Some snaps from our new years adventure. We stayed in Ireby (Cumbria) to welcome in the new year. It was perfect being away from a noisy city even though the rain clouds settled themselves right on top of us. On the other hand new years day brought with it a beautiful blue sky :) beeeeyoutiful times…

Hello!

How was your Christmas and New year?? So much has happened since my last post. It’s been a busy house here in Nottingham with Christmas, birthdays, visitors, doodle sessions – all sorts! My dress section of the wardrobe grew a little thanks to the January sales, which is always a nice way to start the new year I think. I’ve set about scribbling down some “new year” themed lists – Mainly book reading lists, I’ll keep you posted!

ps – I ate waaaaaaay too many biscuits during December… oops!

Been ages since I did a makeover update. The other month all of my black jeans decided to expire – as you can imagine that made me very grumpy since I’d just cleared out most of my clothes. It meant jean shopping… what I find the most intimidating of shopping adventures.

I was against buying the same cheap black trousers because I figured a couple of months down the line I’d be writing a pretty much identical post to this. I decided to use it as an opportunity to add a little bit of colour into my wardrobe and went for these coppery coloured trousers instead. I’m really chuffed with them. They’re comfortable, easy to look after and they’re different.

I’m making an effort to add a few new colours and patterns to my daily outfits, accessorizing a little differently too. I braved some stripey hand made legwarmers the other week and I’ve started bringing out the odd pair of shoes I tend to overlook in the mornings. It’s becoming fun finding new ways to wear old things. It’s cheaper too.

A little D.I.Y project for the house. I’ve got enough fabric for a couple of chairs – I just need the chairs now.

Another little project I finished this morning is my mouse (it’s quite big so possibly a rat) tea cosy. I found the pattern for free here- there are some amazing patterns on that blog. I saw one during my last visit up to Orkney in someones window and wanted it. So it was a bit of a surprise when I came across a pattern so quickly – I didn’t even own a teapot when I started making it. Funny what knitting will make you do… I’m going to alter the eyes a little – bigger beads are needed I think.

Some end of the month treasures. You might recognise number 9 from this blog post :)

1. Small triangle tote bag by bookhouathome 2. Emerald blue apatite ring by dollybirddesign 3. Onwards book/zine by kayeblegvad 4. Vintage vase original painting by britthermann 5. Beauty is in the street print by blancucha 6. Vintage baskets with lids (Set of 4) from sugarpush 7. Faceted napkin rings from Jawaddel 8. Vintage maxi slip/dress and robe from decades 9. Kilim Carpet bag from Foxandthomas.

**All photo and picture credits go to the individual sellers**

I’m back! Armed with some pictures of my new studio and our sleeping room. Looking back I wish I’d dug my camera out and taken some before and after photos because we’ve done a little decorating since we moved in last week. Our bedroom walls were a mixture of mid blue and “Almond” cream – It was like sleeping in a block of blue cheese. Below is an example of the previous colour scheme but in person the blue was stronger and darker… The whole back wall and the alcove (where the book case now stands) were that blue colour and the rest of the walls were the overly warm cream… *shudder* But this is a tale with a happy ending because as you can see from the pictures all those colours are gone and the room feels clean and spacious!

The room I’m using at the studio also had a strange colour combo going on. The walls were lilac and deep dark purple. Now for anyone who has visited the projection rooms where I work at Broadway will know they’re also dark and purple. Working at home would’ve felt too much like being at my other job and I don’t think that would’ve been good for the brain. We got rid of the darker purple and ideally I would’ve liked to remove the lilac too but we have a huge wardrobe in that spare room (which has come in handy because we have lots of stuff!) and it would’ve been too much of a mission to rattle everything about. I’ve come to terms with the lilac now and I have covered most of it in pictures and postcards.

It’s such a good feeling having so much space put aside for making and creating. I’ll take some snaps of the rest of the house to show you in my next post.

PS – my Etsy shop is now open!