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Morning all!

I said I would show you the results of my 'very restrained' London trip to Cath Kidston, so here goes:

one very pretty pin tin to add to my little collection. (I must tell you, it took me a while to work out how to open this one - I twisted and turned, I pulled - but you have to press it in the middle - duh!!!)

Then I couldn't resist this Union Jack pincushion - like a miniature version of my Union Jack V for Violet cushions!!
and 2 new tea towels in bright colours - cos you always need tea towels - right? Yes, extremely justifiable, thought so.Then the Cath K version of these - I am already a big fan of re-washable cleaning cloths and these are really pretty. and lastly, this beautiful bag!!! Yes, I know I could have made it myself - it did occur to me, as it often does these days, and actually if I had made it, I would have put a fastener at the top! But, I fell in love love love with the rich velvety softness of the fabulous material. And I had wanted a red bag, honestly. I love it.

Now, for those of you who left lovely comments the other day about my gorgeous eldest son, and how wonderful his present and our day out together was, there is a little footnote.

When we got back home, he cooked for us the next day - and before you say it, I know, he's wonderful!!!! He actually loves cooking and for a time wanted to be a chef!! And sometimes, he cooks our evening meals and they are great!!

This time though, he left one of my new Cath K tea towels (2 days old) hanging perilously close to the stove top flame!!!!

This is the result, luckily my hubby noticed as the flames began to leap up towards the extractor fan.

Oh well, I'll have to cut around it and use the spotty fabric for something else!!!

Oh yes, a whole load of new Pipples arrived yesterday and after cavorting in the snow, (er..them, not me) I had to bring them in to dry in front of the fire. They did look quite cute.

especially when they went to sleep - obviously exhausted!! Bless them.

Sweet dreams. xx

A Fabulous Day Out.....

One of the best Christmas presents I have EVER received was given to me last week by my eldest son who has just turned 17.

He planned, arranged and booked it by himself, and it was 2 tickets (one for me, one for him) to go and see Les Miserables at the Queen's Theatre in London.

How Fantastic is That?!!!!!!

Amazing!!!!

We are both BIG fans of musicals so it was such a treat. Not only that, but we had the whole day in London first and I was able to do a bit of shopping too!!

I was very lucky because I had already read in blogland about both Lucy here and Hen here having similar days out, so I had two 'guides' as to the best places to go if you only have a short time.

We got the train into London earlyish on Saturday morning, and arrived at Covent Garden where we were treated to some beautiful music by some very classy buskers.

Then we walked towards Liberty's where I have always wanted to go, and never have, and what a treat that was.

A beautiful old building, where you half-expected Shakespeare to come round the corner at any moment. It was just as lovely inside.

And of course, we headed straight for the haberdashery section where there was some gorgeous yarn, lots and lots of wonderful floral fabrics and beautiful ribbons. I really loved these bird houses made of fabric.

Even the back of Liberty's was spectacular - it looked like it had been wallpapered with lilac floral fabric - how brilliant is that!!

From Liberty's we walked along Carnaby Street, where they had the best Christmas decorations! I would have loved one of those LOVE signs!!

We did a bit of 'trendy young man' shopping in Topman, then made our way to Marylebone High Street, quite a trek but some lovely shops on the way.

We popped into Emma Bridgewater, (I just love her mugs but since I have quite a selection already, couldn't justify another!) I was saving myself for Cath Kidston!!

We had a perfect lunch here,

it simply couldn't have been better. (Spinach quiche and couscous salad for him and Goat's cheese & mediterranean veg pie and mash for me, for those of you who like those kind of details!) Highly recommended!

Somewhat revived we headed for Cath K and I wasn't disappointed. For me, I was remarkably restrained though and actually left some things I wanted in the shop!!

By this time it was getting dark and we were beginning to flag. I wanted to see VV Rouleaux's and after a bit of a struggle, we found it and although it was shut, we could still see everything as the lights were on. (Excuse the poor photo, taken on my phone and in the dark!)

Absolutely beautiful, packed full of all kinds of trimmings - will have to come back!

Very tired by now, we hopped into a taxi and went to Harrods. My eldest had never been and was suitably impressed and amazed. We found a gorgeous crystal chandelier which would have looked lovely in our hall, for a mere £37,500!!!!!!! I am always impressed by the number of people in Harrods and how well organised it is.

As a treat, we had afternoon tea in the restaurant, complete with pianist playing twinkly music.

Most refreshed, we decided it was time to go back to Shaftesbury Avenue and to the theatre!

And what can I say - I have seen Les Miserables once before a long time ago, in a much bigger theatre, but this time it was like a different show. It had been good then, but this time, in the lovely fairly intimate surroundings of the Queen's Theatre, it was fantastic! Wonderful, moving, and chills-down-your-spine-good.

We got the train back to my hubby's parents who had kindly put us all up for the weekend, and travelled home the next day.

Sunday dawned with bright blue skies and the journey back home had such fabulous scenery, I could resist taking some pics to show you.

And so ended one quite possibly one of the best weekends EVER!!!! Thank you so much, Son number 1!!!!!

Apologies for the enormous length of this post!!!!! I hadn't realised I'd put in quite as many photos, but I always like photo-heavy posts myself, so I'm just hoping you do too!!

I have taken some of the things I bought, but I'll save that for another day!!! xx

A little bit of shopping..

Before it gets too late, I wanted to share with you some of the goodies I bought at the Festival of Quilts. There was so much yumminess on show that it was all exceedingly tempting but I tried to restrain myself!!

I only bought four ribbons:-

2 patterns, one skirt and one dress with some fabric ready to make it:-

some gorgeous polka dot flannelette fabric:-a bit more fabric.....oooh, and some more.....er......fabric....and a book about....er.....fabric.....with a title which says it all really. x

There's nothing like...

...a spot of shopping to brighten the day.

Especially when it is filled with colour!!!

Today I went out to post some parcels and look what jumped into my hands....

Okay - so I didn't actually go out looking for a necklace, a bag or a little gnome.....but tell me -

how was I supposed to see this

and then leave it behind? It was calling out to me - those colours, those shapes....

And this bag is exactly what I NEED to store my cushions,

How I ever managed before I'll never know - it's so cute - I LOVE this design and USEFUL too - perfect!

And as for Mr Gnome - well just look at his little face !!

He needed to come home with me and sit on my shelf whilst I sew. He told me he would help with inspiration. Really. He did. So I had to buy him. Really.