Pincusion Swap

Finally I have sneaked out my little goodies from Katy from amidst the dust and rubble.  Katy was a great partner,and a big thank you to Claire who organised the swap.

So here are my lubbly jubbly goodies from the wunnerful Katy..

As you can see they are extrememly wonderful gifts.  I love them all, and if I can stop myself  eating the popcorn scented bath bomb and soap, I think I will save them for when my new bathroom is completed.  My little doggie I have named Dougal.  I don't know why, it was the first thing that popped into my head.  And did you see how cleverly Katy stamped my named in the pin toppers.  I must admit I never noticed at first, then when I looked closer I squealed LOL!!!  Thank you so much Katy, I hope you enjoyed this swap as much as I did xx

Mess Glorious Mess

*WARNING DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE AFFECTED BY MESS*

Now for those of you who know me, you know that my need for organsisation is paramount.  It's true when they say that a messy home is a messy life.  I'm telling you it's to fricken trooooooo ha ha ha ha.  My head is everywhere and on the occasion I have even had to rescue it from my butt...

Over the last few weeks I have managed to lose my mind.  First of all in tesco's then in the bathroom center.  It's not pretty, but as a result to mindloss I have mangaged to get my bathroom.  So all the materials for the kitchen and bathroom are here and ready for Vince to put in place.  The kitchen is on standstill until the plasterer has been too wave his magic trail and give me delishiously smooth walls..  So Mr Vincent started in the bathroom..  I have a shower and a toilet and today the ceiling went back up..  He has put in spotlights, I think that's so when you showering you can sing the blues at the same time..  Anyhooo!!!  One of the spotlights have an extractor fan which was really important for me because there are 4 of us showering and the room isnt that big at all..

So let me show you the progressions of this week.

Mess in the Front room (Diddle Sneaking in there ready to pounce the Dog)

Mess in the boys to be room..

Mess in the bathroom

Mess in the Kitchen..

Oh a clean  surface there just by the kettle..

On a good note the time I have been waiting around I have started the boys little comforts for the bedroom..  Obviously being boys they couldn't give two hoots about those little comforts.  But because I am a crafty mummy I am making them some pillows for their beds.  These are from Anchor really easy to do too.  The pattern is all set to go and all you have to to is match the colour to colour and it uses three colours and the stitch is cross stitch.  Easy peasy lemony squeezy..

I know I will finish it by the time the boys room is done..  I am so enjoying making the pillows..  I have decided to make all what I can for our home.

Anyhooooo I am off for now..  I hope you all have a fabulous weekend.xxxxxxxx

Flavoured With Dust

Oh the sun has been bright an beautiful here in Clacton this week.  I think one day rained, I can't really remember seen as I have been as busy as a bee.  Vince my lovely builder has been working so hard, making dust and noise lol.  As we all know dust is calorie free. And it has really been an eye opener..  The dust sheets do their job, but still our food is tainted with a hint of brick dust.  Nice, but very dry..

So this week lots has been going on.  Lets start with me.  I was finishing up stripping the boys skirting board, when my back went into spasm and now I am rendered useless..  BOOOOOO!! Things are going to take a little bit longer but hey ho...

I have had my loft emptied, lagged and boarded.  There was so much carpet and rugs up there it was shocking.  But on a brighter note, it's now ready for next winter..  I have had my electric's updated so now we are safer with those. The kitchen wall has come down,  I can swing a cat gerbil hamster in my kitchen.

This is how my kitchen was

This was another toilet beside my kitchen.  Not the most hygienic and I used it to store my washing machine.  Also why on earth they built 2 toilets in a flat I do not know..  As you can see by the picture you really couldn't go comfortably.  And the big yuk factor for me is why would you have a toilet next to the room where you prepare food?  EEEEEWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!

Looking in from the kitchen, that wall is what housed the sink..  Waste of space.  I knew if it came down then I would have at least room to twirl.

This is the after pictures.

Not much difference but a load more space..  There is room to move out there.  I know I am not going to have a huge kitchen but even as it is it , it is more functional.

