reasons to be cheerful...day 2

a cosy corner...World of Sofa...is that Mollie Makes we spy?? yum-my!

 

 

 

memories...memories.. trusty lounge sofa = sofa + bed...sat on and loved every day... place of repose for anyone not well...bought after daughter mine was born so wonderful grandparents could 'sleepover' whenever they came up on many a trip from London to see a wee baby girl...and still they come 14 years on...cushion in front I just love the fabric...cushion behind was an old pillow rescued and re-loved...with a patchwork of happy fabrics including some of MY Granny's...I love the simple cotton Ikea throw which despite being cream in colour...cat prints and crumbs ...even chocolate... just wash out so easily and it's lovely and light and bright...

...and just behind comfy sofa is a quiet cupboard filled with so many happy thoughts and memories stored in it along with all the toys and marbles and dressing up jewellery boxes and jigsaws and...so much more...just an old tatty cupboard bought for a song at the auction...and revitalised with trusty tongue and groove wood by husband of patience...painted by moi in a 'distressed' fashion so any knocks or blemishes just add to it's beauty....at least that was the theory...and 'dressed' with a beautiful cosy heart of love and loveliness from a dear friend...ahem, Rowa you know who...I do think if a piece of furniture is well chosen and simply painted it will be comfortable to live with down the years and so it is with this funny old cupboard which I love for it's tranquility and calm presence...hope you like it too...

  

 have a peaceful day out there...live simply and simply live! look forward to sharing more with you tomorrow...

Happy New Year

to you all where so ever you are and what so ever you are  doing...stop for a moment and feel the freshness and opportunity...I love new beginnings... turn over the page on the brand new calendar and it's a blank sheet...not just a new day but a new month and a whole new clean and shiny year full of possibilities....of long and lovely days to fill with amazing things! Life is wonderful and it feel like a fresh start after the rather challenging high jinks of last year...

and what could be nicer to begin with than my MollieMakes calendar, free with my last copy...full of delicious illustrations and inspiration...

 

 and I think these will be some of my resolutions for the year...

 

I am now on a little holiday after being at work this last week...huzzah... and it's a chance to look at the house afresh...do some house loving...take down some decorations...dig out the dusty dyson... and start something like a spring clean...no, only joking! It's only New Year's Day, give us a chance! 

actually what I have done is snuck down to my studio and had a making moment with a little brooch to start off the year....got lots of ideas and lots of plans...how to make a difference this year to me and my family and my life... and share the simple joys of life with other people too...looking foward to much more sewing, stitching and creating... and meeting more new people and sharing creativity at my workshops...lots more Making at The Studio ...

but also more making time for myself to 

a) have fun
b) relax and 
c) eat more chocolate...

and a final word from Mollie...

 .

oh to crochet away the day....

who wouldn't love to have many more hours in the day, and I don't mean more hours to spend on cleaning behind the cupboards and under the sofa or washing all the clothes so that the washing basket is empty (ha!ha!) ...and maybe even ironing them (never!) or investigating that strange smell lurking at the back of the fridge or doing more paperwork like checking when the car MOT is due or hunting for that missing electricity bill which disappeared 3 months ago under the teetering piles you like to call your 'office' ie the corner of the top of a cupboard in the kitchen.... next to the phone so you can call for help when it all gets too much.....

but NO, I mean all the hours you would lerve to spend on sewing, making, stitching, crocheting, knitting and looking at all your fabrics and generally just playing about being creative... 

 

...and when not doing that lying on the lounger in the warm and sunny summer garden and indulging in  reading some totally delightfully light and frothy chic lit ...can you tell it's raining and a bit grey today... I am loving the rain as it is so blessedly watering everything and is very welcome indeed but it isn't the day for lounging outside so I am spending a tranquil hour or so checking out delicious blogs and websites full of inspiration......

and here is one such...hand me that crochet hook and stand back.... inspirationality is at hand, just absolutely love little things brighten up my day - it certainly has done just that...

ingrid you are soo talented and make soo much loveliness...

and you've even inspired me to finish a wee bag I was making and I'm thrilled with the result.....I made handles last night whilst I sat  watching daughter running at athletics training (very tiring to watch...)

maybe I'll make some flowers to decorate it next...

mollie makes magazine this month is full of deliciousness too...just loving some utterly beautiful freeform crochet (p72) by hookandscumble....the website and blog are just full of gorgeous pics...go see and admire the maker's talent!

and then there are the delightful crochet girlies made by the fragrant and enticing emma lamb...you may remember miss pearl who is so much at home now sitting on a leetle vintagey fabric

and a lovely article in inside crochet magazine which is full of fresh new ideas for gorgeous crochetness and which I have treasured since February - so exiting to see emma's beautiful makes in print...

 

 and I would so love to make this lovely crochet blanket designed by rebecca velasquez.... maybe when daughter is grown up and flies the nest....when I retire and I have hours and hours to fill...well, a girl can dream...

 

rebecca says that'playing with yarn is her daily meditation'...maybe we could all learn something there, it sounds so much better than working...

and here's an opportunity...had a rummage at my favorite charity shop on Saturday...more pretty and delicate crochet mats to buy for a song and then bring home and play and arrange till it becomes something delightful...

and there on the bookshelf a shy and retiring 1970's gem...couldn't resist the title...and  the fabulous fashion....

 and some delightful table napkins........ 

and although rather brown,amazing crocheted lampshadyness tra la!

with excellent instructions, all looking rather sepia toned...was everything brown in the 70's?? Obviously I am far too young to remember....

not sure I'll be rushing to make the lampyshades as I like to have lots of light but it's good to see handmadeyness all around the home, ...I think I would have to make them in PINK...

and then there's the fab patterns to make some delightful attire...maybe you too could be a summer stunner in this gorgeous ensemble...

maxi's are all back in this season I note

maybe if I had just such a stylish skirt and top the sun would come out and I could flee the house, away from the encroaching dust and teetering piles and head for that sunlounger and some summer reading...