Cold Comfort

I thought it was about time for an update on our two favourite elderly ladies.....

Mabel knew christmas had arrived when Maud said that she might turn on the second bar of the electric heater.

Of course, they always used to have a roaring log fire in the old days...........

........but wood and coal became so expensive and since they had to let Seth go after that unfortunate incident with their great-niece, Olivia, well........

.....things haven't been the same since and the poor dears are reduced to living in one, large and draughty room with insufficient heating. (Mabel still hasn't forgiven Maud for giving Seth his marching orders and who can blame her?)

They are in desperate need of boosting up their income by selling off various knick knacks from the vast attics of their home.  So lets see what they have for us today.

Antique Baby Gown

Vintage Huckaback Towel

Vintage French Book

Victorian Needlecase

Vintage  Faux Pearl Brooch

Vintage French Postcards

Maud & Mabel would be most awfully grateful should you wish to purchase anything, or even just for stopping by. They are also not ashamed to admit that after Christmas eve, the gin level is a little low. (Mabel should never have left Maud on her own.)

Maud & Mabel

Love In A Cold Climate.

As you know, I'm having a love affair with all things Nordic, so this week I shall be posting some links to my favourite blogs that reflect that style.

First off is Franciskas Vakre Verden or Franciska's Beautiful World. She is a photographer and writer for the interiors magazine Maison.

Filled with beautiful imagery this blog is a real inspiration and if you head over now, she is giving away a collection of beautiful, creamy handmade lace. (Click here for post.)

All photos courtesy of Franciskas Vakre Verden.

The Eleventh Hour!

I have been a little unwell recently. I was rushed into hospital with a suspected mini-stroke and had to stay in for a week. Glad to say, I am now home and making a good recovery.

However, this left me very little time to arrange christmas stuff and even less time to work on my submission piece for Seth's book. Details here.


My piece involved doing a photo shoot with my children, Kitty and Nico and today was my last chance, but the weather couldn't have been more perfect.

These are some of the extra shots I took of them against the beautiful, wintry backdrop of Boughton estate.

Kitty needed no encouragement to get in front of the camera, especially when I said she could wear my original victorian petticoat. Nico, on the other hand, had to be bribed with £5, but it was worth it for such beautiful photographs.

I Pray You Hear My Song Of A Nest.

Getting very excited now, as it's only a couple of weeks until we move into our new home. You can see it here. The kitchen needs some work. I shall eventually take out those horrid units and have free standing stuff instead, but that will have to wait a while.

I've been indulging in lots of interior design porn, as you can imagine, so here's a few inspirational images. The Nordic shabby look is still winning at the moment!

These images are all from Jeanne D'arc Living

I also love the grey/blues of this look, but it may look a little cold in reality.

(image from Birger et Mikkelson)

 I have some deluded fantasy that my many collections of junk/treasure will be sorted into something aesthetically pleasing like this. Ha ha!

Taken from the fabulous book, etc by Sibella Court.

Ok, time for coffee, cake and oh, is that my new Country Living magazine there? ............

Tales From The Edge

Well, its been a crazy time here as I've had to get ready for 6 days of craft fairs. I did one at Barton Hall yesterday which went really well, but I hadn't taken in to account, the fact that people would actually buy the stuff, so I'm having to continually make things to re-stock! Ah, Jo... business woman extraordinaire!

Anyway, to see my messy work space, head over to Seth's at The Altered Page, where his chapter of The Pulse this week is ......

Meet lots of new artists and see where they create.

As today is Remembrance Sunday, I'll leave you with some photos of my Dad, who fought in WW 2  and was a Normandy veteran. I love seeing him looking so proud when he was marching.

John Henry Archer 1924-2004

 Lest We Forget

The Great Knitting Project

It's been far too long since my last post, but things have been a bit hectic here. However, I did manage to finally get my knitting group up and running (only 2 years late!).

After getting a bit fed up of my needle challenged friends asking me to knit things for them, I decided they needed to learn to do it for themselves and so The Great Knitting Project was born!

Tuesday evenings and Thursday mornings and so far it's going well.

"Tracy wondered how long it would take to knit herself a belly dancing outfit."

"Juliette looked up hopefully when Jo opened the fridge door. "Is she giving us wine, or another flippin' cup of tea?"

Becky looking far too excited about knitting. This is what it's come to ladies!

 Juliette pretending she was knitting a blanket, but still unable to tell the difference between knitting and crochet, bless her!

The lovely Tracy, being a good girl and getting on with it.

Since this first night, we've been getting together every week and so far it's been a great success. Sometimes there is more gossip than knitting, but it's very bonding and often therapeutic. Most of the women are quite surprised at how relaxing it is.

I'm very proud of my new knitters and one or two are even beginning a pattern for the first time. (I sometimes have to deal with a small woolly crisis in the playground at pick up time, which is quite funny. Yes, you Rebecca! )

Anyway, I thought I'd leave you with a few sites that are great for free knitting patterns, so you can go off and begin your own Knitting Project, if you haven't already.

The Vintage Knitting Lady

Skiff-Vintage Knitting Patterns

Knitting Pattern Central

The Daily Knitter

 This is  a link to the webshop of a friend of mine who knits fab and funky things. 

It's All A Bit Woolly

......and last of all, let's not forget the fabulous

Guerilla Knitters!

I think that's enough  to keep you going. So, Knitting Nellies, get out that project that's been sitting in your work bag for the last 3 years and get those needles clickety clacking!

I expect an update of all your projects!