Happy Thanksgiving.......

Wishing all my American friends a Happy Thanksgiving from England.

A successful workshop.......

The Christmas workshop was a success and everyone seamed pleased with their work though we didn't have time to finish the doll completely, it was a very pleasant day with lots of chatter and hard work.

Now I need to concentrate on clearing up the workroom and thinking about some  Christmas presents, am rapidly realizing that time is in very short supply!

This year has flown by........

Here we are in November, I just can't believe how this year has just flown by, but I have enjoyed some lovely autumnal walks and this morning sky was quite spectacular even if the photo doesn't quite show it.

My apple tree is over flowing

and the trees are looking wonderful in their Autumn colours.

 But I have been busy, here's a quick sneek peak at the workshop I shall be teaching at our next doll club, its supposed to be a Christmas fun workshop, so I have chosen a simple cloth doll pattern from the Tilda range, everyone will have the choice of making one of these, but Shh! no one is supposed to know what it is!

And another month went by...........

Still struggling to figure out where all the time has gone, BUT....I have been very busy. We just pulled off a great little mini doll convention in Bournemouth thanks to Lesley and Mike of Ellies Doll Workshop, I am so proud of my club The Southern Belles, we did it!

Carole Ably demonstrating wefting mohair to make wigs for antique reproduction dolls

Elaine teaching a little sewing workshop to make a little sewing caddy. I didn't get a picture of the finished article unfortunately.

Sylvia and Eddie minding the club stand and my stand whilst I was helping with the registration and competition entries.

Some of the competition dolls

This was my own exhibition stand, I couldn't be with it a lot of the time but I hope people enjoyed some of my stuff!

a few more finishes........

I've set myself the task of finishing some of the unfinished projects that have been hanging around for a while and decided that If I'm not really interested in it anymore then it has to go. I have so many projects I want to work on and I have an exhibition coming up in October that some serious sorting needs doing!

Another Journal cover, I started this for my Mum two Birthdays ago, It's her Birthday next week so she might finally get it this year!

This little Raggedy has been hanging around with no wig for some time, but i am delighted with her now that she is finished. just running up a little cloth bag to put her in as a gift.

I've had a good clear up!

Holiday over, back to work and school tomorrow (ugh!) but the house is clean and tidy and I've managed to get some time in my workroom.

I bought this book probably two years ago now mainly because Alice spotted that there was a kit to make the bag in it....well I finally got round to making it this weekend, I'm not so sure that Cath Kidson is all the rage now but Alice will be pleased I'm sure.

 

And another sort out in my renovation box, I acquired these lovely composition vintage dolls some time ago but they all need a bit of work to tidy them up and give them a bit of a refresh, I'm looking forward to spending a bit of time on them.

And we are back!!

 It's been a while since I posted last, I really don't know where the time has gone or where my creativity has been but we are back from our camping adventure in South Wales, I'm tired but I feel refreshed and ready to get back into my work room (not relishing going back to the day job any time soon though!) Apart from the car being full of sand and needing a clean, all the camping gear is sorted and put away and the house is sort of up together..........I think we are finally back to normal!
 

Lots of beautiful walking for me and the dogs

Rock climbing for the kids under safe tuition from my brother who has been doing this for most of his life, tears and wobbles but huge sense of satisfaction at having done it and they wanted to do it again!!

And Barnaby turned into a mountain goat I think!

Lots of fun had by all on the beach, the camp site was virtually on the beach too!

And the weather was with us all the way....what more could we want??

Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud!

I've just returned from my favourite event of every year.....The Larmer Tree Festival. Glorious weather for the first few days and then the rains came, but the festivities continued and the music was as good as ever.

 We pitched our tent in lovely sunshine overlooking the Dorset/Hampshire downs, I love being up here and on a good day you can see as far as the Isle of Wight!

The trees were suitably decorated as usual and this year there were 9 permanent little woodland doors placed in memory of special people associated with the Larmer Tree festival, I only managed to find 3 though!

Alice and Lauren all togged up for 50's revival night at Saturday dress up, the wellies were the finishing touch! and as I was working on the gate I decided to go as me!....a product of the 50's in my 50's thought that would have to do!

Waiting for one on the bands on the main stage
All was well and then on my shift at the main gate the heavens opened........

My colleagues at the gate...still smiling!

And then this happened..........

 Wellies are definately the fashion item of the day.... But a wonderful time had by all and I'm told we haven't got as bad as Glastonbury yet!!

Nearly finished!

I know I've been a bit behind in keeping news up to date but I have been productive...honest! My workroom is in real need of a good sort out and all the unfinished projects need a priority order but I have nearly finished the costume for the little Jumeau 'Intrepide'.

Just need to to finish off all the trims and style her wig.

Updating club blog.....

I've spent a bit of time today updating our club blog www.gdssouthernbelles.blogspot.com. We did get a bit behind in keeping it up!

Tableau by our Chairperson Jean

The Southern Belles have been going strong since 1993 and I am a little bit proud as the only remaining founder member that we are still such a strong doll club. and at a recent convention the Southern Belles did rather well in the competition......I'm feeling a bit like Mother hen!

Top prize winner by member Elaine - well done Elaine

My Baby turned 14........where did the years go?

My little girl turned 14 yesterday, I still can't believe where the time has gone........Still I think she had a lovely party with her friends, we had a day of sunshine and.......downpours! a bit of a soggy picnic and I'm rather glad I didn't fuss too much about the housework beforehand as the garden is now firmly walked into the house!!

And Happy Fathers day to my dear old Dad, my parents made the effort to travel from Devon to wish their Grandaughter a Happy Birthday. I love you all!

Time flies..........

It's been a very busy few weeks, but we have been out a bit and my longstanding renovation work on this house is very little by little getting sorted..........
It has been Salisbury festival over the past few weeks and we have enjoyed both the opening ceremony and the closing with a few events in between.

 Aerial ballet way above the Market Square in town against the darkening evening sky, simply stunning

 And the closing ceremony in the cathedral grounds...enjoying the music from several bands and up for a boogie!

And of course the closing firework display.....All in all a lovely time had by all! (and the weather was good too!)