School's Out!!

Okay, I know I said normal service was resumed, but I was away again last week so the post sort of fell by the wayside....

Still, now it's the end of term I can catch up (a bit)...

It's been nice to have some 'kick-back' time and just watch the grass grow - well I would do, but up until a day or two ago it wasn't. Everything around here had gone a sort of straw yellow with the sun, but recent showers have definitely perked things up. Here's the (rather grainy) view from our garden/sun room before the rain.

 

 

A lovely view (when you block out our neighbours' bungalows by squeezing your eyes - and ignore the telegraph pole) to drift away while having a coffee and pretending to read!

 

The sun has also worked its magic on the pots and plants around the garden. When I was young dad would fill the house in the autumn with all the geraniums he was saving. They all lived on the landing on top of the tallboy and reeked of that rather distinctive geranium smell which I hated. Funny isn't it, that now I can't imagine our garden here without them!

 

 

 

Just yesterday Graeham called for me to come quickly as he'd spotted a little visitor in the garden... We regularly have cats and foxes, we've also had a frog on the front door (actually sitting on a projecting piece so that when you open and shut the door he looked up rather enjoying the ride!) and a pheasant strutting along the road outside the bungalow, but never a bunny! This one was very small and looked rather lost - hopefully it made it to a place of safety.....

 

So what else have I been up to other than relaxing and gazing out of the window? Well, I was up in Kent working at my old school for the end of term. It coincided with Mum's birthday so I stayed at my sister's place and we went our and enjoyed a meal at the local tapas bar. And Juds also gave me the mirror that I made last time I was there. We both played for a while sticking our shells on - mine's the one on the left. I just need to varnish it, then.. not sure what to do with it, or where to hang it!

 

 

Other than that I've tried to get myself into finishing a couple of blankets that I started - as you can see this one hasn't got that far! Mind you, it's a lot further than the baby blanket I have started, frogged, restarted, frogged... and so on about four times... Now I've stopped knitting it and started crocheting instead.

 

 

 

Oh yes, I got to spinning too.... I'm having to tear myself away from the lovely Shetland fleece that I'm spinning and try to discipline myself into concentrating on the alpaca that still sits there looking accusingly at me - perhaps next week when I go to the spinning group I'll get the drum carder out and attack it full on to speed things up!

 

And I've read, and played tennis and eaten cake.. all that and the holiday's only just started!

 

Right, action - I have got teachers' notes to write on Carrie's War, still I reeeaaallly need to just pop over to Handmade Monday to see what everyone else has been up to. Task avoidance I hear you say, hmmm now if that was an Olympic sport I could truly be a champion!

 

 

Normal Service (!) resumed...

Hello again! I know I've been remiss with the postings, but I can't believe how quickly the time goes and how little I seem to have to write to show you how I've filled it!!!

Anyway, excuses aside, everything keeps moving along - so here are some highlights..

In between the writing and trips away for work we have managed one or two nice trips out for ourselves too. There have been barbecues with friends - the most recent last night on the beach at Budleigh, walks along the beach and relaxing in lovely spots. Here's a couple of shots from when we had some time in Cockington. This first one is the view from our table in the cafe where we had our cream tea while the pianist played in the garden....

 

 

I have managed some bits and pieces of finishing off, the odd doll's blanket and scarf.. like this lacy one. I've also got a beautiful new fleece from one of our Wednesday spinners, Dawn. She sheared her flock on the Saturday and brought a selection of Shetland fleeces the following Wednesday. They were lovely. I've washed mine and started on it abandoning the alpaca that's driving me nuts! (Mind you I am about half way through the throw I'm making from it - I swear that the rest of it that is living in the loft is breeding, there always seems to be more of it each time I open the box it's in...).

 

 

 

Work continues apace, with next academic year's dates already rolling in - so it would seem I'm still employed for the future. On my last visit to Cardiff I went out for a walk in the evening with some of the staff from one of the schools. It was such a change from either having a drift around Cardiff on my own or retreating to the hotel room. We did a couple of circuits of the lake at Roath. To my shame, even though I was at university there for three years, I'd never been to the park. Here it is - can't really guess you're in the middle of a capital city, can you?

 

 

 

I've also been able to get up to see my mum and sister - their birthdays are this week so I'll be back there again on Sunday - and then on to my old school for the end of term. So we'll have time for an evening at their local tapas bar with plenty of Sangria. My excuse is that I'm practising for my holiday. We finally managed to book one for October - so it's off to Fuerteventura then!

