Holidays.....

Ooooooh so excited! Our number two son is getting married in November to a charming Australian girl he met over here in UK. She comes from Sydney and guess what? The wedding is to take place in Sydney in November.

My husband and I are now booked on Emirates, daughter and her partner will be going along as well as his brother although his wife and daughter will be staying in UK. Also, our other son and partner won't be going as they are saving up hard for their own wedding next year.... it's all go! Both couples were engaged over this last Christmas so a few bottles of champagne were consumed.

It is all so exciting!!!!! We have already met the future 'in-laws' and they are lovely people.

We have never been to Australia so if you have any comments/advice shoot away! We thought we might go up into the Blue Mountains for a change, maybe stay about a week there and then go visit for awhile. We plan on spending around 3 weeks in Oz.

Only baggage allowance is 20 kgs per person - mmmmm...... shopping? We shall have to see! When we return I will post some pictures, if I can! So watch this space...

ETSY - the site to visit for all quality handmade products

A lot has been said in various places about Etsy.... I sell and buy on Etsy. It is a fabulous site to find all sorts of quality handmade items which are totally unique. You won't find anything like it in your ordinary high street store or mall.

In addition, you will find the Etsy community so friendly, helpful and kind. Also, it is a truly global group. Just think of the forthcoming holiday seasons... need new ideas for gifts? Then look no further:) First, at my site, of course!!!!!! Seriously, please do take a stroll around, I am sure you will find something of note.

Imagine, doing all your Christmas shopping there - nobody will realise where you have bought your items because they will really be OOAK.

Good luck!

Thank goodness we are safe for another day..

Well, the events as they unfolded in UK sent a chill through all our hearts.

First the two car bombs that were discovered and defused in London. The carnage that would have ensued had they been left undiscovered does not bear thinking about.

Second, Glasgow airport. One of the busiest weekends of the year because the Scottish children had just broken up from school so families were travelling out.

At least all the individuals captured by the police appear not to have been born in UK and all of middle eastern origins.

A phrase I learnt a long time ago.... let YOUR God go with you.... why does everyone have to adhere to other peoples' rules? We all have our beliefs but they are ours, aren't they? Have I lost the plot in the telling?

Stay safe and vigilant. Life has to go on as normally as possible.

Joined another blog!!!!

Well, after looking at other blogs I decided, if you can't beat them... join them:)

At the top of this page you will find a 'badge' which highlights pictures from Flickr. If you want to see them in any detail do just click on them and you will be taken to my page.

Remember... Christmas is not very far away! Imagine giving that bespoke gift that cannot be bought in a shop - there just will not be another like it!

For those of you with daughters ....

I love these poems and just wanted to share. It brought a little tear to the eye as I read this and thought of my own daughter, now a woman, and my grand daughter who is just over a year old.

A Tribute to all Daughters

Every home should have a daughter,
For there’s nothing like a girl
To keep the world around her
In one continuous whirl…
From the moment she arrives on earth,
And on through womanhood,
A daughter is a female
Who is seldom understood…
One minute she is laughing
The next she starts to cry,
Man just can’t understand her
And there’s just no use to try…
She is soft and sweet and cuddly,
But she’s also wise and smart,
She’s a wondrous combination
Of a mind and a brain and heart…
And even in her baby days
She’s just a born coquette,
And anything she really wants
She manages to get…
For even at a tender age
She uses all her wiles
And she can melt the hardest heart
With the sunshine of her smiles
She starts out as a rosebud
With her beauty unrevealed
Then through a happy childhood
Her petals are unsealed…
She’s soon a sweet girl graduate,
And then a blushing bride,
And then a lovely woman
As the rosebud opens wide…
And some day in the future,
If it be God’s precious will,
She, too, will be a Mother
And know that reverent thrill
That comes to every Mother
Whose heart is filled with love
When she beholds the ‘angel’
That God sent her from above…
And there would be no life at all
In this world or the other
Without a darling daughter
Who, in turn, becomes a mother!

Courtesy of Helen Steiner Rice

The garden is WET..........

Oh my, I know people outside of UK often say 'it always rains in England' - this I totally disagreed with ..... until the last few days. Goodness, the rain! We live in the South East and have not had the trauma that others have had in other parts of the country.

Just follow this link and you will see what I am on about!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/6239782.stm

Woke up today to a sort of normal day weatherwise. Actually saw the sun and decided to do some washing - should be able to put it out on the line.

Off to do something useful now. Maybe create a masterpiece, or maybe another quilt!!

New avatar!

I have changed my avatar again! I have tried for so long to find one that is pretty and delicate! So, I decided to change my previous one which showed a doll's patchwork quilt and matching pillow which I was told looked 'homey'! Mmmmmm.......

Then, came a flash of inspiration! A butterfly is a precious and beautiful insect which is also so very delicate..... what could be better and more me.... really? He He He.

Anyway, the butterfly is now officially my new avatar which can be seen on http://www.preciousquilts.etsy.com as well as under my ID on Ebay.co.uk of 'eireblue'. All I have to do now is sort out my business cards and we are well on the way to promoting a business image that can be related to!