Painting New Memories

White on white words

2012-01-21T18:56:00.001Z

I so love words and script on anything, whether it be fabric, paintings or wallpaper I just love it.

I have been experimenting with some bought letters and canvases, which I have had for a while now, and not known what to do with, the canvases not the letters.

Well my daughter saw online some white on white letters on canvas which she loved but wasn't going to pay the reduced price of £125.00!!!!!but thought she would ask me everso sweetly if I could make her some so I did but was so happy with them I kept them lol...was that so wrong?

Then hubby bought me a couple of standing words which I have yet to paint, decoupage or leave as they are....think I may paint LOVE and leave home haha!

Now a friend of mines husband does scripted canvases but his are of a far superior quality and designs...he did his first 15 years ago you can see and buy his stunning work here at his Folksy shop *SCRIPTED-CRAFT* and soon from his new website which is under development....I think you'll agree his work is just beautiful.
He can make up your own designs too...amazing prices for the time he spends creating these works of art.

GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2012-01-15T16:09:00.001Z

It's been far too long since I had a giveaway so I have now remedied that and have this weekend created a LOVE/HOME set of 4 blocks.

These appear to be really popular at the moment so seemed to be the ideal choice of gift.

I have made them dual worded? does that make sense lol, probably not, meaning I have included 2 words instead of the traditional 1...well why not, thats what I say :)

Is it wrong to want to keep your giveaway, as I actually really like these, they are my colour pallete as in pastel shades with some script thrown in for good measure.

You can see far more photos on my Facebook Fanpage in the GIVEAWAYalbum and if you want a chance to win these just add a comment in the relevant thread on the Lajoni's Place wall.

Good luck to those who enter

The childrens painted furniture

2012-01-07T20:32:00.000Z

When the chldren were small we bought quite alot of second hand furniture for their rooms and I took great delight in giving it a makeover by painting on some of their favourite animation characters.

The first piece to be made over was the *Gentlemens wardrobe* which was ideal for a child, as it was fairly small but with extra shelving did just the job.

So that was painted with *Snow White and the 7 dwarfs*

My daughter loved it and to be honest so did I lol...the robe was so useful that after she outgrew it I repainted and distressed it, took out the inner fitments and OH fitted 4 full width shelves, and put it in the bathroom to hold some sheets and towels and I still love it ...the best £2.50 spent in a long while :)

My daughters next piece was a low chest of 3 drawers which were bedside table height. These I painted with *Alice*..*Lady & the tramp*...*Dumbo* and *Mickey and Minnie mouse*

Crikey looking at these bring back so many memories as it must have been 25 yrs ago that I did them.

Now for my boys...

They didn't have robes but cupboards with drawers instead .....

With this cupboard I was trying to paint vintage type toys and with the tall narrow chest of 5 drawers that you can just see in the top photo I painted on a castle...then....

OH took the top 3 drawers out, I painted it blue and my daughter had it when she was a teen and it held her music system ....then...they were painted cream then sanded back and are now in our bedroom along with the cuboard which is cream and sanded back too

Those drawers were mine when I was small, not quite antique yet though lol

The next cupboard is still in the same state today as I painted it then and is in dire need of a makeover...can't throw these great cupboards away as they are such useful pieces of furniture and I love that they can be painted or wallpapered as this next one is going to be.

Awww my boys, now 25 & 21, loved *Thomas the Tank* and *The Teenage Ninja Turtles* and I must admit to loving the Turtle films too....I really dont know how many times I have seen those 3 films...brilliant!!

I also used to know all of Thomas the tanks friends but would be hard pressed to name one noe ..oooh James lol I loved him the cute little red one.

Well these pieces of furniture have certainly lasted us throughout the years and have changed appearances a number of times but I still love them and the memories they bring back :)

Even more photo blocks :)

2011-12-29T16:05:00.000Z

I'm loving doing the photo blocks and love that they evoke memories for those that buy them...I had a couple of commisions for Christmas one was from a Nanna who wanted 2 sets, 1 each for her daughters of their 2 boys....

The top set was for 1 of her daughters and SILs of their 2 boys and the other was for her other lovely daughter and SIL of their 2 boys.

I incorporated the parents in there too on a couple of photos.

I was able to put the name of each boy on one of their relevant photos.

I then did a set for a young girl to give to her best friend *Holly* whom she had shared many great times with Brownies .... Fancy dress parties ... nativity plays etc

I think they make a great present for a best friend :)

Photo Blocks

2011-12-26T20:15:00.001Z

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you all you wish for yourselves for the new year :)

I'm still creating with blocks and this new set are photos of my daughter and her boyfriend with one side faced with the letters L O V E ....

I knew I wanted to have the letters filled with their photo images but wasn't sure how to get the effect.

I was told the only way of doing it was with Photoshop so my husband installed it on my Laptop.

Easier said than done I had never used Photoshop and its not something you just know how to do ....I looked at tutorials on Youtube and even a friend from a forum I use sent me instructions, as her husband uses it everyday for his work....even so it still looked like I needed to learn the basics first so I gave up on that idea until I was messing around with Microsoft word for some other blocks when lo and behold it did exactly what I wanted ....I was so chuffed.

I am really pleased with them and so were my daughter and her boyfriend and I am now doing, unbeknown to her, another set with her and her girlfriends on with the wording F R I E N D S done in a slightly different way so watch this space to see if they turn out :)

Christmas swap

2011-12-17T10:36:00.000Z

Over on the Shabby chic forum I entered the Christmas swap, which entailed swapping ONE present plus any amount of chocolates, we ladies lurve our chocolate :)

My swap partner was Blossom and I received mine on Wednesday which was a cute cookie frame with a sweet little cross stitch plus a gorgeous bag of sweets, that I have yet to find where she bought them, as the whole family agreed they were just gorgeous.

Aren't they just so sweet.

I sent to Blossom some of my blocks which it turned out she was very happy with.....

I still really love doing these and have so many new ideas for the new year.

Am now off to try and find the surface of my kitchen table as that is where I do all my creating, I just wasn't aware it is where your supposed to eat..is this a new idea?????

Christmas blocks and a set for the Orkney Isles

2011-11-20T22:29:00.000Z

I was commisioned by a dear friend for a set of blocks depicting 'CHRISTMAS' for her daughter, so with 9 letters there were 45 other images to sort ...thats the fun part lol

Sometimes the difficulty is choosing which images to discard after I have chosen too many or not having enough images depending on the word being depicted.

The next commision was from a lady who lived in a remote old cottage on the Orkney Isles surrounded by farmland and lovely beaches. She wanted to put the blocks on a dresser her husband was making for her and she wanted the word 'COOK' .....

I emailed the above photos and thankfully she loved them as did her husband, as it is always a worry if you've done a good job or not ...but so far so good :)

Christmas Decs and more Blocks

2011-10-29T21:51:00.001+01:00

I can't remember if I mentioned it before or not but I bought some blank mdf/wooden Christmas tree decs, which I wanted to paint ...well I have made a start but then somehow the decoupaged blocks took over and are still at the fore front of my making at the moment but I thought I would show you how far I have come with the tree decs, though I can't sell any yet as I haven't really had the time to paint any :(

These are only painted on the front side as I'm not too sure what to do about the other side, mainly of the Santa head, Snowman and Teddy which I am thinking of either painting in a plain colour and writing some Christmassy words or painting as a back view hmmm decisions

I think these will be more for next Christmas rather than this one, lol as I still have lots of blanks to decorate as in Stars..Snowflakes..Heatrs..Cats..Stockings..Birds..Apples.. Trees etc etc

I've decorated 2 more sets of Blocks, this time with childrens names on, Amelia is one set and Cody her brother is the second and they were such fun to do.

Now I'm off to watch Piers Morgan interviewing James Corden

Byeeeeee :)

Don't you just love 'em

2011-10-14T12:35:00.000+01:00

These were delivered today, my latest win on Ebay and I just love them and at just £3.70 they make me smile even more lol...

...meet Mr & Mrs Claus

....aren't they just adorable...this is the Ebay photo a little blurry but I think you can get the gist of them, They are 15" tall, made out of wood/fabric with springy moving parts and I want to hang them all year round...is that sad?

Blocks Blocks and even more Blocks

2011-10-02T22:00:00.001+01:00

Earlier in the summer I decorated some blocks for the Ist time for a swap I was involved in....

From this 1st attempt I had a few orders one being from the oh so talented Lalabibaby who wanted me to decorate some for her craft table with her business name on...so I went one step further and copied loads of her photos from Facebook Blog etc and covered the remaining 45 sides, whereby creating a mini portfolio of her beautiful work...

I then had a couple more orders one from a lady who likes reds and the other from someone who wanted pinks....

Reds first....

Now for pinks..

I now have orders for a christening present....

I did think of perhaps personalising them and I suppose I could add photographs too if wanted...think the skys the limit with these little blocks. lol..£2 per block + p&p

I really enjoy doing them too which always helps haha!!

Key of the door....

2011-09-16T15:03:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post about a Key plaque I've just painted.....

I painted the background Grey as it really is my favourite colour at the moment and then added a family of white chickens

I sanded the edges to give it a ''Shabby'' look :)

and screwed in 4 hooks to hold the keys and VOILA!!!

This is for sale on my Blogshop and Facebook business page

Stamping, painting and a fabulous, in my opinion, carrier bag :)

2011-09-06T19:02:00.000+01:00

I have always wanted to try stamping so, eventually, I bought some on Ebay along with a rubber roller and I was ready to start.

I have only completed the one item, a mirror, at present but enjoyed doing it so much that I'm doing a letter rack tonight.

So for some honest feedback please, as I know not all like my taste lol, but I would really appreciate it.

I absolutely adore script in any form whether it be soft furnishings, wallpaper or home accessories.

I knew script was going to feature somewhere, this was my 2nd attempt as the first looked very muddy and had too many differing stamps making it look a mess so I painted over the lot except the face.

I love love love using these stamps they are so quick and you can create so mant looks and styles..

And the finished result.....

Now for a fabulous Carrier bag....

Today my husband went to buy me some Annie Sloan paint as I have heard nothing but good about this paint. When he handed it over it was in a lovely carrier made out of Indian newspapers.

It was brilliant.

