Vintage Pleasure

A Year On

This time last year we had our sweet Kitty home and the enormity of what we had just been through was beginning to hit home. When you are encapsulated in a world of fear and unknown everything else stands still. The only way to get through it is to put things in boxes in your mind and try to forget about them. As a mother I found it so difficult that, whilst we were in hospital, I could do nothing for any of my children. I don't think I have ever felt so useless or numb as in my darkest times last year. If it wasn't for the genuine acts of kindness we countlessly encountered I am not sure we would be who and where we are now.

Our amazing family and friends took control of everything none hospital related. They fed and clothed and comforted my other babies whilst we stayed with the one who needed us most. They did the washing and the ironing they even had a rota to provide food for us everyday for as long as we needed. There were 30 odd people who volunteered to cook for us. I will never forget how humbling and wonderful that felt.

The kindness we were shown gave us the time and space to concentrate on Kitty and her journey. We grew much strength from all the wonderful messages we received from all over the world. People tweeted with stories of throwing pebbles into the sea for Kitty, of thinking of us and offering help. She received almost 100 cards whilst she was in hospital. From as far away as Australia, Afghanistan, India, America to places much closer to home like Brecon and Bradford people were thinking of and praying for Kitty. People we knew and people we have never met covered Kitty in constant prayer for the whole time she was unwell. Each message and prayer gave us strength. The knowledge that people really cared carried us through some very difficult times. One of the joys of having a faith and a church family is the fellowship it brings. Prayer is a powerful tool. Whether you believe in a God or not. 

These 2 photographs were taken exactly a year apart and show just how far we have all come. They remind me how blessed I am. They remind me that anything is possible and that human kindness should never be underestimated.

My prayer now is of thanks and of hope that I too remember to 'Scatter Kindness'.

Kristy x

My Baby Was 10

People say to enjoy your children when they are young as time goes by so quickly. It is so true! My 'baby' was 10 last week. Ten! How on earth can that be possible? It seems only five minutes ago that we were bringing her home from hospital.

She is growing up in to a senstive and amazing young lady. She often drives me to distraction but life with her is never dull. Her mind is whirring hive of information and she is rarely short of an answer. If she is she soon finds one. She researches and plans like no other person I know and her powers of persuasion are second to none. Her current quest involves her dad, jobs and a new puppy next year.

Her sense of style is begining to take shape and I'm loving seeing her put her outfits together. I can see a glimspe of the lovely young lady I know she will become.

She has a few personal battles to deal with at the minute and I'm so proud of the way she is dealing with them. 

Jo-jo, I love you more. Too possible! x

Happy Table Tuesday

The first one after the Easter Holidays. Always a happy day.

Getting Organised

Being at home for the last 15 years much of the day to day stuff such as appointments, piano lessons, birthdays etc have been left to me. I have used the 'it's all in my head' system which has been hit and miss at the best of times but now I am 'working' we need a better way. I want to have a notice board area so we can all see what everyone else is up to. The trouble is that notice boards aren't the prettiest of things. So I did a little search to find some pretty ways of getting organised.

There is so much loveliness out there that is free to print off for personal use. I chose this little lot.

Chore Chart by Leah Remillet

The Pretty Blog's Birthday Calendar

and 2012 Owl Lover Calendar from My Barn Owl (which is great as you can pick and chose the images for each month)

I found heaps more that I have booked marked too like this weekly planner and a whole post dedicated to printable organisation! I have my eye on this meal planner too.

I think it's something I'm going to have to have a play around with to get a system that works for us but I'm enjoying making it pretty. I also thinking of getting some washitape as an alternative to pins. This graph paper one is amazing.

I'm definitely doing a version of this too!

 

 

 

 

Happy Table Tuesday

Today's 'Happy Table'
Some one asked why my table is happy every Tuesday. It's because that's the day I open my house to anyone who wants to come share tea, cake and chat. I've done it for about 12 years now and it has been such a blessing.

