Nonnie

Todays Inspirations

Some Christmassy images that are inspiring me today. All from Creating Your Perfect Christmas by Antonia Swinson.

A little bit of toast

If any of you of fans of the gorgeous clothes by Toast, then you should definitely check out their new homeware range. Lots of gorgeous, simple looking products. The colours are quite a departure from my usual colour schemes. Maybe I'm finally being influenced by the designs I have to work on in the day job which definitely tend towards the neutral colour palette. Here are a few that are going to be making their way onto my wishlist.

You can never have too many tea towels in my opinion. I love the simplicity of these. They'd look great with my Cornishware and red enamel collection.

What could be nicer for keeping feet snuggly during the coming winter months than this cosy hot water bottle cover.

I love candlelight in the winter evenings. This lantern would definitely create a welcoming glow.

Perfect for snuggling under in front of a good film.

It may be a practical product, but I think this washing up brush definitely beats the plastic versions any day.

If I decide I want a change from my roses and pink stipe bedding then I think this natural ticking stripe would be lovely.

Forgetting the photos.

I know I promised photos of Christmas decorations and new stock today but I have to be honest and admit I was a little hasty. I haven't actually photographed everything yet and it slipped my mind last night as I got engrossed in other things. So instead you've got photos of the rather lovely little still life Mum set up on her kitchen worktop last weekend before we went off to the village harvest lunch.

So last night I had a lovely time pottering around my flat. I will admit that I had a moment of sadness when I first walked in but I soon pulled myself together. Actuallly my sister came up with a very good idea the other evening. One thing about living alone that isn't so pleasant is coming home to a dark flat. Not so much walking into it but more the walking along the street and seeing the dark windows where normally there would be light shining out. So Catherine suggested I get a timer for one of my lamps. Set it to come on just before I know I usually get home and problem solved. A cosy looking window to greet me as I come down the street. Anyway, I'm digressing. Once I pulled myself together I had a lovely evening. While I was at Ikea the other week I bought myself lots of new tea light holders and tons of tea lights so I made the sitting room cosy with lots of twinkling light plus a couple of cosy lamps. I cooked myself a lovely chicken and vegetable stir fry then settled down to watch 'The Restaurant'. Oh how I love Raymond Blanc. He really is the classiest of all TV chefs. And as for his restaurant! I've decided it's my mission to find myself a man who will take me to Le Manoir! Well, you've got to set your sights high haven't you?

A number of people have suggested chocolate as a good treat for looking after myself and cheering myself up so I took their advice and enjoyed more than a few squares of Green and Blacks milk chocolate and almond while watching the poor contestents on The Restaurant being put through their paces in Le Manoirs busy kitchens. Feeling very content I then felt inspired to attack a huge pile of filing and magazine cuttings that has been threatening to collapse due to it's height for weeks now. I'd been dreading the filing task but actually got it down in about half and hour. I felt very virtuous so rewarded myself with more chocolate and another hour of cutting up lovely magazine clippings. I need some more scrap books for them to go in now. It really was a pleasure spending 'me' time in my lovely calm and cosy living room. I just have to get the rest of the flat looking as good but I definitely feel inspired.

I have a good weekend ahead of me. This evening I'm going to the cinema with a friend. There are so many films I want to see at the moment and to be honest I can't for the life of me remember which one we decided on so that will be a pleasant surprise later. Tomorrow I'm planning on a lot more pottering in the flat and some more sewing. I could do with just a little more stock for the fair next Saturday. At some point in the day I'm planning on using my Birthday present from my Sis and Brother-in-Law. They bought me a years membership to Kew Gardens meaning that I can go in when ever I want. I don't know why I've never bought it myself before given that the gates are about 50metres from my front door! I think I will go first thing in the morning before it gets crowded. Then again, I could go first thing and later in the day. I can treat Kew Gardens like my own back garden from now on! Sunday I'll be over in Buckinghamshire at my Sisters. It's my gorgeous little nephews 2nd Birthday in a couple of weeks and he's having a joint party with 3 other little ones on Sunday. I can hardly believe it's been two years since he was born. He's totally adorable, talking really well and so funny and sweet. It always brightens up my day to spend time with him.

Next week I will bring you Christmas decoration pictures as well as hopefully some autumnal scenes from Kew. Wishing you all a lovely weekend and thank you to all of you who continue to send me such lovely words of support at what has been a really difficult few months. I'm getting through it and you ladies are making the process so much easier. xxxxx

More of those Autumnal scenes

I hope you won't all be too bored with more autumnal images from the Cotswolds! I escaped to Mum and Dads again this weekend and couldn't resist going into their beautiful garden with my camera again yesterday afternoon, even though the weather was a little overcast. Not exactly ideal photo taking weather. But I just can't resist capturing Autumn. The colours are beautiful at the moment and I even found a few roses still blooming.

