A busy Friday in May

This morning I glanced out of the patio doors and saw a bird on the matting that my husband had removed from his shed to clean. What on earth is it doing I thought?

Zooming in closer...

I discovered the Great Tit was gathering material for it's nest.

Look at his beak!

Using up the old bananas that no one likes to eat I made these two banana cakes.

Needless to say only a quarter of the large one is left! I think it met the approval of my family. The smaller one is currently in hiding ;-)

While the cakes were cooking...Why do they always take almost 3 times as long to cook than what the recipe states? I decided it was time to do some dusting and polishing of some of the furniture and have a little bit of a change round of the displays.

Mozart keeping guard in the hallway.

A little display especially for May...

A gathering of the teddies on the bottom shelf on the tea trolley.

Some of my blue & white plate collection.

Some more on the little dresser on the other side.

Now a few weeks ago I picked up these three tiny German rubber dolls from a car boot sale. They were sitting amongst a pile of 'stuff' in the bottom of a box, needless to say I rescued them, not even really giving a thought to what I would do with them.

Before they had their bath...they are a lot cleaner now!

I realised that they were dolls for a dolls house. Something I have wanted for a long time. In fact Mark and I looked at some at Christmas time, but I didn't see anything that was quite right.

A collection of dolls house clothes, blankets etc...

A lovely miniature fabric unit.

Look at the cute little cotton reels.

So what is this all leading to?

Well you guessed it - while browsing Evilbay yesterday I saw a gorgeous Dolls House, only five miles away from where I live and before I could saw boo, how do you do, I had pressed the BIN button! Oh the excitement, along with a bit of guilt, although that went when I got it home - yes I went and collected it immediately - Mark thought it was lovely. Phew! Even the boys when they got home were given the 'Grand Tour'.

So do you want to see my Dolls House?

You do?

Okay, well let me introduce to you 'Rose Cottage'

I always knew I would get my 'Cottage in the Country'

Isn't it just lovely?

Not quite sure where I am going to put it yet. I want it to be where it is easily accessible so I can 'play' with it when I want it.

It even has lights that work inside!

At the moment it is still decorated for Christmas, so I am going to have fun making different summer time settings in each room.

It's even got an Aga!

Yes, the boys rolled their eyes, although I'm sure they were secretly jealous.

Yet another excuse not to do any housework! Oh did I tell you I'm excited? I will have to 'reward' myself after doing the housework with doing some in the Cottage! LOL I AM mad!

This afternoon I gave up waiting for some books that were sent recorded delivery on Tuesday! They seem to have gone awol. Instead I worked on yet another pinafore. I haven't been happy with the versions made so far. I didn't like the seam up the middle of the one I made the other day, another didn't sit quite right, so back to the drawing board.

This time I think I got there, much happier with the way this fits and looks.

Now I am happy with the pattern, I will make a few with appliqué on them.

The post arrived at about 5pm this afternoon, still no books, but there was a little surprise for me.

Two beautiful 'pansy' hexie flowers all the way from Leslie in Canada.

Thank you so much they are beautiful!

Teddy Bear Thursday

Today's the day the Teddy Bears have their picnic!

One more 'treasure' I didn't share yesterday was this wonderful set I bought at the car boot sale on Saturday. Brand new, I thought it would be perfect for the occasion!

Isn't that the cutest? A little girl was selling it. She obviously doesn't know how to 'play', and surely must be missing out on the joys of a Teddy Bears Picnic.

Today it was the 'oldies' turn. Various 'waifs and strays' I have adopted over the years.

A right rag tag of of a bunch and slightly unusual. The black bear and the panda came over from NZ. They came from a 'junk' shop many years ago, when I used to work in Orewa. The bear in the striped outfit was given to me, the rag doll with the celluloid (?) face came with a chair I bought and Donkey and his mate were 'rescued' from a car boot last year.

Have a lovely day. I've got to go and make some pasta for DS1 to take to work!

For more picnicking, visit Melody at The House on the Side of the Hill

A little thrift.

