Be Nice & A Little Giveaway

Hello folks, now a lot of you have said you would love to join a manners campaign, well I'm thinking a nice campaign would also be rather lovely. Lead by example so to speak. Take a look at this lovely blog, what a fantastic idea. http://www.operationnice.com/I'm going to do a bit of nosing around and mention my finds periodically but if you see something of interest that is nice and uplifting let us all know. Are you all still saying Hello to strangers?

Very little done on the crafting front apart from my Wedding WIP which is coming on nicely, I have done a lot of housework but that isn't very interesting so I won't photograph it (also don't want you to see what a slattern I am, Anthea Turner has nothing to worry about from me).

We took a very excited young Twiglet over to the National Railway Museum last Saturday to see the newly built steam engine Tornado, isn't she a beauty? (is a train a she or a he?)

Oh look the gorgeous, aesthetically pleasing Mallard. (I'm describing trains as gorgeous, I've turned into a boy by osmosis:) We also saw The Flying Scotsman my own personal favourite but she had been stripped right down and was being worked on).
No idea who that strange looking woman is accosting the cute little boy!
We're going to a Steam and Diesel Gala tomorrow, trains, train, trains................................

Flipping heck, I've just realised my first blog birthday was on the 23rd February and this is also my 100th post!! Well it's been an interesting year and I've made lots of lovely bloggy friends and had lots of fun so I'm so very pleased I took the plunge over a year ago.

Thought I'd have a little bloggy giveaway of one of my button brooches. So staying with the theme of being nice. Tell me about something nice that someone has done for you in the past. doesn't have to be a grand gesture, but something unexpected that made your day.

I've been lucky enough to receive surprises from lovely bloggy friends over the past year, so a big thank you to you all. Another little thing that I really appreciated especially with hindsight was when I got my first car , MANY years ago and Mr dear old Dad used to get up early every morning to clear the ice of it for me and get her running. It's funny how you realise how important little kindnesses like that are, when you get older.

I'll draw a winner in a week or so.

Righto off to collect wee Twiglet from nursery now and play Kerplunk 100 times - at least!!!

Keep smiling and have a great weekend.

love

Twiggy x

PS I did make this scrapbook page this week, my Mum is going to kill me - hahahahaha

PPS Little snippet from The Little Book of Yorkshire dialect for Louise @ Home is Where the Heart Is (I love this book and might add some more later)- Two old Yorkshire chaps, about to pass each other in the street, hesitated, thinking that they knew each other. Realising they were mistaken, one of them said: Well, Ah'll bi blowed! Ah thowt it wor thee - an' tha thowt it wor me... An' by gow, it's nawther on us!

Zoom, another week gone by.

Hang on a minute, this time last week I was thinking half term, no Nursery for Twiglet, will I be able to keep him amused. Flippin heck, it passed in a flash and yes, we managed to amuse each other greatly. Painting flowers to send in to CBeebies.

Baking sausage rolls.
Making daffodils for Twiglets Grandma and Nana (thanks for the idea Emma @ Silverpebble) I'm on a roll for stealing, ummmm.... I mean being inspired by other peoples ideas at the moment :)Poor lamb was also dragged on a daily walk (I have an ongoing back problem, won't bore you with the details) anyhoo saw my Specialist told him no thanks to any surgery and I'd sort myself out an exercise and pain management regime and see him in 6 weeks. So as part of my rehabilitation, we've seen a lot of stuff and said a lot of HELLOS - see previous post, and done a LOT of walking.

Haven't had much time for crafting but here's one of the secret projects I've been working on, lovely Julia @ Marmaladekiss has received it now so it's ok to blab :) Inspired by Sal@ Sals Snippets (how to reuse a Fairy Non Bio box!) incorporating some of the gorgeous Bible pages, Julia kindly sent me and hoping to capture the glamour of Julia. What you can't see here is the pink leopardskin interior, but there is a shot of it on Julias lovely blog. It's the first altered art I've attempted apart from Artist Trading Cards and I've spent the last week telling Twiglet not to touch the sticky glaze :)

Finally spent the rest of my birthday Amazon vouchers, watched I Capture the Castle for the 100th time, fab and I'm currently reading Larkrise to Candleford. Mr Twigs also bought me the DVD of the first series for my birthday, lucky Twiggy. I love Sunday night TV at the moment, Larkrise, The Victorians and Damages - wahey!
Also purchased from Amazon, two lovely crafting books. Note to self, DO NOT buy anymore crafty books, I have a list of things I want to do that'll last me until I'm 70!!!! Just to step back in time for a minute (ahem forgot these bits) remember my birthday giveaway, here's what you could have won - Jim Bowen from Bullseye again!!!! this stuff complete with jolly Miffy bag went to Jackie @ Jackies Crafts.
Here's the fabaroony cake made for my birthday by my boys, twas gorgeous.............. To celebrate Valentines Day last week , here are our homemade cards, (please note cute Twiglet baby pic in background - sigh:)

We agreed to spend a very small amount of cash on each other, hey we're rich on love - tee hee.

