Torch Light

Yesterday I set off for work expecting a normal morning in a busy friendly nursery (if you don't already know I work as a supply Nursery Nurse/Early Years Practitioner for my local Council).  The traffic to work was unusually busy.  Long than normal queues. I admit I was a little stressed as I do not like to be late for work especially when it is not a regular work place.  Anyhow the nearer I got to Nursery the more I became intrigued.  Lots of people at this time of the morning I thought.  Lots of traffic and then lots of police.  Then it occured to me it might be a special day for Rotherham.  As I got into Nursery I apologised for being late and quickly rushed into Nursery.  I was greeted by lots of little ones shouting 'torch, torch, torch'.  Yes the Olympic torch was coming to Rotherham and after my fretful journey to work I was pleased to find out I was to accompany the children and staff to watch the occasion.  I was surprised at how excited I was as only the day before I had said to my friend Louise that it really didn't appeal to me watching someone run with a flame.  I do normally love to watch the Olympics and really do enjoy it but I suppose I felt a little nervous that this is 'our' Olympics and that I hope it all turns out well.  Well I now believe it will.  The parade before the torch passed us was well organised and very inspiring.  To see the coach with all the torches and torch bearers waiting their turn was fab.  The atmosphere was brillient.  The children loved it and the streets were lined with excited folk.  When the torch passed the children jumped about and shouted and so did I.  It was fabulous.  What a very pleasant surprise I had when I arrived at work.  I saw the Olympic torch being paraded through the streets of Rotherham and although the children with me are so young they probably won't remember it they will have lots of photographs to remind them and it is certainly a morning at work that I won't forget. 

I didn't get any photos as I didn't have my camera with me and taking my phone out with me wasn't really the right thing to do in the circumstances, so, just imagine lots of people, smiling faces, cheering, families of all ages and cultures joined together to cheer on the special people chosen to carry the torch. 

BTW my husband's work colleage carried the torch the day before in Sheffield, my sister's work colleage was also a torch bearer and the daughter of an old school friend also took her turn at at the age of 21 she has a full time job, attends University and works tirelessly to raise money and awareness for UNICEF. 

FABULOUS.

Festival Time - No Direction Home, Welbeck 2012

I have been to a Festival.  It rained, it was muddy but it was great fun. 

It was really good fun and we hope to go again next year. 

If you would like to have a peek at more photos I have uploaded more to my Facebook page which I have a link to at the top of my page.  I don't know how to make a pretty button thingy for it - anyone know how to?  If you then go to the Facebook page of Hope and Elvis you will see more photos including some of me and Louise being grumpy and wet and one of me with Festival Hair - because at a Festival anything goes. Let me know what you think!

Norfolk

K and I decided to go away for a few days.  The girl's kindly agreed to stay at home to house and dog sit - and eat goodies.  We decided to go to Norfolk as we hadn't been for a long, long time.  We set off on Friday night and managed to find our first B&B which we had pre-booked.  It was a country pub and was OK but could have been so much nicer with a little tweeking and a little vintage love.  The next morning we set off to explore. 

Wells

in Jubilee mode - most excellent

Lots of little boats all dressed up and the locals were having their street party on the harbour

very pretty

cute houses

We had a lovely day, the sun shone and we generally had a very relaxing time.  We happened upon the most glorious B&B.  It couldn't have been more different to our first night. 

The room was self contained and separate to the main house.  Sumptious bed, everything you would need for a relaxing time - including home baked chocolate tray bake - delicious.

The courtyard.

A seating area

The barn with fab facilities - if only it hadn't rained we would have had a picnic here.

log store

a home for the birds

our room.

It was The Barns at Thorpe Market run by Amanda and Tony.  Highly recommended and we will definately be back.  It was homely, spotlessly clean, well equipped and the breakfast was yummy.  Amanda even makes her own preserves.  We will be going back.

The next day was miserable, cold and wet.  We decided to just generally drive around with no real sense of where we were going.  We drove through the Norfolk Broads, along the front at Great Yarmouth and around country lanes and through villages.  Somehow we ended up in Beccles.  It was still wet, cold and miserable but we had a look around and it was a really lovely place.

All in all two lovely relaxing days away, on our own, doing as we pleased - it was lovely.

Jubilations Twice

I have had a very busy week.  I have been to not one but two Cath Kidston Workshop's to embroider a Jubilee hankie.  There is a funny story behind the reason for attending twice other than me being greedy.  When the Cath brochure dropped on my door mat a month or two ago the workshops were advertised.  Wowzer I thought that looks super.  Grabbed my phone and got through and booked four tickets.  One for me, one for Louise and my eldest two girls.  Belle is not normally interested in things stitchy so I thought she wouldn't be bothered.  I was very pleased to say the least.  I didn't ask Louise as I thought the delay in making a phone call etc would maybe result in not getting a place.  Later that day I received a message from Louise saying that I must keep a date free as she had booked me on a workshop at Cath Kidston.  We had both booked for each other almost at the same time but for different locations.  I decided that I would still go twice and it meant Belle had a place too.  How was it.  Brilliant.  When I went with Lou is was a big class and was quite noisy but in a good way, we laughed a lot and I even began to snort a little which is never good.  Why, the lovely lady next to me was sewing with so much vigour that every time she pulled the needle through the fabric she almost had my eye out.  She was completely unaware and I found it hilarious and kept sniggering to Lou who kept telling me to shush.  Anyhow we both had a good old stitch, chattered, ate cupcakes, drank tea and had a mooch around the store. 

