Jubilee...

So here I sit at nearly midnight, with my cup of Lady Grey and a very nice fried egg buttie, oh yes tonight I am all about class... seriously though its been a hectic few days... and I am a believer in going with the flow and that flow is pretty fast at the moment so it calls for a late night unhealthy snack to keep me going whilst I finish my post and prepare for the day ahead...

 School uniforms to iron, pack lunches to make, dishes to wash, meetings to prepare for  and dogs to feed etc. Usual Mum stuff.

 Who said the Bank Holiday was a time to relax and catch up... get 'behind' more like... Actually its been a time shared with friends and eating far too much whilst hours have passed by and important conversation of 'putting the world to rights' have taken place while wine was sipped.  My kids have also had all their friends round to play at some stage of the three days and I have had very little time to spend in my sewing room.  A play date sleep over which settled down to sleep at eleven and started again at five the next morning!  More coffee please.

 However, I was inspired to put together a few Jubilee lines when I sneaked off for a few moments in my sewing room, I wasn't going to work on anything linked to the jubilee but I was asked what I had...

 So a few ideas have come together and a few ideas still need to be tried out. The nice thing about this weekend was I had a viewing on my home, so I gave up two days to do housework, 'stuff' was hidden away in boxes, bags taken to the charity shop and a day spent in the garden with some new plants needing homes.  The house was clean and homely. The viewing lasted twenty minutes, oddly the agent did the viewing and it all felt a bit uncomfortable being asked to step aside while these people went through my home, mind you I disliked poking around other peoples home, it feels very invasive.  The viewers seemed really nice but the house isn't for them but it took five days to find that out, oh the stress.  The rush of house hunting for me has slowed down now with great relief, the advantage to it all was I had a lovely clean and tidy house all weekend and all the housework was done... A TREAT!

I could almost hear the intake of breath as they stepped into my dinning room, which of course is my sewing room/studio.

Hope your weekend was filled with fun and laughter and you surrounded yourself with nice people.

The elephants came by two by two...

A little break from the norm. Two weeks to kick back, find a new groove and just go with it. How I love holidays, I ignore time... completely! No appointments, no rushing around, no time waiting for things... I love the way my body just adjusts to this rhythm, waking up when I want to not when my alarm clock tells me (well maybe when my children choose to start playing) to eat when hungry not grabbing a sandwich between appointments, walking the dog as long a we like instead of rushing her around before we fly out again, which made for some super long walks.
All Dotty Red orders had been made up and posted so that meant some time without committing to my sewing room... which meant play time... Oh my and I so love my play time, these little family of Elephants just kept getting bigger as I wanted to use all my fabrics... It all started whilst I was surfing the net with my little one, we had a peek at the Retro Mama blog and my wee one got very animated and wanted an elephant just like he saw on her blog... the joy, Retro Mama sells the patterns, so we ordered it there and then and we popped off to my fabric stash and he picked the colours he wanted... the next he thing he knew he didn't know which one he wanted... too many to choose from. Oh Happy sewing momma!
We took off for a few days and the weather for the first and last day was SUPERB!
Oh how I have longed to feel the sand between my toes and the sea breeze through my hair.
Bliss Bliss Bliss...
I went to bed at the end of that beautiful day and a storm blew up and it rained, hailed, the wind blew and the snow fell...

Not to be put off by the weather we still had our fish and chips on the beach, however due to the howling storm taking your very breath straight out your lungs and the sand whipping at your skin like razors, we sat in the car, with our favourite music on and sipped our hot chocolate. Do you remember the advert with the girl who sat in her car listening to 'I can see clearly now the rain has gone' making herself a cuppa with the heater element you could plug into the lighter socket for a mug of hot water? Oh how I loved that advert... I was in that happy place!!!

So we hunkered down for the next few days and chilled out, chatting, playing board games, watching movies and this Mom got to sew... a little spare of the moment hand sewing... Oh happy days!
We returned home as some special friends joined us to celebrate Easter. So with the house full of mischievous laughter from the five children running around having the best time and us grown ups chatting, cooking and generally catching up, I was reminded of New Year, my home full of people I loved, I adore cooking and looking after friends it warms my heart and is so good for my sole as it really balances me. Cooking to me is a big part of how I show I care for someone.
Eater day was started by the children hunting the eggs (thanks Caroline. Er I forgot to buy the eggs). We sat and worked out the meal plan and how long we had before dinner needed to be started and we all pulled on our walking boots and went for a walk... my version of a walk and my friends is slightly different, I would have called it a hike!!!

