Rewind

HAPPY NEW YEAR ONE AND ALL.
I'm hoping by now any sore heads are a distant memory and everyone is feeling wide awake positive for the new year ahead.
Although I don't want to tempt fate, the Hotchpotch household has managed to steer clear of the dreaded sickness bug and apart from the odd cough and sniffle we have stayed relatively healthy.

I just want to say a BIG THANK YOU to followers/loiterers old and new and to anyone who has left a comment or kind word. I never realised how addictive this blogging malarkey would become, and I for one am more than happy to be an addict!
Through blogging I have realised that there are plenty of like minded people out there and this has given me the confidence to be happy in my own skin, doing my own thing.
I have done vintage/handmade fairs and opened up an etsy shop (o.k I might have only sold one thing but we will gloss over that!) but I have sold things at the fairs to people who return time and time again to buy purchase my wares.
I have met some fantastic, kind and generous people and Iv'e even met a 'real life' friend through blogging and to say she makes me laugh out loud is somewhat of an understatement (you know who you are!)
Anyway that's enough gushing for now.

2012 brought it's ups and it's downs.....I'm pleased to say mainly ups.

Here was my 2012 in pictures

Of course who could forget the amazing Jubilee Celebrations and the Olympics which I absolutely loved.
As you can see, I am a girl of simple pleasures and I can't see this changing any time soon.

So here's to lots more blogging in 2013 (hopefully I might learn how to take better photographs but don't hold your breath!!!)

: )

Christmas shenanigans

Happy Christmas everyone, hope you have had a fabulous time.
We spent a few blissful days in Pickering prior to Christmas not returning home until Christmas Eve which was very relaxing, although the run up to our departure was slightly stressful to say the least!
Presents were wrapped and delivered, the food shop done and dusted apart from the turkey but as there are a couple of butchers and farm shops nearby we were confident we could pick one up on our travels but for a while we did feel like we were playing turkey roulette! as it turned out there was no need to panic as the butcher had a couple left and agreed to save us one until Christmas eve.

Regular readers will know that Pickering has to be one of my favourite places and we head up there every Christmas staying at The White Swan, dogs are allowed so even Brucie gets in on the act.

First stop on Saturday morning was Reeds, my favourite shop in Pickering, it's the paper/gift shop and upstairs is the most wonderful little room full of gorgeousness, if you fancy taking a peek for yourself check out Annes blog where you will find a link to her lovely shop.
Although I have never been during the war weekend, I know it transforms into the most fabulous tea room (hopefully I will get to see it in 'real life' next year). I usually get my war weekend fix from Hen's blog.

The NYMR is always a hive of activity at this time of year as Father Christmas takes time out from his busy schedule to hop on the steam train to meet the Children. Little H used to love this (as did we) but sadly he feels he is a little too grown up to visit Father Christmas now he's twelve.
It didn't stop us taking a stroll down to the station before popping into the model railway shop across the road.

We tootled over the moors on Sunday to Whitby which I have to say was strangely quiet. I just managed to whip out my phone in time to take this.

It was somewhat surreal to say the least to see Father Christmas speeding through Whitby on his sleigh on which was probably the most quietest of days.

After a bracing walk on Sandsend beach we headed back into town to Humble pie for the most delicious pie and mash I have ever tasted and it's only a couple of doors away from Trudie's shop, Dotty about vintage so double the pleasure!


Before we knew it Christmas Eve came around and it was time to collect our turkey and fruit and veg and pack up and head for home... always a sad time as I never feel ready to leave but it was a great feeling knowing we could take our time as everything was organised at home....I had even set the table before we left.

We took a slight detour and drove through the Howardian Hills and past Castle Howard.

It was really lovely to spend quality time together for a few days on the run up to the big day without the frantic dashing around and also to take some time out from cooking. We watched some great T.V, Merlin and Mr. Stink being our favourites and played board games in the Bothy.

