It seems I am the 'Grandmother' of you all in more ways than one. I am 61 going on 36. Married to Howard, I have two children Karen (36) and Neil (34). I have four grandchildren, Jemma (9), Michaela (7), Rebecca (5) and Michael who will be one next month. I also have an ageing King Charles cavalier, Duke who is 12 1/2 years old. I did make soft toys when Karen and Neil were small. However I have been dressmaking most of my life. I did do knitting but I enjoyed sewing more. I also do embroidery, and when Jemma was born I taught myself to smock. and consequently made lots of smocked things for the girls. Sewing I find is very relaxing, even if one has dead lines to keep.

My day job was as a civil servant which I was for over 25 years. I have given snippets of things about me, like how I started bear making, before. I retired last year from the D.S.S. So Howard insisted that I needed to do something to keep me occupied, and well what better job is there?

email: pat.banks@LineOne.net