Another super day today, sun shining, washing on the line, ironing done, plants watered and vacuuming done. Not necessarily in that order. However, Day Two of fitness was not to be...my muscles (tee hee have I actually got any?) were far too sore today to do even a fraction of the 20 minute work out. So what best to do than some easy toddling round the charity shops in a nearby town.

I haven't seen any bargains for some time so was pleased with my little haul today as it was all very bargainous.

Sound ladybird books - five books for a pound. Only four there? I forgot to photograph the fifth!

This little tapestry was a freebie.

I've been wanting another blue willow teapot for ages since my last one got chipped on the spout, thanks to a careless male!

A couple of quid for this cutie.

Don't think it is especially old, but I like it. For those that want to know the mark though I have photographed the bottom as well.

I've got a little jug that matches this teapot.

Next up is a pretty blue Laura Ashley summer dress.

With plenty of room to hide any bulges. Surely this won't shrink?!

Close up of the fabric.

A brand new tea towel for £1, from NZ. Funny how I can get one cheaper here than there!

A cute little Christmas plate, again for £1...will be tucked away for now, ready to come out at Christmas.

Oh and next up did cost me a bit more than a couple of pounds, but it is really lovely, has a wonderful tick and keeps the time well.

Isn't it pretty with the fine embroidery and ornate brass frame.

A close up of some of the detail.

Now walking up stairs and down them was rather a challenge and you can imagine I looked rather peculiar, but hopefully it will have helped towards easing the muscle pain somewhat. Hopefully tomorrow they won't hurt quite so much.

Oh and rummaging around in the loft this afternoon I found a bag full of school uniform blazers, sports gear and trousers that should fit number 2! We were given them some years ago, and tucked them up there for when he was bigger, which of course now he is, so yippee no having to go and buy any uniform for a while. Perfect!

Dog, Bird, Doll and Fitness?

In March our collie was quite ill and couldn't walk on his hind legs at all. He seems to have made a remarkable recovery and has certainly been enjoying the lovely weather we have been having and being able to romp around outside.

Man and his dog! I love this picture.

Couldn't resist another picture of the Jackdaw.

I turned the little blouse round...think perhaps the colour may look better this way?

A little bit of sewing was done yesterday, for yet again one of the dolls. This time for George.

Re-purposed shirt, turned into a pair of trousers, and the t shirt was made from a child's t shirt.

Today I started Day One of my attempt to improve my physical fitness. I really hate going to the gym, and couldn't really afford it anyway, so I bought a DVD workout programme.

30 Day Shred. It had good reviews so I will hope for the best and give my thoughts each day, or when I feel like it ;-)

So for Day One - absolutely shattering, certainly gets the heart pumping! Whether it gets rid of the wobbly belly though will be interesting! But I will hold off cutting into any of my FIVE pairs of jeans that seem to have shrunk, not to mention the skirts and dresses.... until I have given it a good try.

Fortunately it is only a 20 minute workout, I really don't think I could have coped with any more. I also had a good walk today, and will gradually try and build up my running again as it fell by the wayside in January when I was feeling so ill.

Now I'm off to wash a little cardigan I 'won' off evil bay the other day...why oh why do people smoke? It is such a pretty little cardigan and yet it reeks. What a shame.

Ta ta for now.

Some Sewing

Four hexagon flowers will be flying off to the other side of the world tomorrow. Yes they are all going to Australia, but individually to my hexie flower swap partners for April, May, June and a thank you flower.

I do hope my swap partners like them.

Yesterday I made a little purple gingham dress. This dress was made from a pair of children's trousers. I utilised the pretty hem on the trouser legs for the sleeves.

Another gorgeous day here today, one in which I hope to spend some time in the garden. I have a few plants that need to be transferred from the glass house into the raised vegetable beds. I also need to make up some hanging baskets, although this might not get done today as the plants aren't quite ready for them yet.

Some images from the weekend.

Pretty chive flower

Percy Wiseman flowering prettily

Starling

Robin, mastering the feeder.

First time seen in our garden - Jackdaw

Greenfinch

Beautiful chaffinch

Our back garden Blackbird

and his 'Mrs'.