This is the first piece I’ve made for my

‘Field Guide to the Night Sky’

project.

It is simply a bleached piece of black cotton

with row after

row of running stitch.

I’m making this for my Journey course- during which everyone experiments and creates pieces based on their own themes and moodboards.

You can follow one of my ladies progress through the Journey course (and enjoy her other textile work) here: Layerings

do drop by and say hello to Celia from me!

If all that’s made you curious we’re taking bookings for the next Journey course now.

And I’m looking for other venues to run the course in so if anyone reading this has any ideas I’d be most grateful to hear them!

Tony and I recently enjoyed a child free weekend.

They stayed with doting grandparents

and we stayed here

which is actually much lovelier than it’s website suggests.

Anyway, they had bee hives at the bottom of the drive

and I had ‘homemade’ honey for breakfast- delicious!

All of which helped to inspire this little applique picture.

If you would like the free pattern for it just email me (janet@janetclare.co.uk) and I’ll add you to my list.

P.S. Joe is football obsessed at the moment!

just crazy busy.

which as I’m the one in charge (allegedly)

of the family calendar

and my workload

must be the way I like it.

Right?

This is my first ever home-grown cup of spearmint tea

and a much needed delicious, refreshing breather at the end of another busy week.

I went shopping with my friend Lucy the other day

and she talked me into buying this blouse

which is not my usual style.

But I do really like it.

Although, having seen it on the models I think I may need to tie my bow differently.

I’ve just had a huge clear out of my wardrobe and have only kept things that make me feel good. I’ve got surprisingly little left.

But, that’s alright as I’ve found a solution Ginny (ex theatre costume designer) is teaching me pattern cutting and dressmaking! And, boy! Do I have a lot to learn.

P.S. Joe’s been stalking birds this time.

I’m trying to spend a little more of my time

experimenting and creating things

just because I can.

And because I’ve always liked starting a project with a mood board

I made this one: ‘A field guide to the night sky’ or maybe ’A history of light’.

I knew these little poetry books 

were coming home with me

as soon as I read this inscription

in the Wordsworth book:

To dear Maid Marion from Percy the Tease! With many happy returns of the day. October 20, 1912

the inscription in the Browning book reads

‘To dearest Marion, with best love from Fluffs’

Do you think Percy the Tease is also Fluffs?

He must be, surely.

I hope Percy the Tease and his Maid Marion had a long and happy life together.

Joe asked me the other day if he’d ever been alone.

I said he’d been on his own

but never actually alone.

Not ever, not even for a second in his entire life.

He was amazed by that.

And it got me thinking…

at what age will I let him be alone? 

And how will I feel when he is?

= the Japanese craft of hapa- zome.

or in English, excellent fun and a perfect stress reliever! 

I saw it first on Alys Fowlers’ gardening programme (which I love) and then the next day Joanna emailed me and asked if I’d tried it yet.

So, of course I’ve been bashing every leaf and flower in sight since then.

But, my favourite so far is this coriander because it smelt divine and looks good too.

For hearing good, try this.

I knew you were a supportive, kindly bunch but

wow!

You surprised me.

A huge thank you to all 230 of you who visited Joe’s blog and

a round of applause for those who took the trouble to comment too.

You have made one 8 year old (and his Mum) very, very happy!

I tried to take a photo of Joe smiling for this post, but only managed to get cheesey fake grins (he hates having his photo taken) but I did take this one which is more him anyway.

He’s a sensitive, thoughtful soul our Joe.

Thanks again for encouraging him. Really.

Well, that’s what the estate agent called it.

In reality it’s just a gap big enough to house the washing machine and tumble drier.

But at least it’s got an interesting wall.

Over a year ago now, I painted round the boys and Tony and I.

Then I asked them to draw their faces and write their names and ages too

hence the comb overs and the backwards ‘4′!

Every year on the same date I’m going to re-measure the boys and mark their new heights on the wall.

And then (an embarrassingly long time ago), Avril gave me this vintage bark cloth curtain

and today we finally got our act together and hung it.

It looks great, thanks Avril!

After much pestering we have finally given in and got

Joe his own blog.

He’s only 8 years old and he’s done all the writing and photography himself

and is simply desperate for a comment from someone he doesn’t know.

So, over to you.

Please.