Sunday 28 October 2012

I've been playing again!!!........

 

 
With wooden bobbins and fabric scraps this time! Well we HAVE to use up all the scraps don't we?!
 
I LOVE wooden cotton bobbins, and you all know I LOVE vintage sheets! The sheets are easy to explain, they are soooo lovely, but why wooden cotton bobbins? That one I'm not sure about...any thoughts?
 
 
I backed the fabric scraps with interface, then stuck them on! Well, here in the UK we have been given an extra hour today, haven't we! Now just indulge me a moment.........photo overload!!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I'm thinking of threading silver cotton through them and popping on the Christmas tree, or a garland, or put a little pin cushion on them! A christmas wreath would look good! Any ideas welcome, the more inventive the better!
 
Thank you all so much for your comments yesterday, they are very much appreciated! It was scary at the time, just another lesson in life. If I'm to be totally honest though, I'd rather not have to keep learning these lessons, just carry on life in total oblivion! However, the power(s) that be, feel I need to learn a lot of things!!!
 
Welcome to all those new to my little blog, thank you for joining in the fun, and thank you sooo much for leaving your thoughts, opinions and advice!
 
I'm going to have a little Bloggy break this week, just beginning to feel a little tired, so I'm going to have a rest, before 'They' decide I need to learn another lesson!!! Mind you, part of resting includes lots of reading, so I will still be popping in to see you all!
 
Take Care Sweeties!
 
Ada :) x
 
 
 
 

 

Saturday 27 October 2012

The Need For Colour.....

 
As much as I love my cat, I missed colour in my last post! I wonder if she would mind, if I painted her? I need colour around me, don't you? I would hate to live in a monochrome world!
 
When Little Bea was just a tiny baby, I woke up one morning, stumbled out of bed, and threw open the curtains. It was a lovely sunny spring morning, the cherry tree was full of blossom. Something didn't feel quite right. I looked at the sky, dark spots were everywhere! At first I though it was the end of the world! ( I was sleep deprived, Little Bea was a hungry baby!).
 
I turned to tell Mr Bea about the dark spots, only to realise they weren't just outside, they were inside too! I rubbed my eyes, blinked, rubbed them again, black spots everywhere!
 

 
At first Mr Bea thought I was just messing about but quickly realised I wasn't. I rang the opticians and was booked in for an appointment straight away. I wasn't there long, when I was referred for an emergency appointment at the eye clinic.
 
Now, none of this is very easy, not when you are feeding a baby on demand, and your eyesight is disappearing, at what felt like an alarming rate! It was all very disconcerting!
 
 
 
After much poking and prodding, I was sent home, to return the next day for some more tests. I was told, not to worry too much, hopefully my sight would return, but there were no guarantees!
 
Over the next few days my sight deteriorated, until I only had a little sight in my left eye. Luckily, friends and family were there to help. Then gradually over the next few weeks, my sight started to recovered, almost to normal. Since then, I've never taken it for granted, I know it could happen again. I don't go around thinking I might loose my sight at any moment, but I am thankful, everyday, that I can see my girls, my family and friends. I fill my life with as much colour as I can!
 
 
 
I've always loved colour, I feast on it, I revel in it! Now I love colour even more! I think that's why I love visiting your blogs so much, I can get my daily colour fix!
 
 
So please forgive me if my posts are filled with colour, I just can't help it!
 
 
Hope you all have a lovely Sunday tomorrow, doing the things you love!
 
 
 
Ada :) x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

Thursday 25 October 2012

The Tale of Two Kitties, One Happy, One Sad........

 

 
Several years ago, our family was visited by the most beautiful cat we had ever seen. She was like a chocolate, toffee and vanilla ice cream. Her long hair swirled into the most adorable tufts, we fell instantly in love! Not only did she look gorgeous but she had the most amazing, gentle personality.
 
It was quite obvious that no one cared for her, her hair was mattered (soon remedied after buying a brush!), she was constantly hungry and CRAVED attention. After some weeks, she put on weight and I noticed a little bump growing in her tummy!
 
