Happy New Year......

I was really quiet last year as I wasn't too well, with my asthma and I have been in hospital a few times and I am still waiting for more tests.

The family kept me busy, having grand children is the best! I went to see Maisie in her nativity at playschool, she also won the angel competition at the mother and toddler group, apparently they had never seen so much glitter on an angel - I think she gets that from me, and she was awarded a prize and certificate at the Chris Dingle service which I had never been to before. We also took Ellie and Maisie to see Father Christmas, which was lovely.

At Christmas I had a full house again and cooked a goose, as my son Nathan fancied it, a turkey and a leg of lamb, as Kirstens partner is a kiwi and doesn’t eat turkey or goose! It was a lovely day with no kitchen disasters! Here's Maisie 'helping' Eloise open her presents....



I have still been working hard and have had some very good classes. I have been teaching City and Guilds Machine Embroidery and City and Guilds Patchwork as well as my day at Snaresbrook art project. I also started attending a jewelry making class in Romford with a girl called Di. She is brilliant and has a shop in romford (www.dizzydi.co.uk) the classes are £10 for a two hour session and you get all the materials too!!!!!!!!!!

Here are some of the things I have been making, as you can see i've got a bit addicted....



I have been working on bits and bobs as Kirsten and I have been selling our work, most of the time I have been working on things that sell rather than on exhibition pieces.

My husband and I have been going to Barleylands on a lampwork course, making glass beads, it has been really nice to do something together and after the class we go for lunch, another added bonus. Talking of Barleylands, I went to see Linda Monk of Purple Missus on Sunday Craft Arena where she was signing her book and had all the samples on show, I have done a class with Linda and she is brilliant so needless to say I bought her book. I also bumped into Sharie from Sharne's Bit 'n' Bobs and Jill from Vintagerockchick. So needless to say I felt very inspired when I left everyone so watch this space I think I will start a piece for an exhibition...

Sharon

Getting over Christmas......

I had some good news before Christmas from the William Morris gallery to say that they had sold my work. I was so pleased to have sold an expensive piece of work at such a great gallery plus the money came in handy for Christmas! So after such a great Christmas I’m now a bit sad that it is over. However I am still hanging on a bit as I bought the new Annie Lennox C.D ‘Christmas Cornucopia’ and keep playing it, I just love it.

This years Christmas food success were Gina’s mince pies. Just before Christmas I did a very enjoyable workshop with her when she came to the Embroiders Guild in Romford. She told me about the mince pies she makes and said her recipe is on her blog, Fan my flame. Every one who came round said they were delicious. If you ever get the opportunity to do a work shop with her I would say do it as not only did I come away with a delightful book I also got a recipe for very good mince pies.

This year five of us from the guild have decided to do an A.T.C swap every month. The theme this month was New Year and I decided to theme mine on my New Year resolution diet. I do this every year and only usually last until February, hopefully this year will be better and I might last until March!

This was my selection of Diet A.T.C's.....


And these are the lovely colourful ones I received.......

Sharon

Winter Wonderland.....

Last week end we went to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. It was absolutely freezing but an amazing feast for the eyes with an extra dose of festive spirit. Everything you cast your eyes on was Christmas themed so at night time it was lovely.

Here's a few pics which don't really do it any justice, especially as I haven't quite mastered the night settings on my camera, so you should go and check it out for yourself.





I love all the old fashioned fair ground rides they have.....