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so, so fabulous ...

Since I started my home blog just over a year ago, I have been the lucky winner of not one, not two but three giveaways! Look at the latest, a copy of Ginny and Alice's recently published book Sew Fabulous Fabric, twenty charming ways to sew fabrics into your life. Ginny has been a dedicated follower of my blog since the start and her blog is over at The Flour Loft, which is a great mix of garden, home and family, and of course needlecraft.

At the time of winning I did feel rather a fraud, you see I cannot use a sewing machine and struggle to even thread a needle these days! I did wonder whether I should not have entered the competition in the first place and to have given the great seamstresses, of which many of you are, the chance to win the prize, even though Ginny and Alice were giving away more than one copy of the book.

As it turns out, I needn't have worried, yes the book has lots of projects and handy templates/patterns for the experienced needlewomen out there, but also basic techniques of the art of sewing and less complicated projects for beginners, of which category I most definitely fall into!




Ginny and Alice kindly included some very handy fabric swatches, tied up with a lovely mother of pearl button. I do have a collection of these, so this will be a lovely addition. One chapter which I particularly like is Scent with Love, scented decorations which I must say do look quite easy to make (famous last words), which would make good use of these pieces of material.



What about these cards? I could make a simpler version of these, which includes less stitching! The chapter Creative Cards shows you how.

Also included in the book are ideas for Christmas stockings, and lots of different makes for presents, which include pictures, peg bags, aprons, purses and bags. Projects for the home include curtains, cushions and bunting. Not forgetting the very pretty applique flowers and make do and mend patches for kids clothes too. I do like the draught excluder on page 37, and Silas the Dog who features on page 103, would be a lovely companion to me on the arm of the sofa!

Don't just think of Sew Fabulous Fabric being solely for experienced needlecrafters. If you like me like bright colours and great photography, and enjoy skimming through the pages just looking at the pictures, then this book is for you too.

The last word - an excerpt from my third year report at secondary for needlework. More work in her own time would have improved her standard! Maybe if I had this book at the time, I would not have gained the dizzy mark of C4!

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the beautiful algarve ...

Inbetween the training course and starting my new job, I have been on holiday to the Algarve in Portugal. Not only were steps retraced from our previous visit, we also managed to visit places anew. I love the orange of the bougainvillea above, a photo taken on the walk from our villa, through the countryside, down to the sea.



This is where we stayed on the first night, in an apartment close to Luz overlooking the sea. We are both earlybirds, so we managed to photograph the sun rising the next morning.



The lovely villa where we spent the duration of the holiday, situated in Caramujeiro. We were more than pleased with this place, staying with the same villa agent as on our last visit.



On a large plot of land the villa was surrounded by pine trees with the most gorgeous cones, which would have been perfect for using in Christmas decorations although I didn't get to bring any home. As it was, lemons from the tree above, and oranges came home with me, in the case!



The Algarve is a beautiful place, with rugged coastline and inviting blue waters.



Silves, a historic city with magnificent walls and castle. This is where you can get the most delicious piri-piri chicken and chips, served with a tomato and onion salad.




Colourful fishing boats in Armacao de Pera.



An amazing fish, which looks as if already wrapped in silver foil, ready to be baked!

Talking of fish, no visit to the Algarve would be complete without a meal of sardines. We had some really tasty chargrilled ones in Lagos, served with boiled potatoes and salad. You really must try some.

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a big hello to everyone ...

First on the agenda is to say a huge thank you to everyone for their lovely comments and kind concern on my previous two posts, I really do appreciate the time you have all given to keep in touch. Second on the agenda is to give you a reason for my absence, six weeks ago I started a new job and with this came a two week full-time course in East Croydon, which is a fair few miles from here, having to do a daily commute. There has been, and still is a lot to learn, so as you can imagine my brain has been in overdrive, having had little or no time to come up for air, let alone the time for my blog! More space for the fun stuff is now desperately needed, so third on my agenda is to revisit blogland on a more regular basis very soon.

As I am sure many of you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and many will be wearing it pink for the charity. I lost my dear mum to secondary breast cancer back in 2002 and now realise how important it is to be aware of any possible changes which may be taking place in the breast area. You can visit here for lots of information on the subject.

At this time of year, the hydrangea in my very untidy garden, is as pink as pink can possibly be!

a happy anniversary ...

