Things I've Been Loving This Sunday

Picking cosmos and marigolds from the garden.

Using my new CK look-a-likey purse (a birthday pressie).

Wearing my favourite summer skirt.

Enjoying new season figs. Delicious for Sunday lunch, cooked in red wine and honey. Yum.

Walking my favourite stretch of canal.

Loving  the gates on this lock-keeper's cottage.

Discovering a new woodland walk

and living up to the motto on my latest  mug. What have you loved about your weekend?

Pretties

I feel as though I've spent this last week in darkness. I live in a small terraced house with little natural light. The weather this last week has been so incredibly dull and dark, and full of that chillingly wet coldness that seeps through to your bones, and drains energy out of you. I would have loved to have spent some time in the garden over half term but the wet and cold have put paid to that idea. If it had been autumn, I would have been content to cosy in, switch the lights on and turn the heating up. But now, like the plants in the garden I need light to thrive, and perhaps a little warmth from a watery sun would give me a little boost. Instead today, I've had to search the house to find some prettiness and colour to chase away the depressing effects of the darkness and to be honest it has helped. For instance, I've unpacked my new cushion yet again. From February 2011 It's so very pretty, with bright, springtime colours that instantly lift my mood. From February 2011 I pack it away again carefully and resist the temptation to display it....that's for when the bedroom is decorated and is once again a clean tidy space I can be proud of. From February 2011 Next, I open the wardrobe and pull out my latest puchases. Two floral shirts from good old Sainsbury's and a little cardigan covered in the prettiest of pink roses. I begin to feel a little chirpier as I put it on and the delicate pinks add a little colour to my pale features. Once again in the kitchen I see colour and prettiness in the most mundane of things. Yes, even a tea towel can be cheery. From February 2011 Cupcake cases can be pretty and cheerful too. From February 2011 And the pattern on one of my favourite jugs lifts my spirits. From February 2011 A cup of coffee later and I'm beginning to feel better. I decide to brave the damp and venture into the garden and am glad I do. Just look, a pretty, colourful sign of things to come. From February 2011

Help!

Now I'm a girl that tends to go overboard a bit. When I like something, I like it a lot. It tends to become something of an obsession. And I'll admit it, I do have a bit of a 'thing' for ceramic jugs.I collect them. I collect a lot of them. Over the years I've probably collected somewhere between 30 and 40 of them. Old, new, patterned and plain, large, small and some incredibly tiny. There's no method in my madness. I don't buy just from one range. Bridgewater, Nicholas Mosse, Brixton Pottery - I'll have 'em all! I am a woman without control! You might think that today I might be showing you some of my collection. Oh no ladies - I need your help. Mr F. bought me this jug a couple of years ago from a shop in Bishops Castle. It is my very favourite and I would love to buy some more of these gorgeous ceramics. But the shop in Bishops Castle has closed and I don't now where I can buy more.

There is no pottery logo, just a very discreet bell stamped on the base. Everywhere we visit I look out for this lovely, individual range. I've spent hours on the internet looking for a website or supplier without success.

Have you ever seen any? Do you know the maker? Please let me know if you have.

Not that I need any more jugs.

I'd love to know what you can't resist buying and don't forget let me know if you know where I can buy any of this wonderful range

Cushions and Shopping

Earlier this year, I won some pieces of fabric from Sal at Sal's Snippets. They have been in my sewing box for a couple of months now until I could find time to sit down and do what I wanted to with them. I've so enjoyed myself this weekend cutting the fabric and sewing the squares together to make cushion fronts. Does anyone remember back in the 80's when Laura Ashley used to sell packs of squares and hexagons ready for patchworking? I used to love these packs in their co-ordinated prints or even better, you could buy packs of random pieces which really came up with some goodies and fantastic colour combinations.




One of the fabrics was large enough to make a cushion front of its own and I love its bright colours and delphiniums that could cheer up any dull corner.




They are just the thing to make my shed nice and comfy now that the weather is warm enough for me to sit here with a book or listening to a good radio play.


Thanks Sal, I've really enjoyed using my goodies.

The past month has been busy but fun. We had a really great Easter with a trip to Hay-on Wye and a whole week away from work for me which I really enjoyed, gardening, tidying, reading.....absolute heaven really. Last weeekend we took a little trip to Bewdley.



Now we live about a 20 minute drive from here but I've never bothered blogging it because it's really been in the doldrums for the past couple of years. Most of my favourite shops had gone and it was depressing to see this beautiful little town struggling to survive.



Last weekend gave me the most tremendous lift. Shop units are being filled with the sort of shops I love.


Indeed , it also seems to be developing a foodie theme with a gorgeous delicatesen and a wonderful, old fashioned grocery, filled with loveliness.



I'm pleased to say that the tea rooms were busy




and that the town's fantastic Georgian architecture was coming back to life.







