Bye Bye March. . . .

March has flown by and its been a roller coaster of a month.

At the end of February I had enquires from two companies about some design work and one was an immediate start.

I got some stylish new shoes (borrowed from my sister) ready for the site visit.

The visit went well and I was excited about the project, then the site shut to all contractors.

The project has been postponed until things are back to normal, which could be.... I don't know!

In march I've drunk a lot of tea and tried to be busy.

Above is a colouring sheet from Johanna Basford  that I downloaded, 

the perfect accompaniment to go with your tea.

Also in March, my Sketch and Chat group at the local library was cancelled.

(Perfectly understandable considering)

So on a Friday afternoon I'm determined to carry on sketching and will be adding some of my 'attempt' to my Instagram page.

Way back before I had children, I loved to do jigsaws (very rock and roll).

Added to that, I'm not very good at getting rid of stuff, so in the depths of the garage I found a box full of jigsaws. 

Unfortunately the first one I picked wouldn't fit on the board, so its only partially finished. 

In a typically British fashion, I mush mention the weather we had in March.

Perfect for drinking tea outdoors. . . . . 

And spending time chatting with the family rabbit, BB8 

(Named by the children after a Star Wars character)

Yes, one of the first signs of madness is talking to the rabbit!!

At the end of March was the first family birthday since social distancing started.

For a bit of fun I decided to make my niece a lovely Luna Lupin Bunny.

This worked really well because my teenage son gets quite distracted whilst 'home schooling'.

As soon as he sit down he sees something that's needs doing, like playing with the dog, going to see the rabbit, etc 

So sitting with him at the table keeps him on track!

Then the finished rabbit was dropped off, on her doorstep, whilst on my daily walk!

(Its like the old game where you knock on the door then run away)

During March I made the decision to temporarily close my Folksy Shop.

Taking parcels to the post office doesn't feel like an essential trip, so for now I'm closed.

You can still pop over to the shop for a browse and I'll open again as soon as possible.

The most important thing for us all to do is stay safe.

Happy Leap Year Day

I can't believe its the end of February already!

I would normally say February is a quick, short month but this year its dragged on and on.

On the first of the month my partner got, what I thought was, a nasty cold.

But it turned out to be flu and he was admitted to hospital. 

When he was released from hospital he had another couple of weeks home from work to recover.

We also had a trip to Alderhey Childrens Hospital with my 'smallish boy'.

(My son will always be my baby boy, hence the smallish boy title, but he is actually taller than me now)

On a more positive note, I had a lovely day out in Harrogate over half term where we visited the 

Spring Quilt Show. 

I got a lovely selection of things from the show and I used them straight away!

I made up one of my purse frames, perfect for nipping to the shops or library, when you don't want your 'big purse' 

I also got some fabric for my Puffins fish.

(not something you say everyday)

He is about to go into my Folksy Shop along with some of my new Bunnys and Chickens

And through all the ups and downs this month, my trusty companion has been by my side!

Well actually shes normally under my feet, just ready to trip me up.

Is it too late for Happy New Year?

Is it too late to say 'Happy New Year'?

The school year started well, with both children back at school / college and me & Penny off for a bracing walk on the fell.

Unfortunately my Son wasn't well and spent a few days at home.

  

He doesn't have lots of time off due to his illness but if he is off its no Xbox or Computer.

(I am a bit mean but I don't think staying home from school should be lots of fun)

We had a few doctors / hospital appointments. But our days mainly involved completing  a couple of jigsaws and watching a lot of TV.

We did get out for some fresh air with Penny. 

On a more upbeat note, we did enjoy the opening of a new exhibition at Arteria in Lancaster, which features some of my animals.

The sewing machine has been out (a lot)

For Christmas my daughter got me a new phone case featuring Totoro from Studio Ghibli.

So I thought I'd make myself a new shopping bag to match! 

I've done more sewing. . . . . 

A couple of swans to order and a couple for my Folksy shop. 

Another order, for a new babies nursery.

I also scaled up my whale and using some denim made this lovely chap.

Perfect for a little boy!

I had a day at Lancaster University.

My Daughter had an interview and we spent the rest of the day in lectures.

(Its decades since I did my degree and one day in lectures and I was shattered)

I needed a bucket of tea when we eventually got home.

And today the last day of January 2020, I'm making triceratops!

The final post of the year.

Well, I can't  believe we're at the end of the year.

December has flown by and my sewing machine has hardly stopped. 

I decided that in between making lots of animals, I'd make a fabric gingerbread house.

But not just a gingerbread house, a Moomin Gingerbread house!!

Being self employed for the last ten years plus (As a Design Engineer) I don't normally have a 'works Christmas do'.

But this year I took my social media expert (My Daughter) out for a coffee and we called it the Fabric Taxidermy works Christmas do.

I photographed this little lot for an upcoming exhibition.

With my daughters help, we made lots of origami stars.

I finished the Moomin House and made some tiny Moomins.

And we did lots of Christmas Movie nights.

We did a little bit of sale shopping.

And in preparation for next year I bought a new calendar and diary.

My new mantra - I will be organised in 2020.

This image of our Christmas table, makes Christmas look easy at our house but it isn't.

Don't get me wrong I love Christmas and we've had a lovely time. But behind lots of lovely Christmas images life goes on and not everything in life is smiley!

So looking forward to 2020, all I wish for is a healthy year for all my family.