Apparently, fluent in polish...

November.
An ordinary month ending in a very bizarre way.
And I'm still trying to figure out how it happened!

Three months ago I answered an email to join a rural action for small businesses group, a token gesture which involved nodding occasionally and consigning emails to my spam folder.
However, when an email arrived inviting me to a freebie shopping trip to Bath I broke the habit of a lifetime and replied immediately.
 Call me fickle, but shopping in Bath was infinitely more appealing than invites to bee keeping lectures and rural issues.

On 30th November I turned up for the bus to Bath expecting to recognise at least a few passengers.
It seemed a little odd that I was being asked to give my national insurance number and handed a large folder - which I assumed was a welcome pack - or that everyone was speaking polish or chinese. However, it was only when the bus pulled out and I opened the ''welcome pack'' that I realised it contained four basic english assignments for people learning english as a second language - and my name was on the list!!!

By now it was too late to get off the bus and I assumed - wrongly - that I could just hand in blank papers and no-one would be any the wiser, but it appeared to be compulsory, and papers kept getting returned to me to ''correct.''

By the time we eventually pulled in to Bath - via a service station to complete assignments and with the threat of another assignment filling in session in a coffee shop - I have never run so fast!!!

 I still have not got to the bottom of how that happened, although I have the distinct impression that I was set up.
I am eagerly awaiting the results of my learning english-as-a-foreign language assignments and may just frame the certificate...
Especially if I've failed.

An orange aura. Tis the season of the fox.

Funny how we are subconsciously influenced by the seasons when it comes to colour.

For the last fortnight I seem to have surrounded myself with tones of orange.
Most odd, as it is neither a colour I wear or, if put on the spot, would name as my favourite colour, and I am notoriously fickle when it comes to colour!

In London last week the orange theme continued.
A trip to Brick Lane unearthed a 1960s fantastically retro cotton fabric in the autumnal hues of brown and orange.
And South Kensington yielded a photo opportunity in the form of a carousel, which morphed into a rainbow of orange tones.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/168747526/carousel-a-205cm-x-205cm-photogrphic?ref=shop_home_active

I loved the lighting on this carousel, and the contrast it made against the darkening night sky.

Thankfully, the very photogenic Nadal didn't continue the orange theme at the 02, which was rocking a blue theme. 

But my 21 year old son was unexpectedly rocking crutches and freshly torn ankle ligaments, which did not bode well for London via The Underground. 
That, and a hotel room on the third floor of a Georgian townhouse ...
with no lift!


Returning home, the first item I made was a snoozy fox.
Soft, tactile and looking for a door to prop open.

I've been wanting to make a shaped fox for a long time, and this worked really well in the orange wool.  
Move over owls, it's the season of the fox!

http://folksy.com/items/4879612-Snoozy-fox-doorstop-bookend-Fox-decor-https://www.etsy.com/listing/168822503/snoozy-fox-doorstop-bookend-fox-decor?ref=shop_home_active

There is something very special about London.
Shoreditch, Brick Lane - Liberty.
The V&A, the galleries...the arches.

There is a particular archway at Shoreditch that draws me in every time.
The dark gloom under the tunnel set against the vibrant graffiti art beyond.

This is a photograph I took last week.
Beneath the Arches.

Dear Diary...Monday, 7th December 1989. Ramblings of a 21 year old backpacker in retro Aswan.

Monday, 7th December 1989.

The trip down to Aswan was sheer hell.
20 hours in a second class carriage on a cockroach infested, Egyptian train.  Oh my God!!!

On the platform we appeared to be the only tourists waiting for second class.  
As soon as the train pulled in it was like a stampede - a solid mass of people with baskets and chickens and hubble bubbles - all trying to get through the doors at the same time. 
Hands everywhere, groping, touching, and when we eventually found our seats we all collapsed in a sweaty mess.
And cursed the Aussie girls who'd assured us second class was fine.

We eventually made it to Aswan, and, wandering around in an exhausted, sleepless state, were horrified when we realised Lance had led us to a Youth Hostel.
A Youth Hostel!!! After the state of the hotels in Cairo!!!
Luckily he just wanted to pick up mail and we ended up at The Rosewan, just round the corner.
And the markets!!! 
Real markets, with sand and donkeys and silver and hubble bubbles.
And apparently beer too, though I have no idea where that came from.

The next morning we had to register with the local police, so they could track our movements in their country.
Then we met a crazy Nubian called Eden,who invited himself to lunch, before whisking us off to an Island on his felluka. 


My favouite memories of Aswan are the mad, crazy parties on the boat, me and Dave being bundled into a taxi mid silver browsing by Eden with no warning, to be whisked off to a nubian cafe for a dinner we hadn't known we wanted, painting the sail  and the bazaars...the wonderful, silver filled bazaars.
I love Aswan!

But all good things come to an end, and the morning we were supposed to be sailing to Comombo disaster struck.

EDEN HAD GONE!!!  While Kay and I were taking a last look round the bazaars, Eden had been arrested - FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER!!! - and was in jail!!!

The appeal of hibernation.

When the nights draw in and daylight fades; when village life grinds to a 6pm halt, I often feel that squirrels have the best idea with sleeping through winter.
Although I'm pretty sure that welsh squirrels don't hibernate, as they're always round my ankles when I stalk them with a camera.

But, with hibernation not being an option, I've resorted to a blanket, chocolate magnum and a very scented candle.

I love all the winter fabrics around this year.
The tweed, the vibrant shades of wool...velvet.
Velvet is a recent rediscovery and I'm planning on using it for fabric cuffs, with linen and lace.

