Milestones

On Tuesday I joined the 40s club and if this is what 40 is all about I am well and truly up for it!

I had the most perfect couple of days made so special by very special people in my life. I honestly couldn't have asked for more. I was so touched by every little effort. My friends and family really went out of their way to make my day one to remember and I love them even more for it (if that is possible).

 

 

A couple of my besties came over with home made lemon meringue pie (made gluten and dairy free, I was so touched) and biscuits so we could enjoy a girlie afternoon doing what girls do best, chatting and eating and boy we did a good job. One of my lovely and dearest friends, who made the pie (and bless also stood in it shortly after making it, ha!), brought me this wonderful painting of pink Camellia's (a fave) painted by her very talented mother especially for me (how wonderful is that?!) and a beautiful old galvanised tin bucket filled with lavender and beautiful campanula flowers. She also gave me THE most beautiful flower arrangement that she made up, but unfortunately the pictures really don't do it any justice, such a shame.

 

 

It was filled with lovely stocks, roses, Irises geraniums, and so much more.

 

 

This very gorgeous butterfly in a frame was done for me by another friend and I just love it. It is such a simple idea, yet clever idea and like all her ideas they turn out amazingly and are always executed to perfection. She is such a very talented lady and I just love all her work. It is now looking rather gorgeous on my wall.

 

Another friend brought me this very gorgeous little pot with more purple flowers (not sure what they are? any ideas?). She did this rather lovely framed birthday card with a very lovely birthday message, which I think is just beautiful. She also gave me a gorgeous purple Cabbages and Roses scarf, note the very sweet vintage birthday card that came with it, I love it!

 

Another friend, fellow hooker (heehee) gave me two balls of this wonderful kidsilk haze, I think the colour is majestic. This is very new to me and haven't got a clue what I can make with it, but I have been warned that it can frog!?? Have any of you used this? I am looking forward to spending some time on Ravelry to draw some inspiration, don't you just love Ravelry for that?!

 

Now some of you might have picked up on the fact that everything I have received so far has a tint of purple to it, which I found rather fascinating as it is not my usual colour of choice, but I am taking it as a message and will be making more of an effort with this colour in the future. Years ago I did a make-up-make-over with Laura Mercier (a gift from a friend with some product) and I was told that plum was the colour that suited my skin the best, so I think it is time I listen, not that I often where eye shadow, I have to confess (too much effort), but then again, I am very soon going to have to start drawing the attention away from all the wrinkles and that might just be the answer right there.

 

 

Another gorgeous pressie from another special friend. Just loving the potting shed sign and also the little box for my seeds, have been looking for some inspiration on how to organise my seeds, so I will be looking no further. Also some vouchers to go and spend at the garden centre, well needless to say this 'oldie' is chuffed to bits!

 

 

 

This very gorgeous plate set from Magpie, which I cant say that I've heard of before, but I have since had a look at their website and they do some rather lovely things. This is a perfect present for me as I love anything with birds on and I am so looking forward to putting these on a wall very soon.

 

 

 

Something else I love, isn't it amazing how well friends know you. I feel so honoured to have such very special people in my life, they make my life such a pleasure to live! I am so looking forward to pampering myself with these. I already use the Rose and Geranium Shower gel and simply love it.

 

This very beautiful tea towel was purchased for me by such a dear friend when she went to Portugal and I love the beautiful crochet edging, it puts my tea towel edging to shame, that's for sure! She also spoilt me with some rather lovely smelling Cath Kidston products, which I am really looking forward to using.

 

Not to want to bore you with the others, I will move on to

 

 

the pressies from my very lovely family, I simply love all the blue here and can't wait to fill those lovely Greengate tins, not to mention filling these lovely Cath Kidston melamine set of three food containers with food for picnics or stacking them in the camper van (yip I'm still dreaming!). I am venturing into the world of quilting and this book about machine quilting looks really useful, but more on that when I actually get around to using it. Another crochet book filled with some lovely patterns and ideas and I am looking forward to trying some of these.

 

There was also a massive splurge from all family members who chipped together to buy me my own first Janome sewing machine. Both the machines I have used in the past are hand-me-downs, so it feels rather 'proper' and 'grown up' to be owning my own sewing machine. I am yet to use it, but first there is all the reading the manual malarkey, because I certainly don't want to break it. Then there is also now the pressure that I better make good use of it, and the problem that I can no longer blame the machine for all my errors (yikes!!).

 

 

 

 

On Tuesday night we went out for a lovely meal at Sutton Hall, a very beautiful former convent, once the manor house of the Earls of Lucan. We love going here as it has such a wonderful atmosphere and the food is excellent. It was the perfect end to a wonderful start of what I believe and hope to be a happy and healthier year. New life begins every day right?!

 

Also joining in with Lou at the Littlegreenshed's Nature in the Home series, week 16, and this weeks' theme is a gift, what I would call perfect timing! 

 

I hope you have all enjoyed your week so far, I can't quite believe it is almost Friday, time certainly flies when you're having fun. Wishing you all a happy week and weekend and looking forward to sharing some crochet with you next time.

 

 

 

Warm wishes

Hannapat

xoxo