Looking forward to Spring

I don't know about you but I'm looking forward to 

S P R I N G

I love my wooly jumpers and toasty fire but I think I've had enough now.

Thankfully Greengate's Spring/Summer catalogue is out to give me a little Spring injection. 

 How pretty are these flowers and pretty printed crockery?

Hard to imaging dining outside at the minute but I can't wait to set my table in the sunshine and start eating alfresco again!

Totally in love with this coffee machine (particularly as mine has broken and I am missing my morning americano so much !!)

Loving all the greys in their new range of cushions.

I think I forget what it feels like to have the sun shining on my face!

You can view all these images and lots more on the Greengate website here.

Hurry up Spring I'm waiting for you ... I'm ready for you :O) 

Feeling Autumnal

source: Lisbeth Dahl Winter 2013 Catalogue

In a matter of days it went from scorching sunshine to wind and rain here in Ireland. 

I have to say I miss the sun but I'm quite looking forward to Autumn.  I love wearing layers and handwashing my winter woolies and have been so inspired that I created a

Feeling Autumnul 

board on pinterest full of images of  inviting fires, cosy bedding and snuggly clothes.

I even lit my fire the other night!

If  like me you fancy dipping your toe into Autumn check out my feeling autumnul board on Pinterest or have a look at the lovely items in Greengate's Winter 2013 catalogue. 

source Greengate 2013 catalogue

What's your favourite thing about Autumn?

A Greengate summer

Summer is on the way .... well the Greengate Summer catalogue is out so it can't be that far away :O)  

I can't say I was jumping head over heels when I opened it but maybe that's because I've seen so much of it in blogland in the last couple of years.  However, despite that it's still really pretty to look through.  You can see the full catalogue here and all the images below are from that link.

I love the car and caravan above. I know I've been lusting after my beloved Nissan Figaro for years but I'd be quite happy with one of these.

I love the floral and gingham mix that's going on.  I've already had my fabric statsh out matching ginghams and prints for some new bags and cushions that I've been busy sketching. 

I really like this bike applique cushion.  Probably because it reminds me of my Grandad's bike outside the cottage.  I might have to make my own version.  Another one to add to my ever expanding list!!  Honestly, sometimes I think I should just give up on blogs and pinterest and all the rest because I'm pretty sure in my lifetime I will never get through all the tutorials and sketches and to do lists I have !!  But it's great to get the creative juices flowing so fear not pinterest and blogland I'm not going anywhere.

Finally I'm LOVING the gingham bow.  I'm really into bows.  Not sure I'd be brave enough for this look but I might just try it.  Afterall I went out with pigtails the other day!

So there you go.  A little Greengate summer injection for you all. 

I'm dying to get out in the garden this year.  It was very neglected last year as I was busy with the knitting world record but I'm determined to get lots done this year (famous last words!).

Anyone got any recommendations for some cottage flowers (easy to grow!) ???

Heaven is ...

owning a cottage like this!

Imagine popping down the garden and hiding away in a place like this :O) 

I love the description for this image.  It's up in the loft and the husband of the lady that owns the cottage can't get to it as he has a bad back.  Coincidence?  :O)  I think not.

All these images, and more of the cottage, can be viewed here.

Where do you go to hideaway when you need a few minutes to yourself?

I've inspired someone!

It's so lovely to get emails and comments from readers here on the blog and on my facebook page.  Every now and then we need a little boost to keep us going but this one was extra special.   To be told that I've inspired someone is just fab.  I'm so sorry I'm only blogging about it now Louise, hopefully this is a case of better late than never :o)

Louise emailed me after my Deckchair Makeover was featured in House and Home and told me that I inspired her to makeover her own deck chair.

You can read the full post and check out Louise's lovely and inspiring blog, Vintage Pink, here.

Inspiring Reading

Very excited, I've just pre-ordered Kirsties' book online ... only 35 days to go :o) I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks they could probably write this book but I'm still going to buy it as I just loved the show.  I hope it's back again this year.

image from bookdepository.com

Of course whilst I was online I was teased with even more books, which of course are all on my wishlist.  Ok, maybe one of two simply fell into the shopping cart, accidentally of course!!

Cath Kidstons' Stitch (only 57 days to go!)

Amy Butler's Style Stitches

Need I introduce this one.  I think half of blog world has already got it :o)

Selina Lake's Romantic Style & Bazaar Style

 

and this is just too cute.  Little Birds with lots of patterns from some blogs you might recognise.  You can view a trailer for the book at one of the contributor's blogs here  

And this I can't wait to get ... because you know how much I just LOVE Christmas :o) Knit the Season by Kate Jacobs.

and finally Embroidery companion  from Alicia at the lovely Posie Gets Cozy

So what books are on your wishlist?  Any recommendations? 

