It ain't half hot Mum

Hello peeps!  It must be at least 80 in the sun today :)  I have been inspired by some fellow blogger's lovely garden pictures so I thought I would get planting.  At the moment we (well hubby actually) are laying some foundations for 2 sheds, so therefore I cant plant anything in the soil until they are up and the garden is completed.  In the meantime I bought some sunny marigolds for the troughs and a couple of rustic bowls.  I also planted some gorgeous smelling lavender in a nicely rusted bucket, well it's getting there.

Mmmmmmmm  turn on smellavision now!!

Hard standing for the sheds

I also have a lovely shop (well 3 actually) very close to home where they sell East of India and similar type products (drool).  I bought a few bits with a "Jubilee" theme. Postcards and some very beautiful fragrant soap.

Finally this little gadget has been invaluable. I've had it ages.   Just plug into the computer and away it goes :)  It can be positioned anyhow as its all flexible and gives a much welcomed whizz of cold air ~ ahh !

Hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful sunny weather.

XX

Simply gorgeous Craft rooms

Very soon myself and hubby will be making a start on our study/craft room/creative space/art studio/junk storage (you name it, it is it).  At the moment its uninspiring, boring....well in fact it's just plain horrid :(  No wonder that my normally creative brain just isnt working.  So I am always inspired with the images I see on Pinterest, and here are a few of my favourite spaces (swoon).

Even a sewing beginner would want to sit here

Colourful, bright and cheerful

Old wooden crates supported with iron brackets, using wire baskets for storage

Shabbytastic

Curtain rod, frames and material with pockets

Vintage cake stand as storage

A perfect place to write down your creative ideas

Colour coordinated jars and mini drawers

A beautiful mess

Oh well I can dream!

XX

Swap thank you :)

Good morning everyone, and yes the sun is shining (yipee!!).

Just want to say a big thank you to Sarah  http://funkyfairy-funkyfairy.blogspot.co.uk  for the lovely swap gifts organised by Beki at  http://bekisbloggybits.blogspot.co.uk

Included are 2 lollies (already eaten), 2 pin wheels, a pocket mirror, cup cake wipes, felt flower and embellishments, London material, a Union flag pen, a gorgeous Union Flag tin and a fabulous heart hook :)

XX

Grumpy old Woman - who me?

Does anyone else feel themselves getting more and more grumpy?  Certain things that wouldn't have bothered you a few years back now make you peeved, and your'e not sure why?

Daft things like going around the supermarket and saying "excuse me" when someone's in your way, only to be given a filthy look.  I tend to say it in a very loud voice so people cant make out they haven't heard me, that apparently is wrong to.  I could always barge my way through of course.


Anyone else feel grumpy when you send emails, post or make a telephone call - you never receive an acknowledgement, if this happens to me I think to myself  "have I called the right number" or  "I hope that was the right email address" etc etc......


It drives me mad when someone telephones and then never leaves a message.  Just say "hello" that would do!  Is that really so difficult or am I being petty?

Stupid ad's get on my nerves, normally PPI ones and "get a loan in 5 seconds flat" ones.  Any ads that involve banks, especially the ones where the staff are having a nice little sing song (you know the one) in an attempt to make you feel good about having bugger all.



What about the little light bulb that's having a dance in the bird bath?  Give me strength :(



It seems, lovely blogger friends, that I am officially a GRUMPY OLD WOMAN :)



PS. If anyone has been belted up the backside in Tesco's with the sharp end of a trolley - it's my hormones :)
If I have written, emailed or phoned you, and you haven't acknowledged me - shame on you!!

Cottage makeover :)

Just over a year ago we moved into our Victorian cottage.  Even though we viewed the cottage 3 times before we bought it, the reality of it's condition nearly had us running for the hills.

We turned up with our cat in tow and walked into a filth pit.  We were in the cottage for about an hour before the removal men came, so had a chance to explore.  With all the previous owners furniture and possessions out of the way we could see the terrible state in which the house was left.  I find it hard to actually describe the filth and damp.  The removal men were fantastic and I think even they were surprised at what we had bought.

After they had gone the first thing I did was to get out the Domestos and disinfect the loo seat, then it was the turn of the kitchen cupboards, sink and work surfaces.

The very first thing hubby did was make good the bed, so at the very least we could get "some" sleep.  After a very long day we literally fell into bed and did little else that night.

In the cold light of the morning we braced ourselves for weeks of work.  The bathroom was not fit for use, in other words it was so filthy we both decided we could not even use the bath or basin.  As for the loo - well it was a quick "hover" job over the seat, not easy at the best of times.

For 3 weeks we had to use the kitchen sink for all our washing needs as it was only marginally better than the bathroom sink.  A full body wash at the kitchen sink is not funny I can tell you.  The bathroom was gutted and we borrowed a dehumidifier from our new neighbour, and left it running for 4 days.  The damp was that bad!  With a new bathroom suite ordered it wasn't that long before we could actually use it.

It was difficult to know where to start first, as each room was a tip.  The previous owners had the cheek to ask if we wanted their oven!!!!  Erm no!  I don't want to imagine what that looked like inside :(  We didn't want to end up in hospital either!  Luckily we had a small table top electric oven which was perfect for a few weeks as we were getting the kitchen done.  Surprisingly it cooked some lovely meals to!

I have to say a year on we cant believe we have turned this cottage around.  It was so unloved and very sick!  Houses are living breathing things, look after them!

Here are a few "before" and "after" photo's.

THE VILE BATHROOM

JUST BEFORE WE STARTED STRIPPING IT CLEAN

Dirt and muck everywhere

Mould, damp and grime

This is what we found when we took the bath out!

AFTER WORKS COMPLETED

THE KITCHEN BEFORE

The biggest cobwebs in the world!

AND AFTER.......

THE BEDROOM BEFORE

Not much to show here, the "mock" wardrobe was one single damp sliding cupboard

AND AFTER .....................

THE LOUNGE & HALL BEFORE

AND AFTER...

OH AND I NEARLY FORGOT - THE GARDEN IS

STILL A WORKS IN PROGRESS

BEFORE...

AFTER - AT LEAST WE CAN SIT IN IT NOW!!

A year in the life of Christmas Cottage

XX