A person post...
Indeed life is testing but I was truly blessed with a weekend full of memories that I will be able to draw on as we go into the colder crisper days ahead. Things get on top of me sometimes and I feel like I am wading through fog as I cope with so many changes, as a whole I am a positive person but these last couple of years have really shown me how quick your life, with no choice of your own, can turn your world upside down. Not to be too down in the mouth all the time I do need to say it has also given me moments of feeling completely alive and living right in the very moment. Its given me a one off opportunity to get the life I want, that I was maybe too scared of the unknown before or simple just in too much of a comfort zone to make changes or take any chances.
Things change here on a weekly basis, I am rolling with those changes now, they don't scare me much anymore, sometimes I even embrace them. A few simple fact sees me through, I love my children and they will always be my priority, but I have learnt that I count too. If I am balanced I mother better and see the direction I want my life to go in despite others trying to take away our pride. I have found the last few weeks so testing as the summer ends and I accept my role in society as a women trying to provide for her children, a single parent. I was so close to making my sewing a proper business, to be able to work with my hands and put food in our tummies and keep us warm. The dream is not given up on, I have orders to fulfill and opportunities just keep popping up. I need to combine and multitask like never before. I encourage my children to follow their dreams yet responsibility and conformity have won on this point for me and my little family. So was it just a coincidence that as I settle to this change and the melancholy I feel to the change of the season the weekend brings me sunshine, time with a loved one and friendship.
Rosy the pup found her sea legs and totally enjoyed the experience as we plunged through the calm sea waters with the wind in our faces...
Paddling and then swimming in the clearest of waters on the 1st October. Rosy the pup played with her doggy friend on the beach all day as happy as dog should be with freedom to play, pounce and dig.
I looked at my surroundings and felt peace fill my soul.
I saw the colours of summer turn to the richness of autumn and it made me smile...
As the light of the day seemed to end too soon. At the close of the day good food, drink and a warming fire was shared with friends. Yes I learnt that around every corner of the pathway of our lives we are given just what we need to lift our heart and soul. A busy week ahead with lots of meetings and yet more new experiences to work through, also a very nervous time as my eldest son goes in to hospital on Thursday. These memories will keep me calm.
Of course with all this personal chatter I am aware that I sound like I am not creating, don't worry I have not lost the plot, my sewing is part of my everyday day life and indeed without this creative living I would be in a sorry state. So it being October and with my felt box out to play I have been 'bat'ting a few ideas around.
A while ago I knitting some adorable bats for my little ones, but when I saw a photograph of these pretties I thought I must have ago myself, so off I went and made a couple before before I was happy with the design... and after an afternoon of cutting, sewing and stuffing... here are my bats.
I have been asked to make some pumpkins to go with them... er, need to go and play again to see what I can come up with. I thank you for your comments and emails, your support is such a special thing and sometime I just have to be a little more personal than crafty...
with a pile of fruit
spices and vinegar...
my much lusted for and finally in my mitts... jam pan...
some sweet little jars...
with some super cute DOTTY RED lids :)
a little stash of home cooking, Domestic Goddess styled work has been going on here...
The labels are on and they have been hidden in a dark cupboard to mature all ready for Christmas giving...
and my beautiful, making me happy, finally bought after years of wanting - jamming pan - goes back in the box.
Its very easy to fall in to a rut with sewing, I keep sewing, I know what works, I can do it and it sells. Great...but sometimes its nice to take time out and have a play.
I am still on the hamster wheel trying to get so much done and yet I don't feel like anything is happening, but it is. One of my 'littlies' went into hospital which of course was stressful, he came out without any damage done and in fact he was chipper, so with a day off taken to recuperate along side him, I had images of reading to him, making him comfortable, healing chicken soup cooking on the hob... how wrong I was, his capacity to bounce back was astounding.
So we spent a day at home, we had some yummy food to see us through the day, we started the day curling up on the sofa together, it was not long before he wanted to go off and do his own thing, so whilst he built a Lego Star Wars Ship I made a pot of tea and went into my sewing room.
It was a treat to have some free and unexpected time so I enjoyed the time playing. 
Its also an excuse to use my new labels...I am pleased with the quality of these, nice and thick.
In the evenings this week I have been taking to curling up on the sofa with a glass of red wine and my tray of hand sewing... its starting to look a lot like Christmas here!!!
Indeed I have accepted that the summer is over and the Autumn season is passing through... so its Hot Chocolate time with marshmallow treats...
Just what you need to warm up after a wet dog walk...I love living near the canal...Photo not out of focus, just lots of rain!
Things change here on a weekly basis, I am rolling with those changes now, they don't scare me much anymore, sometimes I even embrace them. A few simple fact sees me through, I love my children and they will always be my priority, but I have learnt that I count too. If I am balanced I mother better and see the direction I want my life to go in despite others trying to take away our pride. I have found the last few weeks so testing as the summer ends and I accept my role in society as a women trying to provide for her children, a single parent. I was so close to making my sewing a proper business, to be able to work with my hands and put food in our tummies and keep us warm. The dream is not given up on, I have orders to fulfill and opportunities just keep popping up. I need to combine and multitask like never before. I encourage my children to follow their dreams yet responsibility and conformity have won on this point for me and my little family. So was it just a coincidence that as I settle to this change and the melancholy I feel to the change of the season the weekend brings me sunshine, time with a loved one and friendship.
Rosy the pup found her sea legs and totally enjoyed the experience as we plunged through the calm sea waters with the wind in our faces...
Paddling and then swimming in the clearest of waters on the 1st October. Rosy the pup played with her doggy friend on the beach all day as happy as dog should be with freedom to play, pounce and dig.
I looked at my surroundings and felt peace fill my soul.
I saw the colours of summer turn to the richness of autumn and it made me smile...
As the light of the day seemed to end too soon. At the close of the day good food, drink and a warming fire was shared with friends. Yes I learnt that around every corner of the pathway of our lives we are given just what we need to lift our heart and soul. A busy week ahead with lots of meetings and yet more new experiences to work through, also a very nervous time as my eldest son goes in to hospital on Thursday. These memories will keep me calm.
A while ago I knitting some adorable bats for my little ones, but when I saw a photograph of these pretties I thought I must have ago myself, so off I went and made a couple before before I was happy with the design... and after an afternoon of cutting, sewing and stuffing... here are my bats.