lady luck

Have you ever experienced a run of exceptionally good luck.  I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I've been especially lucky.  I am delighted to have won not one, not two but three gorgeous blog giveaways.

So, in an effort to spread the luck and love I will be organising a little giveaway here soon.

In the meantime I just wanted to say a big thank you for my gorgeous gifts.  To Lou and Eloise for the gorgeous print and pouch.  Like many of you I really enjoy reading Lou's lovely blog and have admired Eloise's artwork forever. Her cloud print will be happily adorning my bedroom wall.

To Dawn for the postcards and calendar featuring her beautiful photographs. Dawn's blog at home with red features more of her stunning still life photography available in her shop.  Pop over to see her.  You won't regret it.

And to Jane for this perfect print.  Jane has designed a new range of wonderful art prints for her etsy shop littleteawagon.  I was delighted to receive this one.  The little boy reminds me of my own pair of boys.  I can't wait to get it framed and on the wall.

How lucky am I?

I have waited and waited for a bright day to take my own photos but general greyness meant I had to give up.  All photos link back to their original sources.

great big stitched postcard swap: celebrate

First things first, thank you all so much for your well wishes for our little man.  He has bounced back to health and will be returning to school after mid term break and we are so relieved.

A few weeks ago on instagram I found a link to the Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap organised by Do What You Love for Life.

"The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap is a global swap of stitched postcard love, where people across the world make a postcard-sized piece of art using any materials they like. The only rules are that it needs to include some kind of stitching, and it needs to fit with that quarter’s swap theme."

As I love happy mail, I didn't hesitate in signing up.  The theme was celebrate so after being assigned my swap partner, it was time to get creative and make my postcard.

I loved playing around with different ideas and really enjoyed creating my postcard.  I sometimes become a little paralysed by uncertainty.  Will my partner like what I make, is it good enough but this time I just took the bull by the horns, didn't overthink it and made this.

I love nature and in particular all things floral, and as autumn had just arrived I thought 'celebrate every bloom' was an apt choice.  A reminder to cherish every flower before winter sets in.

I used origami paper, painted cotton and scrap booking paper for my card, drawing the blooms with ink and pencil.  I then used machine stitches for the border around the words and added bunting for a hit of happy.

I parcelled it up and popped it in the post to Julia my swap partner.

I was fairly pleased with my efforts but after visiting the Flickr group I felt a bit amateur.  There are some really beautiful tiny works of art.  You should take a look.

Swaps like these are always creative, fun and bring much happiness.  I was delighted to receive this beautiful postcard from Julia.  I love it!  I think I might have lucked out on this one.

The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap was a whole lot of fun.  I'm looking forward to the next one.  What about you, are you tempted?

creamed rice pudding

I noticed from your comments on my last post quite a few of you enjoy rice pudding as much as we do.  So I thought you might like the recipe for my quick creamed rice pudding.  The recipe serves four but you can alter the quantity to serve more people.



creamed rice pudding

ingredients

100g pudding rice

500ml full cream milk

100ml fresh cream

1 tsp vanilla essence

1 tbsp golden caster sugar

method

Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and cook slowly over a medium heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring regularly. You will know it is ready when the liquid has mostly disappeared and the rice is soft.

The recipe lends itself very well to change. When making it I always measure the quantities of rice and liquid but add the sugar and vanilla to taste. We like it with more vanilla and less sugar.  You can alter it to suit.

A little warning.  It does need a watchful eye as it can catch and burn if left too long.

The berry sauce is easy to throw together.  I use a handful or two of frozen berries, about two tablespoons of brown sugar, some mixed spice and heat gently.

As the berries thaw and mix with the sugar it creates a really lovely syrup.  If the recipe is for adults you could add some port as well.

I always make a bit extra. The berries are lovely as a breakfast topping too, on porridge or greek yoghurt.

Enjoy.

I just wanted to say hello and welcome to all my lovely new readers and also offer a little apology for not always replying to everyone's comments.  Time runs away with me but I do love to read each and every one. Thank you so much for taking the time to chat. x

liebster

"The Liebster Award is for bloggers with under 300 followers and the rules of the award is that the nominee must link back to whoever awarded them, write 11 random facts about themselves, answer the 11 questions from the award giver, and then nominate another 11 bloggers and make up 11 questions for them to answer. It's a great way for new and undiscovered bloggers to meet new people, get more followers and find some blogs that they want to follow."

