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.

Coffee time.

It's a cloudy Saturday, so what nicer than a days stitching. But to stitch sucessfully a girl needs refreshment. Today was just the day to bake some apple and sultana scones.

                   Mixed and ready to roll with my Great Grandmothers' rolling pin.

Baked and ready to eat whilst still warm from the oven. All I need now is a pretty china cup and saucer..........

                                                        and a pot of coffee on a tray.

Fabrics ready to cut and piece but I'm going to enjoy a quiet five minutes first.

Hope you all get your own quiet five minutes too.

XOX Angela.

Tough Love.

My posting has been sporadic lately as I have been struggling with myself over which way to go.

I have brought up my Grandson since he was a baby. He was diagnosed with ADHD when he was seven years old and has always been a challenge.

We have had some wonderful experiences as he is a talented dancer and has appeared in many Ballet productions over the years and has even danced in Londons' West end.


As he has moved into adulthood he seems to have lost his way and has been very difficult to live with.

It's heartbreaking to watch someone you love very much as they make decisions that hold them back so I have had to give some .........

I am both sad and at the same time it's great not to feel stressed all the time. I can't believe I've done it, it's taken alot of heartache to get here.

I have been supported by my blogging which has sent me to visit you all. Your comments have given me strength without you even knowing so I thank you all.

It's a new start for my Grandson and a new start for me, I'm in the process of making some changes so watch this space.

xox Angela.

Two new friends at the Mouse House.

I've been looking for a pattern for some prim mice for the Mouse House and found just the thing at http://www.softinthehead.blogspot.com/. Pamela sent me the e-pattern and here are my new friends.

I made a few minor changes and added a little book.

I really enjoyed making her.

For my next mouse I reduced the pattern down to make a smaller mouse to stand on a cotton reel.

                                                          She's pretty don't you think.

                                    Wrapped around the painted cotton reel is a message,

We are fulfilling that wish here in Great Britain today as our handsome Prince William marries his beautiful bride.

Have a great weekend,

xox Angela.

More prims from the Mouse House.

Here's the two dolls I finished today.

                                                             This is 'Jentle Jane'.

 She lives in a small cottage in the hamlet and loves all the wild creatures and in return they love her.

 You'll find her talking to them every day.

                                                      

                                            And this is Matilda known to her friends as 'Tilly'.

                                             She works hard as a housemaid all week.
                     Tilly loves to wear her Sunday best it makes her feel so special, like a real lady.

                        Creating dolls. A nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

                                                                 xox Angela,

Mouse House Prims.

I've been blog hopping and discovered so many amazing Prim Dolls. They are such characterful little ladies so I really wanted to make my own.

Thank you to Pamela at Our Pioneer Homestead for her free doll  pattern which has given me a good start. Thank you Pamela, I hope you like her.

 I've stuffed her with rags and aged her body and her clothes.
 I made the little cushion several years ago.

I am a huge fan of  Flora Thompsons memiors of her childhood in Oxfordshire in the late 19th century. It has been a really successful series on the BBC and such a lovely story of life in the English countryside.

My Prim dolls are based on this evocative story and so are 'English Prims'.

 This is 'Emma'. She lives in the hamlet with her family, she works hard but it's often hard to make ends meet.     




These are the things she makes to sell in the town, Peg dolls, pin cushions and sewing boxes.

I'm busy now creating her friends and I'll show you soon.

xox Angela.