Thread

part-time mummy!

A project from Scrapbag Sewing to be published in 2012.

I know I shouldn't say this - but I can't wait for our youngest daughter to start school next week. Since she arrived in our lives, just over 4 years ago, I have spent my days mega-flipping between work, playschool, afternoon naps and bedtime. Don't get me wrong, I love her to bits, but sometimes with book deadlines looming it can be very difficult squeezing in enough working time to keep my mind on the projects needing to be done.

Luckily I don't have to care for her and the rest of our brood on my own, because I have a knight in shining armour, my other half Martin, who runs our publishing business Penny & Penny.  He is always on hand to do any of the chores I can't manage, and the school runs at both ends of the day.

So, as the new school year approaches, and the prelim advances for Scrapbag Sewing (to be published in 2012) get ever closer, I shall wave goodbye to baby No 8 with only a slightly damp eye,  as I know that her day will be more fulfilled, as will mine, making me a happier and hopefully better mummy.

Photo: Martin Penny

first look: new toast autumn collection

I absolutely love the new  Toast autumn collection,

I love the colours,

I love the fabric,

I love the leather,

I love how trendy and versitile my wardrobe could be...

Photo: Toast

 

i've got a sweet tooth!

I found this wonderful shop on etsy run by miniature food artist Stephanie Kilgast. She creates these one-of-a-kind sets of food out of polymer clay, along with little bits of wood, paper, metal and glass. Can you imagine a doll party with these? Oh, and if candies aren’t your thing, perhaps some French macaroons maybe? Visit her Etsy shop!

I really understand the hard work that has gone into these miniatures, as some years ago I wrote a book called Miniature Worlds in 1/12 scale. There was lots of food made from clay – vegetables, fruit, cake, which were placed into a Potting Shed, Grocers, Tea Room and a Christmas Hamper. Other non-foodie chapters included a Milliners and a Wizard’s Castle. Out-of-Print, but new and used copies still available on Amazon.

 Photo: Stephanie Kilgast

pretty fabric flowers

I found some beautiful fabric flowers the other day, similar to the ones I have been making for my next book ‘Scrapbag Sewing’ – out in 2012. I have added a link so that you can see all the different ways Pretty Petals has used the flowers – to trim packages, make necklaces and add detail to jumpers.

Photo: Pretty Petals