Getting my crafting on.

I've been experimenting with the vintage wallpaper from yesterday. 

First I took the box frame apart, removed one of the matting boards and then frame a small swatch of wallpaper. I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for things to add into the frame. I tried adding a few of Gman's mini trains but it didn't look quite right. 

I put the frame on top of his bedside table and was struck with a surge of inspiration.

What do you think? I'm really pleased with how they've turned out. There's still a huge amount of paper left on the roll too, so there is plenty for more projects.

I shared the photos of my upcycling on Facebook. Within ten minutes two people had messaged me offering some Thomas curtains and bedding. I was given both on the school run and rushed home to get his new curtain put up. 

The second curtain will become some cushions for his bed shortly.

I feel so blessed today.

X x X

Charity shop haul

We donated a hefty pile of odds and ends today while the children were at school. 

Of course I couldn't resist a quick mooch while I was there.

(Another!) Box frame - 50p

3 Math card games - 20p for all 3

Vintage Thomas wallpaper- 50p 

 The frame and wall paper will be used to decorate Gman's room. 

I also picked up this pretty notice board type thing. It's perfect for my heart themed dining room. I'm going to look out for little heart themed images to display on it. 

Well worth 50p.

What bargains have you found lately?

X x X

It's Friday

After dropping the girls off at school this morning we toodled down to Havant for toddler group.

The two smallest had a lovely time with their old friends and I really enjoyed catching up with some of my mummy friends. Lots of babies seemed to have arrived during the Easter holidays so there were some tiny baby cuddles to enjoy too.

This afternoon I finished the final shape for the Christmas garland. I'm really impressed with how they all turned out. 

The next project is making small stockings for everyone. Tonight's job will be cutting out the pieces ready to sew. There is a pattern in the book but it needs enlarging so i might attempted drawing it freehand.

I'm looking quite forward to making them.

X x X

Curtain Christmas

Gman went back to preschool today so it's just down to Baby W!

Hubby isn't working until this evening so between us we blitzed one level of the house together which only took about an hour. As a reward for hard work I treated myself to a White Chocolate and pistachio coffee. I picked up the box yesterday in poundland, I'm glad I did it was delicious! 

Baby W decided she'd had enough of watching us tidy up and decided to catch up on some beauty sleep. While Hubby played video games I got crafting.

The photo above is a pair of curtains we were gifted to move home with. They covered the patio door nicely width-ways but were a good 8 inches short on length. My eagle eyed mum spotted a beautiful pair of cream curtains at the weekend that were the perfect length so I've switched them both over.

So....the old curtains are now going to be the base of my homemade Christmas. I'm not quite sure if it'll work as an idea but let's have fun trying.

Project one is a simple hanging garland of Christmas inspired shapes. I've used the curtain fabric for the front and the lining for the back to conserve the prettier fabric. There's about 8 different shapes to make but they sew up quite quickly so I will soon blast through them. They make a nice pick-up put-down project to do between other things like waiting for the kettle to boil etc.

I can't decide if I want them hung on ribbon or a nice piece of hairy string. 

What do you think readers?

X x X 

I'm still around....just

Life has been hectic but I'm hoping it calms down a little now.

My two eldest girls went back to school today after the Easter holidays. The two smallest went to a morning session at a local soft play with our usual Tuesday morning group. 

They are now both fast asleep enjoying an afternoon nap so I find myself twiddling my thumbs for the first time in a while. 

I started by enjoying a freshly brewed cup of tea and flicking through my latest charity shop bargains. The first a very inspiring book on self sufficency.

The second a beautiful book called Homemade Christmas. I like several of the ideas in it including some very sweet handsewn tree decorations I might be tempted to have a go at. They'd be a nice project to do in the evenings when the children are in bed and I'm enjoying some Netflix.

 X x X

Monday

My goodness April has arrived already! How did that happen? 

I had some errands to run this morning so i popped in to see my Mum for a belated mothers day visit and then headed into town.

In Tesco I found some reduced Kale (24p) and teacakes (52p). In the Co-Op I found a bunch of celery (39p) the last bunch I bought there is regrowing nicely so I've been watching out for more reduced bunches. 

I also picked up the current £5 meal deal in Co-op. They tend to be very generous with portions so I often get two meals out of one selection. Tonight we will have the crispy chicken and chicken burgers. I'll use half the peas, alphabites and ice cream.

The fishfingers will save with the remaining bites and peas for another meal. Whether the ice cream makes it remains to be seen. It has habit of disappearing.

This afternoon I completed the first picture in my new mosaic stickerbook. I recieved it yesterday as a Mother's Day present. I quite enjoyed peeling all the tiny stickers and finding the right space for them. 

I'm tempted to start the next one tonight.

X x X