Trying to make sense of it all..

The tragic events that took place in Paris on Friday have left me struggling to make sense of it all.

Friday evening began so happily. After a busy week, we were sitting watching Children In Need on the BBC - an annual telethon that takes place to raise money for this wonderful charity. Celebrities give their time to entertain us with sketches, songs and comedy, in return we donate generously, very generously. It's an emotional evening, there is usually much sniffing and sobbing in between the laughter, as films are shown of families who have encountered the most heart rending difficulties. 

As the programme went to a break, the BBC started reporting on events unfolding in Paris. Phones rang, had we seen the news? We sat in silence, the wind knocked out of us. As the evening wore on, the scale of the tragedy was becoming apparent. 

As French president François Hollande prepared to address the congress of the National Assembly and the senate today at Versailles, I was reminded of the happy day we spent there a couple of weeks ago. Some of our happiest times have been spent in France and my heart breaks for them. We are all of us in this together.

Paris, we stand with you x

We Stand Together...

This week..

A little round up of my world this week

My childhood teddy - rather the worse for wear and much in need of a little restoration but still much loved and hugged.

A sweet doll I'm making from The Liberty Book. Her hair needs a little work!

New chair in my workroom! So comfy - love it! 

The crocheted blanket slowly grows!

A sign I saw while out shopping this week - why are there soooo many single socks out there? Literally unbelievable..

A snuggly Saturday last week.

Archie in his new bed. He absolutely loves it! Monty has the same bed. Much snoozing has been happening here.

 Photos from our trip to Normandy. Happy days. 

Also this week I discovered Whole Foods Market. If you live in the US then you're probably very familiar with the chain but in the UK we only have a handful of stores. I went to the Cheltenham store while visiting our sons who live there. Oh my word - bliss.

I have also added this to my Christmas wish list

So it's a colouring book. It's full of Liberty designs. Obviously want. 

I also watched The Dresser this week on BBC iPlayer starring Ian McKellen and Anthony Hopkins. Emily Watson, Sarah Lancashire and Edward Fox are utterly brilliant. Two hours of bliss. Watch it if you can. You won't be disappointed.

It's Archie's birthday tomorrow! He's such a gorgeous little thing and we love him to bits. He is such very good friends with our darling Monty who spends so much time playing now.

It's a little bittersweet as it's also the day we lost our beautiful Charlie Cat.

 Here's a photo of Charlie on the right snuggled up with his brother Oscar. These gentle and loving boys were rescued from an 'establishment' that bred cats for experimentation. We got them when they were 2 years old and they had never been out of a cage. They discovered grass, birds, freedom, love and were an utter joy. They were great friends with Monty all snuggling up together. Oscar crept into Archie's basket the very day we got him at only 7 weeks. Charlie even appeared on Blue Peter! We lost Oscar earlier this year and our hearts still ache for them. Charlie lived to the age of seventeen and Oscar eighteen. We were so privileged to share their lives and we miss them every day. 

When we picked Archie up as a puppy and were given all of his paperwork, we saw that he was born on the very day we lost our lovely Charlie. 

So tomorrow will be a day of celebration - of Archie's birthday and Charlie's life. 

Happy weekend wherever you are xx

A busy week

Getting ready for Christmas today - sewing, sewing, sewing!

I've made some cute cases for Kindles and glasses, some gorgeous smelling lavender bags and a few key rings. Tomorrow is bunting day. Phew! 

Christmas trees....

Robins....

..and some wordy cases...

I'll get them into my Etsy store as soon as I can photograph them properly - it's been a mild but fairly overcast day. 

How are your Christmas preparations going?

A cosy weekend

Somehow a rainy weekend seems to invite you to sit down and relax. 

There are so many jobs that need doing outside in the garden, including a large buddleia that needs cutting back as it's blocking the light from coming in our cottage window. Is it too late to cut back a buddleia bush? I don't know. 

Anyhow, when it's lashing down outside, things are different...  and boy did we get a drenching while out dog walking on Saturday morning. Plan: 'Let's go out quick now, while it's stopped raining'. Reality - the heavens opened at the farthest extent of our walk. Two drenched humans and two sopping wet, unbelievably muddy and not very impressed labradors returning home. Queue washing and towelling dry two reluctant hounds and then both of them steadfastly refusing to move from in front of the fire. I digress....

When it's raining and blowing a gale, then obviously there's not much to be done outside. I'm briefly overlooking here, the multitude of jobs that could be accomplished inside and that are indeed on my list - I'm a list person. 

So, obviously there's nothing for it but to spend a wonderful afternoon and evening crocheting and embroidering numbers onto an advent calendar I'm making. 

Bliss..... zzzzzzz

Also, note magazines needing to be read. Essential. 

A quick trip to Normandy

We've just returned from a late break with our boys (actually grown up sons, but still always my boys) to Normandy. I love Normandy. We had a wonderful time together, relaxing, enjoying the unexpected autumn sunshine and wonderful markets. 

The evening meal on Saturday kind of sorted itself out - we bought beautiful skate wings, fresh parsley, and a wonderful selection of vegetables. 

All sold with a smile and calls of 'Bon weekend!'

We had a wonderful trip to Versailles where we were met with a surprisingly long queue. We later found out that it was free entry for the day - every first Sunday of the month from November to February - result.  I couldn't really think of a better place to have to queue! 

Bon weekend!

My creative influences..

I have sewn, knitted, embroidered and crocheted since I was a probably about 7 years old. I don't know where the passion to create came from - I remember wearing wonderful cardigans and jumpers knitted by my Mother - but otherwise, there were no influences close to home. I was never particularly good at any of them being largely self taught but somehow I muddled on.

Janice - a  dear childhood friend of mine whose Mother was at the time a very talented seamstress took me under her wing when I was around sixteen and we spent many a happy weekend sewing. Janice would spend perhaps a couple of weeks perfecting something she'd made - I always remember her wearing a beautiful jacket to school that she had sewn herself. She was also an expert knitter and went on to study at Saint Martins School of Art (or Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design as it is now known). She gradually built up a wonderful, unique wardrobe - where are you Janice? 

I, on the other hand was impatient to wear anything I'd sewn. I can remember going out with a safety pin at the waistband, so desperate was I to wear my newest creation. Finishing seams carefully wasn't really on my radar. What a difference now, when I might spend an age on finishing touches. 

Sewing classes at school were blissful. I can remember sewing a nightdress in a beautiful lavender cotton with a ditsy flower design. A gathered yolk and hand sewn hems - I was so very proud of that nightdress. 

Crocheting was taught to me one Sunday afternoon by a favourite aunt. She used to crochet very delicate, intricate pieces. I went on to crochet bags, waistcoats and blankets, often in quite gaudy colour combinations! 

Knitting teeny weeny cardigans for my three gorgeous baby boys was a pleasure that was so strong I can taste it. I can see myself now sitting happily knitting, too heavily pregnant to do uch else!

However, although I spend a large chunk of my time now sewing and embroidering, knitting and crochet have largely taken a back seat. Most evenings over the last couple of years see me embroidering, while any spare time of a weekend is usually spent sewing yummy blouses and beautiful underwear - a new skill that I'm still a long way to perfecting. There's a whole new world out there of lace, elastic and fastenings that has sucked up waaaay too much of my time. 

Recently however, I have picked up my knit sticks and crochet hooks again and I'm loving it. I can spend hours on Ravelry, have found a whole host of new knitting and crochet blogs and wool shops have become my new favourite place. 

A blanket for a special someone has been gradually growing. Using a pattern from Attic 24, I have been crocheting my heart out. The crocheting came with me last week on our trip to France where I picked up some more delicious wool.