Dapple & Grey

Two quilt finishes - hurrah - and some quilt design reflections

Cold and flu season sure has arrived in Melbourne.  Bunny and I have been laid up with a particularly nasty cold but that hasn't stopped us achieving two quilt finishes.

This one is for my Bunny's BFF, Miss Bunnykins.  Miss Bunnykins is my dearest friend's 6 month old baby girl who arrived just a few weeks after my beloved Bunny!  

My quilt design featured diagonals in waves of increasing then decreasing volume, so the highest volume fabrics would be separated by the diagonals of lower volume fabrics.

I had originally planned a Peter Rabbit quilt but I fretted and fussed and couldn't come up with a design I liked. I was then inspired by a beautiful quilt I saw over at NanaCompany. I played around with some designs that incorporated the Peter Rabbit fabrics but in the end I abandoned them altogether and worked wholly from my stash (except for the binding, which I bought at my local quilt shop).

This quilt features my favourite fabric, the Woodland Wreath from Superbuzzy.

I was working to a nursery colour scheme which is mainly gentle, warm neutrals with a few pink highlights so the quilt colour scheme needed to be soft and warm. I auditioned over 20 fabrics for a role in this quilt, and I have to say I think I am happy with the final cast. I think the binding gives the quilt a playful, young feeling and adds a bit more girly pink to soften some of the more mature colours.

My second quilt finish is Bunny's 30s repro quilt which has been languishing rather shamefully on the chair next to my sewing chair for a few weeks.

I suppose I don't love this quilt, truth be told, and I am so eager to start my next design for Bunny that I can't get too excited about this one. Still, here it is.

On the up side, this quilt is colourful and visually stimulating for my baby boy. Also, the red and white spotted border ties in with Bunny's pillow cover.  

On the downside, I think it is too busy, but also too simplistic and just trop, well, trop. I am working on a design for another quilt for Bunny, using some Sarah Jane fabrics. However, the Patchwork, Please sew along is about to start and I am also heading back to work (part-time) after nine wonderful months of maternity leave at home with my precious Bunny, so I don't know where I will find the time!

Happy sewing.

Amber x

Lucky fabric hunter

Everyone has a bit of luck from time to time.  Me?  I seem to be the lucky fabric hunter.  Here is what I have found recently - 

The last one and half yards of Kerchief Girls at a local quilt shop (well, sort of local - the other side of the city).  

 

A fat quarter of yummy Kokka Trefle strawberries!

 

This pile of old Lecien Old New 30s.  

 

These Heather Ross fat quarters.  

And I should add, I found an entire bolt of Heather Ross, Princess and the Pea at GJ's at Brunswick in Melbourne.  I was very, very strong and I resisted buying any, because I had imposed a strict budget on my visit to GJ's, and I needed a few other things for current projects, but I will be going back in the hope there is some left.  

I sure do hope my lucky streak continues!  

Amber x

 

 

Why I am unhappy about saving 75% on some new fabric yesterday

Yesterday, I bought this beautiful pile of fabric from a gorgeous patchwork fabric shop in Melbourne, at a discount of 75%.

I should be happy, right? I mean, look at the gorgeous colours, the dynamic shapes, the fresh patterns.

Well, I am not happy, dear reader, far from it. I am unhappy because this gorgeous fabric shop was offering the 75% discount because they are selling out their fabrics. The owner has decided to turn the store into a homewares store because the business won't survive as a fabric store. This is the second fabric store in my local area to close recently and I have heard a third one is struggling to survive.

Forgive me, dear reader, for a moment while I put my stern schoolmarm face on. There. I am ready to deliver a stern little speech, but I beg you to bear with me for just a couple of paragraphs. There is a little fabric eye candy at the end if you do!

Apparently, the reason some Australian fabric stores are failing is that people are buying their fabric online and not supporting their local quilt shops. This is tempting for Australian sewists and quilters, because we see fabrics at our local shop for $22 a metre selling for $10 online from US stores (noting howstrong the Australian dollar has been in recent years). Each of these fabrics above and below would be around $22-$24 per metre here in Australia, but around $9-$11 per metre online from a US shop.

