Cottage all Christmassy

Got the wood burner fitted a couple of weeks ago and since then we have become mini arsonists.  The phrase 'burn it' is uttered a lot around here!!!  We have also learnt that the saying 'there is no smoke without fire' is untrue.  There has been many a time that the whole living room is filled with smoke but not a flicker of a flame can be located in the fireplace.

It has all been decorated up ready for Christmas and looks really cosy.  You may notice the toasting fork on the left hand side of the fireplace.  This is also a new addition to the house and we also use the slightly altered phrase from burn it to burnt it!!

 

Pond update

When we moved into our cottage, we were going to get rid of the pond but it has been lovely all summer hearing the trickle of the waterfall.  We have decided to keep it but there was a tree that attacked you every time you stepped anywhere near it.  We have now pulled it out and it makes the seating area feel much bigger AND we don't need protective clothing anymore.

The vicious (though beautiful) tree.

 

 

going

 

gone

 

 

Crafty projects

Some of my friends have said they would like to make a few things so I have created a couple of projects for them to come round and make.

Most of the projects have been inspired by images I have saved from Pinterest.

Check out my boards and follow the links.  The wine bottle tag is my own design but I did spot one similar after I had made mine.  The red card was inspired from a card I got from a friend last year.  I think she made it at a class run by Hayley.  Hayley Gillie is an awesome Stampin up demonstrator.  She shares projects on her blog.

http://craftwithhayley.com/

PMC

Here is the photo of the items I made using the precious metal clay.  The heart I put on a chain for a friends birthday present.

Kayak queen

Or maybe not!  Finally got on the water yesterday though to start with I did make Gary hold a rope with me on the end so he could pull me back.  Buying a wetsuit was fun.  God knows what the sales assistant thought as Gary had to come in to the changing room and help me into it.

On Saturday morning I took an introduction to precious metal clay course run by a lovely lady called Julia.  I came away with 4 small charms and a great sense of achievement. (Will take photos soon).  Loved the fact that if you wanted to go away and have a go yourself, she gave us hints and tips to keep the cost down.  Here is her web address.

http://www.juliarai.co.uk/

garden update

We have had the stones delivered and spent the morning putting 2 tonnes around the garden.  Really pleased with how it has turned out.

 

 

 

Cottage garden

We have made a few changes to the garden since we moved in.  There was a built in barbeque and some steps that were loose.  Gary took the barbeque out a couple of weeks ago and we removed the steps today.  Unfortunately it did make a frog homeless but we have put some broken pots close to where it had lived so it has somewhere to hide.  There is also a small slow worm moved to the flower bed.  (Wasn't over keen on picking it up but it kept wriggling off the trowel).

View from the garden room

Barbeque nearly gone

The steps without the slabs

The man with the muscles.

Barbeque and steps are now gone.  We have spread the gravel over the area but will be putting down some slate chippings.

Loving village life

We have well and truly settled into our new home.  Gary has joined the darts team and after his performance at the Karaoke night was asked if he wanted to join the village 'boy' band.  He has declined.  Anyone who has heard his singing will understand why.

I am just starting doing some crafting.  I have made a beautiful card for my beautiful niece and have no idea where I have put it.  Sorry Charlie.  Promise I will get one in the post for you though.  She is a very talented person and has passed all of her exams for veterinary nursing.  We are all so very proud of her.

There is a picnic in the village tomorrow with a small competition for the best dressed table.  I am busy cutting things out to create a beach themed table.  I am on sandwiches and a sticky chicken dish.

Must dash as I am needed down the pub.  It is for charity, I promise.

New chapter in my life

We have finally bought our 'forever home' and are busy integrating into the new community.  I think we will always be known as 'the people who bought Sarah's place'.  Purely to meet people, we force ourselves down to the local pub at least once a week.  The village seems to have lots going on though I did turn down the opportunity to cook for a fund raising lunch.  My baking skills leave a lot to be desired and even following Mary Berry's cooking instructions don't seem to help me make a cake that doesn't resemble pancakes!  (This is a talent I have inherited from my mother.  Unlike my sister who bakes wonderful concoctions).


The garden is quite small but is bursting with plants and birds.  It is costing us a fortune in bird food but we spend hours being entertained by them.  On our first day here, we thought we would take up some loose slabs but had to put them back as there was a frog or toad (don't know which) under each one.


Most of the house is sorted but there are still boxes that need to be unpacked.  Most of my craft stuff is in them and I am getting a little tetchy not having a glue gun close by.  I have had to buy cards for the first time in years.  Hopefully I will be able to start doing some crafty stuff soon including sending out homemade change of address cards.

Fundraising at work

I have been the community champion at Morrisons for 18 months and have loved every minute of it.  I have met some great people raising money for fantastic causes.  Morrisons has a charity that it supports through fundraising in every store.  At the moment it is Sue Ryder.

http://www.sueryder.org/

In April we held a collection along the theme of Alice in Wonderland where all of the managers dressed up and I made a costume of the Cheshire Cat to wear when I was giving out little tea and cake packages.  We raised nearly £300.

Cake made by a member of staff to raffle in our Canteen

The managers and me.

 

The little tea and cake packets given out for a small donation.

Cards made this year

Here are some cards I have made for family and friends this year.

Wedding card

We went to an absolutely fantastic wedding on New Years Eve.  My friend (Who was the bride) is completely off her head and to be honest we weren't sure what to expect.  Though we were not surprised that the bride and groom came back down the aisle doing the Morecambe and Wise 'Bring me Sunshine' dance.  Their first dance was Agadoo and the disco all night was pure cheese.  Perfect start to what we all hope is a very long and happy marriage.

This is the card I made for them.

Hunkydory Christmas cards

I got this kit free in a magazine and instead of putting it in my stash to stroke, I thought I would actually use it.

I used up most of the kit and added a few bits from my stash.  Ribbon, backing papers and used some of my stamps.