Limited!

I'm a bit limited lately as regards to sewing and making. Practically everything I own is in storage and I have been living out of a suitcase for nearly eleven weeks now. This time has been dedicated to writing and working and the amount I've achieved is amazing compared to 'normal life' and I'm very, very happy with the amazing opportunities that have arisen from this time! More to come on that soon...

But now, I want my stuff back. I want my little tin boxes full of antique french buttons and lace, my jars of ric-rac and ribbon, my pile of vintage handkerchiefs that is as tall as Sienna. I drove for nearly an hour on wednesday to visit the nearest 'good' haberdashery, and although I came home with a bundle of goodies, I've discovered that without my sewing machine, I'm limited to tiny things. So, it looks like my plans for re-stocking the shop will have to wait a little bit longer. My mind is BURSTING at the seams with dollies and other little bits but I know it shouldn't be too long before we're all settled again and I'm reunited with my precious sewing machine!

Red Bicycle

Yesterday Mr Nick, Sienna and I made a trip to the bicycle shop. Mr Nick enjoys throwing himself down the sides of mountains upon two wheels so I decided to join him in a little Saturday afternoon bicycle browsing, that's about as near to mountain biking as I will ever get. I'm more the 'pootling around town with the newspaper, a baguette and a bottle of Bergerac in my basket' kinda bicycle rider so I was instantly smitten with my new love - The Pashley Princess. They had two, one a very sweet fifties baby blue, and this one, the red one...my one. It was over six hundred pounds, but I want it so, so badly. I can't wait to get settled again in my very own studio and re-stock my shop, then maybe after I've sold about 300 dollies I may be able to afford it! As you can see I wouldn't leave its side. Even while Sienna was tearing around the shop on some pink and purple tasselled atrocity, threatening to knock over the entire shops stock, I was glued to it and it's very informative pamphlet. It had all sorts of useful information including Bicycle etiquette. It was just adorable. All of it. Including the pamphlet. So, even though this was only taken yesterday teatime, it feels like a thousand years ago. I'm longing for the day when we can be together everyday.

And in other news! Just as I was feeling particularly and spectacularly down in the dumps, at about eleven O'Clock on Friday morning, I looked up from my drawing board to see the postman shuffling his way down the garden path carrying a BIG BOX! I knew instantly what was inside the box and my spirits instantly lifted. I'm so happy and so lucky in so many more ways than I sometimes remember.

If there be Dippy Eggs....

...things are usually okay.

Things are getting quite exciting around here just now, but as with exciting things, they always seem to be 'just around the corner'. Now once upon a time this would have driven me quite mad, but I take a more relaxed view on life these days.

A trip has been booked. We have our boarding pass for EuroTunnel. The gîte is booked and this time in two weeks I will be winding my way down to my favourite little corner of this planet with my two favourite people. And the most exciting part of this little trip is that we are going to find our new home.

We've got a shortlist, (long list) of properties to view. Some are ready to move into, although not 'our dream'. Some are old barns or farmhouses which are about as far from ready to move into as you can get, but 'could' be 'our dream'.

So, I'm busy meeting my deadlines before we go, as well as some other little bits and bobs that I will share soon.

Oh, and before I forget! These two NEW Candy Fairies books by the wonderful Helen Perelman are now available for pre-order...I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE illustrating this fabulous series, long may it continue!!