So the big day arrived and all I can say is I must have been a very good girl this year as Father Christmas left me some beautiful prezzies in my stocking...love you Mr. H ; )

X

Lazy(ish) Sunday

Today was supposed to be our Chatsworth day. We don't visit as often as we used to but we do go every Christmas without fail, thing is I just didn't feel like venturing out today, maybe it had something to do with having a late night last night at Mr. H's work Christmas party but I just fancied staying at home and enjoying the warm cozy feeling and the twinkling fairy lights....Mr H went out and bought another set today to adorn the apple tree in the front garden (I am slightly concerned now as every time he goes out he comes home with another set!)

This nativity is very special to me as it was given to me by one of the Sisters when I worked at the Convent. It's always little H's job to put the crib in on Christmas eve. I love these little traditions we have created over the years since he came along.


Anyhows Iv'e managed to get a few more jobs done in preparation for the big day, Iv'e wrapped a few more prezzies, baked a few mince pies and made a few sparkly snowflakes to top the cupcakes at work tomorrow.
All the present shopping is now complete and everything is ready to deliver this week before we head up to North Yorkshire on Friday.
We've decided not to order the turkey this year but to get one while we are up there, there are a couple of great butchers and a fabulous farm shop just outside pickering, hopefully we aren't tempting fate as we have my mum dad and grandma coming for Christmas lunch and I don't think they would be very impressed if we didn't have a bird!!!

As some of you know I had a little giveaway last week so thanks to everyone who entered and left a comment.
Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without a quality street tin, this one being vintage and minus the chocolate so perfect for the occasion, so the names were added and little A rummaged around for a bit before picking a winner.
So without further ado, drumroll please!.................

I am happy to announce the winner ...... Claire over at Thriftwood.
Your parcel is all wrapped and ready and waiting to be taken to the post office tomorrow so it should be finding it's way to Cumbria in the next couple of days.
Claire has a great blog by the way, so why not make yourself a cuppa and pop over.

Something else that's making me happy this week is this

It's the little things!
Hope you've had a great pre Christmas weekend, I'm off now to sample a mince pie while watching SPOTY........COME ON WIGGO!!!

: )

OOOH!... It's giveaway time

A little while ago I mentioned a Christmas giveaway I had in mind.
I suppose I just want to say thank you to all you lovely peeps who take the time to read my ramblings and for those of you who leave me a comment. I do try my very best to reply to each of you but even when I don't it doesn't mean I don't appreciate it.

If you do take that little step further and become a follower thats great as it does make me all warm and smiley inside but it's not the be all and end all for me so therefore I am not requesting you become a follower to be able to enter the giveaway, I would however appreciate a lovely comment and maybe cold hard cash *kidding OBVIOUSLY!!!

Seriously just leave your comment so that I can get back to you if you are picked at random by my little helper, who will be none other than the lovely little H who will be plucking a name from a festive recepticle on Friday 14th December.....I know I'm cutting it a bit fine but hopefully you will be able to hang it in time for the big day.

I suppose a pic would be a good idea, otherwise there would be no point in entering now would there?!!!

It's the cute and kitschy little deer I made a few weeks ago from Cath's latest book.

So good luck and I look forward to reading your comments

: )

.....and breathe!

Phew, finally the last craft/vintage fair of this year over with and everything packed away.
To be honest, I have only done a handful of fairs this year as Iv'e not had much spare time, but the ones I have done I have really enjoyed and met some wonderful people both customers and fellow crafters.
Speaking of which, a fellow Sheffielder/blogger and thoroughly crafty lady dropped by St Mary's on Saturday and handed me a little package.
I had planned to take it home and open it as a treat after a long day but curiosity got the better of me and before I could contain myself I had taken a peek inside.

I was so deeply touched by this gorgeous button and why Anna had made it for me. I am always amazed how kind, thoughtful and generous people can be.
Anna has recently opened an Etsy shop selling her beautiful hand made buttons so pop over and take a look here.

