Spring has sprung!

Hello me lovelies! I was silenced, gagged and shoved in a dark cupboard by the mighty grip of 'no internet connection' for a bit, but finally I'm back and bursting for a little chit-chat! Nevertheless, it has been a busy time with the weather giving us a preview of summer. We've been enjoying the sun with picnics in the park till late evening, and making the most of the very temperamental English weather we've grown accustomed to. Spring is all around us, and I feel a buzz of creativity coming on! I'll share a little of what I've been up to with you...

Apart from basking in the sun, I've been busy preparing for a May Day Fete, and I also attended a ladies indulgence evening at the very lovely Crown pub in Broughton, Cambridgeshire, where I had a little stall alongside some like minded ladies! On offer were some of my own creations...

Happy Little Houses...

...Bitty Button Bouquet Brooches...

...SOS Sewing Jars...

...amongst other things!

All of the above will be available online soon! I will keep you posted as to the launch day!

Now, just a few pictures of our frivolities in the park. These photos were taken by my dear friend, Dianne Letchmanan. (And therefore remain the property of Dianne Letchmanan)

Dianne

I think she captured the day beautifully! Don't you...?

Our little man

Hubby giving a thumbs up for the yummy food

Our darling girl

New retro shades! ...and me of course...

Time for hugs...

Fun with friends

Chill-axing...

Abundant laughter...

...a perfect day...

I hope you are all enjoying a lovely weekend wherever you are.

Blessings, Tania ♥

Dresser re-dressed!

At the first sign of spring sunshine I turn into Snow White! I feel like rolling up my sleeves, whistling a cheerful tune and tackling the cobwebs! Today was such a day! Our dresser in the living room was the first to be tickled with the duster, and a re-dress was on the cards! I thought I'd share some pictures of the now somewhat tidier corner of my home...

A few of my favourite things...

An apple a day...or a few...

Nothing says 'spring' like tulips, and my very favourite flowers, ranunculus...

An angel to watch over us...

And so it's nice and tidy, for now...

So, another job to tick off the list! Have you started your spring-cleaning? Or do you do it all year round as the feeling takes you? Or do you just not bother at all? Hee-hee...:) Hope the sun is shining where you are!

Blessings ♥

Happy Little Houses

Just a few little houses of happiness to share with you! I've been sewing these today as the weather's been a bit dreary, and they've been on my 'To-do-list' for quite some time! You can find the fantastic tutorial to these over at Retro Mama's Blog.

'Till next time! ♥♥♥

Frills on Friday

I am in love. Yes I am. With lace...and doilies. Some might consider these lovelies as 'grannyfied', too Victorian, and dated. But, I am delighted to see that they are very much in vogue at the moment, adding finishing touches to many a homespun home. Alongside the very fine art of crochet, these feminine and nowadays sometimes quirky versions of bygone prettiness, can be clocked in most home style magazines, and can be seen in abundance on blogs, flickr, pinterest etc. I have been collecting doilies for some time now, with the intention of creating a garland, or a fresh take on bunting. And today was the day I did the deed!

Oh my...I had to gather all the nerve I had to cut those doilies in half. I was terrified that they were going to fall to pieces as soon as the scissors snapped away. But, all was well, and they held it together nicely. I sewed them onto some bias binding, and teamed them up with rectangle flags decorated with smaller doilies and hearts. I am so pleased with the end result!

All that needs to happen now, is summer! I can't wait to hang these outside in the garden for a tea party. In the meantime I'm sure I'll find a little corner in the house that could do with cheering up!

Have a fabby-dabby-doo weekend!

Birthdays and blessings

Wow...what a weekend it's been! On Friday I celebrated my 35th birthday. Yip, I'm now entering the latter thirties, a slippery slope towards the big 40! In all honesty, I did have a few quiet moments of self reflection, trying to gage whether life is all I'd hoped it to be as I hear yet another loud tick on the old biological clock. Did I come up with any answers? Well, I realised that I may not know everything, I may not be at the destination I envisaged as a twenty-something year old, but this I do know...I am blessed. I am well and truly blessed.

I awoke on Friday morning, feeling that it is just a day like any other, with the morning rush kicking off with packed lunches to be made, school projects to hand in, a frantic search for swimming goggles, and empty grocery cupboards to fill. All this staring me in my slightly older, wrinklier face. So, lots of chores to be done, and no birthday frivolities planned. Thus is life when you're 35, and mum! But, the day quickly turned into one continuous party, with my gorgeous sprogs singing a sped up version of 'Happy Birthday' to me as we quickly opened pressies amidst the school morning chaos. They were under very strict instructions from Daddy to do the birthday wishing as he had to leave for work early and wouldn't be around. And did hubby surprise me this year!? Oh yes he did! I was bowled over as I opened my pressie, and found it was the vintage necklace I had been admiring for quite some time now in our local Antiques Centre...'The man done good...'

Gifts from Mom and Dad

Vintage necklace: Gift from Hubby

Scrumptious scarf from a friend

At lunch time my dear friend Dianne turned up and cooked me the most amazing lunch of sea bass, and vegetables, and joined by the another lovely friend Sue, we tucked in with gusto, laughter and cheer. Such fun! And so the day continued...

More friends came knocking bearing gifts and wishes, and dinnertime turned into a party as my gorgeous South African friend turned up with a huge pot of curry she'd lovingly prepared. I was completely overwhelmed by everyone's generosity. I spent the day surrounded by the love of friends and family, with phone calls and messages from loved ones far away.

Beautiful Butterfly Wall Art, made by Dianne...

Katie Alice Tins! Pretty!

Treats from South Africa...home comforts!

Homemade shortbread...Yum...

Shoes! Gorgeous shoes!!!

Shabby Chic Photo Frame

Posh Perfume!

Retro Style Tins...

'Girls night in' in a basket

Homespun Style and my favourite flowers...

On my 35th birthday I feel filled with a deep sense of gratitude for all the blessings that have come my way. Although Graham and I are so far away from our family that are back in South Africa, Namibia and Dubai (yes, they are EVERYWHERE!), I am thankful for Skype so that we can still talk over a cuppa, and feel the distance narrowing ever so slightly. And then I am very thankful for having friends who are like family to us, friends that go above and beyond any expectations, to make one feel loved and treasured. I thank my heavenly Father for surrounding me with His love. My life has been a bumpy one at times, but His love has never failed me.

I am blessed!

My Vintage Vignette

Hello me lovelies! Today's post is a quick one as I have to get odds and sods done before the weekend. Yesterday was spent in the very delightful company of my dear 'Sew and Tell' girlies, who took me out for an early birthday celebration. A yummy breakfast and a spot of shopping, topped off with tea and cake was on the agenda, and I was spoilt rotten! More about that later. Needless to say, I have to catch up on some work now!

But, there is always time for a little crafting, and I thought I'd share my latest little project with you. I am very excited as I'll be launching my Etsy shop soon, and part of my collection will be my 'Vintage Vignette' shadow box wall art. Here is a little taster...



Original illustrations from April, 1954

I used a combination of new and old materials to create this display. The gorgeous illustrations date back to 1954! I teamed up antique cutlery, vintage doilies, buttons and lace, and a few newbies with these ladies for this vintage vignette. I am very excited about this collection, as every piece will be unique, a one off! I can't think of a nicer way to preserve pretties from the past. Do keep an eye out over the next couple of weeks, and come and say hello over on Etsy!

Blessings!