Introducing.....

I think I'm going to call her Anna-Belle! Isn't she sweet?! I have to tell you - I have been trying for a good three days to meet Anna-Belle, but have had real trouble finding her! Making a doll is a bit like that, it's a very delicate process and each little thing you do changes their character completely. It took me quite a while to get her hair right, but I think the addition of her crochet flower really finishes the look off. She's going to hang around here for a few days, looking pretty until her trip to the Park


I have been busying away in my studio every minute available (which are not as many as I would like, as ever), making things for the Fete in the Park this Saturday. It's been a couple of years since I last set out my stall at this brilliant event, but I'm taking the plunge again, so I hope to see you there. It's a lovely day out, with loads to do and see for the children and I am sure the sun is going to shine on every picnic.



My good friend and fellow mum to 5, Jo is going to be there too and between us we are going to be grabbing every passer by and telling them about our fledgling project, "Make Space". We are hoping to start creative workshops for anyone and everyone who wants to have a go and have some fun. We're really hoping to do a bit of friendly questioning on what sort of thing people would like to have a go at - so if you're around and you like the sound of the idea, come and let us know what you've been longing to learn! We will be doing a bit of simple crochet at my stall too, so come and have a go.

Of course, I will be selling my makes too, including Anna-Belle, and perhaps a few of her little friends too - if there's time! Come and see us!

Back to my artistic roots

I have been thinking lately about how I would love to take on some commissions again. Since having the last three of my children (!!), I have done less and less art for people and I miss it. I have been looking through some of the photos of past work, and realising how few photos I used to take before handing over the finished piece! It was the days before digital really took off and we all started taking photos of everything we do, (hands up who else feels old?!).
There is a link over on the right to take you to have a peek at my previous work too - and by all means, if you feel like commissioning me, just email me. I am planning to get a bit of a price list together, to give you a rough idea, but if you have a budget you want me to work to, that's fine too.
Hop on over to that page if you want to read about the way I work.

Things that make me buzzzz

Today has been a good day, despite feeling camping tired; the sort of tired you feel after you come back from a camping holiday and you ache for your own bed!

My husband has insisted that I retire to bed for the evening, so here I am blogging, to tell you about a few of the things that get me buzzing - and maybe with a little sleep I'll be back to that energetic state tomorrow!

Buzzing is getting together with friends and talking about an idea that excites us all - chatting about crafting and planning how we can squeeze more opportunities into life to be creative and spread the love of making.

Buzzing is finding a magazine that completely scratches every creative itch - as if it were written JUST FOR ME - but finding other people who love it too and realising I'm not the only one!

The smell of Jasmine in the evening and the buzz of the bumble bees as they bob around it. Trying to take a picture to show you was tricky - they are far from bumbling actually, and really quite nippy! But here's the best - ah, if only you could smell it too!



Speaking of which - buzzing is, picking the first sweet peas of the year and having a little pot in my bedroom. Such JOY! Dad used to pick the first sweet pea of the year for mum - he was romantic like that, and he loved sweet peas, so I love having them too. Our little garden doesn't provide much space for these lovely picking flowers (or many others sadly), but this year I found a little space at the back of the herb border. I may not get many, but I'll enjoy every single one! My lovely husband also bought me a rose this week to replace the one that died. we bought the first one to remember dad by - he loved to pick a bunch of roses for me. It's now tucked up in it's own little bed, ready to burst into bloom and fill my house with scent and colour.



Lastly, buzzing because I actually managed to finish my entry for Country Living Magazine's Kitchen Table Talent competition and send it off, tied up in bright orange lace, in good time. It felt a bit like I was back at school finishing off coursework! I so enjoyed it and I've learned so much about myself through doing it. Fingers crossed!

Well , I'm off to sleep before Hubby gets home and tells me off for being up! Goodnight! XX

Mad May round up!

May is almost over and the amazing but exhausting rin of parties and projects is over (as much as it ever is!).
So I thought I'd give you a quick round up of everything I've done the last month, while I pause and take a breath before June commences and the summer projects really begin!

Ribbons for the children to play with at the wedding

"Blessing tree" - each guest could take home a leaf with a blessing and a rose brooch attached....in return for....
Writing their own blessing for the happy couple on a leaf and returning it to the tree.
The red carpet aisle leading to the marquee.
The banners inscribed with Bible verses about growth and creation.
The beautiful setting at the foot of the South Downs.


The cake, topper by little dolls dressed as the couple were. The bride is a gardener, hence the horticultural theme!





Paper pom poms - decor theme throughout the venue. These ones were for the ceiling of the hall.

And then, the next week, Ben's birthday and another cake. He's really into friendly monsters at the moment!

The party bag contents...
Little monster key rings for each guest.

I wonder what June will bring!

Party! Party! Party!

May is the month of parties! I am right in the middle of the hectic month I knew was on its way. We've just had E's 5th birthday party, which saw the house full of bout 15 of his little friends. I love doing parties, but they are exhausting! It's nice that they get a day that is just for them when you have five - it so rarely happens! So, birthdays in this house are about them being able to express their personality. E chose and Octonauts cake, which is the hit TV programme of the moment - lots of adventure and action. I was pleased with the final result - and so was E!





Now I sit here writing this at 10.10pm with a cake in the oven - the first of 3 that need to be baked and iced, ready for the wedding this weekend. I went to buy all the icing etc today and I am looking forward to doing it, I just wish I could shake the headache I've had all day. What I really need is a bath and an early night - but the cake needs another 30 minutes! Nevermind - it's a little window of blogging time.



I'm looking forward to posting photos of all the wedding decor and creativity - there's nothing quite like being involved in a wedding.




Then, when that's done, it's time to get on with B's party the following week. Then in June I may just have some sleep!

Wisteria Cottage

A little place I'd like to visit again, when I get the time.......

and the shop next door needs stocking up.....

so many projects, not enough time!

I wonder how often I think this! At the moment it seems that I have about 5 major projects on the go and they seem to all fill my mind at the same time! I have been trying to be organised and methodical, using my hubby's brilliant hints, but even so I feel a bit befuddled and never quite up to the task. I wonder if many other mums feel like this? I'm sure most of us do! I guess it's because we are so constantly interrupted, if not by the little person in person, by their presence in our thoughts.....when to exchange the birthday present, buy C some new sandals, nurturing N's gentle side with his younger brother, looking up drawing and writing competitions that they might like to enter.......Maybe it's no wonder my mind finds it difficult to order the things I am "meant to be thinking about"! As I speak R is rifling through the folder for the garden project he has just knocked off the table! Ah, well, he's happy and I can sort it later!

I must remember to enjoy the small moments of achievement I have.

And also the little, beautiful things of life - like these flowers my mum brought me from her garden. The peonies are one of my favourite flowers. They are so wonderfully frilly and girly and most of all, they remind me of my dad, who used to grow huge bushes of them round the garden and delight in picking me one. Aren't the colours just gorgeous?



This is a sneaky peek at one of the projects - banners for an open air wedding coming up at the end of May. What do you think? They are going to have lots of tiny bells sewn in so that they "jingle" in the breeze.