And my thanks go to...

A while ago the lovely Caroline from Gran Plumley nominated me for a Versatile Blogger award. Thank you Caroline.
I am supposed to tell you seven things about me, hopefully things that you don't already know, well I couldn't think what to tell so here are some random things:

1. I bought this Quiksilver bag for £1 in a Devon charity shop two weeks ago. I love it as it is big enough to hold drinks for me and Little I without being bulky. I can fit a paperback in there too. It also has a good size phone pocket, a camera pocket and a keys pocket. Plus it has little bits of red trim on. What more can I ask for?

2. I like the little things in life. I like blogs that celebrate this. See no. 3.

3. I have a new ring from here
Do you like it? It makes me smile.

4. My mum taught me to sew and until recently she was my go-to reference person for sewing advice and techniques. Yes, I would phone her (200 miles away) and ask questions about bias binding or preparing fabric.

5. Now my mum has memory problems, this is my go-to reference book for sewing techniques. I found it in my local library a couple of years ago

and a friend then kindly bought it for me for my birthday. I think finding a sewing reference book you can really get on with is quite a personal and individual thing, not everyone will like working from the same book.

I don't have any affiliation to Ruth Singer but I love this book, it has clear step by step instructions and photos. She also has a blog here. I have included a photo of the page on bound buttonholes (see I am always thinking of you, Ms Scruffybadger)

6. With regard to memory problems, I am taking part in a sponsored walk for the Alzheimer's Society next month. Somewhat ironically, I had forgotten all about it until today and haven't got any sponsors yet. Ooops. Let's hope I remember to turn up onthe day.

7. Ummm, can't think of a number seven fact...errr...how about this? I was doing a PhD in my mid-twenties, I left with an MPhil, having had to decide whether to take the MPhil or do substantive rewriting (unfunded) and I think walking away from the PhD was one of the best decisions I ever made! Seriously, I think it saved my sanity. My thesis resides in a cupboard at my mum's house, though I believe it would make a good doorstop. It took about five years until I could bear to look at it after completion. It also took a long time before I would tell anyone about it as I thought it meant I was a failure. I always used to think that I shouldn't give up on anything because you should doggedly See Things Through. Now I think that sometimes you should walk away from some things in your life and that to leave can take more courage than to stay. (Is that a bit too serious for this blog? Caroline, look what you have started!)

Now I am supposed to nominate five blogs to receive this award, these people may have already had this award, sorry if you have, but at least you can feel a warm glow of happiness (??)

1. Scruffybadger

2. Alex Mason

3. Makings of an urban rustic

4. Allana at High Maintenance Hippy

5. Kate at two Little Cabbages and Cie