Across the valley and home.

This is the view from the end of my garden. I have to walk down the slope to underneath the Beech trees to see this. The field at the forefront is my neighbors. It's very sloped and has a huge badgers set on it. Once he told me he was thinking of getting organic certification. The large badgers set makes it too dangerous for horses to be in the field. I don't think he will do anything with the field and we're not allowed to go in it...., but it's nice to know it's being protected from being built on. Much further down the slope there is a small river and woods. Sometimes in the summer the noises from the house across valley bounce over as though they are really close.

I feel like I have been a bit disconnected from the garden lately. It was time for a winter wander, camera in hand of course. I love the smell of the wood smoke up at the house, it's so cold here right now. There has been many a night of wind gusting up this valley, I have been praying the roofs stay on. They seem to be quite well built. I didn't build them myself, they were already here. They are on stilts, because of the slope. There are a lot of cabins in this street, and a whole little community of cabin dwellers. I just kind of miss having a cabin space I can use. Not that I have ever really had one! But in terms of income this just makes more sense.

I'm still finding my way with this camera. My son forced me to take it off auto the other day to teach me how to do Bokeh. I was pretty chuffed to manage it. I will show you that soon! I thought it was rather fab that he had learn't that as part of his Music and Media lesson at The Door.

I love the yellow Winter Jasmine, it reminds me of my Mum. She always had some growing.

Winter stars, I'll call these. I'm not sure what they are, but they are pretty. Actually I think it's little Michaelmas Daises , could it be?

I have to say this camera captures the red and green so well, and it makes such a difference. Just look at these orange berries. Lovely.

And so back indoors, this is calling. There is always plenty calling right now! I have re-discovered this colourful piece and am now happily turning it into another cushion. Right now it's keeping my knees warm. I have brought some light denim coloured fabric to make covers with. I'm having a bit of a denim moment I think. So my next job is to get out that sewing machine and start. I just thought I'd call by here first, as you do! Have a good week.

♥

growing

I have a cold. I really need to honor this cold. Do you ever get to that point? I keep going, but in the end I realize I have to make space for the cold. Even if I stop, I don't mentally stop. That's hard to do. Lots of lemon and ginger drinks yesterday have helped. I want to avoid a cough. Things tend to get louder until they get our attention sometimes.

crocus magic

It all began with the three layers of rather yucky and damp carpet I pulled up from my conservatory a few days ago. I did stop and go and get a mask! I had no idea how bad it was until I starting peering underneath the layers. I did consider pushing all back down again. I even pulled up my wicker chair and sat there staring it for ages. Wondering what to do. Slowly realizing that the only way forwards from this point was it had to come out. All of it. There and then. By me. I just couldn't pretend it wasn't there, now I had seen it. It was a lot of carpet, I had to cut it up and heave it around. It was a mad push of energy. Three layers of damp carpet out of our life has to be a good thing. 

dreamy cherry blossom

Up until that point, I had been holding back. I try to look after my energy in the spring. So many ideas start to bubble. Tiling in the kitchen. Lets sort out those annoying bits in the bathroom. Chalk paint on the table perhaps? a bench to paint maybe. Or the big decision to clean the cooker.....it's reached that point. Our whole food thing needs new inspiration. I would be embarassed to tell you just how far we have fallen. But having a cooker that looks like something exploaded in it can't help. I need to have a bless the cooker ceremony! I hope we can find our way to new connection with food.

purple lovelies

Going for little carries with little dog has been a great work out for my arms, but they are feeling pretty sore now. She is tottering around. I feel like I'm trying to hold up a few difficult fronts all at once. I know this is life sometimes. I really appreciate any support I get. 

enjoying the coloured glass in the light

Indoors I have moved my glass panel to the front so the light can shine through. I am a big fan of coloured glass.

the reading pile

I snapped my reading pile to show you. It's actually grown by several more. I need to go to bed a little earlier so I have time to read. There are some great books here. Most of them found by reccommendations from around the web. In fact after reading the first chapter of most before buying I feel as though I am reading many books at once. I am just finishing The wisdom of my grandmothers. This has felt very appropriate after all the sorting and reconnecting I have doing with my family photos and belongings.

It's been quite a time here lately.

ready to journal!

I have sorted my pens and pencils, a little box of water colour, my journal. They are ready should the mood strike me for a little bit of colour and words. Have you seen this blog about journalling?

test test!

