Christmas 2008

Welcome to our world.

For the most part it looks quite sedate,
but there is a little undercurrent of a tiny bit of mayhem LOL

This is how my nephew, Neil, greeted us Christmas morning, he'd just visited his nephews and nieces before work (he's a chef, and a very good one too!) the youngest now thinks that Uncle Neil is SANTA !!!

It was my sister's birthday on Sunday so I made her some of her favourite sweets.

She's not one for sweets much (haven't a clue who she takes after???)
but she does like marzipan covered walnuts.
I'd already given her her present before Christmas,
but everyone needs something to open on their birthday, don't they ?
(BTW, these are the ones that wouldn't fit in the box)

Last night (29th) she and her husband came for their annual meal too.
I don't get chance to do posh often, so I like to make the most of it,
and laid the table,
lit the candles and placed the crackers

After, we always play some game or other, and last nights game was cards.
Take 2 was the main game. we play for chocolate money,
and after exchanges of coins
(some legal, some not)
Bro-in-Law decided that the very last game
(after midnight) should be a winner-takes-all pot.

And I Won

And to finish, just a few more pics of my tree.
Did I say I love my tree???

Love and blessings
Elaine xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Happy Christmas Blessings

As I write this it's still just about Christmas Day here in Blighty, and what a wonderful day it's been.

I've been so spoiled with wonderful gifts (may take pics soon). It's been a fairly quiet day with some noisy moments, but quiet is good as I'm still getting over the nasty flu lurgy that's doing the rounds.

I thought I'd just post a few pics of my home to be going on with
This is the view I have from my dining table, and I can call it a dining table at the moment. For 50 weeks of the year it's a sewing table, but I'm having a break LOL
This is one of my dressers, I love my little bits and pieces on it, most of them I've had for years.
This fireplace is at the back of the room,
.....................................and this one is at the front.

May you all have the most blessed and peaceful holiday.

Love and blessings
Elaine
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

How come it's December the 17th already !!!

Sorry I've been away from my blog for so long, life has been a bit of a pain lately, but I had to post about my lovely Shabby Chic swap that arrived today from the lovely (and over generous)
Shabby Angel.

The theme is Christmas, but neither the wrapping or the box inside was giving anything away
Then I opened the box to be met with a sea of white tissue each bit containing lots of sparkley doves and stars and pretty little crosses


And each little (and large) tissue-wrapped parcel held it's own delight.
There was lots of Christmas decorations....................
And some scrummy chocolates
The most gorgeous Christmas table runners
Then I found the most delicious Laura Ashley place mats and napkins
And the loveliest of hand made aprons with it's own matching potholder, absolutely beautifully made, and a sweet little chiffon scarf, so pretty.


All of this packed neatly into a felted magazine caddy !!!!
And to top it all off I got my lovely wooden tea caddy, I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So thank you so much Shabby Angel, you really are the sweetest angel ever xxxxxxxxxxx

With Love and Blessings in Christ
Elaine
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

My brilliant day out

Now, I know I might sound a tad of a saddo in this post, but I really don't care LOL

It's my birthday soon, you know the kind when people expect a big party. Now personally I can't see the point. I celebrated being 21, and if I am working at the time, I can see the point of celebrating retirement (though how does one retire from working at home ????)
Anyway, if other people want to party, I will gladly wish them well, and even help them, but it's not for me.

So my lovely daughter came up with another way of celebrating.

All year I have (partly) jokingly said that all I want is a donkey, adopting a donkey would do fine. So my daughter arranged for my nephew to take me to a donkey sanctuary for the day.

It was brilliant. I felt like a child again, having gained a love of donkeys at the age of 10 while learning the poem by Walter de la Mare, Nicholas Nye.
When we were small, we didn't do donkey rides, I was 8 before I saw the sea, and that was a cold wet day. Of course I'd seen donkeys, but that poem just sparked something inside me.

Don't get me wrong, I don't go mad and have everything donkey around me. I do have a couple of ornaments, but the real thing is better. And today I got to cuddle and scratch lots of donkeys.
(Donkeys love to be scratched really hard, almost as much as eating!)

Anyway, here are a few pics of the most gorgeous donkeys, all of them rescued.




I love geese too, and this lovely fellow I could have bundled up and brought home, such a character!

I hope you can see him in the middle of the photo, he is very big!!!

So, that's been my day. Wonderful. Thank you Claudia xxxx

Love and blessings in Christ
Elaine

Sorry it's been so long

The last few weeks have been such a pain, I haven't bothered with blogging at all, I'm so sorry everyone. But I'm here now and the problems, unfortunately, are still here too.
Never mind.

