The Walk

Poor old George has not had the best walks recently.  I have been so busy with working and trying to get things done at home, not to mention getting stock made up for markets and orders, we haven't really been out properly for a few days.  He has had to be content with running up and down the hill after the ball, which actually he completely loves so actually it is just me that needs the extra exercise of a proper walk!

Today has been such a fab day, the gorse bushes are smelling wonderful, guess it must be the heat from the sun that brings the scent out more as they have been in bloom for a while now.

We headed out to Baggy Point which is a lovely round trip and you always meet lots of nice people enroute as it is part of the coast footpath.

The rocks are amazing round here and when the tide is out you can see so many interesting pools and mini beaches just perfect for exporing.

In fact it is possible to go coasteering round here which is something I shall be having a go at one day, when I have some 'time off'!!

This always makes me smile - the walk to the beach but right in the distance you can see the sea on the horizon - how come it looks higher up than I am?  Funny how things can look isn't it!

Well I have painted some signs, painted more of the workshop floor, brushed the dog, mowed the lawn and a number of other things that I can't even recall right now, and I am very hungry!  Some things dont change!

Off to make my dinner.

Take care all, til tomorrow

Watching paint dry

George Here!

I am taking over already as Mum is discovering that it isn't always possible to find the time to write about what you have been doing to fill your time!  Since I do have a little more time on my hands (sorry paws) I thought I'd crack on and get the blog done for the day.

I know you are going to get a lot of pictures of me but I did think this one rather captured my handsome side, the off the head ear look is all in this season, plus it is mighty useful when the wind is blowing in off the sea to keep one ear closed.

But who am I sitting next to?

I found these little chaps (or chapettes, who knows?) on the pathway back from Baggy Point.  Earlier in the year Mum and her friend who is Mum of my friend Lily (you'll meet her later) found a pond round the corner from here, full of frogs.  Now it is full of tadpoles all getting fatter and fatter!  Will keep you posted on their progress as Mum goes and has a look each time we go walking out that way.

This is me on the path out to Baggy Point.  It was rather wet and windy yesterday but it did make the grass look very nice and green!

And this is the view on the way back from Baggy Point looking towards Croyde Bay which is my local beach now.  Unfortunately in the summer I am not allowed on there but I'll be back on the beach on 1st October whatever the weather! 

When we got back home I had to sit in the doorway for a while whilst Mum painted the floor in the workshop.  Apparently it was just too dusty with the bare concrete so she had to move everything into the corner so she could get a clear run at the floor.  I wasn't allowed in there because I would have walked in the paint and then put paw prints all over the floor in the house.  Personally I think the carpet needs a little free paw art but Mum insisted otherwise.

This is the bit of floor she was painting first.

And this is the rest of the stuff all piled up ready to go back into the cupboards when the floor is dry!  We brought all this down in the van at the weekend which was fun as I got to ride up front and could see out of all the windows.

Painting floors is not for dogs!

I am off to have a nap now after my dinner, take care all, til next time

George xx

Back into it

Well, ok so it is has been a little longer than I had planned but here's hoping that this is me getting back into blogging.

Has it really been so long that they appear to have changed the format for writing posts - its like totally starting from new!

George and I are settling into our new life here by the sea.  This is 'our' beach!  Although sadly we are not now allowed on it (well George isn't) until October due to the summer season doggy ban.

 All my possessions are now here too and I have one incredibly full workshop.  At present everything is piled up in 3 of the corners so I can paint the floor in the space and then move it all back!  Really ideally I would have done the floor painting when there was less stuff but things didn't work out like that so its onto plan B.

Another view of 'our beach'

The house move has made me realise that I don't have a huge amount of 'stuff' for inside the home but my workshop and crafty bits and bobs is extraordinary.  Do I really need all of it?  I just didn't realise how much I had accumulated over the past few years.  I am going to have to be very strict with myself whilst I am putting it all away and only keep that which is necessary.  Not easy when I think 'I could use that for...... ' or 'that is just perfect for....'

Today is going to be a floor painting and delivery day I think.   I have a couple of shops who need some stock and I am working tonight so can't go off and get stuck into things too much!

