Every cloud . . .

 . . . has a silver lining.*

Hellloooo. . .   it's been a while, hasn't it?  Way longer than I'd both anticipated or expected.

  So much has happened since my last post - some good and some fairly rubbishy.
 A much-loved one and a most-adorable-pup-in-the-world are not well, and requiring just a little bit more tlc for now ; and then there's the bit where I most suddenly and unexpectedly found myself without a job from one day to the next.
 But such is life sometimes, and quite frankly the best option is to focus on the positive and keep moving forwards.
 So on the brighter side of things, here's what I've been up to lately . . .

• A lovely day out in London with a cherished friend that included a first-ever visit to the oh-so-delightful Loop . . . be still, my beating heart . . .

• Getting a few yarny projects finished and new ones started whilst keeping above-mentioned much-loved one company . . .

a sweet little cardi and a delightfully mischievous elf-in-progress.

free pattern from Heart & Sew

• Finally finishing this quilt - it's a gift, so I'll show you more once it's been delivered . . .  but in the meantime, thank you lovely Natalie at Hungry Hippie for the pattern & idea.  Do pop over and have a wee peek.

• Working on my Spice of Life CAL, just a few rows at a time whenever I can.  It really should have been finished ages ago but I'll get there eventually. 

• Making a couple of scrappy Christmas wreaths, then teaching a whole bunch of lovely ladies to make them too.

the sweet little angel is a Vanilla Squirrel creation - ain't she sweet?

• Sharing an oh-so-yummy early Christmas dinner with my Book Club gals at Lord Morton's  -  it's become our annual tradition and is just the perfect pick-me-up, complete with carol singing, champagne swilling and laughter of the best kind.

• Fuelling my addiction   delight of all-things snowman, and creating these happy Tilda inspired cuties:

 

Aah, it's good to be back  :-)   I'm off to catch up with your news now . . .

Wishing you a happy Monday, filled with silver linings.

'til next time,

xoxo

* this sweet cushion is made by Velvet Paws -a kind gift from a lovely friend. Dankie my skattie, xx.

All the fun of the Fair . . .

I am sooo not a morning person, so when Mrs Sew Me Something herself mentioned she'd be swinging by in the van to pick me up before sunrise on Thursday morning,  I did my best to negotiate.  But the prospect of the possibility of rush-hour traffic on the M25, and an allocated set-up time dictated that we really did need to be up and on the road early.

And so it was that Reg {the trusty big white van packed to the gunwhales}, Jules & I set off heading south for The Handmade Fair at Hampton Court Palace in London.

Jules drove (very ably, I might add), whilst I nattered, knitted, and poured the coffee. 

 Traffic hold-ups ensued and it took us a while, but eventually we arrived safe & sound, and spent the rest of the day setting up the Sew Me Something stand.  

There was a lovely buzz around in anticipation of the Fair opening the next day.  Everywhere you looked was a flurry of folk unpacking boxes, wheeling trolleys, hanging bunting and generally just making the huge marquee look amazing.

Friday morning dawned beautifully sunny, and despite several bursts of rain throughout the day, we enjoyed all the fun of the Fair.  

Best of all I got to meet so many lovely peeps -  bloggy & IG friends, old & new, and a whole bunch of happy crafters from far and wide - who popped by the stand to say hello.

Just an all round fabulous event, in a beautiful setting . . . .

We were so busy that I didn't even have a chance to wander around and see everything, but by all accounts everyone seemed to have a good time.  

It was a bit of a tiring train trip home, but at least I didn't have to get up early again this morning  : - )

Happy weekend all,  

it's a sunny one here so we're making the most of it . . .

'til next time,

xoxo

 

Moon walking . . .

We did it . . .

The Moon Walk 2015

15.1 miles  (25km)  through the streets of London town . . . overnight . . . in our bras . . . to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer.

A huge thank you to everyone who encouraged us, sponsored us and spurred us on. 

 Together with my lovely sis, we've raised nearly a whopping £900.  Our weather prayers were answered too - no rain, a light breeze and a mild overnight low of 8C.  

 Last year (read all about that here) was freezing, windy and drizzly so I  was all geared up this time around, but only needed my hoodie & scarf to ward off the early morning chill. 

 And we beat our 5 hour goal too, crossing the finish line at 3 . 24 am in a time of 4 hours & 49 mins.  

 To those whose lives have been turned upside down by cancer, a long walk, some achy muscles  and one sleepless night is no match for what they endure.  Thank you again, lovely peeps, for your generosity and kind encouragement in helping me to contribute my little bit towards fighting this horrible disease. 

'til next time,

be blessed and be of good courage

xoxo