hello school term, goodbye art trail 2012!

Wow, what an amazing few weeks it has been! The E17 2012 art trail has just finished (yesterday was the last day) and athough the first weekend was largely dominated by the foul EDL marching through our lovely Walthamstow (we love our mixed community thank you very much, as we clearly showed you!), the last two weekends have been amazing. The weekend of 8th and 9th September was hot and I did a little art trail visiting with my lovely friend Salima, her son Haroun and my Max. We started at The Mill and the gorgeous exhibits on there, as well as the amazing Grow Your Own Theatre (website: grow your own theatre) doing some children’s drama sessions which Max took part in. He made a superhero wristband and then they made a little play together. He hasn’t stopped being a superhero yet!

We then visited Birdbox Avenue, local people having decorated little birdboxes which were hung all over people’s front gardens, school fence and down the length of Coppermill Lane. Half the fun was spotting them!

We then visited the wonderful @fabsternation who had taken photos of local twitter friends with their favourite possessions. He had just moved into his new home which had an amazing view of the water filter beds on the edge of the marshes.

The on the Sunday we witnessed a carrot and a leek being united in holy matrimony at the Vegetable Chapel of Love, a bonkers and super fun event.

The amazing Laura and Cris who organise the art trail then held a very special event for the little people in our area. Inspired by the book How to catch a star by Oliver Jeffries they transformed their road into a magical story land with starry lanterns and the whole story acted out in different gardens along the road. It was beautiful and inspirational and something no one will ever forget! Thanks guys…

This last weekend we at Thorpe Crescent were all open again. I set up in my new pink gazebo and on Saturday had a kids party with fancy dress and facepainting, a great success, lots of fun was had by all!

I have again met lots of cool new people and talked to interesting and funny and sweet locals and not-so-locals. I love the art trail!

At the end of it all the neighbours, both who had taen part and those who hadn’t relaxed with a glass of red wine, some cupcakes (thanks Sarah) and a few precious rays of sun…

And then this morning Max (my youngest) went to school….

No more days of crafting and hanging out with friends and playdates on Tuesdays. Also no more trying to juggle work and a 4 year old. Yes I had a tear in my eye at the school gates. But here I am on a Monday morning listening to BBC Radio 6 and blogging, drinking coffee and sewing…not so bad really!