CHARM ABOUT YOU

It seems going out dancing very much agrees with me as I am still glowing after my birthday weekend - although the large angry spot on my face that's appeared since my boozy night out is glowing very red!! I'll take the spot because it was worth it. I had a fabulous time and it felt amazing dancing the night away. New year and turning 40 has definitely given me a boost, things are clearer and I have renewed energy for what I want to do. There's a lot of thinking going on, I have plans but also fears and I'm working through some ideas so I can put out into the world things I am proud of. That is probably a bit cryptic but I will share when I'm ready... part of the sharing is the process. Whenever I step into something new I have worries and that becomes amplified when it's just me doing things on my own. I'm in a good place though, I have wonderfully strong friends around me and they give me strength and encouragement. 

My current work in progress is the cushion pictured above. I had planned to just add a little bit of hand quilting but then I added a bit more. Enjoying every stitch! It just needs a back and then it can go to live on my sofa. I am replacing some of our tired looking cushions with new ones. I've decided bigger is better and I will probably make just a few more until you won't be able to see the sofa, haha! Truly though the ones I made a few years ago are looking worn and it's nice to be able to update them to suit my style now.

I've realised I am hugely affected by my surroundings. Mess and disorder makes me crazy and unfortunately it's hard to keep on top off. Little by little I'm tackling all those spots and areas of rooms that collect clutter. Once something is at least organised (if not neat) I do feel better. Clearing out mess is like a weight lifted. It's also about things looking homely, inviting and happy! Even if there's 'stuff', if it makes me feel warm, inspired or peaceful that's a win. At the moment my house is like the most beautiful florist. I got four bouquets for my birthday, some so large I had to split them up. It means I have vases, jugs and jars of flowers everywhere! 

A room with flowers becomes beautiful automatically. It's a mood booster for me.

With a good mood comes ideas, creativity and planning. I enjoy setting aside time to get our family routine, appointments and commitments written down. We have a family calendar and then I have my cherished planner. I have switched to a week on one page inserts, I find now I'm working full time I don't need so much space each day. I still like to keep track of my schedule for evenings and weekends, especially as I'm teaching quite a bit and electronic planning does not work for me. I like to write things down, tick things off (ahh that checking things off my list feeling is SO good!) and there's something about flicking through the paper pages of the weeks that is not the same as swiping on a phone.

And this new, excited feeling I have is also because I got a hair cut and a fringe. Amazing how a hair cut can make you feel. It was time for a change. Hello 40.

Joan is obsessed with pufferfish (I have no explanation!!) and we are trying to decide what to make with her panel - any suggestions? The Ginkgo panel is for me because gold on ice peach is such a delicious combination!

Lynne's new book Quick and Easy Quilts also arrived and it's full of beautiful quilts, I will be doing a review soon so keep an eye out for that...

Using my planner has been such a great help to me recently, reminding myself about what really needs to get done and keeping focusing! It's fun to make it pretty and I love The Reset Girl stickers. There was a sale and all orders (including international!) always get free shipping - just TRG stickers not any other products, but that's cool with me! I got a nice selection:

I'm also a sucker for kawaii and got these sweet stickers from A Happy Blue Tree - fabulous customer service and really quick delivery too! The clipboards are for me to write kids school stuff that I need to remember and the trackers for vitamins (which I've recently started taking and am already benefiting from):

My adorable cat Amber turns 13 (or maybe 14?!) next month and she's been extra snuggly recently. She is half Persian (squished face) and half Tabby (you can see brown stripes in the sun despite her being black). Amber is very tolerant of the kids most of the time, she purrs when she hears me say 'good girl' and is just the sweetest cat. 

Jacques Griffe

Paris couture, commissioned by the Cotton Board in Manchester in 1956-7.

Photographer David Olins

All those shapes on the wall can be moved and hung on the hooks, I could do that for hours. They also had fun big blocks under a projection light that kept changing pattern and a colouring table with an inspiration board, which also focused on pattern - I loved that too!!

I love living in Manchester and it's so wonderful that we have such amazing galleries and museums that are free and child friendly. Do you visit galleries or exhibitions where you live?

On the same note the kids and I have been really enjoying this song (Lois does the best little version, I will try to video it if I can!) - watch both versions if you need something to make you smile! My kids giggled through both and want to watch them over and over!

on top of the chest of drawers in the girls room and in the drawer too:

Rose Red Woodland Doll pattern by Lella Boutique

And then I was suddenly inspired! Nicky recently suggested that some geometric fabric I bought would make a great quilt pattern and so I starting drawing it out and want to English Paper Piece it. I've been think about colours and how to use Karen's bundle, I have an idea of what I want to do but need to think some more and maybe try sketching it out to see if I like it.