Isn't it fabulous, I think its an amazing idea for anyone who does alot of craft fairs etc...just use any ols newspapers, making sure of course page 3 isn't taking pride of place on the front ;)

A little bit of decoupage...

2011-08-28T19:07:00.000+01:00

Well we've had a downpour so I'm keeping one eye on my washing to see if its getting dry.

I had a ''Summer Swap'' to this July/August and I was quite looking forward to doing it but when I had actually finished the painting and small bit of decoupage it looked a tad scruffy rather than the aged look I was going for :(

I forgot to photograph the small bits of fabric and the gorgeous red polkadot birdy hook but will get those from the recipient off our forum lol...they infact were the only things that looked remotely summery as the fabrics were white, one with tiny red hearts on and the other with tiny strawberries on,

thinking about it even the birdy hook could pass as a Christmassy item.

Sheesh think I'll leave these swaps to those that do it sooooo much better lol.

Well here is the 1st item I did.

It was a blank pencil pot which I painted grey and stuck a different rose design on both sides, stained and sanded back.

The next item was a matching coaster....

....which I gave the same treatment. I thought the recipient could put the pencil pot on her workstation and the coaster too for her mug of tea lol......

........then I had a go with some blank wooden cubes, which were abit hit and miss but I did enjoy doing them.

I think I thought they could pass as summery as the pencil pot and coaster had Laceys favourite flower on and the cubes has beach belles and roses on, anyway she said she liked them so thats all that matters and I enjoyed doing them...have now got alot of new stamps I've bought so am going to try them out this evening so watch this space for my attempts :)

Internet was down so lots of painting done :)

2011-07-26T20:21:00.001+01:00

Thanks to some delightful people pinching the telephone cables, to sell the copper wiring, from the centre of our village, we were left phoneless and minus internet from last Thursday until today, which strangely didn't affect me as much as I thought it would and I got quite abit done....

Quite a few photos coming up, so are you sitting comfortably...:)

I had a dresser given to me by a very dear friend, quite a while ago and painted it a couple of weeks back but had forgotten to show photos....my friends just adore photos
So here is the before which I love ....

but it just wouldn't have fitted the decor in our room so it had to be painted and here it is now....

The bits on it won't be staying but they'll do for now....I added abit of detail to the knobs as they were impossible to remove easily, having had pieces of doweling type wood inserted and glued at the back of each handle.

Then about 18mths ago my children bought me a mirror I saw on Ebay,,,I was in 2 minds about it as it was gold and I'm not a fan but I had it and painted that too when I did the dresser....

I haven't got a before photo though there is one on here somewhere 18 mths ago lol

Also I want to share with you all a lovely picture my dear friend Aline sent me. She was trying out sewing on teabag fabric? new to me but she saw the delightful results another friend had got and wanted to try and this was one of the results which I absolutely adore .....

I gave a canvas a pale green wash and glued her picture onto it and then painted stitching around her picture and also the canvas edge and then hung it where I will always see it as that is where I do all my painting and computing :)

And on my table are the beautiful glasses case and mobile phone cover I bought from another lovely friend Lace Hearts at her Sew Happy shop which can be found on Facebook and Folksy too :) ...I just adore the fabrics she uses, so different from anywhere else.

Now on to more recent painting....

Firstly is the dressing table hand mirror. I love script and this was my first attempt at it, very faintly behind the rosebuds, will definitely be doing this again.

This will be going into my blogshop soon.

This next mirror was crying out for a nautical scene and I think its quite cute :)

Finally a heart mirror with a row of useful hooks for keys...scented hearts...necklaces etc

These were all fun to do and stopped me from missing the internet too much lol....amazing how much I can get done when I put my mind to it and not the web ha!

2011-06-12T14:50:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone tis a wet and dank day in leicestershire but am ignoring it as I am toasty warm inside doing a bit of painting and online screen shopping.
It was whilst I was shopping that I wondered if all of you had heard of Pinterest it is really great, especially for me who has zilch short term memory lol.
Here is the link for their FB page as you need an invite to join or you can message me and I will gladly oblige...

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Studiofourseven/102369399854981?sk=wall#!/pinterest?sk=info

Now What is PINTEREST???????

Basically it's a social pinboard...You can have as many pinboards as you wish, follow as many people as you wish and pin and repin as often as you wish...what are you pinning and repinning??/ PHOTOGRAPHS

I use it to visually save anything I see that I like and pin it to the relevant board I have made ..it is all so very simple, whether it be a dress...room setting....poster...shoes...recipes..or you can make a pinboard for each of the people you have to buy presents for and as you see ideas pin them on their board and you have them for later reference...I think its brillant.
You can pin absolutely any photo you see online and it will always give you the original source of the photo even if you repin it off someone elses board.

I hope I am explaining this properly...though I guess not but do give it a try ...I love it...
Do let me know how you get on...''HAPPY PINNING''

Latest makeovers and a sketch

2011-06-03T17:59:00.000+01:00

Good grief its been about 7 months since I last blogged....I'm not sure what happened, I suppose life just got in the way lol.

So lets start with some makeover photographs which always go down well...First is a very small footstool that had definitely seen better days and was found at the back of the shed looking, for want of a better word, 'minging'

I had some free sample size pieces of fabric from various companies so had a sort through and after a sand and paint job recovered it also added some braiding and am really pleased with the result

The next stool was a small tapestry round one. I have never been a fan of tapestry but didn't want to remove it so just added another layer of fabric and again some braiding all this was done very amaturishly and should not be inspected close up LOL

Then I decided to have a go at covering some blank mdf coasters that I have had in the cupboard for ages, quite a few of them actually but chose only to attempt 4.

I painted them cream then cut 4 circles out of a sheet of craft paper I had free in a magazine years ago showing various forms of calligraphy and fonts glued them on and roughly part stained with cold tea and varnished and I love them!!

Then onto a coffee table I won on Ebay for £4.99.

I sanded it, undercoated it, topcoated it in a bluey grey and then added a wash of dark grey which I wiped most off but it stayed in the grooves of the design.

Looking at it now personally I think it is too blue so will go over it in a pale grey and again a wash of a darker grey.

Ok I've done enough painting so now fancied some drawing and had a comission from a work colleague to do 3 drawings of his nephew as a present for his sister.

In the top right view he is wearing his favourite ear muffs and hasn't had a funny haircut LOL

I'll try not to leave it so long before I post and will get back to reading all your blogs as I really have missed that side of blogging xxxx

My Marmite Ebay listing :)

2010-10-10T14:41:00.000+01:00

A while back I bought a pine square chunky coffee table, which was very orangey yuck....

I gave it an undercoat of pale bluey/grey paint and 2 top coats of cream,

I then added a long stemmed rosebud along one side of the top. This was done as a black silhouette, it was then all sanded and distressed to give an aged worn look and I love it but I know it really is a *Marmite* item.

If it doesn;t sell on Ebay I will be quite happy to keep it ...though where it would go I don't know as I have other coffee tables around the house waiting for a makeover. lol

My Gorgeous new friend 'Missy' and latest commision :)

2010-08-08T14:00:00.003+01:00

A couple of posts previous to this I wrote about having wanted a ragdoll for years but never quite finding one that I wanted well...............a lovely friend, namely Bloomin' Myrtle came to the rescue saying she would make one for me and she let me list my likes and dislikes and let me choose fabrics etc...
and from that 'MISSY' was born and what a truly delightful loveable treasured addition to my family she is...I totally adore her...see for yourself :)...warn you there're lots of piccies.....

Isn't she just beautiful...

I am now going to be commisioning a boy to sit with her ....so excited.

You must all visit this wonderful ladies blog shop Bloomin' Myrtle her work is amazing and her prices soooo reasonable I'm sure she must work at a loss ...she makes absolutely everything ..dolls, aprons..doorstops...hearts...cushions anything infact that you would like and she is an absolute treasure ....once you buy from her you will be addicted as I am :)

****************************

LATEST PENCIL PORTRAIT

Now to show you my latest commision which was of a gorgeous 1 year old boy whose birthday it was this month and his grandma wanted a drawing of him :)

This was on A4 paper and was £35 + p&p

Thankfully she was delighted :)

The winner of my giveaway is .......

2010-04-16T21:37:00.000+01:00

A lovely blogger and crafter who goes by the name of Rachael Neale . You can find her work here at Made with Love she truly has an eye for a good design and I love her work as there is always something different from other sites, any way Rachael has won my little ballerina and I hope she likes it :)

Also today was a bitter sweet day as our cross border bearded collie had to visit the vet and neither DH or myself thought she would be coming home esp as she is 18 yrs old.
She is suffering from dimentia, peeing in the house and also collapsing alot as there is something wrong with her back legs.
So this morning before work I had tears as I said goodbye to her and emailed DH from work for updates, he had to take in at 10am and he emailed me at 11 to say she was home.
She has a urinary infection but is in no pain and for such an old dog is in good health, her back legs are weak because of old age, I can relate to that.
She is now on 2 lots of tablets one for the infection and one for her legs.

I really hope they work as it is so sad to see her keep collapsing as once down she can't get back up without our help and as much as I try not to after picking her up for the umpteenth time in so many minutes I start to feel annoyed....must try to be more patient :(

Trying to find 'My Rag Doll'

2010-03-01T19:59:00.002Z

I adore Rag Dolls and would love to own one but finding one I truly love is difficult....I will know it when I see it but don't think I've seen 'The One' yet.

The following is a selection I really like......

MY Rag doll will, I think, have plaits with ribbons, a mop hat maybe a gingham type dress over bloomers with a cream pinafore, perhaps striped tights and lace up shoes and I would like her to be holding something and so shes not lonely I'd like her to have a brother like the photo above, with freckles and glasses.

MY Rag doll is out there somewhere I just have to find her ....I am willing to compromise a little in her style but she definitely will not be in a lacey pink party dress lol.

If you see one that you think I may like please leave a link on here ....I will find her one day, of that I'm sure :)

Painted Patchwork....

2010-02-25T16:15:00.004Z

Well if you can't sew it .....paint it :)

My attempt at a patchwork heart for a friend Lissylou, off the SCC forum

who posted this.......

This year i am going to take part in Red for Heart to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, a cause very close to my heart (hee hee)

Red for heart day is on Friday 26th of February as February is National heart month.