I haven't sewn much over the last few weeks either, the decorating was a night mare, plaster falling off the walls and everything, and I still need to make new curtains too, but I needed somewhere to keep my small collection of buttons, so I have made these over the last few days. Hopefully they will fit my new dresser.


I did measure the gap for them, but I haven't tried them yet. I made 2, well because the shelf will take 2, but I didn't realise just how big they would be, so all my little boxes fit in one fabric box. Now the other is housing my huge rolls of ribbon with lots of room to spare.
The floral fabric I have had for years and I'm really pleased I finally have a use for it (it might even end up on the sofas as cushion covers too), and the lovely pink check fabric was part of a parcel from the very lovely Heather.

Even though I haven't posted for a while, I still haven't got much news without moaning on about what's been happening, so I won't bore you all with that.

Love and blessings in Christ
Elaine xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

And the winner is...................................

I wrote the names and cut them out...............
I put them in a lovely box.................

On went the lid and I shook them around........
And drew out the winning name......................

ANNIE-C !!!!!!

Congratulations Annie.

Thank you all for the lovely comments over the last week, and I'm sorry not everyone could win.

I'm also sorry that I didn't post the winner on Saturday as promised but we've had a nightmare weekend regarding the decorating. I won't bore you all with the details, but I will say that we have (I hope) turned a corner now.
If I have my way the bulk will be done by the weekend, but then again nothing has really gone to plan so far eeekkk!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll be in touch with Annie via the Shabby Chic Cafe (I opened the draw there too for people without google accounts.

I must say it has been fun running the draw, so I might not wait a year for the next one so Watch This Space.

With love and blessings in Christ
Elaine xxxxxxxxxxxx

Happy Blog-a-versary to me!!!!!!

I can hardly believe it's been just over a year since I started my blog, it's gone so fast. I almost missed my Blog-a-versary we've been in such a tiz this last week, so I thought I'd wait until the weekend before I made this post.

I remember when I started I really didn't know what I'd say, or if I'd have anything to say, but here I am still plodding on a year later.

The last week has been a bit of a trial, nothing really by worldly standards, but trying for us never the less. I won't bore you with all the details, I'll just say we're decorating the living room and it hasn't all gone to plan (I'm sure many of you know that feeling!)

So, just to say thank you to all my readers for being there for me, and putting up with my ramblings, I'm having a give-away to celebrate the last year.

And here it is!


I designed the bag a month or so ago (probably more like 2) and this is (so far) just 1 of 4. Each has its own little quirk, (this one has a different button to it's sister) so there is only 1 just like this.
This one is made from a beautifully pattern baby cord and faux suede outside, and has long straps to fit on your shoulder nice and secure for shopping.
It's got a ribbon draw string, and 2 pockets inside, a large zipped 1 and a little phone pocket too.
It's quite roomy inside and fully lined (even the pockets!)
And so far none are "owned" (not even by me) so the winner will be the first to have this design.

If you'd like a chance to own the bag, just leave a comment and I'll pull a name from the hat next Saturday (27th September) and announce the winner here.

I'd also just like to say a big thank you to everyone who has left comments over the last year,
it really does mean alot to know others are out there, and I am humbled by the comments left, especially on my last post. Thank you all xxxx

Love and blessings in Christ
Elaine
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Tea and Friendship.......

................... What a lovely combination (or maybe coffee or herbal for those who don't do tea)

Just how precious can friendship be? To me it's very precious. And to think I now have wonderful people who are my friends and all because of the WWW.
If anyone told me just a few years ago that I could have become such good and close friends with people I had never met I would have told them they were, quite frankly, barmy!!!!!!!!!
After all, how could I, who knew nothing at all about computers, possibly have friends because I use a computer. Just unheard of.

I thank God for the day my daughter decided to get an internet connection, over the past few years it has been a lifeline sometimes. I have found inspiration, conversation, ways of spending money I'd never dreamed of (oooppppsss) but the bestest thing, and the biggest blessing, has been the wonderful friendships formed.

So I'd like to share this lovely award from Lacey
with all of you out there, the wonderful people who share the one thing we all have in common.
Internet friendship and companionship.

Of course I am supposed to pass on this award, so the first thing I'll say is
"right back at you Lacey" xxx
I have to include my lovely friends Angel and Rasp, and all my very first internet friends from the now de-funct RTV forum, some of whom I'm still in regular contact with after all this time.
(to name a few...Anne, HG, Pip, Janie, Nige, Doug, Paul)
I'd love to include my newest friend Martha, and all my lovely friends at the Shabby Chic Cafe.

