Being a Tourist - Update

Tomorrw's the big day for heading back home to Oz.  I've had such a great time, highlights are long chats with mum, playing with my niece and nephews and teasing my sister, walking along the beach with dad and getting to meet up with friends I haven't seen in a long time.  Not looking forward to the flight, but eagerly anticipating the welcome at the airport :)

Being a tourist part 1

First of all I'd like to thank my dad for his help with uploading the photos - it's great to have a tech aid on this side of the world too!

Thought I'd share a few photos of my first couple of days being a tourist, which I must say I'm enjoying enormously :)

Here's a pic of the lovely British summer.  Dark and damp, just how I like it - now you can understand why I find Australian summers a little challenging.  Don't worry about the gravestones, no meaning to it apart from I love looking at old gravestones and it was part of a visit to:

St Pancras Church in Widecombe - yes, of the Uncle Tom Cobley and all fame.  An amazing place, the history just oozing out of the flagstones.  Another obsession of mine, stained glass windows:

And a bit of art - this time from our visit to Castle Drogo.  From the pics I've seen before of the granite exterior it seemed to me to be an austere place with no atmosphere.  How wrong could I be!?  It's incredibly homely and feels as if it's been filled with love as a family home, and I must admit to loving the absence of modern technology.  I have a hard time reconciling my love for all things old fashioned and my love for modern gadgets such as my iphone, kindle, etc, but hey I'll learn to live with it :)

Oops where was I going with the arty bit?  Oh yes, look at these beautiful tiles!  I was attracted by the patterns, then saw the little picture tiles in the corners and was smitten.  I'll have to post another photo with more detail in the future, for now this is all you get whilst I'm technologically challenged ...

My day was truly made when this little fella came up and posed for a photo for me.  Isn't he absolutely gorgeous?  My most favourite bird in the whole world is the robin, and I'd already taken quite a few photos of him in less exciting poses to make sure I did get a photo of some sort, when he perched right in front of me, tilted his head and seemed to be saying, 'this is my best side'.  Just divine.  It will be printed out and framed when I get home ...

So far, having a fabulous time really enjoying my time in my home country.  What's been your favourite moment of this week?

AWOL in the UK

Hello - back again!  This time broadcasting from the UK!!  I'm here visiting my dad who is having a very special birthday this week - I also realize I have no excuse not to blog as I'm not working and my biggest fan is in the same house and will not accept any excuses for not writing!  Once I get over my technical issues with not being able to upload photos at present (dad I need you for that too!) I'll be able to post pics of the British summer :). So watch this space ...

MIA

Hey everyone - feel like coming out of my cave for a while to say hi!  I know I've been away for a while, it's been hectic and I haven't been coping!  Sometimes I wonder why on earth I thought I could be a mum and have a job.  Hats off to those women who can do it - you're amazing!

Some other pretty heavy stuff has been happening, and my little black cloud of depression did try and settle over my head for a wee while, but I think I've managed to keep it at bay, and I do have a list of delightful things I want to share with you, I just didn't have the energy there for a while.

So I hope you've all been crafting or creating away, finding inspiration through your days.

How's life with you?

xxxxx

THE dress ...

This dress nearly broke me!  I finished it half an hour before HB had to leave for her big night.  But she trusted me to get it finished for her as I'd told her I would have it finished on time.  Bless her.  I even had her big brother involved, trimming off all the little frayed threads of chiffon hanging down below the hem.   It's taken me this long since the last post to be able to write about it!

For those who like to know such things, this dress deserves it's plus difficile/advanced rating, as it is a challenge - but what a feeling of achievement.  It's a Vogue pattern, number V2880.

It did look gorgeous when finished though.

Side ribbon detail

But even better than perfect when worn by my gorgeous girl ...

HB has said she wants me to make her wedding dress one day - it's not going to be chiffon and satin - simply gorgeous polycotton :)

Where is everybody?

Hi!  Just an update to say I haven't gone away - my life has just got a lot of demands at the moment and I'm letting a few things slip, not intentionally being slack, just trying to retain a teeny tiny bit of sanity :)  It's the time of year for the high school ball, and I've been knee deep in ruffles and chiffon for the past few daysas I produce an evening dress for my lovely girl.  Although I'm very excited for HB I will be mighty pleased when Friday evening is over.  And then I have orders for knitted gloves to fill ... placed by Little Man and friends as they freeze on the cross country course, poor little mites.  I still can't get my head around roasting hot summers and cold, cold winters.  Weird ;)

Work is going well, but it's a huge learning curve as I learn how to juggle home, kids, hubby and work and get to spend quality time with my family.  If any of you have any tips, I'd love to hear them!

Will show you some of the progress I'm making with the dress and the finished article by Friday.

Love to all xxx

Create it with Lego!

Forget about Cluedo.  Forget about Monopoly.  If you want creativity and a good time when you play a game with your little ones, this is the game to play!  Create-It by Lego.  So much fun should not be possible when playing board games!   I've been so busy with my new jpb, everyone has lost out on quality time with me, so when Little Man asked if he could possibly monopolize some of my time for a quick game I couldn't say no.  

And it was just so lovely.  Just him and I.  We played 2 rounds.  He won.  Both times.

Then we souped up our creations and had a fab time making car and boat and helicopter noises whilst driving our creations around the dog (and our dog around the bend) and the front room.  Awesome!  What a great way to start the day :)