Sometimes I wish I was an octopus – it would be so much easier to get everything done! It’s amazing how quickly 6 hours of child-free time whizzes past. It always made me laugh when people heard my youngest was starting full-time school as they’d usually say “You won’t know what to do with yourself”. I had to resist bending their ear by going into nauseating detail about all the projects I had planned. Anyway, I’m certainly keeping busy although not much hoovering is getting done in our house (I like to think I have an eclectic approach to housework!) I’ve been thrilled at all the lovely comments that people have left on my site.

So on to my works in progress:

Little E has departed for a new life in cornwall,

the two sisters are currently winging their way to Rebecca in Ireland (who sent me these lovely goodies, that chocolate didn’t last long!),

I’ve designed some stocking tops (will get H to take a better picture shortly),

I’ve unearthed a christmas cake design from last year and started making a few

I’m also making fabric party-bags and trying to clean the house ready for Amy’s birthday party on Sunday. Ten little girls will be descending on us for 3 hours of making crafts, playing party games, dancing and a sugar-coated party tea. Amy is beside herself with excitement and I’m beginning to wander if having it at home was such a good idea. Oh well, I’ll just visualise that chilled bottle of Pinot Grigio waiting for me on Sunday evening – I think I’m going to need it! Wish me luck!

I always think that there is something about autumn that is bittersweet. I suppose it’s because it signals the end of summer and because it always takes me back to my very happy childhood. Memories seem to come thick and fast with the chilling of the nights and the changing colours of the leaves. Memories of gathering blackberries and coming home to hot buttered crumpets, walking in the woods with autumn colours blazing all around. Memories of walking to school past bushes dripping with the heavy morning dew and seeing spider webs defined with little drops sparkling in the hazy morning sun – sorry I’ve come over all poetic!  I do think autumn is my favourite time of year, a time for getting out your winter woollies, swapping your sheets to brushed cotton flannel that feels warm as toast as soon as you get into bed. Autumn makes me want to don my wellies and head off for the nearest woods – something I got to do recently with Amy’s school nature ramble – a great morning spent digging in wet leaves, moving rotten logs and scooping up bugs with Amy and her classmates. Autumn makes me want to be a child again!

Anyway with thoughts of childhood in my head, I thought I’d share with you my favourite childhood game (courtesy of my Dad) which has now become one of Amy’s favourites. I’ve been really enjoying reading Rebecca’s senses series where she describes simple fun games to play with your children that encourage them to think about the world around them. This too is a simple game (all the best games are in my opinion). All you need is 1 sheet of paper and a pen per person (2 players or more). Fold the paper into quarters across the width and flatten out again. Then draw a head (human, animal or fantasy) and fold the paper over, hiding your drawing but leaving the bottom of the neck showing. Then everyone passes their piece of paper on to the next person. In the 2nd quarter join a body, arms and top of legs onto the neck and fold the paper again so only the tops of legs are showing. Pass the drawing on again. Draw legs in the 3rd quarter (but not feet) wiggly, hairy, fat, thin etc then fold the paper leaving the ankles showing. After passing the drawing on again draw feet in the last quarter and fold up completely. Pass the drawing on one last time then everyone opens up to see what fantastical creatures have been drawn. Little kids love playing as part of a team with a grown-up. It’s great fun seeing what funny creatures appear and never fails to make Amy laugh.

I love getting packages in the post, especially when I’m eagerly anticipating the contents. So I was thrilled to bits this morning when a beautifully wrapped parcel from Raspberry arrived. Alice Bloor is a textile artist and felt-maker. She creates beautiful pieces and I fell in love with her pincushions. I also had to buy this brooch to pin on my favourite green corduroy jacket although I suspect that it will not remain mine for long – no doubt once Amy spies it, it will mysteriously be spirited away! Oh well, I’ll enjoy it while I can. Thanks Alice (sorry the pics don’t really do them justice – check out Raspberry’s site for  much better  pictures).