Tuesday, 29 July 2008


Summer is here - woo hoo!

Sadly, I'm not good in the heat and seem to wilt and feel as if I'm burning instantly! I may be a brunette but I don't have the skin to go with it - just pale and freckly, which would rather take on a bright shade of pink than anything golden!

F+T are in their 3rd week of the summer hols and we have been enjoying life at home this week - with the odd outing to buy last minute holiday stuff, haircuts etc. F. had to have his locks sorted out this morning. He has had such bodged haircuts done in the past that I took him to my hairdresses in Wanstead, where the lovely Lauren cut his hair.
It looks soo much better but it does have that 'just done' look about it and needs a few days! Or maybe I'm not used to looking at him with salon coiffed hair!
We are off to Puglia, Italy on Saturday for a week and are all very excited. I have started getting stuff together but suddenly had a panic attack that I haven't got enough. I always get this and end up throwing more stuff in only never to wear it! So I'm trying to pack a capsule wardrobe but am failing fast!!
Yes, it's going to be hot, hot, hot but at least there is a pool and the sea to cool down in!
Is the lobster look in?

A few Saturdays ago the school choir sang at their teachers wedding. It was amazing and I'm afraid I blubbed like a baby the minute they started! They sang 'You Raise Me Up' and 'I Will Follow Him'. Miss Cumber (now Mrs Fenn) teaches the choir and also Year 4, so she will be F+T's teacher in September. They are very excited to be having her as their teacher and so am I!!


Friday, 18 July 2008

good/bad

Just quickly....I found my fabric from Kathy at Heirlooms Forever all the way from Mississippi!
Can't wait for it to arrive now as I'm very close to needing it!

Any advice or top tips about quilting it all together?

I had a horrible customer moment this afternoon on the phone, which has reduced me to tears for the rest of the afternoon. I won't go into it but I know what I said and and she seemed to be making up her own version.
It just takes one customer out of a hundred really lovey ones to blow how you feel about things - and I've had enough of it all now!
Why do we remember the bad ones as opposed to the good ones?

Monday, 14 July 2008

suggestions please.....

I'm stuck!
Well not exactly but I don't know which way to go. So I need some help.
The front of my family quilt is altogether and I need to think about the backing. Sorry, haven't had a chance to photo the quilt top!
Originally I wanted to use one piece of Moda's Vintage Holiday fabric which I have used on the front in the form of jelly rolls and charm packs. However, I cannot get the one I want and have spent hours searching Etsy, Ebay and all patchwork shops on the web across the world!
What I do have is about 12 fat quarters of the Vintage Holiday range, all different.
How can I use them?
I don't want it too complicated! But at the same time don't want to just sew all the pieces together - or do I? Would that be alright?
The front seems so busy so I think something simple.
I just don't know!
Help!!

Monday, 7 July 2008

calm and collected


Recently I have done lots of ceramic painting - a few bits for myself but mainly for Sharon and her newly opened cafe.
It was great fun to do although I kept having to stop for a break every few days just because I had no inspiration!!
Everyone comments how ceramic painting is relaxing. Scary when you start out, just sitting there with you white ceramic but once you start you are totally absorbed and leave feeling calm and collected.
What makes you calm and collected?