Even better, I found some goodies to bring home with me. I couldn't resist this pretty mini bunting for the kitchen



and this serving dish cost me the grand sum of three pounds.





As did these lovely plates.




They'll look even better with cupcakes on them! I haven't forgotten the giveaway from the last post. I drew a name scientifically from the hat. This time the winner is Pipany. I'll try to do another giveaway soon... when I find something nice!

I Want Kirstie's Frock

Yesterday I popped into Waitrose to buy a couple of things that had been forgotten and were needed for the weekend. Whilst there I picked up a free copy of the John Lewis magazine. I usually like a leisurely browse through this over a cup of coffee after the rigours of the supermarket. You know the sort of thing....admiring the flawless finish of the room sets, wondering my house looks more like the SAS has been camped here for a week and not tidied up after themselves before they left. I do like to look at the latest kitchen kit before I decide that perhaps I'll make do with my trusty stove top coffee maker rather than the latest superdooper coffee machine that does everything except wash itself up and only costs two hundred pounds. I do also enjoy the fashion shoots, I marvel at the skinniness of the models and think perhaps I might not eat that fourth chocolate digestive after all.


However, this month's fashion has left me cold...instead I've been drooling over Kirstie Allsopp's frock. Yes, it was an interesting interview but just look at the frock. Isn't it gorgeous and I want it NOW. Forget all those anorexic models in the latest designer labels, this is the dress for me. All flowery and vintagey and such gorgeous colours. I think I need to aim for this look this summer. Oh dear, I bet it's either proper vintage or a costly designer label. Time for me to dream on I think.

I've also been drooling over this gorgeous wallpaper featured in the latest CK catalogue. It's not on the website yet and I know it would be just the thing as a feature wall in my bedroom. This has also given me the idea of painting my existing pine furniture to a distressed off white. Do you think this would work? Anyhow, it's all up in the air at the moment - the wallpapers on the CK website range from twenty odd pounds up to on hundred and fifty. So, as usual I'm hoping my taste isn't outstripping my budget and my fingers remain strictly crossed in the hope that I'll be able to afford it.

With the return of the sunshine I suddenly feel more positive and energised and I am loving the colour that is returning to our lives along with the light. Bright, cheery flowers

and even my favourite magazines are joining in this colour fest. I just love the cover of this month's Country Homes and Interiors.




My charity shop finds with their delicate pinks and greens


are also telling me that Spring is just around the corner and that days will lengthen and strengthen in warmth and that with it, we will be able to have more garden living, walks and days in the countryside. Heaven.

Five Things

How are you? Did you have a good weekend? Once again I've not blogged for ages and am beginning to wonder if I should carry on. Blogging seems to take up so much time and I'm feeling guilty that when I'm blogging I'm not actually acheving anything - cakes don't get baked, floors don't get cleaned, the garden becomes messier. Work is busy, with news of redundancies due to spending cutbacks and more to come next year. We all know the people losing their jobs and feel so sad for them and their families. Next year might mean interviews to keep our jobs - and I'm not hopeful as someone who is very shy and was always told not to show off when I was little, interviews are a difficult thing. Some of us get a little cross when jobs are given to people we know are lazy or who just don't bother turning up for work when it suits. Oh dear! I bet you've all switched off after all that moaning - my blog is supposed to be like Eeyore's gloomy place - except it is my happy place. I fully intended today just to post up an award and to pass it on to 5 lovley ladies and instead I'm feeling sorry for myself. Time to cheer up I think!

Just before Christmas, Jo at JoJo Designs gave me this award. The condition of accepting the award is to list 5 things I like doing and then pass the award on to 5 other people. So here goes.

1. Shopping
Like most women, I adore shopping. Not that horrible boring weekly walk around Sainsbury's or that dash into town to queue at the bank or to pick up half the stock from the floor at Primark. No. certainly not. I mean this sort of shopping

beautiful things, beautifully presented and inspirational ideas that lift your spirit and put that gorgeousness into your home or garden. I also like this sort of shopping


Finding loveliness to bring home and treasure. Finding that little thing someone no longer wants that feels me with such excitement.

2.Holidaying in Cornwall.
My beloved Cornwall.
Sometimes the weather lets us down

but the people and the spectacular scenery are constantly wonderful.

3.Cross Stitch
Something else I've loved doing - yet this last 12 months I lost the mojo.


4. Baking

I love baking. Cakes never look particularly pretty but they never stay around long enough to be admired.

5. Getting Out and About.
Whether it be with friends or family, I love to get out and about. I love walking along the local canal


visiting churches

National Trust houses and gardens


and just taking time to enjoy the countryside.

I'm going to pass this award onto the ladies at the following blogs.

A Mermaid's Purse
Andi's English Attic
Kids and Capers
Tapestries of Nature
The Vintage Bothy.