One busy weekend.......

Good evening

How has your bank holiday weekend been? Good I hope.

We managed to get the right person to the right place at the right time - quite an achievement - think I've earnt another Pimms later ;)

The weekend started rather well - with a thud, thud, thud, thud on the doormat Friday morning when it seemed that the postie was emptying his entire sack into our letterbox. Not one but 4 lovely parcels - all for me :) My friend was running late so it gave me a chance to open them and photograph all the lovely contents;

Firstly a parcel from the lovely Felt Fairy Annie - I was one of the lucky winners of her recent giveaway. She'd matched all the winners with pressies she thought suitable. She's a regular reader and had noticed my comments in my sidebar about my habit of avoiding housework - hopefully my list pad might just help me see what needs doing and I shall take satisfaction in ticking the chores off the list. My toes will be a fetching shade of purple when I next paint them and my little lavender mouse & wax melt shall hopefully help lift the smell of teenage male which sometimes wafts through the house!!

Now it seemed I was the only blogger who'd yet to find a copy of this new magazine - I'd tried shops in town and they'd not even heard of it. A lovely friend in another part of the country took pity on me and found me a copy. Well  it was so worth the wait - this is such a lovely magazine - really full of things to read/make/drool over. I've taken a subscription out - it starts from Issue 3 - so there's just a matter of locating Issue 2 when it comes out next week!!

The final two thuds were ebay buys. I use pretty vintage playing cards to make labels for my makes. I've started to run low and managed to find two pretty sets for reasonable prices;

Friday evening saw us dispatch Big Son to a huge Explorer camp in deepest Essex - my favourite part of these camps is a quick game of Explorer Buckaroo - amazing how much more he can carry these days with falling over. When he first started going camping when he was 8 - it was as much as he could do to life his rucksack!

Saturday meant another brass engagement for MrVV & Little Son - leading a parade to mark the 70th birthday of the Air Cadet movement;

Whilst they were marching through the town in Woodbridge - I nipped into the charity shops - I found something I've been after for ages - for a bargain price too - more on that another time.

After a very late night on Saturday (1am - we'd been to see Ken Dodd - a 5 hour show!), I was up early to get sorted for the Vintage Soul fair in Southwold. We managed easily to fill the stall between the two of us;

We had a reasonably good day - when we added up the sales at the end of the day the split was almost 50/50 which was rather good. Thanks to those who came and said Hello :) I really must work this week on getting some things into my Folksy shop - its been on my to-do list for rather a long whilst!!

Today has been a much quieter - little son has earnt a rest after another day of banding yesterday and MrVV has been rather busy putting together a programme for a huge brass concert his band are doing this summer. This meant I've had plenty of time to do some sewing for me :) I've managed to alter another skirt;

And mostly importantly, I've almost finished making a dress for a big family party next weekend - I just need to put the finishing touches to that and then I can show you

Big son is back from his weekend away - he's had a great time.  He's been rafting/canoeing/ice-skating and so much more. Last night it was rather warm so they slept under the stars.

I'd best say goodbye now - thanks for reading :) Off now to sort my photos for the Scavenger Hunt - I think I've got them all but just need to check. Oh and I must get my Button Swap parcel wrapped too.

See you tomorrow

xxx Vicki xxx

Celebrations

Good evening

No not the chocolate sort but April celebrations. So many things happening in one month;

Easter - which means we need an Easter tree;

A mix of branches from the garden - cherry, silver birch, hawthorn and a stray shoot from my pear tree.

St Georges Day - all 3 menfolk took part in parades today - had to be this weekend as the churches are busy with something else next weekend!! Big son finally got enrolled as an Explorer on Friday night (seemed to involve hanging upside down from a climbing frame!!) St George is the Patron Saint of Scouts - so all scout/cubs/beavers/explorers are asked to re-do their promise each year.

THAT Wedding - the shelves looked so bare - they've had cards hanging on them since December so it seemed the best place to hang my red,white & blue bunting;

I think I'll look out for some other suitable bits to display this week - I know I've some UJ paperchains somewhere in the house!!

Friendship - one of my best friends from my teenage years is coming to visit tomorrow. We lost touch for 20 years but thanks to the magic of facebook we've got in contact again and she's coming with her children for coffee tomorrow morning - so I thought we'd need cakes!!



Spring time - the cherry has now fully bloomed - earlier than last year.

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

The north wind doth blow.......

Good evening

And its felt cold enough to snow here for the past couple of days. All dreams of spring and the wearing of less layers than a polar explorer have gone out of the window. Today I even resorted back to the thick ski-mittens the boys bought me in the January sales - have been tempted to wear them in the house too.

In a bid to trick my body into thinking its warmer, I've treated myself to another hycanith - it normally lives on my kitchen window sill but I couldn't get a clear picture of it on there;

Some people hate the smell of these gorgeous flowers but I love it.

The postie brought me a new toy yesterday - a glue gun.

