Wish list Wednesday

SweetSavannah by SweetSavannahBaby


Cell phone cozy by FancyFerris

Home by Ingrid Dijkers


These are a few of my favourite things, see more right here! Thanks for visiting! Leah

Happy Holidays

Hello, we are enjoying the holidays so far, lots of socialising! Have a lovely day! Leah

postcard #2...

dearest readers,

every year we make a trip to a unspoilt beautiful beach on the coast of south devon just a few miles from my folks place...

four generations of my family have sat upon this beach and every time i return, it feels like i am 'coming home' inside of me.

this visit the sun was shining, quite frankly it was positively balmy and i cannot recall for many a year the need for suncream and a sundress. my usual attire is a thick cardie, towel wrapped around any exposed bits and the only way to escape the wind is to lie as flat as possible upon the pebbles.

and so i reacquainted myself with the green green grass of home...

the blue blue sky and the blue blue sea...

and with silly things along the way...

and then as if that wasn't enough, i found my door.

the door i didn't know i was looking for, the one that belongs to my imaginary beach house.

for forty years i have passed by this door, and never noticed it's existence.

but now i have... and i see it has been waiting most patiently for it's moment to shine within my imagination.

she is off to do some thrifting tomorrow of the 'utmost kind' with her mother in tow and will report 'all findings' on friday ~ Tif

A Giveaway!

Hello, if you would like a chance to win Wendy the birdie rattle pop in right here. I'm off to work today, have a lovely Sunday! Leah

Another sneak peek!

Hello, here is a quick peek at some cards that I have been creating for a special little shop today. I must get them finished as we have a fun party to attend tonight! Thanks for dropping in! Leah

postcard #1...

we have arrived safely on the ancient soil of England... in the space of twenty four hours i have already crocheted 6 granny squares and bought a pair of boots.

my need to make granny squares became most obvious when i stumbled across the stunning work of Wood & Wool Stool, quite honestly her crafty crocheting skills leave me breathless.

until i saw her lovely wood stools with little crocheted covers i had no idea my world was lacking, but now i've seen them it is most clear that every stool across the globe should be clothed in one of her 'little bits of goodness'. of course my crocheting skills are rather basic but seeing the beauty laid out before me, i knew i needed to challenge myself beyond a plain crocheted square or rectangle. armed with my little pile of yarn leftovers and 'three torn out' pages from my 'complete novice' crochet book i set forth.

("sacre bleu" i hear you cry, "Tif has vandalised a craft book", i fear i had no choice my dearest readers, i could not bring the whole book with me. i promise to reinstate the pages on my return with a nice bit of sticky tape).

and so, i sat down to my first day on a 'small island' to study a granny square pattern. for some time i twiddled around, pretending to know what the instructions were saying. after all not only are my crochet skills most basic they are also rather rusty. after my first attempt i held it up for admiration... there was none, for it was having trouble resembling a granny square.

then i did what i should have done in the first place, i ignored my 'three torn out' pages and made it up... since then things are going swimmingly. i see visions of a wee blanket in no time for 'little olive'. without doubt i will never ever succeed in a large blanket as i have serious 'itchy twitchy' problems when it comes to long term focusing and repeating things. but for now i am most happy with my 6 little squares.

as i have no 'crochet holdall' with me i have taken to carrying around a china fruit bowl i found lurking on my mother's table in her glorified trailer home. i'm not sure it is the most sensible of vessels for transporting my yarn project but then when did 'sensible' ever come into the picture...

and before i sign off postcard #1, i must tell you i found a lovely pair of boots, i was not looking for boots in any shape or form, but they found me. of course they were the last pair in my size adding to my "but i've only just got here, perhaps i should think about it" dilemma.

then it dawned on me as i tried them on for the third time that afternoon, driving the sales lady nuts, they could quite possibly make me have an air of perhaps coming from some Scandinavian country.

now of course i haven't frequented many Scandinavian countries, therefore giving me no authority whatsoever to make such judgements upon a pair of boots and who might wear them. but it makes me happy and after all i am getting into the vacation spirit... chunky boots and yarn in tow...

she is thanking you kindly for the 'our #1' leaving the nest support and will see you next week with postcard #2 ~ Tif

Tagliolini al limone (pasta with lemon)

For one serving:
1 lemon (zest and juice)
1 tbsp marg or butter
1 tbsp yoghurt
1 tbsp Parmesan cheese
2-3 tbsp chopped parsley
80 grams pasta

Cook pasta until al dente.

Gently melt marg in a small pot, add zest and juice. Let evaporate a little for 2 minutes, then add yoghurt and warm gently. Add parsley.