Happy Table

Most tuesday mornings my table ends up like this...

...just how I like it. A happy table helps make a happy home.

This was last week. I may make it a regular feature though.

Smiles for Pennies

I thought I'd try and put a bit of vintage back in this old blog of mine. I kind of lost my thrifting mojo for a while there. Mainly down to the fact that I really needed to de-clutter but also combined with an overall change in my life's direction. I have recently managed to pick up a few treasures for pennies though that have really made me smile.

I picked up ths gorgeous leather satchel at January's Vintage Village it needs a little work to the handle but at £1 I really couldn't pass it up. Especially as I have been looking for one for ages.

Then on friday I went on a thrifty jaunt with the most lovely Mrs Thrifty herself (who I might add was remarkably restrained unlike me!) Amongst the heap of treasure I picked up, it was a very good day, was the floral glass on the left that cost me a whole 50p. I know crazy right?

On the same trip I picked up these gorgeous Purnell books for a mere 40p each. I don't believe you can ever have too many vintage Enid Blyton books do you? See the tablecloth they are sitting on? That only cost me 50p. Yep the thrifting has been so good recently.

 

A Christmas Crafternoon The Result

The weekend before Christmas we had our 'Christmas Crafternoon' fundraiser. It took a lot of organising and with the help of some really lovely people was a huge success!

Unfortunately I forgot to appoint a photographer for the day but luckily the lovely Rachelle saved the day and took a few shots for me to share!

We had plenty of craft workshops available including 'Button Necklaces' by Jo of French Knots...

...'Sputnik Snowflake Baubles' by Laura of Planet Kitty ...

...'Heirloom Angels' by Toni of Lady Behave...

...'Kitschy Wreaths' from yours truely...

...'Liberty Baubles' by Ted and Agnes...

...'Button Hearts' by my lovely friend Heather...

...and 'Tweedy Owls' courtesy of Tea Wagon Tales...

...so as you can see plenty to keep everyone busy!

We had a number of 'Teen Elves' to help serve the mulled wine courtesy of A Thrifty Mrs and Mr Thrifty...

...and 'Kitty Elf'...

...who had her own little stall selling her 'Kitty Kreations'. Unfortunately we have no photographs but imagine cute sock animals created by the hands of an 11 year old. Too cute I tell you. Of course they were a sell out!

There was a 'Josie Elf' too who was just as adorable in her stripy tights but no photograph!

 

Christmas 2011

A little late but I really hope you all had a very merry Christmas. Ours was full of...

...annual trips to Christmas markets...

...spending time with those we love...

...catching up with cousins...

...and bracing winter walks.

What was your Christmas 2011 full of? Love, Joy and Peace I hope?

A Christmas Crafternoon

Well I am turning into a seriously shocking blogger aren't? How are you all doing? Is there actually anybody still there?

Life has just got a heap more busy but in a good way. We all seem to be doing new things and time really slips away. Compounded by the fact that our laptops are 5 years old and so slow i just haven't found the time for blogging.

Anyway we are all doing well and Kitty was even discharged from the hospital with the hope that she is well and truely fixed. They anticipate no further problems in her future either which is so amazing. This Christmas will really be one for us to count our blessings.

Every year I have a little crafty get together at my house with my friends where we chat, drink mulled cider, craft and feel totally festive. This year I've decided extend the idea into a Christmas Crafternoon so more people of all ages can join us. Maybe you can too?

There will be a raffle of Christmas stockings lovingly donated by a number of bloggers and tweeters you may all know. They are all gorgeous! Also we have a few lovely people coming running Christmas craft/gift workshops for all abilities. I am hoping it will be a fun break in the mayhem before Christmas and a chance for people to have a chat and also raise funds for Kitty's Thank You too.

Even if you can't make it please can you show us support by leaving a comment and spreading the word? Maybe blog or tweet a link? We would be ever so grateful!