Glad for Friday....

Phew the work week is over for now...not that I'm complaining but boy am I knackered this week! My trouble is, is that I rush rush rush about like a mad person, trying to get as much done as possible, getting inspired by all you lovely creative people out there, and before you know it, I've hurt my back and I'm grumpy to boot!

But its Friday, and the Sun is shining for now, so that can't be bad!
Now just so you know, Mel and Lou I am sending your Free Style Gifts tomorrow....fingers and toes crossed you like it!

I'm still working if a little slowly at some things for my little shop, its taking me a bit longer than I thought (thats me all over) ever impatient wanting things done and perfect straight away, which is a bit tricky in the evenings, when I have been painting all day anyway and I have limited energy levels...(Especially when I get distracted by The Wire, well the actor in The Wire! and the Special Edition Star Trek episodes that Mr M has bought....yes I'm a closet Trekki and Yes I love William Shatner)

But I'll get there eventually!

So now, I'm off for a Bath, some food and a relax...and knowing my luck I will be slumped on the floor snoring, with a glass of wine spilt in my lap by 9.

Happy Friday!

Lots of Love Sam xx

I made a mess again (Part 2) and why is it everyone else can relax?

I did it again

Made another mess.

Everything every where, while The Sue and The H relaxed and snoozed....

I decided to have a go at making some fabric pictures for the Gingerwine Gallery after being inspired by some other textile
designers whilst surfing the net...I don't know if its the right thing to do, but what the hell, best to give it a go otherwise you will never know!

Thought I would also show you whose house I really live in...even though me and Mr M pay the morgage, the house really does belong to Miss Sue...if she wants to sit in your, I mean 'her' chair you just have to get used to the floor!!! ;0)

Happy Sunday !!
Love S xxx

Early start, lots of mess, and a Bag

Good Evening!
Here I am trying to cool down after having a much too hot bath, whilst reading Easy Living (purchased due to the Free CK wash bag!) with a glass of cold Tonic Water (the only cold drink in the fridge thats non alcholic!) with a bright pink face. I have had a very nice productive day (I can't bear to just sit about) and my day started early thanks to Miss Sue Ma OWING at 6 am today for her brekki. Well I couldn't go back to sleep and Mr M mumbled that he wanted a cup of Coffee, even thought I KNEW he would fall back to sleep as soon as I made it...any way with a sleeping husband and a kitty eating what do you think I did....only got on the sewing machine at 6.45 am. I am mad.

Managed to shorten a pair of Trousers by 7.30am, and after dropping Mr M at the station for his day trip to London (to go to a book signing) off I trotted to the local Charity Shops, which were really rubbish...I did do a good deed though. With the money I planned to treat my self with in the second hand shops, I decided to give it to a sweet man dressed as a Dalmation collecting for the local Animal Sanctuary...but my appetite wasn't fulfilled, so I decided to travel to another town just down the road to see what bargins I could find there. Now I'm not going to name this place, as I really regretted going there, and I don't think its really fair of me to name and shame this town. But, what a depressing place it was, even in the sunshine, plus I couldn't find my way out of it which paniced me a bit. (For a brief moment I thought I was in some weird Twilight Zone Episode.) Any way, I won't be going there again.

So I was home by 1pm, and then decided to make a complete mess of my living room, sewing and cutting and sticking..
a knitting bag...or crafty bag thingy with some lovely Laura Ashley fabric I found. Don't look too closely though!!! it was harder than I thought!!

So now I'm shattered, and I have to go and pick Mr M up at 9....hopefully with some interesting tales of London!
Happy Saturday!!

Love Sam xxx

Thankyou Sew Hot Mit Mot

Firstly please let me show you the lovely PIF gifts I received from Mary (Sew Hot Mit Mot) a sweet little package came with a little hanky, pin cushion and a button heart which I loved! So much that it now lives in my bathroom! I will be sending my PIF gifts next week...just trying to find some picture frames at the mo...thankyou for waiting!

Also - thankyou for your messages on my last posting about subjects for my little blog shop...they really helped me and I have started to work on some fabric illustrations too........so I have set my self up for the weekend with my paints and sewing machine, and lots of ideas to work on...

I hope you find yourself well this weekend, me and Mr M are pottering about this weekend here..and I have to have my fix of charity shops tomorrow!

Happy Bank Holiday Friday!!

Love S xxx

Ideas please? xxx (and thankyou!)

Evening!

Thanks so much for playing the 'pay it forward ' game
The 3 ladies who will be receiving little pictures when I have the frames are..

Dianna
Jessi
Rachel

So thanks for that - will more than likely be sending those off next week!

