At last...

...I've restarted to work on Lucy's quilt. I finished the last of a series of spring girls, here with an umbrella in the rain.
And I made a new block, with little embroidered trees, here still in progress.
I'll post the two blocks when finished and ironed. For now only a few details.


My work has been absorbing me the past three months, and I really want to try to work more concentrated, and only 5 to 6 hours a day. That will give me more time to do things I really like to do, like crafting and reading. Life's too short!
In the meanwhile, I bought myself a new pair of shoes and red stockings.

And there's nothing quite like sitting by the fireplace with this boy at my side.

Two days in France

Our last weekend was spent in Lille, in the north of France. Lille is a charming little town, with lots of nice houses and beautiful shops. I took a few snapshots here and there, but to be honest, I was way too busy shopping and eating...




I bought books of course:
"Petunia" by Roger Duvoisin, a story about a very silly goose


"Paris", by Miroslav Sasek, a long time favourite of mine.


A book with patterns for cloth dolls and their wardrobe. My daughter is not playing with dolls anymore, but I couldn't resist...


And finally, a book with blue embroidery patterns.


The two craft books were published by Marabout, they have nice craft books and cookbooks too.

A day out

Yesterday, I went to Ghent, the city where my son studies. I really like the medieval houses and churches, and very important: there are no cars allowed in the touristic centre.



We also paid a visit to the lace-shop of my husbands niece. I couldn't resist this apron and towel, embroidered with a cute chicken. In case you want to take a look there: the shop is on the Koornlei, and it's called "Home linen".

A day in Bruges

Last Friday, I could drive to Bruges with a friend , because she had to work there. A nice opportunity to spend a day in this beautiful, medieval town.


It was a very gloomy, dark day, but the lack of sunshine gave everything a mysterious atmosphere.

A golden knight to lighten up the Basilica of the Holy Blood.




Windowshopping. Chocolate everywhere. And lace of course, but I forgot to take pictures of that! (I think that's because almost everybody in my husbands family has a lace-shop!)

Tea from Japan

I would buy these teas just for the packaging!

Sigh...

This sewingbasket from Cath Kidston is definitely on my wish list!
And the needlebook is something I can make myself, maybe another cottage but same style?

A not so nice start of the week

Monday I had to take our cat Punt to the vet, as he is getting thinner and thinner. This is caused by an excess of thyroid hormones, but it can be treated. I hope it's not to late for him.
Wednesday started as a nice day, but during my morning walk, I stumbled and fell on my knee and right hand. A bit of blood and a lot of pain! At first I was afraid my thumb was broken, but luckily that was not the case.

But I felt a lot better already when I found this in the mailbox:

cute fabrics for my new quilt, which I bought on ebay

and a Boden catalogue!

And I can knit again, this was not possible for two days, my thumb was hurting too much.

Ribbons & tea

This was a fabulous shop we found near the Galerie Vivienne in Paris, where they sold ribbons and buttons, "mercerie" in french.

I only bought a few ribbons, the choice was a bit overwhelming and I was hungry at the time... Hard to think with an empty stomach!

I also couldn't resist these cute bowls and the tea, in a nice Taiwanese shop, where you could taste a bowl of tea for free.

Paris shopping

We had very little time in Paris, only 7 hours, so we had to spend it well!
We started at the Galeries Lafayette, and admired the stunning balconies.

Then we went for some window shopping, strolling trough Paris.
These dolls were admired by this little girl, and by me of course. I prefer the one at the left, with the blue beret.
And in this shop, near the Opera, you could find all kinds of tin toys.

Tour de France

French revolution

And here I bought one of these fabulous notebooks!