A wonderful weekend.

I have just had the most wonderful weekend! It was extremely busy and I am so tired now but I had the best time. As if this was not enough in its own right I went to the knitting and stitching show at Olympia. It was a shopping fest but we also got to meet some of the best sewing stars. Tilly and the Buttons had a stall helping was Lauren Guthrie, who was just lovely, petite bubbly and so happy to chat. Next we saw Frances Tobin of The Makers Ateliers, her simple items were made in such beautiful fabric and her ultimate pencil skirt in all sequins was beautiful. But the best by far was Lisa Comfort from Sew over it, she was awesome! In fact I got rather star struck and felt to embarrassed to take a photo (gosh i am so British at times!). What can I say about this lovely lovely lady, she spent time going through her patterns, she had time to talk about the blog and even thanked us for following. We couldn't help but buy three patterns between us. I have to say seeing the patterns made up, I was really impressed, I think they are now my favorite.

Of course we used the opportunity to buy many supplies as  every stall was such good value. My favorite buy is the sew over it shirt dress and the fabric to go with it. Secondly, I am feeling knitting inspired and have pattern and yarn to get going. 

As if this was not enough we spent the evening with the best view in London, and my sister Katy joined in the fun. The Portrait gallery, sadly the Vogue exhibition was fully booked and to be honest we wanted to put our feet up. It was so amazing! The service was outstanding, as was the food. The view was great and we got to watch the sun go down.

As it was also mothers day and I was away from home spoiling my own mummy I was kindly treated by my daddy who took us to a fabulous fish restaurant from breakfast in Royal Tonbridge wells (luckily just around the corner from my parents house)

It has been great, and even though I took a day off work to recover I still feel like so tired. I think driving for four hours to get home after late nights and busy day may have something to do with it. With a few good night sleeps I will be ready to start making, and I have enough to keep going for at least a year! 

Any exciting things happening over mothers day?

A Little Love

A short but sweet post on the testament of love, and a love of making. I made Mr PB a felted heart display, hand crafted with love in time that gives space for dreams and moments of gratitude for our little life. 

I also took the opportunity to practice a new skill of paper cutting. This is my first attempt at something so intricate, I love the design and I'm tempted to try it again and maybe frame it.

Valentines day gave me time to try new things and remembering that hand made presents are really something special.

The rhythm of the family

I totally feel in love with this book, I'm sure the changing of seasons made me enjoy it just that little bit more. There is so much to enjoy, a families journey through the year, both mother and father write an essay for each month, followed by something to make , something to do. A real celebration of a family living by their own ethos, being close to nature. There is plenty of criticism for the oh so simple and idyllic lifestyle of which many felt un attainable, but personally I am a mum who likes to harvest, gather make and do. Granted not always to the ability I aspire but that means there is always a next time. I feel this is a book to be celebrated and refer back to time and time again, which I intend to do so.

I've been busy

I am a girl with good intentions, I planned to take part in the Indie pattern of June challenge, and well I didn't make June. I did get my lovely dress finished by the end of July but as you will see the summer months have taken over and I haven't had time to show you all.

What I have I been doing, well enjoying the summer here is a quick peek in photos

 

We have had a real summer of sun, lots of family get together, days out,gardening. And it's not finished yet I hope. As for the that bit of dressmaking, all I can say is that it's one of my best makes so far and I'm looking forward to sharing more about it. Any guess, it's the Colette truffle dress, post coming soon.

What I was going to say was....

What I was going to say two weeks ago was, no time for sewing the sun is out and we are a family of mini adventures this year! But of course time has gone by and another weekend of no sewing and now the sun has gone in ans I even managed a short hour of sewing time this week. BUT I did want to share my adventure.

So lucky me managed a long weekend over the hottest days of the year so far. We planned a great camping trip, just a one night but still great to get away from it all. We drove to Totnes in Devon to get to market day, which I know you wold love, it's a mixture of hand made, thrift home cook or reared. We got many supplies here!
We also stumbled upon a lovely community garden, it was so beautiful and climbing area made from a fallen tree, meadow like with paths cut. Although it was new it had wonderful tall trees for shade, it was real inspiration.

We then made the short journey past Kingsbridge to Old Cotmore Farm. This is a lovely little site with only a few camping spots. Ive been here over a decade ago when they used to have a extra camping field which was a little more wild, this was unavailable at this time. All the same great toilets, showers, freezer for ice blocks. To be honest it was rather pristine for use it felt like we were camping in someones back garden!

Being so close to the coast we made an evening visit to Beesands, where there isn't any sand! I love this long long coast line that can be ever so bleak and it was here that I decided that I would move to Devon. On this visit the sun was shiny and the old fish shop has gone more up market, selling great fish and chips.

So onwards we went to a stunning cove called Lannercombe bay. With only parking for half a dozen cars and miles down a tine dirt track you don't get too much in the way of over crowding. All I can say is it wonderful!

The mini adventure didn't stop there. Although we returned home on the Sunday we went to the Respect festival in Exeter. An amazing multi cultural festival of music, food, and good times. As a part of this the Yoga community came together to practise 108 sun salutations. I took part managing only half which even then took over an hour! It was a lovely experience.

And yes Arthur who has now reached 4, also had a great time!

 I hope you all have been enjoying life along with the joys of crafts and dressmaking. I'm slowly plodding on with my maxi dress hopefully have something to show you soon.

What A Week

And I really mean, what a week! The first half had been intensive preparing for an interview. AS some of you will know, I enjoy my job as a physio technical instructor but I work to many hours and find the home life work life balance difficult. To cut to the chase I have bagged myself a new job, more or less the same. A generic therapist working physio and occupational therapy duties in the haematology ward of our main hospital in Exeter, I can not tell you how pleased I am and what a great opportunity this is for work and home, so lets hope the next month moves along and I get to start.

With all the excitement I ended up with a tummy bug and a few days in bed! This changes the plans for a bank holiday but has enabled me to really enjoy the home, and things that I like to do, so to the main point : My allotment!

MrPB helped dig over the beds, and we have six small beds with runner beans, french beans, shallots, potato, mixed carrot and parsnip and cabbage hearts. Well it's in and we will keep our fingers crossed.

My biggest joy has been the humble shallot, I think  it is because is it has survived all weather and looks lush and healthy.

So that was the tidy half, this is the more caotic side yet to be mastered to my vision!!

We have been so lucky inheriting a asparagus bed, that I have often had this for breakfast, I feel like a queen.

As you know all the other jobs don't go away, but I have been thrilled that some of the garden has started to look after itself. A great example of this is Arthur's willow den, started lasted year and just looking amazing.

Yes the garden is still for veggies to and my favourite space saving beds are old tyres, they really are amazing. This year we have rhubarb, runner beans, nasturtiums, tomato and sweet peas no less.

So alot happening in the veggies garden and life. But just so you know I'm not down hearted after my jersey disaster I already have a summer dress on the table. Here is a sneak preview, and yes my first fully lined dress.

I hope you all had a good weekend. x