The Country Living Fair

So here we go, my little (well it started out little) review of the Country Living Fair.


What can I say, the official fair website sums it up quite well "it is the perfect way to banish the winter blues". and "it makes for an inspring day out with family or friends".   I had a really lovely day with Sarah and Janet, it was like jumping into an issue of Country Living. I've never seen so much cuteness, imagine all your favourite blogs packed into one place!!  It was also very reasonable price-wise. 


However, on the negative side it was a bit too samey.  There's only so many versions of the wooden letters L O V E you can see before it's too much.  I was also disappointed in the lack of suppliers there. I thought there would be wool and material available to buy but it was all pre-made goods apart from three stalls, that I can remember, selling fabric.  The other thing is that I have no idea who I bought off as everything I got has no label.  In fact disappointingly one of them was made in China :o(  So ... for all you would-be exhibitors next year remember to label everything.

Despite the last few comments I will definitley be going next year.


Here are some of the stalls I liked.  Thankfully I brought a notebook and jotted them down as I went around.

Laura long 

Hand-knitted gifts and decorations with a childhood influence and vintage feel.  I've been following Laura on facebook and she's doing really well at the minute.  Her knitted gifts are adorable and I bought her fabulous book.

Ernest & Matilda

Beautiful material, vintage items and handmade bags & gifts.

 

Little Crooked House - handmade soft furnishings, accessories & gifts for children. 

Little Folk - personalised children's gifts.

Super cute little girls dresses at ilovebreadandjam

Accessores made from vintage fabric & trims at red ric rac.

Maison Claire - eclectic range of fabulous vintage furniture and decorative accessories, sourced with passion from all over France

La Maison Blanc - french style furniture and home accessories and these super cute dolls.

Janine Drayson - gorgeous hand painted cards and prints

There were so many more but I'll be here all evening at this rate.

So what date is the Christmas Fair ................  ?

Summer Sunshine ... yes I'm dreaming

I'm slowly continuing my quest with getting organised.  I say slowly because I had to go to the doc yesterday and am currently on antibiotics :o(  

In a quest to make myself feel better I've been filling up my lovely new diary and notebook with ideas and trips, including the Country Living Spring Fair. 

I've also been catching up online and came across Greengate's Spring/Summer 2010 catalogue and thought I'd share some pics with you.    I think it's safe to say that most of us have outgrown the 'snow pictures'.

I really can't wait for the summer, let's hope it's a scorcher, surely it will be after such a miserable winter?? :o)

Twenty Ten Resolutions

I forgot to share my resolutions sorry (thanks for emailing and reminding me T!).  I had started on this post in December and saved it but then forgot ... oops.

In summary my resolutions for twenty ten are quite simply ....

There are a few more but I'm still working on my vision board so I will share that with you later.  Actually 'few' is a complete understatement.  However looking at last year's vision board I seem to have achieved most of the things and even more so I'm going for it big time in twenty ten :o)

The image above is from wordle, great fun :o)

Speaking of resolutions I love this post by poppytalk.  I love the pics and the simple "10 for 2010" title - fabulous!

Finally to help you on your way and start 2010 in a positive frame of mind here's a few quotes I found online ...

Use your talent (everybody has one) in anyway you can.

Don't keep it for yourself like a miser -

spend it like a millionaire! Lucy MacDonald

Achievement seems to be connected with action.

Successful men and women keep moving.

They make mistakes, but they don't quit. Conrad Hilton

Don't let what you cannot do
interfere with what you can do. John Wooden
Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more.
If you concentrate on what you don't have,
you will never, ever have enough. Oprah Winfrey

Bedroom inspiration

I'm so excited I've just ordered the millie wallpaper.

In the end I ordered it from here as I was able to purchase it via ebay. I have to say they have been incredibly helpful as I was having a few probs with ebay. I just can't wait to get it now.

In the meantime I've been searching online for bedroom inspiration and here's a few I love (none of which are anything like mine but I like them all the same).

I'd love to share a pic of my room at the mo but it looks like a bomb site.

The beautiful wardrobe I bought at St Vincent De Paul was delivered a while ago and it's mayhem in there!!!

Pics will follow shortly, promise.

pics & more inspiration from this lovely site

I was hoping to find more pics here at ABC Home Store in New York. However I was so disappointed with their website. I cannot tell you how stunningly beautiful this store is, it is AMAZING! I used to walk up to Union Square at the weekends when I lived in the East Village and wander around the store wishing my life away, thinking of all the things I would buy when I win the lottery and having it all shipped over to my cottage. Ahhhh daydreams, you gotta love them :o)