Well, the south of England anyway!
I’ve just had very much needed mini break by the sea, courtesy of my lovely son and daughter-in-law who live a stone’s throw from the sea front. I’ve just been going through my photos, and I’m wondering just how many pictures of the sea you actually want to see, I’ve taken so many!
I know I must have sea water in my blood because my family on both sides go back hundreds of years as merchant seamen, Master Mariners and very probably, pirates! Both my father and my paternal grandfather became Bristol Channel pilots after years in command of their own ships, so I’m really not surprised that when I want to relax my mind and body, my thoughts turn seawards.
After all the stresses and strains of the last few months, worrying about my dear mama, and battling with my M.E., no exotic holiday destination anywhere would have been more relaxing than sitting in the little seafront cafe, Hughies with a big cappuccino and a bacon sandwich on a bright and sunny morning! (Hence my last Happy Friday image)
We had a little potter around Bexhill-on-Sea and found an exceedingly PINK shop, I do love the radio…
…and a bargain lampshade for which I have a cunning plan!
(because brown/beige is so not my colour!)
Lunch in the Little British Tea Shop which was delicious in more ways than one.
The next day was misty and murky so we headed inland to Lewes. Last time we tried to go there, the queues for the car parks seemed to start two miles out of town, so we reckoned on a damp Tuesday in February we stood more of a chance. Lewes is very pretty, and full of interesting little shops and it was lovely to just womble about with no real plan in mind.
There were an awful lot of extremely tempting things in this shop window…
…but if you ever find yourself in Lewes, do make a point of visiting Abigail’s Drapery…
…and don’t be like me and only discover it ten minutes before closing time! These beauties fill the back wall…
..and the shop’s just filled with all manner of beautiful craft materials, sewing sundries, yarn and handmade goodies.
The next day it poured! 
So we went to St Leonards to do some mountaineering in the rain…
…up to Norman Road, the home of what is described as the most extraordinary haberdashery, probably in the UK where you will find…
“…vintage lace, antique buttons, espadrille canvas and more. There is an old iron tub full of random vintage buttons, sold by the cup. A fantastic and unmissable shop with a core of devotees, Wayward has slightly eccentric opening hours. Even for Norman Road.”
So worth getting wet for (and it was open!)!
The next day was glorious…
…but sadly, we were going home.
But we’ll be heading south again before too long.
And I’ll be back here on Planet Penny very soon…x
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Have you bought your copy of the Big Comic Relief Crafternoon Magazine yet? It’s a brilliant idea for raising money for Comic Relief and it’s been soo incredibly popular that there’s going to be a reprint, so keep a look out at your local branch of Sainbury’s for a copy soon.
…to fill her little cross-stitch bag.
Next week we are returning the visit and heading off to the South Coast for a few days so really looking forward to that.
Needlefelt cacti, straight from Arizona. These would make brilliant pin cushions, add your own spines!
…and doesn’t everyone need Ruby Slippers? 
The tutorial I tried was for something I really needed, a Cup Cosy. My DH bought me a special coffee cup a while ago, especially for taking to the ‘office’, i.e. the Planet Penny studio. The trouble is, its decorated with a face who’s expression is, well, somewhat troubling…
A much happier sight in the morning now (and hotter coffee!) Cheers…
The book is published today in the UK, and on March 17th in the USA. I would have loved to have had a book like this to hand at half term with older children/young teens. There’s so much inspiration to try something new, great for those ‘I’m bored’ moments!
I started making the cowl designed for the Remembering Vanessa Knitalong which I mentioned in 
