St Albans

While searching in our garden shed for something (mosaic nippers to be precise), for a friend, I found some mosaic pieces. I have to brace myself for this task, the shed is full of garden furniture and old toys, you get the picture a general dumping ground. Well right at the back, along with the nippers, I found mosaic pieces I had totally forgotten about. My friend Susie and I use to teach mosaic and so needed to have examples to show students. Finding the pieces made me want to dabble in mosaic again, but as they say be careful what you wish for!

It was a weekday but with this glorious late september weather and everyone at home a family trip was on the cards. We decided to go to Butterfly World for the afternoon, only a ten minute drive from where we live. The final Phase and main structure, the Biome, has yet to be built but don't let that put you off going there's still lots to see and do especially for children.

After studying the Hertfordshire's Open Studios brochure a couple of friends and I decided to have a trip out to see the studios of Adele Pearce (Village Arts) and Hazel Godfrey (Willow). A few factors came into play on this decision, firstly I like mosaic and willow, secondly never visited Kings Walden before, but the real lure was a studio in the garden of a pub, bonus!

It was Larks in the Parks yesterday and the theme was 'Seaside'. My friends and I had a stall at the event and the weather was just perfect! I like these community events because they are social and local, a chance to chat and meet old friends

A couple of Saturdays ago Alice and I were in St Albans market when we noticed The Odyssey cinema stall, giving out information about the renovation of the old cinema

If you live in St Albans a new free publication, St Albans Quarterly, may have dropped on your door mat. You may also have noticed it has a craft page featuring my lanterns and instructions on how to make them. If you don't live in St Albans you can find the instructions on my website here 

We have had a couple of family weeks and the weather has been kind. A few days in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire visiting relatives in particular celebrating my nephews 18th Birthday. Alice went to Egypt for a week, enjoyed it but it was somewhat marred by having her ipod and money stolen as well as prickly heat. Bobbin has been given a spring hair cut, like a shorn sheep, she looks very cute though!

On Saturday there was a fundraising event held at the Jubilee Centre for the Japan Tsunami appeal. Susie and I went along to show support, there were stalls selling Japanese food, Kimonos, textiles, books, plants, music and origami demonstrations. I bought some interesting food and textiles, it was very busy so I hope they raised a lot of money for the disaster fund

It was a lovely sunny day for the St Albans Pancake race. The assembled participating athletes looked fine-tuned for this annual contest. Hand eye co-ordination whilst running is the aim but evidently that was not as easy as it sounds!