5 Months!

Hello, I have been meaning to keep up with my blog for ages! I didn't want to post about the state that we have been living in. Things have been quite depressing. Refurbing a  100 plus year old terrace set in the 70's with a 2 year old is really hard work. Trying for a baby as soon as you get your bed in the house, was a really crazy idea. Finding out you are pregnant 1 month after moving in to the house of horrors is shocking. Being debilitated with hyperemisis was the the icing on the cake for us!

But, we are nearly there!!

We've had leaks, leaks and more leaks. We've had mould, damp and things going over budget. But we now have a working kitchen, a nice bedroom, a done hall and living room. Then we have a back bedroom that is currently undergoing transformation to a cool boys bedroom, a bathroom that needs overhauling and a landing that needs something doing with it now we have steamed off the artex!

My OH has worked so hard. When i met him he couldn't do a thing round the house. Now he's done all my skirtings and artraves, laid all our wooden flooring and built me a kitchen. I am so proud of him.

I am having another boy in April, well it will probably be May! Harris who is two, has been very sweet about it all, and understands that he has a brother coming and that I have a baby in my tummy. No more babies after this! I have been in hospital 3 times with the sickness, and have spent 4 nights there. I just don't do growing babies!

I would leave you with some progress pictures but I have no card reader on my new lap top, so soon I promise. Here are some ideas of my themes & inspiration.

Our bedroom is black and white. I am trying to find a cheap king headboard from ebay to upholster, and I also need wallpaper. Do i go floral, birds or damask!

I need this wallpaper! I have lusted it for months, but it seems there is nothing at all like it!!

My living room is hot pink, not this hot pink though!! Do I get some Laura Ashley Elvden Cranberry wallpaper to tone down the pink?? I can't link the page or post the image!

TBC....early next year!!!

Hello.

Is anyone still here?


I have lost 2 followers and gained one new one, so not bad going.

I have missed my blog.

I have missed so many car boot sales.

I have missed painting, sewing and taking pictures.

I have no inspiration at the moment, just an over whelming sense of feeling sorry for myself.

I have hyperemisis. If you know what that means, great. I will be back next week hopefully with an official announcement, and a little bit of inspiration. I can see some light at the end of the tunnel.

Hard Work and Hospital Trips!

We have finally had the keys to our house for just over a week now. We got them last Friday, Ian really wasn't very well on the Friday but he struggled through. I called my mum and dad to come help us, they are just completing their first self build house, well with a little help from professionals. I felt bad as they are nearly there with their own house and knew that they were going to get cracking with their free weekend. Anyway they came to the rescue, and by Saturday night Ian was in A&E, he was admitted that night with E Coli. He spent 3 nights in hospital and came home a lot thinner, weaker and worn out. It's 6 days since he came out and you wouldn't believe the transformation. He is much better now, just being careful what he eats.


Here are some starting pictures of the house..

Back room, lovely fire and carpet. The sofa had to be sawn in half to get it out of the house!

Hall- The dirtiest carpet in the world, and minging painted vinyl on the walls. I spent a lovely sunny yesterday afternoon & evening getting that off.

Lovely glass partition wall between the two rooms.

Rooms cleared out, artex steamed off, carpets up, double door way created and some stone chosen for a hearth. Looking much better. 

Stupid kitchen lay out. Everything has now been ripped out, wood cladding off, and tiles off. Not sure when I will get round to getting a new kitchen though!

I'll leave you with a picture of me with H, and my friend's twins. They came up to visit for the day from Harrogate. I spent all morning looking after my niece who is the same age- 8 months. Half an hour after she left the twins arrived. I was in bed at 7.30pm that night. Twins and a 2 year old are hard work and that was with 2 adults. A fortune teller once told me I would have 3 children, a boy then twins, a boy & girl. The first one is right, I couldn't cope if that was the case! The girls were born at 29 weeks, but are absolutely fine. They are really thriving. 

I'll update you with the next house installment soon. 

AWOL

I was hoping to post about a new house, new makes and great car boot sale finds. However, I am still drowning in packing, a terrible 2 year old, and working shifts. The house buy is going slow! We were hoping to complete by next week, but I am not that positive.

I am really sorry to my swap partner as well. I have not posted your swap parcel, nor have I collected the one I was sent, it's still at the post office. I am terrible. I am going to sort everything out on Monday/Tuesday. I have loads of belated birthday cards to post as well. I am drowning at the moment, all my own fault I am so disorganised!.

I am still managing to read other people's blogs though. I love reading about other people's makes & finds.

Vintage Wedding

On Saturday I went to my good friend Lindsey's wedding. Lindsey is a lovely girl who has met a great man Andy. The wedding was in Stainthorpe, near Settle, at a bunk barn with a huge marque for the celebrations, barn for people to stay and the back drop of the beautiful dales for the pictures. The only problem was the rain. It had been sunny then cloudy all day, which wasn't a problem. Then as we were waiting with baited breath to see the brides dress, you could hear the gentle beginnings of rain on the marque roof pitter pattering away. Typical British weather, but as I said to Lindsey, I am sure it's good luck to rain on your wedding day. The only person who it was unlucky for was me and my OH as I decided we'd camp and not stay in the bunk barn, due to Ian's horrendous snoring. Only problem was we took our small tent, no way of getting away from the sides of the tent, meaning we got wet!

