New Additions To Share

New Wool Brooches!

Made using the 'wet felting' technique, I have created  unique adorable and one-of-a-kind brooch/corsages for you to make a real statement with!
Made from 100% merino wool, these brooches cannot be reproduced making them original designs.
They come with a pin attached to the back and can be pinned on your jacket, scarf, handbag etc.

They would make a great gift or bridesmaid favor or just a lovely accessory for yourself.

The brooch is approx. 4.5" in diameter and consists of 2 layers with a metallic grey bead sewn in the centre top layer surrounded by cream beads, adding to its wow factor.



Made from 100% merino wool in shades of red and black, this brooch has two layers and a chunky effect black button sewn in the centre top layer.
White silk fibres add to the wow factor.



This small brooch in shades of brown has a wonderful ornate brass/bronze coloured button at its centre. I have sewn individual copper coloured beads to each side or wing for effect.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

 

 

Well folks, I have certainly been missing in action as they say, for quite a few months. We have had a couple of illnesses in the family which threatened to be very serious, but time has revealved brighter news on both fronts.
In late September, hubby and I managed to get away for a week to Dubai for some relaxation of sorts. I have a yearning to visit as many countries and places as I possibly can and whilst neither of us are beach people or indeed sun worshipers, Dubai was a place that intrigued me on several counts.
There is so much wealth on show, with cars, jewellery etc but it is a very comfortable feeling place despite having to cover up so as not to offend locals. Boy, it was HOT and very humid! I had read about the etiquette of dressing suitably and was surprised to see so many westerners adhering to this code of dress. In fact those who wore strappy tops and shorts/short skirts really stood out from the crowd. We drove to Abu Dhabi and into the desert for a few days, which was fantastic. Some of my favourite memories are ....

** DUBAI FOUNTAINS -
Choreographed to music, the Dubai Fountain shoots water as high as 500 feet –that’s as high as a 50-story building. Designed by creators of the Fountains of Bellagio in Vegas, Dubai Fountain Performances occur daily on the 30-acre Burj Khalifa Lake. ( per own site )

** HERITAGE VILLAGE -
 Located in the Shindagha near the creek’s mouth, the Dubai Heritage Village (Hatta Village) provides a glimpse into Dubai’s traditional culture and lifestyle, including Emirate’s maritime history, pearl diving traditions and architecture. Displays include a tented Bedouin village, ancient armory, wooden chests and cooking utensils. ( per own site )

** CALL TO PRAYER -
Hearing this sound especially in the old quarters which very spiritual. I did find it very odd though when walking around Dubai Mall and witnessing the spending on luxury items and no apparent call to prayer.

** SHANG PALACE RESTAURANT, SHANGRI-LA HOTEL -
Named Dubai's "Best Chinese Restaurant", What's On Awards, 2013-2014

** SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE, ABU DHABI -
Truly beautiful and awe inspiring.

** QASR AL SARAB DESERT RESORT BY ANANTARA -
The setting and ambience of this hotel is stunning and everyone should be able to stay here at least once!

Dubai Fountains

FABRIC - WHERE DO YOU COME FROM?

In this second Post Series about where the fabric I use comes from, I am taking you to ......
 

Country - Japan

 

Area      - Kyoto

·         Toji Temple & Flea Market              



 Toji Temple or "East Temple", was founded just after the capital was moved to Kyoto in the late 700s.

The large temple, together with it's now defunct sister temple Saiji or "West Temple", flanked the south entrance Temple to the city, and served as the capitol's guardian temples. Toji Temple is one of Kyoto's UNESCO world heritage sites.
 

On the 21st of each month, there is a flea market in the grounds of the temple from early morning until late afternoon. There are a wide variety of stalls selling new and second hand goods, including clothes, tools, sculptures, kimono, antiques, pottery, toys, plants and food.



• Story

Well it was raining heavily when we arrived at the Temple and there were very few people around. It didn't look as though the flea market was set up and I was really disappointed. I mean, to come all the way to Japan and hope to buy a secondhand kimono and be lucky enough to visit on the day that the monthly flea market is held and then for the weather to be so bad that no stalls are set up!!
We had a look around and were just heading back to the entrance when I saw 2 stalls in the distance. I persuaded Mr F that we should go and check them out, even in the pouring rain, and lo and behold one of them was the kimono stall!!
I couldn't believe my luck, and started rummaging through the boxes to find something suitable. I bargained for a good price but didn't bargain too hard as the poor man who owned the stall had set up in the appalling rain. However, I did purchase this beautiful kimono and obi sash. I would love to know the history behind these kimonos. Where were they made and by whom, at what cost .... and who was lucky to own and wear them?

