SILVER LININGS AND FABRIC FLOWERS

It has been a funny old week, we have had highs and lows in every department l think. I've had to have a wisdom tooth taken out and still have a face like a hamster on one side. Had great plans to take Idgy and friends to Louden Castle fun park yesterday but had to cancel due to dreadful weather. The rain has flattened all the pretty poppies in the garden and stress levels in general reached sky rocket proportions.

On a good note however l finally managed to get the Secret Garden (Dream Acres newsletter page on my site) link sorted out and sent out to all the new members of the group. My friend Jane of Snapdragons Garden (terrific blog and web site) put some lovely comments about Dream Acres on her blog and l got some super new subscribers to the group. Another good thing that happened this week was that instead of the Louden Castle trip, a friend took Idgy out on her daughters little pony, and at long last Idgy found herself really enjoying riding instead of being afraid. So l guess the old adage of clouds and silver lining is true.

On the work front l have been working on Christmas products and zapping off photos to magazines and such. Not long till Christmas now, how terrifying. It seems rediculous to be sewing festive robins and mixing spices at this time of year, however with the wet weather today it seemed like winter anyway at times.

A bit of a diversion for me this summer has been doing the Refab Flowers and their related line. Have added hair bands and even a necklace. The Refab Flowers are handmade simple flowers made with vintage fabrics and old buttons, all on green wire stems for you to put in a vase or tie to a door or whatever. I first made them as a prop for the Country Living fair in Glasgow last Spring. Then this year l took them to the London fair and they sold like hot cakes. So much so that Liberty of London are now buying them from me. While l was at the fair l pinned one of the flowers to my apron as a brooch. This was much admired and l made myself a necklace when l got home. It has been such a hit with friends that l now do them to sell on the web site. I'm thrilled that they have been proving so popular. Though l would share a few photos of the Refab Flower range here.