I am going to hold an event at my house for family, friends and school mums/children on that Friday. Everyone who comes must wear red, we will play games, have a raffle and all the food provided will be red.

I had an idea to have a stall where people can buy little crafty bits.....and this is where i need your help if you would be so kind.

I will not have enough time between now and then to make all the things i want, so i was wondering if you would be able to make and send me a little something to put on my stall. Something that people would pay just one up to four pounds for to help raise money.

It would need to be red and/or heart themed.

So I quickley painted this wooden heart for her

and I hope it goes towards making alot of money for the foundation.

I first posted a photo on my facebook fanpage and it made me smile as not everyone realised it was painted lol.....anyway I may do some more as they were fun to do.

Now my lovely bloggy readers these are so easy to paint you really need no artistic ability at all, the overall effect may look difficult but if you break it down and enlarge mine you can see how basic the pattern is ....
really ....go on have a go :)

Latest commision

2010-02-15T16:27:00.002Z

Completed this last night , emailed some pictures to the buyer and she loved them , made her cry, hope thats good lol...she commisioned a portrait of her grandson as a present for her daughter and son-in-law

This was a portrait drawn on A3 paper and I loved doing it though I hate doing hair.....well thats until I've finished then its always ''well it wasn't too bad really''

I have another portrait to carry out but have some hearts and canvasses to do as well which I am looking forward to as it is quite a while since I did any painting ...and it is far more relaxing than drawing.

The Incredible art of....

2010-02-07T20:17:00.003Z

Leaf cutting......

I saw this on another blog and was just amazed at the intricacy in the work, that after hours of patient cutting, if not sprayed with a preservative, will just turn to dust.

I can only admire this truly beautiful craft.

Link here for more Leaf cutting

I don't think this is a craft I am EVER going to attempt :)

Leave it to those carry it out so beautifully.

1 year Blogversary

2010-01-10T12:00:00.000Z

Sheeeeesh where did that year go then????

Blogversaries usually call for giveaways but that unforunately will have to be put on hold for the time being until I have time to sort something out for you special ladies as I am still painting away ;)

In this last year I have mades some very special lasting friends which I know non forum/blog users just cannot understand......

The lovely thoughtful gifts/giveaways/swaps I have recieved take some explaining as most ''outsiders'' just cannot grasp the concept lol.

This past year has held some surprises to me that I never thought would happen...I have now got a blog shop and Facebook fanpage which I so enjoy ...I just didn't think I would ever have an online shop ..it's so great I love it...infact the FB fanpage is by far the easiest to get out there....after networking for about 1 1/2 hrs yesterday I woke this morning to find I have 21 new fans , growing by the hour .....lol how good is that ??

So to all those thinking of having an online shop/fanpage GO FOR IT!! :)

Happy New Year to you all xxxx

2009-12-31T21:10:00.002Z

Thought I had better post this now as I have just started drinking, my first being a Whisky and Dry which I haven't had for an age , it was my mums tipple really but as a young lady, I was one once honest, not sure of what to drink I used to ask for Whisy and dry....this progressed to Rum and black which at the tender age of 18 made me vomit on the upper deck of a bus and was never to be drank again...

My friends and I on half price Tuesdays would then drink Barley wines which were apparently the equivalent to a dble Whisky but quarter of the price.

I have since had various tipples Gin and tonic, Vodka and britvic O, Martini and lemonade and the the assortments of house wines thank goodness there were none of these shots that they drink now lol

On a serious note I often wondered what made an alcoholic as when I was younger, approx 16 to about 25ish I drank alot, infact that was our aim on a night out to get drunk...not fall down drunk, though I have been there but what I would call a stage further than tipsy. Now I would say I drank almost everynight whether at parties or clubs sometimes as much as 20 shorts but never of a morning .....and I did it consistently through my late teens early twenties...now why didn't I become an alcoholic ....

I basically think alot of us just grow out of it and move onto lifes next stage but why??????

Anyway OH has just topped up my glass so cheers to you all and I hope you all have a fantabulous year ahead wherever and whoever you are mwah xxxxx

EDIT....Just to add I had 2 whiskeys then I went on to coffees...just can't hack it anymore, but I'm honestly not complaining :)

My latest commision & I treat myself :)

2009-12-16T21:10:00.001Z

Last night I finished this commision of a lovely dog called Molly, it is a Christmas present from a friend to a friend. She really loved it, thank goodness and has commisioned another 2 dogs in the NY.

This is the first portrait I have done since the ones I showed you of my son, which I did about 14 years ago, sheeeesh I didn't realise it was that long ago, no it can't be...think I must have just made that up lol.

I very rarely buy items from blogging friends, in fact I have only ever done it once before and that was these lovely items from Lalabibaby

Gorgeous hanging heart which is now in my bathroom and....

These adorable cats which are looking down on me as I type as they are hanging from my shelf unit in the kitchen ...I just adore them, fell in love at first sight lol...

Anyway this morning 2 packages arrived from Bloomin Myrtle and the contents were just precious and I fell in love all over again with my 2 new friends

My Sleepy Snowman and...

The gorgeous Snow Angel...they are exquisitely made and are just scrumptious

and thats not all I also got this lovely Bedpost bag that was supposed to be for a work colleagues 8 yr old daughter but..... sorry sunshine no way no day I'll get her something else :) evils my middle name lol

Elaine attaches the prettiest of tags on her items

so am now off to pick her brains and ask her how :)

Well I think thats all folks signing off now

Stay safe xxx

Facebook Shop

2009-12-06T13:28:00.002Z

I have made a facebook page of my work ...not quite sure what you do with it but I think its a case of showing your wares and people ordering if they like it ...well thats how Im treating it....

Pop over and have a browse in the albums and if you like what you see you can become a fan ha! ...

bit like bloggers and followers I suppose,

I thought I would give it a go and see what becomes of it.

Stay safe all x

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lajonis-Place/179889537982#

xxx

Winnie and Thomas.....

2009-12-03T23:54:00.002Z

Well I've put my paintbrushes down for a while and will be picking up my pencils instead as I have a few portraits to do before Christmas, one being a dog, so that should be interesting.

I've done a couple of Winnie the Pooh hearts ...oh I adore him he is my all time fave I think I especially love the origainal sketches but I can understand children loving the more modern Pooh

Thomas is in there as well and I will always have fond memories of him as he was both my boys favourite and at one time I knew all of his friends names ....now I can remember James and Harold and thats it!! oh the shame :(

A few more commisions

At the moment I am watching a ''Paint Sprayer'' on Ebay which finishes today, so fingers crossed, as that will allow me to get back into painting the furniture pieces I find on Ebay, as painting them by hand was just too time consuming, but I love doing the decorative arty farty bits.

If all goes well the next post should be showing a dog portrait and if it doesn't...well it could be anything, wish me luck :)

Edit: I won the 'Paint Sprayer' can't wait to have a go :)

HELP Decision needed within 6 hrs ''To Bid or not to Bid''

2009-11-28T13:22:00.003Z

Hi ladies

I'm afraid I haven't blogged for a while as I have been busy with commisions which has been just lovely But that does not stop me from having Ebay on in the background, which leads nicely to my dilema.

I have seen an over mantle mirror which I adore, not kept gilt but painted cream.

I did this with an oval ornate mirror which I bought from a CS for £3

I don't usually like ornate items but love theses mirrors as my rooms are of average size and decorated in neutral creams etc and I think evey room should have a WOW piece which this room hasn't, well to be truthful I'm not sure any of them have but I am trying to plead my case :)

I wouldn't keep it gilt as it would over power but as before would paint it cream rubbed back with

touches of gilt showing through.

Now I know it won't be to everyones taste so don't worry I won't be offended if you secretly vomit, biut I love it.

Its on Ebay atm for £50 ...having been bought originally 2 yrs ago for over £400 and its just up the road...have deffo got o mull over tis one ...opinions appreciated please gals xxxx

Well ladies I won it and am really pleased xx

A few finished commisions...

2009-11-04T18:41:00.003Z

These are a few commisions I have had, finished and posted. The heart shaped one has been received and thankfully Claire says she loves it, I didn't like to leave it plain on the reverse so just added a few words to inspire :) which I'm pleased she liked too ..good job really as I added them without asking .

The next items commisioned were for Heather and all she said was that she wanted 3 chickens as long as there was 1 Blue Cock amongst them. Well as you can imagine we had fun with that request on the SCC forum as she recently acquired a Blue Cock for real....oh dear I'm giggling again.

She is another who hasn't seen the finished items so keep them fingers crossed abit longer :)

Well thats all folks ...will be doing some more this weekend

Take care and stay safe

xxxxxx

Lovely Gifts and Arty Farty

2009-10-26T19:26:00.006Z

I got home from work today to find I had received the most gorgeous heart from my SCC friend Beki

I saw one similar it in her shop and on FB and loved the material but it was not suprisingly sold ....very folk arty which I love so I was thrilled to find she had sent me one as a thank you for a tiny bit of help I gave her

Beki hunny thank you so very much it means alot to me :)

And if that wasn't enough she also included some really pretty CK tissues which I am actually going to try some decoupage with...wish me luck

On Sunday my DD dragged me screaming to Fosse Park shopping centre ...she does this occasionally as I'm the only one who will give her my honest opinion on whatever she trys on and I tend to get her to try things on she wouldn't normally and she usually ends up buying them so anyway she bought me this lurvely purse/wallet 20x11cms and I love it....don't really like UJ stuff but I think its the subdued colours I love on this ...so I have really been spoilt ...thank you girls xxxxx

Now who do you think would buy this coaster with a daisy on....hmmmm sorry but no prizes for a
correct answer. I added the name and a pretty pink hanging ribbon with bow.

Well I think this has become a very strange post ...nothing is where I wanted it and the text is all over the place, I think it will take me a while to get my head round this new format.

I am really enjoying my painting and drawing at the moment and have so many ideas I want to try but sometimes not the energy to attempt them.

I really have to leave the arty farty stuff until the weekends as after work am just too knackered after making teas and pack-ups ......... the mojo just aint havin' none of it!

My life is full of stuff..stuff..stuff

2009-10-16T21:21:00.000+01:00

I must make a dozen lists a week about various subjects

Lists of stuff to do next day at work, stuff to do when I get home from work, stuff to start on that I've sold, stuff to buy from next door for tea, general stuff that needs doing in the house, stuff that needs doing in the garden

So much stuff to do....