The meal was cooked in a relaxed way, all doing our bit in the kitchen and then we all sat round for a somewhat 'chaotic' meal, not enough chairs etc... it had a real feel of Christmas day, but without the stress!!!

Sadly I had to say goodbye to my mate and her super family once again.

Then before I had time to get all miserable and sad about them leaving the boys and I had an invited to share a birthday meal... a delicious family Chinese banquet. An honour to share this family event.

Yes this Easter holiday has made me count my blessing... surrounded by friends I care about, laughing, the children happy, good food, beautiful walks with the Rosy the pup and lots of sleep...

After my divorce I lost so much confidence I found it so hard to relax and just couldn't ever imagine being in a position again when laughter filled the house and the people I was with I felt loved by. Yet this week has taught me, if you hang on in there the good stuff happens...

Stocking up and reflection....

So we are fast approaching the Easter holiday's and while I have had some child free time I have been busy stocking up. I made some more fabric boxes having had a small order in from some Easter boxes for egg hunts with some cute little chicks on the front...what a great idea, wish it was mine!!!
My little fabric lavender filled boats... always great to be making as the sun comes out and I dream of long sunny days by the beach...
Oh how I love selecting the fabric for these, I usually use linen as I like the way it drapes but this time I have used some different cotton's having done a little fabric shopping... you know how it is you have to use the fabric you just got... right... or is that just me!!!
My seaside bunting makeup bags have sold so well, I am really pleased with these and thankful that I took the time to pay attention to detail when placing the zip in these and the pretty lining, you just can not go wrong with spotty dotty fabric...
With the sun coming out we are back to using the garden as our new room and eating as many meals out as possible, when we awoke to a super hot day on Sunday we treated ourselves to some tasty treats for breakfast whilst we soaked up the sun, still our PJs!
Can you tell I am typing in a hurry, busy I am, getting ready for a break, taking the boys to the place they love best... you guessed... we are off to the beach for a few days to our little beach shack, eating ice cream, long walks down the beach and evenings around the fire with friends...
So I leave you for a week, my camera is packed and I cant wait to capture some memories. My knitting bag is stuffed with more projects than I can possibly manage, and as I have done so much sewing this past week I am not going to take my sewing machine with me, but I look forward to coming back and making up all the beach inspired creations.

I leave you with a photo, a photo I love, it holds so many memories for me, the place and time it is taken, of course who the picture is of, its my youngest, my little long haired surf dude... sadly for Mom the curls are all gone now, I miss them so, but I have to admit the squeals of pain as I combed out the sand filled locks was something close to torture, which might explain the rather annoyed look...

What ever you are up to this Easter, I wish you only the best, a time spent being with your family, surrounded by those that you love and love you back, and maybe you to will be blessed with some time in your favourite place....May the sun shine...please!

Baby Doll...

Out of my comfort zone this week. I have been asked about fabric dolls, not for children to play with more of a nice thing to have on display, its news to me but apparently fabric dolls are the 'in' thing. Following on from the sock monkey trend little fabric dolls with lots of attitude are very desired. I live near Hebden Bridge which is a lovely market town filled with lots of beautiful individual small shops with a very arty bohemian feel to it. I love the place. A shop has asked about dolls...Mmmmm not to be beaten by this I had a play, I researched the net I read my book from the lovely Wee Wonderfuls and thought... I can do this... SO I drew up a pattern, which has been redrawn many times now, nearly there I think... oh lots of cursing went on and seams ripped and re-sewn. Finally I would like to introduce you to JENNY. She is a very happy doll and really likes the simple things in life, she is especially enjoying the warmer days and finding time to sip tea in the garden...
She is a bit shy of those long skinny legs and likes to put on pretty dresses to cover them up a little, a vintage girl so her clothes have lots of lace and pretty buttons on them.
Jenny's best friend is her little felt dog called Scotty. After a day of walking her dog through the daffodils she likes to relax in the evening, she is a bit 'saucy' as she lounges around in her ribbon undies... after all her pretty dress is only worn for best!!!

