Positivity and Optimism - why I love the start of a new year.

Good morning!

I am typing this post at my kitchen table on our new laptop which we treated ourselves to at Christmas. It is lovely to be downstairs typing where I can keep an eye on people coming to the door, but most importantly be near the coffee pot!

Hands up those who don't love the beginning of a new year? 

I absolutely love it because of the chance, second or maybe third, to make a fresh start. I love the optimism, positivity and energy of the new year.

Here, we are working through the house de-clutter and home organisaion and it is going really well. The charity shop has benefitted from Harry's room getting a tidy up in readiness for a new bed and school has received three good bags full of books. We still have Alfie's room to do later today and my craft things have been thinned out as I really do not do as much as I used to.


On a personal note I've begun a Journal of Gratitude combined with a daily journal. I'm enjoying this as I could never manage a full on Project Life, would not have the time, but this way I can be thankful for what I have and keep a few memories, even if it is just when the boys make me laugh, like the other morning when they were singing to a song from Despicable Me! I have also made the decision to return to Weight Watchers. I love my baking and cooking so much but it needs to take a bit of a back seat for a while, apart from making things for the boys.

I have just finished catching up on most of my backlog of #Postcircle letters - only two to go now. I am looking forward to sending and receiving more letters this year. This will be quite important to me as I plan to cancel my Twitter account soon. I have come to the conclusion, as I did with Facebook, that my life does not need social media to the extent to which it interferes with my life. Don't get me wrong, I talk to some lovely poeple on Twitter but I hope I can maintain some relaionships by post or other means, maybe even face to face, you never know, it does happen they tell me!!! Anyhow, I hope you will continue reading this blog and look out for when I decide to start new one which may be in the summer. I'll let you know herewhen this happens.

That is all for now as I have a lasagne to make for tea tonight so we are ready for the boys to start back to Judo for the first time since we finished at Christmas.

I would love to hear about your plans for January and beyond and if you arein a positive mood like me.

Hope you stop by soon.xxx 

Pretty Nostalgic, me and mine.

After a fairly turbulent time recently, the newest issue of Pretty Nostalgic will very soon be hitting the doormats of its new Society members all over the country. 

 

  
The changes being made by the wonderful Nicole and her team are so exciting and I for one cannot wait!

So in celebration of this fact I have been looking at just a few of my favourite articles and features, going right back to issue1. (I was lucky enough to get my hands on every back issue and my book case looks all the better for it!)

As you know I have started sewing in the last few months and the regular A-Z feature in issue one was about haberdashery.  

There is just something about the idea of adding some nostalgia into a new project, I use these kind of items for things other than sewing, too. Vintage buttons and bows, fabric and fasteners. If you are looking for something special for your next project here are a couple of wonderful websites offering this type of sewing paraphernalia, Pocket and Pin and The Old Haberdashery. 

I have again chosen the A-Z feature in issue two as this is about afternoon tea. 

As you know I love baking and nothing beats a full cake tin when you need something yummy to go with a brew. One of my favourites has to be lemon drizzle, maybe because my boys and husband love it! Another regular bake is wholemeal banana muffins, often to be found in the boys' snack boxes on the afternoon school run with extra sometimes for friends at the park.

I am an established member of the #PostCircle scheme, thanks as always to the wonderful Anna from Tea with Miss Beatrix.

 I chose this feature in issue two about letter writing as I love writing to the eight or so people I have been regularly corresponding with for the last six months or so, due in part to Anna. I so enjoy opening my post box knowing the envelopes beautifully decorated with Washi tape, labels and stickers are from my #PostCircle and #happymail pals. We have great fun sharing our news and, as some of us are creative, we talk about our latest projects and I much prefer this to social media. I have no Facebook account and am seriously considering cancelling my Twitter account; only the other day I as explaining how I felt life is so instantaneous and there is no anticipation; that is what I love about getting a letter!

And lastly I chose an issue nine feature about Medical Memorabilia. I, too, have been collecting some sort of medical items because I bought a fantastic vintage first aid box. 

Since then I have been gathering things to pep it up a bit. Thanks to friends gifting items to me and buying some items from places such as flea markets, boot fairs and a website called
Vintage Purveyor I have amassed quite a collection as you can see. 

