Finally we're here!

Well I thought it would never happen but ten months on and we've finally moved! Not to where we'd originally hoped, or the one after that, but to something completely different. A 1930's house that ticked all our boxes; garden for guinea pigs, more downstairs space, parking and a workshop. Sadly less character than 'Pinky' but we have anew addition...

...Dusty, who came with the house. Possibly the world's most expensive bantam! She has been a great distraction for the Jammers this week whilst we've set to work on their bedrooms.


She doesn't mind any of this kind of stuff.


Or this.

And follows us all about the garden! Welcome Dusty.

Meanwhile I had a stash of fabric with the Jammers name on it. Firstly, the eldest. She plumped for Sanderson's 1930's panda fabric. I'd collected quite a lot and although I think she'll outgrow it very quickly she loves it. 'Panderson' as it's known in our house was destined to be turned from this...

...to this.

With a quick memo board, cushion and some mini curtains thrown in.

Such an odd print with the strange looking little boy and his panda friend getting up to all kind of antics.

The rest of the bedroom kept us busy with a paint and wallpaper job. Hopefully once she's outgrown 'Panderson' we can add in something a bit more grown up without having to redecorate. Not having wallpapered more than an alcove before we were under pressure as I'd booked carpet for the following morning and we began our two walls at 6pm! Eldest Jammer was delighted with the excuse to stay up late as her useless parents slowly worked their way round the room, wishing they'd started days ago... 10.40pm and she finally got into bed as we cleared up around her. Oh well, it is half term!

Doesn't look too bad for a first attempt. One whopping bubble that shows in daylight is causing me slight concern. Not sure how I'll get the whole strip off to replace it without wrecking the rest? Might have to live with it I think.

Anyway there was loads of wallpaper paste left and I'd just read Hen's blog http://henhousehomemade.blogspot.com/2011/02/fabulous-frome.html and seen some fantastic paper mache creations from Julie Arkell. Eldest Jammer had a half term homework to create an Egyptian artefact so all inspired she typed up lots and lots of facts about pyramids and printed them out in interesting fonts. Mr Jam helped turn a packing box into a pyramid - just like that - and it was left for her to get pasting. Must admit I rather enjoyed helping. Took me back to my college days.

And here is the finished creation... still drying ready for school tomorrow.

I'll leave you with a taster of what's to come in the smallest Jammer's bedroom... Mmmm my favourite and my best!

Check back soon to see the whole room once I've finished sewing.

It's all been a busy here with packing, packing and more packing still to do. Not much time for making which is a shame as I'm dying to get started on stuff for the Jammers' new bedrooms. There's a fabric stash with their names on it!

As always January has been quiet in my shop. I've replenished the toybox...

and few beds have found new homes courtesy of my January sale so have been replaced with these pine sleigh beds. Looks like the Three Bears house!

We delved into the depths of our lock up to find a bed for a customer and uncovered these. All waiting to be restored.

What's your dream bed I wonder?

Bed Sale

Well it's hardly Dreams, Furniture Village or the like (thank goodness), but I'm having my own little sale.

In preparation for moving house (and lock up) in a week or two I've decided to have a bed sale. They seem to be breeding and I really need to make some space. So, there's 20% off all beds during January. If you want to use a card I'm afraid it'll have to be 15%.

Here are a few of the beds I've currently got on display and a few of those awaiting restoration. There are more, again restored and battered, but I haven't got pictures of them all. Send me a message if you're after something in particular.

Happy sleeping!

Christmas round up

Nearly the new year so time for a round up of Christmas I think. I know once work starts next week it'll seem like an age ago.

So, Christmas Eve... cook, cook, cooking! Filo parcels for the big day, mushroom ricey things for Boxing Day and some Rocky Road just because we had the stuff. Needless to say I went to bed feeling very smug that all was prepared in the food department.

The day itself... not too early a start in this household. The Jammers are very considerate and enjoy a lie in like their parents. Father Christmas did them proud and we're now wondering if the Ginger Beer kit he left the 10 year old will be alcoholic or not!! We'll have to be the first to sample it.

We were all pleased that my sister's plane made it through the snowy skies in time for Christmas and we spent plenty of time with her and my dad. Lots more visitors over the next few days and all of a sudden we were left by ourselves. what to do?

We're not huge telly fans but I had been waiting and waiting for Toast and fortunately it did not disappoint! Also got into Just William more for the fab vintage sets than the plot. Feeling quite inspired about moving to a 1930's house now - phew could have been an expensive mistake!

Last week a lovely customer of ours was kind enough to give us free tickets to the town museums. So today we headed down the road to The Teddy Bear Museum.

http://www.teddybearmuseum.co.uk

I just love the old Sooty machine - 20p and Sooty, Sweep and Soo will spring to life and play you a nursery rhyme. I want one at home.

Lots of nice old toys to look at

and the Jammers loved the life size family of bears

Nice to see I've gained a follower or two this week.

Wishing you all a Very Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Well I mustn't complain, I did ask for it - snow, snow, snow!

Much to their delight, the Jammers have both had plenty of the white stuff on their 5th and 10th birthdays.

Well the last bed delivery of the year has been made - only just. Our poor van gave up as it approached home and had to be pushed up to the house! I received a lovely dried bouquet from the appreciative customer and I hope her daughter enjoys her Christmas bed. She was one of our first customers when we started selling beds and has now grown up and part exchanged for a double!

A new tree has been purchased after the last gave up after 6 years! Part of me was quite glad as it had grown into rather an odd and sparse shape. This one is much better!

I'll finish with this Very Snowy Caterpillar we encountered on the field at the back of our house. Unfortunately we can't take the credit for him or the super tall snowman but we did enjoy them.

Have a lovely Christmas whatever you are doing! xx

Final Christmas bits and pieces

A 5th birthday to focus on now and hoping for some more of this...

...so the very, very last bits and pieces are on their way to De Danann this week.

Hardly want to part with these old fairy lights!

I finally reassembled the lovely tricycle (with a bit of help).

Also some more things for lucky dollies... an old wooden highchair with a seat pad in Cath Kidston 'Pale Paisley' and my first attempt at refurbishing a doll's pram. Finished in bright and shiny red with the inside lined in small red polka dots and a bigger polka dot hood. The pram comes with a polka dot pillow and handmade patchwork quilt from vintage Noddy fabric.

Once again the Jammers are keen to keep it all but I will try and get all items to De Danann on Thursday so leave me a comment if you're interested in anything in particular.

Keep everything crossed for SNOW!

One down, one to go

Yesterday we wrapped up warm for the first of my Christmas Coffee Mornings at the antique centre. After a slow start some brave souls slithered across the ice rink of a a car park to join me. I'm hoping for a warmer week now so more of you can get out. Thanks to all those villagers who emailed snowy apologies- yes, there's still plenty left and I've held back a few bits to freshen up the stall for this coming Saturday. This includes my pièce de résistance which I'm hoping to finish in time. All will be revealed later this week - keep checking!

It was nice to catch up with customers I'd not seen since last Christmas and to meet some new ones too who'd joined my mailing list.

This new friend joined us for the day! - Sorry I'm now SOLD

Coffee and homemade cakes were on offer to help keep the cold out! Apologies to the lady who arrived after I'd left and bought the Rupert cushion and some lavender pillows. I was cold and hungry but glad you got your discount at the till (if not a cake)!

See you Saturday!