Let Winter Begin

Back in February (I can't believe it was THAT long ago) I mentioned the fact that I was decorating the lounge. In anticipation of cold draughts, we had the radiator moved from the bay window and onto an internal wall. Having the radiator under the window meant we had to have short curtains which looked ridiculous on a large Edwardian bay, and we must have lost loads of heat through the wall too. Having started the job, we naturally unearthed loads of things that needed attending to which is why it's taken so long to finish (actually, I still need to buy a nice big rug to hide my high quality but revoltingly patterned carpet; plus make cushion covers). The last job was making curtains and what a job! I settled on upholstery grade carbon chenille with heatsave linings. Now, each curtain measures 9ft x 9ft and boy are they heavy. At one point I couldn't even lift the fabric up to feed it through the sewing machine- then I realised it was because my little 'helper' was lying on it

It was only when I'd completed the first curtain that I realised our lovely new curtain pole would no way support it; so pause again while the window frame and pole received extra reinforcements. But now it's all finished just in time for the hard frosts we've had this week- the room is even tropically warm with just the log fire going- think of all that energy I'll be saving!

Onto more pleasureable creative activities: After a succesful sale the other weekend, I realised that having also sold pieces on Folksy and by word of mouth to acquaintances, my stock was now one third of its original size- Hurrah!

So more supplies were bought, new pieces designed and made and going into my shop here all ready for the Christmas rush.

A sneak preview of two new designs that of course I love and want to keep:

 Maiden's ring inspired by a time gone by

and the Fiddler's Labyrinth Ring which has a spinning disc- I'm so pleased with this design in a jumpy up and down sort of way and available to buy here

New Designs

I mentioned in my last blog entry that I had an idea for a new design of ring; well.. tada!

This silver ring with copper spirals is available here

Sticking with the copper theme, I made these chain-maille inspired earrings with embossed cross detail:

..which I think are cute.

However, when I came to make my star earrings, for some reason the tiny bit of silver solder I'd used seemed to multiply under the flame and flow everywhere! I'll just have to keep them for myself I think!

Any jewellers out there who know how to prevent this? Advice much appreciated.

By the way, find a nice crop of elderberries, because it's time to make this ready for those winter chills

Back in the Creative Saddle

Inspired by six weeks of living cheek by jowl with nature has prompted me to get busy. I've decided to stock up with beauties ready for the Christmas rush:

These lovely copper and silver earrings can be purchased here,

Another copper and silver pair:

and a lovely pair of reticulated silver drop earrings will be listed soon:

I need to get busy making some more rings as I've had two sales from my shop and a request for another, but I fancy some different designs so watch this space.

In the meantime, I've been busy turning scrummy Victoria plums into jam:

and my first attempt at spiced chutney:

The jam is apparently delicious and disappearing fast, but the chutney needs to keep for at least 6 weeks before sampling so I'll let you know about that one.

At the weekend, little helpers came on a walk,

and one puppy went for a swim in the canal, before learning how to pick these

Unfortunately because he picked them with his mouth, we didn't fancy using them, but youngest pixie face and I picked enough to make one of these:

..and some of these:

yummy!

The Girl Is Back in Town

After a really traumatic start to the summer, I decided to get back to basics. I took my three babies (OK, one teenager, one pre-teen and a five-going-on 15 year old) and went camping for six weeks in Cornwall. It was make or break time in terms of the upset we'd had, but it was hard to imagine that a holiday wouldn't set right some wrongs, things were so bad. Now when I say camping, I mean camping, I hooked up my trailer, packed my tent and stuff  (including 11year old Laborador and 3 month puppy) and we camped in a field for 6 weeks- a cold water tap and a toilet 200 metres down the road, no TV, no computer or phone and do you know what happened?... My kids started behaving like kids again. They enjoyed the compulsory walks, early nights, make do cooking and washing, all of it Hurrah! We found mermaids on the beach:

Some were forced to swim in the sea:

Whilst others followed unwittingly, realising just in time that they could swim after all:

A great adrenaline-rush for some: tombstoning, not my cup of tea at all

Daddy joined us briefly to build a fortress against the sea:

Which didn't last for long

We played magical games with just a silk shawl for a prop:

Learnt new skills

Met magical creatures:

Won first prizes

Saw fantastic sunsets

But mostly we did this:

Lots of it

The New Man in My Life

Well I succumbed to temptation. Just the thing for a troubled teenager's birthday on Sunday ( plus many years of trouble to come no doubt). I hatched a plot with my friend, a 5am start for me and this was the sight that met my number one daughter when she opened her eyes:

Meet Pablo

He comes complete with a mongrel's birth certificate ( sorry, PC term is cross breed- but look at those mongrel markings) . He's made up from black laborador, golden retriever, border collie & other little bits, so goodness knows what he'll end up like. He is, however, pouring oil on troubled waters and bringing much needed joy to a family in need.

I'm not sure if Benny Boy quite agrees:

Soothing My Soul

I've been puppy sitting for my friend's 9 new(ish) additions:

Not exactly tranquil, but soothing nevertheless.

Also, turned my attention to my needy creative side. My need to heal showing slightly?

When Your World Falls Apart

So many people that I know seem to be suffering with traumas of one kind or another at the moment. Someone suggested to me that there were astrological signs pointing to difficult times ahead... I don't know.

I last blogged a month ago. That same evening my world, as I knew it fell apart. Over the following days it crumbled further and I am left with devastation. The details of what has happened doesn't matter, the sentiments are universal : hurt, disbelief, betrayal, anger, guilt, wanting to turn back time and do things differently. These feelings apply to our troubles regardless of the source. My friend at the weekend who has suddenly had to face the death of her beloved cat said to me " I know my situation isn't as bad as yours.." at which point I stopped her and disagreed; it's not the details of someone's trauma that are as important as how it impacts on our lives. It's the aftermath and how do we go on from here? How do people cope? I'm finding it difficult to perform the simplest of tasks because my brain seems to be disengaged.

Someone said " Why has this happened to us?". I replied, "Why shouldn't it?". Why me? Why not me? I have the resources within me to deal with this situation, I'm determined. Given the choice would I wish this on anyone else- absolutely not.

So how do I go on? The best I can. Which is not very good at the moment. I haven't been able to retreat to my creative side of the brain, fearful that somehow my present feelings might manifest themselves in a toxic way in my work. I mentioned this to my good friend last week, and she very insightfully said, "But what if your work speaks to someone else who's feeling how you are right now?" I think that's a good way to look at it. If  I try and heal a part of me through creativity, hopefully I will be spreading healing through my work rather than negativity.

For now, I'm getting my hugs when I can