Mum had put one of these in a small vase next to my bed but there were still a few outside. I love the faded colour.

I know I'm copying Jane here, who has already posted images of her wood pile but I couldn't resist a photo of this satisfying looking pile. I can't wait for visits in the coming months when the sitting room will be snug with the heat from the wood burner and there will be the fantastic smell of woodsmoke in the air. There's something so cosy and comforting about that smell.

Don't Mum's newly replanted pots look lovely? I think pansies are so cheerful in the autumn and winter months. Like little smiley faces bobbing in the breeze. They look really cute sitting around this lovely lady.

I love some of the views that are created by objects in the garden. These are two of my favourites.

Work on the fair items is going well. Hopefully I'll have some pictures to show you by the end of the week. I took a little break from it this weekend in terms of making but the ideas were still flowing and being noted down.

I'll leave you with a little splash of summery colour in this autumnal garden. x

Oh, I nearly forgot. I've added a link on the right to my sloe gin instructions. Give it a go, it's really easy and totally delicious.

More Lovely Post

I just love making little purchases on Etsy and Ebay because it guarantees lovely post which is always nice. I've been doing a bit of spending lately and the parcels have started to arrive. First was this gorgeous little package from Sepia Art Studio. I paid my first visit to this cute blog last week and then on to Delila's very lovely Etsy Shop where I just couldn't resist buying. I would definitely recommend a visit.

Look at these sweet little pegs in a gorgeous little dish. Not sure what I'm going to do with them yet but I'm thinking they'll probably make an appearance on some of my cards.

I also got this very pretty ribbon. I'm loving green at the moment and this is a really wonderful shade. Again, card making I think.

The next blog discovery I made was the sweet Pretty Petals Boutique and again, within minutes I was over to the Shop and buying again! But look at the loveliness I found. A beautiful floral table cloth and four napkins.

I haven't yet decided if these are going to be recycled into something new or used as they are.

I'm now waiting for a package of lovely white linen sheets that I bought on ebay. They're totally plain so will be cut up and used for cushion backs. Hopefully they'll arrive in the next few days. I think the girls on our reception at work must think I'm a bit odd given the strange selection of things that arrive in the post for me. It's easier to get things sent to work rather than having parcels left at home, but teeny tiny pegs and floral table cloths are not really the 'Studio Reed' look. I have to hide my parcels away under the desk for fear my boss might see my gorgeous pretty things and have me thrown from the building! Only joking of course but I really don't think they'd understand the 'Nonnie' look.

More sailing this weekend, this time on our friends boat. I will be taking a ton of sun cream, a very large hat and lots and lots of water. Having done all that it's bound to rain!

Have a lovely weekend and see you all next week. x

I love new books!

I've been picking this book up in Waterstones for weeks now trying to decide whether I really needed it. How silly! Of course I need it and anyway, does it really matter if I need it. I wanted it! It is full of really great inspiration. Lots of lovely fresh pictures and clear instructions as well as templates and patterns at the back of the book. It's the kind of book where I'm not going to sit and faithfully follow the instructions of each, but take some of the ideas and adapt them to my own style. I've already got lots of new ideas buzzing in my head.

Just look at this gorgeous scarf. I really am going to have to find some time to learn to crochet. Actually there are instructions in the back of the book so perhaps I'll give it a go.

And I love this cuttlery roll. Ideal for summer picknicks or eating in the garden.

After my experience at the fair last week I definitely feel more inspired than ever and have started to re-vamp my etsy shop this week. I opened my etsy shop last year, way before I discovered blogs, and I have to be honest that I didn't have any success with it. I'm not sure whether it was my pricing that was wrong, or my photographs that weren't right, or perhaps just what I was selling. But I've decided that now I feel so much more experienced in what I'm doing, it's time to give it another go. I've only got a few things in there at the moment but I'm off work on Tuesday and Wednesday next week so hope to have time to upload more items.

We're off sailing again this evening but not on our little boat. Don't tell George the Bear but we're abandoning 'Merit' for a 43 foot long yacht complete with 3 sleeping cabins, 2 toilets, proper kitchen, a saloon and decent headroom. No, we haven't won the lottery, we're lucky enough to have been invited by a friend of Georges who belongs the same yacht club. George is used to sailing on this type of yacht as well as our dear little Merit, but he is concerned that after this weekend I will get used to the life of comfort when sailing and will refuse to go on Merit again! He might be right!

I hope you all have a lovely Bank Holiday weekend wherever you are and whatever you're doing. x

I'm feeling nervous!

