Caption competition?

Kingston Lacy 28-30th May

We had a great day yesterday - lots of visitors to the show and great weather to keep everyone not too hot but not too cool.  The forecast is not so kind for today and tomorrow but there is still lots to see and do at the show.

Mice

We've got the builders in so the shed had to go and the mice were homeless.  Luckily for them they found our garage, made a nest in the wicker baskets up there and fed themselves and their family on dog food.  Very comfy with convenient restaurants for them - not so good for my stock and my nerves.  So we bought humane traps which didn't actually kill them just maimed them and they had to be dispatched by the brave husband.  Not nice but they do seem to have moved on in one way or another...

On a happier note we have celebrated the arrival of some other mice - the Maileg mice in their little matchboxes.  These can stay as long as they like!

Arthur and Martha

And another (sneaky this time because I was on my way back from a meeting whilst at work) trip to a gorgeous shop - Arthur and Martha's in Westbourne.  Vintage everything and lovely Steph to show me round.  She keeps my vintage blanket Union Jack cushions in her shop for me and they look great amongst the eclectic displays there.  Always worth a visit when you're shopping in Westbourne, Dorset...

And another lovely day in London

After a bit of a ropey start (breakdown in communication meant I turned up at Jackie's house at 9am and she turned up at mine at about the same time...!) we had a lovely day at Top Drawer doing what we do best; shopping on a grand scale for the Yummy Mummy Party Co.  We bought scarves and jewellery and mugs (Royal Wedding mugs can you believe - the coolest ever) and baby toys and really really cute Maeleg bunnies and rabbits.  What fun!  All we have to do now is show them off to our lovely customers - can't wait for them to arrive.

Sewciety at Berwick St Leaonard, Wilts

I spent a fantastic afternoon yesterday in the company of Lisanne, her customers, John the photographer and her beautiful fabrics in her beautiful shop Sewciety. (Link is to the right)

Located off the beaten track, its really worth the couple of miles down the smaller road to get there.  The little shop is full of insipiring haberdashery, fabulous co-ordinating fabric and lots of inspiration.  There is coffee and tea for visitors and biscuits for the children (who were very welcomed and she didn't worry about them touching the lovely bits and bobs!)

While felting and quilting are what she mainly caters for, she has lots of other interests in the shop including patterns and equipment.  But most of all she's lovely - really positive and inspiring - everyone who came into the shop in the hours I was there loved chatting with her and oohing and ahhing over their projects with her.

She kindly agreed to display my letter cushions in her shop and she also has one of my reclaimed children's pictures on display.  We talked about doing some purse and bag making course and I'll post some more news about them as they develop.

I can't recommend a visit enough - she's open in the afternoons (but not on Monday) and the kettle is always on.

And finally - she found Mr Trunky for Matty - I can't thank her enough!  A boy without his comforter is not a happy boy.

Am off to make bags with the fabric I bought....

There are many things no-one tells you about being a parent...

The joy of taking her ice-skating in Hyde Park for instance.  That wonderful feeling as she progressing from clinging like a little monkey to tentative steps on her own and a big smile.  That bit was great. 

Not so great is being in the car and hearing a coughing, spluttering sound and realising that lunch has reappeared and we're 40 miles from home!

Ups and downs...