Monday, 7 October 2013

The great big cup debate......





I was on the phone to my dad the other day. He and my mum are having a new kitchen put in. We were just having a chat about the progress and he explains what an upheaval it all is, having to clear out all the cupboards.

"And can you believe", he exclaims, "we counted that we have 88 cups". "Eighty Eight cups! Have you heard of anything more ridiculous?"

I think at this point, he expected me to raise my voice in utter astonishment and disbelief that they should have so many.

ERRRRRRR NO!

"That's not that many" I churp back at him. 

I told him, that were I to count all my cups that I have in the house, I could beat them hands down on that score, and that, I'm sure my mum would concur, different cups suit different drinks.

He thought this was utter tosh, and that one cup was enough for one person day in and day out!

I think it's maybe a bloke thing. I'm not sure.

I thought about my little cup love. I really do love to have different drinks in different cups. Actually, a cup can make or break a drink in my opinion! Sounds a bit mad, but a drinking experience is quite an important one for me.

I like my hot drinks HOT. I LOATHE luke warm tea and coffee. My favourite cups are ones that are a good size, not too huge, so they get cold before I have finished. They have to be thin too so that they don't cool the drink down too quickly. Chunky stoneware cups I steer clear of. I only buy those for the males in the house to drink from. Finding the prefect cup for the perfect drink is one that excites me. It probably tells me how sad my life is! ha ha! But it's so true!

 I have been happy at finding my spotty little cup and saucer. Perfect for my morning tea or coffee. It's a really good size.....and it has a saucer. I do like a cup and saucer. It's not too thick, and its spottiness brings happy thoughts to my head.

I did spot a cup in a DIY store the other week. I hummmed and ahhhhed over it. I picked it up and held it in my hands. It looked very pleasing to the eye. It was all mis-shapen, like it was just slapped down on a potters wheel. It was a good size, bigger than average, perfect for me. And it was thin, it was going to keep the drinks nice and hot. Best of all, it was in one of my most favourite shades. 

It was indeed, the most perfect cup.



I did hear a wafting of a voice asking if I actually needed another cup, but it was destined to be mine!

I was not disappointed. It really is the perfect cup for me, and has been making my drinking experience a very pleasurable one.

Anyone else like me?

I spoke to a friend too on this cup debate, and she thought that it must be a family obsession passed down. However, she did contact me again a little later to say that she had been amazed to realise just how many cups she owned when she actually counted them!

Who knew a cup could be such an appealing thing!

XXX


Friday, 4 October 2013

Snippets.....



Of my views this week.....



 My Mantlepiece. Still bright, but i'm deciding what I want on it now Autumn is firmly here.



Another bright corner and my trusty hook store.



My favourite part of the day. First drink after the school run, a cosy morning.







Enjoying Figs.





Loving brights and pom pom detail







I have a thing for coloured candles. They are EVERYWHERE in my house.






Happiness is a tidy desk



Loving cosy on a dark day






Essential three things together....a drink.....some yarn.....my projects books






Always getting inspiration from colours 

Happy Weekend

xxx

Wednesday, 2 October 2013

Having a Moment.....


Ever get when you have an idea in your head for something.....

...but you can't quite actually see it?





You know what you want, but your image in your head of the finished item is all fuzzy and blurry. You haven't quite got definite and finalised details all mapped out to start the task.

So annoying.

I have this most deliciously soft and gorgeously coloured yarn......

.....and I have it in my mind to make a lovely bright, snuggly, chunky scarf, type thing.

But I just cannot decided on what pattern.

I spent all day yesterday starting with an idea.......it didn't feel right.....unravel.....start again with another idea.....it didn't feel right....unravel....you get the picture.

In total I think I started it eight times. I even put down the hook and picked up the needles to give it a go. Shock horror!

Nothing felt right though.

So....I'm putting it out there. Anyone with any suggestions, patterns, links, whatever, I'm positively welcoming. Anything to turn this into something around my neck, lift my spirits on a cold day and keep me warm!

I do want it plain though, so it will be one colour.