I've had such fun sticking things together - some repairs - like this brooch thats had its stone out for ages and ages;

And I've also been making a few little bits (earrings mainly) towards another stall (no date sorted yet);

I've also treated myself to some new zingy springy fabric & buttons;

I was brave today - I went to visit a local shop and took some samples to see if they would stock (on and sale or return basis) some of my makes - they said yes. Therefore I need to start churning out a lot of Rainbow Raggy dolls - my sewing table is becoming covered in body parts;

Just incase I get 5 minutes this week, I've treated myself to not one but two new magazines - I'd seen the Simply Homemade one on loads of blogs and MrVV managed to track one down for me whilst he was out and about;

Big son went on a course last night to train to be a Young Leader with the Scout Association. He's been a member since he was just 7 and is now helping each week with the Beaver Troupe. The boys love him - I don't think they really believe he was ever as small as them. He's earnt himself a new badge to sew on his uniform. He had more dates for more training later in the year - should keep him busy;

Lastly little son came home tonight and handed me 2 school paper towels which were wrapped around something. He goes to a Science Club one lunchtime each week and last week, they made bathbombs - he handed them over with the words 'Happy Mothers Day Mum' - early but lovely :)

Lastly the new list for the Photo Scavenger Hunt is out - I just wonder how many Lions I shall find in the Suffolk Countryside???

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx

More tiddly teddies & festive stuff

Good evening

Its oh so quiet here - all 3 men are watching/dozing in front of the first 'festive' Top Gear so I've a whole hour to myself. I should be finishing more tiddly teddies which are a silly pressie for the boys stockings but instead I'm having a wander around blogland. I did manage to finish the four I needed to go onto family pressies which have been delivered;

Last nights sisters get-together was great fun - very silly, lots to drink and loads of lovely pressies exchanged and opened!! I was thoroughly spoilt and shall share some pictures with you sometime over the holidays.

Big son went off on a 24 hour christmas Explorer Scout get-together. They prepared and cooked a massive 4 course dinner, had a party with lots of silly games and then slept over and had a big breakfast before arriving home here late morning. Am hoping to see some photos soon - want to see him with the entire troop balanced on his lap during what sounded like a riotous game of musical chairs!!

Over the weekend we finally put up our christmas decorations. We opted this year for our smaller tree which meant there were rather more decorations than branches - lots were left off (just baubles that are normally used as fillers) - we made sure that every handmade and special decoration found a space - the whole effect is unco-ordinated, colourful and very Vicki :)

I left the little son to decorate the staircase - he went mad with tinsel and my collection of stockings;

I've noticed that my hall dresser has taken on a patriotic theme;

As its now the school holidays it means that afternoon mugs of hot chocolate, have turned into mugs of snowman soup! Hot chocolate, squirty cream, chocolate chips, marshmallows - all stirred with a candy cane!!

I think that this will be my last post until after christmas - I really do have rather a lot to do over the next few days. So I shall wish all of my lovely blogging friends and followers .................

A Very Merry Christmas



I hope Santa brings you all something wonderful and you have a great time whatever you are doing :)

Oh sort of good news - my FIL is out of hospital and is now in a nursing home for a few weeks. He's much happier now he's there and hopefully will soon be well enough to come home properly.

xxx Vicki xxx

Wind, rain, hail & a cage!

Good evening :)

How was your Bank Holiday Weekend? Ours?

Well it started so well - I'd promised big son a cake & he got one;

Then we had the first asparagus of the season for dinner - the greengrocers in town gets this delivered each day from a farm only a few miles away;

Saturday passed in a blur of domestic bliss and light gardening duties. MrVV & I went to a wedding reception in the evening and I had a jolly good dance with some of my friends.

Sunday dawned rather grey & wet - normally the sort of day where we'd opt for an indoor activity. Sadly for the 2 younger members of the household this wasn't an option. They were walking with their scout pack in the Heritage Coast Walk;

They looked this 'happy' at the start - they looked worse later!! Big son did the full 13 miles he'd signed up to do - his group contained the older more experienced scouts & the weather didn't seem to bother them. Little sons group stopped at the 6 mile point as they were all cold, wet & shivering - the adult with them decided that it wasn't a good idea for them to go any further :(

This morning the skies were still cloudy but the persistent downpour of yesterday didn't look like it was going to happen, so we all wrapped up warm and headed out for the day. We went to a Country & Game Fair at a nearby stately home.  It was quite good and there was lots to see and plenty of stalls to hide in when the heavens did open.

I've had to eat a slice of humble pie today - the reason? Well MrVV bought an 'Indiana Jones' style hat at an event in the Autumn & I've taken the mickey out of him on more than one occasion. Today my head was cold so I bought one too!! and then little son decided he'd buy himself one as well!!