The problem is, according to some sources, a lot of people go to their local fabric shop, browse, feel the fabrics, colour match, make a choice, and write down the fabric name and then order it online! Now, I buy a lot of my fabric online, too, but I have a rule. My rule is, " if I see it at my local, I buy it at my local."

My local quilt store pays all the overheads required for a bricks and mortar shop to have the space where I can go to browse the fabrics, touch them, see the colours in person in real light, colour-match and get a real sense of the scale and feel of the fabric. This is invaluable for someone working with fabrics.  In fact, the ladies at my local quilt shop yesterday told me they had a customer who was actually upset they were going out of the fabric business because where else would she go to feel and colour match her fabrics before ordering them from someone else online?! Oh dear me.  

So, dear ladies, let's support our local fabric shops and let's encourage others to do the same. I urge you to adopt my rule - if you see it at your local, buy it at your local (not online). If we don't get behind our local quilt shops, we might find our days of having local quilt shops are soon behind us.

Here is my little tribute to my local quilt shop and local quilts shops everywhere.

Phew. Thanks for sticking with me. Here's some eye candy as a thank you for hanging in there with me - two studies of Heather Ross fabric details, all purchased at my local, of course. I hope you enjoy!  

Happy sewing! 

Amber x

 

Can a bath robe be inspirational?

I love the fabric in my favourite robe.  It's soft and fresh and pretty.  Here it is - 

I love it so much I want to make a quilt from the colour scheme of my favourite robe.  I have been sitting on a few pieces of Posy by Aneela Hoey for a couple of months.  All of a sudden, I realised that many of the fabrics in Posy would be perfect for this "Recreate my Robe Quilt".  

Aren't they too precious for words?  

To recreate the feeling of the gorgeous cotton in my robe, I will need to use lots of the soft lavender and pops of the strong minty/blue green.  I will also have to find a cool, soft lemon colour to use in addition to my bundle of Posy.

So far, I am leaning towards a hexie quilt, but I may well change my mind (how unusual).  

But that is on my to-do list.  Here's what I have been working on recently - 

It is a simple 9 patch with white sashing.  The squares are 2 1/2 inches, mostly Flower Sugar.  This quilt is for one of my nieces, who is turning two very soon.

Another sneak peek - 

The quilt top is almost finished.  I will then obsess about the backing and binding for a few days, and then make my agonising decision, finish it off and post it off to the Birthday Princess!  So much to do!

Happy sewing!

Amber x

Interview with the Artist

Kitty, my sister and the co-founder of Dapple & Grey, has a background in Fine Art and a passion for photography.  This beautiful, painterly photo is from Kitty's recent work.

Photo by Kitty Moore

Kitty has recently discovered a love of fabric and sewing and is now a confessed fabric-aholic!  I sat down with Kitty and asked her about how her art, photography and newfound love of fabric and sewing work together.  I hope you enjoy this Interview with the Artist.

Amber x

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Amber:  What does it mean to be an artist? Is there one, universal definition or does every artist have their own interpretation?

Kitty:   I think everyone has their own interpretation of what it means to be an artist, probably evidenced by the variety of different styles and techniques and materials that are employed.  A person might use paint or sand or plants.  This demonstrates it’s a fluid thing; there are no fixed boundaries to how you can be an artist.  If it were predefined, everyone would paint the same way or draw the same way. 

Photo by Kitty Moore

Amber: When did you first realise you were an artist, or was it a decision? 

Kitty:   That’s a hard one.  I would probably say it’s a combination of both.  It’s a process of realisation but also a decision to pursue it.  If you are an artist, then you are, but a creative person doesn’t necessarily pursue a traditional fine art career.  For me, Pierre Herme (the French pastry chef famous for his macarons), and what he can do with food, can be considered art.

Amber:  Are schools too narrow in their definition of art? 