This is a really effective addition to my spare room.

I hope this vintage ramble gives you an idea of what you can expect as you turn the pages of this wonderful, soon to be, book. Join this Society which is helping us appreciate what went before, bringing it into the present and hopefully making our lives just a little Pretty Nostalgic!

Catch ya later. xx

Where does the time go - almost July!

Well I don't know what happened to June, really I don't. Time seems to have really flown since my last post, for various reasons, and I'll explain a little more why soon.


That aside, I have been getting on with a few bits and pieces. I finally got round to making some of the fabric fridge magnets a la Sarah Moore and I love them!
 

 
So much lovelier to look at when you are pining all that much needed stuff to the front of the old Frigidaire, I wish!

I am enjoying writing to new pen pals, some from my #PostCircle and others I have gathered along the way. A new correspondent, Kathleen in California, sent me some quite beautiful doilies which will be used for my vintage bunting I plan to make; very frustrating as I just need a couple more to start but I am picky, not me!, about the size I want to use! One of them is in the picture above.

The end of the school summer term is almost upon us and one of our wonderful teachers is taking retirement. She was with both my boys for their Reception class and gave them a wonderful start to their main school experience; an honour to have such a dedicated person to encourage and nurture my boys. I have decided to give her as a gift one of my journals I have embellished as the words on it are quite appropriate. We will add to the collection being made for other gifts, of course, but wanted to do something special as she has always been very supportive of my crafting projects. 




I shall also have to think about presents for the teachers of both boys' classes - a total of four, including teachers and teaching assistants, but then there are other staff members that help out who the boys really like but where do you stop? I like to make things for them so it isn't just a case of buying a box of chocolates; I need to get my thinking cap on. I did consider sewing some "Thank You" hearts out of the hessian I  recently bought from the wonderful Pocket and Pin.



I made the item below for my dear friend, Little Bohemian Butterfly, for her recent return to work; I thought something along these lines would be good for teacher gifts. 

What do you think?

 Well, I didn't want you to think I had forgotten about you or indeed that you had forgotten about me! So I hope you enjoyed out little catch up and I'll be back again very soon with more to share with you.

Catch ya later.xx

Sewing, crochet, dogs - you name it!

Well, this last week or so I have managed to get some sewing done, finally.

I sent for some fat quarters from Jane at The Little Fabric Shop, lovely, and I got started. I initially intended to make a cushion cover from some fabric I bought from Ikea but this was so cute that I had to use that first.

Here is my first ever effort at an envelope cushion cover; it is to put behind my back when I am sewing or crafting as I have a tendency to lean forward. My excuse for not trying to do a zip is that I do not currently have a zip foot for my machine. What do you think?
 

 I then got the bug and made this one to go in the spare room; this is the fabric from Ikea.
 

So now I am scribbling away in my sewing project book about all the lovely things I really want to make! Talking of scribbling - check out The Reading Residence, a fabulous blog run by the lovely Jocelyn who has been kind enough to include me today in her campaign to #BringBackPaper. It gave me chance to ramble on about journals, scribbling and stuff. Great fun! Check out the other articles on her blog about keeping stationery alive and kicking!

Now I think I mentioned that we have an addition to our family. This is Jake, a Border Collie and he is the grand old age of 13 weeks today. He is a bit of a handful at times, I must admit, but he is lovey and ridiculously cute, as you can see.

Thanks to Anna from Miss Beatrix I have joined a second #PostCircle. Anna was interested as to whether people would like to join an overseas group and I said, hell yeah! So I have a couple of new pen pals including a lady in California; I am very much looking forward to corresponding with Kathleen and the other members of Fallow Deer.

On Saturday I popped along to the latest event being run by Saddleworth Creative Network.
This was a three day Bank Holiday extravaganza where you could go along and have a try at a number of different crafts. Well, a very kind lady called Diana was very patient with me for about an hour helping me with the basics of learning to crochet. I hope now I can sit down and work out a few bits for myself and I will of course let you know how I get on!

I've been baking as usual to keep the tin full for the boys when they get home from school hungry as hippos! Can't quite believe that we have only just had Easter and in about two weeks time they are on half-term. Have to get organised with a few activities for that soon!

