Newmann's Flashes

On Sunday we decided to get out of the house and blow away the cobwebs while there was a break in the bad weather. We went for a walk around Newmann's Flashes which is only about a 5 minutes drive from our house.

The flashes are reclaimed lime beds which were once used by ICI and are now a popular place for walkers and birdwatchers to visit. It was the most busy I've seen it this Sunday, lots of dog walkers.

The trees and undergrowth are still bare but I did spot some signs of Spring.

Little L took her bike and got covered in mud. Opie got covered in mud due to running through it. Both seemed to enjoy getting as dirty as possible so it was bath time for those two as soon as we came home. 
It was good to get out even if it was only 5 minutes away. 

Folksy Friday - Bright Ideas

Since the middle of last year I have been looking for some battery operated led lights to put inside empty bottles. I never did manage to find any in a shop so I purchased some from Ebay last week for £2 each. They throw out quite a bit of light though one is needing a battery change already.

The theme for this weeks Folksy Friday is lighting.

Hannah Madden Printmaker

Spring flowers block printed lantern

Paper and Wood

Beautiful barn owl bell jar light

Pandera Art

Porcelain ivy leaf tea light holder

Driftingalong

Light pull made from driftwood

Shadowbright

I love the fabric used on the lampshade.

I hope you liked this weeks selection

Have a great weekend

Folksy Friday - Childhood Memories

With the popularity of the Netflix series Stranger Things and the film Ready Player One due to be released this year, the 1980's resurgence doesn't show any signs of waning just yet. I quite enjoy all the 80's references when I sit and revisit my teenage years. I'm glad I grew up in a time where it was the 'in thing' to wear electric blue mascara with purple eyeliner, something I'm certain I'll never do again. 

My childhood during the 1970's was a great time too. I do wish that I had kept more of my old toys although I do still have my beloved Sindy dolls in the loft.
Now that I've made myself feel old, my Folksy Friday theme this week is childhood memories.

Jessie Growden Design This Spirograph inspired necklace. Spirograph was one of my favourite toys when I was young. We bought one for Little L a few years ago but the new version is pretty rubbish in comparison.

Daisylions I love this Space Hopper decoration. Little L still bounces about on a Space Hopper here that belonged to Caleb when he was young.

Also made by Daisylions is this fun Dib Dab decoration. Sherbert was my sisters favourite sweet. She was forever getting shouted at by my Mum for getting it on the carpet and making it sticky.

Simon Lewis IllustrationI'm not much of a sweet lover now but I was as a child. We seemed to get loads of sweets in a 10p mix but then again half pence were still in currency. There was an art to eating those sweet necklaces without getting a sticky neck or twanging yourself with the elastic.

Nicely Made by Natalie This paper bunting is made using a complete vintage Mr Men book so that it can still be read.
I hope you liked this weeks selection
Have a great weekend

Folksy Friday - Bring Out The Bunting

I do love bunting and garlands and have made many for myself over the years in various styles. They are so quick and easy to make and can be made from a variety of materials. This week I made some more using retro fabrics. 

Here are some of the beautiful buntings that are available on Folksy.

Love Lottie Knits

Colourful striped knitted bunting

Patchwork
Pretty bunting made from handkerchiefs

Little Mouse Creations
Screen printed hare and flowers bunting

Walnut Tree Designs

Bunting made using up cycled vintage doilies

MollyMoochins
One of mine using retro fabric

I hope you like this Folksy Friday selection
Have a great weekend

Happy New Year

Late as usual but I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year. A couple of days before Christmas I started with an ear infection then after that a cold. Straight in to the New Year the kettle and tumble dryer decided to pack up. The tumble dryer was expected at any time though as it was acting a bit temperamental.
Right, that's my moaning is out of the way.

We had a great Christmas, our first with Opie and he was very well behaved considering all the excitement going on around him. He came to my parent's with us on Boxing Day and was as good as gold. He was so spoilt with presents from people, it was like having another child in the house.

You can tell by my face what I think of these pj's

I'm working my way these books that I received for Christmas. 

I also received lots of lovely bath products but I had a bit of an accident after using a bath bomb. I underestimated how slippery it would made the bath. Half in and out of the bath, the leg in the bath shot from under me, the other leg kicked the sink and I fell on to the tiles on the wall and back in to the bath. So I was sat there in agony in my slippery bath wondering how the hell I was going to clamber out. It resulted in a lovely bruise on my back.

Everyone is back to their normal routine here and Opie is acting a bit clingy, wanting to be cuddled more often. He must have enjoyed the family members all being home plus the hustle and bustle of Christmas