Kitty:   Yes.  If you can’t or don’t draw or paint in the traditional ways, you are on the outer unless, like me, you just do your own thing and ignore all that, but it takes strength to follow your own vision especially when that usually means a failing result.  Schools do a disservice if they cannot recognise talent or are not prepared to allow students to pursue what is particular to them.  Now, there is a lot to be said for cementing the foundations of the discipline of art.  You can’t progress unless you know the basics.  There is a real need for a technical basis, but a drawing of a pitcher doesn’t have to look like a pitcher.  Some adherence to tradition is valuable, but schools have to be liberal enough to see talent in any form.  In all fairness to my school I understand the teachers have limited time and a syllabus to adhere to but there is more than one way to 'skin a cat'.  I still don't know if I actually have any talent or if they just gave up.  :)

Amber:  What is your favourite medium?  I know you have just bought a new camera.  Is photography your favourite?

Photo by Kitty Moore

Kitty:  I would say photography is up there.  I have a love/hate relationship with painting.  Drawing, I understand the importance of it but it just doesn’t rock my world.  Joseph Beuys said 'everyone is an artist' and I think it is only now that I realise what he meant.  This notion of fine art is important but no more important than the art that is created everyday.  We wont all be famous for a shark in a tank of formaldehyde  (Amber:  a reference to a controversial work by British artist Damien Hirst) but making dinner for your family or creating a quilt for the birth of the newest addition to your family is not given the respect it deserves.  I believe I have seen the light Joseph Beuys offered all those years ago.   I feel I need to mention I recently read the suggestion that 'photographers are failed “would-be” artists'!  That amused me no end as there may be something to that - if you consider Ansel Adams a failure!  The freedom and liberation of the camera pip painting for me. 

Amber:  When we were little, Mum taught me to sew and I know it just didn't interest you at that time.  What changed or what clicked for you that got you interested?

Kitty:  It was having my girls.  For me it’s about the end result.  When my girls started kindy, I needed to make them drawstrings bags to take to kindy, and I wanted to make it nice for them.  It’s about doing something for my girls that is a bit different.  I can take what they’re about and give them something nice for them.  I made a retro owl print bag for one of my girls and a flowery pink bag for my other girl. I wanted something for them that not everyone else would have – I didn’t just want a branded bag.  Having said that, just about everything else they own is 'Hello Kitty'!  Shame on me!  ;) 

Drawstring bags by Kitty

Amber:  So, sewing is a way to give your girls something specific to them?

Kitty:  Yes, that’s right.

Amber:  When you're choosing fabric, do you consciously engage your artist's eye, or is it a more subconscious process?

Kitty:  I would say that the two are linked, but I just allow instinct to drive choice of fabric.  You know a while back in a post you talked about challenging yourself by buying fabrics that weren’t “you”?  (Amber:  see my post here.)  I think that’s right.  My approach is about response.  Something will grab my eye and my immediate reaction to that fabric dictates whether or not it’s a contender for purchase.  People have different tastes.  Some people really like strong, graphic prints and some people like pretty or country fabrics.  Some people could have giant black and white chevrons in their house but that would do my head in!  Rejecting a fabric based on “that’s not me” is beneficial in one respect, but I also encourage people to have an instinctual approach to their choices.  Don’t reject a fabric just because it doesn’t seem to fit in with what you think you should like. 

Cushions by Kitty

Amber:  Do you choose fabric for a project or do you choose the fabric and let the fabric inform the choice of project? 

Kitty:  Typically I just choose fabric.  With some projects, like the bags for my girls I mentioned before, I did go out and buy fabric specifically for that project.  But I usually just buy what I’m attracted to and the application just presents itself later, which probably explains why I have metres of fabrics I haven’t done anything with yet! 

Amber:  And finally, what's your favourite fabric line at the moment?  

Kitty:  I have to say that my favourite is Winter Nest by Kristen Doran, a Sydney designer.  This is primarily a furnishing range.  I also tend to like ranges by Alexander Henry and Robert Kaufman.   

Kristen Doran's Winter Nest in chocolate

Amber:  Is there anything you'd like to add? 

