On my lovely table. . .

Sorry but there is nothing on my lovely table to blog about. This week has all been work, work, work... Normally I would take some snaps at the end of a busy week to give an idea of the week, but not this week.

Sadly my camera had an accident. If you didn't already know - cameras and sand do not mix.

After all the work this week, I decided we needed a little trip out. So we headed to the beach. As we headed back to the car the camera slipped off my wrist and landed on soft sand. The camera was switched off (so the lens was closed) but sand had got into the lens.

Do you want to see some of the final pictures?

So fingers crossed for a better week.

The promise of warmer weather!

On many blogs over the last few weeks, I have seen some beautiful photos of the changing seasons. The small signs of warmer weather, like new shoots and budding blossom.

I thought I would blog about it too. Until I realise my photos didn't look that great.

Then last weekend, on a trip to my parents, my Dad said to the children he had found something down the field next to there house. The children where interested, I was intrigued!!

Thirteen beautiful duck eggs. Mrs Duck left the nest briefly, so we had a chance to count them (and snap them with my phone) and then we stood well back to watch her return.

The children where suitably impressed and

now hope Grandad could dig Mrs Duck a duck pond !!

On my lovely table. . .

It was back to school this week (just gone) and my lovely table has been neglected. Often used for work and eating, not very exciting at all.

One bit of sewing it did see was my lovely little red dress.

After another rummage for fabric I made another dress from the book.

Maybe this week I will make the pyjamas and slippers!

While the cats away.....

Today I've 'borrowed' my daughters book while she is at school.

The book is Cath Kidston's rag doll book.

I traced the patterns, although you can cut them out. (personally cutting a book feels wrong)

The book shows the sleeves and neck line with a ric rac edging. If you made it without it would be a lot quicker.

Doing sewing on a small scale was really enjoyable.

The finishing touch was to select a button and make the button loop.

I am really happy with the finished dress and can't wait to try another outfit, or maybe the little shoes...

On my lovely table. . .

On my lovely table this week we have seen . .

Some weighing and measuring, for the cakes below.

They where a little dry, fine with custard!!!

A bit of model making.

A bit of tracing.

And finally some homework.

(last time I said we would do the homework early, but once again it was last minute!!)

I better move, back to school today and they are both still in bed!!

Towneley Park

Wednesday didn't start out with much promise. We had to do the dreaded 'school shoes, pumps & trainer shopping'. Please tell me why they put lights in all the ill fitting school shoes and no lights in the shoes that Mum likes!! ( If you live in the UK and shop at the popular high street shoe shop you should know what I mean)

The Day did improve, we got an invite from family to join them at Towneley Park in Burnley.

The weather was glorious.

We had a look around the house. 

The children did a quiz. They had to find little wooden mice in all the rooms. 

In a small servants bedroom I spotted this beautiful hand made bed cover.

We headed back outside for a walk in the park.

This is definitely a place we will visit again in the summer.

Just a note - watch out for the Grizzly Bear!!!

On my lovely table. . .

The first week of the Easter holidays has gone past in a blur...

My lovely table hasn't seen much crafting, its just been a temporary resting spot for activities.

The first of my photos shows my new fabric, washed and ironed. I just need a project. The greeny blue fabric is going to be a new table cloth but the other two, well I'm not sure yet!

Some of the time last week involved work.

My daughters book arrived on Saturday, my initial impressions are really good. The patterns are all full size and the instructions look clear and easy to follow. More on the rag doll another day!

Another delivery of books. This time from my Mum in law. Maybe this week we shall be taste testing some cupcakes.

Sorry but the biscuits are long gone.  

On Sunday I enjoyed a lovely cup of tea with my biscuit tin, sadly now only containing seeds. 

I've now got several pots of courgette and cucumber seed waiting for warm weather.

A day at the seaside!

Well, not really. On Wednesday we headed off to Southport and although it is technically by the sea, the tide is nearly always out. We had a lovely look around the shops, then called at my sisters for tea and biscuits on the way home.

I took my camera with me but didn't take any photos. My photos never look great on a busy high street (especially when your trying to keep track of a very bouncy boy who feels too old to hold hands)

I did treat myself to a new book. After watching the new BBC Sewing programme on Tuesday night I realized that most of my sewing techniques have been passed on from my Mum (forgetting some bits along the way) or self taught, with lots of trial and lots more error. So the book I bought is. . . .

We also saw this book below. My daughter loved the rag doll and I remembered having a similar set as a child. But when you have two children with you its difficult to buy for just one. So we left the book behind.

When we got home I had a look on amazon, it was only then that I realized we had the very same dolls house as children. I took that as a sign, so I ordered the book. (I just looooove books and it will be a lovely surprise for my daughter)

I'm still waiting for my Mum to check under the stairs to see if the dolls house is still there!! 

Easter Weekend

I hope everyone has had a lovely Easter weekend. We've had a family birthday, so have sampled lots of cake. I wish I could say they where on 'my lovely table' but they where not!!!!

The weather has been lovely & sunny so we have spent lots of time outside. 

There has been some art!!

I've cleaned out my green house and started planting seeds.

There has been lots of trampolining.

Several egg hunts, the main one being for the children but then the guinea pigs had a go.

(They are not interested in plastic eggs when they are on 'grass/moss/bare earth' for the first time this year)