I have only managed to test my pens so far!

experimental

but I did find this water colour postcard experiment from along time ago. I put it on the wall. It's very 80's don't you think?!

the wool basket calls

The wool basket has been calling me. My arms have felt a bit too sore to crochet with lately. But I forced myself last night! Whilst watching some film I can't remember the name of. Sometimes you just need to sit down and crochet.

last night

Unknown object. Colours seem a bit spring like. A possible pan holder for the kitchen at this point!

And today is sunny, in fact the weekend is I think, here this spring.

So have a warm, creative and restful weekend won't you.

♥♥♥

drama and cherishing

Last night I dream't there was water pouring through the electrics. The house was on fire, caused by the boiler. I was trying to open the locked doors to let the mouse out, yes the very same one that's nibbled through my phone cable!

I was furious with my son who wouldn't leave his room even though the house was full of smoke. I was trying to throw the electric switch so we wouldn't be electrocuted.

None of the doors had keys in them, but I did notice one small open window,

thank god.
I woke up in the early hours.
Always a good time for imagining the worst.

Do you do this? Responsibilities build up. The house will surely fall down if I can't hold it up, myself. 

So, the boiler needs servicing, I think the roof has a leak. I need to call the electrician about my light switch. The phone engineer is supposed to be coming right now.

I saw the mouse last night, having a stroll around. Only humane traps here. I think he likes here, he gets to eat all the bits of veg I drop. I mean why bother going in the trap!
Even the dog watches him. I think she thinks he's a pet.

Sometimes it's over-whelming.
But this time it feels like a call to action.

I can do this.

a new display on my mantle, still needs a bit more colour I think.

At home I have been pottering around in the process of re-discovering lost treasures. Opening things up. Cleaning them, shifting things around. Redefining who we are now and how we live.
A new (old) suitcase has been found, together with another vintage chocolate box. I have a little collection of these, I must show you. Please ignore the cable in the background, who put that there!

wooden plank boats and a hand mirror which belonged to my Mum.

I remember the sanding and making of these little boats and the sailing adventures they went on in the bath!

vintage tea and cigarette cards

In my craft room, a few things are waiting for the moment to strike. I love these little cards. I have a whole box of them. I've opened the box up over the years and peered inside, now I have some ideas of what to do with them. One things for sure Tetley tea and Wills cigarettes were a staple at my grandparents house!

buttons and beads! 

   I've put my buttons and beads where I can see them. I emptied some strands of beads into the pot. We are never to old for beads! Love these.

little handmade jumpers

In the corner sits a little colourfull pile of handmade children's jumpers, made my Mum. I can't bring myself to part with these. I've given them a wash, it was so nice to see them out drying. Just like yesterday!

vintage and handmade brooches on my dresser

 On my dresser I have made a little arrangement of all my brooches pinned onto a small mannequin which no longer has it's stand. It's nice to be able to see them and not have them hidden away in boxes. A little picture of my Dad's Mum on her wedding day. You can see another vintage chocolate box in the background and the picture of the crocuses I adore. The velvet flower was given to me years ago by my Mum, I think it goes well there.

a fabric covered jewellery board

I have made a fabric covered jewellery board and hung some things that would normally be tucked away in draws. I've polished and shined, silver polish makes a huge difference. I feel like I polished a small part of soul, bringing things back to their former shine is very satisfying. I'll let you know more about the board in my next post.

 pretty kitsch artwork from a craft fair

I went to see an old friend, just for the day. To catch up and help remember the parts we had forgotten. It was so nice. So much time has flown by since our days of hanging out, traveling and partying! Life has changed a lot. But it's still us somewhere. A deeply creative friend who's home has always inspired me. I snapped some little glances to share here. I love this idea. A three dimensional box covered in fabric, with a picture, lots of glitter and sparkly things, just what we need. Nice.

inspiring chairs!

These two wicker chairs are gorgeous! Fabric from South America? I think. Cushions from India. A lovely heart. The cat cushions are fun.

Real colourfull gorgeousness. Aren't they lovely.

We have a next adventure planned. Meeting in London for the day. Exciting. So nice to have a partner in crime. Even if all we do now is drink tea and eat cake! and maybe check out an art gallery. Looking forward to it. Must make it happen!

And how are you all? I'm sorry if I've been a bit disjointed here. I feel like I have been limping along here slightly, not quite keeping it together. If you have a conversation with me in real life at the moment it's the same thing. Slightly disjointed, wandering obliviously past people I know in the street. Feeling very sentimental really of late. Lots of random tears and then feeling quite together again.

It's mixed bag right now!

Hope your week goes well.

