Ridgeway Cottage anyhow

Where do you stand on the nature or nurture debate? Speaking purely from my own experience; girls are little princesses who live in castles of pink and boys like cars and everything noisy or dirty. Although at age two both my children received a ride on car for their birthday, so perhaps the appeal is universal.   Here's the back of the quilt that I recently made for my nephew. It's been unwrapped now and is all the way on the other side of the world. If you live by the sea, as my little guy does, you're going to need the ocean on your quilt. Who doesn't like the park for a quick swing and slide?   You also need some where to live.   Happy birthday Manny! Wish I was still there to drive cars around your quilt.   Posted with Blogsy

Two years ago I packed my carpet bag and headed off to Oz for my Mary Poppins mission. I wrote about it here , here and here . Mary Poppins is originally from Queensland you know and although I missed out on a The Mary Poppins Festival , I did get the chance to spend lots of time with my gorgeous niece and welcome my new nephew into the world. So what would be the ideal gift for a very special little nephew? I know a quilt because I've only got a week to make it. Nothing like putting the pressure on, but I did it. I can only give a few hints of the final piece because I know that my sister will see this and I don't want to ruin the surprise. Here's a sneaky peek Hmm what could that be? A three eyed monster? A bird? Just to add a sprinkling of mystery and a touch more suspense, the big reveal will be on 4th February which is the little man's 2nd birthday. Oh go on then, one more quick look...   Posted with Blogsy

We may be heading towards the Spring in the UK but outside it really is properly dreary, the complete opposite to those dreamy two weeks I spent drenched in sunlight whilst I was in Australia. I've been spoilt by my trip overseas, I no longer wish to settle for grey drizzle now that I have had a glimpse of those golden rays. But as the chances of me going anywhere other than work, to make up the hours I missed, are very slim, I thought I might try to spread a little happiness with a "Beach" style give away.   So I am giving away this hand and machine stitched mini quilt. It had a red, white and blue striped background with blue coloured cotton lettering, edged with white hand sewn running stitch. It is made totally from reused and recycled fabrics. Pre-loved Story The striped fabric is from one of my favourite charity shops, Age Concern. There is a small box of scrap fabric which I always look through. This fabric was brought about 3 years ago and ha...

An important part of my overseas Mary Poppins role is the school run. I often see this as a bit of a bind at home, especially when it's freezing or pouring with rain, I much prefer this blazing sun, azure blue skies and sea views. So I walked out of the front door to a spectacular view   Turned left at the station   Up the hill   And a little bit further up the steep hill The sunshine and the warm weather does make all the difference And it was the perfect weather for a dip in the surf on the way home.   Posted with Blogsy

  Sometimes your world becomes so small: home, work, school, gym, supermarket. I usually spend a large amount of my time within a two mile square area, but there is a whole world out there. I have seen so many exciting and new things over the past few days. There are stunning ocean views from lots of my sister's windows in her amazing home in the town of Kiama. I knew that I would love Australia as my previous visit is still clearly etched in my mind. I could look out across the sea for hours and listen to the waves crashing.   It's not baking hot but it's pleasantly warm. I love that everywhere looks so different to the grey and dreary English winter. Even when it's cloudy and drizzly in Kiama, it's still beautiful to me. I can see just why the Ozzie surf dude lifestyle is so attractive. And best of all I have my adorable niece to look after and even though I miss my own family terribly, this is a once in a life time opportunity. I am going to be h...

So here I am on the other side of the world and getting ready to go it alone with my new charge Lily tomorrow morning. It is of course a great honour to look after my first ever niece Lily and I am delighted to say not for the first time either. So whilst her mummy and daddy head off to get that new baby out, I get to see Australia through the eyes of a six year old. Seeing as I was 10 years the last time I visited Oz, I think I can really rock this mission. With the combination of my Mary Poppins attitude, a sprinkling of adventure and the intensive Perkin household training I received over the last 24 hours, I can't wait to get started,   It could be just a little bit warmer though. Posted with Blogsy

As I wait for the next leg of my journey, surrounded by the passionate chatter of Italians, there really was only one sensible option for supper. If you can't eat pizza when you are hanging out in Rome then when can you? I have fallen in love with Rome airport, you get to descend the steps of the plane as if you are a movie star, they play jazz in the departures lounge and the shops are truly delightful.   I was always going to appreciate a beautiful stationery shop but everywhere looks so pretty, expensive and stylishly Italian.   I've never even tried Limoncello but it looks so delicious that I might just have to pick up a bottle on the way home. Herbs in an old suitcase Fabulously rustic looking pasta   And even a truffle display!   Posted with Blogsy

I have such clear memories of being in a cafe at Heathrow airport when I was young. I can remember eating toasted cheese sandwiches and watching the planes taxi and take off, effortlessly and gracefully into the air. I don't remember the reason for my presence at the airport but as I sit here now with my coffee gazing out the window, the image of my Dad drinking tea, the itchy, scratchy fabric of the seat against my legs and the overly greasy sandwich came flooding back the moment I sat down. Air travel still seems just as glamorous to me today as it did over 30 years ago when I went on my first ever flight. The excitement, the nerves and this time the sadness at leaving my family, mixed in with tiredness and nostalgia are almost overwhelming, but there is a sense of calmness about an airport. I've browsed the shops, marvelled at the delights of the duty free shops and splashed out on one extravagance: a Chanel lipstick, shade 99 " Pirate". I am after all on a v...