We were caring for a stray, pregnant cat, I'm not sure I wanted kittens! I rang the local animal authorities with my concerns, did I know she was a stray? No! Please find out before you ring us, unless you have evidence she's being neglected! Not very helpful!
 
Anyway, out came the magnifying glass and off I went to find out. A trail led me to Mr Not-Very- Nice-To-Cats Man, or NVNTCM, it's too long to type! I explained my concerns, he's only little so didn't feel too scared!
 
He said he though 'it' was pregnant, he'll keep 'it' in! I asked what her name was, Minnie, well at least she had a name! My girls were so upset that she had an owner, please could I go back and ask for her!
 
I couldn't. Mr NVNTCM, had a 5 year old son, we can't take someone's cat from them, can we? We didn't see Minnie for a week or so, then heard she'd had her kittens. She then turned up at our back door, looking awful, her fur was mattered with afterbirth from the kittens, she was hungry and looked sad. We gave her a cuddle, something to eat, then closed the door.
 
I explained to the girls not to go to the windows or door, she now had kittens to look after, if we encourage her, she will abandon them. It was horrible listening to her meows but after a while she disappeared. The next day we were told she had died, complications after the birth. There were lots of tears. I still feel guilty that I didn't keep her and fetch the kittens.
 
 
 
Now fast forward two years, and this little minx turned up on our garden! She was a tiny kitten, not very old. We were clearing up some branches and she had great fun diving on them as we dragged them up the garden?
 
Over the weeks she visited us more and more, and yes, we fell hook line and sinker! Again, it was obvious she was being neglected, I just knew where she was from! I went to see Mr NVNTCM, yes 'it' belonged to them. However, before I'd even asked the question, he asked if I wanted her! She's been with us ever since. What shall we name her? Minnie of course. We love her. Mr NVNTCM, hasn't had a cat since, I keep my eye on him!
 
 
Minnie was soooo grateful to us for taking her in, that she gave us a pressie. Well lots actually, they were only small, so didn't take up too much room! Not having looked after a cat before, I hadn't given fleas a second thought! We've told Little Bea that she just had heat lumps!
 
She's a much loved, well looked after cat, who's regularly given flea treatment, not going back there again! She's never far away, often by my side or on my lap, and she's almost stopped diving on our feet and digging her sharp teeth into our flesh!
 
 
Her favourite spot is in the sunny conservatory!
 
What I love about cats is that you never own them, they own you! At any point, if she's not happy, she could just up and leave, but for now, she chooses to stay! She's got a good life!
 
 
Ada :) x
 

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Colour, on a Yucky Day.....

 

 
Well, dispute the yucky weather and poor light, I got out the camera, and took some pictures of fabric bundles for the shop!
 
 

The first bundle, is 4 Vintage Sheet Fat Quarters and a Little Tooth Fairy House.

 
The second bundle, is 3 Vintage Sheet FQ's and a little pin cushion! These are listed now, 5 bundles of each!
 
 
 
I still have more FQ'S to list, I think I got a bit carried away with the cutting, ironing and folding, didn't know when to stop! There is something very relaxing about making them, or am I just a little Bonkers?!
 
I'm going to list the Printers Trays tomorrow...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I've tried to keep the cost down to the minimum, but unfortunately the trays themselves are expensive!

I've had several enquiries about the little wooden houses, I will make some more next week!!!

 
I've got 2 more printers trays to do, I've painted them a Farrow and Ball white, the same as the little houses, and intend to pop the pinks and blue shades in them, can't wait!
 
My Etsy button is just beneath the followers list, if you missed it!
 
Hope you have all had a good day! Please Mr Sunshine, pop you head out from behind the clouds!
 
A lot of you commented on Minnie, our cat. she has her own story to tell, I'll pop back later in the week to tell all! She's nudging me now, wants me to put the iPad down so she can sit on my knee! Better go.........
 
 
Ada :) x
 
 
p.s. I'm really sorry if I haven't visited your blog yet! Next week when the girls are back I'm going to try and visit all those blogs of the new followers! I don't know what loveliness I'm missing out on! Please don't think I'm being rude....just very busy!
 
