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Well, its the time of the year we have all been waiting for when we all don our best red, white and blue and look forward to a jolly good knees up (knobbly ones included) to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of our Queen.

With so many parties abound and months of preparation now coming to fruition, l couldn't help but do my bit - for the good cause of decking out the many a garden with bunting, and so l set about designing a special sparkly "deconstructed" (as they say) version of the Union Jack.... lots of reds, whites and blue fabric designs culminating in my Diamond Jubilee Bunting. 

Now after two separate chance conversations with people from the National Trust in the South Somerset Region, l was lucky enough to be given the chance of supplying my bunting for Visitor Reception areas at some of the properties, of which l am immensely proud...

My second chance conversation resulted in me being able to present samples of my work to a recent regional meeting with the view to becoming a supplier to the retail arm of the Trust.  l was delighted to hear this week that l had been accepted and that l will now be able to supply the local National Trust Shops with my handmade bunting, not only the Union Jack, but also the Multi Spot and Yellow Kitchen designs as well!

          Sparkly Union Jack Bunting                            Multi Spot Bunting

A proud achievement for which l am delighted.

Let me introduce my "inspiration" by the name of Lu Lu, my 5 year old Scottish Highland Terrier or "Scottie" dog...my constant companion who likes nothing more than to park her bottom on my sewing machine foot peddle, just as lm negotiating a difficult and delicate slow piece of stitching only for the needle go into full throttle of 800 stitches per minute...!  A few expletives and a very sorry looking long face later (the dog) not mine although its a close call at times...she's generally forgiven. 

 The Culprit!              

Due to her undying and somewhat glue like devotion, l thought l would make some items in her honour...chosing the lovely Scottie dog "oilcloth" in which l made my purse, coin holder and makeup bag...

        In my next blog, l will show exactly how they were made.  Hope you enjoy them, and watch out for different designs.

l've been "blogged" one day after launching my new website! and l am happy to say that the feature product is my handmade Jubilee Bunting, sold here.  Take a look at

http://www.helenlimbrick.com/2012/04/handmade-jubilee.html

Exciting times ahead! 

Its been a very busy time over the last 2 months, after recently moving South of the border back to England after 4 years living in Aberdeenshire, moving into a new home in Dorset and now launching a new look website...l've been full working at full pelt!  

Kate's Emporium has started a new range of products in both purses / key wallets and lunch bags after seeing children on school trips trying to offer hot sticky coins from plastic bags to pay for their souvenirs!  Then watching them wrestle with apples, crisps and sandwiches and all manner of things falling from squashed school bags...not a pretty sight...a solution was needed!  After road testing these on unsuspecting children and hopeful parents, they have been a resounding success and proved to be very popular.  The purses / wallets are both strong (lined with zip) and durable (washable in the machine).  The lunch bags, being made from oilcloth can be wiped clean, and are double seamed for extra strength.

Watching out for my next practical solution to everyday problems...suggestions welcome!