I have also been busy working on a few little pics for the Gingerwine Gallery blogshop..now
there will be florals and other pretty bits and bobs, teacups and flowers, maybe some animals...cats and dogs...

If you can think of any other things, I would be really grateful if you could let me know any ideas... or anything you may like...xxxx

Mr M is reminding me that he , well we are supposed to be watching 'The Wire' ...which isn't too much of a chore as
the delicious Dominic West is in it....yum!

Nighty night!!!

S xx

PS and don't forget about the Free Style Swap...thats really a reminder for me!! ;0)

Pay it Forward...

Hello Lovely Bloggers...

Here I am again, and as promised a little pay it forward post....

I have 3 little pictures..which will be framed and I will send them to the first 3 people to comment, providing you
also play 'Pay it forward'... remembering to send something to your first 3 blogger comments!

I am more than happy to post abroad too..I just need to get some picture frames nearer the weekend then I will post them to you xxx

Fun isn't it! I love all this swapping and blogging!

Happy Monday!

Lots of love Sam xx

Busy, Busy Busy

Well, here I am just sat down after wizzing about the house tidying and cleaning for my In laws this weekend..(They are lovely company!) Mr M was brilliant helping clean and polish..

I can't show you what I have been up to as they are a bit of a surprise for 3 lady bloggers...all I will say is that the old faithful paintbrush has been put to good use (I hope!)

I must also say sorry for not organizing my pay it forward post..I think I was planning a bit too much for this week as I work full time too, so if you can bear with me I promise to list it next week sometime...

I don't think I will be able to blog again til sunday ish...but I wish you a lovely weekend..

Thankyou for such nice comments about Mr M's work, and watch this space regarding my little blog shop, hope to have some things listed in the next few weeks.....

Lots of Love , Sam , Silkie S, and Mr M xx

Bell Book and Candle

I know I know...its a tad early for Halloween and Witchy things, but if you have never seen Bell Book and Candle the film
please please rent it and watch it. Its wonderful...gentle humor set in the 60's with a pussy cat and witch, looking for love!

So heres the thing, My Hubby, Mr M had wanted to practice a new 'vintage' style of painting and wanted a new subject to work on and this is what he came up with, why Kim Novak as Gillian the Witch with her familar Pyewacket..

So I thought you would like to see...If anyone else can think of any good vintage subjects I know he would love to hear from you...

Love Sam xxx

PS keep your eyes peeled for my Pay it forward post!

Oh and THANKYOU for all of the LOVELY comments...you really spur me on and I really appreciate it xxxx

Thankyou !

Hello to you on this lovely sunny sunday here in Keynsham!
Well thankyou for your words of encouragement regarding my little blog shop...I think I will
have a go so I will have to get a few bits and bobs together and see if any one wants something.
Mr M suggested large prints, little prints in frames and original artwork framed...and little cards.

So that will be something to keep me busy busy, plus 2 swaps to prepare (to the 2 ladies concerned , I have already put
my paintbrush to paper!) and a pay it forward to post!
Yes I couldn't resist leaving a message at Sew Hot Mit Mot and as I was one of the first 3 , I will be getting a little something, so in turn I have to 'pay it forward'. so look out for that in the next few days!

I thought I would also leave you a photo of my husband Mr M working hard in the garden today, whist I blogged drinking a couple of bottles of Stella!

Oh and thankyou to Sian (Diary of a TInyholder) for teaching me to link nearly !!

Yay!!

Love Sam xx

What do you think of a Blog Shop?

for my paintings?

Just had an idea after seeing some of your blog shops...

Wondered if any one would be interested in little paintings framed and little note cards?
Pretty, vintage inspired things... not too expensive?

Any advice or thoughts would be very welcome!

Thankyou!!

And Nighty night!

Love Sam xxx

Its Time to SWAP!!!

Hello Lovely Ladies
Here it is...sorry to have kept you waiting for the list but I have just got home from work!

Now every one has been randomly paired up (I have listed you as your main name appears when you leave a comment)

...now its your turn to make contact with your new or old blog chum, swap emails, and get to know your partner. You can get in touch via the message here on my original blog post for the swap...any problems please let me know, and I will try to assist!

Just remember to have fun!

So here goes...in no particular order... and I really hope I have done this right?!

Bagladee and Ag
Michelle and Hollypops
Flossie and Tom and Jemm
Lavender Hearts and Clare (daisydarlingmillinery)
Tatty Mum and Blueberry Heart
Debbie (Country Home and Heart) and Claire (Dolly Dollop)
Rachel (Contented.typepad) and Periwinkle
Vintage Girl and Rubys Mammax
Bobo Bun and Molly Cupcakes
Floss and Thecraftytrundler
Country Bliss and Lyn
Thrifty Mrs and LissyLou
TipTop and Nicola
Emily Pickle and Sue
Summer by the Sea and saraeden
smilernpb and Pink Feather Paradise
bekimarie and Pixiedust
bex and Steph@hookandscumble
Calicodaisy and Sarah
Janette and Tracy x

Now as there was an odd swap number I promised to do 2 swaps!

