Union Jackie's Old Glory!

Union Jackie's first product! For Dawn, my dear friend and Girl Friday at TSJCL!

I Know that pride is not a pretty virtue and generally as a rule I'm a pretty humble gal, but I do have to say that I am SO proud of this attempt at applique!

In my desire to have a business one day which sells artisan made English crafts here in Texas, I thought I might try my hand at some new skills, applique being one of them.

Photographic artist: Lindsey Porter

I think it has turned out pretty well, although I can already see a coupla things I would change to make it even more gorgeous :)



I love the colors and the cheerfulness of the flag. The hearts make it country and the gingham and the spots make it English.

Just wait until you see the English Country Garden wall hanging I am working on! Liberty of London fabric(esque?), quintessentially British in its quirkiness.

FUN!!!

Cambridge in America

In what I hope is a non-arrogant kind of way I am pretty proud of the fact that I graduated fairly well from Cambridge University - a fine British establishment. Nostalgically and sentimentally I also remember that hubby and I were married at one of the college chapels so Cambridge holds a dear place in my heart. If ever I have any spare money I will bequeath it to my alma mater. I know Cambridge would like some money now but I am afraid they will have to wait until I peg out as there is none to spare currently!

Daughters #1 and 2 have been early indoctrinated to believe that Cambridge is better than Oxford and they are probably the only people under the age of 18 in a 30 mile radius of our house who know about the Oxford-Cambridge boat race, or even what the university is! Sadly, we never go back to Blighty any more so the long cherished dream I hold of walking with my children along the Backs or through my college's beautiful gardens, or riding bikes through the city's medieval streets will have to stay on the back burner for a while.

HOWEVER!!! I am thrilled to report that through the wonderful Cambridge in America initiative, St. John's College Choir will be performing at two different venues in Austin in April. Daughters #1 and 2 and I will so be there ('with bells on' as we say in England). I don't even mind that one of the performances is on a school night. I think it is important for my kiddoes to hear some beautiful music in eccelsiastical surroundings just as they would have been dragged to had we lived in England! Daughter #1 happens to really like good choral music - something I was surprised by when I found her listening to my collection on my I-pod. That particular apple didn't fall far from the tree!

I hope you enjoy this YouTube clip about the college and the choir!!

If you're in the Austin area let me know if you want me to get you tickets for the concert!