Drain pasta, toss in sauce, add cheese and toss again to mix.

Variations:
Add a can of tuna (like I did in the photo)
Add chopped cooked chicken or bacon
Add mushrooms or sugar snap peas
Use basil or chives instead of parsley

This is a great quick meal to cook for lunch, and it's easy to double to serve 2 (or you can freeze one portion). It doesn't even matter if your yoghurt is fruit flavoured, as the lemon flavour is dominant and you won't taste it.

Does anyone else know any easy pasta recipes like this?

Growing up too quickly!

Hello, here is my cuddly little girl walking home from school with her big brothers ♥ School holidays have now begun, which is a good thing (I think!) Have a lovely weekend! Leah

I bought myself another treat!

I thought that I deserved a treat, my little handmade business has been doing quite well. This is what I bought from mootsie another gorgeous etsy shop! I love it and have it on right now, thanks so much Audrey! Thanks for stopping by, Leah

Wintersweet

Another gloomy winter weekend. Clouds lowering, wind blowing and drizzle weeping softly. Unable to take being closed inside any longer, I pull on my hat and boots and step outside for some fresh, if damp air. Wandering the fencelines, my gaze runs aimlessly over the shrubbery... needs pruning, has buds, shall I pull that out?, and then, my eye alights on it. Wintersweet! I know it at once, even though a month ago I didn't recognise the twiggy, spindly bush and I cut it well back, making a mental note to rip it out before spring. I'm so glad I didn't!

I cut some sprigs and the day brightens - literally, as the clouds choose that moment to blow away and let in some much needed sunshine. I bring the sprigs inside and the sweet fragrance fills the room. I detour out of my way when I enter the room, so I can pass near it and breathe in the scent.

All together now... sniff... ahh!

Wish list Wednesday

Biscuit Bunnies

The Dainties in Pink


Toddler Pixie Tutu

to see some more lovely wish lists click here Thanks for stopping by! Leah

'adieu' but not...

a few hours to go and we will be flying across the pond to 'old blighty'

this year it will be a little different...

my man and 'used dog' will stay behind to 'hold the fort'

our #3 will not be carrying his pen knife in his backpack, when going through security.

but the most difference of all will be our #1 not coming with me.

for she is spreading her wings and going in a different direction this summer, one that takes her to the east coast where she will study textile design for eight weeks.

on one hand, i am so excited for her and the opportunities that await her...

but on the other hand my little body is just 'gasping for breath' at the thought of her out in the 'big world' on her own without me to keep her 'safe'.

i know one has to let go at 'sometime' but i didn't think that 'sometime' would come quite so quickly. in the blink of an eye, seventeen and a half years have gone past and my little baby stands before me, ready to leave... and quite honestly dear readers it's one of thee most 'bitter sweet' moments in my mothering career so far...

but still i have plenty of distractions ahead of me, such as lovely charity stores, british chocolate and of course spending time with my family...

in the meantime i am distracted from my 'last few hours with her' by wondering where on earth my UK driving license is ("phew" i hear you chorus together) and noting that waiting till two hours before the 'off' to cut our #3's hair was not perhaps the best of 'planning'.

and before i say 'adieu' i must tell you dearest readers that i am 'chuffed to bits' to see my sales on etsy add up to 198!!! (i included my meagre excuse of a vintage shop in this count to make it look super duper grand!)... i did have a target of 200 that i set myself a few months back, and quite honestly i thought it 'pie in the sky' wishful thinking, considering how tough times are for many a folk.

so i am blown away by the fact when people are counting pennies everywhere and being most selective in what they purchase, they have chosen to shop 'dottie angel'. a 'thank you' goes out to any of my customers that may perchance be reading this and of course a 'big thank you' goes out to you dearest readers, who have taken time from your busy lives to drop by and visit with me for a while. i am never quite sure what i give to you, but you give to me the confidence to be me. and that my dearest friends is quite honestly the greatest gift of all...

and last but not least, i will not be leaving you for long, ("oh no! can't we get rid of her just for a bit" i hear you cry)

nope, i'm going to be hanging around. for i have a plan, a cunning plan and it involves sending you postcards from a small island, an island that i am proud to call my homeland and the first one will be on your 'cyberspace' doorstep by the end of the week...

till then she is wishing you a lovely few days and herself 'sanity' wherever she goes ~ Tif

I want to make one of these

The free tutorial is right here Isn't it so sweet?? Have a great Tuesday! Leah

essential packing...

today is a 'headless chicken' kind of day... (i said that in hushed tones so as not to send a 'shiver of fear' through every little chickies body in the vicinity)

you know the sort of day, the day before the 'off'...

