A Quickie Before...

Just a quickie to show you some furniture that I'm intending to attack...

a mid century modern kitchenette cabinet

the inside with formica work surface and pie shelves

etching detail to glazed doors

Nobody can quite understand why I've bought this but I can visualise how amazing it will look when finished.  AAAaaand I've seen how much the restored versions of these go for on Ebay... Its all about Mid Century Modern furniture at the moment.

I've also picked up this lovely little display cabinet which will also be subjected to a coat of paint.  But I think I'll keep this one - its already been awarded a spot in our bedroom. 

sweet little display cabinet

I love the detail on the little door handle

I dont think its worth an awful lot - but its just perfect for me to store fabric or bed linen in - its not too big and its not to small.  As Goldilocks would say - its just right!  Its sitting in my bedroom right now with my patchwork quilt and my clean bed linen in it. 

In other news....When I moved the little cabinet upstairs... somebody followed me up and took advantage of the fact that I was distracted AND moved in on my lovely freshly made bed...

see my beautifully made bed?

see how its being unmade?

Ah the joys of jumping on your mum and dad's bed... It just never gets old does it...

tata for now ducks XxshellxX

ready..steady..TOAST!!

Today has been a strange day.. There was a reasonable amount of anticipation and its fair to say that there was a measure of the anticlimax about it too.

We had signed up with a local toddler walking group and were due to meet today with a view to visiting Folly Dolly Falls - a local beauty spot with more than a touch of geological significance and (its fair to say) a slightly comical name.

We got up bright and early with a view to partaking of a hearty breakfast to see us on our way.  One of us entered into the active spirit a little more than the rest - approaching his breakfast as if he were settling into the starting blocks...

On your marks....

get set...

TOAST! No oh wait a minute - biscuits...

Anyroad... we broke our fast in glorious sunshine (you cant tell from the pictures but let me assure you - it was there)  and then donned our most serious walking garb at which point it started to rain... so we changed into crocodile and blue and pink floral wellies and one of us wore a giant waterproof frog poncho... It wasnt me..

They dont make them big enough...(probably)
We rushed out of the house because although we'd initially had plenty of time we still managed to be late.  In rushing out of the house we forgot our camera - I blame Alex - he was supposed to be reminding me.  Yes he might only be two years old but still...  So we have no photos of aforementioned Folly Dolly Falls.  Here are some pictures of the Bluebells in our garden until normal service resumes... (that might be a while...}

*elevator muzak*

Bluebells are rampant in our garden *more elevator muzak*

 

*Do  Do Do Dooooo Dudoodoooo Dudoo doodoo doo Dadadada Dooo Dudoo Dooo Dudoo Doodoo doo*

Theyre spanish and theyre rampant so I'm allowed to pick them and put them in a vase on my windowsill ok?

The walking group consisted of two Surestart Playworkers and a group of about six other mums with tiny babies in prams - no other toddlers.  Consequently the pram brigade walked at a chatting Mummy pace - I walked at Alex pace.  'Alex Pace' "alehks pås" speed of walking which allows perpetrator (yes perpetrator) to examine every pebble, fallen leaf, indentation, puddle in, on or by footpath.  As an approximate measurement 500 yards covered in a  LIFETIME!! 


