I don't know if it looks any different than it has done to every morning we have woken up to for the last 4 weeks. (4 weeks? really?) Or whether it's because the room wasn't spinning when I lifted my head off the pillow. (I've been suffering from labrynthitis and feeling very grotty).

But when I drew back the curtains this morning it all looked so magical.

And I feel great! It's going to be a good day...if I ever get these children to school that is...another delayed start for snow and ice!

Have a magical wonderful day whatever you are doing today x

There was a discussion going on in Twitterland today about whether we are turning into mini factories all over the country. I was busily producing my new Message Hanging Hearts and tweeted the fact that I had a bit of a factory going on and was this a good thing.

The hearts have several stages...the printing and cutting out of the message labels...the cutting out of the hearts...the pinning in place...the stage one sewing of the label followed swiftly by sewing round the heart...stuffing the aforementioned heart with wadding and dried lavender...and finally, sewing the opening.

It was generally decided that if you like the processes and find them therapeutic, then what does it matter anyway. And how rewarding is it to see the pile grow and have physical signs of hard work at the end of the day. How often does that happen? Unless of course you are going to include the piles of washing and dirty dishes!

So, as the lovely Jane of Snapdragon Garden put it...as long as it's a happy factory all is good!

We have big plans this year to put our own stamp on our house. We bought this house when we first moved back up from London over 5 years ago. And whilst we fell in love with it immediately we have lived with some interesting decor that we haven't quite managed to obliterate.

Until now.

Next month we are starting attacking with vengeance and I am having an amazing time putting into place all those items I have been drooling over for aeons.

First off the living room...after some persistence I have managed to persuade Matthew that we NEED this Orla wallpaper around the fireplace. Fortunately he's relented. I've given him first choice for the bedroom. Well that was easy. You have seen what we've been living with there. Anything will be an improvement. And it's not like I entertain in my bedroom!

Having got the wallpaper, the teal, grey with a touch of mustard theme was beginning to materialise. Next stop Etsy to finalise some fabrics that had been on my wish list for almost as long as the Orla wallpaper.

The first two are by Caitlin of Pippijoe. I just love her patterns and the richness of the colours she uses.

These next 3 are by Roisin and Arounna of Repeat. An equally talented pair that produce the most stunning handprinted fabrics.

These fabrics are now all on order and I'm now sitting very patiently waiting for them to arrive. Ok, so I'm not so patient. I'm beside myself with excitement and can not wait to get going on some cushions and possibly a quilt for my new room. It's going to be unrecognisable.

I've long been a fan of Sanna Annukka's and until I can afford one of her stunning screenprints I will have to settle with just oggling at her work.

And then I came across these beautiful tins on Print & Pattern that Sanna has designed for Paulig Coffee. How gorgeous are they? They tick all the boxes. Tin addiction. Stunning scandi design. Red! I simply have to have one. Actually I'd love 2 or 3 but I would happily settle for one. I'm not greedy.

I have no idea how to purchase one, so now I'm crying out for your help. If I have any Finnish readers out there that know how I could get one, I'd love to hear from you. If I have any readers from anywhere out there that know how I could purchase one I'd love to hear from you. Maybe we could do a swap?

This week has not started too well. We have had a great holidays and I really switched off and enjoyed a much needed break. We caught up with some friends. We went on a great walk in the Yorkshire Dales (queue picture on my header). We ate alot. Drank alot. Chilled alot.

I knew I'd relaxed well because towards the end of last week my fingers were starting to twitch. I was beginning to sleep less well as I needed to get active with work again.

My studio had got into it's usual pre-xmas over-worked chaos that needed tackling head on. I had all these plans that required the children to be back at school. A trip to Ikea was in order so that I could sort the chaos. Oh and purchase some more fabric ;-)

Samuel was still off yesterday so that was already a staggered start to the week. Matthew was off too, so a trip to Ikea was order of the day. I'd been planning to get this set of drawers for a while - highly recommended by Madame TFD. Purchase made. Drawers built (by aforementioned off work hubby). Organisation started....

And that's where it's ended. The night's heavy snowfall has scuppered any further plans to regain order up in my studio. The children were off school today and with school closed again tomorrow, I'm not totally sure when I'll manage to venture up there again.

Still, there is something rather mesmerising about that colour coordinated site, don't you think? Or am I just a little more anal than normal?

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(P.S. Thank you for your lovely comments and good wishes about my grandparent's anniversary. We had a fab old time with grandad rather proudly declaring secrets of their courtship - stories we'd never heard before!)

Call me a bit slow but it has suddenly dawned on me today that not only is it New Year's Eve, but the end of a decade. I know, I know, where have I been hiding! The thing is it is my Grandparent's Wedding Anniversary today. Not just any anniversary, but their 70th. And as you can imagine this event has been much anticipated and for me anyway, has slightly distracted from where we are at in the world in general.

My Grandparents are the centre of our whole family and as a consequence we are an unbelievably close-knit family. Whether some of us are living overseas or elsewhere around England, it's as if we are never away from each other. That is true from the grandparents down to the now 3rd generation of the grandchildren's children.

From when we were children, we have always had a family tradition of Friday afternoon tea being held. When we were all little we used to gather after school. Big plates of bread and butter and jam, crumpets, and chocolate cake would be devoured. Then us kids would scatter ready for 'It's 5 to 5, it's Friday and its'....'! (If you're old enough you'll know what I'm talking about!)

This tradition still takes place today and no matter where abouts in the world you happen to be, you know that anyone who is in Leeds will be gathered at Grandma and Grandad's.

It may not be Friday, but guess where we will be this afternoon, celebrating an incredible event?

Wherever you may be on the cusp of this new decade, I hope it will be a memorable and special dawning for what is to come. Happy 2010 xx

(P.S. The wonderful card was done by the amazing Helen from storeyshop who came up trumps by producing this card super quick over the xmas period when yours truly hadn't got her act in gear quite soon enough to order in plenty of time. Thank you Helen, you are a star!)

It's my Mummy's birthday today, so the kids and I are just about to pop over and go and take her cards and presents. Unfortunately this present I ordered hasn't arrived in time. It's my own fault. I can't expect miracle postal delivery at this time of year. So last night whipped up this tea towel for her, so I wouldn't be going empty handed. I know it looks a bit raggedy. It's a linen mix and embroidering it creased it all up. And our iron is broken!

I need to give full and entire credit to the inspiration coming from Sam of Inklore. Sam is incredibly talented and produces the most beautiful screenprinted designs on her textile work. I've been a fan forever. Go check her out if you don't know Sam already.

One of my daughterly duties is to buy my Dad's card for her. He's disabled and can't get out on his own, so I always get one for him. Normally I get an overly slushy 'To my wonderful wife, I love you' kind of card, but when the kids and I were in town earlier this week I found this card and could not resist. You'd need to know my Mum and Dad to know how utterly appropriate this is!

Happy Birthday Mum! Wishing you a very special day for a very special Mum. (Managed the gush after all ;-))