flu.....

......yeugh!

But luckily there were a few frosty shots

from the garden to look at.

P x



In bloom today...

or yesterday, actually:

and I'm enjoying looking at them all.

It is very unseasonal, I realise, but they really are so sweet

on a sunny day like this.

And sometimes you just need to take pleasure

in what's right in front of you, right here

and now.  Maybe that should be my

theme for this year; not to keep looking

for other stuff, see what's out there now.

P x

Sorting through seeds

As it feels so very Spring-like just now, it

means I'm all but ready to start sowing seeds.

First step was looking through

such gorgeous glossy magazine-type catalogues;

next was to search through the stash (no - it isn't just

fabric that ends up in a stash) and then

to make a list of what else to buy.

One particular flower that I have never

ever had success with is Cleome:

but I will try again this year.  I know it is very early,

but any success in actually germinating it

has always been offset by the fact that it fails

to flower.

So perhaps giving it the longest possible window

of opportunity may help.

And all of the geraniums in my window boxes

are still flowering - and look gorgeous!

P x

(ps - click onto the image of the Cleome for
an article by Sarah Raven with growing
instructions.)

A beautiful New Year

This time of year is very special - I truly

love it.  The anticipation of what is to come - some

I know, others to be a surprise.

The workroom is in very good shape

with a place for everything, and everything

in its place.  Well, just about. Clearing out before

Christmas worked very well, leaving just the tidying

to keep on top of after.

I have managed to do some sewing and already

sent out a couple of orders.

The feeling of being organised is being

treasured just now; who knows when it will

float away again?

But there's something missing - a new

calendar.  Well, actually,

I do have a calendar which came free

with a magazine, and many years

that has served me well enough.

But this year I would like a special one,

with hand drawn illustrations; one to

inspire and delight each day as I sit

in the workroom.

I've looked through Folksy, but none

seem right.

Etsy has hundreds and I'm trawling my

way through them.

I'm determined to have one before the end of January.

I hope everyone else is looking forward to this wonderful New Year too.

P xx

Some pretty grey for a change

The first lot of new fabrics have arrived - a much

nicer shade of grey than the one

outside just now.

If only this head cold hadn't decided to settle in for

the holidays; would have been good to

make a start on some new purses.

P xx

Going on a fabric hunt

It has been so lovely to send off

so many packages before Christmas

(and fingers are crossed for

them all to get to their destinations

in plenty of time!) but now

comes more of the fun part of

sewing.

Choosing fabrics.

The blue coreopsis above is new in

at M is for Make along with

so many others.

I'm going to have such a good time

looking through them all - and

buying some too!

Have a great run up to Christmas - I

may not get the chance to post again

 before the day - and don't

forget to enjoy every second  with

your families and friends.

P xx

Make with me

It's that great time of year - so many people want

to make something for Christmas, be it baking, sewing,

papercrafts, whatever!

Whatever you're interested in, maybe you should take a

look here

So many great ideas - definitely going to try a few

for myself.

There is also the chance to send some free e-cards,

so please take a little look!

P x