This meant we were left behind... no matter... even though we were walking at a snail's limping pace - Alex was very excited to see the Falls and to paddle in the stream.  
Only.. 
the group didnt stop at the falls - they walked past them - at a distance...  Walked a little way further then turned around and walked past them again.  At which point I told one of the Playworkers that I'd promised Alex a look at the falls and so I was going to take him down to the stream for a paddle and a better look.  Aforementioned Playworker said that it wasn't a problem and that he would head back with the group but wait for us at the original meeting place to make sure that we got back ok.  The falls were lovely.  We were able to wade right into the stream and take a good luck up at them.  On the way back it was a matter of national import that we jumped in every puddle (it was a rainy day - there were hundreds) and picked up every leaf, catkin, pussy willow bud that we encountered along the way.  The meeting place was probably about 20 mins walk away from where we broke off from the group... an hour and a half later... we met back up with the playworker again.  He was very nice about it but it cant have been fun waiting around for an hour plus just for us to to appear.  Also Alex, being tired, wailed pretty much the whole way home.  So to recap: Walk = Rained on, Left behind, and Wailed at.  Not quite the fun day I'd had planned originally - No MATTER!.... I had been invited to a twitter party for Mums that involved Chocolate, Wine, and Doodling online.  I would get home, get tea on, get Alex bathed and into bed and settle in for a relaxing evening chatting, chomping chocolate, quaffing vino and drawing. What could be better?? 

The turkey fillets for tea didn't defrost in the time that the microwave assured me they would, Tea itself didnt cook in the time that the recipe assured me it would (the fillets were still raw) so I was half an hour behind schedule... 

NO MATTER!! I still had allowed plenty of time - Twitter party started at 8.30pm - Alex was in the bath by 7pm.  In bed by 7.45 and David (my husband) said he would tuck Alex in and read him a story.  Done and dusted by 8.05pm - I asked David to light me a fire in the living room, poured my wine and broke out some chocolate and marshmallows onto a plate - I found scrap paper and a selection of pens and pencils - 8.10pm. 

 Alex started to shout down that he needed the potty.  Dave was busy with a match in his hand - 8.12pm - still time.  I ran upstairs and helped him into the potty.  We sang some songs, discussed his stuffed animal display, reminisced...still no wee.  Everytime I asked him if he'd finished he would say:- "Mr Wee will be along in a minute"  Finally Mr Wee showed up and I tucked him into bed. Alex, not Mr Wee.  I flushed him down the toilet.  Mr Wee, not Alex.  
Came downstairs - 8.34pm.  Rushed to switch on the p.c.  Said my hello s and tried to settle in only it was all so fast - looked to see if my camera was ready - looked back - 8 more tweets had been submitted.  Tried to read through 8 tweets and view all their doodles online - 17 more tweets in the intervening period.  did a doodle about it all going too fast, took a photo, had a fight with the camera, won fight, uploaded photo. 

 117 tweets in the intervening... WHAT?? 117 TWEETS!  Tried to do another doodle.  Camera unresponsive.  Bitch slapped camera, camera woke up.  Camera refused to upload images.  Switched off then switched on camera several times.  Read tweet saying "thanks for joining in see you next time" 

oh right

Not quite the relaxing, indulgent evening I had planned...  

Good thing I decided to put my (super hero) cape on this morning - it may or may not have had any effect on the outcome of the day at all but I like it anyway and it only cost me 20p! 

Cape - may or may not have supernatural properties - lets be honest I'm almost 67% sure it doesn't.. but ... you never know..

Anyway tata for now peepholios 
Love XxshellxX

Gifts that you dont want to give away...

Hello to you all!  What an amazing bank holiday we are having!  There has been sun - real, live sun, shining on things and making them warm.. Who'd have thought! 

Made for my niece Sian who was 23 yesterday

The sun shone on the party that we went to yesterday - to celebrate my niece's 23rd birthday.  I made bags for my niece and her older sister who had her birthday in March.  I didn't want to give them away!  In fact I may have had a fixed smile on my face and my hand might have clutched on to them rather a little too tightly as I handed them over... Might have...

made for my niece Claire who's birthday was in March

I also made the brooches that I pinned on them

I also made a bag for my son's girlfriend - who's birthday was this week.

