I'm Trying, I really am!

I'm trying to be a better blogger and post more often, but it isn't working very well is it, anyway... sorry... I'll be back with something more interesting soon!

Autumn...mmmmm.....

I'm surprised by how chilly the days are getting, there is a nip in the air and the leaves are changing, heralding in one of my favourite seasons... Autumn of course. I feel a trip to Speke Hall coming on, to walk around the grounds (is it Orchard and Apple day soon?... must check!) watch the Aeroplanes take off and blow away the cobwebs. I can't wait to dig out my wooly scarves and hats and leather gloves, I adore leather gloves, I'm on the lookout for a green pair to add to the grey, red and brown ones... I might even have to get another handbag to match.....It'd be rude not to, wouldn't it...That'd be a brilliant mission for Steve the Roman who is off to the states again not so far into the future.... mmmm....!

I also think it is time to start another quilty project. Having just finished a quilted playmat for a colleague's Granddaughter (I didn't want to start anything before I'd finished that otherwise she'd have been 10 by the time I'd done it!) oh and here it is!

I'm going to start on one for me, in greens. I've been collecting for a while but I'm going to have fun looking for some more! I'm going to go for hexagons too, so please think of me whilst I'm cutting out all the papers!

I'm also looking forward to going to Glasgow next month for the country living fair with my lovely friend Jo who is going to have to put up with me for a weekend. I don't think her and her lovely husband Gareth know what they have let themselves in for! Any other bloggers going?

Well I'm off to get a cup of tea. See you soon!

October... already!

I’m not one for “conventional” shopping but by chance I briefly found myself in Liverpool ONE this weekend just gone, and I stumbled upon (or should that be into) Zara Home. I was taken aback by the lovely things why I had not seen or heard of this shop before before…? I’d been into Zara (clothes) a number of times previously with the lovely Steve who is a devotee of said brand. If anyone has one near them, I urge a visit! They have a website too.

Another exciting thing that I shall share is that apparently John Lewis has a new fabrics buyer, which means that we now get to see Amy Butler and Cath Kidston fabrics in their haberdashery departments. I’ve been in the Liverpool store and have bought a few metres already (big shock I know) For a long time I’ve been cross with the lack of variety of their fabric, it all seemed so… uninspired in its variations, I had to resort to El Kilo on London Road, which is great but inconsistent. Please go and visit and buy some, that way they’ll know there is a market for it, because as sure as eggs is eggs they won’t advertise the fact!

The pottery is getting better, I’ve now completed construction of my first “slab pot” and will finish decorating it next week. I might even take my camera to class and let you see it.
I said a while ago too that I was going to show you Beryl… My very kind Auntie Margaret sent Beryl back with Ma and Pa from their visit. I’ve put a vintage dress on her (to protect her dignity!) and I can’t wait to get started and make something on her! Thank you Auntie Margaret, I’ve wanted one of these for a long time!

How to make a mess...

Well... I had the first lesson of my pottery course yesterday. I had great fun, got VERY messy and mucked about with Terracotta for three hours. We made some tiles which we will decorate next week, and cut out some slabs for a "slab-pot" (mine will most likely be a "big" ashtray!!!) which will also be constructed next week, so we can experiment with different slip techniques.

So far it has been rather like baking - ie necessitating the use of a pinny, rolling pin and kneading. Hopefully next week I won't have to be told by a lady on the bus "excuse me love... do you know you've got something brown and blobby in your hair" ahhhh... so that's where that bit of clay went.....

In other news, all the new students started this week so work is madness again and has us all praying for our Christmas breaks, plus Sophers and Steve the Roman are moving... which means... another housewarming.... Sophers... Steve.... what say you......

Last Night of the Proms

Last night of the proms is a big night with our family, causing much singing and laughing at me knowing all the words to Jerusalem. I thought I'd leave you this to watch, with Sir Roger Norrington giving an excellent speech about Classical Music. I often wonder if this is THE reason why people think us Brits are a little odd...

... don't forget to join in now... at the top of your lungs if you please!!!




and if that wasn't enough, sing along with Bryn!!!