The Chimney Sweep

My cottage dates back to the 1500's and is still  primitive in some ways. I have an open fire in my sitting room so, preparing for next winter I got the Chimney Sweep to call.

My daughter and my grandsons were visiting so it was a new experience for these 'modern' boys.

 We waited in anticipation for the brush to appear out of the top of the chimney and when it finally poked through, along with tradition, we all made a wish.

Can't tell you what I wished for or it won't come true!!!!

On one of our days out we visited Coldharbour Mill which is near my home, It is a working museum showing how wool was spun into yarn and then woven into fabric. We learnt alot from the very knowledgeable volunteers who work the old machines.

Upstair is an exhibition shows rooms from the Second World War era. Having being born shortly after the end of the war it was nostalgic for me as my home as a child was very similar.

In one of the other rooms, set out as a small operations room was this blackboard. September the 19th is my grandsons birthday.

 Finally, I loved this little girl with her gas mask.

Her face says it all!!

Have a great weekend,
xox Angela.

Sewing box makeover.

I found this little sewing table in a charity shop and could see it would look great with a few tweeks.

The first thing to do was to treat the woodworm, then give the whole thing a good clean.

Next two coats of my favourite Annie Sloane paint in Country Grey. I like this colour as it has a lovely vintage look when it is rubbed down and waxed.

I found some pretty floral fabrics for inside. A padded pinboard on the lid and linings for the inside.

All finished and ready to put in my Christmas fair at Cowslip.

I've got a couple more to finish, can't resist an old sewing box!!!

Enjoy the rest of your week.

xox Angela.

New makes and junk shop finds.

I been out looking in the local junk shops looking for country style pieces for my kitchen.
Here's what I found.

I love the look of these early Stainless steel teapot and milk jug. The hammered teapot pours like a dream. They both have a look of pewter, all tarnished, and grey.
They're sitting on my table which has a quilt on top made with 'Prairie Moon' fabrics and with a Churn Dash block.

This little brown jug was nearby in the same shop, don't you just love it!! It will look so pretty with some wild flowers in it.

I finished a little pin keep and a 'Keepsafe' pouch today,  I'm trying to use all my own designs at the moment so these were just an experiment.

Tomorrow I need to finish curtains, very boring, I'd rather be creating.

Keep busy and thanks for dropping by.
Hugs,
          Angela.x

Take a peek at my Mouse House.

I've been here for nearly three weeks and it's been busy, busy, busy. So much to do!
This is a very old cottage with thick walls and low ceilings. I love to imagine all the different people who may have lived here.

This is a small hallway between the sitting room and the kitchen. It seems to be a very old door with lots of old locks and catches. It needed dressing so I made this door curtain from a quilt that I made at with Jo Colwill at Cowslip Workshops in Cornwall. The Ikea bookshelf holds my collection of Quilting books ,recipe books and gardening books. All ready for easy reference.
 The afternoon tea stand was my Grandma's.

  It will keep out the chill in Winter and stop any draughts.

This door leads to the stairs, you can see Pansy sitting there.

The other door leads to the sitting room, if you are over 6ft tall you have to duck so you don't hit your head.

Here's one of my appliqued pictures from 2004, this is called The Potting Shed.

and another in country style.

My little painted desk sits in the corner with Pandora the sewing angel sitting on top and my willow tree waiting for some decoration. The picture is called 'Under the Apple Tree'.

I love this little corner. It will be a while until I am finished properly unpacking.

Some things are 'lost' since the move but I'm sure they will reappear as I sort each room.

It's fun rearranging, I'll show you more soon!

XOX Angela.

Prim Needlekeeps.

I'm all moved house still in a bit of a muddle but needed to do some stitching.

Here are two Prim needlekeeps going in my Etsy shop today.

You can see a bit more of my new home on my other blog where I've joined Karen Valentine for her third annual blogparty 'Where Bloggers Create'.

Lots more flowers on my Etsy too.
You'll find the link on my side bar.

Have fun today.
xox Angela.

Moving to my own little 'Mouse House'.

I'm all packed up and almost ready to go.

 Now that my grandson has left home to have an independent life I have decided to make a move myself.

I've been sorting out rubbish and filling boxes, why oh why do I have so much stuff.

When it's all hidden away in cupboards it doesn't seem so much. Now all is revealed!!!

I live in an apartment which is lovely but I really miss having a garden.
 I am limited to a pot of Sweet Peas on the balcony and a hanging basket with a tomato plant in it.

Now is the time to make a choice just for me so when I found this delightful cottage in Somerset I was so excited.

Isn't it lovely, Wisteria around the door with lovely flower borders and a garden round the back. I can't wait to move in. It will be my very own' Mouse House'.

I've just a couple of weeks to wait.
As soon as I arrive I need to sort out my workspace for Karens blog party on July 14th, don't miss it.
I'll be showing you the inside as soon as I can.

Meanwhile I'm off to London for a week to help look after my grandaughter during the birth of her new baby sister.(pop over to my other blog for news on that).

I'm certainly busy for the next few weeks but I'll keep posting to keep you up to date.

xox Angela.

All at sea.

The coastline where I live is very beautiful, so at the beginning of the summer, I like to take a boat trip so that I can see it from the sea.

Yesterday was hot and sunny, the perfect day to board 'The Fairmile'. She was built in 1942 as a Royal Navy  World War Two gun boat and served throughout the war, however, she never needed to fire her guns in anger.
At the end of the war she was de-commissioned and along with many other similar boats was auctioned off and turned into a pleasure boat.

It was all aboard for the hour and fifteen minute trip along the South Devon Coastline to Dartmouth.

This is the mouth of the Dart with its ancient Medieval Castles guarding the entrance.

The colourful houses sit in layers on the sides of the river while the car ferries ply backwards and forwards all day.

I spent a lovely day browsing round the shops on pretty cobbled streets

and walking along the waterfront which is overlooked by The Britania Royal Naval College.

Then it was back to the boat for a leisurely cruise home.

I got back tired and hungry and a little sunburned on my nose and find a parcel by my door.

Forget being tired,,,,   forget the sunburn,,,,     eat later,,,,     but first open the parcel!

I knew who it was from and it arrived at the end of a perfect day. Thank you so very much Julia.

I had admired a beautiful tag that she had made and was delighted and honoured when I received an email asking for my address so she could send it to me.

I guess you want to see inside the box,,,, like me you can't wait!

Well here's what was inside.

A beautiful card in Julias' wonderful style with a hand written note,

Inside the little parcel was this exquisite tag, I am amazed at all the little details, a real treasure and one that I will keep special.

It doesn't end there......

inside  two organza bags were a selection of creamy white laces and a pile of the prettiest buttons.

I feel really spoiled. Julia, you'll never know how much your gift has meant to me. I've had a few ups and downs lately and your gift  has cheered me up so much. Thank you.

Check out Julias blog Vintage with Laces you'll love it!

Hope you all, have a great week,

xox Angela.