i have spent the last few days tidying and cleaning so everything looks 'peachy fresh' around the shed, i went to bed last night feeling in control, practically laughing in the face of 'Miss In Control' herself.

i awoke this morning and it all became clear, 'Miss In Control' was laughing at me...

oh the fool that i am, my list of 'must dos' has grown from one or two things to an enormous mountain of 'oh crap, i need a miracle' pile of things.

of course some very 'quick thinking' ones amongst you may actually be saying "well really Tif, do you think blogging is a priority, on a day like this".

and yes, your wiseness is once again above mine. but it's an addiction is it not, a fix that must be 'got' to be able to get on with the day, otherwise in the back of my head this continuous 'babble' is going on. a 'babbling' i experience everyday, whirling around... all these imaginary conversations i am having with you, dearest readers.

but do not worry for me and my packing of 'undies' and other utmost important items, for i am well stocked with delights to get me through today.

and with that, i must away to my piles of essential packing... determined this time to take with me 'crafty' projects that i have been wanting to work on for a wee while now...

a crocheted blanket for little olive (thank goodness she won't be too critical as it's been the longest time since me and my hook have hooked up!!! ha, wasn't that just the best pun ever... "she's crazed, she's losing it, she's drowning in piles of undies and other such things" i hear you cry).

and some linens that i wish to embroider ramblings upon... i also have a journal with me this time, so i may ponder moments and register them onto paper, thus making me feel like i am a deep and mysteriously creative person who travels around with children in tow, looking eclectic and bohemian and not as i fear

'like a headless chicken'...

she will see you tomorrow for a final 'adieu' ~ Tif

Weekend crafting

This weekend I spent a bit of time with my embroidery hoop and thread. I just wanted to play and not worry about finishing something, but it went fast and I ended up with this. Not that it is anything... I'm not even sure what it could be. A patch on a bag? A very small pillow?

My most and least favourite stitches next to each other... French knots (favourite) and satin stitch (least favourite).

I had so much fun I even sketched up a design for another tiny pillow.

I also decided to make an afghan for the couch in the lounge. All in one colour, since I'm trying to theme the room in chocolate and turquoise, and for some reason I decided it would be better to make a throw than to buy one.

But not quicker... nine down, and I don't know how many to go. The plan is to just make as many as I feel like, since the throw will be just for decorative purposes (ie artful draping over the arm of the couch). The design is Alhambra from Jan Eaton's 200 granny squares book.

But maybe I started too soon - I just love this delicate pattern from Mypicot. And it looks so pretty multiplied. Oh well... who says a couch can't have more than one afghan... just as long as the first one gets finished!

A Quick Hello

Hello, I don't even have a party pic to share today! I have been busy creating for this cute little Boutique Partee Petite I would love to visit this shop in real life! Have a wonderful week! Leah

things of 'note'...

or perhaps not...

1. my dishwasher has been restored to it's full glory, and so has my sanity. (for the time being...)

2. the 'mouse that happened' in my studio has gone on vacation several miles from here.

however it has become apparent that before he left, he had invited his cousin to stay...

3. i have found the secret to looking youthful... when you have no time for the little luxuries in life like 'five minutes to paint toe nails' then 'chipped polish' makes you feel eight years old again.

4. there is a gremlin living inside the shed, first the dishwasher and now my printer. in my hour of need, with 38 ramblings requiring printing, it became sick. at eleven o'clock last night after several hours of cursing my man helped it make a full recovery. as my 'art installation' ramblings and everything else were due at their destination 10 am this morning, this did not do my 'graying hair' any good at all...

5. i am totally in love with being a 'mother hen', they are such time wasters to watch, and unlike children they don't talk back and appear to appreciate every little thing you do for them.

6. i feel a path is opening up before me... where it will take me, i've no idea but i'm sure i will find out sooner or later.

7. i may take 'perfect looking' pictures of our shed, but i can assure you there is chaos to the right of it and chaos to the left. when i look at these 'small windows of tidiness' it makes me feel calmer.

8. school is out for the summer... and i am so happy to be spending ten weeks being waited on hand and foot, ha!!! once again i'm living in a dream world...

9. i have been bequeathed the title of 'admin' to a group called 'all colours in' by the lovely emma lamb. it is a most important role and i have to tell you the power has gone straight to my head and i am wielding my 'flickr' invite privileges all over the place...