This is what I bought Mr Twigs, a lovely set of Snoopy Magnets from the very talented Lynsey at Swirly Thoughts, go take a look at Lynseys fab blog and shop.

Twiglet received a tractor and trailer complete with noises!!!

I received a big bar of choccy and this book, which really made me laugh, it is now in the smallest room for all to enjoy. Who said romance is dead. Have a great weekend.

love

Twiggy x

Right you lovely lot.......

I seem to have opened up a can of worms with the Oooo be nice campaign idea :) However, I do feel I'm preaching to the converted here as you are a lovely lot.

I did a little experiment when Twiglet and I had our daily stroll the other day and said Hello to everyone we saw and although some people looked a bit startled they all said Hello right back and some even smiled and made further comment!!! did make me laugh though, when they replied and Twiglet shouted My Pleasure :) - hmmmm..........

Now I know it's all very well chatting and saying How Do to people when you live out in the sticks but quite another thing if you live in a more urban area and obviously you want to chose your recipients carefully, but how about this. This weekend smile and say Hello to someone you don't know and see what happens. Spread a little happiness as you go by as the song goes.

love

Twiggy x

Hmm left Miss Manners at home today have we???

My pleasure, oh no, after you, THANK YOU SOOOOO VERY MUCH, Happy in your work? etc etc are responses that I have given to rude people in the past. I am so grateful for your replies and am pleased that I'm not alone in being horrified at the lack of not just manners but plain common decency and friendliness particularly when it comes to our children. It is so much easier and nicer to smile and say Hello.
When I was young if I was out and about with my Dad we used to laugh that it took us ages to walk down the high street. He used to know everyone and stop and pass the time of day, he was also a very kind man who often helped others without advertising the fact. I came to realise as I got older this was why he was a happy man contended with his lot. At his funeral one lady he had helped out on several occasions told me, your father was the last of the true gentlemen.
No matter how many times I hear adults moan about the behaviour of children I am gobsmacked at the behaviour of adults. It is our job to teach them how to behave by example, it REALLY annoys me that some people think it is acceptable to ignore children and behave despicably.
Mr Twigs has a very live and let live attitude (but does enjoy a good rant at the news :), which I do up to a point, but if anyone upsets my Twiglet well that's another matter entirely.
I think we should start a Ooooo BE NICE campaign, Mr Twigs thinks we should have a zero tolerance on bad manners.
Thank you dear bloggy friends for reminding me why I enjoy being a part of this community. Our children will be the happy, well rounded successful adults that they deserve to be and as Vicky said rude folks will be in the gutter, SOD THEM that's what I say and that is quite bad mannered :)
Twiggy x

This is the life...............

`This is the life', is what Twiglet said to us today whilst stumbling through an incredibly muddy field this afternoon, made me laugh and think isn't it great to be 3 and aren't we lucky to have moments like this.

On quite an unrelated matter, but rather important, I wanted to have a mini rant about manners - hmm is that bad manners ? Anyhoo, Twiglet is 3 and is a polite little chap, good with the pleases and thank yous and very friendly, likes to shout Hello and Morning at EVERYONE and I mean everyone. Well we had a walk yesterday and stood in a ditch to let half a dozen women go by on horseback, they didn't even look our way, never mind say thank you!!!!! Today, he said Hello to several people who walked straight by him, now I have to bite my lip and shout WELL DONE DARLING FOR BEING A VERY POLITE AND FRIENDLY BOY. I told Mr Twigs I found this very annoying and what was the point in teaching Twiglet to be friendly and polite when so many adults do not bother. Mr Twigs said, because it's polite, we're polite and Twiglet is polite. A very sensible and level headed man my husband, if I had been alone I would have probably been rather rude to the `ladies' on horseback. Now what have/or do you do when your children are in this situation. Answers on a postcard please, or a comment on here will suffice. Honestly, manners cost nothing. Grrrrrrr, thanks for letting me get that one off my chest.

So onto more interesting matters the snow has finally gone and I can honestly say we've squeezed every moment of enjoyment out of it, building snowmen, snowball fights, we even went up to Holme Moss sledging last Monday, Twiglet has had a whale of a time and we've enjoyed his enjoyment.

As we've either spent our time outside or stayed inside being ill, more casualties of the sickness bug, I've done hardly any crafting.

I'm still working on my Wedding WIP - if you see what I mean and a little something else which must remain secret for now.

However, here are this months ATCs that I made for my Papercrafters Swap and a birthday card I made for my Sister. (Oops don't strain your neck looking at the sideways photo)

Some fabbo blue biscuits made by Twiglet and Mr Twigsand I'll leave you with some photos of our little saunter around the Sculpture Park this afternoon.love

Twiggy x

PS hope you had a super Valentines Day yesterday, I spent it with my lovely boys and we exchanged small gifts and homemade cards, twas lovely, but more on that later.

Off to do some sewing and watch Larkrise now.

Snow, snow, snow, ouch!!!

