We have a table! We wanted a double drop leaf table so we could use it as a breakfast bar most days but have the extra optional table space if anyone visits. Right now though we only have one chair so we have to take it in turns.

Our sofa is drowning under cushions and I refuse to get rid of any of them – no matter how much of a faff it can be sometimes to sit down.

And illya is loving her hideously pink and fluffy cushion cover. I cheap alternative to the expensive sheep skin rugs that were at the old house. I think she assumed they were siblings because they got cleaned and nibbled from time to time. I was going to get her one so she had a little bit of comfort during the move but when I saw the price tag I did a little shudder. Fortunately I found this tough pink monstrosity and it’s living up perfectly to it’s cat mat job.

It’s begun…

In my last post I mentioned my current wardrobe crisis and what I thought I should do about it. Your wonderful positive feedback and stories have encouraged me to commit to this project and this post marks the beginning. Not the most beautiful picture to begin an adventure with but the most meaningful (and believe it or not those bags are big and heavy – they look so tiny in this picture!). I’ve also removed 4 coats from my cupboards, one of them had bus tickets from the start of 2010, so you can tell how long it’s been since I last wore it – it’s time to go! I’ve gathered most* of the guilty of being unflattering and worn out clothes and sorted them into bin or charity bags. I’m ready.

*Throwing out stuff is hard… and I’ll be honest with you – there are still a couple of offending items remaining in my drawers. They will be replaced but I’m predicting this adventure as a slow and thoughtful one. I don’t expect one or 2 shopping trips to solve my little battle with fashion. I’m preparing myself for those difficult and annoying times ahead. So I decided it was probably a good idea to keep hold of a couple of tatty basics until I find their well fitting replacements – otherwise I’ll have nothing to wear – and that will be even more stressful!

I will try and do a couple of ‘make over’ related posts every week (at least one) but you never know, some weeks might be a lot slower than others. I am really looking forward to sharing all this with you and I hope you enjoy the ride and find little bits of it inspiring and/or entertaining.

Beginners luck: I found this beautiful skirt yesterday. It fits like a charm, it’s comfortable and easy to clean. That’s another important ‘must’ for my new wardrobe, I don’t want to get things that need to be dry cleaned. I can’t afford it and I don’t really have the time – plus I sometimes feel a little bit nervous wearing them out and about because I’m frightened I’ll drop or spill something on them. I’m clumsy so it’s inevitable. Anyway, I’m pleased as punch with my new purchase… bring on the rest!

On a more house related note we got the BEST housewarming gift from Tom’s sister (THANK YOU SO MUCH!) the other day. Check out this handmade beauty!!!! I LOVE IT! It even has a tiny illya on it!

I’ve been gathering knitting projects like they’re sweets. And now there is now a huge pile of wool in the corner of the living room… sigh. Fortunately they’re pretty colours – so it’s not all bad. This is a cushion cover I’ve been working on – it’s very loosely based on a pattern from Simple Knitting by Erika Knight. This is probably one of the most inspiring books I own at the moment. It’s full of beautiful colours and simple/stylish projects. I had high hopes I would use some of the projects for this years Christmas presents but in truth I can’t seem to stop making things for myself :) OH well… still got a couple of months to go, right?

I’ve not done one of these doodles in a while and had a sudden urge to document yesterdays outfit. I filled my new bag with activities to keep me going at work – DS and little bit of knitting (The bag was an etsy find from Fox and Thomas – I can’t underline how much I love that shop). The dress was from Tesco (yeah, surprised me too). The jeans need re-dying because they definitely aren’t “black” any more. And the jumper had quite a lot of cat hair on it but funnily enough I didn’t draw those on ;)

I’ve just prepared a bucket of roast veg as my contribution to tonight’s “broadway gal’s wine and dine time”. I am armed with food and drink and very much looking forward to eating and drinking it.

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!

I’m causing chaos to my work space by “organising” EVERYTHING. I’m moving house in 8 days (eeeek) and I’ve been covered in dust for 2. I think it’s going well :)

This does mean my shop will close its doors for a week or 2 until we arrange the broadband and work space at the other end. I’ll keep you up dated on here. The shop will close on WEDNESDAY 31ST – my last post office day will be THURSDAY 1ST.

This is just a quick post because the time has come to edit my shoes… sigh…