Sunday 27 November 2011

Home at last

It seems to have taken forever but at last we are moved and (almost) unpacked. I love our little home. It's a long time since we had a place of our own, with our things around us. It was fun unpacking belongings we hadn't seen for two years and of course we often wondered whether we really need it all. But now most things have a place of their own (thanks to Leigh for alphabetising all our CDs and books - which I know he secretly enjoyed!). Best of all I have a large corner of our living space to house all the treasures I have to sell. I now have a very clear idea of what I need to list on my Etsy shop - and it's a lot! I've been itching to get on with it but couldn't really justify it until everything else was sorted out. I did, however, spend yesterday making up little sewing kits - reels of trims and cards of vintage buttons - which I hope to list soon.

We've been getting to know our new area too. I was born in Winchester so I'm a Hampshire girl (or Hampshire Hog as they are affectionately known) at heart and very glad to be back in the county. One of the first things we did was to visit Jane Austen's house in Chawton. I'd seen the sign as you enter Hampshire that says 'Welcome to Jane Austen Country' many many times but somehow had never managed to visit her home. We went on one of the last days of the Indian summer, just before Autumn set in.


The beautiful house where Jane wrote many of her novels.


Flowers outside her window.


The little table where Jane sat in the mornings and created her characters.






I definitely had quilt envy here.


Such a beautiful and peaceful spot - at least until the party of school children arrived!

Saturday 15 October 2011

Saturday 8 October 2011

Farewell my lovely



The first time we met TD we knew he was a very special little fella. TD was so much fun to have around. He always made us smile, whatever was happening to us at the time. Our little boy saw us through good times and not so good - but however rotten we felt we couldn't resist his innocent joy at the start of every day. There was no moping around in bed when TD wanted to have his breakfast and go for a walk!

We feel so privileged to have shared his last years: giving him bubble wrap to pop and yoghurt pots to lick out; rubbing his nose when it itched and stroking his chest when he wanted soothing; driving him to a quiet spot on bonfire night so he wouldn't be scared of the fireworks; snuggling with him under the covers on cold winter nights; and holding his little paws while he slept between us on the sofa.

He touched so many people's hearts and the hole he's left in our lives is a measure of how wonderful he was to know. The sadness of nursing him when he was poorly and finally of helping him on his way will take a long time to heal but the wonderful memories we have of him are making us smile and laugh. He's still cheering us up when we need it. 

We loved you so much TD - farewell our lovely boy.

xxx

Saturday 24 September 2011

Weekend Treasury

Badgerlicious!

A weekend treasury for all badger lovers.

These elusive animals are a firm favourite of mine but difficult to spot in the wild. Strangely enough, the one time I saw one was on holiday at Centre Parcs several years ago. There was a badger run right outside our living room window and he just trotted by. On his way somewhere important I expect. Off for cocoa in his burrow, with his tartan dressing gown and woolly slippers on, sitting in a comfy chair next to a big log fire. A few friends round; moley, ratty and the two little voles who live in the tree next door. Mr Badger takes out his pince-nez and perches them on the end of his nose. His little friends sit round his feet, cocoa mugs steaming, a happy glow from the fire warming the centre of the little room. In the dark shadows his trinkets and keepsakes can just be seen on an old gnarly dresser and a nest of tables carved with his own paws from a single hunk of oak. Piles of books line the walls of the hollow tree and the smell of wood smoke, cocoa and dusty tomes was the best and most comforting smell his friends had ever known. He reaches down and picks up a large dusty book with tatty edges and looks at the expectant little faces, whiskers twitching, looking back up at him. Time for a story.

Ah, I can never see badgers without having a Wind in the Willows moment.

Badger by David A.F...

$10.00
Badger on a Pennyfa...

$21.00
Badgers Embroidery ...

$5.00
Fine Art Print 8x11...

$10.00
Badger birthday car...

$4.00
Lenny the Zoot Suit...

$6.99
Badger Charm Pendan...

$29.00
Bilbey the Badger, ...

$12.00
Badger King 5x7 Se...

$12.00
Hand painted set of...

$54.00
Handmade Badgers Li...

$40.00
Badger Walk - origi...

$75.00
Baby Badgers Count ...

$18.00
Badger cushion

$75.00
Badger in a Bicorne...

$45.00
Badgers Cufflinks, ...

$45.00

Sunday 11 September 2011

Weekend Treasury

It's been so grey outside lately and the autumn colours aren't quite under way around here so I felt the need for a little warmth in this weekend's treasury. I've put together a pretty pastel collection to warm the cockles of your heart and remind you of those fine summer days now fading into memories.

Soon it will be the time of mists and mellow fruitfulness. The smell of bonfires, crisp leaves under foot, a definite nip in the air, thick jumpers, long boots and warm stews and puddings. But 'til then, let's just remember the clear warm days, bunches of peonies, large gin and tonics and barbeques in the garden. So long summer ...

 
Floating on air - a...

$60.00
Beach Photograph- F...

$30.00
Oh Deer - Photo Blo...

$15.50
Ruffle Chiffon Flow...

$18.99
Bone Heart 10x10

$22.00
Rhinestone Cuff Bra...

$50.00
Pink Glycerin Soap,...

$5.00
5x7 Photo Card-Colo...

$3.00
Air Plants // THREE...

$13.95
Vintage Pink Notion...

$20.00
Vintage Rose Bloom ...

$68.00
Blush pink and bloo...

$60.00
Blush Necklace

$52.00
Floral Elements in ...

$12.00
The secret garden g...

$18.00
Keep Calm And Drink...

$8.49