If you are of a nervous disposition, please don't look

I'm rather concerned about my mental state at the moment, anyone that can imagine the following must be ripe for some serious therapy. I think I might be freaking out my tutor.... I think I might make some normal pots next week and give my psyche a bit of a rest....

The C word...

… it’s fast approaching isn’t it. I know I should be shot at dawn (possibly overstating it slightly) for mentioning it, but along with the need to wear gloves outside today there is no use denying that nine weeks from today it is Christmas Eve… time to start shopping/making. Just to annoy all the last minuters out there, I’ve started mine already. In fact I got one today, for my little cousin Dylan for whom I have a very exciting present that I myself would have liked very much when I was that age! When it comes to the making, I have no ideas. I’m feeling a little stuck in the rut when it comes to making at the moment. I’d love to have some pottery ready, however I don’t think that is going to be possible (although you never know)

I’m having a lovely time writing this, I’m listening to Louis Armstrong singing La Vie en Rose and after that it’s going to be Moonlight in Vermont. I think I could listen to him forever.

I’ve been sorting out lots of photos to add to flickr and came across this one I took when on a visit to a stately home last year...so there you have it, an early taster for Christmas…. I’m so getting out a Christmas film to watch now……! Roll on Stir up Sunday!!!! Ma - we need to start on the cake!!!

Oh what a beautiful mooooorrrrrrnnnnniiinnnngggg!!!!

Sorry.... I'm in a singing mood today. I do sing quite often. As far as Sophers and myself are concerned EVERYTHING is a cue for a song. I'm really looking forward to the weekend now. We are birthday present shopping, doing a little bit of charity shop trawling and then going to have a picnic, play mbira and take photo's in the park as the forecast is for 24 degrees tomorrow! won't that be nice!


I'm leaving you today with a very unsuccessful photo of one of my fave things (I still can't quite get the settings right on the camera....I'll have a better play tomorrow!) I bought it on a visit to my Aunt and Uncles house in the Loire Valley, at a little brocante market along the river bank. It was a steamy hot day and after we had spent our Euros on vintage buttons, ribbons and pressed glass we sat in dappled shade and drank coffee and ice cold water outside a cafe in the town square watching the birds chase crumbs dropped by the other patrons..... mmmmm I wish I was back there (although in slightly cooler weather!) bliss

Every Picture Tells a Story

Its countdown time for my Mum. She is retiring 6 days from today and celebrating her 60th Birthday a few days after that. I unfortunately cannot post here about what we are getting her or anything that can be considered as surprise as she sometimes checks this blog and has been known to comment too (hello mum!) I should have kept it a secret until afterwards, still you can look forward to the pictures that tell the tale of the descent into lunacy that will be the retirement / birthday party we are having next weekend!

I was working on my bookmark design for the swap I'm participating in last night. I found a great book to send with it too, I'll hopefully get things finally made and sent off this weekend! It was such a pleasure to collapse into my chair with my sewing box (see below) that I love which was a present from my lovely siblings Sophers and Bertie. I hope that you all had a lovely evening too.

I just don't know what to do with myself

ITS HERE!!!!! The weekend has arrived. This will be the first weekend in such a long time (I believe October.....!) that I have NOTHING planned! Not Friday night, not Saturday, not Sunday!!!! So what do I do.... housework ... I think not... shopping.... not when I've had to pay to have the heating fixed AND a holiday in one month....

I could go to the Tate or the Walker...be a bit cultured (who I am kidding) or perhaps I should carry on with my sculpture....

...I wish I had a camera to show you...

...I'm making a sculpture. An outward expression of my connection to the creative experience. Heavens to betsy that sounds so grim and pretentious (I hope I'm not either - I try not to be) How the bloody hell else do I describe the thing??? Its exciting really, it gives me a colourful outlet to pour in lots of energy, an excuse to drink four pots of tea in an afternoon, play Divine comedy, Django and Bach 'til my ears ache and helps clear out the stash, although it transfers more rubbish to my poor top bedroom (office/junk room....)

Perhaps that's what I'll do. That'd be nice... then what to do on Sunday.....

Getting Quite Excited ...

I have, since last May been TRYING to learn how to play the mbira. The mbira is a Zimbabwean musical instrument, that sounds amazing. Again I'm sorry no photo's yet but see this link for an idea of what it looks like.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbira

Well... why excited... because by this time next month, I will have had another lovely few days in Scotland with lots of other like-minded people and hopefully with some patience, (on my behalf as well as everyone else) I'll have learned a bit more. So thanks to Catherine for introducing me to it.

My favourite parts of these camps, is (apart from the learning) listening to the people who have been playing for years. There is nothing like hearing a group of fantastic musicians playing and singing. I really cannot describe how it sounds and feels, even now, months on from the last time I heard people all playing and singing together, it is still as fresh in my mind. Now, you can't say that about many things can you?

New Year .... New Idea

It is with no small degree of trepidation that I am embarking upon this new world of blogland. I have been an admirer, lurker and commenter on so many that I thought I'd have a go myself, not to outdo, replicate or degrade what others have done, or do, but to add my own.. hopefully unique ... thoughts and creations into the mix in the spirit of friendship, creativity and admiration of those who do this blogging thing so well.

Thanks for the inspiration people! You do wonderful things!

Sarah