Leicester - who knew!

We had a great family day out on Saturday - the first in ages and I think it's safe to say we all had a fantastic day.  The basketball team the we follow (Sheffield Sharks) were playing at Leicester, so we thought that as we were all off work, we would have a road trip.  Now I don't know why I thought this, but I thought Leicester wouldn't be very nice - perhaps I was confusing it with somewhere else, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I really liked Leicester.  I didn't take too many photo's as it was a very dismal day.  I think if you warm to somewhere on such a murky day, it must have a lot going for it! 

 We were bowled over by the diversity of the architecture.  We reckon it must not have been bombed all that much in the war (they did only manufacture stockings after all - can't see Hitler being too threatened by that!)

 The dancing queen and I laughed at this plaque - we would have liked to have known Agnes, but we did wonder what the blokes of Leicester thought of her!

 We had a lovely time wandering around a place we have never been before.

 We did a spot of shopping.  It generally seems very well served for shops but like all UK city's, the gorgeous older buildings have some naff new purpose!

 We didn't go and look at the Richard III exhibition as we ran out of time, but we all said it would be somewhere we would visit next time.

 The kids eventually did find a shop that they wanted to go in!!

 There seemed to be plenty of lovely places to find something to eat....

 ... but even though they are 18 and 21, they were thrilled to discover this place where you had to enter the Tardis to visit the loo!!

 We managed to find the venue for the basketball - a thrilling game that went to over time twice! but sadly we didn't win.

Leicester, we thought you were fab and we will definitely visit again.

Christmas round up

Christmas has been strange for us here in the Heartshaped household.  Mainly because of various family members and wok commitments, but we have tried to spend as much time together as possible.  On Christmas Eve, hubby and I collected the dancing queen  from work and brought her home for a few days over Christmas.  We got chance to wander around Sheffield for the afternoon which is something we have not done for years.

 It was fairly quiet in town (in strong contrast to the nearby horrendous out of town shopping mall) and the atmosphere was really lovely.  We had festive hot milky drinks in a very trendy bar where they were having DJ sets where the DJ's were playing 7 of their favourite 7inch singles.

 Once we got her home, the young man set off for his shift at a nearby pub/restaurant where he has a holiday job.  After eating, we went to join him so that we saw him (fleetingly)for most of the evening.  His girlfriend and her family had turned up too, so that was lovely.

 He was also working until 4pm Christmas day, so we went with him to work, then walked home - making the most of the beautiful Christmas Day morning.

 He also worked Boxing Day (which gets very busy in the pub as it seems to be tradition in these parts for everyone from miles around to congregate here).  We dropped him off and continued on to Elsecar which was much quieter and had a lovely stroll around.

 Both hubby and I have been struck down by a Christmas Lurgy and so theses shorter strolls have been far more appealing.

 Like mother like daughter!!  Poor hubby struggled with both of us stopping every 5 minutes to take photographs!

 I can't believe how many times we have walked past this old Anderson shelter and never noticed it!

 ... and of course we celebrated our wedding anniversary too.  Hubby was working all day and we attended an 18th birthday party at night, but we have made plans to celebrate our 22 years in the New Year.

Blimey, we look so much younger!!! xxxxx

From our home to yours.

Merry Christmas!!

Like most of you, I am anticipating being a bit busy over the next couple of days, so just in case I don't get chance later, I hope you all have a lovely Christmas.  Enjoy whatever you do.  

With lots of love from the heartshaped household 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Angels

I spent another fabulous day at the sudio's of Hope and Elvis in Welbeck - a fantastic way to while away a day.

 It was a "Christmas Decoration" making day, so firstly, we had a look at the inspiration table...

 And then set about creating.  I met up again with my wonderful friend Lyn from Everyday life.  It's always great to catch up with Lyn, and we got a tremendous amount of work done considering the yacking we did!

 My blog lurker friend Nic came too.  Nic is not normally a crafter but totally gets the therapeutic charm of a spot of sewing.  And to say she doesn't sew, she managed brilliantly on Louise's best "Brother" (out of this world, amazing!!) sewing machine.

 We stopped for a spot of lunch....

 ....and a drop of non alcoholic  festive fizz.

 And by the end of the day, using some of Louise's sumptuous fabrics I had produced a lovely Angel for my Christmas tree.  I really love her.

 She also has a twin which will be sitting on Ly'ns Christmas tree.

 It really is one of the best days out ever.

It always amazes me how many people arrive at Hope & Elvis having never sewn before and leave having created something truly wonderful.  x

Shepherds Delight

The old ryhme "Red sky at night, Shepherds delight" rang true this weekend.  We have been having some great sunrises and sunsets this week, but Saturday nights display was by far the best.  

 The sky looked as if it was on fire.

 My house has no view at all, just a piece of sky, but when the sky looks like this.............

 I hope you got to glimpse it too.