Sunday Catch-Up

My goodness it's been busy round here.

The de-cluttering bug is now rampant in the household, with the contents of drawers and cupboards being cast out of their cosy holes and all manner of items seeing the light of day again, only to find themselves consigned to bags and heading in varied directions, though mostly in the direction of charity shops.

Mr U-t-B has caught the bug too, and soon our bedroom will be unrecognisably tidy, as his 'side' of the room is now being turned out.  It will remain to be seen whether he can mange to be as drastic as I have been - Friday's sort out of my wardrobe and chest-of-drawers yielded three bags for the charity shop, one for textile recycling and two for the bin, plus a few items which I will recycle, and a few which I am listing on ebay.

Certain things just had to be kept - I can't part with my Tiny Tears (and all her clothes, so beautifully made by my Mum)...

...even if she has developed a wonky eye,  nor with my teddy complete with his pyjamas, but minus his nose...

 ...and my battered ambulance (given me by my aunt) is definitely staying.

My Mary Quant Daisy doll and all her trendy clothes will be kept...

 ...along with this tiny and beautifully sewn, jointed teddy my sister made for me when she was about eleven.

 I will also have to keep Topsy.  When I was a child I was going to send her away, but my Mum wouldn't let me, as she said she reminded her of me, with a mischievous look in her eyes...

I really hope I didn't have quite this look - she has the faintest hint of 'horror movie child' about her!

I wonder what childhood bits and pieces you've hung on to?

I said I'd let you know about Mr U-t-B's angel making.  Well here's a first - a home movie!

Yes - he managed  (with many a tinkle, and therefore 

angel-creation) to get the bell I bought him up and working!

Here it is from the outside...

(if you look very closely)

The 'pull' is transferred by a system of pulleys (which we managed to get from Broughtons of Leicester)...

...to our very tinkly bell!  

We will now have to employ Mr Carson to answer the door for us!

(Shock confession - I have only watched a couple of episodes of Downton Abbey, and didn't  really get what all the fuss was about.  I probably needed to pay it more attention, as I'm sure all those fans out there can't be wrong!)

Next I've got lots to list on ebay - it's a free listing weekend so worth the effort.  I read this post by 'Fading Grace' and had an idea.  It's not quite a fully formed idea yet, but back with it soon...