Sweet Temptation..

For a while now there has been a Little Idea that's been flirting with me quite shamelessly.  The Little Idea used to hide in a snug Quiet Place at the back of my mind, every now and again it would whisper its suggestions in my ear but I would gently rebuff it and send it back into its Quiet Place.  That was before we discovered Blog land...since then Little Idea has become quite bold.  It has been bolstered by the creativity and craft of the lovely bloggers.

This weekend I succumbed to Little Idea's seduction...but like most affairs it probably won't end well.

As per Little Ideas whisperings I rummaged amongst the dusty treasures in the attic until I found it...The Saucy Singer...gulp.  Little Idea thinks that The Saucy Singer and I should become much better acquainted.

This weekend The Saucy Singer and I had our first date.  We learned a little about each other... I researched her tastes...she's partial to a drop or two of oil.  And, bought her some new needles - she liked them I'm sure.

Little Idea has big plans for this blossoming relationship, it thinks Saucy Singer and I should attend a pre-marriage course (a.k.a. Dressmaking for Dummies).  I keep telling Little Idea that I am really a Hooker at heart but it insists that I 'sew' my wild oats.

Next weekend we thinking of trying a nice little fabric that we both like. 

Secretly I'm enjoying the butterflies and excitement of this new dalliance, just hope it won't end in tears....

♥ Valula ♥

Progress...

Today has been a good day. 

Mr H took the kids into school and creche this morning which gave me a few blissful peaceful hours to myself...not wanting to waste the time I set to in the Veggie Patch.

There was some digging and weeding...

Some of coffee and sun cream..

 Some veggies surprises amongst the weeds....

And then there were three beds ready!

Only four left to do...

And - I've made a start on my new crochet project...

which is very enjoyable once you learn to count!!!

And, now I'm tired so it's time for...

Night, Night....

♥ Valula ♥

Patchwork Grass

This afternoon as Him-In-Doors tinkered with things mechanical, I set to mowing the lawns.  This isn't normally isn't one of my jobs.  The Hubby doesn't really like gardening (at all) so he is happy enough to make his contribution by cutting the grass and I'm happy enough to let him!  But today I did it.

Nestled in the grass were lots of wild primroses in yellow, purple and lilac...

 

I've never seen these in the grass before which make me wonder if The Hubby has 'seen to them' with the lawn-mower for the last few years???  Anyway - I certainly didn't have the heart to mow away those pretty blooms so now our lawns are now a crazy patchwork of cut grass and areas of long grass full of little flowers.

Enjoy your evening.

Valula :-)

The basics

It is true to say that I love crocheting.  Slowly my basic skills are developing and improving (even The Hubby commented on that).  After some um-ing, ah-ing and several cups of tea I can sometimes find my way around a pattern.

So why do I still stumble and fall?  Attempt, rip out and redo so often?

Well, it is largely due to two reasons -

I have on occasion started off happily hooking in my own English way...but my woolly creation doesn't look as it should.  Could it be because the pattern is written in American terminology and I have been working British stitches perhaps?  I have even managed to combine British and American stitches in one piece - not very prettily though!

The other reason is quite simple too - I can't count!  Quite worrying given that my whole working life has been based on numbers....

Valula Hedgehog has officially failed the Maths and Geography tests in her Crochet Course...better get studying!!



Enjoy your crafts - what ever they are.


♥ Valula ♥

Lovely Surprise

I've heard people say after moving house that if after some time you still haven't unpacked all the boxes that you should just throw them away because you obviously do not need whatever was in them. Well...

Whilst rummaging in the attic yesterday, for something I had promised to lend to a friend, I came across a box of framed photos and pictures from the last house we owned...which was about 4 years ago.  Curiosity got the better of me.  I knew that we hadn't rehung the pictures because I no longer liked the frames but thought I'd take a trip down memory lane anyway.

There were lots of oooohs and aaaahs as I was reminded of the small ones (when they were much smaller).  There were giggles when I came across the picture of my bridesmaids in their splendour - wearing their stripey socks and trainers.  And, there were a few signs and sadness when I saw pictures of dearly loved family that are no longer with us.