 

Finally, thanks to some of the lovely comments you sent I plucked up the courage to pop into a local shop, Inc. I chatted to Emma who runs it and showed her some of my brooches and she bought a couple to try in the shop. This week I had a call asking for some more and I showed her an ice cream one that I'd made - and she wanted more of those too! Here's some of the batch ready to go down there today! I've never done anything like this before so I'm well and truly chuffed at the response, especially as the first two she had sold so quickly.

 



 

 

 

I think that's just about everything up to date now.... although I'm sure I've forgotten plenty too.. it's been that sort of time. So I'm about to settle down to some data work for the morning, before I have my usual coffee break browse and Handmade Monday then  pop down to Inc with my brooches. After that I guess it's a relax in the sunshine - long may it last!!!!

 

 

 

That almost-but-not-quite feeling!

Yes, I'm back... sorry about the distruption in service, but between blogs I've had some chill out time as well as another working trip to Wales. I did think there wasn't much to report, but I still seem to have filled the two weeks somehow!

We were going to have a bit of a holiday, but decided that the issue of relying on 12 year old transport when travelling back and forth over distance was a bit risky so a newer, more eco-friendly vehicle was the first priority. It's not a new car, but it's much newer than the old one. It enjoyed the drive to Newton Abbott (well a girl's got to get to Hobbycraft somehow) and didn't object to me being at the wheel, so it looks like it can get it's first treat of a drive to the Rhondda next Monday. Just as long as I remember to put diesel, not petrol in it...

We had a trip out to the Cockington for the day the week before last and it was lovely to wander round the craft workshops and while Graeham was distracted by the lady in the fabric shop explaining about peg looms I bought some lovely oddments of fabric!

I got to spinning and acquired enough merino to finish my offering towards the Tedburn teddies for the exhibition at Killerton. Here she is, a bit lopsided, but with chracter I feel...

 

 

And I got to the Guild meeting so that I could hand her over too! While I was there I offered some pieces for the sales table at the exhibition and they were accepted.... I had two sari silk handspun scarves that I'd knitted, a skinny handspun, hand knitted skinny scarf and a bag I'd made from merino - spun, knitted and felted. I was caught in the usual debate about how to price them and was persuaded up from my original ideas by friends at the Guild who complained that I always charge too little!

 

Inspired by that and some of the lovely encouraging comments from you last time, I've also got some luggage labels to display my brooches on and am gathering the nerve to approach the owners of a shop and gallery later this week about taking some of them. Thanks to those of you who pointed out that I ought to go for it as the worst they can say is 'no'.

 

Having a bit of free time also meant I could get back to a project I started about three (or was it four?) years ago. I went to a workshop on Dartmoor to lean about mosaics from an artist called Anne Read. She was fabulous and we spent the morning making coasters to learn the techniques and the afternoon beginning a piece to finish at home. Of course, once I got home, that was it! Well, I got it out (a wall hanging for the garden) and cut up the rest of the tiles I'd brought home and glued them onto the block board. It goes without saying, that just like my teddy, I ran out of tiles. Still I'm an awful lot closer to finishing than I was before. This is it so far. What you're looking at is the back. Once all the tiles are temporarily stuck to the paper on the board they are butted up to a cemented tile, the paper is removed and the gaps grouted, then voila! Well, with luck anyway..

 

No work travelling this week, so today's about clearing paperwork and finishing odd bits and pieces of tasks. Spinning group is on Wednesday, then on Thursday I'm off to see my mum and sister by train - lots of knitting time! The rest of the week I can get stuck into the teachers' notes for a Welsh context book that's been waiting an age to be finished. So when I get back to you next week I may well have turned that almost-but-not-quite feeling into a look-I've-got-stuff-finished one.

Just one more thing to do - a browse over at Handmade Monday to see what everyone else has been getting up to....

Plenty of inspiration (but not much action!)

There's been plenty to see and hear around Exmouth over the last week or so with the festival in full swing! It's been good to get out and about and enjoy what's been going on, soaking up the creativeness of lots of people as well as the long awaited sunshine!

