I Think I Got a Bargain

Whilst I was doing my shopping on Saturday I had a look on the local second hand shop and I saw this bird bath. I had wanted one for a while to go in our garden and for £12 I thought this was a bargain. Managed to take a photo but its a bit dark as it's not got light here for the last few days. I think November can be a depressing month, it always seems dark and damp. Hope the birds will like it.

Spent yesterday morning up the loft sorting out my stash. I have things I had forgotten I had bought. I am going to try and make quite a few Christmas presents again this year and hopefully use some of the material which is up there. I have made a start by recycling an old top into a teapot cosy (I'm sure aunt Val will love this).

This is the before.

This is the after.

Have also made a tea cosy for Mom in law too. Not quite so pleased with that one, could have been a bit bigger.

I have finished my coat also, I will try and get someone to take a photo of me wearing it so as I can post it soon. Saw Jack on Sunday, he's lost a bit of weight but says he's ok and enjoying himself. He raced at Grimley and managed to come second. We were all freezing all day long, I was so glad to get home in front of the fire.

Snow in October!!

Couldn't believe we had snow in October yesterday. It started about 4 O'clock and carried on for just over an hour. I took this photo at the start but later on there was a good covering (too busy getting tea ready then to go out an photograph it). I'll have to hurry up and get my coat finished, looks like I'm going to need it.

Keeping Busy

Can't believe how long it's been since my last post. We have a a bit of celebrating to do, Sophie past her driving test!! I was so glad she past first time like her brother, I was also a little sad too because it seemed like the end of an era, no more lifts to college and back or 'could you just drop me off there mom', I feel redundant but I'm sure she'll find something else for me to fill my time with.

Jack has settled into Uni life and we have got a little more used to him not being around. He has popped home for the weekend twice and brought loads of washing. My Rayburn worked overtime trying to dry it.

On the crafting front I have been busy sewing myself some tops for the winter and at the moment I have a wool jacket on the go. The pattern I'm using isn't lined so it should be quite quick to make. I made my Niece a bag, purse and a felt dog for her Birthday but I couldn't take any photos of it because Jacko took my camera off to Uni with him so I have had to get me a new one. I made another teddy out of Cath Kidston fabric so I have took some photos of this to try out the camera. Seems OK so far. I may try selling this teddy on Ebay first, if not my Nan fell in love with him when she came up last week and it is her Birthday soon so she may be the new owner.

Well got to go and do some paper work now, my office is in the cellar so I'm not going to see much of this lovely sunshine they promised us today.

The house feels so empty

On Sunday, Jack went to Warwick University. It was an exciting but also a sad day. I had never been to the uni befor as he went on his own to look around but I was quite surprised when we arrived, It was huge. He's got a really nice on suite room and all the people in his block seemed very friendly. We all helped unpack, littlle sis, Dad and me and then the time came for us to leave him. This was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, I made myself not cry as I didn't want to upset him but boy was it hard not to ( crying now just thinking about it). The drive home was a very quiet one and it seemed even quieter when we got in the house. Yesterday I couldn't stop crying every time I thought about him. I'm sure we will all get used to this but at the moment it seems so hard. We got a text off him last night, guess what he was doing? Out partying with all his new mates and having a great time by the sound of it.

Macmillan Coffee Morning

On Friday I held a coffee morning for Macmillan. I thought that I wouldn't get many people to turn up as I hadn't sent out all my invitations, I had a cold the week before and I just didn't feel like doing anything. I've past it on to John now so he's feeling tired and no energy now. I spent Thursday baking cakes wondering if anyone would turn up, then Friday I was so surprised quite a few friends and family arrived and a great morning was had by all. I raffled off my spot teddy, (still haven't drawn the winning ticket yet as i think I may be able to sell a few more on my travels) and people popped donations in the box for their coffee and cake and at the end of the day I had raised £126.00 which I thought was great.

Spot The Teddy

He's a few pictures of what I've been up to whilst it's been raining and Hubbies been watching the Olympics. He sat nearly all day Saturday watching it so I decided to make a few pressies for one of the new babies at the Stock car racing. It's the first time for a while that I have used my embroidery machine. I like using this has it turns ordinary items into something special quite quickly. Whilst we were away in Spain we saw these cute little shoes that we all thought would be just right for Ruby so I decided to make a little cotton bag with her name on to give them in. Next I bought a pack of bibs and embroidered her name and a little motif on. On one I embroidered her Dad's racing number. This went down a treat at the racing yesterday.

I still had some of the Amy Butler material left from making my blouse and top so I thought I would have ago at the Teddy pattern I had. I used this many times when the kids were little but hadn't used it for about 8 years. I am quite pleased with the outcome. Photos could be better but it never seems to get light these days! I think I may raffle this at my Macmillan coffee morning next month.

Off to see what I can make this week, I need to use up some of the material I have stashed in the loft. Think I may have ago at something out of Amy Butler Instiches. Has anyone tried the clutch bag? I like the look of this.

Well Done!

Well my little lad has done it, he got 2 A's & 2 B's and is now off to Warwick Uni to study Finance and Accounting. We are all so proud of him, he's the first one out of our families to go to university.

His little sister had good AS level results too and hopefully this time next year she'll being going off to uni. Think Dad and me better get earning the pennies. Perhaps I should open an Esty shop and try to sell some of the things I have made.

Will pop back later with some photos of what I have been up to the last couple of weeks.