Sayonara

And we're off ... one more sleep. I am knackered, too excited to sleep properly this week, really busy at work and social commitments for the last 3 evenings. I'm ever hopeful this means I will sleep on the plane ... Something I am hopeless at. I'm so glad I broke the back of the packing on Sunday. Just need to throw in the last few bits, paint my toe nails and we're good to go!

When do you feel like you're actually on holiday? My boy is taking us to the airport tomorrow and we need to be there at silly o'clock in the morning so traffic should not be an issue but you never know with the M25. For me it's once we've checked in - I love that pottering about at the airport stage, having a cuppa and browsing through the Duty Free (which I never, ever buy but just have to look at, I think it's compulsory isn't it?).

So this is where I plan to be next week:

Woo hoo!

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No Sewing Week

There will be no sewing this week, in a moment of illumination I realised I'd stress myself out entirely if I tried to finish off 'just one or two' things before we go on holiday. We were away in May for two weeks and I had sufficient clothes so I know I have plenty for a week! Despite my best efforts realistically work is going to be manic this week, trying to hand jobs over to other team members. 'Be kind to yourself' I said, and it feels great because I did this ...

Yes I know it looks like a dining table, that is apparently it's function, but ordinarily you can't see it for sewing machine, cutting equipment etc. We actually sat here and had dinner - oh, the novelty!

And this ...

In the spirit of complete honesty, my craft room does not usually look this organised!

We're in Japan for a week, then I have the following week at home, so this means I can come home with a new stash and crack on with some sewing in a lovely clear space - brilliant!

In my absence I'm leaving Little Doris in charge ...

Now, off to search for my last post which has disappeared into the ether, perhaps I tidied up too thoroughly!

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Fabulous Auntie S & a little bit of shopping

I had a lovely day on Thursday as I had the day off work and took P's Auntie S to the Prima Homemade Craft Show at Bluewater. It's not far from where I live, and Auntie S is en route so it was a good venue for us.

Auntie S is special to me, she's always treated me with kindness and we have a crafting bond but when I wasn't feeling at my best earlier this year she was an absolute brick. She's taught me lots of new skills and I've tried crafts I would not have contemplated before, a lovely no-nonsense lady.

Here's Auntie S in her latest homemade skirt, finding out about The Knitted Garden

We enjoyed the Craft Show, it's on today and tomorrow too I think. We've been to other shows in the past that have been very paper craft focussed (not a problem as we both make cards) but there was a bit more variety here. There are some beautiful film costumes by the entrance on the upper floor, beautiful beading work. The Phantom of the Opera costume was my absolute favourite because of the hat.

My friend J gets married next May, I'm making the stationery so I know her colour is purple - too much do you think

Auntie S and I loved the knitted garden, there were lots of contributors and it had obviously taken a great deal of work. Auntie S has arthritis in her hands now and, having been a prolific knitter all her life, can only take on little projects now but she still appreciates the quality of work by others - in fact we saw a beautiful knitted bag on the WI stall, very delicate work. Her next project is to improve my knitting (dire!).

I was a very restrained shopper, knowing we fly to Japan next Saturday (still 'skipping level' excited!) and I have great fabric buying plans then. I bought a few card making bits but these are my sewing related purchases:

This is my favourite, although I'm going to have to invest in different underwear.

Planning to make view B for work although I think the photo is awful! My only concern, having checked it out on Pattern Review, is about bust fitting. I'll definitely have to make a muslin.

I'm planning to make the top first to hopefully sort out fitting issues.

I think both of these will be perfect work skirts

I got all 4 of these for £4.50 as they were discontinued patterns, I actually had about 20 patterns in my hand but Auntie S made me helped me sift ruthlessly.

The broiderie anglaise was £3 pm, I have enough for 2 tops (1 for me, 1 for my daughter A) - definitely room for more Bow Sorbettos in my life and I really liked the daisy style flowers.

This superfine lawn was £8 pm, I have enough for a blouse, I have a grey pencil skirt this will look great with.

And the irony, Japanese superfine cotton lawn, I have a dress length for £9, and am dithering between 2 patterns. I have shoes in the taupe colour already. I have an interview on the horizon, if I can do a good enough job I think this would make the perfect interview dress.

Right, off to think about packing - did I mention Japan?! :)

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