 
 
 

 

Monday 22 October 2012

Colourful Days......

 

 
Well today, the weather is damp and foggy. The kind of day where the lamps and heating should be on. I am however, trying to save the pennies, so extra jumpers are worn and we try very carefully not to bump into each other! (actually that's an exaggeration, have I told you I'm prone to exaggerations!?).
 
It's been beautiful weather over the last week, blue skies, the perfect backdrop for the Natures Autumn Display.
 
The above photo is our cat Minnie, she seems drawn to all things vintage! Here she is helping me get ready for a little pre-Christmas sale I did this week. A good friend was having a perfume/accessories sale in her home, and asked if I wanted to take along some of my vintage wares! But of course! Happy to spread the vintage love!
 
 
 
 
 
 
I actually did quite well, filling my little space with as much colourful loveliness as I could! The little wooden houses sold, some of the fairy houses, a few little bags and my printers tray! I was very pleased.
 
I cut loads of fat quarters, thinking they would sell in my last fair, but alas they didn't. I think I will list them in my Etsy shop, perhaps make up some little bundles. I was hoping to list some other things today, but the light levels are so low, my photos are even more awful than usual! Hopefully the sun will shine tomorrow and I will get them on, I will also paint some more houses next week, they make lovely little stocking fillers!
 
Yesterday was beautiful, so off we headed out into Derbyshire........
 
 
 

The little specks in the sky are hand gliders! Bet the views from up there are spectacular!

 
We a mooch around Castleton, just lovely!
 
Whilst we were having our picnic, a thick fog rolled in. It was very eerie. Eldest Bea, who's been learning all about volcanos and Pompeii, thought it looked like paroclastic flow. She went on to describe how to suffocates and kills everything it touches, there really is no hope! She knew just enough and, coupled with the tone of her voice, and drama of our situation, put the fear of God into Little Bea! After some calming and explaining, we were in the middle of Derbyshire, no active volcanos in Derbyshire, yes I promise, order was restored, and our picnic was eaten......in a grey cloud!
 
 
 
Well, that's all folks!
 
Thanks for dropping by! Welcome to everyone who's new to Vintage Sheet Addict! Thanks to everyone for your support over the last few days...
Ada Bea is back!
 
Ada :) x
 
p.s. just to let everyone know, I have a BRILLIANT, supportive, husband. He might not be very practical or very romantic, but he's always there, he listens, and cares! I've also got a fantastic family, and great friends, they always seem to know when to step in, I couldn't be this strong without them!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Saturday 20 October 2012

What's So Good About Being Ada Bea?

 

 
Most of you, who have been reading this blog for a while, will know that Ada Bea isn't my real name. It's a nickname my Mum called me, a little joke between ourselves. I wrote about it here, if you want to know more. Mum has Alzheimer's, something as a family we have found very hard. I wrote about how I feel about Mums condition here.

When I started this blog, I was just starting to accept some huge changes in my life. Reviving 'Ada Bea' has helped me reconnect a bit with my Mum, sounds odd I know, but that's how it feels to me!

As Amanda, I have lots of challenges to deal with, many of us have. 'Losing' a beautiful, supportive Mum. Accepting those differences within your child that you've always seen, but thought you didn't really have to acknowledge. Being diagnosed with a condition which is unpredictable, progressive and downright blinking annoying! Coming to terms with the fact I am no longer able do the job I've always loved, and the financial impact that has.

So what's good about being Ada Bea? Quite simply, YOU ARE! The support and encouragement I have received from everyone has been amazing, to say the least! Ada can be creative, put aside for a little while, some of those stresses. This is her happy place, her colourful, flowery world!

Writing this blog is REALLY helping, it's keeping me positive and happy. I'm not sure if that's normal, but I don't care! I love this Bloggy world!

I've been very touched by your comments, so many of you have your own challenges, perhaps that's why we are all here, who knows! I'm just glad I decided to join in!!!

Take care, lovely friends,

Amanda :) x

(Ada will be back tomorrow, promise!) x x x