Granny Chic, rather that Shabby Chic!

Well Saturday is always the day for me to visit the local Charity Shops, which are rather good from time to time here in Keynsham.  I only purchased one thing yesterday, some rather battered funny little shelves, that could have probably done with a rub down and lick of paint, but due to my impatient personality I decided to stick bits of cut out vintage photocopies of wallpaper round the top and on the back for my desk.

I do worry sometimes that I'm a bit of a 'Rag and Bone' lady collecting bits of tat and rubbish...(I found a bag of stamps that I framed too)...

But you can find some nice CK bits about my house too...Can't wait to see the new Spring Goodies, ( I am going to try to be good...)

Happy Sunday Bloggers

Sam xx

Creative Spaces...

Its really important to me that when I'm working I'm surrounded by things I like, pictures that inspire me, infact I just love 'stuff' about me! The picture below has been my favourite place to paint at when I'm at home..probably because up until recently the Christmas Tree was here and I didn't want to sit anywhere else..

But my sad little box room has been ignored of late.. so I have decided to decamp upstairs again when I'm up to 'stuff', as although its the size of a cupboard, its actually a cozy spot..

a little space where I can have as much crochet about...my little lost toys around me...

and I can occasionally nosey outside...(I have the best lookout spot to the outside from my desk...plus Miss Silkiesue likes to sit on her lookout post..the brown drawers, so between us we miss nothing!)

Yes I admit it...I'm a curtain twitcher!!

Bye for now

Samxx

Whats on your list?

My list is a bit empty at the moment...here I am with a fresh new lovely Red Filofax..that I have promised myself to use religiously...and nope...theres nothing in it.

I have all these books with things and projects to make, but nope nothing is coming to mind...

What to do what to do?

• Needle Felting
• More Crochet..(Although I think I'm pushing my luck with any more crochet bout the house!)
• More painting ... I really want to paint some big sploshy pictures to try and sell as prints
• Read ALL of the Twilight books
• Work on some ideas for Childrens book illustrations with Mr M...
• Mmmm loll about a bit more.. whilst trying not to feel too guilty as I do work full time...
• Learn to cook and enjoy cooking.... ummmmm Nope strike that off the list...me and the kitchen just don't get along ...;0)

I will keep you posted when I do get more inspired, I would love to hear what you are up to !!!

Sam xx

Some Christmas pictures...

I have really gotten into the swing of being at home and well, just acting like a cat myself...lolling about eating random things when I fancy...normally of the pickled variety, oh you know what its like...just one more pickled onion as I pass the fridge...I think I might Pop!

But I did manage to go on a few walks whilst visiting the folks over Christmas...I always seem to do the same walk every boxing day to a place called Westward Ho! on the North Devon Coast, and on that walk is an old dark house, that I would give anything to have a peek into...

Trouble is I don't think the owners like visitors...

I did hear a couple of ladies talking about the house...

Apparently one lady lives inside all alone, it used to be a beautiful hotel but she now living with....(she really said this) 101 cats!

No wonder I'm drawn to it...:0)

Sam x

PS. Just a little thankyou for the sweet messages on my last post too, to you dear bloggers...

Mum...I've found Dad's sprout!...

thats what I discovered whilst helping my mum clean up after Christmas... (During our festivities my Dad flicked a sprout off his plate...and well we forgot to look for it after!) but don't you find you want to have a good clean around after you have tidied away all the decorations?

I have had my own frenzy of cleaning the house (Its NEVER clean enough for me, the sunlight pours in here, and I can never get rid of all the dust!) and I also have had a little clean about on this blog too, after receiving the Blogging for Bliss book about 'dos and don'ts'  ...then I started to have a blog panic attack...

Do I waffle about Silkie Sue too much?

Are my photos pretty enough?

Is my house/life interesting enough?

Blimey how neurotic am I?

I'm all for a bit of Blogging rebellion...who wants to join in? :0)

Love Crazy Sam xx

I'm Back!

Hello dear bloggers!

Well I have had a lovely break...a little too nice, I have discovered that I rather enjoy a little 'tipple or 2' mid afternoon, I'm now obsessed with watching Miss Marple, and I would eat Mashed potato with pickles ALL the time if I could.

My lovely husband suggested that I should stay a little longer with my parents, as he has recently been freelancing at the same time as his day job....illustrating....wait for it...a book based on....TWILIGHT.....sexy vampires, pretty love obsessed girls, and snarling werewolves.... ooo they are REALLY good, and I have started to read the third twilight book too...gosh I feel 18 again!

So when I can, I will show you some pictures as I know there are a few fans of the vampires like me out there in blogland!

I have also been thinking of showing you some really easy tutorials to do with painting...if any of you are interested in making your own cards and pictures...as I'm 'OK' at sewing...cooking well thats best left to Jamie Oliver, but I'm a bit more confident with my paintbrush ...Heres to a good 2010 xxx

Sam xx

Happy Holidays!...

from me and Miss Silkie Sue!
I can't believe that it is Christmas Eve tomorrow, it seems that it was Halloween only 5 mins ago!
I'm sat here with the Christmas Radio times, my lap top, enjoying the peace and quiet before the Christmas Festivities really begin. Next year will be my 2nd year of blogging...doesnt time fly when you are having fun?

And I will sign off to wish Merry Christmas to all of you lovely people out there in blogland xxxxx

Dear SaNti ClaUse....

Dear Santi...
My name is Silkie Sue, and I thought I would have a go at writing you a letter.
The thing is all I can think about day and night, night and day is PrAwNs...
I love them more than anything, more than snoozing more than laps....maybe NOT as much
as the warm space left in the bed by my Dad...but nearly..

So as I have been a ReAlly ReAllY gooD PusSy Cat CoUld I HavE somE PrAwns for KitMasS????