An improvised tote made from a vintage pillowslip

I like mismatched buttons and clashing florals

It was my first foray into making bags and I'm so pleased with the way that it turned out.  I suppose that I can always make another for myself... We shall see - I may be onto the next thing by then - I'm easily distracted... Wooo Shiny Thing!  Must go! xx

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Story Of Mum - Happy Weekend Y'all

Hello me dears.  Well I'm a little bit late.  I did say that I would check in on Wednesday and I didn't.   Then I said that I would check in on Thursday but I still didn't.  Now its saturday and here I am.  I'm sorry - forgive me.  I promise that I'll try to not never do it again.  I know, I know.  That last there sentence was badder english than what you might not never heard before.. but it was from the heart folks.  From the heart. 

Well lets get the rubbish stuff out of the way first...  The holiday is still up for grabs and will be until monday when it will just be an empty caravan.  And so ends the worlds most unsuccessful blog giveaway... nevermind... I have another giveaway on the cards for next week - one that doesn't require packing a suitcase, organising transport or being free on specific dates... Watch this space.

In other news this week - I started twittering, tweeting, twooting or whatever it is. I'm @doodlyalltheday so look me up..  I started doing it anyway and although I'm still a hopelessly challenged twit - I am making some progress.  I now have some peeps that I'm following (I believe the kids on the street call them "Tweeps") and amongst those I have discovered a communal blog called "Story of Mum"  which is brill.  Its by and for Mums and Grandmas and it has lots of lovely,  crazy projects for you to participate in - like 'Buntify Your Life' where you can go to your most unfavourite part of your house and stick some bunting on it - then take a picture.  Or 'Pack a Pocket' where you get to be like a secret, mummy, all-year-santa and slip a little uplifting gift into another mummies pocket - without her knowing.  Of course these are things that you can do on your own but the main fun is in the sharing and that is what's best about this blog - its just about mums sharing: sentiments, fun, doubts and reassurance.  I'm dead pleased that I came across it.  Check it out - you wont be sorry...

this is a section of a doodle that I did for their twitter doodle or twidoodle party that's going on in May... check it out xx

So far this weekend - we've been on an ultimately unsuccessful but not altogether unpleasant journey to the outer reaches of Huddersfield in search of some mid century modern furniture that I've bought on Ebay with a view to p(r)imping.  We had car trouble and by the time we arrived at our destination the seller was no longer there - so I will have to wait to get my hands on them.  But the sun was shining and it was some precious alone time for my husband and I so it wasn't all bad.  When we got back to Grandma and Grandad's Alex had picked some beautiful flowers for me....

Alex was here :- the beautiful yellow flowers he always picks for me - and an ambulance.. just in case...

He always stops to pick Dandelions for me - and I must admit that he has great taste - I dont think I ever appreciated how beautiful they are before he pointed it out.

I've been a baking demon this week and I'm about to break out the flour et al. once again.. its my niece's birthday tomorrow and so I'm intending to take some lemon and poppy seed muffins with me with which to buy her love.  

my husband despatched of this lot pretty much single handedly within about 24 hours

I've also been drawing.  Mainly late at night which means I've been staying up much longer than I should but it feels good to be able to flex my creative muscles again.

this was a marathon doodle over about 3 days

I shall leave you with a picture of my breakfast this morning... "Whaa....??"  Yes its a bit mad but when I set it out on the table I was just so taken with the sunny yellow colours and it made me sing "happy weekend to me..." in my head - so I decided to take a pic.

Happy weekend to you all.  Bye for now xx

Holiday giveaway!!!

Hi Folks,

I come to you bearing gifts... Big, shiny, lovely gifts.  Actually when I say gifts plural I mean one gift... I come to you bearing gift... But its a good one.  In fact as gifts go.. its a doozy!  Is that a word?  My mum used to say it.  Come to think of it - that doesn't necessarily prove anything - My mum has been known to invent the odd word in her time..