Kitty:  People may think they can't do something because they're not creative or they're just "Joe Average".  I don't think "Joe Average" exists.  Creativity is everywhere, whether sewing, quilting, photography, painting, food.  Creativity is in everyone - it just doesn't come out the same way.  People who can change recipes, arrange their homes beautifully, capture the beauty of the everyday ...it's all creative.  Everyone has creativity in them; they just need to find their particular thing and let it out.  There is not right or wrong - there is only you.

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I hope you enjoyed that interview with Dapple & Grey co-founder (and my sister), Kitty.  I think it's time for a nice cup of English Breakfast Tea and a spot of sewing.  

Amber x

Giveaway Winners!

What an amazing response to Dapple & Grey's first giveaway!  

Mary wins the copy of Patchwork, Please and the fat quarter and Muriel wins the other fat quarter!

A big thank you to you all, everyone who submitted a comment and entered the Giveaway!  I was so touched by all the support and kind words of encouragement to "keep blogging".  Ayumi Takahashi even stopped by and left me a beautiful comment, which had me completely starstruck and I was so excited I had to call my Mum!!!  What a lovely bunch you all are - thank you, thank you, thank you!  

My first tutorial is coming soon as is an interview with my sister, Kitty (the other half of Dapple & Grey).  Kitty is an artist who has recently joined the sewing craze and is now a fabric-aholic!  In the interview, Kitty talks about her love of art and photography and how she came to sewing.  

Have a lovely day, everyone and happy sewing!

Amber x

Pouches, pincushions and poached pears

What a sweet day it is. I made poached pears for my Bunny's lunch.

And then I finished this pouch for Kitty - 

I added an inside pocket to the lining so Kitty can always easily find her phone - 

I used 2 and 1/2" blocks and quilted 1/4" from each seam line.  

I used a low loft batting between the patchwork outer and the lining, but next time, I would also add a medium weight sew in interfacing to give the pouch a little more body. 

I had lots of lovely little pieces of Flower Sugar all ready to go after Kitty's pouch, so I whipped up a log cabin pincushion for my Nan. 

And with Mother's Day coming up, I made a pincushion for my Mum, too.  Now, Mum has just bought a new Bernina machine and she is already raving about it!  Yay Mum!  Nice one.  So this pincushion is going to get a work out.  

Mum saw the beautiful pink pincushion in Ayumi's photostream on flickr, and asked me to make her one, and so, ta da!  

I used my super-cutest buttons on Mum's pincushion (above and below). 

Well that's what I've been up to today.  What about you?  

Ooh, and don't forget that I'll be announcing the winner of the first Dapple & Grey giveaway very soon!  

Amber x

My favourite fabric shops

I have had a lot of lovely comments about my fabric stash, from the photos here and on my flickr page and a few people have asked me where I buy my fabrics.  So, a list!  

But before my list, a quick little disclaimer (yes, again with the details) - this is a list of the shops I genuinely love.  I have no sponsors or any arrangements whatsoever with any of these shops.  If I have them on my list, it's because I love shopping there!  Simples.  

My Favourite Fabric Shops

1.  Superbuzzy (online and "bricks-and-mortar") 

Superbuzzy has an extensive range of Japanese fabrics, trims, notions, yarn, books and magazines, tools and kits and more!  Great service and did I mention the wonderful Japanese fabrics?!  

Shop at Superbuzzy for:  Japanese fabric

 

2.  JapanLovelyCrafts (etsy) 

Shopping with Nobuko-san at JapanLovelyCrafts is an absolute delight!!  The fabrics are wonderful, they arrive quickly in the post (and in beautiful condition) and all my communications with Nobuko-san leave me happy and smiling and humming "What a Wonderful World"!  She is one of life's treasures!  I would love to meet her next time I am in Japan.

Nobuko-san has a nicely curated collection and I love stopping by this sweet etsy shop!  

Shop at JapanLovelyCrafts for:  Japanese fabric, quick delivery and delightfully sweet customer service from Nobuko-san!

