Surprise! Princesses

The few days I forget to take my camera with me and of course it's the days when I'm shopping for hats next to Princess Beatrice and Eugenie in Harrods. (Photo courtesy of the AP.) They were wearing normal every day clothes and no bodyguard to be seen - probably hiding around the corner. What surprised me was how loud one of them was talking. You couldn't help but notice them. They seemed really nice and looked at lots, but unfortunately, Harrods has really cut down on their selection so there weren't that many really interesting ones to look at. They tried on a number of them, but not sure which ones if any they purchased. I'll have to watch the papers.

The next night, I met up with an old friend for a drink and we ended up at Collection in South Kensington which was hosting a party for London Fashion Week. They had a catwalk show with 15 different designers in the middle of the club. It was excellent and for us, it was free! Luckily, the bouncers let us in with no problem. It's always nice to be a girl.

Valentine's Day Lights up the Eye

Upcoming Projects

Upcoming Projects

Upcoming projects

Weekend Treasure

On a trip to the chilly seaside this weekend on a mission to buy two side tables that I’d seen six months ago (of course, they were sold out), I found instead lots of lovely crafty supplies: a teddy bear pattern from the 1960’s with all of the pattern pieces included and already cut out (bonus!), brightly colored stamps, and an old children’s reading book with an adorable cover which I have plans to turn into a delightful seaside scrapbook. What were the best crafting supplies you’ve brought back from holiday?

Oh and can’t forget - Happy Valentine’s Day!

Yesterday evening, I went to a wonderful Spanish tapas dinner and received a heart shaped Le Creuset and bear! The bear is easy to make. All you need is a bit of brown felt, red fabric, thread and embroidery floss. I will include the pattern and instructions in the upcoming issue of Extremely Crafty Ideas.

Happy Valentine's from London

This Valentine's light display is in frontof the London Eye. The blue lights in the background are fairy lights in the trees. Happy Valentine's Day!

p.s. - one of my friends gave me a handmade Valentine's bear today. I'll have a photo and instructions tomorrow (early for next year). xo

Rainbows over the City

Although there are a lot of grumblings in the city what with slashed bonuses, the recession, etc. there's still always a rainbow in the sky.

Thank you!

Thank you very much. x

Friends

This past weekend I went to a friend’s birthday party and it was completely over the top and fabulous. Held at Spencer House, the former residence of one of Princess Diana’s late ancestors, it is the only remaining private palace in London. The house has been restored to its high day. Marble statues point the way and

chandeliers twinkle against the gold gilt plaster work of the ceilings and murals.
The food was so rich and scrumptuous the prospect of the chocolate fountain was rather daunting (except of course, for these few brave souls).

After dinner, there were fireworks outside on the lawn across from Buckingham Palace gardens. It’s been freezing over in London, so we watched the explosions from a heated glass enclosed balcony. In sync with the music, the fireworks were lauched low so all of the guests could see without neck ache. Even more spectacular were the towers on either side which spontaneously ignited into flame at the creshendo. The balcony soon became a dance floor as a band struck up and after an hour, lead singer of Spandau Ballet, Tony Hadley, took over and sang their hit songs, including Gold. Guests were given boxes of truffles upon departures to meet their carriages at midnight. Why can’t I have more friends with parties like this?

p.s. - oh, the oranges on the orange trees were strung on with wire.

More Snowy London

Took this snap of Queen Victoria outside St. Paul's. She looks spooky with those glasses on, doesn't she? As for my brand new old sewing maching. I have already managed to bugger up the zig zag stitch by trying to use metallic embroidery thread. I got so frustrated, I gave up with the fancy thread and used plain black. It seems to have made the stitching go out of whack for some reason, so must endeavour to sort this out tomorrow.

I bought a Vintage Sewing Machine!

I finally bought a sewing machine! It's a vintage one from 1966! I had to trek in the snow uphill and downhill over train tracks and through an industrial estate to the wonderful lady who sold me this wonderful machine. I will post the story tomorrow because for tonight, I need to go to bed as I woke up this morning unable to sleep like a child on Christmas morning. I have worn myself out on the expectation of fun and not a stitch has been sewn yet in its new home. Just wait for tomorrow!

London Snows!

Forgot one!

London Snows!

Just wanted to post some wonderful photos that my buddy took yesterday of the snow in London while I had to work from home.

It's a great day for a white wedding!

For more photos, please see my friend's website at http://dalbyphotos.blogspot.com/