Happy Halloween?

Living where we do we don't get many trick or treaters, I did have some treats on stand by but as it's nearly 9pm I guess I will just have to eat them myself!

I have had a fantastic few days.

Sunrise on Thursday morning

I managed to spend two whole days crafting and got together my PIF's so they are almost ready to send off!



as you can see there seems to be a lot of Christmas looking things going on.....



....I can't show you to much, it will spoil the surprise!


Lucy came to check out what I was doing.

Sunrise on Friday morning

I also popped over to see my mum and we went to her allotment and I brought home lots of lovely kale and a cabbage!



Remember this post? well I had a phone call out of the blue and was asked if I could call in the Parish Council office to pick up this.....

A KS day in Preston

Yesterday I spent the day in Preston with my KS, Shan. There was a packed itinerary so almost as soon as I was at her house we were out of the door.

Coats on, handmade poppies ready?

check.

Shan had needle felted her own and mine was made by Colette at Poppy Cottage. (money will still be put into the British Legion collecting tins.)

Right into town and hit the shops. Such excellent bargains to be had. we go to the market where one of Shan's favourite stalls is having a closing down sale. The bargains there!

Feeling hungry?

check.

We went to Oliver's. An Italian cafe bar with excellent food and bargain prices. More bargains!

Then through the car boot/flea market and onto Aberkan's.

If you are into fabrics and crafting it's a great place to explore. Shan had to buy some things for her sewing projects and well I had to buy more yarn for my Christmas throw plus a 'few' other bits and pieces!

Then back to Shan's for a coffee and a tutorial on jewellery making! yes Shan gave me a lesson on making a bracelet using seed beads and buttons and wire. She's a good teacher look-

Maybe I could make some for my blogshop?

I took a photo of my goodies I bought this morning.

Want to see?

Think there is a bit of a Christmas Theme going on here?

check!

Two posts in one day.....

....I spoil you!

Well today has been a VERY LAZY day here. A few minor chores were done but nothing else really. I did do a post this morning and this is my second one of the day.

I had to show you a photo of Clemmy (short for Clementine) my in-law's cat. He is so regal isn't he?

I got given this bag of lace and ribbon by a lady at the Cats Protection Fair. I will make something for them to sell at their Christmas Fair on 21st November.

I have used one of Simone's owl tags on a birthday pressie for a friend, look good don't they?

Saturday morning in our house is Hubby, Lucy and I eating crumpets in bed reading the newspapers and looking at this wonderful view! It was beautiful-in between the showers last Saturday!

This is the main road in the valley down from our house. The fields on the right of the picture go down to the river then up the steep hill are the trees opposite our house giving us those fantastic views. The fields are greenbelt but unfortunately the council want to build 300 houses on them and this will be awful for the wild life. We have seen deer roaming those woods. I know people must live somewhere but feel there are plenty of brownfield sites that could be used first?

And finally, I have only gone and done it!

What?

Gone and taken the hint.

What hint?

I have opened a shop!

No, where?

Here!

Thoughts, thank you's, hello's and wants.....

Gosh what a title!

First Thanks to all those that left lovely comments about my brooches and paintings in the last post. I think I may try and set up another link to something to do with my paintings, you never know do you? I am honoured that people who are clearly talented in their own right say they like my paintings. A true compliment.

The Hello is to some new followers I have. Some I can't trace a link back to any blog so if you have just started to follow my blog, thank you and please email me your blog address if you have one. Also I have had a few comments from people that also don't have blogs. Thank you to you too for your lovely comments about my everyday ramblings!

Now I so Want to go and see two films just out.

Bright Star about the love affair between John Keats and Fanny Brawne.

and for something completely different.....

I read an article about the new film Fantastic Mr Fox.

It looks like it's going to be a good film, just need to find some children to drag along....

I have to say I was really interested to read about how they made the film using models and slow motion animation sometimes making only 6 seconds of film in two days!


There is attention to detail with Mr Fox aging and getting grey hairs as the film progresses. His suit is a 'tight fitting corduroy suit made from one of Wes Anderson's old suits' and 'the stripy jumper worn by rat was knitted-but first the team had to whittle tiny knitting needles'

here we go....

