At the weekend....

We ventured to Calke Abbey, a National Trust property in Ticknall, Derbyshire.

Hubby was running in a 10K, and Violet and myself entered the Fun Run (Ha Ha!!).

Violet started off running with me, but soon realised that I was slowing her down and sped up.

She came in as the 5th girl.

Husband didn't embarrass himself either.

I think I should just stick to taking photos of pumpkins and deer.

*

My little Goth Girl

Have you got a favourite author?

Violet does. His name is Chris Riddell.

Not only is he an extremely funny writer, he's an amazing illustrator too.

Violet holds him in such high regard, that she's got an entire book shelf just dedicated to him.  No other books allowed.

She's arranged her books as follows:

Chris Riddell shelf.

Books about horses, and unicorns.

Animal books.

And, then there's, in Violet's words, 'Other'.

Aren't 7 year olds funny little creatures?

Wanting to keep my title as World's Best Mother, I thought I'd earn a billion 'mum points'  by making her a costume of one of her favourite Chris Riddell book characters, Ada Goth.

Unfortunately for me, there isn't a sewing pattern for precisely the outfit I need to make, so I've had to buy a couple of patterns that I think I'll able to adapt.

Violet chose a glorious velveteen fabric to match Ada's outfit, which you can see on the front cover of the book above.

It may be glorious to look at, but I can't say that it was glorious to sew.

Oh well, I managed to finish the first part of the outfit, the dress.

Apparently, she doesn't just like it, she loves it.  

What a result.

I'm well on my way to earning those billion 'mum points'.

I always know when I've made something just as she wants it, because she never takes it off, and wants to wear it everywhere, even for bed.

The next part of the costume won't be so easy - it's a military style jacket, also to be made in the same fabric.

Wish me luck.

*

Dragons

Hello!

It's been quite a while since my last visit.

For those of you who didn't know where I'd popped off to.  I've been studying to become a teaching assistant.  I didn't realise how much of my life college, studying, and my placement in school would take up.  It turns out, that it takes up quite a lot.

I've passed my Level 2 - Yippee!

And, will be starting Level 3 next Wednesday.

Even though I've signed myself up for another year of studying, I'll try my hardest to keep popping in to this little blog space of mine. I've really missed blogging, and keeping in touch with all my blog friends.  I hope you haven't taken my absence personally.

Unfortunately, our summer holidays were mostly taken up with the care of terminally ill relative, and then with their sad demise.  But, I'm not here to dwell on all that.  This is my happy place, and I intend to keep it like that.

We did manage a few fun trips and spent a very enjoyable break in Norfolk, mostly hunting for dragons in the city of Norwich (which Violet calls Norwick).

Prepare yourselves for  A  L O T of dragons.

You deserve a medal if you've managed to get to the end.  Well Done.

Have you got a favourite?

*