When I was in a snow storm the other day I tried to get a photo of the heavy snow falling, but it didn't really work -although it is possible to spot a couple of flakes!  Anyway, I decided I needed warming up, so treated myself to very naughty but extremely nice goodies!!Roll on summer, when maybe I'll loose a few pounds.  Meanwhile, I do enjoy my coffee and cake!!!  Mind you, I' off to meet a friend in a fantastic coffee shop  this morning - and have then promised my daughter that I will treat her to the best muffins in the world at the Jamie Oliver Cafe in Brighton!!  Absolutely no hope for my waistline  By the way, the house move is still inching along for 25th Feb. completion.....here's hoping......

I realise that I forgot to blog yesterday.  I was busy rushing to my first line dancing class.  It was a hoot!  I'm afraid that my brain is slowing down because it was so difficult to remember all the steps. I had a bit of private tuition at the end of the class, and at least I've mastered the scissor step!!  My (rather long) legs seem to get entangled and rather in the way.  Never mind, I really enjoyed it - and it's a challenge!!  When I got home, and after a very windy but blowy walk on the beach, I got into photographic mode and enjoyed taking these pics of some of my winter work.  It energises me when I see that I have actually completed something! Have a good day x

I love this Turkish restaurant in Teneriffe.  You feel good before you start eating because the ambience is so wonderful....it also overlooks the sea ..... what could be better?  My (rather wonky!) buttons seem to reflect the colours and shapes.  Looking out of the window this morning it is quite difficult to gain inspiration - it's pouring with rain and rather dark - I guess we have to store up light and colour in the summer months in order to keep us going throughout the winter.  Today I'm off to visit old friends and plan to go to the knitting group.  It will be good to catch up with everyone...and no doubt - eat cake!

These gorgeous flowers in M & S inspired me to show you some of last summer's felt flowers and dyeing...again - I find the beauty of flowers lead me on to other things.  Talking about other things, here's a message from George.  "Yesterday My Mummy talked about a yellow ball in the sky.  Well, it was so bright, I could hardly see.....!"  I hope you all have a good day.  I can feel myself beginning to wind up now the winter is nearly over....off walking in a minute, and then an extra choir practice to stop my voice from rusting over X

I saw a strange yellow ball in the sky yesterday morning when I was dog walking, so I thought I'd better take a photo in case I forgot what it looked like!!  It actually turned out to be a lovely morning, with hints of spring.  The birds were singing gaily - so it all bought back lovely memories of lighter days......the last of the snow looked rather forlorn and worn out!!  Went to a great tea party and ate too much cake and trifle. A roast lunch today - and then salad for the rest of the week (some hopes!!!)

I made a trip to our local Hobbycraft the other day because I am missing all my arty' equipment.......it's safely packed up somewhere in East Sussex!  Anyway, I bought a cheap box of paints, some coloured pencils and pens...so had to get work the minute I got back home.  I know that fruit in a bowl isn't very original...but I couldn't resist painting my new red bowl (which, by the way, I have now lost.....I think my friend has put it away somewhere and as she is still sleeping sweetly I have had to use a white bowl for my porridge.)    The snow seems to have now ended and the sun is beginning to shine - so maybe today's dog walk will be slightly less treacherous!!  By the way - last night we bought a fabulous beaten up, old 3-seater leather sofa.  We are absolutely thrilled with it - it was a real bargain and will look great in (fingers crossed) our new house!

Spinning is a very relaxing, calming pastime and every time I do it, I think 'why don't I do this more often'?  Something about the rhythm of the treadle and wheel sends me into a kind of trance!! Oh well - I enjoy it anyway! In fact my creative juices started flowing yesterday and I am in the throes of planning yet another project which will include knitting, felting and crochet......bliss!  We had a letter from solicitors yesterday mentioning 25 Feb. as completion date. Obviously others in the chain could mess it up - but we are increasingly hopeful .  Last but by no means least, I couldn't resist putting this pic. on of my pathetic pooch at bedtime last night........"Please Mummy can I have one more story.......!"

I thought it would be good to treat you to these lovely flowers which I saw in a local store.  Flowers always remind me of Spring and new life - and I guess we all long for that at the moment.  At least a new bag has sprung into life although the colours here look a bit dull.  Yesterday I visited The Fluffatorium - a fab. shop in Dorking.  It was like walking into heaven! Colourful wools, fibres, felt, buttons - fantastic - well worth a visit - or look it up on the web. x

I suddenly realised that I'd better hurry up and finish the little jacket that I started months ago for my fifth grandchild.  She will be arriving very shortly......so I must get to work.  It's always so exciting when a new baby arrives.  Obviously we all hope and pray everything will be alright.  My daughter-in-law was in a car smash last week which is not good when you are eight months pregnant.  The car was a write off, but after a short stay in hospital, mother and baby were declared fit.  All being well, in the spring there will be new life all around - including new house??  I bought four cereal bowls yesterday for our new home.  Am I pushing the boat out??

