How does your garden grow?

Not at all in my case. I didn't get round to planting bulbs in the autumn, and I've missed the boat for spuds and early veggies. I was feeling a bit feeble on both counts, but now I'm telling myself that I did the right thing given the current state of the weather. Rain, rain and more rain.

So, in lieu of the real thing, I've been making myself some flowers. These particular blooms (together with as many more as I can make before next weekend) will be coming along with me to Bear Flat Artists weekend on 26 and 27 May. I'll be showing my work at The Bear - and trying to avoid two days worth of temptation from (a) coffee (b) cake and (c) the other work on display. Charlotte Farmer in particular....

White

Just back from a trip to The Egg Theatre in Bath with smallest daughter. We went to see White, a show for small persons (2 years plus) all about colour and diversity. I know, it sounds rather too politically correct and horribly humourless, but it was wonderful.

Smallest daughter wasn't too sure at first (it was her first theatre trip after all, so there was a lot to take on board) but after the first couple of minutes she was entranced. And me? It was one of the best things I've seen in a long while - the set was a textile lovers dream, all in shades of white, knitted pieces, stitched bird houses, crocheted hats (of all sizes), a tent covered in lots and lots of different textures.... and to top it off, an explosion of colour at the end. A perfect first theatre trip for smallest daughter (who is still asking where the funny man has gone) and great big put-a-smile-on-your-face morning for me.

The show is on a UK and world tour right now - definitely one to see if it comes anywhere near you (and you have or can borrow a child of an appropriate age to take along...)

Funny old week

It started off last Sunday, all grey and grim and soggy with a very rainy market in Bath. (If you did come out, then thank you. And if you didn't, I don't blame you!)

Then I had a sulky patch mid-week - I'd been told that my Stamp piece was going to be included in a jubilee shopping page in Homes & Antiques magazine, but it wasn't used in the end.... only no one told me that until I went to the news agent to buy a copy, feeling very pleased with myself (and mentally ticking one item off my list of New Years Resolutions).

Obviously, once I realised it wasn't there I felt that I shouldn't buy a copy of the magazine, on principle. Instead, I went to the bookshop to grumble to Mr S, and came home with a new book: a beautifully written account of one man's final illness. One hour into it and I was pretty clear that I ought to stop feeling sorry for myself and get things into perspective.

You can read more about Tom and his book here.

And then, finally, the sun came out yesterday in Frome. For one day only, like a burst of bright colour after what feels like weeks of grey skies.  I had a lovely time at the Artisan Market - it was busy and noisy and full of people and buggies, and dogs, and small children, and it was exactly what I needed to lift my spirits. So now I'm very much looking forward to next month's market - huzzah!

Poppy Chancellor

I read an article about the actress Anna Chancellor in a recent weekend magazine supplement, and she mentioned her daughter's work as an illustrator. At that point I was faced with the choice of sorting out my own smallest daughter's nappy or looking up the (rather more appealing) work of the Anna Chancellor's daughter.

Clearly, it was no contest.  http://poppychancellor.com/ won the day (though not for long, obviously, I'm not that slack a mother...)

Lovely, lovely work.