Yesterday October 1st, myself and J celebrated clocking up 25 years together. I am sure most of you by now have realised we have neglected to tie the knot, but be assured we are very much as Darby and Joan as any married couple out there!

We met back in 1983, whilst on separate nights out at what was then known as the Top Rank Suite in Brighton. During the evening my friend Fiona and I were getting some unwelcome attention, and feeling uneasy with the whole situation we decided to walk up to J and his friend, and asked them both to pretend they were our fellas! Well basically that was it, and at the end of the evening we arranged to meet up the next evening for a drink at my local pub The Spotted Cow in Angmering, and from then on we continued to see each other or phone every day.

Our lives pretty much carried on as normal until 1985 when J was involved in a near fatal motorbike accident, which left him on a life support for a week, followed by many months of rehabilitation. This was a turning point in both our lives, and in 1986 we signed on the dotted line for a mortgage and bought our first place together, a brand new flat close to the sea, which was to become our home for the following 12 years.

We both wonder where the time has gone, but look forward to the next 25 years together!

The rose above is a hybrid tea called Silver Anniversary.

taking a break ...

From the archives of Life magazine. Fashion models taking their lunch break at the Racquet Club Cafe.

I am having to take a break from the blog.

I hope to post every so often, and shall be reading your latest posts whenever I can, but I may have to lurk for a while!

Please look in every now and again to see if I am back.

I shall reveal all in a future post.

Louise x

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the 19th shoreham airshow 2008 ...

No shortage of rain was there this month, no shortage of cloud was there this week, no doubt the weather is going to be abyssmal for the airshow on Saturday? Well as you can see the weather turned out just perfect, thee of little faith!

Above are the fantastic RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team. To see the Hercules which carried the team up, coming in to land on the airstrip was an amazing sight.



During the show the airfield was attacked by German ME108 and ME109 aircraft, resulting in a Spitfire and Hurricane scramble. Set to pyrotechnics and with lookalikes on the ground, this display is a definite blast from the past!



No Captain Mannering, but there were some good stand-ins with Dads Army making an appearance!



This Hurricane flew alongside an Avro Lancaster bomber. A stunning display as ever.



The world’s only formation wing-walking team sponsored by skincare giants Guinot, using Boeing Stearman bi-planes.



Team Guinot performed spectacular new sequences. Having appeared from show number one, this year saw a unique sight of five aircraft with wing-walkers.



Haurel and Lardy are amusing. I must say, like a big kid, I was chuckling all the way through their act. I think Olly noticed, as he gave us a wave as he and Stanley drove off!

bathing beauty ...

Mustn't spoil the hairdo! Not sure nearest and dearest shares the same enthusiasm for Sussex by the Sea!

The town is often known as 'Sunny Worthing' following a popular advertising campaign in the 1890s promoting the town's agreeable climate between the sea and Downs!

on the move ...

Today marks the occasion of us having been in our second home together for ten years. Just one of two milestones we will reach in the year 2008.

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mill hill in shoreham ...

Today we went on a 20 mile round cycle ride (with some walking up the steep bits) along the South Downs Way from Lancing, across to Devils Dyke, down to Hangleton and back again. I had intended to take lots of photos but the weather changed for the worse about a third of the way into the trip, so the camera had to be packed away. Is it just me, or is everyone else starting to get just a little tired of the relentless rain and wind we have been having?

Before we set out, we looked up a five hour forecast on the internet which said to expect possible showers, and brightening up by 11.00 am. We set off on our ride just before 7.30 am and took coats as forewarned. For anyone who knows the area we reached Truleigh Hill before the heavens opened, and they continued to stay open until we reached home again. Our clothes were literally hanging off us, we were cold and sopping wet. In a hilarious way we did enjoy ourselves and kept smiling and chuckling throughout the whole ride, and we did have a flask of hot water with us to make lattes, which warmed us up no end.

We were hoping to have a nose at what was happening at the Beachdown Festival which was being held up at the Dyke? As it turned out all we could see through the mist and torrential rain was the campsite, drenched, cold looking campers and the car park. The scene reminded me very much of what it must be like at Glastonbury, knee deep in mud!

The photo of the lovely calf was taken from cattle grazing land just past Mill Hill in Shoreham. Strangely enough no cows were lying down. Is it true that when cows are lying down in a field, it means it is going to rain?

