One of the crowd...

Having just had a quick skim down my Blogger reading list, I see a theme, and I am almost pleased to be in such great company with those also suffering from a lurgy.

My turn with the sore throat of a couple of days ago, (thanks kids), has manifested into a snotty, sneezy cold, with one of those annoying evening headaches.  Hey ho, I am just glad it is this weekend not next weekend… but more on that, um, next weekend!

Still, I had to get some sewing done today, and stitched up 176 (or thereabouts) Drunkard's Path blocks…

Not the most taxing morning in front of the machine, but way more enjoyable that the pressing that followed!  But done now, and the secret commission quilt top is within sight and all set to meet the deadline, phew.

We also popped out to the Brownie and Guide Fall Fair; lots of sweets, cake, hotdogs and tombola prizes.  It was a gorgeous summers day here, so it was good to make the most of it.

I am really hoping to wake up in the morning feeling a bit more normal, I have so much to cram in this week, starting tomorrow with work and then the school Harvest Festival/Autumn Feast; the kids will be having cake for tea again then!

Highlights...

Just the highlights of today, it's late, I am tired, and my To Do list is getting longer and longer; yes that is panic you can hear.

I struck lucky at the local Doughty's Roadshow first thing, I got the wadding I needed (yay!) and some fun spots and some elephants for luck…

I wasn't sure what to expect, but to say there was more batik and brown than anything else is not a fib!  I was the youngest in the room, bar the Doughety's chaps, by a generous 20 years, and boy can those ladies shop!

What I actually needed to buy today was elusive though; owner Jo and I ransacked the shelves at Eclectic Maker and I came away rather despondent and disheartened, but that's delving into the depths of the lowlights, so moving swiftly on.

This afternoon the Cubs went kayaking, a first for dear son, and he had a fantastic time.  It was good fun to watch too…

So at least one person will be sleeping well tonight!

Right, I need to mull and alter plans and hope I get one of those middle-of-the-night revelations x

Back on the Home Front..

Those who follow me on instagram may have spotted the point in last night's proceedings when we resorted to selfies and silliness…

It was an evening of sublime and ridiculous, seeing some old friends and colleagues, false moustaches and cream teas.  We managed to stay out until about 10.15pm, by then the kids were full of cake and getting restless, and I was happy to swap my heels for flip flops and come home for a cup of tea.

Up bright and early-ish today, I Sizzix cut all my #IGminiswap DP pieces whilst helping dear son with his homework, multi-tasking at its best…

So all set for another week, a relatively normal week at that, but I have a couple of corker weeks coming up, so I am happy to just go with the flow for a bit.

Passing glance...

Today we were back at the library first thing, for the last of the summer reading challengers to receive her medal and bounty, and then we made the most of the morning's nice weather and headed up country to the adventure playground…

Oh how I love that I no longer have to keep both eyes, and the ones in the back of my head, glued to the kids as they go off and play.  This has been the first summer when I have been happy to just locate them every once in a while and know they will be back when they are hungry; which admittedly is about every 5 minutes, but coupled with my wish list of hand-sewing, it's been a blessing.

Today I went from this…

… to this…

Almost done.

I really do need to think about where I am going with these blocks.  I haven't gone with the actual pattern block sizes, so I will have to stop sooner rather than later and then start again, properly.  I am thinking more pillow than cushion or maybe even the most labour-intensive tote bag in the world.  Time will tell.

London Fun!

Today we took a family trip to London.  We spent the morning at the V&A, played with a couple of Glass activity backpacks, had a nice wander about and elevenses in the courtyard…

We then went to Hamley's, never again; even the kids recognise a con when they see one, or a whole shop-full!  A potter around Covent Garden, and ending up in the geek-ville that is Forbidden Planet, before heading home.

A little hexie stitching on the train, but now I am good for nothing, my feet ache and my head needs to hit a pillow soon.

I am trying to block out the fact that I have missed all the fun at FoQs, but I am seriously doubting that my walking and talking stamina would have been up to it!!

