Pink Pompom Mice

I am obsessed with pompoms at the moment - so much potential in something as simple as a tiny ball of wool :)
I love these little mice, more to add to my collection. I must take some pics of my mouse collection. I don't have dozens but the ones I do have are quite old. Sweeeeeet, but I'm not so keen on the real thing, except of course if they stay outside. I wouldn't want to see them indoors!

Anyway, life has been a little hectic here just lately, hence the heavy use of photo's from my Flickr site.
Hope all is well in your world.
Until next time,
Sandi x

My Girls

My Girls, originally uploaded by Thenostalgiafairy.

Just playing - the girls are having a party. So many guests still to arrive.............

Fairy Glade ~

Fairy Glade ~, originally uploaded by Thenostalgiafairy.

Wrap Up Warm

Wrap Up Warm, originally uploaded by Thenostalgiafairy.

Enchanted ~

Sssssshhhhhh.......if you are very, very quiet it may be possible to catch a glimpse of the tiny folk who live here. It is still dark but they are really early risers. They start the days work as soon as the sun comes up. Combing the woodland floor for the tiny purple gems which hide among the leaves and braken.

Teeny birds feathers help make their homes comfortable and warm.

It's still a little too dark yet to see them emerging.

Ah, that's better and see how tiny their world is.

They are rather shy you know.

Perhaps they have heard us. Maybe we should creep away and allow them to continue with their busy little lives.

I shall put the lid back on and hide them from our gaze.

;)

Cute

Cute, originally uploaded by Thenostalgiafairy.

Domestic Details

It's the little things that interest me about interiors, those human touches that show signs of real living as opposed to magazine shots of impossibly perfect homes.

I used to buy lots of interior magazines but now find them not only too expensive but very,very samey. More and more often too it's impossible to flick through before purchase due to the cellophane covering.

Instead I get my 'fix' by enjoying blogs and especially Flickr where there is so much eye candy to enjoy. Much less expensive too.

Here I find lots and lots of gorgeous shots of everything imaginable, including the kitchen sink (and there are some vintage beauties out there).

I love the perfection of imperfection. The signs of real living by real people.

The things that have no monetary value but are priceless to the owner.

Not artfully arranged or styled but nevertheless precious and with a whimsical beauty all their own.

It is not only possible but increasingly and urgently neccessary to consume less, care for our precious Mother Earth and find peace of mind too in the simple things, the less than perfect things and the beautiful world around us. Appreciate that which we already have.

I enjoy the things with which I choose to surround myself, make do, mend and revamp where - ever possible and I strongly believe the old proverb that 'Neccessity is the mother of invention'.

Yes, I love my real, comfortable, imperfect home. The scuffed paintwork, the old bakelite door knobs which I would never dream of changing, my chipped enamel kitchen colander in almost daily use.

Most of the things in these pics have been around for years, have been made by me or bought second-hand. The tablecloth in my kitchen is two halves of two different pairs of patchwork curtains that I made years ago.

The lavender bags are ones that I made with bits of lace, the bears clothes are paper, the dolls were bought 'naked' from a market stall. The tea and marshmallow - my teatime treat ;0))

I launched into my own Earth Mother role when my daughter was born almost twenty six years ago and although I am relieved that maybe, just maybe the leaders of the world may come to their environmental senses before it is too late, I feel proud that for me, eco - nomy / eco - living has for so long been the natural and only way of life. I am fortunate that I am naturally quite creative but I think we all have skills and talents just waiting to be discovered.

Thriftiness doesn't mean doing without or living in a minimalistic way (unless of course that is what appeals to you). I have beautiful things, glamour, glitz and sparkle in my life and although I am not rich I am satisfied.

When discontentment does strike, not too often thankfully, I take myself into my little craft room and maybe just sit awhile, sew something or make a scrapbook page until the feeling passes....lol.

I know that for so many out there in blogland and Flickr they too feel the same way. Thank goodness for the common sense of caring and decent people, the incredible creativity, inventivness and willingness to share ideas.