I ordered all the new Almalfi units and sink from Homebase which was really nice.  The total amount came to £5973.00 both mum and I fainted, then Aaron said hang on we have discounts, I was like ooooooooooooo..  So after a %25 discount for the units and %15 discount for spending over £100 our total ended up to £2319.00 I was like YIPPEEEEEE!!!! Mum was jumping for joy all teary eyed, we were dancing in the isles..... Oh ok so it wasn't like that but in my head it was a MGM musical lol.. We paid quickly and ran out of Homebase before they changed their minds.  We then went over to Curry's for our appliances we ordered a, double oven (with £200 off), a fridge, freezer, hob and washing machine.  And I thought hello we are spending a big lot here, so I asked what he could do.  Our bill started off at £1990.00 before delivery charges.  We had to pay £44.00 for delivery, which he gave us free and then he gave us the we store for free.  Then the Manager gave us another small discount, which our bill ended up at £1849.00..  If you don't ask you wont get.  So we saved nearly £100.00 just by asking.  We were very pleased with our savings..  We also saved by employing a builder at a daily rate.  The qote we had for just knocking down the wall was £4450.  In wages and materials for last week we spent £507.00.  So we have saved all round..  I'm happy, Mum is happy and Vince is happy.  Happy all round LOL!!

Today I am chilling out resting this flipping back and I shall blog soon..

Have a wonderful week xx

Favorite things about Easter

Amber Asked:

::Favorite things about Easter::

{Tell us about your Easter experience}

I posted a little bit about this the other day so this post is going to be very short..

I don't really celebrate Easter, not in the religious way that Easter is all about.  I do exchange yummy eggs though..   So I guess my favourite thing about Easter is the chocolate.  But to just post that would be a bit dull..  I like Easter because for me it does mean new life.  The earth comes to life, light springs from everywhere (when it's not raining) and the colours change from drab dreary ones to life filled boldness.

My boys' where out visiting with their dad, so I spent Easter stripping the rest of the paper from the boys room..  I also got a phone call from my builder, to say he is going to begin work on Tuesday..

Today I was clearing out the area where he will be working.  2 black bags, 1 rubble bag, one bag for charity and 2 doors came from a 4ft x 5ft space, oh the tumble dryer and a box full that is too stay.  Why I ask myself do I horde so much.  The simple answer is I forget what I have and buy another, or I buy things I really don't need.  Which I must say I have been good so far and have been practicing my frugality , only buying what I need.

So there that's been my Easter weekend.  Hopefully tomorrow I will have some photo's to show you the before, during and after shots of my kitchen..

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter xx

Friend Makin' Monday - Spring

Hellooooo I thought, I might have a go of this so here I am.  I was invited by Jen at Tatertots and Jello,well not personally but in her blog post she invited anyone to pop over to Amber's to have a try.  So I thought I would.  Here goes me!!

Amber Asked.....

1. Favorite things about Spring:

The fresh air, not damp or too cold.  The smells of freshly cut grass.  The colours of the beach.  Little flowers coming to life.  Lighter day's and evenings.

2. What I'm doing for Spring Break:

Eating lots of chocolate eggs in between decorating.  Taking the boys out for a few days.

3. Favorite Spring flower:

ermmmm I don't actually have one :(

4. Do you have a garden?

No I live in a flat.

5. If so, what do you grow.

6. Do you do Spring cleaning?

Yes with joy and in abundance LOL!! I absolutely love it, the chartiy shops love me this time of year, out with the old in with the new..  Windows open blowing out all the cobwebs of winter.. Cleaning and washing everything in sight so everything smell fresh and new.

7. What is your weather *really* like right now? {Just b/c it's "officially" spring, doesn't mean that it feels like it for some of you}

hmmm well the weather is drifting between warm and coldish.  The wind is cutting, but the sun is warm.  It's been raining a lot boooo!

8. Snapped any weather related photos lately? Share one with us!

No I am still getting used to taking my camera out with me, I usually always forget it.

9. What's your favorite thing to do on a sunny afternoon?

Go down to the beach and relish in the warmth like a lizard soaking up all the loveliness of the sun.

10. Favorite TV show right now?
Vampire Diaries.  I started to watch it after reading the books, and it really wasnt like the book at all, but I carried on and I am starting to really get into it now.

Happy Easter!

Isn't this just a gorgeous vintage pic? I found it here at Vintage Holiday Crafts I just love it!  I don't know what Easter means to you guys, I know that for my children it means chocolate.  I don't really know what it means for me either.  Yes it has lots of religious attachments, such as Jesus dying on the cross for us then rising again. So I guess for me it does mean new life.

I am an avid spring lover.  I come to life, like the earth.  My step has a most wonderful spring to it and I find my days are full of joy.  I like looking at the tree's with their newly growing buds, and the flowers that are pushing through the earth to meet the sun.  I tend to spend my days in a cloud of happy thinking and I love it!!!! Living here by the beach is just amazing to watch, when the waters colour begins to lighten and become less dreary and cold looking..

Yes I am a Springy Person LOL!!

Happy Easter everyone, I hope you enjoy your holiday xx