 

3.  FreshModernFabric (etsy)

I do love it when a shop matches its name.  FreshModernFabric sells fresh, modern fabric.  Simples.  I had a quick response to my request for a custom listing.  The fabrics I ordered arrived quickly (to Australia from the US, so quick shipping is always good) and in lovely condition. 

Shop at FreshModernFabric for:  fresh, modern fabric, of course!

 

4.  Patchwork with Gail B ("bricks and mortar, Melbourne, Australia)

I love this shop so much!  First, some details.  They don't sell their fabrics on their website, so unless you live in Melbourne or visit...  but if you do live in Melbourne or happen to visit, you sure are in for a treat!  

Aisle after aisle of delicious fabrics, fabrics on floor shelves, high shelves, shelves in the middle, so much fabric!  Plus, the sheer square meterage of the fat quarter tables is enough to make a girl swoon.  I have found rare Heather Ross fat quarters and very rare Lecien Old New 30 prints hiding in the fat quarter tables.  

Plus, and I love this, the fat quarter tables play host to what I like to call the "remmie tubs".  I'm sure there's a proper name for them, but since I'm quite new to quilting, I don't know the proper word.  There are little plastic buckets full of rolled up yardage remnants all over the fat quarter tables.  They are a fabulous way to build your stash if you use little bits of fabric, for example, small blocks or fussy cutting or scrappy work etc.  

A trip to Patchwork with Gail B is always fun!  Plus, it's located in the back of a tile shop.  Seriously.  Apparently, Gail's father owns the tile shop, so that clears up that mystery.  

Shop at Gail B's for:  the vast selection of fat quarters, plus the wonderful range of yardage 

 

5.  GJ's Discount Fabric ("bricks and mortar", Melbourne, Australia)

Don't let the name fool you; GJ's is a lovely fabric shop with the latest quilting fabric ranges available at full price.  GJ's has a wide selection of lovely quilting fabrics and it's worth noting they have a good selection of fabrics by Lecien and Kokka.  

GJ's has a large range of batiks and orientals, which I don't use, but always enjoy looking at.  They also have a good selection of linen in different colours (I bought a fabulous aqua coloured linen there a few months ago) and the staff are super helpful and patient.  

The quilting fabrics are in the front room but out the back is a warehouse space converted to more shopping space.  In the warehouse space is a crazy selection of dance fabrics, along with dressmaking fabrics and the discounted quilting fabric tables.  Lots to see!  I ventured out there a while ago and got a nice piece of cotton linen blend which may be making an appearances in the upcoming Zakka Along for Patchwork, Please.  

Shop at GJ's for:  a lovely range of quilters cottons, linens, dance fabrics and general dressmaking fabrics

 

6.  Voodoo Rabbit (online and "bricks and mortar" in Brisbane, Australia)

I know!  Great name, right?  This quirky fabric shop carries Japanese import fabrics and some standard quilters cottons but they specialise in macabre fabrics (Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos), Halloween etc) and just plain weird fabrics.  But they also have a great selection of Kokka, Echino, Lecien, Alexander Henry and other fabrics.  

I have bought online from Voodoo Rabbit and they have nice, quick shipping and the fabrics arrived in lovely condition. 

Shop at Voodoo Rabbit for:  seriously weird fabrics, plus a lovely selection of "normal" fabrics

 

7.  Tomato Nippori (online and "bricks and mortar")

If you can work out how to use Google Translate or you speak Japanese, you're in for a real treat!  The Tomato Nippori range is absolutely delightful!  Linens, quilters cottons, silks, blends, wool, notions and lace.  A lovely selection of Yuwa, in particular. 

Not speaking Japanese myself, I used Google Translate to browse their range and then used a personal shopping service in Tokyo to buy my selections and send them to me.  I got some beautiful linen, which I turned (in part) into this:

8.  Stitch Me Lane (online)

Stitch Me Lane is a super-sweet online shop based in the UK.  I tracked down some Lecien Old New 30s there a little while ago.  The range is small, but carefully curated so it's always worth a visit.  

The customer service at Stitch Me Lane is exceptional.  In my view, there are so many fabric stores out there on the internet, competing for our attention - why not shop where the customer service is great?  Stitch Me Lane does international shipping and if you have any special requirements, just send them a message and they will help you out, if they can.  (At least, that was my experience!)  

