Lavenderhouse

No rules

Living by the sea one cannot fail to be influenced by the gorgeous bright light, turquoise sea and cheerful, if not at times gawdy, colour that makes the British seaside what it is.  This weekend we had a fab weekend.  You know the sort, busy doing nothing - yeah!  The kids went swimming with some friends and they all conquered the diving board, so well done.  Sunday morning, we all sat in bed watching Willy Wonka - that sounds rude - I mean Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  I sewed and sewed. 

These scraps of material are from my extremely large bag of oddments.  I have added a few crochet flowers, buttons and sequin stars.  My husband needed a button sewn back on a shirt the other day and my whole family were amazed that I could rustle up some white cotton! 

Last year I did a few courses and the palette of colours required was always rather muted so I do have quite a few 'out of character' scraps too.  I thought I would do a more country inspired textile.  This picture did not photograph well - doh!

Well, this morning the weather was gorgeous.  My middle daughter started a new school today and she had a good day to begin as everyone seemed in such good spirits because of the summer weather. 

Everyone walking along the promenade today looked so cheerful.  Jasper started his Easter holiday.  I love the difference when the children are at home.  By midday, Jasper and I had been for an invigorating walk, done some (not many!) chores, had a carrot sword fight and watched Mickey Mouse's Christmas celebration at lunch time (like you do when it is really sunny and spring!).

Squashing the recycling down for me - please note for elf and safety - brand new bin - so nasty germs in it!

Shopping with a buggy to carry it all - yeah!  Jasper showing you his new shoes too!

Don't you think we should all live a bit like that, do what ever we feel like just some of the time.  Thanks for the bad influence Jasper it was good fun!

Button Heaven

The other day I was in my favourite charity shop (again!) and I came across this marvellous selection of buttons.  I love it when you get that feeling, you know the one.  The one where you think you are nano seconds from hyper-ventilating because you have found something marvellous to you.  I didn't buy all their stock.  It is a bit mean to pinch it all - hopefully someone else will have a little hyper-ventilating moment too! 

I wanted to show you this too.  In addition to all my other addictions; ribbons, buttons, fabric, dark chocolate etc etc I also love vintage suitcases.  However, so do lots of other people!  I have a few and have even been lucky enough to buy a beautiful red case for just £1 but they are often difficult to find.  So I was really pleased to find this.  How gorgeous is this pink!

I have waited to blog this as they are featured in the Country Living Magazine this month.  There it is tucked under that gorgeous yellow chair. 

 
I bought mine on ebay from Imogen where she sells them at a really reasonable price.   Her website Cooey is lovely too!

The really nice thing about a new vanity case is the fact that the inside is in pristine condition, unlike some vintage cases that can smell a bit whiffy!

I am in the middle of sorting out all my haberdashery, material etc, etc.  Happy hours coming up!

Smelling the roses

The recent blast of sunshine has been so uplifting.  Today is very grey.  On reflection I think we should make just half an hour once in a while to sit and unwind, let our minds think of something new that we want to do and hatch some plan to make it possible. 

So I am planning to be part of Open House in July.  I had to sort out a photo to represent the house.  I have still not decided on the final one but thought I might use something like this one.  The light was very odd when I took this photo and it has made it look very poor quality.  There you see, I don't know.  I need to put the chair out again, sit in the sun and mull it all over - don't I? 

So the next time the sun shines, I pledge that I am going to sit down for a quick half hour with my inspiration book and have a good think!  Yes, take time to smell the roses.

A journey with Mouk

Just to today - let's pretend.  Today we will be flying with Mouk

Off we go on an exciting adventure.

First Greece, for some sun to warm our bones.

Lunch somewhere in India?

 

Some surfing in Australia.

Two necklaces and a bracelet that I bought as souvenirs!

This fantastic book is called Around the World with Mouk and is by Marc Boutavant.  It has glossy pages of stunning, beautiful, rainbow illustrations.  My children and I will get hours of inspiration and joy from it.  I thoroughly recommend it.  Another blogger recommended it,  I am sorry I do not remember who so cannot quote them.  It is one of those amazing books that when clearing out your children's things it will definitely go in the memory box!

After many years of training!

Mmmmm, after years of training I finally had a lovely Mother's Day.   The solution is apparently to give all the responsibility to the children and then there is no way one can complain that the day didn't go well!  My children did a flipping sterling job of producing lovely cards and hand made gifts for me - all that I have ever wanted!

Flowers from Skyla.

A book about me by Jasper.

Skyla made me a little house.  The little box with the tea cup on contains little paper plates.   She has made a doorway, there is a table and there is a little bed where the little girl is lying down.

