Back to work and loosing all my kids to full time education.....

Finally back to work today after a lovely break from the sewing machine to be at home. My youngest started full time school today after being only part time last term - which means I will now be child free for a good part of each day - not really quite sure how I feel about that - the start of a new era!
I was able to spend most of the day at my workshop which has been seriously neglected over the holidays with many rolls of fabric just waiting to be turned into curtains and blinds by yours truly. My OH made a new sign to go out on the main road over Christmas - it bought in one passing customer today - lets hope for many more! She wanted some cowboy fabric - didn't really like the one I had so guess where I suggested......answers on a postcard please!!! Said I would be more than willing to run up any of that fabric - in fact I love working with CK so much that I would probably would not have charged her (joke!)



This is a little blind I made today for my new fabric showroom next door to the workshop - it is from Vanessa Arnothnutt - again, lovely stuff!


On the home front we have a problem - on the coldest day of the year so far our boiler had deceided to pack up so we are freezing our little socks off tonight! As I type I have a scarf and bodywarmer on with fingerless gloves all while waiting for my electric blanket to reach maximum temperature....never mind - all good for the calorie consumption!

More photos of the workshop on the next post as I can't seem to load more than 2 this evening - purposly took my camera to work today so I could show you all around! 8(.

Spoke to the lovely MelMel tonight and very much looking forward to her visit down south on Friday - must get tidying!!!

Baking, Bluewater Bargins and a Big Step......

Well, havn't I been busy........had a couple of social do's that required cakies so make a batch of toffee ginger cupcakes with fudgy icing - always go down a treat - along with some irrisistable rocky road. All went down very well, but sadly no more for me - see end of post!

(Not sure if the pictures are all coming out in the right order - just a load of mumbojumbo coding at the mo!)

Well, I have finally made it to the Bluewater Shopping centre - just of the M25 and about 1 1/2 hours away from where I live. I'm embarrased to say that I had never been into a John Lewis before - how fab is that shop?!! Grabbed a few little bargains and just had to have that bag even though it was not in the sale. The tray and little mirror were from Laura Ashley, both half price, and the fabby shoes for my littlest were only £4 - she is absolutely delighted with them, bless her.

Oh, and the Big Step - joined Slimming World today! It all seems very confusing with red days, green days, mixed days blah blah blah, but I think I will get it quite quickly........just the thought of the beach in Crete again in the summer made me do something about it....wish me luck!

A BIG HELLO - and a Happy New Year

Well hello my "friends" - I feel I know quite a bit about quite a few of you already as I follow Mel's blog on a daily basis, and often wander off well into Blogland!! I'm obviously very new to this and not sure if I can cope with photos yet, but I'm sure that will come....!

As it is New Year's Eve I thought I would list my 2008 highlights - it does us no harm to remember good times and be thankful - what about yours?

JANUARY
The opening of my new curtain workshop in a converted oast - no more fabric or work at home - the first time for 10 years!

FEBRUARY
Voted in as a Parent Governor at the kids Primary School

MARCH
Hearing that eldest got into the Secondary School of our choice, along with her friend.

APRIL
Staying for 2 nights aboard HMS Belfast with the Guides as a helper, on the Thames in the middle of London - almost under Tower Bridge!

15th Wedding Anniversary

MAY
Mel and Olly came down for the weekend to meet us and my sis-in-law for the first time. Spent 1 very sunnt day in Brighton and the other National Trusting.

JUNE
Induction evening at Secondary School - new uniform - for the best school in the county - so exciting for her and us!

JULY
Celebrations for both of my parents' 60th Birthdays

Eldest left Primary school - highly emotional! Youngest left pre-school - again, highly emotional. Needed a holiday to get over it - our first 2 week foreign holiday with the kids ever - fabulous Crete.

AUGUST
My brother and sis-in-law got married! Eldest and youngest were bridesmaids and middle man was an usher - all with a suntan - fantastic!!

SEPTEMBER
Eldest off to Secondary, Youngest off to Primary and middle man into KS2 - a landmark year

OCTOBER
Despite threats of recession, the busiest time for me - ever!

Up to Manchester for a couple of days with eldest to catch up with the fab Mel and Olly. Their home really is as pretty as in all the blog photos!

NOVEMBER
My Birthday! Other Half gave me an electric blanket - I was so chuffed with it - must be hitting middle age (38)!!!

DECEMBER
So busy my feet hardly touch the ground, but just about get all the work out and plans in place for Jan & Feb (my curtain fitter is off to NZ for 7 weeks - yikes!). Had a lovely Christmas and TIME OFF at home, which sadly gets neglected thoughout the year!

I'm hoping that my highlights give a little glimpse into my hecticness - more to follow, with photos when I have caught the blog habit of taking a camera with me every where I go!!

Thanks for reading and please leave you own highlights......Bye for now xx