Strawberries, sock monkeys and selling...

Oh my goodness, what a busy few days. Do you ever have days/weeks like that... when you just don't sit down for a moment, and when you do, someone needs you for something? I am not complaining really, I would much rather be busy and creative.

The weekend started with having my young nephew for the day on Friday.. he was very excited because he was going to spend the weekend with his Daddy camping on Dartmoor. So it was my job to entertain him for the day.. or contain him for the day. Actually he was an absolute delight to have.. very polite and helpful considering he was spending the day with his 'Aunty"!!!. Well what to do??? I gave this lots of thought and decided that as the sun was shining we would go picking strawberries... he was delighted as he had never been strawberry picking before ...

and of course, when he found out his first question was, "Am I allowed to eat them?" Well.... it must be a small boys paradise.. hiding away in a field being able to fill your tummy with the biggest juiciest fruit you can find!! I think a few found their way into my basket, but even more went this way....

Caught in the act!!!! Thankfully he wasn't weighed on the way in!!!

I also had some help from Harriet...

This has to be one of the best places to pick strawberries. It is on a hill overlooking Slapton sands and the nature reserve. You just can't beat it...

So here are the fruits of our labour.. well, of mine and Harriet's anyway!! Just look at all that strawberry deliciousness... I must say that I wasn't exactly and angel myself... I had to try a few... just to make sure... you know!!!!

After the strawberry picking it was off to the beach for fish and chips, a bit of rock climbing, kite flying boat watching....

... and thinking about camping with daddy....

We had a wonderful day together.. the afternoon was spent making some chocolate chip buns and then icing them with lurid blue icing... hopefully not too full of e-numbers or daddy might not get any rest!!!!

Saturday morning was a little less frantic and we had time to wander around the craft fair at Dartmouth .. lots of inspiration and hopefully a contact made to be able to teach me how to make lampwork glass beads.. I have been wanting to try this for so long... I was hoping to have some lessons when I was on holiday in new Zealand earlier this year, but I couldn't manage to fit them in with all the other exciting things I did... maybe I'll tell you about them one day. Anyway, if I do have lessons, I will be sure to let you know... the prospect is really exciting though.

Then it was home to deal with all those strawberries... I had already decided to make some jam.. this was so easy and is so delicious.. wish I could share it with you. Whilst looking through my Good Food magazines I found a gorgeous recipe for strawberry rocky road ice cream... mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!! This again was fairly easy.. bit messy when I was whisking up the cream and chopped up strawberries.. not sure who/what was most splattered.. me or the kitchen!! hey ho.. it was fun though. The only downside was that I don't have an ice cream maker... something I would dearly love, but totally extravagant, so it will have to wait... which meant that I had to remember to take the ice cream out of the freezer every hour for 6 hours to stir it! Then it was time to layer up the ice cream with mini marshmallows and crushed shortbread biscuit. I can tell you.. it's scrumptious!...

Meanwhile, Rosie was planning to go to her friends pyjama party in the evening and needed a birthday present... so, someone *whistle, whistle*, suggested having a go at making a sock monkey... that was how I found myself stirring ice cream, potting plants and sewing arms to bodies of sock monkeys.. good job we women can multi task!!!. Anyway... look at this gorgeous creature.. isn't she cute? I am happy to announce that she was loved instantly and now all her friends want one too.. and so does Harriet!!!

Look who's proud of her hard work...

... and here she is ready for bed and for partying!!! Can you tell she's feeling rather embarrassed??? What's more, I made her walk through the village like that too... what a mean mummy!!!

Now for some really exciting news.. after much thought and deliberation and lots of great advice form you lovely bloggy people, I have opened my first Etsy shop and it can be found here... www.yvonnetemple.etsy.com

I have spent hours today setting it all up and have managed to put 3 items up for sale.. it's not as many as I would have liked but I will steadily add things as this week goes by.. here is what is there already...

Green Lariat necklace...

Pink, green and orange charm bracelet..

Summer time beady necklace...

Please take a look and let me know what you think.. send all your friends and family for a visit too... especially if you are wanting an unique gift for your birthday, or anniversary.. or just because you are loved!!!

Thanks for popping by.. I do so love reading all your comments, so please let me know you have dropped in for a peek xxxx

All sewn up....