My best friend and I often think we'd be happy in a convent ...I room, 1 bed, 1 chair, 1 table, 1 sink, 1 toilet, 2 changes of clothes....what more do you need....nothing to remember but then again nothing to forget...

no worries...no stress...no pressures

life of bliss or life of boredom?

I just wish you could buy bits of memory in tablet form so that I would never have to write another list that I more often than not forget where I've put anyway.

Oh to be a teenager that knows it all and can't be told anything and probably has never had to compile a list !!!

Starting to top up my shop

2009-10-10T03:18:00.002+01:00

Over on the SCC forum we are having an auction for Angels charity KIN (Kids in need) ...we donate something to be auctioned and the buyer sends the payment to Angel, anyway Maypole won a gilt/Limoges trinket box that I donated and can I find the chuffin thing nooooooooooooooooooo!!

I really don't know where else to look. I've looked in all the normal places a menopausal woman would put something safe,,freezer..cooker...tumbledryer but its nowhere to be found, so I think its sniffer dog time!

************************

Today I thought I had better start topping up my shop, so I painted some circular coasters, not to be used as coasters but I may hang 3 of them on one wide length of ribbon and sell as a set, and the other 3 will, I think, be sold singulally .

I hope a little girl would like these hanging in her room, my daughter loved them and shes 25 :)

These flowers will probably have a ribbon loop added for hanging, so could be hung as a set or separately

Having seen these my daughter wants me to paint her some coasters for her work colleagues for Xmas, along with a pretty china mug each with a selectinof Thorntons delux chocs in cellophane.....shes sorted lol. I thought it was a lovely idea, just got to see how she wants each one personalised :)

I will be painting more tomorrow and Sunday ...can't wait as it feels like I haven't painted in such a very long time xx

And the winner.....

2009-09-29T17:01:00.002+01:00

.............of my Pencil Portrait giveaway is I'm delighted to say the gorgeous Melmel

This will be a very special portrait and I only hope I can do her brother justice.

So Mel if you could email me some photos I promise I will do my very best for you hun xxxx

My Giveaway!!!!!

2009-09-15T20:10:00.007+01:00

Following on from my previous post where I found the posters for my Pencil Portraits after cleaning out our sheds on Saturday....

I thought maybe that would be good giveaway, no not the drawings of my son but a portrait of your choice......I think its a good idea ..I've not really thought it through but as long as you have a good clear photo to email to me I can't see a problem ...and the only proviso would be

to allow me to use it for promotion.

The size of the finished drawing would be A4 or smaller if preferred so if you can just leave your comments of why you'd like to win a portrait ......I'll leave it open untill...hmmm not sure really probably a couple of weeks ....if you could spread the word of the giveaway it would be much appreciated.

Hope you like the Giveaway

Thanks so much xxxx

Just found these in our shed

2009-09-13T15:30:00.006+01:00

Over the weekend DH and I have been clearing out our 2 sheds, 1 brick and 1 wooden. We literally emptied EVERYTHING onto the lawn and found stuff we had forgotten about and stuff we wish we could forget about , but alot of it was great to find.I did these pencil portraits about 14/15 yrs ago, they are of my youngest DS who is now 19 and would probably be totally embarrassed by them now , but I used to put them in the windows of local shops and that was how I earned my pennies in those days before FT work.

These 2 photos of DS2 always make me smile I love them and him so much esp the top one with the missing tooth. I used to do fairly well charging £15 for an A4 size drawing. I occasionally do them now but usually only for family and friends. ….this morning he woke with a hangover.... awww how time flies lol

I am also trying this Window live writer for the first time for blogging and it is soooo much easier to use and great for adding photos…I didn’t realise it was on my PC and will definitely be using it from now on.

EDIT !! When I previewed this post it had overwritten my last post about the corner cabinet but left the comments as if they were for this post and took away some photos I had just put in the side bar ...grrr not such a sinch as I thought :)

Ooooops I've done it again!!

2009-09-07T20:19:00.006+01:00

I won a lovely little pine cupboard this evening....I have been wanting a corner cupboard for a while now for the bathroom to hold the toothbrushes , shaving stuff etc.

I just don't like seeing it all on show and I'm not a fan of bathroom cabinets either so when I saw this I was really pleased...bid on it and won and said goodbye to another tenner lol

I was initially thinking of painting it but will wait to see if the wood is as nice a colour as it seems,if so I will leave well alone, as I think it looks lovely

I keep saying I'm not buying anything else and then I just take a peek and I'm snuckered!!

Ha I have just reread this post and had to laugh where I've written that I don't like to see toothbrushes, shaving kit etc lol makes me sound quite anal but I am soooooo not....and don't have a houseproud bone in my body ...as my MIL always said
''A blind man would be glad to see it''
but I think my home would be the exception to the rule...I kid you not ha!

...and another win....

2009-09-05T21:54:00.005+01:00

Just a quickie...

I have just won 12 doors plus drawer fronts in pine for £10....so pleased as the doors we have at present are beech laminate with those long handles which I hate with a passion and being laminate I was reluctant to paint.

These are just what I wanted as I can paint them and change the handles and they are a fairly classic design.

Just got to decide what colour now Cream?....Duck egg blue?....Eau de nil?

Not bad though a kitchen makeover for a tenner :)

Think I am going to get an electric paint sprayer as its so much quicker.

Now I really must keep away from Ebay until I paint and sell some things lol

Latest Ebay wins

2009-08-30T17:10:00.007+01:00

These are my latest wins on Ebay.

Now the black iron veg rack was far nicer than described or photographed, she really didn't do it justice at all.....its about 25cm wide at the top and 40cm at the base whereas the photo to me makes it look the same width all the way down and its almost 3' tall.

I was originally going to paint it cream and put it in the bathroom for DDs toiletries/cosmetics but it really does seem a shame to paint it. DH likes it so it may well go in the Kitchen and be used for what it was made for 99p not bad :)

From the same lady I bought, again for 99p this plate rack with 6 hooks for cups.....this is definitely going to be painted, undercoat done, and be put back on Ebay. Will probably have chooks of some description on each side.

This oval coffee table will be painted cream and distressed with a centre motif or something around the edge, not sure yet, but that is also destined for Ebay again.

Lastly From the same seller as the coffee table is this small side table/bookcase which again will be painted like the table ...this I may keep to replace a cupboard I have and in turn repaint the cupboard unit and put that on Ebay and they were £10 for the 2.

I'm still painting the chairs I bought.....Jeeez its a horrible job, the sanding, undercoating and topcoating is what takes the time the decorative painting nothing in comparison.

Well I've just won this table, I was going to bid on one before which I put a photo of in my last but one post but I forgot to Duh!

Well I've been watching this as I really wanted one to go with the 4 chairs I am painting, and really the other one was a bit small, I contacted the seller as the top looked slanted but she assured me its because she forgot to take a photo when she dismantled it so balanced the top on just for the photos.

I asked her if she would take a BIN price , she asked me to make her an offer, but I changed my mind thinking my offer of a tenner would be laughed at, saw tonight no offers had been made so with 3 mins to go I put in an offer of 99p and won...YAAAAAAY

Must admit I will feel abit guilty handing over my pound coin and waiting for change...joke

Hoping to sand and wax top and like I mentioned before, in a previous post, may paint a faded motif in the centre but will paint pedestal cream and distress.

*********************************

I think I m suffering from Ebayitis as I am watching 56 items EEEEEEEEK actually not all of them are for buying , some are just out of curiosity like the most horrendous so called shabby chic desk that I or those at SSC have seen ....seeing is believing...enjoy :)....Gawd I hope the seller isn't one of my followers :(

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260467734754&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Help!! advice on chairs needed please, plus Mitmots tray makeover.

2009-08-22T10:47:00.005+01:00

Sneaked these photos in as Mitmot finally received her tray today.

When she heard I painted Mitty very generously sent me some lovely French trays and a breadboard (Pin up Girl), but would not take any payment for them.

She asked if I would paint this tray for her like I did a mirror in one of the SCC swaps

The result.....

************************

Ok Ladies I need your advice on these 4 chairs I won on Ebay about a month ago.

What to do with them?....

I am undecided whether to go the same way as the Rocker in my previous post ...or to paint and distress or whether to just sand and clean up and apply a floral motif to the plain wood on the back and seat

To do them each different but coordinating?

To sell in pairs or singulally?

So your advice would be reeeeeeally appreciated please.

Also...........

I can get this table for £10 ...should I? its a BIN on Ebay ...was on before and noone bought but I thought if I bought and either painted and added a centre motif.....or painted just the base and sanded the top and added a motif to the bare wood?

So if I did get the table should I sell with 2 chairs ...or sell all 5 items separate and link to each....ARRRGGGGGHHHH I'm useless at this :)

Rocking chair makeover

2009-08-09T13:31:00.005+01:00

Well I've finished painting the Rocker....to see the before picture go to last post....I really enjoyed doing this and am really pleased with it.

My one dilema is whether to put it on Ebay starting price 99p or £4.99 which is the price I paid for it

Not really alot to say about this really , basically what you see is what you get...I'll let the pictures do the talking.

I've never sold anything on Ebay before so any tips gratefully received wish me luck xx

Ebay win,lovely hearts oh and a yucky cabinet

2009-07-29T20:17:00.005+01:00

This is my latest win on Ebay I was over the moon as about 5 yrs ago I begrudgingly threw an almost identical one out as I had nowhere for it to go, as rockers take up above average floor space especially if you want to rock in them :)

My last one was unpainted and I made a seat and full length back cushion but this one will definitely be painted, with maybe a floral design on the seat, and be outside the back door with the table and chairs which are under a sort of covered pergoda, which I love as we can sit outside even when its hammering down.

I got it for £4.99 not bad eh? ......she had 2 but I thought a pair would look naff lol...picking it up Friday yaaaaaay.

Now this delightful? bathroom metal cabinet that was in our bathroom when we moved in about 20 yrs ago, its abit worse for wear and is rusty, I'm not sure if it is infact worth saving ...what do you think I've no experience of rust what do I do? and is it worth saving mmmmmmm not sure at all

Not sure why I took the photos of it upside down lol ooooh and you can see the sofa we're dumping ...its been in the garden all so called summer and has been great for just slumping down on and vegitating:)

Now for the lovely bit, if you saw my last post about my dresser you would have seen the lovely heart hanging from the cupboard which the gorgeous Mary Poppins sent to me.

