Stocking up…

I have fallen by the wayside. I see that every so often other bloggers do the same. Some are truly addicted and come back to share. Others, like me, find it harder to do this. I haven't had much to say 's all, so I haven't posted recently.

I've been invited by a local shop keeper, Anita, (in Brixton) to sell in her lovely shop, Diverse Gifts. She's taken my brooches, needlecases and a bag. Her shop has been around for 12 years, which is a long time by today's standards. Her main interest is jewellery, and she has some lovely things in her shop. Restocking might be difficult but Anita is happy to take stock as it's being made, so I think it may work well. She is a lovely, laid-back person and I like visiting, so if you are ever in Brixton, feel free to drop in!

Tho thith ith Chrithmath

'Hail Mary, full of Grathe,' lisped the archangel Gabriel. 'Blethed art thou amongtht women, you thall bear a tthild and itth name thall be dthethuth.' 'But how can that be?' Mary asked, amazed, 'for I am Not Married!' 'You thall be filled with the Holy Thpirit, that's how,' he thaid said, helpfully, and we all nodded sagely. The nativity play was acted out by the sweetest year sevens I've seen in a while, led by the truly angelic P, as the Archangel Himself. No sheep though, which was disappointing.

Undressed

The tree has been waiting patiently for us to decorate it for nearly a week, ahemming tactfully at me every time I go into the room. Too busy, I say apologetically - and it's true, I have been. But today's the day, and Buster will at last have his annual treat. These are toys he really likes to play with. The tree decorations are to be snuck up on, patted slyly as he walks past, and chased under the sofa the minute he gets them off their branches. And it is for that reason that I spurned the magnificent baubles, snowmen, firebirds and santas going for £20 a throw in the Conran shop. That cat is not to be trusted, no matter what he promises. He can't help himself.

FIRE!!!!

The alarm went off and the whole school ran  slumped, walked in an orderly fashion outside into the freezing playground to wait for the all-clear. We gathered in our respective meeting places, to be counted and ticked off the list. It was a drill, it turned out, and after about ten minutes of roll-call and lecturing for poor performance, 1000 people grumpily trooped back in again to resume lessons. Twenty minutes later, as I got down to a promising and productive art lesson with my VI student (of which, more anon), the alarm went off again. I had no coat, and neither did she. 1000 people left the building for the second time that day, back out into the brittle winter weather. It was serious this time, clearly - we have never had two drills one after the other. We waited, trying Not To Talk. Those in charge wore grave expressions, and muttered with solemnity amongst themselves as the cause of the alarm was investigated. Suffice to say, the three beautiful RE teachers are now strictly forbidden to make toast without opening the window first. That'll teach them to get hangovers on a Friday morning.

En route

I finally have enough empty time to take stock of our house. Every room has goods in transit…

… a bag waiting to be posted back to my mum… 

… thread on the way to the thread box…

…a shawl on its way to being darned…

…clothes on the way to the charity shop…

…junk treasure for the car boot sale (if I ever get round to it)…

…to the loft …

…to the coat cupboard…

…well, that's a start… 

…(the black thing in the background is a router on its way to the tool cupboard)…

sleep like a baby

In the 'thank you' prayer, at the start of an RE lesson, L, a badass yr7, chose to thank God for his onesie. 'What's a onesie?' someone asked. The teacher helpfully explained that a onesie is like a babygro, but bigger. A titter ran round the room. Think L may have lost his street cred - for good.

all my own work

I made these labels to restock my Etsy shop. I love making them - they look so simple although they are quite fiddly to make. They use feed sack, vintage embroidery thread and imagination. They are a lovely way to send a message - 'happy birthday', 'thank you' or simply 'I love you'. If you like them please let me know!