Excuses excuses

I made a promise to myself that I would do my very bestest to blog a little more often than I have of late, its obvious I haven't adhered to this promise (thankfully I only made it to myself) and have in fact blogged less....OH DEAR!
It's not that the intention isn't there, I have a camera/phone on the verge of combustion from all the photographs I take with the intention of boring you all to death.
I have blamed my recent lack of posts on many things, including bloggers block (still not sure if there is such a thing) Iv'e also used lack of time and inspiration as an excuse, but to be perfectly honest I have come to realise it's just plain old fashioned laziness.
Plenty has happened since my last post but the time lapse has blurred things a little and everything is out of sync but I'll try and do a super quick catch up for anyone out there who is still remotely interested!

we had a little trip to the big smoke

We've been busy in our little plot

and enjoying the fruits of our labour.

Iv'e been busy with the hook

and the glue

and there have been one or two thrifty finds

There has also been a small matter of a 13th birthday  but I'll save that for next time.

thanks to everyone who has stayed tuned! xxx

Middle Month

June already and the Summer holidays are only weeks away.

It's also the last month before little H becomes a teenager and we are already experiencing the joys... I'll  leave it there for now!

Blogging is a little hit and miss with me at the moment, I  seem to have the attention span of a goldfish. I think Instagram has to take some responsibility for this as it's an instant fix when blogging seems to take up so much time.

I have every intention to carry on with this blogging malarkey as I do love it but the way things are going , I predict I will continue along the 'every now and again' path.

Aside from the pre teen shenanigans things are tickety and jobs are slowly but surely being crossed off the list

I JUST managed to paper the garden room with the last remaining roll (I kid you not) of Chintz wallpaper  in the country!

It was touch and go as to whether I could eek it out but I made it.

Garden room sounds very grand but in actual fact it's the back half of the garage which we converted to make a room joining the kitchen to the garden, a bit like a conservatory minus the glass!

The Kitchen unit has been painted 

Try not to notice that smudge on the glass!!!

 Iv'e done a few little crafty bits and pieces

A first attempt at bag making, complete with vintage tablecloth lining and pockets!

a few cross stitch bits and bobs for card making

  and one or two car boots have come up trumps.

apologies for the photos, some were taken in the dark and the others could have been edited slightly better.

I promise I will try harder next time!

Oh yes nearly forgot to mention, if you want to check me out on Instagram the link is in my sidebar, its the little camera button above the Pinterest button

Thanks x 

Brown paper packages tied up with string

It's been a bit like Christmas here again this week when two very nice parcels arrived with my name on.
Remember I said I was going to make a pile of cards to see me through the coming year, well I decided I wanted needed some new supplies, especially as I have quite a few man/boy birthdays coming up, and being as Iv'e completely exhausted the C.K cowboy theme, I knew it was time for some new inspiration.
I have recently discovered this company (I can't remember how/where) but I knew they would have exactly what I was after.
luckily there are a few U.K stockists so I didn't have to pay extra for shipping from the U.S
I eventually decided to order from here, and with great postage rates and super quick delivery it would be downright rude not to order from them again!!!

My little box of papers did not disappoint, lovely quality and double sided to boot!

Rocket Age perfect for boys both large and small!

Not sure what I had in mind with this one but just couldn't resist it's cuteness!


Obviously I couldn't overlook the Christmassy papers and a couple of those just fell into my virtual basket!
I don't know about you but I'm still not quite ready to let go of the festive season even though we are well into January!

There were a couple of other little paper purchases but I couldn't wait to get chopping

As if that wasn't enough,a huuuuuuge box of goodies arrived a couple of days later, a perfect blog photo opportunity you may think... unfortunately I was in the grip of over excitement and before I had the chance to grab the camera/phone I had untied the string and literally climbed into the box (I did say it was huge!!!)
Sadly it wasn't all for me :(
As it's a wholesale company you have to place a minimum order of £125, now don't get me wrong I could have quite easily made the minimum order myself but not convinced I could make Mr. H understand why I needed 6000 buttons and 8 miles of pretty coloured ribbons I thought it would be a good time to get together with a few of my crafty mates.
I did eventually managed to whittle my order down to a few essential items, but never fear, I have another list of goodies ready and waiting for next time ;)

So all that's left to do now is settle down at the table and get down to some serious paper crafting.......now where did I put the glitter?!!!

Don't stop me now

Well the first week back at work done and dusted and boy am I glad it's over.
Things are a little unsettled AGAIN as another co worker bites the dust  (through choice) so as from Monday I am back to running the cafe practically singlehandedly until the new lady starts in a few weeks time. TBH I'm trying not to even think about it!
 There will be more disruption to come in February as Iv'e been called upon to do Jury service, I'm  excited and nervous scared to death at the same time...eeeeeek!
On the plus side I'm on a crafting roll at the moment and there's no stopping me.
A small mountain of hexies have been lovingly whipstitched together ready to be made into two cushion covers...hopefully by next week.

 Hand stitching is most definitely my 'thing' and Iv'e loved plonking myself on the sofa of an evening, feet up with a cuppa and one or two  three or four biscuits to hand, stitching away... trouble is, I don't want to stop there so Iv'e embarked on another hexie cushion project, this time for the campervan. It's going to be another random pattern (not sure random pattern makes sense but I know what I mean!)  Iv'e decided I prefer this look on a small project, and I also have lots of odd bits of fabric to use up, so two birds one stone and all that.

Like I said hand stitching is my thing, it always has been and I'm proud to say I have been complemented on my teeny tiny stitches more than once, However I'm determined that 2013 will be the year I bond with my sewing machine and hopefully dare I say it, become firm friends... (don't hold your breath as Iv'e had this same conversation with myself on many an occasion!)

I also had a pile of badges to sew onto little H's scout shirt (not my favourite kind of stitching project!) but it reminded me of another little job I wanted to do....unpick the badges from his cub scout jumper so I can stitch them onto the family camp blanket.

This brought a little tear to my eye, it's the helpers badge that little H  had to stitch on all by himself, I think he was 8 or 9 when he did this so not bad eh!

 In a bid to become slightly more organised with the birthdays this year and to satisfy my craft obsession Iv'e decided to make all the cards (plus a few spares) I'm going to need for the year.
I'm always on the last minute with birthdays, sometimes only remembering the day before, or in my step Sister's case the day after...ooops sorry Sis. Anyhow it gives me the perfect excuse to order myself a few new goodies to add to the stash.
 I will also be popping over to Creative Breathing for inspiration. I have dipped in and out of this blog for ages now but after seeing the fabulous Christmas creations I am now a regular loiterer!
I have to be in the mood for card making but when I am I become obsessed, especially when I come up with an idea, I end up with endless variations on that theme.

Sadly there have been no thrifty finds of late and I'm starting to feel a little tetchy so I'm planning  a mooch around the local charity shops tomorrow....better wrap up warm!

Hopefully I will be back next week with at least one Tah dah.

Have a great weekend   : )

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!!!)

: )