Early Preperations

I know a lot of you are going to be cursing me now for saying this but already my thoughts are heading towards Christmas.  For years I have been saying how I would love to make more hand-made gifts and every year I fail to do.  I always end up leaving it to the last minute and run out of time or I don’t have a clue what to make.  Well this year that is going to change, why?  Well because I’m preparing already.

 

A couple of years back I made an advent calendar for James, last year I made another one for his niece.  This year I will be making more.  I have already received one request to make one so I am planning on making a few to sell, possibly a few more filled with presents to give to friends as their Christmas present. 

 

 For my first calendar, I made the numbers for each pocket using felt and a machine to cut the numbers out individually, it took ages.  So last year I thought I’d get a bit savvy with it and buy some ready-made numbers from eBay.  There were so many different sellers to choose from it was impossible to know what was going to be the best.  I opted for one seller and ordered 2 batches of numbers in 2 different colours, that way I could make 2 calendars and chop and change the number colours throughout. 

 

 I paid for the numbers along with 2 lots of postage fees.  The package was sent using eBaydelivery with Royal Mail.  I know a lot of people have experienced problems with Royal Mail but I must say I have always found them to be reliable and am yet to experience any troubles (touch wood I’ve not jinxed that now)   I was expecting delays with it being in the run up to Christmas but I was wrong.  They arrived quickly, within a few days which I thought was very impressive, however it had all been sent in one envelope amounting to a lot less than the postage I paid – not so impressive.  I probably should have contacted the seller and complained but in all honesty I had a lot going on and just never got round to it.  It is something that I have become wise to though, it is a big bug bear of mine, charging people for something they are not using or not getting, it is a bit cheeky if you ask me and it is definitely something I will be more cautious of when buying on eBay and similar websites in the future.

 So for me now, it is off to get some more numbers and start sewing some advent calendars ready for the big event J

 Love Gem x x x x

 N.B. This is a sponsored blog post, however all wording and opinions are that of my own.

Wedding Floristry

I mentioned in my last post how I have returned back to college.  Some of you may remember that I started a college certificate in floristry back in September.  My last class was back in November.  I was going to be returning back after Christmas but with news of the bungalow I thought it might be best to take a term out and return back again after Easter and that is what I have done.

This term is wedding flowers.  I was pretty excited about doing it, especially as me and James have been in deep conversation about our own wedding hopefully next year. I was keen to get started a learn some more about flowers and ways they can be used in weddings.  being a huge fan of flowers I am hoping for lots of arrangements for the big day.

The first week was buttonholes.  I have used the techniques needed for this before so I found it quite easy. 

I was rearing to go for the second week.  We were making a corsage.

Definitely harder than the first week.  Every leaf and flower you see here was wired individually, it took ages but I was really pleased with the finished design.

I wasn't too keen on the bow, we were told to add it into the arrangement but I left mine out, I just preferred it without.

The third week has so far been my favourite week.  I loved the flowers we used, the colours and the final design.  I love it.

It is a pew end.  Could also be used as a table centre piece though, I quite liked it on our dinner table.  A favourite by far.

Week four was a prayer book spray, that could also be used as a hat or bag corsage.  books are quite popular at weddings now to use as decoration, so I quite liked this idea.

And finally week five.  A bridesmaid's pomander.  I quite enjoyed this one, surprisingly simple, and it came together pretty quickly too.

I'm loving having this one hanging on my bed at the moment.  It looks so pretty.  Not a bad sight to wake up to of a morning :)

We have got 2 weeks off now, so there won't be any more photos of flowers for a couple of weeks, unless I find the time to make something at home.  I doubt it, I'm struggling with time at the moment, but I'm working on it so you never know, watch this space.

Love Gem x x x x

Journey on A Steam Train

Where to begin.  I seem to have taken another bloggy break, completely unintentional.  Life just kind of got in the way.  The past few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind.  So what have I been up to?  Well I've started back at college.  I missed a term out when we moved into our new home, now that we are settled in I have returned but I will tell you more about that in another post. I've also had a weekend away.

Myself and James enjoyed a weekend camping in East Sussex.  We have been to the campsite on numerous occasions before, and have enjoyed every one of them, which is why we always end up going back.  We were so lucky with the weather, especially being a bank holiday (let's face it, British bank holidays are known for their bad weather)  We arrived late Saturday afternoon after having to run a few errands which took longer than planned so it was a case of setting up camp, heading out for a short walk then settling down to make dinner.

We made the most of a full day on Sunday, the sun was shining and so we hopped into the car and made the short drive to Bodiam.  It is a lovely little place with gorgeous grounds around the castle.  We have been there before and on our last visit we spotted the steam train leaving the station and made a pact that we would pay it a special visit next time we were over this way.  I'm so glad we kept to it.  We really did have a wonderful day.

We got the train to Tenderdon, somewhere we have not visited before.  The journey took around 40 minutes, the views across the countryside were spectacular, with plenty of fields filled with sheep and their lambs, gorgeous rape fields, and wetland filled with swans. 

