Happy Holiday

Thank you all for your kind messages on my last post, we had a wonderful holiday.Our little dog Sparky, came on holiday with us this year. It was a long drive, but he was really well behaved, and when we reached our destination, he jumped out of the car and trotted off to the cottage, as if to say "this is it, I have arrived!"

Jingle, our guinea pig, came along too, he had a wonderful time eating all the clover he could. I must say it was lovely for us to have our pets with us instead of leaving the dog at kennels (which he hates), and trying to find a volunteer for the guinea pig and goldfish. We now have a new addition to the menagerie, a dwarf rabbit called Chester.

Isn't he lovely. Lois got him for her birthday, and we picked him up when we got back from Kerry.

We stayed here, one of 3 cottages, although it was more like a barn conversion, light and airy. The views were wonderful, and it was so peaceful even though we were only 10 minutes drive from the local town, Kenmare. Check it out here.

We had chickens roaming around and we were able to collect eggs every day. The owners of the cottages, Anne and Patrick, were so friendly and kind, and we really enjoyed watching the daily routine of farm life.
Kenmare was a vibrant, colourful little town, with a great choice in restaurants, shops and bars, and the locals were really friendly. There was a Food Festival , the weekend we arrived, which made the town have a great little buzz, and of course there was a lot of yummy stuff to eat.

 I loved the way the stalls were all the same. In true Irish laid back style, nothing much got going till lunchtime.

 We were so fortunate with the weather, it was fantastic! The last time I was in Kerry it was misty and wet and I didn't see any scenery at all.

 The Boathouse Restaurant, a lovely place to whittle away a few hours.

I understand how people get sentimental about Ireland, it really is a beautiful country.

I couldn't resist putting this one in, the camera went off by accident and caught my mad curly hair.I hope I haven't ranted on too much, but I know a lot of you have a soft spot for Ireland, and I thought you might enjoy the photos.Wishing you all a wonderful weekend, and thank you so much for stopping by, love Linda.x.

Leave of Absense

A new rose for me  this year called Blue Moon, isn't she gorgeous?

My dear friends, I was quite horrified when I viewed my blog and saw how long it is since I last posted.
There are not enough hours in the day for me at the moment. The weather has been absolutely glorious and the garden is looking lovely.

We are off for a week's holiday tomorrow, to County Kerry. We will be staying in a cottage on a farm, and the dog and guinea pig are coming too! I am so looking forward to a rest and change of scene. I won't be taking the computer with me, but hope to catch up with you on my return.

Hoping you all have a wonderful week, with much love, Linda xx.

An Angel is coming to tea.

If I was entertaining Angels, this is the linen I would use. I received these delectables in the post yesterday from Lynn at Sea Angels blog. She is an incredibly talented lady and seems able to work in lots of different mediums. The teacup banner is on linen, part printed and part appliqued, it has machine and hand sewing on it as well, and is so gorgeous when viewed up close.

She sent it so beautifully wrapped and I meant to let you see it, but I had no battery in the camera, and I am afraid that I just could not wait to see what was inside.

 I wish you could see the detail on this little tag, it looks as if it is iced and has glitter and vintage lace, just delightful. I think this cupcake banner is adorable too. I can feel a kitchen makeover coming on, in honour of my new lovely linens!

This little parcel completely made my day,and to top it off, it was a beautiful day and I have lilacs on my table, smelling heavenly. The Angels have indeed visited me. Thank you Lynn, you amaze me!

To visit Lynn's lovely blog click here or visit her Etsy store here.

Today is also a beautiful day. I'm off to the dentist, but once that's out of the way, I can have some fun making things. I painted some brushes for the shop (I must be mad), and am doing some more today, as well as making some bunting. Thank you for your visit, it is much appreciated. I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday, with love, Linda xx.

A long day in the garden.

On Saturday we had a really beautiful day. I wasn't working, Paul wasn't working and Lois was off school, so we spent it in the garden, and it was glorious. I felt as if I had been given a gift. I did'nt come in until 11.30, and went to bed tired and happy!

 Lots of work got done....weeding, planting, staking, brushing, cleaning, dead-heading and loads of moving. Then there was feeding, watering, re-planting. I even managed to paint some more pots for the shop. There was also some eating, drinking, admiring, sitting, talking, relaxing. A very good day was had by all!

The next little gift I receive will be spent fence painting, hopefully I won't have to wait too long.
I hope you had a lovely weekend, and managed to have a little time in your garden or in the park, or on the beach, and if not, then it's your turn next! Much love to you all, and thanks for stopping by, Linda x.

It's the simple things in life....

On my way to the shop  I walked through the park and couldn't resist taking a couple of snaps, the cowparsley and bluebells were drawing me in!

Toadflax in a crack in the wall...I love it, I love the name of it! It seems very English to me, but it's probably not.

I painted some terracotta pots and planted them out, for the shop.

My hubby planted some salad leaves a while ago and they are ready to eat, don't they look good?
You can't beat a walk in the park, a session in the garden or some home produced goodies...it's the simple things in life that please me.

Many thanks my dear readers for all your lovely comments on my last post. I will have some more things to show you soon, but didn't want to go on too much about the shop this week. All is going well, and I have another Furniture Painting Workshop this Friday, so it's pretty hectic around here...but there is still time to smell the lettuce! I wish you all a very happy and productive week, and I look forward to catching up with you all. Love Linda xx

More stuff!

Hello my dear readers, I hope that I am not boring the pants off you, with my latest adventure, but it is so prevalent in my mind. Some of you expressed interest in seeing a some more details of what I am selling in 'The Potting Shed'. These are little felt brooches, for adults or children. The Westie, although named Wesley is based on our dog Sparky, a flower has landed on his nose and he's rather startled!

Some tags I made out of clay that air dries. I thought the teapot might make a good fridge magnet, but I will need to source some magnets.

Excuse this dreadful photo of my middle area,but it was to show you what the above items are. I have called them 'handy holster's', and they are pockets made out of tea-towels that you tie around your waist. I made one for wearing in the shop, as I always misplace my specs, scissors etc., and thought they would be good when cooking, cleaning or gardening.

These are tissue packs for the car or your bag, made from Tilda and Cath Kidston fabric.

I will let you see some more pics next time of my little area which has altered from the last time you saw it. If you remember, there was a table from the tea room in the middle of my space, which although very pleasant for those having tea, was kind of cramping my style, and stopping customers from looking at my stuff. It has now been removed and so I have more space to fill!
There are plans to add extra space on to the tea room by covering in an outside yard, so things are evolving all the time.

A couple of pieces of furniture that |I painted are in the window at Nanabelle's. The pink chest was an ugly brown 1950's dressing table. The top which sadly you cannot see is painted with strawberries. The potting bench was also dark brown and has been painted with the chalk paint, rubbed back and then waxed with a dark wax to age it.

Paper bunting on wire. I have had various types of bunting and it has all sold, so I am busy making more tonight. Those of you who have visited my blog for a while will know that I love to make all kinds of different stuff, so it is lovely to have found somewhere where I can sell it.

Thank you all for your lovely, lovely comments, you are all so very kind. I apologize for not having replied to you yet, but I will get to you soon. I am looking forward to reading your posts and seeing what you have been doing . Have a wonderful week, with love, Linda x.