Firstly the music continued in the gardens - this picture doesn't really do the crowds justice, but it's been busy throughout the festival with good weather almost all the time. In fact it's the first time for ages that the sand sculpture competition hasn't been drowned! Sadly as I was being good and chained myself to the computer to finish the teaching notes I needed to get done I don't have any photos of that this year!

We popped into one of the local bars/pubs for lunch the other day and they had an exhibition of some sparkly collages. (They often exhibit work by local artists/craftspeople.) Again apologies for the photos, but they were great. The collages included all sorts of bits and pieces - paper, beads, sequins, miniature treasures - and were on coloured/painted canvases. I keep looking at the two I've bought ready to make some creation or other thinking I'd love a go at that... When I get wround to it - you'll be the first to know....

 

 Then we soaked up some sun on the beach. I still have to pinch myself sometimes to realise that I really do live here, even after seven years. It's all so different from a 'proper job' near London. I never actually thought I'd be just ten or fifteen minutes walk from the beach and yet that's exactly where I am!

 

 

I also needed a card for a friend's birthday and while I was in the shop/gallery in town I saw this. It's by Moose, one of our local artists, and I couldn't resist it. Just about sums up the fun!

 

 

While I was there I got one of those 'I make stuff like this' moments. I just wasn't brave enough to chat to the manager about whether or not they might be interested in some bits and pieces like the handmade brooches like these...

 



Any ideas?
Right I'm off to get a coffee and enjoy Handmade Monday....
Who knows I might get my act together this week - it is spinning group on Wednesday - I might get that bear finished!

What do you mean it's Monday again!

Yep, got caught out with busy-ness and didn't get to blog last week. So what's been going on?
Well, I've been away working in Orpington for a week followed by some more time in Wales, I've had some fun at my sister's and seen all my family while I was staying with her (one of the big bonuses of working near London!) and met up with friends. I'm ploughing through the writing on my desk(top) and it's also festival time here so loooaaaddsss to get up to - sadly most of it resulting in zilch photos!!

Anyhow, the sun is shining and I'm about to have a few days off so I might even get something creative on the camera.....

The week at my old school was good. As I mentioned it means seeing a lot of my sister, mum and nieces and some really nice social meals out - one of which seemed to involve a lot of Sangria - don't know who suggested that (eh Juds!). Juds and I also tried our hand at decorating mirrors with shells. As I left her place before the glue was completely dry I don't have any photos, still if they've worked and the shells are still stuck on I'll get some next time I'm up there!

I was also able to browse Hobbycraft as the girls (and Richard) had bought me a voucher for my birthday. Among my buys were these...

 

 

So now I can really have a good try with needle felting and hopefully save my fingers from the barbs. I did get some other stuff, but I can't show you or it won't be a surprise for someone....

 

While I was in Wales I did manage to get on with the merino that neds to be turned into a teddy, but this is as far as I got before running out of yarn.. just needed a bit more for the arms...

 

 

 

Hopefully I can beg some at spinning next week so I can finish it off. I've almost finished the dress for it too - that should hide some of the uneven spinning!

 

 

It was our wedding anniversary last week as well. Thankfully I had enough time to put a card together.... I had bought the wooden heart a while ago thinking it would be useful at some point - and it was!

 

 

As far as creativity goes there's not much else in the way of photos - although I've been writing plenty for work - sadly words don't work for the camera so you'll just have to take my word for it that it's been extremely satisfying, especially now I'm about halfway through the task.

 

It's also Exmouth Festival as I write - the website here shows last year's events - the video gives a flavour of what happens here - everything from Reggae to Sand Sculpture, clay modelling in the park to Soul Bands and fireworks.. all free and enjoyable - especially when the weather is as kind as it's been so far this year. We went down to hear Souled on Saturday night in the Gardens - a nine piece band that a friend's husband plays with. There's so much going on in and around Exmouth creatively that it makes me feel positively lazy!

 

That's about it I think - just off to Handmade Monday for a catch up and some inspiration.. hopefully I'll have time this week to comment on some of the lovely stuff there.....

 

Have a good week....

Home alterations - not necessarily intended!

Well, if last week was a bit full on this week started the same, only more so!!

