great friends

I am so lucky to have some great friends, always there for me when I need them and fun to be with too. I wouldn't be without CJ, Helen and Kate, truly the best friends a girl could wish for. Cheryl drops everything to do me a favour, nags me until she is blue in the face but always forgives me. Helen shares my sense of humour, gives as good as she gets and is always great company. Kate is my organiser, puts up with my total lack of business brain, she manages to coax me into sorting classes and supplies in such an easy going way that I don't feel pressured at all. All three are so special to me but that's enough sentiment for this month.

I've had a fab few days, after teaching at ATDML retreat I was totally washed out, mentally and physically. I damaged my shoulder and have a rotator cuff injury, something to do with ligaments. It hurts a lot but is getting better thanks to Lawrence, my brilliant osteopath. I rested a few days, just pottering around at home and the studio, I still haven't unloaded the car! It was lovely to meet everyone at the weekend, some I have been friends with online for ages but never met until then, they were all more lovely in real life.  (Crikey, it sounds like I have been taking some happy pills doesn't it?)

Friday I needed to get out so I called Helen and we popped up to Rochester for a couple of hours to look at an antique shop I had seen while blog hopping. The shop was nice but vastly overprices so we didn't buy anything. We wandered further up the street and found a lovely material shop called Hometown, full of quilting stuff and nicky nacks. This is what I bought, isn't that old bobbin gorgeous? (I bought two and Helen didn't even fight me for them!):

 

I decided to make myself a passport cover and some luggage tags with a Union Jack design. It was meant to look a bit shabby but I lack patience and sewing skills so the first attempt has turned out a bit too shabby, in fact it is a mess. I am going to try another with machine stitching then decide which one I want to use.

 

 

 

At least it all fits!


Kate bought some gift items for the shop and I loved the little owl bags, I altered one with some felt and made a passport holder to hang round my neck at the airport because I am always scrabbling round for mine and frightened I lose it.

Yesterday I taught Christmas classes at the shop, we were sold out and lots of friends came to visit, we had a brilliant day, Julie was in her studio next door to mine and her daughter spent the day with Georgina, they were so well behaved.

Julie's studio is neat and tidy, extremely organised and painted mossy green and cream with pink accents, totally different from the riot of colour and mess in mine. She has some gorgeous stuff, in particular some very posh knitting needles. I have suffered from knitting needle envy since she moved in but at £85 for a set when I don't even knit (I am much better at knotting) they were sadly out of reach for me. I have told countless people about them and confessed to Helen that I was considering borrowing them from Julie's studio to display in mine when she wasn't there!

I was very touched when Helen turned up yesterday morning with a gift for me. 

 

My very own set of little matching needles, she had trawled the internet for some and painted them herself, they fit perfectly into one of my old bobbins - aren't they gorgeous?

 

 

Thanks Helen, I love them. They look fab on my windowsill and I am no longer tempted to steal Julie's set!

Comments

[Natz]

Ooh Jane why when I go to Rochester is there never anything nice? I'm going to have to wander around with my sister next time I'm up visiting family! And go to Pickleberry!

Love your blog and my goodness I love that passport protector *drool*

[KateMc]

Wonderful job on the passport holder. Bless you, you're a great friend and inspiration, couldn't do it without you :)

[Jane Thorpe]

I LOVE that union jack passport holder!!! Wonderful!! :)

[northernangel]

Lovely knitting needles you need to send them to me at least I can knit ;) I need one of those old bobbins too! Who gave you the mushy pills?

[Lizzie]

The knitting needles are so sweet. And I will definitely have to try and go to Rochester... Your Union Jack passport holder is fab. Hope it will stay in one piece and not fall apart like you fear it will!).

Jane, I included you in a list of bloggers that I like and have passed on a "Kreative Blogging" award to you. I hope you are ok with that - if so, please come to this post on my blog, to pick up the piccy and notes for your own blog. If you don't want to join in, I don't mind. It's not supposed to be spam!

http://lizziemade.blogspot.com/2009/11/days-work.html

Best Wishes,

Lizzie

[Cheryl Johnson]

awwww sweet. Me nag ? Surely not :)

is there nothing you can't turn your hand too

CJx