CELEBRATIONS

A few weeks ago I bought 30 used coffee sacks, I've spent some time making them into cushions and bags. A bit of a messy project, but I've been pleased with the finished results

Big milestone in our house, (and a week of celebrations) 21st October was Bella's 13th birthday. Celebrations began with a family meal at Turtle Bay, followed by a couple of friends going to ibounce and Pizza Express a few days later, and then at the weekend a visit to London with me to spend her birthday money.

No trip to London at this time of year would be complete without a visit to Liberty's and their Christmas floor.

Our trip coincided with my friends daughter's 30th birthday celebrations in Amersham

New in, these pink star print dresses 

lovely pale blue unicorn print skirts

and something I haven't made for some time - Superhero capes.

Now we're into November and the sun is still shining and we are still having beautiful days out with and without friends. Not wanting to sound too 'cheesy' but after the year I've had I feel life is a celebration, we should never take it for granted and always try to be grateful for what we have. I'm definitely feeling very lucky.

Treatment update 

Well... glad to say there is no treatment update! I continue to have Herceptin, my hair is growing, my energy levels are back and I wait to see when I can have my ports out, probably after Christmas.

SaveSave

BATTERED BY STORMS

For weeks now the bad weather has battered the South Devon Coast including our little town Teignmouth. Our house and street were not affected but the sea front was not so lucky and of we lost part of the train track to the sea in Dawlish

In contrast we spent a lovely evening with a Malaysian friend Christine and her husband, friends and children celebrating Chinese New Year 

Having shut down my website, Etsy, Folksy and everything else I sell on I've been busy busy, cutting and stitching in preparation for launching with a new range in March.  It felt at one time that it just wasn't happening but now it's coming together and I'm feeling confident in meeting my personal deadline. I've also been asked to send a photo to Devon Life  for their April edition (not quite sure what it's about at the moment)

A new Japanese style linen bag with red lining and leather trim that will be part of my new range.

HELLO 2014

After a very relaxing Christmas we took advantage of the in-laws staying and Harry and I went off to London for a few days.  How nice it was to wander the streets, child free stopping for drinks and food and a little bit of shopping when ever the mood took us.  Will have to do it again very soon!

First stop was salt beef sandwiches and coffee at Selfridges

 The lovely Liberty's in all it's glory

wandering along Oxford Street 

Carnaby Street

China Town

Lovely houses in Fournier Street E1 

My Sister Mabel has had a sale on during January, which has left me with very little stock (which is the idea) I'm now frantically putting together a lovely range of new dresses and tops both for ladies and "little ladies" and even a new bag or two, In the meantime I've been using up some of my scraps of vintage fabric to make these lovely little hairbands

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Some of the most favourite books in our house are that of Roald Dahl, so when I spotted this fabric I had to buy half a metre of each and make up these drawstring bags.

Taking a break from all the rain, Sunday the sun shone and the girls and I went for a long walk along the beach and out onto the spit (which appears when the tides out)

AUGUST IN ALL ITS GLORY

It's been over a month since the last post and the holidays are over.  What did we do? Well the first two weeks were spent with family in sunny Valencia, relaxing in the sun.

 Just not ripe enough, Mabel disappointed with the lack of edible grapes

 Bella testing the sangria

 Bella in the Placio Dela Virgen

 Our traditional Sunday dinner - a homemade paella

 Mabel & Me in the Placio De La Virgen

The wonderful food market in Valencia

The very lovely churro's and chocolate

Back in the UK, we had a few days before Mabel and me were off to Bristol Children's Hospital for Mabel to have a diagnostic catheter to make sure her stent was working as it should.  Luckily everything was good and she has even been taken off her medication for the moment.  

We have recently given permission for her case and treatment to be featured in next years British Medical Journal as we have just found out that Mabel was the first child to have this particular procedure in this country. Mabel makes it into another publication!!

The rest of the Summer was spent enjoying the sunshine and spending a lot of time at the park or the skate park which we are lucky enough to have on the seafront. We even managed a visit to our friends in Worthing

 Mabel cooling off in the water at the park

 Watching the sun set at the Ship Inn Teignmouth

 A friends Summer party

 Bella and her best friend Caitlin in Worthing

 I've still managed to a few new dresses although I have spent most of the Summer just building up my fabric supplies. Mabel has been a wonderful Model as ever!

A few of My Sister Mabel's upcycled dresses.

 Down On The Farm

 Retro 70's Autumnal Flower Print Fabric and Needle Cord

 The LOVE Dress

 VW Beetle Dress

I even had a request for a ladies version

 Daisy Print Dress

Vintage Paddington Bear 

As we say goodbye to Summer 2013 the hottest one we've had since moving here in 2008. Our girls started school Mabel in Reception Class and Bella already in Year 4