The whole marque was dressed fantastically in my favourite, a vintage theme. Lindsey's mum had been collecting at charity shops for the last year for crockery for the wedding. The selection of plates was to die for!

The marque was decorated spectacularly vintage

The bridesmaids were beautiful

 

But the rain kept falling!

The bride looked gorgeous

 A rare picture of me and the other half. Shame the flash was so bright!

                                           The gorgeous table flowers.

                                                     

                                                          Chandeliers in the marque!

                                                         Hamper baskets and  pretty napkins

                                                            The beautiful scenery on the way home.

It's all going on!

Hello Ladies,

Thank you to everyone for your kind comments on my last post. Everything has been all go looking at house to rent, houses to buy! And, we have had an offer accepted on a terrace house in the village where we used to live. The house needs lots and lots of work doing to it. Loads, the most you could imagine! That is good as I have wanted a project but I keep thinking I am maybe taking on a lot more than we can manage. We don't have a mortgage for the place yet, so I am waiting to see if we can get one first. I have heard a few horror stories that they are turning people down for little things! My BT account went to debt collection just the other month, but they admitted their mistake and wrote it off. I have been chased by debt collectors before for a phone & gym membership! Opps! I have had a mortgage since then, but it's so strict now. We'll just have to see! Cross all your fingers for us wont you. I have had it with renting!

Anyone know anything about removing artex! Every wall has the bugger on! AHHHHHHHH.

Just what I didn't want!

was a letter from our landlady saying that she is going to be having some work done on her Farmhouse, and is going to be moving into our house from July! We only moved here at the end of October. It was the biggest waste of time ever. We've lived a winter in the middle of no where, paying nearly £100 for oil at Christmas as we ran out, I've dug my car out of the snow to get home from work, but I thought a summer in this garden will make up for it. How wrong was I. I am panicing as well as it we looked for months, years before we took the plunge to move here. We just aren't going to get anything suitable. I am thinking of living in my tent on a roadside and save some money up to buy a palace!

I still went carbooting at the weekend...I can always have a bootsale before I move for my none necessary items!

A lovely little Meakin jug £1

 A pretty vase. The lady had some lovely things...£2

 Some kind of toothbrush holder from the Vase Lady, she said I was her best customer! 50p

Another Adam's jug. I have two now. 50p.

Everyone keep their fingers crossed I can find a house!!

  (don't tell anyone but I was wanting to try for another baby this summer, so I need a house!)

Boot Sale Season is BACK!

OH YEAH BABY. I was so excited about going on Sunday. I work nights 2 out of 5 weekends, so when I was off and it was nice this Sunday I skipped out the house at 9.45. The sale starts at 9am, but sellers arrive all the time. I had decided this season I really wanted a hen egg storage thing. My Gran has one and I have been meaning to ask her for it, but daren't. I'd love to ask her for half her house, but that's a different story. She's 87 and her and my Grandad have been needing to downsize for years. Her gorgeous immaculate house just isn't the same anymore. It needs a good clean and some TLC. Anyway, back to the boot sale...I also want vases, blue and white pottery, green and white, and gold frames. I have 6 months to get some good finds in spread between Sedgefield, Pickering, York and Thirsk carboot sales. They are all the ones between myself and my mum's.

             My spring mantle piece. So my boot sale waffle doesn't bore you too much. 

I got to my sisters to pick her up, she had a fit. She had nothing to wear, she's too fat, she hasn't got time for boot sales. Jees, we arranged to go. Sod you, I did what I had been wanting to do for ages, but never daring. I WENT ON MY OWN. I got my £20 out of the cash machine, and qued up to get into the car park. It was so busy. When I got there I nearly went home. I couldn't move, and people smelt so bad. Puke.

Anyway, things quietened down a bit and I managed to get looking. I found books for Harris. He is Thomas the Tank mad, and cars mad. So I got him loads of things, and clothes.

I found a lovely decanter for £1, a jug for 50p, some gold picture frames for 50p, and then I saw my Hen Egg Holder!! A lady already had it in her hand, I hovered. Put it down, Put it DOWN!!! I screamed in my head.  She did. I asked how much £3, I got her to £2, and its mine!!! YEAH!

Its only a 6 egg holder. I will be looking for more. I love the jug and the decanter. Total £3.50.

This frame can not wait to be sprayed white!

After that, you need a drink really. 

What did you get at the car boot sale?

Decoupage Chair

What do you think of this...

Its a decoupage chair that I have been working on over the last week. I don't know where to put it though!

