Speed Clean week 2

You may be wondering how my speed cleaning efforts have been going?

Well, I did have some difficulty keeping up, and I won't hide the fact that I didn't get to everything (rain, sickness, etc) but what I did was worth it.

What have I learned?

1. I don't realistically think I can clean on my work days. I think they'll have to be days off, and I might need to just do a bit more other days (not what I want, but better that than nothing)

2. I really like my Enjo cleaning products. They are fab, and so much better for the environment than chemicals, which I haven't used in ages.

3. It gets quicker the more you do it using this method.

4. I like cleaning windows.

5. I still hate cleaning the shower, and the bathroom floors.

How long has it been taking?

A LOT closer to 15 mins, but certainly can't see how I'd ever be able to do it that quickly ever in the bathrooms..?

Verdict?

Still quite happy with this method of cleaning, it's been easier, more thorough and more motivating than cleaning a whole house at once.

Anyone used the speed cleaning book? If so, what do you think?

Someone Pretty

Hey everyone,

Aren't you glad it's the weekend? I love Fridays so much. And better still I think Ellie might just be on the mend once and for all. Don't hold me to it though, as I will believe it when I see it!

I wanted to share something with you that Ellie received as a birthday present from one very clever Aunty Yana. Her name is Jemima and she is a beautiful hand made doll! Handmade gifts are so ace. Really they are.

Here are a couple of photos of her - she's very pretty, and every last piece of her is handmade, right down to her dress and removable shoes! Her eyes are my favourite: just perfect embroidery. Aunty Yana - you will be pleased to know Jemima is a firm favourite around here...if she makes it onto Percy the push-around, she is a DEFINITE favourite.

Keep watch for Yana's lovely embroidered piece in Kirsty's quilt project (so beautiful) and more pictures here.

Stay tuned for Speed Cleaning Week 2 verdict this weekend....and enjoy yours!!

My creative space...

I miss sewing.

The poor old creative space has taken a bit of a backseat lately, but this week I finally got to finish and list something new in the shop amidst all the baby unwellness. In this tote I'm still using up the blue roses vintage cotton as lining, which I am very partial to and wish I could find some more of.

See many more very lovely and inspiring creative spaces here.

Free Stuff I love

It's been a rough few months with Ellie's health. I've sort of stopped whining about it because I got sick of it and surely so did you.

But I don't have a lot to post on freebies today, as I've been running around frantically this morning trying to get my baby chest X-rays and what not. Things are going downhill with her health and we're now onto the 'big brother' of antibiotics as it seems the others did not work. Poor thing has a throat and chest infection now.

So, please bear with me yet again.



But, I can't send you away with nothing to click on! Instead of my usual list, I'll send you over to Lara's blog where she has a nice tutorial for you. Enjoy and may you all stay healthy!

Love this vintage...

Set of little girls dresses. You know who wore these 30-odd years ago?

ME!!

Mum dug them out of storage on Friday and I thought they were so sweet - even better, they're handmade by her, and they might just fit Ellie (at least to get a photo in them anyway). I am so impressed with her sewing...very VERY neat...every little pin tuck is in perfect alignment, and apparently she was just a beginner then. Good one Mum.

Isn't she clever?

And the winner is...

And the winner is....

LIZEYLOU!!

Congratulations on being the random winner of a little red ribbon's first giveaway! I will be in touch so that your purse can be on it's way ASAP!

Thanks to everyone for your entries and sweet comments - it was lovely to meet some new people too.

I made the front page!

Yippee! I made the front page of etsy. Many thanks to Belinda from Moonmum for including me in her lovely treasury. It's a nice collection yeah? And also encouraging that someone actually likes my stuff. Breathe a sigh of relief now Gret.

Also, a quick update on Speedcleaning Day 3:

Room Cleaned: Bathroom

Expectations: I hate the bathroom, It's going to take forever, I don't want to change my method.

Reality: I don't mind this method, and it makes my bathroom sparkle!!

Time taken: 30 mins

The verdict: Bathroom ain't as bad as I thought. I'm getting the hang of this.

One point of note is that the book Speed Cleaning offers two types of bathroom cleaning instructions. There is a 'super-speed clean' and a 'regular' one. The super speed clean involves steaming up the entire bathroom before you start, and that's about all the info I can probably give before I breach copyright law. To me, THAT type of cleaning sounds wonderful, and might actually make things happen quicker, but my one problem is I have an automatic exhaust fan, and no window, so it's either clean in the pitch black, or have my steam escape up the exhaust fan. Bummer. Regular speed clean for me it is.

More updates on the cleaning next week. :o)