On the way we stopped at a number of old stations, each one looked amazing.

I was pleased to see that Tenderdon was also an old fashioned station, of course I had to get a little snap happy (as you do).

The village was also a beautiful place.  We wandered round the shops.  It was lovely to see so many independent stores too, you don't get many of those anymore.  We felt as though we could of wandered round for hours but it was soon time to catch the train back to Bodiam.  The train on the way back had a first class, carriage so we upgraded our tickets and made the most of it.  I felt as though I was on set of one of those costume drama's, it was fantastic.

We passed their Pullman, serving Sunday lunch.  We have said that is next on our list of things to do.  We have both said about it before, there really is nothing stopping us now :)

It felt great to get away for the weekend.  It was nice not having to worry about the housework, or the washing and being able to spend quality time together again.  We both needed it.  now we are just waiting for the next opportunity.  I hope it comes around soon, I could do with a break ;p

Love Gem x x x x

The Main Bedroom

One of the rooms I didn't show you in the house tour was the main bedroom.

Like every other room the view does not disappoint.  The good thing about this room is the fact that we get 2 different views.

I had said in my previous house tour post that I would do a separate post about all my charity shop and second hand buys.  The truth is there are just so many so I thought I'd make a start in this post.  We are lucky to have a community furniture charity shop in Chelmsford.  I have spent a lot of time and bought a lot of pieces from there.  The chair in the above photo was bought from that shop.  The trouble is we already have 2 bedroom chairs that were here when we moved in, so on reflection the chair probably wasn't bought at my finest moment, I just couldn't resist it.  It is a pine office chair that rocks and is in great condition, we are looking for a new home for it so if you know anyone who may be interested let me know.  I paid £20 for it but would be happy to accept other offers.  (If you would like a better photo let me know and I can send one to you).

I picked up the 2 bedside tables with 2 matching chest of drawers from the community furniture shop (they have had a lot of my money over the past couple of months, I have become a regular in there, we are even on first name terms now :s haha) These weren't that cheap at £90 but then again that isn't too bad for all 4 pieces.

My favourite buys, without a doubt have to be the wardrobes.  The one on the left was £25, the one on the right £35, again both from the community furniture shop (See, I told you I had spent a lot of time in there, it is like an Aladdin's cave of furniture, with so many lovely pieces and new pieces coming in every day, at times I could literally buy the whole shop).  You can also see the second chest of drawers there.  I'm wanting to get a nice table top mirror and a pretty tray that I can use to put some pretty glass dishes and bottles on.  There isn't the space in this room for a dressing table but I am happy to make do.

I will blog again with any updates on the dressing table as soon as I have one.  I'm really looking forward to sourcing the bits for this new little project :)

Love Gem x x x x

Instagram Meet Up

Quite a few weeks back now I met up with a few of my Instagram friends.  They all blog too, you may know them.  Pretty Little Jewels who kindly arranged the day, Lissy Loo, Musings of a Gem & Holland Rose.

We met up at one of the Antic pubs, this particular one was in Finchley.

I love how they are decorated.  There is always plenty to be looking at.

I was slacking on the photo front so have pinched a few from Gemma (sorry Gem, I hope you don't mind)

(photo courtesy of Gem)

A day spent chatting and crafting, with a spot of shopping to finish.  My perfect kind of day.  It really was a lovely day.  I really enjoy meeting with bloggy and IG friends as we always have so much in common so conversation is never of a shortage.  Gemma even showed me how to crochet.  It is going to take some getting used to but I've just about got the basics of it.

Love Gem x x x x

Wildlife

One of the things I love about our new home is the amount of wildlife we can see just by watching out the window.

I got pretty excited when I saw this woodpecker.  He has stopped by a few times now.  A true sign that spring is on it's way.  There has also been a green woodpecker too but I haven't had my camera to hand.

The geese are often around.  I've only seen the swan this once.  I'm glad I got a photo.

To think I am only a ten minute drive away from where I lived previously, the difference in the wildlife is crazy.

There is always something to be looking at, come rain or shine, wind or snow.

The robin and blue tits, and also great tits, are regular visitors and are around most of the time.

The bird feeders are always topped up, there is always a visitor at this garden restaurant.

The best spot so far though has to of been the barn owl.  He is a regular visitor but hasn't settled close enough for me to get a good photo yet.



We get a lot of hares and rabbits too in the field to the back of the house.  They move so quick though so it is impossible to get a good photo of these.   

I've become a right curtain twitcher watching all the birds haha, what a saddo!

Love Gem x x x x

Signs Of Spring

Looking outside today, it is beginning to look a little like Spring.

The sun is shinning.

And there are small little signs of life appearing here and there.

You just have to look for them.

Living where we are now, on an apple orchard, I can't wait for Spring to truly embrace us.

It is going to look so beautiful once all of the trees are in blossom and the flowers begin to grow.

And summer starts stepping in.  Let's hope after the long and cold winter, this summer is  a good one.

Love Gem x x x x

P.S I hope you have all had a wonderful Easter.