A couple more painted items

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

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

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

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 !!

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 ;)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!!

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

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!

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

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

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

          Oh thank you Mary Poppins Its really lovely of you xx

An award for me wahaaaaaay !!

                                   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 ;-(