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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

Some sewing, and a whole lot of snow......

Along with much of the rest of the UK today, we have quite a lot of snow - I measured 8 inches on a flat bit and much deeper in the drifty bits.

It's very pretty and I love that deadening of sound that comes with snow

- everything is soooo quiet! I must admit, being the first one in the garden made me feel like a kid again, I crunched around giggling to myself.Oooh, chairs for an ice king and queen?

These ladies hadn't minded the light snow earlier in the week, but were definitely not coming out today!

I had quite a few parcels to pack up and post, including this very pretty order from a lady in Canada, which I had to take a picture of - you know what I'm like with buttons!

So, I packed up the pull-along trolley, (jazzy, I'll have you know, not an 'old-lady' one!!!) and with wellies, thick socks, gloves, hat and scarf in place, trudged the mile or so to the Post Office. Flossie came with me and was, as always, very good company, chatting away non-stop.

After the successful posting, we went to the supermarket where they had run out of bread and were getting short of milk. Dragging the trolley through the heavy snow was no fun on the way back, Floss even pulled it for a while, as she couldn't understand why I could pull and listen, but replying was not possible!!

We stopped at Grandma's for a reviving cup of tea and chocolate biscuits, then continued, getting home just before it got dark!

So, dearest customers, your parcels are on their snowy way!! How's that for dedication!!

Couldn't wait to show you these, Floss got her sewing machine out last night in a burst of enthusiasm and was a bit miffed when I told her it was too late to start at 9 o'clock!!

But, with her school closed due to snow again today, she got busy making the new warm tops her teddies had requested.

First, Sparkle the rabbit got a lovely new lilac top, which fitted like a treat.

Then Patch the dog got a super stipey top,

And then Bubbles the bear got an appliqued top (yes machine appliqued in circles or 'bubbles', on a very difficult machine!!!! I couldn't believe it).

How cool are they? I was SO proud!!

She is now busy making her other teddy Maxie a top with an appliqued M on the front.

Talking of sewing, I forgot I hadn't shown you something I made just for fun in the holidays.

I love Anna Maria Horner's fabrics and have a selection of smallish pieces, and I just love the way they look all put together - somehow they look even better, not jarring like you might imagine.

I had long intended to make a dust cover for my Bernina sewing machine, so without making a pattern, like some sensible person, I took some rough measurements and did my usual 'flying by the seat of my pants' trick (I only do this when it is just for me!!) and just went ahead and made it.

I am really pleased with how it turned out. The only thing I did wrong, was over estimate how many squares I would need, but all that means is I have some ready for another project!!

I lined it in calico to give it a bit of form and slight stiffness and trimmed it with bias binding. Umm, not bad at all.

Oh, and if you haven't had enough 'snow' pictures yet, here's one taken in the dark last night - slightly unreal, don't you think? 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

I wish you all..

the happiness that comes from being with people that you love, the confidence to be truly yourself, some space of your own to be creative, even if you don't get it right first time.

I wish you some dreams to aim for, lots of hope in your life and the ability to look on the bright side always.

Now, go make lists, wishes, and dreams of your own. Happy New Year to you all and thank you for all your bloggy support in 2009. xxx

A snapshot of Christmas...

It started with snow....lots of it.....and it was so pretty.....

on the hills, on the hen-house...... it was lovely.....there was even enough to build with.....and this year of course, they had to make......a Snow Pipple!!The Snow Pipple liked watching the hens, who weren't the least bit fazed by the snow and took it all in their stride....

Then there were mince pies......lots of them.....

and the beautiful rainbow tree that was chosen with care and cut by my son....

There is always laughter.....and this year a lot of it was caused by a pinky purple wig that Santa Claus brought Flossie........

my hubby looked more than a little creepy in it.....eughh.....sorry....!

and my lovely Mum couldn't stop laughing in it.....

There were lots of gorgeous presents - this wonderful fabric was from my fab friend Lisa

and this notebook from my son will be perfect for making a List-Making Girl like me, (wish you could feel it, it's kind of embroidered on the top and is very touchy-feely!)

and my sister gave me something every girl should have:

I wonder how long it will last?

Hope you and yours had a good one too! xxx

I'm dreaming......

of a White Christmas........
oh yes, oh yes, oh yes!!!!!!!! xx