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!!!

Dreaming of the Sea...Shopping List Saturday style

1)Vintage styled decoupaged tag Beach2 http://www.saphireblue35.etsy.com/ 2)Seafoam Soldered Tile Necklace http://www.moondogtreasures.etsy.com/ 3)Enjoying Life Mermaid FuN FuNkY Art Doll (buy 2 free shipping) http://www.kerijoy.etsy.com/ 4)And we played by the sea 5x5 http://www.angiemuldowney.etsy.com/ 5)Ocean’s Glory Ring http://www.morashajewelry.etsy.com/ 6)L-O-V-E 5x7Fine Art Photograph Greeting Note Card http://www.amomentamemory28.etsy.com/ 7) Punch and Judy Puppet Theater Pin http://www.jamienoel.etsy.com/ 8)Genuine Drilled Beach Marble Stone Pendants,5pcs http://www.salvagedrelics.etsy.com/ 9) Lonesome Boat-Black and White Photograph http://www.thetinroof.etsy.com/ 10) Sea Urchin Collection-Special White Earrings http://www.staroftheeast.etsy.com/ 11)Aphrodite Bangle http://www.iacua.etsy.com/ 12)Silver Pebble Rings http://www.kiraferrer.etsy.com/


I’m still dreaming about the seaside, can you tell?
Memories of bygone holidays ...mesmerised by the deep blue sea...telling stories of mermaids and long lost sailors...beachcombing with the children...turning that precious seaglass over and over in the palm of your hand ... writing in the sand with a stick...meandering along the pier... searching for that lucky pebble with a hole in the middle...trailing your fingertips through the cool waters...discovering the most perfect shells...bringing home a thimbleful of the ocean...a pebble for each of my loved ones...

These beautiful items capture the essence of my holidays, and I love them! They are all available from wonderful people selling on etsy – do click on the links and have a little browse through their stores...and buy handmade!

Would you like to see some more? Click on the Shopping List Saturday: Check Out Their Lists! bloglink on the right of the page - and if you fancy joining in with this meme, let me know!

All Their Own Work

homemade snap, originally uploaded by fancypicnic.

I just wanted to show you this.
I can remember, when I was a child, often complaining during the long summer holidays that I was 'bored'...sounds familiar? When you were a child, whenever you were 'bored' at home, just moping about the house, were you or were you not told about what life used to be like...'back in the old days'?? How they (parents) used to have to make their own entertainment? Well, my two did just that!
They happened to learn how to draw an otter (I do believe you may be thinking to yourselves 'what fine cats those little girls have drawn!' Yes. I made that same mistake myself...you have been warned!) recently, and so they sat all morning drawing and colouring lots of matching pairs of otters, and stuck them onto card to make their own set of snap cards!

The rest of the day was spent playing endless rounds of the memory game and snap, over and over again. All afternoon..on and on...and on. We joined in a few times, but frankly they seemed happier on their own...why can't all days be like this?