A great little crochet book for beginners like me

I've always said that I could sew, cross stitch, embroider, knit, but there was one thing I just couldn't do and that was crochet. So when "Knit" in Shotton opened I called in. After almost fainting with excitement at how wonderful the shop is, I noted that Helen (my godess of the crafting world) gave crochet lessons. I immediately booked myself for a one hour lesson, and now I'm hooked. Pun intended!

My fellow crocheter, Dan at Frogs, Dogs and Ferns brought in a great book Cute and Easy Crochet by Nicki Trench, I just had to have it. A quick visit to the Amazon website and I had the book in my hot little hand. I've finished the circular cushion, which I will show when it's put together and now I am going to have a flick through for my next project.

I also treated myself to two meters of Cath Kidston's new fabric. It's just for me so I need to think about what I am going to make.

Hope you are all having a good week so far, even if it is only Monday.

Love Jane xx

My new vintage finds and a few unwanted gifts

Hi everyone

How bizarre is this weather? One minute it's pouring down, next, as is now, beautiful sun. Oh well good old UK.

As previously mentioned I went to a car boot sale on Sunday. I spent the grand total of £12 and bought some gorgeous things. I love them all and spend ages grouping them together to then change them all round.

Now getting to my unwanted gifts. Please don't think me rude or ungrateful but we were woken twice on Friday night by tiny squeaks. On looking,Gracie our black cat had brought in a big daddy mouse, which my hub rescued. We were then woken an hour later with the tiniest little mouse ever. Again this was rescued and put into our "small animal rescue box"' which we purchased many years ago. Many a little life has been saved, from birds, frogs, mice, newts.... The list goes on.

Gracie came into our lives at a very young age, she had been abandoned. Of course the Evans's are never ones to turn away a new little life and so Gracie became one of the family. She is rather aloof and disappears for a couple of days now and then. She will then just turn up with not one hair out of place. My daughter thinks she is a paw model who travels the world by private jet, chased by the paps, a worldwide icon. But I think I know where she goes, it's to check out all the best places for a bit of bird or mouse watching, and of course she never ever returns empty pawed.

Have a good week. Love Jane xx

Vintage sewing box

Hi everyone, I went to a great place in Cheshire called Blakemere craft centre as they have a massive emporium of vintage collectables. My hubby who is just the best at finding great things found this delightful vintage oak sewing box. I have put all my buttons in it. Have polished until it shone and now that my room is finished, it has taken pride of place on my new dresser.

Thanks for dropping by luv Jane xx

Smelly hound, furniture removal, what a weekend

Gosh we've been busy this weekend. I made two bags for orders, which will be delivered on Tuesday. I still have orders on the go. I needed to make two little girls a pretty bag for Easter. So I had a look through some books for inspiration, so I hope you like them. The lady I made them for is so pleased and says she feels like the best auntie ever as they are for her twin nieces.

I digress from my busy weekend. If you have been reading my blog you will know that we have knocked the wall between our dining room and kitchen down. So we had put our new carefully chosen furniture in there. But I knew my hub was not happy. After nearly thirty years of knowing each other, I can just tell. It turned out he didn't like how the furniture looked, so I must say I did agree, so we humped it all out and swapped it all with the lounge stuff. By 8.30 pm we were very hungry and very tired so we ended up with takeaway.

But that is not all. I decided to take Millie my ten year old American Cocker Spaniel for a walk to meet her two dog cousins Lilly and Ruby. Millie was so excited that she decided to roll in smelly disgusting badger poo, just for the occasion. So when I got her home, she knew what was coming....I have to bath her. She looks at me like I'm the owner from hell, so after shaking herself all over me, giving me a serve you right look, she retired to her basket, sulking. Will she ever learn?

I have taken some pics of the new room, hope you like it. Look forward to hearing about your daily tales of life. Love Jane xx

Well I've Reached my Half Century

Hi everyone well as you can see from the title of my post I reached my half century today.

 I have had the most wonderful weekend. Yesterday we went to the Glas Fryn in Mold for lunch with my two gorgeous daughters, my niece Laura and her partner and baby. Laura is my third daughter btw as I love her as much as my own girls. My sister Marg came, who although she is older than me is far more glamorous and prettier than me. My dearest friend in the whole world, Jacqui and her daughters Steph and Liss and finally Laura's partners mum Glo. We had a lovely time. I'm not a drinker so it wasnt raucous in any way, and I ended up with three birthday cakes..... Oops. My hub Dave and I went to Chirk this morning for a good mooch round the car boot sale. I got some lovely little vintage china pieces which I will post very soon. We then went on to Powys Castle, which is wonderful and belongs to the National Trust. We were casually followed round the grounds by a peacock family, who suddenly dumped us as soon as we had eaten our scone and walked off with an aloof expression. I said to Dave with a sigh that their colours would match perfectly with my decor if they would only come and live with us.

And finally home to carefully wash all my lovely new treasures. I've had some wonderful presents, cards, messages and love from all my dear family and friends and feel very loved. I hope you have all had a great weekend too with the lovely sunshine. Lots of love Jane xxx

Ooh ps, almost all my bags have sold again so back to it tomorrow x