This was my very first heart and after not being overly keen on them, this one heart singulally changed my mind...well then 2 of my lovely blogging buddies didn't like to think I only possessed one heart so the oh so talented Little Gem and the beautiful Mel from Country in the town who incidently has an absolutely fantastic giveaway on her blog,
each sent me a beautiful hanging heart, Mel also sent a mini heart with 2 lavender candles and Gemma sent me one of her amazing handmade brooches.

I was so overcome at these wonderful acts of kindness and thoughtfulness and will be returning their kindness in the future , thank you bothe so much xxxx

Here you can see my gifts all together ......

Mary Poppins sent me the Green floral one, LG the pink and Mel the embroidered one :)

This is the smaller of the 2 hearts Mel sent me and also the lovely handmade brooch from Litte Gem

Close up of Mels heart:)

Little Gems gorgeous brooch and then the lovely card she sent which was made by our own Bloomin Myrtle How lovely is that ?

And there they are all looking stunning and they have really made me happy ..thank you so much girls you are so so lovely mwah xx

Painted dresser

2009-07-15T19:22:00.013+01:00

I won a Pine Welsh Dresser (£20) some weeks ago but had my reservations about it as it was kinda orange with the back of the shelves, decorative curves and door panels painted dark green with some gold stencilling....bleugh!!

Also the shelving section had an extra shelf at the base making me think that the previous owners must have used it as 2 separate parts......I did have a photo of it but its gawn never to be seen again :(

So I began sanding it all down...what a relentless task ..taking the top section and the doors off. 2 days later it was completed...

Now many would probably think alot of my makeovers look more like the ''before'' rather than the ''after'' but I just like things to look used and worn, so tend to distress/sand back alot of my things .....so the next batch of photos are the results of my labours.

I hate the present knobs and will hopefully be replacing them soon, when I can decide on their style....knowing my speed these will be on it for a while to come .....

Again I have alot of my late mothers items on the shelves....these china jars I remember were always in our bathrooms...3 in total that I can recall up to the age of 16

Oh this is the one and only hanging heart I possess and it was given to me by the gorgeous Mary Poppins who can do amazing things with a needle and thread......this gents wardrobe also had a makeover jobby from me about a year ago ....I took out the rail and put in 4 fullwidth shelves which now holds bedlinen and towels....really useful

Another china jar...this was 30p from a CB....oh and thats my DDs necklace from Accessorize.

A better picture of the cupoard and dresser though the white mark on the cupboard was from the sun and not a bad paint job from me 8-D

This was my mums but not sure of any history with it...it just seemed to appear one day as most thinks did in our home unbeknown to my dad lol

A tiny little handpainted piece of china in a frame off Leicester market just infront of a piece from a bathroom set from Marks and Sparks, which again was in every bathroom of ours I can remember oh and my watch.

A mirror off Leicester market over 40 yrs ago it was quite dull so I painted it....I love the way mirrors wear with age and become all mottled with the backing coming off in places
......something I can definitely relate to haha!

And lastly my new toilet roll holder.....no big deal you may think, but we haven't had one for about 13yrs
.........the roll has, since we took the old one down, been balanced on the radiator hmmmm....not good ...but always nice and warm to ones bum, which can't be bad.

Apologies if you got bored of my pics .... I realise I did go abit OTT...but the loo roll holder is the last xx

Teeny paint job and G spots|!

2009-07-12T19:33:00.006+01:00

I love my garden...it's not large or full of gorgeous blooms, or full of much really but I really do love it. Its a walled garden which I adore and its so very private not overlooked at all.

I have spots around the garden where you can sit. There is the table and chairs I bought from Ebay for a fiver in the little sanctuary at the bottom of the garden under the Russian vine ,lilac tree and someother climber I can't remember name of.

There is the very rough bench that DH made and I just love it ...it looks so old and tatty and that is surrounded by Clematis Montana and is against the side wall

Outside my backdoor I have a small patch which started of with herbs but other 'stuff' has crept in ..a few poppies and some weeds which look right at home and that is under cover with the main garden furniture so yet another place to sit oh and believe it or not there is a sofa we're waiting to get rid of but its been great out there in the summer.

Ha Then we have my sheds.....There is the wooden one which you can see covered in ivy which covers the whole of the l/h side wall too and then the brick one which is to the left of the wooden one and is totally obliterated by the ivy except for the doorway which is at right angles to the wooen shed

Oh theres my little sanctuary again, where DH in the summer if he's at home when I get back from work, can be found with 2 cups of coffee and maybe cake or a biscuit :)

I love my wild tatty private garden I've only shown you little bits as the other bits are too untidy even for me, maybe one day you'll see the pergolas but then again maybe not as we are getting so used to the garden like it is theres no rush ...its normal to us though probably chaos to someone else

----------------------***-------------------------

I've had this shelf unit in various forms since I was first married (30yrs) and it has always been in my kitchen.

I took it down about 5 yrs agao and it resided in the shed where it got abit damp and at one point had a nest built on it 2 yrs in a row ....I decided to bring it back in and try to revive it

Out came the cream emulsion ...slapped a couple of coats on, distressed it and highlighted with white and voila! 1 not too bad shelf unit back on the kitchen wall where it rightly belongs.

Home now to my adorable pig family which I love and can now look at whilst painting or on the pc :)

Also to some of my paperweights/painted stones which I did in '96 and still like to look at and have around ...they make me smile

Then I have our two old Italian coffee grinders which we still use, though not for a while now, but they were given to us by my husbands great Aunts who both sadly died last year and who we spent many a happy holiday with even though none of us could speak each others language

I added some of my favourite jugs and my lovely Scottish Terrier and said ok thats enough....The pigs, dog, and jugs were my mums who died the day my youngest was due, hes now 18, so its lovely to have her things there in my kitchen, just seems so right

DS2 back yaaaaay ... & WANTED......A Revitalised Mojo

2009-07-04T17:30:00.005+01:00

Well tomorrow sees the return of my youngest (18)
He has been to Ibiza for a week with 6 of his 'mates', on his first holiday without 'rents'
I have missed him so much, we have a fabulous relationship with an ongoing banter that I love. He never fails to make me giggle and I just love him so, and tomorrow he's back yippeeeeeeeeeeeee......I told him I just didn't want to turn on the TV and see him on 'Boozy Brits abroad' if it were at all possible, but hey worst things could happen, he could turn it on and see me !!

------------------------*--------------------------

I'm a little dissillusioned, no deflated, no uninspired, no disinterested, no just plain lost my mojo recently...I haven't painted anything for weeks not sure if thats to do with my last post or not as I'm still creating my new shop and its just becoming abit of a chore now

I was so excited the first time but now that has gone and I'm not even sure if I can be bothered or even if I really want a shop, but really I think I do its just all the prep and as I'm changing sites I'll have to go through getting them to release my domain argggghhhhhh.

So today I have picked up where I left off 3 weeks ago when I started to paint 3 mirrors, they all have their base coats and I had started decorating the heartshaped one that has hooks, but then put them down and have only just bought them out again.

I have no idea what I am going to do with the other 2, though I think the hand mirror will probably have a vintage floral display on the back of some decription but the square one I am completely in the dark , maybe something more modern.

One of these 3 will be a giveaway in the hopefully not too distant future, but at this rate it could be about Xmas ....I jest you not.

So is there anyone out there who can tell me where to find a revitalised mojo??

Minor RANT!!

2009-06-26T19:21:00.005+01:00

Well am having to change the site of my shop as until it happened I didn't realise that it had no stock management feature in place, and that it was too easy to sell an item multiple times which happened to me, luckily the customer was very understanding but that is not the point...well unless I paid anothe £20pm cheek!!

What good is a shop if it doesn't tell the customer when the item is no longer available....so I have got to change it all to a new site and it took me chuffin ages to do the present shop AAARRRGGGHHHHHHHHHH....hopefully it won't take as long this time.

So when I finally get the new one up and running I will have a giveaway of something I've painted though I have no idea what yet.

I'm busy, which is great as I have a few commisions to be getting on with and some paintings as payments to do so lifes good at the mo...hope it is for you all too xxx

My Shop !!

2009-06-20T15:39:00.003+01:00

Well I've finally opened it...what a palavar, I was doing so well then realised I needed/ wanted seperate bank account plus then had to sort Paypal, oh boy that was fun so I really did lose the plot and the momentum and left it well alone for a few weeks nearly binning the whole lot, BUT I didn't.

Its still a WIP and there are sections with nothing in them but at least its up and running, constructive criticism would be much appreciated, Ive stll got lots of bits and bobs to put on and am going to start painting again as I stopped for quite a while, lost my mojo methinks but I've got it back again, plus I want to have a giveaway sometime soon and that will be something I've painted.

http://lajoniscrafts.co.uk/

Am off now to make a shop button link ....hope you like xx

Friends

2009-06-17T19:28:00.002+01:00

Today hasn't been a good day....
I received news about 2 of my closest friends, whom I also work with.

First there is the lovely Lolly, a nickname I gave her 5 yrs ago and shes now known as nothing else, in the past few months she has had quite alot of time off work with headaches and as she calls them the wobbles where she would lose her balance, quite frightening really and the doctors could not find what was wrong.

She saw ENT and various specialists and was told only 2 weeks ago that she would probably have to live with it!!.....but she was recalled last week to the hospital and had more tests and told me that her brain was too low causing her imbalance and the surgeons were meeting on Friday to discuss treatment which would probabaly be the cutting out of 4cms square of her skull to allow the flow of fluid and then there is the

Gorgeous Marie who I have known for over 25 yrs and a more genuine kind funny lady you could not meet we just cry with laughter almost everyday she is such dear dear friend.

She had the all clear from Breast Cancer a while back and recently went for her routine mammogram, well she was recalled to the hospital today where they have taken tests and will know the results on Wednesday.

Hearing this news about 2 of my favourite people is devastating though now I have got over the initial shock I am trying to put a positive spin on things ....and as I have said elsewhere writing it all down does actually help, though I don't know why......

