My weekend

Boy, did it rain yesterday? 

From midday we had torrential rain, back to the Summers we've been used too!

We went out in the evening to ASK in Wells to celebrate our Anniversary and celebrate Sam's end of Primary School/SATS results (a little late I know) What to wear in the rain!?!

After our delicious meal, we walked around the Bishop's Palace Moat.

It was steaming due to all the earlier rain.

This morning Jeff and I headed over to Frome, to the monthly 'Super Market' a mix of Artisan stalls, food and a small vintage Flea. The rain held off whilst we were there and it was really busy.

 

 

These sunflowers were stunning. 

If we weren't going to Cornwall for a few days, I would have treated myself to a few bunches - beautiful!

I did however treat myself to a new string of spotty wooden bunting for my studio.

Any excuse!!

I'm going to spend my afternoon packing for our mini break - hope you have a lovely week.

17 years!

17 years ago I married Jeff!

 

and 17 years on we're still smiling, together.

It has probably been the hardest year we have faced together as a married couple. Not 'us' as a couple, in fact the redundancy woes have made us even more unified and stronger but making sure we got through this together, supported one another - it's been something we don't wish to repeat.

As always we celebrate with 'sunflowers' and if we're lucky a little 'sunshine'.

Happy Days!

Off to see the sea!

St Ives - Cornwall 2012

dots and spots is taking a little break next week. We are off to see the sea and hope to find a little sunshine on our way too!

Orders can still be placed but any received after midnight on Sunday the 4th of August will not be dispatched until Monday the 12th of August. So if you need anything urgently, order before Sunday.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

About time!!

Last October I gave Sophie's room a makeover - she'd just turned 13 and wanted something more stylish and appropriate. It was her birthday present and I promised Sam I would do the same to his room for his next birthday.

He has the smaller of the 2 rooms and it always seems so crammed in his room, so I had to think hard as to how to try and create extra space. His computer is his big 'must have' which he saved up for himself  but also plenty of space for Lego building and Lego animation.

So with his Birthday approaching in August, we headed off to Ikea to get the storage we needed - everything has to flat packed to get it up to the attic rooms. Yesterday was D-Day and by midday I had reached the point of no return. It was so tricky to get everything into an already small, cramped space!

Firstly every single piece of Lego was sorted into colour themed drawers (this has taken a few days!!) This was no mean feat, I am talking 1000's of bits of Lego. It may seem like a stupid idea but he gets so frustrated that he can't find the bit he wants, that he'll often just not bother despite loving his Lego. We have put them in shallow 'plan' drawers so it is easier to find what he needs and hopefully he will feel inspired to create again, rather than just spend hours on his computer.

 By this afternoon, it is finished and it looks great and yes, we have somehow created more space. With a little bit of a re-jig, sort out, a few bags of rubbish and a pile of bits to be car booted, he now has a new room!

We got rid of his old wardrobe and bought a taller thinner one to take it's place and somehow managed to fit in this set of drawers too, which doubles up as a bedside table.

We replaced the Ikea cube unit with these two Billy Bookcases. They are taller and thiner and because you can set the shelves at what ever height you like, there is no wasted space for all his Lego creations.

So one happy boy!

And one happy Mum, as long as he keeps it tidy!!

It's not every day you're 90!!

 So today is a special day, a day when flowers are in order.

A beautiful birthday Bouquet

Presents wrapped for a special someone

and cards chosen for that special occasion.

Balloons were dutifully collected,

for my Granny's 90th Birthday!

Mum and Dad chauffeured her up from Cornwall for the day and we all met for a family lunch in the Spread Eagle Hotel at Stourhead.

Great Grandchildren

Grandchildren

Son

  

My sister made her a fabulous cake.

Well, it's not every day you're 90!

I'm very proud of my Granny. She may be 90 but she still lives independently, she walks every day and just over a year ago, she got her own i-pad and happily emails the children, 'facetimes' and has even started following me on twitter!!

Her present was this beautiful Kirsty Elson commission of her old bungalow on the clifftop at Portreath, complete with Pepperpot. I spent all my childhood Summer's there and it was where she spent her happiest years with Pa-pa, my Grandfather whilst he was alive. It was so hard to buy something for a 90 year old so I hope it is something she can enjoy.

I'm now on the hunt for a 100 card to hide away in the drawer!!

Goodbye

It is always hard to say goodbye, particularly if you have been happy in a place. Both my children have loved their time at Ditcheat school, I wish I'd moved them there sooner but our 4 year connection with the school has come to an end, it is time to say goodbye as Sam leaves to move onto his new Secondary School.

When Sophie left 2 years ago, I did a collage of the school as a gift for the headteacher who was also moving on.

Sam is a young one for his year, still only 10. He was labelled a 'reluctant writer' at his old school, hated reading books and had little confidence. Under the care and encouragement of Ditcheat school and their truly lovely staff, he has found a comfortable relationship with writing, still hates spelling though. His confidence with reading has grown in small, nurturing reading groups, and for a boy who hates to draw any attention to himself, he shared the leading male role in the school play. His ability with numeracy has been encouraged and celebrated. He has achieved so much and loved his time there.

I often see debates about teacher's gifts and whether or not it's right to give gifts. I don't agree with the way some parents get competitive in their gift buying and try to outdo each other but I really wanted to say a big thank you to Sam's teacher, so did put together a special 'dots and spots' gift. Having been a teacher, I know the hours they put in and how hard the job is, having 30 children all day. I view school as education not childcare and I know Sam's teacher has helped him incredibly over the past 2 years.

All the staff go out of their way to support the children in their care, so I would like to say a big THANK YOU to all the staff at Ditcheat school. You have given both my children a very positive, encouraging and nurturing environment and prepared them well for their next endeavours.

Thank You and Goodbye

Productive weekend

  

In between 'making the most of the lovely weather' I got on with something I've been meaning to for a little while. I love my studio but being a conservatory it gets really hot in the summer 'when' the sun is shining. So I snuck up to Sophie's room on Saturday afternoon and borrowed her sewing machine and....

.....created some shade covers for the glass roof.

I think it looks great. Not only is it gorgeous fabric but it does what I intended - stops the sun/heat from being too much.

On Sunday morning we were up bright and early and joined the queue's at the Bath and West Showground for the Shepton Mallet Giant Flea. I haven't been for a while and was very good considering - I had my eye on a couple of nice cupboards but with Hubby with me, I just 'looked'.

We did bring this home with us - our Anniversary present to each other.

They once belonged to the Army as hatch covers. I have an idea where it will go, just need to persuade Jeff to get his drill out!

The rest of the weekend was spent out in the garden making the most of the sunshine.

Last day of hot sunshine so the forecast says, so I know where I will spending the rest of the day.