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This is the rattle that I bought in Liberty. I nearly didn't give it to Millie -naughty grandma.

I'm a grandma

A very busy week. I now have my first grandchild! I will not be posting pics on my blog, but have to say that she is absolutely gorgeous. I have been buzzing with ideas for all things that I am going to make for her.
I have worked with children for many years and I am passionate about supporting children to be creative and experiment.
 Paper, paint, glue , nature -sooo many things to play with -can't wait!

Spent time in Oxford and took a few photos. This is where I raised my family and the place our  granddaughter will call home.


My husband had to go into London for work whilst we were in Oxford and so we used the opportunity to do some " baby must have" shopping., and to visit that mecca of loveliness which is Liberty.....

I bought some red rowan wool, which was a cotton mix,  to make a cardi for our Millie,
and buttons ...... another passion of mine

We also spent time in Fortmans  in the baby and toys section. I couldn't resist Elmer, a favourite with my children when they were little.

Fantastic displays in store. I found some inspiration for the Queens Diamond Jubilee, as part of my job is to make displays around the Nursing Home. We have lots of stairs but not as grand as these.
 My husband bought some coffee and teas which were in splendid commemorative tins. Why I,m not sure, as neither of us are Royalists,  but were drawn to the display and had to buy.

A flash from the past

I regularly pop over to my daughters blog, Everything's Blue to check it out. She shares her wardrobe and clothes that she is currently coveting, as well as what she has been making, growing and snapping.
One of her recent posts was about a range of colourful macs, which made me think about this picture.

This was taken many moons ago when she first developed a penchant for rain wear.

At home ........

I love all things vintage but as I am living in a modern house have tried to blend old with new, as I couldn't live without the TV, lap top etc. My bedrooms are where I display most of my treasures, so our rather large dog is not in danger of sweeping them onto the floor with his tail.

Note the pocket watch which has been beautified and filled with perfume. It was made by my youngest daughter. Check out how she did this on her blog Everything's blue. She is listed as one of my followers.
The jewellry  box is an old wooden box, which I lined with silk, and then  collaged an old family photograph of my mum and auntie, plus a piece of vintage lace, to the inside of the lid. The collage has been tea dyed to age it.
The pink and white dressing table set was bought at a Summer Fair, and was a bargain. The card was for my Birthday and is a 1930s repro.

Off the needles

I have managed to complete a few knits for my soon to be granddaughter. 

I have knitted in mainly neutral colours, but my
photography doesn't do the colours justice.

Earlier this year I discovered a knitting pattern by Alan Dart. I have always had a fondness for gnomes and decided to make some for friends and family.

I photographed them before sending them off to their new homes.

I didn't knit the German ShepherdAdd caption

  My daughter managed to bag us some tickets to go to the Vintage Extravaganza at the South Bank and we decided to take along a gnome ....

This was a lot of fun and everyone was happy to pose. We weren't brave enough to ask the lovely Florence
of  Florence and the machine, who was stood a few yards away from us .... well she was until she managed to lose us!