I will be praying for you 2 very special people God bless and protect you both xxx

Exam day

2009-06-03T20:19:00.006+01:00

Strange today as I was to take an exam that I have taken twice before and got results in the high 90s...the 3 day IATA (International Air Transport Association) Dangerous goods course went well with high results in the intermittent tests so 1-30pm I sat down and started the exam and about 20 mins in I got a searing headache and blurred vision the examiner told me to sit outside if I wished which I did for the duration.

As soon as I left the room I was fine.

Could it have been something like a psychological block as I have been wanting to get out of dangerous goods work for a few months, anyway the examiner told me I can join any other courses he holds just for the exam as he knows the extent of my knowledge and knows I would pass ....but I just thought it was a very strange thing to happen, and would it happen again?

I have received my gorgeous badge from Snapdragon's Garden which was a cutey square cupcake one, these badges are so well made, they are incredible so I now have to think up some ideas for photos of it ...the ladies on SCC have made a brilliant start with amazing ideas so this is not going to be as easy as I thought but I'll give it a go :)

Well I am going to bed now as I am exhausted after 3 days in the classroom even without the exam lol...back to normality tomorrow.

Looking forward to the weekend when I will be hopefully painting my Ebay win Welsh dresser...still haven't done the table and chairs but the dresser is the more important of the two.

I just have so many things to finish or start or just get on with am feeling alittle bogged down by it all but reading others posts I don't think I'm alone in feeling like that.

OK I'm definitely going now as have to do our pack-ups, a job I hate lol nite all xxxx

Debbies giveaway and friends good news

2009-05-28T21:29:00.008+01:00

Hey this is a great idea over on Country heart and home

Debbie has had a fun idea for her giveaway you must dash over there now and join in especially if your a buttonhollic :) tis a bit o fun.

Over on SCC we have had a good news week for 3 of our lovely ladies... Raspberry Grace's DH was successful with his job interview which was brilliant and then we heard Dimity who after a whole heap of hassle is signing on her new home tomorrow and last but most certainly not least we have Annie who after being made redundant found a new job..............

Ooooooooooooooh it was lovely to get all this good news so as you worry and fret for them so you cheer and celebrate for them....and to think I could pass them on the street and never know, but their news means so very much to me and I am so truly happy and relieved for each one of them. xxxx

Ebay and My shop

2009-05-15T14:53:00.009+01:00

Last Wednesday I won a humugous amount of MDF blanks on Ebay...I had been told about them by Diydeb from the SCC forum.

I had never bid on anything before, I have always left it to DH and I can't see me doing it again either as the stress of watching the minutes then seconds tick away was too much, think thats why I'm useless at bingo :) and when I did win I was amazed no-one else actually bid lol

Isn't it strange how we think what we like or want will be shared by the rest of civilisation and we'll get outbid, but naaaa not one other bid was placed.

So DH and myself toddled off to Doncaster on the Saturday morning , it took us approximately 2 hrs to arrive there and when we met the lady who sold the blanks the old trout never offered so much as a glass of water. so we loaded up and returned home and filled the front room with my purchases and what alot I got, enough to last a lifetime, some of it will probably get taken apart ie the large pieces as they would be too expensive to post eg a 4 piece 5' high screen, and the 3 piece fire screens, though I will be keeping one for our 2nd reception room as that has a real fire and Ive never bought a screen. so may well paint or decoupage one.

I have painted a couple of blanks that were in my haul one being a pencil pot which I have a few of and the other being a one off wooden book box, so my stock is slowly but surely creeping up .

I thought I would be making my shop live this weekend but am having trouble with Paypal , well not trouble its just I don't have a seperate bank account and so can't use our joint as it's used by DH for Paypal too but he has a business one he never uses so may try that oooooooooooooooh so much to think about lol

Well I'm off to do some more painting of blanks, but what to choose? and to upload more photos to the shop, describing items is alot trickier than I thought it would be, not my painted stuff thats easy but items from my attic , don't want the trading standards after me :0

Painted box and an award

2009-05-02T20:50:00.003+01:00

Well I haven't posted anything for what seems like ages or, it appears painted anything.

My intention every afternoon I come in from work is to do some painting but I am easily dissuaded by cooking .... ironing...pack ups etc and so I really only paint at the weekends and that is usually only on a Saturday as Friday I'm too knackered from the buildup of early mornings during the week (5-00am) and Sunday is generally getting ''stuff'' ready for everyone for a new working week..so they are my excuses and I aint budging from 'em

Oh but I had a lovely surprise on here last week when I received a blog award from Baba from Babasfarmlife it was a ''One lovely Blog'' award and I have to pass it on to upto 15 newly discovered blogs I have found...well that is definitely going to have to wait a while as I want to really take my time and look at some new blogs as I haven't really for quite a long time and I do so love reading others blogs its a wonderful way to pass some time but alas I have no time to pass just yet :)

So I have another box to show you that I did manage to paint last night contrary to what I said earlier, but I really need to buck my ideas up and get my shop open which I am hoping, fingers crossed I will before Monday eeeeeeeeeeeeek there I've said it

This one is green with a pale pink rose and the words 'Love' and 'Dream' on opposite sides....I have distressed it and given it a aged look with a coat of diluted down Burnt umber ...it just dulls it down a bit.

Inside I painted it cream with a wash of the Burnt umber and I think it looks ok :)

DD has said this is her favourite and wants me to paint a blank jewellery box like it so we'll see

Now I am just trying to decide what to paint on 2 blank canvases I found that I had forgotten about...it will either be 2 'Pin up gals' thinking maybe bathtime ones or 2 more modern females...but they will be to sell seperately or as a pair, so off to put my thinking hat on its been misplaced recently x

Capiz shell

2009-04-14T19:59:00.005+01:00

Little Gem has in her shop some of her lovely handmade flower brooches, now if you follow the link you will see how similar my capiz shell brooch is, which my mother gave to me and I have worn for maybe 35yrs and my mum owned it for many years before that...I absolutely adore it and have also worn it on a chain, a choker ribbon, a choker bangle and a couple of times on my wrist like a corsage ...its really had its uses :)

Now looking around I noticed how much Capiz I owned, firstly there are my napkin rings which I think are sooooo pretty and delicate and then matching these are some ......

...candle holders...I never use these much but have a project on my mind for them which includes an old brass triple light fitting hmmmmm then I have......

....my pendant that I remeber buying in Bournemouth when I was 16 for 50p...decimalisation had only just come in I think and I worked at Miss Selfridge ha!!...now the next piece is or should I say pieces are.......................

some place mats and coasters, these also have a large oval centre mat somewhere in the house but where is anybodies guess :) and I have also got which I havent photographed 3 pendant light shades but I'm abit fed up of them...I started taking photos of the place mats and coasters to put in my shop when I get the chuffin thing up and running.............

I'm nearly there just abit of tweaking here and there

oooooooooooooh I've just remembered I've got large leaf shaped capiz earrings too

Buttons and a brooch

2009-04-07T16:13:00.006+01:00

I received this lovely little collection in the post this morning from my dear friend Elaine from her blog here

and also from her beautiful shop here

Another of our friends Lacey asked us on the SCC forum to each send her a button as she is going to make a little memory item for herself with the buttons she receives.....well I am not a button person unlike alot of the SCC ers so I told her I doubt I could find one other than a small 'white shirt' one or large 'black Working trouser' one :)

Elaine then messaged me saying she had some wooden ones I could have to paint so I replied that I would and will send Lacey one and return the others to the very kind and geneous Elaine

So I received the above items this morning.....a beautiful hand made Easter card, a lucious brooch and the wooden buttons, now I just have to think how to decorate them:)

So thank you Elaine it was so very kind of you and I will do my best to do them justice when I decorate them xx

Tissue box cover

2009-04-05T20:12:00.007+01:00

A few more photos of my latest painting project a tissue box cover....

I was going to paint it pale green withe pink blossom or dog roses but then decided I wanted to try something different and knew full length figures wouldn't show properly

I really enjoyed painting this tissue box, whether anyone else would want 60s clip art style remains to be seen but I love it

I do only paint what I like really, as many of these items will be displayed (not used) around my home as I do lack storage.

I'm really not sure if I could paint something I didn't like, but there again I supposed you would have to if commissioned to do so, luckily my commisions are of work I have done before so as yet no problem.

I've just realised after looking at the photos that I have put the brunette up without having finished her hair ha! ...........I have finished it here at home but not on the photo so I will have to change that sometime lol

Well its another box next which maybe green with blossom or dog roses hehe xxx

Chooks and Daisies...finished article

2009-04-02T19:14:00.008+01:00

Just a few more photos to show the finished Recipe book stand and Daisy money box.

The money box is pale yellow which I don't think really shows in the photographs very well

The Silhouette of the rooster is the reverse side of the 3 chooks ....thought I may as well use both sides, and he was great to paint :)

Not much more to say about them really..... but my lovely shabby mateys just lurrrve their photos lol

A couple more painted items

2009-03-30T17:36:00.010+01:00

Does that hour really make that much difference or is it all psycological, as I feel really tired but haven't done that much to cause it. I do love my sleep and am fine getting up at 5ish for work but by Friday it definitely starts to catch up with me. Must be an age thing lol

Well I've got 2/3 more items painted
.
One is a WIP, and that is the daisy money box as I am going to continue the daisies around both sides too, though I wish I had painted a blue background, but they were going to be pansies which I always love on a pale background.

Now I think I am going to put some pansies on the reverse of the Recipe book holder so there will be a choice of designs...Chooks or floral....mmmm I call it a recipe book stand but it could be used for any book really ....I like my simplistic chooks, took about 10 mins , the quickest things are usually the most effective.

The blue box I loved painting and I especially love the bright pink interior...I'm really loving painting these blanks, its very relaxing...the difficult part is knowing what to paint on what lol....I have 2 blank trays which are both going to be pin-up girls and then I've got a very male orientated looking box so what to put on that I don't know any suggestions most welcome.

Well I'm off to finish my daisy money box..oooh I so love daisies and then paint some pansies
which I also love painting, but first PIZZZZZZZZZZZZZZAAAAAAAAAAAAAA :) xxx

Limoges favour

2009-03-28T19:40:00.004Z

This little trinket box was bought back from Italy many years ago by my Italian FIL , inside it had sugared almonds and was a wedding favour, this was before we had anything like that over here. It is Limoges and has the initials M & S on it for the bride and groom so if anyone reading this has the initails MS or knows anyone who does , and they like it, leave me a comment and I'd be delighted to send it to you - the sugared almonds :)...Apologies for the poor photos.

