It’s so nice to get awards and I’m really lucky at the moment because I’ve just bagged two! The first is a ‘nice matters’ award from both Suzie Sews and Marie Chantal. Bella Enchanted started this award and she suggested it be awarded to those that are just nice people, good
blog friends and those that inspire good feelings and inspiration!
Those that care about others that are there to lend support or those
that are just a positive influence in our blogging world!

I’ve been pondering who to pass it on to because in the crafty circles that I run in there is a real prevelance of nice people – obviously creativity and being nice go hand-in-hand! To whittle down my list I’ve picked the people who’ve really been nicest to me since I started blogging – the ones who’ve emailed and freely offered support and friendship, so in no particular order my 7 nice awardees are

Zoe – Zoe’s Knitting bag
Katie – What Katie did
Maddie – Maddy’s Glass House
Kirsten – Kirsten Can
Janet Clare
Alice – Raspberry
Rebecca – Irish Sally Garden

I feel a bit guilty about the second award as I’ve been sitting on it for ages. Also I’m not sure I quite deserve the acolade (being a 41 year old mum of
two I’ve never felt less like a rockin’ girl – more of a rockin’ chair
girl!) but I’m very grateful all the same to be nominated by Kirsten
and Sue as a…

I’m passing it on to the following lovely ladies who definitely rock!

Suzie Sews – (tee hee, got you back!)
Val at DottyCookie
Lucy at Lucy Locket
Kerry at Monkee Maker
Michaela – The Stash Basket

to quote Brucie (showing my age here!) which seems appropriate really as I do feel a bit like a winner on the generation game and this is the reason:

My lovely swap package for Zoe’s yarn in a teacup swap sent to me from southern Australia by the very thoughtful and generous Lindy. I only had time for a quick snap before the urge to rip off all the pretty wrapping became too much for me to resist. And when I’d ripped off all the neat packaging I found this wonderful selection of goodies.

Lots of wonderfully soft and luxurious alpaca yarn in lovely shades for bunnies, a beautiful mug and matching plate (perfect for tea and cake) cute and cuddly Aussie toys and 2 books for the children and some lovely Aussie souvenirs – Thanks Lindy, you’re a star!

The nicest thing about the swap is the care Lindy took in putting together the package – it really means a lot to me that she was so very thoughtful and that the gifts she sent are so perfect for me and the kids. It’s heartwarming when people are so thoughtful and generous to a stranger – it shows us that there is good in people and that the world is not all doom and gloom despite what the media would have us believe!

And we can all sleep a little better at night with that thought in our heads…

Well, we’re back. A little bronzed from the sun, a little salty from much splashing in the sea, a little weary from the journey, and a lot happy!

We stayed in Croyde which is a really quiet and pretty North Devon village nestled in a valley by the
sea with lots of gorgeous old cottages, surf shops and
places to get
ice-cream and fudge – though sadly not as yummy as Simmy’s wonderful
confectionary!

Our holiday home was called Chuggs cottage which is part of a Devon long house built in 1636 (as the beam shows).

There wasn’t a single flat bit of floor or a right-angle to the walls and it was a wonderfully old, creaky, and fairytale-ish!

We were really lucky with the weather which was warm and sunny all week and so we spent most of our time on the beach in Croyde bay.

Amy learnt to body surf and Toby just splashed

A good time was had by all and now the kids are happily settled in their own beds I’m just sifting through the pile of sandy washing. Once that’s underway I’ll be settling down to the serious business of catching up with some of my favourite blogs – afterall a week is a long time in blogland!