So, if your thinking caps are serving you well today, shove some ideas my way and I will be eternally grateful!

xxx

Monday, 30 September 2013

Sharing the love......





It's funny, how, a stop and think can make such a difference.

A few months ago, I was ready to chuck this whole blogging malarky in.

I felt disconnected......VERY disconnected with it all.



I think, because of Instagram, I had just let it all slide. I wasn't posting. I wasn't catching up on my feed and reading all the blogs I had come to love. I wasn't branching out and discovering anything new.

Instagram was enticing for me, as it was about all about the photo. I do love to take a pic....and I think, it caught me at a moment, when time was really lacking in my life. It was difficult to carve out an hour or two to sit at a desk and write a full on post. Instagram satisfied my love of taking a photo, without the chain to a desk.

And, for a while that was great. It did its job....and many of you bloggers made the leap too. I think without realising it, Instagram became suddenly became less about photography, and more a new Facebook and micro blogging site.



The break away from it all did me the world of good. It made me realise, that, although I felt disconnected with this little old blog of mine (and was very nearly at the point of pressing the delete button on it all), when push came to shove, I knew I would regret it in the long run if I did walk away from it all.

I think when you have been blogging for a few years, you do wonder sometimes if you are becoming the most boring person alive. I mean, there's only so many blankets you can make, so many cups of coffee you can take a picture of!



It was at that point, that I reminded myself of the fact that I was thinking of my blog in terms of satisfying others, when, in actual fact, it should be about satisfying myself. My pleasing nature took over a while back, and that's why I lost faith in my blog. I just needed to remind myself why I started this blog and who it was intended for.......me.



Now, I know that sounds a little selfish! But I figure, if people like to read it, then that's cool, but if they find it boring, then they'll hit the delete button and move on to something else that takes their fancy more! No big deal, and I can still record my little makes to remind myself, that in a world where I am a maid and a taxi for the most part.....I do get a little bit done in the creative department, and I do get the odd 5 minutes to sit and relax with my favourite cuppa and my favourite mag!



I'm rambling. I'm very aware.

Anyway, all this was leading to me wanting to say, that having got back into the blogging game again, I am enjoying it. I am enjoying being able to sit, take a few moments and write down my thoughts. It's been nice to catalogue my makes that I have been doing over the summer. It's nice to look back and feel that I have been productive.

It's also been REALLY nice to catch up on all the blogs I love and see what's been happening in their little worlds. Starting to re-connect again has felt...well.....really nice.

But, what's been REALLY REALLY great, is taking a few moments to discover new blogs. Getting excited to find new people with big creative passions.

Which, actually brings me to the whole point of this post.......

♥♥♥♥♥♥

I wanted to share something with you.

On one of my little jaunts on Pinterest I came across some beautifully inspiring images and creative works.

I knew I had found something truly wonderful. You know that excited feeling you get when you see something that fills you with happiness and ticks all your boxes?

It led me to the most beautiful and creative blog.

I don't often share a blog love, but this one, well, it's a little gem.

You may already know it, follow it or have come across it in bloggy land....

...but if you haven't...

.....go take a peek.....

(The photo shown above is the property and copyright of ©byhaafner)




The posts make my heart beat faster.

(The photo shown above is the property and copyright of ©byhaafner)


(The photo shown above is the property and copyright of ©byhaafner)


(The photo shown above is the property and copyright of ©byhaafner)




Beautiful makes



(The photo shown above is the property and copyright of ©byhaafner)


(The photo shown above is the property and copyright of ©byhaafner)



Beautiful photography



(The photo shown above is the property and copyright of ©byhaafner)


(The photo shown above is the property and copyright of ©byhaafner)



A blog that leaves you feeling incredibly happy and inspired.

Do these images make your heart sing?

Pop on over and get the most beautiful crafting fix.

 I could drool all day.

I'm glad I am back in the blogging game. I may be sporadic in my postings. I'm going with the flow when time will allow, but it's nice, it's nice to feel like I'm back, and it's so nice to make new discoveries!

xxx