My Carboot haul on Mothers day

2009-03-22T17:47:00.012Z

Well I've had a brilliant day....Started with me opening my presents, which were so thoughtful as they were things they knew I needed and wanted but wouldn't get for myself.

They bought me 2 sets of acrylic paints, watercolour paints and a set of brushes which I was over the moon with, also a new purse/wallet as mine was embarrassing to be seen with ha!

A DVD of a film I better not mention as its not out yet nudge nudge wink wink .....a pair of slippers from River Island like the knitted UGG boots, a bronzer blush and a 7 for the price of 5 pack of divine Twirls............Oh and a wonderful card mwah mwah mwah to each of them

I thought it was Christmas and was so amazed by it all and not a flower in sight as I'm not keen on bought flowers of any description really in the house unless they are Daffodils or Daisies...I truely only like little jugs of wild flowers around and they know it

We then went to the Carboot and the weather was lovely if not a little cool towards the end but I had a great time and bought all the items below and nothing other than the 2 drawer item which can go either way up (£4) or the item with 9 pidgeon hole with the 3 picture frames in the

drawer front(£10 alot I know but hey) were more than £1, the ceramic jar with lid was 20p lol crazy I have 3 more of these in differing sizes but I think this one will go in my shop when/if it ever opens !!.

I love the candelabra which I think I will paint cream and Then I've just got to sand all the other things and think what to paint on the boxes

I love boxes I think you can never have too many.... so many sorts ...so many uses just love them

I think I have to scruffy the 9 pigeon hole item up abit too new looking for me....maybe a coat of paint and the abit of distressing will do the trick ...we'll see

It's been a lovely day oh and DH made Lasagne so we had that with crusty breadand salad follwed by DDs favourite Vienetta lol, I didn't have any as I'm not a fan of ice cream so I had a Twirl scrumptious hehe

Thank you Little Gem

2009-03-19T16:54:00.003Z

I have just received an award from the lovely Gem at Little Gems World

and I am to share with you 7 things I love and then to pass on the award to 7 more creative people, so here goes...my loves 1st, ,not including family as that is a done deal :) then the blogs and in no particular order....drum roll!!!!!!!!!!!

1..........Painting / Crafting

2..........Relaxing with friends

3..........Watching a tear jerker film

4..........Finding a bargain

5..........Chocolate

6..........Playing my music LOUD!

7..........Snuggling down in fresh cold bed linen....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

and the magnificent 7 are...........again in no particular order............the fabulous.

1..........Bloomin' Myrtle

2..........View to the Hill

3..........Knitty , Vintage & Rosy

4..........The Hedge Combers

5..........Shabby Angel

6..........Cottage Home

7..........Country in the Town

Thank you for your blogs and the great ideas I get to pinch..borrow..steal lol xxx

My Pin-up gal !!

2009-03-14T20:46:00.010Z

I haven't blogged in over a week as I have been so tired and I don't know why

, its the same for friends at work we're all abit yawny and dop

ey eyed lol

Last weekend I started sanding and painting the french

bread board that Mitmot from SSC sent to me.

Having to take off someones elses painting didn't sit

comfortably with me but it had to be done, it took a fair old

while to get the painting off then sanding the black base coat took

an age and didn't really shift much of the black do I started to paint.................7 coats later the black was about covered!!

I chose to do a 40s/50s pin-up and thouroughly enjoyed looking at images on the net....oh they are lovely!

I have never painted a human figure before, it's always been more decorative art or pencil portraits so this was indeed a challenge.

I had the basecoat done last weekend which took ages as I never thought it would need 7 flippin' coats..........so Friday I was ready for HER, that first mark on a blank canvas, so to speak is always the hardest, once that is done we're off!

Well the first attempt I don't think is too bad I can see plenty of room for improvement but I was never or ever will be out to achieve perfection.

I loved painting her, so I am sure I will do some more maybe on one of the 2 blank trays I have, think a pin-up would be great.....we'll see

My first commision...well sort of ;)

2009-03-06T16:51:00.004Z

The lovely Mitmot from SCC asked me if I would like some trays and plaques that she had bought in France a while ago, but hadn't done anything with. She forwarded me some photos and I replied straight away so that I could snatch them up and see what she would like for them.

They are gorgeous and I already have plans to do a pin up girl on the black paddle, which I was informed by MM was a French bread board. That I am hoping to do this weekend yaaaay

Bless her heart she asked if I would paint this other tray the same as I had painted Ebabys mirror for the January swap (scroll down to see photos)...which I said I would be delighted to do.....I definitely think I came off best in that exchange.

Mitmot does fabulous things with a needle and she has Folksy and Dawanda shops.... do make a visit, you won't be dissappointed shes amazing

I can sew a bit but with my sewing one never looks on the reverse as one would be aghast at the sight lol

The trays look beautiful as they are so this has become a bit of a challenge for me lol...

Salt dough figure before varnishing

2009-02-28T08:19:00.003Z

Morning all ...well I'm sitting here waiting for the lines to open for Mcfly...I have got to order tickets for DD....takes me back to when I used to do this for her when she was a teen, shes now 24!!, ...sitting for sometimes hours trying to get tickets....nearly all day for Robbie Williams for her 16th birthday, I mean its not like I have anything else to do this morning...noooooo course not ;-)

Well heres the photo I said I would put up of the salt dough figure, must give her a name, before I varnish...then I'll put her up when varnished to see the difference it can make.

Blanks for painting, + salt dough figure

2009-02-26T19:10:00.004Z

Well I've been and collected my blanks and here are the first batch, any ideas for decoration will be much appreciated. Oh and the first piece of salt dough I've made in 7 yrs....oh how quickly we forget....she's looking dreadful at the mo but I'm painting her as I blog lol so hopefully I will be able to put a better photo up of her soon

My Swap from Annie-c

2009-02-25T16:43:00.004Z

My swap arrived today from Annie-c it was lovely as you can see below.

A lovely Blue spotty mug, some Rolos yummy, classy white/cream candles and I adore candles and only use white/cream, 2 blue plastic wallets which will come in very useful and a beautiful white tea towel edged with a gorgeous fabric...I love it all Annie thank you so very much xxx

Jan swap finally

2009-02-24T16:05:00.010Z

Well I received a message from Ebaby to say my swap has been delivered so I can now put some photos up of the bits I painted, oh I didn't paint the ceremic piece ;)

The theme was Cath Kidston who, I have to say I am not the biggest fan of....some of it is abit OTT for me though I must say some is gorgeous....I suppose I like it in small doses, but I love seeing it in others homes it's just not me.

I painted a couple of things for her, a mirror and a kitchen utensil set oh and I made the one and only brooch I will ever attempt ha! and then I added a piece of embriodery a crochet circle , a ceramic trinket thingymebob, a note book and pen and some choccy lollies.

Car boot finds

2009-02-22T14:07:00.009Z

I went to 2 carboots today, both indoor, the 1st was a no no nothing there at all but the 2nd was alot better.

I purchased the items below for painting etc but having got them home realise I like the lanterns how they are, worn and tatty, Ha we have something in common, so it maybe just the drawers and picture frame that will get the Laj look

At the moment I have the problem of not being able to buy anything I don't like even though I think that maybe someone out there would love it ....it may have something to do with having to have it around the house until sold , I just don't know, but It is going to take me along while to change my mindset on that one I think .....but on the flip side buying things I like eg the lanterns may just get put in my garden and not madeover or sold so whats a girl to do ???????????

Oh I forgot to mention the prices...

A 6 mini drawer Ikea thingy £1.50
2 mini metal lanterns 50p each
1 small wooden frame 50p
1 large oil lamp
1 pair of large lamps ....the 3 large lamps together were £7

I was really pleased

2009-02-22T00:19:00.003Z

I left this out of Ebabys swap when I posted it yesterday.....now she may live in one of those households that has a drawer full of bits and bobs for all eventualities, wish I lived in one.

Wonder if she'll be able to guess what one of her swaps is just by this photo....she should receive it Tue or Weds, only because I was 30p short of being able to send it 1st class Grrrrrrrrrr so all will be revealed then.

Well I have had a very physically if not mentally lazy day, rarely get up before 9-30am as a week of rising at 4-45am catches up with me by the end of the week , then I was on the laptop most of the day sorting my site and ordering. I am defnitely looking forward to tomorrow as we are going to a carboot our first one this year, so am really eager to find some goodies.

Right it's up the wooden hill for me as it's an early start so sleep well all xx

Shop site

2009-02-19T19:23:00.004Z

Finally posted my January swap off to Ebaby...I feel so relieved...I'll pop some photos on here when she has received it .........it can be quite stressful, not that anyone but myself put the stress there but I'm not doing anymore as I'm going to be painting and crafting for my shop that is under construction Ha!!!!.......

Phew it's flippin hard work creating a shop when you have no idea what you are doing and I'm only doing the supposedly easy stuff at the mo jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez can't wait for the rest.

Really want to get some blanks ordered and the site finished this weekend, then the fun begins

******

This morning I was watching the news before I set off to work and they were discussing *Social Networking* and how this American guy thought it was bad for you as you get engrossed in an online life and do not make real friends, well for what its worth heres my take on it...................

I first used the internet about 8/9 yrs ago all my family did...my husband being the main offender as he has always had a keen interest in computers and still builds them now.....anyway all 4 of them kept on at me to use the pc and go on the internet, so I did....I remember for ages being online and not knowing what to do where to look what to press ....and I couldn't see the attraction at all then........................

I found the Femail site of the Daily Mirror and I was hooked. It was a forum of mostly women and we had a blast ....4 of us hit it off straight away and we were then asked to be moderators , which we all did ...we met in London for meet ups along with the other mods and after that we had a few more meet ups with members as well.

About 8 of us seemed to stick together so much so that we have our own private message forum still to this day ...our lives have changed some are now married , one is in Spain, one has divorced..... we have all been through variations of crap but we have been there for each other and to talk, whether on a board or in real time is brilliant as for some reason you can say to them what you wouldn't say to family or ''real-life'' friends and you can chose to either meet up or not, to answer a post or not and you are never judged

I have met and made friends with many people whom I would never have met or chatted to in ''real-life'' as we have such different life styles or interests and this makes them all the more precious to me.

xxx

Lets get cracking!!