A little more work is needed I think. I think I need to enlarge the pattern a little so the turning of the body with all those skinny arms and legs is a little easier and I need to change (once again) the position of her arms, a little higher and at more of an angle. Ideally I would like to give her a more defined neck, but this is proving near on impossible and on looking at other doll designers this is something that is a case of 'that's how it is' well if its good enough for them it is for me too. All in all I am pleased with Jenny. But she is a little shy and I am a little scared to show her off.

I hope Mothers Day was a good day. I sadly did not have my boys with me, but after a week of birthday celebrations we have had lots of fun this week. We went to see 'John Carter' a great fantasy film, I think I enjoyed it more than my children. Rosy the pup is not speaking to us after we had her spayed, she looks so sorry for herself at the moment.
I leave you with a beautiful picture of my Mothers Day flowers (actually they had been bought for my Mum but she didn't have time to see me, so they are now on my kitchen window looking stunning and the smell is filling my home beautifully.

Thank you for all your positive comments last week, I am very touched by them, My meetings came to nothing due to a waiting list to get on a college course for small business/start up advice... I have been given another date, in four weeks!

Dog pattern came form the very talented All Sorts.

put the kettle on and catch up...cup of tea?

Its one in the morning here and the house is all silent except for the gentle hum of the freezer... my puppy sleeps at my feet ensuring they are cosy and warm. Its been a busy week here at the Dotty Red Household and I am pleased we are now on to the weekend. As I sit at my kitchen table with my big mug of Lady Grey sporting my rather posh new Cath Kidston apron, which was a treat to myself having wanted one for over four years and is making me HAPPY! My thoughts run through the week past and start to plan the week ahead...
At the moment my life is full of plans for the future and its direction. A lot of a planning and research is going on at the moment and seeing if things finally come off and next week some meetings take place to take this research onto the next level. Its exciting and full of anxiety all at the same time. Next to this is completing my studies and my time spent working as a teaching assistant. I adore my hours in school and I am working with a teacher who is allowing me to concentrate on the creative side with the children and I come home very happy and covered in paint. How can I explain the thrill I get as I watch these very little people learn to draw and paint, mix colours and see their excitement when they turn red and white into pink, the work is truly inspiring...
So I have a decision to make in the coming months, do I sew for a living and come away from being a hobby and actually make it my family way of life that puts food on the table or do I follow the teaching assistant path. The decision I think will be made for me as due to all the education cuts its the Teachers Assistants jobs that have been cut. My college have talked to me about continuing my studies to a foundation degree, whilst I would love to commit to this on so many levels MONEY and CHILDCARE stop me. I have to put that food on the table NOW not in four years, the advantage of the course... a stable and secure career in teaching, if there are any jobs at the end of it!!!
Its a dilemma for sure and far to serious for this small hour in the morning. The reflection of the past week is a good one, it was a week of success and getting things done...
Working on a new range of tea pot cosies, watching them grow from the idea of a friend of mine who wanted one to making a lovely pile of them, selecting all the fabrics and matching them up, cutting out little bits and putting it all together...
The joy this brings never stops making me smile, tweaking out any little problems, finding the right wadding and how big or small to make the loop... then suddenly it all falls in place and satisfaction is bliss...
Whilst I have sewn I have allowed my thoughts to wonder back to my holiday...
I am still carrying the feeling of contentment this week brought to my family. A few new little routines have been put in place and we rediscovered our time together, the boys and me, so much more enjoyable without all the modern stuff, the computer games and the Nintendo. Drawing and reading an hour before bedtime, long walks with the dog, family bath times full of silliness and of course cookie making....
COOKIE MAKING. I always used to bake cookies for my kids, but life changes and things stop, to rediscover this simple pleasure enriched now as the kids do most of the baking, and it is me that sits tapping my fingers waiting for the cookie to come out the oven and be the first to eat one.
Memories of the beautiful cottage, sweet and pretty have made me take time to clear and tidy up my own home. It was a break that made me slow down and take stock and see things for what they are instead of thundering through life, its left not just me but the boys too with a new rhythm and new appreciation of what we know is important to us and that is our precious time together.
So the thoughts to the week ahead... well its birthday week here, both boys a day apart (plus four years and two minutes) so plans are being made, presents being bought and made secretly in the evenings...
Birthdays are such special times, I think for the children it is filled with great excitement but for the Moms its a time when you stop and look at the stage your child is at. One birthday marks a change...as my little boy, my first born, turns into a teenager. As we sit together in the evenings when the littlest one is asleep, I know now that this is not a time to fear, it enriches us, he doesn't need me as much as he did, he is capable and balanced. (Most of the time)! Our time is now spent talking, as he questions everything, he laughs too at his silly Mom who gets her knickers in a twist and he helps me see the funny side of our life. He is a support, a helper and my friend. Sometimes when the going gets tough it is him that gives out the hugs and that fills my heart to bursting...