"SKIP TO THE END!"  I hear you say.."Get back to the gift bit.. we dont need to know about the dictionary according to June!" (June is my mum's name ) "you can tell us about that later.."
Ok! Ok - the gift:  Its a holiday... No word of a lie.  A real, live, honest to goodness holiday.  
Its for four people staying in a caravan from Monday 7 May til Fri 11 May (the dates and location are non negotiable) - all you have to do is get yourself to Park Resorts  Withernsea in the good old East Riding of Yorkshire.  

http://www.park-resorts.com/holiday-parks/yorkshire/withernsea-sands/

What do you have to do to attain for yourself this lovely shiny vacay?  You have to become a follower of my blog (if you arent already) and leave a comment on this post.   Existing followers - just leave a comment.   If you do these two simple things I will put your name into a hat from which I will draw the winner - its true - I actually have a hat set aside for this very purpose. 

I have got some more giveaways in the pipeline - Keep watching this space

So my lovely existing and new found blog friends... What are you waiting for?? Your deckchair is calling you......

Speak soon
XxShellxX

Just lately things have been difficult in our household. Money is extremely tight as I'm sure it is for so many others with the current economic climate being what it is. We have had to forego a lot of things and find new, more cost effective ways of doing others. Weekends had ceased to be a time to kick back and indulge ourselves and had become a time to batten down the hatches and clamp down on all spending.  I'd lost interest in the house and couldn't motivate myself to do anything crafty or creative. And I think that in all of the worry and our own little austerity measures we had forgotten to live in the moment or enjoy anything let alone each other and the simple things in life.

In the evenings we would gather together for a feverish round of 'Put Your Hands Upon Your Knees'

Sometimes you can start to feel differently even though nothing has really changed.  In the last week or so Ive started to draw and create again and I'm starting to feel positive and, dare I say it, even excited about what the future will bring.

Ive started to sketch again \0/

 I'm constantly cooking up plans for different parts of the house and I've started to tweak things and rearrange and primp and, in essence, love the house again.

This week I've repainted and made a new seatpad and seat cushion cover for this chair

I have no idea why or what kick started me once more because the situation is just the same as it was but somehow I feel better able to cope with it.  And it has to be said that when I'm being creative (regardless of the quality of what I'm producing) I do feel better - more like me. 


We had an idea that we would wake early as a family on saturday mornings and collect firewood together.  We have a wood burning stove and this is one way that we can spend quality time together and save money - as it means we dont have to fork out for fuel.  There is always a plentiful supply of freshly fallen timber in the three woods that we are lucky enough to have on our doorstep.  Its gentle exercise for us - an adventure for Alex and we can take the dogs for a run all at once.  Plus it means that we get the weekend off to a good, early start and can make the most of our time.  Its like killing six or seven birds with one stone - which you've got to admit would be a pretty neat (if not barbaric) trick.  So.. that's exactly what we did (collected wood - not the bird massacre)

There's something romantic about going out to collect wood for the fire.  Its like the Brothers Grimm fairy tales that my mum would read to me as a child - but with a happy ending and minus the decapitations...

I had cooked an improvised kind of chili (without kidney beans but with added courgette) so that we had hearty comfort food waiting for us when we came home.  Is there anything better than coming home to a good meal??

Not forgetting something sweet and sticky for afters:

Chocolate and peanut butter refrigerator cake

got a bit gooey when we cut into it but I can assure you that the taste was not impaired - sleep well my friends

We got all the housework out of the way first thing.  And I had spent friday night cleaning and rearranging my kitchen dresser (rock & roll!) as it had gotten very dusty and cluttered with things that probably had no business being on display (animal character plasters, dowel rods and false nail glue anyone?)

I love it when my dresser is in order.  Its just so nice to sit at the kitchen table and feast my eyes.

Do you like this little fella?  Alex made him at our local mum's and tot's group.  They paid for each child to paint one porcelain ornament and have it fired at a local pottery as an easter gift.

 This is me trying to take a picture of.. me in one of my recent creations: my button mirror.

Union Jack to celebrate Britain hosting the Olympic Games 2012

 After lunch - I decided to do a little baking...