Shop at Stitch Me Lane for:  a small but well-curated collection of fabrics and helpful customer service

 

9.  The HeyDeyShop (etsy)

One of my first etsy fabric purchases was from this lovely little shop and the positive experience I had gave me the confidence to keep shopping through etsy.  (I'm a bit of an old-fashioned gal, so I had to get used to it!)  The HeyDeyShop has lovely fabrics with a clear focus on delicate florals.  

After I placed my order, I was contacted by the shop owner to say that, unfortunately, one of the fabrics I had purchased was not available.  She offered me a refund or my choice of another fabric to replace the unavailable fabric.  I chose another fabric and my shipment of fabrics arrived pretty quickly after that.  The proactive and friendly customer service I received was fabulous and will keep me coming back to this little etsy shop. 

Shop at The HeyDeyShop for:  lovely, delicate florals and good, proactive customer service

 

Well, that's my list!  I'm sure I have forgotten some of my favourites, but that's it for now.  Where do you buy your fabric?  Do you have a favourite shop or two, or do you shop around?  

Hope you're having a great sewing day!

Amber x

I found some Kerchief Girls!

This is a super quick post because we've had a hectic day and I'm supposed to be cooking some dinner!  But my darling little Bunny has just nodded off for an afternoon nap so I have time to tell you I found this:  

How lucky!  I got the last piece of the last colourway left at one of my local quilt shops!  

What shall I do with it?  With great fabric, comes great responsibility.  I must not squander it - I must use it wisely.  What do you think I should do with it?

In other news, I have finished a Flower Sugar pouch for Kitty and a pincushion for my Mum and I have started a quilt for a special birthday coming up soon - Kitty's Princess is turning 2 - and it's so sweet I think I'm going to get a toothache.  Photos soon, I promise.  

Amber x

Dapple & Grey Guest Blogger - Sarah!

The week of Official Blog Launch excitement continues with our first Guest Blogger - my darling friend, Sarah.  Why don't you settle in to a comfy chair with a nice cup of tea and have a read of Sarah's delightful post?  Over to you, Sarah!

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I have never before been asked to be a Guest Blogger, so this is a new and rather thrilling exercise. I finally get to be a G.B.! Of course, I always thought those G.B. car stickers stood for Getting Better, but now with a 5-and-a-half-month old Bunnikin myself, Going Bonkers might be a good description of my mental state some days. Not to fear! I have turned a very early start to the day into something precious: an hour or two to myself, with a hot cup of lemon and honey, and the most serene and beautiful view of a breaking dawn. (Note to self: check tea cup for ants before drinking. Ugh).

It is a bit daunting being asked to write for Dapple and Grey. What a beautiful blog this is! I must try and blend in and write something worthy.

So, there are few things I would love to share. I’m not very crafty, but I have been known to dabble in the odd stitch or two. Last winter I made a quilt, with a great deal of assistance from my Cousin Jane, and was very well pleased with the result. It was made with her scraps of material from samplers and upholstery fabric. The theme was brown, I suppose, or neutral tans, with hints of white and gold. It sounds very plain but it turned out well, and looks rather nice atop a crisp white quilt cover, with gold, brown, and cream cushions at the top of the bed. 

I also made a playmat last year in anticipation of Bunnikin’s arrival. The gender was unknown, so this made choosing material a wee bit tricky. In the end I settled for bright green on one side, and bright blue on the other, with a red binding. The green side features London-themed icons, which is apt as I have spent quite a bit of time there in the last decade or so. (Ah, the pre-baby travelling days!) The blue side features outer space-themed icons (also rather apt considering the excitement of the last few months). Now that Bunnikins is pushing up on her arms, she loves to look at the patterns, so I feel I made a happy choice in the fabrics. 