Lots of LOVE


Miss SiLkiE Sue
Maowxx

The Grinch is here...

Yes this chap has been lurking about my house for the last couple of weeks....you see the problem is I love the idea of Christmas in November, getting the tree out making things sparkly and pretty. Then time speeds up, and I realize that my anxiety creeps and the 'grumps' arrive, and he looks like a green furry cat thing with Santa hat on.

I find it really really hard to live up to the perfect idea of Christmas nowadays..and I really really wish I had brothers and sisters.. the pressures of being an only child!

So today I'm going to do the best I can to cheer myself up.. stop being grumpy!!

Happy Sunday!

Sam xx

A Small Confession..

I have been unfaithful this week dear bloggers...I have been doing something that Cath Kidston I'm sure wouldnt approve of...
I have been having a spot of fun on something called an XBOX!!

Yes...I have been spending my evenings running about, chasing and shooting at my husband...and I love it!!

Mr M said I should confess.. but I have still managed to fit in a little bit of sewing...(Don't look Ag!) and I received the most generous secret santa present from my chum from work..Emily who I know went over budget.....

Now I have to dash...off to Christmas party tomorrow for work...so I should try and prettify myself abit tonightxx

Heres to enjoying and not stressing over the Christmas period...

Sam xx

Collecting...

I keep things...silly things that to alot of other people would be rubbish, tossed away, forgotten about. I look for the things that were once loved and forgotten about..and I rescue them..small things, like sweet little vintage christmas decorations, that end up in a box of tat in a charity shop, but with some luck, I come along and with my rumaging head and give them a new home.

I have kept the little bottle of champagne that Mr M bought me when I got my in house artist job....all of the letters that I have ever received and stashed them away in old suitcases, ready for a rainy day when I want to read some some again, old moth eaten toys...

And I keep adding to my collection of stuff...what do you collect?

Sam xx

Christmas is a funny time...

ooo the pressure...don't you think to make things perfect....? Completely by accident today I have come across the 'Kirstie's Homemade Home' programme and wow her house. Thats the kind of house that I can only dream of...but how can us normal every day working folk live up to that...I certainly can't...

But I have to love the episode that was on last night...all that making and crafting..and that is what I try to fill my time with especially when I'm feeling the pressure of a perfect christmas.

And before I forget I have to say a Huge thankyou to Jo who was my christmas stocking swap partner. Wow can this lady sew and what goodies she sent to me wrapped beautifully I was totally overwhelmed. (And sorry for pinching you pics too Jo...I kept taking photos in half light tonight and it just didn't do it justice!)
Jo very kindly sent me the most beautifully sewed things...a stocking, hat, mittens...make up roll and a Christmas Pinny...it really does amaze me how kind and generous new friends in blogland can be...(The middle picture was the bits and pieces I sent to Jo) Thankyou so much again xxx

I also forgot to say that the Christmas Radio times is out now which I was very chuffed to buy today as I have collected them for the past 6 years...I wish I had thought to keep them from years gone by especially from when I was about 9 or 10...cause I love looking back at all of the old adverts and tv listings...

I think I may do a little wrapping up tonight...with a lovely scented candle on the go...and if any of you out there in blogland are feeling the pressures of this festive time...please don't feel alone.. I think there might be a few of us!

Sam xx

Little Lost Deer...

Found in a box in a charity shop on Sat..I don't think I was even charged for her...you see I was on the hunt for some more vintage baubles ..pink ones to be exact and I found some. I was inspired to get some pink baubles after visiting one of the queens of blogland...(I won't mention who...but she has the most beautiful house...can you guess who?)

Anyway I even found a little second hand tree, as I am now officially camped out in my cozy living room, watching all my old fav vintage films...The Slipper and the Rose with the most scrummy Richard Chamberlin in...I think he was one of my first crushes...

hope you are all finding yourselves cozy this Sunday evening...

Nighty Night

Love Sam xx

Theres Baubles in the Tree...

yes...the Christmas Dex are officially out...not all put out just yet as I am still running around like a whirlwind...

this was my day yesterday.

Alarm goes off at 6.30am...out the door 7.45am....drop Rob at work...drive to Sainsburys...get food...rush to garage...need petrol...THEN stupidly decide to run into Homebase to get Tree and then realise that I have to be at work for 8.50...

Work all day...(Work has been very busy at the mo...lots of cards to be painted very quickly...)

Oh rush to Homebase again at Lunch get Tree...then scoff dinner really quick to be back at my drawing board by 2.

Leave work at 5...drive home...then a cleaning marathon from top to toe..(as we have visitors today for lunch) build Christmas Tree...aiming to have decs up before Rob gets home...jump in bath...phone goes...then the DOORBELL...this is at 8.30 pm now...

Then have to rush out of the bath to get rob as his friends left him in the pub (I thought he would be out all night)

Decide by this point that I could do with a BIG drink...get home to Keynsham realise the local Off Licence has closed down...the Spar shop has just shut...so then had to turn around and go back to the Co-op...

Then home by 10..decorate tree...then fall asleep with a large Whisky and Coke by the tree watching Groundhog Day.....


Thankgoodness for a long weekend ...I have 2 days off yippeeeeee!!!


Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR HUSBANDxxxxx


PS forgot to mention that I also wrapped Robs pressis...somewhere amongst the above...and fussed the Sue Kitten too xxxx

And the winner is...

MEL!! from countryinthetown.blogspot.com
As Silkie..as you can see is having her 100th nap of the day, I stepped in and drew Mels name...thankyou again for all of your comments and taking the time to enter and linking me on your blogs!

Now lets get into the christmas spirit!

Much Love

Sam and a Snoozy Sue xx