ally's space

Last Saturday we headed back to shoreditch in East London to pick up our new bike. We went via brick lane and I found a few more pics of art. Well actually we found loads but it was just so cold. Anyway here are some pretty pics... I can't wait until it's warmer and hope to book the street art walk. 

I got home today to an envelope from Canada. Inside was my final card for Sian's postcard swap. This one is from Ginger. I have loved receiving all the cards and so hope that another swap is arranged hint hint sian. So here are all my cards together... Such a variety and I can't thank the senders enough for bringing a small piece of happiness to my door.

I have seen this word wanderlust popping up all over Instagram and blogs. What is it? Then kaisercraft posted this on Instagram... Omg finally something to describe how I feel. So that means I'm not alone as others must feel this too.  Until now the only way I could describe it was I feel like I've had my wings clipped. I mean I know life changes, where as I used to just book a flight/hotel and head off now I have a mortgage/husband kids I can't. I mean the hubby doesn't even have a passport so no chance of escaping quickly. So I have been yearning to travel, there are still so many things to see anddo out there. It no ones fault just life and responsibility have got me for now, but only for now. 5yrs and the youngest pair will be almost 17 so we can escape for breaks. I mean my ex husband used to have the children one week every three months so I would escape now it's a Friday night home by 2-3pm on sat. No time to head into london let alone further. So for now I w...

Valentine's Day in our house was strange this year, it was on a Saturday and we had no children.  We made bacon sarnies and ate them in bed whilst exchanging presents. The hubby had stalked well and bought me a pandora charm of two hearts interlocked.  Anyway we grabbed the chance to escape for the day.  Hubby is looking at buying a new motorbike and MCN put on an annual bike show in London excel. By why chose v day??? A lot of guys owing big time to their ladies for this.  But being a super wife we headed off to have a look around bikes. You see I love bikes and hope to gain my own licence once I can actually have some annual leave from work that's not taken up by children. Hey I can wait. Anyway it was heaving with guys a few being followed around by unhappy wives. Me I kept wandering off I mean they had the Valentino Rossi bike collection to look at. Anyway once finished we headed further into london, we headed to brick lane so I could check out a new Pop up cafe ...

Happy Valentine's Day!!! I received two more cards from  Sians postcard swap today. So I have received 5 out of 6 so far. Today's cards... This was from Sandra...definitely I always thinks rules are meant to be broken lol I also received a card all the way from Katie in NZ  I am so loving receiving cards from all over the place.  I would love to visit NZ one day.

I got home from work feeling blurgh! It's grey and cold outside and I've had a rubbish day. Collected the children and walke in to see this on the mat... It took me a moment to realise it was a postcard. This one if from sian, I love it. I used to read roald Dahl books as a child and again to my children. I never imagined you could buy postcards of his books. Well it replace a frown with a smile.  Isn't it amazing what happy mail can do :-) 

thanks Abi for running this meme. I love to hop around and see everyone's pics. I have not read this before, as soon as it arrived the girl swiped it to read before I could. Head over to creating paper dreams link is on the right hand side and join in.

In previous posts I explained that I could not decide between two monthly stitch alongs and ended up buying both.  I am really enjoying both of them, they are so very different.  But what I am enjoying the most is that each monthly part only takes a few evenings to stitch up. So there is a huge chance I will actually keep up. The zodiac sampler is up to date with February's piece on Aquarius.... And I started the second frame for the storybook sampler, this month it is the book The Secret Garden.  I have never read this book so ordered it and as soon as it arrived charli nabbed it and is currently reading it lol. Anyway so far.... So what crafty projects are you upto? Next on my list is to get my project life book upto date.

I happened to be working in Southend on Sea and a colleague mentioned going to check out a new tea room that had opened just off the high street.  Now being a huge lover of tea and cake of course I said yes. At one end of the high street down a side street lies Madhatters.  Outside you are greeted by a framed menu and a glimpse of the cakes on offer through the windows. The tea room is nice and bright, pretty tables and chairs/sofas. The paintings on the walls are from alice in wonderland, Madhatters tea party.  We were quickly seated and handed huge menus. I chose my tea from the vast choices, taking in the various choices of hot choc too. I headed off to have a look at the cakes.  All the cakes are freshly baked and change daily. I ordered and sat chatting with friends. Our tea arrived.... I loved the mix of modern spotty tea pots with traditional cup and saucer.  I felt like I was having tea at my Nan's. Then my cake arrived, I had chosen the Oreo baked chees...

I was so happy to find this on my doormat today...a glint of happiness amongst a letter of sadness.  I received the vet bill from trying to save our beloved hound Lucy. Unfortunately we let her go to rainbow bridge last week and she has left a hole in our lives.  So I was so please that this card was laying there.... A gorgeous pic of debs' hound, so very cute. And the realisation that she lives in the next town lol. I love receiving the cards I mean when do we ever get happy mail these days.

As I posted previously sian organised a Valentine's postcard swap.  Well I received my first of the six today.  I not sure if it's just a coincedance but I have a passion for architecture and in particular bridges. I have hundreds of photos of different bridges ancient to modern they fascinate me.  So when this arrived  It's monnow bridge in Monmouth isn't it gorgeous. So it's my first card placed on my fridge in 2015.  Thank you ann/ Ladkyis  I can't wait for the others to arrive now. 

Can you believe that it's February already!!!!   So what will this month bring??? Today brought a wonderful family Sunday dinner and scrumptious apple cake for pudding. Yum now it's time to settle down to watching Breaking Bad on Netflix.