I was delighted to receive the Liebster Award from lovely Jen at little birdie. A very happy beginning to the new year.

So here goes.  Eleven random facts about me.

I love bluebells.  Spring walks in bluebell woods make me happy.

I am a bit of a magpie.  Always looking for something sparkly.

My favourite crisps are pickled onion Monster Munch.

I really want to learn a new language.  Maybe Italian.

I can't imagine not having music to listen to.

One day I would love to own a caravan or campervan.

I would like to have been a midwife.  What an amazing career.

I plan to keep hens sometime soon.

I once met Bill Clinton.

I love kids movies.  My current favourite is Up.

I love to travel and my current dream destination is Montreal.

Here are my answers to Jen's questions.

Bourbon cream or custard cream? Definitely bourbons. I love them.

Camping or luxury hotel? Somewhere between the two.  Campervanning.

What's your favourite word?  Kayak. Palindromes are cool.

What smell do you like the most? Freshly cut grass.

What's the worst christmas present you have ever received?  I honestly can't remember. Probably so bad I have wiped it from memory.

Which is your favourite season?  Autumn, closely followed by spring.

Lego or Playmobil?  Lego no question.  I adored it when I was little and my little ones love it now.

Who is your favourite actor? Hugh Jackman. Easy on the eye and talented.

Bright colours or pastel colours? Brights. I love rainbows.

What is your ideal day off?  Spending the day outdoors in lovely warm weather, exploring with my family. Forest, beach, wherever.

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Vegetables, I love them .  But if I had to choose just one, then beetroot.

Eleven questions.

1. What did you want to be when you were little?

2. What is your favourite flower?

3. What's you most vivid memory from childhood?

4. You are invisible for a day, where would you go and what would you do?

5. If you could choose to live anywhere, where would it be?

6. What book would you happily read again and again?

7. If you were an animal, what would you be?

8. What is your desert island essential?

9. Are you an early riser or a night owl?

10. Do you have a favourite quote or saying?

11. Sweet or savoury, which couldn't you live without?

Spreading the love I have chosen 11 great blogs which I love to read.  I hate not being able to include all my favourites but the list is getting pretty endless.

ouch flower
lazy daisy jones
hello olive
vintage sheet addict
the view from here
cupcakery
two add two
tracey english
dandelion and olive
goldlion diaries
oooh betty

These lovely blogs are well worth a visit.  Pop by and see for yourself.

I'm looking forward to seeing your answers, if you have the time and energy to play. 

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A big thank you to two other lovely bloggers who kindly included me in the Liebster Award late last year. Due to lack of time and Christmas I never got a chance to pass it on, until now.  So thank you so much, Sue and Tammy.

not so lazy daisy

Just before Christmas my postman arrived with a parcel and inside all wrapped up so prettily.

Gorgeous gifts from my lovely friend, Lazy Daisy Jones.

Cue squeals of sheer delight as I opened parcel after parcel of beautiful handmade goodies.

How amazing are they? I am in love.  I am a little ashamed to say that the lovely doll was intended for my little fairy but I don't think I can part with her.  Can you blame me.  But I feel bad.

So after discussions with Miss Daisy it has been arranged that I can be her guardian until the little fairy is old enough to really appreciate her.  I think it's safer that way.

And those crochet toadstools, the cherry brooch and snowflake.  I love, love, love my gifts and if that wasn't enough in the parcel was some of the most amazing fabric tape.  I have been properly spoilt.

So to my wonderful blogging friend, thank you lovely Daisy for really spoiling me.  Isn't blog land wonderful?

 

This exchange of gifts was part of the Snowflake Swap organised by Kate.  Thank you so very much.

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Thanks so much to everyone for their comments over the festive season and welcome to all my lovely new readers.  I hope you enjoy it here.

Happy New Year. x

making mania

Just a quick post on what I've been up to lately.  I've been crafting like a mad thing for the Hookin' with Laa Laa Advent swap. 

The parcel contents are top secret.  They must remain a surprise for my swap partner.

It has been fun trying to make little gifts which complement my partner's likes and dislikes.  Hopefully I have got it right and she likes her gifts.

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I'm so flattered.  I have 100 lovely readers.  I never imagined anyone would be interested in my ramblings. As this is my first big milestone since I started blogging I think it may be cause for a little celebration, so I will organise a giveaway soon.  I will let you all know when I get organised.

