Our little birdie friends have arrived!

Just as predicted our very first tiny hummingbird arrived on schedule this week. Mother's day to be precise and in an incredibly strong wind too! Although both hanging baskets and the strawberry feeder were up, the poor little mite found it an impossible task to land, so her visit was brief. Luckily we all saw her whilst we were having our lunch in the kitchen. I will try to capture her on camera soon.
Yesterday my books arrived from Amazon and I love them!

I have only allowed myself the luxury of a quick flick through them so far, taking a couple of photos . I'm not sure when I will actually get to have a go at some of the many lovely projects in the two sewing books, but I will most certainly some time in the future. So much eye candy, here is a page inside 'sew pretty homestyle'

I usually read novels and only just before bed, my latest from the library is called 'My sister's keeper' which I am enjoying, but seem to be taking forever to finish it!

As I didn't write a post on Mother's day here is a vintage ad from a magazine, framed and hanging in the laundry. It reminds me of my Mum and I back in the 70's. Funny thing is I still love to iron :)

This year for the first time ever on Mother's day both my daughters' were snowed under with school work and sporting activities. So it was decided (my suggestion I admit) to postpone any fun stuff til next Sunday. I have really enjoyed reading about other blogger's fun days with their children.

As I wasn't blogging this time last year, or at least not on blogspot, I want to show you my home made gifts from last Mothers day (little proud moment). I use them both on a regular basis in my sewing room.

A cute business card holder made by Amber at school

Some covered wooden pegs in a decorated tin from Jemma, these I use to hold my embroidery thread, receipts, squares of tissue etc.

 Hopefully this weekend I can squeeze in another post, we are hoping to be able to get outside without being blown away :)

Hazel xx

It's trailing blue lobelia time of year :)

It was such a lovely weekend that my blog post was once again put 'on hold' for a few days. Craig kindly brought home two hanging baskets with pretty blue trailing Lobelia flowers. They have become a summer tradition and are to be hung on the side veranda, along with the white pots full of purple and lilac pansies. The flowers seem to flourish all summer long and we enjoy them almost as much as the humming birds do. Incidentally, the little ruby throated hummingbirds are due to arrive next week. We are prepared and have even bought another feeder in anticipation of their hunger after such a long flight all the way from Mexico!
I diverged a little from my usual painting of furniture this week (OK I did give a small side table the robin's egg blue treatment). This time instead of painting I 'covered' a couple of old wing back chairs. They had been left behind when we bought the house. No longer wanting to look at (in my opinion) ugly blue velour fabric I had moved them into the basement (much to Craig's horror when he came home from work) a few months ago. This gave the parlour a 'spacious airy feel'. Perhaps 'sparse' was a better description? But, after finding some new cream cotton slip covers on 'e-bay' they have now had a facelift and the chairs are back where they belong. They are very comfy and make excellent reading chairs. After trying out my newly acquired 100% wool felt, by sewing a couple of animals, I found it wonderful to work with. Quite pricey compared to my wool-mix felt and not such a large selection of colours. I ordered some small squares in brown, cream and honey. I will be sewing a selection to list in my shop when the demand is higher during the Autumn months. Here is a tiny honey bear!

Amber had a tiring day last Sunday when she took part, along with a few friends, in her 'trial' Duke of Edinburgh Award - hiking trip. This was to prepare them for the real thing in June. She was loaded up with a 35lb back pack, plenty of water, medical supplies, granola bars, sleeping bag etc. The day was hot and even though they were in forest for a good part of the 5 hour walk, it was exhausting. She seemed pretty good once home and only a tiny bit cranky and tired. She was even able to take part in track and field events the next day (oh to have such stamina!)
You may remember that I received an Amazon gift certificate for my birthday back in February from my friend Sandra. I have known Sandra since I stayed in her London home as a lodger, back in 1988! Well, ever the procrastinator when it comes to buying stuff for myself I have hemmed and hawed over what to treat myself to. Not wanting to buy a novel, that I could just borrow from the library, I decided on some carefully chosen home and craft books :) I am awaiting their arrival, but here they are: I spotted a couple of them on other peoples blogs where they got good reviews.

Easy Cottage Style A nice coffee table book to browse through!

Sew Pretty Homestyle Eager to get my mitts on this one for inspiration :)

Sublime Stitching Something I haven't really tried before, but always fancied having a go at some contemporary embroidery designs. Today is cooler, after a string of warm pleasant days, there are so many things I have been able to do 'outside' my imagination has been running on overtime (no lewd comments please) Ironing, cutting out felt, recycling old tee shirts with pinking shears to make great cleaning cloths, scrubbing sneakers, washing the car inside and out, painting (of course). I could go on ....

This weekend Craig and I plan on doing a spot of yard sale hunting, always on the look out for a piece of furniture that needs some TLC.
Hazel xx