A Quick Catch Up For You...

This is what I've been up to whilst I've been away...not very much sewing going on, is there? Actually, that was really the point. I had the last two weeks of the girls' summer holidays off, so that we could spend time together properly. It was lovely!

We didn't 'do' a huge amount, really. We had some rather slow mornings...which often crept into the afternoon ...that almost turned into complete 'pyjama days'!! No harm in that, is there? It's just what holidays are about in my book.

We saw some old friends, we read a lot, we drew a lot, we sat round watching a few films with the biscuit barrel nearby (naughty!), and we felt sorry for the woodcutter. Yes, that's him in the pic, third row down on the left. Carpal tunnel surgery. Not uncommon, I know, but as florcita commented (on flickr), ouch...ouchouchouch! The picture of the spider's web is there because the first of September dawned, and despite the gentle glow of sunshine (for an hour or so, anyway) at 8.30 a.m, there was certainly the feel of autumn creeping up on us. Crisply clear, heavy with dew and a weeny nip in the air.

Those gorgeous flowers were sent to me by a fabulous friend...who doesn't love the feeling of opening the front door to receive a bouquet...especially when it is a complete surprise!!? Afternoon tea in the Pump Rooms, Bath (glorious!) was enjoyed by all of us - both girls have since been heard playing 'teatime at the Pump Rooms' (eldest always has to be Daddy), so I think they enjoyed the experience!!

So what of the wooden sculpture? That's a huge boar, which was built in the grounds of Taurus Crafts, Lydney...and then burned, in a pagan-esque ceremony at dusk. Youngest made a lantern, of which she was very pleased, and we joined the throngs on the sidelines, lantern alight, to watch it burn. Something quite intoxicating about a jolly good bonfire, isn't there?

Finally, we're rather proud of our decorative logs - for sale on ebay - and this is a pic taken for use on our upcoming (though not yet live) website, The Log Basket. Exciting!!

Hope you all had a good summer, despite the awful weather. Just think, Christmas is just around the corner!!!

Yum, Yum..

We had a trip to Bath yesterday...such a beautiful place! The regency/Georgian architecture is quite breathtaking, the ambience is vibrant - and we love the cafe culture!! Who doesn't enjoy sitting with a drink and a snackette, passing time with a spot of people watching?
Once we could drag ourselves away from our favourite activity, we wandered around, soaking up the atmosphere, indulging in a craft fair (see pic above)*, and improving our general well-being with an art gallery or two. We gazed longingly through the doors of the delightful Pump Rooms, at the afternoon teas being served (the queue for a table was a mile long...the children couldn't wait), and listened to the violinist serenading the fortunate few savouring their dainty crustless sandwiches and earl grey.
It wasn't until we returned to the car ready for the journey home that we realised we hadn't even visited the exquisite Roman Baths! How did we manage that?!

Save that experience for next time...


*We found gorgeous candles, wax melts and bath products (see pic above) available from Becky, at Purple Sparkle Crafts (http://www.purplesparkle.co.uk/ or http://www.folksy.com/users/purplesparkle). Take a look at her website - it's packed full of all things sweet and pretty, and they all smell absolutely divine!! It's almost a shame that you can't actually eat them!