Ok, must dash as today is my catch up day for The Big Allotment Challenge with my lunch, plus my Sew magazine came yesterday and I want to have a proper look at that, too.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will come and enjoy my ramblings again soon!

Catch ya later. xx
 

National Stationery Week Is Coming Soon!

For all you letter writers, scribblers, planners, list makers and general stationery addicts, like me, our week of weeks is coming - SOON!

NATIONAL STATIONERY WEEK is March 31 - April 6 so visit their website because it is choc-a-block with items celebrating the written word, getting people to write letters, espcecially children, and tonnes of other fun stuff including competitions.

Why not put pen to paper and write a note or short letter to somebody today instead of emailing or Tweeting? Personally I have always loved writing letters and belong to #PostCircle set up by the lovely blogging lady Anna of Miss Beatrix.

I am quite a stationery addict and just love to buy beautiful notebooks, folders, files, anything I can write in really, even if I don't avtually need to use them right now. good to have them in stock just in case!
 
BTW, my English teacher always told me you could remember to spell the paper kind of stationery by remembering the e for envelope at the end not an a as is the standing still stationary. Just thought I would mention that! 

Hope you will join in with this wonderful week and that you enjoyed this post and will stop by again soon. x

A Little Catch Up On A Monday.

Hi. Thanks for stopping by - I really do appreciate it and look forward to you letting me know how you like my blog and its ramblings. Don't forget you can become one of my Friendly Followers or get my ramblings straight to your email box. Just check out the left hand side of the page for detail.

So, yes, time I let you know what I have been up to. Well, in the last week or so I have sent for, received in the post and replied to lots of lovely things. I received four letters from #PostCircle buddies and other friends then managed to reply to three of them whilst having some lovely me time.

One of the things I received in the post was something called a Weekend Box.  

This is a collection of activities to help occupy your little ones on a weekend. I know I never liked Sundays when I was young so this is a fun way to enjoy that family time. I am normally great at setting up activities for my two; a trip to the library and a quick (?!) internet search and I can normally come up with anything from a hospital role play set up or printables for an airport check in! I thought this would be fun and I did actually get a promotional code from a friend (thanks Jocelyn), who has a wonderful blog called The Reading Residence, so thought why not give it a go in readiness to use them when one of the boys has a birthday after this coming weekend?

I did a really dumb thing and bought a poor substitute for my regular calendar for this new year of 2014 and it just shows that false economy is a waste of time and money. I am waiting for delivery of a copy of my usual one, see here. It is by Sandra Boynton and the best planner/calendar I have ever had - as a bit of an organising freak it is just the job for me.

Something I am about to order in just a few minutes are the next two back copies of my new obsession Pretty Nostalgic. Being a subscriber means you can order these fab back copies for just £5. I  have sold one of my embellished journals so am using the money for a little treat. 

Talking of treats, I am stashing £5 when I go shopping each week to use as a treat for me and hubby. Not sure if I will make it two treats for the year or save it for near the end of the year or one every couple of months - have to see. Eeeek!

 I am currently doing really well with my Journal of Gratitude that I began at the beginning of January. See here the unfinished front cover which I MUST get done!

I am managing to keep up to date and I am grateful for that! as I would hate to waste a lovely note book with lots of lovely blank pages to fill with yet more of my ramblings! One positive quote I found which I tweaked for my Journal was "Always be happy with what you have whilst you are working towards what you want". So so very true. Loved that. For more of the same follow @the_speakmans on Twitter.

Today I began my Spring/deep clean around the house. I love the website called Orgnanized Home. I take some of my Household Notebook printables from here and when I saw this challenge I thought this was just the thing for me. This week sees me concentrating on the living room and today have made a great start with paintwork, curtain rails and lamp shades. The biggest job will be the sofas but I am up to the task, I  know it! 

Well, seeing as I lost the first draft of this earlier I think I will not tempt fate and just let you read this. Thanks again for stopping by; not sure why anybody would like to read my ramblings but at least I have a record for myself of the day to day life of me and mine. 

I am trying to do  some new things with my blog this year so watch this space.

Catch ya later. xx














 

What began as a magazine review....?!