 It was a dark oak farm house chair. I got 6 of them off ebay for a tenner. One is pink, one is duck egg and I did a patchwork decouage one this week. It took a while, and I roped my sister into cutting the paper for me. Its wrapping paper that I used. I don't think I let it dry out long enough and I have a couple of tiny gaps showing the dark wood. It's not perfect but looks a lot better than dark wood.

 This was last week when all the paper was wet with all the glue. All my squares are lined up, dvd's and tea!!


We have had some lovely weather this week, and I have been off. I gave myself 2 weeks off to celebrate my birthday, which was on Tuesday. To be honest it was the best present I got. My OH wasn't very imaginative. The same Clinque goodies as last year, and Christmas, a cake decoration set- which I have, and a £50 voucher for Top Shop.....er  I was 32 I don't shop in Top Shop! Luckily my SIL got me a lovely Laura Ashley picture frame, & my sister got me a decorative birdcage & doorstop. I got money from everyone else, which I am going to put towards some new lenses for my camera.

Here is my fave shot of H when we enjoyed the sun on Monday.

Happy Spring to you all. It's been a long time coming!

Heart & Bunting Love

I am stuck in a rut of making fabric hearts! I have loads, ones in garlands & individuals. I like giving them to people for presents.

I have made one for my mum for mothers day and one for my sister.

I made them, and used them as gift tags.....
                                                  for my friends twin girls. She can also use them to tell the difference between the girls!

I tried my hand at gingerbread men, but only had white material, so this is my snow man. He's a little wonky but he's a one off!

And I have been making lots of bunting. I can't wait to have this hanging in the garden sitting in the sit socialising with friends.

Next on my list is to finish a canvas beach hut bag, and to make an aplique cushion for a friend. I get nervous when people ask me to make them things. As long as they pretend to like it, then that's alright!

Rejigged

Its nearly carboot season! I have been thinking that I hadn't posted much over the winter, but I haven't bought any treasure to show you! I have only been to 2 auctions over the winter, and 1 jumble sale. I have got a few bits, I have loads that I need to get on with really before I start buying again after easter. I have loads I need to get rid of as well. I need a car boot sale myself this year. Clear out the out of favour ready for more findings.

This year I am still looking for tea sets, tea pots, vintage plates, mirrors, blue & white pottery and I've decided to go for green as well. I also want picture frames. I love spraying them and bringing a new lease of life. I am off to the local one on Sunday if my hangover isn't too bad! Its my birthday night out on Saturday, then Sunderland V Liverpool in the afternoon. See if I can squeeze the bootsale in the morning.

My green collection- all stolen from my mum! She got the gree & white pot thing from a bootsale with me last year. The rest I got out of the loft. They are displayed in the kitchen. It has a horrible green granite sink so I went with the theme. 

I must say a big thank you for everyone's advice about my living room. My mum and sister came to stay the other weekend and jigged everything around for me. It looks much better. I know what pieces I want but I can not for the life of me put things together!

I got the shelves from an auction last month with a stool and a nest of 3 tables for £12. I painted it white, it was a horrible dark wood. The tea set was from a bootsale, and jug an auction. Lamp, clock are mum's and she made the cushion ages ago. 

The sofas have been moved around, and one of the chairs brought down the the fire side. I have bought new cushion covers to compliment ones I made.

Excuse my mug! I know the pictures need moved but I am hoping to get some thing diferent so leaving it for now. I made the beige floral cushion, the rest bought. I always sit where the big cushion is next to my mug!

This is my view. I like the chair moved there. I made the cushion cover. I love the fabric. Excuse Balamory on the TV!

The other sofa, with Terry. H brought him down last night and he's stayed there. Excuse the mess behind, child of 2 destroys everything.

View from the 2 seater where my other half always sits.

I have done all my pics in a vintage edit. I love the vintage edit, I know its popular with lots of bloggers.

Anyone in Suffolk...brilliant deal

An amazing photographer I know Anna, is having a spring madness photography deal. If anyone wants any natural family shots outdoor or on the beach, something away from the staged studio shots that adorn so many walls check out her blog...Anna Baria Photography

I'll be back later to update my makes and my living room reshuffle!

Time Flies

Wednesday saw Harris' 2nd Birthday! Time has just absolutely flown in those two years.

 Harris loving the centre stage whilst we all sang Happy Birthday to him.

 Some of my favourite snaps.....2 days old here.

 3 weeks old wondering who I am!

 4 months old, on our first holiday to Elie, Scotland. It was such a hot week.

Starting to get cheeky!

We are not having his party until next Sunday as I am working either side of his birthday and couldn't get any time off work. Me and the OH had the day off on his birthday and we had a tea party at home with the OH's family. My family are all coming up from North Yorkshire next weekend for his party. He is going to be one spoilt boy.

Thank you for everyone's comments on my living room dissatisfaction. I have done a few subtle changes. Hoping to get everything tied together next week whilst I have a nice 7 days off work. I'll get some pictures after the big clean ready for the party! I went to another auction last week and have been having fun painting a nest of tables.

Take Care. xx