Important Business

Settling down to the important business of committing to paper some sort of plan for my future this morning when the lovely Mister brought me a delicious breakfast.

Free range egg fried in rapeseed oil, grilled mushrooms and a plump grilled Freedom Food Black Farmer premium pork banger. Amazing.

I made the Ciabatta bread from a packet mix (slightly out of date) on Friday night and added some sliced black olives and a little olive oil to the mix. I used the whole pack and it made two big loaves. I thought to myself we'll never eat all that, I'll probably have to freeze some of it. But do you know what? It's been quite a success, no freezing required.  :)

Not Quite But Almost

After much procrastination all the furniture that needed shuffling has been shuffled, the many 'valuable' pieces of textiles, buttons, belt buckles and yarns have been picked through, so all is now ticketyboo on the studio front.
The Mister and I had a small glass of sherry on Wednesday evening to celebrate. He had a whiskey actually but you get the picture.
I'm just on the lookout now for a nice retro inspired cd player and an eccentric looking standard lamp to nestle between my two cane peacock chairs and the whole affair will be finished.

I picked up a glorious rug for the studio from my local chazza shop on Wednesday which I'm thrilled to bits about especially considering I didn't even realise I 'needed' a rug until I saw it, who'd have thunk it?

Anthroplogiesque rug £15.00 only.

So a small tour is in order. I have of course removed from sight four LARGE bags of yarn and three bags of buttons that haven't quite found a nook of their own yet. I'm terribly keen for you all to think my life is perfect after all.

Centre of studio as you look through the doors, please note my antique Art Nouveau Grandfather clock.

To the left, inspirational craft and fashion books, textiles and craft materials.

Working space and sherry drinking area.

Sensible corner, featuring my Grandad's chair and a Chatsworth comfy fleece. (Yes that is a large mermaid carved from a tree in the background).

Right hand corner with vintage stock including clothes and accessories.

Now there is the simple matter of organising all my papers and flyers etc, then I shall move on to the next phase, a business plan and upgraded website.

Studio Update.

I did manage to pick up a few things at Homebase during the weekend, but sadly no Farrow and Ball paint, as Nilly mentioned not much in the way of choice of colours. But fear ye not I did get 15% off a few garden bits and pieces and some Dulux paint that the nice man at Homebase mixed up specially for me. So the doors are next on the list, once I have finished the studio revamp, which I'm hoping to complete today.
This is how the studio looked yesterday, a right ole mess.

I worked on it yesterday afternoon and have been in there most of today. It's starting to take shape now and It's looking really gorgeous. I just need to transfer all my yarn, fabrics and craft books down from our spare room and it will be finished. Can't wait.

Ch Ch Ch Changes

I have two doors on the front of my house, initially I painted them black which I felt complimented the red brick walls very nicely. At the moment they are 'dental lab' green which has satisfied my vintage bent, but I fancy a change. I'm sure it's all to do with the change in the seasons and my current drive to smarten and tidy up everything about me before the bad weather sets in. Strangely and randomly I also want to change my spectacles - new front furniture all round.

Something a little more mellow is in order for the doors so I'm thinking Farrow and Ball should do the trick.
Happily my local stockist is Homebase and apparently this Saturday and Sunday they are knocking 15% off everything they sell. It's the only time I ever see Farrow and Ball discounted. So if you are thinking along my lines get yourself over to Homebase this weekend and save some money.

Post Holiday

Well dear reader how have you been whilst I have been off on my travels? Everything hunky dory? Good, glad to hear it. I see from your blog that you have been enjoying the sun and making busy with your crafty and thrifty ways.

I myself have spent a wee while with some friends at their house in Turkey, oh so very hot. And some time in an Elizabethan hunting tower in Derbyshire, not such great weather but flipping marvellous anyway.

Breakfast corner by the pool, chez Gina in Turkey

These pics are of the master bedroom at the top of the tower, taken of course before we completely cluttered up the space. Next floor down was a roomy living area, below that a gorgeous kitchen dining area and in the basement another very cosy en suite bedroom with twin beds. As you look at the pictures the left hand turret houses the stairwell that reaches all the floors including the roof. One room per floor.

View from the roof .

View from the kitchen door, every home should have cannons don't you think?

I wonder if you all know where this amazing tower is in Derbyshire? Here is a picture of my evening tipple to give you a clue.

Still They Come - Thankfully

Last night we had them stuffed with tomatoes, herbs and mozzarella, served with roast pork chops (British of course) and Ainsley Harriott's 'World Kitchen' flavoured bulgar wheat. I normally make my own bulgar wheat side dish but these were on a very special offer at Lidl and they are less than 1% fat and no nasty additives or hydrogenated/trans fats. The low fat mozzarella was also from Lidl only 48p per pack, great value.

Today I made some little chocolate cakes which also have 150g of grated courgette and low fat sour cream in them. The recipe called for them to be topped with half a walnut but I used some honey and sesame coated nuts that I bought in bulk from a Turkish market last week.

And tonight? Courgette, tomato and fresh basil pasta bake. I will also be adding (chucking) in any odds and ends that need using up, a few mushrooms and peppers probably. Our peppers are just starting to come in now in the greenhouse and it looks like we will have quite a few.

We have had LOTS of fresh produce from our first year of veg growing and I find it soooooo satisfying. We have eaten well and given heaps away too. One grateful recipient has promised me some eggs from her little group of hens. Magic :)

Be Creative

My mind of late has turned to all things crafty and as usual I'm muchly inspired by other lovely crafty bloggers. I have an unfinished Fair Isle teddy bear jumper that must be completed before the cold weather starts to nip, but I figure I have time yet. And then on to the new.

I'm determined the next few weeks will see the newly decluttered studio swept washed and spruced to an inch of its anthropomorphic life, imbuing it with a deep and creative character. Well that's the plan anyway, to create a happy and beautiful space to work in.

These are some of the super ideas that are spurring me on, do you like them? What gets your creative juices flowing?

All of the above craftiness courtesy of  Miss. Stewart

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