I've been out of action this week, think the stress of the last few weeks has caught up with me and I came down with a nasty chest infection. Being asthmatic its hit me quite hard and it still hasn't cleared. Which is a bit of a begger as at 03:50 tomorrow morning we leave for Italy. Keith is quite excited, I'm trying very hard to be excited but failing miserably, far too tired. This "Anthing but cotton" card is from Arlene Franks and is silk and paper, stamped, painted and embroidered.

I have managed to do a little bit of sewing over the past couple of weeks. This small handbag is a Monkey Button's pattern its just about the right size to take all my odds and sods. It will go in my main bag and keep all the first aid bits and general medication one tends to take away with them.

As you can see I sewed one strip upside down and didn't notice until I'd put the zip in. I am not going to take it out now.

Finally got my mailer journals out in the post. They are made from fabric paper, stamped, gilded with cords etc. They looked a little like leather when finished.

Got to go now and finish packing, I hate packing luckily for me Keith doesn't. Anything I've forgotten now I'll have to do without. Well there's one thing I have to sort out and that some hand sewing. For the next day and a half I'll be travelling overland sewing, watching the scenery pass by (we have front seats on the coach) and listening to Conn Iggulden's Genghis series on my ipod. Don't you just feel for me!!!