Once again, thank you all so much for reading and to all of you who take the time to comment, I love to hear from you.  You really make my day. 

Happy Thanksgiving.

pretty parcel in the post

Last week I was delighted to receive a pretty little parcel in the post.

I was one of the lucky winners of the recent Silly Old Suitcase giveaway.  A surprise package of treasures from the lovely Maartje.

Maartje put together a gorgeous gift for me, all packaged prettily with a handwritten note.

My parcel of treasures included,

a button brooch,

a wooden crochet hook,

a crochet bow brooch,

a flower necklace,

pretty fabric pieces,

and scrapbooking supplies.

I am feeling a little spoilt and so grateful for the thought and care that went into my gift.

I want to say a big thank you to Maartje.  I can't wait to get creative with my new supplies and I have already worn the pretty button brooch and necklace.

Maartje has a beautiful etsy shop also called Silly Old Suitcase.  It is well worth a visit.  She makes gorgeous things.  Maartje is on holiday at the moment but will reopen soon.

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I'm off out after tea to a handmade christmas class.  I can't wait.  How easily amused am I?

eleven

The lovely Ada from Vintage Sheet Addict tagged me a few days ago.  I am to answer her eleven questions and then I will cheat the rules a little bit.

Here are my answers to Ada's questions.

  

What's on your bedside table  My bedside table is in danger of collapse with the weight of books and magazines balancing on it.  I devour reading material of all descriptions.  New books are one of my favourite things.

What's on top of your wardrobe  A box containing my wedding dress.

Happiest memories  Our wedding day and the arrival of our little ones.  We celebrated our eighth wedding anniversary on Tuesday and our second little boy's birthday on Sunday so October is a special month for us.



Favourite toy as a child  A Speak and Spell electronic game and my Tiny Tears doll.  I still have both although Tiny Tears is in need of some new clothes.

Your perfect holiday destination  Canada, we spent our honeymoon there and we are always dreaming of returning one day.

Spring or autumn  Autumn is my favourite season, although spring comes a close second.

What's your motto, number one rule, you live your life by  Live well, laugh often and love much.

If you had a time machine, what year would you like to land in  Any year in the 1950's.  I love the style and design from this era and would love to travel there.

Roast dinner or fish and chips  A roast dinner most definitely, probably chicken or lamb with lovely gravy and a huge selection of vegetables. Delicious.

What makes you 'belly laugh'  Most often my family.  Mr F, the wee ones and my two very funny brothers. Once I start laughing I find it very difficult to stop. It's always the silliest things start me off.

Favourite outfit, past or present  I have a couple of black dresses.  They are my go-to outfits for nights out and special occasions.  They are so easy.  I don't really enjoy the planning an outfit process.  I love to get ready and go with minimum fuss.

Now, the rules of this tag state that, each tagged person must post eleven random facts about themselves, answer the eleven questions set by previous blogger, create eleven more questions and tag eleven more blogs, with less than two hundred followers.

Due to my current brain fog and time constraints I have simply answered Ada's questions.  I cannot get my brain in gear to come up with eleven random facts or eleven new questions.  Please accept my apologies.

What I will do though, is mention eleven lovely blogs that don't seem to have been tagged yet.  I hate that I can't include all the wonderful blogs I read. This is a great way to find some lovely new blogs though.

Binds you to me, Teacups and Bunting, The Blooming Times, Imogen Eve, Scraps of Us, Tales from a Happy House, The Custards, My Rainbow Vintage Home, Modflowers, Little Buckles, Little Sleep

If you would like to take part could you please answer Ada's questions as it would be great to find out some more about all you lovelies but I won't be in the least offended if you don't want to take part ... xx

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The photos were all taken by me on our honeymoon in Canada.

goodbye september

October tomorrow.  Is it me or does September seem to have just flown by.  We have had a really busy month.

  

The start of the new school year, a broken arm, lovely family days out and returning to my upholstery course along with the everyday things which have been happening as well.

September has been fun but I am looking forward to October.

The school pickups will be in sync from now on.  I won't be constantly running in and out so I might have some chance of actually completing some crafting and cleaning and organising and decorating.  The list goes on and on.

I wanted to say a big thank you to all of you lovelies who sent my little man get well wishes when he broke his arm.  He is really well now.  His cast has been removed and he is 'all better', to quote the patient.

Our biggest problem now is trying to keep a very bouncy active little boy in a rather more subdued state for the next while to prevent further injury.  Not easy.