Nellie has almost finished.

The second workshop was quite different but still brill.  The shop was smaller so less participants.  The girl's and I managed to sit around one table with a huge pile of cakes in the middle.  Each table had their own stitching tutor which worked out really well.  Nellie and I are quite competent so Betty and Belle got her attention.  Betty stitched and so did Belle!!! and they loved it.  I was so proud and pleased that they had stitched especially Belle as she is a creative girl but not normally in a stitchy way.  Quite often she becomes frustrated with sewing but with the patience of Jessica our lovely tutor there she was back stitching, satin stitching and french knots.  Nellie said to her in a joking way 'welcome to the family' it was really funny.

In our goodie bag we got the specially transfer printed hankie/scarf, the threads, a hoop and instructions.  We also got 15% discount on goods purchased on the night and a raffle ticket.

Belle won the raffle on our night out.  She was so busy stitching she was oblivious bless her.  We had to shout out.  She won a union flag zip purse, soldier badge and crown badge.  She was very pleased and we grizzled a bit - in a funny kind way. 

I bought the soldier skirt it was the last one in the shop and I will now be twins with Lou as she bought one too.

Betty treated herself too.

We had a really lovely family stitching session and the girl's were very grateful for me taking them to stitch, going out for pizza and generally spending quality time together. 

Jubilations.

Have a good one.





Why Hello Long Time No Post

Good morning everyone.  No particular reason for not posting I suppose I lost a little of my blogging mojo and the longer you leave it the more difficult it is.  Anyhow here I am all fine and dandy and hoping you are too.  I have been busy being a 'craft sod' as my husband says and have been busy sewing and stitching  I have also been working both in my role as Nursery Nurse on a supply basis which I love and also at the Studio with Louise.  All good stuff.  The girl's are all plodding along with uni and school and K is training for the Sheffield half marathon and a trip to Wembly to see The Blades in yet another play off final.  Hope they win as if they don't he says he is not ever ever spending another penny on footie at The Lane.  Oh dear that means no money for me on crafty stuff as I equate - in my head - football money K spends = knitting wool, fabric etc.  Shame he hasn't been very much this season.  Any way look what I bought yesterday.  I popped to Elsecarr Heritage Centre as I was working nearby.  I got the magazine from a unit within the Antique Centre and the fabric and brooch from Heritage Re-loved.  The lady who runs it is lovely and we had a great chat about all things vintage, where to look for 'stuff' and our general love of making and re-using old fabrics, blankets, buttons etc. 

Fabulous graphics and the wool brooch albeit a little moth eaten - still beautiful

It has a wire edge and I think it has a woven base with embroidery over the top.

The finely worked one on the right and my clumpy effort on the left.  I still like it though and will have a bash at some more maybe using finer wool.

I used the wools from this box - a recent find at a car boot - you will be shocked at how much it cost.  At first I thought it was an empty box £1 - complete with wool.  Wowzer.

lots and lots

the box is fabulous a little water damaged because it was raining at the car boot. 

Rosy posy fabric from Heritage Re-loved.

Just to keep it real this is just a little of my fabric stash laying around in the living room.

and lastly this made Nellie and me laugh out loud.  I know we have a 'funny' sense of humour.  Its the same brand as my box of wool.  The ads in the magazine are brilliant.

Just for Miss Janey who should be reading this whilst in her office - I read Farmer Duck about 7 times yesterday and each time I thought of you. 

If anyone is interested pop over to my new Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Once-Was-/136260773164209?ref=tn_tnmn I will probably post on here a little more often and you can have a look at my recent makes which is the reason behind my untidy piles of stuff.

Oh I enjoyed typing this - note to self - post more often.

Name Badge

I am working with Louise tomorrow.  It is Open Studio day at Welbeck and I am being a helpful assistant.  I thought I would make myself a name badge so I can remind myself who I am.  Here it is.  It is all hand stitched and I have enjoyed making it amongst the chaos of my home.  Boy oh boy do I need to get stuck into cleaning sorting mode I just can't.  Anyhow here it is - Miss Debs is Louise's pet name for me and it makes me laugh.

Louise's studio hopeandelvis.com is open from 10 am to 4 pm.  There are free activities on offer for both children and adults so if you fancy a day out where you browse around and have a sit, stitch and a natter then come along.  I will be the one wearing the above.  Lol.

Ten Things

Time is flying by so quickly.  This is just a quick post nothing swish just ten things I have done this week.

1.  Been to the studio to help Louise make samples for upcoming workshops.
2.  Picked up my nephew from school and made him tea.
3.  Spent time with Betty and Nellie as they were not at school/uni.
4.  Added finishing touches to Belle's newly decorated room.  Nearly there now it's taken ages.
5.  Washed, dried and put away too many pots - need bigger kitchen and dishwasher - please.
6.  Chatted a little with Mum.
7.  Had a few bad nights with a rubbish tickly cough.  Boo.
8.  Been to Car Boot - it was a good one. 
9.  Made 5 bags, some pincushions and cushions.
10.  Made a big awful mess whilst doing no 9.  It was soooo worth it.

This is just a little bit of the mess.  Do i clean or go to car boot.  Erm car boot.  There's treasure there.

TTFN