Saturday, 10 October 2009

Getting my fabric & yarn fix!


It's been lovely and sunny over here, for a change! This morning we all popped in to Frome to do a spot of shopping.

Alan & Miss P walked around the market and the toy shop whilst I headed straight for Catherine's Hill where all my favourite shops are. First I went in to Millie Moon where I bought a selection of fabrics.

I've been having withdrawal symptoms.... I haven't bought any fabric in ages! So this weekend I did something about it. Last night I went online bought some beautiful 1940's & 50's fabrics from Donna and today pretty fat quarters from Millie Moon. I feel much better now!




There is something very pleasing about having a stack of neatly folded fabrics



After Millie Moon, I went to Marmalade Yarns just a few doors away. I haven't been there for weeks and couldn't wait to have a look and a feel of all the new colours and yarns.
I wasn't disappointed, I forgot all about feeling tired and achy from the decorating and played around with the different yarns & colours until I had made my selection.
Maxine and I had a natter and both enthused about the different yarns stacked up on the shelves ...

I left the shop with my bag of yarns and a renewed determination not to let the decorating get in the way of doing some crochet!





I haven't done any crochet in 7 weeks! ;-(( I am already a bit rusty and must somehow find the time to get stuck in to it again. I went on crochet course in June/July so am a beginner in need of plenty of practice. I do love it but decorating the house as well as working (I am self employed, working from home), means that at the moment I don't feel like doing very much at all of an evening!

We are trying to get the whole of downstairs & my work room (upstairs) completely redecorated before Christmas, so are working at it pretty much full time. So many other things are having to be put on hold as result, including not going out as often as usual...
Although we still have the whole of upstairs and the back garden to do from scratch, we will have a little break over Christmas and New Year to re-charge a bit ready for the next onslaught.




I bought a couple of magazine. Debbie Bliss even though I can't knit (yet) I spotted a few patterns that I like so bought it for when I eventually learn how to knit. I also bought Romantic Country magazine which I have not been able to find locally up until today.


Just as I was heading back to the car, I spotted these boxes in the WHSmith's window, perfect for my workroom.

This weekend there has been a lot wildlife activity close to our house. Yesterday evening, a fox was only yards away sniffing a trail of some sort, he was so engrossed in sniffing the ground that he didn't spot us. He got closer and closer, he was magnificent with his big bushy tail. I wished I'd had my camera with me.

This afternoon Alan was doing some gardening when a squirrel leaped from our fence on the house, ran up on to the roof and then for some reason dived down on to our garden table. Alan watched in amazement, it all happened so fast. The landing didn't look too good though, Alan was concerned that he may have been injured as the squirrel looked stunned and walked slowly to hide behind a troth full of plants. He ended up getting wedged between the wall and the hurdle fence. Poor thing looked petrified, eventually Alan pulled the fence away from the wall and the squirrel ran back home as fast as he could.


This evening Alan spotted these deer in the field next to the house. We are fortunate to have a lot of wildlife around us.

Tonight's sunset

I hope that you are having a good weekend what ever you are up to.

A bientôt!

Isabelle x

Thursday, 8 October 2009

The BEES need our HELP!



The number of bees has seriously declined! Click here to find out why and how it affects us all. It's not just about getting less honey...Approximately one third of what we eat is pollinated by bees! The website gives advice on how we can HELP!

Among the supporters is the Women's Institute, their campaign is called SOS for honeybees

PLEASE take a moment to have a look at both links
. We NEED bees!

THANK YOU

A bientôt!

Isabelle x

Wednesday, 7 October 2009

A bit of NOSTALGIC shopping



Here are some beautiful things which I recently purchased from Niki - Nostalgia at the Stone House


I am so pleased to have acquired this mirror and am trying to decide which room it will go in. It's more than likely going to end up in our bedroom but we shall have to see!


When I saw this cottage garden set, I knew I had to have it! The pictures are so beautiful, they capture mellow and idyllic cottage scenes. The bonus is that this pretty vintage brooch came with the set, I look forward to wearing it.



What I like about Niki's gift sets is that they are always so beautifully presented.


The 2009 calendar is full of stunning pictures, so is the 2010 one! It is a MUST HAVE!

If you haven't bought yours yet, I wouldn't leave it too long....click here to go to Niki's online shop.

A bientôt!


Isabelle x

Monday, 5 October 2009

ZZZzzz......Are you getting enough?


Do you ever feel like this?

I am a busy bee with an active mind. It does mean that sometimes I don't always switch off easily at night time.

Like many children, Miss P does not like going to sleep. Such a waste of time when you could be playing instead!





Lavender is well known for helping and so are hops. A few days ago, I bought a 200g bag of hop & lavender pillow mix, hop & lavender sleepy oil and a sleepy tea . Either of those are suitable for adults and children alike. I ordered these through The HOP Shop in Kent.


Here's looking forward to good quality ZZzzzzz......

What do you do to help you have a more restful sleep?

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE LOVELY COMMENTS YOU HAVE MADE ON THE LOUNGE MAKEOVER POST!

A bientôt!

Isabelle x

Thursday, 1 October 2009

LOUNGE MAKEOVER - Almost there!


At last, we are getting there...


Come and take a look at some of the changes..


Well there certainly was plenty of this and


plenty of that going on

Alan & I began the process of decluttering the lounge, pieces of furniture were taken away for good including the red armchair. Everything else had to be moved towards the window so that we could start painting the floorboards


Before


After...
The walls were painted with Endurance Durable and Washable Matt "Timeless" by Dulux & the floorboards were painted with International Polar White Matt floor paint.


Work in progress


and after....








The watercolour painting above the fireplace is one of my favourites.












The windows also had a makeover. The dark wood had to go! The frames are painted in Jasmine White by Dulux







Vintage curtains: Petronella by LIBERTY. A couple of years ago or so, Laura Ashley brought a very similar design, almost a replica of Petronella by Liberty fabric which no longer exists.

Lilly enjoying a spot of sunshine by the window






At last a spot of relaxation....This side of the room is more or less finished, just adding a few more decorative bits here and there. However, on the other side of the lounge there is still a bit of work going on. As soon as completed, more photos will follow...


A bientôt!

Isabelle x