Do you like this idea?  You've probably already seen it elswhere in blogland if youre an avid blogger.  I got it from the impossibly perfect Cherry Menlove's blog.  I think she is one of my newest girl crushes. 

 Finally I could sit down with a cuppa and a cake and stare with vacant wonderment at my dresser.  I dont know why I do this or why interiors and crafting have become like a kind of porn for me.  I have a subscription to an interiors magazine and when it arrives I hyperventilate a little bit and I make furtive little plans to squirrel myself away with it and drool all over the glossy pictures.  I know, I know but I cant help it!

Anyway... all in all it has felt like we got a lot out of our weekend so far.  I'm looking forward to tomorrow...

The reward for my baking endeavours...

I hope that you're enjoying a productive weekend and if not productive - then - a happy one. 

Bye for now folks..
Speak soon XxShellxX

The Dinner Game

1. Don your Armour (in this case a blue bib)

Excited jumping is optional

2.Choose your weapons

choose any two of the above

3.Snake your way up the 'game board' from bottom left eating as you go

Hidden treasure covered on top row

 4.Eating 'unlocks' the hidden treasures at the top of the 'board'

from bottom left: cucumber, carrot, broccolli, cream cheese, farfalle pasta, chopped tomato, olives, feta cheese, banana, apple, marshmallow, chocolate

 5.The aftermath...

The pasta was replenished twice

I'm not a nutritionist so I'm not saying that this is how the tray should be layed out exactly.
I realise that there wasn't any meat and not an awful lot of carbs on there but he'd had rice crispies for breakfast, toast for 2nd breakfast and breadsticks for a mid morning snack.  He's making homemade salami pizza for tea... I'm not concerned.    I converted this from an idea I found here and I couldn't wait til monday.  The lady herself is called Michelle and what can I say... there's a pattern forming here: Awesomeness.  Just check Michelle Lorenzen's blog out as proof.  The author is my cousin and she's also called Michelle and she's cray awesome you guys.
Anyways.. gotta go lean against a wall and click ma fingers n be cool folks.
Later Daddio
XxmichellexX

Can everyone stand up and check under the cushions for my mojo?

I've lost my mojo. I dont know when and I'm not entirely sure where. I cant really describe it, its just what made me - me.
Ive seemed to have shifted from boho chic to hobo chic and from delightfully individual to slightly mad.

Mothers Day...on a budget!

So, yes,  I've been away for awhile and now I'm back yet again.  Just like the proverbial bad penny. 
I was offered a full time job in June last year and was unable to turn down the money so  I went back to full time work and learnt how to screenprint - which was nice.  Obvs I'm not some kind of Jedi Screen print Master yet but I can print two colours and adhesive and I loved every minute of it.  I did learn about screen printing at college when I was doing my graphics course but that was... well lets just say that it was awhile back.
Anyway I'm back on the scrapheap now and one of the upshots of that is that I can resume blogging! Yey!  I've missed the blogging community and being able to publish (even if noone reads it) and more importantly - catching up on my favourite blogs is something that I'm looking forward to now!

Anyhoo - its mother's day coming up in the UK and I'm seriously skint - I'm talking zero pounds zero pence - so I'm going to have to be creative.  Fortunately making something out of nothing is one thing that I'm good at - just ask my husband - he's always telling me that I'm making something out of nothing!  BOOM BOOM!... Ahem...

So here is what I'm thinking I could do....

1. bake
2. pick flowers
3. make mummy things  

 And I'm probably gonna do a combination of all three... here are some of the kind of things I'm thinking of..  

Sew up a cushion cover or cupboard door hanger

bake cookies and put them in a nice box/jar

A nice homemade cake...

         

 

 

 

 

pick a bunch of flowers from my garden

here are some pics of My Mum:

isn't she lovely.   What are you doing for Mother's day this year?  Something nice I hope.

Tata for now xx

Shell