The current project is a gift for Amber’s Bunny. My dear friend chose the fabrics, which are gorgeous of course, and it is my ‘umble task to try and piece them together into a quilt. Thankfully, Cousin Jane has been able to be called upon for assistance once again. I’m pleased to report that so far, it is coming along swimmingly – much easier than the first quilt I made. Here is a sneak peak of the theme of the quilt. 

As you can see, it is quite gentle and neutral, and hopefully the quilt will be one which lasts into the years ahead.

I should, at this point, make mention of the wonderful shop that is Voodoo Rabbit Fabrics, at Woollongabba in Brisbane. They have a most tempting range of goodies and sometimes quite unusual fabrics. If I was hooked on this sewing gig I know I would be there all the time; as it is, I enjoy going in to get something special when required.

To turn our attention to other Fields of Domestic Achievement (now, the FDA I’m sure stands for something else), G.B. has recently emptied and turned over and composted. Whoops, now that’s an example of a badly placed full stop isn’t it! I should say, G.B. has recently emptied and turned over and composted her vegetable gardens. Thank goodness for objects of verbs! Last year, I had an abundance of spinach and tomatoes and lettuces, as well as a healthy serving of snow peas and sugar snap peas. I turned all the tomatoes into a delicious Neapolitana sauce, stocked in the freezer before Bunnikins arrived. I did the same with the spinach, making a load of soup, but I found out it doesn’t thaw well – an interesting texture and definitely a different taste than when fresh. Alas! Well, this year I have a blueberry bush planted, to which I have added a capsicum, bok choy, shallots, and more spinach (I will stick to sides of blanched greens). I have had rocket and lettuce grow back (I didn’t get around to removing the spent plants promptly) so the effort I spent collecting seeds seems ludicrous now. Still, it kept the pregnant G.B. happy at the time. I also have the most massive bush of parsley that I’m rather at a loss with to be honest – so much parsley, so little time…

G.B. has also ventured into flowers for the first time, and turned a rather ugly concrete slab in the back yard into a theme park for local insects. There is a pretty array of pots of various shapes and sizes, which are home to snapdragon, marigold, geranium, alyssum, angeloni (I think), and pansy plants. There’s also a pentice plant. I keep wanted to say prentice, but I’m pretty sure I’m just thinking of the publisher. I’m not really up with this stuff. At any rate, I think it looks rather pretty.

 

The last newsworthy item for me to share today is two rather marvellous websites. G.B. does enjoy the odd dabble in the old kitchen, baking treats, either naughty-ish or healthy-ish, depending on the ratio of exhaustion to sugar hit needed at the time of inspiration. I have discovered that Elana's Pantry has a wonderful range of delicious AND healthy recipes, and what’s more, excellent for those on restricted diets comme moi. G.B. has had to cut back on the excellent Pumpkin Bars, as there were fears she would turn into a pumpkin. Well, not quite, but there was a definite tinge of yellow happening… (it’s alright, I’ve cut back now). The other website is The Organised Housewife  and while the title does make the feminist within cringe, in practical terms this website is jam-packed with brilliant and nifty ideas, for example, freezing soups/purees/stocks in ziplock plastic bag so they lie flat and take up less space!, encouraging organisational and de-cluttering tips, templates to help you organise your house, recipes, and just generally is a encouraging place to look around and from which to gain inspiration. G.B.’s fridge is now the proud displayer of not one, but three, laminated templates from this website, which direct G.B. on weekly meals, weekly/monthly/annual cleaning tasks, and shopping lists and meal plans. At last! G.B. feels excited about cleaning. You have to admit, the feeling of ticking off a checklist is pretty hard to beat. Yes, I know, I should probably get out more.

Well, there it is, my first ever contribution to a blog. I hope it is worthy of being included in this particularly fine Dapple and Grey publication. Thank you to my darling friend for asking me to write.

And now the sun is up and it is a gorgeous autumn day. I think this is my favourite time of year. To top it off, there are now quinces in season and in my fruit bowl. This particular G.B. has a penchant for poached quinces. The aroma in the house while they gently simmer away all day is surely one of life’s greatest pleasures! I can feel a poached quince cake isn’t too far away.

Happy autumn days to all xx

Sarah