On Monday morning I thought I'd spilt some water on the carpet so mopped it off and went out for a lovely run along the estuary and across the fields. I settled down to work on some teachers' notes for one of the Welsh context books on my desk and Graeham busied himself in the garden.  Later in the afternoon the water was back.. in mopping it up I felt a drip, looked up and realised it wasn't me dropping water, but the loft.... On examining the loft we discovered we had a brand new, unplanned water feature, one that had obviously been building itself over a long time. Thanksfully our friend across the road has done all our plumbing and despite it being a Bank Holiday came over to find out what was up. Having discovered it was the tank that was leaking we drained it and by Tuesday lunchtime Pete had installed a brand new tank, the loft had started drying out and there were no more drips.. What a result. Oh yes, and now I know that every piece of linen in the airing cupboard is freshly laundered as when we checked it had all got a soaking over the time that the leak had been developing so all of that's had to be washed!

Still, today's alterations were intended. We had an old lean to against the bungalow replaced with a lovely garden room and patio a while ago and the final task was to add railings to the edge for safety. 'The boys' came on Friday and now this bit of the house is complete.. just waiting on that long hot summer now to enjoy it!

I've managed to finish making my friend's bag from that wool she found in her dad's place. In felting it's changed colour - for the better I think and I'm realy pleased with the result. Just the decorating to do now and then I can give it to her. Hope she likes it!

And the skinny scarf is finished too. So good progress on the finishing front.

Work this week means I'm away till Friday so I need something portable to take with me. The same friend who gave me the green wool also found some baby wool in her mum's stash so that's going with me. That's mostly because I've started a shawl with it and it's on circular needles because of the intended finished size.



I'm so glad I was introduced to circular needles! Not only are they perfect for avoiding seams in bags (when added to a three needle cast off and integrated handles like the one above I can abandon sewing up altogether!), but they are also much easier to transport without poking holes in bags, and they alleviate the weight of large items so are so much easier on the wrists...

With that I must dash - working near London means I get to stay some of the time with my sister and see all the family.. Sunday roast awaits and I need to pick Mum up along the way so this has to be a brief this week... Will catch up next time.

Mind you - I'll be checking out Handmade Monday tomorrow as usual - need my fix of inspiration!

A Satisfying Week All Round..

What a nice seven days that was! You know what it's like when all of a sudden a series of things go well or slot into place, and although it's nothing super-sensational you get that feeling of calm satisfaction.. well that was last week.

I started off by raiding my craft boxes in the loft for some bits and pieces for our local club's charity do. The club/gym had been suffering on a number of fronts - financial, organisation and so on when one of the members took the bull by the horns and worked hard to get it back on its feet along with constant support from his wife. Sadly in the autumn he was told that his cancer was back and this time terminally so. He died a few weeks ago and so one of the committee organised the auction in aid of the hospice that supported him and his family at the end. I didn't have anything big to auction or raffle, but she did say that she could have some items for sale - hence this selection. I haven't heard how it went yet, but hopefully we've all raised a bit to contribute to the invaluable work such places do.

 

 

I then took a day off for my birthday! It started with the usual Tuesday morning run that my friend, Karen and I try to fit in each week. It was glorious as we ran across the golf course, along the cliffs and past the beach with sunshine and great views all the way. Then Graeham made a special lemon curd cake to accompany the card opening and we wandered down into town for a leisurely lunch in one bar followed by coffee overlooking the beach. It doesn't matter how long we live here, it's still a novelty being able to walk on the beach any day we like! Then we went racing at Exeter Racecourse and I even managed to pick winning horses in four of the six races - Howzat! Now I've got the fun of deciding how to spend the pressies from my family. Good fun all round.

 

 

Now about that finishing off, well, I did eventually manage to get the sewing machine out so I got this kit done..

 

 

and this bag...

 

 

and this other kit for a card wallet that was lurking in the pile. Not all of them showcasing the most skilled of stitching, but I enjoyed myself.

 

 

I found a couple of felt hearts that I had started needle felting so finished them off into a brooch as well.

 

 

Wednesday was spinning and our little group is getting a group exhibit ready for showing in the autumn. We're making teddies from some merino. I even managed to get about half of mine spun up - it was a nice break from the alpaca which is proving a bit of a nightmare with carding as much of it is very short and so fiddly to spin. Anyway this merino was a dream, so hopefully I'll get the rest of it done this week and get started on my teddy.... Watch this space!

 



 

I did some of the other stuff I showed you last week... The green bag now looks a bit different as I got just so far and realised that I'd made it too wide and the proportions wouldn't work. So I undid it all and started again giving it integral handles so that I don't run out of yarn before the end.