I didn't manage to get any photographs from Mary's Marvellous vintage and craft market yesterday. I don't know why it takes me so long to set up, maybe it's because I didn't have the chance to do a trial run but I only finished with 5 minutes to spare so I didn't even get the opportunity to have a look at the other stalls (although I did manage to buy another two vintage glass baubles despite having a basket full of them for sale on my own stall!)
Nevertheless here are a few little snaps from today's fair where I shared a table with the lovely Adele.

Despite the lack of customers and poor sales we still had a giggle and picked up a few bits and bobs for ourselves along the way. We had some lovely comments about the stall and how pretty it looked which sometimes means more than a sale, although I was a little disappointed I didn't manage to sell any of the paper stockings I made.

Well another week over and another busy week ahead but hopefully I will have time to catch up with my favourite blogs with a huge cuppa and a mince pie or two!

I'll leave you with a picture from the Hotchpotch house, which despite being the bathroom it still hasn't managed to escape the Christmas fairy!!!

: )

Cake, craft and more cake

I finally managed to get the Christmas cake made this week. It's normally baked around the end of September and has had at least 3 dousings of brandy by now so I am way behind.

I can't say I am entirely happy with the end result as it cooked a little too quickly for my liking and I fear it may be slightly dry. I'm sure Mr. H will tell me if it's not up to my usual standard!


On the upside I had a lovely friend come over on Saturday while the boys were away at football.
We had a great day starting off with not one but two Christmas fairs at local churches.
We both have a passion for vintage and thrifting so I was afraid we would be fighting over the goodies but all was well as there was plenty enough bargains for the two of us.
I found a few bits and bobs that were looking for a new home.

A plate rack that will be perfect for the new cupboard and in yellow

a cute little tablecloth which reminds me of Christmas, I think it must be the colours.

buttons because one can never have too many, especially at 20p

Christmas and vintage, what more could you want!

As well as all the bric-a-brac there was a beautiful stall full of knitted goodies.
There were so many gorgeous things to choose from, sadly I didn't take a photograph partly because the room was so full and also because I was way to giddy to even contemplate whipping out the camera and wasting valuable shopping time. I eventually came away with these.

a gorgeous pair of hand warmers made from the softest wool for £2.50 and the brooch £3.00

a pair of coat hangers, the larger one was £2.50 and the smaller one was £2.00, I couldn't believe the lady was selling them at this price.

something to listen to while I'm pottering.

last but not least two cornish tea towels which will probably end up as cushion covers for the campervan.


After lunch in the church hall it was back to mine to peruse our haul, and what a haul, between us I think we had three large bags full of goodies.

The whole purpose of the day was for us to get together for a full day of crafting so out came the slippers and footstools, followed by the wool, felt, paper and punches.
How time flies when your'e having fun!

Afternoon tea was served from the trolley.
We had a great girly day and we have planned our next day out so I am looking forward to that.

Thank you for your lovely comments on my last post, the kitchen cupboard is well on the way to being finished so hopefully there will be a reveal next week. I'm feeling slightly under pressure now I just hope it lives up to the hype!

Oh yes nearly forgot this is what I picked up from the church Christmas Fair last weekend for a fiver.

It's residing here for now but I want it in it's rightful place at the bottom of the bed so the furniture will need a re-jig (something else to add to the bloody list!)
I have some lovely barkcloth that I think will be perfect for re covering the top but for now I will enjoy it as it is.


Today I have been enjoying the sunshine.

this was the view from my bedroom window this morning.

Iv'e also been pottering around the house, ripping out a cupboard that Mr. H and I have got sick of the sight of, so on a whim this morning after breakfast we decided enough was enough and out it came!
We always seem to embark on some D.I.Y project or other just before the festive season, so not only have we got the kitchen cupboard to finish painting and lining we have now got to repaint the dining room walls, all this before next weekend.

Wish me luck!
Hope you are all having a great weekend whatever you are up to

: )