Another crazy couple of weeks with The New Job - the good news is that a) I think I'm enjoying it now (phewf!) and b) the silver fur button beret is well underway and providing regular sanity. What on earth would I do without hats! (Don't answer that - it's not a viable option!)

This week I discovered that even though I may never use my beloved bonnet blocks for their true purpose, their irregular curves are a milliner's best friend! My current project is based on Hilda, the peaked raffia button with blue orchids - the peak on this hat occurred entirely by accident in a folding / pleating experiment, and so whilst I knew I could repeat it on felt, I wasn't 100% settled on how I would achieve it... Victorian blocks to the rescue! Christine's royal hat should be assembled by the weekend and ready for a generous scattering of pearls :)

In other (somewhat loosely) hat related updates, I've started preparations for my 30th (yikes) birthday party with some enormous crepe paper origami roses and my clever Dad's knocking up a new donut brim block to complement my party hat - which actually will use on of the Victorian brethren for its crown (once I've fixed the chip!) Quadruple yay!! (<< Party / new block / ACTUAL Victorian blocked hat - which counts as two!!) And because I forgot to take a photo of the en route brim block, here is also a gratuitous nail photo - partly chipped through blocking and gardening...

This week's Handmade Monday's creative kernels are just here, and I'll see you next time! x

NEWS FLASH! Last week, I received a call from a stranger who I am now delighted to be able to call my latest client! She needs a hat to wear to receive her MBE (no seriously) from Buckingham Palace in October. I am Beyond Excited! I have offered to make her a dress completely made out of my business cards, but ultimately it didn't go with the hat that we'd just designed to go with her MBE-receiving outfit. You win some you lose some I guess! ;)

The ever reliable and super helpful Parkin Fabrics delivered my order the very next day, and as you know already I LOVE getting post - this was a bumper box :) I also ordered about a mile of buckram (my best frenemy block used up my previous supply. Selfish.), and some wool felts for a wild weekend of winter floppy hatting with my bestie in Bristol at the end of next month. There will be photos! (Mad: Loving the Moonstone! I went for Russet. Tres autumnal I think you'll agree.) :)

I've had to take a permanent job again (hence the *ahem* missed blog last fortnight - apologies) so hatting is both my escape from reality and an evenings and weekends activity again for now. Boo hiss. I was worried that hatting to deadline under 9-5 pressure would suck the fun out of it, but nothing can take the joy out of this showstopper for the most glamorous MOTB I've hatted to date! I'm so pleased with the elegance of this one, and I love how the sprials look like they're blowing in the wind even though they're securely attached! It's all boxed up and awaiting Jacqui's final fitting - I literally cannot wait for the wedding photos!