2009-02-08T10:52:00.012Z

Well now Ive stopped trying to squeeze the cameras battery into the memory card slot....well their both small and square......bit like DH.....oooooh no didn't mean that honest.... I have uploaded some pieces I have accumulated over 30 yrs that have just been around in sheds, drawers, cupboards and lofts.

The tatty shelves have been in our shed for 6/7 years as you can see by the state of them ...really I'll just be sanding and slapping on paint but I want to NOT paint it cream/white but try a colour...I'm a bit of a cream kinda gal so will try something new ...now it will take me another 6/7 yrs to decide what lol....then I may do a small amount of decorative painting down the outer sides.

Then I have a few tin/enamelware bits, the watering can I may just add a little motif or wording on the front, not sure about the red coffee pot, might just leave that alone but the tea/coffee/sugar/ cannisters , I've got the three, are in need of something major just got to decide what, then I've got wooden boxes, baskets, mirrors, peg rack etc so alot to be getting on with ...and thats without me even purchasing any blanks for my future shop, as some of these bits, depending on the outcome, may go in to the shop, phew and thats just a fraction. But if I'm anything like Mel I will be done by Friday but I'm not so I wont ;-)

Snow & Swap

2009-02-05T21:28:00.005Z

2 friends and I had to walk half of the journey to work today due to the icy roads and congestion well it was like being a kid again ...we laughed and giggled our way to work and everyone we met was really friendly and cheerful .......all it takes is a bit of snow

We were sent home from work at midday and tomorrow was declared a snow day, (if we get in b4 10-45 we will be paid for whole day) but this evening has seemed sooooooooo long just being home 3 hrs early makes alot of difference so much so that....

.......I have finally finished painting the first item of Ebabys January swap...I really enjoyed doing it as I haven't painted for quite a while now and it's turned out ok I think, so I do hope she likes it.

Well I'm off for an early night as depending on ice/snow we may have an extra early start tomorrow nite nite all xx

Knickers!

2009-02-01T12:29:00.005Z

Happy Feb 1st

Well the painting didn't materialise yesterday but I did have a fabulous day with SIL niece and DD ...a lot of giggling went on and I mean alot I must be queen of giggling.

Don't you just hate it when the elastic goes in you knickers....I walked round yesterday for approx 5 hrs with the only thing keeping mine up being the gusset of my trews, much to the embarrassment of DD lol

I didn't buy anything other than lunch but really enjoyed the day and we've promised to make it a monthly treat....so will buy some new knickers me thinks before my next outing ;-)

Now I am off to try and create something CK looking arrggghhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! xx

Januarys swap

2009-01-30T20:23:00.005Z

Well tomorrow I am finally going to start, yes start on my January swap for Ebaby on SSC...CK themed.....
Now I will have ago at sewing ..which could be disasterous but I will try and I will definitely be painting something...Can't say too much incase Ebaby reads this and it will ruin the surprise...though I think finally receiving something will be surprise enough ;-)...but I must say I am really looking forward to painting as I haven't done any for quite a while.

This will only be my second swap but I think I will withdraw for a while as I have to get some stock ready for my shop, which I keep saying I am sorting tomorrow.....
When the word 'Procrastinator' was invented they definitely had me in mind lol.....

I blame all you out there for my shop not being ready , as when I should be ordering and actually finding a site for the shop I read another blog...it never fails to amaze me the amount of talented and gifted bloggers there are and I just lurve reading their blogs so much, they are warm, friendly, inviting and you feel you have made another friend....mmmm just lovely x

To ANGEL a very special lady

2009-01-27T23:02:00.004Z

ANGEL....Just to say that you are truely an amazing woman ...a sincere friend .... loved by many....and funny as f.....ooops better not xxxxxx

What a lovely feeling to get an award

2009-01-27T16:56:00.002Z

Oh thank you Mary Poppins Its really lovely of you xx

An award for me wahaaaaaay !!

2009-01-26T21:24:00.019Z

Thank you Angel and Little Gem xxx

"The authors say that blogs who receive this award are exceedingly charming. This blog invests in proximity in space, time and relationships. These kind bloggers aim to find and be new friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandisement. Our hope is that when ribbons of these awards are cut, even more friendships will be propagated. Please give your kind attention to these writers."

Well I really feel I've arrived now with my very own award and what a lovely one it is and given to me by one very special lady, making me feel very honoured and I now find I have to pass it on to 8 more people I feel deserve it ...which is a kind of easy task to do but I will do that tomorrow

I will pass these 2 awards on to

1....CTC

2....Bibbity-bob.

3....Ebaby

4...Brenda

5....Vivwild

6....Knitty Vintage & Rosy

7....Debbies English Treasures

and the last one is to ''Maypole'' from the SSC forum a lovely lovely lady who makes me laugh daily but alas has no blog...

The people I have given these awards to have either made me laugh, cry or I just plainly enjoy reading their blog

I don't know how to just put their blog name in DUH!! stoooooopid or what ;-(

My little Giveaway

2009-01-13T21:32:00.014Z

These are 2 Liberty of London fabric photo frames, the portrait one measuring 16cms x 12 cms and the landscape one 13.5cms x 17cms

They do'nt have acetate or glass in them , whether they did as new I'm not sure but they ain't now!!....
If you'd like to win either of these frames just post a little comment about what photo you would put in the frame and why....oh and remember to say which shape landscape or portrait you would like to win

Good luck xxxxx

PS.....I don't know why theres a humungus gap below this post......or how to get rid of it ;-(
All suggestions gratefully received.......buggar where did that line come from......time for my bed methinks nite all xxxx

More painted stones...and Stuff????

2009-01-12T20:25:00.002Z

This is my Thoroughly Modern Millie paperweight, though that is not what she is used for , she's either in the garden amongst other stones or with other painted stones on the window ledge
Theres a couple more that sometimes keep her company

I enjoy painting stones, they're cheap, cheerful and quick to do. Great for rainy days, but really I have plenty I should be doing......

Sorting these few boxes that found their way down from the loft...stuff I've not seen for years...gosh the memories come flooding back, it doesn't take alot does it.

Some of these may find their way into my shop in the ''Odds & Sods'' section ;-) but its very difficult to know what to keep and what to get rid of...I know I've not seen most of it for years and not missed it but now its back awww shucks!!!!

and there's more......

and there is still so much more in the loft, but I told OH not to even think about bringing it down yet as it is all starting to take over .....

The problem is they are all small bits & pieces and tend to make the place look cluttered thats why I think they were put up there in the first place....Well I intend to sort them this weekend and probably will as OH is home and he gives me the kick up the arse I need ...otherwise I'd be here all day !!!!!!!!

Poorly daughter

2009-01-11T20:56:00.003Z

Haven't had as much time this weekend as I thought I would for my blog ;-(.....but I hope to take more photos in the week with the cra**y camera as DD has borrowed my new one until Saturday

DD has been poorly, vomiting spasmodically, since a week last Friday so has been staying with us, as everyone knows ''home is best'' when were feeling yucky and of course her daddy has loved having her home he says he loves hearing her and the 2 boys laughing together, they all have very similar SOH and have been watching Mel Brookes and Monty Python films...not really my cup of tea.
Anyway shes back at her apartment (since when did we start calling flats apartments!!) and her job tomorrow...but she'll be back next weekend.

I've got to think of something to do for Ebaby of Shabby Chic as I am sending to her in the January swap, and the theme is Cath Kidston so I am flicking through her catalogue for inspiration which is not happening yet

I 've only been involved in 1 swap so far but am amazed at the talent and thought that is put into these swaps they really are wonderful to see and receive, but I've really got to put my thinking cap on as I'm not very familiar with CK so Ebaby beware !

Also I have ''stuff'' to sort out as a giveaway which I will post about on here, hopefully sometime this week...I always think they are fun.
Right I am off to make pack ups and cut eldest sons hair and wash his work clothes that he forgot to bring down ......ARRRGGGHHHHH.... don't you love 'em

Nite Nite till next time xx

My Painting

2009-01-09T23:51:00.004Z

Up until my youngest was 12 I was a SAHM with plenty of time on my hands.....

I've never been precious about my home or the 'things' in it , so have never spent hours cleaning and polishing.....
I much preferred to decorate it and make it look as welcoming and comfy as I could, I also don't believe in having 'best' crockery, cutlery or glasses, preferring to use the china, silver and crystal for everyday, as what is the point of keeping these things for 'best' ....'best what?'...what is better than your own family, so when the children were at school I would fill the majority of my time painting in some way or other...

I painted a care bear mural on my daughters wall, the old mens wardrobe from the junk shop was covered with a lifesize painting of Snow white and the 7 dwarfs, my eldest son had his drawers and cupboards covered in Thomas the tank and the Turtles and I loved doing it.....I do have photos of these and will post these when and if I find them, ..

All through my life I have drawn, sketched and painted...

Something else I loved to do which I actually made some money doing was pencil sketches from photographs, mainly children, and also making salt dough figures, baskets, wreaths etc which I sold to shops but as the orders came in I did feel under pressure and the enjoyment factor went out of it....but I am thinking I would love to start the salt dough again.

From that I went on to just painting things around the house or items I'd bought from Junk shops like the old jug below which was a tatty plain white.....

It usually holds my artist paint brushes and then I did the mug which holds my
smaller brushes and I love them...

Other bits and bobs to get painted are stones from the garden and some wooden spoons....does nothing escape my brush????????????

These are the sort of things I want to start painting again plus alot more primitive and folk art items....Angels.....signs ...hearts...boards...and some will have fabric as well as paint....I've just got to buy the wood and start cutting out.

This is all due to me joining the lovely Shabby chic site the wonderful ladies there really inspired me and ''I thank you all''....I'm really looking forward to getting back to my painting..

Testing 123 and err 456

2009-01-08T20:35:00.000Z

Ok well this is a test post so don't expect it to make sense or be in anyway interesting ....I'm just rambling to see how it turns out. Hopefully I will be attempting to add some photos at the weekend, so you may have something to look at....tho don't count on it ;-)