Fun with fabric...

Yep, I indulge in that most days; here are some little hand-stitched blocks that are being put aside for my Ode to GTSB…

They need squaring up and stitching together, but that will be part of the fun when I get to trying to decide on a layout.

I also received a speedy parcel from Jessie; ordered yesterday lunchtime, here today!

I am joining the glue-basters, as I am keen to spend as much time actually sewing as I can, and those clamshell templates, well they just fell in my basket in a moment of bravado!!

Today the kids got to play with fabric too, it's only fair!

I chickened out of going the full screen-printing hog with them, so we plumped for decorating calico bags with fabric paint…

There may have been sharing disagreements, and a little upset about going outside the lines, but all in all everyone was happy in the end…

I think they did pretty well; my only role was as brush washer and fabric-presser.

Think of this as a sweetener though, tomorrow they have the dentist to look forward to!

Down On The Farm...

Today the sun came back, and we headed off to Fisher's Farm, courtesy of a Village Day tombola prize…

Smiles all round, and even time for a little Midnight At The Oasis.

Happy holidays xxx

A Little Beach Time...

Today we did the Hobbycraft-Asda thing, then went off to the beach for a picnic lunch, and for the small people at least, an impromptu swim in the sea…

It was noticeable cooler on the coast, so I am guessing there will be requests to head that way again soon, and next time with swimmers and a towel, as this time we were a little unprepared!

After the heat had gone out of the conservatory a little, it was time for some early evening experimenting!

I think these turned out OK for a first solo attempt; I didn't go crazy printing loads on fabric, it would have been easy to, but I restrained.

I didn't say there would be anywhere to eat breakfast though did I!?

Now time for a little appliqué, I am using, not losing those skills!

Shopping Spree...

I have been on a birthday-fuelled shopping spree of late, both online ℅ a Village Haberdashey gift certificate coupled with the sale discount, means lots of lovelies coming my way soon, and today was actual, in-the-shop time, and the shop in question being John Lewis.

I was incredibly restrained, well after the new HD, everything is going to be restrained for a while, but I took advantage of their sale, and came home with this little selection…

Wide home dec cotton/linen @£3.50/m, one meter then please, a little Tula Pink, and a gorgeous sliver of a Hemingway Design print, plus some needles and pins so I don't show myself up at Retreat with my usual collection of bent and random sharps!

And whilst hubby and I avoided the rain at Bluewater, the kids were entertaining the Grands…

Good day all round x

Not staying in...

By 8.15am this morning, we were enjoying the chainsaws, cement mixers and accompanying banter of workmen at the neighbours on both sides!

So we went out, drove to the Country park about 10 miles away; they played, I basted some hexies, we had a picnic, came home, too early, went out again, they rode bikes and played football, and I read magazines in the sun.  A busy outdoor day.

This evening I have been drafting a pattern that 99% works; the 1% is really niggling me!

I am going to go and ponder my problem, and hopefully have something to show you tomorrow other than the kids, again!

A Day At The Museum...

We thought we would make the most of the Inset Day, avoid the Easter Holiday crowds, and go up to town; London Town.

Top of the list was the Science Museum.  We did far from all of it, but with plenty of experimenting and button pushing, everyone was happy...

I even spotted an awesome bag, and a textiles installation which kept my needs in check...

We got the bus, saw a few sights, popped into M&M World, which even the kids thought was a complete rip off after the chocolate scent had worn off; they bought their sweets at WHSmith for half the price!

Another bus taking in a glimpse of Buckingham Palace, Downing Street and Big Ben, and home in time for tea.

It's a school day tomorrow; I have my day off, due to a meeting on Wednesday, so I will get my Sizzix action then.  For now, I am putting my feet up.

See you in April xxx

The kids are dreaming of ice cream and do-nuts!

We just booked our summer holiday, so excuse me if I just sit here grinning and looking forward to lazy, hot, sunny days, whilst I crack on with the binding...

Happy days xxx