What I Was Hoping To See!!

Beautiful Obi Sash

And this wonderful fabric was used in the following bags ...

Teamed with soft black leather.

What do you think?

 

IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE?

NEW DR BAGS FOR AUTUMN/WINTER ......

 

These Carpet Bags are extremely roomy and close securely with a large frame. Open them up and you have a roomy bag with the addition of a large zippered pocket and also 2 other pockets! Oh, and the knowledge that you are the only person with this bag!!

More on their way .....

WORLD HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE DAY 2013

When I talk about my work at the hospice, many people either change the subject or pull one of those faces and say how sad that must be.
Whilst people don't like to talk about death, the reality is that death is the one certainty in life for all of us. With the approach of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on the 12th of October, I would like to take the opportunity to describe a typical day at my workplace, a Hospice.

First off, the Hospice is not just a place for patients with palliative illness to come and die.
The staff work together as a multidisciplinary team and provide physical and emotional care to patients and their families, understanding and dignity.

The patients coming to the Daycare unit arrive and it's smiles all around as we give them a cheery welcome. Chatting is done over a cup of something warm with hopefully a good choice of biscuits! I think it is important to see them as individuals first and foremost and their illness second. For some patients, this is the only day in their week that they are able to leave the confines of their homes and mix with other people. I like to give them all nicknames which they like and it makes relationships more personal.
Some will enjoy aromatherapy massage treatments and they chatter away and tell me about their week, things they have done, people they have seen etc. But above all, we just have a good laugh, tease each other, share stories .... normal things.
When its time for afternoon tea, it's common practise for me to go around them saying that they can't possibly be hungry and won't want a piece of that yummy looking cake. We all know that this is a ruse so that there will be cake left over for me! Oh they all know what my weaknesses are!!
They leave for home feeling happier, more relaxed after having had a lovely day outside of their normal routine and already looking forward to their next visit.

I will maybe treat outpatients who just come for complementary therapy and also go and see patients who are on the inpatient unit. They all want to know what I have been up to since they last saw me, what plans I have for holidays just as friends are with each other.

Having lost my mum to lung cancer 17 years ago at the age of just 60, from a disease that took her away from her loved ones within 6 weeks of diagnosis, I thank God for Hospices and the care given to people who stay in them. My mum was able to die with comfort and dignity, with a feeling of security whilst surrounded by her family. I wish that for anyone who is dying.

The flip side of the coin is what we as people who work in Hospices get out of working in such a setting. Sometimes it can be very sad as you do form attachments to patients but above all else, I get back what I put in ten times over. Yes I really do!
I feel immensely privileged, humbled and lucky, to get to know so many of these patients. They come from all sorts of backgrounds and careers, and share their journeys with me. They are courageous, brave and dignified and make me feel so so proud of them. I love hearing about their lives, their families, their hobbies and what is important to them. They tease me, joke with me and I really don't mind in fact I love it! They are truly inspiring!!

I hope that I have raised awareness and understanding of hospices and palliative care.
I also hope that I have shown how rewarding the work is and maybe encouraged some of you to volunteer at your local Hospice in the future.

FRIDAY ....

 

 

 

What do you have planned for the weekend?

Mr F and I are going to look at a Nissan Micra to maybe lease as a second car, and it's my birthday on Sunday ...... hopefully breakfast in bed and lunch at a lovely restaurant for me!!

Enjoy!

 

And another Friday Fascinating Fact for you :

Nomophobia is the fear of being out of mobile phone contact! Is this something that you suffer from?

IT'S BEEN A WHILE ....

Hello..... I am back!

 

Well my sewing machine took a LONG time to be repaired and I have felt bereft without it. I have though, managed to catch up on some jobs around the house, like painting all the outside window frames etc. We hired a cherry picker lift for 3 days and this was a great help reaching the highest areas as neither Mr F or myself fancied getting up a ladder at that height.

 

I am busy catching up on my sewing and have completed 3 Doctor Style Bags, which should be in the shop by the end of the week!

 

In the meantime, here are some pictures of zipper clutches that I promised way back when!!!

More on where I purchased this beautiful fabric ....