tie one on - mini me

i had every intention of making sturdy, practical aprons, aprons that we would actually use, you know, the kind that wash and wear with ease...then i saw kath's wonderful japanese apron links and i just couldn't help myself, i had to try out a sack style apron...


they are calico with frayed edge ties that cross over at the back...


and because it's oh so nearly spring, flowers on the front...


i am feeling much more at ease with the sewing machine, we are getting to know one another quite well and are becoming friends...i especially enjoyed playing around with the machine applique on the flowers!

not quite as practical and sturdy as i had hoped, but there's always next month...special thanks to kath for the great links, scooter girl for modelling and to little moo for trying to stay still for me to take her picture, this was as good as it got...

winter's passage...

and we dance,

a slow shuffle
to a french melody,
tiny hands,
swirling skirts,

i want,
to hold this moment
always...

this post is brought to you by the letter...

i love alphabet letters, and just i couldn't resist this one...
i'm going to paint it red!

i found it yesterday when i was out shopping with my lovely sister...
it really has been a great weekend, stamp boy and i even went out for dinner to a proper restaurant last night, i almost feel like a grown-up again...

this week...

i am enjoying this wonderful book...


receiving a lovely surprise package in the mail from my friend miss j...


with these oh so sweet vintage buttons inside...


and i am finally making a start on a long planned (procrastinated about) project to go with the wendy house...


hopefully it won't take me forever, and i'll be able to show you what it is...

an old favourite...

have been in a bit of a crafting slump this last week, the spare room bed is littered with half cut aprons, half finished sock monkeys and a towering pile of ironing...
i did however find time to dig up a box of old gems,
i loved this book when i was a little girl...


this series was first published in 1928, "told and drawn" by Joyce Lankester Brisley...i loved the drawings, the maps of the village, mmm's stripey pinafore and reading all about her adventures with billy blunt and little friend susan, stories from a lifetime ago...


looking back the thing that appeals most about it now is the red colouring on the black and white drawings...


my auntie darling has been collecting these for me from flea markets over the years so i have a lovely collection of different editions, and it seems they are also still available here...


so i'm off blackberrying this afternoon!

oh and there were fairies in the bottom of our garden too...

this week's mail...

a birthday present which will hopefully arrive on time...hip hip hooray!

an observation...

sometimes i see
in a cafe
or a gallery of art,

genteel old ladies...

impeccably dressed,
noses powdered,
lipstick artfully applied,
ever so slightly delightfully eccentric,

there was a time when i wouldn't dream of going out without my lipstick on...

heartfelt thanks...

i just wanted to thank you all for taking time to write such nice words about my pink lemonade apron, i do so appreciate it...you really are a lovely bunch!

my first swap...

i was so excited to receive this lovely array of goodies late last week from fran at wish thimble, it included one of her so so lovely knitting nancy brooches with a french bluebird button, gorgeous fabric and paper and shrinky dink pins and a darling handky!
needless to say i am just delighted with my first ever swap parcel, thanks fran...

for some reason i don't seem to be able to post photos today, i was going to show you a new pin cushion, and also the parcel of oh so lovely goodies i received from fran...but alas it is not to be so i will finish here by saying thank you all for your kind comments, it means a lot...
have a wonderful weekend!

the wendy house...

this is little moo's amazing wendy house, a gift for her first birthday from auntie nan who made it with some help from scooter girl,
this is the front door...


each wall has a window with flowers and creatures...




here she is checking out the new pad!


we are very lucky indeed!

this week's mail...

a brown paper package tied up with string, is on it's way to fran...