Well the sun is shining here at the moment but we had more snowfall yesterday, Twiglet and I have enjoyed it, poor old Mr Twigs travelling to work hasn't enjoyed it quite so much. Although, he has played in it every evening with Twiglet after work. Building snowmen by moonlight is fun!!! what a top Daddy.Unfortunately, due to the extensive playing in the snow and silly me clearing the steps and path, I've had a VERY sore back for the last few days. It's dodgy at the best of times so I really should know better - ouch :(

Anyhoo, Mr Twigs said no housework for me today (don't tell him I've done some washing and ironing) so I dropped Twiglet off at nursery this morning and I've had time to work on my secret project, watch the last episode of this, while scoffing a square of this............

MAJOR Vic Reeeves trouser rubbing, I tell you what, you can keep Mr Darcy, John Thornton in North and South, oooooo missus, big, bluff Northerners, I love them, good job I married one - tee hee. Richard Armitage is quite the ticket when you have a sore back and are feeling sorry for yourself (I'm whispering this bit, I like him more than David Tennant).

Twiglet and I did quite a bit of crafting yesterday, here are his snowy artworks....................

And the fab Valentines cards he made for Nana & Grandad and Grandma (apparently the pink pom pom is just like Grandmas hair! )............................
Had a lovely surprise parcel today from lovely Julia @ Marmaladekiss which cheered me up no end, what a bundle of loveliness, handmade soap, fabric, gold leaf type stuff, fabbo vintage papers and a magazine, thank you sooooooooooooo much.
More postal gorgeousness, buttons from Blooming Felt..............................
I've been doing some crafty reading this week and bought myself a copy of Sew Hip, I'm working on a project that I'll show you later.

I also got this months Crafts Beautiful, do take a look cupcake fans, there is a terrific little cupcake book containing cards and recipes and some fabulous cupcake papers.

Right that's me for now, off to make a beef casserole for dinner, swan about a bit and then collect my lovely boy from nursery.

Take care, this weekend, have fun, keep warm and feed the birds.

love

Twiggy x

Snowy fun!!!

Well the snow did come and then some. Twiglet has dragged me out to play in it 3 times today :) What fun!! good excuse for soup and hot choccy too. Thankfully Mr Twigs is working from home tomorrow as the forecast for up here tonight, is snow, snow and more snow. It's tipping down outside but quite lovely.Keep warm and safe.

love

Twiggy x

When cupcakes go bad .............

Don't you just love this photo? and isn't it fab when you have a mate with a sense of humour as warped as yours? We took the boys out for our weekly, fun,muddy, freezing day out with obligatory bucket of coffee and cake. J dropped this off with his Mummy so he could caper around, I think we laughed for about 5 minutes :)

Isn't it cold? our local weatherman predicted snow and `nithering' winds today, we've just been to the duckpond and playground in the light snow flurries - love the word flurry - and now feel suitable `nithered'. We also went for a muddy trudge in the local woods yesterday, just lovely and chilly - brrrrr!!!!!!!

Have received some more postal loveliness this week.

Firstly a lovely belated birthday package from over the pond from my good friend Jan at Daylily Lane. Kind lady you've got to love someone who sends you a lovely parcel of buttons for your birthday and fab handmade card AND button storage, thank you so much.

I have been very naughty again, and bought this lovely bundle from Artymiss, including a fab scrapbooking kit to make a Thomas the Tank Engine scrapbook for Twiglet, I made my very first page yesterday, I'll show you next time.Have also started spending my birthday money, here's some gorgeous fabric I bought from Ebay. Some great wool felt (can you guess which Cath Kidston projects they're for ?I also treated myself to these stupendously beautiful cards from lovely Etsy lady The house of Secret Super Heroes, no I'm NOT parting with them, I am going to frame them and put them on my bedroom wall, aren't they gorgeous?

We've been making scrummy homemade vegetable soup today and Twiglet wanted to make some stuff for the birds in the garden. So here's what we made. If you want to have a go yourself take a look here.http://www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/doonething/simple/birds_bake.shtml

Thanks to lovely Taz @ Ratbag Creations for my Let's Be Friends Award. If you've left a comment on my blog feel free to award it to yourself too, fantastic readers.

Not much to report on the crafting front this week, I've been working and have taking on the role of Webmaster for Twiglets playgroups website. I feel like I should wear a pointy hat and cloak, anyhoo the chap that set it up came round the other evening to show me (and Mr Twigs - he doesn't get away with anything poor lamb:) the ropes. It's funny, if I hadn't got this blog I'd have been totally clueless rather than just clueless! Showed us some interesting stuff though that might be good for my blog too!

Still working on my BIG project but that won't be revealed until after Helen and Ralphs wedding in July. Note to self - get on a serious diet and start looking at sturdy foundation garments. It's Winter and I just want to lay on the sofa snuggled up eating choccy and cakes with my boys - ho hum.

The forecast for here is heavy snow tonight Twiglet is VERY giddy, so hope it happens, we're having a Mummy and Twiglet day tomorrow, so lots of snuggling and crafting I think. Haven't had one for a while as I've been working a fair bit, but I'm jobhunting now as my exam work will dry up until the Summer. As poor old Mr Twigs is working I'll let him have the car, two bus journeys and a train to get to work is no fun for him, espesh in the snow.

Righto keep warm, eat soup, snuggle under blankets.

love

Twiggy x