I'm finding it hard to believe that yet another week has flown by... where did it go? It seems to me that if you blink these days you miss it. I remember being told, when I was a child, that life passes by quicker when you are older... no-one said it would be this fast!! My Grandma used to say that she was always shocked when she looked in the mirror to see a little old lady staring back at her as she still felt about seventeen!!! I know the feeling... not quite reached the little old lady stage yet, but it's fast approaching!!! Talking of the older generation.. we had some sad news this week. The children's grandma, on their dad's side, died very unexpectedly in her sleep. She was in her early eighties, but there was no indication that she was at all unwell. Amazingly, she went on holiday to Australia with the children over Easter and they all spent 3 wonderful weeks together.. lots of happy memories that will hopefully help to see them through this difficult time. I am so thankful that they had this time to share together.. it really makes you realise that every day is precious and that putting ourselves out and spending time with those we love is never wasted.

On a happier note... look at my gorgeous pot... the colours are so zingy!!

Part of the reason the week has flown is due to the fact that I spent 3 days at the beginning of this week back at Pebbles, helping Mum finish off the bedrooms ready for opening in about 10 days time. I managed to make 6 head board covers and 15 cushions.... I thought you might like another look at what has been happening since the last visit...

This guest room is called 'The Lighthouse'.... note the headboards and cushions on the bed!!

A little boat.. appropriate for a house by the sea don't you think?

A comfy place to curl up and have a cuppa.....

This is where I would sit with my morning tea and gaze out to sea... watching the comings and goings.

This is the room that I stayed in and it really is my favourite... it's called 'The Sail Loft'. The views are stunning and it's light and airy and has such a peaceful feel about it. I slept each night with the window ajar and fell asleep listening to the waves gently lapping at the shore... who could ask for more??

This is my favourite cushion

More headboards and cushions... I lost count of the number of buttons we used.. over 80 at the last count!!

The beds can be zipped together to make a huge super king sized bed and the headboards also slide together to make one single board... clever eh?

We were so pleased with the way that the soft furnishings have pulled it all together... what do you think? If you are interested in going to stay or know anyone who would like some days away by the sea. please email me and I will let you have all the contact details.

Over the weekend I had a stall at another craft fair in Paignton.. it went really well and I met some lovely people. I had many enquiries about my jewellery and particularly whether I sold on the internet. I have been contemplating this for a while now and am not really sure whether to have my own dedicated e-commerce site, or whether to go with something like Etsy initially... I would really love some help with this.. if you have any advice or experience of either or both or yet another option of what has worked well for you I would love to hear from you... Help... Please?...

Thank you so much xxxx

Anyone for tea?

Some days are just perfect aren't they? Today was just one of those days. I spent a happy morning pottering around the house, tidying up (shoving things in cupboards.. they are now called friendly cupboards... you know the sort.... open the door and everything falls out to greet you!!) hoovering, making a cake, some biscuits and some bread (ready for scrumptious bacon sarnies) and then flicking the switch on the kettle in anticipation of the arrival of a very dear friend of mine. We have known each other since we were 12.. thats... mmmmm... quite a few years ago now!! She drove all the way from Mullion to come and spend the day with me so that we could catch up on all the news and tittle tattle. We sat in the garden for morning tea, munched on choc chip biscuits ... really easy to make and sooo moooooreish..... enjoyed the sun and chatted like two 12 year old school girls, just delightful. Isn't it great having friends that you have known for so many years that you can just pick up where you left off whether it's been 10 days or 10 years?

By the way, the kettles always on... pop by for a cuppa and cake anytime, I'd love to have your company.

xxxx

Yippee......!

Hurrah!!!!.... I can hardly contain my excitement... I arrive home from being taken out for a very lovely lunch to see a parcel waiting for me on the doorstep... Yay!! Good old postie left it sat on top of a pair of wellies that were sitting outside the front door... I love my postie, he signs for deliveries for me which is brilliant as it means I don't have to trek into town to pick parcels up, which can be very annoying as I don't head that way too often and am not good at waiting until I need to make the journey as the thought of having a parcel waiting is too much to bear.. I just can't wait!! Anyway, I am rambling yet again.... this is what was waiting for me..

(I had to be very controlled and not rip the paper off and reveal my gorgeous pressie, but stop and take photos of every stage!!! :o)

The anticipation.. look how gorgeous it looks already, so tempting....

Out of the box and two beautiful postcards are revealed.... these have scrummy pictures of Teena's work....

Ta Dah!!!! And here it is... it is so beautiful and the work that has gone into it is stunning... THANK YOU so so much Teena, I feel really overwhelmed by your generosity. xxx

As I collected the girls this afternoon, I was wearing my ice cream brooch... a small cone full of yummy beading.... and was met with exclamations of..."Oh Wow!!.. that's amazing! Where did you get that? It's so gorgeous.. it's so cool, I really love it..." Well... it is isn't it?