10. i shall be spending this weekend in a whirlwind of cleaning, washing and packing for i will be touching down in old blighty next week and i cannot wait.

she will see you on monday and is wishing you the 'fabbiest of fabby' weekends ~ Tif

He will be 8 tomorrow ♥ ♥ ♥

Birthdays are VERY exciting at our place, Harry dosen't want a cake from the birthday book this year, he wants a sponge cake with chocolate icing and sprinkles on top, he has also requested trifle, 2 things that I never bake!! Have a wonderful weekend, ours will be busy! Leah

thrifty thursdays... of the 'utmost' kind

"any good?" our #4 shouted as he entered the shed, whilst slamming the door behind him on sunday.

"any good what?" i asked

"any good stuff at the market?" coming to a halt in the living room. "oh yes, i see you did find some" his voice trailing off...

"what is it?" he inquired hesitantly.

"this my dearest child is a 'flea market find' of the utmost kind", to which i continued to educate him on just what 'a find' it was...

then he took a look at my other 'find', not having to ask what it was, as it was quite obviously a bench.

"it matches the others except it's not the same shape... did you need one of these?"

"oh yes," i replied. "it has been on my 'top ten thrifty finds' for the longest time. quite honestly i had trouble breathing when i spied it at Freemont this morning".

he paused a while...

"so how much did you pay for your finds?" came the next question.

"$20 for the 'oh my goodness, you are just perfect' embroidered picture, and $25 for the 'have been looking for you for the longest time' bench"

another pause...

"i think the bench price was okay, but i would never have given $20 for that picture"

he then went on his way to build mini stone sculptures in the yard.

some time later he appeared again, finding me admiring my sunday market purchases and marvelling at my good fortune...

"so would you say this has been the best day ever, what with your 'market finds' and your 'etsy feature'?"

"yes" i replied, "i think i would put it up there with some of my 'best day ever' days."

"well then, you've just had a 'Spongebob kind of day', congratulations and here it is" to which he promptly popped the TV on, located a recording somewhere from the depth of technology (as i can only just about figure out the 'on' button i marvel at his 'remote control' abilities) and before i knew it, i was being subjected to a singing Spongebob and our #4 chorusing together

"it's the best day ever"

she is off to get the dreaded pesky gray roots sorted and realizing time is running out fast, as 'old blighty' is calling her ~ Tif

Garlic

It's not quite the shortest day yet, but my garlic is in. I dug over a patch of garden which I don't plan to be digging in during summer, added some dried manure, and popped in the bulbs. At the end of the row is a rose bush, so let's see if those rumours about garlic keeping aphids away actually work! (Don't worry, I did cover them up. The photo is just at the laying-them-out stage).

I also went with supermarket garlic to plant. I know you aren't supposed to, but it's NZ garlic, Marlborough in fact, so shouldn't be chemically treated. And, when you can get it at the supermarket for $4.99 instead of $8.99 at the garden centre, why wouldn't you?

It's all a bit of an experiment for me. The bulbs might not even sprout, they could rot, wither or be eaten by slugs. But hopefully, I'll get lots of lovely bulbs to plait into strings. And there won't be any vampires around here!

Wish List Wednesday

crochet hot pink hearts necklace by meekssandygirl

Mounted stamp from nahanibluette

vintage Chenille bedspread Daisy toad

These are a few of my favourite things, more can be seen here have a happy Wednesday! Leah

me, my man and mossy shed...

i hope today you will indulge me for a 'moment'...

"oh no, not another garden picture" i hear you cry.

no, no... although technically some amongst you who are 'eagle eyed' may have spotted i just slipped one in... (i know, genius hey!)

the point i am trying to get to is, a few of you may have stumbled across me over the past couple of days, and i am quite sure it may appear that i live alone, in my own little imaginary world... happily playing 'house' and 'craft' all day long by myself.

but this would actually be far from true. i share my space and my little world with four children, along with various furry, feathered and finned creatures.

and also with 'one man'...

one man who pulls vintage bark cloth curtains to close the world out at night.

one man who rests his head upon a vintage pillowcase to dream at the end of the day.

one man who sits amongst 'dottie angel' cushions to watch fox soccer on a saturday morning.

one man who eats his food from an array of vintage flowery china.

one man who wraps himself in a pink bath towel in the mornings whilst he shaves.

one man who builds a duck egg blue chicken coop decorated with bunting.

one man who happens to be 'my man'...

and i am thanking him most kindly today for allowing me to 'doilify' the world around him and to just

'take it like a man'...

she will be back on thursday with 'tales of the utmost thrifty' kind ~ Tif

Scrapping my Gorgeous Gracie Girl

Hello I have been scrapping with some of my beautiful
Craft Queen ribbons. Lots more can be seen here Nicole is having a Sale too! Thanks so much for stopping by, have a great day! Leah