 I began this piece of writing with the intention of it being a magazine review because today I received the first issue of my Pretty Nostalgic (PN) subscription.

However, as I gradually turned the pages it also turned into a wonderful trip down memory lane.

When I first enthusiastically tore off the plastic wrapper the first thing I noticed was the smell of the paper. Mmm. As I  meandered through the pages I noticed my #PostCircle was mentioned. (This was set up by Anna from Miss Beatrix, a lovely vintage-style blog I follow.)
 

 I was also reminded that when you subscribe to PN you will be helping a charity through a philanthropic £12 donation from the magazine. Also, when you buy a subscription you have the chance to buy the back issues for just £5 - I currently have issue 1 and 2 on order!

The article entitled 'Ready For My Close Up' was about vintage make up products. My memory was nudged about such things as 4711 Eau do Cologne in that distinctive blue and silver bottle. 

 I discovered kirby grips are called as such because they were made by Kirby, Beard & Co. Ltd! I was lead back to school days when, too many years ago, a boyfriend bought me some Norman Hartnell "In Love" talc. 

The images of talcum powder in tins reminded me of my paternal grandmother, as did the bath salts cubes. And while we are at it, can you actually buy perfume funnels anymore?! A men's grooming kit was featured and my husband and I recently bought something very similar for a family member as a gift. 

***Light bulb moment!! I think vintage beauty products would fit perfectly in my spare room!**

The next article which brought back memories was 'People Who Came To The Door' , about pedlars who, in days gone by, sold their wares from trays or bicycles offering anything from ice cream and haberdashery items to muffins and household products.

 It reminded me of Mr Crowson's corner shop when I was young with wooden floorboards and shelves behind the counter, but he would also come around the village on a Saturday with his van selling various items. Underneath the base of the van's shelves was a big, wooden drawer which, when opened, revealed a plethora of sweets and treats on which to spend our pocket money.

The 'Live By Our Motto' pages are something I am really trying to keep to, along with the PN pledge. 

I have mentioned in a previous post about having milk delivered, buying produce from the local market, making bread and writing letters. (You get the idea.) I have a small number of pen pals who live in places from Cornwall to Carmarthenshire - and I received two letters just today! On a family note, when my two boys are on their individual activities after school with dad me and the one staying at home play Battleships on paper and draughts instead of watching TV.

I hope you have enjoyed my little nostalgia trip. Each issue of Pretty Nostalgic is indeed a collectors item and should be treasured as much as the memories it evokes. This is exactly what happened when I read my copy today, and I have yet to get the most out of it by any stretch! I cannot WAIT for the next issue and I very much hope you buy your own copies to enjoy and treasure.

xxx

So Much Creating and Baking Going On!

Well I have so many things running around my head at the moment - Pinterest has just got in the way for half an hour so REALLY need to focus!

I am loving my #Post Circle, in fact this morning I received a letter from a new snail mail friend called Nikki. Check out her jewellery at Bead It And Weep. She sent me this lovely hand made bracelet for my birthday. How cute is that? (Oooh sounding a bit like Ina Garten there!)

On Tuesday I went blackberry picking after seeing on the news that there is currently an abundance of hedgerow fruit. We get a good lot of blackberries near where we live so out I went with my trusty basket and got plenty, baking a lovely pie was the obvious thing to do and here it is. The picture was taken just as it came out of the oven as I had the feeling it would not last that long, and boy was I right!

Free, foraged fruit. doesn't get much better than that, really!

Today I have pulled my Christmas craft supplies out from under the spare bed and had a look at what I have got. I have already bought a couple of new things but need to see what I will be making.

It is no secret at all that I love Christmas but things are going to be a little different this year, but more of that next week. Those of you who are paper crafters may see some Tim Holtz inspired items here. I really love his products and style so cannot wait to incorporate some more of it into this year's crafting projects.

Going back to my #Post Circle for a moment, I decided that I needed to really make an effort with the envelopes I was sending out. Plain white really does not cut it so this is something I am planning on doing in between other things. 

 
















 
 I finally finished the sewing project gift for my friend as I think I said last time and today it went in the post, so hopefully I will be able to share a picture once it has been received.

