Monday, 8 June 2009

How times change

I thought this book might produce some inspiration and ideas to increase my daughter's range of activities a couple of years ago... Picked up at a boot sale it has chapters on joys of a bygone era - leather work, rug work, raffia work, poker work, bead work, metal work, laquer work and enamel work. Not to mention butterfly and moth collecting (ugh) and silhouettes (charming).



What is it that puts her off - are girls scared of being un-cool? Is it the word "work" which accompanies each hobby? Does that make them wary of what might be involved? My daughter isn't lazy by any means. She's been working hard on her GCSEs for the last few weeks, or at least I thought she was. In fact, while on study leave today she e-mailed me at work daring me to guess what she had done in my absence. "Washed up?" I said hopefully. "As if" she responded, "but I have BAKED BREAD!"

To say I was amazed was an understatement. (It's not as if I'm a role model when it comes to being a domestic goddess - I'm more of a fallen angel!) This was her first time and although she had asked me to buy the ingredients a while back I expected to have to provide encouragement and support at the appropriate time. I didn't have the heart to criticise her for taking time out to do something that she has been wanting to try for ages. In fact I was proud that she had done just that. When I got home she was full of a great sense of achievement. Perhaps we could all learn something from that...

I altered this book at the time when she was heavily into MP3 and MSN. She tells me things have changed even since then and that I'm way behind...

Still there is something to be said for the simpler pleasures. Most of mine don't involve trailing wires and spoiling the planet. Oh, unless you count the servers that whirr into action when we all start checking out each others' blogs using enough energy to power a small city!

Love Wend

Saturday, 6 June 2009

Tagged!


Gosh I've been tagged for the first time! Thanks to Alexandra of Domestic Novice! So I apparently need to answer some questions so here goes:

What is your current obsession? Vintage linens

What are you wearing today? Jeans and a navy cotton jumper - not terribly stylish.

What's for dinner? Haven't thought about it yet!

Three styling tips that work for you:
1. Wear the right size!
2. Scarves, scarves and more scarves! I've been collecting them for the last 30 years so have plenty to choose from.
3. Have a basic capsule wardrobe and ring the changes with up to date accessories.

What are you proud of? My daughter



What do you think about the person who tagged you? Alexandra's almost as new to blogging as I am and I look forward to her posts as we seem to have similar interests.

Desert island beauty product? Lippy definitely - I feel naked without it!



If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would it be? Venice - I just love it. The canals , the colours , the mists, and the shops full of the most wondrous marbled papaers. I have to go back!

Who do you want to meet right now? Stephen Fry

What are you going to do after this? Work out some options for dinner!



What is your must-have item for summer? Sunshine and flowers - both free and priceless!

What is your favourite piece of clothing from your own closet? My upcycled cashmere cardigan

What is your dream job? Owning my own shop and filling it with lots of scrummy vintager bits sharing them with other like minded people.

What's your favourite magazine? Country Living - I still have the very first one from 1985. (I was persuaded to part with some of the others in between!)

What do you consider a fashion faux-pas? I suspect most people would see me as a fashion faux pas!!!

Where in England would you go for a lovely day out? Holkham Beach, Norfolk

Describe your personal style - I daren't!

Who's your favourite modern artist - must have two here - the mosaic artist Cleo Mussi and Laura McCafferty - modern textiles and embroidery



Gosh - that took a while!

Okay, so here are the rules to this tag:
Respond and rework – answer the questions on your own blog
Replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention.
Add one more question of your own.
Tag eight others.
I tag.....http:www.melaniegalloway.info,
http:www.joshyandbelle.blogspot.com/
http:thehomelyyear.blog.co.uk