Advent Calendar

I have for a few years fancied making an advent calendar for my son, that he can use year after year. I have been gathering ideas for a theme. I was thinking of making a house with a load of windows and doors, then I thought it might look abit girly. My next idea was a tree. Just look at this wooden one above from Laura Ashley or this one below, a house made of fabric. They are both gorgeous, both are from Laura Ashley.

This one looks fun with the reindeer you place into each numbered pocket.

I fancy doing one like this Christmas tree, and making a design on each pocket. Mind you could take a while, not sure if it will be made in time for this year. We can only try....

Or if you have plenty of time, look at this lovely cross stitched design. It would probably take me years.

Or this one would make a nice simple design, especially if you cut out fabric in christmas images and sewed them onto each pocket. At the moment gathering my thoughts and will let you know what I decide to do. Please let me know if anyone else has made one?

Just a reminder, please have a go at the giveaway on the last post. I have decided to extent it for another week, so others can have a chance. The final date will now be Sun 29th Nov at 12 midnight GMT.

I have decided to include comments on this post as well as the last.

Lazy Days in the Country - Thank You Giveaway!!!!

Well, I have had a little break this week and things are now getting back to normal. I am still off work for another fortnight and hope to get back behind the steering wheel very soon.

I’ve just read my last few posts, sorry it sounds awful now. But at the time it was and now hope to get back to the nicer things in life, like putting more energy into creating lovely things. I am resting, but who can resist reading and commenting these lovely blogs.

Sue from Lazy Days in the Country would like to say a thank you to everyone who has dropped by. Also over the last few weeks every blog I've read has been so enjoyable giving me pleasure, with inspiration to get back into my sewing room again. Thanks again bloggers. Also I would love to say a huge thank you to my family, friends and neighbours they have been so wonderful. Some bringing home cooked food and driving me around to various appointments at hospitals, doctors etc. Also to my neighbour who has taken my son back and fore to school. It has simply made my life easier and I am so grateful for their generosity. (Beginning to sound like a speech).

Now the formalities are out of the way, now to the fun bit.

First Choice:-

Second Choice

So as a little thankyou I am offering everyone a chance of winning either one of these beautiful zipped bags. Both are made from Laura Ashley Red Check, both are lined, one with a CK design and the other with a very pretty floral design. Both are appliquéd with hearts.

This is my very first giveaway and I have been meaning to do it for a while, it is about time, so here goes. All you have to do is leave a comment stating which one you refer, yes, my friends it is that simple.

Go on don’t be shy, give it a try you may be lucky.

Good Luck everyone and have a nice weekend.

Edit

I have decided to extent it for another week, so others can have a chance. The final date will now be Sun 29th Nov at 12 midnight GMT.

Another Day

Found a nice free Autumn picture. This morning I woke to sunshine and felt so much better. I thought to myself a new day, a new start, time to move on. Sorry about yesterday just abit under the weather. My son went with his cousins last night to a firework display and really enjoyed it. My little one is so thoughtful he said "never mind mummy it's only a car, we can always get you another red one". Yes I said we are more important and we gave each other a hug. We've had many well wishers, flowers, chocolates and cards. Also arranged a delivery of flowers to a lovely couple who helped us, they were so kind waiting with us until the ambulance arrived.

This evening I have switched off the t.v. It is so peaceful and I am having such pleasure in listening to the rain outside and watching the flickering of the fire. I am wrapped up in a blanket with a nice cup of tea. At the moment simple things in life are more important.

Glad we are ok

Just letting you know that we are both ok. I won't go into too much detail as it is upsetting, but on Tuesday morning my son and myself were involved in a car accident on the way to school. We were involved in an head-on collusion on the main road. It was no fault of my own as that morning we had reduced our speed due to the wet conditions. The other driver was obviously in a rush and gave no thought for other road users. Due to the road conditions they lost control of their car. We are both very lucky and still thanking my lucky stars that we both live to see another day. I am coming to terms with it gradually, but still very angry with the other driver for putting our lives at risk. I now have no car and can't work until my condition improves.

I do hope that the other driver is making a full recovery.

This morning I have been reading your blogs which have given me such pleasure and taken my mind off the incident. Also they have given me some inspiration that I must get my sewing out soon.

Hopefully I will be back soon with nicer news.

Happy again - Hurray back online

Hi everyone, I've been offline for at least a fortnight with internet problems. It is a long story, but I will give you the details. I have hated not been able to get on the internet, can't check my emails, check facebook and read my favourite blogs. I have been so desperate I ended up calling into the library for a few minutes just to check my emails, just in case I missed something.

It all started with the internet light on my router going off every so often and having to reset it. This should have been a warning that things were on their way out, but instead I just continued. Them one evening it stopped working all together. Tested it on another PC, checked all the obvious things e.g the cables, tested it in another phone socket etc etc. I decided to ring our internet provider and they promised to send another router in the post. Still haven't received it, I can't blame it on the post as we are receiving other mail ok. After about 10 days got sick of waiting and decided to buy one instead. I will now blame and shame a reputable supplier. Called at Curry's and asked for advice and explained that I needed a new broadband router which it suitable for a bt line. The customer adviser in the shop showed me a few and then out of them choose a well known make. Went to the pay and the lady asked if had checked that I have the correct router. Explained that it was picked off the shelf by one of staff. At home found out it was the wrong one, it was for a cable connection not bt. Anyway took it back to another branch to get my money back and they refused as it had been opened. Asked to speak to the head of sales and explained that I asked for a bt line broadband router and this was what I was given. When I started saying that the staff should have some training on the goods that they are selling, he said I could have a refund. Home again, rang the internet provided again and they said they would look into why I had not received the router. Another day out shopping again, this time with hubby, we called into Curry's and we found a suitable router ourselves, even had bt connection stamped in bold on the outside of the box. While paying for the item, again they stated about the advice. We both said No at the same time, I explained that this was my third visit and didn't want to come back again on a 4th visit and that the staff in the shop don't know the products they are selling (secretly hoping that I had the correct one).

That evening connected up the router and with one quick call to the provider, after changing one setting was on online at last. Hurray.

Old Rusty Relics

I love this old interesting key, it is quite big, must have been one mighty door. We found this at our last house in an old shed. It is very rusty and needs cleaning up.

Also we found this old iron. It is very heavy, it must have been hard work ironing in those days. Both need cleaning up to stop the flaking rust. I think it would be a pity to paint them.

The other day I purchased this old typewriter from an antiques shop, not bad for £5.00, far cheaper than buying alphabet ink stamps. Typed this poem and I am pleased with the results.

Giveaway Prize

I still haven't shown you the beautiful recent giveway from Jane at Applique. Such a lovely giveaway prize. Inside the parcel was two brooches which I had chosen. Also a bar of chocolate and some lip salve. The chocolate quickly disappeared and I was promised some but didn't see any. My 4 year old decided to share it out and when my back was turned he ate the lot. His excuse was I thought you didn't want it.

Both of the brooches are now pride of place on my shelves in my sewing room, such a joy to look it with these lovely colours.

Also love this painted postcard. Thanks again to Jane it made my day. I might have a giveaway soon.