 

But I did get going on some of the other yarn from the stash.. here's the thin scarf I'm making from some silk that I had spun a while ago and plied with cotton. I haven't got much of it, hense the 'skinny' nature of the scarf, but it's lovely and soft - and growing quickly too....

 

But what about work, with all these days off and finally getting to grips with making things? Well, having caught up with all the proof reading and teachers' notes that I was doing as emergencies I was about to settle down to writing the notes for books that have been waiting for ages. Then the phone rang. A while ago there was a task that I was supposed to be completing, but it didn't eventually come my way in its entirety for a number of reasons. Now, it would seem, those who wanted to do the job have found out that they don't have the time to do it - so I've got it back. So that seems to have ended the week on a high too!

 

I wonder what this week will bring?????? Enough of me now - I'm off to Handmade Monday to see what everyone else has been up to......

 

 

If 7 days make one weak (!) what can a fortnight do?

Back again!

It's been a funny fortnight - not much to show, but lots going on...

The week before last was a bit scary. My youngest niece had gone to stay with her boyfriend so he could help out while her fractured elbow was healing..... in Boston.... happily enough she's home safe and sound now. She had been at the Marathon, but left before it all happened and was waiting for the lock down to finish at the end of the week so she could race for her plance, but luckily she's unharmed and safe.

The rest of the time has been pretty full on with work in trying to catch up on deadlines that some others have missed! I suppose that's the lot of a freelance really, mega catchup merchant!! Still all done now - phew. Not complaining I must say - with all the uncertainty about other people's livelihoods it would be churlish to winge....

Anyway I still want to carry on with that sorting and finishing that I started last time so here's the plan... I've dug out these kits from different magazines ( you can see how long I've been meaning to finish them by the inclusion of the Christmas card) to finish what I've started. I only wish I could say that these are the lot.. Sadly there's plenty more lurking about the place, but these three will do for a start.

Then there's this little pile of homespun that shouldn't take too long to play with....

 And of course there's always some more of these to finish...

Oh yes and there's this... My neighbour's dad died recently and in clearing the house she found some wool that her mum had stashed away. She's also found her old button box and is giving it all to me...

So, I'm making her a felted bag as a surprise with this wool from the bag she gave me and will use some of her mum's buttons to decorate it as a surprise for when she gets back from her holiday..

There - do you think all that might keep me out of trouble? You never know. Still, now I've shared all that with you l'll have to do it all, won't I?

Of course, if I get stuck for something to do there's always work I suppose. Actually, I'm looking forward to the next lot as (once again) there's some lovely books to write about... Here's the first two of the next batch..

So that's it... I know I've probably missed Handmade Monday for this week, but I'm off for a browse anyway - it's always fun to see what everyone else has been up to! (Aha just squeaked in - hooray!)

Let's see how much I get done before next week, eh?!

That Spring Cleaning Feeling...

Hmmm nothing to do with housework I admit, but there just get to be some times when I need to reorganised, clear out and finish off!

Having spent some time last week checking what was in some boxes in the loft and putting some work away up there to keep the study clear I went to a Boot Fair with my friends who live either side of us. I always feel better when I come home with less than I started - it's actually nothing to do with raising money, but lots to do with feeling less cluttered!!

Once I started on the finishing off it sort of carried on....

Actually, I say nothing to do with housework, but I did feel better when the washing basket and ironing pile was clear - more to do with Graeham's pushing it all through than me being efficient. Mind you, I was very happy to finally get to grips with handwashing some jumpers that I kept ignoring - mainly because it's such a bind finding somewhere for them to drip happily in the midst of the weather we've been having.

Anyway, where was I, oh yes, finishing off....

Well, I'm still attacking the stash and I've decided to go for 'pick something up and then don't put it down till you've done something with it'. The first victim of this was a ball of chunky wool left over from a waistcoat at Christmas. So here it is.. all finished...

 

 

Of course there was still a bit more left so it had to be a cowl.. followed by the wool left over from making Ruby's one so that was another!

Then the left over sock wool turned itself into mobile socks...

 

Then I got as far as finishing the proofreading marathon I was on and onto these books that needed teachers' notes....

 

 and these too......

 

They then had to go back into the loft - so I suppose I'm sort of back where I started, eh?!