Mill Hill - watercolour painting by Robert Thome Waite RWS painted in 1867 and presented to the Marlipins Museum in honour of Henry Cheal in appreciation of his work.

peter and jane, or janet and john ...

Remember when our summers used to be like this, being able to spend endless hours down on the beach. Take another look at the picture, what do you think of Dad's trunks!

Peter and Jane, the brother and sister from the Ladybird Key Words Reading Scheme, have helped millions of children round the world to learn to read. I remember in Class 1 of St Wilfrids RC Primary School in Angmering, starting off with book 1a (short sentences of large bold print) and whizzing through the series finishing at book 12c (paragraphs of small print), a novel in comparison.

In the 1950s, educationalists William Murray and J McNally established that 12 words make up a quarter of all those we read and write. A mere 300 form three-quarters of the total number of words found in juvenile reading. The Ladybird Key Words Reading Scheme, written by William Murray, is based on those commonly used words, with 36 graded books plus supplementary readers.

It is the bestselling Ladybird series of all time. Which books did you start reading with?

Some words from this post are taken from the Ladybird Boys and Girls Calendar 2008, and the photo is from the August page. A present I was happy to be given last Christmas.

it's all awards at the moment ...

I haven't won this award, but would like to award it personally to a handful of blog friends:

Carol at Charli and Me
Pat at Mille Fiori Favoriti
Katherine at Sew Me Something Good
Bev at Up The Tree and Yummy in my Tummy

and last but not least Twiggy at The World of Twiggypeasticks!

an aaah moment and another award, twice over ...

This isn't my photo, but it's a cute one!



This is mine! An award from Michele at Cowboys & Custard, and Funkymonkey. I really appreciate you choosing to award it to me, and thanks to everyone else for tuning in to my pic 'n mix of lifes adventures, or lack of them as the case may be at the mo.

Winning this award again twice, gives me the opportunity to pass on to another fourteen worthy recipients on my blogroll! This makes me feel a lot better, as I really do love all the blogs I visit, and the good thing is, no two are the same! I honestly dislike having to choose names, but rules is rules.

Right quick smart, cut the drivel, and get to those all important Oscar nominations:

Tracie at All About Whatever
Ally at Born to Read and Knit
Jayne at Country Cottage Chic
Marie at Dreaming of Wild Roses
Jennie at Falling Down the Rabbit Hole
Heather, Katherine and Samantha at Four Friends and a Blog
Indigo Blue
Niesz Vintage Home ... and Fabric
Lisa at Periwinkle
Rhondi at Rose Colored Glasses
Kristina at Shabbily Ever After
Suzie at Suzie Sews
Becky at Sweet Cottage Dreams
Margaret and Noreen at The Homely Year

and one for good luck Funkymonkey!

I know some of you have already won this award, but if you feel you could pass it on again, here are the rules, again!

1. Please put the logo on your blog.
2. Link the person from whom you received your award.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put the links of those blogs on to your blog.
5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them!

hairy bakers in the den ...

People ask me how I find the time to blog, the answer is simple, these days I am watching less and less TV! I haven't completely switched off, there are two programmes on a Monday evening which I really would like to see.

The Hairy Bikers are back, as the Hairy Bakers (BBC2 at 8.30). Dave and Simon are setting off with bikes, on a journey around the UK, to explore our love of bread, cakes, pastries and pies. If you missed it and are interested in any of the recipes, you could whizz through it on BBC iPlayer.

On last night's programme they focused on breadmaking. First baking white rolls for bacon and sausage butties and a fermented wholemeal loaf for eating with their generous to say the least, version of a Ploughmans lunch! Also being baked was Indian Naan bread served with vegetable curry, which they so effortlessly ate through an attack of the midges! Finally returning to Dave's kitchen, to bake a cheese and ale loaf, perfect for dunking into a thick white onion soup. All this, and visiting and talking to great artisans along the way.



TV on BBC2 doesn't have to finish at 9.00, you could stay up and watch the Dragons Den. The programme in which inventors and wannabe entrepreneurs get the opportunity to flog their wares, or themselves in front of the dragons, five mega earners in the world of business and commerce in the UK. The contestants use their powers of persuasion to receive from the dragons, in return for a percentage share of their business, a much needed injection of cash to fuel their ambitions.