Well, have to leave it there as hubby will be home shortly wanting lunch and I have MORE baking to do for the school Macmillan coffee morning tomorrow. Planning on baking cupcakes in flat bottomed ice cream cones - will post a picture of the finished items!

Take care and stop by again some time soon. xx

Ideas for enjoying 

the autumnal festivities

Ok, today I am at the end of the first full week of the boys being back at school. We know our routine for the week, when Home Learning will come home and, more importantly, when it needs to be handed in! Friendships have been re-established and all seems well. 

We had great fun yesterday with it being Harry's birthday. I thought American-style pancakes would be a great idea for breakfast and they went down a treat. He just about managed to tear himself away from some new Lego in time for school and for tea we went to Frankie & Benny's for tea with the Gramps. My couponing helped here as I came across one on the internet so the kids got to eat free. That made my yummy pulled pork sandwich and everything else taste even better - though NOT good for my diet! We are headed to the local Strike bowling alley on Sunday with one of Harry's pals from school so that should be fun, too.

Talking of our routines, now the summer hols are over I have got back into my super cleaning schedule.

Even though I am lucky to have a lovely sized family home, I find I don't need to spend hours cleaning every week. This is the schedule I use and you could give it a try, whatever the size of your home, and with a couple of tweaks you are done and dusted (sorry) with time to spare. Give THIS a go and then you can enjoy the coming season!

This morning I stopped by at cupcakemumma2011.blogspot.com.This blog is written by my pen pal friend, Hannah. We are members of my Post Circle I talked about in my last post and Hannah was mentioning her bucket list for family things to do this Autumn. This got me thinking about things like pumpkin carving, which I love to do, though I am no where near a champion at it. Is this something you like to do and what do you do with the pulp? I think I will make pumpkin soup this year as I am not a fan of pumpkin pie, a tad too sweet for me.

Thanks for stopping by and let me know your Autumn plans?

Catch ya later! xx

A Bright Autumnal Hello To Everybody!

A great big hi there and hello from me! I know I've been away a very long time but I am so very happy to be re-connecting with you all, thus the reason for my first, long post in a while!

Autumn is my very favourite time of the year for many reasons. It is the start of a number of  things including my boys going back to school, each excitedly starting a new year in Main School. Of course Autumn brings us rich colours in this wonderful season. I always get very excited about this period of the year as it includes such wonderful things as Halloween, Bonfire Night, a number of family birthdays which means lots of decorating around the house and yummy baking for these occasions. It goes without saying that  the run up to that most wonderful time of the year - Christmas - will start quite soon, too!!  And you all know just how much I LOVE getting ready for the festive season!  

I made a fairly monumental decision just recently. I have deactivated my Facebook account, which also means I no longer have my Paper Craft Junkie(PCJ) page. I made the choice to cut out so much screen time because all my interests seemed to be based on spending an inordinate amount of time on Facebook. Just one day after leaving it well alone I really felt quite liberated, not wondering if a certain person had responded to a certain post of mine. I am gradually getting back to doing some crafting, rather than talking about it and looking at other people's efforts, I have plugged in my sewing machine again and I just feel I am concentrating my efforts on other things. Because I no longer have my PCJ page I am not putting myself out there when it comes to promoting the craft things I make - but I really am not that concerned. I really feel that if somebody is looking to contact me, and they try hard enough, then they will find me through a friend of a friend or another person. I know who to reach and I am more than happy with this arrangement.

(I do have to return to Facebook at some point to retrieve my photographs, but for now they are safe where they are.)

I recently joined a Post Circle with involves corresponding with people using the written word, surprisingly in this day and age, and I am also writing at times to a former Facebook friend.  You cannot get away from the computer because I use Google as much as the next person but I definitely feel better for not being involved in the lives of others for what used to seem every waking moment of my day!

Well, I think I will leave things there just for now. I intend to be back on a much more regular basis so give me this week to get sorted after Harry's 7th, yes 7th, birthday and then I will hopefully regale you with more non-blonde blonde tales of life in the Houghton household and plans for the coming months.

So pleased to be back and I do hope you will stop by again soon and please do tell your friends about Creating and Baking.

Catch ya later, Louise.xxxx