 

And then I HAD to finish off the last of the Easter eggs ... well you have to don't you?????

 

Still, it's badminton tonight so let's hope I run off some of that chocolate....

Am off the Handmade Monday now - sorry it's a bit short and sweet this week, but I've got 8 more books to do before I head off back to Wales on Wednesday... will be more expansive (and hopefully more interesting too) next week....

 

Have fun!

 



Sick Note

Dear Teacher..err.. Reader,
Please forgive Susan's absence from the blogging world for the past couple of weeks. This has been sue to severe eyestrain and clogged brain leading to a complete lack of creative productivity and..

Convinced? No, neither am I, but I suppose like all good fake sick notes there's an element of truth in it!

Plenty of time working away from home and a pile of close proof reading have rather impinged on my blog and making time, still let's see if I can catch up a bit..

Talking of sick notes - just a mention here for my niece Jen who managed to fracture her elbow on her way home from work the other weekend... She's on the mend and packing for Boston, so hopefully she'll be feeling a lot better soon.

I did get down to Cardiff Bay last time I was working in the Principality and got to take a look around and visit the Craft Centre. Very interesting - I hardly recognise anywhere from my time at University - still as that was rather a long time ago I guess it's to be expected.

We also got to Bovey to the Guild Craft Centre to have a look at the latest exhibition and displays. Even when the stuff there isn't to my taste it's still inspiring and great to refresh the crative side of the brain (especially when it's a bit numbed by endless computer work!).

There were some lovely cushions there as well as some other textile work and it made me itch to get the machine out...

 

As luck would have it, Graeham was out playing badminton one evening so I did actually get as far as starting this bag that came already cut out in a book that my nieces bought me ages ago. It still needs its handles finishing, but I'm quite pleased so far.

 

Oh yes, and I did get my mum's cardy finished and posted off to her too.....

Right, now it's off to Handmade Monday for a browse before settling down to work - writing this time at last....

Back next week.. or I'll have to get a proper note from my mum, eh?

Hectic - yet fun!

Monday rolls around again - yet another different kind of week with lots going on..

Last week we had Graeham's brother and his wife to stay for a day or two so we had a nice stroll by the beach, lunch out and a game of ten pin bowling. Oh yes, and the 'main event' - Gillingham (Steve's team) were playing Exeter City (our team) on the Wednesday evening. The game was a good one from where we were standing, but the result doesn't really do it justice - a goaless draw. Mind you in the interests of family unity I suppose ending up all square isn't a bad thing!

Taking of squares - I think I'm cracking this crochet thing! Here's the latest additions to the pile - it's about the only stuff I've made this week, but then I suppose it has been a bit busy. I'll pop over to Handmade Monday once I've finished this post and concentrate on being inspired by those more expert than myself rather than frustrated by my rather basic efforts....

I have had some nice surprises this week too.. Roz (my sister-in-law) brought a couple of pots of her shea butter moisturiser as presents - one for Graeham and a lovely lime one for me. You only need the tiniest bit to smooth the skin and they smell great.. She makes lots of goodies and you can see them here at her website.

Then I've got one or two samples - I think this ought to be thrifty tip number 10 - ask for samples.. Here's some of those that either came in the post or were given out in shops.. I find them ever so useful especially with all this overnighting in Wales. They take up next to no room in my bag and cost nothing.

Finally I opened my bank account to check something this morning and YouGov had paid in £50! All for filling in a few surveys.. I think that has to be tip number 11... online surveys. You have to be a bit picky - you don't want to spend almost the same as you receive in electricity bills for the computer, but by doing a few here and there you can build up some nice benefits whether that's in cash or vouchers!

Work carries on with a trip to Cardiff on Thursday and the last of the first set of notes for reading books. Last week's were great and I enjoyed these two as well. Can't wait for the next batch!

 

Having visitors shows up some of your old belongings though and we've decided that these have got to go!

 

 

Not only do they clash with most of the dining room and the crockery, but they are very faded.. But throw them away.. I don't think so. Perhaps some 'distressed' bunting or padded hearts or... well I'll show you when I think of something!

 

This weekend was football again - only this time five goals went in.. four of them for us! Then a party and a quiz, phew!!

 

Sorry about the lightening tour - but now I'm off again.. just a quick whizz over to Handmade Monday and then off to Wales until Thursday... never a dull moment eh?