Weren't they fab! Sure they won't mind me posting this up - the wedding photographer uses it on his website anyway

But then I came across something that was very securely wrapped in tonnes of bubble wrap...what's this I thought?  Imagine my delight when I realised it was a handmade wedding gift from the lovely Anna at Mootiful.  We've known the ever so talented girls there, Emma and Anna, since we were all running around with mucky faces and grazed knees.  It was such a pleasure to uncover this treasure!  Needless to say it is now prominently displayed in our sitting room.

Isn't it great!

Happy Days...

Emma xxxx

So much to do!

Good evening out there!

It's been a beautiful day here in the 'Sunny South East' and I have to say that I am loving it.  We've had a few days of sunshine now and we even got a splendid 20oC over the weekend. I could really get used to it. ♥  Maybe I imagine it but a little bit of sunshine seems to lighten every one's spirits...  When I'm old and grey and very wrinkly I am going to have to move to a sunnier clime.

The Boy Child playing with the hounds in the sunshine whilst holding a daffodil that he picked for me

As you can imagine the last few days have been spent pottering around the garden.  I'm still not up to any serious gardening *grumble grumble* so my veggie patch is looking very sad.  But I think if I do a little bit each day it'll get there in the end and will help me to become the big strong girl I was this time last year!!  We got a great range and quantity of veg out of it last year and it broadened the kids repertoire of acceptable vegetables - how could they not want to eat what they had grown?

In the wonderful world of the Hedgehogs we have quite a lot to do:

• Weeds the flower beds
• Weed and sow the seven veg beds (each measuring 5ft x 20ft...gulp)
• Mow the back field lawn
• Assemble the cushion backs for the two fronts that I've crocheted
• Crochet covers for the remaining 6 cushion
• Crochet my Number One Child a cardigan 
• Sew *oh dear, this could end badly* a roman blind for the living room window

With so much to do it's a good job that I'm resting at present, as the Acting fraternity would say!!!

Last year promised myself faithfully that I would photography my flower beds throughout the seasons, of course I missed the snowdrops but have captured a few of the spring bulbs.  Thought I might share a picture or two with you...

Both the daffs and hyacinths smell divine

I think these are like little tiny sunshines!

I'm very pleased to say that the little fella's request that we grow dandelions and daffodils has been fullfiled already...

Take care,

Emma

Sleepy...

Oh - yawn - I'm really looking forward to climbing into my comfy, snugable, toasty bed tonight!! 

Last night some of my small cousins came for a sleepover.  All six kids were VERY excited, as a result not a lot of sleeping took place.  They did have good fun though.  But now I'm tired. 

It's times like this that I have renewed admiration for my Nanny, she's 80 years old now and is currently relaxing on holiday in Australia...I digress...she raised 12 kids of her own and has been actively involved raising their progeny and their progeny's progeny!  She's an amazing woman  :-)

My Plan of Action for tonight involves very little action...kids -> bed, me -> bed...Yay!! But I might stretch to a bubble bath with a glass of wine.

One of these bath racks would be the prefect addition to my bath time... wonder if I'd have to have two glasses of wine to make the best use of it ;-)

www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

Tomorrow the kids and I will have loads of energy and are going to spend the day having fun!

Sleep well...

Emma x

Granny Swirl :-)

A good while ago I found a photo of a swirly granny square somewhere on th'internet and thought that I REALLY had to have a go at that!  Four different colours of yarn at the same time - oooohhhh so exciting.

So last night I set to with some of the tiny balls of yarn that were knocking about at the bottom of my bag. My logic was that smaller balls would be easier to manage but in hindsight I'm not entirely sure if ball size really makes a difference.

I had to concentrate but Arsenal were on the TV so that helped ;-)

and this is the outcome....

Unfortunately my photographic skills leave something to be desired!

My weekend will be filled with more of the same (if I'm lucky) as well as fun, family and yummy dinners.

That's all for now - thanks for stopping by!

Emma xx