Knowing where to put the brooch was easy... wear it, but what about the heart??? On the big pine cupboard...

On my dressing table?

On the bed....

In the kitchen.....

Hanging from my beautiful artificial blossom branches.....

It has been a hard decision, but after much deliberation and discussion, the pine cupboard has won out... watch this space though as I may yet change my mind.... again!!

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I had a very productive evening last night... which also means I made a huge mess!!! Once I got started I couldn't stop... out came all the buttons, wire, pliers, ring stick and glue and I was off... Firstly a button garden began to appear before my eyes.. what beautiful buttony blooms....

Followed by brash buttony brooches....

Round ripply rings....

... and krazy, klinky keyrings!!!...

Just time to mention that, If you are in the area on Sunday, I will be at the Craft fair at Palace Avenue, Paignton... I would LOVE to see you. Come and say hello and have a go at making a button bracelet, or something beady!!

Am off now to have a stroll in the lanes, listen to the birds, watch the sun go down and have some space from the madness and noise of the house.....!

Have a lovely evening xxxx

A brief escape..

Can you believe the weather we had last week?? Wasn't it gorgeous? Well, I was a very lucky girl and was able to escape to the sea side for a couple of days and really enjoy the sun... My most favourite place to escape to is Cornwall where the sun sets over the sea, the sand is golden, the water freezing... but excellent for body boarding and catching waves... wheeeee!!!! Here are just a few  pictures of those two days..... is doesn't look like England does it? I could have been in the Caribbean sunning myself on the beach!

 

It may have only been two days, but the memories will linger forever and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to go... off to dream sun, sand and surf !

Have a lovely day xxx

Rainy Day....

What do you do on a rainy day...

 

With two crazy teenager's who are bored?????

The answer is... take a quick trip to Trago Mills ( not always easy to be quick when you go there especially on a wet day when the world and his wife decide to take a little trip there too!!! ) and buy some HUGE canvases  ( takes more time to paint, therefore amusing the crazy teenagers for a little longer!!) , sponge, paint and glitter....

 

... and set about painting in the style of one of our favourite local artists... Yvonne Comber 

Using acrylic paints we set about sponging the background...

 

Ta Dah!!!

 

Then the fun really starts... Flicking paint.. we eventually decided that bigger paint brushes worked best... they really sprayed the paint all over the canvas .... AND the kitchen:: despite laying out plastic on the floor, we still managed to splatter the cooker, washing machine, kitchen units...

Here we go.. the first 'splat'...

 

Adding more colour

 

 

OOOOH... it's so exciting...

 

 

Oh, and we also managed to splatter feet....

 

... and arms!!!

 

So here is the finished splatted painting so far... not completely finished yet.. this one is destined for my Dad... called Humpty by his grandchildren ... he didn't want to be Granddad or anything else so, as his name is Humfrey, it was decided that Humpty would suit him best... it really does suit his nature and the grandchildren love it!

 

Next comes an equally exciting, messy part of the painting, and this involves more paint and glitter.. yay.. look at the shiny, glitteryness of it all.. I love it....

 

We painted spots of colour with our fingers and then sprinkled with glitter... and Ta Dah.... here is the finished piece... the photo does not really show it off, but believe me... it is beautiful and"Humpty" was thrilled with it...

 

A signed masterpiece....  from a granddaughter to her 'Humpty'...

 

I said it was messy didn't I??? 

We also splatted two other canvases, one for Harriet's bedroom and one for my lounge...

As you can see, we decided that it would be a good idea to finish these ones off in the garden as it was a glorious evening and I had spent a very long time scrubbing the kitchen clean!!!

 

The canvas on the left is for Harriet's room 

 

 

And here is the finished painting... It's so so gorgeous. I get so excited when I look at these canvases as the colours just jump off the page and the glitter adds another brilliant dimension... don't they remind you of summer gardens? ... foxgloves, lupins, delphiniums, daisies... What can you see?

 

This canvas is now hanging in my lounge and looks so perfect, it pulls all the colours together from my sofa, shelves full of china and the garden...

 

They were so easy to do and really didn't need any artistic talent, I would strongly encourage you to have a go ... all children would love to have a go and the results will be different, yet stunning every time.

I have been lucky enough to have a couple of days away in my favourite place this week... pics tomorrow.. and then came home to no internet connection, so have only just found out that I have won a blogiversary giveaway from the delightful Kitschen Pink... Yay!!! I am so excited and can't wait to have the parcel arrive on my doorstep... already planning where to put them... hmmmmm... let me think...

I hope that, if like me you've had rain today, you've found something fun and creative to do. 

Till the next time.. xxx