With Orla constantly around me and being my biggest source of inspiration these days, is it any wonder that my latest little girl's bag has turned out quite the way it has? I like to think of it as my Orla for Kids Bag.

It has a strap large enough for a little one (or a bigger little one) to wear over one shoulder as an across the body bag. If a certain model had been in the mood for showing how this looks, then I would have been able to illustrate the point. But let's put it this way - never rely on kids for anything.

The bag is fully lined in my favourite of the moment crisp fresh green stripy shirting fabric.

I've also inserted a zip to keep everything in it safe and secure.

This is the first of a new style of bag for me and whilst it took me a while to work out the best way to design this zipped bag with a flapped front (I'm sure there's better terminology for that), now that I have, you'll be seeing a few different versions of this. Particularly if that afore-mentioned model gets her requested designs approved and produced.

Not that she deserves it, mind.

I'm quite aware that this time last week I had started on a new design idea that I haven't come back to you on. I was hoping to have had more time this week to refine this idea and have it ready to show properly. But as is typical with me, I underestimate how long these things take to get to that point and consequently you are going to have to leave it with me a little longer.

We are having quite a year of it already, one that I'm already fed up of - and it's still only February. As a result I am not getting the time or the ability to concentrate on things that I want to develop.

What I am able to do however is stick to simple things. Stick to what I know best. Stick to things that don't take up much head space in these more challenging days. On a personal level it has been far from a good start to 2011, but the least I can do is look back on it and see that professionally I have got some where.

These new Wash Bags in fab waterproof fabrics - one for the girls, and an equally fun one for the boys - are available now here, here, and here.

See, 3 shops...if that's not prolific, I don't know what is.

Want to cheer yourself up and banish the February blues? Then come and spend a day with Manda and me, learning a new skill and welcoming in the early days of spring by making beautiful, lovingly made clothes for the children in your life.

All equipment, fabrics and notions are included in the day, so you need to do no more than turn up ready to play with some gorgeous fabrics. We will also be providing a homemade lunch with tea, coffee and biscuits.

If you think that you might like to join us for the day in a lovely park side setting (and we hope you do!) then please email either myself or Manda at greycircles@hotmail.co.uk for further information or go directly here to book now.

Would love to come but can't make this date? We are running a workshop on April 2nd, where you can learn the delights of School House Quilting. We'd love to welcome you on that date instead, or even as well!

There always seems to be another step to be done with the renovations we've been doing for over a year. The latest is curtains for our bedroom and the living room. I ordered a few samples from Tinsmith last week, none of which were fitting for the bedroom, but a couple which are in the running for the living room.

Tinsmith stock a fab range of furnishing fabrics, including the range of stunning St Jude fabrics, one of which I am desperate to make work.

I ordered a couple from the Treehouse Grey range, including the Faded Red which was so obviously not going to work anywhere, but I just had to have a sample of that. I'm still thinking the Grey may work in our bedroom but not quite convinced of the busy-ness with the Orla Striped Petal - or Fried Egg as we like to call it - wall paper.

I am leaning towards this for the living room. Again, there's a lot of pattern going on here. It definitely tones in and the fabric is a much smaller design than the wallpaper, so I think it may work. What do you reckon?

I dragged everyone over to Cheadle today to our nearest John Lewis, to look for more options. I found a couple of heavy cottons in differing shades of grey, which may work. You can order samples from John Lewis, so we'll wait for them to arrive and see how they match up.

It seems like we take forever to get a room finalised, by the time all the finishing touches are sourced and done. Are you the same?

I've been trying out a new idea this week. Actually, to be pedantic, I've been trying out an idea that has been mulling around in the far corners of my brain for, ooh, about 4 years, ever since I first started designing these.

I can't blame not being able to find the time. It's been more a case of stalemate and knowing where I was starting from and sort of knowing where I was going to end up, but not sure of the journey I was going to take to get there.

A lightbulb moment occurred last night, some time between finishing tutoring, dropping Noah off at Scouts and coming back to get Ruby to bed. You know how it works. And it was plainly obvious that I wasn't going to be going to bed until I'd at least got somewhere along to trying it out.

I have got somewhere along and I'm quite pleased with where it's at and hopefully they'll be ready for a bit more show and tell early next week...

Are you swayed by packaging?

I'm fickle enough to tell you that I am. Bold, simple packaging gets me every time.

You know there must be something very healthy and good for you inside a package like this.

And one little glimpse told me that it looked tasty too.

My healthy eating habits have gone somewhat to pot recently, with longing for comfort snacks being more a quick purchase of Cadbury's Cream Eggs at the checkout (is it me, or have they got smaller?)

So, when I saw this at Sainsbury's today, a stern talking to told me I needed it more than the afore-mentioned chocolate snacks I've been resorting to of late.

And I don't know about you, but when I rediscover delicious healthy treats, I remember how much more preferable they really are.

Just until someone comes round with a non-healthy alternative that is...

Here's how the conversation went with Ruby this morning, after she took a look at the Drawstring Linen Laundry Bag I designed yesterday...

Ruby: "It's nice, but...(uh oh)...I'd prefer it if it had handles...like the ones on my blue bag. Just long enough to go over my shoulder...but not too long so the bag drags on the floor"

Me: "But you like it, right? You think it works?"

Ruby: "yeeeeees...I like the lining... (phew)... but I'd still prefer longer handles...

"and the front is a bit plain. I think I'd like a bird on it...

"...or maybe a flower...

"or maybe both...

"Do you think you can do that by the time I'm home from school?"

That'll teach me to ask Madam's opinion (I'm still not actually sure I did ask, however), because somehow Ruby has managed to wangle a new bag.