mini trip to london.............

I spent a few days with Kate last week and took my mum with me for a little mini break. We both had a fun time in London and it was so lovely catching up with Kate and Jake - I miss them so much and wish they lived a little bit closer.

I had the perfect job of taking Jake to nursery in the mornings, which is usually Sebs job but he was away on a business trip. Jake is so chatty and he would talk and sing all the way to nursery, it's lovely that he is so happy each morning. I didn't want to break his routine but it was nice to take him in a little bit late in the morning and where possible collect him early

on our way to nursery..................................

The day before I came home Jake came out in a few spots and then by the following morning he was covered in Chicken Pox, poor little man but he has coped very well.

A few months ago I taught Kate how to crochet and she picked it up very quickly - her fist granny square was beautiful .................

Kate's first ever granny square...............

Kate has continued to crochet and being Kate she does nothing by half and is on her way to finishing her first blanket - she has made 105 little squares so far.............

all perfect......................

lovely colours...............

more lovely yarn to finish off the blanket...................

My mum taught me how to crochet so it was quite special having three generations of women enjoying the simple art of crochet together.

We enjoyed our little holiday and managed to fit in some shopping as well as building duplo towers with Jake but time went quickly and it was soon time to get the train home. I am looking forward to August as Kate and Seb are bringing Jake to spend some time with me - can't wait and Jake will have such fun playing with his cousins.

Talk soon x

Kate's house..............

Whenever I spend time in London with Kate I am always in awe of her interior design talents. She has an incredible eye and manages to achieve wonderful visual displays, in every corner of her home. Kate's style is quite eclectic from modern, industrial, a touch of urban and even some slight vintage influences.

I feel sad that Kate has had to give up her business, she is such an inspirational designer maker but she had just too many balls to juggle. Being a busy mum and also Head of Art at a prestigious London school were stretching her to the limit. I am sure that Kate will continue to develop her design ideas and I have no doubt that when her life calms a little she will be tempted to explore other avenues.

With Kate's permission I have tried to capture a little glimpse of her lovely home - unfortunately I'm not sure the photographer was quite up to the job.

Kate's kitchen and outside space .............

main living space..................

Jake's room......................

study and staircase....................

 so much more I could show you but not enough time...............

talk soon x

ps I want to start to use my face book page more - please if you have a minute would you like my page

many many thanks

Sue x

Going Home ...................

After my lovely few days in London it's time to go home. I've packed my case and I am about to head off for the tube, I am sad to be leaving Kate and Jake but I also miss the rest of my family at home. It's such an exciting time to be around my grandchildren, Jake keeps singing little bits of twinkle twinkle little star in preparation for his nursery Christmas concert on Thursday, Alex, Finn, Daisy, Zach and Noah have got Christmas concerts and parties coming up, they are all getting very excited.

Once home it will be all go as I have a growing list of things to do, after making sure the house is all in order I will start writing my Christmas cards which is always a bigger job than I think. 

Next I am planning to get my Christmas tree and  properly decorate the house as so far I have just got a little advent corner set up for my grandchildren.

hope my tree is as nice as this .....................

    Talk soon x

crochet is such fun .......... yarn along

Today I am celebrating Kate's success in learning how to crochet.

We have been using Erika Knights "Crochet Workshop" it's an amazing book which provides inspiration for beginners and for the more advanced. The book is beautifully written and illustrated, a definite favourite on the book shelf.

Kate has mastered doubles, trebles and her very first granny square - she is now on the long journey of making her very first blanket.

I will keep you posted on Kate's progress.

Kate's first granny square - I'm so proud

talk soon x

Christmas shopping ......

I decided to venture into London and visit my favourite shop - Liberty's of course! So wrapped up warm with lots of accessories, hat, scarf, gloves and boots [it's freezing out] I set off for the tube. After a very busy underground journey I arrived at Oxford Circus and amid all the frantic hustle and bustle I arrived at Liberty's. 

The store is always beautiful to behold but at Christmas time it has a special magical quality all of its own. I spent some time wandering around and imagining all the things I would buy if I wasn't shopping on a budget. Then it was up to floor 3 where I just love the kitchen shop, the children's area and of course the haberdashery and yarn area - such bliss.  I bought some amazing grey yarn with a silver thread running through it and some lovely creamy natural wool with a sparkle - not sure what I will be making but will let you know soon as I'm desperate to start something special.

The Christmas Shop was a delight and I love all of the different colour schemes, I seem to have fallen for a white and silver theme but alas most of my decorations are red and green so I don't think I can afford to abandon them all this year. Pink and aqua seem quite popular but I'm not sure they are quite me.

lovely Christmas reindeer ........

It was soon time to head back to Kate's and brave the cold and the crowds. It was already quite dark outside and the lights on Oxford Street were stunning but unfortunately my photo doesn't do them justice.

I'm off to get the tube talk soon x

I'm going visiting ................

I am just packing my bags ready to go to London - I can't wait, I'm going to spend a long weekend with Kate, Seb and Jake. It seems ages since I last spent time with Jake, I can't wait for a cuddle and I've got lots of hugs to pass on from his 5 cousins.

If every thing goes to plan I will arrive in good time to collect Jake from nursery school which will be lovely. We have got lots of nice things planned for the weekend, but if I don't get my skates on I will miss my train.

I hope this means I'm early ............it's very quiet

Talk soon x