{quilt} while you're ahead

quick update

Do you remember I said May would be the month to finally finish some UFOs?

Well, the big crochet blanket is almost there...

Just a couple of miles more of picot edging and than it's done!

Then there is this log cabin/green fever cushion...

It needs a back and probably some sort of embroidery on the linen strips.

And then there is the lace knitting jumper/vest 'thang'.  Oh my oh my did that give me grief or what!!  BUT I'm happy to say I've cracked that baby and it's coming along.  Slowly, but nicely.

There is also my brother's quilt... but I'm under strict instructions of NOT showing it till he receive it.  The back and front are done and it WILL be finished this week.

And then I'll be freeeeeeeeeeeee to start at least another 4 projects, I do believe that the number of UFOs must remain constant in order to maintain the world in balance... what do you think?

... of course I remembered...

No 2:  Mum... MUMMMMM... tomorrow is Maria's birthday.  I can't see her present anywhere.  Did you forget?

Me: OF COURSE I REMEMBERED!!! SILLY!!! Now you go and play and leave mummy alone for 10 minutes.  I have to do something...

Phew.

Does that sound familiar?

Have a lovely weekend.

Pink does it.

Yesterday we finally took delivery of the new bed for the guest bedroom.  I'm very excited about this room.  Much more than my own one and I've threatened my husband to move us across the hall.  He doesn't agree.

Why?

That's why.  Pink.  A lot of it.

But don't you think it looks lovely next to the white metal bed?

And as a backdrop to my grandma's bedside table?

Right, my thoughts exactly: gorgeous.

PS In a household full of boys/testosterone fuelled decor/footballs/toy cars one grabs whatever pink one can get... even if it's only in the spare room!  (you should have seen my dad's face - a retired army general - when he realised he had to sleep in there!!! Priceless.  He was a good sport though.)

pots... of thank yous

I don't know about you, but for me the first few days back after a holiday are always a blur of washing and cleaning and 're-claiming' my house.  Crafting takes second place, and then it's quite a 'struggle' to get back into the flow of things - thank God school starts tomorrow!!

Adding to that is my commitment to FINISH a few projects this month before BEGINNING some more.  But more of that later.

So what does one do to get oneself started?  Something totally irrelevant and unnecessary... right?

Pots aside, I have a huge thank you to say to Ali.  Just before I left for Dorset this lovely parcel arrived at my door.  So unexpected and so appreciated!!

During our last meeting we had talked about my inability to find certain items... and voila', as if by magic they appeared...

... but then again friendship is a kind of magic.

back home #2

Artists can color the sky red because they know it's blue (J Lubbock)

I can only take pictures of what I see.

back home #1

We're back.  (I love how the pebbles shine when kissed by the sea)

And what a great time we've had. 

For all of us it was the first time in that part of the country  - Dorset - and we're already talking about going back.  We stayed in an old coastguard cottage right on the coast.   (this photo was taken by No 1.  That's my boy!)

We had a huge beach on our doorstep.

We ate crab sandwiches.

And tried to fish the sun out of rock pools. 

We built crooked sandcastles.

And dug holes in the mud with shiny new spades.

But most of all we enjoyed being together.  As a family.  We laughed and talked and hugged a lot.

A perfect holiday.

see you in a week's time

We're off for a week on the Jurassic Coast... be good whilst I'm gone!

topgun bed mask

Mr M often sits up in bed reading his newspaper when I want to sleep and I got very fed up with the brain squeezing black out masks that you get free on airplanes.  (Is it just me? do I have a particularly large head?)

So last night - the football was on and my company was not required - I got out my Amy Butler 'Stitches' and got to work.

The results are hilarious, the mask works very well, but the shape... well now I know why they took a 'trendy' photo of it!! 

It looks like a 'vintage' (lets be kind) pair of Rayban sunglasses... you know the ones, don't try to pretend you're too young to remember them...

I don't know if Tom Cruise would have approved of the softness and colours of the Liberty fabric  though!

addendum

I've got two memory cards for my camera.  A very small one I normally use everyday and a big one for the holidays/family/time away.  That's the idea anyway.

The problem is that by switching from one to the other I sometimes forget about certain photos I took... soooo to rectify a huge act of absentmindness...

check these out:

They were all given to me by Kisskus when we met in Oxford before Easter.  It was GREAT fun to meet her,  she's as lovely and friendly and fun as her blog suggests.  Thanks for the lovely day!!

uncluttered tea...

I've been living in England long enough to learn to appreciate a nice cup of tea.  I prefer English Breakfast tea in the morning, a nice cup of strong Assam on a cold afternoon or a light Darjeeling if it's sunny and bright.    No sugar.  White.  Strong.

One things led to another - as usual - and I've come to the conclusion that tea tastes better if drunk out of a nice mug.  Hand thrown if possible.  And hand decorated. 

At the moment this is my favourite

A simple design for a simple moment of peace in what it's normally a very hectic day.  It's been designed by Rachel Barker and the whole range of items is simply divine  (that teapot... and that big jug...).   I love it when designers do amazing things with just a few lines.  So uncluttered.  Infact the whole 'tea thing' is a very uncluttered time for me.  And then back to the mayhem that is looking after three young children.

A beautiful mug deserves a coaster of its own.

Unbleached linen, the same charcoal lines.

And a little bit of Italian thrown in for fun.

A perfect fit.