elfie & Me

Lots of new pictures

I've been busy making these for all the children of friends and family who have been fobbed off for far too long with "not handmade" gifts. They have been received with much enthusiasm but if they hadn't, I would remind them that they should be thankful they haven't been on the receiving end of anything lovingly hand knitted by me or a free haircut as I lack talent in both these areas.

Although when I was at Art College, I managed to convince nearly all the guys on my course that I was, in fact, a qualified hairdresser.

(I had a Saturday job in a hairdressers)

I DID offer them a choice of styles: a flat top or a flick a la Duran Duran with bleached highlights (v popular at the time). Strangely, nobody ever complained even when their hair got shorter than intended when I tried to even out the lopsided bits. I suppose it was the 80's. The decade of bad hair-dos.

Anyway if you would like a personalised picture they are now for sale in the shop and are designed to your requirements. Here's another really large one which looks great printed on this wonderful artist's canvas.

I was very touched that so many people sent emails and messages concerning my brother in law, Alan. Thank you, it means so much to me.

Have a happy bloggy week!

To the end of the earth and back

I've been away again. Back to Dubai to be precise but not just to have a jolly old time with my sister. I had a more serious mission to complete: to help her pack up her life in the sun as my lovely, lovely brother in law, Alan has been diagonised with a brain disease. Not sure what it is as they can only tell you for sure once you're dead (what a cheery thought) but it seems to be early onset dementia -very early as he is only in his 50's and until recently was a high flying scientist. The worst aspect is that his language is becoming affected: he keeps forgetting words for things but luckily his gentle personality and sense of humour have not been affected. I refused to believe that there was anything wrong at first, claiming that he was in his usual absent-minded-professor mode which we all find so endearing (but maddening at times). In fact, he just seems himself but more so if that makes sense. Both of them are not happy to be back as Dubai is like some sort of bizarre fantasy land where real life is suspended and it is sunny all year round. I always go on a massive downer when I get home too which always surprises me as I am your original home bird. One good thing is it is only a quick whizz up the A2 to visit: they are now living in Greenwich which means an excuse for me to visit the fabulous Greenwich market on Sundays and pick up some vintage finds.

Now we are in the grip of the Easter holidays, I've been keeping Alexei and his friend Sam busy. I borrowed an idea from Julie for using up all those old crayons that have been hanging around for years.

The one at the bottom right looks like a delicious lemon tart.

Then totally unprompted, they got out the tin of foreign coins and did some rubbings. I was really surprised how much they enjoyed it as their perfect day usually involves running around in the woods, shouting a lot and waving sticks. (There's been a lot of this . . . thank goodness for the sunshine!)

P.S: In case you are wondering: Alexei is wearing his Cyberman outfit... quite embarressing in public really!

P.P.S: My sister was extremely rude about the appearance of the cake in the previous post. Nothing like family to tell you the truth.