I'm really hoping that unlike me you can see a new banner at the top of the page featuring this pink rose, and that it looks ok! I can't seem to be able to see it despite the fact I've refreshed the page and turned the computer off and on. Anyway, if you can see it please let me know and hopefully it will appear to me soon! Isn't the rose a gorgeous colour. I took George out for dinner on Saturday night as it was his Birthday last Thursday, and I was given this as by the restaurant as we left. We decided that Saturday was his 'official Birthday' as he had a fairly horrid day at work on Thursday followed by a Council meeting in the evening. So on Saturday we had a day out together followed by a delicious Indian meal in the evening. I think it made up for Thursday.

I'm starting to feel a bit nervous now as my first craft fair looms on Saturday. My main worry is whether I have enough stock, or rather if the stock I have is all a bit to much the same. I can see myself up late tomorrow and Thursday making a few more things I think even though I told myself I wasn't going to as I wanted to clear some of my current stock before making more things. I have cushions, collages, painted coat hangers and handmade cards. I've also made the little felt napkin rings and lots of felt and fabric lavender bags, as well as a small amount of bunting, a couple of bags and a 'one off' pinny and some 'one off' cushions. Does that sound like enough? The problem is that I already have more stock than I can really store at home and would like to clear some of it. If the fair is a success then obviously I'll have more space to make more, but if it's a disaster, I don't want even more things taking up space. Not to mention the financial aspect of having money tied up in lots of cushions! But then perhaps I'll sell more if I have more of a selection? I would really appreciate any advise you seasoned fair goers could give. Not just on the stock issue, but anything else you think I should know. I've hired a table, have cloths to cover it, smart carrier bags, containers to display my products and a Mum and Dad who are going to help out during the day. I feel sure there is more I should be thinking about.

Sorry to go on. I'm sure I'm in a worry unnecessarily. It will probably fine, and if it's a disaster it's only one day so doesn't really matter. If any of you are in the area and feel like coming I would love to see you. It's on Saturday, from 10-4 in Stow-on-the-Wold in the heart of the Cotswolds. The hall is right in the very centre of the Market square so hopefully will be un-misable. I'm really hoping for a bit of sunshine to bring all those tourists and locals out and about. Wish me luck?

Finally inspired

It was a lovely weekend of mixed activites, a bit of shopping, a bit of sailing, a bit of pottering and finally, a bit of creative inspiration.

We stayed in Kew on Saturday and it was just what we needed. Our weekends are generally a little busy so it was nice to not go very far. We caught up on a few jobs and generally lazed around. The best bit was having an indoor picnic in the living room while watching 'Swallows and Amazons' which was just a perfect way to spend the afternoon.

On Sunday we headed down to 'the country cottage' as we've now christened the boat. So it's not quite the size of a cottage but it does offer us our little bit of home away from home. It was actually too windy to sail so we just spent the afternoon pottering which was really lovely. George had a few jobs to do on deck so I cooked us our first proper meal. When I say cooked what I really mean is opened the packet and poured into the pan! Actually what we had was delicious. I discovered a company at the Country Living Fair called Look What We Found who do really lovely kind of packet ready meals. I never normally eat ready meals but for the boat these are fantastic. Definitely beats a tin of beans or soup! Basically they produce lovely easy to prepare dishes using small specialist producers. Rather than me going on, have a look at their website. Even as someone who really likes cooking properly from scratch, I think these are excellent for certain situations.

So on Sunday we sat in our little cabin eating steaming bowls of delicious mutton stew flavoured with rosemary and looking out at the beautiful little creek that is our second home. Bliss.

The pictures you'll see in this post are of the production line I started yesterday. I knew I had to start making a few new things for the fair but I've been struggling to get going. So on Saturday evening I sat with a few books to see if I could inspire myself, and these little napkin rings are the result. I spent a lot of yesterday quietly sitting hand sewing which was very relaxing and also very satisfying seeing the little pile building up next to me. I did actually need a bit of relaxing as we had some unexpected stress on Sunday evening.

After spending the day on the boat, we went for dinner with George's brother and girlfriend so headed off back up the A3 to Kew at about 9.30. We'd been driving about 15 minutes when it started to spit with rain so I flicked the wipers on. Something was clearly wrong as they dragged very slowly accross the screen. I tried all four settings and all were the same. It was at that moment that we also realised the headlights were not quite as bright as usual and within a matter of minutes they got dimmer and dimmer. I have to say that I am very glad to have such a sensible and level headed boyfriend. I don't mind admitting to you all that I did get into a bit of a panic. For those of you who don't know the A3, it is a very dark road, as, apart from in a few places there are no lights and the surrounding countryside is pretty dark. Driving along such a dark road with virtually no headlights is really quite frightening I can tell you and I started to get in a bit of a flap. I was convinced someone was going to come crashing into the back of us but there was no where to stop. Luckily George kept his head and kept me going until we reached a safe place to stop which luckily was a small service station. Unfortunately the garage was closed but there was a travel hotel and after waiting two hours for the AA to turn up, we checked in there for the night and told the AA not to bother coming until the morning.