I should think I've waffled enough now so I'll just say a big "THANK YOU" to you all.

With love and blessings in Christ,
Elaine xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Green is the colour

August's swap at Shabby Chic Cafe was "Green", so I decided to set myself a challenge.
How much could I make from one thrifted pillow case? It was just an ordinary, average sized pillow case, and this is what I come up with.

Firstly a simple peg bag

Next came these napkin rings

I added paper napkins

Then I made the pillow

I had a little bit of fabric left so I made a small scented heart. I haven't loaded that picture on because it was dire, but you can see the heart dangling from the peg bag in the top photo.

So here's my challenge to you.
How much can you make from a pillow case?
Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.

Love and blessings in Christ
Elaine
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Habakkuk

I know I don't usually do difficult posts, so many are much better at evangelism that me, and it's also a little bit scary. I run the risk of alienating my non-Christian readers, but here goes.
In the links list, on my side bar, are 2 links to places that are really special to me and my family, one is the Mustard Seed Gift Shop, the other is called Habakkuk.
And it's Habakkuk I want to talk about.

Sometimes it's difficult to know if we are doing what God is directing us to do, when things take longer than we think they should it's hard to remember that God's timing is not the same as ours. I constantly question if I am in God's will, sometimes it's obvious that I am (or not as the case may be) but at other times it's hard to tell. Last week, again I questioned if we are in God's will regarding the "Habakkuk" side of what we do.
After much prayer, I didn't seem to have an answer, then, while watching a Christian programme on GenesisTV, the answer came.
Habakkuk is a little used book of the bible, one of the "minor" prophets, it isn't often used in preaching or teaching (in my experience) yet the answer came directly from that very book.

Habakkuk 2:2,And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by. (3)For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day.
(from the Amplified Bible)

My heart lifted. What a Gracious God we serve. On the leaflets we hand out to promote what we do to ministers etc we have this section;

The Vision
1Peter 4v.10 Each one of us should use whatever gifts he has received to serve other, faithfully administering God's grace in it's various forms.

The Vision is to have a place that would support evangelism and outreach in South Derbyshire, particularly Swadlincote and surrounding areas. A place where God is at the centre.

A place of contact between Christians and non-Christians, with a biblical, evangelical heart without the traditions and doctrine of man.

A place where the body of Christ can be seen and accepted as part of the community.

A place to provide friendly, non-threatening outreach, an place where contact between the church and people is easily obtainable, providing details of services, events, community projects etc.

A place where information of Christian organisations (Y.M.C.A., Y.F.C., etc) is easily available.


So now I have done just as Habakkuk was directed by God. I have made the vision God gave us easily available, so that everyone who passes through here will be able to see it.
Now I need to do the same elsewhere, but at least I've made a start. Thank you for being patient with me.

Love and blessings in Christ,
Elaine xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The New Batch

Here are the new members of the family. I've been working on these for a few weeks (with lots of interruptions) and I'm really pleased with the results. Several of them are already ordered, but some will be making their debut on the website soon.
It always seems a little bit sad when I come to the end of another batch, especially as I know I can't get some of the fabrics again, and some I will choose not to use again, not because they aren't pretty enough, but because I like to keep everything as unique as possible. Even the rabbits that look alike have their differences, maybe just a different colour or type of ribbon, maybe different bloomers, whatever it is, they each have their own quirks.

I have received another award from the lovely, and very talented Martha,
It's so gracious of her to think of me, she has such a wonderful way of making Annies, simply gorgeous, just pop along to her blog to take a look.

Now I have to think of others to pass this award to. This is a difficult task as there are so many talented people out there.

Firstly I'll say Raspberry Grace, she has a lovely blog, such a expressive way of writing, and photos of her lovely home are so inspiring.

Next I'll say Shabby Angel. She will claim she is not creative, but I dare you to read her blog without laughing. Angel also sews, though she'll say she's not good enough to show her work, but I know she is.

Then I'll say Nine Fruits Pie. Not only is she my daughter, but an extremely talented Jewellery maker too. She works mostly with silver, gemstones and pearls, and creates some stunning designs.

I have to include Lace Hearts. Lacey claims to be quite new to sewing, but you'd never know. There is a wonderful tutorial for a tote bag on her blog. Lovely.

Last but not least I'll say Trish at Trixie's Trinkets. Trish can do all kinds of things, and has some lovely, inspiring ideas.