So far in this series there have been some good, and not so good ideas of how to make, or even lose money!

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airbourne and two awards ...

You may have noticed from a couple of my previous posts that I have been preoccupied with the weather just lately. Is this a British thing? Anyway, the weather hasn't been too bad over the past few days. These blue skies were taken on Friday am, whilst I was outside in the garden.



You might like these photos Flighty? The aerobatics team The Blades were doing a stint over the surrounding areas of Shoreham airfield and were no doubt down here for Airbourne at Eastbourne, which winds up today. The next main event in the airshow calendar is Shoreham Airshow 2008 which is held at the historic Shoreham Airport, this year on the weekend of the 30-31 August. Fingers, and everything else crossed for good weather, last year the weather was really good.



I received this award today, I love your blog from Sal's Snippets, thanks again. Sal often leaves comments on both my home and garden blog, all of which are very much appreciated. Sal's blog is a great read of crafting, collecting, local history, gardening, all subjects I just happen to be interested in.

The rules for this award are:

1. Please put the logo on your blog.
2. Link the person from whom you received your award.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put the links of those blogs on to your blog.
5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them!

My nominations are:

Carol at Katherines Dream
Kathy at Lizzie Jane
Lesley at Moogsmum
Diana at Pebbledash
Celia at Purple Podded Peas
Rachael at Rachael Rabbit
Sairer at Vintage, Pretty & Shabby



I received another award today, this time from the lovely Twiggy at The World of Twiggypeasticks. This isn't the first time I have received an award from Twiggy! Twiggy's blog is a really friendly mix of family, days out, gardening and crafting.

The rules for this award are:

1. Only 5 people allowed.
2. Four have to be dedicated followers of your blog.
3. One has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.
4. You must link back to whoever gave you the award.

My nominations for dedicated followers of my blog are -
Daffy at Approaching 40
Michele at Cowboys & Custard
Gina at Gingerbread
Simone at Linden Grove

My nomination for someone new to my blog, and who lives in another part of the world is -
Christy at Sweet Tidings -whose location is the Phillipines.

In time honored Oscar fashion - I love you all!

black widow ...

A story today in the news about a black widow spider giving factory workers a shock when it crawled out of a delivery box. The South American stowaway hid in a crate of mechanical parts bound for construction company Miller UK in Cramlington, Northumberland.

After doing a bit of investigation on this spider, I thought I would share with you how black widows like to keep in touch:

Generally black widows do not keep in touch! Males must contact female, and he must approach carefully to avoid being eaten. He vibrates her web in a certain manner that she recognises, allowing him to approach her without risk.

She really has got the right idea, hasn't she!

amusing ...

I do like The Garden range from Emma Bridgewater.

Today I received what I thought to be quite an amusing e-mail from her website. What do you think?

'summer isn't summer until there's been outdoor eating. Lay the table outside and soak up the summer. No need to worry about the barbecue, just take lunch into the garden, it will taste nicer in the sun'

Summer, what summer?
Outdoor eating, what's that?
Soak up the summer, soak being the operative word here.
Barbecue, what that metal object these days rarely makes it out the shed?

Thanks Emma for your enthusiasm!



It isn't all doom and gloom around here, the raspberries are benefitting from a constant soaking, even though the wind has brought down the canes! The bees have been doing a grand job of pollinating the fruits too. I've had a huge amount this year, and they keep coming, and coming.

Who thinks we are going to have an Indian Summer? Our Emma maybe!

my photo manipulated using Photoshop Graphic Pen

a West Sussex landmark ...

The famous Brighton West Pier, ravaged by fire, wind and sea, forgotten.

six random facts about me ...

The print above is titled 'waiting for the shops to open'. If painted this very day, it could well have been titled 'queuing for an NHS dentist'!

Recently Pat from Mille Fiori Favoriti invited me to do this tag. Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who “tagged” you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know your entry is up.

So here goes, with number one.

If I had more money than I knew what to do with, I would buy an original L S Lowry painting, as I love them!


I buy pretty notebooks and then don't write in them, most odd!

I love the smell of oil of cloves, even though it reminds me of having toothache as a child!

I always leave one dumpling on my plate, to eat last!

I can write backwards!

I like nutty chocolates the best, so what does this say about me!

