Sparkles and Circles

Hello all you lovely people ,
Just popping in to share some goings on, here at ours .

If you are in the U.K. you will no doubt know last night was Bonfire night.
I love this celebration . As a child we always had a big bonfire, and mum made bonfire toffee. We also used to enjoy some small fireworks , the Catherine wheel was always my favourite .

Today...as we have the most suitable garden in our family.... the in-laws and cousins all come over to enjoy a meal of Jacket potatoes, sausages, mushy peas and beans. This is my sort of entertaining ! Low stress, easy, tasty food perfect for preparing you to stand in the rain watching fireworks for an hour or so :0)

Sadly we don't have a bonfire these days but the chimera added a cheery glow ...



I didn't get a shot of the Catherine wheel as I was too busy enjoying it , it's still the best in my book .

The little people loved them all and the sparkler pictures turned out great...





I love this effect, which just happened by chance.

Today the rain has gone, thank goodness . Blue sky's have returned......



and we are having a lazy Saturday morning . I've been finishing the 24 additional circles to add to my blanket........



They just need the ends sewing in now and then I can start joining them :0)





Ahhhhhh...Happy Days ......have a great weekend , hope the weather is kind where you are .
Jacquie x

Splash of Colour

Hello Lovelies,

How was your Wednesday ? Mine has been cheered up considerably by all your kind comments on my last post. It really adds greatly to my enjoyment of life, and crafting in particular, to be able to share it with like minded folks who are so generous with their encouragement.
I would certainly miss this little blog if I ever had to give it up!



I adore finding lovely blogs and inspiration via your comments. Today was just perfect for this . The comment left by Vivienne at Green Rabbit Designs led me to her lovely blog . Which in turn lead me to silverpebbles stunning site and her Splash of Colour flickr group.
The idea is to post pictures that are super colourful and will help lift our spirits during the dark, murky months to come.
Here ,Here !!

If colour therapy doesn't already exist , it should!!

I'm addicted to happy , sunny , cheerful colours at the moment. They REALLY lift my mood :0)

The whole idea of adding a splash of colour to my life inspired a small make over in my living room this morning. Our suite is not ideal, just a passed down, functional , place to sit............



This chair, I suddenly decided ,HAD to have a splash of colour ..........



What do you think !! Certainly more colourful . The boys even approved of this change which is great :0)

I sat and admired my mini makeover whilst making a few more circles for my blanket...


Lovely.

Speaking of crochet in the home , did anyone see Kirstys Homemade Home last night ??
I thought the programme as a whole was good , BUT ,the crochet part was sooooo disappointing . Where was all the granny goodness ?
I felt sorry for Kirsty trying to learn to crochet with scratchy red string. No wonder she soon gave up . Why oh why didn't they give her some quality wool in scrummy colours ?
Granny squares are so much easier to learn than the type of solid square she was attempting too.
You can watch the whole programme Here. The crochet part is near the end.
Sorry about the rant, but I love crochet so much and there are so many stunning examples all over blog land , this was such a missed opportunity .

I'd love to here your views :0)
Jacquie x

Parcels , Pumpkins and Progress

Hello Lovelies, pull up a chair and share a glimpse of our weekend so far :0)

Yesterday, the postman delivered my second lovely parcel this week, I know how great is that.
The Amazing Fostermummy has sent me some of her beautiful handmade soap, so generous and thoughtful.

I love the pretty packaging and you will have to take my word for it , that it smells divine..............


Thank you so much Fostermummy !

This morning saw Mr BM roped in on the pumpkin carving , yay, I'm not keen on the smell of these things...........



Have you noticed the use of power tools , the boys thought this was soooo cool !
I have managed with a spoon and a sharp knife for years :0)

Must admit,though, the finished result looked pretty good, as it watched my eat my lunch.........



We copied this idea from some found on google images....it was a great way to use a small pumpkin the boys grew at school gardening club. Don't you think ?

And now to the progress part. My blanket is up to 144 squares, that's 12 rows by 12 rows. I've sewn all the white ends in too........



I love, love ,love it !!!!!! It's so happy and colouful, I think all the circles are different, which pleases me alot. I study them and choose a favourite , then find one I like even more !.....



I was thinking this would be big enough , with a wide border , but looking at it laid out I think it needs at least 2 more rows on the length. ........



So I'm making 24 more circles, centres first, production line fashion. And drinking plenty of tea in my new mug !!Love it ,thanks Emma :0)


Have a great Halloween, whatever you're up to .
Jacquie x

Sunshine and Surprises

Hello lovelies,
Hope your week is going well. Thank you for all your comments on my recent posts, I really appreciate them.

