~Simple Pleasures of the week~

Nearly the end of the school hols - I've been busy this week running here and there, at times feeling guilty for not achieving many of the jobs on my 'to do' list, but I have had a good Spring Clean and cupboard sort out.  The last few days I've been reminding myself to be realistic and take one step at a time and reflect on what I have achieved; whilst also taking time to enjoy small things...

Simple pleasures of the week...

Red toe nails...

Polka Dot flip-flops £1.50 Primark

My feet are smart even if I have gardeners hands! 

Updating son J's bedroom to be more grown-up...

Cushion made from Ikea teatowel 2 for £1.99

There's been some sewing time...

Vintage fabric cushions on the go...

Making a cushion for my daughter's friend who is moving to Scotland in 2 weeks...

Floral front

Wool plaid back

Flowers picked from the garden...

Foxgloves in the garden...

...and quality time and laughs with friends and family over the Jubilee celebrations, involving a glass or two of this...

Thanks to everyone for their comments on my last post about the caravan trip - Carol pointed me in the direction of Lucy at Attic24 with her 'Connievan' revamp which was lovely to read -  and reassuring that there are others out there like me who love lots of crochet and chintz in their caravan! Oh, and my wrist is much better thanks - a bit *pins and needlesy* but otherwise okay. We didn't get away this weekend due to the rainy and windy miserable weather, also daughter L is out in York for a meal tonight and I didn't want to be away...

~Photos from York Festival of Vintage~

Good job all the stalls at York's Festival of Vintage were tucked inside the race stands as it was a very wet weekend.  I did feel sorry for the owners of the vintage cars outside, who probably didn't get the attention they deserved, because of the rain.
I had a lovely day out with friends old and new, including meeting up with Sally from Poppycock blog (and Bob the bunny, of course.) Here are some photos of the stalls...


I so very nearly bought this pink wool blanket on the left (£12)



Bob The Bunny admires the vintage fabric on Sago Designs stall...
(You can now make your own Bob with one of Sally's lovely kits - see here)



Lovely Jubilee display by Living by Liz - I loved this stall.
Some people get it just right don't they?

This pretty stall had lots to look at too...

including vintage cosmetics, labels and packaging...

Vintage fashion show


There was a good mix of homewares, vintage clothing, reworked vintage, vintage inspired crafts, as well as bands, dancing and the excellent nostalgic collectors hall where it was a pleasure to meet Mrs Day, who is a member of a 1940s living history group called UK Homefront http://www.ukhomefront.co.uk/.  We had a nostalgic sniff of the carbolic soap and she let us in on some vintage and thrifty household cleaning tips.
I also bought some trimmings and buttons from the lovely Cool Crafting stall who had come all the way from Cumbria.  Have a look at their lovely website and blog http://www.coolcrafting.co.uk/
My last purchase was a spontaneous splurge on a gorgeous 1950s dress, which I am just carefully washing and pressing, so I'll share that next time...

~The Queen in York~

Thanks to Grace, Sally, katie, Anne carly and jan for your lovely Welcome Back comments! I have really missed writing my blog and reading others.
Today we took the train into York (10 minutes from a nearby village) to see the Queen; who was attending York Minster as it's Maundy Thursday. Compared to yesterday's freezing temperature, rain and strong winds, Spring thankfully had returned today and York welcomed the Queen in all it's sunny Yorkshire glory! (I'm still a bit giddy I have to say).
We walked up to the Minster about 12.30pm, just as the service was ending, and took a place amongst the crowds near the Dean Court Hotel...

The sun was so warm it was a pleasure to be outside.  The Queen, Prince Philip and Princess Beatrice passed by on their way to lunch at The Mansion House...

We had a clear view, though the photos aren't great.

Me, L and J bumped into friend J, her son H and his friend F.

Then we walked to the Museum gardens buying a sandwich en route - in the sandwich shop a freelance journalist was editing his pictures and tape whilst scoffing a panini, so we had a little look at all his fantastic footage whilst we were queueing. The Queen was due to visit the Yorkshire Museum York 1212 exhibition at 2.30pm and we got a good sunny spot amongst a friendly crowd. 



Front of the Yorkshire Museum

 

Archbishop of York John Sentamu, and a glimpse of the Queen in a turquoise hat (left)



Then we had a lovely view of the Queen!



A once in a lifetime experience for us to see the

 Queen in Diamond Jubilee Year.