I need to nominate six blog friends to forward this tag on to. This is the tricky part, I know some have already done this one, but who hasn't, let's have a think?

Carol :)

Charli and Me

Linden Grove

Lizzie Jane

Sal's Snippets

Pebbledash

Please don't fret if you don't do tags or just haven't the time, just ignore my plea!

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rain, rain go away ...

To sum up in one word, today has been wet and in two words, very wet! We did manage a difficult cycle ride into Worthing, peddling through a stiff wind, drizzle and grey. The kite surfers were out in their droves, this being the best possible weather for them. I had planned to take photos on our return, but decided best to keep my camera under wraps, as the rain was getting progressively more heavy on the journey back.

Like a couple of drowned rats we stopped off at the Wild Bean Cafe for a cappuchino and once there nothing could stop us, we bought a bag of three jam doughnuts too!

At least now we have Blogthings for those spare moments on these kind of days. I ended up discovering what being named Louise stood for. I have italised what I believe to be true, the majority of what they say turns out to be!

You are relaxed, chilled, and very likely to go with the flow.

You are light hearted and accepting.
You don't get worked up easily.
Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.
You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life.
You are solid and dependable.
You are loyal, and people can count on you.
At times, you can be a bit too serious.
You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.
You are a very lucky person.
Things just always seem to go your way.
And because you're so lucky, you don't really have a lot of worries.
You just hope for the best in life.
You're sometimes a little guilty of being greedy.
Spread your luck around a little to people who need it.
You tend to be pretty tightly wound.
It's easy to get you excited, which can be a good or bad thing.
You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly.
You don't stick with any one thing for very long.
You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time.
Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.
You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong.
You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know.
You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak.
Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do.
You are friendly, charming, and warm.
You get along with almost everyone.
You work hard not to rock the boat.
Your easy going attitude brings people together.
At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible.
But for the important things, you pull it together.

What's" Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

falling down the rabbit hole's tag ...

Remember this Jennie, you tagged me way back on the 9th of June to take part in this!

If a movie was being made of your life, who would you like to be cast to play yourself, and why? I guess I would have to say Victoria Wood, who just like me wears her hair short, has to watch her weight and has a good sense of humour.

You are spending a whole month on a desert island for charity, and you have to choose your favourite celebrity to spend the first two weeks with, and your least favourite celebrity to spend the second two weeks with. Who would they be, and why? Just to verify as not being my favourite celebrity, I would choose to spend the first two weeks with Paul McKenna, who could programme me into thinking I wasn't hungry! And the second two weeks with Fearne Cotton, who hopefully would be so busy talking would miss the rescue helicopter home, oh for peace and quiet and another face on the TV!

What are your three favourite crafting products? I haven't starting crafting yet, although I do have the pinking shears at the ready!

If you could invent something, what do you think it would be? Not strictly an invention, but I would manufacture a wider selection of fashion boots to fit a wider calf and ankle.

What are the last three books that you read? I don't read books, I just look at the pictures!

QVC, or Create and Craft? QVC - Quality, Value and Inconvenience!

What is your claim to fame? To see my name rolling up in the credits of a drama. OK it wasn't actually me, just someone using my name without asking!

Who would like to do this tag next?

The photo above is of Heart Reef, in the Great Barrier Reef of the Whitsundays, a stunning composition of coral that has naturally been formed into the shape of a heart.

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fruit, finds and idioms ...

Life is just like a bowl of cherries - that life is simple and pleasant. I treated myself to these mouthwatering cherries from our local greengrocers. I thought they looked nice in one of six dessert bowls I found in a charity shop about a month ago, £2 the set. They are made by Midwinter, designed by the Marquis of Queensberry, with no scratches, so I guess in their time rarely brought out of the cupboard.



I was more than happy to accept this 20p Cornishware dinnerplate my stepdad stumbled across in one of his local charity shops, amongst a pile of other plates, shoved in a cardboard box. How it didn't end up chipped I don't know? I was also pretty chuffed to find this lovely summer fruits tablecloth a couple of weeks ago at a carboot for £1, folded and unused still in its wrapper.



Charity begins at home - that family members are more important than anyone else, and should be the focus of a person's efforts. This morning I found this small Mason Cash bowl in one of my local charity shops for 29p, which I thought was an odd price to charge? Perfect for beating up a couple of eggs in.

Have you had any good charity finds lately?