A WORK IN PROGRESS

I am attempting to get back into the swing of normal life but it's a challenge.

Little kidlet didn't go back to school until Monday and next week is a very significant birthday for me (yes I am 21!).  So it's tough going not to think of myself as "The Birthday Queen".

I have set myself quite a few tasks, including yoga every morning before the school run, getting back to my pre-kidlet weight, being more organised, etc, etc. Some things I'm finding easier than others!

 I have however already managed to fulfil one dream.

When I met Mr Lemon Drizzle he was already a home owner and had basically inherited the previous occupants fixtures, including curtains.

Hanging in the front room were a pair of curtains that had once been the print du jour.  I know this because I was a textile designer and knew the girl who had designed them.  She had designed the print before I had even started working in the studio, but, as they were a best seller, I was faced with it everywhere.  I have to say as well that the colours weren't very subtle and the print was very very busy.

Anyway we put up with these curtains being too busy falling in love to change them and eventually moved into our joint house....bringing the curtains with us.  Then we were too busy working and having kidlets.  We ended up living with someone else choice of soft furnishing for over 10 years.  They have been hanging in our front room where they have never fitted properly, they wouldn't even close in the middle!  I feel ashamed to admit it.

I was determined that I would not come down the stairs into the front room and look at those curtains on my **th birthday.  If I did I would somehow have failed!

I had even bought new fabric and lining the summer before.

So last week, even with kidlet hanging around and trying to cut her fingers under the needle, I MADE CURTAINS!!!!!

I feel very proud of myself.

Also I decided to finish knitting the cardigan I started two years ago.  I have only to knit the bands and collar and sew it up and that is another project ticked off the list.

So if I am absent for a short while it's probably because I am busy projecting, and definitely not lying in a darkened room weeping about my age.

Here is a sneak peak of a project I'm working on for a friend.  As you can see I don't have the tidiest of desks!.

I'm off to clear out some cupboards!

IT'S STILL CHRISTMAS!

I ran out of time before Christmas to show you my grotto, so apologies for dragging you backwards but I was quite proud of it and wanted to share!

Every year after Christmas I go to our local garden centre to buy half price decorations.  Last year I was swept away by these giant glittery apples which I purchased without having a clue where to put them.  I think they fit in well though with my glittery Christmas theme. 

A few days ago we made our annual trip to the garden centre. 

Mr Lemon Drizzle called me over to see something he had picked up. 

"Look at these giant apple" He said.

I stared at him in shock.  "We have two of those already!"

"Do we?"

"Yes they have been sitting in the dining room for three weeks!"

Why do I bother!

Anyway it was rather mean pickings this year so I'll have to get the kidlets crafting again.

These little men are some of the first decorations LD and myself bought together.

This is my felty/crafty/toy corner.

I still have one more Christmassy post to go and then I can turn my mind to the New Year.  

Please let me know what you enjoy reading on my blog and what you would like to see more of this year.

DAFFODILS AND FRANGIPANS

This is a cake from last year that I hadn't got round to editing.  So I thought you may like a little glimpse of some spring hope.

It was for a fortieth wedding anniversary and the client wanted the cake to be a painting of the bride's bouquet which consisted of daffodils and frangipan flowers (see the photograph above).

I do have a few more Christmas posts left that I may try and get out before Spring actually does appear! Keep your fingers crossed.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year to you all!  I hope you all had a lovely time last night and are looking forward to this year with bright eyes and bushy tails!

I always like to make New Year resolutions and I never feel disappointed when inevitably I don't keep them up!  One year my resolution was to pamper myself more, I had no problem keeping that for a whole year.

Now though it's back to the usual suspects; lose some weight, be more organised, finish the jumper I started two years ago!  I'll let you know how I'm getting on.

But for now I thought I would have a look back at last year.  So here are some of my favourite creations.

Wishing you all a fantastic year.

xxx