Have a fabulous weekend.

Pictures: (1-7) tea pot cosies and a small selection of my china cups, yes I am a collector!!! (7-13) pictures from our holiday away in our cosy cottage with a sprinkling of snow on top...oh yes and the flying dog!!!

NB: All cosies gone to new homes. Thank you :)

Missing...

Missing...Blogger who has not blogged for two weeks...

I am right here, but very busy and adjusting to life after my lovely relaxing break away with my children at this beautiful cottage, ah what bliss, photo's to follow, time just chilling, no thought to clock watching and lots of our day spent outdoors playing in the snow and then warming up in the evening in front of a fire with yummy food from the local deli. Sleeping was a big feature of the week, lots of reading, a little bit of knitting and a couple of lovely visits to see a friends...
Returning back home to the usual madness and juggling too many things at once. I am getting there, there is light at the end of the tunnel... struggling with the reality of the return back to normality but helped along with a few very positive signs of spring, oh the snow drops look fabulous and cheer me up and make my heart lighter.

On the kitchen table, the heart of this home, life is busy and a bit messy, but results are on the way, working on a couple of orders, pre paring for being assessed in school and getting as much study done as possible.

I am very excited to announce I have won a couple of blogging awards from some special bloggers, I will reveal all in my next post. For now though I wanted to thank you for taking the time out to keep coming back to my hectic home, a place that shows how reality of day to day living and dreams can mix on a daily basis.

Feeling humble and thankful and a little bit excited about the lighter evenings that promise longer, brighter and warmer days ahead.

Stocking up...

The cold winter weather is taking its toll on my little family...My wee one is curled up on the sofa feeling very sorry for himself, even the promise of a movie with popcorn snuggling up in a big Mommy cuddle does not raise a smile... cough cough cough... poor little poppet.
I too am still under the weather, with a cold that will not let go of me. So with the snow turning to treacherous ice on the roads, I am hunkering down and playing nurse with my littlest one and in the moments he sleeps all curled up snoring gently I have been either sitting at my desk studying or in my sewing room working on stock.
Having attending various craft fairs and shows over the holiday season I have really thought about what I make and what is worth me making. I have noticed a big trend at fairs for small but cute things, so with this in mind I have been making cute button hairbands in Japanese fabric and little fabric button earrings.
Not to mention normal button earrings, with of course the dotty red buttons.
I have really enjoyed designing the packaging and think they go very well in the fabric boxes. My packaging is rather rustic and simple so this sewn card keeps in with my Dotty Red style.
With Spring on its way (oh please please come soon) you couldn't ignore the Easter Bunny so I have made a little twist on the lavender hearts and made ickle lavender bunnies....A treat to inhale all that lavender goodness...cute cute ears!
Oh and of course everyone favourite... bunting and lots of it!!! So I feel I have some stock now, this time last year it was cushions, I have finally found a supplier for my feather pads which really helps on the price front for me.
So I carry on looking after the little one and half term approaches, I am going to sign off for the week and spend time with my family, we are off to a place with people we have not seen for a while, a big old log fire and lots of fields and woods to explore oh and I am sure we will visit the odd beach. As we escape the real world for a week I hope what ever you are doing this next week it will be a blessed time, a time of good health and laughter...and lots of it.