Little Cat and the Big Red Bus

Em & I are going to see some lovely illustrations tonight by Anna Walker. Her new book (words by Jane Godwin) is called Little Cat and the Big Red Bus and it's a charmer.

I started catching the school bus when I was four years-old. I must have been a mildly anxious kid cos I used to insist on having exactly the right change... I think it was 25c! I used to wrap it up in cling film. I must have been worried about dropping it. And naturally, I was always accutaly terrified of missing my stop. Never happened. Wow. How did I manage to get to Grade 1 and beyond??

Lucky Me!

Okay. So I turned 40 last May and my good friends Natasha and Ronny live far, far away in Belgium but they are sneaky buddies and organised for me to attend the Handbag In A Day course with the supremely talented Nicole Mallalieu.

I must admit. I kept looking at my Large Tote pattern thinking 'Could I really make a bag that looks just like the one in the picture?'. Yes. I had my doubts. The course started at 10.30pm and went into overtime (5pm) but I did it! There were five other people in the class and all of them made lovely, smart, well-structured bags, too. I got my fabric from Duckcloth. I just love it and it was great to sew with, too.

I didn't quite finish my bag (well, I did have to use my quick-un-pick a few times)...just need to add the magnetic snaps and secure the lining to the bottom of the bag but I'll get there.

Nicole was a great teacher - helpful, full of great crafty tips and short-cuts. It was such a fun day. Think I might have to try one of her purse-making classes, too.

Thanks for looking.

I'd been meaning to have a go at making macarons for about 12 months. A good friend had a birthday recently so Emma and I whipped up these beauties...that pink filling? Half white chocolate, half double cream! Full on but so good.

I've had quite a crazy few weeks so it was great to feel a pause over the weekend and just tootle away in the craft-room. Here's the result. Another Inside A Black Apple Doll but with a painted face - which I found in a book. I just love the little eyes and wide smile.

I finally found the time to tackle (just need to sew on a smile) a Wee Wonderfuls doll. Man. It nearly drove me crazy but so glad I didn't give up because making this doll really taught me a lot. Now I want to make the other two.

Oh, and a snap of Wanda in the sewing basket ... wearing new boots.