Now it seems that as well as blogland going mad for swaps - its also going giveaway crazy too! Here are just 3 that have appeared on my dashboard today;

Winnibriggs @ Winnibriggshouse

Another Happy Monday @ Kelly's

and finally

Kirsty @ sixty one A

Oh the cage in the post title? Part of the fairground that was there - MrVV & the boys decided they'd go in this;

(the boys are hidden behind MrVV)

See you sometime in the week

xxxx Vicki xxxx

When a knight won his spurs in the stories of old,

He was gentle & brave
He was gallant & riding on a pony at the head of the Scout Parade, just behind MrVV's band!

Big son got the honour of carrying the Union Standard :)

Little son scrubbed up well - polishing his shoes & ironing his scarf - shame some of the others didn't bother!!

I spent a busy afternoon in the drinks tent - we made over 300 cups of squash and I've no idea how many biscuits were consumed by the boys & girls but it was alot!

Off to see which Dorothy is sent home - we're all hoping its Emilee. Still routing for Jessica to win.

xxxx Vicki xxxx

A very mixed week - illness, awards, wins & buys

Good evening

Seems so long since I was last on blogger and I've so much to catch up with - both reading, commenting & replying.  The reason? Tuesday afternoon I was struck down with the worse migraine I have ever experienced :( I went to bed about 2pm and slept for 3 or 4 hours - normally that would do the trick & I'd feel ok - not this time :( At 9pm MrVV called the out of hours doctors as I was in such pain I thought my head would split open. They sent a doctor who arrived about 11pm and he prescribed some very strong painkillers which took the edge off it - enough for me to get some more sleep. I slept most of Wednesday too and a big part of today as well - however I now feel more 'normal' - hopefully tomorrow I shall be back to my usual self. I've got a doctors appointment for next month as I think its time I got some proper advice & help with these attacks.

Onto the good stuff;

An award from Sue @ Dollytub Cottage;

The postman brought me a parcel one day - I can't remember which. It was from Ellouise88 - I was the winner of her first giveaway;

A gorgeous soft snuggly scarf and some fab East Of India postcards - thank you :)

Tuesday morning before I started to feel ill was the first morning I'd spent by myself for what seemed like weeks. The boys had gone back to school and MrVV was working elsewhere.  After a while the silence was too much so I headed into town - the lure of the charity shops and the fabric shop was too much!!

another Ladybird book for my growing collection.

Strawberries & Stripes - no idea what I shall do with them yet - shall ponder a while more.

Don't forget this - Suffolk Bloggy Meetup. Looks like it shall be on Sunday 27th June in Southwold. Quite a few signed up and room for plenty more - even if you're not from Suffolk ;)

Last but not least for now - its this chaps special day tomorrow;

He's also the Patron Saint of Scouts and we've got a big parade in town on Sunday which the boys (along with 300+ other scouts, cubs & beavers) shall be taking part in - MrVV's band is leading this and I'm told there is a special surprise too ;)  My role? I'm in the refreshment tent!!

Until next time

xxxx Vicki xxxx

Another weekend has whizzed by.....

In a whirl of parcels, sewing, gardening and more scouting fun for big son.

Most importantly I finished my Union Jack cushion :)

I might have been near the fabric shop again too - couldn't resist this - a mix of 2 of my favourite things - polka dots and strawberries.

Saturday was glorious here in Suffolk - blue skies and warm sunshine. The whole VV family decamped into the garden where tasks were allocated - MrVV digging the veggie patch, big son pruning & little son & I weeding a big border along the bottom of the garden.  After several hours of hard graft you could see where we'd all been - though a few more weekends are required to bring the garden upto a reasonable standard - we seem to go for all or nothing gardening in this household.

With seeds to start off indoors it was time to make some little pots from strips of newspaper.  Little son loves doing this task so I set him the job of producing about 50!!

Sometime later when he'd got a reasonable amount made, it was time to get them filled and seeds planted - so far we've started tomatoes, squashes, courgettes, french beans and some prettiness too - sweet peas;

Hopefully in a week or so the first little hints of green will poke through and we can start on another batch of babies.  Have also got several things that are waiting to be planted directly outside. Already thinking of summer dinners which are picked directly from the garden :)

The parcel I mentioned? A pressie from a friend for little son - a sock monkey which has joined his menagerie of cuddlies;

More sewing/making - this time pressie for a sister who has a birthday in a couple of weeks -

Some bunting;

and some covered button earrings;

Big son has been on another scouting special - an off-road cycling day in the forest.  Here he is ready for the off ;

He arrived back late afternoon having had a brilliant day - one minor leg gash & a trashed back tyre!! Fortunately as he's tall he was able to borrow a bike from one of the leaders so he could continue with the rest of activities.

Whilst he was out, the rest of us headed up to Southwold for chips, ice-cream and a walk.  Little son was keen to visit the Pier to see if the silly photo booth was repaired - it was and here's the result (should have set the height to tall as most of MrVV is missing!!);

Off now to enjoy a glass of home-brewed cider and watch Over the Rainbow - hoping my favourites are not voted off this week.

PS - Take a look in my sidebar - a new swap organised by Crafty Helen and a 200 posts giveaway at Victoria Plum's Homegrown Blog.

xxxx Vicki xxxx