I feel hopeful for the future.

Until next time,

Bye for now,

((((hugs))))

Sandi x

Hello

Hello, originally uploaded by Thenostalgiafairy.

Distractions ~

So much to do - so little enthusiasm. I think it's the cold weather or maybe January blues. Everything seems such a huge effort at the moment. I don't mean the nice things but the everyday chores.

Mmmmm - I would much prefer to read a book or six.

Ah well, at least the Christmas decorations are packed away.

Up into the loft they go.

I need a cup of tea and the kettle is on, probably boiled by now so off I go.

Until next time,

Sandi x

Baby it's cold outside

Yes it's very cold here at the moment but the sun is shining so the world looks bright and fresh. Miss Rose wanted to visit a friend in town but didn't have a suitable hat so I made one for her. I found the wool in a charity shop, it's really fine with a touch of silver thread - so pretty.

I think it looks really cute on her.

As I find it difficult to stay still for very long and get itchy fingers I tend to knit whilst watching the television. Little projects.......at the moment I am obsessed with these little flowers. I have made lots in different colours, good for trimming things or turning into brooches.

I also made this snuggly shrug for Miss Sindy recently.

From some soft fluffy wool that my mum gave to me.

Little bits of leftover yarn are so useful, the possibilities are endless.

Until next time,

Hugs,

Sandi x

365/4 days of pink

365/4 days of pink, originally uploaded by Thenostalgiafairy.

Flick group I have been invited to join - I love pink!

Scrapbook Page ~

Scrapbook Page ~, originally uploaded by Thenostalgiafairy.

Post - Christmas creative therapy.

Reflection ~

A little while ago my daughter paid me the sweetest compliment.
She told me that I make everything magical for my family, not just at Christmas but throughout the year.
I thought a lot about what she had said and the real meaning of magic became clear to me.
It isn't the waving of a wand as in all the best fairytales, much as I love a good story. Nor is it the weaving of spells, the burning of candles, the pointed hats, swirling cloaks, stripey socks (and I can assure you that I have done all of this and I own a gorgeous velvet cloak and several wands).
But the Craft I have been practising for as long as I can remember is the one of creativity. The fact that what I enjoy doing gives me as much pleasure as the recipient of my efforts is a delightful bonus.
I do admit that the simplest things please me, things which may seem trivial or inconsequential to others. A tattered little bear and an egg made of plastic which has seen much better days bought from an antiques centre last week for the total sum of £1.00. I am fortunate enough to have inherited the mooching gene from my dad. Rummaging through boxes of stuff for a hidden gem or two, zooming in on the often overlooked things. Since I entered the world of blogging and Flickr I have realised that there are many, many people out there that share the same interests as myself. That understand and 'get' what I do - that take the time to visit, leave appreciative comments and maybe leave with a smile.

I tend not to make new year resolutions but inevitably I do reflect on the year just past and 2008 for me has been a year of great change.

Last January, I walked out on a job which I had held for over nine years and although I miss the money I have never felt more content in my life.

I have my own little craft room which my husband decorated for me and I love spending time in there. My sweet dog usually manages to squeeze himself into the tiniest space behind my chair when I am busy, keeping me company. Ah, such bliss!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is not meant to be a self - congratulatory post but one of thankfulness.

I like to think that my path has been to 'Add sparkle to a simple life'.

I look forward to the coming year and the challenges that I know are ahead but at this moment in time I feel rich beyond my wildest dreams.

Until next time,

Take care and please visit again.

Sandi x

Happy New Year - 2009

The final batch of mince pies were made........
with added sparkle to welcome in 2009.

I put on my elf slippers...............

and jingled all around the house.

I wore a whole gardens worth of flowers in

my hair.
We watched Jools on the television, welcomed

in the new year with sparkly Bucks Fizz.......

and went off to the land of nod.

Peace, Joy and Happiness.

Sandi x