Knutsford City Limits

For anyone who enjoyed Cranford as much as I did (or in Australia I gather just starting to enjoy Cranford), you should have a little trip and spend a few hours in Knutsford the real town upon which Cranford is based. We went to have a look at the market which we discovered is very small, but we got some nice bread so we were pleased! We also discovered "Miss Matty's" house, which still houses a tea rooms Mallard Tea merchant and patisserie, with this sign outside which begged to be photographed!

Of course we had to venture in and get some tea and cakes to bring home and sample... they were very nice, I even managed to get a photo before they were demolished!

How cute are they! There were ones with Strawberries and huge chocolate curls on them, but we were relatively restrained and got two choccy ones and two vanilla ones to share.

It has been lovely this week, I've had two days off work and it's like I've been given an extra sneaky weekend. Somewhere, someones said, "that's what that Sarah one needs, an extra weekend, lets give her that so she can go on day trips and eat cake and drink even more tea than usual. Lets let her have some extra time to go through her fabric stash and sew some more hexagons for her quilt" ... and I'm very glad that someone did, I find myself having done weekendy things with another two days for fun!

So speaking of quilts, it's coming along....

here's to two more weekendy days!!!!

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!

Back to what it's about...

When I started this blog - ooh about 18 months ago, I had no idea really what I would write about. I still don't but looking at the title I thought I'd better post something about tea! I happened upon this little beauty yesterday and I COULD NOT RESIST. It combines some of my most favourite things

1: Green
2: Polka Dots
3: China
4: Painted Roses
5: Teacups

It would have been rude to leave it there don't you think?

It is a set from the Royal Albert 100th Anniversary Collection, it's called Polka Rose and is from the 1930's.

In other news, I've heard I've been accepted onto a pottery course which is starting in September! I expect I shall be producing lots of ashtrays and paperweights to start with, but I'm really looking forward to it! You never know, I may start producing my own tea accoutrement's before you know it....

Scenes from a construction site.

I've been busy recently assessing fabric and chopping up paper preparing to make a patchwork "picture" for Sophers to auction off with the larger quilt Ma is making to help raise funds for the trip she is taking with about 15 young people to Uganda. It has been inspired by the one I did in greens for Mum and Dad for Christmas for their dining room.

There are about 80 squares here about 2cm by 2cm... it too a while - all done by hand.

The dining room currently looks like a construction site with squares made out of off-cuts from other quilts, African fabrics and a large amount of paper strewn everywhere!

This is how far it's got so far... there are three different sizes of fabric (all from Africa) from 1.5 cm square to 6 cm square... I must be mad

Ahh well - when it's finished it'll make more sense I'm sure - I've a fab bit that is a suitcase and this one that looks like a butterfly (from Jenny) that I'll incorporate and frame too - very colourful, but Sophers recon's very suitable (she should know she's been and brought back some of the fabric)

Then there is this - I treated myself to a stack of Kaffe Fassett, Martha Negley and Philip Jacobs fabric... I'm going to have to make something fab, plus find someone to give the offcuts one too when its finished, I think most people I know have something made by Mum and/or myself!!

Anyhow - It's time for tea, this time from my lovely teacup and saucer from Zandra Rhodes (my favourite things collection) Plus to start planning what I'm going to do next week.... I'm off work again AND ... well... it's my birthday next week too.....

I wanna be in the double-ewe eye !!!

It has been a source of discussion in the house of Ma that we wanna join the WI, especially after watching the WI series that they are showing on BBC 4...(did you see it - oh the power struggles!) One of Mum's neighbours is in a local group and if she agrees she might have 4 new members, Sophie, Mum, me and another local blogger (what say you Jo????) We'd be great at cakes and mass catering....am I being wierd wanting to join the WI when only 30.... (is Sophers mad at 26???!!!) They might not want us yet.... Watch this space!

As of daft o'clock this morning Sophers was winging her way to Togo, via Paris. I've added the link of the group leader under Togo watch, he has promised to blog lots so keep your eyes peeled for news!

Thanks for all the cheer up well wisher commenters and e-mailers, I've now pulled up my socks and I'm ready to take on the world one cup of tea at a time!!!! (poor world!!!)

http://www.womens-institute.co.uk/

What happens when bloggers meet....

No....David Tennant doesn't turn up and inform you of some sort of strange distortion in the space time continuum... although we wish he had ;-)

Well, I suppose I better tell all...

The exciting thing that happened today was... I met up with a fellow blogger!!
I met the Lovely Jo from Angel Jem's city cottage! I think we were both concerned that there would be awkward silences...welllll no... I've finally met my talking fifteen to the dozen match!!! Before you ask, yes she is as funny in person, no we didn't shut up and yes we were there for hours I did wonder if we were going to be asked to leave!!!!!! I suspect that we'll have to meet up again as we did have fun, we both thought it'd be fun to meet up with even more bloggers but we all live so far apart! I was well behaved on the way out Jo - I promise I didn't spend much dosh.... just a tiny little magazines (oh and LSM wanted stamps!!!)

I hope that everyone else has had a fab day!! Oh and if Jo and I decide to make it up to Scotland... there are several people that need to watch out!!!!!

Perhaps we should plan a bloggers convention.... What about the quilting show in Birmingham??? Leave a comment if you are planning to go!

Does it do what it says on the tin???

It has occurred to me after reading the fabulous posts over at the winemakers wife that I have not, despite what I have named my blog, not actually posted anything about tea (well one post early on but that doesn't count really) I feel therefore I must explain. To me afternoon tea is a philosophy. I like to stop everyday at about 4 (even/especially at work if I can) to have some tea. I think it is important to stop, refresh and give yourself 5 mins or longer if you can manage it, I've known afternoon tea sessions last over an hour at my Mum and Dad's. I like to go the whole hog at the weekend too and have little sandwiches and perhaps a scone or a cake or a biscuit (I'm really into Sainsbury's organic oat biscuits at the moment...mmmmm) a pot of my fave Royal Blend (from Fortnum's so a bit of a treat) or Glengettie tea, a book and the radio or a nice film, usually in the chair in this photo! In that way, this blog also provides me with a little break, a chance to chat about my day, what I'm up to, what is making me angry/happy/sad/excited so that's why there really isn't that much about tea.... although its got me thinking for my next post!!!!!

Nice Cup of Tea

Justa quick question.... How many cups of tea do you think it appropriate one person drink in the space of an evening, 2....3..... what about 9....Do we think this is excessive??... In my defence they were only little cups and I was getting into my new book. In answer to your question lady Jem, the book I bought was Matisse, his art and textiles... beautiful book. The book I was reading last night was called the Brooklyn Follies, I'm reserving judgement so far, but I've brought it to read today at lunch so it must be growing on me!

I'm out of novels after this.... any suggestions?