♥ So Much To Show And Tell ♥

One of Annie's giveaway winners!

It's been a very happy week at Clegg Towers. 

Why, 'that's always the case', I hear you say....well, to be fair, it isn't! But I made a decision when I began to keep my blog (mostly) light and chipper. Partly because it's very much linked to my little business, partly because there are some things I wouldn't want to share with some people who read my blog, but largely because I'm not particularly good at sharing anything deep and meaningful with all but a clutch of people. 

 Anyone who knows me well also knows that the last few years have, at times, been incredibly difficult, and I appreciate that my posts only reflect part of my life - the part I'm happy to share with anyone.

Every now and again I feel the need to mention this!

So - here are the highlights from around these parts:

Firstly NED WOKE UP!!!

Well, he was woken up. This was his second 14 week hibernation in the workshop fridge, and although I weighed him regularly and checked for movement, it's always a scary day when we get him back out 

(see last years post for more details about how one wakes a tortoise).

He was eating within an hour and although he's still a little slow, he's off round the kitchen exploring, until it's warm enough to live outside again. It's lovely to have him back.

Mother's day was a glorious day - treats and sunshine! 

Cleggy (the amazing present wrapper!) chose wonderfully well - including some new passion fruit plants. We had the most beautiful climber up the back of the house but it gave up last year during the building work.

Check out the pot wrapping....

A new Pip cup to replace the one I chipped! I will never tire of Pip...EVER.

Some gorgeous looking chocolates (YES!) with interesting flavours

I just tried 'marzipan and rosemary' so I could confirm they are as good as they look...and they are (don't worry Cleggy, I saved you half!)

My favourite (bought) gift was a  Hen's Teeth purse. I am a huge fan of Viv's intricate work - and this one is as special as all her others...

 Cleggy asked Viv to include a big black chicken in homage to Delilah (my favourite posh lady)...the irony being that she was eaten by the pig, not a fox!!!

Thank you Cleggy and Boys, and Thank you Viv!

 We spent the day eating (my favourite) and watching a film together - followed by tea with The Granny. I became (literally) obsessed with sewing straight on to cards and tags - not sure why! the feeling was incredibly familiar - like those old shoe lace sewing cards we had as children. 

We also baked a cake as a family 

(not easy in our little kitchen!)

Highly recommend the recipe...

Earlier in the week Nelly and I had the pleasure of meeting a new friend from Blogland - Emily (unravelled-blog.blogspot.co.uk/ )

(please don't move down South new friend...)

When Emily bought some things from my shop we realised we lived a mere 10 minutes apart - so it was only a matter of time before we found an excuse for a coffee in John Lewis. I can report she is as witty and lovely as her blog suggests! We both confessed to being jealous of Cuckoos 'Swine' club so have decided to start our own!

We had a bit of a swap thing too - I gave Emily my perpetual calender and she sent me the most beautiful wool and buttons to make a collar with. I can't show the wool because in my desperation to get crocheting I pulled it into the most hideous mess and had to spend 2 whole hours last night untangling it. Lesson learnt.

I will show and tell when it's finished!

I also got a lovely little thank you parcel from Jooles this week (I told you it was a good week!) for some blocks I made her! How lovely is that?

Two more things to share - one is a picnik replacement (thanks for sharing Stocki). I use picnik almost every day when photographing products - and was seriously worried what I could use instead when it closes next month. Well here is the answer - it's called Picmonkey and has been set up by ex picnik folk. It's not quite all singing all dancing as yet but promises to be - and faster too. Fingers crossed.

Finally, here are two of my home made mothers day presents to make you smile. The bookmark made at school is from GB

I was particularly pleased with 'mickey taker' and 'money spender'!

And the note left on my pillow from #1:

I translate:

"Just for one last mothers day treat

It can't be felt and it would be hard to eat

It is the love from your family

Cos there's nowhere else I could want to be

I love it when we have a cuddle

You help me when I'm in a muddle

You buy me cards that say willy and bum

we love you mum"

yep, rhymed mum with bum. Lovely!

fee x

(I rarely see cards that are suitable for a 12 year old but this one had Alfie's name all over it!)