Pasha made me the lovely cross stitch rose and picked out the biscuit barrel in Waitrose.  She told me clearly that she thought I wouldn't be interested in the contents but that I would really like the tin.  She was right, biscuits are not my thing, dark chocolate however is - so no halo there.  I remember as a child being able to go to my Nanna's biscuit tin and pick out a couple of biscuits.  There was always a choice never just a rich tea biscuit, which my Mum used to buy in order to discourage biscuit consumption by my brothers in our house!

We had lunch at the lovely Terre a Terre restaurant. I loved the fact that the children got straight down to some Art and Craft.  Jasper and Skyla made themselves party hats and Pasha coloured away.

 
Just paying for my day of slothfullness today.  I have got so much catching up to do - yikes!

Heart

Sarah Frost

There is part of me that says I shouldn't publish this post but I know I should because it is part of my life that I want to document for my children.  This post is for everyone who wants to be a Mum, is a Mum or is missing their Mum.   I know for me it is a time when I cherish my children (although they drive me completely bonkers at times) and think about the ones I never met. 

Lots of us have suffered miscarriages and still there seems to be so little done to help us come to terms with our loss.  No matter how small or big our babies were when we lost them it was a loss.  For each of my healthy children I had three miscarriages.  Fortunately very early ones with no medical intervention required as my problem was that I just could not hold on to them.  I seriously believe I needed three goes for each one to boost my hormones enough. 

My son, Jasper, was a negative pregnancy test at 8 weeks so I didn't think he was going to make it but he did.  My scan showed a twin though that didn't.  For ages, even now, the mention of the word twin definitely tugs at my heart and tear ducts!

Well, anyway, this is not supposed to be a maudling post but a positive one.  I want anyone who is having trouble right now having children to keep going and keep trying (after all that bit is lots of fun!).  I  honestly thought it would never happen for me but now I have three of the little buggers driving me mad at 7.30 am in the morning.  It was a tough journey, tougher than I let on to anyone but very much worth it.

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So regarding our futures, as you know I have a real bee in my bonnet about wrapping paper.  So I was really pleased to find these all purpose cloths (£1.69 for 10 - much cheaper than wrapping paper) made by Sarah Smith which are perfect for wrapping small presents.  Plus they are machine washable and made in Britain yeah!  I know how many of you love your Union Jack cushions!

I'm not sure how pc it is to give your Mum a present wrapped in a dishcloth though!   Not exactly up the feminist street but definitely up the ecological street!

Have a very happy Mother's day!

Teal sofa and other shopping!

 

Out there in blogland I know you understand how exciting it is rummaging through charity shops.  I buy loads of my clothes from charity shops.  The other day I realised the most expensive item of clothing I was wearing was some new tights from Oasis (I draw the line at second hand undies etc - urgghh).  This week has been a good week for finds, including a fun red monsoon skirt which I am wearing today.   I was really pleased to get another cream coat, which looks so summery.

This teapot caught my eye.  At £1.50 I thought it would make a great little plant pot.

 

As you know, I spotted a lovely new teal coloured sofa in my favourite charity shop.  As charity shops go this place must be top of the pops as it will sell anything, including electrical items.

Whilst I type this I vaguely remember a comedy show that had a sketch about some women running a charity shop and they were constantly finding vibrators in amongst all the donations they had been given.  They had a big box of them out the back of the shop!  I bet most charity shops have been given everything at some stage! Sorry if this has offended you but I remember it really making me laugh!

For those of you who skim this text I would like to point out that my favourite charity shop does not sell vibrators! 

I think seeing this sofa at Libertys in January definitely inspired me. 

I also bought this trim at the Country Living Fair from the Deckchairstripes company.  This company has the most amazing fabric.  They were selling bunting at the fair but it had a couple of brown flags in the packets and I do not do brown.  So I bought some tea towels and am going to cut them up to make my own bunting.

 

Unfortunately, I cannot get a good photo of the colour of the sofa as my kitchen is tucked away at the back of our house (briliant on a stormy night not so good for photos though!).

Do you think I should add the bobble trim to the sofa?

I really love stuff from the 60's and 70's so this candlestick in turquoise had to be snapped up for 75p.

Yes, despite the mounting - spelt that wrong originally and included the word mountain - and it does feel like a mountain of house work to do, the sun is out and I have been very lucky this week with my thrifting so yeah!  Not everyone's cup of tea - sorry to all those shabby chic lovelies out there.  I like to potter down that road sometimes but fear becoming an old lady too soon so steer back to the brighter side although I am always in love with all things CK!  See you soon .... eat your lunch outside today!

Sal Snippets & Cherry on the Cake

Feeling fabulously happy today with the spring sunshine really putting a spring in my step.  I wore no coat today and there was the smell of freshly mown grass in the air.  Bliss.   This morning I met a friend and it was really good to spend some time with her.  One special lady - her not me!