Sorry, this is a long post! Been a busy couple of days here. What with work and Craft Fairs....

I attended a Visual Arts Launch at Rochdale Town Hall on behalf of our school on Friday. I didn't think I would enjoy it but when I got there and watched all the children doing song, dance, acting and music and looked at the exhibitions from organisations that promote art in schools I relaxed and enjoyed myself.


The Town Hall in Rochdale is a wonderful building.



Built in 1871 the Stained glass was admired by Adolf Hitler who was planning to have the building shipped back to Germany when he won the war.

The flags up the stairs were made by local school children for the event.

The stained glass is fantastic.

The above window is in the Great Hall, the ceiling is dark wood and my photos of the room itself didn't come out well but it is a breath taking room.
In some of the smaller committee rooms the decoration has painted walls and ceilings some depicting the local trades and crafts such as spinning and weaving.

Then today I went to the Craft Fair organised by the Cats Protection.

I was at the church hall by 9.30am-yes 9.30 on a Saturday morning!

The other stalls had lots of things to set up but my little stall was up and ready in no time. Do you like the red polka dot oil cloth I used?

Here is my basket of flower brooches (I managed to sell 7 of them today!)

I got some interest in commissions for my paintings so we will see.

I started a painting of my mum's dog, Toffee. I find I get quite a lot of painting done (I don't feel guilty about not washin up!) I set up a similar stall at the Cats Protection Christmas fair and sell raffle tickets to win a pet portrait.

So I told you it was a long post!

Getting ready

Autumn is here and we have had the most wonderful sunny days where the grass is burning golds in the sunshine and the trees are glowing. Today however has been dull, grey and windy and soon those golden leaves will be blown away and the trees will be bare and winter will be here.

The garden was lovely in the dusk last night, the woods opposite were bright and my dahlias were glowing. I collected some hydrangeas and put them in the lounge to dry.

I went up into the loft to look for a basket to put my flower brooches in on Saturday and found some things I had forgotten about.

A tapestry I had done of Lucy ages ago, I think I will make into a cushion. My dads old tiny brown case, all battered and bruised. I need to re-line the inside. A basket for my brooches and a tin that will come in very handy. There was also a patchwork made by Hubby's Gran many years ago and Made up into a nightdress case. All things my new found interest in vintage and crafts has made me look at in a different light.

The view from my 'study/craft room/junk room' is very autumnal too. One day I will have a lovely 'workroom' Hubby has promised-and he ALWAYS keeps his promises-One Day!

Today I received some tags I purchased from Simone. They are so lovely and beautifully made. Pop over to see what other goodies she makes and sells here.

That Sunday feeling

I don't know about you but I still dislike Sunday evenings, as it starts to get dark the feeling of the end of the weekend and that 'school tomorrow' dread comes back. Don't get me wrong, I love my job but I love being at home more!

Yesterday's crafting had to be postponed as I popped over to see my mum. She's not having a good year health wise and I went over to make her some tea and stayed till after 'Strictly'

So today, after popping into the garden for a coupe of hours this morning I got on. I picked the last of the produce from the garden, some tomatoes, carrots, beans, an onion, a tiny cucumber and some dahlias (still loads of dahlias but I left them for the bees still flying around in the late autumn sunshine.)

Then it was upstairs to make some flower brooches to hopefully sell next Saturday. It's the Cats Protection Christmas Craft Fair.

I have not looked at my Autumn/Christmas Granny squares blanket for months and I am still in the middle of making my PIF gifts and my little 'secret project' is slowly coming on. I plan to get LOADS done in half term-only one week left-yippee!!!!!

Now ages ago the lovely Tracey gave me an award. Thank you Tracey!

The 'Lemonade' award is for "seeing blessings where they're not obvious and make lemonade instead if complaining about sour lemons"

I have to name some things I am grateful for-

:: my family and friends, always there whenever they are needed

:: a good husband, always supportive

:: my health

:: a lovely house and beautiful country to live in

:: my art, photography and crafts-it keeps me busy and in touch with -

:: my bloggy friends!

Now I will pass this onto-

Jennyflower
Little secrets from my garden

Marmalade rose

The Linen Cat Blog
Susies country cottage

Just because I enjoy reading them!