Gingerwine (me!) and Lou
Gingerwine (Me again) and Shabby Chick


Well I hope you like your swap partner and if you can aim to send your 'Swap off sometime in the beginning week of May that would be great (Just let your fellow swapper know if there is a problem)

Just going to check I havent missed anyone...I'm a bit nervous now!

Lots of Love to you all and thankyou for joining in xxx

Samxxx

A Mini Break and trip to the Theatre....

Happy Easter !
Me and Mr M have just returned from the big smoke, and what fun we had!
Friday, we went to the O2 to see Stars Wars..played by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Saturday, The Tower of London, followed by a meal out and then....the most amazing Theatre experience you could want.

We went to see...The Woman in Black.

Wow!

If you haven't read the story (Its by Susan Hill) and you like something a bit, well a lot spooky then this is for you!
Its about a young solicitor who is instructed to sort the affairs out of an old spinster lady whose house is on a causeway, sometimes blocked by the tide...I won't say any more as Its a brilliant story!

And here I am cooking us a bit of T, waiting for Murder at the Gallop (an old Miss Marple film) and thought I would do a spot of blogging.

Also, don't forget...please leave a message by the end of tomorrow for the Freestyle blog swap!
Thrilled to bits with the response...


Don't eat too many eggs!!
Love Sam xx

A Belated thankyou to Ruth (and a blog book!)

Hello!
This is a rather delayed thankyou to Ruth from Tip Top (Still can't link blogs - so sorry!) who I was paired with to do a Heart Swap by Molly Cupcakes..

Well I received a lovely parcel full of handmade goodies (With a heart theme!) I especially loved the beautiful embellished heart
paper clips which will go to good use here....

my new blog book! (A nasty old A5 Filofax that I covered and sewed on my lunch break - much to the amusement of my 2 work chums!)

So I will take some more pics later of my goodies in use..(Ruth I have hung the lovely fabric heart in my craft room aka the box room and can see it from here!)

Before I sign off - I just wanted to say a huge thankyou to those of you who signed so far for the Free Style swap...I will post the pairings up here on Tuesday next week...

And If I don't have chance before the weekend...have a fab Easter Break xxx

Lots of Love Sam and 'The Sue!'

xxx

Freestyle Blog Swap!

Well hello my dear friends...I have been uming and arrring about the subject for this swap, and then (With and idea that my dear friend Ag suggested) I thought we should have a go at a Freestyle Blog Swap.

We all do and make , and like different things. I suppose I'm my most confident colouring in, with a little bit of basic crocheting thrown in, but I don't think there should be one theme, just something that your blog partner will like and something you are confident to do. So for example it could be a little box of things you have made (Now remember you don't have to spend much...don't spend anything!) or maybe one big thing...maybe something like a cushion or anything!

The main thing is that you consider what you think you partner will like, and just make it pretty!

Hope thats ok?

Oh and if we end up with an odd number, I will post 2 swaps (Fingers crossed anyone enters now!)

So If anyone fancies a go, please could you leave me a message here by Monday 13th April, and I will randomly swap people together.... and to hopefully aim to post swaps off sometime in the week beginning 4th May?

Lots of love
Sam xx

A sensitive Silkie and Swaps

Well here I am on Sunday morning 10 to Seven, with a lemsip - I seem to have Mr M's Cold grrr
Any way me and The Sue decided that we may as well do a spot of blogging...

Just wanted a bit of advise really, as you all know, I love Cats and especially Miss Sue. She really is the sweetest little companion and I wouldn't be without her. But Silkie is a sensitive shy pussy cat, and when I have anyone to stay, she hides. I mean its like she is terrified of anyone else, so on the rare occasion when we do have any one to stay, I do find it rather stressful, as I'm more concerned about upsetting Silkie - which is ridiculous I know. She does have lots of hiding places, but her usual and favourite hiding spot (My Bedroom) won't be available as our visitors will be in it

So do any of you have sensitive Pussy Cats and what do you do? Its just that we have a few visitors to stay soon and It stresses me out.

Oh and before I forget to ask...would anyone be interested in another swap? I have a few Ideas for a theme...so let me know I don't mind organising it!

Love Snotty Sam xx

PS - Thankyou Sian for your tips about quilt making - xx