On a whim...

So, it starts with a crack in the wall in our bedroom, which has been there the whole time we've been living here...

*smiles*

There are a million jobs that need doing, but for some unknown reason, Ade decided he fancied doing a little plastering and fixing that crack.
I should point out that although he is perfectly capable of doing pretty much any DIY jobs, he normally actively avoids it, and is really quite happy to leave it all to me (although I haven't dared try plastering yet). There is no nagging from me, for it gives me carte blanche to decorate as I wish!

I'm not too fussed about the crack, it goes with old houses. I'd much rather he got ride of the ugly mess that is the fuse box by the front door, or even just a quick job (for him) like fit our vintage rise and fall light that my sister got us for Christmas - I swear I'll do it myself if he won't! Easy job. Who needs three wires anyway?? Do it the French way)

He did a grand job, and without too much mess. Lovely jubbly!
However, this is the point where these things can turn into another one of those unfinished projects - like our garden fence which is going at a rate of one new panel every couple of months. That bare plaster that stays bare for yonks.

Thankfully, I got on the case before getting used to it. Ade went away for a few days, perfect time to paint it, oh... what the hell, let's do the whole room (including the ceiling, hate doing ceilings). I like making changes while he's away, I get a little giddy about it. "Oh it's all changed" is a familiar sound. Plus it gives me the chance to make my mind up whether I like it or not before I have to 'sell' it to him.





He knew I wanted white walls, but he didn't know I was planning on painting the fire surround too. I eagerly waited for him to notice, although in fairness, I was so pleased with the result that I don't think a negative reaction would have dampened my enthusiasm!



Right after finishing the paint job, I got a stomach bug which got in the way of my work plans, bloody nuisance... But it did allow me to get down to some more crocheting with little garland. I thought I was being quite clever making up a flower shape which is smaller than the ones I had previously tried following Michele's fabby 'Grandma twinkle' tutorial over on the Royal Sisters blog. Oh yeah, I can totally do this, mixing my double crochets with my singles. Get me, I'm making it all up.



Hmmm... the result looks rather like a bastardized version of Emma's lovely petite flower garlands... Sorry Emma, didn't mean to copy...



Next on my to do list, curtains, most likely more painting - furniture, I have my eye on you, and a seedling of an idea...

Ta ta for now, Annabelle x

The treehouse

This when I go "tada..."



Here's the "little something" I mentioned last week. My little treehouse (also known as the gardener and owl).



A mix of freehand embroidery, appliqué and paint.
For all those summers spent (more or less successfully) hacking plans to make a treehouse.



I don't know about you, but I'm still struggling a little with the content of the news. I guess we all deal with it in our own different ways. Quite interesting how we do...

I've been covered in white paint for the last four days, busy painting our bedroom after Ade decided to do a spot of plaster work. Of course there's no such thing as a spot of DIY :)
The room is looking lovely and bright, with the sunshine streaming through the window. A good excuse to make new curtains in some of my favourite vintage fabric. I've pegged three of them to the existing curtains (which I now look at with a 'what was I thinking' face ;). I, and surprisingly Ade, love them all. I may have to combine them somehow.
I also have turquoise painted furniture on my mind, but shh... I haven't told him yet. Like I didn't tell him I was going to paint the fire surround. Well... :)



I leave you with more happy finds from my favourite charity shop.

Annabelle x

Crochet and French classics...

This time last year I got myself a hook and decided to learn how to crochet.

And... quickly gave up. I blame it on a short attention span and the inability to follow instructions :)

I couldn't deal with all the fiddly stuff, and thought there must have been a reason my grandma gave up teaching me how to knit.
Looking back, it could have been a game of belote that distracted her, a VERY competitive French card game, which 'les grands' would play after each family meal at my grandparents', while we, the kids, would go and play in the straw and hay pile.
Nothing could illustrate how competitive the game gets better than the line "Tu me fends le coeur..." *said in a southern accent*, from a classic Marcel Pagnol book & film, where the characters play (insert 'cheat') a game of belote. It's hilarious! Have a little look if you have a spare minute.



Anyway, back to the crocheting, I picked it up again when Christmas came around to make a couple of garlands for my sisters. I finally seem to be getting the hang of it, and I'm loving it!

After the cushions I made myself last month, I thought a little crocheted cushion would feel right at home next to them. I also had a go at crocheted hangers following (in the loosest kind of way) Dottie Angel's tutorial.



Of course, each hanger is made slightly differently :)
It took the first one to realised what 'worsted' weight yarn is, then I messed up, then tried something else, and finally settled for double knit and triple crochet instead...

I love that about crochet, you can make it up as you go, perfectly perfect for me and my short attention span.

Annabelle x

Experiments...

The little something that was brewing over the weekend is nearly finished, and I can't wait to show you...! I am really quite excited about it, I do however I have to be patient - not my strong point as you may know, and show it to you mounted and properly finished.
I need to get the right size stretcher bars first, then battle with it a little (hmm... yes, that aforementioned lack of patience peeked through when I went for it without allowing much spare fabric around the picture for mounting, pfff...).

What I can show you, in the meantime, is another little experiment. I have been playing around with paint brushes, something I haven't done for a long, long time.
Although I like it, and it brings a smile on my face, I miss the fabric appliqués.



I think I found a happy middle with my latest 'little something', by using both side by side - you'll see :) I expect I will do the same with this design.

Annabelle x

Something's brewing...

This is a little glimpse of what I have been working on.

Feeling inspired...

It's amazing what a seedling of an idea, a little experimenting and some Chemical Brothers on full blast can do :)

I will be showing more of it soon!

In the meantime, wishing you and yours a wonderful weekend.

Annabelle x

Little things that make me happy...

My favourite little scarf...

It found me on one of my thrifty strolls.
Glad it did, for it does indeed put a smile on my face. :)

x