I started to knit up my handspun last night and took these photos just now in the daylight...what an improvement in the colour.   It was good to relax with my wools after quite a busy day signing mounds of paperwork etc. etc. for the house.....we now have a date of 25 February to move.  If this is not achieved we risk the whole chain collapsing.  I have decided to get into rather pro-active mode and keep pestering solicitors .  I have worked with solicitors in the past and do understand that our transaction is one of many .... having said that, I am homeless and it is important for me to keep things moving - plus I am having to pay quite a lot for the privilege!!  I'll keep you informed....I SO want to get excited about the house, but daren't 'cos you never know!! Have a good day and keep warm x

Winter Woofas.......couldn't resist putting these rather pathetic pictures on of Jaz and George (a girl by the way - although she frequently seems confused by that - I suppose it's not surprising with that name!!)  Anyway, they have cosied down in the snowy weather.  Jaz has taken control of the sofa area and George has commandeered her friend Holly's bed.  I wouldn't mind that, but I bought George a really good bed of her own last week, but she won't go near it!!  We do have a lot of laughs with our dogs...I know they are hard work, hairy and a tie etc etc but I wouldn't be without them.....And...as you will see I have just spun some wool.  Colours here are nothing like the real thing - but you can see that I haven't been idle.  I did have a battle last night with a glove...don't quite know what's happened.  The fourth finger kind of went wrong and twisted...in the end I cut the deformed finger off and I'll continue resurrecting it.  Hopefully some positive news on the house front....last night we heard that the Wobbly Woman has become less wobbly and is able to hold off completion for another 4 weeks, so I'm off to solicitors etc to try and get things shifted.  Fingers crossed!

Just to look at these flowers reminds me of spring and lighter days ....... it certainly feels like the depth of winter with snow and ice everywhere, and grey skies.  I kind of hibernate in the winter.  I always say I am like a flower and blossom in the sunshine!!  I'm quite sure I'm not alone in this.  Also I can't believe how much I am sleeping.  Normally I'm up with the lark and out and about by 8.0 am.  Recently I struggle to open my eyes by 9.0am!!  It's a delicious feeling, snuggling under duvet knowing it's cold outside....

Well, I didn't manage to get my hair cut yesterday as hoped.....to cut a long story short I had to have an emergency tooth extraction.  I feel as though my head is slowly disintegrating......I broke another tooth the day I arrived back in West Sussex - my ear has been agony - and now a gap!!!  Never mind, I'm still smiling and managed to do these sketch pages whilst waiting to see my dental friend Jose - who I have to say is extremely dishy.  It takes the pain out of going to the dentist.  While I was lying prostrate on the bed, unable to talk - I get a call to say that our buyer's buyer is getting very wobbly and is threatening to pull out of the house buying chain. Oh well, what will be will be - but I'm still hoping x

I'm back on a roll, and in between speaking to solicitors, estate agents etc etc, I started playing around with a new sketch book.  It was such a good feeling and somehow I feel as if I've broken some sort of barrier and hopefully my creative spirit will start to flow once again.  Maybe I'll get more done today because it looks as though we'll all be housebound because of the snow.  Actually I love it and find it quite exciting.....I'm determined to get to a friend's house today to have my hair cut.  Don't think I'll risk the car, so will don a furry hat, snow boots, large coat...and trudge through the snow .... all in the aid of beauty!!

I've started following a sketchbook challenge on line which suggests monthly topics.  This month the topic is 'artspace' , the idea being that we take a defined block of regular time  (ie1/ 2 hours weekly)   just 'to be' ....to take time out , to think creatively, to look or even listen.  For me, this time will not necessarily be to plan any particular project - but will be a gift to myself - to indulge the senses.....and see what happens!  Mind you, I don't need much encouragement to indulge myself - but I still think it's a good idea.  My 'artspace' yesterday was to go off to a favourite cafe and look, read and write.  Of course I had my I-pod with me and took these photos.  Today I shall spend chasing up solicitors etc. to see what's happening on the house front.

Some images of Brighton.....I particularly like the flying balloons!  I treated myself to a wondrous banana muffin at the Jamie Oliver cafe.  I have never tasted anything like it.  It was absolutely scrumptious - not surprisingly, because I read its description ... made not only with bananas, but also white chocolate chips, maple syrup and other goodies.  Anyway, I can't recommend it highly enough.  If ever you are near a Jamie Oliver cafe - try it and see!!  I also had a very useful tutorial at the Apple shop and have upgraded my computer.  It's now so quick, it reaches the next page almost before I press the mouse!  I am also in the process of making some mini visual treat booklets - playing around with photos of textiles etc.  This morning I had a mild panic when I realised I was totally deaf in my hurting ear!!!  But whistling hearing is slowly returning ....and at the least the pain is beginning to ease off a bit.  Hey ho - I should have been flying today - but obviously that is no longer possible.  I shall go to Italy to see my friend later in the year.  Meanwhile we are going to the new house today to check it all out.  Still have fingers, toes and everything else crossed that all will go ahead.  Time will tell.  Tonight we are going to see "Les Miserables" , the film that everyone is raving about.  I'm really looking forward to it and will let you know tomorrow what it's like.

The sun is shining this morning....so in a few minutes I shall be taking the dogs for their daily walk.  It only takes 5 mins. to get up on the Downs - I'll make sure I wrap up well. I have just bought a furry head band which fits snugly around my ears, and keeps my hurting ear cosy and warm.   I didn't get up until about 8.45 am which is unheard of for me - I must say I am rather enjoying it though.....I'm not quite sure when my creative mode will fully return - but in the meantime I am enjoying just being.  Have a good day x

What a lovely surprise this morning....a fine layer of snow transforms everything.  Even the most mundane looks gorgeous.  My friend's black dog came in from the garden looking distinctly white!  I am bedding down for the next few days as I've been struggling with bad ear pain for the last few days. Unfortunately I was due to fly over to Italy on Wednesday - but have decided not to risk further ear problems - plus I don't feel too hot either!  I shall postpone visit (thanks to my great friend Janet) until later on.  Keep warm and cozy everyone!

I love interiors, particularly this time of year when everything seems so dreary outside....mind you we have had a bit of sun when each man and his dog seems to go out walking to make the most of it!! These pictures are of a friend's delightful cottage.  We occasionally have our knitting group there and I'm sure the ambiance promotes creativity!!  Of course, I'm thinking about interiors as I think about our new house (hopefully).  Perhaps the most important thing is that I'm going to get a shed (!) and yesterday my grandson thought it would be a good idea to paint it turquoise....we shall see!