Sorry to anyone I have missed, there are so many lovely, talented people out there, you all deserve an award MWAH.

Love and blessings in Christ
Elaine
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A little reminder of the time of year.

I can't believe how fast the year is going, and as a little reminder of just that thought, I bought another Christmas present on Friday. A car boot tidy for my brother-in-law, I plan to put 2 huge rolls of paper towels in it, as my sister is rapidly running out of teatowels (he just grabs whatever is closest to hand)

I haven't taken many photos recently, though I have several new goodies on the go, but here is a bag I made last week

I went to Dunelms and found the lush printed taffeta fabric and a metre just popped into the shopping trolley LOL

I thought I share some older photos of things I've made over the years
(excuse the quality, it's a very old scanned photo)

This lovely pair were made several years ago, probably at least 10 years, my how time flies.

And these are Christmas Annies I made a couple of years back, my sister actually bought them for her Granddaughters, but I still have Joy, she has become our mascot and her picture has pride of place on the website.Unfortunately this photo was taken before I learned to use the camera, not that I'm much better now !

I have loved dolls since forever really, and making them helps feed my habit, just a little bit.

With love and blessings in Christ
Elaine xxxxxxxxxxx

Summer is a comming in....................

At last it seems summer has arrived. I love the drying weather, but not the heat (unless I was on some beach paddling), but I shouldn't complain, we've had yukky weather long enough now.

It's been a while since my last post and since then I've received an award

Thank you to the lovely Lace Threads, I don't get many of these and it's lovely of you to think of me. I think I have to nominate more blogs for the award now,
so I need to think.
Of course I have to say my beautiful daughter at Nine Fruits Pie,
and the lovely Raspberry Grace.
The Fabulously Funny blog of Shabby Angel.
Fifties Girl too, a lovely fresh look at vintage through young eyes,
I can't think of anymore that haven't been nominated yet, though some of these may have been.
If I do I'll come back and post more.

We spent a lovely few hours going through old photos at my mam's yesterday, so many wonderful memories. I've brought most of the albums home to re-do them, lots of the photos are getting tatty, some, sadly, may be beyond repair. The plan is to make a scrap book for her 8oth birthday later this year, it will be my first so I hope I do a good job.

This is one of my favourite photos of me, aged about 2 and a half.

I loved that pushchair, It was blue with creamy-white vinyl seat and back. The "baby" is Debbie, and she's wearing a pink wool knitted outfit my mam made for her, She was, and is, my first big baby doll, and very much loved. She sits in my bedroom now, and looks a little worse for wear, but I still love her.

This is my beloved dad

He is in his early 20's here, about 10 years before I was born. He died in 1985, just an hour after my birthday ended. I still miss him so much.

Anyway, enough of me waffling, now I have to inform all those lovely people they have an award too.

Love and Blessings in Christ
Elaine xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

July Sunshine

This lovely photo of the penstemon in our garden actually belies 2 facts.

While it looks lovely and sunny, it has been raining and we are promised more over the next few days, in fact if you see anyone walking around looking nicely tanned just take a closer look, it's probably rust!

The other lie is that we have a garden. We do have a space outside, indeed space may not even describe it. The "space" is around 11' wide by 80' long. Some may call that a garden, but it's not really anything at the moment. We have a border that just a few years ago sported some beautiful plants, but now only has a few (though thankfully the penstemon is very big and hides the emptiness well).

We have a patio of sorts, but has so much junk dotted around it's unusable.

We have a rockery area that has been in the making for 2 years, but not quite made it yet.

We have a shed, with a mini-tip in front of it. It might even be a second patio one day, when it grows up.

Behind the shed was a lovely paved area that has sprouted more junk, mostly wood. and beyond that we have a mini woodland. The birds love this area which is just as well because we can't use it (too over grown).

Why so much space yet so little you might ask? Husband. He's the answer.
I used to be the gardener until I damaged my neck a few years back, now I have to rely on DH. But DH has other ideas. So if anyone has any (clean) suggestions as how I can get my garden back please let me know. Thank you.

On a lighter note, here is my bargains from last week.



DH actually pointed out this lovely tea set in the Heart Foundation, and I was pleasantly surprised at the price. There are 4 cups and saucers and a little sugar bowl, but sadly no milk jug or teapot.



and these lovely glass candlesticks came from the local hospice shop.

I did get a few more goodies too, but I'm saving those for another rainy day!

Love and blessings in Christ,

Elaine
XXXXXXXX