♥♥♥

home

It's been a while. The time went by. I become a reader, and I enjoy that. I try to wait until I feel moved to write here. To feel what I want to say. To feel the inspiration arrive. It's like a little challenge for me, to wait until it happens. And it always does. Even when I think it won't. So the time has gone by, and January is  over and I've been thinking about home.

Right now, in this two person and one little dog family, home is very much where it's at. Our daily lives are here in the warmth of home. It's where we shelter, where we rest, where we play. Where we remember who we are. Where we dream up the new. Sometimes we need to do this for however long we need to before we are ready to step out again into life in a new way. It becomes our anchor.

Lately I have found myself trawling through forgotten boxes, dusting things down, bringing things in from the cold. Polishing, shining, remembering. Giving things center stage for a while, and receiving what they have to give us. We have to know that, everything that is in our lives, is part of our lives. Even the things pushed into cold unloved corners. We can bring them out into the light. Allow them a place. Let them warm up to the tempo of our lives now. For a while perhaps. Choosing what to keep, what to let go of. When to let go of it. Finding the message in their story. How they came to be here. What joy did they bring. What sadness. Seeing what is here, right now. Acknowledging. Making whole, sewing in all the lost and forgotten parts.
 This is the work of home.

a favourite piece of thrifted quilt

I think there is sometimes a difference between saving things and cherishing things. After all what are we saving them for? How do we really know they will be needed. We can't really see into the future. We save and store things, and they can become cold things in our lives. Or perhaps we don't know what to do with them, and they become a forgotten pile somewhere. I feel like I am in a process, letting it all be a part of us.

Thinking of ways to cherish, honor and acknowledge all the parts. Maybe making little memory tables, changing them around. Celebrating a moment of your life, or someone who has been a part of it.

A place you have been, an accomplishment. Remember who you were at different ages, school, college, first job, first boyfriend! Let that part work it's magic. It's all played a special part. Look for the lessons and learning in the difficult times.

Make a space, dedicate a whole room if you can, or just surround yourself in memories. Build them into your life. Appreciate them. Just like this family here have. Do watch this if you have a couple of minutes.

   

Our American Revolution from Dark Rye on Vimeo.

Aren't they sweet! I love the way they are sitting together, him with his typewriter, her with her sewing machine and clay work. Cherishing all the parts.

I think ultimately for me, it's not just about de-cluttering, it's about re-connecting, with all the different aspects of who we are and then making space for this in our life. Maybe I will end up with less stuff. But I feel sure I will find space for my life, creativity and new ideas.

Creating home is the most important thing I do. 

♥♥♥

p.s. sorry if you have a problem with the vimeo! It was working and I think there is a problem with vimeo right now. Unless I have done something wrong! Hopefully it will come back on.If you click on the link below the film it may work!

Rosehip, and pretty touches

Just before christmas I received the most lovely give-away gift through the post, all the way from Canada. A beautiful crochet trim pillowcase from the lovely Rosehip. I was totally thrilled and a little awed that I would receive such a pretty gift.

The whole package gave a little jingle as it had two sweet bells attached to it! A lovely idea. Lovely packaging with gentle care instructions. I was allowed to choose the fabric and I choose this lovely purple and blue ditsy floral fabric with her famous crochet trim in a palest blue. So pretty. 

Just ready to be placed on top of my freshly made bed!

Thank you Beata, it's beautiful and I will treasure it and look after it. Sigh. What a lovely bloggy world this is.

Which is why we spend so much time here I guess....

Looking at other peoples pillow cases and such like!

This room has been part of a recent move around. While I'm here I'll show you my ceiling lamp which still has a decoration up.

I've loved this and yes the lightbulbs missing! I kept this up since last christmas because I liked it so much. It's still there so far. It's my version of an Anthropology style chandelier! Actually this is the first chandelier style lamp I've ever had and they are lovely. Apparently not such good fengshui hanging above the bed though.....! I've heaved my big desk in here which I'll show you when it's all landed.

I wanted to clear some space in my craft room. I'll show you how it's looking right now, but it may all move again. I think I may need the light from under the window.

There's quite a lot of stuff here. I still need to make a clearer space to work in. And I think I might change the yellow. But I do love all this Stuff!

Shelves of loveliness, need I say more....... I have found some really pretty things lately. I have some ideas for making some new inspiration boards and framing things. It's time to make holes in those walls!

****

This week. I was feeling a little exposed with my photo here. So I've taken it down. I'm still not sure how I want to represent myself here, so I'll leave it off for now.