This lampshade filled by heart with cerise glee when I spotted it in B&Q.  I love bright cheerful pink.  Then on Cherry on the Cake's blog she had a wonderful light with a gorgeous edge.  I have shamefully copied her idea.  However, I feel it is probably OK in blog terms as in order to complete the project I bought some material pouches from Sal's Snippets  - her shop is called Floradoodles!  She has saved me from my horrid, ridiculous fear of cutting in to big bits of material.   I have combined her lovely material with lots of my ribbons.

Here is what I bought :: three packets provided me with a wide choice of fabric and I have plenty more left over for lots of other projects.

Got to go - kids to pick up, more things to make and I have my eye on a lovely turquoise sofa in the charity shop - umming and ahhing about that - think it has to be a yes though!  Byeeeeeeeeeee!

Edited afterwards ::  I popped to the charity shop and bought the brand new sofa for £50.  It is an absolute bargain.  For the sake of future comments though I have revised my description of the colour to TEAL, having checked the Laura Ashley colour chart that does a sofa in a very similar colour!  

The Goldilocks Zone

Well good morning everyone.  Wasn't that blast of sunshine just so uplifting.  My spirits are good and I feel really happy and actually very positive about things.  Sometimes I read blogs and I don't find them 100% supportive as it would seem my life is so removed from theirs and how one earth do they do all that etc, etc.  Well, this post is a happy, jolly post but I would like to point out that my washing machine is still not fixed and my unwashed clothes mountain is reaching monstrous proportions and also my house smells like an old lady as one of our kittens has decided to weeeeeeeeeeeee everywhere around the house.  It is disgusting!  But that is enough of ewwwhhhhhhh!

So would you like a peak inside at what we did at the weekend?  I love the term the 'Goldilocks Zone' used by Nasa scientists.  It is also known as the habitable zone or life zone.  It is an area of space in which a planet is just the right distance from its home star so that its surface is neither too hot nor too cold. That means that the planet could possibly host liquid water. In otherwise it is just right.  My weekend felt like that. 

Firstly, the weekend started early with an inspiring trip to the Country Living Show in London on Friday with my best friend, Louise.  I treated myself to this fabulous Hope & Benson handbag.

Saturday was a proliferation of sequins and glue.  I love sequins but the children love them even more!  Then we visited more friends and chatted, drank wine and pondered life in general - very good for the soul. 

Sunday - after a gorgeous beach walk with some friends and the first spring Mr Whippy ice-cream eaten on the beach we came home and flung open the lounge windows.  I love listening to the radio, a cup of tea and a bit of chocolate - ahhhhhhh bliss!  Husband was at the Rugby enjoying the English victory. 

The afternoon was spent with more friends and the children leaping in and out of the window as they built their ever increasingly complicated camp.

Then we had a Barbie - no we didn't really - I didn't want to make it rain - instead Skyla played with Barbie - ha ha!

The children currently have this funny game where the girls live in the Tweeny tent - one plays the Mum and the other one the baby - and then Jasper, who is the Dad and the postman!!!!! lives in a seperate tiny tent!  Gawd knows what my neighbours think of this game!  By the way if I MADE my children repeatedly play in a space that was about 5' x 5' I would be reported to social workers.  I would like to point out that getting in to this tent repeatedly is done at their own free will!

Orla Flowers

Today was a beautiful spring morning.  Every Wednesday I attend a mosaic course for complete escapism from the everydayness that sometimes is a trifle boring.  What I mean by that is that if I could sit and make and create things all day that would be wonderful.  However, the tedious paperwork, domestic chores, getting the car fixed, washing machine fixed etc get in the way.  So I really like that I am booked on this course and that it is a really good excuse to do something just for me!

Do you know what I park my car and then I always catch myself skipping around the corner, literally with glee, to enter the workshop where I can forget about all the chores that need doing!   The ladies on my course are really lovely - we have had some very deep, meaningful and sometimes rip roaring funny conversations. 

Today I managed to finish this mosaic and grout it.  I love the Orla Kiely type flowers.  I have a rough old coffee table that is going to be our Easter project to mosaic.  It is addictive!

On Monday there was a lovely present in our post box for our Harry Potter Obsessed child.

 Just look at that happy smile and please note the package was delivered by Owl not Royal Mail!

Even Madame Hooch had included a letter with the Quidditch outfit.  There was also a green frog and a slithering snake!

What a marvellous, inventive friend! You know who you are - thank you so much!  Jasper is extremely puzzled.  His main question is - how big was the owl that delivered it! 

Have a great Thursday everyone.  Love you all lots ....