Going with a warm blue and chocolate theme Prudence is my newest owl, resplendent in tweed and wool.


https://www.etsy.com/listing/167350854/prudence-a-large-woollen-owl-pillow-owl?ref=shop_home_active

http://folksy.com/items/4769922-Prudence-a-large-woollen-tweed-owl-cushion-35cm-tall-

Dear Diary....the ramblings of a 21 year old in 1989.

Oh my goodness gracious me - dusty old diaries from the 1980s!!!
This is an entry from my misspent youth....

Dear Diary...
Thursday 3rd September, 1989.
Guess who turned up at Gardner Merchant last shift?  Aussie Dave!!!
It was so embarrassing - he was talking to Michael in the washup and when he said hello I didn't even recognise him - and we went out together last year!!!
Granted, it wasn't for very long, but even so - still, it shows what sort of impression he made if I can forget him that quick.
When I did remember who he was - and I blame his facial fluff - it was nice to catch up. He leaves for Canada on Sunday so we went for a drink up the Village Inn this morning , before collecting my wages and dashing up to London, where I'm writing this while waiting for my coach to Swansea.
I haven't seen my family (except Dad) for more than a month now and I'm looking forward to it - and seeing the house now that they've moved in.
I'm getting into so much trouble at work at the moment. I'm going to have to be careful now, I think.
I haven't been coming out on time,  been banned from talking to Andy at the bar - and got caught round there by Tim, slagging hm off - after he'd told me twice about going round!!!  I couldn't believe it when he appeared, and it was a good job it wasn't five minutes earlier or I'd have been caught red handed with a double vodka! I was so lucky not to get a written warning.
And then there was the last night of shift, when I was so pissed off with Jean-Michel that I slipped round the Oasis about midnight to talk to Andy for awhile - and when I got back he was so mad he docked me my ten minute break!  I was fuming!!!

Tuesday 8th September, 1987
Well, this time next month I should be back in Israel!
Time's going so fast now and because it was all planned on the spur of the moment I can't believe it's really happening, though with just £7.77 in the bank and a one way ticket - not to mention a passport that expires in March - I really ought to get my act together.
I'm supposed to be working 12 night shifts on the trot now, which should help, but I've got to sort some new contact lenses too.
P.s....Simon appeared in the canteen last shift to talk about Israel and - GUESS WHAT?
He's bringing TWO suitcases, an electric shaver and a HAIRDRYER!!! What a peacock - he's taking more than me and Amanda put together!!!

Winter wool, the odd pirate and a distinct lack of chocolate hobnobs.

Storm clouds are brewing, my laundry basket is overflowing and I'm tempted to just seek solace under a blanket, with daytime TV and a packet of chocolate hobnobs.

Unfortunately, my hobnob supply appears to have shrunk to three biscuits. Just three, solitary biscuits.
I'd like to think there was a hobnob thief,, but as it's just me and two cats, I think it was probably me.
What is it with chocolate hobnobs and will power???

So - hobnob free - I'm going to finish stitching an owl.
This one is a tactile mix of tweed and powder blue wool.
Powder blue is so not a colour I'd normally choose, and I will admit to rolling my eyes when the idea was muted, but the contrast with the tweed is beautiful.
It's very easy to get caught up in reproducing old favorites and safe colour schemes, so I am very grateful to the customer who requested this blue, because it's opened my eyes to new combinations.  I'm still loving pinstripes, which I'm moving on to foxes.
Having lost my grey pinstripe to the Dr Who production team, I was so impressed with LeeMills in Swansea for unearthing this chocolate brown pinstripe.

Tweed and powder blue...who would have thought!!!

Particularly as it involved rummaging under hundreds of precariously balanced bolts of wool amongst the dust.

I love this shop.

A fox in need of whiskers.

The owner is a 70 year old with magpie tendencies.
 Despite having to squeeze your way up and down overflowing aisles, where releasing a single bolt of wool involves circus like contortions and risks an avalanche, LeeMills is apparently short on woollen fabric and ordering more.
It makes my own fabric stash seem minimalist....

Soon to be listed on Etsy.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSherbetPatch?ref=si_shop

From Brick Lane with love. Urban grit and creativity.

My love affair with London stretches back over three decades.

Moving to Sussex as a 12 year old in 1979,  I remember numerous family trips to London.  They included trips to Hyde Park, the landmarks, the museums, but what I really fell in love with was the wonderful London Underground - and Covent Garden.

When I went to Art School, my focus changed - along with my dress sense!

Now, it was all about Oxford Street, Carnaby and the odd dodgy club.

Gallery trips with Art School meant in through the front door, a cursory look round, then off to the Kings Road.

I missed London when I started my 21 year rural stint in Llanrhidian.

And I still miss it 21 years later.

This time around, my love affair is with Brick Lane, and Shoreditch.

I love the quirkiness, the raw creativity, the vintage edge.

I love the laidback, maybe 11, maybe later openings in the side streets, the way there's a photo opportunity round every corner and, of course, it's home to my absolute favourite vintage treasure trove on Cheshire Street. 

The urban grit and creativity of Shoreditch is both refreshing and inspiring.
And I've already booked my next trip back in November, for the Renegade Craft Fair.

http://www.renegadecraft.com/london-home


This trip to London has opened my eyes to new ideas, and I feel completely rejuvenated.
I also feel cash poor but fabric rich, after the mecca that was the Knitting and Stitching show at the Ally Pally.
Oh, my goodness -so much beautiful fabric, so many gorgeous trimmings.
And a newly aquired penchant for linen.


It has also completely convinced me to make moving a reality, although that may be a long term project...
And call me fickle, but it won't be to Manchester!

  https://www.etsy.com/listing/166009881/urban-grit-a-photographic-print-of-brick?ref=shop_home_active