After the continuous rain of yesterday it was so good to see the sun again today.
We decided to have a trip to a market town I haven't visited for ages.
It has a Lovely market square surrounded old buildings and a stunning church........


So much gorgeous stuff on this stall.........



Today I didn't actually spend any money, I was just happy to browse and window shop in lovely individual shops, not faceless chain stores. Even the slippers looked happy and colourful in this cute little shoe shop.......



And I loved this Nativity in a gorgeous gift shop.........



The sun continued to shine so we came home via the country lanes where I couldn't resist stopping to take more pictures.......



When I got home empty handed ( except for some Halloween stuff for the boys ) I was so happy to find a note to say I had a parcel to collect :0)

I went straight to the post office and collected this.....



My giveaway prize from the lovely Emma at Land of Emma. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw all this gorgeousness. Do you want a closer look ? OK then .
Firstly a lovely card.......



then there was some Rowan pure wool.......


Ooooh , I love this ,it's so soft and such lovely colours .

Next there was Cath Kidson Goodness..........



A mug , a mirror and the cutest little purse , I love it all Thank you.

Can you believe that wasn't all? There was also some gorgeous fabric,so pretty :0)



Then I spotted this !!!.........


Ohhh , handmade something, beautifully wrapped.

Inside were these cute decorations.....


Aren't they the best! I will treasure these Emma.

Here is everything , there was also some ribbons and smellies and knitting needles..



You really shouldn't have sent all this Emma , but thankyou ,thankyou, thankyou .
I love it all !!!!!!!!!!

Jacquie x
P.S. my circle blanket is growing, it's up to 120 squares now and I will post some pictures soon.
In the mean time if you want to see some really gorgeous crochet blankets, each with a lovely story behind it, check out Sucrettes beautiful post :0)

Two Hoots

Hello Lovelies,
Hope your weekend is getting off to a good start. Mine has been extraordinarily quiet so far,due to Mr BM being at work and the boys being out at a sleepover.

Have you noticed all the fabric owls about in blog land and in the shops at the moment ? I even spotted one on the cover of Country Homes and Interiors this month.
Well inspired by some lovely examples like Vintage Vicki's' and Ilarias' I decided to make my own.

I've had this old baby blanket in my stash for a few years now...



It's a lovely royal blue velour ,so soft and mostly cotton........



And yesterday some of it was used to make this.........



Oooooh, I'm so pleased how he turned out :0) I kept my design simple as I want to make one for all three boys so they had to be fairly quick to make. My eldest put in a request to have this one, so I used one of this old check shirts for the wings and gave him a green beak as this is his favourite colour......



I've called him Albert as one of the teaching assistants at the boys school has an owl with this name that she brings in for them to see.

This morning I've finished his brother. Meet Alfred !....



Again I've used one of the boys shirts to make the wings.......



I'm so happy with these and the only thing I had to go out and buy was more stuffing.

Here they are perched on our ever growing selection of pumpkins.......



Have a great Half Term if that applies to you . Otherwise have a great week .
I'm just off to make their little brother.
Jacquie x

P.S. nearly forgot , I've called my bike Felicity, after Felicity Kendal. She too is a girl who was most popular in the seventies ,but is just as beautiful and flexible today :0) Can't wait for Strictly Come Dancing tonight.

The Fruits of Yesterdays Walk !

Hello Lovelies,
Well I'm pleased to report the apples I found on yesterday's walk did indeed make an excellent crumble.......



They were actually quite battered and bruised...



But I'm not complaining, once I chopped out the bad bits there was still enough for last night and a couple for the freezer,this one with a tasteful label........



I seem to have gone back to my youth on this one !!



Blame the lurgy, or more likely this.........



YES!!! I took the plunge , or more accurately asked my mum to buy her for my Christmas pressie ,THANKS MUM :0)



She is a Raleigh Stowaway , Mr BM thinks I've gone mad buying a bike from the 70's..





But I just adore her. My childhood bike was very similar, so maybe that's the reason....



Sorry if I'm boring you now ! but just indulge me a little longer .....



I love all the Vintage details ..........



Where as practical Mr BM just sees the rust and bald tyres.....



She has three gears ( I've never had more than that anyway) And working Dynamo lights And she is a flexible old bird.......





I'm glad to say the saddle is not original, but a super comfy modern one :0)...


Since I took the plunge a quick internet search has shown there is even a flickr group for these bikes and I've seen them for sale on E bay for £50-60 . So I don't think £25 was too bad .

I'm hopeing to be able to squeeze her in the car with the boys bikes so we can go to some of the great off road cycling locations around here.

Now she just needs a name, don't you think ?

Jacquie x