I also had a helluva of a meeting two days ago with seven people all representing different elements of my sons education and where we go from here. There are several different schools of thought, with not everyone agreeing. We just need to go step by step. I know I haven't told the whole story here, but it's difficult when it someone else's story too.  

I found all the different peoples energy difficult to process. It takes me ages to do that. I'm still doing it now. When I left the meeting I filled up my car with a whole tank of the wrong petrol. So I have no car right now either.

But I'm pleased to report that after having a bright green screen for most of the week I can now see you all in glorified colour. And how nice that is too.

Oh and I'm making, making, making, and a new cushion. So nice, I wasn't sure if I would carry on making them.... But I am, and I will show you soon.

So 'be happy'

and here's to finding our way through.

it's coming.....!

The first decoration on the dog-walkers christmas tree! has arrived. I love my morning walks here on top of the common with my little dog. Sometimes it's very blustery and at least 10 degrees colder than down below. We wrap up in woollens and head into the wind with our eyes watering. Little dog has decided she doesn't like wearing her coat anymore, more fool her!

and here's the first doggy christmas card! There will be a box left under the tree, which is actually a hawthorne bush, for collections of food and money for the local dogs rescue. It's a well known sight around here, with people coming up to see it in all it's splendor later on.

every day I admire this little tree as I come past. It has the most amazing backdrop of beech and birch trees down below. There's quite a high slope here, it's really so scenic. The red berries against the subtle misty winter landscape stops me in my tracks. My mornings are very different now. We haven't quite landed in a new routine yet, but they no longer look like this.

In our town it's lovely to be out after dark now and see the lights and spot the houses on the way home that are all lit up. This is where the local skateboarders hang out! Flipping up and down the steps and around the pavement.

I expect I'll be down in the town several times this week buying last minute pressies! It looks quiet here now but I don't think it will next week.

A quick peek in the church which has been decorated in trees by local businesses.

really I thought this one was very clever, A tree made from books! by the local hospital education.

I have my little advent tree up now on my table, I can't find my advent star anywhere! I think the big tree will go up in the next couple of days. It's nice seeing bits of festive sparkle beginning to arrive. Oh and I have put up my rather lovely christmas fairy, she just needs a new bulb so she can do her glowy thing and then I will show you!

and this is where it's all happening right now. I little glimpse of sparkly projects as well. This year I have been using some coloured foil sheeting to wrap small presents, it's lovely. It's like wrapping with a box of quaility street sweets! Very christmassey, I think. And in case you need to know, last second class post is on Wednesday and last first class post is on Friday, in the UK! and to throw in some zen like thoughts, if it happens, it happens. If it doesn't forget it for this year!

Catch you later in the week with more christmas sparkle no doubt,

Heather

X 

52 weeks of happy

hello how has the beginning of January been for you?

this morning, we had a sprinkling of pretty white snow. I wonder if we will have more later...., by the time I reached the common though, it was all a wee bit wet and muddy!.... nevermind, here's hoping we will see a bit more of the white sparkly stuff!

and now carrying on with my quite random 52 weeks of happy!

I have been making a custom order, cheery and bright is the order of the day. I am really enjoying working with the orange!

The last of my new years candle. It was a lovely soya wax, geranium scented candle which burn't with an orange glow, still very much needed in these January evenings. I'll keep the remaining wax and then when I have several I will melt them down again and add a new wick.

A glorious day on the common with lots of sunshine. Sitting on a bench and just soaking it up. This is selfcare. Blissfull. You can see the tree there now without it's decorations.

At home my January decoration, branches of catkins in a jug with some water, and hopefully the warmth of the house will bring some early spring buds to enjoy.

Today I have a vegetable and lentil soup bubbling on the stove, which is calling me, so I hope this week brings you some happy things,

Heather

lighting up

as the days grow foggier and frosty
and we approach the winter solstice,
we create our inner world and fill it with light and warmth,

it seems that we just need to keep on adding layer upon layer of light,
so that we will be alright!

first we had candles glowing,

then the fire was lit,

and now we have a string of lights!

haaaaa! that's me breathing out!! we so need these lights. I was waiting for the tree but I can't wait. Lights are needed now. The tree will be next. A little bit closer to the longest night and even shorter days.

fairy lights are making all the difference right now,

another layer added,

I've finally put some pictures up on my bare walls as well,

and you can see my little elving corner there,

so right now this is very much us.

and the next decoration on the dog walkers christmas tree has arrived! 

and just a reminder if anyone reading still hasn't entered my give-away you can do this here. Open until the 14th.

I hope you are finding warmth and light in your winter world today.