Road trip to Derbyshire

Half term is properly under way for me at last!!  Hooray!!!!

So my bestest friend Sue my darling daughter and I have had a lovely day out in Derbyshire.

So many lovely flowers and blossom everywhere. ..

 

 

the May (Hawthorn) blossom was at it's very best...

 



Adorable animals...

Bakewell was quite busy...

 



Lots of padlocks on the bridge, this seems to be such a growing trend...

It drives my husband absolutely mad, he can moan about this trend for ages...

Love this shop selling hand made baskets of all types...

Reminds me of Domestic Science lessons, when we would carry our ingredients to school in baskets like the one below, covered by a freshly laundered tea towel...

Old police station complete with blue lamp...

We trawled the charity shops, which are usually very good indeed, but only managed to get a few bits and pieces as I think they had been pretty much picked over during the bank holiday weekend.  By this time we really needed coffee and lunch so went to our favourite café.  I love the pattern on my latte - wonder how they do that?

 

The café is within a Thornton's chocolate shop, so they give you a chocolate smile...

 

 

 

Sue was the driver so on the way home I managed to snap a few more photos en route.  The Peacock Hotel in Rowsley, dates back to Elizabethan times...

Big old Victorian Mill in Belper...

Matlock Bath, with the Horsechestnut blossom at it's best...

Tunnel of trees between Matlock Bath and Whatstandswell...

 

A wonderful day out with a lovely friend and DD, just what was needed after what has been a very hectic few weeks. 

 

Helenxx









Seasonal goodies

Good morning everyone, I hope you are enjoying the Easter weekend, and that the weather is kind wherever you are.

We have had a busy weekend, visiting family on Saturday in Manchester, and having a lovely family meal at ours yesterday.

Still time though for a bit of baking...

I made two trays of these seasonal-themed cupcakes, here is a batch I made and took into work on Thursday, our last day before the Easter break:

they didn't hang around for long!

There has been time for coffee and chocolate though, the rewards of getting up early before anyone else is about...

Which also allows some time for some crochet, here is a little peek at what I have been working on...

Any ideas of what it is going to be?

Back soon to reveal all!!

Helenxx

A Very Happy Un-birthday (swap) to Me!!!!

Hello again!

Well, Im back with details of yet another super swap I was lucky enough to be involved in, the Unbirthday Swap, organised by the lovely Helen, the Undomesticated Scientist.  We were involved in a three-way swap, where Helen sent her parcel to me, I sent mine to Bibbitybob, who sent her parcel to Helen.

Well, was I spoiled on my un-birthday or what?! This is what Helen sent to me:

First out the wraps, a delicious box of Lush - my trusty swap-parcel opening assistant (my 13 year old daughter) has got her eyes on this as she is a Lush addict, so have hid this somewhere safe (I hope!!)

Next was some lovely local goodies, how convenient that Helen lives in the city of Cadbury Chocolate...

BTW the little goody in the centre of the pic is a tape measure!

Helen has me sussed well and truly as the block of chocolate above was not the only edible treat:

There was some fabric loveliness:

Doesnt the blue fabric look like bundles of corn?  Ideal for some late summer hearts methinks...

Just look at this fantastic bag made by Helen - and the lovely unusual packing materials:

A tin of very handy and pretty crafty supplies:

I have always wanted something by Emma Bridgewater, and now my dream has come true:

Here is a pic of all these amazing goodies together:

Thank you so so much Helen for all of these fantastic goodies, once again I have been truly spoiled!

Here is what I sent to Bibbitybob:

Have a great day!

Helenxx

Midsummer's Night Dreaming!

Good morning all,  hope your weekend is off to a good start.  Mine has now started - I was up at 6 marking coursework, which is now done yay!!!!!  So now in weekend mode at long last.

Well folks, as you know my good friend Sue and I organised a swap based on the theme of a Midsummer Night's Dream.  I was paired up with the lovely Rae.  It was her first ever swap and my goodness, did she make a terrific job of it!!!!

First to pop out of my parcel was this lovely little lady - so beautifully made and absolutely sweet!

Then gorgeous crafty things, ribbon, threads and yarn - all will be put to excellent use I can assure you...

Lovely candle in a votive holder and fabric - just ideal therapy for beyond-stressed teachers...

Chocolate and a pretty card (the card will last longer than the chocolate methinks....)

Just look at this lovely pin cushion in the mini bonne mama jar - I think this teacher will use that idea...just sharing best practice dont you know (aka nicking good ideas)

And get ready to gasp....

Needle felting par excellence - a gorgeous necklace all for me!  In some of my fave colours!!

Rae, you have spoiled me so much - you have sent things I love in the colours I love!

Thank you so very very much - and for those of you paired up with Rae in the future you sure are in for a treat!

I had a lovely midsummer's night at Sue's house where we celebrated the 22nd birthday of her eldest - can he really be that age already?  Seems only a year or two ago since I was holding a tiny little bundle in my arms, scared to move in case I woke him up!  It was a lot of fun (we laughed until we cried) with yummy food (Sue is the most terrific cook) so a great time was had by all.

Have  a lovely day, whatever it is you get up to!

Helenxx

Pincushion swap - look what I got!!

Hello everyone, hope your week has got off to a good start.

What seems like ages ago I joined in the pincushion swap organised by Hilde and Hilde, and was partnered with the lovely Claudia all the way from Germany!

And just look what lucky, lucky me received: (of course the chocolate didnt last long!!)

Dont you just love the fabric:

Both destined for some hand-sewing time very soon!

The pincushion is just too amazing for words:

The skill and the patience taken to create this little beauty amazes me..

Each side is different:

The skill and generousity out there in blogland is truly humbling.
Thank you so much Claudia for your lovely swap gifts, you are a very talented lady!

Helenxx