Best get cracking!

Take care all, til tomorrow x

Thank you

Thank you for your nice comments, its good to be back, well nearly!

Still not got the internet sorted at home yet but managed to get the time to stop in my favourite cafe and write a while!

Briefly - George and I have moved house and we are now living by the sea so expect many more pictures like this!!

I'm still Land Cuckoo-ing and have been off to markets and there is plenty more exploring to do there yet.  Am also working a 'real' job which is quite a change for me but I am thoroughly enjoying that too.

Will be back with more very soon, BT tell me that I can have internet from the 19th........... now I just have to figure out how to install it and get things working, bit of a challenge for a techno no no gal!

I must get on now as there is a collection of bits of wood waiting for me to paint them.  More pictures and catching up to do for you later this week then.

Hope you are all ok, take care for now, til later

Sarah and George xx

Normal service should be resumed

Have just had the notice from BT that my telephone line is now ready, hope that means the broadband isn't far behind at which point I shall be able to be back up and running and filling up the internet space with my ramblings once more!

Take care all
Sarah x

Handmade at Home

The end of November is looming and that means it is time once again for Handmade at Home

For the past couple of years I have filled my home with handmade goodies from talented crafts folk from Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire and invited folk around to come and have a look and purchase at will!

Last month was the first event for this year and we are doing it all again this coming weekend.

This is a wine rack made with recycled wood by Roch Furniture  I have mentioned some of their work before here and now, in addition to the painted furniture they are making their own pieces - tables, benches and these lovely shelves.

  

The hallway was sparkling with a table laden with beautiful jewellery from Sheena's Beads.

Karin from Kus Design takes lovely pieces of vintage china and displays them with floral arrangements and packed into boxes.

Set along the mantlepiece are four of Sharon Taverner's textile and mixed media art pieces.  Fabulous colours. so rich.

The dresser was just the right place to show off cushions and quilts from RuthDesigns.  The cushion at the top of this post is also one of Ruths.

I went all red white and blue on this table!  Land Cuckoo goodies.

In case you are more of a crafter and want to have a go at making something of your own there was a selection of fabrics, patterns and kits from Maggie over at Sunflower Fabrics.

Set up next to the window where the sunshine can really show off the glorious colours are Linda Boys glass creations.  Plates, cake stands, jewellery and decorations all in jewel like colours.

Who could resist this delightful angel, handcrafted by Sew Sonja she was perfect looking after the jam!

Wow, a dresser full of jam and chutney!  All made locally by Vickie at Humber's Homemade

All together we had tables laden with handmade delights. 

And this weekend we'll be doing it all again.  There will be some new crafters with very different products that we have not had before and new fabrics, colours and products from those of us who have been before.  Thats the beauty of handmade, no two collections will be the same, even if we try!

If you are in the area do come and see us.

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th November

10am - 6pm

Wrestlingworth in Bedfordshire

Contact me for further directions and information if required

Hope you all have a good week and successful sales for those of you who are crafting like crazy for the Christmas season.

Take care all

Sarah x

Catching up

Once again I have abandoned blogging for some time.  Have been doing a lot more than George has!  This is his favourite spot in the house, half way up the stairs next to the window where he can watch what is going on outside and in.

A couple of friends and I popped down to the Knitting and Stitching show at Ali Pali last month.  Had a wonderful day out and found some great new fabrics and projects.  Linda had a go with some rather large knitting needles!

Markets and events are in full swing now, just waiting for the customers to get into the Christmas shopping mindset, it seems that no-one is really getting started on the seasonal things yet.  I know that may sound daft as it is really quite early still but usually I have noticed a marked difference in the things people purchase but not so this year.  Maybe I am selling different stock this time!!

My dining room table currently looks like a Harvest Festival collection!

All the jars and tins are supporting my painted signs so that the wet edges don't stick to the table!

Lovely lovely sea of painted wood all ready to be stencilled.  Need to be getting another batch made up today.  I have to wait until we don't have any imminent visitors as they wont have anywhere to eat!!

Best get back to it, hope you are all well

Take care

Sarah x