Birthday

Another birthday behind me! Although the digits are creeping ever upward I shan't complain ... it's all about getting older and wiser isn't it? Unlike me in the picture above - what did I know then?? It was taken almost exactly 30 years ago (oh good grief!!!) I think Ashley and I were waiting to go to Cambridge. The most pressing thoughts on my mind that day might have been what clothes to put on , and not to forget to file my nails before going out. I remember how much I enjoyed reading that book , "The Avenue" , which had also  been a tv series set between the wars ; I've still got it in a big box under the bed. I had an awful lot of pink clothes ... and that gorgeous shocking pink leather clutch bag. Later I would get a pair of "killer heel" shoes to exactly match the shade. Even later again , my springer spaniel would champ on the leather covered heels and completely ruin them forever .....

Well , anyway what I'm trying to say is ; I don't begrudge that girl her carefree existence , far from it. But ... I wouldn't change places with her now. I'm comfortable with a few more inches of .... "wisdom".(!). and a lot more smile lines on my face. I'm very thankful for how my life has turned out , I adore creating bears which is something I never could have dreamed of back then, and - I can still wear pink if I want to can't I?

T.T.F.N
Ruth XX

Where It All Started!

The last time I went "home" to my parents' I came across my really old "My Learn To Sew Book" (published by Hamlyn I think) which I was given around the age of 8 or 9. Did any of you have this book? Peeking through the time-worn pages proved to be a bit like stepping in to a time loop ; hurtling me back to an age when brown and orange paisley was tres chic, and little girls were even encouraged to get to grips with dangerous stuff like bodkins , sewing machines and - perish the thought- seam rippers!
The projects are so charming. I remember that most were quite beyond my capabilities at the time , but the crucial point is I aspired to that level of competence!

It brought back to me the whole flavour of my childhood ; being creative , making things for yourself (not just buying them!) treasuring a host of fabric and yarn snippets ,and actually feeling proud of your achievements.
Some years later, at about 15 years old , I made a fairly simple felt pin cushion in the shape of a flower , with decorative stitching and pearl beads at the centre. It's nothing special ..... yet I still use it to this day 30+ dusty years on - it's just my pincushion; part of my everyday sewing paraphernalia. But I couldn't bear to part with it!

Let's see just one more project-

I wish I'd made one of these!

TaTa For Now ,

Ruth XX