie

Today.........

2011-11-04T05:34:00.000-07:00

Someone very special

Will be coming

to live

in my

little cottage

I am very excited

but think I might cry.........