The photos are a little random.  They are of our vegetable plot this summer.  We were very pleased with our bounty considering neither of us has any real clue what we were doing.

We have wisely invested in some books to help us next year.

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My Mollie Makes project will appear here soon, a little behind schedule.

Wishing you all a lovely October.

a big thank you

The postman delivered a lovely parcel in the post yesterday afternoon.  I was a little puzzled as I couldn't remember ordering anything recently.  Then, I noticed the rosiebulldesigns sticker on the package.  How exciting.

I opened the parcel to find wrapped up in pink tissue paper the beautiful bag I won in Gina's recent giveaway.  I am winging a big thank you to you, Gina.  The bag is truly gorgeous and so beautifully made.

I am so thrilled that if you were here, Gina I would make you one of these.

A very decadent millefeuille pastry from Lorraine Pascale's recipe.  I know you're a fan.

Freestyling as usual, I altered the millefeuille slightly, making a vanilla flavoured cream and using some luscious strawberry jam and a few fresh strawberries between the layers.

So wicked, but what the heck, it's the weekend.

Wishing you all a lovely Friday and a wonderful weekend.

a lovely award

After receiving a lovely message, I was delighted to be awarded the Liebster Award from Ada of Vintage Sheet Addict.

Firstly a big thank you to Ada, I love your blog and am so pleased that you enjoy my ramblings.

I am really pleased to receive this award.  It is given to blogs which have less than 200 followers as a way to raise their profile and increase their readership and is a little confidence boost for the receiver.  It is lovely to know that your blog inspires and entertains others.

So to pass on the love I must choose five blogs which I enjoy and admire.

This is something I really struggle with as there are so many wonderful, funny and enjoyable blogs to choose from.  But here goes.  My chosen blogs are an inspiration and if you have a minute you should pop by and visit.

Tales of a Happy House

Morten and Me

Rainbow Vintage Home

Squiggling About

Scraps of Us

It was really difficult to choose just five, so to help me, I have tried to include blogs who like me are receiving this award for the first time.

Anyone receiving the award has the opportunity to pass it on to five blogs they love.  If you want to take part, please do and if you would rather not I understand.

Also, welcome all my lovely new followers.  Thanks to all of you who take the time to read and comment on the linen cloud.  It is very much appreciated.

mollie makes pledge

Earlier this year I subscribed to the wonderful Mollie Makes magazine, my mother's day treat and now I have a lovely pile of copies which will be treasured.

As the magazine is full to brimming with lovely inspiration and brilliant tutorials I have decided to make a little pledge, not written in stone mind, that I will have a go at one of the craft tutorials each month.

In order to keep myself motivated I will include a show and tell on here.  I was inspired to make my pledge by the lovely Gillian from tales of a happy house who has made some fabric mice and friendship bracelets. Gillian has a lovely blog which is well worth a visit.

Also, I don't think I can contain my excitement.  Why, you ask?  Well the lovely Jane from teawagontales included the linen cloud in her list of new blog discoveries!  Thank you so, so much Jane!  I really couldn't be more delighted.

And to make a lovely day even lovelier, Mr F and I are going out tonight, just the two of us.  This is a rare and precious treat at the moment so I'm off to prettify myself in anticipation.

PS ... I have just clocked the number of times I have used the word lovely in this post ... but I won't apologise - things are lovely around here!

thank you

I wanted to say a huge thank you to all you lovelies who read and follow my blog. I am constantly amazed and delighted that you take the time to read and comment on my ramblings.

I am really enjoying my foray into blogland and am looking forward to much, much more.  I love reading all your comments and emails and am so inspired by all the fun you get up to.

I also owe a big thank you to the lovely Kate who has nominated me for an award. You are too kind.

As part of the award, I have to divulge seven things about me, so here goes.

I could eat olives to a band playing, simply delicious

I love autumn so much so it's when Mr F and I got married

Three is the magic number, for me anyway

I am allergic to kiwis, a legacy of my first pregnancy

I am a business graduate but my heart is in the arts

I love blue, sky blue, petrol blue, indigo, any blue will do

I love to cook, savoury, sweet, anything really

A little random but that's how I roll!

After receiving this lovely award I am supposed to forward it on to other lovely blogs, so rather than upsetting anyone by leaving them out I want to say that there are lots of amazing blogs who deserve this award and rather than pinpoint any one in particular I think you are all lovely.  I hope this is okay, Bee x