So yesterday morning started with a drive, we weren't sure would end at home. Mr AA told us the alternator had gone and although the car started, it might not make it all the way to Kew. His parting words were to not use the lights or wipers unless we had to. Easier said than done on a very gloomy morning that threatened rain all the way from Petersfield to Kew. We kept our fingers crossed all the way! But we made it back. We celebrated with a delicious brunch of smoked mackerel and scrambled eggs and an afternoon of films and sewing.

So I'm feeling a little better about the fair. I need to make some more cushions and perhaps a couple of other bits and bobs. I think the fact that so many bloggers seem to have had fairly negative experiences at Craft Fairs, I feel I don't want to go too crazy with my preparations, or produce too much stock. It's difficult to get the balance right. We'll see.

You never know, if ladies don't want my little napkin rings, maybe little girls will like them as bracelets?! What do you think?

Hyacinths

This gorgeous bunch of hyacinths is sitting on the windowsill in our cloakroom at work and I couldn't resist taking their picture. I had to do it quick incase any of my colleagues caught me. I think they would think it was a little strange as non of them know about my blog!

The colour of them is stunning. A really intense blue. And the smell almost takes your breath away. I love hyacinths but would probably never buy the quantity we have here in the office. As well as this vase we also have another in the kitchen. They were originally all in a huge bowl in reception which looked gorgeous. But by my managers standards they've passed their best which is why they're relegated to the staff areas.

This weekend is looking like a mixture of sailing and sewing. We were hoping to sail tomorrow and Sunday but George has not been well this week so we'll perhaps put the sailing off until Sunday. We're also invited to a barbeque in Salisbury tomorrow but again, I think we'll see how he feels. I really need to spend some of the weekend doing some sewing and painting though as I have my first craft fair two weeks tomorrow and I'm totally unorganised. I have quite a bit of stock with Cherry which I have to find time to collect, and I have some more things at home, but I need to make more and give some more thought to how I'm going to set things up. I don't know why it is that I seem to be so behind with everything. Definitely not enough crafting or blogging been going on around here lately! I'm sure I'll get everything done though.

Hope you all have a lovely long(for those of you in the UK) weekend. xxx

Flowery Inspiration

I thought it was about time I showed you something by my extremely talented Sister. This is the front cover of a beautiful note book she gave me a few years ago for my Birthday. The note book was made by an American stationary company I think, but the design on the front is based on a design Catherine did. I think they've tweaked it just a little bit and it is machine embroidered rather than the hand embroidery of her original design, but basically it's her work. If you're reading this Catherine, I hope I've got the details right!

Anyway, this gorgeous note book has been sitting on my bookshelf for the longest time as it just seemed too lovely to use as an every day kind of notebook. I kept thinking it had to have something really special inside to compliment my Sister's beautiful design. But I looked at it the other day and thought how silly it was that I wasn't using it. I want to look at it every day because it's just so gorgeous.

So I've decided it's going to become a special inspiration book. I'm going to fill it with my most favourite magazine cuttings and decorate the pages and write inspiring quotes or ideas amongst the pictures. I really want to create something to look at and inspire me every day. I'll show you the results as I get started on it.

It really is a lovely thing to have pieces of art and creation at home that are produced by family members. I'm lucky enough to have a number of pieces that Catherine has produced which I'll show you another time and also, a few paintings and sketches by my Uncle who is an artist, including a gorgeous chalk portrait of my late Grandfather which I will always treasure. I'd really like to commission Catherine to produce another piece for me when I've saved up a bit. She is a trained textile designer with a first class degree who now creates the most exquisite pieces of work between being a full time fantastic Mum and child minder. I suppose the only way I can describe them without showing them to you is as gorgeous little works of art. Some are painted, some are embroidered and appliqued, and all are absolutely gorgeous. That probably doesn't really describe them at all as they deserve. She is quite honestly the most talented designer/artist I know. No offence to all you other highly talented ladies out there!

Here's anther little bit of flowery inspiration. We walked past this cute flower shop in Emsworth last weekend when we went for our breakfast. I couldn't resist getting the camera out. I love the stripey awning and the plants and flowers lined up outside. Like the whole of Emsworth I thought it had a slightly old-fashioned feel about it that I really loved.

I'm looking forward to a fairly relaxing weekend at home. Pottering in the flat and hopefully sitting in the sun if the weather forecast is to be believed. But given that it's supposed to be sunny and warm right now, but it's infact grey and chilly, I'm not sure I do believe the forecast.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend. See you on Monday. xxxx